From:		alligator1
Date:		15 July 1996 18:49
To:		U.S.S. Lafayette
Subject:		RE: Slater Planet

<Lt j.g. Lectron, Somewhere on Slater's Planet>

	Lectron sat down, trying to relax.  This was no time to panic.  

	What to do now?  Maybe sleep would be in order, it had been about 24 standard hours since he had slept.  Someone had to come by with food and water--he hoped they would come by.

	Asleep.  He could see McRae fighting for something--a life force?  Was it really her, the flow of air and spirit seemed to be her, but the form was so indefinite.  As her form ebbed and flowed, it appeared she was weaving some kind of healing web around a form on a table.  Was this a betazoid thing?  A shift--the new intelligence officer--what was his name--Strayler--fuzzy images--death follows him like a shadow.  Wonder if he knows that death is stalking him?  A flash--another image.  The bridge of the Lafayette--crewmen tense and ready for a fight.  Mortimer.  His image is indistinct, but there is something behind him--an apparition in Star Fleet uniform--silk thread attached to Mortimer--almost like a puppet.  

	Lectron shook awake.  What a dream.  The door to the room flowed open and a Slider stepped in.  It was in human form, but it wasn't human--the movement just wasn't right.

	"Ah, I see you are awake human.  The medical specialist said you would sleep longer than this."

	Lectron nodded.  "Why have I been taken captive?"

	A grimace, the Slider seemed uncomfortable.  "You have become a pawn in a political conflict on this planet, sorry to say.  I guess that happens when outsiders poke their noses into where they are not wanted.  Have you ever heard of the Vidalican Party?  I suppose not."

	"No, I haven't heard of the Vidalican Party, and I could care less.  I'm just here trying to help your people as a starfleet science officer.   I don't deserve this."

	The half human nodded.  "I understand, but you a caught up in things beyond your control.  I'm sorry, but it can't be helped.  If fortune smiles, you will be released in the future."

	Lectron needed to get closer to the creature--but how?  And he still needed to know more about what this whole thing was about.  He didn't think it would work, but he doubled over as in pain and started groaning, glancing out of his left eye to see if the creature moved toward him.  A shape shift and the Slider grew into a seven foot animal, blue fur, a mouth that could devour a medium sized Klager, not to mention the four arms.  It moved toward him, and Lectron wondered whether this had been such a good idea.  

	It settled beside him and said, "the effects of the stasis generator are hard to bear."  Reaching out a paw, it rolled him over.

	That was the instant that Lectron was looking for.  As he rolled over, his right foot came around and slammed the creature right under the neck--a killing blow surely.  Unfortunately for Lectron,  it wasn't a killing blow, but the creature did seem to be hurt as it put one of its paws around Lectron's throat.  He saw his life float before him and knew it was over.

	Then the pressure lightened, and the creature fell to the floor beside him.