2275, McCoy finally retired from Star Fleet. He was getting too old for this shit. He was sitting on his porch on a rocking chair relaxing in Georgia, Atlanta. It was a well warm day with cool air brushing against the side of his face. Amanda and Sarek were raising a Romulan/Vulcan hybrid by the name Saavik. They had picked her up from a rescue mission sent to liberate the colony near the neutral zone regarding Romulans and Vulcans. It wasn't a pretty sight to see. Spock left active duty for a year to take care of the little girl. Jim took a lot of personal time off in the first year without Spock. McCoy was promoted to Commander. Having to take care of Jim 24/7 was a lot like taking care of a child. But it was his cup of tea. Spock returned to the Enterprise the next year with Saavik in the care of his parents.
It was a logical arrangement, Spock had explained, as I cannot raise a child in space.
The rocking chair went back and forth.
There were days when he looked back at his work as a medical officer.
His family of choice was up there in space in their separate ways.
Things had to change from where they were heading before McCoy left. He had not forgotten looking into the crystal ball of the psychic to see his future. It disturbed him. He preferred not to think about it. Not being able to save Jim or Spock, which was in the crystal ball, completely helpless and watching them die before his eyes. No, no, no, he should never think of that. If he wasn't there, then someone else would save them and they would come back as a whole. Alive, but shaken up. That was it, they would be alive, and he didn't need to worry about it. He preferred to remember the days where he pried into the Vulcan. To prove that he was indeed emotional. Not emotional his ass! The Vulcan practically fought back laughter before the doctors eyes. He couldn't blame him for doing that when the ocassions called for laughter. He preferred to remember the heart eyes that Jim made when he saw Spock. The soft, tender captain with the Vulcan controlling his emotions and denying that he had any at all. He had not forgotten how much the two had become family as had the command crew.
Nyota, the aunt.
Pavel, the little brother.
Hikaru, that family member interested in plants.
Scotty, the uncle who got drunk.
Jim and Spock, just Jim and Spock.
He would recall their away missions.
Fondly, however. Good stories to tell the grandchildren or his other young relatives at the McCoy reunions. His twin sister, Donna, had adopted a Romulan child with special needs last month. Didn't matter what they looked like, all it mattered was that they were a McCoy, and McCoy's took care of each other. How would McCoy refer to himself to the adopted children and to the non-adopted children? There was only two ways to start off. A doctor. A life saver. Not a saint, not a brick layer, not a weather man, not a psychic, not a medium, not a escalator, not a boa constructor, not a zookeeper, not a nun, not a biologist, not a mechanic, not a lawyer, not a psychiatrist, not a bartender, a priest, a soldier, a police officer, a cowboy, a viking, a actor, or a general. He did miss the days where he saved the lives of others but he still saved some lives in his current occupation. He was taking a break from his activities as a rogue doctor. It was his mini vacation. A air-car parked along the path to the house. McCoy raised his hat up leaning forward to see who was visiting. The car doors opened to reveal Joanna and Jim step out of both sides. Jim was the first to close the door with the familiar, beaming smile.
"Hey pa!" Joanna said.
"Jo!" McCoy said, getting off the porch. "How is my pumpkin doin'?"
"Meh," Joanna said. The two came into a warm, tender hug. She had brown hair that had unusual bangs. Well, it sort of did look that way. She had thick eyebrows that were the exact same shape as her father but darker. She had hazel eyes instead of his light blue eyes. The hug ended as they broke apart. Joanna gasped at the beard. "Ya grew a beard."
"Like it?" McCoy asked.
"No," Joanna said, with a shake of her head. "it makes you look ninety."
"Hey!" McCoy said. "I take offense to that."
"And nothin' has changed about ya," Joanna said.
"Jim," McCoy said, as a smile grew on his face. "Nice to see you again." the doctor noticed the man had on star fleet uniform unlike his daughter. His eyes darted back to Joanna then to Jim noticing that the man still had the captains rank. His eyes went to the man's face noticing that it was grim. "Ya are not here for a visit."
"There is a problem, Bones," Jim said.
"I made a problem," Joanna said.
