“Sorry, old man,” yawned the other, “but the commander’s having breakfast. Call back in half an hour, will you?”
“This is an emergency! Put me through at once!”
“Can’t help it,” said the other, “nobody can disturb the Old Man while he’s having breakfast!”
“Listen, you knucklehead,” screamed Ozaki, “if you don’t get me through to the commander as of right now, I’ll have you in the uranium mines so fast that you won’t know what hit you!”
“You and who else?” drawled the tech.
“Me and my cousin Takahashi!” snarled the pilot. “He’s Reclassification Officer for the Base STAP.”
The tech’s face went white. “Yes, sir!” he stuttered. “Right away, sir! No offense meant, sir!” He disappeared from the screen. There was a moment of darkness and then the interior of Commander Krog-son’s cabin flashed on.
The commander was having breakfast. His teeth rested on the white tablecloth and his mouth was full of mush.
“Commander Krogson!” said Ozaki desperately.
The commander looked up with a startled expression. When he noticed his screen was on, he swallowed his mush convulsively and popped his teeth back into place.