Chapter 10: Like Seeing a Ghost Part 4
It was only hours before the mission to New Vulcan would commence, and there was no sign of Commander Spock. Nyota fretted about him as she feverishly worked all the details of secured ship-to-ship, ship-to-Starfleet, and ship-to-New Vulcan communications links at her station on the bridge of the Enterprise with all the other ship and Fleet Communications officers. Not to mention that she had six different languages to deal with besides Vulcan, as many of the ships carrying the remnant were of different registries in the Federation.
What she didn't know was that Kirk was equally worried. In less than a half hour, he absolutely had to select a First Officer to receive and prepare the Enterprise for the Vulcan Elders' arrival. He stood up from his Captain's Ready Room chair, pressed the bridge intercom switch, and ordered, "Stations report."
From every station on the bridge, he could hear his officers make their crisp reports of the Enterprise as it was rapidly configuring for warp flight. The door to the Ready Room slid open and he came on to the bridge, acknowledging Uhura's report that the Space Dock was ready to release them. He looked around at the intensity on the faces of the officers.
Kirk walked toward the center well, and seeing the Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer standing by, Kirk quipped, "Bones! Buckle up," and patted him on the shoulder.
Dr. McCoy rolled his eyes and wondered if he shouldn't have his own head examined for wanted to go gallivanting all over the universe with these characters.
As Kirk settled into his command chair, he asked, "Scotty, how are we doing?"
The Chief Engineer, having gotten the warp cores on line in a record two days, shouted over the din of the engine room, "Dilithium chambers at maximum, Captain."
Kirk directed his attention to the Enterprise's helmsman, "Mr. Sulu. Prepare to engage thrusters."
Kirk reluctantly prepared to make the ship-to-ship communication to call his second choice for First Officer to come aboard from the USS Constitution, when the turbolift door to the bridge slid open. It was Spock. Kirk had no idea how he got on the Enterprise unannounced, but he didn't care. Even more promising was that Spock was in his blue Star Fleet uniform, not in Vulcan civilian clothes. Immediately Spock caught Nyota's eye.
Far down in the main Transporter Room, Ensign Chekov prided himself in hacking and jamming the ship's life sensors, intruder alert system, and transporter monitoring systems to bring Spock aboard for a complete surprise to see the Captain. He had no idea Vulcans could resort to subterfuge, and hoped he wouldn't be reprimanded or court-martialed.
On the bridge, Spock requested with clarity, "Permission to come aboard, Captain."
Kirk could not restrain his smile as he stood in acknowledgement, "Permission granted."
Spock walked across the bridge and all eyes were on him, with everyone holding their collective breaths.
"As you have yet to select a First Officer, respectfully, I would like to submit my candidacy. If you desire, I can provide character references."
Kirk appreciated Spock's usual thoroughness and attention to detail, but he knew exactly who he wanted as First Officer and said, "It would be my honor."
There was a collective sigh and a big grin from Sulu while he turned back to the helm. Spock acknowledged the Captain on his assignment, and walked to the First Officer's station, and went to finish his transfer paperwork for the Captain to electronically sign.
As Spock walked by Nyota, their eyes followed each other affectionately. He let the first two fingers of his hand brush her fingers, permitting that instant link to exchange his happiness with her. She smiled broadly with the thrill of the emotional burst. No one but them knew what even a mere touch between melded and bonded Vulcan/human partners really aroused within them.
The ship's leadership team was complete, and it was time to conduct their historic mission. Kirk would prove to Star Fleet how well-earned this very young crew's assignment to the Flagship was.
"Maneuvering thrusters, Mr. Sulu," ordered Kirk as he sat in the center chair.
"Thrusters on standby," replied Sulu.
"Take us out," Kirk directed.
"Aye, aye, Captain," answered the helmsman.
Soon they were free of the space dock and all the moorings and cables. The gleaming, elegant ship was alone in orbit, prepared to be met by the Vulcans. The Enterprise, even at rest, screamed of power and speed.
Chekov turned to Captain Kirk, and announced with his unmistakable Russian accent, "'Wulcan' shuttles approaching, 'Keptin'. Estimated time of arrival – forty five 'meenoots'."
Kirk answered, "Acknowledged. Flight Deck: prepare to receive Distinguished Visitors."
