The Enterprise held a high and steady orbit round Cestros 12. Cestros 12 had expressed an interest in joining the Federation. The Federation had ordered the Enterprise to open negotiations. A routine mission.

As he had at the beginning of so many other missions, Kirk headed into the transporter room expecting, and finding, Spock to be waiting for him. The Vulcan stood impassively on the transporter pad as Kirk stepped up to take his place beside him. McCoy hurried in at the last minute as Kirk turned to face the operator. McCoy's scowl was broadcasting his twin irritations. Firstly, that he had been dragged away from what he was convinced was more important work. Secondly, and perennially, at having to use a mode of transport which involved his atoms being disassembled and reassembled in a thoroughly indecent fashion.

As soon as McCoy had taken his place on the transporter, and before the Doctor could give voice to either of his frustrations, Kirk gave the order ''Energise'' and the three of them shimmered from sight.

They arrived in a clearing in landscaped parkland. A marble folly stood nearby. Columns and marble benches arranged in a semi-circle. Kirk looked round for any sign of a welcoming party whilst Spock's insatiable curiosity already had him scanning the folly with his tricorder.

''Despite its appearance, that of white marble, it is in fact manufactured from something akin to cement'' he said for the general edification. And then, touching the structure experimentally with his figures and finding it cool to the touch ''Fascinating.''

McCoy, whose scowl had transported down intact, was hovering between the Captain and the First Officer with growing impatience. ''Why does Premier Varek want me dancing attendance?'' he said ''I'm a Doctor not a diplomat.''

''Have patience Bones'' said Kirk ''they must have their reasons and, for now, my orders are to humour them. The people of this planet have a highly evolved and cultured civilization and if they wish to join the Federation, the Federation is pleased to consider it. My job and yours is to facilitate this if possible, to discuss it at any rate.''

McCoy didn't seem particularly mollified by this but he found the grace to say ''Well, anyway, there's no denying it is beautiful. I wonder where everyone is?''

As if expecting the cue, a muted fanfare sounded some way away, then again a little nearer. A pause and then the sound of hooves and carriage wheels became audible. Two carriages came into view, rounding the bend in the pathway between the artfully planted trees. The animals pulling them appeared for all the world like a cross between a llama and a unicorn. An enchanting and somewhat disconcerting sight, like something out of a fairy tale. In the lead carriage sat a willowy, graceful woman of mature years.

''Premier Varek?'' enquired McCoy of his Captain under his breath as Spock moved to join them.

''No'' said Kirk ''we've spoken, the Premier is not a woman. This could be his deputy, Representative Tissoh. In any case, best behaviour please gentlemen.''

They stood together as the carriages came to a halt in front of them. A liveried manservant stepped down from the lead carriage and opened the door for the lady within, assisting her to alight. She stepped down to stand before Kirk. ''Captain Kirk?'' she enquired. Kirk inclined his head with formality; both bow and acknowledgement. ''Good'' she said ''I am Representative Tissoh, I have the honour to serve Premier Varek and to welcome you to our world on his behalf.'' She gestured toward the second carriage which now stood with its door open, another liveried servant waiting patiently beside it. ''Please'' she said, gesturing for them to get in. They did as they were bidden. Representative Tissoh regained her seat and the two carriages moved off in the direction from which they had come.

After a pleasant twenty minutes driving through tranquil parkland a grand marble portico came into view between the trees. As they moved closer Spock scanned it with his tricorder. ''Of the same material as the folly'' he said. ''Of some antiquity too, Captain.'' The carriages halted before a stately residence, which the marble portico fronted. Heavy, richly dyed silk hangings graced either side of the imposing entrance, moving gently with the warm breeze. The liveried servants assisted the parties to the ground before driving away with the carriages.

Representative Tissoh led the way in. The imposing entrance led into an equally imposing hall dominated by a grand staircase. On either side doors led into unseen rooms. Representative Tissoh walked purposefully to one of the doors. The heavy door swung easily and silently open at her touch. Beyond the door was a spacious sitting room. More rich silk and richly ornamented furniture filled the interior. Either side of the room stood open doors leading to four bed chambers. Opposite, large full length windows led onto a terrace and a private formal courtyard garden. A table and chairs, again festooned with rich silk, stood on the terrace. The table was set with plate of gold and silver and laden with exotic foods. Rock crystal ewers enticed with refreshing and mildly intoxicating beverages. Spock's tricorder passed all as safe. ''Vegetarian cuisine'' he noted with satisfaction.

Representative Tissoh smiled and said ''Eat. Rest. Premier Varek will attend you this evening'' and with that she withdrew back through the sitting room and out into the great hall, leaving them to their leisurely meal.

Kirk was not a natural vegetarian but he found the food much to his liking and surprisingly satisfying. As apparently did McCoy, whose mood was transformed. ''Well this is more like it Jim boy'' he said beaming. Even Spock seemed to be enjoying himself.

After the meal Kirk and McCoy each retired to one of the bed chambers. Long service in Starfleet had taught them to take their rest where they could get it. Spock also took a room, but did not sleep. He stood at the open window drinking in the warm air filled with the subtle and sweet scents of unseen flowers. Spock allowed himself few sensual pleasures, viewing them, with typical Vulcan suspicion, as a distraction from the discipline of logic. But he could be, and on occasion allowed himself to be, moved by beauty. He shut his eyes. His acute hearing picking up the sound of distant birdsong; it would not have been audible to human ears. Had he been human he would have smiled, but he was not. Or at least he had chosen long ago not to be, and even alone and unseen he would not and did not smile.

He could feel the late afternoon sun warming his hands and his face and was aware of the gentle buzz of flying insects. One of them landed on the back of his hand and he opened his eyes to examine it more closely. Raising his hand to his eyes, he marvelled at the scintillating jewel-like colours of its wing casing. Tiny. Exquisite. Perfect. It crawled over his skin as if exploring a new planet. There was enough of the philosopher in Spock for him to recognise a kindred mission in the little beetle. It continued its exploration for a second or two longer and then flew off as abruptly as it had landed. It was only then that Spock realised it had bitten him.

He turned away from the window. He had left his tricorder on the bed. He made to move towards it but his knees gave way under him and he fell heavily. He was briefly aware of his head hitting the floor and then all awareness was gone.

When McCoy found him nearly ninety minutes later his breathing was already shallow, his pulse weak.