Bridge, Warbird.

"Ludwig," said Bowser, turning to Ludwig, "we are receiving a transmission from the Enterprise."

            "On-screen," said Ludwig.  Onto the screen flashed the Main Bridge of the Enterprise, with Liquidator in the command chair and Mumm-ra standing in front of him near the screen.  Only Mega Volt, Bushroot, Quacker Jack, and Negaduck were also on the Bridge.

            "We have achieved success, my dear Ludwig," said Mumm-ra.  "Those Thunder Kittens were defeated, albeit after a difficult fight, and I have freed the Fearsome Five and taken over the entire ship."  Ludwig was intensely satisfied.  His overwrought nerves had been made to rest by Mumm-ra's words.

            "Very excellent, Mumm-ra," said Ludwig.  "Keep up the Enterprise's shields.  I do not desire it to be damaged."

            "As you wish," said Mumm-ra.

            Ludwig swivelled to Bowser.  "King Dad, inform Metroid, Sky Tomb, and the three limos that the attack on the inside succeeded.  Tell them that Mumm-ra and the Fearsome Five have conquered the Enterprise's entire complement and the Thunder Kittens."

            "Right," said Bowser.

            Larry, however, was extremely suspicious.  "Brother," said Larry, "are you sure we ought to trust him?  I mean, I have full confidence in Mumm-ra, but something about this bugs me."

            "Obviously," snapped Ludwig, "it's that your suspicious nature always wants to find something out of place.  You're paranoid.  We will stop, the six Brain-Team vessels in a circle around the Enterprise.  The ships will be evenly spaced apart.  We will be five hundred thousand kilometres from the Enterprise.  Mumm-ra, stop the Enterprise as soon as Bowser says that he has relayed the message to all of the other ships."

            "Understood," said Mumm-ra.

            Bowser made some communications.  He then said, "The messages have been relayed, Prince!"

            "Excellent!" said Ludwig.  "Mumm-ra, it is to be made so."

            "Aye," replied Mumm-ra.  The monitor flashed off.  Something appeared on Roy's monitors.

            "The Enterprise is stoppin'," said Roy.

            "Manoeuvre as you ordered?" asked Larry.

            Ludwig answered, "Yes, Larry.  Exactly as I ordered.  On my signal, all six ships are to decloak."

            "What?" demanded Larry.

            "Also," continued Ludwig as if there had been no interruption, "the weapons systems and shields will also be off-line."

            "Are you crazy?" demanded Larry.

            "No," said Ludwig.  "I have extreme trust in Mumm-ra and the Fearsome Five."

            "What if it is a trick?"

            "Oh, nonsense!  This cannot be a trick, Larry.  Just do as I have ordered and submerge your paranoia."

            "Yes, bro, but don't blame me if this becomes a fiasco."  The six vessels formed a circle around the Enterprise.

            "Decloak!" ordered Ludwig.  The six ships dropped their cloaking shields.

            * * *

            Main Bridge, Enterprise.

            "They've dropped their cloaks," said Worf.

            Picard said, "On-screen."  The screen showed a shot from above.  The six Brain-Team vessels decloaked and were in a perfect circle around the Enterprise.

            "Their shields and weapons systems," added the Klingon warrior, "are inactive."

            "Gotcha!" said Wilykit.

            "Yes!" said Picard.  "Mr. Worf, Red-Alert."  Worf hit the Red-Alert button, the light levels decreased, the status panels bathed the whole bridge with flashing red light, and the alarm sounded six times.  "Shields up!  Fire all phasers at all six vessels!"

            "Aye, sir," said Worf.  The next instant, the Enterprise was blasting the six vessels with all the phaser power it could muster.

            * * *

            Bridge, Warbird.

            "WHAT THE HELL!!!" exclaimed Ludwig, his ship rocking violently.  "ROY, WHAT IS OUR STATUS?!?"

            "We've just lost our power-line to the warp engines, photon torpedoes, and disruptors!"

            "Raise shields and return fire via phasers!" snapped Ludwig.  Roy hit the shield-raise button, and the Enterprise's assailings smacked against the shield.

            "Shield levels at 89% and holding," reported Roy.

            "What the hell did I tell you?" demanded Larry.

            "All right, Larry.  Don't rub it in."  Ludwig turned disgustedly to the Enterprise, which had altered its angle to attack the five other vessels.  "Hail them," he said.

            Bowser hit a key.  "Hailing frequencies open," said he.

