This chapter has been edited since first being uploaded to rid it of some typos.
Chapter three
Spock had not been able to sleep, he could see no reason for this. He had consumed all the required daily nutrients, exercised for the usual amount of time, meditated and had performed all of his days tasks. As he could go long periods without sleep he was not tired but he did feel unsettled.
Miss Uhura was due to arrive at 11:00. The new students were due to arrive in groups according to department, between one-hundred and twenty and one hundred and eighty new cadet would arrive every hour from 5:00 till 18:00. It was designed that way to avoid confusion and queuing for documents, however it rarely worked out that way and there were always some mixed shuttles as some students could not reach their assigned pick up places. The shuttles would make three or four designated stops to pick up single or groups of cadets. The staff had been planning it for weeks but something always went wrong. If it were Vulcans then everything would go without a hitch, Humans confused matters.
At 10:43 Spock combed his hair again, it did not seem to be staying flat this morning. He straightened his uniform and headed out to the main shuttle hanger. He arrived just as the first shuttle of the hour arrived. He accessed one of the computer ports that were spaced at even distances throughout the hanger. He looked up which shuttle Miss Uhura was arriving in. The Darwin, one of the mixed shuttles, last stop Iowa, due in four minutes. He made his way towards the bay, nodding at members of staff who were there to greet the cadets and herd them in the right direction.
He waited close to shuttle bay nineteen, watching as shuttles passed over his head and his new students disembarking from them. Some starred around nervously others, talked excitedly.
A shuttle hovered to his right , it turned about and landed in bay nineteen. Spock felt that strong nauseous feeling he got whenever he descended in a shuttle though he could not remember ever being affected in this way by just watching a shuttle descend. The shuttle door hissed open, the metal clinking as it hit the floor. A tall heavy built man exited first, then a shorter Asian man, then finally, Nyota. She was in uniform, the red suited her, the never worn mid-calf boots were shining , the short skirt showed the well toned legs of a swimmer. Her hair was tied back in a long pony tail. She slumped slightly under the weight of two large duffel bags and the gym bag in her hand. Her expression showed annoyance, he had expected her to be excited, certainly his previous conversations had suggest to him that she would have that reaction.
She shot an irritated look over her shoulder and Spock saw a young man with blue eyes and blond curly hair following her out the shuttle he appeared to be talking to her but with all the noise of the shuttle bay Spock could not make out what he was saying. He approached them silently coming to stand behind the young man, Nyota smiled widely when she saw him over the young man's shoulder. Spock felt his lips quirk slightly in response.
"Why won't you tell me your first name?" The young man stood in front of him whined. Spock realized that he was the cause of Nyota's annoyance, he would not let him ruin what was supposed to be a happy day for her.
"Cadet Uhura, is this man bothering you?"
"Hey butt out of it buddy." The young man replied without even turning around.
" That's commander to you Cadet."
He turned and looked Spock up and down.
"Sorry Commander." He replied somewhat grudgingly, Spock considered lecturing him on how a bad attitude would get him no where in Star Fleet but decided to leave it so he could attend to Nyota.
"On your way Cadet."
"Yes Sir." He headed off towards the exit of the hanger. Spock turned to Nyota.
" Cadet Uhura, welcome to San Francisco. I have your copy of this weeks timetable, may I take one of your bags?"
" It's okay I can manage."
"I do not wish you to strain yourself."
She smiled again and handed him one of the duffel bags.
"It's good to see you commander."
"Indeed."
"I have to find my room."
" It is in block C, please follow me."
She walked beside him as they exited the shuttle bay. She walked in silence for a while taking in her surroundings.
"It's so different."She finally said.
"It's still Earth."
"Yes, I guess once I get used to all the differences I'll see the similarities. May we talk in your home dialect?"
"If you feel you need the practice."
" Did it take you long to adjust to life here?"
"I had visited Earth many times before I signed up for Star Fleet so it was not an issue for me, but many cadets had never meet a Vulcan and I believe that it took them time to adjust to me."
