"Why does Jim have this much paperwork," McCoy demanded. They were about half way into their journey to Terok Nor, and Janice was very very patiently trying to help him.
"Just comes with the chair I guess sir."
"I thought Starfleet was working on some administrative-less system, some arrangement with Betazed."
"That program was killed off about three years ago," Janice rolled her eyes. "Spock's on duty, you need to go rest before we reach the space station."
"I saw the assignment," McCoy scoffed. "Just because we're the best in the Fleet at doing these silly diplomatic missions doesn't mean we should have to be the ones always sticking our damn necks out. This has to be about the biggest job out there right now, and I can't believe we are the only ship out here."
"Doctor," I assure you there are other ships not far," Spock intervened. "The fact that Starfleet recognizes us as the best in this field is something most would take pride in. The captain does not care for interacting with the Cardassians either however, it is well known that he has worked hard to develop a working relationship that can benefit all concerned."
"Well between paperwork, diplomacy and whatever we have next in the can, when does Jim get to just relax and let the rest of Starfleet step up and do their jobs."
"Perhaps you would like to speak with Fleet Admiral Dunbar about how the admirals perform their job, " Spock questioned. "Shall I have the Lieutenant call him?"
"Real funny Spock." McCoy shook his head. "What is it now Janice?" He noticed her frowning at a padd.
"It's Lieutenant Sulu's report sir."
"Let me see it, and get him on up here. His lab studies can just wait."
McCoy skimmed what Sulu had typed up with a scoff. Here was something he was happy to deal with, though the delay to the final transmission to Starfleet would be an annoyance.
"Spock, take the conn while I go chat with our overzealous botanist." McCoy headed to the ready room chuckling to himself.
When Sulu did appear McCoy was ready for him. "Sulu I can't send this report in and you know it."
"Sir?"
"You completely whitewashed the entire trip down to the planet. You go on at length about how it is perfectly habitable and that the inhabitants are warp capable?"
"You only saw one inhabitant sir," Sulu protested.
"I know what I did see and they are not ready to join the Federation."
"Is that your call to make?"
"Today it is," McCoy retorted. "You will fix this Sulu. You know…"
"Doctor McCoy," Spock interrupted via the comm.
"What is it Spock?"
"Your presence is needed on the bridge."
"Fix this Sulu," McCoy handed the padd to the navigator and headed for the bridge. "What's up?" The man on the view screen with the heavy beard and pig-like nose caused McCoy to falter in his step only momentarily.
"You are not the Captain," the Tellarite snapped. "Why do you play these games. Your captain will tell me what you are doing in our space and why."
"Captain Kirk is unavailable," McCoy replied. "We are passing through this system on our way to Bajor."
"I will not listen to you," the Tellarite snapped. "You have no place here. I know that one." He pointed at Spock. "We spoke at the Corradin system conference. You will produce your Captain, not another cheap replacement. If you do not, he shall take his place." the man was still pointing at Spock.
"Now you listen here," McCoy drew up to his full height. "I am in charge and you will not be the one making demands around here."
"You have ten minutes." The screen went dark.
"Doctor," Spock spoke. "I will beam aboard his ship, we will talk and I will be back as you say 'in no time'."
"Spock I can't let you do that," McCoy shook his head. "I am the one that made us take this short cut, and I am the acting-Captain. I will go over. Jim wants his ship and his C. O. back the way he left them. "
"Need I remind you, he does not want you," Spock inclined his head.
"No Spock, you do not need to remind me. We don't have time for this," He huffed and headed for the turbolift. "Spock you're in charge while I'm gone."
Twenty minutes later, McCoy beamed back on board. Before he even left the transport padd he commed the bridge. "Spock get us outta here, warp six."
"Sir, are you okay," the transport tech asked in shock at the sight of McCoy.
"Fine, ensign. Don't you have a job to do?" McCoy growled and lumbered off the padd and back to the bridge. He could recognize the fact that he'd take a few hits to the jaw and had a dislocated shoulder. He'd fix them in time. Right now, his main goal was to get out of Tellarite space as fast as possible.
"Dr. McCoy," Uhura gasped when he walked on the bridge.
"I'm fine Uhura," Bones sighed. "Are they pursuing?"
"Negative Doctor, but I can assume that your Southern charm did not win them over?"
"Why you green-blooded hobgoblin," McCoy started. "Your annual physical isn't so far off."
"I would merely like to thank you for keeping me safe, but it seems to be at your own expense."
"Well, it's what Jim would've done," McCoy painfully shifted his arm.
"A point that you chide the Captain about frequently," Spock inclined. "Perhaps you should follow your own advice, and also get your shoulder reset."
"So many hypos," McCoy snapped and turned to leave the bridge again.
