As the Enterprise delved into standard orbit around Taurus IV, Captain Kirk gulped down the last of his coffee. Thankfully, there had been just enough time for the landing party members to finish their food. The captain cleared his throat, not wishing to speak with a full mouth and turned to his first officer. "Mr. Spock, is there any noteworthy difference between the atmosphere of Taurus III and Taurus IV?"

The Vulcan turned away from his station, hands held behind his back. "According to sensor readings, Captain, the only noticeable difference between Taurus III and Taurus IV, is that Taurus IV is both significantly colder and darker. Although, the conditions are still well within habitable range for the colonists."

Satisfied, Kirk gave a nod to Mr. Spock before directing his attention to Lt. Uhura.

"Lieutenant, same hailing method as was used for the Alpha Colony, please."

"All frequencies open, Captain," She gave a turn of her earpiece.

Once again Kirk sat up in his chair, a habit of his. "This is Captain James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise. Beta Colony, please acknowledge," he said, his voice dripping with authoritative charm.

"I've got them on channel eight, Sir."

"Patch them through, Lieutenant."

Thankfully, the Beta Colony appeared to be outfitted with much better communication hubs, as their message came through loud and clear. 'Acknowledged, Enterprise. This is Dr. Rebecca Graw of Colony Beta. I've already taken the liberty of transmitting the appropriate coordinates to your vessel. Please do not dally in transporting down as our colony has great need of the agricultural shipment from Colony Alpha. We are also in great need of medical supplies,' replied a feminine voice.

After an exchange of strange glances around the helm, Kirk cleared his throat. "Forgive me, Dr. Graw, but we were under the impression that you had a shipment of medical supplies for Colony Alpha in exchange for the seedlings. Are we mistaken?"

"No, Captain Kirk, you are not. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, our supplies have run out, and we are thus in need as well."

Kirk gave the panel another odd look, his confusion apparent. "Dr. Graw, what unforeseen circumstances could have possibly caused your colony to run through so many supplies in such a short amount of time?"

"Captain Kirk, I don't have time to go into very much detail. We are in need of those supplies."

"Very well, Dr. Graw. My landing party and I will be down shortly."

'Acknowledged. Beta Colony, out,' replied the voice, ending the transmission.

Lt. Uhura turned towards the captain. "Sir, she—,"

"I'm well aware, Lieutenant. Could you call the landing party to the transporter room? We wouldn't want to 'dally' after all," said Captain Kirk, rising to his feet. "Please inform Dr. McCoy that Beta Colony is need of medical supplies. An entire crate, it seems. Oh, and Lieutenant? Make sure the landing party is outfitted with the proper winter gear." Kirk muttered to himself as he marched towards the lift.

"Aye, sir," she said, readjusting her earpiece. "Landing party, report to the transporter room. Standby."

Mr. Spock, ever the keen listener, followed his captain. "Captain, I am well aware that Dr. Graw's actions may have seemed odd, but perhaps consider that she is simply an efficient director. An admirable trait for one overseeing the lives of ninety-nine colonists, is it not?"

At that moment, Lt. Uhura looked up from her post, raising a brow at the Vulcan. "Solely admirable, Mr. Spock?"

Spock, in turn, raised his eyebrow at the lieutenant. "No, not only admirable, Lt. Uhura, but also meritable, valuable, logical, —."

"Thank you, Mr. Spock. I believe I understand now," interjected Uhura.

The captain, wanting to dispel the apparent tension, quickly pulled Spock into the lift before he could do any more damage. "Come along now, Mr. Spock. We better not dally any further!"

Once the pair were safely inside the lift, Mr. Spock looked towards his captain. "Captain, I am at a loss. Why exactly did you pull me into the turbo-lift? I was very much capable of entering by my own accord."

Kirk looked towards Mr. Spock, Beta Colony temporarily forgotten, a smirk plastered on his face. "Spock, there comes a time in every man's life when he says something wrong. Now, mind you, it may not be inherently wrong in nature. However, to women, specifically to the women we love, it may, in fact, be very wrong."

