Authors Note:
Hello and thank you to all my followers for following the story!
Here's chapter two. Ideally I'd like longer chapters, but I guess the shorter they are the more I can update and also it may make the story easier to follow. After all - we need to learn how Jim ended up where he did!
Any reviews would be deeply appreciated.
Chapter Two
The crew of the Enterprise had been in Orbit of planet Zander VI for the last 30 days, searching for their missing landing party. They had received orders to deliver medical supplies to the planet due to a sudden increase in pregnancies with the local species. It was supposed to be a normal, easy mission, but Captain Kirk always insisted in joining land missions. McCoy always thought of it as an excuse to be nosey. Spock thought it was logical for Jim to expand his knowledge of the planets and their species. Scotty always thought it was so he could smuggle new foods aboard for him to try and Uhura just thought of it as an excuse to flirt with whatever female species the planet held. But the truth of it all was, Jim was attracted to the danger, the new and the unfamiliar. In a way, they were all right. He did like to be nosey, learn about the planet and their cultures.
Most of the landing party, including Doctor McCoy, were found within hours of losing communication. However, Captain James T Kirk, was still missing and nobody could explain why.
The USS Lexington, captained by Admiral Archer, had joined them to assist them in the search for the last week but with no luck.
Spock sat still in his quarters as he meditated. He had star map cartridges scattered all over his desk, with a pile of those they had checked to one side. Unfortunately the pile was a lot bigger than the pile they hadn't checked, and even those were planets that were a good few days away at warp speed. The likely hood of finding the captain there was incredibly small.
"Commander Spock, Admiral Archer has requested your presence aboard the USS Lexington immediately." The sound of Uhura's voice entered the still room, causing Spock to leave his state of meditation.
He opened his eyes and flicked the comm on to reply; "Understood lieutenant. Spock out."
He rose to his feet and left for the transporter room, although he didn't know what the admiral wanted exactly, he knew it wasn't going to be the news he wanted to hear.
"Commander Spock, reporting as ordered." Spock said, stepping to the Admiral Archers office. The USS Lexington was a lot bigger than the Enterprise, meaning the Admiral received a personal office quarters of his own.
"Come in, Commander. Have a seat." Admiral Archer ordered without looking up from his paper work, but still managing to wave a hand towards the chair opposite him.
Spock sat as the Admiral had ordered, remaining focused on Archers face, rather than his paper work.
"Operational status of the Enterprise?" Archer asked, looking up at Spock.
"Vessel and crew performing at peak performance, sir." Spock answered.
Archer took a deep breath. "…and the Acting Captain?"
"Also performing a peak performance, sir." Spock said, without hesitation.
Archer put his pencil down and clasped his hands together on the desk.
"He's been missing a month now. You and your crew have searched every square inch of Zander and its surrounding moons, Captain Kirk is not here."
"A logical assumption, Admiral. However, not yet conclusive." Spock answered, keeping himself composed.
"Starfleet has… concerns, Spock." Archer said, as he picked his pencil back up and looked at his desk monitor. "This area, Zander VI, is classed as an open planet. Everyone is welcome as long as they do not disturb the peace. Which makes having an armed federation cruiser in orbit a month, hard to justify. The Lexington is here to patrol the region in a show of strength. The Enterprise will be joining us in the patrol."
Spock shook his head. "Admiral, it is important we understand what happened. He was on the planet, he disappeared. How was the security compromised? By whom? We must find him… Otherwise Captain Kirk may not be the only Starfleet officer at risk."
An awkward silence filled the room, before Archer let out a sigh.
"Spock, has it occurred to you that Captain Kirk, may be dead." Archer felt a lump grow in his throat and the hairs on the back on his neck rise. He knew how much of a hero Kirk was to Starfleet.
Another awkward silence filled the room.
"Yes... But we have no evidence to support that theory." Spock answered with ease. "Admiral, has it occurred to you that Captain Kirk's disappearance could be connected to the increased activity with the Klingon's along the neutral boarders?"
Archer nodded his head. "Yes… it has been discussed. It is possible for the Klingons to believe that with the removal of Captain Kirk, it would reduce the military effectiveness of the Enterprise. No offence to your captaincy skill, Commander. But the Enterprise without Captain Kirk on the bridge, is not the same ship."
"No, it is not. Admiral." Spock agreed. "Which is why it is important that we continue the search."
