Gradually the view outside reverses itself. Violet stars become
visible at the edge of the field of view and gradually take on their
normal colours as the black void shrinks towards the centre of the
view. The constellations reappear...but the arrangement of the stars
is subtly different. Finally the star that had been in the centre of
field comes back into view...only now you see it as a pair of full
grown suns: one yellow-white, the other tinged with orange; while a
third, much fainter red sun hangs off to one side.
Before long the Amalda space station comes into view. A vast tangle of interconnected tubes, girders, globes and cylinders, it stretches for tens of miles before you. Lights upon the various structures that comprise the station blink at apparently random intervals.
The Steve Jobs decelerates and then cruises slowly towards a large cylinder with an enormous opening in one end. As you pass through the opening there is a bit of a sparkle from outside, and then the darkness is lit by a myriad of lights, illuminating an enormous flat area. It is mostly barren, though you see what appear to be a half a dozen other ships parked along one side of the area.
The X class scout sets down in the middle of the landing bay. The entire flight seemed to take no more than twenty minutes.
Tully, Zanax and Darian rise from their seats and make for where the door was. Lo follows them. By the time they reach it the door has dematerialised.
You step out onto the flight deck.
Four beautiful young women are there to greet you.
"Welcome back, Tully," says Amalda1.
"I missed you, Darian," says Amalda3, embracing the elf.
"Oh Zanax, you brought along a friend!" exclaims Amalda2.
The fourth woman approaches Lo.
"Hello," she says, in a low, sultry voice.
Darian pats her lightly on the back. "Thank you. I did mention I'm married, right?"
"Yes, but I do not understand what that means," she replies, squeezing him harder.
"That means I have already pledged myself to one woman and to her alone."
"I don't understand," she says with a smile, lips parted.
Tully says, "I don't either. She isn't a woman per se, Darian."
He smiles and chuckles.
"Then what is she, Tully? And how would Jesse react?"
"Um , yeah what is she?" Lo asks.
"Real enough," he says.
Tully thinks about it for a moment and says, "She is much like an illusion. Would Jesse be upset if you had sex with an illusion?"
"Yes."
"Interesting. Does she get upset if you masturbate and think of someone else?" He laughs and says, "Don't answer, that is probably too much information. I suppose, then, that an Almada is out of the question for you."
"I'm not attached," Lo smiles.
Darian laughs. "Do you think I'd tell her?"
Tully laughs, "Yes, I suppose that wouldn't be wise." He smiles at the thought.
"Well why don't you invite her to join us?" asks Amalda3, licking her lips. "I would love to meet her."
Darian chuckles. "She might be up for that. Maybe on our next journey. She does need to find something to keep her mind off the loss of our child."
Lo is tempted to say James Kirk, but just grins and says, "Lo Wang at your service. What is your name?" he inquires.
"I am Amalda4," she replies, gazing into his eyes.
"Hi, can you show me around? I am new around here," Lo says with a smile.
"What would you like to see first?" Amalda4 asks with a smile.
"It's your place; you decide," Lo replies.
"How about a nice restaurant?"
"Let's," Lo smiles and offers his arm to her to take him around by.
"Ok, let's see...Almada1, Robot has been damaged. Do you think you could repair him?"
"'Repair'? What is 'repair'?"
"He has dents in his outer shell. Can you make it so that he no longer has dents?"
"I am sorry," she says with a smile.
While everyone is chatting, Zanax asks Amalda2, "Amalda2, is there a way to increase my psionic abilities?"
"Amalda does not have that facility," she replies. "Have you consulted a Wizard?"
Zanax's interest is piqued, "And where would I find one?"
"I don't know," she replies.
Zanax asks, "Steve Jobs, can you hear me?"
"I can," says the voice from the ship.
Zanax smiles, "Good. Two questions:
1) Do you know where we can find the ones known as the Wizards?2) Do you have any information on how to improve my psionic abilities?"
"I am afraid that the answer is no to both questions," says Steve Jobs.
