Big Trouble, Small Package

 Episode Name:  Big trouble, small package.

   Written By:  Lace

         Cast:  Gerok, Ghorev, Gulliver, Haven, Idrani, Lace, Laura,

                Millain and Vor'mak.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Lace

     Aired On:  Fri Apr 19 15:05:05 2002

     Stardate:  52277.8

Time: Fri Apr 19 11:01:32 2002

Stardate: 52277.5

Ghorev stands at the center console, while sipping at a mug of something spiced and steaming. He pores over some data on the master situation display as one or two junior engineers go about their business near the arch to the core.

The turbolift doors open and in strolls Laura, a young Human child of approximately 7 years of age. Wide blue eyes take in the wonder of Engineering, while a starfleet issue tricorder whirs quietly, clasped tightly in tiny hands. Long blond hair is tossed nonchelantly over her back. The child is dressed in faded jeans and a pull-over shirt, with the words "Daddy's Girl" in large pink letters across the front. Quietly she tiptoes to the nearest console, her new 'toy' eliciting a faint beep.

Ghorev looks up at the sounds. "Wh---" He immediately contains his surprise. "Little girl, who are you?"

Laura jumps at the voice, whirling around to find the source. Her eyes go wider, little mouth forming a small 'O'. "Um..um..Laura?" She turns the whirring tricorder towards Ghorev, curious eyes glancing at the screen. "You're blue."

Ghorev says "Yes, in fact, I am." He comes forward with a polite smile, slowly, so as not to alarm. "I'm from Andoria. My people are blue, you see." Without pausing, as if it's an entirely natural part of the conversation, he then adds: "Did someone bring you down here? Or are you lost?" After all, this *is* a classified area, and she couldn't have gotten down here on her own. "Are you someone's little girl?"

Laura starts to backpedal a bit toward the safety of the turbolift. "I'm Daddy's little girl," she answers solidly, as if that were all the explanation in the world. "Not lost," she says with a shake of her head. "Exploring." She takes another step backward toward the 'lift, darting a fearful look about her, her 'toy' gripped tightly and held to her chest now.

Ghorev nods, understandingly, "And who is your daddy?" He straightens up, not following at first, just standing by the center console, keeping track of a few things out of the corner of his eye, tapping a few things.

Laura holds her ground, since the big blue guy isn't advancing anymore. "Daddy's a did..dip..dip-lo-mat", the child says proudly, carefully enunciating the word to get it right. She sidesteps a bit toward another console, having spyed something bright and shiny laying on its surface. "Oooh! Whats that? Can I have it?"

Ghorev says "Ah, a diplomat ... and no, little one, you can't." He moves on an intercept. "Would you like a tour of the station, however?"

Laura looks downhearted for a moment, the pretty shiney thing out of her reach now. It's only temporary though, as she brightens visibly at the mention of a tour. "Really?!" Happily she bounces on her feet. "Will you show me? Pweese?"

Ghorev says "Of course, this way." He calls out without turning around, "Cadet Tymek, hail Lt. Greyfalke and summon him down. He's now Engineering Officer of the Watch. I'm escorting Miss Laura on a tour."

Laura flashes Ghorev a brilliant smile, bouncing happily on her toes. "Goody!" Tricorder out once again, she bounces happily along with him. "Will I get to see neat stuff?" The tricorder is waved in the air. "I'm exp..exp..expewimenting."

Ghorev leads her into the turbolift. "Experimenting with what?"

Laura follows along, holding the tricorder close to her. "This. It makes all kinds of funny noises when I point it at stuff."

Ghorev touches the pad beside the turbolift door.

Ghorev summons the turbolift.

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

Ghorev boards the turbolift as the double doors slide open.

Ghorev has left.

Laura boards the turbolift as the double doors slide open.

Laura has left.

The doors slide closed.

Ghorev explains to the little girl who is holding a tricorder. "It's a tricorder. It can read objects, and energy fields, and tell you things about them." But that *is* odd. Little children shouldn't have been on Engineering deck.

Laura barely controls her bouncing, looking up to Ghorev with big blue eyes. "Is that why it was making different noises?" As if on cue, the tricorder is out once again and the little blond child starts pointing it in different directions. "Whats an energy field?"

The doors slide open at Level 3.

Gerok steps onto the turbolift at Deck 3.

Gerok has arrived.

Ghorev explains to the little girl. "Yes, it makes noises because it takes different readings depending on where it's pointed. An energy field ... well, you know how a starship moves through space, right?"

The doors slide closed.

