Captain James T. Kirk paced around the room they had been sequestered in feeling more and more frustrated. While he had Sulu, Chekov, Scotty, Uhura, and McCoy with him he was missing the one being who always kept him grounded, centered, and who understood him at times like this better than he understood himself. As he looked at those around him he saw a similar frustration about them and was aware they were silently trying to support him. Command was letting them listen to and watch Spock's trial but not be present. It had been deemed too much of a security risk to allow them to be physically present. It had been decided that their presence would be intimidating to Officer Colin Gaskill should he be present at any stage and could put those being questioned in a state of unease.
They had been at Starbase Nine for a week of rest and recreation and so had the Charger, another starship but an earlier model, and it was three of their officers, one being their First Officer, who were the witnesses. All six of them had been questioned as to their whereabouts and if they had ever seen Spock and Officer Gaskill argue and all six of them had to tried to explain that while they had often seen Spock and Gaskill exchanging words they were not arguing but the council for the Charger trio had turned their words so that it sounded like they had seen Spock and Gaskill arguing and they had been unable to make the presiding panel understand how Spock would occasionally verbally challenge an officer he knew had a very good vocabulary in what Vulcans considered an entertaining way. They had all stated that to somebody who did not know of that trait it could be misconstrued as arguing until a person really listened and took time to realize it was not arguing, but to no avail.
Spock was being charged with an unprovoked physical and possible mental assault on a fellow officer that had left the officer unable to resume his duties, possibly permanently. There were, unfortunately three witnesses to the assault and although their testimonies to what they saw differed very slightly the end result was the same. The three witnesses all swore that they saw Spock in a very heated argument shortly before the officer was found savagely beaten and unconscious in a small gym Spock had booked. An independent fourth witness said he saw Spock in the corridor near the gym but could not say if he had been in the room or not. Based on the statements of the three witnesses and the report of the base's medical team on Officer Gaskill's condition Spock was detained for stand trial.
While McCoy had not been allowed to examine Gaskill he had been taken to see him but not examine him after he had been questioned by the judicial board he was sent reports of the findings and the photographs and scans of Gaskill's injuries. A nurse brought him as well as being given regular up-dates on his recovery Kirk knew the others were as stunned as he was at how quiet McCoy had first been when he returned to the room they were in.
"Bones?"
"Whoever did that, Jim, knew of the strength of Vulcans and knew where and how to hurt him." McCoy had shaken his head, "If I did not know what I know of Vulcans I would say it had the hallmarks of the holds used by Vulcans as well as the size and tissue damage found when struck by one with Vulcan strength. Whoever did that to him knew how to hurt and damage him. He is likely to be extremely confused for some considerable time and he will most likely be on limited duties for a very long time so it is just as well his role is as Second Communications Officer. I do not believe that he will be up to questioning during this hearing and even if he were they most likely could easily confuse him."
Kirk looked at the others and saw the same look on their faces, disbelief mixed with anger. He was sure he knew how they were feeling, as he was, anger that somebody had attacked one of their own and Spock was being blamed for it. By the attack on Gaskill meaning he was unable to say what had, in fact, happened Spock was being tried based simply on the testimony of the three officers who witnessed the attack, the other officer placing Spock in the corridor about the time of the attack, and the base's medical officials stating that the injuries sustained by Gaskill resembled those often seen attacks by those with the strength of Vulcans, Klingons, or Romulans as no Human had the strength needed to cause such deep tissue and nerve damage.
The officer who was Spock's representative and legal advisor clearly, to those who had often seen veiled xenophobia in others, knew nothing about Vulcans and had agreed that the injuries did look like they would have required great strength, strength no Human would have. Twice Kirk had tried to raise an objection till he was told if he caused any more disruption to the proceeding they all would not be allowed to even watch the hearing. Spock had given him a glance that let him know it was best to yeild to the reality of the situation. Kirk had given him a slight nod and had tried not to smile when it was called a hearing as it was a trial. He knew that there was no way it was a hearing and he was sure the others were aware it was trial that was clearly stacked against Spock and they were helpless to help.
The chairman looked at Spock, "First Officer Spock, had you anything further to add? Do you wish to make a closing statement or will you allow your representative speak on your behalf?"
