Beautiful Music Together.

A Trip to Iowa

Nyota looked at Christine, the picture on Christine's PADD, then at Christine again.

'Commander Spock could have been at our party for anything,' Nyota said, weakly.

'I win-in', Christine chimed, waving her PADD in her hand victoriously and pointing it at Nyota. 'So, if he asks you out, you have to go.'

'Ok, ok, you win', Nyota said a little annoyed.

'And…I get to talk about him to you any time and anywhere I want to.'

'Ok, again,' Nyota said, pouting not at all happy with the outcome, 'but please moderate your comments, okay?'

Christine sat down happily on her bed with a cryptic smile on her face. Reading her PADD, she cheerfully ignored Nyota and her apparent chagrin.

Nyota just glared at Christine's profile wondering where all this would lead. Suddenly, Christine's face changed to wonder.

'Hey, Nyota! Captain Pike has just sent a message to all cadet candidates saying that if we want to see the new starship that Star Fleet is building in Iowa, we need to be at the space dock tomorrow at 09:00...the trip will last two days....we need to reply immediately... and we have to bring our military issue.'

Nyota picked up her PADD and read the same message.

'Have you confirmed?'

'Hmm…I really don't want to go, Nyota. I've got a date with Roger which I can't and don't want to miss this time.'

'Well, I've got nothing better to do,' said Nyota, lying. She not only wanted to see the ship, but she also wanted to avoid her meeting with the mysterious Commander Spock. She just couldn't come to grips that he was interested in her.

She typed in her confirmation for the trip, and wrote the Commander that she was going to be in Iowa for the next couple of days, and that their meeting would have to be postponed. A trip to Iowa. Just what the doctor ordered to clear her head.

Leila Kalomi shifted nervously as Amanda Grayson carefully sipped a spoonful of Plomeek soup from the steaming bowl. A slow grin spread across Amanda's face as Leila waited anxiously for the verdict.

'Perfect!' Amanda said, wondering at the look of relief on the young woman's face. 'What response did you expect? You grow and nurture the best plants on Earth, and I've come to expect only the best from you!'

Amanda was very fond of Leila. She sighed and thought of Spock, wishing he could meet this wonderful woman. But Spock was so private in such matters. Perhaps, it would be possible, she mused.

Leila grinned, breathing a huge sigh of relief as Amanda finished the serving and handed the bowl and spoon back to her. Leila always looked forward to Amanda's visits. She had really worked hard growing the produce to supplement the Vulcan ambassador's household…and a compliment from Amanda...although not hard to come by...was always forthright and sincere.

'Leila', said Amanda, looking earnestly at the young woman, 'as a reward for all of your hard work, I would like to invite you to the Ambassador's Summer Ball in July. My husband would be honored to meet you. Do you think that you will have time to attend?' She privately wondered if the girl ever took leisure time away from her plants.

Leila flushed with joy! 'Of course! Thank you! I've never been to a ball before!'

'Please feel free to bring a friend with you, but I have someone that I would like you to meet, anyway,' Amanda said, cunningly. 'The last time I asked you about any relationships, you said that you weren't seeing anybody.'

'Yes, you're right, I'm not seeing anybody, but…'

'But what, dear? You're interested in somebody?' Amanda said, perking up.

'I have to be honest, Amanda,' said Leila, setting the bowl and spoon down on a little table. 'I met your son, Spock, about two months ago', she said, keeping her eyes on the objects.

'You met Spock! Where?'

'He was here with another cadet. I showed him around our Baja complex.'

'What did he want?' Amanda said, eyes bulging, reeling from shocked.

'I think that it had something to do with a guy that likes me at the Academy,' Leila said, her pretty nose wrinkling in disgust.

'And you've taking a liking to my Spock?' said Amanda, enthusiastically.

Leila tried not to grin, but one slipped out anyway as she gathered courage and finally looked at Amanda.

'Well, we'll see if we can kill two birds with one stone,' she said, smiling warmly at the girl.

'I'll send a transport over later to pick up the produce and flowers that I've marked,' Amanda said, noting the time, and slowly moved towards her ground car.

Leila walked with Amanda and opened the door for the older woman. 'Also, Leila, please tell Elias to expect a large order from me for the ball at the end of June.'

Closing the door to the car and waving goodbye, Leila watched the ground car hover and leave. Then she hugged herself ecstatically at the prospect of meeting Spock again.

Nyota was happy to see many familiar faces as they gathered outside the dorm to take the transport to the space dock. Her four 'bodyguards' from last night were also there. She greeted them as they made their way over to her.

'Where's your roommate?' one said, peering through the growing crowd of cadet candidates.

'Christine? She decided not to come. She had another appointment to keep,' Nyota stated cryptically. One of the men frowned skeptically, then shrugged.

'Too bad. We really had a good time last night.'

'Yeh! Thankfully, they prepared plenty of food!' said another, taking a quick look at his friend's bulk.

'All muscle here,' said the object of the teasing, flexing his midsection.

Nyota laughed softly. 'It was a nice party, wasn't it. Thanks for escorting us back to our rooms, by the way.'

Nyota still felt bad for Samuel, smiling as she remembered the look of disappointment on his face. After their romantic duet together, she was sure that he wanted to end the night on a different note. She let the idea tease her for a minute.

'Remember, we're your protection,' said the guard, breaking into her thoughts, with the other three nodding, 'if you ever need anything, we'll be right there.'

'OK. I'll remember that, and thanks,' she said, watching their retreating backs, as they all found seats in the transport.

Nyota looked around, and suddenly became excited. She was about to visit the future flagship of Star Fleet.

