Chapter 3

Kirk settled in his chair. He was aware without realizing it, how the backs of the two officers in front of him had straightened as he had greeted them. The whole bridge snapped together sharply as he requested the report on the ship's status from the second-shift helmsman who had had the conn.

„Nothing to report, sir." It was what he had expected to hear.

„What's our course?"

„Heading three-two-seven."

„Speed?"

„Warp four."

„Something of interest out there?"

„Mister Spock is investigating something."

„Has he got you scanning for life-forms?"

„Yes, sir," the second-shift officers, navigator Hailey, and communications officer Dupont replied in chorus.

„Ms Tiakai, any news?"

The humanoid form of the Antebarran science officer turned slightly. „No, sssir. All readingsss are negative."

„Mister Pagomi, enhance view."

„Aye, sir!" The helmsman touched three buttons and the stars appeared closer to the ship.

Usually Kirk was bored when nothing was happening. But today he was content to listen to the murmers of his crew as they ran their sensors over each new planet which came within range. The last few days had brought home to him, how close he had come to never sitting in this chair again. It had shaken him to the core, to realize for the first time, that he was only human, after all, and it had been brought home to him, a shocking jolt, that he was no longer twenty.

The doors opened and soft footsteps came up to his chair. The fragnant aroma of fresh coffee filled the bridge.

„Thank you, yeoman", Kirk said softly and accepted the mug from Janice Rand. She gave her small, apologetic smile and also handed him a conn padd and the stylus. He set the coffee down on his armrest and studied the report.

„This took some time. Is Mister Scott slowing down?"

„No, sir. He was adament that you should sign it, and not Mister Spock, sir."

Oh? Kirk studied it in more detail and this time picked up on the relevant passage. He grinned, signed the report and handed it back to Ms Rand. Then he hit the com-switch on his armrest.

„Kirk to engineering."

„Scott here, sir."

„Are all shuttlecraft in working order, now?"

„Aye, sir. It seems that they are not such an antiquated extra as some people would like to think."

The captain grinned. „Too right, Mister Scott, they come in quite handy from time to time. - I see from your report that you have requested two extra engineers next time we make R & R at a starbase."

„Aye, sir. If they have shuttlecraft experience it would be preferable."

„I'm sure you could teach them anything, Scotty." Kirk's voice warmed.

„I can but try, sir."

„I have every confidence in you, Mister Scott. - Kirk out."

The captain sat back, picked up his coffee and sat sipping at it while he contemplated the view of wide open space. This was the life! It was at times like this that he truly regretted nothing, though at other times the past had its way of catching up with him. Once he had finished the coffee, he got up and went to stand beside Tiakai, peering over her shoulder at the monitor. It scrolled past much slower than when Spock was at the station, and the captain could actually read and understand what was going on.

Back in his seat, he thought about what he had just read, and found it struck an echo of familiarity. It must have been something he had read or heard about only recently. But try as he did, he couldn't recall the details. The communications desk chirped, beaking in to his thoughts.

„Sir, Starfleet Admiral Nogura requesting to speak to Admiral Kirk."

„On screen."

„Jim! Glad to see you're up and about again. You had us worried for a while!" were the Admiral's opening words.

„Er - thank you, sir", Kirk stuttered. „I -er - I mean - what do you mean, sir?"

„First Officer Spock and Doctor McCoy logged independant reports of the last incident."

„Did they?"

The dark-skinned Admiral smiled at the grim tone. „Don't be too hard on them, Jim."

Kirk sent him a look which spoke volumes. „I trust this call isn't to tell me I'm being put out to pasture?" That was his greatest fear. He couldn't go back behind a desk again.

„No. Starfleet gave you a five-year mission - and I won't be the one to drag you kicking and screaming back to Earth. Not that I'll stop you if you decide to come back to the Admiralty..."

„No way!"

Heihachiro Nogura laughed. There were chuckles on the bridge, too.

„So what's up?" Kirk knew he could get away with a certain amount of informality, but the bottom line was that Nogura was his commanding officer.

„We've had a few reports come in from various quadrants about devastated planets - whole races wiped out within a matter of years or months even. Some incidents must have happened centuries ago, but others appear to be quite recent."

Kirk straightened. „The Destroyers?" he asked, expecing the negative answer he received.

The Admiral shook his head. „These maurauders appear to be far blood-thirstier than they were. So far we have been unable to come up with a pattern."

„Klingons?"

