In which peace returns for some time.


    The unfortunate confrontantion between officer LANCER and Cecil Noodle served as a reminder to the whole crew of Research Station #DX192 to be mindful of the Potatoes’ mental health (for everyone’s sake). The trial of the offending officers was discreet but made public, as it was kind of difficult to hide such interesting events amongst a crew of about 100 that was “one big family of canned tuna” for months at a time (and have been working together for years now).


    The Potatoes were called to give their testimony in said trial, but it was soon apparent that their recollection of the events was a bit “screwy” and took a lot of windup just to get to that particular Sunday. The offending officers, for their part, admitted their guilt and responsibility in the matter, issuing a direct apology to the Potatoes and a public apology to the crew as a whole. This helped mitigate the sour feeling left in the crew, and the punishment of 9 months of community service plus obligatory retraining seemed fair enough to most (the rest were the security team, they had other plans for them).


    After a few weeks, things settled down some more. Even the Potatoes had been relatively quiet about their shenanigans, as their militaristic training had toned down a little and they were more open to listening to advice (at least from The Doctor), so there were less chances of them getting dangerously delusional (everyone hoped).


    Though, the most important consequence for all were the inspired potato myths that came after. Like the myth that the potatoes could defeat soldiers in one punch, or that they could invoke the spirit of Rakuz-whose-rage-scorches-the-lands on a whim. Nothing but exagerations. (Like the one that says they can charm a whole colony with their wild singing and naked dancing. They have never been out of the station ever, Sstepshen.)


    Needless to say, Captain Arasha’Ssabi was feeling once again at peace, minding her own business in her living quarters inside the Starbinder by working on her pet project.


    “(…Lyresh fell to the ground, her body weak and bruised.)” Wrote Arykins on her computer. “(The ?Ba2-9tJ!@? was almost upon her, its bloodthirst insatiable regardless of how many innocent lives it had claimed. She needed to escape but her body betrayed her, anchoring her being to that vulnerable spot. “Oh, how I wish someone would save me.” She thought in tears, knowing the beast was near. Growl The eight legged arthropod behemot made its presence known. “This is it.” Thought Lyresh, closing her eyes to deny oblivion her witness. But then. A clash of bodies! And the sound of limbs being torn off, followed by a beastly shriek of agony! Lyresh opened her eyes at the sudden shift in her fate, staring in awe at the crimson figure standing in between her and the now staggering beast, the savage male tensed with primal rage as he hissed in defiance against her predator, tossing away the severed leg pieces he had claimed with his bare claws. “Ooh~” Something awoke deep inside Lyresh at the sight of her new guardian. Then-)”If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Beep beep Incoming call.


    “<Hello?>” Said Arykins.


    “[Hey there, girl~ Whatchu doing?]” Said a female voice on the other side.


    “<Hey, Kerykins. Just working, you know.>”


    “[Oh! Is it an update?]” Said Kr’Re’Ki, her bestest friend and Head of Communications. “[Can I have a peeky peek? Pleeease~?]”


    “<Maaaybe~>” Arykins grinned devishly to herself. “<If you got something of equal value…>”


    “[Say no more.]” Kerykins begun to work her magic from her side. And a minute later, she sent her friend a sample of a special file. “[I got a high quality copy of the best part of last Sunday’s Potato Serenade~ Wanna trade?]”


    Oooh~ Arykins was now interested.


    “<You got yourself a deal.>” Said the Captain, sending a (Condition Specific Exchange) Link to ensure their respective files were traded equally, both parties giddy with excitement.


    “[Oh wow.]” Said Kerykins as she read the new draft of Arykins’ pet project. “[You went for action this time, huh? Sounds cool, I like…]” But Arykins was paying her little attention at the moment, since she was checking out her own new file.


    “…And now you know I can’t smile without you.” Sang Paul Feathers in her comm-bead.


    “Ican’tshmilewithoutyou.” Sang Cecil Noodle too.


    “I can’t laugh.” “AndIcan’tshing.”


    “I’m finding it hard to do anything!(anyshing!)”


    All the while, Alistair Kibbles could be hear howling a soft melody, compensating his muteness with awoo power.


    Arykins just let herself sink in. It was not the greatest singing, mind you, but it was warmcuddle-style acappela singing, and their sincerity just made the novelty oh-so-much-warm-and-fuzzy. And when you live in space for long (even with access to the GalNet), anything that resembles a simple life can be a soothing experience.


    For a little while, life on Research Station #DX192 was good.