"Science Officer Spock," Admiral Locan's voice seemed to echo in Spock's ears long after the Admiral had left the bridge, "You will leave this quadrant immediately or surrender command of this vessel to Captain Wallace. The loss of Captain Kirk and Officer Stennor is regrettable but it is imperative that Captain Wallace arrive at Starbase Eight as quickly as possible. We have the coordinates of the asteroid and its projected path so after I have arrived at Starbase Eight a recovery team can be sent."

Spock had been aware of the bridge crew watching him as he slowly sat down in the command seat, "Best speed to Starbase Eight, Mr Sulu." and, although he could not clearly see Captain Wallace facial expression, he sensed the man was grieving as the man and James Kirk had known each other for some time and had what Humans termed a good working relationship although Wallace was a far more cautious man. Jim had only gone to get samples from and of an unusual asteroid as Jim had, as the Admiral so rightly pointed out, had more experience in doing so.

"Explosion, total loss of craft control. All systems failing. Spock," had been Jim's last words. Spock had started to launch a rescue mission when Wallace had stopped him saying, "As Admiral Locan said, it is imperative we arrive at Starbase Eight as quickly as possible. I think we both know what Kirk meant by all systems failing. I think we both know he would want no other craft to leave till there had been a thorough check as something had obviously gone wrong with the craft." while Wallace had looked him squarely In the eyes Spock had seen how the man swallowed and how his very stance showed a great sadness. "As has been stated, a recovery team will be sent." .

Although he had wanted to argue the waste of time Spock knew there was logic to what the man said Spock had remained silent and just stared at the view screen ahead while Wallace quietly said, "We both have to understand that Starfleet and Federation matters take precedence over personal concerns."

For a long time the Vulcan sat in silence then looked at Wallace, "As we will be maintaining a direct course for Starbase Eight and you have pressing business there I would think you would prefer to get ready in your quarters."

They looked at each other for a few minutes and the bridge crew knew that only his dedication to Kirk and maintaining command of the Enterprise was controlling the Vulcan. Finally the Wallace nodded, "Yes, yes I should go and get ready for my next assignment. We are still due to arrive at Starbase Eight in fifteen days, is that correct?"

"That is correct, Sir."

"Good. Should either Admiral Locan or myself be wanted or needed we will be in our quarters as we have much to get sorted and done before arrival."

For the next four days the bridge was not as pleasant place to work as it had been, each of those on the bridge were dealing with the situation to the best they could and there was a decidedly depressed feeling. It seemed, to Uhura, that they were all just robots, all just going through the motions. She had seen how reluctant Spock had been to sit in that chair, how he seemed to spend more and more time at his computer at his Science station. With having seen and known of how close he was to the Captain Uhura did not let herself think of how he would be once they got to Starbase Eight, how he would cope without that major anchor in his life. For the Captain's last word to have been his name showed the strength of that bond that had only grown stronger over the years, the bond that was now gone. She, like the others, had seen how he had sprung to his feet ready to immediately go find the Captain. After hearing that message, hearing the Captain call out his name and had seen how to do nothing was tearing him apart.

That fourth day, when it was just the bridge crew on bridge, Sulu suddenly sat straighter as though not believing what he was hearing. Things had been quiet and normal up to when Uhura had flashed him a cope they had and he switched channels and watched his screen which showed him a distinct signal of some sort within range. He gave a slight nod and Uhura said, ""Mister Spock, we are picking up a faint signal."

"From?"

It was how Sulu turned and looked at him saying, "Behind us, Sir." that made Spock lean forward as Sulu turned back to his consol.

"Rear view on screen now. Maximum magnifications, Sir." All of the bridge crew looked at the screen but only saw the stars they had been among. Spock nodded to himself, the crew knew one another and had known what he would have wanted without being asked.

"Signal on audio, Sir."

At first it sounded like static but then it came, repeated. An old Earth signal of short and long sounds. Uhura smiled to herself, Stennor used to keep her honed on things like that by using his clenched and unclenched fist whenever they had to attend meetings that dragged on and on and they were seated where they could not talk to one another but could see one another: Just barely audible she started to say the letters, "K", "I ", "R", "K", "E", "N", "T", "E", "R", "P", "R", "I", "S", "E", "K", "I ", "R", "K", "E", "N", "T", "E", "R", "P", "R", "I", "S", "E"

For just a moment Spock allowed himself to believe but what he had heard and what he wanted to be true yet it was illogical. It was just distortion of sound waves. He had seen doubt almost covering McCoy yet there was total certainty in how Uhura looked at him.

