Again, many thanks to my beta TheWindowView. She always provides great insight.
Thanks also to those who have reviewed. I am really glad you are enjoying the story so far and appreciate hearing you opinions. I hope to hear many more :)
Enjoy
"No." Nia silently swore to herself, and then read another line. "No. That is not ok." She started back at the top of the paragraph and reread it. "You've got to be kidding me." She continued reading, chewing her lip.
Spock stared at her. Lunch had been progressing as normal that day, the doctor sitting down after him and promptly opening a book to read. This time, it appeared to be written for an older audience.
It wasn't until six minutes later that doctor had become agitated. She'd begun muttering to herself and vigorously flipping pages. Multiples times he'd seen her silently swear to herself.
When she finally set the book down rather aggressively, the commander found himself asking "Is there a problem, Doctor?"
Running a hand through her unbound hair, Nia grumbled "I've read this dang book six times. Six. And yet, every time I managed to miss this line. Now, I've read it and it changes the entire book!" She gestured her hands wildly at the book, as if doing so would correct the problem.
"Is the change not satisfactory?" Spock asked in an almost delicate fashion.
"No, it's not." She sat back and huffed, fluttering the few fly away hairs that were in her field of vision. "This is one of my favorite books too. I swear, I need to stop skipping the character descriptions to get to the plot. It's a terrible habit."
"Do you read most of your novels in such a fashion?"
She opened her mouth, and then paused. "You know, I probably do. This sucks." At his raised eyebrow, she explained. "I'm going to have to reread all my books with a fine toothed comb to make sure I didn't miss any other important details."
He almost frowned. "I fail to see how using a comb would aid you in that endeavor. Would not reading carefully be the most efficient?"
Surprised, Nia chuckled. "That is actually was I meant. In the past, a fine tooth comb was often used to find small things. Such as lice in children's hair."
"So you mean to equate such details to small parasites?"
Now, Nia laughed. "Yes, I suppose I do." She told him, nodding all the while. Looking at the book sitting in front of her, she shook her head. "I can't believe I missed that. Totally ruined the book."
"If you perhaps read your books the same way you write your reports, you would not find yourself missing such significant details." The commander informed her.
"How do I write my reports?" She asked, confused by the reference.
"Quite efficiently." He told her.
"Oh." She said. She thought about it. When writing reports, Nia found that she actually saved time by being meticulous. Mistakes were prevented in both the data collection process and the reporting process, mistakes that would not have to be later corrected. And once one mistake is made, the entire document had to be revised. When it came to reading, perfection just simply didn't matter.
Another thought hit her. The commander, in an odd way, had just complimented her. Likely not on purpose or for any significant reason, but none the less Nia took it for what it was worth. A Vulcan had found her work to be more than adequate. That was miraculous in itself.
While she was musing, she hadn't noticed Ensign Jenkins appear at her left elbow. She didn't notice until the commander greeted the other woman.
Nia looked up, surprised to find the Ensign looking at her meaningfully.
"What do you require, Ensign Jenkins?" Spock inquired of the woman.
"I actually could use the doctor's help, sir."
"What's up, Jenkins?"
The woman sighed. "Can you help with a small problem in Engineering?"
Nia frowned. "What could you possibly need of me? I've absolutely no background in engineering."
"Indeed, it is illogical to be in need of Doctor Sargent's aid."
Jenkins looked a little embarrassed at Spock's statement. "Well, it's not your biology background that's needed. It's your Paladian talents we need."
"Alright," Nia said, standing. "You've gotten my attention. Take me to Engineering."
Jenkins spared her a relieved smile before spinning on her heel and heading out of the mess hall. Nia barely took a moment to dispose of the remainders of her lunch before following her friend and coworker.
It is was on the way to the turbolift that both women realize they are were being followed. Nia looked at the commander suspiciously as the three enter entered the lift.
"Heading back to the bridge, Commander?" Jenkins asked, hand hovering over the controls.
"I will escort you to Engineering."
"Yes, sir." Jenkins responded as the turbolift began to move.
For some obscure reason, Nia felt herself blush. The thought briefly crossed her mind that the commander was only 'escorting' them because he didn't trust them. Or maybe he just didn't trust her. He'd already seen her walk into a handrail, been informed of her climbing shelves, and had probably heard about her trips to the medbay.
