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"Now don't worry yourself," Krysta said as she packed up her satchel and a duffle. "I had obligations I needed to tend to before you showed up and you know you are welcome to stay."

"I was hoping we could all be together when James got home." Harry said, frowning.

"Well things don't work out like one wants dear you should know that by now."

"Of course," Harry relented

"Besides you've been here nearly two weeks with your Auntie, you could probably use a break," Krysta said Matter of factly. "It's been a wonderful visit by the way."

"Harry," Fara said from the kitchen. "It's not like we can't send her off in style. Besides…". Fara said motioning to the current downpour outside. "That mess isn't going to let up for a few hours."

"She'd still walk in it," Harry sighed.

"Actually I thought we could take the hovercar," Krysta said. "That way we can at least enjoy the ride over there. Your shuttle is just too fast to enjoy the journey to the transporter hub."

"And you just can't land it in town," Harry said, shooting a glare at Fara who stuck her tongue out at him. She'd gotten fined for landing the ship within city limits on a beer run. Then proceeded to get into an argument with the local constable while in uniform. He'd forgotten to tell her Rock Hollow didn't have a landing zone, which was partially his fault. It didn't dawn on him till after the Talon had lifted off from his aunt's pasture. Harry had managed to get to town in time, breaking the speed limit at least twice over, on his monocycle and smooth things over.

They had a brief shouting match on the Talon as it lifted off as they argued about it until they both started laughing at the situation. Maybe things hadn't changed that much between them after all. They'd both apologized and made up since, several times, but they'd still dig at each other about the incident.

“You two are still welcome to stay here, you know the rules, Harry." Krysta said hefting one of her bags onto her shoulder. “I'm taking this out to the car I'll be right back."

“You know her no sex in her house rule is very inconvenient," Fara muttered after she left. “I thought you echidnas were fairly open-minded about all that."

“We are, and she is but trust me, she'd know." Harry sighed. “You don't want to break her rules." Harry chuckled. “We could always get married, then she wouldn't care."

Fara scowled and then caught herself. A normal sharp retort didn't seem appropriate.

“That's a bit much and too soon." She smiled, tipping her cup to him.

“Well, we can always go find a cozy place in orbit with the Talon and shut off the gravity next time," Harry said with a wink.

Fara smiled. “That sounds fun, I suppose I can deal with it then."

Kyrsta returned free of her luggage. “Alright, that's the last bit of it, let's go!"

After the ride to the transporter pad, Kyrsta was weighed down with a sample case, her satchel back and a duffel and she seemed to carry it with little effort. Fara was always impressed how she seemed to be able to lug so much with little ease or even the slightest of shortness of breath when doing so.

“Thank you for doing this." Krysta said to Harry.

“No problem, Auntie." Harry said. “Just be careful."

“I always am. Before I go, I need to have a serious word with you two. I might not see either of you again for some time."

“What's that?" Fara asked.

“Take care of each other. Don't ruin your friendship over pettiness or jealousy." she said knowingly. “Remember you are both broken and trying to heal. Don't make it worse if things change. They might not now but it might someday. Can you promise me that?"

Harry and Fara looked at each other then back to her.

“I think we can manage that." Fara said.

“We've got through this much and haven't killed each other yet." Harry smirked.

Fara slugged him in the shoulder.

“Good, I will be holding you both to it." Krysta said, hefting her bags. “I'd give you both a hug but I'm a bit weighted down. It's been nice having you both and I love you, Harry."

“Love you too Krysta." Harry smiled.

She turned and made her way to the transporter pad.

***

Starbase Altaria

Jakar took a long drink and then sat his glass on the table between them with an audible “Klink".

Sonya cast a glance at Jakar, more of a warning and he returned it with a glare.

“That's, seriously what you want to do, is go home?" He finally grunted.

“Why yes, it's been almost two years. I think I should pay my parents a visit, it's not like I'm exactly needed here." Okan said insistently.

“You have a whole planet down there full of an overly friendly populace willing to express their never-ending gratitude for being part of a crew that saved their planet, and you want to go see your parents?" He said pointing downward indicating Altairia, the planet the Starbase they were in we're currently occupying

“I can come here anytime I want, Medical Officers acquire leave time at the same rate as captains due to all the wonderful stress you all put us through." Okan hissed indignantly. “I can come here and indulge anytime I want and as pleasing as that sounds I haven't really been in the mood for such things lately."

Jakar rolled his eyes.

“Oh sure, do that, you at least have Sonya as a companion," Okan said flatly.

“Look, pal. I know you're still carrying a torch for Rachal, and I get that. You got to move on though."

“What makes you so qualified to make that assessment?" Okan said defensively.

Jakar glared and quickly counted on his fingers. “That's because she's number 6 to me."

Sonya scoffed. “Wow Luv, way to make me feel special."

“Don't … start." Jakar hissed, irritated. “I could have listed off my total number of partners."

Sonya smirked with amusement and kicked him under the table.

“The point is, women can come and go, sometimes they stay awhile, and you can always lose the ones you really care about. Hell, even if you find the right one that sticks around forever you still might lose them if you don't go first." Jakar continued. “You got to move on, even if it hurts, you of all people should know that."

“I'll take your usual pickled advice under consideration, but I have obligations to tend to that outweigh several days of debauchery down on the surface." Okan hissed.

“They are just going to piss you off and then you'll come home to complain to me about it, it happened last time it'll happen this time!" Jakar growled. “This time I'm not going to be sympathetic, and I'll tell you I TOLD you so." He took another drink. “You'd be better off making yourself company with the lovelies down there, hell you stayed on the ship last time we were here too. I'm starting to think you are trying to be a monk or something."

“You are ridiculous, I need to get to my flight." Okan said, gathering his duffel. “I look forward to your irritating company when I return."

“Yeah, yeah well just to get it out of the way. I TOLD YOU SO." Jakar shouted at his back as Okan walked away.

“So, I'm number six huh? What is that like one every ten years."

“Very funny." Jakar grunted. “I've been in love six times, yes."

“What happened to number 5?"

Jakar took a long drink. “I was away on a mission, she died of a disease while I was away."

“Good grief, where did they send you?"

“I can't talk about it, but it was far away," Jakar replied.

“Oh, one of those things I see." Jax said. “Must have been mighty important."

“It was," Jakar said, setting his glass down heavily. “But not anymore."

***

Okan nestled himself comfortably into his seat aboard the spacious passenger transport, designed for extended space voyages. The journey from the distant planet Altaria to its home world Termia was akin to traversing the breadth of the Confederation at its widest point. It was a journey that would take a week.

Jakar could not comprehend the concept of family or the emotional ties that bound individuals together. As an only child, Okan's choice of career as a Starfleet officer had been met with resistance from his father. The initial friction and heated arguments gradually subsided as both father and son matured with age. It was a natural part of family dynamics. Okan welcomed the opportunity to spend time with his family before his father inevitably dissected his reasoning for choosing to remain in Starfleet.

Despite the potential for tense discussions, Okan remained optimistic. He believed that their time together would be enjoyable and that he would eventually be able to convey his passion for space exploration to his father. Okan understood that his father's concerns stemmed from a place of love and protectiveness. He was determined to reassure him that his decision was well-considered and that he was capable of handling the challenges that came with being a Starfleet officer.

As the transport ship embarked on its journey, Okan gazed out of the window, lost in contemplation. With a deep breath, Okan turned his attention to the amenities of the transport, seeking comfort and distraction. He knew that the journey home would be long, but he was determined to make the most of it, savoring each moment with his family before returning to the call of duty among the stars.

=====================

Love Grows

Special 17, Episode 22 C

Written: Vakash

Edited: Ashen Hugo

Test Readers: Alec Anaconda, Saurex

======================

The trip had been uneventful as it was expected to be. Okan had retrieved his duffle and was exiting down the gangway into Starbase one amid throngs of civilians and a few other Starfleet personnel who also looked to be on leave. He approached a tourist information board and checked the weather for his home in Neera province. He frowned as he read the information, the rainy season was in full swing, and he'd forgotten about it. Living on a space station or on a ship one tends to forget that weather is a phenomenon that occurs on planets at a regular rate.

"I can't believe I forgot to pack a coat," He said, singing off the board. Sighing heavily he doubly kicked himself, he had been meaning to have Kazan make him one but kept forgetting to do so. His eyes panned the promenade till he found an aptly named. "Nerra Fashions" and hoped that the proprietor knew what they were doing and not just using the name.

Fortunately, the store had appropriate clothing, and he found a suitable long coat with a hood made out of some sort of interwoven plastic strands that flowed like silk. Okan thought it was almost a prank, seeing how in his mind it looked like a tarp with a felt lining although that was a betrayal of its actual quality and look. It was a dark brown color, and the price was insignificant to him, plus it looked alright on him. He put it on and headed for the transporter pad terminal.

Predictably, the transporter down to Nera province was out of service due to atmospheric disturbances caused by the ongoing monsoon this time of year. Okan rolled his eyes, beaming down through severe weather that was a regular occurrence in Starfleet. Yes, there were risks, but Starfleet didn't want to have incidents with their civilian populace.

He could wait in the terminal with the others or find another way down.

He kicked himself for not leaving with Terri, Harry and Fara. They had taken the Talon to Termia and could have easily dropped him off, but he had a few things he had to finish before he left.

He could get a shuttle pod though, but it shouldn't be that hard. He headed for the shuttle pool. As he approached, he concluded that the quartermaster had pulled the easiest duty in the quadrant since they were clearly asleep when he tapped on the plexiglass.

The Altarian Lt. Commander smiled sheepishly and yawned. "Good afternoon sir. It's been a bit of a slow day."

"Apparently so," Okan said patiently. "Can I get a shuttle for, oh. At least a month with an extension. I am on leave while my ship is being repaired *

"Sure, Thing Commander! Do you want a type five? Nice and roomy you can have a lot of fun in them plus do some touring around the local group. I've even got some type 7 cabin cruisers."

"Aren't those used for envoys?"

"They got to be used for something," The Altarian said with a toothy grin.

"No thanks, just a two-seater would be fine."

The quartermaster frowned and then shrugged. "Alright, if you insist. Never say I didn't try to hook you up, Commander."

"I appreciate the offer but I'm not planning on doing much entertaining. Just checking in with the folks," Okan chuckled, handing him his identification card.

The quartermaster took it, swiped it, and then opened the bay door. "Birth 5 row six. The shuttle's name is Maria, just had a full service completed on her. Shouldn't give you any problems. I already got the pre-flight start-up going for you, you need to file your flight plan with control. All I care about is that you bring her back as good as you found her."

"I don't think that will be a problem, have a good day, and thanks," Okan said, heading through the door.

The Altarian waved at him as he passed through the door, and he made his way to the shuttle pod.

An hour later he landed on a shuttle pad in His hometown city of Gallera. It was a small sized resort city that hugged the cliff-lined coasts along the ocean. The storm had been fairly heavy, and he had slapped his little shuttle pod all the way down and he had to use instrumentation to fly the whole way.

Once he got the shuttle landed and parked, he headed out of the garage only for the rain to suddenly and thankfully turn to a heavy mist. The streets were mostly deserted, a few hover cars and ground vehicles going past and a few other pedestrians. It was a good mile or so to his house and he hoped the rain would let up for a bit, but it didn't and returned but with less ferocity. He was grateful his duffel was waterproof, and the coat was with its weight in gold since he was still dry as he pressed on. He passed a park and noticed someone was wandering around alone. They seemed to be looking for something on the ground. He pondered whether it was just someone keeping the ground clean or someone who fancied reclaiming recyclables such as plastics and aluminum as a hobby or it's just what they did. Whatever it was they were dedicated to being out in this mess. He couldn't tell anything about them; they seemed to be wearing a rather weather beaten and patched long coat, similar to himself. They seemed to be lugging about some sort of strange carrier in one hand, flashlight and trowel in the other.

He put these thoughts aside for now, his mother was expecting him to be arriving soon, and he didn't need her to get overly worried as she tended to do anytime he traveled. This was primarily the reason for his letter home; he made his adventures on the Raptor sound a hell of a lot more boring than they actually were.

He finally made it to the well-lit yard gate of the palatial house he had grown up in. He never understood the need for such a dwelling, but it's where he grew up. His Mother and Father were very successful Botanist and Medical Doctor, respectively and they liked to show that they were by living up to the maximum that their social standing would allow.

