The hum of the Enterprise's inner workings was a constant thing on the bridge, even now as it flew throughout the vacuum of space under the diligent direction of Sulu and Chekov at the control directory panel.

Captain Kirk sat at control, fingers drumming on the side of his chair as he awaited orbit, feeling Spock's gaze without having to look back.

All was quiet, simply going about their way to the refuel planet for lithium. They didn't need it urgently yet, but it was better to go off on a full energy tank, and there wouldn't be another registered refuel planet for a good distance.

Kirk sat back in his chair, exhaling slightly, when the distress receptor began beeping rapidly. In the distance was something that appeared to be part of Starfleet; not galaxy-class, something smaller, but a Starfleet ship emmiting distress signals nonetheless.