10

The End of the Tour

Katoth sighed, he was beginning to see reason behind Mesh'ba's words. The ship would not come for them. For some unfathomable reason he blamed the Federation and the Enterprise for it. He believed the humans to be more treacherous and minacious than they were given credit for. Perhaps they were here for a reason other than to make a new first contact? Maybe the Enterprise magically appeared at Circusia to find and kill the few Klingons that remained in this sector of space?

There was something about the way Mesh'ba had spoken of L'Rell's eagerness to keep Captain Pike alive. Perhaps there was an alliance between them; sworn in secrecy? The House of Mo'Kai had not been hiding the fact that they saw L'Rell as weak and undecisive; favoring their enemy instead of the Empire. The Federation and the crew of the Starship Discovery had given her a tool; a powerful tool, capable of ripping their homeworld apart. Capable of shredding it to pieces unless their race became reunited and signed a peace treaty with the Federation.

Most of the Klingons had grudgingly accepted the woman's leadership, yielding the power she now held, but there were still a few among them who wanted nothing else but to hastily remove her from her duties as a chancellor. Her leadership was not based on glory and she did not take pleasure in the bloodbath of their enemies.

Katoth's mood darkened as he thought about what his glorious empire had become; a mere shell of its former excellence. He would not die in vain on this planet, he would honor his values and die for the cause and he would take as many Starfleet officers with him as he could.

OOOOOO

"Thank you, Captain Christopher. It has been a privileged pleasure," Ta'Bob appraised jovially as he bowed lightly.

Chris diplomatically returned the gesture and nodded. "Likewise, chancellor."

Ta'Bob let his eyes roam over the Starfleet delegation of people. "I am very intrigued to know that although the three of you-," he pointed and Doctor Boyce, Commander Louvier and then finally Captain Pike, "-you are from the same planet, you have very different stories. Commander Matthieu even speaks another language."

"Only when he doesn't want us to know what he's talking about," Boyce half-joked. "And even then, the universal translator gives him away."

"Una comes from Earth too," Pike reminded the Circusian. "She was just not raised there."

"Yes, of course," he replied. "You must tell me more of that Illyrian planet and yours. The dinner went so fast, we only had time to talk about this planet and then some about the ideals of the Federation."

"Doctor Philip," Doctor Tee'Pa Dus Do said. "It would be a pleasure to show you some of the medical departments we've discussed during the evening."

He nodded. "That sounds interesting. I am afraid it'll have to wait a few days though. There is a lot to prepare before shore leave; schedules need to be revised and so on."

Ta'Bob Bobba Dus turned to Chris with a troubled look. "Captain Christopher, you will return tomorrow morning so that I can show you our most popular shore leave places. You must tell your crew to visit all of them," he finished with a bright smile.

Una tried not to smirk as she couldn't help but wonder if the chancellor got some kind of commission for all his work.

Pike nodded. "Commander Una, Lieutenant Spock and I will return tomorrow as expected but, as my CMO just pointed out, we have a lot of things going on onboard the ship that needs to be taken care of."

"Then we shall finish early tomorrow," Ta'Bob Bobba Dus assured him. "Good night to you all."

"I thought he'd never leave," Lieutenant Mann spoke up in a subdued voice as she stepped out of the shadows.

"I noticed your arrival twenty minutes ago," Spock said. "Two minutes and twenty-four seconds after we exited the building."

Mann smirked. She was dressed in standard uniform trousers, a tight black long-sleeved top and a TAC-vest. Her hair was tied up into a bun and her face shaded black.

"I really like your style, lieutenant," Louvier praised with a grin. "I hate to remind you that no matter how stealthy you are, you will be visible on their lifesigns detectors."

"No, no, commander," she dared defiantly, even though she was smiling.

Spock frowned. "Lieutenant Mann is correct. She does not show up on my tricorder."

"Lieutenant Lesley's new invention," Una deduced cunningly. "Lifesign shielding. He and Commander Reno called it their baby."

Pike nodded. "I am glad he could join us before the Discovery took a leap for the future. Reno is quite something too. She would have made a fine addition to this crew as well," he said.

