Topic: In an office chair on M'Raa...

[KAT MRess]

M’Ress picked a dossier P.A.D. up and consulted it.

“Nah, that wouldn’t work. She doesn’t have a husband in Starfleet.”

“But she is a woman.” added Green “And she was accused of impersonating an officer, and a high ranking one at that. Besides, what better way for W.A.N.K.E.R. to keep tabs on the Feds with an agent in the mix.”

M’ress considered this for a minute. It was a likely course to follow, there was just one problem.

“How long has it been since you spoke to Redfur?” Green asked.

“Not long enough.” grumbled M’Ress “Ever since she got it into her head that I didn’t care any more, she’s been off doing her own thing. I have no idea where she is.”

“You are probably the only officer who’s had contact with W.A.N.K.E.R. and is still active. Think! There has got to be someone else.”

M’ress was trying to remember the names of those that had contacted his Ex-wife over the years. Many of those were too far into politics to get close to now. His brain focussed on one name. Yes, it just might be possible. He dug out another P.A.D. dossier and handed it to Green.

Green took it and examined it. It was not long before he handed it back and said,

“Good luck on that one. I got close before and I ain’t doing it again.”

“That makes you the resident expert.”

“That makes it your turn.”

“Fight you for it.”

They both stood looking at each other over the table. Slowly they raised their right paws  up to their hips and then rapidly pumped them into the air in front of each other.

Green smiled, “Paper covers rock.”

“Damn.” grunted M’ress, “I was hoping I would never have to… uh… encounter that one.”

[KAT MRess]

M’ress touched a button on the comm.

“Miss Throat?”

“Yessir.” A Very deep and rough, but distinctly female voice answered over the comm. Green winced.

“Please bring the report on all active Captains.”

“Right away sir.” And the channel closed.

“How to you tolerate that voice?” Green asked.

“You’ll see.”

The door hissed open and a VERY feminine figure walked in the door. Her fur was dark brown all over with tan highlights on the ears, nose and claws. The uniform was fitting but not snug and did only a little to hide the shapely figure underneath. By her gait you tell that there was military training, but it wasn’t the disciplined stride of a warrior. Rings, small and unremarkable (for professional discretion) adorned both ears, nose and one lip. The whole complimented by a pair of what Feds would call “Tiger Green” eyes.

“Here it is sir.” And she handed the P.A.D. with the report across the desk. “I think you’ll find a few surprises in there.”

“Really?” He took the offered PAD. “Indeed. Thank you, that will be all for now.” She nodded, turned and left the room. Green drew his breath in through his upper lip.

“I see what you mean.”

“So her voice is a little coarse” (One of Green’s eyebrows went up in a statement of “A Little?”) “She is an excellent Assistant. And you should hear her purr.” Both of Greens eyebrows went up at that.

“She was happy when I hired her.” M’Ress glared, answering Green’s implied question and then changed the subject, “Now let’s look at this list.”

“Your numbers have been a little lean lately, do you need a few more for a while?”

“Maybe a couple, just while I do this field op.”

“Ok I’ll send a couple over.”

M’Ress was still reading the list. He stopped and put down the PAD.

“What is it?”

M’Ress looked at Green.

“Gook is back.”

[KAT MRess]

“Really?” said Green, grabbing the PAD and reading it himself. “There goes the donut machine in the KAT House.”

“Not only that but Fur, Ajax, Hades, McCloud and Razor have become active again.”

Again Green’s eyebrows crawled up his forehead. He was starting to look like a Vulcan.

“Sounds like you’ve got enough, do you still need my guys?”

“My guys have been out for a while. They’ll need, ahem… reconditioning. Although, K’arbin should be available. I’ll have to call him back.”

“Where is he? I haven’t seen him for a while.”

“Deep space mission.” M’Ress answered rubbing his jaw.

“Doing what?”

“Anything he can find.”

“Ah, I’ll leave you to your choices then.” And he departed.

[KAT MRess]

A couple of hours later the intercom buzzed.

“First response to your hail has arrived.”

“Thank you send him in.”

M’Ress didn’t have to look up from his PADs to know who it was that had answered first. It wasn’t the klickety-klick-klick of ten nails on the floor. It wasn’t the pace of the footsteps. No, it was the donut crumbs that fell on his desk.

“Matfukazi, repotin as oded.” Despite the claw rake in front of his face more donut crumbs landed on M’ress’s desk.

