Chapter 4 - Want to bet?

"Oh four hundred." Kirk curled his body to sit up and efficiently pulled on his clothes. "I brought my duffel, so I'll head out from here."

Spock reached over his head and pushed the light controller up. Kirk had been moving around in the dark, undetected by the sensors. Spock stood up wrapped in the blanket off the bed. Even so, his sleep-inhibited body felt the air as painfully chilling.

Kirk kissed him next to his nose. "I'll see you in a little over a week, ten days maybe. I'll try and call every day. I don't have much in the way of duties until we arrive." He held the sides of Spock's head. "Study hard, okay? And good luck with your project on the Apollo. Behave yourself. Tell Overlander-"

"You need to go."

"Right."

Kirk flipped open his communicator and requested a beam out.

The USS Hampton's clock was four hours and some minutes shifted from HQ's and the transporter room was busy. A dark black woman with tightly braided hair pushed through an exitting group at the door, gave Kirk an unemotional looking over.

"Yeoman?" Kirk said.

"You're early." She stepped out and Kirk followed. "Lt. Commander Kirk, I'm Yeoman Cheumari," she said with a noble nod.

Kirk stood up straighter. He considered asking if they were on schedule for departure, then reconsidered since it wasn't his ship.

Graham was on the hangar deck, looking over a shuttle with a team from engineering. "I want two fully functioning shuttles. Beam downs are not possible on a prison planet. Hello Kirk," she added without pulling her head out of the access panel beside the shuttle door.

She swung back, hanging on the shuttle's portal a long moment before stepping back. "Lt. Commander Kirk, this is my chief engineer and his best team. Or so they tell me, often. Chief Ionia, this is our adviser for the voyage."

They shook hands.

She faced Ionia, propped her fists on her hips. "You have everything you need to fix this before we arrive?"

"We have almost enough parts to put together a third shuttle."

"Don't tempt me." She dropped her arms and started walking, glanced back. "Keep me informed, Chief."

Kirk caught up with her halfway to the hangar exit.

"How are you, Kirk? James."

"I'm quite well."

The lift arrived.

"You?" he asked.

She looked side-eyed at him, spoke with her jaw clenched. "I'll be better once we're underway. I always am. When I have to give up on making ready. Let me introduce you to the senior officers on the bridge. We'll have a full mission conference in two days. I haven't had a chance to review the full files myself so having one before then would be painful. I don't suppose you have reviewed everything either."

"I will before the meeting you're calling."

"I'm somewhat relieved you aren't the distraction you might be."

She stood taller, chin out. The lift doors opened onto the bridge.

A slim man with strawberry blond hair, red eyes, and broad shoulders stepped over from beside communications. He had ridged brows and ears. This was Lt. Hogan, whom Kirk had met during the dinner on the Potemkin.

"I'm putting Kirk under you in the chain, in case it comes up," Graham said. "If I'm out of commission. I don't expect it to come up, but just in case it does." She glanced around the bridge. "You got that, Nav, Helm? I'll tell Chief as well." She looked at Kirk." You all right with that?"

"I'm all right with that if your officers are."

Yeoman Cheumari stepped onto the bridge.

"She reads my mind. Show Kirk his quarters, Yeoman. You're sharing with head of security, who'll be on the landing party, so get to know him."

Kirk gave a polite nod. "Yes, sir."

Graham sniffed. "That won't last."

Spock sat before a display terminal showing navigational beacons, major systems, and other interstellar traffic in a shifting four dimensional coded display. He arranged the display elements before him yet again. The control board simulation practice was designed intentionally to limit his information and that made his hands long to move to try and correct it. He rested his hands in his lap and waited for Veeyla, the student on his left, to finish the astronomical part of their exercise. Veeyla had scales along her jaw and from her hairline leading to her eyebrows. P'Losiwst had introduced her as being from Oregon.

P'Losiwst sat on Spock's right, her antenna curved forward as if they might be stalks for a second set of eyes. At P'Losiwst's request they had gathered after dinner at one of the public lab units to do station practice tasks. The instructor had emphasized using the practice to develop the verbal communication necessary to overcome differences in information, skills, and work style. But Spock's companions were intently silent, concentrating fully on their displays.