He hadn't been back in years. The last visit had gone as Jakar had said. He got in an argument with his Father and left early. With several light years between them they'd managed to work it out through video calls and letters. It was going to be different this time and Jakar could go to hell. He wanted to see them, he missed them. IIt wasn't going to be that way, not this time, he walked up to the front door and used the knocker.

His mother opened the door. She was a blond haired black furred echidna who was quite a bit shorter than him and thin as a rail. “Richard! You're home, come here!" She said embracing him warmly even though he was soaked from head to toe. “Come in, come out of the rain, we were starting to wonder if you'd make it here on time!"

“Well, the weather tried to stop me but nonetheless here I am."

He looked up and saw his father, a gruffer, more worn black-haired, red version of himself standing in the corridor. He was smoking a pipe. “Good to see you son." he said with a small grin.

“Glad to be here." Okan said. “I had to take a shuttle pod down because the storm was interfering with transporters. I could have beamed down to the port in Logos but that would have made me even later. Okan said, taking off his coat. “I wanted to keep to the time I told you."

“It's fine you even got here just before supper." His father said checking an old mechanical clock on the wall. “I hope you are planning to join us."

“I'd be delighted I'm starving."

***

As they sat around the dinner table, Okan caught up with his parents about their latest research projects and caught them up on his own adventures aboard the Raptor. His mother couldn't help but fuss over him and make sure he was comfortable, while his father listened intently and offered his own insights. When they finished up their meal, his mother disappeared into the kitchen while his father pulled out a cigar and offered one to Okan. He declined, not being much of a smoker, but watched as his father carefully cut and lit his own.

"So, Son," his father said, blowing out a puff of smoke. "What brings you back to Termia?"

Okan hesitated a moment before answering. "I needed to come back, see you guys, get away from the ship for a bit."

His father nodded understandingly. "It can get pretty intense out there, I imagine."

"You have no idea," Okan said with a small smile. "But I've managed it so far."

“Do you have any plans for the future?" His father said patiently to try to steer the conversation.

“What do you mean?"

““Look son, you are going to get up in years and you are eventually going to get sick of that lifestyle up there." His father said patiently. “I've talked to a lot of vets, and they all reach their breaking point. Some sooner than others."

“Dad, I don't want to retire from Starfleet…." Okan said tersely not willing to go down the road of this argument for the hundredth time.

“Kale." Charlotte said, putting a hand on her husband's arm. Okan saw his parents exchange a quiet look and then his father sighed.

“That's not what I'm saying son, Look." His father said. “I couldn't talk you out of it then and I'm not starting now. Richard, all I'm saying is, when you are done with Starfleet, whenever that will be." His father said patiently. “I want you to know my practice is yours, I want you to have it."

Okan seemed dumbstruck at this.

“It will be placed on a board of trustees with the understanding that it will be yours when you come for it. I just want you to have something when you get back. You'll need it, trust me and it will be there waiting for you when the time comes." He tapped his cigar on an ashtray. “I know a lot of fleeters who've gotten old, got tired of it, and had nothing waiting for them when they got out. I don't want my son sitting around listlessly waiting to die, telling stories of his glory days to kids because he didn't think far enough ahead out there while he was getting shot at by aliens and battling horrible Xeno viruses."

“I don't know what to say." Okan said, just stunned that after all this time they'd finally had a breakthrough in this unending stalemate.

“A thank you would suffice."

“Thank you, Dad." Okan said he is still processing everything.

“I'm just glad this is finally put to rest." His mother said.

“I am too." Okan sighed.

“We're both getting on in years Son." Charlotte said. “We don't want to keep having this strife in our family; it's gone on for too long. We love you and we just want you to be happy is all."

“I am happy, I'm out there making a difference, and that's what matters to me." Okan said. “I know it doesn't come off that way but I'll admit I… censor a lot of what I put into my letters. I don't want you to worry."

His father chuckled. “Son we are well aware of that, your mother and I had only been married for a year when the Urthean's tried to invade. That was a frightening time for all of us. Put a lot of people ill at ease for a long time, quite a few left the planet to start colonies elsewhere. Space can be pretty frightening; we just worry about you. Perhaps that worry was a bit much, but we are your parents."

“On that note." His mother added. “We haven't heard about Rachal in a long time, you haven't mentioned her. Did you two break up? We were hoping we could meet her someday."

Okan dropped his fork.

Charlotte looked confused. “Did I say something wrong?"

“No." Okan said shakily.

“What happened?"

Okan quickly downed his wine trying to steady himself as he swallowed. “There was an attack, she was injured. I couldn't save her." he finally said.

“That's horrible." His mother said, shocked.

“I'm sorry you had to experience that." His father said with equal empathy. “I can't even imagine what that was like."

“Well… it happened over a year ago. I have. had some time to heal, it's just been difficult." Okan said feeling the room get uncomfortably small.. “Look I appreciate your sympathy but… I need some air. Are we done?'

“Yeah we are." His mother said.

“Son, we didn't mean to upset you." His dad said standing up.

“I did it to myself dad." Okan said, getting up. “Please don't be alarmed. I need to just…get out is all."

"Alright, have it your way then." His father relented. “We'll leave the door open for you. Are you sure it's late and it's just miserable out there?"

“All the more motivation for me to get through it quicker." Okan said, heading for the door. “I'm fine mom, don't worry about me."

“If you insist." Charlotte said, wringing her hands, her face wracked with a mix of emotions.

His dad surprisingly got his coat for him and handed it to him.

“Just be careful son."

“I will dad. I'll be fine, trust me."

***

Okan took a walk in the rain. It had been a long time since he had done so but he needed to clear his head. It was nice being home, it was even better that his dad had finally decided to bend and let him live his life. Having to talk about Rachal only opened up a wound that he really didn't want to reopen.

Jakar was at least partially right, they'd upset him. Unintentionally even with all the closure and forward momentum achieved for the night.

“I guess one can't have it all." Okan sighed to no one in particular.

He sighed and pulled his coat around him and kept walking in the gloom breathing in the damp air. He spotted a path that led to one of the city parks and followed it. As he walked his boots sloshing in the damp and his temper cooling, he spotted a lone figure in the park again moving under the trees and digging around in the ground with a trowel.

Curious, he walked off the path and slowly approached.

As he did so he noticed, they had their hood pulled back and it appeared to be an echidna woman and from the color of the beads in her spines a Kethan. He wondered what she was doing here, alone in this miserable weather.

As he approached, he heard her cursing under her breath and fumbling about with a flashlight and a garden spade in the gloom.

Okan regarded her for a moment and then spotted what he thought she was looking for growing under a tree just a few yards away. A small luminescent purple mushroom had sprouted in the shelter of the roots just out of the woman's sight in the gloom.

He walked over to it and used his claws to get under the sodden dirt and scooped it gently, scooping it up with his free hand, while the other held onto his umbrella. He whistled at the woman who looked around a few times before spotting him.

He waved her over to him, she glared at him when suddenly her eyes lit up and she hurriedly sloshed through the damp grass towards him.

“Are you looking for this?" Okan asked as she got closer.

“Yes!" She exclaimed. “It's a sacrum violaceum I can't believe I missed it, thank you so much!" she said reaching into a satchel and extracting a small Tupperware container with holes poked in the cover. “Set it in here, carefully."

Okan nodded. “I'm well aware. I would pack it for you if I had a sample collector with me."

She smiled at him and put the cap back on.

“I've been out here looking for a damn hour, how did you know?"

“It only grows this time of year, and it's highly sought for its medicinal properties among herbalists and Starfleet Doctors who dabble in such things." Okan smiled. “I however have no need for it, I grow them in my lab."

“You grow them in captivity?" the woman said in disbelief. “What's your secret, it took me a few years to figure out how to do it myself?"

Okan chuckled. “You look soaked to the bone, why don't we go somewhere and warm up and I'll tell you all about it."

She gave him a wry look then smiled. “Are you buying? Everyone wants too many credits here for good stuff and I hate replicated food." She said stuffing the sample into what looked like a makeshift holder in her bag to keep the sample level.

“It'll be my pleasure; I'd like to know what brought you out here in this miserable weather after such an elusive fungus." Okan said.

“A generous doctor with a green thumb?" the woman giggled brushing her damp hair out of her eyes from under her cloak's hood. “Must be my lucky day. Lead the way."

They headed over to a covered public fountain that had a marble basin and washed the grime off their hands and then over to a small cafe that was open and stepped inside. They were the only customers, and a half-awake waitress suddenly snapped out of her trance of staring outside to greet them as they hung up their cloak and coat.

Now that she was out of the cloak, he saw she was a middle-aged echidna woman with dark red head fur, gold-colored eyes, brown fur and her other spines were adorned with a blue and purple wrap.

“Well look at you now, you're just a kid!" She laughed.

“Hardly." Okan said, smiling. “I may be young, but these eyes have seen many things."

“The way you speak you sounded way beyond your years." she said, grabbing a comb from her bag and trying to smooth her hair. “Can we get a window seat?"

Okan nodded and followed her as she put her bag in the booth ahead of her and fished out the sample to admire it.

“How are you two doing?" The waitress asked as she approached.

“Good, would it be ok if we started with some coffee?" Okan said, asking his guest.

“Is it beans or that powdered shit?" The woman asked.

“We brew it, it's not powdered mam." The waitress responded with a smile.

“Well good, it had better be else I'll be leaving a mess for you to clean up, it upsets my stomach."

The waitress laughed. “Well, I'll be handling the coffee making, I'll assure that won't happen."

“Thanks, dear, I really appreciate it."

“No problem. It'll take some time so have a look at our menu, everything is fresh to order." the waitress said heading to the back of the cafe through the saloon doors behind the counter.

“So, we haven't exchanged formalities yet." Okan said, extending his hand across the table. “I'm Richard."

“Krysta." she said, shaking his hand.

They both noticed each other's paws were a bit rough from years of work and care but then suddenly there was something else. An almost powerful shock that left them both stunned and staring into each other's eyes and mouths agape.

“Oh…… me." Okan croaked with a goofy smile.

Krysta suddenly flushed brightly under her fur, squirming slightly with an equally goofy look. “That's…. a … first." she said quickly, grabbing a menu and fanning herself with it nervously, not noticing that they were still grasping each other's hands across the table.

“Really?" Okan said, a bit stunned.

She glared at him. “Look honey, some of us are late bloomers, you're a doctor you should know that!"

“I do but, it's just more, I wasn't expecting this!"

“Oh?"

“I lost the person I shared this with before, it was terrible," Okan said sadly. “I just never thought…"

“Well, I never thought about it ever happening, until now!" Krysta laughed. "I guess you're in luck."

"I suppose," Okan blushed. "But we hardly know each other..."

Krysta leaned forward on the table, batting her eyes at him. "That's never stopped anyone before now, has it?" She said stroking the side of his face, the sensation caused him to shudder.

Who was he kidding, him and Rachal had dived right in and filled the blanks in later as well.

"No, it hasn't, but we do have a precious specimen we can't forget about sitting at the table and it would do us no good to hurry back out into the cold." Okan said, trying to force his way through the myriad emotions he was experiencing.

Krysta blinked as she gained some control of herself. "You are right, thank you. I need to get this back to the hotel. I have a portable habitat I brought with me."

The waitress came back with their coffees, and they ordered their food.

"So. what brought you here to look for the sacrum violaceus?"

"Well, I run an apothecary business back home, for a long time. I used to do it with my sister till the damn Recchi's took her awhile ago."

"I am truly sorry to hear that." Okan said.

“It's been a minute every once in a while, when I'm alone it creeps up on me. I'm sure you understand."

"More than most. I've noticed your fur is an unusual shade of light brown. I've only seen that on Illari colonists?"

"Very good doctor. Yes, I was born there. We came here because of my fool-headed idea to try to make something of myself on a more populated planet." Krysta responded impressed.

"Well, have you?"

"I do well enough." She said, “My sister's kids have done way better. I suppose that's all well and good." She drank her coffee. "A lot of your ilk often make what I do hard. However, I have degrees for days."

"Do tell."

"I have my D.O., a certification as a master herbalist, a Doctorate in Pharmacology and a minor in chemistry." She smirked proudly. "And this." She reached into her satchel and pulled out a large leather bound musty tome sealed in a plastic bag, Took it out and set it on the table."

The book smelled of ancient paper and years of use and looked like it had been fairly well kept. Krysta pulled out a pair of latex gloves and slipped them on their hands.

"What, is that?"

