Wings (The Bromeliad Trilogy #3)
By Terry Pratchett
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome, by Angalo states of an airport being where people hurry to, and wait. Masklin is first to be seen, he having viewed many humans and stealing a plane, this not being like their trucker days. Gurder and Angalo were nearby snacking on an old french fry, Angalo pessimistic about Masklin detecting Grandson Richard, 39 in the crowd, he ready to return home, Gurder uncertain of what they should do, and Masklin turning to the Thing, it not answering so, threatening to leave it and how it would regret not helping them when asked. The Thing wakes, Masklin asks for the whereabouts of Grandson Richard, 39, and he passes on of he being in the waiting area of his terminal. Gurder and Angalo begin debating about Arnold Bros again and Masklin asks the Thing to lead them to where Grandson Richard, 39, was waiting. Gurder is panting with the effort, Angalo far behind due to Masklin running off and they blindly going after him. When they stop, Masklin confesses the real reason he was doing this was not for Grandson Richard, 39, but for their Ship. Masklin then explains how Florida would help them, if Masklin got the Thing on a "going-up" jet, Angalo not too upset with his different plans, but Gurder having to adjust, the Thing having to mention they must be on the inside of the plane since their hiding place under the wheel wouldn't contain enough air supply. Then as Masklin gets them to an entrance more suitable, he makes clear to Angalo he mustn't attempt to commandeer it since it was already going where they wanted, Angalo impatiently acquiescing.
From A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome, the Concorde is defined as going doubly fast as a bullet and serving smoked salmon. When the trio had gotten onto the plane, Gurder's reaction to the carpet embarrassed Angalo, after Gurder apologizes for his response, the Thing lets them know the humans would be boarding shortly, and when they'd settled underneath a seat, Gurder loses it again for how similar to the Store it was, with the carpets and signs, they then moving to a safer spot in a corner, they having enough room to get as comfortable as they could upon wires, Masklin learning from the Thing of the plane readying for flight. As Gurder is considering vacating the plane for the vibrations, they take lift off and are thrown to the floor, everyone screaming, until realizing they must be off the ground, Gurder first to mention getting hungry. Masklin asks the Thing how long they would stay in the air, it learning it was six hours, which equaled two and a half days to a nome, he deciding they should rest, then search for food. Masklin dozes and thinks about how right Grimma had been about the world being bigger than they thought.
Meanwhile in a Bromeliad, frogs are moving to a branch not knowing the reason. The Thing then relates of the plane breaking the sound barrier, Masklin asking the other two, who was responsible for the mess, Masklin then smelling food whilst seeing female shoes walking about. He decides he would go claim whatever food he found, telling Angalo to keep an eye on Gurder. He locates the food trolleys and hops aboard one, not regarding his safety, but whilst on it, sees Grandson Richard, 39. He discovers he's near a packet of nuts, but leaps out quickly when a human female hand gets near him to pick one up, he running back to the hiding spot so fast, he didn't touch the sides of the opening when jumping through. When showing the one peanut he'd taken from a pack, Angal0 complains about how it wasn't much to share, the three coming up with a plan where they show themselves to the human female on purpose, scaring her and swiping most of the food before said female came back with another witness. The three are feasting properly when Gurder wonders if Grandson Richard, 39 was present, Masklin not admitting he'd seen him, but asking the probability of the Store being made by and for humans, Gurder asking about whether the Thing would know about the consciousness which leaves upon death, the Thing reporting of a nome in the pilot's cabin instead of answering, Angalo not there anymore.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome relates of human traveling making no sense since there were many humans already where they were going. Gurder and Masklin argued as they made their way through the electric to get to Angalo, Gurder contemplating what they would do to save him, the Thing leading them to where he was being held, but Gurder discovering a short cut. They reach the room where some humans are bent around looking at something on the floor, when Masklin wonders what they're saying, the Thing prepares and translates how they had tracked Angalo to behind a panel and were attempting to capture him, he biting one of them when she'd stuck her hand in. As Masklin attempts to figure a way to help Angalo, he desperately asks the Thing if there's something it could do, the Thing setting off alarms and reporting of taking over the aircraft. Meanwhile a frog from the Bromeliad falls to the forest floor, it likely having survived, whilst its brethren moved on. Masklin and Gurder then try to find a way to get to Angalo whilst the Thing steered the plane, it reporting how quickly and high it was flying them, Masklin indifferently commenting, Gurder realizing the Thing wanted praise, it denying this quickly and explaining plainly how far up it was in miles, Gurder understanding properly and gripping walls tightly.
