Captain’s Log; Stardate 1502.4. The Enterprise has been assigned to catalog extensive lifesigns on planet Okuda 7, a world previously known to be utterly devoid of life. It’s no small task, to say nothing of solving the mystery of how a barren world can suddenly be teeming with flora and fauna without any sign of terraforming or husbandry. If there’s any crew in Starfleet that’s up to the task, however, it’s mine.
“Entering standard orbit of Okuda 7, sir.”
“Thank you, Erica,” Captain Pike replied. “Nicely done, as always. Mr. Spock, begin scans, if you would.”
“Aye, Captain,” Spock replied, turning to peer into his scanner. “Planet remains Class M; no apparent changes to weather patterns or geology. No signs of terraforming equipment or byproducts, and no indications of any vessels or structures on the surface.”
Turning back to address the captain, Spock added, “It would appear the only difference between previous surveys of this world and ours is the presence of plant and animal life forms across both land and sea.”
Pike sighed and shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense…but, that’s why we’re here, so let’s figure it all out.”
He turned to face exo-zoologist and exo-botanist Briar Rowan. “Alright, Miss Rowan. The spotlight’s on you. Any theories before we make our way down there?”
Briar knew that she had to temper her excitement but her face gave her away entirely. She was beaming from ear to ear. The idea of exploring a planet undergoing such change was huge. There could be anything down there. Of course scans had picked up a lot but she didn’t think all, especially not with the way the planet had accelerated.
“It could be a case of tachytely, that’s accelerated evolution, which would be fascinating to see, although I’m sure Mr Spock has considered that. It could be that last time we were here something was left behind and that something has grown and expanded. There could be something on this planet that leads to the accelerated evolution of living matter from our planets. The possibilities are endless, there could be bunnies as big as tigers down there, plant life more sentient than we’ve ever encountered.”
Briar realised she had been gesturing wildly with her hands and quickly stopped, she tried to neutralise her face and failed.
“I mean, there could be anything down there. We should probably go armed in case there’s anything that might eat us but, for the most part it doesn’t appear to be hostile.” Of course it also didn’t appear friendly but Briar wasn’t focused on that.
Pike listened intently to Rowan, trying not to smile too widely at her excited gesturing and enthusiasm. While he expected some manner of professionalism while on duty, there was fun to be had in exploring, as well, and he wanted his crew to feel the potential thrills that came with their ongoing mission.
“A wise recommendation. I certainly don’t want to run into any tiger-sized bunnies while unarmed.” Pike stood and began walking towards the turbolift. “Lieutenant Rowan, Mr. Spock, and Lieutenant Noonien-Singh, you’re with me. Number One, you’re minding the store. Let’s go solve a mystery.”
Moments later, the landing party materialized on the surface of Okuda 7. Chris immediately scanned their immediate surroundings with their eyes to make sure there was no animal life nearby waiting to attack.
“Unbelievable,” Pike muttered. “How in the hell could this have happened so quickly?”
“According to the geological survey performed by the U.S.S. Magellan one year, four months, three weeks and four days ago,” Spock reported, “from this exact spot, there was nothing but rock formations for 27.3 miles in every direction. Truly fascinating.”
The captain was about to comment when he heard movement in a field of brush nearby, followed by what sounded like a growl. He held up his hands to signal “Quiet!” to the landing party, then gestured to the brush.
La’An slowly drew her phaser, while Chris rested his hand on his, still nestled in the holster.
Captain’s Log; Stardate 1502.4. The Enterprise has been assigned to catalog extensive lifesigns on planet Okuda 7, a world previously known to be utterly devoid of life. It’s no small task, to say nothing of solving the mystery of how a barren world can suddenly be teeming with flora and fauna without any sign of terraforming or husbandry. If there’s any crew in Starfleet that’s up to the task, however, it’s mine.
“Entering standard orbit of Okuda 7, sir.”
“Thank you, Erica,” Captain Pike replied. “Nicely done, as always. Mr. Spock, begin scans, if you would.”
“Aye, Captain,” Spock replied, turning to peer into his scanner. “Planet remains Class M; no apparent changes to weather patterns or geology. No signs of terraforming equipment or byproducts, and no indications of any vessels or structures on the surface.”
Turning back to address the captain, Spock added, “It would appear the only difference between previous surveys of this world and ours is the presence of plant and animal life forms across both land and sea.”
Pike sighed and shook his head. “It doesn’t make sense…but, that’s why we’re here, so let’s figure it all out.”
He turned to face exo-zoologist and exo-botanist Briar Rowan. “Alright, Miss Rowan. The spotlight’s on you. Any theories before we make our way down there?”
Pike watched with growing alarm as Lieutenant Rowan moved ever closer to the sound of the ominous growls. “Lieutenant…” he quietly called out. In the corner of his eye, he noticed La’an getting ready to fire her phaser, and he quickly held out a hand in a silent order to stand by. Pike wasn’t going to just start blasting until there was cause to.
When the animal, which looked liked a cross between a bear and a dog, peeked its head out and Rowan reached out, his body tensed with fearful anticipation.
To his surprise and relief, however, the creature sniffed and then stepped forward so its head would rest just under her hand, allowing for Rowan to pet it.
Both Pike and La’an relaxed and lowered their phasers. The captain let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
“We’ll, uh, let you two get acquainted first before we come closer. I don’t want to spook the…Bear-dog? Dog-bear?” The captain said with a shrug.
