Welcome to mass up-loading. Lalala

*

Scotty was worried. He had finally been able to punch through the interference in the area and call the landing party. When no answer was forthcoming, Scotty followed through on his orders and beamed the landing party up, using the communicators as location points. When the party materialized, they were found to be sedated, and were quickly removed to sickbay.

All, that was, except the captain and Mr. Spock. Their communicators were found on top of McCoy. A search was quickly performed with what limited sensors they had, but no sign was found of another human lifesign or Vulcan.

Scotty continued to look through options, but even he had to admit that the search was taking much to long for a hopeful answer.

**

The Romulan commander in charge of the landing site was none too pleased that his path to an honorable retirement has escaped. Search parties were issued, but reported finding over a dozen trails, each ending before the maker was found. Finally, one party reported in that one path had not disappeared like the others and it was assumed that this was the true path that was taken. The parties converged and set out.

**

Several miles in the other direction, James Kirk watched as the parties moved down the local version of a deer trail. "Hope you guys like venison," he murmured, laughing softly. Dropping back to the ground, he headed back to Nalwan (the local that had taken a liking to Spock) and her new friend. Spock lay quietly in a sunpatch, conserving what little energy he had left, and looking for all the world like a contented kitten that had had its share of the warm milk.

Nalwan, who had been chasing beetles to amuse herself, abandoned the game when Jim approached and set about waking Spock, chattering to him in her own language. Jim smiled and told Spock of the mental image. The Vulcan opened his eyes just enough to make sure the human knew what his opinion of such matters were, then closed them again.

Jim smiled. "Come on, you. It's time to get moving."

Spock sighed inwardly, but obeyed. "In which direction are we travel, Captain?"

Kirk started toward the area that the Romulans weren't searching. "This way, Mr. Spock."

Spock nodded. "You do realize that that direction is most likely to be where we beamed down, sir."

Kirk thought for a moment, trying to figure out how exactly Spock had come to that conclusion. "You're probably right, Spock," he admitted, giving up the game. 'Well, let's hope we find something other than trees to help us."

"Indeed, Captain."