by Lewis Dually
“He’ll have a few more colorful exclamations that I did. So was this whole plot about killing the Krueg and colonizing Croid or about stealing gold? I would hope they wouldn’t kill an entire race for sixty tons of gold.”
For a couple of minutes no one talked. We all sat there silently looking at one another until Shaw finally broke the silence and changed the subject.
“What about you? These new robotic implants are being approved for active duty service. You can go back into space if you want. Will you?”
“I don’t think the Navy will let me. Sure I’m a hero in everybody’s eyes but I did disobey direct orders from my commanding officer. They won’t let that stand. My Navy days are over and I really don’t see myself as a space trucker. Too boring.”
“Good!” Baca snorted. “Your talents were being wasted in the Navy.”
Shaw turned and stared at Baca with bewilderment. “What?”
“It’s true. His talents are more suited to my line of work. What do you say about it Hoss? You want to come join me in space? I am in desperate need of special investigators with expertise in all things space related. How about it, Special Investigator Allen Paul, Space Ranger! Kinda rolls off your tongue don’t it.”
I looked out my window for a long moment and then back at Baca.
“Space Ranger? Sounds interesting and probably wouldn’t be boring either. Give me back that snuff can!”
This Concludes
Terran Patrol, Empty Casket Conspiracy
By Lewis Dually
