Personally, I was quite annoyed by Zephram Cochrane's behavior in "Metamorphosis." It might be from the fact that Kira Nerys and Odo from Deep Space Nine are my favorite couple in all of Star Trek, but Cochrane's disgust of the Companion's biology as she is, until she possesses a human, is distasteful. While I can understand, from his point of view, that the Companion wasn't entirely truthful in her intentions, she still protected him out of genuine love. For that, I agree with McCoy calling Cochrane out for saying hurtful things to her.

Spock needing a respiration mask is from Uhura's Song by Janet Kagan. While on a tropical planet in that story, Spock, due to being from a desert biome, suffers from breathing problems from the heavy humidity in the planet's atmosphere. Yen Tien Phan is my character. The Norsicans were my idea only as there is no canon depiction of the culture on Epsilon Canaris III. So the reason I haven't been around for a while is I've been working on this, and the draft became much longer than I thought. Originally, I had wanted to do something with Spock and McCoy involving rain, and this came out of it.

Failure was not an uncommon word to Captain Kirk. It was one to be avoided, yes, but not uncommon. He had several. Members of his crew had been lost thus far on this mission, and not every situation could be solved in his favor. Not that it made it any easier to tell with anyway.

Commodore Barstow stood before him on his viewscreen, his hands folded. "You understand what this loss spells for a situation this delicate, let alone for the Federation overall? Diplomat Hedford will be greatly missed."

"My condolences to her family."

"That is not enough, Kirk. This situation must be rectified, and it will be in your hands." He reached into his desk and pulled out a PADD. You and your crew will pick up the replacement diplomat, Yen Tien Phan, at Starbase Ten. You will be responsible for her until the end of the end of the negotiations."

Kirk tapped the side of his hand against his desk. "With all due respect, if we lost Diplomat Hedford, why would we be trusted with Diplomat Phan?"

"This is your error, Kirk. You need to correct it," Barstow replied firmly, "Adding another ship into it will complicate matters." Tapping on the PADD, he explained, I am uploading the information to your system. Be ready for her. Have you a linguist?"

Kirk nodded.

"She will also need further information on the natives of Epsilon Canaris III. As an additional precaution, you will also be beaming down with her, to ensure that this will proceed accordingly."

At least it would only be a few days off the mission. Kirk had expected worse for losing Hedford, though it couldn't have been helped. "Understood. I will prepare quarters for her right away."

"Barstow out."

Kirk stifled his frustration and walked over to his office's intercom. "Bridge."

"Spock here, captain."

"Commander, report to my office. I've received a message from Starfleet."

"Understood. Spock, out."

Spock studied the PADD that Kirk had handed to him. "Interesting."

Kirk leaned forward over his desk and stared down at the ship's personnel files. Phan's lay in the middle of them. He raised his eyes at him. "In what way, Mr. Spock?"

"We have been selected to take on this mission based upon our failure to complete the previous one. It would be more logical for Starfleet to assign it to a different ship. Let alone," he tapped on the PADD, and brought up a star chart, "the fact that we are not the only ship in this area. Although my assumption is that you already have suspected this."

Kirk grimaced, and he took that as his answer. Lowering the PADD to place it beside Kirk, Spock commented, "Though I have found it interesting, this growing trend of our being the only ship in a general vicinity to handle a certain situation."

"You see it, too?" Kirk muttered.

"An officer with a pair of working eyes could see it," Spock replied bluntly.

Kirk smirked at his friend's frankness, but it slipped. "But why have a gunship hover around the planet's surface? There are science and other civilian vessels that Phan could have been transferred to."

"What has the temperament of the Norsicans become, since Diplomat Hedford's leave of absence?" Spock inquired, naming the planet's natives by their preferred term.

"Restless," Kirk answered, tapping his finger on Chekov's name in the crew roster. Selecting Uhura's name from another list, he dragged it over to place underneath Phan's. "However, that doesn't make us referees."

"You seem to have had a change in mentality, regarding that," Spock commented.

"Not so much a change, just a concern about alienating an ally," Kirk explained. Highlighting McCoy's name, he dragged it over to position it above Phan's name. His selection made, he raised his head to look at Spock full on. "Nevertheless, this a subject that'll have to wait."