Gerok nods to the assembled officers as he enters.

Gerok says "deck 1"

The computer confirms entry with a chime and the turbolift starts to move toward Level 1.

The doors slide open at Level 1.

Gerok steps out of the turbolift.

Gerok has left.

The doors slide closed.

Hsven blinks at the two in surprise then nods to Gerok, "Sirs" she says.

Laura steps back as other person enters the lift, the tricorder immediately pointed at the Vulcan. Then its leveled on Haven, and then on a panel nearby. Wide eyes watch the readouts as they change. She peeks up at Ghorev. "No. It flies doesn't it?" Simple enough for her, anyway. The child turns to peer back up at Haven and bounces again. "I'm on tour!" Bounce bounce.

The doors slide open at Level 18.

Idrani steps onto the turbolift at Deck 18.

Idrani has arrived.

The doors slide closed.

Idrani walks into the turbolift.

Haven's grin appear suddenly and she drops to kneel beside the child. "Hello, my name is Haven and as I'm sure your tricorder told you, I'm Bajoran. What's your name?" As she awaits the child's answer, her gaze moves up to look at Ghorev in question.

Idrani nods to the two officers as she enters. "Sir. Ensign." The young Andorian appears a little preoccupied. She does, however notice the young human. "Hello there." Her voice is soft, with a thick accent.

Ghorev says "Well, Laura, things are getting a bit crowded here. Let's continue our tour outside the turbolift." A pause. "Jaylas Idrani, this child says her father is a diplomat. Could you please make sure he's advised that Laura is on a tour of the station?"

Idrani begins pushing buttons on her PADD. "Yes, sir." To the girl, "Your father's name, /shla/?"

Laura smiles widely at Haven, barely containing excitement. "I'm Laura!" she answers her cheerfully. Whirling as the lift doors open again, she gasps slightly. "Another blue person! And..Andorian," she squeeks out, then nods emphatically to Ghorev's words. "Where did the man with the pointy ears go?" That question is aimed at Ghorev, and then a second later she answers Idrani. "Daddy."

Idrani's gaze drifts to Ghorev, then she checks on her PADD to see if a young girl has been reported missing. "Is your mother on the station?" she asks, as she pushes buttons.

And with that, Haven's been dismissed. She rises and can't help but grin. "Children, from one thing of interest to another they bounce. Have fun Akeen. Level 18, please." SHe glances to the child, "I have sprints to run." She winks" The only time I'm allowed to run indoors.. other then the holodeck that is."

Ghorev says "Yess, that sounds like a good idea. We'll start with there."

Ghorev says "Mall"

The doors slide open at Level 18.

Ghorev steps out of the turbolift.

Ghorev has left.

The doors slide closed.

Haven says "mall"

The doors slide open at Level 18.

Haven steps out of the turbolift.

Haven has left.

Idrani watches people file out, snowy brows arched slightly. "Have fun." she says.

Laura shakes her head at Idrani, the child's cheery smile dissipating. "Mommy doesn't live with us no more." She frowns slightly when her tour guide exits, followed by the others, and then follows herself.

The doors slide closed.

Idrani says "mall"

The doors slide open at Level 18.

Laura says "mall"

Laura steps out of the turbolift.

Laura has left.

The turbolift doors slide closed.

Laura follows reluctantly out of the turbolift. "Will I get to see the bridge?" The question is aimed at Ghorev as she bounces along, avidly peeking at all of the different faces.

Ghorev leads Laura along. "This is our Mall level, where merchants do business, and where our officers and crew relax. See how we make it big and open, so people can walk around and talk?"

Ghorev says "As for the Operations Center -- the bridge, if you like, but we don't use that word on a station -- I'll have to ask the Commanding Officer. He's my boss."

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

Gulliver steps out of the turbolift.

Gulliver has arrived.

Haven gets caught somewhere between amusement at the situation and irritation at Akeen for his attitude. She shakes her head a bit and steps away from the pair to begin a bit of stretching before her run. "Have fun, Laura."

The turbolift doors slide closed.

"oh, can I, can I?" Laura bounces as she chants, grinning widely. "Does it have a big chair in the middle like ships do?" Bounce. "Oh..bye..Haven!" The child waves frantically at Haven, bouncing some more. "I run too. I run fast," she adds and skips along.

Ghorev takes big strides to catch up with the little girl. "Yes, it does. Come on and I'll show you some sights here on this level."

Ghorev heads counter-clockwise along the corridor in the direction of section five, disappearing from view among the foliage as the corridor curves to the left.

