Command of the USS Kongo, Constitution class starship and one of the queens of the fleet. All his long life he never expected this. He could feel sweat prickle on the palms of his hands. Now he understood the requirement for white gloves as well as full dress when reading in. Captain LaSaille checked his reflection in the glass of the gangway, tugged again at the unfamiliar white gloves, and crossed the gangway orders in hand. As he crossed the threshold of the ship the honor guard came to attention, the bosun's pipes sounded on his entry. LaSaille saluted the keel, and the pipe salute ended. He turned to the smart female Commander waiting for him.
       "Permission to come aboard Commander?"
       "Permission granted Sir."
       LaSaille stepped up to the waiting podium. He laid the elaborately scribed orders on the surface, and began to read.
       "By order of Starfleet Command under the Commission of the United Federation of Planets, the Office of Fleet Operations I Captain Jerold Ryan LaSaille am requested and required to take command of the USS Kongo, NCC-1710 as of and after April 17, 2261. Commander I relieve you." He folded the orders smartly and handed them to the waiting Ensign.
       "I stand relieved Sir. Would you care to inspect the ship?"
       "That will be well Commander. Proceed."
       The Commander turned and Captain LaSaille fell in beside her.
       "The years have treated you well Mr. Meyers."
       "Thank you Captain and you as well. You don't look a day older."
       "Do I sense a little sarcasm?"
       "The truth is the truth. Main engineering sir is the usual starting point for an inspection."
       "Yes, indeed." LaSaille turned to the Chief Engineer. "Captain LaSaille."
       "Lieutenant Commander McCaffrey Sir, please come this way."
       LaSaille walked down the line of engineers, decked out in duly fatigues. The Engineering department was, as expected, in perfect order.

       Four hours later, the inspection over, Captain LaSaille looked around his new quarters as he stripped the abused dress uniform. It wasn't exactly the Ritz, but it beat the old Hunt class cruisers. His kit had been delivered during the inspection, and currently sat on the floor beside the room's one table. He reached into the kit bag and pulled out a steel gray slab of metal, an ancient Colt 1911. He checked the safety and action. He pulled a clip out of the bag as well, emptied it, counted the rounds, loaded the clip, loaded the gun and set the safety.
       **Looking for a place to put it?**
       **What do you think girl?**
       **Sometimes wonder about you and that gun.**
       **I keep it safe. It keeps me safe. We are going to need a bigger bed.**
       **I believe he thought sleeping alone was a virtue.**
       **Captain Diaz was a "stern" commander.**
       **I believe "prude" is the term.**
       **Neither here nor there. It is me now, and I do have my own style. The bed has to go. See how big a bed we can get in here, and get it.**
       **So?**
       **So what?**
       **How did it go?**
       **She was polite. I was polite. Long term it remains to be seen.**
       **Which worries you more, you, or her?**
       **I'm not sure. I'm really not. In any case, I need to get some real furniture in here and a new bed.**

