*Acting* Ensign David J Quest "STowaway"

[Ambassador Moose 0]

*Acting* Ensign David J Quest "Stowaway"

 

He hadn't thought it would be so easy; but, finding a hiding place in the Creme Brule was actually a piece of cake. The hard part was slipping past the Captain's Yeoman, who was charged with the loading of the Captain's gear and that of the other's who would be leaving with him. 'Shadow' helped . David made the excuse to the Yeoman that he was looking for Moose to say goodby, while Shadow slipped off and discreetly left a *puppy surprise* in a spot that would most certainly be noticed by someone's olfactory senses rather quickly. When David and Shadow started to leave; having been told the Captain was concluding his farewells on the bridge; it had only taken a moment for Yeoman Bleeth to be drawn away from the shuttle to find the unpleasant *gift* from the dog. In those moments, David and Shadow slipped unnoticed aboard the Creme Brule.

 

Naturally, the pup's act was simply a coincidental call of nature; but David chose to believe that his loyal companion had intentionally aided in his plan to go with Moose; whether Moose or Dana wanted him to or not. Afterall, once they reached their destination, what could be done about it? Moose was the closest thing to a father that David had ever known; and a father wouldn't send his son away......not when he understood how much David wanted to be with him.

 

Both boy and dog were greatly relieved when the Creme Brule landed in the alien ship, and the Captain and the others had debarked for quarters on board. The small space where they had secreted themselves tested both the boy's patience and the puppy's alike....not to mention their bodily controls. David and Shadow unwound themselves from each other, and each took care of immediate needs; David, scrambling into the small *head* on the shuttle; Shadow simple squatting in place and looking toward David with shameful and apologetic eyes.

 

David had made the decision that he and Shadow would make their trip to where ever Moose was going by staying in the shuttle. He knew nothing of the alien ship, and he assumed that no one would be checking the shuttle during the voyage. He knew how to bring minimal power online to allow for use of the little craft's small replicator, and by opening certain venting systems, he could easily use the life support of the big ship for breathing. It was highly unlikely that they would shut down lifesupport and gravity to the shuttle bay, where David had seen many crewmembers working on other types of small craft belonging to the the big alien starship. And, the activity in the shuttle bay would also insure against any one on the ship's bridge from detecting the small power surges when David and Shadow required anything from the replicator. David was in the cat bird's seat.

 

The two stowaways had barely completed their first meal when David felt a familiar vibration that made it's way all the way to the deck plates of the Creme Brule. The alien starship was preparing to go into warp drive. He grinned with excitement and scratched the top of the puppy's head; right around the base of the small horn in the dog's forehead; right where Shadow liked it. "This is it boy!" Feeling his master's excitement, Shadow barked and began a little puppy dance; tail wagging furiously.

 

David fought down the nearly uncontrolable desire to reach out with his mind and touch Moose. He not only knew that Moose trusted him never to do that; but he was not sure if there were any other telepaths aboard the ship, and he did not wish to give himself away; not while they were still so close to the Arcadia, and the possibility of making him go back. Instead, he just took a deep breath and held it while the great ship leaped into warp drive.

 

The pain that blasted through his skull brought forth an agonizing scream......not from his lips........from his tortured mind.

 

...............................