Jim collapsed with exhaustion as he finally reached the edge of the scraggly forest he now could see. It was made up of odd-looking trees that had little foliage, and looked somewhat like deformed pine trees. He hoped there was water in there somewhere as he tried to crawl on into the forest. He had heard that strange noise again while he walked across the wide-open spaces, but he could hear nothing else. He did not think he had ever been on such a silent planet. He just wanted out of the sun as much as possible. He thought he already had a blistered face and neck and his lips felt chapped. He finally made it into the trees. They were scraggly but they did provide a little shade from the beating down sun. He was beginning to wonder just how long the days were on this planet. He felt like it had been hours that he had spent crossing that desert. Then again, he did not see anything yet that did not look like a desert. He wondered if the whole planet was like this. As he crawled into the place, he did actually find a water hole which was nestled among some rocks. He knelt beside it and stopped himself long enough to smell the water, but it had no odors so he drank some of the water, and it was actually cold. He let himself sink to the ground beside the water hole. He was exhausted but he could not help but remember that he could not stop more than five minutes. Why? What would happen? He could go no further and he had to rest. He crawled over among some rocks, hoping that whoever was tracking him could not find him there, and he let himself sink into sleep.

Jim awoke hearing something that sounded like sniffing. He was suddenly wide awake and sat up. His breath quickened as he realized it was definitely sniffing he was hearing. Was something hunting him? They had caught up with him. He sat up and tried to see over the rocky wall he was behind. He could only see the back of whatever it was, and it was furry and looked big. He could only imagine a mouth full of sharp teeth waiting to devour him. He backed up toward the rear area of the rocks he was hiding in where there was another way out. He climbed over the rocks and hurried around the next rocky outcropping. He heard a snarl as he began to run out into the forest. He hoped there was somewhere he could hide that that creature could not get to. He ran as fast as he could through the trees and finally saw a small cave, but that was not where he wanted to hide. He would be trapped in there. He had no weapon or anything.

Jim was torn about the cave but he made a split-second decision and went into the cave, hoping he would find a small place to squeeze into or a way out the back. The cave had a small entrance but it opened out into a large cavern. It was also very dark, but Jim kept going. Just enough light came in that he could see where he was going. About middle way of the cave, there was a fork, so he went left. To his surprise, this tunnel became more narrow and shorter until he had to crawl. He hoped he was not heading for a dead end but he could see dim light at the other end of this tunnel and he hoped it was a way out. He kept crawling until he came to a small opening that he could squeeze out through.

As Jim got out through the opening, he wasted no time. He started running. He knew if that animal was sniffing out his trail, it would go through that cave, and would have to squeeze through that small tunnel, and might not be able to get out through that opening he came through. He ran until he could hardly breathe and then slowed down. He was in shape but he could not run forever. He had to conserve some energy to keep moving. His side was starting to hurt now and there was no definite trail. He wondered if this entire planet was like this. Were there any inhabitants? If there were, he wondered how far away they were. He had heard nothing much but silence on this planet so he did not think there was any air traffic or space travel.

After walking for what felt like hours, Jim realized the sun was starting to go down. He was not sure if that was something to be glad about or if it was a bad thing for him. Would that animal rest during the night? Would it keep coming after him? He held his side as he walked. His knee was certainly not feeling any better after all that running, but he kept going. Finally, the heat of the day started to fade and stars began to appear. As the color of the sky faded, he could see the blackness of night and saw no signs of any sort of space travel or satellites. It was eerily quiet…not even the sounds of night animals or anything. He wondered if the whole planet was made of sand. He had not seen anything else yet.