Ghorev has left.

Laura heads counter-clockwise along the corridor in the direction of section five, disappearing from view among the foliage as the corridor curves to the left.

Laura has left.

Gulliver comes into view among the corridor's foliage, arriving from the clockwise direction of section one.

Gulliver has arrived.

Laura skips along, dodging out of the way of this person and nearly tripping another one. With the typical exuberance of a child, she manages to stop unexpectly at a plant, pointing the tricorder at it to scan, and then skips sideways to another near the infirmary, barely avoiding a collision with a tall male civilian.

Ghorev points to the infirmary. "Laura, this is our infirmary. Our doctors' office. Ensign Haven, for example, works here as one of our medical officers, when she's not sprinting."

Laura bounces some more, looking at the door. "I don't like doctors. But I want to see. Can I?" She bounces some more and then skips into the infirmary.

Laura heads into the infirmary, the transparent aluminum doors sliding open at her approach.

Laura has left.

Ghorev arrives from the mall, the infirmary's outer transparent aluminum doors sliding silently closed behind him.

Ghorev has arrived.

Ghorev follows the little girl in. "Just remember that there are sick people in here, Laura, so you have to behave and keep your voice down. I'm sure the doctors will show you things, but .... remember that people need to get well, okay?"

Laura nods her head and skips over to the area where the nearest empty biobed is. "I'll be careful," she whispers, tricorder out and scanning. Within the area she's currently exploring, an array of medical tools are arranged neatly on a counter surface. The tricorder whirs as she waves it over them, and then with typical childish curiosity, she picks one up for careful examination.

Ghorev says "Just be .... very careful," quietly, to the girl. "Anything you break, I have to fix."

Ghorev keeps a wary eye on the girl as she appears to be distracted by the medical gear, and takes a step back to tap his combadge. "Ghorev to Engineering."

Laura nods her head, as she exchanges one tool for another. The last one she picks up, a long, tapered object, hums to life as her thumb accidentaly activates it. The child almost drops it in surprise, but recovers her self with a soft squeal of excitement. "Ooh! What does this do?" She points the object at the counter, casting a red beam of light over the counter, followed by a soft "ooh."

Ghorev motions to one of the nurses to keep an eye on the child for just one moment, while waiting for engineering to respond.

Ghorev, upon getting back "Enginering here," begins speaking very low and quietly now, almost a whisper, so as not to alarm anyone, "I want a security diagnostic on our turbolift. I want to know how a little civilian girl got down to main enginereing unchallenged. And I want to know *yesterday*."

A nurse sweeps in to carefully retrieve the medical tool from Laura's hands before either it or the counter can be damaged. "Don't touch!" the woman scolds. Pouting, Laura stamps her foot and moves away from the neat toys, unable to add to her collection. "Can I see Op..Operations?"

Ghorev breaks the connection on his combadge. "I'll have to ask, Laura. Where is your Daddy? He'll ned to tell the Commander it's okay."

Laura tips her head to the side. "Daddy's in our quarters. I think." She starts to bounce again. "He'll say it's okay." The child almost starts to pout for a moment. "Daddy says I just get in the way when I'm with him."

Ghorev says "I see. Do you remember what room he's in? I can send someone to go ask him right now, so we can make this quicker."

Laura nods her head. "1506," she answers cheerfully, beaming. "He'll say it's okay."

Ghorev nods. "I'll make sure."

Ghorev taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev to Ensign Idrani."

Over Ghorev's comm badge a voice answers, "Ensign Idrani here."

Into his comm badge, Ghorev says, "Jaylas Idrani, Miss Laura tells me that she and her father are assigned to Suite 1506. Since he is apparently a diplomat repreenting someone, perhaps you can get more detail now, and ask him if he minds us giving his daughter a tour of the station? SHe's eager to see Operations, but I would need Command staff's permission."

From Ghorev's comm badge, Idrani says, "Yes sir. I sent a message to Mr. Gasperela, regarding the situation. I have not gotten a reply from him. However, I will see what else I can do."

Ghorev says what he says next rather loudly, so that Laura can hear:

Into his comm badge, Ghorev says, "Thank you, Jaylas Idrani. Can you check with Commander Balin or Lt. Commander Gerok as to whether I can get permission to take Miss Laura to Operations on a careful tour? I'll be treating her to a snack down here while we wait word."

From Ghorev's comm badge, Idrani says, "Yes, sir. Idrani out."

Ghorev's comm badge ends its transmission.

