Author's Note:
A quick word as to the timeline. This is an alternate universe series/story, and based on that I have placed the three seasons as the first three years of the five year mission, with the beginning of this series to be the beginning of the fourth year. The events from the first movie and on remain the same. Just a minor time adjustment. Also, I apologize for typos from previous chapters – I shall endeavor to not repeat such mistakes. This series will have primarily a Karnth POV overall, but this first introductory story will switch from mainly Kirk and Karnth POVs as a transition and tool for insight.
I would appreciate reviews that are constructive – and would love to hear any questions or insights you have into the story so far. Now, on to the story.
*****
Kirk sat back from the conversation, letting everyone's words float around him while he watched his new yeoman. She was like a puzzle, an enigma he felt driven to figure out. For example, her metamorph abilities – there was absolutely no mention of that in her personnel file. For that matter, her personnel file was still frustratingly incomplete, with large time gaps in her forty-years of service. While it was possible that nothing noteworthy happened, it simply was not believable. Then why the time gaps? What happened in those gaps?
Kirk glanced over at his First Officer, deep in conversation with one of the Andorian scientists and Dr. McCoy. There was another question, this one concerning Karnth and Spock – how well did they really know each other? The more Kirk thought about Spock and his yeoman's interaction, the more surprised he was. Spock rarely associated with female crewman, with the exception of musical interludes with Uhura. Spock simply did not build a rapport with any female crewman – they were merely crewman. But to see the easy way Spock revealed his humor, and at him? How do Spock and Karnth know each other? Did it have anything to do at all with the time gaps in her personnel file? More questions and another mystery – and Kirk did not like mysteries aboard his ship, and definitely not concerning any member of his senior staff.
A soft gasp focused Kirk back on his yeoman. Her eyes were closed, black eyebrows knit in an almost painful shock. Kirk watched in concern as a faint dusting of blue appeared on her cheeks. After quietly swallowing large gulps of air she opened her eyes, and Kirk could see the barest gleam of silver in them. Her eyes must turn silvery when she uses her abilities, Kirk deduced. Which must mean…
Commodore Weston's voice thundered into Kirk's skull, finally breaking through the Captain's thoughts. Kirk stood with everyone else in the Great Hall as dinner ended, the guest mingling again. Looking around Kirk saw Karnth's retreating back, moving away from the Hall into the foyer. Excusing himself Kirk followed quickly, catching up with her as she stepped into the courtyard.
The brisk air slapped Kirk in the face as he approached Karnth. It's gotten pretty chilly. Hearing his steps behind her Karnth turned, smiling slightly. Kirk could not help but notice its strained quality. They walked together in silence for a few minutes.
"Enjoying the dinner, Yeoman?" Kirk questioned, watching her face carefully.
Karnth's breath rushed out as her smile widened. "Oh, yes. Of course, after taking care of so much of the preparations I couldn't help noting everything in the back of my mind, looking for any potential mishaps."
"That's not what it looked like a few minutes ago back there," Kirk retorted lightly, his voice quiet. "You looked like you were going to faint."
Karnth sighed and leaned against a wall, crossing her arms across her chest as she turned her eyes to the dark sky. "I'm fine, sir. Just…" Karnth looked at the ground, biting her lip. "I…sensed something Captain. Something bad."
Kirk's face darkened. This was the last thing they needed at a diplomatic function with his security acting as patrol. "Sensed a bad…what, Lieutenant? A presence? Alien?"
Karnth's face filled with wry humor as she replied smartly, "Everyone is an alien in that room." Kirk's scowl deepened as his patience started to wear thin. Quickly Karnth's face smoothed out as she stood up fully. "Not a presence, sir. Emotions – anger mainly." She shrugged. "But then those feelings are always rampant at diplomatic functions – it is basically implied, after all."
Kirk breathed deep the sweet and heady smell of flowers decorating the courtyard. It did not add up for Kirk – Karnth had looked like she was in pain surely that was more powerful than simply sensing someone's anger? Kirk told her this.
Karnth shrugged nonchalantly, but she looked to the cracked cobblestones beneath their feet. "It has been awhile since I've been in diplomatic situations. When I was an ambassador I was always careful to maintain the proper filters on what I was sensing." Karnth's gray orbs came up from the ground, flicking across Kirk's face before gazing ahead of her. "I made a child's mistake tonight."
Kirk looked to the left, sensing Spock's approach. Moonlight glinted off of the medals and pins on his chest. "It warrants pointing out, Lieutenant, that on your planet you are little more than a child."
Kirk glanced at his yeoman, chewing on that bit of information in as Karnth mock-glared at the First Officer. In the back of his mind Kirk again noted their easy manner. But he put that aside for later digestion, and asked, "How old are you then, Lieutenant, on a human scale?"
Pushing air past her lips gustily Karnth looked to the side, considering his question. "Around…twenty? Twenty-one? I know it seems young," she rushed, seeing Kirk raise an eyebrow. "But that was one of the reasons Niona sent me to the Federation. Through tests I proved to be the most adaptable and I was the youngest to apply – and thus the most open, impressionable – for the cultural exchange program. So the Nionan Circle deemed me the best for the job. Besides, I'm not ridiculously young."
Kirk smiled in amusement as his yeoman looked pointedly at Spock.