Masklin takes the risk to run out into the open and converse to Angalo, he updating him on the Thing's control, Angalo comes out, and the two chat in the open until realizing they'd been seen, dashing off. Gurder follows as they pass him, the human chasing them, and the Thing deciding to distract her by shifting the plane, the three hiding near another human's feet, Masklin demanding the Thing release control, despite it wanting to attempt landing. As they all get comfortable under the seat, Angalo responds to a comment made by Gurder about the human's socks they were staring at, chatting about how the Store sold them and what kind of shoe was most cozy to sleep in. Masklin then climbs to the armrest for a moment, coming back and commenting on the human's bag, he changing the subject to when would be best to leave the plane, he deciding it would be with the humans, Angalo bringing up how they'd be trampled, and Masklin sharing of they popping into the bag to avoid this. Gurder states of the absurdity of this and Masklin confesses the human being Grandson Richard, 39, Gurder disbelieving for his 'holy' socks, which is what Angalo comments, attempting levity, which Gurder couldn't abide, he agreeing after coming to grips with seeing him for himself. Angalo then wonders what they would do if found inside, Masklin replying to perhaps, smile. (Ha!) Then the tree frogs continue to climb forward.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome then shares the definition of a hotel being where humans park, eat, and get rained on. The trio attempt to get comfortable, Gurder going full hog by cutting a hole in a sock to ease his mind, and the Thing updating of landing procedures being underway soon, Masklin making certain they were truly the last of their kind, the Thing stating no others having been detected, then sharing of where they'd next be heading and the types of questions asked: Immigration/Customs, Masklin sure they didn't want to do any harm, only needing one of the "going-straight-up jets", other than this, no mischief against the U.S. to be had. As they were carried to the line of humans, awaiting their turn, Angalo turns their thoughts to how they'd locate the shuttle, Masklin uncertain and asking the Thing, they not needing to do anything, since Grandson Richard would be heading to where they needed to go. The three then debate the odds Grandson Richard would first go somewhere to rest, they making it through the line and Grandson Richard meeting a man with his name on a sign, the Thing translating of their prediction being sound, Grandson Richard going to a place for rest and food.
Angalo then realizes the next sound heard was from a vehicle, the Thing supplying it was a helicopter, Gurder becoming nervous once hearing how it flew without wings, but settling when discovering Science kept it in the air. Then after a few more times getting placed on the floor, they hit something soft, and the Thing states of they currently being in a hotel room and Grandson Richard showering, the three agreeing to get out of the bag, they hearing the sounds of the outdoors due to the balcony door being ajar, Masklin then asking what Grandson Richard was singing (the lyrics sounding like Bon Jovi), he then having to leave the shower for a moment to open the door for room service, hopping back in after, Gurder first to smell the food, and the Thing supplying what was ordered since hearing the description upon check-in. Gurder finally convinces Masklin to swipe the sandwich, but not being quick enough, Grandson Richard seeing him. Masklin weighs whether to take the opportunity to explain the reason they were there, with the Thing translating, and if he'd help them rescue the quarry nomes, but decides the risk of he being like the stewardesses being too great, he jumping down, and with the others helping, carried the sandwich outside. The frogs are learning about different hazards, another of them being eaten by a lizard, the lead frog giving a "mipmip" of encouragement as they journeyed to the new flower.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome continues about Florida and its sights, including amphibians, space shuttles, and birds, then explaining BLT's. A perspective of a wide view slowly zeroing in on Florida is made, as the inhabitants of the place are described, most not knowing Florida's name, but those who did, thinking they were the sole ones to matter. Then it moves in until clicking, and Masklin is shown walking back to where the others were: across a highway, nestled in some plastic, the Thing learning where the shuttles blasted off from, it eighteen miles away and they going half a mile, the BLT still in good shape, and whilst they could move quickly, they still wouldn't cover enough ground to make the launch in four hours. Gurder was getting on Masklin for fleeing from Grandson Richard, the Thing for once also inquiring why he hadn't stayed, Masklin explaining how difficult it was to use human appliances without their knowledge, but trying to trust they'd understand and want to help a nome seeming far-fetched, and Masklin not about to surrender to humans. The subject of the nomes at the quarry came up and Masklin mentions how Grimma confused him by her frog talk when Angalo mentions their relationship status. Angalo and Gurder agree females, and everyone in general shouldn't have been allowed to learn to read, they then going back to the conversation about Grandson Richard and what he'd have done with them, the Thing reminding them of time passing.
