The Heart Lives On
Chapter 8
Into The Light…
The Present
Spock strengthened his shields, took Nyota's hand firmly in his and bent toward her and softly whispered, "May I suggest a tour of this ship as a diversion."
Surprisingly, without a word she gracefully rose to her feet and followed him toward the door. Kasper and JoAnn stood to the aside amazed at her response to Spock's invitation. She too found that she questioned her response to his soft voice.
Why did the timbre sound so familiar. He led her to the door and as it whisked open he took her elbow and guided her out into the pristine corridors Almost robotically she made a request, "May I please see the observation deck?"
Every level of the Enterprise had its own public area that allowed passengers to view the cosmos as it streaked by. As they reached the area she stood and viewed it with a puzzled look on her face. She entered the enclosed area and climbed to the highest level and sat, but unexpectedly proceeded to protect the end seat from being occupied. Her eyes had a haunted look and her breath caught in the back of her throat.
"I know I have visited a place like this, I was not alone, I, I,
with that she retreated into silence. They sat for three quarters of an hour before she rose from her seated position. Spock stood beside her and touched her elbow, she looked up at him and he could see she was on the verge of an emotional breakdown.
He inquired, "Do you wish to return to your quarters?"
Her response is cryptic, "If I return to the darkness I will never find the light."
Spock nodded, "Would you find a view of the bridge agreeable?"
"Yes, Sir.."
They reached the turbo-lift just as the door was about to close. One of the crew called out, "We will hold it for you Commander." They hurried, entered and Spock spoke their destination, "Bridge." With the next stop, they were the only ones who remained on the lift. Out of the corner of his eye he directed his gaze to the female besides him. The darkness had not hid much from his observation, she was indeed a very beautiful female.
The lift stopped, the doors opened with its usual airy swish and he guided her out to stand at the entrance to The Bridge, the heart and soul of The Enterprise. The brightness of the artificial daylight reflected off of the lieutenant's gleaming face. He again detected a sharp intake of breath.
Any first time visitor viewing this area with its lit consoles, staggered arrays, flashing keyboards and suspended monitors, could not help but be impressed with the beautiful design of this engineering marvel, Nyota was no exception. The sounds reaching the ear, clicks, buzzes,
synthesized voices, relays and assorted unidentified sounds validated the very reason for space travel- the accumulation of scientific knowledge-the merging of the unknown with the known. This was one of the important jobs of The Enterprise Bridge.
She stood calmly at his side and he again took her elbow and guided her. This time in the direction of the command chair. Pike was in anticipation and smiled at their approach. What he saw before him was a perfect pairing, both in superior minds and exceptional appearances.
"The Bridge welcomes you, Lieutenant," were the captain's words.
Looking at the two new occupants of the bridge, caused Pike to come to a conclusion-Drevi was a lucky male to have won her. She was indeed beautiful. But, he wondered if his eyes were deceiving him, could it be that his first officer was becoming affected by her presence.
Shrugging his shoulders he thought, 'Spock will keep me apprised. The nature of their relationship would make that conversation a 'given'.
She looked about her in wonder and then her eyes lit upon the communications array.
Pike noticed her reaction and extended his arm toward that area, "Please Lieutenant, be our guest."
No longer in a dreamlike state she hurried over and looked in wonder at the station's instrumentality. Spock saw her inhale deeply, and then her eyes followed the communication officer's fingers as they raced across the station's input board and adjusted its various dials and knobs.
Spock watched her, she appeared to be someone who had been stranded on a desert, without water, finally being able to quench their thirst. He had no intention of distracting her with a suggestion that they continue their tour of the ship.
The communication's officer powered down and ended his shift with his end code. His replacement slipped into the seat and powered up under another signature. All was as smooth as oiled glass.
After more than an hour he walked over to communication array, he then suggested that they stop at the mess and take refreshment. She nodded, then turned to him and asked did they have plictood. Spock recognized the food item as Betazoid.
He responded, "Our replicators carry a wide selection of foods. I am sure it would be part of the internal menu.".
She nodded.
He would have to question Kasper further about the mysteries surrounding his companion.
The Heart Lives On
It Is A Puzzle
At the mess hall she hesitated as if she had to regain her equilibrium, she looked for a few seconds at the trays stacked at the entrance, then after he had retrieved one, she did so herself. Looking about she seemed to recognize a replicator and waited for him to lead her. Perhaps she thought that each unit provided only specific items.
He first led her to a table at the far side of the dining room,
where he was aware a replicator was near by. He stood behind her as she made her request and looked tentatively at what had been produced. Spock then programmed his selection, a vegetable rap, green tea and a glass of water.
She watched intently as his food appeared and they both headed back to their table.
"Lieutenant, if you are not fatigued, after our meal we can continue our tour."
The request was not logical because he did sense a degree fatigue, but he qualified his question with the thought that all this was important to her recovery. Not that he did not wish her out of his presence.
He found it rewarding when she answered, "I find that agreeable."
Something was becoming very clear to Spock, the human female before him, did not respond, talk, or react in a human way, he determined her emotions, like his were repressed. As a matter of fact, Lieutenant Uhura in many ways was as Vulcan in nature as he was. He wondered what it would be like to explore her mind. He was sure
that that landscape would not reveal human characteristics. How could this be so? He had searched her file through Star Fleet's expansive personal references. His research indicated she was human, from USA, the area designated Kenya.
There appeared that Kasper would have to answer that question also.
She eat her plictood as if she there was an attempt on her part to conjure up memories. She held the food in her mouth, chewed slowly, rubbed it across her tongue and shook her head. She finally said, "I do not know why I ordered this dish. It appears I have never tasted it in my life. That is so strange," was her comment as she displayed a worried countenance.
They finished their meal, deposited their trash and trays and he guided her to the door. Spock observed the eyes that followed them as they transverse the width of the mess hall. In the male eyes he noticed admiration, in the female's questions.
By the turbo lift he stopped,
.
"Lieutenant, there is another point of interest, I would like you to observe?"
She thought for a minute and said,
"Could we go to engineering?"
They descended the ladder to the bowels of the ship and he reached into the receptacle at the entrance and handed her ear protectors, and air filtering mask. He slipped his on also. They opened the door fortunately the sounds were muffled by their protective gear. He guided her to observe the WARP core and the water filtration system.
He acknowledged the Chief Engineer with a nod and for her benefit made a simple inquiry,
"In what WARP drive are we presently cruising?"
The answer, "WARP three," was the engineer's answer, "But we are capable of WARP Ten, or even twelve in a severe emergency."
Spock nodded and after a little more of an explore, he and the lieutenant climbed the ladder that brought them closer to a destination that he wanted to introduce to his companion-The HoloDeck.
