Chapter 3 ~ Return
The other teams had successfully been beamed into the Outpost and had set to work. The botanists were having a field day with all the new plants to collect and learn about while the engineering team found that the defense systems were absolutely fine and had no use for being updated. They returned to the ship. However, Kirk was beside himself. His First Officer had been lost in transit and was nowhere to be found. Commander Long had ordered a search to be done but warned Kirk that the planet was thick with wildlife and the people few and far between. Even the Enterprise's sensors had a hard time penetrating the lush jungle to search for Spock. "Thaur is nae problem up haur keptin.." Scotty said into the com.
"Than what caused us to loose Spock?" Kirk asked aloud.
"May I offer an explanation Captain Kirk?" a biologist who worked in the Outpost asked, stepping forward.
"Proceed." Kirk said.
"Sir, a creature on this planet which the native people call the Taratan submit a frequency that has often interrupted transmissions of every kind. A colony of Taratan live nearby the beam down site and they may have disrupted the signal and Commander Spock was transported somewhere else on the planet sir." The biologist explained.
"So these creatures made us loose Spock?" Kirk asked.
"I believe so sir. They are rather a nuisance." The biologist replied.
"So he could be anywhere?" Kirk asked.
"Yes sir." The biologist replied. "Anywhere."
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Spock awoke the next morning to a glimmering jungle landscape. His shirt was folded near him. He sat up, feeling a crinkle from the leaves on his body. He picked up his shirt and saw that there were different shades of blue patches filling the slash holes in his uniform. He glanced around, looking for Eon. She was not there. He leaned against the trunk and found himself thinking about her.
She was vibrant in both personality and in behavior. She was unafraid to express herself and generally fearless. But the way that she soothed the Maronia male and tenderly cared for his own wounds made him look at her in a gentle light. He had been drawn to her because of his lack of emotional display. It was almost like she was completing him. Suddenly a bushel of Yul, those grape things from last night and a few green cocao pod looking fruits. "Good morning." Eon said, swooping down and landing next to him.
He inclined his head. "How are you're wounds?" she asked, crossing to him and touching the leaves.
She smiled. "They are all done." She said, pouring some water on the leaves before gently peeling them off to reveal faint outlines of the slashes.
"I thank you." Spock said putting his shirt on.
She offered him a green fruit. "That is Crawda and the berries are Gwenr." Eon said, handing him a rock knife.
He stabbed the fruit to open it. Eating the dark green flesh, Spock traced the knife. It was dull. He looked at Eon eating a Yul and their eyes met again. She swallowed and placed the fruit on the leaf and Spock followed suit. She spider crawled towards him and Spock gently grabbed the back of her neck to pull her into a kiss. Her hands rested on his chest while his over hand went to her lower back, pulling her closer. He released her lower back and went for her hand. Eon stopped and pulled away. "I should tell you that the Yul fruit does cause some instances of infatuation." She said, her voice soft.
"You are saying that what I am feeling now may be due to the fruit?" Spock asked.
Eon nodded. "We hardly know each other." She said, pulling completely off him.
"What do you wish to know?" Spock asked, picking up the Crawda fruit and eating again.
"Where do you come from? What do you do for a living? Who are your friends and family? What's your favorite color?" she asked.
"I come from the planet Vulcan. I work for Star Fleet as a First Officer and science officer on the U.S.S Enterprise. My friends are few and far between but I do call my ship's captain, James Kirk and the doctor, Leonard McCoy my companions. My father, Sarek, is the Vulcan ambassador and my mother, Amanda, is his human wife. My favorite color is blue." Spock answered. "And now, I ask you all the questions that you just asked me.
She smiled. "I come from a small village near the Valley of the Sun called the Sundies. I live in the forest, living off the land since the fire destroyed my village and killed everyone I knew. My only friend is my Argilz, Tray… and you of course. My family was killed in the fire but before then my father, Aeon, my mother, Epoch, and my two brothers, Era and Reign. Our sur name was Time. My favorite color is the gentle green color in the undertones of Maronia coats." Eon answered.
"Would you tell me more about the fire?" Spock asked.
