USS UNICORN

Mission 3 -- In Search of the AnaKat

The USS Unicorn limps home to Dante Base in need of major repairs. Meanwhile, Captain Dyral Lanor, Commander of the Unicorn's marine force, is hot on the trail of the runabout AnaKat, which launched under mysterious circumstances during the battle with the Sect, the Dominion's elite special ops team. On board the Infiltrator, Cpt. Lanor must find the AnaKat, and may ultimitly have to decide the fate of Lt. Commander David Smith and Lt. Kira Malsten, Unicorn officers known to have sailed, willingly or not, on the AnaKat.

USS Unicorn, Captain's Ready Room:
McAllister: *recording* Computer, encrypt message, eyes only to
Commander, Dante Base, classification level Umbra. Message begins:
NX-75589 enroute your location with NX-74783 in tow. Expect arrival
in two days; request clearance. Extensive damage to both vessels requiring
major repair facilities. 123 wounded aboard. Warning: In midst of recent
fleet action, detected unauthorized launch of NX-75589/1 with XO and COS
aboard. Status unknown. Last detectable heading your location. Suspect
possible sabotage and/or Krazzle activity. Recommend interception if
possible, termination if necessary. Have dispatched intercept vessel of our
own, status also unknown. Commander, NX-75589 sends.

Intraship message:
TO: USS Unicorn
FM: Commander, Dante Base
RE: Arriving
Permission granted to dock at Dante Base, please dock at bay 9,
engineering crews will be on hand to repair your ship.
Welcome back.
Capt. Hawksclaw
Commander Dante Base.
End Trans.

AWOL
USS Unicorn - runabout
>
><ON>
>
>The runabout slipped silently out of the shuttle bay and began its voyage
almost unnoticed amoung the whirling twisting wreckage of men and ships that was
the field of battle. Using speed as its ally, the runabout burned out of the
field of fire at maximum warp leaving behind the silent battle raging almost
unnoticed amoungst the stars.
>At the controls, Capt Lanor watched the signature of his ship, his men,
rapidly shrink and become lost in the twisting ballet. Turning his attention back
to his console he noticed a Sect destroyer quitely sitting amoungst the stars.
The ship made no move to attack or pursue. It meerly sat in space and watched,
>sensors at maximum gain cameras rolling. The sect would have a detailed
account of the tatics and weapons used during this battle, and there was nothing
the marine Capt could do about it.
>Once assured that he was safe, Capt. Lanor turned his runabout toward his
>mission objective. The missing shuttle with its wayward crew was still
heading toward Dante Base at maximum burn. Given their lead and the time Capt
Lanor had needed to turn his duties over to Lt. Lessonar that lead was unlikely to
>diminish. Given the equal qualities of the runabouts the chase came down
to piloting and whoever was flying the runabout was taking the most direct
course back to Dante Base possible. Even to the point of coming dangerously close
to asteroids and planets. Capt Lanor knew some trick to milk a little extra
speed out of his ship but nothing short of a miracle would allow him to catch the
>fleeing shuttle.
>Turning on the autopilot, Lanor turned toward a different console and began
>playing the security tapes of the shuttle bay incident. The trooper on
guard had had little to say. Smith and Kira had entered the shuttle with Kira
>protesting about engineering. The door had slammed shut and the shuttle
had launched. The sensors didn't have anything more than that. Nothing sent
to the shuttle was acknowledged and the two attempts to make radio contact had
resulted in the runabout making drastic course changes as it tried to avoid the
>interogator. Whatever Smith and Kira were up to it was obviously NOT
something they wanted to share.
>
>Sighing Capt Lanor set in his shuttles course, devation standards, and
alarm perameters then settled down for a nap. It had been a long time since he
had had sleep and at least two battles. The computer would wake him if
anything changed and from the readouts nothing would.
>
><OFF>
>Capt. Lanor
>USS Unicorn Marines
>on special assignment.