Looking at those around him he knew he had to say what he had to say in a way that would not offend his friends yet would help them accept the reality of the situation. He started to speak when Chekov suddenly pointed at the screen, "Vat's that just in from the left half way down?"

"Moving too slow to be," Sulu started..

"If it was damaged it could be just a," Uhura interrupted him.

As calmly as he could Spock said, "Get me StarFleet Command, Lieutenant. Also contact Captain Wallace."

A hand gripped his shoulder and he heard the soft voice in his ear, "You think it's Jim, don't you? Despite the silence, it being four days since it happened, you think it is Jim."

"It has been ninety-one point two five standard hours since we heard that message, Doctor, and, Doctor McCoy, I know it is the Captain."

Again the hand squeezed his shoulder. He knew of all the crew that Doctor McCoy was the most likely to understand that special bond he had with James that had developed over the years and through so many mind melds. He had not said how he had felt great pain through the link followed by a hollowness then a faint call of confusion from Jim.

"What is the meaning of this? I was planning my speech and you, First Officer, call me back to the bridge for what?" It was clear not only from it words and tone of voice but also how he stood that Captain Wallace was not pleased.

Spock was aware Uhura did not turn fully around but did look at him as she said, "Command on audio, Sir."

"Starfleet Command, this is First Officer Spock of the starship Enterprise. I must advise we will be approximately ten standard hours late on the arrival time earlier stated as we have received a distress message from an as yet unidentified vessel. Captain Wallace will unfortunately be late for his appointment."

"My," Wallace started.

"Captain Wallace, you are aware that the Enterprise is the only ship in the area. The delay is only ten hours and is accepted. It is appreciated that you advised us of your delay so promptly as it is easy to reschedule it. Your correct action will be noted, Captain. We will reschedule your address to accommodate. You will notify us of the details of the vessel."

Wallace looked at Spock and nodded, "As soon as the vessel's status and that of its crew is known we shall make contact. Enterprise out."

The look of fury that had been on Wallace's face had all but vanished when he looked at Spock. "Where is this ship?"

"If you will look at the view screen, you will see what is likely to be the craft. Too far away for verification as to origin and obviously not yet in transporter range nor can we yet lock a tractor beam on it."

"Let me hear the distress signal you have logged."

Just for a moment Spock looked at Uhura, there was a possibility that Wallace could quite possibly only hear static as it was difficult to easily hear the tapping but there was a possibility he would. No, there had been something about the way Uhura glanced briefly at him then back at Wallace, something he had rarely seen before, something he could not name even as she depressed a button on her console she said, "This is the distress message I have logged on audio, Sir."

"To any ships in the area, we are in need of assistance. On minimal life support and warp one with failing engines.. To any ships in the area, we are in need of assistance. On minimal life support and warp one with engines failing." It took all the Vulcan's control not to raise an eyebrow as the Communications Officer looked again momentarily at him then back at Wallace. "That is the message I logged, Sir."

"You made the right decision then, Mister Spock. I will go back to my quarters and revise my plans. I will read your report later."

Once Wallace had left the bridge Spock moved closer to Uhura's station, looked steadily at her, "Lieutenant Uhura, are you saying that you logged that transmission?"

Keeping her voice low and not looking directly into his dark eyes she replied, "Yes, Mister Spock, I am saying that I logged that transmission. I deliberately scripted and clearly logged that distress message and transmitted it via a private connection when we were at Starbase Six. It has been logged as such for over two years and was done with Captain Kirk's permission, to be used as a practice drill for new ensigns but it is the distress message I have logged. If you recall he did ask for the distress signal I had logged." as she looked at him Spock could see a twinkle of mischief in her eyes and satisfaction was in her voice, "If you recall he did not ask me for the transmission we had just received, nor did he as for any distress message, only for the distress signal. As I had no distress signals logged, something I will correct as soon as I have the time, I used that message I have logged. I even stated it was a message while he stated signal and he did not correct me on that."

As they held their gaze Spock realized she was more than a worthy opponent when it came to verbal jousting and that she had shown her loyalty to the crew of the ship. He had, on occasion, seen her confront officers of other ships and of similar rank in the manner she had just done to the Admiral, and was, oddly, not surprised to see her display of loyalty to the Captain using her verbal dexterity as she had. .

Keeping control of his Human side's emotions Spock gave her a nod then walked over to the Command seat, sat down, and pressed a button, "Bridge to Mister Scott."