       Captain LaSaille sat down at the briefing table. The senior staff was fully present.
       "Gentlebeings, we have had introductions. I will be getting to know you all better in time and will make time for some one on one with each of you to discuss your concerns and views on your departments. In the meantime, Starfleet would really like the Kongo back on station. We are responsible for getting her there.
       I understand that the Kongo has just undergone a standard refit. I am not familiar with the Constitution class of ships as a Captain, although I did serve in a command staff position on the Enterprise under Captain Pike. We are assigned to routine patrol in the Orion sector. Let's go down the line. Mr. McCaffrey?"
       Lt. Commander Ian Shaw McCaffrey was a fair man, red headed and freckled. He spoke eagerly. "Engineering is fit and ready sir. Most of the upgrade was to the warp drives and the computer system. We have the latest model of the Mangiflux warp drive. The design boys promise us warp factor 8 flank, warp factor 6 in cruise. As this drive has also been fitted to the Exeter, with excellent results, we can expect this performance.
       The second major change was to the computer system. We have the new Daystrom Duotronic systems on board. It is a vast improvement from the older computers in both performance and memory storage, especially memory storage. We can now store the entire Federation database, and have room for growth.
       "Impressive. We will endeavor to stretch the systems a bit. Mr. Ghurn?"
       Lt. Commander Burt Ghurn a somewhat thinner than average Tellarite started from his inner musing. "Hum? Oh, yes. Sciences is ready. We have the new system up to speed, and fully integrated with all labs. It promises to cut down our reliance on independent computers in each lab setting."
       "I hope we can find some science to do worthy of your department. Dr. Ballard?"
       Lt. Commander Denise Ballard, a long time veteran of the service, turned her crusty attention to the Captain. "I'm getting used to it. With the new computer everyone is so proud of, sickbay got a complete switchabout. I can't find anything, including my office. However, medically we are set to go. I managed to keep my staff out of the clutches of fleet reassignment, so we are all use to each other. In medicine it is the people that matter, not the gadgets. Oh, we got a few of those as well. That includes a new regeneration rig that I don't want anyone eager to try out."
       "We will endeavor to do so I am sure. Mr. Tate?"
       Lieutenant Vivian Tate a bright blue-eyed human woman with chocolate skin and platinum hair spoke. "Tactical and security are at peak performance sir. We had minimal turnover during the refit."
       "Any major changes in your department?"
       "No Sir. Weapons are much as they have been. We did replace all the phaser emitters and one torpedo delivery system, but with like equipment, no upgrades."
       "Noted. We will try not to test them too much."
       Meyers said. "I understand your cruise with the Lydia Sutherland was noted for being a quiet one."
       "If by that you mean we didn't shoot people much, yes, it was. However, it was interesting enough on all the other fields. I would prefer the Kongo had a similar cruise."
       Tate said: "Are you trying to avoid fights Sir?"
       "If we can, yes. However, we are not leaving anyone defenseless to do so. The Galaxy being what it is, I suspect we will not get away without some excitement."
       Meyers said. "Captain LaSaille is not known for leaving people defenseless."
       "Thank you commander. Mr. Collard?"
       Lt. Jean Collard, a dark and petite Izarian woman spoke up. "We have had a basic shake down with the new engines. Mr. McCaffrey's confidence is proven out in the handling of the ship. Best she's ever been. I'm looking forward to this."
       "Good, Mr. Liquard?"
       Lt. jg. Kerabom Liquard, a taciturn Andorian said. "Navigation is prepared, Sir."
       "And Mr. Steel?"
       Lt. Kyle Steel, clean cut and very Prussian looking said. "Ve have every thing ready. Da new computers are on line as mentioned. Ve should experience much quicker translation solutions."
       "What factors are we discussing here?"
       "Minutes to real-time, instead of hours."
       "Impressive. Everyone knows their job. My trust is in you. Let's get underway. Mr. Meyers, is the ship provisioned and ready to sail?"
       "Yes Sir."
       "Good. We will depart 0900 hours tomorrow. Dismissed."
       Captain LaSaille rose and quickly left the room. Most of the officers of the Kongo lingered for a few minutes.
       Lt. Collard looked after the retreating figure. "So Candice, rumor has it..."
       "...That rumor is usually worth what you pay for it Mr. Collard." With that Meyers left the room.
       Jean Collard cocked her hip as the door slid closed. "Well, that was short shift."
       Lt. Tate looked up from closing down her terminal. "The Captain, is a private man, and the Commander doubly so."
       Collard sighed. "I had hoped for a looser administration."
       Tate smiled. "Jean, in the matter of your private life, it will be, but Captain LaSaille is a private man."
       Kyle Steel said. "Yet, I thought it was Commander Meyers that served with him?"
       Lt. Tate rose to leave. "Yes, but we are neighbors after a fashion. I've heard a lot about him."
       Collard pouted. "So, give, what's he like?"
       "I have heard that he is fair, he listens, and he is a private man." She said before the door closed behind her.

       "Now hear this. USS Kongo is scheduled for departure at 0900 hours tomorrow. Repeat, The Kongo leaves at 0900 hours. All personnel consult your terminals for final orders. That is all."
       **And...**
       **They look like a good bunch, Starfleet competence all the way.**
       **But...**
       Jerry stroked Aleilan's mane. **I don't really know them yet. I can't even say I know Meyers anymore. Ten years, a lot can happen in ten years.**
       **A lot usually does.**
       **Were did you get this bed?**
       **Fabrication. I couldn't find one I liked, so I had it made. You're avoiding the subject.**
       **Yes, I am.**
       **But the subject will not pass away.**
       **Aleilan, what good does you and I discussing it accomplish? We parted, hurt, ten years ago. I can't call what passed between us love. It was lust. A needful lust yes, but lust.**
       **Only lust?**
       **No, after two years, lust wouldn't have lasted. I had hoped friendship was there. Love? I didn't feel it was love. When you have two people who are the only two humans on the whole planet, it changes things.**
       **What does it change?**
       **Call it what you will, love, lust, it doesn't matter. It hurts that she felt she had to leave that way.**
       **Jerry I sensed jealousy.**
       **Of you?**
       **Yes, I was a fifth wheel she hadn't planned on.**
       **But I have had relationships in the past, and you never got in the way of those.**
       **You are not the only Ansisi with close ties to an Ane. All you past loves have been Ansisi.**
       **Anne wasn't.**
       **Anne was special.** Aleilan moved closer to him.
       He hugged her for a long time. **Yes, Anne was special. We never had a chance to fulfill how special that could have been.**
       **Regrets?**
       **Always. Life seems to be a series of regrets.**
       **It is unlike you to get maudlin.**
       **How can I with you for a stabilizer?**
       **Do you regret that?**
       **Answer your own question Aleilan.**
       **No regret there.**
       **I have some datawork to finish before we sail. Are our personal effects in order?**
       **Yes.**
       **Then I had best see to the ship.**

