Three Journeys of the Scary Kind

by Philip R Benge

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  Walking up towards the institute building, two of the Globians were discussing the merits of their weapons. “I tell you Lowbug, this new heavy blaster rifle is so accurate that it is able to shoot the wings off a Scindle fly, and it would not even notice, this weapon is that advanced.” Largbyt boasted.

  A Scindle fly is quite large and resembled the dragonfly of Earth, except that it is yellow with black stripes, and rather irritable.

  “Prove it then Largbyt; there is a Scindle fly sitting on the wall of the Institute, can you see it, it is just below the bench that is outside of the Institute, right at the top of the hill. It is a fair bit way, can you see that far?” Lowbug said in a tone that indicated a certain amount of disbelief mixed with a piece of scorn for his friend, it was an attempt to put his friend`s aim off. The bench, of course, was the one that the police sergeant and the constable were currently occupying.

  Largbyt looked at his friend with contempt. “I can see it Lowbug, Ok then, and if I can do it then you owe me five credits.” Largbyt agreed with a smile appearing on his rather ugly face, which somehow made his face all the uglier.

  Unfortunately, Largbyt had only just acquired the new improved version of the Glob blaster, and in any case, he was a little drunk. Believing that he had set the blaster to its lowest setting he squeezed off a shot. The blaster bolt whistled under the legs of the police constable, who howled in pain, for the energy bolt passing so close to his legs had burnt them, and then grains of the exploding reinforced concrete wall of the Calamity Scientific Institute added to his agony by peppering his legs. The resulting blast surprised the four Globian troopers, and it stunned, just for a moment, one of the two police officers, the other one was too busy howling in pain to be stunned.