The three left the lift and Jenkins led the way to Engineering, Spock and Nia keeping pace behind her. This time, Nia kept her eyes straight ahead of her as they walked. She was not going to walk into something again.
"Commander, may I ask why it is that you are escorting us? Surely, you are needed for duty on the bridge?" Nia asked.
"If there is a need for science personnel in Engineering, it would be of the greatest use to have the Science Officer present, would it not?" He responded.
She nodded. "It would." She said. Continuing, she added "Though, it would only make sense if there is a need for science personnel. Now Jenkins asking for my help does make it seem that way, only she does happen to be friends with Lieutenant Commander Scott and just might be asking for a favor from a friend, me."
"The probability of that being the case is 12.4% "
Jenkins, facing away from them, rolled her eyes. Nia was the one who was right, in this instance. Sort of.
"Commander." Jenkins said as the three arrived in Engineering.
Lieutenant Commander Scott looked up in surprise from where he'd been working. Jenkins had only said she was bringing her Paladian coworker, not her coworker and the First Officer.
Before Scott could say anything, Jenkins turned to Nia. "Here's the thing. Commander Scott has an assistant, goes by the name of Keenser, and he likes to climb."
Nia saw where this was going. "Please don't tell me he has gotten stuck some place neither of you can get to and so you need someone who is equally as good if not better at climbing than Keenser."
"Well, lass," Scott spoke up. "You've already figured it out. You won't be needin' the tellin' then."
"Surely, it would be better to allow him time to find his way down?" Spock asked.
Scott nodded. "I thought so too, Commander, but that was before I realized he'd been up there since yesterday."
Spock turned to Ensign Jenkins. "It is because of Doctor Sargent's race that you believe her to be the best candidate for retrieval. Have you attempted any other solutions?"
Scott nearly scoffed. "O' course we have. We are a bit limited in what we can do, though."
"Can you show me where he is?" Nia's gaze met Spock's for a brief moment. "That way we can know if I really be of any help."
Both Jenkins and Scott nodded and began to lead the way. As they were walking, Scott turned to look Nia over with a critical eye, likely taking in the lean body structure and general color monotony of her features.
Realizing she hadn't been introduced, Nia held out her hand. "Doctor Niniane Sargent."
"Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott, though you can call me Scotty." He said, shaking her hand briefly.
"Nia." She said to him.
Suddenly his facial expression lit up. "I've seen you before! You're the one who gets tossed by Sulu." He grinned. "Best entertainment on board, since the drama on the bridge has settled out."
Nia smiled sheepishly in response. "I've been hearing that a fair amount lately. Apparently there is a pool for how long I'll keep sparring against the lieutenant?"
"Damn right, there is. I won't be telling you how long I've bet." He winked at her.
She laughed and couldn't help, but glance over at the tall Vulcan walking next to her. He seemed perplexed as he looked back at her.
After a moment, he admitted "I have heard Lieutenant Sulu and Ensign Chekov speak of the woman the lieutenant was sparring with. I had not made the connection until now."
"Ah." She said, grin not leaving her face. "Well, for all the pain it brings my pride, I do enjoy sparring with – and losing to – Lieutenant Sulu. I do not expect to end it any time soon." She said, addressing both men. "Besides, three matches? That's nothing."
"Surely, you mean to say 'something' instead of 'nothing'."
"No, Commander. I meant 'nothing'. I was using a human turn of phrase to show that three matches with Sulu are not enough to convince me to stop sparring with him."
The commander seemed to think on her words before nodding. "I see."
Nia wasn't really sure he did, and neither was Scotty or Jenkins. No one called him on it though.
They arrived at their destination, and Scotty pointed up at where several pipes met and jointed in the same direction.
A small patch of a red uniform could be seen, and Nia bit the inside of her cheek at she examined the structures surrounding her.
"Is there anything dangerous in this area? Anything hot, I mean, or very cold? Anything I could be grievously injured by?" Nia finally asked Scotty.
"Now Nia, you're in the engine room." Scotty told her, this time eyeing her and clearly rethinking whether or not Ensign Jenkins' idea really had any merit. "I think there are still a few tricks we haven't tried. You should go back to your lab." He tried telling Nia.
