T'Phol was the first of the group to get up. She bathed and was dressed before dawn. The synthesizers were programmed for several varieties of Vulcan tea. She sipped as she looked out at the darkness, thinking about McCoy's terrors and the Aminta creatures. She believed without reservation that the connection through his dream was real although unexplained, much like the mental connection she shared with him at times. She wondered if she and the bird would be able to communicate and to what extent. Music was called the universal language, although that old saying referred to the emotional connection and not linguistics. Leonard thought of Piasa in emotional terms. She considered the likelihood of establishing a Tap with an alien species.
T'Phol finished her tea just as the dark was showing a hint of light. McCoy's door was slightly open. She peeked in, saw his form huddled under a messy pile of blankets. She started to back out when he spoke, his voice muffled under the covers.
She entered the small room and sat on the edge of his bed. She patted the lump where his head was and heard his soft chuckle. He worked a hand free and uncovered his head, touching her cheek.
"Good morning." She smoothed his hair across his forehead. "You are entangled. Did you have a restless night?"
"I woke up cold. You're up early."
"It is approaching daylight. Aminta time is twenty-eight seven."
"Damned time keeping system here makes me want to stay in bed." He took a deep breath. "I guess that means I have about two hours until clinic." T'Phol watched as he began working his way from the rumpled bedding until he could sit up unencumbered by sheets and blankets.
"Don't laugh," he grunted, seeing her amusement.
She raised an eyebrow. "I was not laughing."
"I know Vulcan laughter when I see it. I'm getting in the shower." He stood, kissing the top of her head and took his bag into one of the bathrooms. T'Phol straightened his bed while she waited, then went to the living area and got another cup of tea. Uhura and Chapel came out of their rooms almost at the same time. Uhura took the first turn in the bath while Chapel fixed a cup of coffee, heavy with cream and sugar, and sat at the table beside T'Phol. She took a sip, making a face.
"The coffee is not satisfactory?"
Chapel laughed. "I really don't like coffee much. I never drank it until I started nursing. Somewhere between not liking it and my second year on the Enterprise, I found I needed a cup to get started. I blame Doctor McCoy. He lives on the foul brew."
"Nectar of the Gods, you mean," McCoy said, exiting the bath. He took his bag to his room and reappeared with his medikit. He got his own cup and joined them at the table.
"Coffee saved many a med student through medical school and residency, including me. Replicated stuff is not the same. Any time we're on Earth, I stock up on the real thing." He took a sip. "How are you feeling this morning?"
"My headache's better. I feel like I could eat a little breakfast."
Uhura finished and she and Chapel traded places. McCoy finished his coffee then went to check on Cassady and Giotto.
Cassady answered his knock, sleepy, but showing no sign of altitude sickness and ready for breakfast. McCoy left him getting ready and went to Giotto's door, knocking softly. Giotto called for him to come in, sounding stronger than he had the previous evening. McCoy entered to find him sitting on the bed finishing a glass of water. He drained it before addressing McCoy.
"I woke up thirsty just a minute ago. Thanks for leaving the water within reach. I could drink another, but I need to pee first.
McCoy chuckled as he ran the scanner. "That's good to hear, Barry." He checked the readings and prepared a hypo.
"Do I need another hypo, Doc? I feel better this morning." Giotto looked at him mournfully.
McCoy had learned shortly after joining the Enterprise the tough landing party security chief detested the hypo. He suppressed a smile. "This is a little different than the shot you had last night. You are better, and I want to keep you that way. I don't know if we'll be outside today or not, but if we are this gives you a head start on acclimation. Here ya go, Bucko."
Giotto sighed and tried not to flinch as the tube hissed against his arm.
They had breakfast together in the common hall. Another table was occupied by a few Human scientists who spoke briefly and then ignored the Enterprise group until they finished eating and left.
"Friendly sort, aren't they?" McCoy remarked between bites of hot cereal.
Cassady snorted. "That group works in the linguistics lab. You have no idea."
Uhura shrugged. "It's just as well for today at least. But their isolationist and protective work habits are stunting their own useful output here. Some very interesting findings are going unnoticed and un-published. For instance, there is evidence that Aminta may have been a clandestine site for pirate activity, mostly in drug trafficking,"
They were interrupted by the click of heels against the stone floor as Arnette approached their table, tablet in hand. McCoy rose to his feet. "Good morning."
