When Pixies Fly"
By: Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]
Mihkat , pilot , [NPC]

Stardate: 58207.07 1800

Blitzer rang the door of Max's temporary quarters.

When she opened the door she saw Blitzer, he was dressed in native Caitian clothing which was essentially a large circular piece of cloth fashioned into a long tunic.

Maxine blinked as she looked him up and down. "You look.... Wow... all dressed up..." she told him with a smile. "Lemme see.." she made a 'do-a-circle' motion with her fingers.

He held his arms out and turned around in a slow circle. It was a mottled white color, but edges were embroidered with flowing designs.

"Very nice..." she grinned. "Have anything on underneath it?" she asked curiously and almost tried to peek, but totally refrained from doing *that*. Although she *looked* like she was thinking about it.

"Of course not," said Blitzer, "beings without tails invented undergarments," he said matter of factly.

Maxine blinked and stared at him for several heartbeats. "They did? You don't? I mean... *really*?" she squeaks. He was naked under there....... "Wow.."

Blitzer put his arms down and cocked his head slightly to the side, "and you look all dressed up too!"

Blitzer did the 'do-a-circle' motion to her.

Maxine was wearing a sleeveless leather dress held on by straps and buckles. The skirt was fairly short, just barely reaching to mid-thigh. Her feet are tucked into a pair of matching leather knee-high boots with small heels.

Like he did, she held her arms out and turned in a slow circle, coming to a stop when she was facing him again.

He turned his head slightly sideways again as if to peek, "You wearing anything underneath it?"

She blinked and sputtered and broke out laughing. "I'm not telling."

Blitzer smiled. Now it was a mystery to be solved.

Blitzer reached down and lifted up his pack, "I got Harry to requisition us a Bajoran shuttle to be discrete," he said, "shuttle bay 16, we're ready to go."

"I'm ready," she grinned at him as she grabbed her backpack and slung it over one shoulder.

Blitzer smiled at her, as they walked down the corridor, "this is probably the only get-away we'll get. But I can't think of a better way to spend it....chasing down a drunk wingman," he said with a wink.

"Roight," she grinned up at him. "I'm going t' take your word for that because I've never chased down a drunken wingman before," she told him. "I'm just glad t' be going with you."

===Shuttle Bay 16===

The bay was deserted except for the shuttle. It was different to Blitzer from when they launched military crafts. There were always crews around triple checking systems.

"Here we go," said Blitzer opening the door, "..after you."

Maxine smiled as she stepped inside because this felt like something very familiar; stuck on a craft with him. She was going to enjoy herself.

The shuttle was small, essentially one compartment. Blitzer stowed his pack in an overhead bin and gestured for Max to hand him hers, which she promptly did after first tugging out her computer.

"Ever been on a Bajoran shuttle before," asked Blitzer.

"No, I don't think so..." she told him as she looked around and slipped into the co-pilot's seat. "It's... cozy."

"The head is behind that hatch," he said pointing to the small door.

He opened a storage compartment, "No replicator, rations are in here," he said as he inspected a package of instant andorean tea.

Sitting down he started up the pilot's console. Everything was written in Bajoran.

"Its Bajoran alright," muttered Blitzer. He checked the fuel indicators. It was the only basic system he could get a reading on.

"Flight control, we're ready for take off," said Blitzer into the comlink.

"You are cleared for take off," came the prompt reply

Blitzer activated the the flight system and the shuttle levitated and accelerated directly to one-quarter impulse.

"Setting a course to 'Burner's Favorite Bar #3,'" said Blitzer, "I think."

"Why #3?" Maxine asked as she watched what he did intently. "Can you read Bajoran?"

"Number 3 because I think #1 and #2 would hide their alcohol when they see him coming." Blitzer made some gestures with his paw-finger extended as if he were making some sort of sophisticated mental calculation.

"Yep, Number three."

"Uhm. Bajoran? I can speak Bajoran, but I can't read it very well."

Max had to laugh at his actions. "If I didn't trust you so much, I'd be nervous," she grinned at him and motioned to the Bajoran words. "Want me to redisplay it in Federation Standard? Or Caitian?" she asked him.

"Federation standard would be fine," he answered.

"Federation standard it is," she nodded and fired up her computer to link to the shuttle's so she could change the console's display. Pretty soon the Bajoran words blinked an were replaced with Federation standard. "There y'go," she smiled over at Blitzer. "So.. 'ow long's our flight?"

