EPISODE LXXI - UP ON THE HOUSETOP, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK...DAMN, OUT OF AMMO
Stauch and Krashaki left the Jennings brothers to their discussion, winding their way through the bustle of medics, and flight crew workers. Having no pressing business, their
stomachs had decided that the mess hall would be the optimum place for them. Krash had deigned to accompany the sergeant to the enlisted mess because, as he put it, "those other officers are just plain creepy".
As they grabbed their trays and stepped into line, they couldn't help but notice the gracious spread of food that the chow hall was offering.
"Wow!", Krash exclaimed, obviously impressed, "I gotta eat down here more often."
Stauch grinned. "This isn't the usual selection.", he admitted, "Usually you just have to choose between the green stuff or the brown stuff."
"So what gives?", the pilot asked.
"I don't know.", Stauch replied, looking around the generally utilitarian eating space. Decorations and colorful lights hung from pegs on the wall usually reserved for hats and jackets. Suddenly
it dawned on him. "What's the date?", he asked Krashaki.
The pilot shrugged. "Beats me."
Stauch cast about the room again. "I think it's Christmas.", he said with almost child like excitement. He tapped his wrist computer, bringing up the Earth time readout. Sure enough, it
said that on Earth it was December 25, Christmas day.
"Merry Christmas, Krash.", he said chuckling. He searched his tray and lifted a small bowl of green jello, extending it toward the pilot. "Here's your present."
Krash reached out and reverently took the gelatinous dessert from the sergeant. He looked up, his eyes welling with tears. "I didn't get you anything."
Stauch smiled again. "Don't worry about it", he said happily, "after all it's better to give than to receive."
Krash could only nod his agreement, choked up as he was. They found an empty table and took a seat. Krash had still not said a word.
"You alright, man?", the sergeant asked quietly, trying to ignore the stares from the troopers around them.
Krash sniffed back tears and looked up. "Yeah", he said meekly, "it's just my mom used to make her special 'Jello Surprise' for me every Christmas. It just brought back some memories."
Stauch reached over and patted the pilot on the shoulder. "Well, enjoy it then."
Stauch began to eat his meal, revisiting his own childhood memories of the holidays. He looked up to see Krash looking at him, his closed hand resting inches from the sergeant's tray.
"I'd like to give you something, Sarge", he said, his voice thick with emotion. He opened his hand to reveal a gold money clip emblazoned with an ornate "S". Caught within the clip was a large
sum of money.
Stauch put up his hands to protest. "I can't take that", he said, "it's too much."
Krash shook his head. "If it wasn't for you and Broski, none of us would be here to enjoy another Christmas." He thrust the clip forward again. "Take it, man. I want you to have
it."
Stauch felt his emotions beginning to swell as he reached out and took the gift from the pilot.
"Merry Christmas, man.", Krash said smiling.
In the heart of sickbay, Siddons woke from his pseudo-coma. He looked up to see a medic standing beside his bed. "W-where am I?", he asked through dry lips.
The medic smiled down at him. "You're back on board the Escort."
Siddons relaxed momentarily, then jerked upright on the gurney. He patted his pockets urgently, searching for something. "Where is it?", he demanded, grabbing the medic by the lapels.
The startled medic pushed the demolitions man back onto the bed, strapping him in so he wouldn't cause himself any undue injuries.
"Just relax now, sir", the flustered corpsman said as calmly as he could, "everything's going to be okay." He reached over and pushed a button that would release a sedative into his patient's
system.
Siddons squirmed on the bed, mumbling incoherently as he slowly slid back into his unconscious state. A senior corpsman stepped over to assist.
"What's he saying?", he inquired of the junior medic.
"I'm not sure, he said, "but it sounded something like 'money clip'."
