Chapter 6

"In the Dark of Winter"

Wil landed on the desolate planet with several other crewmates. It was cold and dark it reminded him of his native home Alaska but colder. As Wil drank in the memory he began the search. If Captain Picard was somewhere on this planet he won't leave until he finds him. Barking commands to the other crewmates who came down with him the search began. Wil was paired with a security officer, it wasn't his first pick but Commander Davenport insisted he go to protect him.

"Captain, I never met Captain Picard what was he like?"

"He was a stubborn French man. He would say one thing and do the opposite. That one thing I admired about him when he had his mind set on one thing he would do anything to complete his mission."

"This must be hard for you he was your commanding officer for 15 years. I know that if I was in your position I wouldn't be able to do this."

"So many times I was offered my own command and so many times I wanted to take it but something always drew me back to being first officer on the Enterprise. I learned so much from Captain Picard he has a lot of willpower I think that is where I got mine."

"I know what you mean. We had better keep moving nightfall is approaching its going to get cold."

"I was raised in Alaska this planet is the mountains of Alaska. Did you bring everything you need to stay warm?"

"Of course sir and you Captain?"

"I am always prepared for everything."

The men trudge thought 6 feet of snow on snowshoes. As the hours of daylight quickly fade the men prepare an area to spend the night in the cold. It was going to be a cold night Wil could feel it in his bones. It was going to be cold. The thoughts of his wife and new daughter on the Titan kept him warm as he set up his tent then assisted the security guard to put up his.

"Thank you sir for your assistance I will see you in the morning."

"You don't have to rush off to bed now Lieutenant. Let's have a man to man talk. I haven't met all of the security team yet what is your name?"

"Lieutenant Joshua Black sir"

"Okay first things first okay if we are going to have a man to man talk please don't call me sir. Instead call me Captain. Is that alright with you…Josh?"

"Yes sir…I mean Captain Sir."

Clearly the security officer felt uncomfortable not calling Wil sir but it was understandable.

"So Josh…May I call you Josh?"

"I don't mean to be rude Captain but I would be more comfortable if you would just call me Lieutenant Blake?"

"Of course Lieutenant so how old are you?"

"22 sir I will be 23 in 5 months."

"You are very young. I remember when I was 22 that's when I met my wife. She was so beautiful, it was at a wedding and she wasn't wearing any clothes."

Blake dropped the hammer he was using to tap the ends of his tent into the frozen ground.

"I'm sorry sir my hands are numb. I must have lost my grip I'm sorry."

"Don't be I knew that would get your attention."

Blake blushed as he picked up the hammer again.

"Don't be embarrassed I wasn't after the shock wore off. We were at her best friends wedding its custom for the guests and the party to come nude to the nuptials. It has to do with a bond shared by the couple. Our wedding was the same but I have to tell you one thing it's much better being the groom then a guest."

"I see sir thank you for assisting me with putting up my tent. It was nice speaking to you sir I will let you go back to the plans. I will see you tomorrow."

"Rookies."

Wil looked into the clear night and said goodnight to his family. It was time to turn in.

TBC…Chapter 7