ON:
J'min entered his quaters on Regula IX and collapsed on his bed. He lay
where he was for several seconds, then in a muffled voice addressed the
Computer
J'min: Computer? Any messages?
The computer beeps for a second or two before replying:
Computer: One... from STOAT Command
J'min rolls over, surprised...
J'min: On screen...
The screen of the room's comm unit dissolves into a picture of Admiral
Jarovik. J'min's cat-like face shows surprise, and then interest as the admiral
begins to speak:
~|~ Jarovik: J'min... I need to speak to you as soon as possible... FOX
tell me that they have just about all the information they can process at
the moment, and obvoiusly you can't go back to your people in the present
situation, so I think it's about time we got you out in the field... I have
an assignment waiting for you, and there'll be a Runabout waiting to take
you to Dante base as soon as possible... I'll speak to you soon ~|~
The screen flickers and then Jarovik's face is replaced by the STOAT logo,
with it's "To Defend" caption.... well, J'min had to admit they'd done a
pretty good job of defending him. The "Present situation" Jarovik was
talking about was one in which, according to all official records, and most
unofficial ones too, J'min was dead, killed by the Purmar in an ambush of
the ship transporting him to become ambassador and advisor to the
Federation, and to open up diplomatic talks between the WCS, the proud
people his father is ruler of.
It was true that the ship he was travelling on, a standard Krazzle
Transport, was destroyed by the Purmar vessels... what very few people knew
was that J'min and the others on the ship had been moved to cloaked STOAT
vessels beforehand, and had survived the attempt on their life. Far from
destroying the WCS's link with StarFleet, the Purmar had actually
strengthened it, as J'min and his entourage, and most of the diplomatic wing
of the WCS were now working for STOAT, and several had gone on to become
Federation residents, living secretly in the Federation, far away from the
threat of the Purmar, and helping StarFleet in some capacity or another in
it's fight against the Purmar and their allies... but J'min would be the
first to actually serve aboard a STOAT ship...
And which ship would it be?... J'min quickly got a subspace link through to
the Admiral, and listened eagerly to the information he was being given:
~|~ Jarovik: ... you'll be posted to the Unicorn... It's a ship in the...
ummm .: Jarovik looks embarrassed :. ... the, uh, Anti Krazzle Strike team
J'min smiles at the discomfort shown by the Jarovik... Although his
experience has mostly been limited to the Krazzle and their domain, J'min
was well aware that most of the surrounding races and powers considered the
Krazzle as one, and it was a common fallacy of almost everyone everywhere to
group races as a whole, and not accept that, as with all peoples, there will
be some good points and some bad... But J'min had to admit the Krazzle could
at times be mostly bad - and mostly very bad at that.
J'Min: Don't worry, Admiral - I've got more important things to be worried
about than names, and it takes more than that to offend me... I have heard
little of the Unicorn...?
~|~ Jarovik: She's relatively new... a Comet class Frigate.... Beautiful
ship.... ~|~
J'min: (grinning) One of your designs, Admiral?
~|~ Jarovik: (frowning) Yes, as a matter of fact... .:Jarovik seems to let
the comment go, and stops looking so disapproving:. ...The ship has just
returned from its last mission, and it has a little... well... personal
business to deal with... We suspect Krazzle activity involved, and they are
in need of a Tactical officer... when I heard you were ready for active
duty, I thought it was the perfect placement for you, and I think the
Unicorn needs your abilities right now... I've spoken to the Captain, and
he's agreed you're to be given the honourary rank of Leiutenant, jay gee.
You've finished the basic training... ? ~|~
J'min smiled, his exhaustion obvious to the Admiral
J'min: Just finished a session, Sir... I'll take the Assessment in two days
~|~ Jarovik: Good, good... there'll be a runabout to take you to Dante Base
as soon as you're ready... Good luck, Leuitenant. ~|~
J'min stands a little straighter as he hears his new rank - for the first
time he feels really a part of STOAT, and for the first time since he left
his Father and Minjay territory behind, he feels he is going to belong
somewhere
J'min: (proudly): Thankyou, sir... I'm looking forward to it
Jarovik smiles over the comm system
~|~ Jarovik: Welcome to STOAT, J'min... you'll be briefed fully when you
report for duty... Jarovik out. ~|~
Jarovik's face is replaced by the STOAT logo, and then the computer winks
out
J'min sits down on his bed, emotionally and mentally drained, on top of the
exhaustion from his training session
J'min: Well.... better get packing
OFF:
Lt (jg) (hon) J'min
Tactical officer
USS Unicorn

