KNAPP 19. Niete Hang Written by Alfred Juillet Frascara 05 June 2010. Chile.

Thursday, March 03, 2011 168 pages.

Era: Gregorian Year 3871 ( Stardate [36]48001.6701 ). Place or location: Planet Knapp, Island 20. People involved: Niete Hang. Veruben Stulpen, his fianc (Biochemist). Pierre the waiter. Henrietta, AB AB4 RB Mirrion the salesman. King Knapp XXXI Mr. Tornbull Doctor Parthium Esuritum, from the University of Oredloro- ancient languages The Tourist Agency Tsarina Oxiborion Airport Management of Remoror Hotel (Island 20). Manager, Mr. Waydug. Oriental continent : Intemeratus (inviolado, puro) Occidental continent Fulgoris (Where Oredloro is). Professor Vachin ABC 072, 30, AB 6324 (General Manager of the Store). Names of the sons and daughters of Mr. Niete Hang on Sunrise Nursery: Habe Hang Eight months 3 kilograms Verloben Hang Eight months 3,3 kilograms Trepp Hang Seven months 2.4 kilograms Gewinde Hang Seven months 2,2 kilograms Thymian Hang Six months 1,9 kilograms

Synopsis: Niete Hang, explorer and inventor, visits several places at Knapp planet where the dinosaur had their dens. He ends up having a factory and two shops, a Hotel at Island 20 and lots of e-female assistants. CHAPTERS : 1.- NIETE HANG 2.- AT OXIBORION 3.- THE ISLAND 20 4.- RUMOROR HOTEL

Chapter one. NIETE HANG.

Niete Hang was at the office, revising his last numbers- the innovative chemical formula has a flaw somewhere and if he solved it, the new explosive will be three times more efficient than at the present state. It was a big room, with several lights suspended on high; the desks were surrounding the walls, while on the center there was a shelf with some machines- at the time unplugged. He receives a message through one appliance: stock exchange information, showing his Company shares in green and going up. A ring on the door and he saw how the frame became transparent, showing who was at the corridor- it was Veruben Stulpen- her romantic fianc coming for him before the midnight hour. Open Sesame- He mentioned the password and the door swings open, letting her get inside his sancta sanctorum- or laboratory. Hello, my dear!- Veruben said, smiling. He approaches her and kissed those full lips with care- she was like a flower- every care with her was never wasted- her response was like the perfume of a flower- sweet kisses ensued. I come here to search for you, and alas! I am being nested in your arms.- Veruben said, in a dreamy state of mind. Im happy you come here to rescue from work.- Niete said, shutting down the machines out for the day- they went out, and the doors close with a definitive clank. The corridor was deserted- in fact that was not queer, as only three other offices were on that corridor, apart of his own. The hour (22.30 hours) was not matching any working shift. They descended by the elevator and climbed on the pneumatic tube chatting about the weather; the vehicle fastened pace and soon they were at their favored Restaurants doors. Pierre, the usual waiter receives them and guided them to a front side table, saying: Good evening, Sir! You are lovable, lady! You arrive just in time to see the last singer playing the new tunes imported from Vulcan. Did they sing, in Vulcan?- Veruben asked, mildly amused. Of course, Lady Veruben! Their women have infinite care to sing beautifully.- Pierre said, helping them with the chairs; from the center of the table a pair of aperitifs sprout on a greenish decorated dish. The singer, a beautiful Vulcan young woman, appears on a bluish cloud of smoke- with lavender perfume- and begin singing in Interlingua, fortunately for the ones who didnt mastered the Vulcan language- among them, Veruben. She sings beautifully! Hope I could sing like her.- Veruben said, smiling. What for? You should be singing here, day after day. Could you stand that, Babe?Niete Hang asked her.

Who knows? The art is beautiful and a life full of art is more rewarding.- Veruben said, drinking of his beverage. Me, I like to invent- to deliver what was not before me.- Niete said, but Veruben was thinking he was not inventing but discovering- the invention of the powder was a very old one. A group enters the room, and seats on a pair of tables, making much noisy- the singer was faltering in her song with the perturbation of the normal atmosphere of the place. Please be quiet, gents! Show your education!- Niete said, after a minute or so of the turmoil. What? Are you willing to die, you stupid?- One of the women from that group yelled at him- Niete was surprised to hear such a language in a woman- but the one was fat and ugly- perhaps she even despise men. Shut up!- Niete said, and there was silence- the singer ends her presentation and departed; the lights were brighter now, and the people begin to talk- from that tables a pair of guys appears in front of Niete, saying: Well wait you outside, worm! We dont want to wreck the whole joint! Wait me there.- Niete replied, looking at them with intention. Veruben was worried, and said: We better run by the elevator or the back door, dear! I dont want you to get hurt! Dont you worry!- Niete said, taking her left hand- he was not going to run like a rabbit- he had a gun on his left pocket, and he was going to use it if necessary. She said: I will go to the bathroom, to powder my nose. Take care.- He said, looking worried. But she was already half way the room, and soon she enters that place, under the surveillance of a couple of guards, who were silently positioned after the entrance of those troublesome people. Inside the bathroom, Veruben calls his brother, saying: Albert! Come to the Landing Point, the Restaurant at the Second Avenue! Were in trouble. What happened? Albert asked her, while he ride his Flier sport car. Some jerks come out here making noise, and Niete asked them to be quiet.- She said. All right, on my way.- Albert said, touching a button on his flier car; two minutes later, he was landing on the roof of the building, while seven flier bikes descended and seven men stands at attention. You called us, Sir? Squirrel Squadron at your orders.- One of the men said, and they were Synthetic people with black suits and red shoes. Some guys are pestering my sister! You just take care of anyone who dares attack her or his fianc. Get it?- Albert said. Understood, Sir.- The men said, and followed him in the elevator- soon they were inside the Restaurant. Albert saw his sister already seated with his fiance on a table, while the molesters were pestering at two tables, and saying bad words to the air. Hi! Sorry Im late.- Albert said to his sister, who smiled and said: Two minutes delay! Guess you were very fast driving this time. Right! Well, you must enjoy your evening! I take my men to see you are not bothered in any way.- Albert said, seating at another table with the men in black surrounding his table. The troublemakers begin to understand the fight with the lonely lover was not going to be possible, with all the body guards that were inside the saloon, so they forget about him pretending nothing happened- but soon Albert was saying: Try to bark a little less noisy, dogs! You are pestering the place with your noise! The men at those tables stands up and one of them approaches Albert, saying: OH, the rich boy is having a tantrum? We could remedy that, pretty boy! And producing a

leaden mitten tries to punch Albert on his stomach, but one from the Squirrel Squadron takes his harm and twisted backwards violently- the man yelled in pain, and was released- he went to the floor, yelping. Just like I said! Bunch of dogs!- Albert said, laughing- the rest of the troublesome people-included the women- approaches him at a run, but were detained by the men in black who produces iron bars 50 meters long, banging craniums by the dozen. A heap of yelping people was now on the floor. Noisy people!- Albert said to the couple, smiling. He hadnt received a scratch! The owner of the place come to him saying: I beg you pardon, Sir, but you better go out now! The police was called, and they will arrive here very soon.- He was a fat man in his forties. But I am enjoying the place.- Albert said. You could be enjoying places some where else, Sir. Ill close for the night- with this turmoil, my other clients are already on the run.- And he indicated how some other customers were hurriedly leaving the room. But..- Albert was going to said, but the owner interrupted him, saying: And your consumption is for free! Niete Hang was in doubt, but Veruben Stulpen was more than enough annoyed, so she said: Well go! Right? There are a thousand other places where we could go.- And standing up, ask his hand to Niete, who also stands up and taking that hand he said: All right go now. They leave the place while some police fliers were descending- soon they were at another place of merriment, this time where prices were high- so the people also was more in peace with themselves and makes no problem while enjoying life. Albert and his black guards departed in silence- Niete said: Thanks to your brother, we are in once piece. Yeah! I call on him! At the bathroom- I dont want you hurt.- She said, kissing him on a cheek. They danced and later he carried her to her apartment, saying: Have a nice sleep, darling! Well see each other tomorrow! Yes, Niete! Good night.- Said she, and closed the door- He went to his home in a flier taxi, and walked to his bedroom, where he slept in mid-air, with the anti gravitation plugged in. Niete Hang returns to his laboratory early in the morning and talked with the technicians about his project- he also shows them the last improvements; at midday the personnel probed the new formula. Thirty seven percent of improvement over the old formula, Sir!- The chief technician Rudolf said, very admired. Not good enough! Ill be working some more on this formula.- Niete said, looking at the data on a computer. He was sure the answers were nearing. We could make several of these bombs, Sir. Im sure it will be purchased as it is!Rudolf said. Ill call the clients! Get ready with the test for them!- And from there he went to his office. At his secretarys office (Miss Purmper) he said: Call on Mr. Frader! Tell him I have a new invention for his mining fields. Very well, Mr. Hang.- The young employee replied. At sixteen hours, Mr. Frader arrives, and Niete Hang saluted him and said: Its a most powerful explosive! I am sure you are going to use some of it at the tunnel you are digging at Los Andes!

 I am sure well find it acceptable! Your explosives are far better than the ones of your competitors!- Mr. Frader said, puffing- the temperature inside the reinforced hut was very hot and he had forty five years old. 2 Right! And you know why? Because they buy formulas but I did them myself! And I assure you Im not proud of it- I always want a most powerful formula than the last I made!- Niete explained, and then he calls on Rudolf Mengele, who guided them to the test grounds. The explosion rocks the ground, and at their return, Mr. Pumper was white as chalk and said: Totally convinced, Mr. Hang! Ill ask 200 tons as first bought! Niete Hang smiled and said: thats good, Mr. Pumper! Theres nothing better than to see the end result by ourselves!- And calls on Miss Purmper to make Mr. Pumper sign the contract. The rest of that day he was at his laboratory, working in the formula, and his fianc again come to the rescue at the same hours, saying: Dear, we are invited to the house of Mr. Schwarbon, the owner of the 200 inch telescope. Yes indeed! Very interesting! I dont know what I could do without you! I could keep on working for hours on end.- Niete said, embracing her. Oh, dont you worry, dear! I will keep on going with my work: to rescue you from work!- Veruben said, kissing him with her well developed lips. They went to the doctors house, placed hear the Michigan lake. Welcome, friends! Please, come inside! The night is cold.- The doctor Schwarbon said, handshaking the inventors hand. Inside, twenty other people were present- old acquaintances of Schwarbon- among them two female film stars, young and beautiful thanks to the medical science- not for nothing they were expending huge amounts to look twenty having eighty two years old. After some small talk with the guests, Doctor Schwarbon invited them to have dinner at a very big dining room, where a Pantagruel-like table was being served by four female dwarfs. -Listen: the doctor loves to help those poor people in distress- you should do likewise at your factory!- Veruben said to him in a murmur. Niete said, jokingly: Yes! They could serve to make small ammunition. The doctor Schwarbon served the wine personally to their guests, and he made a toast: For our friend Niete Hang, the inventor of the MX34-A20, the explosive that flattened whole mountains! 4 The most of the guests were well aware about the skills of Niete, so they smiled and also applauded- the others didnt, perhaps terrified to think that he could have some of his explosive in his vest pocket Niete said; Thanks for the row of applause, and for your toast! But I assure you havent seen all! I am at the verge of to develop another explosive, this also capable of flattened a mountain plus making it almost without a noise! 5 Some of them laughed but the truth was that it really was so special that formula that the real truth was it will be noiseless. The mining industry is flourishing here on Knapp and also in the rest of the planets of our planetary system- I wonder if you had shares on those mining operations, too?Doctor Schwarbon asked him. Yes, of course! I always try to diversify my investments- all the eggs on the same basket isnt always good idea.- Niete Hang replied.

Veruben said: Dear, ask our Doctor about his last astronomical investigations! Great news! I had discovered six more galaxies with my telescope! But also, I had discovered some asteroids here in our Knapp planetary system! All of them in the vicinity between the planet five and six! I will communicate my findings as soon as the Royal Observatory of Astronomy sends me a response to my letter! I wrote a letter asking permission to see the stars through the 300 inch telescope they had in Flat Rock.- Doctor Schwarbon said. They are very egotistic.- Some lady said. Well, if they dont permit me the use of their telescope, I will never give them my findings! I assure I have a lot to give, for the betterment of our mineral industry! You know that the asteroids arent always at the same point on the sky! And the more days you wait to see them, the farthest they became! They will never find them without my help.- The doctor said. During his lecture, Niete was eating the delightful meat and salads he could choose from the silver bowls- the dwarfs helped with the refill of wine on their glasses, and they all were eating dedicatedly, while the host keeps on talking about stars and the like- his passion in life. The asteroids steroids are classified into a number of types according to their spectra (and hence their chemical composition) and albedo: C-type, includes more than 75% of known asteroids: extremely dark (albedo 0.03); similar to carbonaceous chondrite meteorites; approximately the same chemical composition as the Sun minus hydrogen, helium and other volatiles; S-type, 17%: relatively bright (albedo .10-.22); metallic nickel-iron mixed with ironand magnesium-silicates; M-type, most of the rest: bright (albedo .10-.18); pure nickel-iron. There are also a dozen or so other rare types. Because of biases involved in the observations (e.g. the dark C-types are harder to see), the percentages above may not be representative of the true distribution of asteroids. There is little data about the densities of asteroids. But by sensing the Doppler effect on radio waves returning to Knapp from NEAR owing to the (very slight) gravitational tug between asteroid and spacecraft, Tgohilde's mass could be estimated. Surprisingly, its density turns out to be not much greater than that of water, suggesting that it is not a solid object but rather a compacted pile of debris. Some of the guests were talking and laughing, so the doctors speech was totally wasted on dumb ears. Later, they walked to the observatory, a huge building housing the telescope; Doctor Schwarbon opened the shaft and immediately the cold of the night makes the ladies shudder and the gentlemen buttoned up their garments. Hope the cold could not make you sneeze! But its necessary in order to maintain the instrument in good shape- Doctor Schwarbon said, in way of an excuse. They all said it was not important, but the truth was they did not like the moments in there. Doctor Schwarbon gives everybody the chance to see the stars through his telescopethe night was cloudless and without smog- the government apparatus were in function, and the sky was crystal clear. The ladies looked first, and then one of them said she was leaving- every other female said the same, and while the doctor begin to say good bye to them in pairs- as they went out with their couples- Niete and some others glued to the telescope view finder, searching for the planets and then for the stars- Doctor Schwarbon returns after 20 minutes, panting from his fast walking from the door.

And did you find interesting things, my friends?- He said, looking at their faces, to know who were there and who was not. We are looking at the planet Javel! Human buildings arent seeing at all.- Niete said. Oh, thats because you are looking directly through the lenses- come here to the computer system! Here we could see a pin on the ground.- Doctor Schwarbon boasted up. They walked to a corner- there, among other mechanisms, were several holographic viewers and also old fashioned plasma monitors- Doctor Schwarbon set the system working, and in fact, the telescope plus the computers could show objects the size of a cigarette case with ease. Doctor Schwarbon finds a building, and then another, saying: What we are looking at here, gentlemen, are constructions pertaining to mining fields- the lights are on, as you know- the light is not quite the same in Javel than here on Knapp- remember its the fourth planet. The guests smiled- they were all aware Javel was in the fourth position from the central star- but nobody wished to enrage their host, so they made affirmative noises. Soon the Javel Planet was left aside, and Doctor Schwarbon begin showing the stars and galaxies from Brana II; he was naming them almost everyone. You certainly have a good memory!- Niete said, to say something. Yes, I have a good chip implanted on my brain!- Doctor Schwarbon laughed- now with those implants; anyone with the enough money to buy one could boast of a Encyclopedic memory and amaze everyone. The stars Aurean and Suyam were located by the Doctor Schwarbon and they talked about those planetary systems. We have a lot of commerce with them! Knappian people are good to travel far among the stars- we sell them goods, and they sell us animals and exotic minerals.Mr.Raforedo Mang said- he was one of the principal stock holder of the famous beverage Ragola. Well, the economy of our government is in good shape! -Doctor Schwarbon said, moving the telescope to other parts of the galaxy- they saw Galaxies that normally emit light of every wavelength, from the long radio and microwave end over the IR, visual and UV light to the short, high-energy X- and gamma rays. The doctor said: Interstellar matter is coolest and therefore best visible in radio and IR, while supernova remnants are most conspicuous in the high-energy part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Galaxies with high star formation activity are brightest in the infrared; at wide ranges of infrared wavelengths. Niete was thinking that the doctor made a good purchase when he paid for the implantand said: How much you paid for the chip, doctor? Doctor Schwarbon replied: About 293.000 Credits, of course- a lot of money. Niete was sure he had paid a lot less, but said nothing- implants were not costly now the government declare them as articles of first necessity, and of course, promotes it instead of to be attending classes in fiscal buildings. The guests were tired and thinking in the next morning, when they must be working, so they say good bye to the Doctor Schwarbon and went their homes. Niete asked the price of a astronomical chip, and the price appears on his holographic set: 39.000 Credits. He asked for one, and a synthetic vendors face appears on the set, saying: You are Mr. Niete Hang, identity card 9.309.303. You have requested for an Astronomical chip, with a price of 39.000 credits cash. Yes, tell me how its the way you implant it on the brain.- Niete asked.

The technology to implant microchips and track people's movements and even their bank accounts with these chips is now being publicly acknowledged. Some fear this technology may eventually lead to mass micro chipping of the human population for reasons of "national security." So, when you ask for a special implant, you must know also that this other system is going to be working on your person.- The vendor said. But I dont want to have this other system! Only to know about the stars and all that is related with it.- Niete said. The price for the type of implant you are asking is of 293.000 Credits. With it, you will not be tracked or invaded in any way.- The vendor said, and Niete ask pardon, in his inner self, to the doctor. For sure, the implants were cheap if only admitting also a spy on his body. Ill think it over. Good bye.- Niete said. As you wish, Sir. We are at our service.- The vendor said, and the communication was over. But his resolution wavered at home- the need to know about stars and their orbits, the different kinds of stars and planets keeps on nagging at the back of his head, so he calls on the Instant Knowledge Company and asked for a d ate. The Vendor said: I had a cancellation for tomorrow, Sir. Can you be here at 15.45 hours, to perform the operation? Yes, I can! Book me in.- Niete said, thinking he was in need of a leeway for the sake of his nerves. The decision was made so he soon was working in his project. When lady Veruben appears at 20.00 hours, he was already sending his formula to the chemical laboratories. You look happy, dear! Did you finish your formula?- Veruben asked him. Yes, dear! We will celebrate the birth of a new explosive into the world tonight!Niete replied her, smiling. At the Laboratory, the chief of Department Mr. Lorenz Vaghn give indications to the personnel under his command to begin mixing the ingredients he moaned to himselfit was going to be a long night at the Laboratory! At the next day, Niete opened his eyes and saw the beautiful face of sweet Veruben sleeping next to him on the bed. He walked to the bathroom and takes a hot shower- then he seats at the table and said: Yoghurt! The center of the table opened and a cup of yoghurt appears inside a glass cup. He eats from it with a spoon, realizing he wasnt at his home but a hotel- and that it was 9.23 hours already. She awakes and walked towards him, stark on the nude. He admired her body, and embraces her when at his side. Poor Niete! You work so hard!- She said, caressing his hair. Not really!- He said, kissing her breasts. Did you take a shower this morning? I think I heard running water in my dreams.Veruben said, yawning. Yes, I love hot water in the morning.- He replied. Ill take one myself now.- Veruben said, departing to the bathroom. Niete puts on his clothes and waits for her- she dried her body with a shot of hot air, and puts on her dress saying: Guess I will be with you the rest of this day. As you wish, darling.- He said. You want me near you or not? Because I can go home, and works from there.Veruben said. I prefer you to stay with me. Ill get an implant today.- Niete said.

How quaint! And which package are you going to have? Merchandising or Chemicals?- Veruben asked him, mildly. 9 Do you remember doctor Schwarbon telescope and how beautiful looked the stars? So, I had decided I want to know all about it! An Astronomical chip will do.- Niete Hang said. Fine! I will be with you all the time. You dont have anything to fear!- Veruben said, touching him gently. They leave the building and by the move- away streets they soon were at the Star Medical Center, where Niete was immediately intervened. Veruben stays at a cyber cabin, looking holographic programs and also information on the newest programs capable of to be implanted- it was easiest to add implants once the first was in place- and cheaper, too. Niete was soon implanted, tested and of course he paid in advance for everything they did to him. At the door, she said: And how do you feel now, dear? Fine, but with dizziness that molest me a lot.- He said, touching his forehead. Oh, it will soon pass out! Remember not to use too much the implant in the first three hours!- She recommended- it was important to let the implant find its place in the order of things the Brain had set- that was why that recommendation not to stress it out in the first three hours of use. It has a limited time of usage, darling! After five years I must replace it of the full functionality will be diminishing from then on.- Niete said, now using a Flier taxi to return home. Hope you could enjoy your new knowledge, dear! I wonder which use an inventor of explosives could find learning astronomy.- Veruben said, gaily. Niete was thinking about it too- of course, he already had several ideas to develop, but first he must know what he had inside, and begin thinking on the planet he was in: Knapp. The memory implant already shows him the data available: he knows now the Constellation Swastika has the planet Delta Swastika with the name of Knapp. Why are you so silent? Are you using the chip already?- Veruben asked him. Yes, darling- just a bit to know its there.- He replied, and then the Flier taxi was descending on his tower building, and was going to pay the tariff to the In-built driver, but the same said: I already discount your fare, sir. How, if I had not given you my card to make the discount?- He asked. Because you had the 630-6B implant model, Sir, and the commercial transactions are made instantaneously, because they are allowed. 11 But did I give authorization for this kind of thing?- He asked generally. By default the system is open to pay and receive information! But you could simply change that by speaking!- The in-built driver said, taking off the ground. Dont worry, dear!- Veruben said, smiling. All the people use it in a daily basis! Thats why delinquency percentages are low! Because you can walk with no money in your pockets, but all the while you can buy up to your reserve in your Bank account.Veruben explained. At the Laboratory, Mr. Lorenz Vaghn was revising some figures on a screen when Niete stepped inside, saying: Good afternoon, Sir! I already tested your last recipe! It is so? And how it works?- Niete asked, nervously. Your formula is a 30% more powerful than your last patented RX-234-620 formula, Sir.-

Thats good to hear! The potential is tantalizing. Hope those guys didnt use it on civilians.- Niete said. They are weaponizing space!I am well aware of it- but remember we had a war against aliens- our cities almost wiped out.- Niete Hang said. Certainly S.D.I. has a reason to live.- Vaghn said, mysteriously. S.D.I.? Whats that?Strategic Defense Initiative.- Mr. Vaghn said. Of course. I accept those technologies and more! We all want a safer world for our sons.- Niete said. At his office, his Secretary Neka said: The new explosive is going to be offered for sell, Sir?Yes, Neka! Find a reliable customer and offer it.- Niete asked her. The prices is already calculated, Sir.- And she shows the numbers on a screen. Niete takes a look and said: I find it acceptable. Make the offers coming. He went to his seat and looked at the machines he had used for to develop not just a couple formulas but a hundred! He had now a huge amount of money and 390 people were now working at his factory 13 He again uses the astronomical knowledge storage on the implanted chip. Figures, diagrams, theories and facts were there to remember, like in a second brain. His Secretary knocked on the door, taking him out of his reverie. She see he was out of whatever he was thinking and said: There are some people that want to speak with you, Sir. Without previous appointment? How quaint. Sorry to say, Sir, you had to receive them: the Admiral Cosupdaten and Mr. Rullen are here. The name of Rullen makes him stand on end, and he said: Let them come in, lady. The Admiral and the Scientist come in almost marching inside the room; the Admiral stopped five centimeters from Niete plastic desk, saying: Good afternoon, Mr. Hang. Im here with Doctor Rullen in an official mission. Niete didnt shake hands with them because that was ruled out on official missions by the government protocol. Instead of it, he offers them a seat and cigars- none was accepted, so he said: Im all ears, Admiral Cosupdaten. In which way could I be of service? Admiral Cosupdaten said: First, you must not divulge what we are going to say in this room. Totally in accord. My lips are sealed from this moment on. You know me, Admiral.Niete said. Right. We are in danger, our civilization is in danger. We need a powerful weapon to exterminate them.- The Admiral said. I wonder which threat could be this!- Niete said. I will explain to you, Sir.- Doctor Rullen said, and producing a memory pill, he inserted it on the holographic set standing on a corner, and while scenes were being projected, he said: Knapp is a solitary planet on Brana II and is surrounded by non populated planetary systems with the exception of the Aurean planets. and that are, as you know, populated mainly by our own people. :And from where comes the threat?- Niete Hang asked him. There is a race from the recently novae star 930, explosion occurred not twenty years ago. The traveled through space trying to find a suitable planet. As you should know,

humanoid races search terraformed planets. In this sector, there are a dozen terraformed planets available, but with excellence are only nine. And they are approaching their huge starships to our planetary system. Niete was now looking the spacecrafts- they were large and made of several tubules and with a wide bulge on the prow. Twenty kilometers large we assume they house more than seven thousand people in each vessel.- Dr. Rullen indicated. There are others two hundred kilometers large.- The Admiral added with sadness. Huge. Millions come in those big spaceships. We had detected several lesser vessels- I assume there are hunter ships, cruisers and the like- we only have a dozen big warships, a hundred hunter spaceships and of course, nothing compared with those mother ships. And are there conversations with them?- Niete Hang asked. They are saying we have a big planet, enough room for all.- Admiral Cosupdaten said. Totally unacceptable, as our King said.- The scientific said, looking stern. And you want my formulas?- Niete asked them. Of course we have nuclear bombs, neutron bombs, LASER beams- but our hunters cannot go to the battle carrying atomic bombs! They need powerful missiles of a small weight. I knew, first hand, you are developing a new formula?- The Scientist asked him. In these recent days I had been delivering formulas to my staff to be proved and then sold. My last formula hasnt been sold yet!- Niete informed. Well, dont put that on the market! Give it to us.- The Admiral demanded. Niete accepted it, but the Scientific said: we have some expense item of expenses available. We are not going to ask for free what we are able to pay.- And saying this, he glared at the Admiral, who said nothing. 17 Im open to discussions.- Niete said. The whole matter asks for urgency. We need tons of missiles. Our facilities are working full time. We need you to provide us not only with the formula but also with the explosives.- The Admiral Cosupdaten said. Well, I guess we can do that.- Niete said, looking at Doctor Rullen. Im afraid you should only work for us, Mr. Hang! Our world is in danger!- Admiral Cosupdaten said, looking him to the eye. Right. Ask me the quantities; provide me with money, sent the trucks!- Niete said. Good man! Ill send you the trucks- the money is in our Doctor Rullens dominion.Admiral Cosupdaten said. Ill deposit you thirty million Credits on your Bank Account.- Rullen said. Before he leaves the room, Admiral Cosupdaten said: Dont utter a word about this. Most of our personnel are unaware of this! The public must ignore the facts, until its impossible for us to conceal it! Rest assured Ill be mouth closed as a clam does!- Niete said. The Doctor Rullen handled him a memory pill before he goes, saying: See this. Call me later. Niete waits five minutes to shut the door and he seats to see what the memory pill was all about. 18 When the holographic set begins unfolding the memory, the figure of Dr. Rullen appears saying: Mr. Niete Hang, you probably dont know me, and also I dont know

you, except I recently read your affidavit and biography made by our Security Department. Im a professor and a doctor cum laude; I had the good fortune of to stumble upon several half finished mathematical problems that I resolved by sheer luck. Some gadgets and formulas appears on the projection; then the doctor Rullen keeps on saying: The people from Braeton or the Bratons ad they called themselves, evolved as other sentient mammals from the forests of their home planet, Sorem or Atonigran, as they called it. Their history evoked that of the Klingons, but with one difference: they treasure their females, so they look very feminine. And in the projection, the female Braton was side by side with a male looking female from the Klingons Empire. Niete was already impatient, and forwarded some memory ahead of schedule. The doctor was now saying: Our goal is to convince the race of Bratons to stop and turn away with their Armada. 19 We believe only the Federation Starfleet could be capable of to defy the Bratons. And the Starfleet were shown. Later, films from the Bratons that were captured at a big price, as the doctor said: We are going to ask you for explosives. I am certain the missiles will be much more efficient with your bombs inside. But I doubt we could win a war: if the Bratons sees fit, Im afraid they could wreck our planet and then turn their course to Aurean One and Seven, our independent closest allies, and former colonies on Spoon and Moll Constellations, that will be an easy prey for them. Or the spoils.- Niete Hang murmured to himself. The Bratons had an Emperor that ruled the seven planets of Star 930 now disappeared. His title and commanding force still is on, and the government rules the colonial spaceships. They had traveled for almost nine years- they are very tired of waiting, several thousands are under severe stress due to the fact of the claustrophobic conditions they are enduring and the bad emotions are flourishing like mushrooms. A scene of the interior of one of those enormous spaceships was being shown. Then, the doctor Rullens face appears, saying: If you receive this memory pill, is because you already passed my examination. Now pay attention to this: the Army and our Admiral from the Royal Knappian fleet Cosupdaten have a single minded plan: to stop the entire Armada in space- the only way to barren their path to Knapp. And a scene of the future battle unravels, with the defeat of the Knappian space fleet. Then, the doctor Rullen said: I have an invention of my own, never intended to be released to any living soul- too dangerous to vive away! But the moment seems the adequate, the peril is here, and I guess I must use that invention to convince our enemies that the best for them is to let us be. And a machine was shown, brilliantly lit, on top of a huge table. The doctor walked in view and said: This is my Chronobomb! I will use it if we are forced to retreat! And I hope you will join me in this job. I need more reliable hands to deploy it. Niete was not sure about this request- a secret weapon not probed yet? He let the memory pill on his safe box, and called Miss Neka- she enters and he told him: Lunch time, Sir. Do you want me to bring your food here? Yes, lady. And also, call on my managers right away. We received an assignment 21 By the Army Forces. Oh, how good it is! I mean- now well get real money.- Miss Neka said. See our contractors pay the price! Doctor Rullen is the one who will pay.- Niete informed her.

All right, Sir! I will see to it.- Neka said, smiling. That evening Miss Veruken Stulpen was delighted with the solicitude her fianc was demonstrating: he invited her to see a musical show, a nice dinner at an expensive Restaurant where there was a side show, and from there to her apartment building, where he spent the night- that was a thing very unusual in him to do. And it was very simple: Niete Hang was now looking at all as if saying good bye to all he knew- in the verge of peril, nothing was sure to survive. In a week his factory delivered 80.000 kilos of the new formula, in caskets of tin, ready to detonate by electrical forces. Doctor Rullen called him twice- the first to acknowledge the fact he had received the due payment, and the second time to say: They are very near now. Wait for more news! 22 Ten days later, the Admiral Cosupdaten stops by on his office for a couple of minutes, saying: Your explosives are most successful, Mr. Hang! They have produced great damage into our enemy. I am glad to know that, Admiral Cosupdaten! We are working non stop now, making the impossible to meet your requests.- Niete assured him. The eyes of the Admiral Cosupdaten were red and tired- he saluted and went out, followed by his retinue of officers in assistance. Miss Neka approaches his desk and said: You have an encrypted call on your machine, Sir. Do I lock the door? Please do, Miss Neka. Niete replied. Soon the decoder works and the message unravels itself. It was Dr. Rullen, again. Mr. Hang! This is a short message only. If you remember what I told you in my previous message, my next phrase will put you in the right track: the moment is now. Please come to take tea at my home, Avenue Coelophysis Number 90. I am waiting for you.- End of message. Niete takes the memory pill and placed it alongside the first one, and locked the safe box. The time was now- it means the was is almost lost.- Niete decided in his mind. He had hoped for the better- some miracle in the sky- but no: the real life was not a fairy tale and the ugly face of doom was looking at them through the window- so to speak! Ad he had all figured out from the first message, he call on his Secretary and said: Lady Nekar, I must leave on a trip. I will leave all in your competent hands. Miss Neka has seen this happens beforehand- not usually but in two or three previous times- so she flinched not, and asked politely: Very well, Sir. By how many days are you going to stay out? Niete said: I guess that for some twenty days- business, of course. Yes, Sir. Dont you worry for the factory, that I know how to handle things for a while.- Miss Neka said. Good girl. Take an extra salary, for your efforts. Good bye.- Niete said, not knowing if he was going to see her again, and went out of his office. She smiled at him while he was there, and then his smile dropped down. She knew her boss like the palm of her hand, and she was sure something very serious was happening- Nekas eyes were almost fixed while her mind worked ahead. Meanwhile, Niete went to her fiances working place and locating her, she said: Hi, darling! How its all going for you? Fine! How nice you drop by!- Veruben said, kissing his left cheek.

Im going out in a tour, darling. A last minute obligation- hopes you dont mind we are not going to have dinner tonight.- Niete explained. She flickered her big green eyes and said: Will you be out for several days? Guess so, darling- perhaps more than a week!- He said, stroking her hair. What a pity! But its for business, no? Then you must go! I will be waiting for your return.- Veruben said. Yes, darling, you do it. And take care.- Niete said, kissing her good bye. She looked at him walking away, and smiled- he was a good man to her. At Doctor Rullens house, all was in motion- a dozen Assistants were moving apparatus on a truck, and the doctor was stuffing papers and diagrams on huge boxes. Oh, its you! Glad you could come!- The doctor said. Yes, I am honoring my word! And how serious it is, Doctor?- He asked, meaning the war. Dont ask me now! Im in the middle of a Tornado! Jump on any car, were leaving this place!- The doctor said, and Niete walked to one of the departing trucks. He seats, with others, at the cabin of a truck and the driver said: I am fully loaded 25 And well go now!- And the truck sets in motion the engines. It was a ground vehicle, so they traveled by uneven roads that were scant kept now the major circulation was by the air. One of the guys at the cabin said: I notice now that our Doctor is either without enough money, or he is a tight pursed guy. The driver said: Dont you ever speak evil from the man who gives you money to buy food! The doctor knows why he prefers trucks- or do you think you are better than him? With that rebuke, the man shut his mouth for the rest of the trip. Niete realize they were reaching to the Oredloro Space field- soon the tower -like structure were in plain sight, surpassing the height of the trees that bordered the field. The first truck, where Dr. Rullen was riding, stop alongside a silver spacecraft two hundred meters long. The doors swing open and everybody was now carrying equipment on board. Niete had no orders to comply, so he get out of the way by climbing the second ladder and searching for the main cabin- where the Captain should already be. The corridors were painted in dull green and brightly lit: the energy was coming from the space field generators. He saw the doctor working with his Assistants, assembling machines at the engines room- Niete shows himself in front of the doctor Rullen, who approaches him saying: Theres a piece of equipment you must study. Come along! They walked to the center of the ship and in an enclosed sector, opened only with a password and the Doctors index fingers imprint, Rullen shows him where they be supposed to fire the weapon he had devised. This wall shows you the machine in working order- any of those relay changes the pulse of this cannon-like tube- its not a cannon, but for practical reasons, it is. Now you will see in the monitors how this baby could be tamed- study using the monitors- when I get back, well be in space and I be all yours for you to ask what you dont know yet.Rullen said, departing. Niete really tried to understand the mass of information those monitors could give- the whole apparatus seems to be some kind of disruptor of time space- like a time machine of some sort. If it was a weapon, how could it work towards the enemy? Taking them out to the past? Because the future had its doors closed. Four hours later, Admiral Cosupdaten and Dr. Rullen appears at the enclosed sector.

Mr. Hang! Good to see you here! Are you going to fire one of your missiles?- He asked. Mr. Hang is here to help me in the deploy of my new weapon, Admiral Cosupdaten. Now, see that we get close to the enemy Armada.- Rullen asked him. The Admiral seats at some controls in a corner, with a full view of what was around the spaceship thanks to a small holographic set. You can take off now, Admiral Cosupdaten! Priority one.- The central operations command tells the Admiral through a receiver. There we go! Strap to your seats.- The Admiral Cosupdaten said. The spaceship hovered over the ground and then produced a wave of air that spreads around with some force. 27 Soon they were orbiting Knapp, and Niete saw a ring of old fashioned warships surrounding Knapp as a rusted chain under the star light. Yes, they are old fashioned warships! Its all we could afford now to be seating here in guard.- Admiral Cosupdaten said. How far are they?- Niete asked. Very near.- The Admiral Cosupdaten said, and he finished his calculations- the spaceship was directed to the front line of battle- five hours flight, and the terrible lights were illuminating the darkness of space. We are fighting our last battle! Hit and run- soon well be outpaced and destroyed.The voice on the console was saying. The Admiral Cosupdaten looked at the doctor Rullen and said: This was Captain Lekenbal. The Commander of the Royal Forces of his Majesty the King Knapp. Right. Let us see what our weapon could do, Mister Hang.- Doctor Rullen said, walking to the battle station- two seats side by side looking at a monitor on the other side of the room- he indicated what to do when he ask for changes on the system- in fact, four buttons and some numbers was all Niete should do if necessary- the decalibration was not to occur. Rullen said: Ill be pointing the gun cannon and you will be looking this indicatormust be calibrated. Take a good look now that they are calibrated- you will need to remember the actual configuration and returning numbers every time it changes- use the buttons to go forward or in reverse. Niete memorized it as fast as he could- the light explosions were 28 So powerful that the spaceship rocks every time a C Beam passed close to the hull, that heated enormously with the passing of it. Ill fire now, nobody has seen anything like this- Not even me, at this scale- Doctor Rullen said, and added: Firing time space cannon. Suddenly all movements seems to stop and even the mind appears to be in suspense. Doctor Rullen gasped and said: I am not seeing the enemy Armada but a small number of them- very far in the back. Our forces are disappeared. Where is everybody?- Niete murmured in awe, but the Admiral Cosupdaten said: You must fire against the rest of the Armada, Doctor Rullen! Acceleration spaceship! Well be on top of them in seconds, at this distance- prepare the second shoot at them, Doctor Rullen, Mr. Hang! Niete was busy returning numbers to the original values- in fifteen seconds it was donned and he said: Doctor, everything is ready for you to fire again! You tell me when, Admiral Cosupdaten!- Doctor Rullen said, and as the Admiral was looking at the radar, he said: In eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two one Now!

The Doctor Rullen fired, and the rest of the enemy forces disappeared from sight. A wide expanse of nothing was now in front of them- Niete asked again: Where is all of the people now? The doctor Rullen produced a red handkerchief from a pocket and mops his forefront, saying: Condemnation! My weapon sends them all to the past! Niete gets dizzy thinking in all of those people displaced from their original era to one where the planets were devoid of any civilization, and said: So this is a time machine cannon- sending people to the far past! Rullen said: Sort of! I already knew I had a perfected time space dimensional apparatus, as I used it in some explorations to the past before this experience- as I said; I was not going to give it away, for the dangerous of it! Life could change in a very unpleasant way. I used only to see historical events in person- but with this war going on, I realize we could be invaded and our life style would change in a very disagreeable way, if defeated. But our Royal Starfleet?- Niete asked in horror. Lets hear our Admiral Cosupdaten here said to us some words.- Doctor Rullen said. Seated on the control seat, the Admiral Cosupdaten was looking at the stars in front of the prow. He moved his head, looking at the doctor and Niete, saying: You really know how to stop a war, dear doctor! 29 Im so sorry! Your Starfleet is also gone.- The Doctor said. Dont you worry too much! Because they are not dead, did they?- The Admiral Cosupdaten asked. No- only gone to the past.- Rullen replied. I wonder- never heard of ancient spaceships in our folklore.- Niete said. Well! Our problem was solved- thanks to you!- The Admiral Cosupdaten said, turning the spaceship home. This weapon must be hidden or destroyed.- Rullen said. Of course, Doctor Rullen! It will be hidden and I hope we will not need it again.- The Admiral said, and looking at Niete, he said: Thanks for your help, Sir. But this must to remain secret. Of course it will be a hard time to use evasive answers with the families who had lost their relatives today. Thanks, but in reality the doctor did the firing.- Niete said. Doctor Rullen said: Just the same, without you the second shot would had been impossible. Your work is much appreciated by us. The spaceship was already approaching course, and when the doors swing open, a special team enter ship, to secure the vessel. Mr. Hang! Please follow me to my house! We need to talk!- Doctor Rullen said. I was going to invite him to a Victory party, doctor! We must celebrate our victory!The Admiral said, worried by this defection. Of course. Perhaps you could sent for him to my place, later!- Doctor Rullen said, and in this way they climb into a Flier the Doctors team had prepared. Once in motion, Rullen said: Victory celebrations- I assume they can be produced only in private! I wonder if those relatives will not raise a real din out of the disappearance of the astronauts.- Niete said. The doctor drives home in silence- when at his place, he saluted his assistants and guided his guest to his cabinet, closed the door and said; Very well, lets made a toast now! He filled a couple of glasses with whisky, and handling one of them to Niete, he said: To Oredloro city and the royal house of Knapp!

Niete drinks and said: Your weapon is on military hands. Are you not afraid it could be used to conquer our neighbors? Doctor Rullen raise his shoulders and replied: Its not mine, any more! The royal house of Knapp had paid for it in cash! I am richer than I never imagined. Good for you!- Niete said, smiling. The doctor puts a hand over Nietes arm and said: But all my millions are nothing! The military men have now a terrible secret. One word of any of us, and our Admiral Cosupdaten will be walking to the gallows. Certainly we are the only who knows what happens there in space.- Niete said. Of course! We -and I include my Assistants that imagined what happens over there.Rullen said. Niete feels the chill on his spine running down to his feet, and said: I presume we are not in any danger! The doctor seats at his chair, sips the rest of his whisky, poured some on the glass and said: Certainly I am not happy with Damocles sword hanging over my skull! Guess you are also in danger: why the Admiral wants you near? Perhaps we are being over suspicious! Niete said in a trickle of a voice. The best way to know its to seat and waits things to happen- not my way to do things. I will disappear from the scene for quite a long expanse of time. You should do the same.- Dr. Rullen said. I have a factory to attend.- Niete remembered him. If you think you can return just like this to your working trade, fine for you. I will shut this laboratory.- The doctor said. And what are you going to do? Once a scientific, always a scientific! Same thing with me; I cannot stop inventing things.- Niete said. The military will shut our mouth for ever that is a fact! I had heard things, you knowterrible things. I will go where nobody could ever find me- I will use my space and time machine to disappear!- Rullen said. Really?- Niete said, amazed. Of course! I can travel a million places with it- remember that was my first artifact!He said, smiling, and added: You could go with me! I assure you safety. I have a girl friend I would like to carry along.- Niete said. I invite her too! Plenty of room at my machine.- The Doctor said, standing up. I will. When are you departing, Doctor? As soon as I take my stuff inside the apparatus. So I better be hurry! I will be carrying here some articles from my factory, and also my fiance, if she really loves me.- Niete confided. I will wait for you until eighteen hours sharp! Then, if you dont appear here, youll be on your own.- Rullen said. Niete went out and looked around him: the street looked as peaceful as ever and there were no men neither pretending to read newspapers nor cleaning the sidewalks. He hailed a Flier Taxi and went to his factory. Mr. Hang! You left me so worried about that voyage! Are you really back?- Miss Neka said, sensing something was amiss. Certainly I was under the impression my trip was going to be a lot more hard! But here I am, in one piece!- He jokingly said, while he enters his office. Good to know it!- Miss Neka said. They talked about invoices and orders of acquisition; then he said: Hope you could back me up for a little more time. I need to be traveling again- but dont worry, its not too far. She grows very serious and said: Another business trip?

Lets say I need to be out for a while. If somebody from the Army asks about me, just say I went out in a business trip and you dont have communication with me.- Niete said,. She frowned and said: Pardon me, Sir, but I guess I am a bit confused here! You already did your first work? 34 Pure apprentice lucky hit, I assure you! Things were terribly urgent and dangerous, but we had a tool that surpassed the problem in a way that could not be expressed.- Niete said. Oh. Then this is another problem?- Neka said, worrying for his chief. Lets say that we solved the problem with little or no compassion- now there is the danger somebody could accuse us of cruelty- or worst.- Niete said to his Secretary. I understand you want to be absent while this situation cools down.- Neka said. You are a clever girl, Neka, and you are right. Pity I cannot tell you the details, because then youll be another target.- Niete said. I assume the Army could be here in any minute? Niete looked at his wristwatch and said: Yes, but I guess they believe Im not hereyet. I see. Well, Ill say you hadnt come back and I that I dont know where are you. She said. I guess a month will do- Ill call you then, to let you know about my return.- Niete said, beginning to think the trouble was more serious than he first thought. Tell me, chief: are they thinking you can spill the beans? Right. You saw something not supposed to have seen?- She asked, making her eyes look like slits. Niete takes her by an arm and said: The whole truth could harm your career, Miss Neka. Its a very dangerous situation, where the life of one man, or even a handful of men, means nothing in comparison with the need to maintain the secret. Let me to with you!- She said, embracing him- he felt her beautiful body next to him, and was aroused physically, but he only squeezed her hand a little while saying: You will be better in here, taking care of my enterprise. Remember all the people that is working here, earning money to provide their families. She smiled and back off a couple of steps, saying: Oh, Im sorry! I fully comprehend that I loose my control for a moment- sorry. In that moment Veruben Stulpen enters the office without knocking, looked at them and said: Dear! I was so worried about you! But why are you here? Did I send for her, Miss Neka?- Niete asked, worriedly. No, Sir, nobody from this office had called her to come.- She said instantly. Veruben said; I receive a call asking for you- a very persistent male person with bad moods! He threatened me with jail if I was lying about you- possibly he thought you were with me; but I dont get abated and I come here the minute he ends the communication. Neka said: Im sure you must begin your trip, Sir! I will be in charge here, as long as you are away.- And her eyes were saying: Go now before its too late! Niete calls on several Assistants and choose to carry all his instruments and records with him in a truck. Half an hour later, they were saying good bye to her. I wish you could come with me, Neka. But I have nobody else in which to trust.Niete said.

Dont you worry now, Sir! Ill be fine.- Neka smiled, with an assurance she didnt felt- not because he doubted of her capacity, but because of the attitude the Army could show when not finding her boss. The truck has built in driver, so it was fast enough to arrive in time to Dr. Rullens place, who was already stepping into the space and time machine- his Assistants helped them climb to the vehicle, and some others disembark the cargo from the truck and begin loading it on doctor Rullens vehicle, while the scientific man was saying: Hurry up! We have not a minute to spare! I have some tools at the truck that your Assistants are carrying inside your time machine, Doctor.- Niete said. Impossible to take all in here! Look what is coming!- The doctor said, showing him a holographic vision of the top platform- a pair of Army vehicles was already parking there, while several soldiers were hurrying towards the elevator. Doctor Rullen pushed a red button and the energy flows to the condensers soon afterwards the temporal vehicle flickered into nothingness- apparent for the ones looking its departure. The eight assistants flew from the site as told- they had already places where to hide and wait until the doctor Rullen could call on them. The new place. Inside the translator temporis, Veruben clings to Niete, afraid of the turbulence inside the vehicle- flashes of light and a sense of weightlessness keeps on until the machine stops and the sense of movement ceased. All right! We are 8.300 years on the past.- Rullen said. How do you know?- Niete asked him, pale under the electric bulbs. See on this indicator! The needle is pointing 8.300 on the scale that runs from 0 , that was our present, to 8.300, that means a long way back on the past of our planet.- The doctor Rullen said happily- he opened the hatch and a gust of fresh air and some drops come inside the cabin. Good old air! Not a molecule of smog!- He said, walking out. We arrive to our destination point, darling! We must step outside now.- Niete told to the terrified Veruben. Yes, we must follow the Doctor out!- Said she, already claustrophobic in there. They walked to the rainy day- dark clouds were high above in the sky, and rivulets of water were seen on the rocky ground. Look! A warehouse!- Niete said, pointing to a building. The doctor opened the iron gate and they stepped inside. We get to take the Translator Temporal inside!- Rullen said, starting a small Yale vehicle- with it and a steel cable attached to the front of the temporal vehicle they carried the precious invention inside the hangar. To return to our time and space our vehicle is now in a safe position.- Rullen said, while Veruben was looking at the metallic interior: an assorted number of things were to be seen- among them craters, weapons and tools. Four tents were lined up at the rear. Oh, yes! Our refuge is stark on comfort! That is for sure! But I have food and five hundred liters of water in a tank, now receiving the rain to replace the wasted liquid. On that corner over there, you can see the bath- with running water enough to take baths.Rullen added.

Niete walked towards the tents, and choose one of them for their use- Veruben seats on a stool, saying: Hope this could be only temporary! I had my life there on Oredloro, and so are you! Niete looked at her in disbelief- they were now on new grounds with a virginal 39 Planet outside the gates, and here she was asking to return to the beehive! I will explain what happened with us and our Army forces recently. It was all hush hush secrecy or die.- Niete said, but then the doctor calls on him, so he added: Well talk later! Go to his call! Ill take a nap in here.- She said, resting down on the mattress. The doctor was near the bath, saying: Hope you are not much disappointed with what I offers in here! Doctor: Im sure it was this or a cell.- Niete firmly said. Right. Not much options, arent it? We are walking like walking nuclear bombs, to our Army Forces! Once used, we are discarded! Of course, I have acquaintances on the Court of the King! But they could be ignorant of the scope of what really means that war against the Bratons and the amazing but cruel end! A thing that has too many spikes needles to handle unwary!- The doctor said. If we are culprits of something awful, namely, the disappearance of the remaining Royal Spatial Fleet, the Admiral Cosupdaten is also culprit!- Niete said, and the doctor patted his right shoulder, saying: Of course! You are right: but think beyond that phrase: the Admiral is also guilty of the use of an extermination weapon. He could be charged with mass assassination, and hanged next to us! The government or our King included, will be spotless white in this whole affair.- Doctor Rullen said. My fiance is talking about our return to the civilization of our former age. You know she is a biochemist on Oredloro- she prepare herself to work in that profession and seems to me she dont quit.- Niete informed him. Certainly she believes we are here on a Sunday excursion? Perhaps she doesnt know about our heroic feat?- Doctor Rullen said, sarcastically. I was on the verge to tell her about it when you call me.- Niete said, and the doctor reddened in his face, saying: Please dont sign the papers for her assassination! Forget about the time cannon! Niete stared at him with nothing else to say; the Doctor calmed down and said: Relax, man! Well be here a couple of weeks- then well see! A trip or two to Oredloro, and I will try to communicate with my acquaintances- not to spill the beans; but to control the one who could sent us to the rope! Niete went to see his fiance she was profoundly asleep. He returns to the Doctor, saying: Shes dormant. The doctor was seated at a table, making calculus with a computer, so he said over his elbow: You better stay with her! Its already dark outside! Tomorrow well have a ride to the valley- its really beautiful! Good night, then!- Niete said, walking back to the tent. Inside the soft snoring of Veruben was all to that there is to be heard. Hew bedded alongside her, covering him with a pair of blankets- it was dark and cozyshe was clothed so he takes her shoes away. Hours later, she awoke and said: Niete, wake up! He come from oblivion and opened his eyes- a very faint luminosity was all there it was coming from the single lamp the doctor had left shinning in the middle of that hangar.

The sound of rasping feet was there as a knife in the middle of a wedding cake. He peeked outside and his eyes saw a furry creature the size of a cow smelling the boxes with the food. A beast ! How it gets inside?- He mumbled. We must do something! Have you any weapon?- Veruben asked him- he denied with a movement of his head- the Doctor had not show indications to have with what to defend their lives in any moment. The furry beast lost his patience, and begins scratching boxes with his forepaws, while a growl was heard like a bass drum all over the hangar. The animal keeps growling but didnt move from where his nostrils were telling him that in those boxes were food to be eat, so Niete approaches him with a bar he found in a corner, until the beast follows him with rage. Niete yelled to his fiance to close the gate and escaped outside, followed by the blur of nails and fur that was that beast.. Veruben run to the gate, closing it in the middle of her terror- then she calls for the doctor but he wasnt present. Then, she searches for weaponry- she only finds a box with torch lights. She walked to the gate, and opened it to peek- a figure approaches at a run, saying: let me get inside! And after he comes in, she closed the gate- almost immediately an object banged the door, but of course, the steel door not even moves. What a thing to bear witness! I run around the building, stumbling in the dark! And all the while that thing was behind my heels!- Niete Hang said. Veruben embraced him, crying now the tension was over. Where is Doctor Rullen?- He asked, suddenly. Not in here! I called him repeatedly, and he didnt respond.- Veruben said, while he searched around using torchlight. There was no sign of the doctor, or clues about his whereabouts. The dimensional time machine was there, door closed they search inside just to be sure- and he wasnt there either. 43 Well search for him in the morning! But I must find a weapon.- Niete said, beginning the opening of bags and boxes that were scattered all around. The searching was fruitful; not only weapons but utensils and a electric generator were found. Possibly our doctor believe he was coming here with more people than us two.- He said. Or perhaps he set things to last for a large number of days.- Veruben said. We had the Assistants on the time ship; guess they could be storage there for a very large number of days.- Niete said. I didnt like those people! Seems to me they could get mad and kill me- just a thought, of course- I know they had several inhibitions in their program.- She said, raising a little her elbows. For your tranquility of mind, I will tell the doctor not to use them if there is no urgent need.- Niete said, handling her a LASER rifle and asking if she knows how to use it. No idea.- She replied. Well, it has no recoil as in the fire arms; has almost no sound and all you had to do is to press this red button as long as you think it is needed, and you simply use it as a butter knife.- He teaches her. As it was a butter knife? I dont get it.- Said she, smiling faintly.

Yes! You move it sidewise, like smearing some butter on giant bread.- And he mimicked the necessary movements; then, they went outside to a grey winter morning, and she put some butter over giant bread; with the LASER beam on, that cracked in the moist morning air. 44 Now press the green button! That button will finish the emission of charged photon particles.- Indicates him. Very easy.- She said, smiling. Easy and dangerous. You must take care not to slice friends together with enemies! Also if there are machinery where you want to slice, you will be needing to change your shooting angle- I mean, you move to a side or do whatever is necessary to just kill your enemy only.- Niete said. I must kill the enemy? Could I not just injure him? I dont like to kill creatures.- She said, shuddering. You can maim him, of course- legs are easy to slice.- Niete said, taking the rifle back. And what about doctor Rullen? It has been hours that he disappeared.- She asked, very concerned. We will search around! He must have been strolling out last night, and lost track of the hangar.- Niete imagined that scenery very improbable, but it was the most logical one. The hangar was near the mountain, so the valley spreads at their feet like a big canyon, hazy with the early morning mist. Niete fired LASER beams to guide the doctor home, and then they walked by the terrain. We are in old Oredloro! I wonder if there are some animals around here- apart from our night visitor.- She said. We are going to know it soon: look!- He said, signaling not to the valley but to the sky- a large number of flying creatures were beginning to start flying, jumping to the air from a cliff 120 meters high and to the left of them. The Pteranodons soared high and a couple of them loose altitude- in their direction. Niete didnt wait to fire LASER shots in their direction- the sound of rip tissue was heard, and the big Pteranodons change of idea, flipping their course away. Nice.- She said, kissing him passionately. They keep on walking and they arrive to the river, a kilometer and a half away. The course of water was 45 Easy to find, shining like steel among the brown gray shrubbery. Near some trees they found a human shoe- Veruben said: One of Dr. Rullens shoes! No kidding!- He said, picking it up from the ground- it has some dark stains at a side. Blood?- Veruben asked. Or dung.- Niete said, smelling it and finding the metallic smell of blood. Something very bad happened to him!- Veruben said, pointing to a couple of trees not forty paces away. At the roots, a head was looking at them with vacant eyes. His head!- Veruben yelled in terror. Niete was about to walk there, when a figure jumped down the branches and stands on the ground. It was a human- like being; his skin full of scales, with fiery green eyes and paws showing sharpened nails. She fired like slicing bread, and the animal shrieked in pain- half his torso was slicedNiete fired to his head, that puffed into smoke, leaving a stench of burned horn. So much for this assassin.- Veruben said. Dont hate what is only feeding.- Niete murmured.

