Happy Father's Day everyone! Thanks you to those who have favorited and followed this story and those who have reviewed. It took me forever to finally finish this chapter. I edited it, but I feel like there still something off... Please PM me if you notice anything. The diplomatic bits were rather boring and difficult to write, but hopefully it's bearable. Enjoy chapter two!
I don't own Star Trek!
Beaming down to planet Nova's Starfleet base, Spock and Kirk were greeted by the Starfleet Ambassador Thomas Reed. He was not pleased.
"You were under direct orders to come alone, Captain Kirk." Ambassador Reed reprimanded, stomping down the corridor to the council room. He fixed them both with a glare, which Spock chose to ignore. "Bringing your first officer is highly irregular."
Nova thankfully had the same atmosphere as earth, so artificial gravity was not needed, though the gravity seemed heavier. The oxygen level was lower than earths and Spock realized it had to be harder for Kirk to breath, though she didn't seem bothered by it.
He watched, something akin to pride swelling in his chest, as she walked, her gait remaining strong, confident. "I felt his input would be invaluable in this situation, Ambassador. He is more experienced in intergalactic affairs than I am."
"When told we were acquiring the aid of the legendary Captain Kirk, we were hoping to miss out on the also legendary lack of obedience." The Ambassador halted at the closed doors. Sighing, he looked at between the captain and first officer. "But seeing as the damage has already been done, I can find no reason to send Commander Spock back. Very well, Captain. Your First Officer may stay."
Jamie tipped her head slightly. "Thank you, sir."
Spock and Kirk handed their phasers to an ensign sitting at the desk beside the door, who took them and locked them in a drawer. Reed nodded to another, young ensign who opened the doors, and then led them into the counsel room. The doors were closed after them. Reed introduced them to the other 6 men who were attending the meeting. Lieutenant Briggs, Officer Garcia, Novain Officer T'capl, Commander Edwards, Captain James, and the Novain Ambassador, Gashoh. After the formalities, Spock took his seat beside Kirk at the large circular table and they jumped straight into the issue at hand.
"We have managed to gain a rough estimate of their numbers." Spock listen attentively as Ambassador Gashoh announced. He was average for a Novain. Tall, humanoid, with silky white skin and feather like black hair. "There is about forty-eight in the city, that we know of."
The head of security, Officer Garcia, brought out a device and, after setting it on the table, pressed a button. It projected a holographic image of a group of Novains, though the one in the middle stood out. He had a stronger build than most of his kind and was armed with military grade weaponry. "The Novain in the middle is rebel leader Tazo'g, along with his many followers. He has been seen by many eye witnesses, leading almost all the resent attacks. As you can see in this image, they are all well armed."
The Officer stood up, pacing around the table. Spock eyes followed him, analyzing his restless behavior.
"The attacks started out small but effective, taking out small supplies trucks and vandalizing our headquarters. Unfortunately this is no longer the case. They have managed to gain weapons and recently their actions have become devastating to Starfleet. Captain, if you will." He motioned to Captain James, who had been sitting beside him. The man nodded, pressing another button on the device and the image was changed to the mutilated, smoking remains of a ship. "They destroyed one of our main transporter ships and hospitalized fifteen of our senior officers."
Garcia stopped his pacing and clapped his hands together. "I move that we follow protocol- double security for transports and protection of our diplomats." Spock felt Kirk shift, and glanced over at her contemplating face. "The increase of man power should ward off-"
"That's not a good idea." Jamie inttrupted, shaking her head. Spock raised an eye brow while the Officer leveled her with a glare. "I mean, it's exactly what they'll be expecting you to do. It'll will just open up more opportunities for your men to be injured, or worse, and will leave the rest of the base open for attack. Frankly, it'd be a pretty stupid decision."
Ambassador Reed leaned forward, staring at her in curiosity. "What do you suggest we do?"
"Something drastic." Kirk placed her hands on the table. "From what I understand, the rebels are small but spread apart. These men are a threat and we can't just sit around, waiting for them to make a move. The element of surprise is ours- we need to strike first, while we still have the chance. If you have the ability to count these people you must have the ability to know where they are. Find the rebel leader and take him down."
"His trial may discourage followers before the situation escalates." Spock agreed.
Garcia crossed his arms, voice gaining a harsh edge. "No offence to you, Captain, but your aren't as aware of the situation as those of us here." He sneered down at her.
