The reconnaissance report had definitely peaked his curiosity as he lay in his hyperbaric chamber, reading the document from the screen directly placed in front of his eyes for easy viewing.  While the chamber was typically used for recovery, Jim had found that it provided him with the isolation he needed to avoid the restless nights he normally endured during extended missions.  As a special request, the unit had been installed in his private quarters, much outside the normal protocol of Star Fleet Command.  But that was one of the benefits of being the Captain.

                With a hiss from the escaping nutrient enriched oxygen, warning lights around the unit began to flash as the top section of the enclosure lifted up and away, exposing the scantily clothed captain of the exploration vessel known as Enterprise.  Once the top was securely out of the way, Jim sat up and then slid his legs over the side of the resting platform.  Standing and stepping forward, he extended his arms above his head and proceeded his way through a series of stretched that he had been taught early in his career.  His lean and muscular body continued to be reminiscent of his youth, but he was starting to show signs of grey on his temples, underlying that youthful appearance.  After twenty minutes of stretching and coordinated movements, a sweat glistened from his skin as an alert came from the control station on his desk, reminding him that it was almost time for his departure.

                Taking a quick nanomite shower and donning the outfit that had been tailored for his expedition, he made one last review of the reconnaissance report before exiting his chamber and heading down to the transporter room.  The world had been identified as Magna Reticulum, part of the Reticulum Constellation, or called “MR” for short.  The foreign world had developed in many of the same ways as Earth and was currently in a period similar to what the United States had experienced in the 1920’s and 1930’s.  While there was law enforcement, the governing crime families controlled the cities.  But that is where things deviated.  From all accounts and scientific data that could be discovered, this world had stopped evolving at that point and had stayed at its current development level for the last two centuries.

                Star Fleet directed a non-invasive reconnaissance mission by the captain while the Enterprise was brought into dock for maintenance purposes.  During this time, he would be expected to infiltrate a local family, learn their culture, and expand his network to include other cities and organizations.  Through this process, the primary goal was to seek out and determine what factors were inhibiting the natural evolution of this particular alien species.  Due to the importance of not disturbing the natural balance of things, all technological advancements were to be left behind, less the neurologic enhancements that had been permanently installed during “boot camp”.  He would be transported down to a city and essentially would be on his own from that point forward.

                Entering the transporter room, he saw the familiar faces of Lieutenant Commander Spock and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.  Both greeted him with concerned smiles and a handshake.  A single person mission was never directed by Star Fleet, but in this situation, it has been mandated and the orders were specifically given to Jim.  That had been alarming to all three seasoned veterans, but upon further questioning, it had become apparent that Star Fleet would only allow one insertion and wanted the most experienced individual to undertake the role.  Making it more alarming to the group had been the vagueness of the duration.  While the excursion was to occur during maintenance of the ship, the duration of the maintenance had been set at sixty plus days.  The plus had been alarming.  But Star Fleet would offer no further explanation.

                The three stood in shared silence for several minutes, knowing all the discussions since receiving their orders had been thoroughly vetted.  Finally, Jim stepped over to Bones and said “My friend, I’ll see you very soon.  Keep Spock in line for me while I’m playing gangster” and grasped his allies hand firmly in both hands.

                Turning to see Spoke’s eye brow raised at his comment, Jim stepped forward and reached out to shake his hand, but with a change of direction, raised his arms and put them around the rigid Vulcan, placing the Lieutenant Commander in an intentionally uncomfortable position.  After hugging his second in command for a few seconds, Jim stepped back with a hug smile on his face and said “Ah, you know you liked that Spoke.  It will be just our secret!  Now, take care of my ship while I’m gone”.

                Spoke retorted “Captain, I really do not understand the need to give unwanted physical embraces upon Human departures.  And I was not aware that we had any secrets.  Would you care to explain the full extent of the secret, either here, or privately, so I may get a better of understanding of your comment?”

                Both Jim and Bones began to laugh as Spoke glanced back and forth between the two senior officers.  Without another word, Jim turned and stepped onto a transporter disk.  Looking back at his friends, he nodded before saying “Scotty, please beam me down to the surface, following protocol for Mission MR-84673.” 

                As the transporter began to activate, Spoke said “I’ll take care of your ship Captain, I promise”.  Nearly instantaneously, Jim was blinking as he looked down a dark alleyway.  He had been transported into the South Side of Chicago.  Expectantly, he knew his location from the reports he had studied.  Walking to the edge of the alleyway, he peered around the corner and saw the street was vacant.  Beginning his trek, he set off to the Northwest and a little pool hall where the local crime family was known to frequent.