Getting to Know You
Chapter Twelve : Have you Never Been Mellow?
Spock
Normally during the week-long year-end leave he took advantage of the empty labs and free time to concentrate on his own research. It was proving very difficult to keep his mind focused this year. For some reason, every time he settled down to review data, the sight of Cadet Uhura when she entered the Christmas Ball would impose itself over whatever he was reading. When he had the earbuds in listening to recorded message traffic, trying to separate out individual sounds, he would instead hear the small sigh she had made when his lips had lightly brushed hers. In exasperation, he threw down his stylus and pushed the loose books, papers, PADDs, and data disks on the desk off to the side in a tumbled mass. And then looked at the mess he had made. This was quite unlike his usual tidiness. He steepled his hands in front of his face, and settled down, trying to induce a light meditative trance. It was hopeless. He could not meditate. His mind was too full. Perhaps some exercise would help. Putting on his running shoes and pulling on a hooded jacket, he left his quarters and began jogging towards the track. Classes would resume on Monday - perhaps he could settle down then. He had a meeting to attend on Monday afternoon to help in making cadet assignments to the new message array on which construction would start the first week of the second semester. He was looking forward to that work. It would be interesting.
***
Finals week came and went. The new semester started. This semester he was teaching Interspecies Ethics. And his most talented student was still sitting center front. They were practicing Cardassian now. And Captain Pike had informed him that the problem had been independently confirmed and the solution was in the works. He was to 'go along' with whatever happened in that regard.
***
As he sat in his office grading papers, his acute hearing picked up the sound of familiar footsteps. How the sound of those footsteps had become distinguished from all others he was not sure, but there was no denying that they had. Perhaps there was a distinctive cadence? No matter. It was illogical to dwell on it. He continuing reading the poorly written paper. The footsteps stopped. Without conscious thought, his head lifted. There she stood in his doorway.
"Commander? Sorry, I don't mean to bother you when you're grading papers, but I need to tell you that I can't come to our usual conversation session today."
Why was that so disturbing? "Is there a problem, Cadet?"
"Not a problem, exactly, sir. I've been assigned to second shift array construction on Thursdays." She paused, then continued. "I was wondering if there might be another time...." Her voice trailed off.
"I do not find that your new assignment will cause us to discontinue our normal conversation, Cadet, as that is the same shift to which I am assigned." Was that relief on her face?
A wide grin spreading across her face, she whirled and strode off down the hall, "See you at 1600 then." floating behind her. He was unaware that the corners of his mouth quirked up as well.
***
Promptly at 1600 he strode into the lab set aside for the construction of components for the new message array. Only two of the six students assigned to this shift were present. He would have to wait for the rest to arrive before beginning with instructions. Suppressing his irritation, he began to unpack the tools which had been shipped here for use in construction. Cadets Uhura and Johnson immediately came to help him and by the time the others had arrived, all the tool kits were laid out, ready for use.
He assembled the cadets around one of the work benches, explained the component they would be constructing that evening, and distributed kits of electronic components. Each cadet took one to a different work bench and the work started. He roved around the room for a few minutes, watching the cadets. They all seemed to be competent - but then they had all been recommended by the instructors of their first year computer science courses and had all previously demonstrated competency in similar actions. He took his place at the last work bench and began to assemble the controller unit. While his hands where busy, he began to discuss Cardassian poetry with the cadet at the next bench.
***
Monday morning when he returned to his office after class, there was a message waiting for him. He was to report to the Commandant's office at 1330. He had no idea what that meant. Perhaps this was the event with which he was to 'go along'?
Precisely at 1330, he presented himself to the Commandant's secretary and was ushered into the private office. There were several other officers there already, including Captain Pike and Commander Terrance. This was whatever Captain Pike had arranged then. He would be very careful in his actions and replies.
After acknowledging him, the Commandant began to speak. "Well, since we are all here now, let me say that I think that this idea to further interspecies understanding is such a novel idea and a perfect example of what we can do here at the Academy. I understand that Captain Pike had this idea and approached you with it, Commander Spock?"
Having no idea what the Commandant was referring to, he was not sure how to reply, however an affirmation of some sort was definitely required. "yes, sir." seemed to be sufficient.
