Kings and Pawns
by jlneveloff

(managed to get into my old account and take back to the name I always use :))

Disclaimer: Star Trek and associated characters created by Gene Roddenberry. I own nothing at all. …which makes me all kinds of sad, 'cause I really wanna borrow Spock for a while.

Written for the LJ community reel_startrek, Round Two.

Based upon the film The Count of Monte Cristo, written by Jay Wolpert (loosely based upon the novel by Alexandre Dumas père) and directed by Kevin Reynolds. I'd like to think I changed enough to make it my own but probably not…maybe not at first, but there are bigger changes closer to the end…and potential plot holes as a result, but hopefully not too many, I think I fixed most of them XD

Genre: Drama, Action/Adventure, Romance, Angst
Beta: slwmtiondaylite1
Word Count (chapter): ~2255

Warnings: Language, mild adult situations, violence and the occasional plot hole (but hopefully not too many…I think I fixed most of them)


CHAPTER THREE

THE NEW CAPTAIN

As Cadet Nyota Uhura eagerly looked out the window of the transport shuttle, the pilot navigated it to a soft landing just outside Shuttle Hanger One. Inside Starfleet's huge hanger, she could see the crew of the ISS Enterprise disembarking from the various shuttlecrafts, carrying their personal belongings and helping unload the ship's cargo. They were finally arriving home after being gone for several months. He was finally returning home. She had been so ecstatic when the bulletin went out the other day, announcing that they accomplished their mission and that the dictator Nero had been apprehended and was being transported back to stand trial. Finally, everything was looking positive for once; a new era would begin and they would be free of tyranny and oppression. She could hardly wait.

They wouldn't have to hide anymore.

She and Lt. Commander Spock had been in a secretive relationship for the past year and a half. Not only was she a mere cadet while he was an officer – as well as her instructor, but Vulcan/Human relationships were banned by law and had been since the dawn of the Empire. Secrecy was a must. Only one other person knew of their forbidden union, James Kirk. She had been hesitant to let Kirk know, not only because the risk to him if she and Spock were discovered was too high, but also because, well, to put it frankly, he annoyed her most of time. But she knew that Spock trusted him implicitly and despite her uncertainty, that was enough for her.

The start of their relationship had begun innocently enough…or perhaps not so innocently. Uhura had taken a class with Spock as her professor. They had gotten along splendidly and worked well together. The next year, Spock had began teaching classes in advanced phonology, along with the other classes already had on his plate, and needed an aide to help with paperwork as he had become inundated. She submitted her application and earned the position. A few late nights here and there in the labs, a meeting or two at his apartment and she realized that they were dancing around each other, this desire they felt for one another.

She had made the first move. One night, after a heated discussion in which they could not agree, she had suddenly kissed him. Spock had been shocked and pushed her away; she had been horrified by her actions. She had tried to apologize, mistaking his actions as rejection. She then tried to leave, but he stopped her, held her hand, mentally linking them temporarily, and told her to stay. As she felt the depth of his feelings for her, she shared hers with him. And little by little, they fell a little further.

When her transport craft landed, she quickly exited, impatient to see her lover. Her eyes scanned the crowd, trying to find the shuttle he was on. Finally, she spotted him…or rather the top of his head. He was leaving with the other senior officers on the ship, Kirk following behind him. Uhura made her way in their direction, navigating the thick crowd of officers and cadets.

"Excuse me," Uhura cried out as she was trapped in a thick cloud of red and blue. The officers blocking her way ignored her pleas and she, growing frustrated, did the only thing she could and pushed through them, not bothering with niceties. She was girl on a mission.

Finally, she broke her way through the swarm of officers and ran to the clearing before the shuttle. She scanned the crowd, looking for the tall Vulcan. As she realized that he wasn't anywhere to be found, having been lost in the mob, she grew disheartened.

"Hello, Uhura. Nice to see you, too," Kirk's voice, laced with sarcasm, sounded behind her.

