EPISODE CCXXI - THE CATACLYSMIC END OF A QUARTER EPISODE




Reed sauntered onto the bridge, receiving nods and winks from several enlisted men for the lively joke he'd sprung on them earlier.

"Mr. Schultz", he said, taking his seat, "what is our status?"

"All systems operational", the Huckster conveyed.  "The Escort is ready, sir."

"Excellent", the commander breathed.  He keyed the communicator on his chair dramatically.  "Mr. Jeffy, I want the RF and Origami Drives synchronized prior to our jump."

"Copy, big guy", the engineering officer replied.  "We've already begun the process."

"That's Commander, Mr. Jeffy."

"Whatever you say, pal."

Reed clenched his teeth, determined not to let the engineering officer spoil the USS Escort's triumphant return.  "Number Two", he barked, spinning his chair to face the young officer.  "Ensure we retrace our exact route back to our time.  I don't want us materializing into an asteroid."

"Aye-aye, sir", Lt. Scott responded characteristically.

"The odds are approximately two billion to one against that happening, sir", Mr. Schultz offered helpfully.  "Due to the endlessness of space and the finite number of celestial bodies contained therein, it is virtually impossible for us to reappear in a portion of the universe that contains a substantial amount of combined mass."

"All the same...", Reed attempted to interrupt.

"However, the chances of us actually being able to recreate the cosmic event of time travel a second time without significant incident are around one in three trillion", the science officer mused.

Reed cleared his throat loudly.  "I think that will be enough..."

"Thus, as we will most certainly meet a violent demise within a worm hole or alternate dimension", Schultz continued, "it seems a bit premature to concern ourselves with our final destination."  He looked up emotionless and scanned the drawn and haunted faces around him.  "Of course, I could be mistaken", he added in an effort to reassure his crew mates.

Commandos scrambled away from their sergeant's wrath as Stauch walked purposely toward Corporal Broski, who still held the private before him protectively.  "You're a damned disgrace!", Stauch spat from several paces away.

"You're damn right, Sarge", Broski returned, shaking the private vigorously.  "You should be ashamed of yourself!!"

"Not him!!", Stauch nearly screamed.  "You!!"

"Me?!?", the corporal asked defensively.  "What the hell did I do?!?"

Stauch spread his arms wide.  "Look around, Corporal.  This is your creation."

Broski turned to survey the room, noting the wreckage strewn throughout the barracks.  "I didn't do this", he argued.

"You didn't not do it either", Stauch replied evenly.  Broski stared at him, confused.  "You can't not do doing something, Sarge."

Stauch grimaced.  "You didn't stop this revolt, Corporal.   That's what I'm trying to get through your thick skull."

Broski paused, giving the statement time to get through his thick skull before replying.  "But I didn't start it."

Stauch shook his head miserably.  "You're an NCO, Broski.  You're supposed to take charge when I'm not here."  He looked around again.  "Instead, you decide to join in."

"So you're saying this is all my fault", Broski muttered dejectedly.

"No", Stauch replied, "it's not your fault.  It's your responsibility."

The words echoed through Broski's mind as he considered his superior's profound statement for several seconds.  He turned a thoughtful eye on Stauch.  "Well that just sucks!!"