“Can I get your statement?” said Jennie, stepping up to the lieutenant and turning on her microphone. Sydney hovered behind her, his holocam humming almost inaudibly. “I’m speaking to Lieutenant Erwin Snipe of Omega Company. Can you tell my viewers whether the base is under attack?”
“Yo, Jennie, don’t go botherin’ Snipe with questions,” said Chocolate Harry, waving his hand. “You’ll just get him worse confused. Nobody tells baby lieutenants what’s happenin’.”
“That’s not true!” said Snipe, his voice going up an octave. “I have reports from the front line-“
He was interrupted again as the door swung open and a new voice boomed out, “Hi, it looks as if I’ve finally found the party!” It was Phule, wearing a perfectly tailored tuxedo and holding a martini glass in one hand.
“Cap’n!” said Chocolate Harry. “I thought you was goin’-“
“Change of plans,” said Phule with a wink. “You know, there’s very little in life that’s so important that a fellow can’t afford to stop and smell the roses, is there?”
“Captain, I have reason to believe that this base is under attack!” said Lieutenant Snipe. “If I could get the comm center clear of unauthorized personnel…”
Jennie stepped forward. “Captain, can you confirm the lieutenant’s rumor of an attack?”
Snipe tried again, a little bit louder. “All unauthorized personnel will leave the comm room at once, or I will have security clear it!”
“Oh, man, will you get off that jive?”
“Tgfrblt…”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to go attack the free lunch buffet over by the dollar slots. It’s the best deal in the casino!”