Just Routine

"In many ways, Daernnus is not dissimilar from your home planet," Spock said, his long strides eating up the floor on the way to the transporter. They had met at the turbolift, on the way from Deck Five back up to the Transporter Room. "The temperature at the coordinates with which we have been provided is some 4 degrees Celsius higher than that reported at the pre-arrival briefing. Not unexpected. However, given the higher degree of atmospheric volatility, we can anticipate comparatively rapid temperature fluctuations, wind shifts, and -" (was that a slight hesitation?) "precipitation."

Rain. Was Spock saying it was gonna rain?

It never rained.

"Lucky, then, we won't be down there long." For Spock, Jim supposed it was lucky. Personally, he sort of wished they could hang around a bit - even if it did mean getting wet. Maybe they could convince the Daernnans to allow some key personnel shoreleave. He hadn't been rained on in a long time, actually, and solid ground under his feet was always a treat.

"Captain, perhaps -" Spock shot him a glance.

Jim intercepted it with a shake of his head. "Nah, won't need 'em. This'll be just a routine in-and-out - Coats'll just get in the way. It's sunny now, right?" Spock nodded, without expressing the doubts that Jim was pretty sure he had. "We'll beam down, make nice, press a few palms; come home."

He almost laughed at his First Officer's non-reaction to that little description. "Oh, come on, Spock – It'll be fun."

Any further response the Vulcan might have made was delayed by their arrival at the Transporter Room. Lieutenant Commander Scott was at the console, and looked up cheerfully at their entrance. Kirk went to greet him, while Spock gave the Security team an update. Hickerson and his men listened attentively, then went to collect their gear.

A moment later, McCoy arrived. A medical tricorder was slung over one shoulder, and his usual pre-beam expression tugged down the corners of his mouth. Jim took pity on him: "It looks like it's all good, Bones; this should just be routine – and from what Spock says, it oughta be a nice day." Now McCoy looked both glum and suspicious, and Jim had to laugh.

Scott confirmed their beam-in coordinates. Reaching automatically for the communicator and phaser Spock proffered, Jim told the engineer, "Hey, if it turns out to be nothing, I may just decide to stay a while… If you don't hear from me, Scotty, just pretend you can't find me."

"Aye, Captain," Scotty said, his face mostly straight.

They took their places on the platform with the three-person Honor Guard. Bones was still frowning, but Spock's face was non-committal as ever when Jim looked that way again.

Everything was just the way it should be.

Kirk raised his chin, put on his own game face, then turned to the front. He straightened his shoulders, and nodded at Scott. "Energize," he said.

The familiar tingling ants-across-the-skin transport-feeling faded; but before it was even gone, Jim felt sun on his face.

Sun – real sunshine. Happily, he opened his eyes and looked around.

Spock was beside him where he belonged – already lifting his tricorder; and Hickerson was at his back, one hand on the phaser at his hip, the other ready to grab his communicator. The other Security men were much the same. Bones was turning in place, looking around curiously.

Alrighty, then.

Jim smiled, and resisted the urge to stretch.

Real sunshine on his face - warm and bright.

He blinked, and spun slowly on his heel, once, making a quick survey.

No people in sight.

A pathway of light and dark textured aggregate led to an uneven building long and low, grayish.

Above, a bright azure sky with numerous clouds; a slight, temperate breeze.

Grass, trees; a surrounding hedge: Greeny-gold with flowers of some sort.

The path continued past them through large open gates beyond which he could just glimpse a few buildings lining a -

"Captain," Spock said in quiet warning, his voice accompanied by the familiar dying whine of the instrument in his hands.

Jim turned: Ahead of them, emerging from the shadows around the building's entrance, was a small group of people.

The Enterprise landing party held their ground as the group emerged. There were three men, and two women; Kirk could get a good view as they ranged on the steps for a moment in frozen tableau, then slowly headed toward him. The Captain could feel Hickerson tensing, just a little, behind him. The Security man knew the odds: At this moment, all things considered, they were about even – but always better safe than sorry.

The tallest of the Daernnans was a middle-aged man in a rather fussy suit (a diplomat, Kirk decided). There was another - slightly younger, shorter, more simply dressed (a secretary, perhaps, or a clerk?). The third man was older, his back bent with age, or care. Kirk labeled him 'an advisor.'

Time would tell if he were right.

He turned his attention to the women – and was glad he had saved them for last. They were both beautiful, Jim thought, but in different ways.

One was slender but still curvy, with masses of blonde hair elaborately-arranged in braids, loops, and coils. Her bold printed dress was held together on one shoulder with a gleaming ring, leaving the other completely bare - and almost all of the opposite leg, from toned thigh to delicate sandal-shod foot. Her skin was kissed with gold – and she seemed to think that decoration enough, save for one long springing lock of hair that cascaded over her breast, nearly to her waist.

The other was… well, curvy, yeah – almost voluptuous. Tall, elegant - but there was something about her that belied the dark suit she wore. Maybe it was the way it hugged her figure… Her hair, too, suggested – well, something. Worn with a long side-swept fringe, and tucked behind her ears, it was blonde too, but paler, wavy and long, streaked with red. She wore high heels and bold jewelry; and Jim wondered whether she felt the need for the authority – or the individuality - those accessories lent. It seemed unlikely: Anywhere she went, she'd be one-of-a-kind.

By now, the Daernnans were close enough that he had to look away or be caught staring. He glanced to the side, and Spock moved forward one step, so that he was at the Captain's shoulder. Kirk nodded slightly, drew a breath, stood up straight.

They stepped forward to greet their hosts.