"Well, we searched all the cadet records to find someone that would meet your specifications. We did find one student with the necessary reflex speed, thankfully. It would have been very unfortunate to have to turn down such a generous offer."
He began to have an idea of what Captain Pike's problem solution was. He began to anticipate this solution with illogical eagerness.
The Commandant continued. "Commander Terrance, I am afraid that you are going to have to find another cadet for private instruction. I believe that there were three other cadets who placed nearly as highly as Cadet Uhura at the beginning of the year assessments?"
Commander Terrance was clearly not pleased. "Yes, sir, there were three young men who actually managed to get as far as Commander Spock's mat. However, none of them lasted more than a few seconds. I do not feel that their accomplishments were nearly as important as Cadet Uhura's. I do not see how removing her from my teaching will be beneficial to her." He was obviously going to continue to protest her removal from his tutelage.
The Commandant interrupted him. "Now, Terrance, you know that this is the opportunity of a life-time for that cadet. To be the first Terran to have an opportunity to learn suus mahna! How can you possibly think that she would not want that opportunity?" At the beep of his desk communicator, he turned towards the door. "And this must be her now. She has no idea why she has been summoned, so please, everyone, let me have the pleasure of disclosing this to her." He was positively beaming with pleasure as he waited for the cadet to enter the office.
The door to the office opened and Cadet Uhura was ushered in. She stopped in confusion a few feet into the room, glancing around at all the officers gathered there. She stood stiffly at attention. "Cadet Uhura reporting as ordered, sir."
The Commandant beamed at her. "Cadet Uhura, I have a very special opportunity to offer you today. You must know that here at the Academy we are always striving to find new ways to develop interspecies cooperation and friendship."
She nodded, not sure that a reply was actually required.
"Captain Pike approached me shortly last month with a novel idea. An idea that would require a special cadet to put into motion. After searching through the cadet records, we have determined that you are that cadet."
She was definitely confused now. "Me, Sir?"
"Yes, Cadet, you are actually the only cadet at the Academy who meets the strict requirements for this experiment in interspecies cooperation. There were very specific requirements for speed and reflexes. As this experiment will occupy all of your physical conditioning time this semester, there was also the requirement that the cadet selected must have completed all the necessary skills that must be passed this year - which you have done. Therefore, it is my pleasure to offer this opportunity to you." The Commandant paused, obviously pleased with himself. He beamed at her. "Cadet Uhura, we have a unique situation here at the Academy. We have on staff a grand master in suus mahna, the ancient Vulcan martial art. He has been approached by a member of StarFleet with the suggestion that he take on a student and has graciously accepted this challenge, provided that we could find a cadet who met his rigorous specifications. Which you have. Therefore I am very pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to you."
She looked absolutely stunned. She turned her head to look at him, eyes searching. He held his breath. She turned back to the Commandant, pulling herself even more erect, if that was possible. "Sir, I would be honored to accept this challenge on behalf of the Academy."
He quietly let his breath out in relief. Captain Pike's solution was outstanding.
The Commandant beamed even more, if that was possible. He offered his hand to Cadet Uhura, who offered her own hand. The Commandant shook it vigorously, then took it in both of his hands and held it there a moment. "I am sure you will represent the Academy well, Cadet. Now, it's almost 1400, which I understand is the time that you normally have your physical conditioning, so I'm going to turn you over to Commander Spock so that the two of you can get started." He drew her hand over towards Spock. "Here you go, Spock, one of the top cadets in her class. Treat her well."
He did not think that that would be a problem at all.
Uhura
She was eating lunch in the mess hall with her friends when her PADD beeped with an incoming message. Report to the Commandant's office at 1345. What could that possibly be about? She racked her brain, trying to come up with anything that would involve the Commandant. Nothing.
"Cadet Sweet Pea! Just the girl I was looking for."
Oh, no, not that ass Jim Kirk again! She tried to hide the message on her PADD, but it was too late.
"Uh oh, someone's been a naughty girl. Watcha done, lovely?"
She tucked her PADD back in her bag and turned angrily to the irritating young man trying to squeeze his way in between Gaila and her on the bench. "Will you just go away and leave me alone? How many times do you have to be repulsed before you get the idea, anyway?"
