Disclaimer: I lay no claim to the Star Trek universe or its characters. Just want to borrow them for a while. (The character of Phyllida Gaines was created by Marcia Ericson as published in her story "The Enchanted Pool," in Star Trek: The New Voyages.) I hope you like my story; please read and review.
The Long Way Home
"Captain's Log: Star Date 4163.8. While on a routine patrol mission to Outpost 7, Enterprise has received a distress signal from a Federation colony located on planet M64 in Sector 13. Enterprise is the nearest ship in this sector and as such we have responded to the call. The delay should, at most, be no more than a few hours." Captain James Kirk completed the recording, hitting the button on the arm of his command chair and settling back. "Mr. Spock," he said, turning toward the science station, "What information do we have regarding M64 and the colony there?"
Spock swiveled his chair to face the captain. "All Federation scans to this point have revealed the planet to be uninhabited with the exception of lower animal life forms and for the most part, it is highly vegetated and has a stable, temperate climate. A Federation colony was begun there approximately one year ago to study the indigenous plant and animal life. Most recent contact with the colony was six months ago, at which time there were no reported problems."
"So whatever happened there probably happened very suddenly and recently," Kirk surmised.
"That is a possibility, Captain," Spock replied, "However, I would hesitate to make such presumptions without additional information. Six months is a long enough period of time for any number of things to have happened."
"Klingons?"
"Possible, but not probable. This is far afield of their usual sphere of influence. Even Romulan intervention, though more probable, would likely not explain the situation."
Kirk nodded slightly and turned toward the communications station. "Lieutenant Uhura, play back the distress call."
"Aye, sir," she responded. Her slender fingers played lightly over the keys and within seconds a nearly hysterical voice sounded over the bridge com.
"This is Commander Martin of the M64 colony. If anyone can hear this, please – please help us! We can't get away – most of our people are dead already! They mean to kill us all! You must help us!" The message lapsed into static.
"It's a recording, Captain," Uhura volunteered. There is no way of determining how long ago it was made. I have continued to monitor and there have been no new messages."
Kirk nodded in acknowledgement. Who was "they," he thought.
"Captain," Spock announced, "We are approaching the planet."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock. Engage forward view screen." A blue-green planet with a hazy cloud cover shimmered in the distance and slowly filled the screen. "Standard orbit, Mr. Sulu."
"Aye, sir. Plotted and laid in." Lieutenant Commander Sulu set the coordinates with practiced precision.
"Spock," Kirk said, rising from the command chair, "I want you to head up a landing party to the surface. We're going to find out what happened down there." Spock stood to face him, hands folded loosely behind his back. Kirk continued. "Take a three-man security team, a medical officer of McCoy's choice, and that new transfer from Yorktown..." he hesitated, "What's her name?"
Spock stiffened imperceptibly. "Lieutenant Gaines."
"Right." Kirk turned to Uhura. "Relay the coordinates of the distress signal to the transporter room and have Lieutenant Gaines and the security team meet us there."
"Aye, sir."
"And tell McCoy I need one of his officers for a landing party in 5 minutes in the transporter room."
Uhura nodded and began making the calls as Kirk moved toward the turbolift, his first officer following.
-----------------
Transporter room one bustled with activity as the landing party assembled and checked their gear. The door hissed open to admit Captain Kirk and First Officer Spock, and the crew came to quiet attention.
"Dr. Wilson," Kirk addressed the young, dark-haired man who stood before him. "Dr. McCoy tells me that you can handle just about anything that comes up."
The youthful doctor nodded. "Yes sir. I specialized in combat medicine."
"Good. We don't know what to expect down there." The captain stopped, taking in the landing crew. "As for the rest of you, be on the alert for anything. The colonists were not specific with their message; all we know is that a life-threatening situation exists where six months ago there was none. Mr. Spock is in command and can fill you in on any necessary details." He paused again, scanning their faces. Good crew, he thought. He turned to his first officer. "Mr. Spock, keep us posted. McCoy is standing by in sickbay to receive survivors, but use discretion; if there is any trouble I want you out of there – understood?"
"Understood, Captain." Spock motioned to his small crew to take their positions on the transporter pads. Lieutenant Phyllida Gaines, standing on the pad nearest Spock, flashed him a smile which he chose to ignore.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Spock," she whispered.
"Energize," came the Vulcan's command.
