"SECOND STAR ON THE RIGHT THEN ON UNTIL MORNING."

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1.	Captain James Tiberius Kirk.
2.	First Officer John Newark.
3.	Second Officer Maora Noemi
4.	Science Officer Xtmprszntwlfd  S'chin T'gai Spock
5.	Medical officer Leonard Horatio McCoy
6.	Chief Engineer Charly Evans .
7.	Transporter  Engineer   Wladimir Smirnoff.
8.	Ensign Pavel Adreiev Chekov.
9.	Exo Biologist Jennifer Smith
10.	Communications Officer Nyota*/Upenda*.... Uhura
11.	Radar Man Lemuel the fleto
12.	Guards {Enlisted  First and Second Class}: Simpertigue, Lagrange 
13.	Nurse Christine  Chapel
14.	Itaka Hikaru Sulu
15.	Winston* Kyle			(Lt - Transporter Chief)
16.	Janice Rand			(Yeoman)
17.	Kevin Thomas Riley		(Lt)
18.	John Farrell			(Lt)
19.	Dave Bailey			(Lt)
20.	Charles/Carlos Jaeger		(Meteorology Officer/helm)
21.	Leslie				(Lt)
22.	Kelowitz			(Lt Cmdr)
23.	DeSalle				(Lt)
24.	DePaul				(Lt)
25.	Hansen				(Lt)
26.	Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer
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Chapters of this obra :
chapter one 		Thayn				page 2
chapter two		Sulafat			page 23
chapter three		Of mice and dragons		
chapter four			Dinos galore				
chapter five			Climbing trees			
chapter six			Hera						
												
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chapter one

-----------THAYN------------------------------

	Her name was Thayn Marden

Thayn waited until Kirk Hammond went out of the destroyed chamber and walked fast to the elevator, who opened its doors to let her pass. She said " Eight sub level"

So recorded was that Thayn waits for Kirk to went out of the destroyed main chamber of the Spiral Tower, and walks very fast to the elevator, that carried her to the eight sub level.

The machine closed their doors and began the descend.

The recent cruel attack from the Third Men fused the wonderful halls of the upper part of the Spire, together with the complicated instruments storaged there. The upper part of the building was now rubble over the plain of Altar. The barbarian attack of the Third Men fused the upper levels of that building, smashing the marvelous instruments who were there. Now the spire was shattered in four great chunks, lying under the fiery blaze of the sun.

Under the surface the many sub levels were intact. The doors opened at the eight level, and she went to a chamber she knew well, finding Borgton inside. Borgton was working at a bench with some crystals and wires attached to a metallic box..

- Did he went away?- Asked the vramen, as he was aware of her passion for the hooman.

- Yes. What do you expected? Your Death drug cheats him. Nobody would believe I was alive, as my breath stopped and the heart beats were inaudible. Also the blood at my ribs was the final touch !"-

- What are we going to do now?

- Wait. Also, poor man."

- Why ? Kirk received too many hopes from me, and I expected not to broke his heart so easily...But I have 2.000 years old, and since my 300 birthday that I hadn't doing myself a treatment to forget ."- Thayn said.

- Because you hadn't wishing really to do it ! Now you should travel to Sulfux, in order to forget...Here there is nothing very useful. after the attack."- Borgton remarked.

- Nobody in his sixth senses would be staying here, now. The Third Men learn how to do us harm."- Thayn said.

In that moment a group of warriors came, and the chief officer told them:'- All the personnel must be present at the surface, as Commander Nospe will address you. "-

- All right, captain. We will go immediately."- Borgton replied.

The officer gave a bow and departed.

- You heard the vramen. We get to climb up."- Borgton said.

- Not with this face ! Have you any morpher handy ?"- She asked.

- No. But I have a Capucha."- Offered Borgton, and he find a mask from a box near by.

- I thought there were not in existence this pieces of museum ! Well, I guess I must put this on. I do not want Kirk to see me up there, and began asking questions to me."- Thayn said.

She puts the mask in front of her face, and it stuck there, as a second skin.