Jim walked until he had to stop. He leaned against a tree wondering how much longer he could go without sleep. He did not know how long he had slept when he did lie down but he did not feel like it was very long. He stood there leaning on the tree a few minutes getting his breath back and trying to relax his muscles as he was smelling that flowery fragrance even stronger now but still, he saw no signs of flowers. Then he heard a distant cry of what he thought was probably that creature that was stalking him. Fear gripped his heart. He started moving again. Darkness had created eerie shadows in the forest, and he could see what almost looked like glowing eyes lighted by the moon which had come up almost as suddenly as the sun had gone down. However, there was not only one moon, but three, as he could see the other two coming over the horizon. Where could he hide? As he walked, he began to get into taller trees, trees that did not look like they were growing in a desert, and finally, he was in a giant forest of trees that looked even taller than the Redwoods, but something else he noticed was that there were flickering lights up in those trees, and then he realized there were tree houses up there. Was he walking into a village?

Jim kept moving and finally saw a fire in a large clearing in the trees, and the trees surrounding it had a network of treehouses that were connected by walkways. He had never seen anything like it. Jim suddenly realized he was surrounded by beings who seemed to glisten in the moonlight, and their eyes glowed. However, he could see that they had wings on their backs, but they were humanoid. They had some feathers but also had luminescent skin that looked like it was bluish-purple.

Jim swallowed hard as he tried to get over his fascination. "I'm not here to hurt you," he said, hoping they could understand him as he realized they had weapons like spears. "My name is Jim Kirk. I was stranded here by someone and I've been hunted all day by some creature out there in the desert, and…" Jim suddenly felt incredibly exhausted. "Please, I mean you no harm."

One of the bird people stepped out in front of Jim. This one seemed to have more feathers on his head than the others. "How did you come to be on this planet?" he asked with a strong accent, but it was English none the less.

"Someone brought me here and stranded me in the desert," Jim replied. "I don't know how I got here. They've been tracking me."

"You have been hunted by the feettal. It is a dangerous animal. You need water and rest. You are welcome here, Jim Kirk. I am Garath, the leader of the Garre. Come."

Jim followed them into the camp, feeling even more weary as he went. He thought he was starting to relax and it made him feel more exhausted. The Garre? He had not heard of this species. As they neared the light of the fire, he could tell more about them. Their heads were covered with feathers rather than hair, and they had some feathers on their face, some around their waist and down to their thighs as well, and on their feet, and their skin was definitely light bluish-purple. He wanted to know more about them, but he hoped they were about to show him where he could sleep.

"You can stay with my family and me," Garath said. "I should like to know more about you."

Jim nodded. Then he realized he had to climb a long ladder to get up to the treehouse since he could not fly. He looked at the rope ladder hoping he would not fall off it, but he began to climb simply putting one hand and one foot above the other, slowly ascending until he was finally at the walkway and Garath helped him up. The rope ladder was rolled up and Jim was taken into the treehouse where Gareth lived with his wife. Jim was surprised when he saw the woman. He thought she was very beautiful with her bluish-purple skin and feathers as well. She had feathers where eyebrows and eyelashes would be and had beautiful white feathers covering most of her except her arms and legs. "My wife, Qharri," Garath said. "We should fix him a place to sleep and give him some water." Garath looked at Jim. "Are you hungry?"

Jim wondered if hungry was the word. He had not thought much about eating. He was so thirsty and scared, he had only thought about water. "Yes, I am," he replied. "But I'm so tired."

"You will rest better if you eat."

Jim wondered what they ate, but they had him sit down in a chair at their table and brought him a plate of food that smelled incredibly good. Jim wondered if that was because he was so hungry, but there was meat and greens and bread. He hoped maybe this alien food would not upset his stomach like some did. He took a bite, and it was all very good. As he ate, he started to feel a little better.

"Where do you come from, Jim Kirk?" Garath asked.

"I come from Earth," Jim replied. "I don't know what your planet is called."

"It is Garresant. It is not a highly populated planet, but there are some other tribes which live scattered. You are from far away?"

"I don't know. I've never been to this planet. Have you seen humans before?"

"We have. One has come here often lately. He seemed to be surveying the planet."

"Do you know his name?"

"No. He did not approach us. He seemed to want to stay to himself mostly."

"Maybe he is the one who brought me here."

"I do not know. No one knows you are here?"

Jim shook his head. "I'm not sure how this happened. I woke up here."

