the in-betweeners: cafe galactica

by colin d fox

colonel jack pike smiled as various society people smiled at him, engaged in polite conversation and congratulated him on the recent victories over Halis minor and Tauran Inc. Being a high-ranking officer in the army of the principal provider of rim foodstuffs and home supplies was a huge social boost. cafe galactica was huge and vast, a bloated spectacle of wealth and privilege. colonel pike was currently in the westernmost room, the beautifully decorated and visually stunning galactica lounge which overlooked the planet's moon in a full transparent steel wall view. jack's wrist stud lightly vibrated. he nodded and depressed a tiny switch on his waist. the military outfit morphed down and across his body into a full pressure suit so he was protected from head to toe. the lights went down. sudden pause as a room collectively took a deep breath. the darkness in this club in space was complete. a voice booming over the loudspeakers cut through the confusion.

' good evening. we are the in-betweeners and we are here to rob all of you blind. we have breached the main wall of the galactica lounge and it is only our pressure-hold devices that are holding the structure of this room together. '

the lights came back on to reveal a sleek silver and black mid-size ship outside the transparent wall. two spacesuit clad figures held remote pressure devices keeping the two 12 foot holes that had been neatly carved into the glass steel.

' bring your valuables to the head table; corp currency to the left, jewellery or expensive body-mods to the right where one of our agents now amongst you will collect said goods. when the lights go down again, do not move or you risk endangering everyone here. nobody has to get hurt so your co-operation is necessary for everyone's well-being. nice doing business with you.'