Stauch covered Orwig as the corporal removed the steel grating from the ventilation duct. His nerves were jangling and he didn't like it. In a textbook combat scenario, Stauch
knew what to do, what to expect, but here on the ship, with innocent people around, he found that he was a little edgy.
He watched as Eve-Stay moved forward and licked the wall just inside the vent. The Melk seemed pleased at the sensory input and muttered something confusing to the others, earning appreciative chuckles at
his apparent wit. Stauch's jaw clenched in irritation as he waited for a translation.
"He says we need to dust", Proteau explained, still grinning at Eve-Stay's attempt at humor.
"He's a real hoot, sir", Stauch replied evenly, stepping into the duct.
Orwig followed his lead, the others falling in behind them. Stauch began to feel more in his element as he edged around corners with his weapon at the ready. He was just leaning forward to peer down
an intersecting conduit when Eve-Stay reached forward and grabbed his arm.
"Airfull kay", he warned, "ease hay airy vay ear nay."
"Whatever", Stauch replied, his frustration with the Melkinian dialect getting the better of him. He stepped around the corner, and his bowels turned to water as he found himself face to face with
DANA.
The android wore a strange expression, wary, but not necessarily hostile. He studied Stauch briefly, then reached out with blinding speed and plucked the splazer from his hand. With seemingly little
effort, he squished the weapon in his fist, crushing it into an indefinable clump of metal and wire.
"Greetings, Sgt. Stauch", the android said, tossing the broken splazer to the ground. "I am sorry to inform you that you are in an unauthorized area." That said, he grabbed Stauch by the
throat with one hand, and lifted him off the ground, pressing him against the opposite wall.
Stauch fought against the android's vice like grip, but found that his struggles only served to tighten the hold. He quit kicking and tried to relax.
Proteau took advantage of the distraction and moved forward, hoping to get at DANA's back. The android's head swiveled one hundred and eighty degrees, his eyes taking on a disturbing intensity. "Please,
do not approach, sir", DANAadvised Mr. Proteau, "or I will pull the sergeant's head from his torso."
Stauch renewed his struggle with vigor. The security chief stopped and placed his hands where DANA could see them. "I don't wish to harm you", he said, his tone overly calm, "I'm simply concerned
for your welfare, DANA."
"Androids cannot collect welfare, Mr. Proteau", DANA responded, "nor do we have a 401k, pension, or comprehensive dental plan."
"Is that what this is about", Proteau inquired with genuine interest.
"Negative, sir", DANA admitted. "Though the dental would be nice, my actions are the result of a conflict between two separate aspects of my programming."
Proteau noted, with some concern, that Stauch's efforts were fading. "I would be happy to discuss your problems if you would release the sergeant."
DANA's head turned again, completing its rotation. He looked at the suffocating Stauch, a brief moment of clarity coming over his features. His hand began to relax and the sergeant was able to draw
a ragged breath. Just as quickly, Stauch found himself twisting away from the wall and pulled to DANA's chest, held fast. The other hand came up and pressed something cold against the sergeant's left
temple.
"I am sorry, Mr. Proteau", DANA said, "but that is not an option."
Proteau swallowed hard as DANA backed away, pulling Sgt. Stauch with him, the atom vaporizer pressed snugly against his head.
