Complications

After two hours of thorough examinations, Doctor McCoy finally allowed Chekov to leave Sickbay and move into his quarters. The test results had confirmed the Ensign's perfect health, apart from a little high blood pressure, which McCoy connected to the young man's general excitement about his new life aboard the Enterprise.

A look on the clock on his computer told McCoy that dinner was long overdue and he realised he was already late. While he hurried down the corridor towards the Cafeteria, he wondered if Jim had been able to make their usual dinner arrangement on time or if the conference call with Starfleet wouldn't permit him to make it tonight.

During the last few months, McCoy, Kirk and Spock had made it a habit to have their main meals together whenever work allowed it. In case Jim was still around, McCoy would seize the opportunity to inform him about Pavel Chekov's safe arrival on board and confirm his perfect health condition. As the Ensign was now the youngest crewmembers at just 21, McCoy was particularly eager to find out what kind of initial duties Jim and Spock had in mind for the boy. He hoped the duties they would assign him to, wouldn't be too demanding initially. Even though Chekov was a bright and well-trained new recruit, he also seemed a little over-excited, a common phenomena amongst young crewmembers who were starting their first long term space assignment. McCoy had experienced on many occasions during his career that youngsters aboard a starship were prone too make costly mistakes, due to a dangerous mixture of a lack of experience and untamed excitement. In his opinion, the young Russian, just like any new recruit, would need at least a couple of weeks to settle in and adjust to his new surroundings before he should be burdened with the kind of highly responsible tasks Spock would surly have in store for him.

Entering the Cafe, McCoy was relieved to see both Kirk and Spock were still there. In fact, they were late as well. The Captain and his First Officer were just sitting down at their usual table in a quiet corner, away from the noisy centre of the large room that was usually occupied by younger and more vociferous crewmembers such as Uhura and Sulu. McCoy had to smile at the familiar sight of Spock gracefully walking behind the Captain and politely waiting for Jim to choose his seat first before sitting down opposite. As McCoy received his food from the replicator he grinned with satisfaction- it was good to get an opportunity rather sooner than later to talk to Jim and Spock about Chekov. He was also keen to find out about their next assignment.

'Evening Jim, Spock' McCoy greeted them as he sat down, carrying a bowl of chicken soup and a salad on a tray.

Kirk looked up from his meal, slightly guilty. McCoy frowned at the Captain's choice of dinner: Cheeseburger and French Fries. Typical!

Kirk sighed. Suddenly his appetite wasn't as great as it had been a minute ago. As he and Spock had actually been late for their usual dinner arrangement with McCoy, Kirk had assumed that the Good Doctor had already eaten. He had therefore opted for the tasty as opposed to the healthy option.

'I know what you're going to say, Bones...' Kirk started helpfully as he put down his fork that had stabbed several French Fries just before McCoy's arrival.

'You better keep it to yourself then! Otherwise your meal will be cold by the time you have finished sayin' it!' the Doctor said as he sat down next to Spock.

The words were delivered without taking a breath in McCoy's usual gruff tone but as he started his meal he gave Kirk an encouraging grin to continue with eating. The Captain happily complied, while McCoy stole a quick glimpse of Spock's choice. Like himself, the Vulcan had optioned for a soup, the smoky smell clearly identifying it as Plomik soup. Unfortunately this didn't present McCoy with the opportunity to criticise Spock's choice. The frugal Science Officer rarely gave the Doctor any reason to criticise his dietary habits and he privately wished that such sensibility would eventually rub off on Jim Kirk as well.

McCoy looked from one to the other as they quietly focused on their food.

'Anyone care to enlighten me where we're going next? What did you discuss with Admiral Keller, Jim?'

Spock's raised eyebrow and expectant look towards his Captain didn't escape McCoy and he knew intuitively that there had been an argument between Kirk and the Commanding Officer of Starbase 2.

Kirk sighed. 'I'm afraid there won't be any shore leave for the crew in the immediate future, Bones. We were assigned on an emergency rescue mission'.

McCoy pressed his lips into a thin line; he had seen it coming. That's just typical- they all needed a break and what they got was an emergency rescue mission! The crew in general was in good health, but overall the men and women aboard the Enterprise were tired, stressed and overworked. Their shore leave was long overdue and had already been cancelled twice due to unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately one such unforeseen circumstance had involved McCoy and an overdose of Cordrazine. He shivered just thinking that word in his head. In any case, McCoy had submitted a sharp and clear report to Starfleet that shore leave had to be undertaken very soon if any possible mistakes by a crew member due to exhaustion had to be avoided, not to mention possible long-term effects on the crew's general health and an overall low resistance to illnesses.

