Chapter 28

People began to materialise down on the planet. Firstly the injured, then medical staff, and the few surviving members of the planet Droline and various unnecessary members of both crews. The next journey would be an easy one considering the drama, which previously unfolded between the Krackatowa and the Nova.

Firstly Starfleet had been contacted and had said that they were now sending out a ship to Anagossia. Secondly the Nova was on her way to a suitable planet for the release of the slug creatures that now were nick named 'slimers' by many of the crew.

They had to be emancipated on a world strong enough to cope with these creatures and could regenerate at expeditious rate so that the surface wouldn't be wiped out in a matter of weeks.

As for finding such a planet it had proved rather difficult. It had taken forty-eight hours to find an adequate world.

In the database thirty-seven planets were listed, but it seemed none of them were satisfactory for the new arrivals, until several planets came up which were part of the same system. It was situated in the Zre'Tei system. Bordering near the galactic centre.

This solar system had a white dwarf star and five planets very similar to one another. The world named Three Alpha V, was the largest of the bodies and would suit the 'Slimers.'

Three Alpha I to IV was virtually identical to each another so the creatures could be taken there too. From then on the place would be out of bounds to anyone because of the creatures appetite for humanoid flesh.

As for the alien essences. They would be released into space. It had been a difficult decision for Starfleet, but to release them would only be the natural progression of nature. It was neither cruel nor kind. They themselves were rather bitter twisted individuals and deserved nothing more.

Carefully their caskets were put into the transporter room and beamed off the ship as soon as Nova was out of reach of any planet or system. It was hoped that they would never bother anyone else again.

From sensor readings the creatures survived the transition into space from the transporter buffers and floated together harmlessly and aimlessly toward some unseen future. It was considered the best thing for them. They would be together roaming the universe.

The Arkher bodies still immobilised on the planet Anagossia were beamed up to the ship after everyone not needed for the return journey were safely on the surface of that idyllic little planet.

Because the Arkhers were so large there was hardly any room for more than fifty people to stay aboard, let alone live together in harmony even if for only a short period of time. The first call would be the aliens new home. The Nova engaged warp drive and fled into the cold velvet black of space.

The planet Droline V gradually grew larger on the USS Nova's view screen as the starship fled back towards the now devastated former paradise planet. They had successfully dropped off the aliens and had returned back to Droline V.

It was assumed that no one was left alive down there, but optimism was fairly high among many of the crew that Saavik and at least some of the landing party may have survived. As for Captain Spock no one knew.

Finally the great Excelsior class starship approached the relatively small solar system with only one world that had sustained any intelligent life. She slowed down to impulse power and glided toward the small rotating globe. Once there she took up a planetary orbit around the now grey green planet.

It would take almost a thousand years before the world could return to what it was originally like and only then it would only be fractionally similar. All animal life had perished from the deadly threat of the Arkhictoura. All that did remain were the strongest, the brave enough and the most vehement of life.

The bridge was now clear. Everything was left relatively free from damage. A few chairs had been marred, a number of consuls beeped uncharacteristically and various equipment remained inoperative with twisted debris of exposed metal, circuits, and wire bought about by the aliens, but it was nothing worth worrying about and it wasn't a problem that the maintenance crew couldn't sort out. The slime had been the real problem, but it had been cleared successfully.

Antor Jax sat in the captain's chair staring at the screen in front of him, but his mind was far away in his own little world.

The Orian first officer rubbed the bridge of his dark green nose and sighed. He hoped that they would find the Krackatowa landing party alive. He wasn't one of the people who had very high hopes of their recovery. Quite frankly he believed that there was a good chance that the crew had been killed days ago. If not from the aliens, then from the harsh planet itself. He turned in his newly creaking command chair and spun towards the science officer, Michelle Wotley.

"Scan the planet for humanoid life signs if you please," he said a little grumpily.

"Yes sir," replied the woman crisply and turned in her chair to make a few adjustments to the scanner before peering down into the blue glowing square. She adjusted her range and frequency then frowned in surprise at what she saw on the screen.

Hastily she turned back to the acting captain. "Sir!!" She said abruptly. He turned quickly and could see the excitement in her blue eyes.

"Report Michelle," he said in a tone that could be considered cheerful.

"I'm picking up life form readings. Twelve in total."

Below on the surface of the planet it was nighttimes. The ground was crisp and frozen and the air was frigid. The survivors of the planet sat huddled together around the large campfire trying to keep warm.

The children lay together with adult coats wrapped around them, fast asleep. K'Rissel's baby had sickened and was continuing to weaken.

