Captain’s Log, Stardate 090818
Late last week we entered orbit around a lush, wet world known to the native populations as Blue Earth. Disappointingly, the soil is of the brown variety and not blue as advertised, but it is still alien nonetheless compared to the typical red of our home world. The flora here is lush and green in striking contrast to the pale, blonde colonists who claim to have arrived here centuries ago via longship.
Sadly our first encounter with the lifeforms of this region were not without violence. On approach, our shuttle harness came in contact with a group of amphibious creatures. Unable to change the landing sequence, their bodies were not discovered until the following day when a swarm of flies alerted us to their presence.
We attempted to parlay but the flies were too keen on seeking vengeance against the amphibians for their “lost multitudes”. With a pressing engagement to deliver Ensign Bryce to his training academy, we left them to their work to be dealt with later.
Once at Gustavus Academy (Pronounced Goostayvus, not as the expected ‘Gustavus’ of Swedish origin) we were greeted by a frenzied pack of gold clad ambassadors. Their shrill calls and chants were likely meant to intimidate those who visited their world with ill intent, but we had no worries.We had come to learn of their customs and decipher their language.
Ensign Bryce faired well in their environment. As an away team member he managed to not violate local laws or find himself in mortal peril on the first day (as most Ensigns seem to do.) After unloading at their docks, we left him to his studies and returned to our landing site.
We were greeted at our landing site by a man and woman who clearly had not been informed of our visit. They had parked nearby claiming our site as their own in the vastly empty docks. Now friends with the flies for having inadvertently supported their side of a never ending war (the violation of the Prime Directive has been logged pending further administrative efforts) we had hoped their presence would deter any hostiles. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
Needing to badly wash the tow vehicle and empty our biological waste tanks, we relented and gave them the site. This, it turns out, was a terrible mistake.
After saying goodbye to the flies, we relocated several meters south of the first location in the shade of a giant tree. Initial investigation determined the specimen to be similar to our own Oak trees. A surprise, as they were normally a scraggly variety in our homeworld. We were comforted to find such a healthy and familiar species among this strange land.
But then, without warning, Discovery was struck by a hail of missiles. Scanners indicated no threats and we ruled out a localized meteor shower. A quick systems diagnostics revealed shields were holding but each assault could be heard echoing against the hull. We were at a loss until our Science Officer alerted us with a fierce growl to an alien presence.
We were surrounded. Tiny rodent creatures with devilish ears chittered at us from all sides. They leaped nimbly through the branches above, hurling tiny acorns with surprising force.
Science Officer Alfie at battle stations.
Our Science Officer knew these beasts well. While he has never spoken of it, I believe this alien horde must have once ravaged his homeworld or something equally disturbing for he would have gladly charged into battle. Having already violated the Prime Directive once, I kept him at bay.
Soon, the weather changed. The rodents abandoned their assault and the rains began, first a slight drizzle and then a pounding torrent. For two days and nights we weathered the storms, glad we’d relocated to a higher position but wary of the hostile territory we’d entered.
When the deluge had emptied out the docking station of fair weather flyers, I donned a survival suit and returned Discovery to our original site, happy to trade the higher ground for a more peaceful existence. As the clouds retreated, we were greeted by a sky full of stars, a universe to explore.
With any luck, we’ll see each one.
Categories: Discovery
RUSS LINTON 
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