Chapter 14: Infestation:
Author's Note: Another chapter for you ChK and for anybody else that's reading if there is anybody else... I don't own romulans or Star Trek.
"We pick up and welcome are new crewman and celebrate our victory." Zorek replied smiling.
"Sounds fun," Sorya said.
They picked up Jalad who was trying his best to look confident. His cousin Cubius smiled at him and Zorek had a hint of sadness on his face.
"Excuse me," Zorek said leaving.
Jalad looked worried thinking to himself that he screwed up or made the commander disappointed.
"What did I do?" He asked.
"Don't worry it's not you. Zorek just doesn't deal well with death." Kelaar told him.
Jalad nodded, "Will he be okay?"
"Don't worry I'll talk to him. We're pretty good friends." Kelaar said before going off in the direction Zorek went.
"Sorry about that," Sorya said, "It's really not your fault. I'm Sorya and I welcome you on board. I'll give you a tour if you like or I'll introduce you to everyone here or if you like you can start your duties."
"I know everyone here and I know my way around the ship. Cubius told me already. If I may I will begin my duties now." Jalad said.
"As you wish."
Meanwhile, Kelaar found Zorek sitting in a hallway shaking and crying.
"Are you willing to tell a friend what's wrong?" Kelaar asked.
"I'm sad about Elias still mostly because it reminds me so much of a past loss." Zorek replied.
"You can tell me everything."
"I lost my wife and son. My wife Amity was everything I could have wanted. She was smart, kind, beautiful, loving... but she died when she gave birth to our son Tr'Von. I raised him by myself until he got very sick and died at four months in my arms."
Kelaar looked sad, "I'm so sorry, sir. Do you want to tell me anything else?"
"After Tr'Von died, I began looking to Elias like a son. That's why his death pains me so much. I can't just let him go. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yes, Zorek. Look everything will be alright, okay? I'll be here for you. I'm your friend. I'll always be here for you."
Zorek hugged Kelaar tightly still crying and Kelaar hugged him back gently and did his best to comfort him. Neither of them noticed some sort of strange little insect flying by them.
Sorya was in control during Zorek's absence from the bridge.
"Sir, there's some sort of insect in here." Jalad said.
"Insect? How could an insect get in the ship?"
"I don't know, sir, but it's very annoying. Do I have permission to kill it?"
"I'm not sure that would be wise. We don't know what this species is. Perhaps we can learn from it. Rollore, do you think you can communicate with it?"
Rollore stuck out his tongue by habit trying to avoid eating the unfamiliar insect, "I can try."
Rollore shifted into an insect somewhat similar and tried his best to communicate with it. When he is done, he shifts back into his romulan form.
"It seems to act purely on instinct and is only interested in food and sex." Rollore announced.
"Perhaps it is not a species worthy of interaction with us." Sorya said, "You are free to get rid of it Jalad."
"Thank you, sir."
As soon as he killed the insect more came from seemingly out of nowhere. Soon, insects were found all over the ship and the ship became infested.
"How did those insects get in here?" Sorya asked.
"I don't know, but we're getting reports from all over the ship. It's an infestation." Jalad reported.
"We need Zorek and Kelaar so they could help us get rid of these things."
"Why don't we just beam them off?"
"That's actually a good idea, Jalad. Beam the insects off."
"Yes, sir."
"Sir, you're not going to like this but all of transporters are offline."
"Dammit, I'm calling Zorek and Kelaar."
Zorek and Kelaar were sitting in the hallway talking not noticing the insects multiplying from nowhere when Zorek's communicator went off.
"It seems like the ship is infested with insects somehow." Zorek replied.
"How?" Kelaar asked.
"No one knows, but they seem to multiply out of nowhere."
"They have to be multiplying somewhere. If we find the source, we may be able to get rid of the insects... They're in here."
"I've noticed. Come on Kelaar let's find that source."
Zorek sent Sorya a message to tell her what he was going to do and then he and Kelaar went to find out where the insects were breeding and being born.
Sorya looked at her communicator, "Zorek says Kelaar and him are looking for where the insects are multipying. I suppose we could help him by finding out how to get rid of them when he finds it."
"I think I can get the transports back online." Jalad announced.
"Great, we can use that to get rid of these things for good."
Jalad worked on getting the transporters back while Zorek and Kelaar looked for where all the insects were coming from. Meanwhile, the rest of the ship was in a bit of choas. The crew members began to act strangely and argued for no reason.
"Jalad, why are a smart ass so much?" Sorya asked angrily.
"What sir?" Jalad asked confused.
"You heard me! I'm calling you a smart ass! Why don't you defend yourself you weak piece of shit?!"
"Sir, I believe you should get some rest. You're not yourself."
"Get some rest?! I don't need no damn rest! What did I say about be a smart ass?!"
"Well at least I'm not an ugly whore!" Jalad shouted and immediately looked surprised by what he said.
"Stop it both of you!" Cubius said, "Clearly some forces are making us pissy at each other. It's likely connected with the presence of those insects."
"You're right. We got to get those insects off the ship now before we rip each other to shreads." Sorya said.
They began also looking for where all the insects were coming from. Luckily, Kelaar found the insect eggs before Sorya and Jalad started arguing again. Jalad had successfully fixed the teleporters and Zorek was able to teleport the insect eggs away. The insects left to look for their eggs and soon the whole ship was insect free. Zorek messaged his crew the good news. For now the ship was safe.
Authors Note: Did you enjoy it?