$---Krazzle on Board---$
Captain McAllister was leaving the Dante Base Infirmary when he bumped into
his Chief Engineer, Lt. Commander "Bigs" Wayne.
McAllister (CO): Hello, BIgs. I was just saying hello to Sanders. How
are the repairs going?
Bigs: We're on schedule, Cap'n. I'm still waiting for the Admiral's
authorization on those refits I requested.
CO: I've got some news for you one that -- *hands BIgs a PADD*. He
said yes to the fighters and no to the armor; but he did approve third
generation ablative armor -- tuffer then what we had, if not quite as strong
as we wanted.
Bigs: *disappointed* I'll make do, sir. Heard anything from "Major"
Lanor?
CO: *concerned* Not a word. Do me a favor -- making getting
Astrometrics and our long range sensors back on line a priority. I'm not
sure I can trust Intel to share anything they might pick up from Dyral.
Bigs: On it. The Uni will be sniffing the spaceways again in no time.
CO: Thanks. Now here's another one you and the others are just going to
have to get used to -- we have a new Tactical Officer reporting for duty in
the next couple of days.
Bigs: Oh? Someone we know?
CO: A Krazzle.
Bigs: What!? The hell you say!
CO: Mind you tone, Commander. He's an ambassador from the one Clan we've
been able to maintain diplomatic relations with. HIs name is J'min. I've
granted him the rank of Lieutenant, junior, and you and the others will
treat him with the respect due his position. Understand?
Bigs: Begg'in the Cap'n's pardon, but aren;t you asking too much? I can
deal with it, but some of the others....
CO: Until we find out what happened to Commander Smith, your senior, and
that makes you Acting XO. And, that makes it your responsibility to make
sure the crew maintains discipline. Having J'min on board is a great
advantage, especially in tracking down our litte infiltration problem.
Bigs: Aye, sir. But between you and me, I ain't thanking ya for that
temporary acting promotion.
CO: *chuckles* I understand. Now, what is it you have in mind for my
quarters?
OFF:
Crew, please welcome James, playing the part of J'min. Lyris DevRoy, if
you're still with us, we need to hear from you soon. Same goes for Lt.
Malsten and Lessoner. We're still in need of some additional crew, so if
you know someone that might be interested, let me know.
Good Gaming,
P.D. McAllister
Capt., USS Unicorn
Commanding