Spock nodded and glanced down over the PADD. "The planet's weather patterns will prove difficult."

Kirk's tone was apologetic. "But culturally speaking, it is imperative for the captain and the commander of the ship to appear before the delegation, as clan loyalty is paramount upon the planet. Without us there, Phan won't be listened to."

"It is workable," Spock replied, "I will speak with Dr. McCoy about countermeasures to work on this issue. However, I find it illogical, as neither of us are actively involved in this discussion."

Kirk tapped his fingers testily upon the desk. "Workable, that's it. I can't file a complaint about this, as it's not going to physically harm you."

"You are concerned?" Spock asked.

"You need to ask?" Kirk countered, and amusement flickered through Spock's eyes.

XXXXXX

"Transporter locking. Energizing," Lieutenant Kyle declared.

Kirk and Uhura stood beside Kyle's station as the figure materialized before them. Typically, Kirk would have worn a dress uniform, but there was no time, given the delicacy of the situation.

Phan was a slight, thin woman, being shorter than Uhura. Her dress was white and lined with blue. A floral pattern was on it, and its collar was high. Her black hair was pulled back in a bun, and hesitation was in her dark eyes. A rucksack was over her shoulder. She folded her arms respectfully at Kirk, and declared, "Greetings."

"Welcome aboard, Diplomat Phan," Kirk replied warmly, "I am Captain James T. Kirk, and this is Lieutenant Uhura, our communications officer."

Uhura nodded invitingly to Phan and held out a hand. Phan's gaze at Kirk was uncertain as she stepped off the transporter pad to shake Uhura's outstretched hand. Kirk made no comment, as he understood why. Likely he would have to earn Phan's trust after the loss of her predecessor. "Lieutenant Uhura will assist you in any uncertainties you may have pertaining to Norscian culture and language. She's our best here."

"Thank you, sir. Forgive me, but may I place this down? It would look unseemly at the meeting," Phan inquired.

"Of course. We'll have our meeting at 1500 hours," Kirk replied, allowing them to leave.

"Your quarters are on deck six," Uhura explained as she grasped the lift control, "How was Starbase Ten?"

Phan shrugged. "Bustling with activity, as always. It did give me a headache, and I was grateful to be away from it."

Uhura detected her wariness but said nothing on it.

The lift doors opened, and Phan disembarked with her, glancing absent-mindedly about at other crew members at work. The room itself was not far from the lift, and a command from Uhura brought its interior lights on. Phan smiled at the quarters. "Thank you." They were clean, and while not Spartan, not necessarily over the top, with a few frills here and there for the diplomat's aesthetic benefit, such as a potted plant, a mirror, and a modesty curtain hanging by the bed.

Lying the rucksack down on the room's desk, she glanced back at Uhura. "You may sit, if you prefer. I'd rather become acquainted with you, if we are to work together."

Uhura took the chair near the bed, while Phan sat down on its surface. "You are aware of the situation on the planet now, I assume?" Phan asked.

"Starfleet briefed us. We will be avoiding the usage of a shuttle, this time."

"That's fine," Phan replied, bracing her hands on the bed, and arching her back slightly, "I suppose I am concerned about my being here, to begin with."

Uhura's expression became sympathetic. "We grieve the loss of Nancy Hedford, however I will assure you, Diplomat Phan, that we won't allow for that to happen to you."

"You have faith in your captain, despite what has come to pass?" Phan asked softly.

"I serve under him, and he has protected us," Uhura replied, "I trust his judgements."

"Perhaps my view is different simply because I do not know the man well enough," Phan offered, "This is neither my first time on board a Starfleet vessel, nor will it be my last. However, I do find that I prefer a civilian form of transport."

"You have been to Vulcan before, correct?" Uhura asked.

"I'm not as hardline as Diplomat Hedford was, therefore I follow in her footsteps. I have collaborated with her in the past, though." She ran her hand over the bedspread. "Such as in the trade agreements on Weytahn. She was an associate of mine. I would not call us friends, but I was, am, upset at her passing."

Uhura did not need to probe Phan further. "We have a half hour before the meeting. Shall we begin?"

Phan nodded and rose. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"Coffee is fine." As Phan headed over to the replicator, Uhura commented, "I find Norsican dialects interesting. They are fluid, expanding out from the accents of the four main birth queens. Some terminologies cross over, but others are lost, or do not fit. It suggests that there were other queens, in the past."

