EPISODE CXXVII - C-D-E-D-B-D-I'S
(See the Itty Bitty Eyes)
Krash eased the shuttle to the deck of the docking bay and advised Orwig that he was free to move around the cabin. The corporal sprung for the control mechanism, slapped it with
more force than was necessary, and stumbled down the plank. Once safely upon the deck, he fell to his knees and wretched violently.
Numerous medical personnel ran past him onto the vessel to attend to the injured engineering officer, though one stopped long enough to receive an agitated guttural dismissal. Nurse Yahbo took painstaking
care as they placed Jeffy's on a gurney for transport to sickbay. As she walked beside his hover-gurney, he stirred and opened his eyes.
"Hi, Snooper-Gampy.", Jeffy croaked weakly.
She pressed a delicate finger to his lips. "Don't talk, Lamby-Poo", she insisted, "save your strength."
"Mm 'kay.", he replied contentedly, nestling into the covers they'd provided.
Lt. Schrader watched from a distance as the corpsmen escorting Mr. Jeffy exited the dock, his eyes following Nurse Yahbo's form until she turned the corner. He sighed heavily, lost in his own emotional purgatory
until the familiar sound of of a puking serviceman caught his attention. Making his way to where the soldier knelt, he picked up a relatively clean oil rag and offered it when the corporal came up for air.
"Thanks, sir.", Orwig managed, gulping air in hopes of corking the seemingly endless flow of abdominal discharge.
Schrader smiled, recalling his younger days. "You really musta' tied one on, brother."
Unwilling to open his mouth to explain, the corporal shook his head and pointed to the ship where Lt. Krashaki strolled casually down the ramp.
"Must be something in the water down there.", Krash suggested thoughtfully, eyeing the spreading puddle of bile warily.
"Must be.", Schrader agreed as the other pilot came up to stand beside them. "You gonna be alright, corporal?"
Orwig nodded, still not trusting his stomach enough to answer.
With Krash's assistance, Schrader was able to get the soldier to his feet and walking. Together they staggered out of the docking bay and toward the enlisted men's barracks. Krash wandered aimlessly
behind them, rummaging through the pockets of his flight suit. He stopped abruptly, causing Schrader some concern.
"What is it?", he asked, trying to keep the large security troop on his feet.
Krash smiled as he produced an item from one of his pockets. He thrust his find in front of their faces. "My pork sandwich!", he exclaimed with childlike glee, "I thought I'd lost it forever."
After an extended purging, Orwig was again ready to proceed.
