Page 190 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Investigating the Mystery of the Talking Plant
188
‘‘Very funny, Lugo,” said Kaga. “That old amphibian is quite a
charmer; he’s even got you cracking terrible jokes. Let’s get on to the
last of these emissaries. I feel my patience wearing thin.”

9: A polytheologian

“I’m starting to get hungry,” said Captain Kaga, as they approached
the chamber of the emissary of Yo. “I hope this won’t take too long.
Is the Reverend fond of formalities?”
“Not at all,” replied Lugo, pushing open the anteroom doors.
“Especially when he sees someone he hasn’t yet tried to convert.”
“Oh.Well, you’ve got to help me get through all that so I can
question him.”
Lugo nodded resignedly and started the process of transition into
yet another alien biosphere. Gravity increased sharply and the
atmosphere turned hot and humid. Kaga loosened his clothing
wherever possible and clenched his teeth. The inner door opened.
Yo, or at least the inhabited portion of it, was a jungle. Moisture
hung in the air, refracting a harsh mock-sunshine wherever the tall
thick vegetation parted. Captain Kaga’s appetite was immediately
curbed by the rank odor of rotting flora; he wondered if it were real or
simulated. From all sides came the pre-recorded sounds of many small
but vociferous animals. Kaga’s head swam.
“Reverend Emenoy!’’ called Lugo, peering into the underbrush. “It’s
Lieutenant Lugo. I’ve brought someone for you to talk to.”
They heard a rustling in the leaves above, and a moment later a
small hairy shape came crashing down to the ground in front of them.
It landed on five of its seven limbs, and then readjusted itself to
balance on three. Brown matted fur clung to its face, occasionally
sweeping aside to reveal varying numbers of small beady eyeballs. A
voice emanated from an indeterminate location on the emissary’s
head.
“Gods above and gods below! Gods I see and gods I know!
Welcome, stranger, to my humble quarters. You see before you a
messenger of the many, of whom we are each one.” The Reverend
raised four loose-jointed limbs and swung them around like rotor
blades.

188