Lt. Parvana - "Now We Know"

[Amanda Nordstrom]

((Starbase 118 Ops - Habitat Dome))
 
A distant wailing had spurred Parvana to turn away from the lift that had opened up so she could take a ride to a different part of the station and, instead, turn in the opposite direction and seek out the source of the noise.  That source had been a child, one who was not alone but accompanied by a somewhat familiar face.  She’d met the man previously, but it really wasn’t a good time for pleasantries.  The child was distinctly distraught and he made the claim that his parents were gone and a monster used them to satisfy its hunger.  That meant an investigation. 
 
Parvana: Talas, why don’t you stay here with Nell?  I’ll go in and take a look, hmm?
 
Talas nodded and put his arm on Nell’s shoulder, a gesture that would hopefully comfort the child.  .
 
Talas: Lieutenant Parvana will found the monster, don’t you worry.
 
The doors opened and the child shrunk back, using the Bajoran officer as a shield.  Once the doors were set to prevent their closing, Parvana took one step forward, stopping upon the threshold, the tip of her tail twitching, both ears tilted forward.  From within, something was certainly making a noise.  There was a distinct growl and a sort of snorting that accompanied it.  Before Parvana could take another step, Talas spoke. 
 
Talas: Perhaps we should both go in?
 
Parvana: I do not believe it would be wise to leave Nell here alone.
 
Nor would the child surely want to be alone.  The solution presented itself in the form of another adult, the curiosity upon her face indication that she, too, had heard Nell’s wailing and had wondered what was going on.  Immediately, Talas flagged the crewman down.
 
Talas: Crewman, could you look after Nell here, while we investigate?
 
Convincing Nell to let him go, however, was quite another matter.  Talas knelt in an attempt to soothe him. 
 
Talas: Don’t worry, you’re safe now.
 
Nell didn’t seem so certain, but he allowed himself to be placed in the other woman’s care and she slipped his hand into hers.  A frown furrowed her brow as she watched the duo finally face the door. 
 
Parvana:  Shall we proceed?
 
Talas: I guess we should
 
Together, they passed through the doorway.  What they found seemed normal, certainly nothing untoward.  There was a sitting area, a small kitchen with a dining table and four chairs.  Rooms flanked both sides, along with a bathroom.  Standard fare for a family on the base.  It was a large apartment, roomy, a distinct advantage over a starship.  The sounds continued, originating off to their left.  
 
Parvana: That is certainly...different.
 
Talas: It sounds like an animal
 
Parvana: It does indeed.
 
But what kind of animal?  There were all sorts in all the universe that could make similar sounds.  Parvana was not a biologist or zoologist, and could not distinguish anything other than the fact it did not sound to be anything native to her own home.  Talas took point and approached the door.  He started to lean forward, though to what end, Parvana couldn’t fathom.  The doors parted and he stiffened, then darted off to the side, which m
 
He darted to the side and the doors shut again, closing off whatever was inside. 
 
Talas: Ok ::breathing out rapidly:: there is something in there. I think I saw the parents, they don’t look injured, may just be knocked out.
 
Well, that was promising at least.  The question was, what was in there with  them that would have caused them to go unconscious? 

Parvana: Did you see a creature?
 
Talas: ?
 
Well, that wasn’t as much help as she had hoped for, but at least they knew the parents were there.  Were they completely all right?  She hoped so, for Nell’s sake . Parvana pondered the situation.  If there was something there, perhaps it meant no harm to the parents.  Then again, why would they be knocked out?  It was certainly a conundrum.
 
Parvana: I’m going to go in.
 
Cautiously, Parvana crept forward, her tail swishing from side to side.  She crouched down a little, ready to spring into action of need be, her claws unsheathing, then resheathing in anticipation.    Quickly, she darted forward, skimming past the doors when they were barely opened enough to allow her through.  Her eyes darted through the room  and alighted upon...a cage!  And in that cage...oh dear. 

Without another moment to lose, Parvana turned right back around and hurried back through before she could take another breath, stopping just beyond Talas, then turning back.
 
Parvana: Well, good news.  The parents are fine, they are not dead, simply sleeping.  The bad news is, they have a Kuu’rrava. 
 
Talas: ?
 
And there, at least, was a creature that she did know about.  The question was, what were they doing with one? 

Parvana: It’s a creature from my home world.  They are small, about the size of a terran housecat and are plant eaters.  However, one of the ways they help protect themselves is through the emission of a pheromone that puts predators to sleep. It is especially potent in pregnant females.  I believe that is the case here, and she is frightened.
 
And why wouldn’t she be?  She was away from her natural habitat and stuck in cage. 
 
Talas: ?

-- 
Lt. Parvana
Science Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
al...@blar.net
M239008AD0