----------------
The landing party materialized inside a small room that seemed more than anything like the aftermath of a tornado. Assorted crates and machinery lay scattered about amid rubble from a ceiling that seemingly threatened to fall at any moment. Though signs of struggle were evident, there were no inhabitants and no bodies to be seen. In the corner, Spock's tricorder registered the presence of a small terminal buried beneath the rubble; its insistent flashing indicated a message was still being sent. He switched it off.
Spock glanced around the room, taking in the eerie silence, and addressed the crew. "We will separate into groups of two and scout the colony area, taking complete tricorder readings. Ensign Davis," he indicated one of the security men, "You team up with Doctor Wilson. DuPuy and Echols, you make another team. Lieutenant Gaines, you are with me. Keep your communicator frequencies open and report anything the least bit unusual; we will meet back here in half an hour." A chorus of acknowledgements followed as the crew spread out and began their search.
------------------
Kirk had not been back on the bridge for more than 20 minutes when Chekov reported from the science station that a large ion storm was approaching.
"ETA, Mr. Chekov?"
"I vould estimate 2 hours at its present course and speed, Keptin."
That doesn't give Spock much time, Kirk thought. "Very well, Lieutenant. Maintain surveillance of the storm and let me know of any change."
"Aye, Sir."
-----------------
On the surface, Spock and his party had turned up nothing remarkable except one small detail. Despite a search of the immediate area surrounding the beam-down point, there were no bodies; no trace of the colony could be found apart from the abandoned and ruined instruments. Checking his tricorder readings yet again, Spock moved toward the doctor. "Dr. Wilson, you can locate no disease-producing organisms? Anything that can account for our findings?"
The young doctor looked at him with puzzled eyes. "No, Commander. It's strange, too, that they should just disappear like this. I really am at a loss to explain it. If I could just find some physical remains I might be able to determine a cause."
"Yes – fascinating. Carry on, Doctor."
"Yes, Mr. Spock."
In answer to the beep that had just sounded, Spock flipped open his communicator. "Spock here."
"Spock," came Kirk's voice, "We have a large ion storm on our scanners moving rapidly in this direction. Don't stay down there any longer than you have to. ETA is 2 hours." There was a pause. "Revise that ETA to 90 minutes, Mr. Spock. That storm is really bearing down on us. I want you up here within 40 minutes."
"Acknowledged, Captain. I shall take the necessary precautions. Spock out." He strode quickly toward the others. "I have just been informed of an ion storm heading this way. Please continue your research as efficiently and quickly as possible. Meet back here in half an hour." The crew acknowledged and once again split into their assigned groups to finish gathering data.
Phyllida Gaines stood a few feet away with her back to him, taking tricorder readings. Her golden hair cascaded around her shoulders in an almost non-regulation style. Two years had passed since the incident on Mevinna; years during which Spock had set aside all memory of the lovely lieutenant and their unusual escape from the Andorian force field. But, with her transfer to Enterprise, memories began again to crowd in upon him; her winsome smile pervaded his thoughts unmercifully and he could still feel her warm lips on his own from the remembered kiss. "I am your destiny," she had said. Illogical. Drawing himself up, the unwanted thoughts and rousing emotions were thrust aside with stern Vulcan discipline and the welcome and familiar non-emotion settled upon him like a shield.
"Lieutenant Gaines."
She turned. "Sir?" The mischief dancing in those blue eyes was apparent even without a smile.
Spock cleared his throat. "What are your findings in correlation with the possibility of a technical breakdown and/or cause of such within the colony itself?
"Well, certain technological functions have ceased. The exact date of which I can't be certain, except that it was fairly recent. Some systems appear to have merely stopped due to lack of maintenance, others have apparently been sabotaged. Whether by the colonists themselves in an unstable emotional state or by some outside force, it is impossible to tell. However, I did find some unusual markings over here..." He followed her inside a nearby building that had apparently been a laboratory for the colonists. "See, here; on this piece of machinery." She pointed out a large dent in the side of the main computer console. Inside and around the indentation were several sets of parallel scratch marks as though made by giant hands.
"Fascinating..."
By the time Spock and Gaines heard the cries it was already too late. On reaching the point where DuPuy and Echols had been scouting, they found very little left of the men. They met Doctor Wilson running to the scene from the opposite direction. Spock's tricorder was out in an instant, as was the doctor's.
"How horrible!" Phyllida gasped at the sight of the badly burned and decomposed bodies.
Spock was down on one knee, scanning the strange looking plants on which one of the bodies lay. "Apparently these plants produce a type of fast-acting acid, making their prey easier to digest," he commented. "It looks as though those vines...Doctor!"