Spock only raised a brow. "..I am not sure I follow, Captain."

The captain's smirk only grew. "Spock, you and Lt. Uhura have been together for some time now, haven't you?"

The Vulcan nodded. "That is accurate, yes. Lt. Uhura and I have been courting for three months, fourteen days, and thirty-two minutes to be exact, Captain."

"Well, Spock, did you ever consider that your comments on Dr. Graw's work ethic might have upset the lieutenant?"

Spock looked away for a moment in contemplation, before returning his attention to the captain. "I must say, Captain, that I did not. Though, I hardly see why Lt. Uhura would take that as an insult on her work ethic."

"Well, it's not so much an insult on her work ethic, as it is you admiring another woman, Mr. Spock. You see, Lt. Uhura might now compare herself to Dr. Graw and try to compete with her for your attention. Especially after having you inform her of why having all frequencies open was so crucial for communication with the Alpha Colony."

"Captain, I hardly understand why that would be an appropriate course of action. My earlier comments had nothing to do with my relationship with Lt. Uhura. To see any connection at all between them, would be highly illogical."

As the lift came to a halt and the doors opened, Captain Kirk stepped out, giving his first officer a pat on the shoulder as he went. "Maybe it's just a human thing, Mr. Spock." He gave a small smile, walking towards the transporter room.

Mr. Spock took a few seconds before walking out, his brows furrowed ever so slightly before returning to their stoic position. "..Yes.. 'human'.." he said under his breath.

Kirk and Mr. Spock joined the others in the transporter room. The same security personnel was already on the platform, a crate of hypos and various other medical supplies sandwiched between them. Two more crew members could be seen handing out thick winter coats to the party. Dr. McCoy was, of course, annoyed to have to give up so many of his supplies. His angry grumbles could be heard as he took his own spot on the transporter, furry coat in hand. Mr. Chekov, brushing away the crumbs of his meal, smiled at the pair, the coat seeming well fitted for the Russian ensign.

"Mr. Scott, I trust that Dr. Graw has sent over the appropriate coordinates for beam down?" said the captain, taking his coat and place on the transporter. Mr. Spock took his position in silence, winter coat sliding on in one fluid motion.

"Aye, Captain. The transporter is calibrated and good to go," said Mr. Scott, his hands already at the controls.

"Very good. Stand by the transporter, Scotty. I have a feeling this won't take too long. At the ready."

"Aye, sir. Energizing," replied Mr. Scott, beaming the captain and the party down onto Colony Beta.

Taurus IV wasn't too different from Taurus III, in that the grass was green and tall, the sky a mixture of blues, purples, and oranges, and the winds, although colder, were just as refreshing. The only noticeable difference was that the trees didn't appear to have that same plum color. They were instead, a dark blue, with white leaves. It would truly have been a marvel if the party had time to appreciate it.

As soon as they had materialized, the party was met with a small group of disheveled looking colonists. A pale gentile woman, hair tied back in a large bun and donning a thick blue jumper stepped forward. Her arms were held behind her back; her head was high, and her expression screamed both desperation and determination. She locked eyes with the captain, "Captain Kirk, I presume? I'm Dr. Graw, director of Colony Beta. I trust you have the shipment I requested."

The captain also stepped forward, though his expression did little to mask his annoyance. "We have your requested shipment, Doctor, but I must ask again. Why is your colony in such desperate need of these medical supplies?"

Dr. Graw's eyes shifted from the captain's to the other members of the party, landing on another crate. "I see you have also brought the seedling shipment from Colony Alpha. If you would please have your men escort them to our chief of agriculture, Mr. Luthor, and the medical transfer to Dr. Hool, our CMO, I'll be happy to answer any burning questions you might have, Captain."

Captain Kirk's jaw set but for a moment, eyes narrowing and widening at the doctor's demands. He sensed her hesitation to divulge any details. "Very well, Dr. Graw," he said, turning to his crew. "Mr. Chekov, you and security take the seedlings with Mr. Luthor to their warehouse. Dr. McCoy, you go with Dr. Hool and Dr. Graw's security to sort through the medical shipment. Mr. Spock, you and I will follow Dr. Graw."

