ClassicComedyFan2
03-11-2002, 05:15 PM
Enjoy the latest ep! :)
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“The Mission”
Episode 8 of Gopher’s Gateway
Sean Sporman walked down the halls of Pine, at 8:05 in the morning. Sunshine entered through windows and structural imperfections to leave yellow spots on the floors and walls of the old building. Sean Sporman smiled as the exited the door and proceeded down a small flight of stairs. “You know, I’m going to miss this building.”
Lucy Camden, the newest member of the Hueytown: 2000 staff walked happily with its leader. “But, everyone is going to like your new design better. Especially the next step beyond Visionland.”
Sean let out a small laugh. “That Maze-Slide will be the carrier. I modeled it after McDonald’s playplace…with a few…tweaks.”
“I’ll say.” Lucy exclaimed. “Five thousand feet tall, computers, water squirters, replicators…a person could live in there.”
“Or, they could run a school in there!” Jordan Reeves, along with his friend Tiffany Davidson, walked up to them as they stood on the concrete just outside the entrance of the main building.
“Hey, Sean.” Tiffany Davidson greeted. “Lucy.”
Sean nodded and smiled at Jordan’s friend. “Oh, come now, Commander, the playgrounds are not the only part of the school. There will be the grade buildings, parking decks and of course…OPS.”
“It sounds cool.” Tiffany Davidson agreed. “I can’t wait for real lunchroom food and the audio dampers.” She smiled as she walked to her first period class. Jordan Reeves waved a goodbye.
“And, we have the replicators to thank. With them, it will cost less to construct this school than it would to buy a car.”
“Yeah…” Jordan nudged Sean with his elbow. “What about staff salaries? You know…the adults.”
“Mister Blackerby said--according to Sean—that there was unlimited funding anyway.” Lucy Camden responded.
“Let’s get to the office…we have some announcements to make.” The three walked to the temporary command center of the school.
“Superintendent’s report. Data uplink forty-seven. I have received the first complete blueprint from Sean and his staff and it looks perfect…almost. With a few tweaks, it could be perfect! Kay Lindsay, my new assistant, has arrived. End data uplink forty-seven.”
Kay Lindsay, as expected by Andy Blackerby, entered the office. “Andy, I think we may have a problem.”
Instead of frowning, the superintendent was bright. “Why, Kay, have you seen this? The first—what did he call it—beta design of the new school.”
Kay Lindsay smiled as the superintendent activated the small holographic emitter that showed the new school. “Wow!” she exclaimed.
“We need all students to report to the gym for the next round of the Hueytown Olympics!” Heather Allgood proudly announced via the school’s intercom system using a remote comlink from an LCARS panel in the gym.
News teams from local stations readied their video cameras on the unoccupied sidelines of the gym as students began to enter.
“So, Lucy, looking forward to being in the Olympics?”
“Certainly!” Lucy exclaimed happily. “Back at home, I had boring weekends. Now, by staying on the starship and playing an important role here, there is never a boring second.”
“I agree on the non-boring part.” Meagan Hall said. “I can’t wait to play!”
“What events are in store for today?” Heather Allgood asked.
Sean picked up a Federation PADD. “We have for today…Dizzy Derby, Silver Bullet, and Horse: Round Two, and Bopper Ball races.”
“What’s first?” Jordan asked. “And, how can you play in that starfleet uniform?”
Sean smiled. “I have my ways.” Sean looked to see the gym now packed with students. Picking up the microphone, he began to speak. “Welcome, students of Hueytown, for the latest day of the Hueytown Olympics!” Cheering filled the gym. “First, you should be made aware of some team changes. Because of Mister Morrison’s promotion to assistant principal, Ms. Toomey has taken his place. Also, Lucy Camden has joined the Spormanworld team. And, finally, Meagan Harris, Liz McGowen and John Barnes have temporarily left the Noneonones for two days for senior business. Stacie Tucker, Tiffany Kynard and Amy Ross have volunteered to replace them. Their emergency random backup is now Ben Smith. And, now, prepare for round one of the Bopper ball races! Lucy, care to do the honors?”
Lucy Camden walked to the random selection computer and pressed the main button. Four names appeared on the screen as she was given the microphone. “For the Teachers: Ms. Toomey! For the Randomites: Courtney Gage! For the Noneonones: Johnathan Reeves. And, finally, for Spormanworld, Meagan Hall!”
“Thanks very much, Lucy! Let the battle begin!” As the four walked onto the court and sat on the oversized rubber balls, Sean held up a checkered flag.
“Sean, I had better win!” Meagan exclaimed as Sean quickly lowered the flag.
“Go!” The four racers took off slowly. Almost instantaneously, Johnathan Reeves fell off of his ball and was out of the race. Ms. Toomey surprisingly held the lead, as she was at least three “balls” ahead of the other racers.
Suddenly, in a shocking move, Meagan Hall bounced against Ms. Toomey’s ball and she nearly fell off. “Take that!” Meagan said.
Meanwhile, Courtney Gage had taken the lead. However, Ms. Toomey passed the finish line first. Meagan and then Courtney passed. “Ms. Toomey is the winner!” Sean announced. “Four points for the teachers, three for Spormanworld, two the Randomites, and one for Noneonones!”
As cheers once again flew, Sean smiled. “Now, the event you have been waiting for…Silver Bullet!” Sean winced at the volume of the cheering. He put the microphone down for a second. “I’m glad I’m not a Ferengi.” Picking up the microphone, he said, “Go!”
As every member on every team lined up on opposite sides of the now open court, and the holographic scoreboard changed, ready to display the stats for the contest, Sean lowered his personal shield and took his place. Mister Sellers, who had volunteered in the case all were selected, threw the ball on the court, and said, “Go!”
Sean Sporman, on the combined team of the Spormanworlds and Noneonones, threw the ball first, toward Tim McCown, a.k.a. Lil’ Jimmy, and it connected. As he slowly left the court, Mrs. Ware picked up the ball and hurled it toward Rachel Waters, but it missed by a nose and slammed against the wall. As Lucy Camden ran to pick up the ball, a second ball found its way onto the court. “See, here is my creative twist!” Sean happily exclaimed. Liz Larson picked up the second ball and threw it toward Jordan Reeves, who jumped up in a high jump and avoided it.
“We can still win!” Heather Allgood proclaimed as she got the second ball and threw it, hitting Mr. Roller who was now out. Meanwhile, Lucy Camden bounced the ball against both Ashley Johnston and Mrs. Stevens out. “Oh, yeah!” she said happily.
The holographic school disappeared, and Kay Lindsay was smiling as well as Andy Blackerby in their office. “Wow! What an amazing design! Over 40,000 isofeet of internal space, over one hundered thousand LCARS ports, emergency capacity for the entire population of the state! The new century this will be!”
Andy Blackerby was beaming. “Now, you see! This is the assistant I wanted. Optimism, a woman was what I needed I guess.”
“I agree. Some men are very negative. Walking clichés, as Sean calls them, with their monotone expressions and excessive anger. Did you hear that women live longer because they cry more than men? Tears release an enzyme that lowers stress and blood pressure. Holding in emotional reactions are harmful to health.”
“Fascinating. You want to show me something?”
“Have you ever heard of Mike Hunter?”
“Negative.” Blackerby responded. “Well, I guess I should. Let me see the PADD, please.”
Mrs. Lindsay handed him the PADD, but continued to talk. “Jefferson Intelligence believes him to be a collaborator.”
Blackerby’s smile continued. “You really know this system, Kay!”
“Yes. Thank you.” She smiled. “JI reports that he is currently at PS147, otherwise known as North Highlands High School. I think someone needs to investigate.”
