Chapter Three
A-N: I would like to thank Silver Chipmunk for her helping me divide the chapters of this story properly. I don't own Star Trek or anything affiliated with it.
As soon as he ran a diagnostic on the computer, Spock knew something was wrong. The diagnostic was unable to differentiate between whether it had been tampered with, or if it had been infected by a virus. Systems were effected shipwide, and Spock couldn't pinpoint the problem until he understood what had caused it. If someone had tampered with the computer, it could mean sabotage was at work. Or perhaps some irresponsible crew members had decided to play a practical joke, but since senseless vandalism for amusement was something Spock couldn't comprehend, he was not impressed. If a virus had indeed infiltrated the system, the damage would be more difficult to repair, and finding the culprit would prove even more so.
He had been alerted to the problem as he was just coming off the day shift, and hearing a crewman mumbling angrily at his terminal had moved over to investigate, which was when he had noticed the jibberish scrolling across the screen that had once been legible words. Needless to say his fruitless search for the possible malfunctions had kept him from his customary off duty pursuits and he'd gone from the bridge to several science labs attempting to track down the reasons for the glitches.
Thinking a hot bowl of plomeek soup might revive him and give him energy to tackle the problem, he made his way to his quarters. Slipping inside, expecting a brief reprieve, what he encountered was a malestrom of Christmas chaos! There was a flash of illogic when he thought he might have unintentionally gone in to the wrong quarters, but beneath the gaudy bright-colored decorations, were the familiar overtones of his furniture and prized possessions. Stepping carefully around the room he inspected the damage inflicted upon his private sanctuary. It was nothing that couldn't be easily rectified, but at the moment, curiosity won out over the desire to right the rooms to their proper state. Who could have done this? Several possible suspects flitted through his mind in the time it took him to locate his chair, which unfortunately hadn't avoided the festive garnishings. Dr. McCoy was at the top of the list. He would certainly find it amusing to throw Spock in to the Christmas spirit by forcing him to confront it directly. He was also aware Uhura was organizing a celebration for the eve before the official holiday. Might she have done this to persuade him to attend? Nurse Chapel was also a possibility. Her feelings towards him had prompted her on more than one occasion to perform unasked acts of kindness for him, the time she had tried to offer him plomeek soup during the onset of his pon far, the shore leave she had insisted she needed him to accompany her to a white sandy beach where she had arranged lunch with all his favorite foods, and the time she requested his presence in sick bay due to a malfunctioning medical device, and instead he had encountered a decorated room as people sprang from various hiding places to wish him a happy birthday. Sulu with his enthusiasm, and desire to share happiness whenever the situation presented itself, could also have planned this. And Chekov was just young and impressionable enough to be reeled in to going along with him. Mr. Scott was much too involved with his engines to tangle himself in a prank, and yoeman Rand was too timid to attempt such drastic measures. Captain Kirk would never hoist a human custom upon him in such a flamboyant manner, perhaps he could assist Spock in solving the mystery.
Recalling his original reason for returning to his quarters, he ordered some plomeek soup from his garland strewned replicator, then removing a figure of a human clad in red clothing, wearing bells and carrying a large pack from his table, he sat down to eat. He paused with a spoonful of soup halfway to his mouth as a thought struck him. Were the decorating of his quarters and the malfunctioning computer connected in some way? His desire to track down the culprit, or culprits of this prank, and to solve the mystery of the computer, spurred him in to action. The captain's bleary-eyed gaze passed over Spock questioningly as Spock apologized for rousing him in the middle of his rest period. "I would not have done so had I not thought it necessary, jim." Spock said.
"Oh, I know that, Spock," came Kirk's cheerful explanation, "what's this all about?"
Spock went on to recount the trouble he'd been having with the computer, then the vandalism to his quarters. Mingled amusement and concern played across Kirk's face. "You can't pinpoint the reason for the malfunctions, Spock?"
"Unfortunately not at this time, captain. However, I suspect it might be connected with the person or people involved in festooning my quarters with decorations. I believe the malfunctioning computer and the invasion of my quarters took place at nearly the same time."
"How do you come to that conclusion?" Kirk asked.
"Due to the trouble with the computers, I was unable to take my regular off duty period and haven't returned to my quarters until 5.3 minutes ago."
Kirk thought a moment. "Dr. McCoy had lunch with us in your quarters around noon, and everything looked fine then."