       Giles watched her brush her hair. "If you pull any harder, you will be bald."
       Candice smirked at him. "What, you don't like the Deltan look?"
       "Not as a preference, no. Why don't you talk about it?"
       "Because I don't want to."
       "You had a hot affair with this guy for two years, and dropped it?"
       "No, he threw me over for his four-legged girlfriend."
       "I've seen her. Girlfriend?"
       "Well, he said it was him and her, or nothing. They had something 'special'."
       "Candice this isn't like you. Catty is not your temperament."
       Candice Meyers flopped into the chair. "Look Guy, the man... I thought we were at least friends. Five minutes after we got to base he was all over her, in preference to good food and a hot shower. How am I suppose to deal with that?"
       "Did he dump you?"
       "Not exactly. I got an assignment. I guess I ran away before I had to deal with it."
       "Well, he's the Captain, are you going to run away, or deal with it?"
       "I like the job. I had better learn to deal."

       Captain LaSaille settled into the center seat at 0850. Cmd. Meyers stepped beside the command chair. LaSaille looked in her direction with an expression of concern. He continued with the ritual of the ship leaving Spacedock.
       "Report. Mr. Meyers, are we are ready for space?"
       "Yes sir. All crew are aboard and fit. We are fully fueled, all goods are secured, and all systems are green." She dropped her voice. "Why the look?"
       LaSaille replied in kind. "It occurs to me that starship designers have not taken the comfort and safety of First Officers into consideration."
       "I didn't realize it should be considered."
       "I think it should, but we'll get back to it."
       Lt. Collard said: "Spacedock confirms, we are cleared for departure at 0900 hours."
       "Acknowledged all. Mr. McCaffrey, sever all umbilicals."
       Lt. Cmd. McCaffrey worked his board. The thump of the dropping power umbilicals could be faintly heard through the hull. The atmosphere changed. Where the Kongo had once been tied and dependant on the dock for life and power she was now once more a free and living thing. McCaffrey said. "Thrusters at your discretion sir. Impulse and warp drives on standby."
       Lt. Steel broke in. "Message from Spacedock Sir. The Commodore says 'Good mission, and good luck'."
       "Convey our thanks to the Commodore and spacedock. Mr. Collard thrusters at your discretion at 0900, depart Spacedock."
       "Aye aye sir. Thrusters at my discretion, 0900 depart Spacedock, in three two, one. Thrusters now."
       The Kongo drifted away from its slip and into the exit lane of the spacedock. The huge doors yawned open and she silently slipped into the harsh void that was her natural environment.
       Lt. Liquard said. "We are in clear space and free to navigate."
       McCaffrey added. "Impulse and warp at your discretion Sir."
       LaSaille said. "Mr. Liquard. Set course for Starbase 24
       "Aye aye Sir. Course set, heading 87 mark 5."
       "Helm give me one quarter impulse."
       "Aye aye, one quarter impulse."
       The Kongo pulled quickly away from the blue and white globe of the Earth. Captain LaSaille stood and took a quick look around the bridge.
       "Mr. Collard, come to full impulse. We will engage the warp drive after we pass the Jupiter perimeter. I will be in my office. Mr. Meyers, you have the con. Call me when we reach the Jupiter perimeter."
       "Aye aye Sir. Full impulse and warp drive at the Jupiter perimeter. I shall call you then."

