ALTERNATE TALES OF THE STAR FORCE NEW COMET ACT 3

ALTERNATE TALES OF THE STAR FORCE

STAR BLAZERS---A ROOT OF BITTERNESS

Being the third part of THE NEW COMET--- BY: Frederick P. Kopetz (With Artwork by Angie Dargo)

This Act is being completed with the Cooperation and Assistance of Derek A.C. Wakefield (as usual)---Freddo

ACT THREE: OF DEKE, SASHA, MARK, AND A VILE TRAP…

I. RE-ENTER DEKE…

Earth

The Space Fighters’ Training School

Sunday, December 15, 2205

1320 Hours

The newly minted Ensign Deke Wakefield had his nose stuck in a flight manual.

Again.

Brew had no idea what was up with his friend this time.

“Hey, Deke,” he said. “We’re Ensigns, now. We’re entitled to relax a little, bro. We don’t have to do mandatory study period no more. In fact, later on, we’re supposed to be helping the Tac Officers SUPERVISE the mandatory study period after the big game today. We can slack off, finally.”

“But we’re at war,” said Deke. Brew happened to notice that Deke’s desk was very clean. Neither his picture of Dawn nor his newer picture (of Sasha) were in evidence.

“We ain’t gonna be doing any fighting today! It’s Sunday, Damnit!” laughed Brew.

“Has something bad happened regarding Sasha?” asked Brew.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” muttered Deke.

“And about Dawn?”

“I said, I don’t want to talk about it!” yelled Wakefield. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

Brew just nodded and walked out of their new room in the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters at the Academy, wondering what was going on next.

Then, a few minutes later, a tap came at the door. “I’m busy,” said Deke.

“Deke, it’s Sasha!”

“I said, I’m busy!” he snapped.

“I wish you’d let me in,” said Sasha in a plaintive voice.

Deke opened the door and Sasha skipped in, modeling her cheerleaders’ uniform. “Like it?”

“It’s nice,” he said as he barely glanced at her.

“Deke, what is your problem?” said Sasha as she sat on his bed, crossing her legs (which were quite in evidence in her short, pleated skirt).

“I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be here,” said Wakefield. “They said I’d be here training, but I could be called up any day now. You know I have…I’m an Ensign now…”

“Yes. You told me that when you broke our date the other day,” said Sasha. “It’s not like you. I thought we had something special going on.”

“We do…but…”

“But what?” said Sasha.

“I need space for a while,” said Deke. “And they said I’ll be training here, but for how long? I have no idea. I’ll be teaching, I’ll be flying, I’ll be busy. I’m preparing for war…for…revenge….”

“And I’m cheerleading and trying to be a student, so we don’t mesh any longer?”

Deke looked at Sasha with utter shock in his eyes. “How…did you know that?”

Sasha looked at him, blinking tears from her eyes. I should just tell him everything, she thought. I should tell him who I am…I should tell him what I can sense…I can tell him what I hope to have with him…I can just spill my guts now, and…

Then, a thought came to her. Sasha, came the voice.

M…Mother?

Sasha’s mother said some things quietly in Sasha’s mind; things that Sasha needed to hear; something she needed to know. Finally, Sasha mentally agreed with her mother. She then said, “I’ll wait,” quietly to herself, Starsha, and Deke as she bit her lip and accepted what had to be…for now.

“Sasha?” said Deke.

“You’ll be busy,” said Sasha. “I’ll wait. You may see me every now and then, but, I shall wait,” she said, with a smile hiding her tears. “I have a game to go to. I’ll see you later,” said Sasha as she kissed his hand and then left very suddenly, closing the door quietly behind her.

How did she know what was on my mind? Deke thought to himself. And how did she know about my pain? I didn’t even show her…this…

Deke had in his hand a short letter that had recently arrived. It was from Dawn. It had no return address. It simply said;

Deke:

Mother finally gave me your letters. I have returned your picture, at least for now. I need time; I need space, I need to think.

Please don’t write to me for a while. If I ever wish to talk, I’ll write to you. Mother will keep track of where you are.

