The Determinant: Part One
He is preoccupied. Apart from his [newly stressful] private life, a message is due in from Starfleet today. Orders that he may logically deduce will be coming from her. And so, deep in thought, Spock is unprepared for what awaits him as the lift doors to the bridge open.
The noise assaults him; many people speaking all at once, in various volumes ranging from something suitable for a bedside manner [something which Dr. McCoy would be well advised to adopt], to a volume often employed when screaming something highly deragatory at one's cheating spouse. The captain is at the center of the throng, raising his hands, trying to quiet them. Judging by the growing amount of noise, he is unsuccessful. However, although besieged on all sides, the Captain is alert; he stands strongly, shoulders back, full of new energy. Once again, he exudes that calm sense of power that is particular to him- the ability to command, to do that which appears initially impossible.
He slept well, a voice intones inside his head. The errant thought is instantly dismissed.
"Course laid down," is Sulu's interjection into the tumult. "I enjoyed your impression of a narcoleptic-"
Sulu is then interrupted by Mr. Scott, appearing from the lift. He attempts to get the Captain's attention by gesturing wildly in the air, wielding what Spock sees to be a pair of dented pliers.
"You'll be needing to take a look at this, Captain, a bit of an electrical malfunction' down on Deck Three, Johnson surveyed it and we've got a few unusual readins', see 'ere-"
Scott points with a grubby finger at the PADD indicated, as the Captain's lips move. Few seem to notice; all involved in said ill-timed conversation do not cease their efforts to communicate, nor to communicate in such an exceptionally loud manner.
(Unprofessional, is the voice's snide contribution. Would that this voice would desist.)
"I can't hear any of you," Jim states loudly, glancing from person to person.
Spock sees no comprehension on any crewmember's face- it appears that, due to his superior hearing, he is the only one at the present time who can hear what Jim is saying. A curious circumstance.
"In fact, I can't even hear myself." Jim says conversationally, in his normal speech range. "If it weren't for the fact that I knew what I was going to say before I said it, I too would be totally in the dark."
Spock's lips twitch before he can stop himself.
And suddenly, as if in response to the movement, the Captain's eyes, sharp with intent, come to rest on him-those inhumanly colored eyes that separate truth from fiction. But as soon as Spock meets the stare from across the room, he breaks it. He looks away.
And Spock feels, not sees, the Captain's attention intensify upon him before it is diverted, when Jim turns back to the masses and tries again.
The few people whose attention Jim manages to catch simultaneously mouth "What? I can't hear you." The Vulcan watches, for what appears to be the first time, as a glimmer of exasperation crosses the Captain's face.
Spock speaks also, but his voice is lost to the crowd; the crew does not respond.
"Spacial anomaly detected in flight path three-zero-zero, rerouting course-" says Ensign Ka'wids'ing.
Another glance between them, and his friend appears to be studying him-
"Detection of anomaly in subspace sector two, quadrant six alpha charlie-"
The noise is overpowering. His thoughts, more so.
"an' the nacelles on the lower deck need some minor repairs-"
Jim.
"...bravo, second sector approaching east, readouts maintaining typical substructure-"
blue eyes-
"DESIST."
Even as the word leaves his mouth, he does not know who he truly imparts it to- the squabbling ensigns, the stunned crew- or himself. He does not dwell on it, instead observing the slack jaws of his coworkers.
The Captain catches his eye, and the man's usual undecipherable smile turns to one of gratitude, imparted in the briefest of expressions.
Thank you.
A slow blink is his acknowledgement as the Captain addresses him.
"Yes, Commander?"
"We've received our orders from Starfleet, Sir," Spock relays, blank-faced.
Kirk turns to Sulu, expression neutral.
"On the display, please, Sulu." And Admiral Kates appears onscreen.
Without emotion, Spock notes the crew's reactions, seeing tension in the set of jaws and anger in the positioning of their bodies. Defensive. Hostile. In spite of her rank, Spock can admit he holds no regard for the Admiral. Kates is a "loose cannon"- leaving destruction in her wake more often than not, by saying one thing here and not saying something there, carefully manipulating, pushing people together into chaos or pulling them apart as coldly as if they were strands of string. Picking at the heart of things, a carrion bird; her cold anger restricted only by regulations.
"Admiral Kates."
"Captain Kirk."
The two form each other's names with careful hatred.
"Negotiations with the dignitaries of Isiay are complete," Kirk says smoothly, his face still. "You will find my initial statement finalized and the two subsequent reports filed."
Spock, watching her face, sees triumph. Triumph where it should not exist.
"I wish to discuss a matter concerning your actions and those of your crew on Isiay." They do not speak, forcing her to continue.
"Your misconduct."
Coldness takes him over. He is not even conscious of moving to the Captain's side- but when he notices again, it is of no consequence. The coolness of Jim's shoulder against his only lends to the coldness of his heart, the ice that says he will do anything to protect the man beside him. And he speaks to her only when he is sure of his own voice, that it shall not betray him. He speaks without inflection, without interest, without curiosity. To react to her is to please her, to satisfy her expectations. He will do neither.
"I am uncertain as to what it is you are referring, Admiral. Our crew has acted in accordance with all standard Starfleet customary procedures, including the Directives. Contact with the life forms of Isiay was not established until it had been noted and verified that their technology had reached a level of sophistication at which they had become capable of interstellar spaceflight."
"The Prime Directive is not what has been violated, Commander," Kates declares, and the Captain's breathing accelerates. Spock steps closer.
"By all means," Jim says softly, "Enlighten us."
"The dilithium crystals deposits," she breathes.
No one on the bridge moves.
"They're not mentioned in the report, are they?"
"Which deposits?" The captain inquires politely. "I'm terribly sorry...Natalia..."his voice caresses every syllable- "...but I don't seem to remember there being any."
In the stunned silence that follows, Uhura wonders, for perhaps the billionth time in her career, if the Captain knows what he's doing. And after that, regardless of whether he's just doomed them all, she gives him an (entirely mental) round of applause.
The youngest Captain in Starfleet history has just called one of the highest ranking, biggest stick-up-her-ass Admirals in the fleet by her first name.
James Tiberius Kirk, Uhura thinks with grudging fondness.
You are one brave, dumb, doomed son of a bitch.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: 5/20/2011
To Any Readers:
Hello, this is moviesaremagic. It is my deepest regret to say that this story has been discontinued. My personal life took me away from it for a long time, and my head is a very different place than it was when I began it. I'm dissatisfied with where I took the story, and I feel like I can't finish it as I've written it. Call me old-fashioned, but I never wanted to be the kind of author that discontinued their fics, because we've all had that experience of reading something for a while only to have the person stop writing it. I like to be the kind of writer where if I post something here, it will be finished. Unfortunately, this fic has been officially discontinued. I am currently working on a massive rewrite, but will not be posting it until I am sure it will be completed.
With regret, and with my utmost apologies to all reviewers, collaborators, and betas who helped this story blossom. Your advice and support were wonderful, and I thank you.
~moviesaremagic