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ETATIMI
Written by Tim Barnes
Excellent choice. But do you know the story behind that dish? I mean, right now, on a plum ocean moon circling a grey and lifeless planet swim thousands of those things. Etatimi. That's their technical name, but I'm sure even that menu on your palm calls 'em the same thing everyone else does: visionfish. Yeah, those critters were discovered hundreds of cycles ago when a mapping vessel crashed into the fizzing waters of that moon. And oh, yessir, yes, there were casualties. Nearly the whole lot. But see, now I'm rambling. And I surely do not wish to take much more of your time. But, since your guests haven't arrived, I'll scoot over to ask you this: Have you ever wondered why visionfish are only seen dead, steaming in bowls and plates, but never alive in aquariums or nature videographs? Or... thought about how the small pool of diners, much like yourself, who can afford their hefty price, know nothing of why their tongues burst with bold new flavors after each bite? I could, of course, explain it to you now. That is, for a small quantum fee. They call me The Trotter. I feast all across the cosmos and let me tell you, fuel is not cheap...
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