A/N: Thank you all for your words of affirmation, love, and support as we journey through this story.
Shorter chapter. Conclusion of "The Hunt" including some more backstory into life on Turkana IV. We're calling them 'bandit gangs' FYI.
I'd also like to give you a preview of the roadmap for the next few weeks:
The Edo/Justice Q, yes Q. The Traveller Another holodeck adventure! A companion story set in the same universe entitled "The Competition." This will be a T-rated multi-chapter buddy fic. Data and Geordi must enter an intergalactic space race in order to win back a piece of federation technology that was stolen, and they'll need help from the Enterprise crew to pull it off.Thank you for all your support and patience as this story unfolds.
Cheers!
Charlie
Stardate 41251.3
It was nearly 14:00 and the heavy rain that the planet was notorious for had returned. By this time, the Enterprise crew had grown accustomed to the weather.
It was humid.
Worf and Tasha had taken Commander Riker and Data on a tour of the area around the camp. As they sloshed along in the mud, even Data was struggling to keep his footing.
"These conditions do not seem ideal for trapping the Byaki," Data said as he took a step and his foot slipped out of his boot.
Standing on one foot he weaved as he put his arms out as his internal spatial recognition programme realigned itself and he was able to balance.
Visibility was poor in the rain. Worf was already predicting another unsuccessful night.
"We will not be able to catch anything in this," he grunted.
"I think you're right, Mr Worf," Riker commented as he took in the surroundings.
They team headed back for the campsite and decided they would use the rainy afternoon to prepare for the following day.
The observation tower had successfully been constructed. It provided them with a significant tactical advantage. Even though Tasha had assigned two security officers to stand watch in the tower, she kept up the patrols that Worf had implemented.
The Byaki had proven elusive and cunning. She wasn't about to take any chances with it.
Presently, Riker and the other senior officers were seated around a table under the open-air command tent. It was a downpour outside, and Data watched with fascination as it rolled off the top and pooled at the edges.
"You look like you've never seen a rainstorm before," Riker said to Data.
"It is certainly not my first rainstorm, sir. Nonetheless, I am fascinated by how precipitation impacts human behaviour. I have observed some humans seem to become melancholy and agitated by such weather while others seem to find comfort in it," Data explained.
He met Tasha's eyes briefly knowing that she found comfort in the smell and sound of rain.
Worf unrolled a paper map on the table. The computers, PADDs, and much of their technology was struggling in the humidity and heat.
"I've analysed the last few attacks and sightings. I believe we can triangulate that the creature is coming from this direction," Worf said as he ran his fingers across the map.
He stopped at the edge of a small pond and tapped it twice.
"Lieutenant Dhar thinks it is likely the creature sleeps here," Worf went on.
"Then why don't we get to it?" Riker asked eagerly.
"The pond is twelve kilometres to the east through rough territory, Sir. Dense foliage would make it hard to spot any incoming attacks and there's more than just the Byaki in that forest," Tasha explained.
They had sent a security team in to scout the area previously and had learned it was a dangerous jaunt. Any attempt to reach the pond would be an unnecessary risk.
"It's too great a danger, Sir. We're better off drawing the creature out to us," Tasha concluded.
"And you think you've got a plan to make that happen, Data?" Riker questioned.
"Yes, sir. Thus far, we have struggled to capture the creature because it seems to be invisible. Our attempts to stun it with a phaser have proven ineffective. I suspect this failure is caused by the creature's stealth and speed coupled with the phaser's targeted line of fire," Data described.
Data picked up a phaser rifle from the table and opened the control panel.
"In short, we need to increase the spread," Data said.
"We can adjust the phasers to release a large sound pulse rather than a targeted phaser blast," Tasha explained.
It was the same way she had turned the Howdacts away when they were chased. Inspired by that move, Data had theorised it may give them an advantage.
There was a loud crash.
It came from the north corner of the tent. A tray of plant samples the exobiology team had collected had fallen to the floor.
Everyone frantically scanned around them as ensigns came running with phasers drawn.
"Quite," Data ordered as he put his hand out to signal they should be silent.
There it was, the same heavy breathing Tasha and Worf had heard the night before was now dangerously close, just outside the tent.
"Visual?" Riker asked in a soft voice.
Tasha and Worf shook their heads.
There was nothing. No sign of the creature anywhere.
"Well, it's here somewhere," Riker commented in an uneasy voice.