P'Losiwst glanced up at Spock, possibly to check again if he was bored. She had already asked twice. Spock could easily work on something else at the same time in his head, but he was instead wondering what Kirk was doing just then. He had beamed away thirty seven hours, forty three minutes, and twenty seconds ago. They had had a short video chat that morning while Kirk was on lunch and Spock was between classes. Kirk had been distant, official, his thoughts steeped in his new environment.

Veeyla's astronomical gravity and hazard assessments came through to Spock's screen. Spock had to trust them, even though his hands itched to verify everything, a task of less than a minute given the simplicity of the simulation. He used what he'd been given, plotted an optimum course, and submitted it to P'Losiwst, who was to initiate the necessary maneuvers. The timeline would then speed ahead, P'Losiwst would make adjustments as needed. And they would be scored on measures such as energy efficiency, reduced radiation hazards, and wear on equipment. Spock knew they should be speaking more about each of their tasks. P'Losiwst and Veeyla, when they spoke at all, were discussing completely other matters related to the quality of their dorm facilities. Spock needed to learn how to effectively address human limitations. Within minutes of starting the simulation he estimated he'd already corrected the two of them enough for one session. He put his hands back in his lap, watched the small corner display with the simulated ship's status and navigational plotting.

The public terminal lab was an extension of a casual mess area providing snacks and coffee. Other cadets flowed through in waves. Someone stopped behind Spock. Spock could feel the attention on the back of his neck.

"Notice that all the little alien plebes huddle together for protection."

Spock turned from his display to face Jaek. He had Horton with him and a pair of second year female cadets, whose poses indicated they would prefer to walk on.

"I'm earthen," Veeyla said. "I'm just into body modification."

Jaek ignored this. He leaned closer to Spock. "Stand up when I'm talking to you, Plebe."

P'Losiwst poked at her screen and the terminals went into standby, which meant their session would not count. Spock stood with calm dignity, faced Jaek with mild curiosity.

"You're a real kiss up in Chanel's course. You know that?"

"I was not aware of that, Senior Cadet. Is it a matter I should address in some manner?"

Jaek's nose twitched. He shook his head as if smelling something unpleasant.

"You shouldn't even be in the course."

Spock nodded politely to acknowledge this.

"That's it? Your entire response?"

"I am agreeing with you, sir. My placement was not based on prior qualifications."

"So you are admitting you are a suck up?"

"I am not familiar with that concept and so cannot offer a response of any value."

Horton crossed his arms and snorted. "You sure sound like a computer."

Spock assessed Horton, assessed the other cadets of various years who were slowing or turning to listen in. Turned back to Jaek.

Jaek said, "Give me ten, Plebe, for annoying the hell out of me."

Spock stared at him in question.

"Really? You've seen other losers get this treatment. I know you have. Push ups, Plebe."

Spock stepped back from the terminals to where there was adequate space. He stopped and cocked his head. "Is this intended to be a punishment? You are aware, Senior Cadet, of how light your gravity is relative to mine."

"Just do it."

"Of course, sir."

Spock dropped to the floor as a plank and caught himself with his hands, began replicating the rather crude exercise he'd seen performed by others. Jaek stepped over in front of him, counting, and Spock knew the instant before it happened, felt Jaek's intent like a shift in the projection of his attention, the flow of the energy in his limbs. He swiped a foot at Spock's left hand. Spock lifted that hand, avoiding the touch, put it behind his back, shifted his body over his right hand, and continued pushing off the floor one handed.

Spock stood up. More cadets had gathered to watch, their expressions reminded Spock too much of Ranger's security, except for the truly amused smiles, which were something else he was less familiar with.

"Ten completed, sir."

Jaek stepped closer, invasively close, raised his chin and looked down at Spock. His face was distorted by emotion. "I should make you do a hundred."

"The only difference between ten and a hundred is the tediousness of your having to count, Cadet. It is no matter to me."

Jaek's shoulders dropped, he pinched his lips together. "You're an ass. That isn't going to go well for you," he said, low enough Spock doubted any human could hear him.

"That's enough, Cadet. You got your push ups."

