Crumbling Stones and Sliding Sands
Chapter 3
"O wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in't!"
The Tempest Act 5, scene 1
The rest of the day was uneventful; they continued traveling at a leisurely Warp 3 all through the evening and night. After dinner and a drink with Bones and Spock and further reassurances from the doctor about Peter, Jim slept well. He felt much better as he walked into the Main Briefing room the following morning.
Once again Spock assigned the Gamma shift to stay an extra hour on the bridge while the Alpha Bridge crew met for Uhura's briefing at 0800. Jim made arrangements with the mess to have breakfast delivered to the briefing room; might as well eat and work at the same time. Bones was already there with Christine Chapel who held a tray carrying the universal translator transponders; McCoy and Chapel were ready to implant the transponders in the crook of their arms. Uhura was also there, ready with her cultural and linguistic report. Giotto and Scotty walked in behind the two yeomen who were rolling in the breakfast carts.
"Thank you," Jim smiled at yeomen and dismissed them. "Serve yourselves everyone, and then Dr. McCoy and Chapel will implant your transponders and we'll eat breakfast." He offered his arm to Chapel who was far gentler with the injector than Bones was. It was short work to implant the transponders and have the doctor check them. They sat down to coffee and breakfast and Spock passed the padds around.
Uhura picked up hers. "You have the full report from the First Contact team in your padds, so please read it before we go down. I'm only going to touch on a few important points we need to be aware of before we beam down this afternoon."
"Excuse me, Lieutenant; about that," Jim said, "I've decided we'll all go down on The Galileo. Spock and I will beam back to the ship after our initial meeting and I'll leave the shuttle planet side for the team to use as needed. I want you all to be as mobile as possible and not have to depend on the ship for beam out." He nodded to Uhura."Please continue, Uhura."
"Thank you, Sir." Uhura transferred her report to the big screen. "One positive thing, since the Sansorans are humanoid, we share many of the same cultural mores, but I want to go over a few important differences for us to keep in mind:
"Sansorans do not shake hands so don't offer your hand. They'll greet us by grasping both our hands and bringing them up to their foreheads and then offer us a slight bow. Then we bring their hands to our foreheads and also give a slight bow. The greeting is both a sign of welcome and of respect."
"The whole planet only speaks one language. The Universal Translator algorithms for Sansoran were uploaded into the Federation data base by the First Contact Team, so we should have no problems understanding each other."
"Hmm," said McCoy. "That's probably why they're such a peaceful society. Speaking only one language makes it easier to both understand and communicate clearly and there is much less chance of misunderstandings and arguments due to lack of clarity."
"That's a very astute point, Dr. McCoy," Spock said approvingly. McCoy nodded genially in return and Jim beamed at them, pleased that so far there was peace at this meeting.
Uhura met Jim's eyes and they exchanged a small smile of amusement at the unusually civil exchange between McCoy and Spock. She continued,
"The marital bond of a Sansoran couple is for life; there is no divorce. Since they are a long lived people, possibly as long as 160 Earth Standard Years, they don't marry very young, usually in their late 30's in Earth Standard Years."
"Sansorans facial expressions are similar to humans; smiles, sadness, puzzlement, were easily recognized by the team; their laugher is soft, muted and gentle. The First Contact team never saw anger expressed nor did they see tears."
"The Sansorans love music and art; and they also enjoy dancing."
Uhura smiled at that; she loved singing and dancing so she was looking forward to experiencing this aspect of Sansoran culture. Perhaps we'll exchange songs, she thought happily, and then went on,
"The First Contact team reported that Sansoran food was fresh, delicious and safe for us to eat. They are omnivores although they seem to consume more fruits and vegetables than meat. Their water is clean and free of contaminants. They'll insist that we eat with them; to refuse is an insult, so let's be careful about that one," Uhura told them.
"The Hood sent a separate and lengthy report about the children. Apparently the children are adorable; gentle, affectionate, well behaved. They attend school from ages 4 to 16, E.S.Y. Something unusual: a child is never left alone, someone is always with them; a parent, grandparent, older siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins or a designated caregiver. "
"Sansorans do have religious observances. The Hood Team reported that they are monotheistic and that there are temples or churches scattered through out the cities and towns."
Uhura put down her padd. "These are just a few key points; please be sure to familiarize yourselves with the rest of the report before this afternoon." She turned to Jim. "That's all I have, Sir."
"Thank you, Lieutenant, very comprehensive. This afternoon we'll meet in the shuttle bay at 1300 and we'll head down to the planet. Don't forget it's dress uniforms. We're done here, so let's go mind the store until then," he told them. "Mr. Scott and Mr. Giotto, please stay for a minute." Jim waited until the doors shut behind the rest of the team and then turned to his two Commanders.
"Frank, I just wanted a word; I'm afraid you're going to have your work cut out for you. Sansarans are not prepared for conflict with the Klingons, or anybody else for that matter. I'm anxious to hear your thoughts after the needs assessment, but to my way of thinking, we're going to have to focus on defensive tactics and weapons. We don't have credits or time for more than that."
