Enemy Unkown

Space was a curious thing, an oblivion sparkling with the bright white light of dying stars. Filled to the brim with planets… and life; Organisms capable of sustaining complicated chemical reactions. It was because of this fascination with life, that the Enterprise and its crew found itself on its five year mission to explore the furthest reaches of the universe. They had only been passing a recently discovered system when they had stumbled upon something of an interest. A Binary star; one of the largest many had seen stood a blaze. The gasses from the smaller orbiting star tumbling into the larger one as it was slowly consumed.

At first nothing was thought of the spectacle, until the long range scanners of the Enterprise had picked up signs of a planet, orbiting the slowly dying stars. They had discovered another Circumbinary planet; one which could be listed down with the small number currently present in the known universe.

Kirk could still remember the undeniable excitement of which he had witnessed in his first officers features. Well, which he had assumed he witnessed through his emotionless persona.

"Captain" Spock had stated as he rose from his station. Grabbing the crew's attention, eyes were drawn to the centre of the room and away from the screen which graced their stations.

"What is it now Spock?" Jim groaned as he brought his hand to his face and brushed his brow. The Captain sat sprawled in his chair, the lights of the room highlighting the dark rings which hung beneath his eyes.

"Long range scanners are picking up… a planet-" Spock stated slowly as he slowly began to wander towards the captain; his back straightened and hands clamped behind as he maintained his stance. "A Circumbinary planet"

"A what now Mr Spock?" Kirk questioned as he tilted his chair slightly in the Vulcans direction, his eyebrow twitching inquisitively. Uhura smirked from her station as she also leaned backwards relaxing into her seat. Sometimes she really did wonder how the captain had passed some of Star-fleets basic examinations.

"A Circumbinary planet Captain- They are extremely rare, discovering this would mean there are only 17 others in the universe" Spock listed as if he was reading the definition from an APADD. Nodding slowly the captain turned his chair back to the binary star, his eyes narrowing slowly.

"Do these planets normally harbour life?" Kirk asked seemingly intrigued as he dropped his hand away from his face and locked eyes with his first officer. Wandering closer to the captain, Spock also allowed his attention to wane towards the image of the star on the large screen.

"Usually- No" Spock muttered as he watched the planet slowly rise upon the horizon of the star. "However this planet seems to be showing- Potential… one unlike the others-"

"I see" Kirk noted as he realised the direction of which the conversation was headed.

"Indeed captain- Therefore it is logical that I should request that I be able to lead a small landing party of science officers to the planet to investigate it and collect adequate samples" Spock finished with an emotionless tilt of the head. However Kirk could have sworn he saw a glimmer of excitement in the Vulcans otherwise stoic eyes.

Standing upwards abruptly from his seat the captain seemed to study the planet once more before turning to Spock. "Who did you propose was on your team?"

"A few of the science officers- I would also assume that Doctor McCoy and Markus may want to accompany us on the trip" Spock listed simply his eyes narrowing on the captain as the blonde slowly nodded in acknowledgement.

"No can do Mr Spock" Kirk muttered sadly as he turned to face his officer with a sad smile, "It could be too dangerous, especially if we don't do any of the basic scans before beaming" Frowning the Vulcan watched his captain for a few moments, trying to judge whether he was indeed 'joking'.

"Please excuse me captain, for human sarcasm sometimes confuses me- Are you suggesting that you are to follow protocol?" Spock questioned causing Kirk to grin and laugh. Uhura smiled from her station, her eyes never leaving the captain and his first officer. Reaching forwards Kirk patted the Vulcan on the arm playfully as he leaned backwards.

"If I wasn't so tired Spock I would have thought you just made a joke-"

"I am Vulcan captain- I do not make 'jokes'" Spock cut through as he watched Jim smile and raise an eyebrow slightly.

"No- I can't risk you taking a team that large down onto the planet-" Jim muttered as he wandered away from his first officer slightly, "Especially after you just stated that none have had the same potential for life before- We don't know what could be down there so turning up with a large team is out of the option-"

Spock nodded slightly, acknowledging some of the captain's logic behind his decision. However his thoughts were cut off as Jim suddenly rounded on his feet and grinned widely at his first officer. "That is why Bones, yourself and I will travel down to the planet alone"

"Captain-" Uhura began as she raised an eyebrow from across the room, "If the planet could be as dangerous as you make it out to be then why would a small team be more beneficial than a larger team with security?"

"Because Uhura…" Jim stalled as he wandered over to his Lieutenant slowly, his mind racing as he struggled to come up with a semi logical response, "A larger team would draw more attention-"

Spock remained ridged in his position by the captain's chair, a single eyebrow rising as he noted the logic in the man's suggestion. "However logical your point captain, Uhura is right- A larger party with more security would have more benefits to the safety of the trip; especially with someone of your medical record"

Kirk's jaw dropped as he glanced between the communications officer and his second in command, "Did you just make a dig Spock?" Jim joked with his trade mark smile,

"Spock is right captain" Uhura echoed as her eyes connected with the Vulcans, a smile gracing her features as she nodded towards him in respect and love.

Going unnoticed Jim rolled his eyes as he laughed to himself muttering, "He did just make a dig…". Coughing the captain ran a hand through his hair, pulling himself from his own amusing reverie and recapturing the attention of his crew members. "Fine as you are so concerned Mr Spock the exploration party will consist of yourself, Bones, a couple of security officers and I" Grinning Jim wandered toward the turbo lift on the far side of the room, "Everyone shall be authorised to take a phaser and a communicator; ensuring regular transmissions are sent back to the Enterprise" Jim finished as he stopped beside the turbo lift, "Better?"

"That is most logical captain" Spock regarded as he inclined his head slightly, Uhura smirked and turned back to her desk; placing a headset back over her ears as she played various incoming transmissions.

"Good" Kirk nodded, "For now I am off to inform Bones on the fact he will be joining us for our planetary exploration today"

"I am not sure the doctor will be as pleased as you are expecting captain" Spock noted as he tilted his head to the side, wandering slowly towards the same turbo lift.

The lifts doors opened abruptly, Jim stepping inside with Spock. The captain grinning to himself as he shook his head slowly. "No Spock, the doctor will be elated that we included him in our plans" Turning to the left the captain selected the medical bays floor from the control panel before straightening his back and locking eyes with Sulu. "Sulu you have the conn"

"Yes sir!" Sulu chimed as the doors to the turbo lift closed.