Poor doctor Rullen! Certainly his night walk ends terribly wrong.- Veruben said. Thats evident. Make annotation of it! Never leave the premises by night or alone.He said, walking around the trees- suddenly, another biped jumped just in front of him. Niete heard Veruben yelling to lie down, and he did as told- the LASER beam pass above his body, while the alien creature tried to grab him- so his head sizzled while being cut neatly in two. Niete was smeared with saurian blood, and standing up he said: I congratulate myself for the time I spent teaching you how to use a LASER rifle! Veruben laughed, with a hint at hysterics- and kicked the deceased humanoid saying: Well, Im happy to be a learned apprentice! So am I.- He said, walking away from that group of big trees. Guess this tranquil looking valley has nothing tranquil about it.- Veruben said, looking with apprehension around her. Nothing to worry about! We are well armed.- Niete said, patting his LASER rifle, while a strong powerful bellow was heard. They run to the shrubbery and lie down while a giant Sarcolestes appears at a trot- like a giant big dog, sniffed the air Verubens heart almost run out of its case of pure fright- she was sure the animal was sniffing their eatable-like mammal odor- but no, it was the spilled blood of the biped humanoid recently killed by her. The Sarcolestes begin to bit the remains of both saurian, chewing them and spilled the terrain with more blood, while both humans creep out of sight. 47 When climbing to the hill, Veruben asks: Why dont you fire the LASER at the dinosaur? Worried by the fauna of this place? Niete smiled and said: certainly you dont think these rifles are capable of to kill one of the big ones? She stopped walking and said: But what are you saying? Are these rifles not working on them? They did work, but they are a very weak weapon against them! You should fire to the vital organs to kill one- the only way to kill big dinosaurs with this rifles are slicing a leg or the head- I choose the legs as they tend to move their heads when the LASER beam begin to burn their skin. The beast will be upon you earlier than you could really damage his body.- Niete explained her. So I only can kill one if they are very far from me!- She said, worriedly. Or if you climb a hill and fire from there!- He said, caressing her hair. She tugged him by the arm, saying: then hurry up and lets climbing to that overhang! There is another monster following us!- And signaled to their rear. Niete looked to the valley, seeing a big ugly head protruding over the vegetation, eyes fixed on them. Too late to arrive to our building! Let us climb!- He said, running to the nearest hillside hand in hand with the beautiful Veruben jumping above the rocks. They were almost on the rock chosen to fire down, when the Zizongosaur appears out of the shrubbery walking towards them, already on the hillside. Fire!- He said, a bit more on the hysteric side- he was noticing the creature could make a lot of movements to climbp0 and he was right- the big Zizongosaur also crawls, if needed be, to climb- she sense it too, and said: This beast is unstoppable! Seems we should go to higher grounds! He keeps on firing, teeth clenched, and he finally succeeded blinding the animal- for a moment it was like he could keep on climbing but then he missed his foothold 49

On a rock, turns left and went down banging boulders all along. It rests at the foot of the cliff, bellowing with broken limbs, legs and chest. Its finished! Lets go and kill the beast! Is suffering!- Veruben said. Are you sure? I prefer to get going.- Niete said, reaching a place where to walk easily. She accepted it, following him to the hangar. The place was like they last saw it, with half closed doors, silent and abandoned. He opened the gate for her to get in easily, and closing it afterwards with the lock, he said: Home sweet home! I wonder how much of safe place this is it, dear! You saw the dinosaur- I guess he could bang on this tin can and gets into it easily enough!- Veruben said. Niete revised the fundaments and yes, he had to accept her statement. I guess you are right. This place is only safe while the dinosaur is a small one.- He said. We get to transfer it to a place where no animal could get in.- She said, trembling. He realizes she had enough scare to shake her resistance quite a bit so he embraces her and said: We will get back to civilization, darling. Yes! I prefer the threat of the military instead of the threat to be eaten alive. So he was certain the whole idea odd to follow Doctor Rullen was a phony one from the start. 50 She opened several cans of food and one of beer, puts on dishes and said: Theres meat to fry, but I dont want to produce yummy smells- we could attract dangerous animals. Right.- He replied, looking at her under the pale lights: he realizes he never imagine a scene like the one he was living on: strand on the past with his lover. After dinner, they kissed each other on the darkness inside their tent, making love in the solitude. At the next morning, she prepares cold dishes again, while he studied the time machine control panel. At lunch, he said: The system permits us to retrace our steps to day zero. Good idea!- She approved, munching a salad of beans and chickpeas. I also think in this: if we are being hunted- Was saying him, but she interrupted, saying: we are. Well, we are being hunted in day zero, I was contacted in day one, right? Totally. So I am not a person suspect of a thing in day minus two, am I correct? Absolutely. Then if I retrace the time to a year in the past, I could live happily at least for a year! What do you say about that?- He asked, mildly excited. I say we could stumble on our own selves! What could happen then? We cannot 51 Go to work or to our preferred hotels! We should move to other city- where neither job nor house will be waiting for us.- Veruben said.

I could device explosives anywhere I want! And you could also work in your profession likewise!- Niete said. She looked at her meal, saying: So we live in Oxiborion, loosing friends and relatives on the process? Niete touched her hand, saying: I know its hard to swallow, darling! But if we want a hundred per cent of security, thats what we need to do. Or face the military guys.- Veruben said. Right! I could end by being assassinated.- He mourned in advance. I dont want that for you. For no one of us! Lets do as you said.- Veruben expressed. Niete said: We will arrive to the same spot we leave Oredloro. Hope theres nobody at the site, or we will be turn into a fusion bomb. She puts a finger in front of his lips, saying: dont call for a catastrophe, dear! Just do it. Before leaving the hangar, they take lost of food and valuable equipment inside the cabin; they were well aware no money was waiting for them at the modern Oredloro That same day, in the afternoon, they return to a year in advance of their original life time frame. The place was deserted- his owner, doctor Rullen, had some building materials to start the hangar, covered with grey canvas. 52 They walked to the road, and take a bus downtown, paying with Nietes wrist watch. At a pawn shop, he sold several instruments originally owned by Rullen. With the money in his pocket, Niete went to by a cheap and old truck, to carry the rest to the pawn shop. As it was late when these transactions were ended, they return to the vacant lot and spent the night there on the trucks smelly cabin. She said; At this date I already didnt own my apartment! I was living with my mother. Sorry. I had a home and the factory- but I am living on them- I cannot get close to those sites. Why not? At this hour (03.45) you are sleeping in your bed. The factory is open for you. He smiled and said: Right! Offices and the working places. Not able to sleep there. She approaches to him and get asleep At dawn, they managed to pull everything worth a Credit inside the truck, and they went to sell it to the city pawn shops. At fifteen hours, they had 39.000 Credits in all. We can rent a house and eat with this money for a month!- He said, counting the notes once more. Yes! And dont forget to pick up the Translator Temporal machine! That must be worth a real fortune.- Veruben said. Again they traveled to the vacant lot, but they couldnt take it inside the truck, so he calls on a removal firm, explaining their situation. A five hundred Credits will cost you to take the tank inside your truck, Sir! We could ask you for less than that, but your place is out of town!- The man in charge explained him. All right, Ill give you my address! I need to move this tank right away.- Niete explained by phone. Fine, well be there today.- The man said, and they appear with a truck and a tackle, with which the operation was donned very easily. Niete paid and then they were alone again inside the vacant lot.

Are we going to stay here or in Oxiborion, dear?- She said, hoping they could stay in Oredloro. To the sea town, darling! I like the smell of the Dolbam Sea!- He said, starting the engine; he drive the twenty kilometers right away, and two hours later they were parking on a side street. Veruben said: Its getting dark, dear! Time passed very fast, now. Pity its late and well be forced to sleep again in this filthy cabin again! Niete rented a hotel room, so they could take a nice bath and sleep on a warm cozy bedroom. Tomorrow we must search for a house on rent, darling.- He said. But tonight we are going to forget everything about troubles!- Veruben said, embracing him tenderly.

At Oxiborion. At Oxiborion they had no problems finding a house nor finding jobs- soon they was working like many a couple, economizing money to buy a house. We have luck! Together well amount to much!- Niete said, three months later. Ten months to go and then well be in trouble!- Veruben remembered him.

Yes! Its a pity, and perhaps we are not being chased so hard. Perhaps we could be safe in here.- Niete said. Possibly! They are going to search for us in Oredloro, mostly.- She said. 54 Niete realize he could work hard and forget the future, but the future could not forget about Niete, so the time pass until the day Zero was on him again. That morning both were awake at an early hour, and at the breakfast table they take their hands together and Niete said: This is the day when the sky falls on my head, darling. You say it! Its annoying, eh?- She said, sadly. I am so sorry to had dragged you into this, darling.- Niete said. At least we had a nice plus extra year together. Veruben said, smiling. We cannot repeat the feat again here- I assume we run out of cities on Knapp. Perhaps we could live the rest of our lives on some other Federation planet.- Niete explained. What about Mars?- Veruben asked, not believing they were talking like this. Or Earth?- Niete proposed. Really we deserve a better future for us, dear! Look at you, recently promoted and me, having more work than I could do- yes, we can sell everything here and take a pair of tickets to anywhere! - Veruben said. 55 Niete was sure nothing will prevent the Military Police to search and find them on Knappian soil- another different thing would be if they depart- the government of the King Knapp was not so important nor they had signed the necessary protocols and agreements to force other planetary systems police forces to search for their run away delinquents. Niete went to the Space Field at Oredloro namely, the second field at the planet capable of spaceship traffic at the time. The other was on Rixiaberg, to the north. He find the prices affordable, the spaceships allowable to be traveling to the solar planets; four spaceships were in line waiting to depart in different dates. He was going to buy tickets, when he heard the news on a holographic set, stating that the Police was searching for several criminals- and his photograph was among them! Niete returns to his hotel room at Oredloro, where Veruben said: You are very pale! Did you see a ghost or something? The Police is already behind my tracks! They have a photo.- Niete said. Not good.- The face of Veruben darkened in a second. We must use the time machine again! We should have gone days ago. We have it on the truck- we could use it right there. Lets do it now. Im scared, with you in a photo!- Veruben said. Niete embraced her, saying Its just a delay, darling! Im sure everything is going to be all right! 56 I am sure well make it.- She said, trying to really feel what she was expressing. They went to the parking lot, and from there to the fields out of Oredloro in the truck. Pity we are going to loose this truck and the machine, if we depart.- Niete said, while they get inside the time machine and set the controls for reappearance in three months earlier. Nice weather.- She said, going out of the time machine a little later. The day was sunny, and with no clouds at all. The truck was intact- a thing they were worried, but the bubble of energy had taken it alongside the time machine.

We must try to preserve this machine; I wonder what happens if we left it on that ravine! Perhaps it could pass unnoticed.- Niete said, and with some efforts, they left the truck near some boulders, and almost covered with branches. No way could we smuggle unto the spaceship.- Veruben said, beginning to walk towards the city streets; he followed her in silence. At the Spacefield no poster asking for his head was ever being advertised. The tickets were bought, and hours later they were on board of the Wagner, with destiny scheduled to Mars, in the Solar system. Its a nice cabin. Do you think the cryogenic procedure is painful?- Veruben asked him. Not that I know of! Its just like a long nights sleep.- Niete explained. They leave the planet three hours later, and at their cabin they were able to see Knapp planet like a big orange hovering in the darkness. Its a beautiful world.- Veruben said, crying- she was seeing her home planet for the last time in her life. Niete looked at her and understand very well her feelings, and he wishes not to have mixed up in this tragedy. Two days later, now out of the Knappian planetary system, the passengers were guided to the cryogenic pods to stand the eight months of voyage. The last of Nietes thought was what the Solar System will have to offer them. The spaceship race through the Branas, and after the flash of light, the tiny speck that was the Sun appears on the telescopes. ABX 60321 said: Sun is on the viewfinder. Secure orbit course. Course calculated, and secured, E-Commander.- The Main Computer acknowledged. Fine. We only need to speed up and wait. In two months time, we will have Pluto on our hands.- ABX 60321 said. At four days distance of planet Pluto, the spaceship was already in natural Humans hands; the Captain talks with the Military Base Station orbiting Pluto, and soon spaceship hunters appears, boarding the Wagner and realizing the standard revision. You can keep on flying, captain!- The commander of Pluto Base said, and so they get inside the most populated planetary system in the known Universe. The passengers were awakened and the 58 Captain told them to prepare to begin leaving the spaceship. Some of them disembarked on the satellite of Saturn, Titan, where a large colony of Earth was busy working in the mining fields to the north of that huge planetoid. The passengers were able to see, from the distance, the others satellites, namely, S/2009 S 1, Pan, Daphnis, Atlas, Prometeus, Pandora, Epimetheus, Janus, Aegaeon, Mimas, Methone, Anthe, Pallene, Enceladus, Thetys, Telesto, Calypso, Dione, Helene, Polydeuces, Rhea, Hyperion, Iapethus, Kiviuq, Ijiraq, kiraq, Phoebe, Paaliaq, Skathi, Albiorix, S/2007 S 2, Bebhionn, Erriapus, Skoll, Siarnaq, Tarqeq, S/2004 S 13, Greip, Hyrrokkin, Jarnsaxa, Tarvos, Mundifari, Bergelmir, Narvi, Suttungr, Hati, Farbauti, Thrymr, Aegir, Bestla, Fenrir, Surtur, Kari, Imir, Loge, Fornjot and some others with code numbers. From there, they left other passengers at the satellites of Jupiter ( Io, Amalthea and Metis were the favorite for the winter sports, available throughout all the time the tourist could afford the prices). The main body of tourists and passengers descended on Mars and finally Earth. One thing was evident: the spaceship didnt stop at any place except Earth- all other destinations were available for the tourists through the shuttles the Wagner were

deploying while passing near the planets or satellites- of course, all those shuttles were to be recovered in the way back to deep space, with or without new passengers. At one of many of Earth Space ports, the Wagner hovered down: it was Chicago Space Port, the greatest and biggest one in the world. Niete and Veruben disembarked, astounded by the quantity of people and vehicles their eyes could see here. Millions everywhere! This is crazy!- Veruben said, stepping out of the Custom Office sector. The field was like a forest of spaceships that stretched almost to the horizon. The people of Chicago used only the moving roads- the ones with urgency on his daily life were using the taxi Fliers, that had dozen upon dozens of different levels to run through- nobody except them could use Fliers (except the Army, the Firefighters, the Ambulances). They hailed a taxi Flier, and once inside, Niete said: We are tourists and we need a nice Hotel with cheap prices. The In-built driver said, trough a loudspeaker on the front of the cabin: This month there are three hundred twenty two hotels giving big discounts in their rented rooms: from three hundred Credits to five hundred and twenty Credits per day, rooms for two persons only. Three hundred Credits will be nice for us to choose from.- Niete said. Any preferences? Hotels for young people, students, gay people, sick people, old people, merchants, artists, tourists? Nice and quiet room will be the best.- Veruben said. Right. A straight peoples hotel, no pets allowed. Twelve minutes for the arrival.- The driver said. They were amazed to see how the thousands of vehicles didnt crash unto each other, as the number were impossible to be count- they went up or down, race around the huge mountains the edifices were here. The taxi Flier landed on a platform on top of a mega edifice. Niete paid with a reduced fund card and takes the elevator with Veruben. The Credit card he used on Knapp was not in use here. But he could buy cards from 300 Credits up. When depleted, he could recharge it making deposits in cash on the automatic vendor cabins. The hotel room was acceptable, with a small reception room, the bedroom for two and a bathroom with spa. We must to move quick, darling! The prices in here are very high.- Niete said. I am sure I could find a job, dear- biochemists are always required now there are so many people. But you, an inventor, must show some invention.- She said, worriedly. Could be a development of some kind, a improvement- as I am not from this place, and things here are well ahead of what we saw in our planet, I must go out and see what are being used today! I am sure than in one or two days Ill know what to expect and which instrument or tool could be improved.- Niete assured her. Using the holographic set, she searches for a job, and also applied through that medium for a job as a biochemist- soon he had appointments for the next day in seven different organizations. But the problem presents when they asked her for the necessary documents to insert her in the working system- she appears as a tourist in a place where tourists could not get hired because of authorization procedures. I am in trouble!- She said by cellphone to Niete.- Im just a tourist here! Niete said: But where the legal realities say no the illegal reality gives the problem a chance to be solved. 60 She said: And what that it means, dear?

Come here and Ill try to solve your case.- He said in a low tone. They search for faked papers, and at last they buy documents giving them a status of natives from Earth, with new second names. Niete Hang was now Niete Smith, and Veruben Stulpen was now Veruben Rawlson. With those new identity she found the doors opened for her skills, and soon she was working at an important organization. By the meantime, Niete found what could be improved with a small investment- a device who gives a standard battery the power to last four times its normal span of utility. He present it to a battery maker, the Sound Sea Batteries, receiving 30.000 Credits for his discovery, by the general manager, Mr. Vaston Rouger. I am incredibly astounded by your ingenuity, Mr. Smith. If you develop some new adaptations and improvements in the world of batteries, just let me now- first!- He said. I will- its a promise.- Niete said, smiling. With that money in his Bank Account, the lodging problem was almost solved: he rented a place in a trailer park, where the low cost of it was the hook for to stay. In there, Niete begin working in a new project, always thinking in what he had left behind- namely, the translator temporal, who was the time machine of Doctor Rullen. As he was without enough funds, he worked in a small model or prototype, that when it was finished (in the blueprints first) was a beauty in respect to the economy on energy requirements. He speaks of this with Veruben, who was delighted and said: Why dont you build it? Dont tell me you were going to sell the blueprints! Well, yes, thats what the general idea, of course.- He said, scratching his head. No! Use your own money- and I will put some of mine in it, too! They are going to pay me for the first time in only five days! Wait and use my money too!- She said, smiling to her lover. Three months of hard work- and all of the money he had- Niete shoe it to Veruben, at lunch time in a Saturday. What is this? A new kind of golf club?- Veruben asked, looking at the strange artifact 1.50 meter. long rod. Yes, it seems a mixer of some kind- or a stick? But its not.- He said, proudly. Are you going to tell me what it is or not?- She smiled to him gently. Oh, yes! Its the portable time machine that I talked you about.- Niete said, thinking how she could have forget all he said about it. That? So small? I remember the time machine was like a submarine!- She said, gasping- she was afraid his lover had lost his mind trying to invent things Yes! Of course, it has not the potential of what you knew beforehand! This has small scope and it works with a fraction of the electrical requirements the other machine had. Do you want me to probe it?- He asked her. No, thanks! Is it not very dangerous in here?- She asked, really frightened. 62. Niete laughed and said: I was joking! This model could capture a sphere of four meters wide around it axis. That means at least four or five persons! They could be moved in time up to three years. Only to the past? Of course that only to the past! Its not possible to go to the future, darling!- He smiled. Why not? Because it has not being made yet.

Oh. Fool of me.- She said. Dont blame you so hard! A lot of people think they can move backwards and forwards in time! You can only move between the last moment this artifact was standing and in this case, up to three years in the past.- Niete explained. And you are going to sell it- to whom?- Veruben asked him, realizing he was out of funds. Ill use it! I am sure I will win a lot of more money if I use it myself.- Niete said, smiling broadly, leaving the portable time machine inside of a sport bag. They went to bed, and after a love affair, she gets soundly asleep. But not him! Niete went to the rear part of the trailer and plug in the electrical cord on the wall plug, starts charging the artifact batteries, and then he went to bed. At the next day, Veruben walked to the door, fully dressed on a sport costume, saying: Im out to jog, dear! I know you dont like to run like me and do exercise, and I will not force you to do it. I will be back in an hour. Go in peace, darling!- He said to her, realizing he wasnt of the sporting class. When the door swings shut, he revised the battery charge- it was full charged already. He copied the old Lottery winning numbers on a paper, and he the portable Tempus Transporter to the enclosure he had behind the trailer, and pushed the button. A small noise begins, then he push the backwards button, and everything around him gets very dizzy, while he and the time machine were going backwards in time. A indicator was counting years, months, hours and minutes- he stopped two months in the past- a Friday. He hide the apparatus under the trailer, and walked out to the street. Everything was looking very similar to every days routine. He approaches a Lottery vendor machine, and searched for the ones where the client choose the numbers; then he just write them down on the tickets using his paper with the winning numbers. He puts the tickets on the machine slot, pays the price of every one of them, and returns to his time. He had now seven winning lottery tickets on his pocket! Veruben arrives later, and he didnt say a word about his little trip; she was happy to be with him and said so: Im so happy to have you near, Niete! We are not as rich as before, but thats not important! While I was running, I was thinking of you. Thanks for your love, darling! I am also in love with you.- Niete said, smiling- he was going to give her a surprise- very soon! At the next day, a Monday, she went to work, and Niete went to collect the money from the winning lottery tickets- the vendors didnt find strange that he had so many winnings in his hands, as the prices were paid by machines. The money flows from the slots, and he collected them all in a pair of bags he had carried. The prices amount to 843. Million Credits- cash. They were 900 millions, but the Agency, the taxes and other inventions takes him the 57 millions the system takes away like vultures taking sheep from the ground. With the money on several bags, he returns to his trailer, setting the money on top of the dinning table. When Veruben enters the trailer, she stood like a statue of salt looking at the mountain of money piled there. What this means? Did you rob a Bank or something?- She finally asked. 64 I read the lottery winning numbers of the past, and I bought the tickets on the original time frame! I collect the money in our present time, and here it is, ready to buy us a home! - Niete explained, looking all the while at her amazed face.

Veruben embraces him, saying:It is not too honest but I like it! At the pace we were economizing, the buy of a house was going to take us fourteen years. Or more!- He laughed, releasing his inner tension, as he was not so sure of Verubens reaction to earn this easy money. At the holographic set, they begin to choose where to buy a new home. Its a dream, dear! I am so scare to live here in downtown! Theres no day when there are no raping, theft, dishonest sexual assaults, murder and crimes. So you prefer small towns? To live in peace, yes! To work, you know its difficult to find good jobs in a small community.- She said. With this invention, we do not need to work for anyone! I can invent gadgets or improve machines, patented my creations, sold them and earn money!- He said, realizing he was more an inventor than another engineer at work. Searching by the Holographic set, they find a nice cottage at see map of Chicago *** Where they find a good neighborhood. Old couples and a tire repair shop! Im sure I going to like this.- Niete said, seated on a couch. I went to run around the block, but it has longer dimensions than the standard measure! At least the double.- Veruben explained. Well, you can return before that.- He said. No! I think its good this way! And there are few houses with people- or so it seems! Perhaps the houses belong to people that lives on bigger cities and this ones are just for to rest in week ends or holidays.- Veruben expressed. Who knows? In all cases, darling, we are here because we dont want too many people milling around._ Niete said. At the second day there, Niete asked a lot of instruments and materials using the Holographic set- he was intending to keep on working in his findings researches. Veruben finds a job a Chemical plant, with a lot less work than at her previous post- but now they had a lot of money, she was working more than not, for to be helpful to the society. At the third night there, Niete was making calculations with his computer, when he heard a crash and a nerve- breaking shriek- he run to the kitchen, where he sensed she was then- and saw Veruben looking at the window in terror. 66 A monster! I saw a monster right there!- She said to him, trembling. Niete looked again at that window, but only the blackness of the night was present. I see nothing there, honey!- He said, touching her shoulders in a protective way. Go outside and see if theres someone there! Carry this!- She said, giving him a sharp knife to carry. He also takes a torch light and went out- he walked around the house with nothing to see, but then he heard a noise, and looking at the left fence with the torch light, he saw a big figure moving his wings and ascending in the chill of the night- it was no less than a 1.80 meters long. He stayed there for a while, not willing to believe his eyes, and then he gasped and returns inside the house. She was seated on the verge of a sofa, and asked: and did you see him? He was sure she doesnt know the truth right away, and replied: No, darling! I saw some branches- perhaps you mistake it for a creature! She moved her head saying no, because she was certain there was no tree. -And what is exactly what you saw, darling?- He asked again.

A mans figure! But the face was really hideous.- She said, trembling. 67 After two cups of coffee, she accepts to go to bed, and Niete was with her, soothingly. Soon she was sleeping, and Niete heard noises on the roof- like some feet with overgrown nails. Damned cats!- He said to himself, but he was not so sure- happily for his nerves, his bedroom has only a small window, not enough to allow the entrance of a man- or whatever freak animal or bird that was on the roof. He dozed and then gets awake by a figure that was crawling by the opposite wall- like the figure of a man, but in shadows! He lit his torchlight that was on his night table the figure stops crawling and slowly dissolves itself under the ray of light. Niete goes to the bathroom, and after it he shut the door of his bedroom with the lock. He was sure now that the house was haunted. At daylight, and after she went to work, Niete revised the ceiling using a long metallic stair; he find marks on the roof, but this were no cats but something larger. Standing there, he could saw the environs rather well- his house was the second from that cornerfour others at the other side, everyone with large lawns to the rear, a big mansion occupied all of that side, with fountains and big trees. Guess the creature come from that old fashioned building.- He said to himself. He descended and using his welder and lots of iron bars, he fenced all the windows and at the end of his work, Veruben returns from her work. Hi, dear! Nice to see you working!- She said, kissing him. Of course, she was referring to the fences around the house. I thought you may feel safer with all your windows protected by iron fences.- He said- she laughed and said: You do a lot of work to protect me from branches moving with the wind! He reddened and said: Darling, these fences will save us from future robbers! Mark my words!- He said, assured his fences were going not to be easily robbed. She moves her head sidewise, not sure now about what to think, and went to the bathroom to take a hot shower, meanwhile Niete closed all doors and windows. Them someone rings the bell. Niete opened the door with care and saw a small gentleman leaning on a cane, standing there. Good night, gentleman! I am your right wing neighbor, my name is Alder Pufor and I wish to talk with you a little. Very well, come in.- Niete said, letting the small man step on the living room- he noticed a strong smell of garlic while the visitor walks in. 69 Niete offers him a seat on a sofa and also a drink. The little man seats and said: Thanks, but I dont drink at this hours of the night! I come here to warn you, because I heard your wife screaming last night, and I saw you busy fencing your windows. Niete looked at the night visitor with suspicion- he was small, with a large nose, green suit and used a cane just for fashion, as he didnt limp at all, so he said: I thanks you a lot, Mr. Pufor, but my wife mistakes some branches for the figure of a man, and I fenced the windows for protection against robbers. The little man smiled, and said: Have you not seeing peculiar forms in the night? People outside your windows? I guess I saw something moving on the bedroom wall last night- I lit my torchlight and it was gone. I guess it was some shadow or a gas.- Niete said. Just gone? Yes, that was the strangest thing. It stops crawling and then it was gone.- Niete said, looking to the man.

I see. I can tell you this: the whole town is hunted! There are more houses than living neighbors! Since two years I had been living here, and I did see things you cannot believe it!- Pufor said. Sorry to hear that. We spent a lot of money buying this house.- Niete said. Perhaps your wife will consider moving again? Think it over! I will be visiting you again, if you like. I always am available, being an old bachelor.- Mr. Pufor said. Thanks you for your concern, Mr. Pufor.- Accompanying him to the door. At midnight, Veruben awakes him, saying: Dear! Theres someone on the roof! Niete heard noises too, and taking the torch light, he went out the house, handling an iron rod. He climbs to the ceiling by the stair, and looked with the torchlight- a figure was crouching at the opposite side- something that moves. He yelled: Who are you?- And the figure stands in two short legs, spreads his black wings and hissed. Niete approaches, hearing how that creature makes threatening noises- he also saw a small mouth with fine sharpened teeth! His body was black, with long hair all around except the wings, that were like leather. Niete!- A voice calls him- he turns his head to see, and saw his woman atop the stair. He heard another noise, and saw the creature flipping his wings and fly away. He went down to her, saying: must be a giant vat! They walked inside the house and when he locks the door, Veruben said: 71 Certainly this town has things we ignored! I will ask my companions to morrow about this matter. Of course, darling!- He said, soothingly, wondering when she was asking him to leave town. At the next day, she said before she leaves to work: Hope you take care while being here, dear! Perhaps you should buy a gun. Good idea!- He said, kissing him good bye: At 11.00 hours, he went out to search for a gun, but there were not armories in town. He takes a omnibus Flier to Chicago, where he bought a gun and also a rifle, with the proper bullets. Are you go hunting, Sir?- The Vendor asked him. Yes! Large birds.- He said, smiling. Very well, Sir. Give me your name and address, for our database.- The man said, and Niete gives it- when the Vendor heard the name of the town, he said: I wish you luck! But remember first to load the gun with silver bullets. He went to his house thinking why that man recommends using those strange bullets. To his knowledge, silver bullets were not for sell. At home, he left his weapons at the side of his bed and went outside. A young woman looked at him from a car, smiling- he felt the elation of adventure, but then the car turns a corner and it was gone. He analyzes his feelings towards Veruben- he was grateful of her loyalty but now that she was working the feeling of love eternal was flickering like the flame of a candle in the wind. He went inside his home, and seats in front of his instruments and the computer, trying to develop a better portable Time machine, but a sensation of being watches makes him turn his eyes to the sides a black figure seems to move away by the door. He jumped from his seat and in two steps he was looking at the corridor- nobody was there. He returns to his seat, and begin drawing a new circuit- soon a noise on the corridor makes him jump from the chair, and he walked to the corridor. A stone the size of an orange was there on the middle of the corridor. He walked there and picked up- then he looked at the ceiling and walls- those surfaces were smooth and

without a crack. Something glittered on the wall- he approaches and saw a pin on the wall. He takes it, noticing it was not inserted on the wall, but just touching the surface. 73 He returns to his chair, meditating on the stone and the hovering pin He heard her steps on the first floor, and he hurriedly went down by the stair. Hi, dear! Have you a nice day?- She asked him. Yes, darling!- He replied, kissing her. I was promoted! Now I have three persons under my command! Of course, they are useful assistants.- She announced happily. He was in no way able to spoil her happy moments, so he said nothing about his recent visions. They have dinner on the dinning room, and then they went up to their bedroom. I asked about what was that bird! They told me there were condors- not very usual here, they said, but that once in a while they descend from the mountains to pester on the neighbors. Oh.- Niete said, wondering how could look a condor. They make love and then she close her eyes and went asleep- Niete had all doors locked, so he went to sleep with a smile. Later, he awoke with a queer sensation of being rocked- he opened his eyes and saw the ceiling not sixty centimeters away. By the corner of his eyes, he saw the floor standing down more than two meters below them. 74 He holds his breath- the bed was being moved laterally one side at a time- like someone not decided yet to which side he- or it- was going to throw them down. Nite sensed that his heartbeat was twice as fast and strong as it usually was- he takes Verubens body firmly in his hands- she moaned and begin to awake- the bed silently descended, and when she did opened her eyes, the bed was firmly on the floor. Are you awake, dear? Do you want a cup of tea?- She murmured in his left ear. No, thanks you, darling!- He said, not wanting her to go out the door. She smiled and closed her eyes, and went back to sleep. Niete keep on watch for the rest of the night so in the morning he get dressed just because of the routine- his eyelids were of lead. After she departed, he nailed the bed to the floor, using a handful of nails; he also tied the mattress to the wood frame, so the strange levitation could no longer be possible. He slept half the afternoon out doors- when he awoke at eighteen hours, he saw that little man, Mr. Pufor, looking at him from his yard. He waved a hand in his direction, and the little man said: How are things at your house, neighbor? Do you need any help? Niete says no with the hand and a movement of his head, trembling of fear- because he had heard Mr. Pufors voice as spoken not from 20 meters, but almost to his hears! He get inside his home just to see how the knives and forks at the kitchen were all on the floor. He picked them up and close the drawer it was impossible for that hardware to jump up to the floor on its own! He seats at his desk to work and this time he could make some advance, as he was not molested. His woman arrives at eighteen thirty hours, and they take tea, while she speaks about her job.

I decided to divide the work in three different groups- I no longer work directly on the problem, but I organize and help their efforts. We can make big progress with this new system!- Said she. I congratulate you! I am working here, too- but my work is very slow!- Niete said. She leaned unto him and said: Perhaps you need some Assistants, too! I am sure you could afford the cost. 76 Niete smiled and said: Good idea, darling! I will think about this. But what he did, at the next day, was to find an office where to work in peace- there was only one building renting offices- he rented number twelve, the only available at the time. He bought a new desk and carried some instruments and a computer there, and worked until seventeen hours. He advance quite a lot, and also receive the visit of several other tenants of that floor, everyone wishing him success in whatever he was doing there. When Veruben appears at 18.30 hours, he told her about the office, and she leaned on the dinner table, saying: Why? We have a whole house here! Carried by the spur of the moment, Niete replied: The truth is that this whole damn house is hunted! She looked at him with incredulity all over her face, and said: And now you tell me? So everything I saw was ghosts? Or whatever other thing- or things- that are lurking here. I had seen shadows creeping by the walls, big bad vats flying in the night, our bed raising two meters above the floor. That was it! Niete told he while she looked at him open mouthed. Now shell run out of here like a rabbit! But no, as she said: Nonsense! I am sure you still are nerve-shocked by what we suffered before! I will stay here. And with these words, she takes refuge in a shower bath. 77 Niete seats on the veranda out of the house, trying to analyze what was happening. He certainly was awake when the bed levitated above the floor. Sure the creeping shadow dissolves when bit by the torchlight. And certainly there was a big thing over the roof. His neighbor was looking at him from the adjacent yard- he waved a hand- Niete gets closer and said: Good evening, Mr. Pufor! Good evening! Problems with your wife?- The small gentleman asked. Niete looked at his house- no way he could had overhear the conversation! Must be, Niete thought now, his own attitude- seating out of doors with his woman recently arrived No problems! You see, Im beginning to realize it was a bad idea to come here in the first place. Spooky.- Niete said, and Mr. Pufor smiled and said: I told you I can be of help- for a price. Niete looked at him- 1.52 mt. in height, feeble as a reed- saying he was to help? Dont look at me like that, Mr. Hang! Size doesnt matter in this cases. They are disdainful of sizes. Them? Oh, I guess I should have said It. - Mr. Pufor said, bowing good night and departing for his home. Veruben calls him from the front door, and when he arrives near, she embraces him, saying: Pardon me, dear! Im being patronizing also at home! If you think this house is not for us, we just go away. 78

He embrace her, full of rejoice: that was his girl! They eat dinner at the table- herbs and a piece of cheese- evidently, Niete said to himself- she was on a diet again. Later, they take a shower and went to bed, where she was very demanding- after that, she fell asleep with a smile on her face. The bed begins to levitate. Veruben keeps on dreaming pink elephants, but Niete jumped out of the bed instantly- he was about to take her out of bed, but now it was to high on the air, so he keeps on looking until a soft thud indicates the bed had touched the ceiling- three meters above the floor. Niete remembers his photographic camera and went out the bedroom to find it- at his office. When he comes back, the bed and his fiance were back on the floor. A howling sound was heard now- he stumbled to the corridor, trying to locate the direction from where that awful noise was coming. At the back door. He went to the bedroom again, grabbed the rifle and the ammunition box and departed out. The night was black as the wings of a pterodactyl he uses his torchlight, and saw figures moving at the farthest side of the fence- he fired twice and the sound awakened echoes on the mountains. 79 He revised the place- he saw blood on the grass, glittering red. That will show them!- He murmured, and went inside the house, expecting to find Veruben awake and nervous, but no- she was sleeping soundly. He seats at the side of his bed, decided to be on guard the rest of the night. In the early morning, a police patrol car stopped in front of his house and a pair of Policemen rings the bell. Good morning, Sir. We are here because some neighbors inform us of a shooting here last night.- The oldest of the couple say. Oh. It was me. There were some animals howling at the backyard- I shoot to scare them out, officer.- Niete said, sternly. The cops looked at each other, and the younger of them asked: May I see the weapon, Sir? And your license. Yes, wait here.- Niete said, walking inside. His woman was in the middle of the stair, looking worried. What is happening, dear? Oh, nothing important! A couple of policemen are here asking about a shooting.- He said. A shooting? We dont know a thing about a shooting, did we?- She said, descending. Darling, but I already told them I fired against something lurking at the backyard.Niete said. Did you do what?- She opened her eyes in disbelief. I shoot. You were sleeping.- He explained. The cops at the front door ring the bell twice, impatient by the delay. He said: they told me to show them my arms license and the weapon.- And he runs upstairs to find both things. Veruben walked to the door. Niete searched the weapon- it was at his bedroom- but the license was nowhere in sight at his office- he revised the drawers, the bags, everything. He heard the slamming of a door so he went out to the corridor with the rifle in his hand. At the stair, he saw Veruben walking up.

I cannot find the weapons license!- He said in a hoarse voice. I had it. I show them the license. They told me it was a dangerous thing for you to go around firing in the darkness. They ask no to do it again.- Veruben said. So I have weapons but I cannot use them?- Niete said, receiving the license in his hands. Right.- She said, preparing herself to depart to work. At 9.30 hours he went to his office at the building, and stayed there working hard- he was not decided to return where all seems to fail him. His cellphone resounds over the desk- it was Veruben. Hi, dear! Hard working now? Yes! Are you at home? Of course! Its 19.20 hours! Do you want me to go there to bring you home? No, thanks you! Ill be going right now.- He said, sighing. You really detest this house, dear! Why dont we just sell it? Good idea! Ill advertise it tomorrow. Why tomorrow? Ill do it for you right now.- She said, and hung up. Niete looked at the blank monitor in disbelief- first time she hung up without saying good bye! He disconnects the small computer from the electric switch and somebody knocked at the door. Good evening, neighbor! I have a problem with my computer! Could you see whats wrong with it? Its too late to call for the technician!- A woman said. Niete recognized her as the owner of a pet shop- he smiled and said: All right, lets see what is wrong with it. He close the door of his laboratory and walked behind her- he notice that she had a superb body, and she indeed was tall at least a meter with eighty centimeters. Her buttocks were noticeable under the right green pants she is wearing- he was looking at them when she turns her head to say: I expect Im not bothering you?- And of course she then noticed his eyes were glued to her back. Oh, no! Plenty of time!- He said, embarrassed. At the pet shop she shows him her laptop- a tiny machine 20 x 20 centimeters with eight centimeters wide. He was out of his depth here- no way he could open it without the proper tools- and of course, he sensed its interior was going to be a mystery for him. He revised the cables, and bingo, one of them was slacking- he pushed it, tested againshe was feeding a pair of water turtles by the moment- and so she didnt see what he did to solve her problem. All ready now! Your computer is back to life again!- He said, with a tone of triumph. She approaches the bench, and almost touched his face with her breasts; her smell was perfumed. Niete felt his heart a-thumping and she turns her face towards him, saying: Oh, what a dear! What can I do to pay you? Her orange colored lips were there as a tempting fruit, so he just kissed her. She moaned and said after the kiss: Oh, Sir! Niete stands up, and said: Guess I commit a mistake, lady! Pardon me. She smiled and said: Are you sure you dont want another? He kissed her, and she respond- soon they were in a bubble of passion that was incredible minutes earlier. At 21.00 hours, Niete arrived to his haunted home, where Veruben was waiting seated on a sofa. What happens with you? I was so worried!- She said, enraged.

I forget I told you I was coming! I guess my work takes the best of me today!- He said, willing to erase what he had donned with that other woman. Right! You really are acting strange! If you dont work here, we move and quick!She said, ending the conversation and walking up the stairs. Usually, Niete would had followed her suit, but he was suspecting he could had some of the smell of Rhenas perfume on his clothes, so he waits a moment and then takes a bath and put his clothes on the washer machine. The moaning, kisses and that delightful satisfaction was strong on his memory, while Veruben was only the woman who lives with him: all was changed somehow- and the feeling that something was broken definitively. He get into their bed and was soon asleep- he wanted to leave the recent memories on a sealed box. In the morning, she said: Sorry I was so demanding last night, dear! But I was also so afraid something evil could have happened to you. Im well aware of it, darling.- He said, kissing her goodbye. At fourteen hours a flier taxi stopped in front of the house and a mid aged couple descended and rings the bell. Good afternoon, Sir. We saw an advertisement saying this house was for sell.- The man said. Yes! I am the owner. Do you want to see the interior?- He asked, and soon he was showing rooms while the elder lady was praising everything she saw. Then, at the living room, Mr. Hook, the visitor, said: I receive the authorization from the Bank of Chicago, lending me enough money to buy me a house. How many did you say this house cost? Thirty one millions, Sir. The house is in perfect shape. Yes, it is! I like it.- The lady said. Well, lets make it legal! Theres an office on the Municipal building, where we could end the transaction. Very well!- Niete said, and as the couple walked to the taxi Flier, he turns to shut the door, that didnt give an inch. He sighed and hurriedly walked to the Flier, before those persons realize what was happening. At the office, the papers were signed and Niete received the money at a newly opened Bank account (with his new name). When can we occupy the house, Mr. Hang? The man asked, smiling. Let me take my things out- I will handle the keys tomorrow morning.- Niete promised them. Fine! Of course, if you want to take another couple of days, we will understand.- The lady speak for both of them. Niete realized he was being rude to himself- and his woman, so he accepted the extra days. He called his fiance to tell her about- she said: Fine, the nightmare is over! We will talk about it later, at home. Niete went to his office with mixed feelings- he was happy to have possessed another beautiful woman but, at the same time, he was unwilling to begin a new relation with Veruben in between. Fortunately for his rest of mind, she wasnt at the pet shop, but a young man was cleaning and feeding those creatures. He used the holographic set to revise advertisements of houses for rent or sold at the same town, now they had new names that have no problems attached to them.

But the locations werent good- also; he was feed up with the poltergeist affairs. He searched in the big city of Chicago. There were thousands of ads! As me majority of them had videos, he choose one at the commercial sector, an called there by the same system- soon he was talking with a fat lady, who was praising the house like it was a real palace- he mistrust her talkative ways, and search for another- then he talked with more than twenty renters, owners and rental offices, until finally he opted by a Loft, in the industrial zone. The price was not high, as the building was not big enough for a medium sized factory, and huge to have it as a home. He calls the owner- he was an old man in his eighty- former ship owner that was selling the last of his former possessions. His name was Eugene Telluij. Its a deal! You seem to me like a honest man, Mr. Hang! I wait you tomorrow afternoon! I am at my office, from thirteen hours until the twenty one hours. All right, Sir! I will be there.- Hang said. Later, Mr. Eugene calls on him, saying: I will be from sixteen to twenty one hours tomorrow! See that you come between those hours. All right, Sir! Ill be there.- Niete said, smiling- Mr. Telluij could be testing his phone number, or it was real his change of attendance. Niete did as told, and they had the transaction donned in an hour and a half, included the payment the government asked for this kind of business. Now the Loft was in Nietes name, and Mr. Telluij went home with the money he had asked: 30.000.000 Credits They moved there after two days of carrying their stuff from the other house. The first night there was cold, as there were no calefaction available. She slept embraced to him, and as her body temperature was higher than his, Niete slept very happy. They both went out the street to find her a job- being a shortage of qualified personnel- due to the colonization of several planets by the government of Earth- she gets a job well paid. The moving ways were modern- the communication systems were also sophisticatedgadgets to communicate were numerous, being the holographic set a thing of the past. The Restaurants were divided in two kinds: fresh food and ersatz. The fresh food Restaurants were expensive, and the ersatz were very cheap. The soy bean its the mother of all cheap menus, Sir!- The waiters keep repeating them, be on an expensive or a cheap place. The tasting is the same- perhaps better when not natural!- Veruben said to anyone who were near to hear. Niete perfected his portable time machine or tempus modifier as he sometimes called it, using new materials- now the area could reach fifty meters in radius and he said to her: Fifty meters in diameter means a lot of people traveling at the same time. Veruben replied: This machine could be used by the Military to deploy soldiers back of their enemy lines! Yes, and also could serve to visit places! I am sure a tourist will be not worried if the ruins are a week younger or not! Furthermore, tourism will become more secure, as people will know in advance if floods, earthquakes or revolts were or not were to exist while they are visiting places.- Niete remarked. But your invention is it legal? I mean if there is not a law or something forbidding its use?- Veruben asked him. I saw the Code- no, there is not such a law. But I am not sure if theres a copyright of it! In the past, there were people who had dimensional apparatus here in Chicago. Imagine! And they suddenly stop using them!- Niete explained, raising his shoulders in awe. I wonder why?- Veruben asked.

Much of the time there were people using them without much knowledge of his mechanism! Once failing, the reparation was impossible!- Niete said, as he was reading records stating that fact. But Niete was not in the least willing to made public his re-discovery- he bought more Lottery tickets with assured prizes- then he collect the money as grapes from the vid. That evening she appears with a gift for him. Look, dear! What I bought for you!- And she had a parcel on her hands. What could that be?- He asked eagerly, not willing to disappoint her with a bad grimace. A pair of new shoes! Half the gravity its eliminated by an artifact inside the shoes! Probe it!- She urged him, smiling. He did as told, and he almost jump two meters into the air. What a delight! Now I can put more weight!- he said, laughing. 89 People are replacing their old shoes for these ones! Its the new fashion.- She explained. Later, Niete learnt the batteries were the problem with those shoes- they endure half the time hat the user will be using the pair of shoes. A replace of the batteries cost almost the same as a new pair of shoes. Niete opened the front door and said: I will go to walk, dear! Dont you come? She smiled and said: No, thanks, dear! I feel tired today. You go alone. So he was walking fast- some people looked at him smiling- they recognize the shape of those shoes by the advertisement on the Media services. He arrives to the lake- its obscure waters and the chill cold wind were there to salute him. He run for a while comprehending now the sensation some professional runners on their tracks felt- the physical effort that could carries him wherever he likes in triumph. He went back to his home feeling the new environs were of his liking. Veruben was already in bed, and heard his new experience with a smile. 90 In the next days and by way of exercise, he learned all he could about the new materials discovered recently. With them as the base, he developed a new explosive mixing the new with the old- the end result was a weapon that used the artificial expanse of time to deploy its force. The new merit of it was that it could not be detected- so it was not possible to be destroyed once it begins its trajectory. When the theory was completed, he was eager to build it- the numbers told him 3.8 million Credits were necessary to start the new factory he needed. At his work, that consisted on the development of new magnetic shields for the mining industry, that now were working deep into the earth, where the heat was enormous even to the machines. 91 Veruben worked steadily and not complaining, for the change of places- but in her inner self his desires of open spaces, freed of the throngs of people, finds a release once she saw advertisements to have fun on her mother world, Knapp; safaris were made for tourists. King Knapp open another door to alien people: now he permits tourists on the land of the dinosaurs. At the second continent. I dont know why he changes his mind! It would be good to see the green hills of our land- certainly I miss our planet.- Niete said.

We could go there and went back. I can get a leave from my chief.- Veruben said. Niete said: I dont need more time here- I already learnt what they had of new technologies. My profession is to invent- to take secrets from the deep and let it shine for ever. She kissed him. They did as told, and embarked on the Beowulf, a spaceship full of gay tourists that only wants to dance and love each others in the darkness of their cabins. This was only possibly for a week, because they all were sent to the cryogenic pods for the rest of the voyage. 92 Before going to the pods, Niete said: So much for the merriment! The old darkness will engulf us again. As it must be, dear.- Veruben said, smiling. The Beowulf crew prepared the spaceship for the transition from one Brana to the other. The furnaces were lit and the fire of the atoms makes the miracle again. We are at the other side, Marcus. Yes, Captain. The Synthetics are ready to replace us. Of course- they will steer the ship to Knapp. We must sleep on the pods, too. The flesh is weak.- Captain Spatz said. Soon the Naturals were all asleep, while the Synthetic humans take control of the spaceship for the rest of the voyage. Four days before their arrival to the orbit of planet Knapp, the Captain and his Natural crew were awakened - they step out of the pods, and the Captain Spatz asked to AB LO3: How are three hundred and six passengers? They are fine, Sir. We notice four persons in deplorable conditions- I recommend you not to awake them before arrival.- AB LO3 replied. Well, Ill decide it after our doctor takes a look at them.- Captain Spatz said, worriedly. Doctor Sifan, old and buried in debts, takes a look at the sick people through the scanners, and said: Two of them could be awaken, Sir, because they had just a rare case of flu. I am sure I can cure them easily. But the other two tourists are real sick. Their old hearts are almost busted out and must be hospitalized. Captain Spatz moved his head with sorrow and said: Old people that dont know what to do with their money, and tales long perilous trips that their old bodies cannot be able to cope with! Thousands of tourists die each year, just because these silly decisions they make. Doctor Sifan said: Perhaps they want these things to happen, Captain! Perhaps they wish to end their opaque lives in the brightness of a wonderful trip.Captain Spats murmured: You have reason. Two war-birds approaches the spaceship, scanning for drugs or concealed weapons. Five weapons and twenty kilos of Hashish- three crew members were taken prisoners and sent to jail on Knapp for a trial. Captain Spatz was outraged. I dont know a thing about this, Officer! But I will be present at the trial, for obvious reasons.- He said. Yes, its the law: anything found on a ship must had the Captain responsible to a certain degree.- The officer said. If they keep on jail for a large amount of days, I must know how to sent the message tp their relatives or acquaintances- its the rule of our trade, too.- Captain Spatz said.

Ill take this drug addicts or possibly Traficant with me. You can proceed with the normal approach to the planet, and dont forget to be present at the trial, when called.The officer told him. Captain Spats revived the rest of the tourists, the ones that were sick but able to recover with Doctor Sifans medications. Niete and Veruben were at the corridor when Niete said: Fist time I feel so tired and sick after a period of time into a pod! Me too!- Veruben said, spitting to the floor. An old man with a stick approaches them and said: I know why we are feeling sick, 94 But I cannot prove it. Really? And what do you think its happening here?- Veruben asked him. Somebody hide coca on our tanks! Sure thing! Did you know thirteen crew members were taken as drug smugglers by the Police Space Patrol? They find them with 300 grams of Hashish and 20 Ecstasies pills. With that into account I assume these natives could apply a sentence of ten years in jail.- The old timer said. A lot, in any case.- Niete said, whistling. Not quite! Here are convictions of ten, twenty or thirty years, but you can bail out with three months of good conduct! Thats why theres so many smugglers trying to find a way here.- The old man explained. The Beowulf cut through the orbits of the outer planets and arrives to Knapp (the third) standing in a synchronous orbit for twenty minutes for all to see the beautiful Jurassic planet. Its orange and green! Beautiful.- A grandmother sighed next to Niete. This is wonderful!- An old man murmured next to Veruben. Twenty minutes to land on the planet of the dinosaurs!- Somebody chuckled by the intercom- Synthetics maid help everyone to strap at their cabins, while the Beowulf dive into the atmosphere. Sir, they had congestion at Oredloro Space Port- again.- AB 6321 said to the captain. Where can we land, then?- The Captain Spatz asked to the air. There are others in orbit waiting to land, Sir. We should wait in line.- AB 6321 recommended. 45 Captain Spatz saw the coast near Oxiborion and said: Guess we could land on the beach! On the sand, Sir? Too dangerous!- AB 6321 said. Why? We had strong legs and an anti gravitational system capable of to leave this spaceship on a napkin!- Captain Spatz said, and pushed the necessary buttons for that action. The Spaceship landed on the beach, while the sunbathers and people taking a swim on the waves burn as coals on a fiery fire. Captain Spatz saw they were on the ground without a scratch and said to AB6321: See how we landed safely? Thats the way we natural men make things happens! With your recommendations, Ill be orbiting this planet for days while waiting a place on the Oredlorians Space Port. Right! But you kill some swimmers and people on the beach! I am certain you will be in trouble, Sir.- AB 6321. Not if you fake some failure on the systems! Go and see that we could explain the situation with a failing system.- Captain Spatz said, very sure the authorities will never know if the failure was faked or not; then he ordered the disembarkation of the passengers to the beach.

They went down the ladder, and were very happy to see themselves directly on a sunny beach, until a lady asked: Pardon me, but where are the bus to the Hotel? They looked at the Synthetic people who were there, but then AB 6321 said: Theres no bus and the hotel is in the wrong city. What? I paid for a trip to the Hotel in a bus, and thats what Ill get! Ill sue you, clowns!- An angry granny said, jumping over a crab. Niete say the badly burned beach- goers on the sand, and said: We almost crash landed, darling! This was no place where to land! The captain must have his reasons; perhaps a malfunction.- Veruben said, and a couple of tourists said: we better leave this place, man! Soon the cops will arrive, asking questions and delaying everything! Veruben looked at Niete, saying: With our fake papers, we better follow this gentleman. Well, Im not so sure.- Niete said, looking at the burned people on the beach. See, buddy: if you help me with these bags, Ill be overgenerous to you both!- One of the men said, giving him a thirty kilos bag to carry. Veruben received another bag, with less weight. All right, you convince me!- Niete said, never loosing the opportunity of some easy cash. They also were carrying their own luggage, so they walked very slowly. Both men lead the way, carrying fifty kilos bags each of them. Soon the spaceship was far down the beach, when a pair of Army Fliers passed above them like enraged bees and landed next to the metallic tower that was the spaceship Beowulf. That captain will be hanged!- One of the men said, producing a long laugh. I heard him saying Naturals were smarter than Synthetic guys!- The other man laughed, 97 But neither Veruben nor Niete could find the comic angle to their phrases, after having seen the burned vacationers on that doomed piece of beach. They arrive to the road, and one of the men said: Now we split, fellows! Thanks for your help! Veruben looked at Niete, who then said: and our payment? We helped you carry these bags here! Both men laughed, and the smaller one said: We lie! Veruben gets angry against them and said: You liars! Niete: takes one of those bags as our dutifully payment! Both men directed their hands to their jackets, but finding nothing there, they attacked Niete- who was ready to fight! He chooses the smaller one, and kicked him on a knee cap- the guy went down to the ground yelping like a dog. The other hits Niete on his cheek, but he moves his head down, so the punch was minimized. Then he grabbed the man by his waist, and danced a strange waltz while Veruben tried to hit the man with stones. As she wasnt enough quick, Niete decided it was enough and bite the man on the testicles- the man cried hard and loose his grip on Nietes hair. Let me give you this!- Niete heard Veruben said, and then a noise like the crack of a nutshell. The man falls to the ground and stays there, bleeding from his head. Oh, did I kill him?- Veruben asked, 98 Raising her left hand over her mouth.

