Dear Daddy #29: Dear Uncle Chris,
Title: Dear Uncle Chris,
Author: jessofthebugs
Disclaimer: O, I have bought the mansion of a love, /But not posess'd it.
Pairing: Jo/Savas, Kirk/McCoy, Chekov/Sulu
Rating: Teen, 13+
Type: Series #29/? of the Dear Daddy series
Warnings: Some cussin'
Word Count: ~3000
Summary and Notes: Jo is worried about Savas and, being in the back forty of the Federation, can't do anything about it. She is none too pleased about this. Special thanks to kadollan and arcane_lark for the beta. Archived at awfully_clever
Dear Readers,
I will reply to comments soon. Life is eating my head like Cookie Monster at a bakery. Omnomnomnomnom!!
Ll&p
-Jess
Dear Uncle Chris,
What do you mean he's late coming home? Why can't they find him? Why don't they know where he is? I'm going crazy over here worrying about him! And I'm mad as a hornet, too! I tried to do like you said and focus on my studies, but my friend is out there and if I was bigger, I'd get a ship and go get him myself, even if I had to steal the goddamn Enterprise to do it! My teachers found out, so we talked about the kahs-wan in our Culture and Customs hour (which is really three hours). Kids have died during kahs-wan before! Goddammit, why would they send a kid out into the wilderness with nothing? That's the most illogical damn thing I've ever heard of. He's only ten!
It's probably my fault for telling him it was a good idea. I'm sorry for cussing so much, Uncle Chris, I'm just real upset. I'm going to try and meditate to see if I can't think about this logically. Rachel brought me tea from the cafeteria, so I got to go before it gets cold.
You send me a message the second you find out something, you hear?
Love,
-Jo
---
Cadet Jo,
You should know that theft of a Federation starship is a court-martial offense. I don't recommend it.
Savas is what we call "Missing in Action." I understand that you're upset, that's normal, but MiA means just that, missing. I could name a number of different scenarios where someone might go missing, but ultimately, we won't know what's happened until we find him. It means there's hope.
I cannot attest to whether the kahs-wan is logical or illogical, but it is part of his culture, part of what makes him Vulcan. T'Pau is keeping me abreast of the situation and she tells me they've narrowed their search to a mountain range on the border of the desert preserve. You may not remember this, but I'm from the desert and if I were him, I'd have gone toward the mountains to look for water and shelter. It's likely he's found both and is holed up somewhere.
I recommend you ask Captain Kirk about his survival training. Every cadet has to go through some kind of survival or emergency training and from my understanding of the kahs-wan, it serves a similar purpose. I can't promise you that Savas will be okay, but there is a good chance he's survived.
Be safe out there,
-Uncle Chris
---
To: Adm. Pike, C.
From: Adm. Archer, J.
12.1.2260 09:13FST
Pike:
Your request to divert the USS Hermes to New Vulcan has been denied. Dammit, Pike, we've got too few resources for this shit and with the Klingons getting bolder, we've got to keep whatever we can spare near the Neutral Zone to protect Federation border colonies. Millions of lives are at stake here. We lost a lot of men and a lot of ships and we're spread too thin as it is. We've got to have the Hermes where it is.
-Adm. Archer
---
To: Adm. Archer, J.
From: Adm. Pike, C.
12.1.2260 09:31FST
Admiral,
With all due respect, sir, it is our responsibility and duty to come to the aid of members of the Federation when it is in our power to do so. We can't be gun-shy because of our losses during the Nero Crisis and I need not remind you that where we lost thousands, they lost billions. Diverting the Hermes costs us little in time and resources and the payoff will be far greater than the life of one little boy. Her sensors are far better than anything the Vulcans have right now and they can arrive at New Vulcan within five hours at warp six. The area of space being surveyed by the Hermes is unlikely to be threatened by the Klingons and we can spare them for a couple of days.
-Pike
---
To: Adm. Pike, C.
From: Adm. Archer, J.
12.1.2260 15:58FST
Pike:
I talked it over with Comsol and Barnett and I'm giving you the go-ahead. You're a persuasive man, Pike, but don't let it go to your head. Federation starships are not yours to do with as you please.
