The Speculative Short Stories of Alice Laurance by Alice Laurance

Author:Alice Laurance
Language: eng
Format: epub

“This discussion is over,” said Gzlurg, and turned toward his house. Or tried to. His body was frozen in place. “All right, slimy-bowel, you’re got me stuck. Now what?”

“First, language. Neither of you knows the other’s. I am translating.”

“Oomalthra shit.”

“Second, my purpose here. I was called because some Kerlyanans feel this war is endangering both Kthroc and Lor. After much observation, I agree. So I shall try to use my powers to avert disaster.”

“What are we doing here?” asked Mloro, stretching her wings, gratified that she was not stuck in place as Gzlurg seemed to be.

“That is my third point. We have found that arbitrary solutions imposed from without seldom work. You two have believed in this war and fought in it; lately, perhaps you have been thinking along other lines. I have chosen you as representatives. You will reach a solution and I will implement it. Speculate freely—anything you can think of, I can do. Go ahead. Talk.”

“Talk to yourself, turd-nose. You too, you double-sexed yowler.”

“I still don’t understand why you chose us,” said Mloro. “Wouldn’t it be better to bring our leaders together?” “Listen, flapping-crut, they’re the last ones we want The bigger the war, the happier they are.”

“Come to think of it, we didn’t have much use for leaders until the war got big. You may be right, Gzlurg.”

“Master, to you. Of course I’m right. Hey, you up there! Set me free!”

“In due time.”

“I’ll due time your—”

“Your point about leaders is well taken,” said the Assistant. “Would you care to develop it in further conversation, Master?”

“I’ll have none of your flattering tricks, Sando! Come down and fight like a Kthroc and I’ll fill you so full of arrows you’ll look like a stickle-thorn.”

There was no answer.

“Maybe she’s too frightened to speak—Master.”

“You are really endearing yourself to me, flapper. I’ll take care of you as soon as fart-nozzle up there cuts me loose.”

“It wasn’t right of her to stick you there like that.” Again the old Kthroc tried to move his limbs. No use. “I wouldn’t talk either if I were stuck like that.” Couldn’t even twitch an ear. “Shut up, screecher. I’ll talk or I won’t talk, exactly as I choose.”

“It’s crazy anyway, expecting the two of us to solve problems our races have had since the beginning of time. We’re not up to it. I’m not, anyway.”

“Bowel-dreck. Look how smart you are: look at the clever way you think you’re flummoxing me into talking.” “Now I feel bad.”

“You should. Also silly and stupid. Listen—uh, what’d you say your name was?”

“Mloro.”

“Listen, Mloro, I don’t like the way you Lorbians look or sound or smell or sex but by my own reamed anus you are brave fighters except for that crut-eating bunch that’s been murdering our younglings. Of course, I’ve got no love for these koryan poisoners bn my side, either.”

“Some of us who fought in the invasion tried to stop this youngling killing. Not much support—even from civilians.”

“Civilians! Forget ’em—only soldiers understand how to make war—or peace.”

“We’re soldiers, Master—will we ever have a better chance?”

The Kthroc remained silent.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.