The interior of a concourse aboard Spaceport Fontana, with artificial day-cycle illumination set brighter and bluer. The ambient sound consists of the murmur of crowd chatter, the steady beat of footsteps, and the low hum of ventilation systems.
On the atrium-facing façade of the Pan-Galactic Conference Hall, four banners — Baubijn, Human, Elvs, and Ino'stran — hang between the Baubijn mascarons, whose stone faces leer grotesquely.
The crowd crisscrossing the atrium is a vibrant mix of species from across the galaxy, encompassing a variety of roles — diplomats, aides, security officers, and journalists among them.
Amongst the Helbhan delegation, Jessie Burle Marx, a human female, strides with purpose beside Ódag Žigma, a Šnagan male that appears as a human. At Jessie's heel, is Lua, a pet adolescent Gaucho sheepdog; with a fur coat is black as coal with a distinctive snow white patch resembling a crescent moon. Lua is full of energy weaving through legs and causing more than one startled jump from the atrium's crowd.
As the Helbhan delegation enter the Pan-Galactic Conference Hall, each individual pauses at security for a facial scan. The guards give Jessie a quick once-over, and then do a double-take at Lua. Lua's tail wags. Jessie flashes an innocent smile, while the guards consult over their radios. A moment later, Ękert, a Baubijn protocol officer lumbers out from the Hall. He looks at Lua.
Ękert [deadpan]: Is that dog cleared for international negotiations?
Jessie [grinning]: She's with me. Everywhere I go, she's sure to go.
Lua: Woof!
The diplomats behind in line laugh.
ANDA SEDANG MEMBACA
Fontana Conference 2540
Fiksyen SainsA loose science-fiction adaptation of Sarah Josepha Hale's poem: "Mary Had a Little Lamb." This adaptation could be retitled, "Jessie Had a Pet Dog."
