Stardate: 80315:1900
Title: Turn the Page
Author: Emma Smith
Time: After "Ross and Me....."
Scene: Planet-side


Has anyone else noticed the similarities between starships and rabbit holes?

~

The cottage ended up being nothing less than what they'd expected.

Seven miniature chairs surrounded a large wooden table. Seven forks, spoons, cups and plates were all piled up in a water barrel. In the loft above sat seven child-sized beds; all in need of fixing.

"This can't be real." Emma was under the table looking for a holo-receptor. "Maybe we're still on the Grimalkin. Computer, end program."

Nothing happened.

"Seems genuine enough." Ross tossed an errant piece of onion he'd just smelled back onto the table.

Emma squished herself down onto one of the chairs. "Let's think about this. If we're still on the Grimalkin, we're somehow locked on the holodeck. If we're not... then we must be on Andarus 5."

Ross swished his cape with the flourish of a true prince and gracefully seated himself on an adjacent chair. "The Captain did say something about a lush pocket on the planet's surface. This could be it."

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door. Emma placed her finger to her lips and moved swiftly to the open window.

Alex mouthed the words 'Who is it?'.

Emma motioned for him to stay out of sight as she opened the door. On the other side stood a Bolian female, dressed all in black, a pointed hat rested atop her head.

"Ahhhh... my dear..." cackled the woman. "I come bearing gifts." Her hand extended and in it was the biggest reddest apple that Emma had ever seen.

"I... uh... don't have any money..." She decided to play along and see where this was going.

"No need... As I said... it's a gift... Please, take it."

Emma took the apple. Before she could thank her the woman disappeared.

"Well," she turned to Ross, "what do you make of that?"

Ross arched an eyebrow. "Curiouser and curiouser. You know the Grimalkin's ship manifest listed several Bolian officers."


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Lt. (S.G.) Emma Smith
Chief Security Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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