Please respect me in this.

Dawn.

So be it, thought Deke. I need space, and she needs space. But why do I feel very guilty for just letting Sasha take off? She’ll forget about me. I know it.

Part of him wanted to follow her, part of him knew they were at war, and fighting.

After a long silence, Deke gritted his teeth and just turned back to his flight manual.

II. RESCUE OPERATION

One Hundred and Ten Lightyears Away From Earth…

Sunday, December 15, 2205

1142 Hours: Earth Time

The Cosmo Hound had just left the Argo a few minutes beforehand; Nova was acting as the head pilot, while Domon was acting as her co-pilot.

“So what do you think we’ll find there?’ asked Domon who was wearing a set of protective goggles under his open helmet visor.

“Well, we already know most of Venture’s crew is alive,” said Nova. “What I’m hoping is that the Arizona can be successfully salvaged. We don’t have a lot of room to accommodate the crew of a second ship, but…”

“But what?”

“Domon, we just can’t leave them here!” cried Nova. “One way or the other, we’ll have to get them off this planet.”

“But our mission….”

“Domon,” said Nova as if she was speaking to a rather slow child. “What good is our mission if we have to leave behind any of our comrades?”

“Yeah, you’ve got a point, ma’am,” said Domon as he shrugged, figuring he was not going to win an argument with the young woman no matter what he said. “Look...I have the site spotted right up ahead…”

“It doesn’t look good,” said Nova. “The hull looks all oxidized.”

“Maybe it’s the dust,” said Domon. “Seems like we’re landing in the middle of a dust storm.”

“Cosmo Hound,” came a voice over the comlink.

“Rosstowski?” said Nova.

“Aliscea tells me you’re wondering if we’re all right,” replied Paul Rosstowski from inside the Arizona. “We’re fine, but the ship’s encrusted with dust and we took some hull damage and damage to the engines and radar systems,” he said as Domon caught a view of the Arizona’s bridge tower.

“Well?” said Nova.

“It confirms what he says….the upper works are a bit damaged,” said Domon. “Look at that image…”

An image came up on a small panel screen before them on the Cosmo Hound’s dashboard. “That doesn’t look good,” agreed Nova. “Argo, this is Lieutenant Commander Wildstar. I’m sending you a scan of the Arizona’s upper bridge tower. She looks salvageable, but God knows how much work it’ll take…over.”

On the Argo a moment later, Nova’s scan came up on the main video panel. “As you can see, a lot of things look like they’re just hanging onto the ship by a thread or not and bolt or two.”

Sandor stood with his head bowed in thought. “Commodore Wildstar…I think we can fix it…but do they have a working Dynamic Do-All on board?”

“I know they have one,” said Derek. “You remember Nova and I had command of that ship for a little while early in her career after her first round of trials while you were working on refitting the Argo….I know they’ve got one…”

“But is it even working? And how much of the ship is active?” said Sandor. “Something doesn’t smell right about this….even though Nova picked up those life signs and we heard the crew’s voices…I hope we’re not heading into a trap.”

“Me too,” said Derek.

The Cosmo Hound and landing party landed on the Arizona’s upper deck near some pulse laser arrays. Their fears were allayed a little when they saw some of the pulse laser emplacements turning a little to track them…it showed Nova there was some activity inside the huge hulking battleship (although she hoped that the gunners didn’t have itchy trigger fingers).

They walked down the foredeck with IQ-9, taking scans as they looked over the hull damage; the Arizona looked as if she had taken quite a few hits; and only some of them were patched over with recent welds and patches.

“So, she is alive…” said Domon. “I feared for a minute that this was a ghost ship.”

“Negative,” said IQ-9. “The life signs inside her are only stronger.”

“So’s this wind,” said Nova. “Whew! How’s the atmosphere, IQ-9?”

“Very low oxygen content,” he said. “Humans could breathe here, but it would be difficult.”

“That’d explain why they have everything buttoned up, and why we haven’t seen anyone yet,” said Nova as she looked down the foredeck. “There’s an emergency airlock just ahead of the number one gun turret over there,” she said. “If they didn’t change the entry code, I can still get in there.”

