Assembly Hall – Starfleet Academy - 0600
The banging of a gavel brought jarred Leonard awake, "All arise," the stern voice of Admiral Barnett rang out as Admiral Archer entered the room through the back door with Porthos on a leash.
Biting his lip, Leonard rose and was grateful that Captain Pike was there to help him stay calm; despite being on the Academy staff, Captain Pike had elected to speak in his defense at the hearing.
As Admiral Archer walked towards his seat at the judgment table, Leonard sighed; the entire Academy Command, including Dr. Puri and Phlox, had assembled in their dress uniforms for this hearing.
"Be seated," Admiral Archer stated as he sat down and quietly directed Porthos to sit at his feet.
Leonard shot a glance at Captain Pike as they retook their seats, "Leonard Horatio McCoy," Admiral Archer stated in a sharp tone as he glared daggers at Leonard. "Do you have a representative?"
Swallowing hard, Leonard looked to Chris, who immediately rose and pulled a stylus from his dress jacket, "Captain Christopher Pike," Chris stated in a respectful voice. "I am present today to represent and defend Cadet McCoy from being expelled from the Academy for illegitimate reasons."
"Illegitimate reasons?" Dr. Puri suddenly piped up in an aggravated tone. "McCoy operated on a patient without supervision and his behavior has been continually disruptive to the Academy and its staff!"
Leonard sighed, but remained silent, "However, McCoy did manage to save the life of the patient he was working on back in December, is that not correct?" Chris stated as he accessed a file on his stylus and glared at Dr. Puri. "The patient was also suffering from Pa'nar Syndrome, which Ambassador Sarek-"
"I am not TALKING about Ambassador Sarek or Cadet Kirk!" Dr. Puri shouted furiously. "I am addressing the fact that Cadet McCoy is reckless and is NOT Starfleet material! I've known that since the first day since he tried to off himself on the recruitment shuttle to the Academy!"
There was a beep and suddenly, the door to the Assembly Hall slid open, "…Additional representation for Cadet McCoy, Ensign Arianne C. Pike," a stern female voice suddenly filtered into the hall.
Leonard turned just in time to see Arianne slowly making her way down the staircase towards the command table; she was dressed in black pants, boots, and a loose undershirt that was covered by a blue medical shirt with her Ensign pip on her collar. Her hair was pulled back out of her face and although she looked extremely pale and tired, Leonard could also see determination in her eyes.
"Ensign Pike, this hearing is closed—" Admiral Archer began, hoping his tone would scare her off.
Arianne sighed as she reached the defense table and extracted a PADD from her pocket, "I have been Leonard McCoy's counselor ever since he enrolled in Starfleet Academy in the unique manner that he did," she stated in a firm tone, giving all of Academy Command a sharp glare.
Captain Pike looked somewhat amused, but, he like everyone else, remained silent, "If you will all refer to your private PADDs, Cadet McCoy has permitted me to share his most recent progress report," Arianne stated in an official tone as she tapped on her PADD. "This report is based on an assessment that was done shortly before I was taken ill with breast cancer, which Doctor McCoy diagnosed."
Dr. Puri turned a deep shade of red; he had missed the cancer diagnosis and hadn't admitted it.
Admiral Archer shot a sharp glare at Captain Pike; it was not until recently that Ensign Pike had chosen to divulge her state of health and Jonathan knew that it had most likely been Chris's idea to hide it.
The others at the table, however, were silently reviewing their PADDs; the expression on each of their faces, especially Admiral Barnett's, showed a great deal of intrigue and surprise on Arianne's notes.
"Ensign Pike, you attended university before coming to the Academy, correct?" Admiral Archer asked, secretly impressed by the way that this young lady was handling the situation with Cadet McCoy.
"Yes sir," Arianne replied in a respectful tone. "I attended the University of San Francisco and majored in Psychology while my minor was in Peace and Justice Studies. During those years, I also took Basic and Intermediate Field Medicine. I was at the university from 2250 to 2254, sir."
Admiral Archer nodded, as he now remembered that she had been one of the survivors of the devastating earthquake in 2253 and she had also counseled many of the survivors and loved ones.
