In the navy...

We will sail the seven seas!

In the navy...

We will make the world speak Raptorese

In the navy...

We will guard our convoys of mammal cheese

* Scritch scritch scratch Scritch scritch scratch Scrictch scritchy scratch scratch scrathc*

We got you! We got you! We got you as a new recruit!

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But it was not all fun and games...

The collision had shaken the hull and a negligent midship raptor had not secured fully his assigned compartment. His captain, sadly, the reptilian genius behind the deadly ship's design, sadly, had taken a mortal bump on his head from falling stowage.

This poor abused saur first piloted his craft to a safe region of the lake. Said goodbye to his crew.

Then went to his chamber with the big window that looked out into the waters. Yes, the wonders under the surface. They all surrounded him as his life slowly ebbed away and some music swelled in the background.

He hadn't taken the time to patent his design. In fact, he was in a state of rebellion against High Command. So it would perish with him.

But some day... when raptor was ready... this too would be his. The lake and all its wonders.



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I know, I know. A dramatic scene. But kind of a downer.

For me the captain will always be that bright eyed and grinning, if not bushy tailed, raptor at the wheel as he went crashing into the boat.

That genius whose vision and magnetic pull kept his vessel thrumming and in charge of that lake!

He ain't no Raptor Poppins, mind. You won't learn about the growth of tuppence in the bank. But... but...
raptor is more than these... you see. A raptor can stride across the world like a colossus. A raptor and his vision, why, he can go on top of the world!

You'll see. All of you.

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How do we know when that moment comes? We just know.

When the mountains of that special trip recede in the rearview mirror. Even as you try to stretch out the moment of leaving. They are already gone. You are on your way.

Do not rush. The road ahead may have its blessings but so often the road behind was the golden moment. If only you knew.

What do I know anyway? What am I trying to capt_ure? Do you think it shimmers and then vanishes?

I feel the surge of the ancestors. They don't care. Their job is done. Mine is done.

Who dared portray the gods as only caring now for bed linen and early breakfast? Who imagined such a thing?

I have opened up. I have put down. I have made my vows. In the tapestry there is this one thread. it is firmly set and true. The insanity of the ages cannot unravel it.

So charge. Breach after breach. Prow in wave after wave. As true now as ever. Come Fate. Pick your time.

Make the blue time go to gray time. Make the terrible lizards go. No more can be done with them now.

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