Nervously tucking a few stray hairs into her now low ponytail, Nyota observed her appearance in the tiny utilitarian bathroom she shared with twenty other students. She had left her severe hairstyle in lieu of the more casual one, as a concession to her best friend Zandi. Satisfied with the results, Nyota began her trek to the sound lab. It had only taken her a few days to get over her shock about Professor Spock's suggestive wording. Now over a week later she found working alongside the Professor surprisingly pleasant. Conversation was fluid and they found inspiration in the new and exciting developments with the cell cultures.
Their rapport over the past few days had grown and Nyota was always eager for their sessions in the evenings. At the first such session it was found that Nyota in fact did have a profound effect on the Centaurian cells. Experimentation of different languages and sounds from her speaking each produced satisfactory if not different results.
This particular night, after a very logical argument on the part of the professor, she began singing a low sweet lullaby a succession of women in her family had carried in the family for generations. It was a whisper of a song, undulating like the breeze over lapping waves. At the first few syllables the sensors attached to the cell culture chambers began to shriek, scaring Nyota into silence. Spock quickly went to the panels and read the output data, working quietly and precisely. Nyota waited, tense by his side trying to read the scrolling data to no avail. Finally the shriek of the systems died, and Spock turned to Nyota, genuine concern on his face. One sentence was spoken.
"I believe we may have just observed the first case of singing induced cellular shock."
Nyota's eyes were wide with horror.
"Are they dead?"
"No the cells haven't ruptured, but it seems that everything but basal cellular communications have ceased. The implications could be serious, but more testing would be required to determine the extent of these effects on cells of a more natural state."
"You mean this could be just something that happens to certain cells types. If my singing triggers a lapse in cell communication...could that kill?"
Nyota was silent, the Professor's lack of reply all the information she needed. She thought quickly before saying, "Professor I believe my mere presence on this planet could put people in jeopardy. If what you say about the cells is true, I could kill this entire planet. A simple hum could do an amazing amount of damage. It's crazy to think that I was so close to that group of Centaurians. They could have all been dead." Nyota could barely see Professor Spock with her blurry vision. But she could see concern.
Spock stood holding Nyota's gaze, attempting to transmit calm.
"Nyota I do not believe that the receptors I have tagged as responsible for this response are present ubiquitously in Centaurian cellular physiology. These cells have been induced to produce a maximum number of receptor types available to all cells of the Centaurian speech centers. They are a sample of the types of receptors we would most likely expect to be responsible for not the processing of speech, but the production of it.
In effect, a response of this type in a Centaurian would theoretically have the effect of rendering the individual speechless."
Nyota stood processing the information, shocked until the beeping of the lab equipment indicated another change in the cell states. Looking at the readouts with her professor, Nyota realized that the cells had recovered from their momentary silence. Relieved, horrified, and confused Nyota barely noticed her professor leave and return with a cup of tea for each of them. She gratefully accepted the cup, thinking about how she could hope to continue her research on a world where everything was potentially programmed not to speak in front of her. It was a disaster. Defeated by the lack of a positive conclusion in her circling thoughts, Nyota looked up to find Professor Spock studying her.
He made her mind go blank and face blush when she noticed how close they were. His face up close was more human, the creases and lines more visible. The small smooth patches of skin above his eyelids were like a green peach, fluttering with his eyelashes into view with each blink. His lips were darted and pinched at the top, like a archer's bow. Then there was the matter of his eyebrows, and eyes. His eyes were a more complex brown than she had ever noticed before, brows beautiful and dark. His lips were parted ever so slightly, his jaw relaxed in his concern. It was cute she realized. This severe Vulcan professor was ages younger up close. Interesting.
As quickly as the moment happened it passed. Spock stood up swiftly, offering that considering the late hour, it would be best to deal with any repercussions in the morning. Nyota nodded her head in acquiescence and drifted with the Professor along the path that led to her dorms once again. As she opened the door he left her with a small reminder.
"Cadet I must advise you to keep your singing voice to yourself for the duration of the night. The Centaurians might be alarmed at losing the power of speech. It would be unfortunate should an intergalatic incident occur. Although it would give us an opportunity to observe negotiations with a population rendered mute."
Once again Nyota was left without verbal defense, grumbling in her mind about Vulcan's with muting powers.
A/N: So there goes chapter three. Next chapter should accelerate through the rest of their time here and be sort of a synopsis of their blossoming relationship. I also plan to make it the last chapter in this. I'm still playing with writing styles. And if you like prequels, I'm working on the next chapter of that as well. Review please! It's how I know my audience is at all moved or displeased. Also, I do not own Star Trek. Although I would buy it if I could.
