Global Cooling by David P. Reiter

Global Cooling by David P. Reiter

Author:David P. Reiter
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781921479472
Publisher: IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd)


7

in which Prince and Eudora get a progress report and the Yowie is mentioned

It was almost as if Prince and Eudora had overheard Tark’s wish for a promotion. Just after the crew had had dinner and settled their sleeping mats into the expansion bubble that protected them against mozzies and other curious intruders and Tark had lit a fire just large enough to toast marshmallows on, there was a sudden blur of light in the night sky, several times brighter than a bank of lights at a football match, and there it was, coming in for a landing, Eudora’s Star-Command spacecraft.

Even Tark was taken aback. ‘Your Majesty,’ he said, dipping in a low bow as Prince appeared at the open hatch of the ship. The Members filed down after him to form a loose circle around the crew. ‘What gives us the honour of your presence this evening?’ Tark asked.

Prince smiled. ‘We have had glowing telimissives from everywhere you’ve been, Lieutenant Tark. Well done. This will not go unnoticed back home among our delegates to Supreme Inter-Galactic Command.’

‘Thank you, Sire,’ Tark said, bowing again, ‘but I could not have done it without the help of—‘

‘Yes,’ said Prince, cutting him off. ‘We know that, too. As you know that we know, since you are, as we are, a pure Griff to the core.’

‘Y-yes, Sire,’ said Tark, not bowing this time.

Tiger couldn’t help but smile seeing Tark on the back foot for a change. It was just like old times back at the Sacred Pool.

‘We missed you!’ Eep and Flute cried, bounding up to Tark. ‘You must finish this mission soon. Sargon is winning most of the chess matches now.’

‘Alexander must have upgraded the program,’ Tark said. ‘Well, I’ll give you a few moves before you head back.’

‘And how is Eudora?’ Sid ventured, who was not the least interested in chess unless he could nick the pieces for his nest.

‘Eudora’s fine, thanks,’ said Eudora, making a grand entrance as the last to leave the ship. She was wearing a sleek uniform with rhinestone-studded racing stripes. ‘Let me say how impressed I have been with your contribution, my dear Sid. I had my doubts, but you have done your scavenger species credit—more than that, you did them an honour with the restraint you showed for those half-eaten vegie burgers at Woodford.’

On cue all of the Members clapped, and Sid’s breast swelled with pride. ‘Aw, just glad to be of service, Chief,’ he said.

‘So, to what do we owe this honour?’ Tark asked again.

‘We’ll get to that, in due course,’ said Eudora.

‘Our main reason for coming,’ Prince went on, ‘was to let you know about a slight change in plans.’

‘What kind of change?’ Wanda asked, her tongue flicking back and forth rapidly, because Blue-tongues always get nervous when things are unsettled.

Eudora stretched out her wings to them. ‘What’s in a name? Everything!’

Tiger shook his head. ‘I don’t follow you. The name? Of what?’

‘We’re here to tell you that henceforth “Global Warming” is to be called “Global Cooling”.



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