I have always felt that redshirts kind of get the short end of the stick. Yes, I know they are pretty much the foot soldiers of Star Fleet, in other words cannon fodder. BUT I believe that their training would make most of them much more competent than they are given credit for. Its one of the little things that got this plot bunny rolling.

As always all Star Trek characters are owned by CBS ad Paramount. This is a not for profit fanfiction, I am just playing with them. I DO own the rights to my original characters. Please do not use them without my permission.


Fast Food

Abigail almost dropped her sandwich as she juggled it, her PADD and a soft drink trying to get into her quarters. She was saved when a taloned hand reached past her to key the door open. The girl did not even try to hide it as she jumped and squeaked in surprise. How the heck did something that big move so quietly?

"Cheese-n- crackers, ASH… someone needs to put a bell on you!"

The hair on the back of her head blew up as the dragon snorted in amusement and followed the girl into their shared space.

"I likes cheese and crackers… you gots?"

Abby couldn't stop her giggle… sometimes dealing with her roommate was like babysitting a four-year-old.

"It's just a turn of phrase… I don't have any crackers…"

She quit laughing when a lean head curved over her shoulder, long black tongue flicking greedily over her special Scotty creation. Her Chief was a genius when it came to hand held edibles and getting him to make her one of his famous hoagies had been a crowning achievement today! She smacked the offending appendage with her package of chips.

"HEY personal space…keep your tongue away from my dinner!"

Ash pulled it back into her mouth and gave the girl a wounded look. Then she gave a dragon's grin and flopped onto her bed.

"Is okay… me eats later. Better foods on ground!"

Unwrapping her treat, Abby took a big bite and chewed blissfully while setting her manicure kit up.

Her roommate stopped squirreling her blankets around into a nest to watch.

"Why you eats now… nots going shore leaves?"

Abby cleared her mouth while she removed the no nonsense nail polish she wore while on duty. She did not miss her roomie's wrinkle nosed look of disgust at the smell.

"A group of us are heading to the Hoary Slipper for drinks. They're planning on stopping for Andorian fast food on the way. I can't eat that stuff, it gives me gas."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw those taloned hands pause while kneading a pillow into shape…

"GAS… you has flame!?"

The image this innocent question brought to mind had Abby choking on her mouthful. She could not help but recall her CMO's first question, (Does she FART?) and she had to stifle a laugh as she tried to explain.

"NO… we don't… you see…well…flames might be better!"

Silence followed this stuttered answer, such as it was. If Ash wanted to know about the "subtle" intricacies of the human digestive system…she could ask the Doc! Abigail was grinning as she added some length to her short nails, filed the acrylic into shape and started a base coat of deep red. Just because she never intended to be a cosmetologist for life as was her momma's plan, the girl saw no reason not to use the skills that had paid her way through school. She layered on a topcoat of lighter red, added a lacework of shimmering gold to the tips and was trying to decide if a crystal would cross the line into "too much" when a soft snort blew one of her brushes off the table. Her startled reaction spilled several tiny sparkling crystals on the floor along with a couple of bottles of polish. Thankfully these were closed. Ash had ghosted off her bed and was crouched looking down her long muzzle at Abby's hands. Jehoshaphat…she was going to get the creature a damned bell before she died of a heart attack! Her exclamation was cut off as she jerked her fingers away before a certain tongue could smear her hard work before it dried.

"Personal SPACE… ASH!"

The tongue withdrew, only to be replaced by a long sharp talon that carefully stirred the crystals left on the table around.

"Pretty sparklies… Wacha doing Abby Jones?"

Just to be safe the girl stuck her hands under her ultraviolet hardener to prevent any accidental licks.

"I'm painting my nails… you know…so they look nice."

The long head tilted in confusion.

"You is alreadys looking nice… why you adds sparklies… OHHH you looks for mate?"

"What…thanks…yes….NO!"

Oh my GOD… she did NOT just ask that? Abby sputtered and her reactive blush made things worse.

"Whys you turn RED… I get Do…"

She grabbed a clawed hand stopping the dragon before she could get up and call medical.

