It was mid-afternoon again, mere hours after the large group of Vulcan and Romulan party had been taken care of by the Stone and his staff. Stone was sure that there were other survivors that would be picked up. Stone had no idea just how right he might be while he was drinking hot chocolate in his office. Spock was uneasy. A gut feeling was screaming inside that he would not like what he was about to see. The Enterprise was parked behind a moon near the planet hellgaurd. That was easy. Too easy. Hikaru felt that way, too. They should have been spotted. The four security officers and Spock were preparing for the away mission. Xon entered the transporter room and the doors closed behind him.

"Captain," Xon said.

"Lieutenant," Spock said.

"Star Fleet regulation states that the captain is not supposed to be on away missions and the landing party is to be headed by a first officer, second officer, and a team suitable for the situation," Xon said. "you would be best served on the bridge."

"That is a logical argument with a reasonable regulation," Spock said. "but due to this mission being a violation in star fleet regulations. I will be part of it."

"How is this rescue mission a violation?" Xon asked, tilting his head.

Spock slid the phaser into the federation standard belt.

"You have a choice of continuing your career or ending it," Spock said.

Xon straightened his head.

"I am sorry, sir," Xon apologized. "rule breaking or no rule breaking . . . I have to follow this regulation."

Spock  nodded.

"If that is what you wish," Spock said, then turned in the direction of the transporter pad.

Hip'tip waved back at the Vulcan while standing on the transporter padd. Xon got the phaser and the federation issued standard belt  placing it around his waist and snapped the sides together. Alongside Hip'Tip stood Harrik, Pavel, and Richards the Hondurian. Pavel was the head of security and Spock reasoned it would give the Russian more experience in the field on a rescue mission. They had their hands locked behind their back. Spock joined the group shortly followed by Xon.

"This is not going to be nothing like a protest, Mr  Xon," Pavel warned Xon.

"I expect that, Mr Chekov," Xon said.

"Ready to beam down, Captain?" Speller, the transport lieutenant on shift, asked.

"Energize," Spock said.

Speller raised the small bars up and within a gentle melody followed by a surge of blue light, the landing party vanished from the transporter padd.