Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four

The Quest, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four Update

 

=/\=SPOILER ALERT=/\=SPOILER ALERT=/\=SPOILER ALERT=/\= 

 

Brianna was almost stunned into disbelief. So many things were flying at her all at once, she was surprised any panic left in her simply fled.  “Lieutenant, J. G., Cantrell,” Kirk hailed her as the meeting came to a close. “As our resident A & A officer, I’m going to let you take the lead on this mission.”

Did I hear you right? “Thank you, sir, for your confidence. I appreciate the challenge.”

 

Packing what was termed a to-go bag, she and the others assembled, ready to beam down to the most recently infected planet to a town named StrangerVille. What a coincidence. Brianna clucked to herself. The only grandmother she had known, Ingrid Ilsen, would emphasize there were no such things as coincidences in life. Well, I could hardly call this a God-Wink, Grammy.

 

Spock was awaiting her when she stepped into the Transporter room. He stood at the controls very carefully keying in the exact co-ordinates for the Landing Party to beam down. They had secured a nice Victorian-style manor as their base camp on the hill overlooking the vast desert expanse. That’s when the exhilaration of the adventure ahead of her smacked her. This was one heck of a first mission. Aware she was breathing much too fast, she slowed it down, afraid she would hyperventilate and pass out. Not a good look.

 

The ship would remain in orbit, should there be a need to recall the Landing Party. Brianna hefted her ‘overnight bag’ and took her place on one of the circular pads. “Beam us down, Mister Spock,” Kirk gave the order. Spock set the transporter on delay and hastened over to step onto a pad just prior to the hum of the beam as it  swirled over them turning them each into a funnel of sparkles. 

 

Upon landing, Brianna shook herself, am I all here? “I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this mode of transportation. Most of me says no!” Spock placidly gazed at her. “I’m all right, really I am,” she said, grinning. “But I do get what Erik was talking about regarding his World Tour. He’s on his second one, you know. Barely six months’ time in between. Just long enough to record and release another album, well received.”

 

“I thought he had a lady-friend,” Spock said, taking her bag from her as the party headed indoors.

 

“He used to, but he’s not talking much about things these days. I’m afraid she may have thrown him over for someone else. If that’s the case, she’ll be back. I do know they’ll get married. Just a sense I’ve had ever since I met her.”

 

“And you are rarely wrong,” Spock said, placidly.

 

“Oh, don’t pin that one on me.” He gazed at her long and hard. “Okay,” she conceded, “it’s true. Most of the time I get things spot on. It’s such a burden, really.”

A very strange, yet elegant blue and purple plant caught her eye, just then. Instead of going inside with the others, she walked back down the steps and across the lawn to give it a better look. There was a peculiar light swirling inside, she could barely make it out between the break in the outer leaves. In many ways the plant looked an inverted avocado, in shape. She didn’t much care for the vibes it was giving off. Not exactly innocuous, are you?

She took out her camera and snapped a picture of it. Glancing around the plush green yard, she spotted a few more of these unusual plants. “My guess,” she said aloud, “is you're some kind of alien weed. And I don’t mean the kind some people smoke, either. What is your story?”

Commander Sulu was still out front talking with Commander Chekov. Brianna approached them with caution.  “Sir, Commander Sulu, please forgive my intrusion, but there is a rather mysterious plant I thought you should take a look at just over there,” she said.

 

“Of course, right away, Lieutenant,” he said and jogged across the lawn to where it rested. He, too, snapped a photo and then proceeded to uproot the thing.” unceremoniously he dumped it onto the ground and began to fish through the pile of trash it became. He found some curious items . . . 

 

Brianna’s mouth dropped open. “Robot parts? You mean to tell me this thing isn’t really a plant? How very odd.”

 

“Oh, no, it is plant-based, and it is very much alive. There’s just a question of how botanical it truly is. I’m guessing it’s some kind of hybrid.”

 

Brianna closed her eyes for a moment, thinking to Spock: Is it inappropriate for me to ask to go home, now?

 

 

 

A group of people jerked their way into the yard. Their movements were less than fluid. Sometimes they bent their heads to the side, nearly touching their shoulder. Putting a hand to her neck, Brianna thought, that must hurt. Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, put a smile on her face and went out to greet the newcomer. 

 

“Hi, hello,” she began. The woman she addressed turned her head giving her attention. Brianna went on, “I’m very new here to StrangerVille. Can you tell me about those strange blue plants? They’re most unusual.”

 

“Join us. Consume the fruit of the Mother and know peace.” The woman responded.

“Thank you. I already know Peace. What else can you tell me, please?” At that moment, the woman leaned closer into Brianna’s face, causing the lieutenant to lean back. The stare the woman gave her sent chills down her spine. She nearly screamed in terror.  

Instead, she said, calmly, “Oh, you’re just not right, are you. I’m so sorry.”

Another person walked down the sidewalk toward the old Victorian style house. This woman seemed normal, uninfected, was her guess. “Say, hello. I’m an Archaeologist and I was wondering what you could tell me about StrangerVille?”

“The local bar is known to have military personnel winding down after a long day on the base.”

“Okay, well thank you very much. I’ll be sure to check it out.”

 

 

“Captain Kirk,” Brianna said. “It has come to my attention that a number of military personnel spend time over at the local bar. It is possible we may learn something from them.”

 

“Very good, Lieutenant. All right, listen up,” Kirk said, addressing his crew. “We are going to the 8 Bells bar in the heart of this town. Dress for this horrific heat. I want no uniforms. Lieutenant Cantrell has recommended dressed as civilians, we may invite a certain openness, certainly by any other civilians there.”

 

The group walked in and sat at the bar. Kirk ordered a round for his crew. Brianna right away began to speak with the various people in uniform. She introduced herself as an Archaeologist. The plan seemed to reap little tidbits of information. In one case while the Officer was busy parsing his words, he let it be known there wasn’t much in the lab of interest, and certainly nothing in the basement lab. Brianna was quick to stifle the grin that tickled her lips. This was useful.

While the crew danced, drank and chatted, Spock and Brianna slipped off to explore the site where an airplane had gone down. Gazing around them, they saw a curio-shop. “Let’s go,” she said. The two spoke with the proprietor. Acting the role of a tourist, Brianna asked to see what he had to sell. She also worked at making a friend out of this strange and curious individual.

 

Spock and Brianna made their way back to 8 Bells in time to leave with the others.

 

After gaining information, the crew headed over to the library to check out the archives. Brianna was flipping through a particular volume when a piece of paper slipped from the pages, floating downward. When it reached the floor, she grabbed it up. Immediately this partial note proved to be of value. She carefully tucked it away in a safe place. That’s a top pocket find, she clucked to herself.

When a scientist walked in, still wearing his lab coat, Brianna was quick to introduce herself and make small talk. Soon, they were on their way to a friendship. She asked about StrangerVille and with the similar parsed-word speech, she realized there was a general consensus to deflect, disavow and deny the suspected truth of the matter. 

 

As she mulled all of the information, they had gained in just chatting with the residents, the crew headed back to their home base. “Get a good night’s rest, folks,” Kirk said. “The Lieutenant informs me we are going to the Secret Lab in the crater, first thing, to check it out.”

 

All, for now . . .