"No, no, no," McCoy said. "now don't tell me that you made somethin' that not even the best and brightest minds can fix." Joanna and Jim shared a glance. "And where is Spock?" his thinning eyebrows raised up at once. The two shared a long, hard look together. "He is always with you, Jim."
"It's about Spock," Joanna said. "he . . I. . ."
"You need to sit down for this," Jim said, smoothly while he had one hand on the woman's shoulder.
"You will have to," Joanna said.
"Well, that is fishy," McCoy said. "come on in."
The three went into the house. McCoy locked the door behind him as the two came to the table. His daughter did something. She was likely-no, she couldn't. She couldn't lose her career at this age. He shook his head with a sigh. All those days in space had been a living trap for death. Jim and Spock were going to stay in space for the rest of their natural lives, McCoy accepted that a long time ago. He could not always run to their rescue. Not like how they did when it came to him being threatened or hurt. They belonged in space while McCoy did not. He was like the moon to their orbit. Spock was the earth. Jim was the sun. And McCoy was their moon.
The three sat around the table.
"What's the report?" McCoy asked.
"The Enterprise was on her third five year mission under Captain Decker. Mr Spock was visiting to check on Joanna when her mission came up. He opted to join her," Jim explained. "They came across a unusual species. Small, blue child like creatures that preyed off each other. Meat eaters." McCoy nodded. "The natives of the home planet called them the blue devils. There was a beryllium sphere that the federation wanted to test as another way of warp travel in case the dilithium did not pan out."
"The natives turned against us after I started showing signs of the cold," Joanna said. "I tried to explain that we could cure it but they had none of it," she cleared her throat. "Mr Spock explained to them that humans were not aware in advance of catching diseases and it was not my fault."
"Was it?" McCoy asked.
"Apparently, they can die from the common cold," Joanna said.
"Unfortunately, Captain Decker was not there to agree with the captain," Jim said. "Mr Spock ordered a evacuation of the site as soon as they had finished the meeting," Joanna briefly closed her eyes. "Not all of them were able to be evacuated due to the natives posing an attack."
"They have Mr Spock," Joanna said. "He sent me. He sent me back. Instead of himself."
'The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one' McCoy thought back to the phrase.
"Ad why come here?" McCoy asked. "I have no idea what they are."
"Mr Spock has informed me of several things you can do, which theoretically, can eliminate the problem," Jim said. "and he said that you were the best doctor to ask for in order to save their lives."
"And I agreed," Joanna said. McCoy's jaw went slack.
"He volunteered me without askin'," McCoy said. "how typical." He folded his arms leaning away from the table against the chair.
"We need you, Bones," Jim said. "I need you."
"So do I," Joanna said. McCoy sighed.
"There is goin' to be a hostage exchange," McCoy said. "and every single one of those patients are going back to the Enterprise, ya hear?"
"We are avoiding sending them to sick bay," Jim said. "they are not exactly. . ."
"Open minded enough," Joanna finished.
"For gods sake, you are talkin' like we would be doin' what the Kabliarans did to humanity for hundreds of years," McCoy said.
Joanna rubbed the back of her neck with a sheepish smile leaning back into the chair.
"You need to bring sick bay to them," Joanna said. "pa, ya have the most steadiest hands in the galaxy," McCoy had a small smile at his daughter's sincere thought that he still had the most steady hands in the galaxy. He was starting to lose that, as he had discovered, in his days as a rogue aging doctor in space. "and I concur with Mr Spock's decision to recommend with you."
"Ah pumpkin," McCoy said. "ya are spoilin' me rotten."
"Ya tried to spoil me rotten," Joanna said. "my turn now."
"Think I can bring nurses with me?" McCoy asked, looking over toward Jim.
"They only want you," Jim said.
"Damn," McCoy said. "Spock should have mentioned Christine at least."
Joanna and Jim shared a smile looking toward each other then back in McCoy's direction.
"The Stallion is waiting in orbit," Jim said.
"You are commandin' the one nacelle ship?" McCoy said.
"It's a great ship," Jim said.
"You have not changed a bit," McCoy groaned, rubbing his forehead.
"It may be old, but she has some milage on her," Joanna said. "she is a historical piece."
"Goes as fast as the Enterprise," Jim said.
