| Geekgeek | |
| Fictional Character | |
| Chicxulub Asteroid Missed POD: 66 million years ago | |
| Appearance(s): | "The Quest for the Great Gray Mossy" |
| Type of Appearance: | Direct |
| Nationality: | Unnamed |
| Species: | Pale greenskin |
| Religion: | Polytheist |
| Cause of Death: | Eaten by the Great Gray Mossy |
| Occupation: | Mossy hunter |
Geekgeek was a pale greenskin of the south east islands of the Peaceful Ocean who became a mossy harpooner.[1]
In search of work, he traveled to Faraway Town, and took a room at the Plessy's Flipper. The landlord rented half of his bed to a desperate newcomer named Milvil. Amused, Geekgeek shared the bed, and promised to help Milvil find a mossy boat the next day.[2]
The next day, the two rose with the sun, had breakfast, and made their way to the harbor. Geekgeek decided to board the first ship they came across, the Queepahd, and Milvil followed. The first mate, Stabbak, hired Geekgeek at once, after confirming the presence of Tashteg, a brownskin harpooner from out West would not be a source of conflict. However, when Stabbak learned this was Milvil's first mossy expedition, he consulted with Captain Baja.[3] Baja was missing his tail and wore a prosthetic made of mossy bone. He also looked very weathered in his hide and feather, and he had a nasty scar on the side of his face that just missed his left eye. After listening to Milvil and inspecting him for a bit, Baja decided Milvil's friendship with Geekgeek was enough to justify adding him to the crew.[4]
After the ship had been at sea for a while, Milvil approached Geekgeek, correctly assuming that the longtime harpooner knew about Baja, even though they'd only recently joined the crew. Geekgeek explained that the Great Gray Mossy was a particularly smart and aggressive mossy. Many had tried to hunt him, but he survived, routinely taking harpoons in stride while charging and attacking his hunters. Baja was one such hunter, surviving the encounter, but loosing his tail in the process. When Milvil wondered whether Baja's obsession might be as dangerous as the Great Gray Mossy, Geekgeek conceded the possibility in an indirect manner.[5]
When the ship passed into the Southern Ocean, Captain Baja promised a gold piece to the first sailor who saw a mossy. Then he promised a large more valuable chunk of gold to whomever first saw the Great Gray Mossy. All of the sailors enthusiastically begin watching for the Mossy, Milvil included.[6] However, it was several days before anyone saw a mossy.[7] Once spotted, boats captained by Baja and Shtup, the second mate, went out after it. Mivil and Geekgeek were aboard Shtup's ship.[8]
Shtup drove his crew hard to catch it.[9] After it dove under the surface, Geekgeek convinced Shtup to head back to the Queepahd. Despite his initial misgivings, Shtup agreed. In short order, the mossy breached, and Geekgeek harpooned it. The mossy struggled, but soon Captain Baja's boat joined, and his harpooner Faidal also skewered the mossy, which soon succumbed to its injuries.[10]
The Queepahd continued its journey as Baja hunted the Great Gray Mossy. The crew soon grew dissatisfied. Milvil was able to eavesdrop on the harpooners. Geekgeek and the harpooner Tashteg both agreed that Baja was probably crazy. Another harpooner, Ootag was amused by their complaints, pointing out that the trip was already profitable, and so Baja could be crazy. When Geekgeek suggested that Baja's behavior might sink the Queepahd, Faidal angrily assured the others that the gods he worshipped had ordained that Baja could only be killed by a "hempen necklace."[11]
Two days later, the Queepahd encountered the Flowerbud under the command of Captain Kain. Kain informed Baja that the Great Gray Mossy had overturned a harpoon boat containing Kain's eldest hatchling. Kain asked for help in the search, but Baja simply asked where the encounter had taken place. Once Kain had done so, Baja ordered the Queepahd to the location. He informed an irate Kain that he was not going to help, but he did wish Kain luck.[12]
More days passed, though the search proved fruitless. When Stabbak once again tried to convince Baja to give up the hunt, but Baja refused.[13] And then one day, they finally found the Great Gray Mossy. Milvil and Geekgeek made their way to Shtup's boat. On his way, Milvil heard Stabbak informing Baja that he also wanted to go out.[14]
Shtup's boat arrived alongside the Great Gray Mossy. Geekgeek threw his harpoon and struck. While the Great Gray Mossy initially fled, it abruptly turned and ate both Geekgeek and a rower.[15]
Literary comment[]
Geekgeek is based on the character Queequeg in Moby-Dick.
References[]
- ↑ Analog, Vol. CXXXX, Nos 1 & 2, January/February, 2020, pgs. 53-54.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 54.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 55.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 56-57.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 58-59.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 60-61.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 61.
- ↑ Ibid, pgs. 61.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs 62-63.
- ↑ Ibid, pgs. 66-67.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 67-68.
- ↑ Ibid., pgs. 68-69.
- ↑ Ibid., pg. 70.
- ↑ Ibid. pg. 70-71.
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