            "Mumm-ra, what in the blue-blazing, God-damned, son-of-a-bitch bloody hell are you trying to do?!?"

            The real Main Bridge of the Enterprise flashed onto the screen.  "Did you like that?" asked Wilykit, smiling.

            "YOU!!!!!" shouted Ludwig in uncontrollable fury.  "I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT YOU WOULD COME UP WITH SUCH A PLAN, THUNDER KITTEN!!!!!  I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS!!!!!"

            "Oh, you seem to have the slightest twinge of anger on your voice," remarked Wilykit.  "Worf, I think you should direct all phasers at Metroid."

            "Right," said Worf, at Tactical.  He hit a series of buttons.  Then, uncontrollable agony hit Larry, Ludwig, Bowser, and Roy. . . agony caused by an extremely powerful force hitting Metroid.

            * * *

            Main Bridge, Enterprise.

            "That got him!" said Wilykit.  "I think we can now end the program in the holodeck."

            "Agreed," said Picard, smiling despite himself.  "Computer, deactivate program currently running in Holodeck 2 of Mumm-ra and the Fearsome Five."

            The computer replied, "The program running in Holodeck 2 has just been deactivated."

            "Thank you," whispered the captain.  He ordered, "Mr. Data, bring us about.  Face the other four vessels."

            "Yes, sir," said Data.  He hit a series of keys.  The Enterprise turned so that its forward end faced the Road*Star, the Limbo Limo, the Zoomer, and Sky Tomb.

            "Whack them again," ordered Picard.  Worf complied by programming the phasers to make the four vessels tumble when the phaser blasts hit them, and he hit the fire key.  The four vessels were sent spinning.

            "Sir," said Worf, "the Warbird and Metroid are turning back and recloaking."  The Warbird and Metroid appeared on the screen.  They turned away and cloaked.

            "Well, that was . . . gratifying," said Wilykit.  "No.  It was. . . well, I cannot describe it."  She loved it.  Her plan had worked.  If she kept this up, she might become commander of the N-Team if Steelheart, Kevin, and Lion-O retired.

            "Is there not a provision in the Code of Thundera which prevents lying?" asked Picard.

            "I'll tell you a cute little secret," said Wilykit.  "The Brain-Team attacked several times.  So long as it is to prevent good from being conquered by evil, a little stretching of the truth won't hurt.  However, if it's just for fun or something, that is when a Thunder Cat could be punished."

            "I see," said Picard.  "And, from Mumm-ra's attack, you hypothesised that the Brain-Team's force was going to attack?"

            "True," said Wilykit.  "Wilykat and I did."

            "If this ship had been running the way in which it had been before we found out that the Brain-Team was coming," said Wilykat, "it could have been destroyed."

            Wilykit said, "And there's that Romulan Warbird coming."

            "After having violated Federation space," added Picard.  "I need to find out if anything's wrong.  What is the nearest Federation outpost?"

            "Sector 3947," reported Data.  "At this distance, a subspace communication would take six days."

            "We could speed that up considerably with the N-Team's communication system," said Wilykit.  "It would be as if one were orbiting that station and calling it, only much, much quicker. . . or is that much, much more quickly?"

            Picard quietly sighed in relief.  "Very well.  Please, make it so."  Wilykit nodded.  She went up to the Tactical station and guided Worf through the procedure.  Picard sat down in his command chair and looked at Wilykat, sitting at the chair on the extreme left of the command horseshoe.  "You can transport through shields, you can communicate and transport extremely quickly, and you can detect ships through their cloaks.  That's some very powerful technology."

            "The Silver Hawks' society is and that of the Thunderians was very technologically advanced, as you know," said Wilykat.  "The knowledge of every aspect of Thunderian technology was stored in data files brought over on our ship, and all those files are now stored in the N-Team's computer network.  The Silver Hawks used some Thunderian technology in our transporter system and our communications system; they also did that with the warp engines presently used in their vehicles."

            "So, you had sufficient warning before Thundera began to become destroyed?"

            "No," said Wilykat.  "Thunderians always have an innate instinct to be prepared for everything possible.  That would include filing the technology for immediate transport.

            "Unfortunately, at the time, there weren't enough ships to transport everyone off the planet.  The population of Thunderians dropped from over a billion down to nine."

            Riker shook his head.  "A terrible way for a race to go," he remarked.

            "That has happened," said Wilykat.  "Thunderians may be more emotionally stable than certain humans, but it still pierced us to have our race blown apart like that.