"Or a genetic bottleneck," Phan offered quietly. The replicator pinged, and she removed a tray containing a steaming cup of coffee and what appeared to be a steaming glass of warm milk. Setting the tray down on the table between herself and Uhura, she gratefully took a long drink of the milk.

Uhura decided not to comment on Phan's beverage of choice as she reached for her cup, but it nonetheless confirmed to her that the diplomat was peevish. "I wouldn't draw that conclusion so much as there was a divide in ways of living. Norsican culture is divided into four, based upon landform and adaptability. However, the cultures are in collusion with each other."

"Correct. While they are creatures that have evolved from the water, two of the cultures have moved to higher ground, one of them dwelling in the forest, and the other in the more mountainous regions, which allowed them to build cities. The remaining two are in the oceanic areas. The idea was that trade would keep the cultures in check with one another. That balance, however, eventually tipped."

Uhura nodded. "Due to two things, the lifespan of the queens, and more importantly, interstellar commerce."

"Hence, they remain neutral," Phan surmised, "However, they have hired us to mediate in this," sipping her milk, she added, "What this indicates to me is that the queens are casting their lot in with the Federation, as opposed to, say, the Klingons."

"That's a bit of a leap," Uhura commented.

"Nevertheless, known space is slanting," Phan pushed.

Uhura shook her head and put her cup down. "I can't agree with that. We're continuing to explore space on a strictly scientific endeavor. Whatever interference we have had in a local culture has been either in self-defense, or, in rarer cases, moral obligation."

Phan's eyes became faraway, and Uhura folded her hands. "I emphasize that the latter was rare. We can't impose our morality endlessly upon the galaxy."

"But when tested, we fall back on them," she commented, and Uhura had the impression that Phan seemed smaller than when she had sat down. It was passing, however, as Phan put down her milk. "Hence, my concern. It isn't our exploration that bears a problem, otherwise I wouldn't be a diplomat. Rather, it is the oversight that I find a problem."

"That, and the death of a civilian on our watch," Uhura pointed out.

"Yes. There are concerns for the future, and with the Romulans also making another appearance," she shrugged, "matters are in a state of flux, as you can each assume on this ship. We will see where that goes. As to the task at hand, I'll have to settle affairs between four old mothers. This should be fairly interesting."

"That hand that rocks the cradle," Uhura muttered.

Phan's dark eyes flicked up at her. "Let us hope that there remains a world left to rule."

XXXXXX

"Our heading is set for Epsilon Canaris III, known to the natives as Norsica," Kirk began. He sat at the head of the meeting table. Spock was on his right, and Phan was directly behind the commander. On Kirk's left was McCoy, with Uhura behind him. Scott was at the opposite end of the table. "Our objective is to successfully escort Diplomat Phan to and from her meetings until the negotiations are completed. They are to take place until the end of the week. Until then, we will remain within the planet's orbit."

Spock keyed in a command to the viewers on the table, which pulled up an image of the planet. "The planet is eighty percent water and is under heavy cloud cover with daily rainfall." The image was replaced to bring up archived footage of native Noriscans moving through a city. The buildings were closely packed and pointed to allow runoff. The gutters lined them, and the streets bore canals beside them to allow the water to be drained.

McCoy then took over. "The bodily composition of the Norsicans is aligned more toward water, however one variety can breathe upon the surface. They have blue scales, and resemble, physically by descent, the queen from whose clutch he or she was born or descended from. Norsicans can mate with each other, and typically bear about three or four clutches. The queens are an exception to this. Each of the four queens has multiple consorts, who usually are not seen, due to being kept close to quarters. The two most common variations of Norsicans, to be loose in terminology, are as follows." The first graphic displayed a thin, long-limbed pair with amber eyes and defined bone crests poking out of their heads. They wore loose fitting clothing, being a long robe over a tunic, with the shorter figure on the right having a shawl over the crest. "This is the first variety, that dwells mainly in the forest and settled regions. They tend to be slimmer and long-limbed. There are two common birth clutches for this variety." The images disappeared to be replaced by a tall female Norsican sitting upon a high-backed chair. Her expression was imperious, and her shawl hung over the pronounced crest on her head like a nun's wimple. Her eyes were amber.

