[snip]

“Sorry Commander, I take my direction from you, and I wasn’t meaning to criticize at all, but I think that what we are doing here is a little more than being tourists. This isn’t just sightseeing, and like you, I expect some future Federation policy will come from it. Yes, don’t worry, I am recording everything down that I see and hear, and anything that can be inferred. As for the whys and the how’s, I’ll have to consult with someone more expert than me before writing my reports. And sorry again, but I get so excited by seeing such a native culture, untouched by Federation values, that I forget myself. I don’t like sentient beings suffering or being abused either, and despite all my training and all the politics, I agree that there are some things that can be plainly wrong on any level.”

Joe laughed and said, ” Ms. Meow don’t get me wrong. i intend to be more than a tourist. I simply plan on doing it more quietly. I was never meant to be a diplomat or anything close to it. I am all too often a bit rough around the edges. It’s the way I am. You are however I suspect have the same sorts of questions but a lot more empathy along with the professional training to draw conclusions from your observations. So don’t sell yourself short on drawing conclusions in your reports. At the moment you are the person star fleet has trained for this job. So, take my advice calm down and make your first mission a stellar performance.”

“Yes, thank you Sir,” Cara replied.

Cross was still holding onto Joe’s arm for dear life ‘’Say Cmdr,do you need to have an opinion on everything?’’ she asked ,this time her voice sounded hoarse.Her face was white as a sheet and the skin was clammy to the touch ,the miserable doctor was clearly fatigued, and there was scarcely enough strength left in her hoarse voice to gasp out ‘’ I,I hate to have to say this but I really need to sit down..even if its on the floor ‘’she broke out in a cold sweat, feeling the trickles of perspiration run down her clammy face.” .

“Shouldn’t we call the Merri for another doctor?” Cara asked.

Joe looked at Cross and concern in great abundance swept across his face. Probably too much concern for a public display but Joe had been so preoccupied by the doctor’s bad behavior that he had forgotten the conversations that he had had with Doctor Hunter about her health.

Joe took Cross’ hands and looked into her exhausted bleary eyes.” Miri,” Joe half growled at her. When you get better and you will, I just want you to know that I intend to put you across my lap and give you a good spanking. “This last was delivered with the smallest of a mischievous smile.

Cross pretended to be annoyed but when she realized what they were saying the doctor frowned.

Joe turned to Cara then as his arm went about Cross to keep her from falling. “Actually, I think it would be best to get the good doctor to the sick bay. What’s ailing her needs a bit more than a quick hypo.” Joe went then to try to grab his communicator but seemed to have his hands full with keeping Cross from falling so he said to Cara,” Would you be so kind as to call up the captain, apprise him of the situation and ask his advice for me?”

“I was instructed to leave my communicator on the shuttle!” Cara reminded him. “But Lance should have one for emergencies. We were also told not to use the Transporter unless it was an emergency. I guess this counts as one though!”

-Cara Meow, Ship’s Anthropologist and Sociologist.

‘’What ! We are not even suppose to bring our communicators remember? ‘’ Cross whispered ,apparently Cross could still rationalize despite feeling ill ‘’ Don’t call the Captain, in fact don’t do anything except help me find a place to sit, some water and it shall pass it happened before …no need to alarm yourselves ‘’ the female doctor shook her head in disbelieve.

Cross understood they where trying to help but in doing so they seemed to have forgotten that they were meant to show as little as possible of their technology.

Even in her present state Cross managed to smile ‘’Hey guys just pull yourselves together the sky ain’t falling just yet’‘.

Sal came over as the two groups parents and their children moved off to do something else. “..Is everything ok with your doctor? If she is unwell somehow we can get a drink from inside the schooling areas. While we continue our tour if you wish?” She asked.

GM CockRoach