“Yes, thank you.” M’ress replied while starting to dab up the crumbs with his index finger. “When was the last time you were assigned to a covert mission?”

“I wuz deep strikin’ in de laft wah.” Not as many crumbs this time. M’Ress restarted his dabbing.

“Excellent. Can you be ready within the next day for a field op?” and then hurriedly added. “Don’t answer! Just nod.”

Matsukasi nodded.

“Good. Dismissed.”

The all black figure with the white tipped tailed turned and left, donuts crumbs and all.

“I wonder if he got that tip from donut glaze?” M’ress wondered.

[KAT MRess]

M’ress touched a PADD and data started to scroll across his desk monitor.

Three more summons had been sent out and he had to wait until they responded. One in particular would take a bit of time. So he decided to pass the time by going over his Fed database.

He needed to find someone who he could cajole into helping him. As he ran down the list various names came up.

Tracey Greenough. Nope for this mission he needed a male. There was no way she could hide those… uh… drones.

As he thought about his requirement again, he realized he could narrow his search. He needed someone younger for the appeal. The list shrunk into a more manageable size as many names like Hooch, Hondo, 762, and Frey dropped off.

Still there were seasoned vets on the revised list. Boy this was tough work. He didn’t realize there were this many Feds to filter. But since he didn’t do this often, the candidate had to be naïve so he could manipulate them. Die Hard, Dark Elf, Fred and Storvick dropped off the list.

He needed to go to Star’s End Bar, which was developing a reputation as a “most wretched hive of scum and villainy”

he paused as he wondered where that thought came from

so that eliminated MOST of the Feds including Father Ted.

Fricking Good Guys. At least the list was very small now. In fact it was down to one name.

Leroy.

One Fed to feed them all.
One Fed to help them.
One Fed to lead them into…

He shook that thought out of his head as well.

Now how to get a private message to this young’un, without his superiors knowing, in order to set up a meeting.

[SSCF-LeRoy]

I would take offense at being called "naive" and "young'un", but then I realize that this was originally written four years ago

Thanks for the trip down memory lane

[KAT MRess]

Hee hee hee <Big Evil Cheesy Grin>



The next summons arrived at M’ress’s office.

As the recipient walked down the hallway, M’Ress could hear the steps through the monitor.

Klickety klick-thub. Klickety klick-thub.

Missing gutting claw, that could only mean…

“Steel-Claw reporting as ordered!” came the announcement the instant the door opened. M’Ress looked up just in time to see the snappy salute.

“At ease.” Although Steel-Claw assumed the “at easy” stance he was still rigid.

“I said AT EASE!” Steel Claw drew in a deep breath and visibly relaxed.

“That’s better. Do you have any idea why your were summoned?”

“None.”

“You’re not in trouble,” The relief was immediately apparent, the orange and black pelt rippled from top to bottom in a reset of muscles. “You’re just on loan for a bit. When was the last time you were on covert duty?”

“I was deep striking in the last war.”

Why did everyone get to deep strike except me? wondered M’ress.

“Good enough, get ready to depart within the next day.”

“Very Good.” Another salute and he spun and left the office. As he exited Green came back in.

“Just thought you might like to see this.” He touched the top of M’Ress desk in the middle of the viewscreen.

“Greetings, independent scientists and press of the United Federation of Planets, I, Chuut-Ritt, have the distinct pleasure to notify you that an object known as "The Guardian of Forever" has come into my possession, and I wish to share its benefits with all the scientist of the Alpha Quadrant….”

“So it’s finally open, excellent. All I need is two more acknowledgements and to send two messages and everything will be set up.”

“About those acknowledgements, I think they arrived addressed to me.” Green handed over a PADD and M’Ress viewed it. “Is he still afraid after that, ahem, “incident”?” Green ran his paw through the rather short trim he maintained on his head pelt.

“Must be. They say they’ll meet us at the bar instead of coming here. Actually that is very prudent, we could lose valuable time waiting for him to show up here and then moving there. I guess it’s time to send the last two messages.”

[KAT MRess]

M’Ress was feeling rather pleased with himself.

He had been able to manuever all the necessary people into to position without too much difficulty. The only thing left was to rendevous with  LeRoy near the edge of Fed/Nebula space to pick him  up.

