With the futuristic tools aboard the USS Escort, mining the Mercurion turned our to be a relatively simple operation. Mr. Proteau oversaw the actual excavation, and with advice
from Ensign Hibbard, was able to extract the mineral in less than five hours. During that time, the Earth Unit had mended their earlier breaches in protocol and were sitting in the parlor of the late Minnesota
Tex's mansion, discussing the operational logistics of their expedition. Lightnin' Liz sat quietly in a chair in the corner of the room, having been bound and gagged by Corporal Broski.
"Next time, I say we just come down with guns blazing and cut through all the crap.", Broski remarked pointedly as he sipped brown tinted water from his canteen cup.
Stauch leaned back in his chair smiling. "Hopefully, there won't be a next time."
"Don't count on it.", Broski replied skeptically. He turned to regard their prisoner. "What are we going to do with her?"
"We should probably just let her go.", Lt. Scott suggested. "I doubt she can do us any real harm now that her partners are out of commission." "Maybe not us", Reed said thoughtfully,
"but she could do this small community, and perhaps the entire world irreparable damage."
Broski eyed him curiously. "I don't quite follow."
"Well, she's seen our ships", the commander offered, "and knows we're not exactly local. She might be able to convince others of what happened here."
"I think that's pretty unlikely", Stauch cut in. "They'd probably just ship her off to the funny farm is she starts spewing stories about the 'folks from outer space'."
"You're probably right", Number Two commented agreeably. "These people probably aren't ready to believe in things like that yet."
Reed nodded his head, considering. "I see your point, Sergeant, but I've always found it best never to leave any loose strings."
Lt. Scott nodded his head vigorously. "You can't argue with that kind of logic."
Broski looked at the communications officer with unveiled disgust, then turned to the commander. "So, do you want me to shoot her here", he offered, "or should I take her outside?"
At his statement, Liz's eyes widened and she began to make urgent noises behind the gag.
"Neither, I think", Reed replied, a wry smile crossing his face. "I'm considering taking her with us."
The commandos gaped open mouthed at their commander statement, and even Lt. Scott was unable to conceal his surprise.
"You can't be serious!", Broski exclaimed. "She'd kill half your crew before we were our of orbit. The 'Techs' you've got working for you on that ship are too soft to handle someone like her."
He turned his gaze to where Number Two sat tapping at his wrist computer. "No offense, Lieutenant."
Number Two looked up from the display, evidently unaware of the corporal's comment. "Sir, Mr. Proteau relays that the mining operation is complete and that the Mercurion is ready to be shipped to the Escort."
"Good", Reed said, standing up from the table. "Then why don't we prepare for departure."
Stauch stepped beside the commander. "Sir, with all due respect", he whispered urgently, "I would suggest you reconsider taking that woman with us. Broski's right. She's going to cause
nothing but problems."
"I don't think so, Sergeant", Reed commented shrewdly, brushing the remaining dust from his clothes. "Not where I'm going to put her."
Stauch eyed the commander warily. There was something he didn't like about his tone. "You can't keep her in the brig forever, sir.", he pointed out.
"Nor do I intend to.", Reed informed him. "In fact, there's a particular area where I think she'd fit in nicely."
"Test subject for Dr. Egan?", Stauch suggested hopefully.
"No", the commander replied ominously, "the Space Commandos."
