The large chair at the desk turned around, and a smiling man perhaps somewhere in his late 40's was seated in the chair. From the pictures Davy had seen in some books he had read, this was Paul Keisner himself. "Well, this is interesting. Two Botarans in the park."
The entire group was shocked. Jahv finally stammered. "You — you know what we are?"
The man rose and walked over to the group, looking at Arion. "And this one would be from Korras. Royalty, I'd guess, based on the arrogant expression."
Arion just scowled as hard as he could.
"And you," said the man, looking at Morik, "are either from some species that I have never encountered before, with an astounding resemblance to another, or you're absolutely the scruffiest-looking Dorrian in the long and recently-tragic history of that race."
"So who precisely are you?" asked Jahv, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
"As you've probably guessed, I'm a Botaran." said Keisner, returning to his seat behind the desk. He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out an ornate pen. He twisted it and his face was transformed into that of a Botaran. Most of the facial features remained the same, although the eyes got slightly larger, his hair turned white, his skin turned orange, and antennae appeared on his head even as his ears vanished. "My real name is Pol, son of Keis, son of Neros — etc, etc. It wasn't too hard to translate that into something a little more human-sounding."
"So how did you get here?" asked Keyro.
"Who's running this session, hmm?" asked Pol. "How did you get here?"
Keyro remained silent. Jahv wasn't sure what to say. He figured the truth was probably the best means. Granted, what he and Keyro had done, running away from home, was not looked upon very favorably by Botarans. But Pol himself had to be here pretty unofficially himself, so there wasn't much he could do about it. "We ran away from home."
Pol raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "And these other two?"
"Encountered on a later exploration." said Jahv.
"And the humans?" asked Pol.
"Friends from the start of our arrival here." finished Jahv. "Now what about you?"
Pol stood and looked out the window of his office. "I crash landed here about six years ago after running my ship through a wormhole. I landed in the desert, with no one around. Enough of the instrumentation and supplies were left intact that I was able to determine where I was, and use a teleporter to get out of the area. But I also realized that my supplies were limited and that I would somehow need to become part of human society. After a period of study and observation, I realized that my skills as a tech-developer could best be put to use in the one industry where unusual technology would not be overly suspect — the amusement park business. I was able to present some blueprints and demonstration models to some financial backers, and built this park."
"Cripes, Jahv was right." said Davy. "The place is too advanced for current technology on this planet!"
Pol smiled. "Observant, aren't you, boy?" He directed his comment at Jahv. "Of course the place was never meant to fool other Botarans. Just humans."
"And no one suspects you of being anything other than human." said Arion.
"Of course not." said Pol. "I am viewed as a brilliant genius, but something of a recluse. No real social life. So be it. After a day in this holographic disguise, my antennae start buzzing. And of course I am a sufficiently important individual within this business circle to warrant the finest security — that also knows enough to mind its own business and give me privacy from themselves even as they keep other people out."
"So why drag us here?" asked Jahv. "Why not just have us tossed out after our disguises failed?"
"Two reasons." said Pol. "I can sympathize with your plight. You're not as well off as I am. As children, you're less able to mingle with the people of this world and find a place for yourselves. I wanted to rescue you from possible further suspicion and capture by the wrong people."
"And saving the rep of your own park and making sure that none'a that 'suspicion' comes down on your head wouldn't have anything to do with it, right?" snapped Keith.
"I'd be lying if I said that wasn't something of a consideration." said Pol. "But from that basis, you're hardly the first — situation — I've had to deal with quietly around here. You're certainly the first involving people of my own race — or other offworlders. Keisner Park has a superb, almost flawless safety record."
"Almost." said Davy.
"There's always some idiot who thinks he can stand up on a roller coaster, or climb over a safety railing, or get out of a moving vehicle, and he's not going to get hurt." said Pol. "Such matters are tended to with the utmost of compassion — and the utmost of efficiency."
"You said two reasons." stated Jahv.
"I have no idea of what your existence is like on this world," said Pol. "But how would you like to stay here, with me? Work for me. Your own holographic disguises and your portable transmat units are quite impressive. And I could guarantee your safety."
"Does that include Morik and me?" asked Arion harshly.
"Of course. The Dorrian penchant for ornamentation would be a valuable asset to this park. And I've seen the architecture of your world. We could use design elements of that here."
"I'm not sure about this…" said Jahv. "These others are our friends. We don't even know you."
"I understand your hesitancy." replied Pol. "Look, why don't you all step into this other room?" Pol waved to a second doorway along a side wall of his office. "There's something to see in there that I believe will convince you to remain."
Jahv whipped out his backpack. "You don't mind if I run a sensor scan, do you?"
"Of course not." said Pol, smiling.
Jahv pulled out his scanner. "Reads as a large holographic grid. Like a holocron room. Should be safe enough."
"It could be interesting." said Keyro.
Pol walked over to the doorway, and opened it. "It's perfectly safe. Please, I think you'll be impressed."
The eight boys looked at each other. Arion and Keith clearly weren't convinced, but they all seemed to realize that there wasn't much alternative. If it would settle this entire issue and get them either out of this office and out of the park — or at least have the matter resolved — then so be it. They cautiously entered the massive room.
And Pol slammed the door behind them and sealed them in.
Keith let loose with the worst string of expletives he'd ever let fly with in his life. Arion was doing likewise in his own language, sounding like a really pissed-off hawk.
Pol's face appeared hovering above the youngsters in the darkened room. "Idiot children. I knew who you were the instant you set foot in the park. The entire place is lined with sensors to detect advanced technology. Nice landing in the men's room by the way. I suppose it could've been worse. You could've ended up in the ladies room."
Jahv cut loose with a burst of native language static that sounded no more polite than what Keith and Arion had said. "What do you mean to do with us!"
"I mean to use you to get myself off of this pathetic, backward mudball of a planet once and for all!" said Pol. "I know who you are, Jahv and Keyro. Runaways. That's a serious crime and you know it. And I have connections with one of our world's magistrates. He knows I'm here and has been prepared to keep that knowledge a secret."
"What!?" exploded Jahv. "A Botaran magistrate keeping secrets!? That's unheard of!"