"Aye, aye, Captain," replied the officer-in-charge on the Flight Deck.
Kirk turned to his brand new First Officer, "Commander Spock. See to it there is a proper Distinguished Visitor welcome. Yeoman Rand has all the details of the Elders' temporary living quarters."
Surprisingly, Spock had a request, "Aye, aye, Captain. But sir, a word with you first before I do that. In private. With Lieutenant Uhura."
Both Uhura and Kirk were surprised at his request, but Kirk said cheerfully, "Certainly Mr. Spock. Lieutenant. Join us in the Ready Room."
Nyota gave Spock a very puzzled look, and she absolutely could not read Spock's face. With the doors firmly closed and locked, Spock took Uhura's hand. She caught her breath, with the surprise of doing that on duty, even in private in front of the Captain, and with the flood of shared emotions it let loose in her with his touch.
Spock spoke with conviction, "Captain, I am aware the Enterprise will heavily overcrowded for this mission. It would be logical to create more space for our visitors."
"And how will you do that, Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked with an amused tone, noting the hand hold, and anticipated what was coming.
Spock stated firmly, "I will give up my First Officer's quarters for the dignitaries. Lt. Uhura and I will share a cabin."
Nyota gasped. She truly did not anticipate Spock's request. But she was pleased. He was after all, her husband, and he was acting like one.
"You know the rules, both of you. Married couples only," Kirk pushed back.
"But we are married. She is my wife," he stated with emphasis, making Uhura even happier. He used 'the words'. He squeezed her hand firmly.
Kirk scoffed, "Well, what you two do on your off-watch time is entirely up to you. What you are enjoying is not marriage. It's what we humans just call 'living together'."
Spock continued to press, "We are married in the eyes of Vulcan culture. We went through a ceremony, so to speak. It is called the pon farr."
This time it was Nyota and Kirk who raised their eyebrows. Kirk understood the permanence of the act of pon farr, even if he didn't know the details.
Kirk leaned his head on one hand and suppressed a grin, "Here I am on my first command, and already I have a human resources issue with two of my top officers."
"'Command is a lonely place', Captain," Spock observed wryly, quoting the Academy Provost's commencement address.
"Very funny, Mr. Spock," scoffed Kirk.
"I didn't know there was any humor in that," deadpanned Spock.
Uhura and Kirk both laughed. Kirk set his jaw and rubbed his chin for a moment, and decided, "OK. I'll do this for you. I'll never find you in your own quarters anyway. You'll always be with each other. But I am on record here: if you two ever break up, you both go into the junior officers bunk rooms. Am I clear?"
They both said, "Yes, sir."
Spock added, "That will never happen, Captain. This is a lifetime commitment."
Kirk looked to Uhura, who gave him a confirming nod, tightened their hand hold, and gripped Spock's arm. They truly were a handsome couple.
Kirk relaxed a little, "My blessings on you both, and may this make you better officers to serve as a result."
Kirk had paraphrased the ancient right of sailing ships' Captains, who could marry passengers and crew on their vessels. A Starship Captain couldn't officially marry anyone anymore, but he could bless whatever unions there were in progress. This one felt especially right.
Long ago, Star Fleet rules were modified to permit husbands and wives – and any resultant families - to serve on the same ship, even at the risk of losing whole families in a disaster. Kirk was himself a product of those rules. Future versions of much larger starships were being designed to accommodate entire families for long term explorations, with educational facilities for the children.
Kirk decided he better be the Captain instead of just a friend, and ordered, "Lieutenant Uhura and Commander Spock, you have ten minutes to get settled then attend to our arriving Distinguished Visitors."
"Aye, aye, Captain," they said in unison, and the pair rushed for him to drop his simple bag of gear in her room. It made the most sense for him to live in her established quarters for now. They could move to the First Officer's quarters later with more room for them both. As a contented Spock and Uhura left for their new quarters, she gave him a big kiss and hug alone in the turbolift. She whispered, "Thank you, husband." Spock just ran his fingers through her hair and raised an eyebrow.