"Perhaps you will remember after you rest."

"I hope so. I'm sure my wife has realized something's wrong by now."

"You have a family?"

"Yes. My wife and one child. I'm an Admiral in Starfleet."

"I do not know of this Starfleet."

"We're a peace-keeping armada and try to bring peace among worlds and bring other worlds into our circle so we can all help each other."

"Even planets like ours?"

"It's usually space-faring species."

"More advanced than us."

"You have a wonderful place here."

Jim finished his meal, and they showed him to his place to sleep which was a hammock woven out of what looked like vines, but there were also blankets that were so soft, Jim wondered if they were made of feathers. He lay down in the hammock and then he knew just exactly how exhausted he really was. He was soon asleep and was too tired to dream of anything.

On Earth, Ajah and Helek arrived at the central security building and went inside. As they approached the front desk, they found that Admiral Winston had already cleared them to enter the facility. Lieutenant Sophie Brand was their guide and showed them where to go to find the information they were looking for.

"If the information has been deleted, can it be retrieved?" Ajah asked.

"If it has been cycled through the entire process, it cannot be," Sophie replied.

"Then we may be at a dead end."

"Possibly, but we will see."

The technician began searching for the correct data from the night before. As he searched the database, he did not find any footage from the apartment complex where Admiral Kirk lived. "I'm afraid there's nothing there," the ensign said.

"Who could delete this data?" Ajah asked.

"It would take authorization from a supervisor," Sophie answered.

"Could a supervisor do it alone?"

"Yes."

"Well, we need to know who the supervisors are and which are not here today."

Sophie went to a computer terminal and brought up a personnel list. "I can't believe any of them would be involved in something like this," she said.

"It doesn't matter what you believe," Helek replied. "Someone is covering up something."

"Is there anyone here who was under direct command of Admiral Kirk? Have you heard anyone who complained about it?" Ajah asked.

"Well, Lieutenant Jarvis served aboard the Enterprise as security personnel," Sophie replied.

"What is his attitude about it?"

"I really haven't heard him say."

"Does he like being in security?"

"I don't know."

"Is there anyone else?" Ajah asked.

"No."

"We need to see Lieutenant Jarvis."

"He is not here now. He comes in at a later shift."

"We'll just take these files," Helek said. "Lieutenant Jarvis has not suddenly taken leave, has he?"

"No. He is scheduled for today."

"We have to see him. Is his address included in this file?"

"Yes."

"Thanks."

Ajah and Helek left that building. "Well, what do we do now?" Helek asked. "Do you believe her?"

"We find Lieutenant Jarvis," Ajah replied. As he was looking at the datapad. "I don't see that we have a choice but to believe her right now. We have to go and talk to him." He looked at Helek. "Do you have a suspicion?"

"I thought she was just a little too cooperative."

"Well, Admiral Winston did contact them."

When they had the address, they got a transport to a small, rather old apartment complex, and went inside. "His apartment is on the fifth floor," Ajah said.

They got into the turbo lift and went up to the floor. They found the right apartment building and rang the door chime. For a moment, everything was silent but then the door opened. A tall, dark-skinned human who looked like he worked out plenty stood in the door, not wearing his Starfleet uniform but workout clothes. "Ajah," he said. "Helek. What brings you here?"

"We need to talk to you," Ajah replied.

"Must be serious."

"It is."

"Come on in."

They went into the apartment which smelled like apples and cinnamon. "So you remember us?" Ajah asked.

"How could I forget?" Jarvis asked. "What's this visit about?"

"Have you heard that Admiral Kirk is missing?" Ajah asked.

"No. What does that have to do with me?"

"Maybe nothing. You heard anyone complaining lately?"

"At work? All the time. Anyone in particular you're curious about?"

"Anyone who may have worked with you, or was complaining about Admiral Kirk."

Jarvis thought. "Lieutenant Stow. He was aboard the Enterprise too. He complained then too."

Ajah and Helek were surprised. "So, he works at the facility where you work now?" Helek asked.

"Yeah."

