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"Is that possible Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked after several moments of silence.
"I believe so." Spock paused to consider the information that they had just received from Chekov. The ship had come upon a planet at the end of the system that was covered almost entirely in liquid. The fact that the planet was so wet was not particularly shocking, after all, Earth was largely covered in water. What seemed to boggle the minds of the bridge crew was that the ship had just encountered a beacon satellite just beyond the planet's atmosphere. The initial scans of the planet did not indicate enough surface to support lifeforms, but the evidence of technology not spontaneous, that much was clear. Whomever had placed the beacon was from that planet. The remoteness of the world excluded other possibilities. Despite the utter lack of solid surface, there was intelligent life somewhere below. "It does not stand to reason that a gaseous atmosphere and dry land is required for the development of sentient life Captain."
"It makes sense to me." Sulu looked over his shoulder at the two men. "The first life on Earth came from the water after all. There's no reason to believe that our species wouldn't have finished developing in the seas but for certain environmental factors."
"Indeed." Spock said quietly. There were no life forms that were part of the Federation that did not exist in a gaseous atmosphere and in relatively dry environments. Spock knew that there had been encounters with intelligent life that that existed beneath the surface of oceans before but he had known of none that had reached such technological heights while living within an aqueous environment.
"Lieutenant Commander Uhura?" Kirk called over his shoulder. "Are there any communication signals that you can pick up from the planet?" He paused. "Mr. Chekov scan the surface again and give me the precise amount of land area that exists on this planet. Do a sub-oceanic scan to determine whether there are any structures that would evidence extant life. I want to make sure that this isn't a civilization that was suddenly wiped out by a sudden climate shift, the oceans only recently reclaiming the land and the people on it. Both of you, brief Commander Spock with your findings. I'm going to contact Starfleet Command and do a bit of research on what records we have of this sector." Kirk nodded at Spock, wordlessly leaving the bridge in his hands.
Spock suspected that the captain intended to allow him to take the lead in exploring this unencountered world. As Spock looked over his shoulder at Nyota, who was busy trying to discern some element of communication technology from the planet, he was sure that she could feel his increasing excitement at the prospect of first contact with a unique species. Spock had to take a deep breath in order to calm his accelerating thoughts. He was a science officer before he was the ship's executive officer and the prospect of this type of exploratory mission was one of the main reasons that he had joined Starfleet.
The other reason he had joined Starfleet, of course, was Nyota. He turned to look at her again and, this time, she quickly met his eyes. Spock was most pleased that he would be able to share this discovery, if it truly materialized, with her. Spock could think of few others that would understand the scope of this discovery and the thrill associated with it. It had, after all, been Nyota's childhood desire to explore the universe that had prompted Spock to consider the possibilities offered by Starfleet over those of the Vulcan Science Academy. That Nyota's mind would be linked to his as he investigated the lifeforms, if any, that lay below the surface water of this planet was immensely gratifying.
"Commander?" Chekov queried. "I think that you should look at the results of this scan."
Spock raised an eyebrow as he rose from the captain's chair. He peered over Chekov's shoulder before instructing him to transfer the results to his PADD through the ship's wireless connection. The results were intriguing, although disheartening. The results of the deep scans of the planet's oceans revealed that there were structures beneath the sea. Complex structures and what appeared to be some type of power generating apparatus. There was life but it they could not sufficiently distinguish its level of intelligence from such a distance. It would require more direct investigation to discern the nature of the creatures that inhabited the seas. The disappointing aspect, however, was that it was unlikely that Spock would be able to manage a more direct investigation. There was no land. There was no place for an away team to transport to safely and even if there were, there would not be an efficient or practical manner for Spock to maintain a physical presence on the planet. The Enterprise was neither stocked with sea faring vessels nor deep sea exploration vessels. There were small supplies of portable atmosphere devices that could be used on planets that did not have a sufficient mix of gases breathable to a particular crew member; however, they were not rated for high pressure environments such as a deep sea cavern.
Chekov's scan had shown that there seemed to be a grouping of structures that seemed to, oceanographically, correspond with a particularly deep trench. It was also where the scan showed the largest concentration of unknown energy output and the highest amount of organic life. Capitan Kirk came back and relieved Spock after informing him that he had received a go ahead to continue exploring the area. Kirk would update Starfleet command before making contact with anyone on the planet; it was protocol to ensure that there was no breach of the Prime Directive and Kirk had been correct to inquire as to whether anyone else had made a report of this area before. Kirk told Spock that this was his mission to handle and left it at that.
Spock retreated to his office and reviewed the results of the scans several times, hoping to see something that he had missed before. The Prime Directive required that first contact be made as discretely as possible to ascertain what capabilities a world's inhabitants had. This meant that they would, at best, have to transport onto the surface and attempt to observe any life forms. The ship could not enter this planet's atmosphere without violating that clause.
"Commander?" Nyota said as the door to Spock's office shut behind her. "I've got a report from the surface of the planet but it is... murky." Nyota's face creased with frustration. "I've been trying to analyze the source of the signals on the planet to ascertain if they're made by a life form or naturally occurring but I can't get a fix on anything."
"What is your hypothesis as to why that is the case?" Spock said the edges of the answer emerging in his mind from hers as soon as he spoke.
