No One's POV
*Three Days Later – Stardate 10-28-22360.55*
The Enterprise crew watched as Madison once more breezed through the living room of her penthouse, Khan and Spock following her like loyal, unwavering sentinels as they had the last three days, both hovering as they worried about her recently returned health.
"Kaptain?" Chekov asks, his boyish voice turning towards Kirk as he curls up on the couch next to Sulu with a PADD.
"What's up Checkers?" Jim asks, looking up from his own PADD where he lounges on the love seat next to Bones.
"Did- did the Kommander really twransfer?" Chekov ask, his expression looking wide eyed and earnest, but a little forlorn and lost as well.
"Yes, he did. He's staying here, with Emily." Kirk says softly, looking to where Emily, Khan and Spock disappeared to the turbo lifts.
"Oh." Chekov says, equally as softly.
"Yes-" Kirk nods, looking back at the PADD he has in his hand where he was flicking through First Officer candidates.
"Admiral Madison is his t'hy'la." Uhura explains, where she is curled up in an arm chair, holding a cup of spice tea.
"Yes. That." Kirk nods to Uhura's explanation.
"Spock needs to stay. So, there's really no question. Even if we'd like it to be different. It'll be an adjustment for us. But we'll adjust. Anyways, I'm looking at new candidates right now. Are you sure you don't want to be First Officer, Sulu?" Kirk asks, pointing his stylus at Sulu.
"Positive. It's an honor to be considered Captain. But I'm content to be your Helmsman. Commander is too much stress. I'd take a promotion in rank however, sir." Sulu says, sassing a bit at the end.
"Of course, Sulu." Kirk smirks back playfully, sending Sulu a wink.
"So, having any luck there?" Bones nudges.
"Ugh… No!" Kirk whines thudding his head against the back against the love seat. "I swear I'm looking at everyone. I'm considering Keenser at this point. I'm stuck."
"Maybe you could ask Em? Or have you asked Spock? Since it's his position you're filling?" Bones suggests.
"Yeah, I- I haven't really gotten the chance to talk to Spock yet. You know, not since we've docked. He's been, busy." Kirk shrugs a bit lamely.
"Ask Emily you numb-nut." Bones deadpans, slapping Kirk on the head lightly.
Kirk sends Bones a withering look.
"Em?" Kirk knocks, chiming the bell on Emily's office door an hour or so later.
"Come in." Emily's voice echoes.
Jim walks in to see Khan and Spock both standing around Emily as she speaks to them, holo screens displayed in front.
Kirk was suddenly struck by the sight, Emily looking at ease with both Spock and Khan beside her, both her First Officers, as if they had been there all along, a Command Structure that was solid, steadfast and resolute in its base and sharp at its head.
Of course, Kirk wasn't surprised at this thought as he observed more. If Khan and Spock were the base, unwavering, unfaltering, dependable and loyal to a fault, then Emily was the head, the arrow driving forward, intelligent, quick and decisive and capable.
He had no doubt that they would be able to accomplish anything together. The Federation had no idea what was about to hit them.
"Umm… Hey, is this- is this a bad time, Em? I can come back." Kirk says, pausing and looking between both Khan and Spock, both standing on either side of Madison like two avenging guardian angels.
"No, not at all Jay. Khan and Spock were just leaving." Emily waves off, smiling radiantly at her best friend, a sight he was glad to see after seeing her look so weak in Sick Bay.
"Okay, if you're sure." Jim says, still looking unsure.
"Positive. Khan, Spock." Emily dismisses easily.
"Admiral." Khan and Spock both nod, before walking out.
"So, what's up Jay?" Emily asks, turning her attention to Kirk, also waving away her holo screens.
"I need your advice." Kirk says, crossing his legs comfortably and folding his hands on top of his knee.
"Alright, shoot. I wanted to talk to you too, actually." Emily says, expression serious.
"Oh. About?" Kirk asks, now slightly concerned. "Wait, off track. One thing at a time…"
"Yes, probably a good idea. Besides, I'm guessing I already know what you want to talk about." Emily muses.
"You stole my First Officer from me." Kirk points out after a moment of silence between them.