"I'm sorry, sir. I would have dressed up a bit if I had known the dress code," Mann said with a tight smile as she noticed the dress uniforms and polished boots.

Pike broke into a dimpled half-smile at hearing the dry and slightly sarcastic tone of her voice. "Apparently status is a very highly valued down here," he replied. "As far as I am concerned it doesn't matter what we wear, lieutenant. We are still the same people."

"I know that, captain. It's just that seeing all of you dressed up like this, with all the ribbons and medals, kind of reminds me of who you are and what you have achieved."

"He is just an old Mojave citizen, longing to ride a horse," Una deadpanned as she pointed at Pike.

Chris merely batted an eye. "Thank you, Number One, for the clarification," he replied.

Trina had to fight hard not to chuckle and keep a neutral face. She was grateful for the way Una tried to defuse the situation and she appreciated that Pike always downplayed his own importance but the fact remained; this was the seasoned flagship captain and his first officer.

Now, Trina Mann was a young lieutenant who'd been given challenging roles ever since she boarded the Enterprise as an even younger, green ensign. As a bridge officer she worked closely with the command team every day, it had become somewhat of a routine now, and she had gotten comfortable as a member of the alpha shift. She knew she worked with highly decorated officers but it wasn't until she saw all those medals and ribbons up close that she really reflected upon it.

"Lieutenant Mann," Pike spoke up seriously. "Anything to report?"

"I have dispatched four teams, sir. So far, we haven't found any Klingon shuttles, Klingon life-pods or Klingons – living or dead," she informed.

"Well, the planet is quite big and densely populated in certain areas," Boyce pointed out. "I guess even a hundred-and-twenty Klingons would be able to hide away somewhere."

Spock cocked an eyebrow. "Your statement is illogical, doctor," he stated. "We have already detected a small team in the vicinity. Also, I must remind you that Klingons do not hide from anything."

"They might," Boyce protested, mildly annoyed. "If this started off as an argument between two houses, they might be quarrelling down here too."

"Quarrelling?" Una echoed with a smirk and then added dryly with a touch of elegance. "It is more likely they would be fighting each other to death, Phil. Glory to the Empire and all that."

Steering the conversation back on track, Chris nodded at his chief of security. "Good job, lieutenant. Keep at it and report back to the ship as soon as you find anything."

She nodded. "Yes, sir. We're locking up Copernicus for the night and keep at it."

"I want you to meet up with Circusia's chief of planetary defense first thing tomorrow morning."

Trina nodded with a slight smirk. "That means, get out of the tac-vest, stow the tactical gear and clean up, sir," she replied.

"Exactly, lieutenant, bring out the diplomatic side of the chief of security," Pike replied.

OOOOOO

Una tried to cover a yawn as they stepped out of the cramped space inside the shuttle Galileo. Pike smirked at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he took in the beautiful sunrise that seemed to color the sky in endless colors as it slowly made its way across the horizon.

"You never were much of a morning person," he remarked teasingly.

She sighed and gently rolled her shoulders to take away some of the stiffness. "You seem awfully bright for someone who just went to bed."

"The dinner with the chancellor ended six hours ago, commander," Spock pointed out evenly as he activated his scanner.

"Are you sure it was not six point four hours or something like that?" she drawled.

"What's on the agenda today?" Chris asked, trying to steer the conversation back on track.

Una sighed as she tried to recall the crammed schedule for the forenoon. "Let's see, we're going to get an introduction to a leisure jungle park, the cluster of innovation, a green recreational habitat and then we're free."

"I get the impression that you loved school and all the scheduled activities," Chris replied with dimpled smirk.

"I am just saying-," she pointed out, "- that we are capable of looking after ourselves while exploring this planet."

"I have to agree with Number One, captain," Spock spoke up. "Our mission is to explore new worlds. We have the skills and capabilities."

"There is also diplomacy involved in a first contact mission," Chris reminded them kindly. "We're here on the chancellor's terms. We are here to make ourself an opinion of this planet; what it stands for, what their beliefs are and what kind of values they live by."

"It is a fairly unique planet," Spock concurred. "Perhaps even strategically important for the Federation in terms of expansion."

