Let the hunt begin! [Part One]
Posted on 21 Mar 2022 @ 7:51pm by Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka
Mission:
R&R - Styx Outpost
Location: Personal Quarters USS Andromeda
Timeline: During Shoreleave
3860 words - 7.7 OF Standard Post Measure
//ON//
C'Tora let the turbolift and headed straight to his Quarters and entered. " M'Tara my Darling, Believe it or not, We'll be docking at Deep Space 21 very soon. Are we ready and have everything packed? The Captain has already given us permission to depart the ship and wished us luck. " He stopped and looked at his wife and smiled. " You know this will be the first time we've been away from the ship together, This is almost feeling like a vacation. There may not be a beach anywhere in sight my love, but any place I'm with you is good enough for me. " He said purring at the end.
"I am looking forward to the hunting, hopefully we will be able to be successful in getting a good amount in storage, dead of course. Don't want the little buggers get onto the ship alive. They would play havoc on the Andromeda" M'Tara remarked with a toothy grin. "I am very excited. This will be our first official live hunt." giving him a nuzzle. "I wonder who will be letting us gain access to the Jeffries tubes."
" Well We'll have to check in at Ops with station command, get ourselves some temporary quarters and consult with engineering to see where the greatest problem is located and start there. " Stated C'Tora. " We might have to figure out some good baits and traps and lure them out into the open and see what actions the crew has already taken. They may have already set some of their own traps that we'll need to know about, we don't want to be wandering into the middle of one ourselves. "
"Oh I most certainly agree." M'tara replied feeling rather eager for this hunt. "I wonder who will meet us. Perhaps... the XO?"
" I don't know who will meet us in the docking bay." Said C'Tora. " They might not even have anyone there to meet us at all, for all I know. I doubt they'll have a brass band to greet the mighty vole hunters. " He said chuckling. " But we were requested. " He stopped and gave M'Tara a curious look. " Hmm.... I wonder who came up with the idea to contact us? " C'Tora laughed as a random idea popped into his mind. " Well if we require back up I have a group in mind that could really help. " He said with a grin. " We could just whistle up a troop or two of Cait scouts to come and do they're good deed and eat till they're stuffed. " He stroked his chin. " But the down side is that would be paramount to letting a bunch of cubs run wild in a sweet meat shop. " He said shaking his head. Then I'd have to treat them for tummy aches. "
"Dearest, lets not worry about the cubs coming into play, this is our honey moon." giving a laugh. "I am curious as to who asked for us as well. Though i am suspecting that it maybe the Captain who is in command of the station. So we get our honeymoon, have a bit of hunting and also get ourselves some lovely yummy snacks."
C'Tora gave M'Tara a side glance and chuckled. " I was joking about Cait Scouts darling, Your talking about Cubs. Is there something you want to tell me ? "
M'tara shot a glance at C'tora, and gave a teasing smile. "I'll let you know when I find out...." after a few moments she gave a laugh, "I am not with cubs yet and I am speaking of human cub scouts. Just used that connotation as per scouts."
C'Tora's hand went to where he normally had the tricorder, which wasn't there. He stopped and laughed. " You had me going there for a moment M'tara. I had a sudden feeling of excitement and nervousness at the same time. " He put his arm around her. " I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, Having a family and watching them grow. " He breathed out a sigh of contentment. " I'm glad your the one I get to travel through this life with. " He looked lovingly into her eyes. " Well shall we go and check in and let them know the mighty hunters of voles are here? "
"I suppose that the person we will be checking in with will be the Executive officer on the station?" M'tara responded with a smile and a nuzzle against her mate's cheek.
When they stepped onto the station, they are greeted by a tall woman, well tall for a human and with her an oriental man who was the same height as her.
"Welcome to SB 21 fondly known as Styx Outpost. I am the XO, Tamaska Holt and this is Lieutenant Junjie Han."
C'Tora sniffed the air. " Han? Any relation to a Ensign Derek Han? " C'Tora asked.
" If your referring to the Derek Han who serves aboard the Andromeda as a operations officer, then the answer is yes. Why do you ask? " said Junjie.
C'Tora chuckled. " Now I can give a face to the better pranks through chemistry. Why did you turn his skin purple? "
Junjie rolled his eyes. " Gods!! Is he still going on about that? I was thirteen back then! and as for why, He and his friends stole and hid my science project from me. So I dye bombed them and refused to give them the counter agent until they returned my project. They never bothered my science projects ever again."