After he had closed the line between him and Leroy he had briefly pondered whether or not the young Fed officer (Midshipman? He’s have to ask Karbin about that) was playing his own game or he had succeeded in convincing this officer to help him. He had used the line of reasoning that it would be of great benefit if the Federation could find out what the Gorn had planned in the near future. To do so meant that they needed to contact a Gorn operative to supply that info. Since the Kzin were also interested it just made sense that they could help each other in this endeavour. M’Ress would get LeRoy onto the station while LeRoy would do the actual acquisition of the data. LeRoy would then share it and they would all be on their way.

The first sign of a problem came when M’Ress suggested that LeRoy pose as “dinner” for him and his guests. A rumpled Fed uniform, leash and maybe a powered off prod was all that would be needed to show what they intended to do to a captured Feddie. It took many reassurances that he would retain all his fingers but he eventually agreed.

The message to the contact was simple, to expect the new “Treat” within the week”.

Once that was complete, all he had to do was arrive at the agreed co-ordinates and pick up the passenger. Then at the station he would rendezvous with the remainder of his entourage (Karbin and Soreyes) then his plan would be in full swing.

He couldn’t help but feel excited about getting into field work again.

[KAT MRess]

“Are you sure?” he asked his science officer for the umpteenth time.

“Yes sire. There are no ships in the sector just beyond the Nebula.”

M’ress was getting impatient. His rendezvous was late by more than half a day. He was holding his ship inside the Nebula just to be on the safe side, periodically using a tight beam scan to check the sector just beyond. The agreed meeting point was well within the range of the tight beam, as his science officer promised him, but there was still no one waiting there.

Over his left shoulder Matsukasi was quietly chewing, again, on another of those cursed earth donuts. Steel Claw was showing more restraint and interest by monitoring the sensor sweeps over the shoulder of the science officer.

“Mebe dey change dere mind.” said Mat in a small flurry of crumbs.

“He better not have.” Growled M’ress under his breath and quietly vowed to feast on all ten of his fingers if he did.

Another ten minutes went by with no contact. The thought of just how cunning this LeRoy might be ran through his mind again. He dismissed it with a shake of his head. If he was cunning enough to counter his plans then he wouldn’t have agreed to “dinner”.

“Are you sure that thing is working.” he demanded.

Steel Claw answered this time, “Nothing at all except slightly elevated tetryon particles from the Nebula.”

M’ress debated his next move. He knew the path in which LeRoy’s ship had to approach the co-ordinates. Maybe he could slip out and send a tight beam along that path. He could scan for quite a distance that way.

“Helm, ahead one-quarter impulse.”

“Aye Sire ahead one-quarter, exiting Nebula in 30 seconds.”

Slowly the KATNIP LXXIII slid forward out of the gases. As the viewscreen started to clear, M’Ress turned to the science officer and started to issue his command.
“Science officer prepare to initiate a tight scan along…”

“Sire, detecting the signature of a Federation shuttlecraft.”

“Fool! Why didn’t you detect this before?”

“Sire! The tight scan was configured for a full starship.”

M’ress realized that the shuttle would have been masked by the interference from the Nebula even with a tight beam. He could have swept over it a dozen times already. He wasn’t about to admit that oversight in front of the crew though.

“Prepare to hail the shuttle. Steel, Mat, see to it our “guest” is properly received.”

“Yessire.” They answered with a snappy claw rake (and flurry of crumbs) and turned and left the bridge.

“And would someone vacuum his face!” M’Ress yelled as the door closed.

[Soreyes]

I forgot about this little adventure. 

[KAT MRess]

LeRoy stepped into the transporter alcove. His heart was racing as his trepidation was running overtime. He had about a minute before the beam would send him over to the Kzinti ship, so he concentrated on calming himself.

The reason for this anxiety was quite plain. He had never met a Kzin face to face before. Oh sure he had met them in battle, but those exchanges were always over a com link. He had heard about just how large they were, at least a foot taller than himself, with large muscles and the speed to match. Physically he was no match. He had to outthink them.

He’d also heard that they had a good sense of smell. Indeed, if that were true, then they could smell his fear. He concentrated more to calm himself and remove the smell of fear. As the calmness slowly asserted itself, he let his mind wander about who he would meet. What would it be like on their ship?

He lost any more thoughts as the command came to energize.


The brief disorientation overcame him along with the curious light display that resulting from his optical nerves being scattered in the beam. Quickly the lights reassembled into coalescent figures again. Immediately the fear started to rise again inside, but immediately he staunched it.