“How would you know the codes?” said Domon.

“I was first officer of this ship once, silly,” said Nova. “Remember?” She knelt down by a keypad and began to punch in an entry code. After a moment, the manhole snapped free and Nova began to open it…only to be almost hit in the face by laser fire.

“What the…?” she cried as she ducked just in time. “Hey, you idiot!” she yelled. “We’re expected!”

An angry-looking Space Marine in a helmet popped his head up from the hatch. “What? Oh…you’re First Star Force, ma’am! Sorry!”

“You’d better be!” huffed Nova. ”You almost shot me, you big old jackass! Or is that damn Venture training you guys to shoot first and ask questions later?”

“Actually, ma’am, you’d understand if you were in our shoes,” said the Marine. “Name’s Corporal Sandovaal. We’ve had visitors the last couple’a’days. Thought you was them at first. Sorry.”

“What kind of visitors?” said Nova.

“Easy, ma’am. Cometines and R’Khells. Sometimes both of them at the same time. Sons-a-bitches must’ve made an alliance or somethin’. Weird stuff goin’ on lately. That’s why we’re here, but then…the Skipper can tell ya better than we can. Come inside. Venture’s waitin’ for ya on the bridge.”

They walked down the passages of the Arizona a short time later. They saw some life (which Nova and Domon reported back to the Argo) but they could tell the ship was certainly less than shipshape; the lighting inside was dim, and IQ-9 was picking up emanations of radioactivity from different parts of the battered vessel as he went down the passages with them.

“I can already tell that this repair work is going to take a while,” said IQ-9.”Not to mention the decontamination of several of the passages.”

“What brought them down like this?” said Domon.

“Shock cannon fire from a Cometine heavy battleship,” said IQ-9. “That’s based on the bits of radioactive matter I have detected. “I also detect metals from R’Khell torpedoes. It must have been R’Khell space subs aiding them in the attack.”

“That’s right,” said a lilting voice from inside a doorway.

“Aliscea!” cried Nova as she ran up to and hugged her old friend from Pellias. “How did you get so banged up, and why couldn’t you stop it with your powers?” asked Nova.

“They had a powerful R’Jkharraz on board who kept me busy in psionic battle while the Cometines and R’Khells did their dirty work in attacking the ship,” said Aliscea Rosstowski as she dusted off the yellow and black uniform she wore that looked identical to Nova’s. Indeed, Nova and Aliscea were a bit hard for Domon to tell apart; only the alien’s longer hair gave her away. “The R’Jkharraz was female, and it almost felt like….but it can’t be her. I know you killed her.”

“Who?” said Nova.

“Yvona,” said Aliscea. “It felt just like Yvona…but it wasn’t her at the same time. It doesn’t make any sense.”

“It can’t be her. I killed her! I remember doing it!” said Nova as she thought back in time to the last battle she had had with Yvona Josiah years ago….

THREE YEARS & EIGHT MONTHS AGO....

April 11, 2202

Inside the Technomugar Fortress

In Orbit Over Planet Rikasha

"C'mon, Yvona!" yelled Nova. "Let's finish this! I hate you and everything you’ve done!"

"You'll burn in Hell if you kill me," said Yvona. "I was that voice in your head. Do you not have a conscience, you fool?"

"So?" said Nova. "I'd rather burn in Hell than see my husband and planet die at your hands! Let's go!"

The others defied their guards and applauded. Terran cheers filled the Fortress for a moment until the guards swung their weapons towards their enemies to shut them up.

Ignoring the cold of the dark, eerie chamber inside the Technomugar Fortress, Nova swung at her aunt with her sword. Thus, the duel began. Nova was very grateful at this moment that Derek had taught her how to handle a sword.

Yvona put up her sword to parry Nova's blow. "Do you want a fight?" the cyborg tyrant screamed.

"What does it look like?" asked Nova as she jumped away with barefoot grace. Good, I have a little advantage. No shoes on means I can grip this slippery deck better, like in a dojo, she thought.

