Captain Dokka Tkarro was smoldering mad when he returned to the bridge. Chief Engineer Narchi Moderaan said, "Hyperspace capacitors are charged, TSMD engines are warmed up and we are ready to breach the space-wall, anytime." Commander Rose said, "Course is plotted to the Asuran battleship. We're ready to follow the TSMDV-X-2 to it." Captain Tkarro sat down in the interface seat and said, "We're not going there. Set course for Hel in Tartessos orbit. We'll leave when Chalchilaloq's replacement body gets here." Narchi blinked and asked, "What? Captain, our FTL engines are STILL uncalibrated! That's a MISS window of almost fourteen light minutes, plus OR minus!" Lieutenant Xeelob, the Alien Technologies officer, turn his seat around and asked, "Chalchilaloq? Isn't that Toxic's mother? AND isn't she dead?" Narchi asked, "Hey, that's right! How does Sky-Marshall Reinz know about that?" Dokka said, "It doesn't matter. Orders are orders. Narchi, I really need you to look at this system." Dokka handed him the small piece of paper with a message scrawled on it. Narchi raised an eyebrow, seeing paper. He thought Dokka might have a serial number on it until he read it. "The ship is bugged!" "HOLY FRIKKING CRAP!" The shout wrenched out of Narchi by surprise. Everyone on the bridge turned and looked at him in shock. Dokka looked like he was thinking about punching him. Instead, he said, "Inside voice?" Narchi regained his composure and lied like a used car sales-man, "Sorry! That explains the problems we've had with the bridge lights, and other minor systems. What's the ETA on that 'replacement body'?" Dokka shrugged and looked over at Rose. She said, "ETA twenty minutes. At least according to High-Orbit Drydock." Narchi said, "I'll get on it immediately. I'll need Neblae and Rose. This is relatively harmless, but it could hamper our operational efficiency." Dokka looked at him meaningfully and asked,"Can you fix it before we leave?" Rose interjected, "If it will hamper us, it needs to be repaired or replaced ASAP." Narchi grinned evilly and said, "Oh, we'll fix them. ...IT. All the systems giving problems." Narchi and Rose made double-time off the bridge. The ship telepath, Little Sister came over and asked, "What was that all about?" He winked at her and made a sign with his hand that only Tall White Lady, her older sister, and she would know. Little Sister narrowed her eyes as he said, "Oh, it's just a technical matter. Is that your new antenna amplifier?" She nodded her brown, egg-shaped head and said, "Brand new AND detachable! I don't need to sleep with it. A big improvement over the one my big sister had for years!" She then read his surface thoughts, as he had signed her to do. She wasn't surprised, but disappointed, as she said, "Technology marches on, and people are always pushing the envelope. Heck, I'm surprised they still need me and my kind of genetically engineered telepaths with all the gadgets! ANYWAY, Didn't mean to bug you." Dokka almost jumped, "WHAT?" Little Sister turned and acted surprised. "What, 'what'? You seem a little out of sorts, Captain. Should I run and get you a cup of chamomile tea while we wait?" Commander Malbess, who had taken Rose's place said, "The Captain may like that a lot." Dokka nodded and waved a hand at her. Little Sister smiled and shrugged and left the room, humming a casual tune. Captain Tkarro turned and glared at Malbess. She smiled and muttered, "You need some calming tea!" He turned back and rolled his eyes. He wondered what his blood pressure might be doing. He wondered who would do him in first, his enemies, or his crew? --TO BE CONTINUED!--