Glounce sighed heavily.
“Is there a problem, Ambassador Glounce?” asked Captain Aubrey.
“I’d prefer,” snorted Glounce indignantly, “the Flimian precedent set down in the Interstellar Consortium of 2550.”
“Um,” said Aubrey, punching the keys of a digi-pad entering a new query. The data presented itself and he reviewed the addendum Glounce referred to. He read quickly. “It states here that the rule of one-player, one-racket was relaxed to accommodate multi-limbed players.”
“Quite right,” said Glounce, waving many of his tentacles. “It makes for a faster-paced game.”
“And an unfair advantage over biped, bi-limbed individuals,” swore Adlaison.
“I must agree with Ambassador Adlaison,” said Aubrey. Glounce rolled his many eyes. Aubrey scowled. “Let’s stick with the basic Olympic rules,” continued Aubrey, waving a crumpled copy of the Official 2253 Rule Book.
“Very well,” said Glounce. “In the interest of good interstellar relations. But the audience will be bored by the slow pacing you Terries exercise.”
“Then it’s settled,” said Aubrey. “Who will spin the racket and who will call it out?”9
“Me,” said Pi, hopping up and down. “Let me spin it.”
Glounce rolled his many eyes again. Seeing Pi’s disappointment, he caved to Pi’s appeal. “Certainly. Pi will spin.”
“And I will call it,” said Sir Giles.
“Good,” said Aubrey. “Are you ready, Noblebeings?” Everyone nodded.
Pi took his racket and with a few false starts, finally twisted it enough to get a wobbly spin on the racket. Sir Giles called it ‘down’ and it was. The Adlaison Kittens won the right to start. Captain Aubrey handed him the black ball and Sir Giles took the left side of the court.
After a few practice bounces he racketed the ball in a furious bounce against the wall. Glounce barely shuffled to the right, swung his racket and returned the ball against the left wall perfectly onto the back wall to bounce against the right wall and down back to the court. Adlaison responded by tracking the ball in the back court. He scooped the ball high into the air in a lofting return. An easy ball to follow.
“Pi!” Glounce roared. “You’re on!”
Pi responded by rushing up to the wall. In his haste he tripped and fell, sliding up to the tin where the slow-looping ball bounced once on the back wall and then on Pi’s racket which he was grasping tightly with two hands. The ball trundled away to roll up against Glounce’s blubber pouch. Glounce reached down and suckered up the ball in a tentacle.
Aubrey roared. “Rally Adlaison Kittens!” The scoreboard displayed the first points. The crowd applauded with amusement at the bumbling Podil. Glounce picked Pi up with a tentacle under each arm and set him back on his feet.
“I’m sorry Glounce,” said Pi. “I tripped.”
“No worries old friend,” he said. “The game is still early. We’ll show these Terries who’s the better Squash team. What did I tell you before the match?”
“To—do—the—best—I—can,” he recited drolly.
“Right! So . . . ”
“Go Glounce Pounders,” murmured Pi.
“I—can’t—hear—you!” roared Glounce.
“GO GLOUNCE POUNDERS!” Pi shouted enthusiastically.
“That’s much better. Now buck up and show some backbone,” said Glounce.
“But—Podil’s don’t have real backbones. It’s more like a cartilage thing with nerves.”
“It’s an expression,” said Glounce. “All right. Stay alert.” Pi jumped to attention. “Stay focused.” Pi’s eyestalks went rigid and pointed to the front, straining. “And most of all—hit the MD ball!” They marched to their positions.
The ambassadors in the crowd began chanting “GO GLOUNCE POUNDERS!” thumping the seating until there was a wave of noisy enthusiasm. Some of the Adlaison Kitten fans began heckling back countermanding the louder Glounce Pounder fans. A skirmish broke out between Ambassador Bristlebrush and Ambassador Regaltusk when Bristlebrush threw a nutty bar which then glued itself on the back of Ambassador Regaltusk’s head. Their bantering soon was infectious and SLASP security had to come over to break up the melee. Once order was restored and the two brawlers made up, the game resumed.
