EPISODE CXL - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF ARVIN THE GELATINOUS WAITER
Mr. Proteau walked briskly down the corridor not wanting to attract any undue attention or cause an alarm, yet anyone that knew him well would recognize the tension in his gait.
He'd just received a call from the Armorer (or armorer's), Dug, who relayed that the armory had just been robbed. That weapons had been stolen was distressing, but even more disturbing was the identity of
the thief.
Stepping into the armory, the security officer first spotted the damaged doorway, noting that the sliding metal door had been literally pulled off of its track. Such a feat of strength was far beyond the
average human's ability, lending credit to the Strobewan armorer's report. Moving over to the counter, the security officer rang the small bell, surveying the area for any other damage.
After a few moments, the heavy door on the other side of the counter opened. Dug peaked out apprehensively, casting furtive glances in all directions before stepping through. Proteau saw that the right
eye of the head on the left was beginning to swell.
"I'm so glad you're here.", the right head said excitedly, "I wanted to get him to sickbay", he pointed to his other head, "but we couldn't leave the armory unmanned."
Proteau nodded. "Just let me get your statement, and then you can go see the doctor."
Left head seemed to pale at the thought. "I think I'd rather see the nurse if it wouldn't be too much trouble."
"Whichever", Proteau continued, "but first I need you to answer some questions." He pulled out his data pad. "How certain are you of the identity of the intruder?"
"One hundred percent.", left head stated confidently.
"Eighty-seven percent.", right head replied. Receiving a disapproving look from his shoulder-mate, he muttered, "I was looking for a place to hide."
"Hmmmph", left said dramatically, "why am I not surprised?"
Proteau could see an argument coming on and steered the conversation in another direction. "What was taken from your inventory?"
Dug's right hand brought out a piece of paper, thrusting it under right head's nose. "Let's see", right began, studying the list, "there's the two 80 caliber automatic pulse cannons, a case of Tovarian
Hyper-Density blast sticks." He pushed the list toward left head. "What's this?"
Left head looked closely. "Oh, that's an automatic matter vaporizer.", he said.
"Matter vaporizer?", Proteau repeated, not liking the sound of it.
"Oh, yes", left continued, "it's a hand held, solar powered, semi-automatic instrument that can transform solid matter into energy, which it can then use to recharge its power source.", he concluded.
"It's a very interesting weapon."
"Interesting is not the word I'd use.", Proteau replied evenly. He reached over and keyed his comm-link. "Proteau to Commander Reed."
Reed responded quickly. "Go ahead, Mr. Proteau."
"Roger sir, we have a situation here.", the security officer advised.
