Mission Briefing, Part II

Word Count 770

    Commander Smallshaft stood before the door, took a deep breath and girded his loins in preparation for what he knew was going to be a long, very long day.  It was the first day of training for Mission ∞Δ, fortunately P.I.S.S. (Planetary Inter-Space Service) had scheduled only a very short training period.  It was the actual mission itself that concerned him.  Twenty-four days alone in a ship with Captain Fifi LaRue, it would be a long period to be isolated with that bitch he thought.

    He entered the briefing room.  LaRue, General Mavis D, Doorknocker and a civilian Smallshaft didn't know were already seated at the large conference table, large enough for eighteen with the seats against the walls for aides.  Doorknocker was the Mission Liaison Officer, which in reality meant she insured that the civilian's study guidelines and mandates would be implemented by LaRue and Smallshaft, additionally her unspoken duties included  keeping the two from completely alienating the other before the mission began.

    "Good morning General, Captain Larue and?"

    "Smallshaft this is Dr. P.E. Vatchmann," interjected Doorknocker.

    "Dr. Vatchmann," Dick Smallshaft extended his hand to Vatchmann, noting the gray hair showing from under his bleached blond toupee.    His eyes were dark and close set, one seemed to looking somewhere off over his shoulder, then it wandered back and seemed to be focused on his crotch.  Smallshaft was somewhat disconcerted by this, unsure how to look Vatchmann in the eyes, or eye.

    "Peep, you can call me Peep, Dick, if it is okay that I call you Dick, Commander"

    "Dicks fine Peep," Smallshaft replied.

    "Sit down please gentlemen, Dr. Vatchmann, er...Peep, would you please brief us on the assignment parameters," requested DoorKnocker.

    "Yes of course, Captain LaRue, Dick, my specialty is Personal Observational of Sexual Interactive Overt Techniques, or POSITION for ease of conversation.  As you are both aware the thrust of this mission is to determine the feasibility of sexual activity under zero-g for extended periods.  The climax of the study is to assess the possibility of colonists engaging in activities while in route to systems chosen for colonization.  Any questions up to this point," without pausing Peep continued, "my understanding is that you are in top physical condition so no training in that respect is required.  We can proceed directly to ∞Δ's specifics."

    "Excuse me, Peep," interrupted LaRue, "I have been under the impression we were just to...engage in activities... like rabbits on the mission?"

    "Hold on, we are also giving the new Fusion drive a complete test on this mission also, I don't have to boff you all the time.  Do I have to boff her at all General?"  Smallshaft was pleading, "Couldn't you find someone else for this mission or have a third to perform Peep's shows while I'm busy piloting the ship?"

    LaRue quickly came to her feet, glaring at Smallshaft, "What's the matter; you don't want some of this?"  She pointed to her crotch.  "How about these, I'll tell you right know these are the best breasts in the entire P.I.S.S. fleet, firm yet supple, and more than a handful I can tell you that, even some bastard like you with oversize hands. And another thing Smallshaft, you ever think of changin' your name?"

    "Sit down down Captain," barked Doorknocker.  "That will be enough of this.  You both are going to have to put personal feelings aside, and that is an order, understood?"

    "Yes General," LaRue and Smallshaft answered in unison.

    Peeps was stuck on Larue's breasts and had missed most of the outburst.

    "This is what you are going to do, in addition to some formal training and briefs from Peep's here, you two are going to become familiar with each other.  Very familiar, no clothes familiar..."

    "Excuse me," Peeps interrupted, "Where is the nearest restroom?"  He didn't really wait for an answer as he hurriedly left the conference room doubled over.

    Doorknocker continued, failing at hiding the small smile taking over her face.  "You will spend the rest of the day together, have a nice lunch, a quiet dinner, together, and report back here at 0900 hours tomorrow for continued briefing.  Be prepared, tomorrow may be a long day, dismissed."

    LaRue and Smallshaft left together, his one-point-nine meter, barrel chested frame, dwarfed Larue's not quite petite, one-point-six meter frame.  Both were silent, neither knew what to say or where to begin.

    "Can I ask you a question Commander?"

    A sigh escaped as Dick answered that she could.

    "Seriously, why didn't you ever change your name Smallshaft?"

    "Well I thought about it, but somehow Peter Smallshaft just doesn't sound much better, ya' know?"