"Dropping out of warp in ten seconds, Commander." Sulu said, trying to mask his concern with a stern expression. His fingers wrapped nervously around the lever in front of him.
"Put up the shields." Spock commanded, then turned to Uhura. "Lieutenant, please upload the message from the captain and the frequency and relay it on every available channel."
Uhura nodded in response and turned back to her station, her face frozen in a state of concentration as she got to work.
"Prepare for immediate impact and hostility." Spock gritted his teeth and gripped the side of the chair. The ship dropped out of warp and Earth was in sight. A few scattered patrols lined the space between them and the entire crew sucked in a deep breath in suspense. "Now, Nyota." Spock said sternly, sweat threatening to bead on his forehead as he watched the patrols draw nearer. "Hold position," Spock said firmly as the incoming vessels didn't let up speed. Spock's grip around the armrest was unrelenting as he watched the screen, waiting for the warning that they were firing on the already damaged ship. Suddenly, the ships stopped dead in front of them, well withing firing range, but there was no phaser blast or torpedoes.
"Spock, we're being hailed." Uhura said over her shoulder, still monitoring her station.
"Put it on screen, Nyota." Spock said plainly, breathing in relief as the ships remained stalled in front of them. The field of space on the large screen was partially interrupted by a young woman's face appearing from inside a Federation vessel.
"Commander Spock?" She asked, her face crinkling in confusion. "You mind explaining just what the hell is going on here?"
"Gladly," Spock stood up and folded his hands neatly behind his back. He cleared his throat and gave her a brief summary of everything from Kirk's 'death' to the discovery of the planet's origin. "Regretfully, I am unable to provide the full report of the occurrence at this time, as there are more pressing matters that myself and the crew at this time."
"Right," The officer said after a brief pause, trying to get herself to soak in everything that she just heard. She sighed heavily and shook her head. "I didn't know what to think when my first officer turned into a writhing blue beast when that frequency went off," She paused and bit her lip. "And in all fairness, Mr. Spock, I don't know what to think now. I don't know that I can trust you." She shrugged, a frown tugging on her lips.
"What can be done so that your trust in the crew of this vessel is restored?" Spock asked plainly, already fearing he knew the answer.
"Well," She paused again, biting her lip. "Normally I would bring you all in and have each and everyone one of you interrogated," She stopped and sighed heavily. "But if anything you said is even remotely true, then we don't have that kind of time to waste." Spock breathed quietly in relief. "Show me Captain Kirk." She said firmly and Spock's muscles tightened. "He seemed rough in the message, but if I'm going to believe you, I'm going to need to see him with my own eyes."
The entire bridge held its breath. Spock retained his stoic expression as he fidgeted slightly with his clasped hands.
"Very well." He said, after a long pause. "I will contact you via your PADD in a few minutes."
"Good. We don't have any time to waste." She said firmly and the screen faded back to the stars and the ships fixated on them.
"Spock," Uhura said quietly, reaching out to Spock, who was frozen in his spot. "What's wrong?" She asked, and he was suddenly shaken from his trance. He started towards the elevator, gaining speed and strength with every step. Uhura followed, hot on his heels, reaching out to grab his arm. "Spock!" She hissed and the elevator doors slid shut. "What's going on?" She pleaded, taking his arm in hers. "Talk to me."
Spock stared at the door for a moment, then he turned to Uhura, his eyes sullen and tired. She was taken aback by the sudden change in expression, and she reached a hand towards his face. He quickly turned his head back to face the door, dodging her tender touch. "It occurred to me that perhaps the shape-shifters are not the only ones seeking to destroy Captain Kirk." Spock said stiffly.
"What do you mean?" Uhura asked gently, pulling him closer to her.
"It is not unlikely that someone of influence allowed the shape-shifters access into the ranks of Starfleet." Spock said, and Uhura bit her lip. "If that is the case, it will be impossible to differentiate the trustworthy from the traitor." Spock started, and Uhura pressed a button on the panel. The elevator slowed to a stop and the door remained closed. Uhura slipped her hands into his and moved to face him.
