As the white curls transported the female captain from sight, heads from both starships snapped to Doctor McCoy. Kirk was the first to get a word in.
"That was Joanna? Bones you never told me she was in Starfleet!"
"She ain't! Least she's not gonna be when I get a hold of her." Bones growled as he stormed to the turbo lift. But was stopped by Spock blocking the doors to the lift. "Get out of my way goblin!"
"Doctor McCoy our readings indicate the planet has very little time to be safe for humanoids. By my estimation it has no more than 30 minutes before it would be deadly. There is no time for you to retrieve Captain McCoy."
"32.4 minutes actually Mr. Spock." The First Officer from the other starship interrupted. "But that currently is not my main objective. Captain Kirk may we transfer some survivors over to the Enterprise?"
Kirk shook his head, turning back to the main screen. "Now hold on just a minute. There needs to be some explaining before anybody does anything."
"Such as?"
"Your ship … is so not Federation regulation."
If there was a sparkle of amusement in the First Officer's eyes, it would easily be dismissed as a reflection from a screen. "The hull uses a Romulan camouflage system which I can not explain in the time I will allow for your questions."
"Captain I would suggest we comply with the U.S.S. Algernon. There is very little time; and I will personally vouch for their validity as Starfleet officers." Though he had not moved from the turbo lift doors, Spock shifted to the side slightly to speak. Fearing Bones would flee if he moved fully.
"Spock you can't just readily trust someone."
"Captain need I remind you Vulcans do not lie. And adding to that I have know Joanna McCoy for nearly 17 Earth years and Mr. Fennae for more. I do not readily trust sir."
"Oh this is just making my freaking day!" Bones exclaimed as he threw his hands in the air. He moved away from the turbo lift doors and leaned against Uhura's communication console. Pinching the bridge of his nose he began mumbling something along the lines of "Imma kill her."
The First Officer of the Algernon tilted his head slightly and quirked an eyebrow at the reaction. Spock remained as emotionless as ever, reluctant to move from the door.
ooOOoo
Captain McCoy materialized on to the evacuation site. She saw many of her crew hurrying to move the inhabitants of K'ean'u to the designated beaming spots. Glancing around there couldn't have been 50 left. She took a step forward to address a human lieutenant she had placed in charge of the evacuation. Immediately she was hit with a powerful gust of wind. A whirlwind of sand decreased visibility; the howl of the wind became deafening. McCoy had to shield her eyes for a moment before the wind died down. That eerie, sharp, crisp, air before a large storm settled over the area. The K'ean'u colonists and Algernon crew members stopped to look toward the sky. Expecting at any moment for the sky to fall on them.
"You wanna stop and take a picture or you wanna be able to write an 'I survived biography'?" McCoy shouted across the clearing.
The outburst seemed to snap them out of it. Crew members turned to stand at attention and salute. "Get moving!" the lieutenant in charge shouted. He closed the distance to McCoy.
"Captain?"
"What's the hold up Mason?"
"Nothing ma'm; we should be complete with 10 minutes to spare."
"Speed it up lieutenant. I don't like the way this storm is moving in. I'm getting a bad feeling about it." The pair turned sharply, phasers drawn as the screaming started.
ooOOoo
"So these are Earth colonists and locals from K'ean'u?" Kirk asked.
"Correct Captain. I assure you they are a peaceful race. They will cause no trouble aboard your starship."
"I really have no argument to make do I? If Spock believes in you, and Joanna…" Kirk paused to run a hand through his hair. Effectively putting it in a disarray to match his thoughts and questions. "Chekov get Scotty and head the transport of those inhabitants."
"Yes Keptin!" The young ensign said as he headed for the turbo lift. Spock let him by and moved to stand by Kirk. Satisfied that Bones wasn't going anywhere; he turned to address the other First Officer.
"Commander would you not perceive it wise to transport Captain McCoy back?"
"Yes, I agree with Mr. Spock. There's definitely a few things that need to be cleared up. No offence Commander Fennae if I've caught that right?"
Bones broke his silence with a scoff. "Jim why worry about getting that damned Vulcan's name correct?" He too came to stand by the main screen. "It's not like he actually cares what happens to his human Captain."
Kirk turned a shocked look to his best friend. Opening his mouth to apologize for his CMO, but was interrupted before he started.
"I am not offended Captain Kirk. Regarding Commander Spock's inquiry though; the Captain will return 9.4 minutes before the area becomes critical. That is of course based on the number of survivors yet to beam up. If I had estimated the time left to be under 5 minutes I would have gone down myself."
Another scoff from McCoy. "I bet you would have."
"Bones enough! Now that's an order."
"Jim -"
Near the rear of the Algernon bridge an older Vulcan began working his console. He took the communication-piece out of his ear and turned to the commanding officer.
"Commander, incoming transmission from the Captain."
Fennae backed away from the screen to sit in the Captain's chair. He flipped a switch on the arm before addressing . "Fennae here. Is everything alright Captain?"
The response came through barely audible through the howling wind. "No Mr. Fennae it's not alright. Send another Security team and a Medical team down."
Fennae motioned to the communications officer to boost the signal. "What has happened Captain?"
The transmission came through much clearer now. But the air on both starships became tense as the all to familiar sounds of phasers and screaming came through in the background. "We're under attack! Send H down as well to identify these things."
"Are you injured Captain?"
A laugh erupted from the transmission, it ended in a lung-wrenching cough. After a long moment the Captain answered. "If you've got to ask, you already know the answer. It's just a few broken ribs - Oh hold that thought I've got company." Phaser fire replaced Captain McCoy's voice. An un-human scream, a curse, the spine tingling sound of metal on metal, and then silence….
"Captain?… Captain McCoy?.. Joanna!" Though it was below a shout, there was no doubt the First Officer's calls were quick and un-Vulcan like.
"Yeah, yeah. I ain't gone no where. Send the teams Mr. Fennae. Now. McCoy out."
The Vulcan didn't move as the transmission cut out; seemingly lost in thought. That was all the hesitation Bones needed to start up again. "Well you just gonna sit there you damned elf, or you gonna send them some help down there? Dammit Jim you see what I mean! Let me go down there with that Cupcake fella."
Kirk threw a hand up to silence him. "Now hold on a second Bones. We don't even know what's down there. But I will offer assistance if you need Commander Fennae."
Mentioning his name caused the Vulcan to glance up at him from the Captain's chair. "There is no need Captain Kirk. We will handle it." He turned to a human standing unmoving behind the Captain's chair. "Yeomen H, meet with Greco's and Dr. Sydney's team for beam down in transporter room one." The human nodded and turned to go. "And H…send an optical feed so that we may help you identify the creatures if necessary."
"Yes Commander."
TBC…
Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay, but I've been procrastinating with my classes lately & it finally caught up with me O.o So extra long chp to make up for the wait. For some reason I don't like this one, but it's necessary for the story. I've got chp 4 outlined & I hope to have it written by the weekend. Until then; a huge thank you to those that R&R! I would not post anymore of this story without you all ;)
~Sierra
I do not own Star Trek. I think Roddenberry won't mind if I borrow his toys for a bit. Though I can't say Joanna ever appeared; so technically her personality is mine ^-^ As well as the whole Algernon crew, which will come out as the story progresses.