The wedding
Chapter 1
The walls and ceiling of the small cave shook and a fine powder of dirt rained down on Captain Kirk, Commander Spock, Dr McCoy, Lieutenant Uhura and Ensign Hartley. The deep booming continued.
"I conclude that, having ascertained that we had hidden in the caves the Klingons are using a form of ground breaker to collapse the caves. They are bombs designed to detonate just above the surface of the ground and project all the explosive force downward. I therefore further conclude that they had given up on attempt to capture us and have decided to bury us alive," stated Spock.
"Thanks for that happy thought Spock," replied the doctor, giving Spock a bleak look.
"I think we better settle in or a while," said Kirk sounding exhausted, "we know the caves have collapsed behind us and we are at dead end, if you pardon the expression."
"Affirmative captain," said Spock. He continued to review the readout on his tricorder. "It appears we are still too far underground to make contact with the Enterprise, in addition this rock has a high iron content that is interfering with the signal. Indeed I believe that the only reason this section of cave is still intact is due to this unusual structure." Spock gestured to a natural arch that spaned that small space, "This is an exceptionally strong configuration, not only is the rock of a different type but the load bearing capacity of the structure itself is impressive. However, I agree with your suggestion that we rest and review our situation."
"Thank you, Commander Spock," said Kirk, with no attempt to veil his sarcasm.
The small group broke up with Spock and Uhura going to one end of the cave, Kirk and McCoy sitting on a rocky outcrop at the other end and young Ensign Hartley resting nearby. Everyone nibbled on ration bars and drank sparingly. Another series of deep booming explosions caused the cave to shake and a section of the side wall collapsed sending Hartley scurrying closer to McCoy and Kirk.
"Jim," whispered McCoy, "Spock appears to be holding hands with Uhura."
"What?" said Kirk and leaned forward to look, "Oh well, that figures," he said with a sigh.
McCoy glared at him, "What do you mean 'that figures'?"
"Well," said Kirk looking abashed, "they are sort of together."
"What?" exclaimed McCoy, "are you telling me that hobgoblin and Uhura are…"
"Yup 'fraid so," replied Kirk.
McCoy goggled at him. "Are you sure? How long have you known? Why didn't you tell me?" fired off McCoy oblivious of the ground shaking bombardment that caused a fine stream of dust to cascade into the cave though a newly opened fissure.
"Since Nero," said Kirk gloomily.
"That long!" exclaimed McCoy, "dammit why didn't you say something?"
"Well, he asked me not to, told me not to now I think about it, and I really had no place gossiping about my officers' private lives."
"He, what, appealed to your natural discretion and you actually kept it to yourself?" said McCoy with withering sarcasms, "Good grief you'd been chasing her all though training."
"I know," said Kirk quellingly, "it was sort of embarrassing. They were kissing in front of the whole transporter crew and…"
"What!" exclaimed McCoy spluttering, "Vulcans don't kiss."
"Well, that one does," said Kirk gesturing with his head, "and it looked like it wasn't he first time. He was quite thorough." Kirk looked downcast as both men and Hartley looked over toward Spock and Uhura. They were definitely holding hands and leaning toward each other, deep in quiet conversation.
Just then the two under observation stopped talking and stood. They approached the Captain.
Spock spoke. "Captain, I have calculated the probability of rescue to be 5.3%."
He was interrupted by a gasp from Hartley.
"Dammit you insensitive ass, it is not helpful to know that we have a 95% chance of being crushed alive by a 1000 tons of rock," snarled McCoy. At this Hartley began to sob quietly into her hands.
"Well done Doctor, very sensitive," said Uhura her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"94.7% Doctor," said Spock, "I was merely trying to point out that there is an insignificant chance of rescue." Hartley moaned quietly Spock raised an eyebrow but continued, "After consideration I have a request."
"Alright Spock out with it," said Kirk.
"Lieutenant Uhura and I would like you to marry us," Spock replied.
