Jim and Bones were on their way to the transporter room to beam down to the newly discovered planet Salvoor. Just a simple meet and greet, indulge the ambassador for a few hours and then they could go back to their everyday routine aboard the enterprise. Playing diplomat for the night wasn't his favourite thing to do, but it had to be done and the sooner they got down there the sooner it would be over with and hey at least bones would be with him to keep him company.
In the turbo-lift down he had felt a headache starting to form and he was beginning to feel a little overheated, but it was nothing he couldn't brush off for the mission. Besides it was probably from drinking late last night with bones, the guy really could handle his drink and he didn't like to be outdone. Speaking of which, bones was side-eyeing him right now with a concerned look on his face "Out with it bones, what is it?"
"Nothing captain, you're just looking a little green around the gills is all. Sure you didn't drink too much last night? I can give you a hy-" There was a hint of smugness to his voice.
"I'm fine bones" He didn't need bones sticking him with hypo's right now, he unconsciously rubbed at the side of his neck in memory of the last time that happened. Luckily bones seem to decide that he wasn't going to dig any deeper, much to his relief. Instead he clapped a firm hand onto his shoulder.
"Now I highly doubt you will but- if you're not feeling well, let me know. Okay Jim?" His smugness was gone from his voice now and was only filled with genuine concern.
"Yes doctor" He remarked with a dismissive grin as they entered into the transporter room. He knew he sure as hell wasn't going to mention anything unless he was on his death bed.
They were greeted by Scotty laying underneath the transporter control station, surrounded by loose wires and a mess of tools, if his finest engineer was in here then there must be a problem. "What is going on here Scotty? We need to beam down to Salvoor in 10 minutes"
"Sorry Captain, I've bin tryin' tae fix this blasted thing for at least an hour but am nae havin' any luck. The damn planet's atmosphere sent off some kin' ay discharged an' has knocked out the transporter conduit. Am sorry tae say this but I think you're gonna have to take a shuttle"
"I ain't taking no damn shuttle! Those things are death traps" Bones chimed in. Jim was taken back to when he first met bones, the man's intense fear of flying was practically the reason they met each-other in the first place, the flight attendant had forced bones to sit down next to him, he wished he could thank that woman.
"Is there really nothing else you can do? Starfleet command isn't going to be happy to find out about us being delayed and as you know, the doctor has a distaste for shuttles"
"Aye Captain, I've given 'er my best shot but I'm gonna need more time tae fix the damn thing"
"Very well, have shuttle-pod 2 ready for us in 5 minutes and tell Spock to let the Salvuru ambassador know we will be delayed"
"Aye Sir" Scotty hurried out of the room.
He let out a quiet frustrated sigh and ran his fingers through his hair before looking over at bones, who was looking less than pleased at his decision. "Come on bones, it won't be so bad. You know I'm a good pilot!"
Bones had already crossed his arms in an act of defiance "I'm simply not getting on that thing, sorry you're going to have to go without me"
He let out more audible sigh this time "Don't make me have to order you bones. You know the Salvuru practically worship healers and they only agreed to this meeting because you were going to be there. If not for them, then for me? Please?"
The doctor rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief "I can't believe I'm going to say this. Fine, I'll go on the damn shuttle-pod! I swear- the things I do for you…."
Jim let out a grin in response, he really hadn't wanted to explain to the Salvuru about not only being late, but his "healer" not being there as well. He knew this was a big deal for bones, it's not easy to face your biggest fear, especially not when it's suddenly sprung upon you. He should give him a bottle of Romulan ale as a thanks later "Thanks Bones, you're the best" Bones rolled his eyes and gave him a curt "I know"
As they entered into the shuttle bay he noticed Bones was taking deep breaths and murmuring under his breath "Relax Bones, you know I was the top of my class! I won't let anything bad happen to you" He shot him a cheeky grin and a wink as they walked over to their shuttle, he hoped joking around might distract Bones a little.