Nova thrust at Yvona, her strike stopped by Yvona's sword.

"Kill her!" yelled a Technomugar officer as he watched the two opponents, one in white, the other in black and pink.

"No! We'll hit Lady Yvona! Ekogaru won't like that!"

"What do we do?"

"Stand ready!" said another guard.

Derek sat up. Pain resounded through his head, but he smiled as Nova stood up on her toes and danced around behind a console to avoid Yvona's rage-filled attack.

Yvona swung, screaming like a banshee.

Nova smiled, fighting on in grim silence and defiance. She skipped over a laser bolt that Yvona fired at her as if she was jumping over a jump rope.

Then, Nova swung at Yvona's neck. Yvona just barely parried the shot on time, but the edge of Nova's saber whipped against one of Yvona's partially exposed arms.

The cyborg screamed as pinkish blood welled from her arm.

"You hurt me!"

"I'll do worse before this is over! OUCH!" cried Nova as Yvona's sword slashed one of her thighs. She skipped back in time to keep the damage from being any worse…but now, both women had drawn first blood.

Nova savagely thrust again, knocking Yvona off balance. In her bare feet, Nova landed nimbly like a gymnast…But, In her cocoon, the clone of Yvona awoke. No, she sent back to Yvona. I will not help you, Mother.

Why not?

You are outmoded, thought the clone. I am the new model of you. Thank you for your thoughts, you sickness. Someday, I will use them…for my purposes!

Then, there was only silence as Yvona begged the clone and Ekogaru to answer her. She was now cornered, and in Nova’s power at last.

Years of abuse were about to be dealt with…and now.

Why do you not answer me? Yvona thought as she saw Nova stand. She looked up her niece's form from her dirty feet, up her bleeding legs, and up her dirty and bloody uniform. She met her niece's face, and saw sadness but angry resolve in her dark eyes.

Yvona looked up towards the heavens, and said, in her heart, God! Why do you not answer me? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

I have not forsaken you…you have never known Me, came a thought deep in her mind.

"What?" whispered Yvona. “God, why? I need my bacon pulled out of the fire! I did nothing wrong! Help me, Nova! HELP ME! You have to help me! I’m a sick woman!”

"You sure are, and it’s too late," whispered Nova. "Goodbye, Auntie Yvona. I am now putting you in the hands of Almighty God."

Nova closed her eyes and fired.

The back of Yvona's head exploded in flames and her life quickly bled away, her consciousness fading into a black pit somewhere in a silent scream. The last thing she

sensed before her soul faded altogether from this plane was flames, flames waiting for her, flames swallowing her up. Then, the last of the synapses in her head shut down, and the light in Yvona Josiah's eyes faded as her cyborg systems shut down…permanently, and she fell all the way down into the Pit long prepared for her. From that point on, her fate came no more into this tale.

However, somewhere in the deep darkness of the Joy Suite, something slowly opened up the clone tank that had been receiving an upload, a copy, as it were, of the memories and thoughts of Yvona, Ekogaru’s masterpiece.

It was Yvona’s twisted clone. It was cold, it was vile, and it took up where the just-killed Yvona had left off.

I am only human, it thought. At least I think I am human. I am no cyborg. But, I live. Or mother’s memories live. Not even HE knew of this. I planned it myself. I have replaced “mother”, that sickness. But, she was past her time. It was a mercy killing. But, bear in mind…I will return, better than her, and more effective. Yes. I will again return. And, I will have my vengeance upon all of you for my creation! All of you!

Nova, of course, knew nothing of this clone, and she knew nothing of the obscene means created by Ekogaru by which “Yvona” lived on even though her original self was now burning somewhere deep in Hell awaiting her final Day of Judgment before the Great White Throne. Still, even the idea that Yvona was somehow alive made her shiver and feel nauseated, even over three and a half years after she had seen her mad aunt die.

“I killed her,” Nova muttered.

“I know you did…it can’t be her,” said Aliscea. “C’mon…Venture’s waiting for us. He needs a report as to what you can bring us.”

“Bring you?” said Domon.