What he saw was a transporter room, very similar to his own. There was console to one side that had all the standard lights and buttons, and power couplings at the back of the room. Standing behind the console was one Kzin who was stooped over looking at his controls and adjusting a couple of them, as the disorientation faded.

Standing in front of the console were two other Kzin. The one on the left was orange with black stripes not unlike the earth tiger. The other was all black except for a white tip of the tail and what looked like dandruff around his mouth. Both were seven feet tall, very muscular and dressed in the standard grey Kzinti military uniforms. Small sword insignia adorned one side of their collars with what appeared to be rank on the other,
The one on the left had two claws while the black Kzin had one. Both were standing with arms crossed and feet (paws) shoulder width apart (and they were big shoulders). But the most unnerving thing of all…

…they were smiling.

Very large toothy smiles… fangs and all.

[KAT MRess]

Steel Claw looked at the human on the pad. It seemed small, even for a human. But then they all looked small when the average height was only 5’ 10”. It was dressed in the standard Fed uniform of Red tunic, black pants and those boots. How could they ever put such constrictions on their feet? How does one feel the ground when you are in combat?

Steel Claw turned to Matsukasi and in the Hero’s tongue said, “I’ll bet his fingers wouldn’t even make a snack. Look how small he is.”

To LeRoy’s ears, all he heard was “Grrr, pfft hsss rowl.” As he did not have access to his Universal translator in this ship.

“And he reeks.” Responded Matsukasi. “Smell that fear.”

“Is that what that is. Well just keep smiling, it’s a human way of reassurance.”

They both turned back to LeRoy and smiled even larger.

LeRoy saw the lips curl even more and it was all he could do to keep an outward appearance of calm.

“Right this way Lootenant.” This time LeRoy understood as the Orange one spoke in Common. “The Patriarch awaits you in his ready room.” And he gestured towards the door.

Determined to show his lack of fear, he boldly stepped off the pad and moved toward the door. He paused outside to wait for one of them to take the lead. The Orange on stepped forward and the Black one moved in behind and they walked down the corridor. One question now burned in his mind?

Patriarch?

[KAT MRess]

Meanwhile, several light years away on the Star End station…

The darkened panel loomed over the doorway like an ominous void. Past the doorway there had been sounds of activity for some time now. Various sounds of hand construction. Not the usual whine of a transporter or buzz of replicator, but the sound of old fashioned hard work. Hammers, saws, and drills could all be heard being used. Someone was going through a lot of trouble to make this area something special.

The last few days had brought about a change in the noise. The power tools had faded to be replaced by silence or the testing of a loud sound system. After another couple of days the sound had stopped altogether. Now there was just an eerie silence.

Finally, a change was noticeable. Movement could be detected behind the panel and the doors. Not major structural movement, just slight shimmers in the surface. After another couple of days a sign appeared, a fairly large sign as it was written in the 8 major languages of the quadrant. The message was simple and straight forward.

“Coming soon…”

*****


She stared out from behind the one way glass.

Overlooking her creation, she felt a very strong sense of belonging. It had taken quite some time to pull this together, fortunately the landlord was willing and a deal had been struck quite quickly. After that, it had been a case of finding the old fashioned workers to hand-make everything in the establishment. From the burnished rails to the polished tables, everything had been made just right to her exacting standards. It had been costly, but it was worth it.

Her establishment had a very intimate and cozy feel. Almost like your favourite comfortable chair at home. Which was important. With the diversity of life forms that would be inhabiting the establishment, comfort and ease around each other was important.

All the major races had their own sections, there was even a gas chamber to one side for the Hydrans if they wished to liberate from their enviro-suits. A Gorn area was covered in sunlamps and surrounded by low-level force fields to keep the heat in that area. The Kzin and Lyran sections had the chairs with the grooves for the tails, the larger chairs in the Kzin section with the smaller ones in the Lyran.

Klingons had no chairs. Since they tended to party by fighting and jabbing each other with pain sticks, chairs weren’t necessary. A couple of vats of Blood Wine finished that area. The Feds were easy, comfy chairs and dim lighting.

The Romulans were not accommodated as they denied they were even there in the first place.

There was even a hot tub for the ISC (and maybe Hondo if he ever visited).

It was getting close to the Grand opening. The sign out front had been modified to include a date. Soon it would be time to throw the power switch for the sign and throw open the doors. The sound insulation had gone well and the stage was set for the evenings entertainment. It helped being the feature attraction as it save her a bit of cost.

