'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...
Jennifer is investigating a mysterious chrono-signal that has been appearing on her instruments for a couple of days. She has narrowed the search down to an isolated valley in the western Caucasus Mountains and piloted PowerHeart onto a reasonably secure plateau covered by a small amount of woodland. It is nearly midday, but dark rain clouds are approaching from the direction of the Zalpa Sea.
'If I am correct, there is some sort of facility — perhaps entered via a tunnel — behind those trees.
As I am far from certain that it is wide enough for me to enter using this craft, I must leave PowerHeart and approach on foot. Risky but necessary, or so it seems.'
The intrepid redhead has soon proved herself to be correct, and pauses at the threshold of the cave,
'Be strong, Jennifer. You have faced much greater mysteries than this and succeeded in your objectives.'
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***
'Any news on Melissa's plans for a holographic beach, Alonso?'
'Unfortunately not, Buddy my friend.'
'Fair enough. But it would be great to invite Samantha and Capa to join us there when it is up and running.'
'I'm sure they will love it ...'
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***
Jennifer is startled by a loud, disembodied voice after only making a few steps into the dark abyss.
'Welcome, traveller. I don't often receive visitors here in the mountains.'
Equally mysteriously, yellow flickers begin to appear in the lower reaches of the strange underground space, and within a few moments the whole area is bathed in light. The voice speaks again.
'I am Theia, Queen of Jewels, and you must be the beautiful Jennifer Silverman, a visitor from the distant future. I have met time-travellers before, but not one who has crossed so many centuries to be here. Welcome ... welcome ...'
Jenny frowns, but decides to reply.
'Thank you for your kind words, but how do you know these things?'
'I can read the cosmic affinities, and I believe that you can too. After all, you seem to have detected, and responded to, my signal, which pleases me greatly.'
'I see. So, you were simply curious about me? Or did you have another purpose in mind?'
'You are rather suspicious, dear lady, but I am making my way towards you as we speak ...'
And, true to her word, Theia appears at the end of one of the short corridors that splay out of the central atrium, and is soon shaking Jenny warmly by the hands.
'If we go down this passageway, there is some food and drink prepared for you. We can talk in comfort and I hope that you will soon be reassured about my purposes.'
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The new acquaintances are soon on the road to friendship, and before long the subject of the ring of power, otherwise known as Sonyakolo, crops up in conversation.
'So, Jennifer, if we can pool our resources, then we may well be able to signal to it, and bring it here. I am not called the Queen of Jewels for nothing, sweet lady, I assure you.'
'I can see that, Theia. And I think we will be able to help each other. What's more, I think I should take off my headscarf and get ready to relax.'
In fact, Jenny has rather more than her headscarf in mind.
Theia the enchantress has mixed a few love potions in her time, but the alchemy before her is of a different order ...
'Oh Jenny ... you are so beautiful ...'
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