Chapter 8
Nyota was still at least ten pounds overweight, but as far as Spock was concerned, it was in all the right places. She had a perfect hourglass figure. Romex leaped to his feet.
"Ms. Uhura, please take your spot," he said. Then he licked his lips.
Spock walked over to the communications console.
"Mr. Romex, you will need your rest to perform admirably during the Gamma shift," Spock said.
Sulu covered his grin.
"Sir, I work the Beta shift," Romex said.
Spock walked past Romex and took his spot at the science console.
"Mr. Spock," Nyota said as he passed by. Spock nodded but said nothing.
They were entering Tzenkethi space. Nyota was nervous. She was well-versed in many languages, but she had never been called upon to participate in diplomatic exchanges. These jobs were most often given to male communication officers, although they were the minority in the communications division. They were always in positions of leadership in the communications division.
"Lt. Uhura, I would like you and Mr. Spock to work closely on the diplomatic protocols for the Cardassians and the Tzenkethi," Pike said.
"Yes sir," Nyota said. Spock walked over and handed her a padd. There was little to do communications-wise, so she spent the day reviewing the protocol.
"Well, gentlemen," he turned and looked at Nyota, "and lady, we have arrived at our destination. Tomorrow we are scheduled to meet with the Aurtach to obtain passage through the system. Are you ready, lieutenant Uhura?"
"Yes sir," Nyota replied.
"Very well, you and Mr. Spock may use the ready room for the final rehearsal. I will join you at 1800, and we can work through dinner," Pike said.
"Kirk," Pike said.
"You have the conn. Remain in position until our route through Tzenkethi space is authorized." Pike said.
"Yes, sir," Kirk said taking the captain's chair.
"Sulu, remain on alert. Keep the shields up and the weapons ready."
"Yes, sir," Sulu said.
Pike took a look at the view screen. No human had ever set foot on Tzenketh. This was a risky endeavor, but Pike knew his days as the captain of the Enterprise were numbered. The brass wanted someone younger to take the role. Pike was steadfast and level-headed, but he rarely took risks. Pike needed success badly.
As Pike entered the turbo lift, he looked at Kirk, a young hotshot who was gunning for Pike's job. It was like having the fox watch the henhouse. That is why Pike needed Spock back in top form as soon as possible and Nyota was the key.
Nyota got off her shift and took a nap. Then she showered. She looked into her closet for something to wear. She had successfully lost weight, but she was also in between sizes. She was too small for her newer tunics, and she had few things from her younger days. Nyota decided to put on an older body suit. It was very tight, so she put a newer sheer tunic over it. The effect was modern and sexy. Nyota admired herself in the mirror, then she headed to the ready room, taking the entrance from the hall instead of the bridge. Spock was already there. He was dressed in black trousers and a casual tunic. There were a few cups on a tray along with a pitcher filled with a smoothie.
"Ms. Uhura, I have reviewed your edits on the protocol. Do you have any additional data on the Tzenkethi? I have found nothing on female physiology?" Spock said. He was reviewing the padd. Then he looked up and saw her in the caftan.
"I noticed that as well. I found that strange," Nyota said
Spock cleared his throat and pulled at his collar.
"Ms. Uhura, you look pleasing," Spock said.
Nyota chuckled, "We are alone. You can call me, Nyota." She placed her hand on his arm.
Spock grabbed her hand and pulled it upward. He sniffed the inside of her wrist. Nyota looked up at him and smiled. Spock released her wrist as Pike and Sulu entered the ready room. Spock back across the room and sat down at the table.
"So, what did you find?" Pike said.
"We cannot find any evidence of Tzenkethi females," Uhura said.
Sulu looked at Pike. "That is concerning. How do they reproduce?" Sulu said.
"Some species are Parthenogenic," Spock said. "Asexual reproduction occurs when the species carry embryos that develop without fusion with a gamete of sperm."
Pike looked at the sketch. "Is this the only image of the Tzenkethi?" he held up the padd.
