From:		alligator1
Date:		20 June 1996 23:41
To:		U.S.S. Lafayette
Subject:		RE: Slater Planet

<Lt j.g. Lectron, Slater Planet>

	Lectron looked around.  They had materialized in perfect form.  That was good!!  He didn't want to think about floating around as atoms he dad could analyze.  Beata was all business.  He pointed out the medical building, and Lectron looked at McRae.  She seemed comfortable.
	McRae said something about her hasty arrival, but he didn't hear the rest.  She was as good-looking as he had imagined.  And she was trying to apologize for her absence--she didn't need to.  Maybe she wasn't as hard as he had thought.  Wonder if I can get her alone on the ship--a little relaxation time.
	They headed off for the medical building.
	And then she said, "I'd be interested in your thoughts on what we are facing here."
	Lectron nodded.  "You heard what I said in the briefing?  I think we have something real peculiar going on here.  I don't think it is indigneous to the planet.  It is a new agent and affecting the metabolism of the Sliders.  But we can't rule out anything.  If it was up to me, I would start looking at cell metabolism and what is happening there.  Also, I need to talk to you about something that concerns the Captain.
	With the last sentence, McRae shot Lectron a startled look.  Was it a question or a "don't tell me" type of look.  He didn't know--maybe his secret would have to stay a secret.
	They climbed the steps to the medical building and a ? came out to meet them.  "My name's Grarl--I'm to be your host for this time period--welcome."
	Lectron couldn't believe it could really speak Universal.  What should I call that?  It was strange--whatever it was.  It kind of reminded him of a character he had studied in the academy--Myths of the 20th Century--what was it called--YODA--but this was a Yoda with fur and four legs.  But all the same, the face was the same, and the manner was the same.  That made it a YODA--didn't it?
	Lectron stepped forward and bowed.  He had read in the data that Sliders put great store in greetings.  Lectron kept his head down until Grarl said, "you are welcome humans--may your shapes be clear and well formed throughout eternity."
	Lectron raised his head and said, "Shape is life, form is experience, but essence is all, be well Grarl."
	Grarl, grinned--if that was possible with one of his kind.  He looked at McRae.