The Red Tape War Part 25

"As soon as my lunch break is over," he replied. "When will that be?" she asked, pouting.

Pierce looked at Marshmallow. "About two weeks," he said.

They entered orbit around New Glasgow three weeks later. Pierce was about to ask for landing coordinates when a huge dreadnought popped out of hypers.p.a.ce, cannons at the ready.

"Ahoy, the s.h.i.+p!" said a harsh voice, and Pierce instructed the computer to put the speaker's visual image on the viewscreen. Instantly he found himself staring at a heavily muscled blue- tinted marsupial wearing nothing but a military harness, a wicked-looking dagger, a pistol of unknown design and properties, and a chest full of medals.

"This is the Pete Rozelle," replied Pierce. "Please identify yourself. Your s.h.i.+p and insignia are unfamiliar to me.

"Well, you'd better start getting used to them," growled the alien. "My name is Millard Fillmore Pierce, and I'm here to conquer your puny little galaxy!"

Somehow Pierce wasn't surprised.