Stauch stalked moodily out of Dr. Egan's improvised camp sight. He was certain that, given enough time with the eccentric physician, he'd be required to exercise more restraint
than he could possibly muster. As he was exiting sickbay, he saw Corporal Powell and an unknown crewman dragging another person between them. He recognized the still form as ANDA.
"What the hell happened?!?", the sergeant demanded, rushing to assist them as they struggled with the android's mass.
"This here robot got all blown ta, hell, sar", Powell replied.
"By what?", Stauch asked incredulously, taking a good look at the gaping hole in the middle of ANDA's chest.
"Another a' them robots, sar."
Stauch swung under the android's arm and added his strength to their effort. Together, the three of them were able to get him into sickbay, and onto an unoccupied bed.
"Gall dern", Powell exclaimed, "but that thang weighs a ton!"
"That's why their strength is enhanced, Corporal", Stauch explained. "Otherwise they couldn't even walk on their own."
"I reckon yer raht", Powell remarked. "How's yer head?"
Stauch had nearly forgotten his earlier injury in the confusion following. "It's alright", he replied, gingerly touching the bandage on his scalp. "I guess it could have been worse."
He turned to the unfamiliar face. "Thanks for the help, Sergeant. What's your name?"
"Randaway", the MWR supervisor said, "Honky Randaway. I work in the Welfare and Rec. department."
"How did you get tied up in this?", Stauch inquired.
"I'm currently in charge of the NCO Club", Randaway informed him. "When I heard it was being demolished, I had to check it out."
"Woulda run raht inta the thick of it, too, 'cept we kep' 'im back", Powell chuckled. "Boy's got bawalls."
Stauch shot the corporal a questioning glance. "Did you say he's got 'bowels'?"
"Nah, 'bawalls'", Powell emphasized. "Like a footbawall, or basebawall."
"Oh", Stauch acknowledged. "How's the club?"
"Not too good", Randaway replied. "Looks like I'm out of a job for the moment."
Stauch looked him over appreciatively*. "Ever thought about joining the Space Commandos?"
*DISCLAIMER: The use of the word "appreciatively" in this context denotes the professional attention to detail one would find in a soldier of Sgt. Stauch's experience, and should not be
misconstrued as the lustful gawking of sexual attraction.