“Yes, so we can get this ship back up off the ground,” said Aliscea. “You know we’re itching for revenge...”

III. SPRINGING A TRAP…

The R’Khell Spacecraft Carrier Q’randia

One Hundred and Eleven Lightyears Away From Earth…

Sunday, December 15, 2205

1312 Hours: Earth Time

The clone of Yvona Josiah appeared on the Q’randia’s screen as her skipper, General Haiman Karnaz, sat musing evilly as he looked at his drink.

“Well, Karnaz?” said Yvona. “Have they taken the bait yet?”

“Yes,” said Karnaz. “They are now working on rescuing the Arizona. Of course, with the Argo sitting there for so long, she will make a wonderful sitting duck…and also, this will be the perfect chance to avenge the death of my little brother back in the spring of 2004, back when he went into time to try to destroy the future of the Earth, but was stymied by the Star Force. It was something bizarre, I remember him saying before we parted; he was to participate in a Terran Road Race. I learned of his death later in a vision I had. They have my brother’s blood on their hands, and I will make them remember Commander Karnaz and his murder before they die at our hands and the hands of our new ally Invidia!”

“I have my own reasons for wanting them dead…believe me,” said Yvona’s clone as she smiled.

“Are you joining us in the battle?” asked Karnaz.

“I’ll be keeping my own counsel…I have my own affairs to tend to,” said Yvona with a grin that was simply twisted. “What of your Cometine friend Tarvitz?”

“He will, I am sure, agree to my plan,” said Karnaz. “I have some things I’d like him to do for us. And they have Princess Invidia’s blessing…..”

“You have not told me, so I shall simply trust you and Tarvitz,” said Yvona. “At least…for the time being.”

“This is interesting…most interesting,” said a familiar, sibilant voice aboard the bridge of the Gamilon Imperial Flagship Gamilstadt not far away. “Talan, what do you think of this news?”

“The Argo is nearby, is it not, Leader Desslok?” said Talan.

“She is,” said Astrena as she came onto the bridge in a particularly ornate gown. “I would advise you to travel to the planet we call Beta Nikaldis IV to warn the Star Force of Karnaz’s plans. And to, perhaps, offer reinforcements to my daughter?”

“Aliscea is there?” said Desslok.

“Yes, aboard the Arizona, in case you do not recall,” said Astrena with a wink.

“Wildstar deserves to know this news,” said Desslok. “Talan, set course for Beta Nikaldis IV. Summon the entire fleet. I think it is due time that we showed Princess Invidia that the Gamilon Empire does not give her or her R’Khell allies a free hand in this galactic system.”

“Yessir,” said Talan. “I will give the orders.”

A while later, Desslok sat in his quarters as his fleet headed through warp after warp towards its goal.

“It has been too long since we have seen Aliscea and my friends,” said Desslok.

“Yes, but be careful. I sense that Commodore Wildstar is nursing a root of bitterness.”

“Bitterness?” said Desslok. “What ill have I done to him lately? None I can think of.”

“Yes, but he has recently learned of the Cometines’ advanced use of the SMITE weapon.”

“Ah…the weapon they took from me as I slept aboard Zordar’s ship?” At that, their son Dellar came in.

”Father,” he said. “Tell me more of Prince Zordar.”

“Prince Zordar was quite the madman,” said Desslok as he began to reminisce. “I once thought he meant well for the people of Gamilon; he rescued me and he saw to it that I was brought back to life after being on the edge of death once.”

“Why was that a bad thing?” asked Dellar.

“He wished only to use me for his own ends in the end,” said Desslok. “And I was so blinded by a need for vengeance against Wildstar that I didn’t see that I was being used as only a pawn in his scheme for power until the end.”

“But Uncle Derek let you know that?” said Dellar.

Desslok smiled at his son, wondering who the heck had taught him to refer to Wildstar as “Uncle Derek” The most likely suspect stood nearby in her gown smiling at him.

“Yes, Commodore Wildstar said that. That was before I was about to shoot him, of course. But then, I saw fit to repent of my choices.”

