A/N: Guh, conspiracies are about as hard to write as mysteries. While I feel that most of this chapter is meh fluff-stuff, it does raise some beginning questions and clues. Thus, I feel that this is both superfluous and necessary (and yes, I know those really don't work in the same sentence and that they sort of cancel each other out, but oh well). I hope y'all like it!

McCoy materialized into the Apache's transporter room and looked around. It was almost identical to the Enterprise's. He picked up his suitcase and stepped off the platform.

"Welcome aboard, Doctor McCoy," a smiling man said. He had dashing dark hair and glittering eyes. He carried an air of authority like Kirk, only differently. While Kirk wore his authority as a reserved muscle, willing to use it when needed (or allowing enemies a peak at his power), this captain held it as a tool. McCoy couldn't figure out just what he would use that tool for just yet.

"I'm Captain Brahms," he introduced. They shook hands, and Brahms turned to the man next to him. The stiff posture and emotionless face clued McCoy in long before the greenish skin and pointed ears. This man was a Vulcan.

"This is my first officer, Saolos." Saolos inclined his head in greeting. McCoy returned the gesture, murmuring "First Officer."

Considering Spock's success on the Enterprise, more Vulcans were joining Starfleet and excelling. McCoy was not surprised to see another Vulcan XO.

"Well, Doctor," Brahms said, clasping his hands. "This may not be the Enterprise but we've still got state-of-the-art facilities and a few other tricks up our sleeves. A proper tour will have to wait, however, as we are still in the process of preparing for the Neutral Zone."

"Of course," McCoy acknowledged.

"Saolos here can show you to your quarters and Sickbay; I'm sure you'll want to drop your things off and get acquainted with your new working assignment."

"Indeed," he replied, if slightly stonily.

Brahms excused himself for the bridge and McCoy picked up his suitcase again while readjusting his satchel. Saolos did not offer to carry anything.

"If you will follow me, Doctor," Saolos said, then walked crisply out of the room. McCoy hurried after him.

"Your quarters," Saolos announced when they arrived. McCoy peered in. They didn't look all that different. He dropped his luggage inside the door and faced Saolos. "Okay, so where's Sickbay?"

The Vulcan did not comment on his choice to not unpack. Instead, he simply turned and walked on through the corridor. A few halls later and they arrived at Sickbay's main entrance. McCoy was grateful; at least his quarters were on the same deck.

"Doctor, I shall leave you to explore and get acquainted," Saolos said suddenly. "I must return to my post on the bridge."

"Oh, well, then it was nice meeting you."

The quip fell flat as Saolos merely turned and left.

McCoy huffed. "Well, that's a friendly personality," he grumbled to himself. There was a giggle from behind him. He turned and saw a lovely red-headed girl blushing. She quickly got a hold of herself.

"He's a Vulcan, so it's apparently okay for him a prick," she mentioned.

"It's still no excuse for being rude," he asserted.

She shook her head. "Perhaps." Spotting the rank on his uniform, she looked up at him. "Are you the new CMO?"

"It looks like it," he said tiredly, trying not to think of Jim or Spock.

"Well, hello then!" She stuck out a hand and he shook it. "I'm your Head Nurse, Julia Granger."

"Leonard McCoy," he said warmly. At that moment a young man stuck his head into the room.

"Nurse, has the new-? Oh! Hello," the man walked smoothly towards them. "Are you Leonard McCoy?"

"Yes."

"Well, it's nice to meet you," the man said. "I'm Elias Mason, AMO."

The three of them chatted for a little bit. Granger was very optimistic and spunky, while Mason was knowledgeable and agreeable. They were a more upbeat contrast to Chapel and M'Benga, who had steel wills and quiet manners. McCoy fought off the pang in his heart.

Mason showed him around Sickbay. Most of the layout was the same, with a few exceptions. The biggest one was a lab branching off from the complex that contained a massive tank of water.

"Well, this isn't something you see every day," McCoy commented, stepping over to it. It was waist-high and took up most of the center of the room. Water was held in place by a small force field along the top.

"We use it for studying aquatic specimens," Mason offered. "We emptied it of life and notable chemicals for this new mission; that way we have a blank slate to adjust to a creature's needs. Who knows what we might find on the planets in the Neutral Zone."

"Yes," McCoy murmured quietly, gazing into the water. "Who knows."

Dr. Carter's way too happy, Christine Chapel decided. Well, not happy, exactly. Cheerful. He's way too cheerful. After being used to McCoy's bluntness and 'okay, let's get back to work but I'm happy, too' attitude, the eager new doctor seemed far too lively for her taste. Briefly, she considered injecting him with a depressant just to get him to slow down.

She had to admit, though, that he worked just as hard as McCoy. After settling in, the doctor buried himself in a project. The nearest she could figure out was that it concerned a filtering method to purify toxic atmospheres. When coupled with a mask, it could allow one to breathe poisons.

They entered the Neutral Zone a few days ago. So far, everything was uneventful. The nearest planet would still take a few days to reach, since they weren't allowed to travel faster than warp 5, and Captain Kirk was playing the first-time-exploring-in-enemy-territory safe and kept the ship at warp 3.

