The Destroyer continued talking as if he hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary.
“I won the poker game,” the Destroyer said. “Four kings.”
The majority of the Destroyer’s minds were upset the plan had failed. A third of them were proud that he’d won the game itself without cheating.
“Now my idea. You ready?” the Destroyer said.
The crew was still in shock.
“Ready?” the Destroyer asked
Another moment passed.
“I said, ‘Ready?’” the Destroyer asked.
“Just say it,” Jeska said.
“You sure you’re ready?”
“Say it!” Jeska said.
“Say … it!” Anderson said.
“Say it, please,” Prnei said.
“My idea is … Let me out,” the Destroyer said.
And the Destroyer began to laugh again.
Jeska’s anger, which had been coming in waves over the past five years, became a tsunami. She picked up the pile of coasters that the crew had been using as chips and hurled them across the room.
She kicked over chairs, beat her hands against Anderson’s rocky back, screamed in anger, and stormed out the door.
Hoping to comfort Jeska, Prnei hurried after her, his tentacles making wet sucking sounds as he undulated along the ceiling.
Riox, awakened by Jeska’s outburst, watched her fade from view down the long hallway just outside the rec room.
“Was … it … worth … it … En…ti…ty… 1...0...7?” Anderson said, using the Destroyer’s technical name, a sign of deep anger.
“Giving up one of the only two games I can play, so I could drive Jeska to the brink?” the Destroyer said. “Yes.”
“You disgusht me,” Riox said, then burped. “What are we talking about?”
“Almost had you, Riox,” the Destroyer said.
Dazed and angry, Riox snorted and headed off after Jeska. He didn't understand what the Destroyer had said; he was just worried about Jeska.
Anderson stood alone at the table, feeling sorry for Jeska, but happy she hadn’t hurt herself hitting him. He considered chasing her. He wasn’t fast enough.
“I’m … hun…gry,” Anderson said.
“So am I,” the Destroyer said. “Always.”
Hey, I'm just leaving a comment on one of your un-commented posts to say that you have a new fan.
Looks like I have about a year of ground to cover, so it'll take me a while to catch up, but I really love what I've read so far. It's delightfully absurd. Kind of like a more recent, more laid-back version of a Douglas Adams story.
(I hope you don't get tired of comparisons to Douglas Adams. It's meant as a compliment!)
Alex,
Thank you so much for the kind words. It's always nice to get a comment on one of the older posts that isn't spam. :-P
If you are rereading through the archives, I want you to know I'm going back through them this week and editing some stuff.
Nothing major, just need to make sure I'm consistent with my facts. For example, I need to make sure "nome" material changes to "nm" material. Just basic housekeeping.
As for the comparisons to Douglas Adams, I'm a fan of his work, so it doesn't bother me. (though I'm still bummed he (30-YEAR-OLD BOOK-SPOILER WARNING) killed off most of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy cast.)
Thanks again man.
I'll try to make it interesting.
John
P.S.
Incidentally if you spot any major plot holes/factual errors, please tell me. I try my best to make this thing professional, but it's difficult without a professional editor.
I don't think I've noticed any kind of error so far, but if I see one, I'll try to help out.
Thanks man.
I've already made two changes. Anderson is light gray with purple crystals and the big cannon (which you'll run into later) is now silver.
I realized i had too many things in the story that were blood-red.