Now before we get down to business, says Gaius, I'll check with Project Maratus.
I'll come with you, says Elodie. Shall we bring our spider?
Yes, says Gaius. He places his hand on the poncho beside the maratus.
The maratus waits for a sign of politeness.
Hop on, says Gaius.
The maratus hops on.
Gaius and Elodie walk to the next campsite, where the boy and his dad are eating baked beans from a can.
Hello again, says Gaius. Any interest in this little fellow?
Take a look, Raoul, says the dad. What type do you think this is?
A maratus fishtatus, says Raoul.
Ha ha, laughs Elodie. That'll be Gaius's hand. It smells of smoked salmon.
Ha ha, laughs Raoul's dad. I'm Markus, by the way.
Elodie, says Elodie. I hear you're working on Project Maratus.
Yes, says Markus. Raoul and I are working on it together. No luck so far. How did you come by this one?
I have a small team of helpers, says Gaius. This one was found by Baby Pierre, in a reed hole, not far from the edge of Lake Jasper.
Unusual, says Markus.
Indeed, says Gaius. Baby Pierre is invaluable, being tiny himself, and something of a hero to the smaller species.
Why so? asks Markus.
Tour de France, says Elodie.
Baby Pierre? Name doesn't ring a bell, says Markus.
It wouldn't, says Gaius. He tends to ride under the radar. But that is his strength, here. The spiders don't fear him.
I've heard there's been a sighting of a maratus felinus, in the bush land, says Markus. Perhaps we could borrow your Baby Pierre for an afternoon.
Perhaps, says Gaius. Now where is he......?
A whistling sound rises from his trouser pocket.
Ah yes, still in here.
He reaches into his pocket, brings out Baby Pierre, First Dirty and Second Dirty, and places them on the ground, next to Raoul.
Hi, says Baby Pierre. I heard everything. And I'm ready to help these guys find a felinus.
Very good, says Gaius. What about you two?
The Dirties consider the cases for and against going.
For: Naturally, the kudos
Against: Raoul has already tried to kill Second Dirty, by deliberate drowning.
For: But he did rescue him later.
Nevertheless they decide against going.
This will have to be Baby Pierre's own adventure.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
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