Disclaimers as in part 1.
The Choice 3/?
by Mistress V
The arboretum, always a good place for a contemplative conversation with your walk, was nearly deserted as the ship would be leaving orbit in just a few hours. Kirk and his first officer wended their way through the paths and talked.
"You know, Spock, that Gary Mitchell is leaving us once the Babel mission concludes," Kirk began.
"Yes, I am aware of this. He is a capable officer whose presence shall be missed by many, including myself," Spock replied with a quick nod. "I taught him at the academy, you know. He always struck me as one who could assume the command role easily, though he chose another career path."
"Yeah, I tried to convince him to stay on, but he just won't have it. Too mundane for him. So now I have to pick his replacement, and while I have several good candidates so far, on paper they stack up the same."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "On paper?" he repeated, puzzled.
"You really need to brush up on your idioms and slang, Spock, even if you never use them. Especially with our guests coming on board. THEY might have it wrong, but if you know what they mean, it could help." Kirk was amused.
"I shall endeavor to do so," Spock mumbled, almost to himself.
"Anyway, to business. DeSalle, Leslie and Riley all scored the same, percentage wise and by breakdown. My top candidate, Michaels, took himself out of the running the other night. I'm reviewing all the rest of the candidates in detail, but I honestly don't know any of them. Do you have some input for me?"
Spock looked thoughtful for a minute. "Before I comment on that, I will say this. A good line officer will ideally have had varied experience aboard. Served in several different divisions, if you will. I do know that all three of your choices have this in their favor. All are hard-working and exemplary crew members."
"Anything else?" Kirk resisted the temptation to add, "Well, DUH!"
"I have taught Riley and Leslie, both were fine students. Mr. DeSalle, like several other senior crew, served as instructor at the Academy during my tenure there, which speaks to his own caliber. I will offer you this. While a second officer is not as often called into the command role as my post is, the ideal person should nonetheless be a shrewd judge of character, be able to follow orders without questioning them, or, if logic dictates, to question those very orders if it is for the good of the many." Spock allowed himself a slight shrug. "I would study their personnel records carefully, perhaps observe them at their stations. You might be surprised at what you find."
"So you don't have a recommendation for me? After all, you'll be working with this person." What was Spock hinting at, Kirk wondered.
"That would not be logical. This is a command decision belonging uniquely to your office. I will accept your choice unless circumstances dictate otherwise in the future. I do hope I have been of at least some assistance?"
"Yeah, I guess." Kirk sighed. Back to the drawing board, he thought, but kept that to himself.
************ *****
Kirk still wasn't happy. He next went off in search of the man himself. Surely Gary would be able to guide him, after all, he was the one whose job was opening up. The computer told him Mitchell was in the recreational sector, just finishing up a game of racquetball, so Kirk made his way there.
"Jim, my boy, what's up? Can I interest you in a match?" Mitchell asked. "A captain shouldn't get soft, you know."
"Point taken," Kirk responded dryly, knowing his own exercise regime had been neglected lately. "No, I have something else for your competitive spirit. You like challenges, don't you?"
"Absolutely. "
"Well, help me pick the best of three perfectly matched candidates. One of them has to replace...you."
Mitchell laughed. "No way, my friend. I'm as different from a traditional second officer as you can get, though I'll admit I've had an enjoyable time. But all I could tell you is how to judge a candidate on their reflexes, their self defense skills, and their ability to think out of the box---at all times. That's hardly what you want up on the bridge, now is it?"
"Not exactly, no. I see your point," Kirk admitted.
"Hey, it comes with the job, Cap'n, sir. Look, let me buy you a drink. Run the names past me." Mitchell gave a shrug. "Who knows, maybe I *do* know something."
"As long as it's synthehol. I'm driving, you know," Kirk joked, recalling his friend's superb piloting skills on their recent clandestine adventure.
"You wish," Mitchell corrected him.
************ ***
Kirk was just changing into a fresh uniform when his intercom whistled. "Kirk here?" he replied.
"Finney here, sir. Incoming message for you, private. From Admiral Pike."
"Put it through to my quarters, Mr. Finney," Kirk said. "You helping out up on the bridge, then?"
"Affirmative, sir." Lt. Cmdr. Ben Finney normally served as the ship's head records and personnel officer. "Between Lt. Palmer and myself, we have things just about covered until Uhura re-joins us."
"Good man." Kirk thought a moment. "Would it be possible for me to review some files down in your office later? Say when you book off?"
"Certainly. I'll let you know when that will be. In the meantime, here's the Admiral for you."
************ ****
Kirk learned his mentor and former captain would be joining the ship the next afternoon, just before the *Enterprise* rendezvoused with the Tellarite delegation. In addition to being one of several VIPs en route to Babel, Pike would also be performing a more intimate, time-honored duty, that of awarding citations of valor to the recent participants in the Risan mission.
This made Kirk doubly conscious of the fact he needed to be making a final decision, and soon. He rubbed at a knot in his neck and started towards the turbolift, still thinking.
END of 3.
More to follow.
Lt. Palmer, a relief communications officer, only appeared in two episodes but at least she had a name! Others, male and female alike, were just anonymous extras...I mean, Uhura couldn't have been on duty 24/7/365, now! There's a real, live ship here, staffed with a real, live crew, and with day to day happenings, apart from all the excitement we saw in eps or the films!