Borgton leads the way up. When she went out of the building, she saw a flier taking off, and another three landing near the rubble who was now the Spire. Commander Nospe approaches them. - Commander Nospe, did the Kirk the Hoomen goes already ?"- Thayn asked to the fat old warrior. - Positive, Thayn. And are you hurt, at the ribs ?"- - No, Commander. I did this faking wound as he loves me and I cannot mate with someone 1970 years younger than me."- Thayn replied. - I am not interested in this so personal incidents. But now I assure you all personnel at the Spire must depart in this ships. The Fourth Men rinsed the brains of all the Third Men, saying to us they will re educate them."- Nospe informed the crowd of scientist that were pouring from the inner levels of the spire. - Well donned ! They deserved that, because they were ambitious and cruel."- Thayn exclaimed. - You can climb to the ships, ladies and gentlemen !"- The commander shouts to the crowd. He return to Thayn, saying "- Now is the time to get down the Spore an take whatever you want, as this place will be deserted for ever." - Thanks you, uncle."- Thayn kissed his cheek. Then she walks to a flier, climbing the ladder without effort. She was not interested in souvenirs, as the planet Altair was a bad place for her, after the long struggles against the rebels and the Third Men. He chooses the " Anzewen" flier. His Captain was Somasdo, who gave her a fine chamber aboard the vessel. Thayn Marden shut the door, and takes a sonic bath. The invigorating waves leaves her wishing to sleep...Thing she does, after 72 hours asleep...using the antigravitor bed, so she was suspended in mid air for the next eight hours... Outside the ship, the Vramen were carrying the machines from the sub levels to the decks of the fliers. The Commander Nospe was there, hurrying the vramen, as he wasn't aloud by the Fourth Men to save those machines... The Fourth Men had said that all vramen must abandon Altair in a hurry, and there were no questions about that. The Vramen were no match for the powerful Fourth Men from the planet Altair ! The sky was a glimmering shadowless radiance, who lit the landscape with an strange light not devoid of enchant. Then the first of the fliers ended its cargo load, and depart ,throwing the blue flames by the exhaust. They were going from Sharanna for the very last time, leaving behind the ruins of what was the proud of the Vramen race. Then follows the rest, one by one in their pillars of fire. The night engulfed the debris of the Spire , not any more the symbol of the strength of the Vramen... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AT PLANET JOKONG........................... A conversation and something more............. - I rather belong to the Fleet !" - As you prefer, my niece. But you very well could be remaining at Jokong. Its a new city, near the Masendo Sea. Plenty of sun rays, little to do , and there are many sea - games to play."- Commander Nospe smiled. - I rather be at the deck of one of your ships, Uncle. No matter which mission you gave me ." - I see. You want to be useful. I am glad."- Replied the Commander.'- I will designate you to some vessel. Do you like the Mech. ?" - I can bear their presence."- - Perfect. I will see what I can do. By the moment, you have my house at your disposal. "- Commander Nespo offered, smiling to his preferred niece. Thayn was delighted as she prefer to be protected , for a while. Back at Altair, his life was very different, so now she enjoy the difference... She was at the mansion ,served by three Mech. , waiting for the signal to re- embark at the Vramen fleet. She takes several courses at the Academy, as to be fit for whatever mission the Commander chooses for her. She graduated as first officer... and two days elapsed, his uncle called her to his office, saying :"- I have your new post ready, Thayn." She felt the electricity running through her body. Also she thought his uncle must have been informed of her new status {First Officer Diploma} ... - I am glad to hear you said that ! I am ready for space !"- She grinned. - Better this way ! You will have opportunities for to practice your new skills !"- - That is what I hope. And about the ship ?" - It is a Super flier. It is not the exact vessel I were thinking of , but is a beginning. '- Nospe commented, extending his arms. - But, do not be worried, Uncle dear ! I understand that in this changing epoch there are a shortage of ships."- Thayn said, and mentally she was remembering all the characteristics of the Super Fliers...:32 crew members, little space for cargo , interplanetary velocities...Not too thrilling , indeed. - You will be the Captain. It's name is " Orrtol" { Verity}.It is now at the 809 pole station." - Thanks you, my uncle ! Because now I will be controlling my own ship ! "- She exclaimed. She was presented ,officially, after two days elapsed. The 31 crew members were all Vramen, as her. She noticed there were of her same age. She felt a twinge of relaxation, as she wasn't willing to command over 3.000 years old people.. . She memorized the names and full ranks in a quarter of an hour. Her uncle visits the ship before the departure, giving the CD with the mission plan with his own hands. Thayn looked him when she went put of the ship, feeling herself proud of such an old gentleman. She sighed and closed the airlock, and went to the control room. Thayn opened the CD content on her desk, and read the orders on screen. "Vramen Fleet Command. To : Captain of the Verity super flier vessel. Thayn Marden. Mission to accomplish > Replacement of the Governor of Fonax. Time for this mission > 3 weeks elapse. Special Order > Maintain daily communications with Headquarters, designed Chief : Commander Nospe. End of Schedule." Thayn grinned, as the Special Order was meant just to calm down the nerves of her uncle, who were worried for her... She will be glad to send the messages. She leaned back at her new commanding chair, looking at the chamber .This room has the form of a triangle, with the point directed to the prow. Six chairs in all, together with control panels, communication systems with the rest of the ship, scanning, monitors... The first officer was Avimond, who said :- " Engines ready, Captain." - Half impulse power in two minutes."- She ordered. She revised the indicators, seeing there were all O.K. - Attention ! Ten seconds for ignition."- Avimond said, and then the ship gave a little jerk and it was moving . The main generator and the two engines were propelling the ship ahead. The Super Flier class weren't supposed to fly more than around the planets of a designed solar system, as they hadn't hyper space warp engines. As they were leaving Jokong, second world of the Vramen system, they should be traveling to the 5th. planet, 89.000.000.000 kilometers away. - Set a course to Ramansi, First Officer."- She said. - Course in process , Captain."- Avimond said, digitizing on his console. Seconds elapsed, he said :'- Ready to correct course, Captain." - Fine. Proceed at full speed."- She said, wrapping herself tighter to her seat. She felt the thrust and the several jerking movements the ship were doing, as to correct the path. Some little objects went flying over the room. - Full impulse power, Captain."- The First Officer announced. She was looking the indicators on her console, showing her the new course. - Select an encrypted channel to communicate with headquarters, Lieutenant Orr."- She asked. - Channel ready, Captain."' - Orr replied. She was a tall female, with bright eyes. Thayn speaks by the microphone several minutes, explaining to Headquarters the new course, the velocity and estimated time to arrive to planet Ramansi. Three days traveling inside the system were needed to arrive to Ramansi. As they were communicating daily with the base at that world, all personnel at the \Base were ready to receive the delegation Thayn send, in order to bring the Ex Governor aboard ship. When arriving to the " Verity" , ex governor Djone was received by Thayn Marden at the Deck, with her officers in line. - Welcome to the " Verity", ex governor Djone. "- Said Thayn, and she gave their names to the fat old man. - Nice to meet you all ! Glad to be here, Captain, but permit to tell you there is a terrible injustice here ! The politic people has the blame ! The new appointed governor here is a cousin of the President !"- Complained Djone, almost yelling and looking in all directions. - We are not able to emit a pronunciation, vramen Djone. But I can gave you a nice cabin aboard."- Thayn offered. - Must obliged. Very nice of you, Captain. You are very young in this post, so you must be very clever."- Djone manage to say grinning. - Thanks you, ex governor. My uncle is Commander Nospe." - Nice gentleman, as I had heard."- The eyes of the ex governor became slits. Thayn send one of the officers to show the room to the guest. Twenty minutes elapsed, she gave orders to abandon the planetary orbit, in order to began traveling to the second planet of that system. Then a strange vessel materialized itself at 600.000 km. away. The alarm ring began to sound. - Vessel ahead! It's coming from Hyper !"- Luxendial, the second officer , announced, after a brief looking at his control panel : - It is coming directly against us ! Collision route !"- The first officer announced. - Change course to 30.2"- Thayn asked, fascinated to see one of those fast ships in front of her. The " Verity" turns the prow to the port side, but it wasn't enough fast and the incoming vessel rubs the fuselage, cutting all the antennas and two levitation towers of that side. The half crash also produced some holes in the hull, so the air began to escape from several parts, activating the automatic door seals. The compartments of the "Verity" closed all the inner locks. - Report damages."- She asked, looking by the flickering video screen the fast going strange ship. - Compartments 2 and 3 damaged, there is no antennas to send radio messages. Two refrigerant tubes are missing, the liquid is spraying unto the void. "- Informed the communication officer Orr. The other ship make a sharp U turn, and came back by starboard. Several magnetic harpoons came flying and stuck to the metallic hull of the " Verity", so both ships came very close each other. - " Alien ship fasten our vessel, Captain."- Officer Avimond said.'- It is no known ship...alien vessel it is ." - Stop all engines."- ordered Thayn, seeing the indicators were in red, and all efforts to release the tightening grip was useless... From the alien vessel several figures came flying very fast. They fused one of the entrances, and came inside the Verity. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Aboard USS Enterprise, NCC 1701.=============== - Ready to the Jump, Captain."- Sulu said. - Jump attention signal ready ."- Uhura said. - Ten seconds to the blast off and counting !"- Spock said, fastening his security belt. "...0 !" The ship sparked when the Warp engines began to function, and the Enterprise plunged into the Unknown, from whe re it was spit as an alien material, 100 parsecs away, - Attention !- Kirk reacted, and the vessel jerks its course suddenly, to starboard, for not to crash unto the object situated just in front of it. It wasn't, then, the dexterity of Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu what saves them from collision, but the Automatic Guidance System of the Enterprise ... Krrrrrrr ! The rasping sound was heard in all the ship.. - Near collision with a ship of unknown origin. Dimensions are : length 80 meters, beam: 20 meters, propulsion : photon emissions."- Spock said calmly. - Ensign Chekov, go and prepare a rescue team ,to go helping at that ship. Lt. Uhura, try to communicate with them."- Kirk ordered. The "Enterprise" makes a quick U turn ,who took several thousands kilometers wide, due to the enormous velocity the Jump gave to the vessel. It stops near the "Verity"... - The alien ship didn't respond to our signals."- Lt. Uhura informed. - Lt. Sulu, send several magnetic harpoons to that ship."- Kirk ordered. - I am ready to aboard the ship, Captain."- Chekov said by the intercom. - Are the harpoons secure, Lt. Sulu ?" - Yes, sir." - Aboard ship, ensign Chekov. On the double."- Kirk ordered. - Yes. Sir."- Chekov smiled from the Lock. With the personal propellers Chekov and his team of ten guards went to the marooned alien ship. With the Maser disrupters they fused the main entrance of the alien ship, and went inside. It was a 3 x 5 meters chamber, sealed at both ends. Three dead bodies were expelled out of the chamber. - Chekov to Enterprise : we are in, but the chamber has two door locked: we cannot continue, as we are endangering the crew. Also we find here two dead bodies, perhaps from the decompression." - Enterprise to Ensign Chekov : try to open manually the sealed doors. "- Kirk said, disliking the killing. Chekov and his team began to look for the electronic system , and when they find it, one of the guards opened a door, using one electronic device. They get hurry crossing to the other door, so the oxygen wasn't wasted too much. They find two aliens there. - Chekov to Enterprise : we are at another chamber ,this time with atmosphere. There are here two human beings, similar to us." - Try to communicate."- Kirk said, - If you want . Sir, I can go there and try a mind- meld with one of them."- Spock said. - Please do, Mr. Spock . And take care."- Kirk replied. When Kirk was on that chamber, he saw a woman and a male, of medium height. He approaches the girl, and did the mind meld. Ten minutes elapsed, he call to the Enterprise. - Spock to Enterprise : I mind meld one of the humanoids. They are not from Earth. " - Enterprise to Spock: can you communicate internally with the rest of that crew ?"- - I will ask them."- Spock said. He signaled the girl and he mid meld her for a short while. Then the girl takes a gadget from a wall, and talked into it. Some minutes elapsed, one of the doors opened, and she signaled to the intruders to follow her. ------------------------------------------------- Thayn received Spock and the other intruders at the main control chamber, surrounding them with armed personnel from the rest of the ship. - You are damaging my ship, unlocked the main entrance, and rasped and damaged my communication system."- She said. - I am Spock First officer of the USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, from the United Federation of Planets. We were coming from hyper Space, and almost crash unto your vessel."- He said. - I guess that is one apologize."- Thayn remarked. - It is, Sir." - I am Thayn Marden, Captain of the "Verity" vessel, one of many from the Vramen Fleet. "- She informed. - Glad to meet you, Captain."- Spock replied. - Now that we met each other, tell your Captain to release my ship. There are several magnetic harpoons fastening our ship to yours."- Thayn asked. - Right away, Captain."- Spock replied, and called to the Enterprise. As Kirk wants to see the Captain of the "Verity" before release, Spock asked her to go visiting the Enterprise. - " Tell him I will go."- She said, stiffly. Ten minutes elapsed, Spock and Chekov's team, plus Thayn and three other Vramen, went flying to the Enterprise. When entering the ship, they salute her with the whistles of rigor. - Welcome aboard USS Enterprise, NCC-1701, Captain Thayn Marden. I am James Kirk, Captain of this vessel."- Kirk said, smiling to her. - Thanks."- She replied, looking startled at the Negro woman Uhura. - We ram each other, perhaps too roughly. It was the velocity of Hyper Space. Otherwise we should never bruise your scout vessel."- Kirk announced. - I accept your apologies, Captain Kirk.'- She said .looking steadily at the human. Something in him told her he was of a special breeding... - Please be my guest to night, so you can attend at our dinning table, together with your officers."- Kirk invited her. - Thanks. This is Luxendial, my Second Officer, and Lt. Gowander and Lt. Farlung, crew members.- She presented the three male vramen. - Glad to meet you , Sirs. "- Kirk bowed slightly, and also he presented Thayn the officers out of duty at the Bridge, in that moment. - You have a great ship here, Captain Kirk. Nothing comparing to my vessel."- She said. - I guess it is because your vessel it's designed just to run in this system only."- Kirk remarked. - Yes. But now we are in trouble, as the communication system is busted, some holes in the hull and two sustentation towers are missing.."- She said. - So you hardly can move."- Ended by saying Kirk. - Yes. And we need to carry our ship to the docks. Could you be so gentle as to tow us to ...., the nearest Vramen controlled planet ?- Thayn asked . - It can be arranged."- Kirk replied. - Then I will stay to your souper."- She smiled. Kirk finds the girl utterly attractive, with a pair of legs matching those of Uhura, a beautiful white face, and also a magnific body structure... - Are all humans so interested in the female anatomy?"- Thayn asked. - Well...I..."- Kirk blushed, and McCoy came to his rescue, by saying"- No, Madam, but you are so beautiful that you impressed favorably our Captain."- - And you , his Doctor, what recommends him, in this case ?'- She teased . - That he must go to his duties, that his doctor will take care of your welfare here."- McCoy replied, grinning. As everyone were smiling now, and the tension was subdued, the general disposition between the two crews became very friendly from then on. Kirk showed the Enterprise to Thayn, who was enchanted to see the ingenious machines of the humans. - And where is Earth located ?"- She asked. Spock told her at a screen. - My people never went in that direction, as it is the fringe of the Via Lactea."- She said. - We developed out technology alone, but now we had find three other allies in this Galaxy . plus several other that are not willing to mingle with humans."- Kirk said. They went to the dining table, and Kirk was in the front seat, Thayn at his left and Spock and McCoy at his right, Also at the table were Uhura, Chekov , Sulu and the officers Thayn brings from the "Verity". - I see that there are some allies here, too. She is one of them?"- Thayn said, pointing to Uhura. She laughed, and explained the Vramen that she belonged to tribe in Africa. - Really ? "- Thayn replied, not fully convinced, as she noticed several differences between Kirk and Uhura. - I am the alien in this table."- Spock said. '- I came from the honorable planet of Vulcan, where our race has evolved utterly alone, producing also technology and what we cherished the most, our philosophy of life. "- - Which is that philosophy, Officer Spock?'- She asked. - The sublimation of all emotions to the reason, to logic. Also the emotions are shunned from our way of life."- Spock said. - What a pity ! Must be a very somber kind of living !"- Thayn assured, must to the rejoice of McCoy and the amusement of Kirk. - It is the only way to live a life of creation and peace."- Spock replied. Thayn didn't answered to that, but she gave a complicity stare to Kirk and McCoy. - And your race, where is located ?"- Asked Kirk. - At the Derio System... This planetary system is ours, too, and we called this sun The Star of Life... ! We live in peace and harmony, without enemies, now the Third men and the Fourth men are no longer our foes.- She explained. - Third men,,, Fourth men...I don't understand."- Kirk said. - The hoomen were the original race of Laudania, our home planet at the Derio System. We developed out science and became the conquerors of the Universe...so to speak, as every intelligent race of the Cosmos believe he is, when reaching to the stars.- Thayn grinned. - Same at Earth. But go on, "= McCoy corroborated. - Then we came to the Triffid Nebula, where this sun is entombed. This star, whose rays are so different from the other suns who populated the Cosmos, gave special strength to the cells of our bodies, that the reproduction of cells became perfect. No aging . So our lives became almost eternal, excepting a major injury, of course."- Explained Thayn. Every human- and Vulcan- at the table began staring to the vramen who were present with awe and a hint of terror. - So your are...very old ?"- Murmured Kirk, feeling his stomach became very tense. - We are young, to our standards. Captain."- Thayn smiled to Kirk. - And how young are you ?"- McCoy murmured. - Two thousands years, Doctor. And the elder of our race has seven thousands years...That is the exact elapsed time between this year and the year when we discovered this sun..."- She informed. - It makes sense."- Whispered Uhura, looking with terror the smooth face of Thayn , who appeared as a twenty years old woman of Earth. - But then, the people who came to this star system began to have children who were different to them. Of a gray skin color, harsh and malignant. So the rush here began to stop, but it was too late for the thousands of thousands who were already doomed." - A terrible situation ! "- Uhura remarked. - Then all this were happening in Altair, our preferred planet in the Star of Life System. Our government prohibited the travels here, except for the already affected by this radiations...and as to their children, the mutated ones, were called the Third Men, to whom we banned the secret of the spatial ships...as they were a warrior race ."= Thayn said, drinking a little of the Algolian beer. She smiled sadly, and asked Farlung to continue with the story. - Then the Third Men became the fathers of the Fourth Men, a race where the brain development was exaggerated. With feeble bodies, their sole interest in life is the study and development of the brain capacities. AS the Third Men asked their sons to help build starships, they refused and retired to another city of their own, where they resisted all efforts made by his fathers, on order to help them in their warlike ideals."- Said Farlung ..... - A fortunate decision."- Spock remarked. - Then the Third Men were unable to do ships as at Altair there are no iron or any other kind of heavy metals. But one day arrives here a ship from another civilization, who brings them the metal they want, and a war was issued against Sharanna, our main city at Altair. " We were in the verge of defeat but Thayn, present here before you, asked help ,with one of the alien beings, to the Fourth Men, who intervened and brain washed all the minds of the Third Men, to became re educating them ...As to us, they asked we should depart from Altair, for ever."- Farlung .... ends his explanation - So they overpower their own fathers !"- Exclaimed Chekov. - But for a good reason !"- Thayn said. Then Kirk began to tell them several humorist anecdotes, as to enlighten the spirits, who were set very low with all those miseries. They were served the desert, and then tea and coffee, that the vramen finds excellent. After three hours of being seated there, Thayn called for the retire, so the vramen salute and went to their appointed bedrooms at the Enterprise. - It has been a delightful dine, Captain Kirk."- Thayn said to him. - My pleasure was to have you at my table to night."- He said, taking her hand and kissing it lightly. As Thayn was unaccustomed to that custom, she blushed... ----------------------------------------------- Thayn awoke and felt a little tremor . She dressed and went out of her room. A guard was posted outside, who asked her where she want to go at that hour. - I want to see Captain Kirk."- She asked, very seriously. The guard , Frances Raken, called by the intercom, and he was informed Captain Kirk was at his cabin. - Please follow me, Captain."- Raken asked to the vramen female, and she followed him . They arrive to the cabin, after some two decks elapsed. She was accepted, and she enter with a brisk pace. Kirk was seated at her cot, but when seeing her, he stands up and asked :- Captain Thayn ! I am here to serve you ! What do you want from me ?" - I want a straight answer, Captain Kirk ! What is happening here ? "- - In which sense, Captain Thayn ? - I sense we are moving in space , Captain ! What is happening to my vessel ?"- She looked at the human straight in the face. - We are towing it, Captain, at your First Officer requests. We are heading to the nearest planet of this system , the Third of it."- He replied. - Lieuman. The name of the planet is Lieuman...very well, But they should had advised me ."- She said. - You were tired, and asleep."- He smiled gently. She seats at the border of his bed, feeling tired. - Want a beverage, or a coffee, perhaps ?"- He invited. - Call me just Thayn. And a coffee will be good, thanks you."- She grinned. Kirk went to the food dispenser and serves her a cup of coffee, and seats at her side. - The hoomen are ,then, the normal people, isn't it ?- He asked. - Yes. They are normal , as they live up to 120 years and they die. Is it alike at Earth?"- She asked. - Similar. There are lots of efforts to enlarge the human span of life, but there is some catch in it, as we cannot extend life more than a hundred, average. Most people die before that, due to accidents, drug habits, bad nourishment. "- Kirk said. - Estrange, that. You should had banned those illnesses." - It is because we humans at Earth are very independent, and there are several dozen countries, and some of them are poor. They cannot feed properly the unemployed, the injured. Also there are lot of people that just didn't care about the life span. " - Same at the hoomen, there are lots who despise life..."- Thayn said, finishing her cup and standing.- I am going, now. I will be at my ship." - As you please, Captain Thayn Marden. It will be always a pleasure to have you in this ship."- Kirk smiled. She went out, and Kirk followed, as he must gave the proper orders for her transfer. They arrive to the planet in eighteen hours, and several vramen ships takes care of the "Verity" and its crew. Then two officers of high rank went into the Enterprise, where Kirk and Spock explained them the objectives of the Federation. - It is a combination of peaceful civilizations, working united for the welfare of their people. They exchange goods, ore and manufactured articles, also they maintain a multipurpose Star Fleet, to protect the worlds against any invading Army."- Kirk explained. - We understand and we are very surprised of their existence. We will be happy to send diplomats there, in order to know more about the Federation of Planets, and eventually join our race to that institution."- Heuton Ferfa , Admiral of the Vramen Fleet, expounded. Kirk was already in communication with Starfleet High Command, and the arrival of the Vramen delegation will be expected by the vessels in charge of the routes to Earth. - One of us should go with them, Captain Kirk."- Spock said. - You ? - No, Captain, I was thinking in yourself and Madame Thayn Marden . You seem to have a good relationship with her." - Yes, you are right in that last remark. An no, I will not leave Lt. Newark at the Captain post of the Enterprise. - Kirk replied to the demoted officer. - Then he could go."