"Hah! I knew you were full of it," Riley grinned.
Markus' smile, however, did not fade. "Pffft, yuh-huh, EUCLID-II, you're only measuring our contribution in material gains. That's the problem, here!"
"What else are they possibly contributing?" Riley said, before widening his eyes. "On second thought, don't answer that-"
"Well, duh- that's simple as pie!"
Suddenly, Lt. Markus twirled about, flipped a few switches on his console, and immediately, the American National Anthem filled the cabin, earning a few groans from the crew.
"Ugh... that's the third time this week..."
"That's not even their anthem anymore, isn't it? I thought it was 'All Hail Walmart'."
"Hey, everyone be quiet!" Markus called, grinning. "I'm about to make a dramatic speech."
At that, he cleared his throat. "You see, America
would contribute more materials, but we don't need to! Because we provide the most important asset of all!"
The bridge crew raised their eyebrows.
"Arrogance?"
"Pride?"
"Apple Pie?"
"Close, but the real answer is... HEROISM!"
Riley blinked incredulously. "Heroism? Are you sure you're not from another country, then? Because I remember how you oh-so-heroically volunteered to investigate the noises coming underneath my daughter's bed, before running away screaming 'HYPERSPACE MONSTER!'"
"Yeah well..." he coughed. "At least I looked! And that sweater totally looked like one! So in the end, guess what?!"
"What...?"
At that, Markus twirled out of his chair, dramatic as possible, before bellowing:
"
"
"No, no you're not," Riley sighed. "Because I was the one who found the pipe leak..."
"
"
He finally facepalmed. "Stop saying that."
"
"
"Stop-"
"
"
He merely gazed at him this time.
...
...
...
...
...
"You done?"
"
"
"
Riley began to pant after that, taking a few deep breaths.
"Ok... OK, I'm cool. But yeah, Markus..."
"Sup?"
"I'm just going to get back to work, now..."