Chakotay and Holly had been walking for days. The environment around them at first appeared to be one of unusual plants that were full of vibrant colors. The sky was a shimmering mix of colors as well, produced from the nebula surrounding the planet. There were times when Holly and Chakotay would stop and rest, the two of them lay on their backs and starred up into the chaotic swirl of color, often becoming hypnotized by its beauty and lulled into a state of relaxed complacency. Hours would pass during their rest periods. Often it would take some kind of noxious stimuli to rouse them from their trance; such as the many insect bites the two of them had suffered.
While the intense beauty and serenity of the landscape appeared one of awe inspiration, it was actually a deadly combination of flora and fauna. Early on, their trek into the unknown took on a dangerous theme. Quicksand, predatory vegetation, and incessantly biting insects proved to be all Chakotay and Holly could handle. Chakotay would have given his left kidney to have a phase pistol. One quick shot and the venus flytrap-like plants would whither and die, rather then lunge forward, jaws agape with venomous ooze threatening to dissolve what little possessions the two of them managed to carry with them.
Holly and Chakotay learned early on in their travel that when night fell, they had better be at least 20 feet off the ground, or surrounded by fire if they had any hopes of escaping the nocturnal predators that roamed the wilderness floor. Chakotay had been surprised that these creatures existed. Where they had stayed for weeks previously, there was not a single sign of such creatures. He concluded that since they had moved out of the high plains and into the deeper jungle-like terrain, it should have been expected that they would have encountered different animal and plant life. He only hoped that as they prepared to leave the next morning and hopefully make their way out of this jungle, they would enter a more human friendly environment.
"I am really getting sick of scratching." Holly said from a tree limb just above where Chakotay was laying.
"Ha! You and me both my friend. I hope that your calculations are correct and we get out of this heavily wooded area by tomorrow. I getting tired of watching my step for quicksand, while plants seem to jump out of no where and attack us." Chakotay was tired, but in a good mood knowing he would soon be rid of this place. At least that's what he hoped would happen.
"Professor? I have been using the tricorder to take scientific readings of the various plants, insects and stuff." Holly said.
"And? Is there a something I need to know?" Chakotay wasn't exactly sure if she had a point to make with her statement.
"I have noticed that as we head east, the atmosphere has become increasingly polluted. Not polluted really, but different I guess." Holly wasn't totally comfortable with her findings or their potential implications.
"How different?" Chakotay asked
"Well, there is an increasingly large amount of carbon dioxide, ozone and methane...just to name a few."
"Are you thinking what Im thinking?" Chakotay was getting excited.
"That I shouldn't be wasting the tricorder charge?" Holly was serious, and that made Chakotay laugh even harder.
"HA! No! Those are signs of industry. Industry means intelligent life. Intelligent life means that they may have some way for us to contact someone to come and get us off this spirit forsaken planet." Chakotay wanted to get started now, but he knew it would be foolish to risk coming down from the tree until morning. "But remember, Holly, we don't know what kind of technological capabilities these people may have. They may not be warp capable. It'd be safest if we kept our tech hidden and only give the barest of information regarding ourselves, until we know who we are dealing with. Agreed?"
"I think it might be best if you did all the talking. Maybe I should pretend I cant speak at all. This way, I cant get us into any more trouble then we're in already." Holly said.
"Nonsense, you'll be fine. Just follow my lead. Now get some sleep. We need to be at our best in the morning. There's no telling what we'll find." Chakotay said.
Chakotay wanted to sleep. He wanted rest. He knew that he needed to be thinking clearly. The problem was, this was the first real hope he'd had since crash landing and waking up on this planet. Then he remembered, when he slept he dreamt of Kathryn. Maybe he'd get close enough to her this time to ask for her advice. His dreams were becoming more and more real as each night came and went. Chakotay closed his eyes. He could feel his breathing slow, the relaxation of sleep beginning to take over his entire body. He had that familiar sensation of floating in mid air as his mind transitioned from wakefulness to sleep. His last cognizant thought was of Kathryn. He knew he would be seeing her again tonight.
The sound of chirping insects brought Chakotay back from his dreams. He found himself laying in the same position in which he fell asleep. He remained on his back facing up at the prone form of, Holly, just above him. She was still asleep, mouth wide open and snoring slightly. Chakotay reached up and wiped away a wet spot from his forehead. He reluctantly came to terms with the fact it was a puddle of Holly's drool.
"Holly, Wake up." Chakotay used his right arm to shake her awake.
"Huh? We there yet?" Holly mumbled as she closed her mouth, narrowly capturing a new line of drool as it threatened to land on Chakotay's face.
"We haven't even started yet. We both must have been tired. This is the latest either of us has gotten up in a week." Chakotay was securing his belongings and preparing to leave the tree.
"Well, we better get going then. I would LOVE to be out of this insect-filled hell whole by lunch. If at all possible, sir." Holly said.
"Agreed."
With that Chakotay and Holly started off in the direction of the increasingly polluted air. They hoped that it would bring them closer to someone, anyone who may be able to help them get home.