- Spock insisted. Kirk didn't answered, looking at the main screen. A person was flying to the Enterprise. - Open hatch."- He told Sulu. - Hatch opened."- The Asiatic acknowledged. Kirk went to the hatch and find Thayn Marden, undressing of the spatial suit. - Welcome to the Enterprise, Captain Marden."- He greeted the lady. - Captain Kirk ! I came to talk to you...personally. - Of course. Came with me."- He said, and they went to his cabin. She seated in the verge of the bed and said"- I was commissioned to fly with you, Captain Kirk. Me and 20 other vramen. Of course you are the indicated to say yes or no. " Kirk asked more details of the strange request, and she said :- Really, it was my idea, Captain. I am bored to see this planets over and over again. Also, when I requested to my uncle, General Nospe, he gave me the boat you just so : a ship only capable of to roam around the planets of one sole system ! And I want to look at the wonders of nature, in deep space !" Kirk paced the room, thinking about this problem. As Captain, he very well could say yes, and later explain matters to Headquarters. Twenty vramen...aliens, means not real difference in a crew of more than 400 members...also this people were handling a lot of experiences, as their age were close to the 2.000 years each.... - I regret to say I must to think about this, Captain Marden. 20 people aboard this ship is not a very great number of aliens, so to speak, but in case they get wrong ideas, they really could do a lot of harm ."- He said. She stand in front of him , looking rejected. Kirk hold her in his arms and kissed the beauty of 2.000 years old... She tastes good ! He begin to take some interest in the Vramen female, after alll... - Pardon me !"- Somebody said, and Kirk turns around, seeing Spock staring at the entrance. - yes, Officer ? What do you want ? - I came to told you there is some vramen requesting entrance at the gate number two."- Spock said, with unmoved face. - Let them in."- Kirk said, and Spock departed. - Thanks you, Captain. You will not regret."- Thayn said. Kirk noticed that the female was blushing. He take her again in his arms, and this time the fire in her consumed all his desires ... -----------------------------------------Chapter 2-----------------------------------SULAFAT--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Engines ready, Captain. - Jump in."- Kirk ordered. Sulu pressed the necessary buttons. and the Enterprise went into the Hyper space, in a flash of light. Thayn was looking all this novelty [for her] near the chair of command. - It is very beautiful, this colors."- She said. - And did you notice something else ? - Kirk asked her, turning his head towards her. - Yes ! Something all over my body...like electricity..." - Yes, that is the second queer thing , here..."- Kirk said, tuning his head towards his console. Suddenly, the colors finished their appearance, and the darkness of space return. - Scanning near space. "- Sulu announced. - This is very exciting ! Like a game ."- Thayn said, approaching even more to Kirk. - Sun approaching, sir."- Said Sulu. - My God ! The sun cannot be approaching !"- Kirk said, - Oh, well, I had read too many poetry in this days. Pardon me. Commandant."- Sulu grinned. - Poets !"- Grunted Kirk, looking suspiciously to the Asiatic. - Which star is that, my Captain? - She asked of the man at the Wheel. - This is Sulafat, my vramen Captain Thayn."- Kirk turned his torso to look at her at the face. - Nice to see that stare into your eyes. Captain Kirk. I rejoice in the thought I put it there...with my kisses."- Thayn said. - You are correct. This star we are heading now is called Sulafat. It is in the Lira Constellation. By the way, this Enterprise correspond to a kind of ships called Constellation Type."- Kirk said. - How cute !"- She laughed. - Captain, we are receiving signals from a ship in orbit. "- Uhura said. - Let's hear what they are saying."- Kirk demanded. - SOS SOS SOS - - Guess it's one automatic distress call."- Spock noted. - That is ! Locate it for me, Mr. Spock."- Kirk begged. - It is going round the visible horizon, Captain. In three seconds we will be out of visual."- Spock said, after seven minutes looking at his scanners. - Great. Sulu, let's go after them. Scotty : how are we of fuel ? - Fine Captain, We can descend without problem." - Are you nuts ? Descending the Enterprise ! I cannot believe my hears !"- Kirk said. - Why, dear ? Is it too heavy to the take off ?- Thayn asked. - Yes, my Lady Vramen."- Kirk said, looking again at those green eyes. - Captain ! We are approaching the vessel. It keeps on sending the distress call."- Spock announced. - Sulu ! Put the enterprise at a cable's reach of that Ship, Chekov, take your volunteers and went to investigate. - Kirk commanded. - Yes, Sir ! "- Chekov smiled, as he was proud of his bravery. Thayn approaches to the central monitor, - This cargo vessel seems to be very old."- She noticed. - What >?>It cannot be. Federation vessels never have come this far, Lady."- Spock said, rising his favorite eyebrow. - But look ! It is all ragged and dusty."- Thayn said. - Enlarge."- Kirk asked, and the zoom brings the alien vessel incredible closer. - It is not possible."- Spock said. - Why. Vulcan ?= - McCoy asked, looking at the incredible long heared Spock. - Not Vulcan, Doctor. I am the Scientific Officer here."- Spock answered, looking amazed the alien structure... - We are in the ship, Captain. Nothing but dust here."- Came the voice of Chekov by the radio. - Can you see humans <>? ."- Kirk asked to the Russian. - No, Captain, I noticed there are not humans. Here are only machines."- Chekov replied. Kirk sighed, and Thayn pressed his shoulder with her hands. - I will go myself. Newark, you are in command , now."- Kirk orders. - Yes, Sir. "- Newark said, sitting at the chair of command. - and don't mess with the buttons ! Last time I must to reset my game of chess."- Kirk ordered. - Oh, pardon me, Sir ! "- Newark blushed, as he was a lousy chess player, and always he were doing tricks to the computer, in order to win a game.... - Shall I go with you ?'- Thayn said, taking him by the arm. - Better not, dear. Could be danger there. "- He replied. - Oh, bah ! Then I will take a bath."- She said, going out of the control room . - Women !"- Kirk said, and he walks to the lock. Kevin Thomas Riley(Lt.) was there at the Lock, and he said are you going to travel alone. Sir ? - Yes, Or do you want to go with me ? - Of course ! "- The guy replied, and he dressed too, with a spatial suit. - Lets go !"- Kirk said, and the lock was opened. As the suits has propellers, they went to the other ship really fast. Kirk reads the name on the hull : CHINO RIOS. SANTIAGO. - My God Jehovah ! I cannot believe it ! "- Kirk said. - The ship disappeared when jumping with the Enterprise to Earth ! "- Kevin said, looking amazed. They enter ship. All was in the vacuum of space, the doors open. Inside was Lt. Chekov. - The cargo vessel " Chino Rios ", sir !"- He said, looking through the glass of his helmet. - Yeah ! Have you find some body inside ?- Kirk asked. - Nothing ! The ship is deserted. My men are revising it all, but up until now, the main chambers has no bodies."- Chekov informed. - Perhaps they went down in a shuttle, Captain."- Kevin said. - And where is the other "Enterprise " ? "- Chekov asked. - Perhaps they went to the surface in the Enterprise Refitted !"- Kevin proposed. - Possibly. We will revise this, take pictures, and also Sulu will go down the planet, to search for the missing crew."- Kirk said, and he takes his personal radio transmitter and send Sulu down. - You scan the surface, contact me every three hours. We will gave more data, if it is available, Commander Sulu."- Kirk said. - Aye, Captain, but Captain Thayn Marden want to go with us to the surface of the planet. "- He informed. - Tell her to go, if she wants. Perhaps she will serves you as an interpreter."- Kirk smiled to the radio transmitter. - Shall we continues our research, Captain?- Asked Kevin. - Of course, let us proceed."- Kirk accepted. They walked by the corridors. All was pitch dark, as the energy was missing, so they uses the lights of their helmets. Kirk went to the cabins, and the clothes and personal belongings weren't there. So the people was in the planet.... Kirk and the rest if the scouts returns to the Enterprise n` 3, and told Uhura to scan the surface of the planet Sulafat 3. - I am working in it since we came here, Captain. And I found several metallic objects on the surface."- She said, turning to face him. Kirk swallowed his eyes on her splendid legs. Those legs were a magnet for him... - Well ! You always so competent. Commander Sulu is flying there, already, so please inform him of whatever you see from here."- He said, feeling his mouth watering. - You adulator you ! "- She smiled. - We could..." - Captain ! There is a signal in the radar."- Chekov told the Captain. - Who where how ? - There !"- Chekov interjected, and in the main screen he showed a red flare, coming from deep space. - A rocket !"- Kirk said, and then he gave the red alert . - Red alert, red alert !"- The voice advice all personnel, through the intercom. The Enterprise III face the enemy. The incoming vessel sends two large objects against the Enterprise. - Collision course, Captain."- Spock said, looking inside his apparatus. - Shields!"- Kirk yelled by the intercom. In the Engines room Charlie Evans and Scotty run to the controls, erecting the shields in a flash. - Shields on, Captain."- Scotty said by the intercom. Chekov turns the Enterprise , so the incoming missiles passed without harming the structure, and the shields make them bounce. - Something in the radio, Uhura ? - Nothing, Sir ! - Call those idiots and asked them their intentions.!"- Kirk ordered. - Ja ja ! Is it a joke, Jim ?- McCoy said, coming from the Infirmary. - Go to your Department, Bones !"- Kirk yelled. - Hush hush ! A little attack and he is all nervous !"- McCoy commented, leaving the Deck. - They are not responding, Sir ! But they are sending encoded signals to an unknown destiny." = Uhura said. - I have their next move calculated, Captain. Did we send a torpedo there ?- Spock asked. - Do it, Chekov ! "- Kirk replied. The photon torpedo rush to the site, who were vacant at the moment, but in the next eight seconds, the alien navy passed by there. The explosion lights that portion of space as if a new sun was rising. - Whea !"- Someone exclaimed. - Seems they have a lot of missiles storage there !"- Chekov said. - It must had been a cruiser."- Kirk looked amazed. - Metallic object scanned below us, Captain ! Must be a ship wreck of some kind ! "- Uhura announced then. - Could be the ancient " Enterprise"- Kirk sighed. Chekov ! Take a team and go down below ! And inform ."- - All right, Captain !"- The Russian said, leaving the deck at a brisk pace. - Can I go too, Captain ?- Uhura asked. Kirk looked at her in surprise. The question were asking for a rebuttal, and some points less for the Communications Officer, as she was leaving the Bridge when needed... - You can go, Lt. Uhura. But call first your replacement."- - Thanks you, Captain."- She replied. Five minutes elapsed, the shuttle went with Chekov, Uhura and ten guards aboard. - Move the Enterprise now, Newark ! Set a changing course. I don't want to be a seating duck."- Kirk ordered, scanning deep space for more probably enemy vessels... - Chekov to Enterprise. We are flying over the ruins of a vessel, Captain. It is the old Enterprise Refitted, all right ! Seems they landed over a hill, goes down the slope and smashed the disk unto a big boulder. " - Radiation signals ? - Scant quantities, Sir. Seems the chambers weren't affected." - Signals of life in the vicinity ? - We are flying over the site for the second time, Sir. No signs until now. "- Chekov informed. - O.K., stay tuned . "- Kirk ends the transmission. - We will land now, Captain. "- Chekov said, ending the conversation. - Incoming vessels from Deep Space, Sir. Three ships."- Spock said, looking at his console. - Damn luck ! Uhura ! Tell Chekov what is happening, ask him to have silence at the transmitter. We will came back here soon."- Kirk ordered. - But Sir ! Lieutenant Uhura went down to the planet, and now is me, Hera Gletony, your Communication Officer , Sir."-The young woman replied, talking to Chekov by the radio. - Chief Engineer Charly Evans ! Impulse power, please."- Kirk asked. - Ready , Sir " - Evans replied. - Newark ! Get us out of here !"- Kirk commanded. - Yes, Sir !"- Smiled the Yankee. The Enterprise III jumps into deep space, leaving the three incoming vessels standing in awe . - Uhura ! Did you scanned those alien ships for me ? - I am not Uhura ! And yes, Captain, I am scanning those aliens. Do you want the photos in the main screen ?- Said Hera Gletony - Yes, Ensign. - You must be waiting a lot, then, Captain, as I am new in this post .So try not to put me nervous, as you did with Uhura "- She said, seating at her post... - Damned luck ! Now I get students as crew members !"- Kirk yelled, looking at the blank screen. - I can provide those photos for you, Captain. I am Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer."- The girl said, trying to look serious. - You can laugh , Ensign Gletony."- Kirk said, smiling at her. The photos were six. They showed three big vessels, with lots of torpedo tubes, radar towers, and scaring towers of propulsion of a strange design. - Spock tell me what are those."- Kirk asked of the Science officer. - Those are three Scifimanglers, Sir."- The Vulcan said stiffly. - Do you know those ships ? - Yes, Captain, They are in the Database . The race of the Scifimanglers is very old, and someone said this beings are older than humans. Their home planet is Argotoso , at the Yenool System. "- Spock was enchanted to see all faces looking in his direction, He loved to lecture those earthlings ! - O.K., but tell us something to spot them at our charts."- Gletony asked, as their fingers were itching to punch the necessary buttons , in order to command the computer and show Kirk the sky map . - It is the star 436, Ensign Gletony. "- Spock said, in an hollow voice. - Near very near !"- Kirk said, after looking at the map Gletony showed at her post. - Just half a parsec away."- Sighed she. - You sighed. - yes, Captain ! So lot of time I were wanting to be so near you ! And Uhura ,always here ,as she have a health of iron !"- She said, looking at her with her green eyes. - Oh, those eyes will be my condemnation !"- Kirk told her at her left hear. - Oh, you are so..." - Captain ! I am receiving radiation increase signals from the main engine !"- Chief Engineer Charly Evans told by the Intercom. - Damned luck ! I will go there myself !"- Kirk said, leaving the Bridge. Hera Gletony walked past him, saying :- You can demote me, but please not deny me a kiss !" Kirk looked at the blonde girl with incredulity. - What are you doing here, Ensign ? Get back at your post !"- He said. - But first, take one of these !"- She said, and kissed him with ardor. - My me !"- Kirk said, after the embrace. She laughed and run back to her post. - This new members of the crew makes me very nervous ."- Kirk said to himself, running to the engine room... He arrive to the engine room, and Scotty said to Him :- Please, Jim, gave me back my old post ! I cannot bear this guy commanding me ! - Charly Evans! What is the problem ?- Asked Kirk. - The main engine seems to be in malfunction, Sir ! The percentage of radiation had increased. Two grades more and we would be abandoning the ship !"- Evans told him, with trembling voice. - Terrific. But what I can expect from a Replica ? The replicas are the fashion, this days, Pity the ships are not as they were, any more."- Scotty yelled. - Scotty ! You should be trying to fix the engines, and instead you are banging your head against a wall !"- Kirk reprimanded. - You monster you ! Now I must serve here as a common engineer...me the greatest of all engineers ! Or so they used to told me."- Scotty replied. - Yes, you were that good. But since the replica engines era begins, you are the shadow of yourself."- Kirk said. - Captain my captain ! You seems to be ignorant in this matters, as you should know this engines are discardables ! Little I can repair, as all came in one piece ! "- Scotty informed. - Is that true, Chief Engineer Evans?- Kirk asked, and Scotty moaned when hearing the title. - I am afraid he is right, Captain. "- Evans said. - Look ! The numbers are in red, now."- Kirk said, looking at one indicator. - Red ! The main engine ! We must abandon ship right away, Captain ! Or we will be a nice light in the middle of two planets."- Evans asked . - Came on, came on , man ! It cannot be that serious !"- Kirk said, walking out of the Chamber. - But ...!"- Evans said, looking incredulous at the open door. - Guess the Captain cannot believe the ship is going to explode. "- Scotty said. - Then we must tell the First Officer Newark !"- Evans said, and he takes the Intercom. Newark asked twice about it, and searched for Kirk. - Captain ! We are about to explode !"- Newark said ,when seeing Kirk at his office. - Naw ! I don't believe a little radiation..."- Kirk was saying , and a explosion was heard through out all the Enterprise III. - See ?- Newark told him. - Hear, you should say. Well, I guess we must abandon ship, but we must get near the planet number four."- Kirk said. So he communicate with Chekov, and the Enterprise puts its prow to that planet. - Tell the Captain there is ten minutes left for the detonation ."- Scotty said by the Intercom, but he uses the general audio system, so everybody aboard heard it. The pandemonium began , organized by the women, who yelled and run to the shuttles. Several shuttles takes off with great spurts of flames, damaging the paint of the hull. Kirk search Ensign Hera Gletony, but she was the first aboarding a shuttle, so he didn't find her. - Captain, there is no time left. Came .- Spock said, and taking him by one arm, introduced him in the last shuttle. Instead of 20 persons Kirk saw 89, but he keep on being silent. The shuttle takes off, turns and then the Enterprise number III explodes. - Oh, there it goes again !"- Said Scotty, and Kirk wept . - The Sulafat iv is a nice planet, Captain. You will enjoy it."- Spock said,m trying not to incinerate the overweighed shuttle in its descent through a mass of clouds. - So you have time to study the planet ? - Asked Kirk, strapping himself to a chair, as he was very aware of the dangerous moments he was traversing. - Just a little, Captain. Air ,water, heath... we will survive."- Spock said, and the cabin began smelling . - Is it something burning ?- One of the girls asked. - Yes, it is just the hull."- Spock replied, very calmly. McCoy laughed , but then the shuttle gave a terrible jerk, and they began flying heads on top. - What are you doing , green blooded Vulcan ?- Asked McCoy, but the answer he didn't notice, as the ship landed upside down in a stony prairie. The sounds of metallic structure being ripped apart, flames and a roar was all one, for those inside the shuttle. After five minutes of that, the vessel stops and the flames began to increase everywhere. - Out, out ! - Kirk ordered , and everyone tried to accomplish with the order,. but some of them just didn't make it. There were 70 crew members alive, and the rest burns to smithereens inside the hull. - A pity ! Young fellows, in the apex of their lives..."- McCoy said, looking at the big flames that the shuttle were giving birth in that moment... Kirk was busy trying to communicate with the rest of the shuttles. Several of them answer his calls that afternoon, and at dusk three vessels arrive at the prairie, so Kirk and the rest of the 70 marooned people could sleep in a bed. - From the 20 shuttles just 7 made it."- Spock informed Kirk, who was lying at a bed. - A real pity. Now we are stranded here. Could you communicate with the Fleet ?"- Kirk asked. - Captain ! I am very surprised of this ! "- Spock replied, stiffly. - Why, have you seen an alien or something ? - No ! But you now the proceedings ! First , the Manual said that when abandoning a ship, no matter the cause, a distress signal must be issued, plus one artificial satellite, who is responsible of to send a distress signal with a very powerful emitting wave band, so Starfleet can retrieve the aforementioned signal."- Spock lectured, satisfying himself the most with that. - All right ! So now there is an artifact over my head sending powerful distress signs all over the Universe !"- Kirk resumed. - In theory, Captain, not to all the Universe, but sure they will listen it at Starbase !"- Spock permitted himself a half smile. - So ! Now we seat here, and wait. And perhaps the aliens ...what were their names ?"- Asked Kirk. - The Scifimanglers, Sir." - Yes, that. The Scifimanglers will know we are here as sitting ducks, so we could wait and see the appearing here in their shiny pantagruelic battle cruisers...."- Kirk sighed. - Well, Sir ! You must risk something to be saved !"- Spock replied, going to the door. - Good night, Scientific Officer."- A voice saluted him in the corridor. Kirk was beginning to get asleep, when he heard someone undressing at the bed side. - What is going on here ! This room is occupied !"- He yelled. - Hush hush , Captain ! You will arouse the dead ! It is just me, Ensign Hera Gletony... preparing to go to bed !"- Chuckled her, climbing to the bed. - Oh, Captain ! How cold you have your knees !"- She complaints, embracing him. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter Three Of mice and dragons. And it came to pass that the humans at the planet Sulafat iv begin to interest in food and hunting, as the ships were few and the ex crew members too many for the food dispenser, that ceased to function at the 45th. day, devoid of former chemicals for their good work. So Kirk ordered the males in three main groups, performing three main occupations : Warriors, to defend the village [ who comprised the landed shuttles } Hunting { who obviously works in the woods hunting animals to eat } and the Technocrats, who were improving gadgets with the spare parts they found at the vessels... - Guess we are stuck here."- Kirk said. - Oh, my love ! What an adventure ! You, me, and the whole savage planet unfolding valley after valley ...just for us !"-Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, said. Kirk looked at the blonde girl with incredulity. - You mean you look at this just as an adventure ? I looked at this as the worst problem I had in years ! Without a main vessel to leave the planet, and arrive to where we all belong ! Also those aliens can appear here in any minute !"- He said. - Aliens ? I think they really were scared of you ! And they will never return ! So why don't you just relax ? - She said, embracing him. They were seated at a rock, in a near by hill. The hill was one of many that belongs to a big chain of mountains, some of them more the 9.000 km high. - I send a vessel to search the Enterprise."- He said. - Darling ! The Enterprise was blown to pieces up there ! Are you feeling good ?- Hera Gletony asked. - No, you don't understand me ! The Enterprise III blows up. But the older one, the one that seems to have been united with the CHINO RIOS cargo vessel, landed at Sulafat III and Chekov finds it !"- Kirk said, standing up. - Oh, I remember ! But also that the Enterprise Refitted was abandoned there perhaps for how much time !"- Hera Gletony replied. - Perhaps they could made it tick again ! And came here to the rescue."- Kirk remarked. - And cows rise chickens ! Please, my love ! If somebody from the Federation didn't came here, nobody will came."- Hera Gletony muttered. The sun of the system was shedding light all over the mountains. The ice cups shines white over there. - How beautiful this planet is ! And I regret not to be here."- She affirmed. - You are young and thinks not in responsibilities." - Kirk reminded. - Oh, and you are so old ? I bet you have 40 years."- She laughed. - And you ? - I have 21 years old. "- She replied, defiantly. He felt the impulse to kiss her, so he did. She leaned on him, chuckling, and told him at the hear :- Do you like to have a young woman all for yourself ? - And what do you think about that ? \ - That you likes !"- Hera Gletony laughed. He spanked her, and she run down the hill, to the vessels parked there. That night was Sabbath, so all the personal out of duty dine together, with Kirk doing the prayer. Then they all seated on the chairs, and began to eat. The commander officer Kirk was telling jokes and smiling, as to enlighten the spirits. And he succeeded, because he injected them with optimism. After the meal they sing, and that was all for that night. Of course everyone could go out of the ships and enjoy the night and the stars. AS everyone were young, the romances were very common between the crew. Kirk has nothing to say about that, except all must be donned out of duty hours.... Kirk went to smoke at the shuttle number 3, with his woman. - The usual bunch." - Hera Gletony said, when seeing the faces at the saloon. - Did you prefer to go somewhere else ? - Oh, no ! I prefer this. "- She smiled, kissing his cheek lightly. - The lovers."- Someone said, and they all grinned. Kirk looked for a guilty, and it was McCoy, who blinked an eye to him, offering a glass of Bourbon. - Have a seat and a glass of booze, Captain ! Same for your girl."- McCoy offered. - Thanks you.'- Kirk replied, taking the glass from McCoy's hand. - We were talking about the Sulafat 3, Jim.'- Spock said. - And...? - We think the discovery of the Enterprise Refitted is a treasure for us, in this state of things. We could travel there, using two of the seven shuttles. As you know, four wrecked at the landing, and the rest has not too much fuel . So we put all the fuel in those two shuttles, depart to Sulafat III, searches for the Enterprise Refitted...and walks home."- Spock presented thus his project. - Sounds good."- Kirk grinned. - So you are accepting the plan of this green eyed Vulcan ?- McCoy looked surprised. -Bones ! You and me are old birds from the sky ! We can bear to see the years goes by here , as death is not so much ahead. But think in this young fellows ! They are so very young !"- Kirk expressed. - And they deserve to live in our civilization, instead of here, where their child will be playing the Tarzan."- McCoy smiled. - Yes ! We must to try to solve this situation ! Spock ! When you could begin pumping the fuel to the two shuttles ?- Asked Kirk. - I am refueling them, Sir !"- Spock smiled. - Good Lord ! What a green blooded piece of ice !"- McCoy said, rising his cup in form of a token to the Vulcan. They all drink Bourbon, except the Vulcan and Hera Gletony ,who drinks water. Then Scotty enters the room. A silence fell upon them, as it was not habitual his presence there. - Good night, fellows. Can I seat and chatter a minute or two ?"