"We are re-supplied twice a year. Not only do the ships bring supplies and people who wish to return or take people who wish to leave, they also bring many books. I have read The Teachingss of Surak and the Scrolls of Khaless but I happen to like the Bible the best," Qwan replied.

That sounded like a perfectly reasonable answer to Shara.

Fifteen days later...

Shara was sitting at the desk in her guest quarters. She was in the midst of making her daily quota of copious notes. Two half grown Track Cat kits lounged on specially designed shelves and dozed, while Kiki lay sprawled at her feet.

"He comes," Kiki's mental voice whispered into Shara's consciousness. Shara stopped writing and sighed. The man had become an utter annoyance. He had taken to blatantly using his medical authority as feeble attempts to "court" her.

The Alforian community typically had no doors to rooms or apartments. Depending upon who lived in what space a hand woven blanket, or “afghan,” was hung in the door space for privacy. If you wanted admittance you rang a small wind chime like bell that was attached to the afghan.

Shara was amazed there were absolutely no thefts within the community with such a system in place.

Doctor Anthony Gomez rang the chime, pushed the afghan aside and stepped right in. According to Alforian custom that was considered rude. You were supposed to wait for acknowledgement and permission first before entering. Only the family Track Cats were allowed to paw aside the curtain and enter. However, they too had their own protocols.

Instead of recognition Shara kept her head down and continued to write. Her kits Venus and Setti  woke up stretched, hunkered down, tucked their front paws under themselves, and gazed at the Doctor. Kiki sat up with her tufted ears on full alert. They've all witnessed this scenario before.

"T'Shara," Doctor Gomez said. Shara sighed mentally. She detested when he called her by her full Vulcan given name. He mistakenly thought it was endearing. It was not.

Well two can play that game, she thought.

"Yes, Antonio," she replied, as she put down her pen, sat back and gave him her full attention. He was always admonishing her to call him “Tony". The doctor visibly winced.

"Have you eaten today," Gomez asked as he scanned her desk for remnants of a meal, empty utensils, anything. There was nothing.

He knew that, although she was a ship's commander, Shara was a Vulcan and a scientist at heart. With the once in a lifetime opportunity to study and document an undiscovered civilization along with an intelligent, telepathic species of cat was too good to pass up. She had been taking hand written notes since day one with both hands, and had already filled three bound tomes, each the size of an old Earth phone book.

A typical Vulcan, Shara's obsession would continue at this rate, at the expense of food, sleep, exercise and socialization.

"I've had two meals, exercised, and Gana is teaching me how to weave afghans," Shara replied.

"What about the crew? They've been asking about you," the doctor ventured.

"Oops." Shara thought to herself. Kiki's left ear flicked in acknowledgment. Apparently she had been so caught up in her documentation and studies that she had forgotten about them.

"Tell them I am functioning within established parameters," she replied.

"T'Shara. They need to see you," Gomez added.

"I will see them tomorrow at breakfast," she replied. Unlike their commander who had her meals brought to her, the remnants of her crew preferred to sup together in one of the community mess halls.

"T'Shara, the evening meal will be served in about a half an hour and there is space at the table for you," Gomez stated gently.

Damn him to the nine rings of Hades, Shara exclaimed mentally from behind a stoically frozen face. She used to hear her adoptive Human father quote that phrase many times. It seemed most appropriate at this time. Either he planned this or the crew got together and conspired to do this," her mind continued fiercely.

"Go," Kiki's mind voice said. "They do not see and they miss you," the cat continued sagely. Shara reached out and scratched her head. Kiki trilled her appreciation.

"Please give me a few minutes to prepare and I will come," Shara acquiesced as she stood.

"Thank you. T'Shara," Gomez replied as he backed out.

Shara wondered if she should tell him to thank Kiki.

"Negative," she whispered to herself. In order to do that I must fully explain the synergistic dynamics between the Track Cats and their handlers. Right now, I'd prefer a hot meal instead, she thought as she freshened up and drew on her hooded fur robe.

Shara was accompanied by her kits and Kiki as Doctor Gomez escorted her to dinner with her crew.