Do Have a Vulcan Care

Nina was laughing at her holographic walking rose Rosie when she caught a sullen Scott Dunson skulking past.

"Scott?"

"Yeah."  Scott was afraid of Nina.  He bit back his sharp retort, having been scolded about returning to the ship 'drunk'.

"You did well.  I appreciate what you're doing for our community."  Nina's eyes flicked toward a vacant seat.

"I was really wasted when I came back on board.  Dr. Stolak chewed me a new one about respect and all that."  Scott chuckled, eyes carrying a double meaning.

"Point taken."  Nina laughed.  "He is something to keep in mind, isn't he."

"Yeah."  Scott's laugh was a bit... forced.  "He can ruin my next shore leave."

"He won't do that."  Nina saw a shape she wanted to talk to.  "You need to excuse me."

"Bye."  Scott sighed as he watched the pert little female get up and chase after what looked like an octopus if it did cartwheels.  Scott didn't remember what species it was.

"Lieutenant Udinti, I have the toy made for your friend's daughter," Nina called in her high, girlish voice, which got her a dirty look from a human ensign walking past.

"Thanks much very."  The tentacles took the shining, light-changing holographic object from Nina's delicate fingers.

"You're very welcome," Nina replied, unable to read the many eyes looking at her.  "How was your shore leave?"

"Pleasure much," the creature replied.  "Education.  Much edification."

"I too had a very satisfactory shore leave."  Nina smiled, as she spent hers in the holographic library at Earth.  "The advances in holographic medicine are multiple."

"Multiple much.  Multiple much," Lieutenant Udinti replied as she walked alongside the girlish human.  "Go must I.  Later chat?"

"I would like that very much."  Nina smiled, another smile not quite making it to her eyes.

The tentacled one headed to her quarters, closing her door for privacy and locking it tight.  Tapping a code, she read the cryptic message.  She would have to come up with a time release formula for Scott's hypos.  That snoopy Vulcan could cause trouble if Scott came back openly drunk too often.

It didn't matter if most of the alcohol was flushed out of Scott's system by return to the ship.  It would still sufficiently do its job, although the lieutenant would also have to take steps to safeguard Scott's organs as well.  Again, snoopy Vulcan doctors.  Stolak was as bigoted as anyone about humans, but anything that affected efficiency and duty did tend to make it onto his radar screen.