CHAPTER 2: DINING COMPANIONS
"You won't believe what the Klingons have on their ship," said Sato as she walked to the situation room. Reed and Mayweather were inspecting the schematics of the Klingon vessel.
Reed was immediately on alert. "They have photon torpedoes? They're hiding them, aren't they?"
"No, there was nothing of the sort." Sato noticed that Reed was disappointed, but continued. "Their cargo are these darling little creatures called tribbles. They're like really furry guinea pigs without the teeth--or tail. Or mouth or eyes, or feet, come to think of it."
"Well, at least you won't have to worry about their bite," said Mayweather. "I remember seeing some before. They're banned in a lot sectors."
"These are completely harmless, so it can't be the same creature, Travis."
Sato reached over quickly to flick a thread off of Reed's shoulder. She held it between two fingers for a moment then let it fall to the ground. As she looked back to Reed's face, Sato could have sworn she saw a gleam in his eye. Well, their shift would soon be over. Who knew what the night would bring?
-----
"Boys, where are you going?" asked Sato when she saw Mayweather and Reed turning away from the direction of the mess hall at the end of alpha shift. They had just exited the lift.
"Uh, well, I, uh, we have work to do in the Armory," said Reed.
"Yeah, you know how I have to keep up my skills in different departments since I spend my days at helm, Hoshi," said Mayweather. He winked quickly at Reed. This was foolproof.
Sato merely smiled sweetly at her boys. She approached them, put her hands on their shoulders with just the right grip to ensure they registered her displeasure and said, "Fine. I'll grab some sandwiches for us and we'll picnic in the Armory."
"Food is prohibited in the Armory." Reed was in full Regulations mode.
"You didn't have a problem with beer and cake if I remember," said Sato with a smile. She was in full To-Hell-With-Regulations mode.
"I couldn't very well countermand an order from the Captain. The Armory is not a picnic ground!"
The Lieutenant crossed his arms and faced down his enemy. Of course his enemy did have that little pout on her face now. And the doe-eyed look was coming--there it was! Damn it! The Armory Officer knew his resolve was crumbling, but for once he was going to stand firm against Hoshi's invasion of his domain. It was bad enough she created target practice sessions whenever the mood would strike her. Malcolm stood as tall as his compact frame would allow and looked at the Ensign sternly.
"I understand, Lieutenant. I'll just find some other dinner companions in the mess hall tonight while you two play with your torpedoes."
The men cleared their throats. How could such a nice girl make phrases sound so naughty?
"I'll just have to retell the story of how we first met Bukah to anyone who will listen, LIEUTENANT," ended Hoshi with a reluctant sigh and a flick of her finger to Reed's collar.
"Make mine turkey." A strategic retreat seemed prudent.
"I'll take ham, and see if Chef has those little pickles, will you? I really like the gherkins since I never got them on the Horizon."
"No cheese. Porthos keeps chasing people who even smell like they've been near cheese." Reed shook his head as he considered that dilemma and noticed his eye was suddenly beginning to water.
"Well, I want cheese on mine, and mustard."
Hoshi accepted their orders with good grace, and then noticed a certain look in Malcolm's eyes, almost as if they were gleaming when he looked at her. And he winked? There! He did it again! Hoshi grinned and threw a slight wink back at Malcolm before leaving.
After the victorious Communications Officer bounced merrily on her way, Travis punched Malcolm on the shoulder. "I thought you were going to stand firm?"
"She's too tricky, that one is," said Malcolm with a firm nod even as he wiped at his eyes. His vision had been bleary enough to miss the quick wink Hoshi had thrown him.
"And why'd you have her work on strengthening her grip? I think I'm going to have a bruise."
"You spend too much time in the chair. Come one, we need to clear a spot in the Armory for supper or Hoshi's going to kill me."
Reed wiped at his eyes as they walked. They were tearing as if an allergen were present. He'd have to see Phlox. As he rubbed his eye, he thought he'd ask the Doctor for the strong antihistamine even if it did make him extremely drowsy.
-----
Tucker and T'Pol sat across from Bukah and Gurtag in the Captain's Mess while Archer was at the head of the table. At Bukah's request, the steward served the Klingons raw fruits and vegetables. Although the food was not meat, the Klingons tore into their meal with gusto.
The blood of ripe tomatoes was soon streaming into their mouth. The flesh of the melon was torn from its rind and the pulp of the avocado was crushed in a fist before being devoured. The corn on the cob was gnawed to the marrow. Tucker was impressed. He'd only ever seen his Cousin Virgil do that when he was really hungry.