"It's a book that's followed my family across the galaxy, in its pages is doom, if you are something that ails all of echidna kind." She carefully opened it, and he looked at the delicately inscribed notes written long before any of them were even a glimmer in the eyes of time.

He quickly committed some of the cold remedies he'd never seen to memory as he scanned the pages and a few others. It was a shock to him that this woman had access to such a thing.

"Krysta, this thing should really be at Starfleet medical. There's a lot of great work here."

She smirked and closed the book. "No dice, it's my family's stuff, it stays in the family and my nephew has a wee one on the way and you can bet your life he or she's getting it."

"Ok fair enough." Okan sighed. He understood his grandmother had a hand stitched compilation of notebooks that she passed on to him that she had compiled of his ancestors' work since the initial arrival on Termia. "You wouldn't mind if I used some of those remedies in there, do you? They seemed really sound."

"How did you learn them that fast?" Krysta asked.

“I have a photographic memory." Okan admitted sheepishly. “I can't really help it."

“Well, if you do, you better give credit where it's due, I don't appreciate people taking my secrets."

“I would perish the thought to do so." Okan said reassuringly.

“Well, now." She said playing with her spines. “I may have to think of a way to just get you to forget some of those formulas."

Okan drank his coffee and flushed under his fur. “You are welcome to try."

“Ok you two I have your meals ready!" The waitress said as she backed out of the saloon doors carrying a plate of food in each hand.

Krysta put her book back in its bag and stowed it in her satchel. They soon started to eat. "Anyways I need the sacrum violaceum for the immunity boost it provides; I've got a bit of a problem back home."

"Oh?"

Krysta took a few bites and nodded, then returned to digging in her bag muttering to herself before she fished out an ancient-looking data pad and fiddled with it for a few moments before handing it to him.

“What's this?" Okan said looking at the information and seeing it was an analysis of a viral strain.

“A nasty little bug that sprung up out of the blue, it seems to go after those who are of weak health." She added. “I've documented my own findings."

“Strange…" Okan said, looking over the data. “I haven't heard of this, there are things about this virus that seem highly contagious."

“Well, that's because I think most of us are inoculated against a lot of things." Krysta replied. “Tell me, have you heard of the Linaens?"

“Yes. They're a community in Ketha province that rejects most aspects of modern life. Okan said, looking over it.

“Yes, including the care of most doctors keeping to their own." Krysta said. “However, with a little effort I've managed to get in with them. They approve of my methods for the most part and I've been stepping in from time to time to help them.

“I see."

“I only live a few miles away from them, most of the time I just walk, it's good exercise."

“Well, it shows, just at a glance you seem remarkably healthy." Okan said, looking up and smiling at her. “You haven't even had a sniffle or a cough since we got in here."

Krysta laughed. “It's going to take a bit more than a little damp to take me down. So, you're a fleet man you said?"

Okan nodded.

She sighed wistfully. “Figures, my sister fell for the same." she scowled slightly. “Twice actually."

“So… where are you staying?" Okan asked.

“Oh, wanting to get right to it?" Krysta smirked.

“Yes, and well I'm more concerned for your sample." Okan flushed again.

Krysta laughed again and the sound of her laughter was intoxicating. “Oh, right yes of course, I'm glad one of us is keeping their head about the damn thing."

“I'm at a little inn a ways down the street, I got it for the week. I was planning on getting a few more before I go."

“I know a few spots I'll be glad to show you." Okan said.

“Oh, I would be so grateful!" Krysta said.

“My pleasure." Okan said. “Look, how about we finish here, go back to your room, get that sample taken care of, take care of our little issue and we'll start fresh with breakfast in the morning in this wonderful little bistro I know. Talk about all of this in more detail when we're a bit clearer headed." He sipped his coffee. “I'll admit, even i'm struggling to stay focused on this problem."

“Sounds great to me." Krysta said, smiling and coyly messing with her spines again.

They finished their meals and Okan closed out their tab as Krysta gathered her things. He came over and helped her with her cloak and then slipped on his own and they headed out.

The rain outside had let up a bit but it was still steadily coming down.

Krysta took his hand, and they walked up the street in the dark enjoying the sounds of the night.

“I don't mind the rain when it's like this." She said wistfully.

“I don't either," Okan said, spotting a global public communications stand. “Hey, I need to make a call."

“Oh? Why."

“I came here to visit family, I told them I would be back tonight, I don't think that's going to happen, but I should probably let them know I'm ok." Okan said. “I'm sorry but if I don't, they'll probably have the police out looking for me."

Krysta chuckled. “Sure, we don't need any interruptions,' she grinned.

Okan looked a bit sheepish and embarrassed and then stepped into the small domed booth and quickly called his parents' home. His mom answered.

“Richard! Are you ok? Why did you leave in such a hurry?" his mother said on the view screen obviously looking worried.

“I needed to get some air, I'm fine now, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

“We were just more concerned than anything. Where are you?"

“I'm around, mom, look, something came up. I may not be home tonight, but everything is fine. Don't worry. I'll stay in touch I promise."

“Ok. We'll leave a light on in case you change your mind."

“I'm fine, mother. I'll call you sometime after breakfast ok?

“Ok, be careful this weather isn't supposed to let up for a bit. I hope you have a good coat."

“I do, I'll be fine."

“We didn't mean to upset you Richard, we just worry about you sometimes…"

“Mom it's ok, you have a Good Night and don't worry about me."

That seemed to allay her, and she smiled at him on the viewscreen. “Okay,Good Night Son."

He ended the call and left the booth and saw Krysta was still waiting for him. “Thanks."

“Don't worry about it, I'm sure they appreciate you calling." She gave him a kind smile. “You can't ever escape your parents, even when you are a grown adult." She chuckled.

“Ugh tell me about it." Okan sighed. “It's even worse when you are an only child."

“Is that why you joined Starfleet?"

“I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a large factor in making that decision." Okan smiled wanly.

Krysta chuckled as they headed down the road towards the inn where she was staying, walking in the Rain arm in arm under the shelter of Okan's umbrella. The inn was a small strip building off the side of the street with a small parking lot with a few hover cars parked in the rooms. It was quaint and well kept with the doors of the rooms all facing the parking lot. A small office with a Vacancy sign sat at the end of this L shaped building. Thankfully there was a sizable overhang over the door Okan shook his umbrella out while Krysta opened the door, and they stepped inside.

The room was small, had one bed, a bathroom, a minibar/dresser, a small desk and a VID monitor hanging on the wall. On the desk Krysta had set up a plant incubator where she kept her current sample collection.

“Tomorrow, we're getting a better unit." Okan helped her put the samples in the small little device.

“How are you going to do that?"

“There is a Starfleet Supply depot near here. If you know the right people you could walk away with one of those sample collectors, it'd be slightly used but the damn things are durable."

“You'd do that for me?"

“Of course, it's probably easier to carry than that, although I will say I'm impressed at its construction."

“Oh, it's just something I threw together, but thanks."

Okan closed the container and turned to look at her. “So…."

She was twirling her spines again with her finger and giving him a predatory grin. “So."

He didn't get to add anything more as she tackled him to the bed.

***

The next day.

Okan awoke finding himself in an unfamiliar room and it took his brain a few moments to remember and recount what had happened the previous night. He felt someone in the bed beside him and turned and saw Krysta sleeping peaceably beside him. He reached under the cover and gently stroked her side. She sighed and nuzzled more into her pillow. He looked over at the small clock on the nightstand and saw it was nearly midday. He knew their tryst had lasted way into the night . Although he hadn't paid attention to the time, it wasn't important.

He sat up and wiped the sleep out of his eyes and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He heard some rustling behind him and felt Krysta wrap her arms around him and caress his chest.

“Morning." She said sleepily yawning.

“Good morning."

“What time is it?"

“It's almost noon."

“Really?" Krysta said, a bit shocked.

“Well, we were up late into the night." Okan chuckled.

“Yeah, we were." She smiled, kissing his shoulder. “Naughty us."

“Indeed." He said kissing her hand, loving the feeling of her against him and reveling in her scent. “So, would you care for some lunch?"

“I would love some lunch." Krysta said, looking at the wall clock. “Any ideas."

“Let's get a shower first and I'm sure I'll think of something, I think I might know a place you'd like." Okan said, smiling.

“Is it fancy?"

“Yes, and it's all fresh."

“If you are paying, count me in!"

“It'll be my pleasure besides I have all those Starfleet Doctor credits I'm sitting on." Okan chuckled.

***

Later.

They finally got around to eating a late lunch around mid afternoon.

“So, about this outbreak." Okan said while taking a drink. “When did it start and why hasn't Starfleet stepped in to do anything about it."

“For one." Krysta said. “They have, they've quarantined the town. The only people allowed in and out of the village are those who get their routine vaccination shots. The Linaens are quite stubborn when it comes to finding their own way in such things. The problem is they just won't let starfleet doctors whip something up for them. I've been doing what I can to help them.."

Okan frowned. “So, I take it I'll have to resort to more draconian methods if I am to help you."

“They are quite against any technology." If it involves a computer, they won't have it." Krysta sighed. “I did as much work as I could the old-fashioned way, microscope, slides, cultures, and then double-checked my results with your people."

“Sounds like a lot of work when you could have just cheated," Okan smirked.

“Richard, these people trust me, it took a long time to build that trust. I don't want to compromise it. So, if you are going to help me, you can't bring the slightest hint of a computer or they won't let you back in."

“I hope you at least have some sort of lab set up there." Okan said.

“Of course I do." Krysta said cutting another chunk out of her roasted dune beetle, getting some pieces of lettuce and a tomato and chewing it, then swallowing. “Don't be ridiculous."

Okan took a drink of wine loving the idea of the challenge this would present. “Well, I'm your man then."

“I know you are, I wouldn't be all tingly about you if you weren't" Krysta giggled. “So, when do you want to head out?"

“As soon as possible. Do you have accommodations there?"

“A small bungalow with a bathroom, kitchenette and a twin bed, it'll be nice and cozy, but I don't think we'll be resting much while we're there." Krysta said, batting her eyelashes at him and running her sandaled foot along his leg.

“Sounds like it will be fun." Okan said. “I can't wait."

***

Later

The walk to the Linaen village is at least 5 miles by foot from the nearest transporter pad. They walked along a footpath along a road after picking up a few provisions. They chatted idly enjoying the late summer evening breeze as it blew through the surrounding fields and birdsong and the buzz of insects filled the air. Okan carried the sample collector for her, despite her protests he insisted and carried it their whole trip. They arrived at the border of the settlement where a Starfleet security officer was sitting up in a building. A hover car sat by a simple structure on the outside of the fence. A tall fence surrounded the settlement and could be seen following the contour of the hills off into the distance.

“Good evening, Mr. Wise." Krysta said sweetly to the Echidna manning the border.

“Evening Ms. Zen. Are you back with your samples."

“I am and I have a colleague with me to assist."

“Identification sir," Wise said humorlessly.

Okan reached into his pocket and dug out his ID card. “Doctor Richard Okan at your service." He said with a polite smile.

Wise took the card and scanned it, then returned it. “Thank you, Doctor. If Krysta hasn't told you the Linaens don't like computers. As long as it doesn't have a microprocessor you should be ok. Calculators are tolerated to a degree but not tricorders or terminals." Wise said humorlessly. “They are very adamant about this and quite a few have been tossed out for trying to sneak one in."

“I've already been briefed," Okan said.

“Good well, don't make a touchy situation worse," Wise growled and handed back his card. “These people are stubborn enough as it is. You are cleared, good luck."

As they walked down the path towards the settlement.

“I'm… not up on the current situation I wasn't aware that there was a fence put up"

“There's been a lot of well-meaning fools who try to just swoop in and change them." Krysta hissed. “They don't want to be changed, they like their way of life, hell they don't even stop their own people from leaving if they want. Half the time after a year or two they come back anyway. The fence and guards were a compromise to keep people out. They'll probably be suspicious of you but since you like to get your hands dirty, they'll probably take a liking to you."

Okan chuckled. “Krysta, I am looking forward to the challenge. I brought extra pencils and notebooks in my pack. It'll be fun."

Krysta smiled at her young lover. “They don't make them like you anymore." she said, giving him a peck on the cheek.

“I do have one question though." Okan said.

“Yes?"

“They at least have electricity and running water I hope."

Krysta laughed. “Yes, they have. They don't like computers; analog technologies are fine."

“Good I was hoping we wouldn't be going without showers and hot coffee." Okan said, relieved.

“I wonder why they allow calculators?"

