Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. I really don't own anything. Not even my room
*Author's Note: This is my first attempt at fanfic. Take that back, I have attempted several times, but never with the goal of finishing. So be hard on me. Terribly hard.
"Captain," Lieutenant Uhura's soft, sweet voice interrupted James T. Kirk's wandering thoughts. He sat in the command chair on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise, and she called to him from over his right shoulder, from her position at the communications station.
"Yes, Lieutenant?" Kirk acknowledged her, spinning in his chair to be able to look at the communications officer directly. His piercing hazel eyes met her almond brown ones and he smiled. A smile that disappeared when he noticed the small downward curve of the corners of her mouth. "What is it?" he asked seriously.
With a slight tilt of her head, Uhura brought a hand to her ear, listening once more to the message, wanting to make sure she got it absolutely right before she relayed it to her captain. "Sir, transmission coming in from Starfleet Command…Priority One."
Kirk frowned. "On screen," he commanded, swiveling back around in his chair to face the view screen. In front of him, Lieutenant Sulu, helmsman, and Ensign Chekov, navigations, looked up from their consoles and to their right, Mr. Spock, Kirk's first officer, turned from the science station, all to view the message.
Uhura's fingers danced gracefully over her console and soon an image of an older man in a gold uniform much like Kirk's appeared on the view screen. As the rest of the bridge crew stared, Kirk recognized him immediately.
"Admiral Connell! Good to see you!"
"And you, Captain Kirk," the Admiral replied, his image on the screen suddenly coming to life to match his strong, confident voice, "Circumstances, however, are not so good."
Kirk once more frowned and looked to Spock, just in time to see one elegant eyebrow creep closer to his hairline. The Vulcan was obviously as clueless as he was, as much as he would have despised admitting it.
The Captain returned his attention to the view screen as Admiral Connell began to elaborate on his initial statement, "You don't know yet, but will be learning shortly about a civil war on Caspia IV, an earth colony. The U.S.S. Aldrin had been sent to try and settle the dispute escalating quickly to violence."
The Admiral paused and Kirk pondered the news. "Did they succeed?"
A heavy sigh escaped Connell as he answered, "Unfortunately, no. We received a transmission from one side stating that the Aldrin had been destroyed by the other side and it crew with it. All except one. Lieutenant Montgomery, Alien Relations officer and language specialist is being held captive by them."
Clearing his throat, Admiral Connell concluded, "We're not having you intervene on Caspia IV, Captain, just get Lieutenant Montgomery out of there. Details are being sent to you." He grew very stern. "But I warn you, Kirk, do not interfere."
Kirk glanced around at the smirking faces on his bridge before once more facing the view screen and the serious face of the usually cheery Admiral with a look of shocked innocence. "Of course, Admiral, in and out."
"I mean it, Kirk." And with those last threatening words, the image on the view screen was returned to the empty, unchanging, black of space dotted with pinpricks of light.
After a brief moment of silence, Kirk flipped a switch on the arm of his chair. "This is the Captain speaking," his well-known voice echoes throughout the entire starship, "There has been a change of plans. The Enterprise has been sent to Caspia IV on a rescue mission in a hostile area. Please take the necessary precautions." Kirk paused with a tired smile. "And after this, I promise…shore leave." He looked at the backs of the heads of the two men in front of him. "Mr. Chekov, plot a course for Caspia IV. Mr. Sulu, warp factor six.
"Aye, sir," they responded one right after the other.
"Mr. Spock, please join me," Kirk requested of the Vulcan science officer. Spock followed him off the bridge and into the turbolift.
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What's this about a rescuer mission?" Chief Medical Officer Dr. McCoy asked the captain. He sat behind his desk, which was something rare, and Kirk stood in front of it. "And why the hell to we have to go? We're scheduled for shore leave!"
"Hostage situation. I don't know. And I'm well aware of that. I'm looking forward to rest as much as you are, Bones."
"I believe the life of this officer is more important to Starfleet than your vacation." Both looked to Spock, who stood off to the side with his hands casually clasped behind his back. The doctor scowled, not willing to admit that Spock's undying logic was once again correct.
"I believe you're right," Kirk replied, stopping the argument before is started, "who are we to complain when there is a life in danger/"
"Precisely, Captain," Spock stated curtly.
Kirk rolled his eyes and looked to McCoy, becoming serious. "We'll arrive at Caspia IV shortly. Please have sickbay ready, it way be needed."
McCoy lifted his arm in mock salute, "Aye, aye, Captain."
With a chuckle, Kirk left, Spock at his heels.