Spock was sitting in the captain's chair when the call came from the port commander about the recognition search. He sent pictures of the suspects as well as a picture of the type of ship they had been in. "Is that ship still here?" Spock asked.

"Yes, Sir. We have located it."

"Thank you. We will be there shortly."

Spock stood up. "Lieutenant Jarvis, you have the Bridge," he said.

"Yes, Sir," Ashley replied.

Spock left the Bridge, activating his communicator at the same time. "Yes," Jim answered.

"Admiral, we have located the ship," Spock said.

"Good. I'll be there in a few minutes. Kirk out."

Spock arrived at the exit hatch. Solan and Ajah soon joined him, and not long after that, Jim and Carol arrived. "I believe we should inspect the ship first," Spock said. "If it has been abandoned, it should be apparent."

"I agree," Jim replied.

They all left the Enterprise and went out into the port. They did not have much trouble finding the ship in question. The port commander was there waiting for them. "We want to inspect this ship," Jim said. "Have you found anything? Does it look abandoned?"

"It does, Sir," the commander replied.

"So they may not be here now."

Jim and the others went into the ship and looked around to find that it did, indeed, look abandoned. "So, what do we do now?" Carol asked. "They could be anywhere in the galaxy."

"Why would they leave this ship here?" Jim asked. "They could have left it here to make us think they left. They could be here on this planet."

"They could have taken a transport to leave the planet as well."

They went back out of the ship. "What we have to do is make sure everyone around here is looking for them," Jim said.

"I'm going on a hunt myself," Solan declared. "Excuse me."

The others watched as Solan drifted out into the crowds and disappeared. "That man is a chameleon," Carol said. She looked at Jim, having the fleeting thought that she was so glad to see him standing up and to see that fire in his eyes again. "What do we do next?"

"We'll have to search too," Jim replied. "Surely everyone around here is not protecting and hiding him."

"It does not take everyone, Admiral," Spock said. "It only takes one and those around them who simply look the other way. I have learned this about humans."

Just then, Doctor McCoy came up to them. "Well, I'm ready to go," he said.

Jim pointed to the ship they had been inspecting. "Our fugitives came here in that," he said.

Bones looked at the ship. "They're still here?"

"We don't know."

"But we're gonna find out, I assume?"

"Of course."

Bones folded his arms. "How do we find the on a planet like this?"

Jim mimicked Bones' stance. "You should know where a person could hide around here."

"Me?"

"Yeah. You're the doctor around here. You must have treated some people from the dark side of Pacifica."

"Jim, the dark side of Pacifica is on the other side right now where the moon is. Right here…"

"Bones, I know everyone wants to pretend that everything is happy and flowers sprouting wherever you walk, but not everyone comes here for good reasons."

Bones rolled his eyes at that. "Well, sure there's an underground but I don't dabble in it. I'm a doctor, Jim, not a private investigator."

"You don't hear any rumors?"

"Of course. You know, this whole planet is not like right here. There's a whole other world, you might say, on the other side. The Federation does control this planet, but…it's not all beauty and riches."

Jim scowled at that. "Have you been there?" he asked.

"Yeah. Had to go over there and stop an epidemic before it…well, you know. There's a dark side to everything."

"Then Stow could be hiding somewhere on this planet."

"But how do we find him? It's not exactly a small planet."

"He is correct, Admiral," Spock agreed.

"Yeah, but Solan might find someone who knows someone and so on," Jim said.

"He is quite resourceful."

"The other side of the planet must have to trade with this side."

"I have heard that it's mostly agriculture."

"Well, that has to be it then. That's how they're acquainted with this side, but our suspects could be hiding there. It would be easy to visit the other side."

"They may not like visitors," Bones said.

"They're going to get some."

Jim turned and headed back to the Enterprise, and Carol went with him. The others just stood there a moment. "Jump in feet first and work our way out?" Bones asked.

"Precisely, Doctor," Spock replied.

Jim called Solan on the communicator and told him what they were doing. "I'll be there in a few minutes," Solan said. "Or would you rather I stay here and see what I can find."

"With the Enterprise gone, they may get more comfortable if they're here," Jim replied. "But I don't want you getting into trouble while we're gone."

"Me? I only get into trouble when I'm with you."

"Thanks a lot. I could call rank on you for that remark."

"Yeah. Too bad I'm not officially under your command right now."

"Solan, that's insubordination."