            "Luckily, a sentient Thunderian feline species known as the Snarfs escaped to a planet here in the Milky Way.  For that reason, it was named the Planet of the Snarfs.  When he brought Thundera back together in the Milky Way, along with dragging along several of Plundarr's moons, Mumm-ra took the Snarfs to New Thundera and enslaved them to look for the Treasure of Thundera.  In the end, as we said, the Thunder Cats re-obtained it."

            "Got it!" interrupted Worf's voice.  "Thank you, Wilykit."

            Wilykit said, "You're welcome, Lieutenant."

            Picard stood and looked back to face Worf.  "Call the nearest Federation starbase, Lieutenant."

            "Aye, sir," said Worf.  "That would be Starbase 178."  He activated a subspace channel.  "Sending transmission on subspace."  A response came nearly immediately.  "They are responding.  They wish the contact to be visual."  Picard was about to suggest that the Thunder Kittens leave the Bridge, but they were already in the process of doing so.  They were heading for the Observation Lounge.

            "Very well," said Picard.  "Put it on visual."  The administrator of Starbase 178 flashed on the screen.  "This is Captain Picard of the Enterprise."

            "Ah, Captain," replied the administrator.  "We have just received records of your present mission.  According to our sensors, you should have been trying to reach us for weeks."

            "I shall explain that later," said Picard.  "Right now, there are more urgent matters to which to attend.  A D'Kazanak Class Romulan Warbird secretly slipped out into the unknown through the Federation's portal.  It was cloaked.  Are there any reports of destruction lately?"

            "No," said the administrator.  "But a Romulan ship passing through our territory without so much as being detected on our circuits?  If I didn't know your reputation any better, Captain, I'd say you were joking."

            "I am not laughing," said Picard, resisting a smile trying to pull at his face.  "How about the new Cardassian threat?"

            "Damn those Cardassians," said the administrator.  "A sensor placed on the edge of the Neutral Zone detected a rendez-vous between a Cardassian war-vessel and a Romulan Warbird.  It seems as though goods and ambassadors were exchanged between them.  There was some firing at the end, but not too much."

            Picard said, "I see.  Do you think they may be working on an alliance?"

            "Knowing them, I both would be surprised and would not be surprised."

            "Hm.  Well, there is a new threat out here."

            "To be expected."

            "It is the Brain-Team.  Their flagship is modelled after the Romulan Warbird, only it's much faster, much larger, and much deadlier.  The cloak is better.  Their warp engines reach warp 30.  It is named the Warbird."

            "Hm.  That would make it more powerful than the Enterprise."

            "Yes, but, when we encountered it, the Brain-Team's leader seemed to think that the huge ship would be enough.  With ingenuity, we escaped unscathed.

            "I believe there is also a powerful ally to be gained out here as well.  It is the N-Team, and they seem as technologically advanced, if not more so, than we, particularly two groups of that team.  The N-Team itself protects five-sixths of the galaxy."

            "I see.  Well, Captain, we'll look out for the Romulans, the Cardassians, and the Brain-Team."

            "Very well.  We shall look out for the foremost and the lattermost."

            "Understood.  Thank you for this report, Captain Picard."

            "Our pleasure.  Picard out."  The screen reverted to its starry background.

            * * *

            Conference Room, Kazara.

            "What?" demanded Torreth angrily.

            Tomalak calmly said, "I asked why you let the Enterprise go, Commander.  It is a reasonable question."

            "Only in your opinion!" Torreth almost roared, almost forgetting the ranks.  "They helped us out of a difficulty.  That large, gross abomination whose leader calls it 'the Warbird' would have destroyed us if it weren't for them."

            "Where you saw an enemy," said Tomalak calmly, "I would have seen a powerful ally.  You see, the Enterprise is not nearly so advanced as the Kazara.  The leader of that ship may have wished to help us to destroy the Federation."

            "What!  Of all the rotten nerve!  You guys at the top are all alike:  expansion of the Romulan Empire!  Well, Admiral Tomalak, I have something for you!  I believe that we should go through this diplomatically.  I believe in an alliance, not in a barbaric continuation of conflict."

            "You are entitled to your own opinion, of course, Commander Torreth," said Tomalak.  "I, for one, do not share it. . . fully.  I think we need force to show the humans their place."  Torreth did not like the nonsense he was spouting, but she didn't have to.  She just had to be obedient.

            "Understood," said Torreth, clearly disgusted.  "May I speak freely?"

            "Yes, you may," said Tomalak.

