Anthony J Kemp
Chapter 8 - - KIMLON'S STORY For the moment, Light Star did not seem to be in any danger. They were sitting in the middle of nowhere and their scanners had picked up no signs of any other ships in that area of space. After the pod had retracted Harris decided it was time to see Raftos and ask him some pertinent questions. Packet stayed in the communications room compiling the data they had gathered. Harris left and went in search of Raftos. After twenty minutes, Harris wished he had waited for Packet. Tramping up and down the connecting tubes, in and out of storage units and conditioning plants, Harris was completely lost. There seemed to be no logic behind the way the passages were laid out. After opening one hatch he found himself in part of the power coil rings. Trying to stop himself from screaming out loud Harris went down another passage and opened another hatch; the ship was not so very big, he thought. The hatch opened onto a large accommodation chamber, this room had gravity and a table in the centre. Sitting at the table were five people, and they all looked up as Harris entered. One of them was Kimlon. "If you're here,” said Kimlon. "You must be lost.” "I'm lost,” said Harris. "I had a feeling I was going to be wandering around these passages for ever. I normally have a very good sense of direction.” "The power rings upset your direction balance,” said Kimlon. "Have some tea.” Kimlon poured a hot liquid into what passed for a proper cup. It was Zilon, a very pleasant sweet tea made from Terfomoss. One of the other people at the table passed Harris a plate with a proper looking piece of cake on it. Harris looked around at the others sitting at the table. Kimlon apologised and introduced the other people, Meyat, Keso, Freerom, and Craso. Kimlon then pointed up at the wall where there were a series of bunks, and introduced three more people: Truman, Ottam and Predling, whom he had seen before. Kimlon explained that even a ship as small as Light Star needed a
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