"I have established the reason for the base personnel leaving the research facility, as well as for the disastrous outcome of their actions." Spock told the rest of the landing party as they crouched around him. "Five standard months ago - five standard months and nine days, to be precise - the research team at Ser Etta IV discovered a cure for Mansinni's Syndrome." He paused to let the expressions of delight subside. The syndrome, affecting many of the Federation's silicon based life forms, had previously been untreatable and inevitably fatal. "The cure is based on a mineral compound found on Realgar Seven, explored by a Federation survey team six years ago."

"That's wonderful!" Shimona cried.

"Yes, Yeoman, it would be, if it were not for the fact that the Realgar system is one of those due to be ceded to the Klingons in this year's negotiations. The negotiations will take place in a little over two standard months. The base personnel decided it was imperative they alert Starfleet of their discovery in order to have the status of Realgar Seven changed. Cut off from subspace communication by the atmospheric interference - the reason for the original silence the Enterprise was sent to investigate - they attempted to achieve orbit in their shuttlecraft - with the results we have all seen."

"That's tragic, sir." said Grenwood sombrely. "But at least they have not died in vain. When we return to the Enterprise the Captain can tell Starfleet not to give the Klingons that planet."

"Would that it were so, Mr. Grenwood. Unfortunately, the data on Commander Ribaud's tricorder indicates that the weather patterns currently preventing communication or transport are an established part of this planet's climate. Ser Etta Six has a parabolic irregularity in its orbit, and every 32.4 years goes through a series of seasons of violent meteorological activity. It was not considered an impediment to the establishment of the base as there was no knowledge at that time of the effect the weather would have on communication. I have determined that we have arrived at the beginning of one of these 'storm seasons', and it is a season that lasts three or four months."

There was a little silence, as they absorbed first the impossibility of preventing the Klingon acquisition of the disputed planet, and then their own position, trapped in a howling blizzard for at least 90 days. Spock noted that Larssen put one arm around Yeoman Shimona and took Grenwood's hand. "We have two shelters," she murmured to the Ensign, "They'll easily support us that long." Then she looked directly at Spock.

"What chance is there the Enterprise will work out a way to reach us before the negotiations, sir?"

"If you are inquiring as to the probability, Lieutenant, it is somewhat less that 2 percent."

She flinched. "I see."

"However," he went on, "there is a possibility we will be able to reach them." Turning, he pressed a key on the computer and a sectional plan of the research base appeared on the screen. "The base has a standard subspace communications unit, insufficient to penetrate this interference. It also has one of the new 497 medical analysis units, which requires a high-level dilithium power source to run. None of the base personnel had the engineering experience to know how to source the communications unit to the dilithium and boost the wave, and even if they had the communication would be too weak to reach far out of orbit. We, on the other hand, have both the technical knowledge and the certainty that there is a starship in orbit above us listening for our signal."

"Sir," said Bai'tin nervously, "The base is fifteen hundred miles away. We'd never reach it in the time before the negotiations! And besides -" He stopped, but the other members of the landing party heard his words hanging in the air: and besides, in this weather, we'd never make it at all.

"It is a difficult but achievable task, Ensign."

He looked at them steadily, but only Grenwood and Larssen met his gaze: Grenwood with a blind trust that Spock found - disconcerting - and Larssen with an equanimity he hoped she felt.

"Some of the landing party must remain here, in the event that the Enterprise is able to establish communication before we do. They may need to target the communications unit geographically, and it would be a burden on the expedition to the base. I will leave a recorded message containing all relevant information. We have two survival shelters, each capable of supporting three people for the required amount of time. As the expedition team will require a shelter, this means that only three people can be left here."

Larssen guessed he would rather leave them all, if he could. Even Ensign Bai'tin did not have the physical resources to match Commander Spock, and anyone who went with him would slow him down.

"The expedition to the research base will be difficult, and dangerous. I would prefer not to order anyone to accompany me."

"I volunteer, sir!" Grenwood said enthusiastically. "And me," Bai'tin added, and a murmur from the others followed. Spock inclined his head.

"Ensign Bai'tin, apart from myself you are most suited to survival on this planet. You are also the one among this landing party with the greatest knowledge of communications. Logic dictates, therefore, that you accompany me. Ensign Grenwood, you also will be a member of the expedition party. Lieutenant Larssen, I am leaving you in charge at this location." '

Sir", she murmured, and by the flick of her eyes at the others, she would have preferred to have privacy for her next remarks, "For the very reasons you outline, Bai'tin should remain here."

Spock raised an eyebrow, not used to having his logic questioned, but she went on doggedly: "If you don't make it to the base, sir, no-one can. And you have the expertise to set up the communicator to reach the Enterprise. If you take Bai'tin, there will be no one here with the necessary skills to adapt the communicator or to, well, to, baby it, sir, if necessary. We shouldn't have all our expertise in one group, sir."

He considered her argument, and then inclined his head. "Your reasoning is sound, Lieutenant." About to continue, However, my orders stand, he caught the sudden flicker in Bai'tin's eyes, and sensed the surge of alien emotion that came with it. It was easy to identify: relief.

Spock looked back at Larssen, and she met his eyes steadily, as if trying to beam her thoughts to him. She had no need: her expression was transparent to anyone accustomed to reading the thousand minute flickers that constituted expression on a Vulcan face. He's scared, sir. she was thinking. Don't make him go.

"I would be happy to accompany the expedition party." was all she said aloud.

Spock considered, not for the first time, that there were reasons human captains often did better with human crews.

"What are your other recommendations, Ms Larssen?" he asked.

"Ensign Grenwood on the expedition, as well, sir." she said calmly, as if she had had every confidence he would catch her unspoken plea.

He followed her reasoning, based not on the technical knowledge they would need at the base but on the ability - both physical and psychological - of the landing party members to endure the months ahead. Grenwood was very young, and resilient. He would find it easier to endure the privations of a hard trek than the enforced activity of remaining behind. Shimona was physically tiny and unsuitable for the trip, although he did not doubt her delicate appearance concealed a mental toughness equal to the task. Yeoman Brand was also afraid, Spock realized now he thought about it, but Larssen was not, and that might be a definite consideration on the journey ahead. He considered a moment, wondering if the Lieutenant's fitness was equal to the task. Her ratings in the mandatory tests some crew called "shoot and scramble" were merely adequate, and she had placed last in her class in hand-to-hand combat at the Academy. Bundled now in her cold weather gear, Larssen looked even more like a sedentary laboratory scientist that usual, with only her round face showing. Spock realised, however, he could not dismiss her for weakness. Compared to him, all the landing party members were unsuitable on that ground.

"Very well, lieutenant." He said at last. "We will prepare a travois to transport the necessary supplies and equipment. I have made a list of what will be required."

"I'll see to it, sir."