“Well, Rose-alie. Since you put it that way, I suppose it can wait until the dawn’s early light. I can work around it for now.”
“Whoa back there, Brandy-wine. You know, you’ve been keeping the pedal to the metal yourself there lately. Now, realizing that you have to be in top sergeant shape to kick some sense into our merry band when the officers aren’t looking, don’t you think it might be a good idea to catch a few winks yourself while the tide’s out?”
“What are you? My mother?”
“Just your average loyal Legionnaire trying to do her best to help the wheels of our mighty war machine turning smoothly instead of goin’ flat. While there may not be much that I can do personally to assist our fearless leader, I feel it behooves me to try to see to it that those who can make a difference stay on their feet and function at something approximating maximum efficiency. Get my drift, or am I goin’ too fast for you?”
Brandy’s laugh was clear over the communicator.
“All right. You win. I’ll get some sleep and pick it up from here tomorrow. Good night now … Mother. Brandy out.”
“That Rose?” Tusk-anini said, repeating his earlier question as the communicator went dead.
“It sure as hell was.” Phule grinned. “Come on up when you’re ready, Tusk-anini. I’ve got to go talk to that woman!”
The commander flew back up the stairs, nearly breaking down the door of the penthouse in his enthusiasm and eagerness.
“I overheard that last exchange, Rose,” he exclaimed, bursting into the room. “You were fantastic!”