“Simple, calculators are self-contained, don't network and make life easier especially around harvest when you have to tally everything up to see how you did."

“I see." Okan smirked. “I suppose some allowances are acceptable for practical reasons though."

Krysta laughed. “You better keep those comments to a minimum if you want to help, they don't take kindly to them.

The small road they were on led down into the central town of the settlement. Okan noted they were mostly wood and concrete block buildings. Krysta led him to a long building with a red cross on it. Okan noticed several of the Linaens were watching him warily, but he acted like he didn't notice.

They entered the front office, and Krysta offloaded her things at a rather haphazardly organized desk. “You can set the samples on that shelf for now we have to get the introductions out of the way."

“Oh?" Okan said, doing as told as he did, Krysta grabbed his hand and led him into another room where she handed him a mask and some gloves that she dawned herself. “Don't have sterilization fields here."

Okan did as told and then followed her into the ward.

It was rather packed, and several doctors and nurses could be seen checking on the nurses.

“Wait here." Krysta said, walking towards one of the doctors. He appeared to be an older male echidna, and he acknowledged Krystal as she approached.

As she did Okan walked over to a much older woman who seemed to be currently sleeping and picked up the clipboard chart on the end of the bed. Since he didn't have a tricorder, this was the next best thing.

As he looked over the findings, he assumed it was a rather aggressive version of the virus that had managed to make its home in this small, isolated community. Her condition was stable, but she probably was fortunate to have an aggressive immune system. Her temperature checks had been consistently high.

“Richard!" He heard Krysta say across the word.

He looked up and saw her motioning for him to join her. He put the medical chart down and headed towards her and they followed the Doctor to the back section of the officers.

They took off their masks and they followed each other back to the Doctor's main office once inside he motioned for them to sit in chairs opposite his desk.

“My name is Dirk Kimball." The older echidna said, offering a paw to shake. “Krysta says you are here to help us, Doctor Okan?"

“Yes, I am. I saw one of your medical charts. It looks like you have a rather nasty virus on your hands." Okan shook his hand and tried to remember where he'd heard the name before, the older Echidna's face was quite familiar to him although he was sure he had never met this individual before.

“It is, among these people. Individuals like us are immune." Kimball grunted.

“Pardon?" Okan said, confused.

“I used to be a Starfleet doctor in my younger years. I was born and raised here, ventured out, got my fill of the universe, and came back to help these people." Kimball said, leaning back in his chair. “Hasn't been a bad gig until the last several months. Krysta says you have a knack as she does for making curatives?"

“I do." Okan said, still trying to pin down the name and face in his memory. “My practice of medicine tends to resort to methods that have less deleterious effects on the body with prolonged use. I've had a lot of success, although my crew claims I'm deliberately torturing them."

Kimball snorted. “Well, patients rarely know what's good for them, if they did there wouldn't be doctors. You said you had a crew, what ship are you on?"

“The Raptor."

“Ah. Well believe it or not I've heard of you over the radio broadcasts." Kimball said. “Must be exciting."

“It's an experience," Okan said when suddenly it dawned on him where he'd seen the name and the face. “You said you were in Starfleet. Were you Doctor Kimball on the Starship Calestes?"

Kimball looked a bit nervous but finally nodded his head. “Indeed, I was."

Okan's face brightened. “I read your book when I was a kid, Xenoviruses and their Remedies. It was absolutely fantastic. It's why I joined Starfleet. Oh, I wish I had my copy here."

“Thank you, Doctor." Kimball said relaxing a bit. “I didn't know I had “fans". The book has given me more grief than anything over the years. Most of my colleagues don't see eye to eye with my methods with the use of our modern wonder drugs. At least here people appreciate my efforts. I'm glad to see my efforts inspire someone."

“I'd probably just be a botanist if I hadn't found that book in a library," Okan said wistfully. “I'm sorry I just couldn't place your name and face."

“It's fine, I'm just glad Krysta brought me someone like minded helping with this." He then turned his attention to her. “Did you have any luck?"

“I did, I was just letting you two get your little pleasantries out of the way and forgetting I was in the room." Krysta said haughtily. “I got at least four of them, we'll need some more but four will be a good start."

“I've got the antigens identified. We need to work on a vaccine." Kimball said to Okan. “That little book of hers had a list of what would work."

“I've reviewed the notes, I believe I might be able to improve the process a bit and add some more kick to the remedy. I would like to see your findings."

Kimball dug into a drawer in his desk and handed him a manilla folder. “It's all right there, knock yourself out doctor."

“Thank you." Okan said. “Shall we?" He said to Krysta.

“Ready to see the lab?" Krysta asked.

“Ready to at least see what we've got to work with." Okan said.

The lab was pretty archaic without computers or synthesizers but that didn't bother Okan he still used the old ways he felt right at home. He set the sample case on the counter and looked around as Krysta took the sampler to the cooler. The lab had a fair amount of specimen dishes, microscopes, bunsen burners, and setups for brewing and mixing chemicals. He quickly took a pencil and notepad out of his bag and took inventory of everything they had available.

“You weren't kidding about wanting to get to work?" He heard Krysta say.

He looked up and she was seated at the bench looking at him twirling her spines patiently.

“I take my profession seriously, if there are things we need before we start, we should get them."

“Well, trust me. We should have everything we need." Krysta said.

“It's more, things I'm used to working within my own lab and Familiarizing myself with this one." Okan said, “writing down a few necessities on a notepad by hand. “It won't take long."

“Well, I don't know about you, but after that little hike, I'm looking forward to getting a little rest. I checked my stores, and I've got everything I need."

Okan grunted as he finished his list. Krysta was right; they did most of what he needed.

"Ok I'm satisfied." He spoke. “I only need a few things so we can pick them up tomorrow. I assume there's a general store or something."

“There is." Krysta said. “They've got about anything you could need."

Okan ran his hand through his hair. “My only concern is, you gathered five specimens, but by my math I don't think we have enough of the sacrum violaceum to go around."

“You're right, that is a problem." Krysta said. “I'll admit it's been a concern that the potency won't be anywhere near where we need it."

Okan snapped his fingers. “I could call my ship, and I could..."

Krysta put her chin on her hand and tilted her head at him with a smirk.

“Not… get anywhere because we have to leave in order to do that." He sighed.

“Exactly." Krysta said. “Gotta think things through a bit working in Linaen Country."

Okan snapped his fingers. “Letters, Ha. I can write a letter; I know they have a postal service to communicate with their family members outside. It'll take a day to get out, another to be transcribed to a subspace message and transmitted, and at least three to have some spores sent via relay cargo transporter and another day to get here."

“Now you're thinking!". Krysta said. "Now you can do all that after we get settled."

“Well yeah, of course." Okan said. “I'm sorry I'm just excited, most of the time I have to play a battle surgeon, it's pleasant to just practice real medicine for once. ."

Krysta got up and kissed him. “I can tell, and I'm glad to see it."

“I just get a bit hyper-focused; I apologize."

Krysta smiled at him. “This bug isn't going anywhere; we have a lot of work to do tomorrow. Let's just enjoy the night and then we'll hit it hard tomorrow."

“You know, you are right." Okan said. “Lead the way."

They left, passing back through the office and grabbing her bag. They made their way to her bungalow that was just down the street from the hospital. It was a small two-bedroom house with very simple construction. She walked up to the door and took out a key, unlocked it, stepped inside and turned on the lights and set her satchel on the floor.

“This is my home away from home, it's a far cry from my house but it'll do." Krysta said.

It was clearly just a place to live, it wasn't decorated save for the base essentials and maybe a small library of books she'd brought with her over her visits to the settlement.

“It's certainly very quaint." Okan added.

“The roof doesn't leak; it's got central air, and the walls are thick enough no one will hear us." She smirked at him coming up to him and embracing him. They exchanged a passionate kiss.

“Ok, one more little thing before we get too hot and heavy." Krysta said playfully, pushing him off. “I want to show you something."

“By all means." Okan chuckled.

Krysta walked to the kitchen and then stopped to open a trap door on the floor. She then descended down a staircase after flicking on a light down inside the cellar. Okan followed her and his nostrils were assailed with a moist dankness that mixed with the concrete block seller.

“Well, what do you think?" Krysta said proudly.

He looked at the tables and the misting system and the pungent smell was most likely compost or manure of some sort. “It's a growing platform, very impressive."

He walked over to it and saw it was growing several of the small sacrum violaceum. “Impressive, where'd you learn to do this?"

“Books and videos on the network." Krysta said proudly. “And taking a lot of notes."

“We are going to have to exchange some notes but yes this should work great for growing our subjects."

“I'm expecting them to reach maturity in a few days, but I needed another ripe set to grow even more spores." Krysta said matter of fatly.

“What is your compost?" Okan asked.

“Oh, look at you thinking you're going to get a girl's compost secrets out of her just because you are a good lay."

“I'll get them out of you one way or the other." Okan grinned.

“I'm actually very flattered, it's my own mix of going around asking for people's vegetable bits and some manure from the domestic animals they keep for the basics."

“Ah come on, that's just a vague description doesn't kid me I know better than that." Okan grinned.

Krysta smirked and headed for the stairs. “Then you'll just have to figure out how to get those secrets out of me." She said, sauntering up the stairs.

***

The next day, Midday

Okan sat in the lab looking at some samples of the virus as Krysta was making her mushroom tea to give to the patients. He wrote down some notes and rubbed his eyes then checked his sample cultures. Okan leaned back from the microscope and rubbed his eyes.

“Something wrong?" Krysta said.

“I could do this a lot quicker if I had some better equipment," Okan muttered. “This virus is very resilient, it's highly infective and airborne. It's contagious but it seems to be more severe to people with weaker physical dispositions." Okan paced around rubbing his forehead in thought. “We've had a few people come in with symptoms and they are testing positive, but they aren't running the fever the more severe cases are. The immune booster you are making there does seem to be working but we need to create a vaccine to really kick this."

“How do you think it got here?" Krysta asked. “No one else on the planet seems to be sick."

“That, I don't know." Okan said. “I will have to run it through the confederation database to see if it's been identified yet. It's definitely a xenovirus and a nasty one at that."

“Do you think we can get it?" Krysta said.

“Well you've been more exposed than I and you are not exhibiting any symptoms, and you've been working with them longer than I" Okan said, stopping to drum his fingers on one of the tables by Krysta. “So perhaps one of the vaccinations everyone gets outside of the colony is protecting us. Do they not receive regular xenovirus vaccinations?"

“They are not mandatory." Krysta said as she went to work mixing the mushroom brew and eyeing it. “The Confederation does respect their sovereignty in that regard."

“What about the standard at birth and childhood ones?" Okan said running over to a file cabinet that was labeled it contained vaccination records.

“I'll save you some time, they meet all the standards that all Echidna's get from birth." Krysta said. “Kimball calls in someone to inoculate and give the second shots when the wee ones are a bit older." Kyrsta chuckled. “Since they can't use a tricorder, the children have to be observed for 24 hours for signs of a reaction. The kids around here actually like it because they get out of school for a day in case there is a reaction.

Okan nodded as he flipped through the folders and verified everything she was telling him. Krysta just shook her head, as he rummaged through the typed notes and files. Finally, he grunted satisfied and put the files back.

“Krysta who was patient Zero?"

“It was a kid named Timothy Drake." Krysta said.

“Is he still alive?"

“Yes, he recovered, although his lungs are a bit haggard, his parents are debating going and getting a regenerative treatment as Kimball suggested, despite their beliefs. Poor lad, he's got asthma now because of it."

“File?" Okan asked.

Krysta, slightly annoyed at the interruption thrusted her finger towards the appropriate cabinet.

Okan rushed over to it and quickly found the file, laid it out and read it over it.

“So how does an eleven-year-old boy, who never left the colony, allegedly, just suddenly come down with a xenovirus?"

“I don't know love; he wasn't exactly forthcoming about it." Krysta said. “You said it yourself, it's airborne, it could have floated over here for all we know from a ship flying over."

“Ah, that's where it's wrong, there is a no-fly zone over this colony."

“There is?" Krysta said.

Okan nodded. “That's partially why Kethan Air Control is one of the better ones on the planet. The airspace above us is constantly monitored to ensure that it is highly enforced."

“Learn something new everyday." Krysta shrugged, waiting for her brew to cool enough to administer it. “Tell me did his parents come down with the virus?"

“No, the father is a returner, the mother is from… Hinami Island? I think." Krysta said, trying to wrack her brain for that particular detail. “What are you bugging me for, it should all be in there!"