Laura bounces some more after the communication ends, moving back toward the door. "Oh, a snack? Can we go to that big place near where the 'lift is?"

Ghorev says "Well, Laura," and he offers the little girl his hand, "they mostly only offer drinks. Are there sweet drinks that little human girls like? I don't know very many."

Laura tucks the tricorder against her chest with one hand, and slips her tiny and into Ghorev's. She starts skipping lightly toward the doors, nodding her head with enthusiasm. "Milkshakes. And rootbeer floats. And soda.." she rattles off a list at high speed and practially drags Ghorev out of the infirmary.

Ghorev heads out and into the clamour of the Mall.

Ghorev has left.

Laura heads out and into the clamour of the Mall.

Laura has left.

Ghorev is being led by the hand by a little human girl. "And which of these do you like best?"

Idrani walks along the corridor, heading toward the infirmary. She pauses, seeing Ghorev and the human child emerge. "Excuse me, sir?"

Millain's attention is drawn to the passage of the Klingon a moment, then returns to Gulliver. "Ah, yes that would seem a logical place to keep such things." Her hand waves to the Klingon, "You know, he appears armed?" She states with some level of distress entering her tone.

Vor'mak gives Millain a sideways glance after hearing himself become a part of her conversation and his scowl visibly becomes darker. "Harumph! Another Romulan. I wondered why the stink around here got worse!"

Gulliver notes the Klingon's passage. "It's part of his job," she shrugs, and adds, "That's the infirmary over there." She then shows the Romulan one of the black panels along the wall. "All you need to do is address the computer, and it'll find you places and things."

Laura skips lightly out of the infirmary, her hand firmly in Ghorev's, the other hand fiercly gripping a tricorder. The child's eyes light up as she looks about, but then she comes to a sudden stop, eyes wide. Out comes the tricorder and she scans. "Oooh. A Kli..Kli.." She glances up to Ghorev and shows him the reading on the tricorder. "He won't eat me will he?"

Ghorev says "I don't think so, Laura." He escorts the little child along. "Klingons have children too, after all, and I'm sure that they are just as proud of them as your daddy is of you."

A simple nod of acceptance is made by the Romulan woman to Gulliver, "Oh, excellent, we are allowed personal arms. I shall send for one on the next courier." Her attention then turns to the Klingon at his comment, "Yes, unfortunately Klingon, the Federation has become aware that you are an inefficient ally, able to defeat the Dominion aggressors, so they are reevaluating their options to align with a strong race."

Idrani steps over to Ghorev, "Excuse me, sir. I've spoken with Lt. Commander Gerok as well as Mr. Gasperela. Both give their consent to your request."

Vor'mak tosses his head back and lets loose a bellowing laugh. "Pah! Strong race?" Snorting in obvious contempt, he says with a leer, "I have had easier times killing your warriors than sparring with a human woman here. Strong race. Hah!"

Gulliver looks between the Romulan and Klingon. "All right, both of you, this is not how we behave on this station," and she looks to Millain. "And you, don't put words in my mouth, there's plenty there already./"

Laura stops again, mouth open in surprise, and stares at the Klingon and Romulan exchanging words. Pulling her hand free from Ghorev's, she props it on her waist, turning to glare at Vor'mak first. With a little stomp of her foot, she takes on a rather officious air for a 7 year old. "That wasn't very nice!"

Millain waves her hand in a dismissive fashion, offering a final jab to the Klingon warrior, "Very well, a race wise enough not to blow up their own homeworld." Her focus going back to the Federation woman who seems to have been wedged in the middle of the century old animosity.

Idrani takes a breath. "/Shla/, your father was quite relieved that you are safe. Perhaps you should go along with Lt. Ghorev now." She looks back at the verbal sparring between the Klingon and Romulan. "Are you both finished?" she asks.

Gulliver says "As for the weapons policy, you can also ask the computer for that in detail. I know there's been trouble between your respective peoples, but we expect there'll be no provocative language in public spaces, understand? ""

Turning his attention away from the odious Romulan woman, Vor'mak glances at the little girl and crouches down with a smirk. "MuHIv! And just what do you plan on doing, little one?"

Ghorev comes forward, to stand behind the little girl. He does not move to yank her away from Vor'mak, since the Klingon looks to be somewhat amused by the child's boldness, a reasonably good sign.

Laura stamps her foot again. "Daddy says it's bad to hit people or talk bad about them." She peeks up at Ghorev breifly, then gives Vor'mak a steady stare. "You won't eat me will you?"

Idrani falls silent, but keeps in close enough proximity to intervene, if necessary.