"I hope you like our selection," said Archer as he speared a piece of chicken with his fork. The low growling and rumbling in the Klingons' throats reminded Archer of lions eating a gazelle. He decided he would never use a gazelle reference in a speech again. The Captain noticed Tucker was holding back his mirth and neither man had ever seen T'Pol look quite so--green!
"Please tell me more about the Light. It seems to have affected--I mean, changed you," said Archer.
"After our first meeting, I was moved to re-evaluate my ideas about other races, Captain. I spent time speaking with members of the Kumburan family. They are the ones who are closest to enlightenment. A branch has managed to intermarry with all the major families of Kronos. The children are being raised to embrace this enlightenment, to be peacemakers, not only for Klingons, but for the universe."
Tucker began coughing. Klingons as the great peacemakers of the universe was not an idea he was ready to handle. T'Pol now not only looked green, her eyebrow had once again disappeared into her bangs.
"Captain, if I may be excused. I have several reports to review in my quarters," she said.
-----
In the meantime, Sato quickly ran to her quarters to change before going to the galley to get food. She intended to make Malcolm Reed BEG! He'd be down on his knees in front of her... Oh, yes!
She put on her favorite red tank top, her old fit-like-a-glove jeans, and sandals that revealed her elegant feet. She brushed through her hair, smiled at the image in the mirror and went to collect her reward.
"Hope you weren't waiting too long," said Hoshi brightly when she entered the Armory. Travis gave her an appreciative glance and Malcolm--He. Was. YAWNING! At her!
"Hey, man, wake up. Hoshi's here," Travis whispered under his breath while he nudged at Malcolm's ribs. Only the pain of his sharp elbow had an effect on the Lieutenant. He opened his eyes wide.
"I hope I got everything you wanted," began Hoshi. She saw Travis haul Malcolm to the table. So now he was even reluctant to have dinner with her? What had happened to the gleam in his eye? And the winking? Where the hell was the winking! Hoshi was so upset with Malcolm she even forgot to launch into her tirade against the UT. The man was obviously nothing but a tease.
"Bukah seems to be different from when we first met her, doesn't she?"
"Sorry, did you say something?" asked Malcolm of Travis, although it had been Hoshi who was speaking.
"No, I was just eating." Travis just rolled his eyes. He could tell Malcolm was out of it.
Malcolm was trying to stay awake, but had made the mistake of taking two doses of antihistamine instead of one. Damn allergies! Hoshi's derriere looked very appealing in the blue jeans she was wearing, but even that stimulus was insufficient inducement for being alert.
Malcolm tried nibbling at his sandwich, but gave up on it when he almost choked. He resorted to leaning his chin on his hand, but wound up squashing his elbow into the other half of Hoshi's sandwich. His joint left a better impression on the sandwich than the Armory Officer did on the linguist that evening.
"Here, Hoshi, help me carry him back," said Travis. Malcolm's arms were now folded on the table with his head trying to find a comfortable position.
"What? Are we being invaded?" asked Malcolm as they roused him and each took him under an arm.
Malcolm Reed, you have no idea what you're missing, thought Hoshi Sato. Then his head rolled onto her shoulder and nuzzled her hair. His breath was soft against ear and she heard him murmur, "The torpedoes are armed."
I wish, thought Hoshi as they dumped Malcolm on his bed. He landed face down.
"Shouldn't we turn him?" asked Travis.
"Let him suffocate," grumbled Hoshi, but she turned back quickly, grabbed Malcolm's chin and turned his head so that he could breathe. As she turned her back, her sensitive hearing could hear him mumbling, "Nice bum."
"Hey, take a look at this," said Travis. He flashed a deck of cards at Hoshi that had very interesting pictures on the back. "Want to play a game?"
Hoshi looked over at Malcolm. They were being very intrusive of his territory by staying. And he was their superior officer. But he had squashed her sandwich and hopes of a more interesting evening.
"Why not? Malcolm's dead to the world. You deal."
----
"You like these humans," said Gurtag in accusation as he and Bukah walked back to their ship.
"The Light shines in all beings. Besides, why are you concerned?" asked Bukah.
Gurtag merely stiffened. He had not admitted any of his feelings to Bukah. "We are Klingon first."
"You do not let me forget," said Bukah.
They entered their ship and Bukah immediately went to check on the tribbles. Gurtag heard her growl of frustration and turned in surprise. Bukah had not uttered such phrases in over a year. The Klingons stood in front of the cage. The tribbles were gone.
