"Well, Spock? Let's hear it." Kirk said as he placed his hands at his hips, starring out of the alleyway that they found themselves in. He checked for anyone who might be watching. To the average street beggar, the Starfleet attire they wore would have looked quite strange and out of place.
"We seem to be in early 19th century France, Captain. Or at the very least, a planet which has adapted to those customs. They are of course, accurate and very similar to that period of time on your Earth." The Vulcan explained as much as his logic would permit.
Jim's eyes darted up to the large red, blue and white flag that had caught his attention; blowing silently in the wind from a pole across the street. "…I see. That wasn't any ordinary transporter malfunction, then." He took out his communicator, which buzzed loudly much to his dismay and fear of the "natives" discovering them.
"Obviously, Captain." Spock said as he looked down at his Tricorder.
"Kirk to Enterprise…Kirk-" He sighed and shook his head. No signal whatsoever. He hastily put it back on his waist.
"Interesting." Spock suddenly exclaimed. Jim raised an eyebrow, silently asking for his Vulcan officer to clarify.
"There seems to be a large amount of activity over in that alleyway over there." He pointed to their right. A large tunnel with a rod iron gate that seemed to be locking in a large number of beggars. For what purpose this served, was unknown.
"They appear to be…..singing." Spock said with a pause and a vague sense of surprise in his tone.
"Singing?" Kirk asked, in bewilderment.
He poked his head around the corner of the stone wall, as did his science officer. Indeed, the beggars had all begun to sing….but they also seemed at the very same time, completely oblivious to anyone else…and were solely focused on themselves. The same could be said for anyone who walked by them.
"At the end of the day there's another day dawning.
And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise.
And the waves crash on the sand, like a storm that will break any second.
There's a hunger in the land!
And there's going to be hell to pay, at the end of the day!"
Their tones of voices were far from cheerful. This was a lament from the sick, the dying and diseased. But there was also hope, strength and courage there too. A dazzling display of the human spirit, which could be summed up in one word.
"Fascinating." Spock commented. "This planet seems be populated by vocally gifted individuals."
"It would seem that way, wouldn't it?" Kirk speculated. "Well, as long as we're here….and we can't get a hold of the Enterprise, we might as well take a look around." The Captain pointed out.
"That would be a very logical course of action, Captain." Said Spock.
And off they went, down the alley.