She nodded brusquely. "Doctor McCoy, the pertinent medical records and exam schedule for today have been sent to the clinic computer. Your first patient should arrive at hour two. The final group of on-site workers will come in later this evening. Assuming today's schedule proceeds to plan, tomorrow should conclude the mandatory physical exams."
McCoy nodded. "Barring complications, I'd say that's likely."
"Very well. Mister Jasso prefers a concrete schedule. I shall keep him informed. Good day." She pivoted to leave, but Uhura spoke quickly.
"Miss Arnette, We'd like to visit one of the sites while we're here."
Arnette turned back. "I am not sure that will be possible. Nor perhaps advisable. The climate is not forgiving to the un-acclimated."
"There are drugs that we can use short term to control the symptoms. And T'Phol is Vulcan."
Arnette's lips pressed together in a firm, thin line. "I will investigate the possibility and let you know later today." She nodded and left at a hurried pace.
McCoy sat, looking at Uhura who was frowning at Arnette's retreating back. "In other words," he said, "don't hold your breath."
Uhura stabbed at her eggs. "It would be interesting to see some work in progress, maybe give us a feel for how it was when this place was bustling with activity."
"The base station seems oppressive," Giotto said. "I'd like to see something outside of here, too." He spread some jam on his toast.
McCoy grunted. "Don't worry, Barry. If anyone leaves the base you'll be along for the ride."
They finished breakfast, returning briefly to their rooms to prepare for their respective days. Uhura's group left for the linguistics lab, T'Phol carrying the Moog which had McCoy's recording loaded in its memory. He stopped himself from saying anything about their research in that area, knowing he had taxed Uhura's patience already and nagging would be unlikely to help. He gathered his medikit and badge, and he, Chapel, and Giotto went to the clinic. Set-up went quickly and they were ready early.
McCoy paced to the windows and looked out on the dim morning. It was darker than the day before, the cloud cover heavier. Misty rain had fallen, then frozen during the night. Icy drops glistened on the evergreen needles and succulent leaves, poised to drip when the temperature rose above freezing. He would not have been surprised to see Piasa or his kin sitting on the perimeter wall, but the yard was empty. He was still somewhat unsettled by the night terror, feeling like those suspended globules, aware he was at the edge of something but not knowing when the fall might occur. He was certain Piasa saw what was in his mind, recognized the danger, and was trying to help defend against it, whatever 'it' was. He had an uncomfortable thought that perhaps Piasa needed his help just as much. The unknown word reverberated in his memory.
Endilinti.
He brought himself from his reverie as Chapel joined him at the window. She peered into the gloom. The cold, colorless view made her shiver, but her apprehension was somewhat relieved when she saw there were no creatures waiting outside. She turned away from the window and looked at McCoy.
"Are you disappointed they're not there?"
He shrugged, still surveying the landscape. "Maybe it's better if they stay out of sight for a while. Jasso threatened them yesterday. I need time to gather evidence to prove their sentience."
Chapel frowned. "Beyond translating their language?"
McCoy turned his back to the window, facing her. "Uhura says tonal languages are tough to decipher, especially when they are primarily musical. The translation may take a long time. They need protection now."
"Jasso never said he was going to harm them."
McCoy flared. " Aminta belongs to Piasa and his family. Jasso and his ilk don't get to dictate what the Tribe can do on their own planet!"
Chapel was startled. "Tribe?"
McCoy inwardly cursed his slip. "Have to call them something. Piasa is a Native American name. Indians lived in tribes."
"Leonard..." Chapel shook her head, still wary. "I was hard on you yesterday, and I probably should apologize. I admit I'm afraid of your creatures. I don't understand your obsession, and I'm concerned." She lowered her voice. "And I think you're hiding something." She held up her hand to stop his protest. "Don't say it," she warned. "As a liar, you are totally unconvincing. But you're a master when it comes to keeping things to yourself."
The first patient of the day arrived. McCoy sent up a silent huzzah at the timing as he and Chapel turned their attention to clinic work and away from what he did or didn't know about Piasa and the Tribe.