Nia merely raised an eyebrow at him. "I take it you've never seen a Paladian climb?" She promptly reached out and grabbed a pipe just above her head and lifted herself up before any of them could protest further. Sometimes, a girl just has to make a decision and stick with it.
The trio remaining below watched as the Paladian swiftly continued her climb, every so often pausing to barely balance herself before reaching of the next pipe, or walking along the edges of various structures. When she finally approached the area where Keenser was, they saw her shift into a sitting position and carefully slide her way to him.
From where he was standing, Spock could just make out the movement of her lips and jaw, evidence that she was in fact speaking with Keenser. It had taken her very little time reach him, despite the foreign nature of the machines around her. He knew Paladians were evolved to a forested habitat, that they valued the skill of climbing almost more than intelligence. Spock did not see the logic in such a view point, but perhaps that was merely due to the environment he was born from. A Paladian might see the skill of climbing as something vital to survival, while he, a Vulcan, did not.
Nevertheless, the commander was better able to understand the frustration of Crewman Michaels two days previous as he watched Doctor Sargent climb. While the doctor normally operated with a refreshing amount of professionalism, there were times when she showed a remarkable ability to… to…
"Well, that's one way to take a bull by the horns." Jenkins said.
Precisely.
While Spock had been musing, Jenkins and Scotty had been watching Nia climb with a growing sense of shock. Certainly, they knew she could climb, but to do so, and so expertly, was a surprise for both crewmembers.
It appeared to be a relatively short conversation before Nia began her way down. This time she stepped a little more carefully. It took a moment for those waiting below to realize why.
"What's she doing?" Scotty asked, baffled.
Jenkins shrugged. "I have no idea, Commander."
Spock stepped forward, eyes also on the descending figure. "It appears, Mr. Scott, that Doctor Sargent has resorted to carrying your assistant on her back."
Scotty stared at the pair of figures, now more visible, as Nia continued moving. She appeared only slightly hindered by the extra weight.
"Why?" Scotty finally asked.
Jenkins merely shrugged again, and again it was Spock who answered him. "Paladian ancestors harvested from the trees of Palad and spent most of their lives in the trees. It is only logical the species adapted and gained the strength necessary for those tasks."
"So, she's carrying him on her back?" Jenkins was confused enough to forget as to whom she was addressing.
Instead of answering her question, Spock asked one of his own. "Do not Earth primates carry their children while climbing through the jungle?"
When the pair finally set their feet on the floor in front of the trio, Scotty spoke up.
"What, you were too lazy to come down on your own and had to wait for a female…" His voice trailed off as he got a good look of his assistant.
"Sir," Jenkins said slowly "was he always that color?"
The engineer swore under his breath. "No, he's usually a fair bit darker." He swore again, his words unintelligible to the others.
Nia hadn't moved from her spot behind Keenser and looked up to find Spock watching her. While the others were realizing there was something wrong with Scotty's assistant, Nia jerked her chin in Jenkins' direction then at Keenser before looking back at him.
Not certain what the doctor was trying to tell him, Spock realized that Keenser likely needed medical attention.
"Mr. Jenkins." He said.
The woman in question straightened and looked to her commanding officer. "Yes, sir?" She asked.
"Escort Mr. Keenser to the medbay then report for your shift in the labs. Do not be late." He ordered.
"Yes, sir." Jenkins looked expectantly at Keenser.
Who in turn looked expectantly at Scotty. "Go on. I've no use for an ill assistant."
Keenser sighed and shuffled behind Jenkins as the two left Engineering for the medbay. As they left, Scotty spared Nia a grateful smile.
"Thank ye, lass. Not sure when he would have come down if he wasn't feeling right."
Scotty leadled the remaining two back to the turbolift, only pausing to laugh when Nia stumbled.
She attempted to walk it off, but Spock had to ask her if she was well.
Blushing, she told him "Climbing is much different than walking, Commander, and I'm only good at one of them."
"If that's the case, then no wonder you get tossed so much by Lieutenant Sulu." Scotty chuckled, and shook his head.
Once Scotty left them, Nia was expecting a quiet trip back to the deck her lab was on. Instead, the commander proved her wrong by starting the conversation.
"What message were you attempting to convey?"