“It is a good thing you did so,” said Astrena.

“But now, it is my prayer that Wildstar does not let suspicion rule his heart,” said Desslok as he held Astrena’s hand. “Now, let him make the choice I once had to make.”

“Do not blame him if he chooses wrongly,” said Astrena.

“But if he attacks us, what am I to do?”

“He will not attack us,” snapped Astrena. “Wildstar is not that sort, and you know it, Desslok!”

“No…he is not that sort,” said Desslok after a moment’s worth of thought. At least I am sure he is not, thought Desslok. Let this not be the time when our friendship is tested…

IV. UNSUSPECTING FRIENDS…

Space Battleship Arizona

On the Surface of Beta Nikaldis IV

One Hundred and Eleven Lightyears Away From Earth…

Monday, December 16, 2205

1449 Hours: Earth Time

A day had passed for both the First and Second Star Forces as work on repairing the Arizona continued at top speed. Nova and Sandor discovered that the Arizona required power to start her Dynamic Do-All and to help prime the damaged engines for takeoff.

For this reason, as well as to assist in the job of taking parts from the Argo’s stores over to the Arizona, the Argo now sat in the wadi about thirty meters away from her sister ship; the two vessels were joined by two temporary shipway tubes and by many cables as the Argo fed power and computer data into the battered Arizona like a mother cat nursing a kitten.

Owing to the vulnerability of both vessels, the Black Tigers were keeping a constant vigil in orbit over the planet as they watched for enemies and helped to defend the two ships.

“I really want to thank you guys,” said Captain Venture on the Arizona’s bridge as Derek and Nova spoke with him. “Without your help, we might have well died here when our power and air ran out.”

“Thanks,” said Derek. “How did you end up here, anyhow?”

“It’s a long story,” said Mark with a sheepish grin and a laugh. “We were pursuing signals from an enemy fleet when Aliscea was mentally attacked by some woman who she said seemed familiar but wasn’t. Before we could do anything, the ship’s systems were turning against us and going crazy all by themselves. Oh, we fought the ship hard, but we ended up crashing here after taking about ten good hits. It’s a good thing that we were able to get her to land successfully.”

“A big amen to that,” said Paul Rosstowski from nearby at his Combat Group Leader’s station. “We owe Mrs. Venture a lot of thanks for landing us in one piece.”

“Thanks,” said Holly as she stood up and bowed. “You know, I don’t have a good feeling about this…Mark?”

”Holly…I know,” said Mark to his wife. “It feels weird.”

“Me, neither,” said Aliscea. “I feel like…something’s…going to happen but…”

“It doesn’t feel right,” said Nova.

“We’re picking up an incoming signal,” said Venture’s communications officer.

“Switch it to the main screen,” said Captain Venture. “Screen Number Four, please.”

The crew stood surprised as Desslok’s image came up on one of the Arizona’s four main video panels.

Desslok cocked an eyebrow as he looked at Wildstar. “Well, Commodore, has the Argo received a redecoration? You have a wonderful designer, my friend.”

“It’s not my vessel, Desslok,” said Derek. “We’re on a sister ship of the Argo known as the Arizona. Captain Mark Venture, who is under my command, is her skipper. What brings you here, Leader Desslok?”

“Do I detect some mistrust in your voice, Commodore?” said Desslok.

“Desslok, this is no time for jokes!” Wildstar snapped. “We were recently attacked by Cometine vessels that were using your SMITE device, Desslok. How did they get your technology? And why?”

Desslok’s reply gave Commodore Wildstar a strange sense of déjà vu’ as he replied, “I should have anticipated this. They took the plans from the wreck of my flagship, without my knowledge, as I lay recovering on the Gatlantis under Zordar’s watchful eyes. It is not fair to blame me for something that happened without my consent; I would have never given them SMITE.”

“You’re certain?” said Wildstar. “You were once a high mucky-muck in Zordar’s organization, Desslok.”

