Captain's log: Stardate: 2261.90
The Enterprise is scheduled to establish a trade agreement with the planet of Vesul. It lies at the edge of Federation space and acts as a key trade location for many different alien cultures, some of which the Federation has yet to contact. I am to meet with Councilman Draal, who is in charge of the trade port. He operates on a tight schedule and can only afford a meet within a specific window of time. He prefers to do so in person due to a cultural belief against using screens to communicate so I am to beam down as soon as possible along with a small security detail. Vesul lies close to Klingon space and while there currently is no existing trade agreement with Vesul and the Klingon Empire the Federation has deemed it important to establish an agreement before them.
The sound of thunder interrupted the chatter among Bridge crew as they glanced around in nervous anticipation. Jim had been preoccupied preparing for his transport down but paused to look at Spock who was busy at his Science station.
"How does the ion storm look, Mr. Spock?"
"It is approaching swiftly, Captain, however, it is interfering with ship scanners. I am unable to obtain accurate readings on its intensity and velocity."
"Reports are coming in from various departments that the storm is also interfering with some of the ship's systems, Captain," Uhura added.
"Looks like I better get down there sooner rather than later," Jim muttered.
"I shall accompany you to the transporter and monitor the storm's progress. We may need to delay transport should the ion storm interfere with transporter capabilities." Spock said as he grabbed a tricorder.
"Mr. Sulu you have the conn," Jim said as he rose from the captain's chair and headed for the turbolift with Spock following close behind him.
"Deck 5," Jim said and the lift moved. "Seems like a simple enough meeting. Shouldn't be a problem to establish an agreement and be out of here in no time." Jim smiled. Spock made no comment but inclined his head. "The Vesulians seem like an interesting people, don't you think?." Jim added in an attempt to establish small talk.
"Indeed. From the written reports we possess they are said to be mostly humanoid in appearance with thick armored skin, not unlike some of the Xenarthra grouping of mammals from early Earth. Their planet was once primarily desert with a harsher climate so their people adapted to the environment. However, there exists no images of their species as they maintain a strong cultural belief where imagery, especially video communication or photography, can trap their 'immortal souls' from passing into their version of 'Heaven' after death and in essence trapping them in that image plane of existence forever."
"Kind of a chilling thought." Jim grinned.
"Perhaps." Spock mused, "Although their environment has changed greatly as they have made significant advances in technology they still maintain that belief and their appearances have changed little based on written accounts."
Jim nodded, "I guess they just don't like having their pictures taken."
Spock ignored the comment, "Much of their cultural advances can be attributed to their trade industry. Vesul is in an ideal location for many different alien species traveling between worlds. Since the first contact was made by an outside species Vesul evolved into an important trade center in this sector of the galaxy. The Federation would like to extend a trade agreement as a means of studying the many different species and cultures which visit the planet. In theory, it may lead to more alliances. Keeping ties with the Federation would also be the logical course of action for the Vesulians as we can provide more advanced technology and defensive systems. Since the Federation operates on peaceful terms as opposed to the Klingons it is more likely our alliance will provide a greater profit"
Jim nodded, "In other words, 'Don't screw this up'." One of Spock's eyebrows shot up in an amused gesture and they stood in a comfortable silence for several moments. "So...once I've successfully established this agreement and the transport of the supplies is finished we'll have some free time before our next mission. What do you say to a game of chess when we're both free?"
Spock's face set back into a cold mask, "You may find time for leisure once we have completed our tasks on Vesul, Captain, but as the Vesulians were generous enough to provide flora specimens from their planet I find I will likely be detained within the Science Department and must decline your invitation."
The cold response clipped through Jim's lightened mood and wiped the smile right off of his face, "Right, of course. Guess it slipped my mind." Jim focused on the doors in front of him, trying to ignore the uncomfortable pit that formed in his stomach just then. He could feel the Vulcan's eyes boring into his skull and knew the exact moment Spock opened his mouth to say something. By some merciful intervention the doors swooshed open at that moment and he hurried out, not allowing the Vulcan to say whatever he was going to say.
After the whole Nero incident followed by Khan, Jim had put his best foot forward in an attempt to befriend the Vulcan. He had taken Spock's input into consideration more often while on a difficult mission, even if they still butted heads more often than not. It often worked out in their favor and they made a great command team that way. They had begun to do paperwork together, the Vulcan stating it increase accuracy and the rate of speed it was completed allowing for more time to focus on other matters. They frequently ate in the mess hall at the same time and discussed varying topics over meals with other members of the bridge crew. He found out that had a lot of shared interests this way. He had even coerced Spock to play chess with him one evening and had beaten him. This lead to them playing at least once a week and although Spock won more than Jim both men had seemed to enjoy it. Or so he thought. Recently Spocked took his meals in his quarters and declined their chess games. He rarely saw the Vulcan off of the bridge and it was almost like the Vulcan actively avoided him.