"Starfleet's priorities are clear. The Enterprise is needed on the patrol line immediately. Those are your orders." Archer spoke with authority in his voice, as he flicked his desk monitor off and ejected the cartridge containing the Enterprises official orders. Sliding them across the desk to Spock.
"Admiral, with all due respect…" Spock started.
"This is unnegotiable, commander. Those are your orders." Archer interrupted. "I'm sorry Spock, but if the Klingon's are to take us seriously they have to know that both the Lexington and the Enterprise are under strong command."
Archer rose to his feet, placing his hands in the small of his back.
"As of this Star Date, Commander. You are the captain of the Enterprise. You are dismissed… Captain."
Spock rose to his feet, without saying a word.
"Oh and Captain!" Archer called as Spock reached his office doors. "Put on a yellow shirt."
Spock tilted his head, taking in his new orders, "Understood, Admiral." He spoke bluntly, before leaving the Lexington, gripping the new orders cartridge tightly in his hand.
Doctor McCoy stood still on the bride with his arms folded. He couldn't help but stare at the empty captain's chair in front of him. His eyes stung from the lack of sleep he abused his body with in the last 30 days.
"Well, where the hell is he?" he snapped, as his eyes finally looked away from the chair.
"Mr Spock beamed aboard 20 minutes ago, I'm sure he's on his way." Uhura said, spinning around from her console.
"I wish he would hurry it up, it's damn inconsiderate to keep a doctor away from his sickbay. Especially when there are people that need me." He huffed. Uhura's calm attitude wasn't enough to soothe his temper this time.
The whoosh of the bridge doors opening stopped the awkward silence left by McCoy's snappy attitude. Spock stepped onto the bridge, with his hands placed in the small of his back again. The yellow shirt he was now forced to wear seemed brighter than ever when the bridge officers turned to greet him. Spock didn't say a word as he moved to the captain's chair, he noticed how every single pair of eyes watched him. He flicked an open channel to the whole ship on and addressed his new crew:
"Attention all hands, this is Commander Spock. Under order of Admiral Archer, I have been placed in command of the USS Enterprise, as its captain. We have received new orders to abandon search and to pick up the patrol efforts on the Klingon boarder. All stations prepare for warp speed. Spock out."
He flicked off the open channel and slowly took a seat in his new chair. McCoy still couldn't take his eyes off Spock, the shock of what he had just heard hadn't set in.
"Mr Sulu. Plot a course for Starbase 24. On arrival you will plot a patrol pattern between there and the boarders of the neutral zone." Spock ordered.
"Sir, that is 2 months away" Sulu questioned his orders, something he rarely had the courage to do, especially with Spock.
"51 days at warp 7. Mr Scott," Spock continued his orders "I assume you can sustain warp 7?"
Mr Scott, who had remained silent this whole time, turned in his chair. "Aye Cap…" He started but it felt wrong to address Spock as the captain. "Aye. I can give you that kind of power."
"Spock!" McCoy had enough, he couldn't watch Spock order the crew around any longer. "Are you out of your Vulcan mind?!" if he wasn't raging before, he was now. "We can't leave here without knowing what happened to Jim!"
"I have my orders." Spock replied, without looking at the Doctor.
"Orders?! To hell with orders!" McCoy found himself raising his voice further.
"That will be all, Doctor McCoy." Spock remained calm, still without looking at the Doctor. "My orders are not your concern. What happens in Sickbay is."
"Spock!" McCoy shouted a lot louder than before, raising a hand.
"Dismissed." Spock ordered McCoy.
McCoy froze. He knew better than to strike anyone, but his rage had overcome him. He lowered his hand and left the bridge swiftly, before he did something he would regret.
"Mr Scott, you will report to Engineering for the duration of the journey." Spock continued to order his bridge crew, unfazed by the emotional outburst of Doctor McCoy.
"Aye, Mr Spock." Scotty said, rising to his feet. The bridge was one place he didn't want to be without Jim anyway.
"Captain… Spock." Spock corrected.
"Aye… Captain." The words left a bitter taste in his mouth, as he left the bridge.
"Navigation."
"Course laid in, Sir." Sulu quickly spoke, before any other outburst happened. "All systems fully functioning. Ready for warp at your order… captain."
"Proceed."
Sulu took one last look at the planet they had lost his captain on. Before slowly pushing the warp thruster forwards, allowing the ship to enter warp speed.