“So, again, how did an eleven-year-old boy who has never left this colony, contract a Xeno virus?" Okan smirked. “Things don't just happen, even with the wonders I've encountered there's always a cause to the effect. I want to see him."

“Do you want company?" Krysta asked.

“Yes, a familiar face would help. I need to run back to the cottage and change."

“That's fine, that will give me enough time to finish up here."

Okan went to the cottage and dug his uniform out of his duffel and quickly put it on. He took out the three-pointed emblem of the Confederation and affixed it to his right breast. He had to remind himself that this was simply decorative and not tap it and look silly, since a functional one would not be allowed. The uniform was the standard fleet issue one, and not the darker one they wore on the Raptor. A colored department trim on the shoulders, grey belt, black jacket and slacks and boots, greyish/mauve undershirt. People tended to take you a bit more seriously when you had the uniform on, and he thought the darker version he wore on the Raptor was a bit too intimidating.

He returned to Krysta who was sitting on the porch of the hospital who whistled at him as he approached.

“Going all formal on me?" She laughed.

“I have my reasons." Okan smiled politely offering his arm.

Krysta took it and leaned into him. “Ooh you'll get the people talking around here seeing me cavorting around with a dashing young Starfleet officer." She said, kissing his cheek.

Okan smiled. “Good it'll get their mind off the current crisis at hand."

Timothy Drake's house was about half a mile from the main settlement. It was a quaint two-story, possibly 4-bedroom affair with a decent sized yard that sat amongst some fields on the side of the road.

They approached the door and knocked on it. A few moments passed and then an orange furred blonde haired female echidna in her early forties opened the door.

Okan raised a brow, there was something about her that looked almost too familiar to him with this woman he'd never met before. She was wearing a tank top and jean shorts with a pair of hard gloves tucked in the waistband.

Her eyes widened in a mix of recognition and shock.

"Good afternoon, Mam, my name is Doctor Okan and"

"Oh my God…". She croaked before she fainted.

Okan quickly caught her, and Krysta helped hold her.

"I know you're cute, but I didn't think you had that effect on women," Krysta said, quickly moving to get the woman hoisted between Okan and herself by her arms.

Okan spotted a solid looking chair on the porch. "Over there quickly!"

They sat her down and Okan quickly checked her pulse then dug in his pocket when Krysta already had some smelling salt with her.

"What do you think happened?". Krysta asked.

"I have no idea; I introduced myself and she fainted dead away," He broke the smelling salt pack open and soon the woman was coming around again although she seemed confused.

A male echidna came out of the house and exclaimed. “Carly!" But Krysta intervened and calmed him.

"It's okay she just had a little feint the Doctor will tend to her."

"Carly," Okan said. "Is that your name?

"No…. Yes." She slurred, seeming to get her wits about her. "Carly-Del."

"Are you ok!?". Her husband asked. She nodded and gave him a dismissive wave. "I'm sorry Doctor. We've been working in the yard. I might have overdone it."

"Sir, could you go get her a glass of water from the tap, no ice and a cool towel," Okan said addressing the husband while checking her pulse not liking her heart rate at all. She was showing signs of dehydration.

"Yes, of course," The husband disappeared into the house.

"I must have given you quite the start," Okan mused, noticing she was slowly recovering. "I will say you do look uncannily familiar." Okan said.

"I get that all the time," Carly said nervously, laughing it off. "So, doctor, what brings you all the way out here?". She said, giving Krysta a nod of recognition as her husband returned with the water and damp towel.

"I wanted to speak to your son if I may," Doctor Okan replied. "The virus that is ravaging this settlement is alien in nature. I believe he may have been exposed to something extra terrestrial in nature and I thought he may be a bit more forthcoming to someone in Starfleet."

"You can try," Carly said. "He's pretty set on joining someday even as young as he is," Carly said in the tone of every mother who admires their sons' drive but not the want to join a particularly dangerous future career. "He did mention once he found something strange out in the pastures behind the house."

"That's why I need to speak to him," Okan said. "I'm here to help anyway I can."

"He's in the back playing on his swing set with his ships". Carly said. "I'll go with you," She said getting up.

"Timothy, you have a visitor!" Carly called for her son as they walked to the back of the house. Timothy looked up and then slid down the slide on the swing set he was perched up on and he approached looking excited. He carried with him a plastic toy version of a Neosho Class starship in his hands. He was wearing a T-shirt that had a color pattern similar to a standard fleet uniform and black jean shorts.

"I'm going to go get Marcus tended to, I'll leave you to be with your serious Starfleet business."

"You don't want to introduce us?"

"He's eight and thinks he's a Captain, just follow protocol," Carly said with a wink.

"I see," Okan chuckled.

The boy got closer and Okan could hear his labored breathing and then stopped and took a puff off an inhaler he had on a lanyard around his neck.

Okan waited for him to finish.

"Hello, Timothy, I'm Doctor Okan."

The boy looked at him in awe.

"Are you a commander?". Timothy asked.

"Yes."

"Good I can talk to you then, science division, right?"

"Medical primarily but I've picked up a few things."

"Wow," Timothy said in awe. "Did Starfleet send you?"

"Yes," Okan lied hoping it would make the boy more forthcoming in their rapport. "What's the name of your ship there?"

Timothy seemed to be locked in imaginative rapture for a few moments before he replied.

"Azoria, it's mine, I thought it up," He said proudly. "It's the best ship ever, I customized it myself," He said holding it up to Okan. Okan took it and watched it. He did notice that the configuration of the vessel was a bit different. It had different nacelles, and the hulk was slightly different. More than anything he was impressed by the craftsmanship of the thing. The kid had a definite talent for model making.

The ship resembled a weird hybridization of a Harrier and Akira class, but it wasn't too unfeasible, it was definitely creative.

"Indeed, it is," Okan smiled. “Where'd you get the pieces?"

“There's a model store in the village, they had to order the special parts for my ship, but they were able to get them for me."

“So, Captain, you implied you might have something to tell me?"

“Un huh."

“What is it?" Okan said patiently with a smile.

Timothy looked around Okan and saw his parents weren't around.

“Follow me, Helm set course for the pasture." He said hitting a switch that made the model make the sound of its engines powering up. “Let's go!"

Timothy took and Okan followed him as best he could. However the hurried sporting soon slowed as the child had to hit his inhaler. And had a coughing fit.

“I suggest we go a bit slower." Okan said. “We still have to go back."

Timothy nodded, and they continued into a trail that ran into the pasture for a good ten minutes. Finally, after entering a thicket of trees, they approached what looked like a crater in the middle of it.

Okan looked around at the felled trees and remnants of burnt-out small fires.

“So, what's here Timothy?" Okan asked.

“The thing I wanted to show you." Timothy said, walking to the top of the small crater. “A while ago something fell out of the sky, and I found it here. I didn't tell anyone because they'd probably get upset. So, I decided I'd wait till a Starfleet person showed up because they would probably believe me."

“I see." Okan said wishing he had a tricorder and assuming he wasn't getting dosed with radiation since Timothy wasn't showing any signs of being exposed prior.

"Mom and Dad don't like me coming out here by myself but I do it all the time." Timothy explained making his way through the mess of felled trees while simultaneously flying his ship in his hands with it.

"This is quite the discovery Timothy." Okan said, walking down towards it. "You stay up here and keep watch."

"Ok." Timothy said excitedly before adding. "I think it might be from an alien ship!"

Okan reached out to touch the object, it was long ago cooled but it didn't seem to be of Confederation design.

"What do you think it is?" Timothy shouted at him.

“I'm trying to ascertain that right now. I wish your ship had some real sensors on it. I could definitely use its facilities now." Okan said. He assumed it was a probe or a modified torpedo casing of some kind. This definitely complicated matters, now Starfleet would have to get involved, he wondered how something like this had even managed to get past the planet's orbital defenses.

His eyes darted around the crater, and he saw what appeared to be chunks of ferrite scattered around the crater. He picked one up and looked it over and placed it in his pocket for further investigation. He returned to the object in the ground and noticed that it appeared to have some alcoves in its structure that possibly could be used for some sort of deployment system. Possibly for deployment of an airborne virus.

Okan frowned and he looked around, regardless of the Colonies' rules Starfleet had to get to the bottom of this.

"Thank you for showing me this Timothy." Okan said. "I think perhaps we should get you back home."

***

Krysta was standing with Timothy's parents and looked at him with concern as he returned with Timothy who returned to playing on his swing set.

"Did you two go on a little adventure?" Carly asked.

"Yes, he took me out to one of his spots out in the field. It appears a meteor came down a while ago and he wanted to show it to me." He said, omitting some details, that she didn't need to be privy too at the moment.

"Oh, I wondered why he was so fascinated wandering out there." Carly said.

"Indeed. Krysta, we should return to town. Thank you for allowing me to speak to him madam." Okan said politely.

“Is it something we should be concerned about?" Carly asked.

“Well, if you haven't had ill effects now, but without a tricorder I don't know about any possible radiation, but I think you would know by now since it fell not that long ago." Okan said. “It wouldn't hurt to go get examined outside the colony."

“We will." Carly said looking over at her son who had gone back to playing looking rather happy. “You made his day." Carly said.

“I apologize for the disruption earlier Marcus." Okan said.

“No problem, Doctor."

“Might I make a professional suggestion?" Okan said. “About your son?"

“Sure?" Marcus said.

“Go get Timothy regenerative therapy. It's an outpatient procedure. The success rate is hovering around 99 percent even with the most severe cases. Sure, he could recover fully in time from his encounter with the virus but it's going to severely hamper his quality of life. You are free to do as you want being his parents, but I strongly suggest getting the treatment." Okan said.

“We'll think about it." Marcus said, mulling it over. “You have that much faith in it."

“Yes Sir, I'm a full practitioner of your own Doctor Kimballs methods, but even I see the necessity of allowing someone to live a full life over a grueling more natural path." Okan said, smiling faintly. “Timothy is only going to be a child once, then he'll be off hopping galaxies before you know it."

“We'll take it under consideration, Doctor." Carly said warmly.

“Thank you."Marcus nodded his countenance, seeming slightly troubled but mixed with some inner relief.

“I'll be by in a few weeks and bring that little pick me up for you two." Krysta said with a knowing wink.

“Thanks Krysta." Marcus said, still distracted by his own thoughts.

As Krysta and Okan continued down the road and were out of earshot Carly turned to her husband. “That settles it, we're doing the treatment."

“Are you sure?" Marcus said, still seeming a bit torn.

“Trust me, don't question it, but if that man says something will work, it will." Carly said watching Krysta and Okan disappear over a rise.

***

“What'd you find out there?" Krysta asked.

“A probe of alien origin, since I don't have a tricorder, I can't even begin to figure out where it came from."

“That's not good, do you think the Virus came from it?"

“Oh, most definitely." Okan scowled. “I need to contact Starfleet."

“There's a message station that sends telexes from the town to the outside world. If we hustle, we might get there in time." Krysta said, quickening her pace.

Okan laughed watching her go, he was amazed at the stamina this woman had, and he jogged to catch up with her. “You know we should have taken one of the Ourach drawn carts." He chuckled.

“Yeah, but we wouldn't have the fun of the walk." Krysta smirked. “If you can keep up with me in bed you can on the road."

Okan chuckled and they quickened their pace.

They arrived in town almost twenty minutes later. They were both sweating, panting and heavily breathing but at the time they stumbled into the Telex office. Okan got his message and sent it through the telex. He was grateful that he was allowed to do it in a private booth so as to not stir up any worry among the locals. The directory was fully indexed and had the correct codes for messages to Starfleet command with a guide on how to send those messages. Okan assumed that Kimball and Marcus probably weren't the only ones who returned home to the colony. He left the booth to find Krysta had gotten them some flavored waters from a vendor.

“Your message get through?" Krysta asked, sipping her water as they sat on a bench.

“Yes, I don't know how long it will take them to respond, I understand the need for an archaic system to stay in touch with the outside world, but I wonder how actively an antique method like that is actually monitored." Okan sighed.

“Well, we'll find out, won't we?" Krysta smiled. “You know what we should do?"

“What?"

“Go back to my bungalow, get a nice shower, and see where it goes from there, maybe work off some of that nervous energy." she said, kissing him on the side of his face.

“I think that's a great plan."

***

Later.