- He asked, moving his great bulk from one feet to the other. - You can join us all right."- Spock replied, after a brief glance to Kirk, who seems to ignore the situation. - Thanks a lot. I was worried for this . "- Smiled the ex chief engineer. - Take a sip, old mate."- McCoy offered some Scotch to the engineer. - Thanks you ! But I bring my own flask of scotch."- Scotty denied the offer, and he produces a metallic flask, drinking from it. - I always wonder how we are here as in the Enterprise, following orders and taking all with so much calm."- Scotty said.- In older days, we would had been fighting hard to came back to Space and defied those aliens bare handedly."- - Speak for yourself."- Kirk barked. - I am speaking for us all, Captain. I know you are resented with me, as you are thinking I damaged the waro engines of the first Enterprise vessel, but I swore..." - Do not swear at night, Scotty. It gave nightmares."- Kirk replied. - See ? He is holding a quarrel with me ! "- Scotty said, and began to weep. His sobs males the "mother" there, Hera Gletony , compassionate of him. - Jim ! Do not be so rough with this man ! Remember all those adventures you had in the original series with him."- She said. - Yes. I remember quite well. He was always right, he was always chasing some blondie... Pathetic."- Kirk grinned. - Pathetic ? Do I looked pathetic to you ? Why ?"- Scotty asked, drinking of his flask. - Oh, Scotty ! You were so obvious , when chasing women ! And your inferior tooth's so ridiculous small...And look at you know ! You are the grandfather of all of us ! Fat, with scant white hair, an elephant's stride... Look at Bones ! He is as old as you, and he looks slim, vigorous without looking fat. "- Kirk expounded. - Sorry , Captain ! Sorry indeed ! I thought the accomplishments of old were merit enough to be accepted by you ! But I am seeing you are looking for streamlined crew members ! So I will began to do aerobics from right now !"- Scotty said, and began doing exercises. - Let's go, Hera Gletony . Seems the Ringling Brothers gets into town."- Kirk said, taking his woman out. Spock makes his brow tilt upwards once... McCoy said :- Now he is gone, Scotty. Stops that."- - OH, why he is so mean with me ? I had adored him since I get into the Starfleet !"- He bawled. \ - Please, take some grip on yourself, man !"- The Vulcan said, revolting at the scene. - But I cannot restrain myself !"- Scotty replied, seating again at a chair. - Guess you were drinking Scotch before you get inside this room."- McCoy assured. - Oh, just a sip !"- Scotty said, and he takes another drink. - Seems to me you are paying too much attention to this matter. Captain Kirk is a man who had put all his efforts in his career. He always wants the best from machines and men."- Spock assured. - Don't waste words in him, Spock . The man is sleeping."- Bones said, grinning... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The refueling of the two elected shuttles ends , and Kirk gave order to man the vessels. At 04.00 hours the first shuttle went into space, in a solid wall of fire and brimstone. Half an hour later, the second departs, scorching earth. - Nice and tranquil planet, that is. I will miss it."- Hera Gletony told Kirk in his left hear. - Yes, I guess it gave as no troubles.' "- He replied. - How many time to arrive to Sulafat III ? - Guess a matter of two weeks. This engines works fine, but we must take care ,as we have not spare parts."- Kirk said. The shuttles began the flight in unison, so they were very close to each other, but there were not human travels between the two ships. - We must close our fingers and expect for the best. I tremble thinking those aliens could spot us now. This shuttles cannot defend themselves."- Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, told Newark. - Pay more attention to your instruments, and don't talk to me if I call you not."- The First Officer replied. - Oia ! We have a second Captain Nemo here !"- She scowled, walking to her post. - This woman forgets we are still in the Starfleet, no matter if we are having some problems."- Newark remarked. Kirk went to his post, and told Newark not to quarrel with women. - Aye , Sir."- Newark replied, but he blushed hard. He was not humble, and the words of Kirk were a stab at his back. Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer smiled to Kirk, who looked to her legs. - 408 hours to the arrival, Captain."- Spock said, looking at his panel. - 408. A lot."- Complained Kirk. - You can fasten ships .if you will, Sir."- - No, thanks you. I remember last time I try to fasten ship. This machines are replicates. Must be handled with special care."- Kirk scoffed. Scotty heard it at the Engines Room,. and told Evans the Captain was now an old granny. - I will report your words."- Evans told him. So he did, that night. - So he said that of me, eh ?- Was all Kirk said, dismissing the case. - Poor Scotty ! He is suffering as you retired your trust from him."- Hera Gletony told the Captain. - Please, dear ! Turn off the light and came to talk of pleasant things to me !"- He urged. - Now be quiet ! My period is missing. Seems I am pregnant ."- She announced. - Really ! So we must celebrate this occasion !"- Kirk laughed, as he was taking pills and the lady couldn't possibly be pregnantof him. But in the morning [ship time zone] he looks things different. If she was pregnant, then she was cheating him with some other male . And as he was a man, and also the Captain, he cannot look the other side. So he went to McCoy, who has two rooms for the Infirmary aboard that shuttle. - Look, Bones, I know in his century man and women has the same rights and the same responsibilities. But I am a macho man, and cannot stand a cheating." - Better explain to me from the beginning."- McCoy smiled. - Hera Gletony said she is pregnant of me. So I cannot be ! As you know I am taking your anticonceptive pills !"- He explained. - Ahum ! I see."- McCoy rubbed his chin. - Did she came to you, or something ? " - What do you mean ? - I mean if we came here to make herself some examination ! "- Kirk was exasperated . - Take it cool, man ! No, she hasn't came here. But I must ask to my assistant , Nurse Chapel . Perhaps she came to visit her."- McCoy replied. - Fine ! Check that out ! Also call her , if she hasn't came yet ! Do a DNA test on the fetus ! "- Kirk asked. - Calm down ! All will be walked, here. Step by step."- McCoy taps his shoulder, and he goes to the corridor. McCoy asked Nurse Chapel, who revised his files and finds not such a consultation. - Look here, Nurse Chapel : Captain Kirk is our ass card here, so we must have him working fine. And Hera Gletony , her women now, told him she is pregnant."- McCoy informs. - I think that is great ! A son of Captain Kirk here ! "- She was radiant. - Take it easy ! The man is taking anti conceptive pills ! The baby- is it is a baby and not a delay - is not his !"-McCoy explained. - Oh . I see. "- Nurse Chapel turns her face serious, as if comprehending the problem... - Now, as I am his personal friend, it is better not to call on her myself. So why don't you call her here, to a routinely medical check, and you do the whole works on her ! So then we should know if the kit is or not of our Captain !"- McCoy explained her. - Oh. I see. Yes. I will cooperate."- Said Nurse Chapel, looking at the doctor with her big round blue eyes... - You did that. Don't mention my name."- He asked. So she did. And when McCoy saw the examinations later in that day, he called Kirk to the Dispensary and told him "- I have news for you. Hera Gletony was examined here and she is not pregnant."- - Silly child ! She has me worried.- He said. - But wait ! There is a bad new in this. She have a carcinoma." - Carcinoma. Cancer. Too risky to operate? - Yes. And it is located not only in her reproductory system, but in other parts of the body. We will began treating her right now, but I tell you she will cease to be the healthy person you met. "" Kirk didn't say anything, and went out. He walked as a sleeping person, and enters his cabin. There she was, telling him she will go to the Infirmary, as they detected her some anomalies. - But nothing to worry about."- She added. - Yes, my baby."- He embraced her, feeling a great hollowness in his chest. Later he went to his commanding post, and for the first time begin to question his permanence at that place. All things presented to him different, now. ... - Captain, some messages are being received."- Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, told him. - Let's hear. The message was in a foreign language, and Spock said :'- " It's - The Scifimanglers, Sir." - Oh. How far are they ? - 890.000 km. away. More or less."- Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, said. - And the far flung radar, did they show ? - Three specks.- Newark signaled. - Evans ! How about a little more speed ? - Asked Kirk. - Possibly. Sir. Perhaps a little more waste of fuel." - I'll go there. "- Kirk said, standing from his chair and walking to the Engine Chambers. - Captain, we can afford an increase of 13 % ."- Scotty said. - Where is Evans ? - At the main engine. Kirk went there. Evans looked at him .saying "- I am calibrating . We can increase the sped now, Sir." - Do it. There is menace outside." - Enemy chips, Sir? - Right. Those Scifimanglers. Seems they are three cruisers. Perhaps the same we leave behind, when we had the Enterprise III."- Kirk remembered. - Pity that machine went amok. It was a nice shiny vessel."- Evans remarked. Kirk remained there, looking the engines and talking with Scotty and Evans, until Spock came to see him. - Captain, there is one alien vessel coming this way. What we are going to do ? - I guess we cannot do nothing. Tell me how fast is that ship ?" - Warp 9. - Wow !"- Exclaimed Scotty. - Evans, which is the maximum velocity of this shuttle ?- Asked Kirk. - 1/8 warp maximum, Sir."- Evans was very pale. - We will keep on traveling as until now, Officer Spock. Tell Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, to be hearing at all moments they garble...that I guess you understand."- Kirk said. - Yes, Captain. They are signaling our ships as intruders. But they hadn't send any message to us...yet."- Spock answers. - Good. "- Kirk replied. Spock goes to the Bridge, and Kirk went to the Infirmary. - Jim ! I thought you were at the Bridge. Seems there is problems there."- McCoy said, when seeing him. -Yes, I know there is an alien ship chasing us. Soon it will be here. So please gave me a doses of your vademecum."- Kirk smiled tiredly. The sickness of Hera Gletony was over his head as an iron sheet . - And what are you going to do ? - Asked McCoy, handling him a portion of Bourbon. - Guess I will surrender. " - Yes, guess that's the only possibility. And what said about this Spock? - I ignore. - He sometimes has clever solutions."- McCoy said, looking at some Xray sheets. Kirk finished the glass and giving the thanks, retired from there. He was walking by the corridor, and this corridor was not like at the Enterprise, but smaller and with the walls covered by tubes. Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, looked at him, when he arrive to the control room. She said "- They are surveying us from a distance. The communications has ceased." - Have you send some message to them, First Officer'?"- Kirk asked, and Newark denied. - Fine. We will keep on trekking, provided they didn't stops us."- Kirk commanded. So the rest of the journey were escorted by the alien cruiser. Every minute seemed the last one, but when the days began to pass, they began to smile to each other. Sulafat III was reached, and Kirk said :- Newark, scan for the ships down there." They gave a full circuit to the planet- one orbit- and then Newark detected one ship, close to a sea. - There is a big vessel near the sea. "- Newark announced. - Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, send them a radio message."- Kirk asked. She did it, but there was no reply. The twin shuttles passes over the stranded vessel, and then Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, said :- I am receiving a message, Sir !" - Newark, coordinate the descent with shuttle number two." - Wait ! The message is coming from other direction ! "- Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer said, moving controls at her console. Then she said "- The messages came form the north ! "| So they keep on orbiting, and then Kirk saw the ships and the message was of Chekov. - ! This is Chekov, on the north pole ! We are here, the Ice One expedition ! " - Kirk here. How are you, any problems ?" - Problems , Captain ? We are loaded with problems ! But now you have not the Enterprise III ?"- The Russian asked with incredulity. - We loosed it, it is destroyed. But we have tailing us an alien cruiser... We will descend."- Kirk said, and ordered the two shuttles to do so. The ships went down fast, and in ten minutes the big machines were trailing over the ice, spraying it a hundred meters upwards. - Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, can you receive messages from those aliens ?- Asked Kirk. - When we were changing orbit, for the descent, I perceive a short burst of a message. But now I heard nothing at all. Could be their silence, or the atmosphere."- Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer replied. - Fine. "- Kirk said, and in that minute the shuttle stops. They all sighed and the smiles came back to all faces. - Well , ladies and gentlemen, we will be going down and traveling to the other shuttle."- Kirk announced. The other shuttle were 4 kilometers away. They climb on several caterpillar vehicles and retraced their path to the other shuttle. - Look ! They are coming to receive us !"- Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer said, looking at Kirk. Kirk looked gravely through the windscreen. The ice and snow were white and the sun was high in the sky. When they meet, they stop the engines and went down to salute each others. In the pair of caterpillars were Chekov, Thayn Marden and Uhura., among others. - Glad to see you, Captain !"- Chekov handshakes Kirk. - Me too, Ensign."- Grinned Kirk. The Russian looks tanned. - Pity we are marooned here."- Chekov announced. - That is a problem we will tackle later."- Kirk said. After some 20 minutes of chatter, they all climbs to the caterpillars, this time mixing the crews, and they went to the other shuttles. There Chekov show Kirk all he made to resist the strong winds and also how he was sending parties to search for food. - Plenty of food here, Sir ! There are polar bears and also delicious fishes ! All big species, kind of good nourishment around this place !"- Chekov smiled. - Glad to hear that. What are you using to kill the bears ?"- Kirk asked. - Pfizer, Sir. And the fish we take with tractor beams !"- Grinned the Russian. - Clever solution. "- Kirk moves his head, approvingly. They went to eat some at a chamber . Sulu asked permission to tow the shuttle near them. - We better have all the artifacts here, Sir. We are over 200 meters of ice, but in this spot also are a bed of rocks. In some other places there is no such thing." - Do it, Lt. Sulu."- Kirk replied, mouthful of good meat and some faked potatoes. - Nice view, from here. "- McCoy said, signaling outside a porthole. The ice glared out there, and the sky was a white sheet of pure radiance. - The eyes, Sir. We must protect them from that glare. "- Spock said, eating slowly. - Guess there must be goggles, somewhere."- Kirk thought aloud, - I think there is not such thing, Captain.- Chekov replied- We find none, so we did as the skimos : two bones puts together, and we looked through a slit between the two pieces." - Fine solution ! But I saw just a couple of you using it."- Kirk said. - You better ordered them to use that, or we will have a load of people injured by the sun ."- McCoy asked of the Captain. So he ordered all men to use the aforementioned sun protectors... The 3 shuttles rested aligned on the ice. Hera Gletony approaches to Kirk, saying :- Darling, I am so heavy with sleep, and the sun is still up." - Yes, darling. Here the sun has five months to go down the horizon. So better go to sleep."- Kirk smiled. - Oh ! I forget those stories about the sun at midnight ! Well, I hope we both could go to sleep."- She said, kissing him. Thayn Marden was looking all that scene, and then she realized Kirk was not hers any more...So she went outside, in silence. - Something wrong, Thayn ? - Uhura told her. They were at the packed ice, near the shuttles. - That man ! He has a new ... love."- She said, sadly. - Pity you get involved with him ! I had also an affair with him...until you came around."- Uhura told the lady. Thayn looks unto the dark eyes of Uhura, who was like a child to her, in age. - I think he is using his short life soundly."- Thayn murmured. - Eh ? - Asked Uhura. - Yes, as he will live, at the most, 120 years. .. And I have 2.000 already."- Thayn explained. - Oh , that ! I forgot !"- She laughed, touching the vrawoman at the elbows. - You can laugh, now. Perhaps I will recover my laugh , soon."- Thayn complained. - Let's not talk of men, my dear ! They are all traitorous ! "- Uhura recommended the vrawoman, and carried her to the fishing place, where they were entertaining themselves, running to the captured fishes, after using the tractor beams. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kirk wakes up 8 hours elapsed, and saw Hera Gletony asleep. He dressed himself and went to the main chamber. There were a reunion there, so he directed it. - We were discussing our position, Sir. Uhura said the cruising vessel is orbiting the planet each 8 hours. So we have plenty of time to move a shuttle from here and went to the Enterprise Refitted, who is marooned near a sea."- Spock said. - We must see what our friend up there thinks of that."- Kirk said, looking at them. - One other thing it occurred to me, Sir, was to carry some of us there, in a shuttle, and then came back. The Enterprise then could be revised, and if the engines have some possibility of to be repaired, then others will follow. "- Sulu said. - Good idea, just a little dangerous fro the ones that will be left there waiting. Guess the ship has their doors opened ?"- Kirk asked Chekov. - Yes, Captain. There is no system working there, we visit it , but we depart from the place, as those alien ships begin to hover the site too close."- Chekov explained. - So they want us away from it ! Yes, I understand...we are no treat for them in this shuttles, but the Enterprise refitted is another thing !"- Kirk exclaimed. Hera Gletony, Second Communications Officer, came to the room, asking "- Who is not a treat, Captain?" - Us, Second Communications Officer, for the aliens... those Scifimanglers."- Kirk said. - Of course we are not... in this shuttles !"- She affirms. - Spock, you will be in charge of the election of the crew who will be going there. Search for the engineers."- He said. - Yes, Sir. "- Spock went out. - Sulu, look which shuttle is better equipped for the travel. Also we will maintain strict silence on the radio, not a signal betraying our plan."- Kirk asked . That afternoon the team was chose, the shuttle was prepared for the travel, and the Captain asked Sulu to go to the Enterprise as the Commanding Officer. - I will do my best, Captain." - Sulu grinned. - That I know. Look the work of the Engineers, they are the key men now. And we will go there in a week elapsed, to carry all back here, in case the ship cannot be repaired, or to carry more help, if the ship could be re refitted."- Kirk explained slowly. - Yes, Captain, I understand. Good bye."- Sulu bowed, and departs. They wait until the alien craft were traveling by the other side of the world , and then the selected shuttle roars and takes off, in a shower of hot water. ----------------------------------------------------------------- The repairing mission. The vessel flies as fast as it was possible, and they arrive to the site where the Enterprise Refitted was stranded. As Chekov was directing the shuttle, with previous experience, he craftily landed close to the sea. - You can disembark, now. And good luck."- He told the repair team, who were opening the hatch. Ten minutes elapsed, with those people far away of the boosts, he take off again in a dust of fire... - We are in our own, now. "- Sulu said, looking upwards. They were near a forest, that was between them and the wrecked Enterprise Refitted. - Let's go !"- Asked Thayn |Marden, leading the way. For her now there were just the emotion of the adventure, as her romance with Kirk was finished. Everyone of them were carrying knapsacks . They enter the forest. It was heavily forested, with close knitted trees, branches and weeds. They find several birds, darting through the upper branches. OUCN PUCNH PUUUCNH ! - What is that !"- Thayn stopped in her tracks, terrified. - Some kind of beast, for sure."- Sulu replied, looking at the left, but the trees were blocking the sight... - We better hurry, That sounds scaring for me."- Asked Uhura, who begin to sweat. - No need to be worried, lads."- Scotty said.- We here brings powerful weapons."- He was referring to the Pfizer's They almost run to the sea, and they arrive there in 30 minutes, using the metal detector as a sea- compass. The sound of the waves were heard clearly. as no other sound were there . The beach was a scant 300 meters away. - Beautiful sight."- Sulu said, looking at the blue ocean, bright sky and warm weather. - Yes. I was tired to see white ice all over around me."- Thayn expounded. - Look !"- Thayn cried, pointing to the near by forest. A big animal was staring at them, among the trees. - A stegosaurus !"- Sulu said, amazed. - Really ! "- Thayn said, crouching to see it . The monster was 4 meters high and his little eyes were staring point empty in their direction. OUCN PUCNH PUUUCNH ! The beast uttered the same cry again, and walked to the beach. - It's enormous !"- Sulu said, climbing the ladder of the Enterprise Refitted. - Let's climb inside !"- Thayn recommended, so they all rushed in. - No need to close the door. It's too small for him."- Sulu remarked. OUCN PUCNH PUUUCNH ! The great beast arrives to the side of the big vessel, but paid not further attention to the crew members... - He is a plant eater."- Sulu said to Thayn.- At least he was at Earth, 200.003 millions years ago." Thayn was half terrified. She never was so close to a mountain of flesh and bones... - I don't know what he was trying to told us."- Sulu said, touching his chin pensively. - Said ? Do you think those beast could talk?- Thayn smiled. - Why not, in a primitive way ?"- Sulu replied, and descended to the earth. The big Stegosaurus was walking at a brisk pace down the beach. The sun projected his huge shadow against the blonde sand... - Let's get inside. We have much work to do."- Sulu said, so all the people return to the Enterprise. The interior was very filthy, as the doors were open. Some doors looked irregular at the borders, as if some kind of animal would have bitten it. - We must try to take the energy back to the primal systems. "- Sulu asked to Evans and Scotty. They went to the engine room, pity it was pitch dark there, as it was located in the center of the hull, and no window was available there... - We need all the lamps available"- Asked Evans to Sulu. - I will collect them , but all the same we will need some of them for the surveillance, to night." - You will be not needing them, if we can start one of the generator...."- Scotty said. Sulu commanded some of the other crew members to help the engineers, and he went to the Deck. He was amazed to see how alike it was the chamber to the other two Enterprises he remember. Everything was clean there, and the Commanding seat was covered by a blanket. Sulu walked by there, with his lantern . It was like a dream, where in any minute a ghost could appear from the Past... AAN PAAAUUUCNH ! The horrific roar almost pierced the walls. Sulu crouched instinctively. - Commander ! There is another monster in the vicinity !"- Frances Raken told him , walking inside the chamber with a lantern. - Let's go see it."- Sulu said. They hurried outside, and then they looked at the mountain of flesh who was galloping by the sand. - He seems to be trailing the footsteps of the Stegosaurus !"- Frances Raken said. - Possibly."- Sulu said, trying not to show him to the monster, that seems like a Tyrannosaurus. Those two enormous legs were landing in an equal compass, at some 35 km per hour, leaving all the body of the terrific saurus almost horizontal to the floor... - Poor Stegosaurus ! "- Thayn Marden said, coming from inside the hull. - Yes. Sure thing this new animal will catch up with it in no time."- Frances Raken grinned. - You were out of the navy ? - Thayn asked. - Out of the ship ? No, madam. I was close by, and when I hear the roar of challenge, I went outside very carefully. The monster was passing in front of the main dock, and I almost faint !"- Frances Raken grinned to her. - I can imagine. "- She said. - I will go to see the engineers. Suddenly I have a strong desire to leave this place.'"- Sulu said. So Thayn went down the ladder, and Frances Raken followed her, saying"- You better wait inside, Lady. It is dangerous now to be here." - The afraid to death made us half-living creatures. "- She said over her elbow. Frances Raken, a tall handsome man, followed her to the sea, not wishing that the superb body of the female could be injured by beasts... - Why are you following me ?- She asked, when they arrive to the surf. - I am trying to protect you. Two are better than one, sometime."- He grinned. - You mean for to confront the beasts of this planet ? Don't be silly ! They can eats us in a sigh !"- She looked at the man full in his eyes, who were green. - You are superb, you are unique !"- Frances Raken told her. - I know that to be a vrawomem among humans must make those words true."- She said, but she likes the compliment. - Look ! "- Frances Raken told her, pointing at some birds up there in the sky. - What are they ?- She asked, taking her clothes out and walking inside the water. Frances Raken was so astonished and impressed to answer her. The naked body of the wrawomen leaves him speechless.... She swims as a mermaid among the waves, and Frances Raken looked at her, not daring to go inside the water. - Came, man ! Are you afraid of a little cold water ?- She yelled at her, laughing. He smiled and takes his clothes, going inside the waves. - I am no coward."- He said, when arriving at her side. - And your name is ? - Frances Raken. Guard."- He presented himself. - Glad to meet you. "- She laughed, and swims against the incoming waves. Some of them were big breakers, foaming as wild bulls. Frances Raken wasn't a good swimmers, also the confined life aboard those vessels made of him not a good swimmer. He saw her swimming more and more inside of the sea. He stops, and then he began to think in the many creatures that sea could have...perhaps ante diluvian fishes ... - Hey ! Are you afraid ?