The Missing Crew
Runabout in unclaimed space between Krazzle and the Federation
<<ON>>
Capt. Lanor sat impatiently behind his console. He had been trailing the
shuttle for two days. Having noticed they were taking large arcs around
the bigger gravity wells in the area he had cut the distance between them
by transversing those arcs. A little dangerous perhaps but well worth the
risk. A risk that was about to pay off as the gap between the two speeding
runabouts slowly closed. Lanor checked his readings again. The runabout
was emitting no sensor energy. They were totally blind. Which means they
were running the shuttle craft on visual or on old maps. The latter given
the long arcs and the outdated charts on this region.
Watching carefully as the approaching shuttle neared the end of its last
arc, Lanor hit the emergency switch on his console and pushed his engines
past their limits. Lanor watched calmly as warning lights flashed on,
"They wouldn't last for long like this but for the one or two second burst
needed to match course and speed with the renegade they should do fine."
That was all it took, two and a half seconds on max. thrust and his shuttle
was now a perfect match for course and speed for the escaped runabout.
Checking his sensor readings for a final time Lanor realized that in the
last two days neither life form had moved, once. This did not bode well
for the health of its occupants. Sending one final transmission to Star
Fleet giving position, course, speed, and next course of action, Capt.
Lanor began docking procedures. Suddenly the escaping shuttle stopped dead
in space. No warning no power shifting just sudden emergency stop.
Lanor's runabout overshot his target and put him right in the line of fire
for the escape shuttles phasors but no firing began. Instead the shuttle
hung lifeless in space with no power emissions of any kind. Just another
floating ball of metal in the cosmos. Almost impossible to detect at long
range.
Lanor circled back to the shuttle keeping a close eye on his sensors. When
nothing appeared to change he brought his ship in closer to see what was
going on. The shuttle hung silent in space and everything appeared to be
quite. Something large and white was stuck to the windshield of the shuttle
though so Lanor moved in closer and focused cameras on the object. In
brilliant red lipstick on a shinning steel panel were the words, "Rescue us
you Moron." As the flood light lit the dark interior of the shuttle the
tiny figure of Malsten was seen yelling at the runabout circling them.
Chuckling slightly, Lanor circled his runabout behind the disabled ship and
began docking procedures. Walking over to the hatch he carefully checked
for any readings of explosives or abnormal pressure. Then depressing the
switch he lifted his hatch open wide. The gentle pounding of a tiny but
strong fist was heard through the hatch below. Reaching down and trying
the button, Lanor found it to be non functional. Hitting the manual
override and twisting the steel wheel around as far as it would go produced
similar results. As the pounding grew more insistent Lanor focused a tight
blast from his phasor rifle onto the hatch. The tight beam sliced through
the relatively unarmored section of the hatch causing the pounding to cease
as the no doubt furious Malsten was forced away by the heat. After a few
seconds on max. burn, Lanor reached down with his armored hand and lifted
the latch open a couple of inches. Instantly his ears were assaulted with
a string of verbal abuse that made even his Marine ears blush. Flipping
the pin on the grenade he tossed it into the escape runabout and slammed
the hatched closed. A second later a muffled THUMP echoed and a second
after that the fully armored Lanor dove through the hatch dual phasor
pistols at the ready. A thin beam of phasor light flashed into his armor
as Malsten crawled out of a locker she had used as cover. Dual beams of
phasor energy returned from the Marines steady fists to converge on the
tiny form. Stunned and in cramped quarters Malsten folded under the
barrage. The beams stopped and Capt. Lanor began his search of the ship.
The gentle star light of space greeted Malstrons eyes when she awoke. Her
head pounded and her mouth tasted of cotton. When she got her hands on
whoever had done this to her... A gentle voice from above and behind her
spoke, "Ah, your awake good. I want you to see this and mind your manners
or I'll whack you again and let the cameras do the witnessing."
Kira managed to twist herself around to look at the smug Capt. Lanor, still
in combat armor, sitting at the controls to the runabout. Out the viewport
and directly in front of him was her thrice cursed ship floating about 5
klics away. But what caught her immediate attention was the larger Krazzle
transport vessel slowly drifting in over the scene. Complete with a
destroyer escort the transport was obviously capturing the sabotaged
shuttle.
Lanor leaned back, "Obviously someone wanted Federation prisoners. Your
shuttle went a real in obvious route at first. Twisted back on itself a
couple dozen times before heading into the middle of dead space. There
isn't a planet or interesting feature in these parts for light years. And
its conveniently on the route to no where. Your shuttle, shut down
and floating dead in space, would have made for another completely
uninteresting piece of space junk. Almost impossible to find, unless you
knew right where it was going."
Malsten looked around. The runabout was small and had been stocked with
food and supplies for a long haul. Obviously Lanor had not expected to
catch them quickly. Smith, the fool, was equally bound and gagged beside
her and still blissfully unconscious. Turning back to the unfolding scene
before her she kept her tone quiet and neutral, "Why am I restrained?"
Lanor turned and looked at her fully. "You left the ship without warning
and without permission. From what I saw you were most likely shanghaied by
that bobby trap out there. However, my orders were to get you. Dead or
Alive. Since I don't KNOW if you or Mr. Smith there is on the level, I
felt it only prudent to go all out on caution. Especially with our friends
there creeping about."
Turning back to the scene they watched as the transport doors closed around
the now captured runabout. Lanor turned his head suddenly and began
powering everything up. At about the same time a brilliant flash of light
lit the sky in front of them. Punching the runabouts engines into full
throttle Lanor flew straight at the destroyers flank. Of the transport
there was nothing but space debris left. Firing his phasor into the engine
of the destroyer and holding it there for a full three seconds Lanor
expertly disabled the enemy ship just as its weapons came on line. A mild
buffeting from their guns which the shields absorbed and Lanor was on his
way.
Malstron turned to Lanor, "You booby trapped the booby trap? Clever, now
what?"
Lanor smiled as he piloted the shuttle back to Dante Base. "Yeah, I set up
a bomb on the shuttles warp core with a gyroscopic detonator. Any big
jostling like a tractor beam or docking clamps and the thing blew. Not a
big explosion but from the inside of a ship a nasty one. Added to that the
rigged life support readings and they thought they had two shuttles instead
of one. The bomb goes off and then its a simple matter of shooting the
biggest power source on the destroyer until it stops. From up close and
personal with no shields that wasn't hard either. Unfortunately, their
guns were better than I thought. We took a couple of minor hits on top of
running this thing balls out for 48 hours straight and then over heating
her to catch you. Nothing serious to keep us from getting home but we
can't wait around for someone to pick up the destroyer. A shame, they'll
be repaired, destroyed or rescued before we get back here."
With that Lanor turned the ship toward Dante Base and headed back to
Federation Space.
<<OFF>>
Capt. Lanor
USS Unicorn

