Spock stood silently as the officials read the charges against his beloved. He steadied his hands against the urge to clench and unclench them, and instead, let them hang at his side. He gazed ahead, noting that Dr. Minkus' body heat and perspiration had gone up by 5.3%, a sure indication that he was lying.
"It has nothing to do with our history Spock," he was saying as he mopped away the beads of sweat that popped up along his hairy brow. "I understand that we've had our—differences, but I am not doing this to spite you. I know that Ms. Uhura has aided you a great deal and you must hold some-degree of respect for her, but that does not change the facts of this case." Spock was not inclined to agree. He fought a frown and instead nodded.
"I am aware, that Star-Fleet personnel would never let personal matters color their decisions," he said calmly and the man flinched, looking all the part of the rat that everyone claimed him to be.
Admiral Pike looked over the stack of data PADDs and sighed. "Dr. Minkus, these are serious allegations and I for one, cannot stand behind them."
Spock shot Admiral Pike a short look that could have been part relief and part surprise.
"I too cannot. Though her past is—questionable, we cannot in all honesty call her an enemy of Star Fleet," Dr. Crayberry chimed in as she pushed her glasses back onto her nose and studied the PADD she held, "In fact, if she didn't have such a checkered past, she'd be perfect for our advanced corp. of Star Fleet secret operatives-,"
"No!," Dr. Minkus sputtered, "We cannot even think along those lines. Besides, she has been known to consort with—beings of a questionable nature," he added and gave Spock a pointed look. Spock ignored him, instead began focusing on Dr. Crayberry with a steady gaze.
"You are all aware as is most of the general populace that her blood sister, Zuri Uhura has been pronounced Queen of the Nexus system," Spock began and Dr. Minkus' sour expression became even harder and if possible, more sour than before.
"Commander, I hardly see what this has to do with anything," Dr. Minkus snapped.
"According to Star Fleet regulation manual, page 2,348, paragraph C, subsection II, those beings related by blood, marriage or decree to any royal, government or judicial ruling body are exempt from the rules and regulations of prosecution as set forth by Star Fleet law."
Dr. Crayberry turned to Dr. Minkus, a small smile playing upon her round, jovial face, "That means she has diplomatic immunity."
"I know what that means!," Dr. Minkus sputtered, "But Nyota Uhura is a danger to Star Fleet. She's a danger to half the galaxy, look at what she's done-,"
"If you mean aiding and assisting in the efforts to end the ignoble practice of slavery that lasted decades and consumed hundreds if not thousands of worlds thus leading to the arrests and prosecution of those found responsible, well," Admiral Pike interrupted, "Then I guess you have a point."
"And if may add doctor," Dr. Crayberry commented, "We could argue that as an assassin for hire, she acted no differently than a soldier who is paid to perform their duty, regardless of the politics involved. Perhaps she simply needs another avenue in which to—focus her goals."
Dr. Minkus was shaking his head. Spock was well aware for the man's distaste for all things alien and different, and how such a man could comfortably live in such a day and age and reconcile those thoughts often left Spock a bit puzzled, if not a bit unsettled by it all. Dr. Minkus was also known to be a rabid sexist, and could not stand to see a woman in a position of power as evidenced by the look of derision as he listened to Dr. Crayberry.
"I do think it's important though, for us to have someone with exactly these skills and abilities on board a ship. Our newest flag ship will be going in territory that has been previously uncharted," she tapped the data PADD. "She knows so many languages. Hell, she knows some I've never heard of before. Instead of us debating about whether we should charge her, we should be arguing over what her starting salary should be-,"
Dr. Minkus cleared his throat. "I don't mean to interrupt, but Star Fleet is not in the habit of hiring ex-convicts, killers or mercernaries."
"With all due respect Dr. Minkus, that is untrue. Admiral D'orn served as a trained killer for the A'manii for several years before being accepted into Star Fleet. And Lieutenant Dex spent several years as an enemy of the Cardassian government before reforming and coming to Star Fleet as well."
Dr. Minkus humphed and took a sip of his water. The atmosphere had changed a bit, Spock could tell, and Admiral Pike piped up.
"That actually would be-advantageous. The Nexus system is one of the largest empires in that quadrant, and having one of their own on our team could serve as great PR, not to mention she's a great fighter."
Admiral Pike and Dr. Crayberry became silent a moment before Pike remarked, "Commander, how would you feel about working with her on the Enterprise?"