Spock felt the irrepressible need to come to his captain's aid. "Starfleet sent us here for a reason, Officer Garcia. I would suggest you take Captain Kirk's words under advisement."
"I have heard of the success Captain Kirk has brought Starfleet in the past." Ambassador Gashoh mused, holding his hands together. "I feel it would be wise to acknowledge her idea."
Officer Garcia opened his mouth, ready to argue, but didn't have the chance. Somewhere in the distance, there was large boom and the floor beneath them quaked. The lights above them blinked out, causing the room to dim slightly. Spock looked sharply toward their host.
"What is the meaning if this, Ambassador?" Spock questioned, voice accusatory. Kirk sent him a withering look.
"I don't know, Commander Spock." The Ambassador Reed looked uncomfortable under Spock's cold stare. "Perhaps-"
The sound of phasers being fired was unmistakable, as was the cries of pain coming from outside the conference room doors. The seated officers jumped to their feet. Spock rose at the same time as Kirk, synchronized as they always seemed to be. She sent him a worried glance. The doors banged open and Spock noticed Jamie reach for her phaser, only to remember she had left it, along with every other ranking officer's in the room, outside, as according to the rules.
She cursed. "The one time I obeyed the stupid rule and it's coming back to bite me in the butt."
A Novain man walked into the room, flanked by four heavily armed soldiers. Spock immediately recognized him as the man from the holograph, the rebel leader Tazo'g. The weaponless men could do nothing as the guards rounded them up, pushing them together until they were in a huddle. Spock made sure Kirk remained beside him, moving her along before the men had a chance to touch her. It ended with Tazo'g standing in front of them, his soldiers behind him with guns leveled at their heads.
Tazo'g stepped forward, smiling brightly. "Good evening, gentlemen." His voice had a lint to it, like English wasn't his first language. His gaze stilled on Ambassador and his face darkened. "A pleasure to see you again, Ambassador Gashoh. Still enjoying the title you received for desecrating our heritage, I see."
"The only one desecrating our heritage is you, Tazo'g." The Gashoh spit out, eyes flickering toward the open doors.
"Expecting someone?" Tazo'g asked mockingly and glanced back at the door. "Don't worry, we won't be disturbed. Your officer's are rather... distracted at the moment."
Spock noticed the Ambassador stiffen. "Why have to come here?"
The Novain laced his fingers. "I hear we have a visitor. My colleagues and I made it a point to come down and introduce ourselves. Captain Kirk is quiet the celebrity of Starfleets from what I understand. "
Spock stepped slightly forward, pushing Kirk behind him so she would be blocked by his own body. He sent her a harsh glare, warning her against doing something stupid. She always did something stupid in these situations.
"How do you come by that information?" Ambassador Reed exclaimed. "That transmission was-"
"You vermin should know by now that we have alliance everywhere." Tazo'g snarled. "So where is he? Where is the famous Captain Kirk?"
No one moved. Spock shifted his stance, ready to shield Jamie if need be. Tazo'g growled, pulled out a rifle, and fired. The young ensign that had opened the door for them collapsed to the floor, dead.
"How many more shall die before you step forward?" Tazo'g yelled. He lifted his gun again. "For I am not a patient man, Captain. And I am so very eager to meet you."
Spock clenched his fist, not daring to look back over his shoulder a Jamie, but already knowing the look of determination she most likely wore. He knew what was going to happen before it even did. There was a moment of hesitation and he thought, unusually hopeful, that his captain would follow his advice this once. Then Jamie pushed past him, stepping forward. Spock's breathing gave a strange lurch, even though the oxygen level had not changed in the slightest.
She stuck out her chin, blue eyes piercing. "I'm right here, douchbag."
"Captain." The rebel leader smiled, noticing her yellow shirt. He looked her up and down, making Spock tense. "Your female. What a... pleasant surprise."
Spock mind reeled, trying to come up with a solution to the situation Jamie had gotten them into, all the while fighting the urge to step forward after her. His breathing hitched again as the rebel took a step closer to his captain. Jamie stayed exactly where she was, not phased in the slightest even though he was three head's taller than her. This seemed to amuse the alien.
"Courage." He laughed. He brushed a hand across her cheek and she stared defiantly back at him. Something uncomfortable settled in Spock's gut. "You live up to your reputation, Kirk."