McCoy gestured for Phan to speak, and she began. "This is Yi, the oldest birth queen. She has laid sixty-four clutches of eggs, giving her also the greatest amount of eggs laid. Her domain covers the settled regions. Her also children have the highest rate of survival. It was during her time that the city dwellers developed warp drive. Due to her age and prominence, the negotiations have been moved to her domain's capital city, Evarra."

"Most queens live to be 250. She is pushing 210, which places her past laying age," McCoy verified, replacing the image with that of a shorter, sprier woman with cyan eyes. Her shawl was at her shoulder, and her outfit was more revealing, with how the neckline plunged. Jewelry adorned her crest.

"Meylu is the birth queen of the more forested regions. She appears more receptive to the utilization of exterior sources as mediation, however it should be noted that she also was the one to cast in new demands to the arrival of the second diplomat, that being myself." Phan gestured over to Kirk, who nodded, indicating that he had them.

Replacing Meylu was an image of two larger built Norsicans. The crests were gone, and the clothing was thicker, the shawls and cloaks replaced by shirts and pants. The eyes were larger and wider, with the hands webbed. "The second variety of Norsicans live primarily underwater or along the coastline. They are typically hardier than their cousins, with their lifespans being not as long. For contrast, a Norsican of the first variety can live to be 100 years, if not a queen. However, these Norsicans only live to be about eighty, due to multiple factors, chief being occupational hazards, such as underwater volcanic activity and hostile sea life, and environmental factors, largely a result of run-off from the settled regions." McCoy kept his words professional, but his voice had dropped, indicating that the matter had upset him.

The image of a well-muscled female with large pupils and a pair of goggles atop her head appeared. A shawl was weaved about her neck like a decorative scarf. A breathing apparatus obscured her mouth and nose. Her hand was up while in conversation with another Norsican, whose face was obscured by a metal alloyed diving helmet. Her other hand held that of a child Norsican, who was tugging on her leg. Phan began, "This is Noreen, in one of the few pictures I was able to find of her above water. She is the youngest of the four birth queens, with her line being sea dwellers. Reportedly, she has only laid twenty-five clutches, however she has been away for a long period of time, so she possibly may have laid another. Deep sea queens do not live as long as their counterparts, hence she is guarded more closely. I was able to interview her over long-distance camera, but there was interference due to aquatic pressure."

Noreen's image was replaced with a last one, that of a Norsican woman with a weapon in hand, appearing to be a harpoon mounted on a launcher. Her shoulders, however, were relaxed, indicating no tension, while her one knee was bent, her foot upon a metal crate. An apparatus was over her mouth, as well, her goggles down. She was on board a ship, with deck hands moving about her. "This is Ziza, the remaining queen. Her clutches dwell along the coast. It is here that the tensions are strongest, due to the damage."

The screens were off-lined, and Kirk picked up the lecture. "We'll have to tread lightly while there. Yi and Meylu's militaries patrol the planet's atmosphere, though civilian and Federation as well as Klingon military ships are legally allowed to orbit, and dock at the spaceport. The city police are on watch, and are at odds with the military, who are, specifically, guarding the legislative building. I will also note is that Yi's military has been employing drones to patrol the planet's atmosphere. Mr. Scott?"

Scott leaned forward. "Aye, sir?"

At Kirk's gesture, Uhura explained, "A notable aspect about Norsican culture is that during meetings between officials, their seconds must appear as a sign of good faith. Hence, Norsican queens bring their favored consorts. In this case, as it is the Enterprise that is carrying Diplomat Phan, it would be the captain and the commander who must disembark."

"As such, Commander Spock will be accompanying Diplomat Phan and me to the surface. The landing party will further consist of Dr. McCoy, Lieutenant Uhura, and Ensign Chekov. We will remain on the surface overnight, if we are requested or required. Otherwise, we will return to the Enterprise at end of the day and shuffle the landing party accordingly over the course of the week. Mr. Scott, you will have the conn." Spock and Scott nodded at that, and McCoy, by contrast, shook his head in annoyance.

"It's foolish. Vulcans have set foot on their planet before, and they know how uncomfortable it is for them to breathe there."