"I just want to look nice for shore leave… you know… dress up, go out and get a drink…maybe meet someone?" Abby realized that although she knew Ash was scheduled for shore leave the girl had no idea what her roommate was planning to do. "Isn't that what you are going to do? You ARE going planet side, aren't you?"

Ash gave her a nod, her talons tapping a happy rhythm on the table top.

"I goes shore leaves…no drinks though… just eats."

One long fingered hand lifted to let the light play across the shiny black surface of her claws.

"You adds sparklies…make me pretties?"

Abigail looked at the long talons, then grinned…this could be fun.

Digging around in her supplies she soon realized that the only color she really had enough of was a bright electric blue. It was not a color she used very often. She held the bottle up against one of the dragon's dark red stripes… and winced. Ash caught her expression.

"Whats…?"

"This is the only color I have a lot of and it does not really match your stripes."

The dragon's head curved around as she eyed the color.

"I likes… can match!"

The girl just stared in shocked wonder as the red brindling that striped that shimmering midnight hide, shifted. It brightened, flowed to gold, then yellow to green to finally settle on a beautiful electric blue. The feathery frill matched the color change, rising to float on an invisible breeze to wreath the wedge-shaped head in what looked like living flame. Bright gold eyes studied the girl's face.

"Is match now?"

Abby just nodded, not trusting her voice. She slid a hand under those long fingers, bringing them closer as she filed one or two rough edges smooth. Brilliant blue vines took shape under her brush, delicately twining over the black to form an intricate pattern. When tiny crystals were added, the dragon started to purr. The girl finally asked the question that was really bothering her.

"How… what… this color is beautiful… why do you choose red all the time?"

Ash lifted the finished hand… golden eyes watching the electric blue sparkle and shimmer in the play of light.

"Is protocol. I's Security."

It took a moment to figure out what this meant. And when it registered, a small tremor marred one of the little vines she was painting on the other hand. Everyone on board was familiar with Star Fleet urban legend… even if the higher ups tried to stifle the rumor mill.

Even if she could not wear the curse of death…. Ash was a red shirt.


Later that evening, Abigail sipped on her drink and watched the last of the group she came down with wander off, arms wrapped around a tall, lithe feline male. She could not blame the lieutenant. Abby sighed and leaned back in her chair, eyeballing the tail attached to the very nice ass as it disappeared through the bar door. Lucky lady. A blush traveled up her cheeks…as if SHE would know what to do with that tail. Raised in an old fashioned home the girl had yet to get up the nerve to explore "strange new men, new life and new sexual-izations." She stifled a snicker in her drink. God she was lame. And more than a little buzzed. This drink would be her last…hopefully she could find someone to walk back to the transport location with. This place was on the rough side of civilized, they had been warned to buddy up when traveling the narrow streets.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the bartender setting a small glass filled with a thick, smoky black liquor. At her questioning look the Orion gave her a sensual smile and nodded towards a thickset male watching her with almost black eyes. She did not need the green woman's light touch on her wrist and whispered warning to know that she really did not want to have anything to do with the cross-breed man who now approached. His heavy build, deep set eyes and the faint ridging on a broad forehead screamed that there was Klingon somewhere in his pedigree. The tattoo that covered half his face made his gang affiliations a more pressing problem. Abby pushed the drink towards him as he settled into the chair next to her.

"It's kind of you, but no thanks. I am done and heading home."

She started to get up only to freeze as a powerful hand closed on her arm pinning her in place. The other hand slid the drink back in front of her.

"What's the hurry Sli-Vak… the night is young. Drink what you are given so we can leave and find a place where your screams won't be noticed.


Hikaru Sulu finished the last of his beer, dark eyes scanning the bar. He usually was not much of a drinker but had agreed to come to the Hoary Slipper just to keep an eye on Pavel. The boy was not of age on Earth but the laws in deep space where not as stringent. When the helmsman had heard that this infamous dive was a party destination for most of engineering… he decided to tag along. While the Russian wiz kid was not technically part of that close-knit group, he had been adopted by the rough clan and they would not let him say no when invited. It had been a nice evening of good drinks and great company. Most of the crew knew why he was hanging out in a place not quite suited to his quiet temperament and he had not had to buy a single drink out of pocket. Neither had Chekov for that matter… the kid was practically swaying in his seat, eyeballing a young ensign who had caught his attention earlier in the evening. Sulu gave his friend a gentle nudge.

