((…it’s a TOS bridge, anyway. And, pfft, I accidentally replied privately, so this is
((…it’s a TOS bridge, anyway. And, pfft, I accidentally replied privately, so this is now a photo post.))“Ah, Doctor? Doctor. You have something on your…" The captain gestured with unnecessary delicacy at Stephen’s knee. "Yes. Some of the local fauna–a Tarazed III Cormorant hatchling, in point of fact. Never fear, it’s famous for its docile temperament.”“It don’t look docile.”“…its docile temperament as an adult. I happened to be present when the eggs were hatching." He tried to nudge the blue featherless creature unobtrusively back down towards his shin. It held on with thumb-claws, like a bat. "No one has documented the process before. Or reported on their…their remarkably strong imprinting behavior. The critical period seems to come to them as early as three hours after hatching. –Captain, if you had left me on the planet overnight, as you promised, I would have had a chance to detach it and reacquaint it with its natural family.”He recognized the look of distraction on Aubrey’s face and braced himself. There it was, an excuse about the needs of the service, Klingons reported in some godforsaken star system, no time to lose…and, yes, here it came.“But listen, Stephen, when I asked you what it was, you didn’t need to tell me it was some of the local fauna. Do you know why? Because–because I’d’ve been floored if you said it were a plant!”The cormorant hatchling was exhibiting the impressive strength of its mandibles. The egg-tooth was sharp enough to pierce even the sturdy material of a Starfleet uniform. And Jack Aubrey was waiting expectantly. Now he frowned.“A plant, hey? The local flora? Hey? I’d’ve been floored!”“For all love, Jack, will you let me go back to Sickbay now?” -- source link
#stephen maturin#jack aubrey