Beside her Gaila scooted over to let Kirk sit down. "Oh, hey, he's just teasing you. Calm down."
"Well, I don't have time for it now. I need to go be sure I look presentable for whatever it is I'm being summoned for. See you later, after physical conditioning."
"Do be careful. Don't let that guy injure you again. I'm going to report him if it keeps happening." Her roommate was usually furious when she returned to their room on late Monday afternoons with bruises or sprains.
Jim Kirk looked over in surprise. "Commander Terrance is rough with you? Man, that sucks. I thought that was a plum chance for extra training. Maybe I'm glad he didn't pick me."
She heaved a sigh. She knew Gaila was concerned for her. "I'll be careful. See you later." She headed for the nearest ladies room to check her appearance, as she didn't have time to go clear across the campus to her dorm.
***
She arrived at the Commandant's office with a few minutes to spare and waited anxiously to be admitted and find out what this was about. She knew she hadn't done anything that would require the Commandant to call her out on the carpet. When the secretary rose and went to open the door to the inner office, she straightened herself and strode in, stopping a few feet inside the room at the sight of all the officers gathered there. What was going on? She listened in astonishment to the Commandant's offer. She tilted her head and looked sideways at Commander Spock. He was standing there with his usual controlled expression on his face. She couldn't get any clue from him today. But if the Commandant was making the offer, it had to be legitimate. And there was no way she was turning down that offer! "Sir, I would be honored to accept this challenge on behalf of the Academy."
The Commandant held out his hand. She hesitantly extended hers, and found it engulfed. The Commandant drew her over towards Commander Spock and told him to treat her well. What an odd statement. Still confused, she turned and left the inner office, followed closely by Commander Spock. When they were outside on the pathway, he gently touched her arm, causing her to stop and look up at him.
"Is this acceptable to you, Cadet? If not, we can find some excuse that the Commandant will accept." He waited for her reply.
"I.. I welcome the chance to study with you, sir. I hope that I will meet your expectations. I just don't understand how this happened. I guess I was so stunned in there that I didn't really catch everything that the Commandant said."
"That is not important now, Cadet. Do not concern yourself with it. Since you agree that learning suus mahna would be an appropriate physical conditioning goal, let us proceed to the gymnasium." With that, he set off down the path again, pausing with a glance over his shoulder when she stood rooted to the spot. With a jerk, she hurried to catch up with him.
***
They stood on a mat against the far wall of the gymnasium, dressed in the normal brief shorts and tank. He was giving her very explicit instructions about how to position her arms, legs, hands, and feet. "Move your left foot backwards exactly three centimeters and one centimeter to the left. Now raise your right hand four and one half centimeters. There. Remember that. This is the first position. Now stand at attention. First position. Attention. First Position. No, the transition should be much smoother than that. Both hands should attain the proper elevation at exactly the same time, not two seconds apart."
She had great difficulty in determining just exactly how he could tell she was half a centimeter out of position. Two seconds difference? Did it really make that much difference? Apparently it did, because he continued to drill her in this matter, circling around her to observe at all angles, but never touching her, never forcing her body into awkward positions as Commander Terrance had.
Finally, he seemed satisfied with her ability to hold both the first and second positions and transition between them. She felt like she had achieved something important, but she was beginning to tire and felt her leg muscles beginning to tremble. He must have noticed, because abruptly he sent her off to swim laps. The water felt so nice and she completed her laps in what felt like record time, leaving the pool before he arrived.
Spock
She was an excellent student, following his instructions quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, her movements were not as precise as was desired. It was necessary to correct her by increments, a centimeter here, two there, one second in another place. As the session continued, she seemed to grasp the fact that exactitude was required and the slight irritation on her face disappeared, to be replaced by intense concentration. Her muscle memory proved to be excellent, and by the time she began to tire, she had mastered two positions and the transitions between them. Even knowing in advance of her physical qualifications, he was impressed. It would not do to let her know this, however. When he saw a muscle in her leg tremble, he abruptly dismissed her to swim her laps. He watched her cross the gym floor towards the ladies locker room, waiting until she had reached there safely before going to the free weights to complete his own training for the day. By the time he got to the pool, she was already finished. For some reason, swimming alone was not pleasing today.