When You Least Expect It - #132

Melissa had thought after the meeting she would be free to return to her quarters and do what she wished. This was not to be so because, Admiral Anasazi wanted to give her a guided tour of The Insurrection.

So she, T'kell, Skorr and Fatou, traipsed along behind Tyr as he proudly narrated interesting facts and showed off “his baby”. It was the easiest job she'd every done because all Skorr had to do was record the audio and video like a documentary.

Tyr had saved the best for last. As soon as they entered Sickbay's doors, Darwin (in his anti-gravity planter) whizzed right up to them. Scaring the stew beans out of Melissa, fascinating both T'Kell and Skorr and irritating the heck out of Tyr. Fatou liked Darwin so she merely pulled her whiskers back with mirth.

“Greetings folks! How my I help you?” Darwin asked. Further shocking Melissa, as she had never seen a plant with such googly eyes, nor heard one speak until now.

“I was not aware that Sickbay had an official greeter.” Tyr deadpanned.

“DARWIN! Who are you harassing now? This is Sickbay, not a cheesy brothel on Risa!” Kori's voice shouted.

“Ops! Time to get the hell outta Dodge!” Darwin said, as he shrunk down into his planter and sped away.

“Fascinating. A Kensington-Smythe Plant.” T'Kell stated to Skorr through their marital link.

“ I'd heard they were totally extinct.” Skorr thought back.

“Apparently not. At least he is not. . . ” T'Kell thought back.

“What the hell was that?” Melissa asked aloud.

“The plant or the harridan shouting?” Tyr asked, with no trace of humor whatsoever. Behind them Fatou chuffed.

“Both.” Melissa stated.

“The ficus is a Kessington-Smythe Plant. It is a very intelligent and social plant, is capable of speech, is somewhat prehensile, and nosy as hell.”T'kell explained.

“The loud femme fatal roar you heard was none other than my Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Kori. . . . .” Tyr started but never finished.  The one whom he was speaking about chose that very second to make an appearance. Melissa backed up because the good doctor was a tall Klingon female, dressed in Starfleet Medical blue (including white coat) who was also carrying a pair of old fashioned hedge clippers.

“.. . . . If I get my hands on that Darwin, I'll, I'll.” she muttered. “Oh hello! I was wondering when The Admiral was going to bring you down to meet me, Ms. Culpepper. I've heard all about you.” Kori said by way of introduction. Though honored, Melissa gazed at the clippers dubiously.

“Oh,don't mind this old thing. I just use it to keep Darwin in check. He tends to get cheeky at times and it helps to remind him who's boss. . . .” she continued, as she handed the implement off to one of her staff.

“Why don't we retire to my office where we can have Raktigino and crumpets.. . . . .” Kori stated as she led the way. Melissa was shocked to find the Chief Medical Officers inner sanctum was a miniature version of Hydroponics. There were plants sitting on every available space except her desk. There only one plant sat.

After everyone sat there was one chair left. Everyone silently gazed back at The Admiral who was still standing at the door.

“I'll stand, Thank you.” he stated to no one in particular. Fatou refrained from chuffing because she knew why.

Out of the corner of her left eye, Melissa caught a slight movement, but before her mind to register it, she was thrown to the deck and covered by T'Kell. Skorr stood in front of the Good Doctor's desk poised in a martial arts stance with his arms up and ready to battle against. . . . VuVu's reaching tendrils.

“No! VuVu! Bad, bad, girl! Bad!” Kori fussed at the plant. VuVu whimpered and drew back. “I am so sorry I didn't warn you about VuVu. I'm so used to living and working around her that I forgot about her insatiable curiosity. She knows you're here Admiral. Why don't you say hi?” Kori asked of the chocolate colored Nietzschean statue standing at the door. By way of acknowledgment, Tyr grinned and waggled the fingers on his left hand at VuVu.

“Oh my, I thought you two had gotten beyond that stage.” Kori said, as Melissa and T'Kell stood, dusted each other off and sat. Skorr returned to his seat and frowned.

“Hey! I know what kind of plant that is. It's a Thief Plant.” Melissa said.

“That's close. She's actually classified as a Pick Pocket Plant.” Kori replied.

