Captain's Log - Stardate 2262.275
After talking with Pike, I found Bones and Spock standing at an observation portal. Damn - the rumors are right. They've already started laying the hull for the next generation of starships.
It's suddenly making more sense why I'd be getting offered Vice Admiral. As top earning Captain in the fleet, it would be an obvious slap in my face not to offer me the newest and fastest ship.
Double damn. I don't want to be forced into showing my hand early, but I can't let the Emperor ground me.
Initially, Kirk had been a bit irritated that he'd had to go looking for Spock and McCoy, but once he got a glimpse of what they were looking at, all irritation faded away as lust took over.
The ship in the building dock was far from finished, but what was already there was beautiful - she was going to be a sleek and powerful vessel and Kirk found his mouth watering slightly as he stepped forward. To his amusement, neither Spock or McCoy turned around, but both stepped to the side in near perfect unison to make room for him between them.
There was an easy silence between them for several minutes before, as might be expected, McCoy was the one to break it.
"You planning' to cheat, Jim?"
That shocked Kirk out of where his mind was and he gave his consort an incredulous look.
"I have no plans to replace you, Bones."
McCoy gave an amused snort that drew in Spock's attention as well.
"Ain't talking about you cheating on me, Jim. I'm talking about you cheating on the Enterprise. I know I don't look at ships the way you and Scotty do, but even I can tell that one's going to be a mighty fine looking ship."
Spock chose to speak up as well.
"Indeed. I was allowed to view the specifications and this new generation of starship will be as far beyond the Enterprise as the Enterprise herself was beyond her predecessor."
Kirk's mouth was now watering enough to force him to swallow, but he covered it with an unconcerned shrug.
"Until she has more meat on her bones, the Enterprise has nothing to worry about. Come with me. We have business to discuss."
Despite the fact that he was the one telling them to leave, Kirk was the last to leave the observation portal.
The walk to the transporter station was made in silence. Pike and Boyce were already waiting for them and the five beamed aboard the Enterprise together. Once they were in Kirk's quarters, it didn't take long to fill McCoy and Spock in on the impending promotion and the consequences accepting - or declining - would cause. There was silence for a minute or two, then McCoy sat back. To Pike's amusement, both Kirk and Spock turned toward the doctor and waited for what he had to say.
"I look at this as something good to know, but it's too far in the future to do any serious worrying about, Jim. Any number of things could happen between now and when the offer is made, so I suggest we keep our attention on this crazy mission we're being sent on and put this other stuff on a back burner."
From Spock's expression, it was easy to tell he would be asking about the back burner expression later, but he refrained from questioning it and simply nodded his agreement. Kirk nodded as well and turned to Pike.
"So, Chris - you know where my goals are heading. Where are you seeing yourself?"
Pike's right hand formed into a fist as he settled his elbows onto the table. His left hand wrapped around the fist and his chin came to rest atop his joined hands before he spoke.
"Much as I dislike admitting it, I'm going to be more suited now to desk work, though I still want to be able to get into the Black on a regular basis."
The triumvirate exchanged brief glances before Kirk spoke.
"I'll need someone with a forceful personality to take the position of Admiral of the Fleet under me. Random ship and space station inspections would get you around as much as you'd like."
Pike was silent for a moment.
"I'd like Philip to stay my personal physician, but he's too good to be relegated to that alone."
Looking both intrigued and bemused, Kirk sat back.
"And what would you suggest?"
"Rajinder was of the opinion that we lose a lot of decent medical talent due to the fact that Imperial Starfleet's Medical is full of incompetent doctors who are little more than bureaucrats. Put Philip in charge and you'll get a medical department worthy of the fleet."
The firm nod from McCoy was all the validation Kirk required.
"Agreed."
Kirk then turned his attention to Boyce.
"The first thing you'll need to do when the time comes is find a strong second in command that you can trust to keep things in line while you're traveling with Chris."
A small half-smile formed as Boyce nodded.
"I already have a couple of candidates in mind."
Kirk grinning broadly and clapped his hands together.
"Excellent. Since we all seem to be in agreement, why don't we return to the station and eat? It will be our last chance for non-replicated food before we head out tomorrow."
Rising out of his seat, McCoy managed to keep a straight face, but he knew that part of the suggestion was Kirk's desire to keep Pike's time aboard the Enterprise to a minimum. Sure, the two could work together, but there was a part of Kirk that would never fully trust Pike again. And, in McCoy's opinion, rightfully so.
