Free Metal Boxes - Rusty Hinges by Alan Black Page B

mean by that? She didn’t say that she thought I would like them, but that I did like them. ”
    He was about to call her on her dataport when his buzzed open and LTJG Vera’s face popped into view, hovering in mid-air. “Ensign Stone, we have a situation in the shuttle bay. I’ve been told that you have experience with the acid sludge throwers in the Hyrocanian shuttle. Please get your ass down here. We’ve got this shi — stuff leaking all over the place.”

 
     
     
    CHAPTER TEN
     
    Stone grabbed the long breaker bar. Leaning into it, he twisted and pulled. The acid sludge feeder belt slipped back onto its cog and chunked forward a few beats until it stopped. Releasing the pinched belt broke free a damaged acid bulb. It gushed slime all over him. Backing away from the machine, he stood still while a spacer sprayed him with a concoction of purified water and baking soda. It bubbled, but rinsed off the acid sludge.
    Doctor Kat Emmons grinned and poked Doctor Emiliano Wyznewski in the chest with a sharp finger. “Told you it would work. Mother always gave Dad a glass of this stuff whenever he had heartburn. She said it was better than the over-the-counter medicine — not to mention cheaper.”
    Whizzer said, “It works for that half of the acid sludge, but that mild solution won’t work if he gets covered in the other half. That stuff is a lot more corrosive.”
    Emmons nodded. “In that case, we use this other sprayer.”
    Whizzer said, “But what if he gets covered in both?”
    Stone spoke before Emmons could reply. “In that case, you hit the big red button on the wall, slam the door closed, run like hell, and send a letter of condolence to my family.”
    Emmons looked up at him. Her long blonde hair shook as she gave her head a little shake. He still hadn’t been able to tell if her hair color was natural, genetically altered or if she used something out of a box. Not that it mattered, it looked pretty.
    She said, “Interesting response, young man.” Pulling out an ancient style spiral notebook and pencil, she jotted down a few notes.
    Stone said, “Quit that.”
    “Quit what?” Emmons asked.
    “I know you are a behaviorist, but aren’t you here to advise us on Hyrocanian behavior, not study me?”
    Whizzer grinned, “Kat knows Hyrocanian behavior, but it’s only a sideline.”
    Emmons nodded. “I am primarily a human behaviorist and your behavior interests me.”
    Stone said, “My behavior interests me too, but when you jot things down in your notebook it makes me think I’m some kind of lab rat you’re studying for some report.”
    Emmons said, “I do write reports on you. And on Whizzer, and Spacer Dollish, The Hammer of God, and a dozen other people I’ve met since we got trapped on Allie’s World and you saved all our lives. Writing reports is what I do, that’s how I justify my tiny salary as a scientist.”
    “Okay, but — no. Who?” Stone was baffled.
    Whizzer asked. “Which who?”
    Stone answered, “You said you write reports on — and I quote — The Hammer of God.”
    Emmons and Whizzer laughed.
    Emmons finally said, “That’s just my personal little joke. Sorry. I’m supposed to write reports on a few specific people for various entities. One is First Lieutenant Theo Hammermill. Marine higher ups think he has potential for long-term promotion and advancement up the ranks. They’ve asked my opinion, so —”
    “Hammer I get; short for Hammermill,” Stone interrupted. “Why is he the Hammer of God?”
    Emmons said, “Theo is from an Old Earth language called Greek. It means God. Seems appropriate since he kind of looks like a Greek god. Ares maybe, the god of war?”
    Whizzer made a bad attempt at flexing his muscles. “What about me?”
    Emmons laughed. “I sleep with you, you old coot. You’d be gone in a heartbeat if Theo Hammer came to call.”
    A voice shouted. “Are you clear?”
    Stone shouted back, “Yes, LT. The kink is clear and the area sprayed