A Possibility Tree

Music=
1. The Laughing Apple
   -Cat Stevens (Yusuf)
2. Rocket
   -Smashing Pumpkins

"The essence of knowledge is, having it, to use it- (wisely)."
-Confucius 






UFOtext=

I. Christmas Island
Astira brushed off the cracked display. Ozymandias unscrewed his index finger to expose an electronic connector. He unreeled a lively silver wire- then he meticulously plugged it into the dead display. After a few minutes, digital patterns appeared in jagged pieces.  Half of the screen formed a crude picture- the other half remained pitch black.
"What is it?" asked Astira.
"It looks like half of the Empire's rising sun emblem- but an older version I've never seen before." A shadow of intrigue crossed the Dragon's face.
"That is correct." said Ozymandias.
"I can construct the whole image in my brain from the bit file. The bit file predates the nuclear apocalypse of the Lotus of Civilization by 3.14 lunar months."
"What's the file about?" asked Astira.
The head of Ozymandias flickered in thought.
"It's a classified letter from the Galactic Emperor to a Princess Leizu of the Lotus. The Emperor requests she immediately depart for her own safety."
"Sounds like this Princess Leizu might be a traitor- or maybe a little pet for the Galactic Emperor." said Astira, half amused. The Dragon spoke.
"According to legend on the Silk Path, Princess Leizu was a heroic figure who died very young at the hands of the Empire. She spent her last days in prison. But very little is known fact- just legends passed on for millennia." 
The Dragon watched the setting fire slowly burn. Astira gathered her thoughts.
"Ozymandias- this ancient computer network- can you maybe search it to find us another way to escape? Something faster than our boat? If we can just get to surface, Taryn can pick us up in the Far Star."
Ozymandias stood thoughtful.
"It's possible there exist secret passages to the surface- maybe even to the Crescent Lake. Even I don't know everything about this planet."
"Ozymandias- find a way out & we will take it!" said Astira.  

II. Saint-Emilion
The inscrutable Count sat cross legged beneath a tree. The autumn branches spread far & wide. He offered Ivy a box of chocolates wrapped in gold foil.