S3, Ep2 - Dogma, Truth and the Wheel of Fate

[Capt Grab Foot Of~Two Dawns]

As he entered the last of his codes and felt the deck tremble as the auxiliary core was ejected, he turned and saw the middle finger gesture Kate gave him and he knew it was a sarcastic gesture that humans made when they didn't like what someone else said

He shrugged and ignored the gesture, rather then comment on it and watched as Kate fixed a screen to show the core now being pulled along with the Asteroid, saying something about fixing "our mess" . He wondered what the heck she was talking about but then perhaps it as better that he didn't know. He then saw a beam of light headed toward the ejected core. At first he thought it was from the defector dish, but then he knew the deflector dish was not operational. Then he realized Kate was trying to do something, like use the ejected core to destroy, or at least deflect the asteroid away from the doomed planet

His eyes widened and his tail stiffened as he then thought the explosion that will most likely rip open a small black hole and shake things up a bit more. "Not good.."he muttered to himself and then saw Kate wedge herself between a console and the bulkhead in preparation. His whiskers twitched in irritation. As the trembling got worse, he was spurred into action. He looked to see just enough space for him to squeeze in with Kate. He didn't like the idea, but he liked the idea of being bounced from wall to wall in engineering even less

Hoping he is not making his final command, he yelled "All Hands, Brace for Impact"!! to those that were within ear shot, both in engineering and on internal com. He didn't have time to explain what was about to happen. He then squeezed himself in between the bulkhead and the console..barely.. and waited for all the shaking and explosions to stop

Unbidden, two thoughts came to mind. the Shields! Then he thought the shields sprang to life as soon as the Terrasect started getting hailed on by the asteroid and if he could look at a sensors reading of them, they would have so many holes, it would look like what human call swiss cheese. The other thought was that he hoped that the moon that we're orbiting can shield us from the explosion and/or from the black hole effect that the explosion will inevitably cause

[gengrant]

Location: Main Engineering

As Sam’s armed reached maximum distance to deliver a devastating double fisted ‘ax-handle-smash’, he hesitated again, not sure of what he was seeing before him. In that split second, Kate had enough time to make her move, and a painful move she did, catching Sam in the groin causing him to recoil up off her and back onto the deck…again. “Ya know, I’m getting sick of meeting like this…” he spat as he met the decking, referring to the same.

Ignorant of what was going on around, for multiple reasons, Lt. Cmdr. Grant had no idea of the reasoning for Kate’s actions, nor of the situation befalling the Terrasect. The communications down, and the damaged suffered from the phasing, had truly caught him not at his best. As the Terrasect shuttered under the jettison of the auxiliary core, Sam tried to stand up. He saw Kate, and Grabfoot snuggled in with her. He saw Major Kinesly issuing orders trying to keep the Terrasect together. Sam saw Colina, the good doctor, working on the injured; but he was still grasping with what had happened.

As he got to his feet, there was a shutter from the explosion of the core, enough to shake the crew but also muffled at the same time. With the fight having gone on for several minutes, Sam began to feel some of his injuries and his mind began to clear… albeit only marginally. Samuel’s breath came labored, as his broken ribs finally made themselves known, and he embraced them with his left arm.

Location: Main Engineering

[gengrant]

*** ^^^ Terrasect Story / Action ^^^ ***

Outside of the Terrasect, the Auxiliary Core explosion did just what the Drak’s had hoped. The explosion caused a temporary rift in subspace absorbing the bulk of the huge explosion, the Terrasect was rocked by a mere 2.1 shockwave (comparable to a Photon Torpedo hit to a full-strength shield), suffering only minor damage. The asteroid that was plaguing the pre-warp planet disappeared with it, whether an accident or planned outcome from the Drak’s plan, the Terrasect Crew couldn’t say for sure at this time.

Small fragments of the asteroid hit against the Terrasect’s shields, the moon they were orbiting and the remainder burnt up in the planets atmosphere. It was going to require an interesting explanation to Starfleet Command about all that occurred. With the planet, the Terrasect, her crew and in some aspects the Prime Directive safe, focus had to return to more pressing matters.

The Terrasect was going to need repairs to be space worthy again, which could be done ‘at sea’ by the Engineers. Information regarding the Terrasect’s command situation needed to be passed along and dealt with. In addition, both of the Drak aboard, Kate and Ann, had to be dealt with too. There was a good amount of work to do and decisions to be made.