Dante Base
USS Unicorn
Lessoner's quarters.
<<ON>>
Lessonar: in his cabin after a hard day of refitting, hears the insistant
paging of his message console, he is surprised to discover it is a message
from his venerated Grandfather, Ger'Nosh, a member of the Klingon High
command. The first words are no surprise though. "You are a disgrace to the
family. You serve under a cowardly Admiral who left his people and fleet to
die. You have done nothing to challenge this by replacing and challenging
this Slocar."
Lessonar: stands to attention with respect,"Sir they do not allow
challenges..."
Ger'Nosh: cuts off the response with a penetrating voice, "I do not want to
hear excuses. There are more subtle ways to teach honor." pauses and
smiles "I have made arrangements to teach you one. Answer your door." The
door beeps for attention.
A private stood outside, "Sir this arrived for you in mail call. Special
delivery." Hands Lessonar the box. Salutes and leaves.
Lessonar: takes the box back to the view screen and his grandfather and
looks at the old man in trepidation.
Grandfather: smiling evilly "I know you will honor my gift to you and
take excellent care of it for your Honor depends upon it. I would be
mortally offended if you allowed anything to happen to it. Ger'Nosh out."
the screen goes blank.
The box moved slightly, of its own accord. Something inside was scuttling
around.
With great wariness Lessonar opened the box. Inside was a lizard which
matched the purple and yellow shading of the box. The lizard gazed lazily
at the Klingon as sweat broke out on his brow. "The Slocar!"
<< OFF>>

1/2 hour latter
Capt. McAllister's temp briefing room

<<ON>>

Lessonar: worried, His grandfather had known exactly what he was doing when
he sent The Slocar. Already it had broken free of the shipping box and the
simple wire cage he had so carefully placed it in. Then he had left it in
a sealed glass box used to house acquadic life. Carefully he had sealed a
lid to the container with just a tiny hole for air. That should have held
it until he returned from his duties. Somehow the infuriating creature had
escaped although everything appeared untouched.
Lanor: "and Lessonar will give the briefing on equipment enhancements we
have helpped security install on the ship. Lt.... Lt?"
Lessonar: jerks and stands quickly. Begins speaking to the assembled
officers but it is obvious his mind is elsewhere. It is equally obvious
that after 3 days of triple shifts they didn't care anymore. He finishes
his briefing quickly and the meeting adjorns.
Lessonar: Rushes back to his room and frantically starts to search for the
creature, Surely it could not have had time to escape from his room?
<<OFF:>>

Lt. Sanders in corridor outside her room:

