EPISODE CXXVIII - SQUEEZING THE PIMPLE OF DISCONTENT




Broski and Proteau began to move the debris away from Lightnin' Liz's semiconscious body.  She stirred and muttered something unintelligible as they pulled her free, dragging her into the open and dropping her unceremoniously to the ground.

"Now what are we going to do?", Broski asked with a mix of amusement and disgust.

Reed shook his head wearily.  "You stay here with her, Corporal", he replied.  "The rest of us will go ahead and find the Mercurion source."

"And what is she makes trouble?", the corporal inquired.

"Kill her."

Broski smirked.  "Why don't I just kill her now", he suggested, "and we'll say she made trouble?"

Reed shook his head and smiled grimly.  "That's not the way we work, corporal."

"Whatever.", Broski sighed resignedly.

"Excuse me, corporal?", Reed said, his tone taking on an icy edge.

Broski straightened, shaking off his dark mood.  "Aye-aye, sir."



At this point, I must detour from the action packed story line to address a personal matter.  As some of you may know, this author was chosen as the recipient of a most prestigious award, that of Officer of the Year.

For those of you unfamiliar with this coveted prize, it is something akin to the Nobel Peace Prize, though set in a correctional jaundra.  It is most pleasing to me to note that this particular award was not dispensed by the administration, but rather the result of the efforts of those of you that cast a vote in my favor.

In a world governed by select groups of inept, contemptuous, old men, it is refreshing to hear the voice of the multitudes call out and be heard over the grumbling din.  Not since the mid eighties and the revolutionary strides by our favorite musical talents in making the song We Are the World, has humanity come together with such a resounding call for global unity and peace.

So here I sit humbled, misty eyed, and basking in the warm glow of your approval, and vow that I will do my utmost to represent you and your ideals, until the year passes and another is chosen to follow in my footsteps.

However, in the event that something unforeseen should occur, for example, a sinister plot involving a layout of questionable photos in a globally published men's magazine, it is my hope that you wouldn't come away tainted by the affair, but would be strengthened by the knowledge that for a time, you, the People, cast away the chaos and turmoil of our times, and replaced them with hope.

Thank you.



And now, back to the story...

Stauch took the lead, taking direction from Lt. Scott as he traced the Mercurion source with a hand held geometric sensor.  The others followed cautiously behind, eyes darting in every direction, each waiting for fate to again throw danger in their path.  They rounded the main building of Tex's compound to find the gaping mouth of a dilapidated mine shaft.  Number Two motioned with his head, indicating that their prize lay within.  With a last longing look at the sky, Stauch stepped in, outdated rifle thrust out before him.