"Where are we supposed to find a jungle park?" Una asked as she studied the readings on the tablet before her. This is a temperate zone. Right now, we're experiencing a very pleasant summer equaling those of the mid-European zone back home. They don't exactly grow bananas and crack open coconuts there."

"It's is supposed to be a leisure jungle park, Number One," Chris reminded her with a mischievous smirk. "We're not going to make new grounds using a machete and find old, lost ancient civilizations while avoiding deadly snakebites."

Spock arched an eyebrow. "Reminds me of one of the old movies Ensign Perry picked a few weeks ago – for the 3D movie night tour. While it was very illogical in terms of act and characterization, I found it very pleasant when it came to the tropical nature. At times it reminded me of home."

"That was Indiana Jones, Spock," Pike said with a twinkle in his eye. "I didn't know you participated in those movie nights?"

"It is mostly a waste of time but you have reminded me of the importance to socialize with the rest of the crew, at least partially."

"Captain Christopher!" Chancellor Ta'Bob Bobba Dus called brightly as he made his way toward the team. "Commander Una, Lieutenant Spock."

"I wish he wasn't so loud," Una muttered under her breath.

"He is only trying to accommodate us," Spock pointed out evenly. "However, I do find him a bit too much."

Chris couldn't help but to smirk at that.

OOOOOO

Mann frowned and did a double-take at the display before her, then shook her head in exasperation and disbelief. The universal translator had just revealed to her the name of the caves where she was to meet with the chief of planetary security. "The Cage of Insanity," she said to herself.

"Lieutenant Trina," a large muscular Circusian called suddenly from behind her.

She fought the urge to jump and whirl around and forced herself to remain calm and concise. "Yes," she acknowledged.

He studied the young and petite woman before him with an enigmatic expression on his face, as if he doubted this small human could be the Enterprise's chief of security. "I am honored to meet you. My name is Ta'Rex Da Od. I work as the planetary chief of security and as a security advisor to chancellor Ta'Bob Bobba Dus."

"A pleasure to meet you, sir," Mann replied politely as she managed a faint bow.

He mimicked her bow graciously and nodded. "I believe Captain Christopher wanted you to make an assessment of our security measures; to make sure his crew would be safe with us."

"Captain Pike is very protective of his crew-," she hesitated, not sure how to address him properly. "-Ta'Rex Da Od. We are very far from our home."

"Understandable," he replied curtly. "Do call me Chief Ta'Rex."

"Certainly, sir. Now I am curious – is there any particular reason that my translator insists upon calling this place 'the cage of insanity'?"

Ta'Rex Da Od chuckled with amusement. "It is a very long story, Lieutenant Trina but I suppose we have time. Please follow me inside the cave."

OOOOOO

Two hours later Una thanked heavens that the tour that had been going on for almost two days was finally coming to an end.

As they walked the path through the Biosphere once again – the first place they had visited after their arrival – Chris suddenly stopped mid-step and frowned, wondering if his mind was playing tricks with him.

"Something the matter, captain?" Spock asked curiously.

He shook his head and gave the lieutenant a faint smile that was far from reassuring.

"Klingons?" Una asked cautiously as she discreetly glanced around their immediate surroundings.

"Definitely not, Number One," Chris replied rather amused. "It looked more like a horse."

"A horse?" Una echoed somewhat dryly. "In these neighborhoods?"

Spock nodded in fascination as an animal with short, dark brown fur curiously made its way toward them and noticed that several others followed. "I believe, captain, that there are many creatures – not only one."

Una followed the Vulcan's gaze and saw several animals, with close resemblance to earth horse, coming their way.

Chris walked up to the fence that separated the creatures from the path visitors had to take and waited for the fury animals to come forward. Their ears perked up as they neared and the soft brown eyes of the leader of the group gently took in the appearance of the trio standing in wait for them.

"I do not know which of us should be called the subject of study," Spock remarked. "We or them."

Chris fondly reached out to stroke the nuzzle of the horse-like animal and it gently nudged his hand in return.

Una broke into a grin at the sight before her. Ever since he'd gotten back from Discovery, he'd been a bit guarded and he rarely offered her a relaxed, genuine smile. However, Chris' love for the animal he'd never seen before was enough to have her heart melt. The horse-like creature seemed to sense it was appreciated and it gave away a strange neigh-like sound that only straightened the similarities with a horse.