-Archer
---
Dear Uncle Jim,
Classes are fine, but Savas is missing. He should have been home a week ago, but nobody knows where he is. They're looking for him in the mountains. Uncle Chris says he's probably holed up there and that I should ask you about your survival training. I'm real worried about him. He's only a year older than I am and I don't think I'd last a day out there, let alone almost three weeks. Uncle Chris also says that Starfleet calls it MiA. That means Missing in Action. Has anyone on the Enterprise ever been MiA?
I'm doing my best to keep studying and stuff because it ain't logical to spend a lot of time and energy being upset when there's nothing I can do. I'm still upset, but Rachel and I are meditating every day and that's helping a little. I wish it was raining instead of sunny 'cause that's the kind of mood I'm in. I'd cuss the sun for shining if I thought it'd do any good.
I feel like shit 'cause I told him it was a good idea to go.
Love,
-Jo
---
Hey, kiddo,
I'm sorry to hear about your friend and if I were you, I'd probably be going crazy about now. The only thing you can do is hope for his safe return. It's crap having to wait and not be able to do anything, but I'll see if there's something I can do to help. Maybe a ship's sensors will have better luck. We've had more MiAs than I care to think about and sometimes the MiA has been me. Stuff just happens sometimes, but the unofficial Enterprise policy is that no body=not dead. We keep searching until we've found our person and we never, never leave anyone behind. I know how you feel about telling him to go into a potentially dangerous situation. I do that every day with my crew and as much as we try to keep everyone safe, sometimes people don't come back. I hate it.
But I don't want you to give up hope, not ever. I'm guessing the Admiral wanted you to ask me about my survival training because I did mine in the desert. I spent two weeks in the Sahara without anything but the clothes I was wearing and my brain. It's not that different from the kahs-wan, really, and Vulcans are much better at desert survival than we are. When they found me, I was malnourished, dehydrated, and had the worst sunburn in the history of sunburns, but I was alive. Come to think of it, I remember being a little bit late myself.
If there's anything I can do to help, anything at all, I'll do it.
Love,
-Uncle Jim
---
[Official Transmission: USS Enterprise NCC-1701]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Admiral,
Request permission to re-route to New Vulcan for a rescue mission. Our sensors are much better than anything the Vulcans have got and it'll take us minutes to find him. You can spare the Enterprise for a day. That's all I need.
-Kirk
[End Transmission]
---
[Official Transmission: Starfleet Command]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Jim,
Request to divert to New Vulcan denied. We need you where you are. You're to hold the line and protect the border colonies until Command says otherwise. We've sent the Hermes. Captain Nomius can handle this and I'll make sure she keeps you in the loop.
Be safe out there,
-Pike
[End Transmission]
---
[Official Transmission: Starfleet Command]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Captain Nomius,
I just got word from T'Pau, she's very grateful for your assistance, as am I. This mission is important to me on a personal level and I trust you and your crew will perform admirably as usual. Keep the Enterprise in the loop on mission updates. I want you to talk to Kirk directly, so don't just send a text comm.
Be safe out there,
-Pike
[End Transmission]
---
[UNN News Feed: 15 January, 2260]
>Pangolin triplets born at San Diego Zoo. "Bubbo, Squiddy, Pranada, and their mom are all in good health," states zookeeper.
>USS Enterprise sent to protect colonies near Klingon Neutral Zone border. President Mintaine: "I have the utmost confidence in her captain and crew."
>New family of flowering plants named for its collector. Suluaceae utilizes cyanoplasts for photosynthesis, similar to chloroplasts in Earth plants.
>Galactic travel guide publication postponed, "Don't Panic," says editor D. Adams.
---
[Official Transmission: USS Hermes NCC-585]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Admiral Pike,
We found him. He's in our sickbay now and we will be returning him to his guardians within twenty-four hours. His health is remarkably good, considering, and he is requesting - you're not going to believe this - macaroni and cheese. This kid has got quite a story to tell, Admiral, and if he weren't a Vulcan, I wouldn't believe it. We sent visual confirmation of the rescue to Kirk. If I may be so bold, sir, who is Joanna?
All in all, the mission was a success, but I can tell I've missed something. I can't help but wonder what the rest of the story is.
