Free Terra's World by Mitch Benn

racking her memory, trying to get an image in her mind of the layout of the place, when a door popped open. A voice, one Terra knew from somewhere, said, - In here! , and in desperate want of any better ideas, Terra rushed through the door, dragging a bewildered Billy with her.
    Terra – and especially Billy – jumped with fright when the door closed behind them, and they found themselves alone in a tiny room with one of the hooded figures. Terra turned and began to struggle with the door catch when the voice said, - It’s okay! It’s me! Terra! It’s okay! And what have you done with the stuff on your head?
    The figure lowered its hood. It was Shnst. Or possibly Thnst.
    Despite their many years together in the same class at the Pre-Academy, and later at the Lyceum, Terra had never been able to tell the twin sisters apart. At that moment she didn’t care which one it was. She was so happy to see a friendly face that she nearly flattened Shnst (or Thnst) with her hug.
    - It’s gone all short and spiky and it’s a weird colour! Seriously, Terra, what have you done with it?
    - Never (Terra thumped Shnst or Thnst in exasperation) MIND my hair, what’s happened here? And what’s with the costume?
    - It’s the uniform. The New Believers. We all have to wear them. He makes us.
    The door burst open and another hooded figure limped in. It was Thnst (or Shnst). - Nice idea, of yours, sis, they all fell everywhere, she said. Hurt my leg a bit tripping that big f ’zft up, though. Oh, there she is. What’s she done with the stuff on her head? she asked her sister.
    Terra ignored this and continued with her questions. - He MAKES you? How does he make you? And who IS he?
    - He’s the Gfjk-Hhh, said Shnst/Thnst. He’s in charge now.
    - Yes, because of the prophecy, said Thnst/Shnst.
    The sound of the crowd rushing around the stadium in search of the humans rumbled through the walls and ceiling. Billy looked nervously at the door. Was it locked?
    Terra was flabbergasted. - Prophecy? What prophecy? This is Fnrr! This is Mlml! You don’t do prophecies!
    Shnst and Thnst looked at each other. - But it’s true. He’s the Gfjk-Hhh and he’s come back, like the prophecy said, so he’s in charge now. There’s nothing we can do.
    - Come back? When was he here the last time? The more information Terra gleaned, the more confused she got. When did all this happen?
    - An orbit or so ago.
    - That might explain why you haven’t heard anything for so long, said Billy, who then wondered why his mouth and throat felt so odd. Wait, am I speaking Fnrrn now? he thought. He took the translation cube out of his pocket and glowered at it suspiciously. He wasn’t sure he liked the idea of it getting inside his brain like this, but as long as he could make himself understood . . .
    - Who’s this? asked Shnst (Terra was fairly sure this one was Shnst).
    - It’s another one, said Thnst (probably).
    - Another one? asked Shnst.
    - Another Ymn, said Thnst. Looks like a boy one.
    - Is it a boy one? asked Shnst. She turned to Terra. Why have you brought a boy one?
    - He’s my friend Billy, said Terra, but he’s not important right now.
    - Oh, cheers, said Billy.
    - What’s important, said Terra, ignoring him, is where the others are.
    - They ran away, said Thnst. Soon after the Gfjk-Hhh took over, Preceptor Shm and all the others went . . . somewhere else.
    Terra breathed hard. Did that mean he was safe?
    The sound of the crowd died away. Either the search had migrated to outside the building or they’d given up looking, Billy thought.
    - We don’t all follow him, insisted Shnst. We have to wear these stupid robes and everything, but we don’t all do what he—
    There came a thunderous knock at the door. - Open up in there!
    They exchanged horrified glances.
     

 
     
     
    2.4
     
     
     
     
    C ustodians Bktg and Slgf were annoyed. They’d been looking forward to the gshkth – they were fans of the Gfjk-Hhh’s new improved version of