EPISODE CVII - SISTER MARY HAMSTER AND THE AMBIDEXTROUS AARDVARK
Reed and Sheriff Doody sat at the large circular table, their respective posses gathered around haphazardly.
"So Powell and the rest of the team will remain in town", Reed explained, "while Number Two, Stauch, Broski, Proteau, Orwig, Vantedly, and I make our way to Minnesota Tex's ranch."
Mr. Jeffy raised his hand and waved it frantically. "What about me, pal? Should I come with you?", he asked hopefully.
Reed silently cursed Schultz for allowing the engineering officer to get off of the ship. "Ah...", he stalled, "we're going to be moving pretty fast, Jeffy, and you came pretty close to heat exhaustion
on your way here."
Jeffy looked around self consciously. "It was really hot", he explained emphatically, "and I got a rock in my shoe, and..."
Reed held up a hand in surrender. "Okay, Mr. Jeffy", he acquiesced, "you can come with us."
Jeffy jumped up from his seat, and began vigorously waving his hat in the air. "Yee-hee!!"
"That's 'yee-haw', son.", Doody corrected.
Jeffy returned to his seat.
Powell cleared his throat and looked at Reed. "Sir, with all due respect", he began, "I think it'd be better if we took down this Tex guy."
"No.", Reed replied, meeting the corporal's gaze, "I need your team here. The majority of Tex's men will be heading to town to deal with us", he continued, "therefore, I need your team to
provide a warm reception, and", he added, "to keep them entertained for a while."
A grim smile spread across Powell's face. "Aye-aye, sir."
Krashaki, who had been sitting idly, listening to the plan unfold, raised an apprehensive hand. "What should I do, Commander?"
"Return to the...ah, encampment, and stand by for our call.", Reed explained. "We'll deal with Tex and then look for the Mercurion deposit that's supposed to be located on his ranch. Once
we find it, we'll need you to rendezvous and receive the shipment."
Krashaki drained his beer and grabbed his hat. "I'll be standing by, sir.", he said as he made his way to the exit.
Reed let his gaze wander from face to face as he searched his mind for any missing detail to his plan. When he could think of none, he stood and addressed those assembled. "Let's move out people.
We've got a town to save."
