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Oops! - Chapter 4
Written by Mizor, Tarantulas, Xeromem, Argosy Admiral Annie, and Kevin
Time: CY10086 – August 5163Location : Albuquerque Drift space dock
Beka turned off her computer and got up from her desk to head for the Maru's galley. The promised payment had been deposited and according to the latest FTA travelers advisory there had been no changes in customs duties or reported pirate activity at the Maru's next port of call. With the ship's financial business having been taken care of it was time to take care of her stomach which was complaining that it was well past lunch time. As she entered the Maru's common room she was greeted by the sight of Trance working in the room's galley area surrounded by cookbooks and mixing bowls.
"Err, what are you up to Trance?"
"I'm making cheesecake Beka."
Beka took a good look at the cheesecake Trance had been making and had to stifle the urge to laugh at the results of the girl's effort."Trance,” she said, “I really don't think the recipe called for bread, cream and a wheel of cheddar cheese. And why are you making cheesecake anyway?" She asked the question knowing that Trance's cooking skills were pushed to the limit when cooking a three minute egg.
“Oh, that,” said Trance as she put the wheel of cheese into one of the bowls. “Harper told me that the Albuquerque Drift Gentlemen's Association was offering 10,000 thrones for the best cheesecake picture. He said he wanted to submit a picture and asked me if I wanted to help him.”
“I see,” said Beka reaching out to stop Trance from pouring the cream into the cheese filled bowl. “Tell me, did he say exactly how he wanted you to help him?”
As if that had been his cue Harper walked into the galley "Ooookay,” he said. “Since when did the Maru have a mouse problem?"
Trance gave Harper a confused look, "There aren't any mice Harper. I'm making a cheesecake so we can at take a photo of it"
Harper flexed a bicep. “How about we take a picture of beefcake instead,” he said.
“She said cheesecake, Harper,” replied Beka. “Not cream puff.”
“Besides, added Trance, “you're not a cow. Beef comes from cows.”
“Harper,” said Beka in a tone of voice that threatened forthcoming dismemberment and disembowelment, “why don't you tell Trance what a cheesecake photo really is. And how you wanted her to help you.”
“Uh,” said Harper realizing that Beka was on to his ploy, “I'd love to Boss but I can't stay. I have to pick up some parts and if I don't move fast someone may beat me to them.” He made his way towards the airlock at a pace that was not quite a run.
“Now I won't know what a cheesecake photo is,” wailed Trance as Harper made good on his escape.
“Trance, do you remember the pictures Harper had on the lockers in the berthing compartment when you first reported aboard the Maru?” asked Beka.
“You mean like Isobelle?” asked Trance referring to the animated image that had graced the locker she now used as her own.
“Exactly, like Isobelle,” agreed Beka. “Those were cheesecake photos.”
“Oh,” said Trance. “Well, I suppose I COULD take my clothes off for a picture. But I'm not going to use my hands like she did. Do you think Harper knows what a cheesecake photo really is?”
“Trust me Trance he knows. And no, you're not going to be taking your clothes off so Harper can take photos of you to show to other people.”
“Ok, but I'd better tell him when he gets back that I won't be able to help him.”
“You let me be the one to tell him,” said Beka as she handed Trance some of the cookbooks that had been strewn about. “Right now I want you to clean up the galley and get it ready for lift off. When Harper returns we'll be leaving. I'm going to want you to man the environmental systems station when we do. It's about time you fully assumed the duties of a ships environmental systems tech.”
“But how do I man the station?”
“What do you mean how do you man it. I've taught you everything you need to know to man it. You're fully capable of operating the environmental systems console.”
“I know that, but how do I man it. I'm a girl. I can't man anything.”
Location : the Andromeda Ascendant“Well she had a point,” said Andromeda. “It would be hard for her to man anything. You said something about sibling rivalry. Did they quarrel a lot at first?”
“They bickered incessantly. They were worse than Rafe and I were when we were children, and no matter what happened it was always the other's fault. Like the time Trance brought San-Ska-Re sand weevils aboard...
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