            "I think that diplomacy will win the conflict between the Federation and the Romulan Empire, not violence.  I believe that another war will destroy the Romulan Empire, no matter how prepared we are for it."

            Tomalak took this into consideration.  "I see," he told her.  "Well, I shall see you later, Commander."

            "Likewise, Admiral," replied Torreth.  Tomalak left.  Torreth took the time to go over her orders again.

            The Enterprise is approaching another world known as Earth.  This Earth is the home of another N-Team Division Leader, Darkwing Duck, who seems rather egotistical from Steelheart's descriptions.  However, there is a Romulan Warbird that has entered the Thunder Cats' Territory and is moving at breakneck speed toward us.  I only hope there can be a peaceful compromise before there can be any shooting.

            July 12.

            Thunder Kittens' Quarters, Deck 13, Enterprise.

            It was 8.30, and Wilykit was still sleeping.  Wilykat wanted desperately to get her up.  He was so desperate to prove that she was not perfect.  However, he knew she might be very intensely angry at him if he tried to wake her.  Her anger had driven him to crying.  He knew she could not control this, and he could not control doing these. . . these things to her, these annoying little things that brothers do to their sisters.  He would not wake her up as a joke; he would wake her seriously.  He moved over to her and gently aroused her.  "Wilykit," he said softly.

            Wilykit slowly awoke.  "Wilykat, you'd better have a good reason for this," she said quietly.

            "It is 8.30," Wilykat replied.  To his relief, she accepted this and proceeded to sit up.  She yawned.

            "Busy night," she remarked.  Wilykat nodded in agreement.  "And thank you for getting me up so politely."

            Wilykat said, "Something told me to replicate a barrel of water and use it to get you up, but that would not have been nice."

            "Nor wise," she said.  "I would have screamed at you for a month."  Wilykat sat on the edge of her bed.

            "Don't do anything," said Wilykat.  "I'll see if Wesley will come."  She looked at him surprisedly.

            "What?" she exclaimed.  "Wilykat, he is a human!"

            "Many humans sleep naked, too," said Wilykat.

            "Okay," she said.  She would be angry as the devil if Wesley became upset.  After Wilykat left, she intentionally found it hard to remain awake.

            * * *

            Dr. Crusher's Quarters, Deck 7.

            Wesley finished his breakfast.  "Well, Mom," said Wesley, "I'll see you."

            Beverly swallowed her helping of food.  "Where are you going?" she asked casually.

            "To see Wilykit."

            "Should've known.  See you later."  Wesley waved good-bye and left.  He was glad his mother had understood.  He still wore his cadet's uniform.  He had noticed that it made him attractive in front of Wilykit, and it was comfortable, though it was a tad tight in places.

            When the turbolift arrived, he almost jumped in as Wilykat almost jumped out.  They both exclaimed, "Excuse me!"  Then, they laughed.

            "Sorry," said Wesley.  "I was just coming to see Wilykit."

            "What a coincidence," said Wilykat.  "I came to see if you would come to her."  Wesley stepped in the turbolift.  He called out the name of the deck on which their quarters were.  "So, Wesley, how's your morning been so far?"

            "Fine," replied Wesley.  "Yours?"

            "Okay.  I just got up Wilykit."

            "Oh, are you her alarm?"

            "Sometimes, she's my alarm; sometimes, I'm her alarm.  Other times, we get up at the same time and don't have to worry about it."  Wesley nodded.  "I should let you know that relatively extremely few Thunderians sleep clothed."

            "Hm," said Wesley.  "Several humans do not sleep clothed, but I am one that does."

            "Why?"

            "Well, if someone came to wake me up,. . ."

            "Say no more.  I think I understand."

            "Thank you."  They arrived on the proper deck shortly.  They proceeded to Wilykat's room, where Wilykat's presence opened the door.  They entered.

            "Well, that's just nice!" said Wilykat.  "She fell back asleep."  Wesley found the situation mildly amusing.  This time, Wilykat did not wait for his conscience to speak.  He absolutely knew what Wilykit was up to.  He went right over to the replicator.  "I would like a six-litre barrel containing pure water," he said.  To Wesley's surprise, a six-litre barrel filled with pure water materialised on the floor next to Wilykat.  "Thanks!"

            "Ah, what are you going to do?" asked Wesley.

            "You'll see!" said Wilykat, allowing his mischievous nature to show through on his face.  He easily lifted the barrel above his head, moved over to Wilykit, and just simply let the hole of the barrel lean forward and dump all of the water on his poor, sleeping sister!