-Cpt. Nomius
[End Transmission]
---
Dear Uncle Chris,
Have they found Savas yet? I'm worried sick about him. I haven't heard anything from anybody in a couple of days and I can't help but wonder what might have happened to him. Daddy would say I've got a bad case of the "what ifs" because I keep thinking what if he's hurt? What if he got attacked by wild animals? What if he's passed out and can't call for help? I don't even want to say what the worst "what if" is because I'm afraid it might come true. I bet you can guess what it is, though.
You'd tell me if it was bad, wouldn't you? I don't reckon you'd keep it from me. You'd just tell me straight, right?
Anyway, I was thinking that maybe you could send the Enterprise to look. I bet Uncle Jim could find him because he never stops looking for an MiA.
Just please, tell me something, even if it's bad.
Love,
-Jo
---
Cadet Jo,
You'll be pleased to know that they've found him. By the time you get this message, he'll be back home with his guardians, safe and sound, and I expect he'll be sending you a letter as soon as he is able. Even if something had happened to Savas, I would have been sure to keep you informed. Captain Kirk will debrief you on the mission.
This week, Vina has me trying different kinds of cake to serve for breakfast now and I fear my waistline is expanding faster than the universe.
Keep me posted on your progress on Cerberus.
Be safe out there,
-Uncle Chris
---
Queen Jo!
Joanna-Joanna-banana! Guess who I saw today? A certain Vulcan kid we know told me to give you this:
_\\//
I wasn't able to go get him myself, but the USS Hermes was nearby and my friend, Captain Nomius, found him in a cave. She said there was some magnetic interference because of the composition of the rock, but the Hermes was able to filter through it in just a few hours. They're a survey ship, so they're used to dealing with that kind of thing. Wait 'til you hear why he was late. He told me he wanted to tell you himself, so you'll have to wait 'til you hear from him. He also asked me to tell you that he hopes you didn't worry too much. I didn't tell him that we were all going nutso over him being missing. I was cool.
Spock is "intrigued." He did the eyebrow thing. It was AWESOME! Inside my head, I giggle and clap my hands like a little girl every time he does the eyebrow thing. I love it when your dad does it, too. Sometimes I say crazy stuff just to see them do it. Bonus points if I can get both at once. You do it too, you know. It's great.
Spaghetti Western night tonight. We're watching The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly for the five thousandth time. I love that movie.
Live long and be awesome,
-Uncle Jim
---
Dear Jo,
I am now sitting in the medbay of the USS Hermes and have just spoken with Captain Kirk. Do not be alarmed that I am in the medbay. I am in good health and will be returned to my guardians shortly. The doctor wishes to keep me here for a short observation period to ensure that my ordeal has not had any lasting ill-effects. Attempts #58-60 at obtaining macaroni and cheese have been successful. Captain Nomius is most accommodating.
I hope your classes are progressing well and I look forward to resuming our chess games. I am certain you are performing admirably and would like to hear about what you are learning. Perhaps we will converse in the Vulcan language as you learn more.
I must tell you the reason for the considerable delay in my return home, but I fear I will not do the story justice. I do not have your talent with metaphor and hyperbole, so I shall relate the facts as I observed them.
On the fifth day, I had seen sparse vegetation from several kilometers away and surmised, correctly, that this indicated a source of water. I failed to remember that when there are few sources of water, animals of all kinds will aggregate near such oases. A predatory animal, not unlike a wild sehlat or a large wolf attacked me there. I was able to render it unconscious with a blow to the head, but I knew that I must find safe shelter before it awoke, so I made haste toward the mountains. I found a small cave, the entrance only a few centimeters wider than my shoulders, that would be my shelter for the next few days. When I ventured out during the day, I managed to find small animals to sustain me and though eating meat is somewhat distasteful to me, I could not logically reject animal protein as a source of calories when no other food was available. On the seventh day, I had wandered far from my shelter in search of an alternate source of water or food. I did find a species of large grasses not of the Graminaceae-type, but rather more similar to your bamboo species. I fashioned something like a spear to use for hunting or defense and used it as a walking stick as I made my way over the rocky terrain back to my shelter. I consider myself fortunate that I was able to return to the small cave without incident, though I am certain that I was being followed.
