Patti's Chapter Six: Homeward Bound
Two hours later, Shamal and Patti entered a vast room with a large viewscreen at one end. Rows of chairs extended out from the screen, clearly able to seat hundreds.
"I think we've found it," Patti remarked, her voice echoing in the large room.
"You think so? I couldn't tell." Shamal asked, looking thoughtful, earning him a withering look.
They walked down the center aisle, marveling at the size of the room. They came to a small pedestal positioned directly in front of the screen containing three buttons, the first green, the second red, and the third yellow.
"This looks easy enough,” Patti commented, looking smugly at Shamal who stuck his tongue out at her.
"Then lets see you work it, Oh Mighty Master of Technology,” Shamal said sarcastically, a twinkle in his eye.
"Fine, prepare to be amazed!" Patti exclaimed, turning back to the buttons after glaring at him. She pushed the yellow button, half-expecting it to blow up. Nothing happened.
"Nothing happened,” Shamal pointed out, rather unnecessarily.
"It didn't blow up, THAT'S something,” Patti said philosophically, pushing the green button.
Instantly, the screen glowed a faint green and a mechanical voice asked, "What party do you wish to speak to?"
Undaunted, Patti responded directly, "Empress Karen of Ruok."
Silence, then the voice came back, "Unknown party, please specify."
"Empress Karen of Froniganne of Ruok." Shamal spoke up from behind Patti smugly.
"Unknown party, please specify."
Smothering her giggles, she remembered suddenly where they were. " Empress Karen of Froniganne of Imperial Ruok of Planet Nadidian of System Diez." Patti tried.
"Connecting, please hold."
Patti glanced at Shamal and smiled triumphantly.
"I could have thought of that,” he muttered.
The screen cleared then, revealing an important-looking face. "May I help you?" He asked, looking bored.
"Yes, I'm Queen Patti and this is King Shamal,” Patti said, using their formal titles to hopefully impress him and speed things up, "and we wish to speak with Empress Karen. Is she available?"
His eyes widened considerably, and he was quick to apologize, "Oh excuse me, your highnesses, for not recognizing you!" Patti smiled reassuringly. "If you'll hold, I'll see if she's available to speak with." With that, the man disappeared from the screen.
"Never knew Karen had these things in her palace." Shamal commented. "We may want to consider getting one installed."
Patti looked incredulously at Shamal and responded, "Are you kidding? And have Karen calling every 5 minutes?"
"I heard that!" Karen's voice said good-naturedly. "Its good to see you guys again! What's so important that you had to learn how to use the viewscreen to say?"
Patti hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Karen, I want to go back."