"Sorry, Admiral."

"Just watch it."

"Yes, Sir."

Jim shook his head. "I'm losing control of this whole outfit."

"I'll let you know if I find anything."

"Right. Kirk out."

Jim looked at Carol who was smiling. "What?" he asked.

"You and your friends," Carol replied. "You're hilarious."

"Thanks. I'm glad we give you a laugh."

"They're very protective of me."

"Are they?"

"Oh yes. While you were gone, they hovered over me, made sure Alex and I were safe, didn't want me to roam through that planet looking for you."

"And you didn't like that?"

"On the contrary." Carol stopped. "You have very loyal friends, Jim."

Jim went on to the Bridge, and Spock soon arrived. "We should leave so it will appear that we've left the planet," Jim said. "We can transport down to an inhabited area on the other side."

"Yes, Admiral," Spock replied.

"I think I'm not going to look like an admiral when I go down there," Jim said. "You think they'll recognize me?"

"It is possible," Spock replied. "After all, this is a Federation world."

"If they know me, then they must know what's been going on. They would be deliberately hiding our two suspects. So, why would they?"

"I do not know."

"I guess we'll just find out." Jim looked at Bones. "So what do they wear down there?"

"It sure isn't beachwear," Bones declared.

"I didn't think it was."

They were soon ready to go down to the other side of Pacifica. "Energize," Jim said, and they disappeared from the transporter pad.

Jim, Carol, Ajah, Helek, and Bones appeared in the middle of a small village that was mostly surrounded by wide open fields. It reminded Jim of Iowa. However, there were many more small farm houses along the small gravel road.

"You've been here before, Bones?" Jim asked.

"Yeah," Bones replied.

"You never told me what the epidemic was."

"The last time, it was some sort of flu."

Jim scowled. "Last time?"

"Yes. Since I've been living here, I've had to come over here four times. That's why they don't like visitors."

"Visitors brought it to them? From where?"

"I don't know. Once, it was bird flu."

Jim looked at Bones then. "Bird flu?"

Bones nodded. "I never knew where that could have come from."

"I was told no one is ever sick on Garresant."

"Well, we know how reliable their word is."

"You didn't find any sort of viruses or parasites on that Kuaya, right?"

"No."

"Let's not just stand here in the road," Jim said. "Surely there's some sort of business around here."

"Not this time of night," Bones replied.

"Hey!" someone yelled.

Jim looked around to see a burly, bearded man walking toward them. He was wearing a checkered shirt and even overalls, but Jim was staring at the blaster rifle in his hands. "What are you doing out here this time of night?" he asked. "Who are you?"

"Nathan," Bones said. "It's me, and these are my friends."

"Doctor McCoy?" Nathan lowered the rifle. "Why are you here in the middle of the night? Not another sickness."

"No. Nothing like that. We're looking for someone. You seen any strangers around here?"

"Not in a few days."

Bones showed him the pictures of Stow and Brand. "You seen them?"

"Yeah. I've seen them. Like I said, not for a few days."

"You know where they went?"

"No. Could be anywhere for a thousand miles."

Jim frowned. "A thousand miles?"

Nathan looked at Jim then. Even in the pale moonlight, he could recognize Jim Kirk. "Well, I didn't expect an admiral to be visiting," he said.

"How do you know me?" Jim asked.

"You're probably one of the most recognizable people in the galaxy."

"So much for blending in." Jim pulled the hood of his tunic over his head. "We need to find those two people. Do you know why they were here?"

"The woman is from here. She was here to visit family. I guess the guy was her husband. They seemed to be very acquainted."

Jim looked at the others. "She has family here," he said. "I didn't know she was from here."

"That wasn't what it said on her profile," Ajah said. "She's from Earth."

"Then, her family must have moved here. They must be hiding them." Jim turned back to Nathan. "Do you know the names of her family?"

"No. I just met them when they came here."

"Well, thanks for the information."

Nathan disappeared back to his post, and Jim and his team walked on down the road. "Where do we even begin?" Jim asked.

"We could always wait till morning and ask around," Bones said.

"And stay where in the meantime?"

"Surely they have lodging," Carol said.

Jim looked up at the clear sky. "I never expected it to look like this here," he said. "Is there really a town?" he wondered. "Do they have transportation? It's like another world from the other side."

"That over there is a tourist attraction," Bones reminded him. "This side is business…and living."

