Ocean Leave

By Caroline Miniscule

Introduction

I've been a fan of Star Trek: TOS for over 30 years. (Yes, I watched Star Trek when it was first aired!) I'm a veteran of Avengers fan fiction, and have decided to try my hand at the Star Trek variety. (Check my profile for my Avengers fiction here, and my other, non-fiction writing at my website, The Thunder Child.)

This is part 1 of a 5-part story called Ocean Leave. "The crew of the Enterprise are to have shore leave on the blue water planet of Sivabos, but all is not as it seems".

Chapter One:

Three starships came out of warp speed at the edge of the Sivabos solar system, and proceeded toward the third planet of that system at sub-light speed, in perfect formation.

One of the ships was a freighter, carrying ancient and antiquated ocean going vessels of all shapes and sizes, from recreation craft such as sailboats to powerboats to cruise liners, to working ships such as fishing trawlers and factory ships.

The second ship carried tourists from around the galaxy, men, women and children who wanted to spend time on a blue water world that still teemed with ocean life. A world where they could utilize the pleasure craft, and re-enact the days of antiquity when men had to make their living from the sea without the aid of robots.

The third ship was the U.S.S. Enterprise. The Enterprise had just finished a six month tour of duty and had been granted shore leave, and the crew had voted to visit the planet Sivabos and get in some sunbathing - under a yellow sun - some fishing, some surfing, and whatever other recreations the planet -- one vast, if brand-new tourist destination -- provided.

Once they arrived at the planet, the freighter split off to take its cargo to the other side of the world. The planet's visitors would not have to wait for the unloading of these craft, of course - but would have the use of ships that had been sent over a year ago. Indeed, Sivabos Water World was currently celebrating its first anniversary in business by doubling its fleet.

The rotas for the crew's shore leave had been determined in advance. One-tenth of the crew would be transported down each day, with three days on the planet. Each subsequent tenth of the crew would overlap its predecessors by a day.

However, before any crew would beam down, Captain James T. Kirk would take a security party of ten down to the planet. He would present his compliments to Techno Ocean - the owners of the planet and all its tourism facilities - while the security party would check the facilities and ensure that the habitations met acceptable safety levels. As usual, Spock would remain in command of the Enterprise until Kirk's return.

"Captain," said Lieutenant Uhuru, "I'm getting a communication from the Silvestre."

The Silvestre was the tourist liner that had accompanied them, and the freighter, to the planet.

"It's Madame Vanschuir."

Madame Vanschuir was one of the principles of TechnoOcean. She and Kirk had conversed often during their trip here. Indeed, each had beamed aboard the other's vessel on more than one occasion to have dinner, and attend the theatre or other entertainments laid on by the entertainment directors of both ships.

"Put her onscreen, Lieutenant," requested Kirk.

The face of Madame Vanschuir filled the screen. She was a woman who looked to be in her fifties, with a severe black dress which she affected and a black streak through her white hair, which was drawn back from her face and clipped at the back of her neck. The lines of her face were patrician, and she was slender and lithe as a woman half her age.

"Captain Kirk, I'm about to beam down to our Residence," she said. "May I expect the pleasure of your company there?'

"In ten minutes, Madame Vanschuir," Kirk told her with a smile. "If you'll pass along the coordinates to my transporter chief?"

"Yes, I'll forward them now. See you soon."

The screen blacked out.

Kirk felt Spock's presence at his elbow.

"The security party is in Transporter Room," Spock informed him in his quiet way.

"Right. I'll give them their final instructions and let them beam down first. Then I'll beam down to the Residence. Mr. Spock, you have the con."

Spock took his place in the command chair, and Kirk left the bridge, a lightness in his step. It was part of his duty to meet the TechnoOcean corporate officers, but it would be a pleasure to see Madame Vanschuir again.

Captain Kirk strode to the main Transporter Room. As usual, Chief Engineer Scott was behind the controls. Scotty seemed to spend 12 hours a day in the engine room, babying the engines, and the other 12 hours in the transporter rooms, babying them. When he slept Kirk never knew.

The Security Party - ten red-shirted men and women - waited for him.

"Mankiewicz?"

The Security Chief, Rhonda Mankiewicz, stepped forward.

"Sir?"

"You've briefed the party?"

"Yes, sir, as per your instructions."

"Very good."

He nodded, and the party stepped onto the transporter pads. Scott's hands ran over the controls, and in due course ten columns of shimmering light lit up the room, then faded away.

Kirk stood by the control console.

"Well, Scotty, what are your plans for your shore leave?" he said casually.

As he expected, Scotty listed the types of engines in the antiquated ships that were supposed to be in operation on the planet below. He had his overalls ready and was intending to go into the engine rooms of all those ships, and get his hands greasy.

There was a beep, and Spock spoke.

"Captain."

"Yes?"

"Chief Mankiewicz has reported in. The security party arrived and was greeted by their escorts. They've split up and are investigating their assigned areas. She'll report back in another hour or so."

"Very good, Mr. Spock. I'll be transporting down now, to the TechnoOcean Residence."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll check in when I arrive." This was standard procedure, and Spock didn't need to be told it, but it was standard procedure to tell him.

Kirk stood on the transporter pad, and braced himself as his molecules began to churn within him. The initial feeling of the transporter dispersal, and its re-integration, were always uncomfortable to him.

He blinked, and found himself on a pad at the TechnoOcean Residence. Madame Vanschuir strode forward. "James."

"Sealke."

She took his arm. "Let me show you around."