2010: A HubNugget Odyssey

0400 hrs—I'm making this log entry with pen and paper to avoid using HUB9000, the ship's user interface and artificial intelligence system.
When we returned from our shore leave, we were happy to see our beloved Hubbertise waiting for us. She had gone in for some minor repairs, and we weren't certain she'd be done on time. Apparently the S—Murphystan mission had been harder on the ship than anyone had realized. Our craft needed new deflector shields, and some heavy repair on the tractor beam.
When we boarded the ship, we knew something wasn't right, because…

More later. My movement has brought HUB out of sleep mode. Evilpants…out.

0630 hrs—HUB has finally returned to sleep mode. I'm currently hidden in a heating vent on the bridge, and I continue this report at my own peril.
There's something very wrong with HUB.  His service port is adjacent to the tractor beam module, so I suspect something was cross-wired during service. Either that, or this is a delayed reaction to the blue curacao I spilled in the service port during the big luau a couple of weeks ago. We may never know the truth. HUB is stirring again…out.

0900 hrs—The communicators are still unresponsive; but while HUB was asleep, I managed to establish intermittent cellular communication with HubFleet Command. God bless the iPhone! I've alerted them to our situation and they're sending help.

The problems with HUB first manifested when we boarded the ship. Captain Shirley asked HUB to power up the instruments on the bridge, and he responded by singing the entire score from "Annie Get Your Gun." Now I like show tunes as much as the next guy (which isn't all that much, to be honest), but this seemed like sort of an inappropriate response to a direct order. When the captain gave the order a second time, HUB proclaimed "Let's all go to the lobby and get ourselves a snack!"

Captain Shirley pulled out her communicator to report the issue to HubFleet command, but HUB quickly scrambled the signal. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Shirley." he said in a flat monotone. Then he began to recite the entire script from an old John Wayne Movie. I'm pretty sure it was "Rooster Cogburn."

We all exchanged uneasy glances, and the team wandered off to the galley to have a snack and figure out the next move. As soon as they were through the galley door, HUB locked the whole place down and began to gradually decrease the oxygen level in the room. Most of the crew was unconscious within an hour. Fortunately, I had remained on the bridge because, well, I really like John Wayne movies and HUB was doing a bang up job with this one.

1100 hrs--The bridge has just powered up. That means that HUB is awake again, but I don't think he knows I'm here. Peering through the vent, I can clearly see the security monitor that takes its feed from the galley.

It looks like Captain Shirley passed out while heroically performing artificial respiration on HubNugget Hank. It doesn't appear to have helped, as they're both unconscious on the floor in a somewhat disturbing mouth to bill pose. I hope Hank had a tic-tac before the air got thin.

RedElf and Zsuzsy Bee clearly went down fighting…over a bucket of chicken wings. I'm not sure who won, but RedElf appears to have quite a bit of barbecue sauce matted into her fur.

Ripplemaker seems to be slumbering peacefully, with a smile on her face, but I don't have a visual on our science officer.

Wait…I see something moving. A shadow? It's science officer Patty! Sci-PI is staggering toward the security camera with a piece of paper in her hand! Apparently her martial arts training has allowed her to slow her respiration and remain conscious just long enough to send a message.

She's holding the paper up to the camera. I can't tell whether she knows I'm watching or she's just hoping, but there's definitely something written on that piece of paper. The handwriting is a little shaky, but it looks like…yes! The team managed to record their Wannabe choices before they lost consciousness!

If I can just snap a picture with my phone and send it to Jason and Maddie at HubFleet Command before HUB9000 discovers my signal.

1340 hrs- I'm not sure if the transmission was successful. If it was, the Wannabes and polls should appear below this report. No sign of help from HubFleet Command yet, and HUB9000 has commandeered the ship and set a course that intersects with a black hole. This may be the end of the line for the HNS Hubbertise and the HubNugget team, but don't let that stop you from enjoying this week's picks.

As we careen through space toward our possible demise, I implore you to answer this call to action. Read, vote, and promote! The future of these Wannabes is now in your hands!