BOT Chapter 3

by Starsinger

Sorry it took me so long to update. Don't own them.

Bones entered the turbolift with some trepidation. This would be his first shift in the center seat of the Bridge. A communications Lieutenant stood beside him, he turned and smiled at McCoy. Bones smiled back absently. He sighed as the doors opened and he stepped onto the Bridge for Gamma shift. Spock turned in the Captain's chair and glanced over to see McCoy, "Ah, good, Doctor, you're here." He rose from the chair, "Ensign Chekov and Imetrev are currently at a conference on Deneb IV and are due back later tonight. There was a fire in Engineering resulting in three enlisted being taken to Sickbay, all were released and are resting comfortably in their quarters. Commander Scott is currently on stand-by if you need his assistance, and Lieutenant Sulu is currently your Navigator if you need advice." Sulu turned and nodded to the doctor before returning to his duties.

"You are relieved, Mr. Spock," McCoy responded automatically.

Spock nodded before exiting the Bridge. Bones approached the chair gingerly and sat down slowly. Sulu turned around and smiled at McCoy before resuming his previous position. Nothing of significance happened for the first four hours. No one shot at them, threatened them, or other things that would have McCoy calling for back-up.

At 0300 Scotty came up on the bridge and brought coffee for the entire Gamma Shift. "Ach, Leonard, settled into the chair, hae ye?" the Scottish brogue breaking through the quiet room.

Bones smiled as he accepted a cup, "Well, it's different from this angle. I've been up here many times, but…"

"But sittin' in that chair and bein' in charge is different," Scotty responded. "Aye, I remember my first time in the chair. I wa' scared half to death. Dinnae help that we happened across a Cardassian scout ship tha' decided to take pot shots at the ship."

"Were you on the Enterprise?" Bones asked.

"Ach, no, I was on the Antilles durin' my Academy years," Bones watched as the Engineer walked around the room handing out coffee. As Scotty turned to exit the Bridge, he turned to Bones, "Ye know how to get a hold o' me, Len."

"Commander, we're receiving a transmission from the shuttle Galileo. They've encountered some trouble and need our help," the Communications lieutenant announced.

"Mr. Sulu, do we know where they are?" Bones asked.

"Yes, sir, we can reach them at Warp 4 in ten minutes," Sulu replied. "Their beacon is broadcasting strong."

"Do it, Mr. Sulu," he responded.

"Aye, sir," Sulu said as he set course for the shuttle. Bones found himself chewing on his thumbnail again as the Enterprise sped to their crew members. Soon, they pulled alongside the shuttle noting black marks streaking the hull. "That looks like an attack, Commander," Sulu said.

"Commander Scott, Dr. M'Benga, please meet us in the shuttle bay," Bones said after hitting the comm button. "Mr. Sulu, you have the Bridge." McCoy stood up and headed for the turbolift. Sulu stood up and sat in the seat.

The shuttle was a mess, and its occupants were shaken up. M'Benga and his team escorted Chekov and Imetrev to Sickbay for treatment. Scotty met him down in the shuttle bay as well. He was silent as he studied the black marks, and then started to run a tricorder over the damage. He sighed, "Klingons, Leonard, the elements involved in these marks are hallmarks of a Klingon attack. I hate bullies, Commander, and Klingons are bullies." McCoy nodded.

"What were they after in a shuttlecraft?" McCoy asked.

"I dinnae know," came the reply. "Ye hae a report to fill out for the Captain." Bones nodded.

McCoy went back to the Bridge and started filling out the report. It didn't take long, especially after Scotty forwarded his analysis to Bones' PADD. At 0700 the turbolift opened and the Alpha shift spilled out. Bones stood as Jim approached him, "Captain, at 0425 this morning we received a distress call from the Shuttle Galileo. We sped toward them at Warp 4 and arrived in time to realize they had been attacked. We towed the shuttle aboard and Ensigns Chekov and Imetrev were taken to Sickbay. Chekov was released to his quarters with a broken leg. He'll be on light duty for the next week. Imetrev suffered a concussion and is expected to be released later today to light duty as well."

"You called Scotty for the shuttle?" Jim asked.

"Yes, his analysis showed a probable Klingon attack. I finished my report and have forwarded it your PADD," Bones responded.

"Good job, Bones. You're relieved, go get something to eat and head to bed," Jim responded taking his place in the chair. Bones watched for a moment as Jim called up the report and started reading it. Bones took Jim's advice and found himself sound asleep in his own quarters.