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# CHAPTER THREE

### REACTIONS AND ALARUMS

Tyler was just stooging through the bridge, on his way to the missile tech's quarters where there were reports of illicit gambling being conducted, when the alarm went off.

The captain was on the bridge three seconds after the alarm started, in a crouch, looking as if he didn't know which way to run.

"Is that the reactor alarm?!" the captain yelled.

"You're the Captain," Tyler said quietly, putting his hand over his eyes and mentally kissing his butt goodbye. "You don't know?"

"Fusion Two is in alarm!" the engineering watch PO said. "But there's no sign of the fault on my screens."

"Prepare to jettison!" the captain yelled as the alarm shut off. "Or not." He cursed luridly and hit the button for Fusion Two.

"Two! What in the Sweet Merciful Tester's name is going on?!"

"Uh, sorry about that," the talker replied. "Kowalski dropped his coffee mug on the alarm switch."

"Sir."

"AH!"

The XO had just appeared behind the CO again, causing the already somewhat overwrought captain to nearly jump out of his skin. One of these days, Tyler was going to see the XO actually walk. So far, he appeared to travel by telekinesis. "I recommend that we convene a summary court and space Spaceman Kowalski."

"I don't think that will be necessary, Exec," the captain panted. "Tempting . . . but no. We'll talk about a Captain's Mast tomorrow. For now, I'm going to go to my cabin and change my shorts. Make that a general order."

"Medic to the missile compartment," the enunciator called. "Bring your syringe."

Tyler left the bridge shaking his head.

"He didn't know if it was the reactor alarm or not," he said, giggling helplessly. "He's the captain, and he didn't know. Hah-hah. Hah-hah, hee. Uhn hah, Oh My God . . ."

"Tester, spare us this day from your Tests . . ."

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Framed