On the eighth day, I was attacked again by the very same predator I previously described. It was not only the same species, but the same individual. Its markings were the same and it bore an abrasion from where I had concussed it. I ran to the cave and crawled through the narrow entrance, but sustained an injury to my ankle when the creature attempted to pull me out of the cave with its teeth. For several days it stayed at the entrance of the cave. I could not exit, but nor could it enter. I do not know how much time passed in this manner. Remembering a place from my previous wanderings, I devised a plan. I would distract the creature then lure it toward a narrow place between two boulders where its bulk would prevent it from reaching me. I would then kill it with my spear.
I caught a small reptile and released it at the entrance of the cave, distracting the predator long enough to take my spear and escape. Though I was slowed by my injury, I managed to fend off the predator until I reached the narrow place. Then, as it attempted to reach me with its claws, I made the killing blow through its skull. Please do not think that I would kill such an animal for any reason other than defense. I was neither angry nor vengeful. I only wished to survive.
I returned to the cave and rested there for several more days. When I awoke yesterday morning, I was quite surprised to see Starfleet personnel searching for something several meters from the entrance to the cave. I offered my assistance, not realizing that they had been searching for me. That is how I came to be in the medbay of the USS Hermes. I shall be returning to my guardians soon.
I hope you were not overly concerned for my well-being. Captain Kirk seemed to think you would be "okay." I have used this word before, but I find it vague and awkward. I assume this means you are well.
I must rest now. I will send another letter when I am home.
Live long and prosper,
-Savas
---
Dear Savas,
Don't you ever scare me like that again! I know it ain't logical, but I was so worried about you and I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you. You're my best friend in the whole universe and you ain't allowed to do anything dumb like almost get killed. Next time, I'll come and get you myself if I have to, even if I have to steal a starship and get court-martialed to do it.
Classes are good. I like the exercises we're doing in the morning. It's kinda like dancing, but our teacher says it's for combat. I'll tell you more later. I've got to go to the cafeteria for dinner now.
Live long and prosper,
(AND I REALLY MEAN IT!)
-Jo
Part 28: Dear Jo,
Part 30: Personal Log:
Author: jessofthebugs
Disclaimer: O, I have bought the mansion of a love, /But not posess'd it.
Pairing: Jo/Savas, Kirk/McCoy, Chekov/Sulu
Rating: Teen, 13+
Type: Series #29/? of the Dear Daddy series
Warnings: Some cussin'
Word Count: ~3000
Summary and Notes: Jo is worried about Savas and, being in the back forty of the Federation, can't do anything about it. She is none too pleased about this. Special thanks to kadollan and arcane_lark for the beta. Archived at awfully_clever
Dear Readers,
I will reply to comments soon. Life is eating my head like Cookie Monster at a bakery. Omnomnomnomnom!!
Ll&p
-Jess
Dear Uncle Chris,
What do you mean he's late coming home? Why can't they find him? Why don't they know where he is? I'm going crazy over here worrying about him! And I'm mad as a hornet, too! I tried to do like you said and focus on my studies, but my friend is out there and if I was bigger, I'd get a ship and go get him myself, even if I had to steal the goddamn Enterprise to do it! My teachers found out, so we talked about the kahs-wan in our Culture and Customs hour (which is really three hours). Kids have died during kahs-wan before! Goddammit, why would they send a kid out into the wilderness with nothing? That's the most illogical damn thing I've ever heard of. He's only ten!
It's probably my fault for telling him it was a good idea. I'm sorry for cussing so much, Uncle Chris, I'm just real upset. I'm going to try and meditate to see if I can't think about this logically. Rachel brought me tea from the cafeteria, so I got to go before it gets cold.
You send me a message the second you find out something, you hear?
Love,
-Jo
---
Cadet Jo,
You should know that theft of a Federation starship is a court-martial offense. I don't recommend it.
Savas is what we call "Missing in Action." I understand that you're upset, that's normal, but MiA means just that, missing. I could name a number of different scenarios where someone might go missing, but ultimately, we won't know what's happened until we find him. It means there's hope.
