The TARDIS materialized and Jamie didn't wait for the Doctor before popping outside. "Where are we?" he asked eagerly.
"Let's test out your deductive skills," the Doctor said with a cheeky grin.
Jamie nodded and eagerly scanned his surroundings. "Metal walls. Doors down there. Big." His eye was caught by a large capsule containing some kind of fluid. "Whatever's in there is vibrating, so some kind of motor." He paused for a moment. "Too big for a rocket, so...space ship?"
"Brilliant!" the Doctor exclaimed. He walked in a small circle around the TARDIS, craning his neck as he looked up. "Cargo bay, I'd guess. Hm. 23nd century, 2260 something..." He walked a few more steps before spotting an insignia high on the wall. "Starfleet—part of the United Federation of Planets." He approached the capsule Jamie had seen earlier and read the markings. "Well, Jamie, it looks like we've landed on the Enterprise."
Lt. Uhura turned from the console in front of her. "Security alert in Cargo Bay D, sir. A team is en route."
Cmdr. Spock nodded. "Inform them I am on my way. Lt. Uhura, you have the bridge." Spock strode into the turbolift and the doors hissed shut behind him.
A dark cloud surrounded the planet Malocious IX. Within moments, all life out-of-doors had suffocated. It took a short while longer for the cloud to work its way through ventilation systems and reach most of those indoors as well. Finally, all that remained of the millions of inhabitants of the planet were a handful of scientists sequestered in a dome that maintained an artificial environment. The cloud was not content to leave them be, however. It gathered itself full force around the dome and waited.
Spock reached Cargo Bay D just as the four man security team was taking its position. He nodded curtly at Ensign Reed as the indication to proceed. The team proceeded inside in pairs, phasers on stun. They moved stealthily but quickly through the compartment until they came upon two men and a large blue wooden box. "Freeze!" Ensign Reed's voice rang out as he and his partner aimed their phasers. "Beta squad, continue to search!" he called to the other pair.
"Oh, there's no need to look for anymore of us," the Doctor said in a cheerful manner, as if he faced drawn phasers every day. "It's only Jamie and me. Sorry to drop in unannounced like this."
Reed narrowed his eyes and didn't loosen his grip on his phaser. "Orders, sir?" he asked as Spock joined them.
Spock contemplated the pair for a moment. Meanwhile, the Doctor couldn't contain his enthusiasm. "A Vulcan! I love Vulcans!"
Spock cocked an eyebrow. "Search them, Ensign."
Reed nodded. He proceeded to thoroughly pat down the Doctor while Bilson kept his phaser trained on Jamie. Reed found only two objects on the Doctor—a strange rod with a blue light on one end, and a black wallet with a piece of blank paper inside. He displayed them to Spock. Spock took them into his hands and examined each closer. Finally, he returned them to the Doctor. "They do not appear to be weapons."
The Doctor shook his head vigorously. "Always unarmed, that's me."
Reed moved on to Jamie, who was quite vocal about his displeasure. Reed confiscated the dirk he found upon Jamie's person and also handed that over to Spock, who examined it in much the same manner he had the Doctor's possessions. "This appears to be an authentic 18th century weapon, but it does not appear that old. It has not tarnished or rusted. There are no signs of repair. I'll need some tricorder readings."
"That's mine, now give it back!" Jamie demanded.
"Why should I allow an intruder to remain armed?" Spock asked as he clasped his hands behind his back, dirk still in hand.
"Because...well...we're not..." Jamie faltered. "Oh, fine, keep it." He crossed his arms.
The other security team approached. "All clear, sir."
"Very well. Ensign Reed, you will remain here. You three are dismissed."
"Aye, sir," the three men chorused.
"We'll take these men to the captain's quarters, ensign." Spock stepped over to the intercom. "Spock to Lt. Samuels. Report to the captain's quarters with a tricorder." A female voice replied in the affirmative. "Spock to Captain Kirk."
There was a moment of delay. "Kirk here."
