The Armadillo Files, Episode 8 — Featuring J-Dubs

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, September 25, 2021

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

You’ve reached The Armadillo Files.  Stand by for zaniness.  It’s a new season, autumn for me.  Wherever you are, I hope the equinox brought you positive vibes. 

Featured Bloggers

This episode features “things” from Jill, aka J-Dubs at the Grin and Bear It blog.  Thanks again to Timothy Price of Off Center and Not Even for the use of his owl photos. 

Three Random Reader Things

Jill’s three things are fountain pen, uniform, and foldable motorcycle.  You read that right.  Just before the second World War a foldable motorcycle was developed.  Here’s a page full of information about them.  

Previously in The Armadillo Files

The trolley-looking spaceship carrying Delilah Faraday and Tatu Pinkerton, aka Fang, landed.  The ship started to bulge and contract and gave a warning about “Exit ship immediately. Grounding procedures commencing.” Then they heard something outside in the bushes.

All aboard!

8 — What’s goin’ down?

Melton Lake autumn Oak Ridge TN Wikipedia
Melton Lake autumn near Oak Ridge TN Wikipedia

Trolley

Vibrations spread across the nearby area.  A thud came from the ground.  It sounded like something immensely heavy being dropped.  The bulging yellow vehicle contracted, expanded, stretched taller, and then shifted to its usual appearance.

 The operative, and the human woman who had yet to attain official status, were outside.  They had followed directions satisfactorily.  They staggered as the ground beneath their feet shifted.

 TROLLEY tested internal functions, and variously probed the area.  Yellow caution lights flashed, revolving slowly.

 “Ship configuration now meets minimum transformation and safety standards.  Underlying structure deemed safe for the lifeforms who were brought here,” TROLLEY paused in anticipation of questions, but then continued.

 “Visual systems still offline, but Detecting subterranean construction, unrelated to ship transformation.  Time Rate Oscillation Lithium Link Enabler Yttrion, TROLLEY awaiting further instructions.”

 ♦ ♦ ♦

Dilly

Young owl on tree Timothy Price 2021
Owl by Timothy Price

I heard that mechanical voice coming from Fang, although it wasn’t coming from his mouth.  I stepped close to him.  The sound was coming from either his ear or a spot close to it.  Putting my head against his shoulder, I listened.

 “Dilly, what are you doing?  Do you want me to scratch behind your ears?  That would be a switch, but you can scratch mine any time,” Fang said leaning his head down closer to me.

 “That’s the same voice I heard inside your trolley car-looking spaceship.  What does she mean by minimum safety standards?  That’s not exactly reassuring,” I began.

 “Look at you remembering that without even a fountain pen to write it down,” he muttered sarcastically.  “Wasn’t it self-explanatory?  But with the level of technology in your time, I guess it sounded crazy.  I shouldn’t get impatient.  I’m sorry.”

 “That’s okay, Fang.  And was that an earthquake?  I’ve read that they have some in Tennessee.  And I’m pretty sure that’s where we are,” I added giving him a sidelong look.  “At any rate it isn’t Manhattan.  The Manhattan Project was in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  Regardless, we aren’t in a safe place right here either, not with earthquakes!” I hissed with a look at the owl who eyed us suspiciously from its perch right above us.

 Since I was a botanist, I couldn’t help noticing the plants around me.  Even during that tense situation, I had an urge to examine them.  The owl sat on a branch of a silver maple tree.  All manner of wild shrubs and grasses were around us.  The flora confirmed my belief that we were in eastern Tennessee.

 “Subterranean construction would include tunnels…  Although I think TROLLEY meant something larger,” Fang murmured.  “But why are you whispering?”

 “I don’t know.  I guess it’s the way he’s looking at us,” I replied, pointing up at the owl.

 My reaction and the reminder of the bird of prey a few feet above our heads exacerbated Fang’s fear of large birds.  He put on a brave pretense, adjusting his white tuxedo and putting his fists on his hips.  He slapped the ground with his strange tail, eliciting a soft hoot from the owl.

