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Simulacrum
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Date:
4/16/2012 6:18:11 AM
Subject:
RE: Need more science fiction stories in here
The story continues, saved by overwhelming popular demand.
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Chapter 2
In Which Cookie Surprises Everyone
Sgt. Buppy Lancaster used his sleeve to wipe away the sweat and grime. He was lying on his back underneath the massive Yakamoto GA-9250 booster engine, making final adjustments. He had received a call from Dirk only 23 hours ago. The major was getting the crew back together for a trip to the moon. That's all he would say, other than that there might be shooting. Buppy had driven to the site immediately to begin maintenance.
"Almost finished," he said to Corporal Tex Masterson, the crew's armorer. Naturally, Tex didn't make armor. That was just a title for his job of looking after all the weaponry on the ship.
"Did Dirk tell you anything?" Tex asked.
"Only that we're going into danger. Hand me that spanner."
"Danger, huh? That suits me fine."
"SUITS YOU FINE, DOES IT?" Both men craned their necks to see Cookie White standing by the tool chest. Old Cookie, a grizzled veteran under-sergeant, had been with the crew since anyone could remember and was now their chef and general nursemaid. He had been with Dirk when the major was still a kid, just out of the academy. He had a loud way of talking, as if everything he said should be written in capital letters. "YOU WON'T FEEL SO SUITABLE WHEN WE RUN INTO ALIEN MONSTERS, BOY!"
Buppy and Tex grinned at each other. Cookie always expected the worst.
"You're just hoping the aliens don't cook better than you," Tex joked.
"IT'LL BE A COLD DAY IN THE MORNING WHEN SOMEONE COOKS BETTER THAN ME, BOY!"
Buppy smiled. The final adjustment had been made. The ship was perfect, ready for whatever mission Dirk had in mind. He crawled out from under the engine and was about to put the spanner back when he froze in his tracks. The other two men also stopped what they were doing.
There in the doorway next to Dirk stood the most beautiful brunette any of them had ever seen. She was dressed in the crew uniform, which only accentuated her charms.
"Gentlemen," Dirk said. "Meet Dr. Natalie Schweinhund, the best moon ecologist in the world."
Natalie took off her glasses and unpinned her hair, shaking it to her shoulders. Steamy saxophone music began to play.
Buppy gulped. "Pleased to meet you, miss."
"Yeah, uh, me too," stammered Tex.
"WHY'D YOU BRING A GIRL, DIRK?" Cookie bellowed. "BAD LUCK HAVING A GIRL ON BOARD. SHE AIN'T COMING ALONG, IS SHE?"
"That she is." Savage put his hands on his hips, ready for the usual warm-up quarrel with Cookie. The old man always wanted to quarrel before every mission. It was a ritual, a way for him to relax and get his mind ready for the rigors of the trip.
"I can cook," interjected Natalie.
Savage rolled his eyes. This was exactly the wrong thing to say.
"OH YOU CAN COOK, CAN YOU?"
Natalie smiled. "I cook the best casserole you've ever eaten -- moon or no moon."
Savage cringed, waiting for Cookie's inevitable eruption. He was jealous of his position on the crew, always ready to put down challenges regarding his skills. It was probably his age. Savage had no idea how old he was, but he had been old when Savage himself was still a cadet.
"WELL, OKAY. MAYBE YOU CAN SHOW ME A THING OR TWO."
Everyone gaped at Cookie. Had he gone mad?
"WHAT'S EVERYBODY LOOKING AT? AIN'T YOU NEVER SEEN A PRETTY YOUNG COOK?"
They laughed and relaxed. Even Rex the Space Dog (who had been sniffing around Natalie's calves) barked happily.
This was going to be a good trip -- provided the moon men didn't kill them all.
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to be continued
