Page 199 - The Perpetrations of Captain Kaga

Investigating the Mystery of the Talking Plant
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11: Springing a trap

Kaga awoke from his nap just before 1800; when he arrived at the
commissary, he found Lugo already seated, pushing buttons on the
meal selector.
“Well,” said Lugo, “I’ve spread the word, just as you wanted. The
fungus is back in Bulakko’s room, and my overnight bag is packed.”
Captain Kaga looked around the room. They were alone. He leaned
over to Lugo and said, “Good work. Now I can tell you we won’t be
spending the night at the Science Center at all.”
“What? You mean we are going to stay here and guard that mangled
weed?”
“A trap is useless unless it can be sprung,” said Kaga. “We will leave
by the front door and return to the back after a very brief stop at the
Science Center. Your thumb will get us in the rear service entrance,
and we’ll conceal ourselves inside the Tzigian anteroom. Be sure to
bring along a recorder; we’ll need it if this works. Now, let’s eat.”
Lugo wanted to ask more questions, but the commissary door
opened and Quex’s receptionist came in.
“Loot nan Loog oyan Capt ank aga,” it hissed. “Yoo arg oinga
waytoon ight?”
“Yes, we are, Thuup,” said Lugo. “We need to study a special
hydrosporic process that we think will save the sonopor plant. We
probably will be working late, so we’re planning to sleep at the Science
Center.”
“Ice ee,” said Thuup, and turned his attention to a meal selector.
Lugo and Kaga finished eating and left the commissary, the
receptionist still agonizing over his menu. They picked up their gear
and left the Center via the PKU entrance. Outside, they
commandeered an official vehicle and drove off to the Science Center.
There they waited until almost midnight, then returned to the
exhibition structure from the rear. It was the usual moonless night on
Pontenga, and they slipped unobserved into the alien quarters.
“Quick, Lugo,” whispered Captain Kaga, as they peered down the
deserted halls. “Let ‘s get into that room before we’re seen!”
The pair dashed down the corridor and pushed open the anteroom
door to Bulakko’s chamber. Once inside, they breathed easier: so far,

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