Pathways - Jeri Taylor [53]
“I’ve got Systems Management and Control Theory, too,” said George, scrolling his padd. “And Statistical Analysis, tennis . . . and . . .”
His voice trailed off and he looked at Harry with a curious expression. “Get this. I drew Nimembeh for Wilderness Survival.”
Harry glanced down at his own padd and his worst misgivings were fulfilled. So had he. The man who had put him on probation would be his instructor in a course that everyone said could be either an exhilarating adventure or a nightmare experience. Harry had no doubt as to which it would be for him. But at least George would be there to share the pain.
The group of six materialized somewhere in the Sierra Nevada mountains. In addition to Harry and George, there were two Vulcan females, Slisik and T’Passa, a human male, Kevin O’Connell, and one male Klingon, Tagar. They had spent four weeks under Commander Nimembeh’s tutelage, studying survival techniques and continuing their physical training. Harry had thrown himself into the course, determined to reverse Nimembeh’s adverse opinion of him. Now, on this survival mission, he was sure he could finally win his way back into the commander’s good graces.
“Well, we know what to do,” Harry said, having decided to take charge from the beginning. “I’ll offer to be group leader unless anyone has a problem with that.”
The Vulcan women’s eyebrows lifted simultaneously. “Are you the logical choice?” asked T’Passa quietly. There was no threat in her voice.
“It’s as logical as any other. But as I say, if anyone else wants to volunteer, I’m open to that.”
George chimed in with support. “I probably know Harry better than anyone else does, and I think he’s absolutely the right choice. You can count on him to keep his head no matter how tough things may get. He’s patient, and fair, but still decisive. He gets my vote.”
That seemed to be enough for everyone else, and Harry began giving orders immediately. “First we should try to determine our position as accurately as possible, then figure out the best route out of here. Kevin, you’ll be the navigator. Give me an estimate based on the sun, then again after the stars come out.”
Kevin O’Connell was bookish and cheerful, the perfect person to grapple with the problems of navigation. His apple cheeks broadened in response to the assignment, and he set about gathering materials to determine their position. Harry turned next to the Vulcans.
“You’ll be responsible for finding us shelter for tonight. With any luck we’ll be starting out by tomorrow, but it’ll be cold in these mountains at night and we’ll need to sleep warmly if we’re to maintain our energy.”
The Vulcans nodded briskly and moved off to reconnoiter the area. Harry turned to George. “Do a preliminary scout and find out if we’re up against any unexpected kinds of hazards.” George nodded and moved off through the woods.
That left Tagar, who was standing at a remove from the rest of the group. His gaze was fierce and penetrating, as though to show everyone what a formidable warrior he was. Harry moved toward him, wondering why it was so important to the Klingon to assert himself in this way. But he realized that defensiveness might be a natural response to what was still an unusual situation. There hadn’t been more than a handful of Klingons at the Academy in the last ten years, even though relations between the Empire and the Federation had thawed. Tagar probably felt very much alone, and Harry decided to treat him in as welcoming a way as he could.
“All right, Tagar, you’ve got the most important job of all. Finding us food and water.”
“That will not be a problem.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“Unless anyone here has qualms about what they eat.”
“I don’t think we can afford to have any.”
“Very well.” Tagar moved off and Harry mentally reviewed their situation and planned his next moves. He had only one goal: to get this group out of the wilderness and back to the