Counseling conclusion

Who: Zack, Cubie, Cerebrum
Where: The Conference Room
When: Now sounds good
-----Snip-----
"Five thousand," the Cerebrum clone responded. "We've already started to
send them all up to the medi-bay."
"Oh, well, save the security tapes for me to watch," Cerebrum said. "I want
to see what Keto's reaction will be," then he turned back to Zack and Cubie.
"Now, what do you think of the cloning idea?"
-----End Snip-----
Cubie looked over at Zack. "And I thought WE had multiplicity issues."
Zack nodded numbly. The 53rd annual Zack & Cubie reunion had been a
blowout, and they'd packed in the Marriott, but that had still been only
about four hundred couples. Five THOUSAND . . . ?
Cubie looked over at Cerebrum. "Look, there's a problem with this idea. I
happen to LIKE being a hologram. It's all I've ever been. It's all I
know."
Zack shrugged. "It's not so-"
"Shut up."
"-bad." Zack slumped back in his seat.
Cerebrum nodded. Well, I understand your trepidation at becoming a
flesh-and-blood entity." He pinched his arm. "This stuff IS rather fragile
and prone to malfunction."
He thought for a moment. "We have someone on board who could offer you a
unique perspective on converting from hologram to flesh and blood. I
believe Phil experienced this phenomenon some time ago, and I'm sure he
would be willing to talk with you about it."
Cubie's eyes narrowed. "You mean Phil, don't you."
"Of course."
"I've heard things about him. Disturbing things."
Cerebrum examined the ceiling lights. "More so than any other member of
this crew? More disturbing than the rumors that circulate about the
Richards?"
Zack hooted. "Touché!" Cubie merely blushed.
Cerebrum nodded. "Indeed. I believe I can set up an informal session with
you and Mr. FeBuggure." He activated the intercom. "Please contact Mr.
FeBuggure and have him report here immediately."
"Sorry. Mr. FeBuggure is not currently aboard. Would you like to leave a
message?"
Cerebrum frowned. "No. I'll get back with him later." He turned back to
the Richards. "So tell me, how do you both feel?"
Zack shrugged. "Okay, I guess."
Cubie cocked her head to one side. "All right."
Cerebrum nodded. "Neither of you are planning on any domestic violence?"
The Richards thought for a moment, then shook their heads.
"Excellent! I'll schedule you for a meeting with Mr. FeBuggure and myself
tomorrow at . . . ten?"
Zack and Cubie looked at each other. "Ten sounds good."
The trio rose from the table and left the conference room.
=====
Who: Zack2, Cubie2
Where: The drive room
When: After relieving Jay
Zack started to reach for the controls. Cubie slapped his hand.
Zack yelped as he snatched his hand back. "OW! That smarts!"
Cubie frowned. "Good! Maybe it'll make you smarter. Now stop doing that!
You don't know how to pilot this ship."
The pair watched the stars slide by.
WHAP!
"OW!"
"Hey! What are YOU doing here?"
Zack and Cubie started, then looked back at Zack and Cubie, who had just
emerged from the conference room with Cerebrum. Zack2 smiled. "Errr . . .
uhhhh . . . minding the store?"
Cerebrum wisely departed.
~Zacks & Cubies~