The ball was once again put into play. Glounce barely moved yet was able to hog the returning shots while he nudged Pi away from the action. Sir Giles and Adlaison showed more vigor chasing the ball and returning it expertly.
The first game looked as if the Adlaison Kittens were going to win standing at a score of 10-7, their favor. Play was stopped when Glounce assisted Pi by wrapping a tentacle around his racket and completing the shot for him. Captain Aubrey consulted the rule book.
“Interference!?” barked Glounce. “How the devil can I interfere with my own teammate?”
“I’m referring to the book,” said Aubrey. “Rule 14, Section 6: No player shall hinder another in their attempt to keep the ball in play.”
“That’s ambiguous as to who another is. A team is one unit. So you’re saying I can’t help my partner?”
“I’m interpreting it that way,” said Aubrey.
Glounce grumbled something unintelligible about the captain’s mental capabilities.
“What was that?” barked Aubrey. “Another remark from you, Nobleflim, and I’ll award the winning point to the Adlaison Kittens.”
“Posh!” Glounce retorted.
That was enough for Captain Aubrey to exert his authority. “Point and rally to Adlaison Kittens,” roared Aubrey.
Glounce seethed.
The vidi-drone puttered into the scene and got a closeup of Glounce’s reaction. Hunt Chetley materialized and reported, “Ambassador Glounce, how do you feel about the questionable decision?”
Glounce pointed his racket menacingly. “No comment.” He realized his demeanor was not going to win the favor of the crowd. “Wait!” he barked when the vidi-drone began to recede. When the camera was back on him he composed himself and drew Pi close to him in an affectionate way. “I won’t comment on the officiating being, I wouldn’t want to see the situation inflamed into hostilities. I will abide by the ruling and assure all of our fans out there that I have the utmost confidence in my partner’s ability to win the forthcoming rally.”
Glounce nudged Pi. Pi held up his racket and smiled with a glazed expression.
“Thanks Glounce Pounders,” said Hunt. “We look forward to your comeback.” The vidi-drone backed up and hovered overhead getting a panoramic view of the court.
The next two rallies went to the Glounce Pounders with Glounce scoring all the points. When the ball came even remotely close to Pi, Glounce would toss his racket to the tentacle that could best return the shot and ruthlessly whipped the ball against the wall. Glounce ran the two Terries ragged with forceful plays.
Sir Giles panted after missing a difficult shot. “Glounce is very good,” he said to Adlaison.
“And determined,” added Adlaison. “At this rate he’s going to win handily.”
Sir Giles thought a moment. “Not if we present ourselves strategically in the way of his returns now that we have some idea of how he plays with all those appendages.”
“But what about the interference rules?” asked Adlaison.
“Just follow my lead and I’ll show you how to win.”
Adlaison nodded approval.
Glounce glared at the two men seeing them get in ready stances with renewed vigor. He laughed a great belly-laugh. “Ready to forfeit?” he asked Sir Giles.
Sir Giles gulped down his sport drink and wiped the sweat from his eyes. “Never.”
Glounce nodded and an evil sneer painted his face when he launched a beauty against the back wall. Sir Giles saw his move and positioned himself close to the edge of his quarter. Glounce’s body and tentacles flowed over the edge and slightly hindered Sir Giles. When the ball arrived he fumbled with Glounce’s tentacle that tried to slither out of his way. S
ir Giles purposely tripped over the appendage and the ball scooted past him.
“Stroke!” blared Aubrey. “Interference Glounce Pounders.”
Glounce whirled around and looked disbelieving at Aubrey. “He flopped!”
“That’s not how I saw it,” said Aubrey.
Glounce had no recourse but to accept the ruling and work to win back the serve. Adlaison served up the next shot and the game continued with Glounce still hogging the shots while pressing Pi back when he slithered into position. He wanted to win, desperation grew as the plays became more difficult and taxing on the Flimian. Sweat trickled down his blubber sack and onto the court. His size and means of locomotion were finally telling now that endurance was becoming a factor in the game. Play would stop so the courtside roadies could wipe up the mess.
Glounce puffed up his bi-valve lungs and exhaled heavily during a cleanup break. “Damn these Terries,” he cursed to Pi.
