Powell and Eve-Stay stepped into the Commando Barracks and immediately sensed the tension. Troops sat their bunks, kit bags within close reach, playing cards or reading, yet bristling with the anticipation of battle. All save two.
Sgt. Stauch and Broski sat munching contentedly on the contents of their combat combo-meals as Randaway paced uneasily behind them.
"Trade you my dehydrated yak cheese for your squid parfait", Broski offered.
Stauch smirked. "Throw in three packs of 'go-juice' and it's a deal."
"Crimony Sarge, you're robbing me." He considered his options. "One 'go-juice' and a pickle-sickle."
"And a fizz lick", the sergeant countered.
Broski eyed him warily, then reached over to seal the deal."Done!", he exclaimed grandly.
Powell stepped over once the the barter was made. "What're ahr ahrdarhs, sahr?"
Stauch glanced up from his newly acquired horde."Just stand by for orders, Corporal. We'll let you know if anything happens."
"Rah-jo, sahr!!"
"Is ay air they umthing say I ay an kay ooday?"Eve-Stay offered.
Confusion spread across the sergeant's face."What?"
"Hay ayesked", Powell interpreted,"if thar wahz anythin' he kuhdoo."
If anything, Stauch's expression became more perplexed.
"Just let it go, Sarge."Broski suggested, patting him on the shoulder."Just let it go."
Consciousness oozed into the cramped recesses of the bounty hunter's mind. Pain racked his head and ran down his spine making even the most minute movement agonizing. He stirred, unsure of where, what, and even who he was. Then his memory returned.
He swung his head around fast, inhaling sharply as his aches intensified, and noted that he was currently out of harm's way. Checking his instruments, he realized he'd drifted several septars from the battle zone, but that his ship was in far better shape than he was. His gaze swept reluctantly to the co-pilot's seat. Mushi was there, safely in his seat, though his glossy fur seemed a bit ruffled.
His unmoving eyes sparkled like the dawning sun off the morning dew. Pu' Chabba craned his neck to the side and cracked his knuckles, earning a satisfying series of pops on both counts. He took a long draw on his nutri-tube, swallowing the thick yellow substance with a grimace. "You should have killed me, Wincus", he muttered, feeding power to his thrusters. "Now you're going to pay."
