Riker had invited several of his friends, but everyone had made plans for their free time. All but two, that is. Worf and Data had accepted.
Worf had been somewhat sceptical about free time spent in such a leisurly manner until Riker explained more about camping. No phaser would be taken and only the barest of essentials for survival were allowed.
The lieutenant had hesitated when he heard no phasers would be taken. Klingons felt naked without weapons of some kind. However, a Star Fleet officer was obligated to expand his horizons.
Data had accepted. The reason was curiosity. He was able to define what camping was but had never experienced it for pleasure. He was ponderous when the commander had mentioned the designated location. Data had stated that the holo deck was much more convenient, but Riker expressed that there was no "fail safe" when one was camping in the open wilderness. Data would simply have to experience camping first hand, then decide which was better. And, since being human meant trying new things, he accepted.
Their destination was the garden world of Linigram VI, a newly mapped planet still waiting patiently for the federation to decide what to do with it. It was the perfect choice for a peaceful shore leave.
The three officers packed a shuttle and awaited clearance. "You are free to depart. And Number One."
"Yes, Captain?"
"Be back on time."
"Aye, sir," Riker replied with a grin.
Shuttle Four departed, leaving behind the silver glint of its mother ship. Data headed them towards the garden world with the promise of the best seventy-two hours of their lives.
The trip to Linigram VI passed quickly. After a survey of the landscape, they decided on the middle of a grassy meadow.
When the shuttle had landed and power was cut, Riker opened the hatch and stepped out into the bright sunlight. He was followed by Worf, then Data.
"Aw! This is what shore leave is all about. The fresh air, the warm sunlight, the closeness to nature. Gets us back to our roots."
Data and Worf exchanged dubious glances.
"Let's set up camp. We don't want to waste any time," the commander said, bubbling over with enthusiasm.
Both Riker and Worf disappeared back into the shuttle. Data remained outside looking around their primitive environment. He noticed they had landed in a large grassy circle.
By the time Riker and Worf emerged from the shuttle, Data had assessed everything there was to know about the thick grassy ring.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Data?"
"We may have been in error when we chose this particular location."
"What are you talking about?"
"We have landed in a circle of an outward growth of fungi."
"So?" Worf wanted to know.
"It is also known as a fairy circle."
Riker and Worf looked at each other, then back at Data.
"An outward spread of fungi which was said to be caused by fairies. They would dance around the circle at the stroke of midnight. They would also cast charms and spells at that time.
"The fairies would protect their circle from intruders by casting spells upon each ring which would bring bad luck to anyone who dared to cross the thick grass boundary."
Data stopped when he saw a grin spread across the Commander's face.
"Sorry, sir. Have I said something amusing?"
"Surely, you don't belive in fairies, Data!"
"I do not know. I have never encountered one, therefore I cannot conclude of their existence. There is no evidence to sustain or deny the truth of fairies."
"Have you ever heard the phrase, 'All work and no play makes Jack a very dull boy,' Data?"
"No sir."
"It means, don't work so hard. Relax. Have fun."
"That is the point in coming to the wilderness and living in this primitive manner."
"Exactly."
"Then I shall endeavor to enjoy myself."
The Commander only shook his head and smiled.
"We'll set up camp over by that set of trees."
After the campsite was set up and firewood gathered, Riker decided to wander down to the stream. He invited Worf and Data along. Worf considered it prudent to accompany his commander. After all, his behavior had altered since departing the Enterprise. Data declined saying he wanted to explore the area around the tent.
Worf watched from a short distance as Riker took off his boots and slipped his feet into the chilly water.
"Join me, Worf?"
"I think not."
"Relax. That's what shore leave is for."
"Klingons do not have shore leave as such. Leisure times are spent more - constructively."
"You don't know what you're missing."
"I prefer to remain ignorant, sir."
Again Riker laughed. He had a tough time ahead trying to teach his two companions the meaning of relaxation.
Unknown to the two officers, they were being watched by a group of small hunters out foraging for food. They saw the strange ones with their shelter in the middle of the ring. They were the ones who had dared to cross the sacred ring of protection Now they must pay for their insolence.
They saw the bearded one was most like themselves but much taller. The dark one with the strange forehead and the pale one with cat-like eyes were too different and therefore might be a threat. However, before that assuption could be made they would have to be watched very closely.
The hunters turned and hurried off through the tall brush. The council must be warned of the giant ones and their threat of peace toward the clan.
At the campsite, another group of fairies had discovered the giant's shelter in the fairy circle. They also found a tall thin giant with eyes of the cat, building a fire. He would often stop and look their direction, but they were cleverly hidden. He could not see them. Soon they would make sure he knew of their existence. He would be sorry to have desecrated the seal of protection. They left to warn the council.
Back at the stream, Riker stood up and suggested they get back to the camp. His stomach was telling him it was time to fix them all something to eat.
