Having discarded Marx in pursuit of the shiny, metal cylinder, DANA now perched above the object, cocking his head from side to side like a curious dog.
Schultz saw the prone, unconscious form of Marx resting atop a table a few feet away from the android. Powell was at his side now, helping him pull the surprisingly heavy ANDA to a position of relative safety.
Schultz motioned toward the downed bartender with a look of concern, and the corporal instinctively understood his meaning, readying himself for action.
He adjusted his grip on his rifle and slid into the mostly destroyed club. Nerves peaked for battle, he stealthily made his way to where Marx body lay, and slid an arm underneath his comatose form.
As he did this, his wrist communicator squawked loudly.
"VanTedly to Schultz", the hapless Ensign's voice rang out clearly.
Powell tensed as DANA swung around at the noise. Studying him acutely with his red glowing eyes, the android made no move of aggression, but held his arms around the metallic
canister protectively.
Powell edged toward the distant doorway pulling Marx along by the shoulders. Seemingly satisfied, DANA crouched back down, pulling at the top of the cylinder.
Powell finally reached the doorway, pulling himself and Marx to safety. He dragged the
unconscious vet to where the others had set up their perimeter. "I coulda been killed by that thar thang in thar",
he spat breathlessly at the science officer.
"I'm, aware of that, Corporal", Schultz replied blandly as he checked Marx's vital signs.
Powell shook his head angrily. "Well, that gernade y'all threw in there didn't go off, and now he's tryin' ta open it."
"That wasn't a grenade, Corporal", Schultz replied distractedly, emphasizing the correct pronunciation of the word.
"Then what in tarnation was it?!?"
Schultz looked up at him expressionless. "It was peanut butter."
Powell's jaw dropped.
"That was quite ingenious, Mr. Schultz", Proteau said, impressed with the science officer's cognitive problem solving skills. He turned to the gaping corporal. "You see", he explained,
"androids, at least this model, are quite fond of peanut byproducts, primarily peanut butter, which is simply a combination of peanuts, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, and..."
"That's fascinatin', sar", Powell interjected, "but I gotta go check on mah boys." That said, he turned and pushed his way through the rough line of soldiers.
Nonplussed, the security officer turned back to Mr. Schultz. "Your idea was good, sir", he remarked, "but we still have to find a way to neutralize the threat that DANA represents."
"Precisely, Mr. Proteau", Schultz agreed. "That's why I utilized that particular container."
"I'm not sure I understand, sir."
The science officer stood, brushing a piece of lint from his pant leg. "It has a false bottom, which when compressed, will emit a minor electromagnetic pulse from a small combustible within its base."
"Brilliant", Proteau pronounced, "but won't that interfere with the ship's systems?"
Schultz patted the security officer on the shoulder reassuringly. "I've calculated the area of effect thoroughly", he affirmed, "there's no need to be alarmed."
Just then, there was a flash of light from within the NCO Club, followed by a weak bellow of rage. Schultz felt a strange tingling sensation run through his body, and was about to comment on the peculiarity,
when the light's flickered, dimmed, and then shut off completely. He stood in the dark, listening to the startled gasps of those around him.
Proteau's lighter suddenly blazed to life in front of him. "What happened", the flustered security officer asked quietly.
Schultz's fire lit visage frowned momentarily. "Perhaps I miscalculated."