"This seems unnecessary, Tazo'g-" Lieutenant Briggs piped up, trying to come to Kirk's aid. The rebel leader cut him off immediately.
"Silence!" He yelled and the captain quieted. Tazo'g gave a frustrated sigh before refocusing back on the Jamie and stepping away.
"Tell me, do you recognize these, Captain?" Tazo'g gestured to his men's artillery. He put away his rifle and, from his coat, pulled out a pistol. "Crude weapons according to your standards, ones from earths 21st century. Strange to think that at that time of advancement in your civilization, our planet was just discovering the wheel. And now look at us." He swept his hand outward, gesturing to all the sleek, shiny equipment in the room. "The best of technology, courtesy of the Federation."
Trazo'g eyes hardened. He hefted the gun in his hands. "You should have left us alone, Captain."
Kirk narrowed her eyes. "What do you want, Tazo'g? You don't seem to recall that when we first made contact with your kind, you begged for our assistance. We gave you means of survival during your worlds drought. Do you want the federation to leave after all the help we've provided?"
Tazo'g let out a deep chuckle, sounding close to manic. "Yes. And you're going to help me see that it happens."
Kirk snorted. "Over my dead body."
Tazo'g smiled and it sent shivers down Spock's back. "Right you are, Captain." The mans free hand whipped forward, wrapping tightly around Kirk's neck. Her hands flew up to his hand and she gagged. "Your coming with us. Maybe the Federation will realize they are no longer wanted here when their precious captain is crucified and put on display."
"Bite me." Jamie gasped out through her constricting throat.
Spock flinched, almost imperceptively. The urge to rush forward doubled. He shifted again, this time so he could move. Realizing what was about to happen, Officer Garcia tried to hold him back, but it was no use. Spock stepped forward and all the guns were suddenly aimed at him. Tazo'g's hardened gaze snapped to him and Kirk eyes widened, asking him what the heck he thought he was doing.
"That is enough." It was said calmly, though he wanted to shout. "I must insist you release the captain."
Even though she was in no position to do so, Jamie groaned.
"Who do you think you are?" Tazo'g looked incredulous, glancing back and forth between Spock and the captain. "Do you know this guy?"
Jamie did not respond. Tazo'g shook her, dragging her off the ground by her neck. "Answer me!"
"I am Commander Spock." Spock supplied, almost a little too quickly. Jamie gagged, legs flailing, shaking her head no. "First Officer of the U. S. S. Enterprise."
"First Officer?" Trazo'g raised an eyebrow. He laughed, looking down at Kirk as she struggled. "I had no idea your people were so loyal, Captain."
Desperate to get the attention away from Jamie, Spock's voice deepened and he restated. "I will ask you again to release the captain. If you do not, I will have to resort to violence."
"Will you now?" All the humor was now gone from Tazo'g's face. "I don't think I like your attitu-"
Spock darted forward, easily disarming the guard nearest to him and clamped down on the cluster of nerves at the man's shoulder. It was a risk, since he was unfamiliar with Novain anatomy and didn't know if it would work. Thankfully, it did and the guard collapsed. He whirled back around, ready to knock out another man, but he had misjudged how quickly the Novains could move. By the time he realized what was happening, Kirk had already been shoved into another guard's arms and Tazo'g's fist was connecting with jaw with brute force.
The hit didn't knock him down, but it sent sparks of white light pulsing behind his eyes. He tasted blood in his mouth. These Novaians were strong; stronger than Vulcans, which was saying something. If they could hurt him, there was no telling what they could do to Jamie. He wouldn't let that happen.
The force of the next blow actually did knocked him off his feet. Before he could scrambled back up, a heavy boot was placed on his chest, forcing him back down harshly. All the air was forced from his lungs and he heard a distinct crack- possibly a rib breaking. The sharp pain made his mind refocus.
"Stop!" Kirk shouted, and he saw her struggling with the Novain holding her.
"And I thought Vulcan's were supposed to be strong." Tazo'g sneered. He cocked his pistol, pointing it down at Spock's head.
Kirk let out a feral yell, head slamming back into her captor skull before yanking the gun from his stunned arms. She whipped around, shooting him before turning back around to shot the man that hovered over her first officer. Tazo'g fell to the ground with a strangled groan.
