the Alienbutt Saga

The Alienbutt Saga chapter 3

Chapter 3.

battle stations.

INTERSTELLA NEWS CHANNEL 9. NEWS FLASH.

As unrest and rioting continue to spread across the universe in the light of further reports of an expected poor crop of coffee beans over three hundred senators at the Federation Senate today staged a protest when supplies of coffee ran out in the senate canteen. It took Federal police in full riot gear over two hours to restore order. Quazzel Proodich, head of the Federation Senate said in a brief statement "We are facing the greatest threat to universal peace ever when even the supply of coffee to the government can be interrupted like this. In partnership with the Coffee Houses we are doing all possible to ensure increased production of the bean but all supply will now be controlled by official agents to ensure a steady supply to all key personnel. In light of this any unauthorised trading in coffee will become a federal offence punishable by death. There is no need for panic as there is enough coffee to go around."

Piestoff was laying on his bunk. Since the incident in the galley the night before, he had stayed out of the way. In two hours they would be dropping out of light speed and meeting up with the rest of the Ick fleet and the bounty hunters hired to track down whoever was attacking the outposts. The door opened and Poodles walked in, saw Piestoff already on the bed and hunched down in front of him yawning.

"Sod off dog, it's my bed." Looking offended Poodles laid down on the floor before the bed. Just a Piestoff was starting to doze again the ships alarms went off, jumping up Piestoff was half way to the door when Blackaracnia's voice came over the intercom.

"All crew to battle stations, pilots to their ship. This is not a drill so move it people."

Piestoff stopped at the open door, looked back to see Poodles already on his bed. "Stay" he commanded, poodles yawned in a "I'm not moving mate, this is people business and I'm a dog" and closed his eyes. Smiling Piestoff headed off to the hanger bay, half way there he came across Nifty already in a flight suit "Come on Piestoff, your gonna be late." She grinned at him as she held the door to the lift that went down to the hanger. Piestoff reached the lift grinning back at his friend.

"What's happening?" He asked. Nifty shrugged her shoulders then looked down at Piestoff's feet.

"you gonna wear them boots from now on?"

Piestoff looked down at the red boots and shrugged.

"Why not, they can be my new lucky boots" he grinned. "Lets face it, people are getting used to them now, even Blackarachnia has stopped laughing at them."

"He still giggles though." She shook her head at Alienbutt. The lift doors opened and they walked into the hanger. Ten single seat Interceptor fighterships were being swarmed over by technicians and droids in the last stages of being primed for battle. Six other pilots stood before Blackarachnia and Wickede, seeing the two of them Wickede beckoned. "Come on you two or we'll start without you."

"That's OK by me, I won't mind, honest." replied Piestoff as they reached the group, after the initial rushing to get down here his nerves had caught up with him.

"As I was saying" Blackarachnia cut in "We are getting reports from the rendezvous point that they have come under attack. We will be jumping out of light speed straight into a battle. You have twenty minutes to be aboard your ships and ready. The other pilots went off to get ready, Blackarachnia turned to Nifty. "You're my number two, Piestoff your with Wickede. Snoodgrass has the bridge here." He looked at the two of them. "You're some of the best pilots here, you just need to show them all how good you are." He took Nifty by the arm and led her off towards the ships talking quietly to her. Piestoff turned to Wickede, the Ick leader grinned at him, a look of mischief in his eyes.