Chapter One: I Need To Know
"Damn it, Jim, I don't like it."
"Bones, we've been through this. It's no different than any other ambassadorial mission!"
"But we've never been there! No-one has! Are you sure no-one else could take this mission?"
"The order comes from Starfleet, Bones. This is just something we have to do. Now chin up and get ready."
Captain James Tiberius Kirk of the USS Enterprise left the medical bay with a distinct swagger in his step as his chief medical officer watched him go. The tall, oft-stressed and darkly handsome doctor who went by the name of Leonard McCoy sighed and sat down on a bed, pressing a palm to his furrowed brow. He didn't like this and he knew Jim knew.
But it was Starfleet and right now the crew of the Enterprise could ill afford any more trouble with command. Bones got to his feet and straightened the sheet on the bed almost absent-mindedly. It wasn't unheard of; the inhabitants of Zixaan IV in the Meearan system had just achieved warp capability and Starfleet were obliged to send an ambassador ship to welcome them into the Federation. This was all well and good, Bones grumbled in his mind, but alien planets tended to have more than their fair share of unidentified diseases and plagues, all of which were difficult to treat.
But Kirk wasn't listening and didn't seem to care. After the fiasco with Nero, they had safely delivered Spock Prime and the surviving Vulcans to Delta Vega, where they promised to temporarily run Starfleet's outpost until they could find a way to make the area habitable in place of Montgomery Scott, who had formally accepted the position of chief engineer aboard the Enterprise. Now they had received their first assignment – welcome the Zixaans into the Federation.
Bones rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. Still, it would be a learning curve. At the very least, he would be the foremost expert on the sicknesses found in the new system, which would make for interesting reading, little comfort that it was. With a hearty sigh, he turned and headed for his quarters to change.
Somewhere near the Laurentian system, the USS Arbitory drifted slowly through space, almost totally unmanned. On-board, acting Captain Lucian Malbrook paged the medical bay. "Doc? How are things shaping up?"
"Lookin' shiny down here, sir," came the reply. Lucian nodded. He gestured to his helmsman.
"Do you have the co-ordinates from Starfleet Command, Mister Walbard?"
"Aye, sir."
"Then lock them in and chart course for Zixaan IV. We'll be rendezvousing with the Enterprise upon arrival."
As the Arbitory prepared to enter warp, the acting medical officer, Doctor Britannia Charlotte sat down beside one of the beds in the medical bay and smiled, forcing down the trepidation. As an act of good faith, the Arbitory would be used as a training ship in the Meearan system, passing on advanced starship and medical skills. Fresh from Starfleet Academy, the young doctor -who had minored in xenolinguistics – was looking forward to the mission. But regardless of her eagerness, she was still concerned. This was the unknown; it was alright to be nervous, apprehensive even. What was the saying? To boldly go where no-one has gone before? Britannia nodded to herself. Things would be alright.
On the bridge, Captain Malbrook bristled with anticipation. He had been in command of the Arbitory for just over a year and this was his first ambassador mission. He had been surprised to hear that the Enterprise would be meeting them there. He had, of course, heard of the genocidal actions of the rogue Romulan Nero, as well as the ship's new captain's rebellious nature, but he hadn't expected a rookie crew to be accompanying him to a new race in the Federation.
Still, it would be fun. After the pleasantries, the Arbitory had been commissioned to a nine month stay in the Meearan system to keep away the scavengers and predators that might interfere with the planet's further development. A shiver passed through Lucian as the helmsman engaged the warp drive. Anything would be better than coming face-to-face with another lot of hostile Romulans...
The small, blue-green planet of Zixaan IV looked not too dissimilar to Earth, Bones noted, peering through the hull-side window in his quarters as the Enterprise orbited the celestial body at a gentle drift. From the data he had coerced from the computer, he knew that the planet below was actually far smaller than his home, but it didn't kill the wonder of seeing this alien world spinning in a cosmic dance below him. Not that he was going to tell anyone else that. The comm crackled overhead and to his annoyance, Bones heard his name being paged, "Doctor McCoy, please report to the bridge."
Minutes later, the lift door hissed open and the medical officer strode over to the captain's chair, where Kirk lounged languidly with his first officer, Spock, at his side. The half-vulcan lifted his eyes to the new arrival. "Ah, Doctor McCoy. You'll be accompanying the away team to the planet's surface."
Bones' stomach bottomed out on him, causing him to instantly feel queasy and sway slightly. "A-away team? To the..."
"Oh, come on, Bones. It's only a little trip. Besides, we'll have back-up. The USS Arbitory is sending some of their officers along as well, so it'll be a cheery meet-and-greet for everyone," Kirk wheedled, a bright and deceivingly innocent smile playing across his boyishly handsome features. Bones groaned. He knew from the outset that this was all going to go horribly wrong and proceeded to inform his captain of such. Spock raised an eyebrow.
"Doctor McCoy, I believe that your reaction to this mission is becoming increasingly irrational. As the highest ranking medical officer aboard the Enterprise, it is logical that you accompany the captain and myself in the event that your skills are required. It is also logical that you attend as a show of good faith – these people have vastly different medical practices than anything on record at Starfleet. It would be wise if you talked to some of their physicians."
"Wise my ass," McCoy grumbled under his breath, turning to leave. The captain caught his wrist as he made to leave. Leonard turned and stuck Kirk with an angry glare. "Let me go... Captain."
"Bones, I'd rather not do this without you."
"Then you had better not treat me like your pet, Jim. I'm a doctor, not an emissary. That's your job."
"I know. But its the first time. I need your support. Besides, I've spoken with Captain Malbrook on the Arbitory. He's sending his chief medical officer, Doctor Charlotte. Bright kid, minored in xenolinguistics. Maybe you two should talk, perhaps find something out about the medical facilities in the city."
"I'm a babysitter now? Gee... and I thought this trip couldn't get any better."
"Bones, just help me out here. Head down to the transporter bay and make sure Mr. Scott is prepared. Take Spock with you."
The first officer stepped cleanly back and headed toward the lift in the corner of the tiered room. Kirk frowned at his medic. "You are dismissed, McCoy."
Bones, furious with his old friend, left in troubled silence. A part of him was quietly thoughtful, though. This was a new planet. None in Starfleet had ever seen this kind of medical practice before.
Exactly what was waiting for them on the planet surface?
Author disclaimer: I don't own the Star Trek crew. I'd like to own McCoy, though. He is one handsome devil! I own Britannia Charlotte, Helmsman Walbard and Lucian Malbrook, though. There will be fluff in later chapters, I can promise you that. Britannia is young and hopeful, McCoy older and dry... this is so House in Space! XD