Chapter 18 – Another Trek Begins
"This assembly calls Captain James Tiberius Kirk," Admiral Barnett said. "Your inspirational valour and supreme dedication to your comrades is keeping with the highest traditions of service, and reflect utmost credit to yourself, your crew and the Federation. It is my honour to award you with this commendation." The Admiral pinned a red medallion to Kirk's uniform. "By Starfleet order 28455 you are hereby directed to report to Admiral Pike, U.S.S. Enterprise, for duty as his relief." Kirk and the Admiral shook hands.
Kirk walked to where Admiral Pike waited in his wheelchair and stood up straight. "I relieve you sir."
Admiral Pike smiled. "I am relieved."
"Thank you, sir," Kirk grinned.
"Congratulations, Captain. Your father would be proud." Both men shook hands. All around them, applause broke out. Zia and Spock clapped and cheered alongside everyone else.
Later that evening, Spock walked Zia back to her room. "I cannot convince you to come with us, can I?"
"No," she laughed. "I need to stay at the Academy and finish my studies. As soon as I graduate, I'll be there, unless of course the planet is in danger again."
"The Enterprise will await your arrival, but in the meantime be certain to keep to your studies," he advised.
"I will. There's something I've been wondering though…"
"Yes?"
"I read a bit about mind-melds, but they said nothing about speaking in each other's minds. How can we do it?"
"The only way to speak between minds is to share emotion. Since most Vulcans do not approve of emotion, it is rarely practiced."
"So, we can speak, but we just have to convey emotion?"
"Yes."
"Wow," she grinned, facing Spock outside her room. "You learn something new every day."
He smiled, something he only did for her, and took her hand. "Every time we are on Earth, I will come and see you."
"You better," she grinned. "How else will I keep sane?"
o.O.o
The turbolift doors opened and Spock stepped out in his blue uniform, "Permission to come aboard, Captain?"
Kirk grinned. "Permission granted."
Satisfied, Spock approached the Captain's chair. "As you have yet to select a First Officer, respectfully, I would like to submit my candidacy. Should you desire, I can provide character references." Kirk stood, a smile on his face.
"It would be my honour Commander."
Spock nodded and moved to his console, his expression conveying none of the joy he felt inside.
'I told you that you'd get it.'
'It is undignified to gloat.'
"Manoeuvring thrusters, Mister Sulu," Kirk ordered, sitting in his chair.
"Thrusters on standby," Sulu announced.
"Take us out."
"Aye, aye Captain," Sulu grinned.
'I'll think of you every day, Spock.'
'As will I, Zia.'
Then the Enterprise jumped into Warp, signalling the start of a new adventure.
o.O.o
In her dorm room, Zia sat on her bed with her physics textbook open on her lap. She knew that she was going to join Spock on the Enterprise when she completed her fourth year at the Academy, perhaps even her third. Now she knew what Uhura had been so excited about.
"Hey," Tara said. "You okay?"
"Yeah," Zia sighed, "Spock's just gone into Warp."
"Don't worry," Tara assured her, "he'll be back." She grabbed her towel and headed into the bathroom.
Zia lay back and closed her eyes. Spock's voice echoed in her head.
'Space… the final frontier. These are the continuing voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission… to explore strange new worlds… to seek out new life forms, and new civilisations… To boldly go, where no one has gone… before…'