A/N: I know, I know, this chapter is really short, BUT I'm pretty sure it's going to be the shortest in the whole story, so you don't have to worry about the rest of the chapters looking like this.

Kirk stood outside the tent as the Ka'ari filed out. The feast had at last ended and it was about time to check in with the Enterprise.

Just as he was raising his communicator to contact them, the ship called him.

"Scotty, what is it?"

"Captain, we're picking up some strange readin's from the star," came the Scottish brogue.

"Explain."

"It's not a flare… at least, of the normal kind. The nearest we can figure is a pulse of strange radiation. Our sensors are a bi' off as a result. We hope t'-" he broke away from Kirk and started talking with someone. A voice like Chekov's was in the background. Kirk couldn't make out words, but he sounded worried.

"Captain, the pulse is stronger," Scotty came back. "Our readings are now jumping all over the place… we'll have t'move the ship out of range to stay safe…"

"Should we beam aboard?"

There was a long pause. "I could prob'bly mange that, sair," Scotty said. "But it's not conditions that I like."

Kirk considered. On the one hand, he didn't like being away from his ship too long; and there was no telling how long they would have to keep their distance. On the other, he didn't look forward to a risky beaming; and he sure knew Bones would hate it. Where was Bones, anyway? No matter, he'd find him. If they stayed, then they could also integrate more with the Ka'ari.

"Take the ship out to wherever you feel comfortable, Mr. Scott. We'll stay here for the duration. The atmosphere should protect us."

"Aye, sair. We estimate a couple of days, though. Should we beam down ye anything?"

"Negative, we'll use this opportunity to get more acquainted with the Ka'ari. Take care of her, Scotty."

"Ye know we will."

"Kirk out," he replaced the communicator as Caynar stepped out of his tent and joined him. His brow was creased slightly. "Something on your mind?" Kirk asked.

"I am a bit concerned for the second village," Caynar said, looking up the steep hill. "Earlier, some people who were outside heard a great cry come from it. There have been no messengers, though, so I don't think they are under attack, but I fear that something is amiss."

Kirk frowned and considered the second settlement. "Do you want to send someone up and see?"

Caynar remained silent, then slowly shook his head. "No. It would be two hours before I would hear back from them and I do not wish to desecrate the sacred time with commands and runners."

"Ah yes, Spock told me about that. Just what exactly starts today?"

Caynar merely smiled and pointed east, towards the second settlement. "Watch."

Rushing across the sky was a vast multitude of colors. They zoomed by overhead and disappeared towards the opposite horizon. The sky remained colorful, however. It was like a melting rainbow. Blues and greens swirled and reds and oranges drifted through the clouds. Kirk was mesmerized. It was a bit like aurora borealis. Distantly he realized that the strange radiation the Enterprise had picked up was causing the atmospheric reaction, but for now he could only observe its beauty.

"Behold," Caynar said. "The Time of Raining Light."

Okay, from here on out more ACTION is planned (and yes, ACTION must be in all caps). Please review; reviews= posts.