Xenolith
"Xeno what?"
"Xenolith."
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?"
"It is the term for this rock fragment we've just found."
"Spock, I'm a doctor, not a geologist. What's so special about one piece of rock found amongst a bunch of other pieces of rock?"
"The composition of this fragment is entirely different from the rest of the rock surrounding it. In fact, it's entirely different from the composition of anything found on this planet."
"So it's an alien rock."
"That is not the expression I would use, however, that is the logical conclusion."
Xenophobia
The lieutenant looked around the bridge, confused at the silence that followed his remark. Each person he looked at avoided eye contact with him. Finally, he turned to the captain.
"Leave the bridge, Lieutenant," Kirk said, his quiet, even delivery revealing his displeasure far more than an angry shout would have.
"Sir?" the lieutenant asked.
"Xenophobia may be tolerated in some places, lieutenant, but my ship is not one of them. Leave the bridge," Kirk repeated. "Your transfer will be requested immediately. If you can't see past your own irrational fears, space travel isn't for you."
A/N: Another prompt by, you guessed it, Satin Ragdoll. :)