A tall, lean man dressed in a similar blue stepped towards Mr. Chekov and a short Hindu woman towards Dr. McCoy. The party then split, their orders seemingly clear.

Once the group thinned out to no more than Spock, Kirk, and the director, the captain spoke. "Alright, you've had your fun, Director, but I want answers. Your colonists are tousled, your supplies are gone, and you haven't given any reason for this behavior. What exactly is going on here, Doctor?"

Dr. Graw sighed, beckoning the pair to follow her as she led them through the colony to the medical bay. "For the duration of our colonization, every night since, a handful of colonists have reported either seeing or hearing something out in the grasslands at night. They never got anything more precise than some kind of blur or a deep growl. We didn't think much of it until a few weeks ago. Another handful, about three or four, of our people were attacked by whatever that blur was. One is in critical condition and the other sustained substantial lacerations to their abdomen. Since then, we've been on the lookout. I've even been forced to mandate a curfew, but every few days or so, there's another attack. We don't have any scanners as of yet, and Dr. Hool has been going through her supplies rather quickly since. The nights are dangerous here, Captain."

The captain listened intently, nodding solemnly when she had finished. "I'm sorry, Dr. Graw. I didn't realize the gravity of the situation. I'm sure once Starfleet has freighters ready, they'll be able to give you more of the supplies you need, including phasers."

Spock finally decided to speak, "Indeed. Though scanners would prove far more useful here, it seems. The planet does appear to be substantially dimmer than Taurus III, as well as host fewer animal populations. Perhaps the unknown creature is merely attempting to feed?"

"Yes, we've looked into that possibility, Mr. Spock. Nothing can be ruled out at this point, but until the Federation can spare freighters, my people are sitting ducks out here in the dark."

Captain Kirk pulled out his communicator then, "Kirk to Enterprise. Come in, Enterprise."

'Enterprise. Lt. Uhura here, Captain. Is something wrong?'

"Negative, Lieutenant. Beta Colony is need of night scanners and extra phasers. Please have Mr. Scott beam them down as soon as possible."

'Yes, sir.'

Closing the communicator, the captain turns to the director once more. "It won't be as much as what the Federation would give you, Director, but I hope it will help you keep your colonists safe."

Dr. Graw gave the captain a small smile, her shoulders relaxing for the first time since their arrival. "Thank you, Captain Kirk. You have no idea what this means to both my colony and me."

Kirk returned the smile. "It's the least we can do for a colony in need, Director."

Unpleasant first impressions aside, the remainder of the party's stay on Colony Beta was relatively incident free. Dr. McCoy and Dr. Hool were able to administer hypos to those still affected by the animal's attack. Mr. Chekov and the security personnel distributed the seedlings appropriately within Mr. Luthor's warehouse, and Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk had supplied Dr. Graw with enough scanners to set up a perimeter around the colony and arm a small portion of the colonists. Yes, there would surely be fewer animal attacks now. Or at least, more prevented.

When all was done, the captain and his party once again said their goodbyes to the colonists. Still worried about the colony's situation, Kirk asked the doctor if there was something more they could do for her and her people. Though the doctor was quick to wave the captain away, insisting that one animal was no match for one-hundred colonists. Somewhat satisfied, he personally said his goodbyes to Dr. Graw and reassured her that the freighters would be on their way. She thanked him again and continued to wave as the party dematerialized and was transported back aboard the ship.

"Welcome back, Captain," said Mr. Scott. "Was the Beta Colony director all you had hoped her to be?"

"Dr. Graw was all that and more, Mr. Scott," he said, walking back to the bridge, "Gentlemen, I suggest you get back to your posts. The Gamma Colony awaits us."

Once back on the bridge, the captain took his place in his chair, Mr. Spock and Mr. Chekov following suit. "Mr. Sulu set a course for Taurus V. Warp factor 2."

"Aye aye, sir. Course computed."

Another colony under the captain's belt and checked off the list. The last being the Gamma Colony on Taurus V. Hopefully, all would go just as smoothly.