Pancake Night 13: And Off We Go Again

by Seven


Disclaimer:  Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company.  All rights reserved.



Note from Author:     On request...



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"Kayaking what?" Sandoval asked, staring down the river. Several spots of color topped with white were zipping down the river, dodging amid the . "Taelonists?"

"Close enough," Liam said, turning and staggering along the riverside. "Let's get back to the car."

Da'an simply gripped Liam's arm as his protector headed for a small road leading out of the canyon. Suddenly the Taelon stopped, and pointed ahead, where several grayish-brown creatures were crouched. "What are those creatures?"

"Mules!" Liam shouted. "Sandoval, get Zo'or over here! Da'an found mules!" He stared ahead eagerly, as Sandoval and Zo'or rounded the corner.

Sandoval eyed the mules suspiciously, as one of them glared at him balefully, as if daring him to get atop it. "We are not riding those things."

"If it is our only avenue of escape-" Zo'or began, glancing over one of the mules.

"It is," Liam announced, slowly circling around one of the mules. He wriggled slightly, straining against the straitjacket. "And how do I get on?"

"We are NOT getting on those things," Sandoval repeated firmly.

"We have no other choice," Da'an announced, taking one of the mules's bridles and pulling it over to a rock. He hurriedly stepped onto the rock and slung one leg over it.

Liam watched the Taelon sway and jerk his way upright on the nervous animal, not used to being mounted in that manner. "You've never actually ridden, have you?" Liam asked in a whisper.

"I have seen it attempted on your news media."

"So you've seen it on TV," Liam said, stepping on the rock and sticking one foot in the stirrup on the beast next to it.

Sandoval glanced back at the shore, seeing one of the boats rapidly come to shore, and several white-robed, bald-headed Taelonists hop off onto the rocks. "We are NOT riding these things," Sandoval said nervously, hopping on top of the mule and pulling the reins, directing it toward the path. Zo'or had somehow made it on top of his mule with dignity intact and was following his protector as their animals quickly went up the path.

Da'an leaned to the side of his saddle and gripped Liam's straitjacket, helping his protector stay on the mule. "Wait up for us!" Liam called out.

****

"I still think we should have gone back for the car," Liam complaimed, rocking back and forth in the saddle.

Sandoval glanced down the highway, as cars zipped by them. "They'd already taken over the car by that time. We didn't have any other way to escape."

"We are entering California," Da'an announced, squinting at a road sign.

"I demand that you find a different means of transportation," Zo'or snapped, clinging to the saddle. Liam noted with amusement that the mule seemed even less thrilled than Zo'or did.

"Does anyone mind if I sing?" Liam asked, starting to slide to one side with a slightly panicked expression.

"Only if you sing something uplifting," Sandoval muttered.

****

Liam glanced over the spacious decks of the huge luxury liner, taking in the pool, doors to the huge buffet, and the two dozen girls in bikinis glancing at him approvingly despite his straitjacket and rumpled appearance. "I need a shower," he muttered.

Sandoval, next to him, had lost his tie, jacket, and one of his pockets. His normally-immaculate hair was hanging over the slightly-crazed eyes in a rather green face. "How can you shower wearing a straitjacket?" he asked blankly.

"I can't, but I'm gonna give it a shot." Liam started toward the pool.

Sandoval caught him by the orange-covered arm. "No, you're taking it in your room," he said firmly.

Liam sighed. "Isn't it nice how the government pays for this if you say that it's for the service of the Companions? Especially if you have one along? Two, even?"

"Mrmh."

"What's wrong NOW?"

"I can't help feeling this won't last," Sandoval said, eyeing the horizen.

"Lighten up," Liam said teasingly, heading into his room. "We left the Taelonists in San Diego, Sandoval. I think that once we went sprinting through that old mission and over the roof of the gift shop, they lost track of us."

"Mrmh."

****

As Liam strolled the deck to his cabin, he noticed someone wearing a white dress rummaging in his bathroom. "Forget the complimentary moisturizers," he called out, kicking off his shoes. "I have baby-soft skin, but I REALLY need a shower." No reply, just more rummaging. "Can you come back later, miss?"

A shaved head poked out. Liam just gawked in horror. "You!"

The Taelonist had no time to reply before Liam whirled and sprinted out the door. Then he dropped the complimentary bottles of shampoo and ran after the bound-up agent.

TO BE CONTINUED (also rumor is the author may do an in between story also)

Next: "Pancake Night 14: Merrily We Cruise Along"