"Historical piece," McCoy said. "Jim, Star Fleet doesn't let historical pieces go from the ship junk yard."
"I stole her," Jim said.
"Star Fleet doesn't want to interfere," Joanna said.
"They have yet to reach warp drive," Jim said. "highly risky." His hands were on the table in a fist, placed together. "I didn't want to lie to Decker so I told him that I was going to do just as they said. Not interfere."
"Loosely," Joanna said. "I am suspended."
McCoy put his head on the table.
"You are killin' me," McCoy said.
Family stuck together, that is what McCoy learned in his years in space. You don't underestimate them when it comes to one of their own. Nor do you piss off Captain Kirk by telling him that he could not go after his bondmate. Or say that there was no other way of saving the entire species that had been contaminated and "oh, well, too bad, the potential warp fuel is not reliable." It would seem that it was all in vain. McCoy has known space for over twenty years. He knows one thing for certain. Never try to say 'you can't do that' to the legendary crew in star fleet. Because they will turn around and actually do it.
McCoy felt like it could be the last away mission.
He had a obligation as a doctor, not a star fleet one, to help those who needed it.
He had to save lives not take them.
"Welcome aboard, Doctor!" Scotty said. "it feels homely."
"They actually restored it," McCoy looked around in awe coming out of the shuttle. He stepped down the stairs with his hands on the rail with widened circular eyes. "reminds me of the first NX Enterprise."
"It is a hundred years old," Scotty said. "made right around the same time as Archer's Enterprise."
"She is a beauty," Jim agreed, coming after the doctor into the small shuttle bay with Joanna behind him.
"How did ya steal her anyway?" McCoy asked.
"Bones, I am a Fleet Captain," Jim said. "People don't ask when they see my name."
"Perfect cover," Joanna said. "until Nogura and his assistant Lori starts asking."
"Ah, Jo," Jim said. "Lori is not his assistant."
"Oh?" Joanna asked. "Then what is she?" she raised an arched eyebrow.
"She is a vice admiral, and her name is Lori Ciana," Jim said. "a Xeno-psychologist."
"Ya mean to tell me Star Fleet Command has the woman to challenge a Klingon and survive it . . . is in charge of relationships with non humans?" McCoy asked, slack jawed.
"Yes," Jim said. McCoy lifted his jaw back up. "I like Lori but I can't follow through with her warnings regarding the natives."
"Sweet lady," Scotty said.
"Jim, ya would have made a terrible adult in the 21st century when it came to warning signs," McCoy said. "warnin's are made for a reason, damn it!" McCoy went past the three men heading toward the doorway. "now there better be up to date equipment in my sick bay."
"All the latest," Joanna said. "do ya need help, pa?"
"I can find my way around!" the doors closed behind the man. Joanna turned her head toward Jim.
"Go help your father," Jim said.
"He can get lost, easily," Scotty said. "so many . . . well. . this is a refit."
The scene panned back as Joanna followed after McCoy to reveal the USS Stallion in space. It was a unique sight to see that was a bit odd and unusual. The refit USS Stallion had the saucer section attached to the nacelle with the addition of a lower part added. It was like a mix between a NX Class and the beginnings of the constitution class. The designing process of the constitution class started from there. Against the tarp of space with stars acting as the background with starbase one in the distance it was a sight to have seen.
The iconic engineering that he was most familiar to grew its beginnings from this NX starship. He remembered coming here with Jim and Spock when the engines stopped working. Almost every week. The flat screens with blue text and diagrams leading to the new system floating around in star fleet called LCARS. It was a graduation into the making of the constitution class. McCoy noted there was not a turbo lift in sight going through the dark hallway with lights seen here and there. The turbo lifts here were dark gray with panels that had letters representing which deck to go. McCoy stood there, confused, but otherwise he noted the levelers around the turbo lift that were a darker shade of gray lacking a comn terminal right at the side.
It was a reminder.
A blend of past and future. McCoy could visualize the eighty-three humans walking through the halls, T'Pol, among them alongside Tucker. Is that what the Enterprise would become? A historical relic with ghosts that never left its halls? Where their golden prime could be visualized. Haunting its corridors like any given day exploring space. In his golden era, that, McCoy would want to be remembered by. He walked past the turbo lift noticing the rounded windows with his hands locked behind his back. Every day people spent their lives on this ship. And made history establishing star fleet. The diplomatic era. They were in the exploration era. McCoy admired the physicians who served in this era dealing with the phaser pistols. The death and dying due to phaser pistol shots on star fleet officers and how deadly they were.