Giotto nodded. "I agree, Captain, and I think they'll need training too."
"I think you're right. It'll serve no purpose to upgrade the planet's defensive weaponry if the Sansorans don't have defensive tactical strategies in place. Klingons are aggressive and ruthless, but they seldom deviate from their well known battle strategies. I think your team will have to educate the Sansorans about Klingon battle tactics."
Giotto made a notation in his padd.
Jim turned to Scotty. "I think you're going to have to use most of your Engineering Department to check the buildings, Scotty, and then prioritize which of them will have to be reinforced first. Bones will insist on the hospitals being first, and I agree with that, but after that it will be your decision which to do next," Jim told him..
"Aye Sir. I've been thinking about the schools too. It would not do, to have one of those school buildings collapse on the wee bairns, not if I and my team have anything to say about it." Scotty's face was grim.
"We won't let that happen on our watch, Scotty," Jim said, a cold shiver going down his spine at the thought. "Thank you, gentlemen, let's get back to work, and remember dress uniforms for our first meeting with the Sansorans." He grimaced at the thought of putting on the hated green tunic again. It was stiff, shiny and the high collar chafed his neck. He detested the blasted thing.
The Alpha bridge crew returned to their stations and Scotty went to the shuttle bay to make sure The Galileo was ready for the Captain; it was cleaned inside and out and the shuttle skin was polished to a high sheen. Scotty's pride in all things connected to the Enterprise would allow nothing less. Also, he knew this was Jim's favorite shuttle, and the crew often referred to it as The Captain's shuttle rather then by its designated name.
After a late lunch Jim went to his cabin to get dressed and then he returned to the Bridge for last minute instructions. "Mr. Sulu, you have the comm. The ship will maintain an elliptical orbit around the planet. Don't go too far out, though, stay within communicator range. Mr. Spock and I should be back by nightfall. Take care of my ship, Mr. Sulu." He looked mock sternly at his helmsman.
Sulu smiled at his Captain. "Aye, Sir. Don't worry; all long range sensors will be hot and I'll keep a sharp eye out."
In the shuttle bay:
The team assembled by The Galileo, looking smart in their formal uniforms. Jim had put on all his medals as had Spock and McCoy. He hated all the pomp and circumstance associated with initial visits, but Star Fleet was adamant that all Star Fleet officers had to be formally attired for first meetings.
Jim took his place in the pilot's seat and Spock in the co pilot's. Jim loved to fly the shuttle and there were too few occasions when he had the opportunity, so he planned to enjoy this flight. "Mr. Spock, you have the coordinates for our landing site?"
"Yes, Captain." The navigation lights came on and Spock gave the shuttle computer the coordinates.
Jim went through his pre flight check list and the shuttle engine burst into life. The shuttle was capable of warp speed if needed, but only the impulse engines came on line. A shuttle pushed to warp speed strained the warp and impulse engines, so warp speed was only used for extreme emergencies. Jim let the shuttle impulse engine warm up a little as the main shuttle bay began its countdown to depressurize and the huge bay doors opened.
Jim turned his head to address his passengers behind him. "Everyone harnessed?"
"Aye, Sir."
"Good idea going in the shuttle, Jim. Beats using the transporter any day," McCoy said to him.
"I knew you'd like that, Bones." Jim smiled back at him. "Here we go," said Jim, and lifted The Galileo up and out the bay doors.
Once out in space, Jim hovered by the starboard side of the ship for a few minutes and then mischievously, without saying a word, took the shuttle for a flight around the ship. There were too few times when he could see his ship this close up and personal, so he took the Galileo up and then around his mighty ship as she hung becalmed above Sansora. Enterprise looked beautiful in the bright reflection of the Sansoran sun; her familiar lines glowed in flashes of white and blue, her bold lettering stood out crisp and clean. Her engine lights were off while she slumbered in the gravity well of the planet. Jim drew in a deep breath of delight at the sight of his beautiful ship.
McCoy hearing the indrawn breath picked up his cue without missing a beat. He spoke up from behind Jim. "Prettiest ship in the fleet, right Jim?"
"Absolutely, Bones," Jim agreed happily, as he made a steep course change to take them down to the planet.
The Galileo's navigational computer directed them to a strip of cleared land that could be called a landing strip if one felt generous with the description. Jim landed smoothly and looked out through the wide front shuttle window. He saw a small group of Sansorans waiting for them at the edge of the verge. "All right, people, show time," he said and opened the shuttle door.
He stepped out of the shuttle first and stood by the door as one by one his people came out. When they were out and standing by him, they walked with him in procession to the waiting group. Jim smiled at the Sansoran group and stood at relaxed attention in front of them. Protocol demanded that he make the initial greeting and overtures.
