Sgt. Stauch and Broski had just dropped off their charge at the brig. and were heading for the chow hall when the call came.
"Bridge to Stauch."
Stauch gave the corporal a sour look as he keyed his communicator. "Go for Stauch, Mr. Schultz."
"Yes, Sergeant", the science replied in his disturbingly emotionless tone, "Mr. Proteau requests that you and Corporal Broski report to the armory."
"Roger, Mr. Schultz.", Stauch copied, "We're on our way."
"What do you think that's about, Sarge?", Broski asked as they moved down the corridor to the nearest elevator.
"I've got no idea", Stauch admitted, pressing the button for Deck-3, "there was probably some sort of foul up with the weapons inventory from our little excursion."
"Maybe", Broski allowed, "but I got a bad feeling about this."
"Like 'barbecued chicken bad'?", the sergeant chided good naturedly.
Broski smirked at Stauch's jest. "Yuck it up, Sarge, but you know as well as me that trouble follows this ship around like an old girlfriend."
Stauch sobered noticeably at Broski's observation. "Yeah, you got a point there."When they reached the armory, Lance Corporal Orwig was standing by to meet them.
"What's the deal, Orwig?", Broski asked, noting the armory's disarray.
"Somebody robbed the armory.", Orwig reported excitedly. "They took some serious stuff, too."
Broski gave Stauch a knowing smile. "Told ya so, Sarge."
Stauch ignored him. "Do they have any suspects?"
Orwig nodded. "Proteau's pretty sure he knows who did it", he replied, "but he hasn't told me who it is yet."
The two commandos began poking through the wreckage that had been the front room of the armory.
"Geez", Broski observed, "whoever did this sure must have been in a foul mood."
Stauch eyed him curiously. "What do yo mean?"
"Look around, Sarge", Broski motioned expansively, "half the crap this guy tossed around, you and I wouldn't even be able to pick up."
Stauch had to agree. "So whoever it was must have been incredibly strong.", he observed.
"Or on something.", the corporal suggested.
Mr. Proteau stepped into the room accompanied by a hooded figure, whose dark, shifting cloak seemed to blend in with the background.
"Hey, Mr. Proteau.", Broski said, though his eyes were on the stranger. "Who's that with you?"
"A tracker.", Proteau replied. "He's going to help us find our thief."
"No offense, sir", the corporal intoned, "but we're on a space ship. I don't think he's bound to find a whole lot of tracks."
"You'd be surprised.", Proteau remarked mysteriously.
As if that had been his cue, the hooded figure pulled back the cowl revealing his true identity.
"A Melkinian!", Broski exclaimed, reaching instinctively for his blaster. He'd fought "Melks" during the Gangular Rebellion, and had lost too many friends to greet this one any other way.
"Hold it, Corporal!", Proteau shouted. "He's on our side!"
Broski left his weapon holstered at the order of his superior. "You expect us to work with him?", he asked incredulously, his eyes locked on the alien.
Though similar to a human, the Melk had a sharp, fin-like ridge running from forehead to the back of their necks. This one stared back emotionless with small, dark eyes.
"Aye yay ishway oh nay arm hay.", it said through a row of sharpened teeth, clicking its tongue to indicate the end of its statement.
Broski looked over to the security officer, waiting for him to interpret.
"He says, he wishes no harm", Proteau advised, "and we did sign the Reba Alliance several months back, if you recall, Corporal.", he added.
"That's just a piece of paper.", Broski spat, "written with the blood of space commandos!"
Stauch could see the tension in his subordinate's face and knew he was close to his boiling point. "Corporal", he said in a low voice, "you're dismissed."
"Dismissed!", Broski exclaimed, turning on the sergeant angrily. "Dismissed! So you can make nice with that fin-headed freak?!?"
Stauch clenched his teeth. "I said you were dismissed, Corporal.", he repeated, though in a lower, more threatening tone.
Broski turned and looked at Proteau, then at the Melk. "Whatever", he seethed, "but keep that thing away from me!" He cast a dark look at his sergeant then moved through the door, muttering
angrily under his breath.
Stauch turned to the security officer. "I won't apologize for him", he advised, "in fact, I don't like this any better than he does. However", he continued evenly, "you are my superior
and I will follow your orders."
"Thank you, Sergeant.",
Proteau replied. "I appreciate that."
Stauch nodded, grudgingly accepting the security officers gratitude. "Well if we're going to be working together", he said stepping over to the Melk, "I am Sergeant Stauch. What is your name?"
"Eve-Stay.", it replied in its strange yet melodic language. "Aye may aims nay, Eve-Stay."
