totally gonna surprise you guys... i don't own star trek.
and you guys get a special day early update since I'm spending most of tomorrow swimming with Little Man. ^_^
Episode 1-2 Charlie X
Saya had been on the bridge shadowing Spock when they got the strange request to take a passenger. She didn't really understand much but did understand that he had been marooned for many years on a planet with a history of magical beings or something.
Kirk had once again left Spock in charge and Saya was standing near him watching the ship on the view screen. Uhura called her over and with a look to Spock she went. "So, once we have free time after this shift do you want to visit with me?" Uhura asked.
Saya positively beamed for a moment before softly saying back "I have to ask to make sure it's ok."
Uhura laughed "You know, you can do what you want."
"Yes, but I am being taken care of and looked after. it's only logical for me to work with my benefactor." Uhura laughed again and commented on her sounding like Spock. Saya approached Spock and softly asked if it was ok for her to hang with Uhura after dinner. Spock assured her as long as she was keeping up with her reading and essays on her history, she was free to spend her leisure time as she wished.
Saya grinned to Uhura and said a soft little "Yay!" before again paying attention to what was going on. Kirk returned to the Bridge and Spock returned to his station. thankfully they had fixed a chair for her near his. she got to sit and watch as he looked through the person they took on's medical records as McCoy talked to him. "But tell me, what reason would he have to lie if there are Thasians?"
"That is a very intriguing question. Scanners show no disturbances in this quadrant, Captain." Spock informed Kirk.
Kirk started to respond "Good. Dr. McCoy, is working out" before Uhura interrupted quietly for her status report. "Thank you. He's working out a training programme for Charlie Evans. Earth history, his own background, that sort of thing. I'd like you to give him the necessary medical orientation on the problems of, um, er, adolescence."
Saya wondered if they might be able to study earth history together to make job a little easier. She raised an eyebrow at Kirk's evasion of discussing the birds and the bees to Charlie. She figured it was a simple matter but then she had a strange sense of embarrassment so maybe that was it.
McCoy tried to pass it back to Kirk who flat swatted him down. Saya smiled slightly at the verbal play. Spock asked "Doctor, didn't the boy make any reference at all to Thasians?"
Saya wondered what Thasians were and decided to ask once everything settled. "Do you believe the legend, , that Thasians still exist on that planet in some form?"
"Charlie's very existence proves in fact there must be some intelligent form of life on Thasus. He could not possibly have survived alone. The ship's food concentrates would have been exhausted in a year or so."
McCoy and Spock went back and forth about probes showing little to eat and probes being wrong. Kirk finally intervened reminding them of their new charge needing their help. Saya softly said to Spock "You guys help people a lot."
Spock answered "When we are able"
They soon finished their shift and Uhura suggested they go to a rec room to enjoy a little leisure time. Spock joined bringing something that made Saya think of a harp. Janice, Uhura and Saya started playing cards as Spock seemed to tune his instrument. Uhura started to hum with the pretty sounds and Spock gave her his form of an irritated look.
Saya smiled knowing that if he really didn't like it, he wouldn't be playing in the rec room. as soon as Uhura apologized Spock actually smiled ever so slightly and started really playing. Janice nudged Uhura who started to sing. Saya stopped playing with the cards, leaving them all to Janice as she watched the pair.
"Oh, on the starship Enterprise, There's someone who's in Satan's guise, Whose devil ears and devil eyes Could rip your heart from you." Uhura sang as Spock gave his eye roll that wasn't really an eyeroll. "At first, his look could hypnotise, And then his touch would barbarise, His alien love could victimise, And rip your heart from you. And that's why female astronauts, Oh, Very female astronauts, Wait terrified and overwrought, To find what he will do. Oh, girls in space, Be wary, be wary, be wary, Girls in space, Be wary. We know not what he'll do."
Spock seemed irritated the entire song by the ludicrous words but still kept playing. Saya could see how he would be quite charming to any female and was reminded again the need to research more on Vulcans. She had learned some of their history but she was trying hard to keep up with all the reading she was assigned as well. by the end of the song though Spock seemed slightly amused at being the butt of the joke.
Janice asked for one more time and Uhura's eyes fell to Charlie. "Now from a planet out in space, there comes a lad, not commonplace. A-seeking out his first embrace. he's saving it for you." Uhura winked at Janice as she continued. "Oh, Charlie's our new darling, our darling, our darling. Charlie's our new darling. We know not what he'll do." Saya enjoyed watching the playful singing of Uhura so she noticed right away when her voice and Spock's instrument stopped making any noise. looking at Charlie puzzled she noticed a strange look on his face.
