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Captain's Log: Stardate 8890876.1, Captain Amanda McCoy, reporting: we have arrived at Starbase 506 to take on supplies as the U.S.S. Asimov prepares to complete a series of in-depth scientific studies of recently discovered planetary systems. We will also be putting off and taking on personnel. One crew member in particular who will be leaving us is Lieutenant Commander Noah Peterson, our old chief science officer and his wife, Lieutenant Patricia Peterson, who was our ship's counselor. Given that the Asimov is a science vessel, Commander Peterson's replacement is of the utmost importance. Commodore Ray Stevens has arranged a meeting with me and my first officer to go over our mission details, McCoy out.
Captain Amanda McCoy and her first officer, Commander Trevor Stevens, walked the hallways of the starbase toward the commodore's office. As always, Stevens felt the curious stares at his commanding officer's unusual looks that combined faint Klingon cranial ridges, pointed Vulcan ears, upswept eyebrows, reddish dark blond hair and striking blue eyes. No one seemed to notice his non-descript human features of brown hair, brown eyes and fair skin.
"So, Captain, has my father said anything to you about the new science officer?" asked Trevor.
"No," said Amanda, looking puzzled, "and that is rather unusual for the commodore."
"I'll say," Trevor chuckled, "he's usually much more forthcoming. It must be very important for him to keep quiet about it. He's got something up his sleeve, I can promise you that."
Amanda snickered softly, "Once again, I'm thankful for your knowledge of the commodore's special way of thinking."
"He is my father after all," he smiled.
The two reached Commodore Ray Steven's office and were quickly escorted inside by an aide.
Amanda and Trevor smartly saluted the commodore who returned the salutes, and after dismissing the aide, he warmly embraced each of them.
"Good to see you, Amanda, Son!" Ray nodded to each of them.
"Ever aware of protocol, aren't you, Dad?" Trevor winked.
"Whatever do you mean?!" Ray said in mock protest.
"You addressed Amanda before me, your own son!" said Trevor, eyes twinkling.
"Well, she does outrank you, my Boy, and with all due respect," Ray smiled at Amanda, "she is older than you and a lady!"
With this, Amanda threw back her head and laughed heartily, "Since when!?"
"Yeah, Dad, you haven't seen her around other Klingons, downright scary!" said Trevor in mock horror, "She's no lady, she's my captain!"
"Yes, but I still can't seem to get past your Vulcan ears, Amanda," said Ray, shaking his head.
"Like my human great-grandpaw always told me," said Amanda, smiling, "'Mandy, honey, I love you, you little mutt!'"
"Yes, but wasn't his best friend a 'mutt,' too?" asked Ray, smiling back.
"I think that's one reason the old man was so fond of me. But enough about old times," Amanda said briskly, "I still need a new science officer."
"So, there is some Vulcan logic under that Klingon hot-bloodedness," Ray said approvingly, rubbing his hands together, "So you know you will be sent to study recently contacted planetary systems possessing warp technology. Now, my son is the best in the linguistics business, but only in verbal and written communication."
"Thanks, Dad," Trevor rolled his eyes, "I'm only human. It's not like I'm a mind reader."
"An officer has recently become available who I believe would be an excellent addition to your team, not only as a science officer, but also is uniquely qualified to act as ship's counselor."
"Really," Amanda's blue eyes widened with intrigue, her upswept eyebrows nearly touching her cranial ridges, "tell me more!"
"Nope, I'm going to have you meet him in person," he said firmly.
"Wait, can't I even see his service record?"
"Now, Amanda, I know you prefer to go by your instincts and they will serve you well in this case," he said confidently.
Amanda sighed in mock frustration, "Okay, when do I meet him?"
"He's in the adjoining room," said Ray, sweeping his hand to the door.
"Dad, you don't miss a trick!" smiled Trevor.
"I had to learn quick, raising you, Son," he said winking, and then nodded them toward the side door, "Go on in, he is waiting for you."
Amanda and Trevor looked at each other.
"Ladies, first," Trevor smiled and Amanda rolled her eyes and walked in ahead of him. Stepping into the room, the two came upon a dark-haired, fair, male Vulcan with a neatly trimmed beard and mustache who was seated at a table. He had eyes that were so black they appeared to have no irises at all and neatly pinned on his blue sciences collar was the rank insignia of a full commander. Immediately, the captain straightened up and offered the Vulcan salute. The Vulcan commander stood up to his full height, towering over both of them at nearly six and a half feet. Even Trevor, at five feet, ten inches tall, felt short. The Vulcan serenely returned the captain's salute. Trevor fiddled with his hand, vainly trying to copy their hands and shook his head, muttering, "I'll never get it."
