Breaking Bones

Chapter 14: Another Day, Another Disaster

Two and a half years later

"What the hell did you take?!" 

"I don't know, but they were bowing to it. Kirk to Shuttle One. Locals are out of the kill zone. You are clear. Repeat. Spock, get in there, neutralize the volcano, and let's get out of here." 

The USS Enterprise was nearing the end of its two-and-a-half-year mission, and safe to say there had been a few bumps in the road. Kirk's vast enthusiasm for trouble seemed to have the Enterprise interfering with other life forms more than any of the crew cared to admit. Even Talia had to admit that she was getting fed up with Jim's incessant need for adventure. But listening to Leonard gripe about it more than anyone made the overall experience completely worth it. 

"They're trying to kill us! They're trying to kill us, Jim!" 

"Good thing you're a doctor then, huh Len?" 

"Not in the mood right now Tali." Talia chuckled at Leonard's distress while keeping close monitoring on his signal from the bridge of the Enterprise under the planet's ocean. From the corner of her eye, Anatalia caught warning lights going off on her screen indicating trouble elsewhere. The shuttle Sulu and Uhura had taken to get Spock to the mouth of the volcano was not faring well under the volcano's heat, prompting serious malfunctions in numerous areas. 

"Shit. Sulu, is Spock in the volcano?" 

"Affirmative, but the cable snapped. We're sending Uhura down so she can bring him back up." 

"No time. I've got warning signals for your shuttle lighting up like the fourth of July. Get out of there now, that's an order." 

"Ana, we can't just leave Spock!" 

"I'm sorry Uhura, you don't have a choice. If you don't get out of there now, you'll all be trapped in that volcano. We'll figure it out. Sulu, get back to the ship now." 

"Aye, commander." 

"Jim. I've ordered Sulu and Uhura to abandon the shuttle. The heat from the volcano is tearing it apart. We're going to have to figure out a way to get Spock out of that volcano." 

"Wonderful. Keep monitoring his signal. We'll be back on the ship shortly." 

"Uh, Jim? Jim, you're headed for a cliff." 

"I know." 

"What? You know? Jim! I hate this!" 

"I know you do Bones!" Anatalia continued to allow herself to chuckle through Leonard's pain while keeping close tabs on Spock and his frequencies. Luckily, Leonard and Jim arrived before Ana would need to make any tough calls on Spock's behalf. 

"Ana, where's Spock?" 

"Still in the volcano, captain. I haven't made the call yet." 

"Uhura, do we have an open channel to Mister Spock?" 

"The heat is frying his comms, but we still have contact." 

"Alright, Ana, you're still in charge. I'm going to talk to Scotty." 

"No! No, Jim!" While Jim made a dash towards the turbo lift, Leonard made his way over to Talia and placed a quick kiss to her lips, smirking at the irritated look on her face as he pulled away. 

"Sorry darlin. You're doing great." 

"I hate being captain." 

"I know you do." Leonard winked playfully at Ana before running over to the turbo lift himself to meet Jim in the transporter room.