C'Tora stroked his chin. " So that's the part he's leaving out huh? All of this was over a science project? What was it about? "
" It's pretty boring stuff really. " Stated Junjie. " All it was about was using low yield neutron radiation to repair the damage to the fabric of space using quantum physics to explain it. Pretty straight forward stuff really. "
C'Tora paused and took a good long look at the man in front of him. " Space fabric, Neutron radiation and Quantum physics. At age 13? Remind me never to play poker with you good sir. " He thought a moment. " My wife and I are here for a different purpose as you well know. You have received our list of needed items and request for station plans? Where is the biggest problem located at? We'll need a full briefing. "
Tamaska was trying hard to hide a smile as she listened to what happened with her Fiancee, she looked over at M'tara who had a wide grin. "That was actually the first time I've heard that tale. Am I going to be worried about pranks love?" taking a look at Junjie. "As for the targeted area they seem to be all over. You could start in.. Operations or even in the jefferies tubes. With the two of you being more of hunters than I or Junjie are, it will be at your discretion. They may be in Engineering or any other place, due to this being a station. All those tasty morsels of electronics." Tamaska giving a shrug.
M'tara looked the XO over then replied. "There maybe a nest somewhere but for now we will be just going on our hunt, this is our honeymoon." giving a smile towards C'Tora. "A well deserved one. I can see that you and Junjie are... a couple?"
C'Tora sniffed the air a few times. " They are definitely a couple, their scents are mingled..." He stopped mid sentence. " I apologize, Caitians have a rather acute sense of smell and um.. Sorry. I didn't mean to cause any embarrassment, Please forgive my remark. "
Junjie's face flushed. " Yes we're engaged to be married. " He stammered before recovering his composure. Junjie stared at C'Tora's nose briefly. " On Earth a bloodhound can identify up to two thousand scents simultaneously, How many can a Caitian Identity?"
C'Tora thought a moment. " I would say between two and three hundred scents, depending on the age and experience level of hunting. " Stated the large cat.
" Hmm... You sound uncertain of the fact. " Said the scientist. " Perhaps I could borrow you for a day and run some test to find out for certain, what do you say? ' Asked Junjie. " All in the name of Science of course. "
Tamaska looked at Junjie and M'tara looked at C'tora and the two ladies said in unison. "I don't think so love." then they turned to look at each other and laughed.
"Junjie, they are here on their honeymoon and do you really want them to interrupt that whilst being here on the station? I know I wouldn't want you to be running an experiment if we were on our honeymoon."
M'tara looked at Tamaska nodding her head in agreement, then gave Junjie a steady gaze "Indeed, besides I wouldn't be in a good mood if you did that, Lieutenant and my husband would be in a world of hurt. Therefore... no not going to happen." Her voice rather firm on that one.
C'Tora stepped back and raised his hands. " Lieutenant Han, I believe you have been outranked and outflanked sir. If we proceeded with this, I would be in trouble with my mate for the remainder of this trip, And I have no intention of doing that. But you Sir would have two ladies pissed off at you, I would rather be chained in a pit with hungry rabid targs and covered in pork chops then to face those odds. I am a Doctor, not a fool. Science be damned! I would rather keep my mate happy Sir and that is what I'm going to do. "
Junjie stopped and glanced at the women who were staring him down and began to reconsider. " Doctor, I believe you have made a very valid point in which I may have overlooked in my curiosity. It seems my timing was a bit in error to ask for you aid in a experiment which should be put off for a much later date and because I don't want the ladies coming after me. I concede the point because I am not a fool either and want to make it home in one piece. " He looked back at the women and hoped the ladies forgave him for his over eagerness.
Tamaska just shook her head, "You will be forgiven once you cook dinner." then she flashed a big smile. "Okay let's go dear, it is time to leave them alone to go on their hunt. I am looking forward to getting these voles off the station. And they seem to be the ones who can do so." she paused and looked back at the two caitians. "You have also had quarters assigned to you, I am sure you would like that and to get settled in before you go on your hunt."
M'tara gave a nod, "You two have a good day as well." she looked at C'tora lets go see the quarters and then make our plans for the hunt, sound good love?" looking at C'tora and wrapping her arms around him.