She jumped imperceptibly at his voice. She hadn't seen him in her rush to get to Spock. She turned towards him and smiled, apologetically. "Hey, Kirk." Unable to control herself, she turned back around, her eyes once again returning to the crowd. "Where is he?"

Kirk rolled his eyes, sighing. He stepped closer to her and grasped the back of her arm, speaking in her ear so she could hear him over the noise. "You just missed him. Could be a while. Got called into Barnett's office. I think he's in trouble." He tugged her back towards him gently. "Come on, he said he'd meet us on The Rock."

Uhura allowed him to pull her away from the crowd, unable to keep the smile off her face as she and Kirk navigated their way out of the hanger.


Spock and Sulu stood at attention as Admiral Richard Barnett studied the two men; one tall and lean, belying the physical strength he possessed courtesy of his Vulcan heritage; the other shorter, his physical power clearly evident in the thick muscles on his body. Spock's expression remained calm and peaceful, though anyone who looked closely could see the emotions in his eyes – the only outward sign of his humanity; while Sulu's stormy temperament was clearly evidenced on his face, helped by the long jagged scar that ran down the side of his cheek.

Both men were first-rate officers, with extensive records listing their numerous credentials and battle prowess. Yet Barnett felt a sort of pride over Spock's accomplishments that he did not feel over Sulu or any other officer under his command. He had been the one to recruit him into Starfleet over five years ago and despite Spock's initial reservations, stemming primarily from the fact that he was Vulcan and the prejudices he faced worried him that his work would not be given the consideration he deserved, Barnett had finally succeeded in convincing Spock that Starfleet was ready to change, to be the guiding force the empire needed to overcome their problems. And a few instances notwithstanding, Spock had been able to join Starfleet and work his way up the ranks quickly to become a valuable member of the Fleet. Barnett had high hopes for him.

Admiral Barnett paused in front of the officers. "At ease, gentlemen," he said. The two men relaxed their attention stance, although Spock remained stiffer than Sulu. Barnett cast his gaze in Sulu's direction. "Commander Sulu, what happened to Captain Forrest?"

"Captain Forrest was killed by an explosion during the battle with the iNarada/i, Admiral, sir," Sulu replied quickly. "It is in the report I filed, sir."

"Yes, I know," Barnett replied. "But I prefer to hear reports firsthand, if I can. So you were then Acting Captain. What happened next?"

"I ordered Lieutenant Commander Spock," Sulu emphasized his name as though it was a dirty word, "not to go down to the planet's surface. He disobeyed me."

Barnett turned his eyes to Spock, who remained stoic. "Commander Spock, is this true?"

"I did what was necessary for completion of the mission, Admiral," Spock replied coolly.

Sulu turned on him, unable to keep his anger inside any longer. "You nerve-pinched me! On the bridge! Then you took members of my crew to do your bidding."

Spock raised his eyebrow at Sulu's outrage. "Like I said, Commander, I did what I believe was necessary." He ignored Sulu's angry glare and turned to Barnett. "I acted alone, sir. I ordered Lieutenant Kirk and the tactical officers to join me on the planet. I am aware that I disobeyed orders from a commanding officer and will accept all responsibility for my actions, sir."

"You damn well should," Sulu muttered under his breath. "It was all his idea, sir."

Barnett took a deep breath and turned his back to his officers. He walked to the window and gazed out, thinking. Spock and Sulu kept their eyes on him, curious as to what he would decide. A moment later, he turned back to them. He leveled his gaze on Sulu before speaking. "It should have been your idea," he said.

Barnett was aware of his reputation for steadfast adhesion to the chain of command and orders, so he was not surprised by Sulu's jaw dropping, nearly to the floor. His statement was out of the ordinary for him. Sulu fumbled over his words for a second, trying to find the right ones to get him out of this situation. "Sir, I did not believe the risk was worth it. We had disabled their ship; the emperor fled in an escape pod, the planet had a poisonous atmosphere. At that time, we had no information that proved that the Romulans could escape. I was protecting the crew. I did not believe it was worth the risk to go down there without all the information."

