Stardate 2261.1
It had been about a week since Crater was dumped into the Brig. McCoy had wondered why the man hadn't simply been air locked, but didn't question Kirk's actions beyond that statement. None of which surprised Kirk. McCoy was a brilliant doctor, but oh so naïve in the ways in which he could manipulate situations to his benefit. Dealing with Professor Crater was made less complicated when the order to report to Starbase IDSS K-12 came in. Any Imperial Starbase would have the requisite number of officers to gp through the stages of formally charging and sentencing Crater.
When an unexpectedly fast reply came from Pike, Kirk didn't tell McCoy about it. Instead, he turned the care of the doctor over to Gaila and Gem while Kirk turned his mind to attempting to figure out what Pike's plans might be since he was now almost positive that the orders to K-12 had originated with Pike. While he didn't think Pike was suicidal enough to try and take the Enterprise or McCoy from him again, Kirk was taking no chances. If he had his way, Pike wouldn't set foot on the Enterprise and he most certainly wouldn't be left alone with McCoy.
During the travel time, Kirk also had to keep an extra eye on McCoy's bevy of nurses, any of whom would gladly help Crater to a grisly end. He solved the problem of keeping them occupied by telling McCoy that he could unleash them on the salt creatures body on the condition that they skinned the beast first so that it could be preserved as a gift for the Emperor's collection along with the Vian skin they had already put in storage.
Also during the travel time, Spock got on Kirk's already frayed nerves by continually correcting everyone to a ridiculous degree. Kirk finally reached his limit when he was speaking to Chekov.
"How long until we reach the station?"
"Approximately fifteen hours, Captain."
From the Science station, Spock's voice cut in.
"Fourteen point eight nine two hours."
Turning with eyes narrowed, Kirk's tone was snappish, but he didn't bother to turn away from Chekov while he reprimanded Spock.
"Save the ultra-precise readings for your logs, Spock. There's a difference between being detailed and being annoying. Guess which side of the fence you're on right now?"
From her station, Uhura could see the expression on Spock's face and the cant of his eyebrows that said he was about to ask about the fence. With a quick hand movement, she managed to draw the Vulcan attention. Once their eyes met, she shook her head negatively. Uhura could tell that he disliked her suggestion, but he took another look toward the already irritable Captain and conceded the wisdom of allowing his curiosity to remain unsatisfied for the time being.
Requesting permission to dock when they arrived at the Starbase quickly verified Kirk's suspicions that Pike was aboard the station because he signaled the ship before they had finished docking. He noticed he wasn't the only person on the Bridge that froze at the sound of Pike's voice.
"James, I see you made good time. I'd like a meeting with you and a few of your people tomorrow."
It was phrased as a request, but Kirk knew better than to treat it as one.
"Of course, Admiral. Who are the ones you need to meet with?"
"Mister Spock and Doctor McCoy. Oh, and Lieutenant Chekov. Come over earlier and we'll have breakfast together before moving on to business."
Brain immediately going into overdrive to make a connection, Kirk nevertheless managed to keep his features neutral.
"Very well. Any thing else, sir?"
"No. I prefer to have our discussions face to face. I'll see you tomorrow. Pike out."
As a collective exhale was released by everyone but Chekov, Kirk resisted the urge to chuckle. He understood Chekov's tension at being in Pike's spotlight which boded ill far more often than it boded well for the person in said spotlight. His own amusement was short-lived when he ran over who was requested to beam over. Pike had better not be making another play for McCoy or else all hold would be off this time.
Knowing he needed to break this news to McCoy sooner than later, Kirk rose from his chair.
"Mister Spock, you have the con."
Stopping briefly by Uhura on his way to the lift, Kirk spoke softly.
"I want to be informed of any calls from the station to any one onboard."
"Aye, sir."
It didn't take a intellect as refined as Uhura's to know that Kirk was watching for any signs that Pike still had ears onboard. Most especially Vulcan ears.
As expected, McCoy had not been happy to be ordered into Pike's presence, but as he sat and watched his blissfully happy CMO next to Joanna, Kirk was pondering if this meant he owed Admiral Pike a favor or not. While a happy McCoy was a pleasant change and a good thing, owing a favor to Pike was still in the realm of a bad thing. Even more so since the new man at Pike's side was an unknown factor. Kirk had heard the name of Doctor Boyce before, of course, but this was the first time he had actually been in the same room with the man.
Pike and Boyce were conferring quietly, so Kirk took the opportunity to study Boyce closer. He and Pike were nearly the same height, but he wasn't sure about age. Boyce's hair was completely silver, but that didn't mean he was necessarily the elder of the two men. Doctor or not, Boyce was in better shape than most older line officers of Kirk's acquaintance - not that a great number of them still remained.
Then, as if sensing the attention from Kirk, Boyce turned and their eyes met. The study he had done to Boyce was now returned. Pike noticed and bit back a laugh. It really would be best for all concerned if the two got along, but neither man could be pushed into that. He decided it was time to speak before tension could ratchet up again.
"Of course, we want to hear details about what's been happening since our last meeting, but I suppose I should explain the presence of Miss Joanna first."
Even as Pike was speaking, Kirk was doing the math in his head. Joanna had been over four years old before Pike had usurped the Enterprise for a year, so that meant she had been five, closing in on six when he had taken the Enterprise back. Then there had been that whole muddle with the augments, including the treaties with the Klingon and Romulan Empires. All of that had taken about eighteen months, so Jo had been seven when they bought her a horse. That was over a year ago, so yes - Joanna was eight. Or as McCoy remarked on seeing her, eight going on eighteen. His thoughts about the passage of time since Joanna had been the toddler he had used to lure women into their dorm room were interrupted by Pike mentioning the Enterprise.
" . . . the Enterprise could see her off on her studies. If the school isn't to her liking, I'll arrange transport back to Earth after the initial six months."
McCoy could tell from the expression on Kirk's face that he hadn't listened to the Admiral as closely as he should have and spoke up to cover his Captain.
"Mighty generous of you to get Jo here into that school on Cerberus. I've heard tell that it's one of the top schools in the Empire."
Chekov spoke up then with an enthusiasm they hadn't seen since his first year at the Academy.
"It is the top school for someone of Joanna's age and social standing. Other schools that might be better - and better is debatable - are limited by social class and age."
McCoy chuckled as Chekov suddenly went quiet as he remembered everyone that was in the room with him.
"I'm guessing you went to Cerberus yourself, Pavel? If so, can't think of a better endorsement."
Chekov seemed very pleased at the praise and, at Joanna's urging, sat by her and began to talk about some of the staff of the school. Pike summoned Kirk over with a small hand gesture and the two of them along with Boyce moved into a neighboring room to talk.
"Tell us more about Professor Crater, James. If what I seem to recall of his family proves correct, I don't see any reason why his family's money shouldn't pay for a full course of study at any school that Joanna prefers. Including Cerberus."
Smiling, Kirk settled into the indicated seat.
"Anything to drink around here? Trust me, this is a long story."