       Several hours passed as Jerry worked thorough the piles of datawork that a ship the size of the Kongo required. Four hundred people seemed to generate four times the amount of data that 200 did. Prestige and rank aside, captaincy of a heavy cruiser involved hours per day of boring work. He had been a Starship Captain all of a week, and he was rapidly getting buried. The chirp of the intercom was a relief.
       "LaSaille here."
       "Bridge Sir. Ten minutes to the Jupiter Perimeter."
       "Understood, I'll come up."
       He left the desk with no regrets. He walked quickly to the nearest turbolift and headed for the bridge. It had been two years since he had been at warp speed. He was looking forward to this.
       The doors opened to the bridge. Jerry took in the atmosphere again. The Kongo's bridge was much larger than the bridge of the Lydia Sutherland. He liked that.
       "Captain on the Bridge."
       "Report."
       Meyers surrendered the command chair. "We are at the Jupiter Perimeter. We are at full impulse heading 87 mark 5."
       LaSaille slipped into it. "Good. Proceed on that heading at warp six."
       "Aye aye, warp six."
       The deck rumbled beneath them as the warp drive came up to speed. The stars streaked.
       "We are on heading 87 mark 5, warp six."
       Jerry smiled. "Smooth. A good ship. My compliments to the Engineer."

       The new Captain of the Kongo spent the rest of the shift getting into things. He moved his way down the decks using the companion ways, avoiding the turbolifts. Sure they got you around fast, but you didn't see anything. Elimination took him to deck six, and the Sickbay.
       Dr. Ballad was in the main ward, so was most of her staff. It looked like a briefing of some sort. Jerry slipped into the examining room before anyone noticed him. The new bio beds looked to be a good improvement on the models the Lydia Sutherland had. He was examining the examining instruments. The Fineberger was a new model as well.
       He heard the door open, and relaxed. There was no point in jumping the Doctor in her own sickbay.
       Ballard noted that LaSaille had the Fineberger in his hand. "So Captain, are you a Doctor too?"
       He ran it over her. "You look to be in good basic health. Your heartbeat is a bit elevated."
       Her eyebrow arched. "OK, you can work a Fineberger. That rates you as having more medical knowledge than 90% of the Captains in the fleet."
       Jerry smiled. "Yes, I am an MD. However, I haven't done much doctoring lately. I try to keep up on trends and knowledge."
       "How lately?"
       "It's been at least 50 years." He handed her the Fineberger.
       "According to the records you are not that old Captain."
       "The records are wrong. We need to talk, privately."
       Ballard led the way back to her office. "Alright, talk."
       "This is a doctor patient talk."
       "Understood."
       "The records are wrong. I am not 46. I haven't been 46 since 1994."
       Ballard gave him a long measuring look. "You better be convincing, or this could be the shortest commission on record."
       "You think I am crazy?"
       "You have to admit, it's a good assumption."
       "Let me ask you this, how old is Aleilan?"
       Ballard cocked that eyebrow again. "Ane are unusual, so I looked. She has a birth year of record of 1976. That would make her Ane middle aged."
       "She nearly died in birth. Her mother had a torsion of the uterus. Good thing I was there to help. She was born into my lap."
       "Telepathic bond?"
       "Yes. My first, and most violent."
       "You are starting to convince me. Why?"
       "To be trite, I am not like other men." Jerry lifted his shirt. Scars crossed his belly and chest like a map. "I got the majority of these in the four years war fighting six Klingons, and loosing. I healed."
       "Holy... "
       "You're the ship's doctor. Things happen. I don't want you surprised when the 'dead' Captain gets off the table."
       "How bad can you heal from?"
       "I am not trying to test the limits. I might find them. That was about the worst I have dealt with."
       "About?"
       "There was the car bomb in 2063. I was in the car. I was hit by a considerable number of machine gun bullets in 1968. That was the first time. You tell me which is the worst way to almost die? I stopped comparing."
       "Your medical records reflect none of this."
       "No, they don't."
       "So why tell me?"
       "You need to know. You are the Doctor."
       "Do you have complete medical records? Correct ones?"
       "Yes." He held out a data solid. "Please do not let that get around."
       She took it and placed it in her smock. "I would like to have a more through talk on this subject, and others if you don't mind."
       "I'll think about it Doctor. I need to get to know you a bit better. All the medical information I can remember is on that solid."
       "How good is your memory?"
       "With Aleilan's help it is good, not perfect, but good."
       "You're not going to try to practice medicine too, are you?"
       "No, one Chief Surgeon is all we need. I will make an effort to understand the reports you send me. You doctor, I'll captain, agreed?"
       Ballard smiled. "Agreed. Who else knows about your 'quirk'."
       "Aleilan of course, and Commander Meyers."
       "Meyers?"
       "She was with me on Anaxar for two years. She witnessed that fight with the Klingons. After that it would have been hard to hide."
       She shot him a look. "Anything else I should know?"
       Jerry shot her one back. "No, I don't think so."