*****
"You won't believe what the Klingons have on their ship," said Sato as she walked to the situation room. Reed and Mayweather were inspecting the schematics of the Klingon vessel.
Reed was immediately on alert. "They have photon torpedoes? They're hiding them, aren't they?"
"No, there was nothing of the sort." Sato noticed that Reed was disappointed, but continued. "Their cargo are these darling little creatures called tribbles. They're like really furry guinea pigs without the teeth--or tail. Or mouth or eyes, or feet, come to think of it."
"Well, at least you won't have to worry about their bite," said Mayweather. "I remember seeing some before. They're banned in a lot sectors."
"These are completely harmless, so it can't be the same creature, Travis."
Sato reached over quickly to flick a thread off of Reed's shoulder. She held it between two fingers for a moment then let it fall to the ground. As she looked back to Reed's face, Sato could have sworn she saw a gleam in his eye. Well, their shift would soon be over. Who knew what the night would bring?
-----
"Boys, where are you going?" asked Sato when she saw Mayweather and Reed turning away from the direction of the mess hall at the end of alpha shift. They had just exited the lift.
"Uh, well, I, uh, we have work to do in the Armory," said Reed.
"Yeah, you know how I have to keep up my skills in different departments since I spend my days at helm, Hoshi," said Mayweather. He winked quickly at Reed. This was foolproof.
Sato merely smiled sweetly at her boys. She approached them, put her hands on their shoulders with just the right grip to ensure they registered her displeasure and said, "Fine. I'll grab some sandwiches for us and we'll picnic in the Armory."
"Food is prohibited in the Armory." Reed was in full Regulations mode.
"You didn't have a problem with beer and cake if I remember," said Sato with a smile. She was in full To-Hell-With-Regulations mode.
"I couldn't very well countermand an order from the Captain. The Armory is not a picnic ground!"
The Lieutenant crossed his arms and faced down his enemy. Of course his enemy did have that little pout on her face now. And the doe-eyed look was coming--there it was! Damn it! The Armory Officer knew his resolve was crumbling, but for once he was going to stand firm against Hoshi's invasion of his domain. It was bad enough she created target practice sessions whenever the mood would strike her. Malcolm stood as tall as his compact frame would allow and looked at the Ensign sternly.
"I understand, Lieutenant. I'll just find some other dinner companions in the mess hall tonight while you two play with your torpedoes."
The men cleared their throats. How could such a nice girl make phrases sound so naughty?
"I'll just have to retell the story of how we first met Bukah to anyone who will listen, LIEUTENANT," ended Hoshi with a reluctant sigh and a flick of her finger to Reed's collar.
"Make mine turkey." A strategic retreat seemed prudent.
"I'll take ham, and see if Chef has those little pickles, will you? I really like the gherkins since I never got them on the Horizon."
"No cheese. Porthos keeps chasing people who even smell like they've been near cheese." Reed shook his head as he considered that dilemma and noticed his eye was suddenly beginning to water.
"Well, I want cheese on mine, and mustard."
Hoshi accepted their orders with good grace, and then noticed a certain look in Malcolm's eyes, almost as if they were gleaming when he looked at her. And he winked? There! He did it again! Hoshi grinned and threw a slight wink back at Malcolm before leaving.
After the victorious Communications Officer bounced merrily on her way, Travis punched Malcolm on the shoulder. "I thought you were going to stand firm?"
"She's too tricky, that one is," said Malcolm with a firm nod even as he wiped at his eyes. His vision had been bleary enough to miss the quick wink Hoshi had thrown him.
"And why'd you have her work on strengthening her grip? I think I'm going to have a bruise."
"You spend too much time in the chair. Come one, we need to clear a spot in the Armory for supper or Hoshi's going to kill me."
Reed wiped at his eyes as they walked. They were tearing as if an allergen were present. He'd have to see Phlox. As he rubbed his eye, he thought he'd ask the Doctor for the strong antihistamine even if it did make him extremely drowsy.
-----
Tucker and T'Pol sat across from Bukah and Gurtag in the Captain's Mess while Archer was at the head of the table. At Bukah's request, the steward served the Klingons raw fruits and vegetables. Although the food was not meat, the Klingons tore into their meal with gusto.
The blood of ripe tomatoes was soon streaming into their mouth. The flesh of the melon was torn from its rind and the pulp of the avocado was crushed in a fist before being devoured. The corn on the cob was gnawed to the marrow. Tucker was impressed. He'd only ever seen his Cousin Virgil do that when he was really hungry.