"You were protecting yourself," Barnett admonished, "by hiding behind your rank and staying aboard the ship. Had Spock not gone down there, Nero would have escaped and the whole mission would have failed. All because you were scared of a little fog." He stepped closer to his subordinates. "We're fighting a war we must win, gentlemen. There has to be a better way to live than this damn oppression we've had for years. And the only way we are going to accomplish it is if someone is willing step outside the confines of the chain of command and does what's needed, no matter the risk."

Sulu desperately tried to grasp at words that would not come, his distress obvious to both Barnett and Spock. This was not going the way he wanted it to. He struggled desperately to explain himself but without the words, he was left standing, his mouth hanging open.

"Computer," Barnett spoke, unconsciously tilting his gaze up towards the ceiling as he spoke to the computer system. "Record." He waited a moment for the computer to acknowledge his request before speaking again. "Lieutenant Commander Spock, you are hereby promoted to the rank of Captain for your dedication to the mission and your willingness to put your life on the line to complete it."

The only sign of Spock's surprise at this turn of events was the slight widening of his eyes. Sulu's rage was more obvious. He seethed, his angry gaze flitting between Spock and Barnett. He stepped towards the Admiral, as though he was attempting to be threatening. "You're demoting me?"

Barnett chuckled as he shook his head. "No, there is no demotion, Commander. You will remain first officer of the Enterprise under Captain Spock. Unless, of course, you wish to request a transfer," he finished with a smirk. "Dismissed."

After glowering at Barnett and Spock for a few seconds, Sulu quickly turned on his heels and stormed out of the admiral's office. Spock turned and watched him leave, before nodding to Pike in respect and walking towards the door.

"Oh, Spock," Barnett called out before Spock could leave.

The Vulcan turned slowly. "Yes, Admiral?"

Finally, unable to prevent it, Barnett broke out in a huge smile. "Congratulations… Captain. You did well."

Spock's eyebrow rose once more in reaction to the Admiral's comment, the only visible sign of confusion he ever allowed himself. "As I stated earlier, sir, I did what was necessary."

"That you did," Barnett replied. He stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room to make sure they were truly alone. "I imagine there is a certain young cadet who will be pleased to know of your accomplishment today and what it entails for the future of the Empire…particularly your future. With her."

Spock's eyes widened perceptibly, in shock. Normally, he would be mum regarding his relationship with the cadet in question – as he is with most of his personal relationships – yet Admiral Barnett could see that his obvious knowledge worried the Vulcan. He didn't believe it was because Spock didn't trust him. Quite the opposite, in fact. Barnett realized that Spock was nervous because, if he knew, then the possibility that others knew, including those who may harbor ill intentions towards them, rose exponentially. The Admiral knew that he was calculating the odds in that giant brain of his and couldn't really fault him for it.

Nor could Barnett fault him when he tried to mislead him. "I am unsure of who you are referring to."

Barnett chuckled. He cut to the chase, ignoring Spock's comment. "I don't know the extent of your relationship with the cadet and frankly, I don't care to. Discounting everything else, she is still just a cadet and you are an officer. You are just as aware as I am of the rules regarding fraternization, not to mention half a dozen other reasons why this is a bad idea right now, so I'm not going to quote them." Barnett shrugged, a wry smile on his face. "Maybe I'm just a romantic at heart. Maybe I'm growing tired of following the rules," he chuckled before growing serious. He could tell that Spock was still tense – well, more tense than usual – and rushed to reassure the Vulcan. "But don't worry; I am confident that no one else is aware of it. I just happen to know you better than most other people. Just…be careful."

Spock nodded, releasing his breath, relief in his actions. He avoided the Admiral's gaze, telling Barnett that he was still nervous about the prospect of being found out before it was safe, but what was done was done. "Thank you, sir."

Barnett smiled once more. "Go on," he urged. "Get out of here."

Spock acknowledged the Admiral once more before turning on his heels and exiting the office.