Lyndon Fletcher sat morosely on the floor of Hiakowa's quarters. His best friend was trimming flowers from his plants, making a tidy collection of discarded leaves and petals. At intervals the botanist would cast a concerned glance to his friend and then resume his work. At last he paused and said, "Lyndon, it's not as if the holodecks will be out of commission forever."

"Yes, but what are the odds that they'll be on maintenance just when Taggert's suspension ends?" Lyndon asked.

"That is a remarkable coincidence," Hiakowa allowed. He set aside the trimming shears and said, "Would you like to go down to the rec center and do something?"

"Not really," Lyndon looked up, "Though a Riley-maze would be right bully, maybe they'd let us use on of the holosuites."

"I already checked, they're closed down too," Hiakowa wished he could think of something before Lyndon's boredom got them both in trouble, "We could go down to the mat room for a few rounds of randori." This was the ultimate sacrifice for Hiakowa, who had practiced judo so much as a child he now found it torturously dull.

Lyndon, appreciating the offer, considered this and slowly the customary gleam of mischief came to his face. "You'd really like to do something?"

"Sure," Hiakowa shrugged and gave up. Whatever Lyndon had in mind he would simply resign to, "You name it."

Lyndon, never one to miss an opportunity, broke into a grin. "Ranger's Pursuit."

Hiakowa's mouth fell open. "Here?" he held his arms wide to gesture about his small quarters, "On this ship?"

"Why not?"

"Why not?! What do you mean, why not?"

"Why not," Lyndon challenged, "It was a popular game at the Academy, we could easily gather enough players."

Hiakowa, remembering the fun of the rough-and-tumble-free- for-all game that he had enjoyed as a cadet, asked, "But, won't we get in trouble?"

"Not if we stay out of critical areas," Lyndon got to his feet, "Come on, I'll be captain of the grey team."

* * * * *

"Wait, wait," Priscilla Nates interrupted as she fastened her hair into a ponytail, "Start over again."

"It's simple," Lyndon insisted, "There's two teams, grey and green. Both teams start from an established base, someone's quarters would do. The green team gets a two minute head start and they can travel alone or in pairs. The grey team chases them and if any member of the green team is caught they have to return to base."

"How do establish if they're caught?" she wanted to know, "If they're seen?"

"No they have to be touched," Hiakowa answered this question, "and the only areas off-limits are those normally restricted to the crew."

"And no locking of doors," Lyndon added.

"And no throwing of heavy objects."

"And no attacking of anyone."

"Or any other unsportsmanlike conduct."

Priscilla looked from one to the other, "You two about finished?" and when they nodded she said, "So basically, this is like a great big game of tag and hide-and-seek combined?"

The two young officers looked at each other. They were unwilling to describe such a fantastic game by such ordinary means. At long last Priscilla threw up her hands, "Whatever! Come on, let's get started."

"Well, we need at least three more players first," Lyndon said. "I think Terry Sauter might join us, and maybe Trevor Morris..."

"I might know someone who'd like to play," Priscilla said, thinking it over as she spoke, "Just a second..."

* * * * *

"Okay," Kylah Dannon said as she pulled a green sweatshirt over her dark head. "Let me see if I get this straight; you guys," she pointed to Priscilla, Lyndon, and Trevor, "are chasing us," she gestured to herself, Hiakowa, and Terry, "and trying to catch us. The only way we're caught is if we're touched."

"And if you're touched, you have to return to base," Priscilla filled in.

"This sounds like fun," Kylah said, "hey, I might know someone else who'd like to play."

"Who?" Hiakowa asked her. Despite his original hesitance, he was getting excited. And the more players this game had, the more fun it was.

"Morgan Everly. He loves stuff like this."

"Sounds good to me," Lyndon said, "go find him, and meet us back in my quarters in five minutes."

* * * * *

"All right," Lyndon said to the group gathered in his quarters a few minutes later, "does everyone understand the rules?" Everyone nodded. "Okay, green team, you have a two minute head start. Go!" Hiakowa, Terry, Kylah and Morgan all raced out of the room.

"So, what do we do while they have their two minutes?" Priscilla asked Lyndon.

"We plan a strategy," he replied firmly. "I had the computer do this for me," he pulled out a PADD, which had a map of the ship on it, "so we can figure out who will cover what areas."

Priscilla walked over behind him and slid her arms around his neck and looked closely at the diagram. "I know that area like the back of my hand," she said, pointing to the recreational complex. "I could easily cover that."

