Associates News Press Report:

ANP embedded reporter Benjamin Quebert celebrates with Santa and Candy Claus, the reindeers that rescued them, and the little elf Just'l, who saved Christmas because he just plain refused to give up.


The Sled is awash in laughter and tears of joy. Santa has pulled both a confused Rudolph and Vixen into the sled, where they were taken into the effects of the CESM (Christmas Eve Stealth Mode).

Just'l is still at the controls and everybody is treating him like the hero he is. Mrs. Claus, ever the mother hen, has tended to Prancer and Dancer with the on-board emergency supplies and has pronounced them "in no danger."

Just'l has talked to Q-pid on the radio and between the two of them, they've decided that a more leisurely trip home is in order. Something that would keep the intercooler pressure in the "green" zone.

The "learning light," that green light that Just'l was exposed to, has implanted in his brain everything there is to know about piloting the sled. Was the light technology or magic? Nobody will tell me.

2:30 PM
Our slower trip home will take us almost eight hours and Just'l estimates that we are now within an hour of our arrival

All around me, the reindeer are asleep except for Rudolph. Mrs. Claus has managed to produce a pair of knitting needles and yarn and is mindlessly at work. I have no idea where the needles came from, and I give Santa a confused look.

He shrugs his shoulder and whispers to me, "don't know. I never figured it out, myself."

It's Christmas eve, and despite all that's gone on, Santa is still planning on making "the run," as he calls it. I have no doubt that he will. All of the reindeer agree, but with the exception of Prancer and Dancer, who get a pass this year, they will be passengers. Santa tells them he expects them to tend to the flight pattern and assist in distribution.

Just'l will be doing the actual piloting, this year and he's just beaming over being asked.

Q-pid, positively giggly over the radio since the rescue, has assured Santa that the sled will be refueled and ready to go by the time he's ready.




And now, gentle reader, as I sign off, this is Benjamin Quebert, speaking for myself and the rest of the "sled gang," wishing you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years.
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