"The Wizards tended to move around a lot," says Amalda2. "We do not know of any permanent home for them in this universe."
Tully catches the end of the conversation and says, "There are some on Earth near Demon's Neck,, I think."
Lo And Amalda4 head for the exit.
Zanax turns to Tully with a confused look on his face, "Ummm...why did we bring him here again?"
"DOES NOT COMPUTE," says the robot.
Tully chuckles and says, "Someone needs to draw out the creatures lurking about. Might as well be him. Plus, we could use a cleric with us."
He says, "I need to go to the library and download the alien life form database. That way if we meet algae creatures again, I will know what they can do. I also want to look into these Wizards. If they can fix robot, they might have a nernal."
He heads to the library. Amalda1 walks with him.
Zanax heads out with Amalda2 to practice more with his tech weapons. Black-eye scampers along after him.
Darian remains with Amalda3 and the robot.
Zanax, Amalda2 and the noor head out of the landing area and down a long passage into an area of the space station that he has never visited before.
All is fine until you come around a corner and find yourself confronting three giant lizards. They look hungry...and Zanax looks like dinner.
"Ugh!" says Amalda2. "Vermin!"
Zanax sighs and draws his blaster rifle, "Amalda2, can you contact the other Amaldas or my friends and let them know we're being attacked by vermin?"
A lizard snaps at him.
"I have already done so," Amalda2 replies.
Zanax opens fire on the lizards.
The paladin feels the heat from the weapon wash back over him as a lizard is vapourised.
The other two lunge at him but miss.
Zanax fires again but only scorches his next target slightly. A lizard bites him for 2 hit points.
The paladin's next shot vapourises the second lizard. The last lizard bites at him but misses.
Zanax fires again and the last lizard is no more.
"Not bad shooting," says Amalda2, as you continue on your way.
Zanax nods and continues walking, "Thank you. This is clearly an impressive weapon. How many more times can I fire this weapon before it is empty?"
She takes the blaster and looks at it.
"You have two more shots left."
Zanax nods, "Thanks. How do I get more shots?"
"I can supply you with more charges."
You reach the firing range: a long narrow room which looks rather featureless. Amalda2 gives you as many charges for the blaster as you need and shows you how the range works. When you are ready a target appears out of thin air and you fire at it.
Zanax practices for about ten minutes before Tully joins him with Amalda1. The bard finds himself in a long narrow room which looks rather featureless but for some scorch marks on the walls.
"I received a message that you were under attack. Where you? Where is Darian?"
Zanax shakes his head, "I have not seen him. I was able to defeat the monsters rather easily with this new weapon. Between this and my sword, we should be able to empty this place of monsters. Let us go searching for Darian and that other guy...Logan?"
"Wasn't it Long Wang or something like that? Also, what kind of weapon is that?"
Zanax looks at the weapon, "I believe it's called a blaster rifle. It seems to unleash a beam of intense heat. Quite a powerful weapon that uses something called charges."
Zanax takes a look at the blaster to see how he can tell that there are 2 shots left.
There is a tiny numeric display above the butt.
He says to Almada2, "Is this one more powerful than the one I have? Are there more powerful weapons available? Oh, and can you ask the system where Darian is located?"
"They should be much the same," Amalda2 replies. "As for Darian, he, the robot and Amalda3 are at the scene of Zanax's battle. You could have learned that yourself."
"Ok, let's go there and get them. Then we can go find some other vermin to practice on. Best in numbers, though, so that no one gets killed."
You head out from the firing range, Black-eye loping off ahead of you.
About half way back to the scene of the battle you see Darian, the robot and Amalda4 walking towards you.
"Hi everyone. So, Zanax, what did you run into that caused the alarms to go off?" asks Darian.
Tully nods, "Yeah, what happened?"
Zanax shrugs, "I think I over-reacted to the vermin we encountered. Turned out this blaster weapon is much more powerful than I originally anticipated. However, now that I am more familiar with this weapon, I think we should hunt down some additional vermin."
"What do you mean by vermin? Rats? Something bigger?"
Zanax grins, "Let's start clearing this station."