            Wilykit awoke nearly instantly.  She was gasping for air, but she didn't really need it.  She was surprised.  One look to the left at her brother's face gave her the culprit.  She intended to give him hell.  Instead, she laughed at the situation.  Wilykat joined her.  In a moment, Wesley had joined them.  "Okay!" said Wilykit.  "Okay.  I'm awake now."  She got up.  She was glad she had on nothing, for it would have been ruined.  Wilykat roughly put his arms around her.

            "Oh, thank you for not yelling at me, 'Kit," he said.

            "Hm.  I believe you mentioned this earlier."

            "Whoa!  Whoa!  Hang on, 'Kit!"

            "Cool down.  Thank you for turning the move to me."  Wilykat considered this.

            "Talking about something specific in saying that he turned the move to you?" asked Wesley.

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  "It's a game we play, usually if one of us gets smart and uses a smart gag to get the other up in the morning.  It usually ends up that we both find everything amusing."

            "See," said Wilykat, "the game started today when Wilykit decided to fall asleep on me."  Wilykit nodded.  "Therefore, the rules of our game stated that I could get her up with anything that would not be permanently injuring but very mischievous nonetheless."

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  "When one does something mischievous, the turn shifts to the other.  It is supposed to turn out that the last joke occurs when we go to bed, but, once, it terminated when Wilykat rigged my plate to toss the food all over me, and I couldn't think of any retaliation."

            "I think I understand," said Wesley.  He was getting an idea of his own.  To carry it out, however, he would have to be with Wilykit.  He was hoping. . .

            "Well," said Wilykat, "I'd love to stay and chat, but I have to have a small chat with Captain Picard.  See you later, guys."  He left the room.

            "I assume," said Wilykit, with an extremely slight tone of aggravation in her voice, "that you find my situation amusing?"

            "Who, me?" asked Wesley.  He sighed.  "I won't lie.  Yes, I do.  I'm sorry."

            "Don't worry about it," said Wilykit.  "I'll get this water off myself."  She stepped into the bathroom and into the sonic shower.  Wesley sat in a chair at a table in the room.  It was a well-spaced room, actually.  Wesley saw that the Thunder Kittens had added no decor.  He wondered what they thought of the plain decor used in guest quarters.  In a few moments, Wilykit had come back out.  When Wesley moved to get up, Wilykit motioned him to stop.  She pulled up a chair and sat near him.  "So, how's it going, Wes?" she asked perfectly naturally.

            Wesley quickly responded, "Fine, 'Kit.  How about you?"

            "Fine," said Wilykit.  "I notice your reaction.  Is something wrong?"

            "No," said Wesley.  "Just my human response."

            Wilykit said, "I hope you brought that thing that's supposed to keep your sperm from exiting your body with you, Wesley.  Just in case the first of those three stages begins."  Wesley nodded.

            "Got it," said he.  He took a small hypospray out of his pocket.  "But it takes a minute to go into effect.  I wouldn't want to have to do this at the last instant, and it lasts two days."  He put the exit-hole on his arm and pressed the injector button.  The substance was injected into his bloodstream.  "This substance will make itself be sent to my reproductive region."  Wilykit nodded.

            "You'll know I've entered that stage," said Wilykit.  "My covering flap will open automatically, and I'll be so aggressive that you won't know what hit you."  Wesley got up.

            "Well, is there any way to avoid the physical reaction the three cases activating your reproductive life will cause?"

            "Well, yes, but it's what the physical reaction, the third the most powerful of all, causes."

            "Do you mean the complete lovemaking process?"

            "Yes.  Though I am certain we've established our psychological relationship well enough for that, I don't want to do it if I will hurt you in any way."

            "Just be careful.  I consent to it.  Do you?"

            "Yes."  They were both being very serious in their vocal reactions, though their hearts were going faster.

            "Okay," said Wesley.  He sat next to Wilykit.  They began with a long kiss.

            * * *

            The Ready-Room, Deck 1.

            "I'm here, Captain," said Wilykat after entering.

            Picard motioned to the seat across from him.  "Very well," said Picard.  "Have a seat."  Wilykat did so.

            "Captain," said Wilykat, "how are things?"

            "Fine," said Picard.  "We are proceeding as planned."  Wilykat nodded.  "How about with you?"

            "Fine," said Wilykat.  "Mind if 'Kit and I, if you may term it as such, 'have the run of the ship'?"

            Picard answered, "Certainly, with the provision that you not stir up trouble."