"That's odd," Ajah said. "Has he been complaining a lot lately?"

Jarvis chuckled at that. "He has always been a complainer."

"About Admiral Kirk?"

"He didn't particularly like being under his command. He had thought Admiral Kirk got Hendorff killed on purpose because they were kinda like rivals. Stow spent a lot of time on the holodeck sometimes."

"Doing what?"

"He liked playing your holonovels after you began writing them and creating. I went with him once."

"Did he have a favorite?"

"Desert of Torment. Actually, he was always wondering what it would be like to go on a hunt in the desert. He was fascinated with hunting species in the galaxy."

"A hunt in the desert?"

"Yeah. He used to talk about some planet he studied called…um…Garresant, I think. It was just some planet he had learned about on shore leave at a space station. Some space explorers had been there. It has a lot of desert but also a tribe of bird people. Actually, it's several tribes. Some are very hostile. And there are these creatures that live there, some cat-like creature. Sounds weird, huh?"

"Quite. Has he been talking about this planet? Admiral Kirk?"

"He thought Admiral Kirk shouldn't have been promoted because of his way of doing things on the ship. Some of it was against the Prime Directive but he got promoted anyway, while the rest of his crew got nothing for their part in it…according to him. I do remember him saying he wondered how Kirk would survive alone, without his crew to rescue him."

"You didn't report that?" Ajah asked.

"I didn't think anything of it. It seemed like just bitter, idle talk. You think he kidnapped the admiral?"

"Someone did. And someone erased the footage from the security to cover it up."

"And you think I did it? No way, Man. I have nothing against Kirk. He gave me a good recommendation for my job."

"Someone had to help him or the footage would have been seen. Is he close to anyone there?"

"He and Lieutenant Brand seemed a little cozy."

"Lieutenant Brand?" Ajah asked.

"Yeah. I've seen them having lunch together on numerous occasions. Even seen them out together and came in to work together the next day."

"You're very observant."

"It goes with the job. I'm paid to be nosey."

Ajah looked at Helek. "Maybe we found our culprit," he said.

"Most likely," Helek agreed. "If all this is true, she lied about their relationship, and no wonder she didn't tell that he was there."

"I guess we have to get this information to Admiral Winston. Lying is a sure sign of something fishy."

Jim Kirk woke up feeling a cool breeze passing over him but he heard no sounds, even in this village. He opened his eyes as he remembered where he was. He could tell it was daylight as light was filtering into the room where he lay in the hammock. He was warm and comfortable and definitely felt more rested now. However, he had to get up and find a way to get off this planet…if there was one.

Jim turned over in the hammock. He was rather sore from all that walking and running the day before but he sat up anyway. A hammock was not an easy thing to sit up in, so he stood up. His head felt a little strange, and he was not sure what he should do but he walked out of the room. Garath and Qharri were in the next room. "Good morning," Garath said. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did," Jim replied.

"You must be hungry. Come."

Jim was not sure he wanted to eat right now. He thought the food he ate the night before was not agreeing with him this morning. "I'm not hungry right now," he said. "I would like to know more about your planet and if there's a way for me to contact someone."

"We do not have outside communications."

"I guess the only way for me to get off this planet is if I find the one who brought me here."

"Is this planet so bad?"

Jim looked at Garath. "No," he said. "It's very beautiful and peaceful, but it's not my home."

"I understand. I do not know how to help you. We have never found where the human stays while he is here. Our scouts have searched with no success."

"You have scouts?"

"Yes. We must be on the lookout for the feettal. At times, they are on the hunt."

"Is there a large population of them?"

"No, but there are enough to be worried."

Qharri came into the room next. Jim was still taken aback by her beauty, but he also noticed that her appearance had changed somewhat. Her feathers were not all white anymore but seemed to be blushing with greenish hues. She smiled at Jim with what he thought looked like a rather flirtatious smile.

"So, you say there are other tribes of Garre?" Jim asked as he looked back to Garath.

"Yes," Garath answered. "You would not find some of them so welcoming. I also must warn you that the mating season is upon us. You must be careful or you will become a mate."