       The Mark 14 photon torpedo; It was best weapon in the fleet. At least that was the opinion of Lt. (jg) Giles Masterson. The diagnostic module beeped. He pulled it from the access hatch and put it back into his tricorder. With the weapon verified as functioning normally he closed the hatch and turned the connectors. The hatch light turned green. Masterson keyed it off, and pressed the stud to stow the torpedo.
       "Very good Mr. Masterson."
       Giles nearly jumped out of his skin. "Ah, yes, good."
       "I can see your don't have a future in security Guy."
       "I won't have one as weapons specialist Candy if you give me heart failure by sneaking up on me. What's the good word?"
       "Our Captain wanders the ship."
       Masterson flipped his tricorder off. "I would expect that really, it's a new ship to him."
       "I suppose. What is the junior officer scuttlebutt?"
       "Those things too delicate for line officer ears?"
       Meyers cocked and eyebrow. "All of it."
       Masterson leaded back on the torpedo housing thoughtfully. "Scuttlebutt has it that he has a more 'fatherly' command style, and a few weird habits."
       "Any specifics?"
       "Nothing I would trust. I didn't hear any weird things from the Lydia Sutherland crew."
       "You chatted them up I take it?"
       "Honestly. I knew you would ask, and I wanted to know myself. Us lowly lieutenants junior grade must keep up on the latest trends. Flogging might make a come back. You have to be ready."
       Meyers smirked. "Fatherly."
       "A real papa bear."
       "Yea, bears can be mean."
       "That was the impression I got. Fatherly, but don't cross the line. So how mean can he get?"
       "I saw him put two slugs into a Klingon officer with no more emotion than you use putting a fork into a steak."
       "Slugs?"
       "Slugs, lead bullets, it is an affectation of his. He carries an old slug thrower, and I do mean old."
       Guy's eyes lit up. "OK, spill, how old is it?"
       "Earth, Second World War. I am quite familiar with the workings and weight of the weapon. I never got to fire it. He didn't have many bullets."
       "Reproduction?"
       "No, real."
       "Daaamn. I wonder how much is original? An antique like that could be worth a small fortune. He just carries it around?"
       "And kills Klingons with it. Your obsession with weapons is showing."
       "Sorry. That's the scuttlebutt. He's Papa Bear. Kind, fatherly, fair, and holy Hell in five flavors if you cross the line."
       Meyers nodded slipping back into a more formal stance. "Mr. Masterson how is the torpedo supply."
       Masterson taking the cue assumed his role. "I have inspected 28 percent of the torpedo inventory. Thus far all weapons are 100% functional. If that situation holds, which I expect it shall, you will have a full report on your desk by the end of the watch."
       "Very good Mr. Masterson, carry on."
       "Aye aye sir."

       Now hear this. Battle station drills will begin and 1100 hours and will randomly occur after that. That is all."
       With the Kongo smoothly making progress toward Starbase 24 her Captain was poking around the engineering spaces. He could hear the spines stiffen as he passed crewman at their posts. Several times he looked over a crewman's board and nodded his approval with a cheerful "carry on." His informal tour took him at last to the Chief Engineer's lair. As he expected the Chief Engineer was in it.
       "Mr. McCaffrey, a moment of your time if I might?" Captain LaSaille leaned against the door to the Chief Engineer's office.
       "Why of course sir. What can I be doing for ye?"
       "I noticed that the bridge seems to be a station short."
       "I don't catch your meaning sir. The bridge has all the stations it is designed to have."
       "Yes, and that leaves my first officer standing. Now, the only time both the first officer and I are going to be on the bridge is in a crisis. The ship can be shaken quite badly. People have been killed that way."
       "Aye sir, that they have."
       LaSaille handed McCaffrey a data solid. "Have a look."
       McCaffrey inserted the solid and looked. The schematic showed a station to the right of the center seat, mostly out of the way. It featured an anchored seat and a small panel. McCaffrey considered the plan. "When would ye be wanting this done Sir?"
       "Can it be done underway?"
       "Aye, but not with ease."
       "Can you have the parts fabricated, and ready for when we reach Starbase 24?"
       "Easy enough, and plenty of time to work out the details."
       "Good. Then we will do it that way. I want the parts ready when we make dock at 24."
       "Thy will be done Captain."
       LaSaille smiled. "Good. I'll leave you to the business you know well Mr. McCaffrey."

