EPISODE LXXVIII - QUELLING THE CRABS OF DESTRUCTION
Krashaki returned shortly, half dragging the confused demolitions man behind him. He smiled and waved as they drew near.
"Hey guys", he called out enthusiastically, "it took some doing, but I got him."
The pilot deposited Siddons in front of Reed, keeping one hand on his shoulder to counteract Siddons' propensity for falling. Reed regarded the demolitions officer skeptically, the man's eyes darting in all
directions as a fine thread of spittle dangled from his lower lip.
"You sure he's alright?", Reed asked Krash who peered over the demolitions man's shoulder.
Though unable to maintain eye contact with Siddons, Reed explained their situation. Siddons' eyes focused as the commander mentioned the possibility of explosives having been attached to the door.
"Oh boy", Siddons mumbled as Reed finished his explanation.
"Can you handle it, Mr. Siddons?", Reed asked apprehensively.
"Uh...", Siddons stammered, "I suppose so."
"Well get to it then, Mister", Reed barked, sending the demolitions man into action.
Siddons made his way to the door, swinging a wide arc around Corporal Broski, whom he eyed warily. He studied the door momentarily, letting his training overcome the anxiety that threatened to consume his
mind.
"I need a stethoscope", he said quietly, not taking his eyes off the door.
Reed turned to his crewmen, hoping vainly. Most shrugged or turned away, but Krash stepped forward, reached down the front of his collar, and produced, of all things, a stethoscope.
"Here ya' go", he said as he handed the item to the commander.
"Er...thanks, Lieutenant Krashaki", Reed managed, wondering where and how the pilot had acquired the instrument.
"No problem, whatsoever", Krash replied with an easy smile.
Reed handed the stethoscope over to Siddons who greedily snatched it away from him. Mildly offended, Reed opened his mouth to admonish the demolitions man, but halted his rebuke as a hand clamped down on his arm.
Reed turned to see who had grabbed him and found Krashaki shaking his head ruefully.
"He's in the zone, man", Krash said almost reverently. "You don't mess with someone who's in the zone, dude."
Reed clenched his jaw, reached over, and removed the pilot's hand from his uniform.
"Thanks for the advice, dude."
Krash smiled. "No problem, man."
Reed turned his attention back to the door, noting that Siddons was listening intently, not to the door itself, but to the control panel to the right. He stood and stepped away from the door.
"There aren't any explosives on the door", he informed the commander, "but there is a small incendiary device hooked to the control pad."
"Can you remove it?"
Siddons nodded, then bent close to the commander and whispered something in his ear. Reed nodded and turned, scanning the crewmen present until his eyes came to rest on Broski.
"Oh, no", Broski exclaimed defensively, "you're not laying a hand on my canteen cup, Siddons!!"
"Corporal", Reed barked, "you will do as you are ordered! Do you understand?"
Broski came to attention. "Sir, yes sir", he shouted, though his eyes held the look of betrayal.
Reed stepped over and placed a hand on the non-comm's shoulder.
"We don't need your canteen cup, but Siddons did inform me that you've worked together before." He nodded his head toward the door. "He wants your help."
"Oh", Broski said sheepishly, "no problem, sir."
Broski stepped over beside Siddons. "Hey, no hard feelings, huh?"
Siddons muttered agreeably, but could not bring himself to look at the corporal. The demolitions man handed Broski a standard size, plate remover and instructed him to remove the facing of the control panel.