Kirk's gaze wandered through the unusually quiet Cafe. Like it was usually the case at this time of the evening, it was very busy and crowded. The room would then become quiet hot despite the air ventilation system, and the doors were left open which only invited more people to come in who were passing in the corridor. But despite the large crowd, conversations were sparse and quiet. Even Uhura seemed absentminded as she stared into the distance across the rim of her coffee cup. The crew was tired and it showed in their free time when they could afford to display their exhaustion. On duty, no crewmember would allow himself to give the impression of being tired or stressed. Kirk pressed his lips. Apart from his own argumentation to reward the crew for their outstanding performances on this mission with some well-deserved free time, Kirk had referred several times to his CMO's report in his conversation with Keller, but to no avail.

Kirk watched as McCoy shook his head in disapproval.

'Bones, I know you don't like it as much as I do, but Keller has just received a mayday call from the Cassiopeia. We're on route to Adelous 4 from where the message was sent.'

McCoy frowned: 'Isn't the Cassiopeia one of the Federation's biggest delicum crystal transporters?'

'Correct, Doctor. After their mayday call the shuttle craft has apparently crash landed on the surface of Adelous 4 and since then Starfleet has not been able to re-establish communications with the Cassiopeia.'

'As we are the only starship in the proximity, Keller has ordered us to go to Adelous 4, look for survivors plus secure the freight if possible.' Kirk explained.

'I see.' McCoy didn't like the fact that shore leave was cancelled yet again, but in this case he could actually understand Starfleet's reasoning.

'It's just a shame that we have to carry the can again. The crew really deserves a break'.

Kirk's rather loud sigh spoke more than a thousand words and the Doctor knew how much it troubled his Captain to ask so much of his crew. They would of course follow his orders without even thinking about the fact that they were missing yet another opportunity of shore leave. Sometimes McCoy wondered if the men and women aboard the Enterprise were even aware that they were entitledfor a recreational break now and then.

'They fear the worst, Bones' Jim explained with a tired face that brought McCoy's musings to an abrupt end '40 crew missing and unaccounted for'.

McCoy nodded gravely as the bad news sunk in.

'As is Starfleet's quarterly supply of dilicium crystals in the Beta Sector'. Spock added matter-of-factly.

'Damn those crystals! 40 people need to be rescued, Spock!' McCoy blurted out. He added solemnly: 'If they're still alive.'

'If those crystals are not retrieved in the next 50.5 hours, Doctor, all Starfleet operations in this sector will be severely disrupted and come to a halt. Including the Enterprise, as we have not been able to stock up our supplies at Starbase 2 as originally planed. It is therefore highly illogical to desire the Cassiopeia's freight to be lost to a terran mythological place of no return.'

McCoy had to catch his breath for a moment-but just for a moment.

'You mean hell?'

Spock's eyebrow disappeared in his hairline, a small sigh of impatience escaping his lips: 'I believe I have just said that, Doctor.'

'All I meant Spock, was that I'd rather have those crystals go to hell, than that crew.'

'May I note that your illogical commentary on a challenging situation is, like usual, not very helpful.'

Pearls of sweat started to appear on McCoy's forehead, his face slowly turning into a rather healthy colour. He wiped the sweat away with his sleeve. He wasn't sure that the overcrowded Cafe had much to do with his sudden exasperation. Like always when McCoy was getting irritated, his thick Georgian accent became even stronger.

'It's gettin kinda hot in here, doesn't it, Jim? I'd die for some ice tea. Ah, I know, I'll just put my cup next to you, Spock! How's that?' McCoy angrily put his cup down next to Spock's arm. His Vulcan shipmate however continued eating his Plomik soup as if nothing had happened.

Kirk put his coffee mug down poignantly. He favoured his two friends with a look of exasperated helplessness that he reserved only for moments as this, when he desperately wanted to stop one of their otherwise endless arguments.

'Gentlemen, my orders are clear. Crew and crystals need to be retrieved. I suggest you prepare yourself for landing party duty. We should arrive at Adelous 4 in about two days'.

'Two days, 2 hours and 45 minutes, Captain.'

