STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
CONTACT WITH WOLVES
By Lea S. Rueter
CHAPTER 1
Captain's Log Star date 70845.6:
We entered orbit around the planet Wolfonia half an hour ago to pick up Ensign Ruffwoof Wolf; he is the son of the leader of Wolfonia. He is the first Wolfonian to join Starfleet. Ruff has gone back to Wolfonia to visit after graduating Starfleet Academy. I am going to meet him for the very first time and going to meet him at the transporter room in five minutes.
Picard, out.
"Will, come join me at transporter room five. Mr. Data, you have the bridge," ordered Captain Picard as he strode swiftly out of the ready room, then out from the bridge to the turbo-lift as Commander Riker joined him. "Will, do you know how long ago we or any other ship last had an officer that came from a newly discovered planet?"
"I don't know sir," answered the commander.
"Well, it has been a long time and I am ever so curious about this new ensign." They stepped out of the turbo-lift and walked to Transporter Room Five. Lieutenant La Forge was waiting for them.
"Captain, Ensign Wolf is ready to transport," La Forge announced.
"Then bring him aboard," Picard said. A blue beam lit up the transporter pad. The captain squinted as the molecules were still being put into place and saw the shape of a wolf. When he blinked, to his relief, there was a standing form. When he looked at the Ensign, now fully formed, it reminded him of the mythical creature, the werewolf. "Welcome to the Enterprise. I am Captain Picard, this is Commander Riker, and the one at the console is Lieutenant La Forge."
"I am Ensign Ruffwoof Wolf, but to my friends call me Ruff." He stiffly bowed his head. Captain Picard thought he saw his neck hair raised, but quickly dismissed the thought. He looked at the Wolfonian again and wondered if he were going to wear shoes as he took a glance at the pawish feet. The Ensign saw him glance at his feet and quickly said in a tone, which Picard couldn't distinguish as embarrassment or anoyment. "I have shoes, if you rather I wear them."
"Oh, that isn't necessary." He thought he heard a hint of a growl from the new ensign. "Commander Riker can take you to your quarters so you can settle in."
They left the transporter room. Riker and Ensign Wolf went to the right, and the captain went to the turbo-lift to the left and went to the bridge.