They returned to find Data staring into the tall brush near the shuttle. He didn't respond when they approached.
"Data?"
"Sir, we are being watched!"
Worf reached for his phaser. His hand grabbed empty air. Riker squinted into the direction Data was staring. He saw nothing.
"Being watched by what?"
"Unkown, sir."
"Probably just an animal. If we build a fire, it will scare it away."
"Commander, it does not act like an animal."
"I will check," Worf offered.
"Lieutenant, did you bring weapons?"
"Of course, Commander. A Klingon is always prepared."
"I thought I said no weapons."
"No sir. You said no phasers."
Without any further delay, Worf headed towards the shuttle. His keen eyesight picked up faint movement, but he found no animal. He returned, stating they were alone.
During the meal neither Worf nor Data voiced much. Each was intent on the sounds around them that filled the night. Riker tried several tactics, but nothing worked so he excused himself and retired for the night.
Before long, he was joined by his two silent companions. And as he drifted to sleep, he thought it odd that Data would require sleep.
As the night sounds deepened, the undergrowth next to the tent parted. Four darkly dressed fairies stood with impish grins. It was time to teach the giants a lesson: their first lesson.
Slowly, they crept forward. The mountainous shelter door was closed except for the very bottom. It left just enough room for them to slip inside.
The three giants lay motionless. The bearded leader was asleep on his side in the rear of the tent. The pale one lay to the left and the strange one with the boney forhead lay asleep just inside the shelter. It had been agreed they would begin with him.
Quietly, they crept up to him and, with a silent nod, began their work. Their plan was simple, rid their land of the giants. And all the while they worked, the dark one never moved.
When the task was completed, the four shadowy figures slipped away into the night towards their home.
With early morning came the sounds of an angry roar; terrible and fierce. It was the roar of a trapped animal.
Data was the first to arise to the sounds. Riker followed a little more slowly. Neither was expecting the sight before them.
The third member of the camp was desperately wrestling around in his sleeping bag. The angry roars came from Worf. The zipper must have gotten stuck.
"Worf! At ease! At ease! You're going to knock down the tent!"
The Klingon's roar lessened but did not stop entirely. His eyes flashed. His teeth bared in an animal-like snarl.
Riker, still groggy from sleep, knelt down to unfasten the zipper but to his amazement saw it was sown shut all the way to Worf's neck. No wonder he was so furious. He could not even get his hands out to help.
All decorum crumbled. Riker fell backwards in uncontrolled fits of laughter. He would worry later about the unknown person who slipped into the tent to frustrate the Klingon. Somewhere out there was a practical joker.
Meanwhile, Data went to work on the stitches on the lieutenant's sleeping bag. All the amusement was lost on him. The meaning of the laughter was totally out of line. Worf could have been hurt.
With the strength of his android body, Data pulled the fibers apart, freeing the humiliated Klingon. Worf was free and he merely stood, straightened his clothing and stepped through the tent door. Behind him, Riker howled with laughter. Worf seldom lost control but when he did, it was a butte.
Once Riker had composed himself, he emerged from the tent to see both Worf and Data searching the tall brush for traces of the intruder. They were supposed to be alone on Linigram VI. Apparantly, the information was wrong, somewhere.
"Tonight Commander, I will watch over the camp while you and the lieutenant sleep," Data stated when he saw Riker.
"Sir, with all due respect, it should fall upon me to protect us from danger."
"No lieutenant, Data is correct. He should be the one. Even Klingons need sleep," Riker finished. However, he was extremely put out that there had to be a guard when they were on shore leave and Linigram VI was supposed to be uninhabited.
"Aye sir," Worf replied stiffly. It was obvious he was not pleased.
"Commander, why do we not simply leave to rendezvous with the Enterprise?" Data inquired.
"One, because the Enterprise is out of range for the shuttle. Two, and more importantly, we came here to rest and relax. When shore leave is over, we'll leave. Not before."
Under the trees across from the camp, sat the same group of small hunters who had sown Worf into his bag. They heard the roars of the dark one. They heard the laughter of the bearded one and now his words for not leaving.
More drastic measures were called for. Time to advise the council and see what could be done to rid their land of the intruders.
Since Riker couldn't hide from the invisible, he decided to go fishing. No need to be paranoid. Worf and Data declined his offer to tag along. Worf wanted to secure the perimeter from any more sneak attacks.
Before long, Riker had caught enough fish for them all.
"Sir?" Worf snapped.
Riker nearly fell into the stream. He had not heard his approach.
"The grounds have been secured. Nothing will disturb us tonight."
Despite his efforts, Riker felt another round of chuckles coming to the surface but somehow managed to suppress them. It was true that they could all have been seriously hurt. However, the image of Worf wrestling around inside his bag was hilarious.
Data had been wanting to explore their surroundings so, after they finished their meal, they went on a hike.
