A Christmas Offering

The Night Before Christmas
an Elite version...

T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the ship,
Not a sensor was stirring, not even a blip.
The RemLoks were hung by the Escape Pod with care,
In hopes that their face masks we'd not have to wear.

The cargo was nestled all snug in the bay,
While payment of credits would come in three days.
And Elyssia in her nightgown and I in my cap,
Were just getting ready for a long Stardream nap.

When up on the Bridge there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the gravity well I flew like a beam,
Up to the flightdeck, and gazed at the screen.

The moon on the crest of the terminator below,
Gave a luster of brilliance to a cruiser in tow,
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a small sized starship, on a course that came near.

With the red and white markings, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be Commander Nick.
More rapid than a Falcon his small ship it came,
The comm system crackled, and he called me by name.

"Now, Jason! Now, Elyssia!, Prepare for my docking!
On, Tractor! Now, Closing! One minute to locking!
To the top of the ship! To the center airlock!
Now thust away! Thust away! Thust and then dock!!"

As exhaust fumes that trail of a ship that's in flight,
When they meet with the sun, how they shine in the light.
So up to the airlock the small ship it flew,
With a ship full of wonder, and Commander Nicholas, too.

And then in a twinkling, I heard on the dock,
The clanking of contacts and the mating of locks.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down came Commander Nick with a bound.

He was dressed in a jumpsuit, from his head to his foot,
And his suit was all tarnished with spacedust and soot.
A bundle of goodies he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a trader just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples, how petite!
His breast emblem glimmered, the crest of Elite!
The lines on his face, and the set of his jaw,
Told me space travel, he's sure seen it all.

His soft friendly manner, and a nice pleasant smile,
Made me suggest that he stay for awhile.
He sidearm was old, more fit for an elf,
And I laughed when I saw it, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went staight to his work,
And installed a new ComLink, then turned with a jerk,
And laying a finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, to the airlock he rose.

He sprang to his ship, and the locks were then free,
And away his ship flew like an Eagle Mk III.
But I heard him exclaim as he hyperspaced out of sight,
" Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good flight!"



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