Title: Three Dog Night
Author: mzsnaz
Series: ST: TOS
Category: Humor
Characters: Amanda and Ee-Chiya
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Star Trek is the property of
Summary: A sequel of sorts to the story `Have You Met my
Bodyguard?' Amanda and Ee-Chiya have reached a
grudging truce, but when events conspire that compel them to spend time
together, each will be forced to re-evaluate the other.
Explanation: A `three dog night' refers to an Australian Aboriginal
custom of sleeping with a dog for warmth on a cold night - a three dog night
would be very cold.
-----
DAY ONE
Shi-Kahr estate
In the garden.
The food bringer is late. She has made my stomach growl loudly three
times this week, and that is unacceptable. Master has done poorly with
his selection of mate, and my assessment is borne out by my empty bowl.
Howling does not help. She only squawks at me in that odd barking
language that I do not understand, and then she points her finger at me.
I've considered snapping at her, but Master would be most displeased. Is
it not enough that I must sleep in the garden now? I used to be able to
sleep in Master's room, but that changed with the arrival of the food
bringer. Everything has changed.
Master has changed. He now listens to the squawking one and does not
listen to me. Worse, he allows her to stay in his sleep room. I
should say that it used to be a sleep room. It is distressing to my ears
the noises they make in that room. I was most bothered by the cries of
Master when the food bringer first arrived. I tried to keep her away from
him – strangely, that was not what he wanted. I understand now that the
bizarre cries are those of mating. Can they not understand that their
noises could attract enemy mating rivals? Not that it would be a problem
for Master. Who would want the shrill, strange smelling one? I
would not object if a rival female were victorious over the Food Bringer.
Perhaps another would remember my meal time.
Journal entry – Shi-Kahr
estate
I knew it was going to happen, but it was still a shock when, right in the
middle of rinsing vegetables for a salad, he kicked me. It wasn't the
little flutter that I'd been told to expect, either. Oh, no – it was an
all-out blow from the inside out that made me gasp and hold the spot for a
moment just to confirm that he hadn't burst completely through. Sarek had
already left for the Embassy, so I had to impatiently wait until his
mid-morning break before telling him the news - his son had assaulted me.
Of course, Sarek only raised an eyebrow at my assessment and stated that he
would discuss the matter with the child upon his birth. I laughed even as
I hoped that he wasn't serious. There are times when his Vulcan nature –
and extreme dry humor, although he'd deny it – take
me by surprise. With any luck, I'll be finished packing before his return
this evening. The decision to send me to the mountain retreat stunned me
and, in a way, troubled me. Sarek has done his best to shelter me from
what I know have been numerous disparaging netfeed
stories about the pregnancy. Hearsay and even bigotry I can ignore.
What concerned me was the intensity in his tone when he told me of the
impending travel. I have a feeling that there has been a threat made –
maybe the Vulcan Security force intercepted something. I know that wild
speculation isn't wise, but I can't help but be worried that I'm being whisked
away with such short notice. Worse, Sarek can't stay with me. As
usual, diplomatic meetings and negotiations come before personal matters.
It's wrong for me to feel that way, and to be perfectly honest, I'm not really
surprised he can't stay. I'm more miffed about my dear husband's choice
of travel companion for me. Oh, he adores that huge old sehlat, but I'm
still nervous around him, especially after he chased me into our bedroom
closet. He may be old, but he could still cause serious injury to me – or
to a child. I've tried and tried to convince Sarek to send Ee-Chiya to one of the mountain sanctuaries for sehlats,
especially before the baby's birth, but he won't do it. He says that Ee-Chiya is part of the Family, and will be treated as such
until the end of his days. Not even my most piteous pout will change his
mind. I guess I'll have to try to get along with the old thing - Sarek
has acquiesced a bit and has kept Ee-Chiya in the
garden since the closet incident. Now, if only the sehlat wouldn't whine
outside our bedroom window at all hours. Even with the permaglass, his grumblings wake me in the dead of night.
Perhaps he does it on purpose?
