<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0107</TITLE><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0108.txt">Next (Page 108)</A><BR> She was about a foot-and-a-half tall, wearing a black dress, and seemed to be a cute anthropomorphic fox or cat or something, with yellow-orange fur.<P><P>"Hi there," Injure said, looking back at his equipment.<P><P>Hate strode forward and looked to see what Injure was doing, giving the little furry lady a sideways glance.<P><P>"Looks like you were right," Hate said quietly.<P><P>Injure heaved a sigh and turned to face the others.<P><P>"Everybody, I've been working, um, at a steady pace since the collapse, and I have to say that while it's bad--really bad--the fact that any of us are here is a good sign."<P><P>The little creature smiled.<P><P>"What the hell is that?" Ferrajalt asked, nodding his head toward the furry lady.<P><P>"My name is Ann Saply. And I'm a who, not a what, young royal."<P><P>"Sorry," Ferrajalt said. "But where exactly did you come from?"<P><P>"This business just sort of shook me out the pepper shaker, so to say," Ann said.<P><P>"She appeared soon after the collapse," Injure said. "Her signatures indicate fifth-realm/perpendict origins, though of course I can't be sure."<P><P>"Uh huh," Ferrajalt said, nodding, mocking Injure's not-for-laymen techspeak.<P><P>Hate looked intently at Injure. "Have you tried to bridge?"<P><P>Injure gave a look of despair. "Yes."<P><P>"What happened?" Hate asked.<P><P>"Well," Injure said with emphasis, "it wasn't pretty."<P><P>"What do you mean?" Ferrajalt said.<P><P>Injure looked down at his instruments.<P><P>"With the collapse, this Earth is no longer suitable for bridges. The b-volume I hanced became terribly unstable, full of lightning and monstrosities. Pretty much what I expected."<P><P>Then Injure looked at Dolthethmen and Emily. "These two--did you locate any more?"<P><P>"Huh?" Ferrajalt asked.<P><P>"These people you found--were there any more? Did you see any more?" Injure asked.<P><P>"Well," Ferrajalt said, "there were two others, but they got really messed up. They looked at those streetlights and got sucked through a wall and were, like, totally stoned out."<P><P>"Where are they?" Injure asked.<P><P>"Back at the Noyage Parlour in Hennonly. They were in no shape to travel," Hate said.<P><P>"Hmm. I was wondering if any non-OA had remainified. Interesting," Injure said.<P><P>"Huh?" Dolthethmen said.<P><P>Ann Saply gave Dolthethmen a strange look.<P><P>Injure looked at Hate, who nodded.<P><P>"I guess there's no point in keeping this from you," Injure said to Dolthethmen and Emily. "We are members of Overwhelm Associates--a company which has the ability to travel to thousands of different Earths. I had thought our off-Earth status was what kept us existent--even though most of us here went non--but with Ledrant and you folks, it seems like my theory is wrong. Though Ledrant is jolc-tethered flive, and Primate."<P><P>"Yeah, that's me, Mr. Jolc-Tethered. Anyway,who else survived?"<P><P>"Well, as far as I know, there are four others, all Primate," Injure said.<P><P>"Who?" Hate asked.<P><P>"Lemme see--Vike Varmabey and Treyess Arcomany were the only ones left here at base when it happened. Treyess wasn't even supposed to be here--she was trying to get away from Greatwall until that faery thing blew over."<P><P>"Who else?" Hate asked.<P><P>"Well, Nevrippa Den and V Sincein were stuck somewhere, and Vike and Treyess went to try and find them."<P><P>"How'd you get in touch with them?" Hate asked.<P><P>"Oh--kemig communicators still work. At least in the same Earth--we haven't been able to contact Greatwall or anyone else, though," Injure said.<P><P>"Yeah, but who carries kemigs with them?" Ferrajalt asked.<P><P>"Luckily, V Sincein has one of the portable prototypes, built into his gun," Injure said.<P><P>There was an uncomfortable silence, until Hate finally spoke.<P><P>"Can we reverse this collapse?"<P><P>Injure sighed.<P><P>"Short answer? Yes. Long answer? Highly unlikely.<BR><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0108.txt">Next (Page 108)</A>