At an opportune time I will request writing implements in order to take notes, she thought as she walked.

At predetermined intervals glow globes were situated in notches to give light. All around her the inhabitants were busily going about their daily routines, along with their cats.

"We are Alforians and our cats are called Alforian Track Cats. They pull our sleds, help with hunting, track down prey or the lost, protect children, the elderly and the sick…,"   Qwan began.

Shara instantly thought of Terran Eskimos and their symbiotic relationship with their Huskies.  "And they are intelligent as well as telepathic," Shara completed.

"Agreed. They also use echo location to find their way. That was the chirping noise you may have heard," Qwan replied as they turned the corner.  "Tis a valuable skill to have when one lives on a world covered with snow and ice.  At times one's eyes cannot be trusted," Qwan finished.

Shara agreed. She'd read stories of explorers who'd perished due to being lost in white out conditions. Their remains were not found untill the Spring thaw.

Shara's keen sense of smell alerted her as they neared their destination. The antiseptic odor was the same universally, so this area was undoubtedly an infirmary.  They entered and Qwan introduced Shara to Healer Mizz, an older Alforian woman who practiced traditional medicine.

"Come.  I will take you to them," Healer Mizz said as she led the way. They entered a dormitory-like room and Shara stopped short. Her entire bridge crew plus the doctor was present. Doctor Antonio Gomez was on the bridge at the time because he was bored, and had what he thought was a secret crush on his Commander.

Fortunately for Doctor Gomez his silly predilection saved his life, Shara thought, as she noted his left arm was wrapped and in an old fashioned sling. Ensign Tobin was laid up with a broken leg which was immobilized in a plaster cast. Ensign Drummond had multiple bruises and a slight case of frostbite. She had forgotten to don her gloves, now her hands were slowly recovering. Lieutenant Jamison had struck her head on the communications console and had been discovered unconscious. She was awake, alert but nursing a nova sized headache.

"This means I've lost Lt. Harrion, Ensign Tuttle and the entire five member Vulcan science team." Shara thought. Condolences were rough but Vulcan condolences were an absolute bear.

"Ma'am, its good to see you," Dr. Gomez said. A statement purely of self interest on his part, but Shara knew how to defuse that.

"It is good to see everyone too," Shara replied.  Then, they all stood and did something unprecedented.  They gave her a group hug.

Five minutes later…"Ma'am, where do we go from here," Dr. Gomez asked as they'd all settled back into beds and chairs.

"First we mourn our dead, Shara replied.  “Then we take respectful advantage of our gracious host's  hospitality. From what I am told it is the beginning of the snow season. With the entire planet storm locked, it may be up to six months before the Great Thaw starts. Only then can we consider our rescue." Shara replied.

One by one the survivors looked at each other and nodded in silent agreement.