Presently the
trio slunk off to Sick Bay. "It's where I would hide the cure." "That
Krystal, she's a clever one" was the sarcastic reply. Clancy was in
front, since they knew that he wouldn't bump into his duplicate on this
ship. Guards were everywhere. "That's what I call a well-staffed
security section," intoned Venor with admiration. Clancy motioned a
stop.
Through an open doorway he saw the other Venor, in Engineering uniform,
giving a class to other Engineers. He had an easy-going manner and a
couple of flippant remarks left the other Engineers chuckling. "Wow,
maybe we should take this Venor back." "That's what I keep telling
everyone -- I should have been an Engineer." "You know, this universe's
Jon must be the best cat-person in the galaxy." "Quiet up guys, no use
wishing we could trade some of our friends for better models. Let's
keep going."
Venor went around, so as not to pass by the open doorway. As he
sauntered along, he passed an agonizer booth. Screams and meows issued
from the booth as two guards stood by, chatting to each other. "Who's
in the booth?" "It's Jon. Stupid cat stole some rations to feed to his
kittens. With everyone on half-rations, stealing food is now a crime
punishable by agonizer booth." "Ok then, keep up the good work."
Venor reported what he saw to his two companions when he met back up
with them. "This is horrible! We must do something for the poor cat."
"We can't. We have to find the cure first and get it back to the
Discovery. After that we can come back to rescue him." "It seems so...
so harsh!" "That's how it is in this hellish universe." And so the
three, more subdued now, continued towards Sick Bay.
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In Sick Bay,
Krystal and two assistants were "operating" on a Romulan. Blood was
everywhere, the Romulan still alive yet paralyzed, aware of every cut
and stab into his flesh. "Wait 15 seconds, then come in blazing," said
Venor as he took out a Phaser-1, then wrapped the hand with bandages.
Venor staggered into Sick Bay. "Damn defrobilizer blew up on me and cut
up my hand." "Wait in the next room and I'll be there in a minute,"
replied Evil Krystal.
Just before firing his hidden phaser, Venor remembered that security
sensors would detect the discharge. So, with time running out, he took
out his dagger and slugged Krystal on the back of the head. "What
the?!?" yelled the Evil One as she turned around. "Sheesh, it's harder
to conk someone out than I thought," mused Venor as he punched Evil
Krystal, knocking her out. The two assistants drew there knifes and
advanced on Venor.
Clancy and Krystal burst into the room. "Stand down! That was a fake
Krystal. This is the real Krystal!" commanded Clancy. "But Venor
attacked first!" "Under my orders. Now put away your weapons and we'll
sort this out." The two assistants hesitated, but put away their
weapons. "Clean up that mess" he referred to the Romulan and the
assistants started patching him back up. Meanwhile Krystal went to the
computer and proceeded to break into her account.
Venor pointed out a security camera to Clancy. "We're going to have
company soon, I should think." "Eureka!" yelled out Krystal. "I have
the information for the cure!" "Venor, see if you can transmit it back
to the Discovery." Venor did so, then he tried to access the
transporter system. "Uh oh, all systems have just been locked out."
Krystal: "Someone's coming." Clancy grabbed Venor's spare phaser-1.
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