In my story, 'The Ambassador's Son', we followed the budding romance of Spockand Nyota and it's finally ending in their bonding. In that completely different setting and characterization—Nyota is a ship captain and Spock is on a diplomatic trip in place of his ill father, Ambassador Sarek.

It is not necessary to read the other fic to enjoy this short one, but the background information of that story will add richness to this story.

Aye, Aye Captain

Chapter One

Spock rolled out of the bed and knew immediately that Nyota was still on the bridge and desired a cup of coffee. Cleansing himself and dressing for his shift on the bridge he made himself a cup of tea and then made coffee for his aduna. Two sugar cubes, one-half ounce of cream. The formula for her acceptable coffee had not changed in the three years they had been bonded and married. As he thought about it, it probably had not changed since she started drinking that beverage—she always knew her own mind.

As usual Spock left their rooms in a neat, orderly state. He then proceeded to The bridge. As his Aduna saw him her face lit up and he brought the proffered cup up to her hand. As usual she first enjoyed its aroma, then took a sip, closed her eye, took a deep breath and with a radiant smile on her face she sent,

'Commander, did you attend a special culinary school that provided instructions on how to make a perfect cup of joe?'

Spock had made much advancement in his understanding of Terran expressions and behavior since his bonding with his aduna. As she told him, he was in fact 'a work in progress'.

He recalled when she first had voiced that question his eyebrow had raised and he attempted to locate the colloquialism in his vast glossary…'joe, joe, ahh, coffee'. As Nyota had rose to relinquish the chair to him she had whispered, in Vulcan,

"Neither one of us are on duty tonight…"

Then they audibly changed command,

"Mr. Spock, you have the con."

"Aye, Aye, Captain."

Although so much had happened in their personal life since they had left New Vulcan; as far as missions of the Unity, there had been a few minor problem which had been resolved without any use of their impressive battle capabilities.. As he sat in the captain's chair he almost shuttered when he thought of the one incident that had made him want so much to lead a far less stressful life, a closer to 'normal life' for a married couple. One that did not expose his aduna to dangers. This was an appropriate thought since, after one more short mission, their ship was making its way home now, to Terra, where he and Nyota could request jobs at the Academy.

He opened their bond and determined that his wife had removed her uniform, brushed her teeth, let her hair down and was now preparing to lie in their bed. Considering what his mind had already formulated for the coming evening it was good that she was now resting her body.

He carefully reviewed all the reports and forwarded them to his office which was distractingly located across from his Aduna's. From his desk he could see her seated at her desk, reading messages, writing reports or whatever else was on each day's agenda. If a Vulcan could feel jealousy, he would envy anything, outside of himself, that took her attention during those times.

The ship was on its' way to Borcous V. Unity was a ship often used for transporting persons from other planets to conferences, meetings, trade talks or celebrations therefore a constant flow of non-Terran dignitaries was the norm. His wife's skill as the Fleet's foremost Xenolinquest helped propel her forward to the command of this particular ship. Seventy-five percent of the crew were non-Terran female. This was in stark contrast to The Federation's membership. Actually Unity was the most species-integrated of all the Fleet's vessels. Twelve Federation planets were represented on this ship that the captain ran with precision, attention to detail and warmth.

As he sat in the command chair Spock thought again about the discussion he had had with his aduna. She knew that in Spock's mind there was only one thing that would satisfy his every need. It was offspring. A son was needed to perpetuate his house, a daughter was needed to watch her growth to maturity possessing all that her mother's DNA could provide for her. A daughter would be his treasure, a son would be his inheritance.

As they approached Borcous V his command to the helm was,

"Maintain standard orbit."

To communications,

"Please, on screen, Ambassador Vqydud."

The features of the Borcous V Ambassador appeared on the screen. As it was, this species, if accepted by The Federation Council, would be it's newest member. The trip the ambassador and his party would be taking to Terra was necessary to establish trade criteria if the planet was accepted as a planet with a qualified government and rulership that reflected the laws of The Federation. This species was humanoid, features similar to Terrans and Vulcans with one exception, they had no ears. Their entire body was their sounding device which of course rendered them an extremely sensitive to sound. They wore layers of clothing, gloves, and helmet-like hats that allowed only a small amount of exposed flesh, their face, to act as an auditory receptor. It was yet to be discovered whether they had telepathic abilities.

