Captain Caveman by Jerry Boyd

Author:Jerry Boyd [Boyd, Jerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jerry Boyd
Published: 2020-01-15T22:00:00+00:00

Gene came over the intercom. “Boss, my main lasers are going to need a few upgrades, if you expect me to heat up a rock that large, without burning something out.”

I answered, “Send your wish list to Scotti, I’m sure she’ll do what she can.”

Scotti said, “Gene, we both know you just want those bigger lasers for bragging rights if you ever meet any of the other ships of your class.”

Gene replied, “Master Chief! I’m shocked you have such a low opinion of me. That’s, well, not quite entirely true.”

I said, “So, what are you two going to order a kit for, an autonomous drone ship?”

Topper laughed so hard I thought he might hurt himself. Scotti froze for a second till she found the reference, and said, “Boss, just because I spent all those years in the black with him, doesn’t mean we’re ready to buy a kit. Besides, I could print all the parts from scratch, who needs a kit?”

Gene said, “Oh, c’mon, Honey. A sweet little stealth drone, who knows what it might find, out in the wild stars.”

Scotti said, “Now look what you started, Boss.”

I said, “I started? You were the one tweaking all night, trying to get him that last tenth of a percent of performance.”

Scotti looked flustered. “How did you know about that, Boss?”

I replied, “I didn’t, till you just told me.”

Scotti said, “Are you sure you don’t need to go back in the autodoc? For a long time?”

I said, “Okay, those are important things, and we need to get going on them. Scotti, I assume you’ve already started the emitters and power core for the asteroid?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“And you’re just waiting for me to release a ship to go put in that drive?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“There’s nothing wrong with the power core test, or you would have led with that, so why do I have a full cabin, instead of just you and Topper?”

Nunya spoke up. “I requested to be here, Captain. I have a personnel issue I need your help with.”

“These two not pulling their weight?” I asked, pointing at Millus and Jannul.

“No, Boss, they’re doing well. But they still have Galactic names. They think that means you’re going to put them off at the first convenient port, and they have no future here. I can’t convince them that you wouldn’t put them ashore unless they wanted to go.”

I replied, “I see. So this is about me being remiss in my duty of assigning nicknames, then?”

“Yes, Boss, it is. I know you’ve been busy, but it needs to be seen to.”

“Okay, let’s see. Millus, how do you like Milly?”

“That would be great, Sir.”

“That’s one. Now Jannul, we could go with Janelle, but that doesn’t sound enough different for people to notice, does it? Janet work for you?”

“Ja-net, I think I like that.”

“You better be sure. Once you leave this cabin, you’re stuck with it. Just ask Nunya.”

Nunya said, “Believe it. I smarted off to him the first time I met him, and that’s been my name ever since.

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