K'Rissel leaned against McMeres and close to the blazing crackling fire hoping somehow the warmth would ease her child's turbulent coughing spasms. She adjusted the baby in her arms to a more comfortable position and stared at the flickering flames.

After some time her eyes closed, but she continued to see the flames dancing like phantoms before well-needed sleep came.

Across the other side of the fire completely hidden by the twisted and mangled roots and fallen tree trunks and long grass Saavik leaned closer to Captain Spock. For the past day he had managed to control the raging physical and mental distress of Pon Farr. Now it was worsening almost beyond control.

Only the doctor and Saavik knew about it. She had told him despite Spock's protests. It was necessary. McMeres had given him a drug to help ease the confusion of his mind and another for the fever, but its power was short lived. They had to get him to a ship.

Technically he could be kept alive indefinitely if in status. Even by this time there was still no cure for Pon Farr only brief suppressants, but eventually the illness would win and the sufferer if not bonded or mated would die.

"You can not continue like this," she whispered. Spock remained silent and passive despite his inner battle. He realised soon the blood fever would possess him, shortly followed by madness then death. "Please let me help you. At least permit me to mind meld with you, I can create a temporal barrier. You could at least let me strengthen your control before we are found."

"Found?" He managed to whisper. "There is a insignificant chance that anyone will come back here. They would assume everyone was killed."

"I know them," she said. "They wouldn't give up hope of finding us."

"How can you be so sure?" He said. Spock pulled his hands into the sleeves of his robe and tried to suppress the terrible shivering and burning of his mind and body.

"Because..." She stopped and realised she wasn't sure at all. "Until that time comes please let me help."

For a long moment there was silence except for the cracking of wood and sparks from the fire. People were either asleep or dozing in and out of consciousness. Saavik glanced over at them. The children were sleeping soundly which was surprising as they had been so stressed and frightened. Georga was the last to lie down and close her eyes. Spock stared into the flames.

"Spock?" He turned his gaze away from the orange flames and looked at his former protégé's elegant face. The eerie dancing of the fire flickered across her chiselled features. He took a deep shuddering breath and prepared himself for the link.

Saavik closed her eyes for a moment then gazed deeply into his. She reached out her hand and touched his face. She leaned closer until her lips were barely millimetres away from his. For a moment she felt his thoughts and his mind. She could sense his unease.

"It will only be a peripheral link," she said. "Please...trust me." She reached out closer this time and with both hands placed slim fingers against his temples. He was about to do the same when suddenly something chirped loudly. Saavik withdrew her hands quickly and retrieved the communicator from her jacket pocket.

It continued to beep vociferously. Jean Luc Picard awoke with a start.

"The ship?" He said loudly.

Saavik pulled the device out and flipped it open. "Saavik here, please respond." For a moment there was silence and Saavik expected nothing more then radio waves from space or malfunctioning of the communicator. Suddenly a male voice could be heard. A voice that she did not recognise.

"This is the USS Nova. Lieutenant Harry Robinson speaking, is everybody all right down their sir?"

"It is agreeable to hear a voice," she said.

"Will you please stand by to be beamed aboard."

"We have injured among us. Please inform sickbay that medical staff will be needed in the transporter room.

"Aye sir," he said and the signal broke. Saavik got to her feet. Everyone's spirit seemed to rise. Three of the Starfleet party extinguished the fire and waited patiently. K'Rissel sighed in relief and hugged the doctor.

The children hovered about chatting excitedly hoping that they would see their parents again, alive. Suddenly there was a loud hum of energy. It seemed to emanate from all around them.

As they watched the horizon, the sun was slowly rising up, brightening the black sky. Soon enough the surrounding planet gradually dissolved into darkness and the people were gone.

The landing party and the five last inhabitancy of the planet Droline V materialised in bright sparking blue columns of pure energy that gradually solidified into humanoid shapes on the transporter platform.

Both transporter rooms had been used because there were a total of twelve people. It was considered very unsafe for more than six people to be beamed at once. So when times called for more than six, both transporter chambers were used.

K'Rissel's baby was immediately rushed to sickbay in a critical condition and the mother followed. The children were led by the hand of a nurse, out of the room, followed by the others. Saavik, Spock, and McMeres remained behind.

K'Rissel and her baby made it to the sickbay and her child was placed onto the examining table. Full life support was plumbed into his body. A respirator was attached to give the boy's lungs a rest.

"He's suffering from an acute respiratory condition probably brought on by the atmosphere of your newly formed planet. Unlike us adults, his immune system simply couldn't handle it." Said Doctor Philips. The mother stood petrified with tears in her eyes. She struggled to keep calm.