Something caught Data's eye. His visual input receptors were capable of processing both light and colour at a faster rate than the human eye. Just to the left of the tent there was something strange about the way the rain was falling where Data had been observing it a moment earlier.
It was as if the raindrops were hitting an unseen object. It took Data a total of 1.74 seconds to theorise as to the reason. He held out his arm and motioned for a phaser rifle.
Worf placed a phaser rifle into Data's outstretched hand.
Data quickly made the adjustment necessary and pulled it into his shoulder to take aim.
"Data what are you doing?" Riker asked.
"Sir, I believe this creature is capable of natural camouflage," Data explained. "And while it appears almost imperceptible to the human eye, I am capable of detecting it's presence due to the rate at which the precipitation is coming down."
"Of course!" Tasha thought aloud.
"Wait, Data. Are you saying it's invisible?" Riker questioned.
"Yes, Sir. I believe it has a natural active camouflage not unlike those found among octopuses, cuttlefish, or squids. If my hypothesis is correct, the Byaki can blend in with the surrounding area so perfectly it is as if it were never here," Data said as he followed the creature with the phaser rifle.
Data fired the phaser blast, but it was ineffective.
Suddenly, the creature tore through the tent knocking over the tables and research samples as it stumbled around. The creature had been hit, but the setting wasn't enough to subdue it.
It howled in pain and Data struggled to line up a second shot.
The Byaki swerved into a storage shelf. The shelf swayed momentarily before falling, a series of blue storage barrels hitting Worf.
The creature next tripped Commander Riker who fell backward into the mud.
"Data, something's got me!" Riker called as he pulled along the ground.
The creature had hold of the leg of his uniform trouser and was dragging him out into the rain.
Tasha grabbed a secondary phaser rifle. Lieutenant Jeffords was assisting Worf, so Data and Tasha ran off in pursuit of Riker and the creature.
Tasha was attempting to adjust the phaser rifle settings to create the sound blast, but the heavy downpour made it difficult. It was too hard to see in the rain and she couldn't get a firm grip. Her fingers kept slipping as she tried to reroute the conduit.
The Byaki was dragging Riker through the mud to the edge of the camp. Will was grateful the creature only had hold of his uniform and not his ankle. Even still, it was a rough ride. The mud was cold and every rock he was drug over sent a new wave of pain through him.
He was certain his backside would be black and blue by the time this was finished.
When the creature reached the edge of camp, Data fired a secondary shot.
The pause gave Tasha the necessary time to finish the necessary recalibration.
"Ready, Sir?" Tasha asked as she took aim.
"What are you waiting for?" Riker yelled.
The creature still had a grip on the cuff of his trousers, but he didn't know how long that would last. At any moment, it could lose interest and pounce.
Data and Tasha fired simultaneously, and the creature swayed and dropped to the ground.
The active camouflage began to dissipate, and the creature appeared before them. It was a large feline, entirely white in colour. Its eyes were open, but it was breathing heavily.
Tasha helped Commander Riker to his feet. He was sore, but otherwise unharmed.
Data approached the creature.
"Be careful, Data," Riker Commanded.
Data knelt down in the mud next to the Byaki and stared in wonder at the animal. He ran his hand through the fur. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before.
The creature had a unique, fine fur that was soft to the touch and seemed to shimmer.
A moment later, Tasha was at his side with her tricorder drawn as she scanned the animal.
"Stable life signs. It doesn't appear to be harmed, just stunned," she said.
"Maybe it's a good thing it was invisible. Terrifying eyes," Ensign Gomez said as he approached the animal.
Data's hand stopped and he met eyes with the creature. They were yellow, not unlike his own.
"Most intriguing," Data commented.
It would be oblivious to anyone else present, but Tasha noted the hint of hurt in Data's voice at Gomez's comment.
"I think they're beautiful," Tasha said.
Data discreetly gave her a small smile.
The exobiology team under Lieutenant Dhar moved in to sedate the creature. They transferred it to a stretcher and carried it back to camp to begin their work on analysing and tagging the Byaki.
Tasha and Data were helping Riker limp back to camp. They were cold, coated with mud, and ready for a break.
"I think I've had my fill of adventure for the day," Riker said with a small laugh.
"With your permission, Sir, when we reach the camp, I would like to sit in with the exobiology team as they examine the Byaki," Data requested.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr Worf," Riker teased as Worf approached the trio.
Tasha could see Worf was disappointed, and Riker's comment did little to ease the Klingon's frustration. Worf had worked incredibly hard all week to capture the Byaki. It wasn't his fault the creature had dropped a shelf on him.
