Zorobo and a small contingent of guards march in no-nonsense fashion towards a large emerald platform situated in the prison’s command center. Zorobo motions for the guards to take their places. He moves to a console beside the emerald platform and presses a sequence of buttons. A couple of moments after Zorobo steps onto the platform, they all disappear in a metallic haze.
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MacLeady Park- near the creek (Sunset)
Zorobo and his contingent rematerialize. Zorobo glances around and narrows his eyes.
“We don’t have much time. The human authorities have already been here. But there is no guarantee that they will not return to this area. The Olotir Alliance has met. Their decision is that all portals to Earth must be closed. Indefinitely. Or until the Alliance deems they shall be reopened. Sotet and the human child must not be allowed to return. But particularly, the child. As we speak, leaders across Shretonia and other worlds are securing their portals. A breach like this cannot be allowed to happen again. I always believed it was a security risk to allow average citizens access to the portals. Perhaps now, the Alliance will hear my arguments against it.”
A shrike to Zorobo’s left, appears concerned. He shuffles with discomfort and unconsciously touches his sword. “Revoke portal privileges for every citizen of Shretonia? My mother is receiving treatment on Xlrit for Fria sickness. Would my privileges be revoked as well?”
The guard casually removes his wing from his sword as Zorobo turns in his direction. No other shrike noticed the subtle gesture. They are too busy fawning after the Security Master.
“Of course not, Reneel,” Zorobo responds heatedly. His assumption is that the guard is quite dumb for asking such a question. “Your services are necessary to the continued security of Shretonia. I am referring to the average citizen who opens our world up to threats such as the Fria bug or violent infiltrators. Enough talking. Secure the perimeter. Be on the lookout for any uninvited guests. I’ll be changing the access code and frequency to the portal.”
“It will be done,” Reneel responds. He moves off in a different direction. All of the shrike contingent split up. Zorobo briefly watches them all, and then activates a small green device on his bandolier. The portal from which the contingent previously rematerialized opens yet again. Zorobo smiles slyly and turns the green device on his bandolier in a clockwise motion. An emerald console like the one in the Cave of Wildere rises out of the ground—leaves and other foliage falling away from its surface. Zorobo goes to the console and his wingtips quickly type in a sequence of symbols. The light within the portal slowly begins to change color. It eventually settles on a deep amber color. Zorobo is satisfied. He turns the green device on his bandolier back in a counter-clockwise direction. The emerald console once again drops into the Earth. Zorobo crosses to where it disappeared into the ground and covers the area over with a layer of dirt. Retrieving a vial of amber liquid from another slot on his bandolier, Zorobo pours the amber liquid over the entire spot—and a few inches out from its circumference. The soil smokes and then appears to melt. Eventually, forming a thin crust over the area. Zorobo follows up his work with a sprinkling of amber dust and small plant buds begin to poke out of the ground. To a casual observer,
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
there would appear to be nothing out of place.
Zorobo wheels around to give his contingent further instructions when he catches a glimpse of something which causes him great concern. Zorobo’s beak curls with the start of a horrendous idea.
“Krif! Akhlil! Come with me!” Zorobo calls and moves swiftly in an easterly direction. The two guards follow him— wingtips on their swords and robes moving briskly with the air currents generated by their haste.
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Nancy slowly closes the front door and glances over her shoulder once. She quickly flicks her flashlight on and off. With a smirk, she takes off at a run down the street.
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Nancy slows to a normal walk when she approaches MacLeady Park. The last thing she wants to do is alert the brat that she’s nearby. She smiles inwardly as she considers how to torment Adahlia when she finds her. She’s certain that tiny glimmer of light she saw this afternoon was Adahlia playing peekaboo. Adahlia carries a small keychain with a green penlight. She’s seen it a few times, on Adahlia’s backpack. The little twerp thinks she’s real funny. Well, it was up to her to show Adahlia just how funny she isn’t.
Nancy continues walking at a brisk pace. She plays her flashlight over her surroundings as she moves ahead. A rustling in the bushes to her right and Nancy stops midstride. Her smile widens.
“Adahlia? Is that you, dear?” She calls sarcastically. “You know it isn’t very nice to make me worry about you. Everyone’s worried about you, Adahlia. Why don’t you come on back home? Your mother is sick with worry. She probably won’t get a lick of sleep tonight. Don’t be mean, Adahlia. Listen to your old pal Nancy. I promise, I’ll be real nice to you from now on.”
Nancy stops her taunting long enough to listen to the sounds of the woods around her. The steady current of the nearby creek is all she hears. Even the animals are silent. She swings her flashlight quickly back and forth. A twinge of fear has begun to creep into her veins.
“Adahlia? I know you’re here, Adahlia. Come home with me, and I promise not to clobber you for like…A week. If I have to find you myself…I can’t be responsible for my actions.” Nancy says twirling her flashlight through the air and attempting to slow her racing heart.
A hard thud. Nancy spins around to find Zorobo, Krif, and Akhlil behind her. Zorobo once again draws his taloned foot along the ground. Reproducing the thudding sound. Nancy stares at the three shrikes with more than a small twinge of fear in her heart. She briefly moves the beam of the light away from the shrikes checking for more. Enough time for Krif and Akhlil to pounce. Nancy is grabbed from either side and restrained. Her flashlight falls to the ground. Zorobo takes a step closer and sneers into Nancy’s face. He steeples his wingtips and flexes his talons.
“So you know the other human,” Zorobo says with a cruel smile. “A shrike’s work is never done,”