Page 113 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Fasting the Plastiphage

shock, so he left him as he lay, and turned back to the priest.
“What happened to him? My name is Kaga. I am an old friend of
his. What can I do to help out?”
The acolyte stared at him from within the cowl. “Yes,” he said
through the Languex, “he has spoken of you. Perhaps you can be of
assistance to Burdleim. I have had many discussions with Lieutenant
Lugo, and I no longer share the High Priest’s conviction that we must
avoid further contact with your people. The last time the Hierotechs
were on the verge of destruction, the miracle which saved us came
from outside. Do you know about the Plastiphage?”
“A bit,” replied Captain Kaga, “and I understand that it cannot
produce oil indefinitely. But surely you have not yet exhausted your
supply of old plastikons?”
“No,” said Stimgage. “That is not the problem. About two weeks
ago the Plastiphage started to develop signs of illness. It became puffy
and purplish and seemed to have trouble moving about. Its appetite,
however, did not diminish, and plastikons were fed to it, just as
before. Then, five days ago, it suddenly stopped producing oil. This
caused great alarm among the Hierotechs. The High Priest would not
stop feeding it, so the intake of plastic did not cease. It continued to
swell up and discolor. I pleaded with the High Priest to let Lieutenant
Lugo examine the Plastiphage. At first, I was ignored. The creature is
regarded as a god by the older Hierotechs, and outsiders are never
permitted to see it.”
“Finally I convinced them of the wisdom of having an examination
made by your friend, who has many medical tools we do not possess.
He was led down to the Hall of the Plastiphage and allowed to enter.
We stood up in the gallery and watched. The Plastiphage was sitting
restlessly, breathing with difficulty, when Lieutenant Lugo
approached. Suddenly it grabbed him and started pulling him
towards its mouth. Three or four of us jumped over the wall and
pulled him away. By that time he was battered and unconscious, and
his clothing ripped to shreds. We brought him back here and I have
cared for him since. Will he recover?”
“I think so,” replied Kaga. “You probably saved his life. Now, what
about the Plastiphage? Is it still alive?”
“Yes, but its condition is grave. The High Priest continues to feed
it, praying for a miraculous recovery of its powers. But it cannot last
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