*****

It was time.

She moved to the front door where two large Gorn were stationed as bouncers. She entered the pass code for the power systems.

Outside the doors were flung open to the waiting crowd and the sign blazed forth in bright neon pink. It read…



“Welcome to Kroma’s”

[KAT MRess]

As LeRoy walked along the corridor, he tried to take in as much as he could. Not many humans were able to walk a Kzin ship. That is, not able to walk a Kzin ship and live. He was well aware of the reputation of the Kzin for devouring prisoners. It was well known Kzin did not take prisoners, only meals.

Most of what he saw was battle equipment. Weapons systems, armaments, and spartan offices and quarters. Indeed it was a ship made purely for battle not much in terms of exploration or recreation.

The two Kzin stopped in front of a door and waited. Eventually it opened to reveal a turbolift. The 3 of them stepped in. After a short duration the door opened. They turned down another corridor and stopped after a couple of doors. The Orange one tapped a panel beside the door. After a pause the door slid open.

The chamber inside was large for this kind of vessel. It was also well lit and comfortably furnished. The large desk across the room in front of the door was occupied. Another Kzin was reading information as it flashed across various screens embedded in the desktop. Since the communiqué he had received had no signature or ID, he had to guess as to who it was that sent it. It seemed likely that this was the one. Since the insignia that the other two were wearing represented KOTH (he finally remembered the picture he had seen in the intelligence report before he left), he figured that this was someone of importance to KOTH.

LeRoy was motioned into the room in front of the desk. A hand was raised with a digit extended in a gesture of “One moment please” and he took the opportunity to examine the figure. It was an average sized muscular Kzin, wearing the standard grey uniform with a couple exceptions, white piping was added to the arms and the collar was more rigid. The only decoration was crossed swords on the left breast, denoting KLAW, one of the leaders of the Kzin military. Since the head was tilted forward he couldn’t see the collar decorations but he could see quite plainly the chocolate brown coloration of the head. And the patch over the left eye.

Eyepatch. That could only mean one thing.

The head came up and fixed the one good deep blue eye on him. He could now see the collar. It had the 3 pointed star and circle of KAT and the 5 claws surrounding a circle of high rank.

“Lieutenant LeRoy I presume?” The common English was very good for a Kzin. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Patriarch M’Ress of KAT.”

[KAT MRess]

Leroy’s mind started to race. KAT and KOTH. With a Patriarch added in. This must be big. For the Kzin to send this much it had to be important. But he was just a Lieutenant there were much more qualified field operatives, why him? What was he getting himself into?

M’ress stepped forward and offered a hand (paw) in a greeting gesture. LeRoy took the offered hand and firmly shook it. Trying to remember Kzin etiquette he stammered out…

“I am honored to meet you.”

The corners of M’ress’s mouth turned up a little and he said “The pleasure is mine. It’s not often I get to meet dignitaries in this capacity. Please sit down.”

As LeRoy moved to the offered chair he could hear M’Ress hiss at the other two.

“Would you two stop grinning like idiots. Can’t you smell how scared you’re making him?”

He sat in the chair and immediately readjusted to the groove in the middle.

“We thought smiling was comforting to humans.”

“Smiling, yes. Grinning, no. Don’t show your teeth.” A pause. “No, like this.”

LeRoy snuck a peek and could see M’ress holding the bottom jaw of the Orange one. He was trying to push up the corners of his mouth, while exaggerating the smile himself. After a moment M’ress let go.

“It takes practice. Keep that in mind when dealing with humans. Dismissed.”

M’Ress moved around the desk and sat opposite to LeRoy.

“Now, I bet you’re wondering why I called you here.”

[KAT MRess]

LeRoy left the office feeling much better. He was headed to the quarters on the Kzin ship that have been made up for him. The Black Kzin with the dandruff around the mouth was escorting him.

The situation did not appear to be as severe as he originally feared. Apparently the Patriarch was an old field officer who didn’t get into the field much anymore. It seemed as though he was taking advantage of the Peace to get out and about. What concerned LeRoy more, was the information that M’Ress had spoken of. He did seem rather vague about what exactly it was they were trying to retrieve. It definitely was some information that the Gorn had acquired that he wanted, he just needed a Fed to actually get his hands on it. This worked very well as it was sensitive information that the Feds might be interested in as well. The reason LeRoy had been contacted was that they needed an inconspicuous agent to do it, as most of the major ones were well known (and currently assigned to other projects).

