Shipmates Chapter 12: Doctor's Orders
He observed the difference the moment she entered the dining room. Her carriage was imperious rather then regal, her expression firm and not formal, with her normally expressive mouth set in an angry thin line. As she swept toward him, students and Academy personnel seemed to recoil unconsciously, staring after the human woman robed in the formal attire of Vulcan nobility. Spock was of course familiar with his mother's many moods, having witnessed this particular state of mind on a number of occasions, invariably directed at his father. That such was not currently the state of affairs became obvious to him the moment their eyes met. That withering look that could send Sarek's assistants scurrying from a room was directed at him. Equally alarming was the realization that he did not know why.
When he had greeted her at San Francisco Interstellar Space Port she had hugged him fiercely, wiping tears from her eyes in a manner that would have embarrassed him only a few years ago. When she tentatively offered her hand, he grasped it with an eagerness that surprised her. Spock relaxed his mental shield fractionally, allowing the warm glow of her unconditional regard for him to filter through the tenuous link. This action was purely selfish on his part, having greatly missed the solace of a love he could accept from no one else. It also allowed him some insight into her state of mind, which was preoccupied with concern over his physical well being. Considering his father's communication that she was aware of the circumstances of the Valiant's destruction, Spock had been expecting her to be more focused on his emotional condition. A few indirect questions he posed while retrieving her luggage confirmed that she did not know all of the details concerning what he had experienced. While his mother was certainly aware that his actions had preserved many of his shipmates lives, she did not seem to be aware of how he had accomplished this.
With little hesitation he decided that he would not be the one to enlighten her. In retrospect he understood this to be a mistake, even before he learned it was the cause of her anger. During his childhood and adolescence, Amanda had been the one person that he could be sure would understand the feelings he struggled with. Even more important, for her they were not a sign of failure. It was not a perspective that he was comfortable with at the moment. Another strong motivation was the desire to simply appreciate her presence without the complication of having to go over the unpleasant details of what had occurred yet again. What he wanted right now was to simply be with her, a son enjoying the company of his mother.
He accepted her sympathy over his physical discomfort, knowing better then to try and deny what he could not hide from her. After she had fussed over his thinness and he had assured her of his returning health, he steered their conversation to happier times that they had shared in the past. Of course he remembered all the stories she recounted, but they gave pleasure nonetheless, because her memories were colored by her love. While the concept of human happiness was difficult for Spock to fully embrace, he decided it could not be too different from what he experienced when he was in her presence.
By the end of the evening, he had put to rest her worries, and she had distracted him from his. Even so, he was vaguely relieved that she had a full scheduled planned out for her during her brief stay on Terra, courtesy of the Vulcan Embassy. They agreed to have breakfast at the Academy so that he could fulfill a promise he had never been able to keep, by giving her a tour. When they parted she hugged him and kissed his cheek, and he experienced the guilt of keeping so much from her. Now that guilt surfaced once more, accompanied by the certainty that his mother had been enlightened as to the entire story of the Valiant. Reaching his location, she gracefully lowered herself into the chair across from him, sweeping the tray of food that he had prepared for her aside.
"I had a very informative talk with a mutual friend last night," she warned, her eyes narrowing in anger.
"Mother I..."
"Let me finish," she hissed, cutting him off. "You deliberately misled me. When I asked how you were, you told me you were fine. That isn't true, is it?"
Several responses came immediately to mind. Her inquiry had been about his physical condition, and concerning that he had been entirely truthful, telling her that he was nearly back to optimal fitness. As she had not inquired about his physiological health, he had seen no need to elaborate. However much she might wish it, he was not human, and therefore could not react to events as a human would. These thoughts were dismissed even as they had formed. Speaking them aloud would only serve to further inflame her anger. Moreover, hiding behind such statements was unworthy of their relationship.
"I ask forgiveness for having offended thee," he intoned in Vulcan, then went on to say the words she really wanted to hear. "I am sorry mother."
"Why did you hide this from me Spock?"
"I had not intended to. My expectation was that you had already been informed of all the details concerning what occurred on my ship. When I became aware that this was not so, it seemed best to allow certain events to go unmentioned."
"You still haven't answered my question."
"I wished to enjoy the little time we had to spend together without the emotional turmoil which a discussion of my actions would entail."
