Tribbling Times
by Starsinger
Yes, that's right. Trib 1, Trib 2, and Trouble are back, and they have news about a recent cadet that Pike doesn't realize until a scientist walks into his office. No, I have never been owned by a cat. And if you believe that, I have a bridge in New York to sell you, real cheap. Don't own any of them, including that bridge.
Pike didn't know exactly when he started bringing the infamous trio with him to work, or when Archer decided Porthos needed to make friends. Porthos often ended up in here with him if Archer needed to go off-world, or just off-campus. Porthos was a friendly enough pup, who got along with Trouble and the two Tribs just fine. Pike just let the animals have the run of the office and had a sign to open the door carefully, animals inside.
The Tribbles liked everyone, even Vulcans. Chris had had both Spock and T'Gren in here more than once, and they'd both absently scooped up a tribble and stroked it as it began knocking on a shoe. Trouble took the more direct approach, she jumped into the visitor's lap. She'd often curl up and purr contentedly in their lap. Which was more preferable to Pike's keyboard, PADD, communicator, or any other electronic device that suited her fancy when he was using it.
The Tribbles started acting peculiarly one day when a young, first year engineering cadet came into Pike's office. They started shrieking at him. They did not like the cadet at all. Pike, puzzled, ended up putting them in their carriers and giving them to his yeoman until the cadet left. He had never seen them react that way to ANYONE, not even Admiral Barnett.
One day, the Enterprise swung by to drop off a Klingon scientist and his family, who had transported themselves to the bridge of the ship and asked for asylum. Pike was set to interview them, and asked Jim to come along with McCoy. They had just entered the office when the Tribbles were set off again. This time they were actually attacking the Klingons shoes. The poor man and his family looked down at the tiny creatures and sighed, "As you may have just noticed, Tribbles and Klingons do not get along. We have been hunting them down as they are an ecological hazard, and they seem to take offense to that."
Pike stared at the man, "Wait, did you say they hate all Klingons." The man nodded. After the family left Pike asked McCoy and Kirk to stay. He called his Yeoman and asked for her to get that cadet back into his office. Again, the Tribbles reacted violently to his presence.
McCoy took out his ever present tricorder and scanned the young man before looking incredulously at Admiral Pike, "Sir, this man is a Klingon!"
Pike watched the young cadet slump into his chair before calling his yeoman, "Dana, could you get Cadet Saev in here please?" He held up his hand for silence as minutes more passed. A young female cadet entered, Jim was startled, she was Betazoid. Pike nodded at the other cadet. They watched as she laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and nothing was appeared to have been said during those long moments. She turned to Pike before nodding once and left. Pike looked at the young man, "Why haven't you asked for asylum?"
"My parents are still in the Klingon Empire," he replied, "I'm afraid if I reveal my presence here, they will be tortured."
"You've lived here most of your life," Pike began.
"I was born a weakling child, and would have been abandoned, but my parents sent me to an old friend here on Earth when I was weeks old. She made sure the necessary alterations to my appearance were made. I had my Starfleet physical done off-world…"
"Son," Pike's voice was gentle. "This will not go past us and the Admiralty, but we really need this information so if you become sick or injured, we can treat you accordingly. Fortunately, one of our ship's doctors has knowledge of your anatomy." The boy looked up, "You won't be able to be blackmailed from this end anyway. Jim, next time your around the Neutral Zone, see if you can't pick up his family." Kirk nodded. The boy was dismissed and hurried away.
Pike sighed as Kirk looked at him, "You're not going to be able to protect him if this comes out." Kirk said.
"I know, that's why getting his family out is important. I'm so glad we have a Betazoid on campus, it would have been that much harder had she not been here. How do you feel about a ship's counselor, Jim? I'm thinking about putting her on the Enterprise when she graduates in May."
"Chris, let me think about it. I'm not sure how I feel about having someone who can read my thoughts on my crew without touching me first." Pike nodded, but knew he'd get his way. Enterprise could use a ship's counselor.