This was a voice from the wide corridor near the food slots and cafe tables. It was a voice that expected to be obeyed.

Jaek stepped back, dropped his gaze. He nodded and mumbled something and strode off. His companions followed more slowly. Jaek stopped abruptly and waited for Horton to catch up. Spock remained standing, watching them depart. The other cadets began shuffling off. Conversation rose again.

"Bastard. Elfin dweeb," Jaek said when they reached the edge of the lab space. "Don't know what Chanel's thinking. He should be stuck on the bottom with the rest of the loser noobs."

The source of the commanding voice was approaching from the left, footsteps sounding of fine, smooth soled shoes. Spock ignored this approach, in favor of keeping his attention ahead of him.

Horton said, "Maybe Chanel likes the taste of alien. Certainly doesn't hide her appreciation of attention."

Jaek laughed. "That back there? No way." They reached the next set of doors. "Skinny bastard really grinds me." Jaek turned around, saw Spock there, watching from twenty six meters away. Jaek stopped, eyes narrowed, looked ready to return.

"Stand down, Cadet," said a voice beside Spock.

Spock turned, faced a middle aged human with contrasting blue-black hair and pale blue eyes. He wore Captain's braid, deployment insignia, not Academy. The man looked Spock over, as if he were something entirely new, then glanced at P'Losiwst and Veeyla as they stood up and came to attention. Spock noticed that three others were watching and waiting around the room, all senior Cadets with mentor badges on their collars. Spock expected they would have stepped in if this apparent visitor had not. Eventually.

The captain looked at each of them again. "As you were, Cadets." He strode away.

Spock and his companions said some version of "Yes, Captain."

Spock resumed his seat. He sensed the remaining attention on them shift away. The mentors moved on.

"Should we start over?" P'Losiwst asked.

"We should complete this one," Spock said.

P'Losiwst sighed. "Yeah, my part. Okay, I didn't want to work while . . . "

"Understood."

P'Losiwst turned to look over her shoulder. The doors had closed behind the captain. "You know who that was?"

"No. A visitor I assume."

"That was Captain Pike." P'Losiwst leaned forward over her terminal. "Starfleet's greatest living explorer. He's come back from missions to the edge of the galaxy, to the Mutara Nebula, all kind of crazy places. He's giving a talk this evening. Let's get done with this."

"He didn't seem really happy with us," Veeyla said.

"We are not beneath him in a regular chain of command, so it is no matter," Spock said.

P'Losiwst worked on her portion of their unfinished simulation, to some muttered swearing.

Veeyla said, "Do I really look like an alien? I haven't even had that much done."

She stared at Spock presumably because P'Losiwst was busy.

"I am afraid I cannot offer an informed opinion."

She looked him over with new studiousness. "I really like your ears."

Spock almost raised a brow, but stopped himself before it got more than halfway.

"Captain. An honor." Vice Admiral Justin said as Pike entered the central waiting area of the Academy administrative offices. He extended a hand. "You're quite early for your talk."

Pike returned the handshake. "I decided to indulge in a little self tour for nostalgia sake."

"Would you like something while you wait? I have a private stash out of which I can probably scare up something worth your while despite your wide travels."

"Oh, no thank you, Admiral. I prefer to stay sharp."

The admiral accepted a small padd from an administrative assistant. Nodded at it. Handed it back. "And how do you find things around the academy upon your return?"

Pike smiled. Did not relax his posture. "The same and different."

"Stay around longer. It starts to look the same every class."

"You have a Vulcan."

Justin sat against the back of one of the low square chairs, loosely crossed his arms. "We do. I don't see that as a change."

The secretaries and assistants that had looked up and smiled at Pike's entrance had gone back to work. Some were looking up again. Lt. Grange logged off the terminal he was using at the reception desk and stood straight.

"It's not that simple, Admiral," Pike said. "This organization relies heavily on a certain culture. His presence could very well be more disruptive than you understand."

Justin's eyes moved to Grange as he approached. "Lt. Grange, Captain Pike."

Grange shook the man's hand, schooled himself against flinching at his deadly grip. "Honored, Captain."