“We adults might draw suspicions and a normal student might not be safe…” Both of their eyes widened as they spoke at the same time. “Sean!”
The fierce battle was to continue. In the out sections, several people sat, chatting.
“Well…at least we are winning.” Brooke Thompson said.
“Not for long!” Courtney Gage proclaimed.
“Maybe…” Liz Larson whispered to herself.
“For sure!” Ashley Hampton exclaimed.
“As if!” Jonathan Reeves shouted.
“This is more fun than it looks at first.” Mister Swiney said, turning to Mrs. Sullivan.
“I agree.” she responded.
As the remaining members of the team returned from their five-minute break, they lined up, ready for the battle to continue. “Go!” Mister Sellers shouted once more.
Lucy Camden once more had the first ball. She threw it hard toward Mrs. Painter, who skillfully dodged the ball. Sean Sporman received the second ball and ran on a line across the very front of the line. He threw it and it hit Cathy Fredrick with it as he ran across and then back to the court as Sarah Lowe threw the ball at him. As the ball that Sarah threw bounced off the gym bleachers, narrowly missing Morgan McBrayer, it hit Sean Sporman and he almost lost his balance. As Sean walked toward the sidelines, his combadge beeped.
He quickly headed out of sight, behind an inflatable wall, then tapped his combadge. “Yes?”
“This is the computer. You have an incoming videophone transmission.” Sean ran out of the gym, since the game was going on without him, to the office. Quickly he ran to the videophone room, and pressed the activation button. He sighed as he sat down in a starfleet chair.
“Greetings, Sean!” Andy Blackerby said. “We are in Board Car 47, about four miles from your location. We thought you might like to know we are coming.”
“Sure.” Sean said, taking in a few more breaths. “A little strange without Pittman One, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Mrs. Lindsay, in the driver’s seat, admitted. Everyone laughed.
“When we get there, we’ll want to talk to you and your staff.”
“Understood. Anything else?”
“Nope.” Blackerby said. “Blackerby out.”
June Gabert woke up from a restful nap in her cell in Hueytown Juvenile. As she blinked her eyes, she noticed Peyton Freeman and Barbara Lowieque playing cards.
“Silly people.” She began, but decided she sounded too much like Sean. “Barb, Peyton, stop playing cards!”
Barbara merely looked at June. “Come on, June. Lighten up, we are merely enjoying a recreational activity.”
“What did you just say?” June asked in anger.
“I said that we are merely enjoying a recreational activity.” Barbara responded as she ran her fingers through her blonde hair.
“And, I thought the normal blonde was dumb.” June responded. “You are sounding way too much like that twerp, Sean.”
“Twerp?” Peyton Freeman responded quickly. “Didn’t I hear that on Pokemon? You know, the name that Jesse calls Ash?” June rolled her eyes and sighed as she lay back down.
As Board Car 47 drove into the parking lot of Hueytown High, Andy Blackerby looked out his window and chuckled. “Kay, did you see the bumper sticker?”
“No, what did it say?” She asked as the car was placed into park.
“It said ‘The weather is here. Wish you were beautiful.’” Both of them laughed.
“Someone needs to check their typing!” Kay Lindsay responded.
“And, look at that one! It says ‘Don't steal. The government hates competition.’”
Kay Lindsay smiled as they entered the school. “Now, that one I can agree with. It makes perfect since.” Both of them laughed, as they stopped at the entrance to the main gym, where the silver bullet game was about to come to an end.
On one side, Ms. Toomey and Sarah Lowe remained. On the other side, Lucy Camden and Tiffany Kynard each had a ball in their hands. Lucy threw first, narrowly missing Sarah. Quickly, Tiffany Kynard threw the ball, which hit Sarah. Now, as the last one left, Ms. Toomey had access to the full court and she now had both balls. She picked up one and threw it toward Lucy, who jumped up as the ball rolled under her legs. Ms. Toomey then faked a throw toward Tiffany, but threw it at Lucy. However, Lucy saw the fake and quickly picked up the ball, and hit Ms. Toomey. The game was over.
Jordan Reeves ran to pick up the microphone. “Team One is the winner. Four points for Spormanworld and the Noneonones! Two points for the Teachers and the Randomites!” The crowd began to cheer as Lucy Camden’s combadge beeped. “This is Lucy!”
“Lucy, come to the office, please.”
“On my way.” She responded, quickly exiting the gym. Several people cheered her victory on the way out. She headed for the office and entered it. She saw the two superintendents.
“We have a mission for you two.” Blackerby said, smiling.
Sean Sporman now had civilian clothes on. Hidden in his clothes were a tricorder, a type I phaser, three antimatter microgrenade, and his communicator. Lucy Camden was equally armed.
They were currently sitting in Board Car 47, which had just been activated. “This should be a very interesting mission.” Lucy Camden commented with a smile.
“True, even if I have to get used to these clothes.” Sean responded.
“What about medal detectors?”
“Well,” Blackerby began. “I’ve conveniently sent them for repairs. You should be able to hide those with your sensor foolers—especially against our tech.”
“Hey, Lucy, want to hear another knock-knock joke?”
“Another one…ok?”
“Knock-Knock.”
“Who’s there?”
“Heaven.”
“Heaven who?”
“Heaven you heard enough of these silly knock-knock jokes?” Sean smiled and Lucy laughed.
“That was a good one.” Lucy added. “Now, one from me.”
“Ok.” Sean responded, smiling.”
"Knock-Knock"
"Who's there?"
"Beets"
"Beets who?"
"Beets me!" Sean laughed.
“This is great.” Mrs. Lindsay responded.
“What is?” Andy Blackerby asked out of curiosity.
“Well, these teens, they aren’t exchanging crude jokes or cussing. This is how teens should be.” Sean smiled broadly.
“I agree.” Andy Blackerby said. “Here we are, North Highlands High.” The car drove up to a school much smaller high school than the original Hueytown High was. It consisted of one rectangular building with a circular building behind it and two small gyms on each side.
“Welcome to PS147, three hundred and seventy-three people go to this school but now it is three hundred and seventy-five. You two are already checked in, all in the same classes.” Blackerby handed them each a piece of paper. “Enjoy, Christoper and Kathryn.”
They both smiled. “Understood.” They began to walk into the school as Board Car 47 drove away.
“Well,” Lucy said. “Here we go!” Sean smiled as he opened the door.
Jordan Reeves sat in the office, once more in command of Hueytown High School. “So, what is on the schedule for today?”
Meagan Hall, who was sitting at one of the aft panels, responded. “Well, the next part of the Hueytown Olympics is in two hours, plus the tenth graders are going to meet outside of Oak at 2PM. And, oh yeah, in eleven minutes we will have a tornado drill.”
“After April the eighth, I can’t blame them.” Brooke Stephens responded.
“I have to go do something.” Jordan said. “Heather, I believe Sean said you were next in command, you have the conn.” Jordan exited the room.
“I wish Sean were here.” Heather said, as she walked to the Captain’s chair. “He’s much more cheerful and fun than Jordan.”
“I agree. While Jordan is very nice and can be amusing at times. Sean has all this cool stuff and is very cool all around.” Meagan responded.
“Yeah, but what about Sean’s annoying properties.” A male voice said. “He talks about Star Trek so much and that kiddie show Pokemon!”
“Who’s there?” Heather said, grabbing her phaser.
“Just call me…Julien Brighty.”
“Who can tell me what this means?” The male teacher in North Highlands High pointed to a molecule on the board.
“Deuterium.” Sean responded, after being called on.
“Very good, Chris. Now, since there are only three minutes left until the bell, feel free to talk. I’ve got to go run off some papers.”