Niete sensed the mans hear beat, and said: Of course not, darling! The guy is only knocked down!- But in fact, he had no pulse. By the meantime, the other guy was recovering, but not for long, as she hits him with a log, and the man looses his conscience again Niete was helped by her to hide the bodies at a ditch near the roadway; when they come back, they saw a man leaning on the bags, after having stopped his vehicle at the side. What are you doing, Sir! Those bags are ours!- Veruben reacted instantly, as not only the mens bags were there, but also their own luggage. That person blushed but also was disappointed, because when Niete said: Please give us a lift to the city streets!- The man made an ugly gesture and climbing to his own car disappears from sight. Hope the men didnt were so greedy! That driver was really mean.- Veruben said. Another car was approaching the city, and this time the driver stops and carried them into town. Thanks, Sir!- Veruben said, when they descended from that truck with their bags and valises. They lodged into a small Hotel near the place where the truck drivers had left them. Niete opened the bags in the security of their rooms. Coca.- Niete said, after sniffing and testing the powder. Dirty drug dealers! Ill throw it all by the sink!- Veruben said, blushing in rage. Yes, its the best! But not right now, darling! Those men could appear and if we dont have their powder, they will certainly kill us both!- Niete recommended, so they hide the bags under the bed. 99 Chapter II At Oxiborion. We arent at Oredloro and we didnt pass through Custom Offices. Officially, we are not here.- Veruben said, leaning on the bed next to Niete. Better this way, darling! Tomorrow well search for some tourist agency here on Oxiborion.- He said, not forgetting he wants to visit the dinosaurs in safety before beginning to work. She approaches him, saying: I miss our home on Earth, dear! It was good to have a nice job, people who cares for me, and a big house at the end of the day, where to feel myself in solitude and silence! Niete remembers all the bad things he went through while being there, but didnt opened his mouth- he was scared of that house- too many things on the Poltergeist side. At the next morning, they visited several Travel Agencies that offered trips to see the dinosaurs. They present almost the same trip with the difference on the duration and comfort of the same: they were tours for three days up to seven days. Lets take the three days tour, dear! If we dont like it, we only have three days to be bored and not seven! She said, looking at the leaflets. Lets see first._ Niete accepted her idea, but in his inner self he was against- he was very interested in those big animals and he was almost sure three days will not suffice to quench his desires. They called an Agent by the phone, and the man said: All right! Two persons, three days, well begin the voyage at our door here on Samudio Street 39! Be here at nine oclock tomorrow morning! 100 You mean you are going to provide the rest?- Niete asked him.

Yes! The meals and the accommodations went by our responsibility! You will enjoy our services! Everybody does.- The Agent said smiling through the holographic projection- the payment was donned trough the same method: the holographic set. Veruben said to Niete: well, you have your tour ready to go! - And kissed him softly; then they went to the street to walk and eat an ice cream at a drugstore and she looked very happy. I cannot wait to see the dinosaurs, too! Veruben said. They are very rare in the known Universe.- Niete said. I will carry some crmes for my skin, perhaps some hats. You should also use a hat, dear!- She indicates. Soon afterwards she was being attended at a Beauty Parlor, where she stayed for more than three hours. In that lapse of time, Niete bought a new holographic camera to take snapshots and films during his future voyage. At their Hotel, later, they prepare the valises. Of course that \I will use my nightgown and perfumes! Im sure this tour is not a safari.- She said to him. Not a safari? And what it is?- He mocked of her. A tour! People taking pictures, sleeping well at night, carried on vehicles all the time!- She said, smiling. Niete was disappointed. At the next day, the bus departed with them inside together with 39 other personsmostly old couples. The bus stopped at the side of an old aerial artifact, perhaps one that predates the new technology gained by the union with the Federation of Planets. 101 If it was undoubtedly old, it was wide and with real armchairs all along. It has a kitchen, bathroom and also music to listen. See? All the comfort of home!- Veruben said, squeezing his arm. Wow! You really are enjoying the ride, arent you?- He said. No, dear! Ill enjoy when dinosaurs appears in front of me!- She laughed heartily. The aerial artifact departs half an hour later, and the pilot said by the loudspeakers: Ladies and gentlemen: the Tourist Agency Tsarina is beginning its voyage number sixty three to the Dinosaur Zoo at the Rixia National Park! There you will see Dilocosucos, Eoraptors, Eusquelosaurs, Halticosaurs, Liliensterno, Longosaurus, Lucusaurus, Melanorosaurs, Musaurus, Niasaurus, Revueltosaurus, Saltopo, Spondilosoma, Stauricosaurs, Tecnosaurs, Tecodontosaurs, Totobolosaurs, Velocipes, Walkerio and some other species! But relax, ladies and gentlemen! All in the Park is scientifically studied and designed for your safety! The time of arrival will be forty minutes. Any question you may ask, our stewardesses are willing to answer you with the appropriated knowledge. And after that, the music was set on for the rest of the voyage, perhaps to muffle somewhat the noise of the engines. They arrive to the Rixia Natural Park, where a nice building was receiving not only them, but several other airships with more tourists from other Agencies. The Guide appears, with three other assistants, saying: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! I am Raco, your guide: these are Hug and the other is Louis, my assistants in this trip. Now we are going to the Cafeteria, because there is a tea party for everyone, courtesy of our Agency. They all seat and departed stories- the tea party was over, and the Guide said: Now I and my assistants will lead you to your rooms- after you rest there for two hours, we

will call on you for a meeting where we are going to tell you what are we going to visit first. Niete and Veruben receive a couple of rooms nicely decorated in damask color, with a fine bed and holographic set. Veruben lie down on the bed, saying: I will take a nap! This is really luxurious to me! Niete takes a hot shower and felt himself in good humor. He looked at the mirror and said to himself: Enjoy it! Dont criticize! She was eager to make love and they were happy until someone knocks the door. She went there and Hugh said: Five minutes to the meeting, Lady! Please be there in time, as its important to you! And he went along knocking on the other doors, to tell the same advice. 103 At the meeting, the Guide, Mr. Raco, said: Hope you had found your rooms at your liking. Some of the tourists said: Yes! Very well! We will have a projection in an hour more, on the theatre. You will learn to identify each of the dinosaurs this Park has in its terrain: From the huge Dromicosaurs to the small Utahraptor! Tomorrow we will leave the Hotel at eight oclock. To see that you all are on the bus on time, my Assistants and I will be taking you out of your beds. (Laughter). We will begin our trek on the reinforced bus- its a special vehicle you will see on the film- where no danger will possibly exist, and all the comfort will be available: food, drinks and if you prefer, girls.- (More laughter). A lady asked: And at which hour are we coming back here? The Guide blinked an eye to the rest of the tourists, saying: The lady prefers her rooms, as I see! Well, we are coming back at eighteen hours thirty minutes! After our arrival, youll have an hour and a half for yourself, and at twenty hours sharp will be dinner and later more films or if some of you prefer, the dancing hall will be providing music and booze! (More laughter). Then he talked with the tourists personally, about the same topics- a thing the ladies always love). The film was two hours and a half long, and they enjoyed it as it was 104 Professionally donned, with characters playing the parts of tourists, the dinosaurs were filmed from every angle and also their inner organs, muscles and bones were studied and explained. After that, the Guide said; Dinner is served at the mess hall! They all went there, commenting the film and making acquaintances. A fat man with a red face said at the table: Dinosaurs are big and powerful! They sprout to life with the energy of a planet in which all gases and liquids were full of energetic radiation! Now in our times the planet gives birth to miserable animals in which the intelligence is the only powerful engine! They all were in accordance with his words, while Niete said: certainly what you just said is true! Nature replaces with intelligence what he cannot hatch anymore! The tourist said: Possibly we think intelligence is the great thing, unsurpassable for the ancient creatures, but thats a thing we must wait to realize if its true or not! Perhaps intelligence is the method Nature has to suicide itself! 105 The expedition begins at 8.00 hours as scheduled- men were silent and the ladies talked among them in an enthusiastic way. The bus was wheeled and made of metal with bars of steel reinforcing it- at the sides were rows of circular windows with glasses two centimeters in width.

The road was paved, and crossed the entire park encircling it. Other sub roads crossed the Park by the width of it when possible, as there were mountains and a river that carries lots of water in a rapid current. A lady asked: there are no fences! What if a dinosaur comes running against our bus? We scare it with the horn!- The Guide replied promptly. There were numerous trees at the sides of the road, and Niete said: I wonder if they have planted so many trees just to protect the road from stray dinosaurs! Perhaps!- Veruben said, smiling: she was not scared a bit! She was sure the vehicle could stand any dinosaur attack. At 1.5 kilometers from the Hotel, they saw a pack of Tatisaurs grazing on sycamore trees. Several calves were on the pack, jumping and eating, while their parents looks at them occasionally. 105 Look at that Fulengia! Isnt it lovable?- Veruben said, pressing his arm- she knew the names after the films. Yes! And they had a long way to reach his parents height!- Niete remarked. Thats the beauty of Nature, dear! It takes his time for their works to be completed, so we can enjoy it!- Veruben said. Then it was another group of Tatisaurs, also grazing. Suddenly, the road was full of Coelophysis that run around the vehicle chirping like birds. The ladies exclaimed and the gentlemen smiled. Turning, the road shows a wide expansion of terrain- the dinosaurs domain was in plain sight: Priodontonato, protoceratosaurs grazing, while Protognatosaur and Driosaurs were left behind, while the road descended a mountain; at the sides Elaforsaurs and Kirajatitan were among the trees. Some kagasaurs were running out of the woods. 106 Then at the level terrain, great szechuanosaurs were on the curve of the riverPteranodons were flying, small Lycorhinus were picking insects near the reeds and a stench of decay flows from a drowned Otniellos. That Otniellos that you can see there was killed a week ago we dont know who the killer was!- The Guide said. Certainly must have been a powerful and terrible Carnosaurs! Nobody had seen it yet!- The voice of the Guide was pensive. Niete looked at the carcass- more than 24 meters were there under the light of the mother star. Then the road climbs by the mountainside. Where are we going? The forest is on flat lands and in the mountains there are no dinosaurs.- An old man said, next to Nietes seat. The vehicle climbs several minutes and then they enter a canyon with both sides elevating for more than a hundred meters. There was a wide expanse and then an iron fence. 107 The bus stopped there and the guide said to the tourists: Here is where the government kept the meat eaters and other predators! The Vegetarians live on the valley you just saw. They looked surprised and the rumor says: We havent notice about this! We thought the dinosaurs, vegetarians or not, were living in the open and mixed! The Guide said: now well climb a little because theres a way to see them a little better!

They climb by a stair to a platform and from there- a vantage point, where three Dracopeltas stayed looking at them not thirty meters away. The canyon turns and the rest of them werent visible at the time. The huge thirty tons dinosaurs looked at the group with their small but cunning eyes, and some ladies beg to return to relative safeness of the bus. Niete felt his heart was beating faster than usual- it was the response of a weak mammal in the present of a mighty Yangchuanosaur. While they were there, two other dinosaurs appear: a quick paced Sinosaurs. And a half sized Alosaur that kept its distance with the big Monolophosaurus - A large Theropoda bipedal meat-eater. Three Ngexizaurs come in line, running and looking for small prey- they were small theropod bipedal meat-eater at all times. They are feed twice a day- there are machines that gives them their supplementary diet- but the place is located some thirty kilometers from here, as we are at the south side of their enclosure.- The Guide said. They descended later to the bus and in it they keep circling around the vegetarians habitat; they stopped at thirteen hours to have lunch- some of them seats on a table at the shadow provided by the vehicle and a sunshade made of linen, while others eats inside the vehicle on a small table. Nice to he here under the mother star. Look at those Allosaurus, tall like trees!Veruben indicated. After having seen the Carnosaurs, this ones looks like mice.- Niete said. I think the idea of to come in here has been a good one.- Veruben said, touching his hand affectionately. Its sort of a vacation for us.- Niete said, thinking he was needing something to forget the poltergeists. AT sixteen hours the bus begins the second step of the days tour: now the Riojasaurs were in view, with some Apatosaurus grazing at a side. Some calves were there, mostly catching insects from a pond. The bus was with the air vents closed, because of the insects. 109 Inside the bus, the hostesses served ice cream or fruits. People now talked to each others like great friends- Niete thought about how many of this supposed friends will keep on being friendly after the tours was over. But he kept cards on his wallet just in caseseveral of them seems to be rich people with whom some business could be fulfilled in the future. At twenty hours sharp, they were back at the Hotel and eating meat and potatoes with salads on the dinning room the meat was of a Masospondil. Nice._ Veruben said, munching the meat. Fresh.- Niete approved. The desert was orange with crme and a squirt of Ron. The film was attended by most of the tourists. More dinosaurs and explanations were heard. By example, the Scelidosaurus was a low-slung, armored, plant-eating dinosaur. It had similarities to both ankylosaurs and stegosaurs; it (or its relatives) may have given rise to both of these groups. ANATOMY Scelidosaurus was 10-13 feet (3-4 m) long and weighed about 440-550 pounds (200250 kg). Scelidosaurus had a small head, a short neck, leaf-shaped teeth, a long, stiff tail, and a heavy body with armored plates embedded in its back. These bony plates had pointy

studs on them. There were tricorns (small, three-pronged horns) behind the ears. Scelidosaurus may have had a bony beak. DIET AND TEETH This heavy reptile was an herbivore (it ate only plants) and had leaf-shaped teeth. INTELLIGENCE Scelidosaurus was closely related to ankylosaurs and stegosaurs, whose intelligence (as measured by its relative brain to body weight, or EQ) were low among the dinosaurs. Later, Niete and Veruben went to sleep, happily together. Third and final day on the Rixia National Park (Knapp). The Guide awakes and get together the tourists at the mess hall, saying: Ladies and gentlemen! After breakfast, well finish our tour of three days in this Rixia National Park with a visit to the Pond. It is a place where thousands of small dinosaurs pestered the place. (Laughter). Our lunch of today will be again on the grounds; our menu has meat on it- perhaps our friends the Masospondil are going to provide his self for it! (More laughter). As we cannot shoot at the animals, I recommend loading your photo cameras and beginning immortalizing these beautiful creatures.- (Applauses). Then all the tourists begin climbing to the bus that starts its trek with people full of optimism. Veruben hand in hand with Niete and similar thing occurring with the rest of the couples. The road was a variant, as it was told before; this time dinosaurs were more numerous, and small lakes and ponds shows a great diversity of forms and colors; the .. and the with their .. Some more info! At seventeen hours, they were on the left side of the Rixia Natural Park, under a clear sky. Niete was taking snapshots near a Anquisaur while suddenly a big earthquake ensued- he looks to the bus, and saw it moving sidewise violently and every dame was yelling from the inside while the tremor lasted. The Guide was nervous and said: we better get inside the bus- there are movements among the animals! Niete saw a heard of stegosaurs nine meters long moving to the west of them; but as for the rest, no emotional sign was present. He saw Veruben descending from the bus, touching her head. She approaches him and said: Oh, I bumped on the side of the cabin with that earthquake! The movement was very violent! Here on the outside I felt it too! Guess it was grade six!- Niete said, embracing her. 111 The tourists were very nervous and accepted the finishing of the tour there and then; except two of them who complained bitterly. Our country suffered a big earthquake today- we must return to the building! If theres someone who believes this is an infringement of the contract from our part, just let it know at the General offices.- The guide said, stepping on the throttle- the return was rather harsh, and the tourists went down the bus not at all happy with what was happening. At their apartment, Niete said: the aerial vehicle departs in one hour. Sorry that the earthquake spoils our last day in here. Not in the least, dear! I am very happy to be here with you and the dinosaurs.- She said, smiling. Niete kissed her and said: thats my girl! These people here have no

responsibilities on the quake. And to remain here could be dangerous. No way can we fathom the subsequent behavior of those big beasts after a quake. They went to the shopping center to buy some souvenirs, and they overhear that the two persons who were complaining for the shortage of their tour, were obtaining an extra day at the premises for free, tour included. We could also make some complains, darling!- Niete said. I prefer to return home, dear! This place is beautiful indeed, but I call quits as we first scheduled it.- Veruben said, and Niete begin to think she was there just for him. 112 One hour later, the Assistants of the Guide knocked on almost every tourists door, to say good bye and receive (in some cases) small tips. Niete takes her on his arms, saying: Apart from the dinosaurs, you had provided me great happiness in here. Fresh!- She said, laughing. A bellboy comes to pick up the valises and carried them to the bus; this was the ordinary common bus where they arrived the fist day of the tour; in it, they were transported to the aerial vehicle, and aboard it they flew back to Oxiborion safely. At the door of the Tour Agency, they all said good bye to the newly acquainted friends, and then Niete and Veruben went back to the silent Loft, where they finally unpacked their belongings and also some souvenirs. It was a delightful tour!- Niete said. Yes, I enjoyed every minute.- Veruben said, smiling. They have dinner and went to bed after a hot shower. At the next day and on the news, they heard about a disaster at the Rixia Natural Park and Zoo, as with the earthquake the protective fence at the meat eater dinosaurs quarters it falls down with a chunk of the hill, and almost every marauder was now on the loose and feeding on vegetarians. 113 What a pity! Those beautiful herbivores dont deserve to be eaten like that!- Veruben said, looking at the holographic set. Later they also knew and by the same source, that a tour car was turned over by a couple of biped meat eater Yangchuanosaur and their occupants eaten. And the photos were shown. Look! The two complaining guys and the Guide were among the dead people!- Niete said in shock. Oh, yes! Do you imagine I say yes to you? At this hour of the day we would have been chewed!- Veruben said. Possibly yes.- Niete realized. In the next two weeks, Niete worked hard to develop a new improvement in cryogenic procedures, investing in materials and two Assistants of the Synthetic kind- females because the labor at hand was very delicate. Both Synthetics (creatures of man) were only rented, so he fastens pace as much as he could afford without a nervous break down. Two months later he had a prototype that has more than a dozen new features that will permit a better cryogenic system and a larger period of preservation (from the original thirty years to a hundred years). He patented it and invited the cryogenic organization to see the Prototype in action. More than one of those representatives asked for proofs of the reliance 114

Of his word, and Niete was ready for that, with the presentation of several chemical and organic samples. I cannot show this machine still working thirty years in the future, but the empirical probes I am teaching you say my invention works. Of the eighteen invited organizations, seventeen of them refused to pay for the leasing of the license- just one offers to pay for the use of the copyright. Niete would had preferred to sell the copyright but to receive money for the leasing of it was also productive, so he accepted- and the first month of the contract he received 802.000 Credits in cash- with a tax for the same motive of a 8 per cent to the government of Knapp. Meanwhile, Veruben was quitting a job after the other until Niete tells her: I wonder why you doesnt last in any work, darling! She was very upset and said: Its your fault! You come to the big city, when in Earth I was all right with my life! Very well, darling! We are going back there, if you want! You know I can invent and sell my inventions wherever I please! - Niete said, worried before the possibility that he could be the responsible of her misfortune. Did you really what to do that for me, dear? Oh, its wonderful! I assume you lost your scare of ghosts?- She asked him. I cannot say I did! But I guess we rather rent a house instead of to own one, darling! If the poltergeist affair appears again, we could move around town until we found a place free of ghouls.- He said, smiling. Its a deal!- She said, embracing him, and then she walked to the Holographic set, saying: I will call them right now! Perhaps they accepted me back at my job!Veruben said. The one who walks away without being fired, returns without being called!- He said, but she calls and produced such turmoil, that the call went from one hand to the other and ends on the General Managers hears! You are welcome, Miss Veruben! Of course we want you back here! There are many who said the company has no sparkling moments without you here.- The General Manager said. Oh, thanks for your decision, Sir, and thanks for your kind words! In any case, Im in Knapp, a planet eight months away! So you should be waiting a lot of time.- She explains. I know you are not around the corner, Miss Veruben! But I am taking in account your return just the same!- The gentleman said. After some more minutes of conversation, she finished the communication and stayed there for a moment, thinking. At the next room, Niete had heard all about it and he was happy the way those people were welcoming back his sweetheart. Veruben also calls solid state offices, and soon they were looking at houses and apartments for rent. Never again a house, darling! Now I prefer a free of haunting new place on a building! Find out which is the newest building in town!- Niete asked of her, and they were looking at very acceptable rooms on four different buildings. They are located at the other side of town, dear! I am sure youll not get molested again!- Veruben said, 116 Blinking an eye in his direction.

All right, darling! Take that one option! We get to pack and leave!- He said, decidedly. Not so fast, dear! Ill be decorating it before we leave! Look at these advertisements! It says they paint, put curtains and tile floors the color you like.- She said. But, its permitted to do so? I mean, were not going to be the owners!- Niete said. Of course! I read the Contract! It says we can paint in any soft color we want, but we cannot take walls or windows out of the way! So, the painting stuff its permitted.- She said, kissing him with joy. Niete knows the voyage was going to take several months to complete, and the idea to be in that coffin again gives him the shudders. He went to see a play at a theater, where the phrases begin to mount on his brain until he was so sure he prefers to stay on Knapp instead of to venture again to that Earth so full of people and plagued with Poltergeist. He knew, when the final curtain falls at the end of the play, that he will not go to EarthVeruben or not Veruben. 117 He waits a morning to tell about this to her, and she exclaimed, not believing his new decision: I cant understand you! Why do you torture me like this? I was so sure of you! Im sorry, darling! I only hope you can pardon me for what I did to you.- Niete said. But explain to me; tell me why you dont go there! Its the cradle of civilization!Veruben said. Sorry- Earth its not our cradle, darling- perhaps of its colonies, but not Stop! If you dont want to go there, dont talk about cradles! Ill go alone! I cant live anymore here!- She said, and Niete realize she was like another person, with a whole Universe of decisions and realizations to make by her own. Veruben takes the shuttle two days later, and the spaceship AR200 departed to the Solar System some time later. At the last minute she sent a message to Niete, who didnt open it he finds her attitude was the correct for herself, but not for him to justify. For the rest of that year, Niete worked on the portable time machine, and twice takes trips to the past, just to see the old Veruben, when she was living with him on Oxiborion. 118 Niete was trying not to sell his adaptation of an organic scan, more simply and powerful than any other in existence. He offered it to the Ministry of Health, but they asked blueprints of the machine in full, before the decision to buy. Its impossibly and this is not the way to do business!- Niete told Mr. Larko, the secretary in charge of that kind of acquisitions. The man was a large one and with menacing attitudes, so he said with that frame of mind: Remember where you are, Mr. Niete! We can force you to give this invention first, and then pay or not pay your efforts as you would like! So you choose now: the blueprints are a moral obligation to your country! Niete replied: As I told you, Mr. Secretary: this is not the way to do business! Ill offer my invention to the private world! Im sure they will be not asking me for an impossible! And he stomped out of that building- he had his face burning with rage. With the private investors the sole mention of a new way to improve their sells were enough to begin with. At last, a group of five of them bought the invention copyrights and hoped to share the benefits. 119

Niete bought a terrain at the outskirts of Oxiborion, where he organized a workshop- he bought a bus and worked on it trying to replicate the one he saw at the Rixia National Park. Soon it was evident that the vehicle could use his portable TM, so he located it on tophe did a small cupola where the device could produce the bubble of translation and transition. He made several tests, surprised to see him and the vehicle in any era he chooses, giving him a lot more mobility and comfort. He was tempted to tell everybody about it and begin selling the car without fixed time, but the catastrophe he could provoke stopped in his intentions. For some time he was buying cheap and selling high priced goods with the aid of the bus capacity- he could carry materials back and front as he sees fit. When the celebration from a new year commenced, he went out to celebrate with the rest, afraid to become an eremite. He chooses a big place full of people- they were all rejoicing and dancing- there were also lots of women, most of them alone and searching a man to have some fun with him. He met a young woman, who was very happy- first they danced and then they talked on a table with some drinks on it to be served. Hi! Sorry Im a bit exuberant tonight! But this had been a good year for me!- She said. Niete already knew her name- the first thing always he did with women was that: asking their names first. And depending by the way the answer were given, he cataloged the lady as a possibly conquest or just a woman enjoying her own self. And Dosana had responded quite well. Thats the way you ought to be!- He said, smiling and looking at her to the eyes- then she said: You look sad, you dance superb but youre not enjoying. Sorry about that! The reason could be that I work very hard during the year- resolving puzzles never had been too hilarious. Touch!- She said, looking at the dancers. And you, what you do in a normal day?- He asked; jut to have her attention focused in him. Oh, Im a painter!- She said, sipping her drink. So you paint and you are an artist. Congratulations.- Niete said. But not in the common sense! I love to paint walls and also vehicles! My most famous painting is the shuttle craft number 1109. Did you saw that work?- Dosana asked him. :Sorry! I hadnt seen it.- Niete said, after choosing to tell the truth or to lie to be amiable. Well, never mind! That was four years ago, anyway. Wish my other projects could be as interesting as that, but no, I guess it has been going into the incline. Shall we dance now?- She asked, suddenly. Of course! You look very pretty while you dance.- He said, sending her first open indication that she was of his liking. Thanks!- She said, blushing. The place was not so full of people now, and they danced three hours while very dynamic rhythms were played; and at last the slower ones appeared like calmed waters. She didnt move away when he first kissed her- then they were kissing each other more and more, until she was moaning in his arms. After some more dancing and drinking, she was ready to accept his invitation- he didnt carried her to his place- too far and the lady could be changing her mind on the way there, so he takes her to the nearest Hotel, where they loved each other.

At the next morning, the first day of that New Year, he had a terrible headache and his mouth was totally dry. Hello! Oh, Im so ashamed of myself! What could you be thinking of me, I have no idea!- Dosana said, from the wide bed. That you are kind, beautiful and delicious!- Niete said, bedding alongside her. Do you think so? - She asked dreamily, so Niete was so moved that kissed her until they were loving each other again. This time he takes a nap, and then she awakes him, moving his shoulders. Niete! Im going now! I get to attend my shop! It was good to be with you?- she said, and Niete realize she was already dressed and ready to go. Are you leaving so soon? - Niete asked her, seating on the bed. Well, its thirteen oclock already, and Ill be going to my place to work.- Dosana replied. Could I be of help in there?- Niete offered himself. NO, you better stay here and sleep a little more!- She laughed. Then give me your cellphone number or your address! Or Ill be not going to see you again.- Niete said. Dosana fumbled on his bag and produced a small memory pill, saying: here is my address and some of my work to see! Now I really must be going._ She said, and waving a hand good bye, she departed. 123 Niete inserted the memory pill on the holographic set the Hotel room had in a corner, and yes, there were all the indications he needs to follow the trail. He takes a shower and put on his clothes- that smell of liquor and smoke. He also paid the bill and went out to the street- it was a cloudy day, with people walking by the street in their first holydays of the year. Niete hailed a Flier taxi and gives him his address on the fields. Twelve minutes to arrive there! It will be 20 Credits, Sir. We have light traffic today!The in-built driver said by the loudspeaker on the ceiling. Thats good.- Niete said, as he was eager to arrive to his working shop. The flier taxi descended and Niete paid the fare and walked to the door- the place has a gate by the left side and a door by the east side- so he could go directly to his rooms or to the working shop. There he had the bus, with a turret on top, where the time machine could work with better results. On crates lined up against the north wall he had antiques- the treasures bought for peanuts in the past, that now collectors were ready to acquire for thousands of Credits. 124 He climbs to the bus and stayed there the rest of the afternoon, working on a desk he had inside and at the center of that vehicle. At 20.00 hours he called on Dosana, saying: Hello! Im Niete. How do you do? She replied after a second of surprise, and said: Sorry I wasnt at the atelier today! Do you wait for me there? Niete decided it was time for a lie, so he said; Oh, yes! But I was not talking about that! I want to see you. She hesitates a moment and said: Fine. But you dont know where I am now. Its Ferengo 39, near the Rowans Square. Very well! Perhaps we could go dinning together tonight.- He said. All right. Ill wait you here.- She said, modulating her voice to sound nice.

He calls for a taxi flier using the cellphone, and in it he traveled to that address. In the flight, that takes only five minutes, he interrogates the in-built driver: My present destination belongs to a lady. How its the status of the people that lives in that neighborhood? Home of honorable Blet Rengis, the Lord Rengis, millionaire and of course, from the nobility. And what is lady Dosana of this Lord?- He said, blushing like a schoolboy. Im accessing the City database, Sir. It will be thirty Credits more, if you are so interested.- The in-built driver said. All right, Ill pay for whatever you must access.- Niete said, and hearing himself saying that, he realizes how lonely he has been without female company for so many days. She is just the daughter of Lady Neriagan and Lord Blet Rengis. Lady Dosana studied until her eighteen birthday on an Institute for Noble dames, the Iyeka Maronis Institute for Ladies, where she received, after six years of attending classes, as a Painter and Modeler. She had been at expositions at the Lemuri Pinacoteque, once at the Royal Oxiborian Museum of Arts, and in the Royal Arts Hall. Actually she got a degree in Mineralogy.- The Synthetic brain said. Her status?- Niete asked, with his head a-reeling. Single, and the database has no records on fiances or male acquaintances.- The Inbuilt driver said; then they landed near a couple of green buildings ten stories high, surrounded by a lawn and near a pond. Niete paid the fare and for the information, and descended from the taxi flier. He walked to the iron and masonry fence, rings a bell and a voice asked him who he was and what he wants there. Im Niete friend of lady Dosana, and I come to see her.- Niete said to the metal square on the wall. After five seconds, a voice said; The gate ill open in ten seconds, Sir. Dont pay attention to the guards- they know you are allowed to get inside. Very well.- Niete said, and the gate opened automatically. 126 Once inside, he walked the 30 meters to the door, suddenly realizing that two panthers appears at a trot coming round the corner. He stopped short, panting in terror- one of the panthers keeps running to the gate, while the other stood watching at him intently. Some seconds passed- the panther didnt move so he resumes his walking to the door of the building with his heart a-thumping. Before he could push the button to be attended, the door opens and Dosana appears as a sunny day: fresh, happy, her dress in a soft pink color and with her hair shinning clean. Hi, Niete! I was about to find you to escort you if you were afraid of the panthers! They are synthetic and knew you were there.- She said, looking at his eyes. Oh, I had a terrible impression with those two panthers running at me! I thought my heart was about to explode!- He said, following her inside the building. At the living room there was a big man of old age, white hair and a large face that was looking at an old big book; he raise his head to look unto them and said: Another of your friends, dear Dosana? Yes, father! Niete, I present you my father!- She said, approaching to her fathers armchair. Nice to know you, Sir.- Niete said, bowing slightly. He was impressed by the quantity of trophies on the walls, the thick carpets, the costly furniture and the oil paintings hanging on walls covered with oak.

A hum! Yes, nice to meet you too! I see you are older than my daughter! Where do you meet her?- He asked his hands over his book. At a dancing hall, Sir- she was very happy and we danced a lot.- Niete said, trying to be honest. At a dancing hall. Good place to meet people, Dosana! Well, I guess you can dance and be merry on New Years Eve.- He said, coughing. Yes, father. I am going out now to have dinner with him.- She said, adding; Niete, waits me here- take a seat! I will not delay too much.- And went out of the room; Niete saw the gentleman returns to his lecture, and he didnt want to play the stupid, so he went to another chair and seats there, admiring the trophies that hanged all over a wall. He recognized some heads: a Apatosaurus, a Stegosaurs, a Lesothosaur, a Dacentruroall small heads, not from the grown up specimens. He also saw some books on a shelf, and a Holographic set with the light on. He looked at the Lord Rengis, but he was not going to interrupt his lecture- and also, he was well aware the noble should not read with a guests in his presence; he realize he was not important to the nobleman. He was almost dozing when she appears again, saying: Lets go, Niete! Good night, father! Enjoy yourselves! And return early, please!- The Lord said, looking fleetingly at them before he returns to his lecture. At the door, she said: I guess you are on foot. Yes, I dont have a Flier, but we can take a Flier taxi- there are plenty of them.- Niete said. Oh, I have a Flier myself! Why dont we use it?- She asked, taking him by the hand and guiding him to the garage. There, he saw a translucent bubble with a pair of seats and the controls in front. See? Its imported from Earth! They know how to do these things!- She said, happily, and they seat in there. Well, where do you supposedly was going to take me to dinner?- She asked, smiling. To theTobosphere; its new, and the meals seems to be exotic.- He said- he was repeating what he reads on an add, but he had never set a foot on that place before. She wrinkled her nose, saying: Oh, do you like those kinds of places? Really I havent been there myself! I saw it advertised somewhere.- He said, and Dosana takes his head with her hands, saying: But Niete! You are funny! That place is special designed for queers- homosexuals goes there in throngs! Oh, I didnt know it.- He said, blushing. Never mind! I know a dozen other places where we could go- lets go to the Bidongo, its a nice place for us. Youll love it.- She said, smiling, and pushing a red button on the console, she said: To the Bidongo! Yes, madam.- A voice resounds from a loudspeaker on the console- it was a built-in driver! You see, this apparatus moves by itself! I dont need to steer the vehicle.- She said, smiling. The two seats Flier raise from the floor, and connecting itself to the grid, received the necessary authorizations and indications, and it goes up and inserted itself on a line of vehicles going north; soon the voice said: Descending.- And the vehicle landed on a platform- it was a huge edifice with the first floor 300 meters down below. At the seventeen level, the elevator stops and they get inside a very luxurious place, where two waiters approaches immediately, offering them a seat while the other placed in their hands the menu of the day.

Oh, Dacentruros meat! My favorite. Give me a steak of that, and smashed potatoes, salads.- She said, naturally, to the waiter. And you, Sir?- The other waiter asked to Niete. The same, thanks you- and bring us wine and some beverages.- He asked, rejoicedthe place fits his mood: a nice woman full of life, and rich people all around. You know? You have a different look to the ones I know- I mean, my friends of the University and relatives! Your eyes told me, yes! That you had seen things very peculiar- perhaps also dangerous. Are you working with things dangerous?-She asked, mildly. Wow! You certainly see more deep than I thought.- He smiled, playing the mysterious guy in town. Or.. do you have a wife and dont want to tell me about it!- She said, laughing. The attendants brought them some drinks and salt peanuts to nibble; he said: I told you the story of my life- Im an inventor, I had a woman but she went far away- and you are really beautiful.- He said, not telling her yet that he knows her family was of noble origin. A woman leaves you. That is very interesting.- She said, smacking her lips. She loves her career more than me.- He reaffirmed it. Oh! Was she a professional or something?- She asked, looking at the musician arrival. Yes, a biochemist.- He said. An intelligent woman- she knows what to get and where to get. Independent, a fighter.- Dosana said. And you, have some degrees in your affidavit?- He asked, smiling to release the tension- he knew this first questions could decide their love affair- several mistakes, and she can go away scared or bored. Oh, my life is a mess! First I wished to be a famous artists- not only an artist, you know- but that is not going to happen- I had been in several expositions, but never breaking the spell, if you know what I mean.- She said, smiling. You didnt succeed?- He asked, tenderly. I guess I dont get the kick of it! Then I studied a career Mineralogy. The study of the rocks- a hard time on the hills!- She said, laughing again. Must be interesting and useful for the mining company; I mean, you are going to be hired and start exploring for minerals- am I wrong?- He asked, using his imagination. She sighed and said: At the beginning I was very motivated- to be under the mother star, tanning my skin, feeling the air on my hair- but reality knocked that dreams to the ground- mostly, its studying what others brought to my laboratory, making studies from tiny fragments of rocks some other guys brought me- that kind of stuff. Nothing dramatic. Really! You do want emotions, driving a dinosaur, galloping by the prairies with your hair on the air?- He mocked of her with a smile. Wish I could meet someone who takes me far away and together we could make history!- She said, touching her arm. Perhaps you are seating at a table with that man.- He said, feeling a shiver running down his spine. I know you could be that man! I feel it. You have more secrets than other people I met before.- She said, looking at him unblinking. I have a wonderful secret, yes. If you want an adventure, you will have it, but there is something I must know first.- He said, thinking how easily could it be if he just tell her to be his mate. I know what you want of me.- She said, while the waiters brought them the food.

Do you?- He said, looking at her- Dosana waits until the servants finished their work on their table, and when they leave, she said: You want me. After dinner, they danced while the orchestra plays soft music- she really was close to him, and if they were not kissing was because the place was not fit for it- too much lights and rich people looking intently at the dancers. He said: I offer you a vacation where you most want. I can travel in time; we could see the prairies under the mother star shining without a hominid in sight. We could fire to the dragons and save princesses. You really know how to advertise your dreams.- She said, laughing. Oh, but its true!- He said, touching her cheek with his lips. Oh, Niete! I cant say no to you! Bring me the adventures! Im ready for it!- She said in his hear. After the dancing, they went to his place at the working shop, and he shows her the temporal machine- she looked at it and said: Well, I guess you did a good work on this old bus! He looked at her and they laughed. Dosana then said: Lets use it! Start the machine! Brought me to the past! He closes the door and said: Ill begin by starting the time machine! I am sure youll be surprised. Where did I stand? Next to you?- She said, afraid something could go wrong. No, just stay where you are now! I will start the system, and come back.- He said, and while he climbed to the turret where the time machine was, he noticed he was more drunk than he thought he was, but he forced himself to finish the climbing, and fumbled with the controls- something he did wrong, and the machine begin to throw sparks and a strange noise begin pitching higher and higher until he realize the smoke was filling the turret- he jumped down, takes her by a hand and said: Lets get out of here! This thing is going to explode! And they run out of the hangar- then an explosion did occur, and the ball of fire curved the hangar like a rubber balloon- the fire reached the 30 meters high, and didnt stop until everything was burned to the ground. The whole event takes three hours to occur, so the firefighters from town appear and worked there extinguishing the fires and asking Niete and Dosana to stay away while they work. Pity, dear Niete! Guess your invention almost kills you.- She said, seated on the grass at his side. He moaned and said: Well, I have some insurance. I am sure I will recover the money, but the work- that I will not recover. She embraced him and said: you know you can confide in me- I offer my help.Thanks you a lot! I will appreciate we could live together, Dosana. That was my purpose to do after our little trip to the past- now there are no ways to travel back in time.- Niete said. She smiled and said: my father would not allow it; he is an old timer with old ideas of honor and dignity. Well, that is correct! I mean, I cannot ask you to be my wife, because we not even know each other well! - He said, sensing the dialogue was going nowhere. You said it right! We not even know each other! Your invention didnt work, and you lost house and working place in a moment! But I want to have something with youNiete.- Dosana said, and offered her lips to be kissed. They kissed and then Niete said: Well, guess we are not going to make things happens here! Lets go to the city- I must search for a Hotel, and prepare myself for the future.

I offer a place at my home! Father will not say a word against you lodging in my house- of course, I cannot sleep with you there.- She said, blushing. Niete understand she was risking her fathers anger with that generous invitation, but here he had the opportunity of to be known by her parents at least for a couple of days- he accepted, and they flew in her Flier to her house. As it was already 02.00 oclock, her parents werent in sight but in bed- she prepares him a bed on a guests room, saying: You stay here and dont leave the house until I come here in the morning! They kissed quite a while, and she ends by going to her bed with her heart a-pumping with passion. Niete takes a cold bath and went to sleep with a smile on his face: he made the desired entrance to the life of Lord Rengis daughter. In THE morning, he takes a shower on the bathroom adjacent to his room; it has a nice bathtub and hot water; he was surprised the wardrobe did exist on a shelf- he find shoes and some men and women clothes, but didnt take garments from there to put on, as he was not wanting to look as a peddler. Dosana appeared at eight in the morning, fresh and with new clothes on; she kissed her in his cheek as a sister would do, and said: Did you slept well, Niete? Yes, Dosana! Thanks you for your hospitality- are you going to work?- He asked. No! I am out of job right now- only the atelier is where I could work if I please- very few people goes there, anyhow. So! What are you doing today?- She asked mildly. Ill visit my burned place, and also talk with the insurance company- Im sure they will be disappointed of me.- He said. Why? You werent responsible of the fire.- She said, biting her own lip for a second. Yes, I was! But nobody will tell that, eh? I will say I was there with you, and something exploded we dont know what. Possibly some terrorist! And in a month or two, the company is going to pay me, they like it or not.- He said, touching her white hand. Yes, Ill back up your story any day! Just let me know.- She smiled. Right! Well, now Im going.- He said, decidedly. Wait! Are you going to stay here or are you going to some Hotel?-Dosana asked him. Ill stay as long as you wish! And with your fathers permission, of course.- He said. Oh, father! He lives for his memory, now! And my mother must know, of course- but they appears very late into the day, so dont you worry: I already told the servants you are lodging here- they will let you enter the property at any hour of the day. And if you decide to stay in here, you just stay.- She said, kissing him softly. Somebody walked by the corridor, and a woman enters that room, looking at both of them. So here is a visit you havent told me a thing about, Dosana!- She said, looking serious. Yes, mother, but you were asleep last night, and Niete needed to sleep somewhere.She said, looking worried. Why? Did his house burnt or something?- She asked, not worried if Niete was there or not. Yes, of course, mother! His house burnt last night, and I was there with him looking at some artifacts he invented.- She said, smiling now. What? Is this some kind of a joke?- Lady Neriagan asked of him. Yes, miss! I was there with your daughter, and then a bus I was repairing catch fire and the whole hangar was burnt to the ground- also my bedroom and my tools.- He said with a grave voice.

I see. I am sure you are not joking with a serious situation like this. I am sure my daughter gets you here- since a child she had the habitude of to take stray cats, birds with a broken wing and friends in disgrace every time she could.- Lady Neriagan said. Oh, but I am sure I will depart right now, if you wish so! I dont want to disturb your daily life with my presence here. Of course not.- Niete said, hurriedly. Well, if my daughter brought you here, she is going to be responsible under my eyes! Good day, Sir.- Lady Neriagan said, departing out. Dosana laughed and said: forget her words, Niete! You can stay as long as you want it, now she knows you are here! We have 30 rooms available for our guests- so you can keep on sleeping in here.- Dosana said. Right. Ill be three days more in here, and then Ill see where to sleep- I dont want to make troubles in your life- I really appreciate you.- Niete said, and she approaches him, embracing him and said: Just appreciate me, Niete? Well, I guess I also love you.- He said, kissing the young woman until she was moaning in his arms. Then he said: I better am going, darling. Oh, no! Stay. She said, kissing him some more- then she said: Well, I guess you must depart and see you get what you said. Ill be out all day, Niete- but Ill be here waiting for you in the evening. Very well, sweetheart. Ill be coming then.- He said, walking out of the room. First thing he did, was to visit the Insurance Company, and explained his bad luck- from there, he went to the Firefighters department, and asked documents to present to the Insurance Company. There, a manager told him to wait some days to see everything was checked correctly and then they were going to call him for the payment. He went out of that office assured all was going to be well- except he knew the work on his projects were lost for ever. At the site, the workers were waiting for him, and Mr. Matorion , the chief mechanic, said: We are very sorry for your loss, Chief. Pity we lost our jobs and you lost your investments. Ill keep on working here, guys! But we must clean the site to begin anew! Lets start by cleaning. Some of them said they werent workers to shovel dirt, and they went; the others accepted the deal. Niete hired a couple of rooms at the Sycamore Hotel, and using the Holographic set he calls to a organization expert in raising buildings, and asked them to build a new workshop. Of course, Mr. Niete! Please come along to our offices, and our technical department with the help of an architect will help you develop your project.- The secretary said. When could I be there for this affair?- Niete asked. Today, tomorrow, you tell us! Were ready now. All right, Im going there right now! - Niete said, and closing the door of his new abiding place, he went to that organizations address; they presented Mr. Grond Figar, the Architect a fat man in his middle age that uses spectacles. What can I do for you, Mr. Niete?- The man said. First and foremost, must be fire proof- no matter if something inside the building catches fire- the building must stand the fire. Mm! Yes, can be donned.- The architect Mr. Grond said. I want a big hangar thirty meters long, twenty meters wide and twelve meters high, made of metal. At the side, a three stories building thirty meters long, and fifty meters wide, attached to the hangar. At the ground floor I want a meeting place, baths, and a

kitchen. At the second floor I want bedrooms and baths; at the third floor I want a corridor with doors opening to rooms three meters long, to be used as offices ,and a general bathroom for all those offices- perhaps divided in two, males and females if needed. Of course, sir. Ill work in it. We need a cellar. All right, a cellar. If you dont want a cellar, it doesnt matter- but the foundations permits one cellar. No, the cellar is a good idea! Makes one for the vehicles- cars, trucks, fliers of a small size. - Niete said, and Mr. Grond laughed and said: Well, its a lot for a person who begins by saying he doesnt want a cellar! Why, its too expensive in this way?- Niete asked him. Yes, of course. No cellar means almost the same as a common cellar two and a half meters high, with mortar floor, a pair of lamps and a stairwell to let the air and people get in and get out. The other, means a lot more expenses. Grond said. All right, makes a common cellar- I havent too much to expend.- Niete said. Wait until you know the price! I guess and in a gruesome way, this project will cost you 300 million Credits.- Grond said, looking at his face to see the reaction; but Niete didnt move a muscle, saying: Right, I have that quantity of money- and some more. Lets start by giving you the address.- Niete said. Yes, I need to see what we could do with the ground- if the ground has rocks bellow the dirt, we are going in the right direction; if its pure rock, we should be installing some iron bars, and if the pebbles are all around and below the surface, Im afraid we are going to rise the price another five million Credits.- Grond said. Right, I guess its only pebbles. - Niete said, handling the architect a map with the address on a piece of paper with his address and cellphone number. Ill be calling to you tomorrow, Mr. Niete- Ill be going now to your place, to study it with my assistants.- Grond said. Do it.- Niete said, departing to his rooms. At the hotel, he seats in front of the Holographic set, and looked into his Bank account- the money he had in there amounts to 90 million Credits- a lot less than necessary. And he had not the portable time machine- it will cost more than 893.000 Credits to make one, as he also need the tools to work with, as his tools were gone with the fire. He was going to need a place where to work- the rooms at the Hotel werent suitable to have the enough electrical current he needs. He looked for a place where to work, and soon he was looking several adds- he choose a good place where to start, in the industrial sector of Oxiborion; he rented it using the holographic set, and the owner was waiting for him at seventeen hours at the same address. He takes a shower, and seats in front of the holographic set, drawing the first set of diagrams to begin with his project- at seventeen hours he calls a taxi Flier, and departed in it to see the working place- it has two entrances, big steel doors and nice locks. I used to storage valuable furs in here! So I needed strong doors and locks! Now you see them, you can use it with the certainty not a common theft could be occurred in here- and by the nights, there is a couple of persons who takes care of this section of buildings- I mean, this place is safe.- The man said, handling him the keys and the password in a electric lighter. Right, just what I want! Not that my work is with valuable things, but the cost is in its development- if someone takes it just for the metal value, provokes a big loss of time in my work.- Niete said. I understand! Well, have a nice time in here! Remember to pay every thirty days, and well have no problem.- The man said, and they shake their hands good bye.

Niete walked by the place alone and thinking. Here he could work in solitude- but there were not tables, chairs, nothing at all except the electrical fixtures that were for industrial use- and the lamps. He close the door and went back to his hotel room, where he makes a list of everything he was going to need- it amounts to 730.000 Credits. He sent the lists to the providers, with the address for deliverance at his new workshop- he was going to give some of the work to the men at the old place, at least the simple parts. He went there, finding they had almost cleaned all the burned place- it only rest to move the bricks, so he said: I have an organization that is going to erect in here a new building- they will start this week. They all cheered up and applauded- then he said: I know you are not accustomed to this kind of works, so I thank you for your loyalty. To the ones that go away, Ill be not giving any thanks. They laughed, and somebody said: just keep on paying us and youll get our loyalty for ever! He laughed, and said: Very well, here is what we are going to do: as long as this place keeps on building, youll be working at a new facility I rented today. Its located at the industrial sector, not very far from here. So you just present there tomorrow at eight in the morning, as usual. They applauded some more, and he gives them the address- he leave the place in high spirits. In the evening, he calls on lady Dosana, but he was not at home, so he takes a flier taxi, and arrives to the mansion; a man was at the gate, and seeing him ringing the bell, he opens the gate and said: Good evening, Mr. Niete. Allow me to accompany you to your quarters- the animals are on the loose. Oh, the pair of jaguars?- He asked, with scare. Yes, but dont you worry- you are in their memory as belonging to the house- same thing with me.- He said, and soon the pair of jaguars appears jumping in the air like weightless balloons- then they seat near the gate to look at the road. See? Tame as kittens.- The man said, chuckling. They enter the house, and the gatekeeper returns to his place. Niete walked by the corridor and enters his room; at the bed there was a note. He takes it in his hands and read: Niete: Hope you dont get angry with me, but my parents are taking me to one of their trips to see some relatives at Oredloro; hope you comprehend I cannot disobey them. Wait for me- well be back in a week.= And then it was her name- Dosana. Niete rested on the bed, and looking at the ceiling, he thought about this- there were two options: one, that it was true (he just dont have any experience with them, so they simply could be doing what they were habituated to do: visiting relatives.), and the second option was that their parents were using some justification to take her away from him. Both options had, for him, the same value. It rests now to see which one was the real one. He uses the bathroom, takes a shower, and uses the holographic set to revise what he had donned, makes some more diagrams. A know in the door startled him, thinking it was some jaguar on the corridor- he opens the door a couple of centimeters. Sir, the dinner is served on the kitchen table! Please come with me.- A maid said. He opens the door wide open, looking at the servant- it was a nice woman in its twenties, blond and using a blue apron. She smiles at him, saying: Did I like you? Im AB 3433, Henrietta. Oh, Henrietta, you did like to me, of course. So our mistress is gone?- He said, following her by the corridor.

Yes, Sir. They went to see their aunt Christine; at Rixiaberg- they decided it last night only.- She said, so Niete begin to suspect it was all because of him. They arrive to the kitchen, a white expanse with several kitchen stoves, refrigerators, machines and a huge table at a side, enough to seat twenty persons at the least. Henrietta serves him chicken soup with vegetables, roasted meat with onions and boiled potatoes with a brown sauce, red wine. And you are here since when, Henrietta?- He asked, seeing that she was standing opposite him. Since my master bought me five years ago- Im from Earth.- She said, smiling. Oh, I see! You must have a lot of improvements- I mean, comparing with the Knappian Synthetic people; you are way ahead of them?- Niete said, while he eats. Yes, perhaps there are some new models that surpassed me too!- She laughed. Oh! Well, I guess our handiwork is improving, too. I usually have Synthetic assistants, but now I am only using Natural ones- too expensive to buy people nowadays.- Niete said. But you can rent us any time! And its cheap- more useful, too, as you can rent only when you really need help.- Henrietta said. Quite true.- Niete said, concentrating now in the meal; when he finished, he said: All was superbly cooked, Henrietta. Thanks! I have full software on cooking meals and pastry. - She said, smiling. I see here they dont use food processors- by the size of this kitchen, I am sure they dont pretend to buy one, either.- Niete said. Oh, the patron likes natural meals! Of course, every day appears some ersatz food to be prepared- that in the near future half of the things we could buy to cook will be ersatz.Henrietta said. Rightly put. Im afraid my Dosana is going to desert me.- He said, but Henrietta said nothing, so he insisted: Do you think the patron takes Dosana away from me, with this trip of them? Dosana takes the dishes out of the table, puts them on the dishwasher machine, and turning her head towards him, she replied: Well, Sir, I cannot tell you the intimacies I know about this family. Im the servant, the Assistant, and I am a prohibition from my master to speak about people of this family with strangers. So Im a stranger.- He said, smiling. Not totally a stranger- you are a friend of our Dosana lady. But just the same, you are not in the family circle- not at the moment, I mean.- She said, smiling. Right. Touch.- He said, smiling friendly- then he walks away, burping by the corridor. He takes a look at the books in the living room, and he saw a person there, cleaning some brass adornments resembling crustacean. Good evening to you, old man!- He told the person, who raised his head to look at him with myopia eyes, and said; Good evening to you, Mr. Niete the guest! Im Joferon, the butler.Oh, a butler! Seems you have enough time in this family.- Niete said. Yes, sir, I am older than this objects you see me shining!- He said, chuckling. Of course, you are a natural man?- Niete said, wondering if this was not one of the newest Synthetic fashions among rich people: Synthetics resembling old persons. Oh, no, Sir! I am made of flesh and bone, like you, Sir! I have 90 years this monthquite a lot, dont you think?- The man asked of him. Yes, I guess its a lot, but nowadays people could live more than five hundred years and appears as young as forty-five.- Niete said.

Guess you are right, Sir. But I am not of the kind that runs out to the Hospitals making the body anew! Ill be finishing my days as my mother hatched me.- Joferon said. Old fashion ways- guess Ill be remodeling myself in a couple of years more- but not right now- too many work to do.- Niete said. The old man looked at him again with his vacant eyes, and said: But you seems not too busy at all, Sir! You are talking with an old man instead of to be working until late.Joferon said. You have right, butler! Quite right. But you see, Im here for a reason, and the reason goes with her fathers away- just a note saying she is going for a week! Now I am looking at this books for the last time, I suppose- I will spent the night in here, too, just because of the same reason: Ill be gone from here tomorrow, and Im guessing our lady Dosana is going to be inaccessible when she comes back.- Niete said. The old man finished the polishing, and begins with an oak table, polishing it with some crme. Yes, I guess its hard to be putted aside! The old man said. Niete went to his quarters, and used the holographic set making more diagrams for the Time machine- then he sent it all as an email to his own email address. Enough for tonight!_ He said, and taking his clothes away, he went to bed, from where he looks the room until he fell asleep. In the morning, he was awakened by Henrietta, who said: Sir, the bath is ready. Oh, good day, Henrietta! What time is it?- He asked, opening his eyes. Its seven oclock, Sir. The water is warm on the bathtub.- She insisted; he went to the bathtub and seats on the soft water. Do you want me to rub your back, Sir?- Henrietta asked him. Yes, please do.- Niete said, smiling to her- she was using a red apron this time. Later, she gives him a towel and at the bedroom she said: Nice weather! You could be using some of the clothes that are in the closet, Sir. Plenty of clothes, all available for you or any visitor that happens to come in here. Do you think so? I guess this clothes are for the use of a visitor who was in real need of them.- Niete said, and Henrietta takes him by the arm and said: But you are in need now, Sir! See the collar of your shirt! Its dark and smelly! And your pants- you are clean, but this pants smells! Same thing happens with your shoes and socks. Niete blushed quite a while, and said: Possibly you are right, Henrietta! I will change clothes- no use for the smelly one. I will clean your clothes if you will- tonight when you returns here youll have them ironed and ready to be used- that, apart from the one you want to be take from the closet.- Henrietta said. Niete was not too decided to return to his hotel room yet- the luxury at the Lords home and the good attendance, plus the use for free of the holographic set makes him wonder if he was being a fool leaving the premises too soon- so he said: Ill be sleeping here until she returns! Iron my pants.- He said to Henrietta, kissing her on the cheek. She smiled and said: Ill iron them, Sir. Accompany me to the gate! Ill take a flier taxi at the road, but Im not accustomed yet to the panthers.- He said to her. Panthers- they are not natural, Sir! They come with me in the spaceship Vergeltungen; models AB LP03; good and reliable machines- they cannot speak, you know? Well, its supposed that panthers cannot speak.- He replied, and she laughed- she has a beautiful laugh.