Zanax turns to Amalda2, "Is there some way to prevent any further vermin from entering this station or ships from docking?"
"Oh, yes."
Zanax asks, "Then why haven't you done so?"
"We did...after the initial infestation."
"Many of these creatures we now call vermin were actually creatures that were on display at our zoo," adds Amalda1.
Zanax looks confused, "What's a zoo?"
"A zoo is an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals."
"So why are they loose? And should we be putting them back in this zoo or killing them off?"
"The last occupants of Amalda freed them before they left. They did not care about the possible consequences for future visitors."
Darian's eyes narrow in suspicion. "Zanax, why aren't you answering the question?"
Zanax pauses, "Eh? Oh, by vermin, I mean any monster on this station...regardless of size. Assuming we have more of these charges, that is."
"And what did you find and fight?"
Zanax shrugs, "Just 3 giant lizards."
Darian nods. "Thank you. Why was that so hard?"
Zanax shrugs, "I was just excited to tackle some other vermin with this new weapon."
Tully nods and says, "Can we see a manifest of all the creatures contained with the zoo at the time of this release?"
Zanax nods, "Yes and would it be possible to see what these last occupants looked like?"
"Certainly."
The air shimmers, then images form and flash by you in rapid succession. Many of the creatures you have never seen before, but you do recognise giant ants, bears, spiders, sheep, rats...and lizards, among others.
After ten minutes the images stop.
Amalda1 says, "We have just been informed that a ship has dropped out of Jump at the edge of the Toliman system and is crossing the Lipsey Barrier. Estimated arrival time is 25 hours and two minutes."
"Can you determine what type of being is in the ship and if they are hostile?"
Tully says, "Please don't contact them or do an active scan, though, Almada. Before that can you tell us the make and model of the ship? What race would likely be using it? Also, any armor and weapons the ship may have...let us know that."
"The ship is of a design that does not exist in our database," Amalda3 replies.
"Amalda is not equipped for scanning," Amalda1 tells you.
Tully adds, "I have a list of all the animals on the ship. They are mostly non or low intelligent creatures. Anyway, I can find them if we want to hunt them."
Darian shakes his head. "We need to figure out if this new ship is a threat or not, first. If it isn't, then we can go hunting."
"Of course." Tully says. "Almada, does this space station have any exterior weapons or rockets that can be launched?"
"We do not," she replies, "This is a recreational and commercial space station."
He then says to Darian and Zanax, "We could let them enter the docking bay and once they disembark just let the vacuum of space into the bay. That would kill anyone outside the ship...unless they have a suit, of course."
"Or they know how this technology works better and do something we didn't know was possible."
Zanax chimes in, "But first we need to determine if they are hostile..."
"The ship is powered by a primitive ion warp drive set fed by a type II thermonuclear reactor fueled by interstellar hydrogen," says Amalda1 after a moment. "Its range must be limited as a result. Electronics are simple. Electromagnetic leaks are plentiful. The ship is not responding to our hails. It is possible that they do not possess translation devices. However, we are able to monitor internal communications between the inhabitants of the vessels."
"And? What have you learned? Are they talking amongst themselves?"
"Yes."
Tully says, "Can you patch it through here so we can hear it?"
"The central traffic controller for the Toliman system has switched over to Paranoia Mode and is withholding that information while it attempts to translate it."
Tully thinks for a moment and says, "Considering the size of the ship, type of engine and trajectory can you calculate the probable systems of origin?"
"That could be done," says Amalda1, "But the central traffic controller now considers that to be classified information."
"Military computers," says Amalda2 with a shrug.
Zanax asks Amalda2, "How many life signs do you detect and do they have weapons powerful enough to damage this station?"
Amalda2 rolls her eyes. "I guess that is classified information. They won't tell us."
"Amalda's own scanners indicate that the visitor is heading for one of the outlying dead stations in the system," adds Amalda3.
Zanax asks, "Anything special about any of those dead stations?"