"Peace and long life, Commander," said Amanda calmly.
"Live long and prosper, Captain, Commander," returned the Vulcan in what sounded like a slightly British accent.
"Commodore Stevens did not give me your name, Commander," said Amanda.
"Neither did he give me yours, Captain."
"I guess it's a blind date, then," said Trevor brightly. Both Amanda and the commander stared at him, Trevor, colored with embarrassment, muttered "Sorry."
Suddenly, the Vulcan commander broke into a smile and laughed heartily, "Actually, that was quite funny and accurate, given the situation. I assume the commodore did not want either your captain or myself to be prejudiced about the other's background, but wanted us to draw our own conclusions."
"Boy," Trevor smiled, "You sure are chipper for a Vulcan!"
"That's because he is not fully Vulcan," said Amanda knowingly, "are you, Commander?"
"Very good, Captain," the commander smirked, "Now, do you care to guess my weight?"
"I can see what the commodore said about you being uniquely qualified," grinned Trevor, "the good captain likes officers with back bone."
The commander cocked his head slightly and asked, "Does he always speak for you, Captain?"
Amanda leaned in and replied, "He did start out as my communications officer."
"So he was recently, promoted?" retorted the commander.
Amanda and her first officer stared at each other.
"My, my, you have impressive telepathic ability for a Vulcan hybrid, Commander," said Amanda.
"It must have been an uncomfortable situation," said the Vulcan commander, "given how quickly you changed the subject, Captain."
"Now, now, Commander, this is not a counseling session," she responded evenly.
"Pardon me, Captain, it is simply that your feelings about the situation are strong, given how personal the situation was, not only to you, Captain, but also to you, Commander, who did not like seeing your captain being emotionally manipulated like that," turning to Trevor, the commander continued, "You are not a man of violence, but in your predecessor's case, I think you would have been willing to make an exception."
"Well," sighed Trevor, "if a transfer hadn't been possible, I would have been sorely tempted to shove him out of an airlock."
McCoy threw back her head and laughed, "My, Commander, I didn't know you cared," then shook her head, "No, that's not true, I knew you did. I just never heard you say that out loud like that." The captain's eyes teared up, "It was a difficult situation, Counselor, but my first officer stood by me like a big brother when I needed a friend and a good officer."
"Always, Amanda," smiled Trevor.
"Ah, we finally get a first name," said the Vulcan commander, "Care to give me your last?"
"Only if you tell us yours, Commander," she returned with a slight grin.
"Very well, James-"
"Bond," interrupted Trevor and the captain shot him a look.
"Believe me, Commander," the counselor chuckled, "I've heard it before. My uncle, who partially raised me, was English, thus my accent."
Amanda's eyes rose in surprise, "You're part human. I would not expect that kind of telepathic ability in such a hybrid."
"Actually," said James evenly, "he was my uncle by marriage."
"All right, to be fair, my last name is McCoy," said Amanda, "and this is my first officer, Commander Trevor Stevens."
"Pleased to meet you, Commander," said James and turned back to the captain, "So, you are human on your father's side?"
"And a little on my mother's," said the captain sternly, "quit stalling."
The commander sighed, "My name is James," he paused, "Troi."
"Wait," said Trevor, "any relation to Commander Deanna Troi?"
"As I said, I was partially raised by my uncle," said James, sighing, "He was Commander Deanna Troi's father."
"So Commander Deanna Troi is your cousin?" asked Amanda and Trevor together.
"Yes," said James, as if revealing a horrible family secret.
"Soooo," Amanda said slowly, "that means Ambassador Lwaxanna Troi is your…? "
"Aunt," said James moodily.
Amanda looked at James intently.
"Thank you," said James softly.
"Huh?" said Trevor, "Did I miss something?"
Amanda shook her head, "Pardon me, Trevor, I offered the commander my condolences telepathically and broke an unwritten rule to not communicate telepathically when in the presence of non-telepaths, or empaths in the counselor's case."
"Actually," said James softly, "I'm both, my Betazoid half amplifies my Vulcan telepathic abilities and my Vulcan half makes me a stronger empath."
