"Computer, activate ship's log and begin recording," I said as I relaxed in my quarters.  "Recording active, please begin," the computer responded in a tinny, but soothing feminine voice. For a moment, I hesitated as I thought to myself, "good job, Lenny.  Vast improvement over that old monotone. You might just be worth putting up with, after all."

"November 29 2366," I began, "it's been about five hours since leaving Triton Base, glad that's over.  Being so close to Earth and the Feds home base makes me nervous. And then when that troop ship docked next to us, I thought I was going to have a heart attack.  Luckily, they seemed to be there to take on supplies and load fresh troops for God knows what battle the Feds are into now."  Continuing my log, I again spoke,  "Guess they weren't concerned about some old freighter taking on cargo and never gave us a second glance.  To be on the safe side though, I'm having Luci take us through the Kuiper Belt to throw off anybody that might be tailing us.  That is all for now computer, end recording."  "Recording ended," the computer replied, then added, "have a nice day, Boss."  Chuckling, I couldn't help but think, "really Lenny... have a nice day?"

Getting up from my bunk, I reached over to my locker, grabbed some pants and put them on, "better go check with Luci and see how things are going," I said to myself.  Upon entering the bridge, I found Luci in the control chair, eyes forward scanning both our course and the information being displayed on the HUD. "Hello Aria," Luci greeted me as I entered, "nothing additional to report, it will be approximately two and a half hours until we clear the Belt and can activate the hyperdrive."  Continuing, she added, "sensors show no one following the Celine.  Sensors do indicate a passenger liner eighty-three billion kilometers to the port heading away from us, however."  Looking over Luci's shoulder at the HUD, I remarked, "probably just a vacatiion sight seeing tour of the outer solar system for a bunch of  desk bound Earthers."  Noticing how she didn't seem so cramped in the chair, I said to Luci, "look like those modifications Lenny made to the chair seem to agree with you, you're not all balled up now."

"Yes, Mr. Kearnan's modifications are quite comfortable," Luci responded, "he was here a little over an hour ago, he asked my permission to take further measurements of me and the chair.  He stated his intentions were to 'fine tune' his efforts. However, it seems as he was performing the task, he began to develop an erection of his penis.  He attempted to conceal this from me, he was unsuccessful."  Almost breaking out in laughter, I replied to my XO, "he's a teenage boy, I'd be surprised if a breeze from an exhaust vent at the right angle wouldn't do that to him... or..."  Taking her eyes off the screens in front of her, Luci queried, "or...?" "Or he could have been thinking about what it would be like having sex with you," I chuckled.  "Interesting," Luci replied, returning her gaze to the HUD and cockpit window, "Mr. Kearnan would not be a suitable mate, his physiology is too fragile, the act of coitus between us would damage him beyond any healing, maybe kill him.  Perhaps I should inform him of this."  I couldn't help myself, Luci's last sentence made me break out in laughter.  Finally catching my breath, I said,  "I don't think you'll need to do that, I'm sure it was just a passing fantasy.  Besides, I think he's well aware of the fact about what he would suffer if he did try."  As I too turned to look out the window and seeing all the debris Luci was guiding us through, I figured it was best to leave and let her fly the ship without any more distractions.  As I turned to leave I said, "let me know when we can go hyper, I'll be in my quarters if you need me, see you later." 

Meanwhile, back in cargo bay 6...

"Hey Chief," Krebs yelled, "looks like I got some extra cargo not listed on the manifest, I need you to come have a look."  Looking up at the man from the lower level, Booker responded, "just find somewhere to put it, Krebs... we need to get all this cargo secured before going hyperspace."  Placing his hands on his hips, Krebs responded, "that might be a problem.  Really Chief, you need to get up here and have a look."  With a sigh of exasperation, Booker began to follow the man, "damn it Krebs, this had better be important."  Turning his head, Krebs replied, "oh yeah, you're going to love it," and continued to lead Booker deeper into the hold.  When the men arrived at the scene, Krebs turned to Booker and with mock flourish, bowed and pointed toward an empty space between the containers, "ta da," he quipped.  Peering at the area where Krebs was indicating, Booker let out, "what the fu... ?"  Curled up in the small space was a woman, obviously very frightened, wearing what appeared to be a filthy and tattered Federal researcher assistant's uniform.  " You couldn't tell me we had a stowaway?", Booker shot back at Krebs.  With a smirk, Krebs replied, "yeah, I could have... but this way was more dramatic.  Besides, the look on your face right now is priceless and I needed a good laugh."

"All right, you might as well come on out," Booker told the woman in a commanding tone, "we're a billion klicks in the middle of nowhere, there's no place to go."  Crawling out from her hiding place and still on hands and knees, the woman approached the large, intimidating man.  Reaching out and grasping Booker's leg with a shaking hand, she whimpered, "please don't hurt me, I'll do anything you ask... ... ... just please don't hurt me any more."  Upon hearing her pleas, Booker rolled his eyes upward and replied, "ah shit."  Regaining his composure, he then said, "computer, locate the boss and have her come to cargo 6, ASAP."

Just as I was about to leave the bridge, the voice of the computer came over the intercom, "Aria, Chief Booker requests your presence in cargo bay 6 immediately, please respond."  Speaking to the computer, I replied, "did he say what it was about?"  "No, he only requested your presence," the voice replied.  Over her shoulder, Luci interjected, "if Booker has requested your attention without further explanation, it must be very important."  Responding to my XO's words, I said, "you're right, this is definitely not like the Chief, it's gotta be something major," turning to leave, I began to run toward bay 6, yelling to the computer, "tell Chief I'm on my way!"  "Message sent and received," came back the answer, "Chief Booker is awaiting your arrival."

To be continued...

++++++++++++++++

Not sure what's going on?  Well give this link a click: A Little Introduction Is In Order and hopefully it will clear things up for you.
Thanks for dropping in!