       Now hear this. Final call for instructors for the voyage out classes. We have a 100 day haul at the least, let's make the most of it. Classes currently available are listed on the Ship's bulletin board. That is all."
       Meyers had just gotten her tray from the slot and was looking for a place to sit. Lt. Tate waved. "Candice, over here."
       The woman was sitting with several other officers. Lt. Gene Collard, the Izarian woman was anything but the stiff warrior that Fleet Captain Garth had made popular. Also present was Lt. Kyle Steel.
       She smiled and made her way to the table. "Good morning. What is the news?"
       Collard said. "I was hoping you could tell us. Are we going to get the traditional layover at El Nanth?"
       "Are your looking to a few days at home?"
       "Yes, you need that real El Nanth sun to keep this tan. UV beds don't make it."
       Lt. Steel looked. That's a tan? I thought is was your natural color?"
       "Tan. I am told I was born pink as they come. On the El Nanth worlds you wear sunscreen, swallow melalin daily, and watch your exposure. All that and you still end up chocolate so deep it never comes out."
       Lt. Collard said. "Is that wise, all the sun exposure?"
       "Wise or not it's what you get. El Nanth is a blue-white furnace. It's a hostile land for humans and just about everyone else. You do what you can to protect yourself. I fully expect to get skin cancer. You get it cured and keep on stepping."
       Meyers said: "I haven't inquired to the Captain as of yet. I understand he is from the same area. I shouldn't assume."
       Lt. Steel said. "I understand it's a great leave. Even if only a few days. A lively nightlife and all the fresh orange juice you can stomach."
       Lt. Tate beetled her brows. "Did you know it is possible to tire of fresh orange juice?"
       Steel feigned a shocked look. "Impossible."
       Cmd Meyers added. "It is a 74 day haul to El Nanth and we are still not to the Orion sector, which is our assigned patrol area. I'll clear it up with the Captain."

       Meyers pressed the call on the Captain's Office. "Come." The voice sounded a tad irritated. She walked in, Captain LaSaille had a good half dozen PADDs on his desk, and was working the terminal as well. Meyers noticed Aleilan lying behind LaSaille's desk.
       "Do you have a minute sir, or is this a bad time?"
       LaSaille looked up, and shoved the PADDS away. "They are all bad times." He waved at a chair. "Have a seat. What's on your mind?"
       "I have had some inquiry's from the crew as to whether we will lay over at El Nanth."
       LaSaille paused. "Yes, we do pass close by and it is a long haul. Sure give the necessary orders to alter course for El Nanth. I will talk to whoever is Admiral of the Starbase and get the Kongo a quick look over as well. I have some modifications I want done. We might as well do them there."
       "If I might ask Sir?"
       "Sure, as you are the main beneficiary. I want another station inside the ring for the first officer."
       "Why, if I might ask?"
       "Well, think about it. About the only time we are both on the bridge other than entering or leaving a dock is crisis situations. The first officer has no tactical screen, no terminal, and has to grip the rail if things get rough, if the rail is close enough."
       "That's true, but I don't think there has ever been such a station."
       "We have always done it that way is the worst reason to do it that way."
       "Yes Sir, but why now? I would think that someone would have done it by now."
       "Every idea has a first."
       "I guess this time you're first."
       "It doesn't happen often. Anything else Mr. Meyers? As much as I would love to chat, there is way too much datawork to do."
       "You didn't bring a yeoman with you."
       "No, I've never needed one. Light cruisers are not huge Starships."
       "Well Sir, huge Starships are huge and have huge crews with huge piles of datawork.. I suggest you get a yeoman. It really is a necessity on a heavy cruiser."
       "Good idea Commander. Recommend someone please and assign them ASAP, before the Captain vanishes under the PADDs."
       Meyer's smiled. "Yes Sir. I will review personnel and you shall have a yeoman before the end of the shift."
       LaSaille smiled. "Thank you."