"Cadet McCoy, it says here that you suffer from a degree of post-traumatic stress disorder and also from aviaphobia?" Admiral Barnett suddenly spoke up, gazing at Leonard. "Is that accurate?"
Leonard looked at Chris, who nodded that it was okay to answer, "Yes, sir, it is," Leonard replied politely, gazing straight at Admiral Barnett. "The PTSD stems from my experience as a hostage and Ensign Pike has been most helpful in talking to me about them. The aviaphobia, however-"
"—Will be dealt with come fall term," Arianne suddenly stated, cutting Leonard off. "I had been planning out more of my therapy track when I became sick. Now that I'm feeling better, I can continue the sessions with Cadet McCoy and I will take full responsibility for his progress."
Admiral Archer looked somewhat amused, "You do understand what that means, don't you?" he asked in a skeptical tone. "Basically, if McCoy screws up again, it's you who will be disciplined."
"I understand and stand by my decision," Arianne stated firmly. "Now that you and the other command officials have all pertinent information, the ball is now in your court."
Chris fought hard to keep a straight face as he watched Admiral Archer scowl and whisper to the other Admirals. Arianne stood at attention and ignored Leonard's shocked gaze.
"There will be a recess while the other Admirals and I come to a verdict," Admiral Barnett suddenly spoke up as he gazed at Arianne. "Ensign Pike, thank you for your testimony."
Arianne nodded and turned to leave, but suddenly felt a hand on her arm; she turned and saw Leonard staring at her while behind him, her father was putting PADD's in his pockets.
Swallowing hard, Arianne patted Leonard's arm reassuringly and silently left the hall.
Chris sighed and looked at Leonard, "We should adjourn to the foyer," Chris stated in an official voice as he gestured to a door that was several feet away from the defense table.
Leonard nodded and silently followed Chris into the adjoning foyer to wait for the verdict.
Starfleet Security
"T'Pol, I find it illogical that you would agree to assist the Federation in causing me harm because I was seeking information," Soval stated, secretly annoyed that a forcefield was separating them and he could not strangle his betrayer to death right then and there.
T'Pol looked somewhat angry, "James Kirk was not to be touched," she stated, her tone almost a growl. "The mind meld you administered afflicted him with Pa'nar Syndrome."
"Ambassador Sarek was able to cure it," Soval stated, having heard that information through listening to gossip that filtered through the halls each Terran day.
T'Pol snarled, relieved that there were no guards right next to the cell where Soval had been held since December. Soval looked somewhat bored and ready to return home.
"You and Serij are the ones seeking to study Earth specimens born under unique circumstances," Soval replied tonelessly. "It is illogical that I am the one on trial."
T'Pol crossed her arms, "You attacked a Starfleet cadet on a Terran holiday," she stated in a firm voice. "There were witnesses to the attack and it resulted in a chain of events that are the reason that Cadet Leonard McCoy is currently facing expulsion from the Academy."
"In your last message, you indicated that neither James Kirk nor Arianne Pike were born on Earth," Soval argued. "Can you not order their extradition to Vulcan for scientific study?"
Before T'Pol could reply, the door slid open and two Security officers entered the room and moved over to the cell. They regarded T'Pol briefly, but their focus was on Soval.
"You are illogical, T'Pol!" Soval yelled as T'Pol moved towards the door. "You deceived me!"
T'Pol, however, silently left the Brig to meditate with Lorian before Soval's trial; she had originally intended upon visiting and melding with Arianne Pike during her time on Earth, but the time was not yet right.
There were other ways to get to Ensign Pike…perhaps through interrogating her closest companion.
Admiral Archer's Residence
Jim woke with a start and was grateful to realize that he had just been having another bad dream.
With a sigh, he gazed around the bedroom that Admiral Archer had given him in exchange for serving as an educational assistant and occasional groundskeeper. Everything was as it should be.
A quick look at the chronometer on the bedside table told Jim that it was time to get up, shower, eat, and get into his cadet reds; he would be expected to testify at the noon trial and he had to be on time.