Another issue that was bothering Leroy was the “reliability” reputation of the Kzin. He seemed honest and forthright enough, however, he got the distinct impression that not everything was being told to him. There was enough information to explain the whats and whys, but again the hows seemed vague.

The plan was for him to pose as a meal for the entourage that would enter Stars End. He would change into ripped and beaten clothes and wear a collar with a leash. Prods would be used (that made him nervous) but he was assured they would be turned off. He would have to sell the occasional jab he received. They would search Stars End for their contact, make contact via prearranged signal, and then meet face to face with the contact for the exchange. After the exchange, he would be returned to his ship (with all his fingers). It all should take only a couple days at the most.

They arrived at his quarters. The Black Kzin (who appeared to be eating something) tapped a panel and the door opened. He turned and motioned into the room. This time he was smiling without showing his teeth. Since his face muscles weren’t accustomed to this action, it did look a bit silly, but he was trying and that made LeRoy feel a bit better.

“Thif iss you kwatahs.” He said through a half full mouth. It was then that LeRoy realized that the dandruff around the mouth area was in fact powder and crumbs.

“Thank you.” LeRoy replied. The Black Kzin put something on the table and left.

[KAT MRess]

It didn’t take long to reach Stars End. Although they couldn’t go full warp in a Nebula, it wasn’t far from the rendezvous where they picked up LeRoy. As they approached the co-ordinates of the Bar the Nebula cleared.

It didn’t look like a bar, more like an old Kzin Battlestation (in fact it was). It had been refitted to remove weapon mounts and replace them with other devices. Not that it couldn’t defend itself, in fact the weapons had been vastly upgraded so that they were not as obvious. No one really knew for sure what had been included in this upgrade, not even the Patriarch, the proprietor had gone through great lengths to keep that information a secret.

The interior had been redesigned with far more luxurious accommodations, and large commercial sections added. Most of the engineering and administration was still there as well as business sections.

What was immediately apparent was the amount of traffic that had already accumulated around the facility. In such a short time there had been a large customer core appear. Just about all the races were present, except notably the Feds. For some reason there were none to be seen.

Immediately noticeable to M’Ress were the two Kzin ships docked at the Kzin dock. A quick check of registries revealed the ones he was expecting.

“Comm, contact the station and inform them of our arrival, then contact those two ships and get their captains over here As soon as possible.”

“Yes sire.” And he left the bridge.

[KAT MRess]

Upon docking at the Star’s End Bar, M’Ress did not immediately disembark as expected. Instead he sat in his quarters and waited. He didn’t have to wait long.

The first of two arrivals was almost immediate, this time however, he couldn’t listen to the the kickety klick-klick of claws on the floor. Instead the door chime merely rang and he answered.

“Captain Soreyes reporting as ordered.”

So, this was the captain that kept requisitioning MDC’s one step ahead of him. The last war had seen M’Ress spend an unusual amount of time in larger ships like the CC and CVA. Every time he requested a new ship from the docks, Soreyes had already been there and had just left with it. It did force him to spend some much needed experience time in those recently improved models, but it was still aggravating to see the same name pop up again and again. He sized up Soreyes.

An average sized Kzin with the common orange and black coloring, he was unremarkable with no scars or special coloring patterns. What was distinctive about him were the earth aviator goggles (circa 1941 Japanese) he wore. Clear plastic covered the entire upper half of his face, slightly modified to fit his nose, they were rimmed in a rich fur found on a prey animal from Mraa. They had to be comfortable, rumor had it he wore these constantly.

“At ease.” Soreyes relaxed visibly and his pelt rippled in response. “Tell me, why do you wear those…”, he gestured at his face, “things.”

“Congenital condition with my eyes.” was the response, “They are very easily irritated.”

Out of curiousity, M’Ress stood and moved around the desk. He stood right up to Soreyes’s face and peered through the goggles. Sure enough, the eyes were bloodshot.

“Have you consulted the medics?”

“Yes, numerous times, in just about every facility on M’Raa. Nothing seems to work. These lenses offer the best reduction in outside irritants while keeping my eyes from drying out. At the same time they inhibit vision the least.” M’Ress nodded and stepped back.

“When was the last time you went on covert duty?”

