Title: why can't we just forget, ride off into the sunset?
Disclaimer: not my characters; title from Big&Rich.
Warnings: um. depressing?
Pairings: none stated
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 250
Point of view: third
Prompt: fixed
They find Dr. McCoy slumped over Captain Kirk, both cold to the touch and covered in blood. Lieutenant Danvers quickly ascertains that McCoy has a faint pulse, but can't find one for the captain. They are beamed directly to sickbay and everyone waits for word.
Acting Captain Spock orders Helmsman Sulu to warp posthaste, and everyone can tell that his Vulcan façade masks a storm of kill-them-all-now. Lieutenant Uhura stands at his side, hands clasped behind her back.
When the news comes, Spock bows his head while Chekov sobs. Sulu wraps his arms around him. Uhura grips Spock's hand and he pulls her to him, clutching her close. The rest of the bridge fares no better.
It is a long, heartrending moment before Spock says, "Sulu, turn the Enterprise around." His voice is nowhere near emotionless and the fury in it chills them all to the bone.
"Yes, sir," Sulu replies.
Vengeance is not logical. As the old Terran adage goes, a person who embarks on a quest for revenge should dig two graves.
Dr. McCoy and Captain Kirk died pointless deaths. Spock will have no need to justify himself to anyone. Everyone who matters already understands and fully agrees—or are the ones in need of vengeance.
Spock sits in a chair he has never wished to and commands a ship that will never feel like his. He knows his career will never recover; he does not care.
"Lay it to waste," he orders. Without hesitation, he is obeyed.