"Precisely," Spock agreed, "which is why I believe the vandalism took place some time on or around the time at which the computer began experiencing difficulties."
"It could have happened after we returned from lunch." Kirk reasoned.
"Yes," Spock admitted doubtfully, "but all the possible suspects were all on duty at the time before the malfunctions. Therefore, it is logical to assume that someone took the opportunity of their off duty hours, and my absence when I would usually be in my quarters, to violate my quarters and vandalize it with these... adornments."
"Suspects, Spock?" Kirk questioned, "it's not that bad, is it?"
"Captain," Spock said gravely, "entering someone's quarters uninvited, and vandalizing their possessions is a criminal act. I should think you would be anxious to apprehend whomever has promoted such unhealthy activities."
"all right, Spock," Kirk sighed, "I'll come and... um... inspect the damage."
"That would be most appreciated." Spock said before disconnecting the link.
A slow grin spread across the captain's face as he assessed the state of Spock's quarters. Whomever had decorated had certainly done an excellent job. Admiring the scene for a moment, he turned to Spock. "Maybe someone was doing you a favor."
Up went Spock's brow. "By inflicting their holiday customs on me?"
Kirk sat down in the chair Spock offered, trying to appear serious. Spock was obviously unsettled by these events. "How do you propose we get to the bottom of the damaged computer?" Kirk wanted to know.
"I believe by discovering the party involved in the damage to my quarters wil lead us to the answer of the computer's problem." Spock advised.
"Not necessarily," Kirk countered, "maybe you're hoping to wrap up things too easily, Spock."
"Captain, I am not searching for an easy sollution to the problem of the computer, however, I do think these two events are linked in some way."
Kirk sighed. When Spock got an idea lodged in his head, nothing could dissuade him from his course until his hunch had been played to its conclusion. "All right, Spock, how are you going to find out who did this to your quarters?"
"By interrogation." Spock said simply.
Shaking his head, Kirk stood. "well, good luck," he said, "in the meantime, I'm going to get ready for the day. It's nearly morning."
"Yes, captain," he said, "I shall apprise you on both situations."
"Verry good, Spock." Kirk replied just before the doors swished closed behind him.
"Maybe you should stay out of the path of a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer." Spock heard Dr. McCoy say as he approached sick bay.
There was a laugh from a female member of the crew, the hum of a tricorder, then the doctor cautioning the woman to take it easy for a few days. Spock and the previous patient passed through the door simultaneously and the ensign saluted as he entered. The doctor glanced up and seeing Spock he asked, "What brings you here so early, Spock?"
"Doctor," Spock said, ignoring his question, "how is it possible that ensign Myres was injured by a vehicle drawn by deer? I have never heard of that mode of transportation, nor is it possible for her to have been harmed by such means on the Enterprise."
Dr. McCoy had the audacity to laugh. "It was a joke, Spock. But I suppose your vulcan heart can't comprehend such things."
"I do not understand the need for humor when the ensign was injured. What was the nature of her injury."
The doctor waved dismissively. "Oh, just a minor sprain of the ankle when she was in the rec room."
"Instead of employing your dreadful humor, doctor, you would have been well advised to offer her some precautionary warning about being more careful in future so such injuries wouldn't occur."
The doctor flared up at once. "I'll thank you not to tell me how to practice medicine, Spock."
Spock folded himself in to a chair. "Perhaps you require further schooling, as your advice seems faulty."
Clenching his teeth to prevent himself from saying something he would regret, the doctor snapped, "Did you come in here to criticize me, Spock? Or is there something you need?"
"My intention was not to criticize," Spock claimed, "My purpose is to ask you a few questions if it will not interrupt your schedule."
The doctor's eyes glinted hopefully. "If I said it would be interfeering with my schedule, would you leave?"
"Yes." Spock answered.
"Then I'm busy." Dr. McCoy announced firmly.
"Doctor, you have not allowed me to complete my statement. Yes, I would depart, but then find you at a more appropriate time."
Heaving a heavy sigh the doctor threw himself unceremoniously in to a chair across from Spock. "So why am I to be harrassed?"
"Doctor, I do not intend to harrass you," Spock assured, "I simply wish to ask you if you are aware of the damage done to my quarters?"
Dr. McCoy's face clouded with confusion. "No, " he said slowly, "what did happen to your quarters?"
"It was overwhelmed by Christmas decorations." Spock informed him. "Where were you after you completed your duty shift?"
