Alpha-Alpha, Sgt. Stauch's elite strike team, gathered together in Docking Bay-4 mere minutes after their assembly call. The "Avenging Angels" as they called themselves, or "Arrogant
A-Holes" as they were known to the rest of the crew, were acquainting themselves with the new-old world equipment which they'd been issued. Corporal Powell, the senior enlisted man present under Stauch's
supervision, was attending to the loading of their shuttle when an officer approached.
"Tench-Hut!", he barked, coming to attention and rendering a smart salute. The rest of the team did likewise, though refrained from saluting as was protocol. "Strike team Alha-Alpha standing
by, sir.", Powell continued rigidly.
"Cool.", the officer said smiling and extending his hand, "I'm your pilot. Krashaki's the name, but everybody calls me Krash."
The Corporal seemed uncomfortable with the pilot's casual demeanor, but shook his hand stiffly, regardless. "We'll be ready to board in two 'mahks', sir.", Powell informed the lieutenant.
"Two whats?", Krashaki queried.
"Mahks.", Powell repeated, "ya' know, minutes."
"Oh, mikes.", Krashaki said nodding.
"Raht.", the corporal confirmed, "mahks."
He turned to the unit which still stood at attention. "Angels", he bellowed, "move hout!"
As one the team moved, filtering into the transport without comment. Once all were on board, Powell executed an about face and strode purposefully toward the ship. Taking his cue, Krash followed, attempting
to match the enlisted man's pace with little success. As he reached the hatch he heard rapid footsteps and labored breathing behind him. He turned to see a stocky, middle aged officer jogging toward
him waving his arms animately.
"What's up?", Krashaki queried when the gentleman caught up.
"Name's Jeffy.", the officer stated breathlessly, "I'm going with you."
"How come?", the pilot asked. He noted the insignia on Jeffy's shoulder and suspected the officer outranked him, though by how much he couldn't recall.
"I'm the co-pilot", Mr. Jeffy said, now in better control of his lungs.
Krash looked at him skeptically. "Never had a co-pilot before. What's your job?"
Jeffy shrugged. "I take over if something happens to the pilo.t", he explained. "Like if he gets killed or something."
Krashaki paled visibly at the thought. "Does that happen?"
"Oh sure", Jeffy replied authoritatively. "Happens all the time."
Krashaki's generally open expression had taken on a haunted look. His gaze drifted back and forth between the transport and Mr. Jeffy. Suddenly his eyes seemed to focus and a smile began to creep across
his face.
"What if ", he suggested excitedly, "you be the pilot, and I be the co-pilot? That way, if one of us gets killed", he added shrewdly, "it'll be you."