“No sign of him yet.” Lucy Camden whispered to Sean.
A tall white, male fifteen-year-old student walked over and sat by Lucy. “So, Katie, wanna go out?” Lucy spit in his face. In shock, the male student fell backwards and crashed into the ground. Sean could not help but laugh. He stood up and loomed over Sean.
The class watched in morbid anticipation as the tall male punched Sean. Sean did not even flinch. The male walked away in fear.
A girl named Jeri walked toward them. “Wow!” she said as she ran her fingers thru her brown hair. “Katie, no one has ever rejected Billy Bo. And, Sean, you should be critically injured about now.”
“Don't blame me, I voted for Mickey Mouse.” Sean responded with a smile. Jeri walked off, annoyed. Looking at Lucy, Sean said, “Something I picked up from Jordan.”
“Oh.” She said.
“I think someone is really hurt!” Billy Bo said.
Sean continued to smile. “He's not dead, Jim, he's just metabolically challenged.” Sean and Lucy laughed. Sean had been telling Lucy some of the basics of the Trek universe.
“You want to know what I think!” Jeri said. “I think that these new kids are spies from another planet here to uncover and study us.” Jeri was smiling, so the class erupted in laughter, including Sean and Lucy.
“Sporman Philosophy 3,” Sean whispered to himself. “Always agree with a girl…as long as it is within reason and doesn’t break the rules.”
“I heard that!” Lucy said, still smiling. “What is the Sporman Philosophies?”
“Well…I based them on those crazy Ferengi rules. They are my rules on how to live life to its best, but not too risky or without breaking rules.”
“Oh!” Jeri screamed, covering her ears. “This is a fellow teenager saying not to break rules! He isn’t in reality!”
Sean stood up. “Reality is for people who can't handle Star Trek!"
“That’s it!” Billy Bo screamed. “Attack him and Katie!” About seven students hurled themselves over the table and prepared to assault them. Lucy stood up and yelled at them, “Stop!”
“Let her talk!” Jeri said.
“Come on! There are idiots out there doing illegal substances, engaging in dangerous acts of fornication, and killing with primitive projectile weapons. Just because we have a different opinion, doesn’t warrant an assault.”
The group of attackers stood still for a moment…then yelled to attack.
Meagan Hall smiled on the bridge of the Starship Hypothetical. Heather had suggested they had beam up. Everyone seemed to like this Brighty kid. They didn’t.
“Oh, gracious! He’s not even flirting with Sarah, a blonde!” Meagan exclaimed. She had tried to introduce herself during the tornado drill, but to no avail. Also, Jordan had left sick.
“He seems off of his rocker.” Heather added. “He doesn’t have the imagination, creativity or sense of fun that Sean has. Other girls would like that. But, I think he is just your typical dumb jock.”
“Computer, activate Sean Two.” Meagan commanded. Sean Two appeared and smiled at the two beautiful sophomores, even if he was a hologram.
“Hey, Sean Two. I think I’ve gotten over my nervousness of holograms…for the time being anyway.”
“That’s good to hear. How can I assist, Meagan?”
“Well, there is this very stupid jock down there and we need you to deal with him.” Heather responded, before Meagan could.
“I’ll get down right away. Thankfully holoemitters have been installed in the office. Will you transfer me?” Meagan Hall tapped in a sequence in a computer console and the holographic Sean disappeared.
Inside the office of Hueytown High, Sean Two saw Julien Brighty tapping at a console. “What do you think you are doing!?” Sean Two said.
“Ah.” Brighty responded, clapping his hands together. “Sean Sporman.”
“Actually, a hologram. But, I do act exactly like him.”
“That means you have his insipid personality.” Brighty responded arrogantly. Sean Two glared at him slightly. “Imagination is stupid.”
“Are you out of your Vulcan mind!??!?” Sean Two screamed at him. “Without imagination, nothing would exist. No one would have made any progress!”
“Computer.” Brighty calmly commanded. “Deactivate Sean Two for two hours.”
“Now, wait just a—“ Sean Two disappeared quickly. And, for the first time, Julien Brighty smiled.
“We would like to thank you.” The principal of North Highlands High exclaimed. She was a beautiful, young woman of about twenty-six named Beverly Davis. “We have been looking for an excuse to put Billy Bo in Brighton for months! While I’m sorry if it was at you and your friends’ expense, it did provide us a great deal of assistance.”
“We were not severely injured. But, I do think you should know who we really are. I am Sean Sporman and this is Lucy Camden.”
“I know you. You are that principal prodigy from Hueytown. The JeffCoEd Update mentioned you a week back. And, Lucy, she is the latest member of your staff. But, what are you doing here, principal, sir?”
Sean laughed. “No need to call me sir, but thanks anyway. As for why we are here, I’m here under direct orders from Andy Blackerby on a mission.”
“I see.” Ms. Davis said. “Proceed with your mission…Chris.” Lucy smiled as Ms. Davis re-entered her office.
“Well, I think it is time for lunch.” Sean said, smiling, as the two walked toward the North Highlands High lunchroom door.
The two entered the lunchroom. Instead of being ignored as expected, everyone grew quiet. Sean and Lucy activated their personal shields. Suddenly, food started to fly toward them both.
Lucy laughed in triumph as the food harmlessly bounced off of her personal shield from the twenty-forth century. As the shocked group resumed chatting and ceased throwing food, Sean and Lucy sat down at an unoccupied end of a table, ready for anything.
“So, Sean, you really think we our silly?”
“Well, not you, but teenagers in general. Sporman Philosophy 73, Teenagers can rarely be trusted to do what you wish…if it is something atypical.”
Lucy Camden smiled. “I hated that Billy Bo. He is so crazy. Not even cute!”
Sean secretly smiled in triumph. Suddenly, a clap of thunder was heard.
Heather Allgood sat alone on the bridge of the Hypothetical when she heard the first boom of thunder. Meagan Hall had left to kick Brighty out. “Computer.” She commanded. “Take us into orbit, full impulse.”
The holoship, still under cloak, headed quickly toward orbit of the third planet in this solar system. “Orbit confirmed.” The Federation computer responded.
“That was fast! Computer, send an automated transmission to Meagan that we have entered orbit.”
“Transmission sent.”
Heather then walked and sat down in the chair by the ever-colorful science console. “Computer, analyze this storm.” Heather smiled as the computer worked. Perhaps Jordan was right, she might give Sean a run for his money after all.
The computer beeped. “This is a Type Seven Terran Shower. Winds up to forty-five miles an hour and infrequent lightning can be expected.”
“Good.” Heather sighed in relief. “It’s not severe.”
Sean Sporman looked out of the window as it began to rain around North Highlands High School. “Well, that’s a good sign. The clouds did not stay dark as it began to precipitate. That means that no tornado is pulling dust and debris into the clouds. And, there is also the fact that the lightning strikes are very few and far between.”
“A smart boy.” Lucy said to herself. “What a rare find.”
“Sporman Philosophy Number 9, Always keep up with the weather.”
Lucy smiled. “Yes, what about Hunter?”
“Mike?” Sean asked.
“Yes. Our mission.”
“Oh! Sorry. Yes, we do need to find him.” Sean and Lucy stood up and looked around the lunchroom in opposite directions, but did not see the target. Suddenly, a young male ran out of the door of the lunchroom. Sean and Lucy both ran to pursue him. Sean pulled out an antimatter microgrenade and Lucy readied her Type I phaser as they rounded the corner.
When Sean saw no one was around, he threw the grenade. It landed against a wall, but it bounced back and flew over Lucy’s head. Six seconds later, it exploded and the two were knocked off of their feet.