C'Tora returned the gesture and pulled his mate in closer into an embrace and enjoyed the moment. He looked up as their host were beginning to walk away from them. " Commander, One last question please. I am curious to know who requested us for this assignment. and it's never good to leave a large cat curious. " He said with a toothy grin.
Tamaska turned and gave a grin, "Well I was part of the decision to see if we could get your help. And Captain Keiben also thought it to be a good idea. Hope you don't mind that we requested you." taking a look at the tall feline.
" Glad we could be of service. " Said C'Tora. " This will be a good opportunity for us to stock up on real meat. One can only eat so much replicated meat before it takes a toll on ones health, well if your a caitian that is. we only eat twice a day, at ten kilos per meal. So the more we catch, the longer our supplies will last us. Oh, and commander if you have a dire emergency on the station and require two extra doctors in your medical center, give us a call. I really hope nothing like that is needed though. We really should get unpacked and start scouting out where we'll begin our hunt. "
Tamaska gave a nod, "I will keep that in mind." turning to Junji she said. "okay love shall we? ou and I have some plans to make of our own, and that is to tie the knot as it were."
M'tara looked at the XO of SB21 "Just how long will that take? Caitians do not do long long courtship. We find the one and we do not waste any time to get married." her arm going around C'Tora's waist. " We knew right after getting acquainted that we were both meant to be."
C'Tora reached forward and pulled M'Tara closer and gave a contented purr as he did so, His tail entwined with hers as he gazed into her eyes. " From the moment I met her I knew she was the one for me, it was as if I had known her all of my life. I have never felt so content or complete in my life, and I always will so long as I have her by my side. " He looked to the Science officer. " I can see in your heart that you feel the same way for her as I do about my M'Tara. Never let her go and you'll be a happy man. "
Junjie lokked to Tamaska. " No worries there Doctor. She is the love of my life and my soul mate and I want us to grow old together and have a fulfilled life with many happy experiences and memories, and what ever life brings us we will handle it together. "
M'tara gave a knowing smile towards C'tora then looked at Tamaska. "Yes, finding the one who will be your forever mate and one who you are able to be with through thick and thin is a good thing. Don't wait too long, though you two are already mated for life, make it permanent." M'tara gave one more smile towards the other couple and then drew C'tora in another direction.
Tamaska watched as the two Caitians went on their way. "Let's hope that they will be successful, I am sure they will be. I am glad that they are willing to come help out."
Junjie chuckled. " Tamaska my love, I believe I can safely say that everyone on this station is happy that they're willing to help out. I'll even help load them onto a ship to get those disgusting things out of here. " A vole darted in front of them as if it were waiting for it's cue. Junjie kicked at it but missed it. " I will indeed be happy to see those things gone from the station. " Looking forward to the day that he will never see a vole again.
temporary quarters
M'tara looked at the place where she and C'Tora were going to be staying for the time being. "This looks lovely, now when do you want to start the hunt." giving a feline grin. "I am looking forward to this."
C'Tora looked about the room. "Your right, This room is rather nice. I think this might be one of the V.I.P. rooms, Either it's the only place they had to put us or they're vole problem is worse then we thought. " C'Tora opened his suitcase and pulled out his tactical vest and put it on, next he strapped on the hunting claws to his upper thigh and tucked in a type one phaser set on low stun setting, last but not the least a headlamp for lighting.
" M'Tara, I too am looking forward to our hunt together, in fact as soon as you change we can head out. I think Engineering would be a good place to start, You know how those critters love to chew on power couplings. I expect that they'll welcome us with open arms once they hear that we're here to remove the voles for them, we can snack on some of them while we hunt. " He said with a toothy grin.
"Ah yes dinner and entertainment." M'tara responded, and once she was ready, the two of them headed for engineering. There they found two females, Amalia Darcy and Shailyn Lothian checking on the stations power levels as well as communications.
"Blasted Voles, they chewed up the wiring once more. When do you think our pest control experts will be arriving?" Shailyn scoffed.
Amalia called out, "Teach how are things going on your end? Are we doing good with the power fluctuations? That last jaunt we took kind of took its toll on the station."
A string of curses that would make a marine blush came from the jeffries tube in response to Amalia's question. A fried vole hit the floor in front of the ladies. " That little turd nearly started a fire in here that could have knocked the power out for at least a day! Where the bloody hell are those pest control people they promised us?! They better damn well get here before these furry little bastards chew the entire station apart!! " Came Teach's response.
