Day 49: Morning - Main Street

[sanguinario]

[From here.]

Easily forgiven? Unlikely. A pair of (presumably) mental patient committing theft. No, it was highly unlikely they would be easily forgiven. Conscience-wise? It wouldn't even stain his thoughts, really. Nothing like ten years of judgemental slaughter to make your mind jaded against the simpler crimes in the world

Comments

[hes_deadjim]

"Chekov," McCoy acknowledged. The ensign seemed uneasy, although that could be attribute to just about anything, from riding around in that bus, one without a decent restraint, bumper, or any other safety features, to watching out for that other patient from earlier.

McCoy's attention returned to the captain. Act natural? A skeptical look crossed his face. Was there a natural to this planet?

It'd help if we knew what natural was with these people in the the first place, he thought. They looked all human, but that could easily be superficial and Hodgkin's Law of Parallel Planetary Development at work. That was if it wasn't an illusion tailor-made for them to actually comprehend what they were seeing.

Either way, there could be plenty of customs they wouldn't know about. They didn't have access to the Enterprisedatabases or any information from surveys about the locals, only had what their eyes and ears were telling them. In his experience, you couldn't always trust them. Fitting in wasn't going to be easy as taking a stroll through San Francisco. McCoy didn't point this out to Jim. Jim was probably well aware of it, and the doctor wasn't about to completely question an order right in front of an subordinate.

"Aye, captain." The doctor watched him take a bite. How he even maintained an appetite after being bounced around that contraption was beyond him. "I think we just got a lungful of noxious fumes to last a lifetime, but we'll survive."

Should he mention Heat? He'd essentially admitted to having practiced cannibalism earlier, and in addition that, on living victims, which placed him squarely as having murdered... but at the same time, that was also something that fell under a right to privacy if he was mentally ill. There was no doubt in McCoy's mind that Heat was disturbed, that he needed help and that broadcasting that to everyone would be counterproductive to any progress he might make.

But how far should that privacy extend if he was possibly a danger to others?

[dual_worlds]

Learning that most of the patients were going to be relocated to Doyleton for the day did not surprise Spock. After all, this weekly trip had been the reason why the building was largely empty the night he had initially arrived at the Institute. From what he understood, the trip was not always a peaceful one. In fact, he vividly recalled his conversation with the female patient during his first full day in Landel's.

Doyleton, she had said. We go there every week on a 'field trip'. And once in a while, we end up wishing we'd stayed here.

They would need to prepare for the possibility that tonight would be just as dangerous. It was for that reason Spock had largely spent the bus ride observing their surroundings and mentally tracing the route his assigned bus took as they wound their way through the Earth-like countryside. Of course, if they were ever stranded out here for the night, then plunging back into the wilderness was likely the worst place for them to go. That did not make knowing the area any less important, however.

Upon stepping off of his bus, Spock adjusted the striped scarf his nurse had given him. She had also made certain that he was properly wearing a hat, gloves, and the thick, beige sweater he'd received as well. Apparently the staff were aware that he was particularly sensitive to cold weather and took extra measure to make certain that he would be comfortable. It was mostly unnecessary, seeing that the temperature did not impede his ability to function, but he appreciated the extra clothing nonetheless.

The vandalized property did not go unnoticed, and Spock privately wondered if it was a lingering trace of what had occurred last week. It seemed unlikely, though, that a "zombie" attack would produce this sort of damage. One might have assumed that a group of rowdy delinquent had passed through, rather than a horde of vicious creatures carrying a potentially deadly pathogen.

Before he could ponder the situation further, the first officer's eyes were drawn toward a group of men he instantly recognized. The manner in which Kirk tossed the apple before take a bite was effective in capturing the attention of anyone who walked past him. Perhaps that was his intention, though Spock was uncertain as to whether it was wise.

He approached them and neatly clasped his hands behind his back. "Captain," he greeted, before before briefly nodding toward McCoy and Chekov to acknowledge their presence.

[sewenteen_sir]

How was the ride over? Somewhere between a strange parallel universe and dancing on a razor's edge. The stranger had drawn Chekov into talking about Commander Spock, and he was regretting it tremendously. Especially now that Commander Spock was standing amongst them. What if, in an effort to help Gabriel understand Commander Spock, he'd said too much and opened up a floodgate for Gabriel to start asking questions?

He fell into the at ease position and nodded to Commander Spock in greeting. The only way this would be alright was if he informed both Captain Kirk and Commander Spock of the encounter. If he mislead them... he would be thrown out of Starfleet for starters.