"Yeah, that would work," Trevor said, "and I could work in around there..."

"And I could..."

* * * * *

Kylah moved quickly down the corridor. She knew that their two minute head start was long over, and didn't want to stick around one place long enough to get caught by anyone.

She rounded a corner and came face to face with Lyndon. 'Damn!' she thought. She looked around for an escape route, but saw none. She was trapped.

"Why, Kylah," Lyndon said sweetly, "I think you're about to get caught."

Suddenly Kylah saw her window of opportunity. 'There's just enough space...' she told herself. Moving quickly, she turned a travelling spin right by Lyndon's nose and ran down the corridor behind him. Lyndon was too shocked to react immediately, but soon realized that he'd missed his opportunity. "Damn you Dannon!"

Kylah glanced back for a brief second as she flew around the corner, grinning from ear to ear when all she saw was empty corridor. If she moved fast enough, maybe she could dodge out of sight before Lyndon caught up with her again...

And then, turning her head forward again, she saw a flash of grey.

Too late to swerve, she rammed into a grey shoulder, and an object went skidding across the floor to ricochet off the corridor wall. In less than two seconds, she was able to size up the situation. The grey happened to belong to a young man, and the object had been a PADD.

"Hey!" Cal Morrow exclaimed as Kylah immediately reached out to steady him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she told him, at once relieved that it wasn't someone from the grey team. But she reprimanded herself for almost running someone into the ground. What if it had been the captain?

Knowing that Cal was okay, and not wanting to stick around and get caught, she was off again almost as quickly as it took for Cal to recover. He shook his head and reached down to retrieve his PADD...

At the same time that Lyndon came barreling around the corner.

"Woh!" Lyndon shouted. Unable to stop or swerve in time, he jumped as high as he could over Cal's bent figure. The toe of his left shoe caught against Cal's side, and both of them went down in a tangled heap, the PADD flying once again out of Cal's hand.

"What the hell!" Cal shouted out, this time angered by the unprovoked beatings. If his notes from class were still retrievable, it'd be a miracle...

Lyndon scrambled to his feet and helped Cal get up. "I'm so sorry!"

"Yeah, I've heard THAT before!" Cal muttered.

Lyndon laughed as he handed Cal his PADD. "So Kylah ran into you too, huh?"

Cal nodded, quickly assessing that there was no real emergency taking place. "What's going on? Commander Taggert going after you again?"

"Not quite," Lyndon responded with a grin. He wasn't sure if he should let Cal in on the game, but since he already wore a grey shirt...

"Ranger's Pursuit," he said in a whisper.

"You're kidding!" Cal's eyes were wide with disbelief. He rolled his right shoulder, the one Kylah had hit.

"Nope. But it's a good think you came along. I think both Kylah and I will be a little more careful from here on."

"I wanna play."

"I don't know. I don't want any parents coming after me as well as the captain if you're caught."

"Like I'd squeal," Cal said, offended by the thought. "The Taggert Twins get caught running around all the time."

"True..." Lyndon sighed. "All right. The more the merrier. Except now the teams will be uneven..."

"I'm sure we can pick someone else up as we go along," Cal assured him. "This is gonna be great..."

Lyndon smiled at the boy's anticipation. They had talked once before, and Lyndon found him to be an okay kid. Very bright and interesting, even if sarcastic and somewhat rude. And he'd met his mother as well, a very patient, understanding woman. He didn't think it'd be too much of a risk to include him in the game.

"Lyndon to Priscilla," he said after tapping the comm badge on his grey sweatshirt.

"Priscilla here."

"Spread the word: grey team has another player. Cal Morro." There was a pause on the other end. Lyndon knew she was thinking the same things that had gone through his own mind at first. "All right, if you think it's wise..."

"No problem here. And he already has a grey sweatshirt on. He's sticking with me for now, so the uneven team count won't be so unfair."

"I'll relay the message, happy hunting!"

"Then we're set!"

Cal smiled his lopsided smile and flicked a small lock of black hair out of his eyes. "Then let's go. I got a score to settle with a green shoulder."

As they started walking together, Lyndon grimaced slightly. "Oh, uhhh, maybe I should explain the rules first..."

* * * *

Lt.(jg)Ren Carstairs wandered through the arboretum. A synthetic breeze stirred a few branches and carried the smell of some exotic plant. In spite of its exotic hue, it carried a trace of something familiar and comforting. Ren smiled. She enjoyed all the small details that Miller Watts, the head gardener, took the trouble to include here in the only source of 'natural environment that the ship had.

