Kirk and Spock materialized in a large busy courtyard. People rushed about carrying furniture and decorations. Shuttles lined a high grey brick wall to the left, carrying food supplies and more people. Voices clamored as people called to each other. Kirk squinted in the early afternoon light as he took in the clear blue sky overhead, the fluffs of white clouds.

"Interesting, Captain. Quite an archaic setting." Kirk watched as Spock took in the cobblestone ground and grand brick building before them. The setting confused Kirk.

"I thought the celebrations were being held at the Starlight Hotel in the capital city. By their ocean," Kirk wondered.

"As did I, Captain. There is no smell of the ocean either."

Glancing at the great stone building before them Kirk reached out to stop a woman rushing pass them, bearing green and orange plants in her arms. "Do you know where Lieutenant Karnth is?"

The woman stepped away slowly, nodding her head to the building. "In there," she gushed out quickly. "Great Hall." She then rushed away.

Kirk cast one more look at the pandemonium and walked briskly to the stone house. "Let's get this over with, Mr. Spock."

Spock raised an eyebrow as they quickened their steps.

Kirk passed through a foyer that looked no better than a storage room, with bolts of cloth lying around, more furniture, musical instruments, cleaning supplies, plants and various crates of items. A grand staircase was being cleaned, walls were being scrubbed with ultrasonic technology. The Great Hall was hardly better, rather it was the locus of activity. The sound of welding echoed from across the room and Kirk could see about ten people rushing to build a sturdy stage. Even more people were in there, yelling, conjoling, scolding. Kirk noticed security teams helping with preparations and cleaning.

From what he was able to gather about his future yeoman Kirk looked for graying hair he was sure she would have, moving slowly through the throng. As his eyes wandered through the crowd Kirk saw the back of a woman standing in a shaft of light coming from the large windows of the left wall. Kirk could see her waving her hands, looking to be giving out orders. She was of average height, around 5'6", with luxurious brown hair gathered in a braided knot. From her red Starfleet uniform clinging to a gentle hourglass figure, Kirk supposed Lieutenant Karnth left this woman in charge for the moment, no doubt off taking care of something else.

Turning to Spock Kirk could see he had already noticed the woman. Gesturing for them to walk to her Kirk said, "Perhaps she can direct us to Lieutenant Karnth."

Spock glanced at his Captain, flicking his eyebrow before looking back at the woman. "Undoubtedly, Captain."

As Kirk approached the woman he asked, "Excuse me, but could you direct us to Lieutentant Karnth?"

The woman turned to reveal clear gray irises rimmed in black, with wisps of that brown hair falling into them, above high cheekbones and shining out of translucent skin. Pretty lips smiled as eyes lit up, a delicate jaw line reaching back to elfin-like ears, with only the slightest point. Hugging her large datapad to herself with her arm (her hand held a cup of what Kirk presumed was tea from its cinnamon scent) she extended her empty hand energetically. "Why yes, Captain Kirk, I can. I am Lieutenant Karnth."

Kirk was staggered. This young, beautiful woman was his Chief Yeoman? She had been in Starfleet for years, and was a diplomat before? She looked like she was fresh out of the Academy! Quickly Kirk extended his hand, realizing he was staring. Karnth did not seem to mind, she just kept smiling merrily, almost…mischeviously. Kirk got the distinct impression of a prankster; Karnth just wafted imp-like vibes. Bemused, he looked to his First Officer, only to see a glint of laughter deep in Spock's eyes, which only surprised further – it was a laughter Kirk only saw when they were alone, or with McCoy.

Two thoughts came to his mind as Karnth shook his hand earth-fashioned, saying how pleased she was to meet and serve with him: his new yeoman and his First Officer were on a better accord than the Vulcan had previously let on, and Spock knew but did not tell him of Karnth's apparent youth. Kirk tried to be offended, but after a few seconds mentally shrugged. The cheerfulness of the situation was infectious.

Kirk smiled. "This is my First Officer. I believe you know Mr. Spock."

He watched the look passing over Karnth's features carefully as she nodded to Spock, a mixture of nostalgia and ruefulness. She raised her hand, fingers split in the Vulcan salute. "Commander," she acknowledged, her tone wry.

Spock returned the traditional gesture, inclining his dark head. "Lieutenant."

Karnth lowered her arm and turned her bright eyes back to Kirk. "I understand that the Enterprise was diverted here to beef up security personnel." Karnth's lips twisted sardonically. "I can appreciate how frustrating that must have been, sir."

Kirk's sharp mind noted the easy manner his alien yeoman used Earth terms before a crashing noise sounded behind him. Turning quickly they saw a table with a broken leg, people scrambling to pick it up and clear the doorway. The three officers watched as they dragged the table for a few minutes before Kirk turned back to Karnth.