<<ON:>>
Sanders was dead tired. As soon as she had been released from sick bay the
Capt had had her working her tail off. Then she had spent several days
worrying about Dyral and to top it off they still had her listed as dead on
the roster. Right now all she really wanted was to spend 24 hours in bed
getting the much needed rest the doctor had ordered.
Walking into her appartment she shouted, "Lights, shower, warm" and began
to undress. Since she started dating Dyral she had taken to throwing her
things all over the appartment. She took especial delight in putting them
into especially hard places to reach. It drove him nuts with his tight
little marine mind. Everything in a place and so on.
The shower was fast but wonderfully warm. Biggs had done some tremendous
work and actual hot water showers were available although with rationing
they never lasted long enough. Stepping into the bed room she began to hum
has she neared her bed. Then a very small bump in the covers moved.
In a flash she was three feet back and armed with a chair. She was dating
a marine after all. Several thoughts went through her mind and all of them
ended with Dyral and Biggs laughing at the little lady that couldn't handle
a mouse or whatever twisted alien version of mouse this turned out to be.
So steeling up her courage and hefting her chair she threw the sheet back
suddenly and shouted, "Gottcha!" There, under the covers was a lizard of
electric blue that matched her elegant satin sheets and two electric blue
eyes stareing up into hers, suddenly the world was spinning and gaaaaa the
smell!!!!
Computer voice: "Medical Alert Ensign Sanders quarters. Medical Alert
Ensign Sanders quarters. Possible Bio Chemical contamination! Possible Bio
Chemical contamination! Chief Engineer report to Ensign Sanders Quarters!
Marine Bio Hazard Team to Ensign Sanders Quarters!"
Ensign Sanders is laying on the floor in a fit of dry heaves. Outside
boots pound down the corridor and stop in front of the door which beeps
continuously. Cursing sounds as Marines security teams start to override
the door security. More boots pounding, "Out of the way Jarhead's we ain't
got time for locks." Berrilium / Steel groans and bends and finally breaks
as the door is forced open by Biggs carrying a spacer's wrecking bar and
wearing contamination clothing. Instantly alarm sounds pour from the
hallway as the smell escapes. "Good Lord, what is that stuff? It's peeled
the paint off the bulkheads!"
Two figures one tall and slim and one short and squat force their way in.
They discover Sanders on the floor and drag her clear of the room. Forcing
the door shut as the team quickly reseals the room
Lanor: panting and out of breath, "Doc, is she hurt?"
Dr. Wakako: slowly and efficiently running his medical tricorder over
Sanders heaving form. She appears to have taken on a putrid green tint
"Physically she is having mild convulsions.", looks at Lanor, "Throwing up.
>From the smell I would guess." Turns back to Sanders, "Her eyes are
swollen shut and her nose appears to be following suit. Her throat is
constricted but she can still breath and the ducts in her ears are begining
to fill from the run off from her nose and throat. If I didn't know better
I would say she had been hit at point blank range with a tear gas canister.
As it is this bright red area on her chest and forearms would indicate that
she was gassed at close range. From the bio genetic traces I would say
from some sort of reptile. I should be able to work up an antidote in a
few moments but the smell will linger awhile, and NO it is not fatal.
Meerly" grimaces, "very very smelly."
Lanor and Biggs stepped back and watched as everyone not needed for the
emergency returned to duty.
Biggs: worried, "Did he just say she was hit by an animal?"
Dr. Wakako: patiently, "Yes, a... Slocar, a lizard? here? Its a small
lizard from the Klingon home world. Very rare since, when surprised, they
omit a highly noxious gas which causes, Well you can see the results.
They are not of themselves lethal but they are impossible to capture as
they rapidly escape all confinments. The Klingons, in their typical
fashion, have hunted them to near extinction. In this case though it was
probably in self defense" he finished humorously. To Dryal, "Your
girlfriend is going to be green awhile since the stench has a tendency to
randomly change the color of things as well.
Lanor and Biggs looked at each other then at the door, then at the doctor,
then back to each other.
Lanor draws a phasor and Biggs pulls his bar from his tool kit. Turning
slowly they open the door again and enter the room. A low yellow haze still
hangs over the room. The bed, night table, and a chair laying on the bed
were all coated with the same yellow fluid the Dr. had removed from
