Cassidy paced to the edge of the porch and stared out over the field. A monstrous skimmer craft appeared in the distance, floating over toward what seemed to be a pile of trash in front of one of the estates. Twin beams of crimson light darted from the nose of the vehicle and played over the mound. In seconds, the heap had melted away and the skimmer floated on.
Wolruf was still walking his octopus-spider pet. There were now two packs of youths out chasing girls. And another skimmer car was having no difficulty surviving the stone-throwing assault of not one, but two dedicated pursuers. Outside of that, Cassidy noted, things appeared quite normal.
Mason slapped his thighs and rose. "You go see if Riva knows how we can contact the authorities. I'm going back and stay with the ship."
Cassidy watched him crawl under the fence, then went around the side of the house. When he caught sight of the girl, she was just disappearing into a smaller structure that might have been a guest house or garage.
Following, he knocked on the door and called out her name anxiously.
"To play are you ready?" There was an eager note in her voice as it came through the panel. "In come on. It's all set I'll be in a jiffy."
He turned the knob, stepped half into the room, lurched back outside and slammed the door behind him. "Riva!"
The door started to open, then closed again as the girl laughed. "Oh, all right. Funny you be. It's to play you want, don't you?"
He assured her that he did and added, "But there's something we have to talk about now, Riva."
"Talk, talk, talk. And it gets you where? Only wastes time, it does."