Subject:     RPG Atreydes what's good for the goose....

Romulan Neutral Zone
Hovering over the planet Garidia
The smuggler Triumph


    Atreydes grinned sourly. They said confession was good for the soul, but they forgot to add that it was Hell on the nerves. Especially since they were currently hovering above the north magnetic pole of the Garidian homeworld to avoid detection from the Romulan scouts. It seemed that Scott's sin was glaring back at him from that ugly lump of rock.
     He wasn't the only one sending off tense signals, Chi and Glawen had taken off from their incesscant stream of jokes and puns, and even Tracie had had enough sense to keep her mouth shut. They were all sitting in the dark, with only the Garidian blody sun and the stars for light. Upon detection of the Romulans they had powered down all systems. They had non mechanical air recyclers to keep the air breathable, and for the moment were safe enough. The rendesvous was still not for another hour and a half, and the patrol was expected. So panicking wasn't an option...at least not yet. It was a good thing to keep an open mind about hysteria-you never knew when it could be handy.
      Trey fidgeted uncomfortably, as Tracie looked at him. There were things that could be done while the system was offline, but noone seemed overly inclined to get to them. He for one would rather not have the object of all his present misery staring him in his face. He didn't really want to sit there staring at Garidia either. He half rose.
      Instantly Ty's glow worm eyes slashed to his face. The heavy gaze locked down on him, and for a moment Trey almost fell back into his seat. He felt the pressure, the demand that he yield-sit back down and not do anything. He saw the doubt of his ability to handle the pressure of this mission reflected in his friends' eyes.
       Well maybe he _couldn't_ handle this, but he'd never find out sitting on his hands out here. Trey tried to fight off the glare, tried to shrug off the doubts and the demands. He raised himself to his full height and ignoring the raised eyebrows, grinned coldly and left for the back room. He then began to deliberately and methodically rip the panel from its moorings and vent his frustrations in repairing the cloaking buffers. 
        As he expected, soon after Ty entered. Trey could tell <although he refused to look> that this was not a happy purple shag rug. Scott just burrowed furhter into the panel and entertained the notion that if he ignored the Mendalkir, it would just go away.
         "Well?" Ty rumbled, dashing that hope. Enthusiasm sprang eternal, but nothing dashed it more than a dose of reality.
          "Well" Trey began casually enough, mutering into the buffer. "repairs on the buffer should be done before we head out for our final meet. I am currently cross circuiting-"
          "That wasn't what I wanted to know."
          "Understood." he answered "but go easy Ty-lately it hasn't been very easy being me. And I felt a change in scenery was needed. At least there are no windows here, I can indulge in self delusion for a time."
           "You have neither patience nor self control."
           "Then you should feel better-it sounds like the old me. Is it so terrible-" h continued, finally pulling out from the wall and glaring at the Mendalkir "that I would rather do something constructive as opposed to sitting on my hands out there? C'mon Ty-I've juryrigged worse cloaks than this on dead systems."
            Ty opened his mouth, but Trey feared him getting a wrd in edgewise. Grimly he continued on.
            "And if oyu tell me one more time where we are and that I can't be trusted given my past association here, I'll throw all my skeletons out of the closet for a parade!"
             "Not at all." the other remarked mildly. "I was merely going to point out that Ensign Reynolds has suggested some rather innovative modifications for the claoking buffers. I'd like to incorporate them as they may prove useful."
              Scott did not-quite-blush. He did give an embarrassed cough.
              "Oh" he said brightly "uhm-yeah-" then a sinister thought hit him. His tone turned accusatory "and who have you decided to implement her changes?"
               "Surely you do not need me to answer that?" Ty grinned "you did yourself take responsibility to how did you put it?-ah-babysit?"
                "Great." he sighed
                 "I do _NOT_" Reynolds protested hotly "need any man, and least of all this tragic hero trying to protect me!"
                "All I want to know "Scott shot back helplessly "is who will protect ME!"
                "This is your starfleeter Cub." the leader said "and your problem."
                "I am NOT his anything!"
                "That's for sure!" Trey seconded with feeling.
                "Progress!" Ty congratulated them "you have finally agreed upon something."