They could hear crickets chirping as they walked. "That's something I don't hear often anymore," Jim said. "Crickets chirping, frogs singing."

"We heard nothing on Garresant," Carol said.

"I know. I do remember that."

"Do you think the atmosphere just doesn't conduct sound?"

"I could hear people talking."

"Right." Carol considered that. "It's very strange. Even the wind made no sounds."

"The wind? How do you know? I thought you wore suits."

"We did. I removed my helmet for a few minutes."

Jim was surprised by that. "You what?" he asked, and Bones said it at the same time.

"I wanted to know what that atmosphere did to females. After all, we knew what it did to males."

"I don't believe it," Bones declared as he was scanning Carol with a tricorder.

"So, what did it do?" Jim asked.

Carol smiled. "I'll tell you later."

Bones raised an eyebrow at the readings as he went on following them. "Is she okay?" Jim asked.

"Oh yeah, she's…pretty normal," Bones replied.

"You're not lying, are you, Bones?"

"Me? Why would I? If she was gonna die, I'd tell you. You know me."

Carol laughed. "The sky is so beautiful," she said, changing the subject.

They soon heard music coming from somewhere. "Noise," Jim said. "That means people are around somewhere, and maybe they're awake."

"I don't know how they could be any other way with that noise going on," Bones replied.

As they walked on, they finally heard a vehicle coming down the road and moved over to the side. "Life does exist here," Jim remarked.

"You're not going to make such remarks about a farming place, are you, farm boy?" Bones asked.

"I can if I want, farm boy."

"Hey, you're more of a farm boy than me."

"Just cause you're a doctor?"

"Yeah."

They soon came into an area where there was a few buildings clumped together and the music was coming from a saloon. "They actually call it a saloon," Jim said as he stood looking at the neon sign.

"Let's try to avoid bar fights," Bones said.

They walked into the bar which was dimly lit. "Maybe no one will recognize me in here," Jim said.

"Hopefully not. If they do, they might remember your reputation for bar fights."

"Not here."

"Shouldn't we spread out?" Ajah asked.

"Might be a good idea."

Jim and Carol went over to the bar. He noticed there were not many people in the bar and supposed it was because of the late hour of the night. However, the ones who were there were certainly staring at the newcomers. "Jim, maybe you should take off that hood," Carol said.

"I don't want anyone to recognize me," Jim replied.

"They're staring."

"I don't care. We're here for information, not to make friends."

"You're definitely not doing that."

Jim leaned on the bar and the bartender finally came to him. "What'll you have?" he asked.

"I don't want a drink," Jim said. "I was wondering if you have seen these two people." He showed him the pictures.

The bartender looked at the pictures and then at Jim, although he could not see him as his face was shaded in the hood. "What if I have?" he asked.

"We're looking for them."

"Why?"

"I want to ask them some questions. And they're suspects in a kidnapping."

"A kidnapping?"

"Yeah."

The bartender looked skeptical. "I haven't heard anything about any kidnappings around here."

"Well, it wasn't around here. They came here to hide."

"How do I know you're telling the truth? A lot of people come here trying to cause trouble, and we don't let no one cause trouble for the residents here."

Jim realized some of the others in the bar were starting to drift that way. "Look, I'm not here to cause any trouble for the residents here," he said. "We're just looking for these two people because they're wanted. If you look at the bulletins from…"

"Are you from the Federation? Starfleet?"

Jim was silent a moment. "What if I was?" he asked.

The bartender leaned on the bar and stared into the hood. "You wouldn't be welcome here," he said. "The Federation has done nothing good for this community except keep us here to provide for their tourist attraction on the other side of the planet."

Jim thought he was starting to sweat. Why did everything always have to go this way for him? "I don't think you're exactly right about that," he said. "Don't you trade with them?"

The bartender stiffened. "Sure. But I think we're all getting the short end of the stick. Surely you see the difference in here and there."

"I do, but there is no ocean here. Besides, I lived in a place like this when I lived on Earth. I don't think it's just incredibly horrible. Maybe you should go outside sometimes."

"I think you should get outside now."

"Please, we just want to know where these two people are," Carol said.

"I don't really like people who hide their faces," the bartender said.

Jim sighed. "Believe me, I'm not a criminal," he declared.

Suddenly, the bartender looked surprised and just a little worried. "Doctor McCoy?" he said. "What brings you over here again?"

Bones walked over there to the bar. "I'm with him," he replied. "You know me."

