Post 261: Nature Calls

Stardate: 70627.1100
Title: Nature Calls
Author: N’Dura
Scene: Quarters – TC Blane/Arboretum
Time: Following “Shave and a Haircut”

TC moaned as the pounding in his head became louder and more insistent. Clamoring his way out of a REM four sleep into alertness to address the pounding, he realized that someone was outside his quarters banging on his door. Sunshine was pawing at the doors, as if trying to open them.

Sitting bolt upright, he pulled on a shirt and jumped into his pants. “Come!” he commanded and the doors opened to reveal a somewhat irate but very crisp looking Klingon.

“Good morning.” She said stepping through the threshold, her arms crossed in front of her chest.

For a moment, TC thought he was late, but glancing over at his chronometer, he realized that it was only 0 five hundred.

“You’re looking very … Klingon this morning.” He said, walking over to the replicator. “Want something?” he asked as he keyed in his favourite hot beverage.

“There have been complaints of a foul odor emanating from your quarters.” N’Dura said matter-of-factly.

Sunshine hung his head and skulked off towards the corner.

“Uh, yeah… I guess I’m going to have to stoop and scoop.” TC realized.

“I have a better idea.” N’Dura said. “Get dressed”, she suggested as she pulled a leather belt with silver studs from around her waist.

Bending to one knee, N’Dura placed the belt around Sunshine’s neck. TC breathed a sigh of release. Then she hooked a matching leash.

=^=

15 minutes later, they arrived at the Arboretum. The doors opened wide and they stepped through into a landscaping paradise. Sunshine reacted immediately to the smell of freshly watered soil and grass. He pulled hard on his leash. As far as this canine was concerned, this was doggy heaven.

“N’Dura?”

“Yes?”

“I can’t believe I didn’t think of this myself…” TC admitted.

N’Dura smiled. “There is a downside.” She said with a sigh.

“Really? I don’t see one.” TC answered letting Sunshine off his leash to answer the call of nature.

“I do.” She responded as she looked over TC's shoulder to watch Jariel Camen as he ran down the path from the other side of the Arboretum, hands flailing.

Lt. Cmdr. N’Dura
Chief of Security
USS Independence