From: bandraptor@aol.com (Bandraptor) Subject: [PW!][NC] Before the Storm Date: 05 Jul 1999 14:47:07 GMT > >"Car'tos, Car'tos, Car'tos..." They started to chant. They walked on, >and came to the gold door. "My lord, Car'tos is here." Said one of the >Minions who, for some reason, sounded British. The door went up, and >they entered the palace. Red banners ran down the huge walls. The floor >was a gray marble, with blue carpet running through the middle to a >smaller door. Small D'ahmarens walked by, and bowed as they past >Car'tos. > >"Hmm.." Came a low ominous voice. "Car'tos, its been awhile." >"Ros'co," He and Aeris got on their knees, and bowed. "Yes, i have >returned sir." >The door slid down, and a large, bigheaded shadow loomed inside. >The D'ahmaren stepped out, and showed himself. >The short, four-foot tall gray skinned alien walked up to Car'tos. He >looked around, and walked up to the Humans... Nori boggled. Ros'co was the archetypical space alien, the kind that was depicted in picture books, and on TV shows, such as "Maboroshi no Pokémon X-Files". A hundred thoughts crossed her mind... She realized that all the rumors she'd heard, all the urban legends about UFOs, and Area 51, were probably true. Ros'co paced back and forth, between Nori and Black Hole; sizing up the newcomers. He knew Earth creatures when he saw them, but these two looked peculiar. One was dressed from head to toe, in black battle armor. The other was wearing a skanky white miniskirt, and a Tie'nek-esque helmet, which blocked his view of its face. It seemed odd, that Car'tos would bring such creatures back with him; since he, like most Tie'nek, was intolerant of their species. But there'd be time enough, to worry about that later. For now he had to keep up appearances. "Car'tos." he said, with a strained smile, that came off as more of a grimace, "It is good to see you home. Your extended absence has resulted in turmoil, amongst the soldiers." "Oh?" Car'tos asked, raising an eyebrow, "How so?" "They feared you would not return," Ros'co explained, as he lead the group of two Tie'neks, and a pair of humans, deeper into his palace. "They came to the conclusion, that the Earthans had disposed of you. This did not sit well with them, and they were prepared to launch a counter attack." "Oh." Car'tos had been gone a long time. In fact, it was by luck alone, that he'd gotten back to Tie'nek at all... the Chronoshift could have deposited them anywhere. They turned a corner, and started down a long corridor. The hallway was lit by grand chandeliers, whose light reflected off the green marble floors. The walls were decorated with large portraits of various Tie'neks. Nori wondered if they were kings and queens, or perhaps military generals. The latter seemed more likely to her, because the Tie'nek came off as a rather warlike race. At the end of the hall were twin doors, which were being guarded by a pair of Minions. Seeing Ros'co coming, the two aliens quickly threw the doors open; which was no small task, considering their weight. Beyond the doors lay an enormous dining hall, and a table splayed with food. "The D'ahmarens have proffered a small banquet, Car'tos, in honor of your return. It is not much, but then again; you did not tell us that you were coming, and they had little time to prepare." Car'tos' stomach grumbled... it had been a while since he'd eaten *anything*, let alone good Tie'nek food. He was wary, however. Despite his air of complacency, Ros'co was clearly displeased. Nothing good could come of an angry D'ahmaren. Aeris and the humans joined Ros'co at the table, while Car'tos remained in the doorway, still lost in thought. It probably hadn't been a good idea, for him to bring his human friends to Tie'nek, but there was nothing he could do about that now. All he could do, was hope for the best, and pray that they didn't do anything to upset Ros'co. "Itadakimasu~!" Nori cried, something from one of the platters. Car'tos wondered how she planned on eating it, considering that the helmet covered her mouth. 'Oh well...' he thought, taking his place at the table, 'This is the calm before the storm. I'd better enjoy it, while it lasts.' TBC... -Beth "Ii kanji!" http://members.aol.com/bandraptor