Saya watched as Charlie worked to be the center of attention and looked back at Uhura and Spock in concern. Thankfully both the voice and instrument went back to normal as they left the rec room. None of them wanted to talk about what had happened as they tried to process it. "Thanksgiving is in a few days. would you and like to celebrate with me?" Uhura offered.
A smile flashed across Saya's face for a moment. "sure! I'm glad the holidays are still celebrated." as they got to her room she turned slightly and accidentally bumped into Spock "would you like to ?"
Spock paused a moment before responding "I will join you." he was curious and concerned about the heavy wave of depression and sadness he felt from her at the brief contact.
"Well, i have leasured a bit much. I think it is now time to study." Saya excused herself and went to her room. She tried to read as she was supposed to but the thought of Thanksgiving without her mother hurt, badly. She heard a knock at her door and told the person to come in. Spock entered "You are upset about something." he stated.
Saya smiled ruefully "was I that obvious?"
"No. However I did notice."
With a smile she answered his unvoiced question. "Somehow it doesn't surprise me that you noticed… My mum is dead. has been for… who knows how long. I get to celebrate Thanksgiving without her. I miss her and it hurts but there is little I can do." Saya shrugged, she felt like crying but couldn't bring herself too.
"Would you like to talk to or about it?" Spock asked.
With a rueful chuckle she told him "Not really. they are sweet but a bit too sympathetic. I'm not much of a cryer. I'd rather find a reason to keep moving." she paused a bit. she was feeling better. she didn't know what it was but Spock had a soothing presence, very non pressuring. "so you play a… whatever that instrument is."
"It is a Vulcan Lute. A hobby of mine."
"interesting. would there be a possibility of me getting a cheap one or something? I would love to give it a try." At Spock's raised eyebrow she shrugged again "well, I seriously doubt you want someone totally inexperienced messing with yours and I do have an affection for instruments. Learned the flute and piccolo in school band and started teaching myself trumpet, sax and clarinet. also had piano lessons as a kid but i have short stubby fingers so i wasn't skilled there."
"I do believe there are a few instruments in ship stores. I can go with you to obtain one if you would so choose."
Saya grinned "that would be awesome!" Spock noticed the real smile with satisfaction. leading them to the ship's stores she found they had a type of flute like instrument as well as a Vulcan Lute. He ended up obtaining both for her and she returned to the room practicing on the flute like instrument the whole way. "Well i remember some of my flute education but adjusting it will be slightly odd."
as soon as they reached her quarters again Spock tuned the Lute then handed it to her. she gently plucked each string and smiled as she heard the beautiful sounds. closing her eyes she started playing simple tunes she could figure out. they were very novice and unpracticed but it was clear she had some talent with the instrument.
the night ended with her doing a bit more study and Spock going to his room to meditate. Once again up for duty shift Spock met Saya at her door noticing this time she had her hair in a pony tail rather than a twist. it swished as she bounce walked, as she did, and he caught a unique scent that seemed all her own.
After some time they got a message from the ship that Charlie had come from. it was very fuzzy and unclear but they tried and Uhura called the Captain to the bridge. Saya watched Spock as he waited and listened. she couldn't help but muse that his posture was very nice and stance was appealing.
her musings were interrupted by the warning the other captain was trying to give Kirk. suddenly the message was completely lost and she could see Spock calculating. Charlie spoke up saying "it wasn't very well constructed." and Saya puzzled if he meant the message or something much more sinister. Kirk told Spock to sweep the area with the probe scanners and Spock said "Affirmative Captain." before moving to do as he was told.
"Do you think something happened to the Antares, Charlie?" Kirk asked.
Charlie responded "I don't know."
"Picking up some debris on our scanners, Captain." Spock said and Saya hoped against hope that it wasn't what she guessed it was. when Kirk asked about the Antares Spock confirmed her suspicion. "The debris is what's left of the Antares.
there was an announcement from the chief about the meatloaf turning into real turkeys. Everyone noticed the slight laugh Charlie gave to the announcement before leaving the bridge. Saya gently touched Spock's arm and he got a burst of controlled fear and concern overlaying calculation and puzzlement. "I don't think Charlie is safe. there is something very wrong and I can't give exact reasonings but I know what I know."
