When Harry Met Chunglie Box Set by Jack Q McNeil

Author:Jack Q McNeil
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-07-07T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 2

LB fetched our holoprojector from a drawer and set it up on the desk. It was an old Halbequerky 221B. Not as hi-def as the newer models and any fast action scenes blurred. The office disappeared to be replaced with an elevator. A posh elevator, with white frames around pale blue walls. But still an elevator. The doors opened and two Qoh Modes walked in.

“That’s me,” Egg-cruisOVO said. A flashing arrow appeared above the male. His neck and belly scales were painted with little scenes. Traditionally, these would be his family history. His face was painted with mauve and grey stripes. Qoh Mode’s power dressing. “I really miss that body. I just took it for granted, you know, until it was gone. The other figure is my wife, mapoTHER.”

The silver egg reached the hologram walls and LB tapped him back into play. I reared my front half, ready to bunt as he drifted slowly through the holo-woman. She was elegant, with a fat tail and waxed from nose to tail tip. The rich coating gave her grey skin a nice gloss and protected the painted scales visible down her neck and belly.

“They are dressed for a night out,” I told the marshal. I had lived among the Qoh Mode for years, and knew a lot about their society. “The women traditionally paint their tummy scales, and this one—"

Harry paused the holo-rec and examined both people, looking over the bright colours of their decoration. Each wore a bag slung from a belt at their waists which were decorated in the same colours they were painted in.

“My wife’s name is mapoTHER,” Egg-cruisOVO repeated the name more forcefully. “We are soul mates.”

“Lucky it’s your soul she’s interested in,” I said, giving him a tap back towards LB. “Since you lost the body. Anyway, her scales are painted with the Mystery of Garth. cruisOVO’s face is painted with the Mask of Maghan.”

“I thought that was a death mask?” LB asked.

“Only for Maghan,” I said.

“In our culture,” Egg-cruisOVO said. “For a man to have power is rare. The Maghan mask is a symbol of manly power.”

“Really boss brow ridges,” I noted. It’s hard for someone with no facial muscles to give a look to a floating brain jar, but I gave it my best shot. “Unusually prominent, even.”

“I had my brow ridges enhanced,” Egg-cruisOVO admitted. “To give myself a more dominant appearance.”

I noticed mapoTHER’s scales were painted with the Mystery of Garth. I followed the stations down her neck and along her belly scales.

“Chunglie,” Marshal Harry asked, shielding a finger with her body as she pointed at the egg. “Should you be looking that closely at another man’s wife?”

The scales at the top of her legs and on her tail were painted with scenes of Comerie at the Gates of Pascoe.

“Beautiful artwork.” I pointed a claw. “It’s there to be looked at.”

“Yes, the artist Whaurswaullie painted them,” Eggy said. “She is renowned for her accuracy.”

“Not that accurate,” I said. “She left me out.”

“She what?” Egg-cruisOVO spluttered.

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