It was a miracle they were here.
"Pa!"
McCoy turned in the direction that his daughters voice was coming from.
"Yes, pumpkin?" McCoy asked.
"Ya goin' the wrong way," Joanna said, coming to his side. "It is this way," she gestured down toward another corridor. "I had to study the map."
"Jo," McCoy said. "why didn't ya request sick leave?"
"I thought it wasn't going to jeopardize my away mission and I wasn't going to be around the natives," Joanna said, as they walked side by side. "a mistake."
"A mistake that might end your medical career," McCoy said. ". . . honey, I am not always goin' to be there to fix your messes."
"I know," Joanna said. "but you made your fair share."
"I follow medical rules and I didn't make a mistake like that," McCoy replied. "now the colony I failed to save does not count. That was not a mistake. I was only doin' my duty."
"So was I," Joanna said.
"Now please tell me that Spock and Jim visitin' didn't make you push your limits," McCoy said.
"They had nothin' to do with it, pa," Joanna said. "I won't make that same mistake again."
"Ya better not!" McCoy said. His eyes glared at her direction. "Wanting to impress my colleagues won't do you any good."
"You never had to impress anyone's friends," Joanna said, earning a laugh from McCoy. She looked at him oddly as he continued to laugh. They stopped where he had slapped his knee roaring in laughter until he regained his composure.
"Sweetie," McCoy said. "ya don't know the half of the story when it came to datin' your mother," he shook his head growing embarrassed by the thought. "Her friends were legal legends in their prime when we met. I didn't end up doin' what ya did but I stressed myself over gettin' their approval."
Joanna relaxed, folding her arms with a bemused expression.
"Ma's friends were not legends," Joanna said.
"In my day they were," McCoy said.
"Then why have I not heard of them?" Joanna asked.
"They had an affair with a Andorian poly marriage," McCoy paused. "with all four members."
"Holy shit," Joanna said. "ALL FOUR?"
"That is why there is four Vulcan/Andorian merchants runnin' around causin' mayhem," McCoy said. "opted not to abort them because they wanted to see how a Vulcan/Andorian person would be like, scientifically, and internally, until the age of twenty," McCoy paused looking over. "I heard they are supposed to come back for further analysis, cuff or no cuffs, of how well they have being telepathic their entire body and hearin' others thoughts."
"No wonder they instigate mayhem," Joanna said. "they want everyone to feel what they feel."
"Pretty reasonable givin' people who gave ya life," McCoy said. "those lawyers have to defend their children these days."
"Pa," Joanna said. "I am glad ya didn't start a life changin' marriage with Andorians."
"Actually," McCoy held his two fingers up. "I was this close to bein' roped in by Andorians to their marriage at one point," his fingers were close together. "two months ago, at least, but . . . given their trek of interest. . .Romulan Xeno-archeology," he lowered his hand. "it would not end well," he shook his head. "I had to decline," he looked his daughter in the end. "ya better be sure ya know what ya doin' if ya come an inch close to marryin' Andorians."
"I will, pa," Joanna said. "I will only get married to someone I care and love really much. Someone of a species I am certain to be livin' with every day of my life." McCoy smiled at his daughter feeling proud of her.
"That is my pumpkin," McCoy said. "who are ya datin'?"
"I am not datin' anyone," Joanna said. "I am not ready for a relationship, yet."
"Ya graduated in 2269 from star fleet academy," McCoy said. "that does not mean ya did not have ya fair share of bad relationships."
Joanna's cheeks glowed pink.
"They weren't bad," Joanna said.
"Ya could have sent messages and told me the truth of what ya were feelin' after a bad break up," McCoy said.
"I have been fine," Joanna said.
"Hey, that is your mothers line!" McCoy told her. "And ya not fine. I am always here to listen wherever you need me, I will be there, let it be in spirit, inanimate objects, holo-vid," he shook his index finger as she tried to protest. "my little pumpkin can't keep it all inside."
