Reconnaissance

Leila cast her eyes around the terrain, taking in what information she could. The climate wasn't as bad as she had expected. For some reason, she expected a huge, rocky terrain, complete with towering mountains and deep chasms. But Tremonillian was nothing of the sort. In fact, it was rather Earth-like. Leila had spent much time in South American, as that was where the main branch of the Alliance was located. Tremonillian and South America seemed almost exactly alike, from what she saw.

Giant green trees stood as sentries around the clearing of the crater. The heart-shaped leaves trembled in the very slight breeze. The ground was soft and muddy, as though there had been a rainstorm the night before. Leila took notice of the insanely hot, humid climate and made a mental note to prepare her crew for another rainstorm. She knew from experience that a rainforest was only dry for a day or two, three at the most. Eventually the explorers would be operating in the rain. Leila looked around at her crew, who had begun to spread out a little bit. Most of them still clumped in groups of two or three, apprehensive about being on their own. Leila didn't blame them. It was very unsettling, being in an environment remarkably like Earth's, but knowing that a hostile creature could be lurking behind the nearest tree. Leila inspected the trees again, looking for any misplaced shadows or glints of metal. Finding none, she joined Elvira and Acelynn by a large rock to discuss the terrain.

"What do you think?" she asked, nodding toward the forest.

"I'm not sure," Elvira answered cautiously. "There are a lot of places for someone to hide. I don't think it's safe for us to stay out here longer than necessary."

"I was thinking the same thing," Leila nodded. "This environment is almost exactly like Earth's. I don't think we can learn anything more about it by staying here another hour."

"Aw, come on. We just got here!" a voice protested from behind them. The girls turned to see Kirk and Bones approaching. Kirk wore his usual cocky smile, and Bones looked none too happy to be there.

"Kirk. We won't learn anything more. We've been out here for an hour already. We've learned all we can," Leila explained, exasperated. She knew he wouldn't leave it at that.

"I don't know. I think we can learn some more. The longer we're out here, the better chance we have of discovering something."

"No. The longer we're out here, the more dangerous it is," corrected Leila, glaring at him. She really wasn't in the mood for this. The heat was making her irritable. Kirk returned the look. The two captains glowered at each other in silence. Kirk broke the staring contest.

"Whatever," he finally shrugged. Without giving them another glance, he turned and walked away. The girls and Bones stared after him for a long minute before he disappeared behind a small group of explorers.

"Well, we should probably issue the order," Acelynn suggested. Agreeing, Leila deftly jumped up on top of the rock before them and raised her voice.

"Crew of the Stargazer. We will be returning to the ship momentarily. Do not begin any more explorations. That is all." From her vantage point, she could see Kirk speaking quietly with a young Starfleet member she knew to be called Jensen. Her eyes narrowed. Kirk looked suspiciously like he was giving orders. Leila hopped down from the rock and began to march toward them. Elvira gave her a questioning look, but Leila shook her head, as if to say 'no, you stay here.' The doctor gave the slightest of nods and launched into a distracting conversation with Bones and Acelynn. Leila continued to stride forward. By the time she reached Kirk, Jensen had disappeared.

"What did you say to him?" she demanded, halting in front of him.

"What do you mean?" Kirk replied, feigning ignorance.

"You told Jensen something. What was it?"

"I was just talking to him about the mission," Kirk claimed innocently.

"Sure you were. And why was he nodding?"

"Usually when someone agrees with you, the response is a nod." He spoke as if this was completely obvious. It occurred to Leila that he was wasting time. Although she craned her neck around Kirk to look, Jensen was still nowhere to be found.

"Where is he?"

"Where is who?"

"Jensen."

"I don't know."

"You're lying."

"Come on. Why would you assume that?"

"Because that's who you are. Where is he?"

"I already told you."

"Great. Now tell the truth."

"Leila, I don't know why you –"

"Captain Kirk, Captain Leila, is something wrong?" a voice came from beside them. Leila spun around to find Jensen calmly standing by.

"Jensen. Where were you?" she questioned.

"What do you mean where was I? I was right here, talking to Jacobs," he claimed, pointing to his friend nearby. Perfectly timed, Jacobs gave a small wave in response to the gesture. Too perfectly.

"And you were there this whole time?"

"Yes, Captain." Leila's quick eyes scanned his body. His dark boots were covered in mud, which would not be so uncommon, seeing as nearly everyone's shoes were also masked in mud. But this mud was different. It was a darker, richer color, and bits of ferns stuck to the boots.

"You've been in the forest." It was not a question, but a statement. Jensen's eyes shot to Kirk and then back.

"No, I –" he began.

"Don't you dare lie to me, Jensen, or I'll make sure that the next mission you're assigned to will involve intergalactic garbage transportation," Leila threatened menacingly. Jensen hesitated a moment, evidently trying to decide whether or not the captain was bluffing. He seemed to come to the conclusion that she was completely serious, for he lowered his eyes and answered her.

"Yes, Captain Leila. I – I was in the forest," he admitted, head down.

"And you were aware that I gave specific orders not to explore the forest during this first expedition?"

"Yes, Captain. I was aware of those orders."

"Then what clearance did you have to disobey these orders?" She waited for the answer to come. It didn't. Jensen kept silent, still averting his eyes, clearly wishing to escape the captain's wrath. "Jensen, when I ask a question I expect you to answer it. Shall we try once more? What clearance did you have to disobey my orders?" she demanded again. Jensen remained mute. "Jensen, I won't ask you again. What –"

"My clearance." Leila snapped her head up to glare at Kirk.

"Excuse me?" she growled, her voice low and dangerous.

"I said my clearance. He did not disobey your orders. He received new orders. From me," Kirk stated, meeting Leila's furious eyes. Jensen wisely chose this moment to vacate the premises.

"You gave him new orders?" Leila shrieked, whirling on the other captain. "After I made it very clear what the orders were?" Kirk seemed unperturbed.

"I am the captain of the Enterprise. As Jensen is a member of the crew of the Enterprise, he is my crew member, my responsibility. Although we may be on a different ship, my crew will take orders from me, not some girl they met a few days ago."

"Some girl?" Leila screeched. "Some girl?" Jensen is on my ship, Kirk. If you had forgotten, I am captain of the ship, and therefore I am in charge of the crew!"

"My crew is loyal only to me. We have been through a lot together. They will only follow orders of which I approve." Leila's voice dropped to a deadly whisper.

"Must I remind you that you are a guest on this ship, Captain? You are not acting captain. I am. You are not at liberty to issue orders. I am. I would advise you, Captain, to remember this in the future. I am running out of patience for insolent fools like you. I'll see you on the ship, Captain," Leila growled. She spun away, her hair whipping about her face, every inch of her body seething rage.

"Acelynn, Elvira, meet me in my quarters. Immediately," she ordered through her teeth, stalking past the spot where they waited with Bones. She did not wait for an answer.