As they neared the mountain the steps and the 'slide' could be clearly made out all 200 of them. They moved in an almost vertical pattern where as the slide down was a snake like pattern.

"I thought Vulcan Mountains were high? This isn't all that high. We have roller coasters on Earth that would make that mountain look like a dwarf." Cadet Stephens said as he moved faster to the mountain. "Compared to the Rockies this isn't even a foothill."

"Mount Shir is relatively on the small side for Vulcan Mountains. We will endure mountains that will far surpass your Rockies." Spock said in a noticeable huff. He too was tiring of the cadets remarks.

One by one they climbed the steps that lead to the final destination at the top of the mountain. Once each of the cadets had made the excruciating climb to the top Spock warned each of them. "Keep any un clothed skin off the surface of the slide. Pull up your hoods and if you have not already put on your sun visors. I will go down first to show you the proper way to navigate the drop." He pulled his hood over his hair. Before he laid down he told them. "As you near the bottom close your eyes and mouth."

As usual Cadet Stephens had to know a reason, "Why?"

"Watch and you will see." Spock said simply as he laid upon the slide with his heals crossed and his arms folded over his chest. Using his feet he pushed off down the slide and gravity took him quickly into the sand, burying him with in the cool sand.

Each Cadet took his turn down the slide in the same manner Spock had. When the final cadet reached the bottom he wiped the sand off him. "Wow what a rush…but I think I got sand up my butt."

Everyone looked at Cadet Stephens, laughing, "Time to get to work 'sewer boy'."

"Shut-up!" He demanded as he moved to the river to rinse the sand off his body and hopefully out of his butt.

Spock yelled out to Cadet Stephens, "STOP!" At the same time drawing his Starfleet issued phaser.

The other cadets first looked at Spock and then to the river that seemed to move in an unnatural manner. The rocks in the river where moving against the flow. "What is it Spock?"

"A Lematya, a single swipe of the claws will inject venom in to the victim that acts similar to that of a King Corba where it attacks the nerve endings of its victim. Nerve impulses cannot get to the muscles and Paralysis occurs, including the Diaphragm which controls breathing. It also begins to eat away at the victim on a cellular level breaking down the cell wall." Cadet Andrews, the acting medic, replied. He was sure in his bag would be a serum to counteract the effect. "Come on get back here before that damn thing gets you."

At least the boys were down wind of the creature. As long as they could manage to stay down wind they would be able to hopefully pass it with little provocation.

Slowly, Cadet Stephens moved back. He sure enough didn't want to come back from Vulcan in a body bag. Then at the last moment he drew his phaser and fired. Watching and laughing as the beast screamed before being imploded into nothingness.

"That Cadet was murder, a crime Vulcans do not tolerate." Spock said as he lowered his head in respect for the beast. "That Lematya could have had cubs to feed. Now they too have been offered a painfully slow death as well."

"But he said they are like the King Corba."

"Even poisonous snakes have a purpose dipshit. They eat vermin that would otherwise run ramped."

"On Vulcan the Lematya keep the valit (small burrowing rodent) and k'nurt (Vulcan's Rabbit) under control. Without them there would be an increase in disease that is spread by the valit." Spock found himself explaining. "If you would have taken a moment to learn about my world you would know this."

Cadet Stephens simply replied, "What do you want me to do about it now? It isn't like I can give it back its life or anything."

"No you can't. But if these were a real mission to an uncharted planet you would be in violation of the Prime Directive."

Cadet Stephens began to laugh, "You have to be kidding me. I don't think so the Prime Directive is meant for intelligent beings not some dumb animal."

"Your idea of intelligent life is not the same as that beings idea." Spock said as he moved ahead, there was no time to continue this discussion. The sun was already at a 75 degree angle to them and the heat was rising fast. "In the future all phasers are to be set on stun only. Am I understood?" He didn't care for the thought of ordering around the group of cadets but he had been placed in charge of the group. He had even been pleased to see how many came to his defense and spoke about what they knew.

"Aye chief," all but one replied in unison, and were off again.