"Chief Engineer Scott here. Sir."

If he allowed his Human side any reaction he knew it would be one of annoyance as from how Scotty had answered his hail let him know another was there. "I trust you were not singing of the muckin' o' Geordie's byre."

There was the briefest of silences then that familiar brogue, "Aye, Mister Spock. I was about to sing it as lad who is here is leaving now." Before Spock could think of a response he heard, "The lad's gone, Sir. What do you need done?"

"It would be most helpful if you could prepare the shuttle bay tor the recovery of an unknown craft that emitted a distress signal."

There was a pause and then the familiar brogue, "Aye, I'll have it ready for the craft and the care of them in it. Standard decontamination set," there was a moment's near silence and Spock heard three clicks and could tell the man was working as he spoke, something he was used to seeing Scotty do when things needed doing in a minimum of time, "now, Sir. Is it?"

"To say exactly what the craft is or exactly what might be in it is only speculation. It is imperative the craft not be opened until myself and a medical team is present."

Again there was a pause before, "Understood, Sir. I'll let ye, and ye alone, know when it is aboard and decontaminated. Scott out."

Although he seldom would admit it to his Human friends, Spock could imagine just what the Chief Engineer would be doing in preparation for the craft and how curious he would be about the contents. In that hesitation after he said that the craft was not to be opened until he was there with a medical team he knew the man well enough to know that Scott would have deduced the likely nature of the ship and possible contents. He also knew that the man would not only follow procedure and that of the engineering department only he would know of it being aboard.

From where he stood watching the four others Doctor McCoy could tell that his friends were all thinking the same as he was even though they all would know that it had been too long since the explosion for there to be survivors. Jim had said that all the systems were failing. "All" meant life support. The only thing that made it bearable was knowing Jim Kirk had not been alone. Despite how saddened he was McCoy smiled as he tried to picture what it would have been like for Jim to deal with Craig Stennor. There was no doubt that he was a good, almost great all-around officer as he could fit into relief positions in all areas of the ship and yet the man never sought permanent placement nor promotion claiming they were both far too limiting and soul-destroying. So many times he had heard Jim say he did not know what to do with him but would not want to be without him in so many situations saying how Stennor reacted without seriously thinking of the outcome.

Eighteen point on minutes after the communication with Engineering Sulu try to be calm when he said, "Sir, craft within range now."

"Thank you, Mister Sulu. Lieutenant Uhura, open hailing frequencies at highest gain."

As she touched the right switches Uhura said a silent prayer then half-turned and said, "Hailing frequencies open at highest gain, Sir."

Calming the Human elements in that momentarily threatened to influence his tone and words and trying not to think of only hearing the static with the repeated tapping of that old code Spock flicked the switch which would enable anybody on the craft to hear him, "This is First Officer of the Starship Enterprise. Unless you notify us that you are not in the need of assistance we will beam you aboard our ship in three point one nine standard minutes. Spock out."

The minutes seemed to take longer than just three point one nine standard minutes as the five looked at one another that damned static was all they heard.

Very slowly Spock reached out and depressed the button that patched him through to Engineering. "Mister Scott, we are about to put a tractor beam on the unknown craft and bring it to your empty bay."

"I'll be awaiting it, Sir. There will be plenty of room if it be larger than," Spock could identify only too well the Human emotions the Chief Engineer was dealing with, "larger than one of our shuttle craft."

"Thank you, Mister Scott, I would expect nothing less from you. Spock out."

Although the other four on the bridge at the time saw how the Vulcan sat fully back in the command chair and for a moment closed his eyes and let out a long breath none of them commented. Each of them was fully aware of the pain he was in but would never admit to, each of them wanted to ease what the next few hours, and days, would be like for him. Aware of what would be needed Chekov moved the ship into the best position for a tractor beam and waited till the Vulcan opened his eyes again,

"Ve are in position for a tractor beam, Sir." The dark eyes looked at him and after so many years of working with the man he saw the silent thanks.

"Mister Scott, initiate a tractor beam on that ship. I will be down shortly." It had not been a surprise that as he stood Sulu took the chair. By the time he got to the turbolift he realized he had not said anything after he spoke to Scott. This was not just a crew, he looked at the three and knew they were family. He did look at McCoy who stood looking at him.

"You are not facing this on your own." McCoy had said it softly enough that they both knew the other three would not have heard the words but they would have known and fully understand why he was going with Spock. When Spock nodded slightly McCoy turned and looked at the others, "We will let you know."