Okan awoke, and some sound had jarred him from his sleep. He saw a light was on in the Kitchen. He was pretty sure that they hadn't left any lights on when they'd turned in for the night after their lovemaking. Krysta was sleeping on her side with her back to him breathing deeply and concerningly slowly. He reached over and tried to shake her gently, but she didn't stir. He checked the time and saw it was 0315. He checked Krysta's pulse, and it seemed slow, but it was almost as if she'd been anesthetized. He checked her neck and found a small welt of a hypo on her neck. He got up suddenly and threw on his robe. He tried to find something to arm himself with and only found the Iron wrought lamp standing by the bed. He unplugged it and picked it up and slowly stalked to the door of the room and slowly opened it.

“Come on, Doctor." Said an eerily familiar voice to him. “I know you are there; you can put the Lamp down as well; you won't need it."

Okan cautiously left the bedroom and saw Agent Bosker sitting at the dining room table. He put the lamp on the floor.

“Agent Besker, what are you doing here? Okan said, uneasily recognizing the black feathered avian in his equally black uniform.

“There was a missive sent out with your name attached to it. I can't say that I wasn't amused to see that our paths have once again crossed doctor, but it appears they have."

“Did you have to Drug Krysta?"

“A necessary precaution I assure you, to preserve my anonymity, very astute of you to notice that doctor."

Okan scowled. “So my message never reached Starfleet command."

“Oh it did, just not the part you intended," Besker said matter-of-factly drumming his feathered talons on the table. “Have a seat." He said motioning to the other side of the table.

Okan did so.

“I've taken the liberty to look at your little discovery, it is alien in origin, although as of yet I can not tell you where it came from because I do not know myself. It was a probe rigged with a deployment system as you surmised."

“You aren't going to tell me that this is Starfleet's doing, and you are here to cover it up." Okan glared.

Besker's face was blank. “Hardly Doctor, don't be so droll. This matter is delicate, however we just can't extract it suddenly because it would draw a bit too much attention from the locals. I'm just allowing you to have what little information I am authorized to share with you. You really should learn to be more trusting."

“It's hard to trust someone who works among the shadows and drugs one's lover without their consent." Okan hissed.

Besker simply shrugged and pressed on. “The virus is actually Urthean based, it's been modified to be highly aggressive towards Termians. Its deployment only seems to have been particularly effective here because of the overall lack of resistance.

“Was this place deliberately targeted?" Okan asked.

“No. The weapon just happened to end its journey here after its fuel cell depleted and it crashed." Besker said, smoothing his black feathers. “That is all I can tell you, Doctor. Hopefully you can find a resolution to this outbreak on your own."

“Why wasn't anything done about this prior," Okay hissed.

“Because they don't want the help," Besker said. “Everyone who has been exposed who has the proper treatment only suffered a slight fever and other minor cold-like symptoms. They won't take out vaccines so if you want to help them, I suggest you figure out a way to give them the means to create their own."

“Now that I have a solid idea where to start I can." Okan said. “I suppose thanks are in order."

Besker stood up and straightened his jet-black uniform. “That suits me just fine, Good Luck doctor. I trust you will use discretion in how you obtained this information, there will be consequences if you don't."

“I'm aware."

Besker nodded and left through Kitchen's screen door and disappeared into the night.

Okan sat and pondered, not seeing what direction the Avian he took or even wanting to know. Anyone in the intelligence division always made his skin crawl.

His mind worked chipped away at the problem and he grabbed a notepad and set to work. He was still scribbling hurried notes and chemical compounds when Krysta finally awoke and was shocked to find him in the kitchen early in the morning.

“Wow, someone's been busy." She cooed. “How long have you been up?"

“A while, how are you feeling?" Okan asked.

“A bit more drowsy than normal but that could have been your doing." She said kissing him. Okan returned the kiss, and she went to the refrigerator. “I'll make you some breakfast, you are probably famished."

“I am and thank you." Okan said. “I'll need a good meal before we head to the lab. Oh, one thing…" he said rifling through the papers. “Here." He said, handing her one.

“What's this?" Krysta asked curiously.

“A remedy that will help our patients recover even quicker using the mushrooms in the basement. You should be able to make it, I modified it based on your own notes."

“You absolute cad! You looked in my book!?" Krysta hissed, smacking him upside his head.

“I was on a roll!" Okan protested. “You were sleeping so heavily I figured a little peak wouldn't hurt. Besides I'm trying to help you, remember?"

Krysta's fires slightly cooled and she huffed and returned back to preparing breakfast. “I suppose I can let you get away with it this one time, but you better ask from now on!" she hissed.

“I promise." Okan said, rubbing his head and getting up and giving her a squeeze from behind. “I just didn't think after the last couple of nights there wasn't that private you kept from me."

“It's my family's stuff. Don't be stealing it and publishing a damn paper on it claiming it to be your own." Krysta said, pressing back into him. “Or I'll have to clip your damn spines off and whip you with them."

“If I do trust me, I'll attribute it all to you and your wonderful expertise." He lifted her spines and kissed her ear.

“Mmm you'd better." Krysta cooed.

***.

Several hours later, at Doctor Kimball's lab.

Okan was looking over the cultures of the virus and working on a solution. He looked up from his work when he saw Kimball make his way in.

“Any luck?" Kimball asked.

“I may be onto something," Okan said. “I'm convinced that this is a Xeno virus."“Really?" Kimball said, intrigued.

“Yes, it's a type of Urthean flu, I'm not sure exactly how but it's definitely not from Termia." Okan said. “However it is highly contagious and it's airborne as well, it could have made it here from a freighter from a improperly stored cargo or even possibly an infected passer through could have been a carrier."

“Fascinating," Kimball said, looking over Okan's notes. “Well, we don't get many Urtheans around here, but we do have the occasional fleeter coming home for leave. You would think the Transporter biofilters would take care of that."

“They're programmed too." Okan said. “I went out to Timothy's Drakes to pay a visit to him and guess what I found."

“What was that?"

“A probe, probably Urthean in origin just like our virus, crashed in a field near his house. He only showed it to me because I had my uniform on."

“Well, good on you, I couldn't get the lad to tell me what he was doing before he fell ill." Kimball chuckled. “So, what do we do, Doctor?"

“I have an idea." Okan said. “How familiar are you with the Rules of the Colony?"

“Very, but why?

“The way I understand it we can't use digital technology while in the colony?"

“That is correct, calculators are ok." Kimball nodded.

“And the only restriction is no digital devices, correct?" Okan said. “Commerce and Trade goods are fine. What about replicated materials? You and I both know that no one really manufactures nails, bolts, textiles, and general goods anymore, it's all replicated and possibly crafted or assembled but most of the bits are replicated."

Kimball seemed intrigued. “Yes, that is correct, the general store does sell things made here and from off the colony." Kimball sat down on a stool in his chair still mulling things over. “What are you getting at, doctor?"

“What's to stop me from taking these cultures, running thorough tests on them and developing a vaccine a lot faster with access to the resources I have?" Okan said. “Especially if I can find a way to deliver it and then replicate it here to assuage suspicion."

Kimball sat for the moment looking embarrassed. “I never considered doing that, I just thought I might be able to find a solution with the means I had. However, I'm a retired fleeter and have been out for a long time. Once you get out you don't get access to the good tech anymore."

“All the more reason to do it, my father has his own medical practice back home, I know he had a state-of-the-art lab, I could easily whip something up there in a matter of hours, enough to inoculate the whole colony and wipe this virus out in one fell swoop."

“We're not going to get anywhere fast this way Doctor." Okan said to Kimball motioning to the lab. “This virus is spreading rapidly, and these people don't have a defense against it. We don't have time to do it your way, we need to speed up the process a bit."

Kimball took off his spectacles and rubbed his eyes. “I hate to admit it, but you are right. I came here ten years ago to help my people. I tried to do things their way as much as possible but in this case, it can't be done. I don't have the time to make a cure and I'm running out of places to put the sick."

“Look, we're not allowed to bring technology in but as I understand the charter of this colony there is nothing stating we can't go back and forth. Nothing is really stopping us from doing that." Okan said. “We are not breaking any rules." I think the founding Linaens had enough sense to realize that even with their phobias of advanced technologies they might have to allow some outside help from time to time."

“They allow me to bring in the standard inoculations so I don't know why this wouldn't work." Kimball said. “The elders know I've been working on something for a long time without success. If I suddenly have an answer with them knowing I've had some help they shouldn't suspect anything, just be extremely discreet. It might be better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

“I can get the blood samples out in my bag easily enough," Okan said. “We just need to keep them cool, if we leave early in the morning we should get to my father's practice by midday."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“Doctor Kimball," The hospital's receptionist said, poking her head in. “Arron Daros is here."

“Speak of the Devil," Kimbal growled. “Very well send him in."

The receptionist nodded and left.

“What we discussed doesn't leave here. Daros leads the council and he'd be quite upset if he knew what you were planning," Kimball said quietly. “Ah Mister Daros, good to see you."

“Okan glanced back over his shoulder towards the door where an Echidna his age with black hair and cream-colored fur stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

“Good afternoon gentlemen." He said coolly.

“Elder Daros, what brings you here today?" Kimball got up from his seat, walking around his desk to shake the newcomer's hand.

“I've heard you've gotten some help with our little problem; I wanted to meet this person." Daros said Cooley.

“Ah yes, well this is Doctor Okan, he's stepped in to help us."

“And where are you from?" Daros asked.

“I'm actually from Starfleet, but I'm very much aware of your situation and the challenges that need to be overcome within the rules of the colony."

“You do?" Daros said, intrigued. “And how is that?"

“Krysta brought him to us." Kimball said interjecting.

“Indeed." Daros said with a nod. “Well, I don't think she would have asked for your assistance if she didn't trust your judgment. We've often had outsiders try to come in here and help but they will not abide by our rules."

“I'm well aware."

“Are you?" Daros said, raising a brow. “Over a hundred years ago an Electromagnetic Pulse caused by our race's own hands nearly brought us to our knees. Over time the rest of Termia has recovered from this disaster by embracing and surpassing the technologies that caused that disaster in the first place." Daros droned.

“I am well aware of the history, that same pulse created a degenerative disease that we still haven't stomped out till this day." Okan said.

“Indeed, Reechii's syndrome still crops up from time to time even in the offspring of the unaffected. We've been lucky to avoid a lot of that. Any idea why that is?"

“I'm not sure." Okan said.

“It's because we avoid the dangers of such technologies, sticking to archaic methods that keep us pure from the corruptions of such things."

Okan nodded politely and kept a straight face, such a claim was highly dubious to his mind, but he didn't want to screw up his chances to help these people. He saw movement past Daros and heard the subtle jangling of beads. Krysta was standing in the hallway watching with deep concern.

“Regardless, I often dabble in alternative methods in treatment much like Krysta. I only resort to using the tools of my trade when I don't have an option. I'm well aware of the Linaen charter and I don't plan to violate any rules of your colony, Elder Daros."

“Indeed, well we'll see."

They waited till Elder Daros was out of the building and out of earshot

“There is no conventional means to fight this Doctor, it's a xenovirus and these people have no defense against it. It will take too long to develop a vaccine with what we have here. We're lucky it hasn't been more fatal but that could change at any moment with each new mutation." Okan said matter of factly pausing as they heard the door open.

“So, what are you two being so conspiratorial about?" Krysta said, closing the door behind him.

Okan turned to Krysta. “I hate to break this to you but we're not going to beat this thing by conventional means. I think we might be able to use the sacrum violaceum to help fight this thing since the patients you give your mixture to seem to stabilize but they can't seem to kick the infection."

Krysta nodded, listening intently.

“I think if I can take the samples we have here and go back to my father's lab and use modern equipment to develop a vaccine we can probably beat this virus and rid it's presence in the colony."

Krysta pursed her lips and ground her teeth then finally sighed. “I suppose you're right."

“Ok… do it." Kimball said. “The elders know I've been working on something for a long time without success. If I suddenly have an answer with them knowing I've had some help they shouldn't suspect anything, just be extremely discreet."

***

“So how are we going to do this?" Krysta asked as they headed towards her bungalow.

“I need to go by the telex office and send off a few messages." Okan said. “Just some requests for when we leave the colony." Okan said, looking around carefully. “I want you to go grab as many of those healthy mushrooms you have down in the basement and bring them back to me. We'll meet in the town square and take off in about forty minutes."

“I can do that." Krysta said. “Good luck."

Later

They approached the gate with the samples stored in the cooling compartment of Krysta's mushroom carrier.

“I don't like this, it feels dishonest." Krysta said apprehensively.