Surprise and shock rolled through Spock's system before he firmly clamped down on the emotions. "You are—offering her employment with Star Fleet?"
"Well, she wouldn't be officially a part of Star Fleet, but she'd be sort of — an adjunct. If what Dr. Minkus states is true, then well—we can't have a loose cannon running around the galaxy, but if she was a part of our cause, then that would serve to our advantage. You should run it by her, see if she'd like it."
Spock could say nothing for a moment. From the time he'd awoken to the time he'd set foot in the room, he was sure he and his love would be separated, either by consequence or the inaction of those around him. He could not deny that such an invitation made him aware of his—proclivities toward Nyota. Offering Nyota a position upon the Enterprise would be a logical and tactfully potent strategy. He was certain she would perform her duties admirably and with a competency that would be 18.7% more efficient than the average cadet. And yet, what if she did not want the position? There was a 12.5% chance she could refuse. Where would that leave her? Where would that leave—them? He clamped down hard on those thoughts and nodded.
"I will bring the matter to her attention," he confirmed and Pike smiled.
"Good. I'll let the big boys in upper command know and they should be on board. Commander, it's great to see you alive and well. You had us pretty worried over here. We thought you'd never come home."
Spock was aware that human interactions often included mundane and redundant forms of observation of the obvious or overt. Usually such banalities struck him as—odd and of no use in the course of communication, however, Admiral Pike was an esteemed colleague, and in some ways, Spock considered him a friend. He was aware that Pike was not simply stating the obvious, but was voicing his relief and seeking assurance.
"I am well Admiral. I am equipped with many abilities that allow me to survive a number of scenarios. It is—a good thing to be home."
Admiral Pike nodded. "Well as far as I am concerned this meeting is adjourned. You're dismissed Commander. Don't forget to submit that report by the end of the week."
Spock nodded and turned on his heel and ignored Dr. Minkus' hiss of anger as he walked out of the sliding doors and into the walkway.
He made his way gracefully down the corridor and a small series of interconnected hallways to his chamber of suites. He had been given a larger set of rooms, a change from the standard set of efficiencies he had occupied in the past. He was aware that his status within Star Fleet had changed to some degree, even as his rank had not. Many female cadets had begun referring to him as the "Stud of the Galaxy," and several news outlets wanted interviews. The entertainment holocasts had begun courting StarFleet's agencies, and recruitment had increased by 67.7%. Internally, Spock had been given his top choice of ships to work with, and the Enterprise had been one of them. Originally, Spock had remained firm in his conviction that he would be given only a 10.9% chance at securing a position upon the Enterprise, and a small sliver of surprise that he had been given the opportunity coursed through his mind.
And now, Nyota would be given that opportunity as well. It was not constructive to muse about the possibility of whether or not she would indeed work upon the Enterprise, and yet he could not fight the small frisson of anticipation and nervousness slipping down his spine. He tried to focus his thoughts. And yet, they continued to push their way about Nyota's whereabouts, her safety, the way her eyes lit up when she smiled, the way she moaned when he was inside her—he stopped his thoughts short as he came to the front door of his suite. He quickly punched in the code and sauntered inside.
He made his way to his bedroom and stood there a moment, observing. She lay tangled in the sheets; her dusky features were dotted with sweat and her lean body was clad only in a short tee shirt and small shorts. She looked peaceful and at ease, and Spock admired the smoothness of her skin and the way her dark hair fanned about her in silky waves of raven. He memorized the way her long lashes fanned her cheeks and the full set of her lips.
She was by far the most intelligent person he had ever encountered. He had found her to be resilient, strong and though she possessed a hard, uncompromising exterior, she had a strident moral code and cared about the welfare of others. She had overcome circumstances that would have challenged and even killed most, and yet, she had survived. A deep sense of respect welled up inside Spock and he did not fight it. She had given him her body, and with it, access to the complexities of her mind. She had done so with no reservation and without the revulsion he had encountered from so many females of his kind.
He thought a moment more and then went out to the outer area. He quickly left a holomessage and took his leave to the cafeteria. He reasoned that it had been approximately 5.6 hours since his last meal, but deep down inside, nestled in the place reserved for only the darkest of his emotions lay fear. He did not want to be there when she awakened; he did not want to wait for her answer of whether to serve on the Enterprise. He did not want to be rejected.
He turned down the walkway, his long legs striding past hordes of cadets and the mingle of officers and civilians intent upon starting their destinations, and concentrated on the day before him.