Chapter 8
Nyota spent the rest of the week focusing on the finishing touches on her unit. It was a real apartment, not just a room. It was spacious, and most importantly, it was included in her compensation package. Since the accident, everything seemed to be going her way. Nyota was grateful. It just seemed odd how quickly things were changing.
Nyota heard a knock at the door. She looked through the viewhole and grinned. Charlene was standing there.
"Hey, lady! I brought your uniform and lunch," she held up a garment bag and a large lunch bag."
"I was just getting ready to make a sandwich. Thanks," Nyota said.
She took the garment bag and hung it up in the bedroom. Then she returned to the kitchen, washed her hands and unpacked the food on the counter. After setting out the plates, she poured some water for them.
"Wow, this is delicious. What is it?" Nyota asked.
"The salad is called Yarmok. The other is called pre-tarmeeli it is a hot and spicy Vulcan vegetable entrée that tastes much like a vegetable curry. It is served over rice. You cut the Krei'la and dip it in the sauce. For dessert, we have Ameelah, which tastes similar to a fried banana or plantain." Charlene said.
Nyota stopped eating. She put her fork down and asked Charlene a question.
"How do you know so much about Vulcan food?"
"How did you know it was Vulcan food?" Charlene said with a grin.
"I speak Vulcan. I recognize the word construction." Nyota said. She picked up her fork and ate some more.
"To answer your question, my father was the first officer on the Farragut with Mr. Spock. He would bring him home for the holidays. Lt. Spock always brought exotic dishes from all over the quadrant." Charlene said.
"He must be a great cook?" Nyota said.
"I suspect he picked up the dishes from the Celestial Deli. It is near the campus, and it serves Starfleet off-world personnel." Charlene replied.
"In any case, it is delicious. Are you two involved?" Nyota asked.
Charlene cracked up. "What makes you ask that?"
"Well, I suspect that Lt. Spock was involved in retrieving my old application, and you have helped me so much." Nyota said.
"He told the vice commandant about you when he told him about the commandant being injured," Charlene explained.
"I wonder why." Nyota mused.
"Spock is hot and all, but he is like a brother to me. Something you said resonated with Spock on the day of the accident. He is an outsider on Earth and to be frank, on Vulcan, too. You seemed to connect with him on this issue," Charlene said.
"Oh yes, united Earth is a utopia only if you are one of the privileged class. We have a long way to go to be fully inclusive." Nyota said.
"See, stuff like what you just said captured his attention. You didn't dis the government. You explained the shortcomings but framed it with a sense of hope," Charlene said. She finished eating and took her plate to the sink.
"Nope, you brought the food. I will do the dishes," Nyota said.
"Well, I better go down and get dressed. Lt. Spock does not like to be late and we have to pick up Sulu." Charlene said.
"I didn't know you were going," Nyota said. "I am glad."
"Spock asked me to go. He didn't want you to be the only female in the hover car." Charlene said.
"This is going to be so much fun," Nyota said. She squeezed Charlene's hand.
Charlene smiled and left. Nyota cleaned the dishes, washed her hair, set it and manicured her nails. She learned to do so because she couldn't afford to go to a shop since she moved to Sausalito.
Charlene made her way down to the first floor. Her boyfriend, Boma, was never a fan of Charlene's friendship with Lt Spock. He certainly would not take kindly to Charlene arriving with Sulu and Spock. It was not a date. It just looked that way.
Charlene would do anything for Spock. When her father, Charles Masters, was injured in a dust-up with the Klingons on Gamma Urlex, it was Spock who refused to leave the injured Masters behind. He hover-carried him three kilometers to safety. Spock saved her father's life. Charlene had been friends with Spock for a few years, but now he meant so much more to her.
88
Nyota finished drying her hair. Her nails were done. She pulled the dress out of the garment bag. It looked like her regular uniform, but it had more detailing and the fabric was heavier with a bit of sparkle. The dress was also a little longer, with a hint of gold detailing around the black collar.
