EPISODE CCXLVIII - THE NEXT DEEP SPACE VOYAGER GENERATION-9


"Watch your back, King-1", Triple J mumbled into his mike.  His proximity indicator was giving off sporadic beeps, but nothing he could decipher.  "Something's out there, but I can't get a bead on it."

"Don't sweat it, brother", Schrader answered through a lop-sided grin.  "I reckon I can handle myself."

He was just keying off his radio when a burst of energy skipped off the hull of his fighter.  Instinctively, the pilot threw his ship into a steep dive, juking left and right and trying to figure out where beam had initiated.  Several more flashes of energy flew wide of their mark as Schrader craned his neck around to see the Wyzenhymer Yodeler he'd supposedly dispatched earlier eating up the distance between them.  Schrader gunned his engines in response.

"Bring him back around", Triple J called into the radio.  "Maybe I can get a shot off at him."

"Negative", Schrader replied, his tone icy, "I'm takin' this boy for a ride."  He fed more power to the engines and shot away from the main combat.  The Wyzenhymer fighter obligingly followed.

"...so therefore Space Fleet is actually in league with the mysterious Uberguy Foundation, plotting their next heinous act against the forces of goodness and freedom", Jeffy concluded flourish, thus completing Hibbard's first official lesson in "the truth".

"Right", Hibbard replied, edging away from the Engineering Officer.

Jeffy took a deep breath, prepared to continue the young Ensign's education, but was cut short by a transmission from the bridge.

"Schultz to Engineering. Status of the shields, please."

Jeffy cast a knowing smirk at his subordinate.  "See what I mean?"  He spun in his chair and pushed himself down the console, stopping near the end to peer down at the schematics.  "Shields are good, Bridge", he advised.

"You may wish to remain seated", Schultz suggested, "things may get a little bumpy."

Jeffy cast a knowing glance at his subordinate.  "Sure thing, Mr. Schultz", he replied with a wink.  "Engineering out."  He stood, brushing at the wrinkles in his trousers and turned back to his protégé.  "You see what I'm talking about?"

Evidently, he didn't as his attention was on strapping himself into his seat.  "What are you doing?!?", Jeffy asked.

"Just heeding Mr. Schultz's warning, sir.  Perhaps you should do the same."

"Oh, Hibbard", Jeffy chuckled, "your naiveté is refreshing.  The science officer was merely trying to subvert your education.  In fact-"

The ship shuddered violently beneath his feet, sending the Engineering Officer sprawling onto the floor.