„It doesn't appear to be so - and anyway most of the planets are well inside Federation territory - we'd know if Klingons were crossing into our space. - The same goes for the Romulans."

„Orions?"

„Possibly. Starfleet would like the Enterprise to investigate."

„Yes, sir!" Kirk was happy to have a definate mission again.

„One thing, sir - could Starfleet transfer all known data to the Enterprise - I'm sure it will come in handy."

„Of course, standby to recieve data." The Admiral looked down and clicked a few buttons. Then he looked up. „And Jim, keep us informed this time, please!"

„Of course, Admiral Nogura." The innocent tone caused the admiral to roll his eyes heavenwards.

„Good hunting, Jim - and be careful! Starfleet out." The view screen went black and then was replaced with the sight of the stars surrounding the starship.

„Mister Dupont - transfer all received data to science station. - Ms Tiakai, see if you can correlate the new data with what we have already."

„Aye, sir."

„Kirk to sickbay. Is Doctor McCoy on duty?"

„No, sir, Doctor M'benga is the duty officer at the moment."

„When did McCoy sign off?"

„He's had two days off duty sir - he's due back at 1100 hours."

„Thank you. Kirk out."

The captain stood up. „Mister Hailey, you have the conn. I have a meeting with Doctor McCoy."

Kirk strode through the doors leading from the bridge and snapped: „Deck four!" He'd try McCoy's quarters to start with. He knocked impatiently and heard the muffled Southern drawl bid him enter. He did.

„Jim!" The doctor shot to his feet, alarm written all over his face.

„I just spoke to Nogura, Bones. What did you put in your report?"

"Me?" McCoy tried for innocence, but the expression on his captain's face sobered him. „Well, I guess I did mention your little altercation with the inert mass on Rho Gamma Three."

„Mention?"

The ship's surgeon sighed. „Okay, so I told him you got seriously injured. - Hell Jim - I'm responsible to Starfleet that their living legend returns in one piece!"

Kirk colored with embarrassment. He had hoped that that particular remark which had been bandied round in comments in the press on their first five-year mission would have been forgotten by now. „So you were reminding Starfleet of their other living legend, were you? - The Doctor McCoy who patched the 'hero' up time after time!"

The older man flinched. „Would I do that?" He sounded hurt that Kirk would even mention such a thought, even in anger. And there was no mistaking Kirk's mood.

Deflated the captain shrugged. „No, I guess not - but somebody told Starfleet I was in a bad way."

„Who else filed a report?"

„Spock."

McCoy snorted. „Well that pointy-eared individual sure ain't the one to tell tales out of school."

„Not directly, no", Kirk mused. „Do you really thing he'd even hint at something like that? I mean let Starfleet know he does actually have feelings under that icy exterior he still likes to present to the universe?"

Kirk's hazel eyes fixed McCoy's blue ones. „Which leaves you, Bones. Have you a copy of your report here, or do I have to pull it from the computer? - I might as well remind you that I still have Admiralty clearance and can override your classifications."

McCoy looked chagrined. He had forgotten that his friend still was ranked as Admiral, even if he preferred to be addressed as Captain while in command of his Enterprise.

In a resigned voice he ordered: „Computer. McCoy's report on the Rho Gamma Three incident - the one which was sent to Starfleet - not the medical report."

In the short pause, Kirk said sarcastically: „Been busy with reports have you, Leonard?"

McCoy scowled and started twiddling his thumbs as the computer replayed his recorded report to Kirk. Most of it was routine.

„According to Commander Spock's communication, the planet was shaken by a strong tremor, fourteen on the Richter scale, at the precise moment of beam-down. An unstable rockface collapsed on the landing party - Captain Kirk was knocked into a crevice by the impact. The other members of the landing party escaped with relatively minor injuries which I treated once they had returned to the ship - reference medical report, stardate 8731.8, McCoy.

„Commander Spock climbed down the crevice and discovering the captain's major and potentially fatal injuries realized the captain could not be beamed back aboard the Enterprise. He managed to climb up the crevice with Kirk strapped to his back despite his own extensive injuries.

„I commend Commander Spock for a medal of honour. He saved Kirk's life by his actions. Also I commend Lieutenant Sulu who flew the supposedly useless shuttlecraft down to the unstable planet's surface and was able to land, take Spock and the captain on board and return to the ship without adding to the captain's shock and stress.