They entered the block of student apartments where Nyota's assigned apartment was, the entrance hall was packed with cadets waiting for the lift, Spock calculated that due to the number of Cadets and the time the elevator took they would be waiting there for 7.45 minutes.
"Do you wish to take the stairs? Your assigned rooms are on the second floor."
"Yes that's fine."
"I can take all your bags if your starting to tire."
"I'm fine Spokh." They continued up the stairs.
"You have had a long journey."
" I feel full of energy."
"Human phrases do not sound right in Vulcan."
"How would a Vulcan say it then?"
"That the situation is causing a rush of adrenaline."
They had reached there destined floor, Spock led the way down the corridor. He placed his hand on the touch pad by the door and gave his authorization code.
"Just place your hand on the pad and say your name then it will recognize you for the rest of the year."
"Nyota Uhura." She said pressing her palm onto the touch pad. The door slid open. From where he was standing Spock could only hear the excited squeal and a pair of soft green arms reach out and pull Nyota into the room.
"ROOMIE!"
This did not bode well. Spock moved slightly so he could see through the door way. Nyota was being bear hugged by a green Orion girl with bright red curly hair and a wide excited smile. Spock quickly assessed the situation and came to the conclusion Nyota was under no threat.
"I'm Galia." The girl said as she released Nyota.
"Nyota Uhura."
"I just know we're going to be best friends, are you xenolinguistics too?"
"Yes..":
"Great, do you always wear you hair up?It's a big night out tonight, I swear I have a dress that will look just perfect on you, oh we can do each others make-up, I'm just so excited."
" I can tell." Nyota laughed, and Spock felt the tingling down his spine, such and odd reaction. Was he uncomfortable with her laughing? He had certainly been uncomfortable with the strange noise on his first few visits to Earth, but he had thought he had grown accustomed to it. The young Orion girl seemed to notice him stood there for the first time.
"Oh, hello Mr Vulcan."
"Cadet."
"Commander Spock is helping me find my way round."
"Ah that's lovely. I arrived yesterday , there weren't many people around but I managed to find these three second year cadets, Anthony, Onur, and Jackson. They helped out, I'm having dinner with them next Monday."
" Cadet Uhura." Spock took her new PADD from his ever present bag. "This is yours, standard cadet issue PADD, your thirsties week timetable has been downloaded, as has your weekly module timetable. I also took the liberty of downloading a file with my contact details and the reference numbers of the Ontarian resources you asked for. And the required reading for my modules, which has been forwarded to all xenolinguistic students." He looked over at Galia so she'd know this applied to her, she nodded and he started to speak again before she got the chance to.
"I suggest that you come with me and sign-in before unpacking so you are not caught up with the next group of arriving cadets. I will also show you where the mess hall is so that you may get the relevant nutrients."
"Yes, I'm definitely hungry."
"Can I come?" Galia asked. "I've been alone since five yesterday."
Spock did not want the cadet to join him and Nyota but he could not see any logical reason why she should not, in fact it would give Nyota the chance to get too know her new room-mate.
"I cannot see a reason why you should not." He replied honestly.
"Great, I'll just put on my boots."
Galia crossed to the built in cupboards, the standard cadet rooms were equipped with plenty of storage space, two beds, two desks, a com unit and replicator and of course the small en-suite bathroom , with toilet , shower an two sinks. Spock entered to place the duffel he was carrying on the bed, the one that didn't look like it had been hit by a hurricane. Nyota did the same, he noticed her rubbing her shoulder as she did so.
"Are you injured Cadet?"
" No, just a little ache."
"Ready, lets go."
Spock accompanied the two cadets to the administration office, Nyota walked close to him and Galia seemed to bound along slightly in front of them. She did not stop talking the entire way.
"Are you excited about tonight? It's going to be great, drinking, dancing, flirting." She laughed."You've got to try Orion wine."
"I can't, I'm under age."
" Under age?"
"I'm seventeen, the legal drinking age is eighteen."
"You sit at the back and I'll buy the drinks for you."
"Cadet." Spock intervened. " That is against Earth law and punished by fines, removal of privileges , time in the brig and suspension as well as going on your permanent record. Cadet Uhura, I advise against it." Galia hand went to her mouth.
