Captain's Log - Stardate 2261.011

We have entered orbit around the planet. Still have not received any response to our signals. I have ordered Uhura to continue sending and monitoring on all Imperial channels while scans are run on the surface to check on atmospheric conditions and radiation levels. If the planet is still capable of supporting life, we will beam down tomorrow if we haven't received a response by then. If it turns out to be a case of them not monitoring their equipment, I will have Bones send one of his nurses down to skin them.

Captain James T. Kirk could be a very patient man. That being said, few things grated on his nerves more than someone wasting his time. The fact that the scientists monitoring the station weren't answering was adding time to what Kirk had hoped to be a very short mission. He was not, however, in so large of a rush that he would chance beaming down without a full set of readings being taken.

Leaving Spock on the Bridge to coordinate with Chekov on the planet scans, Kirk headed for Sickbay. As usual, two bodyguards followed in his wake. Kirk was deadly enough on his own that they were more of less decoration, but he considered them part of his uniform. One more thing to remind the crew who the alpha male was on this ship. Something he planned on emphasizing until whoever onboard was in someone else's pocket was eliminated.

As he entered Sickbay, every nurse on duty looked up in near unison followed by each tucking away her favorite weapon back into its hiding place before resuming their duties. Not for the first time, Kirk wished he could get his Security team to radiate even half of the menace that McCoy's nurses did.

The gesture from Nurse Chapel told Kirk all that he needed to know - McCoy was in his office and alone. Striding over to the office, he stepped in before the door had finished opening. McCoy was studying something on his monitor, but put it aside once the door slid shut again.

"No word yet from Linke or Ozaba?"

Flopping down into the chair across from the CMO's desk, Kirk made a disgruntled noise.

"Nothing. That reminds me, that nurse of yours that Pavel moons over keeping in practice on her skinning?"

"Layali? I wouldn't let her get rusty, Jim. That little gal is an artist with a blade. Planning on an exhibition?"

"If those two on the surface don't have a damn good reason for not answering, I plan on more than an exhibition. Break out a bottle, Bones."

Turning his chair to key in the combination to his cabinet, McCoy spoke over his shoulder.

"Name the strength."

"We're beaming down tomorrow, so the ale would be too much. Still have any of that whiskey you were pouring last month?"

"Sure do."

A short rummage brought out a bottle slightly under half-full and two glasses. Despite the lock, McCoy ran his scanner over everything before and after pouring. Only then did he nudge one glass toward his Captain.

"I never bothered to ask, but what's the name of this hunk of rock we're circling."

Taking a sip, Kirk gave an unconcerned shrug.

"Second planet in the Minara sytem? Minara II."

Rolling his eyes, McCoy took a sip himself.

"Well, guess that's a little better than old Admiral Blannett's habit of naming planets in a new system after his favorite prostitutes."

"Worse ways to name a planet, Bones. So, you know anything about either of the researchers we're picking up?"

"Never met either of them, but I've heard of Ozaba. Used to be fairly well respected in research circles until he decided a few tests weren't essential and fudged the results instead of actually conducting the tests. Remember that field trial when we were in our second year that went sour?"

"I remember. They lost nine cadets and one instructor. That got traced back to Ozaba? No wonder he's on this rock. By the way, plan on telling Layali she might want to sharpen her knives?"

"Nah. She takes good care of her blades. Besides, I'd rather surprise her with a shot at them than have her disappointed if it turns out she won't get the opportunity. You really think they might be stupid enough to ignore a call from us?"

"Maybe. They were stupid enough to get themselves stationed in on a planet that won't even exist a year from now."

"You do make a valid point there, Jim. If I were on a planet like that, your problem would be getting me to stop signaling. Pavel was talking about needing to keep a close eye out for solar flares. Probably something as simple as one of those taking out their receiver or messing with their reception."

Downing the rest of his drink, Kirk considered his empty glass briefly before setting it down and nudging it back toward McCoy, who took the hint, putting both the bottle and the glasses back away.

"Anything pressing your ladies can't handle, Bones?"

"Not a thing. Why?"

"Gaila's been experimenting on a new aphrodisiac she wants to test out. Figure that's as good a way as any to kill a few hours while they finish the surface scans."

McCoy stared at Kirk for a solid minute before speaking.

"Gaila? The last thing that Orion gal needs is an aphrodisiac. Hell, that's like tossing one more drop in the ocean because it isn't wet enough for you."

Laughing, Kirk got up from his seat and moved behind the desk to start shooing McCoy toward the door.

"You're right - she doesn't need anything added, but if it makes her happy, what's the harm? Let's go. You aren't going back on duty again until it's time for us to beam down. Captain's orders."

As Kirk continued to herd McCoy out, he flashed a smile at Chapel.

"If we get interrupted? It better be one hell of a medical emergency."

"Yes, Captain."

Chapel continued watching until the Sickbay doors shut behind them, then returned to her duties. From the mission delay, that meant there might be a death at the station - either current or impending - and that meant the possibility of an autopsy. She could hardly wait.