They were supposed to have some legendary friendship but lately, he wondered if the drastic changes in this timeline meant it wasn't within their destiny or if he overstepped some unspoken Vulcan social line. Anytime he tried to bring it up Spock would deflect the subject and excuse himself so he figured he would just never know. Lately, he just because less and less persistent in attempting to convince Spock to hang out.
It didn't help that the mind meld with the Vulcan's older self had some unfortunate side effects. Every now and then he would receive a small flash of a memory that wasn't his own. It didn't happen often and felt much like deja vu, but to Jim's dismay, many of the memories were happy ones that involved his alternate self and Spock Prime. It was evident they had a stronger relationship in that timeline and Jim envied it.
Jim swallowed his disappointment as he entered the transporter room. Now was not the time to dwell on his social problems he had a mission to do. Security Officer Hendorff and two crewmen finished setting cargo bins, gifts to the Vesulians from the Federation, on the extra pads before standing on the primary ones. Lieutenant Kyle was at the controls and Doctor McCoy hovered to the side with his arms crossed in front of him and a characteristic scowl on his face.
"Bones! Here to see me off?" Jim grinned as he trotted over to his friend.
"Given your knack for attracting trouble, I thought it wise to look after you lot since you insist on trusting this confounded tech to scatter your atoms across space and time during a storm and expect everything to be hunky-dory!" The doctor grumbled.
"Energize," Hendorff said. The transporter hummed to life and their images danced in a sparkle of yellow lights as their bodies slowly began to fade. After a few moments they should have dematerialized completely yet it appeared as if they were rematerializing back on the transporters then disappearing again. Kyle began to turn dials and press buttons on the control panel as he observed the wave patterns on the screen. McCoy's body noticeably became rigid and his eyes widened into saucers. A few tense moments later the crewmen and cargo had vanished from the pad. McCoy gave him the 'I told you so' look.
"Trouble?" Jim Kirk questioned as he walked to the side of the control panel. Kyle examined the panel again before looking at his Captain.
"There seems to be some interference from the Ion storm, sir, but I am receiving confirmation the crewman made it safely to the surface," Kyle answered as he looked at his screen. He made a few adjustments before nodding to the Captain, "Should be fine now, Sir."
"Fine or not it's not natural to scatter a man's particles and rematerializing them somewhere else in the first place! It's only a matter of time before something goes horribly wrong and frankly I don't think now is the best time to mess with this stuff." McCoy snapped.
"That's the spirit, Bones." Jim grinned.
A loud burst of thunder rumbled throughout the room and Jim, McCoy, and Kyle unconsciously looked up. Spock glanced up from his tricorder to look at the settings on the panel, "Captain, perhaps it would be wise to delay any further transports to or from the surface until after the storm has passed."
"Or not transport at all," McCoy mumbled.
Jim ignored the good doctor's comment, "Any idea on how long it will be until the storm passes, Mr. Spock?"
"Approximately three point seven five hours if my readings are correct, Captain."
"Tck…that's too long. The High Councilman won't allow that." Jim muttered. "Kyle, can you compensate the transporter for the storm over the next few minutes? Just long enough to beam me down? I'm sure we can find something on world to occupy us after until the storm passes."
"I should be able to so long as the storm doesn't change too much in the new few minutes, Sir," Kyle answered.
If it were possible Jim could have sword Spock stiffened more than usual, "Captain, I would advise against beaming to the surface or retrieving the team until the storm has passed. Perhaps the councilmen will permit the meeting via audio communication only due to the circumstances."
"Spock's right, Jim." McCoy agreed.
Jim gaped at him, "Never thought I'd see the day you two would agree! Pinch me I must be dreaming."
"This isn't funny, Jim!"
"Look I get it you two are worried. But establishing this trade agreement is important to the Federation and we'll get on the best terms with Vesul by honoring their requests. I have to go." Jim hopped up onto a transporter pad. "Might be a bumpy ride but I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Captain, I am well aware of the requests of the Councilman and their beliefs, however, I must object to-" Spock went to protest again but was cut off when the Captain raised his hand to silence him.
"I won't argue with you about this, Spock. I'm going down and that's final."
"Damnit, Jim…" McCoy muttered.
"Energize," Jim commanded in a far more authoritative tone and Kyle switched on the transporter. Just as Jim saw the familiar swirl of lights around him he felt a sharp jolt of the ship and a clap of thunder reverberate around the ship before his vision tunneled to black.