A Black Matter

There was a loud burp and Slobby gurgled with satisfaction. He looked along the row of little pink creatures, trying to decide which would be next. Captain Lurk was horrified.1

“Here! I say old man, stop that! You’ve just eaten our host!”2

He was beginning to regret volunteering to command this experimental interplanetary crew. The large green unwieldy mass which made up Lieutenant Slobby, now turned almost black with remorse. It hiccupped nervously, but the Gummy Envoy was not forthcoming. The Captain turned to his First Officer,3

“Well, what would you suggest Spook? You were supposed to see he ate BEFORE we left. This isn’t going to help intergalactic relations. You must know the importance of establishing ties with the Gummies. We must get the Envoy back.”4

Spook frowned, “Well we know Slobby doesn’t have any teeth Captain. The Clots just absorb their food, so the logical theory is get the Gummy back before the digestive juices start to work. I have heard Captain, that the phenomena of hiccups can be cured with a shock.”5

Meanwhile the group of little Gummies were looking extremely worried about their leader.6

“Call security!” squeaked one, from somewhere behind the others.7

The shiny metal Darkles appeared as if from nowhere and the little jelly Gummies wobbled and squeaked excitedly, pointing at the perplexed Slobby. The red Darkle leader wheeled to where the giant green blob oozed uncomfortably. It aimed the nozzle of its weapon at Slobby, who was now developing bright pink spots with every hiccup.8

“Regurgitate! Regurgitate!" It demanded in robotic monotones.9

Slobby gave an enormous burp and hiccupped. The Darkle’s tone became hysterical,10

“Regurgitate! Regurgitate!” It screamed.11

There was a huge hiccup, and Slobby gulped, then deposited the contents of his stomach onto the table. Struggling in the slime was the dishevelled Gummy Envoy. Captain Lurk looked at the green mess in disgust.12

“Teachem!” he called to his Science Officer.13

“Yes Captain!”14

“Use your powders man and rescue the Envoy. Spook get Groans. He’d better see to the Envoy when Teachem decongests that lot.15

“Yes Captain.” Spook nodded, and spoke into his communicator.16

Groans arrived via the transporter carrying his Kleenox machine. He soon had the Gummy Envoy dry and comfortable. Captain Lurk turned to Slobby and sternly ordered him back to the Spaceship Jeopardise with the warning,17

“And see the Catering Officer before you eat anything else. Fladdock DID put you on some kind of diet, didn’t he?”18

Slobby nodded guiltily as he stepped onto the transporter pad and gave one last loud hiccup just before he disintegrated into green slimy particles and disappeared.19

It took Captain Lurk and Spook several hours to placate the Gummy Envoy, who was still wide-eyed and in a state of shock after his unpleasant experience. He jumped and wobbled violently at the arrival of a crewman from the Jeopardise clutching a glowing blue box. Captain Lurk, still apologising most profusely, presented the box to the Envoy.20

"Please accept this crystal phoenix on behalf of my government." He said in his best diplomatic voice.21

Having finally soothed the angry Gummies, and arranged a meeting for the following day, Captain Lurk retreated to the Jeopardise.22

He’d no sooner returned to the bridge than an urgent message came through from the engine room.23

“It’s Spotty here Captain..”24

“What is it Spotty?”25

“We’ve got big trouble. That area is not empty space Captain. It’s Black Matter. – it’s unstable Captain – almost volcanic and Captain it’s curling towards us and it’s -.” His voice faded away as the Space Ship Jeopardise spun crazily in space.26

************************27

Emma awoke to the reassuring sound of her mother’s voice. “Oh dear, has my birthday girl had a bad dream? Too much excitement for one day Emma.”28

“Too much to eat more likely!” Her father said darkly. “That lump of Chocolate Fudge Cake was sheer greed Emma!”29

Emma’s stomach lurched. She thought of Robert’s pleading eyes. She hadn’t cared as she’d stuffed the dark sticky mass into her mouth. Ah yes, Robert was special, but not special enough.30

“Ooh Mum, I think ………”31

and then she was sick.32