Two miles north of their camp, they stumbled onto another meadow. There were animals grazing. It wasn't until they were within a hundred yards that Riker realized what kind of animals they were.
"Unicorns! Real unicorns!" Riker exclaimed as he tried to move closer. However, he was stopped by Worf.
"No commander. Those animals are Tagins."
"They're what?"
"Tagins! Legendary beasts with one horn that brought dishonor and death to any warrior who dared to touch them. We must leave before we are seen."
Worf physically pulled Riker back until they could no longer see the animals.
"You were charmed by their beauty," Worf explained to his commander.
They quietly withdrew from the wonderous sight of the unicorns to return to camp. Little did the three know they had visitors while they were out.
A small group of natives had returned to fix Riker this time. They slipped into the tent and carefully left a very special surprise for the bearded one. Carefully, a tiny bottle of oil had been opened and drops were placed throughout the interior of Riker's sleeping bag. This would be a night the bearded leader would never forget. The natives laughed heartily, then left unnoticed, leaving behind no trace of their visit, except for the tiny wet spots inside Riker's bag.
It had been a long day. Linigram VI was a garden world with a practical joker, but it was also a beautiful world. The unicorns had been beautiful. It was odd, the reaction Worf had had to them. Then again, Klingons were so different and hard to get to know. Riker felt he may never completely understand his security officer.
By the time the last rays of light left the sky, Riker was ready for sleep to overtake him. He told the others goodnight and entered the tent. He quickly stripped and climbed into his bag.
Near the stroke of midnight found Riker with the worst case of itching he had ever experienced. It started with one leg, then the other. It quickly spread to his chest, back and arms. It was an uncontrollable itch that could almost be described as pain.
When he couldn't take it anymore, he stumbled out of the tent towards the fire where Data sat.
"Commander?"
Riker answered him by using one foot to rub his leg, then switched feet. Both arms were at work, too. One worked at the red blotches on his chest while the other reached over his shoulder.
"Sir, are you aware that you are covered with a multitude of red spots?"
"Whatever it is, Data, it itches like crazy! I itch all over!" Riker said through gritted teeth.
Data rose and motioned the commander to sit. Data looked him over.
"Sir, I am not a medical doctor. However, spots like these are caused by diseases like chicken pox, hives, measles, poison oak, poison ivy, and many others from Earth. Then there is sintigus from-"
"Data! Never mind the list of ailments! Is there something you can do?"
The android cocked his head to one side.
"The doctor did see to it that we were well equipped for just such an emergency."
"So what can I do?" Riker groaned.
"Do not scratch!"
"What?!?"
"Sit on your hands if you must. I shall go to the shuttle and retrieve the medical kit."
Data disappeared into the darkness.
Trying as he might, Riker could not help from rubbing his arms and legs. The itching was simply too intense. Then he heard Data's voice from the darkness.
"You should not scratch."
The commander felt anger, as well as guilt, for being caught scratching.
Data administered a quick hypo and then applied a lotion to cover the redness. Riker began to feel better.
"That's it! That's the last straw!"
"Straw, sir?"
"Yes. At first light we leave. I've had all the shore leave I can handle. More than enough to last me a lifetime. Time to get back to the ship where it's safe."
"But sir, the Enterprise is still out of range."
"We can conserve the fuel. Someone wants us out of here, so we go!"
All around them was the sounds of laughter and cheers. Data stepped in front of Riker to protect him from the unseen tormentors. At the same time, Worf charged from the tent. He halted only at Riker's command.
Tall grass parted and a small humanoid less than a meter and a half high stopped in front of the fire. He wore a long brown robe with a matching belt. His hair was long and grey. His beard, tapered, nearly touched the ground. He carried a gnarled walking stick.
Data moved aside at Riker's command.
"You are the leader?"
"I am Commander Riker from the U.S.S. Enterprise."
"I am Gaylen. You will return to your U.S.S. Enterprise. You will leave and never come back. You desecrated our sacred circle and intruded upon our land. For that you have paid."
"Sir, I assure you we were not here to cause trouble. We came to rest. We did not know about your circle or this being your land. I'm sorry if we offended you. It was unintentional."
"It does not matter your reason. You have disturbed our peace. When the light's first rays begin to warm this land, you will be gone."
Gaylen disappeared into the night taking with him the clan which remained hidden in the darkness around the campsite. The Enterprise officers were all alone for the first time since their arrival.
"Sir, surely you are not going to let those small - beings order you about?"
"They're in their rights, lieutenant. Remember, little is known about Linigram VI. Come first light, we leave."
Worf squared his shoulders.
"Aye, sir."
As the sky began to lighten the world around them, the three campers had folded up their belongings and were finishing with the packing of the shuttle.
Riker would report their findings to Captain Picard upon their return. Fairies do exist! At least on Linigram VI. And Riker was sure before long everyone on board would hear all about their little shore leave.
Written by Korcinda