Their desire for their admission to The Federation was fueled by the wealth that would be guaranteed by their vast supply of dilitium. Their seven satellite moons appeared to be an eternal supply of that fuel source. Terra, with its unique needs for this fuel had an unrelenting group of persons lobbying for this new prospective member. But, as history has revealed, 'all that glitters is not gold'. There was a dark underbelly not readily seen nor even suspected. Rightly so, it was being kept secret from outsiders. The Flaw? This group of humanoids still practiced slavery. Instead of sophisticated machinery to mine their valuable mineral, they used captured citizens from other planets who had been removed from ships encountered in the vastness of space. After the living cargo was removed and imprisoned, the ship would be destroyed—leaving no evidence of any survivors.

The harsh treatment of these pathetic victims meant their supply had to be constantly replaced. On their second moon there was a very active movement to overthrow the taskmasters and make an attempt at freedom. The mastermind was a Terran named Abraham Moses. He was an imposing figure with command of many languages, and was battle worn and molded. Unaware of the political situation on the home planet, he had constructed from scraps an emergency signaling device with the hope of attracting a ship or shuttle to land at a specific location. By overpowering the crew, his group would seek out a Federation ship and tell their story, seek asylum and request freedom for their fellow slaves on the various moons' surfaces. That small group was willing to to make this attempt by 'any means possible'.

So it was, while Unity was above the home planet, Spock assigned an away crew to examine the source of the distress signal. Once it had landed, the crew found themselves outnumber, were overpowered and found they were being forced to request permission to return to their ship. Once inside Unity's shuttle bay the desperate men escorted the away-team to the bridge, where the demands of the captors were stated. Which were, immediate contact with The Federation and a supply of arms.

Abraham Moses noticed Spock's science blues and asked for the ship's captain. With a degree of apprehension Spock first sent Nyota a silent message describing the situation and advised her of the need for her appearance on the bridge. He also sent,

'Aduna, you will be well protected by me.'

In her command gold Nyota presented herself to the ones who had now made their own selves kidnappers. Her first words were,

"Put down your weapons and then we will be able to talk with you. I do not negotiate with terrorist."

Abraham Moses asked,

"What guarantees do you give us?"

"Myself and members of my crew, will go, unarmed to the conference room to hear what you have to say."

Abraham Moses looked to his fellow insurgents and they all nodded their heads and handed their stolen weapons to the captain.

Nyota now said,

"Gentlemen, shall we proceed."

Spock relinquished the chair to his pilot and took his place besides Nyota, sending to her,

'Have you any idea what this is all about?'

She sent,

'For these persons to go to such extremes to have an audience, it must be of great importance. We must hear them out.'

Spock nodded.

Once inside the room Nyota requested that all be seated. She sat at the head of the table, with Spock and Bennet on either side.

"Gentlemen you have taken substantial risks to be seated here on my ship. Please advise us, Why?"

Abraham Moses started,

"There are at least three thousand like me on the surface of this moon. We are slaves to the Borcous government, mining the riches of their moon, beaten, starved and executed at the whim of our 'owners'. I have been unable to determine how long such activity has existed, but I myself have been held here for five plus years. It is only because I have led an extremely rigorous life prior to my capture my body has been able to accept the harsh treatment, this has not been the case with most who dwell below. We are here to beg asylum and help for our enslaved brethren still on the moons' surface."

Spock asked the next question,

"From where do you come and how were you captured?"

"My family is from Terra but I have been in space for twenty years. The method of capture was especially devious—an emergency signal, a beam aboard one of their ships and then capture. I am the last member of my crew alive. My wife and children were separated from me at the time of capture. From what I have heard females serve in a different slavery, whether young or old."

He paused and swallowed…

"I had two daughters. My wife was Vulcan, like your first officer. I believe once she knew their fate she would have killed them and herself. Her people's morality would not allow that kind of slavery, and they would have understood her final act of desperation."

His head rested on his chest with his eyes closed. If indeed his body was not broken, with the vocalization of that memory apparently his bravado spirit left him for he soundlessly wept, the silent evidence of a broken heart.

Nyota got up from her seat and went to the replicator and requested water and brought the glass and sat it down. Her hand rested on Abraham Moses' shoulder and she said,

"This information has to be reported to The Federation Council. Follow Lieutenant Bennet and he will take you to suitable accommodations where you can freshen up and rest. The replicator in your room can provide civilian clothing to size and the smaller one will supply food. Your report has been recorded, if we need additional information we will advise you."

Moses Abraham nodded and gestured for the five other men to follow him. Nyota, sat and looked at Spock and through their bond she sent,

'It is quite possible that we will be the reason for a thorough investigation of these people and their criminal acts. It appears that, the riches of this planet are tainted with blood.'

Spock's verbal reply was,

"Indeed."