Jim scowled at that. "I already have a mate," he said.

"Not here. The females become very aggressive and…well, you would not have a choice."

Jim's mouth almost dropped open. "You mean…I would be taken by force?"

"It is nature."

"Not where I come from. I have to find my way off this planet."

"I believe you will find that difficult or maybe even impossible."

"Just exactly how aggressive are they?" he asked.

Qharri laughed slightly as she headed outside. "You would not be harmed," Garath said.

"Okay. How long does it usually last? I mean, the mating season."

Garath considered that. "One…week, I believe it is called," he said.

"How do you know my language?"

"As I said, there have been visitors before, some who have even taken a mate, or became a mate. It is why some of our tribe have no wings."

Jim was flabbergasted. He had not even noticed that anyone did not have wings. Then again, he had been so exhausted when he got there the night before that he was not very interested in anything but sleeping. "Then you welcome outsiders?" he asked.

"As long as they are not violent," Garath answered. "I'm sure you have noticed that our females are very beautiful."

"They are. I'd like to go outside and view your village while it's not dark."

"Of course. Come."

Jim followed Garath outside and he was in awe as he stood on the balcony…or that was what he would call it. He looked down and could see just how far up he had climbed the night before, and he wondered how he had made it. The village was in the trees. He had glimpsed part of it the night before but now he could see it was a sturdy network of walkways and what looked like cabins. They were not large cabins but sufficient. "This is amazing," he said. "I've never seen a village like this."

"You have never met bird people?" Garath asked.

"I can't say I have."

As Jim looked across the way, he saw another human male. He had no feathers, so Jim assumed he was not a Garre. "Who's that?" he asked.

"He is one who chose to stay here," Garath replied.

"What's his name?"

"He is called Zawek."

"He has been here a long time?"

"Many moons."

"What's the cycle of your moons?"

"I do not know how to explain it in your terms."

"That's okay. Can I talk to Zawek?"

"Of course."

Jim followed Garath across the walkway that led to the other side of the village area. There was a trail and clearing in the forest below, but the walkway kept them from walking on the ground. Garath flew as they moved.

Zawek stood in the same place as Jim and Garath approached. "Our visitor would like to speak with you," Garath said.

Zawek looked at Jim. "Jim Kirk," he said. "What brings you here?"

Jim scowled. "How do you know me?" he asked.

"I went to Starfleet Academy. I wasn't called Zawek then. I since ventured out on my own and found my place in the galaxy."

"How did you get here?"

"Well, I crashed, but they helped me, and after I stayed here a while, I didn't care about leaving."

"You have a ship here somewhere?"

"Not anymore."

Jim frowned. "What happened to it?"

"It was destroyed."

"How long have you been here?" he asked.

"About three years, but I remember you. How did you get here?"

"I was brought here by someone. I don't know how I got here."

"He brought you here to be hunted," Zawek said thoughtfully.

"Who?"

"I don't know who he is. He's a very disrespectful human. He has no regard for the inhabitants of this planet."

"Do you know if he has a ship here?"

"Probably but we haven't been able to find it."

Jim felt helpless. No one here could help him, and he wondered if he would be stranded on this planet for a very long time. "Hey, don't be so sad," Zawek said. "This is not a bad place to live, plus, you'll have all the mates you want."

"I already have a mate, thank you," Jim replied.

"You?"

"I'm also an admiral."

"Oh, so you went on that deep space mission."

"Yeah." Jim looked at the wedding ring on his hand. "Can you help me figure out how to get off this planet?"

Zawek frowned. "I wouldn't if I could," he said. "There is no technology here. They just live." He paused a moment. "You really have one mate?"

"Yes. I also have a son."

"That's a big change. But if you're here a long time, you might as well enjoy it, Right?"

"What do you mean?"

"The mating season."

"I told you I already have a mate."

Jim looked around the forest. "I don't see any females around here," he said.

"That's because they hide right now," Zawek replied. "They will come in unexpected."

"What about Qharri?"