[gengrant]

OOC NOTE:

I just wanted to say that I’ve been contacted (email and PM) by some of the crew letting me know that there would be ‘delays’ in their posts for one reason or another; all real life issues. This is perfectly fine and understandable, I really appreciate being informed! So please remember to read and take into account the information contained within the post, not the order it’s posted in. As some people may have to make up for several posts at a time, all I ask is that we don’t ‘punish or insult’ any character/crewmember for being delayed in their posting. Some peopel are only able to post 2 or 3 times a week; if that.

It’s a risk we run, posting and simming as quickly as we have been (which I personally prefer and enjoy), that sometimes the story may move past a character in between their posts. The only time that this won’t occur is if the character is part of a ‘critical story requirement’, then we won’t move forward (example: Captain Harsting disappearing and us trying to figure out what happened). So, if there are any issues, please feel free to email me or PM me and we’ll work it out.

Thanks again, I think we’ve been doing great; it’ll be interesting to see where we go from here!

Dismissed!

[gengrant]

Location: Main Engineering

As the ever reliable Major Kinesly daftly repaired several critical systems, additional damage repair crews and security personnel responded their positions and damaged sections of the Terrasect. Three separate Security Teams, plus a detachment of Marines, arrived in Main Engineering. Since the situation aboard the USS Bull Run several years ago, Sam had always made Main Engineering a ‘top priority’ for security details.

They immediately began assisting Doctor MacAuley with the wounded and several of them came over to where Sam was standing, after having retrieved his misplaced phaser, he stood in front of both Grabfoot and Kate. Still cradling his injured ribs with his left arm, he held his phaser with his right.

He looked down at Lt. Cmdr. Grabfoot “Mr. Grabfoot, if you would move please and give me a report on just what the hell is going on; I’d be in your debt…” he tried to smile, but it was lost as the blood from his mouth and nose stained his face. There was no anger towards Grabfoot in his voice, but Sam had felt like he’d just come out of a waking dream and was trying to regain his loosened marbles.

After hearing Grabfoot’s response to the events from the past several minutes, Sam raised an eyebrow and let out a small grunt. His head throbbed from the fight, but his mind felt bruised too; which he attributed to Kate’s actions in one way or another. With his, along with the 4 members of the security detail next to him, phaser aimed squarely at Kate’s nose, he spoke softly yet with conviction. “Now, I must say that I’m not sure about everything that has happened, but I’m going to listen to everyone’s explanation…” pausing momentarily for both dramatic affect and to wipe some of the blood from his mouth and nose “Yes; even yours.” His face squinted as he coughed involuntarily, the pain flared in his ribs “But until I know for sure, I expect you to wait in the Brig with these nice people.” he thrust a thumb to his flanking security staff.

Knowing that he’d just been told that she may have just very much saved the ship, her crew and countless other lives, he still had a job to do. He looked back at Grabfoot and gave him a dismissive look, not wanting him to interject at this time; his orders would stand. “We’ve fought the last two times we’ve met Kate, you haven’t exactly left the best taste in my mouth from those events. However, that being said, at the recommendation of some of the senior staff and Starfleet Regulations, I am required to give you due process and let you explain your actions; both against the Terrasect and her crew, along with your actions against Ann.” Sam nodded his head, and two of the officers stepped forward to assist Kate up and onto her feet. “I will meet with you in a few hours, let me get the Terrasect up and stable again; then you and I will talk, hopefully not resorting to fisticuffs again. Please take the time to relax and get something to eat, if you need anything, aside from weapons, let the guards know and they’ll bring it to you.”

Sam needed to get to the bottom of what had happened, and what was going on, but he needed to take care of the Terrasect first. He hoped Kate would just comply with the orders/request and save them from having another issue. As there was a chance that Kate maybe wasn’t the ‘bad guy’ in all this, he needed to give her the benefit of the doubt and talk to her. Sam turned away to talk to Lt. Cmdr. Grabfoot, but before saying anything to him, he looked back at Kate “By the way, nice tussle; it’s been a while since I was in a prize fight. A draw?” he smiled and returned to Grabfoot.

“Commander. Please assist in getting things squared away here; the Major will get the system repair assignments going and assigned. Please have all the senior staff meet me in the Observation Lounge in 30 minutes.”

Sam turned back and walked towards the Doctor “I guess you just can’t keep me away. Could you tell me if I broke any of the ribs, and help set my nose?” again, he tried to smile, but the looks were lost on him “There’s a meeting in 30 minutes in the observation lounge, we both need to be there; it’s kidna important…” he laughed, only a second though, as the gesture caused pain.