"I did. I apologize." Emily quirks a smile. "It was inevitable with the circumstances."
"He was the best in the Fleet. And now I can't replace him." Kirk says, sulking slightly.
"You want help." Emily says, it wasn't even a question.
"I need help. I'm about ready to slam my head against a wall or throw my PADD out the window. I'm even debating whether Keenser is a good First Officer. And Sulu won't accept. I've asked." Kirk pouts.
"That is a problem." Emily snickers.
"Don't laugh at my pain!" Kirk whines.
"It's a little funny." Emily laughs again.
"Shut up." Kirk pouts.
"Alright, alright." Emily snickers one last time. "I expected this. And you know, you should have asked sooner Jay. Honestly."
"I know. Bones already scolded me." Kirk complains.
"Anyways, our transport ships are due back in a few weeks. There are several upcoming officers I think that would fit on your ship and crew. And of course, work well with you. Not everyone can work well with your style of Command. I've already had J pull up their files for you. You can interview them before you decide of course. Once you decide, if you decide one will fit, one of our ships can bring them here." Emily offers, pulling up the files to display on the holo screen in front of her.
Jim simply stares, dumbfounded at his best friend's forethought. Then again, it was Madison, he really shouldn't be surprised. Honestly, he shouldn't.
"I'll forward them to your PADD." Emily simply smirks.
"Shut up." Jim grumbles again.
Emily only smirks more, laughing at her best friend's grumbles.
"Now, what I wanted to talk to you about. As you know, Jim, the Enterprise being here is- well it breaks a lot of protocol and rules. The Enterprise is one of the best ships in the Fleet and is afforded a lot of leeway due to its accomplishments and what it has done for the Federation." Madison begins, looking more serious and professional.
"Em- is there-" Kirk says, immediately straightening up, realizing the seriousness of this conversation.
"Jim." Emily holds up a hand to stop Kirk's words.
"As you know, each ship in the Fleet generally answers to and receives orders from one Admiral in the Federation. Not that the other Admirals on the Council don't know what is happening, that would be a vast oversight and could potentially lead to a misuse of authority. But in general, one Admiral oversees a garrison of ships, cuts down on paperwork, and crossed lines of communication." Emily continues with nonchalance. "I've talked with Council and Admiral Barnett, we have decided it is the best interest of everyone, with everything that has happened, especially of late, that I will now oversee the Enterprise's missions and is under my authority."
"I-" Kirk blinks, not expecting this.
"Is this understood?"
"What does this mean, exactly? What about the five year mission?" Kirk asks.
"Nothing has changed, Jim. Your orders will simply come from me, or through Alpha X Delta. Such as the diplomatic missions that you have had in the past. Admiral Barnett used to oversee your orders, now I will. And your reports will be submitted to me instead of Admiral Barnett. It is as simple as that." Madison shrugs, folding her hands together and placing them on the table in front of her.
"This said, now that you are a part of Alpha X Delta Fleet and classified under Starfleet Federation Alpha, like the transport ships, the Enterprise will need to be upgraded." Emily continues. "The Enterprise is one of the finest ships in the Fleet, but compared to our ships, it... Finds itself in need of upgrades to be of equal grade. Upgrades can be started immediately. They should be done in a few weeks. Is this agreeable?"
"Uh- wow. Ummm. Okay. This is- Yeah. Of course, whatever needs to happen Emily, I mean, Admiral." Kirk nods.
"You can call me Emily still, Jay." Emily says smiling.
"Okay, Emily. So yeah. This makes sense. Everything. Wow. So my baby gets to be all badass like your ships, huh?" Kirk smirks, leaning back in the seat.
"You wish, Kirk." Emily scoffs with a teasing look. "But not quite. I'll send you and Scotty the schematics for the upgrades to look over."
"Great!" Kirk smiles.
"So… Everything make sense?" Emily asks.
"Perfect. And, thanks for your help, Em. You always can help me out of a pickle." Kirk says.
"Of course, Jay. Always. Now, want to go get coffee? If I don't take a break soon Khan or Spock are going to barge in here and pitch a fit." Emily offers rising from her desk.
"Coffee sounds great, Em."
