"A cruise through the Orion nebula?"

"Admiral Keogh insisted actually. He got me the tickets. And I thought we could use the time off.

"Oh BJ, this is wonderful! But why three?"

"There was only one suite left and it had two bedrooms."

"It's the best cruise in the Federation." says Steven "I've been on it three times. Being the son of diplomats has advantages."

"Admiral Keogh also insisted that the rest of you also take some time off." says BJ "Go home, visit family, whatever."

"What about the ship?" says Tundra

"Wesley will take care of it." says Steven "He said he wanted to install some experimental technology."

"Sounds great." says Miles "So, who's the lucky third."

"Take me." says Tim. "Being a slave all my life in my universe, I don't know what luxury is. I want to go. I promise to stay up as late as possible so I won't bother you."

"You won't be a bother Tim." says Raven "We'd love to have you along."

"Yeah. That goes double for me." says BJ

****

Bestleg, Betelguese system space liner port. BJ, Raven and Tim enter their liner, the Star of Orion, and are greeted by the first officer, Commander Jones.

"Mr. BJ, Ms Raven. Welcome aboard the Star of Orion. Captain Stubbs send his regards. The stewart here will show you to your suite."

"Thank you commander."

****

"Wow this ship has so much!" says Tim "14 restaurants, three swimming pools, 2 casinos, 6 theaters!"

"I think he's excited." says Raven

"Ya think? Have a good time Tim."

"Ooh-ho, I'm going too! Restaurants, here I come!"

Tim goes out the door. BJ and Raven stare out of their window. The Orion Nebula is still some distance away.

"What a spectacular view." says Raven

"I know. I got a glimpse of it on board the Lexington during the Kzatti War."

"So, what will it be first?" says Raven

"How about dining in tonight? I got us a special dinner that room service should be bringing up soon."

"And then what?"

"And then....we work a little magic."

BJ clicks his tongue.

"Oh BJ!" laughs Raven

****

Bridge. Captain Stubbs surveys his bridge when a crewmember turns in his chair.

"Captain, I'm getting a distress call from a stricken freighter, about a light year from here."

"Hmm, won't take us too far off course. Very well, helm, lay in a course, and tell sickbay to prepare. And most of all, try not to upset the passengers."

"Yes sir."

****

At the airlock Commander Jones, and three med techs and an engineer wait here. The airlock opens to reveal....a squad of wolf-sapiens pointing weapons at them.

"Try anything smart and you all die! You, take me to the bridge!"

On the bridge Stubbs notices that Jones is back.

"That was fast commander...."

The wolf-sapiens swarm the bridge and take the crew hostage. One wolf walks up to him.

"I am Corporal Caliber, exec in charge of Omega Squad. You will tell us where a certain BJ and Raven are berthed."

****

A knock is heard in their suite.

"Room service."

"That'll be the special meal I ordered."

BJ opens the door and see's the steward with a tray of food...and a gun pointed to his head. He's suddenly hit in the back of the head and he slumps to the floor. Half a dozen wolf-sapiens rush in and take them hostage.

"BJ!"

"Raven!"

BJ is struck in the head and knocked down. They make them sit in chairs, while they train their guns on them. Another wolf-sapien walks in smugly.

"What's going on here?!" says BJ

"Silence!"

One soldier backhands him.

"That's enough." says the commander.

He walks up cooly to BJ.

"Greetings Captain BJ. We meet at last."

"Who are you?"

"Remember the Battle of D'eelo III? My squad barely survived the assault by those vermin Cutani. I am General Wolfeye's son, Lieutenant Alpha, and I am here to kill you both."

"The KH Empire?" says Raven "I thought our forces defeated you."

"You did. And we're here to avenge them!"

"Alpha, huh? Subtle."

"You killed my father, the rightful alpha of the migatua pack."

"Your father was a very bad man. Heck, there is no pack to lead anymore."

"Wrong, I'm talking to them right now."

"You must be joking?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?!"

One soldier turns to another.

"Hey Tank, two meat sticks says Alpha let's them have it between the eyes."

"Not now Gambler."

****

Inside the squads freighter a wolf-sapien is busy with some equipment. This is Mayhem. He hears a grunt and a thud.

"Jazz? What'd you drop this time?"

He grunts in annoyance and goes to the airlock where the techs are being held. Jazz is lying on the floor, his neck at a wierd angle. Mayhem is suddenly attacked from behind, it's Tim. He grabs ahold of his head and snaps.

"Go on. I'll set something up inside. Tell security to head for the bridge, and tell them to prepare for a firefight."

****

BJ and Raven's suite is the same. Alpha goes to the tray and lifts the lid, sampling the meat there.

"Mmm. I've never tasted this before. What is it?"

"Altairan pheasant, the best tasting bird in the known galaxy."

"Why Mr. BJ, you shouldn't have! Thank you."

"You dirty....!"

BJ gets up but is smacked again in the head.

"Not a wise move Captain. Now just sit there while I enjoy this delicious meal."

Alpha's comlink beeps.

"What?!"

"This is Dynamite! We're under attack by ship's security!"

"Then shoot back you fool!"

Static fills the comlink.

"Banzai, Caliber, get to the bridge and help Dynamite."

A firefight outside in the hall is heard.

"Shotgun, what's going on?"

"We're under attack sir!

"Pull back do you hear?"

"Yes si--aaugh!"

"Shotgun?"

A nearby vent comes loose and Tim is seen inside. He fires and Gambler goes down. Tank loses his weapon as Tim gets out of the vent. Tank charges and Tim deftly avoids him and then gets up on his back and grabs his head and snaps.

"You have earned my wrath human scum!" shouts Alpha. "This is Alpha to all soldiers, head back to the ship!"

BJ runs and tackles Alpha. They roll on the floor fighting, biting and kicking. Tim comes up and kicks Alpha in the snout and he lands in a heap in a corner of the hallway. Alpha tries to get up but Tim takes aim and fires, Alpha is vaporized.

"What about the rest of them?" says BJ

"Don't worry, I left them a little surprise." says Tim

*****

"Get this thing moving Caliber!" shouts Banzai

"I am, I am!"

As the ship leaves the liner behind, another soldier looks around in confusion.

"What's that beeping?"

They all look at each other with realization.

****

From the window in BJ and Raven's suite the freighter explodes.

"Your pretty good in a fight Tim." says BJ

"Comes from fighting all your life in my universe."

Captain Stubbs and a security squad come up.

"Mr. BJ, Ms Raven, are you all right?"

"Yes Captain, we're fine." say BJ "Thanks to Tim here."

"Please, let me make it up to you. Our presidential suite is not being used at the moment. I am letting the three of you have it for the duration of the voyage."

"We're honored Captain."

****

Presidential suite. BJ and Raven are having a candlelit dinner with the Orion nebula outside the window.

"That was delicious BJ." says Raven "Altairan pheasants my favorite. Now then, how about that little magic you promised, hmm?"

"It would be my pleasure my dear."

Outside the suite, Tim is walking back. He stops at the door and puts his ear to it. Heavy breathing is heard.

"Oh BJ! Yes! Yes! YES!"

Tim smiles and turns around. He stops when a long piercing howl is heard. He chuckles and keeps walking.

To be continued....