"Worf, we couldn't have done this without you. All the work you did this week to track the-" Tasha was cut off as Worf gave her a look.
"I do not require your sympathy," he said through gritted teeth.
"Just be glad it didn't pick you," Riker said in an effort to cheer him up.
"Klingons do not allow themselves to be dragged anywhere," Worf replied stoically.
"Most interesting, Lieutenant. Perhaps it would also be prudent for Klingons to not allow themselves to be bested by barrels," Data commented.
Tasha was gobsmacked.
She met eyes with Worf. Her Klingon friend's eyes briefly flashed with anger that quickly dissipated.
Worf tried to suppress a smile. Riker froze, unsure how the comment would be perceived.
"Forgive me. My intention was to join in the friendly banter, but it appears I have misjudged the situation," Data said apologetically.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Worf howled with laughter. Tasha was the next to burst and Commander Riker beamed at his Android friend.
Data looked back and forth between the humans.
"So, it was funny?" Data asked brightly.
"Yeah, Data," Tasha nodded.
"Ah!" Data said with a smile.
Abruptly, he stopped. His eyes grew wide as his audio receptors picked up on a familiar breathing approximately six meters behind them.
This did not go unnoticed by Worf.
"Commander?" Worf questioned.
"Is your phaser properly attuned for the sound displacement burst?" Data asked.
Tasha and Riker stopped. She could feel the hair on the back of her neck start to rise. Her fingers gripped her phaser rifle tightly.
"There are two of them," she realised aloud. "A pair."
Worf nodded carefully and raised his phaser rifle at the three.
"Now," Data commanded.
Riker, Tasha, and Data dropped to the ground and Worf fired a blast behind them.
It only took Data seconds to adjust his optical input to find the pattern of rainfall that allowed him to see the creature.
Tasha was a moment behind him. Without Commander Riker as a visual point, she had no way to see where the creature was.
As it turns out, a visual was not necessary.
Tasha was knocked onto her back as the creature lunged. She could feel the weight of the animal as it landed on top of her. Its paw sliced her left forearm. Its breath smelled horrid.
She held her phaser rifle in front of her. The creature bit down onto the rifle as she tried to keep its powerful jaws at bay.
She didn't have the strength to push the creature back. The phaser rifle snapped under the pressure of the Byaki's jaw.
"Twenty-six degrees to the right," Data instructed as he advised Worf of the angle compensation necessary to make contact.
A moment later the second creature swerved and collapsed next to her.
Tasha turned her head to the side where its yellow eyes were staring back at her, close enough that each time the creature exhaled she could feel its breath blow on her face.
Staring into the jaws of death. She thought to herself.
It was less than a half a meter away and she said a silent prayer to whatever deity was listening that it wouldn't get a second wind.
It was an unsettling feeling.
At the same time, she could sense the creature was frightened. If the two Byaki were a pair, it was likely worried about its mate.
"We're not going to hurt you," she said softly to the creature.
She hoped that her words would calm the animal down.
After all, it was a lifeform.
And Tasha had a soft spot for cats.
It may not be humanoid. And it may not understand the words she was saying. But she hated the idea that anything would live in fear of the federation and she hoped that her words were soothing.
The creature blinked.
"You're not so big and bad after all," she said gently.
Lieutenant Dhar knelt down next to the second creature and injected it with a hypospray sedative.
Tasha put her hand on the creature.
"You're gonna be alright," she said in a low voice.
She maintained eye contact and continued to speak tenderly in a low, even tone as the creature's eyelids began to feel heavy. It blinked its big yellow eyes at her a few times before the sedative finally took effect.
The exobiology team lifted the creature onto a second stretcher and hauled it off to the camp.
"Fascinating."
Tasha turned her head to see Data kneeling next to her.
"It really is, isn't it?" Tasha said in a faraway voice.
"I meant you," Data whispered as he made a move to help her up.
She shook her head.
"Just give me a second," Tasha replied.
She laid back and closed her eyes. She knew she was covered in mud and her arm would need tending to, but the rain on her face felt good.
She needed a moment to catch her breath.
It wasn't the first time Tasha had stared death in the face and it certainly wouldn't be the last. Her role as the Chief Security Officer on the Federation's flagship meant staring death in the face more often than not.
That aside, it didn't mean she was comfortable with it. Most of those situations were space anomalies, the risk of Romulan attack, explosions, system failures, or hostile aliens.