"I am not a little girl anymore," Joanna reminded McCoy
"Ya cried three days after scraping ya' knee," McCoy said. "and I cried with you."
"That is because I remembered it," Joanna said.
"Nah," McCoy said. "Jocelyn was not there." he frowned. "You are not your mother nor are you a machine. You are human and . . . medically?" the doctor paused, looking at his daughter in empathy, like he understood. "You have to cry to get the bad chemicals out that makes you feel this way. It is medically recommended to cry, sweetie."
The pair went into a turbo lift. Joanna lifted the levelers then said the deck that they were leading to. The doors closed. Then the turbo lift started to move. She pressed a button stopping the turbolift earning a raised eyebrow from her father. It was just them in one circular room. She had a dark look in her face. It looked like she hadn't been up for days.
"They say I am . . . clingy," Joanna's voice broke at the last part.
McCoy placed a hand on Joanna's shoulder looking back at her kindly seeing the tears forming on the edges of her eyes.
"Tell me all about how wron' they are," McCoy said.
McCoy leaned back into the chair once he had finished research regarding the civilization.
They were the Keerg.
There were other portions of this civilization, rumored to be under ground, driven to the under ground due to the beasts that lurked on the surface. They were twice the size of average humans. There were hot, humid lava like portions of the planet. Half of the planet was engulfed into water. The ground provided refuge. It was a miracle that they hadn't been killed all ready by the rock monsters. The planet was around the size of Vulcan. They were said to be fierce, frightening and barbaric beasts with four arms and four eyebrows that didn't stop and listen to what people had to say. McCoy rubbed the side of his temple with a groan looking up toward the ceiling. They were quick to be enraged. They didn't like being lied to. Their women stayed out of the way and walked slowly to the fast paced, strong men. It felt like the women of the Keerg were easy to die off by a alien disease due to their vulnerable condition. Women were also the ones who tended to the home life of the men ranging from taking care of the home, laundry, food, and so on.
McCoy was not entirely sure that Spock was quite aware regarding the civilization's culture. The mention of guns were even more alarming to the doctor. But he was sure that the Vulcan had to be aware by now. He signed what was left of McCoy's active service as a doctor. Something that McCoy would gladly do. Because if it didn't work immediately, then they will kill him. McCoy was sure the medication that he had gathered would do a world of work. Several cough drops, some pills for various kinds of colds that could work to cure them, and it would take roughly one to two weeks for the recovery to begin. And he could be dead by then. He was the luckiest man in the world to have been around bright, intelligent, and optimistic people full of hope. Those who bore no grudges.
He would miss that, the most, about being alive.
Meeting people like Jim.
But Pavel had been ignoring him since he stepped aboard.
There were some unresolved tension between the two men now that he thought of it.
"What did I do to earn this hell?" McCoy asked himself.
The doors whooshed open to let in a familiar figure. There she was, Nyota Uhura, in all her glory and well aged demeanor. McCoy stood up sensing her arrival. She was like a charming woman when she wanted to. She could be a very good diplomat if she had went into the diplomatic corps if she wanted to. She was the master of arriving. At least in McCoy's opinion because she always had the right way of making her arrival. She was in her star fleet uniform and it looked splendid on her figure. She had her beautiful, curly black hair in a afro kind of hair style. She wore a new kind of earrings that looked strange and unusual but at once gorgeous on her. She was wearing eyeliner that highlighted her face. Her beauty quite spell binding and marvelous at the same time.
"It is good to see you again, Leonard," Nyota said, as he joined her in the living room.
"Same to you, Nyota," McCoy said. "what bring's ya here?"
"I wanted to see how you are doing," Nyota said. "given this is a high risk mission."
"I have been better, hun," McCoy said. "need a drink?" he opened a drawer and took out a glass.
"Sorry," Nyota said. "not here for drinking."
"Suit ya'self," McCoy poured a glass. "I can't believe they left bourbon here for a hundred years."
"I am concerned about you," Nyota said.
"Ny," McCoy said. "I am fine."
"You haven't sent me a message in months," Nyota said. McCoy took a sip.
"I have been busy," McCoy reminded her.
