Chapter 10

During our search ... just to give an idea of a base few of the multitude of difficulties April has consented to play a couple of verbatim contacts with reasonably situated and 'close enough' planets in the zone of acceptance.

April translating on speaker:

"Unknown and unidentified interstellar object. State your business."

"Searching for a home," she replied ... not that we understood any of the 'ticks, clucks, tocks, glottal stops and spitting, ' of the before translation speech ... if the noise could be called speech.

"We're full up here, go away."

"We'd just like a look ... oooh ... that's an unfriendly action."

"Evidently, you have ... excuse me," said ground.

In the muffled background, there was just enough 'speech' getting through for April to translate to us.

"Ground is speaking to someone who was very impressed by the destruction of whatever they launched at us. There are several voices used to using power and command and they decided we're worth capturing ... and dissecting."

The cabin speaker announced, "The queen would like to meet your delegation, use pad 9."

"We thank you ... but..."

"Oh, we insist."

"Insist away ... bye."

"Ground, April."

"April, Ground."

"Welcome back. How's your mother?"

"Bigger," April said.

"Bigger?"

"Meaner, too."

"That's the last thing we needed to hear, has she forgiven us?"

"Yes. No. Maybe. As long as you don't try anything she's willing."

The speakers projected the sound that gave the impression of a sweaty brow being wiped. "What can we do for you?"

"I have an exploratory couple looking for a home."

"Just two?"

"At the moment ... eventually they might number in the thousands but under a million."

"We have no room."

"We know ... but you folks are reasonably similar and ... well ... forget it."

"Oh ... NOW the bosses are curious."

April grinned at the listeners. The visit was short.

"They're ugly."

That was from both species.

"Thanks for the look-see ... they needed to know."

"This end of the universe is pretty much new. Very explored and populated ... I doubt there are acceptable uninhabited planets within 10 million light years. They have a nice galaxy ... surely there's something?"

"Inhabited or demolished."

"Too bad ... they seem like nice folks ... she's pretty ordinary for a Princess."

"She's one of the better ones ... they can get pretty awful." April made the proper leaving messages, "We're off."

And that's when Vee said 'make our own?'

"So, I take these balloons over to the site and pop one every time a rod shows up?" Gary asked.

"No ... you Hang your balloon on the rod."

"Hang the balloon on the rod with the string?"