by Laura Boeff
Seamus Harper knew he had to be careful. If he screwed this up...
Licking dry lips, the young engineer eased around the corner. The hall in front of
him was silent, and, if luck was on his side, would remain so. Cautious about the cargo
delicately balanced in his hands, Harper tip-toed down the silent hall.
Closer... Closer...
For a moment, he wondered why he was doing this. What crazy part of his brain
suddenly decided this was a smart thing to do? But, the thought evaporated as he reached
the next corner, pressing himself up against it, listening.
Only the sound of his own heart beating in his chest could be heard beyond the
wisp of recycled air flowing through the near-by vent. Okay. Almost there. Peeking down
the short hall, confirming it was clear, Harper moved onto the last leg of his dangerous
trek. At the end of the hall was an open doorway. As he reached that open door, Harper
dropped down into a crouch, blessing his small stature. It sure made sneaking around a
damn sight easier when you were short to start with. Crab walking, he brought himself to
the doors edge, once again listening.
Beyond the open portal was the soft scuffle of footsteps; the sound of something
being put on a table top. One person. There was one person in there just like planned.
Harper smiled. So far, so good.
A cautious peek showed a table blocking any possible view of his entry and
Harper moved swiftly. In a crouch, package in hand, he slipped in silently, a grin starting
to alight his face. This reminded him of his one man raiding parties to that salvage dealer on
Titus IV, when the Maru had been docked there for extended repairs. Ahh.. that had been
fun. He'd hit Maruck's salvage yard three times. That thieving trader never knowing what
hit him as Seamus Harper pilfered back the goods that had been stolen from them in the
first place.
That had been why they where stuck at that base for so long. Someone else had
decided to hit them for salvage while they had been in dock. Well, Harper could give as
good as he got, and he got a lot those three nights. Teach them for not to covering up
their tracks better.
But, that was then, this was now. Trying not to let his breathing get ragged with
his rising tension, Harper paused and listened to the footsteps on the far side of the work
bench he was pressed against. Not much time. The moment he finished his mission he
would have to haul sweet cheeks out of here, or...
Or suffer the consequences.
The engineer gulped. And he knew they would not be good.
Pushing the rising trepidation down, pale brow dropping in determination, Harper
eased to the table's edge, intent on finishing his mission. Timing was everything. If he
screwed this up...
Harper watched the person moving on the far side of the table. Low to the ground
and just barely peeking past the table edge. They came closer and he froze, waiting to be
caught. But they stopped, and turned, and Harper saw the opportunity he had so eagerly
been waiting for.
As Trance turned her back to him, Harper took the can of pink primer paint
-usually used in hull repair- and dunk the tip of her tail into it.
For a moment, it was as if time stopped as Trance Gemini let out a small gasp,
staring down at him. She looked at him, looked at her pink, paint dripping tail, looked
at him.
Then...
Harper howled in laughter, tossing the paint can carelessly aside and beating feet
as Trance let out a furious shriek.
"Seamus Harper I'm going to kill you!!!"
Oh.. he didn't doubt that! Harper didn't bother with a retort, just running for his
dear life, a grin threatening to split his face. Knowing eventually he would have to pay for
his crime. But, for now, he just laughed and ran.
Dear god, somedays it was good to be alive!
authors note: The only reason I wrote this was because the stupid thought
"Snips and snails and Trance's tail" got stuck in my head. Yes, I'm weird. :) >