As usual, no profit, don't own. I wish to thank my very patient Beta, M'Celeste for her insight and red pencil (in this case red font). Be on the lookout for her posting coming shortly.

To all who have waited patiently for his update, please excuse. I was very busy welcoming my first grandson into the world and taking care of my his siblings. Mother and baby are fine and son-in-law getting ready to teach his days old son the finer points of football.:0)

A/N

It has come to my mind this question, 'Besides his desire to be in her presence, why would Spock pick Nyota for this intense bit of questioning? Remember he knows her well. He is also aware that a more youthful person's answers and emotional response would be right at the surface. The desire to avoid, deny, seek creative but unsound answers to problems would be a hallmark of a youthful mind. So his decision is not without merit.

When You Wish Upon A Star

Chapter Fourteen

Sabotage

Immediately upon entry into his apartment Spock, stripped, showered, put on his meditation attire and settled himself before his asenoi, attempting to center himself. Although he knew that his interaction with Nyota was necessary, deep within his psyche the word 'sabotage' kept echoing in his mind.

Of course, his honesty would compel him to admit that Nyota's abandonment of her quest to be a ship captain would bring him a great deal of satisfaction. His reasoning being, by said deviation, perhaps the avenue chosen could include him. He had seen the look of distress on her face with the realizations of the total responsibility involved with command. What his meditation would have to reveal to him was, 'How much influence did his personal desires have on the formulation of his questions, and thus in his exploration into her mind? And, did this activity conflict with his promise to his mother?

After six hours, forty-five minutes what had been resolved was simply this:

His duty to Star Fleet had to be foremost. The securing of data necessary for the formulation of the new Command Track screening protocol was of primary importance. Nyota and any other interviewee's responses, emotional or otherwise, would stand as markers within the heart of the program. Yes, these interviews were necessary. Although what he observed, heard and surmised during these encounters might give him personal satisfaction, it was dwarfed by the importance of the new program's overall contribution to the Command Track program. One detail that solidified during his meditation was the program's name, 'The Kobayashi Maru.'

`0`0`0`0`0`0`

Noyota was totally exhausted, mentally and physically. After performing her nighttime bathroom routine she could barely make it to her bed. After laying there, head swimming, she finally drifted off into a fitful sleep.

The dream that visited her were fueled by the session she had had with Spock. It came into focus like a black and white holo-vid-the only visible color? The bright blood red on the victims' bodies - and upon her hand. Within the framework of the dream she was able to determine that her reaction to that scenario was not her aversion to blood, or even death. Soldiers were trained to deal with that. No, instead it was her having to acknowledge her part in shedding innocent blood. Even centuries ago, steps had been taken to verbally sanitize war. The language of warfare changed; words such as friendly fire, collateral damage, and loss ratio were used in place of the absolute descriptives: mistake, death, dying and dead.

She recalled a story told about her clan, The Wakafunzi. They were legendary warriors. Their first king M'Boasu, had unified one third of their continent. He was intent upon doing this without blood shed. He took an action that had been used for millennia. Terran history recorded how, by induction of any defeated army's soldiers into his ranks, Alexander the Great, had employed it. Persia's king, Ahasuerus, did likewise, by using representatives from every subjugated people as his counselors.

The king had drawn on their wisdom. His actions answered the question, 'How to unify?' Like the Persian king, he sent representatives to every tribe and clan requesting a representative of their people to come to his capitol. Only one from each indigenous group was chosen. That one would be the best, young, handsome, educated, a child of the elite. These would be trained to be part of his elite, his intimates, his counselors.

Alexander the Great used the tactic and forged his troops into a united group-first by use of common Kione Greek as their language and second, give them more than fair wages and ample food. And most importantly-you personally lead your troops into battle. You be 'half the battle' and never ask of them something you would not do yourself and after each encounter, praise them and the troops command forces, individually. The result? Their loyalty would become legendary. Also write to the families of the fallen, send them the soldiers personal belongings and their wages. These families would support you in any effort. These ingenious time tested strategies would work again, this time wielded by King M'Boasu.

The counselors, in training, were from the far reaches of his empire and had come from the elite and educated classes. They would remember family and friends and of course would never advise war against their own people. Their loyalty was also insured by marriage into the prominent families of his Empire. So remembrances and relationships would forge these counselor's desire for continued peace within his Empire's boarders. So then what was the powerful; tool his counselors' always applied first? Diplomacy! And in dealing with native people, who would know those people best? One of their own.

King M'Bousa used that tactic and thus forged a powerful army, government and a people united despite varying tribes and clans. He personally groomed two of his successors, his son and grandson. His successors continued this form of government and were thus able to repel outside invasions. Under the king and the rule thereafter, the people thrived, built great cities, were made rich by trade and enjoyed the natural resources that their land provided.