After a few minutes with Colina, Sam headed up towards the Bridge and into the Observation Lounge. Still smarting from the whole ordeal, he got a heavily Caffeinated drink from the replicator and gingerly sat down at the head chair; something he wasn’t accustomed too but was going to need to.

Location: Main Bridge; Observation Lounge

[Capt Grab Foot Of~Two Dawns]

Location: Main Engineering

The Blast wasn't as big as he normally thought it would be but he did feel the Terrasect shake with what little blast there was and the debris from the rest of the asteroid.

What caught his attention more was the smell of blood, of course, that scent was all over the place but not all blood smelled the same. He looked up just as Grant gingerly rose off the deck.. again after Kate had put him there and came over to input the codes she got from Grant. He noted he was bleeding again and had internal injuries.. again. He merely shook his head.

He also watched as a Marine team come into Engineering as walk over to the Doctor then back over toward him and Kate. He also noticed the phaser in his right hand. He wrinkled his nose involuntarily and spoke to Grant before he gave his report to him "As much as the smell of blood is appealing to me, Commander, it is better to keep your blood on the inside of your body, unless you are hunting up your dinner" He spiraled his tail in humor then glanced at the phaser in his hand "I don't think that is needed, sir. There is no immediate danger" Even though he knew Kate was mere inches away from him still huddled between the console and the wall.

After squeezing his way out and giving his report, he heard Grant talk to Kate, telling her that he expected her to wait in the Brig with "those nice people" , that is after he coughed in pain and almost spat up more blood. He scoffed, thinking that she would never do that. Again, he interjected, placing his hand on the phaser Grant had and forcefully lowering it "Is that really necessary, sir. Despite your feelings for her, she did help out and she saved the ship, on more then one occasion" he goes back and reminds him that it was Kate and Ann that had phased the ship and kept the ship from crashing onto the Asteroid. However, he did move, albeit reluctantly, so the officers can assist Kate to her feet

He then just stood there as Grant spoke to Kate more then when he made the comment "nice tussle. It's been awhile since he was in a prize fight. A draw?" He looped his tail so tight, it nearly cut off the circulation, looking very amused ~ "A draw?!!" he thought to himself "You're pulling my tail. I'm surprised she didn't put you IN the core before we ejected it!" ~ He knew he would have if he got the chance

He only thought all that before Grant had turned to him and asked if he could square things away around here. He merely shrugged his shoulder and commented "Sure, but I don't see what good I would be here. I'm not an engineer nor would I know how to fix anything around here" again, with the amused look. As he went back to over to Doctor MacAuley, he shook his head then tapped his comm badge "All Senior staff, report to the Observation Lounge in 30 minutes for a staff meeting"

He then stepped over to Major Kinsely and spoke with him briefly about the damages sustained all over the ship and what could be done about them. About 15 minutes later, he himself made his way back to the Bridge. After checking on Buford and Ann to see if they were alright, he stepped into the Observation lounge and waited for the others. He glanced at Grant, the smell of blood still on him but he shook his head and tried to ignore it

Location: Observation Lounge, just off the Main Bridge

[de9cpaterrasect]

Kate found her self next to the Furball. She thought why here and why next to her? She thought she rather be pee upon then being next to this. She felt sick and she wanted to through up and it wasn't because of the cat. She held on to what she could, Kate tried her best not to touch or be touched by Grab’Foot. Once the shaking stopped it wasn’t what she expected she was hesitant to stand up. As she expected more from the ‘BANG.’

As she was to try to said Grant had beat her to it. He started again with his arrogant ways, which turned her on but she wanted to kick his feet so he can be on the ground too. For the most part she heard what he had to say but she was more concern about being sick to her stomach. Kate went back on her thought that she might be witch child. She started to shake her head and saying under her breath. God no!

She thought it couldn’t be Grant since they haven’t had the chance to. Kate then thought it most is something else but she just gave a disgusted look as she remembered what she just did. She made the look when Grant had addressed her to go with these nice men. Weather if it was them he may thought she was making that face for him. Kate was too busy thinking why the hell she just helps a planet full of smurf. Cat’Tye is rubbing off on me! I need a shower……. She watched as Sammy walked away and she looked up at her escorts. Won’t you drop you guns and help me to a shower? I can think of better use for those. No? Yes? Or if you want she can join to! Kate said in a sarcastic way as she conveyed that the female security woman could join. She didn’t discriminated on gender.

She tried her very best to distract her mind from her scare. She had already forgotten about what had happen she was more worried about her self then anything else.