"Will he be all right?" She said in a small whimpering voice. Her lip trembled unrestrained.

"I can only promise that I'll do my best," he said kindly. The doctor carefully pulled back the metallic thermal blanket to reveal the child's grey-specked body. "We will do tests and keep him incubated." K'Rissel stared down at the infant.

"Please doctor don't let me baby die," she sobbed. A nurse came by and gently lifted the child up into her arms along with the life support equipment and carried him to the nearby incubator system.

The devise was a small transparent tank on an anti grav unit. The nurse eased the child into the unit and covered him with a soft blanket.

Another nurse working in the bay led K'Rissel away to an adjacent room.

Spock struggled towards the bright flickering light. He travelled through the haze of unconsciousness towards the shapes just overhead. He awoke on the floor of the transporter platform. His head was spinning. Everything was so bright, so surreal. Strange twisted shaped faces gazed down at him, he frowned in puzzlement at each of them, and then he stopped at a man. He tried to reach out in his disorientated confused state. The man was smiling; a boyish grin was spread over his face.

"Jim?" Spock whispered.

The Vulcan struggled to sit, but restraints pulled him down. Where was he? Spock struggled to remember each of the faces, but each time their features became more and more out of focused. He blinked several times trying to clear the confusion in front of his eyes. Spock realised that the restraints were hands.

Saavik was gazing at him. He could not see her face clearly. She now seemed very far away, he struggled to remain alert and looked for the man he had just seen.

Jim? He tried to say, but no words passed through his lips. The Vulcan struggled again to rise, but strong hands once again pinned him down. He realised he was far too weak to struggle much longer. "Where are you?" He managed to murmur.

"I am here," said the physician. "But, I am not Jim." Through the fuzzy haze Spock could make out a lopsided grin. "I'm Doctor Eric Berger."

"Doctor?" He murmured. At the Vulcan's side knelt Berger who was waving a shipboard medical tricorder over the Vulcan's slender form. The devise was connected directly to the sickbay medical computer and it diagnosed his condition on the spot.

They would wait a little longer before they moved him onto the anti gravity trolley. It would only take a matter of about fifteen seconds to get him to sickbay as this was situated just around the corner.

It was necessary to have at least one of the transporter rooms on the same deck as the sick bay because if there were a medical emergency just like this one, the patent wouldn't have to travel far. Saavik still kneeling down behind Spock's head gazed dispassionately at him.

"Captain Kirk is not here," she said. "Do you not remember?"

Spock frowned at himself at his confusion. He tried to move his arm, but it felt as if it was made from lead. He glanced around at the room through his obscured vision.

"Where am I?" He managed to mutter.

"You are in the transporter room," Saavik said. He began to sink in and out of consciousness. Was it too late? Would he finally die here on the cold floor in the transporter room?

"When you materialised you fainted," said Berger. "Now, everything is going to be fine." The doctor turned his attention to the other physician, Doctor McMeres. "Did you give him anything while you were down on that planet?"

"I gave him one point two measured actions of Riathapyn at regular intervals. Every four hours. We've got to get him to the sickbay now," muttered McMeres. Berger took out a small canister from a metallic case he had carried to the transporter room for emergencies and attached the receptacle onto a hypo injector.

"He's burning up," Saavik muttered as the doctor administered the drug in his neck.

"Captain." He gently shook the Vulcan awake. Spock stirred and opened his eyes.

"Saavik?" He called out. She leaned over him.

"I am here sir," she felt the impulse to take his hand into hers. Undoubtedly if they were in private she would have done so. Instead because of the humans in the room she resisted contact. Spock struggled to make out her face. He could see her eyes. He repeated her name.

"Saavik?" And he tried to sit up again.

"Oh no," said Berger pushing him back down on his back on the floor. "No you can't do that." Spock frowned in confusion.

"You. Where am I?" He repeated half asleep. His speech was slurred and he struggled to even understand his own words. Berger turned to Saavik.

"He's confused. How long has the...condition lasted?" Spock shuddered.

"I am uncertain perhaps six days." Carefully two other medical staff lifted Spock from the floor and placed him onto a waiting anti grav trolley. The blood fever took on full control and he to tried to get off the trolley.

"Get off of me," he said. "I won't let you. Where is Jim?"

"It is all right," said the other Vulcan. He frowned.

"You. What are you doing?" McMeres and Saavik struggled to hold him down as the doctor administered a sedative. Spock fell backwards and out cold.