Alyssa was wrong when she reached the bridge. Commander Spock was raising an eyebrow to her somewhat late arrival fifteen minutes after calling her. On the other hand, Captain Kirk wasn't paying much attention, but he did notice her entering and said nothing about her tardiness. Around them, the night shift team was still working away at their stations. They too ignored the new visitor to their domain, intent on staying on course. Sulu especially was sucked into the front view window, helping to keep the ship on a steady path.

"Commander Spock, is there something wrong?" Alyssa asked when their attention was on her. She noted some concern on not only his face, but also Captain Kirk's. "You said that there was some trouble."

Spock's eyebrow lowered. "It seems, according to communications to the planet Starfleet wishes us to contact, that we must travel specially –"

"I think what Mr. Spock is trying to say is, we are asking if you want to join our landing party as our security officer to the planet Synprilox," Captain Kirk interjected politely.

"Is there any reason to believe that the planet is hostile?" Alyssa inquired quickly. She was curious, especially about the so-called trouble Spock said there was.

And I thought Vulcans could not lie. Would exaggeration be considered such?

"We must logically assume our safety in all things, especially in the case where there most likely will be," Spock reported neutrally. "According to regulations, one security officer must be with each landing party."

Is that so, Commander Spock? Where is that in the manual?

"We also believe that, newly transferred to the Enterprise, that you'd never been on any exploratory or diplomatic expeditions," Kirk added smiling, as if he knew something that Alyssa did not. "We did not see any obstacles."

Alyssa was about to mention her records as an excuse to escape the exciting excursion outside of the ship, but kept her mouth shut. If Captain Kirk and Commander Spock had faith in her and are asking her to come down with their party, then she should be flattered and accept the offer. No other Starfleet captain in charge of her would have requested her presence on a mission, even if she was a security officer who was entitled to being part of any ship's missions.

Then again, every other captain also checked her records and decided that she was too much of a risk for anything. Crazy psychological happenings, unmilitary misbehavior, infighting with other crewmembers and screaming at night weren't signs of a good and reliable crewmate. And if she couldn't play well with herself and others, well then, she wasn't good enough to play with the people of other worlds. The crazy behavior might reflect badly upon them worse than herself.

Well, Commander Spock and Captain Kirk would have likely seen my horrible record. Oddly thought that it was ok to bring me along. As the Klingons said, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

"When will we be leaving?" Alyssa pried, wondering if she'll ever have time to prepare. If they were leaving later in the day (Earth time), then she would have little time to finish her shift, sleep and appear tactful for the journey to the planet. "Are we expected at a certain time?"

"Later today at about twelve hundred hours," Spock confirmed, as if the short amount of time would not affect his sleeping habits. "Synprilox's time differs from ours. It would be about fifteen hundred hours, if we had to calculate it in Earth time."

Spock paused for a moment, appearing to want to say more about their departure, but stopped himself short. Instead, he talked of others things about the planet in order to change the topic. "Although it revolves around it sun star, Hectac, the entire planet is composed of mainly a watery substance in which the inhabitants survive from, living underwater. The plant life is limited inside of the life dome they've created, but it blooms at a certain time each day before the next set has its turn. The chancellor has explained that we come when her Earth roses bloom."

"Are you saying that the people in Synprilox live…inside the water?" Alyssa found her turn to raise an eyebrow. She did not anticipate a lecture about the planet they were going to and expected to learn their customs alone.

"No, but that merely the people of Synprilox live underneath the water in a pressurized bubble," Spock explained. "Their water – a life support of sorts – is channeled into the bubble via a piping system. The entire planet is constructed as such."

"So, why are we going down there?" The question had to be voiced. Alyssa couldn't be sure what kind of mission it was by the way Spock was talking because it seemed like more than a normal excursion. "What does Synprilox want from us?"

"Synprilox has requested that they join the Federation," Kirk answered for Spock, before another lengthy explanation went into the planet (logical or not). "The Klingon Empire has also been badgering them. The planet's difficult position is the perfect strategic place, between not only the Neutral Zone, but also many other planets of interest for both the Federation and the Klingon Empire. If the Klingons befriend Synprilox and gain a stronghold and an ally, then we've found ourselves a formidable enemy."

"I take it Synprilox is an underwater superpower?" Alyssa probed.

"Quite capable of annihilating a whole galaxy," Spock revealed to her.

"And what gain would the Federation have in their friendship?" This was interesting for Alyssa to know especially, politics being her favorite part of the Federation game in her time in. "The Federation condemns mass production and trade of weapons."

"They will have an alternative trade agreement, for sure," Kirk predicted thoughtfully. "You are right, Commander. There is a problem with their weapons. The main mineral mined underground through the bubble produces weapons that are sold throughout their galaxy, mostly on black markets that boast their economy. The Federation requests that, as their weapons are a main export, they exterminate manufacturing them in exchange for joining. However, Synprilox is not keen on that, nor are they willing to share what kind of mineral they have. This material will remain a secret from scientists."

"And to think, they were the ones inquiring whether or not they could join the Federation, knowing what they stand for," Alyssa pointed out. "If they're not going to talk about the minerals they use or are willing to halt making weapons, then how will the Federation accept them? How can anybody gain from this interaction? There is no agreement or common ground anywhere."

