4 Course on Vulcan

He still wasn't able to meditate. For three days, since he had set foot on this planet. He should probably go to the Doctor. Why hadn't he done so already? Perhaps he was inhaling something affecting his brain functions, something stealing his concentration away. Something heating is blood. He imagined how he would go to sickbay and tell Dr. Crusher about his symptoms. How she would scan him caring with a tricorder. It would be better to go in the night, when Dr. Selar was on duty. Illogical. The Vulcan Doctor doesn't necessarily know better about Vulcan physiology than the human. Or about Vulcan biochemy and the hot atmosphere of this planet. The gases which were stealing his mind, while they didn't harm anyone else. The gases, which burned in his blood and heated it up to the boiling point. Only one volcano was going to erupt here. The others were snow covered mountains, which would stand there cold and uncomprehending when his lava would spout without control. They would be afraid of the flames and they would look away with revulsion. He rose form the dust of the planet and tried to block these irrational thoughts. He went slowly back to the multiple devices laboring to produce Halascium V.

"Taurik!"

"Sorry, Commander, magnetic field compensator seven is working under normal parameters!"

"Is everything okay with you?" Cmdr. La Forge was looking at him apprehensively.

"Yes...I assume, that the atmosphere of the planet is affecting my ability to concentrate...I'll compensate for that."

"I understand, the heat is roasting one rather neatly here. You better go coolin' yourself under a cold shower for a few minutes. One can already see your green blood going to your head." La Forge smiled jestingly, "ask our Avalaen friends, they'll show you where you can refresh yourself a little here." He tapped his Ensign sympathetic on the shoulder. Taurik twitched slightly. The Chief Engineer was looking at him apprehensively again. "But you're shuddering, Taurik!" he realized astonished. "You'd better go to sickbay, before you fall into the next crater...And I used to think you Vulcans were adapted to a climate of this sort!" –

"I think...I'm capable...to fulfill my duty...after a little rest."

"Respect for your diligence, Ensign, but don't force me to order you to sickbay!"

"Yes, Commander." He took a deep breath. "Taurik to Enterprise, one person to beam up."

It was like when he had left Vulcan to go to Starfleet. The transporter beam brought him suddenly into the cool atmosphere of the ship and he noticed the smell of the humans. Only this time his brother Vorik wasn't with him. He still didn't believe in his death. But he was alone. He went to his quarters and was glad to be alone. He noticed his relief about it. Something isn't right with me, he thought. He layed down onto his bed to do a simple breathing exercise. Why am I not going to a doctor? I'm acting irrationally. His parents had been against their sons joining Starfleet. He and his brother would see later that they had wasted time striving after military ranks. They were supposed to deepen their study of logic early. This interest of young inexperienced people for the human culture will go away like it did come. Valery has been the doorway to that alien culture. Valery, she, who had suddenly kissed him, after he had tried to stop her falling into a lake from a slippery stone. He had failed and landed in the lake with her. The water had been warm, but he hadn't been able to swim. When she took hold of him, he felt the sand under his feet. She laughed. He was still holding onto her. Later he had seen his mistake. He had told Vorik nothing of the kiss, but had made him understand, that he can't see Valery Alba again. Poor Valery had very likely not known that he is betrothed. Betrothed to a seven year old girl, who must be a woman now. A Vulcan woman would had understood his retreating, but it must had hurt Valery. Probably she has forgotten him long ago. He wondered where she is. On which Starbase, on which vessel, on Earth? He saw her face in his mind. Wet hair hanging down her forehead. Her cheeks reddened, her lips deeply red. She has round eyebrows and bright blue eyes. He felt her hands on his chest, her breath in his face. He saw her wet shirt sticking on her chest. She was so near to him...He realized that a part of his body was suddenly burning hot and his heart was racing. The knowledge of what was happening to him hit him like an old heavy book falling down from a high shelve onto his head.

"Come in." Picard looked up from his screen. "Ensign...?"

"Taurik, Sir."

"How can I help you, Ensign?"

"I'm asking for shore leave on my home planet, Sir."

The Captain was silent for a moment and watched Taurik pensively.

"I ask your permission to return to Vulcan with a shuttle craft." Taurik gave him a pad.

Picard took it and went on with watching him. "You know that we will be much nearer Vulcan in three weeks and that you will not need to waste two days just for the journey then?" –

"Yes, Sir...but it is...urgent." Taurik was sweating.

"I understand," answered Picard abruptly, "permission granted." Picard signed the Pad and gave it back to Taurik. He will soon be secure and will not make any more mistakes.