"Doctor, by that logic, then humanity would have no reason to interact with the Andorians or the Tellarites on their home worlds," Spock corrected him, "as they dwell in lower temperatures than the human body can handle without extra protection." He flipped his wrist over, indicating his command braids, "If anything, it is only my rank that singles me out."

McCoy's eyes gleamed, having found an edge to work with. However, Kirk jumped in before he could seize it. "It isn't only rank. It's also the occurrences of the previous mission." Surprise flickered through McCoy's expression. "Part of the request the birth queens had was for all three of us to be on the planet's surface, in order to minimize risk." McCoy's surprise fell to helpless irritation, and Kirk inquired, "Have you completed building the apparatus Commander Spock requested, doctor?"

"I left it locked in sickbay. Whenever Mr. Spock would like to grace me with his presence, it's ready for him," he replied, folding his arms with a pointed look at the Vulcan.

Phan and Uhura smiled at his humor, and Spock replied off-handedly, "I am certain that I can find a few moments."

"In that case, then, does anyone have any questions?" At the room's silence, Kirk concluded, "Dismissed."

XXXXXX

"This model will be able to keep you from inhaling the humid air," McCoy explained as he held out the oxygen mask to Spock. It was a typical transparent mask that bore a key difference, in that it hooked around to the back, where a mechanism allowed for it to re-breathe. A small speaker was built into it to allow Spock to be heard. It was bulky and not attractive, given the crunch of time employed by the medical and science technicians he had collaborated with on the project, but it would protect him.

Spock turned the mask over in his hands. "This should suit my need in a satisfactory manner. Thank you, doctor."

Leaning back against the biobed behind him, McCoy refused to allow the unspoken matter to sit. "You have a bad habit of allowing your health to slide when you're fixated on something."

"Hence why I am respecting your judgment in this," Spock gently argued, indicating the mask he still held, "Frankly, I find your protectiveness irrational and uncalled for. This is a diplomatic mission. Miss Phan is your priority, not me."

"The landing party's my priority," he corrected, "You're a logical man, Spock. Part of that is taking care of yourself."

"Then I will yield," he allowed, "With the stipulation that you place our diplomat first."

McCoy's shoulders rose and fell with a great release of breath. "Mr. Spock, I would say that you were exhibiting human pettiness just now."

"No, Leonard," he replied, gathering the mask close to himself before turning to leave, "I am merely acting the part of the logical man that you have claimed me to be." As the doors closed behind his lover, McCoy rolled his eyes at the ceiling.

XXXXXX

The legislative building, Kirk noted, held a similar style to the other Norsican buildings in the metropolis, being jagged, and bearing a flume of gutters to allow for rainwater runoff to be collected on the lower levels, and funneled into reflecting pools. Statues of past Norsican birth queens stood upon spires, with their arms and heads raised skyward. Some bore swords and spears, others children, and others still books or scepters. The most prominent sat upon what appeared to be a mound of eggs.

On top of the stairs before them stood two of the four Norsican birth queens. Kirk, upon careful notation of their features, understood who was who. Yi stood to his right and appeared wider in the hips. She was also taller, and her features were weary, betraying the tiredness of a long life. Her eyes were amber, and the crest of her head through her transparent veil stood taller, resembling a gazelle's horns. Meylu was to his left, her cyan eyes contrasting Yi's amber ones. She was narrower in frame, with a look of playfulness about her. Kirk at first took it to be flirtation, and kept his guard up, especially more so upon slowly registering that her body language held more in common with a cat that batted about a toy.

Armed guards carrying phaser rifles lined the stairs. In partitioned areas of the botanical square that stood before the building, reporters and onlookers called out ignored questions to the landing party, who wore hooded cloaks over their uniforms and clothing. Rain continued to fall.

Yi started down the stairs, with Meylu a few paces behind her. She raised her arm to the side and spun it slightly overhead to connect the tips of her fingers with her other hand, whose arm was upheld horizontally with the elbow bent. "Captain Kirk, welcome to Norsica."

Kirk inclined his head respectfully toward her. Meylu repeated the gesture, only with her attention turned to Spock. "Commander Spock, welcome."

Spock greeted Meylu with the Vulcan salute, and Yi gazed appraisingly over the landing party. "Who are these other people?"