"So, are you going to sit there making googly eyes at her all night or are you going to go introduce yourself?"

This earned him a terrified look as the kid sputtered into his drink.

"I can't… she is… I am… HEY… Isn't that Kanar?"

Sulu turned to look. The young lady in question had nursed a couple of party drinks all night. She did not seem the type to indulge in the DARK side. Cardassian liquor was wicked strong and not a drink that any with no tolerance to alcohol should be playing with. That black glass of "hangover from hell" was cause for alarm, but the tough looking character that roughly planted himself beside the tiny Ensign set all the bells and whistles off in the helmsman's mind. He was already up and moving when the girl pushed the Kanar back at the man as she tried to rise. He did not hear whatever was said but the blood leaving the girl's face was enough he had no problem interfering.

"Ensign, is this man bothering you?"

He rested a possessive hand on her tense shoulder and felt more than saw Chekov moving up to have his back. Huge brown eyes flashed a grateful look up at him as the tense muscles under his hand relaxed.

"Thank you, Lieutenant, I was just telling this…. gentleman, that it was time I headed back to the ship."

The cold eyes that glared into his as the tattooed stranger rose were as hard as black obsidian.

"You and your little friend should mind your own business…"

Sulu tightened his hold on the girl, intent on throwing her behind him at the first sign of violence.

The unmistakable sound of a round being jacked into a firing chamber made everyone freeze.

All eyes turned to the green woman behind the bar. Black eyes found himself staring down the double bores of an antique sawed off shot gun.

"Targath, I swear I will blow a hole in you big enough to fly a shuttle through if you start a fight in my bar… again!"

For a long moment, the man did not move. Then he shrugged, tossed back the shot of Kanar and wiped his mouth with a big scarred hand.

"Some other time then…"

The weapon stayed trained on the guy until he let himself out the bar door.

Hikaru turned to thank the Orion only to have her shake her head as she put the weapon back under the bar.

"If I were you, I would take these sweetlings home and not set foot around here again. Targath and his friends are not people you want to be playing with."

He was trying to do just that an hour later as the three of them slipped quietly through the emptying streets heading back to their transport point. The late crowd was just starting to thin so there were plenty of people still out. Because of this, Sulu felt that they were relatively safe if they followed the more public routes. He was wrong. Pavel and Abigail were slightly ahead of him, chatting together as they walked. The helmsman was hanging back a little giving his young friend a chance flirt a little when several dark figures detached themselves from an alley to surge forward and yank the couple into the shadows. Sulu shot forward only to slam into a virtual wall of muscle and bone. For a few seconds, he was able to fight back. Something traced a hot flame over his stomach. While twisting away something else connected with his ribs hard enough that he heard at least one of them crack. Overwhelmed, Sulu was manhandled deeper into an alley that eventually opened into what looked like a dimly lit courtyard. He was slammed into a wall and released. Just managing to keep his feet, Hikaru turned around. His wild leap back into the fray stopped at the sight of Pavel sagging in Targath's hard grip. A small trickle of blood oozed out from under the very sharp edge being held to his throat. A quick glance and the helmsman realized that they were well and truly screwed. The gang knew its territory and had planned the ambush well. The little space they had been dragged to had two ways out. One was blocked by a huge pile of old storage containers and debris. The other…? There were seven men not including Targath blocking that entryway into the courtyard. At least three of them had sidearms, and the helmsman was willing to bet the rest had blades. It was a wonder he was still alive. Then again… the nasty smile on the gang leader's face made it clear his being alive was a part of the plan.

"Well now, little man. Not so tough when you don't have a green bitch watching your back are you?"

Sulu straightened up as much as his cracked ribs would let him. He could see Abby backed against the same wall he stood against. Other than being mussed up a bit, the girl did not seem to be injured…. Yet.

"We are Star Fleet officers Targath, you really don't want to do this."

While he spoke, the helmsman was slowly sliding a hand towards his communicator. He froze when the man who held Chekov laughed. A little more blood flowed as the knife pressed deeper.