Kirk thought for a moment, grinned, and then issued an order that allowed any committed couple – married or not - to 'bunk together' for the exodus. This also helped any issues of giving Spock and Uhura special treatment. That freed up over 47 temporary rooms for the Vulcans. It surprised Kirk how many crew member relationships there were. There were probably others, but some were more reticent about announcing. He prayed that in over the next 9-12 months, his Sick Bay wouldn't be overwhelmed in becoming an interstellar maternity ward. Star Fleet would just have to accept the 'extraordinary measures' to get the mission done. He hadn't counted on the tremendous morale boost that gave the crew.
…
The Flight Deck was filled with escorts and the Enterprise senior leadership as the three shuttles arrived and settled softly on their landing areas. Uhura stood slightly behind Kirk and Spock, as the interpreter, should the need arise. Elder T'Pau was noted for preferring to only speak Vulcan, and all the others except for Sarek had never been off-world.
It was an absolute requirement that the Vulcan Elders must survive, it was deemed too risky for them to beam up. Transporter accidents still happened, and Bones adamantly pointed that out during the Elder transport planning process.
Safely residing inside each Elder's consciousness were the katras, or souls, of countless centuries of Vulcan leaders. The Elders served as living libraries, but really were much more like group beings. The Elders were entrusted to carry the sum total of the society's experience and knowledge from generation to generation.
The fact that several Elders died in the escape from Spock was an irreplaceable loss, as those katras, in addition to the Elders' vast life experiences, were lost forever. While there was still risk in flying from high security facilities protecting the Elders on Earth's surface to the Enterprise in shuttles, the risk was minimized by utilizing three shuttles, separated by some time and distance should one be lost. Only two Elders and their aides were on each shuttle. Their families were on separate vehicles. Star Fleet, the Federation, and the Vulcan Council and Embassy were absolutely taking no chances with the few Elders that were left. The Vulcans were grateful with the respect and care they received.
A boatswain wailed the haunting embarkation whistle, and the shuttle doors opened. Kirk knew the most awkward situation was yet to come, as both Spock's would meet for what he thought was the first time.
Kirk greeted Elders T'Pau and Sarek, the others, and was about to greet the older version of Spock, but Commander Spock himself interrupted Kirk to greet the original Spock, "Greetings. It is good to meet again, Ambassador."
"It is my pleasure as well, Commander."
Kirk, T'Pau, and Sarek watched the two Spock's carefully, and in terms of the rules of protocol, the First Officer was correct in welcoming the Ambassador to the Enterprise. Spock always knew the rules. The Captain and the Vulcan leaders were all satisfied with the manner in which the twin beings diffused this potentially awkward encounter by only calling each other by their titles.
Sarek was pleased that both versions of his son, despite being separated by more than a century of alternate time, arrived at the same solution of this greeting without ever discussing it. For anyone outside of those in-the-know, Ambassador Spock was just another old Vulcan, preventing undue shock and curiosity. He dared to think of them as identical twin sons born decades apart. As absurd as that seemed, it was the best way for Sarek to rationalize the situation without going completely insane.
Spock and a number of Star Fleet aides accompanied the Vulcan leadership with their belongings to their temporary quarters. They stopped at the cabin that should have been the First Officer's.
Spock said, "Ambassador, these will be your accommodations for the journey."
Ambassador Spock was surprised. This was his living space a century before, as the Enterprise's Science Officer in the original time line.
"Are these not your quarters, Commander?" he asked.
The young Spock explained, "I agreed to become the First Officer a very short time ago. I have temporary quarters."
He did not want to complicate things for his elder self, who was probably in great pain at forever being separated in time from 'his' Uhura. Young Spock did not know how different the original Spock's life really had been.
Spock responded, "That is very kind, Commander. This brings back pleasant memories. And I am glad you took my earlier advice."
"I believe, Ambassador, that I will reap the benefits of that advice," Commander Spock reflected and immediately thought of Uhura.
They parted as the journey began. All the Vulcans were settled and the crew was ready for the journey.
Ambassador Spock opened his personal log that he carried, and started a reminiscent entry. He sensed the monstrous ship turn about for deep space flight, feeling the hum of the warp engines as they came alive, and recorded, "Space. The final frontier. These are the journeys…"
The Enterprise, under Sulu's deft control, shifted into warp drive, vanished instantly into subspace with a half dozen other vessels, and began the journey to New Vulcan. More than fifty other ships in a dozen undisclosed locations across the Federation waited their appointed times to go.