Shi Kahr estate
In the garden
There is something going on in the house - the food bringer has been outside
only once today, and that was to water the stinking green things with red
tops. There were no stinking green things with red tops when the Master's
parents lived here. No - they kept my garden cleared of weeds. I
tried to clear the weeds when she first arrived, but she squawked at me and
pointed her finger. It is no surprise that she approves of the
weeds. They smell strange, just like she does. I have tried to
avoid her when she's in my garden, but she has watered my hiding place several
times. The first time, I jumped up and growled when the water hit my
back. She ran into the house, and Master came out. He was most
displeased. Why? I do not know since it was the food bringer's
fault! I have tried to be sociable. I have even let her rub behind
my ears, but she did not do it correctly, and so I was forced to get up and
walk away. Only Master can rub my ears correctly.
When she first arrived, she used to prepare me treats. My favorite was the one she called `burned'. When have I
had `burned' lately? I would even tolerate some `oh no'. The
variety of `oh no' was quite impressive, whereas `burned' had a similar
consistency in taste and texture. But now, it's been many mealtimes since
I have been given a treat. Perhaps I shall whine.
Journal entry - Hgrtcha
Talek-sen-deen mountain estate
Well, here I am, and now I'm convinced that something is going on. Two
Vulcan Security officers have been stationed outside near the gates, and I've
seen at least one shuttle marked with the official seal of the security forces
fly overhead. Sarek tried to act as if it was perfectly normal activity,
but I know better than that. Ee-Chiya took off
fairly quickly once we arrived. As a mountain bred animal, he seemed
quite excited by our arrival. To be honest, I wish he would find his way
to the upper altitudes and hunt for a few days. Perhaps it might improve
his attitude, and I can only hope that he'll get some of that incessant whining
out of his system.
I did my best not to cry when Sarek left, but it was useless. T'Vel, a local woman from the nearest estate, will be
coming by later this evening. I wouldn't call her a friend, but she has commed and said that she has prepared endmeal
for me. I'm looking forward to it. Night approaches soon, and I
actually shivered when walking through one of the passageways. It's been
a long time since I've felt anything but the heat of this planet on my
skin. Maybe I'll get the chance to actually sleep under the blankets
instead of on top of them this evening.
Outside of the estate
I am home! I remember these mountains and valleys and the short, scrubby
plants that grow naturally amidst the rocks. They are tasty! It is
wonderful to walk in a space without walls and restrictions - and I am away
from the shrill one. Master maneuvered me away
from her and told me to guard her just before he left. It is no wonder he
asked for my assistance – she is as helpless as a newborn cub. I do not
want to watch over her, and so I intend to remain here. I believe Master
will understand if I stay away. Food is plentiful here, and with the
forgetfulness of the Food Bringer, I must fend for myself. I noticed that
when Master helped her from the vehicle, she appeared plump in her stomach
region. There is only one explanation for that.
has been eating
MY treats.
I will stay away until Master returns.
DAY
TWO
Journal entry - Hgrtcha
Talek-sen-deen mountain estate
It was wonderful to sleep under a blanket for once,
but I woke up stiff and sore. What did I expect with the rock hard
surface of the bed? It was more like sleeping on a slab, and I've made a
mental note to buy a new bed for the room as soon as things settle down.
It's been at least two weeks since I had a bout of morning sickness, but today
I barely made it to the facilities. I'm not sure why I was sick, but it
wasn't the way I wanted my day to begin. It's upsetting to think that it
might be back - and as bad as ever. The only change in my diet was the
foods last night, and T'Vel's meal was quite
good. Even the two security guards were able to enjoy the benefits of her
cooking. It was thoughtful of her to bring enough for everyone, and she
said that she'd prepare something more for this afternoon. I've been able
to hold down a few pieces of kreyla, and I find that sitting still helps –
thus, the perfect opportunity for my first journal entry for the day.
I'm worried since the baby has been unusually quiet. After the blow
yesterday, I keep waiting for another internal battering. Instead, I've
only felt a very light fluttering - what I assume I was supposed to have felt
in the first place. I don't know, maybe I should contact the
healers. They must be tired of me contacting them, but isn't that their
job - to reassure overanxious pregnant women? I have a small arsenal of
medical equipment and monitors that I've been trained to use and the bags are
sitting in my room, unpacked. Truthfully, I'm afraid. What if
something is wrong? What can I do from here? I've been advised not
to activate the communication units for any transmissions, whether incoming or
outgoing. This location isn't known to anyone outside of Family. If
I think too much on it, I feel the panic building deep within me.
Something is going on. Now, if only someone would tell me what.
I've been feeling a bit guilty about Ee-Chiya.
