Metal Boxes - Trapped Outside Read Online Free PDF Page A

surprise Stone. There were as many admirals trying to curry favor with Stone as there were women trying to become romantically entangled with him. Except for Barb Tuttle, the women were looking for rich boyfriends and husbands. Barb made it clear she only wanted a sexual encounter, and certainly nothing more entangling than “a quick slap and tickle, thanks, and see ya around”. The admirals were looking for comfortable second careers with the Stone Freight Company, except one admiral who’d expressed his interest in Stone, interest that was little different from most of the women looking for husbands.
    He decided it might not be so bad to be on an admiral’s staff. He wouldn’t have MCPO Thomas riding his ass all day since the man was taking transport with Butcher. Maybe he wouldn’t have to watch people scrub pots, sweep floors, or empty the trash. He’d complained to his father and mother at a family dinner before their spaceship took off for a freight run. After all, they had sent him to the navy to learn leadership so he could take over the family business when the time came. Grandfather wasn’t going anywhere soon, not for decades, but time wasn’t Stone’s issue. He already knew how to scrub pots, sweep floors, and empty the trash. He had done those same things on their ship, the Golden Boulder, for as long as he could remember, certainly for most of his seventeen years. He suggested he might learn more following some career path other than the navy.
    Dad had said, “The fact you mention this means you haven’t learned what we sent you to learn.” He and Mom refused to discuss it further except to say, “Keep at it.”
    He would be glad to let some admiral try pandering to him for a while.
    Temple said, “This next part is mine. This is most unusual. By special request of the Emperor himself, we promote Midshipman Blackmon Stone to Ensign Junior Grade. This below-the-zone promotion comes because Ensign Stone is one of the two known experts on Allie’s World. The Emperor requested him by name for the exploration and exploitation of this new planet. His missive designates Blackmon Perry Stone as the planetary governor. As such, Ensign Stone will be the liaison officer with Commander Butcher’s ship while in orbit, the commander of both the navy and marine ground detachments and all assigned medical corps, and the manager of the civilian survey crew. This posting requires an officer rank beyond midshipman.”
    The admiral stepped across the room. Pulling off Stone’s midshipman insignia, he applied ensign junior grade rank with a heavy slap on each shoulder. Butcher stepped up, slapped the rank tabs with a stinging flat hand, followed by LTSG Bhutros. Having been vetted by all officers in the room, Thomas and Ryte rendered hand salutes. Stone returned the salutes by rote. He was stunned. This was the worst possible assignment.
    Temple said, “I envy you, Ensign Stone. Or should I say Governor Stone? Your first planetary command and a fresh world to explore. How exciting!”
    Stone tried to keep his face passive. He wanted to tell the admiral how Allie’s World may be Earth normal in mass and environment, but every available inch was populated by animals who could rip out chunks of flesh with huge teeth to eat you, rip you to shreds with claws and talons for no reason at all, or just swallow and shit you out whole as a present for a horde of huge dung beetles on steroids with claws, hooks and pincers of their own. He wanted to explain how the planet was filled with plants covered in spikes, spines, thorns, and barbs, each sharper than the last. Worst of all, the whole planet was completely outside.

SIX
     
    Stone was still baffled by the sudden turn of events as the meeting ended. His dataport beeped, reminding him of his appointment in medical. The time was long past immediate, but it didn’t matter. A navy commander had delayed him, if medical didn’t like it, they could complain to Butcher.
    Ryte