"Spock," She cooed, her big brown eyes swimming with sympathy. "You're afraid," Spock's lips parted to protest, but she continued. "And that's okay. In all honesty, we don't know who's friend or foe," She brushed her fingers against his hands. "But I know who I trust. You. I know that no matter what, you'll get us through this." She smiled softly. "It doesn't matter what you think could happen, it only matters that you'll be able to take care of what does happen. And I know that you can." Spock dropped his gaze from her eyes. "The question is, do you think you can?"
"Considering the circumstances, our survival and reestablishment with Starfleet Command is highly unlikely-" Spock started, but Uhura squeezed his hands slightly.
"Now who would go off on you for telling me the odds right now?" She asked and Spock's gaze dropped again.
"I believe that you are referring to Jim." Spock gave the Vulcan equivalent of a sigh.
"And what would Jim do in this situation?" Uhura asked.
"He would prepare for the worst in secret." Spock said firmly, picking up his head again. Uhura could practically see the plan formulating in his head. "And he would not allow the possible enemy to see his weakness."
"Now you're thinking like a captain and less like a Vulcan," Uhura smiled and Spock kissed her gently. "Now," She smiled, her face still pressed close to his. "We've got a galactic federation to save."
/
"Dear God," McCoy mumbled to himself as Uhura and Spock walked briskly through the door to Kirk's private room. "Don't tell me," He grumbled and stood up.
"We need to wake the Captain." Spock interrupted him and stopped by Kirk's bedside.
"Of course you do." McCoy muttered as he crossed his arms across his chest. "And what for now?"
"We need to prove that he is alive in order to pass through Earth's airspace." Spock said firmly and McCoy rolled his eyes.
"Can't anything just go without complications for once?" He muttered as he adjusted the IV by Kirk's bedside.
Uhura and Spock watched Kirk's chest rise and fall rhythmically, and they both had a sense of relief and solemnity. "He should come to in a minute or two," McCoy plopped back down in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. Spock picked up the PADD from Kirk's nightstand and handed it off to Uhura, who immediately got to work.
"'ones?" Kirk asked groggily, shifting slightly in his bed. "wha the shit?" He asked, closing his eyes tightly as he remembered the pain in his chest.
"Captain Kirk," The Federation Captain's voice came to life over the PADD in Uhura's hands.
"Wha-" Kirk asked, rubbing his eye groggily as Uhura gingerly handed him the PADD. He fumbled with it until his partially numb fingers curled around the edges.
"It's a pleasure to see you alive." The young woman smiled as Kirk struggled to sit up slightly.
"Paula? Oh shit." Kirk smiled slightly as he tried to prop himself up on the pillows. "Good to see you, too." The rest of the crew looked around at each other in bewilderment. "Last time I saw you in bed, things were a little different, huh?" Kirk chuckled painfully and McCoy pinched his nose in frustration.
"Captain, please keep things professional." The young woman said strictly with thinly veiled embarrassment.
"How the hell have you been?" He asked, wincing as he tried to sit up straighter.
"Better than you, I suppose." She laughed nervously. "Now, you crew has laid out some pretty serious allegations. They have any truth to them?"
"Well, I'm here, aren't I?" Kirk laughed weakly.
"Barely, from what I understand." She sighed. "You and your crew need to get on your way and stop these jackasses. If there's anything that I can do to help, let me know." She said sincerely.
"Will do," Kirk responded and Spock breathed a small sigh of relief. "Actually," A smile spread across Kirk's lips and McCoy shook his head. "There is one thing you could do..."
/
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'm sorry that it took so long to update *again*. I promise though, I'm planning on finishing this story sooner or later- for better or for worse. Stay tuned for more!
-buckminsterbarnes