Stardate 09272016
We continue our exploration of this baffling planet, made more dangerous by its superficial resemblance to the planet on which the senior officers were trained. On Saturday Co-Captain Elwood took the courageous Ensign Stella to a location they had visited on scores of previous explorations, with the purpose of observing my participation in a local custom known as a "half-marathon." I commend them for their promptness, as my estimate of the time at which they should meet me was unduly pessimistic.
Ensign Stella waved enthusiastically at my approach, and sought permission to run a little way with me. Permission granted, I told her without a second thought, given the familiarity of the locale, the complete absence of vehicular traffic, and the proximity of Co-Captain Elwood. I did not learn until after completing the event that Ensign Stella encountered a hostile native while watching the event approximately 10 yards from her commanding officer. "WHERE are your superiors?" the alien demanded. Mindful of the Prime Directive ("Charity and Courtesy"), Ensign Stella answered her. "Go back!" commanded the alien. "Go back! Go back!"
Here Ensign Stella faced a quandary: pursue her mission with her CO's approval, or yield to the angry alien spouting perseverative puzzling prescriptions? Although she attempted to explain the situation, she was shouted down. She returned to Co-Captain Elwood, whose own energies were then required for tear-wiping and consolation. I would like to point out that as far as I can determine, Ensign Stella was in no way interfering with competitors or spectators. Regardless, her presence was deeply disturbing to the alien female.
Further research is required to determine whether Ensign Stella arouses such consistent distressing responses from the natives because she is herself female, whereas previous ensigns have all been male, or because a startling number of the planet's inhabitants are suffering from troubling delusions about the nature of the planet and the capacities of our crew.
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