The Silver Sphere by Michael Dadich Page B

even though it was
a holograph.
    "Harrumph," Boozer blurted.
    Stuart was engrossed in the game now, armed with years of determined
practice from his own video games back home. Adrenaline sped through him and his
heart pounded.
    The battle intensified.
    The Minotaur once again leapt at the warrior, and Stuart pushed
his joystick down while he flicked the left "up" button in a circular
fashion. It worked to perfection.
    The battle chain whipped cleanly through the air as the warrior
ducked at the same time. The Minotaur missed with the swing of his axe, and the
chain wrapped violently around its legs.
    Stuart thrust the joystick forward while he leaned on the left
button. The Minotaur was ripped right off its feet and came thundering down with
a loud crack. The warrior cast the Minotaur a stony glare.
    Wild cheers resonated from the crowd as Stuart continued to push
the joystick forward, the warrior dragging the Minotaur around the circle amid the
roaring soldiers. Then he made the warrior stop and raise the sword of Ariadne high
over his head. The blade dropped, preparing to end the match.
    Instead of striking true, however, the holographic blade passed
right through the Minotaur. The bull-headed brute rose from the ground, its earthy
tones now much darker. Rage overtook the Minotaur as the beast forged past the warrior
hologram.
    A stunned gasp emitted from the crowd as Boozer clicked at his
joystick, bewildered. For an instant, no one moved.
    "It's come alive. The dang Minotaur is alive!" one
of the soldiers shouted.
    The Minotaur marched toward Stuart. Shock kept him frozen to
the spot. He gaped at the creature, his eyes wide.
    It stopped a moment and let out a tremendous screech as it raised
its ferocious head to the sky. Several of the soldiers scattered. Boozer charged
at Stuart, grabbed him by the collar, and shoved him backward.
    "Get runnin', Kin. He is looking for ya, laddie. Now go
for it. Dash back to Presage!" he yelled.
    The Minotaur leapt toward Boozer, who had turned his head just
in time, lifting his sword up in front of the axe. The blade shattered on impact
and the blow knocked Boozer to the mud. Other soldiers swarmed the Minotaur amidst
yells and battle cries as Stuart charged back to the campfire.

 
    The Kin sat around the campfire, content with the warmth of the
flames and tasty tea as they discussed their new world. Vilaborg returned with a
pair of soldiers and a cook carrying a large black pot. Max watched as Stuart slipped
away from the group. He frowned and caught the eye of Presage, who grinned and winked
at him before resuming his conversation with Vilaborg.
    A stomach-rumbling aroma filled the air as the cook lifted the
lid off the pot. Max touched his gut as his mouth watered.
    "I figured you would all be hungry for real food,"
Vilaborg said. "This is what I call summer stew. We rarely eat anything other
than dry bread and chud when we're on the road. Anyhow, our reconnoiters found an
overgrown, unkempt garden about a mile east from here, so good old Lars came up
with enough to make stew."
    Lars thrust the black pot down, his soiled chef's hat falling
off in the process. Ladle in hand, he began filling large wooden bowls and handed
them out. The Kin stood in an orderly line.
    How nice to have something hot to eat,
Max thought. The chud he'd devoured was wearing off.
    Cumber returned with a basket covered with cloth. "Another
treat. Some toasty bread for ye." He pulled the twill off the steaming carton.
    No butter, but the heated bread and stew made up for its absence.
They all plunged into their bowls. Max smacked his lips. Garlic and onion mixed
with other flavors, like a strange melon or orange and creamy bits of rice-like
grains.
    Lars clapped his hands together. "Ye know the chow is good
when no one is speaking."
    Max dunked his bread into the dish. The mix of baby carrots,
spinach, corn, and mushrooms in rich gravy grew addicting, and he scarfed the meal
down. The heel was flavored like