Excerpt: Bactine

Daniel woke up after a night of very disturbing dreams. Just about everyone he had met on this planet had appeared in it, and many of them had performed in a circular dance around Rayko. That was something that puzzled him most.

Over breakfast he mused about the things he should do now. How would he find a young woman that disappeared without a trace? What did he know about her, even? Just that she was stuck-up, hated him and argued with her father a lot. If he just knew what that was about, that might give him some clues.

Daniel decided to find out something more about the senator. All the rumours there were about that man were vague and confusing. The man had helped Daniel out a few times, Daniel had taken a liking to the senator.

He needed some time to find out where the senator was living. Of course, the senator lived in the Zoroon community. It was quite a surprise for Daniel to find that his address was in a public register that was stored in the hydger. There was no contact number in the register, which was hardly surprising. After finishing his food, he went back to his apartment to dress more appropriately, and then requested a carriage for the trip to the house of the senator. It was his best shot at finding the man. Perhaps there was someone at the house who could at least take a message for the senator.

The ride to Zoroon went swiftly. Daniel stared out of the window without seeing much. He was trying to think his way out of the mysterious disappearing young woman. As the carriage stopped, he saw a remarkably small house, for Zoroon standards. The reception house was no bigger than a large broom closet. The house beyond it was made of a peculiar pink kind of stone and was surprisingly round everywhere. The whole place looked as if large pink eggs had been thrown in a heap.

Daniel walked up to the door in the reception house. In vain he tried to locate a bell or a similar device. There just was the everpresent copper plate. As there was little else he could do except for bang on the door, Daniel held his ring against the plaque and waited.

As he took in the environment, one of the areas rich of plants and trees, the door opened behind him. "Seigner?" a voice asked.

Daniel turned and saw a rather aged man. "Good morning, sir. My name is Daniel Zacharias. Is the senator in, by chance?"

"Indeed, he is. I assume you want to see the senator?" the man asked.

"Yes. If that is possible."

The man nodded and opened the door. "If you would please wait here, sir, I will see if senator Dirrit ko Asac is available for you." The servant turned and left Daniel inside the small chamber as he slipped away behind a richly decorated curtain.

The curtain was very red, Daniel saw. It was embroidered with many small symbols, round and square, of which the meaning was entirely lost on him. Minutes checked in and out. Daniel thought the servant had either forgotten him, or fallen asleep after disappearing behind the curtain. Therefore it was a slight shock for him when the man came into the chamber again.

"The senator will see you, sir." The way the servant managed not to put any life or emotion in his voice was stunning.