M'tara grinned, "We are here!" giving a toothy grin.
C'Tora crouched down by the jeffries tube and sniffed the air. " Do you smell that M'Tara my love? This area has had heavy travel use by the voles, we have our work cut out for us. " He wrinkled his nose at the scent of the burnt vole. " Flash frying voles is the worst way to prepare a vole and it makes the meat to dry and tough to eat. I hope they haven't done that to too many of them."
"Well then it is time for us to go inside, and I do hope we don't have trouble with not finding our little prizes." M'tara replied.
Amalia looked at the two large caitians. "Well just as long as we can stop their invasion I am all for it. I am tired of them coming in and giving me the eye. Its not a comfortable feeling. Especially when waking up and seeing one at the foot of my bed, acting like a puppy wanting food." rolling her eyes.
C'Tora nodded in agreement. " Well then we'll just go on in there and see what we can do to help you take care of that problem for you. But if you'd like we can leave your domesticated vole alone, I wouldn't want to eat your pet. " He said to Amelia. " Well then my love, shall we go in and see what type of tasty morsels we can harvest? Fresh meat is always the best you know. "
Amalia's eyes went wide at that comment. "Oh no no no I do not want that at all, if I want a companion, I would rather it be a cat that would snuggle or even a pup. Probably a cat though, would be wonderful." the woman smiled, "Much better than having a vole."
Shailyn gave a nod and smiled, "Though I would rather have a goat and be down on the planet." she responded.
M'tara looked at those there then she nudged her husband with her shoulder. "Let's get to it." giving a wave to those in engineering and then disappeared into the Jefferies tube. She had picked up a scent and she was ready to hunt.
" Right behind you my love." He said as he went in and reached out for the cover. " If you hear any roaring, think nothing of it. It frightens the prey briefly and lets us move in for the kill. If we need anything we'll use the combadges. " With that said he pulled the hatch cover closed and caught up to M'tara. "So are you ready for this M'tara? I'm looking forward to a good hunt and a bountiful harvest. "
"I am as well." her voice echoing but also having a purr to it. There was a squeak in front and M'tara went into hunting mode, and moved quickly after the vole that appeared in front of her and the chase was on....
The Jefferies tube came to a T section. M'Tara chased the vole going down the right passage and C'Tora saw movement to the right with several breeding pairs of voles. He pulled the MK 1 Phaser from his belt and set it at the lowest stun setting there was and fired and stunned the group of them. He knew the stun setting wouldn't effect any of the systems in here or effect the quality of the meat. He picked them up and knocked them on they're heads killing them and placing them into the stasis bag. He turned around and went back in the direction of M'Tara. " So how is it going my love? This place is thick with these voles, this might take us awhile. "
"I've bagged about 15 here. " M'tara stated while she was picking up the voles she had dealt with already. "Makes for a nice way to get rid of them, no blood spatter and making sure we don't mess up the tubes either. I think though that we need to fix something that the voles are attracted to and lure them there. What do you think love?"
C'Tora stroked his chin as he thought. " Well we'll need some scent lures placed in the jeffries tubes that lead to an open area where we can ambush them. But the lure must be able to be turned on and off as needed so we can clean up the area in between the ambushes so they don't suspect anything. It would be more effective that way and speed up the hunt. Excellent idea M'Tara. " As he leaned forward and kissed her. " I hope that was a good enough reward for your idea. " He grinned.
"yes it was, for now." giving a return smile and a kiss. then she thought some more of her idea. "how about we contact Junjie and get him to create a pheromone based scent that will attract these voles to a central location. Between you and I we should be able to come up with something and we've got plenty of voles to get that scent from. Like a Pied Piper of Hamlin sort of thing that is in human literature."
C'Tora was half lost in thought as M'tara spoke. " What? Huh? who is this Pied piper? And where is hamlin? If this person is so good at capturing these things, Why didn't Starfleet contact him? But Yes I do agree we need to talk with Junjie to help him create a pheromone base air spray that will lead our prey to us. Let's have a bite to eat and we'll go see Junjie. "
"I am in agreement, a bite to eat then go see him and get some help here."
TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO
Ensign M'Tara Kuroka
Medical, USS Andromeda
Lieutenant JG C'Tora Kuroka
Chief Medical Officer
USS Andromeda
