The Armadillo Files, Episode 6 — Featuring GP Cox

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, September 11, 2021

Everyone here is aware of the significance of September 11th.  It continues to trigger heartfelt pain in many of us.  I begin this post with a moment of silence.  Then I ask you to escape with me into something whimsical. Respectfully, I need us to be happy.

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The Armadillo Files image by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
The Armadillo Files image by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

Welcome to my sanctuary. You’ve reached The Armadillo Files.  Get a flashlight, though.  I had an extended computer problem, and my personal “stuff” was a big problem throughout the week.  Reflective of my life, this episode went “offline” in a literal way.  That said, this is a short chapter.

Random Reader Things

Fortunately I had a flashlight handy.  It was one of a set of three random reader things from GP Cox.  Another, coffee, has featured in the episodes, but that was specifically “instant.” Anyhow, I used it again here.  The third was bushbaby.  To be honest, when I first saw that, I couldn’t think how I was ever going to use a bushbaby in this story.  Challenge yourself, and imagine how you would use these three things in a story.

Previously in The Armadillo Files

Last time some kind of spaceship carrying Delia Faraday and Tatu Pinkerton, aka Fang, landed.  The feline auxiliary pilots went to their next assignment.  It looked like they touched down okay, if not where Fang expected.  Although, I’ve led you astray before…  Are you ready?

All aboard!

6 — Who turned out the lights?

flashlight Alejandro Faletti Pixabay
Alejandro Faletti at Pixabay

Dilly

Purple lights suddenly turned to red.  The mechanical sounding voice I previously heard coming from the next compartment blared in a wobble.

“Lithium enabler malfunction.  System failure imminent.  Deploy auxiliary devices for all visual and locator fuuunctiooonsss…” the voice groaned to a stop.

“TROLLEY!  What visual devices?  You don’t mean my lenses, do you?  TROLLEY!” Fang yelled, flailing his arms dramatically.

The red lights flashed a last time.  All the illumination of the control panels extinguished.  I wasn’t sure from where the lighting of the compartment came, but it slowly dimmed to nothing.  We were in complete darkness.

 “What were you going on about — lenses?” I asked, turning in the pitch black toward the last place I had seen my erstwhile armadillo.

“There were side effects to the modifications that allowed me to masquerade as your pet armadillo of the pink fairy species.  Especially since I kept the form for years.  I developed the nearsightedness of the species.  Prime made up for that by implanting corrective lenses in my eyes.  But now they’re offline with the rest of the visual components of the system,” he explained dejectedly.

I heard him plop into one of the seats, but then he hopped back to his feet.  Rattle and rustle sounds made me think he was rummaging through a drawer.  I hoped he had a flashlight in there somewhere, and I told him as much.

Something glass rolled across the floor.  It stopped against my foot.  Picking it up, I realized it was that jar of instant coffee.  I tucked it away before he had another chance to pour any more of the crystals into my mouth.

Lesser Bushbaby Wikipedia
Bushbaby Wikipedia

With an exclamation of satisfaction, he switched on the flashlight.  A moment later he was looking at a strange photograph that appeared to move.  I went to look over his shoulder.

“Aw, a cute little bushbaby!” I exclaimed.

“Not so cute if you knew him.  We were in basic training together,” Fang replied, leaving me speechless.

The noise of a motor broke the stillness of the night.  I looked up, even though we were inside.  Fang tilted his head, listening.  Hurriedly he switched off the light.

“I recognize that model.  Yes, Dilly.  I’m nearsighted, but my hearing is terrific.  Another side effect.  That’s an observation plane.  Be really still.  Sometimes motion activates it, and we don’t want the system to come back up right now.  The way our luck is running on this mission, all the lights will come on just as the plane flies over.  They probably aren’t on a recon mission in the dark, but any lights would draw their attention,” he grumbled.

 The rumble of the engines grew closer and louder.

♦ ♦ ♦

When The Lights Go On Again, sung by Vera Lynn circa 1942

♦ ♦ ♦

That was written as a song of hope, hope for a return to normal.  I think many of us can relate to that hope today.  But no political or religious remarks here at my sanctuary.  I love to hear from you, so be sure to stop and say hello.  Whether your comment is to me or another commenter, keep it friendly.  Hugs on the wing!

♦ ♦ ♦

The September issue of Dead of Winter is here.  Journey 9, Doors of Attunement!

Dead of Winter: Journey 9, Doors of Attunement, by Teagan Riordain Geneviene
Dead of Winter: Journey 9, Doors of Attunement

Dead of Winter, All the Journeys

Universal Purchase Links

Journey 9, Doors of Attunement

Kindle:  relinks.me/B09F8Y5DML

Paperback:  relinks.me/B09F1BB9RW

Journey 8, The Lost Library

Kindle:  relinks.me/B09C6MPTYT

Paperback:  relinks.me/B09C34XR7P

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2021 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.