"She'll be gone soon too. There are others, but most do not choose the same mate."

"And you like being attacked?"

Zawek laughed. "If that is what you want to call it."

"So, they're going to come swooping in unexpected and grab whomever they choose?"

"Yeah, that's usually how it works."

Jim shook his head. He did not like the sound of that. "How often does this take place?" he asked.

"Twice a year," Zawek said.

Jim wanted to ask more questions, but he wondered if it would be rude. "Do they…lay eggs?"

"One egg, Admiral. Just one. They're not human."

"But humans are compatible?"

"Yeah. I didn't always have bluish-purple skin, but it happens over time."

"Well, I'm glad you're happy here."

Jim went back to Garath's cabin where he sat outside. "Have a seat," Garath said.

Jim sat down on the wooden surface that seemed very smooth. "I guess I'm stuck here for the time being," he said. "Zawek doesn't know where the other human stays."

"We will find him. I sent the scouts to search today, but they will return before the mating season begins."

Qharri came out with a bowl of some sort of orange fruit. She squatted beside Jim and offered him some. He did not like the way she looked at him nor how close she was to him now, and he thought her feathers were perfumed. Just as he thought that, he sneezed. "Excuse me," he said.

Qharri touched Jim's blond hair, and he moved back. "You have beautiful feathers," she said.

"It's not feathers."

"Qharri, you make our guest nervous," Garath said.

Qharri stood up and walked away. Jim was not sure how to take that encounter, but Garath did not seem to care that his wife was flirting with him. "You need not fear," Garath said. "She will not harm you."

Jim looked at the fruit in the bowl and took a piece. To his surprise, it was very good. It was sweet but had a tartness at the same time. "When is the best time to go out searching?" he asked.

"Mornings and afternoons, mostly. If the scouts find anything, they will let you know, and we will help you if we can."

"I appreciate your hospitality, but you must understand why I want to get back to my own planet."

"You do not understand our customs, but we may not understand many of yours. One I do not understand is why one of your own would bring you to this world and strand you here. What is his purpose?"

Jim considered that. "I don't know," he said. "I don't even know who it is."

"Why would anyone do this to you? I am trying to understand. Are you a cruel leader?"

Jim smiled slightly. "No. As a matter of fact, I'm usually considered a rather lenient one."

"You are good to those who serve you?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't call it serving me. We all work together. I'm in authority but I don't have servants."

"But this being hates you?"

"It looks like it." Jim paused a moment. "You said he has been here before. What did he do last time?"

"We only saw him at a distance and the scouts reported that they had seen him again and again. Every time, he seemed to be simply exploring the desert."

"Only the desert?"

"Yes."

"Has he ever brought anyone else here?"

"There was another with him once. This man seemed to be in the same situation as you, but he died in the desert."

Jim frowned. "How long ago was that?"

"Several moons. I have tried to learn from Zawek about months, but it is difficult when one goes by the moons."

Jim nodded. "I'm sure it is. The other human who died…did you bury him?"

"We never found his body after it was reported."

"And the one who brought me here, he was never taken as a mate?"

Garath shrugged slightly making his feathers rustle. "I do not know," he said. "We mostly live here and mind our own business as long as no one bothers us, but we have been concerned about the human coming so often."

"Could he have taken up with one of the other tribes?" Jim asked.

"It is possible. However, the Jarre to the Northeast would not be so hospitable. He would have been taken prisoner. At times, they come to fight with us because some of their females come to this tribe."

"So where do the females go to stay until…it's time?"

"I am not certain but there is a large section of jungle that is much thicker than where we live. It is lush and green with many waterfalls. They go there to preen and groom. My wife will go soon. If you went there, you would not see them."

"Your wife goes too?"

"Of course. It is part of the enjoyment for her. I am always glad when she returns."

"Do the scouts come back every day?"

"Not always but they will stay out no longer than tomorrow."

Jim thought he wanted to be out of here by then. There was only one woman he wanted to see right now. He had become accustomed to being home with her all the time and this situation was not to his liking.