Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 5

Chapter 15

When I awoke, Park was gone. I felt a mix of emotions as I searched the house for him, realizing that he most likely was already on one of the hundreds of transport ships. A great wave of sadness washed over me, knowing that I would be alone for a long, long time. Then I felt anger, anger for him leaving and not saying goodbye.

I trembled as the fear of the unknown kept invading my mind, and a long shuddering sigh escaped my lips. I swallowed and gently wiped a tear away, a tear... for Park. I knew why he slipped away while I slumbered, his uncomfortable fear of leaving me behind... trying to say goodbye was bad enough last night, what would it have been like this morning?

Garia takes her place among the guard recruits to learn how to look after her assigned frayen and there are inevitable consequences... Later, an offer of help comes from a surprising source, and she also learns of another possible arrival on Anmar.

Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 4

Chapter 12

After two and a half hours of decontamination, I was trembling and shaking like a leaf. My nerves had been spent! I had been fearful of speaking and was holding onto Parker as we were finally approached by several of the doctors and military personnel that had observed us when we left the ship. As they approached, Park gently gave my hand a comforting squeeze, trying to let me know that everything would be alright.

At the front was Park's commanding officer, Major Doren... Roger. He studied me for a moment then turned to face Park, "First Lieutenant Parker, we downloaded your flight data from the craft, sounds like something gave you guys hell out there! Explain!"

Attack of the Beast
by Anon Allsop
Part 2

Chapter 4

After we had explained what was found on our short trip, the Captain decided that we should return back to the ship and bring it into the valley where the creatures could be examined thoroughly. It was close to the zenith of the twin suns again, and the air was becoming hot and sticky. While we ate a quick lunch, Captain Donaldson asked for any suggestions on what we should do.

Eric was the first to speak up, "I want to go back in there and run a few more tests on those animals, both the live ones and the dead." The Captain nodded.

"I agree with Eric, the more we know about whatever is killing those animals, the better I'll feel." Lunette added, "I don't like knowing that it's only the females being affected."

Garia tries to concentrate on her next goal, that of riding in public. However, she is increasingly distracted, and seems completely unaware of the approaching storm that is about to engulf her... and Keren. It is left to the Queen to gather up the pieces and to provide an example for Garia to follow.

Garia spends a day around the city as the guest of the Guildsmen of Palarand. She sees the rapid strides they have made so far in the production of paper and in printing, and a lunch at the Guildhall produces some inevitable surprises. A surprise also awaits the Queen that evening...

Garia encounters Tarvan while the gang cleans Morlan's study, and decides that it's time to give another technology to Palarand. Following an instructive morning Snep gets a new saddle and the King reminds her that she will soon need to take charge of the lands granted to her.

“As much as I like this Gulliver overall, I think Quindlen made a mistake to have the Houyhnhnms be intelligent draftbeasts.”

“Why?” Spar asked. “Do you think he should have said they were intelligent... what was it in the original? Unicorns?”

Garia's bid to ride a frayen continues with a trip to the armory. The man she meets there provides her with a different kind of challenge... one in which she only partially successful. The royals meet to decide the fate of Garia's project... and Robanar finds himself unexpectedly outnumbered!

Garia learns something about her body's limitations as the days of rain continue. Rosilda introduces the bra to Anmar, Garia educates a Metalsmith about the economics of mass production and the Council learn about thermometers, barometers and fire tenders.

Garia has a busy day impressing the assembled nobility, first with her martial knowledge and then with her engineering expertise. The twins help her understand what was behind Marlin's extraordinary offer.