"The Hav'rats likes you very much," a young woman spoke up kindly as she stepped up to them.

Spock cocked an eyebrow in surprise as he noticed that the woman appeared to belong to the same species as the older man who had accompanied the Circusian medical team with their 'miracle man'.

"Forgive me," Una began as she had obviously made the same connection, "I notice you do not look like the rest of the Circusians around. May I ask where you come from?"

"I was born here," the young woman replied kindly. "My ancestors came on a ship, many generations ago, that is all I know. My name is Teelar." She took in their appearance and understood they were the new visitors whom the chancellor had seemed so impressed with. Her friend Kelle, who worked at the hospital had spoken about them briefly the day before.

The man in the middle, clad in a yellow uniform tunic nodded kindly at her. "We are new to this region of space. I am Captain Pike, this is my XO, Number One and my science officer Lieutenant Spock."

Teelar smiled. "Must be wonderful to travel the stars," she marveled softly.

"I do admit that it has its advantages-," the captain replied, "-but believe me, there are disadvantages as well."

The Hav'rat gently nudged the soft grey hair at the back of the captain's head.

Una's lips twitched upwards. "It seems you have found a new recruit, sir," she smirked with ill-contained amusement.

To Teelar's surprise, the captain turned around to face the animal and instead of striking it or shooing it away, he continued to caress its muzzle. He proceeded to gently stroke its fur down the neck and smiled at it. "Hello, you," he whispered and then addressed the others, even though he didn't turn around. "It reminds me of home. When I was little, I had a horse – much like this Hav'rat – his name was Tango."

Teelar marveled at the kindness the captain of a mighty battlecruiser showed the animal; treating it just like the intelligent creature it was. Hav'rats were very picky about whom they approached and even more decisive about whom they showed their affections too.

Teelar studied the man. She felt a kindness in him that she couldn't quite explain but also a deep sadness that was even more puzzling to her.

"Are they native creatures of this planet?" Una asked curiously.

Teelar nodded. "Yes, there are not many left of them I am afraid. They are kept here for safe-keeping."

"Are they used for any kind of activities or work?" Spock wondered aloud.

"Many generations ago, I believe they were free. Then the Circusians tamed them and used them in the service of Circusian farming and building industry. I suppose that when the need for them disappeared, they were cared for only by those who wanted to ride them and have them for leisure activities."

"Does them being here mean that no one cares for them anymore?" Una stated.

"It is very expensive to care for and own a Hav'rat these days," the young woman explained. "They are placed under protection here."

"It seems there is more to it and to their history than you are telling us, Teelar," Pike said.

She nodded. "Yes, I am afraid there is, captain."

Spock took a step forward and nodded at his superior officer. "Captain, I wish to return to the ship immediately to study certain findings," he said.

"Of course, Spock," Chris replied. "Radio ahead to Galileo and follow Lieutenant Barker back to the Enterprise."

"We should be going too," Una reasoned. "I need to coordinate with Lieutenant Amin and Doctor Boyce. It falls under my responsibility to lead and oversee the shore leave planning."

Teelar frowned as she found it odd that the second in command would be in charge of anything without the captain's knowledge.

"The duty roasters and rotation schedule are already done for the entire engineering department," Chris replied. "It will be a slow process, ferrying them in our five shuttles."

Una smirked coyly. "If that is the case, there is actually something I'd like to see before I leave. I am afraid I can't do it alone."

Chris smiled at the young woman. "I believe we'll have to come back here later," he said kindly. "It was nice to meet you and the Hav'rats."

"Come anytime you like, Captain Pike," Teelar replied with joy. "The park is always open."

"Go ahead Spock," Chris encouraged. "We'll take the next shuttle."

OOOOOO

Note: For those who wonder; Una is said to be an Illyrian on certain sites on the internet which comes from ideas when writing her character for TOS. However, in the Star Trek Enterprise show, the species is depicted with cranial ridges and slightly altered shape of the nose. Since Una look like a human and her true story never have been told in tv-canon, I'll pretend she is North American for now and that she grew up on Illyria.