Heather Allgood could not believe what she was seeing. It looked like a target bullseye, but was pink. “Computer, what is that?”
“It is a Type XI Quantum Distortion.” The ship shook violently.
“Red Alert. Shields up.” Heather ordered. “Did we take any damage?”
“Three hull microfractures on deck four. Containment fields are in place.”
The distortion began to loom larger on the screen. “Sean told me that these things are very bad…computer charge a poloron pulse through the deflector.”
“Charging pulse.” Heather stared at the Quantum Distortion that was slowly getting larger on the screen.
Lucy Camden stood up after brushing some debris off of her clothes. She looked down at Sean, who was still unconscious. Still holding her phaser, she walked outside after activating her personal shield.
“I’ve got to find the poogy.” She giggled at herself. “I’m even using his phrases now.”
Lucy saw a person running behind a garbage can. “Hunter, just give it up.”
“Never!” Hunter screamed as he ran toward Lucy, screaming and waving his fists. Lucy fired his phaser and he flew backwards. Lucy tapped her combadge. “Code 11. Mission complete, but Sean is injured.” She smiled as she put her phaser in her pocket and walked back into the school, dry as a bone.
The Hypothetical was shaking constantly now. “Computer, is the pulse ready?”
“Affirmative.” The computer responded.
“Fire!” Heather ordered. The white beam lanced out from the holo-ship and started to shrink. “Full Reverse, now!” The ship violently shook once and then it broke free. Heather sighed in relief.
“Incoming transmission from Lucy Camden.” Heather frowned slightly. “Yes?”
“We have completed our mission, but Sean requires medical assistance. Apparently, the storm has disabled Blackerby’s communicator. Beam up three.”
“Understood. Three?” But, Lucy had cut the channel.
“Poogy.” Heather said with slight distaste.
“I’m a doctor, not a temporal anomaly! Give me time!” The emergency medical hologram scanned Sean with a medical tricorder. “He’ll be ok, Commander Camden. He only suffered a minor concussion. Was it the kicking ferengi again?”
Lucy gave him an inquisitive look.
“Never mind. I’ve got some work to do if you don’t mind. I’m a doctor, not Windows; and I need to do this.”
Lucy shook her head as the hologram retreated into his office. Sean slowly sat up. “Sean, I did it. Mike Hunter is under custody.”
Sean bolted up. “Where’s the superintendent?”
“We are unable to get into contact with him, but we should in about four to seven minutes.”
“Ok.” Sean smiled. “Thanks. Who needs me when you, Heather, and Meagan on the staff.” Lucy laughed as Heather walked in.
“Hi, Heather. Good to see you.” The two hugged.
“Did Lucy tell you about the spatial distortion?”
Sean’s eyes widened. “Spatial distortion!?”
Heather told him all of the details of the encounter. Sean laughed. “Coolness.” Sean responded. “Captain Allgood.” Both of them smiled at each other.
June Gabert picked up the remote control and turned on the television.
“It’s three o’clock in the afternoon and time for your Hourly 33/40 update. The strong thunderstorm has moved out of the area and is now entering Georgia. In other news, Sean Sporman once again saves the day for Hueytown! This time, Sean uncovered, and thanks to the help of Lucy Camden, stopped teen criminal Michael Hunter. Also, Bill Clinton has lowered taxes by point-six percent. This has been a 33/40 News Report. I’m Brenda Ladun.”
“Not again!” June yelled.
Barbara Lowieque and Peyton Freeman were happily talking with each other. “So,” Barbara was saying. “You think we should negotiate a peace with Sean.”
“Yes.” Peyton responded. “It may have been fun to stun teachers, but I don’t want to stay here all year.” June, too tired to react, merely fell down on the pillow and shook her head in disbelief.
Sean Sporman walked onto the bridge of the Hypothetical with the rest of his friends, including Jordan Reeves.
“So, Commander, did holodoc fix you up?”
Jordan rolled his eyes at Sean. “Yes, you could say that.”
Meagan Hall smiled at him. “Hi, cutie! Will you be going to the Galleria lighting ceremony tonight?”
“Yes. And, I know Jordan is. It is a tradition in his family. Heather?”
“Well, sure. I never pass up an opportunity to go shopping. And, it will be good to be with my friends.”
“Quite a few people from across the state will be there.” Sean responded. “How about you, Lucy?”
“Well, I’ve never been to this mall. But, I’ll go. As long as it doesn’t rain.” Sean smiled.
“Forecasts show—“ Both Heather and Sean replied at the same time. Sean blushed. “Go ahead, Heather.”
“Thank you. Forecasts show no more rain tonight or tomorrow.”
“That is a good thing.” Lucy responded.
“I know that both Brookes will be going as well.” Meagan Hall added.
“Well, I guess we should all get ready.” Sean said. “This job is so fun. Have a nice day, everyone.” Everyone said goodbye and headed for the turbolift…
Sean Sporman smiled on the throne of Spormanworld. Around him, vice presidents Meagan Hall, Heather Allgood and Lucy Camden sat all smiling.
He had three girl friends, a world to rule, Star Trek technology, and a life of at least three hundred years. “I couldn’t have described paradise better.”
“I agree.” All three girls said at once.
“Warning!” The computer blared. “A betazoid infected with Zanthi Fever has entered the building.” Sean smiled deviously.
The three girls stood up and smiled at Sean. “Get him!”
Sean, delighted by the thrill of the chase, flipped over them and ran.
“Kiss him!” Heather exclaimed, now fully under the influence of Xanthi Fever. Suddenly, Sean stopped and turned around as the three girls approached…
“Wake up!” Lucy Camden exclaimed. Sean suddenly saw the bridge of the Hypothetical.
“Sorry.” Sean responded.
“A daydream…I know…I have them too.” Lucy Camden sat down in the First Officer’s chair that was besides Sean.
Sean’s eyes widened and he smiled. “Really?”
“Yeah, I used to have them a lot more. At my old school, I only attracted the no-minded idiots and wasn’t very popular. I daydreamed I was the most popular person and led a perfect life. Now, here, I have that perfect life. With this technology, such great friends, the constant events, I don’t need them as much anymore. What do you use them for?”
Sean was slightly teary-eyed. “Me…um…I daydream about being the hero, Star Trek, Pokemon, girls asking me out, that sort of thing.”
“Cool. At least you are not sick minded like most of the boys at my school.” Lucy responded.
Sean smiled ear-to-ear. “Glad to hear it. I used to get picked on ruthlessly. Now, with the shield, I am the master.” Both of them chuckled. “Well, I think we have some shopping to do.” Sean walked over to the replicator. “Ten thousand earth dollars, in one hundred dollar denominations.”
“Counterfeit money!?” Lucy seemed shocked at the very idea as the bills materialized inside the replicator.
“As real as energy to matter can be, besides I’ve programmed it when I replicate this money, an equal amount is replicated and sent to a random US bank.”
Lucy smiled. “Always the creative type.” Sean handed Lucy five thousand of the dollars. “I’ve already replicated Meagan and Heather some money too.” Sean walked to the communications console. “Computer, open channel to Andy Blackerby.”
“Channel open.” His friendly face appeared on the screen.
“Sean, good to see you. Michael Hunter has been stopped.”
“Yes, I’m curious. What was he wanted for?”
“Actually, Michael is on our side. This was a simulated attack to test you. And, Lucy did quite well.” Lucy smiled.
