Mugato, Gumato

The Cerritos heads to Frylon IV to investigate reports of mugato, creatures not native to the planet. Spooked by bar gossip and gaps in her service record, Boimler and Rutherford become convinced Mariner is a Section 31 operative, and when they see her apparently biting Shaxs they fear the worst, though she was really sucking out mugato venom. The away team uncovers a Ferengi operation, led by Kynk, poaching mugato for their horns. Captured, Boimler and Rutherford win the day with a presentation showing that a mugato preserve would be far more profitable, and Kynk's Mugatoland is born. Mariner reveals that her mysterious reputation is a cultivated act, and is hurt that her friends believed the rumours. Elsewhere, Freeman is taken in by con artist Hyde, handing over a shuttle and her antiques before discovering the scam and putting him to work at the preserve, and Tendi chases down an elusive final patient overdue for a physical: Dr T'Ana herself.