After a second reminder, Masklin urges them forward, Gurder remarking how the heating in Florida wasn't broken (A/C thinking, still), he continuing about how he hoped he lived somewhere like it when he was old, the Thing informing how they were currently going through a wildlife preserve. Masklin then asks what animals, besides turtles lived there, the sea cow not bothering him, but upon learning what an alligator was, everyone becoming a bit pensive. Masklin sensed they were being watched, the grass moving by unknown causes, they soon see fifteen nomes come out. They had spears, but whilst not overtly aggressive, were still intimidating, Angalo wondering if Masklin knew them since they were Outside nomes, as well, Masklin not having met them before. Angalo then believes he sees the leader, an old man with a feather in his hair.
After the Thing suggests they state being peaceful, Masklin does the honors, raising his arms, but forgetting the rock he held, the nomes readying their spears, Gurder then flying off the handle and the native nomes confused and speaking a different language, an old woman appearing with a young boy, she also sporting a feather in her hair and speaking with her people, then approaching Masklin, taking the rock from him, he allowing this, and when touching the Thing, is surprised to hear it speak to her in their language. Next, they are fed lizard, then descriptions of their physical attributes are given, they looking a bit differently, the Thing speaking with the old woman, who was the leader, to the trio's surprise, and they speaking close to what original Nomish was. Then Topknot, the old man speaks of they upsetting the Maker of Clouds (obviously, the religious leader), the Thing then realizing who the Maker of Clouds could be, it readying the trio to run, since the nomes may take it badly when it broke the news, the Thing guessing rightly, but Shrub, the leader calming them, Masklin reading what the Thing had written in the dirt: NASA, he asking how the Thing knew, it replying knowing nome psychology and their minds taking written words literally.
In A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome, geese are mentioned to being an unimpressive bird which spent much time flying. Shrub then shares the origin story of NASA according to nome history, Masklin asking the Thing if she thought it was true, whilst Gurder and Topknot debated with each other whilst not understanding the other's words. Shrub lightheartedly speaks of how she didn't have faith, but believed what she saw and signs told of their home belonging to NASA. She also shares how quickly she could get them to the launch area, she leading them to a lake, then soothing Masklin with the knowledge of the geese heading toward them being friendly. The Thing shares how the Floridians navigated for the geese when they migrated to "Canadia", Masklin warming to the idea of riding one, but Angalo attempting to get out of it, the Thing informing them of the partnership between the geese and nomes, the geese making it possible for the nomes to live mostly independently from humans. When Masklin notes how Shrub seemed unbothered by having met new nomes, Masklin asks how many she'd seen, the answer being in the thousands. Meanwhile the lead frog was racking its brain in understanding seeing their old world with the new one, realizing it was one more. When Masklin and Angalo return to see Gurder still at it with Topknot, Masklin breaks it up to share what he'd learned about the many other nomes, and to get ready to leave. At first, Gurder refuses, but gets courage in knowing Topknot had ridden geese many times, the trio discussing what could tick off the dumb geese and planning to do the opposite.