The doctor turned from the body he was examining in time to see the vine come up to encircle his neck. He let out a strangled cry as Spock quickly fired on the plant with his phaser, destroying it instantly. Gaines lowered Wilson gently to the grass.
"Too late..." she said softly, "Too late."
Spock knelt to examine the wound around the doctor's neck. "The acid appears to be even faster acting than I had thought. See, where the tissue and vessels have been completely dissolved." He rose, taking Gaines by the arm. "Come, we must avoid the slightest contact with these plants."
"We can't just leave him here!"
"That is an order, Lieutenant. Let's go now!" She acquiesced reluctantly to the pressure on her arm, but her gaze remained fixed on Wilson's body as they quickly left the area. On the move, Spock opened his communicator and signaled to Ensign Davis, who had been scouting with Doctor Wilson. "Ensign Davis, respond."
"Here, Mr. Spock," came the reply.
"Ensign, return to the beam-down point promptly. Stay clear of the forest and be on your guard for creeping vines that we have determined to be deadly."
"Aye, Sir. On my way. Davis out."
Spock and Gaines had nearly reached the beam-down point when Spock's communicator signaled. "Spock here."
"Spock," came Kirk's urgent voice, "You and your party must come up at once. The storm is advancing much more rapidly."
"Yes, Sir." Although Spock was reluctant to leave when he was so close to finding a solution to the disappearance of the colony, he knew that with the loss of half of his crew and the advancing storm nothing more could be accomplished at this time. "We'll be ready within 5 minutes. Spock out." He changed frequencies on his communicator and signaled to Ensign Davis, who still had not returned. "Ensign Davis, return to the beam-down point." Silence. "Ensign Davis, respond!"
Phyllida's brows drew together as she cast a worried look at Spock. "What if he can't respond?" She pulled out her tricorder and started scanning in Davis' last known direction.
Spock answered by calling Enterprise. "Captain, one of my team is missing and is not responding. We have to find him before we beam out."
"Spock, you're out of time."
"Just a few more minutes, Captain." He looked at Lieutenant Gaines, who looked up from her tricorder and shook her head.
"No life signs that I can find. I don't think he made it."
"Spock," Kirk was fairly shouting, "You don't HAVE a few minutes! Stand by to beam up at my sig...........no for an ans..........."
"Captain? Captain!" The only reply was static.
The Long Way Home
"Captain's Log: Star Date 4163.8. While on a routine patrol mission to Outpost 7, Enterprise has received a distress signal from a Federation colony located on planet M64 in Sector 13. Enterprise is the nearest ship in this sector and as such we have responded to the call. The delay should, at most, be no more than a few hours." Captain James Kirk completed the recording, hitting the button on the arm of his command chair and settling back. "Mr. Spock," he said, turning toward the science station, "What information do we have regarding M64 and the colony there?"
Spock swiveled his chair to face the captain. "All Federation scans to this point have revealed the planet to be uninhabited with the exception of lower animal life forms and for the most part, it is highly vegetated and has a stable, temperate climate. A Federation colony was begun there approximately one year ago to study the indigenous plant and animal life. Most recent contact with the colony was six months ago, at which time there were no reported problems."
"So whatever happened there probably happened very suddenly and recently," Kirk surmised.
"That is a possibility, Captain," Spock replied, "However, I would hesitate to make such presumptions without additional information. Six months is a long enough period of time for any number of things to have happened."
"Klingons?"
"Possible, but not probable. This is far afield of their usual sphere of influence. Even Romulan intervention, though more probable, would likely not explain the situation."
Kirk nodded slightly and turned toward the communications station. "Lieutenant Uhura, play back the distress call."
"Aye, sir," she responded. Her slender fingers played lightly over the keys and within seconds a nearly hysterical voice sounded over the bridge com.
"This is Commander Martin of the M64 colony. If anyone can hear this, please – please help us! We can't get away – most of our people are dead already! They mean to kill us all! You must help us!" The message lapsed into static.
"It's a recording, Captain," Uhura volunteered. There is no way of determining how long ago it was made. I have continued to monitor and there have been no new messages."
Kirk nodded in acknowledgement. Who was "they," he thought.
"Captain," Spock announced, "We are approaching the planet."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock. Engage forward view screen." A blue-green planet with a hazy cloud cover shimmered in the distance and slowly filled the screen. "Standard orbit, Mr. Sulu."
"Aye, sir. Plotted and laid in." Lieutenant Commander Sulu set the coordinates with practiced precision.