"First Stop," said Blitzer, "Dreon VII" We'll be there in 1 hour 29 minutes.

"Can we get something t' eat when we get there?" she asked. "M'not eating rations if I can 'elp it."

Blitzer thoughtfully scratched his whiskers, "Yeah, Mott's Dagger has food. But they don't have Italian."

Maxine blinked and then laughed softly. "Dang.. No spaghetti-sucking for us," she teased him with a silly grin. "But... do they have dancing?" She was still teasing although the prospect was more than appealing.

Blitzer gave her a peculiar look, "well, yeah," said Blitzer remembering the last time he was out with Burner, "they have have dancing."

"Oh good. Maybe we can try again then..." she grinned at him, totally clueless as to just what *kind* of dancing that peculiar look was hinting at.

Blitzer checked his settings.

"Can I come too?" Krystal popped into view and Maxine frowned at her.

"I thought I left you to baby sit the new AI..." Max said.

"I'm multi-tasking!" Krystal announced, all proud of herself and stuff. And she wiggled her fingers at Blitzer.

A little bit later, Blitzer announced, "we're here."

Everyone watched as the atmosphere started getting thicker, dragging the shuttle and causing it to lurch and bump. Several minutes later it was on the ground.

Blitzer stood up and smoothed his clothes. "this is it."

"You," Maxine pointed at the Pixie, "stop multi-tasking," she told the small sprite as she stood and smoothed down her dress. "Ready," she smiled up at Blitzer. "Let's go find your wingman."

Blitzer turned and pushed the button on the door which hissed as the pressure equalized.

"Be careful," reminded Blitzer, "this is a hive of villainy and scum."

"Villainy and scum?" Maxine looked up at him. "Well... Don't y'dare lose me then," she straightened her dress again even though it didn't need it. "Can't be any worse than those crabby bug things... Can it?"

As they entered, Blitzer's nose went into overload. The smell of booze, food and the sweaty scent of dozens of different alien species. They worked their way toward the bar. Before they arrived several females appeared on a stage, they began to strip to the rhythmic beat of music. Blitzer stopped and stared a moment, "dancing..." he said.

Maxine stood next to him and her eyes widened as she watched the stage. "That's not dancing... That's just.. live porn... M'glad Krystal isn't here..."

"How come?" he asked as he tried to continue through the crowd.

"Because she'd never stop asking questions," Maxine explained as she kept close to him. "And she'd 'ave a field day with erotic strippers. We'd never hear the end of 'pert breasts'."

Blitzer rolled his eyes as he shook his head.

"I don't see him in here," he said continuing, "let's ask at the bar."

"Have you seen this man?" asked Blitzer handing a holopic to the bartender.

The man only stared at Blitzer and replied, "I don't talk to Kzinti."

"Oh, that's okay Sir, I don't either, I'm Caitian."

The bartender turned around and continued doing busywork, organizing bottles and things.

Blitzer turned to Max, "..of all the..."

Max frowned deeply and held out her hand. "Lemme try.."

Blitzer nodded and handed her the holopic, and stepped back.

"S'cuse me, sir," she called out to the bartender, raising up on tiptoe a bit so she could lean slightly over the bar top and smile at him.

The bartender turned. "Well, well fine lady, what can I do for you?"

"I'm looking for this man... Could y'tell me if 'e's 'ere?" She held the holopic up for him to see.

The man took picture, "Who wants to know..?"

"Me," she pointed to herself. "'e's my brother," she confided.

The bartender eyed the Caitian suspiciously. "Well buy a drink for you and your furbag friend, and maybe I'll tell you what you want to know."

"Sure," she turned to Blitzer and quirked a brow. "What do y'want t' drink?" she asked as she searched around for her credit stick.

"Blitzer leaned forward, "do you have any Irish Cream?"

The bartender ignored Blitzer and set two bottles of ale on the bar and took Max's credit slip while muttering the whole time.

Maxine quirked a brow and glanced from Blitzer to the bartender, her gaze remaining on him. "Well?"

"Well what?" chorted the bartender.

"My brother?" she prompted him.

"Hmm.. yes, your 'brother,' yes, he was here."

The computer suddenly made a large beep as he tried to process her credit stick. He scowled and punched in some more stuff, grumbling he pulled the card out and handed it back to her.

"Thanks. How long ago did he leave?" she asked after re-pocketing her credit stick and taking a drink of ale.