The tour of the ship was much more exciting than she had ever imagined. The ship hung huge as she looked up at the unfinished project. First, they were taken on a virtual tour of the ship, and then they were flown by shuttlecraft around the incomplete hull. Everyone gaped in awe, and dreamed about being assigned to the flagship upon graduation. Their tour guide seemed to be more excited than the cadets were. She could hardly understand his Scottish burr sometimes especially when he was discussing the leading-edge technology that was being incorporated into the engines. His enthusiasm was catching, and every cadet in attendance drooled at the chance of getting the flagship upon graduation. Uhura made it her top priority.

After an exhausting, but satisfying day, they all decided to go to a bar, which had been recommended by their tour guide. It provided Nyota an opportunity to get to know her classmates and cement names and faces to memory. She was fast becoming a favorite to everyone that met her; the source of fun, drink, and entertainment. They knew that this would probably be the last time to relax before basic training and the rigours of being an official cadet at Star Fleet Academy. Coincidentally, the oath ceremony was scheduled the day they were scheduled to fly back to San Francisco.

The following day was spent 'touring' the individual sections of the ship of the future cadet's interest. Nyota listened closely to the lecture on the bridge section. She had no idea that the responsibilities of 'Communications' officer would be so vast. Not only would she be required to be fluent in 'everything', but she would also have to be able to understand the helm, life sciences, security, etc., in essence, she would have to interpret every heartbeat of the ship.

That night would be the last night before going back to the Academy. She looked forward to a couple of stiff ones after her long day. Captain Pike said he would be making an appearance later on that evening, so Uhura and the other cadet candidates opted not to wear civilian clothes, but their uniforms. She had told her 'bodyguards' that she would be arriving a bit later, wanting to study some more schematics before arriving at the bar. They acquiesced, told her to be careful and to hurry up, because she was responsible for ordering and paying for the drinks that night.

Finally finished and dressing quickly, she left the cubicle which had served as her dorm room while in Iowa, and walked down the dirt road leading to the bar. She could already hear the music, (one of her favourite tunes), and the loud voices emanating from the old building. She opened the door, gave herself a final lookover, and strutted confidently into the bar. Everyone seemed to be having a great time already, and she was greeted enthusiastically by many of her new friends. She headed straight for the bar, wanting to take care of ordering drinks first, then relaxing and having fun with her friends. Unfortunately, the night ended shortly after she had ordered the drinks. She hoped that Captain Pike would not remember her face amongst the faces involved in the fracas.

She entered the shuttle the next morning, and pointedly ignored her 'bodyguards' who had the grace not to look in her direction as she passed by. She was furious with them, and at the brutality that they showed towards that farm boy. Yes, he was annoying and drunk, but they had overdone it. Suddenly, the shuttle got very quiet. She thought that Captain Pike had entered the shuttle, but as she looked around there he was, the same surly face, swollen in unrepentance. Star Fleet MUST be very desperate, she mused to herself. He even had the nerve to try to flirt with her again. She had to smile at his feeble attempt...his confidence still brimming despite his bruised face. She shook her head and rolled her eyes in bemusement at his audacity. Ignoring him, she turned her mind to other things as the shuttle lifted off. At the end of that day, she would be Cadet Uhura.

The transport let most of the cadet candidates off at the dormitory, then it continued on to the Academy with the other cadet candidates who had to be processed and quickly sized for uniforms before attending the swearing-in ceremony starting in an hour. She walked into the entrance of the dormitory, entered into the foyer, and tensed. Yeoman Rand was standing at the duty desk. Two bags were at her feet. Something seemed to be wrong, but she couldn't place it. Rand began to smile. Was she smiling at her?

'Relax, Uhura. I'm not in charge of you guys anymore. In fact, I'm coming with you. I've just been accepted to Star Fleet Academy!'

Uhura looked shocked, not quite knowing what to say.

'Congratulations,' she managed to mumble.

Rand walked cautiously over to her. 'My name's Janice, by the way,' she said, looking less confident realizing that she needed friends at the Academy.

Uhura took her outstretched hand. 'Mine is Nyota. So what time are we leaving, Janice?'

Rand smiled in relief. 'In 30 minutes, if you can be ready by that time,' she said gruffly, then smiled. Nyota took it as a joke like it was meant to be.

'Oh yes, some guy named Boma is waiting for you at your door.'

'Nyota walked down the hallway, and there he was, dressed in full uniform. He looked dashingly handsome.

'What are you doing here?' she said, giving him a surprised and warm smile.

'Well, I'm going to be in the audience witnessing your swearing in. And I'm here to warn you. After you've finished swearing-in and leave the building, there will be a 'welcoming committee' waiting outside the doors to escort you 'newbies' to the dining hall for lunch. I hope that you're up on your Academy regulations. They'll have you for lunch if you're not.'

Nyota grinned. 'Thanks for the warning. I'll tell Christine also. Give me a minute! I need to pack my things, and freshen up a bit!'

Christine, Nyota, Samuel, and Janice emerged from the cadet candidate dormitory with bags in hand, and dumped them unceremoniously on the ground for pickup later. Samuel wished them all good luck as they took their places in line with the other cadet candidates and marched, or attempted to march, to their destiny. On their way, their motley group was merged with other aspiring cadets. The group grew as they neared their destination. Entering the Academy amphitheater, the bulk of the new class was already seated and in place. She looked around at the multitude of faces and races, wondering at the dreams of everybody...and the competition. They found three seats together, looked around, and gazed nervously at each other. Suddenly, the amphitheater went deadly quiet. All eyes turned, and everybody rose as Admiral Komack entered the amphitheater with Captain Pike, and solemnly walked up to the lectern in the middle of the room. Gripping the ends of the lectern firmly, he faced the cadets.

Finally. Hope you all are still with me! Will try to post the next chapter within two weeks. Check out my other story, (which also needs updating...grin), 'No Alternative to Love'.