"I'm sorry commander."
"It's okay commander, I have no intention of breaking any rules, not in my first week anyway." Nyota smiled.
"Is that supposed to be humorous? Because the breaking of rules is not something I find humorous, the rules are there to protect you Cadet."
"I know, I'm sorry Spock."
" I do not mean to sound too negative, I know this is a happy day for you I just do not wish for any harm to come to you, or to any cadet."
"I'll look after her Commander. Really, you can trust me." Galia said.
They entered the administrative office, there was a queue of a dozen cadet sign in, but as they only had to put their signature on both an electronic and a paper form the line moved quickly. Spock stood behind Nyota and Galia when they reached the desk, it was Lisa who was helping the students.
"Name?"
"Nyota Uhura."
'" You can sign your name of the PADD but I seem to be missing your paper copy, just wait here while I go print another one off." She said flicking through the pile of papers in front of her. When she looked up she met Spock's eyes.
"Good morning Lisa."
"Commander." She turned back to Nyota. "I'll go do that right now, but it'll probably take a while."
"That's okay." Nyota answered, Lisa walked into the small office behind her. Spock was wondering why it was that it would take a while for Lisa to print of a copy of the file, by his reckoning it should only take eight-five seconds. As the minutes went on Spock started wondering if perhaps the computer system was having some kind of mis- function. After seven minutes he stepped around the desk into the office to ask if his assistance was needed. Lisa was sat in a heavy arm chair in the corner drinking what smelt like coffee, she seemed surprised to see him there.
" Lisa, is there some reason why retrieving Cadet Uhura's data is taking so long?"
"I'm taking my break, I'm entitled to a ten minute break."
"I am aware of this, it just does not seem like a logical time to take a break."
"Why isn't it logical?" Her tone indicated anger.
" Because your lunch break begins in ten minutes, meaning that you would go back to work for seven minutes before going to lunch, unless you're in extreme need of nutrients it seems ill-planed."
" Well I'm a Human so I'm allowed to be ill-planned and illogical."
"Indeed." Spock, walked over to the desk and began to search for the file himself.
" Don't touch that."
"I have the relevant security passes to be allowed access to student files." He found the correct file and printed out a copy.
"Good bye Lisa. I hope that you will get over your irritation with me and start conducting yourself in a professional manner again." He left the office, told Nyota where to sign the forms, added it to the pile of completed forms already on the desk and then escorted the cadets to the mess hall.
The mess hall was a cavernous room, two walls were completely glass to give it that open atmosphere. There were tables of all sizes and it was almost always occupied. Spock tended to have breakfast at 5:30 and that was the only time he knew it to be empty. However busy there were always enough seats though, the noise at the popular eating times was astronomical but as only a third of the student population had arrived today it wasn't quite as noisy.
There was always a large choice of foods, there were three replicators cooked or cold meals, salads and side dishes, cooked vegetables fruit and deserts and a large selection of drinks. Today on the menu was Chicken or vegetable green curry, Plomeet soup, an Orion dish that closely resembled noodles with salted meats, spinach and peanuts with plantains or beef Wellington.
"I have not gained sufficient nutrients for the day, may I join you?"
"Of course." Nyota smiled widely. "I'd assumed you would."
Spock could sense a few student staring at him on the table nearest to them. He turned and nodded at them , he didn't wish to appear unfriendly. The five students suddenly became very interested in their meals.
"Can we order what ever we want?"
"Of course, there is a limit of one fresh cooked meal but you can have as many sides, or food from the replicator as you like."
"Oh, they have Rembla." Galia said excitedly.
"Is that the noodles?" Nyota asked.
"Yeah you should try some."
"I was more interested in the soup, I feel cold."
"You will soon get used to the lower temperature. Excuse me." Spock went to one of the replicators and typed in the code for his copper supplements, the small pill gave him the copper his haemoglobin required to function. He rejoined the the cadets who were just starting to queue at the serving zone.
Galia was talking again but Spock was quickly realizing that although she spoke a lot she didn't say anything of much importance. When they reached the front of the queue Kendra the cook who was obviously on serving duty today smiled over at him. He nodded in return.