„Also I recommend Commander Scott receives some recognition as if he hadn't kept the one shuttlecraft in working order, we would have lost Captain Kirk this time for sure! And just to make the point clear, some injuries are made worse by beaming and we need to keep the 'old-fashioned' methods of transport active."

„Enough, computer!" Kirk's temper had cooled. „Bones, if Spock hears that, you'll never hear the end of it - he'll tell you it was the only logical thing for him to do."

„I'm sure he will. That's why I didn't tell him I'd also sent a report to Starfleet. Reading his missive, it sounds like a Sunday School outing resulting in a bruised knee!"

„Bones - you know Spock is modest - and private."

„He isn't modest, Jim - to be modest you have to feel pride and subdue it."

Kirk sighed. He knew his first officer far better and more intimately than McCoy, but he was unable to defend his friend without stripping the Vulcan of his required privacy.

„Jim, was that the only reason you came to see me?"

„Yes. I wanted to deal with that in private." „Thank you."

„Nogura also has a mission for us - nothing too exciting or strenuous from the sounds of it. Still, I'm going to call a briefing at 1300 hours. The relevant data has been transferred to the science station, so you can access it from sickbay. Any input on this will be of use."

„Tell me more", McCoy grinned. So Kirk did. The doctor ran through the same suggestions as Kirk had to his superior and felt as perplexed as the captain when they all were refuted.

„You know, Jim", he said with a frown, „it all sounds like I heard something before about this."

„That's what I felt, too. Spock is on to something similar at least, and I'm interested to hear his comments on the subject."

„Can I tag along?"

„If you promise not to wind Spock up. I don't think I'm quite up to the pair of you hammer and tongs right now."

The doctor gave him a searching look as they stood in the turbo lift heading towards Spock's quarters. Kirk shrugged. „Don't look like that, Bones. - I guess I just discovered I'm not twenty - or even thirty anymore. I'm taking longer to recover from that incident that I should. But I'm plenty fit for duty!" he added as he saw McCoy's lips start to form a comment.

The doctor subsided. His scanner had told him the same thing only that morning, when he had snuck into the captain's quarters while he was still asleep and ran a quick medical scan before changing the younger man's status from 'fit for light duties' to 'fit for duty', and doing it with a clear conscience for once.

„Come in, Jim." Spock's voice activated the door before the captain could make his presence known.

They stepped into the warm, dry cabin. „Lights." Spock said softly, and the light changed from the red glow of Vulcan to the bright lighting used on the rest of the ship.

„Doctor." The Vulcan greeted his other friend serenely.

„Hello Spock. It sure is hot in here!" McCoy couldn't resist the comment.

„Bones!" Kirk said in a low voice, full of meaning.

„Please, sit." The first officer indicated the two chairs in front of his desk. „It is - gratifying to see you back on duty, captain." Spock remained more formal round the ship's doctor.

„Thanks to you", Kirk said matter of factly. Anything else would have started a discussion on logic and debts - or lack of - and he didn't have the time for it.

„Spock, Admiral Nogura has just contacted me - and given us a new mission." One eyebrow slid up fractionally. „I believe you are already investigating the evidence - or else something similar, maybe connected."

„I am?"

„Devastated planets - all class P."

The Vulcan steepled his fingers. „I have given the matter some thought."

„Starfleet has transmitted all their information and Ms Tiakai is correlating all their and our data now."

Kirk caught a ripple of excitement through his faint link with the Vulcan, but outwardly Spock showed nothing but serenity.

„I'm calling a briefing at 1300 hours, so if you would give it some thought and let us know what you come up with, I'd be grateful."

„As you wish." Spock inclined his head. „Might I suggest, captain, that Mister Chekov be present? His experience as weapons officer could give us some insight as to what capabilities the aggressors have."

„Him and Sulu. As far as I can make out the course of destruction seems very erratic. Could be the type of ship or their method of navigation."

„Chekov can help there, too", McCoy threw in, just in case they had forgotten about him.

Kirk felt a sense of purpose again. He stood up and rubbed his hands together. „Right. I'll see you both, Chekov, Sulu and Uhura in briefing room one at 1300 hours. - May I?" He asked of his first officer as he reached for the intercom switch. Spock inclined his head.

„Kirk to Chekov!"

„Chekov here."

„Mister Chekov, get in touch with Ms Tiakai and have a good look at what she's working with - I'd like your thoughts and comments. 1300 hours, briefing room one."

„Aye, sir!" He repeated the sparse information to both his other senior officers, knowing that it was enough to get the results he wanted.

