Page 177 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Investigating the Mystery of the Talking Plant
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6: An old warrior

Instead of going directly back to the alien quarters, Kaga indicated
to Lugo that they should stop first at Farnitt’s office. They crossed the
main hall and came to the staff area. Lugo’s thumb-scan gave them
access, and they entered a large space obviously used for assembling
and mounting exhibits: space-crates were stacked against one wall;
various work-stations were set up along another.
“Over here,” said Lugo, stepping around a pile of packing material
and heading for a door on the right hand side of the room. It led to a
reception area similar to that on the PKU side. Lugo asked the
Pontengan on duty if they could see the director. After a short wait,
Farnitt came rushing out of his office; he was still quite agitated.
“Lieutenant! I’ve just had a call from the PKU morgue. They want
to know what to do with the body. And visitors are starting to
complain about being locked out of the Tzigian exhibit. I can’t keep
everything under wraps forever, you know. Something has to be
resolved very soon!”
“Oh, don’t worry, we’ve got the situation well under control,
haven’t we, Captain Kaga?” Lugo looked meaningfully at his old
friend.
“Indeed we do,” said Kaga, not returning Lugo’s gaze. “In fact, we
may be able to salvage that sample of Tzigian flora out there for you. I
have a call in to the local PKU Science Center now, and they will be
sending out instructions any minute. We’ll also take care of shipping
Bulakko and all his personal effects back to his home planet as soon as
possible. So you can calm yourself, Mr. Farnitt; this will soon be but
an unpleasant memory.”
The director made a visible effort to restrain his incredulity. “But,
but, you saw for yourself The sonopor was ruined, utterly destroyed!”
“Oh, that kind of attack would have killed a Pontengan plant, no
doubt,” said Kaga blithely. “But Tzigian fungi are very tough and
resilient. I think it will just be a matter of plasmically-induced
cell regeneration. ’ve seen it work before. At any rate, we’ll know by
this evening how to proceed.”
Farnitt could not conceal his skepticism. “If you say so, Captain
Kaga; but I won’t keep that gallery closed another day. Tomorrow it’s
going to re-open, sonopor plant or not.”

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