"Spock," Kirk said, rising from the command chair, "I want you to head up a landing party to the surface. We're going to find out what happened down there." Spock stood to face him, hands folded loosely behind his back. Kirk continued. "Take a three-man security team, a medical officer of McCoy's choice, and that new transfer from Yorktown..." he hesitated, "What's her name?"
Spock stiffened imperceptibly. "Lieutenant Gaines."
"Right." Kirk turned to Uhura. "Relay the coordinates of the distress signal to the transporter room and have Lieutenant Gaines and the security team meet us there."
"Aye, sir."
"And tell McCoy I need one of his officers for a landing party in 5 minutes in the transporter room."
Uhura nodded and began making the calls as Kirk moved toward the turbolift, his first officer following.
-----------------
Transporter room one bustled with activity as the landing party assembled and checked their gear. The door hissed open to admit Captain Kirk and First Officer Spock, and the crew came to quiet attention.
"Dr. Wilson," Kirk addressed the young, dark-haired man who stood before him. "Dr. McCoy tells me that you can handle just about anything that comes up."
The youthful doctor nodded. "Yes sir. I specialized in combat medicine."
"Good. We don't know what to expect down there." The captain stopped, taking in the landing crew. "As for the rest of you, be on the alert for anything. The colonists were not specific with their message; all we know is that a life-threatening situation exists where six months ago there was none. Mr. Spock is in command and can fill you in on any necessary details." He paused again, scanning their faces. Good crew, he thought. He turned to his first officer. "Mr. Spock, keep us posted. McCoy is standing by in sickbay to receive survivors, but use discretion; if there is any trouble I want you out of there – understood?"
"Understood, Captain." Spock motioned to his small crew to take their positions on the transporter pads. Lieutenant Phyllida Gaines, standing on the pad nearest Spock, flashed him a smile which he chose to ignore.
"Nice to see you again, Mr. Spock," she whispered.
"Energize," came the Vulcan's command.
----------------
The landing party materialized inside a small room that seemed more than anything like the aftermath of a tornado. Assorted crates and machinery lay scattered about amid rubble from a ceiling that seemingly threatened to fall at any moment. Though signs of struggle were evident, there were no inhabitants and no bodies to be seen. In the corner, Spock's tricorder registered the presence of a small terminal buried beneath the rubble; its insistent flashing indicated a message was still being sent. He switched it off.
Spock glanced around the room, taking in the eerie silence, and addressed the crew. "We will separate into groups of two and scout the colony area, taking complete tricorder readings. Ensign Davis," he indicated one of the security men, "You team up with Doctor Wilson. DuPuy and Echols, you make another team. Lieutenant Gaines, you are with me. Keep your communicator frequencies open and report anything the least bit unusual; we will meet back here in half an hour." A chorus of acknowledgements followed as the crew spread out and began their search.
------------------
Kirk had not been back on the bridge for more than 20 minutes when Chekov reported from the science station that a large ion storm was approaching.
"ETA, Mr. Chekov?"
"I vould estimate 2 hours at its present course and speed, Keptin."
That doesn't give Spock much time, Kirk thought. "Very well, Lieutenant. Maintain surveillance of the storm and let me know of any change."
"Aye, Sir."
-----------------
On the surface, Spock and his party had turned up nothing remarkable except one small detail. Despite a search of the immediate area surrounding the beam-down point, there were no bodies; no trace of the colony could be found apart from the abandoned and ruined instruments. Checking his tricorder readings yet again, Spock moved toward the doctor. "Dr. Wilson, you can locate no disease-producing organisms? Anything that can account for our findings?"
The young doctor looked at him with puzzled eyes. "No, Commander. It's strange, too, that they should just disappear like this. I really am at a loss to explain it. If I could just find some physical remains I might be able to determine a cause."
"Yes – fascinating. Carry on, Doctor."
"Yes, Mr. Spock."
In answer to the beep that had just sounded, Spock flipped open his communicator. "Spock here."
"Spock," came Kirk's voice, "We have a large ion storm on our scanners moving rapidly in this direction. Don't stay down there any longer than you have to. ETA is 2 hours." There was a pause. "Revise that ETA to 90 minutes, Mr. Spock. That storm is really bearing down on us. I want you up here within 40 minutes."
"Acknowledged, Captain. I shall take the necessary precautions. Spock out." He strode quickly toward the others. "I have just been informed of an ion storm heading this way. Please continue your research as efficiently and quickly as possible. Meet back here in half an hour." The crew acknowledged and once again split into their assigned groups to finish gathering data.
