<meta name="LineWrap" content="true"><TITLE>SR_Bk1 0144</TITLE><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0145.txt">Next (Page 145)</A><BR>"<P><P>"Maybe that was what someone was doing when the crash happened, and reality got her and the statue mixed up, like getting its wires crossed?"<P><P>"Hmm! Well I don't know. It's just that, I feel like there's a lot more going on than we're being told. I just have a feeling that little Injure is holding something from us."<P><P>"I don't know," Ferrajalt said. "Maybe. From what I understand, though, he said that reality is like a system, where certain events trigger other events, and the whole thing is just an ongoing chain reaction--with checks and balances keeping it on the right path. But here--it's just like things have ground to a halt. Nothing to prevent a statue like that from just existing over there. Nothing to prevent giant police cars from existing."<P><P>"Yeah--speaking of them, I hope we get there soon. I feel naked out here in the open like this."<P><P>Ferrajalt glanced at Treyess.<P><P>"No, I think we should get there soon. See that bridge between those two buildings up there? I know I saw that right after I saw the yard."<P><P>"Good."<P><P>"So maybe," Ferrajalt said, "if we can get one of those things started, and if a road to the river still exists, and if we don't fall through the ice, and if the river still exists, and if Doscovor still exists, and if--"<P><P>"--that's a lot of 'ifs', kid," Treyess responded. "Yeah--and what made you think the river is frozen all the way through, anyway?"<P><P>"Well--I know it doesn't seem all that cold, but there's this stream sort of thing--a waterway or something, you know, that runs by our offices, and I looked down at it and saw it was frozen, and I even threw a motorcycle at it, and it didn't even scratch the surface. So I figured the river was the same way."<P><P>"When did you do this? You actually picked up a motorcycle and--"<P><P>"--no, no. It was there, and I just rolled it over the edge. Didn't want to waste my superstrenth hang. But I tellya--it was like it hit solid rock. It's gotta be something with this reality collapse, with like time stopping or being suspended, with water that doesn't move at all--totally static."<P><P>"Huh. Well, for our sakes, I hope so."<P><P>"I don't know," Ferrajalt said. "Those police cars looked pretty tough--as if they could handle any situation, maybe even water, y'know, amphibious. To tell you the truth, part of the reason I wanted to do this boat thing was so I could get to one of those giant police cars and drive it."<P><P>"Well, let's just hope they're more than decoration."<P><P>"Yeah. Hey! Look up there--see that fence--they're right behind that! You should be able to see them in a second!"<P><P>"Where?" Treyess asked. "Oh yeah! Up there? That wasn't so long--sorry for bitching about it."<P><P>"Hey, no problem--let's just get up there."<P><P>The two jogged up to the fence surrounding the yard, and indeed, there were hundreds of giant police cars inside. Bigger than tanks, but similarly built, these vehicles had four huge wheels, a ladder leading up to the cockpit, enormous police lights on top, and a variety of other cool features.<P><P>"See? Aren't they awesome?" Ferrajalt said.<P><P>"Well Prince, you know, I have to agree. But how do we get in?"<P><P>There was no visible opening in the fence, and it was 20 or 30 feet high.<P><P>"I guess I'll just have to use a little superstrength."<P><P>"Does that even still work?"<P><P>"Well Treyess, there's only one way to find out. Super!"<P><P>Ferrajalt held his hands up and breathed heavily.<P><P>"You okay, kid?"<P><P>"Yeah--it's working, I think. Just slower than usual. Stand back, eh?"<P><P>Treyess stepped away, and Ferrajalt swept his arm in front of him, wrecking a portion of the fence with ease. He ripped a hole through the wrecked fence, and then stepped back.<P><P>"That should do it," he said.<BR><A HREF="SR_Bk1-0145.txt">Next (Page 145)</A>