Star Wreck V by leah rewolinski

Author:leah rewolinski
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

“A lot of our other ships are still in the shop for repairs.”

Exasperated, Ricardo threw the net into the tank and replaced the cover. He shook his dripping arm and demanded, “I thought you’d agreed to stay with the Quke continuum and leave us alone, Q-Tip. What will it take to get rid of you this time?”

“A small favor,” Q-Tip replied with an oily grin. “A teeny tiny request. I was watching a rerun of ‘Cosmos’ the other day, and as I drifted off to sleep near the end, I dreamed of piloting a starship. It was so enthralling that I decided to live out the fantasy. So I want you to teach me how to drive.”

Ricardo opened a desk drawer and pulled out a hand towel imprinted “Valleywood Fairways Golf Course.” As he dried his arm, Ricardo told Q-Tip, “You’re omnipotent. Why don’t you just make yourself a starship and drive it?”

“That wouldn’t be the same,” Q-Tip said, sitting up eagerly. “I need an existing starship that presents a real challenge. I want to meet that challenge, not just make up my own version of reality. So what do you say, Jean-Lucy? Will you teach me how to drive your ship?”

“No,” Ricardo said flatly.

Instantly Q-Tip’s temper flared. “You’re being reckless, mon capillary,” he warned. “You know I always repay the favors of my friends. I’m like the Godfather that way. It’s a good idea to have me in your debt. Grant me this favor.”

“And if I don’t,” Ricardo retorted, “can I expect to wake up one morning with a horse’s head in my bed?”

Q-Tip bridled, snorting in disgust at the suggestion. “You know that would be beneath me,” he replied hoarsely. “But you will be sorry. Someday you’ll need my help, and you’ll wish I owed you a favor.”

“I’ll take that chance,” Ricardo replied as he began rolling down his sleeve.

“Very well,” Q-Tip growled. He snapped his fingers, and Ricardo felt a strange tug at his collar and heard the kissing gouramis splash around in their tank. Then Q-Tip disappeared in a flash of light.

Wondering what Q-Tip had just pulled off, Ricardo strolled over to the corner. A glance at the fish tank and a quick feel of his collar confirmed his suspicion: now all four of his pips lay at the bottom of the tank.

* * *

As Q-Tip and Ricardo were chatting in the Ready Room, Dacron was entering the Ten-Foreplay lounge for his afternoon break.

But instead of her usual cheerful greeting, Chief Bartender Guano gave him an eerie stare. Dacron sat on a barstool and inquired, “Is something wrong, Guano?”

“Yes,” she replied. “It’s you. You’re not supposed to be here.”

“Oh,” said Dacron. He thought for a moment, then pulled out his wallet. “Here is my ID,” he offered. “It proves that I have reached legal drinking age.”

“No, no, Dacron,” said Guano. “It’s not that. I mean you’re not supposed to be here in this timeline. This is all wrong somehow.”

Dacron was puzzled. “I do not understand.”

“Neither do

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