Today’s genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy/Fantasy
Words: 474
“I scope an interesting planet over there, so’s I does, Cap’n!”
The Captain leant over the navigator’s shoulder with a keen stare in his eyes, lower lip jutting out slightly, eyebrow raised. “Excellent work, Squivvy, you never let me down, do you?”
“Well, sir, I do try an’ all. I’ve become veeeery observant these past few months, wouldn’t you say so, sir? I’ve been searching out planets and moons by way of the constellations, you see? Old trick from --”
“The question was rhetoric, Squivvy; I don’t care how you do it, just as long as you get me to where I need to go, are we clear?”
“Yessir.”
“ I did not bring an old stuffed lizard to life for the purpose of entertaining me with chitter chatter, you are here to work, and if you must natter would you kindly banter to yourself because what you say does not matter to me. ”
They stopped and stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before the Captain repositioned his cap and folded his arms. “Savvy?”
“Squivvy.”
“Savvy?!”
“Oh, yessir Cap’n, you got it Cap’n.”
Alien (the alien) continued to steer the ship, smiling slightly as countless stars and nebula whizzed passed them in a flurry of soft colour. Squivvy had always been cheery and talkative, even when they were stuck in a space jam for hours, he would find endless amusement in playing ‘I Spy.’ Alien and the Captain would be noticeably bored, but Squivvy would continue to smile and laugh like every game was his first go.
After a while, the Captain spoke up: “You know, I uh, I used to snuggle you to death when I was a kid.”
“You did, Cappy, sir?”
“Don’t call me ‘Cappy’.”
“Apologies, Cap...”
“I’d be so content with you, back when my captain’s hat still didn’t fit on my head and I had no concept of what it was like to be in charge of a ship or a crew...or how to us the potty without playing with my faeces.”
“Uh...huh...”
“ You spent most of the day and night in my arms, and you were my toy of choice - the one and only toy who could console me when I contracted an unfortunate kidney disease. I was about eight-years-old, do you recall this, Squiv?”
“I’ve no memory, sir.”
“Yes... You wouldn't, would you?” The Captain stroked the back of his neck as he gazed out of the front window while the orange and red planet glowed warmly ahead of them with its inviting light. “You can be a pain in my backside at times, you know? But I’ll never give you up...not never, you hear?”
“I loves you, so’s I do, Cap.”
A flush of red. “Shut up and look sharp, we’re approaching...”
“Right you are, sir.”
“...Happy-go-lucky bastard.”
