"Since coming to Xanor II over one month ago, I have discovered some very important facts.

One--The person who invented Solar Shield Eyedrops is a genius! The blistering sun has caused my staff many problems, but one is, thankfully not eye damage! I have presently six medical personnel in the hospital suffering from heat frustration, dehydration and two from sun poisoning. This is down considerably from the first two weeks after arriving when we had more than 25 in the hospital at any one time. Other teams across the planet have had similar problems with frost bite being a problem in the polar regions.

Two--Starfleet uniforms are much too hot for daytime wear in my camp and others across the planet. I realized this before the Nightingale left orbit and requisitioned new Type 3 uniforms for myself and crew. Our standard uniforms are fine for night wear as the temperature cools considerably after the sun sets. No one likes the hats, but they wear them anyway.

Three--After finally getting all housing up and functioning and everyone diagnosed and treated, I find Xanor II beginning to be a bit boring. I think I will initiate my weekly poker game again and hold it here in the Nile. That should help alleviate the boredom a bit.

My staff and I are becoming more relaxed around each other during our off duty hours and I find that I am enjoying their friendship more and more. Perhaps it's because we are all so far away from our homes and families that we are becoming closer. Whatever the reason, it's a nice situation.

It was wonderful how we all came together to support Ensign Terry Sauter, Engineer, at her sudden wedding. She married a Galvin V resident who was dying of Bryson's Disease. This is my first contact with anyone who has this disease and I found it to be extremely frustrating as there was nothing I could do to help him except give him something to help keep his energy levels up. He died shortly after the wedding. Ensign Sauter--Terry will leave on the Targ when it arrives. She has become a favorite of my med staff since volunteering to help construct the numerous buildings here. She is an excellent officer and I pray that she will adjust to the loss of her husband. She is a strong person and I believe she will adjust in time.

The only really sour note on the planet is Lt. Brock Russell. I can't understand what his problem is, but he appears to resent everything--Starfleet, his position here, me. I checked into his personnel records and discovered that he was a model Starfleet officer until right after his promotion to Lieutenant, but I find nothing in his records which would indicate why this should be. I dread going into the Outpost station and having a confrontation with him which seems to happen every time we lay eyes on each other. Although he doesn't disobey any orders, he has a way of following them just enough to prevent his being insubordinate. It's obvious that he would rather be anywhere else besides Xanor II!

I am anxiously awaiting Simon's arrival on the Targ! Never thought it was possible to miss a person so much!