"Too busy to remind people that you were still alive?" Nyota said. "Jim told me that you were at home in Georgia."
"Atlanta is a good restin' stop," McCoy said.
"Leonard," Nyota said, giving him a incredulous expression.
"Fine," McCoy said. "I needed a break . . ."
"You could have told me that before you dropped off the face of the quadrant," Nyota said.
"I needed a break from worrin' about y'all," McCoy said.
Nyota paused, deeply considering.
"Is that. . . all?" Nyota asked. "Your line of work is based off worrying over people."
"Someone else has to worry about you," McCoy said. "I am sure T'Prin' worry about you."
"Not all the time," Nyota said, pouring herself a glass.
"Ya go in and defuse Klingon disputes like a pro, Ny," McCoy said. "you are walkin' on landmines that ya expect to count to zero and nothin' come out of it," he gestured toward her. "ya like Jim except. . . better."
"I am not better than him," Nyota protested. "no one can be better than a man of our time."
"Ya don't get ya uniform torn on every away mission now do ya?" McCoy cocked a eyebrow up.
"Point taken," Nyota said, as they both took a drink from their cups.
"How has T'Prin' been?" McCoy asked.
"Good," Nyota said. "she has been collaborating with a Romulan Defector for a edible chocolate flower cup."
McCoy raised an eyebrow.
"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?" McCoy asked.
"Pretty much," Nyota said. "she is determined."
"Like Spock," McCoy said.
"Just like Spock," Nyota agreed. McCoy and Nyota started laughing a few seconds later. Nyota wiped a tear off as McCoy lowered the glass to the table. Because it appeared that the good, old fashioned country doctor was right. Their laughter slowly died. The two colleagues wiped their tears off. "I am concerned about Jim," Nyota finally added. "he has been unraveling."
"How so?" McCoy asked.
"I never seen him so anxious in ten years," Nyota said.
"Not surprised when it comes to Spock," McCoy said. He took another sip of his drink. "there will be a instance where I cannot help y'all," he studied her. "I want ya to do me a favor."
"Anything," Nyota said.
"You are goin' to be near him in space so I would like you to be hard on him if he makes a move that risks his own life if he doesn't have Spock," McCoy said. "I would recommend calling him by his full name to make it even more of a slap to the face and a concerned third party but. . ." Nyota took a sip of the drink. "that would be more suitable for George."
"Where are they, anyway?" Nyota asked.
"Enjoying their retirement somewhere," McCoy shrugged. He took another sip. "just like me after this final mission."
It would take two days to get to the Keerg's home planet. McCoy had packed what he had needed for the trip to and from the planet. He had a assistant who would pick him up back at home once he returned to continue his work as a rogue doctor. Often times, he would cross Scotty and give him some Romulan Ale that he had gained because of Romulans feeling in debt to the man. It wasn't his idea but more of the Romulan's insistence. So hiding the Romulan ale in every crack possible in the ship was a constant concern and challenge. Romulan Ale was still illegal in the federation. There were ports who searched the ship for it. It was a fun challenge that made the adrenaline go.
"Jim, how are-" McCoy caught up with the younger men down the hall.
"I am fine, Bones," Jim said, earning a frown from the doctor.
"The hell ya are!" McCoy said. "Ya lucky it ain't a toxic, poisonous planet with scorpions that make suits pop. Or the inhabitants bein' bugs that can impregnate a living bein' with a sting and grow their larvae within twenty-four hours cocooned in lon', silver webbing excreted from the ski-"
"Bones, you do realize that only happened in SG-1," Jim said. "That's fictional." "
McCoy rolled an eye.
"That's fictional," McCoy mocked, repeating what the fleet captain had said using air quotes. "Ya know I can say that a lot about our away missions in the first five year mission in deep space. Our missions sound fictional like someone was high on LSD writin' it."
"LDS is a leading drug used to relax the brain," Jim said. "and no one can write missions like that under it."
McCoy sighed.
"Jim, you are the most dyslexic man I know," the doctor acknowledged. "and you are graspin' luck that we may not have for this away mission," McCoy stepped in front of him. "Tell me, Jim, are ya just feelin' guilty that ya didn't go with Joanna and Spock?" the doctor folded his arms. "Because he would have done it anyway with ya. And ya would have agreed."