"Which makes you a perfect ship's counselor" smiled Amanda, "I won't ask about your science officer qualifications. I know Vulcans can do that in their sleep!"
"Oh, have you been a science officer?" said James, his eyes twinkling.
"Oh, no, I started out as a tactical officer," Amanda shook her head, "I followed in my mother's path. The Vulcan part of us does thirst for knowledge, but the Klingon part of us thirsts for combat!"
"She was a Klingon and Vulcan hybrid?!" James smiled approvingly, "Both you and she must be formidable adversaries."
Amanda smiled broadly, "Absolutely, and the Romulan blood doesn't hurt."
"You must be a valuable ally and a dangerous enemy," nodded James.
"You've got that right," said Trevor, "I'd have her in a barroom brawl any day!"
"An interesting image to be sure," James nodded approvingly, "A pity on anyone who would underestimate you, Captain McCoy."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, Commander Troi," smiled Amanda, "Nevertheless, I think you would be a good fit for our crew. What do you think?" turning to Trevor.
"I'd say welcome aboard," agreed Stevens.
"Then I accept, Captain."
"You don't want to know the nature of the mission?" asked Amanda.
"The mission is not as important as the people with whom you serve," said James, "and I believe we would all suit each other nicely, Captain."
Trevor's stomach growled very audibly, "Um, sorry."
"Why?" asked James, "Clearly you are hungry."
"Well then," said Amanda brightly, "I suggest we do lunch."
"Do lunch?" asked James, "How does one 'do lunch?' I can see 'eat' lunch, or 'buy' lunch, but how would someone 'do' lunch?"
Amanda sighed and muttered softly, "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
James raised an eyebrow at her and Trevor began to softly chuckle.
"It's not funny, Trevor," she growled.
"Sure it is, Captain McCoy, I've always wanted to know what it would be like for you to meet someone like your mother's grandfather."
"And who would that be?" asked James.
"Ambassador Spock," said Trevor and his captain shot him a look, "Uh, oh, I got her Klingon up."
With this, James roared with laughter.
"Well," said Amanda, "Great-grandfather Spock wouldn't do that!"
"Tell, me," James continued to chuckle, "are you related to the real 'Bones' McCoy?"
"Why yes," said the captain sternly, "He was my father's grandfather."
James immediately stopped laughing and said soberly, "My apologies, Captain, forgive me for my disrespect."
"Do not worry, Commander," said Amanda softly, "It just strikes me funny how history repeats itself. I am now the third McCoy to have a Spock-like person in his or her life, first my great-grandfather, then my father, now me."
Trevor's stomach growled again, even louder, "Hey guys, can we seriously eat something?"
"I don't know," said Amanda, "can you eat seriously?"
"Nicely done, Captain!" James said approvingly.
"I do have Spock's blood!" she said smugly.
The three of them were headed to a small cafe when the captain spotted her chief medical officer, Doctor Aquina Altara, a small woman of only four feet, ten inches tall coming down the hallway. She had pale green skin, copper eyes, upswept eyebrows, sharply pointed ears and her collar length hair was white. The captain often thought she reminded her of the elves of human legend.
"Ah, Commander," said the captain, "There is my chief medical officer-"
"James!" the doctor cried with delight, rushed forward to the counselor who deftly bent over to embrace the tiny woman.
"Aquina," James smiled back, "It's been ages! How have you been?"
"Wonderful, James" said the doctor enthusiastically, "I've been having the time of my life aboard the Asimov. Life on a science vessel is never boring! Say, our science officer and our ship's counselor both just transferred off. You should apply for a transfer. Captain, I knew Commander Troi at Starfleet Medical when I was doing a psychiatric internship. He really knows his stuff about interspecies communication and of course-"
"Vulcans can do chief science officer in their sleep!" the women said together.
"Do you expect me to do my work sleep deprived?" James winked.
"Not at all, Commander, and I am sure you will be happy to know, Aquina, I have already offered Commander Troi both positions, which I happy to say, he has accepted" the captain smiled and pointed to the café, "I heard this place has wonderful food. Care to join us, Doctor?"
"Oh, yes, Captain," giggled the doctor, "You saved me from having to invite myself! It will be lovely to catch up with James in person."
"I have wanted to try this cafe for quite some time" said Amanda, "since they offer excellent Klingon cuisine, but I won't order gagh, I promise."
"Don't abstain on my account, Captain," James smirked, "You're the one who has to eat it, not me."
"Counselor," said Amanda, "I do believe this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."