* * * * *
While Logunn interrogated the captive Imperial recondo, Obmuj explained to the Spindrift cast-aways the history of the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire it was fighting to overthrow. Needless to say, all six humans were stunned by what they heard.
"A moon-sized space station?" exclaimed Steve Burton: "Powerful enough to destroy an entire planet?! How could such a thing even be possible?"
Mark Wilson (ever the brilliant engineer) was the first to offer a likely explanation.
"That super-laser cannon might actually have fired a concentrated stream of laser-guided antimatter particles! Matter and antimatter explosively cancel each other out when they collide. So, it's quite possible someone developed a way to use such a particle beam as a form of drill. Boring all the way to the center of...what was the name of that planet, again?"
Obmuj lowered his head in sadness.
"Alderaan."
Mark nodded his thanks in grim sympathy, before continuing: "...Alderaan, where the antimatter would've initiated an unstoppable chain reaction."
Betty Ericson looked at the Cragmoloid.
"And, all that happened six years ago, where you're from?"
"Almost to the day," Obmuj replied.
As the Cragmoloid was naturally too big to fit inside the Spindrift, the cast-aways had decided to have their dinner outdoors under a makeshift canopy. And, when they were finally through eating, Ta'enka'erf of Pho'pheah got up to help Betty do the dishes. She protested, of course, claiming that he, Obmuj, and Captain Tocneppil were guests! But, the Pho'pheahian Matukai would hear none of it.
"Cleanliness is as second-nature to my people as respiration. Just lead me to your galley."
Betty smilingly shrugged and complied. Thus, neither she nor Ta'enka'erf saw Logunn come walking back into camp. With Ebirc Semit slung over the ZeHethbran's right shoulder.
"Aw, don't tell me...," began Tocneppil.
Logunn shook his furry head: "He's just unconscious. It became too much for him. Trying to answer my questions without inhaling Bub's b.o. into the bargain!"
He then flung the storm trooper recondo to the ground, with all the gentleness of someone who had been carrying a heavy backpack for too long and too far. Obmuj did not fail to notice this, and asked what--if anything--Logunn had learned from their captive.
"You're not gonna belief this," replied the former: "The Empire is at it, again. They've got a second Death Star nearing completion!"
MEANWHILE, IN THE NEARBY CAPITOL CITY...
Inspector Kobic had just finished completing his written report--regarding the bizarre fire fight in the national forest, earlier that afternoon--when he answered a buzz from his intercom.
"Yes, Miss Niwri?"
"Sorry to disturb you, sir. But, just as I was about to leave for the day, the phone rang. There was a woman on the line who identified herself as Greta Gault. And, she claimed she has a Little Person in her custody that has told her something unbelievably frightening!"
Kobic took off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes with his free hand.
"Tell her to drop him off, with the desk sergeant in the lobby, first thing tomorrow morning. I need some sleep!"
"I'm sorry, sir. But, she'll only deliver him into your hands, personally. And, she said that if that wasn't enough incentive, I'm to mention the words...'invasion force.' "
Kobic's fatigue disappeared, almost instantly.
"Did this woman give you her name and address?"
"Yes, sir. The LLebpmac Circus. Encamped at the fairgrounds near the Sulac National Forest."
"Get me my new car and driver. Then, call the commander of the Tactical Squad. He and his men are to meet me at the circus, ASAP! And, they're to arrive...armed to the teeth. "
tbc
Giantess World
