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Title: Menagerie: Double-Drabble
Author's Note: One of the joys of writing FF for ST:TOS is that one can rely on the reader's obsessi-ummm, detailed knowledge of the episodes. :-) Without it, drabbles like this become almost impossible. This part of the episode still bothers me. I hope to explore it in more depth at some time.
-oOo-
Why didn't the Talosians continue their transmission? They had agreed to keep Kirk distracted until the Enterprise arrived at Talos IV.
"Guilty? Yes, or no, Captain?"
Beep. Yes.
"I must also vote guilty as charged. And you, Captain?"
Pause.
It was gratifying how long Jim paused. If the Enterprise were already at Talos IV, there would be no need for a verdict—the fiction would be over—and yet, it continued. Kaiidth.
"Guilty….as charged." Were the words forced, stilted? The eyes were hard, expressionless.
It was no more than the truth. His actions were indefensible….and yet.
"Commodore, don't you think…"
-oOo-
"Guilty as charged." Dammit, what else could he say? Spock stole the ship. His. Ship. Spock kidnapped Pike. Spock wagered his career—both their careers and their lives—on these Talosians providing the court with the evidence for a defense.
Spock's actions are out of loyalty to Pike—he knows that. He can't even be angry at Spock. There must be extenuating circumstances. But dammit, why did the Talosians stop transmitting now? Spock seemed surprised too. Kept insisting there was more.
"Guilty as charged." Was it too late? The verdict was damning. Perhaps leniency in sentencing?
"Commodore, don't you think…."