The Second Book of the Alienbutt Saga. The Rise of Mr Fluffy. Part 76.

Frank stood on the bridge of the science vessel. They were on the very edge of dead space. He watched through the viewing screen as a host of robots built a large platform in an area of space where the Stone of Bi used to be. The destruction of the stone had made their mission more difficult, but Frank had worked a way around the setback. He was having a giant eco bubble built that would allow them to begin their plan to let Alienbutt know they were waiting for him. Using specialised scans that the stranger Fashion had told him about in his dream, he had pinpointed the area of space where the closed gateway was located. Now construction of what he needed was on the way. Snoodgrass had been sceptical of Frank’s plan, but had assigned a science vessel and two dreadnoughts as escort, with a team of the best Outer System marines they had.

The ever present robot Kirk walked onto the flight desk and toddled over to where Frank stood.
“It’s time for the movie. The marines have requested The Thing from Outer Space. It’s an excellent choice,” Kirk said in his monotone voice, but somehow he managed to indicate his excitement.
The arrival of Major Kaela with his squad had been a minor miracle to Frank, as the marines loved to watch Kirk’s films at every opportunity.
“I’m afraid I still have hours of programming to complete, Kirk, and those construction droids out there need watching to ensure they get the job done right. I simply cannot trust them like I do you,” Frank said.
He had discovered that Kirk had developed pride, and the best way to escape his film shows was to, as Wickede often said, blow smoke up his arse.
“The platform should be ready tomorrow and I need to ensure everything is prepared,” Frank continued. “I just hope the five hundred bottles of whiskey will be enough. It’s all Snoodgrass could get hold of.”
Kirk did a little hop that Frank knew meant he was shrugging his shoulders, and turned to leave. He knew the robot was upset, but while he had the marines to keep his film viewing tendencies occupied it gave Frank a much-needed breather.
Frank returned to thinking of the problem before him; sending bottles of Alienbutt’s favourite whiskey through a closed gateway he now had to open. The other scientists on the bridge barely looked up as he began to mumble in binary code, as he considered how to solve the next little problem. He didn’t bother to use the computer set aside for him when working, as it only slowed down his calculations.

To be continued.
All images are mine.