A/N: Thanks, again, to Mira_Jade for her creative ficlet themes!

Gaila: "Independence"

"How dare you talk to me that way! You don't know me!" Galia exploded, her girlish features twisted into a mask of rage.

"I was jus-"

"Just trying to judge me! Frack, I really don't need this."

"Galia calm down," Nyota soothed, trying to tame to rage she had just incited. "I didn't mean to imply-"

"Quit while you're ahead, Uhura," the Orion cut in. "She's Orion, she must be a slut!"

"That's not it, Galia. I'm just concerned. There have been three men in as many weeks."

"So…what? I don't have the right to see who I want?"

"Of course you do, but this affects me, too. You don't live her alone. We're both new to the Academy and we're new to each other. We have to have some ground rules."

"Number one, don't judge me because the color of my skin," Galia answered, after a deep breath."

"I apologize for what I said. Will you forgive me? I was not implying that all Orion women are promiscuous. I know the history. My people have a history of slavery too you know?"

Galia looked skeptical. "They do?"

Of course. It was hundreds of years ago, but it's not something Africans forget. I don't wear it on my sleeve or anything, but I am aware of the past."

"It's not the past for me, Uhura," Galia stated, evenly. "It's the recent past anyway. I have vivid memories of things I was made to do; things I had to do to survive."

Galia sat on her bed, looking away from Uhura; staring at the lamp on the night stand.

Nyota fought the urge to touch her roommate's hand. The situation was too volatile. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"You have no idea…what I did; how long I've been doing it."

Nyota looked her in the eye. "No, I don't. I have no idea."

"N-Nyota, It's good to be free, you know. I actually love the Federation…more Starfleet. They rescued me. I don't owe them anything, but somehow I want to serve."

Nyota wasn't sure about the change of subject, but she let it go. For her part, listening was the best thing she could do.
"I forgive you, Nyota," Gaia said, quietly. "I can get pretty defensive about my past."

"That's understandable," Nyota replied in sympathy. "And not uncommon in most species."

"You don't seem very defensive; at least from what I've seen so far."

Nyota smile mischievously. "Give it time, Galia. Give it time."

Nero: "Avarice"

As Spock was escorted from his time ship, Nero was practically hopping in place to get his hands on the treacherous Vulcan.

"By the gods, Spock," Nero began. "You are a sight for sore eyes."

Spock remained silent, only staring blankly at the tattooed Romulan.

"Nothing to say? Fine. Let me do the talking. I have been waiting for you, Spock. Waiting a very long time. I've had a long time to thing about what I would do with you. Believe me, I've thought of plenty of ways by which I could kill you. Even today, I thought about choking the life out of you. It would feel good to witness your death personally. But, even I, a greedy man, have found a way to make you suffer which will satisfy me long after we part company. It pains me not kill you now. But my brief suffering will be worth it."

"I did everything I could. It simply did not work."

Nero's blood boiled and his anger bloomed over his face in a pulsing death mask. He punched Spock in the stomach and when he doubled over, the Romulan pushed him to the ground.

"You will know pain, Spock!" Nero screamed. "I promise you! Your plan may have failed, but mine will be successful. I'm going to make you watch."

Pike: "Insistence"

"Captain, I have a priority one message coming in from Starfleet Command: Eyes Only," Uhura reported from her station behind the captain's chair.

Kirk didn't respond immediately. He'd known this was coming, You don't engage a Romulan war ship and get off scott free. The question bouncing around his skull was whom the messenger was going to be. Would they make a point by having Admiral Pike dress him down or would it be a stranger, a ranking officer who opposed his captaincy in the first place. Either way, this was not going to be pleasant.

"Captain Kirk?" Nyota repeated.

"Yes, Lieutenant," he replied distractedly. "I'll take it in my ready room.

Rising from his chair, he made for his office. "Spock, you have the conn."

"Captain," Spock answered, affirming the order.

Kirk entered his office and rounded the desk quickly, settling into a chair and activating his monitor.

Pike.

"Dammit Jim, you're a Starfleet Captain, not a maverick!" Pike began without preamble. "What the hell are you doing out there?"

Kirk blinked and tried not to let his lip curl at the Bones-like comment. Coming from Pike with almost as funny as when McCoy did it.

"Trying to stay out of trouble, Sir," Kirk replied.

"Must not be trying too hard. The Romulans are calling your actions and act of war."

"With all due respect, Admiral, sneezing in their general direction is considered an act of war."

"You think this is funny, Captain?" Pike said, his stern countenance, hardening into a glare. "This is the kind of thing that can get you busted back to the academy."

Kirk straightened in his chair. "Not funny, Sir. But, it's rather absurd. The Romulan warbird entered the Neutral Zone and skimmed the border of our side. When we tracked then, maintaining a respectful distance, they took the opportunity to test us. They fired first, Sir. My report and those of my officers confirm it. In fact the ships log can show you all just what occurred."

"We know what happened, Jim," Pike said, adding some warmth to his admonishing tone. "This isn't about fault. Well, at least not about who started it. This is about what you did after being attacked."

"You expected me to take one on the chin when a cagey, rather mysterious enemy attacks my ship?" Kirk responded hotly.

"We have treaties, Jim. You know this. I expect you to act like a Starfleet Captain. I know you have a lot of pride. I know you have a lot to prove, but this…this was reckless. What if you hadn't been able to disengage? What if the battle cost you more than a few bumps, cuts, and bruises?"

"I would deal with it," Kirk replied still a little charged.

"Don't be an ass," Pike declared. "I know you're smart. Show me. You know what a maverick is, Jim? It's 'an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party'. A captain, on the other hand is 'the commander of a unit or a body of troops'. They are not mutually exclusive, but I'm asking to think of the crew and the ship before your pride. This has to be your first duty."

Kirk didn't know what to say. He thought of making a joke about the definitions, but logic won out. Pike was a friend, a mentor even. He was making this call for a reason; a reason Kirk needed to take seriously.

"I've grown up fighting, Admiral. Three years at the Academy didn't drive that out of me."

"That was the old you, Jim. That was the guy I met in the bar in Iowa."

"The old guy is still in there," Kirk said, thoughtfully.

"Look at me, Jim. You were made for this command, but you still have a lot to learn. I'm glad the fighter is still in you. You'll need him. But the wisdom and knowledge gained in your training temper him. Remember how you said the Romulan was cagey. I see some of that in you. Hold your cards close to the vest, not out in the open. Be prepared, but don't always go with your feelings. Get me?"

Kirk exhaled. "Yeah. I get you, Sir."

"Good. Keep your nose clean for a while. I'm not saying you have to tow the line for eternity, but for now, please stay of trouble."

"Yes, Sir."

Pike's face disappeared to be replaced by the Starfleet insignia. Kirk leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk and steepling his fingers over his mouth and tapping his index fingers together.