h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Ferrari shies at the swish of Affi's sword, just as Lil is dismounting, so she winds up being dragged sideways a few steps before she gets her feet back under her.*

Out of practise, I am. But you're a fine boy! *hugs Ferrari then hands the reins over to a groombot and walks over to give GDZ a hand up*

We'll assume Titania is with us, right?

Is there a hot spring here? This is very civilized -- we can have a cooked meal! I hope Amy is OK. Affi, the dragonFLYbot has communications, doesn't it? Let's try and contact her. *gestures towards Affi's gauntlet*

*Amy is awoken by when the DFB suddenly produces a tinny version of the William Tell overture*

Eh? Wah?

*Graciously accepts the hand up and then tries, half-successfully, to walk around.*

*Tapping the buttons on the OmeGauntlet nervously*

You know, I sure hope that I've got the right number....it's hard to remember all of the unit-to-unit numbers we've got set up....Amy, this is Affy. If you can hear me, please pick up.

*as groombots bed down animals and set up the camp, Lil steps closer to Affi to hear what the response might be*

....no, sir, I do not want the free cheese in the crust....no, I'm not even ordering pizza, this is just....sir, this is a wrong number, I'm sorry that....no, I don't want the pineapples, I'm looking for an ant with....I can't even afford the delivery charges from Andromeda to here! Well, I can but it'd be pretty expens....well, yeah, an under thirty minutes time limit *would* make it less risky, but still I....

*Just hangs up and redials*

This had better be Amy's number this time....Amy? This is Affy, can you hear me? Please respond.

*after having hugged, patted and thanked Tommy and seen him handed over to a groombot heads for the shelter of a tent.*

*a brew of and for those who prefer it is soon ready*

*lays out a plate of biscuits with a selection including fig rolls, chip cookies, digestives and custard creams*

Just to keep us going until we have something more substantial.

*Nervously tapping his foot*

I wonder if she ever initialized the answering machine....it's got an answering machine, but you've gotta activate it first, so maybe she never activated it....or I'm wracking up an even larger phone bill to the Thaltarian Empire,....

*the William Tell overture starts up again* Amy shines her torch the control panel of the DFB and presses the button with a picture of a telephone handset on it*

Hello?

*the speaker on the DFB crackles*

*As Affy's horse jumped the log, GL was thrown off. Just before landing and breaking a leg, GL changes to bat form and flutters off after the horses. At the camp, GL returns to human form.*

Well, that was, er, interesting.

*Follows the attempts to contact Amy. Hears Amy's "Hello".*

Hello, Amy. This is Garius. Affy and Lil are here listening, too. How are you doing? What's that noise in the background?

Hello Garius. I got lost and had to stop for the night. I'm camped on the edge of a road. The noise you can here is the howling of wolves, I hope. Have a listen. Perhaps they're relatives of yours.

*Listens intently*

A bit hard to tell, but I think I recognise one voice. And you're right - they ARE wolves. They sound a bit distressed, actually. Those are warning howls, but there is a note of desperation in them - hear how they go up at the end? Sure makes me feel uneasy.

Hopefully, when it gets light you'll be able to get your bearings.

*Witty and Aladdin made the leap over the log smoothly and Witty is starting to feel pretty confident in her saddle. She dismounts onto wobbly legs and hands the reins to a groombot.*

You know, I thought it was just the nervous tension that makes your legs wobbly. I've only ridden once or twice before and was a nervous wreck both times.

Is the tea ready?

Okay, Amy, I'm going to dial "information" on this thing when we're through talking. That should have CLI's GPS satelites get a fix on your position so that we can start searching for you at dawn.

*passes Witty and holds out the plate of biscuits*

Help yourself, Witty.

Amos, are you setting up your travelling kitchen? Or has Matina provided soemthing for the evening meal?

I do hope Amy has something hot to keep her going.

It's a nice idea, Affy, but the GPS appeared to be telling fibs which is why I suspect I'm considerably off course.

*there is a loud howl quite nearby* Amy shivers* there's a scuffling noise outside the tent*

Umm. I'd better go now and, er, try to get some sleep.

*starts organising her weaponry on the sleeping bag* she switches off the torch and listens*

WAIT! AMY!

Oh darn, she switched off. I could have given her some pointers about dealing with wolves. Especially if they're the wolves I think they might be.

Oh well. I'm sure she'll be fine anyway.

I am so angry with these server probs -- I posted here earlier and whatever I said has dissolved in the webjello...


Garius, do you think you could find Amy in bat form? I mean, if you were in bat form, not Amy.

*Removes his sleeping bag from the backpack that he has taken off and unrolls it.*

This spot should do the trick. Now for some food!

*Pulls a small foil-wrapped packet and a plastic "plate" looking thing out of the backpack and grabs a canteen from his web belt. Opens the foil packet and pours some water in. Places the packet on the plate.*

This is gonna be good!

*After five minutes, the foil packet has expanded to fill the plate. Opens the foil all the way and digs into the steak, baked potato, and salad that is on the plate.*

Best thing ever invented, these food packets. Anyone want to try one? I got another steak dinner here, also got a cheeseburger and I got a meat-less pasta dinner here somewhere.

*puts her hind legs into her sleeping bag to keep them warm and eats a jammy dodger to keep her strength up*

*the scuffling noises continue*