Queen Lierte surveyed the room. She had summoned all the top officials for a meeting. Lierte was disappointed to see that her husband, King Heerute, wasn't there. She was one of the few who knew that Crash held a top job. Now, her prying eyes searched for him. Was it McAfee, the virus protector? Or perhaps Gamer, in charge of all the games? She didn't know at the moment. Lierte wasn't sure she wanted to.

Meanwhile, Crash arrived at the FreeCell game, the second easiest to hack into. He snuck past the king at the top of the board, not quietly enough. The king woke with a start. "What's going on? Wait a minute...SOUND THE ALARMS! CRASH IS AT THE FREECELL GAME!!!"

Crash immediately disappeared into the darkness. Everyone, including Queen Lierte, Steve, Pointer, McAfee, and Gamer, came running (or in Steve's case bouncing). "The king will be coming shortly. He was getting dressed," Queen Lierte told the group.

Steve snorted. "What a time to get dressed!"

"I'm sure he had his reasons," Pointer told him.

Steve softened. "Yeah, you're probably right."

"Stop fighting! This is serious!" the queen scolded them. Steve and Pointer hung their heads (actually Steve practically flipped over and Pointer hung his point). "That's better," the queen said. Turning to the FreeCell king, she asked him what happened.

"It was awful!" the FreeCell king cried. "I was sleeping peacefully in my little cell. I heard a noise, which woke me up. I looked up to see Crash right there!" He pointed with a trembling finger to a spot just to the left of Lierte. Just then, the king came running up.

"What have I missed?" he asked breathlessly.

"Just about the whole thing!" Lierte retorted. "Heerute, where were you?!?"

"I was getting dressed," the king said huffily. "I couldn't find my pants." A hearty snicker ran through the onlookers.

Lierte sighed. "Crash is gone. I think we can leave now." With that, she turned and walked away. Heerute followed soon after.

Steve and Pointer went back to their home beneath the platform that Steve stood on in Minesweeper, excited at the close call. "Do you think he'll come back?" Steve asked excitedly.

"I don't know," replied Steve. "But right now, lets get some sleep." They were both asleep in five minutes.



So? How do you like it so far? I promise to continue as soon as I can because I know how frustrating it can be when you read a really good story that's only halfway done. Please read and review!

Shorty30490