No mission, would be a mission on the enterprise if it went smoothly. Sure some would be peaceful, but if it wasn't mystical food they had to eat, or an allergic reaction, or the beautiful child of the leader of a world, then it wasn't no mission of the enterprise. That was when things were good. Other times they'd be held hostage or the security team would be killed and that was bad. That was really bad. Then there were other times. Regardless of the mission something would happen, a helping of the flu, flowers that spewed sex pollen, or just an accident, and the life of one crew member would change forever. Living on the enterprise you had to take the good with the bad, it would put you through sickness and health, it would shape you, for better of for worse.
For Captain Kirk he had this particular mission nailed down to be type A, friendly aliens ready to join the federation, that didn't have any taste buds. Kirk and his first officer were approaching the minister for their final reports. Spock had been particularly Vulcan recently and it was beginning to grow on his nerves. Not the fact that he was Vulcan, but the fact he reminded him of the fact, like he was brand new to human culture.
"The fact that aliens often appear similar in features is a scientific improbability. Humans alone have varying taste buds by culture and diet, hoping for an alien species to have tastes similar to yours-"
"Oh, come on Spock, you know what I mean" Kirk said as they approached the alien minister.
"I just hope for the improbability that they have some nice alien burger. Sometimes I just wish you'd act a little less vulcan. I know your perfectly capable of it, and that you know full well what I mean."
"Illogical, as I am a vulcan."
"You know what I mean" Kirk sighed as they approached the leaders of planet O, bringing their conversation to an end. The species O, were a fair species, light purple in hue, but mostly appeared humanoid, but their ears, and noses which they lacked. The mission was a simple meet and greet, a culture share. The mission went smoothly. Captain Kirk, had agreed to meet again one last time with the world leaders on the next day to discuss how they would set up talks of an alliance with federation, they were unable to discuss such matters at the time, as it was coming up for they're evening meditation. Somewhat vulcan in the meditation, but the mediation was used more like prayer, to thank the planet they lived on, for allowing them to do so.
The government of O had gracefully put together a box containing some of what they thought would be the most interesting natural plant life for the scientists to catalogue. Kirk had gifted them in a most human way, with chocolate, champagne and some fresh fruit from Sulu's garden. In starfleet, they used to gift dogs, cats and guinea pigs, hoping the friendliness of the animals would show what kind of people they are. This practice had been quickly cut short due to the fact that most species could not feed, nor knew how to properly care for the animals, and whether the purring noise they made was a sign of aggression. They would, usually, have an early death, and in a way that really had said something to a few of the aliens that had received these honest guests. It had not said anything good.
The real trouble began, the next day. Spock, had failed to report to duty. He was fifteen minutes late. Kirk got up from his chair.
"Sulu, you've got the comm" Kirk said as he headed for the lift. He made his way to Spock's quarters ringing once, as the doors were locked. The doors were only locked while Spock was sleeping, and at finding this Kirk began to worry. Using his override he made his way into Spock's quarters. His room was decorated with general vulcan things, although, some could say it was cluttered.
"Spock, are you in here?" Kirk called quickly looking around before making his way to Spock's bed. What he saw there made him freeze in the doorway.
"Oh you've got to be shitting me."