"Your precious Star Fleet does not frighten us. It has no jurisdiction here and the local authorities know better than to mess with my people. By the time you are missed, this nights fun will be over. Make another move towards your speak-easy and I will cut this sweet thing's throat. You can watch him bleed out while we break you. Be a good boy and I might let you live after my friends and I have the pleasure of riding some Federation ass."

Sulu saw the exact moment when Chekov realized what the big man was planning was not limited to the only female here. The kid's eyes were huge with panic as he bucked against the man's hard grip.

Thankfully, Targath pulled his knife hand back a little before the kid could cut his own throat.

"Go ahead and struggle boy, makes things more interesting…."

There was a loud crash from the garbage pile and a black shadow shifted in the darkness. Sulu was not the only one who stood in frozen shock as a predatory form stepped into the very edge of the light. For a moment, the helmsman was not sure that the Draconian that appeared was Ash. There was no sign of the red stripes that usually marked the Ensign's black hide. The gold eyes that searched his seemed familiar though. The helmsman saw Targath shift and pull Pavel closer.

"What the hell kind of game is this? If that's a pet Star Fleet you had better be able to control it!"

The dragon took a tentative step forward and Sulu realized she had a mouthful of matted bloody fur. Before the dragon could come any closer and get everyone shot, he shouted the first thing that came to mind.

OH… MY… GOD! Ash…DROP that!"

Wonder of wonders, the Ensign dropped her mouthful. The gaze she shot his way was pitiful.

Sulu could not quite control the shake in his voice.

"Is that someone's PET?"

Pitiful went to surprised tinged with what might have been a little guilt.

"No, not PETS… no allowed to eat pets."

The dragon prodded the limp, bloody bundle of rancid fur with one toe.

"Is rat… they big and juicy here."

Big was an understatement. With radiation a factor, mutated space rats were known to grow to the size of a large dog.

Those big gold eyes flashed a hopeful look his way. Ash rose to her full height and pushed the dead rat forward with one foot while shuffling a step closer. Sulu heard Chekov gasp as the fiery red of those missing stripes reappeared. They flashed to gold, which bled to green only to shift to electric blue as brilliant color brought Ash's shadowed hide to life. A quick glance proved that the sound was just a reaction to the dragon's light show. His captor's attention was focused on the Draconian. If anything, the hand holding Targath's weapon had dropped a little. Someone whispered "What the Fuck!" and several of their adversaries backed up a step or two. Bobbing her head, Ash shuffled another step forward.

"Captain said allowed to hunt rats. Is okay…yes?"

The Helmsman wet suddenly dry lips his eyes drawn back to the colors that bled across those glimmering midnight scales. He found it difficult to string his words together.

"Ah…well… I guess so… if the Captain gave his permission…."

The Dragon hummed with pleasure. She started to sway as her tail rocked back and forth, its motion making her dance from one foot to the other. The image in his mind of a frightening predator was suddenly replaced by one that looked suspiciously like a huge, happy puppy. The bright gaze shifted to look behind him.

"Whacha do here, Abby Jones? You hunts rats too?"

The Ensign that they were SUPPOSED to be escorting safely home moved to stand a little closer. Sulu managed a quick glance, noting that although pale there was little fear present when the girl answered.

"No Ash… umm… I was heading back to our quarters…maybe some other time?"

Sulu saw her flinch and press a hand behind her ear. He realized that Ash's soft hum had shifted to a deep thrumming croon, felt more in his bones than heard by his ears. A sudden overwhelming desire had his eyes drifting back to watch the Draconian's shifting lightshow. He found that he had no desire to look away from the ever-changing colors that seemed to dance to the croon's subtle rhythm. Ash took another shuffling step, nodded, and shifted her attention to the threatening gang.

"You friends want hunt with me?"

It felt like as if Hikaru's thoughts were dragging through thick syrup as he wondered how it was possible for her to talk and maintain that croon at the same time. Tears blurred his vision as a wave of pain rolled through his head. Whispered words seemed to ride the tide in...

"Look away…."

At the same time, the unnatural stillness was broken by a half-strangled shout.

"We're not your friends you scaly assed FREAK!"