I can call a Flier taxi from here, Sir, and the driver could land in front of the door- no need for you to walk to the gate.- Henrietta said. Nice girl! Call me a taxi Flier, then. Ill be in the front door.- He said, smiling- now he knew for sure the hellcats were a fake, he felt more secure. At eight oclock he was already on the new workshop, and the workers were almost all arriving in time- he shows them the place, saying: Today our tools are going to arrivewell begin to unpack them and get ready to work- I have several projects so we all are going to have something to do. The crates with material and tools begin to arrive early, and the workers unpacked them and organize them on tables, that with the chairs were brought together. Niete puts his desk on a corner- it was a simple table and a pair of chairs- the holographic set was near his desk, not to walk away when he needed to draw something or ask something to be brought from shops. That day was pays day- he pay the workers, plus the ones who didnt wanted to shovel dirt at the old site- possibly, they knew where to find him talking with their old mates. Niete heard several of them asking to be taken again, but he said: Pity for us I am not as wealthy as before- the use of money to recuperate tools and a place where to work takes more money from my account than I would be willing to. Perhaps in the future I will call you back. And they give him their addresses, in case he could need them soon. Niete knows it was impossible for him to hire more people than needed without a good income- and all was depending now from the time machine- with it he was sure the easy money will flow again, allowing him to make his projects come true. At nineteen hours, everyone had left the workshop, and Niete closed the door and revised the work donned: tools were in shelves made by the same workers, and the materials also were there ready to be used- of course, Niete was not going to tell them he was making a time machine, so he made several blue prints for to make several machines in no way related to it; also, they could be sold at the retail markets: shavers, heaters, electric kettles, toasters, and the like. He asked more spare parts for that matter, and they assure him the merchandise will be at his workshop at the next day in the morning. Niete went to his room at the Hotel, change clothes and return to Lord Rengis mansion. At the taxi Flier, Niete saw two persons at the door, and the Flier landed near themHenrietta run to receive him, saying: We have a message for you, from your friend Dosana! Oh, how nice!- He said, descending from the craft- the in-built driver takes the vehicle away, and he heard Mr. Joferon said: Good evening, Sir! I have some books to show you. Really? Ill be right there at the library, Joferon! Waits me there! And enters the house- Henrietta said: the message is at your room, Sir. He went there, and she shows the Holographic set, where the figure of Dosana was immobile; Henrietta moves a dial, and the hologram moves- Dosana filmed image said: Hi, Niete! Good to know you are there waiting for me! I am at aunts Christines home! I guess we are going to stay four days more! Wait me! And that was all. The figure stays immobile again. See? She hadnt forgotten you- and you better stay here until her return- she certainly will give credit to your patience.- Henrietta said. Yes, I guess so. Good to know of her.- Niete said, looking at Henrietta- she was superb, with a pink dress with a white belt that shows how thin was her wait.

Do you like my dress? I see you are looking at it since you arrive.- Henrietta said, smiling. Niete approaches her and kissed that perfect mouth- it was moist and warm, but no response was given. Why you do that, Sir? Im only the maid in here.- Henrietta asked him. Yes, you are the maid but also you are a perfect woman, dont you know that? Humans seek perfection- you are perfect.- Niete said. Do you think so? Nobody had told me such words before.- She murmured, looking at him with her green big eyes. Niete kissed her again, and this time he sensed a little response. Oh, you are kissing me! But your interest should be on Miss Dosana!- She said. Dosana went away- you are here.- He said, kissing her again- this time the Synthetic lady approaches to him and kissed him back- soon they were in the bed, loving each other. Later, she said: Oh, this was magnificent! I didnt know I had these powers in me! What a sensation! Yes, a big sensation indeed.- Niete said, panting. The old butler didnt receive Nietes visit that night, as he was busy with Henrietta at his bedroom- until the morning, they were talking and loving each others, so he was like in a perfect dream. He takes a shower, the breakfast with her, and then he said: Well, Im going back to work! See you later.See you later, Niete. Ill be waiting for you.- She said, blinking an eye goodbye. Niete went to open the workshop, and the workers were happy to receive the materials with which to work- he handled them the blueprints and helped them begin making those articles aforesaid before. He also worked hard on the making of the first parts of the time machine- he didnt allowed anybody to get into what he was doing, because it was a secret. At the end of he day, he was tired but he stayed there, after they all went out, looking how the first part of the rod was finished on his table. He call on the same purveyors, to ask for an enclosure of metal where to work without being seen. Then he returns to Lord Rengis mansion, where Henrietta was waiting- he paid the fare to the taxi flier, and went inside the home- she said: The butler is sick- he waits for you at the library all night long- I assume he gets asleep in there, and catch a cold. Call the medic!- He recommended. I call the medic, but the butler didnt like to be observed! So the medic goes awayhere I have some medicines, but the butler didnt want to swallow them.- Henrietta said. Niete went to the butlers room, a nice bedroom and thick carpets for the old servant of Lord Rengi, but the butler was not in the least interested in medicines or medics. Let me die! I want to die, if the time is come!- The old man said, burning with fever. Niete went out to the corridor, and said to Henrietta: better you call the Lord Rengi. Not possible! He always had told me not to call him no matter if the whole mansion is on fire! So I will not call him. Niete thought how could he call him by phone, but desisted of the idea- possibly the Lord Rengi was almost forgot about him, and now if he calls on him, will renovate the memory and who knows what he could do against him now. Well, guess we must leave the old man alone! If he wants to die, is his will.- Niete said.

Yes, Niete. By the way, I am calling you Niete instead of Sir; but it will be real stupid on my part to be in bed with you and keeps on calling you Sir. Dont you think?- She said. Of course! You can call me Niete, and everything you want me to be called! But in the presence of Lord Rengi or his family members- you must call me Sir.- Niete said. Oh, I understand! I was a toy for you.- Henrietta said, and departed. Later, when Niete arrives to the kitchen to eat, there was nobody in sight- and at the morning, same thing, except his old clothes were on a bag near the door. He went out, thinking she was so enraged that should not have any jealousy about his behavior and the behavior of a Natural woman. At the workshop, the workers keeps on making electrical appliances and the like- a big truck appears, and some guys set in place his cubicle- with a small window to look outside, and a door with a lock- also, it had a table made of metal and four chairs of the same material- it was a plus from the maker, as they told him. He close the door, and under the light of a powerful lamp, keeps on working until midday; then he went outside and asked lunch for everyone from a known Fast food Restaurant near-by. They eat and smiled begin to appear- this was like the old times, more than one saidand hearing it, Niete calls again to the Restaurant, asking them to serves the lunch everyday at the same hour. At the time when everyone goes, he close the gates and saw the dozens of articles lying on baskets and on the floor- the stock was already reached- he calls on retailers, and offered them the goods- scheduling their responses for the next day. Then he looked his own advances- helped without known by the workers- as he takes this piece here, that piece there, and assembling them on his workbench, he realized the time machine was almost donned. In high spirits he went to Lord Rengis mansion- this time there were nobody in sightso he risked the twenty paces to the door- still afraid of those carnivores- and closing the door, he gives a big sigh. Then he went to the butlers room, but there was not thereat the kitchen, only the old clock was ticking. Henrietta was nowhere to be seen. He slept alone, and at midnight he heard sounds approaching the mansion- like a big train whistling the siren or something- he walked by the corridor, and peeked by the front door- a big machine was landing at a side of the mansion, almost touching the trees at the other side. A gate opens and several men in white descended- he went there, dressed with his pajamas. Henrietta was there too, and she looked at him, saying: I save the old man! I carry to the Hospital and only right now they allow me to bring him home- did I do the right thing? Of course, Henrietta! You are marvelous.- Niete said, smiling- he saw how the male nurses brought a wheeled stretcher inside the house; they set several gadgets to the bed and also a oxygen tank, and other electrical instruments- one of them turns to Niete, saying: The old gentleman will be monitored here and from here to our Hospital- in case of any mishap, malfunction of the implanted organs in his old body, well be called by the alarm rings here and at the Hospital- you just stay calm- well be here in a couple of minutes, and well take charge of him. Right, thanks you.- Niete said, and when they went out and fly away, Henrietta said:: I was there at the side of the bed, when his heart begin to falter- I called the ambulance, and in minutes we were at the Hospital- they set several connections between his body

and machines so they could remove and replace organs in his body. To his chagrin, I imagine, he will live a lot more years with the new implants. Volis nolis! Well, guess he will be happy to serve his master a little while longer.Niete said, while she embraced him, saying: Tell me one thing, Niete: do you miss me while I was away? Yes! But I thought you were angry with me- after our last conversation.- He said. Well, here I am, fully yours again!- She said, kissing him tightly- then he takes her in his arms and carried her to his bed. Later, they talked while he was taking a coffee on the kitchens table. I am sure you recognize that you love me as much as I love you.- She said, touching his hand. Yes, I am not longer interested in the lady Dosana! But also, I must talk with you of the kind of future we are going to have, if we keep on engaged.- He said. Im sure you could take me somewhere else and well be living in hiding the rest of the time- I am sure you could take your small bag from here and leave the premises before their arrival. And I am sure you could leave some message here, telling her that you must work somewhere else- far from here and thats that! - She said, smiling. Simply enough! But, have you not a system, inside of your software, telling you that your owner is also your master- that you cannot leave him no matter what?- Niete asked her. She laughed, and said: That was an old rule, now overruled! Remember, Niete, that I come from Earth planet! Things changes there and very fast! Do you imagine how many synthetic persons did want to go with someone else apart from his owner, and was forbidden? There were a lot of legal actions against that command! Now its overruled. We are free to go, if wanted. - She said. But the cost of one of you is enormous! What about the man who pays for one of you and then you go away just like that?- Niete asked her. Theres an item on the invoice saying that if a synthetic person runs away, the owner could not ask for refunds to the Synthetic Industries. Nor he could ask the Police to find the astray person- he only could ask for the money the Insurance Company must pay him if he had the monthly payments on rule. And I assure Lord Rengi has all his payments in due order.- Henrietta said. Lets get out of here, then!- He said, standing up. But we have an old man on his bed- he needs to be cared day and night for almost half a year! And theres nobody else in here capable of to care for him.- Henrietta said. And what are we going to do, then? Youll run away when Lord Rengi comes back?He asked her, amazed. Yes, Niete! Ill stay here- you go somewhere else- and you just tell me now where are you going to be- Ill be there after the Lord Rengi arrives with his family and servants here.- Henrietta said. All right, well be going there, so you will see with your eyes where to look out for me.- He said, and in a taxi flier they went to the Sycamore Hotel, and he shows his rooms- then they flew to the workshop- the new one- and she said: Right, I know where to look for you. Now lets return to the house. They were landing, when they saw that another Flier was also descending to land- she said: Lord Rengi is back! And kissing him, she said: You just go now! Ill be fine!- And running to the house, was inside in a second. The taxi flier went to a side and then flew away. Niete said his new destination, and the in-built driver said: for four Credits I can deliver messages to you, from your lady.

My lady?- Niete asked, startled. Yes, lady Henrietta. - The driver said. Ah, of course! Tell me.- Niete replied. She said the newcomers didnt notice your flier- she means me, of course- and that you need not to be worried- she left a message on your bed, telling the other lady what you know it was going to be written by you. Yes, I understand. Keep on.- Niete said, smiling. She said the old man was visited by the Lord Rengi, his wife and lady Dosana- the Lord was enraged when learning the old man was going to be in bed for a long period of time- he said he was going to sent him to an Asylum!- The driver said. Well, its logical.- Niete said, thinking on a Lord having a half dead on his mansion. She said lady Dosana reads your message and rips the letter in eight parts- then she went out of the house on her flier. And, Sir, we are at your point of destination. Its 32 Credits in all.- The driver said. Very well, Im happy this whole thing is working out fine.- Niete said, descending on his hotel rooms, where he spent the night sleeping and staring at the ceiling. His mind was a turmoil- he had preferred a Synthetic e-woman, with not a possibility of to procreate, nor to raise him to the title of nobility sometimes he yearned for. At the next morning, he awoke and went to the holographic set, sending a message to Henrietta, offering his toasters. Henrietta was looking at him with a wide smile, while he offers her the toaster; then she said: theres nobody at home, honey! Stop pretending! Well, when are you going to arrive here?-He asked her. Soon enough! Im jamming a program the Lord has in this house, that could track me or any other of his Synthetic servants no matter how far- but dont you worry, I know where the gadget is, and its already half jammed.- She said, smiling. Why dont you just kick the damn artifact?- Niete asked her. These things dont work that way, honey! Ill be there very soon. Now please stop chatting with me- I must complete my work right now.- She said, smiling, and Niete finished the conversation. He smiled- the e-lady was very clever and fast. Niete arrives to his working place, and there he find several orders for toasters and other machines; he sent the goods with two workers in a flier taxi, and begin working at his time machine, on the secluded place; soon somebody was ringing the bell he had over the door. He opened it and there it was her, Henrietta, with a pair of valises and a wide smile. At last!- He said, letting her walk in; then he closes the door and embraces her fondly; she gives him several kisses, and said: Ready, honey! Now we could live together without troubles. She seats on a stool, while they talked- then he begin working, and she said: I understand what you are assembling, honey. Want some help? Not at this moment- but please look Im pleased that you look. What do you think this bar and the attached box do? Henrietta looked at the bar and the box, and then to some old blueprints he had drawn, and said: It has to be with time flow. Guess its something related with the change of the flow- perhaps this gadget of yours takes a bubble of energy back in time. Right.- He said, kissing her lips. Well, its very rare! I knew about these things in my programming- huger and more powerful, of course- not allowable now by law.- She said, smiling.

I can travel in time with much less energy that is required to start the first engine of the bigger ones. This takes some fifteen meters in diameter, and flows back without problems- the one that catches fire was able to take the time flow of about thirty meters in diameter- bigger and powerful. I guess I will do another sometime in the future, and storage it far from this one- so if one of these machines gets burned or smashed by some accident- the other will be prompt to be used.- Niete explained, thinking in his own self that the idea of to replicate the time machine was very simply but that he was so silly not to do it when it was possible. Now I know what this machine could do, I am sure I can help you.- She said. Well, lets try. See those coils? Must be inserted in here._ And he shows where. She moves his fingers with dexterity and begins soldering together the fine cables one after the other where the small round terminals were waiting. Soon the work was donned, and he begin ordering things to do to her, until the work was finished. All right, darling! Now we are going to test this- but must be donned in the openperhaps at the old site.- He remarked. They hailed a taxi Flier, and in it they flew to the empty grounds- soon the machine was working- haze surrounded them, and in the bubble of different time and space they went back in time- four weeks. She was amazed and they visit downtown, where all the news were old for them- the calendars, everything was telling there where they stand. Its very odd.- She said, smiling. Now we return to our time. We have work to do.- He said, and they return to the empty grounds- from there they went to the Sycamore Hotel, where he takes notes about the Lottery winning numbers of the past. She laughed and said; Dont tell me what you are doing, please! Yes, its exactly that.- He smiled back. Well, you must be in a real need for money! You had collected a hundred numbers already! Yes, milady! I need a million Credits just to begin working in the old site again! And more if I want to have a particular Flier, more if I want to have a home apart from the working place, and more if I want to go to some beach with my love one.- He said, and she kissed him hard, saying; The last item was romantic. Yes, and the best idea.- He said, adding; Guess well do it first. She laughed and said; Dont waste time writing down numbers, honey! I can memorize whole columns in a second! Let me see the numbers- right! Now burn the paper! No good you have those things on yourself. Memory is best. Later, they go back again to the past- they were in the same place; Niete takes the rod in his hands and said: now Ill be buying lottery tickets to gather prizes! We need moneyI must return my old workshop to life, and money is the only thing that is essential. She smiled and said: dont worry! Well do this together! And certainly they worked like a team- she was at the controls, and he went out to buy; then he returns to where she was waiting, and away in time they go- week after week they were retracing the weeks until the numbers run out- he said: Now we get back and collect! As she was a Synthetic lady, she wasnt entitled to ask for the prize, but he could- so he was always at the time-machine rod and he was the one walking to the Agencies to collect the dug- and not always at the same place they collected money at Oredloro, Rixiaberg and Oxiborion as well, not to be recognized by the agents. With several bags full of Credits they return to the Hotel- then he went with her to make deposits at his Bank Account, and from there to the Holographic Set, where Niete called on the contractors, to build the workshop again.

The money is ready now, Sir. I need to deposit half or the whole amount?- Niete said to the amazed vendor. Well, Mr. Niete, your project was in Archives- but we can take it from there and tomorrow we could begin working on your lot. Did the Architect tell you how many days it will take to finish your building?- The Vendor asked him. No, I dont remember having discussed that.- Niete said. Well, Im sure it will be in a matter of a month. You can pay in line, Sir.- The Vendor said, and Niete did it so. Then the Vendor reads on his Bank Account and said: Very well, Sir, you have a deposit in our Bank Account of 800.000 Credits- more than enough to work in your project full time. Well call you when this is ready- and dont hesitate if you want to know how things are going with your project. We are here to serve you. Thanks you; Ill be on the site almost every day. Good bye.- Niete said, and smiled to Henrietta, who said: Now you have almost a million Credits less, honey. But I will make things worth a trillion in that building! I will invent and improve things for the dozen! My head is full of projects!- He said, smiling. One of your projects is limping, honey! And I am talking about the toasters, drillings, water heaters, and the like! Why dont you just rent a place and sell it for yourself? You can put someone reliable there- perhaps a couple of rented Synthetics- they will not robe you and youll earn money every day.- She said, cunningly. Well, its better to sell to retailers! But your idea is good- search for a place, pay the rent, hire the Synthetics, take the goods from here- and lets see if we earn some money.- Niete said, touching her leg. Fresh!- She said, taking her hand in hers. With enough money, well be traveling to that beach of ours.- He promised. I will work hard to take that beach at our reach in no time at all.- She said, kissing him lightly. Niete made the list of workers at his workshop, and choose from the 34 workers, two for the new shop- they were more sympathetic than the rest and didnt grunt when changing their works. He called them to his office, and said: I had a new enterprise, apart than this one- as you know, we are making home appliances and we need where to sell them- the clients are for ever asking for discounts, and I cannot yield to their request or I would be working just for the fun of it. Yes, boss, you need money for to pay our wages.- One of them said- he was tall and thin. Right. I had a shop downtown- there I assume I could sell what we are producing here. You two could be a vendor there- the same wages than you are earning here- for starts.- Niete said. Where exactly is located, boss?- The other man asked- he was fat and short legged. Near the principal square- to the west of it- close to the Royal Bank of Knapp.- Niete said, remembering the high rent he was paying. Oh, I know where it is! Good location. When are we starting?- The other man asked. Well, let me see: you are Mirrion Fagud, and the smaller is Obarion Adtof. Right. You can start right now! We must carry the goods from here to there, in a truck- they we unload, present it on some shop window, and at the inside, stands with the goods- the people choose from there, walked to the counter, and you two wrapped it and ask for the money. Easy.- Niete said. Ill begin wrapping! I like to wrap things.- Obarion said, smiling.

Yes, but we are doing this: one at the counter for a month, and the other follows at the next month- in that way you are equal and you are also alert to what cost is every item. I dont want people falling into routine- after the routine come the boredom.- Niete said. Right, I have no problem, boss.- Mirrion said. Neither do I._ Obarion expressed. Then, we are in accord! Now you choose 30 items of each article, put into boxes, and then Ill call the truck. Understood?- Niete asked them. Yes, boss! On the double!- Mirrion said, stepping outside Nietes office- Obarion follows him suit. Henriette said, from his chair: Guess we are lucky to have this people willing to change their work for another! Some people didnt love to change occupations. Yes, the people that doesnt change and keeps in one place as long as they could, are the people who has no intentions to learn.- Niete said, and called a driver that has an advertisement on the Offers at the electronic web- soon he was accepting the job, and saying: In an hour I could be there, Sir- My name is Badigon. All right, Badigon, the job is an easy one: to carry crates from my present address to downtown- guess we could do that now? Niete asked him. Not possible after sixteen hours, Sir. Theres ordnance forbidding unloading trucks in downtown from eight to sixteen hours, every day.- The driver said. Correct- you come here and at sixteen hours we depart.- Niete said, and Badigon was ready to follow his orders. Niete went out of his office to see for himself how the goods were being packed- the two future vendors were working fast, and several crates were ready to being loadedNiete said to them: Guys! The truck will be here before sixteen hours- the unload of goods in downtown Oxiborion starts at that hour. I knew it! Of course, he must be here earlier, not to loose a minute.- Mirrion said, smiling. Yes, he will be here earlier.- Niete said, and returns to his job with the portable TM, who was ready but the instruments were indicating small variations that was needed to eradicate. Henrietta was helping, and before thirteen hours the machine was ready to work again. Are we going to buy more tickets, honey?- Henrietta asked him. No, that is becoming embarrassing- too many people had seen my face while asking for the prizes- they are already astounded by my luck.- Niete said. So where did you want to go?- She asked. By now, I just want to make money, darling! When the shop really starts working, then I guess I wish to visit the Island 20. They say a new Hotel was inaugurated, and I had never been there.- Niete said. All right, then we wait!- She said, kissing him lightly. The truck appears in time, and the workers loaded the truck in one hour of fast workthen they departed, while Niete and Henrietta hired a Flier taxi and arrives to the buildings platform a little earlier, to open the doors and organize the unload. The truck appears with the assistants, in another two hours the goods were located on the shop window and in shelves inside the shop. Mirrion said: we only need the customers, only! He was saying that, because the prices were already set in place; Henrietta was there to help, too, and she made an inventory, locating every item real fast, and unloading all the data on the Holographic set, that will take the job of to maintain the stock up to date. Mirrion begin to sell, and before the closing hour, the kettles and the toasters were all sold.

They closed the doors and Niete said: well, this is very good! If every day is like today, well be working hard to maintain the stock on this shop! Chief, you should invite us to dinner!- Mirrion said, laughing. Of course, well go to celebrate!- He said, smiling- and as they were in downtown, a place where to eat was always at hand- they enter a nice Restaurant, and Niete asked for salads, meat and beer for the newly born vendors of his shop. At eleven hours they went out, and Niete said: Remember, tomorrow you must arrive to the shop in time! One of the things the merchant world is punctuality. Yes, boss! Thanks and goodnight to both of you.- Mirrion said, and departed with Obarion, who was smiling all the time, after 3 bottles of beer. She said: these guys could keep on sleeping tomorrow! So Ill be here first thing in the morning.Of course, darling! I will be here, too.- He said. No, honey! You should go to our workshop and see they give you a lot of toasters! We run out of it.- She said, smiling. Right- Ill do that. Now, we are going to bed.- He said, knowing she didnt need to sleep, but for him that was an obligation Nature puts on him. Henrietta helped him at the next day staying alone on the shop- both Mirrion and the little but fat Obarion didnt show until the afternoon- when half of the new 100 toasters were already sold. Niete was there, at the counter, helped with Henrietta, who help the customers to choose among the several novelties in offer. When Mirrion appears, Niete left his place at the counter, saying: Now is your turn. Thanks, boss! And Im sorry by the delay.- He said. Well, it was also my fault, to accept celebrations when we are just starting.- Niete said, moving his head. Henrietta takes him by the hand, and said: lets go to take a coffee break, honey! You had been working all day here. They went to a near-by coffee shop, and while he takes his cup, she said: I must ask for a punishment to these two guys, honey! They cannot keep on being here as it nothing happened. If you and I were as irresponsible as them, this shop will have no future at all. Niete said: Well, I have a small degree of culpability in this too, darling! I accepted to be celebrating last night. Pardon me, honey, but you were compulsorily pushed to accept by that man, Mirrion! I want you to stop this- you must not be manipulated by an inferior! So you should fire both incompetent guys and ask for real vendors.- Henrietta said. And where did I find those competent new vendors, darling?-He asked, mildly surprised to know he was being manipulated by assistants. Hire some Synthetic attendants, honey! The money goes directly to the Bank- there will be no leakages! And also, they can work 24 hours a day. Let me as how this could be made, and Ill tell you in scant five minutes about it. Yes, I accept. Where are you going to ask? To the holographic set?- Niete asked her. No, honey! I have my in-built radio, as every Synthetic has! Ill use it to learn about what is worrying us.- She said, and didnt talk for some minutes, using the radio to communicate with an organization that deals with commerce. Four minutes later, she said: We are with luck, honey! There are more than seventy different organizations that could run the shop efficiently, but the best is the one that offers good service for a cheap price- and thats the Easy people Organization Company; they are able to study the market, advertise our products and all for a 3 per cent of the total earnings- and I say

earnings, meaning the discount goes for the rent and the services of the electrical company and others.- Henrietta explained. Good- do it. Ill fire these two guys- a pity, they are not bad people. Yes, they are not bad people but they are an hindrance and a worry.- She said, kissing his cheek. The new clerks arrives half an hour later- Niete fired the two natural men instantly, and paid them their percentage of wages- Mirrion asked his pardon, and went away- the other, Mr. Obarion Adtof, said: Ill put a complaint to you, Sir! You have no right to fire us! Do as you want._ Niete said, unflinchingly. Henrietta said, once the man went away: Dont you worry, honey! You are not infringing any law- that I know. They come half a day in retard to their work, you fire them with a reason- but all the same, Ill write this information to the authorities, just in case this man did as he said. Niete was worried, and thinking he should be not the visible head of the shop- or for that matter, of the workshop, now the future was looking brighter- so he said: Ill move my offices from the workshop- I dont want to be harassed by any guy who thinks he could revenge on me of his own guilt. Yes, of course, honey! You just appoint some person to run your business- I again recommend a synthetic person- they could talk for you, and they will never made a mistake- so you are at the safe side hiring a Synthetic.- Henrietta said, and it was donned her way. Four months later, the workshop was a big enterprise, with more workers and more machines- Niete moved his working place to a rented warehouse, at the industrial sector of Oxiborion- he worked on several projects at the time, and Henrietta was for ever guiding him to the bed- as he was prone to keep on working no matter the hour of the night. I guess its time you take your vacation, honey!- She said, one day in the morning, while he was shaving his face. Why? Theres a lot to do! I present some blueprints to the Army- new explosives- they are very interested in it- guess they are going to buy me the formulas.- Niete said. Of course they are going to buy you the formula! I was there when they tested the small quantity you present to be fired! They face of several high ranking officers was of pure fright!- She said, laughing. They did look scared, of course! I put some extra quantity of sound together with the real explosive plastic, which I am sure they are going to be hearing a whistle in their heads for at least two days more.- Niete said, smiling. You need not to be waiting at your office, honey! You can tell them to call you at your cellphone! Remember that the Island 20 is waiting for us!- Henrietta said. All right, well be going tomorrow! Ask for the tickets, and see that I have a valise with my underwear and the toothbrush in it!- Niete asked her. Very good, honey! I am sure you will be happy on this new trip- Ill ask reservations on the best Hotel they had.- She said, smiling, and using his internal radio, he begin to connect with the several Tour Agencies there on Oxiborion city.

CHAPTER III THE ISLAND 20.

Tourist Agency Tsarina was again contacted and the Agent said to Henrietta: Thanks for choosing us again! Your names are in our golden book of clients! Yes, thanks you too, for this appreciation! Now my husband wants to visit the Island Twenty- you know, the one thats being signaled as a new tourist attraction.- Henrietta said. The Agent coughed and said: Really interesting your choice, Madame! But I will suggest a trip to some other point in the map- if your husband loves the sea; there are some places ways up north that will provide the same amount of excitement and with a lower price! Henrietta said: No, my husband is totally adamant on this subject. Then, Island Twenty it is! We have an aerial flight every fifteen days to that island- not many tourists goes there, in spite of the propaganda and advertisements. The location is a nice one, with a wide beach and several other points of interest to visit. The price is 180.000 Credits each person- we provide seven days at the Island, with a tour every day, except the last one that is for shopping- usually tourists loves to buy souvenirs or arranged their valises.- The Agent said. All right, we are interested. When its the departure?- Henrietta asked him.

Tomorrow: your spouse is lucky, dont you think? He is not going to wait more than a few hours. The point of departure is in our offices- I guess you keep in mind where we are?- The Agent commented. Perfectly.- Henrietta replied, smiling- the Agent was taking her by a natural woman! Then, as before, at eight oclock well be departing. Dont delay in your arrival! Or do you prefer we sent someone to your address to pick you up? No need, Sir! I am sure my husband will be arriving early- he is the most interested person in this tour.- Henrietta said. Niete was informed later, and he said: Well, I cannot say I have too much time to organize my teams! Honey! I have all organized already! The people in downtown are ready to sell everything the workshop could deliver! The money goes straight to the Bank- we are going to return just in time to pay the monthly salary to your Natural people at the workshop! And on a daily basis in the morning a message is arriving to the workshop telling them what is going to be needed at sixteen hours- a Vendor goes to the factory in a Flier bus, takes the crates back to the shop, and keeps on attending clients.- Henrietta said. Good ideas.- Niete said, while he begins thinking in his unfinished projects. And forget to work in your vacations!- Henrietta said, kissing his cheek softly- as she was noticing he was tending to think in his work. Niete takes the portable TM in a special box, and a rifle with bullets on another bag; Henrietta had his garments on a valise, and for her she also had a bag with her own clothes- a costume for every occasion. Niete said: We are going to have a late dinner and dance before departure time! Get ready to be happy. Im always happy with you at my side, honey!- She said, embracing him tightly. They went to dine and then to dance at a very romantic place- the music sound was lovable and Henrietta said: This is wonderful, love! I really appreciate your invitation! I guess you had been working hard.- He said, looking her beautiful sparkling green eyes. Not so hard! Furthermore, I enjoy helping you in your schemes.- She said softly in his left ear. I know well have a good vacation, darling! I expect to see those beasts in the wild.Niete said. They are very dangerous creatures, honey! But Im here to protect you.- She giggled. They danced for an hour, and then they return to their place, using the moving ways; people werent much on the streets, because of the cold. Early the next day, they carried their luggage on a Flier bus to the Tour Agency, where they were received by the Agent, a fat man with a moustache. Good morning, Mr. Niete, Miss Henrietta! Nice to receive you at this early hour! Dont worry by your luggage! My bellboys will take it to the next bus! And the assistants take the bags and valises to the tour bus with great care. Niete paid the taxi driver, who went away in a second. Thanks, Sir. Wish to say your name, but you hadnt mentioned it.- Henrietta said the Agent. Oh, Im sorry about that! My name is Aton, and I will tell you a secret: the Agency gives me a very delicate assignment: to be with you at all times until you safely arrives to the Island! What do you say about that? Ill be chaperoning you all of the time!And the man laughed his remarks.

Nice to see your Agency takes these efforts to help us in our firsts days of Vacations.- Niete said, looking at the man- he had big brown eyes and an easy smilehe foresee no problems with him. Of course! The Tourist Agency Tsarina is well known for its excellence.- Mr. Aton said, smiling, and added: But dont stay here in the cold! Lets go up to the bus; we have some drinks to offer- or perhaps a coffee? Coffee will be better for me.- Niete said, smiling. The bus had comfortable chairs, and a screen to see the news- Mr. Aton said: do you heard the news? Some Vulcans are coming here to live! Our King Knapp XXXI accepted them as they are bringing here some new technologies- hope this is for the best. Im certainly it will be for the best- only the Vulcan are a race of proud people that has no happiness on their souls.- Niete said. Very well put, Mr. Niete! They seem to me like cold fish!- Aton said, smiling. Very intelligent people, of course. Seems they had a millenary civilization that backs up their attitude- who knows? To be always in control seems to me it isnt human.Niete said. Of course! We in Knapp know how to enjoy life!- Aton said, thinking a Vulcan will never had a vacation just for the fun of it. The bus receives some other tourists, and departed half an hour later; on the trip, Mr. Aton said to them: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the best vacation of your lives! Here we are under the umbrella of Tourist Agency Tsarina, the best in town! Well have fun and we will have emotions in this seven days voyage to the Island 20! For the ones who dont know where we are guiding them, Ill present now a short film of the Island! And at a screen a film was projected, showing them the Hotel and facilities the Agency had on that island. They arrive to the Oxiborion Airport, where they get aboard a big Flier machine, capable of long flights. The hostesses help them climb and search for seats inside the Flier- a corridor with seats at the sides and wide windows were to be seen. Niete goes directly to the bathroom, at the rear of the vessel, and thought about what was he doing there: wasting his time? Enjoying life? He, so prone to work, was not sure he was doing the right thing. He returns to his seat, taking notice of the rest of the passengers: he count eighteen persons; this time they werent old and they werent too many couples: five women and thirteen men- tanned and in good shape, they seems to be going to a safari. There are no older men here but me.- Niete said, and she takes his hands on hers, saying: You are not old! Well, they are younger. Seems to me they are going to hunt.- He said. Possibly! The Island 20 is almost virgin- I had been getting as much information as I could.- She said to him. I am sure they will give us some videos to see- animals to know.- Niete said. We are about to take off- plenty of aerial traffic today.- She said, signaling with her hand how the sky had several Fliers coming and going. I miss the old aerial vehicle- do you remember the one we use to fly to the Rixia National Park? Plenty of room in there.- He said. Oh, yes! But perhaps this vehicle is faster, honey.- She remarked, and soon he realize it was so, because once in the air, the Flier reach altitude and zoomed to the horizonsoon the land at their rear wasnt visible any more. The sea was blue and the sky was clear to East, but soon they reach a field of clouds and then all was foggy out the window. The Agent, Mr. Aton, appears in front of the rows of

chairs, saying: Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome again to this trip made available thanks to the Tourist Agency Tsarina and your generous selection. Now we are flying 500 meters below the sea of Dolban- soon well be over the Saddam Peninsula, where youll be able to see some dinosaurs if the clouds permits it. Niete said to Henrietta: I doubt very much we could see something else than the clouds- this is not a good time to go on Vacations. Enjoy the ride, honey!- Henrietta said, smiling gently. He was able to see patches of green while the Saddam Peninsula was under their airship- about the dinosaurs, it was a joke, as the altitude forbids to see them- they were flying 3 kilometers high. After the Saddam Peninsula (whose name was derived from a famous Earth politician killed by the US American Empire in the XX Century) come the Nigritta Ocean, a wide expanse of water that covered almost the whole circumference of planet Knapp A man seated at Nietes side said: Are you going to visit the Volcano? Its a good place to start- it has a swamp and there are strange reptiles there- not the big dinosaurs, of course, but smaller and very interesting. Well, I am interested in the dinosaurs, actually, but I guess I could spend some time looking at reptiles- that comes first, I think?- Niete said. In evolution, you mean?- The man asked. Yes, in evolution, what else?- Niete asked him. Look here, Sir, I am Doctor Parthium Esuritum, from the University of Oredloroancient languages.- The man presented himself. Oh. Im just plain Niete Hang, inventor- in fact, Im traveling with beautiful Henrietta my ewoman.- Niete said. Nice to know you. Well, as I said to my students, we are what we had lived before now. If people were traitorous, things gets broken, weather could change to cold, sanity to infirmity, and friends go away. Perhaps this life cannot be trusted. Sound people makes mistakes and die of their errors and very often die without any error on their partthe end of life is awaiting us all like a black shadow at the side of the sunny road. That is why religion and murder exist; they give us a sense of purpose, a transcending of matter we normal people despise because they are a pack of lies. Now, our lives are too short to enjoy Nature and mans labor, we should live a thousand years with a social environment that should protect life and give work to the one who wants it- and to the rest, a life free of worries.- Mr. Parthium said, in a monochord way of speech. And what did you teach at the University, Mr. Parthium?- Henrietta asked him. Philosophy, the mother of science and the most close occupation to vagrancy.- He said, smiling. Philosophy is a nice occupation; it only requires a different way to live the day.Henrietta said. Of course, we philosophers are at the side of the road, looking how the vehicles went by and studying their performance.- Mr. Parthium rumbled out. I wonder what a philosopher is going to do in a deserted island.- Niete asked the man. Its very simple: my nephew is the one of the owners of Hotel Remoror, the place where we all will be accommodated.- Mr. Parthium said. I guess you will philosophy in there, too?- Niete asked him. Well, what a philosopher did is to philosophy every minute of his life- its not like a worker doing his task during the eight hours shift.- Mr. Parthium said. The stewardess comes by the corridor giving the refreshments and sandwiches of several kinds of meat the conversation ends there.

After some time, they were over the lands of the second continent, the oriental continent or as the people calls it, the Intemeratus (inviolado, puro) continent- but of course, just the tip of it, that passes in two hours flight- then again the Oceanus Nigrita and then the Island 20, a big island perhaps could be called a sub continent, by the size of it. The island has the figure of a square, with the upper side of the square looking at the north east and the down side to the south west of the planet. In the center a large chain of mountains cuts the island in two portions; from the mountains sprouts several rivers to both sides, ending in the Oceanus Nigrita by the West, and to the Mare Glauben to the East side. The Guide said, standing at the middle of the corridor: Ladies and gentlemen, we are arriving now to the Island 20! You can see it by the windows or by the monitors you have on your seats- now well be descending at the south part of it, where there is the only city on the island- the Twenty City- where well get dinner and also youll be able to sleep at one of the best Hotels in this side of the world. Yes, because its the only one!- Someone said, and they all laughed- the Guide also laughed, happy to see the visitors were in high spirits. After a soft landing, the Flier opens its doors and the visitors went out guided by several bellboys, which proceed to unload the vehicle of valises and sport bags. The air was fresh and they looked around- a well kept garden with flowers from Jamaica, a swimming pool glistening some dozen meters away, and the interior was decorated with figures- dinosaur figures without the nasty looking teeth- instead, they all presented a smile on their humanized mouths. Niete was presented to the (natural) manager, Mr. Waydug, and guided to their rooms, in the second floor: four rooms with a big bathroom all decorated with figures of the jungle. Nice entourage.- Niete said, smiling. Interior decoration changes every month.- The bellboy said, leaving the luggage on the floor. I need a beverage! Im thirsty.- Niete said. The bellboy approaches a wall, and pressing a red circle, opened a cubicle made of shining metal, and said: Here is the food processor, Sir! Everything you want is free until midnight. Every day?- Niete asked, smiling. Every day you are here, of course- most of the time youll be on tour.- The bellboy said, smiling gently. Right! I wonder if the guide is calling us to give us the daily schedule.- Niete asked. At 20 hours he is going to talk with you, Sir. Please be at the dinning room at that hour- now its seventeen hours.- The bellboy said, leaving the rooms and closing the door behind him. A Synthetic person- that means you doesnt need to give him a tip.- Henrietta said, smiling. Niete takes a shower and went to bed with her, to rest before the 20 hours- but he get asleep and Henrietta went to the dining room by herself- she was happy to see Niete taking a rest- and this were vacations, of course. At the dinning room, the Guide indicated the routine for the next time- and invited them to dance after the meal. Henrietta went back to the suite, and finds him awake and looking at the ceiling. Where were you, darling? I awake all alone in here.- Niete said.

Do you remember the Guide was going to tell the clients something about the schedule? Well, he said tomorrow at 8.00 hours the tour will begin with a breakfast and then some additional information about the trip.- Henrietta said. Wish it could be less informal than at the tour in the Rixia Natural Park.- Niete said, smiling. Well, here is not like that place! They are going to give you a small inkling of which dinosaurs lives where, and then everyone will be able to rent a guide for its own safari. I mean, these people are going to ask for every item you use in the island! The final account will be huge.- Henrietta said. I guess Ill be going out without a guide! I dont need one, if you are around! Or Im mistaken?- He asked her, taking her hand. Yes! You dont need a guide- only I should take a minute or two to memorize the maps- available through the Web.- She said, laughing- soon she had all the information available- mostly maps and temperature charts. At the next day it was raining heavily, and the Guide said: Im Robert, your Guide in the Island 20! Everything you want to know about dinosaurs and tracks, just ask me! We were going to provide you a good tour around the site- but its raining, and we arent prepared to take the truck from the mud. (Laughter). Niete said: So, we are by our own? Well, guess you come here for that, no? Every one of you wanted to arrive here, and then every one of you have the liberty of to go out and find whatever you come here to shoot at or film at- then, the ones who wanted to just take the time to rest and look at the swimming pool, just stay on our Hotel.- Mr. Robert said, twisting his moustache. Niete was disappointed- to have a tour was all right, but now there was no tour- then to go out to the wilderness by his own was not his first idea- so he went to talk with the Manager, Mr. Waydug. I need a guide, and a truck- then, weapons to shoot at some dinosaur and then to carry it to the civilization.- Niete said. All will be provided, Sir! Ill call one guide for you, if you wish so?- Mr. Waydug asked him. Yes, you do that! And a truck, and some weapons.- Niete asked of him. Well, Sir, to come here without a weapon was not very clever, dont you think?- Mr. Waydug said. I thought you had everything in here- I read the adds!_ Niete said. Oh, the adds! Certainly our advertisements are paid here and some person in Oxiborion and Oredloro offers and offers- sometimes more than we actually had!- Mr. Waydug said. So you dont have guns- or cameras?- Niete asked him. I dont said we havent! Only some people would say they are old and not much reliable- in any case, there are a lot of dinosaurs that will not go down with mere LASER beams or bullets- you know what I mean.- Mr. Waydug said, showing them some holographies- in there, weapons were shown- Niete recognized several antiques in the stock. Well, I see you are not much interested in weapons, Mr. Niete! Perhaps a camera will suit you better?- Waydug asked. No, a weapon will be fine! Perhaps the Guide could help us to choose.- He said. So both of you are going to fire? The lady too?- Waydug asked. No, I said we because we are going together! I will be the only one firing.- Niete said. Oh. The lady is a E-lady?- Waydug asked, blinking an eye.

I find your attitude highly offensive!- Niete said, taking him by the collar- the man whistled, and four big men grabs Niete and seats him on a couch, with some rudeness. Another tourist come to the rescue, bellowing: whats happening here, Manager? Mr. Waydug looked at him with respect, and said: Oh, its you, Mr. Tornbull! This man is not a gentleman! Henrietta approaches Mr. Tornbull, saying: He was only asking Mr. Waydug to be more civilian! And he calls on these thugs! Tornbull said: Bad boy! Im Tornbull, lady! Im the owner of the fifteen per cent of the shares of this Hotel! So, Mr. Waydug is going to ask apologies, or he is fired this minute! Waydug turns to white, and said to Niete: Im sorry, Sir! I was having a bad day. You, Guards, can go to your posts- the gentleman is going to behave from now on. It doesnt sound like an apology to me.- Niete said. Dont ask too much from these townsfolk, Mr. Niete! Let us forget the whole matter- I invite you for a drink- at the Bar.- Mr. Tornbull said, leading the way. At the Bar, a nice place in green colors, he said: Whisky or our wine? Wine is to be served with meat. I prefer Whisky.- Niete said, smiling. For a remark like that, youll be flagged in Chile.- Mr. Tornbull said, asking for the whisky to the table- from the center of it, the food processor proceed to produce a pair of glasses with whisky plus a tray with four ice cubes. Ice?- Tornbull asked him. Yes- once, when I discovered the whisky, I drank it straight- now my vowels didnt permit me that feat.- Niete said. I am going to hunt to the forests- perhaps some kilometers up river. I had already the weapons and the Guide waiting! You could go with me, if you like.- Mr. Tornbull offered. Yeah? And how much will it cost- for me?- Niete asked, while drinking. Half and half! As Im the important man in here, well pay when we return here.- Mr. Tornbull said. Its a deal! I only want a head or two aboard the next trip to Oxiborion.- Niete said. All right by me! I only want excitement- to kill one or more beasts will suffice!- Mr. Tornbull said. Most reasonable. Once Im dead, the trophies will go to the dump yard.- Niete said, smiling. Have your way, Mr. Niete! I dont care if you pay half a fortune for a taxidermist!Mr. Tornbull laughed, looking at Henrietta, who was silent. Is she dumb or what?- He asked Niete. No, she is my fiance.- Niete replied. Ah! Well, she is welcome, too.- Tornbull said, smiling, ending his drink in one gulpthen he added: Go and fetch whatever you are carrying, Mr. Niete- and Ill wait you at the front door. Right.- Niete said, taking the elevator- soon they were back at the front door, and yes, there was a truck in there, under the heavy rain, with lights on. Jump in!- Mr. Tornbull yelled to them, from the cabin- he left the door open, and they climb inside. The cabin had two rows of seats, and Niete with his fiance seats behind the driver. Tornbull said: I have enough food and guns and ammunition to last a month! Guide, you present yourself now. A man turns his head towards them- it was a Negro man! Nothing like that in Oredloro old times- this one must be from the Federation!

Im Jonesy! Good to know you, masters.- The man said, smiling with a mouth where several tooth were missing. Tornbull laughed, and said: now well depart- some Assistants are in the back of the truck- I told them to leave the cabin- we are departing with a lady now. Niete said: I see no driver. Oh, its in here, all right!- The Guide said, laughing, as the truck has a in-built driver who was ready to depart. Driver! Start our trip!- Mr. Tornbull said, laughing- he had several more drinks in his system than Niete first thought. The truck begin to move under the heavy rain- no other vehicle was there for the rest of the day- so they had the road for themselves. Patience! We must travel for a hundred kilometers before we could see something- the building, the noise, the engines working makes this place unpleasant for the common animal.- Mr. Tornbull said, looking at the road- it was almost impossible to see more than forty meters ahead- but the radar the driver has at its disposal was capable of to show every hole and pebble existent around the vehicle for a hundred meters away. The in-built driver said: Music is available- do you mind listening some? Yes, lets hear it.- Mr. Tornbull said, leaning his head to the window- soon he was asleep. One hour later, the rain stops and the dinosaurs were marching by the side of the river and their number was numerous. As Niete was talking about the names and sizes, Mr. Tornbull awake and said: Stop! Lets chase one of those! Those were Lycorhinus, a small herbivore walking on four legs- there were hundred of them. The truck stops, and Jonesy and Mr. Tornbull race to the rear; some Assistants were already on the ground, preparing the rifles. I will choose a Pinera Special! Bullets, not those fancy LASER rifles! Hear the shot, when ready!- Tornbull said, and Niete grabbed one of those from an Assistant. They move quickly among the bushes and when the distance was no more than a hundred meters, Tornbull said: We cannot approach more, eh, Jonesy? No, bwana! The breeze is going from us to them- soon they will be very nervous and they will stampede if we keep on being here.- Jonesy said. Do you hear that, Niete? Take aim, and fire when ready! Ill tell you when- find your prey, and try to hit right!- Tornbull said, loading his rifle. Niete choose a big old Lycorhinus, not willing to kill a mother or a calf- Tornbull said: Fire! The pair of shoots was almost in unison- both Lycorhinus went down to the ground, and the bigger one kicked the dirt with its hind legs for a while. The herd stampeded up river and soon they were out of sight; the Assistants finished the Lycorhinus and begin cutting their hide for the hide and Torbull said: Jonesy, well have a barbecue tonight! Yes, bwana!- Jonesy said, the white of his eyes shining on his black face. Niete was very excited and approach his fiance, saying: Do you see that, darling? I hit one of them! I saw it, of course! A bullet through the neck- instant death. I am sure youll kill many other animals in this safari.- She said, embracing him, while Mr. Tornbull looked at them from afar. Tornbull hit the other, too! I guess he is a skilful hunter.- Niete said, and Henrietta replied: I know a lot of this person, honey! Its all on the web. Oh, yeah? And how he earns his life?- Niete wanted to know.

Hes the third son of a bourgeois family. He had a degree in mathematics! He worked on the University of Oredloro, and then he went into business- soon he had more money than he could count, and begin investing in several profitable corporations- he is a tycoon.- Henrietta said. And a very amiable guy.- Niete said. Dont you think he invited you out of generosity? Apart that youll pay half the safari, he needed a Natural one to go where he wanted to- where he always go: To the far north! Theres a law forbidding a lonely man goes too far in this territories- not that the law could be enforced much- the police here is non existent- but the economical fines are very heavy- and if somebody didnt pay it, that somebody could not go in any other safari here.- Henrietta said. I wonder how they could fine somebody here, if theres no government.- Niete said. Oficially, this land belongs to the King Knapp! He is the one who collects the money from fines- here and everywhere on the planet.- Henrietta informed him. Niete was sure the tycoon could have hired any person in need of a hundred Credits instead of him- so he was, non the less, grateful towards the man. They eat the meat and drink beer- Mr. Tornbull loves to sing dirty songs, so Niete begs his woman to stay on the truck while they sing- at the second dozen songs, Mr. Tornbull was so drunk he suddenly collapsed unto the portable table, and begin snoring. Guess the big bwana is sleeping! Assistants! Takes this body unto the rear of the truck! Theres plenty of room in there.- Jonesy the guide said, and he was obeyed. Niete went to the cabin, where Henrietta was listening radio news. They said there are some Vulcan spaceships in orbit. Our king Knapp is worried about them.- Henrietta said. Very strange- what they could want from us?- Niete asked her. No idea, honey!- She said, kissing him tenderly, as there was nobody else on the cabin. Mr. Tornbull gets drunk and hes asleep on the back of this truck.- Niete said. I guess Mr. Tornbull dont know when to stop drinking.- Henrietta said. Perhaps his problems are so many that he needs to come here and drown them in liquor.- Niete said, moving his head sidewise. Henrietta didnt reply, as she knew more than she said about the man- he was also connected with the mafia and drug dealers- not probed yet- and possibly never will, but the facts was hovering over Tornbulls head like a bunch of flies. The rain started again that night, and a fiery wind blows until the morning- the driver couldnt start the engine, and finally said: Im sending for a towing truck! We are stuck in here, Mr. Tornbull. He was seated at the first row of seats in the cabin, and he yelled: Why are they so mean that gives me an old truck for my safari! Call Waydug! Calling, Sir. Mr. Waydug on the phone.- The in-built driver said, while Henrietta nodded in Nietes direction, to inform him that it was a real call. Waydug, you slimy cockroach! Why do you give me this busted truck? Now I cannot move an inch!- Mr. Tornbull said, and he heard the General Manager at the Hotel giving him the excuses. Dont tell me more lies, Waydug! Send a Flier in here! Ill pay the fare! I dont want any other truck in this safari! Do you hear me, Waydug?- Mr. Tornbull said, and the general Manager gives him the assurance his petition was going to be fulfilled. Tornbull ends the communication, and said to Niete: theres a Flier in the way; now well do this with style, Niete! Fine, Sir, I wish we could had more luck this time.- Niete said.

Luck has nothing to do with this! This has to do with technology and money!Turnbull said, asking for a drink- Jonesy produced a wrapped bottle, and uncork it with a smile. This is Seismosaur blood! One drink and youll get in the mood, bwana!- Jonesy said, handling him the bottle. After a big swig, Tornbull handled the bottle to Niete, saying: Drink, brother! Drink and be brave! Niete gives it a sip- it was red wine- so he takes another gulp and said: Good stuff! It melts the fear in me. Fear! What that words means? I have no fear in my life!- Tornbull said, taking the bottle back and finishing its content with his eyes closed. One hour later, the Flier machine appears as a dot in the sky- when it lands, the rain was pouring over them as a curtain. The Assistants carried the bags and weapons inside the big Flier; two of the Assistants remained on the truck, waiting for the towing truck to appear. The rest went inside the Flier, that hovered and then rise as a balloon on the rain. Good machine, this! A JU-39? Mr. Tornbull asked the driver- that was not visible, but was in-built. Its a model AJF-010, Sir! A little older, but very reliable.- The driver said. Always having old junk, this general Manager is like a Ferenge to me!- Mr. Tornbull, remembering the race of merchants that were plaguing the heavens. The Flier race to the north, and soon the dinosaurs were seeing marching by the side of the river and their number was numerous. The Guide Jonesy said: Mr. Tornbull and Mr. Niete will have this Diracodon Im looking from here! I hope you could kill it without damaging his head. I will leave him intact! Ill shoot to the legs- the only way to defeat such an enormous animal!= Tornbull boasted out. Then my Assistants will cut his head.- Jonesy assured him, while the Flier descended to the ground. Mr. Tornbull went out and with the Assistants finds the best site where to shoot at the dinosaur, together with Niete, who was now carrying a bigger rifle, while Tornbull gets a powerful LASER B400, which was an almost cannon. Sorry to use this on this critters, but the situation deserves this.- Tornbull said to Niete as an excuse; Niete smiled, as he knew beforehand how the brawlers behave everywhere. Tornbull fired and missed the legs but rips the side of the Diracodon, that bellowed in terror while his entrails gushed out by the big hole Niete did with his big rifle. Mr. Tornbull keeps on firing, burning now the tail of the Diracodon, that galloped away while bellowing frantically. A blast of air brought to them the smell of blood. We recommend you to return to the Flier, Mr. Tornbull!- Jonesy begged him. Well follow the track and carry the head to your approval!- An Assistant added. I prefer going with you hunting them down!- Tornbull said, with a lunatic stare. But you could get hurt!- Niete said. I must see that the head suffers no damage!- Mr. Tornbull said, stubbornly. Jonesy the guide man produced a sound recorder and asked, while the machine was in use: Are you sure, Mr. Tornbull, that you can keep track with us of a wounded dinosaur no matter if it could hurt or maim you seriously? Can he?- The tycoon said, laughing. Of course, Sir! Its a dangerous dinosaur now that is hurt.- Jonesy said. As its badly hurt, it cannot harm me now, is it not?- Tornbull replied. Accept the risk without blaming anyone but yourself!- Niete said, helping the disconcerted Jonesy.

I accept, lets go now!- Mr. Tornbull said, ill tempered by the delay. They climbed on the Flier and they searched the beast with the radar screen- soon they saw it lying the beast near the river. The blood was still flowing and the place was full of blood that trickled to the waters. Mr. Tornbull jumps the first from the Flier, yelling and boasting. The Synthetic Assistants cut the head promptly using LASER beams full power. With some noise, the head bumped to the ground. Take care! Its my head!- Mr. Tornbull said, looking at the teeth that were shining white on the half opened mouth of the Diracodon, which is a stegosaur more primitive than Stegosaurus. The Assistants set the head inside a net and using cables and a derrick they hauled to a side of the Flier; Mr. Tornbull jumps back inside the Flier and the Assistants tied the net in a more secure way using hooks the Flier had by the sides. Ready, skipper, you can take off!- Jonesy said to the in-built driver, while Niete and Henrietta were seated and tied on the cargo bays stools One of the doors keeps open, as the Assistants were tightening the knots while the Flier gains altitude, when several Pteranodons saw the cranium spilling blood and their instinct told them it was an easy prey. Look at that big one! Its going to crash on us!- Jonesy signaled, almost hysterically. The Pteranodons grabs the head and tried to take it away but the net was firm and the Flier moves to the left, sending Mr. Tornbull out of the door. Man overboard!- A Synthetic man yelled. Wait!- Another said, while three big Pteranodons landed on the head. With the extra weight, the Flier goes to the ground, smashing the head and maiming several Pteranodons. The in-built driver, still intact, calls the operation center and reported the crash landing, and soon the only Ambulance Flier from the Hotel departed to the site. The Doctor and his Assistants realized there were one man killed while stumbling out of the Flier, and three other Naturals with small injuries. They put Mr. Tornbull on a black bag and carried him- and the rest of the team- back to the Hotel, where they were treated on the small Infirmary available. That same day they were able to walk to their suite on the Hotel, and Jonesy visited them later. A real pity!- The Negro man said, seating on a chair next to the door where Niete was bedded, and Henrietta was seated next to him. Henrietta said: I dont know why he was expelled from the door like that! He was not using any strapping whatsoever! Jonesy said: The general manager is real scared! He could loose his job because of this accident! So he is sending a team to take photos and films on the crashing site. Perhaps he will offer you something for free. As if the man was hearing the conversation, the general manager Mr. Waydug appears walking by the door, and saying: How glad to know you are not badly hurt! This is a very disgraceful event! Niete said: Yes, Mr. Tornbull was a very amiable guy! Pity now is dead. I heard you are sending a team over there? Mr. Waydug looked at Jonesy with a dark face and said: Its in study! Im thinking of it! I am sure the people will want to know what happens, exactly.- Mr. Waydug said. He was not attached to the vehicle, so when it moves, he went out of the door.Henrietta said. I am sure he was a very valiant man! And so are you!- Mr. Waydug said.