- She yelled at her, and he barely hear her , with the sound of the wind and the whispering of the waves. - Came here !"- He called . She laughed, and swim to him. When approaching, she looked steadfastly at him, and then they embrace and make love there, floating. The wrawoman was nothing comparable to women, so he felt a great desire for her. - Hey ! Wait, we could drown here !"- She said, and he drinks a good swallow of salt water, trying to cling to her body. She smiled, and they continues... Half an hour later, a wasted Frances Raken went out of the water, but she was brisk as a feather...Smiling , she lay on the hot sand, with eyes shut. Frances Raken seats at her side, and looks at the sun. A shadow passed between he and the luminary... Glancing again, he saw a big bird going straight against them. - Came, we are in danger !"- He said to Thayn, taking her by the arm. She stands up very fast, looking in all directions. - Up there ! A bird is coming !"- Frances Raken urged her. She then saw the big bird, that it was as no other bird she knew in her 3.000 years of long life... Featherless, its skin was gleaming under the rays of the sun. The long curved wings span were about 20 meters and only the head measured about 4 meters, with a long red beak in front, with a pair of red shot eyes at the sides of a head ...The legs were curved in their direction, with claws shining black against the light... - Run !"- Thayn urged Frances Raken , who was staring again at the Pteronodon. They find some rocks near by, so they crouched among them. The pteranodon gave a fast thrust at them, but they were inside a crevice. - Look ! There is another !"- Thayn exclaimed. Another of those tall dinosaurs were approaching at a terrible speed... - We better run from here !"- Frances Raken said, and taking her by the hand, began running to the Enterprise Refitted. Soon they arrive to the ship, just in time to see some 12 creatures in two feet, running fast from the forest. - Look ! More dinosaurs !"- Thayn yelled. Frances Raken went up the ladder with her firmly taken by his hand. He turns at the top of the dock, and aimed his Pfizer against the first of the little Tyrannosaur that was coming . ssssssssssst ! The firing began, and some other crew members appeared there, to help. called by Thayn Marden. The terrible lizards stops ad retrace their steps to the forest, when three of them lie motionless on the ladder... - This creatures are clever ones ! Look how they retrace their way, seeing we have weapons !"- Frances Raken told Thayn. - Dangerous creatures."'- Sulu acknowledged, looking at the pack of nine cubs of tyrannosaurus, who enters the forest, who appeared then very peacefully again, with those branches of dark green slowly moved by the breeze. Chief Engineer Charly Evans said to Sulu "- Commander, we had find some strange things here. Some parts are missing, probably by the men that landed this ship here." - Simpertigue and the rest. Continue." - They take vital parts. We need to find them."- Evans said. - That is a job to do in the future, and by the Captain orders...by now, then, try to realize how things could be mended, perhaps using parts from the three shuttles we have."- Sulu said. - No way, Commander ! Those parts cannot be of any use here ! They were made to propel ships of another kind !"- Scotty uttered. - Very well then, but just the same help your Chief Engineer in the task I Reasons have Captain Kirk to demote you to simple Engineer ! Always finding negative reasons for not to move a finger !"- Sulu exclaimed. - That is your reasoning, Commander ! It is not my fault to be clever and said the things straight and to the point ! "- Scotty approaches at the littler Sulu. - It is not clever who finds himself so ! "- Sulu said. - Please, Commander, take no offense of his words ! Let me handle this person... I beg of you."- Evans said. - O.K., he is in your hands. But I will report this disagreeable incident to our Captain."- Sulu said, leaving the half lighted engine chamber. The corridors seems endlessly, and Sulu saw no one at them. Then he climbs to the dock. - The doors are ajar, Commander ! The energy is not yet ready ?"- Asked Frances Raken. a mere shadow among shadows, as he was at that post. - Not ready and seems they will be not ready in a lot of time. The Engineers found some pieces missing. "- Sulu said, peeking out. The darkness was total. There was no satellite to pour light at the planet. Only the murmur of the sea was evident. Sulu seats there, with a Pfizer at his hand... The light of dawn wake him up. - Good morning, Commander. "- Frances Raken grinned at him. - Good morning. I guess I fall asleep." - No problem, Commander. Just some minor animals running under the ramp, but that was all. "- Frances Raken said. Sulu stands up, and went inside. At the Engine Room just Scotty was awake, the rest of the team, 12 persons, were sleeping in the cabins, two decks away. - Good morning, Engineer. Something new? - Good morn's. Not a new thing, but some old interesting things. I am working for...there !"- Said Scotty, and with a spark, a generator began to whirl. - This will serves to gave light to the entire ship !'"- Scotty grinned. - Very well donned. Now get some sleep."- Sulu ordered. - Not until I connect the energy...just some minutes only, Commander."- Scotty replied. Sulu went out of the Chamber, not accustomed to wait for the accomplishment of a direct order, so he better went in other direction. He arrive to the control room. {Deck, for the Trekkers} But before he arrives there. the lights went on, and the corridor lies the same as he remembers. Some tear drops run by his cheeks, remembering the good old times, when he was catching stars with Kirk , Scotty was the best at hand and they all were young. He seats at the commanding chair, and he surveyed the whole saloon, dusty and with all the monitors dark looking remains of another era... - The lights came back ! Who did that ?- A nice female voice asked. The Asiatic came back from his revenue, and focused his eyes on the vrawoman Thayn Marden. - Oh, it's you, dear Lady ! Yes, it was the efforts of Scotty and Evans that made it. But I am afraid the engines are other matter. They told me some vital parts aren't here ." - What do you mean, they aren't here ? Who takes them ?"- Thayn 's eyes flashed like fire. - Seems the people that landed here. Simpertigue and some other crew member of the Enterprise, and possibly of the " Chino Rios"..."- Replied Sulu. - We must find them ! "- Thayn interjected. - Yes, but where, my Lady ? Here we cannot confide in compasses... There is no way to know it ."- Sulu remarked. - Perhaps if we brings here the shuttles, they will be able to listen at the roar of those engines. Or perhaps survey all this area, from the air. "- She said. - You forget our enemies, up there."-Sulu remembered her. - I guess they are not interested in us, anymore. They should know by know we are to be stuck here by decades !"- Thayn said. - True. Well, here we are not too much of use, now the truth unveiled . But the ships will came to the rescue in fur days elapsed, so we must work in something useful, here."- Sulu said. - Yes, like to clean all the ship ! And also now we could close the main lock."- She said, going out from there. Sulu tried several gadgets around the room, but nothing was working, except the lights... - The lights can shine for years . now ! "- Scotty said, stepping in. - Good to hear that. But we need to seal the locks. Can you manage to divert some energy there ?"- Sulu asked. - Yes, Commander, but right now I am going to bed. I feel dizzy."- Scotty said, and he was handling the threshold for support. - Go on ."- Sulu said, and he looks how the fat man went by the corridor. The truth was he was already old. How many spacers were retired ten years ahead of him ? "- Thinks Sulu .... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then a movement was discernible, and Sulu run to the main entrance. The sound of many Pfizer he heard, with a knot in his stomach. - AAN PAAAUUUCNH ! The big roar was accompanied this time with whistles, and Sulu saw the Tyrannosaur and nine cubs trying to eat the men at the post... He takes his Pfizer and begun firing against the monsters, but just the little ones could be killed, as the other seems not to be wounded in the least by those weapons designed to kill people... Sulu saw how the big beast were pushing his big head inside the door, and several men were trying to stab him with iron rods. - To the eyes !"- Somebody yelled, and all the firing was aimed in that direction........Several minutes elapsed, and the beast roared , spitting pieces of meat in all directions, when one eye exploded in a mass of hot blood and water.... The beast retreat clumsily to the outside, and after some other roars, that deafened the men at that post, went straight to the forest.... Sulu looked at the unhinged lock. - Seems we will be not closing the door to-night.'- Sulu said. - Sir ! But there must be some more potent weapons aboard ! This ship is enormous ! Cannot have been ransacked too thoroughly by the former crew "- Frances Raken said. Sulu called three other men and went to search for more strong weapons... In that moment the Tyrannosaurus came back , The blood was oozing from the wound, the left eye disappeared, the right one ablaze with hate and rage... AAN PAAAUUUCNH ! His call of defiance deafened the humans, who begin again to shoot against the beast, but this time the Tyrannosaurus didn't shy and banged the metallic structure at his leisure, making the men retreat by the corridor. The Tyrannosaurus was too big to get inside, but he can do a lot of damage with his head inside the lock, and that he did. - We found nothing."- Sulu said, returning there after one hour. - The beast cannot possible enter here. "- Frances Raken said, firing the Pfizer against the bloody head of the monster. Sulu discharged his pistol unto that hideous head, that was without both eyes, and the bone was exposed, as the flesh was charred by the rays. - He have a thick cranium, so his brain is out of our reach."- Sulu gave his opinion. Scotty appears then, carrying a rod with some cables connected to the energy system. - I will gave this critter the shock of his life. Please, lads, stay back !"- And he move a switch, putting also the rod in contact with the creature. A voltaic arc was produced, and the charred head began to gave cracking sounds and smoke. - Stay back !"- Scotty said to Marden, who was too close to the rod, in her efforts to see the whole situation. The Tyrannosaurus gave a terrible spasm, and the head went out of the locking chamber... - Look ! He is dying all right !"- Frances Raken said, seeing how the big body was being shaking as a dog running by a car. Half an hour later the movements ceased, and the body was there, with a head almost gone. - This will teach him a lesson."- Scotty said, and went inside the hull with his hand made weapon... Three days elapsed the Shuttle came , and they were waiting at the fringe of the forest, Pfizer's ready to salute any dinosaur ... - Now !"- Sulu demanded, and they all run to the shuttle, who opened his door . - Hello !"- Chekov greets the team, from the upper part of the ramp. - Just in the nick of time !"- Sulu said , going inside the shuttle. This he said because a terrible growl was heard in that moment, coming from the forest. The shuttle began the ascent meanwhile a Diplodocus were walking by the fringe of the forest, eating the upper branch's leaves. - We made some acquaintances down there."- Sulu said to Chekov, who was in command. - How come ? - Dinosaurs. The place is full of that monsters. Scotty charred one at the lock."- Sulu informed. - My mother ! Not good neighborhood, for sure... And how about the reparations in the Enterprise Refitted ? - They take some of the basic components, so we need to find the former crew members of the Enterprise and Chino Rios vessels..."- Sulu said, seated at a chair. - Good work. Any idea where they went ? - Not a clue."- Sulu replied, closing his eyes... ------------------------------------------------------- AT THE BASE... - The alien ship is descending."- Uhura said. - And the shuttle ?- Kirk asked - Is coming this way. Altitude 2.000 feet's, velocity...2.000 per hour...Sir."- She replied. - Bad situation."- McCoy said, looking the screens. - Distance of the shuttle : 3.000 kilometers from here. The alien ship is almost at the same distance....only 3 kilometers higher."- Spock reads. - Nasty situation ! What are you going to do ?- McCoy asked Kirk. - Uhura : open a channel . Communicate with the shuttle."- The Captain said. - Donned, Sir.- Kirk takes the microphone and said : "Base to Shuttle One . Cambio." - Shuttle One to Base : Chekov here." - Chekov : You have an alien ship over you." - Cannot see it in the radar, Sir." - We are seeing it, at 3 kilometers above the shuttle. "- Kirk said. - I am increasing speed, Sir."- Sulu informed seconds later. - No need to run, Commander. They can outrun you any time. Just keep the course straight."- Kirk ordered. At last, the shuttle One arrived to the so-called Base, and landed . Then the alien ship sends a missile, who opened a crater just behind the landed craft, and went up wit ease, disappearing from sight, but not from the radar... - The alien ship is going south... "- Uhura said. - Keep an eye on him. I will go seeing the Shuttle One."- Kirk said, leaving the room. McCoy went with him. The ice was giving them that white glaring they detested. - This goggles aren't no good as I thought."- McCoy said. - Bones ! The aliens are threatening us to be in this spot only ! Do you see that blast over there ?- Kirk asked the Doctor. - Of course I saw it ! What, do you think I am blind, or what ?" - As you were talking about the glaring... - It is a nuisance, too !" They arrive to the Shuttle One, where their members were going outside by the ladder. - Good afternoon , Sir !"- Sulu said. - Good afternoon, Commander. How was the trip ?- Kirk asked. They walked to the other shuttles, talking. - Nice and easy, just a little scare...That alien ship send us a last minute rocket, as you see."- Sulu said. - Bad situation, this. But tell me , could the Enterprise be repaired ? "- Asked Kirk. - The engineers told me some basic elements are missing. Possibly retired by the people that landed there."- Sulu said. - It makes sense. That people are aware that if some team came here and takes the Enterprise fully equipped, then they loosed the possibility of to be rescued...Some idea where they went ? Some message ?"- Kirk asked. Sulu was surprised. He did not think in messaged being somewhere inside the Enterprise Refitted... - I found not such thing, Sir, but the truth it is that I don't search for it thoroughly."- Sulu replied. Kirk said nothing, and they arrive to the other vessels. That night a reunion was held, and they talked about the aliens, the Enterprise vessel, the new dinosaurs and the lost crew... After the officers gave their opinions and propositions, Kirk said :- We cannot be scared by those aliens. True, we are the mice and they are the dragons, but just the same we must be brave mice..." They all smiled at that. - And we need the vital artifacts those people surely have somewhere. This is what we will do : another team will go there, better equipped, and by that I mean weapons...Those dinosaurs are a real threat...And also we must search for some clue...inside the Enterprise R."- Kirk said. Then he asked about the fuel. Spock was the officer in charge of that, so he replied "-- The last trip to the Enterprise R. uses half our fuel. So we have for another trip to that site...and the remnant could serves to another shuttle, who will be able to travel half that distance." - So we must to think."- McCoy said. - Yes, about the aliens, the path we could use to walk the distance ... the food we will require... " - Kirk expounded. - Captain- Said Spock, with his usual teacher's mode - We need to remain here. That aliens will miss the shuttles. They will saw them at the Enterprise site... They will add one and one.... So our plot to fly upwards to the stars will be aborted." - Possibly.- Kirk replied.- Now excuse me, gentlemen, but I think best after a good nap. I repeat my welcome to the Dinosaur Expedition....Good night."- He said, grinning. They laughed. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Hera Gletony said :- We are going to the sea ?" - Perhaps. I hadn't decided yet."- Kirk said. - Do you think the former crew is somewhere in this planet ? - Most possibly they are somewhere. Or somewhere they are all dead. Two possibilities out of a handful more..." - Why is all so complicated ? Why we just don't find the Enterprise R ready to the take off ?- Complaints she. - Who knows ? This is God Universe, kitty. He did things like this, complicated sometimes, impossible others. A big fractal, this is . "- Kirk said, undressing. She undressed , too, and they climb to the bed. She said :- I heard there are some dinosaurs there." - Yes, here we are lucky. No dinosaurs in the ice."- He replied. - Yes, but also here there are no greens." - Yes, no vegetables, but plenty of fishes."- He said, pressing the button of the lamp. The darkness fell on them. - I am scared of those beasts. As of those aliens that are surveying us."- Hera Gletony said, embracing the man. - Have confidence in us."- He said, kissing her. - My love !"- She said, kissing him with more passion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- At noon Kirk called all officers to a meeting, and he said :- This is what I decided, gentlemen : The shuttle One will be refueled. A team will get aboard and will fly to the Dino Galore." They smiled at the name. - Then they will search all over that Enterprise R., in all the places they think a message could be hidden. Also, Commander Sulu, in the Computers."- Kirk ordered. - The computers are not working, Sir. Just the lights of some of the corridors and chambers."- Sulu informed him. - Pardon me , Captain, but this is my field."- Scotty interjected- "I can connect the energy to those computers. Only the corridors will be in pitch darkness." - No matter that, as we need just to scan in the computers for a message. After that, you can gave the energy back to those corridors ."- Kirk replied. - Very well, Sir. So I am in."- Scotty smiled to all the assembly. - yes, you will. Lieutenant Sulu, you will be in charge ,again. You seem to have some experience in Dinos."- Kirk said. - Yes, Captain, but I hadn't tasted that meat, yet."- Sulu smiled back. - You will have plenty of time, I am afraid. And then, I leave you the decision of whom to include in your team. "- Kirk conceded. - So I went there, find the message, went outside and find the lost crew members. Then I retrace my steps, get the Enterprise under way, came here, rescue you and up we go !"- Sulu said. - Nice put. "- Kirk grinned. - And if he didn't made it ?- McCoy asked, sick to hear so much optimism in a minute. - Then, we will depart in the last usable shuttle, land somewhere between here and the Dinos Galore, and walk the rest of the way there. We reunite our forces, and perhaps we move to a safer place... Because, Gentlemen, I cannot be here for ever, fishing in the cold . "- Kirk replied. - There is the little item of those aliens , up there."- Spock reminded him. - There is no way to cheat them , now. I cannot take back the Shuttle One ,just to deceive them. We have not enough fuel. "- Kirk denounced, adding :'- "Session dismissed." They all went out of the chamber, talking aloud . Sulu was helped refueling the shuttle, and also every big weapon available was cargoed at his vessel . The entire population there was 400 humans, 20 wramen...So Sulu takes 80 humans and went to the Captain, saying :- Captain, as you know, I cannot take any other person, because then the shuttle will never take off the ground..." - I am not asking to take more than that, Sulu." - Yes, Captain, but I were thinking in how do you think you will carry there 340 persons, Sir."- Sulu was really concerned about this problem. - I will manage, Commander. Do not be worried, and go there and find that message. In a couple of months you will be seeing us all arrive there...dinos or no dinos."- Kirk said, grinning and patting his back lightly. - Thanks, Captain . Your words are a lenient for me. "- Sulu said, relieved somehow. Kirk went to his room, and take his head between both hands. He knew that problem were one of the worst ahead to solve... -------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4.- Dinos Galore . ------------------ Sulu went to his office and clicking his video phone called Second Officer Maora Noemi, who then enters the room with her sensual pace. - You called. Commander ? - Yes, Second Officer Maora Noemi. Take a seat, please. " - Thanks."- She said, managing to not rip her dress at her hips. - Do you like a cup of tea ? - Yes, Commander. "- She smiled gently, and the Asiatic felt his hairs rise. The woman was a sexual dynamo ! He control himself, and place the cup of tea in front of the female. - I bring this tea directly from Hong Kong."- He said, serving himself some. - Glad to know it ! I like tea, but I seldom drink eat."- She said, smiling, as she prefers coffee. - I called in you to ask some questions. First, you must be aware I am preparing a mission to the Mons.... site where the "Enterprise Refitted" is. Nice place, full of sunshine, and near a beach."- He said. - I heard that." - And secondly, if you want to join in the expedition. As you are Second Officer, your work here could be needed, but I also need someone with experience , because if we are lucky, we will find soon the missing crew of the Enterprise R., and the missing parts will be relocated, and then...we will fly the Big Bird sky high ! What do you tell me ?"- Sulu said, sipping his tea. - Oh, my ! What a question you ask !"- She said, opening [more] those big eyes , in which pools Sulu tried not to drown... - Yes ! If you ask me directly, it is because you gave the matter a second thought ! I will help you in any way I can."- She replied, standing. - You don't serves yourself the tea !"- He said, alarmed. - Oh. I am sorry."- Second Officer Maora Noemi said, seating herself again at the chair, leaving a good portion of her legs in the open, making Sulu feel his eyes were going to pop out... - I am so terribly nervous ! It is the emotion, don't you think ?- She said, sipping with her [painted] red lips the brewing. - Don't ! It is perfectly safe, now we have better weapons... Also we will be heading wherever those astride crew members are !"- Sulu asseverated. - Nice."- She whispered, and Sulu stand up, ready to jump over her. - Well, Commander Sulu, I am going to prepare my belongings for the trip...Excuse me."- Second Officer Maora Noemi said, walking put of the office. - Oh, it's terribly hot here !"- Sulu said, fanning his face with a paper.- Must be the tea..." Some time later he made a list, and summoned all those selected persons to a reunion outside the shuttle. They were 80 of them. - Ladies and gentlemen : we are here to day to accept the mission Captain Kirk gave me : to go boldly where no much people had gone before, and search for the missing crew. Take the repair parts of the Enterprise Refitted, ensemble them, fly the ship here. Or to wait there for Captain Kirk, this is not clear to me yet. Also is the little matter of dinosaurs, flying aliens and decease's, to whom we have not medical vaccines ,as they are new to us. Some question ?"- Sulu said. Somebody laughed. - Well, I will read the names, to make sure you are all here."- Sulu said, and he reads aloud the names. When he finished, he adds :- The person that chooses not to go, will be dismissed. That will be all, ladies and gentlemen. We depart at 20:00 hours of to- day. You have one and a half hour to pack." They all rushed to their cabins, in order to put their belongings in the bags. Scotty was working at the Shuttle One, and seeing Sulu, he saluted thus :- - Good afternoon, Commander ! This engines are in good shape ! The fuel is already in the tanks. I think we will have a nice flight." - Tell that to those aliens."- Sulu said. - Oh, I am not scare of them ! "- Scotty brawled. Sulu went to see Kirk at his office, and the Captain told him :- I have made my mind about the future flights. We will not use the shuttles, they will remain here. So the aliens will be thinking we are still in this spot." - But surely they have scanners ! "- Sulu protested . = Most sure. But I will leave dummies here. " Sulu prefer not to push the matter too much... - Then I will wait for you there."- Sulu proposed. - Yes, Commander. You will spent plenty of time chasing those missing persons, also fixing that old ship. That time will serves us to walk there."- Kirk said. - How many miles do you think you will be walking ? - Miles ? That kind of measurement ends in the year 1998 ! Kilometers is the word now, as it is more logical, as Spock id forever telling me."- Kirk said. - How many kilometers, Captain ? - 4.569 kilometers. But wait ! We are going to do a boat ! We will walk the 75 kilometers from here to the sea, and then we will walk until we found a wood. With luck , in a month we will have assembled a boat. Another two months to arrive there... "- Kirk exposed. - Good luck ! "- Sulu said, handshaking Kirk. - You too."- He replied. Sulu went out, restraining to move his head in a fatalistic way. There were too many "ifs" in that plot of Kirk ! He enters the shuttle, and began heating the engines. All the crew members went inside, and they were ordered to strap themselves to the beds. - There is not enough room at the main chamber for all !"- Sulu explained. At 20:00 hours they were ready. The big engines spit their lungs out, and the machine take off with a mighty roar. - It is noticeable the weight those engines are pushing up ! Hear the roar !"- Kirk told to McCoy. - They are lucky. They will arrive in no time there, and we will walk for months to arrive there !"- McCoy said. - And what do you want ! I cannot depart this site ! Those aliens would began to search for us ! They can even destroy the Enterprise R !"- Kirk said, leaving the Doctor looking at the receding light that was now the Shuttle One... At 20:24 hours the Shuttle landed near the Enterprise. Nobody went outside, as it was pitch dark. - We will wait until morning. No need to rush ."- Sulu said. - I am very excited here."- Second Officer Maora Noemi said. - Me too."- Sulu said, looking at the girl, who was seated next to him. - Commander, the radar shows some object coming here, from the sky. "- Uhura told Sulu. Sulu went to her post, looking at the little speck of light. It was surely the alien ship. - Lt. Uhura, tell all the crew to abandon ship at once."- Sulu asked. Uhura opened her eyes wide, but she accomplished the order in seconds. Every male and female went running down the ramp, and they all seats at 200 meters from the ship, seeing the dark sky with those thousands of stars shining over their heads. - Look !"