Kirk indicated each in turn, moving from McCoy, to Uhura, and finally to Chekov, leaving Phan absent from the headcount. Meylu's gaze paused upon McCoy, and her look became speculative. McCoy met her head on but turned to glance at Kirk. Kirk held a hand out before McCoy, and Meylu turned her sight away.

"You may bring forth your diplomat," Yi declared.

Phan stepped forward and folded her arms respectfully at each queen. "Greetings, your Highnesses. I am Yen Tien Phan. I apologize for the situation, but I offer my services to you."

"You appear suitable," Yi commented, and Phan inclined her head at the praise.

Meylu turned her attention to Yi. "I think it would be wise if the physician came with the Federation's diplomat. We are at a critical juncture in our conversation, and we would not wish to lose this mediator, either."

Yi looked over at McCoy. "I would agree with you, but he does pose a security risk. Come here, please, doctor." Kirk nodded at him, and McCoy moved past him to stand on the step beside Phan. "Yes, there are a few devices he must remove," she decided, "That phaser is too dangerous. Open your bag. I want to see what is inside." McCoy gripped at the strap of it but didn't move. "I have given you an order, doctor," Yi pushed.

"With all due respect, ma'am, you aren't my commanding officer."

Kirk stifled a smile. "You can show her, Bones."

Opening the bag, McCoy pulled out his tricorder and medical scanner. "Some of my field instruments. Are they acceptable?"

Yi glanced at Meylu, who raised her hand in agreement. "Very well. Have you a communication device on you?"

"Yes."

"That must also remain. We cannot allow for our meeting to be broadcast."

Before McCoy could react, Kirk replied, "I'm afraid that's not possible. My medical officer will need his communicator in case of an emergency. The phaser can be left."

Yi stood stalk still. "Excuse me? This is a manner of planetary security. It cannot be argued."

"If I may?" Spock inquired.

Yi and Meylu swung their heads about to look at him. "Yes?" Yi asked, her tone tight.

"Should any harm befall the doctor, or our diplomat, the responsibility will be upon your shoulders, as they are within your domain. Furthermore, if I encounter any issue with my oxygen mask, I will require the doctor's assistance," Spock pointed out.

"Perhaps, then, you should return to your ship," Yi replied.

Chekov's hand twitched at that, and McCoy's gaze narrowed at Yi. Kirk, however, spoke. "I am showing you my respect by bringing my first officer with me. Please afford us the same respect."

McCoy swallowed a grunt of disdain. He should have known that Spock would resort to subterfuge, even if It came at the cost of his own health. He made a mental note to chastise him about that later.

"Very well," Meylu replied, "If this truly bothers you so, I don't see any further reason to continue this argument. It is a waste of time."

Yi glanced over at her before lowering her shoulders. "You may take the communicator with you, doctor. However, you will face your penalties if you misuse it." McCoy nodded in acknowledgment and walked down the stairs to hand his phaser over to Kirk. As he returned to stand beside Phan, Yi inquired, "is there anything else that must be addressed?"

"What will our rights be, within the city?" Kirk inquired.

"The same as are afforded to any off-worlders. We do not play favorites," Meylu replied, her quickening voice indicating that she wished to cut off the conversation.

Kirk smiled. "Thank you. That will be all."

"Then we will see you in a few hours' time, Captain," Phan said before walking up the stairs, McCoy at her side.

The landing party moved away from the stairs, and into the crowds. Military marched through, broken up by the blue bodies of civilians, while off-world individuals milled about in hooded cloaks. "If we're going to be spending the day here, we may as well have a look around," Kirk commented.

"Agreed," Spock replied, "though I would advise for the landing party not be broken up completely."

"By halves, then?" Kirk offered.

"That would be most wise. Lieutenant?" Spock asked Uhura, who was entering the mixed linguistics she had overheard into her tricorder. She raised her head from work to indicate agreement at his selection before dropping back to it.

Chekov gave a stiff nod of reassurance at Kirk, finding that he was not quite ready for his situation. However, he relaxed himself. This was his commanding officer, who would not have picked him to walk around with him otherwise.

"All right. We'll meet at the square in a few hours. Keep in touch, and don't get lost," Kirk decided as the group split in two.