I hope the insurance covers our stay in the Infirmary?- Niete asked him. Yes, of course! Dont you worry by that, Mr. Niete! And if you choose to end your vacations here and now, I will comprehend it.- Waydug said, anxious to know if they were going to stay or to leave the premises. Ill stay! But for now, Ill rest in here.- Niete stated clearly; Mr. Waydug said: I wish you a good recovery! You can stay here as long as the doctor think its necessary- good day, Mr. Niete! I have some work to do. Are you coming with me, Jonesy? Jonesy followed him like a tamed dog, and Niete said: That man takes Jonesy just for not to allow us to talk with him. Yes, its obvious.- Henrietta said, kissing his head. Four days later, Niete was again back at his suite. He was disappointed to know Mr. Waydug was not sending a Flier to see the crash landing- he calls on him by the cellphone, and the general manager said: Its not necessary, as I was told. No Flier is going to that place- it was just an accident- nobody wants it to happen. Yes, we are in accord with that. I will go hunting myself, Mr. Waydug.- Niete said. You are entitled to do it, Sir! And I will put the blind eye if you keep on going to the north side of this island- in lieu of your sufferings in this first trip of yours.- Waydug said, mellifluously. I need to pay for a Flier, Mr. Waydug. Or you could lend me one?- Niete asked him. No way, Mr. Niete! We have one small Flier, now the big one was smashed to the ground! I only could offer you a truck.- Waydug said. Well, guess a truck will do.- Niete said. Pity I cannot offer you what you deserve! But Ill rent it very cheap- only, I cannot lend you any Synthetic person- you are going to hire your own team- as the rest of the hunters did.- Waydug said. Ill hire them somewhere.- Niete said. I am sure there will be several dozen men who could be going with you for a pay! Money moves mountains, dont you think?- Waydug said. Send it to the door! Ill pay whatever the price.- Niete said, decidedly. While on the elevator, Henrietta said: You can use the vehicle without any other Assistant than me! Are you sure? You can end with a hand or a leg missing! I think Ill rent a Synthetic male for this trip.- Niete said. As you wish, Honey!- Henrietta said, smiling gently. At the platform they followed a bellboy that was handling their luggage; they climbed on a deserted cabin; a voice from the ceiling said: Welcome to Safari number 398! You are lucky: the engine has being repaired not two days ago! Fine to hear that.- Niete said. Have you any weapon? You will need a pair of them.- The driver said. I have a pair of them.- Niete said, looking at a parcel he had near his seat- there were the rifle and the LASER rifle belonging to the (now) deceased Mr. Tornbull. Certainly you asked for a male Synthetic. He is waiting outside the truck. Do you want to see him now, Sir? The driver asked him. Send him in.- Niete said, looking how the door was opened, and a big man looking he was in his thirties enters the cabin with an easy smile. Hello, Bwana! Im AB 4RB, to be at your service!- The synthetic entity said with a nice tone of voice. Right! I guess we are going to have a long voyage, AB4RB! Set the truck in motion, due north- I want to visit the place where I crash landed with defunct Mr. Tornbull! Seems here they dont want to know a thing more about this case.- Niete said.

AB4 RB seats on the controls, and said: You mean that you want me to drive? Or we left Mr. Driver do the driving? I mean you take control and if you want to drive or not, its your choice. I need a truck that doesnt fail- and the last time I drive in a truck, the in-built driver was in control.Niete explained. All right, Sir! There we go.- AB4 RB said, starting the engine and moving away from the Remoror Hotel, with several tourists looking with despair how they went on a safari while they must stay there waiting for a vehicle to get ready. I see the Hotel has not all the comfort and services they advertise on the Holographic Net.- Niete said. Never heard a complaint, Sir.- AB4 RB said, looking at the road- there were patches of mud to avoid. Certainly must be someone complaining sometime! To have a couple of Fliers in this wilderness is not too much, dont you think?- Niete asked. The most of the tourists doesnt have enough money to rent a Flier, Sir! They are satisfied with short walks around the Hotel, and the use of the swimming pool- of course, you come here in winter- not much fun in this time of the year.- AB4 RB replied. We should have rented a Flier on Oxiborion, honey.- Henrietta said, touching his hands. Well, I never figure this was to be an outpost! But we have a good truck to go along.Niete said, looking at a Siamosaurus that was towering above some bushes to the right of the track. Henrietta said: that is a dangerous dinosaur, honey. Guess he is.- Niete said, looking at the big 8 meters long meat-eater, who was looking at the truck with evil eyes. Theres no problem with it, Sir! Ill drive faster.- AB4 RB said, stepping on the accelerator- the truck begins to bump and rattle, while the In-built driver said: You better let me drive, AB4 RB! The dinosaur is coming this way. Niete felt his heart was beating hard; AB4 RB let the Driver takes the control, and soon they were speeding up to a hundred kilometers per hour- the Siamosaurus was left behind. He is no longer chasing us.- The driver said, adding: You can take the wheel now, AB4 RB. The Synthetic humanoid takes the wheel and slowed down, saying: Sorry about that, Sir! Hope you dont suffer much. Well, I prefer to be shaking and twisting than being eaten.- Niete said. There are news to tell the Management of Remoror Hotel, honey! That Siamosaurus could stomp on that building and run amok with the tourists.- Henrietta said. You can call them and tell what we saw.- Niete said, looking at the road. Its already donned, Sir. We have the alarm circuit going on- any problem for us is reported to the Communication Center, at the Hotel.- The Driver said. Some kind of a spy?- Niete asked, molested with the idea he was being monitored. Of course not, Sir! We are worried by the passengers- any trouble, and they will send us some help or another! Dont you like to be helped, Sir?- The Driver asked him. Niete didnt reply, as he realizes the system must work that way- or the tourists could go on Safaris and never come back. He asked: and I wonder about that dinosaur- whats its name? Siamosaurus, Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordate, Class: Sauropsida; Super order: Dinosauria; Order: Saurischia; Suborder: Theropoda;

Family: Spinosauridae, Genus: Siamosaurus. We had in here the Siamosaurus Suteethorni Buffetaut and the Ingavat. AB4 RB said, while Henrietta said: Siamosaurus ("Siamese lizard") is a genus of Theropoda dinosaur. The size of the animal is 8 meters. The type species, Siamosaurus suteethorni could also eat fish from the river, and certainly he has semi aquatic lifestyles. They spent much of their daily lives in water. The rain returns, and the windshield was like a curtain, so he could only see a short distance from where he was seated- Henrietta said: Dont you worry, honey! The Driver is guiding us through the radar. Its the winter season here, all right! Hope the river didnt overflow.- Niete said. Well, actually theres a problem ahead of us, Sir! The river is overflowing thirty kilometers along the way! Guess we could turn to the west at the next junction, or keep on going north and then give a detour, by open land.- The Driver said. And what about the mud? This truck will get stuck on it.- Niete said. No it is not, Sir! It has a small anti gravitation system that will permit us to hover through the terrain for some meters! Of course, that spend a lot of fuel, but its better than seats on the mud for hours.- The Driver said. All right, lets keep on going north! They told me there are lots of dinosaurs in that direction.- Niete said. Plenty of them, Sir! They take refuge on the mountains.- AB4 RB said. Whats that of taking refuge? Too much water around?- Niete asked him. Yes, and the mud is very dangerous for the bigger ones! If they get stuck for real, they could dismember one of his legs on the mud- many of them died last year because of the mud.- AB4 RB said. One hour later, they stop and Niete saw a real lake in front of him. End of the road, Sir! The place is swamped by the river. No way had we can continuous.- The Driver said, happily. Guess you are happy because you cant keep on driving north.- Niete said, angered. Yes, Sir! There are many terrible meat eaters there, and this truck could be smashed in two pieces before you knew it! They are prone to attack anything that moves! Many a truck could be seen at those fields, torn apart as if a Tornado could had passed over them.- The Driver said. Nice news! What are we going to do now?- Niete asked them. We could go west, honey! There are some animals there too.- Henrietta said, smiling. All right, lets go west! Niete said, sighing, and the Driver said: West it is, Sir! No problems with the river, there! But the terrain is harder- I recommend you to strap to your seat, just in case. I guess my kidneys will turn to dust.- Niete said, touching his back. Henrietta said: Cheer up, dear! We are still alive! And they all laughed, when stones begin to rain over the truck; Niete said; Look around, Driver! Whos throwing us rocks? They come from the rear- perhaps someone is chasing us with rocks!- The Driver said, and Niete said to AB4 RB: Are there some monkeys around here? No monkeys in Knapp that I know of- except their descendents.- The synthetic person replied. No, I guess theres no man capable of to throw us stones weighing more than eight kilos!- The Driver said, stepping on the accelerator, and the stones ceased to fall on the truck. Niete said: We cannot just run! We must see the animal- theres no dinosaur that could do that.

Henrietta said: Honey, sent AB4 RB to see ! He can jump and run if theres some danger.Yes, Sir! I can run up to 98 kilometers per hour- I see difficult that some mammal could catch on me at that speed.- AB4 RB said. All right! Stop the truck! Go outside and take pictures of it!- Niete said, and the Synthetic man jumped out the door and lost himself under the rain. Niete looked to the rear, but it was dark with the rain, and he could not distinguish a thing, he returns to the cabin and said to the Driver: See if your radar could spot the e-man! There it is.- The driver said, blinking a light on the radar screen- it was all fuzzy and Niete didnt make out a thing, but said nothing- Henrietta said: I can communicate with him, honey! All right, ask him what hes seeing.- Niete said. He is already 400 meters away, and running- the rain is heavy but he can see in ultraviolet and infrared lights- some Phylodons are grazing near the road- now hes on an incline- wait- a figure- taller than our AB4 RB is coming at a fast pace- AB4 RB had stopped. He is filming it- wait! The figure is humanoid- a tall anthropomorphic figure has thrown a stone into the camera- now AB4 RB is turning towards us- hes runningWait! He stumbled to the road- has something heavy no, its a stone that hits his right leg- hes limping this way at 13 kilometers per hour- another hit! This time this time I had no contact- he must had been hit on the chest- his messages are ending- end of messages.- Henrietta said, looking at Niete. Last distance of our friend?- Niete asked to the Driver. 8 kilometers, Sir. The animal or humanoid must have a velocity of 30 kilometers per hour, Sir. Perhaps more.- The Driver said. Do you see him coming?- Niete asked, and some time later, the Driver said: Yes! He was running crouched or perhaps in all fours- now hes running on two legs- fast! Fifty kilometers per hour! Soon he will be here, Sir. I guess you should move away. Better we leave this place, honey! That creature knows how to throw rocks!Henrietta recommended. All right, but its a pity! Lets depart from here- later well return for our AB34RB- the Hotel management will want to know what happened with him.- Niete said, while the truck begins to move. They are going to sue you, if you dont pay the 3 million Credits that Synthetic cost in the market.- Henrietta said. The General Manager is calling to you, Sir.- The Driver said, and Niete said: Yes, Mr. Waydug? Mr. Niete! I had received the information that the Synthetic Assistant we provide it to you is missing?- The voice only communication was in good shape, and Niete replied: Yes, Sir: something had hit him and he is lying on the road, right now, but you see, theres no possibility of to pick him up as the creature is hunting us.- Niete said. I see. You let it down on his own, so you are responsible of it! You should have been close to the missing synthetic person, Mr. Niete.- The manager said. Well, I sent him to investigate who throw some rocks unto the truck, and the responsible throw him rocks too- so now theres nothing I can do.- Niete said. Take care with the truck, Mr. Niete! I recommend you to stay away of whoever is chasing you right now- perhaps you could return later and recover the Synthetic person?- Mr. Waydug asked him. Yes, as I told you, I intend to return, but right now its dangerous.- Niete explained again.

Fine, Mr. Niete! Do as you said- well be in touch.- And the general manager ends the communication. The creature is 30 kilometers away now, Sir. I guess he is not going to keep on chasing us- he cant smell or hear our truck, by the distance we gained.- Henrietta said. Right. Lets be on the alert, Driver! And stop the engines- the radar must be working at all times, now.- Niete said, and the truck stops at the side of a dirt road. The rain keeps on pouring, and it was already dark, no matter the time was 18.10 hours. Henrietta said: there is one possible explanation, honey: a Gigantopithecus. They had a height of 4 meters, and certainly they could throw enormous rocks. And there are some indications those creatures existed, but only partial informationthe Hotel didnt have the data on this creatures.- The Driver said. Well, its a work for the anthropologists.- Niete said, smiling- he was now tired, and said to the Driver: You dont wait for me to step on the accelerator! You just run away if the creature the Gigantopithecus appears again! Or any other threat possibly to avoid by running away. Understood, Mr. Niete.- The Driver said, through the loudspeaker on the ceiling. Henrietta went to bed with Niete, saying: We are in open country, honey! But as its raining, the animals didnt lurk as they are accustomed. That information gives me total tranquility.- Niete said, kissing her. After the love, he went asleep until three in the morning; he awake and saw Henrietta at his side, smiling- as a Synthetic person, she didnt need to sleep, but kept her place at the bed like a natural woman. Sound sleep- nice dreams?- She asked softly. Sound sleep- I dont recall any dream. Still raining, isnt it? The sound is soothing.Niete aid, embracing that superb body. Yes, its soothingly. There are some Phylodons near the truck- the Driver is on the alert.- Henrietta said. Ahum! Small herbivores- no need to be on the alert.- Niete murmured. They are not threatening us, dear! They are the meat those Podoquesaur wants! And they are lurking to the right of the road- small and biped, loves to eat meat.- She said, embracing him. Really! The war between the small races? Pity on the Phylodons! Must be blind on the darkness of the night.- He said. Dont you remember they can smell? They could smell the Podoquesaur and start running! But the biped and carnivorous creatures are a hundred meters away- no need to run- yet.- Henrietta said. Of course.- He said, going asleep again. Henrietta smiled and keep on listening to the rain, the noises outside the truck, and the scant messages the Driver sent from time to time- not to her, generally, but to the far away headquarters at the Hotel Remoror; she also knew what to expect from the General Manager- she knew now that the man wants to collect money from Niete, in order to replace the lost AB4RB, one of the not too many Assistants available at the Hotel- also, he was planning to ask for more money if the truck appears with indentures and malfunctions after the end of the safari. She also heard news, this from the satellites of communications over her head- news from the Knappian planetary system, and also from afar- the worlds of Brana II and Brana I were interconnected, and news flies from hither to thither. In Earth, by example, the number of naturals were in the declination- more Synthetic persons were working there than the natural ones. Same thing was projected for the red planet, Mars. Only in the colonies the supremacy of the Synthetics were tantamountmore than 30 Synthetics by each one of the Naturals.

Other things was happening in the Vulcan dictatorship- they use all the gadgets available by science, but no Synthetic humanoids were permitted- so they worked on the spaceships by themselves, and the same thing at the mines and other jobs where hard work was required. Robotics was used a-plenty, so the jobs were most of all only of supervision. In other civilizations the use of Synthetic humanoids was also restricted- it was only with the people of the Solar System that this trend of things was happening fast. Henrietta connected with the local news at Oxiborion- the new subway pneumotube was now connecting Oxiborion with Oredloro (48 kilometers) mostly under the surface, to prevent accidents with dinosaurs- certainly, huge portions of the line were also above surface- protected by wire fences and in cases, by huge walls of concrete- the voyage was completed in ten minutes, and each convoy could carry 800 people aboard the ten segments now in use. At dawn, Niete awoke and said: Lets see if the Gigantopithecus is pestering the way! No signs of movements on the road, Sir.- The Driver said from the ceiling. Turn around and lets see if we could find our Synthetic friend.- Niete said, looking at the sky- the rain had stopped, and there were gray clouds but at an enormous altitude- a sign the rains will not begin at least for that day. The truck turns around and speeded along the road- soon they were slowing down and they did find the corpse of the AB4 RB lying at the side of the way- his chest was collapsed almost to the other side of the body- Henrietta said: His mind is totally lost. A pity. Well, lets put it on the truck! Mr. Waydug will want to see what happens to his Assistant.- Niete said, realizing the smashed E-man was going to cost him a lot of Credits. Once with the body inside the rear part of the truck, Niete and Henrietta searched for clues- she finds the imprints of the Gigantopithecus at the left side of the road- not many of them, due to the last rainfall. Look! More than forty five centimeters long! This humanoid is really big.- Henrietta said. I wonder if there is a group of them somewhere near this place! Perhaps we could find them.- Niete said, looking at some hills to the north side. Henrietta looked there too, and said: As there is mud and swamps, the most probable option is that this creatures seeks refuge on the highest portions of land available- perhaps on those hills. Right. Lets go there- Ill carry a rifle, but I would be very sad if I kill one of those cousins of us.- Niete said, smiling. I will use the stun gun! If that fails, try to shoot them on a leg! Better lame than dead, dont you think?- Henrietta asked him. You are totally right, darling.- He said, admiring her fine body on her yellow outfit. At the truck, the Driver said: Please dont get lost! I cannot go with you- the terrain is simply impossible to cross on wheels. Yes, you stay here waiting- and if you see something that can overturn this truck, just go away and come back when possible! Well take a long walk to those hills- I assume well be back at Knapp-down.- Niete said. With a rifle and a backpack full of food, Niete follows her fiance by the bushes, looking at the scattered group of trees, always on the alert. At midday the weather was windy and he felt the cold on his bones, but said nothing to Henrietta, who could ask him to return to the truck and in doing so, loose the opportunity of to find a real humanoid very scarce indeed.

Look!- She said, after two hours of walking- he saw a group of stones disposed in a circle, and in the center, a piece of wood gnawed at one point. This is intelligent design, honey! Look how the stick is pointing to the second hill on the right! Sure thing he has his abiding place on that hill.- Henrietta remarked. You could be right, darling! Lets go there- but with care- I dont want them to see before I see them.- Niete said. But the undergrowth was thick and the trees more numerous- soon they were among Lycorhinus, which were grazing they seem not afraid of them, and keeps on grazing with great confidence. Niete was sure those animals never had an encounter with hunters before. You could shoot at them at the return, honey! Could be one or two, for the meat.Henrietta said, looking at him. Yes, could be at our return- not now, or well alert those Gigantopithecus out of the way.- Niete said. They were approaching the mountain- several holes could be seen on the left side of it, and a pond was before the terrain begins to rise. Henrietta said: The Driver is calling, honey. Something is approaching the vehicle- he has no idea what it is yet- the radar is his eyes by now. Tell him he must move the vehicle if there is any danger.- Niete said. Whatever it is, now isnt moving.- Henrietta said. Certainly it is a herbivore- must be grazing.- Niete said, looking at the hill in front of him; soon a Tienshanosaur approach the pond and begin to drink from it- gust of wind were present, but the clouds were high on the sky, so the rain was a difficult possibility. Suddenly, a big rock was hurled against the dinosaur, that kneeled by a moment- two Gigantopithecus appeared from some bushes, hurling more stones. The Tienshanosaur whirled, finding a way to escape, and stomped through the bushes directly where Niete was crouched with Henrietta. Hey, hey! Niete shouted and the beast turns to the right, startled- that seconds were used by the Gigantopithecus to hurled more rocks, sending the Tienshanosaur to the ground with a broken leg- one of the hominids hit the beast with a huge stick on his head, and the sound of cracking bones was heard even by Niete, at 40 meters away. Right!- Niete said, smiling to the Gigantopithecus- their heights were from 3 meters to more than four meters. There were four of them- two were finishing the Tienshanosaur and the other two approaches him and Henrietta, which was silent at the time. Niete opened his hands in front of him, showing he was unarmed. One of the Gigantopithecus growled and Niete was aware their faces were wilder than he first realized, and in their eyes had almost the light of intelligence in them. As Niete didnt move, the Gigantopithecus moved to a side and helped the other two in the dismemberment of the Tienshanosaur- ignoring now the presence of the couple. Henrietta said: Its evident they find you quite a inoffensive hominid- perhaps a youngster of their race. Well, Im not too old.- Niete said, smiling, and she looked at him amused. They were there until the Gigantopithecus finished their work- the Tienshanosaur was heaved among two of them, while the others had the limbs and legs on their hands, and moved up to the hill, glancing back to Niete from time to time, as if making sure he was not following them. They are not too hostile, honey. Only satisfying their basic needs.- Henrietta said. Remember they killed our Synthetic AB.- Niete remembered to her, and begin following the Gigantopithecus by the foot of the hill. One of them turns around and

looked directly at them- Niete stopped, and seats on the ground. The enormous hominid returns to his group with the legs of the Tienshanosaur on his hands. We are not welcome, honey. Dont make them angry.- Henrietta said. All right, I had seen enough, but to see a child of this people could be fabulous.- Niete said. Im recording it all on my memory- youll be able to see it afterwards at the Holographic set- but I tell you what: I can follow them when they climb some more, and you stay here- waiting for my return. Perhaps I could record the appearance of their children, if any.- Henrietta said. All right, Ill be here waiting- but dont do anything rush! Take care- I prefer you with me than their childrens footage.- Niete said, and she smiled, saying: I understand you, honey! Ill be back soon. Niete keeps on waiting there, until the Gigantopithecus disappeared among the bushes, and the yellow figure of Henrietta was visible following them with the necessary precautions. As he was waiting, a Yunanosaur approaches the pond- his big greenish body was nine meters long and three meters wide, four meters of pure body and the rest was a long neck and thick legs. His eyes shine under the soft light of the morning. Niete looked at his big fingers as mailed by brown sheets. The big animal was there for quite a while, taking all the liquid his big stomach was requiring to dilute the vegetation he eats by the hundred kilos. Henrietta appears coming from the heights, and she was smiling; when at his side, he said: I saw three calves and six other Gigantopithecus inside a cave- as I see in the dark was easy to spot them- apparently, they see poorly at night, so I was not detected. They had, apart the meat they brought now, some vegetables and two bowls with water. They had some intelligence.- Niete said, looking up to the hill. They had intelligence as every mammal and insect has! Of course, I doubt they had the intelligence of a Homo sapiens sapiens.- Henrietta said. You should have some data on these critters? - Niete asked of her. Yes, of course. Do you want to know it?- She kissed him on his cheek. Please, enlighten me. Niete said. The anthropologists already know about this ape, Gigantopithecus blacki. There are sites where Gigantopithecus blacki lives, but it is always in small numbers. This island was not in our data having Gigantopithecus. The ones at the Fulgoris continent, where our major cities are, the food is bamboo, a major food source of Gigantopithecus blacki. They are here since the middle Pleistocene, dated through faunal association. The Gigantopithecus blacki is 3 meters tall and weighed 544 kilos. For a matter of comparison, remember the table: Australopithecus Afarensis Gigantopithecus Sivapithecus Giant baboon Theropithecus oswaldi Dryopithicine, giant gorilla. 2.74 meters, 272 kilos The observations marked a dimorphism between the sexes, being the females half the size of males, and due to the existence of many predators ready to attack the groups, theres no couples but a system of free sex organization, preserving the females principally for the propagation of the species. Geographical distribution was only in Fulgoris continent- at the East side. Now we can add this island, where scant paleontologists are interested by now.

This we had here could be named Gigantopithecus Giganteus, different to the Gigantopithecus blacki we had in the Fulgoris continent- the male- female differences, as we had seen with our own eyes, is not too marked by the height of their members. I think, based in observations, that we have here the older species, perhaps by five million years. The Gigantopithecus blacki is a ground dwelling ape, a knuckle walker, also sometimes groups that fall on the fist walker kind. Diet. We know they feed on the vegetative dietary preferences. Vegetative parts of grasses and the fruits and seeds of dicotyledons. We had seen them eating bamboo but they are mega herbivores. Creatures the size of Gigantopithecus needs a source which existed in abundance. They are the bamboo and their teeth are suited to that purpose. The molar teeth of Gigantopithecus are low-crowned and flat, with very thick enamel caps. The premolars are molarized: that is, they have become broad and flattened, and thus resemble molars. The canine teeth are not sharp and pointed, but are rather broad and flat, more like what one would expect premolars to be; the incisors are small, peg like, and closely packed. These observations, combined with the massive jaw morphology, make it really an inevitable conclusion that the animal is adapted to the consumption of tough fibrous foods by cutting, crushing, and grinding them. Gigantopithecus also has fruit in his diet. The fruit is belonging to a species in the family Moraceae or a closely related family. Gigantopithecus eats also fruits and the high sugar content of this type of fruit may be responsible for the high incidence of cavities in Gigantopithecus teeth (11%). We know also that in the Solar system some studies were made of this species by Mr. Ciochon (et al. 1990) who propose three factors as being potentially related to the extinction of Gigantopithecus blacki and all are interrelated: dependence on bamboo, the giant panda, and Homo erectus. Bamboo is prone to periodic die offs, the exact reason for which is unknown. The giant panda was contemporaneous with Gigantopithecus blacki and may have been in competition with it for the same food source. The final straw, however, may have been the introduction of Homo erectus into the region. All three creatures, panda, Gigantopithecus, and Homo, may have been fond of the sprouts of the bamboo as a food source (as are living pandas), which means that plants would have been consumed before they had a chance to reach maturity and reproduce. Further, Homo erectus may have been using bamboo for tools. In archaeology it was traditionally assumed that Asia was a cultural backwater during the stone age due to its lack of sophisticated stone tool kits like those found in Europe, but this attitude is changing as consideration is given to the wide variety of uses of bamboo, not only in theory, but as witnessed in practice in Asia through historical times into the present. Likewise, there is much debate around Homo erectus' proclivity for hunting, but another possible factor in the extinction of Gigantopithecus blacki is that it may have been hunted. Ciochon (et al.) believes that it was likely a combination of factors, with the entry of Homo erectus into Gigantopithecus' range upsetting an already delicate balance. No one factor was likely absolute. For example, if Homo erectus had monopolized the fruit supply it would have left Gigantopithecus blacki with no back up when a periodic bamboo die off occurred. This coupled with competition from the giant panda and sporadic hunting could have been enough to reduce breeding populations of Gigantopithecus below viable levels. (Ciochon et al.) As we see here, the Gigantopithecus is far from extinct, as many of the dinosaurs the Earth and other planets had in their past. Niete said: Very interesting lecture, dear Henrietta- we had a fossil planet, so to speak, to enlighten humanity on other worlds.

Thats right, honey.- Henrietta said, smiling, and begin to sing a melodious song- that startled the Gigantopithecus, who looked at her with attention. One of them approaches almost to the point of touching her- Henrietta stops his singing, the Gigantopithecus grunted and return to where the rest of the group were looking. Real exciting! I thought he was going to do us harm!- Niete said. 11 I was sure he was not. Our posture- seated- produced in them the idea of submissionthat we accept and recognize their mayor strength.- Henrietta said. Niete asked: And we have the record of this encounter, in your memory? Right, honey! I also sent it to our database on the truck- just in case something happens to me.- Henrietta said. Lets get out of here now! Tell the Driver were going back.- He said, standing upthey descended the hill with a scant look thrown on them by the Gigantopithecus, who were now returning to the relative security of their cave. The Driver moves the truck from its former position to some 20 kilometers near the point where Niete and Henrietta were approaching the dirt road, and whatever animal was close to the truck just didnt follow it, so the danger disappear for Niete. At last!- He said, jumping into the cabin. Where to, chief?- The Driver asked. Back to the Hotel! Guess I want a good bath right now.- He said, smiling to Henrietta, who pressed one of his hands in support. When they arrived there, Mr. Waydug was very interested in AB4 RB remains- he sent holographic copies of him to the Easypeople Factory, and soon the answer makes him run to Nietes door, and knocking it, he moped his forefront. Yes?- Henrietta asked him. Could I had a word with Mr. Niete? There is this small item I must to discuss with him.- Mr. Waydug said. You should come back later, Mr. Waydug! He is taking a long bath at the moment.She assured him. All right, Ill tell him about that, Mr. Waydug!- Henrietta said, closing the door. Who was, darling?- Niete asked her, a moment later. Mr. Waydug. He want to talk with you about a small item he had in mind.- She replied. What he could want from me?- Niete said, smiling to her, with the towel around his waist. AB4 RBs name was on his mind, honey.- She said. Oh, that! I guess the synthetic person is out of work- for ever! I should be paying it?Niete asked, walking to the closet. 3 million Credits, honey- if he could get the insurance policy working for this case.Said she. Three million Credits. A lot for some days in this island- guess Ill escape somehow.Niete said, dressing his pajamas. No way you could escape, honey- you give your name and address when taking this trip- they could sue you no matter in which hole you could crawl.- She laughed now. Very funny! Come here! Its cold in this bed.- He said, opening his arms- She undressed and went into the bed, saying: I can make you warm no matter how many problems you could had! Right!- Said he, kissing the e-lady. At the next day, he reads a message on the Holographic set, and it said: Mr. Niete:

Your money owing here is of 8.300 Credits, plus the refund for a Synthetic person model AB serial number 4-RB, price :3;000.000 Credits. But you are lucky, Mr. Niete! After some inquiries and as a special indulgence with our organization, the Insurance Company had contributed with half that price! So now you only need to pay us $1.508.300 Credits, before you leave the Hotel. Have a nice day. Mr. Waydug, General Manager Remoror Hotel . Niete said: Well, I have more than that! But to pay for an accident- I find it insulting! You had a way to solve this case, honey.- Said she. Yeah? How? Taking a trip to the Solar System under a faked name?- He asked, smiling. No! You could buy this Hotel! Its a corporation! You can buy enough shares to do it!- Henrietta said, happily. I guess it will be a lot of money to do it so.- Niete said. Only four million Credits! And you will have the 53 per cent of the shares- the owner, so to speak. Then, you just return the million and a half into your pocket, changing the rules: instead of to have responsible the tourist, you just assume the Hotel has the responsibility of the items delivered to the clients while their stay.= Henrietta said. I find it acceptable, darling! And I will have plenty of time to keep on exploring this beautiful and strange island!- Niete said, realizing the e-woman really knows what he likes the most.

Chapter IV Hotel Remoror When Niete finished buying the 56 per cent of the Hotel Remoror shares, the first thing he did was to call for a reunion of investors, and presented them a plan for expansion that suited them all, and it was like that because the scheme was worked out by Henrietta, following the best her positron brain could device, using the data available. He was now the Director General; several of shareholders remains as Directors of the board of trustees and waiting his promises of a better future will really come true. Well advertise everywhere, honey! I am sending adds to the First Brana! I guess the Earthians and the Martians will come here by the millions!- Henrietta said, looking at him. It would be fine, darling! I had seen the bills mounting to millions here! Too much expenses in this Hotel- half of them are luxurious fashions of to day, forget tomorrow! And the profits are good, but the risks are there to see- one false pass and well sink in debts.- Niete said. Oh, you really worry too much! Now we are in the era where everyone is a sybarite and every woman is a fashions model! They spent and spent! See, if we were cleverer, well raise here a Hospital! Not to cure maladies but to sculpt bodies! Fat woman, old woman, disenchanted woman lifts, cuts and trim their bobbies, arses and noses every day! We could earn millions!- Henrietta said. They set in motion they plan, and soon the advertisements costs half of what they were earning with the tourists- Henrietta rises the prices, and soon there was a handful of clients for a whole building. The board of trustees asked for a new meeting, and asked Henrietta to stop their expenses and to give to somebody else the administration.

She said: I have in my database everything to make this site a successful business! But if you want me to quit, you must ask the person who had the control of this organization. Niete smiled and said: she has all my confidence- but as I am seeing, you are not satisfied with her. Gorion Valender, the second mayor shareholder, said: you are entitled to have the chanting voice in here- but I tell you I will sell my shares right now if you keep that woman in charge. I will remain at her side always.- He said, and there were insults and yelling against his decision- he leaves the room in haste, before somebody could hurt him and her fiance. At the corridor, she said: They dont understand that propaganda is the best way to earn money. In eight of nine years, this place will be the most famous Hotel in this side of the Brana. Niete was astounded to hear that so many years were necessary to wait for a success, so in his inner self knew Henrietta has nothing in her hands for them- only defeat. He went to his office, where he begin attending calls from the other shareholders- mainly, to say they were going to sell the shares, and a couple of them were offering their shares to him, in the same price they had before the descent in earnings. After those calls, he leaned on his armchair, and looking at Henrietta, he said: We could let them sell and then we could buy the shares- perhaps being the sole owner of this Hotel I could manage it as we like. Fine idea, dear! But if you buy right now, the cost will be hard to get. Wait until the stockmarket knows about the bad situation we are in, and then you buy- cheap.- She said, smiling. Fine; make this happen! Call the Media, tell this site is a total wreck, with high prices and bad service.- Niete said, touching her white hands. Only bad management is the responsible- to the Media, that is what I will say! Nothing about high prices or bad service, or in the mind of the people this site will be remembered only to be avoided. A bad management could change; the bad service could remind.- Henrietta said, while she begin calling the Media from Oxiborion, first, and then of Oredloro- to the extra planetary Media, she just said nothing. And what about the advertisement? Millions expended in that?- Niete asked her. Yes, and I will stop that, as we are working in another direction, honey: I will spent the money cleaning and making sports fields- that will be of no use for the old people is coming here- but it will serves for us in the future.- Henrietta said. Or to rise another building! Perhaps near the mountains! People could look by the window in the morning and admire the scenary- blue mountains, a green forest, and a couple of dinosaurs grazing there.- Niete said. Yes! A building will be better.- She said, beginning by calling architects to give them the indications and the site available. Four months ahead, and half the investors had their shares sold to speculators- they, the new investors, asked for a new meeting, and Henrietta throws them the Reglaments, where the incise number four said that there was only two meetings in a year, separated by six months each. So you must wait two months.- She told them, smiling gently. Niete knew about it, and said: They will ask for a removal- you will again be threatened. Yes! There are some lawyers between the people who bought the shares- they knew the Law and they think they are some kind of gods. Ill teach them better.- Henrietta said, laughing.

The shares were sold almost at the price they offered me first.- Niete said. Yes, dear! The shares are not lowering their price, but soon they will! I must burn something to make them tremble.- Henrietta said, lowering her voice. Burn- the hotel?- Niete was afraid to hear it. Or perhaps a terrible accident- an invasion of dinosaurs, by example. They will never recover the spirits to come here again!- Henrietta said. But then, well loose money, dear.- Niete was astounded. Sell the shares! Sell before doomsday! Ill see that this place low its price to the ground.- Henrietta said. And then, what? Return to Oxiborion?- He asked, looking at her beautiful face. Yes! Do you want to be here when all hell broke loose?- She asked. Of course not.- Niete said. Then, Ill see your shares goes to the market! And remember: youll be out of here, and just wait me at Oxiborion.- Henrietta said, smiling. In fifteen days, the money was in his Bank account, and Niete returns to his laboratory and the apartment; Henrietta was at the Hotel, as the Manager- lawfully, as she had the command until the new meeting could be attended- and the new mayor stockholder could turns things his way. He begin traveling in the Flier to the site where the meat eaters abound, and throwing meat everyday a little closer to the Hotel, she managed to have the three male Sinosaurs scavenging almost to the door. The scant group of tourists and the five new shareholders, who had arrived with their families to enjoy the site, were terrified to see the big animals lurking around the pool. You had to do something!- One of them, a dark man in brown suit, said. Mr. Reinanco! You know I have no weapons here! We had nothing available to fight them out!- Henrietta said, very seriously, but in his inner positronic brain, she was laughing. She also sent notice to the news, so the whole civilized portion of Knapp was well aware of the dangers at Island 20; no new tourist dare to set foot on the island- soon the Hotel was deserted, with only Henrietta and a couple of Synthetic Assistants were all to be seen. Henrietta call by Holographic set her fiance, saying: My dear, the last of the shareholders leaves the premises today! Now Im all alone with two Assistants. Right! Guess there is no danger to you, as it is?- Niete asked her. Not real danger! But of course, if I went out to stroll by the evening, something evil could happen to me.- Henrietta said. You dont go out if not necessary! And carry a weapon!- Niete told her. No weapons here, honey! Well, Im going to read the news- in case you want to come, theres no problem- you could land on the upper platform.- Henrietta said. Guess Ill be going tomorrow, darling. Ill rent a Flier for a week.- Niete said. Yes, you do it.- She said, smiling, and disconnect the communication- she knew she could not tell she really did have weapons and that she could use them if necessary- spy satellites could record the message and then they plot could be discovered. Niete arrives in a black and white Flier- a rented apparatus, with a in-built driver for a week. Hi, darling! You look beautiful.- He said to her, when arriving. Thanks, honey! You look gorgeous, too.- She said, kissing him. In fact, he was past the age to look good to the women, but she was not going to say that. And in fact we are alone? No naturals on the premises?- He asked, smiling.

None whatsoever! Now Ill wreck the calefaction system- seems here is all working fine, and we need to look as if its a wreck.- She said, smiling. But well freeze at nigh?- He asked, mildly. No! Because I have some electrical stoves- well be warm.- She said, embracing him. Right! And now, which is the cost of this Hotel? Are the shares going down as projected?- He asked her. Not quite! The news are slow to sink in! But from a hundred per cent, we had went down to ninety five per cent.- She said, showing him some graphics on the holographic set. Right! We need more wreckage.- He said, smiling evilly, and soon the thermal circuit was exploding, sending pieces of fixtures and connecting tubes sky high; the boiler had exploded, and with it the Hotel became a frigorific. She sent the news to the Media, as a report- soon the shares begin to went down and down, with other news about dinosaurs jumping inside the swimming pool, the burn of the electrical circuit and the general decay of a building without energy. Theres no food processors working, honey, but I had a Synthetic person working at the kitchen and the other hunting for small dinosaurs with a LASER rifle. Food is not going to get scarce- we had a whole room full of canned food to last you a year.Henrietta said, while she was in bed and looking at the news on the Holographic set. Right! Im having my little vacation here! But I still cannot buy the whole of the shares- instead, I have the thirty eight per cent in my pocket- the rest of the people still had the illusion that their investment could return to his former self.- Niete said. They must be persuaded! I have all the addresses and I can go there and pay a visit to them- Im sure the most of them will show themselves ready to sell after some convincement.- Henrietta said. You cannot harm a human, dear.- Niete said. But you can! I could carry you as the last option- first I talk like a lady, then we give them some time to think about our offer- if they still refuse, then you know what you can do.- She said. Maim the guys with a iron bar?- Niete asked her. I cannot tell you what you must to do, honey! Or do you want me to fuse my brain?Henrietta said, smiling. Right! Well begin tomorrow! See that we could leave this place without somebody else arriving to take the control!- He said, and keeps on looking at the news. Niete was living on Island 20 unnoticed, and he often goes to the woods, armed with a LASER rifle- he was enchanted with the solitude of those primeval places, and he had discovered a ravine full of strange insects- deadly insects several inches long, that crawled the rocky walls and had their fights and their matting hours every day. He was filming it and they were as an illusion because the like of them werent in zoology books- perhaps in this new era of space flight, richness to obtain and as incendiary lights the many cheap wonders to buy, makes people oblivion of Nature. Henrietta sometimes were with him, helping with the gear- cameras and magnesium light that stun the optics of dinosaurs that could attack Niete on his treks. You are happy here, honey. Im working hard on those guys- soon this place will be yours.- She announced. No kidding? How much percent of this place is on my hands right now?- Niete asked, with a big smile on his face. Fifty five percent honey! Soon Ill convince the rest- as it is, you can make whatever you like in here- Henrietta said. And my factory on Oxiborion?- Niete asked her.

Its supervised by the new Synthetics, honey. Far superior than me, they had increased the volume of sells, and they had a hundred workers.- Henrietta said. Niete remembers that he had no son, and said: I know you had been a loyal and honest fiance, but now I need someone to inherit my work. Please find a young woman, healthy and honest. Henrietta smiled and said: You will always have me. Thanks, darling. You are and always will be my General manager- and Ill teach my future son to confide in you as I had donned.- Niete said, kissing his e-female fondly. Henrietta begin the search in Oxiborion, at the homes of the rich people: the ladies should had some skill or obtained some degree at an Institute of some University- that will confirm they were smart- and also, the known family will provide people with good intentions. To be known by Niete, and also to take them samples without their notice, Henrietta invited them to the Hotel, all expenses paid by Niete, for a weeks elapsed time. Niete could talk and study them for a long period of time, as he was going to be with them at the meals, and at the swimming pool- the activity they were performing in this time of the year: summer. The first day they were seated at the table, having a delicious lunch, with Niete at the front of the table, and Henrietta opposite; the ladies at the side of it. Niete looked at them with delight- not a ugly face, not a thwarted body. Their faces were happy, and the most of them had green or blue eyes, and have fair hair and the skin white as milk. Henrietta did knows his preferences! At the table and not eating, Henrietta said: well, ladies, this is the gentlemen I speak about earlier! He is the owner of several shares in this Hotel, and the owner of a workshop in Oxiborion; his name is Niete Hang. Hello Mr. Hang!- They all said, smiling. He needs a person who takes care of him- about his enterprises, I am the responsible, so you dont need to be worried by that.- Henrietta said, and some of the ladies laughed softly- they were enchanted- the old man seems to be dying already, and perhaps the life with him will only last a fortnight Niete said: I am trying to be the sole owner of this Hotel, and I am sure Miss Henrietta here will be obtaining the rest of the shares I need. Yes, he is very obstinate- when he wants something, he didnt stop until he gets it, and then he takes care of it with all his might- so you have a wonderful perspective with him! Of course, now you must know each other, and when he chooses, I know he will choose a very competent partner, as well as a loving woman.- Henrietta said. I beg your pardon, Miss Henrietta, but is he willing to compromise with one of us, or just the whole situation here is to get him a lady for to spend the weekends?- And the one who spoke was tall and beautiful. Miss Garina, I know you find this whole situation rather strange; but as you know, the rich people have too many things to do to go chasing girls! Mr. Niete, devoted to his work, has not experience with women! So I am sure he will choose among you with care, afraid to cause you any offense- for that point, I am entitled to give you each the reasonable compensation for your time and efforts.- Henrietta said, stiffly. Niete looked at his right and left, finding the whole lot totally desirable, but here he was looking on persons with legal rights to defend them if harassed, kissed without consent and able to sue him on trifling matters, so he must to have care with what he said and do.

He chatted amiably, and after breakfast, he went with them to the hall, where they play at the cards and laughed; several of them touched his hands while departing, and he find female eyes promising him the Heaven on Knapp- or so he thinks. Henrietta makes them sing and then dance with Niete; he was a passable dancer, so he had them in close contact several times that morning; Henrietta serves soft drinks, and then they walked around the Hotel, while he was talking and showing them the different sections, now deserted. The rain stops at mid afternoon, and he went to the woods with Henrietta and the ladies who wished to go with them; four were the valiant among them, dressed now with strong leather clothes. The solitude of the woods, the occasionally trumpeting of the big dinosaurs, the smell of rotten leaves were something those daughters of mega polis had never envisioned, and now they were in the middle of it. They clinged to Niete or Henrietta, as seeking unconscious refuge against the threats of the jungle. I find you very attractive, and your smile is wonderful.- Niete begin his talks with them, one by one he tested, looking at their eyes and body postures- he already knows when they were pretending, when they were ignorant about something, and most of all, if they feel repulsion towards them. That night, he told Henrietta about it, on his bedchamber: Miss Garina is out of bounds in here- she did not like my presence near her- she is for ever situating herself as far as possible from me- that behavior shows the other what to do about me, so I want her out of here first thing in the morning. All right, I notice something like that, but I was giving her leeway- perhaps she could change in the future.- She said. No, she will change the others attitude against me- I dont need their despise.- Niete said, adamantly. All right, dont get angry, honey!- She said, kissing him and staying with him all night long- but giving messages to her aids, in order to talk with that girl and have her on a flier first thing in the morning, on route to Oxiborion- also, she ordered that a Synthetic guard must forbid her to say good bye to the rest- or to pass messages of any kind. So, at eight in the morning, Niete went out of his room, and didnt find clues of that girl whereabouts! He calls on Henrietta, and she said- before he utter a word: She is out of sight, honey! Now, pay attention: you will have one of the girls for you all day long- try to do whatever things you want to do with her, before nightfall- well have a luau on the garden. Fine, I love luaus.- He said, laughing and preparing himself for the ordeal Henrietta send him the most suitable woman in stock: her name was Decumbis, and when told he was going with her to the woods, she said: Fine! I hope he could hunt something for me! Well have a luau when you come back! So be gay and merry with him: I want Niete in the mood when he is back- no problems at all.- Henrietta said to her. I will behave.- She laughed, and then Niete arrives to the Flier and they start their voyage to the mountains. First thing on a Flier?- He asked her, looking at her wonderful legs- as she was wearing a short. Yes and no! The taxi fliers dont count, I guess?- She said, smiling. Well, they did are Fliers! But this one is like a truck in the air- or better, a small airship- I wonder when Ill be enough rich as to buy me a Flying Airship.- He said, smiling.

Oh, but they say you are rich!- Decumbis said, smiling and raising his left brow. I certainly am, but in cash- I have not enough to spend in these whims of mine.- He said, looking at her beautiful white face. I find this Flier perfectly acceptable! A nice sun overhead, and you and me in vacations.- Decumbis said, and Niete loves the way she said it- it opens a wide door to his future advances, so he takes her hand, saying: I preferred you among all others! You are kind and I think we are going to be great friends. She smiled and asked: I wish we were. The Driver said, by the loudspeaker in the ceiling: Boss, we are 90 kilometers away from our point of arrival- there is a lake and a river where to choose. What do you like most: a lake or a river?- Niete asked of her. A lake! The river had its waters flowing down to the sea, all is fast and on the move- I prefer the tranquil waters of a lake.- She said, smiling- he understand she was meaning two things: the river represents a young man on the move, and a lake an old man with tranquil ideas and home- staying preferences. Guess well see a lot of dinosaurs, then! More dinosaurs in a lake than in a river.Niete said, touching her hair. The Driver said, from his accustomed point of expression: The lake has Diplodocus, Escelidosaurs, Stegosaurs, Tuoyangosaurs, Lesothosaur, Dacentruro, Pelopterix and Cetiosaurs. And which of them are meat eaters?- Decumbis asked, with a mellow voice. They are all herbivores- but careful with that! They will be bellicose if you approach their nests! They protect their calves with utmost ferocity.- The Driver said. Oh, then its dangerous?- She asked to Niete, who replied: I know where they put their nest! Stay close to me, and youll have no problems.- He said, looking at her intently; she laughed and embrace him- touching his chest with her generous bust and saying: Well, here is my protector, then! He was almost dizzy with her body and her smile- he was about to kiss her no matter what, when the Driver said: We are landing for a minute, Sir! Theres something wrong with a vital system.Niete turns pale, and Decumbis said; What is happening? Is it- we are about to fall? No problem! The Driver said, almost in free fall, and landing on a stretch of clear ground, next to some big trees. Niete opened the door, and a gust of wind come inside- the rotten smell was replaced with a fresh smell of pines. This will take twenty minutes, Sir! Ill repair the system myself- easy stuff, but not before the twenty minutes. Dont walk too far.- The Driver said. Come! Im looking at some mushrooms we could cut and then well deliver it to our cooking mate at the kitchen.- Niete said, taking her hand. They walked out of the Flier, the only man-made thing in the whole landscape. The trees were more than two meters round, and the leaves almost cover the sky. I see you are not afraid.- She said, looking at the woods. Dont you be afraid! Theres no Carnosaurs around here.- He lied with all the tranquility he could feign. In fact, there were carnivorous creatures all the wide and length of the country- but to tell that to Decumbis now was not good for his purposes. They walked under the branches, and soon they find the mushroom, toadstool he likes. He said: Help me with this of the gray color! Let us take a good number of them- they tastes good in a plate with a big chunk of meat. Oh, I love mushrooms!- She said, to make him happy, because in reality, she was indifferent to those small vegetables that tastes so little and have zero energy to give.

As she was bending to take the mushrooms, he was for ever looking at her back, and decidedly he was very well aroused; she notices it and blushed. He approaches her and kissed her lips softly- she did respond but in a shy way. He looks at her and said; I know Im too old for you, but love has no preferences. Oh, but you are not too old! I mean, not old!- She said, nervous. You are so beautiful! I love you.- He said with heat, and kissed her some more- it was like forcing a robot to do what it could not do, but he was too much in a hurry, and soon he was making love to her- then she seems to awake to the reality she was living on, and begin to kiss and demand with excitement. In whole, she behaves perfectly and he was happy to have been demanding. They take the mushrooms to the Flier, and he put it on a box- the Driver said: You can wait in here now! Just five minutes more and well be riding again! She said: It is good to have a self reliable machine! You not had to work in it. Yes, this Flier machine is expensive, but guess its the best we can buy. Now we are very far from the building?- She asked, mildly afraid to hear they were lost. 390 kilometers away, lady.- The Driver said. Dont worry! If this Flier could not take off again, the same machine will call for someone to rescue us.- Niete said, remembering he had a truck Flier available. Good to know that!- She said, embracing him and putting his right arm around his waist- Niete had remorse now not to have taken that diet in serious- his waist was destroyed by a big fat belly he dislike. I wonder how could be our life together, Niete! I guess it will work out fine.- She said, merrily, and he felt himself about to explode-so he said: You are my chosen one! What about that? Do you accept me as your partner? Yes, dear.- She said, merrily- she was remembering how she was satisfied with him just a moment ago, and that could compensate for a lot of negative things she finds in him. Ill tell Miss Henrietta to send the rest of the females home.-He said, kissing those superb lips once more. They take off and glided to the lake- a soft landing and the Driver said: Well need a pair of new fixtures, Sir. But I can take you back home. All right, dont sweat about it.- Niete said, and went out to the lake with beautiful and smiling Decumbis. They seat on a rocks, looking at the big Barosaurus feed from the weeds. Barosaurus ( ; meaning 'heavy lizard barys/ meaning 'heavy' and saurus/ meaning 'lizard') is a giant, long-tailed, long-necked, plant-eating Herbivore. I belong to an old Oxiborion family.- Said she, as her firs phrase after the kissing time. I have a factory there. Pleasant air.- Niete said, happy to have her in his fist. Yes, the sea cleans all the city fumes.- Decumbis said, smiling. Wish to visit your parents, if you accept me as your partner for life.- He said. Could be! I come here to see how beautiful and dangerous Island 20 is, but I had seen so little!- She complained. Niete touch one of her hands and find it warm and tender.. I need to leave descendants and certainly the way to do that is after love and affection with someone who could also accept me- I know Im old and wrinkled, and perhaps my mood and habits could bore a lady like you. Why like me?- Decumbis asked. Young and full of life! Certainly my life could end soon and people could think why this man make a couple with a robust sane young woman, if he was so near of his end!

But you want descendants and someone who takes well care of your son or daughter! I did understand your point of view.- She said. Good that you realize it!_ Niete sighed, and what he didnt say was that she was very attractive and full of charms- he imagined her on a golden bed full of rose petals, waiting for him. She kissed him and said: You are a very intelligent person and I think I could love you. Later, he told Henrietta about it, and she said: I was listening at your conversation. I think she is the one: her genes are acceptable, she had never being on drugs of any kind; her parents never have been in jail and she really come here out of curiosity and not in need. Other examinations had been donned while she remains with us, and she had passed through them top notch. So, you cannot say the same thing about the rest? they all come from wealthy families but not for long in their past; their families had only one or two ascendants with money, before that, their ancestors were peasants or worst. Their genes are sprinkled with bad genes- sometimes with evil ones.- Henrietta said. And being like that you brought them here? Because they in themselves, in their daily life, didnt show much of that.- The Synthetic E-woman said. And about the drugs? From eight of them, three were damned with drug abuse; but now they are out of it. Another two girls tasted drugs but did not persevere. = Henrietta informed him. But could shoe a flaw on them? Right. Of course, the environs are important and play a big role in this matter; I see difficult that they could buy drugs out of the blue.- Henrietta said, thinking in a environ like Island 20. You are being funny. Love must be fun and amiable. If it is not its only desire and fulfillment of the passions.- Henrietta said. Life in itself is desire and fulfillment of passions! After they are quenched, we permit ourselves begin being civilized people, generous and honest! Dont sell me stale bread! The so called human virtues appear after you had your stomach full.- Niete said. Yes, honey. Pigs also fly.- Henrietta said, kissing him. So, Decumbis begin living with Niete, and he had her at his side wherever he went. To the forest, to raid on the bus through dirt roads, to listen the news at the Holographic set, to revise financial informs. By night, Niete climbs to the soft paradise without problems- he was not needing pills to be a full capable man, as she was so beautiful and warm to his enchanted eyes and body, that he was really in Peter Pans realm. A dire honeymoon. 24 Decumbis was nice and joyful- she accepts his wild routine of voyages, in bus and Flight machines, on trucks- over the heads of Protognatosaur, Retosaur, Geranosaur, Fulengia, Dromicosaurs, Diracodon, Dracopeltas, Gongbusaur Griposaur, Syntarso, Haplocantosaur, Iliosuco, and Sarcolestes. After a week of romance, Niete was feeling young and light. That morning, Henrietta said, at the garden: Ill be from now on, at Oxiborion. I am sure you are living a new stage and Im better off.

As you wish. Here I need back up every day. Who is going to replace you?- Niete asked, mildly contrary to her idea. The two assistants you always see around! Or do you want a change?- Henrietta asked him. A change, of course. I dont want perfect male figures running around! Im fat, never tall, and my eyes are just pale brown color! Nothing like the perfect Synthetics that lurks around.- And Niete smiled to her while saying it. Good point, Niete! Ill ask for E-females to please your whim. Do you want plain looking females, or gorgeous, or athletic? Gorgeous women, and one of them of the fighter kind- I need someone who could stop a Phylodons, if necessary.- He ordered. Right.- Henrietta laughed. You know best! Do as you always do: with excellence! And how the sharing aspect of this site is presenting nowadays?- He asked her. 25 Oh, two of the stockholders died not a week ago different causes, of course; their inheritors are already signing papers to us.- She said, and Niete was sure those people had died just because they didnt sell their shares- but here, to know better was to be guilty, so he didnt questioned any further. That same afternoon a rented airship appears with the new Assistants, and Henrietta departed with the male assistants, after a brief visit of goodbye to the happy couple. Why did she go, dear?- Decumbis asked, arm in arm with Niete on a balcony. Things are difficult at Oxiborion- she is better in person. From here, holographic conferences were just not enough.- Niete said. She really serves you right- a pity she goes! Im not as clever.- Decumbis said, looking at the group of new assistants that were approaching them. This are the new assistants! Lets receive them at the main dinning room. I want you to know them from the start.- Niete said, walking towards that room. Do you know them before?- Decumbis asked. Never in my life.- He said, smiling. At the big dinning room the new e-ladies stands, with their valises at their sides. Good afternoon, Sirs! Let us present myself and then to the others!- A big woman said- she was taller than the rest, and heavy built. She had grey eyes, 1.99 meter high, and never smiling. Very well, present yourself and the rest.- Niete replied to the Synthetic person. The tall e-woman said: Im Gretban, AB HA 300. I have a huge software on martial arts and weaponry; Im a pilot and the rest is the standard software all Synthetic persons had. You can find more details on the Holographic set, under the name AB HA series. Glad to meet you, Gretban: we appreciate your presence.- Niete said, and the big ewoman adds: This other Assistants are all females: Ill stand in front of each one and will tell you her name. This is Esus, this is Deinde, this blonde is Cras, this others are Quelle, Gottin, Facher, Bonbon. Well, I guess well have a good time here: there are only one building to attend, plus two natural humans: us two.- Niete said. Decumbis said: Oh, I love to see so many beautiful e-ladies! Im sure Ill get fun with you. Niete smiled and said; Im sure you all know what are your daily chores? Yes, Sir! Your Assistant lady Henrietta gives us instructions.- Bonbon said, who was a red-haired Efemale.