Nyota slipped on the dress. Then she took out the rollers, braided a small section of her hair and brought it around the top, allowing the upper sections of curls to cascade down. Then she finger combed the lower section of curls. Then she applied her makeup. It was a little more dramatic than usual but still professional. Then she added her gold-dangled earrings. Lastly, she pulled on a pair of black satin pumps and put her credentials in a small black satin clutch. Nyota walked over to the mirror and looked at herself. She looked sophisticated and elegant. The most striking thing was the dress, which hugged her every curve. She turned to the side. The tailor had used boning to add lift to her bust. She always had full breasts, but they looked much higher, larger and fuller than normal. Nyota smiled. Then she heard a knock at the door.
Spock was standing there in his dress uniform. Nyota exhaled slowly. He looked amazing. She cleared her throat. I am ready.
He motioned for her to walk first. Nyota went out in the hall and he shut her door. They met Charlene down in the lobby. She was wearing a black coctail dress.
"Damn, I should have worn my uniform. She looked amazing." She whispered. "Who did your hair?"
"I did," Nyota whispered back.
Charlene wore her hair in a short afro, but she wanted to try bigger curls one day.
"Can you show me?" she asked.
"Yes, it is an old-fashioned technique my grandmother used to do. I use her rods."
They reached the hover car and Spock opened two doors. Charlene motioned for Nyota to get in the front and she climbed in the back. Spock nodded and shut the door. They drove over to Sulu's hall. He came out and got in next to Charlene. He grinned when he saw Nyota sitting next to Spock.
"I should have seen this coming," Sulu whispered.
"Hush," Charlene said, swatting at him.
They arrived at the venue and walked in as a group.
"Oh, Spock. There you are." Janice rushed over.
"We are early," Spock replied.
"Yes, but you need to join the receiving line," Janice said. She pulled his hand and dragged him over to the commandant. Spock looked over his shoulder at Nyota.
"Sulu, please find out seats. I will return shortly." Spock said.
Sulu held out his arms. He walked over to the tables.
"There must be a mistake here," he said.
"Ambassador Sarek is seated at our table," Sulu said. "He is here next to Janice and Spock."
"No mistake," Charlene whispered. "He is Spock's father."
"Wow, I had no idea," Sulu said.
Nyota wished she had done more research before dinner. She didn't have her padd and she needed to come up with something to say during dinner.
Nyota watched Spock in the receiving line. He looked awkward as the guests held out their hands. Vulcans did not shake hands.
"We should go through the line," Nyota said.
"What, why?" Sulu asked.
Nyota ignored him. Charlene got up and followed. Sulu shrugged and followed as well. They joined the line just before the Vulcans entered. Sulu went through first. Then Chalene Nyota was the last of the group to go. The commandant greeted her effusively. Janice was a little cooler than before. Nyota wondered why she was in the line. She was no longer affiliated with Starfleet; the commandant was a widower. She often served as a hostess at his events.
Nyota had never met the vice-commandant before. He would not release her hand and he stared at her bust until Spock spoke.
"Ensign Uhura," he called out.
Nyota moved forward and held up the ta'al. "Greeting, Lt. Spock," she said.
Spock smirked. He turned to the Vulcan behind her.
"Ensign Uhura, may I present Kevet T'lar, and Kevet-duvar Sarek," Spock said.
Nyota held up the ta'al. "Greetings, we are honored by your presence," Nyota said.
The vice-commandant was holding his hand out to shake. He pulled it back and held it up in a failed attempt at forming the ta'al. He followed Nyota's lead, avoiding embarrassment. Soon, others in the line were doing the same except Janice, who looked irritated and flushed.
They made it through the line, and Charlene pulled Nyota off to the side.
"We are going to the ladies' room." She said to Sulu.
Inside the lounge, she cornered Nyota. "How did you know how to do that thing with your hand?" Charlene asked as they touched up their hair and makeup.
"After I met Lt Spock, I started reading up on Vulcan culture. I am going to be working with him." Nyota said.
"You went through the line just in time. We would have looked like bumpkins." Charlene said.
"Someone dropped the ball on the intercultural protocol training. That is for sure," Nyota said. "But it was a very small incident that was easily rectified."
"Thanks to you. The Vulcans came through the line right behind you." Charlene said.
The two women left. Janice came out of the stall and washed her hands. She dabbed at the tear streaks on her face and reapplied mascara. Then she returned to the table.