Before the trial, however, Jim planned to go to a civilian library to do research on his class paper and without Arianne's help, he knew it would take longer; his English and writing skills were terrible.
Jim quickly got out of bed and, quickly making it, he left the room and quickly moved down the short staircase, relieved that he didn't have to feed Porthos that morning. The kitchen was not hard to enter and Jim immediately got a cup of black coffee from the replicator to calm his frayed nerves.
The bad dreams were always the same and ever since the attack in December, they had accelerated to once or twice a night, as if someone was tapping his mind and forcing him to relive the past.
A sudden chime brought Jim away from his thoughts and gripping the mug in his hands, he moved out of the kitchen, through the living room, and to the front door. Wondering if it was Bones come to tell him about the outcome of the hearing, Jim unlocked the door and waited, somewhat impatient.
The door slid open and a young Vulcan enshrouded in a black robe was lingering on the door step holding a small duffel bag in one hand. The Vulcan was silent, staring at Jim intensely.
Suddenly, the Vulcan reached out and nerve pinched Jim, causing the bleary-eyed cadet to drop to the floor like a stone and the cup with him. Serij smiled; Cadet Kirk was nothing but a lightweight.
With a grunt, Serij pulled out a communicator, "Serij to Reed, two to transport to location Alpha," he said in a low voice as he wrenched the cup from Kirk's hand. "Lock on and energize immediately."
Both Jim and Serij dematerialized instantly, leaving an open door and a coffee cup unattended.
Canteen - Academy Grounds
"Arianne, you have a wonderful heart," Amanda said as she brought a large cup of tea over to the table where Arianne was sitting. "However, you do have a tendency to push yourself to the limit all of the time."
As Amanda sat down across from her, Arianne smiled and gripped the cup of tea; she had just left Leonard's hearing when she had come across Amanda going for a walk across the grounds. They had talked for a moment and then mutually decided to come to the canteen for a nice breakfast.
It was mostly deserted, which made for better service, "You are so very right," Arianne replied as she took a sip of the tea and set the mug back on the table. "However, I am much like my father."
Amanda smiled, "As intelligent as you are, my dear, I don't doubt that," she replied in a gentle voice as she gave Arianne a reassuring look. "I just think you should have more balance in your life."
"What do you mean by that?" Arianne asked, confused as to what else she needed in her life.
Amanda's smile widened and she patted Arianne's hand reassuringly, "As wonderful as education and an illustrious career are, nothing can take the place of romance," Amanda said, a tone of slyness in her voice. "I know you're still quite young, dear, but I encourage you to at least consider the possibility."
A cafeteria worker suddenly interrupted the conversation by bringing the food that they had ordered to the table, which had been cooked from scratch because it wasn't busy; the food looked appetizing.
Amanda had dug in without hesitation, as she didn't often get the chance anymore to sample Terran cuisine and she had never eaten at the Academy canteen. Arianne, however, was thinking about Amanda's words.
Assembly Hall – Starfleet Academy - 0900
Silence filled the hall as Chris led Leonard back into the hearing area where all of the Admirals had already reassembled at the table in an orderly fashion; all of them looked somewhat content.
There was silence as Admiral Barnett rose from his seat and moved to the podium, "Captain Pike, Cadet McCoy, we have taken sufficient time to discuss this matter," he said sternly. "We have a verdict."
Chris nodded and his face remained expressionless. Leonard, however, grimaced and tried to focus.
"Despite your controversial actions and attitude, the Admirality has unanimously decided to allow your studies at Starfleet Academy to continue," Admiral Barnett stated. "However, there are conditions."
Leonard's eyes widened in shock; they were actually going to let him stay at Starfleet Academy?
Chris suddenly gave him a nudge, causing Leonard to stop daydreaming, "…Come fall term, you will actively engage in flight training and aviaphobia counseling with Ensign Pike," Admiral Barnett was saying. "Additionally, you will be required to meet weekly with your educational advisor about how you are progressing both socially and academically. You will also be given shifts at Starfleet Medical to improve your people skills. These conditions must be met in order for you to graduate."