“I was deep striking in the last war.”

M’ress stiffened and ground his teeth. He has GOT to examine orders more closely and get involved in this stuff. Especially if all the MDC's went on these missions and not him.

“Very well, we will be conducting a mission on this station in the next couple of days. Report to Steel Claw and get yourself settled, we will need you ready to go on a moments notice. Notify your ship.”

Soreyes raked a salute across his face, spun and left.

[KAT MRess]

That left only one more. This one would prove to be the most… interesting. M’Ress hadn’t seen this one in some time, after the incident where he was clocked and rendered unconscious in the War room. The resulting concussion had excused him from that war and provided the other command staff the opportunity to elect him Patriarch.

Apparently, he was in the hallway waiting for Soreyes to leave. M’ress wondered if he was still wearing that ridiculous outfit. The white knee length pants, blue decorated waistcoat with tails and the halfmoon hat sitting pointing forward between his ears.

From time to time M’ress had donned a persona in order to accomplish a certain goal. Like when he became a Rastafarian along with Hades to distract certain enemy forces. The overdose of Katnip was necessary as it was inadvertently discovered to protect Kzin (and only Kzin) from the effects of the dreaded Federation Polka bomb.

And there was the time he became an Evangelist in order to capture J’inn’s hybrid son from the monster base station that protected the genetic secret to the relationship between the Lyrans and the Kzin. The bonus to that one was it wound up getting J’inn out of a pre-arranged marriage to Do’mee.

But this was getting ridiculous. There was no goal being sought with this persona. In fact all that had been accomplished was several long and deep patrols in the remote part of Kzin space. Rumor had it that his crew were starting to refer to him as “Master and Commander of the Far Side of the Galaxy”.

The persona had originated from some pirated Earth transmissions. A fictional character from a series of “Saturday Night Movies”. It was a character from what they called “Royal British Navy”, circa 1800. What was that characters name again?

Horatio Hornblower.

Maybe he had had too much Katnip himself when he heard of the Polka Bomb immunity. Now he was stuck and couldn’t get out of it.

M’Ress decided that he had kept him waiting long enough.

“Enter.” He commanded.

The small slight figure entered the room. He was still wearing the outfit, complete now with polished hard leather boots and golden epplets on the shoulders.

M’ress eyed his former mentor. The orange fur was starting to grey in many places except in the areas that were still black. The black however only persisted in the tips of the fur giving the appearance of the fur being singed in many places. Thus the nickname, K’arbin.

“Captain Karbin reporting as ordered milord.”

M'Ress shook his head, "That's sire. The proper way to address a Patriarch is sire. At Ease."

[KAT MRess]

“Yes Sire.” responded K’arbin.

“Did you uncover anything while on patrol?”

“No milo… Sire.”

“Have you done any covert missions lately? Wait, let me guess, you were deepstriking in the last war.”

“No sire. I was homeland defense, you know that.”

M’Ress rested his forehead on his right paw on the desk and muttered something incomprehensible.

“I beg your pardon, sire?”

“Nothing. I need you for a covert mission in the next couple of days. Be prepared to leave on a moments notice. Dismissed.”

K’arbin snapped a salute, not the usual claw rake down the face but a tapping of the hat with an outward gesture, and he spun and left.

Now that M’Ress had all his people together he could start his plan into action. The first step was to uncover where the contact may be located. He called up several station listings and started to peruse the possibilities.


*****
At this point, the original story took a break for Christmas holidays…

*****



M’Ress awoke with a start.

The last thing he remembered was staring at his monitor. No, there was this strange dream. Something about being human and celebrating something on earth. There were large men in red suits, glucose flavoured fruits, antlered prey animals with red noses being worshipped in song and endlessly roasted flightless birds for feast after feast.

Weird.

Afterall, who would want to cook their meat and take all the flavour out. He looked at the monitor.

There was a list of compiled of places on the station that should be inspected for the contact to be made. He touched the intercom.

“M’Ress to Transporter room.”

“Transporter room, here.”

“Don’t let anyone beam over to the station yet, I have some orders for them first.”

Down in the transporter room, Soreyes was standing on the pad. His grin quickly turned to a dejected frown. He wasn’t going to get to celebrate just yet. He sulked out of the transporter room back towards M’Ress quarters.

When he got there, everyone else was assembled. SteelClaw, Matsukasi, K’arbin and himself were standing in front of the large desk.