Runt peacefully sat in the Morro Bay’s mess hall, chewing away at a sandwich as he recalled the past few weeks. A great evening with M’Row, the Morro Bay is for the foreseeable future back in service, and it’s slowly interpreting new members.

”Ah, my furred friend in red.” A voice called as Runt perked up. Speaking of new members..

”Gigi! Hello!” The cat waved, flashing a toothy smile as the girl sat down from across him.

“Good evening. You eat as if you have stories to tell, people to visit, and so little time too.” She cocked her head to the side. Gigi Ampere had a unique way of speaking—like she was in an old book. “Prefer to share your thoughts over lunch?”

”Mmh,” Runt shrugged. “Sure. I’m kind of confused?”

“Why so?”

“Every teal shirt has been having some problems with security. Like, er–glares, squabbles, anything like that.”

“Perhaps it’s just an unfortunate timing. I’ve encountered no unpleasantries.” Gigi replied as she took a bite of her salad. “Could it be related to your current. . . .rooming situation?”

“Maybe.” Runt rolled his eyes, recalling the…unfortunate timing of these events. Since the Morro Bay needs repairs in the living quarters, some lower deckers have to bunk with others for the next week or so. They have the resources for the repairs, but Runt was assigned to. . . .

“M’HARK!” Snapped a grouchy voice from the doorway. The cat’s ears shot down in annoyance as he turned back to look at his current roommate: a grumpy, unhappy, and overall pissy ferengi named Hollis.

“What, Hollis?” He sighed as Gigi watched, amused.

“Why is there fur in my room?” He sneered, waddling over and glaring at M’Hark. He was just a little bit shorter than the cat.

“There is fur in our room because I have fur. I also make sure to wake up early and clean!” He hissed. Hollis just rolled his eyes.

“WELL.” Hollis huffed. “Either way, stay out of my stuff, and stop sending so many messages to that one guy! It’s keeping me up. ALL. NIGHT!”

“It’s not–” Runt took a deep breath and just forced a smile. “Alright, Hollis.”

“Hm.” Gigi narrowed her eyes at Runt as Hollis stomped away, grumbling. “You’re messaging someone?”

“Er–and old friend.” M’Hark gave an uneasy smile. “We just hadn’t seen each other in a while, so…”

“Ah, good to know.” Is all Gigi said as she went back to eating. Her and Runt had a nice relationship–eat lunch together, talk here and there, leave. Easy, short, sweet, and it kept both of them occupied enough. Runt looked out the window and sighed, mind slowly wandering to other places.

The past few weeks had been insane, and he’d had barely anytime to process it. Between discovering new feelings, fighting for his life, and trying to grasp the concept of how Starfleet may be changed forever after this, it had been mentally exhausting. Also throw in the suspension for a week, it was a lot of sobering up from the crazed chaotic high he had been on. He and Sylvester we’re on more…decent terms now. There hadn’t been much conversation, but Runt had truly no idea how Sylvester really felt. However, things were polite and civil, and thats all he could ask for.

But he was also…kind of angry.

The cat had to claw and fight his way for his life and risked everything for his starship, and all he had as a thanks was a now chipped ear and hostility from the security department. Surely it couldn’t be Mikahilov’s doing–Sylvester is a better man than that, but something is still wrong. There’s also still so many unanswered questions he has about his life, ones that could be answered if they stopped back by Cait…

“M’HARK!” A voice suddenly cried out. Runt rolled his eyes, turning.

“If you’re here on Hollis behalf, I promISE–” Runt let out a yelp as Ensign Velau Prias’ hand slammed onto the table, leaning down and sneering in his face.

“Why am I hearing that you and your whole little department is saying we’re defective?” She snarled, leaning in.

“Velau, I don’t understand what irks you so, but those claims are fal–”

“Shaddup, Kilowacky.”

“Understood.”

“So?” She glared down at Runt. He gulped.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Velau.” Runt cleared his throat. “Is that why the tactical and security departments have been so hostile to us??”

“No shit!” She scoffed, standing upright. “I can’t believe you, you know that? We work so well together when the blackout happened, and now–just–”

“Velau, I really don’t know what you’re talking about!” He stood upright. “Are they saying I’m the sole one saying something?”

“He’s saying multiple of you, including Gigi.” She spat, before standing upright and walking away, shoulder checking M’Hark in the process. The two ensigns stared at each other for a second, before Runt simply let out a groan and put his head into his hands.

“Great. Just great. Just what we needed–just what ANY of us needed.” He balled up his fists and took a deep inhale, standing upright. “Okay, so….what now, then?”

“We get to the bottom of it.” Gigi stood up. “If a wicked and horrific poison enters the water, you find it, and cleanse it. This is surely all a misunderstanding…”

“Oh. Thanks for the confidence in me, Gigi.” Runt smiled.

“Well, it’s somewhat that. The other half is that in non-emergencies your backbone is as strong as a twig under a lions paw.” She smiled back at him and started to walk out of the cafeteria.

“Awhh, thank y–wait, HEY!” Runt glared, walking up next to her. “I have a backbone!”

“And I’m the Captain.” Gigi giggled as the two walked out of the room. Just across the table nearby, Hollis narrowed his eyes at the two.  It’s one thing to hate both of them, but it’s another for a lie to be told on his fellow crewmates. If there’s anything he hates more than annoying people is a liar. For some reason, he had a creeping feeling on who may be behind this.