Preliminary Hearing

"Do you understand the charges that have been presented before you?" The words echoed in Spock's head as his thoughts spun. The admirals satirical visages mirrored as if looking at a set of clones. Spock lowered his head as he attempted a meditative breath. This meeting was unexpected and nothing in his personal experience had prepared him to give an adequate response.

"Commander Spock, please answer the question." Admiral Nelson's irritation at repeating himself coated his words, as the rest of the board moved in restless agitation in their seats.

"Admiral, I would ask on what evidence these charges have been applied to me?" Spock stated as he looked from one board member to the other, careful to keep his eyes level and void of any appearance of haughtiness he had been accused of. His estimated 20.432 percent of eliminating these charges depended on not biasing himself with preconceived notions of vulcans as being an arrogant race above human notions of propriety.

"This is but a preliminary hearing to discuss the charges and set up council for all parties concerned. The evidence will be disclosed in the formal hearing. Understand Commander the charges are serious in nature and the repercussions of a guilty verdict will necessitate severe penalties. I will ask again and for the last time, do you understand the charges presented before you?"

Spock tipped his head to the side as he acknowledged the admiral, his voice soft and uncommonly thready in his shock that this could possibly be happening to him. His thoughts, so uniformed and methodical, were now scattered as he thought back to the beginning of the hearing. Spock had dismissed his first lecture, curiously aware of the presence of administrator Raddick, whom had entered the lecture hall and stood mutely in the background with an emotional look on his face that piqued his interest. Raddick had stood in the background for 35.4 minutes while he had instructed on the variations of the Andorian dialect from the cast system dealing with trade issues.

Cadet Uhura twisted in her seat to see what had her instructor's obvious attention. At the administrator's pensive expression Uhura turned back see Spock's reaction. At his raised eyebrow she deduced that he was as unaware of the reason for his presence as she was. However Spock did not miss a beat in his lecture as sure in his presentation as well as he was of the material that he was covering. At the end of his lesson he turned toward the podium without any pleasantries that other instructors would bestow, such as well wishes for the day.

Cadets gathered their PAADS and other possessions as they made their way out of the lecture hall. The cacophony of sound echoing off the acoustic conditioned walls. Uhura's naturally curious nature caused her to pause as administrator Raddick made his way to the front of the hall, his boot heels clicking on the acrylic steps. Spock turned around silently watching his progress, only glancing in Uhura's direction once, his eyebrow still arched in curiosity. Raddick did not miss the exchange between student and teacher. If possible his expression turned more grave as he made it to podium.

"Commander Spock?" Raddick opened the conversation with what Spock could only surmise as a highly illogical introduction. Of course he knew who he was, why ask the question? Was there something wrong with his eyesight.? Needlessly Spock responded.

"Administrator." Raddick pulled at his collar in a restless motion, as he looked back to Uhura and then back to Spock. "Is there something that I may assist you with?" The man was obviously broadcasting his uneasiness in ever increasing waves, that batted at Spock making him ill at ease as well.

"Commander, I need to speak with you... alone." Before Spock could respond, Uhura stepped up and took Spock's PAAD from his hand, careful not to touch, always careful not to touch.

"I'll just transcribe the rest of your notes for the tutorial class this afternoon," Uhura said her eyes wide with apprehension as she tried to give him her support. Spock wished in one of his rare moments to be able to express his reassurance, knowing his face held no trace of his own uneasiness.

"Spock this is pretty important," Raddick interrupted stepping up as if to get between the other two. Uhura turned abruptly at the intrusion letting go of the PAAD. Both Spock and Uhura made to rescue the tablet at the same time. The emotional barrage from his student engulfed Spock as their fingers touched. Spock swallowed back his response as she vocalized her apology at her intrusion. He could hear her reprimanding herself under her breath. Stupid...stupid... stupid... Spock's lip twitched at the corner, as he notated this was probably the most inadequate time to find humor in his student. Standing up he turned to Raddick but answered Uhura instead.

"Your transcription would be most welcome, Cadet. I will look over the results this afternoon before the class." Uhura nodded as she stood up. Still she made no move to leave. Spock looked toward the administrator, rubbing his hand as if his fingers were irritating him. Raddick pointed to the exit as he motioned for Spock to follow. Never would he have thought that the administrator would be leading him to a preliminary hearing on pending charges of fraternization, extortion, and sexual harassment. If vulcans had the ability to dream, he would have been convinced that this was just a bad nightmare as his mother was fond of saying. But vulcans did not. And this was not a dream.

Admiral Nelson's voice brought Spock back to the present. Belatedly he realized that he had spent the last 7.8 minutes lost in thought. Today was a most unusual day. With determination, he concentrated on the board's instructions.

"I advise that you seek council as soon as possible. As of this moment you are suspended of any instructor's capacity."

"My class schedule..." Nelson interrupted him.

"Will be instructed with Starfleet personnel. As of this moment you will desist with any interaction with students pending the determination. Failure to comply will be issued with additional charges. Are you willing to comply with these conditions?"

" Yes admiral." Spock answered louder, now that he was under control. As Spock moved to leave, Nelson leaned forward.

"Spock, I do not need to remind you, that any direct communication with Cadet Uhura is strictly forbidden. It is in your best interest to comply. Get council." Nelson closed his PAAD and stepped down from his seat as the others left by the back exit, their footsteps the only sound in the room. Spock looked at the abandoned room void of his earlier composure. Council? Where was he going to get council? He could count on his right hand the number of people that he could possibly turn to and still have five digits to deal with. The first person he thought of was taken from him 1.9 minutes ago. In the heart felt words of his Grandfather Grayson. …. Shit.