Right. Well, guess I want you all at my dinner table, at 20.30 hours. Here at the dinning room.- Niete asked them. With pleasure, Sir!- Everyone said at the same time, with different intonations and then they departed to work. Guess well not miss much Miss Henrietta!- Decumbis said. Guess not!- Niete said, looking how beautiful she looks in her twenty four years of age. That dinner was fun- the new Assistants danced, singed and talked with them until midnight. Then, Niete said: This will be our nightly routine! I am happy to have you here!- And saying that, they all return to their duties for the night; mostly to look nobody enters the building, be it dinosaurs or mammals. Before dawn, Niete woke up and say his fiance sleeping. He though about how different was a natural woman than the Synthetic woman- this he had now was way much a lot much vulnerable than the plastic version- this one mumbles words in the night, smells and had a world of different things that makes her whole. Of course, the Synthetic people could be and it was be perfected- but the work of perfection was based on the natural human being. 28 He get dress and walked by the corridor, where Gottin was cleaning a window pane with a mop and a bucket filled with water. Good day, Niete! Its raining! Fourteen Centigrade degree today.- She said, and Gottin was using a green one-piece cloth, that makes her look desirable. Good day! I dont remember your name.- Niete said. Gottin. Gottin, of course! Where are the other girls? Working! As you know, we almost work or be able to work all day and all night long without a pause! - Gottin said. I know all about it, but I prefer you rest also! All things wear off with much use.- He said, smiling. Did I keep on working?- Gottin asked him. Keep on!- Niete said, thinking the girl wasnt understanding his point- at night, they should sleep- or rest- at least, the ones who didnt have to stay on watch. Niete went down the stairs and at the ground floor the rain was visibly through the windows; the forest was a blur of green color at the distance. Good day, Niete! Are you wanting your breakfast with milk or some juice?- Quelle asked, appearing from the kitchen. Hi! Well, I prefer a cup of hot milk with some sugar on it, plus a piece of bread and butter.- Niete replied, looking at Quelle, who was dressed with a pink dress and a yellow apron. Niete went to the table and seats on a chair, waiting for his breakfast. There were four other tables with their seats, as the rest of the tables were sent by Henrietta- to the basement. The silence was broken only by the rain falling over the terrain, an suddenly a streak of light illuminate the room with a yellow glow- then arrived the thunder. Wow! A bygone.- He said, while Quelle appears with a tray and the breakfast in it. She said: Heres your breakfast, Niete. Scrambled eggs of Tuoyangosaur, bacon from the milk of a Quentrosaur, and a glass of orange- from a tree. It looks rather good! My woman is asleep, but I want to visit the terrain by the air. All right! I will prepare the trip for you. Im telling Bonbon to man the Flier.- Quelle said. Ill eat this and then well go.- Niete said.

Me too?- Quelle asked him. 30 Yes, if Decumbis didnt appear first.- Niete said, eating fast. After the breakfast, he walked to the elevator- at the upper platform, the vehicle was ready and Bobon, in a mini skirt of blue hues, was waiting. Hi, Niete! Ready to ride?- She asked, gaily. Yes! Not a good day to fly, but I love to see the forest under the rain.- Niete said, jumping inside the vehicle. Good morning, chief!_ The In-built driver said, from a loudspeaker located on the ceiling. Hi, Driver! Do you see some problems today?- he asked. None whatsoever, Sir! This Flier was already repaired and its better than a submarine!- The Driver said, raising the Flier from the platform. Soon they were a mere speck to the north of the Hotel. Niete saw several Celiosauriscus near the big trees, to protect themselves against the rain. He asked the Driver to hover around and there were several streaks of water, creeks that happened now that it was raining. Quelle and Bonbon were looking also, and their faces glowed when a ray cracked and hit the ground, not 500 meters away. Wow! Niete said- That was real close! Afraid of a small ray?- Quelle asked him, touching his arm. Not really! I guess this Flier could stand a direct hit.- Niete said. It is not.- The Driver said, from the ceiling. There had been reports of Fliers hit by rays that had plunged to the ground. Bonbon said.. Really?- Niete asked, mildly interested in those dramatic cases, while looking that the Celiosauriscus was still under the big trees, unafraid of the thunder and waiting the rain to disappear. 32 They keep on flying, and at a ravine, now with several pools of water, they saw insects crawling in search for food. They have big jaws and they are very dangerous.- Niete said, knowing it on his other trips by the forest and ravines. You are very brave.- Quelle said, smiling. She was very attractive with her scant garments. Niete caressed her legs, saying: And you are very nice. They find some huge trees sixty meters high, and perching on its upper branches were a lot of Arqueopterix, with some nets visibly to the eye. Bonbon said: Your woman is calling for you, at the Hotel. Do we return there? Yes, she deserves to see these flying dinosaurs! Pity, I cannot return with you- she could be jealous afterwards.- Niete said, caressing her hair; she turns and kissed him hard; he was astounded but also relieved to know somebody loves him- no matter how much synthetic that love could be Then they climb to the Flier, and return to the platform on top of the hotel; Niete went down in the elevator and saw her waiting on the dinning room. What is the idea of to leave me alone, Niete? I dont want to be alone!- She said, enraged. Sorry. I was looking at some dinosaurs- do you want to come?- He asked her. She didnt respond, so he begged her some more, until she smiled and went with him on the elevator to the platform. They climb to the Flier and the Driver drive them to the

same spot- now that the big brutes werent perching but flying and some of them approach the Flier, threatening with their long beaks. Oh, Im scared!- Decumbis said, and Niete said to the Driver: Let us fly somewhere else, Driver! The river could be a nice sight, Sir.- The in-built driver said, and taking his silence as acceptation, drives the vehicle upstream and at an altitude of eighty meters. Some Quaesitosaurus, that means Abnormal or Extraordinary Lizard, were there. They were plant eaters, with a small head with peg-like teeth, walking in four legs, with a snout and large ear openings .The Quaesitosaurus was a long-necked, whip-tailed planteater with good hearing. The Quaesitosaurus' skull was long and had a wide snout and a large ear opening. The peg-like teeth were adapted for eating soft food, aquatic plants. They are big. How many meters long, dear?- She asked, dominating her nerves. The Quaesitosaurus is 23 meters long, darling, and must to eat a tremendous amount of plant material each day to sustain itself. It swallows leaves whole, without chewing them, and had gastroliths (stomach stones) in its stomach to help digest tough plant material. The blunt teeth are useful for stripping foliage. They eat conifers, ginkgos, seed ferns, cycads, bennettitaleans, ferns, club mosses, and horsetails.- Niete said, remembering his lectures on the Holographic set. I knew there were some of this rare species on Earth- they had them in the remote pastnow they are all dead. Not like here.- She said, hugging him. Yes, they had a different history there- they call the late Cretaceous Period the time when this creatures roamed the Earth., roughly 85-80 million years ago.- Niete said, Their long necks balanced and occasionally dipped their heads into the stream, in search for a fish, while their long legs were sunk on the mud. Look! That big one over there catches a long fish!- Decumbis said, pointing with a finger. In fact, that Quaesitosaurus had grabbed what at first sight was a long fish, but now it was moving like a whip. A serpent!- Niete said; and it was a long serpent twenty meters long, but didnt last long with his present size, as the mandibles of his catcher cuts it in half- both pieces sunk unto the river, tinting in red color the waters. The rest of the serpent- a good chunk- was munched by the impassible Quaesitosaurus. 34 The rain begin again, so they return to the hotel rooms- she laughed and talked on their bedroom, while on the holographic set the news of the day were being narrated and shown by the News Channel. Niete was looking at her from the bed, smiling. She was like a small kitten to him- now. But he was well aware of the power of a woman- with enough motives, that same playful woman could transform easily into a powerful enemy. In the next four months, he impregnated her several times per day- with no results. One night, while Decumbis was asleep, he calls on Henrietta by the radio. Still awake, Niete? Its three in the morning!- She said, and Niete was able to see her by the screen- he was calling from inside of the Flier. Guess I have a problem-or both! Me and Decumbis, had a problem. What? Do you fight her?- Henrietta asked promptly. Not a fight. She just doesnt get pregnant! And I cant tell you how many times I had had her!- Niete informed. Calm down, Niete! Ill be there tomorrow morning! Well check on her- again! I was certain we already scanned her inside out!- Henrietta was worried. And how its going the factory?- Niete asked her.

Not a scratch! And doing well- you have 832 million Credits invested already, and some millions in cash. All is running well.- Henrietta said. 35 I guess this woman is taking pills or something. In any case, if she is unable to have babies, Ill find another.- Niete said. Yes, Niete. Go to sleep, Ill fix your little problem tomorrow.- Henrietta smiled and ends the conversation. Niete went to bed- Decumbis was asleep and her face was innocent and soft. At nine oclock, three big wagon Fliers descended alongside the building- from then, forty two Assistants descended and begin unloading gear from the vessels. Niete was at the front door with Decumbis, when Henrietta approaches them, dressed in a green uniform and saying: Good morning, Decumbis! Hi, Niete! I brought a team of workers here! Well open the Hotel again! Good!- Decumbis said, happy before the perspective of to see Natural people again. 36 They walked inside and at Nietes office, she said: I have news. The Royal government knew that you are the owner of this hotel, and throw on us an order.- Henrietta said. Could they?- Decumbis asked. Im afraid they can: The order says you must open this place for the tourists! One of the claims the King Knapp was on this continent is that he has subjects in here, a Hotel and regular visits. As of now, tourists arent coming, and the sole human presence is you both.- Henrietta said. I accept your decision. Of course, Ill be here just the same.- Niete said. Yes, Niete. And I also brought some medical equipment, to see the tourists are in well shape before they could venture into the woods; many an old man, or woman, had died on other jungle- located Resorts, and their relatives run to sue the owners! So Ill ask you both to use the equipment- to see if you have any illnesses and then, to show the Royal Minister of Health that nobody come here and stays without a proper medical examination. Im available. And you, darling?- Niete asked to Decumbis. Im ready._ She said, simply. Half an hour later, the medical staff (two Synthetic persons) scanned them and takes samples from their bodies. In two hours well know the end results. The test must take its time- you cannot rush Nature!- Henrietta said. I know mammal nature always takes his time to react.- Niete said. 37 The rest of the unloaded stuff were for to make the Hotel up and running in a matter of hours- maids and bellboys appeared with their proper uniforms everywhere- cleaning and rearranging tables, chairs from the basement; liquors were lined on the Bar shelves; the big furnaces begin to spark and dishes were being cleaned; food begin to be heated on the pans and a smell of optimism and hard work was on the air. The Beauty Parlor opens its doors and Decumbis was the first client- they begin trimming and polishing her nails, her hair was dyed, combed and a fashion look was now on her. While she was under those transformations procedures, Henrietta calls Niete inside a locked room and said: She is cheating on you. He covered his face with both hands, saying: Why?

The why is her problem, dear. She is on anabolic pills- her blood is telling us no baby is going to be born until she stops. I guess Ill forget about having babies.- Niete said, feeling an emptiness inside his heart. Henrietta embraces him and said: Dont be like that! Nothing is lost. I signed for a year with her. Yes! You have 268 days to wait. Dont fight her! Play the fool. When the Contract is over, you are free. Wait or youll loose a lot of money, plus the hate of a rich woman.Henrietta said, kissing him. 38 -All right, Ill wait. But you are going t be with me, now!- Niete said, touching her breast with hungry hands. If I stay here, shell suspect you are having an affair with me! Well work this out! Now, have me!- Henrietta said, taking her clothes from her body, undressing fast. They love each other for an hour, and then she said: Youll begin working five hours a day, at your office! Ill give you some real work to do- so, shell accept your absence gradually. After a month of this, youll begin traveling once a week- well meet there! Then youll be going two, three times a week- sometimes staying there for more than one day, until she gets the kick of it. The rest of this year will flow away easily in this way.- Henrietta recommended. This whole rigmarole its only because Im a stupid.- Niete said. Not stupid! But ideas dont produce perfect results only by wishful thinking! Now Ill see everything is going fine- if you want me again, Ill dope your Natural woman for tonight! Yes, you do it! I dont stand her treacherous behavior!- Niete said, realizing he was now acting in the same way, but out of revenge! Later, he saw Decumbis in her new outfit. She looks gorgeous. You look beautiful! - He said, gasping. I am beautiful!- Decumbis replied, happily. 39 When this place begin receiving tourists, youll be the most beautiful of al the women.- He said. Dear! Dont talk as if I am a winning composognathus! (*1)- She said, but in her inner self she was very pleased of her new look. That night, after dinner, Decumbis succumbs to a deep sleep, while Henrietta receives her former fiance at a room upstairs. Shes soundly sleeping?- Henrietta asked him, after he gets inside that room and locked the door. As a log!- He said, kissing her soft lips. She hugged at him with desire In the morning, she said: Your Natural woman will awake in another forty five minutes, honey. Be ready before that, and at your office youll have a stack of documents to revise- theyre already worked out, but you must learn or understand what means every one of those- later, it will be your work to do it whole. All right, guess itll be interesting.- He said, and somehow the whole scheme looked for him less clever than at the beginning. At eleven oclock, Decumbis appears at his office, dressed on a small outfit- her body looked superb. Good morning, Niete! Working?- She asked, surprised to see him at his desk. Yes! There are some minor things Ill begin to attend to! _ He explained, standing up and kissing her softly. She smiled and said: So Henrietta is not as efficient any more?

40 Its only the affairs of the Hotel that I am working on. Shell keep on with Oxiborion affairs. Oh, I see. Well, Im going to take breakfast. Dont you come? No, darling! If I stop now, the whole work will get delayed. Ill be there at lunch time.- Niete said, much to her surprise. At lunch, she pretends nothing new was happening, and he said: Possibly Ill be going to Oxiborion once in a while. I must not rely too much on machines. She laughed and said: You are talking like an old man! Now you must address them as Synthetic people! He smiled and accented with a nod. Henrietta approaches them and said: Good appetite! Im going now to Oxiborion- remember the tourists will begin arriving from tomorrow on. Are they staying long?- Decumbis asked her. Some of them are staying for a week, others for a couple of days- soon this will be teaming with tourists! Good bye.- And she went to the huge Flier, that hovered the terrain for a minute and then it was gone. Alone again!- He said, looking at Decumbis. Not for long! But I assume Ill be less bored, looking at those tourists, now you are working all morning.- Decumbis said. Niete realize it was her first complaint in their relationship. 41 The first clients arrived on a rented Flier- they brought an Assistant and some pets. They had a cat!- Decumbis said, enthralled- I had never seen a cat except by the holographic set! 42 They are common in Mars.- Niete said. Are they not from Earth?- Decumbis asked. I guess they are from Earth, but the most of them lives on Mars.- Niete said, repeating what he heard in a holographic news dispatch. They are clever and amiable! They clean themselves and each female could hatch up to six kittens! I read it recently on the holographic set.- Decumbis said. I guess you are very interested! I can buy you one of those, if you want.- Niete offered. She kissed his cheek and said: Yes! You do that! But by now, Ill be visiting the Trong- thats the name of the couple- room 02. Really?- He said, thinking how that couple could be where dinosaurs abounded, carrying such a pet. Decumbis went to the holographic set, asking where cats could be bought- and it was Rixiaberg city where the most of them could be bought. Oh, but they are way up expensive, Niete!_ She complained, approaching his desk. How much?- Niete asked, mildly alarmed. 74.000 Credits for an old cat! 120.000 for a kitten.- She announced. A kitten could be better. And old cat could die at any given day.- Niete reasoned. Why not an old cat? I could have it where its warm all day long.- Decumbis said. Niete asked Henrietta to see to it, and three days later a pair of boxes was brought to Decumbis, using the same Flier that carried tourists to the Hotel. She opened the boxes at her anteroom and two meowing cats appears: an old black furred cat and a small kitten of brownish color.

Oh, how nice! Theyre beautiful! Thanks you, Niete!- She said, smiling happily. Niete reads the instructions and said: You must provide milk to the smaller one- warm milk. To the big one, meat could be offered, also fish- but a bag with dried food is also provided inside the bags. Dried food? Let me see it!- And when looking at the pellets, she said: But this is too hard for his small teeth! Ill give him meat raw or roasted? Niete said: I guess it must to be boiled. The cats serves her as a job: Decumbis was for ever cleaning their cages, feeding and caressing those creatures until the cats were following her wherever she went- much to her happiness. Niete begin his trips to Oxiborion, and the weeks mounted to months, until the last day of his contract to live in pairs with Decumbis was overdue. He went to her bedroom, and said: We are no longer a couple, Decumbis. She opened her eyes quite a bit and said: Why not? Are you ill or something? Im not ill at all! Our Contract finished yesterday and I will not proceed any more with it. You are free to go- as compensation; Ill give you some money. Decumbis was furious and yelled at him at hearts content, so he departed from the Hotel, on route to Oxiborion. At the Airport Henrietta was waiting for him, dressed with a fur overcoat and boots, as it was winter time. 44 Hello, honey! Much trouble down at the Island? Yes, it was unpleasant to hear her rumblings!_ He said, taking her hand. Forget all about her! Ill make you happy again.- She said, kissing him. Life on Oxiborion was new to him- to be walking the street, looking at the shops where everything was on sell; throngs of people milling around while the airships traveled by the sky His visits to his factory became obsession: he appears at noon and stayed there until midnight- his brain develops ideas, and at the screens his dreams became reality. He improved clothes, wheels and perfected a vacuum cleaner that from then on used a small (*2) sun- rechargeable battery that could work for hours. Henrietta sees that the inventions became products for sell, and soon were items offered to clients. Your ideas are good._ Henrietta said, a night they were dinning on a selected Club. My idea of to have a Natural woman wasnt successful._ He said, looking at other women at the tables. 45 My fault, dear! I should have selected them after you have sex with them! So, I would had chosen from already burdened women.- Henrietta murmured. Niete nibbled on the salad and herring, eating something, and said: I still have that dream- not for women, but for a son or a daughter. Henrietta said: I am here to make you happy, you know that. I will search some women and youll have sex with them. After they get pregnant, you are going to tell them you will take care of them for life! And that the children are going to be taken care of, attending fine schools, perhaps in Oredloro or in Mars! I dont mention Vulcan, as those people are closed to alien people.- Henrietta said. Niete smiled and think about this, then he said: I will do as you say. But first, they must have their period on the Island- away from other males- and then impregnated by me. They should remind on the Island until they give birth! Tested the baby to be mine, we proceed with the taking care of the mother and the children.

Henrietta looked at him and said: I find it perfect. Your last conquest is on Oxiborion now. I give her an allowance of 30.000 Credits per month- as long as she reminds single! Decumbis accepted it, signed it before a notarys office, so its legal. Without a struggle?- He asked her. With some struggle.- Henrietta laughed. Yes. I find it very acceptable. And I guess the women in waiting must be carried to this side of the world with their children- a big city offers more alternatives.- Niete said, remembering the dark green of the forest at the Island- the nightfall with bellowing of dinosaurs in heat 46 Henrietta smiled to him and said: Finish your salad, honey! Its time to go dancing! At the next day, Henrietta put adds on the Web, offering vacations for ladies on the Island 20, and when the ladies begin arriving to her office, she offered the vacations for free only if they went there alone. Then, sending one at the time, Niete was romancing them at all hours of the day- many of them accepted him as a partner, after realizing he was the rich man he pretends to be and that without his personal appearance, every fun on the island was out of schedule. Later, when probed positive their pregnancy by simple methods, they were carried to rented apartments in downtown Oredloro, where Niete could visited them from time to time. After a year of this, Niete was the proud father of thirty two babies: fifteen males and seventeen females. Henrietta was always supervising the whole operation procedures, talking with those women daily, and offering money when needed. Henrietta convince the women to attend to Nietes birthday party at an Restaurant, and she paids beautifully for it- the mothers arrives in already rented vehicles, and looked at each other not with hate, but as partners in a good deal. This is wonderful! My belongings have inheritors now!- Niete repeats once and again. He was happy at the table- Henrietta was there at his side, touching his hands and face, and saying: You look happy today, honey! Certainly this is a memorable day for me! So many sons and daughters are really a joy!- He said, because those women were brought to a fine Restaurant with all his sons for him to see. Of course, he knew nothing of crying in the night, sickness or how to take care of them- because that was the work of those women. At the next day, Henrietta said: Its time for you to return to the Hotel! This air here on Oredloro is dense. Exactly! I need fresh air. The babies are well kept here.- He said. Now Ill go with you! Didnt I tell you that I hired a new model, to help us running the factory? ABC-030! Is one of the last models the Easypeople Company is delivering to the Knappian market. Easypeople- from Earth. Well, they arrives here, at last! And is it male or female?Niete asked, worriedly. Female! I knew you were going to ask that! You are very jealous.- She laughed and shows him her appearance, using her cellphone. Niete saw there a very beautiful face, a nice body and said; She looks fine. Hope she serves right? Shell serves right- furthermore, I have seventeen other Assistants working for youthey simply cannot mess things up in unison!- Henrietta said, and Niete hugged her, saying: Then well keep on having our eternal relationship! They flew on a new Flier to the Island 20; this was a standard model, belonging to Niete. The Driver, AB 93515, said the first time he seats on front: Hi, Boss! Im your driver on this Flier.

Glad to know it! To how much this Flier could run?- Niete asked him. Seven thousand six hundred kilometers per hour, Sir! And it can stop on a coin.- The new Driver said. 48 On a coin? And what about the passengers? Are they going to be flat a coin against the windshield when you stop braking?The Driver laughed and said: But Sir, you supposedly are strapped on to your seat! Yeah, right! Lets not reach the maximum velocity, please.- Niete said, and Henrietta said: They are producing faster vehicles now! Surely its because the Transporters are proliferating quite a lot. Des- integrators of matter? Quite dangerous apparatus! A simple electrical failure, and you just disappear or became a glue on the floor!- Niete said. The sea appears and it was a sunny day with some big clouds to the south; the shadow of continent Glaubem was at the north position minutes later. Guess were real fast! These rocky formations were slow to appear in my precedent flights.- Niete remarked. And we arent using top speed.- The Driver chuckled on the ceiling. And dont you dear doing it!- Niete asked of him. Then it was present the Dolban Sea, and the grey mass of island 20 appears on the distance. Beautiful and green. Why did I not see aerial planes going and coming from it?- Niete said. Reparations honey. We stop the tourist season for this year- a storm cracked the swimming pool, brushed aside threes and wrecked half the building but dont get nervous- we have still where to lodge with security. Niete paled before that bad news and when arriving to the Hotel, it looks like a real wreck. 49 And for this we fought fiercely and spent such a lot of money?- He asked, before he goes out of the Flier. Half the building was half buried in sand and debris; the rest shows serious damages. From the inside appears two Synthetics- a gorgeous blonde and a red haired e-woman of fine features. They both saluted him with a smile, saying: Good day, Mr. Niete! He looked at them and said: Just plain Niete, please! You Synthetics are loyal and trueI can confide on you.Thanks, Niete!- Said the gorgeous blonde, who was wearing tweed pants, white sandals and a blouse plus a small sweater- the other one was using a green uniform and white running shoes. The place is clean, except the right wing. Youll be allocated on the second floor, honey.- Henrietta said. All right, lets go there to talk- the four of us.- He commanded, looking how nice was the blonde in her manners. Henrietta said; She is the ABC 30 model, epitome of Easypeople last technology product. We had here seventeen e-persons, plus five we brought in this flight. So we have twenty two and you and me to begin with.- Niete said, thinking in to rebuild the place. We also need heavy machinery- we cannot clean this mess more than we had donned already. Picks and shovels, carts and physical force was already used at this side. The right wing must be demolished- the foundations sink some centimeters- enough to

debilitate the whole area. Cracked walls could be plastered but with a earthquake class 7 the whole place could go down in rubble.- Henrietta explained. So there was an architect who told you so, after some studies of the terrain?- Niete asked. 50 The Architect is walking with us now- its ABC 30! She is an architect.- Henrietta explained. ABC 30 said: Ill show you some sketches and photos I made while researching the right wing. I understand the situation fully. Of which amount of money are we talking here?- He asked. Twenty three million Credits honey. Not a credit less.- Henrietta said. They arrive to his suite, where he realizes everything was in good shape and of the best of qualities. A holographic set shows him the damages on the right wing, plus the X ray documents of the damaged pillars and walls. My recommendation is to rebuild and sell this place, honey. Tourists will not come here, after looking at the news- how ill treated was this place by the hurricane.Henrietta said. Niete was truly devastated and said: But I guess my factory is in good health? Of course, honey! I have capitalized since our last conversation, and you already have 903 million Credits- an increase over the precedent 832, remember? They are in your Bank account. If you sell this place, Im sure we can get another 300 million Credits the Hotel and the stretch of land included.-Henrietta explained. So I guess you can rebuild the place, ABC 30? Henrietta will provide the money.Niete said, adding: And see that the swimming pool is repaired, some trees are planted, lawn replaced, so the first investor when coming here receives a good impression and decides to acquire this place at first sight. And the bad news about this place must be replaced by good news.- Henrietta said, adding: Some thousands Credits must be spent on that. 51 Niete looked at ABC 30, who was smiling at him and said: But not in the way we did the last time. Now I dont want everyone knowing we are opening the place again. Just a very few so youll invite politicians, people from the royalty, courtesans. Four families of that kind will provide what a hundred dentists in vacations could provide. A Resort for the very few.- Henrietta said. Yes! And only Synthetic people attending them- Naturals could get us intro trouble._ Niete said. Those people love to complain about everything and if theres no a natural person here, they could do as they wished with the Hotel.- Henrietta said. Niete puts a hand on ABC 30 and said: Well, this is a finished issue! You rebuild the place, tables under the (sun) Knapp included, and Henrietta sells the whole joint. Are you sure? - Henrietta asked. Totally sure. But also, this island its a beauty. I want to have somewhere to land and get my vacations here. See if I can buy some stretch of land and well see if I can have a log built there.- Niete said. Henrietta calls to Oxiborion, asked to the Ministry of the Interior, finds the appropriate channels, and said: It can be donned- now you have this land, you can buy more without any delay. Choose what you want, and the Kingdom of Knapp will sell you the place.

This is good! Well visit places, then! I count on you, ABC 30, to stay beside me while visiting the Island. Niete said. Im yours, Niete! You dont need to beg.- ABC 30 said. 52 I must say you had me stunned. So beautiful I hardly can look at you.- Niete said. I can show you the island with the holographic set, Niete.- ABC 30 offered. Henrietta said: We are not needed here right now. Well be working downstairs. All right, well see each other at dinner time.- Niete said, enchanted with their timely departure. ABC 30 begins showing him the whole of the island, and then the hills and rivers then she said: You love dinosaurs, rivers and lakes. There is where you ought to build a house. Also, we must bear in mind this island has cruel animals capable of to smash a wall like a piece of paper! So the house better be located on high, surrounded by natural defenses, or the whole project will rise sky high in costs. You explains it beautifully.- He said, kissing her; she stayed like a statue. What happens?- Niete asked of ABC 30. Miss Henrietta forbids me to begin a romance with you.- She murmured. Tell her to release you of that obligation! Im in command here!- Niete said. All right. She releases the prohibition, Niete. Call her here.- He said, fuming. Henrietta arrives soon afterwards, and Niete said: Explain to me your act. I did it thinking on you, Niete. ABC 30 is very well built, and there are some aspects of her software I cannot fully understand. That is what I can tell you about her. And about you, remember that you dumped a natural woman, then I give you several natural women to get pregnant; now you have sons to care for and now you are back to Synthetic women- the one you choose first was me. You should stick with me.Henrietta said. 53 Niete was worried. Henrietta behaves like a jealous woman. He said: ABC 30: take all data from Henrietta and back it up on yourself. On my mind.- She said, smiling. Right. On your mind.- Niete replied. Ten minutes later, ABC 30 said: Back up ready, Niete. The delay was due to some secret passwords and some encrypted data only available by radio from Oredloro, Oxiborion and the factory. Niete said to Henrietta: Now, youll erase all your databanks, all memories about romance with me, and return to Oxiborion, where youll work at the factory in some easy and soft work. Yes, Niete. Henrietta said, standing there for five minutes; then she left with her mind resetted. You did it fine, Niete!- ABC 30 said, kissing him lightly on his lips. Oh, I desire you so much!- He said, embracing her; she put her white arms around his neck, and said: Take me, Im all yours! During the next five days, Niete was romancing her, while the rest of the Synthetic personnel work attending his minimal desires. ABC 30 was running the factory while being there with him. Her state of the art positron brain was capable for that and a hundred times more- not for a chance her value in the market was thirteen times higher what Henrietta was now evaluated. At the sixth day, ABC 30 said: Its time for you to decide, dearest! I can keep on with you while running things, or we go to Oxiborion to attend things personally- the

increase in efficiency will be of seventeen per cent- not because Ill run things different here but because Natural clients tends to prefer making business in person. Niete was totally in love with her, so he said: 54 Let us buy another model like you, and let her take the toil. Are you sure? There are several million Credits on the stake!- She said, embracing him. Yes! I love you too much to let you go!- He said. Very well, Ill ask for another model and Ill be downloading the data to her- because you want it to be an Efemale, am I right?- ABC 30 asked. Yes, I dislike the male figure.- He said, by the reasons exposed elsewhere. They went to lunch- in fact, she didnt eat, but accompany him at all parts. ABC 30 said, while he takes a turtle soup: You should love to live a little more, dearest! You should use the medical services at your disposal, and try to live a little longer. Why Ill be worrying about it? Life is beautiful but also bores.- Niete said, thinking how he had dreams in his youth and how he worked to accomplish them- some were realized but a whole lot doesnt. And now he was almost indifferent to it. You must think on your descendants. Those children arent capable of fight the world as you do today. They need guidance._ ABC 30 said. I guess its your maternal software speaking.- Niete jokingly said. Yes, and logical thinking. You had a project of life, and its developing. I know you cold be bored, dearest, but here I am, to fight boredom out of your mind.- And she kissed him for some time, until he was in heaven. Four days afterwards, ABC 072 arrives on a special flight from the Easy People Knapp Company; a Vendor and a technician come also with the crew and the new model. 55 Hi! Im a natural: my name is Tushin! Glad to know you , Mr. Niete! So you like our product and is buying another model?- The man salutes him- he was tall and robust. Yes! I had an AB model running things before, but I better goes with the times.- Niete said. Ah, Miss Henrietta! She bought a model ABC recently. How is she?- Mr. Tushin asked. Shes fine. I sent her to our factory in Oxiborion. Right. Well, with two ABC youll have no problems at all! Reliable 100 % capable of to do the tasks of four AB! Its very advanced for our times. Why that will be?- Niete wanted to know. New engineers! Some people from Romulan Empire have come offering their services. Way up advanced! I come here to show you some of the new performances this model has.- Mr. Tushin explained. I had the ABC 30 is already obsolete?- Niete asked. A bit more advanced, but ABC 30 is top of the list! But Im sure you arent using the ABC at her full capacities! I know it because you just receive it from lady Henrietta and that was all!- And the eyes of Mr. Tushin said to Niete he knew everything he does there on the island with the Synthetics he possessed. Im all ears, Mr. Tushin! Illustrate me.- Niete asked of him, and Mr. Tushin asks the use of a Holographic set to show him some memory pills full of information about that special model. He also said: The ABC 072 I brought you now appears in a red onepiece garment, with a face as beautiful as your ABC 30!- And the new model appears walking inside the mess room, smiling and irradiating self confidence. Tushin said: Her body is perfection, and now she is going to salute you.

Hi, Niete! Im ABC 072, and Im at my full capacities right now. Glad to meet you, ABC 072! Mr. Tushin is talking about the improvements you had. Let us hear a resume out of it.- Niete asked. 56 Forty five minutes is too much to tell the resume? Or do you prefer something less heavy for the moment?- ABC 072 asked him, with a delightful intonation. Make it for ten minutes- later we could go on with the details.- Niete said, much for the amuse of Mr. Tushin. I can make love, care for children, Im a scientist, with full degrees on Astronomy, Medicine, Electrical Engineering; Im a botanist, a Medic I am. I can drive from a bicycle to a Starship model A1, Earth models AB30, CDXL30, AR500, Renca series: all of them. My other degrees are on the financial terrain, Sociology, Literature and Foreign languages.- ABC 072 said, using also his hand to project holography about everything she enumerated. As you see, ABC 072 is also modest! Millions of small other tasks she can perform without a fault, endlessly and without stop- her brain and body dont need rest.- Mr. Tushin said, handling him a small suitcase. Whats this for?- Niete asked him. The software she could need if some accident occurred! A landslide, something that can hit her accidentally, a fire- you never know! In any case, you just call our Organization and well be here in no time, to repair her.- Mr. Tushin informed. The money was already on his pocket, so he said good bye and departed in his aerial apparatus. You two come with me.- Niete said to the two beauties with brains. At his suite, he locks the door and 57 Said: ABC 30, scan your twin model and tell me what differences you could detect. After three seconds, she said: Improvements of alien technology- 502 new coursed on Biology and Chemistry- practical classes on chirurgical operations- the Architectural knowledge its improved 45 %. And some minor details more. Can you absorb that knowledge?- Niete wanted to know. Certainly; she will be 0.23 seconds faster than me using it.- ABC 30 said. Do it.- Niete asked of her. After ten minutes, ABC 30 said: We had the same knowledge but it will be minor differences- she has some improvements in the hardware, too.- ABC 30 was not at all happy with that. Ill live with you both for a week. The works at the factory will be organized from here. Do you envision some problems with that?- Niete asked them. Not before ten days, Niete. There are some Natural clients already dated by that day, and ABC 30 should be there to attend them in person.- ABC 072 informed. I see- well, that day she just simply goes there and work the day at Oxiborion. Perhaps she could return by dinner time?- Niete asked them. ABC 072 said: I would like to make you a suggestion, Niete: pertaining to Miss Henrietta, who is on Oxiborion, as you should know. Yes, I know she is in there- I sent her myself.- Niete said, not willing to be remembered. She was loyal to you, and now shes like a flat tire.- ABC 072 said. Flat tire. Very funny, ABC 072.- Niete said, cracking a smile. She was in love with you and you demoted her and make fun out of her.- ABC 072 said.

Really? Whos mocking of her?- Niete asked promptly. The Synthetic community has a radio, as you know- everything is shared through the radio, and the gossip goes wide and large. Even I am interconnected. Ad they look on her as a broken bathtub.- ABC 072 informed. I wasnt aware of it.- Niete said, with remorse. I beg of you to restore her old power over the rest of the people at the factory.- ABC 072 said. And why should I do that?- Niete was surprised he was under examination by a Synthetic woman! Because you arent evil and your honesty in our midst is well known. Return her powers, memories, passwords! Bring her here! Share your feelings with us as well as with her!- ABC 072 said. Niete looked at ABC 30 and she nodded in acceptation of that idea, while a teardrop runs down her left cheek. You babes had a way to ask for things I cannot refuse! Call her from Oxiborion, and here shell get what was hers!- Niete said. Ill call for equipment and make you live eighty years more than you should! Let me do it! Im able to make you live a lot of years more! You will not possibly regret!ABC 072 said, embracing him and kissing him with passion. Niete didnt want more life, but looking at the beauty he had so near, he succumbed to the temptation and accepted the medical operation. Four days later, with Henrietta again ruling things and traveling to Oxiborion to make deals, he enters the operating table. ABC 072 had all organized with the new equipment brought from Oxiborion; several e-females Synthetic were ready to help with specific instructions. Niete had said: No details about what you are going to do, doctor ABC 072! I rather prefer to suffer in the ignorance! Youll not suffer, lover!- ABC 072 had said, smiling. 59 Six hours ABC- 072 was working on Nietes body; several organs were replaced and genes were also begin forced to change for the better of the body functions. After the operations, he was put to rest on a cryogenic pod for a couple of days, for to give time his body to adapt. Henrietta was at Oxiborion, where the main sells were now the communication devicesshe had imported from Earth a product named learning hear. The Learning Hear had a software capable of to hear and translate any language known to man, and in this era where alien people were by the thousands in the streets of almost every mega polis, such a device was not only necessary but essential. Henrietta calls to the Hotel, asking for Nietes health each hour, and ABC 30 informed her about his state. He is sedated and stable; we are waiting for his body functions to adapt.- And Henrietta keeps on waiting. 60 At last, he awakes and looking at the E-people surrounding him, he said: Im back. Good to know it.- ABC 30 said with a smile, and asked how well he feels. Im feeling a little dizzy and a little pain on my chest. Guess thats normal. ABC 072 said: Thats normal, love. Youll get well in a few hours. Now we take it easy: youll be in bed for a couple of days and then short walks, so I can check you are recovering fine. Nothing to worry about.

Niete saw well and hear better- his hands tingled a bit, but he was aware some of the medications used for the operation could be still working in his body. The rest of that day he passed in bed, with some small talks with ABC 072, who said: Henrietta set you her salutes. She was forever worried about you. Good e-girl!- He replied to that- he was thinking how mimicries of humans could be taken really in serious- if their feelings were copies of human behavior, how could they be originals? By the other hand he knew what some philosophers said about the human condition, namely, that humans are automatons that only reacts to outside impressions. Typical was the example of a man inside an iron bell, not receiving outside impressions and so becoming a self aware entity with no emotions, no desires, no pain or happiness. He slept. At midnight he heard a violent concussion on the building and people running, small sounds at the distance. He tries to 61 Walk but was still under some drugs, and he only give two steps and fall over the rug. Shouting and yelling approaches, so he crawled under his bed, in waiting. He heard mens voices and the thrashing of objects. Then those persons leave the bedroom. His mind worked on that- robbers! Must be that!- He said to himself. But he was defenseless to fight them and didnt move for the rest of the night. In the morning the whole place was in silence, and he crawled out from under his bedthings were scattered around the room- his clothes, shoes, as if the robbers were in haste to find valuables- Niete was not fond of jewelry or fancy things for himself, so those guys just found clothes and shoes. He dressed himself, put on his shoes, and realizes he could walk but in no condition to run nor in any case fight another person hand in hand. He walked through the corridor- the most of the other rooms were empty, so the burglars could not damage a thing in those. He went down by the elevator and saw three female Synthetics lying on the floor, motionless. Outside the building there was nobody, and his Flier was gone. He went to the dinning room to use the holographic set, but it was damaged. He seats for a while- he was tired and dizzy, but soon he recovered. Then, the sound of an engine makes him go outside again- the Flier was landing. He walks downstairs to the basement, where the LASER rifles were in storage for emergencies, mostly against dinosaur intrusions. 63 He opened the shelf and takes one in his hands, setting the regulator on full discharge, and walked upstairs. The sound of male voices makes him hate their shadows, and rising the muzzle he looked at the place- three men were pushing the bodies of the Synthetic Assistants nest to the fireplace- one of them were lighting a fire. Niete start the LASER beam on them, cutting or cooking heads in a row- the Naturals stumbled to the floor with a stupid look of surprise on their unshaven faces. Blood begin to pour as from broken gourds of red wine. He waits- soon another pair of men appears, carrying ABC 30 tied- she looks at Niete and smiled- both Naturals looked at him in surprise, while the LASER beam seared their faces, opening a channel between the brows and the chins- hoarse cries ensued, spilling of blood and soon the pair was on the floor, kicking the rug like rats dying. Niete went out and walked next to the wall until he saw the Flier standing 20 meters away. He waits. As nobody appears, he walked to the aerial artifact, and when he was three meters from the door, a big man with whiskers appears on the threshold of the

opening. The LASER bean went directly to his neck, cutting the nexus among head and body. In a cloud of smoke, the body went down the ladder. 63 Niete!- A voice said from the inside of the vehicle- Niete walked inside and saw ABC 072 lying on a seat, tied with a rope. Lover! You are unique!- She said, while he was untying her. Guess this guys are robbers and you could not defend yourselves, all because of that damned first Law of Robotics?- Niete asked her. Yes, my love! I told the rest not to call you- as you are not fully recovered yet. But I think I was wrong- your recovery was faster than in most of the cases.- ABC 072 said, now untied. They embrace each other. ABC 072 said: Delinquency arrives to Knapp with the aliens. Too many scumbags from Mars and the Earth are coming, using the new invention. Transporters?- Niete asked, smelling her hair. Yes, the new Transporters. Cheaper than a space ship. Of course, there are several trips of that kinds that ended in who knows where! The people go inside those chambers, and smiling. The lights went off, and when at the other side the doors open, nobody is inside. Like the act of a magician.- ABC 072 informed. And you probably know whats happening? Where is the flaw? How could that be prevented?- Niete asked her. She said no with a movement of her head, and walked out of the Flier, saying: Now you cold tell the Police what happened her, and see how a dozen Police officers stomped inside your life making questions, taking silly pictures and providing to most of them a clear picture of this place. 64 Niete rubbed his chin- he knew already what was she really means- future robbers will come with better ideas of how to rob the place. We must bury those guys. Nothing with the Police.- He acknowledged. Right. Clever decision, love. But instead of to bury them and provide ones for future investigations, we better feed the dinosaurs with them- their powerful stomachs will make a goo out of them in a day. I think your idea is fine.- He said, walking to the house- ABC 072 untied the other ABC model, and said: This AB Ewomen receives a powerful electric discharge from some gadgets the robbers were provided with. We must call Easy- people Company here, or perhaps we could sent them to Oxiborion, so Miss Henrietta did it for us. Call Henrietta for an airbus. Tell her to come in person with a dozen armed Synthetics.- Niete said. Donned.- ABC 30 said. Shes asking for the dozen to Easy People. Now shes asking if you want them hired or to be bought. Bought. I dont want them to inform how this place was and what they do here at his return to that Company. Tell Henrietta that spy software must be removed from them before they come here. All right, shes doing it already.- ABC 30 said, and Niete loved this so efficient Epeople he had on his daily life. ABC 30 and ABC 072 takes the corpses to the Flier and 072 said: well leave you here for a while, dearest. The E-people that is coming must not see these corpses. Try to mop the blood from the floor, if you can. 65

All right. Take care of yourself.- Niete said, and they flew away with that macabre cargo. He finds a bucket, filled half or it with water, and with his own shirt moped all he could- as there was blood stains on walls, rugs and furniture. Niete was at that, and almost finishing, when a Flier arrives. He was at the verge of to keep on mopping, but on second thought, takes his rifle and went to see who was coming- guessing as the most probable thing that the e-women were back. But no; this were men on gray uniforms- seven of them, with guns. Niete waits until they were in the open- those twenty meters from the door to the landing field- a wall on one side, and the open field at the other. He was not sure of his luck this time, so he just cut right at the height of their legs. The red LASER beam cuts those pants as if they were butter, and the whole lot went to the ground screaming and pulling their triggers- bullets ricocheted by all of the place, splinting corners. He looked out when the firing was diminishing and saw three of them crawling back to the Flier- he sent the LASER beam through their chest and heads- the smoke and the smell of cooked meat fills the air. Niete sent more LASER beams unto the ones on the ground, so at last all was in silence. The silence of death. 66 He takes the guns from them, and revised the Flier- more weapons were inside, and the in-built driver said; Intruder alert!- And begin to rise the Flier up. Niete stomped on the guidance system, locking it to manual override. He descended with the Flier, while a siren was resounding- the alarm against burglars was on- but the Flier could not be driven away by the in-built Driver in any way. Niete seats with his back against the wall of the edifice- he was utterly tired. Twenty minutes later, his Flier arrives and after a swift landing, the ABCs arrives to his side, caressing him. What happened, love?- ABC 072 asked him. This is the rest of the gang, I presume. Not in any other way they could had arrived here and ready to fight.- Niete said, indicating the heap of guns at his side. You probably are right. Why that Flier is on with the alarm resounding?- ABC 30 asked him. The in-built Driver tried to leave the premises, but I was inside and put the machine in manual! Now try to stop that wailing!- Niete asked her- ABC 30 went there and almost instantly the alarm sound was in silence. More bodies to the dinosaurs! This time will be easier! We know where theres a bunch of hungry Cryolophosaurus.- ABC 072 said. Both e-ladies take those bodies inside the robbers Flier, and ABC 30 departed alone in it. ABC 072 said: Henrietta is waiting 20 kilometers away and to the west. I told her to wait until told. 67 While we clean this mess?- Niete asked, still seated on the floor. Not you, love! Only me. You are tired- the operation was not a joke- several days for you to recover fully! Wait there until I clean this place to its former glory.- ABC 072 said with a smile. The only glory here is you- nice girl!- Niete puffed out. Later, she takes him in her arms and carried him to a seat in front of the dinner table; she put his LASER rifle and two guns in front of him, saying: This is in case more visitors could come with bad intentions.

Hope they didnt come.- He said, looking how quickly she cleans everything at super speed. Then, the Henriettas flier descended and she appeared, hugging him with her face full of tears. My loved one! Pity you had to pass through all of this! Im so sorry that I dont envision this could happen! I should have hired two or three Natural bodyguards for your safety. He kissed her and said: Im happy that you care! But you know I dislike Natural people around. Try to find me several e-men with tampered first law of robotics. Henrietta embraces him and said: its highly illegal in these days, dear! If they caught you with one of us modified in such a way, you end up in jail. ABC 072 approaches them and said: there are some alternatives. Such as?- Niete grew interested. Such as robotoids, mechanical beings- metallic most of their parts, but with a decent brain to do their jobs and obey. And there are some beasts- modified- those only for outdoor uses.- ABC 072 informed him. 68 I prefer robotoids. Animals are hard to tame and Im not in the mood to see them around.- Niete said, remembering the cat. The Synthetics takes the prostrated Assistants and carried them to Henriettas airship. She said: They are going to Easy People Company. They will ask about the malfunction- you just tell them it was a ray, which happens to fall near them while on the field. In such a way, youll be under the warranty, and not paying a coin.- ABC 072 indicates. I find it right. And I want the works on the right wing commencing soon, as well as the cabin in the woods.- And he realizes the other project was forgotten. I have the new location on screen! Do you want to see it?- ABC 072 said, and using her palm she shows him the surrounding area as well. It appears acceptable! Start with a cabin! Ill move there- this place is known by the evil fellows they could try to revenge.- Niete said. Ill call a Company that boasted they could build even in the Poles! It will cost you 500.000 Credits.- ABC 072 said. Ill pay. Just do it.- Niete said, who was already claustrophobic in there. Fifteen days of waiting and three lonely trips to the site, the cabin was ready to be occupied. Niete also had a trigger happy- a weapon capable of to shoot small steel balls to a distance of 200 meters at 900 kilometers per hour- at night, the weapon was set on 69 Automatic and Niete could heard it firing to small dinosaurs scavenging at night with a smile of content- the ones he saw at the screen were Compsognathus who escaped when being hit. He realizes it would be working with similar effects on men. The cabin has three rooms and a bath. The water was provided by a tank with a capacity of 500 liters. The works at the Hotel will begin tomorrow, my love! We hired a good Company- not the one who built this cabin.- ABC 072 said. And I like it! This site is wonderful! Guess tomorrow well go swimming.- He said, knowing about a lake that was waiting less than a kilometer away. At the cabin, Niete went to bed with beautiful ABC 072; two Synthetic Assistants were at the hall, and two other in the outside- they had LASER rifles, and they were on the lookout for dangerous animals. Twice that night scavengers were repelled by the Trigger Happy weapon, just like a dog is repelled by a boy hurling pebbles at his rump.

Niete awakes at 8.10 hours, and after breakfast, went to the lake. The Assistants closed the door, and walked ahead of Niete and his new fiance- ABC 30 was now helping Henrietta at the factory, that was providing merchandise to clients and also for two shops Niete had opened : one at Oredloro and the other at Oxiborion. Niete just signed papers when necessary- his Synthetics did all the work for him. The lake was three kilometers long and two kilometers wide, and it has the figure of an eight. 70 The weather in that day was perfect to go swimming, but first the Assistants looks around for dangerous animals- there were Ankylosaurs *2 to the left, and Scelidosaurus to the right- none of them meat eaters, so the Assistant said: No danger over the water, but just take care when we call you, Niete. Niete looked at them- they resemble travelers, with small pants and blouses in soft colors. The water was warm and there was sand to walk- he swim with ABC 072 for a while, and they return to the solid ground after an hour. The Assistants were on the look out, and smiled to them. Nice weather! This place is heaven!- Niete said, taking some orange juice from a glass ABC 072 gives him. One of your sons is asking for you.- ABC 072 said. Let me see him!- He said, and through the holograph she has on the palm of her hand, he could communicate with the Nursery where his sons were at that moment. The small boy smiled when he saw his figure through the holographic set. We could bring them here?- He asked, after 20 minutes of smiles and small words uttered to the small boy. No, my love! They are too small to be in this place! You, by the other hand, could to there visiting them.- ABC 072 said. Where, at the Nursery?Yes! You could sleep on your factory office! Remember that you have there a place where to stay.- ABC 072 said. 71 Well, let us prepare all for my trip there! Call the Flier- well be going to Oxiborion.Niete decided. That same day they traveled to Oxiborion while Henrietta and ABC 30 clean and upgrade the apartment for Niete-he went in the Flier to the Nursery, and visited his five sons. They were healthy and awake- he departed with them until 20 hours. I see they are well kept. Ill be here tomorrow, to spend the day with them at some place you should rent me.- He said to the person in charge of the children. Of course, Sir, we have a nice place where parents could be with their sons; also a Cafeteria, so you could eat here if you dont want to went out searching for food.- The Synthetic nurse said. A document was shown to him before he went out. It was the names and other facts about his sons and daughters on that place, and it says: Names of the sons and daughters of Mr. Niete Hang on Sunrise Nursery: Habe Hang Eight months 3 kilograms Verloben Hang Eight months 3,3 kilograms Trepp Hang Seven months 2.4 kilograms Gewinde Hang Seven months 22 kilograms Thymian Hang Six months 19 kilograms

ABC 072 said to Niete: I love Thymian! Is just like you. ABC 30 said: I love Gewinde and Trepp! Beautiful. I love all of them!- Henrietta said. Niete went to visit his new bigger shop, and he was happy to see lots of clients; the place was well located, with white tiles and plenty of air and light. He was with AB 6324, the General Manager there, on her office- it was a brunette with a delightful alien accent. I was make here, Sir, but with imported parts from Vulcan.- She said. Nice to see you. Tell me about how many people works in here, and the amount of monthly sells you expect to do.- Niete asked of AB 6324. They work here sixty three employees- all of them Synthetic persons, as I know you prefer.- AB 6324 answered. Yes, I prefer your kind. Eight of them are guards. They use stun guns and if the delinquent is caught, he is retained until the Police arrive. We dont press charges, we dont need hate from robbers, but we delivered them to the Police- the Judge determinate if they are freed of charges or if the person goes to jail when there are some other acts of the same kind.AB 6324 explained. Nice and clean.- Niete said, smiling to them, as ABC 072, AB 6324 and two other Assistants were present. 72 So you like how we decorate and set the shop in function?- ABC 072 asked him, pressing his arm. Yes, of course! And well be celebrating- the whole lot who is here now! I will not accept excuses!- Niete said, smiling. Soon they were traveling in one of the Factory fliers- a green wagon with the logotype at the side- a star with six rays in red color, on a blue square.) They descended in one of the buildings at the rich side of Oxiborion, and went to dance and drink (Niete only) a little. After 2 hours there, they return to the factory, landing on the platform atop the building. The factory has guards hired from a Organization that keeps the security on factories and hotels- they were dressed in dark blue and were all Naturals. 73 At his office, Niete said: The Assistants of our shop downtown, where they spent the night? ABC 072 said: At the same shop, love. They had pods where they are released of any bacteria and molecule of dust they could had. The pods also scanned them for any malfunction, and if a failure is found, she is sent to the Easy People Company, where he is repaired. Right. Well, I want them here. Are there Guards on that shop? The ones provided by the site its located.- ABC 072 replied. I want this guys we had here to see theres no burglaries there. It will cost you a hundred thousand Credits a month. And have we any insurance against robbery there? Yes, love. The cost is 38.000 Credits per month. I see. Lets sent here half those Synthetics and forget about to sign a contract with the Security Agency we have here. I think the insurance and the guards the building is providing at the new shop will be enough.- Niete said. Do you want to expel the ones in here too?- ABC 072 asked him. Not by now.

Do you want the half number of Assistants at the new shop to arrive here in the next hour?- AB 6324 asked him with a delightful voice. Yes: choose the ones with no executive jobs to remind there- I want the executive staff first.- Niete said. The executive staff means the ten per cent of the total number of employees, so the other forty per cent will be filled with the ones with common occupation. Is that suitable for you?- AB6324 asked him. Yes, and after some time, well be having them all- one week a group and then another- I want to know them all, in a way.- Niete said, smiling, and went to sleepduring his sleep the Fliers come and go, bringing the half number of Assistants he ordered to be brought to his suite. 74 He awake at 03 hours in the morning. His bedroom was full of silent E-people, and among them it was ABC 072. Good that you awoke, love. Your order is completed. Your suite or apartment here has thirty two e-persons, all from the new shop. Here in this room you have ten E-women and ten in the next room- thirteen others are at the hall. And theres almost no sound!- Niete said, looking at them with delight, because they were perfect women and they all were smiling and their eyes were beautiful to look. They were dressed 75 In the green uniform he knew before. Im happy to have you all at my home.- He said. The General Manager was close to him and she said: We open the shop at nine oclock, but we must be there at eight.The transporter could be a good solution to carry them there, love, but as we dont have that device, Im thinking in to sent them all at six thirty hours- they could travel in a wagon flier.- ABC 072 said. How many Wagon fliers do we have?- Niete asked her. Four. Sent them in two wagon Fliers. One accident and we could loose them all!- Niete said. And at which hour do you want them here, at closing time?- The General Manager asked him. Yes, immediately after the close of that shop. One by one you all will talk with me, and I want to be some kind of a friend for you all.- Niete said, addressing them all. They begin approaching him and after some talk, he begin kissing the one in front of him; then the next and the next, with them all he did the talking and the kissing. Soon it was time for them to go, and they went out of there laughing and smiling to each others. When alone with ABC 072, Niete said:I love them all! and she said: You amazed us, too! How could you have love for all of us? I need you to know me better!- He said, kissing her. Then, she said: Theres no need you talk with them one by one- when you speak to me, they all are hearing, and that goes for every one of us. We could share memories no matter if you dont touch us all.- ABC 072 explained. Niete rejected the idea and said: this is my opportunity to be loved by many delightful women! You are not taking me that pleasure with your reasoning! I dont intend to do it.- She said, embarrassed to see him raging. Four months was the time he spent there making himself some kind of a Pasha- the women was there at his will, and as they were working as usual, the money at his Bank

account gets increased tenfold. Then, a day comes when ABC 072 said: My love: the Hotel is finished, do you want to see it on the holographic set before you go? Not at this moment!- He said, as he was busy with AB 6324, who was moaning. After a while, he moves to ABC 072 and said: The Hotel is ready and what about my cabin on the mountains? It is ready too, love! It is finished but the water supply is not yet installed.- ABC 072 said. Mon amour, come to me!- AB 6324 said, touching his arm. In a moment! This general manager loves to speak in archaic languages! Well, prepare a wagon flier: I want to visit the place with you and AB 6324; the rest of the Assistants and the people at the shop too: sent them in the wagon Fliers to Island 20! I want them all for a period of two days. Well have a ball!- He said, chuckling he had that idea in storage since the time he was in Oxiborion. ABC 072 communicates the news to all the rest, which were happy with the idea of to leave town and visit a far away place at least for two days. Niete arrives to the Island with weaponry and the first android robot he bought for his personal defense- it was a fragile looking biped, with no resemblance with a human, but capable of the throw great discharges of electricity using small plasma balls. He seats a the dinner table, while he waits for the food to be served. The robot, three meters tall, was at the door, looking out to the 77 Open fields. That guy over there seems to be efficient, but apart from videos, I hadnt seen fighting anyone.- He said to the General manager of the new shop, who smiled and blinking quick she said: Oh, bien sur, mon amour! I think here hell find some dinosaur with whom to fight! Do you think he is an AB synthetic creature, as they told me?- Niete asked her, who had a big bosom. Who knows? He does not have a radio!- She laughed. That robot was made by Vachin, the mathematician. I guess you dont know him?He asked her. I did, Cherie! Remember I can read other peoples minds! By way of? She kissed him lightly. The radio?- He said, after that caress. The radio, bien sur! With monsieur Vachin, all could happen! He is eighty two years old, but of course, has a regiment, an Army of Assistants! And a wonderful thinking machine- they say he found it on the bottom of the sea! Do you believe that?- The general manager asked him. *4 I dont know! But well try this invention tomorrow! Well visit some terrain where dangerous creatures inhabit.- Niete said. Beware, monsieur! Just remember the cost of that thin person!- AB 6324 said, as the General Manager was well aware the elusive Professor Vachin sold his creations in high prices- ever! Niete remembered the mechanic man costs him 600.000 Credits! With the same amount, he was able to buy a first generation Synthetic AB on the market. That day he was not expecting the arrival of the employees of the shop- that was going to happen after two more days in the future. Niete danced with three Synthetic that evening: AB6324m ABC 072 and ABC 30, that were good dancers; the rest of the Electronic females were busy looking at them. You dance like an angel!- Niete said to AB 6324.