After McCoy was gone, Uhura turned to Spock. "You can deny it all you want Spock, but you enjoy annoying him."
"That statement, while illogical, is correct Lieutenant." Spock returned to the captain's chair. "Doctor McCoy makes it, as Jim frequently says, 'too easy'."
"I will not tell him you said that," Uhura chuckled, returning to her work.
"We will reach Bajor in one hour sir," Chekov reported from his station. "Will you be handling the transport?"
"Depending on the status of the Doctor, I will." Spock nodded.
"Hopefully the dermal regenerator is broken," Chekov whispered quietly to Sulu. "Otherwise, things will not go well on the Station."
"Agreed Mr. Chekov, but please focus on the current task at hand," Spock interjected.
Choekov reddened slightly at being overheard, but knew that his words were no real reprimand.
Upon reaching Bajor, a security detail was in the cargo hold working with the planet side team to get the supplies on board. McCoy was back on the bridge.
"Any word what type of supplies were transporting?" McCoy asked, reading the mission briefing again.
"Negative sir," Ensign Takahashi replied. "Though I'd guess some to be food, and possibly some medical. Based off how quickly these need to reach the Starbase."
"Fair enough ensign." McCoy nodded. "Let me know when you're ready to move on. Uhura, did Jim have any idea we'd have this trip before he left?"
"Affirmative Len," Uhura's thin fingers flew over the console looking up the transmission logs. "Apparently he knew exactly when to take some time off." she chuckled.
"We've got a bit of time, I think I'll send our ellusive captain s little update. Uhura, can you patch this message through to Starbase 11?"
"Yes sir," Uhura took the data chip and sent the message along.
"We're all set Commander," Takahashi reported.
"Very good. Let's get these things delivered and get it off here. Sulu, when you're ready."
"Aye sir,"
"Sir," Uhura had a puzzled look on her face.
"What is it Lieutenant?"
"Well, like you, I thought Kirk said he was going to be at Starbase 11 but apparently he never arrived despite having had landing clearance."
"Odd," McCoy frowned. "Spock, what do you make of the situation?"
"It is intriguing, however we must focus on the task at hand. Assuming we do not have pressing matters to attend after this delivery, we can return to his last known coordinates and attempt to locate his shuttle."
McCoy landed back in the chair and survey the scenery in the short trip between the planet and Starbase.
"Would'ya look at that," McCoy murmered in awe as the wormhole on the screen opened breifly before closing again.
"It truly is a beautiful sight Doctor," Spock agreed. "the wormhole is surprising stable apparently, and quite important to the Bajorans.
"I still don't understand why we can't help them." McCoy turned to Spock.
"It is not our place to step in," Spock answered carefully.
"Sir, we have permission to dock," Sulu reported.
"Take her on in then," McCoy stood, straightening his top.
"Gul Dukat is hailing us," Uhura grimiced.
McCoy gave one sharp nod Dukat was on screen.
"Welcome to Terok Nor," Dukat smiled broadly.
"Thank you Dukat, we'll simply unload these supplies and be on our way," McCoy replied.
"Oh I am so disappointed to see Captain Kirk is not here," Dukat frowned.
"You and me both," McCoy grumbled.
"What was that," Dukat asked.
"Doctor," Spock spoke up.
"Uh, would you like to send a team aboard to get these supplies?" McCoy tried to main neutrally detached.
"Of course," Dukat nodded. "We're standing by."
"Sulu let's get the supplies moving." McCoy returned to his seat.
"Aye sir, docking procedures complete."
Within minutes, Enterprise personnel, and a few Bajorans under the watchful eye of Cardassian guards were pulling supplies out of the cargo hold. They were nearly done when a large blast shook the ship.
"What in the world," McCoy jumped up. "cargo bay report,"
"Sir, the cargo bay is reporting four dead and three injured. One of the dead is Bajorans, the three injured are all Cardassian."
"What do you think you're trying to get away with," Gul Dukat was suddenly back on the screen. "Is Starfleet now is the practice of rigging bombs to medical supplies?"
"We did no such thing," McCoy snapped. "let me get down to check the wounded.
"And to try to clear any of your evidence of sabatoge," Dukat sneered.
"Dukat, we had nothing to do with this explosion. Let us both meet aboard your Stationand we can review evidence together," Spock suggested.
"You can talk all you want, but you and you Doctor are both under arrest for this attack. Prepare for security to come aboard you ship.
"Spock," McCoy turned to Spock, unsure what to even attempt to say.
"We must comply Doctor or risk fracturing what shaky alliance exists between Starfleet and Cardassian. Uhura, please contact Starfleet immediately."
Minutes later McCoy was still in a state of bafflement as handcuffs clicked around his wrists. What would Jim do, he thought to himself as he saw a second set of cuffs connect around Spock's wrists. What would Jim do, indeed.