What the devil do you think you're doing! an angry voice cried.

Ren recognized the voice of Watts. She headed in its direction, separated by a thick stand of leafy trunks on a large set of shrubs.

I'm sorry Mr.Watts, a young boy's voice said in chagrin, you were wearing green, and I thought you were someone else.

What does the color of my shirt have to do with anything?! And I don't care who you thought I was... Watt's voice was getting angrier by the word. He was famous for his tirades when a precious plant had been damaged, or even threatened.

What's the problem, Miller? Ren asked, stepping around the Ithalian Haskas. She really didn't need to ask. She could see very clearly that young Cal Morrow stood on a small group of violets.

Irreplaceable! Miller muttered. Cal just looked confused. Ren didn't think he had yet realized the real reason for the gardener's anger. We won't be near another Starbase with African Violets for months, and you go and squash the only healthy bunch, because I'M WEARING A GREEN SHIRT?!

I..I'm...

Ren took in the grey sweatshirt that the boy wore. She began to piece together what had happened. As a avid player of Ranger's Pursuit in the Academy, she was very familiar with similar predicaments. A twinkle entered her eye.

You're right, Miller. The boy has to learn. Come with me, Cal, we'll see what your mother has to say about this. She took the boy's arm and hustled him away, casting a reassuring glance over her shoulder to Watts. The old man was already rescuing starts from the crushed leaves. The violets would be resurrected.

Honest, Lieutenant, it was a mistake. Cal pleaded as the exited the arboretum.

Ren ignored his protest. Which team needs another player?

Huh?

A broad smile split Ren's face. Which team needs me? I can have a colored shirt on in a few minutes.

An answering smile tentatively spread across Cal's face. Uh, green.

Right, who all's playing? She asked as they marched towards her quarters.

Well,...

* * * * *

Ensign Terry Sauter carefully peered around the corner on deck 9 trying to ascertain if any of the grey shirts might be heading her way. She had barely managed to avoid Trevor Morris two minutes ago one deck below. He might have seen her--she wasn't sure.

All clear, good, she said as she sprinted toward the turbolift. She was on her way to her quarters to pick up a book to read after she got to a Jeffries tube to hide. She had fun running around decks playing Ranger's Pursuit, but now she just wanted to sit and read without getting caught and a Jeffries tube was the perfect hiding place in which to be.

Terry peeked around another corner to where a turbolift was waiting. Better wait and see if anyone gets off first, she thought. It was but a few seconds before the lift opened and a crewman started to exit.

"Hold that lift!" she shouted, running towards him.

"Thanks," she said, entering the lift.

"Deck 11".

Standing just inside to the left of the door as it stopped, Terry eased around the door, making sure that she wasn't seen. "No grey shirts!" she said as she sprinted down the corridor, stopping to peek around yet another corner. "Darn! There's Trevor! How did he know where I was going?" she wondered. And he's heading this way!

She quickly turned around and headed back towards the turbolift, but decided she didn't have the time to wait least Trevor see her, so she headed for another corridor, thinking that she would come up behind Trevor, sneak into her room, grab a padd and be off before he knew she was there.

Running fast down the corridor, she quickly turned the corner and smacked forcefully into someone knocking them both down to the floor with Terry falling on top. Stunned, it took a second or two for Terry to realize that she had knocked down and fallen on top of---Ambassador Brendan Blake!

"Oh my God!" said Terry, her face blushing profusely, trying to get back on her feet as fast as she could manage.

"Really Ensign Sauter, we must stop meeting like this! people will begin to talk!" joked Blake as he got to his feet, brushing off his clothes.

"I'm so sorry, Ambassador! I didn't mean to... I never.... I..."

"Take it easy Ensign, no harm done."

I can't believe I did this again! thought Terry shaking her head. I will be executed for this I just know it!

"Tell me, Terry, why are you in such a hurry this time?" asked an amused Ambassador.

"Sir, we...I was just--" This is going to sound soooo stupid to him, thought Terry. But she figured she was dead anyway so what the heck. Might as well tell him the truth.

"I am in the process of playing a game, Ambassador. Ranger's Pursuit. I'm one of the pursuees."

"Ah...I see. And who is chasing you today?"

"Oh, no! I forgot about Trevor! He's just down the corridor! If he catches me..."

Blake quickly grabbed Terry by the arm and pulled her into a corner of the corridor, placing himself in front of her. He folded his hands as if in meditation and closed his eyes just as Trevor rounded the corner and headed his way.

