Actually I have a new story idea. Something between a ghost and a genie… but I have this one and my red river ones to finish before I start that one ^_^

And as usual still don't own star trek.

Episode 1-26 Errand of Mercy

They were on a mission but didn't know what it was until they reached a certain point. "Captain, we've reached the designated position for scanning the coded directive tape." Spock told Kirk, handing him the decoder.

"We both guessed right. Negotiations with the Klingon Empire are on the verge of breaking down. Starfleet Command anticipates a surprise attack. We are to proceed to Organia and take whatever steps are necessary to prevent the Klingons from using it as a base." Kirk said.

"Strategically sound. Organia is the only Class M planet in the disputed area, ideally located for use by either side." Spock answered. Kirk requested the planets description and Spock replied "Inhabited by humanoids. A very peaceful, friendly people living on a primitive level. Little of intrinsic value. Approximately Class D minus on Richter's scale of cultures."

Sulu informed Kirk that the automatic deflector screen just popped on and a body was approaching. Saya knew enough to hold on to something this time so when the ship was thrown about by weapons fire she kept her seat well. Kirk ordered return fire and Spock informed him of the hit. Kirk requested Damage control to report to the first officer and Sulu notified Kirk that the ship didn't register and there was only drifting debris.

Kirk ordered a general alert and Spock to report. "Minor, Captain. We were most fortunate. Blast damage in decks ten and eleven, minor buckling in the antimatter pods, casualties very light." Kirk commented that they were expecting an attack. "Yes. It would seem to be an unfriendly act."

Uhura informed him of an all points relay from Starfleet Command saying code 1. "Well, there it is. War. We didn't want it, but we've got it." Spock commented that it was curious how often humans managed to obtain what they didn't want. "War or not, we've still got a job to do. Denying Organia to the Klingons."

Kirk ordered them to head to Organia and Spock said "Negotiating with the Organians will be time-consuming, Captain, and time is one thing we'll have the least of." Kirk nodded and ordered warp factor 7.

They stayed on alert and prepared for battle as Kirk said " and I are going to the planet's surface. You will be in command. Your responsibility is to the Enterprise, not to us. Is that clear? The Klingon fleet is in this quadrant. We know that Organia will be a target. If they should emerge. You will evaluate the situation. If there is a fleet of them, you'll get out of here, ."

Sulu started to object and Kirk said "No buts. You'll get to safety and alert the fleet. You will not attack alone. and I will be all right." Turning to Spock he said " , let's you and I pay the Organians a visit.

Saya walked with them to the transporter room and Spock instructed her to report to Uhura until he returned. Saya said she would and wished them luck in their endeavors. Returning to Uhura she sat down and started reading. With the events recently she had decided to research down the path of diplomacy. She figured it would be interesting to find out about and had always enjoyed the study of psychology.

Suddenly they were set upon by quite a few Klingon ships. Sulu notified the captain who ordered them to run and get help from the fleet. Sulu hesitantly agreed as they continued to get fired upon by the ships. Half a day later they had met with more ships of the fleet and Uhura suggested Saya to go to her quarters to wait it all out.

Saya did as she was told. Bored she decided to read one of the books on her kindle. The next day she was aware of them being over Organia again and Uhura asked her to wait in her quarters in the instance of battle. Saya was unsure why but could guess it was because Spock could handle teaching or managing her and still do his job. She figured she was too much for Uhura.

Studying more she tried to find a way to be more useful as she waited for the ship to start it's rocking from fire but it never came. Sinking into her studying again she soon finished the book she was on and started another on diplomacy. On one hand she figured that military would be useful but then if she couldn't implement it, she could pursue a course of diplomacy and maybe be useful that way. She still was trying to learn all the science needed to be a science officer but had trouble remembering all the facts.

Saya finished reading and frustrated went to the gym to practice the fighting techniques she had learned. Spending quite some time doing that she got a few lumps but was getting better at quickly dodging. She had managed to get help programing the dummy to provide a counterpart that would give her challenge. On a whim she picked Kirk's program to see if she could take it on.

After landing just 3 measly blows it took her down and hard. Getting up winded and sore she turned it off and chuckled at her stupidity. She may be getting far better than she ever would have thought but Kirk had been fighting probably his whole life, at the very least for many years. She seemed to always be chasing to catch up and yet never able to get closer.

As she walked back to her room, she saw Spock in the hall. She looked him over and smiled. She didn't recognize the clothes and knew they hadn't beamed down in any kind of special get up. "Where did you get the outfit?" She asked coming up behind him.

Spock turned and did his whisper of a smile. "The Organians attempted to disguise me as a Vulcan trader to protect me from the Klingons." He explained.

Saya looked him over and asked "Is that really what vulcan traders wear?" Spock confirmed it was. "Well they have good taste. It looks good on you… not sure much wouldn't though." Spock observed Saya and said nothing. "Do the females wear the same thing?"

"Though it is not identical it is similar. The outfit is designed for practicality and comfort." Spock informed her.