Spock watched in muted astonishment as another guard tried to take the gun away from her, only to be incapacitated by a skillful right hook and used as a shield when the last guard emptied his guns round attempting to shoot her. Before the last guard could reload, the captain fired her stolen weapon again, shooting him in the knee and sending him, screaming, to the ground.
"Gosh darn it, Spock, I had a plan!" Kirk yelled. She let the soldier slump from her arms and hurried toward the screaming rebel. After a swift kick to the head he wasn't screaming any longer.
"You just have to be involved in everything." She dropped her gun and put a hand on her hip. "Must you ruin all my plans?"
Spock propped himself up on his elbows, Feeling relieved despite himself. "Captain, I do not see how I managed to 'ruin' the situation when I merely-"
"I was joking, Spock." She sighed, rolling her eyes. Kirk glanced around the room at all the men. "Is everyone alright?"
There was a course of 'Aye's from all the men- all unharmed, and impressed. Everyone stared at her appraisingly, except for Officer Garcia, whose gaze remained focused on the ground.
Kirk smiled at them. "I think your revolt problem has just resolved itself, gentlemen." She put both hands on her hips, looking smugly over at Garcia. "With two dead, two incapacitated and their leader imprisoned you should have no trouble putting down the rest of the uprising."
"Many thanks, Captain." Ambassador Gashoh bowed.
Ambassador Reed gaped at her. "I- thank you, Captain Kirk. Your involvement is appreciated. You as well, Commander."
Lieutenant Briggs, Novain Officer T'capl, Commander Edwards, and Captain James all offered their thanks as well. Garcia would not meet Kirk or Spock's gaze, a fact that made him slightly agitated, and before anyone else could say anything the officer started toward the doors.
"I need to get debriefed on what happened out there." He said quickly, before hurrying out of the room.
"Oh, yes." Ambassador Reed sighed. "The distraction. We best go make sure no one was injuried. Watch over the rebels for a moment, will you? I'll send some guards in to get them."
Kirk nodded, and the Ambassador and his colleges walked quickly out the door. Once they were gone, her gaze shifted to Spock, who was still sitting on the ground. "You alright, Spock?"
Spock assessed the damages to his body. Headache, busted lip, most likely a broken rib. Sore, but bearable. "Affirmative." He noticed bruises already forming from where Trazo'g had gripped her neck. "Are you alright, Captain? You should not have announced yourself as you did."
"Yah, I know," She smiled, grabbing him by the elbow and pulling him to his feet. "But it turned out alright."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "And if it had not, Captain?"
"Well it did didn't it?" She shrugged, an action he found most annoying. "I'm fine. We should contact Enterprise and let them know everything's okay. Bones is gonna rub this in my face for weeks."
Spock nodded and moved slightly away from the fallen men. He needed to meditate. He was still uncomfortably aware of the emotions that warred dangerously inside him, all of them strong and trying to break though his calm façade. The sooner they got to the ship, the better.
The gun fire made them both jump. Jamie jerked, grabbing her stomach. Spock immediately snatched a gun from the ground and whirled around into a crouch. Tazo'g was grinning from his place on the ground, gun in hand. Spock did not hesitate to shoot.
"Are you alright, Captain?" Spock held the gun ready, looking carefully for any more signs of movement from the rebels. Satisfied they were immobile, he glanced back toward her. "Were you injured?"
Jamie cling to her midsection, looking at him with a dull expression. She shifted her weight and grimaced. "Yah, I think I am."
Alarmed, he stood up. "How badly?"
She removed her arms from her stomach to reveal a rapidly growing red stain, oozing from a bullet wound on the left side of her torso. It spread outward to cover most of her sweater. Her hands clamped back down on the wound.
"Bad." It was a wet gasp, tinged with pain. Then his captain was falling forward and he was there in a second, catching her in his waiting arms.
"Captain!"
Why is Spock so freaking hard to write!? Sorry if he was OOC, but I'm trying to emphasize that Jamie can easily elicit strong motions from him and it was more of what was going on in his head than what he was actually doing... I just don't know. But I like how the chapter turned out, especially with Jamie being the beast she is! There is no doubt in my mind that she could take down all those men when she has the element of surprise on her hands.
Anywho...
Yay, a cliffhanger! Their so fun to write. Hopefully you liked it. Leave me a review and let me know what you think!