Rarely did those situations have actual faces – especially with big, scary yellow eyes.
She opened her eyes and found Data was staring at her.
Tasha smiled warmly.
"The only yellow eyes I want to see this close," she commented as he took her hand and pulled her to her feet.
An hour later, they had successfully sedated both of the Byaki and had them securely and humanely contained in an energy field. Data had helped to set up the energy field. After some initial scans, Data was able to identify an appropriate frequency that the field would emit to keep the creatures visible.
They would remain sedated for the next twenty-four hours while the team completed their work. Once done, they would transport to the Enterprise and then release them back into the wild on the other side of the planet.
Commander Riker had been treated by the field medic and was resting in his tent.
Data made his way back to Tasha's tent. The camp lacked the infrastructure for proper shower facilities, so the crew had made do with more primitive methods.
"You know this was a luxury on Turkana," she joked.
On the table, there was a bowl of hot water. Tasha dunked a towel into the water and wrung it out. She proceeded to wipe the mud off her face and neck.
She breathed deeply and inhaled the steam coming from the hot towel.
Data watched, enthralled.
"Inquiry, is your comment in regard to the method, the temperature, or the access to fresh water? It is my understanding that Turkana IV is a planet with vast freshwater resources," Data asked.
"Well, most of it is a swamp," Tasha said with a smile.
Data cocked his head at her as he processed her answer.
"Infrastructure, Data. Most people just bathe in the swamp water," Tasha explained before adding ominously. "Which has its own risks."
Data nodded in understanding.
He took a step forward and traced his finger along the fresh scar on her arm. Tasha flinched.
The Byaki's claw and left quite a slice. The regenerator had healed the open wound, but the field medic had told her it was likely going to leave a permanent mark.
"We suspect there is a substance secreted by the creature's claw that helps to open the flesh," Data noted.
"Lucky me," Tasha quipped.
"May I?" Data asked as he cocked an eyebrow at her and reached for the towel.
She rang it out and handed it to him.
Tasha closed her eyes and let herself relax as Data wiped the mud away.
She was perfectly content to sit there in silence with the rain falling hard on the tent and Data tending to her soaked and sore form.
"May I ask a question?" Data said after a moment.
"Mmmm hmmm," she replied lazily without opening her eyes.
"I am curious. Why did you speak to the creature?" Data asked.
"You could hear that?" Tasha said surprised.
"I am an android," Data retorted.
"Ooooh, that's right!" Tasha said as she slapped her knee sarcastically. "You know I keep forgetting that."
She didn't need to open her eyes to know that Data was smiling.
"What was the goal of your communication? It is unlikely the creature understood you," Data asked.
"It was frightened. I was just trying to calm it down, so it didn't eat my face off. It may be twenty-eight stone with sharp teeth and invisibility, but it's really just a big kitty cat," Tasha said.
"Kitty cat?" Data inquired.
His head tilted to the left as he accessed his neural net information bank on human colloquialisms.
"Ah! I see. Felis Catus. A domesticated species of small mammal, an endothermic quadruped that is carnivorous by nature. They are agile creatures and hunters often kept as pets," Data said as he quickly processed the animal.
"Yeah, and they like to scratch," Tasha added as she pointed to her newest scar.
"Are you fond of cats?" Data asked. "Is this why you attempted to communicate with the Byaki."
Tasha paused for a moment. She wasn't really sure how to explain her experience to Data.
"I had a cat once," Tasha said cryptically.
"Tell me about it," Data asked.
Truthfully, it was more than just a cat.
"Please," Data pressed.
On Turkana, cat was one of the most common food sources. There were folks that raised them on cat farms and the numerous feral cats that dotted the landscape were fair game for anyone.
Tasha loathed this. She had hated it ever since she was old enough to understand the cats they kept in their home were food and not friends.
After their parents were killed and some neighbours had taken in the orphaned Yar children, Tasha had been tasked with feeding the cats. As a lonely little girl in a harsh world, the cats were more than just loveable furballs. For Tasha, they were family.
When her guardians disappeared a few months later, Tasha was grateful for the cats. They were her companions. They helped to entertain her young sister. And in her mind, they were guardians watching over two children alone in the world.
A few years later, their home was destroyed and the Yar siblings found themselves homeless and bouncing from place to place in the harsh environment. They had a makeshift camp near the edge of Renrokur forest. It wasn't much, but it was isolated and safe.