"I had an encounter wiz a man..." he looked up at Commander Spock, as though apologizing for the random meeting. "Zough I did not catch his name, he claimed to be Commander Spock's roommate."

And had his face on top of that. Though he didn't think that portion of the report was strictly necessary.

[doneinthree]

They were already attracting attention for clustering like this, but Kirk was determined to stand here for as long as it took to see all of his men face-to-face. Until then, he could do his best to make it look like they weren't planning to escape (for the benefit of the staff) or planning a heist (for the townspeople). With the tense mood they'd encountered upon entering Doyleton, for once he'd much rather they be taken as just a few harmless mental patients on a field trip, instead of the trained Starfleet officers they were.

So Kirk kept talking through his mouthful of fruit as he smirked at Bones, looking like the least likely candidate ever for a starship captain. (That he'd done this exact thing before while sitting in a command chair was irrelevant. The Kobayashi Maru test had been a simulation, and that apple had been delicious.) "I didn't think it was all that bad. I mean, the atmosphere of this planet has it a lot worse than- Spock!"

While the reverse might've happened for a second, there was no confusing his first officer for Zachary Blaine. Kirk looked him over as he approached, unable to tell if he was injured or not under all his layers of clothing, but guessing that he had to be fine if McCoy was. Kirk smiled at Spock's usual laconic efficiency. "Nice of you to join us."

With the crew gathered, they could now move to somewhere less crowded to discuss last night's activities, but Chekov's report gave him pause. He'd met Bones' roommate, albeit extremely briefly, and was aware that Chekov's roommate had disappeared, but until now, hadn't learned anything about the man sharing Spock's room. He hadn't really thought of it either - Spock would've mentioned him if he thought it was important, and otherwise could handle himself - but what did concern him was Chekov's lingering nervousness.

Or maybe he needed to stop looking for Klingons under every latrine. There were plenty of reasons for why the young ensign might feel uneasy right now, such as ominous broken windows or the walking dead. Kirk glanced briefly at Spock, then said: "A friendly encounter, I hope." His tone remained as casual as ever, but the apple in his hand dropped slightly as Kirk looked around for a good place to continue the conversation.

[hes_deadjim]

Despite years of knowing the captain (his captain), McCoy couldn't stopped the faint look of exasperation at Jim talking with his mouth full. It just drove in what ten years difference could make. The sass hadn't changed much, however.

Of course the captain wouldn't think it was bad. He also didn't see a single thing wrong with transporters either. McCoy might utterly respect the man, follow him to the end's of the earth even, but he couldn't say that Kirk always had taste, or a certain common sense.

"I'd prefer not to have to choose between my poisons in the first place, Jim, I-"

The doctor cut off. Spock had joined them, gave them all a curt nod in greeting before settling into that rigid military stance as if it was second nature. The conversation had switched tracks just then, moving onto this mystery roommate of Spock's. McCoy didn't have a clue who that was.

McCoy didn't see what was so interesting about him, other than the fact that he was (temporarily) living with Spock and hadn't gone mad from being stuck with a Vulcan. With the way Jim was acting, and Chekov for that matter for bringing it up like that at all, it seemed like there was something a little more noteworthy about this man than just being a simple roommate. McCoy caught the way Jim looked at Spock.

[dual_worlds]

Spock did not return Kirk's smile, though his mouth relaxed somewhat. "You and Mr. Chekov appear uninjured," he remarked. It was difficult to make an accurate assessment beneath some of the clothing the nurses had given in order to protect them from the potential rain, though neither of them appeared to hold themselves in a way that indicated they had sustained any wounds. Even so, he trusted that someone would correct him if his observation was wrong.

Upon hearing Mr. Chekov had met Gabriel, he regarded the ensign with a neutral expression. That was not unexpected news, especially considering it would not be difficult for Gabriel to attract the attention of his crewmates for obvious reasons. He had already spoken with the captain at least once, after all.

"If you are referring to the individual who bears a remarkable physical resemblance to myself, Ensign, then, yes, he is indeed my roommate," Spock replied.

There was still some uncertainty as to how much they had in common outside of a similar facial and body structure, though it may have been more than Spock was willing to concede. Still, the fact remained that Gabriel was fully Human, while Spock was half Vulcan; Gabriel was a watchmaker from New York, while he was a Starfleet officer from a planet that no longer existed; Gabriel hailed from the 21st century, and Spock was from the 23rd. These differences were obvious and likely created far more differences between them than there were similarities.