"Greetings," he said to the Sansoran who stood a little apart from the rest. "I'm Captain James T. Kirk, of the Star Ship Enterprise. We thank you for your invitation and welcome. These are my officers, Commander Spock, my Executive Officer; Dr. Leonard McCoy, my Chief Medical Officer; Lt. Uhura, my Communications Officer; Commander Scott, my Chief Engineer; Commander Giotto, my Chief of Security." He waited politely for the Sansorans to respond.
"Captain Kirk, I am Rual, Governor of this Province." To Jim's relief, the universal translator seemed to be working perfectly. The Governor, taller than Jim by several inches, reached out his bronzed long fingered hands and Jim raised his own to meet them and bowed. The Governor pulled Jim's hands to his forehead and bowed, then Jim did the same. The Governor's deep gravely voice was warm with pleasure. "Welcome to Sansora. It is our honor and pleasure to have you visit our world. We are joyful that your Star Ship has come to us and that we are a part of your Federation now."
Governor Rual smiled benignly at the Enterprise group. "Let me introduce you to the rest of us, Captain." As he introduced them, each one went up to the Star Fleet Officers and offered their hands and brought them to their foreheads in the traditional greeting. "This is Matarras," Rual said. "He is the leader of this city and this is Selia, his spouse," he said. As she stepped forward, in addition to the hands greeting, Selia gave each officer a shy smile. The Governor pulled a young man forward. "This is Tomalin. He is the head of our Medical department. I am very sure your Dr. McCoy and Tomalin will have much to discuss," Rual glanced over to Bones who nodded. "And this is Aadi. She is in charge of all communication and media on our planet." Uhura looked curiously at the young woman who would be working very closely with her. "This is Chimere, he is the person who will tell you about our buildings and what we have done to protect them from earthquakes. He is the same as Commander Scott; I believe you called him a Chief Engineer." When Chemere reached Scotty, the Enterprise's Chief Engineer greeted him with outstretched hands and a grin. "Well, laddie, it's a rare pleasure to meet another Engineer who is not from the ship. I know we'll work well together; and sure there's a lot of work in front of us."
The Governor brought the last of the Sansorans forward. "This is Gafna, he is in charge of defense and armament. The Hood officers were surprised at our lack of weapons, and said that we must remedy this. I explained that we have never had a need for them, but they were adamant." Rual's face reflected his puzzlement at this insistence and Jim had a sinking feeling that the First Contact team didn't explain the danger of the Klingons to the Sansorans. He couldn't really blame them, but it was obvious the buck had been passed to him and now he'd have to explain about the Klingons; but not yet, he thought. First they would get to know each other a little.
"Captain," Rual said. "We invite you and your crew to partake of refreshments. After that we will show you some of the city and where your crew will stay while they are with us. Is this acceptable to you?"
"It will be an honor, Governor Rual, thank you."
"Please come this way, Captain." He led the group past the grassy area and up a small rise toward a large stone building. "This is our city meeting place. Our meetings are held once every month and they are informal. Any one may speak or ask a question or request something that is needed." He glanced back to Matarras who was deep in conversation with Spock. Spock's face was intent, his attention never wavering from Matarras face.
McCoy caught up with Jim and walked by his side. "Everything OK, Bones?" Jim asked softly.
"Yep, everything is great. Looks like our stay here will be mighty interestin'." He glanced back at Spock. "Would you look at that? I think Spock's pretty excited to be here, Jim. That is, as excited as a Vulcan ever gets, anyway. I think his eyebrows might've risen a millimeter or two higher than usual so hopefully he doesn't get sick from all that excitement," Bones murmured softly in Jim's ear.
Jim cast him a glance which clearly said, "Behave yourself."
As they walked Jim felt a slight shiver under his feet. He stopped. "Did you feel that?" Governor Rual stopped too. "Ah, yes Captain, but there is no need for concern. It was a slight tremor, we have them very frequently," he told Jim.
Damn, thought Jim. Not good; but there's seems to be no sense of urgency here about the earthquakes.
They entered the building which was totally empty and Rual led them through to a smaller room which had obviously been prepared for them. There was a large table with platters filled with colorful foods and beverages. There were several smaller tables spaced through out the room with chairs pulled out for them to sit.
Rual spoke up." Please, come forward and choose your food and beverage. We hope you enjoy what has been prepared. You may sit where ever you choose. I encourage you to sit with your respective counter parts so you can begin to get to know each other."
Jim's crew came forward. Mindful of Uhura's briefing and Star Fleet protocol, they each chose something from each of the platters. The food was colorful; it looked fresh and appetizing and attractively presented.
"The beverage is fruit water that you will find refreshing. It is slightly sweet, and I think you will enjoy the taste."
He then turned to Jim. "Captain, shall we get our food and sit down? I feel we have much to discuss. Perhaps you can invite your Executive Officer to sit with us, and I will ask Matarras to do the same. He will be able to tell you much about this, his city, since it is where your crew will spend most of their time."
"Thank you, Governor Rual. That would be perfect."
