With the effects of the meagre alcohol she had consumed the hours before long since dissipated, the diligent Uhura stares into the screen before her. No amount of late-hour blear can thwart her focused eyes; those irises, fixated onto minute details, seeking something – or anything – to lead her to the culprit. This task she had placed upon herself is indeed all-consuming, lengthy, meticulous...yet, her perseverance does not falter, not in this present hour, nor the next. It may be several long hours until all is revealed; of course, she knows, and presses onward all the same. The one who attacked her comrade – her courter – will be found. By her whole being this promise is made, to he whom she loves.
Even her Captain – who had remained at her side, and whose eyes study the same screen – is all but ignored by her. This is not out of rudeness, as she holds a great deal of respect toward him; instead, her apparent lack of heedfulness to his presence is an indication of the depth to her concentration. And yes, he too is absorbed by the images held within the small screen. Moreover, he also wishes to capture whomever had assailed his First Officer.
In an enduring silence, the two friends study the footage in the Security station monitor, each frame examined by unyielding eyes. Silence, with the exception of the happenings behind them, unheeded by their focused minds and fixated eyes. Those beeps and chirps of sensors, the pitter-patter of fingertips at controls, the hums and purrs of the ship herself, the sporadic and inaudible chatter of crew at their stations. Inaudible only to the officers at the Security station. None of the personnel in this space are aware of the task presently carried out by the two; as they are of the senior staff and bridge crews, no suspicions arise to the true nature of their task. No one queries, no one speculates. Their world goes on.
In a timeframe just shy of fifteen minutes, there is a tinny chirp from the communicator presently housed within the Captain's uniform pocket. Upon glancing at the small device, he can discern a summons from the helmsman, with news of his task pertaining to the locating of a Benji plant. That very plant which is currently in limited supply; the plant whose essence is highly sought in order to properly save the First Officer from the grips of death. Despite Sulu's apparent ignorance of the true nature of this portion of his Captain's plan, he could still detect an air of secrecy in the voice of he who gave him this order. This, of course, prompts a sense of stealth in the helmsman's silent summons.
"I think Sulu's found something...", begins the Captain, lightly tapping the shoulder of the Lieutenant, "you going to be alright here?"
"I will, Captain. Thank you." The tone of Uhura's voice is indeed thankful, yet her eyes do not shift their gaze from the screen.
To state that she is unwavering in her task would be something of an understatement.
ooo
The Captain arrives at the helmsman's place of summons in excellent time, his journey to the arboretum hasty yet restrained enough to forgo any suspicious eyes. Kirk moves through the space, ignoring the exotic foliage as he brushes past. Exotic would be an appropriate term to place upon the flora housed within this part of the ship.
All manner of plant life is secured within these walls, native to a great number of planets, and sporting wide variances in shape and size and colour. This enclosed space is not merely for the purposes of aesthetics or leisure – it is also utilised for more scientific functions. Crew members learned in the field of botany study the specimens located here, and can often be spotted taking small samples on which to conduct experiments. The sample sizes are always as small as possible, to pose no threat to the longevity of the plants.
Within a few moments, the Captain sights the helmsman, who is currently situated alongside a large containment, a separate portion of the arboretum.
"Sir, that Benji plant you asked for...I found it.", utters the helmsman, carefully placing the vital plant into a small pot.
"Excellent work, Mr Sulu."
"I... heard the Commander wasn't well at the party. How is he?"
Before a response is uttered, the Captain glances about the space, making certain that no other presence may hear. Their exchange had already been hushed, but now Kirk's tone lowers even further.
"He was...attacked with some kind of poison. Right now, it's not looking too great...", he raises the newly-potted plant now in his grasp, "but this might just save his life."