McCoy briefly directed his eyes skyward while Kirk nodded benevolently towards his First Officer and got up. This prompted the Doctor to quickly finish his cup of tea in one gulp as he had no intention to stay seated next to Spock on his own. The CSO just raised an eyebrow at McCoy's abrupt departure from their table. The Doctor grabbed his tray and followed Kirk to the dish rack.

'By the way, Pavel Chekov is now on board and I have certified his health as in ideal condition.'

'Thanks, Bones. Also for reminding me. His arrival did get lost somewhere in my mind today. I will welcome him aboard tomorrow at the start of his shift'. Kirk sounded tired as he disposed of his empty plate. McCoy could sense Kirk's frustration. It was his custom to greet new crewmembers personally in the transporter room when they beamed on board. Providing the circumstances allowed it.

'Don't worry about it, Jim. You've got enough on your plate as it is.' McCoy said as he watched the Captain's emptyplate disappear in the automatic dishwasher. At least he hasn't lost his appetite yet with all that stress, the Doctor was happy to note.

'Anyway, we were a splendid welcoming committee and our dutiful Mr. Sulu has forwarded your greetings.'

Kirk had to smile at the fact that his reliable helmsman had thought that much, as he himself had indeed forgotten to tell him to greet Chekov. Kirk's warm and absent-minded smile didn't escape McCoy, and he took the opportunity to say what had been on his mind all along: 'I recommend you don't put too much pressure on the boy straight away, Jim'.

'May I enquire to the reason for your wish, Doctor?' Appearing behind them quiet as a cat, Spock gave McCoy a mighty fright.

'Goddammit Spock! In case you haven't noticed yet, I don't have eyes at the back of my head!'

Spock just frowned, but didn't say any more. Kirk looked inquiringly at the Doctor. Just like Spock, he also wondered about McCoy's concern.

'Ensign Chekov is highly qualified and capable.' the Vulcan stated after he had disposed of his empty bowl and turned towards McCoy with a questioning look.

'But he's still a little greenbehind the ears, Spock', McCoy replied with a wry grin, 'you know the feeling.'

Before the Vulcan could answer the CMO turned to Kirk:

'Chekov is a little too over-excited and high strung at the moment, Jim. Call it intuition or a hunch, but I think it would be best to give him a few weeks to settle in before he's assigned with heavy duty. That's our normal procedure with all recruits, isn't it?' McCoy ended with a poignant look directed at Spock.

'Nevertheless, in this instance, your request is illogical, Doctor' Spock said in his neutral and calm tone that always made McCoy want to run out of the room, screaming. He shot a glare towards his opponent but this time the Vulcan beat him to it:

'As you said yourself, it is our practice under normal circumstances to allow young and newly assigned crew members some adjustment time during which they are assigned lighter duties. However, the circumstances are far from normal. The Navigator's post is vacant and needs to be filled immediately. We're on a rescue mission that requires urgency and unrestrained ability to act, therefore Ensign Chekov should start his shift tomorrow morning on the Bridge as scheduled.' Spock looked at Kirk, certain that his point would be confirmed in an instant.

'I'm afraid Spock's right, Bones. Mr. Chekov will have to be thrown into the deep end. It can't be avoided.' A short pause followed during which Kirk reflected on the brilliant references and grades Chekov had presented in his application 'But I've got the feeling the kid will surprise us all.'

McCoy pressed his lips into a thin line. He knew he was overruled. Like usual when the Doctor had the impression that Spock and Jim ganged up on him, he didn't look at either of them. Instead, he angrily shook his head, his forehead in one big frown. He also knew that they were right. Usually when two out of the triumvirate agreed on an issue, the third one knew that he must have gone wrong somewhere. McCoy did accept this fact to be a reassuring constant in their relationship, just as the other two did if they happened to find themselves being the odd one out. But of course, it didn't happen to Kirk or Spock just as often as it seemed to happen to him, McCoy was convincing himself. God, how those two could get on his nerves!

McCoy suddenly turned on his heels and strutted towards the door, leaving Kirk and Spock standing- Spock with a slightly tilted head and raised eyebrow and Kirk with an amused smile on his lips.

'But don't tell me I didn't warn you when the boy makes a costly mistake because he is overwhelmed by the pressure!' McCoy said as he hurried out of the overcrowded Cafe, relived that he at least had managed to get the last word.

So far so good. There will be a major incident in the next chapter and more complications that will get the story really going. And of course more Spock and McCoy banter! Feedback, reviews are always welcome!