"Yes sir, I understand," Leonard replied, careful to look Admiral Barnett in the eye. "Thank you."
Admiral Barnett looked amused, "Thank Ensign Pike," he replied. "Her help saved your career."
Chris gave Leonard a long look, but remained silent, "This hearing is concluded," Admiral Barnett stated in a firm tone. "Cadet McCoy, you are dismissed. Captain Pike, a word, please?"
Knowing they would want to talk with him, Chris nodded at Leonard that it was okay for him to leave and do whatever he needed to do. Leonard didn't hesitate; he silently left as fast as he could.
What he didn't expect to see, however, was several cadets, all dressed in civilian summer clothing, gathered on the steps of the Assembly hall. Upon seeing Leonard, they became very silent.
"Jim told us that your hearing was today," Mitchell spoke up. "How did it go?"
Just like Jim to bring unwanted attention my way. Leonard thought as he sighed patiently.
"They're going to let me stay," Leonard replied politely. "That's all that's important right now."
A loud cheer rose up from the small crowd, "PARTY AT THE CANTEEN!" Leonard suddenly heard Finnegan shout from within the crowd. "After that, we'll go out on the town…in style."
Before he could protest, Leonard found himself being pulled into the crowd and shuttled down the footpath towards the canteen. Many of Jim's friends were there, but there was no sign of Jim.
Leonard sighed; Jim was probably psyching himself up to testify at the trial of the Vulcan who had attacked him at the restaurant in December. It would be a very high-stress day for Jim.
Maybe later that afternoon, Leonard thought as he was dragged along, he would go visit Jim over at Admiral Archer's and help Jim to calm down. They were best friends, almost brothers, after all.
Underworld Station Alpha - Alameda, California
"…The spitting image of his father," a deep, amused voice whispered through the darkness.
Darkness was the first thing that greeted Jim as he opened his eyes and quickly realized that something soft was jammed in his mouth; he felt cold and pain, but he didn't know where he was or why.
"Condition him and see if he'll talk," a sharper, yet very female voice suddenly said. "Watch him suffer."
Jim suddenly felt something strike his back repeatedly; he wanted nothing more than to pass out.
"STAY AWAKE, KIRK!" a voice roared as Jim felt a hand slap his face. "You will feel everything."
As the soft object was removed from his mouth, Jim fought the urge to swear, yell, or even to say a word in protest; he would take every bit of pain given while protecting Arianne from harm.
Section 31's continued obsession with Arianne was the reason for this, Jim reasoned; he would not talk or give them anything they could use to gain access to her. Even if it meant being killed in the process.
Canteen - Academy Grounds - 1100
The impromptu party was still in full swing; a lot of first year cadets had taken time out of their hard earned summer vacations just to come and celebrate the good outcome of the hearing.
Amanda, who had missed Terran gatherings that didn't have formality to them, engaged in discussions with several of the cadets, all of whom were curious about her being Ambassador Sarek's wife.
Leonard secluded himself at a table as close to the door as possible. He didn't see Arianne anywhere and he was well aware that every female cadet in attendance seemed to find him attractive.
One in particular, Elizabeth Dehner, would occasionally shoot eyes at him and flutter her eyelashes in a semi-sexual manner. Leonard merely rolled his eyes and kept his head down, not caring for it at all.
The noise level in the canteen was incredible, but the staff were lenient because it was summer term.
With a sigh, Leonard stood up and quietly left the canteen; he had suffered enough of this social nightmare and was better off going to the trial and supporting his best friend for the rest of the day.
As he came outside, however, Leonard spotted Arianne seated on the grass under a tree that was just off the footpath. Her eyes were closed and she looked relaxed and happy, despite her pale skin.
Leonard silently walked over to the tree, "Ensign Pike?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.
Arianne gave a slight gasp and opened her eyes, "Doctor McCoy," she replied in a groggy tone as she struggled to wake up properly. "I came out here to get away from the crowd and dozed off…"
"Thank you for what you did this morning," Leonard stated. "It helped a lot."
