Incense of an Endling - an ENDLING story for Whimword, 27th October 2017
2348 BC (1,656 years after the world began and 35,000,000 years after the evolution of the giant ground sloth). Meredith sat in her stall, silently surveying the hulking body of her mate. "Oh dear," said Shem, poking his nose through the wooden slats in the door, "I'm so sorry..." "Just get the Boss, Shem," said Mez. "Of course," he muttered, and scurried off, head bowed. Looking at the spot where Shem's feet had been, Mez saw Val the Komodo out for a morning walk, a bevy of youngsters in tow. Evidently the monitor had played fast and loose with the 'no boning' rule. "Been having fun?" said Mez. The mighty lizard grinned, toxic saliva trailing from its maw. "Mez! How's tricks?" "You know we've limited resources on this boat?" said Mez, "That's why we're not allowed to shag till dry land?" "Oh I haven't," said Val coolly, "parthenogenesis,