"It's your favourite today Spock, plomeet soup."
" I noticed."
'I added extra onions, just how you like it."
"Thank you, Kendra, it is appreciated." Nyota turned around and smiled at him.
"You didn't mention that it was your favourite when I said I wished to try some."
" I didn't know it was important."
"It's not I suppose, The Plomett soup with a side of roast potato's please."
Galia ordered the Rembla and when Spock's time came he ordered the Plomeet soup with a side of cheese on toast as was his habit. He added fruit and water to this and joined the cadets at an empty table. He watched with interest as Nyota tried the soup, he could not decipher her expression.
"It's good, I just expected it to have some kind of spice, I thought Vulcans like spicy food."
He lifted the salt shaker and poured liberal amounts into the soup.
"It is true that Vulcans prefer spicy food, our taste buds are different to those of a human, we do not detect many sugary tastes, but tend to eat bitter and salty food. Plomeet is traditionally served very salty but most at the academy do not like it this way."
" That is a lot of salt."
"Hey Nyota try some of my Rembla."
The meal went on with Galia talking more than she ate. Nyota gave short answers in return, mainly because short answers were all she could get in. She did keep asking Spock his opinion on various matters and finally sensing her need to include him Galia progressed to ask him a long string of questions about Vulcans. Yes, he choose not to eat meat as did many Vulcans . Yes, alcohol had no affect on Vulcans.
"Yes Cadet, it is true that Vulcans give their children living teddy bears, they are called sehlat. I myself had one called I-Chaya. I was very fond of her. "
"Are they all fluffy and Cuddly?" Nyota asked a question for the first time in twenty minutes.
" They are fluffy and although they will allow a certain amount of petting, they will bite if squeezed to tightly."
"Bite?"
"Yes, they have six inch fangs."
"And these are considered good pets for children?"
"I- Chaya was a very good pet, she was a loyal companion for many years. I was sad when she was put down."
"Vulcans get sad? " Galia asked. Nyota ignored her and continued to question Spock.
"Why was she put down?"
"Many of my class mates thought that as a half- Human I was an abomination they often tormented me trying to get me to show an emotional reaction. Finally they decided that a physical stimuli was required for a reaction. It was the only time I have ever lost control of my anger. The next day they waited for me on the route I took home and attacked me, I was greatly outnumbered and the childrens aim was to stone me to death. I- Chana came to my rescue, she charged at them and many fled but the one that didn't got injured, he lost a limb and I- Chana was deemed to be a dangerous animal. My father beheaded her."
Galia and Nyota were staring at him open mouthed, it took Nyota four point five seconds to respond.
" Spock, that's awful."
"I am sorry if I have disturbed you."
"No, it's not disturbing just really sad."
"Yes." Spock agreed thinking of the lose of his pet for the first time in years, it made him feel some remnants of sadness, he would have to meditate.
"What happened to the boys?"
" They were reprimanded."
"I hope their parents locked them up for a year."
"It was from there parents that they inherited the idea that I was an abomination. I believe some of them were praised for trying to 'cleanse the bloodline" it was considered a logical thing to do, I was an intruder, a danger to the Vulcan way of living, and that must be protected at all costs."
"Logic sucks." Galia said.
"Logic is not everything, sometimes it can be misused. But it does for the most part bring great serenity a freedom from troubling emotions that can lead to violence. It is the starting point of wisdom. What they did was logical from their point of view, but their point of view was flawed. I was no threat I did not wish to change anything, I just wished to be a Vulcan and not an outsider."
"Fuck' em I say."
"Indeed. Nyota, Galia, if you would excuse me I have other matters to attend to, I will see you at the staff mixer at 19:00."
"Goodbye Commander." Nyota replied. He got up and walked across the room to place his tray on the pile, his extra sensitive ear could still pick up Galia and Nyota's conversation.
" That man is all sorts of damaged." Sometimes Spock wished he's hearing wasn't so good.
"No, he's not. He's brilliant." Nyota replied.
Then again.