"I hope you like our selection," said Archer as he speared a piece of chicken with his fork. The low growling and rumbling in the Klingons' throats reminded Archer of lions eating a gazelle. He decided he would never use a gazelle reference in a speech again. The Captain noticed Tucker was holding back his mirth and neither man had ever seen T'Pol look quite so--green!
"Please tell me more about the Light. It seems to have affected--I mean, changed you," said Archer.
"After our first meeting, I was moved to re-evaluate my ideas about other races, Captain. I spent time speaking with members of the Kumburan family. They are the ones who are closest to enlightenment. A branch has managed to intermarry with all the major families of Kronos. The children are being raised to embrace this enlightenment, to be peacemakers, not only for Klingons, but for the universe."
Tucker began coughing. Klingons as the great peacemakers of the universe was not an idea he was ready to handle. T'Pol now not only looked green, her eyebrow had once again disappeared into her bangs.
"Captain, if I may be excused. I have several reports to review in my quarters," she said.
-----
In the meantime, Sato quickly ran to her quarters to change before going to the galley to get food. She intended to make Malcolm Reed BEG! He'd be down on his knees in front of her... Oh, yes!
She put on her favorite red tank top, her old fit-like-a-glove jeans, and sandals that revealed her elegant feet. She brushed through her hair, smiled at the image in the mirror and went to collect her reward.
"Hope you weren't waiting too long," said Hoshi brightly when she entered the Armory. Travis gave her an appreciative glance and Malcolm--He. Was. YAWNING! At her!
"Hey, man, wake up. Hoshi's here," Travis whispered under his breath while he nudged at Malcolm's ribs. Only the pain of his sharp elbow had an effect on the Lieutenant. He opened his eyes wide.
"I hope I got everything you wanted," began Hoshi. She saw Travis haul Malcolm to the table. So now he was even reluctant to have dinner with her? What had happened to the gleam in his eye? And the winking? Where the hell was the winking! Hoshi was so upset with Malcolm she even forgot to launch into her tirade against the UT. The man was obviously nothing but a tease.
"Bukah seems to be different from when we first met her, doesn't she?"
"Sorry, did you say something?" asked Malcolm of Travis, although it had been Hoshi who was speaking.
"No, I was just eating." Travis just rolled his eyes. He could tell Malcolm was out of it.
Malcolm was trying to stay awake, but had made the mistake of taking two doses of antihistamine instead of one. Damn allergies! Hoshi's derriere looked very appealing in the blue jeans she was wearing, but even that stimulus was insufficient inducement for being alert.
Malcolm tried nibbling at his sandwich, but gave up on it when he almost choked. He resorted to leaning his chin on his hand, but wound up squashing his elbow into the other half of Hoshi's sandwich. His joint left a better impression on the sandwich than the Armory Officer did on the linguist that evening.
"Here, Hoshi, help me carry him back," said Travis. Malcolm's arms were now folded on the table with his head trying to find a comfortable position.
"What? Are we being invaded?" asked Malcolm as they roused him and each took him under an arm.
Malcolm Reed, you have no idea what you're missing, thought Hoshi Sato. Then his head rolled onto her shoulder and nuzzled her hair. His breath was soft against ear and she heard him murmur, "The torpedoes are armed."
I wish, thought Hoshi as they dumped Malcolm on his bed. He landed face down.
"Shouldn't we turn him?" asked Travis.
"Let him suffocate," grumbled Hoshi, but she turned back quickly, grabbed Malcolm's chin and turned his head so that he could breathe. As she turned her back, her sensitive hearing could hear him mumbling, "Nice bum."
"Hey, take a look at this," said Travis. He flashed a deck of cards at Hoshi that had very interesting pictures on the back. "Want to play a game?"
Hoshi looked over at Malcolm. They were being very intrusive of his territory by staying. And he was their superior officer. But he had squashed her sandwich and hopes of a more interesting evening.
"Why not? Malcolm's dead to the world. You deal."
----
"You like these humans," said Gurtag in accusation as he and Bukah walked back to their ship.
"The Light shines in all beings. Besides, why are you concerned?" asked Bukah.
Gurtag merely stiffened. He had not admitted any of his feelings to Bukah. "We are Klingon first."
"You do not let me forget," said Bukah.
They entered their ship and Bukah immediately went to check on the tribbles. Gurtag heard her growl of frustration and turned in surprise. Bukah had not uttered such phrases in over a year. The Klingons stood in front of the cage. The tribbles were gone.
*****