Dorian had a good look at it and laughed. He didn't sound afraid nor did he appear to be afraid which was terrifying to the two science ensigns. It was a dark red octopus like being that reminded Dorian of Octillery. It had rounded yellow spots all over it with eight tentacles. He was so adorable. He leaned down putting both hands on his knees. Samantha and several nurses were covering Dorian, besides, he had a away mission that he had to attend to anyway. It was radiating with steam traveling about the isolated laboratory room.

"You are isolating it from everything." Dorian said.

"Aye, doctor." Vall said, cowering behind him.

"Why?" Dorian asked.

"Because it's a threat." Riez said

"Let me show you how much of a threat a marine animal really is when you have to get it out."

"Doctor M'Benga!" Vall shouted, as Dorian walked into the room.

"Hey kitty, hey kitty, hey kitty," Dorian said. "Who is a cute cat?" He kneeled down taking on a pair of gloves that were able to fit his hands. "Come here boy."

The octopus slowly made its way blinking one eye at the doctor. He held one hand out cooying at it. The octopus came to a stop as the two men stepped back in horror and turned around waiting to hear his scream. "It's all right, little cutey. It's fine. I am not going to hurt you." And then there was silence. A eerie long period of silence. They could hear themselves gulp. They heard the door to the laboratory open with a familiar pair of footsteps trailing behind him.

"Ensign Vall, Ensign Riez," Spock said. "Why are you standing that way with your eyes closed."

They opened their eyes to see their commander standing quite blankly appearing to be confused with his eyebrow raised in confusion. They had a sudden moment of speechlessness then turned in the direction of the door. Spock brushed past them furrowing his thin, black slanted eyebrows. They followed him.

"Fascinating." Spock said,sounding like a intrigued scientist.

"What?" Vall asked.

"It is not burning through the material of the gloves." Spock said. From behind the glass door Dorian was gently stroking the large beast with great care. The two men flinched at the memory of being touched by the menacing beast. Suddenly, Spock turned in their direction. "Whose idea was it to attempt at using an outside source to sooth the creature down with its irregulated temperature?"

"Uhhh . . ." Vall said. "It was Ensign Riez!" He punched the man's shoulder, lightly.

"Mine?" Riez asked. "No, it was Lieutenant Sanders whose in inventory. It was her idea."

"It was Lieutenant Sanders." Vall said, confidently.

"The room is not burning, so obviously, you have found the solution to declare it as a non-dangerous species in the federation." Spock said. "If you find Lieutenant Sanders then please inform her that she must have her communicator on and to call me later."

"Aye, sir." The men nodded.

"And where is she?" Spock asked, his eyebrow lowered.

"In the men's room." Riez said.

"Lieutenant Sanders is a transexual? I was not aware of that." Riez half wanted to say, "No, that's not what we are saying" but he only nodded. "That is intriging. I did not expect to learn that about her," He turned in the direction of the door then lightly knocked. Dorian looked up. "Doctor M'Benga."

"Sorry, Mr Spock." Dorian apologized. "This little sucker is a little adorable pet. Can I keep it?"

"Unfortunetly that is not an option," Spock said. "We must drop this off to the nearest starbase with it's nutritional needs and a staff fully aware of what not to do."

"I can write the guide up, quickly, if you like." Dorian said.

"That would be satisfactory, doctor." Spock said. "I will see you in the transporter room." He turned in their direction. "Ensure the creature does not attempt to escape it's housing unit for the time being. Nor does it attempt to burn anyone else."

"Aye, sir." The men said.

"And read the guide so you will not burn your hands." Spock said.

"We will make sure to do that next time." Riez said.

"We swear." Vall said.

"I will be on my way, ensigns." Spock went past them then exited the lab.

"Uh. . ." Vall said. "Do I have to tell Lieutenant Sanders that I let it slip she is a transexual?"

"No, not ever, let Mr Spock find that out his way," Riez said, as he looked onward toward the doctor. "If McCoy were here, would this have still happened?" Riez looked over toward Vall with a raised thin eyebrow while rubbing his chin.

"Probably not." Vall said. "The doctor, or so I heard, hates marine life. He can melt by cats, though."

"So this is one of a kind doctor." Riez said.

"Not the usual run of the mill." Vall said.

"It's interesting," Riez said. "You never meet someone like that who is so soft and and kind toward aliens no matter what they look like."

"Animal lovers." Vall said, with a sigh.

"Xeno lovers." Riez said.

"So, do you want to get the doctor out with me or without me?" Vall said. "Because that shit is going to burn."

"Rock paper scissors." Riez said.

"We did that last time." Vall said.

"We have a third party member with us," Riez said. "We are not going back to sick bay for the second time in one day."

"Okay," Vall said, then he held out his hand. "Let's do it."

Riez nodded, holding his hand out.

"ROCK PAPER SCISSORS-SHOOT!"