But, much of the clan's history remained hidden, even to its members. Although, pivotal to the unification of their continent, why was it always expected their members would become part of the academic community. That clan was known for their work in the preservation of the languages of their continent's varied clans and tribes. Most of their clans members were known for their ability to learn and teach language. Their present clan chef was Nyota's father Benjamin, a honorary graduate of Star Fleet.

There were oral and written clan records that were privy to a very few. The secrets were held tightly and if questions came up that skirted those issues that were clothed in secret, Benjamin Uhura's hand rose to quell further conversation. One part of this secret knowledge that Nyota wished to know was, why did certain characteristic of her clan make them easily recognizable-for their appearance was different from many of the other tribes.

So then, if her life was going to mirror the precepts of her clan, diplomacy would have to come first, then far down the totem pole, war. Nyota knew her gift in the area of languages could be readily used in that area. Traveling with any diplomatic team would hold true to what her people held dear. How she had missed this all important element in her quest to reach the stars could only be attributed to not seeing the scope of what it meant to be in command. It was not just the technical areas of running a ship, which she was fully capable of mastering, but also the ability to stand apart from the consequences of any decisions she made. This she knew she was incapable of doing. There was a Terran leader who had said, "The buck stops here." Now she fully realized the truthfulness of that statement in regards to command.

The resolution of these two opposing sides brought her peace and she surrendered to the comfort of a restful sleep. She would speak to Spock about this tomorrow.

`0`0`0`0`0`0`

After classes Spock sent the following message:

'Another session would be greatly appreciated. I will be at the stars of our dorm in two hours. Non-regulation attire is recommended.'

Spock

Just a short ride on ground transport would bring them to a lovely park that provided tables and benches. It was just a short distance from the sea. As a matter of fact, the sounds of the sea could be heard distinctly even in this contrasting setting.

Spock looked over at his student, who had settled herself opposite him at the large picnic table. She spoke,

"I had a revealing dream last night. It helped me to understand myself better and to connect with my people's mindset. My people have had over five hundred years of peace based on an intense negotiation's protocol that exists within the central government…"

Spock interrupted her,

"Nyota, I am very interested in any conclusion you have reached based on our prior discussion. Perhaps it could be held in abeyance until we have researched the answers to the two questions I must present to you. Would that be satisfactory?"

"Of course Spock."

"Nyota, you are in command, the away team included your bondmate. Hostile forces have attacked and now that initial attack force has been neutralized. They is no doubt that another wave will follow. Your bondmate has a critical injury, and is dying. Will you risk the safety of other crew members to retrieve him in view of the fact that his injuries are fatal? What will you need for closure?"

For a brief second Spock had to chastise himself because of his selection of the term 'bondmate' instead of husband. Terrans would have called this a 'Freudian Slip'. He then observed and noted his student's reaction.

Nyota was speechless. Her bottom lip trembled. She made the attempt to settle herself and avoided Spock's gaze.

"I would retrieve him myself."

"Not satisfactory. You are in command, and Regulation 178.5 forbids that action. You are not permitted to make that sacrifice yourself. What will you do?

There is a look of defeat on her face as she asked,

"He cannot be beamed out?"

"No."

"One of my clan's foundation ideal is this, 'Do not require of others what you would not attempt or carry out yourself.' Since I would be unable to retrieve him, I would have to leave him, I would have to…not have closure, I would be unable to say good-bye, as you state, that is part of command regulations."

He notes.

Her eyes are lowered and breathing is irregular.

"Do you wish us to stop Nyota?"

"No Spock, this is important."

"Our second situation is this. You and your crew are stranded, attempting to regain contact with Star Fleet. Food supplies are being rationed. If there were less mouths to feed, the survival rate would increase ten fold. What would you do? If you choose terminating some of your crew, what would be the basis for crew members' survival. This is the situation faced by the governor of Tarsus IV. What would you do?"

"Who is second in command?"

"Your first officer. A trusted, competent crew member."

"Can he make this decision?"

"No, you are in command."

"How will these crew members be eliminated?"

"That is your decision."

"How many must be eliminated?"

"Two-thirds of your crew."

Thinking of her clans ideal, she said,

"I could not be the first to be removed?"

"No, you are in command. As captain how could you attempt to take the coward's way out? A captain goes down with the ship."

Her eyes are moist as she said,

"I do not wish to be burdened with these responsibilities. Life is too precious to trivialized it by putting a person, not emotionally equipped to walk this maze, to find the most just, least hurtful, less traumatizing life altering decision-to thus take command. I never want to be in that position. It would positively destroy me."

"Nyota, your decision has been echoed by every member of service that opted out of the Command Track. This is not a shameful conclusion, merely an honest one. You are in admirable company to have reached this milestone so early in your Star Fleet career."

Nyota gave him a half smile and stated,

"My dream last night was leading me down that same road. I have reached the decision that my primary focus will be Xenolinquistics which has as a secondary study, diplomacy"

Her face brightened with the change in the wind's direction. The air was suddenly filled again with smells of the sea, the cry of the gulls was beckoning. Turning Nyota asked Spock,

"Do you swim?".

.