There has been an unforeseen complication in our plans to cross-examine the captain. It has taken the form of Lucas Karidian, the son of Anton Karidian.
The captain is mesmerized, for lack of a better word, by the younger Karidian. The blonde actor is highly attractive by most Terran standards. His personality has drawn not only the captain, but a good number of personnel, to him. I asked Dr. McCoy about this recent trend.
"What's there not to like?" the doctor asked sarcastically. "He's beautiful, a little mysterious, friendly, and confident. Everyone thinks he's attractive and he knows it. Not a bad actor, too, from what I hear."
"The captain's attachment to Lucas Karidian does not make our job easier."
"You think I don't know that? But Jim knows what he's doing."
I looked at the doctor.
"He does. Most of the time, anyway. He told the security guys to keep an eye out for Lt. Riley. He doesn't want Riley to suspect anything or do something rash—Kodos did kill the boy's whole family," Dr. McCoy scowled. "But he's not going to let Riley to die either."
"The captain is basing his actions off his intuition?"
"Scary thing, Jim's intuition," Dr. McCoy muttered.
"Hey Bones, Spock." The captain gave us an odd look. "You guys aren't fighting."
"Do you desire that we—"
"No, no," he hastily answered. "Not fighting is great! Kind of weird seeing you guys agreeing on something, but I could definitely get used to it," the captain grinned. "So, when'd this happen?"
"Couple days ago, while you were wining and dining with the high society Planet Q had to offer."
The captain frowned.
"We agreed that you're an idiot."
"Hey! There's no way Spock would agree to that. Right?"
"Captain, there have been times when I was forced to reconsider whether or not you were in full possession of your mental facilities."
Dr. McCoy grinned while the captain stared, incredulity written on his face.
"We also found out that we have the same hobby! Isn't that great?"
"What? What hobby?"
"Keeping you alive," the doctor deadpanned.
"Har har, really clever, Bones." The captain's eyes lit up as Lucas Karidian entered the bridge.
I stiffened. The younger Karidian was carefully taking in all of the control stations and operations of the bridge. Dr. McCoy and the captain seemed to notice this as well.
"Lucas!" the captain exclaimed.
The actor and the captain swiftly met each other and shared a brief embrace and kiss.
"Want me to show you around the bridge?"
"I'd be honored," said, then closed the distance between them and whispered.
There are some disadvantages to Vulcan hearing.
"All this power, surging and throbbing, yet under control. Are you like that," he kissed the captain's ear, "captain?"
The captain visibly struggled to regain control.
"I'll be in Sickbay," the doctor declared.