<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0109</TITLE><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0110.txt">Next (Page 110)</A><BR> I had a fantasy about you, about going out with you and stuff. So I, well, I did the same thing--I asked my future self to alter reality so that I could go out with you and stuff."<P><P>"And stuff?" Emily asked, raising an eyebrow.<P><P>"Yeah," Dolthethmen said, looking down again. "And stuff."<P><P>"So you think you caused this reality collapse?" Hate asked.<P><P>"It crossed my mind," Dolthethmen said, looking up at Hate.<P><P>"No," Injure said. "What I gather from your story, the forces and frames involved, there's no way it could have been you. Although--that all this stuff happened to you today is probably related to the approaching domino-wave. Has this sort of thing happened before, Dolthethmen?"<P><P>"Yeah. I mean, nowhere near as bad as this, but it has happened before. I mean, a little."<P><P>"Well," Injure said, "like I said, I'm certain that this phenom-set of yours is an effect of the domino-wave--not its cause. But thank you for offering the information--every little bit helps."<P><P>"Uh-huh," Dolthethmen said, miserable.<P><P>Suddenly, a wild beeping-and-ringing noise was heard.<P><P>"The central kemig!" Injure yelled. "Hopefully it's V and Nevrippa telling us that Treyess and Vike are there."<P><P>Injure fiddled with some controls, and an awesome visage appeared on the screen--a bizarre monster in bizarre armor.<P><P>"Hypergod Amnifaoz here," a frightening voice boomed. "Who's there?"<P><P>"Uh," Injure said, "this is, uh, OA Consultants. Who's this?"<P><P>"My ID precedes! All channels are dead. What is your twenty?" Hypergod Amnifaoz thundered.<P><P>Injure looked at the others.<P><P>"Um--we're on Timber Serious Earth, in Derolbam City. What's your, uh, twenty?"<P><P>The Hypergod was seen looking around for something.<P><P>"Not enough information," Amnifaoz said. "Did you experience a disturbance 118 minutes ago?"<P><P>Injure looked at the others again, then back at the screen.<P><P>"Uh, yeah, we did experience something--a reality collapse of some sort."<P><P>"Filba/fibla! Concurs. Must reconnoiter with Emma. Hold," the monster said, again looking around offscreen.<P><P>"Who the hell is that?" Ferrajalt asked.<P><P>"I have no idea!" Injure said. "We never picked up an alien signal on the kemig before!"<P><P>"End possibility/Emma," Amnifaoz said. "I am utterly lost. Hypergod Word--request FIF, promise to do you no harm, provide help and rewards if asked for. Response?"<P><P>"Uh, what do you mean?" Inure asked.<P><P>"Rephrasing, I need permission to Full-Info-Fill to your twenty. I swear to do you no harm, and provide help and material rewards if you so wish. Do you agree?"<P><P>"I have to confer with my, uh, associates. Give me a minute."<P><P>"Understood."<P><P>Injure turned to the group, then to Ann Saply, still on his shoulder.<P><P>"Ann--you came out of nowhere--you know this guy?"<P><P>"I don't know him," Ann said, her eyes looking as wise as ever. "But he might prove helpful. I say let him come through."<P><P>"Well, people?" Injure asked.<P><P>"It's up to you," Hate said.<P><P>"Okay. I say we let him through," Injure said, turning to the kemig screen. "Okay, uh, whoever you are. Permission granted to come though."<P><P>A flash of light and a brief popping sound later, Hypergod Amnifaoz towered before Injure Bodoni.<P><P>"You have my gratitude," the monster said.<P><P>"No problem," Injure replied.<P><P>The Hypergod then gazed at Ann Saply and let out a loud metallic sound that might have been a laugh.<P><P>"The re-ine of your kind! Twas a fine damagewave hit this realm then!" Amnifaoz said.<P><P>Ann regarded the beast calmly.<P><P>"Muttering recruit, get a grip," she said.<P><P>"I thought you said you didn't know this guy?" Injure said.<P><P>"I don't know him, but his kind I know," Ann said, jumping off of Injure's shoulder and onto a nearby comfy chair. "He's not really one of them.<BR><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0110.txt">Next (Page 110)</A>