Uhura was the first to notice when the turbolift doors hissed open. Spock strode past her, choosing to ignore the silent question on her face. Sulu had not resumed a seat in the command chair, and it sat vacant as Spock crossed the bridge.
Sulu glanced down at his console as a brief message flashed up at him, sent from the communication's terminal. He whipped his head around to give Spock a grin. "Welcome aboard, sir!"
Spock did not reply as he settled himself into the captain's chair, and the pleased smile slid from the helmsman's face. His eyes flicked to Uhura, at the back of the bridge, and she gave a tiny shake of her head. You could always tell the captain was in real trouble when Spock got like that. Sulu straightened his shoulders and turned back to his station, silently awaiting orders. He glanced discreetly at Chekov out of the corner of his eye and noted the ensign was also sitting up ramrod straight in his seat.
Spock could see a ripple of tense alertness spread out around the bridge, as if his presence was a rock tossed into what had been a calm pool. He did a quick check to make certain that no emotion was showing, but there was none to show for he had it all locked and tied securely with tight ropes of logic. He did not understand their sudden tension. He did not think he would ever understand humans. He dismissed the illogical thought, for it did not matter. "Mister Sulu," he said calmly. "Please take us to Veyga, warp factor six."
Sulu bit his bottom lip. "Sir, Mister Scott has informed the bridge that the engines have sustained some damage. We can only obtain warp four at this time."
"Warp four, Mister Sulu."
"Aye, sir," Sulu acknowledged, sliding his hands over his console. The starship banked inwards towards the star, slowly laboring to increase speed one warp factor at a time.
Spock pressed the button on the arm of the command chair for engineering. "Mister Scott."
A moment passed. "Aye, Sir."
"How long until the Copernicus can be repaired for service?" Spock asked.
"The Copernicus?" Scott repeated in surprise. "Why, I haven't had a chance to look at it personally, but one o' me lads said the pylon took a pretty hefty hit. That kind of structural damage would take at least a day to repair, sir."
"Very well," Spock replied. He knew there was not enough time to adapt a second shuttle, so it would have to do. "Prepare the Copernicus for launch in fifteen minutes."
"Fifteen minutes?" Scott asked, his voice rising in dismay. "Sir, I dinna recommend taking the shuttle back out with that big a dent in her. There's a real risk of micro-fractures in the hull that—"
"As we do not currently have any other shuttle that will operate under these solar conditions, it is the only option," Spock interrupted.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Spock could detect the engineer's resigned displeasure when he finally replied. "Fifteen minutes. Aye, sir."
The Vulcan pressed another switch on the control panel. "Spock to security."
"Giotto here," came the instant reply.
"Please prepare a team of four security officers and have them meet me in the shuttle bay in ten minutes," Spock ordered.
"Aye, sir."
Spock rested his elbows on the arms of the command chair and laced his fingers together, absently making a pyramid of his index fingers and pressing them to his chin in thought. The stars on the veiwscreen streaked past as they rushed towards Veyga. It was highly likely that their sudden departure would indicate a fearful response to that last attack in the council room. If Starfleet wished to retain a trade agreement with Veyga, the situation could not be left this way. The social structure of the Veygans dictated that Spock return with a show of strength, and quickly. A full away team of six should be sufficient to restore their respect, without inducing a sense of threat.
"Mister Sulu," Spock said, rising to his feet. "Inform me when we have established orbit. You have the bridge." He walked towards the turbolift as the helmsman uttered an affirmative. "Mister Chekov, with me." The ensign must have moved with great alacrity indeed, for he arrived at the turbolift at the same time Spock did. If the navigator had any questions, he kept them to himself and the lift descended in silence.
The Shuttle bay was bustling with activity as several technicians clambered on and around the Copernicus. The entrance to the shuttle was still open, the ramp resting against the deck. Scott was kneeling beside the shuttle, anxiously passing a machine over a section of the damaged nacelle. A white splash of what looked like paint glistened on the metal. He glanced up long enough to see Spock and Chekov walking towards him, then returned to his work while pointing a finger in the general direction from which they were coming. "Benson!" he called.
