STAR TREK, THE ORIGINAL SERIES
It Is Only Logical
by J. B. Tilton
email: noazmale
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: "Star Trek" and all related characters and events are the sole property of Paramount Pictures, Inc., except for those specifically created by me for this story. This is fan fiction and no infringement of copyright is intended.
The Enterprise is ordered to establish contact with a new race that has fired on every ship that has ever tried to make contact with them. Meanwhile, Spock has to deal with a new science crewmember – a Vulcan – who has no aptitude for math or science.
Captain's Log Supplemental – The Enterprise had taken on several new crewmembers recently and we are on our way to our next assignment. Star Fleet Command has ordered us to try and make contact with a recently discovered race known as the Crellan. The Crellan were discovered a few years ago in a system just outside of Federation space. So far all contact has ended in a confrontation with them. Star Fleet has ordered us to see if we can make peaceful contact as their technology is comparable to ours and any hostilities could propagate a full-fledged war between the two.
Little is known about the Crellan except that they appear to be a very aggressive race, taking offence at the least provocation. So far all diplomatic attempts have failed and while there have been no deaths on either side it is only a matter of time before matters escalate. I can only hope that when we meet the Crellan for the first time things will go better than the previous reports indicate.
On another note, one of the new crewmembers is a Vulcan, a Lieutenant Stall, a science officer late of Star Base 14. I would have thought having another Vulcan on board would be a welcome relief for Spock but he appears as cold and distant with Stall as he does with the human crewmembers. I can only assume that this is normal for Vulcans. Sometimes having a First Officer who displays no emotions regardless of the situation can be mystifying.
ONE
"Our information is that the Crellan are an aggressive race although not as aggressive as the Klingons," said Spock and he and Kirk walked through the ship. "It appears they do not initiate confrontations but are quick to respond to any perceived insult. However, it is unclear exactly what they perceive as an insult. The first star ship captain that encountered them reported that his initial contact was less than successful."
"Yes," said Kirk thoughtfully. "I've read the report. When he encountered the Crellan ship he hailed them and they responded. He politely told them they were on a peaceful exploration and wanted to establish a dialogue with them. The Crellan responded by firing phasers, disabling their warp drive for several hours and then suddenly left."
"Most curious," replied Spock. "The other reports of meetings with the Crellan are similar. They do not approach in a menacing way but as soon as contact is made they respond with force. And all the attacks seem to be designed to disable the ships involved without causing any injuries or deaths. It is quite puzzling."
"I understand some Vulcan ships have encountered the Crellan as well," said Kirk.
"Five in total," said Spock. "I have reviewed the reports submitted by those captains and they say essentially the same thing. The Crellan seem to take offence at the initial contact and disable the ships and then leave. It is not logical. By all accounts the Crellan seem willing to open a dialogue with alien vessels and then provoke hostilities when it happens. No one has been able to ascertain why."
As they were walking toward the turbolift to head for the bridge, they passed Lt. Stall in the corridor. Stall nodded once to them and continued on his way, carrying a PAD with him as he headed for one of the science labs.
"One moment, Captain," said Spock as he turned toward the lieutenant. "Lt. Stall."
"Yes, Commander?" questioned Stall as he turned to face the Captain and First Officer.
"Lieutenant, I have reviewed your report on the home system of the Crellan," said Spock in his normal, emotionless tone. "Your calculations for the gravimetric forces within the system are inaccurate."
"Are you certain, sir?" questioned the Vulcan in the same emotionless tone that Spock always used. "I calculated the forces twice. I believe they are accurate, sir."
"Did you take into account that the system is located less than one parsec from a nearby double pulsar star?" questioned Spock. "At that distance the gravimetric forces would be altered by the additional gravity of the pulsar."
"No sir," replied Stall. "I had not calculated that into my equations. And you are right, of course. The proximity of a double pulsar so close to the Crellan home world would, in deed, alter the calculations for the gravimetric forces found within the Crellan system."
"I suggest you recalculate your report taking the pulsar into consideration," replied Spock. "I'm sure you will find the results more in line with the actual gravimetric forces we are likely to encounter once we enter the Crellan system."
"Of course, Commander," replied Stall. "I will recalculate the report immediately and get the results to you right away."
"Very good," said Spock. "Carry on."
"Captain," said Stall, nodding once to Kirk. He then turned and headed down the corridor in the direction he had been going.
"I suppose even Vulcans make mistakes from time to time," said Kirk smiling as he and Spock continued toward the bridge.
"We are not perfect," replied Spock. "And while the miscalculations shouldn't produce any significant threat to the ship it is probable they would affect shields and possibly even the warp field. It would be a simple matter to compensate for the miscalculations once they were discovered.
"However, such a miscalculation should not have occurred. Calculating gravimetric forces always takes into account any nearby phenomena especially those as powerful as pulsars. The lieutenant should not have made such an error."
"Well, he is young," said Kirk. "I'm sure he'll learn."
"Indeed," said Spock. "But as I said, such a miscalculation should not have occurred. It demonstrates a lack of attention to detail which should not be present in a Star Fleet Officer. And certainly not in a Vulcan."
"Mr. Spock, sometimes you can be a hard man," said Kirk smiling at his friend.
"Not at all, Captain," replied Spock. "First, I am not a man. I am a Vulcan. Second, I only require the performance that I am sure the lieutenant is capable of."
"Still," said Kirk, "since his miscalculations didn't pose a significant threat to the ship I don't suppose it would hurt to give him the benefit of the doubt this one time."
"As you wish, sir," replied Spock. "I will, however, insist that his performance improve in the future."
"We can all use some improvement," said Kirk as the two entered the turbolift.
"I would not disagree with you in that evaluation," said Spock.
Kirk just smiled as the turbolift doors closed.