Chapel snapped out of her musings when M'Benga entered the room. "Good morning, Doctor," she greeted.

"Hello," he replied. Chapel glanced behind him but saw nothing. "Where's Dr. Carter?"

"He's already in the chemical lab. I passed by on my way over and stopped to check in." M'Benga frowned. "It was sealed, though. When I commed he answered that he was conducting application tests and that the other sealant chambers were either occupied or being worked on, and that he was seeing if his mechanism could survive whatever nasty chemicals were thrown its way."

Chapel shook her head. "Did he at least have a safe suit on?"

M'Benga shrugged. "Couldn't see. He must have, though, if he was gassing the whole room with him in it."

"Yeah…" Unconsciously, she chewed her lip. Normally, whenever McCoy had a project, she was helping him. Sometimes Mr. Spock would be there as well, in which case she always volunteered her services. Now, however, Dr. Carter seemed immersed into a world all his own; untouchable. The isolation kind of hurt.

She chastised herself and shook out of the brooding. "Let's see about those Cartolone tests," she said, back to business.

"M- me, sir?" he squeaked.

"It has to be you, Allan," the captain said.

He gulped nervously. "But I'm hardly qualified for such a demanding- and dubious- task…"

Saolos stepped closer. "If this is to work," he droned. "Then a person must have access to places he would not normally have access to. We cannot replace the captain. It is impossible. But there is one position which grants supreme access."

"The Chief Medical Officer," he said weakly.

The captain nodded. "The medical override can get you anywhere." He turned to Saolos. "Inform him of everything he needs to do."

"Of course," Saolos said smoothly; dangerously.

The captain eyed him seriously. "You do want to go along with this, don't you?"

He gulped again. "Captain, I want to save lives," he said. "I feel that the pact is wrong. But, if there is another way-"

"If there is another way, would you please enlighten us?" the captain snapped. He sighed and reigned in his temper. The he placed his hands on both of his shoulders. "I don't like having to do this anymore than you do. But it must happen if we are to save thousands of unnecessary deaths in the long run. Think of the future, Allan. Do you want the future to be riddled with war?"

"No," he said firmly, some resolve seeping back into his veins.

"And this will put an end to that risk," the captain said.

He eyed him right back and drew himself up to his full height. "Alright, I'll do it. But you will beam me out before everything hits the fan, right?"

"We'll try," Saolos said dryly.

The captain shot him an icy glare. "We will," he promised. "But you've got to come through for us."

"I will," he said.

Allan Carter worked harder.

"Hey, Jim."

"Hey, Bones," Kirk said to the computer terminal. The 'day' was winding down and he and McCoy were communicating via live link like they did every night since his transfer. While the Justice was far away on the other end of the Neutral Zone, the Enterprise and Apache were still close enough for live transmissions.

Kirk was tired. Everyone was still slightly on edge because it was the Neutral Zone, so he didn't have many opportunities to unwind. Normally he could just talk to Bones. But now, the only chance to do that was when they were both off-shift and in their quarters. They also had to make sure there was no interference blocking the signals.

"How was your day?" he asked, to start off a conversation- any conversation.

"It was good," McCoy said vaguely. He frowned. "Jim, you look tired."

"Oh, it's nothing, just a long shift," he waved.

McCoy still eyed him. "In the Neutral Zone. You doubled, again, didn't you?"

Idly Kirk marveled at how, even light years away, McCoy could still read him like a book. "We have to be alert and ready for anything, Bones," he insisted.

"Mm-hm. Right now, you're alert for nothing." McCoy leaned forward. "And if you keep pulling double shifts you're going to be dead tired when a real crisis comes up. Save your strength for when you know something interesting is going to happen; like when you reach that planet you're heading for."

"Okay, Bones." Kirk gave a weak smile. "Thanks for the advice, Doctor."

McCoy snorted. "I'm not you doctor anymore, Jim. This is coming from your friend." McCoy paused and looked down, tapping his fingers for a moment. Finally, he asked, "How's Spock?"

Kirk resisted the urge to sigh. This felt too fake. Chatting about their days, starting off conversations with a 'how ya doin'?'… he'd never been good at long-distance relationships. He and Bones could talk about anything. And Spock…

Though the Vulcan wouldn't admit it, Kirk knew he missed their banter. Dr. Carter, while friendly, wasn't exactly social. Spock instead buried himself in his work; the upkeep of the ship.

"He's alright," Kirk said. "Staying busy. Every scanner, every sensor, and every tricorder must be in tip-top condition when we reach Vialis."

Instead of the chuckle Kirk was hoping for, McCoy frowned. "Jim, what was the name of that planet you're going to again?"

"Vialis," Kirk said, slightly confused. "Why?"

McCoy leaned back on the screen, his brow furrowing. "That's the name of the planet we're heading for."

Being the first conspiracy that I've ever written, reviews are very much appreciated so that I can get an idea of whether or not I'm achieving what I want. Please let me know what you think!