McCoy looked at Spock. „I guess the dynamo is back at work."

„Dynamo?"

„You know, Spock - little light machine - but makes a big difference."

„I fail to comprehend your meaning Doctor."

McCoy sighed. „You would! - I'm not in the mood for long-winded explanations, Spock."

„A precise one would be acceptable."

„Work it out for yourself - give that underdeveloped matter between your ears something to do."

„I assume you are referring to my brain - which has evolved to a far more superior organ than yours!"

McCoy spluttered. Spock's sally had been delivered in a perfectly calm voice, as if he were discussing the time of day. Kirk shook his head - his two friends were at it again. He hadn't heard what had started them off, and he found he didn't care.

„I'll see you both at 1300 hours, too", he said loudly enough to get their attention.

He was almost out of the door when the doctor asked: „Where are you going , Jim?"

„There's something in my cabin which I want to get, then, for your information, doctor, I'm going back to the bridge. If that is all right with you!"

McCoy shrugged and exchanged a look of relief with Spock. Jim was definately better.

„Well, I'd better be off, too, Spock. Work to do."

He hurried out, leaving the Vulcan already bending over his console in concentration. Five minutes later, McCoy was studying the sickbay computer monitor with a frown of concentration.

-/\-

Spock entered the briefing room at 1259 hours, and just managed to keep his eyebrows from lifting. For the first time that he could remember everybody was on time, sitting expectantly at the table and not standing around chatting. Spock took his seat, at the captain's right hand and folded his hands on the tabletop.

Kirk rose. „Good afternoon, gentlemen. As you all know by now, we have a new mission, which promises to be slightly less exciting that the last one."

The officers, with the exception of Spock, grinned at each other.

„We're glad that you've recovered, sir!" Uhura spoke quietly, but judging by the nods, she spoke for them all.

„Thank you, Uhura." Kirk smiled at her and then looked at each of his senior officers, acknowledging their sentiments. „I'm pretty happy about it to." Now there were some chuckles. McCoy muttered something under his breath, but at the captain's look, he quietened.

Kirk took a deep breath and became serious again.

„It appears that something, or somebody has been systematically wiping out entire populations over the course of years, or centuries rather, and doing it in a most bloodthirsty manner. Starfleet have collected all the relevant information and passed it on to us.

„Mister Spock has been investigating this phenenomen prior to our mission, as he got curious about the destruction the Enterprise encountered. So I'll hand you over to him." He nodded at Spock.

„Thank you, captain. - We first picked up sensor readings of a class M planet which supported no sentient life-forms here." Spock indicated a tactical read-out of the quadrant on the central monitor. „Our course took us along this route, to the next class M planet, here." The stilo stopped. „Again, there was no indication of sentient beings. Plant life was abundant." He travelled the Enterprise's trajectory, pointing out three more planets. „The same situation was here, here, and here."

„And that made you curious?" McCoy asked.

„Indeed, Doctor. One or two planets could be within the parameters of coincidence, but the fact that five planets were in the same condition contradicts that theory."

„You mean it gave you an uneasy feeling?"

„Vulcans do not have 'uneasy feelings'. - However, if you are implying that I became interested you would be correct. A fact, which I believe, we have already established." McCoy remained silent. Spock had outwitted him yet again.

„I started the computer researching all readings on all class P planets we have encountered in this quadrant and discovered that on 93.58 % of them, there is evidence of destruction of dwellings - a fact which in itself indicates the existence of sentient beings at some point in the planet's history. Further detailed analysis showed that no world was invaded at precisely the same time."

„Precisely?" Kirk queried.

„When the planets are listed in time-sequence, there are lapses of several months to several decades between 'visits'."

„Time-sequence?" McCoy asked.

„There is no navigational pattern to explain the progression. Two neigbouring planets can be separated in the order of things by two hundred years - several planets, located light-decades away in some cases, having evidence of being 'visited' in the mean time."

„Are you sure the perpetrators are the same in all cases?" Kirk asked.

„There appears to be a similarity in the patterns of destruction - with minor changes approximately every thirty years."

„Approximately?" McCoy was like a terrier.

„Yes, Doctor. In one case it is thirty-one point three years, in another twenty-nine point nine years, another twenty-nine point seven years, thirty point eight years-"

„Spock - I think we all get the point!" Kirk interrupted with a sharp look at the doctor.

„Any theories?" the captain asked his first officer.