“If it were not for your laughable language, Commodore Wildstar, I would almost want to strike you for that comment. I should have sensed you would try my patience today. But I stress to you, I had nothing to do with our mutual enemy receiving SMITE. Indeed, we suffered losses from them, as well. There is a means to jam the waves…”

“Okay…can you send us the plans for the jammer, then?” said Commodore Wildstar.

“I’ll consider it, if we can mend our differences, that is,” said Desslok. ”Remember, our races are bound by treaty. Or have you forgotten that?”

“Oh…that,” said Derek as he blushed. “I’m sorry, Desslok.” And I never thought I’d be saying that to him! Derek thought. After all, you did kill my parents, you son-of-a-bitch!

“We can solve our differences later on over dinner,” said Desslok. “Astrena said that she has sensed enemy vessels nearby. To that end, since I am aware you are both vulnerable, I will offer my fleet as a defensive screen. Unless you don’t want me here, that is,” said Desslok with a wave of his hand.

“Uh….I think we can accept your presence here,” said Commodore Wildstar. “Of course, we would like the anti-SMITE jamming wave pattern, of…”

“Certainly,” said Desslok with a smile that seemed somewhere between jovial and cold. “You will resolve not to infuriate me again today, please? Remember, even with the Argo, that you are quite outnumbered by my fleet at the moment. I am aware that we are bound by treaty, but I do not take slights well in time of war. I pray you remember that.”

“And I hope you remember the same thing, Leader Desslok,” said Derek with a bow. “Where will you be uploading the anti-SMITE plans?”

“To the Argo, of course. We shall be over you. I shall pray, Derek, for your success. And…for your inner peace.”

At that, Desslok cut off.

“Now what the hell did he mean by that?” said Commodore Wildstar.

“I think he means you need to take a chill pill, Derek,” said Nova as she tapped her foot.

“What?” said Wildstar.

“Listen, you big idiot!” snapped Venture. “It’s a damn good thing you didn’t get us killed with your stupid mouth, Derek!”

“Yeah?” said Derek. “And it’s a good thing that you didn’t add to that situation. I saw you giving him dirty looks!”

“You stupid idiot!” said Venture. “I don’t care if you’re a flag officer…sometimes, Derek, you still think with your ass!”

“What the hell is your problem, Mark?” yelled Derek. “If you weren’t the skipper of this ship, which you had to get stuck down here with a dead battery, I think I’d mop the deck with your face!”

“Wanna try it?” snapped Mark. “I bet you’ve gotten flabby sitting behind your desk at headquarters, buddy!”

“I can still do it!” yelled Derek as he grabbed Venture’s service blouse.

Nova sighed. “Here we go again,” she sang. “Holly, should we clear the bridge of this vessel so the two boys can kick each other’s butts?”

“Yeah,” said Holly. ”Let’s turn everything off so they don’t damage anything,” said the Arizona’s navigator as she began to switch off panels.

“And let’s go have some coffee cake and take bets,” said Aliscea with a wink.

“I’ll take Wildstar,” said Paul Rosstowski.

“I’ll take Mark,” said Holly.

“I’m not gonna bet,” said Sandor as he turned away with a grin from the two antagonists who were glaring at each other.

“Yeah…let’s ignore them for a while,” said Nova as she began to walk away with a little grin. “Derek, Mark, have fun!”

“Maybe if they knock each other out I can act as Officer of the Deck for a while?” said Aliscea.

“You guys…come back!” said Venture.

“Only when you two shake hands and stop acting like idiots,” said Paul Rosstowski.

“Nova?” said Derek. She just ignored him. Derek then took a deep breath. “Okay…Mark…let’s bury the hatchet.”

“Yeah,” said Venture. “And I know right where I wanna bury it…”

“Let’s stop this crap!” said Derek.

“Yeah..?” said Mark. “Give me a good reason!”

At that, the Arizona trembled under their feet as, outside, the ship took a great hit. The enemy had just arrived.

“That’s a good reason,” said Mark. He ran to the nearest panel, flicked it on, and yelled, “All hands…come to battle stations! Repeat, all hands…come to battle stations!”

TO BE CONTINUED….

To Return to the Introduction to The New Comet, click here