Masklin's autobiography states of the flying geese being the most alarming, due to seeing clearly the goose's path as opposed to the airline, which goes so fast and high, one could barely notice, and ignore it. Masklin buried his head in the goose feathers for the most part, having seen the trees whizzing by too quickly, he speaking with the Thing about the plan once reaching the launch area, Masklin most likely only needing to get close enough for the Thing to attach itself somewhere outside the shuttle, and when nearing outer space, call their Ship. Masklin is then asked by the same young boy, Pion, Shrub's son, about how he was feeling and what it was like in a plane. Masklin unable to give an answer to the latter, but denying feeling ill. The landing was worse than the lift off, Angalo sounding traumatized, Shrub then showing where they must go, Masklin asking the Thing to translate of they returning for them if all ended well, Shrub complacent, and then pushing Pion forward to go with them, for experience, Masklin attempting to talk her out of it, but she answering positively to all of Masklin's warnings and misgivings, Angalo first to give the okay since Pion reminded him of when he was young, and Pion having the option of returning by goose if he wanted (bad, editor! Someone forgot to italicize the Thing's words, tsk!) Masklin finally gives in and was unsettled by how easily the geese nomes parted from each other. As they ran the last stretch, they chatted of what was served in shuttles, Angalo knowing it was encased in tubes, the group having to stop for a rest, Gurder first to fall asleep. Angalo then states how they needed to write their own books when they got home about Science and practical things, unlike Gurder's Book of Nome, soon the rest falling asleep, and Masklin having the Thing wake him in ten.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome describes how satellites work with TVs and they being a part of Science. Gurder wakes Masklin as he's talking quietly to the Thing. He has an existential crisis about how his beliefs didn't feel as important and were easily shot through compared to Angalo's sensible belief in machines. The Thing gives a plain answer to Gurder when asked "the truth about everything", it relaying of its knowledge of itself and what may be true of how long nomes were on Earth. Masklin gives a respectful groan of waking and asks the Thing how long they had, surprised by how close it was and how far they still were, the Thing admitting regardless of distance, they were close enough for it to transmit some commands, it needing them to stop talking to it so it could complete the transmission. Pion then begins to try and get their attention desperately, Masklin wondering if perhaps he was attempting to relate they being too close, Angalo arguing the Thing wouldn't have had them wait there if it wasn't safe for them, Pion not waiting for them any longer and running away. Masklin then considers how much knowledge the Thing had in the safety of nomes, the three deciding to retreat a ways, the each of them quickening their paces upon noticing the other, then the noise, much louder than normal, began.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome tells of Space and the two types it could be. After lift-off, the trio showed confusion to each other, but no one able to hear the other. After the shuttle had gone further, their hearing gradually returns, Gurder disbelieving humans would want to ride a shuttle willingly. Masklin then comes to the realization about knowledge and once one started getting it, how impossible it was to stop, Grimma putting the idea in his head, he then going back to where the Thing was left, it telling of using too much 'pow', before shutting down, he being met by Angalo (presumably) and Gurder with Pion (the book saying Masklin walked up with Angalo, but could such a thing be possible, editor?), he sharing how the Thing had 'stopped', Gurder thinking it could've finally died, Masklin suggesting it must have meant electricity being needed, their current environment not catering to power. As Pion returns with lizard lunch, Masklin decides they should locate a shady spot and figure out their next move, in case they needed to help the Thing get the Ship to them. As they sat and lazed Gurder and Angalo began conversing about the sun and how it did more than light the place, Angalo wanting Masklin to explain it to Gurder, but he not being there.
As the shuttle performed its new orders, the humans angrily attempted to change the course back, but this being futile. Meanwhile, Masklin hurried to get to wherever he was going, then notices Pion chasing him, Masklin trying to get him to return to the others, and through signs, made Masklin understand he was heading toward humans, Masklin aware of this. Finally Pion stares as Masklin continues, he wondering if the Ship was on its way or not and how much time he had left to recharge the Thing. When he sees humans, he debates how dumb his plan could be if the Ship didn't come, he then stops in front of them and tries to shout as loud and as slow as he could. Pion had gone back to relay what Masklin had done and how he was now being driven in a truck. Masklin had startled the men, one of them talking on a radio whilst another retrieved a box for Masklin, setting it on the ground near him, and Masklin climbing in. He realized he couldn't back out now, and kicked back, Masklin being shown to another human when they stopped and hoping wherever they brought him, he could get to squiggly electricity, and not the battery kind. Masklin maintained his positive outlook so he wouldn't begin to dread the possible downside of showing himself. They drive him to a large building with more humans and Masklin chuckles nervously as he is taken out of the truck and asks how he can assist them.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome defines Science as discovering objects and how to work them, Religion being similar, but the former giving logical explanations when it doesn't work, more of it existing than one is aware. The trio considers what to do, Gurder certain they'd be stuck there without the Thing, and Angalo deciding they'd have plenty of time to save Masklin, then learn whether the Thing was returning for them. Meanwhile, Masklin had gotten the Thing to revive with the humans help, despite now being in a "glass box", the Thing informing him of the Ship being called so if all continued accordingly, it should be on its way. The Thing then relates how the humans had been sending their experts on Extraterrestrials to examine him, they even supplying a variety of food when he'd pointed to his mouth, after which the Thing makes a joke about the "take me to your leader" line and substituting 'leader' for 'larder', it then hearing the Ship, Masklin desperate to know where it was. The tree frogs, meanwhile, didn't have legends like other creatures, due to their communication being so basic, so they didn't have stories about the sky, sun, or moon, but it was noticed by the lead frog of the moon looking odd.