The bartender had a angry look on his face. "Your brother left with a huge bar tab, if you pay it, I will tell you where he went."

"'ey now..." Max frowned. "'ow much is it?"

"Its 1,024 Dregaks, more than you have on your credit," said the Bartender spreading his palms on the bartop and leaning toward Max in a menacing way.

Max blinked and straightened up, pulling back a bit from him.

It occurred to Blitzer that the bartender had already tried to charge Max for Burner's bar tab. Tapped Max's shoulder with his credit chip.

"We'll take care of it..." she assured him as she took Blitzer's chip and offered it to the angry man.

The bartender charged Blitzer's credit chip and handed it back to her. He handed them another round of Ale which apparently they also 'bought.'

"Uhh.. thanks.." Max offered automatically. "My brother?"

The bartender scowled and nodded to the screen behind him.

It showed security video of Burner slipping on to a transport vessel.

"Hmm.. Do y'know where it went?" Maxine asked.

The bartender put down another round of ale and held his hand out.

Blitzer set his credit chip on the bar.

"That transport left for the Ferengi dabo barge near Starbase 375," said the bartender.

Blitzer drank down the 3rd bottle, his eyes tried to focus on the writing on the bottle, "roo-mu-l..." he mouthed quietly.

"Thanks," Maxine smiled at the bartender and cast a quick glance to Blitzer. "Uhh.. Next stop Starbase 375?" she asked the squinting Cait.

"Yup."

"Wait!" commanded the Bartender. "no one leaves Mott's without having at least three drinks," he said pointing to the drinks she left on the bar.

Maxine looked from the bartender to Blitzer and then back. "Is that a rule?" she asked as she stepped up to the bar and took hold of one of the bottles, tipping the neck towards the man. "Y'know... I used t' be pretty good at this..." she warned him, lying through her teeth before placing her lips on the bottle and drinking the ale down.

"A'course..." she slapped the empty bottle back onto the bar. "What I drank was 'omemade," she grinned at him and curled her fingers around the second bottle, casting a 'don't-let-me-fall-over' glance back to Blitzer.

Blitzer had a dumbfound expression on his face.

After drinking down the other two bottles of ale, the third going down s bit more slowly than the first two, Max tried to wink at the bartender and failed in a grand comedic try. Then she looked over at Blitzer, squinting to get him into focus.

"M'ready now.." she told him and belched. "Whoops..." she giggled and pressed her fingers to her lips.

Blitzer and Max wobbled out of the establishment. The planet's sun had set. It was a hot dry and dusty planet.

The bar had been almost frigid inside. Blitzer stopped and took in the hot dry air, looking up at the stars.

The Romulan ale had given him the munchies. "Hungry?" he asked.

"Uhmm..." she squinted at the stars and then at him. "Starved," she nodded with a hiccup and hung onto him to keep from falling over. "I don't think I have m'planet-legs, cap'n," she told him with a grin.

Nearby was what appeared to be a small cardassian transport ship which had been converted it into a diner.

As they entered it the atmosphere fell silent. Blitzer's sensitive ears could here the murmurings, "khizinti..khiziniti.."

"I'm not a Kzin! I'm a Caitian!" announced Blitzer.

Almost immediately a bajoran waitress appeared, "Follow me..."

She led them to a secluded booth around the corner from the main area.

"Sorry," she said, "order something and make it quick. The locals don't like...felinoids." she said studying the caitian.

"'e's a *good* fee-felinoid," she sounded the word out carefully. "Uhmm.. I'll have a burger and some fries and a milkshake," she told the woman. She was all about the junk food.

Comfortable with the terran cuisine menu Blitzer stammered, "I'll haff the same."

"Better give him *three* burgers," Maxine told the waitress as she held up four fingers and then five and then two and finally pulled another finger up with her other hand to make three. "'e's a big guy."

In almost no time the waitress brought the food, "now hurry."

Blitzer snarfed his food. He was starving and it sounded like a good idea to hurry up.

Maxine did pretty much the same thing because let's face it.. Romulan Ale on an empty stomach is a really *bad* idea, and her stomach wanted something to help neutralize the holes it was trying to eat in its tender membrane walls.

When they were finished Blitzer stood up and helped Max to her feet too, catching her when she stumbled against him.

Blitzer peered around the corner there were a lot of people out there, it might have been the 2nd bottle of romulan ale starting to kick in too, he wasn't sure.

