"He's perfect," Dylan said, as he ruffled Buddy's hair, and the dog's tail began to wag. "She'll love him. Good job, Beka. You did a good job of picking him out." Dylan then looked around the bay. "I don't think there's been a pet on board the Andromeda for a long time."
"No, Captain, there has not," the holographic Andromeda said, as she came on. "So this is the gift that I wasn't supposed to know about."
"The fewer people who know about it, the fewer people Trance can get it out of," Harper said, as he put Buddy back in the box. "Stay." Buddy's ears drooped a bit before he laid down. "How long do I have to keep him hidden?"
"The Party is tomorrow, Harper," Beka said to him, as she looked down at Buddy. "You do the math."
"Now everybody knows to keep Trance away from here and nobody is to mention this to her," Dylan said, as he and Beka headed for the door. "Harper keep an eye on it. I have to go talk to Rommie. Beka, you go tell Rev about the plans."
"Right," Beka replied, as she took off to find Rev to tell him of the birthday plans, while Dylan went in search of Rommie. He found her with Trance talking about plants.
"Hello, Dylan," Trance called out to him, as he came up to their sides. "How are you this fine day?"
"I'm good, Trance," he answered, as he looked down at her. "Having fun?"
"Of course, I'm planning on how to get the Andromeda to allow me to have a birthday party."
"How is that going?"
"Rommie says that it would be a rather bad idea since tomorrow you're dealing with some species, settling arguments, and will be gone all day." She then ran her hands along her pants. "But I'll figure something out. I wonder what Beka's doing tomorrow." She then turned and left them alone.
"Think she knows?" Dylan asked Rommie, as soon as Trance was out of hearing distance.
"If she does, she's hiding it."
"So settling arguments tomorrow?"
"I had to think of something."
"Rommie, you're a warship. I kinda figured you would be able to think of something, but settling arguments? I hate doing that."
"I'll remember that."
"You do that." He then shot her a smile. "We have a party to plan."
"Yes, we do."
"Then let's get to it."
TBC
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