[ann]

OOC: Joint post with Buford B Hound

Buford watches the Core exploded and was surprised there wasn’t more shaking than what happened.

She watched the core and the asteroid go in to the small artificial singularity. It was rather quick but was still an interesting sight…she pondered to her self that. What had happen was certainly seen from the planet below. Next she needed to get her…self fix up mostly because having this Terrasect hull fused with her hands. Would only slow down the regeneration of the Bio Armor. She looked at whoever was on the deck and one was the only one she knew. Just as she was gonna call on Buford she saw Grant. He seemed really messed up and she had a great deal of an idea how he got that way. Her next thought was concern over Kate…as if it was a waste to but she was still family in whatever sadistic sense it had.

Buford turns to Ann and sees Grant go by "He looks like something the cat dragged in" he says to Ann "That wasn't a bad as I thought it be" he says

“Yah. Bugard? I think most of the action was on their end then ours.” Right as Grant left the Command deck in to the observation lounge…Mr. Grabfoot came in. She thought at least he came to see if they were okay. She was a bit bothered that Samuel didn’t see them but more so her. Ann’ tried to ignore it and pondered that he was busy is why she was ignored. “I guess there is a meeting but Bugard can you help me before you go to that meeting?”

"Looks that way" Buford says in agreement they got it worse then he sees Grab Foot enter then Go to the observation lounge he then hears Ann ask he could help her, "Of Course anything y'all need" he replies

“I think we need to be in the transporter room for this…” Ann’ pondered that be a long way but she realized there is one close by from the bridge to the senior crew quarters just by a ramp. She drags her arms as she started heading towards it. As if she almost forgot she called to Buford, “Oh, please join me! We’re going to the transporter room. I got an idea but I need your hands!” Ann’ said as she smiles.

Buford listens then secures his station, when he turns back Ann was heading to the Transporter room, she look back and smiles telling him to join her. Buford gets up "Y'all just tell me wut to do" he says as he follows Ann, in his mind he hopes she shan't been fused to that hull to long

Ones they got there she stepped on to the transporter pad. She then tells Buford to go a head to the controls. “I’m gonna explain to you what’s going to happen. My plan is to transport me in to the Terrasect’s Main Computer buffer. Where I hope you can separate my pattern from the fused metal fragments. Then retransform me on the transporter pad with me on one pad and the Terrasect hull on the other. Hopefully this would work or this is gonna be my fair well to you my sweet Bugard.” She made a small joke about dying but she was also serious. She didn’t want to tell him that this might not work but she need to be all together so she can crash the meeting. She needed to know what happened down there and what will happen to them after seeing the sh!t of Grant’s appearance.

Buford listens, his Ears raise when she says, “this is gonna be my fair well to you my sweet Bugard.”

Buford looks at Ann but he sense her joke, but that she worried as well "Here we go" he says as he transports Ann in to the Terrasect's Main Computer buffer, then he works to separate her pattern from the fused metal fragments, after a several seconds that seemed like a life time to Buford he Transported Ann back to the pad

Buford held his breath waiting for Ann to rematerialize

Ann’ watched as the room fade away along with Buford…next she would her self right back at where she was. She had notice her suit had re folded over her body and then did a system’s check. Before she could react to the armor it then folded back in to her body. She looked at her hands and it was bleeding but not to far from that it would quickly just be bruises as she would regenerate.

Buford sees Ann reappear her Armor was over her Body then a few seconds later it folded back in her body.

Buford breathed a sigh of relief "It worked" he says then he sees her hands bleeding "Ann" he says as he walks up to her "Your hands are bleeding your not hurt bad are y'all" he asks with concern in his voice

As soon as Buford came to her…Ann’s hands were already almost healed. She leaned towards him and kisses him on the cheek and then exited the transporter room. She then headed towards the observation lounge. Ann’ planned to be in that meeting regardless if she isn’t officially on the Terrasect as crew.

[de9cpaterrasect]

She had already for got about what had happen she was more worried about her self then anything else. While walking with her honored guard, Kate could help but check out the rears of the males in front of her. She loudly compared theirs from Grants. I like them firm something nice to hold on to with full… While she gestures that with her hands, quickly after that she suddenly fell forward on to the wall. She held on and then to her stomach. She kneels to the ground and vomits.

She had wished that this she experiencing wasn’t morning sickness. Next she thought if this were Grant’s baby she would be very eager to kick him again in the crotch. If she was date raped or something he could have simply asked so at least she was there to remember what happened. Most of these thought were more just random. She knew that there wouldn’t be any other way unless its…No, Borg boy and me and had…I don’t want that dorks child!