“The Ferrengi made liberal use of them in their Dabo Parlors and drinking establishments.. . . . .” Skorr started.

“Hello! Did anyone miss me?” Darwin asked as he burst into Kori's office, nearly knocking Tyr flat.

“Serves him right for standing in the door like some kind of sentry. . . . ..“ Fatou thought, as she swept her whiskers with mirth.

“Ensign Jeffers, can you please bring a pot of Rakitgino and a plate of pastries to my office?” Kori said over the comm. 


“Am I correct in assuming that you would like some aspirin with yours, Admiral?” Kori asked sweetly.

Tyr grunted and rolled his expressive brown eyes, as he sat in the last seat available. The one closest to the edge of Kori's desk. So,VuVu was able to reach out and curl one leafy vine about his left bicep. On his right sat Darwin in his anti-gravity planter as he gazed questioningly at The Admiral. Tyr was effectively surrounded. Melissa locked eyes with Fatou, then TKell, and Skorr, last of allKori who winked and smiled.

“Catch!” Kori said, as she tossed the packet of analgesic tabs to Tyr, which he expertly caught on the fly with his right hand. Ensign Jeffers handed around cups of Rakitgino, and set down a tray of pastries. Tyr opened his packet and dumped the tabs directly into his cup of hot liquid. He took a sip and frowned. The aspirin had made his Raktigino bitter.

“Bitter,eh?” Darwin asked.

Tyr grunted, grabbed a scone and bit off a third of it to kill the taste.  It also prevented him from firing off a snarky remark to Darwin.

“So, Ms. Culpepper, how did you become interested in Intergalactic journalism?” Kori asked, pleasantly.

** * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mean while back on Deep Space Ten, a Nietzschean couple with a five year old daughter was ushered directly into Fleet Admiral Haxhis office. Upon seeing the Katay Admiral and Councilor Khan, the little girl stare dup at them in open eyed and mouthed wonder.

“Anne. It is rude to stare so. Say hello to the nice Admiral and her aide.” her mother chided.

“Hello.” Anne said.

“Actually her name is Anemone.” her father pipped up proudly.

“Hello Anemone. My name is Haxhista and he is Khan.” Haxhis started as she pointed to herself and Khan, by way of introduction. “ I hear you have a message for me.” Haxhis said as she knelt in front ofthe little one. “Who is it from?”

“Queen Mother Victoria.” the little girl replied. Haxhis looked up ather parents for confirmation. Both looked as serious as a heartattack.

“Forgive me for asking, but are you both. . . . .?” Khan asked.

“No we are not, but she is telepathic.” the mother replied.

“What do you have to tell me, Anemone?” Haxhis asked.

“Queen Mother Victoria greets you in the name of The Divine and says to tell you that she is safe. She will be in touch with more information soon.” Anemone recited.

“Thank you, Anemone. Will you please relay to her my greetings and heartfelt joy that she is safe? Also, please tell her that we are still hard at work on the project.” Haxhis said. She trusted Victoria was savy enough to know “the project” was the hunt for her son, his ship and crew.

“YesI will, Ma'am.” Anemone replied. She blinked and concentrated a bit, then smiled a beatific little girl smile.

“All done, Ma'am.” she replied.

“Thank you.” Haxhis said. “You are both welcome to bring her back anytime you want.” The Admiral stated as she stood and addressed her parents. Obviously, Anemone was going to be her contact person while Victoria was in exile.

“Thank You Admiral, but we have not introduced ourselves.” The mother started.

“You are Helena and Dionysus Wolffe. My children are in Anemone's class.” Khan said, as both parents smiled.

“Yes, she is.” Helena replied.

“Have you also considered having her enrolled in Vulcan telepathic training?” Khan asked. He had to ask, it was his calling to always ask. . . . . .

“As a matter of fact we have an appointment to see Professor Thall in ten minutes about that subject.” Dionysus replied.

“He is one of the best.” Khan replied approvingly.

“And you mustn't be late, because the professor is a stickler for timeliness.” Haxhis said. “Thanks again.” she continued, as the small family left her office. Before the door closed Anemone turned and waved. Both Haxhis and Khan waved back.

