My inability at settling into the Vulcan calm would have frustrated me, had I been human. As it is, I found it very irritating. I found myself constantly wondering what the captain was doing, whether he was safe, and many other things concerning his safety and continued existance.
Check-in periods were placed at every standard hour, and the intervals in between were almost intolerable. I regret I was confined, so to speak, to the bridge and unable to assist the captain on the planet surface. I could not even speak to him often, or learn of what was happening.
I glanced down at the chronometer. Check-in time. Now, to wait for the captain's signal.
Right on schedule, Lieutenant Uhura swiveled in her chair. "Mister Spock, I have the captain's signal. Opening channel."
There was a soft click, and the captain's 'voice' came over the speakers. *Spock, we've made a breakthrough! I know how to get me changed back!*
I raised an eyebrow. "I am listening, Captain."
*Thalassa is currently embodied in a local animal, a sea mammal of some kind. She has the power to transfer me back, but only if we can find her,* he continued dutifully. *I'd like you to beam down to assist in the search. Bring two life-support belts as well, if you please.*
"Acknowledged. Spock, out." The channel closed, and I stood. "Mister Scott, you will have the conn in my absence."
"All right, sir."
~~~~~~~
I materialized on Sherok's sandy beach a few minutes later, and almost immediately located Doctor McCoy and the captain. They were close to the water's edge, Jim perched on the doctor's shoulder. Both looked over as I approached, holding the two life-support belts.
"Reporting as ordered, Captain," I said smoothly.
[Good. Put on one of those life-support belts, and tell Bones to put on the other one. You two are going for a swim,] Jim said simply.
I raised an eyebrow, but did not question the order. "Doctor, here is your belt," I stated obviously, handing him the white band. I fitted my own belt around my waist and made sure the indicator lights were correct.
"I hate swimming," Doctor McCoy muttered as he fumbled with the white band.
"Captain, while we are searching for Thalassa, what will you be doing?" I asked the captain. "I do not believe your body is made for swimming, and we do not have a life-support belt small enough for you."
Jim spread his "wings," which were in reality his forearms, lined with many rows of tiny feathers. [I'll fly above the water, so if you two find her, you can surface and I can find you immediately. Also, the elevation advantage may help us find her faster anyway.]
"Agreed."
Doctor McCoy, who had finally gotten his belt on, glared at us. "Dammit, will you give me a translation? I'm getting sick and tired of hearing half the conversation, especially the half that is most important!"
Jim shrugged. [Not my fault, you know...]
"Indeed," I replied. "That, of course, would be the result of illogic and emotional responses, I am certain."
Doctor McCoy frowned. "Why do I get the feeling I was just insulted?"
I raised an eyebrow, saying nothing, knowing it would provoke more of a response from him rather than an actual answer. As expected, he ranted about the 'green-blooded, pointy-eared computer' (that is to say, me) for a few minutes while Jim laughed quietly.
When I felt the doctor had burned himself out, I spoke. "Are you quite finished?"
He glared at me. "Dammit, I hate it when you do that."
"Precisely. May we go on with our mission now?" Without waiting for an answer, I waded into the water. When the water level was at my waist, I reached down and hit the activation button on my life-support belt. A yellow glow instantly surrounded me, pulsing faintly. It was a force field of sorts, providing needed oxygen and a balance of air pressure. It allowed a person to live in full vaccum for several hours at a time, or, as such in our case, survive under the ocean without surfacing for quite some time.
I glanced over my shoulder to watch the doctor follow and activate his belt, then we both submerged.
The water was cold and uncomfortable, but I reached down to my hip and adjusted the atmospheric mix to include a heating element. From the corner of my eye I saw the doctor do the same, but with less temperature increase than I had used.
Are you above us, Captain? I sent telepathically to Jim.
Yes, although I'm hardly getting any lift. This is mostly dead air out here. Damn ocean breezes blow sideways, rather than in updrafts. Double dammit. He continued to grumble in this manner for quite a while.
I held a waterproof tricorder and kept up a continual scan. Several small aquatic animals were nearby, but most scattered as we approached. Large schools of fish drifted by, undisturbed. An eel of some sort watched us from a rocky outcropping, but it did not make any threatening moves.
"Have you found anything yet?" the doctor asked, his voice slightly distorted by the water. "I don't see anything but fish."
"Nor do I. Please be patient while I ask the captain if he can see anything we cannot." I switched to telepathy. Anything yet, Jim?
As a matter of fact, yes, he answered. Veer slightly right, about thirty meters off. There's a large pod of whales, it looks like. You'll know them when you see them. But be careful, some may act hostile if they believe you're threatening them.
Do you know if one is Thalassa? I inquired.
There was a brief pause. I think so. I sense something familiar, yet unfamiliar...I'm pretty sure it's her. But don't ask me which one. I don't know.
"The captain has spotted a grouping of creatures thirty meters away," I relayed to the doctor. "He believes Thalassa is among them." I pointed in the direction Jim had indicated. "That way."
Doctor McCoy and I swam farther out to sea, and within minutes the water all around was filled with the song of whales. Another few minutes, and I could see the graceful blue creatures in a large group. They looked much like the orca whales of Earth. A few large males swam to the sides, while the females and their young remained farther away from us. They looked at us and continued on their way, but I could sense uneasiness among them.
"Thalassa?" Doctor McCoy called out to them.
A large female whale turned toward us, and I caught a sense of puzzlement and recognition. [I am she,] the whale sang. [McCoy and Spock. I did not expect to see you here. Why have you come looking for me?]
"I regret we had to seek you out," I apologized. "However, we are in need of your assistance. Henoch has returned, and he has been terrorizing the Enterprise for several days. He has already nearly killed Captain Kirk once again."
Thalassa grew angry. [Henoch!] she spat. [I would think myself lucky if I never heard of him again.]
"Thalassa, we do not have much time," I reminded her urgently. "It is vital you help us."
[Yes, of course! What is it you wish of me?]
"Sargon was with us temporarily," I stated. "He transferred his consciousness into Captain Kirk's body, and put the captain's consciousness in his old host. Before he could set it the way it was, Henoch had already killed the captain's body again. It remains on life support on the ship, up in orbit. But we have no way of returning our captain to his proper form."
[Ah, I see.] Thalassa sounded somewhat sad. [And what of Sargon?]
"I do not know. His fate remains uncertain. If he lives, he is in hiding."
Doctor McCoy had an irritable expression on his face. "Spock, are you just gonna keep finding animals to talk to or what? Especially ones I can't understand..." He griped a bit more, and swam for the surface. "I'm going up to talk to Jim. Let me know when you're done."
So Spock, when can I get back to being human? Jim asked me telepathically.
Soon, Jim. Very soon. We only have one problem.
Oh? What's that?
I do not know how we will get Thalassa on the ship, unless she is willing to take another host form. I do not believe there are any available at this time.
Damn.
Precisely.