“They’re tougher than they look,” said Pi. “Can I hit the ball next time?”
“Huh?” Glounce stammered. “You? I think not if we want to win. You do want to win, don’t you?”
Pi nodded. “It’s just you’re so tired and I’m not. I thought I could help.”
Glounce patted the Podil on the back. “I like your spirit, but for now let me continue.”
Pi was very disappointed. Glounce, seeing his friend’s expression, took a tentacle and gave him a chummy punch to the chin. “You’re still my partner. If you see an opportunity to put the Terries down, jump in and deliver the goods.”
“Really?”
“Abso-frickin’-lutely.”
Pi pranced about swinging his racket in joy. Unfortunately his enthusiasm cost them the game when he swung through the ball and whiffed the play.
The match was tied 2-2 rallies and the winner of the next rally would rule the courts and the wager; the losers would achieve shame and ridicule from their fans and the entire GG sporting world. The spectators certainly were enjoying themselves, being catered with drinks and food while they cheered for their team and booed the referee when a call didn’t go their way. The vidi-drone caught all of the excitement; panning to and fro gaining the best angle of the players. Hunt Chetley commentated from the stands, interviewing the more zealous spectators, then he wavered back into view at courtside.
The match continued neck and neck with Glounce dominating his team while Adlaison and Sir Giles were showing that at their age they were still quite the athletes. The play came to a breather when they reached a tie of 10-10. Sir Giles consulted with Adlaison.
“We sure have held our own,” he gasped through racking breaths.
Adlaison bent over with his hands on his knees and gulped in lungfuls of air. “I’m nearly done in.”
“Me too,” said Sir Giles. “Whatever the outcome, we can truthfully say we gave it our all.”
“I’ll say,” said Adlaison. “At least that fat blubber-butt will no longer think Terries are a pushover.”
They glanced over and saw Glounce huffing and puffing his bi-valves. Glounce saw them staring and raised his racket in defiance. “He sure is a tough bastard,” puffed Adlaison.
“Tough maybe, but not as smart as us,” said Sir Giles.
“What do you mean?” asked Adlaison.
“I mean he’s unaware of how much danger he’s in.”
“The murderer is here?”
“Most assuredly.”
“By the way, where’s your granddaughter?”
“She’s in position with Smythe.”
“So you believe the murderer will strike soon?”
“Not here,” said Sir Giles. “Afterwards.” He looked seriously over at Adlaison. “You remember everything I told you?”
“Certainly,” assured Adlaison.
“Your life depends upon it.”
Adlaison nodded.
“You ready to kick some blubber-butt?”
The two men shook hands and positioned themselves for the end of the match.
* * *
IT WAS A FIERCE GAME. Neither team giving quarter; darting to trap the ball and send it back into play. Tempers flared when an option to LET10 was called by the Adlaison Kittens after Pi stumbled too close to the action. Glounce profusely denied the attempt to replay the rally demanding the judgment to be reviewed by Captain Aubrey.
Sir Giles restrained Adlaison who waved his racket threatening at Glounce, claiming Pi caused a hard fall resulting in a court burn on his knee. Captain Aubrey awarded the point to the Glounce Pounders after the vidi-replay measured just over one meter in distance. “It could’ve gone either way,” said Sir Giles giving Adlaison an encouraging nod.
Adlaison limped slightly, walking off the stinging in the injured knee. “I thought we had them that time,” he commented to Sir Giles as they set their positions.
“Don’t let your temper get the best of you,” advised Sir Giles.
“I can’t help it. That big pile of gelatinous flub is pushing his weight around.” He rubbed the sore knee.
“Can you continue?” asked Sir Giles.
“Of course,” groaned Adlaison. “I won’t be taken off this court except by a stretcher before we teach Glounce a lesson.”
“All right then,” commented Sir Giles. “What’s the plan?”
“We’ll have to step up our game and apply more pressure. We may be older than they are but we still have more to give. How are you doing?”
“I’m tiring,” admitted Sir Giles. “But I think I have a little more in my tank.”
“Good man.” Adlaison pointed at Glounce. “I do believe the Flimian is also at his limit.”
