Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 72

much handier than calling her to the bridge every time I needed to talk to him.

"Yes, Commodore?"

"Fire mission incoming. Tickle strength. I hope that will be enough to convince your people."

"So do I."

I turned to Tex, and said, "At your convenience."

"Fire in the hole." I asked Snappi, "Did that get their attention?"

"It seems to have. We'll have to see if it moves them to action."

"I'm sure Tex would be more than willing to zap them again, if that's what it takes."

"Let's hope that won't be necessary. Thanks for giving us a warning, Commodore."

"No problem. Fly safe."

"You too. See you tomorrow." The line went dead, and I put my comm away. I turned to Sue. "Do you see any response?"

"No, Boss. They don't seem to be responding at all."

"Not even their stealth ship?"

"Not even that."

"We'll have to see if they go out and pick up their platforms. I hope they do. I don't want to have to tear up their toys."

Tex said, "You're no fun, Boss."

"Comes from sitting in the big chair. People think you ought to be a grown up."

"Better you than me."

"I hear it's good to have friends. Maybe someday I'll find out."

"Aww, Boss. Don't be like that."

"Whatsamatta you? Can't take a little teasing?"

"You got me, Boss."

Topper asked, "You need anything else, Boss?"

"Just get ahold of me when the Squirrels decide to do something about our little show. Your ship."

"My ship. Later, Boss." I got up, and Nikki and I left the bridge. Once we were outside, I asked, "Have you tried the new carbines?"

"No, Caveman."

"Don't you think you should?"

"I suppose."

"Let's go do that, what do you say?"

"Sounds good." We headed off to the armory.

When we got there, Jackie was waiting for us. She said, "Gene told me you were headed this way. Anything special you need today?"

"I wanted Mrs. Wilson to get a chance to try out the new carbines. Do you have one handy?"

"Of course, Boss. Would you like a pair so you can shoot against one another?"

"Just the one for now, I think." She brought us out a carbine, and a stack of magazines.

"I have more ammo, if you use all of this."

"Thanks, Jackie."

Nikki asked, "Don't you have a rifle a lot like this?"

"Just the bottom part, where the controls are. The top half is all Nunya." We went back to the range, and I showed her how to operate the carbine. She started with single shots on the various targets. She was, as I had expected, very good with it. Then I showed her the happy switch. She had never fired full auto before, but she caught on fairly quick. We messed around for a while, with different targets, and the Hogan's Alley set up Nunya had put in. We were getting low on ammo, when Nikki said, "Young Gus is hungry again. I think I've had all the fun I want for one day."

"I think you're plenty competent with the new weapon. Let's go eat."

Jackie said, "I can take care of cleaning that for you, if you want."

I replied, "You're teaching me bad habits, Jackie."

"You just have more important things to do, Boss."

"I suppose you're right."

Nikki said, "Jackie's just trying to be nice, Caveman. Don't be an asshole."

"But that's what I'm good at."

"You see what I have to put up with, Jackie?"

"Yes, Ma'am." We washed up and headed for the galley.

Nikki said, "We're taking the transit this time, Caveman. I'm too hungry to mess around with your side trips." Stella was waiting for us when we got to the galley. She showed us to a table and brought us some drinks. "What would you two like to eat this evening?"

I said, "Would an open faced roast beef be too much trouble?"

"Not at all, Boss."

Nikki asked, "I think I just want a burger and fries."

"Coming right up.” We sat and didn't say much, waiting for our food to come out. Before Stella brought it, Janet showed up. She said, "Hi. Gene said you guys were coming here. I thought I would come eat with you if that's okay?"

Nikki said, "Of course it's okay. Have a seat. Did you already order?"

"Sure did. I commed ahead. It's not hard, I could show you how."

I said, "I'm sure you could. I guess I'm just old-fashioned, I like to come in and sit down. It gives me a chance to unwind."

Janet replied, "So, you're telling me you're getting old?"

I looked at Nikki. "We have got to get a paintball game going. This one needs to be taken down a peg."

Nikki replied, "That sounds like your project, Caveman."

"You don't agree she's getting uppity?"

"I didn't say that, Caveman. I'm just not going to be spry enough to get it done for a few months."

"Now I understand what you mean, Space Cadet."

Janet asked, "What is paintball? Why do you think it will keep me from being uppity?"

I said, "Because it would show you that your elders are sneakier than you think they are. It might teach you a little respect."

"I respect you guys. I was just teasing."

Nikki said, "He knows that. He's just messing with you."

Stella came out with our food. She said, "Hi, Janet. You made it on time."

"Yeah. I finally figured out how long it takes a transit to get here."

We all started eating, so the conversation died out. When we came up for air, I asked, "Did you get your power runs finished today?"

"Not quite. We should be done by lunch tomorrow, easy."

"Would you have any interest in attending a stuffy, historic, ceremony?"

"I don't think so. Do you think I should?"

"You could tell your grandkids that you were there."

"I think I'll have plenty of stories, just from being aboard the Gene. Seeing you and the Emperor sign some papers wouldn't hold a candle to some of the other stuff that I have seen since I've been aboard."

Nikki said, "I can see your point. Besides, Scotti is keeping you pretty busy, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is. She wants to get the mods that she couldn't remember in place as quick as