Chapter 7
USS Enterprise
2260.321
Walking in silence toward the bridge, Spock counted the minutes remaining until the staff meeting with Jim, Bones, Scotty, and Nyota (14:30), stopping in engineering to check safety tolerances on the warp core clamps that failed the evening before. Two clamps failed the night before, and to his displeasure, learned that a third failed in the early morning after departing Station J 14.
(11:15) He entered the shuttle bay and conducted preflight inspections of Shuttle Winona in preparation for his visit to his father on New Vulcan. After confirming Winona safe and ready for travel through New Vulcan's atmosphere (8:22), he ran a secondary inspection verifying Winona would be prepared to travel out of the system if necessary (6:14).
He then made his way to the nearest turbo lift, stepping aside quickly for two quartermaster's assistants to move very heavy equipment past on an antigrav sled as they each acknowledged him (5:38). Once inside, he instructed the lift, "Chemistry Lab.
He ensured the acidic spill from the evening before was cleaned and corrected (2:41), and then headed back to the lift, with a final "Bridge", and off it went, ferrying him eventually toward the staff meeting.
The door opened to the brightly lit bridge. He checked in with the duty officer at the science station and then, with 23 seconds to go, calmly stepped into the meeting room to the left of the bridge itself, with exactly 14 seconds remaining.
"Spock," Captain Kirk said. "There you are… so very perilously close to late," he teased.
Spock respectfully corrected him. "14 seconds remaining, Captain."
Scotty smiled, and then followed up on the alignment difficulties.
"The fault lies in the clamps themselves. When installed they should fit seamlessly, and upon inspection I discovered these clamps have microscopic manufacturing flaws: it looks as if the molds were not cleaned before the metal was poured.
"Additionally, the clamp behaves as if it is for couplings two design iterations past. I have contacted several other engineers in the fleet to ask if they have seen this, or if we just hit the jackpot."
Spock looked curiously around the room, not understanding the reference, and Uhura finally had pity on him.
"Normally a 'jackpot' would represent a sum of money won in a random drawing, Spock."
"I fail to see the benefit of this malfunction, monetarily or otherwise."
Captain Kirk chuckled. "Spock, this situation warrants the use of sarcasm with the expression. Look at it as finding the joy in the work."
Observing Spock completely unimpressed with the explanation provided, Scotty continued.
"It is not just us, Jim. The company responsible for manufacturing them has had a cascade failure in quality control. I have filed the claim and documentation for a new set and two additional replacements. We will need to take time at New Vulcan to allow removal of faulty parts, and then installation and calibration of the new clamps.
"I contacted Station J14 prior to our arrival there early this morning and I was able to secure all we need to be included in our stop. While we were loading passengers and supplies, my staff and I personally checked the quality of all three sets, and they are ready for installation.
"I have already sent you the necessary documents, and transcripts you will need for your supervisory report. All I need now is to get into orbit so I can shut the engines down and get to work. We are running the warp drive on one clamp now, and I am not comfortable with that at all, but we do not really have a choice."
"Agreed, Captain," Spock stated. It is unsafe to travel beyond New Vulcan in search of a different location to perform the repairs."
"Scotty, how long do you anticipate the engines will be down?
"The best estimate I can give is 24-40 hours."
"That's a lot of time, Scotty."
"Aye, but it will allow us to ensure there are no cascading effects from the failed clamps. We are also due for drills, and a wee bit of maintenance."
Bones spoke up next.
"So… last night was exciting," he said as he rolled his eyes sarcastically. "We had some excitement in the chem lab, Jim. Three crewmembers were involved, one of whom was severely injured… by that I mean we lost her three times last night, but we got her back… and she is stable now.
"Provided she continues to improve, I will release her to quarters for rest and recovery. She should be back on duty within three days. It's a miracle she is alive at all."
Concerned, Jim pressed for details.
"So, exactly what happened? From what I read in the reports about the incident, her actions saved two crew members? "
Bones nodded affirmingly.
"Yes. She did, and I don't want to think about how many would have been harmed from exposure if she had not sealed the ventilation system. We would be having a very different conversation.
"She made intentional choices to seal the vent shaft and attempt rescue of the other two crew, and she knew it would cost her life to do so. When she regained consciousness, she was more surprised to be alive than we were. The needs of the many outweighed the needs of the one in this case."
Spock observed the doctor carefully. He'd never been given to quoting any philosophy, other than his litany of reasons one should NOT be in space, and the many careers he was unqualified/unwilling to participate in.
"Yes, Spock, I am reading Surak. I thought you would approve."
"Doctor, I am humbled to witness human evolution in the rare moments it occurs."
Uhura tried to stifle the laughter that came but failed.
Before McCoy could respond to Spock's rather well played jab, Kirk decided to move on quickly.
"I'd like to see the video." Kirk stated, making a note to stop by sick bay to visit the ensign before she was released to quarters.