“Krysta, In my time in Starfleet I've learned sometimes rules are meant to be subverted for the greater good." Okan said reassuringly. “Especially if they are ridiculous, just play it cool," Okay said.

They approached the guard who merely waved them through as they passed. When they were far enough away from the guard post Krysta sighed with relief audibly.

“That's the easy part," Okay said the hard part is getting it back in there."

***

Okan had called ahead and asked him to meet his father at his hospital to use his lab. His father was understandably curious as to why, but Okan assured him he would explain everything when they met. More importantly he didn't want to drag Krystal in front of his mother. At least not yet. As far as his mom and dad were concerned, they were just colleagues. Krysta understood and promised to be nothing but professional when they met with his father.

After introductions were made and explanations given they were in the elevator to the lab floor in the hospital.

“I'll have you know son, you might actually be impressed with what I've managed to get my hands on over the years. I've got the finest lab in the province and some stuff that might even make you envious. Okan's father said

“I'm sure, I have to make a deal with a frontier medical bay and whatever I can cram in my berth on the Raptor," Okan chuckled. “Starfleet seems to want you to make do with what you have and improvise. The bigger the ship the better equipment you have."

His father smiled and nodded knowingly. “It hasn't changed too much then. Ms. La so you said you had a D.O. in herbology?"

“Yes." Krysta said politely.

“My wife was really big into that when I met her, she still dabbles from time to time. She teaches premed at the university." He mused. “So where do you fit into all this?"

“I use my talents to help the Linens by providing remedies, except in this case it's just barely holding the virus at bay. It was just a coincidence that Richard and I met, and he's been helping me with the outbreak."

“I see, so if we do develop the vaccine how are we planning on getting it back into the colony?"

“We're going to use the sacrum violaceum." Okan spoke up. “I have a colleague who developed some rather fascinating theories on using the vascular properties of certain fungi to act as a carrier of medicines. I'm going to see if we can do it that way, and Krysta is rather quite familiar with it. That reminds me, did my order arrive?"

“Yes it arrived shortly before you did, it was from Starbase 186 courtesy of a Twila?"

“Yes, she's my chief nurse." Okan said glad he had such good help. “Excellent, I was a bit worried that there would be a bit of a lag."

“Oh, there used to be, but the Confederation installed a data computer on the telex lines a few years ago outside of the colony. Since it's not in their borders they aren't even aware of why the service got so much better, but they don't seem to be complaining either.

Krysta chuckled.

“What's so funny?" Okan's father asked.

“I think they'd have rioted by now if they found out is all." Krysta said.

“You'd think." Kale said, adjusting his glasses as the lift slid to a stop. “But we're pretty sure they are aware of it; they are just choosing to accept it."

“You haven't been working with the Colony Elders with their snouts in your business every time you do anything." Krysta sneered. “They are damn lucky this outbreak hasn't killed anyone yet."

“I hope to keep that yet at bay by any means possible." Okan said determined.

Krysta smiled and nodded.

The lift came to a stop, and they exited in front of them Okan could see a vast array of state of the art equipment through the windows.

“Impressed, son?" Kale asked.

“Indeed, thank you Father." Okan said as they entered the lab he quickly ran over and inspected several pieces of equipment. “I think this will be more than sufficient. Father, could you do one other thing for me."

“Of course."

“We're both aware of the global outbreak of Rechii's syndrome thirty years ago. I perused the Linaen medical records and didn't see any fatalities. I find it highly unlikely that they are just immune due to better living. Can you do some research into the historical records and see what you can find?"

“That is interesting, I'll see what I can do good luck on," Kale said before departing for the lift.

“I don't even know where to start." I'm a bit out of my element," Krysta said clearly intimidated by the equipment.

“Not entirely," Okan said, putting his arms around her waist from behind and giving her an encouraging squeeze. “You know more about those mushrooms then I do so you will be invaluable for this next part! Let's get to work."

***

Later.

After meticulously combining the two spores—one from the fungus of Roririshard IV and the other from the Sacrum violaceum—Okan placed them into a chronometric growth chamber. To his surprise, his father had managed to retain an older model of the device, though it was inferior to the one he possessed on the Raptor. Despite his limited understanding of its inner workings, Okan was primarily interested in harnessing its capabilities to expedite the protracted process of cultivating cultures, rather than delving into its technical intricacies, although he had used it sporadically in the past.

As the device whirred and churned, Okan immersed himself in the records his father had provided, his eyes scanning intricate diagrams and detailed notes. Meanwhile, Krysta stood steadfastly by his side, her gaze fixed upon the timer of the device. A sense of awe washed over her as she witnessed the accelerated growth of the spores, her lips parting in silent amazement. Okan, having finished jotting down a few observations in his paper notebook, approached Krysta from behind, enveloping her in a warm embrace. With a contented coo, Krysta turned to face him, their lips meeting in a tender kiss.

"Is everything proceeding smoothly?" Okan inquired, his eyes peering through the viewing portal to examine the mushrooms.

Krysta, her expression tinged with uncertainty, replied, "Well, if these were solely violaceum spores, then yes, everything would be in order. However, given that this is a hybrid, I cannot be certain." As she spoke, she diligently scribbled notes in her battered, well-worn notebook.

Okan's gaze swept across the control readouts, his brow creased in concentration. "From what I can observe, everything appears to be progressing as anticipated thus far."

Krysta chuckled nervously; her voice laced with a hint of self-deprecation. "I suppose it makes sense to one of us, at least. Amidst all this sophisticated equipment, I cannot help but feel out of my depth."

Okan's eyes softened with understanding. "Nonsense, my dear. This device merely facilitates the cultivation process at an accelerated and more reliable pace," he explained, glancing at the machine's diagnostic readout. "I assure you, when lives are at stake in the vast expanse of space, devices like this are far preferable to traditional methods. I have relied upon them extensively, and they have proven to be consistently dependable."

Krysta shook her head, a contemplative expression etched upon her features. "It all feels somewhat unnatural, like we are playing god or cheating the system."

Okan's gaze met hers, his eyes holding a knowing glint. "Life itself is inherently unfair, my love," he said. "Why should we adhere to its rules?"

As the device hummed and whirred, Okan became engrossed in the records his father had given him, poring over intricate diagrams and detailed notes. Krysta, standing by his side, watched the timer on the device with fascination, her eyes wide with wonder as she observed the spores within.

“About your reservations on doing this, let me show you something." Okan said gently, grabbing her hand and leading her over to the lab table that had stacks of the old moldy records. “I'm sure you'll find them as fascinating as I have."

They approached the table where one of the old books sat and he slowly turned it so she could read it. “This one in particular was the last of the records taken before the Hospital converted its records back to a digital format."

“How old are these?" Krysta asked.

“Close to twenty years,almost an entire generation."

“That's quite a bit of time." Krysta smirked as she scanned the pages with her eyes. “These look like vaccination records."

“Indeed." Okan said amused. “Keep reading."-

“Wait…" She said, pausing, flipping through the pages. “No way." She said, flipping through it. “These are Reechi's syndrome inoculations for the Linaen colony!"

The door opened and they saw Okan's father enter the lab. “Did you find something?"

“I did Father, were you aware that the Linaen's allowed for their entire populace to be inoculated for Reechi's syndrome?"

“No, I wasn't." Kale Okan said intrigued. “When did that occur."

“According to this record, it was almost twenty years ago." Krysta said.

“My, that's quite a bit of time." Kale said, looking at the book for himself.

“I sure as hell don't remember anything in the news about this." Krysta said. “Before James got the Media center, I would listen to the Radio every day to get the goings on in the world and I don't remember anything about this."

“Well, they were definitely administered from here, before my time though." Kale said, flipping through the book. “I was in the academy at the time, but I don't recall hearing about it either."

“What was this hospital before you took it over?"

“It was a Starfleet medical hub for the region, Ketha province would have been one place it would have serviced in emergencies."

“Yeah, but why would they bury this?" Okan said.

“Whom the Linaens or Starfleet." Kale said, rousing a brow.

Okan tried to make an assertion and then stopped and facepalmed. “Yeah, but why?"

“Could be to save face on the Linaens part, if they accepted help from Starfleet their Elders would have looked a bit Hypocritical." Kale said. “I've heard they used to be way stricter, they didn't even have electricity back then."

“Well they did look here." Krysta said, bringing the book to them. “This is Daros Linae, the gentleman you spoke to. He's a direct descendant of the founder of the colony. He was inoculated with his registry number right here." Krysta said. “In fact, it looks like they all did."

Okan and his father both stoked their chin in thought, Krysta tried not to laugh because they looked like mirror images of each other even the timing of the mannerism was the same.

“Son, what should we do?"

“Unfortunately, if we drag Starfleet into this matter, it could delay our efforts by weeks or even months and it could start a lot of trouble." Okan said. “It may be better to ask for forgiveness than permission."

“You could jeopardize your career." Kale said, frowning.

“Never thought I'd hear that out of you." Okan smiled and laughed and sighed. “At least I have a backup plan if that happens."

Kale simply nodded in agreement but his concern for his son was evident in his features.

“I tell you what we're going to do, we're going to beat this damn Xenovirus and then Starfleet can figure it out for all I care." Krysta said. “What are they going to do, slap me on the wrist and tell me I'm a bad girl? I'm a civilian unless there are Urthean drop ships raining out of the sky they can't tell me what to do."

“She has a point." Kale added. “You are really the only one at risk here."

“I'm at risk all the time." Okan smirked. “I'm going to send a few messages, Dad. If you don't mind, could you help Krysta finish up here?"

“Of course."

Okan motioned for the book and Krysta handed it to him. “I'm going to find a replicator and get a few copies of this.

***

As another day passed, Okan Krysta and Kale witnessed the extraordinary results of their modified fungi, surpassing even their optimistic predictions. Utilizing the available equipment, they skillfully cultivated enough of the vaccine in powder form to initiate its distribution. The abundance of new hybrids allowed for rapid growth and replenishment.

Okan, meticulously analyzed blood samples from the colony. In each instance, the virus met its demise upon encountering a sufficient quantity of the vaccine in the bloodstream. Promising results filled them with hope and anticipation. By the conclusion of the second day, they were prepared for their return journey.

Okan organized a meeting with Daros, the colony's leader, to discuss the successful results and plan the next steps. Kale readily offered to assist Krysta in transporting the vaccine and mushrooms back to the colony. Krysta had already established contact with Doctor Kimball and informed them of their remarkable progress.

“So, what's the plan?" Krysta said as they loaded everything into his father's hover car at the hospital's loading dock. Okan was in his uniform again. He wanted to look as official as possible.

“I'm going to talk to Daros directly about this open secret." Okan said. “While I'm keeping him and the other elders busy with you, my father and Doctor Kimball can start distributing the vaccine."

“You know they are probably not going to be so happy about this." Krysta said.

“I know, I also sent a copy of the records along with my plan of action to Starfleet medical." Okan said. “At this point the rules have already been broken, they need to face up to it one way or the other, I'm hoping in the midst of all the finger pointing I can just quietly sneak away." Okan paused remembering his meeting with Agent Besker in the middle of the night. “They might well already know, they are just waiting to see when and what I'll do."

“Damn the rules, you are doing the right thing, and you know it." Krysta said supportively.

A hover taxi descended and landed beside his father's own vehicle.

“Wish me luck." Okan said as he walked to the waiting taxi.

***

Later.

The building the council of elders conducted in was held in a very official domed brick and marble style building in the center of the colony. Okan had called ahead for a cart to pick him up at the gate the night before to save him some time walking. He simply walked to the gate, got checked in, hopped in the cart and he was in the main town in under ten minutes. Like most of the buildings of the colony they were of an older style. The Elder Hall was quite impressive, it was under the dome that had many skylights to light the room, and the elders all sat in tiered seating where they could all see whomever was speaking from the forum. Okan was stunned the moment he was escorted and placed his bundles on the table.

“I thought I had requested a private audience, Eldar Daros." Okan spoke up.

“We were having council and anything we would have discussed would have been said to my colleagues." Daros replied.

“I see."

“How your research going, Doctor?"

“It goes well, Krysta's and I's combined research has produced some results. We are working on a vaccine right now."

“That is good news."

“Indeed, I also have found some things of interest."

“And what would that be, Doctor?" Daros asked.

“This right here." Okan said, putting his hand on the rather large thick book. “This right here is a copy of the medical records regarding this very colony and the plague of Rechii's syndrome that ravaged our people almost a generation ago. If the council permits, I would like to submit it to them for review."