"Who's emotional turmoil were you worried about, yours or mine?"
"Both," he answered emphatically. "While I know that my actions on the Valiant resulted in the preservation of many lives, I have not yet come to terms with how this was accomplished. Also, I did not wish to cause you pain."
"Spock, I love you, and that will never change. So of course your...distress is painful to me. But so is the fact that you kept this from me."
"As I already stated, it was an error on my part. In a message to me, father said that you were aware of the circumstances regarding the Valiant. I had not intended to deceive you on the matter."
"I know, it just happened. I already had this talk with your father last night, so he knows how I feel about this. He is unhappy with you by the way."
"Unhappy?"
"You know what I mean."
"What action of mine has perturbed him?"
"It's not about what happened on your ship," she answered immediately. "Sarek is proud of you, even if he doesn't admit to it. He's trying Spock, he really is. But you've got to meet him half way."
"Mother, I am not certain to what you are referring."
"The message he sent you. I know it wasn't an apology, and I don't think you should expect one. But it wouldn't have hurt you to simply thank him."
"I do not understand. I acknowledged his communication and requested his assistance in a personal matter in my reply."
"Well I don't think he received it. At least that's what he told me."
Then who had sent him the information concerning Petty Officer Baeill? Perhaps one of Sarek's aides had not bothered to inform his father of Spock's return message. "Do not distress yourself mother. I will send it again."
"Please do. You should ask his opinion of your new career choice. I'm sure you would find it...interesting."
"I fail to see what such a discussion would accomplish."
"Even Sarek can change his mind Spock. After all, he married me. You might be surprised at his opinion of your decision to teach at the Academy."
"I have no desire to seek father's judgment concerning this. Moreover, I am puzzled as to why you would think it appropriate, considering our long standing disagreement over what he considers my unfortunate career choice."
"Well I really think you should talk to someone about it, since it's wrong."
"Please clarify your statement."
"You didn't join Starfleet simply to teach at the Academy," she said, leaning forward in her chair. "We both know that teaching isn't really what you wanted then, and I don't think it what you want now. So what changed your mind?"
For several second, he was silent, regarding her openly sympathetic expression. "My experience on the Valiant, while rewarding, has convinced me that my expertise would be best utilized in pursuit of an academic career at the Academy."
"You loved your work on the Valiant."
"Loved mother?"
"Yes loved! I'm not going to apologize for...who are those people?"
He turned and followed her gaze to see four individuals in Starfleet security uniforms standing just inside the main entrance to the dining room. He recognized one of them as Lieutenant Graff, a member of Admiral Siu's staff. Apparently he was known to her as well, because she pointed in his direction and her entire group quickly moved toward them. He watched their approach with some trepidation. Contact with Starfleet security was rarely a pleasant experience. When they arrived, he stood to face them, observing his mother stand as well, after briefly slipping a hand inside her robes. Lieutenant Graff briefly glanced at Amanda, then snapped to attention as she faced Spock.
"What is your purpose here Lieutenant?" He asked, with a perfect lack of inflection.
"Admiral Siu would like to speak with you sir," she answered, in a tone of voice that conveyed no concern over his rank. "I have orders to escort you to him."
"What is it the Admiral wishes to discuss?"
"I am not at liberty to say, sir."
"Is Commander Spock in some kind of danger?" Amanda asked, in a firm voice.
"Danger ma'am?" Graff answered, her eyes darting from Spock to Amanda.
"Well there must be some kind of threat, otherwise why would you need four people as an escort?"
Graff's face took on the appearance of someone who had just taken a big bite out of a lemon. "No ma'am, there isn't any threat." Then she turned to Spock once more. "Please come with us sir," she repeated, with a hint of impatience in her voice.
"Then why would this Admiral Siu send four people to bring in one officer? That hardly makes sense to me." Amanda retorted, the authority of her tone contrasting with the warm smile she wore. The Lieutenant shook her head and snickered.
"Ma'am, I really wish you'd stay out of this. It's against the law to interfere with a Federation officer while in the performance of their duty."
"Then it's a good thing I have diplomatic immunity, isn't it Lieutenant?"
"Mother, I have no need for your intervention," Spock protested in Vulcan. "Please do not interfere."
"Then tell me what is going on," she retorted, in the same language.
