<USS Avalon> Intruder Alert

Intruder Alert

Karg is sitting in the Command Chair on the Bridge when his Comm activates, 
"Sir, intruder alert on deck seven."
"How many Ensign?"
"Just one Sir. He's not armed but Hess carrying a bag with fruit, candy and 
trinkets. He says that he is from Hypo but none of us can identify a planet 
with that name."
"Very well, Ensign, I’m on my way."

When Karg arrives, a small crowd is already beginning to gather. He finds a 
short, old man wearing clothes mostly of decorated home spun and wearing a sort 
of crown. The man looks at Karg as if he expected the visit. 
"I am First Lieutenant Karg. How did you get in here?"
"That is a secret.  I did not mean for anyone to see me."
"And why is . . . ?" Karg is suddenly struck with an idea so improbable that 
considering it makes him laugh.  "Excuse me sir. Your name wouldn't be . . . 
Nicholas, would it?"
Nicholas smiles, "Yes, it is, very good my boy."

Ensign Winters looks more than a little confused, "Sir?"
"He’s from Earth, Ensign. Hypo was in Asia Minor and if memory serves me, he 
was a Bishop nearly 2000 years ago. You may stand down.  I believe he is here 
to do us a favor."
"But who is he, sir?"
"He is Saint Nicholas."
"I beg your pardon, sir."
"Saint Nicholas, you know, Cinter Claus, Pere Noel, Father Christmas."
"But that’s not possible. . . Is it?"
"Yes and I must be about my work. May I go?"  And after a gesture, everyone 
is suspended in time except for Karg.

Nicholas asks, "I am curious, my son. You recognized me and yet neither of 
your parents are Christian."
"Yes, that takes a little explaining. When father first came to Earth, he 
became interested in a holiday that seemed to seemed to involve a great deal of 
the population. Years later when us kids were all school age, he was surprised 
to see that we felt left out. So he decided to co-opt the holiday. With the 
help of my Uncle Joseph we made statues to the Dine’ gods: Talking God, 
Listening Woman and First Boy at the time of his birth. We also made a little 
alter to 
Kahless. Father and Uncle Joseph agreed that any day was a good day to pay 
them reverence but they drew a line at getting a tree."

"Your father is an amazing man my son."
"He is indeed. I am very lucky to have him."
"I know you are preparing a gift for Nerys. Will you be giving it to her 
soon?"
"Yes, very soon, I am nearly ready."
"Then you will not need my help. But what about you, my son, what would you 
like for the holiday?"
Karg is pensive then smiles at the little man, "I’d like a bigger family."
Nicholas smiles but says nothing. He pats Karg on the shoulder then taps a 
wall panel that activates the ship’s PA. "Go to your families my children. 
Good 
health and happiness to everyone".  And with a poof he is gone.

Sr. Lt. Karg
Chief Tactical & Chief Covert OPS Officer
USS Avalon

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