"Thank you, Sir." Lt. Benton said as Captain Maruu walked over and extended his hand. Commander Lataro followed suit.
Maruu smiled and said, "Welcome aboard the Virgo, Lieutenant. Go get yourself settled in. Dismissed."
He looked after Benton as he left the ready room and the door shut behind him leaving Captain Maruu and Commander Lataro alone.
"Okay Jon, what do you think?" Maruu said walking over to the replicator. "Want anything?"
"A cup of coffee, Captain," Lataro said sitting down in the opposing chair.
"Two cups of coffee...black?" Lataro nodded his head. "Both black." The replicator produced two cups of steaming coffee which Maruu handed to Lataro. Lataro grabbed the cup and took a sip slightly burning his lip. Maruu smiled. "Now Jon, you see the steam coming from the cup? That means it is hot."
"Cute, Captain," Lataro said with a smile.
"So what do you think?" Maruu asked again.
"Well," Lataro said this time blowing the coffee slightly. "He seems nice enough. I wonder if his abilities are too much like his attitude."
"Meaning..."
"I mean he seems nice. I am just wondering if he will be stern as well."
"Well, he probably has to be the right man for the job. Admiral Zultok thinks so."
"Understood. Now what do you feel about the Tribble?"
"Half-Tribble," Maruu corrected. "I don't know. I don't know of anyone else on the ship that has a pet, unless you count K'Lara." There was a slight laugh.
"Captain. Please!" Lataro said smiling.
"Well you have to admit, she has got you strung out most of the time."
"That is not true. Besides that is an another story."
"Maybe so."
"I think that that...whatever it is...is going to be trouble," Lataro said taking a sip from his cooling coffee.
"It is okay. Hopefully it won't be a bother to us. Can you imagine another incident like what happened on the original Enterprise?"
"Yeah right. K'Lara would have a coat made of Tribble hide!" They both laughed.
[Commander Nori to Commander Lataro.]
[Go ahead, Doctor.] Lataro said tapping his com badge, subsiding his laughter.
[Commander, I have requested you to come down to sickbay for an evaluation twice since your ordeal. Don't make me order you,] she said.
Lataro looked over at Maruu who was shocked to hear that he hadn't been to sickbay yet. It was standard practice to report to sickbay for an evaluation after an accident or loss of crew member occurs. Lataro had been procrastinating as much as possible but now with the captain present, hearing everything, a look of "go now" burrowed into Lataro.
"On my way, Doctor." Maruu flashed a look of approval. "Lataro out."
"Jon, I can't believe that you haven't done that yet," Maruu said sternly.
"Well, Sir. I have been busy."
"I don't care. You still have to follow protocol."
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. Now get down there and remember, I still want a report on the ordeal on my desk by morning. Understood?"
"Aye, Sir." He turned and headed for Sickbay.
After about two hours of poking and prodding, Dr. Nori couldn't believe that Commander Lataro was in better physical health than before it happened. She questioned him on what had happened trying to determine why, but all Lataro could say was, "I don't know." After a few more questions, they both concluded that it had to be that the foods he ate which were mainly fruits and vegetables.
"Okay, Commander, one more test. You need to see Anya for a mental exam. I am clearing you here but you need to go to her as soon as possible. Understood?" Dr. Nori said sternly.
"Dana. I don't need to go see a counselor. I am fine," Lataro said resistantly. "I hate counselors and their probing in to my childhood and all."
"Why? Do you have something to hide?"
"No. I just don't like them."
"Well, if you don't I can do one of three things. One, I can have the captain order you to see her; two, I can order you myself, under medical protocol; or three, I can have security drag you kicking and screaming. So which would it be?"
"I will take the fourth option."
"And what is that, Commander?"
"How about I don't go, and you clear me all the way?"
Nori tapped her com badge. "Security to Sick Bay!"
"Okay, okay. I'll go!"
"Security, belay that order." She looked at Lataro. "Good. I will inform both the captain and Lt. Zano that you will see her in about 15 minutes?"
"Yes, Doctor." Lataro said, pouting.
"That's a good boy," Dana said patronizing him.