Apolo and the Starcave Quest

It had been a long, hard day.

It was always a long, hard day.

The Chief Engineer wasn't sure if he hated his job more than he hated the Captain, but it was close. The Captain was a drunk, a lecherous moron who couldn't even figure out that the ship tilts when you turn the wheel at an angle, and he had no idea how to treat people in general. It could be worse - it could be any of the other crewmembers. But still.

He sighed and finished tightening the last bolt on the turbolift shaft. He put down his tools and wiped his brow. He was hot and sweaty, but he'd done what he could for today. He might be able to get away without having to go back on duty until morning. He looked around the empty cargo hold and thought about heading back up to his quarters early.

A noise sounded behind him, but it didn't register as anything interesting enough to make him turn around.

"Hey," said a voice from behind him, sounding unsure of itself. "Can you help me with something?"

The engineer turned around slowly. A young boy stood behind him; a skinny kid with shaggy brown hair, wide eyes and pretty white teeth peeking out through a nervous smile. "What is it?" he asked cautiously, expecting some kind of mischief or prank.

"I need help," said the boy again, this time more firmly. "I'm lost." He held up something - a shoe? - that looked kind of like one of those things you wear on your feet when you're walking around somewhere that isn't space... Earth? That must be where this kid came from - he had an Earth accent!

"Huh?" said the engineer. "You're... not from here?" As far as he knew there were no aliens living on board this ship (except for the Captain), so surely this kid was stowaway of some sort - maybe one of those 'kiddie perverts' looking for some privacy? The Captain did love his kids - his own kids, that is! Maybe this one found his way into engineering after hours because he wanted to see what was going on in here? Probably just wanted some candy or something... probably smelled good enough to make even an old man like him forget himself! Better not stick around too long though - better get at least one good swing in first... right after I figure out how to talk to him! "Yeah," said the engineer finally, "From Earth!"