"The planet is very much like Earth. Here are no signs of life forms. It is capable if sustaining life. It has water and dense vegetation. It could be a suitable place for an Earth colony."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock. I'll keep that in mind."
I hate making this decision. I have to choose who lives and who dies. Who should I send on the unknown planet this time? I don't like to send my crew onto any potentially threatening planet, but we discover and explore strange new worlds.
The whole bridge is waiting to hear who would leave the safety of the ship and who might not come back.
"May I accompany you to the surface, Captain?"
I turn to and Spock is staring at me with those eyes. I can't refuse him. "Of course you can, Spock. You Ensign Genovesi will beam down with me in one hour."
I leave the bridge and head towards my room. Upon entering, I see someone sitting on the edge of my bed.
"Don't you know how to knock," I try to say seriously but can't keep a straight face.
"I knocked, but no one answered. I couldn't just stand there, so I decided to come in anyway."
"What do I owe this visit, Bones?"
"I just came to check up on you. I heard up on you. I heard about the planet." Just like that the humor was gone.
"I'm fine. I'm absolutely fine."
"Jim, I've known you for longer than I'd like to admit. We both know you are not fine. This job is tearing you apart."
I know he is right, but I would never admit to it. I could never tell anyone that I am not in perfect mental health; a captain must always be at the top of his game.
"I'm fine, Bone. I just came in here to grab some stuff before we head planet-side."
I have never been a good liar. McCoy knows that that was his invitation to leave, but he holds my gaze. It feels like he sees straight through me. Sometimes I feel like Bones is the smartest of us all. I know as he breaks eye contact that this is not over.
I grab everything I might need to survive on a new planet. I take a shower with my imaginary Spock. As I walk towards the transporter room, I wonder what dangers are for us down there.