[sewenteen_sir]

'Remarkable physical resemblance' seemed to be Commander Spock's way of saying, 'The man looks like he could be my twin.' Not as though Chekov was complaining. The Commander hadn't looked disapproving, nor had he tried to delve into what their conversation had been about. Nothing would be more embarrassing than being lectured by the Vulcan Commander about how it didn't matter if he and his roommate 'got along'--especially after his efforts to make it so the other man had some clue as to what might make things rocky. He couldn't help it. Whenever someone looked perplexed, he had to help.

Chekov nodded to Commander Spock. "I wanted to meke you aware, sir. So zere would not be any surprises should he mention we spoke."

And if that indeed happened, at least Chekov would only get an explanation as to why his actions were unnecessary, instead of an explanation as to why his actions were unnecessary and a reminder to report any seemingly significant encounters or details. Possibly.

"He seemed perfectly amiable, Keptain," he continued. "It was merely strenge to encounter someone who... was wery different from ze Commander, yet looked nearly identical to him. I was unaware until zis point zat there might be prisoners here who bear a strikingly similar resemblance to people we may know."

He dearly hoped he wasn't late to this little revelation. "I cannot begin to speculate as to what zis could mean, or what would cause zis... twin phenomena, sir."

What he could begin to imagine was the chaos that would ensue should someone looking like the Captain, the Doctor, or even himself appear. It was fairly easy to distinguish a Vulcan from a Human, but human twins?

[doneinthree]

Kirk listened to the conversation with half an ear as he surveyed the area. As with the Institute, uniformed staff members could be spotted everywhere you looked, most of them still guiding the rest of the patients off the bus, but others were fanning out in every direction like a well-organized away team. From where he stood, he could see a few promising locations: an inn would be used to visitors coming and going, but a bookstore might be more private and provide some clues to the world they inhabited - assuming, of course, the late-twentieth-century Earth masquerade didn't extend this far. Otherwise, they could take their chances with the large park they'd been deposited in-

Hold on. "Nearly identical"?

"Wait. They made your evil twin your roommate? Or good twin, rather, since... I mean..." Kirk remembered joking about it with Spock that first day over the bulletin board, but hadn't heard anything else about Zachary since then. Of course, there had been several other more important things to discuss in the few times they'd talked this week, and Zach hardly seemed like someone who would cause trouble during dinner. Even so, rooming Spock with his human doppelganger couldn't have been a coincidence on the part of their captors - more mind games, then? How strange would it be for a half-Vulcan to have to spend an hour everyday with a fully human version of himself?

On this subject, Spock appeared stoic, which was like saying water appeared wet. While Kirk would've ordinarily been interested in pursuing this bizarreness further, they had a lot more important things to worry about right now, and there was no reason to put Spock on the spot over a personal matter. Of course, being Kirk, he couldn't resist getting the last word in either. "Did he smile at you?" he asked Chekov. "Because that was the weirdest part to me."

Park, bookstore, inn... Even if they opted to take a walk through the town instead, Kirk had a feeling they wouldn't be getting away from the nurses so easily - or away from the reach of Landel's power. Could this place be another simulation? Compared to the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, Riverside had seemed like a relic from another era, but it was still nothing compared to Doyleton. Endless lectures on maintaining the Prime Directive had prepared him for the possibility of encountering Earth-like but underdeveloped planets, although those lectures hadn't covered this exact scenario.

"This town looks pretty good for a place that was apparently crawling with zombies last week." Kirk swallowed his latest bite of apple. "So what have you guys learned about Doyleton?"

[hes_deadjim]

Oh ho, so this must be that man Jim had mentioned, the one who he claimed was a scruffier version of Spock. McCoy couldn't deny that he'd harbored a secret curiosity about him. Spock always looked so impeccable, not a single hair out of place, that it seemed completely impossible that the universe could harbor anything else.

McCoy's gaze drifted from Jim to Chekov. He wanted to make them aware of Spock's roommate? The doctor still wasn't sure why it was that noteworthy in the first place that the ensign had talked with him, and amiably at that. It was interesting that he could very well have a twin going around, one from another universe that wasn't a counterpart.