"Without proof there is nothing we can do yet." Spock told her. at her look saying 'are you stupid' he added "I will be on the lookout for anything suspicious."
"Fair enough." Saya went back to reading on the P.A.D.D. She had been given so that when there was nothing to observe or learn, or when she needed to be out of the way she was still able to put her time to good use. She was reading on Vulcan anatomy and physiology and some of their more fascinating differences.
During a break in their duty shift Spock and Kirk went to a rec room to play chess. Saya watched with major fascination at the new variant on an old favorite game. "Your mind is not on the game, Captain. Check. The Antares?" Spock said.
"A Survey ship with twenty men aboard lost. No reason. Obviously, Captain Ramart was not aware of any trouble. I can't figure it." Kirk answered.
Saya was wondering if Charlie had something to do with it. it seemed the logical connection because that was the only string connecting the 2 vessels. "My own concern is more immediate. The boy." Spock responded.
"I can usually follow you, , but this time?"
"He seemed to know what happened to the Antares before we did."
Charlie walked in and Kirk answered "I'd call that a pretty long reach for evidence, . Come in, Charlie."
"And again, Check."
Kirk looked over the board and moved a piece "Checkmate."
Spock seeing no other moves answered "Your illogical approach to chess does have it's advantages on occasion, Captain." Saya saw the twitch that meant a smile on Spock.
"I prefer to call it inspired." Kirk retorted with a slight smile of his own.
"As you wish. At any rate, the game is yours."
Kirk grinned and looked up at Charlie "You play chess, Charlie?"
"Oh, I, I watched them play on the Antares. Can I try?"
Kirk grinned as he got up "I place you in the hands of our chess master." then left.
"The principles of three-dimensional chess are basically mathematical, Charlie. You put the white here and the black on the secondary level." Spock started to explain.
Charlie took on a strange look and replied "I know what it is. Let's play." Saya didn't like the look in his eyes.
"Very well." after just 3 moves Charlie moved a piece and Spock told him "that was a mistake, Charlie."
"No, it wasn't." he said.
"Checkmate." Spock said as he dropped the piece into place. Saya smiled wondering if she would want to play Spock. she figured she would likely lose quite quickly like Charlie did.
"No, it isn't." Charlie said angrily.
Spock looked him over calculatingly and said "If you will excuse me." as he got up to leave. Saya followed quickly nervous about being left alone with someone she considered volatile.
Saya talked as they walked "Vulcans run cooler than humans. average height is taller but weight is lower." she eyed him a moment after he affirmed her information. "I bet i could lift you since you are lighter than a human male… not that i would try." she hastily finished when she saw Spock's customary raised eyebrow. "Your heart rate is much quicker but blood pressure is much lower and you guys live about twice as long."
"You have done your research." Spock told her with one of his smiles. they returned to the bridge and Saya kept reading on Vulcans as Spock continued his research.
Janice came to the bridge talking about someone needing to help her with Charlie. she didn't want to break his heart being as she was his first crush. Saya could see that, Janice was the type of girl everyone thought was cute or attractive. Kirk soon left the bridge to deal with the issue and Saya paused in her reading to ask "Is your blood really green?"
"Yes, Vulcan blood is copper based whereas human blood is Iron based." Spock answered. Saya wondered if that meant they changed to a color other than blue when they got too cold and if the blushed green rather than red. She went back to reading with thoughts of what Spock would look like blushing running through her head. Uhura notified Kirk of the course adjustments to be made and he told Spock to see to it.
They heard a com message requesting security men from Kirk and Spock dispatched them as Saya softly said "Charlie must have snapped." Uhura started frantically receiving messages and recording them before finally calling to Kirk. "Security reports that all phaser weapons have disappeared. Shall I repeat, Captain?"
Saya was wondering what a phaser weapon was when Kirk responded "No, I heard you. Have and meet me in the Briefing room."
Uhura acknowledged and Saya looked to Spock to see if she was to follow. he gave his customary nod and she joined him on the turbolift as she heard Uhura calling for . "Unless otherwise instructed you are to stay with me. is that understood?" Spock told her.
"Yes. Thank you. I wonder what I should or shouldn't hear sometimes." Saya was glad for the definite instructions to make it easier for her to know what she was supposed to do.
