The Pirates of Pern
Third Turn of the 4th pass.
Mr. Squiggly looked at the planet where they had left him. It seemed to him to be most beautiful planet he'd ever encountered. It was lush and tropical and there were many, what seemed to him to be crazy, Dragon-like creatures buzzing around, most much smaller than than the one that came near him. The large, emerald colored one approached him.
Hello.
"Arrr. Why d'yee talk in me head?"
Why do you wear a black thing over your eye?
"Arrrrrr. How can you talk? You are but a beast." Mr. Squiggly did not know what else to say to the dragon-like creature and so he rudely walked away from her. He was now frightened of his planet of exile and wondered if his ex-clan had known something he didn't.
The green, Munchimuncheth, was taken aback. Not more so then her rider, S'fehlad, who wondered why his Munchimuncheth had left him by the river of the Southern Continent.
I found something, S'fehlad.
What did you find to leave me here, you silly green creature?
A man with a black thing on his eye.
S'fehlad wondered what on Pern his dragon could be talking about. He wondered where she was and next thing he knew, she was right in front of him. He walked over her, telling her never to scare him like that again.
The man is rude.
Who?
The man with the black thing on his eye.
S'fehlad allowed Munchinmuncheth to take him to this strange man. It didn't take much time circling to find him. S'fehlad cupped his hands over his mouth and called down to the stranger.
"Hello! Ahoy down there!"
"AHOY!" Had Mr. Squiggly finally found a kin on this strange new planet, "What be yer name?"
"S'fehlad! Rider of Green Munchimuncheth whom I believe you have already met. And your name, stranger?"
"Mr. Squiggly," he responded in his pirate drawl.
"Where d'you come from, Misterrrsquiggly?" S'fehlad asked as he and his green descended. As he got a closer look at this fine fellow, he noticed how ruggedly and rougishly handsome he was.
The pirate pointed upward. S'fehlad was baffled. Sure, he'd heard the legends of the first settlers of Pern, but he'd never imagined anyone could ever fall from the sky like Threads!
"Aye. My crew left me here. Oh. I was one of the best space pirates there ever was, but then, arrr, I was caught with that young…never mind. But, I am reformed. I want to make a good life here on this planet…"
Still incredulous, but feeling as though he should be mindful and respect any creature or man to fall out the sky, he responded.
"Pern. Pern is this planet. I think, sir, you should come with me."
"Where?" S'fehlad wanted to respond "anywhere" since he was now quite besotted with this strange man.
You cannot bring him with us. He is rude, Munchimuncheth let her rider know she did not approve of his plan.
He did not know that he must respect you. He will know.
Mr. Squiggly watched intently as his new friend's eyes unfocused and then refocused. He wondered what had happened. Sensing the stranger's confusion, S'fehlad spoke up.
"I was speaking to Munchimuncheth. Riders and dragons are paired at birth and we speak in our minds."
"And there purpose?" Mr. Squiggly asked, bewildered.
"To protect Pern from the Threads that fall from the sky!"
"Oh."
At this response, S'fehlad let out a hearty laugh.
"Come now, I will bring you to the Weyr where you will be presented as a candidate for Search. I think you would make a mighty-fine blue rider," was S'fehlad's coy response, knowing the implications would be lost on this Misterrrsquiggly. What a strange name, S'fehlad remarked to Munchimunceth.
I do not like when you disregard me.
S'fehlad ignored her as he helped the dumbfounded stranger mount her. Munchimuncheth let it go because she knew S'fehlad loved her, but tended to get too besotted by his current…conquests.