The whine of a weapon discharging succeeded in pulling Sulu's gaze away when sheer will power was not enough. He blinked as the plasma bolt hit Ash high on the chest. The dragon twisted slightly, her hiss of pain drowned in the sizzle and flash of a ricochet. Lifting one hand, she scratched at the long scorch mark it left behind, the only sign of damage that marred the shimmering hide.

"OUCH… you no hunt rats like that! Hunt with tooth and talon. Is taste better!"

Because he had been able to pull his gaze away, Sulu saw the fool who had fired on her drop his weapon from suddenly nerveless fingers then turn to run.

Ash's eyes flicked to red then back to gold as she watched him go. The Ensign shrugged drawing everyone's captive gaze back to her shimmering form.

"No hunt then? Is okay…I gots plenty…I share with you!"

That lean head darted down, powerful jaws biting as one hind foot pinned the carcass to the ground. Sharp teeth cut deep and with a powerful jerk, the dragon pulled the body into two pieces. Blood, body fluids and what could only be guts flew as the bitten piece was playfully flipped into the air. Opening her toothy maw wide, Ash caught it on the way down, shook it, causing more gore to splatter, then noisily swallowed the oozing chunk whole. For a second, what could only be some of the rat's intestines hung out from between deceptively soft lips. What the HELL? Sulu had witnessed Ensign Ash eating in the cafeteria on many occasions. The Draconian was neat to the point of being fastidious when she ate. The helmsman had seen some gruesome things in the Klingon attack on Ganjitsu as a child, but when those gory …noodles… got sucked greedily up like so much spaghetti, he had to clamp his lips together to fight a short, desperate battle with his rising gorge. The sounds of more than one person losing their dinner was followed closely by the thump of running feet as one more of Targath's group broke and ran.

TARGATH… sudden fear jerked his attention away from the bloody scene and to the man who held Chekov. The guilt he felt for temporarily forgetting the danger to his friend was swept away. The kid was doubled over puking up the alcohol and food in his stomach. His captor swayed where he stood, knife forgotten in one hand as his glassy eyes focused on Ensign Ash. The Russian straightened up, his confused gaze locking with Sulu's and he staggered forward to fall on his knees well out of Targath's reach. This movement caught the man's attention. He blinked, shook his head and the knife in his hand trembled. Sulu shifted his weight, preparing for a fight. He counted six now, two with firearms, they were still out gunned but with Ash's presence maybe Abby could get to safety.

A trilling purr stopped these thoughts, the sound jerking Targath's faltering gaze back to said dragon. Sulu watched but did not look directly at the predator this time. Now that he had an idea of the dangerous game she was playing it was easier to avoid getting enthralled. Ash shook her glowing fringe and flashed a confused look towards Targath's minions.

"WHATS? … oh…I forgets…humans no like raw."

She flipped what was left of the rat a little closer. Smoke and the stench of burning fur filled the alley as opening her mouth, the Draconian released a long, controlled jet of hot blue flame. Snapping those impressive jaws shut, Ash smacked her lips a couple of times, then peeled them back in a smoky, TOOTHY smile.

"Is okay I COOKS for you!"

Another shadow peeled themselves away from the gang and disappeared into the night. When nobody moved towards the still flaming corpse, the Ensign sighed.

"No… no one want eats with me?" A long black tongue flicked over the flaming carcass.

"Blech…no like burned meat, but waste not want not!"

She stepped closer, scooped up the burning mouthful and proceeded to chew it. The sound of bones cracking as they were crushed between powerful jaws was loud in the silence. It was joined by the smell of urine as one of the gang folded in on himself in a dead faint. Sulu felt more than saw Chekov, and Abigail take up position on either side of him. The enemy was down to four but at least one was still armed. Unlike Ash, Sulu's people were not bulletproof. He made a small motion with his hand…wait. The dragon was using Psychological advantage as a battle tactic. It was something that all security personnel were taught but few mastered. Letting her play this game to the end seemed the wisest choice.

