Page 175 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Investigating the Mystery of the Talking Plant
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“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Kaga. “I’d like to review last night’s
activity, first with you, then with Commander Quex. There’s no need
to tell him I’m conducting an unofficial investigation; he has enough
to worry about without wondering what I’m doing here.”
“All right,” Lugo assented. “All the aliens arrived three or four days
ago and settled into their habitats; the exhibits were installed in plenty
of time; everything was on schedule. Each alien is supplied with a
Languex and a portable life-support system with which it can be
ambulatory for several hours before it needs to return to its quarters.
Last night we opened the main doors at 1900 sharp and the invited
guests began to arrive. Nobody entered the building without an
invitation; of that I’m certain, because I was in charge of security last
night. The aliens mingled with the Pontengans as much or as little as
they cared to. In general, each emissary stayed close to the gallery
containing its own exhibit, but I do remember seeing some of them
circulating now and then.”
“Were there any incidents during that time, anything that stands out
in your memory now?”
“Well, yes, there was some commotion toward the end in the
Tzigian gallery. Bulakko and Reverend Emenoy had some kind of
argument, I think. But none of it came out in English, since their
Languexes were translating back and forth in their own tongues. We’ll
have to ask Reverend Emenoy about that.”
“Indeed we shall. And after the party was over, what happened?”
“The staff and the aliens and Commander Quex and I all sort of
hung around a while, making the usual sort of self-congratulatory
comments. Then everyone drifted off to their own quarters. I suppose
by 2300 or so the main hall was deserted. I was quite tired and went to
sleep right away.”
“Had Quex already turned in when you came back here?”
“I honestly can’t say. He has his own private rooms, you know, and
I couldn’t tell if he was in them or not when I passed by.”
“Hmm. Let’s go talk to him on our way back to the alien quarters.
I’ve seen enough here.”
They left the communications area and went into the PKU
reception room. The desk there was now occupied by a small rodent-
like being in PKU uniform.

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