A/N: I've done a bunch of funny stories (thank you everyone for your reviews!) but I've decided I'm about due to write something darker, more serious. Star Trek is not mine (however much I pretend otherwise). I'm trying to post two chapters since I think this first one is a little slow, but it gets better, trust me!
The Nironti were pale green.
That was the first thing Kirk noticed as he began to form and the transporter beam faded. They were pale green, and vaguely insect-like.
The next thing he noticed was that they were tall. Not terribly, but the closest one had a whole head over him. Humanoid, and with a tough exoskeleton (that was pale green), it was like a bug walking on two legs and no need of extra arms. Two apparently sufficed.
The third thing he noticed was, of course, the women in the group.
It was a male Nironti, however, that stepped forward to greet them. "Welcome to Arysus. I am Senator Jomn Perex." He extended a hand in greeting.
Kirk shook it. The wrist was oddly shaped, and the fingers were multiple and spindly. It felt weird.
"I'm Captain James T. Kirk of the Federation starship Enterprise. This is Mr. Spock, my First Officer, and Dr. McCoy, my Chief Medical Officer." The two inclined their heads when acknowledged.
"A pleasure to meet you," Senator Perex said warmly. He introduced the people in his group; there were more of them. Kirk remembered the two women's names. There was Senator Alypa Rale, and Dr. Cleyri Teronin.
It was, essentially, a diplomatic mission. The collective government of Arysus felt ready to join the Federation after First Contact 15 years ago. Starfleet had sent the Enterprise to handle matters.
Like any other diplomatic mission, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy sat with members of the planet's government to go over Federation law, benefits, rules of trade, and overall life. No sense in a planet joining without knowing what it was getting into. The paperwork was surprisingly fast, and they were done with most of the afternoon still at their disposal. "We are quite ready to begin membership," Perex explained.
"And we'd be delighted to have you," Kirk said, smiling just enough to convey warmth but not enough to reveal anything personal. "We need to send the finalized details back to a Starbase, and once they give confirmation it will be made official." Perex sucked in a breath.
"Oh, excellent, Captain, I thank you," he said. "Since we still have daylight, would you and your men like a tour of our capitol city?" At this Spock and McCoy perked up from their slumped positions (or at least, McCoy did. Spock merely turned his head in their direction).
"If it isn't any trouble-"
"Of course not," Perex assured him.
"Bones? Spock?" McCoy was already beside him, ready to go. Spock joined them shortly.
"Gentlemen, if you will please follow me." Perex led them out of the conference room.
Two aliens remained in the room, alone. For a while neither of them said anything. Finally, one broke the silence.
"Humanoid."
The other rolled her eyes. "I know that," she said.
"Then you know that we can take advantage of this."
She slapped him. "I'm not daft, Calt! I was there when we lost the last one. We're short on supply… we have to take this opportunity."
"Then what are you still doing here, Doctor?"
Cleyri rolled her eyes. "Just meet me at Valendi's."
"At least the weather's nice," McCoy commented, pausing to stretch his back. "I don't know if I could've stood another moment in that room."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "You have stayed in rooms such as that on diplomatic missions before for longer periods, Doctor. I do not understand your unusually intense dislike for this experience."
"I'd rather be anywhere than in a conference room discussing politics anytime, Mr. Spock," McCoy explained, waving his arm. "Especially on a day like this."
Spock looked around. "What is so extraordinary about today?"
Kirk smiled to himself before stepping in. "It's beautiful out, Spock," he said. "Warm, with a slight breeze to keep you from getting hot; the sun starting to set… it'd be a good place to take shore leave."
Senator Perex stopped up ahead. "This is a memorial to Fiag Guarutte. He was a brilliant tactician. He served as a President for 3 years back in the day." The humans looked at the silver sculpture.
Perex had been taking them all over the city, by bus or walking. He'd pointed out schools, parks, landmarks, banks, and various public service buildings. After they'd had their fill of the statue, they moved on.
"Now, we have two more locations that are noteworthy to see. The first is the Valendi Research Hospital, which is top in the world, and the second is the main branch of the planet-wide museum. This holds mainly our ancient weapons and provides history on our political practices." He chuckled to himself. "It's a bit amusing having the two showcased together like that."