"I think that it's the water honestly." Nyota shook her head and sat across the desk from Spock. "I can discern certain signals but no sooner than I think that I've got something concrete, something that I could decipher into a language structure? Then it goes away. It leaves me wondering if it's just random noise from something down deep or if it is something intentional that is being obscured."
"I see." Spock said soberly. "I have reviewed the scan and resulting topography reports that have been generated. There is only one point on the planet that we would be able to transport to. It is barely wide enough to hold three people, much less any diagnostic equipment. It may very well be that we are not equipped to explore a planet of this type."
"What?" Nyota sat up abruptly in her seat. "Permission to speak freely Commander?" Nyota said in a tone that Spock recognized as one of growing irritation.
"Yes. Of course." Spock said quietly as he glanced down at the PADD again.
"Spock you can't possibly be considering not exploring this world can you?" Nyota took a deep breath. "I could feel your excitement all morning. You've been waiting for something like this for decades. Decades. Where is the logic in leaving it be and allowing some other less experienced science officer come claim the glory when you're here first?"
"It is not a matter of my lack of excitement Nyota." Spock said, slipping into the familiarity that he reserved for their quarters or, at times like these, the privacy of his office. "It is a matter of being poorly equipped to conduct such a mission."
"What do you mean?" Nyota asked, the fire in her eyes undying.
"We are not equipped with any vessels with which to traverse the water on this planet and without knowing more information about the life below the surface, I would be remiss in my duty as commander to allow an away team to come into harms way."
"Why can't we replicate a vessel?" Nyota asked as though it were the most common thing in the world. "We have industrial sized replicators for the purpose of replicating parts that can repair the hull and thrusters, why can't we download the specs from a manual and build an appropriate exploratory vessel? We are on a space ship full of engineers, scientists and designers."
Spock opened his mouth to argue but found that he could not. The industrial replicators were meant for replicating ship parts in case of an emergency because the drain of power was so great; however, there was no reason that it could not be used to construct a very small vessel over a longer period of time. In fact, it occurred to Spock, they might be able to recycle parts from other vessels that were available in abundance to make a water tight vehicle while keeping the use of the industrial replicator to a minimum.
"There would be no way to test the vessel's viability until it was already in use." Spock responded after some time.
"Spock, we're on the flagship of the Federation. Don't you think that we could alter our mechanical bay slightly, and temporarily, to determine if a submarine vessel would function adequately? And it isn't like we're not going to have Scotty up here. If something went wrong, presumably we'd know about it quickly enough for him to beam us out of there. It's worth a try Spock. Getting it wrong and getting a little wet or embarrassed is far more worthy of our efforts than giving up without trying."
"You are, without parallel, the most incredible woman I have ever encountered." Spock said abruptly. "Do you know that?"
"I love you too Spock." Nyota beamed at him across the desk.
"I do note that you continue to say 'we' in referencing the exploration of the surface."
"Oh Spock, you can't possibly believe that I'm going to sit here at my station while the boys are splashing about below can you?" Nyota said, a trace of defiance in her voice.
"You are a communications officer Nyota. It would be illogical for you to go on a solely scientific mission." Spock said, hoping that this would not be one of the instances in which Nyota chose to be offended by his recitation of well known facts.
"The way I see it Commander," Nyota said while arching her eyebrow, "is that you're approaching a world that seems, based upon the structures that have been located beneath the sea and the satellite that we encountered, to be teeming with intelligent life. Life you've never encountered before. Who on this ship is more versed in quickly deciphering linguistic schemes of unknown language groupings? Who has committed to memory the hieroglyphic systems of more than 1200 cultures? Who was the best cryptographer in my class?" Nyota finished her recitation primly.
"Yes. I see your point." Spock pursed his lips slightly. "Who will care for Ama if you were to accompany the away team? Our time on the planet, should we be successful in engineering a means to explore it, will be longer than an average duty shift and I have been tasked to head this effort."
"We'll do what every other family has to do when duty calls. We'll have to make other arrangements. Besides, Pavel said he owes me." Nyota had a glint in her eye that Spock could not decipher.
"I see." Spock knew that Nyota had been engaged in some secret activity with Chekov that Chekov insisted not be revealed. "Well. Perhaps you should return to attempting to decipher the origin of the communication signals. If you design a more appropriate scan, I will have it programmed into the ship's computer for your use at once." Spock said, his eyes on Nyota as she came around the desk toward him.
"I need you to order a more thorough diagnostic on that satellite." Nyota sat on the edge of Spock's desk facing him, her skirt rising to reveal a toned brown thigh. She raised her hand to her chin and tapped thoughtfully with her forefinger. "They, if they're still there and the captain isn't correct, have to be receiving the transmissions for it somehow. If I could find out where it was targeting its signals, even if that location is no longer in use, it would go a long way to help me."
"I'll order a comprehensive diagnostic analysis on the functioning of the satellite." Spock said as he tried to wrest his eyes from the line of of Nyota's hip, so tantalizingly close to him. Despite the fact that they shared a bed every night, the introduction of their child seemed to have a chilling effect on the sexual activity between the couple; however it was not for lack of desire on either of their parts. "Will that be all Lieutenant Commander?" Spock said as he took a deep calming breath. He knew Nyota was toying with him, an act of revenge for his suggestion that she not accompany the away team. A marital mental bond was some times a curse; after all, knowing that she was intentionally tempting him during his duty hours did nothing to make the temptation go away.
Author's note: Sea faring Spock and Nyota story! Ahoy!