Saya sat in a chair against the wall behind Spock who had a handful of records. "Thasians have been referred to in our records as having the power to transmute objects or render substances invisible. It has generally been regarded as legend, but Charlie does seem to possess this same power."
"What are chances that Charlie's not an Earthling, that he's a Thasian?"
McCoy jumped in "No, I don't think so, not unless they're exactly like Earthlings. The development of his fingers and toes exactly matches the present development of mans on Earth."
"Agreed." Spock stated.
"Well, whatever he is, we have some idea of the power he has. I know what I saw him do in the gymnasium." Kirk said. Saya couldn't help but wonder if she could find a wrestling partner in the gym once McCoy okayed that activity.
"Considering the effect a normal adolescent has on a home, Charlie with the power he has…" McCoy trailed off and Kirk picked up the train of thought.
"Short-tempered, because he doesn't understand. He needs, he wants. Nothing happens fast enough."
Spock said what Saya had thought at the time "The probability is he is responsible for the destruction of the Antares, which would indicate a total disregard for human life."
"He doesn't understand what life is. He's a boy." Kirk defended. Spock gave a look indicating the lack of wisdom in that justification and Saya felt agreement.
"Well, what do we do with this boy, Jim? How do we keep him caged up?" McCoy asked. 'that must be why the holy jim jim was so odd to Spock. I didn't know Kirk's name was Jim.' Saya thought to herself.
"It goes even further than that, Doctor. We can't take him with us to Earth Colony Five. Can you imagine what he'd do in an open, normal environment. I've talked with him, listened. he's a boy in a man's body trying to be an adult with the adolescence in him getting in the way."
"And with a weapon in him which could destroy you or anyone, anywhere on this ship." Spock added.
"Well, for the moment he's stopped. You're an authority he respects, Jim."
"Agreed. The struggle must remain between you and him. Should any of us interfere…" Spock was interrupted by Charlie entering the room with a smile.
"You wanted to ask me something, he said." Charlie said indicating his guard. Saya felt for the kid even as she feared him. he was genuinely wanting to please others but his temper and lack of restraint was deadly.
"Are you responsible for what happened to the Antares, Charlie?" Kirk asked.
"Why?"
"Answer me." Kirk demanded.
"Yes. There was a warped baffle-plate on the shield of their energy pile. I made it go away. It would've blown up anyway. Well they weren't nice to me! They wanted to get rid of me. They don't now." Charlie frantically explained.
Saya resisted saying 'And you weren't nice to them.' and just listened. "What about us, Charlie?" Kirk asked.
After Charlie left Spock said "We are in the hands of an adolescent." and Saya wondered just how they were supposed to combatant that. They returned to the bridge and Kirk commands Uhura to get ahold of colony five and for the navigator to change the course.
Saya barely made it to her chair when Uhura got electrocuted by her station. Kirk told Spock to get the doctor on the double and helps Uhura. Saya remained frozen in her chair wondering how she could help and if she could at all. Spock set to his task then looked at Saya. Somehow the calm glance reassured her and she calmed. Uhura thankfully was just minimally hurt but they were unable to change course.
Kirk asked Spock if he was getting any readings as Charlie entered the bridge. Spock responds with "Yes, Sir. There's a Tyger, tyger, burning bright in the forest of the night." Saya was quite concerned as it is clear Spock is not choosing to say those words.
Kirk quickly moved to Spock asking " ?"
"I'm trying to Saturn rings around my head, down a road that's Martian red." Spock again was being forced to say things he doesn't want to.
"You're trying to change course, Captain. You can't do that. I want to get to Colony Five as soon as we can." Charlie told Kirk.
"Release the transmitter." Kirk demanded
"You don't need all that subspace chatter."
McCoy entered the bridge demanding "What's going on here? Spock calls me to the Bridge and goes into some kind of poetry."
Kirk interrupted "See to her, Doctor."
"Once upon a midnight dreary while I pondered, weak and weary." Spock again spoke up. 'i liked that one but it loses all pleasantness when forced from someone. especially .' thought Saya as she tried to figure out how to help.
"Very nice, . Oh, I can make him do anything, whirl around, laugh, anything." Charlie mocked.
Saya glared and Kirk said "That's enough, Charlie."
"Don't you think he's funny? I think he's funny." Charlie persisted.
Saya almost burst out how cruel it was but remembered Spock's words about it needing to stay between Kirk and Charlie. "Leave my crew alone."