Just before the morning sickness kicked in, my first conscious thought was that
I never fed or watered him yesterday. No wonder he ran off like he
did! Sarek usually checks his food and water supply when he comes in at
night, but with all the confusion and rush of leaving, he didn't have
time. The poor creature. I hope he is
doing well with his hunting.
In the mountains.
I am hungry. The shrubs are not as leafy and plentiful as they were in my
youth, and the small morsels that run are faster than I remember. Water
is hidden deep within the ground, and it took much effort to dig and uncover a
source to quench my thirst. Sleep came easily at darkness time after the
exertions of chasing the small morsels.
In the darkness just before light, I heard sounds above me, apparently on the
ledge over my cave. The sounds are from strangers like the Food Bringer -
I could tell because of their odd barking. The thought of more like her
infesting my mountains and valleys is distressing. Why doesn't the Master
and the others native to the land set traps and remove them? That is what
they do with the small morsels that come into the place of buildings. Can
they do nothing? I can only protect my garden from invaders, and I allow
no small morsels to enter. I would not permit the food bringer to enter
if it weren't for Master.
I have stared for some time at the place where Master took the food
bringer. He asked that I guard her, and I am now shamed by my
disobedience. Perhaps if I show my loyalty, Master will realize my
importance and find a proper food bringer for his faithful friend.
I can only hope.
The strangers are moving toward Master's place, and this angers me. It is
not their place, and I cannot permit them in – unless they have come to take
the food bringer away. I am not certain of what I should do. Master
wants me to keep his mate safe, but she has been weak and in poor health
lately. Is it not wise to find another who is stronger? And what of the strangers? Are they rival mates?
Maybe I was wrong and there are those who would want the strange smelling
female, but she is not theirs. She is Master's, although he could have
done better than to select the runt of the litter. I have much to think
on. I smell no food on them; they are poor desert travelers. Master
provides food, and the food bringer. She used to provide treats. If
I watch over her, perhaps my kindness will sway her to make some `burned' for
me?
I am hungry. I will go to Master's
place. I will keep the strangers away, especially if there is food
present in the building. They will not be permitted MY food. Maybe
I will share a small morsel with the food bringer. She has been ill
lately - she needs her strength to prepare my meals. Is that why she does
not feed me like before?
More to ponder.
Journal entry - Hgrtcha
Talek-sen-deen mountain estate
It's been so quiet here – too quiet. The security officers have been
patrolling the outer wall, and maybe I've become paranoid, but I thought I saw
one of them point up toward a shadowy area high in the mountains. More
than likely they saw a le-matya or one of the
enormous lara birds.
I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do since I'm not allowed to use a
monitor. Just the act of making my bed this morning exhausted me.
I've been so tired lately. Meditation has become a joke – twice last week
I fell asleep in the meditation room and Sarek had to wake me. How
embarrassing is that! He didn't say anything about my lapse, but I was
still mortified. I hope that I wasn't snoring, although Sarek informed me
this week that I have been lately. I must be so unattractive to him
now. Is there anything worse than a moody, pregnant, human female?
I've been waiting for T'Vel to arrive. There
are both replicators and a cold storage unit here,
but something fresh from her gardens sounds so good. The guards must be
on the other end of the estate since I don't see them. Ee-Chiya is at the gate – strange, I thought he would stay
away longer. I guess I need to let him in since there is no one else
around.
At the gate.
The food bringer let me in and talked at me with her odd barking voice.
Joy! There is food and water in my bowls! Master must have filled
them before he left. I used my stealth and cunning to go around the
strangers and enter the gates before their arrival. Unless the food bringer
displays signs of affability with them, I shall keep them out.
They should be here at darkness time.
Journal
entry - Hgrtcha Talek-sen-deen
mountain estate
Night is swiftly approaching. I've been waiting for T'Vel
to arrive with the foodstuff she mentioned bringing. It's extremely
unusual for a Vulcan to not keep their word, and my hope is that she's simply
been delayed and is on her way. Perhaps she packed too much and it's
slowing her down. That's a pleasant thought since she's an excellent
cook.
I finally broke down and unpacked some of the medical equipment. A quick
check, and I saw exactly what I expected – all is well with the baby. I
sighed in relief at the readouts, which, I'm sure my dear husband would point
out, would have granted me peace of mind if I'd checked this morning. I
also took the required vitamin and mineral supplements – not something I look
forward to since they tend to make me
nauseous.
