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

wist, you're going to the wrong pubs!! most of the ones i go to either have a late licence, or do a lock in, or just dont care!>

Yeah, here too

[Zid] Unless they're like Lidblum, which has well-guarded, hard to access boarders. Of course, if I had an Airship...
[Ma Chao] Do you WANT me to hurt you!?

[Wist]
Well as long as the guards know we're expected, thats alright then,
I can almost smell supper from here
I don't suppose we can get are tab covered by the palace, what with this being official buisiness?

[Eric]I doupt they'll let us have a tab. We might not be able to sleep at the palace either. From what I hear the king a little stingy.

#they aproach stone border checkpoint with a lookout tower built into the top.#

[Eric, pulling a scrap of paper out from somewhere]Here we are, get your invitations ready

*Wist spends about 5 minutes searching through numerous pocket, pouches and the dark recesses of his cloak before pulling out a rather crumpled scrpa of paper with what appears to be a shopping list on the back*
*smiles triamphantly*
I knew i had it somewhere

[Zid] Well, I've got my Pilot's Licence. How do you plan to get in Ma Chao? ... Ma Chao? Where did he go!?

*A distant figure can be seen sneaking off into a small wood, and disappears from sight.*
[Zid] Why don't we just sneak around? It's not like there's a wall or anything...

I wonder if thay made a note of how many we are from that watchtower?

[Zid] Hope not, for Ma Chao's sake... maybe I should tell on him...


Meanwhile, far away, Damien opened his eyes, filled with exilleration. So, this is what it felt like when your heart stopped beating...

The Beast inside him was free now, and it was awakening. He wondered if he'd still be alive, or whatever he was, when it left. He let out a sigh of elation. Life was cruel, harsh and short, but death was more than he could ever imagine...



Just so you know, Yar, Damien won't take over the plot. He's simply there as a plot hook, waiting to be used by whoever wishes...

'Kay.


[First Guard] [calls down] Who goes there!?

[Armond] [calls up] It's us, the people who were summoned by the King.

[Second Guard] Who goes /there/? [points towards where Ma Chao was going.]

[Armond] A mercenary. He's with us. I'm /reasonably/ sure he won't cause trouble.

[Third Guard] [whose voice is vaguely reminiscent of Armond's] That you, Armond?

[Armond] Yep. It's me, Charlie.

[Third Guard] [grudgingly] Oh, all right. [official-sounding voice] You may pass.

*Ma Chao continues his long route around, and meets up again with the party.*
[Ma Chao] And they never suspected a thing...

[Eric]How do you him Armond?

[Armond] He's my brother.

[Aitúar]

*following the others past the watch-tower, quiet and unobtrusive*

*Wist saunters past almost arrogantly whilst trying to conceal a grin*
All these guards and they can't touch me
I could get used to this official buisiness lark

#The group move into the town which is now in twilight. There is nobody arround#

[Eric]Shall we report to the palace imediatly, or find an inn to stay the night in first and go and introduce ourselfs tomorrow

[Wist]
Well it must be about royal banquet time, Palace anyone?

[Ma Chao] I say straight to the palace. With luck, they'll give us a free room for the night...

[Eric]Good point, I think the way is up that broad driveway through the trees

#starts walking again, bats flutter through the dark pines#

[Armond] Yes, that's the way ... but we'd best be on the lookout. We're likely to meet someone who shares Wist's ... profession.