Preparing for the Eve of Destruction

Eve and Queen Galacta were sitting at a table in the galley talking. They were talking about Eve’s past and about the current fate of the planet. Mostly they were just talking. They seemed to really strike up a bond, as close a bond as a time-displaced invisible commando and a Queen whose realm has been overrun by a horde of monsters who shouldn’t even be there could possibly be.

Eve spoke of her childhood. She talked about how her psychic powers were discovered at an early age and she was conscripted into the military. Many like her were given training, a rifle, and protective gear, and then sent out on missions to destroy the Zerg. With her abilities, she was an excellent scout. Life was typically harsh and the innocence of childhood was far removed from her life.

Queen Galacta spoke of Her father, King Galacton IX and her brother the Evil Galactic Overlord Galactor. She spoke of growing up a royal and of her weissponig, she spoke of the wonders of the galaxy and the just rule of Her leadership. Eve could easily have scoffed at the Queen’s elaborate lifestyle and opulent Citadel of Hope, but she seemed to really understand her new companion.

They spoke for a while until Eve excused herself and stepped out of the galley. In the corridor, she quickly found herself face to face with Hudson.

“Listen, uh, Eve,” he stammered just a bit. “I hope I didn’t come off wrong when we first met back there.”

“Uh huh,” Eve crossed her arms and looked at him skeptically.

“Yeah, I’m not such a bad guy, you know.” The private gave her a sort of half smile. “I’m just really emotional sometimes and we just fought our way through some of them giant bugs and stuff. I was really wound up and I apologize.”

“Really?” Eve’s eyebrows lifted and her incredulous look softened. “I’m surprised you’re willing to admit that.”

“Oh, I’m just full of surprises,” he answered. “I want to tell you something else, too.”

“Oh?”

“Since we’re calling this little operation of ours Eve of Destruction, maybe before this goes all down you and I can share an Eve of Passion.”

“I knew it!” her exacerbated look quickly returned. “You’re all alike. I knew this was coming and I let you do it anyway! Ugh!”

“Hey baby, once you’ve tried marine everything else is just routine!” Hudson wagged his eyebrows.

“God you’re disgusting,” she sighed. “If you spend half the amount of energy fighting the Zerg as you do trying to hit on me, then we’ll beat them easily.”

The Terran Ghost stomped past the Colonial Marine, punching him hard in the shoulder along the way.

“Yow! Make it hurt so good, baby!”

Eve nearly crashed headlong into Major Rocksun, he quickly put his arms up to steady her.

“Whoa whoa, are you OK?” the commando leader asked.

“Yeah, I just, oh! You men are all alike!” she huffed. “All you want to do is shoot off your mouths and shoot off your guns!”

“What are you--? Oh were you just talking to Hudson? There’s a reason he’s a marine. You can wind him up, point him at the enemy and let him go, but I wouldn’t trust him much further than that.”

“No, it’s just that…” her voice trailed off. “I should have seen it coming a thousand clicks away. I am psychic you know.”

“Well, you’ve just been through a lot,” the officer replied. “You were pulled through a timewarp while in the middle of suspended animation. You’re the only one who survived on this ship’s crew, and now a group of strangers are depending on your help in stopping these Zerg.”

“You’re always ready to take control of a situation,” she looked into his eyes. “Aren’t you?”

“That’s my job.”

“I’ll bet you have no problem with the women,” she stepped closer.

“To be honest,” he answered. “I’m not that, uh, experienced with them. My duties to the Queen keep me busy.”

“Really?” she breathed heavily. “When this is all said and done, if we get out of this alive, remind me to thank you for all your help… Thank you properly.”

“Don’t worry,” Rocksun replied, trying to sound cool. “When this is all said and done, I will be sure that you’ll have a place here with us.”

“I would like that very much.”

“My pleasure, Eve.”

“You know,” she said suddenly. “You know my first name, but I only know you as Major Rocksun. What’s your first name?”

Rocksun exhaled heavily. “I haven’t used my first name in a long time. Maybe when this is all said and done, I’ll let you know what it is.”

“I’d like that very much.” She leaned closer to him. Her warm breath danced lightly across his neck. Her pouty lips drew close to his.

“Major, the antigrav generators on the ship are powered up and ready to go,” a technician popped up in front of the two. “This ship is ready to hover!”

Eve slid back against the wall, Rocksun straightened out his tunic.

“That’s great, Lombarr,” the major said to his subordinate. “Good work.”

“Well you didn’t sound too happy,” the tech responded. “I’ve been working on those things for a year.”

“I’m happy that they’re working,” he replied. “It’s just that your timing’s not that good right now.”

“You told me to tell you the minute they were online,” Technician Lombarr insisted. “I’m just following your orders.”

“That’s fine, it’s just—” Rocksun paused and decided to switch tactics. “Thank you, you did great. Why don’t you take a break and go get a bite to eat in the galley?”

“Yes sir, but I--!”

“Just go. Thank you.”

“Yes sir.” Technician Lombarr turned and headed towards the galley.

Major Rocksun turned back towards Eve, but during his conversation with the tech, she had quietly slipped away.