1The Odyssey of Amarao
Chapter Two: Administrative Tango
The Endostar Runner had put in at a outpost in Sector 8-R, and then had to have a meeting with Caroline Masterson. Now Caroline was the kind of administrator that you either loved or hated. Most of the Endostar crew loved Caroline, except El Carlos, and noone really knew why, he didn't like to talk about it, but it was the common opinion of the rest of the crew that she had shut down one of his favorite trading posts, the one with his favorite bar. The funny thing about Carlos, he is a double fisted drinker. Now when he is in the club, Carlos always had a dry martini in one hand and a shot of vodka in the other. So now we join the crew in their meeting with Caroline.
"Come in, all of you.", said Caroline, motioning to chairs around a table in her office. "You must tell me about what you encountered."
"It was Plan 9 cronies, simple as that.", said Amarao. "Just a bunch of Zigs up our ass."
"Ahh, I see.", said Caroline. "Well at any rate, its good to see you all back in one piece."
"Thank you, Administrator Caroline.", said Maddy. "Its good to be alive."
"Well! I guess we will be going...", said Carlos, getting up and walking to the door. "Its been fun!"
"Not so fast.", said Caroline, throwing a stapler at the back of Carlos' head, that hit with a clank. "There is a new threat around in our space. Well not really a threat."
"What is it?", asked Odie. "Is it! Gasp! Plan 10?"
"No, Odie.", replied Caroline. "Its an old friend of yours. Mr.Lostman"
"Lostman?", said Odie. "Please say he didn't do what I think he did."
"He is now heading a group called CAPN, the Caffeine Addicted Pirate Ninjas and is running around with a ghetto little fleet doing what his name entails, being a pirate. He is on a ship he calls the w00t Raider. He has these fighters called Death Gliders.", said Caroline. "Thats about all we know, except that Mr.Lostman is running around in black ninja robes with a giant question mark on his hood. Your all going off to trail him."
A collective groan arose from the entire crew.
"We have been out on patrol for weeks!", said Amarao. "At least give us a weekends leave from patrol!"
Caroline thought for a second and said, "Fine. Take your leave."
"w00t!", shouted Odie. "Quickly, lets get out of here before she changes her mind!"
The crew all went their separate ways, Odie to practice his guitar, El Carlos went to the ship, got a wad of cash and his drinking cap, and headed to the officer's club, telling his crew mates to join him at 8pm for a show. Maddy and Amarao on the other hand, went off together to chit-chat.
"So, Maddy.", asked Amarao as they walked. "What do you make of this CAPN business?"
"Well.", replied Maddy. "From what I can gather, Odie and Mr.Lostman started that as a joke back in college and after they parted ways, Mr.Lostman took a strange turn in his behavior. Apparently he went nuts of some girl and started a militant group, and set of for the stars. This is where the w00t Raider and his small fleet came from."
"Wow Maddy.", said Amarao. "You herd what people are saying about the two of us?"
"That sure was a fast change of topic, Commander Amarao.", laughed Maddy. "That we are some sort of item and our tongues are scraping each others tonsils at every chance we get?"
"Thats exactly what I am talking about.", sighed Amarao. "Any ideas about why they are saying things like that?"
"Well, Commander Amarao.", said Maddy. "It may have something to do with the website , an El Carlos Production."
Both stopped, looked at each other and screamed, "DAMN IT EL CARLOS!"
"Not that I don't find you attractive.", muttered Amarao, so she wouldn't hear him.
"What was that?", asked Maddy. "Did you say something?"
"Not at all.", replied Amarao, hurriedly. "Now lets get to the club, we don't wanna miss this."
So the rest of the crew arrived at the club and took seats at a table along with Administrator Caroline. El Carlos was there, his signature drinks in his hands.
"I promise you, what we got for you.", said Carlos, who was now throughly smashed. "You wont soon forget."
"El Carlos...", asked Amarao. "How in the hell can a android drink?"
"It has something to do with our.....", replied Carlos. "Internal....electrostatic....intake manifolds! Yeah, thats it!"
The whole group raised and eyebrow as Carlos strolled off to the back of the stage.
A bit later, a soft piano intro started playing as the curtains drew. A voice on the mike said, "Ladies and Gentlemen! I give you El Carlos and the Backup Singer Guys!"
"Oh god...", moaned Odie. "This wont end well."
The lights went on Carlos and a few other HUcasts, who where somehow snapping their fingers. Yeah, who knew? The piano stopped and then Carlos broke out singing, or what was supposed to be singing.
"Caroline!", sung Carlos, taking a sip of one of his drinks. "All the guys would say she is....uh.....soup! Dig this now!"
The entire club looked at Caroline, who was at this point either really pissed or confused, or maybe both.
"I know you like to thank your....uh....soup don't stank! But move a little bit closer see uh....soup really smells like sou-u-up!", sung Carlos who fell to the ground. "Thank you! Good night! We love you Cleveland!"
"What...the...fu", asked Odie, swallowing a curse word. "Lets never give him booze again."
Caroline burst out laughing. "Well, I am glad I gave you guys leave. In fact, take an extra day of leave."
"El Carlos, you crazy son of a bitch!", laughed Amarao. "Next time I am going to hurt me, call forth a favor, okay?"
"Uh Commander Amarao.", said Maddy blushing. "Uh, if you would uh come see me later. Uh I'd like to uh talk to you? Yeah that works! Yes I need to talk to you about something!"
The crew didn't seem to notice, but when they looked over at her Maddy laughed nervously, sweating and running off to her room.
"What is her uh....soup?", asked a very drunk Carlos. "She acted kinda....soupy."
"Carlos.", replied Odie. "Stop saying soup!"
So for now every thing is okay, but some things are still uncertain. What is Maddy's deal this evening? What about CAPN and Mr.Lostman? And what is Carlos' deal with soup? Find out next chapter!