Echoes Chapter 1: Prologue, a star trek: 2009 fanfic

Nadiea, here! This is my first Star Trek fic and first here at FFnet. I've been wanting to write a fic since I saw the movie, but it's taken a while for inspiration to hit. I originally (and still will) wanted to write a Kirk/Uhura fic, as they are my OTP for this new verse. There's not very many fics for them and all the ones I've read so far have been excellent at capturing the potential of the pairing. So, look for my Kirk/Uhura story, Serendipity, in a couple of weeks. I was side tracked by this one as I couldn't help but imagining Uhura possibly having a sister and how that sister might differ from her. This story's couplings are: Kirk/Lila (Uhura's sister) and Spock/Uhura. And all four characters will get important story arcs. The rest of the gang will be here too, of course. I don't know how long it will go for sure, but I do have a basic outline. I hope to update once a week at least once I get both stories going and will keep you posted if it's longer than that. Comments and suggestions welcome!

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or its existing characters. Just my Lila and few other additions, TBA.

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Prologue

"Thank you for approving Lila for the Enterprise, Captain," Nyota said as they walked to the transporter room.

Jim nodded and shrugged. "Well, with Yeoman Rand having to return to Earth indefinitely, I need an assistant. And your sister had excellent recommendations for her administrative abilities and graduated a year early, like yours truly." He finished with wry smile.

Nyota rolled her eyes, but couldn't help return his smile. They were three years into their first five year mission and she had to admit that James Kirk was a unique, but successful captain. While he could still irritate her on occasion, she no longer doubted his intelligence or ability to lead as she had earlier in their acquaintance. She tried to banish her nervousness over seeing her little sister again. Lila was the opposite of her in every way: quiet and observant, where Nyota was feisty and quick to judge. They'd not always gotten along, but Uhura hoped that they'd both matured enough to leave that in the past.

They entered the transporter station and Jim nodded to Scotty to energize. Seconds later, a young woman materialized on the transporter pad with her belongings. Lila Uhura resembled her older sister, though she stood a couple of inches shorter and her eyes were an exotic mixture of green and hazel. She was wearing an all black Starfleet dress uniform and boots. She wore her hair in one long braid that reached her waist. Nyota stepped forward to embrace her sister.

"Lila, this is Captain James T. Kirk," Nyota said after they separated.

Jim smiled and held out his hand, not knowing what to expect from him Communications Chief's little sister. He'd been surprised to know she had a sibling, let alone one entering Starfleet. "Welcome Aboard the Enterprise, Yeoman. I'm biased, but this is the best ship and crew ever; so please make yourself at home here."

Lila smiled back, a tiny dimple appearing in her left cheek. "Thank you. It's nice to finally meet you, Captain Kirk. I've heard so many stories about you."

Jim raised an eyebrow at Nyota, who simply shrugged. "I'm sure you have," he replied dryly. "I would like to meet with you later to discuss your duties, but I thought you'd want time to get settled. How about 17:00 in my ready room on the bridge?"

Lila nodded. "That sounds fine, thank you."

Kirk nodded and rubbed his hands together. "Excellent. Now, I'll leave you to your sister. She'll show you your quarters and give you a tour of the ship. I've got a little tele-meeting with the Starbase commander before we leave." He took his leave, the doors opening and closing behind him with their familiar whoosh.

"He's different than what you've described," Lila commented in her soft, melodic voice. "He seems quite mature and capable."

Nyota threw a quick glance over to Scotty and saw that the engineer was at least pretending not to hear their conversation as he instructed two of his transporter officers to perform a systems check before he returned to engineering.

"The last time we really even talked was a little over three years ago, Lila," she replied.

"That was my opinion of him then, but I'll admit that I didn't really know him. He has matured considerably, though, over the last three years."

"Well, a beautiful lady such as the Enterprise will have that affect on any captain," Scotty spoke as he moved to join them.

"Lila, this is Montgomery Scott, our Chief of Engineering," Nyota introduced. They shook hands. "Why don't we get you settled?"

Lila nodded and the two women left the transporter room. As they walked through the corridors, Nyota pointed out places of interest and watched her sister take in the ship with her usual avid curiosity. They finally reached her quarters, a turbo-lift ride later, and Nyota helped her set her access code and they entered the quarters.

Lila put down her belongings and turned to face her sister. "I don't want to forget to say thanks for helping me get the assignment here, Nyota."

Nyota shook her head. "I didn't really do much. Your work and recommendations from the Academy was enough to convince the captain."

Lila nodded and their conversation waned. Nyota once again felt the guilt of being so wrapped up in her career and relationship with Spock that she'd not even checked on her sister at the Academy until recently. She couldn't tell if Lila held it against her, only that there was an awkwardness between them as if they were strangers.

"Would you like help unpacking?" Nyota offered a moment later.

Lila shook her head. "No, but I would like that tour before I meet with the captain, if that's alright. I will unpack later."

"Okay," Nyota replied and they exited her quarters and began the tour of the ship.

"Thank you for your time, Captain Kirk," the commander said.

"No problem, Commander Theron," Jim replied. "We'll leave dock in about one hour."

The commander nodded and the connection terminated.

Jim leaned back in his chair and ran a hand over his face. Three years. He could hardly believe it. He felt good about what the Enterprise had accomplished so far. Personally, he could admit that he'd been feeling a little down for no discernible reason for awhile. He figured he just needed a break and their semi-annual shore leave would take place in a month, so he was sure that would take care of it.

The door to his ready room chimed as he opened a channel to broadcast to the ship. He paused, "Enter!"

Lila entered quietly coming to stand before his desk. "Reporting, sir. I'm a few minutes early, I know."

Jim smiled and shrugged. "That's okay. Please take a seat."

Lila sat down, discreetly studying the young captain. His dirty blonde hair was short and little messy and his blue eyes bright and intelligent.

He took out a PADD from his desk and tapped on it a few times before handing to her. "So, this is an official list of duties for Yeoman plus a few that are related specifically to operations on the Enterprise. Since we're the Flag Ship, we get most of the detailed and difficult missions and we're expected to document everything. So, more so than a regular Yeoman, I'll need you to accompany me whenever I go on a diplomatic visit and on some away missions as necessary. I know from your file that you've had training on both as well as advanced combat training."

Lila nodded as she tapped through the standard list of duties. Hazel-green eyes lifted to meet blue ones. "As I told you before, the Enterprise and its crew are legendary at the Academy. I knew I wanted to serve here after hearing of all the interesting adventures you've experienced."

Jim grinned a bit and shrugged as he sat back in his chair. "Interesting, is one way to put it. Though Bones, Dr. McCoy, might use stronger language. In fact, so would your sister."

Lila made a noncommittal sound to that. "I didn't really have any contact with Nyota after she graduated and received her assignment to the Enterprise. Most of my knowledge is from news reports, class lectures and gossip."

Surprise registered on Jim's face. "Not even on our shore leaves on Earth?" He couldn't seem to help asking.

Lila smiled airily. "I believe she spent those times with her boyfriend. She didn't come home. Our parents have been divorced since we were kids and it wasn't amicable. Nyota left for a special high school in North America when she was fourteen and then went straight into Starfleet."

Jim nodded. "I see." He replied quietly. And Lila thought that maybe he did, his blue eyes regarding her solemnly. "Well, there's still the most important rule for a member of the Enterprise crew: We're family and we've all got each other's back. I want you to feel at home here."

Lila felt something warm inside of her unfurl. A family. She'd not been apart of one longer than she could remember. "Thank you, sir. I already do."

TBC...