Back at his room Spock decided to make a call to Chris Pike before he re vitalized last years lectures with the latest knowledge. He activated his communicator. Christopher responded quickly.
" Hello Christopher, I trust you are well."
"Fine, thank you. I take It Nyota has arrived."
"Yes." He thought carefully how to put what he had to say.
"Take your time Spock."
"You told me you would find an appropriate room-mate for cadet Uhura."
"I believe I said nice."
"Yes."
"Galia's lovely."
"It is not that she isn't a sociable girl. It is simply that I believe she may become a bad influence. Orions are, by nature quite sexual beings, and she has already tried to encourage cadet Uhura to consume alcoholic beverages despite her being under the legal age."
" They're just excited Spock, give them some time. If I'm right the Galia will be a good friend for Uhura and Uhura might just act as a calming influence on Galia. It's early days Spock."
"I will trust your expertise in human relationships for now. But I will say that cadet Galia is not what I was expecting."
Spock finished meditating at 18:15, he showered, shaved and then dressed in a white shirt, black trousers and royal blue tie. The staff mixer was a yearly event. For one hour the new cadets got to meet their teachers and department staff. As well as this certain off duty Star ship crew members, the academy's most successful graduates, were required to make a show. Each department had it's own mixer, they were spread out over thirsies week. Xenolinguistics was always on the Monday. Satisfied with his appearance Spock made his way to function room two.
The function room was already filled with students and staff, many had arrived early in eagerness. All the staff were wearing formal clothing, not uniforms, although it was required of students to attend it was considered a social event. The cadets were all dressed up in their going out cloths as at the end of the mixer second year volunteers would be arriving to take them to various pubs and clubs. There were even alcoholic punches served at the mixer. Spock tended to like the fruity tastes of these drink so he made his way through the pupils to help himself to a paper cup full. Then he stood in a corner where the students could easily see him if they wished to ask questions about the course materials, he noticed the Chris was already circling the room making small talk with the new cadets. Although never being a member of the Xenolinguistics department Captain Pike always got an invite to their events, it was thought that his presence would impress the pupils, and encourage them to reach for higher achievements, of course it was also because he was deemed approachable.
Spock stood waiting for ten minutes, a lot of students kept glancing his way but none approached him until he saw a dark skinned cadet in a figure hugging champagne dress that stopped mid- thigh working her way to him. He didn't realize who it was till she was a three yards away from him. It was Nyota, but her hair was done up in some softly curled flowing way, and she was wearing make up, beige lipstick and some white glittering stuff on her eyelids . Spock couldn't stop himself from staring at her, the dress was low in front and showed the top curves of her breasts, it hugged her hips and her legs seemed longer, she was wearing strappy shoes with high heels. She looked older, beautiful and still had that grace and confidence that he had previously noticed.
" Hello, commander."
"Cadet Uhura, you do not look like you. I mean you do not look like yourself. Well, you do not look like anybody else." He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Chris stood grinning at him.
"Hello Cadet, how are you settling in?"
" I'm okay I think, every things so different but I think I will get used to it, and I'm glad to be here."
"I don't think I approve." Spock said, Chris and Nyota starred at him.
" And we're glad to have you here." Chris said quickly. "Aren't we Spock?"
"Very glad yes, I appreciate you, it."
Chris's arm reached firmly across his shoulder, and started to guide him around. Although Spock did not like to be touched in his manner he did appreciate the guidance.
"You'll have to excuse us Cadet there's a young man over there that is eager to meet the commander. You enjoy yourself okay."
"Okay." Her voice sounded confused.
Chris guided him through the crowd and stopped by the entrance of the room where they were out of ear shot of anybody else.
"Smooth move Spock."
"My frontal lobe does not seem to be functioning properly."
"Yeah, I can tell."
" I did not detect any cinnamon in the punch."
"It's not cinnamon that's affecting you friend." He chuckled.
"Then I should go to the medical wing."
" No. Spock just keep out of the way of Uhura for the next forty- five minutes and you'll be fine."
" Your logic seems flawed. Cadet Uhura could not be affecting my brain functions."
Chris full out laughed this time.
"I feel very sorry for you my friend."