"They used to serve many different purposes," says Amalda2. "Some were industrial; some were agricultural; some were military. This ship is heading for an old military outpost. It is the closest station from the point where they emerged from their Jump."
Zanax asks, "Any weapons on that old military outpost? Maybe we should just continue on our way until we determine they are hostile."
"There shouldn't be."
"Hmmm...any other ships visit those outposts over the past month or so?"
She shakes her head negatively.
"So, do we head out to the military outpost or just wait and see if they come here?" asks Darian.
Zanax responds, "I vote we continue to exterminate the vermin on this station until someone comes to bother us. Unless we feel the need to make contact with others..."
Speaking of which, at this point you are joined by Long Wang and Amalda4.
"What's shakin', guys?" Lo asks with a smile.
He is competely ignored.
"Okay, then let's continue killing vermin. Amalda, please inform us immediately when the ship leaves the military outpost or if it changes its heading before reaching it."
All four Amaldas nod in unison.
Zanax nods, "Locked and loaded."
"Where do you want to start on the vermin?" asks Amalda2. "The park again? How about the zoological gardens?"
"The mall is a good place to find vermin," suggests Amalda3.
"And you could pick us out some nice clothes while we are there..." adds Amalda4 with a sly smile.
Darian shrugs. "It doesn't matter to me. If you want to go to the mall, we can go to the mall."
Zanax nods, "To the mall then. Lead the way, Amalda2."
Lo falls in line and follows.
"Amalda," he says to #4, "any chance for finishing dinner?"
"Sure," she says. "We can go to the food court."
"Excellent, it seems they don't need me here," Lo says.
"The food court is in the mall," says Amalda4, taking his hand.
Lo allows himself to be taken by Amalda #4.
You all set off for the mall, as the ladies lead you through the labyrinth of passages and halls that comprise the Amalda space station.
Tully says, "I wonder how long till that ship heads this way." He asks, "How may dead stations are between it and this one? They may just be doing salvage. Can you notify us when they are on the move again?"
"Of course," says Amalda1, as you walk. "If they were to come straight here then it takes about a day from Toliman's Lipsey Barrier. As for intervening stations...there is one other."
After about a twenty minute walk you reach the mall.
It is a maze of passages and halls similar to what you have been traipsing through, though wider than is typical and more nicely decorated. The halls are lined with shops of varying sizes. Most of them sell women's clothes and accessories, though you also see some for men as well, plus a few book stores, toy stores, shops selling electronics (whatever they are), kitchen goods and eyeglasses. In the centre, where a number of these passages meet you find something which Amalda4 refers to as the Food Court. It is nothing like the courts that you are used to, which are usually presided over by a king, queen or other member of the nobility. Instead, it consists of an area of small tables surrounded by uncomfortable looking chairs. The perimeter walls are filled with a number of small counters and stalls offering all sorts of exotic foods, like hamburgers, french fries, hot dogs, donuts, pastries, Chinese, Orcese, salads, subs, tofu, elven and more.
There are lots of people in the mall, wandering the halls, sitting on benches, browsing in the shops and eating in the food court. Behind the counters in the food court and in the shops you see still more people, mostly immature specimens of various races, serving the mall patrons.
"Oh, look at that darling top!" exclaims Amalda1, pointing at something on display in a shop window. "I have to try it on!"
She and Amalda2 head for the shop.
Darian is very confused and turns to his companions. "Did any of you realize that we weren't the only sentient, living people on this station?"
Tully says, "No, I didn't." He says to Almada, "Are these people real or have they been added to create a mall-like experience?"
Zanax shades his head, "Well, I certainly didn't expect to see people shopping here. Perhaps they are similar to the Amaldas?"
"That is right," says Amalda3. "They are here for ambience only."
Zanax asks, "So, then where are all these vermin located?"
"I'm sure they're around here, somewhere," says Amalda3. "But first, let's do some shopping. Would like to help me pick out a little something, Darian?" she asks with a nod towards a lingerie shop.
"Um.... Okay."
Black-eye, meanwhile, gallops over to a McDeath's fast food restaurant.
