Heavy tactical gear weighed down on Ensign Velau Prias as she hauled the rest of the defensive weapons into the USS Morro Bay’s shuttle. The three away team members had been hauling all morning–while Mazev tested an new feature being added to the main systems. Sylvester grunted as he heaved two cases upwards, placing them down near the door.

“What’s our first away mission looking like, Commander?” Velau glanced at him as he yawned.

“We’re heading down to Drekar II first, and meeting one of the larger cities mayors. Supposedly a whole family has gone missing, and we’ve been asked to come down and help.” He rubbed his face, looking a lot more tired than usual. “Sorry, I’ve been up all night looking over our cases.”

“And?” Sraal called from under the shuttle, finishing some routine repairs.

“It’s going to be tough. Very tough. Doctor Sullivan will be here for whatever counseling you’ll need.” Sylvester glanced back at the door. “At least, when she gets back from her away mission.”

“Please.” Prias let out a confident chuckle as she placed down the last of the tactical gear, looking back at the other three. “We’re part of the Morro Bay. Fought off the Vaadwuar with only a few phasers and our lights completely out? We got this!”

Sraal rolled his eyes and smirked, climbing back under the shuttle and tinkering with it. “Do you think we’ll be rewarded by the people?”

“That’s not the reason we’re doing this, kitty.” Mazev rolled his eyes as he softlaunched one of the controls.

“First off, screw you,” Sraal laughed. “Second off, I like trying new places’ food. Captain Dowe calls it the universal language.”

“I’m like, ninety-eight percent sure the food here is toxic to feline adjacent people.” Sylvester spoke. “Besides,  I’ve heard they have great drinks.”

“You all can have fun with that.” Mazev turned from his chair and got up, walking out of the shuttle. “I don’t drink. Commander, I’ll be right back–I need to double check something.”

. . . .

Without much else to do, the away team was out of the Morro Bay and heading down to Drekar II in little to no time. It would take the shuttle about ten hours to arrive; and even with warp, it was too unstable to go through with the potential of a wormhole opening up. So, they’d have to take it slow–and until then, the away team had to keep themselves busy.

“Do you have any fives?”

“Go fish.”

“UGH!” Velau stood upwards, glaring down at a smug looking Sraal. “You’re lying! I’ve tried everything, every number, I–it–Commander! Sraal is cheating at this game, I swear it he is.”

“It’s a card game. How would he be cheating?” Mazev rolled his eyes. Sraal only snickered, slowly pulling back his sleeve and letting a good amount of cards flop onto the small pull down table. “I stand corrected.”

“Unbelievable. Un-be-liev-able.” Prias looked at Sylvester. “Commander, do tell this unruly starfleet officer that cheaters never win.”

“Play nice.” Sylvester called from the back of the shuttle, adjusting his reading glasses as he skimmed through one of the books he brought along. “You’re all starfleet officers.” Velau rolled her eyes and walked over to the replicator, bending down and getting herself a sort of drink; but once Mazev cleared his throat, the two other lower ranking officers glanced back at him. He motioned towards Sylvester.

“Sooooo…” Sraal stood upwards, leaning against the wall. “Commander.”

“Yes, Lieutenant?” His gaze snapped over to the cat. For some reason, Sylvester had an itch this would be quite an annoying conversation. For Velau and Mazev, everything but the conversation at hand became very interesting.

“We’ve been kind of wondering. What was it like, growing up as a Kizinti on earth?” Sraal’s tail flicked around, his curiosity not well hidden.

“Fine.” Sylvester huffed as he closed the book, sitting upwards. “Why do you ask?”

“Weellll…we’ve just heard some things, is all! How you were a bit of a troublemaker back in your day,” Sraal smirked. “And we’re all curious.”

“Hm. You see..” Sylvester sat upwards, looking at the other people in the shuttle. A smirk played onto his face as he cleared his throat. “I didn’t come from earth originally, as is obvious. But what’s even more interesting is how I came to be.”

“Oh?” Velau spoke up, leaning in. “Do elaborate.”

“It’s a bit complicated, Ensign. Are you sure you want to hear?”

“Yes! Yes, of course I do.” Velau motioned to the other people around her. “All of us do! You’re a mystery, and people are pooling bets. I currently have the highest bid for lab grown.”

“Oh really?” Sylvester smirked. “I hate to tell you, I was born naturally.”

“Damn!”

“You see, I came from an interesting place. One that–” Before Sylvester could finish, the main monitor lit up as Mazev swirled around in his chair, glancing back at Sylvester. “Report.”

“One unIdentified vessel off our bow, Commander. Traces suggest Kaelthri.” Mazev’s look on his face was unreadable. “I’m also getting bio-readings from two of the people we’re searching for.”

“That can’t be right.” Sraal stood up, looking out the window. “I can’t see them anywhere.”

“But the sensors are picking them up. Right in front of us.” Mazev narrowed his eyes. “Cloaked, I’m sure. It seems they’re in a state of distress, Commander. No detection of us yet.”

“Then we’re going in.” Sylvester stood upright as he reached for his rifle. “Get us some more readings. Prias, Sraal, you’re with me. I don’t trust this–but if we can save two of them now, then that’s two family members people will have to worry less about. Let’s move out.”