 

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67 thoughts on “The Armadillo Files, Episode 6 — Featuring GP Cox”

  5. Teagan, this is shaping up into a most intriguing adventure.
    I adore your serials!
    I also want you to know, that even though I am late to the party, I did observe a moment of silence.
    Hugs, and have a great week… see you Wednesday!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, David. Haha! That well inside my head is a scary place. When you remove the boundaries and give-in to the combination of random spontaneity and whimsy — there’s no telling what the results will be. Maybe it’s my version of those word association things in psychology. 🙂 Stay safe and well. Hugs on the wing!

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  9. What a great episode, Teagan, and I’ve never seen a bushbaby! Now I have, thanks to you! And thanks for the moment of silence. We watched several documentaries, and even after 20 years, it’s still horrifying. Stay well. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Nobody like you, can weave so many unusual things into a story, Teagan! 🙂 Thank you! I hope you are feeling better now. Dont worry, computers are often having a life of its own. Sometimes I starve mine. Lol With two days of power cut, he then knows how to behave.;-) I wish you all the best. Big hugs, Michael

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    1. Ha! Now there’s an idea. Now I’ve been fighting with the little printer I rarely use. It kept insisting it was out of paper when it was not. LOL, so I don’t know… maybe I feed it too much, or maybe I don’t feed it enough. After an hour of argument with it, I finally got the one page I needed to print. I think I’ve finally conquered the computers… for now. 😉
      Thanks for reading and commenting. Big hugs winging back to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Oh, i am feeling with you, Teagan. Printers are definitely a very bad invention. Mine had stopped working a few weeks ago and reported that he needed new ink. So I bought some. When I wanted to change the ink cartridges, there was no more message. He’s still printing with the original cartridges now. Always a great pleasure to read, Teagan! Big hugs, Michael

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    2. The bush baby is cute…..now…..but what about later on? Your characters aren’t always what they seem to be, but they’re always‘characters’!

      Well, we never know what’s around the corner, do we? So why should any of your kookie characters?

      It was a nice escape to Whimsyville, especially on such a solemn day.
      20 years and this country still grieves all the souls we’ve lost. Another sad time in our history. We won’t forget.
      Ginger

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  15. Maybe a pink fairy armadillo (or someone that used to be a pink fairy armadillo) can be very still, but have you ever tried it? You have to breathe, blink, make balance adjustments. Poor Dilly, I’m afraid she’s going to give herself away as the observation plane approaches . . . unless it’s an OLD observation plane. Hmm, no telling with all the time travel going on. Guess we’ll find out next episode. Fun read!

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    1. Ha! So true, Priscilla. Psycho-ex used to rant at me about that. You might be psychic about the plane… I had other “things” in mind for the sixth chapter. I even set up the intros and researched, and picked a photo… Then my systems went offline and I couldn’t focus to write that episode. Fortunately I was at least able to come up with this little one instead. Hopefully we see that plane next time. Hugs on the wing!

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  18. haha, Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined instant coffee and a bushbaby in the same story – but you put it together for a terrific episode!! Oh how I wish I had your creativity!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You are so kind, GP. I know you didn’t mean “instant” coffee — that’s why I didn’t give joint-credit for the “thing” when I used it before. But I wanted to use the full set of things, so I rolled with it. Honestly, I don’t think I would have been able to write an episode this week if you had not left “flashlight” for me.
      As I told Priscilla, this wasn’t the group of things I meant to use. But they gave me a segue to the ones I had in mind. I think you’ll like the plane. (Next time) Thanks for being on this nutty ride. Hugs on the wing!

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      1. You’re a hoot, Teagan, like I always say! Thanks for the credit, but it’s your imagination that puts it all together. (But maybe i should have said ‘laser’ instead of flashlight?)

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  19. I don’t know why, but the fear of the lights coming on to give away our presence is something that I find scary. I hope the plane continues on its mission. The bushbaby is cute, but I guess, like Fang, it’s really not so…You’re building a wonderfully weird world for us, Teagan. I am loving every minute. I also appreciate the moment of silence. I hope you have a good weekend.

    Liked by 2 people

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  23. Training with a bushbaby… wow! Fang has lived a pretty interesting life, that’s for sure. I hope things get better, Teagan, and thanks for keeping us amused, especially in such a day. Take care.

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  26. Pingback: The Armadillo Files, Episode 6 — Featuring GP Cox — Teagan’s Books | ravenhawks' magazine Magick for Mind Body and Soul

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