The guards have been milling about near the front gate, occasionally pausing to
scan the nearby landscape. Actually, I can only see their outlines now in
the growing shadows. There is a hidden latch near the guard on the left
which would allow him to enter the gate without activating the alert. I'm
fairly certain that I'm one of the few who is aware of it. T'Lara was
methodical in her room by room guided tour of the estate when she first brought
me here – and equally as thorough in her instruction that I not reveal the
estate secrets to anyone. It has some similarities to old Earth
fortresses of old – hidden passageways and tunnels that lead either to known
parts of the estate or to dead ends. T'Lara admitted that there are
probably some rooms and hallways that haven't been traversed in hundreds of
years. Judging from the slightly decayed smell in some portions of the
estate, I would agree with her.
T'Vel has arrived, so until tomorrow.
In the estate.
A native has arrived with a large bowl of food. I follow her eagerly like
a cub once she enters the grounds, but she stops me and points toward my
now-empty bowl. What am I to do with an empty bowl? I protest, but
the food bringer only screeches at me in her odd way and closes the door,
keeping me out. After a short, fitful nap, I awake to drowsily watch the
native woman leave. I whine for a moment, but stop when I hear a strange
noise from outside the enclosure. The natives with the long sticks are
not at the gate, but lines of light shine in the darkness. The noises end
when the native woman leaves the gate, and there is an unnatural silence.
Not even the flying natives screech as they usually do at light's end. I
watch the lines of light flickering against the building the food bringer stays
in. It dumbfounds me when the building door opens, and the food bringer
beckons for me to join her instead of pointing her finger at me. Why
should I go to her? She did not allow the native one to feed me, and my
bowl is empty again. Is there food in the building?
She whispers lowly and again motions for me to join her. That is not like
her – I do not move. Still, Master's order to guard her is with me, and
there is something in her voice and scent that indicate fear. I relent
and follow her into the building and to a dark, cave-like room. It is not
a place I have been before, and I grumble my disapproval. The room is not
large enough for me and Master's mate – the room is so low that even she – a
runt – must duck her head. She sits in a corner of the room, and I choose
the other side. With the door closed, I can just barely see the bare
walls and stone floor. This is not a proper place for me, and I miss my
mountains. I even miss the garden. I begin to whine, but the food
bringer says something to me in the tone I identify as a plea. Does she
not recognize my whine of hunger and confinement? Of
course not. I settle on the floor, soundlessly, and do the only
thing I can do – I fall asleep.
DAY THREE
Early
morning - Hgrtcha Talek-sen-deen
mountain estate
I am still here in the room with the food bringer. My rest was disturbed
due to the bizarre noises I kept hearing. Master's mate makes growling
sounds in her sleep. What does she have to protect that causes her to
make such noise? She sleeps under the fake pelt that is needed due to her
meager fur covering. That is something she
shares with Master. I do not understand how the natives keep warm.
I am obviously a superior creature with my warm coat of fur. There is
another noise from outside – the strangers are in the building. Their
voices are hard and remind me of Master's voice when he speaks to the pathetic
ones who live in the shining box. The box people are weaker even than the
food bringer, and Master has no patience with them. Unlike Master,
though, the strangers never change their tone.
I believe they are looking for us.
I have moved next to the food bringer because of a memory – a memory of Master
and his father when he was a small cub and we were in the mountains. He
called me to him and buried himself into my fur during the night. It was
a night when sounds and breath were visible in the air. Now, the food
bringer has begun to shiver like Master did in my memory, and the air is cold
in my nose – just like that time. Again, my order to guard remains
foremost in my thoughts, and I lie down next to her, pushing against her
carefully. She does not open her eyes, but instead moves closer to me and
murmurs something in her odd language. It sounds like she is saying `Guuuud dawwwg'. I do not
know what a `Guuuud Dawwwg'
is, but it is apparently something pleasant because I feel her relax. She
still smells strange to me, but as I turn my head away from her, something
bumps into my side. She has put her arm around my paw, and her
treat-filled insides press against my famished body. I am so hungry, but
curiosity fills me as something again bumps against me. I stare down at
Master's mate, and wonder.
It happens again! Now I know the truth! The food bringer did not
eat my treats – this strange one is going to have a cub, and the cub is trying
to pet me!
Poor cub – it may be a runt like the food bringer. It will need
protection – it will need to learn how to feed me properly. I cannot let
anything happen to the cub – MY cub. No wonder the food bringer now
growls in her sleep. Still, I shall do a better job at protecting my cub
than she.
