On the whole, life on board a starship is much like life on board a submerged submarine - routine takes over after a while, without even the freedom to go out and see a change of weather. There is a reason why various sports and game leagues have sprung up all over the ship - without some sort of variation, it's an existence designed to drive men mad.

Of course, some days life gets interesting. McCoy is starting the quarterly ship physicals, putting a poor ensign through the ringer, when the alarms go off abruptly, strident and loud.

"Medical emergency, medical emergency, assistance to Deck 4, section 2." It's Uhura's voice, quickly drowned out by McCoy's barking orders, before he and three of his orderlies disappear out the door, racing to meet the call.