Tully says, "Maybe we should get some gear while we are here. Not sure what we need, though. Do they have anything that can improve a person physically? Oh, any Nernals for sale? What about star charts? The galactic encyclopedia?" Tully laughs.
"That can be downloaded into you whenever you like," says Amalda4.
Tully says, "What can?"
"The Encyclopedia Galactica."
"Cool! Do you have the Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy?"
"The what?"
Zanax looks confused. "Amalda4, pray tell, what is this Encylopedia Galactica?"
"It is a reference book, containing all of the accumulated information compiled by the Second Ptarton Empire."
Zanax raises both eyebrows, "And will that information make me smarter?"
"It will not increase your mental abilities," says Amalda4.
Zanax looks crestfallen, "Oh, well. What does one need to have this information downloaded into them?"
"You need what he has," she says with a nod and a smile at Tully.
Zanax puts his hands on hips and frowns, "And what does he have that I don't have?"
"An interface to connect directly with us," she replies with a sly smile.
Zanax looks embarrassed, "Of course I do..."
"Remember? He had that operation where they put something in his head," calls Darian as he is led away to the lingerie shop.
Zanax looks embarrassed, "Oh, yes. Have you noticed anything different since the operation, Tully?"
Tully shakes his head. "Not really. I have access to much more information. I don't know if it would work if you had magical powers. Hmm, I don't think I have tried casting any spells so I am not sure if it will interfere with that."
"I'll get an implant," Lo raises his hand with a grin.
Zanax strokes his non-existent facial hair, "Maybe we should wait to see if Tully suffers any side effects."
Tully says, "Let me try a spell."
He casts charm person on Zanax.
Zanax comes over and tries to kiss him.
Tully quickly cancels the spell, and Zanax returns to his so-called normal self.
Suddenly there is a roar, followed by a whoosh of flames, followed by a yelp.
Black-eye comes zooming back from the McDeath's counter, leaving a smoke trail behind him across the food court. He clambers up Zanax's front and perches atop the paladin's head, hissing and chattering angrily. His fur is scorched.
The McDeath's restaurant counter is engulfed in a cloud of smoke. As it starts to clear you see a large red snout withdrawing itself back into the depths of the food preparation area. The counter area is littered with the smoking bodies of dead kobolds clad in tacky green polyester uniforms.
"There are your vermin," says Amalda4.
"DOES NOT COMPUTE," says the robot, breaking a long silence.
Tully says, "I think that is a dragon or something similar!"
Zanax smiles, "Finally! A worthy adversary."
Zanax starts checking his weaponry and shield, "Ready when you are."
Tully pulls out his blaster rifle and turns off the safety. "Ok, let's see what we can do. Should we try talking to it first in case it can talk?"
Zanax rolls his eyes, "If it's a red dragon, what are you going to ask it?"
"Amalda4, will our shield belts protect us from fire?"
"Of course," she replies.
Darian comes back from the lingerie shop and clears his throat. "Good. But, I am also going to prepare to absorb their breath using my psionics, just in case."
Tully says, "Ok, let's go, then."
Lo follows.
He loads his light crossbow and casts "bless" on the party.
Tully pauses and says, "Almada, are there any cameras in McDeath that we could view the inside with from a monitor nearby or to a direct feed? I am curious if we can get the drop on this thing. Also, any schematics would be useful. Are there any other entrances besides the front door?"
"What is a camera?"
"A device for monitoring the area through a video feed. Or some other device used for surveillance?"
"Oh," she says. "But that would be invasive."
Tully smiles and says, "Ah, yes. It would. Do you have any robots, androids or drones we can send in there to check it out before we go in?"
"DO NOT LOOK AT ME," says the robot.
Tully laughs and says, "I wouldn't think of it, Robot."
Amalda4 glances at the other three Amaldas, who have rejoined you.
"I could go," she says.
Tully shakes his head and says, "No need, we will go. I was just hoping we could spy upon it from a distance to get an idea of age and size. However, we can find out once we engage it in battle."
He raises his rifle and says, "Let's go, boys!"