For nearly a week, Tasha had grown increasingly frustrated. Each time she would hang up her daily catch of fish to dry, something was getting into it. It was hard work scavenging enough food to keep the two alive. Tasha had hoped that if she could catch and dry enough fish, she might be able to accumulate enough for trade for some much-needed supplies.
Thinking back, she was amazed at her own ingenuity at such a young age. At eleven, Tasha rigged a trap and baited it. She stayed up all night and managed to trap the creature.
It was none other than a skinny, feral cat.
In the beginning, that orange tabby with a white patch on its paw had been sceptical of the Yar girls. It hissed and scratched. Attempts to brush its fur resulted in more than a few deep scratches. And in a world like Turkana where medical treatment was rare - something as simple as an infected scratch could easily turn deadly.
Ishara wanted to eat it.
Tasha wanted to save it.
Kind words, soft scratches, and occasional treats had proved to be a long, yet rewarding process.
In the end, Speckle had become a true and valued friend. Tasha had won over the scrappy little tabby and, in some ways, saw a lot of herself in her newfound companion.
"She liked to chase this feather I made," Tasha recalled fondly.
"Did you bring her with you off the planet?" Data asked.
Tasha shook her head solemnly. She didn't cry often, but she felt suddenly overcome by sadness.
Data observed the slump in her shoulders.
"What happened to Speckle?" Data inquired.
"I don't know," Tasha admitted.
She hadn't thought about Speckle in a long time.
Before she had taken her job as a courier, Tasha and Ishara had been holed up in the caves outside of the Kessler colony. It had been a particularly bad wet season and they had been forced to seek shelter nearer to other humans.
For three days they two had managed to elude one of the wandering bandit gangs. At the time, Tasha didn't know which colony they were affiliated with nor did she care. Being captured could mean death or worse. Forced servitude, black market organ harvesting, and assault were all possible outcomes.
On the third day, they took a wrong turn and found themselves in a cave stuck between two closing groups.
Tasha had managed to get Ishara to a safe hiding place, but the two search parties had closed in on them fast.
She shuddered involuntarily as she thought back to that day. She could still hear the sound of their footfalls growing closer and see the soft glow of their torches as their shadows danced off the cave walls.
Speckle was terrified.
In retrospect, anyone would have simply let the cat scurry away.
But something inside compelled her to shield her pet from harm.
At her core, Tasha felt an unexplainable duty to protect others – human and feline alike. She wasn't about to allow these bandits to harm her friend.
She held Speckle tight and tried to shush her.
A few seconds later, it became obvious there would not be time to hide. The bandits had spotted them.
With deep regret, Tasha had released Speckle and ordered her to run.
"She took off into the dark and that was the last time I ever saw her," Tasha said as she trailed off sadly.
Data suspected there was more she did not feel comfortable disclosing as he could see a tear run down her face.
"Tasha, if this has brought forward traumatic memories-" Data said softly as he gripped her hand.
Tasha opened her eyes and forced a smile.
"I like to think she went back to the jungle. Maybe lived a happy life getting fat on the river fish," Tasha explained to Data.
Data calculated the odds were unlikely that her cat could have survived. However, he understood enough about human behaviour to realise Tasha was 'hoping for the best.'
"I know. She probably wound up as a meal for someone or something," Tasha said as she noted the look on his face.
"From what you have told me, Speckle was a keen hunter and agile creature. It is entirely possible that her hunting skills, enhanced senses, and instincts enabled her to indeed survive," Data said in a manner that he hoped brought her comfort.
Tasha chuckled.
"Thanks, Data," she said.
She wiped the tears from her face.
"You know I've never told anyone about her before," Tasha admitted.
It was true. She had never told another person about Speckle – not even Alfie.
It was too painful, too private.
Data watched as her eyes grew wide and her head tilted slightly to the right. Her mouth fell ajar. She was staring off at nothing.
A sudden understanding about Alfie's compulsion to save the dog that killed him struck her harder than she expected.
As he read her face, Data gathered there was something she wanted to say. As he thought back to the information Commander Riker had shared with him, Data's metaphorical heart skipped a beat.
He had been hoping Tasha would feel comfortable opening up that part of herself to him.
"Tasha, is there something you would like to discuss?" Data asked.
Tasha shook the feeling and cleared her throat.
"No, Data," she smiled up at him.
"If you change your mind I will always be here to listen," he said as he tenderly reached out and towelled her wet hair.
Someday. She thought to herself. But not today.