Disclaimer: Still don't own Star Trek…blah, blah, blah.  Like Rick Berman would actually show up at my door if I didn't put this.  [Idea!] Say, that could be quite interesting…I OWN Star Trek!  So there!

As I had a comment regarding Chekov's accent: I have been informed that Chekov's accent does not reflect an actual Russian accent.  Apparently Koenig goofed.  Anyway, he doesn't have an actual Russian accent, but I am attempting to follow what the show did, so his accent will be staying the same.  (And before anyone says, how can this be following the show, there's nothing that doesn't follow canon…it's just *rather* exaggerated.  Not that any of this should be taken as canon.)

To everyone: Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em coming.  I can't promise to use them all, but I'll try to use at least some.  And anyway, they have comedic worth of their own.  Always nice to have funny reviews…

About this chapter: I'm a cat person.  (I own one seriously neurotic cat.  Correction: she owns me.)  As I'm sure you know, I'm also a Star Trek person.  Consider this something of a combination.  And thanks to Meredith for the original suggestion!

Part Five:

Encountering Cats

The crew has beamed down to Mycelia V for further study.  They have once again separated in the forest:

Spock was using his tricorder to take readings on a nearby tree when he noted the life form watching him.  It was small, furry, and black, with four legs and large ears.  He moved slowly to avoid alarming it, and brought his tricorder around to examine it.

"Meow," the life form said.

Spock looked up from his tricorder.  "Are you trying to communicate?"

"Mrrrow."

"If you are attempting to speak I do not comprehend your language."

"Mrrr."

Spock studied his tricorder readings, and concluded that the life form was not actually trying to communicate.  Or if it was, it lacked the necessary evolution to form a language.  "Interesting.  You seem to be a felinus, a creature of the family Felidae."

"Meow," the cat said agreeably.  Spock reminded himself not to assign intelligent characteristics to a life form incapable of them.

"I do not know how you came to be on Mycelia V, unless perhaps felines have evolved here as well.  You will make an interesting note in my log."  Spock pressed the button for save to ensure the feline's readings would be held in the tricorder until they could be uploaded to the ship's computer.  Then he continued with his studying of plant life.

The cat watched him leave, then scampered off in another direction.

*  *  *

McCoy was studying a plant sample when he noticed the animal studying him from a nearby bush.  He turned slowly to look at it.  It was small, black and furry, with four legs and large pointed ears.  "Hey!  You're a cat!"  He crouched down and extended one hand towards it.  "Here kitty, kitty."

The cat bounded out of the bush and walked boldly up to him.  It bumped its head against his hand.  McCoy chuckled and scratched it between the ears.  "You're a friendly little thing, aren't you?"

"Meow," the cat agreed.

"I wonder what you're doing way out in this jungle.  Not to mention on this planet.  I'm a doctor, not a veterinarian, but far as I can tell you're a common house cat."

"Mrrrow," the cat said indignantly.

McCoy laughed.  "All right, not common.  But earth-like, certainly.  Did cats evolve here too?"

"Purrr."  McCoy wasn't sure if that was a response to his question or to the fact that he was still scratching its head.

"Well anyway, you're a cute one.  I wonder what Jim would do if I tried to bring you back to the ship?"

"Merrow."  The cat indicated that it didn't know either.

"Well, I think I'll try it.  Too bad you weren't around when the replicator was making dead fish."  McCoy picked the cat up and stood up.  The cat seemed agreeable enough.  "You have rather pointed ears, you know.  I think I'll call you Spock.  Or maybe Surak.  Wonder what he'd say to that!"

McCoy walked off with the cat, chuckling at the thought of Spock's reaction.

*  *  *

Chekov was using his tricorder on an interesting looking flower when he noticed the animal watching him.  It was small, black, and furry, with four legs and large ears.  He looked at it in surprise.  "You're a kowka.  A cat."

"Meow," the cat said, and pranced up to him.

"Well, you are friendly," Chekov said, and scratched it between the ears.

"Purrr."

"Cats are nice animals.  There were originally domesticated in Russia, you know.  The Egyptians stole the idea."

"Meow."

"I wonder how you got here.  Did cats ewolve here too?"

"Mrrow."

"That's not helpful.  Well, run along now, I hawe work to do."

The cat bumped his hand once and scampered off again.

*  *  *

Ensign Jones was wandering through the forest, looking anxiously over his shoulder every few steps.  He knew it was absurd to expect a plant to creep up behind him, but he just couldn't help himself.  He reminded himself of what Dr. McCoy had said: if he was going to prevent a phobia of plants, he had to face up to his fear.  And that meant coming back here.  He was just starting to relax when he heard a rustling in a nearby bush.  Jones tensed, looking toward the bush.  It didn't look like the one that had tried to eat him, but…

Something bounded out of the bush.  It was small, black and furry, and Jones didn't take the time to notice anything else.  Already a victim of overwrought nerves, he snapped.  With a shriek, he flung himself to the ground, and covered his head with his arms.  The small animal wandered over towards him and pushed its head against one of his arms.  Jones peeked at it.  Then he sat up, and took a good look.

"Hey, I know what you are!  You're a cat!"

"Meow," the cat agreed.

"Gee, and I thought it'd be something dangerous," Jones said cheerfully, scratching the cat's head.  Unfortunately, Jones had had very little experience with cats.  Somehow or other, he managed to rub it the wrong way.

The cat hissed, and slashed at his hand.  Jones jerked back, but it was too late.  He already had three long scratches on the back of his hand.  He scrambled to his feet.

"Stupid cat!" he shouted.  "Not dangerous…hah!"

The cat hissed again and took an experimental swipe at his boots.  Jones was very tempted to kick the cat.  He didn't get the chance though.  With one last parting hiss, the cat dashed back into the bushes.

"Rotten planet," Jones muttered, wandering along the path again.

*  *  *

Kirk was trying to remember the way to the native village when he noticed the animal looking at him.  It was small, black, and furry, with four legs and large ears.  He looked at it in surprise.  "You're a cat, aren't you?"

"Meow," the cat agreed, and wandered towards him.

"I wonder how you got way out into this forest?"

"Mrr," the cat said, twining around his ankles.

An idea occurred to Kirk.  "Say, maybe you belong to one of the native women, and you got lost.  If I bring you back she'd be very grateful.  And even if you don't belong to one of the native women, you'd make a nice present for one of the native women, and she'd still be very grateful."

Kirk picked up the cat and started walking through the forest.  "Come on.  Let's go find you a beautiful owner."

Later that day, after the landing party beamed up, the Enterprise left orbit around Mycelia V, carrying with them many, many plant samples, and a small black cat named Surak.

Next chapter: As I've finally worked out the details, I can definitely promise that a TNG character will be turning up on the Enterprise.  No, I'm not going to say who…that would spoil the surprise, wouldn't it? [grinning impishly]  Feel free to guess, if you like.