Fic: Observations, Ch 196
Though we do not require shore leave as the stay at K7 was sufficiently relaxing and entertaining for the crew, Number One notified us that as an informal award from Headquarters, the Enterprise has been granted shore leave on the planet Argelius.
“Captain, I think I’m going to like Argelius.”
Beautiful aliens of every variety passed us. Nyota looked on coolly, evaluating the fashion trends of the planet while Scotty and Jim openly appreciated the views.
“More than K7?” Jim grinned.
“Aye. I lost more credits there than I’d’ve liked.”
“And almost a few teeth,” Nyota added. “You should leave the bar brawls to Jim.”
“I was defending the honor of the Enterprise!”
“Against Klingons, Scotty. You’ve never taken a class in hand-to-hand combat.”
“I know how to shoot a phaser and throw a punch.”
“Which explains why you were nursing a black eye,” Nyota answered.
“Wear it like a badge of honor.”
“Men.”
Scotty and Jim shared a look.
“It is fortunate that the Argelius government has allowed us to stop here for a short break. Dr. McCoy stated the crew were dangerously close to mutiny, having been on duty in space for so long.”
“Where is Bones?”
“He’s with Sulu,” Nyota replied. “Apparently there’s a concert they wanted to go to.”
“Sulu likes country music?”
“No. Or at least, I’ve never seen him listen to it.”
“You mean Bones likes something other than country music?”
“It would appear so, Jim.”
He looked mildly shocked.
“I’ve known him for what? Six years? We were roommates!”
“People change,” Nyota shrugged. “I think Sulu introduced him to some music or something. Anyway. I think this is the place.”
We entered into a small restaurant and were soon led to a low table. The floor was lined with cushions. There was live entertainment on a dimly lit stage-an alien dancer with what appeared to be finger cymbals was moving seductively in the semi-darkness.
“Um, Nyota?” Scotty looked torn between watching and keeping his eyes on Nyota.
“I have no idea. The review didn’t mention anything about it when I looked on the nets.”
Jim gave an admiring glance at the dancer, then looked at the menu.
“We can go somewhere else if you want. I don’t care. Spock?”
“I would prefer to stay. The menu does not seem unpromising.”
“Scotty, if it bothers you-”
“Bothers me? No, I’m fine. Just a distraction, is all,” Scotty moved closer to Nyota and put his arm around her.
“Certain cultures of Argelius are known to be completely hedonistic. Perhaps this performer is from such a culture.”
“What are we doing after this?” Jim asked.
“I’d like to go to their markets and walk around a little,” Nyota answered. “The night atmosphere on this planet is supposed to be magical, or something like that.”
“I think I saw some broad avenues on our way here that we could take a look at,” Scotty said.
“Cool. I’m fine with playing the tourist.”
“I have no objection either.”
“Great.”
While we ordered our meals-“and four glasses of whatever your specialty drink is here”-Scotty seemed to lose focus of his surroundings for a moment.
“Scotty? Earth to Scotty, what’s up?”
“Huh? Sorry. Weirdest thing, I just blanked. I’ve no idea what came over me.”
Nyota took his hand.
“Maybe we should go back to the ship after dinner’s over and sleep. You look exhausted.”
“No, I’m fine. It wasn’t anything. No point in missing out on lovely planet like this one,” he kissed her. “I’m right as rain.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. Now, what in the world is this thing wriggling in my drink?”
--
Jim, Nyota, Scotty and I were walking along a boulevard away from the shopping district. Night was falling. Apparently, Argelius keeps a tradition of having lamplighters-candles were being lit by Argelians on ladders as we continued our way.
Nyota looked absolutely carefree in her dress, walking arm in arm with Scotty. Jim and I walked side by side. He stole kisses from my fingers every so often.
“You know, sometimes I think we really are a family,” Nyota smiled. “When we retire from Starfleet, we should all buy houses next to each other.”
“That sounds,” Jim paused, contradictory emotions rising to the forefront at the thought of retirement, family, and houses. “That sounds nice.”
“Doesn’t it?”
“We’d have gorgeous babies, Nyota. They’d all become engineers, of course.”
“Mm,” she agreed, the sound coming from deep inside her. “Spock, you and Jim can be their uncles.
“Everyone on the Enterprise can be their uncles-the lads in engineering at the very least.”
“That sounds really,” Jim searched for the right word. “Domestic.”
He looked at me.
“If there ever was a man born to die in space, it is you, Jim,” I said, voice low and soft.
“As long as you’re there with me.”
“What are you guys cooing at each other?”
“Nyota, we are not cooing.”
“Ndugu, are you really going to argue that point with the resident head of Communications?”
“Yes.”
For reasons unknown, that set Nyota off in a peal of laughter.
We continued walking aimlessly.
As the night grew darker, it seemed that a fog was descending. Jim frowned.
“Guys, I think we should head back to the beam up point. This fog-is it fog?-feels like it’s getting thicker.”
“Sounds good to me, Jim. I’m a bit worn out after all.”
We walked faster, but the fog rapidly thickened. As it enveloped us, I thought I could hear whispers, a malicious feeling like slime oozing across my skin.
“I don’t like this. Come on. Scotty, Nyota, run-”
A scream.
“Nyota!”
Jim disappeared into the fog.
“Jim wait-” I reached out for him.
Dizziness and nausea as the world seemed to tilt. I heard screams echoing and reverberating when this could not be physically possible, the sound of struggle coming from near and far but I could not distinguish whether it was real or imagined. I tried calling out their names, reached for my communicator but could not tell if I had spoken at all. My hands were shaking.
The next moment, the fog was gone. Scotty was standing near a lamp, a dazed expression on his face.
He held a knife.
He was covered in blood.
On the ground lay Jim, Nyota, and the dancer from the restaurant. The dancer was dead. Nyota was bleeding, but I could see her chest rising and falling. Jim was utterly, terrifyingly still, blood seeming to come out of every part of his body.
I took out my communicator.
“Spock to Enterprise. Beam Dr. McCoy, Nurse Chapel, and a medical squad to these coordinates immediately.”