"Captain to the bridge!" announced the intercom in Maruu's quarters, startling the Virgo's captain to wakefulness.
Maruu sat up in bed and addressed the intercom, "Bridge. This is the captain. What's the problem?"
"Urgent message from President Lindo Tinwelint, Captain. He seemed quite upset, sir."
"I'll be right there," said Maruu. He got out of bed and pulled on his outer tunic. Five minutes later, he was striding through the turbolift doors onto the bridge. As he settled into his command chair he ordered, "Put the President on screen."
The starscape on the main view screen shimmered and dissolved into the angry visage of the President of Slart II. He glared at Maruu and practically shouted, "Captain Maruu! We had an agreement!"
"Yes we did, Mister President," said Maruu calmly. "We could use Slart II for shore leave if we didn't cause any trouble. As far as I know, we have obeyed your stipulations."
"I beg to differ, Captain! I have in front of me reports detailing civil disturbances, stolen domestic animals, attacks on police officers, and, latest of all, a break-in at the animal impound sector!"
Maruu was taken aback. He had no idea what the President was talking about, but he knew he had to quiet this situation. "Mister President, I assure you, I will get to the bottom of these incidents and take whatever measures are required to resolve them."
"No need, Captain," continued the President. "We have already dispatched officers to deal with the escapee."
"Wha...?" said a confused Maruu.
Commander Benton had entered the bridge somewhere during the conversation. Now he said, "Captain? May I have a private word with you? It pertains to what the President is saying."
Maruu nodded at Benton. To the president on the main viewer he said, "Mister President, I will get back to you on this issue. I'm sure we can resolve it to both our satisfactions." He signaled the comm channel be closed, and the viewer swam back into the familiar star view. To Benton he said, "In my office, Commander. And this better be good."
Captain Maruu and Lieutenant Commander Benton walked off the bridge and entered the captain's ready room.
"Spill it, Commander," barked the captain. He had walked behind his desk and stood hunched over his desk resting his knuckles on the desktop. Benton stood at attention on the other side of the desk. "I've been monitoring the planet surface from Security, sir, and I noticed a certain life sign movement a short while ago. I believe I know what has transpired down on Slart, and I must confess that I am in part responsible, sir."
"You?" said an incredulous Maruu. He had a hard time believing that the straight-laced Benton was involved in anything illegal.
"Yes, sir," said Benton, somewhat abashedly. "I'm afraid it's Spot."
"Spot!" exploded Maruu. "When you came aboard, you promised that you would..."
"And I have, sir, it's just that..." said Benton. "Spot has turned wild. All he wants to do is to go back to the wilderness."
"The bottom line is, Commander, that your pet has jeopardized our relations with the inhabitants of this planet. They are after him and intend to kill him before he causes any more trouble."
"Sir! With all due respect, Spot is my responsibility. If he has become a threat to civilization and can no longer be controlled, it is my duty to deal with him." Benton stood staring at Captain Maruu in determination.
Captain Maruu contemplated his Chief of Security. Finally, he said, "Very well, Commander. Permission granted to resolve your situation. I'll contact the Slartan government and inform them you'll be joining their expedition."
"Thank you, sir," said Benton grimly.
Benton opened the big chest that had always rested on the floor at the back of his quarters. His mindset was intense and focused. The chest held old family relics and the like and was basically Benton's only concrete link to his past. It hadn't been opened for many years. Even the lock was old-fashioned. He inserted the key in the lock and turned. The lock popped.
He piled out a bunch of miscellaneous things until he was almost at the bottom. Finally, he withdrew from the chest a long narrow canvas-shrouded bundle and set it aside. He replaced the other things he had taken from the box and closed and locked the lid again.
Benton now turned his single-minded attention to the long bundle. It was wrapped in canvas and tied by simple twine cords. Benton untied the knots and flipped back the canvas folds. Now before him lay the wicked, black form of a compression phaser rifle. It was one of the first ever made, and it had belonged to his father.
He picked it up and hefted it to get a feel of it. It was perfectly balanced, and Benton was very impressed by the craftsmanship. Then he remembered who he planning to use it on, and his mood darkened again.
He hefted the phaser rifle again and checked the power cell.
Still charged.