       Now hear this. Ensign Janice Joyce, report to the Captain's office. Ensign Janice Joyce, report to the Captain's office.
       Commander Meyers stepped onto the bridge. Lt. Sawyer was relaxed in the center seat. The end of another shift was coming up. Two engineers where taking readings of the deck next to the command station.
       "Good morning Mr. Sawyer."
       Sawyer stifled a yawn. "Morning Commander."
       "Long shift?"
       "Dull enough."
       "Report."
       "We are on heading 87 mark 5 warp factor 6 steady as she goes. No incidents, no special orders."
       Meyers read the situation back. "We are on heading 87 mark 5 warp factor 6 steady as she goes. No incidents, no special orders. I relieve you."
       Sawyer stood up and turned over the center seat. "I stand relieved."
       Meyers slid into the seat. "Good night Lieutenant."
       Sawyer yawned again. "Thank you sir." He made is way to the turbolift.
       Other stations were being relieved as well, in order, one at a time as the Captain desired. Meyers took a quick look around. All was in order. The viewscreen offered no diversions. She flipped out the command tactical screen and called up the security report she had been reading at breakfast. Starfleet command could never be happy with thing as they are. A new Admiral in security meant everything was getting turned upside down.
       The proximity light started blinking. Lt. Collard's hands flew over her board. "Proximity alert. Two vessels sir."
       "Identify."
       SS Quantum Foam, the other is a Qzin police cutter, registered as the Ready Tooth."
       "Raise shields and ready phasers, yellow alert. Hail them Mr. Steel, let's see what is going on."
       "Hailing sir. I have the SS Quantum Foam on visual sir."
       The screen flickered to show a grizzled human in a faded Tellarite merchant marine jacket. "Federation Starship, we have been pulled over by these pirates. Help us."
       Steel continued working his board. "Qzin ship is hailing sir."
       The screen split showing the blunt muzzle and fan ears of the Qzin. "I am Charr-Captain of the Ready Tooth. This vessel is carrying contraband. Our actions are legal!"
       The Quantum Foam's Captain did his best to look scared. "They're out to steal my cargo and eat my crew!"
       "Nonsense, even if you deserve it. We are protecting our system as is our right by treaty."
       Meyers broke in. "Captains, please. Quantum Foam, I didn't catch your name."
       "Harrison, Captain Paul Harrison."
       "Captain Harrison, Charr-Captain, I must investigate. I will call my Captain to investigate both your claims. Remain at station keeping. Mr. Steel, cut channel." Meyers hit the all call. "Captain to the bridge."

       LaSaille, who had been following the exchange from his office, hauled himself to his feet. "You're on your own for a while Mr. Joyce."
       Eng. Janice Joyce, his new Yeoman, smiled grimly. "Yes sir."

       LaSaille trotted to the bridge. Things looked about as he expected. Meyers slid out of the command chair as he came down the steps.
       "I've been following it."
       "Yes sir."
       "Looks like the usual?"
       "I don't know. The Qzin don't tend to hold their ground like this when they are wrong, and know it."
       "We can solve this quickly enough. I'll..."
       "Sir."
       Yes Mr. Meyers."
       "There is a new security directive on your desk."
       "Yes, I hadn't gotten to it."
       "I believe it involved the Qzin sir."
       "Right." He swung the tactical screen around and entered his code. "Secure eyes only. Crap. Mr. Steel tell our birds to continue to stand by. Mr. Myers, Fleet insists I read this in private. I shall return."

       Three minutes later, back in his office LaSaille chased his yeoman out and pulled up the necessary White Paper. Ten minutes later he was headed back to the bridge.

       The turbolift doors slid open. Mr. Steel announced "Captain on the Bridge."
       "As you were. Mr. Meyers I need to handle this in person. Will you go to transporter room two and escort our guests to my office. Mr. Steel."
       The channel opened. The Captains were waiting each with is own look of impatience. "Captains. If you would come over to the Kongo we will get this matter settled '
       Charr-Captain bristled. "Why do you want me off my ship?"
       "For the same reason I want Harrison off his ship Charr-Captain, so I hold the upper hand."
       "I do not trust the Federation."
       "As that might be, if you wish a just resolution, you must come here."
       "I would bring my Telepath."
       "As you please."
       Harrison broke in. I want my mate present then."
       "Suit your self Captain Harrison. Mr. Steel, cut channel"
       "Mr. Ghurn you have the con. I'll be in my office."