"I would but the entire problem would be defused by then," Jim said.
"For the love of Spock," McCoy said. "did ya read their file?"
"I did," Jim said, with a nod.
"No, ya didn't," McCoy said. "I would compare them to the Cappallans, Klingons, and the other alien species like them but these people are not divided into clans."
"Whose to say that we are going to fail?" Jim asked. "you help them, I get Spock, and your daughter has learned a lesson. Everything comes out good."
"The hard part about lessons is that you have to pay for it," McCoy said. "consequences, Jim."
"Being not trusted with historical ships?" Jim said. "It is a price I will gladly pay."
"Even with your life to get him?" McCoy asked.
"He is my noble half," Jim said, and McCoy stepped aside. "I would cross the galaxy for him."
"Jim, ya have a gift to lead others to their deaths," McCoy said. "but make sure that ya keep that big head on those broad shoulders."
"Bones," Jim said, warmly.
"It is true," McCoy said. "that head can fly away and your body will keep movin' without it."
"I feel like that is true," Jim said.
"That is true," McCoy said, then he leaned forward and bounced on his toes. "when it comes to a certain Fleet Captain by the name James Tiberius Kirk," from behind his back, the doctor took out bourbon. "now," he held up his index finger. "you, sir, need a drink from bein' worried about Spock. Doctor's orders."
McCoy and Pavel were at the hostage exchange area near a mine. It looked like a minery scenery that one would expect to see in the early 21st century rather than on a alien planet. There was a long, wide lengthy water container propped up by four support beams. There were flares around the two. Pavel had his hand on the phaser listening to the sounds around them. Rock giants were known to lurk around the place. Sound was their enemy. And it killed whatever made that sound if it laid by. The scenery reminded McCoy of the first Galaxy Quest movie where the crew of the NSEA Protector rolled a berrylium sphere to a surface pod while being chased by blue devils. He would write it off as a coincidence but the claim by the Thermians and the evidence was overwhelming. McCoy had been given his new universal translator.
"Doesn't this remind you of somethin'?" McCoy asked.
"No," Pavel said.
"It reminds me of our first away mission together," McCoy said. "ya were a ensign. We were surrounded by movin' explosive hands in the soil."
"Ah, that," Pavel said. "I remember," he fondly smiled at it. "that vas the good days."
"Yes, it was," McCoy agreed. "I heard ya goin' to be assigned to the USS Reliant."
"Thinking about it," Pavel said. "not entirely sure I should . . ."
"Pasha," McCoy said. "they will need you more than anythin' if this is a classified mission. They need ears and eyes like yours to make sure the crew are safe."
"What about you, doctor?" Pavel asked. "Are you going back to . . . being rogue. . . again?" the Russian appeared to be concerned. "Helping Clingons, Romulans, and other sorts of alien species?"
"I am a doctor," McCoy said.
"Then I am going to accept," Pavel said.
"Excellent," McCoy said. "I am proud of ya."
"So is my parents," Pavel said.
McCoy briefly closed his eyes then reopened them starting to open his mouth to say something. Anything really, but perhaps Pavel knew. How honored he was to have been working with him for all these years. Perhaps Pavel got the drift when he compared this situation to their first away mission together. He remembered the kid in engineering. As in a red shirt covered in dark shoot when he came to see him in sick bay. He remembered attending their wedding. And there was a distinctive possibility that he would not see their child.
"How is Ben?" McCoy asked, instead.
"Fine," Pavel said. "Been going through warious methods of how ve can hawe kids together."
"Sounds like fun," McCoy said.
"It is not fun," Pavel said. "and ve missed you."
"I know," McCoy said. He looked over toward Pavel with a tired, worn smile. "I was waiting for you to come around to me."
"You just got up and left vithout saying goodbye," Pavel said. "why?"
"If I had said goodbye to you then I would have never left," McCoy said.
"You are right," Pavel said. " . . . Next time, can you say goodbye? Before you go?" McCoy raised an eyebrow at the man.
"And ya tellin' me this doesn't count," McCoy said, lowering his eyebrow.
"It is a away mission," Pavel said. "you vill be back."
"I hope that is true," McCoy said.