“I see. Sporman out.” The two walked to the bridge transporter pad. “Let’s go to that mall. I’m beaming us into an area of the parking deck where no one is parked at the moment.” The two dematerialized from the cloaked Federation ship that was in orbit of the planet…
-----
“The Mission”
Episode 8 of Gopher’s Gateway
Sean Sporman walked down the halls of Pine, at 8:05 in the morning. Sunshine entered through windows and structural imperfections to leave yellow spots on the floors and walls of the old building. Sean Sporman smiled as the exited the door and proceeded down a small flight of stairs. “You know, I’m going to miss this building.”
Lucy Camden, the newest member of the Hueytown: 2000 staff walked happily with its leader. “But, everyone is going to like your new design better. Especially the next step beyond Visionland.”
Sean let out a small laugh. “That Maze-Slide will be the carrier. I modeled it after McDonald’s playplace…with a few…tweaks.”
“I’ll say.” Lucy exclaimed. “Five thousand feet tall, computers, water squirters, replicators…a person could live in there.”
“Or, they could run a school in there!” Jordan Reeves, along with his friend Tiffany Davidson, walked up to them as they stood on the concrete just outside the entrance of the main building.
“Hey, Sean.” Tiffany Davidson greeted. “Lucy.”
Sean nodded and smiled at Jordan’s friend. “Oh, come now, Commander, the playgrounds are not the only part of the school. There will be the grade buildings, parking decks and of course…OPS.”
“It sounds cool.” Tiffany Davidson agreed. “I can’t wait for real lunchroom food and the audio dampers.” She smiled as she walked to her first period class. Jordan Reeves waved a goodbye.
“And, we have the replicators to thank. With them, it will cost less to construct this school than it would to buy a car.”
“Yeah…” Jordan nudged Sean with his elbow. “What about staff salaries? You know…the adults.”
“Mister Blackerby said--according to Sean—that there was unlimited funding anyway.” Lucy Camden responded.
“Let’s get to the office…we have some announcements to make.” The three walked to the temporary command center of the school.
“Superintendent’s report. Data uplink forty-seven. I have received the first complete blueprint from Sean and his staff and it looks perfect…almost. With a few tweaks, it could be perfect! Kay Lindsay, my new assistant, has arrived. End data uplink forty-seven.”
Kay Lindsay, as expected by Andy Blackerby, entered the office. “Andy, I think we may have a problem.”
Instead of frowning, the superintendent was bright. “Why, Kay, have you seen this? The first—what did he call it—beta design of the new school.”
Kay Lindsay smiled as the superintendent activated the small holographic emitter that showed the new school. “Wow!” she exclaimed.
“We need all students to report to the gym for the next round of the Hueytown Olympics!” Heather Allgood proudly announced via the school’s intercom system using a remote comlink from an LCARS panel in the gym.
News teams from local stations readied their video cameras on the unoccupied sidelines of the gym as students began to enter.
“So, Lucy, looking forward to being in the Olympics?”
“Certainly!” Lucy exclaimed happily. “Back at home, I had boring weekends. Now, by staying on the starship and playing an important role here, there is never a boring second.”
“I agree on the non-boring part.” Meagan Hall said. “I can’t wait to play!”
“What events are in store for today?” Heather Allgood asked.
Sean picked up a Federation PADD. “We have for today…Dizzy Derby, Silver Bullet, and Horse: Round Two, and Bopper Ball races.”
“What’s first?” Jordan asked. “And, how can you play in that starfleet uniform?”
Sean smiled. “I have my ways.” Sean looked to see the gym now packed with students. Picking up the microphone, he began to speak. “Welcome, students of Hueytown, for the latest day of the Hueytown Olympics!” Cheering filled the gym. “First, you should be made aware of some team changes. Because of Mister Morrison’s promotion to assistant principal, Ms. Toomey has taken his place. Also, Lucy Camden has joined the Spormanworld team. And, finally, Meagan Harris, Liz McGowen and John Barnes have temporarily left the Noneonones for two days for senior business. Stacie Tucker, Tiffany Kynard and Amy Ross have volunteered to replace them. Their emergency random backup is now Ben Smith. And, now, prepare for round one of the Bopper ball races! Lucy, care to do the honors?”
Lucy Camden walked to the random selection computer and pressed the main button. Four names appeared on the screen as she was given the microphone. “For the Teachers: Ms. Toomey! For the Randomites: Courtney Gage! For the Noneonones: Johnathan Reeves. And, finally, for Spormanworld, Meagan Hall!”
“Thanks very much, Lucy! Let the battle begin!” As the four walked onto the court and sat on the oversized rubber balls, Sean held up a checkered flag.
“Sean, I had better win!” Meagan exclaimed as Sean quickly lowered the flag.
“Go!” The four racers took off slowly. Almost instantaneously, Johnathan Reeves fell off of his ball and was out of the race. Ms. Toomey surprisingly held the lead, as she was at least three “balls” ahead of the other racers.
Suddenly, in a shocking move, Meagan Hall bounced against Ms. Toomey’s ball and she nearly fell off. “Take that!” Meagan said.
Meanwhile, Courtney Gage had taken the lead. However, Ms. Toomey passed the finish line first. Meagan and then Courtney passed. “Ms. Toomey is the winner!” Sean announced. “Four points for the teachers, three for Spormanworld, two the Randomites, and one for Noneonones!”
As cheers once again flew, Sean smiled. “Now, the event you have been waiting for…Silver Bullet!” Sean winced at the volume of the cheering. He put the microphone down for a second. “I’m glad I’m not a Ferengi.” Picking up the microphone, he said, “Go!”
As every member on every team lined up on opposite sides of the now open court, and the holographic scoreboard changed, ready to display the stats for the contest, Sean lowered his personal shield and took his place. Mister Sellers, who had volunteered in the case all were selected, threw the ball on the court, and said, “Go!”
Sean Sporman, on the combined team of the Spormanworlds and Noneonones, threw the ball first, toward Tim McCown, a.k.a. Lil’ Jimmy, and it connected. As he slowly left the court, Mrs. Ware picked up the ball and hurled it toward Rachel Waters, but it missed by a nose and slammed against the wall. As Lucy Camden ran to pick up the ball, a second ball found its way onto the court. “See, here is my creative twist!” Sean happily exclaimed. Liz Larson picked up the second ball and threw it toward Jordan Reeves, who jumped up in a high jump and avoided it.
“We can still win!” Heather Allgood proclaimed as she got the second ball and threw it, hitting Mr. Roller who was now out. Meanwhile, Lucy Camden bounced the ball against both Ashley Johnston and Mrs. Stevens out. “Oh, yeah!” she said happily.
The holographic school disappeared, and Kay Lindsay was smiling as well as Andy Blackerby in their office. “Wow! What an amazing design! Over 40,000 isofeet of internal space, over one hundered thousand LCARS ports, emergency capacity for the entire population of the state! The new century this will be!”
Andy Blackerby was beaming. “Now, you see! This is the assistant I wanted. Optimism, a woman was what I needed I guess.”
“I agree. Some men are very negative. Walking clichés, as Sean calls them, with their monotone expressions and excessive anger. Did you hear that women live longer because they cry more than men? Tears release an enzyme that lowers stress and blood pressure. Holding in emotional reactions are harmful to health.”
“Fascinating. You want to show me something?”
“Have you ever heard of Mike Hunter?”
“Negative.” Blackerby responded. “Well, I guess I should. Let me see the PADD, please.”
Mrs. Lindsay handed him the PADD, but continued to talk. “Jefferson Intelligence believes him to be a collaborator.”
Blackerby’s smile continued. “You really know this system, Kay!”
“Yes. Thank you.” She smiled. “JI reports that he is currently at PS147, otherwise known as North Highlands High School. I think someone needs to investigate.”