I cannot attest to whether the kahs-wan is logical or illogical, but it is part of his culture, part of what makes him Vulcan. T'Pau is keeping me abreast of the situation and she tells me they've narrowed their search to a mountain range on the border of the desert preserve. You may not remember this, but I'm from the desert and if I were him, I'd have gone toward the mountains to look for water and shelter. It's likely he's found both and is holed up somewhere.
I recommend you ask Captain Kirk about his survival training. Every cadet has to go through some kind of survival or emergency training and from my understanding of the kahs-wan, it serves a similar purpose. I can't promise you that Savas will be okay, but there is a good chance he's survived.
Be safe out there,
-Uncle Chris
---
To: Adm. Pike, C.
From: Adm. Archer, J.
12.1.2260 09:13FST
Pike:
Your request to divert the USS Hermes to New Vulcan has been denied. Dammit, Pike, we've got too few resources for this shit and with the Klingons getting bolder, we've got to keep whatever we can spare near the Neutral Zone to protect Federation border colonies. Millions of lives are at stake here. We lost a lot of men and a lot of ships and we're spread too thin as it is. We've got to have the Hermes where it is.
-Adm. Archer
---
To: Adm. Archer, J.
From: Adm. Pike, C.
12.1.2260 09:31FST
Admiral,
With all due respect, sir, it is our responsibility and duty to come to the aid of members of the Federation when it is in our power to do so. We can't be gun-shy because of our losses during the Nero Crisis and I need not remind you that where we lost thousands, they lost billions. Diverting the Hermes costs us little in time and resources and the payoff will be far greater than the life of one little boy. Her sensors are far better than anything the Vulcans have right now and they can arrive at New Vulcan within five hours at warp six. The area of space being surveyed by the Hermes is unlikely to be threatened by the Klingons and we can spare them for a couple of days.
-Pike
---
To: Adm. Pike, C.
From: Adm. Archer, J.
12.1.2260 15:58FST
Pike:
I talked it over with Comsol and Barnett and I'm giving you the go-ahead. You're a persuasive man, Pike, but don't let it go to your head. Federation starships are not yours to do with as you please.
-Archer
---
Dear Uncle Jim,
Classes are fine, but Savas is missing. He should have been home a week ago, but nobody knows where he is. They're looking for him in the mountains. Uncle Chris says he's probably holed up there and that I should ask you about your survival training. I'm real worried about him. He's only a year older than I am and I don't think I'd last a day out there, let alone almost three weeks. Uncle Chris also says that Starfleet calls it MiA. That means Missing in Action. Has anyone on the Enterprise ever been MiA?
I'm doing my best to keep studying and stuff because it ain't logical to spend a lot of time and energy being upset when there's nothing I can do. I'm still upset, but Rachel and I are meditating every day and that's helping a little. I wish it was raining instead of sunny 'cause that's the kind of mood I'm in. I'd cuss the sun for shining if I thought it'd do any good.
I feel like shit 'cause I told him it was a good idea to go.
Love,
-Jo
---
Hey, kiddo,
I'm sorry to hear about your friend and if I were you, I'd probably be going crazy about now. The only thing you can do is hope for his safe return. It's crap having to wait and not be able to do anything, but I'll see if there's something I can do to help. Maybe a ship's sensors will have better luck. We've had more MiAs than I care to think about and sometimes the MiA has been me. Stuff just happens sometimes, but the unofficial Enterprise policy is that no body=not dead. We keep searching until we've found our person and we never, never leave anyone behind. I know how you feel about telling him to go into a potentially dangerous situation. I do that every day with my crew and as much as we try to keep everyone safe, sometimes people don't come back. I hate it.
But I don't want you to give up hope, not ever. I'm guessing the Admiral wanted you to ask me about my survival training because I did mine in the desert. I spent two weeks in the Sahara without anything but the clothes I was wearing and my brain. It's not that different from the kahs-wan, really, and Vulcans are much better at desert survival than we are. When they found me, I was malnourished, dehydrated, and had the worst sunburn in the history of sunburns, but I was alive. Come to think of it, I remember being a little bit late myself.
If there's anything I can do to help, anything at all, I'll do it.
Love,
-Uncle Jim
---
[Official Transmission: USS Enterprise NCC-1701]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Admiral,
Request permission to re-route to New Vulcan for a rescue mission. Our sensors are much better than anything the Vulcans have got and it'll take us minutes to find him. You can spare the Enterprise for a day. That's all I need.