"I believe I have said all I can on the matter, Sir. As I earlier stated I did not attack Officer Gaskill and the last time I saw him was five point six nine standard hours before the reported discovery of him in the gym I had booked and used. He and I had been verbally sparing as was usual for us, we were expanding on the word ally and, if memory serves, he had tried to counter my compatriot with mate. We agreed to continue once we got back to the ship as we both had other places and duties to fulfill when we parted. That is all, Sir."
The First Officer of the Charger laughed, "You really expect us to believe you, a Vulcan, could have that civil a relationship with a lowly Human junior officer? Both junior officers from the Charger heard you two and they both stated that you were arguing. They were not together when they heard you two arguing but they both agreed that you two were arguing." Kirk had to hand it to the man as he was making them think and one or two were looking at Spock with growing uncertainty. " You clearly got angry at him and attacked him in the gym. We all know of the strength of Vulcans and when Officer Gaskill was blatantly insubordinate you savagely attacked him. If I may I would like the image of the injuries to Officer Gaskill's torso be projected so all here can see what happens when you anger a Vulcan."
While McCoy had received copies of all images of Gaskill's injuries and scans he had not let the others see them and, as he looked at the others, he knew he had been correct. He was all set to vocalize his rage when he saw how Kirk had gripped the back of a chair and closed his eyes. The others had bowed their heads and closed their eyes. There was real venom in the familiar voice that said, "Cossacks." It was clear to even a non-medical person that severe damage had been done and that the bruises about the shoulders resembled what could have been a Vulcan nerve pinch.
"As you all can clearly see those are the results of a Vulcan senior officer, Mister Spock, who clearly did not like the attitude of a junior officer, Officer Gaskill, and after their last confrontation that was witnessed independently by the three of us, it became necessary for the senior officer to attempt to kill the junior officer as the junior officer had seen that Vulcans do have emotions just like we do. He was the First Officer of the Enterprise and Officer Gaskill just a junior officer, a mere Communications Officer who,"
"Is here against. . . medical orders," all of the five with him looked up at the viewer as Kirk opened his eyes and looked as Officer Gaskill walked slowly into the room the hearing was in and over to where Spock was seated, "Sir, I, I needed you to. . . know that when I said . . . mate in reply to your compatriot . . .I was in no way opening the opportunity . . .for you to start a new chain by thinking. . . that I meant mate as a sexual act."
His baritone held a tone that only the six you know reflected concern with control and command, "Officer Gaskill, in no way was I considering that aspect of the word as there are still many synonyms we have not mentioned." There was something about how Gaskill was looking at him that made him stay seated although he wanted to assist him in standing. The man was clearly in considerable pain but it was more apparent that him being there meant he had something he felt he had to say. What was even more easy to see was the surprise on the faces of those on the judicial panel and the shock on the faces of the three witnesses.
"He, he should be under medical care. He has no right to be here." The First Officer of the Charger was on his feet. "He is,"
Slowly Gaskill turned and looked at the man, "The victim. . . who has the right to confront . . .his attackers."
"You mean attacker."
"No. There was you . . . and two others, most likely them."
"You are clearly confused."
"I may be if one of . . . them was incorrect in his statement of . . ., 'You, First Officer Douglas Barbara Gene Fields, . . .should be given the role of First Officer on the Enterprise.' . . . to which you replied, " I had not . . . considered that, I just wanted . . . that thing disgraced and out of. . . Star Fleet. That sort does not . . . belong on the bridge of such a ship.'"
Kirk looked at the others and saw they had all seen the panic that was on all three faces as the First Officer almost charged at Gaskill, "How, how do you know that? There was no recording in that area. You were too,"
"Well trained not to forget . . . overheard conversations. . . It is part of my duties . . . as the Second Communication Officer . . .on the Enterprise . . . to remember conversations. Being . . . concussed or drunk is no excuse."
"But you have no, no physical proof." the man seemed to suddenly calm himself as he nodded, "There is no physical proof,"
Gaskill turned and looked at the man, "There is the proof . . . that a man's wisdom is . . . lowest when his anger is highest." then turned and looked at the panel, "I, I ask the panel's permission to present the proof."
"Granted."
"I, I also ask that . . . Mister Spock approach me . . . and assist me."
"This is highly," the man started but stopped as the chairman glared at him.
"Granted. Mister Spock, you may assist Officer Gaskill with the presentation of his proof." The man had looked first at Spock and then at the First Officer of the Charger who looked not only furious but also frightened.