Assuming Spock doesn't surprise us and spring the news that he's got siblings, he thought. Spock was notoriously tight-lipped about anything to do with Vulcan ritual and tradition, and even more so when it came to his personal life. It took him nearly losing his control, his biosigns going through the roof, and Jim wearing at his defenses to admit that pon farr business. Getting him to talk about family? McCoy wasn't even sure he'd talk about that even if his life was threatened. Spock could swear up and down that Vulcans had no emotions, but the doctor knew for a fact that they certainly had a stubborn streak in them a mile long.

The doctor listened as the ensign explained further, a strange, cold irritation coming over him that seemed to come out of nowhere. Outside of the implications, multiverse hypotheses and how this man fit into it, it didn't seem at all necessary to bring up, but he supposed Chekov was just making sure the captain was kept informed. Even if it was relatively insignificant. Chekov was, if anything, thorough. It was one of the qualities that made him suited for the position as navigator. The ensign was young, over-eager at times, of course, talented... and too ambitious for his own good, traitorous. He had a sadistic streak in him that matched Sulu's...

[dual_worlds]

"Yes, Captain, we have been assigned to the same cell." He was aware that pointed ears and slanted eyebrows lent him a more demonic appearance when viewed through the lens of Earth lore. This was not the first time anyone had made reference to it. Spock raised an eyebrow at Kirk and added, "Although I must confess I find the manner in which you divide us into the categories of 'good' and 'evil' rather curious."

As far as why they looked so similar, Spock was uncertain, though it was true that in many humanoid species it was not completely unheard of for two unrelated individuals to share similar facial structures. Yet, on the surface, the similarities seemed too striking for such an explanation to suffice. If there were not other matters pressing on them, Spock may have been more interested in investigating the matter deeper in order to satisfy his curiosity. For now, though, there was Doyleton to discuss.

That was why the finer details of Gabriel's discussion with Chekov, such as whether they exchanged smiles, were irrelevant as far as Spock was concerned. Regardless, Kirk's question had not been directed toward him, so he simply ignored it.

Focusing on the captain's inquiries about Doyleton was best. "The town shows signs of being swarmed by a group of vandals -- most unusual, considering the type of creatures we encountered a week ago," Spock evenly said. "If what transpired here was indeed as violent as some of the patients have indicated, then it is likely that Doyleton and its inhabitants fall under Landel's direct sphere of influence."

[sewenteen_sir]

"Euh... yes sir," Chekov said, and left it at that. For whatever reason, Doctor McCoy seemed to be disquieted by Chekov's report, and was watching him more intently than Chekov could remember. The ensign gave the Doctor and the Commander a nervous nod, and fell silent. Perhaps he should have kept his concerns to himself and voiced them privately to Commander Spock. For now, though, he would listen to the brief without interjecting. Unless he had something he was certain was relevant.

So far though, he hadn't thought much of the vandalism or graffiti. The 20th century had been a tumultuous time for mankind, and such things were probably fairly normal. ...of course, the subject of the graffiti was a little too coincidental, now that he looked at it again.

It was slightly disheartening though, to hear that Commander Spock thought this town also fell under Landel's strange and powerful form of tyranny. Did the people here even know that as night fell, their environment became hostile and dangerous? Given that the town was not deserted, Chekov was inclined to believe that they had no idea such things happened.

But for him it meant that there may not be anywhere to escape to. Nowhere to run. They were trapped in an unknown situation where even the stars weren't a comfort.

"Perhaps someone here has some idea as to who is responsible," Chekov suggested tentatively. "For ze wandalism. Ze painted images seem to reference ze faces marked on our uniforms. Why... I could not ewen begin to speculate."

[doneinthree]

Kirk merely smirked at Spock's mild protest at being designated the "evil" one. As un-PC as the joke was, it wasn't a particularly uncommon one in the halls of the Academy - frankly, the Vulcans invited it with all their seriousness and secretiveness. The playful normalcy of the moment took his mind off, just for a bit, but ribbing his first officer would have to be saved for later. His crew reminded him that they had more important concerns.

"Spock's right: this town and our prison are connected, but I don't think that graffiti has to do with us, necessarily. Last night, the radio woman told us of an injured ally... I don't suppose you two managed to make contact with him?" asked Kirk, looking to the science officers. If someone had been gravely hurt, no matter how dubious, Bones would've insisted on helping them, and Spock wasn't nearly as cold as he acted. Kirk was willing to bet they would've tried to follow Jill's hint. However, his and Chekov's own night had been short in the unpredictable way time flowed in this place, and he had to wonder if Spock and McCoy had experienced the same.