The doctor shot to his feet. "Wait a minute! You think I had something to do with this?"
"I have not arrived at a conclusion," Spock admitted calmly, "I simply wish to verify your whereabouts and your activities in order to make an informed decision."
Slumping in to his seat again, Dr. McCoy scowled. "I was in the rec room with Uhura and Dr. M'Benga if you must know. I wouldn't take the time or go to the trouble of decorating your quarters when you can't even appreciate the reason behind it."
Not thinking this defensive retort needed acknowledgement, Spock didn't comment. If the doctor was telling the truth, if Uhura and MBenga had really been with him in the rec room, then he could rule out their involvement. He trusted MBenga implicitly, and could depend on him for being completely honest with him. "I should like to speak with nurse Chapel." he decided.
"So you're going to interrogate everyone on the ship?" the doctor said sarcastically.
"I will question as many people as necessary until the person or people involved have been apprehended."
"Then what?" McCoy scoffed, "are you going to put them in the brig for trying to get you in to the Christmas spirit?"
"Doctor, I do not find this in the least amusing as you seem to. Please, I would like to discuss this matter with nurse Chapel."
Turning on his heel, McCoy strode in to a medical lab, a minute later returning, nurse Chapel following close behind. "Hello, Spock," she greeted cheerfully, "Dr. McCoy said you wanted to talk with me?"
"Indeed," Spock said, "if we might converse alone?"
He directed a pointed look at the doctor who shrugged and stomped in to his office. Spock once again repeated the story he'd told the doctor and at its end nurse Chapel was smiling. "what a wonderful idea!" she exclaimed jubilantly, "I wish I had thought of it."
"You do?" Spock asked, confused.
"Yes," she said, still beaming, "what a perfect way to get you in to the holiday mood."
"Why do you humans continue to thrust your emotions upon those who do not wish to experience them? It gets rather wearisome. However, I am not proan to moods of any kind, therefore your wish would not have seen fruition. Whomever has done this will be as equally disappointed."
She only shook her head, as though he didn't mean what he said, still favoring him with a smile. "Well, I didn't have anything to do with it," she said pleasantly, "I was here all last night working on reports that if not completed will have to be postponed until after Christmas."
Momentarily jolted from his line of questioning and the unexpected answer she had given, it took a moment to gather his thoughts. "You were here all last night? You didn't leave sick bay at all?"
She shook her head. "No, Spock. you can even ask nurse Lowry. I was here the entire night."
"That will not be necessary." he answered, now just a bit stumped. "Thank you for your time. I shall not detain you further."
It took a quick call to MBenga's quarters to confirm the truthfullness of Dr. McCoy's statement, he had indeed been with M'Benga and Uhura in the rec room until late in to the hours and they had all returned to their quarters quite exhausted. Nurse Chapel had openly admitted that had she thought of the idea, she would have done it. Three of his suspects had been neatly illiminated in less than an hour, but Spock wasn't prepared to concede defeat. He still had other people to question.
He was on his way to the bridge when it happened. The lights flickered, once, twice, then Spock found himself plunged in to darkness. Expecting the backup systems to return power to the lights, he paused in the corridor, but when several seconds passed and the desired results didn't occur, he carefully began making his way to the turbolift, wondering if the lights were out, what other parts of the ship might be without power. Obviously the life support systems hadn't failed, and he could still here the hum of the engines. Stepping in to the turbolift, he heard hurrying steps and before the doors slid closed, a shadowy figure dove inside, colliding with Spock. He staggered against the wall, reaching out quickly, preventing the person from toppling. "I'm so sorry," panted Chekov, "I didn't realize anyone vas in here.
"That is quite all right, ensign," Spock said, "were you harmed?"
For a moment there was silence before Chekov stammered, "Uh... No... no sir. I'm.. all right."
Spock wondered over the sudden nervousness of the ensign. "Are you well, Mr. Chekov?" he inquired politely.
"Yes, sir." Chekov replied, his voice a little more steady.
Spock requested their destination and the turbolift obeyed. Silence descended and Chekov shifted uncomfortably on the opposite side of the lift. Something was definitely wrong with Chekov but given the inky blackness that now enfolded them, and the silence he was maintaining, Spock couldn't fathom just what was troubling him. Thinking it best to pose his questions once they had reached the bridge, or better yet, in a secluded lounge so as not to embarrass him, Spock made no attempt to break the quiet.
The lift suddenly shuddered violently, then plummetted in to a free fall!