'Zaratorio: The Story Continues' is a political parable dedicated in general to everyone who believes in #PeaceinUkraine and who says #NoToWar. More specifically, it is written in support of the brave and generous women and men of Medecins Sans Fro...
Paulina's disappearance has sent shockwaves around the Slavic Institute. Could she have voluntarily re-joined Zaratorio, or has she been abducted? And should the Institute make a bold strike against the time-travelling wizard, or should they watch and wait for developments?
Caution is not really a virtue in the eyes of someone like Lauren Eliot-Evans.
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It is only one step away from cowardice, and what possible merit can there be in being thought of as a coward? The fact that Lauren's special expertise is in 'centennials' – in other words, relatively short time-jumps – means that she is particularly drawn to Circe, the captive biotemp, and she is half expecting the time-traveller to make yet another attempt to escape. But instead, Circe just sits in her quarters very, very quietly, almost in some kind of trance.
Being a prisoner takes a certain kind of courage, especially when you don't experience time in the normal way.
***
Outside the SISP building , the civilian authorities, and the military, are clearing up the damage caused by Zaratorio's fireball. For them, it is simply a mystery – perhaps a Russian weapon - but with no certain explanation. They have some concerns about Professor Jessop and her strange organisation, but fortunately there is no momentum behind any thoughts of acquiring a search warrant – as this might well embarrass the highest authorities in the country.
***
Lauren was one of Krystle's first recruits to the Hecate-Völva Institute of Miami, and they have a special bond. Their visit to Kyiv has been much longer than planned, but the whole delegation, including Jennifer, has agreed that Zaratorio is far too dangerous not to be opposed.
[Lauren] 'I am sure that Paulina has been captured. We must find a way to punish the dreadful Zaratorio for his crimes.'
With an older, wiser head on her shoulders, Krystle is far more concerned to weigh up all their options, as well as gather all the facts, regarding Paulina's disappearance.
'I understand what you are saying, Lauren, but there are other possibilities. Perhaps Paulina entered the time vortex independently in order to avoid the fireball, or perhaps she was planning to do that anyway. There is no certainty that the male figure who approached her in the company of Anna Roland was Zaratorio because we could not get a fix on his chrono-signature. But it does seem likely, I agree ...'
'And there seems to be some sort of force field blocking all our attempts to survey Anna Roland's flat ... do you have another explanation, Krystle?'
'Not yet. However, I know that Paulina is a very new member of our family and yet we all care for her. So we will find a way to help her, I promise.'
Krystle gives Lauren's left hand a tight squeeze, and their eyes lock. What new powers can they possibly release in their ongoing battle with Zaratorio?
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