"Yes, they have very little contact with any species other than the Cardassians, who are frequent trade partners. Hence the use of the Cardassians language." Nyota said.
"Is there a genetic tie between the species?" Pike asked.
"Unknown, Spock said. "Although it is said that they have similar biological origins."
"Cardassians have humanoid traits. Typical height, bipedal, hands and toes are fused like Terran amphibians, yet the skin is more similar to Terran reptilians." Spock said.
He put the image of the Cardassian next to a Tzenkethi sketch. The Tzenkethi are much larger in stature averaging 190 cm in height. They have luminescent skin. Little else is known. Other than the fact that they do not infringe upon the Cardassian space." Sulu said.
"This is not surprising, the Cardassian population is significantly larger at 6.9 billion. They are well known for suicide raiders who sacrifice themselves for the good of the empire." Spock said. "The Tzenkethi territory is much smaller with only three planets."
Pike moved close to look at the two figures. There was something about the two species that didn't sit well with him.
"Sulu, change of plan. I want you to stay on the bridge. We need extensive scans of the Tzenkethi." Pike said.
"Doing so will be considered an act of aggression, Captain," Sulu said.
"Not if you are scanning while we are on the planet. Just scan the beings who are within two meters of humans. They won't notice it." Pike said.
"Aye, Captain," Sulu said.
The meeting continued for two more hours. Nyota was exhausted when it ended. This was disappointing for Spock. He wanted to work out together. The meeting ended. They took the turbo lift to the officer's deck. Spock walked alongside Nyota to her quarters. She turned to face him.
"May I enter?" he asked.
"Sure, come on in," she said.
Romex was headed for the turbo lift when he saw Spock enter Nyota's cabin.
"Damn," he said.
"Sorry fella, Spock and Nyota have had a history for a long time," Sulu said with a chuckle.
"Well, he has had his chance. He needs to back off and let someone have a go," Romex said.
"This is not a sport, Mr. Romex. " Sulu said.
"I don't mean it like that. I really like her." He said.
"Yeah, well she really likes him. If they don't work out, you can try your hand," Sulu said.
"Do you think she would go for someone like me?" Romex asked.
"Honestly, I think that this time around Spock and Nyota are going to hook up," Sulu said. He hoped that the absence of Sarek would give Spock the time to make his move.
Inside Nyota's cabin, Spock stood at the door looking at her.
"Did you want anything in particular," She said as she pulled off the caftan to reveal a skin-tight body suit. Spock steepled his fingers and then he step forward.
"Nyota, I know that you have taken considerable risks to sign up for this mission," Spock said.
"We all did, but it is worth it." She replied.
"I am not sure," Spock said. "We have no previous experience with this sector of space."
Spock took a step forward. He steepled his hand again.
"Nyota, if anything happens to me, I don't want you to struggle when you retire."
"Spock, I will make it." She said. "I have a job lined up at the academy."
"That is not enough," he shook his head.
"I have allowed my parents to interfere with my life for too long. I should have chosen you. I wanted you." Spock admitted. "I almost lost everything at P'Jem," he said.
"Spock," Nyota pressed her hand to her chest.
"If we survive, I wish to begin a relationship with you. If I do not survive, I want you to have this." Spock handed Nyota three black chips.
"Spock, these must be worth thousands." She said.
"316,500 credits," he replied.
"That is too much. What about you?" she asked.
"If we survive, we will be together. If I die, you will be secure in your retirement." Spock said.
Spock stepped forward again and pulled her hand to his lips. He kissed her wrist and then her fingertips. Then he held up his fingers in the ozh'esta. Nyota felt a jolt through her body when he touched her fingers. Then Spock pulled her into his arms and held her.
He released her, "Good night, Nyota," he said and stepped out of her cabin. Romex watched as Spock made his way to his quarters. Spock was only in Nyota's cabin for a few minutes. Maybe there was still hope for him.