As may be recalled, some tension arose on the bridge prior to the recovery of Lt. Scott's space pod...
As Reed left the bridge, Schultz looked questioningly at Sgt. Stauch who simply shrugged. Mr. Schultz closed the pod bay doors and began to examine the ships readouts. They had travelled five pliks
into Wyzenhymer space territory, much further than any Space Fleet ship since before the Purgo Alliance. He'd been getting strange readings from a distant grouping of stars known as the Vvarg Nebula, and
suspected a enemy base sight near that location.
He glanced up from his instruments and noted that Sgt. Stauch was still there, watching. On his teleview, Schultz noted that Reed was now entering the docking bay. Utilizing sophisticated futuristic
welding equipment, Mr. Jeffy and several of his engineers were attempting to remove the canopy from the pod's cock pit. The canopy gave, and steam billowed forth from the ship. Mr. Jeffy and his subordinates
took a step back, hope and fear intermingling with curiosity.
Reed strode boldly forward, grasped the remaining portion of canopy and bodily tore it asunder. He reached through the thick stream of fog and unhooked Number Two' s body from its harness, and pulled the
still form to relative safety. Reed seemed to be yelling at the engineers and beckoning Dr. Egan over. Schultz helplessly watched the screen as the drama unfolded three decks below him.
"MEDIC", Reed screamed again, motioning for the doctor to assist him.
Dr. Egan looked around confused.
"Doctor Egan", Reed said more quietly, "when someone yells 'medic', it generally means they are in need of medical assistance."
Egan cocked his head a bit, pondering this information. "Your point, Commander?", He asked.
"My point", Reed said, his patience waning a bit, "is...ah hell, never mind!!"
Reed slapped the unconscious Lieutenant across the face, earning him a disapproving look from the doctor, but bringing Number Two around to consciousness.
"Hi Commander", Lt. Scott said sleepily, "I must have fallen asleep."
"No son", Reed replied, "you were lost in space for a time.
"Super neato", exclaimed the young Lieutenant.
Mr. Jeffy walked up and clasped Number two on the shoulder, "Hey man, way to not be dead."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?!?", Reed demanded.
"Well...er...uh...I just thought, ya know", Jeffy began, "that he was dead, and that it was cool that he wasn't."
"Next time", Reed replied, "don't think."
Reed, with the help of Mr. Jeffy, got Lt. Scott to his feet and escorted him to his quarters. Dr. Egan arrived shortly behind them and began a physical examination of the Lieutenant. Mr. Jeffy, who
had always been a little squeamish, had to step out into the hallway when Number Two gagged on the tongue depressor. Reed followed him out.
"I'd like to apologize for my earlier comments, Mr. Jeffy", Reed said quietly.
"Which ones?", Jeffy queried.
"The derogatory ones.", Reed replied.
"All of them?", Jeffy asked hopefully.
Reed smiled, "Of course not, Mr. Jeffy. Just the 'Next time don't think' one."
"Thank you, sir.", Mr. Jeffy said, smiling. "But since Number Two isn't dead...do you think you could call me Number Three?"
Reed laughed, "No, Mr. Jeffy.""
"Number Four?"
"No."
"Number Five?"
"No", Reed replied, "but perhaps you could be Number Seven."
"Yeah, Number Seven, cool", Mr. Jeffy said excitedly. "Like 'Lucky Seven', right Commander?"
"Er....yeah...like 'Lucky Seven', Mr. Jeffy", Reed allowed.
