Disclaimer: I do not own star trek or any of its canon characters. I am not making money from this chapter, or any of its following chapters.

Captain James T. Kirk walked down the corridors of USS Enterprise, nodding at his crew as he passed. His mouth hid a grimace, golden-brown eyes flashed as lights glinted off his honey-brown hair. Diplomats, he spat mentally. Only diplomats would…hire a starship as a security detail. In his dark musings and mental mutterings Kirk did not notice his First Officer slide into step besides him until his baritone voice sounded.

"Good day, Captain. I trust you are well?"

Kirk glanced in surprise to his left, taking in the pointed ears and dark hair before looking ahead. "As well as can be expected under current circumstances, Mr. Spock."

Spock raised a dark, arched eyebrow. "The diplomatic celebrations, sir?"

Kirk grimaced as they approached the turbolift. "That's one way of putting it," he replied as the lift's doors opened. Glancing back at Spock he continued. "'A waste of time' is another way." Looking up they saw Doctor Leonard McCoy, Chief Medical Officer. "What are you doing here, Bones?"

McCoy flashed a grin. "Going to the Bridge."

"Interesting. One would assume to find the Chief Medical Officer in Sick Bay," Spock commented lightly, ignoring the withering glance the doctor sent his way. McCoy continued, ignoring him.

"I heard a little rumor among the crew. What's this about a security contingency?"

The humor left Kirk's face. "Orders came in an hour ago stating that instead of picking up a new officer at Starbase 17, Bones, we'll be picking them up early. And, we're to divert ship's personnel to the planet's surface and supplement their security."

"Why?" McCoy asked.

The turbolift's doors opened to reveal the Bridge. Kirk took a moment for himself and breathed it all in, the air, the atmosphere. He watched his competent crew at their stations. Even Mr. Scott was on the Bridge, at the Engineering Station. Settling into his chair Kirk turned his attention back to McCoy's question.

"Apparently, the new people being welcomed into the Federation, the, uh, Lentarens, are a skittish lot. They don't feel secure enough with the security already on the planet, which is already greater than normal," Kirk sighed, looking at the viewscreen. "So, the Federation Council ordered Starfleet to send more security."

"Ach, a poor use for a starship, sir," Scotty added, his Scottish brogue thick. Kirk was more than inclined to agree.

"Well Jim, look at the bright side," McCoy said lightly, blue eyes dancing. "You get a new officer."

Kirk nodded, "Yes, a new Chief Yeoman. A Lieutenant Karnth, I believe her name is. She's been in the service for awhile, and even was a diplomat before entering Starfleet."

McCoy snorted. "I find that hard to believe. How old is she then to first be a diplomat, then an established officer?"

Kirk shrugged in his chair. "The information packet sent on her didn't give too many details. Do you know anything about her Mr. Spock?"

Taking a deep breath Spock replied slowly. "Yes, Captain. My father was her colleague when she was an ambassador for her planet. She was around quite often when my father and my mother first married."

Kirk raised his eyebrows. Obviously his new yeoman was an older woman. At least temptation wouldn't be a problem. "I'm surprised she hasn't retired out of the service."

Spock inclined his head to the right in a Vulcan shrug, crossing his arms. "Karnth was never known to retire unless absolutely necessary."

Sulu interrupted from the helm. "Approaching the planet, Captain."

"Standard orbit, Mr. Sulu," Kirk commanded. "Hail Commodore Weston, Lieutenant Uhura. He is in charge of tonight's festivities."

"Aye sir," Uhura confirmed. "Hailing frequencies open."

"This is Captain Kirk of the USS Enterprise," Kirk announced.

"Good day, Captain Kirk," Commodore Weston's voiced boomed through. "I must apologize for calling you all the way from sector 12." Weston's voice was rueful, but Kirk could swear he could hear a tint of amusement.

"Not a problem, sir."

"Good. Now, right to business. If you could I'd like you to beam down as soon as possible so we can get the security teams finalized. Unfortunately," Weston continued. "I won't be able to meet with you. The Lantaren delegation is constantly needing reassurances. So, you'll deal with Lieutenant Karnth. She'll come under your command after the security is taken care of. Until then, she's been in charge of the day-to-day practicalities of this celebration, and will continue to be. Understood?"

Kirk shook off the surprise of reporting to his future crewman. "Yes, sir. We'll beam down in five mintues."

"Good!" Weston boomed, relief clear in his voice. "I'm sending the coordinates now. Now, the undersecretary to the Lantaren ambassador calls. I'll see you gentlemen tonight. Weston out."

"Communication ended, sir," Uhura confirmed.

Kirk swung out of his chair. "The sooner we get this started, the sooner it can get done. Come on Spock, you're with me. Bones, I'll see you later. Scotty, you have the Bridge."

"Aye, sir," Scott acknowledged, stepping to Kirk's chair. "Have a bonny time, sir," he wished as Kirk, Spock and McCoy re-entered the turbolift. Kirk chuckled. "We'll try Mr. Scott." But don't hold your breath.