       LaSaille had just finished piling his yeoman with the excess PADDs as the call buzzed.
       "Take them into my quarters." He shooed her through the door. **Aleilan, come in here please.**
       Captain LaSaille got himself looking 'Captainly' and Aleilan settled. "Come."
       Harrison and his wall of a mate led the way. Charr-Captain and a scrawny Qzin he assumed was the telepath followed. Meyers and two security guards ended the procession. LaSaille remained seated. He looked at the over crowded office. This would never do. He got up and led the way into the captain's conference room. He indicated seats around the table. Meyers took a seat, the wall and the two security guards remained standing. Aleilan followed and found a corner. The Qzin telepath kept sneaking looks at her.
       "Captains, what is the problem." Harrison started to open his mouth. LaSaille interrupted. "Let's hear from Charr-Captain first, he has the complaint."
       "This person," he spat it out, "is carrying a dangerous drug for sale on the Patriarchy."
       Harrison interjected. "I have no drugs."
       LaSaille looked at him. That was the truth, but not quite. "Charr-Captain, explain please. What is this drug?"
       "Rass thaan. An addictive euphoric. It destroys my people. Rass thaan eaters do nothing but lay about, occasionally eat and use more rass thaan. It steals their spirit and will, yet they forever crave it."
       Harrison continued to look smug.
       LaSaille said. "And what is the human name for it?"
       The Qzin's eyes flicked from Harrison to LaSaille. "Basil."
       LaSaille made a mighty effort to control the impending mirth. One of the security guard snorted. Jerry shot him a withering look. "Are you aware Charr-Captain that basil, or rass thaan as you call it is, to humans, a harmless herb used in cooking?"
       "Yes, I know this. Doubtless something we enjoy would be harmful to you."
       Jerry nodded. "Yes, that could well be true. However, for a human ship to carry basil is no crime. We have a good deal aboard ourselves."
       "Crime is in the intent is it not."
       "Yes, that is often true."
       "If this basil is headed for the Patriarchy for sale, it is contraband."
       "I would agree yes."
       "Ask him his next port of call."
       Harrison laughed. "Yes, I am headed to the Patriarchy. I am also headed to other places as well."
       LaSaille said. "Did you plan to sell any basil or rass thaan on the Patriarchy?"
       "No."
       The scrawny little Qzin pointed a claw at him. "He lies."
       Harrison snorted. "Are you going to believe that, thing."
       LaSaille folded his arms. "Yes, I am, because you are lying."
       "What?"
       "Aleilan?"
       **He's lying.**
       The little Qzin flinched. Charr-Captain cuffed him.
       "He is a telepath, Aleilan is a telepath, I am a telepath. We all say you are lying."
       Charr-Captain's ears were straight out. "You, agree with Telepath?"
       "Yes. Truth is truth Charr-Captain."
       "Then you will turn him over to me."
       "No, Charr-Captain."
       "You agree his is a criminal, but you will not surrender him?"
       "You know and I know that is not the way it is done. I agree that enough evidence of a crime exists to arrest him."
       Harrison and his wall of a mate started to move. Security covered them with phasers.
       Charr-Captain spat. "But I caught him, it is my prize."
       "Charr-Captain, he will be transported to Starbase 6, and tried. Please attend so you can place your complaint. If he is convicted you can request extradition."
       Charr-Captain bristled. "Why? It is never granted."
       "Stop eating criminals, and that could change. Captain Harrison, you and your mate are under arrest for carrying contraband. Mr. Vort."
       The security guard stepped forward. "Sir."
       "See that our two prisoners are transported to the brig. Mr. Meyers if you will see that Charr-Captain and Telepath are returned to their ship. Thank you all."

       When the room and corridor cleared LaSaille made for the bridge again.
       He sat down and tried to look cool. "Mr. Steel, ask Lt. Kaswheel to report to the bridge please, then connect me to the Quantum Foam."
       The connection was quickly made. "Second Mate Carter here." Said the face on the screen.
       "Mr. Carter, your Captain and mate have been arrested for carrying contraband. My prize commander will be aboard shortly. I expect your full cooperation in all matters on your way to Starbase Six. Do I have your understanding?"
       Carter looked pole axed. "Yes Sir."
       The turbolift doors opened, Meyers and Kaswheel. Jerry turned to them with the connection open.
       "Mr. Kaswheel, you will take command of that vessel and sail her to Starbase Six at her best speed. Take a crew of 20. Secure the ship's company."
       The Andorian came to attention. "Aye, aye sir."

       "Now hear this. Lieutenant Saul, please report to the main biology lab. Lt. Saul to the main biology lab. That is all."
       Crewman Vort sat eating with his circle of friends, all security strangely. "Yea, he treated the pussycat with respect."
       Lt. Gomez chided. "Mr. Vort, never consider the Qzin 'pussycats'. They are still dangerous."
       "Begging your pardon sir, but we have them contained."
       "We also have the antimatter that fuels this ship 'contained'. It is no less dangerous."
       "True sir, but Qzin?"
       "And how would any of us fair against one without phasers?"
       "Point taken sir, but why treat with them respectfully?"
       "The older man shook his head. "If we are ever to teach them to respect others, we must respect in turn."
       Crewman Franks said: "Agreed. The important question is, how long do we get to spend at Starbase Six."
       Gomez dug into his green beans. "I don't imagine it will be long. I wouldn't even count on station passes."

Continued in part two