- Thayn said to Sulu, gripping his arm. A light was descending. At 400 meters, a missile went zooming down, and the Shuttle One was blowed out to oblivion. After the big explosion, the alien ship went upwards, disappearing from their sight. - Bastards !"- Yelled Sulu, blandishing his fists to the sky. The flames were in progress, and some explosions began. - Commander ! We better get out from here ! There was some fissionable elements inside... "- Scotty told Sulu. - Uhura ! Tell the people to follow me !"- Sulu asked, and he began walking to the woods... They all followed him. The light of the burning ship increased , and the red light was enough to see clearly. At least, the first 100 meters... Sulu asked them to take precautions not to be leave behind, so they all went in a packed group , walking with the heart at their mouths...Sulu tried not to think of those beasts, but the explosions seems to have scared all beasts from the surroundings. At last they saw the big dark bulk of the Enterprise. - At last !"- Sulu said to the Second Officer Maora Noemi, to whom he was walking hand in hand. - Yes ! We will have a place where to sleep."- She smiled. Scotty opened the thatched door, and they get inside. Some minutes elapsed, Scotty turns the lights on, and they all cheered him. Sulu ordered no lights out of the ship being lit, as he was scared of those alien people, who was showing less generosity to them.... - I don't understand, Commander !"- Second Officer Maora Noemi said to him - "They let us travel in the former occasions, even in the space. And now they fight us !" - Perhaps they have a new leader. Or perhaps they want us to be in just one spot. I am not a doctor in exo psychiatry."- He replied. - There is no need to be one, Commander ! To understand those aliens is enough to think they are s.o.bs. !"- Scotty uttered, looking at Second Officer Maora Noemi . By the meantime, Frances Raken was finishing the reparations of the lock. He was using an inner door, un - hinged from its former place. This were not a proper lock, but a door. - This will serves us ! It is metallic, and with some iron bars pushing from the inside, I doubt one of those beasts could make an entry here."- Frances Raken said. They put the rods in place, and just the same Sulu leaves there a guard for the night. - Just in case."- He smiled. Scotty, as all the old people, wasn't sleepy at midnight, so he works and studied the engines of the Enterprise a little longer, trying to improve more gadgets to use afterwards... Sulu went to the Deck, where he could see to the stars by a little porthole. Second Officer Maora Noemi told him "- I didn't feel secure now ! After seeing what those aliens did to our shuttle !" - Yes, they can send us another blow, easily. But I guess they are thinking now we are all dead."- Sulu replied, looking at her in the dim light of the Deck. where they were alone. - Oh, don't look to me that way ! You scare me." - Oh, no need to be scared of old Commander Sulu !"- Sulu said, taking her in his arms. The lady parted her lips, and the Asiatic kissed her a long time. - I feel secure now."- She said, dreamily. - Nice to hear that."- He grinned, feeling himself the owner of the Fifth Galaxy... - But I must sleep ! Oh, how sleepy I am !"- She said. - I will show your room."- He informed her, and they went, hand in hand , to the cabins. By the corridors there were nobody, as it was 02.00 hours already. They arrive to the chamber of the Captain, and Sulu invited her to a little nap. - I accept."- She said- Because alone, I would never sleep." Sulu leave her at the main bed, and he went to sleep at a big arm chair, after locking the door. By the meantime, Frances Raken was looking Thayn Marden undress at their cabin. - Darling, please tell me about your planet."- He ask of her. - Oh, there is not too much to say about it ! Different customs, not so much people, and plenty of time to spent in leisure things."- She grinned. - Skiing, swimming, boxing ? - Oh, just the peaceful games, only ! I guess my race didn't like the violence, like yours."- She said. - Perhaps we are younger than your race." - Oh, yes ! All of your history elapsed time is what I had lived !"- She laughs. - Oh, granny, came here to kiss little Frances !- He asked. She went there, seating in his legs and facing him. - Like this ?- She asked, kissing him lightly. - Mm! Delicious."- He smiled. - To- morrow we will began the search for those messaged Kirk said the old crew could have left here."- She said. - Perhaps there is no message at all. Perhaps we will need to search all around this place, for weeks !"- Frances said. - Enough ! I will dim the lights, and we will sleep."- She ordered. So she did. ===================================================== ---------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Second day at Dinos Galore. ===================== Commander Sulu wakes up early in the morning, and his first act was to look on Maora Noemi. She was asleep at his bed, one full leg dangling out of the bed. It was a very handsome leg, something to look at, if you were a real man... Satisfied, he went out with a sight. ... He summoned all personnel half an hour later, and he commend them the mission to search in all the ship for a possible message from the former crew, and he also asked Scotty to lend a little energy to the computer system... This Scotty accomplished in the twilight time. - I started another generator for you, Sir !"- Scotty announced, beaming proudly. - Thanks you. "- Sulu said, with his British accent. He went immediately to the Deck, where he commanded Uhura to search in all the Directories and Files available. - All the files, Sir ? There are a million files here !"- She complained. - And how many it will take to scan every file ?- Sulu asked. - A day."- She said. - How queer ! I thought this machine has the fastest computer system of the Cosmos !"- Sulu replied. - Yes, Commander, but this computer system is half awake ! I must enter in sector where special programs must be set."- She explained. - Do whatever you need. I will be waiting ."- Sulu said. The machine began his scanning ..... By the meantime, Thayn Marden and Frances Raken were walking to the beach. - I guess we should be searching for a message aboard the Enterprise R."- Raken Said. - We are searching for clues...out here."- She explained. - How ? At the beach ?"- He grinned. - yes. We will march along the shore, looking for some clue."- Thayn smiled back. They leave the clothes near a tree, and they swim for some minutes. Then they return to the beach, and began walking due south. - Beautiful shells."- She said, picking a great shell from the weeds, some 40 meters from the surf. It was white and pink, with indentations : size, about 45 cm. long. - Nice finding. "- He laughed, hugging her. She kissed him, and then they keep walking. The weeds has other things as pieces of crabs, feathers from birds, little branches... Nothing manufactured. The shore bends, and they stare at a big river, who were plunging into the sea over a mountain. - How tantalizing !"- Thayn said, taking his arm , amazed. - A big river, all right ! Look ! There are whole trees floating there !"- Frances Raken exclaimed. - Perhaps this river runs for hundred of kilometers.... sure thing is , the old crew couldn't possibly cross to the other side. - Yes, that is certainly. But they could had walked upstream."- Frances asserted. - A river means water to drink. I guess we know the direction we must to take to search for those wrecked people."- Thayn muttered. They walk by the side of the river. Some birds were fishing at the river, plunging now and then. The trees also were there in big profusion. The other side of the river wasn't discernible. Mosquitoes were flying also, and a lot of them bits Thayn and Frances Raken, much to their discomfort. - Do not attempt to scratch ! Just pass the hand over the bite !"- Thayn recommended, but he paid no attention, half mad with the biting. - We must go under the trees ! This place is full of those critters !"- He begged. So they walk to the trees, where there were a lot less insects flying. The vegetation was very exuberant there, with entanglement of lianas and big leafs. Also there were beautiful flowers dangling from the upper branches. - An enchanting site. No dinos."- He said. - I would be not so sure of that."- Thayn replied. - Why ? Are you looking at someone ?- He worried , looking in all directions. - Ja, ja ! No, I was only projecting my apprehensions."- She explained, kissing him. - Oh, that is better ! I don not want to die while young "- He sighed. Then they saw a skull on a spike. - Oh, my ! "- She said, grabbing his arm. - My God Jehovah ! "- He said, and went there to look more close. It was a human cranium, all right.... - Seems it was one member of the old crew."- Frances said. Suddenly, he felt cold... as he was naked, nut also because he felt the chill of dead close by.... - Let's search around here..."- Thayn said, and she began looking and removing leaves from the soil.. - There !"- She said, picking a leather belt with a buckle attached to it. It was a round buckle, with the Federation Insignia in it... - Enterprise, all right."- Frances said, taking the object with utmost care. - This man was beaten to death. Then they cut his head and impaled here..."- Thayn remarked, showing some holes in the upper part to Frances. - I cannot believe they do that to a companion !"- He said. - I am not saying they did it . Perhaps some tribe of the vicinity..."- She said bluntly. - Most sure. So we have also an enemy here."- Frances whispered. - Lets continue."- She asked. They keep on traveling, but they didn't find another trace. The sun was low in the sky, and under the trees, it was almost dusk. - We must run to arrive there with light."- Thayn said. - A little caressing first ?"- Frances asked, taking her by the waist. - I thought you' ll never ask "- She smiled, embracing the young man. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sulu was standing near the clothes ,looking worriedly to the sea, when Thayn and Frances Raken arrives there at a run. - Where were you ?- Sulu asked, half mad at them. - Searching for clues, Commander."- Thayn replied, handling him the belt. Sulu opened his eyes a little bit more, saying "- Good Lord ! This is..." - From the lost crew."- Frances finished his phrase. - Yes, this is from the Federation, all right... Some other clue ?"- Sulu asked. - We find it near a skull. A human skull, Commander."- She said. The sun went under the line of the sea, and Sulu said "- Lets get back to the ship. It is dangerous here. " They dressed , and they went inside the Enterprise R., closing the door for the night. They all assembled at the main Deck, and Sulu shows the belt to everyone. - This was found by a scout team of ours. Now we know several things more, gentlemen."- Sulu said. They all looked at the belt, murmuring . Then he adds :- This belt was found near a river. Also there was a human head nailed to a pole." The women almost yelled, and the men grew grim. - Yes, there are more enemies here, apart from the Dinosaurs. So we must be very careful. Lt. Uhura hasn't find a message at the Computer, and she keeps on scanning all the files, but an important matter such as a message to a possible rescuer should have been found hours ago. "- Sulu complained. - so we must go after the head hunters now, Commander ?"- Hansen asked. - Guess we should. "- Sulu replied. The meeting was dismissed, after some questions about the river. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DAY THREE Sulu called Scotty and asked :- We are going to depart. I will leave you here, to take care of the Enterprise, and to keep on trying to repair it ! Perhaps inside of your brain you have the solution !"- - I wish I have, Commander Sulu ! But I will try to leave all the systems in function here ! One thing is not to be able to fly, but another is to not use the atomic energy we have here ! Enough to lit a small town for a couple hundred years !"- Scotty brawled. - Tell me how many more people do you want." - Oh, I have this five helping hands I almost teach myself ! There are swell guys ! And you could leave the women behind, Sir ! With due respect, to go hunting among dinosaurs with them it's a little risky, you know."- Scotty said . - I see your point. But I have not decided about that. I will leave you ten more men, here. Personnel that will serves to cook, and also to guard. "- Sulu said. - Very well ,Sir, as they also will need to be hunting ! As we have nothing to eat here."- Scotty explained. - yes, I know we are in the open. Things will surely change !"- Sulu remembered. - For the best, yes ! And I hope you have a nice excursion, out there."- Scotty said. - Thanks. "- Sulu said, leaving the Engine Room. Al the personnel was waiting at the beach. He went there, and standing in front, began walking due south. They arrive soon enough to the river, and then they went immediately under the trees, to avoid the mosquitoes. - There it is the skull, Commander !"- Thayn signaled. Sulu takes the head in his hands, and then he puts it in the floor, asking the others to search for stones, to bury it. Then they continue the march. As they were a lot of humans, the noise was inevitable. Sulu didn't ask for silence, as he was more interested in to let them be noticed...specially if the old crew were around... They walk until noon, and then they seat and rest for a while. Some crew members were collecting fruits, so they all eat . One hour elapsed, Sulu stands up, and they all follow him , who was seeing the river at his right side. Two groups were marching in advance, one near the river and the other at his left. They were ordered to search for any human clue ... At dusk, they climbed to some trees, and Sulu asked them to tie themselves to the branches and to keep silence for the night... They heard terrible growling going on all night, and at dawn almost none could said he has a five hours sleep... DAY FOUR - Oh, I am death !"- Frances said to Thayn. - Why ? - Oh, I am aching all over ! I miss our nice little bed."- He grinned. - Oh, lover ! You need to forget the good times now !"- She replied. - There are good times whenever you are around."- He said , romantically. They marched all day long, in almost absolute silence. DAY FIVE TO EIGHT : They keep on marching , from 08,00 to 14.00 hours. The rest of those days were used searching for food and suitable branches where to pass the night. They saw three big dinosaurs munching the leaves, but nobody knew how to catalogue them. DAY NINE : Sulu was heading the march, so he saw it first. It was a metallic box. - Lt. Kevin Thomas Riley, scan that box."- Sulu asked. The Lt. unfasten the gadget he was carrying at his back, and scanned the content. - It is paper, Sir." - Open the lid."- Sulu asked. They all backed a little. The Lt. Riley opened it with big efforts, as he was using a knife made of a piece of iron. The lid finally was opened, and a handful of sheets of paper was seen. Sulu takes it and began reading. It was in plain English { The only language Federation uses } and it said like this , in the first three pages : " Day 34. As a desolate island would suit us, we are searching for one. The mainland is full of terrible lizards the size of them too big to tame or kill with our puny weapons. Also to kill a few ... there wouldn't have been much credit in THAT. As the total number is unknown. Now the Chief is sending a group in a boat , to cross the river, after the terrible attack of the monkey men. My partner will take care of, and he's something like the sort of man for the purpose,as I don not want a man as is always a-sliding off his legs when he ought to be on 'em. The attack was thus : we were resting under the trees, after the attack of the Tyrannosaur, and we heard a whistle. It was a dart, who happened to get inserted in Duke Merlon 's chest. He was stone cold dead in a minute. Then another whistle, and Sarlo was wounded in a knee, but he didn't die. This we found afterwards, because at that moment we were sending rays to the incoming savages, people resembling monkeys of 1.50 Mt. height, strong build, carrying arcs and lances. Half of them we stunned, and the rest retreat with a big howling. The same we saw no more. Chief Simpertigue said to us : I do not want a man as is so low down in the school of life that he's always a-making figures of one in his copy-book, and can't get no further. " This he said because we all were asking to retreat, and he explained a man using his head instead of his buttocks, should know better and obey his orders, now we are without a proper Officer. So he keeps advancing, but the boat with half our number, mainly the Chileans , went to the other side of the boat, as we saw from the top of the trees, they managed to arrived to the other side and lit a fire, for us to see , signaling with it they had arrived. ---------------------------------------------------------- Page 4. Day 37, All day with fever, but I am not the only one. The death numbered 14 until now. The Chief is red with fever, but he keeps on signaling us to keep on walking. Day 38. The fever is receding. Perhaps the mosquitoes gave us this infirmity, but it seems is over. The ape men are following us. I feel relieved, somehow, to know there is half our number at the other side of this river. At least they will not have to fight this ape men... Day 39. No entries. Day 40. Two men missing last night. The guards saw nobody. We searched around this place, for not avail . No traces, or at least, no traces we can trace... Day 41. Attack at noon, The ape men sends us a shower of darts, two more killed. Six injured, that are now with fever- The night is falling, we are climbing a tree to sleep the night...Or so we wishes ! Day 42. One more men is missing, perhaps he stumbles down, or was grabbed somehow. We searched , but found nothing. Day 43. Simpertigue is asking us to build a raft. The food is scarce, there is no energy to cut the trees, even with the Pfizer's. He and three others is trying to do it all by themselves. I am lying near a tree trunk, writing. He yelled to me I am like a man with a great coat and cloak, and is always a-wrapping himself up in himself. No matter what he yelled to me, I will not help drown ourselves in that river. -------------------------------------------------------------- {There ends the sheets with penciled letters, as the other 5 weren't used.} ----------------------------------------------------------------- Sulu ordered to camp there. - Lt. Kevin Thomas Riley, search the area for more clues. " - yes, commander."- That officer said, and summoned some others to help him in that task. Sulu seated at a tree trunk half sunk in mud, and talks to Lt. Kevin ,Thomas Riley, Thayn Marden and Frances Raken. - This account we found tells us clearly the half part of the lost crew crossed this river. And also there were some deaths, too."- Sulu said. - And they also were trying to cross to the other side, and perhaps they did."- Thayn Marden said. - So we could do the same."- Raken exclaimed. - I am thinking in it. This site perhaps it was worst for them that it was for us. Or perhaps our time hasn't came ...!- Sulu replied. - I see no point ,now, in the march by this side of the river. We will be in serious doubts. Perhaps there is no human alive this side of the river."- Thayn said. -" And I have got them sick too, said Sulu, after a moment's silence. 'What a unhappiness!'" He paused to look round, uncertain to which part he will signaled as their next goal. - We found nothing, Sir."- Kevin Thomas Riley told the Asiatic, two hours elapsed. - O.K., let's start building a raft. Do you know how to build a raft, Mr. Kevin Thomas Riley ?" - No, Sir, but I will be delighted to learn."- He replied. - There is no time to learn."- Sulu scoffed, and began selecting people for the work ahead. He knew how to build a raft, because his uncle teaches him when he was 15 years old... a galaxy away, now.... The work begun . The trees were cut with the Pfizer's, and they tied them with ropes made out of liana. They all contributed to the work, 45 men and 16 women. They were there two days, and in the third they climb to the raft ad begun the crossing. The river takes the raft gently, and they all smile to each other. The sky was blue, not a cloud in the sky. - Nice day to go rafting."- Kevin T. Riley told Sulu. - Yes, Lt., but you forgot to address me properly. - Oh. Commander."- Kevin said, brow knitting. The river was a lot more swift at the center, and the raft begun to spun, throwing some humans to the sifting waters... Foam was being carried by the current, also some logs, that banged heavily on the raft. They all tried to have a firm grip on the cords, but the waves begun to wash the surface, wetting all aboard. They were unable to talk to each other, as the sound of the waters were too loud. At the rudder, Sulu was trying to steer the raft, helped by Thayn and Maora Noemi, who was crying. They went like that for about 20 kilometers, and then they saw the other side of the river. Slowly, they leave behind the strong current and came to peaceful waters. - How terrible ! We lost more than ten men !"- Thayn said to Sulu. They were counted, and they were 50 in all... - There ! We can land there, Commander ! A sandy beach !"- Noemi said, pointing with a finger. Sulu and Thayn directed there the cumbersome raft, and they all swim to the shore, so the raft went slowly down river. - May the God Jehovah takes those souls for ever !"- Kevin said, kneeling in the sand. - Watch out ! The place is swarming with spiders !"- Sulu noticed, and they all run to the interior. Sulu went down river, searching for the missing men, but they all seem to have drowned... - Too strong a current, Commander. Poor souls ! "- Noemi said to the Asiatic. They slept in some branches, afraid of the big roars they heard all around the place. - Seems this side is worst than the other."- Thayn told Sulu. - We have no choice , now, but to search for the old crew. Perhaps they are near."- Sulu said, from his branch. - We should light a fire. Then we 'll see."- She said. - It is dark now, Captain Thayn."- He noticed. - I am not affraid...Frances, how about you ?"- She asked, descending already. - I am just behind you."- He grinned in the dark. They lit a small fire, and then it catches a tree, so the flames were big enough to be noticed kilometers away. - Guess it's out of control"- Thayn told Sulu, as they were all running to the river, and the fire roaring behind. - You are no Girl Scout, I presume."- He said, panting. They arrive to the river, and they swim some 100 meters, to avoid the living hell they provoked. - Guess we are short to be ecologist."- Kevin Riley told Noemi. - Oh, I am so tired !"- She said, leaning on his arm. He take the girl by the waist, and they walk behind the others. Sulu spot a place where some rocks were , and they rest there, as all the wood seems to be aflame, and the trumpeting of the terrified dinosaurs were being heard from kilometers away. - Guess we are replacing the meteor that kills them at the Earth."- Sulu remembered. - A lot of grilled meat will be able for to morrow morning."- Riley said, in a sleepy voice. Sulu organized the vigilance for the night, and he himself get to sleep among two boulders... DAY 14. At dawn, the whole place was half a meter sunk in ashes. Thayn wakes up and saw the guards at their posts, like statues of chalk. also the reclining bodies were half sunk in that white substance...the ashes of a thousand trees... - Guess it is Man who arrives to this planet."- She whispered. And all was his fault, as she didn'take precautions ! Sulu wakes up coughing, and he stands up, half choked. - What in Disneyland !"- He growled, with his throat severely dry. - Good morning, Commander. There is no need to be worried by a dinosaur's attack, now ! They roast in the big barbecue Captain Thayn lit last night."- Merlon Vaca, one of the crew members, said. - Good morning. "- Sulu replied, in the worst of tempers... Thayn climbed to the uppermost part of those rocky formations, and saw the fire was eating due east. - Sulu is chewing a crew member just for a trifle."- Frances Raken told her, climbing at her side. - No way ! It's me he must be angry with !"- She said. - Better to stay apart for a day or two. "- He grinned. - Look ! The fire is going east."- She points one of her fingers. - Yes, and the south reminds with the forest... We should went there, as we are out of food."- Frances said. Two hours elapsed, Sulu were walking due south, followed by the rest of his expedition. The place was full of ashes, and some logs were aflame . They found some animals roasted to the bones, but the sight of the burnt meat wasn't agreeable, so nobody eats them. At dusk they enter the forest, and found some fruits dangling from the trees. Somebody said "- Please, Commander, don't let Captain Thayn lit a fire !"- And they all laugh. Sulu laughed for the first time in the whole day, and he thought it was a good thing to laugh his worries away... The night was peacefully, no growling. At dawn, a strange sound was heard, like a bell being struck. Sulu went down the tree, together with Maora, who were at the same branch... - It came that way."- She said. - Let's go take a look."- Sulu replied. They walk among the tree trunks and the vegetation, The air was cool and damp. The bell sounds again, this time clearly and to their left. - It came this way."- He said, taking her hand. They arrive to a clearing in the wood, where a big stone building was standing. It was three stories high, with a pyramidal design.Two stairs went up until the top. A huge door was open at the base, and again the bell struck the morning... The bell was placed on top, between two stone pillars. And a big silhouette was there, too. - He seems a man."- She said. They begun to climb by the stair, and again the bell was struck. They arrive to the terrace, and the man saw them and release the rope tied to the big brass bell - We are friends. No harm intended."- Sulu said in English. Maora put a hand over her mouth, when the creature look on her. It was no man ! He resembles a lizard, with gills at the sides of the head, little round eyes of a dull color. All his exposed skin was covered with scales, and he used a garment of black leather ... - Grerk hewrt ashdf.- Said the being. He was 2.30 Mt. high ! His arms were powerful, and his hands were similar to paws...with gleaming long nails... The creature opened his mouth, showing a triple row of teeth...and growls in anger. - Fire !"- She ask Sulu, when the creature begun to move in their direction. Sulu stunned the creature, who went limp to the floor. - Few ! He really is ugly ."- Sulu said. They revise the garment, but no pocket were in it, and no utensil was found. - Very queer, this ! He was tolling for some objective don't you think ? And this buildingseems to me very old...Some kind of religious structure."