            "We shall not do so, sir," replied Wilykat.

            "I'm confident that you won't."  Wilykat turned absently to the fish tank.  "Do we take a special interest in those fish?" asked Picard.

            "In what manner?" asked Wilykat.

            "Food."

            "Oh, no.  These are too pretty.  I prefer eating a fish or a chicken that I have not seen living, breathing, and moving, anyway.  I might have a subconscious interest in that manner, but nothing more.  Besides, I hate raw fish."

            "Good.  I'd hate to complain to Steelheart if I found that lionfish missing."

            "It's so pretty.  I could never eat it."  He got up.  "Well, speaking of food, I need some.  Care to join me, Captain?"

            "No, thank you," said Picard, smiling.  "I've already had breakfast."

            "Very well.  I shall see you later, sir."

            "See you later," said Picard.  Wilykat nodded and left the Ready-Room.  On the Bridge, he entered TurboLift 2.

            Once in this turbolift, Wilykat said, "Deck ten."  The turbolift moved him quickly to this deck.  There, he made his way to Ten-Forward.  It was moderately busy.  He first looked around to see if there was anyone he would join, and he saw some potential ones:  Commander Will Riker, sitting alone; Counsellor Deanna Troi, with her mother, Lwaxana Troi; and Lieutenant Worf, sitting alone as well.  He decided he would see Worf first.

            As he passed by the table occupied by the Trois, Lwaxana called, "Pardon me, sir!  Aren't you Wilykat?"  Wilykat stepped back.  He did not know this lady personally, but he had seen her picture.

            "Yes.  I assume you're Mrs. Lwaxana Troi?"

            "That is right!" said Lwaxana.  "Daughter of. . ."

            "I am aware of the intensely highly esteemed position you hold on Betazed," Wilykat assured her, not wishing to go through the process of listening to Lwaxana boasting about that position.  "Daughter of the Fifth House, Holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, Heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed."

            "Good!  Glad to see you told him something about me, Little One."  Wilykat noticed the look of irritation on Deanna's face but said nothing.  "Oh, and such lovely thoughts Wilykit and Wesley are having right now!  You know,. . ."

            "Mother!" exclaimed Deanna.  "Why do you keep invading other people's thoughts?"

            "Oh, come now, Little One," said Lwaxana.  "If people are up to something dirty, shouldn't someone do something about it?"

            "Mother."

            "Well," said Wilykat, "I was on my way to see Worf."

            "Don't," said Lwaxana.  "He's agitated about his. . ."  She took one look at Deanna's eyes, angrily gazing at her.  "On second thought, he's fine.  Just fine.  Go ahead and talk to Mr. Woof."

            "Mother, the name is Worf," said Deanna.  "W - O - R - F."

            "Whatever."

            "If you will excuse me?" said Wilykat.  He stepped away from their table.  "Full Betazoids," he remarked, shaking his head.  "Self, remind me never to become one."  He went over to Worf's table, where the mighty warrior was taking in some Earth lemonade that he found to his liking.  "Good day, Lieutenant," said Wilykat.  Worf looked at him.

            "Good day, Wilykat," replied the warrior.  "Join me if you wish."

            "Thank you."  Wilykat sat down.  "Does human food please you?"

            "Not much," replied Worf.  "Although I do like Riker's rendition of eggs very much.  For some reason, however, the humans don't find it too palatable."  Wilykat smiled.

            "I doubt that humans find Klingon food palatable," said Wilykat.  "I bet that the tastes of the food are far different, and I think Riker said that Klingon food is still alive."

            "Yes, for the most part," said Worf.  "They taste the best while they are alive.  As the human equivalent of the Klingon expression would mean, they taste yummy."  Wilykat was beginning to find this subject particularly gross.

            "Well, it's been nice talking with you, Lieutenant," said Wilykat.  "It was . . . interesting.  See you later."

            "See you later, Wilykat," responded the Klingon lieutenant.  Wilykat got up, pushed the chair in, and went over to Riker.

            Which you should have done in the first place, you silly fool! his mind told him as he neared Riker.  Riker appeared to be in a good mood.  "Good morning, Commander Riker," said Wilykat.

            Riker turned and jovially said, "Ah!  Good morning, Wilykat.  Have a seat."  Wilykat sat across from the first officer.  From early on, Wilykat had liked Riker.  Riker was fun at the right times and serious at the right times.  Reminded Wilykat of Kevin.  Of course, Kevin would make love with only one female, but he figured he would have to let that slide when he was with humans.  "I arrived only a few minutes ago.  I haven't even had time to order yet."