„Insufficient data. - I would not wish to speculate at this point."

„Anybody else got a theory?" Sometimes Kirk got exhasperated with Spock's retreat to his Vulcan ways at moments like this. At other times, the science officer made guesses as much as he and the rest of his crew did.

„Change of command", Leonard McCoy offered before anyone else could open their mouth.

„Elaborate, Bones."

„Most sentient beings that we've encountered have a similar life-span. Thirty years would seem a good average at a command post, with the exception of Vulcans - I guess not having feelings makes your lot immune to heart-problems - no stress!" he sniped at the Vulcan.

Spock looked at him with an expressionless face and said calmly: „You forget, Doctor, that you performed surgery on Ambassador Sarek for heart-problems. Sarek is undoubtably a Vulcan."

„Ambassador Sarek had more stress than a human father would have to deal with counteracting your human influences, Spock!"

„You presume too much, Doctor!"

„In what way?" Bones had an expectant look on his face. The Vulcan realized just in time that he had nearly walked into the trap.

„You are ignoring the issue at hand", Spock pointed out in a serene voice.

Kirk hid a grin - he had seen where Bones had been heading with Spock and how close his friend had come to admitting that McCoy was making remarks to close to home for comfort - and thereby admitting to un-Vulcan-like sentiments. Briskly he brought everybody back to the subject of the briefing:

„Any other ideas on the reasons behind the slight deviations on modus operandi?" Everybody, except Spock, shook their heads.

„So we'll assume for the time being that there is a change of command at one level or another which accounts for the differences. - Anything else, Spock?"

„Most of the dwellings appear to belong to sentient, but primitive, races."

„How do you define primitive?" McCoy threw in.

„No evidence of power-generation, transport, multi-storey buildings, no major changes to the enviroment."

„Couldn't all that have been destroyed - or taken from the planets?" Chekov enquired.

„There would be some evidence."

„Vat about the ewidence of fire-power? They could have blown themselves to bits."

„Mister Chekov, surely your analysis has better results than that?" Spock sounded almost impatient.

„Yes, vell, it vould seem that the dewices used to destroy the inhabited areas are from a more dewelopped species. And until recently they vere still primitive. The residue left on the last few vorlds is reminicent of Klingon disruptors but not identical."

Kirk's eyebrows shot up.

„Klingons?"

Chekov shook his head. „No, sir. Klingons have a more direct method of taking over new vorlds."

„Klingons would also leave a garrison or two to 'supervise' their new acquisition - and milk it for all it's worth", Scotty pointed out. „Plus Klingons have filthy habits and would leave all their trash lying around. I canna imagine a Klingon garbage collector!"

Even Kirk had to smile at the image of a Klingon walking around with a pointed stick and a large rubbish sack.

„Romulans?" Uhura asked quietly.

„Their veaponry is too different. - It is perhaps someone who has bought Klingon veapons and attempted to duplicate them."

Spock nodded slowly. „That is a possibility, Mister Chekov. It is consistant with the evidence we have."

Chekov reminded himself not to show he was pleased with what amounted to praise from the Vulcan, who he admired so much.

„Mister Sulu, Mister Chekov, any thoughts on their navigational and transport system?"

„As Mister Spock said, their plotted course is very erratic, and doesn't correspond to any star-map the federation posesses. The only reason we could come up with, is that their ships are not very maneuverable. Given Mister Spock's time-sequence, all planets are connected by straight lines - like this."

Sulu nodded at Chekov who ordered: „Computer add planet by planet progress vith wisible connections in time-secquvence, correlating star positions for correct star-date." The display changed rapidly.

Kirk held up his hand. „Stop, computer!" The picture he was looking at now, differed somewhat from Spocks initial display.

The Vulcan leaned forward, his left eyebrow hidden under his hair. He saw McCoy's look and murmered: „Fascinating." For once, the doctor didn't have anything to say - he too was intent on the display.

„Thoughts?" Kirk looked round, and saw that everybody was as mystified as he was, including, it would seem, Mister Spock.

„Is it possible, using what we know so far, to project future destinations of whoever is doing this?"

The reply was negative from all round the table. Kirk waited a few minutes while everybody thought hard. He knew what he thought should be the next step, but was willing to follow any course of suggestion.

When nobody came up with one, he cleared his throat and said: „In that case, I supose we'd better beam down to at least one of the destroyed planets and see if we can come up with any more clues."