“Why would we want to look into it?" One of the female elders asked.

“Let's just say History can have an odd way of repeating itself, and." He said, opening the book on its second page. “This."

On the second page was the seal of the Linaen council denoting it as an official record of the colony.

This caused a series of murmurs from the members of the council.

“Where did you get that from?" Daros asked. “Those things should only be kept in our own archives."

“Indeed yet this was found in the former Starfleet Medical building in Nera province. Funnily enough they just left it to molder in an archive instead of taking it with them when they relocated."

“Bring it here." Daros said tersely.

Okan did so and closed it and handed it to the closest council member.

“I recommend you all take a look, especially at the section I bookmarked." Okan said. “I believe you may find it all quite enlightening to a solution to your current predicament."

The elder he handed it to did, looked at it for a few moments and then had a look of shock on his face.

Daros sat patiently as everyone before him took a turn and grew concerned as there were more whispers and hushed conversations among his compatriots.

Okan stood patiently with his hands clapped behind his back.

Eventually the book made its way to Daros and even after a few reads he sighed heavily and closed it.

“My fellow council members, he speaks the truth." He said standing up.

There were multiple intakes of breath as all eyes were on him.

“My father, our leader at the time, swore the council to secrecy about this matter as well as the other adults at the time. He told me about it on his deathbed when I took his role as leader. He was afraid that if our generation learned that we only survived the Rechii's Syndrome outbreak, then we would be less likely to continue on our way of life. My father also implemented the vaccination program for our children." Daros said, looking around at the other councilmen. “If we all grew up with it and it was in the charter when we learned it to take these positions how would we know any difference?"

The council members murmured among themselves, but many seemed in agreement.

"That was a dreadful period in our history, a time most of us in this room can barely recall. Conditions were deteriorating rapidly, reaching a critical point. Children succumbed to their illnesses before reaching adulthood, while adults were struck down in their prime. Your parents were desperate; no amount of virtuous living could shield them from the harmful background radiation that was wreaking havoc on their nervous systems," Okan added patiently. "Your cherished way of life was on the brink of extinction, poised to be extinguished alongside the rest of the planet. But then, a breakthrough came in the form of a cure that was made accessible to all. Starfleet was the only organization capable of distributing it so swiftly, and they would have intervened regardless of whether you requested their assistance or not."

Okan paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in, hearing the doors to the council room open behind him and the trod of boots on the floor.

"Your parents did what was necessary to preserve the way of life you enjoy today. You have the freedom to live as you choose, but remember, you are citizens of the Confederation of this world. As such, you are entitled to the same rights, benefits, and protections as everyone else," Okan concluded, hearing the doors to the council room open behind him and the trod of boots on the floor.

“He speaks the truth, esteemed elders." He heard a female voice behind him. He turned to see a middle aged female avian with cream and brown feathers and a black beak.

“Whom are you?" Daros asked, still trying to process everything.

“Admiral Conroy," she said walking up to the forum. “Doctor Okan sent word of his discovery to us as well I suppose some things should be aired out."

“How did you get here so fast?" Daros asked.

“I beamed directly here." Conroy said as she adjusted her uniform. “Doctor Okan is right, regardless of the space we allow you to have for your colony, you are citizens of the Confederation and under the protection of Starfleet. There is no “official" rule of noninterference chartered with the Confederation. We only assist in allowing you to continue to preserve the way of life you cherish here. I assure you we aren't seeking to end it either but there are matters that need to be discussed in order to clear some things."

“What would those be?"

“The virus that has been ravaging your colony was in fact deployed by an Urthean bioweapon." Conroy said. “We lost track of it on our sensors, once it got past the ionosphere, we'd only recently become aware that it crashed in your area. However, we need to remove it and out of respect for you and your people, we have avoided doing so. You are all very fortunate that the virus it deployed is more debilitating than deadly to Echidnas."

“So why is all this coming to light now?" Daros said looking exhausted.

“Because I will be honest with you." Okan said. “The vaccine I developed I had to develop off the colony using modern methods. I have provided Krysta-Zen with the materials and means to create them on site and in time you can make it on your own. The point is, you all have harvest coming up and with so many of your populace sick, if I had created with the means, you leave me here, you are going to have a very deadly and cold winter soon."

“How long would it normally take?" Daros asked.

“Under normal methods at least a few months, you don't have that time." Okan said, walking over to his bundle of materials and pulling out his own notes he transcribed. “It's all here if you want to see it."

“No." Daros said, sighing heavily. He closed the book and handed it over to be returned to Okan. “I want you to understand that I have been working to allow our citizens to indulge in more modern things, but I really treasure the way of life we have obtained here. Apparently however, we are not safe from threats from outside our colony that don't respect that or our fellow Termians."

Okan nodded and grabbed the book.

“You are right, if most of our populace is sick then harvest will not be completed and then we will once again have to seek help." He sighed. “Admiral, you have this council's permission to remove that alien wreckage from our territory. I would like to discuss some things with you and your Starfleet to prevent such things in the future. Daros said. “To prevent future interruptions in our way of life we may have to face certain realities that we can no longer continue to ignore."

“I assure you Elder that we would be more than happy to discuss that with you." Admiral Conroy assured him.

“You may go Doctor." Daros said, rubbing his forehead, obviously feeling a headache coming on.

“Wait for me in the lobby." Conroy added.

“Of course, sir." Okan said.

In the dimly lit corridor, Dr. Okan paced restlessly, his heart pounding in his chest. He felt as if he was a child once again, standing outside the principal's office, waiting for his fate to be decided. The air was thick with tension, and his mind raced with questions. How deep of a hole had he dug himself into this time?

After what seemed like an eternity, Admiral Conroy emerged from the council room. She let out a long sigh, unzipped her tunic, smoothed her feathers and leveled her piercing gaze on Okan.

"You Raptor people are starting to become a pain in my ass, Doctor," she said, her voice cold and hard. She sighed as she sat beside him heavily on the bench.

Okan swallowed hard. "Sir, I don't understand."

"You're damn lucky they didn't technically have a leg to stand on when it came to their sovereignty and Starfleet," Conroy continued. "I'd probably have you hauled off for a prime directive violation with this little stunt you pulled."

Okan's mind raced as he tried to process her words. "If we came to their aid once, why was all evidence of this buried and left in an old Starfleet medical building?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Conroy sighed and leaned back on the bench, interlacing her talons. "Why? I don't know why, someone else was in charge of it back then," she said. "I just inherited the mess."

"Who?" Okan pressed.

"Admiral Kramer," Conroy replied.

Okan's eyes widened. "I know him," he said.

"You should," Conroy agreed.

"That doesn't answer my question," Okan protested.

Conroy shrugged. "Maybe he wanted them to keep the illusion that they were doing just fine without us. Maybe he hoped that someday in the future, if another incident happened, maybe the fact that they bent the rules once, they'd do it again," she said. "Maybe he was right. Hard to tell."

Okan stared at her, his mind swirling with questions. Why would Admiral Kramer want to keep the truth hidden? Why did it have to be him to get involved? As he pondered these questions, Okan realized that he had stumbled upon something much bigger than himself. He was no longer just a doctor trying to help these people; he was caught in a web of intrigue and deception that reached the highest levels of Starfleet. He really didn't want to get sucked into whatever this was anymore than he had already been.

“I suppose."

“Just be glad you are getting off with just a warning. Don't ever pull this stuff up there," she said, thrusting a talon skyward for emphasis." without consulting a superior officer first, or I will be one of the first to throw you under the hover bus, that understood mister." She snapped sinisterly.

“Quite, sir."

“Good." Conroy said standing up. “Now finish your work, leave the colony and enjoy the rest of your leave, and stay off my radar."

“Yes, sir." Okan said

***

After several days of relentless work, their efforts had borne fruit. Every infected individual had received the life-saving inoculation, and signs of rapid recovery were evident. The once-filled beds in Doctor Kimball's ward gradually emptied as patients, now on the mend, eagerly returned to their homes and resumed their everyday lives.

Krysta dedicated herself to imparting knowledge to the village apothecaries how to manufacture the remedy using the tools at their disposal. Her lessons filled her days and left her with a sense of fulfillment. Meanwhile, Kimball and the two Okan's diligently tended to the remaining sick patients, ensuring their well-being.

Starfleet, true to their word, dispatched a team to remove the menacing meteor. The event attracted a curious crowd of onlookers, many of whom had never witnessed a starship before. The spectacle transformed the grim situation into a festive occasion, with people gathering to witness the removal of the celestial threat. Daros and the council members themselves attended, observing as the offending object was gently lifted into the air by a powerful tractor beam and towed out of sight.

As the crisis subsided, Okan felt a profound sense of relief. His tireless efforts had seemingly paid off, and he could finally allow himself to relax. Once his work was done, he quietly departed with Krysta at his side. Satisfied that the Linaen Colony would gradually return to normalcy, they left the scene of their triumph. Kimball, grateful for their invaluable contributions, expressed his heartfelt thanks to both Okan and Krysta.

The night before they left Okan found himself up late, perched on Krysta's porch, sipping a warm cup of tea and gazing across the village. The evening lights flickered and dimmed, casting a soft glow over the surroundings. Krysta was freshening up in her shower, having just finished tending to her fungi in the basement.

Suddenly, a voice from the darkness startled Okan and made him jump. Spinning around, he saw Besker standing in the shadow of the large tree in front of Krysta's bungalow. Okan couldn't believe he had missed Besker, even though he had been looking in that direction the entire time.

“You are proving quite the useful resource, doctor," Besker remarked.

Okan sat up and replied, “Well, I suppose that's a good thing."

“Indeed," Besker chuckled. “I hardly had to do anything except a small push, and you unknotted a mess all by yourself. Talents like that can be useful in other areas besides medicine."

Okan frowned and said, “No thanks, I feel like you pushed me into some sort of mess I really didn't want to know about."

“The Linaens are stubborn, we just needed someone who could get through to them that was all. Being subtle is not really my game," Besker explained. “That's why I reached out to you when I did."

Okan sighed. “Well, I'm glad I could be of assistance, but I would prefer to not be dragged into matters of Starfleet intelligence."

Besker laughed. “Easier said than done, Doctor."

At that moment, the sound of the water turning off inside caught their attention.

“I'll leave you for the rest of your leave, Doctor," Besker said, stepping back into the darkness. “Until we meet again."

Okan watched Besker disappear, retreating into the darkness, then turned back to his tea. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had been caught up in something much bigger than himself, and he wondered what the future held.

Okan's name was carried on the gentle breeze. Krysta's voice, like a melodious songbird, called out to him from behind inside the house.

"Yes?" Okan's voice echoed, curiosity tinged with a hint of amusement.

"Are you planning to spend the entire night out there, my dear? Or are you going to leave me all alone in the house?" Krysta chuckled, her laughter mingling with the rustling of the tree leaves.

Okan, his senses heightened by the aromatic tea he had just finished, turned and headed inside. Tomorrow, they will embark on a journey to one of the island resorts, far away from the bustling city life. After all they had been through, the prospect of sun-kissed days and lazy afternoons spent in the company of his newfound love seemed like the perfect antidote to the turmoil of the past.

However, there was a secret that Okan chose to keep hidden for the time being—his blossoming relationship with Krysta. He was unsure how his parents would react, given the significant age difference between them. For now, he opted to savor the moments with Krysta, cherishing the connection they had strengthened amidst the trials they had faced.

Eventually they had to part, the lovers shared a tender farewell. Krysta, with her heart heavy with both joy and sorrow, knew it was time for her to return to her humble abode in Ketha Province. Okan, too, had pressing matters to attend to, for it was his family that had beckoned him back home.

Despite the distance that would soon separate them, they exchanged heartfelt promises to stay connected, to bridge the miles with regular communication and unwavering support. They recognized the importance of nurturing their bond even while pursuing their individual paths.

Okan found solace in the fact that they both led busy lives, immersed in their respective professions. This shared understanding allowed them to appreciate the preciousness of the time they could spend together. They acknowledged that their lives would be richer for having experienced the love they shared.

As Krysta embarked on her journey back to Ketha, she carried with her the memories of their time together, the laughter, the shared dreams, and the intimate moments that had etched themselves into her heart. Okan, too, held onto these memories, knowing that they would sustain him during the times when they were apart.

And so, with a promise to reunite soon, they parted ways, each carrying a piece of the other within them. The journey ahead was uncertain, but their love had given them the strength and hope to face whatever challenges may come their way.

The End.