            "Hm," said Wilykat with a partial nod.  "If I had decided to have breakfast with the good counsellor, I would have gotten angry at her mother's spouting off.  If I had decided to have breakfast with the security chief, I would be disgusted at his description of Klingon foods.  You were alone, and you're nice to be around, so I came here."

            "What about Wilykit?"

            "Don't you know she's in love with Wesley?"

            "Certainly.  Seeing the way they acted around each other alone gave it away."

            "Well, you know, I decided I'd give them some time alone.  That is the main reason for which Wilykit came, to visit with Wesley."

            "Hm," said Riker.  "Are you certain they're compatible?"

            "Most definitely," said Wilykat.  "Their love began developing the moment they met.  The first time Wilykit and Wesley saw each other alone, their conversation furthered that love.  Wesley appears to understand Thunderian ways of love.  According to Counsellor Troi, they love each other immensely.  Certainly, some of it involves physical attributes, but not so much as two percent.

            "The language called Tuoniáñ {twó-nyáhⁿh} [Thunderian], or Ancient Thunderian, is nearly identical in vocabulary and syntax to your Italian.  What that language calls the love between Wilykit and Wesley is l'Amore Eternamente {lah-mó-r'áy-táyr-nah-máyⁿh-táy} [Thunderian].  It has no exact equivalent in English; the translation of the words is 'love eternally.'  In the language of Betazed, its closest equivalent is Imzadi.  In the case of Thunderians, however, the entire lovemaking process should only be made between the two who share l'Amore Eternamente, except in extremely special cases.  Every Thunderian has one with whom to share that bond, and that person will know, as will the person with whom the Thunderian has that bond, be it another Thunderian, a human, a Betazoid, a Romulan, a Klingon, a. . . whatever!  If one dies, the survivor can develop that relationship with another person.  Anyway, I am nearly certain that Tygra and Cheetara share that.  They just haven't shown it in a long time.  Wesley and Wilykit have it.  However, I. . . ah!"  He suddenly turned weak and almost collapsed.

            "Wilykat!" exclaimed Riker, jumping up.  Wilykat found the strength to grip the table enough to keep from falling and to look up at Riker.  "Are you all right?"

            "Yes, I am," said Wilykat weakly.  "You couldn't help, anyway.  It's telepathic."  Worf and Deanna Troi arrived.

            "What is wrong?" asked the Klingon.

            "He said that it's something telepathic," William said.  Deanna's breathing suddenly increased.  "Deanna?"

            "It's. . . it's all right, honestly," said Deanna.  "It is telepathy. . . extremely strong."

            "From where is it coming?"

            Deanna smiled.  "Don't worry.  It isn't threatening."  In a moment, Wilykat recovered his strength.

            "Whew. . ." said Wilykat.  He leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.  "Oh. . . I was foolish.  I should have been ready for that."  His eyes snapped open.  "Oh, no!  Doctor Crusher!"  He beat it.

            "What was that about?" demanded Riker.

            "Wait a second," said Deanna.  "If I tell it now, it could upset certain important things."

            * * *

            Sickbay, Deck 12.

            When Wilykat arrived in Sickbay, Dr. Beverly Crusher was on her knees and grasping her head, the rest of the medical staff examining her.  "It is all right," said Wilykat.  Upon seeing him, the medical staff recognised Wilykat.  "Doctor Crusher will be all right."  And, in a moment, she had the strength to get on her feet again.

            "Ooh!  What was that?" she asked.

            Wilykat said, "I'm sorry.  I cannot disclose that at the moment.  I will tell you right now, however, that it was perfectly safe."

            "He is right," said Doctor Selar.  "I recorded no harmful effects caused by whatever that was."

            "Thank you.  Please return to your duties," said Doctor Crusher.  The medical staff responded by doing just that.  "Leaving them alone, eh, Wilykat?"

            "Geez, Doc!" exclaimed Wilykat.  "It's not our business to provide interference."

            "What if it effects us?"

            "That is natural.  This is also the only time this surge will happen.  Again, I cannot discuss why right now.  I shall check on them."

            "I'm coming."

            "No.  Please, Dr. Crusher, don't worry.  I can handle this.  You have duties to perform."

            "Very well, Wilykat."  Wilykat zipped out at his top walking speed and strode toward the nearest turbolift.

            * * *

            Thunder Kitten's Quarters, Deck 13.