-Kirk
[End Transmission]
---
[Official Transmission: Starfleet Command]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Jim,
Request to divert to New Vulcan denied. We need you where you are. You're to hold the line and protect the border colonies until Command says otherwise. We've sent the Hermes. Captain Nomius can handle this and I'll make sure she keeps you in the loop.
Be safe out there,
-Pike
[End Transmission]
---
[Official Transmission: Starfleet Command]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Captain Nomius,
I just got word from T'Pau, she's very grateful for your assistance, as am I. This mission is important to me on a personal level and I trust you and your crew will perform admirably as usual. Keep the Enterprise in the loop on mission updates. I want you to talk to Kirk directly, so don't just send a text comm.
Be safe out there,
-Pike
[End Transmission]
---
[UNN News Feed: 15 January, 2260]
>Pangolin triplets born at San Diego Zoo. "Bubbo, Squiddy, Pranada, and their mom are all in good health," states zookeeper.
>USS Enterprise sent to protect colonies near Klingon Neutral Zone border. President Mintaine: "I have the utmost confidence in her captain and crew."
>New family of flowering plants named for its collector. Suluaceae utilizes cyanoplasts for photosynthesis, similar to chloroplasts in Earth plants.
>Galactic travel guide publication postponed, "Don't Panic," says editor D. Adams.
---
[Official Transmission: USS Hermes NCC-585]
[Enter Authorization Code]
Admiral Pike,
We found him. He's in our sickbay now and we will be returning him to his guardians within twenty-four hours. His health is remarkably good, considering, and he is requesting - you're not going to believe this - macaroni and cheese. This kid has got quite a story to tell, Admiral, and if he weren't a Vulcan, I wouldn't believe it. We sent visual confirmation of the rescue to Kirk. If I may be so bold, sir, who is Joanna?
All in all, the mission was a success, but I can tell I've missed something. I can't help but wonder what the rest of the story is.
-Cpt. Nomius
[End Transmission]
---
Dear Uncle Chris,
Have they found Savas yet? I'm worried sick about him. I haven't heard anything from anybody in a couple of days and I can't help but wonder what might have happened to him. Daddy would say I've got a bad case of the "what ifs" because I keep thinking what if he's hurt? What if he got attacked by wild animals? What if he's passed out and can't call for help? I don't even want to say what the worst "what if" is because I'm afraid it might come true. I bet you can guess what it is, though.
You'd tell me if it was bad, wouldn't you? I don't reckon you'd keep it from me. You'd just tell me straight, right?
Anyway, I was thinking that maybe you could send the Enterprise to look. I bet Uncle Jim could find him because he never stops looking for an MiA.
Just please, tell me something, even if it's bad.
Love,
-Jo
---
Cadet Jo,
You'll be pleased to know that they've found him. By the time you get this message, he'll be back home with his guardians, safe and sound, and I expect he'll be sending you a letter as soon as he is able. Even if something had happened to Savas, I would have been sure to keep you informed. Captain Kirk will debrief you on the mission.
This week, Vina has me trying different kinds of cake to serve for breakfast now and I fear my waistline is expanding faster than the universe.
Keep me posted on your progress on Cerberus.
Be safe out there,
-Uncle Chris
---
Queen Jo!
Joanna-Joanna-banana! Guess who I saw today? A certain Vulcan kid we know told me to give you this:
_\\//
I wasn't able to go get him myself, but the USS Hermes was nearby and my friend, Captain Nomius, found him in a cave. She said there was some magnetic interference because of the composition of the rock, but the Hermes was able to filter through it in just a few hours. They're a survey ship, so they're used to dealing with that kind of thing. Wait 'til you hear why he was late. He told me he wanted to tell you himself, so you'll have to wait 'til you hear from him. He also asked me to tell you that he hopes you didn't worry too much. I didn't tell him that we were all going nutso over him being missing. I was cool.
Spock is "intrigued." He did the eyebrow thing. It was AWESOME! Inside my head, I giggle and clap my hands like a little girl every time he does the eyebrow thing. I love it when your dad does it, too. Sometimes I say crazy stuff just to see them do it. Bonus points if I can get both at once. You do it too, you know. It's great.
