t took two hours and ten minutes to return to the planet.

It was renamed Asperagayia by the group after the inhabitants.

The current recognized name was Taxis Tarrif. McCoy and Jim were snickering in the corner of the shuttle together once submitting the name application to Star Fleet Command with explicit reasons why. Spock and Fuller elected to ignore the two men's deteriorating power to resist laughter. The amusement was that it had the word 'gay' in it that could slip as a legitimate name. The asperagay were a entirely recognizably sentient population. They had decided where the colony could be established at a safe place from the predators and the herbivores. The herbivores were deemed gigantic but docile and harmless. Asides to the gigantic porcupines, crabs, cougars, orangutans, and wolves and so on.

They had established the temporary colony building by large collections of thick, fat tree branches, cutting the stray branches off, and placing leaves over it. All of which required getting their hands dirty. They used a nearby stream to clean their hands off. Humfree was not allowed to join in. Spock carried most of the wood while the humans quickly assembled the make shift fort. Never mind the accidental touches the commander did with the captain. Never mind chipping their fingernails. Never mind getting splinters in their fingers. It was all worth it when it came to giving a safe place for families. It looked safe, built safe, and presented to be safe, for now.

They had sent a message to the Enterprise regarding where to find them upon dropping off the supplies. The shuttle craft lowered to the ground, slowly, while Humfree was set along the entrance in a chair appearing to be rather unhappy regarding his fate. Sure he had great expectations for his future but being held as a killer and being restrained at the same time? That topped the cake. Jim didn't trust him lone on the shuttle craft so he was going with them. It was unfair. Life was not fair being on a alien planet. The sky was moving around the shuttle craft. The clouds lurked past. All of which were convincing enough that he was indeed on this planet. He just wanted to leave the damn planet.

Life did not always agree with the scientist.

"Say," McCoy said. "were the other scientists in uniform unlike ya?"

"Yes," Humfree said. "I just like elbow gloves and havin' a shoulder. I had a say in engineering this version."

"What is the difference between the two?" McCoy asked.

"We have human arms," Humfree said. "that don't radiate heat. Made entirely by roots."

"Don't look like roots," McCoy said, observing the pink shoulders.

"That is bright, neon pink make up," Humfree said.

"Oh," McCoy said. "good make up."

"Thank you," Humfree said, as the shuttle craft came to a trembling landing onto the ground.

"Landing successful," the computer announced.

"Mr Humfree," Jim said, as Spock joined the captain. "lead us to your leader."

"That came out wron'," McCoy said, getting out of his chair.

"I meant people," Jim said.

Fuller forced Humfree to his feet.

"Come along," Fuller said.

"Bones, you can stay behind," Jim said.

"Ah no," McCoy said. "I have been on too many away missions to know that somethin' bad is goin' to happen to either of us if we split up."

"You have a installed set of phasers at the entrance," Fuller said. "if the captain is injured, you will be informed upon our return."

Spock nodded his head.

"We are adequately covered, doctor," Spock activated his federation standard phaser. "as is the captain. You need to chill."

"I will chill when I am retired," McCoy replied.

Jim came over to the doctor's side and squeezed his shoulder.

"We need a living doctor," Jim said. Casting that hopeful, optimistic smile back. "A dead one is useless."

"Fair enough," McCoy said, as the door slid open to the shuttle craft.

Jim and Spock went out first side by side down the ramp.

"Close the door after we leave," Fuller said. "the next batch, he is going to be dead straight in his cell in that colony."

"I will," McCoy said, his eyes lingering after the two younger men.

"Let's go," Fuller said, taking Humfree by the shoulder and guided him out.

McCoy closed the door experiencing worry about the away team watching the figures vanish before his sight. He pressed a button to the side. The door closed. He was going to grow gray worrying over the two officers and one day that might kill him untimely. But they always came back. And they will come back in one piece. He was not going to be left alone without them. There, the doctor waited for them looking through the window watching them vanish before his line of sight.