It has been so long since Master needed my assistance, not including the help
he needs with his mate who cannot take care of herself. I cannot let the
food bringer come to harm. She apparently has some worth after all.
My cub will not be allowed to forget things – like feeding his loyal
friend. I must keep the strangers away. I will stay between the
strangers and the food bringer.
I hear more voices, and then shouts. There are piercing sounds that hurt
my ears, and rumbling noises that are not natural like when the ground
shakes. Master's mate stirs and blearily tries to see in the darkness,
but her eyes are like the rest of her – weak. The sounds and rumblings
end, and another voice is heard – Master's! He has returned to feed
me! Joy!
The door opens, and I warily wait to see who enters my domain. It is
Master and several other natives. The food bringer rushes to him and is
whimpering like a cub. Master tolerates her behavior,
but I do not understand. My presence ensured that no harm would befall
her – did she not know that? She seems happier to see Master than to
reward me with food, and I whine in protest. I approach her and, in an
unthinking moment, lick her arm. Surprisingly, she does not taste as bad
as she smells. In fact, she tastes quite good, although she pulls away
from me and shakes her finger at me. I do the only thing I can think of
to do.
I lick her finger.
Journal entry - Hgrtcha Talek-sen-deen mountain
estate
Unbelievable. It's hard to describe what happened overnight, but
I'll do my best.
After T'Vel left, I noticed some spotlights
reflecting in the windows. The guards wouldn't aim their lights at the
estate, and a sense of dread filled me. I knew that I was probably
overreacting, but I wanted to find a safe place from which I could discover who
was outside the gate. Ee-Chiya was so reluctant
to come inside – I came close to leaving him out, but I couldn't stand the
thought of any harm coming to him. Plus, he is such a hulking beast that
he could intimidate those who aren't familiar with the domesticated
sehlat. I couldn't imagine that Vulcans would be outside the walls trying
to get in. It had to be a more emotional, illogical race.
Humans immediately sprang to mind.
Yes, that's ironic, but I knew it had to be true. So, I frantically
thought of all those hiding places that T'Lara showed me, and I picked the one
that was furthest from the entryway. Unfortunately, it was not well
ventilated, and it was practically underground. I had a blanket with me
for warmth, but it was still ice cold in the room. After several hours of
sitting in the dark, I listened as at least three people searched the
estate. They spoke Standard, and from their tones, I guessed that they
were human, just as I suspected earlier. I strained to understand what
they were saying, but eventually I gave up and, knowing that they couldn't find
me (due to the natural shielding effect of the Vulcan stone), I fell asleep.
When I woke up, I heard the sound of Sarek's voice. I've never been so
relieved, especially when the door opened and he entered. It wasn't very
proper of me, but I burst into tears and flung myself at him. My feeling
was that the cause was more than sufficient, especially when I learned that the
humans were attempting to kidnap me. Apparently, they belong to a
terrorist group disgruntled by a decision the Vulcan delegation, led by Sarek,
made several years ago. I was grateful to know that it didn't have a
thing to do with me or the baby. Thankfully, the guards and T'Vel weren't seriously injured, but were only stunned by
the illegal phasers that the humans had. I know that there will be plenty
of inquiries made into how anyone could so easily usurp the laws against modern
weapons and smuggle them in with relative ease. Even the ancient Vulcan
weapons are only ceremonial or used for training.
In any case, all is well now. As soon as I got home, I put a breakfast
casserole in the oven and plopped down into my favorite
chair, trying to regain some sense of normalcy. Sarek allowed Ee-Chiya into the foyer, where the sehlat proceeded to down
a bowl of his food as if he hadn't eaten in days. Sarek seemed satisfied
that we were safely settled and honored us with an
impromptu concert. I didn't realize how tired I was until I awoke to the
last notes of the ka-athyra. Sarek had a
puzzled look on his face as he looked around the room, but I immediately knew –
something was burning. We quickly took the ruined casserole out of oven,
and after a moment, I started to laugh. What else could I do, especially
when the baby decided it was time to kick me hard in the ribcage and the sehlat
pranced about as if he were about to receive a fabulous gift?
I swear he actually wiggled like a happy sehlat cub as he ate that burned mess
of a casserole. Now, if I can only get him to stop trying to lick
me. Isn't that just my luck – I finally start to like the silly old
thing, and he decides that I'm a sehlat salt lick.
THE END