Kirk tapped his half-eaten apple against his chin, thinking. "In any case, if this man - and 'Jill' - can be trusted as far as being enemies of Landel, then we can assume that somewhere outside of the Institute, some party doesn't fall under his influence. But if this is their work, the message could be clearer. So. We need more information, and we'd learn quicker if we all split up." His hands fell to his sides as he looked at each of his men in turn.

Just last night, he'd repeated those words about them keeping an eye out for each other, and now he was going to send his crew out individually into Doyleton. Under normal circumstances, with everyone fully equipped with weapons and communicators, Kirk wouldn't have thought twice about splitting up four officers. Here, they were at a disadvantage, but the hospital staff was out in droves today, and would no doubt be even more keen on watching the patients for disruptive activity.

If danger was coming, it wouldn't be until nightfall. "There's at least an hour's worth of ground to cover. Commander Spock and I will start in the south; Doctor McCoy and Ensign Chekov, take the north. Check anything that appears suspicious, talk to the residents to find out anything interesting..."

Kirk trailed off with a frown. What he'd initially taken to be a (slightly strange) expression of concentration from McCoy hadn't altered in all the time he'd been speaking. That the doctor's eyes now looked like they were boring holes into Chekov was just the icing on the eerie cake.

"Bones," he said sharply.

[hes_deadjim]

In fact he'd looked over Chekov's handiwork before, emotionlessly concluded it a needlessly messy job. Ensign Darnell had been a a valuable crew member, ambitious, with a temper, but gifted in the areas of astrophysics and multispectral subspace engine design. The potential was lost now. Darnell had stood in the way and Chekov had removed him to maneuver someone loyal to him in his place.

He'd need to go to sickbay, confirm the cause of death himself visually then report to the captain after the necessary paperwork was filled out, requesting a replacement...

Hearing his nickname, sharp as a slap, snapped him out of it. Thoughts of a murdered Darnell, going to calmly request that replacement, fluttered away, vanished like smoke into the air and McCoy was jolted back to the present, as if he'd been abruptly doused in cold water. The doctor looked away to find the captain staring at him. He frowned slightly. He had the distinct sensation of a school teacher calling on an errant student.

The last thing he remembered listening to was Chekov giving his report. So why the devil was Jim looking at him as if he'd grown a second head?

Maybe what was equally unsettling was why he was waxing nostalgic about his youth that was firmly behind him in the first place, or the fact that he was suddenly remembering the negative aspects, like the commute to school or being caught unawares by a teacher.

There wasn't any beating about the bush. He hadn't been paying attention. McCoy offered an apologetic smile: "Sorry, Jim, you were saying?"

[dual_worlds]

There were several possible explanations for the graffiti, though obviously they would need to explore Doyleton more in order to obtain any solid answers. As for why Landel's emblem was painted in several places, Spock had a few suspicions. If this was the only sign of property damage despite the attacks from last week, then it was possible that any traces of the creatures' presence had been hidden from the public.

Despite Chekov's claims that he was unwilling to speculate on why the faces were there, Spock believed it was unlikely that they had been a product of any of the patients. Painting designs on buildings was hardly a priority for anyone more concerned with preserving their own life. Perhaps someone had set up the patients somehow in lieu of discussing the "zombies"? Or was this some sort of statement from one of the rebelling factions against Landel?

Certainly there was a limit to Landel's influence. He was only one man, after all, and it would be logical for the operation within the institute to be kept as much of a secret as possible. Otherwise, there would be no reason for the facility to pose as a hospital for the mentally ill during the day. Judging by some of the comments made by the I.R.I.S. system, however, he could not dismiss the idea that this was the result of a much larger project that influenced other facets of life for neighboring civilians. With that in mind, it was obvious such questions merited further investigation.

"Negative, Captain, we were unable to make contact with the injured individual," Spock replied. "Night ended before we could venture too far into the building, unfortunately." As a result, they hadn't completed any of their objectives or obtained any new information. Their experience was just another testament to the manner in which even the time spent outside of their rooms did not truly belong to them.

He agreed with Kirk's assessment that they could cover the most ground if they split up and conduct independent investigations. "Understood, sir," Spock replied, though he suddenly shifted his gaze toward the doctor when Kirk tried to get his attention. His silence during the past few minutes was rather unusual, though Spock had attributed it to him listening carefully to their orders. Apparently it had been quite the opposite, which was unacceptable given their potentially dangerous circumstances.

