From: harrij4@nason104.its.rpi.edu (Joshua James Harrison)
Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn
Subject: [Chance]Rebuilding II
Date: 16 Sep 1993 20:23:40 GMT
Message-ID: <27ai0c$bb9@usenet.rpi.edu>

	Back on the bridge, Dartan was polishing the metal box that 
contained his new creation. Chance dropped his box and whistled.
	"Looks good, Dart. Does she work?"
	"We're about to find out." Dartan took a power cell from the box
Chance had brough up and slipped it into a slot on the side of the box.
There was a hum, and the photoelectric sensor on the front began to glow
a pale green.
	"Running test program. Verifying circuit connections." The voice
was electronic and androgynous, without the warmth that customarily
marked Sandy's voice. Chance looked at his partner, and the Atrosian
signaled him to wait.
	"Circuit pathways verified. Initializing voice and personality
programs." There was a pause, and then Sandy's voice came from the
speaker. "Voice initialized... waiting."
	"Sandy, it's great..." began Chance, but Dartan waved him silent.
	"Waiting..." continued the voice. There was another pause, and
then the photoelectric sensor turned blue. "Personality initialized. It's
about time, too."
	Chance could wait no longer. "Sandy, you beautiful pile of 
parts! It's great to have you back!"
	"Hiya, handsome! It's great to be... hold on a second."
	"What is it Sandy?"
	"What's going on? Why is everything different from the way I
remember it?"
	"There was an accident, Sandy," began Dartan. "Do you remember
jumping just as we were hit bythe REAPER's blast?"
	There was a pause, and then a "Yes," from Sandy.
	"Well, the mixing of the energies sent us off on an unknown jump.
I'm sure the fact that we didn't have a course set helped send us off
course. Way off course. We have no idea where we are, or how we're going
to get home. We've just finished rebuilding you, and we're going to head
out tomorrow morning to try and find some way of getting home."
	"You have no idea where we are?"
	Chance shook his head. "None at all. I doubt we're even anywhere
near the Zone."
	"What about the HUNTER?"
	"She'll never fly again. My guess is that the power surge caused
during the jump burned out most of the systems. You were about the only
thing that still had a chance of working."
	"Well, I'm glad you didn't just leave me. It would've been awful,
just being left there to rust in the middle of nowhere."
	Chance patted the box. "Don't worry, Sandy," he said. "I
wouldn't let you go without a fight. I nearly lost Dart. Losing you too
would have been a bit much for me to handle."
	"Well, guys, I'm glad you're taking me along. I would hate to
think that you could be wandering out there, lost and alone, without me
to watch over you. You could really be in trouble, then."
	Dartan chuckled, and Chance said. "Sandy, I apolagize for all
the times I insulted you. It really is good to have you back, you
arrogant collection of diodes."
	"Are you sorry for that crack too, micro-brain?" joked the
computer.
				****
	It was dusk. The sky to what Chance had decided to call west was
ablaze with color. The crew was sitting around the campfire, getting
ready for the next day's trek. The sounds of the wilderness echoed
echoed around them, but the nearness of the group pushed all the fears
away. Now that they were reunited, Chance was sure that it was only a
matter of time before they got home to the Zone.
	Suddenly, there was a shadow that rose up, seemingly, from
nowhere. It stood nearly eight feet tall, and its horns curled upawrds
in silhouette from its head. Chance froze, and there was a brief
electronic squawk from Sandy as the figure moved into the light of the 
fire...