"I should try and find a girl version. I like it." Saya grinned and added "Oh, since you are back I assume I will be joining you again?" Spock nodded and Saya asked "Do I have time for a shower? Was playing in the gym."

"I will wait, please do not take long." Spock said and they walked into their respective quarters. Spock got changed and waited for Saya. Saya for her part managed to take her shower in under 10 minutes.

Exiting her room in uniform and ready she asked "how was that?"

"9 minutes and 13 seconds is not long for the tasks performed." Spock said and Saya grinned falling into step with him as they walked back to the bridge.

Saya returned to her reading and Spock to his duties. Kirk seemed more speculative since his return and Spock commented on it. "I'm embarrassed. I was furious with the Organians for stopping a war I didn't want. We think of ourselves as the most powerful beings in the universe. It's unsettling to discover that we're wrong." Kirk told him.

Spock told him "Captain, it took millions of years for the Organians to evolve into what they are. Even the gods did not spring into being overnight. You and I have no reason to be embarrassed. We did, after all, beat the odds."

"Oh, no, no, no, , We didn't beat the odds. We didn't have a chance. The Organians raided the game." Kirk said with a smile. Spock returned to his seat and they went on to their next location. After their shift as they walked to dinner Uhura caught up to them.

As soon as they had their meals Uhura demanded "Why didn't you tell me or even say anything?" Saya looked puzzled for a moment and Uhura clarified. "Your birthday was a few days ago! And it was your first birthday in this time. I wanted to celebrate with you!"

"Oh, well I didn't bother to celebrate it this year." Saya said with a smile. "To me birthdays are different than most people and I also have no idea how they work for you guys. I mean I remember the party we had for you but I don't think Kirk, or McCoy did anything." Saya shrugged.

"Well we do. It depends on the person for how they celebrate! You should too." Uhura continued.

Saya wasn't really sure what to do so she asked Spock "Do Vulcans celebrate birthdays?" Spock informed her that they did not, however they would join the festivities for another's party. Saya wondered when Spock's birthday was but figured it would not help to ask.

"Fine, since you did nothing for your birthday and I don't have a present for you, we are going to eat a ton of cake and play music and talk!" Uhura told her.

Saya grinned "I'll take vanilla ice cream if you don't mind. Much prefer it to cake." Suddenly her eyes lit up with an idea "Uhura, can you sew?" Uhura told her she was capable and Saya grinned like a cheshire cat.

Spock watched it all intrigued but silent. "Well, I saw 's awesome Vulcan trader outfit and would love to make one like it for myself. Think you can help me with that? I got some good fabrics for it when I got to go on shore leave that one time." Uhura agreed and soon they were happily chatting about their plans.

Spock walked with the pair back to their corridor and bid them a good night as he went to his room. Saya and Uhura went into hers and got the fabric to use. Going to Uhura's they started taking measurements and setting the pattern for the outfit.

After a few hours of work and talk they had a good start to it. Saya went back to her room to find a package on her desk. Opening it she found something quite similar to a scrapbook and supplies for it. She turned everything over but found no gifters mark on it. Carefully removing the photos of the Horta that Spock had gotten for her she flipped them over and carefully applied adhesive to the backs placing them into the book.

She paused at the last photo, it was her favorite and showed mother Horta and a few of her offspring around her in the tunnels with a bunch of the Silicon spheres around them on the ground. Flipping it over she stopped and read the writing on the back. "Happy 23rd Birthday. Live long and prosper." There was also something written carefully in Vulcan but she couldn't read it and wasn't willing to share it to find out what it said. Saya grinned, she hadn't noticed that when she looked at them and was amazed that Spock had given her the photos at all. It now made sense that it was for her birthday.

She carefully put it in the book in such a way that she would be able to flip it over easily. Once done she put the book and supplies in a drawer and went to Spock's room. Knocking she waited for him to invite her in and sat in the chair across from him. "So, I totally missed the writing on the back of my favorite picture. Thank you."

Spock smiled and Saya asked "were you also the one to give me the awesome book to put my pictures in and the supplies to do it?"

"Yes, The book took more time to requisition." Spock answered.

Saya grinned "well thank you for that as well. You never cease to amaze me." At Spock's raised eyebrow she said "I have a terrible sense of time. Couldn't tell you what month it is half the time, much less day. Yet you remembered my birthday, know to the second on time and can remember so much. It's impressive. I kinda want to meet more Vulcans to see if they are like you but then I also don't want to be disappointed if they aren't as awesome. It's funny really."

Spock studied her for a few moments before telling her he would take her word for it. They again said good night and this time Saya went to bed. She wanted to get pictures of all her friends for her book. She also wondered if anyone had pictures from christmas and valentines and other events. She would love to make a photo diary of her time with everyone.

Spock was pleased that his gift had gone over well and she was happy. Meditating he went to his bed and did his customary check on Saya only to find her awake. He felt Riley strong on her thoughts for a moment with a background of Uhura, McCoy, Kirk, Scotty and himself. Her thoughts seemed to shift as her mind got tired. He soon realized she was thinking about him as she drifted off to sleep. Raising an eyebrow he smiled to himself before going to sleep as well.

*END*