"Animal Guide"

[Garnoopy 0]

Lieutenant Commander Garnoopy

Chief Engineering Officer

USS Manticore, NCC-5852

Personal Log Stardate 50403.07

“Animal Guide”

 

Wind blew through his hair and clouds lazily drifted overhead. The warm summer sun heated the earth and brought warmth to Garn’s body. The sound of grass ruffling was the only one that his ears picked up on.

 

He slowly leaned forward over his crossed legs to bring his face close to the earth. Eyes closed he felt the world around him. His chest rose and fell, bringing new life into his body and his mind cleared. His hands gently rested on the small piece of technology he had learned to use many years ago from a good friend.

 

Slowly he lifted his head, looking up to see an animal approaching, his animal guide. He stood slowly, letting her move over to him. She had walked with him throughout his entire life.

 

She smiled, “It’s been a while Garn.”

 

“Very true.”

 

“You’re worried.”

 

“Also true” he said.

 

“Why?”

 

His eyes adverted from her soft brown ones, “I don’t know.”

 

“Yes you do,” she said.

 

“You’re probably right.”

 

She looked away from him, seeming to study something in the distance, then looked back, “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

 

Garn sighed, “I don’t know. I guess, it’s just, well, this planet. This life. I don’t know what to do.”

 

“You know what to do. That isn’t your problem.”

 

“You’re right. I know what to do. Just build a new warp core out of scratch” he said, almost sarcastically.

 

She looked at him thoughtfully, “You sound doubtful.”

 

“No, I’ve been studying for the warp core. I can do it in a few years, it’s just, that” he paused, letting the words trail off.

 

“It’s just what?” she said.

 

He looked at her for a moment, then looked away, “I don’t know if I want to build it.”

 

“You want to stay on the planet.”

 

“Perhaps. Maybe. I don’t know,” he said. “It’s just, well, it’s so peaceful. I no longer feel the pain of my losses in life. The Federation and its duties seem so far away. The world I knew is just so distant.”

 

“It doesn’t seem real, does it.”

 

“No, it doesn’t. And every day that I remain here it moves a little farther away and a little less desirable to get to.”

 

She moved forward a few steps, “You miss it.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But you like it here also.”

 

“Yes.”

 

She looked at him, “In time you will know.”

 

He looked at her, “I just, wish I already knew.”

 

“I must warn you, soon you will be faced with a predicament. A predicament that forces you to question the decisions of your elders and their logic. You will be forced to decide whether to follow them blindly or defy them.”

 

“What kind of predicament?”

 

“I cannot tell you that now. You will know when the time comes. You must be strong for that. I will support you all I can.”

 

He looked up at the clouds, “I know you will. You always have. I’d ask you for more information but I know you wouldn’t give it to me.”

 

She smiled, “You’re perceptive.”

 

“No, I’ve just learned from experience with you.”

 

“It is time for you to go,” she said. “Go back to your warp core.”

 

“I will.”

 

“I’m always with you.”

 

Garn smiled at that, and gently took a deep breath. His eyes shut and a moment later when they opened she was gone.