"Grange is head of student services," Justin said. "He'll show you to you the auditorium when the time comes. If Ensign Kelia from Student Events doesn't track you down before then."

Pike nodded. "Thank you, Lieutenant."

Admiral Justin said, "Lt. Grange works closely with the cadet you are concerned about."

"I'm not exactly concerned, Admiral. Just don't like to see changes made without proper consideration." He rubbed his hair back. "I understand perfectly well that change is a given."

"He's quite intelligent," Grange said. "He's a Federation member race. And he wants to be here."

"I don't need a lecture Lieutenant," Pike said.

Grange rocked back a half step, recovered. Nodded.

Pike's face grew stern. "I've had visiting Vulcan scientists on my ship on and off for years. I'm well aware how smart they are. Also well aware how hard they are hard to work with. Bloody stubborn, unlivable in close quarters, and when there's trouble they are the first to get out of the way."

"With all due respect, Captain," Grange said. "That doesn't describe Cadet Spock. And in any event. If he were difficult to work with, that would only make the learning for his many project partners more broad."

Pike looked back and forth between each of Grange's eyes. "I sense you are lecturing me again, Lieutenant."

Admiral Justin moved his index finger a twitch in the direction of the reception desk.

Grange gave a bowing nod. "If you'll excuse me, Captain. I have to finish something up before assisting with your talk."

Pike turned back to Justin. "What's going to happen when you try to hand the Vulcan a phaser? Is he going to refuse it?

Admiral Justin's face grew relaxed, knowing. "I doubt it, Captain. But I suppose we will see when the time comes." Admiral Justin pushed off the back of the chair. "Come into my office, Captain. The day has expired and you might not fancy a snort, but I do."

On the way past the main desk, Justin picked up a chrome trimmed padd.

Justin put the padd down on his desk and and went to a minimalist Japanese cabinet with half-moon doors for a faceted bottle and matching glass.

"Change your mind?"

"No sir." Pike put his hands behind his back. Rocked forward onto his toes. "I get the feeling you are about to ream me for being narrow minded and old fashioned."

Justin breathed in the fumes of his glass. "No, Chris, I'm not. Just keeping Grange out of trouble. I suspect he's personally invested in Cadet Spock even though he'd never admit it. There are no fewer than eight others who have requested Cadet Spock for their projects, but he volunteered with Grange before the others knew he was here. So far he's kept hold of him. He's better with paperwork than the rest of them put together and he has more friends in the back office here."

Justin sipped the blue liquid, set it down on the desk and took up the padd. "You make me realize I haven't checked the rankings yet this term."

"You can spare me the score. The Vulcan's at the top of them."

Justin scrolled a bit. "No. Eleventh." He studied the padd longer. "He's only doing average in an advanced officer's technical extended course. That's pulling him down along with Galactic Literature. Captain Chanel must have ordered him to take the advanced course. I probably would have blocked that if I'd noticed it. The boy needs to acclimate before getting tossed into something like that."

"Next term when you start weapon's drills, let me know how it goes. I mean it."

"He won't be here next term. He has some kind of family duties back on Vulcan. I'll let you know the year after." Justin put the padd down, picked up his glass again.

"More special treatment?"

"Not anymore than anyone else would get under similar unusual circumstances. It's to our benefit to take in the children of influential planetary families when they qualify. Keeps us in good stead. It's like the political marriages of old. Which being old fashioned, I expect you appreciate."

Pike bowed his head and shook it lightly. "I suppose I deserve that."

"You deserve more than that."

"I stand by my personal experience with Vulcans. He won't handle a weapon and you'll have to make yet another exception. And soon after, he won't be the only one demanding one."

"I'm willing to lay real money on my cadet. How much do you want to bet on this?"

"Really?" Pike laughed.

"Come on. How much?"

Pike shook his head.

"Chris. You think you're speaking out of experience, but you are speaking out of ignorance. How much?"

Pike looked away. "Hundred credits."

"Not much of a bet. But it's more a matter of pride anyway." Justin took a solid swig of his drink. "Come back after your talk. Cadet Spock will probably attend it, so you'll know where he's been in the interim. I'll have Grange bring him back with him after. We can see if your selective knowledge is right or my easygoing faith in my long experience."