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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jasper" data-source="post: 1480213" data-attributes="member: 277">Chapter 4 Dead Time 0800+ Day11 -993    Captain Cass Mason sat at the other end of time from poor Lt Calamai. It not often a person gains the captaincy from what could be said as a mad mutiny. “All right people lets have the reports from last night. Both recorders are running. Captain Calamai you first.” Cass felt pity for Calamai the poor civilian was use to just trying to placate bossy star port controllers or sissy nobles. Not taking over command of a ship when he had to kill the captain himself or die.     Lt Piero Calamai sigh and fumbled three times before he found his voice. In a dead flat voice he started “The following ship personnel were killed Captain Eddie Smith, Head steward T. H. Warren, steward Benji Harrison, gunner Fred G. Halberstadt, Gunner Christopher Jones, Gunner Marvin R. Young. This adds to the other personnel lost in Pokka space. This leaves the following ship personnel alive, Lt Piero…”    Cass interrupted, “ Captain Piero Calamai.”    Piero continued, “ Pilot Billy Turner, head engineer Tommy Pickles Andrew, Doctor J.H. Wells. Gunner Jamie M. Sprayberry. This is means the Qbert cube is undermanned and can not legally continue on once we break jump space and enter our next port of call at Ranua. Doctor your report.” he looked away and lost himself to his thoughts.    Doctor Wells voice rumbled out, “As of 0730 I have not discover what cause the outbreak of madness. These are the facts as of this time. It appears to have affected everyone who became mad at around the same time. Virushi, Aslan, and Vargr were not affected. Affected subjects appear to go into a homicidal rage with symptoms being a foaming at the mouth and uncontrollable giggling. The following are ships passengers who either affected or were killed in the aftermath. James and Ethel Gowan, John Kissane, Conley Ness, Ricky Nelson, Jameal Tolliever, Jason and Monica Tinner, Hester Uacomb, Wilton Wright, Sturgris Hall, Grace Grant, Bill Taylor, Henry Homewood, Sue Holmes, and Madison Steward. Sir Lawrence Knight the third was affected by the madness but overcome by Mr. Frank McQuade. The victim is now in low berth and blood samples are being analyzed. That is all.”    Corpsman Alice Rascon took over, “Of the marines of Charlie company the following were KIA. Lt Paige Mitch, 2nd Lt Woody Williams, Corporal Charles Weeks,  Corporal Jesse N. Funk, Lance Mary E. Walker, Pfc Ted T. Tanouye, Pfc Donna C Faith the second, Pvt Donald N.T. Call, Lt Charles A MacGillivary, Pvt Archibald Mathis, Pvt Jack W. Mathis and Pvt Martin O May. The walking wound who are ready for combat duty  Staff Sgt John Bobo, and Capt Cass J. Mason. All other personnel either received no wounds or minor wounds. The package is still safe and unharmed.“    Lt Piero, ”Big fat hairy deal. So your mail is safe.”    Cass, “Captain Calamai! Chill! Don’t worry about our mission. Worry about yours. Getting the remaining passengers to port safely. My remaining men and the McQuade brothers will be helping you.  We will be working six hours on and six off. Fortunately we in jump space so there not much to do. The McQuade brothers, Sharnatha, and Scout Squish will be helping as their training allow for other jobs as needed. Okay everyone remember we still under martial law so if you have to break heads do so but gently. Captain Calamai see if you can give me the expense chits. I will sign for unlocking all the full service galley and wet bar capabilities. Let the passengers drink themselves into a stupor for all I care. The Imperium will pay for it. Dismiss.”     Later in the lab Sharnatha discovers some strange biological readings on the blood sample. It was strange that the doctor did not notice. When she brought it to his attention he nearly bit her head off.  She did not accept his excuse of being tired and made a note of it to bring it up with Frank.     The rest of trip in jump space when fast and finally on day fourteen 993 at 0700 ship hour the intercom became active and the announcement begun.    “This Lt um Captain Calamai we have just broken into normal space in the Ranua system. “ A length pause followed. Then Piero started yelling, “ What the? This isn’t Ranua. It is…“ The rest of his statement was cut short by a shot gun blast then the intercom was cut off.</blockquote>

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