[Chapter 8] Popeye the Astronaut Man

Now that Popeye has entered the public domain, I am writing a science-fiction story starring the sailor in an entirely new adventure. This story will be told over the next thirteen weeks exclusively available to members. If you’re not a member, now’s a great time to join.

I plan to self-publish the entire work this summer. In the meantime, here’s Chapter Eight: The Spinach Paradox.

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Back on the Space Hag, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The few surviving members of the boarding party were undergoing medical checks. Their faces were pale and their breathing shallow. Popeye sat by himself in the debriefing room. His torn spacesuit had already been replaced with a fresh uniform, but his mind continued reeling from the encounter.

Buck Rogers stepped inside. He looked slightly better than before, but his face was still pale. His usual confidence was shaken. He had to grip a chair to keep himself steady.

Other members of the crew started walking in the room and taking seats. Everyone was in a melancholy mood. On a spaceship, you quickly developed intimate relationships with your crewmates. This meant everyone had lost at least one friend in the battle.

"That was a close one," Buck admitted grimly. "We lost four good people today. And we barely escaped with our own lives."

He turned to Popeye with a look of bewilderment. "Sailor," he began. "I... I don't know how you did it. But you saved my life back there. You gave us the chance to retreat. You saved our lives."

Popeye nodded. He could still feel the lingering effects of the Ropoda gas. "I just did what any of us would do."

Just then, the doors hissed open. A small woman with thick glasses and a lab coat entered the room.

"Captain Rogers, I have completed a preliminary analysis of the atmospheric sample from the Ropoda vessel," she announced.

Buck Rogers gestured for her to continue.

"Please give your report, Dr. Sven."

She cleared her throat.

"It appears that the Ropoda have developed a... a biochemical weapon. The gas they released is designed to disrupt the nervous systems of most biological lifeforms. Their engineering is grimly impressive. They found a common biocomponent which applies to all intelligent life in our federated alliance and managed to target it."

She projected a holographic diagram of a translucent humanoid figure. The nervous system was highlighted by a glowing reddish hue.

"The gas interferes with neural pathways, causing rapid fatigue, muscle weakness, and impaired cognitive function."

Her eyes locked with Popeye. It was clear that he had no idea what she was saying.

"In layman’s terms, it saps the strength and willpower of its victims."