"Oh yes, that fills me with so much confidence" He replied sarcastically
"You can sit in the back if you like, no windows"
"Wouldn't have it any other way"
Just before Jim could get into the shuttle his comm signal went off.
"Captain, I have notified the Salvuru of your delay as you requested. I'd also like to inform you that the planet's atmosphere is currently highly volatile due to a large storm and the fact that this planet's atmospheric layers change frequently, I'd advise against flying into it."
Spock was being diligent as always. But he didn't have time to wait out the storm, Starfleet command would hand him his ass on a platter if this meeting didn't go well. Bones was going to have to endure some turbulence, he felt bad about it but this was his duty after all.
"Can the storm be manually maneuvered through? I'm assuming the shuttle guidance system will be down"
"Yes Captain, Howev-"
"Then that's what we are going to have to do then Spock"
"Captain"
He could practically feel Spock glaring at him even through the comm. Even if he is half Vulcan, he totally still cares about him. God why does everyone worry about him, he can take care of himself.
"We'll be fine Spock"
There was a reluctant pause before Spock responded.
"Yes Captain, please be careful"
He clicked his comm shut and got into the pilot's seat, Bones had already situated himself into the back of the shuttle.
"Buckle up Bones, it's gonna be a rough ride"
"that's exactly what I DON'T want to hear"
"Don't worry, just a little storm is all"
"It better be or I swear to god I will haunt you for the rest of my life"
Jim let out a laugh, he really did hope it would only be minor turbulence, his headache was getting worse and he didn't need to be shaken about or yelled at eternally by bone's ghost.
"This is shuttle-pod 2 to the bridge, we are ready to take-off. Please open the shuttle-bay doors"
"Acknowledged"
The magnetic storm surrounding the planet had been rough, but he had managed to manually account for it and get them through relatively smoothly, much to bone's surprise. However as soon as they had entered into the planet's atmosphere the storm awaiting them had felt like it was going to crush them in one fell swoop. The wind was whipping around the shuttle threatening to rip them apart, he wasn't even sure if they were flying any more or were just being thrown around. This was very quickly becoming his nightmare.
"Captain to Enterprise, come in Enterprise. We need assistance"
All he got in response was a loud crackling sound, looks like comms were down which was no surprise. They were now flying blind with no sensors and no enterprise to help, he was having trouble controlling the shuttle as they were being jolted side to side, he chanced a look behind him and saw bones death gripping his harness with his eyes clenched shut.
"Jim! What is going on!" Bones was having to shout to be heard over the storm outside.
"Sorry Bones! the storm is stronger than I thought, I'm trying to compensate"
Suddenly a loud metallic tearing noise cut through the thundering storm and all the warning lights started blaring.
"WHAT WAS THAT JIM"
He quickly scanned his eyes over the panels flashing red in front of him, trying to find the source of the problem.
"It looks like the aft thruster has been torn off! We are going down!"
"JIM I CAN'T DO THIS"
His heart was beating a million miles per hour now, he was trying to guide the shuttle down hoping to lessen their imminent crash, would they even survive at this speed? God this had been a stupid idea, he had risked bone's life just because he didn't want his career on the line, now they might not even live to see tomorrow. Bones was swearing and yelling at him, he deserved it more than anyone.
"YOU CAN, JUST BRACE YOURSELF"
"ENTERPRISE, COME IN. WE ARE GOING DOWN, I REPEAT, WE ARE GOING DOWN"
The viewscreen cleared for a few minutes as they exited the worst of the storm, he could make out a large jungle like terrain below which they were rapidly free-falling towards. He hoped the trees might slow their impact.
"JIM!"
Was the last thing he heard before his ears were assaulted by the horrendous sound of metal grinding as they smashed through the tree tops. He slammed against his harness which tore open under the pressure and he found himself being roughly thrown out of the now shattered viewscreen. His body collided against what he thought was solid ground, but the pain was too overwhelming to certain, he blacked out.
