Stardate: 61038.1150
The woods seem to be closing in on the half human FCO. It was a feeling he could not begin to explain, yet he knew he had felt it before. Turning and looking at the rest of the away team as they took their break he felt pulled to a large tree on the edge of the clearing. He eased to the base of the tree and when no one was looking quickly climbed into the overhanging branches. As he climbed he noticed that this tree extended above the tops of the main forest canopy, and he soon found himself in the clear able to see the mountains they were headed for. As he gently rocked in the stiff breeze he felt his mind touch that of a near-by animal. The hate was palpable and there was no real coherent thought patterns; other than the need to kill and eat.
Derek tried to place the location of the thoughts and soon realized they were below him and climbing toward him, he eased the knife from his belt and moved to a better position on a lower branch. The attack was sudden and ferocious; but it was over in the blink of an eye. The animal appeared to be a large cat of some kind, with short spotted brown fur and a long muzzle full of wicked teeth. The FCO placed the carcass around his neck and climbed back down toward the rest of the away team.
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Akira and Elliot walked over to where Lieutenant Uxtar stood near the base of a large tree. At their approach the Hirogen turned toward them and eyed them with interest.
"Lieutenant Uxtar…" Ensign Mitshiba began softly, "I know you do not trust Ensign Thomas based on what has happened, but I was wondering if you had noticed anything odd about Lieutenant Stormwind's recent behaviors?"
"How do you mean Ensign?" Uxtar asked with mild surprise.
The two ensigns looked warily at each other, they knew the SEC/TAC and FCO were friends, and that might cause a slight problem.
"Well sir…" Akira began again. "The recent actions of his show a tendency toward violence, the antique Vulcan clothes, and the choice of weapons. His out right disregard of orders or chain of command. You have to admit that these are not the acts of a rational Vulcan."
Eyeing the ensign carefully the SEC/TAC formed his reply, "What is rational with a Vulcan may not apply, the FCO is half human after all. So who is to judge what may be rational."
Elliot spoke up, "Uxtar we know he is your friend, and maybe you do not see what others do. If he was a full Vulcan perhaps we would not be having this conversation, but you saw how Roxy affected me. What's not to say it just took longer for the effects to hit him?"
The SEC/TAC glanced over to where the Captain and the ILO sat talking. Turning back to the two ensigns he began his answer, "I think we should take this up…"
Suddenly the branches above them rustled loudly and a shadow fell toward them. There was a loud thud as an animals’ body landed at their feet, followed almost immediately by the FCO who crouched low over the body almost as if to challenge someone to take it. Standing slowly keeping an eye on the other three officers he slowly put his knife back in his belt.
"What is this?" Captain Rikar asked as she rushed up.
Derek spun quickly, and to anyone watching it would have appeared as if he was taking a defensive fighting stance as if to protect his kill. Very slowly he stood back to his full height. "This animal attacked while I was doing a reconnaissance above the canopy, I had no choice but to kill it Captain. It will also provide us with food should it be needed."
The obvious look of distaste at the thought of eating animal flesh that crossed the faces of his crewmates did not appear to faze the Vulcan. Picking up the carcass he moved off and began to clean it.
Akira spoke up quickly… "Captain we may have a serious problem with the FCO, it appears that he may be in stage one reversion."
Turning on the small ensign the red haired woman asked, "Stage one reversion? Explain ensign."
Girding herself Ensign Mitshiba explained. "First stage reversion is when a Vulcan begins to return to that state prior to the time they embraced logic, their wild time. At this point his violent tendencies are directed outward for the protection and care of the clan. Right now we are the Clan. This is also a point in Vulcan history where it is ok to eat meat."
Looking over at her FCO as he sliced up the animal, she wondered what other roadblocks could be thrown in their path.
Akira went on, "I think we will be ok until he begins stage four."
The Captain looked at the young ensign, "Stage four?"
"Yes M'am … Stage four, that would place him into the time period of… well of tribal domination and…" Akira paused and looked carefully at the others before adding, "Reproduction!"
It was the ILO who spoke first, "You're joking?"
The small ensign just shook her head. "The CMO would know more, I only learned of this just prior to my joining the ANUBIS. I read what I could before this mission."
"Then you have an option for me Ensign?" stated Sabrina curiously.
"The best thing would be to get him back to the ANUBIS sickbay with full power restored, but otherwise the only option is to sedate him if and when he gets to stage three." The aCMO answered with a shudder. Elliot placed his arm across her shoulders and pulled her close to him.
"Well we can not stay here any longer. Uxtar you take point and take Stormwind with you. Akira you follow and keep an eye on our troubled FCO any changes you let me know. Thomas you bring up the rear." stated the Captain. She noticed the look on Uxtar’s face, she knew he still had reservations about Elliot, but she knew they had more to fear from the FCO should his reversion continue. If it came down to it only Uxtar would have a chance against the half human Vulcan
"Ok Let's move out, we have crew to find!" Sabrina said in her command voice. She watched as her SEC/TAC and FCO moved past her to lead off. The carcass of the dead animal tied across the Vulcan’s back. All she could do was shake her head and trust her instincts.
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Lieutenant JG 2006 post #287
Location: CABRY III, Forest clearing
Stardate: 61038.1200
Location: CABRY III Beneath large tree in forest clearing
Brian Matthews (dragonsslayer@excite.com)
Derek Stormwind
FCO
USS ANUBIS NCC-18501