EPISODE XXX - PINKY TUSCADERO AND THE MALACHI CRUNCH




Reed settled into his seat, preparing to receive Schultz's full report when Ensign VanTedly began to fidget noticeably at his station.

"What is it, Ensign?", Reed asked impatiently.

VanTedly shrunk under Reed's gaze.  "Well, er ... uh", he stammered, "it's just that I've lost contact with Lt. Scott's landing party."

Reed's jaw clenched as he chewed through this new information.  With forced patience he regarded the young officer.

"How long have you been out of contact with the team?"

VanTedly's brow furrowed in thought, "Well", he replied, "it was somewhere between three minutes ago, and yesterday."

Reed turned to Schultz.  "Who is in this landing party?"

"Mr. Proteau, Lt. Schrader, Sgt. Stauch", Schultz hesitated, "and Lt. Scott."

A raised eyebrow was Reed's only physical reaction.  "Mr. Schultz", he said evenly, "find those men."

Schultz flew into action, moving VanTedly away from his station with a gentle shove.

VanTedly looked at the Commander expectantly.  "What do I do?"

Reed regarded him with disdain.  "Jettison yourself into space, Ensign."

VanTedly saluted less than crisply as he left the bridge, "Aye-aye, sir."

"Sir", Schultz's said urgently, "I have their position isolated, but..."

"Continue, Mr. Schultz.", Reed ordered.

Schultz took a deep breath, "I've also picked up some Wyzenhymer transmissions from the planet's surface."

Reed considered his options momentarily, then looked over at Schultz.  "Have all areas go to red alert", he commanded, "and have the Jennings brothers report to their ships."