"Beyond the stated fact the Admiral Sui requires my presence, I am not certain. In any event, since he is an Admiral, he need not explain himself to me."
"I am surprised that you acquiesce to this human's demands. His logic should be explained."
"As father demands of T'Pau that she explain her stipulations? As a Starfleet officer, I owe Admiral Sui the same degree of compliance."
"You may owe this person obedience, but I do not."
"Please mother. Your interference will only serve to complicate the situation. I do not require it." Turning to Graff, he nodded, switching back to Standard. "Let us be on our way Lieutenant."
Lady Amanda watched as they escorted her son out of the dining room. Escorted? To her eyes it looked like he was under arrest. As a small crowd of cadets who had gathered to watch began to disperse, two figures dressed in civilian garb separated themselves from the others and approached her. Both were men, of nearly the same average height and weight, who appeared to be in the early thirties. They stopped at a respectful distance and inclined their heads.
"I don't like this Leo," she murmured, still looking toward the door her son had gone through a few seconds ago.
"Should we intercept Lady Amanda?"
After a short silence, she shook her head. "No. Spock asked me not to interfere. For now you investigate. I want to know were they are taking him, and I want to know why."
"Of course ma'am. I shall inform S'Louk."
"I also want you to find Captain Christopher Pike for me. When he is located, I wish you to take me to him immediately."
"Do you know why you're here cadets?" Captain Christopher Pike asked, with an edge to his normally pleasant, even voice.
There was a slight shifting of weight amongst the four ramrod straight figures in front of his desk. Four pairs of eyes glanced from him to each other and then back again. Apparently they hadn't bothered to get their story straight. Naiveté was one of the many things Pike liked about Academy cadets. It was also one of the things he absolutely abhorred when in came to new crew members. It could get you killed. Even worse, it could get your shipmates killed as well. Finally, after clearing his throat, McCoy spoke.
"I guess we're here because of me, sir."
"That's a big part of it," Pike shot back, after shaking his head. "You were the instigator, and you're sure as hell old enough to know better. But each one of you are responsible for your own actions."
"Come on Captain Pike," Kirk responded with a grin, "It's only a rule. Didn't you ever break any rules when you were at the Academy?"
"Do you think this is some kind of joke Mr. Kirk?" Pike demanded, in a low voice.
"No sir, he does not," Uhura answered for him, her eyes fixed forward. "We understand that we are accountable to the Academy for our actions."
Pike abruptly stood up and walked around his desk, stopping when he was only inches away from Kirk's face. "Is she right Kirk?" He asked softly. "Are you ready to take something seriously, for a change?"
"I am sir," Kirk answered, after licking his lips. "I wasn't looking for trouble sir. None of us were."
"But you still managed to find some, didn't you Kirk? What the hell made any of you think going down there was a good idea?"
"I guess we didn't sir," Galia answered, with a slight shrug of her shoulders. "Think I mean. All we were trying to do was keep Lenny out of trouble.'
"We never really took the order seriously sir, and that was wrong," Uhura added. "We didn't set out to break any rules, but none of us thought we were doing anything wrong at the time. At least I didn't."
"We didn't think it was that big a deal sir," Galia admitted, looking down.
"Exactly. As cadets, you don't get to decide that. I'm going to drop this matter, because I know you understand that nothing like this is ever going to happen again. If it does, there will be consequences. You're among the very top cadets at the Academy, but I'll be damned if I'll ever let any of you near a starship if you can't learn to obey orders. Do we understand each other?"
"Sir yes sir," they chorused, eyes to the front once more.
"Dismissed," Pike replied, "except for you McCoy."
Kirk and Galia were quickly out the door, but Uhura lingered, hands twisted together. After taking a deep breath, she stepped past McCoy. "Sir, what's going on tomorrow?"
"I can't really tell you any thing about that Cadet."
"Captain Pike, I can't believe the first day of classes have been canceled just so we can hear a speech?!"
"It's important Ms. Uhura, otherwise Admiral Barnett wouldn't have ordered it."
"You must know what this is all about sir."
"I do. And I'm under orders not to say a thing. Sorry Cadet, you're just going to have to find out like everyone else, by hearing what the Admiral has to say. I suggest you pay careful attention to him. If you have any concerns afterward, come and talk to me about them."