The brightness, Masklin learns, was coming from the Ship being parked on the moon. As a human gets Masklin's attention toward a blackboard, he realizes the Thing should have the Ship stop what it was doing, since it didn't only belong to Masklin's group. Angalo, Gurder, and Pion also notice the moon, Angalo excited to know the Ship must be coming, whilst Gurder began to think about what would happen to the other nomes on Earth if they left, Masklin having the same thought occur, to a concentrating Thing, who was relaying thousands of instructions per second to the Ship. Then, once Masklin learned when the Ship would arrive, he began wondering how he'd get outside to meet it, the Thing readying him to run, and once exploding the glass, Masklin chucks the Thing to the ground so he could climb down wires to the floor as humans attempted to catch him. Masklin makes it through the door though, and into the hallway, more humans coming for noting the Ship's presence, according to the Thing. Masklin then sees Grandson Richard, 39 and hitches a ride on his pant leg, reaching his shoulder by the time he walks outside with the other humans, everyone looking up at where the Ship was coming from, the President ready to greet it, to Masklin's confusion, but reminded of humans believing they were the most important beings on Earth.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome mentions gravity being misinterpreted, but it being part of Science, which happens whether one's aware or not. Gurder had stopped to regain his breath, questioning Angalo's choice of weapon against the humans, the two then noticing Pion distracted by a speck in the sky. As Gurder and Angalo reasoned whether to follow the dropping object, they decide to chase after Pion, who had gone whilst they were speaking. Masklin noted the Ship's size, underwhelmed, the Thing deciding to land it in a spot which wouldn't spook the humans. The trio had gotten closer and yet didn't feel like they had, now able to run under its shadow, Masklin reminding the Thing not to drop the Ship down too quickly in case the three had caught up, he then noticing Grandson Richard had spotted him, he deciding to have the Thing translate quickly, the Thing against this, but then translating threateningly to explode if Grandson Richard hurt Masklin, the former only staring at him as the Thing and Masklin discussed how close to the ground the Ship was now hovering. Angalo first thought he'd been squashed, but after speaking with Gurder, and Pion confirming his presence, he realizes they're under the Ship. As humans flocked around it, Masklin made clear he wanted the Thing to translate his words closely, Grandson Richard walking to the Ship, as told, he also sharing how his grandfather had spoken of nomes living in the Store, his grandfather and great-uncle joking of the nomes coming out to play with the toys at night. Grandson Richard then relays why so many humans were milling about, they thinking aliens would come out to speak with them, then the Ship reacts oddly, which gets the humans to back off and Masklin then hearing Angalo speaking in a microphone, the Thing translating Masklin's request to get closer, then putting him down, not on his list of wonderful experiences, but attempting to speak slowly enough for Grandson Richard to understand, stating his farewell, then running into the Ship, exhausted. Gurder and Pion meet him at the entrance, helping him in, and he informing Gurder of Arnold Bros (est. 1905) having believed in him, too.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome defines the Ship and how even though they didn't know all about it yet, they would eventually since it was Science, and built by nomes. The Ship hovered above the building as the humans twinkled different colored lights at it and spoke different languages to it, getting no reaction or response. Masklin was currently resting in a bed which was too soft for his liking, he then noticing the nome-sized furniture and soon seeing Gurder, who was overwhelmed by the greatness of the Ship, he unable to complete his thoughts of wonderment. Gurder shares how they'd gotten in and then leads Masklin to a room rivaling the Store's department-size, he stating how the Ship was too large. They then see Angalo seated in the middle of the room complaining about the Thing not obeying his wishes, he wanting to drive the Ship, and then proving how much he was learning by touching a button allowing them to see what was happening outside, the humans still milling about, the Thing then informing Angalo how the Ship would be driven by it if not Angalo, the latter depositing the Thing in a spot near the driver's seat (The Flight of the Navigator comes to mind).
