Stardate 2260.231 - 06:18 AM

Sarek was standing at the trunk of his aircar. His agile hands were pulling out bottles of water and quickly throwing them to the rest of the crew with him. Finishing his task, he turned to Leonard and requested his company softly.

Leonard begrudgingly obliged and walked to the back of the vehicle where he stared at the old Vulcan. He growled softly. He was becoming more irritated by the minute.

Sarek saw his rising irritation and quickly intoned a bit of knowledge onto the young human. "Doctor McCoy, Spock and James notified me that the young girl missing is a former companion of yours. I assure you we are doing everything we are able to find her. We will reunite the two of you. All I ask is that you trust in that fact."

Leonard dropped his gaze and lowered his head, blushing furiously. He whispered so softly that no one else heard, except the Vulcan. "She wasn't just a companion. I would have married her. I don't know how deal with that now, damn it. Ugh. Sorry, Sarek."

Jim called out to everyone from his place a few meters away. "Alright everyone! We're packed, we're ready. Let's move out!"

Departing from the beautiful Orchid garden, McCoy silently prayed they would find Lilly soon. It was early but the sun was already burning bright and hot. Lilly had been missing for 11 hours. Time was not on their side.

Overhead the Medical Shuttle was gliding around. Selek opened the Shuttle Comm. and informed the team that he was scanning the area for Life signs. "I have yet to find any Life signs, except those I am filtering out. I will continue to follow you and assist from this Shuttle."

"Okay, that's great Selek. Keep us posted." Jim called back to the old man.

The large team wove their way through the sand desert. Spock was in point, Jim followed closely behind. Scotty and Sarek were in the middle, conversing about Scotty's love of Engineering, and Sulu was in the rear with McCoy. The Asian was being annoyingly chatty.

"So, dude, I have never seen you this angry, except when dumb-ass up there went all macho hero with a death wish and helped saved the ship. You gonna be okay?"

Sulu's face bore a look of concern in his soft brown eyes. He was right. The crew knew that Bones had a penchant for being disgruntled all the time, and it was usually due to Jim doing something asininely stupid. They also knew that he was particularly cantankerous following the end of the Khan Crisis. But this was radically different.

"Yes, Sulu, I'm gonna be fine. Just a damn part of me that I thought I had let go of a damn long time ago. But I'm done talking about it, Doctor Sulu." McCoy growled, his thick Georgian accent coming through.

Suddenly Selek's voice was calling down from above them. "Rescue Team One, we have a possible location for Lieutenant Commander Shade. According to her companions at her Station, they have located a Cave approximately oh-point-eight-one Kilometers to the East of your location. I will pilot this vessel into the vicinity and scan for life signs. Please join me as soon as you are able."

The Team scampered together, forming a single group. Spock entered the coordinates onto his PADD and the group began walking towards their new destination. McCoy pulled his precious bottle of water out of the pocket on the inside of his robe, and delicately took a sip.

"Damn hob-goblins, couldn't you have found a place that wasn't making me wish that I was actually back on the ship, instead of out here?" He lamented.

"Doctor, this planet has everything suitable for our race's survival. I believe you understand that. We are Desert dwellers. This was a suitable… alternative to Vulcan and 40 Eridani." Spock spoke back defensively.

Jim placed his hand on Spock's arm and opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Sarek. The older Vulcan shook his head gently. Taking a breath, he began.

"Child how long are you going to hold hatred in both your mind and your heart for what Nero did. His actions are still affecting you. Not by his choice - by yours. The rest of the Vulcan people have moved on from the tragedy that Nero caused, why have you not done the same?

I know that you still blame yourself for Amanda's death. Be comforted in the fact that she did not die alone. Her last thoughts were of you. It is time to let go, Spock. As she would have said 'the damage is done, get over it. You'll come out stronger on the other side.' This is the other side, and you are still not here. Make the choice my son." Sarek stated with an authority that he rarely used with his child.

Spock's head dropped and Jim began rubbing his back idly. It was clear that Sarek's words had pierced the young Vulcan's heart. Jim looked back at his father-in-law and saw that tears were gently welling up in his eyes.

The Team made the rest of the .43 kilometer hike in an awkward state of silence. Clearing the last sand dune, they were greeted by both Vulcans lifting their nose to the air and recoiling in horror. Spock lowered his hood and took a larger breath of air in through his nose. Shivering slightly he turned towards Jim, who was appalled at the green hue developing on Spock's normally clear cheeks.

Jim dropped his hood down and stared Spock in his eyes. McCoy ran up to the duo and began darting his eyes from one to the other. He started to speak, but Jim raised his hand to silence his friend. He motioned for Spock to speak and McCoy rocked back on his heels.

"There is the undeniable smell of Human blood radiating out of this cavern entrance. I believe I also smell a slight hint of Vulcan blood as well." Spock whispered slowly. He looked to his father who nodded in confirmation.

Upon hearing this shocking realization, McCoy took off running as fast as he could into the cave. Sulu quickly followed, closely followed by the rest of the crew. As McCoy was running, he could hear Jim yelling over the Comm. to Selek. He was demanding he land the Medical Shuttle as close to the cave entrance as he safely could.

Sulu caught up and drew his collapsible sword from its sheath on his back. He stepped in front of Leonard and the pair charged into the cave. The first thing Leonard saw was all the blood. The second were the paw prints tracked all through the trails of blood. The third was undeniably the corpse of Lieutenant Commander Calla Lilly Shade.