"Thank you sir, I will." Then she shot a quick glance at McCoy and walked out.
Pike watched her go with a small shake of his head and a sigh, wishing he was twenty years younger. Then he walked past McCoy without saying a word and sat down at his desk. Sliding a PADD from a large stack, he activated it. A young woman appeared on the display, with dark blonde hair, clear blue eyes, her mouth a determined line across her face. Pike glanced at the personal information. Gail Martine was a second year cadet, majoring in Subspace Quantum Mechanics, who had never gotten anything but perfect marks until the ninety-four percent she was going to receive in her Spatial Statistics class. She had used the M-5 to change that grade to a perfect score. She was one of the twenty-six cadets who were identified has having used the AI computer to alter their grades. Most of the others were like her, cheating to maintain their position near the top of the academic pole. With a growing sense of anger, he cycled through the records, puzzled at how these cadets could think that what they had done could be acceptable. When McCoy cleared his throat after five minutes had past, Pike was ready for a fight.
"Excuse me Captain, is there a reason you wanted me to stay?"
"Yes," Pike retorted, eyes fixed on his PADD.
"Then I wish you'd tell me what it is..."
Pike was out of his chair and in McCoy's face so fast that the younger man visibly flinched. "I've had a belly full of you McCoy!" He barked, leaning in until they were almost nose to nose.
"What are you talking about? You don't even know me," McCoy stammered.
"The hell I don't," Pike roared, snatching a PADD off his desk. "Everything I need to know is right here in your personnel jacket. You've been nothing but a damned screw off ever since you got here! Drunk and disorderly a dozen times, insubordination, refusing to take required classes, missing curfew, missing mandatory conditioning sessions, refusing to obey the direct orders of your instructors..."
"Now wait just a damned..."
"Shut your mouth Cadet," Pike demanded, "you have nothing I want to hear right now. Your record says that you're a damned good Doctor, so I'm guessing the people that used to run this place gave you a free pass because of that. I have to wonder why the hell you're even here, since you don't seem to give a crap about actually becoming a Starfleet officer."
"The hell with you," McCoy shouted back, "I don't have to take this from you, or any one." He turned toward the door, but Pike slipped around him, blocking the way.
"Go ahead and run McCoy," Pike snarled. "Just make sure you keep going, because if you walk out that door, your finished here."
"What do you want from me Pike?" McCoy sputtered, his hands clenched into fists.
"You lead three of my cadets into a restricted area, just so you could have a fucking drink! What were you thinking?"
"I didn't ask them to go, damn it. They wouldn't leave me alone. What was I supposed to do?"
"Maybe think about someone besides yourself. Those kids wouldn't leave because they were worried about you. If you cared at all about them, you would have stayed out of the Dockyards."
"Look," McCoy muttered, turning away, "I didn't want to get them in any trouble. Hell, Kirk is the best friend I've got here."
"Friend? It's a funny thing about Kirk. I took a look at his records when I checked yours. He gets into his fair share of trouble, but most of the time it's when he's with you McCoy. I think he'd be better off if you weren't here."
"So you want me out of the Academy, is that it?"
"If I wanted you out, you'd already be gone."
"Then I'll ask you again. What do you want from me Captain?"
"Grow up damn it! Your instructor told me he's never worked with a better trauma surgeon. The problem is you're also supposed to be training to be a Starfleet officer, only you approach that like it's a joke. You can't defend yourself, you haven't made any progress in obtaining Away Team certification, and you skipped First Contact training. Right now I wouldn't have you on a starship as a sanitation technician."
McCoy shook his head and took a deep breath. "I don't know if I really want to be on a Starship."
It was only a few moments, but it seemed much longer before Pike tipped his head back and barked out his laughter. All McCoy could do was gape at the other man, who he had been pretty sure was going to take a swing at him for what he'd just said. When Pike finally stopped laughing, he ordered McCoy to sit down and had a pot of coffee brought in. Then he just sat back in his big leather chair, sipping his beverage and staring off into space for so long, that when he finally spoke McCoy almost jumped.
"Why join the Academy? With your credentials, Starfleet Medical would have hired you as a civilian. Hell they still would. You could do research, teach, maybe even land a spot as some Admiral's personal physician."
