Chapter 6
Nyota got the offer for the library on the same day she interviewed. The job was easy, no doubt. However, she wanted the research job. All too often, females were given lightweight assignments, or they did the grunt work while men got all the glory. She told the library she would call back in two days.
The next morning, Nyota returned to the campus. First, she had her credentials updated. She stood outside the student union and stared at her card. One again, she fought back tears. Just when she was ready to give up, it all fell into place.
"Ensign Uhura," a voice called out.
Nyota turned and recognized the face. It was the man from the transport who ignored her cries. He also happened to be the commandant.
"I owe you an apology." He said.
Nyota cocked her head. "Me, sir?" she replied.
He exhaled deeply. Then he shook his head. Nyota looked down at his hands. He gripped his cap.
"I am sorry I didn't ask the driver to wait." He bit his lips. "If you hadn't been on that transport. I would have died." He choked up.
"Sir, I just checked your pulse." She shrugged. "Then I covered you with my coat."
"I heard you." He said. "I felt and heard everything. I just couldn't respond. The doctor said your actions prevented me from lapsing into neurogenic shock." He reached out and touched her shoulder.
"Your instincts were spot on. I hear you even tried to lead the others to the station." Rand said.
"Yes, sir," Nyota replied. She shook her head. "I took the transport every day for three years. I knew just how much time I had on my padd because I couldn't afford the Netpass. It was simple math to calculate the distance to the next station." She said.
"It is truly unfortunate that they chose to follow the wrong person. Sound judgment is critical in leadership." He nodded. "You will go places in Starfleet."
Nyota snapped to attention like she saw Charlene do, "Thank you, Sir,"
He chuckled and patted her shoulder. Then he walked away.
Nyota took a deep breath. That conversation was what she needed. Starfleet truly recognized her skills as a potential leader. Nyota was sure she had Lt. Spock to thank for that.
Nyota stopped by the housing office before her interview. Her new uniforms would be arriving soon, and she didn't trust her roommates. They were young and irresponsible.
"Ms. Uhura, I received a call from Ensign Master's informing us that your commission had been approved. Congratulations." Yeoman Lawton said. She held out a padd. Nyota looked at it.
"Warwick Hall is very popular with the ensigns," Lawton said.
"Which one is quieter?" Nyota asked. She was living with rowdy undergrads, and she would prefer a quiet place to study.
"That would be Providence Hall. The lieutenants live there. It is very sedate, but it is close to the cafeteria." Lawton added.
"Okay, I will take Providence Hall," Nyota said with a smile. "When can I move it?"
Lawton chuckled. "The units are furnished. Just bring your bags."
Lawton took Nyota's card and scanned it. Then, she keyed in the access code.
"You mean I can move in today?" Nyota asked.
"You sure can," Lawton said.
"Wow, Starfleet Academy is so different from the public library I worked at before," Nyota said.
"Our officers and staff have made a considerable sacrifice to be here. It is in our best interest to run the academy smoothly." Lawton said. She was quite young but very wise for her age.
Nyota pursed her lips. She faced the yeoman and said, "Thank you for everything."
The yeoman stood at attention, and Nyota left.
This was the first time anyone had acknowledged her rank and Nyota liked it. She was going to do something special for Charlene, who was a mentor of sorts. Nyota looked at her gleaming new communicator. She decided to walk over to the physics building and review her job notice while she waited for the interview.
In exactly eleven minutes, she was called in. There were three panelists there,
Lt. Spock, Captain Pike, and Lt. Sulu. Pike invited Nyota to sit. Sulu was checking out her curves as she walked across the room.
"Welcome, Ms. Uhura. I understand that you are a new recruit." Pike said. "You are a graduate student?"
"Yes, I was advised to apply for rank as ensign junior grade because I have a four-year degree." She replied.
"That was good advice, Pike replied. "I see you have an engineering background."
"Yes, for two years, I studied engineering. Then I switched to theoretical physics." She replied. Nyota did not mention the slap in the face from her father when he excluded her from the family business.
"That is unusual." Lt. Sulu said.
"I think it is important to be well-rounded," Nyota said.
Sulu was drinking water. He sputtered and then coughed.
"Excuse me," he replied in a velvety baritone voice.
"Well, let's get down to business. The Enterprise is under construction. We are developing a state-of-the-art communications array. Your engineering background would be useful, but we need someone with knowledge of theory as well."
Lt. Spock chimes in, "Ensign, what mechanisms are used to evaluate subspace efficacy?
Nyota took a deep breath and began, "We could use a subspace infrared algorithm to analyze subspace infrared telemetry received from spatial phenomena such as stellar clusters. This algorithm consists of four analytical aspects, which could be regarded as four smaller algorithms, including Zeta particle derivation, also gamma wave frequency, Ion distribution or the flow rate of positrons." She replied. Then she smiled.
Spock looked at Sulu and then Pike. He nodded.
"You seem well versed in theory as well. Are there any other skills that you have that might prove useful?" Pike asked.
"Well, I am multilingual," Nyota said.
"What languages do you speak?" Sulu asked.
"Just the basics, Vulkhansu, Klingon, Andorian, Tellerite, um, Betazed, and several Earth languages, to name a few." She said.
"To name a few?" Pike chuckled. "Well, I have to say that I don't know why it took Starfleet three years to accept you, but I am glad they did." He stood up.
"Welcome to the research project," he said.
"Thank you, sir," Nyota stood up as well and snapped to attention.
"Lt. Spock will walk you through the project and provide direct supervision. He will also assist with the personnel issues as well." Pike said.
"Please follow me," Spock said. He led Nyota and Sulu out of the physics building. They were crossing the quad when they ran into Janice Rand. She looked shocked to see Nyota in the ensign uniform.
"Aren't you the young lady from the transport?" Janice asked.
"Yes, I am. Nyota Uhura." Nyota held out her hand.
"I thought you were an undergrad," Janice said.
"No, ma'am. I am a doctoral student in theoretical physics." Nyota replied. "I applied for a commission because I have a degree in physics with a minor in engineering," Nyota added.
Janice flipped her hair, "Well, aren't you smart…and pretty." She looked Nyota up and down. The uniform only enhanced her figure, which was outstanding.
"Spock, remember the event on Friday evening," she said. "My father is counting on you." She placed her hand on his arm. Spock crossed his hands behind his back.
"Yes, I would like my research team to attend as well," Spock said.
"Oh, are you working on the research project with Spock?" Janice asked.
"Captain Pike and Lieutenants Spock and Sulu," Nyota replied. She took a step back.
"Yes, of course," Janice said. "There will be Federation Council members and Starfleet members there as well," Janice said to Uhura.
"Dress uniforms?" Sulu asked.
"No, it is a civilian affair. Wear whatever you like. Spock, you are going to love my dress." Janice said.
"Ms. Uhura has to visit the personnel office. Please excuse us." Spock said.
"Yes, of course," Janice said. She turned and walked away, joining her friends. Sulu noted the sway of her hips.
"Talk about well-rounded." Sulu said under his breath.
"I will verify the dress code," Spock said. Janice was known to be duplicitous and manipulative. Spock had learned the hard way when they were cadets together.
"Thanks, I don't have a dress uniform yet," Nyota said.
"Have you acquired housing?" he asked.
"Yes, Providence Hall," Nyota said.
"Too bad, Warwick is where the parties are at." He said with a wide grin. Then he took off.
Nyota followed Spock to personnel to establish her housing and tuition allowance provided by the research project. Nyota was very glad she listened to Charlene. Then Nyota headed home to pack her things.