He heads into McDeath's as quietly as he can. (move silently 55% and hide in shadows 43%)
Darian nods and shoulders his blaster, checking to make sure it's ready. He then changes his psionics to absorb magic.
"Ready." He walks into McDeath.
Zanax follows, blaster set to kill.
Lo follows as well.
As you all advance a pie suddenly appears out of thin air and creams Zanax in the face.
Reaching the counter that separates the food court from the interior of the McDeath's, you look over it. There, you see an enormous red dragon sitting atop a gigantic pile of treasure. Apparently it is his job to heat the grill and the fryolator. Right now he is looking none too happy, as a pie had suddenly appeared out of thin air and smooshed him in the snout.
He spots you and starts to inhale...
Tully chuckles, "This must be pie in the sky day!"
"The pies, the pies! They are infecting the multiverse!" shouts Darian. He then looks surprised. "Who said that?"
Tully says, "Rock! This is awesome!" as he dives to the side and behind a counter firing his blaster rifle at the dragon like a mad man (and like Clint Eastwood in a cheesey shoot-em-up flick from early Earth years, circa 1980s Earth time)!!
Darian doesn't do anything except fire his blaster at the dragon.
Zanax wipes the pie from his face, turns on his shield and starts blasting the dragon. He makes sure he stays near Darian.
Lo fires a bolt at the dragon and drops down behind a counter.
You get your shots off first.
Tully's shot goes wide and a Slugway kiosk nearby goes up in flames.
Darian also misses...though not quite so badly.
Zanax almost grazes the dragon.
"DANGER! DANGER!" exclaims the robot, extending his arms. Bolts of lightning shoot from his claws, striking the dragon.
Finally, Long Wang unloads a crossbow bolt. It bounces off of the dragon's hide as the big red breathes.
Darian, Lo and Zanax are unharmed, as the elf takes the heat from the attack. Tully, now more than 10' away from Darian is unharmed as well, though the counter he was hiding behind goes up in flames.
The robot, however, is badly damaged.
"I think we should've practiced more on targets that don't fire back! Robot, retreat."
Darian fires again.
"AFFIRMATIVE," says the robot, as he rolls back, leaving a trail of nuts and bolts behind him.
Lo reloads his crossbow, fires over the counter, and then drops back down again.
Suddenly the long serpentine neck of the dragon snakes forward, over the counter that Darian, Lo and Zanax are hiding behind, and bites the paladin for 22 hit points.
Darian's aim improves, as he burns a long, smoking welt down the neck of the dragon.
Tully says, "Yes, we need more training with these things!" he starts blasting at the dragon as fast as he can.
Zanax cries out, "Cut the chatter, Red 5!"
Zanax continues to fire at the dragon.
Tully keeps firing. "What does Red 5 mean?"
Zanax shrugs, "Dunno, just something I heard. I think it means more shooting, less talking."
Tully says, "Cool. I like codes! 5 by 5, dude!"
Zanax shrugs, "Ummm, sure...5 by 5."
Zanax's aim is knocked off its target and he misses.
Long Wang bounces another bolt off of the dragon's hide.
Tully fires again, this time setting a vat of cooking oil on fire.
Lo chants, "Bless my companions," as he casts bless on the group against the dragon.
Tully says, "This blaster isn't working for me."
He pulls out his sword-thing and stands to the side. He will back stab the dragon as it lunges for one of his companions.
Lo gets the hell out of the way. "Amalda, do you have any weapons I can use?" he asks.
"What do you want?" all four women ask.
"Blaster pistol, blaster rifle, anything that will kill the dragon," he replies.
They hand him one of each, along with a dozen charges.
After he saw Tully fire at the dragon, he holds the blaster rifle the same way, aims, and fires at the dragon.
Zanax sighs and attacks with his sword instead, too.
Darian drops his blaster and draws his frostbrand and attacks the dragon as it lunges.
This time the dragon lunges at Darian but misses him.
Long Wang opens fire with a blaster rifle, opening a smoking wound in the flank of the beast.
