The Full Circle Six Read Free Page B

Uciferi
C.S.O.
Racecraft Security Officer
Bruvold Aristando
    Drake did not recognize any of the new names on the list. He called everyone to the navigation room, using the racecraft intercom, to inquire if they knew some of the fresh meat. There were not too many league appointed staff, so it was a good possibility one of his own might know a name or two. Drake turned to Freddie, who was already looking at the list over his shoulder.
    â€œRecognize anyone?” Drake wasn’t hopeful, knowing whom he was talking to.
    â€œLooks like a bunch of alien names to me, cap.” Freddie responded. “Probably not as pretty as I am, though.” Tossing a wink at Drake, he turned aside so that Kraus, who was standing directly behind, could look at the list.
    â€œWell, well, I don’t believe it.” Kraus’s face matched his shocked tone almost comically. “Bruvold Aristando … This man was with me in the academy. We were also stationed together in our first event.”
    â€œIs he good?” Drake would not tolerate incompetence.
    â€œOh he can handle himself alright … Knows a lot about weapons, too. That was his first job.” Kraus was recalling early days of team combat, his favorite pastime.
    â€œGood.” Drake smirked as he began to think of the possibilities. “Maybe he’ll add a little something to the mix.” The current weapons operator couldn’t keep back a chuckle, as his captain made this last comment.
    Sammy stepped forward to look as well, while Croxy stayed by its station. He seemed to stare fixedly at the list of new members for some time before he spoke up. He looked for a moment, as if he would say something revealing of his thoughts, but all he said was …
    â€œHmm … we might have to be careful with the fresh meat … looks like Uciferi might be related to the devil.” This caused Freddie to erupt in shrieking gales of laughter until he was on the deck, holding his sides with his arms crossed.
    Drake shrugged it off as a lost cause. “We’ll just have to wait till they get here. We have one week to prepare … I don’t want to see anyone slouching. From here until we win this race, it’s one hundred percent.” Drake gave his crew a meaningful look and said, “Dismissed.”
    Over the next few days two members arrived. The first was Juhaen. Juhaen’s duties were consistent with that of a food service vendor, his main job being to refill the delivery dispenser tubes. He only gave the one name, and wanted it pronounced as huwon. The other to arrive was Kraus’s long lost friend. When Bruvold arrived the two were seen together everywhere, discussing weapons strategies, and swapping stories of past.
    By the end of the week, sure enough, all members had arrived with the exception of one Zarocostos Jozwiak. Drake Judge got irritated at any underperformance, which included tardiness. To pass time, Drake interviewed the new recruits. He discerned that Priscilla was a capable doctor, although he preferred Croxy, and Uceferi was not related to the devil. Ouldsid’s duties consisted mainly of custodial work, but he also was sort of a repairman. Drake also entertained himself by watching Kraus and Bruvold argue until blows, only to make up and drink heavily.
    Four days before the Full Circle Six, the communications expert finally joined up with the rest of the crew. Drake met up with him almost as soon as he entered the racecraft.
    â€œWhat do you mean by letting my crew fall behind, you late scum?” Drake screamed, with his chin up and out, and one finger pointed at the bridge of a very large nose.
    â€œSir,” The elaborately big nosed creature, weighing no more than one hundred fifty pounds, was shaking. “I only just finished my last assignment three hours ago.” He finished weakly, but did not bend his head down. This little show of courage impressed Drake.
    â€œI should fire you