Veranda Incognita, Home of the Waverlys

[Malaclypse 666]

Fnordie had sensed two things as he lay morosely on the Plaza. First, he could tell that Rick was aboard a shuttle, headed for his new ship in orbit. Fnordie knew that Rick was very concerned for their old F-unit, Kitty; and was determined to find out what had happened to her. Fnordie was not sad about Rick's leaving. He needed to think about his own life as well.

He was also aware of the group of men climbing up from the newly plowed fields onto the small central Plaza. Two of the men were very familiar to him. The other two men seemed to be acquaintances of his human friend, Fiona; who had done something Fnordie did not understand. Canines did not take their own lives. This was one of the mysteries he wishised to learn about. He hoped that it would help him understand these strange humans better.

Fnordie lay quietly as the four men approached and stood silently near the Obelisks.

*Fnordie, these two men are Kusaran friends of Fiona's from.. before.. ,* he caught a thought from Reggie, who was standing a bit to the rear. *They have come to pay "respects" to the deLuna family. Will you be alright, Fnordie?*

Fnordie looked at Reggie with his sad brown eyes. *Fnordie not alright now. Fnordie must ask Pops questions about what happened here. Tell Fnordie when we can "talk"?*

*When Mal and his companions have left for Kusari, Fnordie. I promise we will discuss what happened. Perhaps we can help each other understand, and heal.*

Malaclypse was talking with the two Kusaran men, and gesturing to the south. "We've found several islands to the south that have arid, high-desert climates. We should be able to find enough small saplings to complete the entire circumference and the four paths. Scutter and Kingpin have volunteered for that project. They seem to have a keen interest in juniper trees."

"Bo-san, I can understand that the trees will complete a pattern, but of what other use are they?" asked Captain Nebotuda.

"Ah," responded "Bo". "The double row around the circumference will provide a windbreak for the crops, as well as limiting access to the central plaza to the pathways from the cardinal points. Those paths will also be demarcated by a double row of trees. One day, they will be large enough to provide a shady arborial approach to the plaza.

"Of course," continued Mal, "the berries from the trees are a prime ingredient for Reggie's favorite toddy. We hope to have a distillery completed in time for the first harvest of the berries."

Reggie now spoke to the men. "The other plans I have for the central Plaza should be completed within a few months. The materials will take some time to acquire, as they come from all over Sirius; but Kate has already contributed her talents to the design. The negotiations with Rheinland's Chancellor will be the stickiest to complete; but with a large enough blank check for Rheinland's Treasury, I think he can be persuaded.

"And Bo's incredible discovery will be incorporated as the final touch. The exploration and mining will be an interesting process; but we're determined to make it happen, gentlemen. I think you and the Kusari people will be very pleased with the final result."

Fnordie knew of the projects for the deLuna Plaza from sharing the thoughts of Mal and Reggie. He could tell that the project was very important to them. Someday, he hoped to understand why.

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