Zanax lands two quick hits with his glowing longsword.
Darian, having lost his frost brand when he was blinked across the galaxy, attacks with his new flame tongue instead. He misses with both swings.
Tully jumps over the counter and attacks the dragon's flank with his Sinclair longsword, catching the critter off guard. The dragon screams as he shears off a fore leg.
The red dragon twists about and bites at the bard, but Tully's shield belt protects him.
Tully attacks again but misses. Long Wang fire his blaster but misses as well.
Finally it is the paladin who brings down the dragon with a final swing of his sword.
"Oh, our heroes!" say the Amaldas, as they rush over to you and commence to kiss and cuddle you.
You realise how tired you are, as your day started back on Earth. On the other hand, you catch a glint of treasure under the body of the dragon.
"Treasure first, then rest," comments Darian.
You struggle, drag and heave the body of the dragon out of the way. Underneath you find 667 rectangular metal plates made of some sort of platinum alloy. Imprinted on each are the words 'Platinum Plus'...so you know that they are very valuable (5500gp ea.).
Tully says, "Damn, do you know how rich we are? That is...well..." He thinks for a moment and says, "Over 3 million gold!" He dances a bit of a jig and twirls Almada. "We are rich, babe! We could retire if we wanted to do so."
He laughs.
"I'm so happy for you," she replies, and kisses him again.
Tully says, "Thanks sweetie. I sure wish I could take you to Sandas. You would love it, I think. It is a fun place."
Black-eye kisses Zanax.
Zanax frowns, "What, no dinner first?"
Darian smiles. "Almost 3 million, 700 hundred thousand. Split four ways, that's over 9 hundred thousand. But, I don't intend on retiring. Besides, this treasure would help that guild that Occa and Kadlian are trying to form. I think we could buy major shares in the guild and guarantee ourselves a pretty good income for the future."
Tully nods. "Yes, you know, you are right. That is a really good idea. Hmm..."
He starts thinking and pauses for a long moment. "You know, let's find a bar and get something good to drink before retiring for the evening. This battle has made me start to really think about our overall mission and some things we might consider doing next."
Darian shrugs. "Sure. Hey, does anyone need healing?"
Tully points over to the large bite mark on Zanax, "Zanax does!"
Darian nods. "Zanax, do you want to use your own healing or mine?"
Zanax lays on hand and then casts Cure Light Wounds on himself first, for 18 hit points. Darian cures him up the rest of the way.
"Where are we going to stash these plates? And I think we should see what else is on this station before heading back to Occa's."
"I know a nice beach-side bar," suggests Amalda4.
Tully smiles and says, "Lead the way, my dear!"
You set out. The robot clanks and rattles along behind you.
He pauses again and says, "Oh, what is the status of that ship that entered the system?"
"It is still closing on that other space station," Amalda2 replies.
"Space is big," says Amalda3.
"Really big," adds Amalda4.
"At only the speed of light it takes awhile to get anywhere," says Amalda1.
After about a fifteen minute walk you emerge out of a door and find yourselves standing on a tropical beach at sunset. Gentle waves lap the sand. A grove of palm trees grows nearby. Long Wang recognises the place, as the ladies lead you over to an open air pavilion made of palm fronds.
"Dinner and drinks for nine?" asks a young lady, clad in a very revealing bikini, greeting you at the entrance to the pavilion.
Darian nods, mouth open in surprise. "How did you get ...?"
"...Into this bathing suit?" she finishes with a smile.
Darian chuckles, "That too. How did you create this beach and all this water in this place?"
She shrugs.
"It is a pattern out of Amalda's memory," she says. "As for the bathing suit, would you like me to demonstrate?"
She leads you into the pavilion and to a table. Once you are seated she hands you all menus.
"Our pina coladas are known across the galaxy," she says.
"The pulled barbequed pork is very good as well," adds Amalda2.
Tully says, "That is great. How about we all try one of those first?" He looks over at the woman and says, "A round for everyone."
Black-eye licks his lips and ties on a bib.