She wipes the crap from her mouth, she then in turn wiped the rest from her arm on to the female security officer. Kate went with the security detail to the brig. It was something she knew that she was going to see at some point. As Kate had lived with the humans before and not from the Earth she’s from but on another Federation starship, the Vindicator. She knew of the costumes and didn’t try to flee as she could easily do. No force fields or walls could contain her.

Most of the time she pretended that these things would stop her. It was only because she didn’t want anyone to know she got away or could get away. Mostly that Terrasect is home even if the brig would be that. It was better that then the hells of what happed to the rest of her kind.

[MCapt. Charlie Greathouse]

Delet

[Lt Buford B. Hound]

Buford sees Ann's hands are almost healed, Ann then leaned toward him and kisses him on his cheek, Buford Tail wags

He watches Ann head for the observation lounge, he follows her, he has no intent on stopping her has she and Kate helped save this ship and planet, they have as much right to know whats going on as the rest of us

[gengrant]

Location: Main Bridge; Observation Lounge

Sam had taken a few hefty drudges from his glass, injured or not, he felt the comforting warmth swell within him. Sooner or later, he was gonna be down with the good Doctor again, trying to be put back together; but before that he had to tie up a few things.

In front of him sat a PADD, witch contained; new orders, investigative notes, narratives, system reports, damage reports, casualty reports, etc… He could barely look at it right now, he purposefully placed it upside on the table. There were many things going through his mind, what were they to do about the Terrasect? About Ann and Kate? About Captain Harsting? The chair he occupied seemed so overwhelming, he shuttered inwardly at the thought.

As he raised his glass to take another drink, Lt. Cmdr. Grabfoot entered the observation lounge. “Commander,” he said with a slight smile, “please.” As he motioned to the seat directly to his right “You’ll have to forgive my appearance, I’ve had a rough day…” a grin was all he could manage.

Before anyone else had arrived, Sam wanted to make sure that Lt. Cmdr. Grabfoot was brought up to speed regarding the Terrasect’s command situation. Although he wasn’t going to go into detail at this particular moment, he did need to show Grabfoot the orders adjusting the ship’s command tree; even if it was only temporary. He turned over the PADD that was in front of him so that Grabfoot could read the top page, the page contained simple wording; “As of this stardate, the USS Terrasect is now under the temporary command of Lt. Cmdr. Samuel J. Grant, acting Executive Officer is Lt. Cmdr. Grabfoot.”

Watching as Grabfoot read the PADD, he spoke smoothly, “You do have the option to decline, but please decide quickly.” He didn’t think that he would turn it down, but he wanted to be fair and open. Sensing his decision, even before he announced it, Samuel leaned back in his chair “Your job will be to be my ‘devils advocate’ and point out any errors I make or am about too…” pausing a moment “much like you do anyway.” He tried smiling “However, I will not tolerate blatant insubordination or ignorance of my orders. I run a fair ship, but I don’t like being ‘drug over the coals’ for no reason.”

Sam knew that the rest of the crew would be arriving any minute and reached his hand out to the Lt. Cmdr. to shake it out of positional respect, professionally saying “I always found it helpful to remember; ‘you salute the rank, not the man.[/i]’” He knew there was animosity between them, but they were both professionals in their own right.

As Sam went to take another drink, the Observation Lounge doors opened. “Oh Feth…” was all he got out, as Ann walked in. He slowly replaced his cup on the table and placed his hand over his head, rubbing his forehead. “Ann,” he started “now isn’t really the best time.” He removed his hand from his head, and used it to hold his chin up and he leaned forward on the table “What are the chances we can talk later; Kate’s got a room all to herself down in the Brig…” waiving a dismissive hand “Hell, she’s not even locked in; whether that’ll work or not. I just don’t know of any available quarters that are useable right now…”

Sam had planned on talking to both Ann and Kate, either together or separately, after he spoke to the senior staff; however part of him knew that one of them was likely to ‘peak into’ the meeting at some point. He waited for the rest of the senior staff to arrive.

Location: Main Bridge; Observation Lounge

[ann]

She just arrived at the observation lounge…weather she was accepted or not she planned to be in it. She sees Mr. Grabfoot then Grant as he said,
“Ann, now isn’t really the best time. What are the chances we can talk later; Kate’s got a room all to herself down in the Brig…” As Ann’ was to say something Samuel kept talking and waving her off. “Hell, she’s not even locked in; whether that’ll work or not. I just don’t know of any available quarters that are useable right now…” She moves her head back and fort between Mr. Grabfoot and Samuel…she wasn’t excepting the ‘shuo away, bull sh!t.’