"Of course. You saved my life the last time you were here."

"Well, we're looking for those two people. Do you know who they came here to see?"

The bartender shook his head. "No. I'm sorry." He looked toward Jim again. "He's a friend of yours?"

"Yeah, he is."

Realization came into the bartender's eyes as he looked toward Jim and then back to Bones. "I heard about Admiral Kirk's trouble," he said. "You know, I don't think he's like some of those admirals in Starfleet."

"Probably not," Bones replied. "He's more reckless and always jumping into trouble, talks way too much."

"Those two were in town not long ago, but they didn't say who they came to see. Just said they had family around here."

"Did they get some sort of transport?"

"I'm sure they did. There's a transport that comes through every day."

"And the pilot would know who all gets on, right?"

"Maybe."

"Where can we stay for the night?" Jim asked. "And what time does the transport come?"

"You can get rooms right down the street, and the transport comes around eight in the morning."

"Thanks."

Jim and the others left the bar. Helek sighed. "I thought we were in trouble there for a moment," he said.

"We were," Jim replied. "But at least we didn't have to fight our way out."

"Yeah, I kinda like not having bruises and a broken nose," Bones declared.

"It's a good thing you are a hero around here."

"I'm not a hero. He's just one that survived. I'm sure there are some around here who wouldn't be so thoughtful toward me. Some of these people around here blame the Federation for the sickness."

"So we were just lucky?"

"Yeah."

They soon found the place for lodging, but it was certainly not luxurious like the ones they had seen before. However, the building looked well cared for. They had no trouble getting a room. Jim and Carol went into their room. "Well, it's plain, but at least there's a bed," Jim said. He pulled the hood off his head. "I'm tired after all that." He sat down on the bed.

Carol touched his face. "Jim, you feel warm," she said. "Perhaps Doctor McCoy should examine you."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Carol went to the door and Bones was there. "Just the man I was about to contact," she said.

"Why?" Bones asked. "Something wrong?"

"Jim feels a little warm to me, and he feels tired."

Bones went over to Jim and scanned him. "You been feeling bad today?" he asked.

"Not really," Jim replied. "Just tired."

"I think you're trying to jump back into everything too soon. You still gotta take it easy."

"I didn't think I was doing so much."

"You may not be doing a lot, but you're up walking down gravel roads and going through all this stress of finding these two people."

Jim frowned. "So, what's wrong with me?" he asked.

"Nothing, except you need some rest."

"I'm about to get that."

"Let me know if your head starts feeling weird or anything. You seem to be completely back to normal, but you need rest."

"Fine. Get out, and I'll get some rest."

"Good night."

Bones left, and Carol closed the door. "I never said I was going to let you sleep," she said.

Jim could not help but smile. "Bones is going to be grumpy tomorrow if I'm still tired," he replied.

"He's always grumpy."

Carol went over to the bed and pushed Jim down. She crawled onto the bed and leaned over him. "You're my mate," she said teasingly.

Jim scowled slightly as he thought he remembered something. "What is it?" Carol asked noticing the confused look on his face. "You don't want to be my mate tonight?"

"No…I mean, yes, but that's not what it is."

"Is something wrong?"

"I don't know. I thought I remembered something."

"From the planet?"

Jim nodded. "I wish I could remember what happened there."

"You don't even remember riding the horse?"

"No. It's all still like a blur."

"Cax couldn't remember much about being there either, but he did remember some because he wasn't there as long as you were. He was the reason we knew not to go there without protection from the atmosphere."

Jim nodded. "It's still puzzling. There was no sound there, not even anything rustling, except that very loud thunderstorm, but I was told that it was caused by the females there…" Jim sat up. "I remembered that."

"I think your memories are clearing up more," Carol said.

"I didn't even remember the thunderstorm before, but it seemed to be the only thing on that planet besides the bird people that made any sounds."

"Doctor McCoy did say your neural pathways were obstructed. It was why you couldn't talk and didn't know us."

"I can't imagine not remembering you." Jim scowled slightly as he brushed Carol's hair back from her face.

"What? There's that look again."

"You. I remember…something. It's like it's right there and I can't grasp it."

"Well, kiss me and maybe you'll remember."

Jim leaned over to kiss her and stopped short. "Something about you on that planet," he said.

"But I wasn't there with you until we found you. You were unconscious."

They shared a long kiss. "We'll talk more in the morning," Carol said.