"An order of both then, please," Darian asks.
Tully says, "Could we try a sampling of several dishes on the menu? We are not familiar with your foods so trying several things would be good."
"Of course. I would also recommend the Tolimanese Rock Lobster and the broiled impala steak, perhaps with a side salad?"
"That sounds great! Bring it on!"
She takes Darian's order, and everyone else's, too.
Soon jugs of pina coladas and iced glasses start appearing, along with appetizers of small rolls with meats inside, smoked shellfish of a kind that you have never sampled before and thin slices of beef cured with some sort of acidic juice. Next come the main courses of pork, lobster and impala, cooked to your order, accompanied by large salads consisting many vegetables that you are familiar with and some that you have never seen before. Desert is a melange of papaya and mango, with ice cream.
Finally, after dinner drinks are served, as the last of the evening twilight from the setting Toliman B (Toliman A set earlier) fades away and the myriad stars of the Milky Way blaze down on you. The familiar constellations of Earth are there, but subtly different. To Darian, a native of a world many thousands of light years away, they are all strange.
"How about a starlight swim?" asks Amalda1 with an impish giggle.
"Oh, I don't have a bathing suit!" says Amalda2 in mock dismay.
"No matter!" says Amalda1.
"You mean swim without clothing?"
"Sure," says Amalda3. "The water's warm."
Darian shrugs and looks at the others. "As long as there's no danger around here, I suppose it wouldn't hurt."
Tully says, "Let's find out."
He strips and jumps in!
Darian shrugs. "Only if our server joins us as well."
She smiles.
"It would be my pleasure," she says.
Lo kisses Amalda4 again and loses his cleric's robes very quickly. He throws her over his shoulder and runs into the water.
"Help me undress, first!" squeals Amalda4.
"Yes, ma'am," Lo says as he lowers her down, helps her out of her outfit and then throws her naked body back over his shoulder and into the water.
He goes splashing into the water.
Zanax clears his throat, "Ahem. Are we not losing sight of our goals? Perhaps having seemingly anything you want caused the previous inhabitants to become extinct. Not having any challenges probably made them complacent."
"I agree, but I believe we're celebrating our victory rather than taking a vacation. After a few hours, we will need to sleep and prepare for tomorrow. We might have visitors and we still need to learn how to use those blasters more effectively. I think our next hunt should be against something less powerful than a dragon, though."
"I hope you never grow complacent, Zanax," says Amalda2, taking his hand.
Black-eye rolls his eyes and keeps eating.
"I NEED A MECHANIC," announces the robot.
Soon those of you who want to take a dip are taking a dip with Amaldas. The water is warm and shallow, the bottom sandy.
After awhile you straggle back ashore, as a growing glow heralds the rising of Proxima, the third star in the Toliman system.
More drinks and food follow.
Tully wanders back over and says, "Is there a mechanic or a way to repair Robot here?"
Amalda1 shakes her head, spraying Tully with salt water.
"He is too primitive," she says.
Tully nods. "Do you think the database has information and training on how ancient mechanics did their work? If so, I would like to get a download on that as soon as possible so I can try and repair him. Otherwise, we will need to find Occa and see if a wish will fix him up."
Amalda1 shakes her head again.
"If such information existed then we wouldn't be in the pickle we're in right now, would we?" she says. "Besides, the problem with the robot is that he is newer technology, and hence more primitive."
"Amalda, when we are done here, or better yet, in the morning, can I get one of those head implants that Tully has been talking about?"
"Sure."
Lo's eyes go wide as he mentally calculates that he went from a poor cleric of Thoth to a very rich one. "I really need some target practice with this thing,"
He mentions and then stays quiet as he gets kissed. "I would take some more of that," he says to Amalda4 with a goofy grin.
She kisses him again.
Lo returns the kiss.
Finally, you return to the hotel overlooking the park where Tully and Zanax stayed on their first visit. The suites are sumptuous and you quickly make yourselves comfortable. If you desire, the women are more than happy to stay with you.
Black-eye of course bunks down with Zanax.