Stauch and Krashaki were picking their trays. The violent movement of the ship had sent the meals sliding from the table, and the best meal they'd had in recent memory now lay
scattered on the floor.
"Reed to Stauch.", Stauch's com-link barked.
The sergeant detected stress in that voice. "Go, Commander.", he returned, grabbing a handful of napkins to wipe off the table.
"We have a situation", Reed informed him, "and need you to report to engineering immediately...and bring that hell bent troop of yours. We might need him."
"Roger, sir.", Stauch returned hastily dumping the remnants of his meal in a nearby disposer.
He ran toward engineering resignedly, knowing it was a full two levels below him and at the other end of the ship. He toggled his com-link.
"Stauch to Broski." He waited several seconds with no response.
"Stauch to Broski.", he repeated urgently.
On the same deck, several compartments aft, the corporal was soaking up the heat of an extended shower, which were granted all members of the crew on holidays. A young PFC assigned to the recreation department
came running into the shower, breathless.
"You Corporal Broski?", the private asked when he caught his breath.
"Yeah.", Broski replied irritably, "what of it?"
"I need you."
Broski bristled. "Hey pal, I don't know what you heard, but I ain't interested."
The private stared at him confused before continuing. "You're supposed to report to engineering ASAP."
"Oh.", Broski replied sheepishly, "Uh... let them know I'll be right there."
The private threw him a towel, but Broski ignored it, rushing for his locker. Stauch flew through the corridors yelling for people to get out of his way, Krashaki on his heals. A few younger officers
gave the sergeant dark glances as he passed, and one was so bold as to stand directly in his path, evidently above taking orders from an enlisted man. He paid for his pride, as Stauch slammed him, face first
into the wall as he passed, not missing a stride. The officer rebounded from the impact and fell to the floor only to suffer greater insult as Krashaki stepped on his head.
"S'cuse me.", Krash called over his shoulder pleasantly.
Stauch swung around a corner just as Broski was entering the hallway from the locker room. They collided and went down hard.
"What the hell, Sarge?", Broski exclaimed trying to get to his feet.
Krash made the turn seconds later and tripped over both enlisted men, knocking Broski back to the ground. Broski began to stand, eyeing the blind corner warily. "Is it just us, or will Shemp be coming,
too?"
Stauch and Krash got to their feet and resumed their flight at a more reasonable pace.
"Let's go, Corporal!", Stauch yelled, not looking back to see if Broski would comply. He was a space commando, he would.
Reed was standing outside engineering when the trio arrived. He nodded at the commandos, then eyed Krashaki.
"Who are you?"
"Krashaki.", the pilot replied, extending his hand in greeting, "and you?"
Reed looked at him curiously. "I'm Reed, the commander of this ship.", he said, somewhat dismayed.
"Oh", Krash replied, nodding, "cool."
Reed shook his head absently, then regarded the two commandos.
"We need to get into this room, but we can't go through the ventilation ducts, and we suspect there might be explosives attached to the door."
"We could blow the wall", Stauch offered, "but there's a lot of sensitive equipment in there. What we need is a demolitions team."
"We don't have time to assemble a team.", Reed informed the sergeant, "everyone is scattered around the ship celebrating the holiday, but", he added hopefully, "there was a demo man in sickbay."
"That's gotta be Siddons", Krash interrupted.
Reed shook his head. "He didn't seem in too good of shape."
"Was he mumbling incoherently?", the pilot queried.
"Yes.", Reed answered.
"Then he's fine", Krash said enthusiastically, "I'll go get him."
