'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...
'Well, Roger ... it seems that Jinghua is going to be playing poker tonight. I hope you won't be so distracted that you won't be able to remember the lyrics to our set tonight!'
'Ha-ha. Point taken, Alonso. Yes, apparently Capa is going to be playing pool and giving up her seat at the card table to my little Asian friend. I'm sure she will do very well ...'
Pete wanders back to the Chrono-Tones' table and offers a new piece of information.
'Mark tells me that Melissa is a singer. Perhaps we should try to persuade her to do some duets, Roger?'
'It's a thought. And I take it that we all know that Catherine is also a musician.
Maybe you could talk chords with her, Buddy?'
'Received and understood. But we wouldn't want Sehzula and Samantha to feel left out, now would we?'
Pete laughs and then adds one other consideration to the discussion.
'The Holopath girls are working on a database (not quite sure what that is!) but it will allow us to catch up with fifty years of popular music that we have "missed" – literally decades of radio hits!'
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Alonso nods.
'One of many strange things about our current situation. When I was in New York I caught a TV programme called "The Outer Limits"; so perhaps it's all just a script for a sci-fi show!'
***
'Capa has made some fine onion soup today, Anton. I guess she must have replicated all the individual ingredients and then cooked it. Funny how there is a notable difference from a beverage that comes straight out of the replicator!'
'I agree with you, Amber, but unfortunately that does not help us to decide what we should do about Jennifer.'
'I am still pondering that one. But at least I had a chrono-message from Devana of the Forest indicating that she was pleased to learn that Jinghua is safe. What's more she has no special concern to reclaim the young woman, and thinks it wise for her to remain with us.'
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'Which is quite right too, because otherwise we could be accused of collaborating with "modern slavery"!'
'Absolutely. I am sending an unter-space communication to Jennifer telling her to keep scanning for signs of Zaratorio and Sonyakolo, but I will have to update her mission tomorrow if she continues to find nothing.'
***
The holo-nightclub is quite full, as several of the technical staff have forsaken the various sports rooms in the entertainment complex and are relaxing over a couple of drinks.
Meanwhile, Sehzula and her friends are taking a break from their almost never-ending card games, and they are listening to the musical entertainment provided by The Chrono-Tones.
'So, who is your favourite, Melissa?'
'Oh, definitely Alonso. He's quite dreamy ...'
'Not Roger, the singer?'
'Oh no, Sehzula ... He's clearly taken with Jinghua, and the feeling seems to be mutual.'
'Fair enough. And Pete strikes me as quite a broad-minded sort of guy, so I will choose him.'
'Which leaves Buddy and Samantha, who seemed to be having quite a long chat at the bar earlier...'
'So we won't have to play matchmaker, will we Mel?'
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***
Twelve hours have passed and the sun is rising over KyivTwo.
'So, Amber, do we have a decision regarding Jennifer?'
'Well ... in the absence of anything else to go on ... I have tried to second-guess what Zaratorio might be thinking.'
'Oh yes?'
'Colchis – the site of the legendary Golden Fleece. It does seem that it is a legend, and not based on fact, but I suspect that, like me, Zaratorio is interested in what's behind the story.'
'Hmmm ... Bronze Age site, not too far from the Caucasus Mountains or the Black Sea. Could have been visited by the Amazons, or more importantly, by Sonyakolo. I think it must be worth a punt.
If only we could figure out how, and why, Sonyakolo has the ability to travel through time and space, everything would be so much clearer.'
'Well of course, but we cannot put the cart before the horse.
I will calculate some time vortex co-ordinates, get the Holopaths to check them over and then send a message to Jennifer. Good luck to her!'
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