"Not as frustrating as all this I'm sure," he replied as Karnth kept an eye on the tablers. "We were under the impression actually that the celebrations were to take place in the large city by the sea, the Starlight Hotel."

Karnth's eyes whipped back to the captain, irritation shining through. "Yes, well that was before the Lantarens felt it was too unsafe. They avoid the oceans on their planet – large sea creatures that can be quite vicious and even come onto land when hungry." Karnth rolled her eyes. "When they saw they were by the water, the Lantarens had a near apoplexy, and frankly demanded a new area."

Sighing, Karnth looked around the old stone Hall they were in. "So, one of the Chancillors of this planet offered his ancestral Manor as a site, to which the Lantarens readily agreed. Unfortunately, this Hall hasn't been lived in for nearly eighty years, so it needs cleaning, among other things." Karnth stopped to take a sip of tea. "And the worst part of it all is they demanded this at one in the morning." Karnth glanced between them blearily. "This morning."

Kirk whistled slowly, but was secretly pleased. It was clear his new yeoman was competent if she had been up since one that morning getting things done.

Taking another sip Karnth added. "What you're seeing now is actually calmer than it was been – lunchtime," she answered, seeing the disbelieving look on Kirk's face. Just then a man walked by them with a tray of sandwiches, headed for the stage builders. A pale hand shot out and grabbed one, and soon Karnth was munching with her eyes closed, a blissful look on her face.

Kirk bit back a laugh at the robust demolishing of that sandwich, thinking. Yes, there was a youthful, imp-like manner to her, but also a very grounded air about Karnth. Clearly she was more than competent judging from the order Kirk was starting to detect in the chaos around them, as well as the fact that she was still going at it after being up half the night. But there was something else about her, something that led Kirk to half-expect to see her on the Bridge of a ship, leading the helm. Kirk dismissed the notion – there was no mention of a command in her, albeit limited, personnel file – and attributed these inklings to the confidence radiating off her. One thing was for certain, he was already glad to have Chief Yeoman Karnth on his crew manifest.

Karnth sighed in pleasure, only to be interrupted by a man coming to her for a signature for the flowers just received. After a minute of looking around for a place to put her sandwich she just bit on it, holding the meal in her teeth. Wiping her hand briskly on her hip of its crumbs, Karnth signed for the flora. Nodding to the man, she held her sandwich and looked at her Captain.

"Well, let's get to business," she started. "The Lantarens are insisting that the courtyard be heavily guarded, the stairs, and the upper floors where dignitaries are sleeping, especially where they are sleeping. Now, we have enough men to stand guard within the Hall, at the gates, roof and entrances. The internal guard? That's where we need your help. There are four floors and a basement, cellar and kitchens within the building. The servant's stair needs to be guarded. But the sleeping areas? Two floors of bedrooms, but with many corridors, like a labyrinth. We need two per corridor – a total of one hundred men."

Kirk was extremely surprised. "One hundred? There are fifty corridors?"

Karnth looked sheepish. "Yes, sir. The building is longer than it is wide. And all the dignitaries are to be housed here. If we were in the Starlight Hotel, each room as a security lock, so they're safer. But this building is old, and not updated, so only a door lock for each bedroom. Our original plan was to have patrols, but the Lantarens demand standing guard. Thus, the call for you. The Lantarens don't trust the planet's native police or military."

Kirk nodded, thinking deeply. One hundred security officers, a hefty number, nearly all of his security. It was dangerous to remove so many from his ship. But what can he do? He has been ordered. And it is only for one night. "All right," Kirk decided. "I'll have the men report to the head of security planetside at 1500 hours."

"Thank you Captain. I apologize again for this inconvenience."

Kirk nodded, smiling. "Now, when will you report for duty?"

Karnth stood a little bit straighter. "At 1500 hours, sir. My orders are to transfer when the security arrive planetside. On that note sir," Karnth paused, pressing a button on the side of her datapad. An orange datadisk slowly slid out. Karnth's delicate fingers grasped the disk, handing it to Kirk, who passed it to Spock. "Here is a more complete personnel file, sir. I understand that what was sent to you must have been barebones information only, right Captain?"

Nodding, Kirk thanked her and reconfirmed the time the security would arrive. "When do the celebrations take place?"

"1900 hours sir," Karnth replied promptly.

Thanking her again Kirk said, "I look forward to welcoming you to the Enterprise."

Karnth smiled brilliantly. "I look forward to it."

Kirk smiled back and Spock nodded to her. Opening his communicator he said, "Kirk to Enterprise. Two to beam up."