SARGASSO SAILS

CHAPTER 11

OOPSLOP AND THE KONKERS MARCH
KONKER MARCH OOPSLOP

   The sky over Konkerland was swirling blacker and blacker. We could hear their chanting all the way across to Mangroville. But there was another sound even more terrifying...the sound of metal! The Konkers had somehow invented metal. Was this part of the power from the Golden Shell or had they built a forge in one of the volcano's caves? In the history of mankind, this was a gigantic leap. What would it mean for the inhabitants of the Summerlands? If the Irogators survived, would future generations employ machetes instead of their jaws to crush coconuts? What weapons had the Konkers already devised? I asked Akviro to tell me more about the Golden Shell.
   -The Golden Shell would not have anything to do with the Konkers forging metal. I was too young to fully understand the workings of the Golden Shell. It was used to manipulate energy and power. Molecules could be sped up and slowed down for heating and cooling.. There was an Augmentor that could stretch molecules and make objects bigger. There were devices for transport and controls to accelerate the production of food. If Oopslop can manipulate the Golden Shell, he will be able to destroy the Summerlands...and every being in them.
   About that time, I felt the need to return to Sargasso. Once onboard, I felt a wave of relief knowing that from here, I could repel the Konkers, or at least out sail them. I still had at least a month's worth of provisions in the galley. I needed time to think things over.
   Was Akviro correct in thinking that my arrival in the Summerlands was pre-destined? Or was I merely more flotsam and jetsam? The gramaphone, the paintings, the flag...were they accidental? The Islanders were liberated from politics and religion. Would this change now?
   I got out my binoculars to have a look at the activities on Konkerland. Oopslop was still raving from his throne, surrounded by the Crushtazians. He had replaced his conch shell with a suit of armour! The first wave of Konkers were in full panoply as well. I watched in horror as the first battalion launched themselves. They looked formidable indeed. They got about twenty yards from the shore and then they all promptly sank. As relief swept over me, I pondered Oopslop's next move.
   Oopslop was madder than ever. He was raging around, shouting out orders. It was the Coners' turn...I was directly in their line of attack. It was only a matter of time before they reached Sargasso.
   Time again...time was wasting. What was my course of action? Their fleet of amphibious shells was approaching steadily. I had to make a decision. But what chance did I have against so many? Just then, I was startled by a knock on my stern. Akviro was standing in the bow of a dugout. Behind him were fifty or sixty dugouts full of Irogators. Kayaya was with them.
   -So what's your plan? I ventured.
   - We must free the Golden Shell.



ON TO CHAPTER 12 "THE BATTLE AT SEA"
GET ME OUTTA HERE...I'M CONCHED OUT