2269

Captain's log, stardate 6321.5. The Enterprise has arrived at Galen IV to deliver supplies to the Federation colony there, and hopefully to provide some shore leave for the crew. Myself and Doctor McCoy will be beaming down in advance to meet with colony administration, leaving Mister Spock in command of the ship.

Seized in the swirling, all-encompassing field of glittering light that was the Enterprise transporter, Captain James Tiberius Kirk saw it dissipate and felt solid, if slightly uneven, ground under his boots, smelled the clean air of an unspoiled Class-M planet rushing into his nostrils, and beheld the beauty of green fields, forested hills in the distance, all below a clear blue sky in which shone a K-type sun, slightly cooler and more orange than that of Earth. Gratefully breathing in and exhaling the oxygen, Kirk turned his head to look at the one who had transported down with him, Doctor Leonard McCoy. Seeing the content expression on the face of his chief medical officer, he said "Remind you of Georgia, Bones?"

McCoy looked at Kirk and, grinning, responded "Iowa for you, right, Jim?" Both men laughed as they set off across the meadow beyond which were the buildings of the colony.

"It is a lot like home, isn't it?" Kirk remarked. "And like other colonies we've visited. Pacifica, Omicron Ceti III..." At the mention of the last, they exchanged a brief and knowling glance, recalling the time some years ago when they had visited that world and found the colonists there infected by alien spores producing an unusually strong level of peace and contentment. Rather too much peace, as it turned out. The spores had infected the Enterprise crew as well, Kirk and McCoy included...even Spock.

"Certainly seems pleasant," McCoy observed as they entered the settlement proper. A number of colonists were present, casually going about their daily routines when they caught sight of the men in Starfleet uniforms. McCoy smiled at them, waved and said "Hi, folks. Don't mind us!"

"Hello!" The voice came from a middle-aged, pleasant-faced woman who swiftly approached them. "Welcome to Galen IV, gentlemen," she said as she reached them. "I'm Penelope Simmons, the colony governor; you're from the Enterprise, yes? We were told you were on your way."

Kirk shook her hand. "I'm Captain James Kirk, and this is my chief medical officer, Dr. McCoy. You'll be pleased to know, governor, that we havethe supplies your colony needs, and with your permission, my crew would appreciate some shore leave here on this pleasant planet."

Simmons' expression was joyful as she replied. "That would be no problem at all, captain. Please, accompany me to my residence." As Kirk and McCoy commenced following her, she added "I'm glad to have a Starfleet vessel here, being so close to Talarian space, you understand."

"The Talarians?" McCoy said, a slight note of concern in his tone. "Have you had any trouble with them?"

Simmons shook her head. "No, thankfully. At least not yet. It's been two and a half years since we came here, and its constantly on our minds, what with how aggressive we know they are, and their claims, however dubious they may be, on this sector." She scowled. "You know, if I were Talarian, I could never be in the position I'm in now, simply on account of my being female."

"Fortunately for you, our recent intelligence indicates the Talarians are currently too caught up in conflicts with other neighbouring species to come bothering you," Kirk informed her. "We shouldn't forget the potential threat they pose, though."

Then Simmons chuckled. "Oh, but no more gloomy talk, huh? Here's my place." She led them up the steps of a modest two-storey house. The front door opened then and on the porch appeared a young man who looked to be in his late teens.

"Hi, Mom!" he announced.

"Fred, this is Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy from the USS Enterprise," Simmons said as she approached him. "Gentlemen, this is my son, Frederick." Kirk and McCoy nodded politely at the young man.

"Mom said you guys were coming," Frederick told them. "Good to have you here!" Now he addressed his mother. "Mom, Toyah's here - " He had barely finished speaking when, from behind him, stepped a considerably attractive woman with rich dark hair and eyes.

Upon seeing her, Simmons said to Kirk and McCoy "Do allow me to introduce a very good friend of mine, Toyah Lewis. Toyah, this is - "

"Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy. Yes, I heard." Toyah spoke now, her sparkling eyes fixed on the two men, whose eyes were likewise glued to her, neither able to speak, both suddenly looking as though they had seen a ghost.

"Is there something wrong?" Simmons enquired with a slight frown. "Have you...met before?"

"No, governor," Kirk answered, shaking off his malady, McCoy doing likewise. He reached out a hand. "Sorry. It's...a pleasure, Miss Lewis." With slight hesitation, Toyah accepted his hand.

"Toyah here is a minister at our multifaith church," Simmons explained, still not entirely convinced there was no problem. "Uh, Toyah, how are you getting on with the book I lent you?"

Forcing her gaze away from Kirk, Toyah smiled. "I've finished it, Penelope, and just dropped by to return it and chat with Frederick. It was most enjoyable, thank you so much! And now, if you don't mind, I must be getting back to my church; I will see you soon!" She glanced briefly and furtively at Kirk and McCoy, murmured "Good day to you, captain, doctor," then trotted down the steps and walked briskly away.

"Well, I'll fix us some lunch," Simmons said.

"Thank you, we'll be there in just a moment," Kirk told her. "I just need to contact my ship, let the crew know they can begin beaming down." As Simmons and her son disappeared insidethe house, he descended the steps, McCoy right behind him, and both of them stood in the lane processing what they had seen. "My God, Bones..." Kirk muttered.

"Jim, it's fantastic," McCoy said. "The likeness...It can't be her. It can't really be...Edith?"

"No, it can't," answered Kirk."And yet...the way she looked at us...the recognition...I have to know, Bones...I have to know if she's the woman I fell in love with...over three centuries ago."