How to build "*" into a digit string

[3408phonegod]

I'm trying to build a "Converse-on" step in a vector to send a string of digits to an outboard piece of equipment. I am building the digit string based on the contents of certain vector variables, some of which are global and some are local to the vector (such as VDN). The outboard equipment wants certain parts of the digit string to include an asterisk (*) character and I can't find a way to get that character into the string. I can't load it into a static variable. I know that I can send an asterisk with the Converse-on step, but I need the asterisk in the middle of the string. Does anyone know of a way to do this. I'm building the string with steps such as the following:

set A = B CATR C [B=17; C=2; so A=172]
set D = A CATR F [F=90; so D=17290]
set digits = D CATR M [M=3387; so digits=172903387]
converse-on skill 40 pri h passing digits and none

What I need is an asterisk after the A variable and before the M variable so the final digit string outpulsed by the converse step would be "172*90*3387#"

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.