Sunday December 2, 2007
Book 9: The Body Politic — Part IV: We Kept the Party Hats

Transcript

Narrator: The U.N.S. Battleplate Morokweng, just outside of the Yomingan Teraport Interdiction Zone.
Commodore Bhotsu: Admiral Emm, Commodore Bhotsu, reporting.
Admiral Emm: Tell me you've found something, Commodore.
Commodore Bhotsu: Well. . . We know where they're not.
Admiral Emm: So you've found nothing.
Commodore Bhotsu: Captain Fulda suggested I tell you that we also know how they didn't get to where we know they're not.
Commodore Bhotsu: I told the Captain you probably wouldn't appreciate the cheek.
Admiral Emm: Commodore, in our zeal to not make the news, we have been timid and allowed our quarry to escape.

We are fast approaching the end of our short list of non-newsworthy tactics.

Admiral Emm: If you and the Captains under your command can find the Touch And Go without creating an incident, I will accept cheek, smack-talk, ribald humor and all manner of political incorrectness.
Admiral Emm: If you cannot, however, I may be forced to charge this command into the Fleetmind's meat-grinder.

Commodore Bhotsu:: So. . . No kidding around until the job's done?
Admiral Emm: Smart Monkey! Help yourself to a banana on your way out.