He sat back, waiting for at least two people to try to dissuade him from that course of action. There was a bit more quiet while his idea was digested and then Spock inclined his head. „I concur, captain. It is the only logical procedure."

Then why didn't you say so? Kirk thought tetchily.

McCoy nodded slowly. „You're right, Jim - if we want to learn anything, we're going to have to get closer. - I take it, you propose to lead the landing party?"

Kirk met his eyes squarely. „Any objections?"

„No - you're all healed up - and since when did you listen to what I say, anyhow?"

The captain hid the grin which threatened. It wasn't often that McCoy gave in gracefully.

„Right. In that case, a first landing party, consisting of Spock and three science-technicians, Chekov and a couple of security men, McCoy and a member of his medical staff, and myself will beam down to the nearest planet."

„Excuse me, sir, dinna you mean the chief of security and his men?"

„That's what I said, Scotty."

Kirk caught the glances his senior officers gave each other. Only Pavel Chekov looked slightly dazed, the others clearly thought their captain was still working under half-thrusters.

„Spock?" He caught the first officer's attention.

„Sir?"

„You didn't make the announcement?"

„Announcement?" Spock's elevated eyebrow showed the Vulcan's confusion.

„In that stack of stuff Bones made me work through!" Kirk grinned.

„You mean he doesn't know yet?" McCoy asked with something akin to a growl.

„It would appear so", Kirk replied with a wry grimace.

Spock still hadn't quite comprehended what Kirk was talking about. Chekov now had an ever-widening grin on his face. Uhura and Sulu exchanged a glance of slow understanding.

„Computer - I need to make an announcement to the entire ship."

„Ready, sir."

„Attention please. This is the captain speaking. Due to my - incapacitation, the following announcement is now being made after an inexcusable delay: As from Stardate 7736.0 Weapons Officer Pavel Chekov is promoted to Chief of Security, Lieutenant Pavel Chekov! Thank you."

Sulu slapped his younger friend hard across the back. Uhura kissed him warmly on both cheeks and Scotty reached over the table to pump the Russian's hand enthusiastically. McCoy also shook his hand, though with less vigour. Kirk stood up and walked round the table to stand in front of his new security chief. Spock followed him.

Chekov sprang to his feet and stood to attention. „Well done, Pavel. Congratulations on your promotion and on your new posting!"

„Thank you, sir!"

Kirk extended his hand and shook Chekov's warmly, with his unique smile, and clapped him on the shoulder. The younger man couldn't quite subdue the answering beam.

Spock put his hands together behind his back and looked sternly at Chekov. „I also extend my congratulations."

Chekov sobered. „Thank, you, Mister Spock. I shall endeawor to fulfill my duties to the best of my abilities."

„Anything else would be illogical."

„You could at least apologize for not making the anouncement, Spock!" McCoy complained.

The Vulcan turned: „Such announcements are made by the captain, not by the first officer. The captain would recover, therefore it was not my place to make the promotion public knowledge."

„You could have at least put Chekov out of his misery!"

„I was not aware he felt miserable."

„It's an expression, Spock! - Of course he was nervous - weren't you when you were waiting for your promotions?"

„Of course not, doctor."

„I suppose it was only logical that your promotions went through without a hitch!" McCoy snapped sarcastically.

„Of course, doctor. Absolutely logical."

McCoy spluttered. Scotty grinned and said in a stage whisper to Chekov: „Actually, laddie, your promotion was only logical, too - which is why Mister Spock dinna say anything to you - he assumed you knew already."

Chekov gave him a startled look. „Really, Scotty?"

„I dinna ken, laddie, but it would be a fine excuse!"

Chekov looked crestfallen.

„Never mind, Pavel. - You've joined the upper ranks, now!" Sulu grinned.

„And you can go through security with a new broom", Uhura added, remembering conversations they'd had.

Chekov brightened. „Yes, Enterprise vill have a security department second only to mother Russia!"

„By all means, Chekov - but don't let your restructuring interfere with the duties of your men!"

„No, sir!" The Russian saluted, a determined glint in his eye.

Kirk grinned. „Relax, Pavel. Don't try to do it all on the first day."

„No, sir!" „And Pavel - who do you suggest to be promoted to the Navigations desk and as Weapon's Officer?"

„Er -" There was a tinge of embarrassment on the Russians swarthy face.

„Spit it out!" Kirk grinned. He was reminded of himself and knew that Chekov had given this some thought and had a plan to implement, although he was sure, that the young man hadn't planned on being called to explain it to his captain within minutes of his new post.

