Verne nodded and gave a sly and slightly embarrassed smile. "Oui. I have been observing the comings and goings from the Stone Foundation for sometime, messieurs. I would need more than my poor knowledge to decipher the properties of the Iris, and you two are world renown for your ingenuity. Once I had made the decision to approach the two of you, it was necessary to create this ruse to gather your attention..... ((( consider garner in place of gather))
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Verne sat back, swallowed and nodded. "Yes, that is also a possibility. The use of the Iris as a weapon is staggering to imagine for me. It could, conceivably destroy the world, or enough of it as to render our planet inhabitable." inhabitable?? *L*
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*whew* I'm so glad you saved the library!! I was about to panic!!

*dashes off to the next installment*