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“Yes, in the Romulan Neutral Zone. It’s the planet where I was born.”

“I see,” David said, wanting to know more but being careful not to pry too deeply. “So then…your parents lived there?”

Saavik continued to look straight ahead, engaging in the conversation with all the emotionlessness of a biographer reciting someone else’s profile. “I never knew my parents. My mother was a prisoner, most likely raped, and she died shortly after I was born. The Romulans later left the planet, and I was abandoned. I lived a feral existence with other orphaned children until we were found by the Vulcans, and taken to the Gamma Eri science station.”

“Oh my God,” David said with a mixture of both horror as well as newfound respect. “I’m sorry…I had no idea.”

Saavik faced him with a look of mild confusion. “You need not apologize for something that was beyond your control.”

“Well, no, I didn’t mean…” His voice trailed off, and he sighed. He hadn’t spent nearly enough time around Vulcans, and was beginning to realize that his comments would require a more logical foundation if this conversation was to go anywhere. “I meant to say, it is unfortunate that your childhood was so difficult. But I’m quite impressed at how, in spite of all that, you grew into such a successful young woman.”

Saavik looked down, and feelings of dread crept into David’s mind as he was certain that she would soon become annoyed with his clumsy attempts to compliment her. But those feelings melted away when a subtle smile softly creased her cheeks. “I am honored that you think so…” Her eyes met his. “...David. But what we make of our lives is based entirely upon the choices we make in the present, not upon events that occurred in the past.”

“I agree,” David replied. “Still, it’s so incredible that you’re helping to mend the fences with the Romulans. A lesser person might hate them for what they did to you.”

Saavik cocked her head. “It would be illogical for me to hate who I am.”

David had no response.

As they finally crested the hill, the sun disappeared behind gathering clouds, and the cool breeze gained intensity until it became a swirling wind. And when they gazed out beyond the top and over the other side, it appeared as if they had transported onto another world.

The forest ended abruptly at the top of the hill, and the landscape beyond was much more barren, dotted with hardier-looking plant formations, mostly cacti and tundra. And strangest of all, the ground, as far as they could see, was blanketed with a white sheet of freshly-fallen snow. The two scientists exchanged puzzled looks.

David lifted his tricorder from where it hung on the strap from his shoulder, and quickly scanned the area. “This doesn’t make sense,” he said. “The Genesis matrix is still actively modifying the meteorological properties of this area. It should be dormant by now.”

“Is it safe for us to proceed?” Saavik asked.

David turned the tricorder toward her and swept it up and down. “As far as I can tell, yes. The matrix is no longer showing any metastatic effects.”

The two of them struggled to keep their balance as a sudden tremor shook the ground beneath their feet, threatening to send them both tumbling back down the hill. David grabbed Saavik’s arm, and she clasped his opposite hand in response, keeping their equilibrium steady until the rumbling ceased a few seconds later.

Their communicators both began chirping in unison. “Grissom to landing party!”

Saavik quickly retrieved hers and flipped it open. “Saavik here.”

“Saavik, the geological instability we’re reading is increasing throughout your sector,” the concerned voice of Esteban rang out. “And we just recorded a quake at your location. Are you both okay?”

“We’re fine, Captain,” Saavik replied.

“Doctor Marcus?”

David flipped open his own communicator. “Marcus here.”

“David, we’re reading a severe and unnatural age curve on the planet. I’m getting nervous up here. Do you have an explanation?”

David paused before clicking the button to respond. “No, Captain. We’re reading the same things, but I