Project Boussh: Global Emergency
by Vickie Boyd

Alison sat in the 'bago surfing the 'net on the laptop. She found it to
contain the usual drivel until a news article caught her eye. Oil Spill
Threatens Ecuador's Galapagos Islands. She choked down the swallow of
drink she had just taken.

"Are you ok," a concerned Hobbie asked from the other side of the table.

"Check this out," she said as she turned the computer for him to view.

Hobbie's eyebrows rose as he read the story. "Wow, that's horrible."

"And it would be even worse if Atner had something to do with it."

"How would Atner have something to do with this?"

Alison huffed. "Because Mendellia is a part of the Galapagos Islands.
Did you not read your mission briefing?"

He winced at her rebuffing. "Yeah... well... no, not really. Wes read
it."

She rolled her eyes at him. "Well, we better go let the others know
about this." She picked up the laptop and moved out of the 'bago.



The entire group, Rogues, Wraiths and Terrans, sat in the briefing room
of the *Red Home*. Wedge stood at the front with Sci, Tycho, Iella,
Corran, and Alison. "Are you sure Atner had something to do with this? A
spill would only bring more people to the area."

Alison chewed on her bottom lip. "No, I'm not sure. That's why we need
to send someone down there to check. If it was his fault, then we need
to find out why. There are a lot of endangered species that live on and
around those islands."

"If I may make a suggestion," Sci said. "Why not send Kristy down there.
She's a biologist and should know how to test the water to see if it is
only oil."

Tycho piped in with an additional suggestion. "We could send Ooryl with
her. He could hopefully get a look at the boat from underwater. He could
tell exactly what caused the accident."

Wedge mulled over the suggestions. They seemed plausible. "What cover
would they use for going down there?"

Iella had a suggestion this time. "Mirax and I could go with them and
pose as investigators for some global environmental agency or
something."

"That sounds conceivable," said Sci.

Wedge nodded and turned towards the group. "I'm sure you all have seen
the news about the Galapagos Islands. Some of us have reason to suspect
that Eugor Atner had something to do with the oil spill. We have decided
to send a group down to investigate the wreckage and see if our
suspicions are correct."

"Kolot thinks Rogues and Wraiths should do something to help animals
anyway," the altered Ewok piped in. "Brethren of Nick agree."

Nick's head came up quickly. "What in bloody hell are you talking
about?"

Yarg pounded his chest then tapped the end of his staff on the ground.
"Euh-cheeda."

"Oh smeg. I've created a monster."

Everyone erupted in laughter. Wedge raised his arms to try and calm
everyone down. Vickie continued to giggle quietly. "I can't believe you
didn't realize what you were getting into with them," she whispered to
Nick.

"What do you mean?"

"When you made your deal with them. They made you a part of the tribe.
Yarg adopted you."

"How do you know this?"

"Because he told me."

Nick looked at her dumfounded. Luckily, Wedge forestalled any other
questions.

"I assure you that we will do whatever we can to help with this
ecological disaster. To head the crew going to the islands, we have
chosen Kristy. She is a biologist and the most likely candidate."

"Me," Kristy meeped.

"Iella and Mirax will accompany you. Your objective will be to collect
samples of the water to determine if the spill contains only oil."

"Um, are you sure about this?"

Wedge grinned. "You're the most logical choice. With your biology
background, we would hope that you can discern what is in the water."

"Well, I will need some chemicals to break the water down."

"We will make sure you have everything you need. There will be one other
on the mission. Ooryl, I would like for you to accompany them. We would
like for you to go underwater and check out the ship to see exactly what
caused the leak, whether it did run aground or something else caused
it."

The Gand nodded. "Ooryl would be honored to escort the ladies."

"Ok, any questions?"

Alison raised her hand.  "Can I go too?  I know alot about ecology.  Studied
Captain planet for five years."

She got a few chuckles from the audience.  Wes leaned over and whispered into
her ear.  "Were they a good five years?"

Alison turned her head and smiled.  "The same amount of fun you would have had
getting fins and talking with a dolphin."

Wes sat back, confused.  Alison exchanged a quick look with Kirsty, then at
Wedge.  "I can help on land cleaning up the animals, and listening to the
rumors there."