The Ensign glided forward one more step. Her bright gaze roamed over Chekov, lingering as the blood on the kid's face and throat was noted. It shifted to Ensign Jones as that long black tongue flicked out, testing the air. Something seemed to shift as the muscles around Ash's eyes and nostrils relaxed when the girl tentively smiled and gave the beast a slight nod. When those eyes settled on Hikaru, the tongue flicked out again as her gaze centered on the blood staining his dress shirt and the way one arm was curved to protect his ribs while standing. Their gold turned brilliant red, and narrowed in what could only be concern. A soft growl reverberated beneath the mind-numbing, rumbling croon. With a start, Sulu realized the Draconian was checking them over, looking for injuries and field triaging their condition. Fiery red dominated her color display for a moment, then bled back to gold, to yellow, to green, blue… Sulu blinked…. Jesus…even KNOWING what she was doing he had almost been mesmerized again. He could not stifle his shock when he realized that Ash had managed to work her way very close to them without getting anyone killed!

The tongue swept out again to tickle over his face and seemed to linger, tasting the blood it found there.

"Still hungries…"

His heart stuttered at the thought that just maybe, the dragon wasn't PLAYING at anything. Maybe bloodlust had swept away all training and civility. One golden eye closed in what looked suspiciously like a wink.

"But not allowed to eats friends. Is wrong."

The hypnotizing rhythm of colors playing across the shadowed hide stopped. The deep croon was silenced as those swirling patterns stabilized back to fiery red and midnight ebony. Ash suddenly dropped to all fours. There was nothing cute about the way the dragon slithered forward, interposing her powerful body between her crewmates and the weapons still threatening them. No… the fun-loving puppy was gone… it had been replaced by a frightening predator with deadly intention written in every line of its sinuous, muscular frame. Deceptively soft lips peeled back, exposing long sharp teeth to their very roots in a gape mouthed grin. What remained of Targath's gang was pinned in place by eyes the color of frozen blood. The light tone vanished as Ash's voice lowered into a hissing deep chested growl.

"Since I see no friends HERE…. I think I shall just eat YOU!"

The narrow, long muzzled head shot forward, four inch fangs snapping shut with a sound like a gunshot to neatly remove the last half inch of Targath's nose. The sound of hard steel hitting the ground was sweet in the sudden silence. The weapons did not even get a chance to settle as the rest of the group vanished into the shadows. Their leader was left standing alone, blood running down his face while the dragon chewed once and swallowed.

Sulu's stomach rolled when that gory mouth shifted close to the frozen man's ear. Damn, he had really thought the dragon was bluffing. Yeah… the guy was a first-class creep, but he was not worth the trouble the Ensign was going to be in if she ate him.

"Bozhe moy!" Chekov's whispered words had the helmsman moving to put a hand on the warm scaled shoulder closest to him.

"Ahhh…Ensign…?!"

He was cut off as the dragon flicked a tongue to slither along her victim's sweating neck then whispered in an evil hiss.

"You…should…be…running!"

The strong odor of urine again permeated the night air as Targath staggered away with a whimper. This slight sound got louder with each step he took. The man was screaming by the time he sprinted down the alley and out of sight.

Sulu's hand tightened on the muscled shoulder he held as Ash shifted under it.

Her head twisted back, black tongue slipping out to remove a small amount of blood from his bruised knuckles. His first reaction was to want to jerk his hand away at the warm, strangely dry feel of it. But he didn't. He waited until the questioning gold eyes sought his.

"I was afraid you were going to chase him."

(I don't want you to EAT him!)

He did not say what he was thinking, but she must have seen it in his eyes. Something that looked suspiciously like pain or sorrow shifted over her fierce visage. Then it was gone.

"Meh…" One golden eye tilted Sulu's way as Ash shrugged his hand off her shoulder. The dragon stood up and gave a little shake to settle her fringe. She made a strange hacking noise and spat. A small piece of flesh bounced then rolled to settle against the helmsman's boot. The Ensign made a dismissive gesture with one taloned hand.

"I no chase. I no like FAST food…It gives me gas."

Maybe it was the sudden release of stress… but Ensign Jones laughed all the way as they limped to their transport site.


I pretty much have the next chapter ready to go. As always, feedback and reviews keep me motivated and encourage me to get the story up a little faster. A BIG thank you to all my wonderful readers who HAVE taken the time to let me know what they think of this tale. You are greatly appreciated.