“Yep. We figured that a few more people on Shaved Ape Key might make it easier to sell the idea that we were settling in.”
“Sounds reasonable. When do we leave?”
“Soon as Jeeves can get us packed, I suppose. You want to take the Audi?”
“Sounds like fun. What made you think of that?”
“It was Sally’s idea. She thought it would make it look more like we were settling in.”
“Who all is going with us?”
“You would have to ask Beatriz. She’s in charge of rounding up volunteers.”
“Are Grandpa and Dee coming?”
“Last I heard, they were headed out to see if they could buy Tex’s girlfriend.”
“You’re not kidding, are you?”
“Nope. Last I saw Dingus, he was on the bridge, asking Tex where he might find the lady in question.”
Janet spoke up. “So, you mean this is actually a job for the company, and not just a vacation on the planet?”
Nikki said, “It looks that way to me. We’ll have to pretend to have fun, and everything. Sounds like hard work.”
“You don’t have to be that way about it. If it’s actually for a good cause, and not just Grandma Cachi trying to get me off the ship, I’m in.”
I asked, “Do you think Milly will come, too?”
“As long as it is for the good of the ship, sure she will.”
My comm rang. “Captain Wilson.”
“Boss, this is Jeeves. Are we about to go to the planet?”
“Yes, Jeeves, we are. I should have already let you know. Things have been a bit hectic.”
“Anything special you would like me to pack?”
“We need to make it look like we have moved to the planet, so bring everything.”
“I received a query from Topper. He wants to know if you would like your machine tools sent down?”
“That would really sell it. Ask him to go ahead and do that.”
“He also said that he had taken the liberty of building you some replicas of the safes you have back home. Would you like those installed as well?”
“Yes, indeed. What about you? Have you thought of something I’ve missed?”
“I don’t think so, Boss. I did get a call from a Miss Nunya. She said your new pistol is as tested as she knows how to test it.”
“Well, then, pack it, and whatever ammo she has made up. I should have time to practice with it, while we’re on the planet. See if she has a printer program for more ammo, if we need it.”
“Yes, Boss. What ship should I put your things on?”
“We’ll be taking the Ronald Evans.”
“Okay, Boss. I’ll see you on board the Evans.”
“Later, Jeeves.”
“Goodbye, Boss.”
Nikki asked, “Was that Jeeves?”
“It was. He wanted to be sure what we wanted him to pack.”
“Does he seem a little uptight to you?”
“He sure does. Wonder what his deal is?”
Janet asked, “Has he ever been unlocked? He might have some programming that is conflicting with his job.”
I replied, “I have no idea. He showed up, said Sally had sent him. I figured she knew what she was doing, so I didn’t worry about it.”
Nikki asked, “Do you mind if I check into it, before we take him to the planet?”
“Go right ahead. He never has seemed like he fit in as well as the other bots.”
My comm rang. “Captain Wilson.”
Rhonda said, “Captain Bob, is there a good reason I didn’t get invited to go down to the planet with everybody else?”
“Not that I know of. Beatriz Cachi is in charge of that. Have you done something to whiz her off?”
“Who?”
“Beatriz. Diego’s Grandma, haven’t you met her?”
“Nope. I heard Nunya talking about her and Mrs. Sloan, but I haven’t met her.”
“Get Gene to take you to her and introduce yourself. She’s trying to scrounge up as many people as she can, I’m sure she’ll be happy to have you along.”
“What are we going to be doing, anyhow?”
“Trying to convince the Patrol that the Squirrels are figments of their imagination, mostly.”
“Is this one of those capers I’ve heard so much about?”
“Close enough, I suppose. You getting tired of being cooped up in a tin can?”
“It is a big change from living on a planet all my life. Most of the time, I’m okay, but once in a while, I wanna go outside and take a walk.”
“I know what you mean. Get with Beatriz, she’ll hook you up.”
“Thanks, Captain.”
“No sweat. See you on the planet.”
Nikki asked, “Rhonda wants to go dirtside?”
“She does. Apparently, nobody thought to ask her.”
Janet said, “I’m glad she’s coming with us. She’s fun, and she helps me understand Earth culture.”
I replied, “Ain’t nothing hard to understand about a bunch of primitives, is there?”
Janet said, “You’ll have to find someplace else to peddle that line of crap, Captain. I’ve seen you in action.”
Nikki said, “I do believe you have been shut down, Caveman.”
“Appears to be the case. I think I’ll go see what else needs doing before we head down.”
“Janet can catch up on her homework while we’re on ‘vacation’. I’m going to go see what I can learn about Jeeves.”
Janet said, “I better go get packed.”
Since we were all going different places, we had to wait our turn on the transit. Nikki and I let Janet go first, so we could spend our time waiting playing tonsil hockey. All too soon, Nikki’s transit car showed up, and I was left by myself. The car showed up, and Gene asked, “Where to, Boss?”
I thought for a moment. “Take me to Frank’s quarters, I haven’t checked in on him in a few days.” Julie met me in the hallway. “Hi, Boss. Frank is asleep right