Kirk agreed but had to interrupt. "Senator, we're due back on the ship shortly, I'm not sure we have enough time for both."
"Oh, but one?" he asked hopefully.
"Well-" he began when McCoy spoke up. "Could we see the hospital, at least?"
Perex looked bemused. "As a doctor you are naturally inclined to see a hospital."
"Naturally," McCoy agreed.
Kirk shifted uneasily. He wanted to check out the museum. Perex caught on to that, too. "Captain, we can go on to the museum. It's a bit farther down the way whereas Valendi's is just across the park," he said, pointing. "There are several staff members who would be more than willing to give you a brief tour of the place, Doctor." Bones' face lit up.
"Spock?" Kirk looked at the last member of their party. "Where do you want to go?"
Spock hesitated, then said, "I will go with you and the senator, Captain."
"Your loss," McCoy remarked. He started to head off but Kirk caught him.
"We'll meet back here in 45 minutes," he said. He let him go.
"Gentlemen?" Senator Perex said. Kirk and Spock joined him and they set off.
McCoy reached the hospital and was instantly greeted by doctors and nurses. They were very amiable, and eager to talk to him. McCoy quickly found himself surrounded.
"Civilians, please, let the man breathe," came a voice. The crowd parted and a well-dressed Nironti strode up to him. He stopped.
"Hello, Dr. McCoy."
"Hello," McCoy said. "Senator… Sipaluk, isn't it?"
"Yes."
A short silence followed. McCoy frantically tried to think of something to say.
Before it got too uncomfortable Sipaluk spoke again. "Where is the rest of your party?"
"Oh, they went on down to a museum," McCoy said. "Politics and guns are probably my two least favorite things, so I opted to visit here, instead."
"Ah," the senator said. "Would you like a tour?"
"That would be very kind," McCoy replied.
Sipaluk smiled. "I'm here often, but I don't know every nook and cranny. Perhaps one of our doctors can show you around." Before McCoy could reply a Nironti, who was also at the diplomatic talks showed up.
"I'm Dr. Teronin," she greeted.
"Yes, I recall that you were in the greeting party," he said politely.
She smiled. McCoy noticed tiny teeth.
"Shall we?" she asked brightly, taking his arm.
McCoy found himself grinning. "Lead the way."
Kirk wandered the museum. He and Spock had split off to pursue their own interests when Perex engaged in conversation with an employee. He'd poked around the old weapons, but decided to dispense with that after knocking an ancient-looking spear off the wall and hastily replacing it.
He found Spock looking at an historical figure's timeline. "What's that?" he asked.
"An account of Fiag Guarutte," Spock replied.
"The guy we saw in the park?"
Spock considered correcting him (they saw a statue of Fiag in the park, not the man himself), but decided against it. "Yes. He was a very fascinating individual."
"How so?" Kirk was growing more and more curious.
"He began his adult life with a career in the military, quickly proving himself to be a master in strategy. When commanding a regiment he used psychological warfare more than actual violence. It proved very effective." Kirk thought he detected a note of admiration in Spock's voice.
"When he left the military he pursued the Presidency. He was very charismatic, charming, and most of the public voted for him. He promoted scientific research, health care, and even helped found Valendi Hospital. He took great interest in studying mentalities. On the battlefield he was known to keep prisoners alive to question them about their beliefs. Normally when he was done the prisoner ended up defecting."
"So he was very persuasive," Kirk summed.
Spock nodded. "Undoubtedly. He retired with honors and was cremated when he died."
"Mm." They considered the man in silence.
Kirk checked his wrist chrono. "Well, Spock, we'd better start heading back to the park if we want to meet Bones in time."
"Agreed."
"So tell me," McCoy said. "This is a research hospital; exactly what kind of research do you do?"
"Oh we try our hand in a little bit of everything," Dr. Teronin said. "Although our main focus is mental cases. See, we also employ several psychologists here."
McCoy refused to say 'logical'. "Makes sense."
"Would you like to see our main research wing?" she asked.
McCoy glanced at the time. "It'll have to be my last stop, Doctor. I'm due back on the Enterprise shortly."
"Oh, it'll be quick," she promised. She pulled him down the hall and opened a door.
"It's right here?" he asked, bewildered.
"Yep," she said, and then he felt a sting on the back of his neck.
