Commander Reed Episode XVII - Sunshine, Lollipops, And Festering Scabs That Reek of Death

EPISODE XVII - SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS, AND FESTERING SCABS THAT REEK OF DEATH

When last we left the bridge of the USS Escort, our young lieutenants were perusing the battle files of the Zargon War...

"So what's so derned interestin' about the Zargon War?", Schrader asked, peering over Lt. Scott's shoulder, "all's we gotta care about is that we won."

Number Two nodded, "That's true, but my interest is primarily in the battle of Alpha-9.", he peered into the screen, "Ah, here it is."

He moved to the side to share the screen with the pilot. Pulling up a chair, Schrader read the seemingly benign report of the battle. It read:

STARDATE 9.3 / 2988 / BATTLE A-9

NUMEROUS CASUALTIES REPORTED BY SPACE FLEET AND WYZENHYMER GOVERNMENT DURING NIL-GRAV BATTLE OVER SPACE FLEET TERRITORY, LUNAR BASE ALPHA-9.

W.I.A. : CAPT. S. OONDERPAHNTZ / LT. D. GUNTHER
LT. F. FREENBLATTER / LT. H. JEFFY

K.I.A. : CAPT. J. ANDREWS / CAPT. J. GILES / LT. A. HOLE
LT. H.R. PUFFINSTUFF/ LT. F. SCOTT

M.I.A. : 3RD PLATOON BRAVO

**(3rd Platoon Bravo was later found on the desert planet of Tatooine searching for two droids.)

"So what's the big deal, brother?"Schrader asked scratching his head.

Number Two placed a finger on the screen, directly below the last line of KIA's. "That's the big deal."

Schrader read the line again, this time noting the last name listed therein. "Lt. F. Scott." he read, grining, "Hey, just like you."

"Just like my father.", Scott said, intent upon the screen.

"Hey, and look.", Schrader said pointing to another portion of the screen, "Lt. H. Jeffy", he read. "You think that's the same guy that you'all got on this ship?"

Scott nodded, not taking his eyes from the screen. "The very same. He was my father's navigator. He suffered a massive concussion when he ejected from their fighter and can't recall anything about the battle."

"So your thinking there's somethin' more to this thing?", Schrader's reply somewhere between a question and a statement.

Again Lt. Scott nodded, "And I think the Commander and Schultz know more than they're saying."

"How could they know anything?"

Number Two turned, regarding Schrader somberly, "Because Reed was my father's wing man.", he said evenly, and added, "and Schultz was Reed's navigator."