The Wreckage of Paradise.pdf - Dice

wt+lHaQ8.Im6wBLb“Thewhat?” Mitch asked, taking four cane-steps over tothe sofa and perching on its arm. He didn’t want to get hisvomit on it.“The floating fortress of Lucifer’s Army,” Chuck said.He gave an inquiring look to Lawrence, who raised his eyesbriefly and nodded. Chuck beamed at this confirmation.“Yeah,” Mitch said, “About this ‘Lucifer’s Army’ business...“You take a fortywaist, right?” Becky said, bustling backinto the room with a pair of khaki slacks slung over oneforearm. The other arm held up a tray with waitress-likeconfidence, and on that were two steaming mugs of coffeeand a small plate of Lorna Doone shortbread cookies.“Is there somewhere I can...?” Mitch gestured at thepants. Becky tittered and said, “I’ll turn my back.”While he put on fresh clothes, Chuck dunked a cookie.After a short hesitation, Mitch sipped the coffee.“This is good,” he said. ‘‘Just how I like it.”“Two sugars, no cream,” Becky said, turning backaround.“Have we.. . Did we ever meet before?”“Oh no. I just know what people want.”‘Yeah? Can you guess what else I want?”“Answers.”‘You are good.”On the couch, Lawrence gave a snort.“Start asking questions, ” Becky asked, stickingher tongueout at Lawrence briefly.Mitch opened his mouth, then shut it. It wasn’t that helacked questions. There were so many that they were forminga logjam.“Let’s start with.. . Mukikel. And Shadrannat.”“Ooh, you’re on a celestial name basis. You should bepleased.”“HA?”‘You don’t know about the name game?”“Let’s... let’s set that aside. How did they do that stuff?”“Stuff? You’ll have to be more specific.”