<USS Avalon> "The Spider Cometh: Part One" Cmdr. Skyler, Ensign O'Donnell and Mir'ast'hera

"The Spider Cometh: Part One"
Cmdr. Skyler, Ensign O'Donnell and Mir'ast'hera 
 
Standing outside of the shuttle bay Skyler and  Ensign O'Donnell were 
preparing to enter and meet their guest. Both were wearing  magnetic boots 
which made 
walking a tad difficult. "Ensign, are you ready to see  what our visitor 
looks like?" Skyler knew she was curious as to what they looked  like as well 
as 
the ship. 
 
Looking at the ship with curiosity, Mary nodded her assent at the  Commander. 
"Certainly Ma'am. Do we know anything about the  visitor?"


"Actually, all we know is what we obtained  from passive scans. It seems that 
our guest is some kind of arachnid. Just how  big and any other information 
is unknown. We do know that we have to wear these  stupid boots to accommodate 
the atmosphere that they or it is used to."   Walking further into the shuttle 
bay Skyler was amazed at the size of the ship.  "I certainly hope that there 
is room in that ship for more than one being, if  not that creature appears as 
if it is going to be quite large."  

Mir'ast'hera felt the craft come to a stop in a brightly lit room.  Turning 
she disengaged the door seals and made ready to leave the craft, her  breather 
connected to the suit. 

Mary looked at the craft  in trepidation, she'd always been scared of 
spiders. It was one of the few  things she was afraid of, and if there was only 
one 
in there..... She gripped  the phaser rifle tightly. 


Sensing that Mary was a bit  on the nervous side, Skyler tried to calm her 
down. "Easy does it Ensign. This  is supposed to be a friendly first contact. I 
think you can loosen up on that  rifle a bit." Moving closer to the ship 
Skyler spoke out loud, "Mir'ast'hera,  this is Commander Skyler. We spoke 
earlier. 
You and your ship are now located in  the shuttle bay of the USS Avalon. It is 
safe for you to come out. No one is  going to hurt you. You have my word." I 
just hope  she doesn't decide to freak out and hurt us! Skyler waited to see 
who or what emerged from the  vessel. 

The Arachnid heard the voice she'd heard earlier. "Could you lower  the light 
slightly?" She moved toward the door, silently cursing the designers  again.

"Computer dim lights to 50% I have dimmed the lights in half. Is  that better 
for you?" 

"Thank you, yes."  Mir'ast'hera slowly moved out into the bay and unfurled to 
her full  size.

"Fuckin' 'ell!" Mary's jade eyes when wide at the size of the thing. 


Skyler was also taken aback at the size of  Mir'ast'hera. She had never seen 
anything quite so large in all her years in  Starfleet. "Ensign, that will be 
enough of that language. Mir'ast'hera is our  guest, and as such will be 
treated with respect. Do I make myself clear?"  

"Sorry Ma'am, just a shock that's all." 
 
"I understand completely Ensign." Not exactly  sure how to greet 
Mir'ast'hera, Skyler bent slightly at the waist. "Welcome to  the USS Avalon. I 
am 
Commander Skyler and this is Ensign O'Donnell. It is our  pleasure to meet 
you." 
 
The Arachnid looked down and saw two small beings standing on two  legs. She 
clicked her mandibles and forelegs together as she answer "Greetings  to you, 
as you know I am Mir'ast'hera of R'ish'tk."


Looking up Skyler was amazed at how large  Mir'ast'hera was, not to mention 
the three roving eyes. She had to admit it gave  her the willies. Trying to 
remain calm Skyler spoke, "If you would like to  follow me, I am sure we can 
find 
quarter's for you and then possibly a tour of  the ship. That is if it meets 
with your approval?" Damn she is one big  spider!!  

"A tour would be acceptable."  The bipeds were tiny. "I will have to remove 
my suit, but will require the  breather."


"We have adjusted the gravity to  accommodate you, as for the breather that 
is acceptable. What would you like to  see first, your quarters or a tour?" I 
hope the hallways are going to be big  enough for her?  


Mary still couldn't believe the size of the  thing. It's the size of a two  
runabouts! 


"Ensign, I think we are going to have to  clear the hallways to make room for 
our guest." Skyler sighed and tapped her  comm badge, "Attention all crew, 
this is Commander Skyler, please clear all  hallways from the shuttle bay to 
guest quarter's. Shall we proceed  Mir'ast'hera?"  


"Lead on  Commander." 


Turning toward the doors, Skyler proceeded  to lead the way out of the 
shuttle bay and down the halls. "So, Mir'ast'hera,  where exactly did you come 
from 
and what is it like? I am most interested in  learning about your race." So 
far they had made it a few feet without any major  incidents, hopefully the 
rest 
of the way would be the same.  


"A planet in this system, we live  underground." 


"How far away from your homeworld are you?  R'ish'tk is the name of your 
world? I have never heard of it. I am sure Captain  Ketchum will me quite 
pleased 
to meet with you. I think you will find him a  reasonable man."  


Mir'a moved her eye stalks, " I am unsure how far  I am from home, the drive 
engaged during the  collision." 


As the three continued to make their way  through the halls of the ship 
Skyler was amazed that Mir'a was able to fit. "If  you like we can have one of 
our 
engineers look at your ship and see if it can be  repaired. In the meantime we 
will do everything we can to make you comfortable.  First thing that we 
should do is introduce you to the Captain. He is most eager  to meet with new 
people. Is that all right with you?" Skyler looked at Ensign  O'Donnell and 
could 
see she was still a bit nervous. "You are doing just fine Ensign. Just take 
deep breaths and try and  relax. There is no need for fear. I don't think our 
guest is out to harm  anyone."  


Mary just nodded and warily looked at the huge  manifestation of her only 
fear other than small spaces.
Mir'a bobbed her head, "I would like to meet this man in authority  you speak 
of. Males are the workers in our society, Females hold the fabric  together."


"That is most interesting. You will have  to tell me more about your society. 
First let's get you settled in your  quarter's." They continued walking until 
they had reached the guest quarter's.  Skyler punched in the code and opened 
the door. "I hope these quarter's will  suit you. If you tell me what you 
require in the way of nourishment I can  program our replicator's and you can 
get 
whatever you need. They are actually  very simple to use."  


"Replicator?" The Arachnid tilted her head and  stroked her eye-stalks with 
her forelegs. 


"Yes, it is a device that allows us to  program what kind of foods we prefer. 
We can make whatever you need in the way  of food for nourishment. I know 
this is all new to you. Why don't you tell me  what you require in the way of 
nourishment and I will program it in and show you  how to work it. We can even 
program it to work by using your voice." Why do I  get all the good or not so 
good assignments? Always on my shift!!  


"We eat our prey live, when not feasting on  greenery."
"Uh, did you say you eat your prey live? I am  not exactly sure how we are 
going to be able to replicate live prey for you.  Will greenery do for now?" 
Skyler looked at Mary and could see the fear in her  eyes and knew she was 
thinking that she could be considered prey, just as Skyler  was thinking the 
same 
thing. "How about we get you settled in your quarter's and  I will talk to the 
Captain about your specific requirements and then later we  can go on that 
tour. If that is acceptable to you of course." I ain't 
anyone's  dinner!!  


"Indeed."

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