Trevor looked at the Ambassador and not wishing to disturb his meditations, he turned around and headed the other way, to the right.

Brendan opened his eyes just a bit to make sure Trevor was gone. "It's ok now, Ensign, he's gone," he said as he stepped away and let a startled Terry out of the corner.

Terry gazed at the Ambassador and a smile slowly made it's way to her lips.

"I can't believe you did that for me, sir," she softly said.

"I like to have fun too, Ensign Terry Sauter," he smiled. "I was rather good at Ranger's Pursuit myself while at the Academy."

"But I never thought that you, I mean...no offense, but you don't seem the type to---"

"Have fun?" he questioned.

"Yes," she said quietly. Terry was so enamored of all Ambassadors, especially Blake as he was a mystery to most people. He didn't socialize much and she rarely saw him in Jake's Place. This was a new dimension of the Ambassador she had never seen before. She liked it.

"I guess I'd better go now," she said slowly.

"Anytime I can be of assistance, Ensign, I will be happy to oblige," he said.

"Thank you, Ambassador Blake," she said as she slowly walked down the corridor, looking back every two steps.

"Terry," Blake said, pointing.

"Yes?"

"That way."

Terry smiled, "Thanks again!" she called as she hurried off to continue the game. She decided that Ambassador Brendan Blake was more of a mystery to her than before! Hey! she just realized--he called me Terry! And with a big smile, Terry quickly ran to find her book.

"Excuse me!" Kimberly Cloke gasped, stepping out of the way just in time as an ensign bolted past. She turned to see a flash of green rounding the corner. Was that Ensign Sauter? Whoever it had been was long gone and Kim shook her head, continuing on her way. Around the next corner she saw Brendan Blake and paused, "Ambassador, is there some emergency that-"

"No, no," he smiled, barely holding back his laughter, "you must have met Ensign Sauter?"

"Was that who it was?" the assistant crewmaster raised an eyebrow, "Well, what in the world..." she trailed off, reminding herself that ensigns were often given to inexplicable behavior.

"You may as well know," Blake offered with a conspiratorial glance at the empty corridor around them, "that there's a game of Ranger's Pursuit in progress." "On this ship?" both of her eyebrows shot up this time, "did someone authorize...?"

"I don't believe so," he turned to go, reading the expression that crossed her face, "but I think Terry was just leaving the game... which means the green team would be needing another player."

He walked away, leaving Kim standing there. As assistant crewmaster, she should probably round up the players and send them to the rec center. But sometimes... sometimes one tired of always doing what they should... A moment later Kimberly emerged from her quarters in a green sweat shirt, hoping to catch up with the players and invite herself into the game...

* * * * *

Lyndon and Priscilla were hot on a new scent. They had teamed up about thirty minutes earlier and had found that together they were a deadly duo. Working together they had dispatched two green shirted players. Both Kylah Dannon and Ren Carstairs had been tagged and sent back to base. Now they had new game in their sights. They had spotted Hiakowa twice on Deck 9 and they were sure he was still there, somewhere.

Let's split up, Priscilla, Lyndon directed. I think he's somewhere along the corridor of family quarters on the starboard side of the ship. You go back up that way and cut across and we'll see if we can squeeze him between us.

Priscilla grinned. On my way, she called out, then she turned on her heel and was off.

Meanwhile, Hiakowa was definitely sweating. He had caught a glimpse of both Lyndon and Priscilla and knew he was being stalked determinedly by both. His capture would give Lyndon bragging rights for months and the thought of THAT made Hiakowa's flesh crawl. He HAD to find a way to get away.

Suddenly, from around a corner ahead of him Lyndon appeared. Hiakowa spun around quickly only to see that he was flanked by Priscilla. Hi Hiakowa, Priscilla said sweetly. Fancy meeting you here.

Hiakowa swung back in Lyndon's direction. He scanned the corridor for a way out but his eyes were met with closed and locked doors. Just as he was sure all was lost a door suddenly opened and, without thinking, he leapt through it nearly bowling over a young boy who was trying to exit. A look of amazement covered the boy's face and he stepped back into the quarters as the door closed shut behind them both.

Priscilla and Lyndon met at the door way and both exchanged astonished looks and then dissolved into laughter. They had recognized the young boy as one of the Taggert twins and the thought of Hiakowa crashing the Taggert quarters was enough to make them lose their composures entirely. Plus, they now knew all they had to do was stand outside the door and wait for Hiakowa's hasty departure. He was as good as captured.

