The Prince

Chapter 7

He was at the end of a one-year mission in space. His first outing since graduating from the academy. He was now a lieutenant. And he was second officer to Captain Pike. His best friend. No one in Starfleet's history had ever been promoted so quickly up the ranks, but Spock had excelled with ease. In the academy, it was with the Kobyashi Maru, and his numerous degrees (he had completed three more in four years as a cadet, bringing his total to eight in all), had helped expedite his ascension, as most students with previous degrees were automatically advanced quicker than those just starting them at the academy. He had also proven his worth more than once in the numerous scuffles Pike had gotten them into in his first venture into space.

So upon returning from the field, Spock was approached by his friend and Captain with an offer he wouldn't be able to turn down. Pike took his protégé out to a local pub to discuss the details.

"Hey Spock, since we're planet side for a while, I've got some news to share with you. How about we go down to Rocky's this evening?" Spock didn't really care for the bar scene, but found it impossible to refuse his captain. "At what time should I avail myself captain?"

'1900 hours." And so, at the appointed time, Spock walked into the local hot spot. He was dressed casually, a pair of denim jeans pressed with black boots, a simple, white collared shirt with a black undershirt underneath, and a black leather jacket for the cool evening. He spotted his captain right away at the bar.

Pike turned to greet him. "Lieutenant Spock, glad you made it. Come; let's head over to the other side."

Settling themselves down into a booth, Pike immediately cut to the point.

"Spock, we're being grounded for the next four years. Apparently, our ship is being decommissioned, and there's a proposal for a new Constellation-class vessel being drawn up. I am going to command it, when the time comes."

Spock registered no surprise as Pike took a sip of the beer in his hand. "And how do I fit into this Captain?" Spock said calmly.

"You are my first officer. I've know n you since you were a cadet, and your work has not gone unnoticed by Starfleet. They want to enlist you in a teaching/ research role until the new ship is finished. Also, Number One is leaving for work in the public sector, which means I have an opening for a first officer. I'd like you to fill it."

Spock was silent a long while as he stared at his Captain. He was only a year out of the academy and in such a time he had jumped from Cadet to first officer…he didn't dwell on it too much.

'What would they have me teach?" he asked.

"Well Spock, you would continue your work the Kobyashi Maru of course. The fleet is also in dire need of a teacher skilled in Vulcan and Romulan dialects, as well as morphology and phonology. All in your subject matter expertise. You would also have the opportunity to study human language acquisition habits, as you would be teaching. So basically, the cadets will study you, and you study the cadets"

Pike pitched the teaching gig in a way he knew would pique the Vulcan's interest. Any chance at the opportunity for further study always drew Spock in.

"I see," was Spock's reply. "This is most interesting. And it does give me ample time to work on several projects which I have yet to complete. I believe teaching is something I have never tried, and so therefore I can conclude that the ability to "study the cadets as they study me" could prove quite beneficial. And should make for fascinating research. I accept."

Pike grinned reaching over the table to give Spock a pat on the shoulder.

"Great Mr. Spock! Well, let me be the first to say, congratulations on your teaching assignment. Oh, and there's one more thing you should know"

Spock looked.

"The incident on Talos IV, you saved my ass back there, at great personal risk to yourself seeing how the people were manipulative telepaths. They could have killed you. You received several commendations, and for your efforts, you're being promoted. Congratulations Commander"

It would prove to be a fascinating four years.