Spock walked briskly into the shuttle and took the nearest open seat. He was displeased that he was not already on the ship. He had trouble retrieving the assignment listings from Captain Depak who had insisted that he make conversation. After doing up his harness, he continued to look over the pile of papers in his hands. The profiles for the first few he was reading were not exciting or outstanding in any way.
His hand stilled over a page, sensing he was being watched. He looked up to meet the curious gaze of a young woman who was clad a science uniform. Her hair was cut to frame her face and ended around her chin. It fell in harsh contrast with her fair skin. Spock could not identify her and decided she must be one if his new underlings.
"Yes, Cadet?" He asked coolly.
"Hello," she responded in a determined voice, which Spock found quite interesting. Most new graduates were incompetent when talking to well ranking officers. "Are you Commander Spock?"
"Yes, I am Commander Spock, First Officer of the USS Enterprise." he responded more politely, interested that she did not already know.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Commander, I'm Marie Stark. I've been assigned to the Science branch and am under your charge." She went to lower her hand for a handshake but seemed to catch herself half-way down and brought her hand back up into the Vulcan salute.
Marie wondered if her inner turmoil was showing but felt as though she was doing alright. Spock looked at her in a calculating manner, bringing up an eyebrow and raised his hand to the salute as well.
"Hello Ms. Stark. I have not yet seen your file. If you did not know I was myself, how did you infer such?"
"I have never seen you formally announced as such, but I was told you were from Vulcan and there aren't many Vulcans boarding the Enterprise today." She felt like she had said something stupid. Her mind seemed to be closing in on itself, but her mouth was okay. She was so glad for that. The last thing she needed was to start stuttering like an idiot in front of her new superior officer.
"Ah yes, I presumed so." Spock said in his typical stoic manner as he flipped through the pages and pulled one out of the middle. "Marie Lycia Stark?" She nodded.
A few minutes of silence passed as he scanned the sheet. Suddenly he looked up in what seemed like interest. "What is this project of yours that requires a lab?"
Marie looked down trying not fumble on her words, "It's a project that is looking into modifying skin to become more armor like and armor to become more skin like." Nice and simple. Nailed it.
"That would require a background in engineering and medical to actively pursue."
"I am quite familiar with both of those fields, yes."
"But that seems to be very comprehensive for someone so young. This profile tells me you are only 20 years of age. That would insinuate that you are 2 years younger than the average graduate."
"I am not the average graduate." She looked up at him again. A confident look that was laced with amusement reminded him of Kirk. "I graduated earths primary schooling at 15, which is usually completed at 18. I have spent 5 years at the academy, although I was eligible for graduation 3 years ago."
Spock observed her with this new information in mind. "Why have you decided that now is the opportune time to graduate?" he asked with honest curiosity.
"I was ready." She answered with a warm smile. Her gaze traveled away from his face over to the near by window. They both watched the Enterprise come closer as the shuttle approached it. Spock was thinking about her peculiar answer. Human behavior was very strange and he felt as though she shared Captain Kirk's tendency to be heavily influence by emotions.
The two sat in silence as the shuttle docked. Marie was becoming increasingly aware of the attention that their conversation had drawn to them. The cadets on the shuttle seemed intimidated by both of them. Spock was intimidating because of his superior ranking and the stories about him were wide spread. Marie because of her extensive back ground they had just overheard seemed to be getting many reverent looks. It was no secret at the academy she was in the top of the class, either.
Spock was observing this attention too. He noticed many of the men in the shuttle looking at Ms. Stark with embarrassed interest. He was not as interested in her physical features as much as her mental ones. The intelligence outlined in her profile was apparent to him through their conversation. He found her to be extremely interesting. But her physical appearance was very…aesthetically pleasing. She was slim, but her face was well fleshed out making her look quite healthy. Her skin was a light creamy tone. The way her uniform framed her chest was also quite…eye catching. When they stood up to exit he noticed how small she was. A foot or so shorter than himself.
"Ms. Stark?" Spock asked as they stepped out of the shuttle into the large air lock. "Would you like help finding your cabin?" She looked very surprised by this. Spock felt a small wave of surprise as well. He had not completely intended to offer her this service.
"That would be wonderful, yes." She said smiling up as him. Marie was glad her new commanding officer wasn't a mean as the rumors made him out to be.
"I know your room number from your file. It is near the science labs and quite close to mine as well. Let us proceed." He said motioning for her to follow him. She picked up the metallic suitcase and fell into step behind him.
"Commander, why aren't your quarters on the command floor?" she asked following him. She had trouble keeping up with his long strides. He noticed her struggle and slowed slightly.
"I requested a cabin near the labs so I would be able to train the new recruits properly and be able to respond on short notice." He said simply.
They walked in silence for a bit longer. Spock contemplated the training for the new recruits and Marie looked around at the starship. Neither of them really paid much attention to the stares that lingered on their odd little coupling. The two of them contrasted in an interesting way.
Spock was serious and tall. His stiff way of walking seemed very calm and calculated. Intimidating and austere. But tailing behind him, Marie seemed warm and inviting. The way she looked at the ship with awe seemed so open compare to Spock's closed off expression. She bobbed along with the shiny metallic suitcase, trying to shift its weight so it was easier to carry.
"Spock, aren't you a bit late?" the ever amused voice of Captain Kirk cut into Spock's thoughts. He halted and turned to face his Captain who was standing a little ways in front of him. Before he could respond, Cadet Stark fell into his back. He turned slightly just in time to see her fall to the ground. She didn't break her fall because her arms were busy keeping the suitcase away from a collision with the floor.
She whimpered a bit, "I'm so sorry, Commander. I wasn't watching you."
"It was as much my fault to Ms. Stark. Is your project alright?" he was also concerned about her but she didn't seem to care as much about herself.
Jim in his typical manner made a B-line for the fallen girl. "Why, hello there Cadet." He said with a giant grin. Spock could see him eyeing her in the same why Jim approached every attractive female.
"Yes, the project its fine. Hello, Captain. I am not always this clumsy." Marie burned with embarrassment. She felt like a complete fool. Why couldn't she just have kept her balance?
Kirk offered his hand to help her up, but Spock was strangely pleased when she opted to get up by herself. It was no secret he disapproved of the Captain's drive to pursue any and all young women. But this was different. He would meditate on this feeling later. Perhaps he just liked seeing Jim being rejected. Then he realized how the Captain was looking between the two.
Kirk seemed to only accept her as a challenge as the cadet got up by herself. "I trust my First-Officer hasn't scared you too much, Cadet?" Smiling widely at both of them.
"No, I find the Commander's company very pleasant, Captain. He was showing me to my quarters."
"Oh was he now?" Kirk looked back at Spock with mischievous eyes.