A technician ran up and held out the Vulcan's tricorder. Spock took it from him with a brief nod, and then passed the machine to Chekov. The navigator blinked in mild surprise, but looped the strap over his shoulder without comment. Scott shook his head as he got to his feet. "We found two micro-fractures spreading from the damaged area, and it won't be long before they begin to compromise the integrity of the hull." He waved a hand over the discolored portion, as if hurrying it to dry. "The bonding agent will buy you some time. She should get ye to the surface and back again, but I recommend ye do it vera carefully."
"Acknowledged, Mister Scott," Spock said.
Scott opened his mouth as if to say more, then closed it again when he caught sight of Chekov's rigid stance. There was just no point in arguing with the Vulcan when he got set on something, although that knowledge didn't always stop the engineer from trying. Instead, he gave Spock a hopeful smile. "I dinna suppose you're goin' back down there to give them a few good knocks for the cap'n, eh?"
Spock stared stonily at him, and Scott cleared his throat. "Ah, no, I suppose not." He was saved from being logically castrated by the entrance of the security team.
"This is a primitive culture," Spock began the moment they were standing before him. "On this assignment, you are to remain on guard around myself and Ensign Chekov. You are to remain silent unless necessary. Mister Chekov, you are to maintain a constant tricorder scan of the proceedings. Understood?"
A chorus of affirmatives rang out across the shuttle bay.
Scott looked up at him as he passed, looking greatly put upon as he fanned the scanner over the drying patch of hull. "Ah, give me just a couple minutes, Mister Spock," he said.
Spock nodded curtly as he walked up the short ramp and into the Copernicus. He was not certain, but he believed he heard what sounded like Scott blowing on the metal as he headed for the pilot's seat. He noted absently that the interior had already been cleaned up.
"Someone get me a bloody fan!"
Chekov took the seat beside him without being instructed to, and Spock spared him a quick nod. The last security guard closed the hatch behind himself, and within one minute everyone was seated. Spock was about half way through the shuttle's pre-flight checklist when the com came to life.
"Entering orbit, now, sir," Sulu said from the tiny speaker on the console.
"Acknowledged, Mister Sulu," Spock replied, continuing with the warm up. "Please open the bay doors when you are able."
"Aye, sir."
The away team waited in silence as the shuttle bay was cleared of technicians and depressurized, and then they were dropping towards the planet.
The people of Veyga were clearly aware of the nature of shuttle craft, and of tricorders. Exposure to them at this point did not constitute a breach of the Prime Directive, so Spock chose to set the Copernicus down right in the courtyard of the Court of Law. There were no longer any dragons or soldiers manning the walls, but he was quite certain their arrival had been noted. Less than thirty seconds later, the Keeper himself, his Savant, Varen and their guards came pouring out of the huge double doors. Spock rose to open the hatch and gestured for the security team to precede him. They filed out wordlessly, alertly checking their surroundings as they formed a defensive half-circle around the shuttle's entrance.
Spock walked down the ramp, Chekov close behind. The ensign instantly began scanning, frowning at the readings until he figured out Spock's adaptations to the machine. He stopped beside Spock as the Vulcan waited for the Veygans.
"Mister Spock," the Keeper said when he and his entourage drew close enough. There was a decided edge to his tone and his unhappy frown deepened as he looked over the assembled Starfleet officers. "Where is Captain Kirk?"
The Savant pushed slightly past the Keeper, resting a gnarled hand on the man's thick shoulder. "We feared you'd come to harm when you left so suddenly," he said much more diplomatically.
Spock's eyes drifted past them both to lock onto Varen. "We left to retrieve our shuttle craft," he answered, "and did not wish to disturb the council meeting." It was neither truth nor lie, but Spock was beginning to understand that his father's chosen vocation required such half-truths. Varen's expression of polite interest froze into a blank mask, no doubt wondering if they had located it before or after it was moved. Spock allowed him to mull that over as he watched several more men and their guards exit the Court and head towards them. He recognized them from the council meeting, and began to suspect that there had been a session in progress.
"My men say you and that boy Trin went to calm the captured Shadowguard dragon," the Keeper said, drawing Spock's attention. "And now the dragon is missing."