McCoy and Chapel were seeing their last patient before lunch when Osmond Jasso strode into the clinic, obviously buzzing with agitation. Giotto was sitting in the small entry area. and rose to meet the florid faced Jasso.
"Hello, Sir. May I help you?" Giotto kept his tone deliberately calm.
"Where is he?" Jasso demanded. "Where's McCoy?"
Giotto moved casually between the treatment room and Jasso.
"Doctor McCoy and Nurse Chapel are with a patient. They shouldn't be long if you would like to wait."
Jasso took a step toward the doorway that led to the treatment area to find Giotto planted firmly in his path.
"Out of my way," Jasso ordered. "I need to see McCoy now!"
"Is there a medical emergency?"
Jasso's eyes glittered with fury. "This facility is under my jurisdiction, and I will go where I want and speak with whomever I please. Step aside."
"I am afraid not, Sir. You will have to wait until he is finished." Giotto was in full security officer mode. Although he neither moved nor raised his voice, Jasso recoiled as if struck, then recovered, his face boiling with indignation.
McCoy's head appeared around the doorway. "What the hell is going on out here?"
Jasso glared around Giotto's solid form. "I need to speak to you immediately."
"If it's not bleeding or on fire it can wait. I am with a patient. I'll be another ten minutes or so."
"I am a busy man," Jasso sputtered.
"And I have a patient," McCoy said, with less fire than Giotto expected. "I understand if you're too busy to wait." He withdrew back into the treatment room, leaving a gaping Jasso.
Giotto gestured to the chair, "Would you like a seat?" As a trained security officer, his features were schooled in neutrality, allowing no hint of amusement to cross his face as Jasso angrily plopped in the chair to wait.
McCoy took his time in finishing the physical, then did a thorough documentation on the chart before cleaning up and exiting the treatment area. The wait did nothing to improve Jasso's mood. He jumped to his feet when McCoy and Chapel finally walked through the door, seething with angry impatience.
"Listen here..."
McCoy held up a hand to stop the tirade before he could begin. "Just a minute. You two go on to lunch," he said to Chapel and Giotto. "I'll be along shortly."
Giotto nodded. "Yes, Sir. We'll wait for you to join us there." He looked briefly at Jasso, making sure he got the message. His years in security had honed Giotto's innate skill at evaluating a person's strengths and weaknesses and sensing moods of both individuals and crowds. He recognized the empty bluster and inflated sense of importance that Jasso displayed. In his experience, those traits seemed all too common in low level bureaucracy. Such people could be dangerous if they were loose canons, but he had a feeling Jasso was a by-the-book operator. McCoy could handle him easily, but Giotto wanted it understood the doctor had backup waiting nearby.
McCoy waited until Chapel and Giotto left before turning to Jasso. "All right, what is so important that you had to interrupt a patient exam?"
Jasso quivered as he pointed a finger at McCoy. "I had a report that you treated one of the flying creatures right here in the compound. Within the perimeter fence."
McCoy nodded. "Yes, I did."
"I thought I made it clear these beasts are a nuisance and a threat, not to be tolerated near our installations."
"What do you know about them?"
"What? What do you mean?"
"The birds, what do you know about them?" McCoy repeated. "Where do they live, how many are there? Has anyone here studied them?"
Jasso frowned at the unexpected tangent. "We are archeologists, not ornithologists. We're not running a zoo. I know nothing about those flying beasts except I want them far away before someone gets attacked." He sniffed angrily. "Imagine my dismay to find they are being encouraged to violate our area by a visiting Starfleet officer, someone who doesn't belong here in the first place and should know better."
McCoy shrugged. "I noticed one was hurt and did what I could. I'd even do it for you."
The affront was not subtle. Jasso stood as tall as he could, almost sneering as he looked at McCoy. "I am formulating a plan to keep those things away from our areas. Until then, I order you to stay away from them. In addition, I intend to file a complaint with your superior officer. Your insolence and disregard for the safety of this facility are appalling."
McCoy remained calm, but he also drew himself to his full height, forcing Jasso to look further up to meet his eyes.
"I am a Starfleet officer. One of our goals is to explore new life. But foremost, I am a physician. I took an oath. 'I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measurements which are required.' " He paused. "File whatever report you think is necessary. If that's all, my lunch is waiting."
