Starfleet had constructed their base in the manner of the indigenous people, buildings were built into cliffs and, in some places, hung under them like giant stalactites. I felt a little unsecure standing where a good gust of wind could send me over the edge and into an abyss. We were so high up we needed oxygen masks to breathe and could observe clouds and birds swirling hundreds of feet below our feet. I tried to imagine what this place would look like without the twisted and burned metal, but my attention was more heavily focused on removing obstacles so rescue teams could look for survivors. 

I developed a headache from the mental exercise. Spock, Nyota, and McCoy were conducting interviews with the local people, and Jim was with me, having left Scotty in charge of the Enterprise. A temporary structure had been erected so we could come and go without having to retreat to the tiny shuttles. It was a giant multi-roomed inflatable canvas tent, conveniently decked out with all the modern comforts anyone could ask for.

Around three we took a break for lunch. I bit into a pb&j and sat in silence with the members of the team from both ships. Understandably the atmosphere was a little tense. Many of the crew had known people stationed here. Rothlum joined the Federation about five years ago after many decades of persuasion by Starfleet envoys. The world didn't actually boast many advantages for the Federation, except furthering relations between peoples, but Starfleet had wanted another planet closer to the edge of known space as an ally. I hadn't actually seen any Rothlumites but read that they were humanoid with larger eyes, longer limbs, and tails. 

While I hadn't been in the preliminary outing, from what people were saying, whatever had happened here greatly spooked the Rothlumites. Everyone was eager for Spock and his team to return so, hopefully, some light would be shed on the situation.

Unfortunately for me, R'ulan was among those from the Montana assigned to the away team. Currently he was a few feet away, eating one of the very bland soups Vulcans favored. I had tried serval different meals from a variety of worlds and vowed never to eat anything of Vulcan origin again. Apparently flavor, sugar, and spices, of any kind were not necessary as food was required only to be nutritious. My human sweet tooth couldn't take it. I felt really bad because the night I tried a Vulcan dish Spock had chosen to join me for dinner. It took everything in my power not to spit my mouthful back on the plate. I gagged it down, then before I could stop myself, said that it was the most disgusting thing I'd ever eaten.  

I apologized over and over, but Spock assured me that many humans had the same reaction to Vulcan cuisine. I was still shame faced an hour later. Spock ate his gross Vulcan dish and I switched to the cleansing sugary goodness of pecan pie and ice cream. My attempts to get him to try my dinner were unsuccessful.

After lunch R'ulan, once again, stuck frustratingly close to me throughout my work. He observed my abilities with great interest, so did everyone else, but unlike the others he didn't bugger off after a while.

Later that night dinner was interrupted with the return of Spock and his team. Jim and Captain Stark ushered them into a private room. You could have heard a pin drop. But our attempt at eavesdropping was unsuccessful; even for me they spoke in tones too low.

🖖

"Wide stance, back straight and eyes focused." Chekov and I were on the flat plateau above the cliffs, and about to begin weapons training. He'd brought with him a device that looked like it was copied directly from A New Hope. It was a spherical ball that could float and move on its own accord and only about twelve inches in diameter. Chekov had a little remote that could up the difficulty by changing its speed and size. I took hold of the tiny gun he offered me. "How many settings are there on a blaster?"

"Two," I answered, "stun and kill."

"Correct. Show me how to properly hold the weapon." Nervously I made sure my footing was solid and grasped the gun like I'd seen soldiers do a thousand times. "Hold it a bit tighter, and adjust your fingers, like this." He demonstrated the technique and I copied him. "Good. Make sure the safety is on and then I want you to squeeze the trigger, don't pull."

The green light was going steady to indicate safety was engaged. Chekov had me practice a few more times before he let me take the safety off. To start he made the disk just sit still in midair at its full size. He gave some last minute advice and told me that the kick wouldn't be as severe as a gun from my time but there would be one.

I managed to hit the very edge of the disk. I tried again and eventually my aim and response time got better. He switched sizes and made the disk fly around at various speeds. I was less good at this and resisted the urge to use my telekinesis to keep the damn thing in one place. The reasonable part of my mind kept reminding me that would defeat the purpose of this exercise. We spent a couple hours with target practice before the sun went down then returned to the tent.

People were settling in on bunks for the night and with my headache refusing to leave, laying down sounded pretty good. An hour before lights out Spock found me relaxing on my cot. Mine was just one in a long row that stretched from wall to wall.

"Miss Sharpe, I am sorry to disturb you, but I would like a word before you retire."

"What's up?"

"A scouting team has just returned form inside the base." That was news. I knew that we'd managed to clear enough debris for an entrance but hadn't heard someone was sent in. "They reported further wreckage made it impossible for them to venture more than fifteen meters. I came here to ask if you would be willing to join the next scout team. With your skills we may be able to proceed."

"Of course."

He handed me a datapad. "This file contains all the information you will need on the EVA suits we will be wearing while inside the structure. Please read it as thoroughly as possible. Report to Jim's office at 0700, by that time the rest of the team will be selected."