Charlie attempted to battle wills with Kirk but soon left dejected. "Jim, he'll soon reach a point where he won't back down." Spock warned.
Kirk concernedly responded "I know."
They worked for a bit when suddenly they heard Janice telling Charlie to get out. Charlie kept saying he only wanted to be nice to her and She kept telling him to leave. Kirk jumped up and instructed Spock to follow him as they went to help Janice. Spock quickly told Saya to stay with Uhura and Bones as he left.
Saya heard as the reports poured in of problems on the decks. Charlie was on a rampage but she wondered how far it could go. Charlie, Spock and Kirk returned to the bridge and Saya looked to them for any sign of what was to happen. Uhura soon said "Captain Kirk, my instruments show we're receiving a message on subspace frequency three, ship-to-ship. I can't hear it, sir."
Kirk demanded "Are you creating that message, Charlie, or you're blocking one that's coming in." as Spock got up to help sort out the message.
"It's my game, Captain. You have to find out. Like you said, that's how the game's played. You can have it now. I've locked on course for Colony Five again." Charlie looked slightly worried but left
Kirk decided to take on Charlie. Both McCoy and Spock argued about it being unwise. "Wait a minute. Does Charlie? Now, wait, Spock, has he done away with anybody since he took over?" Kirk asked.
"Not so far as we know."
"Maybe he can't. Could be he's overreached himself. It's a big ship. He's taken full control. If we could tax his power, turn on every device on the ship, every circuit, every light, all of it, and while he's fighting that, if I could distract him, maybe you could tranquilize him, keep him under until we reach Colony Five." Kirk plotted.
"Risky, Jim." McCoy said.
"If we don't try, Doctor, he'll get rid of us anyway. There's no choice, gentlemen, none at all." Kirk told them. Saya didn't like where it was going but it was logical.
Charlie stormed in "I can make you all go away anytime I want to." Charlie sat in the Captain's chair and Kirk forcefully told him to get out. Charlie taunted the captain and Kirk pushed back. Spock and McCoy started activating systems to try to push Charlie further. Saya sat stunned in her chair for a few moments before catching Spock's attention to see if she could help. he had her push quite a few system buttons and he took more further down.
Once done Charlie started seeming quite scared. Kirk and Charlie got physical and Saya was concerned when Kirk almost punched Charlie in the face. Spock interrupted by informing Kirk that the navigation console is clear. "Sir, something off our starboard bow. The message says they're from Thasus." Uhura said.
Janice suddenly reappeared and Charlie looked quite frightened. Saya wondered if anyone else could see it. sometimes they seemed to be so focused on space that they didn't see what was in front of them. She looked at Spock as he said "Sensors show there is something there, Captain. Deflectors indicate no solid substance." Saya looked at the viewscreen and saw an odd looking greenish form that looked like it could be the form of a strange ship.
Suddenly every eye was on Charlie as he screamed "NO! Oh, no, please, don't let them take me. I can't live with them anymore. You're my friends. You said you were my friends, remember? When I came aboard! Please, I want to go home. Take me home."
A head formed floating as if made from smoke and spoke. "I have taken my form from centuries ago, so that I may communicate with you. We did not realise until too late that the boy had gone, and we are saddened that his escape cost the lives of the first ship. We could not help them, but we have returned your people and your ship to you. Everything is as it was."
Saya could see why Charlie didn't want to go with them but at the same time he couldn't stay among humans. "I won't do it again. Please, I'll be good. I won't ever do it again. I'm sorry about the Antares. I'm sorry! When I came aboard! Please, I want to go with you. Help me!" Charlie begged.
Kirk advocated for Charlie to no avail. Saya did not understand the lack of wisdom in the Captain in this manner but guessed it was the caring part that spoke.
"Oh, please, don't let them take me. I can't even touch them! Janice, they can't feel. Not like you! They don't love! Please, I want to stay." Charlie begged one more time before fading from their ship.
"Charlie's back on board the Thasian ship, sir. They signal they're leaving." Uhura said. No one felt good about the circumstances but no one could deny the required outcome.
Spock returned to his station and Saya quietly said to him "Maybe once he gets past the irrationality of puberty and learns some lessons of adulthood he could rejoin society… but he will have to prove he is more humane than this event indicates."
Spock raised an eyebrow and said "That is a possibility."
*END*