“We adults might draw suspicions and a normal student might not be safe…” Both of their eyes widened as they spoke at the same time. “Sean!”
The fierce battle was to continue. In the out sections, several people sat, chatting.
“Well…at least we are winning.” Brooke Thompson said.
“Not for long!” Courtney Gage proclaimed.
“Maybe…” Liz Larson whispered to herself.
“For sure!” Ashley Hampton exclaimed.
“As if!” Jonathan Reeves shouted.
“This is more fun than it looks at first.” Mister Swiney said, turning to Mrs. Sullivan.
“I agree.” she responded.
As the remaining members of the team returned from their five-minute break, they lined up, ready for the battle to continue. “Go!” Mister Sellers shouted once more.
Lucy Camden once more had the first ball. She threw it hard toward Mrs. Painter, who skillfully dodged the ball. Sean Sporman received the second ball and ran on a line across the very front of the line. He threw it and it hit Cathy Fredrick with it as he ran across and then back to the court as Sarah Lowe threw the ball at him. As the ball that Sarah threw bounced off the gym bleachers, narrowly missing Morgan McBrayer, it hit Sean Sporman and he almost lost his balance. As Sean walked toward the sidelines, his combadge beeped.
He quickly headed out of sight, behind an inflatable wall, then tapped his combadge. “Yes?”
“This is the computer. You have an incoming videophone transmission.” Sean ran out of the gym, since the game was going on without him, to the office. Quickly he ran to the videophone room, and pressed the activation button. He sighed as he sat down in a starfleet chair.
“Greetings, Sean!” Andy Blackerby said. “We are in Board Car 47, about four miles from your location. We thought you might like to know we are coming.”
“Sure.” Sean said, taking in a few more breaths. “A little strange without Pittman One, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Mrs. Lindsay, in the driver’s seat, admitted. Everyone laughed.
“When we get there, we’ll want to talk to you and your staff.”
“Understood. Anything else?”
“Nope.” Blackerby said. “Blackerby out.”
June Gabert woke up from a restful nap in her cell in Hueytown Juvenile. As she blinked her eyes, she noticed Peyton Freeman and Barbara Lowieque playing cards.
“Silly people.” She began, but decided she sounded too much like Sean. “Barb, Peyton, stop playing cards!”
Barbara merely looked at June. “Come on, June. Lighten up, we are merely enjoying a recreational activity.”
“What did you just say?” June asked in anger.
“I said that we are merely enjoying a recreational activity.” Barbara responded as she ran her fingers through her blonde hair.
“And, I thought the normal blonde was dumb.” June responded. “You are sounding way too much like that twerp, Sean.”
“Twerp?” Peyton Freeman responded quickly. “Didn’t I hear that on Pokemon? You know, the name that Jesse calls Ash?” June rolled her eyes and sighed as she lay back down.
As Board Car 47 drove into the parking lot of Hueytown High, Andy Blackerby looked out his window and chuckled. “Kay, did you see the bumper sticker?”
“No, what did it say?” She asked as the car was placed into park.
“It said ‘The weather is here. Wish you were beautiful.’” Both of them laughed.
“Someone needs to check their typing!” Kay Lindsay responded.
“And, look at that one! It says ‘Don't steal. The government hates competition.’”
Kay Lindsay smiled as they entered the school. “Now, that one I can agree with. It makes perfect since.” Both of them laughed, as they stopped at the entrance to the main gym, where the silver bullet game was about to come to an end.
On one side, Ms. Toomey and Sarah Lowe remained. On the other side, Lucy Camden and Tiffany Kynard each had a ball in their hands. Lucy threw first, narrowly missing Sarah. Quickly, Tiffany Kynard threw the ball, which hit Sarah. Now, as the last one left, Ms. Toomey had access to the full court and she now had both balls. She picked up one and threw it toward Lucy, who jumped up as the ball rolled under her legs. Ms. Toomey then faked a throw toward Tiffany, but threw it at Lucy. However, Lucy saw the fake and quickly picked up the ball, and hit Ms. Toomey. The game was over.
Jordan Reeves ran to pick up the microphone. “Team One is the winner. Four points for Spormanworld and the Noneonones! Two points for the Teachers and the Randomites!” The crowd began to cheer as Lucy Camden’s combadge beeped. “This is Lucy!”
“Lucy, come to the office, please.”
“On my way.” She responded, quickly exiting the gym. Several people cheered her victory on the way out. She headed for the office and entered it. She saw the two superintendents.
“We have a mission for you two.” Blackerby said, smiling.
Sean Sporman now had civilian clothes on. Hidden in his clothes were a tricorder, a type I phaser, three antimatter microgrenade, and his communicator. Lucy Camden was equally armed.
They were currently sitting in Board Car 47, which had just been activated. “This should be a very interesting mission.” Lucy Camden commented with a smile.
“True, even if I have to get used to these clothes.” Sean responded.
“What about medal detectors?”
“Well,” Blackerby began. “I’ve conveniently sent them for repairs. You should be able to hide those with your sensor foolers—especially against our tech.”
“Hey, Lucy, want to hear another knock-knock joke?”
“Another one…ok?”
“Knock-Knock.”
“Who’s there?”
“Heaven.”
“Heaven who?”
“Heaven you heard enough of these silly knock-knock jokes?” Sean smiled and Lucy laughed.
“That was a good one.” Lucy added. “Now, one from me.”
“Ok.” Sean responded, smiling.”
"Knock-Knock"
"Who's there?"
"Beets"
"Beets who?"
"Beets me!" Sean laughed.
“This is great.” Mrs. Lindsay responded.
“What is?” Andy Blackerby asked out of curiosity.
“Well, these teens, they aren’t exchanging crude jokes or cussing. This is how teens should be.” Sean smiled broadly.
“I agree.” Andy Blackerby said. “Here we are, North Highlands High.” The car drove up to a school much smaller high school than the original Hueytown High was. It consisted of one rectangular building with a circular building behind it and two small gyms on each side.
“Welcome to PS147, three hundred and seventy-three people go to this school but now it is three hundred and seventy-five. You two are already checked in, all in the same classes.” Blackerby handed them each a piece of paper. “Enjoy, Christoper and Kathryn.”
They both smiled. “Understood.” They began to walk into the school as Board Car 47 drove away.
“Well,” Lucy said. “Here we go!” Sean smiled as he opened the door.
Jordan Reeves sat in the office, once more in command of Hueytown High School. “So, what is on the schedule for today?”
Meagan Hall, who was sitting at one of the aft panels, responded. “Well, the next part of the Hueytown Olympics is in two hours, plus the tenth graders are going to meet outside of Oak at 2PM. And, oh yeah, in eleven minutes we will have a tornado drill.”
“After April the eighth, I can’t blame them.” Brooke Stephens responded.
“I have to go do something.” Jordan said. “Heather, I believe Sean said you were next in command, you have the conn.” Jordan exited the room.
“I wish Sean were here.” Heather said, as she walked to the Captain’s chair. “He’s much more cheerful and fun than Jordan.”
“I agree. While Jordan is very nice and can be amusing at times. Sean has all this cool stuff and is very cool all around.” Meagan responded.
“Yeah, but what about Sean’s annoying properties.” A male voice said. “He talks about Star Trek so much and that kiddie show Pokemon!”
“Who’s there?” Heather said, grabbing her phaser.
“Just call me…Julien Brighty.”
“Who can tell me what this means?” The male teacher in North Highlands High pointed to a molecule on the board.
“Deuterium.” Sean responded, after being called on.
“Very good, Chris. Now, since there are only three minutes left until the bell, feel free to talk. I’ve got to go run off some papers.”