Sir Giles winked his understanding, then concentrated his efforts on further tiring Glounce. The game resumed and Adlaison came back with dogged determination and made a spectacular save resulting in tying up the match again. After that, the game became ugly with trash talking between Adlaison and Glounce. The play stopped after Sir Giles crushed the ball sending it against all three walls and whizzed past Glounce’s defenses.
“Spectacularly played!” roared Adlaison to Sir Giles. “I couldn’t have done better even in my youth!”
Sir Giles rubbed his right shoulder where he had over-extended the joint. “I’m afraid I did it that time. I’ll be sore for a month.”
“How bad is it?” asked Adlaison.
Sir Giles winced in pain. “Bad.”
“Dammit! What rotten luck.”
Sir Giles let his arm dangle. He tried to lift it again and thought better of it. Instead he transferred the racket to his left hand. “Good thing I play nearly as well with my left.” He swung the racket expertly, the air whizzing through the strings.
“Are you sure?” asked Adlaison. “We could forfeit the match and get you patched up.”
“Don’t be silly,” said Sir Giles. “What would our fans think of us?” He raised his racket and waved to the crowd who erupted in cheers. “Come on. Let’s end this.”
The final play started like all the rest, with the ball being served and players scrambling about to intercept. But this time the exertion on their bodies was taking a toll on the players. Even Glounce slithered about sluggishly, Adlaison limped and Sir Giles tucked his right arm up to protect it. Only Pi seemed to be unfazed, bouncing about swinging his racket precariously, accomplishing nothing.
Glounce staggered, his tentacles quivered about him as he hesitated in the decision of which one was the best to transfer his racket to and hit the ball. That moment’s hesitation caused Glounce to deliver a weak return. The ball looped high into the air to strike the back wall just enough to bounce off of it. Adlaison, seeing their doom, dove for the ball and overcompensated for its low velocity. He slid past his opportunity to return the ball into play.
Sir Giles chased down the ball. With all of his might he jumped up into the air, spread his legs wide and swatted the ball with his left arm. He struck the ball soundly, propelling it back through his legs like a croquet wicket. The ball soa
red to the wall at tremendous velocity, gaining momentum along the way. Everything slowed down for the players. Adlaison rolled out of the ball’s path, Glounce tracked the ball. Sir Giles hopped about to see the results of his efforts. And Pi raced towards center court to intercept and make the play.
Glounce wailed for Pi to let him get it but to no avail. Pi moved into the path of the returning ball to be struck soundly right between the eyestalks. The ball ricocheted up into the air while Pi’s eyestalks twisted together, blinked once, then curled back into their base and closed. His fuzzy body crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Glounce stumbled over Pi’s limp form and the ball bounced away from his extended racket.
Aubrey shouted, “Stroke and match to Adlaison Kittens!”
The crowd erupted in a jubilant roar.
Chapter 10
End Gambit
HUNT CHETLEY GATHERED UP THE players. Pi had to be revived with a splash of ice water to the face. When he came to he appeared to be happily unaware that he lost the game.
“What a showing of athletics,” piped up Hunt to the audience. “The Battle of the Species will be talked about for quite some time. How do you all feel about a rematch?”
“Not in the near future,” responded Sir Giles. “I believe I can speak for Ambassador Adlaison in saying that we aren’t the men we once were.”
“I couldn’t tell by your performance,” said Hunt. “That last play was amazing.” Here Hunt imitated Sir Giles’ shot between his legs and then pointed to his forehead with a zinging sound. “Simply amazing.”
“It was sheer luck I’m afraid,” commented Sir Giles. “The Glounce Pounders lived up to their name pressing us to our limits, I feel thoroughly pounded.”
“That being said,” said Hunt, “any thoughts on the match, Ambassador Glounce?”
“Of course, I’m highly disappointed in its outcome but one must accept defeat graciously.” He didn’t look anything remotely like gracious with a sour expression and fidgeting tentacles. “I would like to commend my partner in his efforts.” He then cradled the dazed Podil close him for the viewers. “Without his finesse we would have surely caved-in much sooner.”
Murder on Euripides Page 21