"Ahm going to the bathroom before we leave." said Blitzer. He turned and entered the head down the hallway.

As Max waited she heard the door open.

Three large aliens entered. They looked around The first one opened his mouth. He had crusty green teeth. "Who owns this Bajoran shuttle with the Kziniti?"

Someone from the crowed pointed in Max's direction.

Max saw the guys, heard the question and even her fuzzy brain said... 'Oh shit.." She hurried down the hall, only stumbling into the wall once and pounded on the door of the head, rattling the knob at the same time. "Bliz.. Lemme in!" she said through the door in a semi-slurred whisper and looked back over her shoulder. "Hurry!! Hurry!!"

"I'm not done yet!" said Blitzer.

"Hurry!! Hurry!!" she rattled the knob again.

Blitzer opened the door a crack "Whaz the ..." as she pushed her way through and slammed the door.

"The girl's room is on the other side, you shouldn't be in ..."

"Shhh!" she stumbled against him and started whispering," There's some really gross looking guys with crusty green teeth looking for whoever owned the Bajoran shuttle with the Kziniti," she told him as she looked around for another exit and spotted a window. "I think they're coming this way! We gotta get out of 'ere!"

Blitzer could hear some commotion coming down the hall. They were talking to the bajoran waitress. She seemed to be stalling them.

Blitzer looked up at the window Max was trying to unfasten. He pushed it out.

"Quick," he whispered motioning to her. "I'll help you up."

"Okay," she gripped the sill with her hands and nodded to him. "Ready," she said started to pull herself up along with using her toes against the wall to help.

Blitzer put his paws squarely on the bottom of her tush and gave her a boost.

"Weeee!" she giggled and managed to get the toes of one foot up on the sill, but she was pretty uncoordinated by this time and tipped forward enough to tumble head first out the window. "OW!" was all Blitzer heard.

Blitzer smirked, a mystery was solved.

He Jumped up to the the window with cat-like grace and pulled himself up.

He looked out, it was a long way down. He grabbed the window ledge and climbed down to where he could jump.

"you alright?" he asked Max.

"No... Yes... Uhmmm... I dunno," she giggled and hadn't moved from where she'd landed, sprawled on the ground.

Blitzer let go of the side and tumbled to the ground. "uft!"

Maxine lifted her head to look over at him. "You alright?"

Blitzer got up and dusted himself off, "I think so, let's get out of here!"

"Roight..." she managed to struggle to her feet without falling over.

Blitzer grabbed Max's hand as if that would help her keep up as they dashed across the tarmac toward the landing area.

As they got to the shuttle, they saw the aliens emerge from the diner and started yelling as they ran toward them.

Blitzer jumped into the pilot's seat and fired up the impulse drive.

"Uhhh... Can you fly this thing now?" Max asked as she squinted at the panel in front of them. "Whoa... starry.."

As the systems came to life, Blitzer felt much more relaxed. Certainly the ale was starting to take maximum effect.

"Shur," he said, "My friend Burner taught me how to fly like this." his paws swiped at the attenuation controls. "you know your perspective is messed up, you have to trust your hands to do the work," he said with a nod of assurance.

"Your hands still work when you're drunk?" she asked with a giggle.

Blitzer held up his paws, 'Oh, right..."

The shuttle levitated and bumped another shuttle parked near by. Blitzer make a wincing expression on his face and then proceeded to fly forward. "She'lds shup," slurred the Caitain pilot.

"Oh, that's me!" Maxine straightened and squinted at the panel. "Sheields up!" she repeated as she poked at the control panel.

As he accelerated he realized he didn't have enough height as he ascended toward Mott's "whoa!"

The shuttle veered up, and headed directly towards the huge building.

"Uhh... Bliz..." Maxine blinked and covered her eyes as the the large building loomed in the view window, peeking out through her fingers.

Blitzer closed his eyes as he attempted evasive maneuvers. The shuttle began to turn sideways and veered starboard but now headed directly toward the sign which glowed near the establishment. It was made to look like a ferengi dagger and had the word MOTT's written on it.

Now trying to avoid the sign Blitzer turned the shuttle again.

But the wing contacted the sign and then lit up in a glow of energy as the shields kicked in on contact. The wing sheared off the point of the 'dagger', sending it crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks and plasma.

"Whoops..." Maxine giggled as she watched the tip of the dagger crash to the ground. "That was uh.. pretty damn impressive," she told Blitzer. "Can we do it again?"

