Lt.(jg) Dr. Toz: Giving up on trees

[Patty Boyle]

((Deep Space 14 Arboretum)) 

The look on Peri’s face reflected what Toz thought. Now that she really thought about it: this guide wasn’t all that friendly and didn’t seem to want to be there. And that pizza seemed to be calling her name. Maybe it had a Greek accent… 

Katsim: I am fine either way.  

Toz turned in a circle. She was taking in the trees that were giving off the smell of a forest. A memory flashed through her mind. She’d gone off on her own during one of the ‘camping’ trips her mother was fond of. Alone, she followed a river upstream until she got tired. Laying down to rest, she’d fallen asleep and awoke to birds singing, a chipmunk waking and scrambling away from her side, the short tail sticking straight up. Happy with the sun shining though the trees, she’d gotten up then walked leisurely downstream to the sound of her mother calling for her. She wished she could remember more. It had been a pleasant memory. 

While she wanted to stay and wander through the arboretum, she didn’t want to stay any longer with this particular guide. Besides, she didn’t want to get bitten by something dangerous. 

Toz: Let’s go get some of that Greek food.

Guide/Nis: response

Katsim: Please lead on. 

Guide/Nis: Response

((10 minutes later - Greek Island Bistro))

Walking into the cafe, Toz was delighted to see they had Pizza! She made the rounds of the buffet, picking out three slices of what was billed as “Art’s Mistake Pizza” with various meats and cheeses and  a small salad of something that was varied in color and odor then made her way to a table not far away. 

The three of them soon were seated and eating, conversation taking a back seat.

END for Toz

Lt.(jg) Doctor Toz

Acting Chief Medical Officer 

USS Octavia E Butler

T239801T14