"Captain, I have two intruders in custody and I am escorting them to your quarters. We shall arrive in 3.8 minutes."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock. Kirk out."
As they walked through corridors that appeared identical, Jamie leaned in toward the Doctor. "Why did you not use the psychic paper?" he murmured, nodding toward Spock.
"It wouldn't have worked on him, Jamie."
"You said it works on everyone," Jamie objected.
"Did I?" he queried. "I should've said almost everyone. He's a Vulcan, immune to the suggestion that the psychic paper provides."
"Immune?"
"Many species are born with greater psychic abilities than humans, Jamie. The paper's not strong enough to work on them or on people who've had experience with it."
"Oh," Jamie replied.
Spock appeared unaware of their conversation, but he'd heard every word. Fascinating.
Right on time, they reached the Captain's quarters. Spock chimed the door and entered at Kirk's invitation. The captain, feeling his quarters to be a bit cramped, instructed Reed to remain on guard outside.
Kirk introduced himself. "I'm Captain James T. Kirk, this is my first officer, Commander Spock. Who might you be?"
"I'm the Doctor and this is Jamie."
"Just the Doctor?" Kirk asked incredulously.
"That's me," the Doctor grinned back.
Kirk shook his head. "Go ahead, Mr. Spock," Kirk said as he seated himself at his desk, studying the intruders.
Spock efficiently reported the incident and handed Jamie's dirk over to Lt. Samuels for analysis. Once he'd finished, Kirk asked, "So, Doctor, how exactly did you get aboard my ship?"
"We came in the TARDIS," Jamie burst out.
"Tardis? What's a tardis?" Kirk looked briefly at Spock, who shook his head.
"It's my ship," the Doctor explained. "Time and Relative Dimension in Space."
Kirk continued to look as confused as ever but Spock seemed to understand. "Your ship, which appears to be a wooden box, travels through space and time?"
"That it does. And let me tell you, it may look like an ordinary wooden box on the outside, but the inside is a completely different story."
"Perhaps you'll have to show us," Kirk ordered in the guise of asking.
"Love to. Allons-y!" the Doctor cried.
Lt. Samuels piped up. "Analysis completed, Mr. Spock. Would you like me to read out the results?"
"Negative, Lieutenant. Put them on a tape. I'll look at them later."
Doctor Kamrin Jackson somehow managed to remain calm as she stared at the image of the cloud enveloping the dome on the computer monitor while her staff madly manned shouted out pressure readings, temperatures, levels of interference, radiation, toxicity. A voice calling her name finally drew her attention back to the present.
"Doctor Jackson, we've managed to break through to Starfleet, but we won't hold the signal long."
She nodded as she clicked on her radio headset. "This is Doctor Jackson on Malocious IX. A toxic cloud has enveloped the planet. We believe the people in this station are the only ones left alive. We're transmitting what data we have managed to gather. I recommend you do not attempt a rescue." An ominous cracking sound resounded throughout the complex. "Starfleet, have you received the data transmission? Starfleet, do you read?"
With another deafening crack, the dome burst open and the cloud descended upon the helpless inhabitants.
"Shall we go, gentlemen?" Kirk asked, already heading out the door.
The others had just cleared the entrance when a shrill whistle sounded. "Bridge to Captain Kirk."
"Kirk here."
"Message from Starfleet, Captain. Emergency channel."
"Put it through to my quarters, Lieutenant. Kirk out." He turned to Spock. "You can take the tour with our guests, Mr. Spock. Report back to me on the bridge."
"Acknowledged."
As Kirk disappeared back into his room, Spock looked expectantly at his companions. "I am ready if you are."
Jamie stayed put, eying his dirk. "Can I have that back now?"
Spock handed it over, saying, "I must warn you, any attempt to use it on any member of the Enterprise crew will bring unpleasant consequences."
"I have no intentions of stabbing anyone at the moment. I only use it when I'm attacked meself."
Spock simply inclined his head in acknowledgment and led the way back to the cargo bay.