Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine. The planet's inhabitants are. If Morlin is still alive at the end of this story, that includes her.
Chapter Seven
Turita and Doctor McCoy materialized in a forest. McCoy took out his communicator to report all was safe. But the device wouldn't work.
Turita held out his hand and the doctor handed it to him. After monkeying with the wiring a little, the boy handed it back. "Try it now."
The communicator beeped. "Kirk to landing party, report," the captain's voice said.
"We're all right, Jim; just a little trouble with the communicator," McCoy reported.
"Must be why Spock didn't check in before. Turita?"
"Give me a moment," the boy said. He turned to face the wind and raised his arms, palms out. He closed his eyes.
All of a sudden, a searing pain came surging through his mind. He crumpled back into Doctor McCoy's arms. "Two to beam up, fast," McCoy said quickly.
Spock tried hard to clear his mind, to force away the pain, the dizziness, the disorientation. He had no way of knowing how long it had been. It seemed like forever.
"So much for 'not as bad as they make it sound,'" Morlin joked knowingly.
"You . . . knew they would come, didn't you?"
"I didn't have time to tell you. If I had, I would have."
Still unable to see, Spock examined his wounds with his hands. None were deep enough to be serious.
"They rely more on pain and exhaustion than on actually endangering someone's life," Morlin explained. Then, suddenly, "Wait . . . . sssssh."
"What is it?" Spock whispered.
"An aukrawn. Dangerous animal. I highly suggest you stay very still."
But the aukrawn, a huge six-legged dog-like creature with large fangs, didn't need to be able to see Spock. It could smell fresh blood. It immediately charged what it sensed to be the larger prey.
Morlin didn't need to think. There was only one way to save her friend. Gathering all her strength, she placed herself between the animal and Spock. And not a second too soon. The aukrawn came down on her, claws outstretched, ready to fight to the death.
Muahahahahahahahaha.
So, so, so, so, sorry this chapter is so short, but I couldn't help it! That was such a good place to leave off!
Bug, Vulcan of Central Park–Agreed, not very comfortable at all. Hopefully, they won't have to stay there long.
JdGurns–Glad you find this interesting; I try not to write boring stuff. :) And I think the plot just got thicker. :) Muahahahaha.