"I don't want to be a medical gopher for some jackass," McCoy growled, gulping down his coffee. "Research would be interesting, but I didn't become a doctor to just hunker down in a lab. I want to treat patients."
"And Starfleet doesn't pay a 100,000 credit bonus to civilian researchers, or civilian doctors."
"No...no they don't. Look Captain, I didn't just sign up for that bonus, but I did need the money. My divorce...it wasn't pretty. All my assets were tied up in my practice and I was in hock to a lot of people, including my soon to be ex-wife."
"So the money came in pretty handy," Pike remarked, leaning forward, "and if you quit the Academy, you'd have to pay it back. If I toss you out, you get to keep it."
"Damn it, I don't want that!"
"Sure looks that way to me McCoy. You needed that money, but you don't want to be on a Starship. And from what I've seen of your academic record, there's no way you'll ever end up on one. What the hell am I supposed to think?"
"It's not...this is going to sound really stupid, but it's not being on a ship that really bothers me. I just don't like the idea of space travel."
"You're right," Pike grinned, "it does sound stupid."
"And flying through a vacuum full of radiation inside a big can at hyper light speed isn't? It's a damned dangerous thing to do, and you know it."
"Can't argue with you there Doc. It's also what you signed up for. I guess the question is, do you really want to do it?"
"I just don't know. I think I could make a difference out there, help keep people alive and all that, but I just don't know."
Pike took a PADD from his desk and handed it to McCoy. "What's this?" The younger man asked.
"It's your new schedule."
"I can't do this," McCoy groaned after scanning through the list of extra classes.
"Who said you have a choice McCoy," Pike shot back. "Right now, it's the only way you're going to get back on track."
"What if I decide I don't want to be on a starship?"
"Fleet can ship you off to a starbase for your six year hitch. You'll still need the same credentials, so you got a lot of catching up to do, any way you look at it."
"A starbase? Sounds pretty damned boring to me."
"You'd be surprised, though according to Chief Floinn, it would be a tremendous waste of talent. She seems to think you'd be a great asset on a starship, once you figure out how to stop being an asshole."
"She said that?"
"Yeah. Except for the asshole part, that's on me. She doesn't impress easily, and she's usually better then I am at evaluating people. Though in your case, I'm not so sure. Any way, you really should thank her for this."
"Are you kidding?" McCoy grumbled, rubbing his forehead. "For what? All this extra work you've signed me up for?"
"For still being at the Academy. Before I talked to Chief Floinn, I was going to toss your ass out McCoy."
"Well sir, I don't know that getting out of Starfleet would be all that bad right now."
"That wasn't going to happen. You would have gone to the fleet as a Medical Orderly, Third Class."
"Like hell I would have!"
"You should have read that term of enlistment document you signed more carefully Cadet. After the end of your second year, you officially joined Starfleet. That means that in an emergency, they can assign you to a ship. It also means that if you quit or get kicked out, they can assign you to the fleet as crew."
"Unbelievable. Christ Pike, you really are a son of a bitch, you know that."
"I'm a Captain, remember. So just make sure you thank the Chief tomorrow. Maybe she'll go easy on you."
"Go easy...now what?
"With this screwed up schedule of yours, I couldn't fit you into any of the available slots for the self defense training that you need to take. Chief Floinn said she'd be happy to help you out with that."
"Well, tell her not to go to any trouble on my account sir."
"I actually think she likes the idea of kicking your ass on a regular basis McCoy. Hell, I'd do it myself, if I had the time."
"Damn it, I'm a doctor, not a..."
The office door slid open and a beautiful woman dressed in a silver-gray gown and matching cloak marched into the room, trailed by three men, one of whom was the largest Vulcan that Pike had ever seen. Bringing up the rear, was his very flustered aid. The moment he recognized her, Pike shot to his feet, and McCoy slowly followed after the Captain glared at him.
"Lady Amanda, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
"I require your assistance Captain Pike," she demanded imperiously.
"Of course," Pike stammered, taken aback by the anger in her voice. "I would be honored to assist you in any way I can."
"Your Starfleet has taken my son from me. I demand that you return him immediately."
A/n: Thanks to all of you who reviewed. I really enjoy the feedback, so come on and take a few moments and tell me what you think, good or bad. Thanks for reading.
