Stella by her own reconning had earned an end to her shift. It had time up on the bridge. been tedious brain breaking time on the bridge. But little old her had helped to establish contact with a people who were supposed to be hostile. Now it seemed they were just really cranky. Sort of like her Uncle Willis was on a Sunday morning after drinking all night Saturday and Aunt Loise made him attend early services at church.

Stella walked into the Dragon Inn and saw the mess. ” Mister Joe! She called out. ” Don’t you be a hiding from me! If you got it I need me a couple of really important things right now. I need me three fingers of rum and a bowl of shrimp creole!”

She could hear the burners fire up in back and the rustle of bags and clink of canisters. It was then she saw Joe coming out with a smile on his face. He placed the glass of rum in front of her as she spoke saying, ” And don’t forget how I like my shrimp I want smoke coming out of my ears mister!” Joe could only chuckle and head toward the back to get her shrimp ready.

Lt.jg Stella Gagnon Comms