Star Trek Voyager - 12 - Bless the Beasts by Star Trek

Author:Star Trek
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780743453707
Publisher: Star Trek
Published: 1996-01-02T08:00:00+00:00

Janeway paced the length of her ready room as her thoughts swept over the uncooperative Kolias, her missing crew members, and the desperate need to finalize repairs to Voyager and resume their journey.

Her musings were interrupted by a general announcement. “Attention everyone. An important announcement.”

It was Neelix, commandeering intership communications without regard for regulations or protocol.

As usual. Janeway reminded herself that Neelix had been tremendously helpful to the crew of Voyager, acting as guide, cook, and self-appointed morale officer. His enthusiasm was admirable. If only he respected—or even remembered—Starfleet procedures.

The Talaxian's voice bubbled over the ship comm. “Dinner will be served half an hour later tonight so that your chef may give the proper amount of time and effort required for a new delicacy. Oh, you're in for a treat if I do say so myself! I repeat, dinner will be delayed half an hour.”

Neelix.

Janeway suddenly remembered her unsatisfactory exchange hours ago with the Talaxian, and further, some unfinished business regarding missing vanilla and coffee pots.

“Computer,” she said. “Locate Mr. Neelix.”

“Neelix is in his quarters.”

Janeway tapped her commbadge again. “Chakotay, you have the bridge.” Briskly she strode out of her ready room and into the turbolift.

“Deck Four.”

The door to Neelix's quarters was locked tight. Janeway buzzed for admittance.

“Just a moment,” said a muffled voice that sounded like Neelix and Kes both talking at once.

Sighing, Janeway tapped her communicator. “Captain Janeway to Neelix.”

“Yes, Captain?”

“Open your door.”

“Yes, ma'am!”

The door flew open to reveal bedlam.

There were small mauve animals resembling giant slugs with goatlike faces meandering all over the room, chewing on the rug, the light fixtures, and whatever else was left exposed. Neelix was trying frantically to herd them back into a penned enclosure in one corner of the room. The things left a red slimy trail as they moved, and were making faint mewing sounds. The odor they exuded was reminiscent of burning rubber.

“Mr. Neelix,” Janeway said. “Would you mind telling me just what is going on here?”

The Talaxian beamed up at her. “Ah, Captain, such a pleasant surprise.”

“Not for me. What is all this?”

“These,” he said, gesturing proudly, “are gaba.”

Janeway disentangled herself from one of the snail-things as it began to chew on her boot. “You know that we have strict regulations against keeping pets on this ship.”

“Of course I'm aware of restrictions.” Neelix clutched his chest, deeply wounded. “These aren't pets, Captain. These are food. And just wait until you taste them lightly sauteed in phrinx lard with a touch of jelled garboonian rind.”

“Live food?” Janeway's eyes widened.

“I know.” Neelix held up an admonishing hand. “I know what you're thinking. I, too, initially considered purchasing the meat already dressed. But it just doesn't keep well, Captain, not at all. I finally decided that the only way to go was to beam up a small pod of the hatchlings and cull from them as necessary.”

“Hatchlings?” The captain took a deep breath. “Neelix, this ship is neither a zoo nor a cattle farm. To begin with, we don't have the resources to feed these .

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