„Vell, sir - Weapons are a part of security..." His voice trailed off. At the captain's encouraging nod he swallowed and continued:

„I have alvays felt that it vould be vise to connect Veapons to security. Security are often adwised before Veapons about new innowations - but Veapons need to know chust as soon."

„And you are proposing to change Starfleet's tried and tested methods?" McCoy's sharp voice broke in.

Chekov colored but replied strongly: „It vill vork better!" The doctor's eyebrow rose in perfect imitation of Spock. He refrained from commenting.

„Mister Chekov, what you say appears to be logical. However it will need a great deal of thought before implementing."

„Thank you, sir." Pavel kept his voice even when replying to Spock. He had received yet another compliment from the first officer, and felt like a dog with two tails. He must, at last, be getting things right!

„What about Navigations, Mister Chekov - or had you some plans there, too?" The chuckles of his two friends gave him away. He studied the captain's boots, willing the color to recede from his face. He felt like the awkward ensign he had been, and wondered if the captain's indulgence of him had been used up over the years.

„Well, Pavel?" There was the hint of a laugh in the captain's voice which brought his head up. „I suppose you're trying to further emulate Mister Spock by bucking for two jobs as well?"

Chekov swallowed.

„Bear in mind, Mister Spock is Vulcan. He can do two jobs at once."

Chekov drew himself to full height. „I am Russian", he said proudly. „Ve can also do two chobs."

„As long as you're not trying for my job, Mister Chekov!"

„No, sir!" the younger man said, shocked Kirk would think that.

„Just kidding, Pavel. - I must admit, I'd be sorry to lose you from Navigations."

„Thank you, sir."

Chekov hoped his fellow officers wouldn't think he could say nothing else but 'yes, sir, no,sir, thank you, sir', it was just he felt so tongue-tied having finally attained what he had worked so hard for. It was finally beginning to sink in: He really was the chief of security on Starfleet's flagship!

Kirk smiled at Chekov's happiness. He remembered how he had felt not so many years ago when he had been promoted to first officer. He had hardly been able to wait to get out of his superior's earshot to shout with joy, and he had actually done a victory dance of his ancestors, learned one summer long ago when he and Sam were quite small. His mother had been proud of her Sioux heritage and wanted them to know about her people.

„Computer - please note, Pavel Chekov's uniform is to be amended to carry the rank insignia of Lieutenant, and the insignia ofchief of security as well as weapon's officer and chief navigator. His personal security clearance is to be updated as of now and his cabin console is to be updated for class A1 security clearance and secured. Addition to captain's log as follows:

„Stardate 7745.6. Pavel Chekov instated as security chief. He is also retaining both positions as weapon's officer and chief of navigation by his own request. I have agreed for the moment and will review my descision as and when neccessary. Chekov's security clearances have been upgraded to class A1."

„Well Lieutenant Chekov, which is the closest planet for our landing party to check out?"

Brought back to the matter at hand, the senior officers resumed their seats round the table. Chekov pointed out their destination.

„Captain to bridge - plot course to Cyad Nine."

„Aye, sir!" And after a short pause: „Course plotted, sir!"

„Implement. Warp six, Ms Pl'jialk."

„Aye, sir!"

„How long 'til we arrive?"

„Thirty-one minutes, sir."

„Thank you. - Kirk out."

„Thirty minutes and twenty-seven point four-three seconds, to be precise, captain." Spock's voice was loud enough to carry to McCoy.

„One day, Spock, I'll live to hear you make an estimation", the doctor needled.

„Vulcans do not make estimations, doctor."

„Travelling around with us humans might one force you into making a guess - and I swear I'll live that long to witness it - or else I'll come back to haunt you!"

Spock eyed McCoy. „How would you do that, doctor?"

McCoy harrumped and snapped: „If I told you that, I'd lose all the fun when I get round to it, wouldn't I?"

„Fun?" Spock queried.

„Sure - all ghosts have fun haunting. Everybody knows that! Don't you have ghosts on Vulcan? - No I suppose you don't. They wouldn't be logical!" McCoy answered his own question.

„If that is all, gentlemen, let's get down to business shall we?" Kirk said sharply. Sometimes, he really did get tired of their constant bickering! „Chekov and McCoy put together your teams. - Depending on what we find down there, we might bring down more people, so get stand-by teams briefed as well. - Dismissed!"