The Symbiont by T.L.B. Wood

Author:T.L.B. Wood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2018-03-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Following our meeting with the Twelve, Kipp and I made a trip to the preparations division. Having left them earlier with some rough ideas of what we might need, I could now provide better direction. This was one area at Technicorps that was populated by only symbionts, and I usually worked with Suzanne. She met me with a broad smile.

"Congratulations, Petra, I'm excited about your new journey." After a pause she added, "And I've looked forward to meeting Kipp." She omitted any comments about Tula, probably to spare my feelings and also to avoid making Kipp feel unwelcome in any way.

I made the introductions and Suzanne led us to her chaotic work area, where a large drafting table was scattered with papers, patterns, fabric swatches, reference books and other bits and pieces.

"Suzanne," I began, "the short version is that I'll be assuming the character of a woman of mixed English and Spanish heritage; my father is a trader and I've spent many years at sea traveling with him to exotic ports. Our ship wrecks on the coast and I'm the sole survivor along with Kipp."

Suzanne began to pace, a behavior characteristic of her when she was deep in thought. She liked to do her thinking out loud, so she began a dialog wherein she painted a visual picture in our minds.

"Let's see. You're on the ship; it hits a shoal, and begins to sink. Your father is trying to shore up the damaged area so that the ship won't go down. He and many of the men are below deck in the hold, but he shouts up orders that the bosun's mate is to take you and disembark on the small boat used for such." She paused for a moment and took a sip of her rapidly cooling coffee. I knew from experience that it was always best to let her finish her train of thought and then inject my own opinions.

"You start to argue, but your father gives you no option. The mate rushes you to your cabin where you grab a few clothing items and shove them in a cotton sack. You make certain to include pieces of your mother's jewelry, a blanket and a water bladder. With those hasty preparations, you dash to the boat and you, Kipp, and the mate are lowered; his instructions were to keep you safe on shore until the ship could be repaired." She paused again, and then asked, "I'm going to make some fresh coffee. Want some?"

"Yes, Suzanne, that would be good for me. Kipp, do you need anything?"

He replied in the negative and settled himself on a pile of fabrics that had fallen to the floor. It was apparent that he was fascinated with the thought processes flowing through the mind of this extremely creative humanoid symbiont.

Suzanne reappeared after a few minutes and, after handing me my steaming mug, continued with her rapid stream of ideas.

"I'm thinking of how you might be costumed. You will be going to a

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