If you love the purring little balls of fur, do not read this. But I was recalling Scotty ranting about how Keenser could eat a bean and do fine. Ok, so I was feeling mean. Tomorrow is Monday.
Tribbles are a meal best served warm
Spock and Keenser watched as Kirk and Scotty dematerialized, hopefully making it to their destination, the Enterprise. Spock would have no way of knowing if they'd made it, at least not until he returned to Earth. Scotty said the shuttle was at his disposal, even if it wasn't in top notch shape. Spock turned to the diminutive alien Star Fleet officer, and said, "If you have anything you wish to bring, you had better gather it up now. We will be departing in 1 hour." Spock thought that would give him sufficient time to check over the shuttle.
Keenser thought of only a few items he wanted to take with him. He ran to Communication Central, which is what Scotty called the messy desk area he worked in. Keenser picked up some items, tucking them into his Star Fleet issued duffel. He finally grabbed one last item, also putting it in his duffel, albeit more gently. He then returned to Spock, who was giving the shuttle a once over. The duffel was placed ever so carefully into a storage compartment, after which Keenser went to see if he could help the Vulcan get the shuttle ready.
As the shuttle became airborne, Spock found he was actually looking forward to seeing this universe. Perhaps he would look up other old friends from his youth, to see if and how they were changed.
A noise brought Spock back to the present. Keenser had taken something from his duffel and was...petting it? A bad memory flooded Spock's mind with unease. He put the shuttle on autopilot and went to see what it was that Keenser was petting. It couldn't be, but it was. A tribble. Of course. He remembered that Mr Scott had such a creature back at the station. His small companion must have brought it with him. Spock looked down at the duffel, which was now squirming. He opened it, to find not one, not two, but at least 8 smaller tribbles and one larger, obviously the mother. As soon as he picked up the duffel, they all started purring. Spock raised an eyebrow at what could become, a major predicament. From his past experiences with tribbles, one did not stay one. Soon they would be two dozen, then more, multiplying at an alarming rate. Already, the lone tribble had just had a litter.
He watched as Keenser caressed a small purring baby tribble, crooning to it ...before popping it into his mouth.
So that's how Mr Scott was able to control the always breeding creature. His assistant was into natural population control. And it explained why Scott was grousing about the food. He didn't eat tribbles.
Spock had to stifle a laugh, since it meant there would be no problem as long as the little alien was around. He took the shuttle controls again, and headed for Earth.