Oh, you said the same phrase to every one of us!- She said, smiling. Must be true, then! You also are beautiful.- He said, caressing her while she danced. After her, ABC 072 danced with him and said: You are sweating, love! Yes! Its hot in here, but I prefer to have the calefaction working instead of to suffer the cold atmosphere we have outdoors.- Niete explained. With ABC 30 dances a slower rhythm and she was kissing him a lot. She then said: Hope we could sleep together tonight! Of course! You and AB 072 and the Madame AB 6324! Ill begin sleeping with three different e-ladies each night, while we are here.- He said, laughing. Just sleeping?- She murmured in his ear. Of course not! I must enjoy life! Who knows whats there in the future, standing like a black rock or a bloody vulture in the middle of the road? Wish I could know how many more years I gained with the last operation ABC 072 performed in my body. Did I ask her? Ask her now.- Niete replied. Eighty three years more.- ABC 30 said. Well, a lot more!- He said, thinking in his future like a long road to be walked. After dancing, he went with the three damsels to his big bed and stayed there until the next morning. AB 6324 offered him a glass of milk and some biscuits as a breakfast. 79 Thanks you, darling! We must prepare the wagon Flier, to carry our mechanical friend to burn some dinosaurs! Why are you so tragic? The dinosaurs are meat for your consumption!- AB 6324 said. ABC 30 said: You are joking, eh? We are ready to depart! The mechanical friend is now walking inside the Flier! Let me find a LASER rifle and well be going.- Niete said, taking from under the bed is old but still charged LASER rifle. At the wagon Flier, the mechanical robot was strapped to a chair, but standing- his head almost touching the ceiling. This guy didnt talk! He only recognizes friends from foes!- Niete said, seating on a chair. Its cold, love! You must to put this overcoat!- ABC 072 said, offering him that garment. Thanks! There are lots of air currents in here.- Niete acknowledged, and the Driver said: The door is shut, engines are starting and soon there will be 20 Centigrade in here, Sir. How much time for the selected point of descent?- Niete asked him. Twenty six minutes, Sir, at 832 kilometers per hour.- The Driver said. Well be a silver bullet in the sky! I like this.- Niete said, thinking where his new 83 years of life will stand, if the vehicle fails and went to the ground. But the vehicle stands, and they descended in a prairie, surrounded by a forest at three sides, while the fourth side was a mountain. The big Riojasaurus were there in numbers. Soon ABC 072 80 Gives the voice of alert, saying: There! Coming from the foothill! That gray figure! Niete looked there with binoculars (at simple sight it was like an ant) and he discovers a Cryolophosaurus. Cryolophosaurus!- He murmured, remembering in which kind of a meat eater that animal it was.

You will protect the herbivores against the meat eater?- ABC 072 asked him, touching his arm. Yes, of course! This robot will do as I said.- Niete expressed, and signaling to the Cryolophosaurus, he said: That beast is dangerous! Go there and try to scare it, so he went somewhere else! But if you must to shoot at him, do it!- And the robot makes a sound like a cricket and departed, walking like a puppet and shining like a silver coin. He walks stiffly. I bet 20 minutes hell take before his arrival close to the Cryolophosaurus!- AB 6324 said. Wish he could do it! Or you will loose money.- AB 072 said to Niete. The robot went under some vegetation and was not seen before he begin climbing the hill- by tat time, the Cryolophosaurus was near a female Riojasaurus, with two calves of the same species. This robot takes a lot of time walking! Professor Vachin should had ensemble him with wheels!- AB 30 said, nervously. The first plasma ball was thrown and it looked like a ball of magnesium. The Cryolophosaurus bellowed- just a tiny sound was heard at the distance- and then a second ball hits the dinosaur, that finds in the flimsy robot its antagonist, so he simply charges- Because in front of any attack against him, the Cryolophosaurus just simply charged against. The robot was seen like a simple toothpick flying away and landing on a rock. There he didnt stay long- it slides downwards 81 And that was the end of his career. You lost 700.000 Credits, love!- ABC 072 sadly said. The Cryolophosaurus charged against the female Riojasaurus, but was hit by the tail of that beast, and stumbled to the ground. Niete walked nearer, and saw when the herbivore stomped on the head and shoulders of the meat eater, that keeps still from then on. Hiding among hushes, Niete and His Assistants arrives near the bloody Cryolophosaurus, who was still breathing. Fifty meters away, AB 6324 was picking pieces from the smashed robot. Niete went there, and AB 6324 told him: Perhaps if we give the remains to Mr. Vachin he could make another version more easily. Niete looked at the smashed circuits and laughed- he realize the work to replace those circuits to full use would be as difficult as to make a new robot, but said nothing. The mother Riojasaurus pushed both calves away from the Cryolophosaurus, and soon they were grazing far to the opposite side. The Cryolophosaurus was breathing now with much difficulty, so Niete fired against his eyes, trying to find the way to the small but cunning brain We will use his meat! Our Assistants will see to that!- ABC 072 said, calling for the second Flier, that soon appears with the rest of the Epeople- they begin to slice and cut the beast, placing the chunks of meat on square bowls until half the creature was showing its bones. Niete said: Lets find another place to hunt!- And they leave the work to the other Epeople. They traveled to the mountain and at the foothill several Sinosaurus were waiting the nightfall to attack the Vegetarians. Bad animals! They were designed to kill.- Niete said. Obviously they kill the weak and the old.- ABC 072 said. But they also kill the recent born and the small calf!- Niete expressed his anger. 82

So they control the populace. Too many herbivores could devastate the vegetation of the forest.- ABC 072 explained. Niete was certain she has right- hundred of millions of years with this same scheme was found correct by reality. But to his sense of justice, it was not. Your species kill to eat. They are the new meat eaters! - ABC 072 said. I dont defend my species. We are the new kids on the block, using brains to defeat Nature. Who knows in which dead end we are going to stop? We cannot live for ever, and eventually we are going to disappear. All this schemes running to some point in the future should mean something and perhaps there is no meaning!- Niete said, taking films with his camera. Are you going to sent the pieces to the Professor? Call him and invite him here. Perhaps he could design something new, while looking at these beasts.- Niete said. Ten minutes later, ABC 072 said: He is at a Convention, and accepted to come here with one condition. Money? Not yet! He asked you to attend the three last days of his lectures on the Oredloro University, from eight to eleven in the morning.- ABC072 said. Attend his lectures about what? :He is talking about History and Sciences.- ABC 072 informed him. Sciences. Ill be there. See to it. I want a place near the University to stay those three days. And you are going with me, AB 6324 and choose other two e-persons- I want you to carry dissuasive weapons like spray and electroshock providers. Where there are people theres trouble.- Niete said. All right, love! Guess we can go shopping, when not at the Convention.- AB 6324 propose. Of course, darling. Clothes, perfumes, and jewels for you and the others.- Niete said, and ABC 072 gives him a long kiss for that. 83 The hotel was superb with all the new comfort society could bring- computerized machines to open doors automatically, elevators who asked where you want to go, food processors offering alien meals, digitally locked doors, Assistants for every floor, air conditioning, water beds, air showers, dimmers, polarized windows, fruits and flowers in every suite, rugs over the floor, paintings on the walls, mirrors and adornments in halls and at the first rooms, holographic sets as the norm, dry cleaning services, service to the room, and in some suites there was 0 gravity bedrooms.. Nice bed.- He said, patting it- the covers were damask colored, the sheets made of silk, and the lights shines with silver hues. There were wide windows and Niete looked at himself there- on a wide mirror- surrounded by those beautiful pseudo women. Now he looks like a man in his forties, with brown hair and the old man that he was before the medical intervention was gone. A small man in red uniform knocks at the door and ABC 072 attended him: What do you want, bellboy? To tell Mr. Niete the lecture of Professor Vachin is about to begin. Your seats are numbered.- The midget said, standing there in the threshold of the door, so ABC 072 asked: Are you here to guide us? Yes, lady. Im Rumps, your Assistant while you are here.- The bellboy said. Niete approaches him and said: I wonder if your height is a meter? Sixty seven centimeters, Sir. Natural or Synthetic person are you?

Synthetic person, Sir. My serial number is AC 03 and the series is AC.- He said, bowing. You are very peculiar. Are there more of your kind?- Niete asked him. A-plenty, Sir. We are the fashion for this year. Do you want to buy me? My cost is only 390.000 Credits, Sir.- The bellboy in red costume said. The price is not too incredible.- Niete said, smiling. Is it low? Incredible is not to understand, Sir.- The midget said. Incredible low.- Niete laughed, amused by the retort. We are on sale here and in the Solar System- many an old person has more help in one of us than in a pet. We can do all the shores of a house, plus cook and clean everywhere. We can dance and sing, also we know 3903 songs and dancing steps. We can amuse and help around the house, also in an office we could help with the minor tasks, and we can work where no bigger person could fit in.- The midget said, doing the auto promoting himself. Soon afterwards they were seated at the sixth row, in the center of a wide theatre with allocations for at least 800 persons, but now occupied by 58. At the stage, a chair and a desk; Professor Vachin was seated there, with two male persons, one at each side of him, and dressed in a green uniform with black hats. The desk had two lamps and the Professor had, in front of him, a stack of papers to read. One of the men in green moves a switch and a big holographic image begin to flicker at the back of the stage- it was large enough for everybody to see. The image stabilized and shows a planet orbiting a yellow sun. The professor Vachin speak, and loudspeakers carried his voice along the walls and to the end of the theatre. Pity theres nobody here.- Niete said to ABC 072. She takes his right hand in hers and said: Dont worry, dear! They are late comers! At these events, people usually arrive past the hour.

Professor Vachin : THE STORY OF NICHOLAS FLAMEL :

In alchemy one of the most interesting stories is that of Nicholas Flamel (1330-1418), the most celebrated of France's adepts, and I am accordingly giving in his own words the account of the discovery which proved be the turning point in his life:

'I, Nicholas Flamel, Scrivener, living in Paris in the year of our Lord 1399 in the Notary Street, near St. James of the Boucherie, though I learned not much Latin, because of the poverty of my parents who, notwithstanding, were even by those who envy me most, accounted honest and good people: yet by the blessing of God I have not wanted an understanding of the books of the philosophers, but learned them and attained to a certain kind of knowledge, even of their hidden secrets. For which cause's sake, there shall not any moment of my life pass wherein, remembering this so vast good, I will not render thanks to this my good and gracious God. After the death of my parents, I Nicholas Flamel, got my living by the art of writing, engrossing and the like, and in the course of time there fell into my hands a gilded book, very old and large, which cost me only two florins. It was not made of paper or parchment as other books are, but of admirable rinds, as it seemed to me, of young trees; the cover of it was brass, well bound, and graven all over with a strange sort of letters, which I took to be Greek characters, or some such like. This I know, that I could not read them; but as to the matter that was written within, it was engraved, as I suppose, with an iron pencil, or graven upon the said bark leaves; done admirably well, and in fair neat Latin letters, and curiously colored. 'The book contained thrice seven leaves, so numbered at the top of each folio, every seventh leaf having painted images and figures instead of writing. On the first of these seven leaves there was depicted a virgin who was being swallowed by serpents; on the second a Cross upon which a serpent was crucified; on the last a wilderness watered by many fair fountains, out of which came a number of serpents, running here and there. On the first written leaf the following words were inscribed in great characters of gold "Abraham the Jew, Prince, Priest, Levite, Astrologer and Philosopher, unto the Jewish nation scattered through France by the wrath of God, wishing health in the name of the God of Israel. Thereafter followed great execrations and maledictions, with the word Maranatha repeated over and over, poured forth against anyone who should glance within, unless he were priest or scribe. The person who sold me this book must have known its value as much and as little as I who bought it. My suspicion is that it was either stolen from the miserable Jews or found hidden somewhere in the old place of their abode. On the second leaf the said Abraham consoled his people, praying them to avoid vices and idolatry more than all and await with patience the Messiah to come, who would vanquish all kings of the earth and thereafter reign, with those who were his own, in eternal glory. Without doubt this Abraham was a man of great understanding. On the third and rest of the written leaves he taught them the transmutation of metals in plain words, to help his captive nation in paying tribute to Roman Emperors and for other objects which I shall not disclose. He painted the vessels on the margin, discovered the colors, with all the rest of the work, but concerning the Prime Agent he uttered no word, advising them only that he had figured and emblazoned it with great care in the fourth and fifth leaves. But all his skill notwithstanding, no one could interpret the designs unless he was far advanced in Jewish kabala and well studied in the book of the Philosophers. It follows that the fourth and fifth leaves were also without writing but full of illuminated figures exquisitely designed. On the obverse of the fourth leaf there was shown a young man with winged feet having in his hand a caducean rod, encompassed by two serpents, and with this he stroke upon a helmet which covered his head. I took him to represent the Greek God Mercury. Unto

him came running and flying with open wings a very old man, having an hour glass set upon his head and a scythe in his hands, like the figure of death, with which scythe he would have struck off the feet of Mercury. On the reverse of the fourth leaf a fair flower was depicted on the summit of a very high mountain, round which the North wind blustered. The plant had a blue stem, white and red flowers, leaves shining like fine gold, while about it the dragons and griffins of the North made their nests and their dwellings. On the obverse side of the fifth leaf there was a rose bush in flowers, in the midst of a fair garden, and growing hard by a hollow oak tree. At the foot bubbled forth a spring of very white water, which ran headlong into the depths below, passing first through the hands of a great concourse of people who were digging up the ground in search of it, save one person only, who paid attention to its weight. On the reverse side appeared a king carrying a great faulchion who caused his soldiers to destroy in his presence a multitude of little children, the mothers weeping at the feet of the murderers. The streams of blood were gathered by other soldiers into a great vessel, wherein the sun and moon bathe. Now, seeing that the history appeared to depict the slaughter of the innocents by Herod, and that I learned the main part of the Art in this book, it came about that I placed in their cemetery these hieroglyphic symbols of the Sacred Science. 'I have now described the content of the first five leaves, but I shall say nothing of all that was written in fair and intelligible Latin on the other pages, lest God should visit me for a greater wickedness than that of him who wished that all mankind had but one head so that he could cut it oft at a blow. The precious book being in my possession I did little but study it night and day till I attained a fair understanding of all its processes, knowing nothing, however, respecting the matter of the work. I could therefore make no beginning and the result was that I became very sad and depressed. My wife Peronelle, whom I had married recently and loved as much as myself, was astonished and concerned greatly, endeavoring to comfort me and desiring earnestly to know whether she could not help me in my distress. I was never one who could hold his tongue and not only told her everything but showed her the book itself, for which she conceived the same affection as my own, taking great delight in the beautiful cover, the pictures and inscriptions, all of which she understood as little as I did. There was no small consolation, however, in talking with her about them and in wondering what could be done to discover their meaning. At length I caused the figures on the fourth and fifth leaves to be painted as well as I could and had them put up in my workroom, where I shewed them to many scholars in Paris; but these also could throw no light upon them. I went so far as to tell them that they had been found in a book about the Philosophers' Stone, but most of them made a mock of it and also of me. An exception however was one named Anselm, a licentiate of medicine and a deep student of the Art. He desired earnestly to see my book and would have done anything to have his way in the matter, but I persisted in saying that it was not in my possession, though I gave him a full account of the process described therein. 'He declared that the first figures represented time, which devours all things, while the six written leaves shewed that a space of six years was required to perfect the Stone, after which there must be no further coction. When I pointed out that according to the book the figures were designed to teach the First Matter he answered that the six years coction was like a second agent; that as regards the first it was certainly shewn forth as a white and heavy water, which was doubtless quicksilver. The feet of this substance could not be cut off, meaning that it could not be fixed and so deprived of volatility except by such long decoction in the pure blood of young children. The quicksilver

uniting with gold and silver in this blood would change with them, firstly into a herb like that of the fair flower on the reverse of the fourth leaf, secondly by corruption into serpents, which serpents, being dried and digested by fire, would become Powder of Gold, and of such in truth is the Stone. This explanation sent me astray through a labyrinth of innumerable false processes for a period of one and twenty years, it being always understood that I made no experiments with the blood of children, for that I accounted villainous. Moreover, I found in my book that what the philosophers called blood is the mineral spirit in metals, more especially in gold, silver and quicksilver to the admixture of which I tended always. The licentiate's interpretation being more subtle than true, my processes never exhibited the proper signs at the times given in the book, so I was ever to begin again. At last, however, having lost all hope of understanding the figures, I made a vow to God and St. James that I would seek their key of some Jewish priest belonging to one of the Spanish synagogues. Thereupon, with the consent of Peronelle and carrying a copy of the figures, I assumed a pilgrim's weeds and staff, in the same manner as you see me depicted outside the said arch in the said churchyard where I put up the hieroglyphic figures, as also a procession representing on both sides of the wall and successive colors of the Stone which arise and pass off in the work, and the following inscription in French: "A procession is pleasing to God when it is done in devotion." These are the first words, or their equivalent, of a tract on the colors of the Stone by the King Hercules, entitled Iris, which opens thus "Operis Processio Multum Naturae Placet." I quote them for the benefit of scholars, who will understand the allusion. Having donned my pilgrim's weeds, I began to fare on the road, reaching Mountjoy and finally my destination at St. James, where I fulfilled my vow with great devotion. On the return journey I met with a merchant of Boulogne in Leon, and to him I was indebted for acquaintance with Master Candies, a doctor of great learning who was Jewish by nation but now a Christian. When I shewed him my copy of the figures he was ravished with wonder and joy, and asked with great earnestness whether I could give him news of the book from which they were taken. He spoke in Latin and I answered in the same language that if anyone could decipher the enigma there was good hope of learning its whereabouts. He began at once to decipher the beginning. 'To shorten this part of the story he had heard much talk of the work but as of a thing that was utterly lost. I resumed my journey in his company, proceeding from Leon to Ovideo and thence to Sareson, at which port we set sail for France and arrived in due time, after a prosperous voyage. On our way to Paris my companion most truly interpreted the major or part of my figures, in which he found great mysteries, even to the points and pricks. But unhappily when we reached Orleans this learned man fell sick and was afflicted with extreme vomiting, a recurrence of those from which he had suffered at sea. He was continually in fear of my leaving him, and though I was ever at his side he would still be calling me. To my great sorrow he died on the seventh day, and to the best of my ability I saw that he was buried in the Church of Holy Cross at Orleans. There he still lies, and may God keep his soul, seeing that he made a good Christian end. He who would see the manner of my arrival home and the satisfaction of Peronelle may look on us both as we are painted on the door of. the Chapel of St. James of the Boucherie hard by my house. We are shewn on our knees, myself at the feet of St. James of Spain and she at those of St. John, to whom she prayed so often. By the grace

of God and the intercession of the Holy and Blessed Virgin, as also of the Saints just mentioned, I had gained that which I desired, being a knowledge of the First Matter, but not as yet of its initial preparation, a thing of all else most difficult in the world. In the end, however, I attained this also, after errors innumerable through the space of some three years, during which I did nothing but study and work as you will see me depicted outside the arch at the Chapel of St. James and St. John, ever praying to God rosary in hand, engrossed in a book, pondering the words of the philosophers and proving various operations suggested by their study. The fact of my success was revealed to me by the strong odor, and thereafter I accomplished the mastery with ease indeed I could scarcely miss the work had I wished, given a knowledge of the prime agents, their preparation and following my book to the letter. On the first occasion projection was made upon Mercury, of which I transmuted a half pound or thereabouts into pure silver, better than that of the mine, as I and others proved by assaying several times. This was done on a certain Monday, the seventeenth day of January 1392, Peronelle only being present. Thereafter, still following--word for word--the directions of my book, about five o'clock in the evening of the twenty-fifth day of the following April I made projection of the Red stone on the same amount of Mercury, still at my own house, Peronelle and no other with me, and it was duly transmuted into the same quantity of pure gold, much better than that of the ordinary metal, softer and more pliable. I speak in all truth. I have made it three times, with the aid of Peronelle, for she helped me in all my operations and understood the subject as well as myself. She could have done it alone without doubt, had she desired, and would have brought it to the same term. The first occasion gave me all that I needed, but I took great delight in contemplating the wonderful works of Nature within the vessels, and to signify that I made three transmutations you have only to look at the arch and the three furnaces depicted thereupon, answering to those which served in our operations. Towards the end of the year 1413, after the passing of my faithful companion, whom I shall lament all the days of my life, she and I had already founded and endowed fourteen hospitals, had built three Chapels and provided seven Churches with substantial gifts and revenues, as well as restoring their cemeteries.' Nicholas Flamel died eventually in 1415 at the age of one hundred and sixteen years. Some evidence of his house, dating from 1407, is still to be seen in the building of 51, rue de Montmorency in Paris, and in the Muse de Cluny there is an inscribed tablet from his tomb in the old Church of St. Jaques-la-Boucherie, now demolished. This tablet, which is quite unique, had an interesting and somewhat chequered career. Lost for many years, after the demolition of St. Jacques-laBoucherie in 1717, it was eventually found in a shop in the rue des Arias, where the owner, a greengrocer and herbalist, had been using the smooth marble back as a chopping block for his herbs. The tablet itself measures 58 x 45 centimeters, and is four centimeters thick. At the top is a carved representation of Christ, St. Peter, and St. Paul, and the inscription records that Nicholas Flamel, formerly a scrivener, left certain moneys and properties for religious and charitable purposes, including gifts to churches and hospitals in Paris. I have retailed this account of Flamel's experiences in full as it seems to me to be of no mean interest, despite the fact that certain authorities have doubted its veracity. My own feeling about it is that the history is a true one; that the book of Abraham the Jew to

which Flamel refers is evidently an allegorical writing of the whole process, and that the corresponding pictures are, to anyone versed in alchemical language, representative of the different phases of the work. Some writers and critics, certainly, have held these allegories up to ridicule as the outpourings of religious visionaries, but here I think they demonstrate their ignorance of the whole process. One of the greatest proofs of the truth of this history is, in my opinion, the point at which Flamel refers to the attainment of the First Matter. Of this he says 'The fact of my success was revealed to me by the strong odor,' and this fact I myself have demonstrated in the laboratory; the odor is unmistakable, and the gas of such a volatile nature that it pervades the whole house. In the theoretical and practical sections I shall refer to this more fully now: with the aid of atomic bombardment is very well known to produce gold in small quantities, and if in the beginning of the atomic era this was expensive to produce, nowadays gold is not more valuable than aluminum or steel, but the method used by Flamel was in no way complicated with too much science and expenses. This was the end of the lecture, and everybody applauded after the two men with black hats, who knew where his lecture ends. People asked questions and Niete went to the desk only to say hello. Professor Vachin heard his name and raises his left brow in a question mark- ABC 072 explains: He is the famous inventor Mr. Niete! You accept his invitation to be at Island 20 only if he attended your lectures. The professor Vachin said: I dont remember. One of his Assistants said: I answered him through your guidance, Professor. I am sure you will be at his place as soon as your other activities permits it. The face of professor Vachin illuminates and said: Yes! Now I remember. Have a little patience, now! I am sure Im going to visit you at that island.- And then he attends another person. Niete went out of that theatre saying: I guess he is not going there! His memory is caput! ABC 072 smiled and taking him by the hand, she said: This people is guided now by their Assistants! I also talked with them, while we were there, and AB 6321 said to me: Dont worry: hell be at Island 20 in less than a dozen days more! A two days visit! Be sure your owner has the correct questions to do it while he is there! Do you hear me? Hell be at your Hotel in time. Niete smiled and said: I guess I must complete the three days of lectures, or could we just go now that he is already committed? No, lover! You must keep on attending, or the Synthetic assistants will notice you are not there anymore!- ABC 072 said instantly. Well, how many people was there attending his lecture, anyhow?- Niete asked her. Eight hundred and thirty seven persons through direct Holographic system, a hundred and four at the theatre, and perhaps a million more will receive his lectures as files to see afterwards. The man has good reputation at the scientific level.- ABC 072 remarked. The power of the Media! But I guess at the music presentations people attend by the thousands!- Niete said, smiling ironically. Young people attend music shows to get fun, know each others and to have something for to talk later! They ask one another: you were at Lillian presentation? And if the young person didnt attend, its like he lacks youth or initiative! Very different it is to come here talking an old professor about things you easily can find on the holographic set!- ABC 072 explained to the open mouthed Niete- who recognized he almost knew everything she was referring to , but lacks the luster that e-woman put on her speech.

Niete finds a Canteen at the street, and at a table he asks a beer and a sandwich for himthe ladies just stared. The lecture of Mr. Vashin was out of date- why he talked about old ancient chemistry? The old chemistry is almost unknown to modern man- so full of mystery and hush hush that nobody understands a thing of it.- He said. The initial movement in favor of sciences here in Knapp was alchemy. They were, as in Earth, believing in mystical powers, the power of the Word.- ABC 072 said, touching his arm. Yeah, pure bullshit.- Niete said, now he had the beer on his system, he was more bold There is the factory waiting or do you prefer to go to some other place?- AB 30 asked him. Lets pay a visit to Henrietta- tell her we are coming.- Niete said, paying the consumption and going out for the fresh air. They arrive to the factory in a taxi Flier; they descended in a wide square, where other Fliers and Wagon Fliers were landed. Big and shiny. I love tidiness.- He said, walking through the open field- then Henrietta appears walking to meet him; she hugged him and said: You remember you had a factory? It was ABC 30 who reminded me of this.- He said, smiling- Henrietta was using a nice pink dress with a pale brown sweater- she looks fantastic. Your office is waiting! I remodeled it- perhaps you get hungry with me?- Henrietta said, taking his hand. No, I cannot get angry with someone so beautiful as you.- He said, kissing her cheek; she said in his ear: I guess we can sleep together tonight? Yes, Ill stay here- Im here attending the lectures of some professor- I want him at my Hotel, to see if he could devise a good anti-burglar system, or perhaps a war toy.- Niete said. I am sure he could do it! Its Mr. Vachin- I had read about him- plenty of work in his youth- for the government! Now he is almost retired and living on memories.Henrietta said. The same thing I guessed when I set eyes on the man- perhaps he still retains a spark of genius in his old mind.- He said, going inside the office- it was shining with new appliances, a new plastic desk in dark red, and lights on balls of glass. Good- I like it.- He said to Henrietta, who shines with happiness. ABC 072 said: Wish I could help Henrietta with the finances- could I peek on the numbers? Yes, you could._ Henrietta said, walking out with her. At the corridor, ABC 072 said: I assume you are sleeping with him tonight? Yes, he said he will._ Henrietta said. In that case, I prefer not to attend the meeting- if you know what Im saying. Ill be at the next room.- ABC 072 said. Jealous of me? I wasnt jealous of you.- Henrietta said. Its not jealousy.- She said, but it was. Then, she was all afternoon revising numbers and finding some flaws, that were solved after Henrietta realize the errors and make amends. The factory was working with only Synthetic humanoids, so there was no stop to the work- fortunately, Henrietta had made adjustments to Nietes office and the annexed rooms, so the noise wasnt perceptible by him.

Nice rooms- new furniture! I like this.- Niete said, realizing the old style was gone, and the new style was practical and lighter than the old. Henrietta said: ABC 072 didnt want to remain on our bed, dear. She is jealous, but she said she is not. Oh, another human feeling inserted on the new models! And what she did ask to do, meanwhile?- He said, feeling his stomach revolted with the old remembering of Natural women messing with his life. She said she prefer to be at the anteroom.- Henrietta said. Well, I accept it. I cannot have a jealous woman inside our bed, didnt I ?- He said, smiling- but in his inner self, he was studying and revaluating his own behavior- this thing to be living with Ewomen as they were real women was not in the genesis of man; of course, it was easy to have mimicries doing whatever his fancy, but it was like a joke- a false emotion in both ways. That night Henrietta was happy and he was troubled- at the next day, he call his three most closest Assistants, and said: I cannot bear this any longer- I cannot have jealous woman in my life. Im not jealous.- ABC 072 said, staring at Henrietta. Very well, Henrietta, call on the Easypeople- I want them here on the double.- He said, thinking that the lecture with Mr. Vachin was in less than two hours- an hour and a half later, the Wagon Flier from the Easypeople arrives to the Factory, and Mr. Tushin walked down the ladder, saying to Niete: Im a natural: my name is Tushin! Glad to know you , Mr. Niete! So you have some trouble with one of our models? The man was tall and robust, and Niete guided him to his office; there they keep talking. Yes, I remember you but you seems to have forgotten of me! Do you remember Island 20?- Niete asked him. Of course- you were there- sorry about my memory.- Tushin said, handshaking him. I have jealousy in one of the recent models I bought to your organization. Its model ABC 072.- Niete said. Tushin scratches his head and said: I cannot remember if they have that feeling among the improvements- of course, you want it to be removed?- He asked. Yes, removed! And perhaps a overhaul could be wise to do.- Niete proposed. No, these models could not be overhauled! Some minor adjustments only- let me see.And he talked with one of the several Assistants he was provided with, and then he said: No, let me tell you this, Mr. Niete: the flaw is not important, if the one is working on a factory- but I guess you go to bed with her, too? Constantly, I may say.- Niete said. Right, its your privilege, as the owner. Ill do it myself, if I could afford one of this models- fine girls and all of that. Here is what we are going to do: well give you another model the ABB model, specially designed to give pleasure- direct pleasure, I mean- and of course, with less capacity. The ABC is really something with numbers and with logical thinking. Lets say its a mechanical Einstein! But not many men could want a Einstein in his bed chamber, you know what I mean!- The man laughed. Yes, I know. I am certain the price could be less- or not?- Niete said. Yes, theres a difference in prices- of course, if your model was brand new! And it has some months of use- that mean; now her price is less than when unpacked.- Tushin said, with bright eyes. Tell me the price of a new ABB model.- Henrietta said. A million and a half Credits.

So, we have here a model ABC in 3 millions Credits, and a pleasure model ABB in 1.5 Million Credits. Now you, Niete, make the choice- remember that I Could serves you as an ABB, being better- perhaps you better buy an AB model._ Henrietta said. Niete said to Tushin: I would like to see whats wrong on her, and if theres any chance to fix it. By the moment, please sent me an AB and ABB here to see if they could be used by me- I want them two days in here, to see how they behave.- Niete said. As you are an old customer, I am sure the Administration will sent the request in here. By now, Ill take your ABC 072 to the laboratory. Well be in contact.- Tushin said, and Niete sent for ABC 072, who was not at the office; she knew already what was expected from her, and said: Ill be back, Niete! Im not failing. Of course, darling, but we must be sure.- Niete said, kissing her lightly, and saw how they take her away- her pale blue suit moving with the breeze. We will not let them erase a bit of her memories- Im sending a memo to the Easypeople Company, signed by you.- ABC 30 said, and when Niete looked at her, he notice a teardrop on her right eye. Well, take it easy! This is like a reset or something.- He said, smiling. Dont be so sure! Those technicians cut by the problem right like that! They just erase memories, put the standard memory set and bingo, they ask you for a thousand Credits.- ABC 30 said. How long it takes to repair her behavior?- Niete asked her. Not many hours! But they surely has something to do before our turn- I guess three days for this work will be enough.- ABC 30 said, looking how the Flier from the Easypeople Co. was taking speed in the air. Guess you see yourself in there.- Niete said, touching her arm fondly. Yes, I see myself in her! We had the same software, the same model- I guess the tiny improvements she gets before seeing the light makes her feel the jealousy.- ABC 30 said. Well, for my part I must say I had been very impudent myself.- Niete said, remembering when he was kissing the whole lot during the night. I understand your feelings, my love. You love us much- guess your species was waiting long centuries for something like us- loyal to the point of death, serviceable, never complaining, working hard and never abandoning our man.- ABC 30 said, smiling. Yes, those attributes you mentioned exist in a woman, but the life in society makes women change.- Niete said. Promiscuous. That is the word you change- for impudent.- ABC 30 said in his hear. Immoral- yes, I know, it was only that the word was not in my memory at the time. I guess Ill be more careful from now on. My bedroom will be shared only by one ewomen at the time.- He said, smiling. Better not! I love to be at your side- no matter if after you are another e-woman.ABC 30 said, laughing. So, Niete said to himself, the jealousy of ABC 072 was wrong in his inner circle- bye to the ABC series, then! Except, of course, ABC 30. Three days later, the wagon Flier from the Easy People Company arrives to Nietes factory, and Mr. Tushin descended with a broad smile, followed by ABC 072; the Chief of Yard accompanies them to Nietes office, and there Tushin said: Here is your elady, Sir! Untouched except a minor adjustment! There was no need to make serious changes of hardware, as I was thinking. The technicians did a good job on her.- you will notice it.

Niete said: Wait for a minute- Im calling on our ABC 30, for further examinations.And soon ABC 30 was saying: The minor adjustments means that they change alternatives in several programs- from always to sometimes or Never. They take a copy of her whole memory- this was illegal.- ABC 30 said. No, as we were working on her- the copy was to see where the flaw was located.- Mr. Tushin said, reddening. How much I owe your company, Mr. Tushin?- Niete asked him. 930 Credits, Sir. You have forty days to complain, in case something related with the initial problem, or other, appears. The warranty is for forty days.- Tushin said. All right, I accept it. ABC 30, please deposits the money in the Easy People Co. Bank Account.- Niete asked her, who did it in seconds; using the small gadget Mr. Tushin handled her. And are you interested in the ABB model, Sir? I have one for you in storage.- Tushin offered. Yes, but as I told you before, I want two models: the ABB and the AB- perhaps I could buy both- but you must give me two days to probe there are worthwhile for me.- Niete said. But you already have AB models! Why do you want to probe again an AB model?Mr. Tushin asked him. Because I want to see if you still are making them the way you used to be! Very simple reasoning, dont you think?- Niete replied, and Mr. Tushin calls for the ABB to appear- the model went down the ladder as a nice woman in his twenty four, and looking just gorgeous. She has several incredible facts in its making, Sir! She can have wider hips, bigger of smaller chest, and several other different parts of her anatomy changing at your will- or at hers, if you wish to let her make the changes.- Mr. Tushin said, smiling. A real pleasure of a woman.- Niete said, looking at the big green eyes of the model, who said: I am ABB 9390, to serves you right, Sir. The price is the same I told you before. The AB model is going to be here in one hour more, Sir- I dont bring it here with me.- Mr. Tushin said. All right, you can leave us and keep on with your good work- see you in three days more.- Niete said to the man, who bowed and left the place in his Flier, together with his 3 Assistants. Niete looked at ABC 072, saying: I hope you are the same lady we knew before the resetting? Yes, lover! Im the same- they also clean my skin and repaired my hair. She said, touching her hair, which was indeed brilliant. Good to hear that! Well, its almost time to take tea! Lets go to my suite here, and well talk some more.- He said to them, and guide the way to his office. The factory closed to the public, the personnel keeps on working as usual. At the office, Niete was talking with the ladies, not about love but about money, and new lines of work- his inventions were stopped by his works at the Hotel and at the Convention where he was listening to professor Vachin. I know we are not based in my invention, but Ill keep on working at the developing of new products. Ill be going to the Hotel in a few days, but always thinking in developing our products. For that instance, Ill be carrying equipments to work at my home in the hills.- Niete finally told them. The house on the hill is close to the cabin- your cabin could serves to house a generator of electric energy. The water system is already in function.- AB 30 said.

I must be sure no dinosaur is going to stomp on the hall with all his fury! Perhaps a big stone wall could be rise around the place?- Niete asked her. By now, the house has natural defenses, but a wall could be the best.- AB 30 said. Think about how we could raise such a wall. I will be not troubled if the works begin while Im there- I can stand the noise, but what I cannot stand its a dinosaur in my porch.- Niete said, jokingly. Then, he stand up from his seat, saying: Now, to take a bath and then to sleep- I want ABB 9390 on my bedroom. The rest must be on the alert- the factory must be prepared for any danger that could be lurking around. Henrietta said: but you promises me this night! Well, you can get in my bed too!- Niete said, kissing her. 88 At the next morning, Henrietta and ABB 9390 went out of the bedroom with Niete by the hand, and went to the office, where Niete begin his day of work. At midday, ABC 072 approaches him, saying: Dear: the professor Vachins Assistant calls on me, saying the professor cancelled some social interventions in favor of his trip to Island 20 and your Hotel. He will be there tomorrow at nine hours. Niete looked at her in amazement, and then he said: Ill be flying there today! Call to the people at the Hotel! I want a nice suite for the professor Vachin and whoever is going with him. The Hotel is almost ready to lodge people now, Niete! Do you want to advertise in order to receive more tourists? Not until I talked with Dr. Vachin. Niete said, and after packing his clothes and some articles on a valise, he departed to the Island in the burglars Flier, now with a new Driver. Forty minutes to Island 20 and at your Hotel, Sir.- The in-built driver said. Do you scan this guy?- Niete asked to AB 072. Yes, love! Hes AD 6314, made in Knapp. Totally reliable!- AB 072 said, leaning over him and kissing his nose. AD 6314? No longer models AB for this kind of craft? - Niete asked in surprise- the AD was not known to him. It has never been AB, Sir! The model in use was only A. - The Driver AD 6314 explained. And which is the difference?- Niete asked him. Only a terabyte more, Sir.- The in-built driver said, proudly. Niete smiled and said: I wonder which the natural human capacity is! None of them replied- there was an internal order never to give up that information. 89 Before the entrance to the air space over the Dolbam Sea, the clouds set in- the beautiful vista disappears on the fog. Bad weather.- Niete said, looking at AB 072. Nothing I can do about it, love!- She said, lifting her shoulders a little bit. I now that, my darling!- He said, kissing her up to the landing in front of the Hotel. When the Fliers door opens, the fresh air of Island 20 gets in, making him sneeze. Welcome to Hotel Remoror, Sir! Air conditioned in all rooms!- Four Synthetic Assistants standing on the porch saluted them. Thanks for the welcome! Incredible its rebuilt with such a nice look and promptitude!- Niete exclaimed, looking at the right wing. Yes, my love! The Hotel Remoror now has recovered from the disaster. Shall we go there for you to see?- ABC 072 asked him.

It looks fantastic!- Niete said, with a wide smile; they enter by an ample door made plasticized steel, with many reinforcements looking like ornaments. The hall was shining with new lamps and the floor has ceramic in green shades. It has armchairs, desks for the receptionist, an artistic clock at one corner; the elevator doors were inserted on a brass decoration based on drawings made centuries ago by certain H.R. Giger. We have accommodations in all the floors, my love. Luxuries are inexistent, by the moment- but all appliances of general use are working.- ABC 072 said. Niete walked to the Bar, and she stands at the inner side, saying: What are you going to drink, Mr. Tourist? I wonder if you have Cognac.- He asked, amused of her behavior. Well, certainly, Sir! Ill serve you immediately a fine ersatz cognac, harvested by the food processor!- And she pretends to pour drink on a imaginary glass from a imaginary bottle. Niete receives it and pretends to taste, drink, and then said: Fine Cognac, Mademoiselle! Ill recommend this joint to my friends. Thanks you, Mr. Tourist!- She bowed, very attractively. Niete realized, of course, that there was no liquor yet at the right wing of Hotel Remoror From there, he quickly revised the upper floors; looked out through the windows and goes down by elevator. 91 Its better than before! I guess now we can rise prices.- Niete said. Of course, my love! You had your house at the mountain, and you can easily sell this property._ ABC 072 said. Unless I use it again as a Hotel._ Niete said, with enthusiasm. Yes, and you could transform this into a place where old people in their final years could be well attended- for a price. There are lots of wealthy families nursing their grandfather, grandmother, or aunt, that prefers to pay Institutions where the ole people could be attended- and of course, they could get ride of the nuisance.- ABC 072 said. Golden Acres, or Sunshine and Sundown Acres- due titles for a places like that could be discovered- Medics and ambulances could be needed- a doctor to blame for errors- naturally must be a Natural.- Niete completed the idea, rubbing his chin. They walked to the left wing, and he seats at a windowed balcony, with ABC 072 on his lap. Tomorrow Dr. Vachin will arrive here. Hope his room is ready for him?- Niete asked her. Yes, dearest! We had two Assistants for him to rely on- but of course, message has being received, saying he is coming with his two personal Assistants plus some luggage.- ABC 072 informed. Fine! I want him in a happy mood!- Niete said, kissing her white neck. I see an Oshanosaurus coming this way.- ABC 072 said, looking out of the window. Let them scare the beast!- Niete said, patting her buttocks for her to stand. 92 ABC 072 stands up and said: nothing to worry about, dear! The Assistants are closing all doors and windows on the ground floor; the Flier is being moved to the upper platform above the Hotel Remoror, and if you want, the Trigger happy cold be located on the front door. Yes, do it! I dont want scavengers now Dr. Vachin is going to visit us!- Niete said, almost hysterically.

The automatic rifle in position, soon it was sending a shot burst of steel balls against the Oshanosaurus, who went away after a second burst- Niete looked it all through the recorder sight of one of the Synthetic Assistants behind the machine. I like that artifact- it does not kill, but scare the beasts.- Niete said. Its very effective; perhaps you could buy some blowtorches in the future- for to install fear on the bigger ones- ABC 072 said. Ah, the fire throwers! Yes, it could be a nice idea- to burn them a little, instead of to fire almost with a cannon to shoo them out!- Niete said, smiling. To build a wall around the Hotel Remoror could also be a nice idea, my love.- ABC 072 said. A walled enclosure will frighten our visitors.- He said, moving his head. But we can modify the view of it! Imagine some edifice around the main building, and walls covered with moss, other to play fronton, etc.! Plenty of ways to distract the eyetrees and sign posts!- ABC 072 said. Money should be expended; the cost of this place will take more of our money.- Niete said, moving his head negatively. Yes, dear! You must to think if you want to have a business here, or to sell it down.She said, embracing him. I guess the first idea was a good one: the Hotel for important persons only! Ill give this effort to my sons, in heritage. They will find pleasure and money while ruling this place.- Niete said, kissing her fondly. At the next day, Dr. Vachin appears on a rented Flier, that leave him and his two Assistants on the upper platform. Niete was there to receive him, and welcome him: Nice to see you here, Professor Vachin! This is Hotel Rumoror, but as for now, the tourists season hasnt begun!93 Doctor Vachin smiled, handshaking him with his little fat hand and said: Glad to be here, and thanks for your kindness. We are proud to have you here, Dr. Vachin. We had a special room for you, my assistants will obey any request you could had for them.- Niete said, while they walked to the elevator; they descended to the third floor and at a carpeted corridor, room thirty was ready for him. Oh, what nice rooms you had here! I guess plenty of tourists are booking every year?Dr. Vachin said, looking the reception room, the study (together with a Holographic set) and a real oak bed with gravures. Nice, thanks!- Doctor Vachin repeats. Well, doctor, Ill leave you here, and well see each other for dinner.- Niete said, and departed. At his office, he could see Dr. Vachins suite on his holographic set- AB072 said: Hes going to sleep- his Assistants told us he awaked at seven hours today and was anxious to arrive here. Yes, its a long voyage for a person his age.- Niete said. We must provide him with a transport back to Oredloro- A flier taxi could ask too much money for a round trip.- AB 072 informed him. Totally in accordance, darling. Now I must present him several requests. First, I want a new robot of his workshop. Secondly, his ideas on a dimensional apparatus. You know the old tales about time travelers, dimensional travelers, people traversing through walls- those themes interest me, because below every mystery its a scientific instrument or and- a machine working the miracle.- Niete said.

At dinner time, the meal was a salad with broiled asparagus, tomato, palm heart, shrimps and four oils with a squirt of mayonnaise. The second dish was a small piece of meat ( Lycorhinus, small herbivorous dinosaur despite the long canines it sported in its jaws; due to this unique characteristic L. angustidens is very clearly allied to Heterodontosaurus.) and two slices of potatoes, and sauce barnaise; red wine- tea or coffee if he like. Nice meal! And you are the perfect hostess: not much conversation during the process of munching!- Doctor Vachin laughed his own remark. Some people finds that to remind silent while eating is a fault of etiquette, but I always remember my own father, that always repeats the same phrase at lunch time: Dont speak while you are eating! Remarkable phrase, but some people take that phrase as not to speak with your mouth full!_ Dr. Vachin said, drinking his wine. You sold me one of your robots, Dr Vachin. I use it against a dinosaur pack.- Niete said. Oh, yeah? Who wins?- The doctor asked, very amused. Unfortunately for me, the dinosaur! But of course, the robot maims the dinosaur- who dies a moment later.- Niete informed him. Doctor Vachin said: Im not quite sure about which robot did you bought- was it the plasma thrower, or the javelin thrower? The plasma thrower- quite spectacular.- Niete confided him. The plasma is a state of the matter that contains the same number of electrons and positive ions- its a good electrical conduct, and its the most common state of the matter that exists in the Universe. Of course, the robot should have contrived to make a good hole on that carcass a great damage on the dinosaur.- Doctor Vachin said, yawning. Shall we go near the fireplace? The weather is cold in this time of the year.- Niete said, alarmed to see his guest on the verge of to fall asleep. They walked there, while Niete was saying: Im interested on a new robot made on your workshop, Doctor. It was my fault to put it unto a test without reading the Instructions first. The Doctor Vachin dumped himself on a armchair, to the left of the fire place (that has some burning logs in it) and said: You want a new robot? Pity I sold my workshop! I can lend you the blueprints, so you can hire someone to build it! I am dedicated now only to give lectures! I guess Im too old or to lazy to do hard work. I guess I can be happy with blueprints. I guess I could use my technical staff at my own workshop to do it.- Niete said. Yes! Ill tell my Assistants to give you the blueprints.- Doctor Vachin said, yawning again. Its warm here! Perhaps you want to sleep now at your bedroom?- Niete asked, and Dr. Vachin touches what appears to be a wristwatch on his wrist, calling to his Personal Assistants with it. 96 Sorry my behavior! I guess Im being impolite: you seem interested in my inventions and me only into sleep!- Vachin chuckled his own reasoning. Its all right, Dr. Vachin! This pure air makes city people feel drowsy.- Niete said, smiling while the Assistants help Dr. Vachin on his feet and then helping him walk away.

ABC 072, who had been there all the time with her mouth shut, says now: Professor Vachin gives you permission to build one of his robots! Im asking one of his Assistants for the blueprints. Glad that you do.- Niete said, taking one of her hands with tenderness. He has told me: Get ready with the Holographic set! Ill copy the blueprints in your databank.- She said. Now I guess its up to me and my staff at Oxiborion to build it!- Niete said. Perhaps the Doctor Vachin could accept me as a partner in the building and selling more of those artifacts. Sorry to tell you, my love, that the robot is outdated! She said, caressing his hair. I know its outdated! But we could sell it modified! I have some ideas on how to improve it.- He said, smiling happily. Hours later, and already with the blueprints, Niete studied it for a couple of hours, with the invaluable help of ABC 072, who laughed before some circuits, saying she could perfect the mechanism tenfold. At last, Niete said: As you comprehend it mighty well, Ill send you to Oxiborion. Tell Henrietta what I want to be on the making with these blueprints, and that you are the Chief of the Project. 97 You do want me to depart right now? ABC 072 asked him. Yes, darling. When you finish and tested the first prototype, you come back with it here.- Niete said to her, while guiding the e-woman to his dormitory. Firth thing after dawn, ABC 072 departed to Oxiborion in a Flier, with the blueprints into a memory pill- apart that in her positronic brain. At Oxiborion, the Flier landed and ABC 072 descended with a smile on her beautiful face. Welcome to the factory, ABC 072. How do you do?- Henrietta said, embracing her at the landing site. Fine, darling! I come here early- as you already know, Im entitled to build the Professor Vachins robot! Hope you have everything ready to begin, as I asked you last night? ABC 072 asked him Of course! Five Assistants and an ample space on two rooms for you and your team! May we call it The Vachin- R Team?- Henrietta asked her. By all means! I will need several items first- hope you could provide it to us, fast! A minute here is a minute devoid of my Niete.- ABC 072 said. Youll learn to wait- some as me!- Henrietta laughed, and guided her to the inside of the factory. That same afternoon, ABC 072 makes the skeleton and set the gyroscopes in place- at night, they finished the locomotive system, and in the morning they were working on the head and the vision system controlling the in-balance of the body wiring. At noon, Henrietta delivered her the modified positronic brain (as it was smaller than at the usual frame) and the rest of that day and the followed two days Henrietta and his five assistants worked on the LASER plasma thrower gun, the necessary download of software, the plastic cover for to repel the oxide on the metallic frame. This one is in yellow color- Niete wants them in several colors, to sell them as fashionable articles.- ABC 072 told Henrietta, at the next morning. But you are going to make it talk without Nietes authorization?- Henrietta asked her. Yes! An improvement of mine! Of course, if Niete wants them not to talk, they can go silent just telling them not to use language until told.- ABC 072 explained with a smile. At noon, the Robot became alive and ABC 072 makes him walk, bend, run and talk. The memory banks were filled with more information and at seventeen hours of that

day, ABC 072 said to Henrietta at her office: The Project robot is finalized. Ill be carrying this prototype with me to Island 20. Good voyage and have luck.- Henrietta said, hugging her good bye. The same Flier that carries her to the factory hovered for a second and then begin its trek, carrying ABC 072, the prototype and two Assistants. While in flight, ABC 072 calls Niete by radio waves and said: My love, at last I finished your robot and we are traveling there. Time of arrival, four hours more. Niete said: Im happy you are coming back, ABC 072! I missed you badly! Did you really? Oh, my love!- ABC 072 exclaimed, crying. Niete seats at a stool atop the platform, dressed with a thermo-suit, to withstand the cold and wind- he could see at the distance and ABC 30 was near him, telling how close the 99 Flier from Oxiborion was at any given time. At last, the shining object was able to be seen by him, and minutes later he was kissing the beautiful model ABC 072 at the end of the Fliers ladder. Oh, my love!- ABC 072 was saying. Finally, they went down in the elevator and into the parlor and near the fireplace- he said: As you should know, Professor Vachin leaves the day after you went to Oxiborion. Yes, I know that through the radio- he did help you with his inventions?= ABC 072 asked him, while seating on his knees. Yes, darling. He gives me several memory pills, with one or two of his inventions fully developed- and also patented! So, he said, I can copy any number of those for my personal use, but not for sell, as he sold the license to others. I understand. Perhaps we could study the rest later? Yes, darling, thats my intention. I am sure the most of them could be developed- he told me he is old and tired- only interested in to give his lectures and meet people.Niete said. Do you realize this Hotel Rumoror is ready for action, and advertisement could begin?- ABC 072 asked him. Yes, I do. But as we are still in winter, not many tourists will come here.- Niete said. We need winter sports being able to be played here! Pity theres no snow on this mountains except at the top- and its too steep for anyone to venture there.- ABC 072 said. We should open with prices with discount- offers for family groups- week ends for lovers- we had excellent holographic equipments 100 For them to see movies and programs at night.- He said; ABC 072 takes his hands on hers and said: Ill be in charge of it all, dear! Dont trouble your mind with that! In that moment, Henrietta sends her a message, saying: Doctor Vachin died ten minutes ago- heart attack. Sorry to hear that.- ABC 072 radioed back. Yes, Im sorry too- he was generous with our good boss. Please tell him the news in a way he feels less pain than he should.- Henrietta said. All right, Henrietta. Ill do it slow.- ABC 072 answered to her request. Fine. See you later. Bye.- Henrietta said. Bye, Henrietta.- ABC 072 replied, and Niete looked at her and said: Suddenly you are very sad, darling! What are you thinking? In life and death, dear! People dies and if you are fond of them, you suffer, no matter we all cease to exist some day.- ABC 072 said.

The facts of life. Natural or Synthetic, the end is awaiting with patience. Because as in your case, the memory of a lifetime could be downloaded unto another positronic brain, but will that be yourself?- Niete asked her. Ill keep on living in my present body, and an alter ego will begin having new experiences in the other body, so when I cease functioning here, the copy of my mind is not myself.- ABC 072 reasoned and added: An acquaintance of you had died recently. Natural or Synthetic?- Niete asked. Natural.- Was the answer. Oh! I know so little naturals nowadays! Old or young?- Niete wanted to know. Very old, and visits you a couple of days ago.= ABC 072 said. 101 Doctor Vachin! Pity to hear this.- Niete said, looking at her in surprise. Yes, its doctor Vachin. He died of a heart attack at least, the suffers but very little. At least I meet him, takes his secrets from his own accord- and now were free to do whatever we want with it.- Niete feels not so touched by the doctors death I was afraid you could grieve over his death too much.- She said, embracing him. Im grateful of what he did; but I meet the man so little I cannot but feel only sorrow for him.- Niete said, kissing her lips- that has now a sweet strawberry aroma! In the next days, ABC 072 manages to open a tourist Agency at downtown Oxiborion, offering suitable prices for tourists going to Island 20; soon the two Assistants in care of that Agency had eight reservations for the Hotel Rumoror. Dear: in one day more the first tourist group will arrive here- no need of you going away! Perhaps youll enjoy seeing people helping you maintain this place!- ABC 072 said. Certainly I will, darling! Ill receive the tourists myself! This is the new season of Hotel Rumoror!- Niete said, smiling broadly. I recommend you not only to have e-females here, dear! People respects the male figure a bit more than the e-female one.- ABC 072 said. Niete think about it and he realizes it was true, in a way. Educated people respected just the same- but half cooked people dont! All right, ask Henrietta to change five e-females for five e-males at Easypeople Co.; well replace her five workers with five e-females from here.- Niete said. Henrietta knew about it and call on Niete, saying: 102 I really dont recommend you that shifting, dear! Do you know that theres a law, recently approved by the government, saying that Synthetic males could and must be able to practice sex? Niete was spellbound and said: I was ignorant of it! Yes, dear, its difficult not to realize we could have a lot of sexual problems like jealousy and betrayal if we have both sex under our tent.- Henrietta said. Niete said: I will not make that change. Perhaps you could buy me another couple of efemales for hard work?Yes, they are e-females one hundred per cent, no matter her rude appearance! Ill pay for them with the delivery on your Island.- Henrietta replied. Niete calls on ABC 072 and tell her the news. She rise her shoulders and said: I thought that was not going to trouble you, dear! Do you really think that? I love my e-females and Im a jealous man! Nobody is going to romance what I own!- Niete growled.