                The door closed behing him, and only the dim lights from the glow candles were there. Trey scowled, looked to the panel, and back at Reynolds.
                "I want to state that I am doing this under protest."
                "Fine. Should I care?" Tracie replied, grabbing the nearest item and plunging into the relays.
                He counted to ten. And then did it again just to make sure it wouldn't work. He muttered something under his breath suspisciously like a threat and tried to make the most of the remaining hour.

                An hour later....

         "Will the modifications hold?" Ty asked easily, watching the B.O.P move off.
         "They should." Trey admitted grudgingly. "They seem stable enough."
         "Good. The shipment is ready?"
          "Yes." Glawen supplied. "Ready for drop."
         "Then release, and disengage cloak. We'll go directly to warp."
          Optimism was a wellspring that was eternal. Skepticism was more abundant. Trey couldn't believe that everything was going on without a hitch until they were at warp 5 strait the heck out of there. Even then he wanted to doubt it.
          They made brisk time back, and after Tracie had disembarked, Ty grabbed Scott by the elbow and dragged hm aside.
          "We're going to be disappearing."
           He nodded "I think it's a good idea Ty. I may not like Tracie, but at least she's as complex as transparent filament. Whoever set her up for this I can't say the same for."
           "Are you in trouble?" Ty asked bluntly.
           He hesitated, then said "no."
            "Cub-I'm still fond of you-but the reason you brought her here troubles me. I cannot think of anything except that you were forced against your will. If that is the case, come with us."
            "I can't Ty. And you know it. And I think it will be ok now. Starfleet has alot more to worry aobut than me, and I think Bonnie cna run interference for a time."
            "I'll program a new set of directives into her system. It will be activated by an emergency situation. Other than that, you won't be able to find us so easily next time. Maybe not at all. But we'll stop by your shop for a drink next time around."
            He tried not to look shocked as Ty laughed.
            "You honestly believed we'd not keep an eye out on you lad? Go back, and tend to your shop. Hopefully you are more useful alive than dead-so you'll be safe for a time. I do recommend in all earnestness that you be careful."
            "And you too Ty. What about the replacements Starfleet is sending?"
            "We'll do these mercy runs for Starfleet on our terms. The Federation can either agree, or try to find us."
             "Good chance of that." Trey smiled, and hugged the Mendalkir. "Keep dry you furry oaf-remember how horrible wet fur smells."
             "Watch your back."



DSDN
Promenade

              Those parting words haunted Trey as he gazed somberly at the fron of his shop. He wondered if it was paranois that had made TY so worried, or if he was being paranoid now.
              Duke whined from beside him and nuzzled his hand, wanting attention.
              "Paranoia." Scott sighed "Fun for the whole family and more besides."

Later...

             T'ghrek had noticed the sudden departure of Atreydes Scott, and admitted to a faint sense of concern on the Terran's behalf. Trouble seemed to follow that individual like a faithful shadow. Tig felt safer for everyone if he could keep an eye on both Terran and shadow at all times. He was therefore relieved and annoyed that the lights in the shop were on once more. Taking a second to detour, he entered through on a security override.
             Trey looked up startled at the sudden entrance. He grinned when he saw who it was, but warily.
             "Trey." T'ghrek stated "I am pleased to see you safely returned."
             "Hey Marshall. Just had some buisness to take care of. Sprry to drop off like that. I was wondering though-if you'd like to get together sometime at Norrahs? And by the way-I've finally found a name for my shop. Care to judge?"
              Respecting his reluctance to talk further, Tig agreed, and looking at the plaque, grinned wolfishly.
              
                         THE SMUGGLER'S COVE.

       " I trust " Tig said finally "that this is of course metaphorical?"
       Scott laughed, a little shakily. "One can only hope it's not an omen."