Arianne nodded, "Jim told me about it last month and I decided that I couldn't allow someone with your potential to be disposed of like trash," she replied gently. "I assume the hearing went well?"
"Yes, they allowed me to stay with conditions attached," Leonard replied as he took a seat on the ground next to Arianne and rested his back against the tree. "Will you help me meet them?"
Arianne was silent for a moment and nodded, "I'm a counselor, Doctor McCoy, of course I will help you for as long as you want me to," she replied. "You helped me through my cancer, so I will help you."
"How are you feeling, anyway?" Leonard asked, ignoring the obvious attraction he had not only to Arianne's looks, but also to her personality. "I was surprised to see you up and around so quickly."
Arianne shrugged, "I'm tough," she replied softly. "The way I am, I have no choice but to be tough."
Leonard gave Arianne a confused look, "I have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder," Arianne explained in a soft voice; she half expected him to run away screaming.
"So?" Leonard replied, suddenly understanding her aloof demeanor. "Nothing's wrong with that."
With a sigh, Arianne slowly stood up, "I assume you're going to go to Soval's trial and be there when Jim has to give testimony?" she asked, abruptly changing the subject. "I heard that was today."
"Yeah, I'm headed there now," Leonard replied gently as he stood. "Would you like to come with me?"
Arianne sighed, "Jim will probably want some reassurance before the trial," she replied, absentmindedly taking Leonard's hand to stop her own from trembling. "The walk will do me some good."
Leonard raised an eyebrow at Arianne holding his hand, but said nothing; instead, he remained silent as they walked back on to the footpath and towards the building where Soval's trial would take place.
There was suddenly a commotion and Arianne and Leonard turned just in time to see everyone filing out of the canteen with concerned, shocked, and horrified looks on their faces as they came closer.
"A worldwide cadet recall alert was just put out," Mitchell stated, reaching Leonard and Arianne first.
Leonard and Arianne exchanged a concerned look, "There was some sort of break in at Admiral Archer's and he's recalling all cadets who are currently planetside," Mitchell explained as the crowd filed past them in a hurry. "I don't know why all cadets are being recalled for a simple break in, unless…"
"Jim," Arianne stated, suddenly coming to a realization. "Jim is boarding with Admiral Archer."
Leonard bit his lip and stared at the ground as the crowd cleared and Arianne suddenly saw Amanda coming down the path towards them. Amanda looked as equally concerned as the cadets had.
"All of the cadets were ordered to rendezvous points," Amanda stated in a fearful whisper. "I was just contacted by Sarek and he insists that I meet him immediately. Are you two all right?"
Arianne nodded, "I don't think Jim is all right, though," she replied. "He might have been abducted."
Amanda looked horrified, but before she could say anything, Spock suddenly came running down the footpath from the Command buildings. He stopped at the sight of Leonard, Arianne, and his mother.
"Mother, I have been sent to escort you to a safe location," Spock stated, his eyes narrowing at the cadets, both of whom he recognized. "Cadets have been ordered to rendezvous at Assembly Hall."
Amanda took Spock's arm, "All right, Spock, let us go" she replied in a gentle tone.
Understanding themselves to be dismissed, Arianne and Leonard turned and walked down the footpath towards the assembly hall as fast as they could; both of them silently hoping that Jim was okay.
Starfleet Command - 2300 H
Twelve hours since Cadet Kirk had been officially declared missing and nothing had been found.
With Starfleet Security doing continual patrols of the entire campus, every planetside cadet safely back in their dorms, and all Academy Instructors secluded in the Command Building, there was nothing else anyone could do but wait for news; whether it was good or bad, it would still be a bit of a relief.
Chris had spent a great deal of time personally scouring campus on his hover bike, searching for the cadet whom he considered to be a son, to no avail. He had then come back to his private office and had called the number he had listed for Winona Kirk in Iowa; the number had been disconnected.
Feeling slightly aggravated that Winona seemed to have no concern over Jim, Chris had then used his exemplary computer skills to hack into Jim's personal files and get the number to a lab in the southeastern United States where Sam Kirk worked as a biologist. That number had worked.