Silver Leaf Maple autumn yellow Wikipedia
Silver Leaf Maple autumn yellow, Wikipedia

 “Oh, hooty-who back to you.  Whooo do you think you are to try and boss me around?  I don’t see any general’s uniform on you buddy.  Besides, I’m bigger than you now,” Fang sneered defiantly, looking up at the owl.

 He leapt backward about three feet when the bird puffed out its feathers and rustled its wings.  The owl turned its head backward.

 My gaze followed the direction of the bird’s head.  I heard movement in the undergrowth again.  Eyes bulging, Fang took my hand for reassurance.

 The sound wasn’t exactly close, but there was no urban noise to obscure it.  I spotted a bush moving about twenty yards away.

 “Shh!  I hear somebody talking,” Fang whispered as he squinted into the distance.  “Can you see anything?  Remember, my lenses aren’t working, and I’m still nearsighted from being a pink fairy armadillo for so long.”

 On impulse, I ducked down behind the tangle of sweetshrub and deerberry.  I grabbed Fang’s elbow and pulled him down beside me.  He grunted a protest.

 “Your white clothes stand out even in the dark,” I explained in a hush.

 “Dilly, I hear them, but just barely because they’re being quiet.  They’re talking about the earthquake, or rather what they thought was an earthquake.  It was really TROLLEY transitioning.  That big thud was from the part of the ship that pushed underground to make extra rooms,” he paused when I knitted my eyebrows in question.  “We need covert space to work from.  The locals can’t know what we’re up to.  And they sure can’t know that we aren’t from their time!” Fang hissed.  “Have you gotten a look at them yet?”

 “I see one big odd shape,” I started, trying to see in the moonlight.  “Oh wait, it’s two people.  I think they were hugging.  It’s a man and a woman… or maybe a boy and a girl.  Stay down, Fang.  The clouds are clearing and the stars are getting brighter.  The people are moving around, but I can’t see what they’re doing.”

 “Let me listen, Dilly.  They seem to have a disagreement about something they want to do.  They’re worried about getting caught.  Maybe they have to sneak around to see each other.  Aww… Like Romeo and Juliet.  How sweet.  Wait.  I hear something being dragged.  And I think that was some kind of hatch closing, like to a tunnel,” he remarked, listening hard.

Folding Motorcycle Royal Enfield Flying Flea 1942 Wikipedia
Folding Motorcycle Royal Enfield Flying Flea 1942, Wikipedia

“Fang, I think they’re leaving.  Now I only see the guy.  The girl must have gone into the tunnel then.  The man’s leaning over.  It looks like he’s unfolding a card table or something,” I murmured, feeling puzzled.

 The man straddled whatever he was working with.  He seemed to tiptoe and then sit down hard.  I heard an engine sputter to life.  Then he rode away.

 “A motorcycle?” I asked in astonishment.

 “Cool.  A foldable motorcycle.  I knew they had them back then— or rather back now, but I didn’t expect to run across one,” Fang commented.  “I wonder what’s goin’ down here…”

 “You mean teenage romance, or something more sinister?” I pondered aloud.

 “And who are they?” Fang added.

 Above us, the owl shifted and stretched its neck.  Fang’s scaly pink tail twitched nervously.  My stomach growled loudly, and they both turned to look at me.

 “What?  It’s been a long time since I ate.  Not since lunchtime yesterday.  And that was just a quick bite while I worked.  There was too much to do, getting the plant specimens ready for the rocket launch,” I said unrepentantly.  “Have you got anything for breakfast inside that thing?” I asked, pointing at the yellow trolley spaceship.

 “Don’t mention breakfast with him up there!” Fang whispered and pointed at the owl.

 “Who-hoo…” said the owl, with a gurgle

 “Uh, I think he’s already eaten,” I remarked while taking a big step backward.