"Not at all, Lieutenant," Spock replied smoothly. "I merely pointed it out as a fact."
"Hmm," Karnth narrowed her eyes as McCoy approached the trio.
Turning to his old friend Kirk asked, "Ah, Bones! How are you enjoying the festivities?" Kirk's voice was extra exuberant, holding back laughter at the doctor's glare.
"I'm a doctor, not a socialite," McCoy pulled at his dress shirt. "How much longer are we going to be staying here?" he demanded, not bothering to hide his irritation.
Kirk smiled. "I'd think you'd be happy to get off the ship Bones."
McCoy shrugged. "Yes, well, I've had my fill. Though I'd understand Jim," he began, southern drawl more pronounced as his blue eyes danced wickedly over the Captain's face. "If you want to stay. Plenty of women who need a proper, gentlemanly escort. Especially that Andorian scientist. She seemed quite keen on her discussion with you over advances in hydroponics. In fact," the doctor continued, a delighted look on his face. "There she is over there!" He gestured over Kirk's shoulder.
Kirk's stomach dropped as he saw the woman looking over at him, huge smile on her face. She was less than subtle about seeing the hydroponics bay of the Enterprise; he had forgotten all about her in the face of his new mysteries. Looking back at McCoy's grinning face he replied, "Yes, well, I would much rather escort my new yeoman to the Enterprise." He smiled at Karnth, who gave a crooked grin back.
"Oh, thank you sir."
Kirk and McCoy laughed. "Well, now is as good a time as any, Bones." Kirk brought out his communicator. "Kirk to Enterprise, four to beam up." As they disappeared Kirk could see the disappointed look of the Andorian scientist.
*****
Kirk walked down the corridor. About to turn the corner he heard Spock's and Karnth's voices. After a brief internal debate, Kirk settled back against the bulkhead, listening.
*****
"Don't you know it is considered impolite on Earth to discuss a lady's age, Mister Spock?" Karnth asked imperiously. She and Spock loitered outside of her quarters, with Spock's quarters being just around the corner.
"That is an Earth saying," Spock retorted, hands clasped behind his back. "And thus applies to neither of us." Stepping closer to her Spock lowered his voice. "I heard more of your conversation with the Captain. Was it merely a child's mistake? Or did you sense something deeper?"
Karnth sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. She had been asking herself those same questions. Was she simply slipping tonight and leaving herself vulnerable to strong emotions? Or was something really wrong? "I don't know, Spock. But all my experience tells me it is something more."
"Ah, intuition. Captain Kirk often describes it as a command prerogative," Spock commented, watching her.
Karnth smiled gently. "I would agree."
Spock nodded to her. "As I understand it you have a physical exam scheduled early tomorrow with Dr. McCoy. I won't keep you up any longer."
"Goodnight, Commander," Karnth replied. "Oh, and Spock – "
Spock turned, brown eyes meeting hers, questioning. "It is good to work with you. Again."
"Agreed," he replied simply.
*****
Kirk waited until he heard the 'swoosh' of Karnth's doors. So that was the link between Karnth and Spock – they had worked together in the past, presumably on a starship. But when? There was no connection in Karnth's records with Spock. Spock had only ever served on the Enterprise, even as a cadet in Starfleet Academy. Kirk certainly had a lot to think about concerning his new Yeoman. And a lot of questions for Starfleet Command.
*****
"I found that dinner quite enjoyable, didn't you Metkat?"
Ambassador Jetla commented while straightening his state robes on their hanger. He could feel his body getting sluggish as his sleep cycle approached. His merry black eyes looked over his undersecretary Metkat. Metkat looked similar to him, iridescent purple scales, hairless with liquid black eyes. Unlike himself though, Metkat was glancing everywhere and everything, flinching. Like the rest of his staff, Metkat was clearly extremely nervous. "Oh calm down, Metkat," Jetla chided gently, smiling. "We're perfectly safe, here."
Metkat's face rumpled in disapproval. "Ambassador, I will not be calm until we are back on Lantare, familiar ground. How can we trust these…outworlders?" He cast a nervous glance around Jetla's bedchamber. "These…strange places. It is not Lantare."
"Well, of course it is not Lantare!" Jetla guffawed. He moved over to the desk, picking up a glass of juice. "It's the Federation! Of which we should be honored to be a part of." Jetla took a sip, closing his eyes as he savored its tangy taste. "Don't worry Metkat, you'll get over this silly xenophobia of our people. I was just like you when the High Order sent me as a liaison to the Federation. You just need to get out there, experience the galaxy. Beautiful," Jetla sighed. "Simply beautiful."
He looked at Metkat; disbelief would be an understatement for Metkat's expression. So young. So…naïve. Jetla sighed again.
"Go rest, Metkat. Our shuttle leaves tomorrow morning."
Metkat stiffly bowed. "Goodnight, Ambassador Jetla." Turning, he left the room through a connecting door – another demand of Jetla's paranoid staff, so they can always be connected and safer. Shaking his head Jetla turned back to his desk, sitting down to read over some notes.
About a half-hour passed in silence. Then Jetla heard a quiet click behind him. Standing up Jetla slowly began to turn when suddenly he saw a blur, and then his world went dark.
