EPISODE CXIV - PEACE LOVING, HIPPIE ASTRONAUTS IN HELL
Reed sputtered, coughed, and finally wretched when the thick stream of foul elixir was poured down his throat. His eyes opened wide and his fingers bit into the dry earth as his
stomach rejected the lukewarm, toxic substance. Lt. Scott stepped forward and helped the commander to his feet once it was clear the most violent abdominal spasms had passed. Reed's head wobbled on
his neck and he leaned on Number Two heavily, yet his voice was strong and clear.
"What the hell was that stuff?!?"
Broski cleared his throat. "Uh...just an herbal blend of sorts, Commander. It's all natural, sir.", he added.
"Well it tastes like crap or something.", Reed protested, spitting onto the dusty canyon floor.
"Or something.", Broski murmured. "How are you feeling now, sir?"
Reed touched his head gingerly. "Not bad, considering.", he replied, "It's difficult to concentrate on the pain with this foul taste in my mouth."
Broski nodded. "That's the idea, sir."
The commander looked around at his crew. "Where's Stauch?"
Broski cocked a thumb to the east. "He's got a couple of prisoners about two hundred yards that way." He shook his head, chuckling. "Tex's guys are pretty good shots, Commander, but
they don't know squat about tactics."
The crew followed Broski back to where he'd left Stauch, Reed refusing any assistance in covering the uneven ground. The sergeant stepped out from a rocky overhang as they advanced toward his location.
"Commander", Stauch said, his tone filled with relief, "good to see you on your feet."
"Thank you, sergeant.", Reed replied, masking his pain with an excess of trademark bravado, "It's good to be on my feet." He looked past Stauch at the bedraggled men in his custody.
"Have these two been any help?"
"Yes, Commander.", Stauch said, "They've been quite liberal with their information. Though", he added, pointing to the one nursing a broken arm, "it did take a little convincing."
"And what do they say, Sergeant?"
"That a total of ten of them were told to ambush us here, sir.", Stauch advised. "They knew we were coming, Commander."
Reed absorbed the sergeant's statement. "And how many are left back at Tex's compound?"
Stauch turned to one of the prisoners.
"Two", the man stammered quickly, "just Tex and his girl."
"Are you certain?", Stauch asked dubiously, pointing the muzzle of his weapon at the prisoner's knee cap.
The man nodded passionately. "That's the truth, sir. I swear!!"
