Continued...

Chekov watched Kirk pace in the narrow space between the transporter console and the bulkhead. Four steps, turn, four steps, turn. "Well, Kyle?" Kirk said, abruptly stopping for a moment.

Kyle shook his head and turned away from the controls. "Sir, I can't work with you back here. There's barely enough room for me." He tapped on the flat surface of the readout screen. "This is delicate work!"

Kirk went to join his ever-calm first officer in the corner. Chekov grinned and turned to watch the action. Seven security officers surrounded the transporter platform -- phasers out and set to stun. Behind him Kyle spoke. "There's three people in engineering, Captain. I'll beam them in first."

The security team tensed, keeping their weapons trained on the three shimmering forms beginning to appear. Just before the last transporter sparkle faded away, Kirk stepped forward. "Welcome to the Enterprise, gentlemen. Nice to see you, Mr. Scott."

Khwaja and Chen gaped at the captain while security slapped them into handcuffs. Scotty raised his hand and saluted. "A pleasure ta be back, Captain." He stepped off the platform and gripped Chekov's shoulder. "I knew ya'd get away, lad."

"Sorry to break up the reunion," Kirk broke in, "but I need some information, Scotty. Do you know where Goudchaux is?"

"Aye, that I do, Captain." Scotty said. "When they couldn't find Chekov, he figured they'd best be on their way. He and that female o'his are in the bridge, gettin' clearance to leave."

Kirk snapped a glance at the transporter technician. "Beam them over, Kyle. That ship's not going anywhere for a long time." He turned and headed to the door. "Let's go to my office; it's time I had a report."

Several hours later, Chekov sat at a table in the cafeteria, trying to enjoy his dinner. He wasn't having much luck since Uhura and Sulu were pumping him for information on the past days' events. "But how did you know a war would be started?" asked Uhura, who'd been busy placating a confused Bidoah official during Chekov's report to the captain.

"Ach, let the lad eat a bite." Scotty left the food replicators lined on the wall and took a seat across from Sulu. He set his tray on the table, a generous serving of haggis overflowing his plate.

"Well, you see," Sulu explained to the communications officer. "With the cloaking device, Goudchaux could sneak into the Klingon empire, drop his cargo, and blame it on the Romulans."

Uhura sighed in exasperation. "What cargo? Blame what on the Romulans?"

Chekov smiled at the expression on her face. "The tribbles."

"Tribbles!" Uhura was beginning to look desperate.

"Their store-rooms vere full of tribbles. They vere going to leave the creatures vith the Klingons."

"Oh, no!" Uhura shook her head but couldn't help but smile. "Klingons can't stand tribbles!"

Chekov lifted his fork, a satisfied grin on his face. "Then the Klingons would blame the Romulans because a cloaking dewice was used."

Scotty nodded in agreement. "Aye, but Chekov put a plug in their plans by getting away and warning Captain Kirk. The captain notified the Bidoah government, rescued me, and here we are."

"Here we are..." Uhura gazed at her friends, a smile dancing across her face.

THE END