SWEET HOME ALLE BAMMA (SOLBIDYUM WARS SAGA) by Dale Musser Page A

Tonclin’s voice had been replaced by a more monotone quality that left me unsure of his position on the matter.  “However, I know the virtue of what you have done for the Federation thus far and the extent of your sacrifice for the good of the alliance of our peoples; and I understand the urgency and need for this sort of action and the gravity the overall situation.  Hence…,” Senator Tonclin paused, knowing that his next words carried a commitment that could not be undone, “I will agree.”
    Beside me I heard a deep exhale come from the admiral .  He had been anxiously holding his breath in hopes of the senator’s assent.
    “I will see what I can do about providing you with ten individuals that would be willing to join your FSO and that I believe will be loyal to and suitable for your needs,” the senator added.
    It was at this point that Kala’s assistant, who was supposed to be conducting the tour with Chanina, burst into the dining room and directed herself immediately to Kala.  The absence of Chanina was blatantly obvious.  “Lieutenant Commander,” the assistant began nervously.  “I fear that Chanina is lost someplace on the ship.  I was showing her the waterfall in the starboard atrium and when I turned around she was gone.  I have alerted the crew.  They are combing the ship and scanning all vid com screens to locate her.  I am so sorry,” she said, looking back and forth from Kala to the senator as she wrung her hands.”
    “Can you tell me what you were looking at just before you went into the atrium?” I asked.
    “I had just shown her the entertainment lounge in that section.”
    “By any chance do you happen to have a version of a vid game called Drizen Ride among the available diversions in this lounge?” Senator Tonclin asked.
    “Why, yes sir, we do . Chanina was most excited when she saw it.”
    “I fear that she probably ran back there to play that silly game.  The child is totally addicted to it.  In fact, that was one of my reasons for bringing her on this trip – to get her away from that game for a day or two.  Please do not worry; her disappearance is not your fault,” the senator said looking at Kala’s aide.  “If you return to the entertainment lounge, you will probably find her sitting at the game, oblivious to how long she has been there.”
    Just as the senator finished speaking, one the crew came into the dining room with an obviously embarrassed Chanina in tow.
    “Where did you find her?” asked Senator Tonclin calmly, as he cast Chanina a scolding glance.
    “Actually, Senator, she showed up at the bridge and advised that she had gotten lost.  How she found her way there from the aft entertainment room I will never know.  It’s a rather complicated path.”
    The senator stared at his daughter as she replied, “I didn’t find my way, father.  The little man showed me the way.”
    “Little man?” asked Captain Stonbersa in a puzzled and concerned tone, “What little man?  What did he look like?”
    “Well he was shorter than me… and he walked kind of funny, like he was rocking when he walked… and he had a funny back, like he had a pillow under his shirt.”
    “Chanina!  What have you been told about speaking of people’s physical appearance?” the senator said in a chastising voice.
    “Well he did father, and the captain asked what he looked like!” Chanina fumed.
    “We have no one on the ship that looks like that – not to my knowledge anyway.  Everyone on the ship should be taller than you are, Chanina,” said the captain.
    “Well , he was shorter than me,” Chanina insisted.  “I was crying when I couldn’t find my way back.  Suddenly he was there and asked me what was wrong… and I said I was lost… and he said he would help… and he took me to the bridge.”
    Captain Stonbersa turned to the crewman who brought Chanina to the dining room and said, “Did you see this individual?”
    “No, sir.  We were all occupied