The Golden Nori - Claptrap

Screams of pain and agony rang through the air. Rackham and Bonnet both put an arm around the waiters shoulders and sang along.

'You are wonderful tonight...!!!'

The pleasures of man are manifold. Some like to indulge in sexual sensation, some favour gluttony, some enjoy the world in their imagination but find the world outside their head to be somewhat distasteful. Bonnet, as a man, found his pleasures in voyeurism. Rackham on the other hand had more of an active taste in many things, such as; inflicting pain or distress. It was their secret to a well-balanced man to man relationship.

They made their return to the Nori and were expected by Lt. Streets who was, in wise foresight by Captain Blomar, accompanied by the ship's physician Dr. Laetia.

The huge mining drone came to a screeching halt when its big stubby spiderlike legs bit into the ground and abruptly stopped the vehicle. A door popped open on the underside of its belly and a terrified man was swiftly dropped out of it with, fell flat on his face and moaned. Then a small ladder was lowered and Bonnet and Rackham, with big grins on their faces, climbed down after him.

'Who's this?' Lt. Streets inquired.

'Just some guy we are gonna be asking for directions Lt.'

'Dr. please check on our guest. And you two morons come over here.'

Dr. Laetia helped the man back up, spit at Bonnets feet in a gesture of disapproval, and brought the sobbing victim inside the Nori for a check-up.

'Dude, I think she likes me!'

'Maybe man, but if so she's got a rather negative way of showing her affection'

'Still better'n being ignored? Dude.'

Streets covered her eyes with the palm of her hand and wondered about her place in life.

'Lt. what now, we were gonna be questioning this guy. You gonna take over?'

'Yes. Judging from the state of Drone Xn1,' the remains of a squished blob person were still dripping off one of its front legs and bits and pieces of what used to be civilian vehicles clung to the machine's drilling arm. ' You have had enough fun for today, and we certainly don't need the bad publicity. We will see what we can get out of him, until then you will remain on the Nori and report to Schrotti for assignments.'

'Right you are Lt.'

The waiter, whose actual name no one bothered to ask for now, found himself in the loving care of Dr. Laetia who was holding the crying man's head and whispering softly to him. His sobbing went on for a while before he regained his senses to some extent.

'It's ok... it's ok ... its almost over now' Laetia calmed him down.

'Just tell me your name and answer a few questions to the Captain, and you'll be right back to your life!'

'My name is Fenton Claptrap'

'Hello Fenton, and what do you do for a living?' She tried to keep the conversation going.

Claptrap steadied himself and sat up straight. Dr. Laetia was still standing over him and held his head to her chest. She wasn't very tall, so they were almost talking eye to eye now.

'I work at this tourist trap and serve drinks'

'That's nice, honourable even. Look you don't have to be afraid of these brutes. I'm sure that everything will turn out just fine. All you have to do is answer the Captain some questions when you have calmed yourself down a little, and you'll be on your way back and maybe even have a story or two to tell.'

'I'd rather do without the story'

'I'm afraid that you are already in it. Now, let's get this over with and bring you to the Captain shall we?'

'....'

Claptrap took a deep breath and followed the Dr. to the bridge where his captors were, in the company of Jorge and Blomar, were already awaiting his return.