- Sulu said. He looks the bell close, and it was rudely crudely donned, measuring a good two meters high , by one in the widest part... - Let's go downstairs.'_ He ordered. They descend , and looks unto the opened door, but it was very dark inside, so they decided to came back with the other people. They return to the compound , and every one was searching for them. Sulu explained what he finds, so everyone follows him to the Temple. They lit a pair of branches, and enters the building. Inside there were a nig hall, and some stone tables, with some bones scattered here and there. - Seems to me the creature eats monkeys, here."- Thayn said, looking the cranium in the sun. - And for which purpose he was tolling bells ?- Sulu asked. - Perhaps he is some kind of a monk. Who knows ?"- Maora replied. They climb to the top. The creature was seated, but he didn't attack, seeing too many humans around. - He have some kind of language. "- Sulu said . Thayn tried to communicate with the saur, but he didn't reply to her efforts. - He is decided to be mute."- She said. - Let's get out of here ! This monster gave me the creeps."- Maora asked. They descend and walk away.... Sulu walks to the river, to drink. They swim a little, to clean their bodies . Then they went to the forest, to search for food. It was in the forest that they find the hut. There were log-houses beyond repair. In the inside they find holes to lit the fire, perhaps even to cook. - Look."- Thayn said to Sulu, walking with a garment out of that hut. - A belt !"- He said, taking the object from her. It was a Federation standard belt ! - Guess our people were there."- He smiled. - And they lived here for some time !"- Thayn said. - Gentlemen, please search for more clues."- Sulu asked of all. They begun searching by the vicinity, and they found several buttons and a smashed pistol. - Seems it was stomped by some animal."- Kevin Riley said, handling down to Sulu. - Yes, but now we know we are in the right track ! The thing is...where did they go ?"- Asked the Asiatic. They finally accepted Thayn's suggestion " to follow the river close at hand, as the members of the old Enterprise R. needs water to survive... That night they sleep under a tree, with a fire lit inside a wall of rocks, as it was colder than before. - Look ! A beast is coming !"- Thayn yelled, standing at midnight. They all stand up, seeing a pair of red shot eyes, some five meters high...The mountain of flesh gave a pair of steps, and almost stumble unto the fire. Then it growls. AAN PAAAUUUCNH ! They all begun to run, but the beast catches a pair of humans, biting and jerking the corpses 20 meters in the air. Sulu run to the river, with Maora and some others. The rest...in the dark, were running elsewhere. They enter the cold stream, and Sulu said "- Damn beast ! He kills two." They hear a splash in the water, but they couldn't see what was, as it was dark. - Better we leaves this river. There is something there."- Said someone near by. But it was too late. A big monster appeared from the bottom of the river, some kind of giant medusa, who coiled tentacles at the legs of several humans, pushing them under water. Sulu fired the tentacle it was pushing him under, and he was free. He run to the trees, seeing Maora standing near a tree trunk. - Maora ! I thought you were caught !"- He yelled at her, embracing the woman. - Oh, Commander ! How terrible !"- She sobs. They crouched among the leaves, and looked to the river, but the night was terrible dark, being no satellite over them, so they saw nothing. They stayed there all night, without sleeping. At dawn they went to the river. They saw the dark stains of blood over some pebbles, but nothing more. - The monster eats some of them here, no doubt."- Sulu said, touching the dried blood. - But no bones, not a garment left !"- She moaned. - Calm down, please ! We need to walk to last night resting place... Our comrades must be there."- Sulu asked the girl. - Let's go."- She mumbled. They walk there by the forest. A rumor of broken branches came to their hears. - Take care. There is something there."- She said, grabbing his sleeve. They arrive near the site, and they saw the hideous monster, scanning all the forest with those malignant eyes. - Down !"- Sulu hissed. She crouches at his side, trembling with fright. - What ...what are we going to do ?"- She asked. - There is little thing we can do. The monster seems to be waiting for us ! What a terrible intelligence he has !"- Sulu marveled. They keep on being there, but suddenly the calm morning air was disturbed by some voices shouting each other. There were other crew members ! The monster rushes as a bullet to the source of the noises, and Sulu heard a couple of crackling noises. - They are firing the monster !"- She said. Sulu began to walk, trying to get closer. After some minutes elapsed in silence, they arrive to another clearing. The monster were there, eating a human being. - Retreat."- Sulu said to Maora. They get back to the river, where they spent all day long, waiting to see some other crew member...Dusk came, and they search a big tree, where to sleep on his upper branches. From up there, Sulu was trying to see a light of a fire , perhaps a signal of the other personnel at his command, but he sees just the twinkling little stars, by the thousands, blazing up there in the sky. Maora awoke at midnight, trembling. It was cold. - I guess we are loosing our goal."- He told her. - Yes, we haven't found any old crew member...and now we are scattered in a Jurassic Park."- She moaned. He embraces her, to share the heat. But it was not sufficient. Suddenly, it began to rain, and in such a manner, that in two minutes they were soaked in water. - We should have gone to that temple, over there."- She said. He didn't respond her, seeing she was not remembering the Creature... A big shadow passed near the tree, brushing it and they grab the branches not to fall down. - Quiet. He cannot possible know we are here."- He said. The monster was don the tree, all right. After some minutes of scratching , he growls in the usual frightening way. - Guess he is challenging us."- She said, embracing him tightly. - I cannot believe that. I guess he is just bluffing."- Sulu replied, but he was busy thinking how in Earth the saurian could have spotted them , in the middle of a downpour.... At dawn they went down ,taking all the precautions they see fit. - No monster around here."- She said. - But I heard him not retiring this spot !"- Sulu was amazed. - That shows you the terrible thing this creatures are !"- She speaks out. They retrace the way to the former compound, seeing the dinosaur wasn't there. But they find lots of broken bones, not a single bone untouched. - This beasts sucks the bones ! Look ! They are like vultures !"- He said. She went to vomit near a tree, after seeing some skulls half eaten , with blood spitted all around. Sulu was in all fours, searching the bones to dig a grave, when he perceives a vibration in his palms. He put his hear against the earth. Sounds of a pair of big foots... - Psh ! Maora ! Came here !"- He called her. Maora went unhurriedly. - He... the beast...is coming ! We must go away from here ! Gave me your hand !"- He asked, white faced. She began to tremble , and her hand went to his, cold like a stone. Sulu crouched, and begun to run with her at his side. He chooses not the path... he was putting distance between the Diabolic and himself ... nothing else were in his mind ! They began to descend a gentle slope, and in the bottom an entanglement of branches and vegetation was enough cover for a little animal like them ! They went in all fours , hiding them from whatever was chasing them from the woods. Sulu stops a hundred meters from the beginning of that entanglement. Some big spiders were having three meters long webs there... Suddenly, they saw the terrible lizard coming at full speed from the forest, and hits the entanglement with decision. - My God ! Straight to us !"- Sulu yelled, and began running in all furs , followed by Maora, who was weeping in fright. The monster was trying to follows them , smashing the branches right and left. At the bottom of the crevice a stream of water was gentle moving , and they run over it, trying to erase the smell of their footsteps in the water. The monster began to growl in hate , decided not to loose them. - Damn ! In here the branches are a lot few ! "- Sulu said, running . They saw the stream leaps a dozen meters down some stones. They arrive to the edge. - Very steep indeed !"- She said , Another growl makes both looks to the rear. They saw the dinosaur, who was close looking at a Tyrannosaur as an egg to another, and felt their blood shill inside their veins. - Run !"- He said, leaping ahead. They stumbled unto the rocks, with such a bad luck that she broke her ankle and he smashed his head down below. The Tyrannosaur looked unto those two indefense bipeds. This two were no problem, now. They were crippled. The Tyrannosaur went for them at a brisk pace. The women yelled at the first bite, but then onwards she remind silent. With the silence of death in her. Sulu awoke, to see the terrible lizard munching Maora. He stands up, and begun to run. The monster gave a terrible brawl, and began to run at 35 km. per hour. Sulu went to the right, with such luck he finds a cave in the red earth of that site. He plunged inside in the moment the Dinosaur try to bite him. AAN PAAAUUUCNH ! The sound of that beast, inside the cave, deafened Sulu, who was hurriedly climbing by it. The darkness became the light again, when he appear by the other side of the cave, 20 meters up the cleft. As the brain of the brute was totally occupied trying to widen up the entrance, Sulu decided it was time to run again, thing he did in no time. He run all afternoon, and that night he spent his hours on a high branch of the wider and biggest tree he could spot. At midnight he awoke, hearing something like women cries. It began to rain, and he was soaked wet. He trembled with fever, and began to talk to the night. -"'I don't know which to take,' ; 'that's the truth. They're equally prepossessing outside, and equally commodious, no doubt, within; being fitted up with every convenience that a Alligator, in a state of nature', could possibly require. Let me see! The citizen as turned out last night, lives under water, in the right hand dog-kennel at the corner. I don't want to trouble him if I can help it, poor monster that eats several of my crew, for he is a melancholy object; a regular Settler in every respect. " He shut up, when the voice began to cry again. His eyes were tired, but the fever and the rain keeps him awoke. At dawn he descend, and search for fruits, that he find easily. He munched them with delight, as they were milky and with a lot of sugar. The place was full of mud, and the leaves has water drops over them so he drinks some. - There's house with a winder, but I am afraid of their being proud !"- He sings the same verse over and over again. At midday he felt asleep over some branches, twelve meters above ground. The rain stops, and the sun appears in full fierceness, drying the leaves and the tree trunks. Sulu was sleeping. He was at a ball, and he was telling a lady :"- I don't know whether a door ain't too aristocratic; but here goes for the first one!'-" And he began knocking the door with his Pfizer.... He awoke, and heard a whistle . It resembles a steam engine. He looks down. What he saw makes his body grew stiff as the log he was on. A giant Serpent was traversing the wood, with a head 2 meters long ! His body was of a pink & white indecent color. ...3 meters side at the center...about 40 metes long ! Sulu try not to breath, not to move a muscle...He was petrified. The long serpent keeps on swaying and he was out of sight in one minute. Sulu 's forehead was wet with perspiration. He was almost with a head ache ! He surely has the fevers... He descended , and eats more fruits. He was disinterested in everything. He climbs the tree with difficulty, and finds a spot some 30 meters high, where he tied himself with weeds to the branches, and began to sleep the afternoon. He awoke at midnight. The stars were there, the clouds were gone. A chilly wind was blowing, and he shivers . He began to think in Maora, her big teats, her long powerful legs...Lost for ever in the stomach of the Tyrannosaur, native version... And he never asked her for a kiss ! Nothing. ... Poor woman... going into the Federation Star Fleet for this hideous death ! Perhaps he was guilty, too ! Why he just leave her with Scotty, inside the Enterprise R. safe hulk ? But no ! He needs her close ! And now she was dead... DeadPerhaps in Heaven ? In which Heaven, precisely ? In the Christina Heaven, in Limbo, in the Paradise of the Mahometans ? In the cloud of the Buddhists ? In nowhere, as the Jews believe ? As a bird, a toad, another human being, as the Hinduism firmly believe ? No way to know it. Perhaps nowhere, perhaps dead, just simply sleeping for ever and ever. ... He dreams. he was in Vacation, in Japan. He was at a resort Hotel. He went up to the nearest cabin, and knocked with his hand. Being desired to enter, he complied. ''- Neighbor,' said Sulu; 'for I AM a neighbor, though you don't know me; I've come a-begging. Halloo! hal--lo! Am I a-bed, and dreaming!' He made this exclamation on hearing his own name pronounced, and finding himself clasped about the skirts by two little boys, whose faces he had often washed, and whose suppers he had often cooked, on board of that noble and fast-sailing line-of-packet ship, the Enterprise...the First Enterprise ever ! He awoke, seeing the night, the stars a-twinkling, the growling above him, the night chilling breeze... He touches his forehead. It was hot. - Guess this fever makes me dream so vividly."- He sighed. He slept again, this time with fishes and birds. He was a giant white bird, an albatross, flying over chocolate colored seas....some Junks were down below, arching their hulls over white foamed waves... A tune he heard, a rock-a -by.... He awoke at dawn. The wait the sun to appear, and the whole forest became active, hundred of birds begin to fly , chirruping and crying one another... He was like in a sea, seeing the fishes swim past him... But no, it was not the fever. This was real . Those were real birds, and the sound it really existed ! - Mating season ?"- He asked himself, felling his tongue dry and muddy. He descended, and eats his share of fruits. Some insects were present, avid of his blood, but he began to spank them, smiling . Oh, if all his problems were too simple like to be scattering insects ! He looked at His tree. There was affection for that tree, it was a good place to be. Better than those crevasses, that bomas of the near past... He walks to the river, and he find it at mid afternoon. The day was hot, and the mud was drying. The mosquitoes were by the thousands, and he keeps on cleaning his skin with his hands, but those insects were indefatigable. He went into the water, seeing amazed how from his garments a flow of mud was darkening the clear waters. So he washes the clothes, and leave them drying at a shrub. He went to the water, and washes his hair and body. He was at this, when he heard a gallop. By the bank a dinosaur was coming. It was not the Tyrannosaur, this species were longer, with a head about 2 meters long, a mouth full of little teeth, and eyes shot in blood and hate... same as the Tyrannosaur. Sulu swim fast, trying to put a lot of distance between he and the beast. The dino went to the water and began to swim, in a clumsy way. Sulu searches for the current, and in some minutes he achieved it. The current takes his body and he began to travel fast, so the monster was out of sight in a few seconds. - I beat you, mother f...!"- He yelled, laughing hard. He was in the stream as long as he could, and then he went to the bank and run to the forest. The sun was short to be down the horizon. The last rays dried his hair, and he finds a big tree, climbs up like a real monkey, and rest in the upper branches, tied and smiling to the heavens above. He slept until midnight, then he awoke, chilled. His lungs hurts. He glanced downwards, nothing discernible . Only up, at the sky... the thousand and one stars, shining happily ever after... Just like a thousands years ago. Sulu begun to be worried about his future. Nothing began to be improved, just a daily strife barely to stay alive. He get to get back to the Enterprise R., and join Scotty. Perhaps Captain Kirk was coming soon, and he would end fixing all things up, just like in the good old days, when they were traveling happily... He remember those little puffy things, the Tribbles...And how they get ride of them , sending the whole bunch to the Klingons... Sulu smiled. That was a good joke... At dawn, he retrace his steps, with a stride more confident. Now he has a goal. Sure, he was a bad guide, sure, he lost all 65 people there. A bad thing, but not to be blamed on him , of course. The blame must be in the planet, in the beasts, in the river... In a mission impossible... Five days, and he recognized the spot where the Tyrannosaurus eats two people. He began to carry logs to the bank. Not big trees, just what he can carry. He remember quite well the terrible force of the current. Sure, he will disembark miles down river, plus the miles of the first traversing... a hundred kilometers, perhaps... He tied the logs in the second day of labor, and the raft was a tiny one, that makes him have serious doubts about his mental attitude. Before he back up in his plans, he take the raft, pushed it, and with a handmade blade, he began directing the float. He manages well until the current began . Then it was a nightmare. Logs that came in the current banged on the little raft, changing its course. He learn how to push the logs before they hit the float. He traveled three hours at the center of the river, trying to direct it to the other side. At last, he was out of the strong current, and going to the shore. - God, thanks !"- He uttered, paddling the way with happiness. He arrives to a muddy bank. He swim and at last walks again in two foot.... A dark ,gloomy forest were there, stretching for kilometers both ways. He didn't enter it, but walks as fast as he could by the bank, who was pure mud and logs half sunken. Wide clouds of mosquitoes were flying everywhere, but he was covered with dried mud, so he was almost out of reach... His clothes wee merely rags, that he uses out of habitude... At night, he dare to climb a tree, and he slept there a few hours : the rest of the night were a watch , only. He was expecting for the dawn, to keep on going. The growls in the surface of the land were as hideous ads ever, and they put his hair on edge... At dawn a downpour begun, and he descended to a wet world. He went immediately to find some fruits, as he was starved. He finds two fruits, half dried, and he munched with delight. There weren't too many fruits in this part , so he walks all day by the wood, taking much care not no be seeing by a dinosaur. He found several carcasses, with hundred of black flies hovering , rests of animals eaten by the monsters... At noon he saw a big dinosaur, not 30 paces away. He was a plant eater, and he was munching away a tree who has red leafs. The dino measured easily a 30 meters long, 3 meters wide and five high, with a two meters long head, framed like a turtle. He has no teeth, just a beak. He circled him , and went his way. One hour elapsed, he heard, in that direction, a howling and some deafening roars. Sulu stop in his tracks, suddenly terrified. - A damn Tyrannosaur finds the plant eater !"- He murmured... and began to run at a trot. Each ten minutes, he puts his hear down , hearing for footsteps... One hour elapsed, he was growing more confident. He fights the desire not to hear , as it was ridiculous such a big beast were going to follow him, instead of to eat that fleshy mountain of a plant eater. But he puts the hear on the ground. BUMP BUMP BUMP His heart gave a spin. He felt cold gripping at his heart ! The beast was running after... him ? He search for a tree, running wild. He spot it, climbs in a hurry... and almost fall down, when the Tyrannosaur banged his armored chest against the tree. AAN PAAAUUUCNH ! The deafening roar melted his heart like butter. He grips the branches with wild effort. At each punch the terrible lizard gave to the tree, the same moves more and more to the other side .... Suddenly , the whole tree began to sway... He run by the falling trunk, and jumps to another tree branch. He saw like a road ahead of him, and he keeps on jumping and running, and suddenly he realizes the damned beast where out of sight, and he , Sulu, a hundred meters away ! - I gotch you !"- He laughed , teeth clenched with desperation. He began to search a way to return to his former path, and he began to have success, and at last, he was able to see the river from the upper branches. That night he slept more of the count, confidence earned by his accomplishments of the day.... At dawn he didn't descend, and keeps on traveling by the branches. He saw several big dinosaurs, some 30 feet high, but there were now a mere incident in his path, and no more a frightful vision... For eight days he did this, and then the forest retreat from the bank, so he must choose : to keep on traveling by the trees, or walk by the bank... He chooses the last option, as he was yearning for the spot where the river finish his journey, and mixed his waters with the sea... He walks half a day, and he finds the end of the river... That close he was ! He turns to the right, and searches for the Enterprise, and then he saw the hull, the disk ... the propellers... he was at home ! Two guards came to receive him, and they salute him with joy. He enters the ship, and there were hugs and handshaking with all the crew members. Scotty came from the Engine Room, hands with grease , and hugs him. - My Commander ! You have me so worried about you ! "- He said, at last. -I am sorry. I failed ! "- Sulu said, searching for a seat. They bring him a chair, hastily removed from a cabin. - And where are the others ?"- Scotty asked, pale faced. - Drowned...eaten by the monsters out there... scattered... I saw several of them being eaten ! Also, Maora..." - Maora too ! - Yes, she was ... eaten"- Sulu said, crying. They all stared at him, in disbelief. Scotty said :- I know it is true, Commander, seeing the physical state in which you are... but it seems unbelievable... " - Yes ? And did you not saw the Tyrannosaur, trying here to much his way into the ship ?"- He asked, staring at him. - Yes, I know they are terrible... but the 65 of you ! "- He muttered, seating at the very floor... Sulu went to bath himself, and they gave him a heartily meal. - I am going to sleep."- He said, and he retired to a cabin. He get into the bed, and slept soundly for the first time since he went away... The commentaries among the crew were running wild. Almost everyone were amazed, and some of them were thinking in a rescue team. - But we are too few ! Where 65 died easily, 15 must do it faster than lightning ! Also it is not our goal ! Also, Captain Kirk will came here in any minute, and he will solve this riddle for us !"- Scotty said. So it was settled that way. They were going to wait, and by the moment, all the efforts in to retrieve, recover the systems of the Enterprise, were the main goal... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER 5. Climbing trees ... Thayn Marden , Frances Raken , DeSalle (Lt), DePaul (Lt), Hansen {Lt,} , and ten other persons were running from the Tyrannosaur, who was occupied munching someone. - Let's climb a tree !"- Thayn yelled. They did what she said, and they climbed until there were not enough branches able to sustain their weights. - Guess here it will be O.K."- She said, panting. The leaves and branches were a solid wall, so they couldn't possible look what was happening at the floor. - What a terrible monster ! It is very quick."- Thayn said. - I guess the Commander Sulu was in his path."- Frances remembered, - A terrible situation. Nothing we can do , anyway."- DeSalle said, dangling dangerously from a green branch. - We weren't prepared for this situation. We should had used the air ships, surveying the whole area. And to hell the Aliens !"- Frances said. - Easy to say... but bear in mind they already smashed one of our vessels. "- DeSalle replied. The terrible growling were heard distinctly from where they were... They waited there until dusk, and they descended. Thayn saw the monster, waiting in the darkness... - Retreat."- She said, terrified. They climbed to the big tree again, and only then she whispered :- The Tyrannosaur is waiting, down there. We cannot return , by the meantime. - Clever beast ! "- DeSalle exclaimed. - yes, more than a million years of evolution are in his shoulders. A big machine that can run, kill , and be clever..."- Hansen expressed. - And lie eggs."- Frances added. - Why ? Did you saw eggs in the vicinity ?- Thayn marveled. - Yes, they are big, round and brown in color."- He replied. - Incredible !"- Snorted DeSalle . - That is why the monster didn't move from here ! She is taking care of the nest !"- Hansen said. - And we are very near to those eggs. "- Informed Frances Raken. - Damn it ! So we will never be free of it ! "- Asserted Thayn, sighing. The night fell over them, and they tied to the branches, not to fall dawn when sleeping. Thayn and Frances tied themselves, too. She was very worried, and she almost didn't sleep at all. At dawn, DeSalle descended silently, and went to the place of the former camp. The monster were not in sight. He return to the tree, and told the others that. - So we can go there and wait for the Commander , or some other person who could had saved his neck from the hideous attack !"- Frances said. - O.K., let's go !"- Thayn said, descending swiftly. They arrive to the spot. Nobody was in sight. - Perhaps they didn't make it, or they are too scare to return." - Thayn said, looking in the direction of the river. - Perhaps. Shall we go to the water ? I wish to wash myself a little."- DeSalle said. They all went to the river, where they all went inside the water, to clean their clothes too. The ten other personnel were Gradinger, Sinclair, Miss Fothergill, Martlebridge, Miss Macdonnell, Wilding, the vramen Spica, Rok, Kuum, Malorbo, all of them males. '- It is trembling."- Wilding yelled to the others. Thayn looked to the forest, and he saw a malignant head towering above the shrubs. - They Beast ! Let's swim away !"- She commanded, and they all follow her example. In a couple of minutes they were out of reach of the beast, who was at the bank already. - Clever brute !"- Frances whispered to Thayn in her hear. - Yes ! We must swim as long as we can, so better to float and be carried by the current."- She asks. They did so, and the beast was following them by the border of the river. They swim all morning , and at noon they saw the big monster retreat and gallop to her place, near the nest with dino's eggs... - Bye, bye, Tyrannosaur !"