Bones recalled the video and played it without taking his fuming stare off Spock.
Ensign Karen McCann could be seen working through the shift assignments, with meticulous accuracy. Spock noted the safety practices she learned during her chemistry studies at the Vulcan Academy of Sciences guided her every choice and action. That training was specific, clear, and unmistakable. That training was designed to save lives. That training had done so. Again.
They watched as Ensigns David Ansel and Javier Ramos carried an antigrav table with the future-offending chemical mixture and testing supplies into the lab and secured the table in place.
So far so good, Kirk thought to himself, not seeing the glaring error that would ultimately be the root cause of the incident.
Scotty saw it, however, and was very frustrated, his complexion morphing into an interesting shade of angry red. All cadets in all departments (he could think of) possibly even administration, not only knew to wear PPE, but went through rigorous drills and training for exactly this kind of event. He could hold his tongue no longer.
"Where is their PPE? They should not be moving that kind of noxious chemical without it," Scotty demanded.
Spoke to soon, James, Kirk thought to himself a second time.
Watching the video closely, they saw Ensing McCann turn and face them, and realize neither man was wearing any personal protective equipment.
"Stop! Javi, Dave, this is very dangerous… get your PPE on right now. You haven't worked with this chemical, but I have, and you have no idea what it can do. This can eat through the hull, and believe me when I tell you it will go through you first…"
Surprisingly, Ensign Ramos argued with her, justifying not wearing the equipment until the experiments were ready to begin, reasoning that no danger was present since the container was sealed.
"Karen, you need to find a way to relax. The container is sealed. It's a non-issue. Besides, I've got a ton of work to do today, and I don't need to waste any time on equipment until it is necessary."
"Javier, exactly what type of container is that chemical housed in?" Karen asked, with a hint of condescension in her voice.
"Borosilicate, why?" He looked at her, wondering what her point was.
Spock predicted what would happen next, as he had learned it in organic chemistry during year five of his fundamental education. It was the same example given to all students to aid their awareness of the danger chemistry can pose.
Karen walked to the anti-grav table, picked up an unused borosilicate container and took it back to the main worktable, placing it on an open experimentation station. Then she looked at each of them to ensure she had their attention, and 'carelessly ' knocked it off onto the floor, where it subsequently shattered.
"Oops." She glared at both. "Get your gear on, or I call the duty officer."
Bones could not believe the resistance she was getting. "How did Laurel and Hardy here get assigned to the Enterprise? She should not have to tell them this."
Kirk nodded in agreement. "Spock, if I didn't know why you beat the stuffing out of me after Va'Pak, I might consider putting you and those two idiots in a windowless room for about five minutes."
Jim regretted it the moment it came out of his mouth. "Spock, I'm sorry. It was funny in my head, but it isn't out loud."
Spock affirmed Jim's original statement.
"I invite the windows. It could become an effective training tool."
"I love this duty station," Scotty said. "Ye never quite know what to expect. Keeps me on ma toes."
They turned their focus back to the video.
Being lowest in rank (by a whopping six weeks) to the department did not intimidate Karen from stopping every activity in process, and assertively reciting standard procedures for managing volatile chemicals, which included donning all required personal protective equipment prior to introduction of said chemicals into the working environment; along with one further threat to call the duty officer.
Ansel and Ramos continued to ignore her and began to place the supplies on lab tables while she secured all necessary PPE for the two of them and put it into their hands, effectively stopping the unspoken rebellion.
Uhura spoke up in frustration. "You know, you 'd think that we've evolved enough to follow procedures regardless of how long someone has been on board. She should get the award for dealing with these two jokers. This is not ok -."
She was interrupted by a display of bullying misogyny that left them all speechless.
"You know, Karen, we both outrank you. All I've got to do is submit a report that you are uncooperative, petulant, and obstructive," David said matter-of-factly, with a strange smile that made her very uncomfortable. He continued, walking a few steps toward her.
"Just because you took a summer vacation on Vulcan means nothing. Besides, it's irrelevant now… nobody left to lie for you."
Her jaw dropped as grief struck her broadside, as tears streamed down her face. Both men knew that although she was Human, she was a Vulcan citizen and that she had been adopted by an elderly couple named Sovel and T'Hera…
…Karen's mother Eileen died during childbirth. Karen was five when her father brought her with him to Vulcan upon accepting a teaching position by Sovel in theoretical physics at the Vulcan Academy of Sciences. Although Karen flourished, her father Michael suffered an aortic dissection only months after they arrived, and she was subsequently orphaned at six years of age.
Sovel and T'Hera immediately saw to it that her orphaned status was corrected and delighted in the raising of a child of another world they'd never anticipated. She was surrounded by a large family, as Sovel and T'Hera had four grown children of their own, and 12 grandchildren, several of whom were her age.
