May the 4th

John keyed in the final coordinates for their current destination and let the autopilot take over. He could use the break, since his copilot had excused himself and disappeared over an hour ago. The kid liked to skip out on the technical, boring stuff, but at least he was useful in difficult landing conditions and could generally handle the hazards of the job.

The copilot in question barged back in and slammed himself into his chair. “Wow, sorry, captain.” He held a shallow bowl that must have come from food service. It smelled like corn and butter.

“What is it now, Reggie? That was a pretty long bio break.”

“I was scrolling through my feeds while I was doing my business and –”

“Paint a picture, why don’t you?”

“My news feeds, captain. I ask you, what is today?” He smiled.

“The third of May?”

Reggie giggled. “And, what is tomorrow?”

“The fourth of May?” John closed his eyes.

“No!” Reggie slapped his left thigh. “Well, yes. May the Fourth! Get it?”

John opened his right eye. “What are you on about?”

“You know, that old space movie? It’s a pun. May the Hmm Mmm be with you?”

John grimaced. “Weren’t they fraternal twins?”

“Hey, I think the old dude was going to say something eventually, but then, well, that planet blew up, I guess.”

“Okay.”

“Anyway, it turns out that Carrie out back with the passengers – crazy, right? – she hadn’t seen it, so we started watching a little bit.”

“Which version?”

“What?”

“Your grandfather might be able to tell the tale. Some of those classics were released multiple times.” John sipped from his coffee, now cold.

Reggie stared out the front window. “Nah, this was whatever the ship had on the drive for the folks out back, I guess. Anyway, sorry, we got into it and I didn’t realize how much time had passed. The garbage disposal scene, or whatever? Who throws long metal poles down the drain?”

John shrugged. “Lightspeed. Can you imagine?”

“Heh, these long hauler trips are bad enough. I think I can imagine.” Reggie stuffed a handful of popcorn in his mouth. He giggled again. “And, the smuggler guy fluffed the big one’s head like a puppy right after they were hiding in their own ship, I swear.”

“Is that before or after the white armor guy bumps his head?”

“I forget. Man, I hope Carrie wants to see the rest after we arrive. I want to see how that ends.”

John sighed. “Don’t get cocky, kid. Would you pay attention?”

“Sure, sure.” Reggie pulled on his headset and readied his controls. He flipped a few switches and patched himself into the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you look out your windows, we are on final approach to Venus Station and will be docking in 30 minutes. While we wait, there is quite the view out the windows on both sides. Enjoy your stay, and thank you for flying InnerSystem Cruise Lines.”


The Lucas pantheon forever is.


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