However, unbeknownst to any of the players, someone else had observed the last moves of the game. Martin Taggert had come around the corner just in time to see the squeeze that Lyndon and Priscilla had put on poor Hiakowa and had also witnessed his leap through the doorway into the Taggert quarters. Martin was only momentarily puzzled by the events he had just observed. He had noted the green and gray shirts and, having had the intricacies of Ranger's Pursuit explained to him on numerous occasions by some of his mathematics students, he surmised correctly what was going on.

Martin smiled as he hatched a plan to put a little spin on the outcome of the present events and then walked up quietly to the two guffawing young people. Excuse me, he said, tapping Lyndon on the shoulder.

Being too caught up in his merriment to notice Martin's approach, Lyndon jumped. Oh, sorry, sir, he said quickly and moved away from the Taggert doorway to let Martin pass. Martin looked innocently from the young security officer to the pretty young woman. It must have been a good joke, eh? he asked.

Priscilla and Lyndon exchanged amused looks. Yes sir, it was, Lyndon replied.

Martin keyed in the access code for his quarters and the door slid open and allowed him to enter. Even before it slid closed he could see that Hiakowa's was in definite need of rescue. He was standing rigidly at attention while Lt. Cmdr. Maxine Taggert stood inches from his face cross examining him at high decibels as both of the twins watched with interest.

....and what do you mean barging into a senior officer's quarters like this? And why are you wearing that green rag over your uniform? And...

Oh, there you are Ensign Sazuki, Martin interrupted loudly. I'm sorry. I guess you lost track of me. He paused and looked at his wife with a puzzled expression upon his face. Is there a problem Maxine?

Maxine looked at Martin in astonishment. Were you expecting him? she asked.

Why yes, of course, Dear. The ensign was going to help me pick out some particularly fragrant spring flowers to decorate the assembly hall for out spring concert tomorrow night. He even volunteered to carry them there himself so as not to disturb the blooms. That's why he's wearing the 'green rag', to keep from soiling his uniform. Right, Ensign?

Hiakowa's jaw involuntarily fell open and he snapped it closed again as he gathered his wits about him. Uh yes, sir," he said finally.

Ensign Sazuki was following along behind me and must not have seen me stop to talk to Lt. McKay for a moment. I came around the corner just in time to see him entering our quarters, Martin continued to explain.

Maxine looked from the ensign to her husband and back again. She took a deep breath and relaxed a bit. Oh, I see... she said thoughtfully.

I just came to pick up the padd with the program plans on it, Martin said retrieving a padd from the table nearest him and holding it aloft. And now, I guess we'll get to work.

Hiakowa turned to Maxine. I apologize for startling you and your family, Commander. I'll be more careful next time.

See that you are, Maxine answered then she seated herself at the desk where she had been working.

Martin and Hiakowa walked towards the door and then Martin stopped suddenly. Stand behind me, he whispered to Hiakowa and Hiakowa, still in a bit of a fog, moved to oblige. Then Martin turned back to Maxine. Oh, dear, I forgot to tell you. There are two people waiting outside to talk to you. They said that they hated to bother you at home but that it was terribly important. They're waiting outside the door.

Maxine sighed heavily and stood up again. Who are they? she asked.

One of them is that security officer, Ensign Fletcher, and the other is Priscilla Nates a civilian who works at Jake's, Martin explained.

Maxine walked to the door. This HAD BETTER be important, she grunted. The door opened and Lyndon and Priscilla turned expecting to see Hiakowa exiting . When they found themselves faced with Commander Taggert, they froze. Well, come in here, you two, and tell me what's so important that you had to bother me at home, Taggert growled.

Lyndon and Priscilla moved robot-like into Taggert's quarters. When their eyes met Hiakowa's it was his turn to look amused. Well, I guess we'll be off now, Martin said as he moved towards the open door followed closely by Hiakowa. I'll be back in a few hours.

Martin and Hiakowa moved out into the corridor and as the door closed behind them they could hear Lyndon scrambling for words, Well, you see, Commander...we uh,...it's like this...

Hiakowa's laughed heartily and he reached out and shook Martin's hand in gratitude. Thanks so much for rescuing me, Mr. Taggert. I guess you figured out what was going on, eh?

Yes Ensign, and think nothing of it, I was glad to help. In fact, it was fun. He withdrew his hand from Hiakowa's grasp. I do have one favor to ask though.

Name it and it's yours! Hiakowa offered.

Well, when you get through with this game I'd like to have you really help me select some flowers to decorate the hall for the concert.