Spock met the Keeper's irritated scowl with unruffled serenity. "Yes, we stopped by the Keep on the way to our shuttle," he answered truthfully. "But I did not take the dragon, if that is what you are implying." A twinge of guilt stabbed at Spock for that borderline lie – it was Trin that had actually released the dragon – but he ruthlessly shoved it down.
The Savant sighed heavily, and leaned against his wooden staff. "Trin and Peth are also missing."
"Only more evidence that the boy is working for the Shadowguard," Varen said.
"Perhaps he feared the outcome of the council meeting concerning his fate in the Vanguard," Spock said, for that was Trin's original reason for joining their exodus. He raised an eyebrow, and tilted his head at Varen. "Or perhaps a different Shadowguard agent is involved," he suggested pointedly. The Captain of the Guard returned his look steadily, saying nothing. It would be difficult for Varen to explain why he'd had men in the forest, attacking emissaries after a trade agreement had been reached. He had no doubt intended to blame the attack on the Shadowguard… but without Kirk and Spock's corpses, he had no way of reporting the attack if Spock did not speak of it. He had no proof that Jisson was with their group, or that they had freed her. Anything Varen said on the matter would only incriminate himself. And Spock had no concrete proof that Varen was responsible for the attack.
Varen's jaw clenched. "Perhaps," he agreed grudgingly.
"Well, whoever it was, it looks like I am surrounded by thieves and assassins," the Keeper snapped angrily. He gestured at the assembled security officers. "Speaking of which, where is that traitor?"
Spock clasped his hands calmly behind his back. "Jolan is no longer in my captain's employ."
The Keeper snorted. "I did warn him. Do you know where Trin is now?"
Spock gave a small shake of his head. "My captain and I broke company with Trin before we reached our shuttle," he said calmly. "We were pleased to find the Copernicus relatively intact," he continued, deftly changing the subject. He gestured at the shuttle's bent and hastily plastered nacelle. "It was damaged, however, and it was necessary for us to return to our ship to effect repairs. I regret that my captain was unable to return to conclude the trade agreement, but an urgent matter demanded his attention. As it is, I have little time before my ship must depart."
The Keeper looked mildly offended, but the Savant's hand on his shoulder tightened just a bit and the Keeper swallowed down his annoyance. "Very well," he said instead, and turned to lead the way back into the Court.
Spock gestured for two of the security officers to remain with the shuttle before following, and the large gathering of council members and their guards parted to allow them through. The soft whir of the tricorder was a constant sound in the background as Chekov walked beside him, and all throughout the next several hours while they hashed out the exact parameters of the trade. Spock fully trusted Ensign Chekov's ability to scan for trouble, and had expected Varen, or the Shadowguard, to cause some kind of disturbance, but nothing happened.
Spock found himself regretting that the talks were finished as they returned to the Enterprise. The completion of the mission had occupied his mind fully, and now it was more difficult to ignore the fact that McCoy had not sent any messages concerning the captain. Spock resisted the urge to contact the doctor. Instead, he relieved Sulu, set them on course for their rendezvous with Starbase 11, and filled out his report on the mission.
All too soon, however, Spock found himself sitting in the command chair with little to occupy his thoughts while time ticked away slowly.
McCoy eventually appeared on the bridge in person, and Spock kept his expression perfectly schooled as the doctor draped an arm casually across the back of the command chair. The Vulcan could feel the anxiety already dissipating from around the bridge, for McCoy wore a tired grin of good news.
"It was close for a bit, there, but he'll be just fine," McCoy reported quietly.
Tension drained out of Spock's shoulders and back, and he quickly stifled the sigh that wanted to escape from him. Instead, he gave the doctor a nod of acknowledgement.
"I don't suppose," McCoy drawled, and the chair turned slightly as he leaned forward, "there's any point in telling you to get some sleep?"
Spock raised an eyebrow. "As the captain is currently unavailable, I am—"
McCoy cut him off with a wave of his hand and straightened up. "Yeah, I know," he said. Spock thought the doctor might press the issue, but he only narrowed his eyes for a moment in thought, and then patted the back of the chair and left.
Spock grew more convinced with each passing day that he would never understand humans.