Claustrophobia
Chapter One
A group of third year cadets would be given several tests to evaluate whether the close confines of a ship in space would create in them emotional or mental problems. After all, some missions would last years and rubbing shoulders with the same people, some of whom you might not particularly have a fondness for could prove to be quite taxing.
Although, presently an instructor, Spock would serve as the commanding officer aboard this 'ship' and depending upon the talents of the cadets, they would receive assignments that should develop their abilities in specific areas of training. Captain Pike would be the outside observer and at that point he was hopeful that, his protégé James T. Kirk would not create a problem that would cause him to be obliged to repeat several core classes. He was fully aware of his impulsive nature.
Unbeknown to Pike, here was already a situation that existed that would not fall into the nature of this test, as a matter of fact, the need for closeness or should we say 'oneness' was already an integral part of a unique relation, a bonding between his chosen first officer of the fleet's new flagship, The United Star Ship Enterprise. and a second year cadet. Lieutenant Spock and the female cadet whose career Pike had been monitoring since her enrollment in Star Fleet Academy. She was the only daughter of his old friend, Captain Uhura, with whom he had served, but now long retired from The Fleet.
A little over two years ago it had been Pike who had interviewed his daughter in Nairobi and had conferred with her father about her enrollment at The Academy. Her father's whose chief concern was her age, which would be sixteen, at the time of enrollment at Star Fleet Academy. Her father's pride did show when the two old friends had discussed options.
The question was, at the age of sixteen should Uhura's daughter return to university to secure another master's degree or enroll in Star Fleet. Her mother was concerned that her youthful inexperience when contrasted with the cadets of more advanced age and experience that she would have to rub shoulders with might prove to be to her harm. Her parents worried that the opportunity, while highly desirable, might really prove to be a disservice to their sheltered daughter. What had silenced the mother's voice and lessened her concern was the promise made to her by Captain Pike that he would find an individual who would act as her protector and mentor. In this way she would be shielded from the more base elements always present when students were, for the first time, were placed on their own away from parental supervision and were very much prone to bad decisions. Pike remembered his own academy days and fully understood Nyota's mother's concerns. Pike was certain she would 'make waves' at this institute of higher learning. Right there in Nairobi he had his mind set on giving that position of oversight to Spock of Vulcan. Being the strict, focused, unflappable male that he was, he was perfect for that assignment. With all the papers signed the newly enrolled cadet's departure date was set and Pike returned to The Academy with the aim of encouraging Spock to take up the role that he had been volunteered for.
When advised of his 'assignment', the young Vulcan raised an eyebrow and verbalized,
"Excuse me Sir, I am not sure that I understand what you require of me. It is outside my sphere of experience to…baby sit.'"
Chris absolutely howled with laughter.
"Spock that was priceless."
"Sir, what was unable to be purchased?"
That statement only added to Chris' expression of unbridled mirth.
"Look Spock, I made a promise to an old friend of mine whose wife was extremely wary of her young daughter's enrollment at Star Fleet Academy. I suppose that decision was with made with good reason for some of these young bucks should be sent to an all-male institution because of the predatory ways in their dealings with females.
That being said, I do not want to go back on my word, I do not want to entrust her to some hormone overloaded cadet. Do your friend a favor. I think you might end up learning a thing or two."
"Learning a thing or two?"
"You might learn something from this experience. Actually, this young lady is brilliant, speaks seven Terran languages, two Vulcan dialects, I believe she also speaks three Romulan dialects, Andorian, Tellarite, and has started learning Trill and is a sight for sore eyes."
"A sight for sore eyes?"
"That means she is a looker."
"Of course Captain, I am sure that her eyesight is up to the standard required for enrollment here at Star Fleet."
"No Spock, I mean she is an attractive female."
"That means she is aesthetically pleasing?"
"Yes, to the extreme."
"So what qualifies me to take on this task.?"
"You will not even notice her beauty, her brilliance, her grace, the lovely tone of her voice and her overwhelming charm because you are Vulcan, incapable of emotional entanglement. With you, in the position of oversight or supervision, she will be safe from such dangers."
Spock tilted his head and added,
"I am already bonded to Vulcan female, so I am not in need of an additional female in my life. The new cadet if just sixteen years of age, she will probably have many years before such ideas come into her head."
"First Spock, you cannot speak of her age in a disparaging fashion, you are but nineteen. Secondly, I am not thinking of what will enter her head. Your observations of Terran and other species' males during your years as a cadet should give you the answer to whose minds I am addressing."
Pike was partially corrected,
"Nineteen years, eleven months, twenty-one days…'
He was about to vocalize the minutes and seconds when Pikes hand went up to stop him. The Captain eyed him and said,
Spock, I certainly do not wish to make this assignment a command, so how about it."
"How about…?"
"What I mean is, will you take on this assignment."
"Although I agree to this responsibility, it is not of particular interest to me, nor do I believe that the new cadet will benefit from association with me on any level."
"So, you should know that she will be enrolled in two of your classes, Vulcan I and Phonology I. Perhaps she will loosen you up a bit. After all, you could use a friend."
"Captain, I am not under any type of physical restraint, in what way should this cadet be able to loosen me?"
"I was thinking, she might be able to make you less stern, severe."
Tilting his head, Spock said,
"Are you referring to my lack of facial expression?"
"Yes coupled with your carriage, your stance…Spock I know you. I am aware of your Vulcan presence and I am not put-off or offended by anything you say or do. What I am saying is with the degree of association you will probably have to engage in with this cadet will allow her, to explain to you certain aspects of human behavior, body language, facial expressions that will improve the interaction with Terrans. She will be excellent as a sounding board for you because she herself is quite emotional and animated. View your association with her as a class in Human Behavior 101."
"Really Captain, my days are full, my nights restful, so I see no need for my life…"
"Yeah Spock, you told me you are content."
Spock raised an eyebrow and continued,
"Captain, because I would not want to be the one who would prevent you from being a man of your word, I agree to this assignment. As limited as my practice of 'The Vulcan Way,' is allowed here at Star Fleet, its purpose is to settle us and allow for a peaceful mindset. I very much doubt that this assignment will in any way affect me either positively or negatively. Is there anything else Captain?"
"No Spock, you are dismissed."
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
As he walked toward The Einstein Building, he heard an animated voice and a joyful laugh and he turned to identify the source. There was a group of first year cadets seated on the grass in a grove of trees. The animated speech and laughter seemed to have emanated from a single Terran female, who was young, brown skinned and extremely aesthetically pleasing. All of a sudden she looked in his direction and their eyes met. She smiled and returned her attention to her associates. Spock paused for a second, a bit unhinged, as it appeared space shuttered and shrunk. Spock shook his head, as if to clear his thoughts and proceeded to his destination.