An original serialized story inspired by the USS Aurora and it's crew.

He opened his eyes lazily, the unfocused glare of bright colors making Baph realize he wasn't in his quarters on his bunk at all. It wasn't Risa, that had been his choice of leave more than three weeks ago, and it definitely wasn't the ship's brig, where he'd ended up for the last week of his leave after some... Complications... arose on the pleasure planet that sent him back to the Aurora earlier than planned.

~So, where am I, then?~ he thought to himself as he allowed his vision to clear.

Sitting up, the Gorn's multi-faceted eyes took in the patterns and textures of a forested swath, a bushy tuft of grass his bed and his Starfleet Marine duty jacket having sufficed as a blanket. His vision took in the vibrant colors of reds mixed with the greens and browns of the trees with their bracken and fungi that surrounded him, and he could feel that the air was damp and chill. Pulling on his jacket, and ensuring his Sergeant's pips and comm badge were properly placed and aligned, his tongue flicked out to scent the air taking in something more familiar with the strange landscape he had suddenly found himself in. Rising and then roaming about he found the source of recognition on the form of Lieutenant Rennie, the Lippowai, that their human crewmates often teased by referring to him as Hassenfeffer when he wasn't within ear-shot. The science officer was hopping from one foot to the other, yelling irately at what appeared to be a cross between an Antican and Caitian that was licking it's muzzle and gazing at the rabbit-like scientist with hungry eyes.

"I told you," Rennie berated the bipedal wolfish form that was advancing on him, "I won't be bothered with you OR the pigs you claim I owe money to! Now get out of my way, before you cause me to be late!"

With open maw, in a feral leap toward the Lieutanant, the creature was caught by the scruff in Baph's powerful grip. "Easy there, stranger. I can't let you harm the chief Science Officer. He's a member of my crew, under my protection." With a casual toss, the Gorn let go Rennie's would-be assailant so that the wolfish beast tumbled away into a soft patch of grass.

"The pigs'll SMOKE you, for this!" the creature snarled as he rose onto his hindpaws, pointing in the direction of the Aurora crew members, "And dance on your carcass after Red feasts on your heart!"

Without another word, the Lippowai and Gorn looked from the form of the retreating figure to one another. Rennie straightened his blue tunic and gave Baph a wide grin as his lilting accent formed around the words, "Well met, Sergeant! Care to see me to try to find the Bridge? The captain has called for me twice already, and I am not looking to an earful."

"Certainly." came the soft hiss or reply, as Baph took in their surroundings, "But are we even on the ship, Lieutenant?"

(To be continued...)

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