by LARDLAD (ANTHONY E. TAYLOR)
Jalarl and Cham headed down the prison corridors toward the checkpoint that Jalarl always goes through on his way to Blocks D, E and F. They could see it drawing nearer in the distance and began to tense.
Out of the blue Jalarl whispered, "Wow, Cham! I can't tell you how breath-taking this 'power' of yours is! The way you took out that guard and turned into him was...I don't have the word to descibe it!"
"That mook had it comin' after the sucker punch he squeezed in while they were interrogating me! And I'm going to make sure you learn plenty of words to descibe positive feelings...count on it!" Cham then realized he didn't know what to do at the checkpoint. "What do I do here, Jal?"
Confidently, Jal said, "Take out the chip in the pouch next to your holster and give it to him."
Cham did as Jal suggested and explained to the guard that the slave was being punished for slacking off. Jalarl was amazed by how perfectly Cham imitated Khund mannerisms and the inflections of the Khund dialect he chose. The two spoke as if they'd known each other all their lives. His friend was more than just a chameleon because of the shape-changing; it was obvious he was expert at carrying out the other nuances required to be a master of disguise. He admired his friend even more at that point.
The two got through three other checkpoints until finally arriving at a less-secure area that contained living facilities for the Khund guards. Surprisingly, they weren't much more luxurious than the prisoner and slave quarters. Cham and Jalarl ducked into a supply closet. When Cham confirmed it was devoid of Khunds, he changed back to his familiar form.
"I knew we wouldn't be able to get out through the front door. That's where they are bound to have devices placed like the one which detected me in the first place.," Cham said and then began scouring the closet for ways out. Jalarl was in awe of Cham's professional, methodical search. Could this sentient only be just two or three cycles older than himself? Could he, a slave, also be capable of such heroism?
Jalarl's musings were interrupted by Cham. "Found it!" Cham showed his friend a grate in the wall. "It's big enough for you to fit, Jal! It didn't matter either way with me because of my power, but it'll work for you as well! The grate leads outside and there are no guards!"
"How do you know, Cham?" Jalarl wondered.
Cham smiled and stretched his eyes out from his skull. "This is how! I stretched them 'til I saw where it ended!"
Jalarl's jaw dropped. Even with what he'd already seen, he was still amazed.
"I believe the word you're looking for is 'Wow'!" Cham grinned.
Jalarl thought about it a moment. Then he said, "Wow!" and laughed. Cham couldn't help but join in. The boy's laughter was a joy to hear, and his own laughter was a much-needed release after all his travails recently. But he quickly turned to the business at hand.
"We can't spare any more time. The Khunds may have discovered I'm missing by now." Jalarl understood and his expression hardened. Cham gave his friend a boost into the grate, then extended his legs to give himself a boost.
The shaft was narrow and dark, but the light from the outside was clearly visible. It was almost blinding to Jalarl; he'd seen the outside world very rarely. At the end of the shaft Cham reached over Jalarl and smashed the grate by transforming the arm into a blunt, mace-like weapon. It was a long way to the ground, but Cham gently lowered Jalarl down by again extending his arms all the way. Soon both were running to the edge of a nearby forest. Cham shielded the two of them from the view of any guards who might have been watching by acting as a true chameleon. He stretched his form over his friend and changed colors to match the landscape almost perfectly.
Just as they entered the outskirts of the forest, a rude noise startled them. Alarm claxons sounded from the facilities. "They've discovered I'm missing!" Cham yelled. "C'mon Jal we've got to get as far away from that place as fast as possible!"
Just as they were about to run, they were startled as a voice from behind said sternly, "just where do you two think you are going?"
Cham and Jalarl whirled around to see a very startling sight.
End Part Five