Chapter Text
Captain James T. Kirk stood behind the transporter panel of his ship the U.S.S. Enterprise. It was a routine survey of a planet they discovered in a remote part of the galaxy. Planet side was his Vulcan science officer and husband Spock.
At near dusk of the newly discovered planet Lt. Kyle began working the controls and the transporter brought the landing party aboard. A small smile spread across Kirk’s face as Spock appeared on the platform.
Spock stepped off of the platform along with the rest of the away team. Kirk looked at them and asked, “What did you find?”
“The planet is suitable for a longer survey. There are several non-hostile animal life forms which are active during planet’s night,” Spock explained. “Perhaps an overnight survey would prove worthwhile. I can lead the away team myself.”
Kirk nodded. “Well I’ll defer to you on selecting the away team and Scotty can help you with the gear. What’s the climate like?”
“During daylight hours the weather is consistently 110 degrees with zero humidity. At night however, the ambient temperature could reach as low as -10 degrees.”
“Sounds like you’ll need the right gear.”
“Affirmative Captain.”
“Well I’ll see what Mr. Scott has in our inventory.” Spock followed Kirk as he exited the transporter room. “I don’t know about you but I’m ready to turn everything over to the next shift.”
“I would be amenable to relax for the evening once I have taken the samples to the lab for testing. If you would like to preempt me and go to the commissary for dinner I will join you shortly.”
“I’ve got to drop by engineering but I’ll be right up.”
After a quick kiss in the privacy of the corridor Spock proceeded to the science labs while Kirk went down to engineering. Mr. Scott was hard at work on the warp drive. When he saw Captain Kirk he immediately gave him his full attention while nearby Keenser poked his head out of a vent he’d been working on.
“Scotty, we’ve got an away team setting up a camp for an extended survey tomorrow morning. The planet swings between extreme hot and extreme cold, can you equip them?”
Mr. Scott looked at Kirk with an amused glint in his eye. “I thought you were going to have a challenge for me. I’ve got thermal tents and portable units to keep the crew safe, healthy and comfortable in the harshest climates.”
“We’ll need them by morning. Spock will be leading the away team.”
“I’ll have the ensigns get on it. They’ll be ready for you as soon as you need them.” He looked at Keenser. “No, you’re staying with me. This warp drive isn’t going to fix itself.”
“Thank you gentlemen. I’ll be in the commissary if you need me.”
In the commissary Dr. McCoy was sitting at a table by himself and when he saw Kirk with a plate of food in he waved him over. As soon as Kirk joined him at the table he asked, “Evening Jim, where’s the pointed eared computer?”
“Spock went to the science labs to have some samples analyzed. He’ll be down once he’s done working. How has your day been Bones?”
“Nothing going on with the exception of a few falls in engineering and a couple of cases of food poisoning. Oh and now that I have you here you and Spock are both due for your quarterly physicals.”
“We’ll both be down a soon as we get the chance. Good news though, once we’re done with a survey of this planet we’re ordered to head back to the alpha quadrant for a launch ceremony of twelve new starships.”
“That’s great, I could use a non-reconstituted meal.”
Kirk chuckled. “You and half the crew.”
Spock arrived in the commissary and got a plate of food. He approached the table greeting with, “Good evening gentlemen.”
“Evenin’ Spock.”
“Hey sweetheart. How’s everything down in the lab?”
Spock sat down at the table next to Kirk. “Activity in the lab is optimal. The samples collected by the away team are currently being analyzed and we will have the results before the survey begins tomorrow.”
“That’s awesome. Spock, just for the record since you’re leading the away team tomorrow I think it’ll be up to you to pick your team.”
“That is very considerate of you Jim.”
“You’re the best first officer in the fleet. No reason not to trust your judgment.”
As they were finishing their meal Lt. Sulu walked into the mess hall followed closely by his best friend, Pavel Chekov and Chekov’s wife Yeoman Martha Landon. Yeoman Landon was a young woman similar in age to Chekov with long blonde hair. Kirk had officiated when they had married a year earlier. Although she legally changed her last name to Chekov she used Landon professionally to avoid confusion.
Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy got up to leave as the three sat down to eat. When Chekov saw the three of them he greeted, “Good evening Keptin, Mr. Spock, Doctor.”
“Good evening Mr. Chekov, Mrs. Chekov. Mr. Sulu. Have any of you been briefed on the survey tomorrow?”
“There’s been some talk of the planet but none of us have had a formal briefing,” the Yeoman explained.
Spock added, “I will be leading the away team tomorrow and so I will be deciding on the team members. We will be doing an extended survey of the local fauna which is inherently nocturnal. I will require assistance with the necessary equipment since Mr. Scott is required in engineering.”
“I can do that sir,” Chekov replied.
“Are you qualified to repair the equipment should it malfunction?”
“Mr. Scott trained me extensively on equipment for away missions should the time ever come he couldn’t assist.”
“Very well. Report to engineering at 0900 tomorrow morning to assist with the equipment. We will beam down as soon as the team is ready.”
“Thank you sir.”
Once Spock had talked to Chekov he and Kirk went back to their quarters for a game of chess before turning in. After the game was over as he was putting the chess board away Kirk asked, “Do you think you’ll find anything interesting on the survey tomorrow.”
“Delving into the unknown always invites the possibility of something interesting.” Spock gave him a subtle smile.
Kirk grinned as he climbed into be alongside his mate. “You certainly have a lot of faith in Chekov.”
“I made my decision logically. Since Mr. Scott is required for the overhaul of the warp drive I thought it necessary for him to remain in engineering. Although Lt. Chekov’s specialization is navigation he has proven himself to be a superior engineer.”
“Logical. Now let’s get some sleep. You’ve got a long day tomorrow.”