“No sign of him yet.” Lucy Camden whispered to Sean.
A tall white, male fifteen-year-old student walked over and sat by Lucy. “So, Katie, wanna go out?” Lucy spit in his face. In shock, the male student fell backwards and crashed into the ground. Sean could not help but laugh. He stood up and loomed over Sean.
The class watched in morbid anticipation as the tall male punched Sean. Sean did not even flinch. The male walked away in fear.
A girl named Jeri walked toward them. “Wow!” she said as she ran her fingers thru her brown hair. “Katie, no one has ever rejected Billy Bo. And, Sean, you should be critically injured about now.”
“Don't blame me, I voted for Mickey Mouse.” Sean responded with a smile. Jeri walked off, annoyed. Looking at Lucy, Sean said, “Something I picked up from Jordan.”
“Oh.” She said.
“I think someone is really hurt!” Billy Bo said.
Sean continued to smile. “He's not dead, Jim, he's just metabolically challenged.” Sean and Lucy laughed. Sean had been telling Lucy some of the basics of the Trek universe.
“You want to know what I think!” Jeri said. “I think that these new kids are spies from another planet here to uncover and study us.” Jeri was smiling, so the class erupted in laughter, including Sean and Lucy.
“Sporman Philosophy 3,” Sean whispered to himself. “Always agree with a girl…as long as it is within reason and doesn’t break the rules.”
“I heard that!” Lucy said, still smiling. “What is the Sporman Philosophies?”
“Well…I based them on those crazy Ferengi rules. They are my rules on how to live life to its best, but not too risky or without breaking rules.”
“Oh!” Jeri screamed, covering her ears. “This is a fellow teenager saying not to break rules! He isn’t in reality!”
Sean stood up. “Reality is for people who can't handle Star Trek!"
“That’s it!” Billy Bo screamed. “Attack him and Katie!” About seven students hurled themselves over the table and prepared to assault them. Lucy stood up and yelled at them, “Stop!”
“Let her talk!” Jeri said.
“Come on! There are idiots out there doing illegal substances, engaging in dangerous acts of fornication, and killing with primitive projectile weapons. Just because we have a different opinion, doesn’t warrant an assault.”
The group of attackers stood still for a moment…then yelled to attack.
Meagan Hall smiled on the bridge of the Starship Hypothetical. Heather had suggested they had beam up. Everyone seemed to like this Brighty kid. They didn’t.
“Oh, gracious! He’s not even flirting with Sarah, a blonde!” Meagan exclaimed. She had tried to introduce herself during the tornado drill, but to no avail. Also, Jordan had left sick.
“He seems off of his rocker.” Heather added. “He doesn’t have the imagination, creativity or sense of fun that Sean has. Other girls would like that. But, I think he is just your typical dumb jock.”
“Computer, activate Sean Two.” Meagan commanded. Sean Two appeared and smiled at the two beautiful sophomores, even if he was a hologram.
“Hey, Sean Two. I think I’ve gotten over my nervousness of holograms…for the time being anyway.”
“That’s good to hear. How can I assist, Meagan?”
“Well, there is this very stupid jock down there and we need you to deal with him.” Heather responded, before Meagan could.
“I’ll get down right away. Thankfully holoemitters have been installed in the office. Will you transfer me?” Meagan Hall tapped in a sequence in a computer console and the holographic Sean disappeared.
Inside the office of Hueytown High, Sean Two saw Julien Brighty tapping at a console. “What do you think you are doing!?” Sean Two said.
“Ah.” Brighty responded, clapping his hands together. “Sean Sporman.”
“Actually, a hologram. But, I do act exactly like him.”
“That means you have his insipid personality.” Brighty responded arrogantly. Sean Two glared at him slightly. “Imagination is stupid.”
“Are you out of your Vulcan mind!??!?” Sean Two screamed at him. “Without imagination, nothing would exist. No one would have made any progress!”
“Computer.” Brighty calmly commanded. “Deactivate Sean Two for two hours.”
“Now, wait just a—“ Sean Two disappeared quickly. And, for the first time, Julien Brighty smiled.
“We would like to thank you.” The principal of North Highlands High exclaimed. She was a beautiful, young woman of about twenty-six named Beverly Davis. “We have been looking for an excuse to put Billy Bo in Brighton for months! While I’m sorry if it was at you and your friends’ expense, it did provide us a great deal of assistance.”
“We were not severely injured. But, I do think you should know who we really are. I am Sean Sporman and this is Lucy Camden.”
“I know you. You are that principal prodigy from Hueytown. The JeffCoEd Update mentioned you a week back. And, Lucy, she is the latest member of your staff. But, what are you doing here, principal, sir?”
Sean laughed. “No need to call me sir, but thanks anyway. As for why we are here, I’m here under direct orders from Andy Blackerby on a mission.”
“I see.” Ms. Davis said. “Proceed with your mission…Chris.” Lucy smiled as Ms. Davis re-entered her office.
“Well, I think it is time for lunch.” Sean said, smiling, as the two walked toward the North Highlands High lunchroom door.
The two entered the lunchroom. Instead of being ignored as expected, everyone grew quiet. Sean and Lucy activated their personal shields. Suddenly, food started to fly toward them both.
Lucy laughed in triumph as the food harmlessly bounced off of her personal shield from the twenty-forth century. As the shocked group resumed chatting and ceased throwing food, Sean and Lucy sat down at an unoccupied end of a table, ready for anything.
“So, Sean, you really think we our silly?”
“Well, not you, but teenagers in general. Sporman Philosophy 73, Teenagers can rarely be trusted to do what you wish…if it is something atypical.”
Lucy Camden smiled. “I hated that Billy Bo. He is so crazy. Not even cute!”
Sean secretly smiled in triumph. Suddenly, a clap of thunder was heard.
Heather Allgood sat alone on the bridge of the Hypothetical when she heard the first boom of thunder. Meagan Hall had left to kick Brighty out. “Computer.” She commanded. “Take us into orbit, full impulse.”
The holoship, still under cloak, headed quickly toward orbit of the third planet in this solar system. “Orbit confirmed.” The Federation computer responded.
“That was fast! Computer, send an automated transmission to Meagan that we have entered orbit.”
“Transmission sent.”
Heather then walked and sat down in the chair by the ever-colorful science console. “Computer, analyze this storm.” Heather smiled as the computer worked. Perhaps Jordan was right, she might give Sean a run for his money after all.
The computer beeped. “This is a Type Seven Terran Shower. Winds up to forty-five miles an hour and infrequent lightning can be expected.”
“Good.” Heather sighed in relief. “It’s not severe.”
Sean Sporman looked out of the window as it began to rain around North Highlands High School. “Well, that’s a good sign. The clouds did not stay dark as it began to precipitate. That means that no tornado is pulling dust and debris into the clouds. And, there is also the fact that the lightning strikes are very few and far between.”
“A smart boy.” Lucy said to herself. “What a rare find.”
“Sporman Philosophy Number 9, Always keep up with the weather.”
Lucy smiled. “Yes, what about Hunter?”
“Mike?” Sean asked.
“Yes. Our mission.”
“Oh! Sorry. Yes, we do need to find him.” Sean and Lucy stood up and looked around the lunchroom in opposite directions, but did not see the target. Suddenly, a young male ran out of the door of the lunchroom. Sean and Lucy both ran to pursue him. Sean pulled out an antimatter microgrenade and Lucy readied her Type I phaser as they rounded the corner.
When Sean saw no one was around, he threw the grenade. It landed against a wall, but it bounced back and flew over Lucy’s head. Six seconds later, it exploded and the two were knocked off of their feet.
