Lunarly: A Fire Sale Classic

Plight - Don't Have 'Em

Plight's

"Parental Guide: Don't Have 'Em"

       The space station halls were small, Plight was barely able to stand straight without hitting her head on the ceiling. Usually these halls were filled wih other navy personnel, but as they were disarming, the station was almost completely deserted.

       When she arrived at Officer Branly's office door, she stopped next to it. The walls were all made of metal, so she could see her reflection. Plight's dark brown hair was held up in a bun, like always, though a few strands had freed themselves, draping down over her pale cheeks and green eyes. Plight redid her hair, and straightened her blue and gold navy uniform. She wanted to look her best, Officer Branly would be giving Plight her orders for after the Alpha Centauri escort mission, and she didn't want to be stuck in some remote base, or worse, working for a Celestial.

       She opened the door and walked inside. Branly was behind his large fake oak desk, staring at his comp screen. There was a video playing, and even though it was backwards for her, she could see what it was about.

       "Franatic alloy?" she asked, removing her belt with the holstered dissolver and plasma sword, before sitting in the red plastic chair Branly had for his guests. "I thought that was mostly for implants."

       "Lieutenant Plight!" Branly was not used to smiling, so when he tried, he looked more constipated then happy. "Yes, yes, mostly implants. Designed by Carbine to the I, the brilliant scientist that also built the ship going to Alpha Centauri. And the escort ship that you are going to be captaining, lieutenant."

       "I know all about my escort mission. What I'm here to find out, is what I'm doing after."

       "Did you know that Carbine to the I also developed anti-matter? I must say, anti-matter could be an impressive military asset, if only it didn't destroy everything it touches. . . "

       "Branly?"

       "Carbine is also working on some long range lazer array, did you hear about that? It is supposed to be quite impressive, apparently they are doing demonstrations-"

       "Yes, I heard about it. Are you avoiding my question?"

       Branly sighed, and he gave up any effort to smile. "Would you like a drink, first?"

       Plight adjusted her seat. He was distracting her with drink, but Plight had to admit, it was an effective distraction. "Yes, of course. A really screwed driver, on the rocks."

       Branly pushed his comp chip and muttered "A really screwed and a dry martini, two olives, molecularly shaken." A second later, his desk dinged and two holes slid open, through which their drinks rose up.

       Plight took a long swig from her drink, then leveled her eyes at Branly. "So what is it, Branly?"

       "You are being reassigned to the navy base on the moon."

       "The moon!?" Plight slammed her drink on Branly desk. "Is this serious? What have I done to deserve this?"

       "I'm sorry," said Officer Branly. "This was not my call. Somebody-"

       "Who, Branly? Who did this to me? I'm going to find them, and slap them until they give me some new godsdamn orders." The moon, Plight shuttered when she thought of that place. A dirty and corrupt place, a colony built for prisoners, now just their offspring lived there in a semblance of civilization. She gulped down half of her drink.

       "No need to swear," said Branly, trying for another smile. "Look, Plight, I'm sorry this order is going to you. Its just bad luck, that's all. You wanted to be on the protection run for the Alpha Centauri shuttle."