Hiakowa grinned. It will be my pleasure, sir, he said, then he turned and started backing off down the hall. I'll be there as soon as possible. Thanks again, sir.

Martin nodded and as Hiakowa turned and ran off, Martin decided that this might be a good time to go visit Jake's.

* * * * *

Stren was exiting his Calculus class when a young officer, went racing past him, nearly knocking him over. He recognized the woman as Ensign Terry Sauter and knew she was an engineer but had never seen her in such a hurry before. He also thought that it was odd that the ensign was wearing a green shirt over her uniform. Stren decided to ignore the ensign's odd behavior and he continued on towards his quarters. He hadn't gone far when another young, oddly attired member of the crew nearly side-swiped him. This time it was Crewman Trevor Morris, also of the Engineering Department.

Hi there, little guy, Trevor said, looking down at Stren.

I am not LITTLE, Stren answered indignantly. I am of appropriate height for my age and species.

Trevor smiled at the young Vulcan's response and then got down to business. Did you happen to see a female ensign go buy here wearing a green shirt?

Why are you wearing that gray shirt? Stren said, asking a question of his own.

It is for an....uh, exercise that we are conducting, Trevor answered. Now, about that ensign...?

I have never heard of an official exercise in which the participants wear green and gray shirts, Stren observed.

This is something special, Trevor informed, now beginning to lose patience. I'm in a hurry. Now, did you see an ensign in a green shirt?

This is not an officially sanctioned exercise, is it? Stren asked.

I don't have time for this, Trevor huffed.

I believe you may be breaking several regulations with this unsanctioned exercise, Stren observed. Perhaps you should cease and desist before charges are brought against you.

Excuse me? Trevor asked, amazed by the young Vulcan's train of thought.

You can not be excused for breaking regulations, Stren continued.

Trevor rolled his eyes. I don't believe you! he said in exasperation.

You should believe me, Crewman. I have studied Starfleet regulations.

Trevor let out a deep sigh and walked away mumbling, All I wanted was a simple YES or NO. Where did I go wrong?

Just as Trevor rounded the corner and was out of Stren's sight, he heard the boy speaking to someone. What now? Trevor glanced around the corner and nearly shouted in surprise.

"So you see, Captain," the young Vulcan was speaking to Forrestor in a grave and serious tone, "it's very fortuitous that you should have come along because I believe this matter merits your attention."

Trevor swallowed and ducked back out of sight. What could he do?! It was too late to warn the others and- Suddenly a flash of green caught his eye. It was Kimberly Cloke, rounding the corner.

"Hey," she greeted, "you must be in on the game? I've been trying to find out if I could join in-"

"Shhhh!" he waved both his hands to silence her.

"Ah! I believe there are some over here," Stren's voice held, despite his Vulcan heritage, a faint ring of triumph.

Kimberly looked at Trevor, her eyes asking a question he didn't have time to answer. Before either could move or speak, Captain Forrestor was lead to them by the boy.

"You see sir?" Stren indicated the officers before him, "clearly they are engaged in an unsanctioned exercise."

The look of shock and guilt on their faces must have clued Forrestor in, for he frowned slightly. He had been about to suggest Stren concentrate on his studies and move along. But obviously the boy's accusation held some truth.

"Lt. Cloke," the captain seemed more puzzled than anything else, "Mr. Suvek's son tells me that crewmembers are chasing each other throughout the ship?"

"Um..." Kim glanced at Trevor. She hadn't even gotten to play and she had to bail them all out?! "Um... yes, Captain, that's true."

Beside her, Trevor made a strangled little noise of dismay.

"You see," she hurried on, "we were running a training drill in the rec center and I..." she stood a little straighter, making a serious effort of her lie, "I failed to notify everyone of the boundaries."

Forrestor continued to regard the boy and two officers with an expression of mild annoyance.

"I do apologize sir," she silently swore to have someone's hide over this, "I will round up everyone at once and get them back to the rec center."

"See that you do," he nodded, suspecting there was more going on, but giving the assistant crewmaster the benefit of the doubt. He went on his way, leaving Kim and Trevor to contact the ranger's pursuit players. Everyone agreed to regroup at the 'base'.

As the two officers turned to go, Trevor gave Stren a venomous glare.

"I am not to blame," the boy insisted, following them. "All shipwide exercised should be properly-"

"Shut up!" Trevor growled.

"Very well," Stren continued to follow them. He stepped on the turbolift with them, standing in silence for a moment before saying, "if you begin this game again, may I play?"