Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Correct Deductions

Ageless drifts towards the dinghy.

Louis-Claude spots him.

There's Ageless now, says Louis-Claude.

Hello, Ageless, says Rookai. 

Ageless clambers aboard the dinghy.

Why are you here? asks Ageless.

I was always coming, says Roo-kai. But where are the others?

Still in Whyalla, says Ageless. I see you've met Louis-Claude.

I thought he was you for a moment, says Roo-kai.

He did, says Louis-Claude. That's why he landed on my dinghy.

Otherwise, I would have missed you, says Roo-kai. 

Yes, I've been underwater, says Ageless.

In your sunglasses, says Roo-kai.

What of it? says Ageless. 

Did you see the air bubble curtain? asks Roo-kai.

No, says Ageless, but I met a giant cuttlefish and she showed me where her eggs are.

Did you arrange anything? asks Roo-kai.

Not yet, says Ageless. I'm waiting for the others. They'll be coming this evening. 

We'd planned a short voyage, says Louis-Claude. I was rowing. We were chatting, and somehow we ended up here.

So! says Roo-kai.

So what? says Ageless.

Gaius and Denis don't know you're at Point Lowly, says Roo-kai.

Errr... no, says Ageless. 

I'll row us back, says Louis-Claude.

I could fly back and inform them, says Roo-kai. Will they be at the marina?

That's where Denis dropped me, says Ageless.

Then I'll save you a journey, says Roo-kai.

Not me, says Louis-Claude. I must return anyway.

Why not stay? says Ageless.

I have my reasons, says Louis-Claude.

Go then, says Ageless. I'll wait here at Point Lowly. I could do with a rest.

He drops over the side of the dinghy, and makes for the shore.

Louis-Claude turns the dinghy and starts rowing back to Whyalla.

Roo-kai flies back to the marina, where no one is waiting. 

Where could they be?

He scans the local streets, and Hummock Hill.

No one except a few locals.

He sees a ship raised above ground two kilometres inland. The Maritime Museum.

And deduces (correctly) that's where they will be. 


No comments: