"Little Sisters"

Logan walked along the corridors of the Taurus, heading for the transporter room. The majority of the crew was now aboard ship, including Commander Buford, but there were still some key personnel who had not boarded. But the Taurus wasn't due to leave until the end of the month, so there was still time. Most of the engineering work was also complete and the ship's own engineering teams, rather than teams from McKinley station, were carrying out the remaining work. Which made Logan's job of maintaining security aboard ship all that much easier.

McQueen stepped into the transporter room with both anticipation and a sense of enjoyment. The anticipation was due to the fact that he was about to see his kid sister for the first time in nearly two years. The last time they had got together in person had been just before the USS Taurus had set off on there shakedown tour, after the vessel had been completely re-fitted. Now the Taurus was ready to go back into service, with a new Captain.

But Logan was also going to enjoy seeing his sister's face, because she had not told him that she was joining the Taurus. Logan had however found out when he had been promoted to the position of Chief of Security and checked the crew roster. On the two occasions that he had spoken to Lana since, he had not let on to her that he knew she would be arriving, nor that he had been promoted. Instead he had gone on about how tough the new Chief of Security was and what a problem it was working for him. As Lana was also going to be working in security, Logan was going to be her boss.

"We're ready to transport." Petty officer Cruz announced from behind the transporter console.

Logan acknowledged the transporter officer's statement and stepped around the corner of the room, so that Lana would not see him when she materialised on the transporter pad. Logan nodded to Cruz that he was ready and the petty officer started the transporter sequence.

Seconds later, a young woman appeared on the transporter pad and looked around.

"Ensign Lana McQueen." Lana stated to Cruz. "Could you tell me where I can find the security chief."

"Right behind you." Logan replied stepping out from his hiding place.

Lana turned towards the familiarly voice, 'leaping' off the transporter pad and towards her brother, clamping onto him with a bear hug.

"This not how you should greet a senior officer." Logan stated firmly.

Lana released her brother and took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Ensign Lana McQueen, reporting for duty SIR." She stated, emphasising the 'SIR'.

"Welcome aboard Ensign." Logan replied the stern face he had been holding breaking into a smile. "And it's good to see you too Tunangannya."

Best girl Lana thought to herself. He hasn't called me that for years.

"Lieutenant !" Cruz remarked, breaking up the family reunion. "We have a problem."

Logan walked across to the transporter console.

"The transporter scanners have detected a weapon of some sort." Cruz remarked. "Some kind of blade weapon, various materials, but the database doesn't seem to recognise the design."

"That's because it's one of a kind." Logan replied, looking at his sister. "I see you brought it along."

"Of course." Lana replied. "It's my.. No our good luck charm."

"It's OK Cruz." Logan stated. "I'll deal with it."

"But sir, Regulations State that no unauthorised weapons should be brought aboard ship sir." Cruz replied. "You would need the Captain's permission."

"Which I will get." Logan confirmed.

Logan moved Cruz aside and punched in the security override to allow the transporter cycle to be completed. A standard issue duffel bag and a small box appeared on the pad, followed a second later by something wrapped in red silk cloth.

Lana instinctively went to pick up the small package, but Logan coughed stopping her in her tracks. He walked upto the pad and took the small bundle off the top of the box and picked up the duffel bag.

"Let's get you to your quarters and then we'll go see the Captain about this." Logan stated, raising the bundle.

Lana picked up the box and followed Logan out of the door.

"You're lucky." Logan stated as they entered Lana's quarters. "For the moment you've got this room to yourself."

Starfleet regulations stated that all officers below the rank of full Lieutenant had to share quarters and on such a small vessel, those regulations had to be adhered to rigorously. But the regulations also stated that no two officers of the opposite sex could co-habit without the Captain's express permission. For the moment the Taurus had an odd number of female low ranked officers, so Lana had the 'spare' bunk. Lana wondered whether her brother had pulled some strings to get her this room, but she knew better than that.

Logan dropped the duffel bag on the floor next to the set of drawers and Lana placed the box beside one of the beds.

"Time to go see the Captain." Logan remarked. "Follow me Ensign."