Sanders.
Lanor: quietly, "It looks like it was hiding under the covers. She threw
them back and it got her."
Biggs: "What was the chair for? If she thought it needed bashing why
didn't she call you? or maintance?"
Both shifted their feet a bit as they thought about that question.
Dryal: "I say we phasor whatever it is and fix the damage later."
Biggs: snorting which is hard to do in a chem suit, "Jarhead's, Not
dumb,just intellectually challenged! How can you be sure you will actually
get what you need? I think we need to run a full spectrum decontamination
field in here.
At that moment, minus any protection, Lessonar races into the room.
"Gaaaahhhhh!" he exclaims from the stench as he gently raises the cover and
cautiously picks up the half sleeping electric blue lizard. Biggs and Dryal
mouths hanging open look at each other in astonishment.
Lanor: watching as Lessonar puts the lizard into a darkly colored box with
mixed vegetables in the bottom. "Soldier do you want to explain this? or
should we just give you a tooth brush and let you start cleaning?"
Lessonar: stands at attention, "Sir, I shall start cleaning at once. SIR!"
Lanor: impatient, "Cut the clowning Lt. What the hell is going on here?"
Lessonar: embarressed and nervous, "Sir, it is my pet SIR!"
Lanor: getting slowly angry, "Who authorized a biohazardous pet on this
ship soldier?"
Lessonar: stone faced and calm, "No one Sir.The creature is harmless,
just",glares at the box, "infuriating."
Lanor: "Well get rid of it!"
McAllister: runs into the room and gags, "Good, I see you are on top of
things. The marines reported we have a problem but no real hazard. What is
that Smell?,"
Lanor: at attention as usual when he is in trouble which appears to be
often lately, "It appears a pet escaped. Sir!"
Biggs: snickers. as Lanor glares.
McAllister: slightly confused, "What sort of pet can do this?" gestures
around the room. "It also incapacitated one of my crew."
Lanor: "It appears to be a Slocar. Sir. A klingon lizard with a powerful
defensive mechanism similar to tear gas. It also smells terrible and
apparently changes the color of its target for a few days according to the
Doctor, Sir."
McAllister: "Well we can't have something that dangerous onboard the ship.
Get rid of it."
Lanor: "Yes Sir! I was just getting to that Sir." turns to Lessonar and
holds out his hand for the box.
Lessonar: voice stone solid, "I regret that I can not comply with that
order sir. Honor dictates that the Slocar remain in my possession."
Lanor: surprised, "Lt. Lessonar. You are in possession of a dangerous
creature that could disrupte the safty of this ship. You will hand it over
at once."
Lessonar: voice resolute, "No Sir. I can not Sir."
Lanor: face calm and voice steady, "For the last time Lt. I am ordering you
to hand over that creature or face arrest."
Lessonar: still as a statue, "Sir, I am sorry sir. I will report to the
brigg at once SIR."
Kira: arriving with the buzzing of wings, says with her best Space lawyer
voice, "Lanor, I think you need to reconsider that last order."
McAllister: confused "Why?"
Kira: amused , "The Slocar is not considered a hazardous creature and is
well known by the Federation. Other crewman have had them for pets before.
If you take this to a trial I am afraid this dunderhead would win on a
technicality. I also perused the Communication logs. We have activated the
new Scan-Net feature which watches all transmissions for piggy back and
illegal transmissions. There will be no hidden Com systems on this ship by
crewman under our Captain. I was sick about hearing about all these strange
comm systems the other ships have which are NOT under the Captain's
control. We will have none of that on this ship. I discovered that this pet
is an ambassadorial gift from a member of the Klingon High command.
Lanor: shocked "You read everyone's mail?"
McAllister: looking angry at Kira.
Kira: hastily, "Of course not! I run it through the computers. I don't have
time to read all that com stuff idiot! However, his message referring to
this had a Klingon High Command header indicating privacy. Since the
package arrived with the communication it is by Federation law a legal
ambassadorial gift. If anyone attempts to interefere with it we can cause a
huge incident. I would suggest we back off on this one."
McAllister: thinking, "Very well gentlemen, this will require some thought.
You may all return to your duties until I sort this out. Mr Lessonar, I
suggest you take better care of your pet. I would really take a dislike to
you if this incident were to reoccurr. Do I make myself clear?"
Lessonar: unhappily, "I will do my best Sir."
<<OFF>>
posted by Lessonar and Kira
Lts on the USS Unicorn

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