Previously our crew became privy to the specifics of their ultimate destruction. Reed, Proteau, and Sgt. Stauch were returning to the bridge while Number Two escorted Lt. Schrader
to sick bay...
"It must be super cool to be a fighter pilot.", Lt. Scott said as they walked.
"Sure is, brother.", Schrader replied, a far away look in his eyes, "It's like being on top of the world, 'cept your in the middle of space. Ya' know what I mean, man?"
And although he didn't, Lt. Scott nodded vigorously as prescribed by his Space Fleet training. They arrived at sick bay to find Dr. Egan laying atop his own examining table, snoring lightly. Lt. Scott
cleared his throat, "Excuse me, Doctor?"
Egan sat bolt upright on the table, bulbous eyes staring straight ahead. After several seconds, he became aware of the two lieutenants in the room with him. He hopped briskly to the floor, removing
the, until now unseen, IV from the left side of his neck.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, doctor.", Number Two replied, "This is Lt. Schrader. His ship was just recovered from deep space, and Commander Reed thought an examination might be in order."
Egan cocked an eyebrow, "Then why bring him here?"
"Because this is sick bay", Lt. Scott reminded him.
The doctor slowly surveyed the room as he considered this new information, "Ah yes, so it is...but what does that have to do with me?"
"You're the doctor, remember?"
"Hmmmm", Egan said thoughtfully. "So I can prescribe medication, right?"
"Uh...yes, but...oh, never mind.", Number Two said, frustration evident, "I'll leave Lt. Schrader to your care." He turned to Schrader, "You should be alright...probably."
Dr. Egan began stacking specimen jars on a counter top as Lt. Scott exited. Hoping to ease the strangeness of the situation, Schrader addressed the doctor, "It sure is a pleasure to meet ya', sir."
Egan regarded him suspiciously, "Why?"
"Well, because I done heard a lot about ya'."
"Like what?", Egan asked inquisitively, stepping toward the lieutenant.
No longer chronically confused, the doctor's eyes bored into Schrader's soul maliciously. Schrader tried to avert his eyes, but was held fast by the doctor's strange gaze. Egan began to reach for him,
but withdrew his hand as the sickbay door slid open.
Elsewhere... On the bridge of the USS Escort to be precise, Commander Reed had ordered a deep space scan in hopes of determining their current location in space and time...
"Report, Mr. Schultz."
"No findings yet, sir.", Schultz replied, "It would be helpful to know exactly what I was looking for."
Reed turned his gaze from the holo-maps he'd been studying and regarded Schultz cooly. "If I want your suggestions, Mr. Schultz, I'll ask for them. In the mean time, why don't you monitor your
readings and shut you Huckster trap."
Schultz glared at the Commander briefly, then let his gaze drift to the would-be lap dog standing at Reed's side. Stauch returned his gaze menacingly, his previous amorous intentions seemingly forgotten.
"Aye-aye, sir.", Schultz's voice dripped with venom.
Reed turned to Stauch. "See what I have to put up with", he muttered in a burdened tone, "Be thankful fate dealt you such a lowly destiny."
"I'm quite thankful, sir"Stauch replied dryly.
Mr. Jeffy entered the bridge, and strolled over to the Commander, giving him a friendly punch in the arm. "What's up big guy?"
"That's 'Commander', or 'Sir', Mr. Jeffy", Reed growled, "not 'Big Guy'."
The engineering officer grinned, "You got it, pal.", he said, winking.
"The reason I called you here, Mr. Jeffy..."
"That's 'Luck Seven', boss.", Jeffy interrupted.
Reed ignored him "...is because I'd like you to inspect Lt. Schrader's ship."
"What am I looking for, specifically?", Mr. Jeffy queried.
"Any anomalies in the structure, carbon dating, metallurgy inconsistencies. A standard work up."
"No problem, Mark.", Jeffy said, turning to leave.
"Mr. Jeffy.", Reed said straining to control his anger.
"Yeah, big guy?"
"You are dismissed.", Reed uttered, his words dripping with admonishment.
"Gotcha, pal.", Jeffy said cheerfully as he left the bridge, nearly bumping into Lt. Scott in the process.
"Sir.", the Lieutenant said quietly, sensing the Commander was in one of his "post-Jeffy" moods. "Lt. Schrader is in sick bay. Dr. Egan will advise us when the examination is complete."
Reed pulled himself out of his dark mood. "Very good, Number Two. Since you've completed your duties, perhaps you could assist Mister Schultz with his."
Schultz spun toward Reed, "Commander", he said in uneven tones, "could we have a word in private?"
"Whatever you have to say can be shared with those present.", Reed proclaimed, relishing Schultz's anger.
"Yes, Commander", Schultz agreed, calming down, "I was simply going to relate my experiences in the Zargon War", his eyes met Reed's. "Specifically those dealing with the battle of Alpha-9."
Reed paled noticeably, sweat breaking out on his forehead. Through tightly clenched teeth he hissed, "Perhaps we should discuss this in my quarters, Mr. Schultz."