- Wilding said, waving an arm. They all smiled. They went to the shore, and walks to the forest , where they find fruits to eat. - Yum yum ! I was starving, darling !"- Frances Raken told Thayn, who blushed, as there were the other people around, - What are we going to do, in relation to the Commander ?"- One of the female asked Thayn. - I guess it is terrible little what we can do, Miss Fothergill, as we are without weapons, radio or vehicles... I am short to ask you all to return to the Enterprise R."- Thayn said, Martlebridge, approaching, told her :- You are the Captain here, Miss Whatever you say, I will do." - Thanks, and I guess we must fulfill the mission. Commander or not Commander, we must search for those who bring the Enterprise down."- She said. Miss McDonnell, grinning, said "- Well spoken, Captain Thayn Marden ! I guess that is the most important." Wilding, signaling the river, said :- The Commander were walking near the river, as the water is a need for us , mammals. So I guess we must stick to the river." - That is the first option."- Thayn replied. The vramen Spica, Rok, Kuum and Malorbo were of the same opinion. They rest some 30 minutes, and they began to walk due east. By night they climb trees, to sleep, and the rains and the branches tore they uniforms, so at the eleven day of march all who was left of the bright uniforms were rags. - I will use this no more !"- Miss Fothergill said, throwing far away her rags. Martlebridge almost choked, when seen those two big dangling teats in the open. Thayn did the same, so they all were naked and marching in silence. Frances was amazed to see the 3.000 years of age that Thayn has didn't notice ... - Ouch !"- Miss McDonnell said, when a branch leased her thighs. Thayn turn her head, saying :- One thing the clothes did, is to preserve us from scratches . Perhaps we should kill some mammal , in order to make us some leather outfits." Wilding almost laughed at the idea, but Frances Raken said : - We must make ourselves some weapons. How about some lances, arrows and arcs ?" - Yes, let's do it."- Thayn said. They began searching for strong branches, to do the shafts, and flexible ones, to do the arcs. Then it was the turn of the arrows, and that was easy. They used the liana to do the strings, and Thayn kills a rodent, with her first shot. - Nice, darling."- Frances said, kissing her. -- Thanks, but it was a lucky shot."- She replied, blushing. The rodent was 40 cm. long, and from his intestines they made several strings. The arrows gained speed with that improvement... Thayn killed two deer- like creatures, and Gradinger, with just a stone a some little wooden sticks, made fire. - Wonderful. "- Thayn said, seeing how the beasts were roasted near the bank . They eat meat fro the first time in several weeks. They went to a near - by tree , to wait for the night. The other females were already electing males , so the romantic stares were in the air... The four vramen weren't interested in it, as their age was so much that the love for another person were a lost memory. The fire keeps on lighting the spot all night, and it was visible even from the upper branches, as a moving thing , half light and half darkness. In the morning the first who descended was Gradinger, but he stops when he saw, 4 meters below him, another man. - Hey ! Who are you "_- He yelled to the visitor. - Hi ! I am Simpertigue !"- The visitor replied, grinning. He was tall, blond hair, and he was clothed in a leather overcoat , distinctly home made... - Wait ! I'will call the others !"- Gradinger said. - What ? Are you not alone ?- Simpertigue asked, eagerly. - No ! We are really a bunch, here !"- Dradinger replied, climbing the tree with dexterity. Soon they all were at the base of that tree, handshaking the visitor... - Blessed is Good Lord Jehovah !"- Yelled Frances Raken, looking in astonishment to the old crew member of the old Enterprise R. Simpertigue said :- I see you are in a fine condition, my lads ! I am here with some other Federation crew members ! I guess you are here because of some pieces missing at the Enterprise R, am I right, am I correct ?"- He asked. - Exactly. And also to know what happens to you , also."- Thayn said. - I guess you are the Commander, here. You have something really serious in your stare, Lady." - Simpertigue said, saluting her. - Don't bother saluting me ! I am not officially a member of your Federation...yet. I am a Vrawoman, from the planet .........."- She said. - And also a Captain there."- Added Frances Raken, smiling at her. - Oh. Captain Thayn, I guess here you will have more crew members to command, as you see, Captain, we belong to the inferior ranks."- Simpertigue explained. - Inferior or Superior, it is the same for me. We have an accomplishment to fulfill... I expect we are in accord with this."- She said. - Yes, of course ! But let me show you all of the missing crew... "- Simpertigue said to her, and then they all follow the earthling , who was walking directly opposing the river. - I saw your fires last night. "- Simpertigue said. - We didn't meant it !"- Thayn said. - Just the same, a good thing that was. We are waiting since a lot of months the rescue party. We leave the Enterprise, as there were too many critters there, avid of our flesh, and the food was scarce . Every time we went to the woods for fruits, the damned dinosaurs were waiting for us."- Simpertigue explained. They arrive to a clearing, and in the middle of it a big hut was standing. Some persons were there, who stare incredulously in their direction . - I found them ! They are the rescuers !" - Simpertigue said to the others. Some more people were leaving the hut, jumping to the floor, as it was supported by eight big beams. - We did the hut in the air, as there are too many spiders and snakes around here.... Some of the snakes measured more than 30 meters long !"- Simpertigue explained them. The males were using long beards, and the common thing were that they were smelling terrible. The last in appear from the inside was a green eyed man, who was presented by Simpertigue as "The Second in Command ", and his name was Lagrange... - Nice to be rescued by a female."- He said to Thayn, handshaking her. - Thanks."- She said, blushing. - This woman is delicious... look how she blushed all over !"- Lagrange told to Simpertigue. - Watch out, you, little wolf ! This Captain Thayn is from another planet !"- He said. - Also she is my girl friend."- Frances Raken said. - No offense intended, mate ! - Lagrange said, extending his arms to the heavens. - Show a little respect. Ladies ! Please come inside our humble hut."- Simpertigue asked . The women goes inside, and the males began to interchange information, seated at some logs, near the entrance. Thayn was showed the vital parts of the Enterprise those people take, and she asked :- When we could depart to the Enterprise ? We have a technical team working there, waiting for this pieces to be properlly ensemble. Captain Kirk also is coming to the vessel, as he looses his space vessel in a mighty explosion." - Kirk here ! This is a dream !"- Simpertigue said, taking his head with both hands. - He is Captain Kirk, for you."- Thayn said, alarmed at the familiarity Simpertigue was expressing . - Permit me to explain you a thing, Captain ! I am not discussing he is the Captain and Commander at this planet ! But he happens to be ,also, my cousin ! And it was my cousin I was calling Kirk ! "- Simpertigue explained, grinning. - Oh. I didn't know it."- She replied, blushing. - We can depart to morrow early in the morning, Captain Thayn. To let the idea we are going to be rescued at last sink in our heads."- Lagrange told Thayn. She waits a little, and then she accepted. She was seated in a log, when another group came from the woods, carrying a red mammal tied to several branches. It was weighing more than 200 kilos... They peeled the beast in no time, also they lit a fire, and roasted it in a quick fashion. The metallic knifes began to cut the meat, and all was served in metallic dishes, with blunt knifes for sole hardware... - Pardon us, ladies and gentlemen, but we have no potatoes or salads here !"- Lagrange told the newcomers. - Do not worry by that ! This is the second time in weeks we eat meat !"- Frances Raken replied, and they all laughed. When the last ray of light from the sun was ushered by the sunken star, they all climb to the hut, and they close the heavy door in place. - We have not bad neighbors, here. But just the same we burn the remnants of our meals and we poured water to the fire. No need to attract attention, too."- Simpertigue explained. They were all very excited, and they talk until late. Thayn saw the beds were berths attached from floor to roof, so they all had a place to lay on. - We made a lot of beds, thinking some day they will be of use. A sign of confidence in our Creator, for sure. And it did pay off !"- Simpertigue explained to Thayn. - Good thing is that, to have confidence. "- She accepted. At dawn they all went out, and began marching to the sea. They was twice attacked by furious dinosaurs, but both times they were prepared, and they all run to the river, swimming far away from the borders of the river. They found the sea in two weeks, and they turn right. Suddenly, they were looking at the old Enterprise R. 's hulk... and several of the crew felt tears running by their cheeks... They were saluted by the sentinels, and they all merrily went inside, where a incredulous Sulu yelled his amazement away...forgetting ,for a time, his Asiatic lack of expression... Thayn talks to Sulu in his cabin, and he said :- Amazing, Captain Thayn ! This will mean, to you, the Blue Ribbon Medal of the StarFleet, I am sure !" - By the meantime I am more worried in Captain Kirk and his crew members... Did you learn something of them, in this elapsed weeks ?"- She asked. - Scotty have a radio transmitter in working order, but the Captain was very explicit : no radio emissions until he orders it. So we cannot communicate with him."- Sulu explained. Thayn went to the Engine Room, to talk to Scotty, but the man was so excited she couldn't understand a word he mumbled. And all was due to the spare parts the old crew gave him, so now he was theoretically able to repair the Enterprise R ! Thayn understand the man, who has not more than 60 years of age [ a baby, in her presence }, so she decided to came back in another occasion, to try and talk the Scottish Engineer........ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER 6 Hera. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kirk reads the screen quote for the day "You know you're getting old when everything hurts. And what doesn't hurt doesn't work. " He smiled. He was still young to suffer those infirmities... He called all officers to a reunion, and he said :- "Gentlemen, we are going to leave this ships behind. We will walk to the beach, climb the ladders to our two boats, and set sails to the south. We will travel several days, and we will disembark at the estuary of the River I called Dragon." - Hope there is no dragon there, waiting for us, Captain."- Chekov said grinning. - Hope no dragon and no dino...for that matter."- Kirk condescended with the Russian. - I want a full report of the cargo in both vessels. One will be commanded by Lt. Newark, the other by me. The list are already made, but if someone wish to change of ship, he can submit his request to Mr. Spock, who is in charge of the Administration. " The meeting keeps on several minutes more, with questions and answers. Spock was there, providing the necessary data to all who asks for it. Kirk was elated. The adventure was afoot ! In the afternoon of that same day, Uhura told Kirk that one of the big alien vessels were hovering near the ships, that were anchored several kilometers away. - Tell all personnel to stop the traffic to or from the ships !"- He said. Uhura goes out of the shuttle, asking several crew members to run and warns the people who was in the road to the sea. Several minutes elapsed, everyone were feigning to do calisthenics, or to fish in holes opened on the ice, or whatever, but the boats looked deserted... - The alien ship is going, Sir. But I guess we don't cheat him."- Uhura said. - Don't be so pessimistic ! "- Kirk replied, frowning. He command all women aboard to begun dressing dummies and to place in several places outside of the ship, in all positions imaginable, so the alien people could see them as alive. - This could gave us some respite."- He told Uhura. - We better embark ourselves in those puny ships and get away with this nerve breaking delays."- She said. - You are right. To night we will depart."- He said, standing from his post. So they wait for the night, and then all personnel began howling the machines and clothes to the ships. Evans leaves the engine chamber , saying to Capt. Kirk :- The engines will be left in function , captain, with a radio signal . So they will believe we are here." - I hope so. Gets hurry: there is no one in sight."- He said to the Chief Engineer. They walked to the ships, and with the first breeze of the morning they began to move away. - Close to the shore, ever !- Kirk commanded . The movement of the sea makes several crew members very sea sick. Uhura was one of them, and the Negro woman vomits his head off by the border... - Pity I had no medicine for this seasickness."- McCoy told Kirk, who was worried. - Yes, I never thought in this situation. Next time I will ask several crates of pills."- He said. - I hope you are joking."- McCoy replied, eyeing him with curiosity. - Yes, it's a bad joke. With a hundred pills will suffice."- Kirk said. The boats were with their sails taking the wind admirably. The second boat was at their wake. - Newark is a fine marine. He will manage to follow us without problems."- McCoy told Kirk. - And why do you think he will have some kind of problems?"- Kirk asked. - I looked at the barometer. Seems to me there is a hurricane coming this way."- The Doctor replied. - Good Lord, no !"- Kirk yelled, going to see the artifact... And there it was. The pressure was down the line... - Spock ! Look at this." - Kirk told the Scientific Officer. - A hurricane."- The Vulcan said, after seeing the numbers. - Yes ! And we are aboard this home made boats ! With sailors taking out of a space ship ! No conditions at all !"- Kirk grabbed his head with both hands. - Pardon me, Captain, but we could land now, and wait there that his hurricane goes his way with us safely sheltered."- Spock replied. - Oh, yes ! Let's see... We must search for a suitable spot in the coast to disembark... "- Kirk said. But the bad weather was on them already, and the big waves forbids every movement to the coast, that was a wave smashing battlefield... - The sails... we must take them down !"- Kirk asked Spock, yelling to be heard, as the wind was howling. The twin ships were toys in the hands of the gale. - I think I am going to die !"- Hera told Kirk. - Hang on, baby ! This is a little storm, nothing more ! Go to your room, and lay down. "- He said. The lady went down ,relieved . She was grabbing the rail, not to fall down. She lay in bed, and she was amazed to see how the lamp went from one wall to the other, swinging with the movement of the ship. She heard cries, the wind blowing, and the splash of the waves hitting the sides of the hull. This lasted two days, and at the third the wind ceased to blow with such a fierceness, and the sails were extended again. Miraculously, the second vessel was in sight, two kilometers to starboard... - Lucky me ! See the sextant for yourself, Spock ! We had gained speed and we are close to our goal."- Kirk told the Science Officer. The Vulcan takes the instrument in his long hands, and examined the sun and the horizon with it. He said :- You are right, Captain. Interesting."- McCoy went up to see the sea, that was with foam. - At last the tempest collapsed ! I was growing tired of the incessant rocking !"- He exposed. - Yes, it was a nuisance, already. "- Kirk said, looking at the Doctor, that looks green. - A nuisance ! It was a real nightmare ! I hope we don't find another tempest in the rest of the voyage."- He asseverated. - I guess we are very close to our destiny, Bones. So you need not to be worried."- Kirk replied. - Oh, do not say those words ! As every time somebody told me that there is going to be no problem , bang ! There is all the trouble in the world !"- The good Doctor said, leaning on the rail, and looking the foam the vessel was leaving behind. Hera Glutony went up, too, but she was no green, she was very pale. She takes Kirk's left arm, and walks with him , talking by the deck. - I almost starve, darling ! But my stomach was unable to retain the food down. I almost vomit myself inside out."- She said. -Oh, Darling ! You look so pale ! And cold. Better go inside your cabin."- He recommended. - No, please, Captain ! I was down there all the time the tempest was on ! So now let me be outside, breathing this marvelous fresh air !"- She begged. - O.K., it was for your welfare... Look ! A flying fish !"- He signaled to her, and she saw it, clapping her hands. McCoy looks at them , smiling . They sure were a nice looking couple. He was not so lucky, even working with females [nurses}. They just looked at him as the Doctor... not the man behind the Doctor. But he counterattacked the lonesome blues with his bottle of Bourbon... Five days more, and they arrive to the river Dragon, and they plunged anchor near the shore. They arrive to the sandy beach elected aboard some rowing boats. - I will search for the Enterprise. The rest waits here."- Kirk told the crew. Half of it was at the two vessels... He chooses five guards and McCoy went with him, also. - Get ready your weapon, Bones. Here are some animals you wouldn't believe."- He recommended. - I heard that."- McCoy replied, grinning. They went to the forest , and begun searching for the big vessel. - Of course the Enterprise is not at this forest, but near it. So open your eyes."- Kirk told McCoy. - Did you hear, men ? Open your eyes, the Captain said !"- McCoy told the rest of the team, who were armed with Pfizers They walk for three hours, and finally they find the Enterprise. - Ahoy , of the vessel !"- McCoy yelled, and the guards came running to him. - The Captain !'"- Said one of them, and salutes Kirk. - We arrive just a while ago. Let's call the Commander."- He said. - Yes, Sir !"- The guard replied, grinning. In few moments Simpertigue was there, hugging his cousin, who was utterly impressed, as he never thought Simpertigue was alive... - My God ! You, alive , and here ! I hardly believe my eyes !"- Kirk said. - Why, don't you rejoice ?- Simpertigue asked. - Of course I am happy to see you again ! And also Lagrange... and so many others ! This is a happy day !"- Kirk said, handshaking the rest of the old crew members; some of them were crying . - Commander Sulu ! There are two ships at bay ! So please send a group there, to guide them here. You too must go."- Kirk said to his guards. They all went at a brisk pace, as it was mid - afternoon ... - Please came inside the ship ! Scotty make this vessel regain the lights in the corridors, computers and several other equipment are already running smoothly."- Sulu said. - And the spare parts ?- Kirk asked. - Scotty already puts them in their places , Sir ! But this ship was already damaged. So is that what he is repairing, now he has the missing pieces."- Sulu explained. Kirk went to the Engine Room, and talked to Scotty, who recoiled at the idea Evans were going to arrive soon...He was happy being the Chief Engineer... - I must ask you total freedom, to work here, Captain. Chief Evans likes to change my designs."- He told Kirk. The Captain remembered how Scotty was a fine engineer, in the past, and replied :- O.K., Scotty, you are in charge of the reparations. Evans will not be your superior , except when in orbit. " - Thanks you., Sir ! I have not wishes to see all my work dismantled ! "- He said. Kirk went to his former cabin, and revised his long lost belongings. It was amazing how everything was there, a little older, but in working order... specially his Computer, a 486 model, who was with him since childhood, as it was a family relic... The old Epson 3.000 was a thousand years old... - Shall I probe the systems, Sir ?"- Spock asked from the threshold. - Please, do."- He smiled. Spock went to talk to Scotty, and he said "- All systems will be in working order in a little while, Officer Spock... Let's see... this is the testing number 32.... There !"- The lights flickered some agonizing seconds, and hold. - We must be in working order now, Mr. Spock. But please check all systems yourself."- Scotty said, smiling broadly to the Vulcan, who raised a eyebrow, and depart to the Deck... Scotty searched for errors, and Evans were at his heels. Several other technicians were posted in the problematic corners of the big system. - I recommend you a slow beginning, Scotty."- Evans told the Engineer. - Of course... we must go slowly. If there is problems, we simply stops the machine and reset the system. Kirk was called by Evans, who advise of the recommendation. - Yes, I was thinking in it. Don't you worry."- The Captain replied. Hera Glutony was standing near him, as Uhura was in the Communication console. - Alien ships coming, Sir."- Uhura said. Kirk looks at Spock, who said :- There had been no emission whatsoever, Captain...except the energy this ship is showing... Perhaps they notice the increase."- - To all personnel : Red Alert. Red Alert."- Kirk said by the Intercom. 20 seconds elapsed, he told Spock to take off, and Sulu provided all his skill to help in the process, as the thrust wasn't aligned. The alien vessels couldn't chase the big vessel, as Kirk zoomed to the heavens, must to the dismal looking Engineers... - Sulu ! Scan for other vessels.- Kirk asked. - No other ships around here, Captain. But the two in our wake are releasing torpedoes."- Sulu signaled. - Shields !"- Shrieked Kirk. - Shields on."- Sulu said, calmly. - Chekov ! Mann the pfizers."- The Captain said. - Yes, Sir. Pfeisers ready." - Send a telegram to those bast... bandits."- Kirk commanded. The Pfeisers lighted the sky, eroding the hull of the pursuers. Both ships reduced their velocity, so the Enterprise was out of reach in another 15 seconds more. - Bandits scared, Captain ! "- Chekov grinned. - Scotty ! How are those engines behaving ?" - Kirk asked. - Fine, Captain ! There is a minor fire down here, but nothing serious. I recommend to wait for any Jump you could have imagining."- Scotty replied. - No need to Jump , still. Fix that engines !"- Kirk yelled. - I will go , to see the fire."- Hera said. - Take care."- He asked, looking at her, who was pale. McCoy approaches to him, saying :- The girl is looking thinner each day. I wonder if she knows she has little time left."- - Guess she knows. "- Kirk sighed. They traveled for five days , and then the engines were rechecked and Evans said the Jump could be tried. - Chekov ! Fix a course to Earth. I will not risk another place, with this ship so rudely repaired."- Kirk commanded. - Yes, Sir !"- The Russian said. Half an hour elapsed, the Enterprise R. were Jumping. - Sun ahead. Sir."- Chekov said, when they re entered Our Universe. - Good ! You are walking to a promotion, Ensign Chekov !"- Kirk clasped his hands. - Thanks, Sir. No need, too. I am happy here."- The Russian replied. - Yes, but remember that the one that didn't advance, is retreating. "- Kirk groaned. Two days elapsed, Earth was filling the sky. Two shuttles were send to retrieve all the crew to the surface, and they landed in Washington. - The President will decorate several of you."- General Alexander told Kirk, when meeting at the Pentagon.'-Also there will be some promotions. " - This are good news."- Kirk grinned. - Yes ! You recuperate the old missing crew, both of the Enterprise R. and the "Chino Rios " cargo ship. Pity there are someone missing, but I guess the planet was very primitive."- General Alexander said. - Yes, Dinosaurs and all. "- Kirk replied. - I read your report. And there are some Tourist Agencies very interested in the planet. There are some tourist that like strong emotions."- General Alexander said. Three days elapsed, all the crew members were in the gardens of the White House, where President Lawrence Notenchil addressed them, ladies and members of the Senate present. it was a sunny morning, and the air smelled of roses. The President saluted them and exalted their achievements, one by one. Also he gave medals to every officer, and promotions to half of them. Kirk was promoted again to Admiral, and the President invited him to a gala dinner , for that same day. Kirk was happy to hear that. But worried to see Hera Glutony in Hospital, as the gravity of Earth was too much for her. - Invited to a gala party at the White House ! Good reward for a Dinosaur Hunter !"- Hera told Kirk, that afternoon. - My darling, how I would like to see you at that feast ! Pity you cannot go."- Kirk said, hand in hand with her, who was bedded in a room at the Starfleet Hospital . - Do not worry for me ! This is your moment of glory ! I will recover very soon, and we will go to see the Lincoln Monument together... I always wish to go there, and seat in the terrace, seeing the water of the park... "- She said. Kirk went to the dinning party, but his heart was at that white room of the Hospital... - You look worried, Admiral."- Sara Figogne, the First Lady, told him , when dancing. - Excuse me, First Lady ! But I cannot forget my darling is at the Starfleet Hospital at this hour ..."- Kirk replied. - Oh, how sweet of you ! And I pity on her ! I hope she will recover... the medicine is very well advanced , in this days..."- She said, volubly. After the dancing, McCoy grabs his arm, saying :- There is a message for you at the phone. Calm down !"- Kirk went to a side corridor, where a FBI man handled him a communicator . It was a doctor of the Hospital , saying him Hera Glutony was agonizing. - I 'll go right away."- He said, hanging . McCoy went with him, using a car of the White House . At the Hospital , a doctor stops them , saying Hera Glutony was already dead. - A septicemia. Poor girl, she knew she was dying, and all the while was high spirited... You can see her for a short while, if you want, Admiral."- The doctor told Kirk. - Yes ... I want to ..."- He said, but a knot was in her throat, so he went silently to a room, where the doctor retired a white sheet a little, showing him the pale face of lady Hera Glutony. Kirk looked for a long while the beloved face. Never again he will rejoice in the light of her eyes, nor his hears will listen her voice, calling his name with love.. The End.Please send a coin to Alfredo Juillet F, Santos Dumont 730, Santiago Chile . -------------------------------------------------------

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