"When the dwelling first came to our planet, the people we excited about new beings exploring our world. They were so excited to show them our way of life but … the people of the dwelling were not interested in learning. They merely wanted something abundant from the earth… I do not recall what it is called but the main village of the people was in the way and we could not move… so the dwelling peoples set a great fire, burning the village and its surrounding foliage in a wall of hell fire… the people now call the valley, Valley of the Sun, since the Fre grow their in abundance… the land around the valley is scared from the fire and many creatures and people alike still stand in burnt sculptures as they did when the fire destroyed them…" Eon explained, standing and crossing to the hem of the leaf.
Spock stood and crossed to her. "I have to contact my captain. I have a feeling that your suspicions are correct in thinking that the fire was set by the people from the Outpost."
"Is that what the dwelling is called?" Eon asked, tipping her head to the side and shrugged. "The Taratan should help you out with the message."
Spock raised an eyebrow and Eon whistled a small tune. The jungle seemed to reply with the same tune. "Say what you want, the Taratan will carry the message for you." Eon said, gesturing Spock to step forward.
He did and shouted, "Do not trust Long."
"Do not trust Long." The Taratan's called back, the message traveling across the jungle.
"If you have to get to some place fast, we are going to need to find a Twilok." Eon said.
Spock nodded and Eon headed up the tree. Spock followed her and soon, they were standing on the very top of the tree, looking out over the top of the jungle. Twilocks and smaller birds dotted the skies. The Twiloks were very much like a dragon with a long, aerodynamic body build and fibrous wings covered in scales. Many of them were light colored from hues of yellow to white. Occasionally, a pale purple or blue Twilok appeared. "There. My old companion Attor." Eon said, pointing to a steely grey colored one.
She whistled loudly, drawing the Twilok's attention. It banked and landed on the tree top, letting out a trumpet. Eon stroked the creatures head and he nudged her torso. She swung on and motioned Spock on as well. "Hang on tightly." She said and Spock clung to her.
Attor leapt off the tree and swung into the air. Wind blew passed them and Spock felt like he was in a wind tunnel. The jungle under them zoomed by in a flash of green. Soon, Attor slowed and was circling the dwelling. There was an opening in the roof of the dwelling. "Twiloks won't land near the dwelling so we have to jump." Eon said, stroking Attor's neck.
"Jump?" Spock asked, not believing his pointed ears.
"Indeed." Eon said, "Trust me."
He remained silent but inclined his head. Eon leaned off and they plummeted towards the dwelling.
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Kirk was looking over the slow scan of the planet, just watching all the beings pull up pictures. Taratans, Twiloks, Maronias, even a Scree, an Argilz and a few other creatures. "Do not trust Long." A voice said.
Kirk straightened, looking around but found himself alone in the room. "Do not trust Long." The voice said again.
There was a crash from the outside and Kirk strode out to see Spock straddling a young woman who was laughing. "Spock!" Kirk shouted, drawing the Vulcan's attention.
Spock stood and helped the young woman stand. Kirk almost had to question who stood before him. His hair was disheveled and a stubble was growing on his chin. His issue pants were dirty and his shirt was patched together. Even more surprising was the upturned corners of his mouth. "Captain, I have much to report. Did you get my message?" Spock asked, crossing to Kirk.
"Message?" Kirk asked.
"Do not trust Long." The voice said.
"That message Captain." Spock said.
"That was you?" Kirk asked.
"Yes Captain. The Taratans were a great help with that." Spock said.
"You!" a new voice said, making all three people turn to see Commander Long flanked by two guards.
"Me." Eon said, smiling wide.
"Arrest her." Commander Long said, snapping his fingers.
"Well gotta fly." Eon said, spinning and kissing Spock. "Don't believe what they say." She said, pulling back before running towards the guards, bouncing off the chest of one then up the head of the other, flinging herself towards the lip from the opening in the dwelling.
She flipped herself over and jumped up, Attor swooping low, catching her on his back before flying off. "Commander Spock, are you alright?" Commander Long asked, glaring as his men stood. "That savage didn't hurt you, did she?"
"I am very well Commander. Why do you call Eon a savage? She helped me get here." Spock replied, straightening his dirty shirt before putting his hands behind his back,
"I do not mean to be rude Commander, but Eon Time is the most wanted rebel on this planet." Commander Long explained.
"I also do not mean to be rude Commander but would you explain to me and Captain Kirk about the Valley of the Sun fire?" Spock retorted, his voice sharp and cold.
Commander Long stiffened. "And also include what happened to the Sundie tribe." Spock finished, glaring at the commander.