However, Chris had been met with a surprising response when he had contacted Sam and had explained the situation; Sam had denied even having a brother and had warned Chris never to call again.
"Dad?" a very familiar voice suddenly stated, surprising Chris as he stared at the wall in thought.
Chris turned his chair and was very surprised to see Arianne standing there, "I covered the Security camera and decided to come visit you," she said, the concern in her voice heavy. "Any news?"
"None as of yet," Chris replied solemnly. "Soval's trial has been postponed indefinitely, however."
Arianne nodded, "Dad, if there's anyone who needs counseling, I can do it," she stated, her sense of duty overruling any concern she felt for Jim's safety. "I am a qualified counselor, after all."
"Nobody is as close to Cadet Kirk as you," Chris replied as Arianne sat in the visitor's chair. "I'm concerned by the fact that none of his family seems to care that he is missing without a trace."
Arianne bit her lip, "I remember that the last complete stranger to show any compassion or care towards Jim was Madame Guinan at the school in Des Moines," she explained, remembering how Madame Guinan had brought Jim out of his shell. "It's been a while since I thought about her."
"Arianne, could you possibly help me try and track this Madame Guinan down?" Chris asked, an idea suddenly coming to mind. "When Cadet Kirk is found, he will need some extra familial support."
Arianne nodded and, rising, she moved around the desk to her father's computer; she knew computers somewhat better than her father and that Madame Guinan might be the best possible help for Jim.
As she helped her father on the computer, Arianne silently prayed that Jim would be found alive.
Edge of Academy Campus - 0100
The rain was falling hard as Leonard exited the hover cab at the edge of campus, still dressed in his cadet reds and feeling slightly rejuvenated; he had snuck off campus to attend an AA meeting for the first time and hadn't said a word while he was there. However, just being there had been enough.
After the meeting, he had talked with Dr. Piper briefly about Jim's sudden abduction and Dr. Piper had urged him to hang in there and offered continual support. Leonard had thanked him and left.
As the hover cab pulled away, Leonard suddenly spotted a hunched figure making it's way across the slippery road, towards the Academy campus with what appeared to be a weapon in it's hand.
Biting his lip, Leonard reached for his communicator to call Starfleet Security, "…Gonna die," could suddenly be heard in a faint voice as the figure stepped on to the grounds, its body shaking madly.
Leonard sighed, grateful to have his emergency medkit with him; the stranger was obviously hurt or sick and needed immediate medical treatment whether or not they were trespassing on private property.
"I'm Doctor McCoy," Leonard said in a reassuring tone as the stranger suddenly sank to its knees.
Thunder rumbled overhead and lightning flashed, enabling Leonard to catch a glimpse of the victim's bare torso; bleeding whip cuts and other unidentifiable injuries covered its back and chest.
"B-Bones?" a faint voice suddenly asked as Leonard opened his medkit. "…so dark…."
Suddenly recognizing the voice, Leonard froze and pulled out his flashlight, "Jim, is that you?" he asked, shining his flashlight on the being only to find that the beaten stranger was the missing Jim. "Jim!"
There was whimpering and Jim grabbed Leonard's wrist, "Jim, let go so I can call for a beam out," Leonard said, trying to keep his voice calm. "I have to take you to Starfleet Medical right away."
"I couldn't let them have her," Jim protested, his hand trembling as he gripped Leonard's arm.
With a moan, Jim promptly puked, "I'm c-cold," he slurred. "I wanna go home….please."
Gently easing his arm out of Jim's grip, Leonard opened his communicator, "Doctor McCoy to Starfleet Medical, do you read?" he said, his voice anxious. "Two to beam directly to Starfleet Medical!"
"T-Take," Jim suddenly gasped as he extracted a sinister looking, bloody rifle from under his chest.
Leonard's eyes widened at the sight of the bloodstained weapon, "I read you," the stoic voice of Dr. Phlox suddenly replied. "Locking on to your location now. Prepare for transport in…"
The voice suddenly faded as Leonard, Jim, the med-kit, and the gun vanished in a swirl of light.
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