Spock raised an eyebrow again. "The Federation is not interested in their weapons, Commander. Their main focus, in uniting one and all planets and life forms, is to –"

"What makes you think the Federation will eventually deny Synprilox because of their lack of cooperation?" Kirk asked Alyssa, interrupting Spock again.

"Because a species' nature doesn't always aim for peace and complete harmony," Alyssa argued pessimistically, remembering the past well enough to almost taste it. She almost forgot who she was talking to. "Not all beings are perfect anyway, no matter what ideals we impose. I'm not accusing any kind of race or species, but in general we have to look at the facts. We all may have evolved over the centuries, but today, in 2265, we're still in the midst of extreme corruption and oppression. It's always going to be everywhere, no matter where we turn, and it does not need a starship outreach to fix it."

"The commander has a point," Spock said, "and it's been dutifully noted. However, whatever the captain's suggestions will be, I'm sure the Federation will consider them and weigh their options most carefully."

Spock was avoiding an argument about a person's nature and Alyssa knew it…and he naturally conducted it logically too. Granted, while it was not her place to say anything to people who were supposed to know better than her, Alyssa could not resist the temptation of speaking her fiery, almost demonic (and cynical) outlook into life. McCoy thought it the best part of her. The two could argue most sarcastically and come to a stalemate.

It probably wasn't going to serve her any better in Starfleet. It was best to keep her mouth shut still. She had to keep up an act. It will mean life and death.

"As always," she only said, bowing her head slightly and waiting for further orders.

"Why don't we get some sleep then?" Kirk suggested randomly. "You go ahead, Mr. Spock. I have some things to do on the bridge before returning to my quarters."

Alyssa watched Spock leave. She was stopped by Kirk when she too started to head for her nightly duties outside of the bridge. She had not been ordered back to bed as of yet and the touch of Kirk's steady and confident hand on her arm stayed her, conflicting with her emotions. She still had a night shift to finish and was not keen on staying away from it any later than usual, even if it was for the captain.

Kirk began awkwardly, like a schoolboy half in love with her. "Commander, I – I mean, I agree with you. Synprilox has the potential to become a weapon to another part of the Federation or others outside of it. Worse yet, it could be the Klingon or Romulan Empires. We need to make sure they are proposing peace and unity and not their political troubles."

"I understand, Captain," Alyssa replied coolly, turning around to face him as her black hair whipped around her hazel-like eyes. "I've also studied too much of everybody's natures to be naïve and trustful of others. On the other hand, I don't think that most of the Federation would personally use Synprilox as a means of destruction. One group having a following will have disastrous results. Even if we were talking about the Klingons and Romulans, it's the same scenario."

She paused, thinking that Kirk was not listening, and found him sympathetic. Seeing him nod, she continued. "Sometimes, I think we're still too immature and unintelligent to be handling weapons that would cause great destruction. We have the power and means, but not the wisdom to know when and how to use them. Great power comes with great responsibility."

"You're right." Kirk was quiet for a moment. He released Alyssa to her great relief. "We'll see what happens later on today. Now, we should all be getting to bed."

"Sir, wait, I have a night shift –"

"Isn't Ensign Chekov supposed to be taking half of it?"

Alyssa was caught in her illegal powers and she knew it. "Yes, Sir, but I told him to go to bed. I take on the whole night usually because of his day shift on the bridge. It's not his fault that the double shifts make him tired."

"Fair enough," Kirk agreed, without rendering punishment. He obviously was contemplating a new schedule for Chekov. "He's had a long day. I'm sure getting some sleep would help him…and you."

Relief flooded Alyssa (the misappropriation as a security officer going unnoticed for once) until she saw Kirk look over her shoulder. Following his gaze, she spun around and saw the last person that she wanted to see. The doors to the bridge opened, revealing a very tired Doctor McCoy. He looked as if he had been summoned on a whim, sleepily dragging himself to the bridge for someone's amusement in what appeared to be his night clothes.

"You called me, Jim?" McCoy asked, yawning. "That pointy-eared green-blooded hobgoblin said you wanted me up."

"Yes, actually," Kirk answered coolly. "I was wondering if you could escort Commander Elma back to her quarters. Her shift is over for the night. Like I mentioned to Spock, I have some things to do before going to bed myself. Besides, I'm pretty sure that the two of you have a lot to talk about."

McCoy turned to Alyssa, motioning that she get going to the turbolift and doing so to her in the most chivalrous fashion (Southern style too, she knew). "This way now, my lovely lady."

The child inside of Alyssa would have petitioned to Kirk for help in order to avoid another confrontation with McCoy. The emotions from earlier rolled to her head. She was ready to scream and rage against this unfair arrangement.

In the end, she decided against it. The captain must know something about their argument from weeks before and, in helping his friend the doctor play nice, instigated and is trying to help them both reconcile. She was trapped into this against her own will.

After all, why complain about the argument we had when McCoy himself probably did the same? Or perhaps, Captain Kirk is trying to help, knowing everything we fought about? Is this why he is giving me a chance?

"Good night," Kirk wished them both.

Alyssa sighed, still undecided whether or not she should follow McCoy. Well, whatever it is, I don't like it. I don't like it at all.

"Coming," she finally said, with the intention of ignoring McCoy as she walked back to her quarters. "Good night, Captain."