Chapter 6
Starfleet Headquarters
Earth
San Francisco
The office of Nogura was sparse, except for an antique mahogany desk complete with ink well and pens. On the right hand corner wall hung an old painting of a sailing ship. Behind the desk was a large window looking out towards San Francisco bay.
Commanding Admiral Heihachio Nogura sat behind his desk and peered over the top of a very old fashioned pair of spectacles. Carefully the oriental placed down the stylus pad he was reading and stared at the Vulcan straight in the eye.
"Mr Spock," the old man said meekly. Despite his appearance, Nogura was hardly considered meek. In fact he was far from it. Sometimes his looks deceived people being only five feet six inches tall, balding with many wrinkles on his face. In fact the elderly commander was ninety-four and still going on strong.
He gestured to the Vulcan to take a seat. Spock sat down and placed his hands before him with fingers steeped. The old man nodded. He wondered if he was nodding to himself.
"Ahh," he said with almost a musical chime in his voice. He removed the spectacles. "I remember." He bowed. "I give you my deepest sympathies on regard to your mother's demise." He bowed again this time with his hands clasped together and facing outward.
"I believe the proper thing to say in regards to your people is I grieve with thee."
"Thank you for your kindness sir," said Spock. His gaze was caught for a moment by the surrounding activity outside the twelfth floor office window. People were busying themselves, hurrying around, catching the hover cars and Federation shuttles.
"Have you seen Captain Kirk lately?" The admiral asked suddenly. He picked up his glasses and dramatically waved them into the air.
Spock shook his head. "Negative Admiral. I believe he, Captain Scott, and Commander Chekov were to report aboard the Enterprise B earlier this morning for a shake down cruise?" The admiral nodded.
"On to business then. Have you given it any more thought about the admiralty? I believe that posting is what you deserve Captain. Your next best step up the ladder of success."
"On the contrary Admiral, I consider success as trivial."
"Whatever," Nogura said with a shrug.
"Then there is nothing to persuade you?"
Spock shook his head. "No Admiral."
Nogura began tapping his fingers on the leather-topped table. The Vulcan cocked his head on one side.
"Is there anything else sir?"
"All right damn you," Nogura said quickly. "Your friends were right. You won't give up on anything. You can have the ship. Any other requests while you are here?" Nogura picked up the stylus and opened a fresh page.
"Yes," said Spock rather loudly.
Nogura appeared bored. He flashed a glance at his secretary in the next room.
"Well?"
"Commander Uhura has requested a post aboard the Stargazer as Captain of Communications. I have put her name forward."
Nogura looked flabbergasted. "All right, all right," he said waving his hands up in the air. "You have it your way, but don't come running back to be when things get tough. It's not a joy ride." Spock frowned puzzled ant the human's remark.
"I will endeavour to perform to what my rank permits."
"Good," he said.
"And anything else?"
"Negative Admiral."
The admiral grimaced again. He cleared his throat. "Then Captain Spock this is good bye." Spock stood up. The admiral did not. He remained sentiment in his seat. He smirked briefly, once. "It will take a couple of days for your request to go through. You'll be hearing from me."
"Thank you sir," retorted the Vulcan.
"Oh, and then I'm the first to congratulate you on your promotion." This time the old admiral managed to smile a bit more than a sneer.
Live long and prosper, Spock."
"Peace and long life Admiral."
Spock turned and left. Somehow a wave of relief washed through him. He scowled at himself. Highly Illogical.
It wasn't everyone who surpassed Nogura, and could overthrow his verbal swaying. The man had that sort of a knack, but it did not work this time. At least not with Spock.
