//------------------------------//
// In the Kingdom of Untarnished Utopia 
// Story: The Most Dangerous Game 
// by uberPhoenix 
//------------------------------//

Far from the looming threat of Derse, a planet of towering golden spires spins in a tight orbit around Skaia.  Prospit’s moon has just finished its arc passing through the clouds of Skaia’s atmosphere, imparting its cryptic visions and prophecies to the dreamers who know where to look.  The chain between the planet and its moon groans as the dreamers’ towers are pulled away, once again facing the formless void of the veil.

In a small airport on the planet’s surface, the view doesn’t change much for the Prospitian who works behind the counter, selling tickets.  This wall needs a window, he thinks.  He wishes that his boss would put one in.  It’s always the same old gold.

Someone steps in through the doorway.  He’s never seen anyone like her before, but he keeps his mouth shut.  Customers are customers.

She makes her way to the counter, but almost stumbles before she gets there.  The color has drained from her face, and she doesn’t look very healthy.  She introduces herself cordially, and the Prospitian admires her voice.  It goes well with her furry white outer carapce.  At least, he supposes it must be a carapace; what else would she use to protect her body?

He asks her what she’s doing here, in the airport.  The only shuttles run to Derse, and there isn’t really that much of a demand for trips to the planet they’re at war with.  She shakes her head and informs him that no, she’s headed for the Land of Pillars and Knowledge.

He tells her there’s no such place.

She tells him to check again.

So he does.  He pulls out his map, even though he knows that there are only two planets on it.  Wait.  What the…

He profusely apologizes to the woman.  Of course LOPAK is a planet.  It always has been, so of course he can take her there.   The next shuttle leaves in fifteen minutes.

She says she’s racing against a clock, and she’ll pay double if he takes her immediately.  She places the boondollars on the table.  It’s a ridiculous amount of boondollars, more than he’s ever seen before.  She asks him if this will be enough.  He says it’s more than enough.  She says she knows and doesn’t care.

He gets out from behind the counter.  For this sum of money, he’ll take her to LOPAK himself.  It’s not protocol.  He could lose his job.  He doesn’t care.  He just has one question.  He asks the woman her name.

It’s Rarity, she says.  What a pretty name.  But he notices that her voice sounds a little strained now.  He asks if everything’s alright.  It’s just the clock, she says.  Even a Hero of Time can't outrun it.

He decides that hurrying is probably a good idea after all.