Chapter 1

Captain James T. Kirk slammed the PADD down in his ready room on board the U.S.S. Enterprise. Shaking his head, he turned his chair and looked out at the stars.

"Damn Admiralty Board…" he muttered. They were scheduled to leave for their five year mission yesterday but due to last minute changes and requests, they were currently delayed until the next day. And now Kirk was being forced to take on an additional bridge crew member.

As a five year mission had never been attempted before, and seeing as how the crew was still mentally recovering from their attacks with Khan, the Admiralty Board was requiring Kirk take on a ship counselor.

Reluctantly, Kirk didn't think it was that bad of an idea but didn't like the fact that the Admiralty Board just made the decision without consulting or even, hell, ASKING him for his opinion. Kirk thought of his crew as his family and it was also irking him that the Admiralty Board had already selected and commissioned the counselor, also without Kirk's opinion. So now an outsider was coming in to his crew at the 11th hour. She was due to beam aboard in an hour.

Sighing, Kirk hit the communication button on his panel. "Commander Spock. Would you join me in my ready room?"

"On my way, Captain."

About a minute later the computer beeped to alert Kirk that Commander Spock had arrived. Stepping into the room, Spock stood as straight as ever with his hands clasped behind his back. "Captain." Kirk smiled a little at Spock's rigid formality.

"Spock we are taking on one more bridge member. The Admiralty Board has placed a ship counselor with us for the duration of the five year mission to assist with crew morale, help with negotiations and to provide an outlet for mental stability for the crew."

Commander Spock nodded at the information and looked at his Captain. "You seem displeased with this information Captain. Considering the circumstances, it is logical to provide this resource for the crew."

"I'm not against the idea, Spock. I just wish I would've been told longer than five minutes ago. She'll be here in an hour. We need to assign her rooms, alert the crew to the addition, and then meet her in Transporter Room 2."

Spock nodded in the affirmative and moved to walk next to the Captain as he left his ready room. "I'll go tell Bones to expect another addition the medical crew as well if you'll help with the rooms and the announcement," Kirk asked Spock as the headed to the turbo lift.

"Captain, what is the counselor's name so I can alert the crew?"

"Counselor Carina Sela."