Captain's Log
Stardate 2259.7.28

The Saratoga has spent the past six days studying the Boleen System. I have to say that this is turning
into a favorite assignment for many people because it has things that interest all of our Departments.

James T. Kirk

Surface of Boleen II
Northern section of the continent

Kirk glanced up at the sky. The Boleen system's second planet was an M class world with a rotational
period of twelve hours, meaning seven hours of daylight and seven hours of night. He and his team had
arrived four hours ago with the sun high in the sky and now they were beneath a brightly-lit night sky.

He smiled in wonder and admiration. He had come to appreciate the different skies of other worlds and
the night sky on this world was gorgeous. It was bluish-green and brilliantly lit by large stars and stunning
stellar formations. Stellar Sciences was loving every second of their time here.

The planet itself was lush, tropical and teaming with life, making it a gold mine for the other departments.
There were multiple lifeforms, the largest of which were similar to Earth's ancient pterosaurs. They came in
a variety of sizes, shapes and colors and many of the ship's xenobiologists believed them to be sentient.

Botanists and ecologists were having a field day. He thought fondly of his Soul Siblings who were on an
ecological team in the southern area of the continent. Coming from a desert world, L'Naym was enamored
of all vegetation and to her this world was a feast for eyes, ears, scent and touch. She had been assigned
to a team every day and was loving every moment of it. Alyen, who was accompanying her today, was
enjoying it too. Unlike a certain CMO, he loved to go on away-missions. He thrilled both at the chance
to see new worlds close up and to be there to provide any assistance that the team might need. Kirk had
often smiled to see his enthusiasm.

Today he was accompanying a geological team which was exploring the more rugged northern areas of the planet.
On the team was Lieutenant Natasha Ostrovsky, the Saratoga's Head of Geology. A tall Russian woman in her
mid thirties and if there was anything she loved as much as geology it was a good debate. "If you disagree
with something ask yourself why you disagree," she would often say. "That way you'll better understand what
you do believe."

She would debate with anyone, even Gavor, but unlike the Tellerite she never insulted, she merely used a calm
voice that wielded words like a chess master would wield a game piece. And she would pick and dissect every
single point of an argument or theory, not letting up until all avenues has been thoroughly explored.

At the moment though she wasn't debating but going over some readings with her protégé, Crewman Ingrid
Thorson, a Geo-morphologist. The young Norwegian had transferred to the Saratoga at the same time as Kirk
and had quickly come under the Russian officer's wing. Creative and somewhat impulsive she enjoyed working
hard and took great pride in her work.

With the group were two civilian scientists; Daniel Bangwato and Orvo Emare. Bangwato, who hailed from
Botswana, was a brilliant biosperist. Confident and self assured he was determined to make advancements
in his field. At the same time he had a huge sense of humor and a love for creature comforts.

Ovo Emare was an elderly Mortasian from Korlel Prime. A biogeographer and a prominent scholar, he had
written several important works. Along with Bangwato, a long time associate, he was on a year-long research
trip and felt that a science vessel was the perfect place.

Acting as security for the team was Chief Petty Officer Terrance Oak. He lived up to his name in many ways
because he was powerfully built and an unmoving rock in a crisis. He was straightforward and blunt with no
patience for fools. He also had an earthy sense a humor and was very good at colorful insults. It was no
surprise perhaps that he'd formed a friendship with Gavor. He was always good to have on away-missions
because on duty he was tough and no nonsense and everyone knew that he'd take a phaser for another
without hesitating.

Just like I would, Kirk thought.

He carefully checked his climbing equipment. The northern areas of the planet comprised of forest covered
mesas and buttes. He and Thorson were preparing to scale one of the smaller ones, which stretched about
five stories, while the rest of the team continued to work at the bottom. Both of them had a passion for rock
climbing, as well as athletic, competitive steaks. It made for a combination that whenever they were on any
sort of geological mission that involved climbing they would compete to see who could reach the top of the hill,
formation or mountain first. Everywhere else they were Captain and crewmember. But in rock or mountain
climbing the were fierce albeit friendly rivals.

He glanced over at Thorson. "Not tired are you, Crewman?" he teased.

She grinned back. "Are you kidding? I could climb all night. Of course, if you're tired."

"Fat chance!"

The two of them began their ascent and an informal race for the top began.

"Sure you can keep up, Captain?"

"I'm not quite over the hill yet, Crewman."

"Hah! As slow as you are you'll never get over this hill!"

Kirk grinned. He knew that most Captains didn't engage in light hearted banter with low ranking crewmembers.
But he wasn't most Captains and he reveled in it.

"Captain," Oak called from below. "Is there any particular reason why you and Thorson wanted to climb that hill?"

"Because it's there!" Kirk called back.

"And great minds think alike!" Thorson put in.

Eventually they reached the top. Thorson beat him by one minute. "Slowpoke," she grinned.

"You'll eat my dust at the next one," Kirk said wickedly.

"I doubt it."

Once they reached the top they quickly returned to business and began their scans. In the middle
of it Kirk looked up at the sky again and smiled. "Thorson, look." Another gift that this planet offered
was regular displays of shooting stars and a spectacular shower was beginning now.

"Would you look at that?" Kirk murmured as he gazed at the view.

Thorson nodded. "This is why I joined Starfleet," she said softly.

"Me too."

The sound of the comm cut through the mood. When Kirk answered it he was hit with the anxious voice
of his CMO.

"Jim! You've got to get back here! Now!'

"Bones? What happened?"

"The ecological team in the southern continent. They've been exposed to some kind of toxin. All of them are down."

Notes
Biogeography The study of the distribution of species and ecosystems in geographic space and through geological time.

Biospherist One who studies biospheres, the global sum of all ecosystems.

Geomorphology The study of the origin and evolution of landscapes.