In the small room Chief Engineer Scott looked around at the others with him, noticing how stunned they seemed to be at what was happening, "Now what the devil is the lad up to?"
"Scotty, he knows something. He has the proof." Uhura looked at the Engineer then back at the screen and Kirk hoped she was right.
"But what proof? From how they reacted he obviously heard them but the panel need some sort of physical and I doubt if they were stupid enough to leave any."
That fleeting moment of hope that Kirk had had when the three men had reacted to what Gaskill had said vanished as he knew Sulu was right, there was no physical proof. When he looked at McCoy he saw his friend nodding as he stared at the monitor and heard the whispered, "Damned fool. Just wait till I have you back in Sickbay."
As Spock approached he saw how close to collapse the man was, how some sort of will was all that was keeping him centered. "Please help me lower the robe," Spock carefully reached out and helped him lower the robe to expose his badly bruised chest. "Now, if the panel does . . . not mind coming down . . . to stand by Mister Spock."
The three members of the panel approached and Spock could tell that Gaskill was not fully aware they were there, that he was slowly losing awareness, so gently touched his shoulder and was relieved when he saw a slight nod.
"Mister Spock, please first . . . place your hand on the bruise on . . . my left shoulder and then on the one on the . . . left side of my chest. That's your proof."
As he placed his hand over the bruised areas the trio from the panel said almost in unison, "His fingers are thinner and longer. They could not have caused these injuries."
One of the panel looked at the other First Officer, "You will now come here and place your hand on both bruises."
There was no guessing what the look the man gave Spock meant as he walked over and put his hand first on one of the bruises and then the other and Kirk and the five nodded and grinned as the senior officer of the panel said, "Our apologies, Mister Spock. Clearly you did not commit this attack and a full investigation will be done into the action of the three who were the so-called witnesses. This will not be recorded on your records."
"Thank you gentlemen. If you do not mind I will assist Officer Gaskill to the Enterprise as he is in need of Doctor McCoy's care."
"Surely the medical facilities here are slightly better than aboard the Enterprise."
"I have no doubt that the medical facilities are slightly better than aboard the Enterprise but aboard the Enterprise is the best doctor in all of Star Fleet, one Doctor Leonard McCoy. If you will excuse us."
Kirk saw McCoy rush out of the room they were in saying something about having to beat the that green-blooded hobgoblin back to have Sickbay ready.
Just at the door to the room the hearing was in Officer Gaskill started to collapse and Spock easily caught him and carried him to the transporter facility then, aboard the Enterprise, to Sickbay where McCoy immediately took command and shooed him and the others who had followed him out saying that Gaskill would be fine as soon as he had had several days of complete rest and treatment of deep tissue damage.
For a few minutes Spock stood just looking at the closed door to Sickbay then gave a nod and walked over to where the others stood waiting, "I wish to thank you all for your support."
"We were not of much support, Spock. They would not allow us to,"
"Mister Sulu, just knowing that you and the others were in a room nearby was support enough. This had been well planned and had Officer Gaskill not been as resilient and dedicated as he is I believe the outcome would have been very different." Spock looked at Uhura, "He does seem to have very good recall of conversations. I have found that he will remember our last exchanges for several days."
"Yes, he remembers conversations for almost fourteen standard days. Apparently he has been able to do so since childhood. Had told me it was helpful at school as long as the teachers tested them on things discussed within those fourteen days otherwise he could not remember the details only the overall discussion. Whenever I am unsure of clear communications I will signal him and he will go to auxiliary and listen in for and with me." For a moment Spock thought she was finished but she looked very levelly at him, "You can thank him for what he did by not treating him any differently or mentioning what happened."
"Thank you for that information, Lieutenant. I was uncertain as to what I would say to him."
Kirk looked at his friend and smiled, "I would have thought that it would have been obvious and logical, Spock."
An eyebrow arched, "Oh, and what would you suggest, Captain?"
"Well, considering he first clarified that by using the word mate in reply to your compatriot in your on-going duel he was not referring to anything sexual you could give him whatever word you would have given him."
Spock smiled back, "I had thought of saying sidekick and hesitated as I might have to explain that I do not mean it as some form of dance." There was the sound of muted chuckling coming from the others and laughter was about the hazel eyes that looked at him.