            Wilykit said, "That felt good."

            "That does not begin to describe it," said Wesley.  He lay on his back and closed his eyes.  He sighed.  "Oh, boy, was that indescribably intense."  Wilykit inched up so that the front of her body was facing the right of Wesley's and that her face was on the same level as his.

            "It was so intense because of our bond," said Wilykit.  �L'Amore Eternamente.�

            "I heard it in my mind," said Wesley.  "As soon as. . . well, you know."

            "Yes," said Wilykit.  "It is similar to Imzadi, but the commitment is much stronger.  In sharing in l'Amore Eternamente, neither of us may do this activity with another person as long as the shorter-lived of us lives.  Just with one another.  That means, however, that, if you die before I, I will be permitted to have these kinds of relations with another person.  I think there are a few exceptions, but I don't know what they are."

            "That's all right," said Wesley.  He was still staring at his eyelids.  (Safely infer that this meant his eyes were closed.)  "Because the moral standards in which my mom believes conflict with my having sex with another person as long as you live.  She taught me her own.  God, I sure love you, Wilykit."

            "I love you, too, Wes," said Wilykit.  "I'll forever cherish this moment."  Wesley opened his eyes and turned onto his right side.  He and Wilykit hugged each other warmly.

            "What if Wilykat comes?" asked Wesley.

            "Oh, don't mind him," said Wilykit.  "He felt this, too."

            "How?"

            "A telepathic contact forms between the two who share in l'Amore Eternamente and the natural parents and natural or semi-natural siblings," she explained.  "The only ones capable of feeling it are, therefore, Wilykat and your mom."

            "Hm!"  Wesley loosened his grip so they could look in each other's eyes.  "Not bad."  Just as they were about to kiss, the door-chime rang.  "Whoops!"

            Wilykit asked, "Who is there?"

            "It's only your brother," responded Wilykat's voice.

            "Wilykat," said Wilykit.

            "What will he say?" asked Wesley, nervous.

            "Relax!" said Wilykit.  "First, let's just get up."  They did that.  "Wilykat, is anyone else there?"  A slight pause.

            "No," said Wilykat.

            "Come on, Wilykit!" whispered Wesley desperately, yet quietly.  "Don't I need clothes?"

            "Not among Thunderians," replied Wilykit calmly and quietly.  "Please, Wes.  Just calm down.  C'mon in, Wilykat."  The door opened and Wilykat came in, checking to see that no one followed.

            "Hi," said Wilykat naturally.  "What're you so nervous about, Wesley?"

            Wesley found himself at a loss for words.  "I. . . I. . . I. . ."

            "He's human," replied Wilykit.  "Humans aren't as we Thunderians."

            "Yeah.  Only because their world was cooler than ours," said Wilykat.  "I don't think it's fair.  Sorry, Wesley.  If my being around bothers you,. . ."

            "No," said Wesley.  "It doesn't."  He thought.  Then, he picked up his uniform and began to reclothe himself.  "Hm!  Wilykit, I have an idea!"

            "What would that be?" she asked.

            "About something you could do to Wilykat."

            "Oh, right!  Wilykat, could you step out for a moment?  I'll call you back in when we're finished."

            "Yes," said Wilykat.  "Luckily for you, this isn't cheating."  He did so.

            "Now, Wesley," said Wilykit, getting her clothing and re-extending the repro-organ-barrier of her body, "what do you want to tell me?"

            "I wanted to tell you some way you can get your brother."

            Wilykit was quite interested.  "None of our rules say to refuse help from an outside source.  Go ahead."

            * * *

            Ludwig's Office, adjacent to the Control Room, Metroid.

            "Those Thunder Kittens are making me crazy!" said Ludwig.  "I loathe them!  I hate them!  I despise them!  I abhor them!  I could live with Mario.  I could deal with Captain N.  At least I could talk to Steelheart without becoming angry.  But I cannot do anything with the Thunder Kittens!  According to Mumm-ra and the Mutants, they were always captured because of their curiosity!  What happened with them?  Why can we not defeat them?  Has their age something to do with their defeatability - or lack of it?  Think, Ludwig!  One must know one's enemies before defeating them.  But I don't know them well.  Ah!  But I know that which can defeat them without my knowing them well:  Thundrainium.  Hm.  But I want to get to know them first.  Ah!  I've got it.  I'll borrow one of Mo's molecular transformation rings.  With it, I can transform into someone the Thunder Kittens would never suspect."  He left.