Pu' Chabba's knuckles whitened over the weapons control system as he watched the tiny beam in the distance begin to coalesce and spread. Though he'd been throughout the known universe,
not to mention a few jaunts in to the light less Skunj Hexacle, he found himself captivated by the images unfolding before him. Streaks of tattered light slipped from their
illuminant source, sweeping
past his ship like desperate, haunted souls. The brilliant core of power expanded, growing painfully bright, and
Pu' Chabba threw up his hands in defense against the white hot onslaught, screaming as he felt
the rays pierce his frontal lobe with agonizing precision...
...and then all was still.
The bounty hunter tentatively peered through his eyelids, gazing out at nothingness as his hands fumbled for the ships interior lighting switch. Once located, he hesitated, instincts overcoming his initial
shock. If he flipped the switch, he'd be giving away his location, and that was something he never did. Instead, he shut his eyes, allowing them to adjust to the darkness, and let his mission flit across
his mind.
When he let his eyes drift open again, he could see the stars in the distance and the winking colors of his instrumentation. His gaze shifted automatically to the proximity display to his right, and he noted
with some satisfaction, a ship where the light had been. Tapping at his keyboard contentedly, he waited for the computer to identify the vessel. When it did, a cool chill ran its course down his spine.
His target was a Space Fleet Cruiser.
Schultz looked around the bridge dismayed. One second the Commander had been at his post, the next he'd vanished. He turned to Lt. Scott. "Number Two", he asked conversationally so as not to panic
the rest of the crew, "have you seen the Commander?"
The young lieutenant swung his head around with concern. "N-no...uh, have you?", he stammered, certain that Reed had been there just seconds before.
The Huckster shook his head almost casually and shrugged. "Oh well", he muttered, "is anyone else missing?"
Lt. Scott didn't respond, but kept his eyes glued to the Commander's station, seemingly waiting for him to reappear. Schultz could see the rest of the bridge crew turning their confused expressions on one
another to ask the same question, and therefore intervened.
"Alright people", he shouted uncharacteristically, "let's get to work!" He started issuing orders, deftly playing on the human emotions of his crew mates and turning their attention back to
their duties. Thus they were all completely occupied when the Commander stepped onto the bridge. He hastily made his way to his chair, rubbing thoughtfully at the side of his face.
Schultz leaned over as Reed took his seat. "Where were you?!?"
"Just, you know,...around", the Commander offered quietly, trying to downplay his absence.
The science officer regarded him blandly. "If you say so", he countered. "Do you mind if I ask you what that red mark on your face is from?"
Reed blanched and covered the mark with his hand. "Yes I do mind, Mr. Schultz", Reed replied forcefully.
The Huckster nodded politely and was about to return to the numerous readouts that he'd received from the rest of the crew, when he cleared his throat and quietly asked, "Well, do you mind if I ask why its shaped
like a hand?"
