Steve's SciFi Shorts (Volume 1) Page 4

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  As they enter the safe house, yet another plain looking building, a rather tall and stocky gent stands and holds out his hand, he says, "Glad you were able to help us out. I am at my wits end, we have tried everything, hence my call to you. Hotel alright?"

  "Just a slight mix up with a chair, but all sorted now." replies the professor.

  Richard decides that as the professor's comment sounds complicated, he will avoid seeking an explanation of that one. Richard goes on to say "I hope my message was clear."

  "Perfectly, once Bob had decoded it. Oh this is my assistant Bob by the way."

  "Pleased to meet you Mr Byetheway."

  Bob says, "What is it with this planet, can't get people's names right. You have e-dentity devices yet you still can't get it right. I am Bob Martin."

  "Well I was confused when the dwelling reported that there was a BUM approaching." richard replies.

  "Those are my initials, Bob Ulysees Martin." corrects Bob, most indignantly.

  "Have there been any further developments?" asks the Professor.

  "What in Bob's name?" asks Richard.

  "No, in the case you are working on. Any further leads as to where your brother has been taken?" The professor asks.

  "Oh I see. None as yet. We are still unable to find out where they are keeping Edward." Richard sits and indicates chairs for Bob and the Professor.

  "Alright, we can probably help out if you can let us have details of Edward's e-dentity and when he arrived, that would be helpful."

  Richard hands the professor an e-reader, "It is all on here, thought that might be your first approach."

  The professor hands the e-reader to Bob and says, "Could you run this through CITOS and see if you can find any residual traces on any planetary LANS, sometimes people accidentally reactivate the e-dentity units and even if momentarily the local net would pick it up."

  "Good thinking professor." Bob accepts the device.

  "Hey...." Mia calls out to Bob, when he looks back at her, she continues, "Mind if I tag along?"

  Richard looks at Mia quite disapprovingly.

  "No harm, I suppose," the professor says, "Mia may be helpful to you Bob." The professor completely misses Bob's, please don't lumber me with an assistant, look. The professor just dismissively waves him off.

  Mia seems quite happy at the prospect of finding out how these visitors will tackle the problem.

  The professor says, "Oh Can you bring a force field detector when you come back”

  Bob doesn't ask why, but his face does. There is no reply forthcoming however, as the professor turns his attention back to Richard.