From:		Liz_vTrek
Date:		12 June 1996 11:45
To:		U.S.S. Lafayette
Subject:		Formations

"Formations"
Slater's Planet (just before the arrival of the Lafayette)

Kimmee could barely contain his excitement as he dashed through the front door and raced through the aisle, barely missing his kid sister as he barreled through the living room portal.

Mo-o-o-o-o-mm!  His exuberant psychic shout practically deafened the household, causing his mother to turn with a scolding frown as he rolled to a stop in front of the mock fireplace.

Kimmee!  How many times do I have to tell you?  NO ROLLING THROUGH THE HOUSE!!

Ooops!  Sorry, Mom, a suitably contrite Kimmee mumbled.  The small, pinkish mass known as Kimmee quickly assumed a more appropriate form in a matter of seconds when four dusky brown furry appendages formed beneath him.  His central mass elongated fluidly into a similarly colored trunk and triangular head with pointed ears and a mask.  The raccoon-like creature that resulted looked up at his mother, who sat on a bean-bag like chair in the center of the room, for approval. 

Curled up on an identical chair next to Kimmee's mother, a wolf-like creature gazed at the youngster with approval.  Hmmmph, he grunted, a dog-like grin forming on his face as he stretched to get up.  Kimmee's mastered a new form.  Where did you find this one, Kimmee?  From one of the AVs at school?  Grarl stretched languorously before stepping closer to inspect his tiny son.

That's what I've been trying to tell you, Dad!  I found a new critter in the woods next to our house.  Kimmee suddenly became animated as he demonstrated his recent experience.  It was MEAN and NASTY, and I had to FIGHT it, Dad!  He rolled on the floor as if in battle with the creature, all four legs thrashing in the air as he writhed.  It even tried to BITE me and stuff, but…….

Leaping from her chair with a growl, Kimmee's cougar-like mother reached the pre-adolescent in one mighty bound, raising one of her mighty paws as if to deliver a cuff to the youngster.   Whimpering, Kimmee scampered up to the fireplace and plastered himself against the faux-stone in an attempt to avoid the blow.

Fala….. came a gentle reproof from Grarl.  You really shouldn't be so harsh on the child.  After all, he is somewhat behind the other children when it comes to a repertoire of forms.

Slitted green-gold eyes of fury fixed on wolfish yellow eyes.  How many times do I have to tell him not to make contact with strange creatures in the woods?  she snarled.  Look at him, Fala pointed with a long, unsheathed claw.  Where have you seen an animal like that on this planet?  It looks Terran in origin, if my guess is right.  How do we know it's not carrying the disease?

Now, now, Fala, Grarl chided, turning to resume his previous position on the bag.  He flopped down onto its softness with a sigh.  Let's not get all paranoid.  No one yet knows how the Plague is transmitted.  It could be indigenous, for all we know. 

Seeing that he had a reprieve, Kimmee rushed over to his father,  wisely taking a semi-circular route which kept him out of reach of his still furious mother.  Still whimpering, the relatively tiny figure nuzzled down into his father's chest as Grarl slowly licked him in comfort.  It's a fine new form, Kimmee, he transmitted privately to the shivering child.  But mind what your mother says.  You know how easy it is for her to fly off the handle about things like that.

Fala gave a disgusted cough as she spun around to stalk deliberately into the kitchen, tail lashing in agitation.  You coddle him too much, Grarl,  she shot privately from the other room.  Just because he's smaller than the others were at his age does not make him a mental midget.  If he's mature enough to roam the woods alone, he should be mature enough to recognize danger.  

Grarl sighed in exasperation.  Looking down, he saw that Kimmee was fast asleep between his huge paws.  As usual, he noted wryly, the vid remote control was next to Fala's chair.