Millain raises and clasps her hands together before her. "I see, well.." Her attention though is cut to Idrani without further concern over the Klingon. "Attache Idrani, excellent timing. I was just seeking a few things, the Lieutenant was just telling me a few, but it is more likely such through go through you, yes?"

Gulliver quirks a smile at the little girl and the Klingon, and looks a bit relieved to see the Andorian arrive.

Idrani looks over and nods at the Romulan woman. "Lady Millain, yes. I would be pleased to do what I can to assist."

Vor'mak chuckles at the little girl and tells her, "I might, machjup, but your flesh is too soft."

Gulliver nods. "Let us know." She smirks to Idrani, indicating the little girl. "Better watch out forya job."

Idrani quirks a small smile. "Aye, sir."

Blue eyes widen even more, and Laura starts to back up a step, bumping into Ghorev. "I knew it! A Klingon told my daddy once that he would eat him for lunch!" Tiny chin juts out stubbornly. "I wouldn't let you eat me though."

"If you will excuse us, Lieutenant." Millain states politely as she gives a bit more focus to the diplomat. "Yes, Attache', I am seeking one of the Medical Hologram programs, as well as perhaps a lesson in the usage of your accessible computers."

Gulliver nods, and steps aside.

Vor'mak barks a short laugh in amusement and asks the girl, "Just how do you plan on stopping me, machjup?"

Ghorev places a reassuring hand on Laura's shoulder.

Idrani tucks a lock of snowy hair behind an ear. "Lt. Rivers informed me of your request and I did investigate the matter. However, access to the EMH program is quite restricted. However, if you are concerned about your physicians having the updated biological information on the different Federation species, I am certain we can update your databanks."

The rest of the crowd is ignored by the child now, as all of her attention is focused on the Klingon in front of her. "I'll...I'll.." Ghorev's reassuring hand stems whatever she might have said, and apprehension turns to curiosity. Laura pokes out an inquisitive finger, stepping forward a bit to jab the Klingon's head ridges. "How come your head is wrinkled?"

Millain says "A restricted trauma control device, an odd thing to restrict access to. Very well, I will tally a list of races of which we require medical data." Millain states before pressing on, "Now, that leads us to the lesson on your computer system and weapons access.""

Idrani doesn't argue the point about restricting the program, she just moves on. "We can likely go through the training office to get you set up on basic use of Federation computers. As for weapons access, were you looking to carry personal small arms?"

Vor'mak proudly lifts his head and says, "It is the crest of a warrior! It shows my lineage to my father and his father before him. It is my mark, and I bear it proudly."

Laura says "You mean like palm reading does for humans?" Some outlandish ideas this child has. Curiosity is finally overcome somewhat, as Idrani's earlier words finally sink home. "Oh! Oh! I get to see Operations." Bounce. Bounce. "Can I sit in the big chair?""

Vor'mak stands up while giving the girl a combination of an annoyed and disbelieving glare. "No."

Millain nods her head lightly, "Perhaps, I am unsure if such will be required.. Something likely only to be used incase the station is boarded by hostiles. So, shall we go to this training area?"

Idrani checks something on her PADD. "Let me contact the training officer and let her take care of the arrangements. Personal small arms are allowed by the allied military officers. I presume that, since you have obviously completed your Serona, your military rank crosses over into your diplomatic corps?"

Millain nods her head a bit at that, "Yes, very true, Attache', and thank you for arranging things."

Idrani nods. "I will contact you as soon as the classes are arranged. If you will excuse me, Lady Millain?"

Vor'mak snorts and continues along the station.

Vor'mak heads counter-clockwise along the corridor in the direction of section four, disappearing from view among the foliage as the corridor curves to the left.

Vor'mak has left.

Millain nods her head to let the woman get back to her duties, "Of course, Attache', pleasant day to you."

Ghorev tugs lightly on Laura's shoulder. "Come now, we'll get you that root beer float, then head up to Operations."

Gulliver nods and looks over to Millain. "Till then, just talk to the computer, and it'll tell you what it can do for you. As for the weapons permit, it'll probably cross my desk, and I'll expedite."

Idrani nods politely to those here and continues down the corridor.

Idrani heads clockwise along the corridor in the direction of section one, disappearing from view among the foliage as the corridor curves to the right.

Idrani has left.

Laura looks up at Ghorev and flashes a huge smile, followed by an enthusiastic nod. The rest of the crowd is forgotten as she slips her hand back into Ghorev's and starts skipping toward the 'lift again.