When the Thing is settled, it's brought to light it didn't know how to return to the quarry. Angalo instructed how to make the Ship go higher in the air so they could attempt to view where the quarry might be. Masklin gets the elevator-in-a-tall-building feeling, Angalo in bliss whilst Masklin inquired after Pion, Gurder explaining he'd gone poking around for food, which Masklin saw as pointless, but Gurder changing the subject to how he didn't feel right about claiming the Ship when it belonged to all nomes, Masklin on the same wave-length. From there though, Masklin starts to sober Gurder's hope in rescuing other nomes due to the Nomish stubbornness getting in the way, but then builds him back up with the idea of sending Angalo back with the Ship when they'd found a place to live. Masklin is taken off-guard by Gurder's reaction to the need for quickly changing beliefs, then stalking off. Masklin then almost wishing he was back in the hole since he'd had Grimma to share the misery with, Pion appearing with what looked like fruit on a platter. He shows the machine where he'd gotten it, high-tech vending machine with many options, Masklin wondering how it did what it does, and the Thing offering a simple explanation of Science when the detailed one failed to hit home. Masklin returns to the pilot bay, first to recognize South America, they being quite a distance away now. He decides he wanted to stop there even though the Thing stated how the quarry nomes needed him, Masklin determined to go on his mission.
A Scientific Encyclopedia for the Inquiring Young Nome describes frogs as being noteworthy to some, but the author only believing the facts needed about them was they started as tadpoles, they croak, their color varying, and leg number. Again the scene comes through like looking into a telescope, eventually zeroing in on a bromeliad, three frogs aware of the life-changing moment which would affect frogs in the future. The frogs then hear a conversation they don't understand when Gurder is complaining about the number of mountains and Masklin unaffected by them, the two swinging under the Ship in a basket of his own devising for not trusting the technology on-board, yet. Masklin gets lucky when discovering the frogs in a flower since this was the last area they would search, for getting hassled by airplanes, Masklin assured by the Thing of being able to remove the branch with minimal disturbance to the frogs. Masklin and Angalo are then attempting to spot the quarry, Masklin remembering the area the Store was in, he warning Angalo not to take the Ship down to signposts anymore for the attention it gave them, Angalo defending how careful he'd been in adhering to light stops, everyone crashing into each other having nothing to do with his driving ability. Pion was picking up English fairly quickly and answering Gurder when asked about how geese could find their way around. The Thing then defends itself for not knowing Blackbury because radio messages were scarce about mentioning the area. Angalo then sees the airplane they took and Masklin decides they should follow, Angalo agreeing once understanding the logic, thinking how the humans should be glad for company.
Soon, Angalo is noticing how this may not be the case since the plane had sped up and used evasive maneuvering as the Ship had gotten close, they all learning of humans making up stories which split either way in scenarios such as this, the nomes becoming paranoid about what else could be on the Ship. They then focus on if they even attempted sending a message it may not be taken seriously, and humans may be smart enough to be nuts, but could also have the brains enough to "be lonely". They succeed in tailing the plane back to the quarry and then see the smoke and humans about, Masklin deducing they track one set of tire prints which had broken through a fence (also where an editor didn't catch two "know"'s and should have put in a "how" for the second one), Angalo able to easily have the Ship go fast, slowly being the real effort. They spot a machine working across the field, Angalo not recognizing the type, bearing in on it as vehicles with flashing lights tried to catch up, but they then retreating when seeing the Ship. Gurder announces of seeing their people and hoping they didn't think the Ship carried monsters like the humans did, Masklin already gone. He was currently contemplating how to move the bromeliad branch in its currently comfy specialized plant-water pot. Pion helps him move the pot toward the opening of the Ship, the frogs watching intently. Pion then inquires about the message Masklin was sending with them, he stating of not knowing how to articulate it properly.
Then nomes were everywhere on the Ship, everyone exploring whilst Grimma and Masklin watched the frogs and she caught him up on their adventures, he in awe by her fire over relating the struggle. When Masklin mentions how they could now discover and habituate a new world or go to a world of nomes, Grimma brings up how the Store nomes were already content, Masklin then sharing how after they decided on a place to settle, they'd return the Ship and attempt to communicate with humans again, sensing a friendship could be made. Gurder then appears and confesses of wanting to return with them so he could inform the nomes of the world about the Ship (missionary status), with the Thing since it had copied itself to the Ship. Masklin upon thinking about it, believed Gurder would be perfect for such a task. He then readies the Ship to land in an area with a lake, Gurder wanting to be certain there were geese around, after speaking with Pion. After leaving him, the nomes watch the landscape and Grimma marveled at the size, Angalo directing the Ship so high they wouldn't see down, the Earth looking like a disk, then a flower.
A proper way to end it, I would have still liked to have followed their story, but I'm glad it finishes happily. Definitely worth the read, it's a satisfying story.