 “Huh?” Fang asked.

 Just then the owl upchucked the undigestible part of its latest rodent meal.  The pellet landed with a squish on the shoulder of Fang’s white tuxedo.

Sleepy young Owl by Timothy Price
Sleepy Young Owl by Timothy Price

Fang shrieked.  In panic he danced an odd little dance in a circle, flapping his arms.  Then he ran back to the yellow trolley.

 ♦ ♦ ♦

A Romeo and Juliet themed song by Trach Ullman, They Don’t Know.

♦ ♦ ♦

We’re left with lots of questions from Fang and Dilly. Even the owl wants to know. 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!

♦ ♦ ♦

Dead of Winter, 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.

 

…

68 thoughts on “The Armadillo Files, Episode 8 — Featuring J-Dubs”

  1. Pingback: Share Your World ~ 1/4/22 – J-Dubs Grin and Bear It

  5. This is coming along quite nicely, Teagan!
    I’m still bemused that TROLLEY is an acronym. It’s fabulous.
    Lovin’ how you are using Tim’s owls!
    “Armed Forces radio Services” – “Zoot Suit” – “Jitterbug”
    {{hugs}}.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. Lots of comments and excellent ones! Poor Fang! ! I love the pictures of the owl and He/She is an excellent part of the story. You have written an excellent story, thank you. Will be waiting for more of the same.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. What a wild ride today! So cool to see how my three random things were woven into the story so perfectly. Now I’ve got that visual of undigested rodent seared into my brain. Can’t wait for the next installment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Awwww, poor Fang. It’s not bad enough he’s terrified of the owl, the owl has to regurgitate his dinner on him?! Boy howdy!

    Hope Dilly finds something to eat by next Saturday and that she can manage to keep it down, unlike the owl. 🤗Never heard of a folding motorcycle, but how cool is that? Clearly anything is possible in this fantastical tale, and you will no doubt tax your imagination to the limit.
    Ginger

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. That owl is a stroke of genius and adds to the comedic drama. Fang is a drama queen and a very 3-D character. I’m hooked and can’t wait for the next chapter. Also ready for the next Journey. Anticipatory hugs skipping your way.🥳🥳🥳🥳🎊💐🌈

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  17. I am totally enjoying this serial, Teagan. Today’s episode is a hoot (sorry). Those were three interesting things, I wasn’t sure how you were going to work the folding motorcycle into the story. I had heard about them, I even saw a documentary that included them. You know I am a student of your descriptions, so I have to include – “ The sound wasn’t exactly close, but there was no urban noise to obscure it” as my line of the day. You draw all our senses into the scene.- I love it. I can’t wait to see what the ship transformed itself into.

    I hope you have a great weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Huge thanks for this feedback, Dan. Believe it or not, the “thing” that nearly stumped me was fountain pen. LOL, go figure.
      I really do appreciate that about the sound description. I didn’t feel great about that line. But looking at it now, I think Dilly might have made that sort of analytical description… she’s a scientist (botanist) and a rural girl (Alligator Alley) moved to the city. So I guess she would see (or rather hear) it that way. Thank you. I’m still struggling to really see/know her character. This might help. Hugs on the wing!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Pingback: The Armadillo Files, Episode 8 — Featuring J-Dubs — Teagan’s Books | ravenhawks' magazine Magick for Mind Body and Soul

  23. Fabulous, Teagan! Poor Fang, though. I know he loves his clothes. But we have a romance (great video!), and you find the most amazing things as well. A foldable motorcycle… Never heard of those, although I knew there were little engines you could attach to a bicycle to turn it into a motorbike and those have been around for a long time. Your research sure takes you to unexpected places, Teagan. And, I adore the owl, all and its interesting gifts… Looking forward to more adventures!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  26. What a wonderful episode. You are making great use of the owls. That folding motorcycle is a hoot and the Tracy Ullman video is a scream. You have outdone yourself.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.