Spaghetti Western night tonight. We're watching The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly for the five thousandth time. I love that movie.
Live long and be awesome,
-Uncle Jim
---
Dear Jo,
I am now sitting in the medbay of the USS Hermes and have just spoken with Captain Kirk. Do not be alarmed that I am in the medbay. I am in good health and will be returned to my guardians shortly. The doctor wishes to keep me here for a short observation period to ensure that my ordeal has not had any lasting ill-effects. Attempts #58-60 at obtaining macaroni and cheese have been successful. Captain Nomius is most accommodating.
I hope your classes are progressing well and I look forward to resuming our chess games. I am certain you are performing admirably and would like to hear about what you are learning. Perhaps we will converse in the Vulcan language as you learn more.
I must tell you the reason for the considerable delay in my return home, but I fear I will not do the story justice. I do not have your talent with metaphor and hyperbole, so I shall relate the facts as I observed them.
On the fifth day, I had seen sparse vegetation from several kilometers away and surmised, correctly, that this indicated a source of water. I failed to remember that when there are few sources of water, animals of all kinds will aggregate near such oases. A predatory animal, not unlike a wild sehlat or a large wolf attacked me there. I was able to render it unconscious with a blow to the head, but I knew that I must find safe shelter before it awoke, so I made haste toward the mountains. I found a small cave, the entrance only a few centimeters wider than my shoulders, that would be my shelter for the next few days. When I ventured out during the day, I managed to find small animals to sustain me and though eating meat is somewhat distasteful to me, I could not logically reject animal protein as a source of calories when no other food was available. On the seventh day, I had wandered far from my shelter in search of an alternate source of water or food. I did find a species of large grasses not of the Graminaceae-type, but rather more similar to your bamboo species. I fashioned something like a spear to use for hunting or defense and used it as a walking stick as I made my way over the rocky terrain back to my shelter. I consider myself fortunate that I was able to return to the small cave without incident, though I am certain that I was being followed.
On the eighth day, I was attacked again by the very same predator I previously described. It was not only the same species, but the same individual. Its markings were the same and it bore an abrasion from where I had concussed it. I ran to the cave and crawled through the narrow entrance, but sustained an injury to my ankle when the creature attempted to pull me out of the cave with its teeth. For several days it stayed at the entrance of the cave. I could not exit, but nor could it enter. I do not know how much time passed in this manner. Remembering a place from my previous wanderings, I devised a plan. I would distract the creature then lure it toward a narrow place between two boulders where its bulk would prevent it from reaching me. I would then kill it with my spear.
I caught a small reptile and released it at the entrance of the cave, distracting the predator long enough to take my spear and escape. Though I was slowed by my injury, I managed to fend off the predator until I reached the narrow place. Then, as it attempted to reach me with its claws, I made the killing blow through its skull. Please do not think that I would kill such an animal for any reason other than defense. I was neither angry nor vengeful. I only wished to survive.
I returned to the cave and rested there for several more days. When I awoke yesterday morning, I was quite surprised to see Starfleet personnel searching for something several meters from the entrance to the cave. I offered my assistance, not realizing that they had been searching for me. That is how I came to be in the medbay of the USS Hermes. I shall be returning to my guardians soon.
I hope you were not overly concerned for my well-being. Captain Kirk seemed to think you would be "okay." I have used this word before, but I find it vague and awkward. I assume this means you are well.
I must rest now. I will send another letter when I am home.
Live long and prosper,
-Savas
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Dear Savas,
Don't you ever scare me like that again! I know it ain't logical, but I was so worried about you and I don't know what I'd do if anything ever happened to you. You're my best friend in the whole universe and you ain't allowed to do anything dumb like almost get killed. Next time, I'll come and get you myself if I have to, even if I have to steal a starship and get court-martialed to do it.
Classes are good. I like the exercises we're doing in the morning. It's kinda like dancing, but our teacher says it's for combat. I'll tell you more later. I've got to go to the cafeteria for dinner now.
Live long and prosper,
(AND I REALLY MEAN IT!)
-Jo
Part 28: Dear Jo,
Part 30: Personal Log: