Star Trek - Doctor's Orders

About “Star Trek - Doctor's Orders”

Captain Kirk leaves Doctor McCoy in command of the Enterprise after receiving complaints about his leadership style. Kirk travels to the planet 'Flyspeck' to help it join the Federation but disappears, leaving McCoy in charge against his will. Regulations prevent McCoy from transferring command to Commander Spock. Meanwhile, the Klingons arrive, claiming a connection to 'Flyspeck'. It is later discovered that Kirk was lost in the time stream, as one of the planet's races exists outside of linear time. The story is part of a 1990 novel by Diane Duane.