"We are working individually as we explore the town and speak with the inhabitants in order to collect more information, Doctor," Spock coldly informed him. "You and Mr. Chekov will start from the north side of town, while Captain Kirk and myself will begin from the south. I suggest paying closer attention to your surroundings as you do so." While he was at it, he turned toward Chekov. "And I should hope you will take better care in considering alternative possibilities regarding our situation while you look for leads, Ensign."

There were only four officers here. Spock fully expected each one to make substantial contributions to their investigation and not place anymore undue burdens on the captain or himself.

[sewenteen_sir]

Chekov felt his shoulders come up ever so slightly in embarrassment. He certainly wasn't doing very well today, as far as his official duties were concerned.

Truth be told, he had thought of possibilities for the graffiti, but each theory seemed more ridiculous than the last--and given that he'd just spent the past few minutes informing the entire crew that he'd had a chance meeting with a man who looked exactly like Commander Spock, he wasn't about to go spouting unsupported, haphazard theories without thinking them through. Of course the patients probably (probably) had better things to do than vandalize a town full of reanimated humans. But why would a resistance force do something as ridiculous as vandalizing a town wall with the symbol for the very thing they were fighting against? And there was no reason for Landel to do it himself. The town was already under his influence, there was no need to mark it in such a crude fashion. But if it was a message, what was the message? What could be conveyed in a symbol? That someone was watching? That someone knew the town and the prison were connected? What?

It was this uncertainty that had caused Chekov to balk at giving any theory whatsoever. Apparently though, Commander Spock had been expecting him to give one. Even after his unnecessary report. Even as the Doctor stared at him, possibly watching to see if Chekov was going to report anything else unnecessary? Saying Chekov was relieved when Captain Kirk called Doctor McCoy's attention away from him was an extreme understatement. At least now he could be humiliated without being stared at.

"Yes, sir," Chekov said meekly, meeting the Commander's eyes briefly before looking back down at the pavement then up to Doctor McCoy and then Captain Kirk.

"Perheps if we each took a... quadrant of ze town, we would be able to cower it more thoroughly. For exemple, Doctor McCoy could take ze northwest quadrant, and I would take ze northeast. And so forth," he finished. And then added:

"If zat is an acceptable plen of action, sir." He looked nervously between the officers in front of him.

[doneinthree]

Perhaps Bones' distraction could be chalked up to middle age, or an unexpected difference between their universes, but Kirk doubted it. For all of his questionable bedside manner, the doctor was a professional, and it wasn't like him to let his attention wander when the captain was speaking. Hell, even when Jim was rambling about something completely inane, he knew Bones listened despite himself. He stared at McCoy a second longer before opening his mouth to say something, but Spock beat him to it.

Kirk had been on the receiving end of that reproachful tone before, which at the time had done nothing but piss him off, but one couldn't deny that the Vulcan had a way with words. Cool, precise, eviscerating - he bet half of Spock's students wept after receiving their evaluations.

Harsh, Kirk mouthed at his first officer, first making sure that neither McCoy nor Chekov were looking. Whatever his opinion of Spock's personal touch, he wasn't about to undercut his authority in front of them. Anyway, Kirk had to acknowledge the benefits to having a second-in-command willing to take on the unpopular job of terrorizing the crew from over his shoulder.

For one, it made it so much sweeter when Kirk flashed a consoling smile and played the role of ship dad. (Or was that mom, if Spock was being the disciplinarian?) "Yes, good idea, Chekov. Northeast, northwest, southeast," he said, indicating the ensign, McCoy and Spock in turn with his apple. "You can work your way out once you've covered your area. I'll see you all at the end of the day when the buses take us back. If something happens like last week, we rendezvous here. If for whatever reason that's not possible, find someone to travel with, and stay safe until morning."

Kirk took a deep breath. There weren't many guarantees in this unpredictable place, but the abrupt reset at the end of the night had stayed consistent, even if the length of the night didn't. No matter what happened after the sun set, if they were still alive, they would wake up again in their cells.

And sometimes even when they weren't alive, but Kirk wasn't going to think about that happening again. "Also, seeing how we all had short nights, same after hours assignments as before. We'll see how well that works out." He'd thought splitting into smaller groups had been the key to achieving more, but apparently not. One baffling roadblock after another - it was a good thing Kirk wasn't easily discouraged.

He looked expectantly at his officers, waiting for acknowledgment.