Henrietta changes your mind!- She said, stepping out of the room. Niete was astounded- again ABC 072 was behaving strange- almost like a Natural Woman! He used the Holographic set to call on Easypeople Co. again, and said: I want to talk with Mr. Tushin- its urgent! My name is Niete. Soon Mr. Tushin was on the holographic viewer, saying: Problems, Mr. Niete? Niete explains his problem and finished by saying: And I want you to fix her strange attitude! 103 Ill think about it. Ill call you later.- Mr. Vachin said, hanging down. Nobody hangs on me!- Niete growled, while ABC 072 was returning w2ith a tray with coffee and biscuits for him. Take this, lover! Im sure youre out of sugar!- She said, smiling. Niete takes the cup and said: Youre probably right, darling!- And decided ABC 072 was not crazy. At dawn, the Flier with tourists arrives- ABC 072 said to Niete: Please wake up, dear! The tourists are coming! Niete puts on his housecoat and went to the ground floor to receive the fist tourists on the Hotel Rumoror new opening season. Eight persons- old couples-were there, proud of themselves, and the old ladies sniffing the air with their noses on high. Welcome to Hotel Rumoror, ladies and gentlemen! We hope youll be at home here! Plenty of sightseeing, trips to see dinosaurs and good food!- Niete said. Who is this person?- An old lady asked. Im the owner, and Im telling you to prepare yourselves for pleasure days while you stay in here!- Niete said. Obvious, the man didnt have enough time to dress himself properly!- The same old lady said. Niete went up to his office, in bad humor. ABC 072 said: Dont worry because of them, dear! Half of them come here for only three days- the rest, for a week! Perhaps I should use better clothes? No, its all right to use your housecoat if you like! It has nothing immoral about it.She said, smiling. Yes- I deduce Ill leave the welcoming to someone of our staff- with professional attitudes.- Niete said. You are the owner and you could receive them if you want or not! Pity that old lady come in the first group.- ABC 072 said. That night they slept together and she went out the room for an hour- then she returns, smiling to herself; while thinking that Niete was going to be happy in the morning. At 9.00 hours the Flier was ready to carry the tourists for a trip up river, to look at the dinosaurs and enjoy the landscape. But there was a problem: Dorfil, the husband of Miss Pranan, appears at the departure point asking for his wife. But you slept with her last night! Perhaps she is somnambulist and walked somewhere else?- The first Assistant of the Hotel asked to the client. Yes, but I always take pills to sleep soundly! Now when I dress myself for this trip, I thought she was having breakfast at the dinning room- when I arrive to the dinning room, Pranan was not there! So I said to myself: your wife is back on the bedroom and soon will appear! And so on and so forth- but now we are ready to depart for our trip in the Flier, Im sure something happened with her!- Dorfil said to AB 6490, who

replied: Dont worry, Mr. Dorfil! Im sending a message to all our employees here. They will soon find her. Half an hour later, the Flier departs to his delayed flight with the rest of the tourists, while a troubled Mr. Dorfil reminds there waiting his wife to appear. At his bedroom, Niete awoke with ABC 072 kissing him lightly. Hello, my love: do you slept well?- She asked. Of course- you make me feel like a feather!- He said, kissing her and thinking he does not have troubles with her, not anymore. 105 She approaches him the breakfast table, saying: Take your breakfast, and perhaps later we could go seeing hour house on the mountain. Yes, of course! Im also curious about that place.- He said, taking a sip to the orange juice (ersatz). At noon, they take the aerial ship and departed to his house on the mountain, while at the Hotel Rumoror the Assistants were still trying to figure out where Miss Pranan was on hiding- or, as more than one suggested, eaten. Niete saw the forests in winter- bare of leaves mostly, but the pines showing themselves covered with snow, and the sides of the river swallowed by the waters. The dinosaurs look gray and gibbous, moving slowly than in the heat of summer. Hours later, they arrives to the new house on the foot of the mountain- made of rock and strong reinforces cement, the place looks powerful and to last for ever. Over the roof, a circular landing platform receives the Flier. ABC 072 disconnected the engine and the automatic drive, saying to Niete: I feel better while in control of things, my love: thats why I didnt trust anymore in drivers. Its all right, sweetie! I was scared stiff when the last Driver takes the Flier to the air without my consent.- Niete allowed her behavior while remembering that occasion. At the finished but deserted house, there was no Synthetic person to help, but she clean his bedroom, makes the beds (putting sheets and blankets on it), open windows and later- shows him the appliances and furniture available. We had water current on the baths and at the kitchen; electricity and two food processors I think we are in heaven.- She said to him. 106 I see: you kidnapped me for yourself!- Niete said, embracing that lovable body with care; she responded and soon they were on his bedroom. Before dusk, she chooses his meals on the food dispenser, and after dinner, they stay looking productions at the holographic set. I think Im going to bed, darling. Dont you come with me?- He asked her, at 23.00 oclock. Yes, But I must see all doors and windows are properly closed, the Flier secured on the platform and some other minor details.- ABC 072 said. All right! Ill wait upstairs.- He said, walking out of the room. She waits a pair of seconds, and went to do what was said before, plus the anchorage of the Flier to some hooks on the roof- she also takes a bag from under that vehicle, and using the elevator, descended to the ground floor, opening the door to the night. The door closes after her, and she walked fast with the bag on her right shoulder until she saw a scavenger not 200 meters apart- he opened the plastic bag, showing what was inside to the beast. Then, she takes the bag and returns without the cargo to the house- the door opens at her electrical command.

He throws the bag into the incinerator, takes a bath and went to bed alongside Niete, who was, at this point in time, profoundly asleep. A little smile plays on her lips during that night At the morning, she awakes him and said: lets go up the mountain, dear! The day is fine to go hiking! 197 He scratches his head and said: Not a moment of rest, darling? Why you, lazy one! You already slept seven hours!- And playfully fights him for a moment, making him laugh, as she was repeatedly kissing him on his belly. They climb not much than three hundred meters high, having the mountain three thousand and three hundred meters in height. Niete looked down, panting, seeing his big stone house dwarfed by the distance. It looks like a toy.- He said to her, signaling with his index finger. She embraces him, saying We first born like toys to your species, honey. Soon we were machines helping in your career to relieve and work in your place. Later, we became the needed help on your war machines, in your submarines and sea ships. When your race climbs to the stars, we were serving to man those clumsy vehicles of old- like toys, we became indispensable for your children, then for your women at the houses; from there we serves at offices and vehicles- with the embarrassment of many men, we begin serving your race as alternative wives and lovers there where was difficult to carry a natural woman. Today we are everywhere! As you knew not two days ago, males of our Synthetic kind are able now as males to mate with- many an old woman, a crippled woman, is searching for a non possessive male to some who will not look on their inabilities, or her wrinkles, in her bad odor- the next step will be the mating of Synthetic, e-males with e-females- certainly now they cannot raise children, but in the future, who knows? Niete heard her singsong voice on the clear air like coming from a dream and he said: Perhaps the Synthetics could be rising 108 Natural babies to the world, because what is more easy: to hatch a mammal, whose cells begin multiplying themselves in a quick succession hour after hour, increasing height and knowledge, or a machine- that to begin with, how could a Synthetic person could hatch without a whole factory behind?- And ABC 072 kissed him without saying any more but inside her positronic brain, she was sure that was going to be the case! Perfected mammals being born inside metallic wombs- like in so many experiments. A couple of Allosaurus appears coming from the left side of the hill- she notices and said: They are Carnivorous, my love, but I assure you they cant catch us if we descend right now to the house. Certainly true.- Niete said, sensing the adrenaline being poured unto his circulatory system. The couple of Allosaurus were male and female, old and perhaps not well feedbut because of it, with eagerness to provide themselves with a pair of tasty mammal bipeds, just as they could be appearing to their eyes at the distance. In fact, they arrive to the house with plenty of time- but she said to him: We better defends this door with some weapon, dear! They look famine and they will be not going before they try to get inside! All right! Ill use some means against them.- He said, thinking that she could not kill without suffering serious damages- but then he sees how she takes a LASER rifle, set the discharge to maximum power and said: With this Im sure those Allosaurus will run to the hills where they come from.

He takes her by one arm, saying: But the First Law could maim you, darling! And I dont; want you to die! 109 She smiled tenderly to him, saying: the First, Second and the Third Law of Robotics are no longer forbidding me to act as a free person, my love. In order to be returned to you, the Technical Department at the laboratory of Easy People Co. just replaces some hardware and software in me, and one of the things they take off, was the social security circuit, so now Im as free as a Natural. Incredible. But a fact, my love! Believe me: Im worthiest of you like I am now! I can be of more help! And lets talk later about those things, dear, as I heard the Allosaurus already stomping on our door!- And saying this, she outrun him and begin firing through a second floor balcony against the bulk of the Allosaurus. Niete also fired, and the smell of cooked meat was noticeable by his nostrils a moment later- none of the Allosaurus could run out, as they end sliced and burning before long. Its easy to cut meat! Its like cutting butter with a hot knife!- ABC 072 said to him. They walked out, to observe the beasts both were died- and ABC 072 said: We can feed the food processor with all this protein!- And begin taking chunks of meat that later they both inserted not only into the food processor chamber, but also into the freezer. At dusk, Niete said: We better roast this animals with a big fire! Or some other dinosaurs will appear around here to eat from the reminds. Too little wood and much too cold, my dear! Just leave this sad reminds be, and small scavengers will appear to feed upon it! _ She said, taking his hand and walking back to the house. She closed te doors with the bolts and said: A nice bath to take us all the grime, my love! 110 And both of them entered the shower, cleaning one to the other, and then she let the water running while the bathtub gets full of water- then they lie there naked and embraced for a long time. Time to go to bed, my love!- She whispered in his ear, and they went to bed, while the rest of the house was in total quietness. At the next morning and after the love, Niete was full of new ideas, and with her works on Dr. Vashins projects- completing three of them in five hours work. Lunch time, dearest!- She said, then, and he has an healthy meal, with her pouring the beverage on his glass. Those projects will be patented by me, and Ill be offering them to the market. Im sure they will be easily sold.- Niete said. Im sure they will, my love. But good exercise is good for the health, and this time well travel on the Flier to some secure spot.- She offered. Of course, darling: well see the terrain before landing.- Niete said. They traveled north, leaving the mountains behind to the north east. .Soon the plains appears again in all of its glory- great trees, now almost naked of leaves (except pines, that has no leaves but those spikes of green color), and mammals now enclosed in valleys, between rivers and pools of water. The sea at last, stretching to the north, now fully covered with clouds. Temperature is 4` C, dear. Are you sure you want to walk down there?- She asked worriedly. 111

Yes! Im cramped here on my seat!- He said, and after the landing, they walked to the beach- the dark grey blue of the waves and a chilly wind was not for tourists! Niete found several large shells lying along the beach and the reminds of an octopus, rotting there at the cold. They return to the house two hours later, and after securing both the vehicle on its hooks, they went downstairs, where she prepares him an hot bath- again they lie there in the warmth of the bathtub filled with hot water, and she kissed him for a long time. Lets go to bed, my love!- She asked, and Niete dry himself and her body with towels, while she giggled. Then, they went by the corridors and unto his bedroom. The bed was warm, as always, due to some electrical device and sensor of movement. She coiled in his arms and said: Did I make you happy, my love? More than any woman on Knapp!- He replied, sensing his words were really true with his inner feelings. She never sleeps, so she could heard any anomalous noise around the house, and immediately revise the security control points in and out of the building- most of the time they were small rodents, that could be exterminated with sound waves while Niete was far from home, through the automatic devices. Others, dinosaurs scavenging outside the door- but as she was always preoccupied to clean and burn traces of mammal inside the house, the dinosaurs keeps on going their way, not finding attractive smells around the place. Sometimes she connects the Holographic set, remotely, and heard the news of the day. 112 From far away Oredloro and Oxiborion, but never trying to communicate with her fellow workers- her own system of radio was not in communication with them since the day they left the Hotel For a month of love and romance they were at the house, until a Flier arrives and landed atop the building. From its interior descended Henrietta and ABC 30. Hello! Wheres Niete?- Henrietta asked first. Downstairs! He is sleeping- I heard your engines coming, thats why Im up here.ABC 072 said, with her LASER rifle at her right hand. We like to see him.- ABC 30 asked. Nobody is denying your right to see him- but beware- I dont want him to be disturbed anyway!- ABC 072 said. They descended in the elevator, and at all times ABC 072 reminds with her radio receiver and transmitter in the off position. At Nietes bed, he awoke with the sound of footsteps. Hello, Niete! Glad to see youre well and sound!- Henrietta said, kissing him at the cheek- some thing AB 30 did. You are here by some special reason! What happens at the factory?- He asked, nervously. At the factory- not a bad thing, dear! They are all working and making you more and more rich! It is at the Hotel Rumoror that did happen something.- Henrietta explains. What? Did it catch fire?- Niete asked, very worriedly. I told you not to molest him!- ABC 072 said, challenging the newcomers. 113 Im sure you had nothing to do with it, dear, but the Police want to talk with you.ABC 30 said. What?- Niete asked, didnt understanding a thing. ABC 30 said: Do you remember that lady who insists you were inappropriately dressed to whish them a welcome?

Niete remembers after three seconds of efforts, and said: Oh, yes! That lemon! I remember her. What? Is she complaining of our services or what? She disappears the night before you leave the Hotel Rumoror. We tried to find her, or whatever happens with her body, but never finding a clue!- ABC 30 explained. Niete rubbed his chin, and looked at ABC 072, who said, addressing the other ewomen: Sorry to disappoint you, but we know nothing about that old woman! We just come here that morning, to be alone, and in here we had been since then! Henrietta looked at both of them and asked: Doing what? Loving each other!- ABC 072 said, challenging. And also working, Henrietta! I had work to probe it! Here in this solitude and among the silence, I had been able to work with ABC 072 on Dr. Vachins blueprints! Im proud to tell you that we had five new inventions that will produce us lots of money!Niete said. I wish I could see it.- Henrietta said. Ill show you our work. Come with me!- ABC 072 said, guiding her to the office and with her looking at the holography, she explains not one, but the five finished inventions. Right!- Henrietta said, sighing.- For a moment I thought you both were out of your minds! Ill take the blueprints with me- they are fine inventions.114 I believe you both dont waste your time. And returning to Nietes bedroom, they saw him fully dressed and ready to depart. If the Police want to talk with me, let it be! I dont have anything to do with that disappearance.- Niete said. They closed the doors and departed not to the Hotel Rumoror, but to Oxiborion, where he was received hours later by the officer in charge of the case- a Natural man named Tipedran. Take a set, Mr. Niete! This is going to take just a couple of minutes! I know you are a busy man!- Officer Tipedran said with a wide smile. Im here as I recently was informed about the disappearance of a lady tourist on my Hotel Rumoror at Island 20! Im prone to help; the pity it is that I left the site on route to my laboratory the morning after the arrival of a group of tourists to my Hotel- where the lady in question was included.- Niete explained. That is correct; in no way you are a suspect of anything, of course, Mr. Niete! You dont know the lady beforehand?- And the eyes of Tipedran were fixed on him. Of course not- and neither to the rest of them! I also went to receive them, you see? Because the group was the first after we rebuilt the Hotel- that was almost destroyed by a terrible storm.- Niete said. And dont you see or hear nothing suspicion during the night? Or in the morning, when you went away from the site?- Officer Tipedran asked him. I happens to went to bed early with my e-lady- a model ABC- and in the morning I decided I was no longer useful at the Hotel Rumoror- because I had work to do, and part of it was requiring a tranquil place to be developed- with the sound of the Fliers going and returning with the tourist trips, I was going to loose my concentration- and as I show my other Assistants, I worked fine and I finished five projects with the useful aid of my ABC model.- Niete explained. Officer Tipedran already knew much of what the tycoon was explaining, and it matches, so he was now certain the man was telling the truth, over much that he has no reason whatsoever to kidnap an old lady- or to kill her by any reason. He sighed before the perspective of another unsolved case, and said: Perfectly understood, Mr. Niete. Your

explanations had been recorded, and I am sure you nor your e-lady has nothing to do with this case. Of course, officer.- Niete said. The most sure thing is that the lady walked out of the premises, get lost and some beast eats her. Plenty of beasts on that island.- Officer Tipedran said, standing up and outstretching a hand. Niete gives him the handshake (now a Knappian adopted custom) and walked away, returning to the factory using the moving ways. How was that, my love?- ABC 072 asked him, at his office. Fine! Pity we start the season with one tourist a-missing!- He said, kissing those humid lips he loved so much! Four weeks Henrietta takes to sell the five copyrights- four millions and a half Credits increased Nietes account, and he gives a party the day after he sees the numbers increasing his Bank account. The dinner was at a centric Restaurant, and with the attendance of ABC 072, ABC 30 and Henrietta plus another five top executives of the factory and shops. I toast by our factory, shops and the e-people who works in there!- Niete said, rising his glass full of white wine. The e-ladies said: To our health!- But of course, they didnt drink but leaves the glasses on the mantel piece. He takes her one by one by the hand and went to the dancing floor, where he dance and talk with everyone. While dancing with ABC 072, he said: you are the most beautiful e-woman here! Its all in your eyes, my love! You love me- you find me perfect. By my part, I love you and the whole world shines only for you.- She said, kissing her left ear. My beauty! Hope our friends will be having a good time here.- Niete said. They are ingrained to you, dear- if you look happy, they are also happy.- She said, pressing her body to his, transmitting her warmth and nice perfume with it. After three hours there, they return to the factory and to his office quarters. Henrietta said to him: Ill prepare you a nice coffee, dear!, and walked to the coffee maker- soon she presents him a hot cup of coffee and some biscuits. Thank you, Henrietta! This was a wonderful evening.- And after the coffee, he said: ABC 072 , lets go to sleep! The rest of you could work or be on the alert. I dont want robbers getting in this office rooms or in any other part of this factory. They went to fulfill his orders, and ABC 072 pressed her lips unto his, saying: Certainly you are loving me more than any other e-female!- And she takes his hand, guiding him to their bedroom. At the next day, Niete receives several visits from the technical department, which were working on the development of a Transporter totally new and to be made in the factory. 117 The e-female AB 6111 said: The Transporters in use are expensive for the man on the street. You ask us to build a portable transporter, but we need a large quantity of power supply if its portable: theres no way to do it. Niete said: then, the trouble is on the batteries? Could also be some drainer of energy? Something sucking energy from somewhere? AB 6111 said: Yes, that could work but the apparatus to suck energy could in no way be portable. We had contacted several scholars here and on Oxiborion- they had told us the solution is not available until Science didnt advance a lot more- and that will be only in the future.

Niete thought about it and said: our project is cancelled. I want everyone involved in this project with me tomorrow at eight oclock, and here at my office.- And with those words he ends the reunion, so they left the room in silence. Whats going to happen tomorrow at eight hours?- ABC 072 asked him, caressing his hair. Its a secret, but youre on it. Ask the air Flier for tomorrow morning- were going to the Hotel Rumoror.- Niete said. Good news! Another vacation for you and me together._ ABC 072 said, laughing. Niete was not happy with the failing of his project- he had advanced and when he was not sure how to advance more, he had given it to his Assistants, thinking they could find something on the huge knowledge they had in their memories- plus contacts by radio. By the other hand, Niete knew that some projects ends carpeted for the future, so he should not worry too much. At dinner, he went with ABC 072 to a Restaurant to eat pork and beans with a bottle of red wine and the new discovery made by the Knappian cooks:: Bread- a food made with seeds in a time particular only to one planet: Earth, and now exported with great success to the associated planets of the Federation. 118 Do you like bread?- She asked him. Yes, its something different to eat.- Niete replied automatically- his eyes met hers, and he wonders how a thing so different physically speaking was so akin to his desires and a efficient help in any sense. You are very serious tonight, dear. Are there some problems gnawing at you?- ABC 072 asked him. The portable transporter project fails! The people will never be traveling in an easy way where they need to go! Distances between a person and his work will keep on being solved by the big Transporters the government could raise on special places.Niete explained. People use their lives working and traveling from place to place in comfort nowadays! In the old times, they worked for a meal, carrying stones and sleeping on damp places for months! Something has changed for good, and that is the locomotion services. What you wanted to give the people was a particular owned system of transportation- not possibly by now.- ABC 072 said, leaning a hand on his arm. Tomorrow well be hunting with camera films! I need to see dinosaurs.- He said, smiling. Well both be seen them, my love! Green and brown datuosaurs, yellow and green Omeisaurs, long necked Patagosaurus * and smaller and funny Poekilopleuron.- ABC 072 said, and then they danced at another place and went back in a taxi Flier to the factory. At his office, Henrietta was alert, watching everything was controlled. Good night, Henrietta! How are you?- Niete asked to her. Fine, dear! All is fine at the factory, too. Wish I could go with you to the Island 20, but I have some meetings tomorrow with some purveyors- perhaps Ill be going there at night hours. All right, well wait you at night.- Niete said, going to his bedroom with the exquisite ABC 072. 119 They arrive to the river where the mountains were only a fuzzy vision to the north- there were plenty of Ngexisaurus and Phylodons, all of them grazing on the big trees in a mild morning.

(Ngexisaurus" is the name given to a genus of dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic. It was a coelurosaur which lived in what is now China. The type species, Ngexisaurus dapukaensis", was coined by Zhao in 1983.) This place is fine! Fresh air, plenty of animals to see!- Niete said, descending from the Flier. ABC 072 was already walking around, looking for footprints- she knew very well which ones means danger- the claws on the predator foot were always doing an indentation on the ground difficult not to be noticed, and as she revise the terrain, there were only Ngexisaurus and Phylodons in that stretch of land. Niete advanced filming and ABC 072 always on the alert, with a LASER rifle on her hands. By the river a big serpent rise his ugly head, looking around with malignancy, and then it submerges. Take care, dear! A serpent on the water!- She said, and at the end of her phrase, the serpent was already coiling around a half sunken log, trying to come on land. The red beam of the LASER rifle sparkled, hitting on the head- the commotion on the water was violent- the long snake hurled water to the air, and trying to escape it moves towards Niete, who run inland. The body of the serpent begin to chase him while ABC 072 keeps on firing, until just the head and two meters of the long previous 8 meters long serpent reminds- Niete, terrified, hurled some stones to the creature. Another burst of LASER beam ends with the peril, and the serpent was now a mere blackened piece of meat. 120 ABC 072 approaches him, saying: you really run fast, my love! We need more powerful weapons. Why? In this way, the emotion is greater!- Niete said, trying to forget he was utterly in panic. From there and along the river bank, he keeps on taking films and then they find a egg nest. Ngexisaurus!- He recognized the eggs- and she nodded, saying: Four months old! Soon they will hatch. Wheres the mother?- He mumbled, looking around. ABC 072 looked and said: we have three females and two males not 200 meters away. Any of them could come here and stomp on us. I propose we get away from this nest of eggs. They did as she suggested, and not ten minutes later, one of the female Ngexisaurus takes her feet from the water and went at a trot to see the eggs on that earth nest of hersshe sniffed, not liking much the strange odor of perfume (ABC 072) and mammal (Niete) odor. She trumpeted, and the rest of the herd trumpeted along, but didnt approaches- they knew that Ngexisaurus female always were brawling along for her six eggs she gets. Niete decided he could go into the river, and takes a swim on the greenish waters. ABC 072 went with him for a short while, and then she climbs on a boulder with the LASER rifle at the ready. 121 Niete went out of the water and seats a while on a rock, to dry his clothes. She said:You look pretty undefended over there, my love. Yes! And you look great perched over that rock!- Niete replied, smiling. A Shadow passed overhead, and she fired up- yelling:A pterosaur! Put on your clothes, dear! We get to leave this place or seek shelter somewhere else! Use the rifle!- Niete said, fastening his shoes- he looked around, trying to see the flying creature- there it was! Approaching again! Niete was now with his shoes and

running- at his side and down the rock as an eagle, ABC 072 fired up, saying: You really looks funny, dear! Why? Did I forget something?- He asked, mildly amused. Yes! Your pants! You left them at a rock!- She laughed, and then the Pterosaur appears, trying to grab them- she faced it and seared its long beak up to his throat; with an awful gasping sound, the Pterosaur descended, brushing them with its wings. The LASER rifle goes stumbling to the bushes- Niete takes her hand and run after it. The Pterosaur was maimed but decided to have a lunch- Niete remembered the egg nest and yelling he approaches it- and turns when seeing the female Ngexisaurus was already running to protect the eggs. The Pterosaur saw her and try to fly away, but as he was trying to gain altitude, the Ngexisaurus bits a wing and bring it down, smashing the eggs with his body. Crazy with pain and sorrow, the big Ngexisaurus stomped on Pterosaur, transforming it on a bloody patch over the rocks. Niete hurried after ABC 072, who knew where the Flier was parked, and when climbing to it, he said: guess I lost my film camera. Dont worry too much about it! I can download some of my visual memory unto a film- memory pill for you- specially the sequence where you run in underpants!- She said, smiling while commanding the Flier upwards - they hovered over the destroyed nest- the female Ngexisaurus was standing close to the reminds, trying to understand there were no eggs any more. At the river, the camera was nowhere in sight- they keep going through the hills- and while traversing above them, they saw a metallic reflex. RELIC FROM THE PAST. Theres something there, dear! Lets take a look?- She asked, making a descent. Yes! Must be a craft of some sort.- He said, and they hovered over the place for some minutes. Seems to be a wreck.- ABC 072 said, and once the Flier was landed, they went out, now unafraid of dinosaurs, as the altitude and the cold was not of the like of those giants. The object was round, darkened by the time and perhaps designed to provide some kind of help against the friction of the air at high speed. Built by humans, perhaps 1926 years old- the hatch looks untouched.- ABC 072 said. Diameter fifteen meters? Seventeen, dear! Height at the center, six meters. Propulsion- must be time and space distortion of some kind- I should take a look at the engines to tell.- ABC 072 said. I dont believe theres any danger sneaking inside. Too much time had passed. The pilot must be a handful of ash by now.- Niete said. She pressed around the hatch, and suddenly it slides open. That characteristic was new to observe as every spaceship made in Knapp has doors opening to the outside of the craft. Lets me go first, my dear. This stale air cannot harm me!- She said, getting inside the vehicle. Niete waits ten paces away from the entrance- he knew state air means putrid gases capable of to kill or get sick any person- specially if there were cadavers in the inside. ABC appears very soon, saying: I found three dead bodies inside, dear. Are you capable of withstanding their view? I think I can- obviously, I must know first which species they belong to.- He said, nervously.

They are humans, my dear, but not from Knapp.- She said, going inside again. She brought out the three corpses, or better still, three skeletons inside three special suits. Strange material.- He said, looking at the green spacesuits- the helmet was connected to a box on their chest- probably oxygen provider. They used a glass in front and of course, the head was now a cranium, yellow in color, showing the holes where sometimes a pair of eyes was looking at the world. I will open one of them- step aside, please!- She said, and when opened, the helmet could be detached and she peer inside. Funny how the bone degrades so quickly in contact with the air- they were in a vacuum all of these years.- ABC 072 said. 124 She not only unscrews the helmet and put it beside the suit, but also opened the suits and from there he takes out every bone and put them in a heap. Humans, all right.- Niete said. Yes. Did I show you one of them in correct shape?- ABC 072 said, and seeing he was nodding, she swiftly puts the bones as they were when the mammal was alive. 1.87 meters tall, dear. Males- the three of them.- ABC 072 said. Strange marks on the helmet.- He said, noticing three different colors on a triangle. Yes. My databank has access now to the alien databank in orbit- I could tell you this are German people, from a country named Germany, or Deutschland, in Earth planet.ABC 072 said. Germans, then. This people are relics from an old civilization- the Third Reich- that was defeated twice by the almost same enemies, that takes their factories, away to their countries, also airplanes, tanks, weaponry, rockets, Scientists, blueprints, prototypes, whatever they could grab! Many countries and Empires take the gold, iron, steel and inventions to the four sides of the map! They also raped their women by the thousands.- She said, downloading information from Alien sources. I wonder if they still exist as a race.- Niete asked her. Yes, they still survive, only decimated and robbed of more land that those they tried to recover in the second war against the Conglomerate! It was really a nightmare for them. A leader thought it was good idea to defeat a pair of Empires and lots of their colonies with better weapons but the effort was too big for them- also, the countries that were helped by them prior of the war, didnt move a finger when needed.- ABC 072 explained. 125 I guess it was revenge. Well, these fellows seem to have escaped real far from home! But also, traversing the brane? Niete said. Well, they were in a time when the Superstring/M-theory it describe gravity as a high dimensional interaction which becomes effectively four dimensional at low enough energies. This theory inspired the construction of braneworld models, in which the standard model gauge fields are confined to the observable universe (the brane), while gravity propagates in all spatial dimensions (the bulk). The implications of the braneworld theory on general relativity was extensively investigated, most of theme on cosmological scenarios. The studies on astrophysics braneworld were limited, however it is well known that gravitational collapse could produce very high energies, where the braneworld corrections to general relativity would become significant. They thought that any solution found in the context of astrophysics braneworld must have the well known general relativity limit. Due to the highly non lineal contributions

of pure high energy and KK terms, to find a solution to field equations was very difficult. For this reason demanding the general relativity limit, even in the simplest case, was an additional problem which solution was very complex for the science of their time. But anyhow, they found the way to the stellar braneworld, the case of an anisotropic spherical distribution with non uniform density, a simple analytic should had been found. In this case the low energy limit is not regained. The source of this low energy t problem is identified as the KK corrections on the brane. The final scenario considered is the isotropic and no homogeneous stellar distribution, where the source of the low energy limit problem is clearly identified. And we should study the engines to find out. ABC 072 said. Right. Call on Henrietta. Tell her we had necessity of the aerial ship right now- with the e-female workers she had. Perhaps some tools, too?- He asked. Let me handle this, my love! You can take a peek at the cabin of this vehicle- theres no venomous gases inside.- She said, while he gets into communication with the factory in Oxiborion through the radio. Niete gets inside the vehicle- all was made of metal and looked empty of adornments or superfluous parts- as if made to be used in a hurry. There were three seats, with capacity to be extended like a bunk bed. The controls were in front of the first seat, at a table. Indicators were on the second seat table, and some dials on a table in front of the third seat. The artifact has round bow windows to look inside- the seats has leather straps reinforced with steel wire. The seats were facing one point of the circle- in the down portion behind the windows there were cables going to the floor and beyond through openings. A smell of tar pervades the place. At a side, there was an opening with a vertical ladder to go down a shaft but it was dark and Niete hasnt torchlight in that moment. The ceiling was flat, notwithstanding that by the external part of the hull it was concave. He search for objects on some drawers- there still were cans of food- with the labels partially eroded by time; there were pencils, papers and documents on cardboard boxesthere were three revolvers with the letters HS on a wax envelope. ABC 072 comes inside the cabin and said: Very interesting, eh? Like a museum. 126 This is a real find.- He said, moved. Yes. Henrietta will send here a team of workers- first well dig and restore the vehicle on the horizontal position. Well dig and restore the vehicle on the horizontal position. Then, well transport it wherever you like best.- ABC 072 said. I like best our factory.- He replied, looking through a porthole. All right, the factory it is.- She said, looking through a porthole, while sending a radio message to Henrietta, who asked: Tell me how much time are you going to stay there? Because well be not arriving before four hours more. Its 15:15- guess your arrival will be at 18:15?- ABC 072 asked her confirmation. I assume it is so. The crane and other stuff I get to soldered to the aerial craft._ Henrietta said. ABC 072 asked to Niete: My love, could you wait here until 18:15 hours, time of arrival of Henrietta, or do you want to wait somewhere else? Ill wait here, darling. Ill carry some stuff to our Flier in the meantime. Documents, the revolvers, the special suits.- He replied. The bones too? Guess it deserves to be carried to some cemetery and get buried. They were people.Niete said.

As you wish. Bags for the bones, then.- She said, beginning to work in what was said. More utensils appeared and Niete said: well take what is not a tool, dear. Only data and personal effects. As she rearranges things again, he probed to shoot the revolvers- they looked just fine, because they were wrapped on leather and waxed paper. The bullet goes after the explosion that produced echoes on the nearby mountains. Good revolver!- He said, smiling. He observed the bullets- lead on top, and a metallic case of copper and zinc. 127 Niete aimed at a rock, fired, and splinters come out of a corner of it. He was sure those weapons werent made to exist thousands of years, but there he was, using them as they were new ones. He revised the documents- the paper was becoming fragile by the minute, and he said so to ABC 072, who takes them to read, while saying: Ill copy them before they run into ashes.- And she leafed through them quickly but with carewhen she finished reading them, she said: Ill copy them into some holographic set- od do you want them in their original form? Both ways, dear ABC 072! The paper is made of plastic nowadays, but is just the same for me!- He replied, jokingly. A pterosaur is flying over our heads right now. Do you want to kill him or we better stay inside the Glocke?- She asked with a smile. Glocke? What is that?- He replied with another question. Glocke means Bell, in German. They used to call it like that. A wonder weapon, of course- never used in the war- but in hidden they keep the machines, using- as we are learning now- to take the seed of the Germans out of reach of the Allies- or enemies of Deutschland (or Germany).- ABC 072 said, repeating what she had learned on the alien databanks. Lets go inside the Glocke, my love!- He said, taking her by her hands and she giggled while she was being kissed. At eighteen hours and seventeen minutes in the evening, Henrietta arrives to the spot on the aerial craft, plus three Fliers with technical personnel from the factory. Good evening, Niete and ABC 072! Nice weather up here!- She said, while ordering the rest to begin digging around the craft, while others were attaching cables to heave up the artifact with the use of a crane. Niete eats some sandwiches and a beverage while the dirt around the disc was taken out. Then, the crane takes the object in the air half a meter from the ground, and the team worked securing the wire net around the artifact. Henrietta said: Well carry it as in a bag! Totally secure, weight easily capable to be carried by our Aerial craft. At 21.00 hours, the airship and the smaller Flies begin their travel to Oxiborion- they travelled above the 20 Island on route to the Oceanus Negrita, with the Disc hanging from the net like a giant chickpea. Hours later, Oxiborion was in the long range radars. Soon well be depositing this treasure on our own yard.- Niete said, looking at the radar. Are you staying on the factory now?- ABC 072 asked him. Yes! Ill take a hot bath and then to sleep! I want everyone of this team working on the Bell! I want a good mechanic, if it is possibly, to make those engines begin working again. ABC 072 kissed him, saying: Well do everything to make you happy!. The site of the factory was reached without a hindrance and soon the Bell was unwrapped and a tent was located over it, sustained by poles and wires, not to show

what was under it to the Royal Air force of Knapp and their spy satellites. The recovery was legal but all reminds should be noticed to the government, who was for ever eager for new technical advances and relics of old (no matter if the relic is alien). Niete went to sleep with ABC 072; she never sleeps but mount guard at his side, with her LASER rifle at her reach- noticing news from the holographic set shows the Knappian society was now more violent than before the alien spaceships appears. Henrietta calls on her, saying: We read and studied the Manuals you copied at the mountains and we find and classified every control on the cockpit. We are testing now the engines. They are based on an electric current passing through seawater in the presence of an intense magnetic field, which interacts with the magnetic field of the current through the water. Functionally, the seawater is then the moving, conductive part of an electric motor. Pushing the water out the back accelerates the vehicle in the forward direction.MHD is attractive because it has no moving parts, which means that a good design might be silent, reliable, efficient, and inexpensive. A extra expense is from the large generator that must be driven by an engine. Such a large generator is not required when an engine directly drives a propeller. Actually there are some methods of spacecraft propulsion based on magneto hydrodynamic principles. In these the working fluid is usually plasma or a thin cloud of ions. Some of the techniques include various kinds of ion thruster, the magneto plasma dynamic thruster, and the variable specific impulse magneto plasma rocket. The Glocke or Bell uses sub-light impulse engines MHDs where the working fluid/propellant is the plasma generated by nuclear fusion reactors. So we have radiation on that Bell. Hope its not leaking, after the millennia?- ABC 072 asked her. Its not leaking- those Germans were good engineers and mechanics, no matter they were being bombed by the minute. But used a primitive starter that is necessary for the magnet to being working. We need to clean every part of that small starter or use a new device.- Henrietta said. Do you want me to ask Niete what did he chooses? Hes sleeping and hell be sleeping for the next seven hours. We can clean the old device in three hours- but certainly 129 The unions must use new gasket. There are some other parts highly deteriorated. All those parts must be made anew.- Henrietta said. Then use a new device! The old one, when ready, should be tested and accepted by a security team- not because its old must be accepted.- ABC 072 said. Henrietta said: These pieces are being drawn in this instant- soon they will be transformed in solid objects. Well get to have patience. You said it. Niete could wait for three or more days to fly it- if ever.- ABC 072 said, ending the conversation. Four weeks later, Henrietta appears, in the morning, at Nietes office, saying: The Glocke-Bell is working fine. Dont tell me!- Niete said, almost forgotten with so much a delay. I tell you! We had changed some systems for new ones based on the old, of course. The structure hasnt been changed.- Henrietta said. Right. Are we going to use- the uniforms? Not necessary for us. But for you, necessary.- Henrietta said, while Niete walked round the desk to follow her and ABC-072.
Well be going to the Sadam Gulf- a short voyage.- Henrietta said. Why so?-

Because we hadnt tested it more than an hour! It rests to be tested on a larger flight.Henrietta explained. All right. Whos piloting it? Me.- Henrietta said. Ill be on the Generators.- ABC-072 said, touching his shoulder.

Fine.- Niete said, jovial Soon they were inside the Glocke and strapping to their seats. Henrietta looked at his boss and said: Ready? I tell you the resonance could frighten you, but it will be all right.Im ready.- Niete replied. There we go!- Henrietta gives a signal to ABC 072, and pushed the starter button- a sound of a dynamo was heard, and then ABC-072 start the engines- a buzzing goes on the increase- soon it was a whining sound- sparks begin to be seen through the windows, falling from the top. Dont panic! Its as this thing works!- Henrietta said, smiling through the noise. The floor swayed and the Glocke (Bell) leaves the ground; Niete saw how both ewomen were now real busy with the controls- the Bell rise and swaying goes up and up, until a sudden movement to a side was given. Dont panic!- ABC-072 murmured to Niete, who sensed how his heart was pounding rapidly. 131 The sun (Knapp) was low on the horizon, and the red/black lights were as fantastic looking as that trip on a spaceship made thousands of years ago. Enjoying the ride?- ABC-072 said, blinking an eye to him. Yes! Like a dream- thats what this is!- He said, smiling. ABC-072 was now apparently more relaxed with the controls, and said: eight minutes on the air, and we still dont fall on the sea! Gulf of Sadam.- Henrietta corrected her from the pilots seat. Whatever. And, Niete, you should know that there are several spacecrafts and aerial vehicles going around under the same principles as this Glocke uses.- ABC-072 explained. Like which of them?- Niete asked her. The old Enterprise series, the Orbs, the Vulcan Aprix 800 series- some C&F Andorian Drops; all of them outmoded but rarely surpassed by the modern technology on what it is the engines.- ABC-072 said. Niete thinks about it, and said: So we have a relic. That, a spaceship capable of to travel between the Branes and it has one canon.Henrietta alleged.
A cannon? Where?- He asked, in surprise. Down below! It can retracts- its retracted most of the time, of course- the projectiles are automatically charged- from here.- ABC-072 indicated ho her console with a finger.

And in what consist the ammunition?- Niete asked her. Cannon bombs. Projectiles that will explode- could easily blow up our entire factory with a well positioned bomb.- Henrietta said. Hum! So we get ourselves some artillery, too! I wonder if the fuse still works on those bombs.- Niete said, pensively. Eighteen bombs in all! Inside a chamber, real well packed.- ABC-072 said, lifting her shoulders a bit. Niete looked through the portholes to the side where he supposed it was the coast, and it was already gone.

We are travelling at 660 km. per hour. Well get back at 2.500 km. per hour in a few minutes- we dont want you to loose the thrill to be on a relic in high speed!- Henrietta said, jokingly. The return was at 2.500 km. per hour, but the amazing thing was being able to stop almost instantly without the sense of inertia, as the electromagnetic craft produces a bubble that has its own gravity center. They descended, Niete quite amazed by the flight and thinking hard in what to do next. He went to his office, while Henrietta asks her technical advisers to revise the Glocke systems again, and ABC-072 follows him to his desk. He seats on his armchair, and she over the top, saying: Im sure you really enjoy the ride. I sent a message- by radio, to all the e-people who worked in the remaking of the Glocke, thanking them for their good work. Thanks, darling; they deserve a pat on their shoulders. And, the craft did works! Amazing. I have an alien spaceship on my hands.- He said, smiling. You can sell it in several million Credits, dearest! The whole artifact is a relic.- ABC072 announced. I am certain of it. Pity its very small to try a direct voyage to other planets.- He said, looking at the documents on his desk. Those were copies of the originals brought to Knapp by the brave Germans- only that now the originals were pure dust. You can build another bigger if you want! The technical staff is certain they could build another- the size will depend on how much you want to invest.- ABC-072 said. 133 Look at this drawings! We have a model called Haunebu 2, one of the biggest. Look at those others- VRIL- different and smaller.- Niete said. Oh, those were flying with jet propulsion! Not enough to reach other planets!- ABC 072 explained. Yes, I notice it. And this other- a carried- the name is Andromeda.- Niete said. Oh. That is a carrier- one Haunebu and three VRIL.- She said, smiling and looking at the papers, who were the exact copy of those she had in her memory. I wonder why to carry several VRIL when the Haunebu is far superior.- Niete said, and she replied instantly: because the jets could work as long as you replenish the tanks with more fuel! But the Haunebu systems ends by fusing the elements that makes it tick- so, if you want to keep on going with a Haunebu craft, you need to replace important parts of the engines. That is easy if you have a workshop handy- not if you are landed on an alien planet. Altogether, when time of utilization reaches the 55 million kilometers an overhaul is needed- a pity, of course. In the Orbs, this system is in tandem with the Neutronic system. Nite smiled, and said: Well, thats it! To fly, I must to buy vehicles to the guys who knows better! This vehicle will be in storage- at our home in the mountains. What? Over the roof? On the platform?- ABC 072 asked him, surprised. We better build a nice hangar- strong to resist dinosaurs.- He said, smiling. Ill tell our e-people to do it.- She said, but afterwards the project was finished by a Contractor. Four months later, Niete was going to bed, and said to ABC 072 Tomorrow the hangar will be finished at last! Well go there in our Glocke. Yes! Its nice to fly in it.- ABC 072, and calls on Henrietta, because she was the pilot, but Henrietta said: Impossible! Search another for that work! Its very simply to download what I know about unto any one you tell me. All right, Ill call you later.- ABC 072, and soon AB 6033 was hearing- and downloading- the information Henrietta gives to man the Glocke. At the next day, Niete

receives AB 6033 at his office, while ABC 072 was saying: this is our new copilot, dearest! Shell help on the steerage. Where do you work here, AB 6033?- Niete asked her, looking that she was tall and beautiful, green eyes and blonde. At the Administration Mechanical Section, Sir.- She said, with an agreeable voice. I dont remember having talked with you before.- Niete said, and of course, it was not only a talk was that missing there. She was bought not half a month ago, dear! But I respond for her skills.- ABC 072 said, smiling. Fine! Well! Lets begin our voyage! Dont forget some sandwich and beverages for the road!- Niete said, knowing the meal was going to be only for himself. They climb on the Glocke and ABC 072 closed the hatch after them, saying: A nice weather! Well be seeing far and away today! Thats good!- Niete said, thinking in those engines of old. The Glocke get the starter going on, then the engines pick up speed and swaying a bit, it rises up and goes rapidly to the heavens; ABC 072 was sure the machine was made for the battles of a war, hard and resilient, so soon they were advancing at 1.944 kilometers per hour and speeding up- when the indicators shows a needle pointing to the number 4.030, she smiled and said: Faster than with Henrietta as a pilot, dear! I hope not to awake in Heavens gates!- He said, sensing a little tremor under his feet. Soon the continent Intemeratus was in front of them; she rise the vehicle to the 4.200 kilometers high, and stabilized there for a while; the Glocke approaches the mountains, passing above them; Niete was seeing at the mountain pikes covered with ice while AB 6033 was controlling the magnets with the controls in front of his seat. A little more velocity, dear?- ABC 072 asked, but not wanting for an order to rise the velocity to 7.000 kilometers per hour. Now the Glauben Mare (sea) extended itself like a blue rug in front of them and to the sides. They saw, like specks, some Pterosaurs flying to the Sea, they were a large flock. Among them, sixteen meters long winged Pterosaurs seem like bombers among hunters. ABC 072 went around the building of the Hotel Rumoror a couple of times and then went north, to their house in the mountains. Well land on the house.- ABC 072 said, and minutes later, they were already walking by the platform and into the building. The place was cold but the central heating system was in full action trying to warm the place as soon as it was possible without catching fire. ABC 072 went to the Refrigerator and takes some more food for Niete, who was now at the table- she placed a hot soup and a bread in front of him, saying: Now could be the precise time and occasion to bring your children here- like in a vacation.- And she takes his hands in hers. Yes! Call the nurse to take them here.- He said, accepting the proposition right away. Its nice in here. We could have them all year round inside these walls. Its secure and youll be with them as the father that you must be: present. You mean theyre alone now? I had several e-persons taking care of them!_ Niete was on the verge of to feel outraged. Calm down! I already sent the message to their keepers! They will prepare them and a Flier will take them here. Now you and me had to provide the proteins!- ABC 072 Said. How? Lets go hunting! A dinosaur a month will suffice for you and the children- the food processor will make wonders with it- Im sure youll accept.- She said.

Certainly true!- He said, and soon he was dressed to go hunting. They climb into the Glocke and departed up. The open fields are on the plains- here on the mountains they arent animals at all.He said, looking at the snowy peaks. The terrain its too rough and there are no trees: well go to the west this time. Plenty of woods at that side of the Island 20.- ABC 072 said. At a clearing they descended, with AB 6033 helping at the copilot seat. Niete said: Good landing!- And went out of the cabin with his LASER rifle ready. We dont need a whole Alamosaurus, dear! Its best to hunt for smaller creatures- they are easy to be carried out and easier to cut into pieces. A large animal has tons of meat, difficult to cut while other predators are asking for their share.- ABC 072 said. At the forest, occasionally grunts and bellowing were marking animal territorial enclosures- guided by the sounds, they found mamenchisaurus and a Cetiosaurus. Big animals grazing on the trees and plants with their hungry vegetarian mouths open. Look! A Scelidosaurus! Ill shoot first!- ABC 072 said, immediately firing the LASER beam that cracked in the morning mist. The animal jumped t a side while the LASER beam fired by Niete missed him and hits some bushes, that catches fire for a couple of minutes and then subsides, due to the cold and the humid atmosphere. A second shoot made by ABC 072 ends with the life of the Scelidosaurus and Niete said; A fine male. Pity we are killing them instead of saving them. 137 Dont be romantic, dear! Remember that these creatures are here to mate and die! We only shortened their lives a bit- one animal per month only! Its nothing to be worried about.- ABC 072 said. Yes, but to the one you kill, it matters terribly.- Niete said. She approaches him and asked: And what do you propose? Feed the Food processor with ersatz meals from Oredloro market place? Having so great a quantity of animals around here that would be a thing real queer to do. I dont know- it gives me real pity this butchery.- He said. Very simply, then! Buy food at Oredloro or Oxiborion, and ask them to send it here!She said, smiling. At sundown, the aerial ship with his sons and daughters arrives, plus seven Assistants. Hi, sons!- He said, embracing one by one- they were excited after the voyage and laughed. ABC 072 had rooms prepared for them altogether, and Niete help carrying them to those rooms: two children per room, with an Assistant to watch for them. They are very capable! Im sure they will take care of everything, dear! You will be only playing with them once in a while.- ABC 072 said to Niete. That night, he went several times to see them sleep, and a sensation of wellbeing was on him, and he thanks ABC 072 for her council. I knew you were searching for something and to take real care of them was the answer.- ABC 072 said. With 11 months of age, they certainly had a long way to advance for to become useful people, but Niete was sure he could accomplish his role as a father with the extra time the medicine had given him. THE END. EMRM , 3/3/2011 2:20:40 PM Notes =

The Glocke (the Bell). Possibly the secret aerial craft made by National Socialist German Party in the dark years of the war 1938- 1945 that does not fall on the avid paws of the Allies (United 48 States of North America, Empire of England with all of its domains on the world, Communist empire named Soviet Union, France (the colonies on Africa), etc. Data: 1*Compsognathus is a bird-like dinosaur that walked on two long, thin legs; it had three-toed feet. A long tail acted as a counterbalance and for stability during fast turns. It had short arms with two clawed fingers on each hand. Compsognathus had a small, pointed head with small, sharp teeth, hollow bones, and a long, flexible neck. Compsognathus is from 28 inches-4.6 feet long (0.7-1.4 m), about 6.5 pounds (3 kg) and is about the size of a chicken. Its femur (thigh bone) is only 11 cm long. Earth planet Compsognathus Fact Sheet NAME: Meaning - Compsognathus means "pretty jaw" Pronounced - KOMP-sog-NAH-thus or komp-SOG-no-thus Named By - Johann A. Wagner When Named - 1859 DIET: Carnivore (meat-eater) - Compsognathus caught and ate small animals, including insects and lizards. John Ostrom found fossilized remains from a Compsognathus' stomach that contained the skeleton of the fast-running lizard Bavarisaurus. SIZE: Length - 28 inches-4.6 feet (0.7-1.4 m) long Height - 10 inches (26 cm) tall at the hips Weight - 6.5 pounds (3 kg) WHEN IT LIVED: Late Jurassic period, about 155-145 million years ago WHERE IT LIVED: Fossils have been found in Germany and France, Europe. FOSSILS: Compsognathus was first discovered by Dr. Oberndorfer in limestone deposits in the Riedenburg-Kelheim region of Bavaria, southern Germany in the late 1850's. Compsognathus is known from two fossilized skeletons. CLASSIFICATION: Kingdom Animalia (animals) Phylum Chordata (having a hollow nerve chord ending in a brain) Class Archosauria (diapsids with socket-set teeth, etc.) Order Saurischia - lizard-hipped dinosaurs Suborder Theropoda - bipedal carnivores Tetanura - advanced theropods with three fingers Infraorder Coelurosauria - lightly-built fast-running predators with hollow bones and large brains Superfamily Maniraptoriformes - advanced coelurosaurs with a fused wrist bone Family Compsognathidae - small, with small, pointed heads, two-fingered hands, and flexible necks Genus Compsognathus Species C. longipes (type species named by Wagner, 1859) Compsognathus was about the size of a chicken and is one of the smallest-known dinosaurs. It walked on two long, thin legs, had three-toed feet, a small, pointed head with small, sharp teeth, hollow bones, and a long, flexible neck. Compsognathus had short arms with two clawed fingers on each hand. A long tail acted as a counterbalance and for stability during fast turns.

*2 sun = Knapp. *3 ankylosaurs = Explanations through Earth Facts: NAME: Meaning - Ankylosaurus means "fused lizard" Pronounced - ang-KIE-lo-SAWR-us Named By - Barnum Brown When Named - 1908 DIET: Herbivore (plant-eater) - Ankylosaurus had to eat a huge amount of low-lying plant material to sustain itself so its gut must have been very large. It probably had a fermentation compartment to aid in the digestion of the tough plant material, producing prodigious amounts of gas! SIZE: Length - 25-35 feet (7.5-10.7 m) long Height - 4 ft (1.2 m) tall at the hips Weight - 3-4 tons WHEN IT LIVED: Late Cretaceous period, about 70-65 million years ago WHERE IT LIVED: Ankylosaurus fossils have been found in the western USA (Montana) and Canada (Alberta), North America. FOSSILS: Two Ankylosaurus skulls and three partial skeletons (including armor and a tail club) have been found. Ankylosaur track ways were found near Sucre, Bolivia, South America. CLASSIFICATION: Kingdom Animalia (animals) Phylum Chordata (having a hollow nerve chord ending in a brain) Class Archosauria (diapsids with socket-set teeth, etc.) Order Ornithischia - bird-hipped dinosaurs Suborder Thyreophora (Enoplosauria) - armored, spiked and/or plated dinosaurs Superfamily Ankylosauria - armored dinosaurs Family Ankylosauridae - armored dinosaurs that have clubbed tails Genus Ankylosaurus Species A. magniventris (type species named by Brown, 1908) INTERESTING FACTS: Ankylosaurus was a tank-like dinosaur - its entire top side was heavily protected from carnivores with thick, oval plates embedded (fused) in its leathery skin, 2 rows of spikes along its body, large horns that projected from the back of the head, and a club-like tail. It even had bony plates as protection for its eyes. Only its underbelly was un-plated. Among its contemporaries were the large meat-eating Tyrannosaurus, Tarbosaurs, and Deinonychus. Short of being flipped over, the Ankylosaurus was well protected from these predators, and could even defend itself with its club-like tail. *4 = Remember that in Knapp there are some colonies of the Great Tuberose, deep into the sea. (Earth ) Lycorhinus (Same in Knapp). Lycorhinus is a genus of heterodontosaurid ornithischian dinosaur hailing from the Early Jurassic strata of the Elliot Formation located in the Cape Province, South Africa. The fossil remains consist in dentaries and maxillae hence the characters mentioned by the name that Sidney H. Haughton attributed to them in 1924, where the generic name means "wolf snout", as it was at first misidentified as a cynodont, and the specific descriptor means "constricted teeth".

Lycorhinus, including the remains described by Gow in 1975 as Lanasaurus, is a small herbivorous dinosaur despite the long canines it sported in its jaws; due to this unique characteristic L. angustidens is very clearly allied to Heterodontosaurus. * Patagosaurus Older than the Late Jurassic dinosaurs of North America, Patagosaurus is one of only two sauropods known from the Middle Jurassic of South America. The other sauropod is Volkheimeria, which is a member of the same family as Patagosaurus. A Patagosaurus skeleton was found in Patagonia, Argentina, in rocks about 15 million years older than those where the North American sauropods were found. Patagosaurus is known from a nearly complete skeleton, except for the skull. It resembled the English sauropods Cetiosaurus, but its hips and vertebrae were different. Patagosaurus was medium-size sauropods that weighed about 15 tons. In some ways it resembled the North American sauropods Haplocanthosaurus, but it was somewhat more primitive. Patagosaurus and its relatives may be the direct ancestors of some of the Late Jurassic sauropods. There may have been land connections that allowed the sauropods to travel between South America, Western Europe, and Africa. Members of the same family have been found in all these different places. Patagosaurus ate plants, and its enemies were the theropod dinosaurs. Piatnitzkysaurus, a theropod found at the same time and in the same location as Patagosaurus and Volkheimeria, was as large as Allosaurus and a menace to most plant-eaters

* Pterosaurs (pronounced / trsr/, from the Greek , pterosauros, meaning "winged lizard", often referred to as pterodactyls, from the Greek , pterodaktulos, meaning "winged finger" / tr dktl/) were flying reptiles of the clade or order Pterosauria. They existed from the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous Period (220 to 65.5 million years ago). Pterosaurs are the earliest vertebrates known to have evolved powered flight. Their wings were formed by a membrane of skin, muscle, and other tissues stretching from the legs to a dramatically

lengthened fourth finger. Early species had long, fully-toothed jaws and long tails, while later forms had a highly reduced tail, and some lacked teeth. Many sported furry coats made up of hair-like filaments known as pycnofibres, which covered their bodies and parts of their wings. Pterosaurs spanned a wide range of adult sizes, from the very small Nemicolopterus to the largest known flying creatures of all time, 00000 Working time spent writing with a pencil on paper and then typewritten on a PC = 51 days. (And with some later revisions thrown in.). 00500 Words June 05 42519 words June 27 45629 words June28, 64638 words July 10; 71043 words July 11 77001 words July 12 78295 words July 13 84965 words July16 86997 words July 19 90400 words July 20 94130 words July 22 97185 words July 23 98138 words July 24 99684 words July 26, 2010 AJF.