Heather Allgood could not believe what she was seeing. It looked like a target bullseye, but was pink. “Computer, what is that?”
“It is a Type XI Quantum Distortion.” The ship shook violently.
“Red Alert. Shields up.” Heather ordered. “Did we take any damage?”
“Three hull microfractures on deck four. Containment fields are in place.”
The distortion began to loom larger on the screen. “Sean told me that these things are very bad…computer charge a poloron pulse through the deflector.”
“Charging pulse.” Heather stared at the Quantum Distortion that was slowly getting larger on the screen.
Lucy Camden stood up after brushing some debris off of her clothes. She looked down at Sean, who was still unconscious. Still holding her phaser, she walked outside after activating her personal shield.
“I’ve got to find the poogy.” She giggled at herself. “I’m even using his phrases now.”
Lucy saw a person running behind a garbage can. “Hunter, just give it up.”
“Never!” Hunter screamed as he ran toward Lucy, screaming and waving his fists. Lucy fired his phaser and he flew backwards. Lucy tapped her combadge. “Code 11. Mission complete, but Sean is injured.” She smiled as she put her phaser in her pocket and walked back into the school, dry as a bone.
The Hypothetical was shaking constantly now. “Computer, is the pulse ready?”
“Affirmative.” The computer responded.
“Fire!” Heather ordered. The white beam lanced out from the holo-ship and started to shrink. “Full Reverse, now!” The ship violently shook once and then it broke free. Heather sighed in relief.
“Incoming transmission from Lucy Camden.” Heather frowned slightly. “Yes?”
“We have completed our mission, but Sean requires medical assistance. Apparently, the storm has disabled Blackerby’s communicator. Beam up three.”
“Understood. Three?” But, Lucy had cut the channel.
“Poogy.” Heather said with slight distaste.
“I’m a doctor, not a temporal anomaly! Give me time!” The emergency medical hologram scanned Sean with a medical tricorder. “He’ll be ok, Commander Camden. He only suffered a minor concussion. Was it the kicking ferengi again?”
Lucy gave him an inquisitive look.
“Never mind. I’ve got some work to do if you don’t mind. I’m a doctor, not Windows; and I need to do this.”
Lucy shook her head as the hologram retreated into his office. Sean slowly sat up. “Sean, I did it. Mike Hunter is under custody.”
Sean bolted up. “Where’s the superintendent?”
“We are unable to get into contact with him, but we should in about four to seven minutes.”
“Ok.” Sean smiled. “Thanks. Who needs me when you, Heather, and Meagan on the staff.” Lucy laughed as Heather walked in.
“Hi, Heather. Good to see you.” The two hugged.
“Did Lucy tell you about the spatial distortion?”
Sean’s eyes widened. “Spatial distortion!?”
Heather told him all of the details of the encounter. Sean laughed. “Coolness.” Sean responded. “Captain Allgood.” Both of them smiled at each other.
June Gabert picked up the remote control and turned on the television.
“It’s three o’clock in the afternoon and time for your Hourly 33/40 update. The strong thunderstorm has moved out of the area and is now entering Georgia. In other news, Sean Sporman once again saves the day for Hueytown! This time, Sean uncovered, and thanks to the help of Lucy Camden, stopped teen criminal Michael Hunter. Also, Bill Clinton has lowered taxes by point-six percent. This has been a 33/40 News Report. I’m Brenda Ladun.”
“Not again!” June yelled.
Barbara Lowieque and Peyton Freeman were happily talking with each other. “So,” Barbara was saying. “You think we should negotiate a peace with Sean.”
“Yes.” Peyton responded. “It may have been fun to stun teachers, but I don’t want to stay here all year.” June, too tired to react, merely fell down on the pillow and shook her head in disbelief.
Sean Sporman walked onto the bridge of the Hypothetical with the rest of his friends, including Jordan Reeves.
“So, Commander, did holodoc fix you up?”
Jordan rolled his eyes at Sean. “Yes, you could say that.”
Meagan Hall smiled at him. “Hi, cutie! Will you be going to the Galleria lighting ceremony tonight?”
“Yes. And, I know Jordan is. It is a tradition in his family. Heather?”
“Well, sure. I never pass up an opportunity to go shopping. And, it will be good to be with my friends.”
“Quite a few people from across the state will be there.” Sean responded. “How about you, Lucy?”
“Well, I’ve never been to this mall. But, I’ll go. As long as it doesn’t rain.” Sean smiled.
“Forecasts show—“ Both Heather and Sean replied at the same time. Sean blushed. “Go ahead, Heather.”
“Thank you. Forecasts show no more rain tonight or tomorrow.”
“That is a good thing.” Lucy responded.
“I know that both Brookes will be going as well.” Meagan Hall added.
“Well, I guess we should all get ready.” Sean said. “This job is so fun. Have a nice day, everyone.” Everyone said goodbye and headed for the turbolift…
Sean Sporman smiled on the throne of Spormanworld. Around him, vice presidents Meagan Hall, Heather Allgood and Lucy Camden sat all smiling.
He had three girl friends, a world to rule, Star Trek technology, and a life of at least three hundred years. “I couldn’t have described paradise better.”
“I agree.” All three girls said at once.
“Warning!” The computer blared. “A betazoid infected with Zanthi Fever has entered the building.” Sean smiled deviously.
The three girls stood up and smiled at Sean. “Get him!”
Sean, delighted by the thrill of the chase, flipped over them and ran.
“Kiss him!” Heather exclaimed, now fully under the influence of Xanthi Fever. Suddenly, Sean stopped and turned around as the three girls approached…
“Wake up!” Lucy Camden exclaimed. Sean suddenly saw the bridge of the Hypothetical.
“Sorry.” Sean responded.
“A daydream…I know…I have them too.” Lucy Camden sat down in the First Officer’s chair that was besides Sean.
Sean’s eyes widened and he smiled. “Really?”
“Yeah, I used to have them a lot more. At my old school, I only attracted the no-minded idiots and wasn’t very popular. I daydreamed I was the most popular person and led a perfect life. Now, here, I have that perfect life. With this technology, such great friends, the constant events, I don’t need them as much anymore. What do you use them for?”
Sean was slightly teary-eyed. “Me…um…I daydream about being the hero, Star Trek, Pokemon, girls asking me out, that sort of thing.”
“Cool. At least you are not sick minded like most of the boys at my school.” Lucy responded.
Sean smiled ear-to-ear. “Glad to hear it. I used to get picked on ruthlessly. Now, with the shield, I am the master.” Both of them chuckled. “Well, I think we have some shopping to do.” Sean walked over to the replicator. “Ten thousand earth dollars, in one hundred dollar denominations.”
“Counterfeit money!?” Lucy seemed shocked at the very idea as the bills materialized inside the replicator.
“As real as energy to matter can be, besides I’ve programmed it when I replicate this money, an equal amount is replicated and sent to a random US bank.”
Lucy smiled. “Always the creative type.” Sean handed Lucy five thousand of the dollars. “I’ve already replicated Meagan and Heather some money too.” Sean walked to the communications console. “Computer, open channel to Andy Blackerby.”
“Channel open.” His friendly face appeared on the screen.
“Sean, good to see you. Michael Hunter has been stopped.”
“Yes, I’m curious. What was he wanted for?”
“Actually, Michael is on our side. This was a simulated attack to test you. And, Lucy did quite well.” Lucy smiled.
“I see. Sporman out.” The two walked to the bridge transporter pad. “Let’s go to that mall. I’m beaming us into an area of the parking deck where no one is parked at the moment.” The two dematerialized from the cloaked Federation ship that was in orbit of the planet…