Caaral followed the trail away from the beachside bungalows. His stained white sneakers made soft sounds on the packed sand and shell beneath him. The path twisted through tall reeds and golden grasses. Marsh wildlife that could both fly and swim barked eerie calls in the distance. The smell of the passing sea breeze couldn’t be missed.

As the trail led away, rows of bungalows curved along the shoreline behind him. Many were painted like shells in colors of pale blue, soft yellow or coral pink. Some were dome-topped. Others had an angular, wooden roof. A few of these cabins were cobbled together from natural wood.

The off-duty science officer smiled at a passing guest headed towards the beach. They exchanged a quick “hey” and kept walking.

Caaral adjusted his light backpack. Its khaki shape was embroidered with a neon flower etched above a large rear pocket. Orange petals with electric blue threads curled around it like smoke. He wore dark khaki shorts and an unbuttoned red shirt made of iridescent Andorian shimmercloth. A white tank top peeked from underneath.

The path narrowed as the first trees showed up along the edges of the trail. Spiraled bark curved their trunks in thin forms. Wide leaves formed angular shadows with leaves of scarlet and lime green.

Something stood out. A squat, weathered kiosk was tucked behind a row of well manicured hedgerows. A crooked sign read ‘Tourist Excursions – Ask for Slog’.

Caaral paused before slowly approaching. The bushes rustled as a Ferengi popped up from behind the counter. His large earlobes twitched.

“You look like somebody with a thirst for adventure. What do you say? Are you up for a tour of the planet’s most exhilarating wildlife?”

Something told Caaral not to trust the man. “I’m not sure. I was just going to..”

“Ah, you see? The best moments are unplanned.” Slog revealed a pointy grin.

A group of guests came walking along the trail towards the beach. Slog shouted so the entire group could hear.

“Friends, you’re just in time for the only wildlife tour worth your credits.” The diminutive man walked out from behind his kiosk

Michael was still nursing a mild hangover as he managed to pull himself out of his room in the mid-afternoon. Despite the drawback, he was still insistent to get out and -DO- something other than drink. The resort had all sorts of entertaining engagements, and now there were more people around to enjoy them with.

He had thrown on some khaki cargo pants, a black sleeveless shirt, and a cooling red leather jacket over that. Stuffing his comm-badge and a mini-tricorder into his pockets, he figured the best place to start would be the resort lodge itself; there were sure to be brochures and attendants waiting to whisk people off on adventure.

Yet as he found his way through the crowds down the trail to the beach itself, he could hear the call of the Ferengi. ‘Worth your credits’ was the only words he could hear, yet it was enough to make his eyes roll. ‘Ugh…’ the last thing anyone wanted was a pushy salesman. He had a predisposition against Ferengi, not so much prejudice as it was that they just felt ‘Hollow’. It probably had to do with the fact that he could not sense their minds and emotions, so unlike everyone else around him, it was almost as if they were incomplete, like a hologram, not real.

Michael could sense the irritation of some of the others in the group, who just wanted to keep walking and pretend they didn’t hear the call. Unfortunately, Michael also caught the feeling of uneasiness coming from a Trill that the Ferengi seemed to have cornered by its booth. ‘Time to play hero,’ he thought, as he turned around.

“I wouldn’t expect there was that large of a variety of animals Mellstoxx III, that was worthy of a safari.” He said as he approached the Trill and Ferengi.

“This planet is a natural wonder”. Slog spread his arms outwards as he spoke. “There is a diverse ecosystem in these forests.”

Intrigue reflected through Caaral’s stare. “I did hear a few friends in other classes talking about wildlife expeditions.”

“I’m not saying every animal will a majestic beast”, Slog said almost apologetically. “But you will have a good time.”

The animals continued to echo woof-like calls. The sounds got louder as the animals flew closer to shore, back towards the cabins.

“Okay, Slog. Count me in. How much is this anyway?” Caaral reached in his khaki bag and took out a small PADD, prepared to transfer credits.

“Only two-hundred and ninety-five C.C.” Marketing research from Ferenginar taught Slog Starfleet officers were more likely to spend if you called credits by their abbreviation.

Caaral thought for a moment. It was a little silly to pay for a walk in the woods when the tricorder in his bag could be used to track the same wildlife.

His father’s words stood out to the Trill hybrid. He once told Caaral that spending extra credits with Ferengi was almost a form of diplomacy.

“Fine, count me in”, Caaral said as he tapped commands into his tablet. He placed the device against a bronze scanner on the kiosk’s countertop. It chirped with acknowledgement.

Looking over to the Trill and sensing his mood changing, Michael pondered the thought for a moment. He hadn’t had a chance to explore outside of the Resort, yet he hadn’t even visited the Academy. Might as well take the opportunity to see more of what the planet had to offer, even if deep down he didn’t fully trust the Ferengi. “Sure, Ok. Put me down for it as well.” Michael said, flipping out his miniature Tricorder and following suit behind the other adventurer to pay for the wilderness trek. He had thrown down more credits at the Poker table the night before, even if this was a bust, at least he would have good company.

Slog pointed to the scanner and instructed Michael to pay with hand motions.

“Well then let’s get underway. It’s a pity your colleagues aren’t joining us.” The Ferengi turned to watch the others walk away.

“A smaller group should help us get closer to animals”, said Caaral as Slog exited the kiosk and joined them. He guided them into the overgrowth. “Less noise. Smaller footprint. ”

“I like the way you think, my speckled friend”, Slog quipped. “Gentlemen, welcome to Mellstoxx III. We are entering a forest called the Sprague Grove. It’s named after the Starfleet biologist who first mapped this area.”

The trees quickly grew thicker as the trail led further away from the meadow.