“Now, Counselor, can you please explain how Anemone received that message?” Haxhis asked as she reseated herself.

“Pride Secreto has a form of telepathic communication called strangely enough, The Moccasin Telegraph. The history of those words date back to the Old Earth American Indian tribes who used to receive news when tribe members walked from one location to another to visit.” Khan began.

“Oh,I see, it's something like the grape vine.” Haxhis replied.

“Yes,only it is done telepathically. The message is passed from one telepath to another like that Earth game “telephone” until it reaches it's destination. However, when the message reaches the destination it is not all fouled up like the game of telephone is supposed to do. It is precisely what the sender meant to send.” Khan replied.

“And a child shall lead them. . . . . . By the way, how are your children doing?” Haxhis asked, turning the tide on Khan.

“They are having a wonderful time. It is I who is suffering.” Khanreplied, as he pulled back his whiskers with mirth. “I had no clue mothering was such an arduous task!” he continued.

“Welcome to the parent club, Khan.” Haxhis chuffed.

“I've always shared the task of caring for our kits, to do everything alone it is nearly impossible. I can see why Nietzschean males marry multiple wives or why some races have slaves.” Khan joked. “Not that I would ever approve of or enter into such practices.” he further justified.

“They are old enough to do simple chores around the den now. It may not be done perfectly, but let them help anyway. It will keep them busy,out of trouble and teach them to be responsible.” Haxhis said, recalling her mischievous nieces and nephews.

The first thing she did when she had them over for a visit was to put them to work. As a consequence they all hated coming over to see her. Their stances changed as they got older and took on mates. . .. . .

“I know you miss Fatou.” she stated.

“I most certainly do.” Khan replied. “The kits not so much, only in the beginning because I cannot cook.”

“Khan! It's the easiest thing to put a couple of fish the grill or. . .” Haxhis started.

“I stank at cooking so much that the poor kits refused to eat whatever I produce. I couldn't stomach it either, so I made arrangements withTabji to prepare meals for us until Fatou returns.” Khan replied.

Tabji was an older Katay female who'd opened the first Katay restaurant on Deep Space Ten. Tabji's was an instant hit with the Katay (The Fleet Admrial included), and those who loved fish dishes. What Tabji and her staff did to their food was simply magical and delicious.

“We are doing all we can to get them back, Khan.” Haxhis said softly.

“Thank you Haxhistia. I know and appreciate the effort. But, rescue will not be for a while yet. Past the six week deadline as a matter offact. So I advise you to prepare for the impending diplomatic and media firestorm.” Khan replied.

“That bad?” Haxhis asked, now on alert. It was very rarely Khan gave her one of his infamous predictions. Every time he made one, of course it was right on the money.

“Yes.” Khan replied simply.

“What about Tyr, his ship and crew?” she hazarded. After all, if he was willing to impart one prediction, perhaps another. . . . .

“They will be found safe and sound. However, some will have to endure the crucible.” Khan replied. Haxhis' jaw dropped.

“I cannot tell who or whom, but these things must happen.” Khan saidin response to her reaction.

Haxhis reached over and tabbed the button on her desk console.

“T'Lar. I need you to clear all of my appointments for the rest of the day and alert all of my immediate command staff that I wish to have an emergency meeting with them, here in 30 minutes.” Haxhis ordered.

“Aye, Ma'am.” T'Lar's voice responded.

“So it begins.” Khan said.

** * * * * * * * * * *

Mean while on the Insurrection, Ms. Culpepper aka Ms. Sirus was having a lively discussion with Dr. Kori when, when her desk comm cut in.

“Doctor Kori, you are needed in the main ward.” Nurse Summers voice calmlysaid.

“What is the problem?” Kori asked.

“Captain McPhearson and Lieutenant Xenia just brought Desdemona in. Her water broke.” was Summers response. The words hardly left her lips when Kori vaulted over her desk and charged out of her office, followed byTyr. Melissa, T'Kell, and Skorr.

“I must remember to ask the Good Doctor if she learned that move in Starfleet Academy.” Melissa thought to herself as she raced to follow.