“None…and no, it wouldn’t. Since she's in the Brig and not dead this time around…I plan to be in this meeting. Since Kate and I just risk my life for this vessel ones again.” Again meaning herself more then Kate…as she was still pondering as to why Kate even helped… “I do it because I care but I will not be fracking shhhed away because you don’t feel so well. Or if Kate fracked you up and in addition I don’t think this crew is in the condition to escort me out of this room. I may have sustained lasting damage but I am still dangerous…and you can take this as you like. As I am not moving from this spot. ”

Ann’ said it in a non-threatening way but she wanted to be firm. Samuel was a good man but there were times he is too used to on having people to follow his orders. At this moment she rather hear the Terrasect’s side before taking Kate’s. As she knew of her she would make it sound really bad and in turn make Ann’ upset. Ether at Kate or the Terrasect or even both…her logic was that it was better to hear those crewmen in engineering first or Grant's. Mostly more of since he looks like Kate did a number on him or something had, which ever the case.

[Lt Buford B. Hound]

Buford entered right behind Ann, and started to salute Grant, when he heard him talking, he just looked at Grant as he waved Ann off.

Then Ann replied to him, as Buford stood their, when she was done he Saluted Granted

"And with all do respect Sir! if you order her out, I will not remove her!" he says "Ann and Kate saved this Ship its crew that planet and its people, she as the right to be here" he says

As for Kate having no quarters she can use mine till we find quarters for her, I can sleep anywhere" he says, as he takes a seat

[Capt Grab Foot Of~Two Dawns]

He gave a nod to Grant as he acknowledged his entrance then motioned to a seat to his right, indicating he wanted him to sit. He heard his "forgive my appearance, I've had a rough day" As he walked over, he nodded, commenting "As we all have, with the ship almost being destroyed by that rock out there" and he also thought ~ no thanks to you when you were playing around with Kate when she was trying to eject the core ~ but he kept that to himself

He sat down and a PADD was placed in front of him, he read what was on it: “As of this stardate, the USS Terrasect is now under the temporary command of Lt. Cmdr. Samuel J. Grant, acting Executive Officer is Lt. Cmdr. Grabfoot.” then Grant's comment “You do have the option to decline, but please decide quickly.”

He gave a side ways glance to Grant, almost giving him a "are you crazy" look " "I have no need to decide on whether to be Acting First Officer. I would be foolish not to accept such an assignment" ~ even if I do have a fool for a Acting CO ~ he thought to himself. He continued to listen to his words as he went on. He was about to remind him that he already points out his mistakes and attempts to make better suggestions when Grant said he done as such already. His tail spiraled slightly in humor

He then spoke up "As you know, Mr. Grant. I am not the type to commit to blatant insubordination. If I feel your orders make sense then I will follow them with no question, but if I feel I may have a better suggestion, I will speak up and present it to you. If I feel you need to be "raked over the coals, as you aptly put, then I will also have no hesitation to do so" He said the last bit with humor in his voice

He was surprised that Grant extended his hand to shake but he extended his own hand and placed it in Grant's "For me, I salute those who earn it." His look into Grant's eyes booked no question that he was not serious. Despite his personal feelings, he set those aside for the good of the ship

He heard the TL doors open and he turned to see Ann walk in. He noted that she had gotten her armor to fully retract back within herself, which is good. Then he saw Buford come in, hot on Ann's heels. He looked amused, but only for a moment

He turned to look back at Grant and saw his gesture of dismissal, and heard it in his tone when he said that maybe this wasn't the best time to talk to her. He shook his head in an irritated manner and heard Ann's response. His tail spiraled into another helix as she basically told him that whether he liked it or not, that she was staying

He spoke up just after Ann "Sir, need I remind you again that it was Ann AND Kate are the ones that have kept this ship in one piece and not strewn all over the Asteroid? and you thank them by being rude and throwing one of them in the brig, that is after trying to beat Kate into submission, which I think she enjoyed by the way. Personally, I think they have as much right in being here as the rest of the crew"

For a moment, he was surprised that he was defending Kate, especially after what she had done the last time. He then heard Buford's comments and he gave him a somewhat surprised look as he had basically repeated what he had said. he was also about to suggest that Kate could use his quarters, if need be. He shook his head, more surprised that it seemed the canine officer was thinking the same things he is thinking. Scary!