Phyllida Gaines stood a few feet away with her back to him, taking tricorder readings. Her golden hair cascaded around her shoulders in an almost non-regulation style. Two years had passed since the incident on Mevinna; years during which Spock had set aside all memory of the lovely lieutenant and their unusual escape from the Andorian force field. But, with her transfer to Enterprise, memories began again to crowd in upon him; her winsome smile pervaded his thoughts unmercifully and he could still feel her warm lips on his own from the remembered kiss. "I am your destiny," she had said. Illogical. Drawing himself up, the unwanted thoughts and rousing emotions were thrust aside with stern Vulcan discipline and the welcome and familiar non-emotion settled upon him like a shield.
"Lieutenant Gaines."
She turned. "Sir?" The mischief dancing in those blue eyes was apparent even without a smile.
Spock cleared his throat. "What are your findings in correlation with the possibility of a technical breakdown and/or cause of such within the colony itself?
"Well, certain technological functions have ceased. The exact date of which I can't be certain, except that it was fairly recent. Some systems appear to have merely stopped due to lack of maintenance, others have apparently been sabotaged. Whether by the colonists themselves in an unstable emotional state or by some outside force, it is impossible to tell. However, I did find some unusual markings over here..." He followed her inside a nearby building that had apparently been a laboratory for the colonists. "See, here; on this piece of machinery." She pointed out a large dent in the side of the main computer console. Inside and around the indentation were several sets of parallel scratch marks as though made by giant hands.
"Fascinating..."
By the time Spock and Gaines heard the cries it was already too late. On reaching the point where DuPuy and Echols had been scouting, they found very little left of the men. They met Doctor Wilson running to the scene from the opposite direction. Spock's tricorder was out in an instant, as was the doctor's.
"How horrible!" Phyllida gasped at the sight of the badly burned and decomposed bodies.
Spock was down on one knee, scanning the strange looking plants on which one of the bodies lay. "Apparently these plants produce a type of fast-acting acid, making their prey easier to digest," he commented. "It looks as though those vines...Doctor!"
The doctor turned from the body he was examining in time to see the vine come up to encircle his neck. He let out a strangled cry as Spock quickly fired on the plant with his phaser, destroying it instantly. Gaines lowered Wilson gently to the grass.
"Too late..." she said softly, "Too late."
Spock knelt to examine the wound around the doctor's neck. "The acid appears to be even faster acting than I had thought. See, where the tissue and vessels have been completely dissolved." He rose, taking Gaines by the arm. "Come, we must avoid the slightest contact with these plants."
"We can't just leave him here!"
"That is an order, Lieutenant. Let's go now!" She acquiesced reluctantly to the pressure on her arm, but her gaze remained fixed on Wilson's body as they quickly left the area. On the move, Spock opened his communicator and signaled to Ensign Davis, who had been scouting with Doctor Wilson. "Ensign Davis, respond."
"Here, Mr. Spock," came the reply.
"Ensign, return to the beam-down point promptly. Stay clear of the forest and be on your guard for creeping vines that we have determined to be deadly."
"Aye, Sir. On my way. Davis out."
Spock and Gaines had nearly reached the beam-down point when Spock's communicator signaled. "Spock here."
"Spock," came Kirk's urgent voice, "You and your party must come up at once. The storm is advancing much more rapidly."
"Yes, Sir." Although Spock was reluctant to leave when he was so close to finding a solution to the disappearance of the colony, he knew that with the loss of half of his crew and the advancing storm nothing more could be accomplished at this time. "We'll be ready within 5 minutes. Spock out." He changed frequencies on his communicator and signaled to Ensign Davis, who still had not returned. "Ensign Davis, return to the beam-down point." Silence. "Ensign Davis, respond!"
Phyllida's brows drew together as she cast a worried look at Spock. "What if he can't respond?" She pulled out her tricorder and started scanning in Davis' last known direction.
Spock answered by calling Enterprise. "Captain, one of my team is missing and is not responding. We have to find him before we beam out."
"Spock, you're out of time."
"Just a few more minutes, Captain." He looked at Lieutenant Gaines, who looked up from her tricorder and shook her head.
"No life signs that I can find. I don't think he made it."
"Spock," Kirk was fairly shouting, "You don't HAVE a few minutes! Stand by to beam up at my sig...........no for an ans..........."
"Captain? Captain!" The only reply was static.