"That did *not* happen!" he said running his paw through his mane, trying to convince himself, "bad kitty, bad kitty."

Maxine blinked and started giggling even more. "Baaaadddd kitty..." she repeated.

As the shuttle accelerated into the darkness of space Blitzer started giggling. It was only now that the Romulan Ale was really starting to take effect.

It was about that time that Krystal popped back into view. "WE CRASHED!" she squealed and looked like she plastered herself to the glass. "Ooohhh... Pretty..." she said as she watched the sparks. Then she fluttered around to stand on the console and look between the giggling pair. She blinked.. Several times. She'd NEVER seen Max giggle... and then there was Warrior Toes, who was giggling too.

"You... You're both.... giggling," she announced and looked at them suspiciously before brightening. "Are we having a party??"

Blitzer leaned back and toward Max in an drunken exaggerated motion, "there are two pixies here," he said as if Krystal couldn't hear.

"Really? Lemme see.." Maxie grins and leans closer to him as if she'd be able to see better from his perspective. She puts her head close to his and looks in the same direction. "Ooohhh... You're roight," she nodded.

Krystal blinked and eyed the pair of drunks. "I'm not two pixies. I'm ONE pixie. ME, Krystal!" she stamped a little foot and sparkle of pixie dust poofed up.

"There's one for each of us," Max turned her head to grin at Blitzer, totally ignoring the pixie's antics. "Which one do y'want?"

"That one's cuter, I'll take that one..."

"Okay," she nodded. "On three we both grab, 'kay?" She waited for his nod and then started the countdown. "One... Two... Uh... Wait... I lost track.."

Blitzer reached for the pixie but missed and ended up on the floor. He laughed hysterically.

Maxine squeaked when he reached unexpectedly and then lunged too, winding up on the floor on top of him, and laughing just as much. "We missed."

Blitzer tried to get up but found himself stuck. Stuck between the two flight seats and entangled with a human.

The shuttle felt like it was spinning out of control. "Krystal!? are you flying this thing?"

The pixie walked to the edge of the console and peered down at the entangled pair. "No.. I'm watching you and Maxie wrestle on the floor.."

"Oh...Okay," said Blitzer humbly, "Uhm... can you fly this thing?"

"I'm programmed with rudimentary flight data. I can keep it on course if you tell me where we're going. I can even engage the auto-pilot," the pixie told him.

"Are we wrestling?" Maxine asked as she looked down at Blitzer. "If y'are, y'better stop turning me around.."

"I'm not turning... can you take your foot off of....ouch!"

"Uh... sorry..." Maxine struggled to sit up. "Oooof! Uh... I'm stuck."

"Ow, my tail!"

Krystal giggled as she sat down on the edge of the console to watch them.

Finally Blitzer managed to free his leg which had gotten stuck under the seat and lifted off so Max could get her hands on the chair's arm and pull herself off him. He then crawled out between the chairs and plopped down on the deck. "I'm free," he sang out, "free at last!" He laid his had on the deck and laughed. "fu-freeee!"

Maxine plopped down beside him and started to sing along. "Fuu-reeee..." she giggled and poked him in the arm. "How long before we get there?"

Blitzer lifted his arm up and pointed toward Krystal, "ask the pixie, she's flying."

Maxine looked up at Krystal and before she could ask, the pixie said, "Seven hours, twenty-three minutes, and thirty-five seconds.. Approximately."

Max blinked and looked at Blitzer. "Naptime?"

Blitzer reached out and pulled on a long drawer next. It caused a sleeping mat to glide out. Blitzer rolled himself onto it. "Its been a long day," noted Blitzer.

"Oohh.. Nice..." Max grinned and crawled onto the mat, curling on her side next to him. "It has..." she hiccupped and then promptly yawned.

"Ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall..." Pixie started to sing as she turned around to sit on the console cross-legged as she watched the direction they were headed. "Ninety-nine bottles of beer..."

"Is that a lullaby?" Maxine asked Blitzer with another yawn.

"None like I've ever heard, will she do that all night?"

"I 'ope not... sush, Pixie," she called out and Krystal dutifully stopped singing and started humming. But it wasn't 99 bottles of beer on the wall any longer.

Blitzer instructed the computer to turn the lights off. The shuttle was completely dark except for the slight glow of the pixie, looking out the window.

It was quiet except for the drone of the engine, a humming hologram and an occasional giggle.