"You vill," Pavel repeated. "You vill come back aliwe."
"All right, I will come back, alive-" McCoy felt himself grabbed into a hug by the Russian. "I promise," McCoy wrapped his hands around the man's back. "I promise, Pasha," I will try to not die for y'all, McCoy added with a thought. "I never break my promises."
They were stuck that way together until the sounds of clicking and clacking of boot accessories were heard. The two men broke their hug stepping aside. McCoy looked over in the direction of the group to see Spock, in between them, in the white regulation shirt lacking the jacket like McCoy who was in the same variation. Pavel was in the red variation of the jacket as chief of security. The group appeared as though they had walked out of the silver screen from a cinematically accurate movie of westerns except for the four arms and four eyes. The lower pair of eyes were smaller than the top. They had brown hats, light blue suits with a sweater with two pockets on top of a white shirt due to the folded white collar, had mustaches, and belt with guns. Apparently the files he had read about them were limited because there were no damn pictures.
"Goodbye, Pasha," McCoy then made sure to add, "for now."
"For now," Pavel said, his hands on the doctors shoulder.
The Russian slid his hands off the doctor's shoulder.
The two groups were set apart by a good distance.
McCoy gave one last look at the young man then went in the direction of Spock who was headed his direction. It wasn't his first rodeo regarding hostage exchanges in his time as a star fleet officer. It was just a Tuesday for McCoy. Which it was, as it happened to be, a Tuesday that day. McCoy noticed how well the Vulcan had aged. It appeared that it had been ten years since their last encounter together bickering on the bridge. It had not been ten long years. They bickered everywhere in the known galaxy. One could hear southern swearing from one end of space and a curious, dumbfounded "illogical" from the other end. Spock did not wear eyeliner. Jim finally convinced the Vulcan to drop the eyeliner. He had to give credit for the kid.
When they met, Spock gently stroked the human's shoulder making him stop.
My apologies for bringing you into this situation, hinek, Spock apologized. Spock read the doctor's mind that was reading 'You pointy eared asshole!' over and over again in red text glaring on the black computer screen. Spock realized that was the doctors way of being endearing. It was a terrible way of seeing his colleague again that. Spock can attest to that. McCoy started to resume past him. Spock did a gesture that McCoy rarely thought that he would be capable of by squeezing the man's shoulder. It was a light squeeze but enough to prevent him from going further. Deep, intimate caring emotions that were not McCoy's traveled through his mind. Spock let go of the doctor's shoulder.
"Really, Spock?" was all McCoy said. "Ya could have found a more appropriate time to tell me that."
Spock lowered his eyes to his boots then back up toward the doctor, silently, with his hands locked behind his back.
"Kaiidth," Spock said to himself then went past the human going in the direction of Pavel.
"What is, is, my ass," McCoy complained to himself with a shake of his head then went in the direction of the other party.
McCoy joined the group of men who had their hands on the pistols. They were small and portable. In the distance he could see a couple of carriages that were styled enough to resemble-McCoy blinked, again. Was this a western civilization or were they playing with his mind? He looked over to see the two men in the distance vanished in a red but orange-like haze. He turned back toward the group to see one had a star on the left breast of the jacket.
"I am Sherrif Ex'ras Tac'rel," Ex'ras said, while compared to them he had a long almost wide but thin enough and smooth handled shot gun.
"Does that mean spare tackle?" McCoy said.
"Yes," Ex'ras said, with a nod.
"That is a unfortunate name," McCoy said. "now-" McCoy noticed the horses. His eyes widened at the horror. "OH FOR GODS SAKE, A CONABUS?" The horse breathed fire. "AND A HIPPOCAMPUS?" he noticed the horse had a fish tail. "if I ain't dead then I would think someone genetically engineered this planet to be greek based and failed!"
"That is a conabus," Ex'ras said.
"Oh dear lord," McCoy said. "someone is really hardcore into greek."
"And that is a hippocampus," Ex'ras said. "why does that upset you?" he raised his four eyebrows.
"I will go into the carriage, pardon me," McCoy drifted past the man ignoring the horses.
McCoy understood why they were called the Keerg.
They were speaking Greek.
It occurred to McCoy as he spelled the name backwards that they were the Greek.