After completing her fundamental education, Karen had applied to and been accepted by the Vulcan Academy of Sciences, where she flourished into a biochemist worthy of many opportunities choosing to work at the Academy until Starfleet made an offer, she sought her family's blessing for, and it was given by them.
They had not bound her to a Vulcan boy simply because Amanda suggested it would be a tremendous gift of love and understanding of her Human nature and allowing her the choice of adun would honor IDIC.
Spock knew her and her family. While his family ranked very highly within the House of Surak, Sovel and T'Hera's family ranked highly with the House of T' Plana Hath. Spock and Karen were the same age.
As she had grown there were many occasions when T'Hera would meet with Amanda for guidance and education needed for an adolescent human female, and simply to allow Karen and Spock to develop a friendship. He found himself in checkmate at her hand regularly, and was still glad to name her 'friend'…
…Nero's destruction of Vulcan happened in front of her eyes, and just as for the surviving population, she required significant mental health care to recover from another loss… care that was still ongoing. Spock made a mental note to meditate upon how he could right the wrongs they were witnessing, even if that meant a place in the newly forming academy of sciences on New Vulcan.
What happened next on the video was short of a miracle, but only just. Javi's work boots were not tied properly, and as he turned to step back to the anti-grav table he tripped on his boot lace and fell on the corner of the table. It might defy gravity, but it was only a table, not a gymnast. The materials still on in began to slide toward him, including the container of volatile acid.
Spock watched as his childhood friend did several things in a very important and specific manner: Karen grabbed Javi's collar and yanked him away from the table and gently pushed it away from them, while telling Dave to get Javi out immediately.
After ensuring they were moving toward the door to the lab, she secured the vent shield and activated the emergency epoxy capsules that protruded two centimeters past the edge of the shield by slamming them against the floor and rotating 90 degrees, while repeating the action once more.
After ensuring her crewmates were out of the room, she hopped onto the main lab table and gently stepped over various projects, hopped down and was able to complete two more actions before being overcome by the noxious fumes as the acid began its very slow dissolving of the lab floor:
Holding the vet seal by the two handles she verified the epoxy was ready, noting the blue color and carefully set it in place while counting to fifteen. They heard her counting in Vulcan, and then she sounded the general alarm, which caused a response Bones could only compare to a disrupted nest of angry hornets.
They continued to watch the last seconds wherein her call for alarm was heard: General Alarm! General Alarm! Chem Lab 1, Vent seal complete, again, Chem Lab 1, Vent is sealed. Beware, acid x14JVSA spilled, in contact with-
She staggered back, gasping for air and looked down at the hole eaten through her PPE, and calmed herself as she knelt into ikapirak, the beginning meditative pose all Vulcan children learned. She began to meditate, speaking Vulcan.
Spock listened quietly to what she said asthey watched her figure slowly and gently began to lose the posture, ultimately sliding prone on the floor, hyperventilating, and ultimately entering a seizure as the chemical vapor in the room found the compromised spot in her protective suit…
…Goh fna'olozhika hah-tor heh dungi-tevakh nash-gad. Olau pthak-fam nash-veh. Oekon: eit'jae Osu….nash-veh fun-tor k'k'war'ma'khon t'nash-veh…du dungi-sep-wafik….
Jim glanced at Spock, whose face had that neutral affect that clearly indicated his feelings were not neutral.
Uhura clasped her hands over her mouth, tears running down her face, and turned to Spock.
Jim looked at both. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, but what did she say?"
Spock reached for Uhura's hand. "I will translate."
"She is doing what any Vulcan will do if they have time prior to death: she is settling her mind to accept her fate. She has entered meditation and makes one plea to Oekon before she loses consciousness…Logic is the cement of my civilization. It is by logic I live and will die today. I feel no fear of death. Oekon: I beg Thee reunite me with my family, if your will allows…"
An enormous pause settles around them, sprinkling discomfort and anger for what could have been completely avoided.
McCoy cleared his throat softly. "Spock, thank you for providing context to her mental state. I have always found her strong in mind and highly contributory to our lab work. Jim, we need to face the very real possibility that we will lose her from the ship's complement after this. Just a 'heads up'.
Scotty wiped his eyes silently. "I would not blame her if she never set foot on a starship again."
"Lady, Gentlemen, I do believe it is time to scrape the barnacles off the starboard bow. Bones, do they still have use of their legs?" Jim asked, with a little too much delight in his eyes.
"Why yes, Captain, they do." Bones answered, only too happy to provide the requested information.
"Ms. Uhura," he paused, waiting until she looked him dead in the eyes, and then batted his eyelashes playfully, " if you would be so kind, notify these two 'fine gentlemen' they are expected here. I don't give a good god damn if they are still recovering. They have five minutes, or I will put them both in a one man escape pod and leave them to make do on a passing asteroid. Please clarify for them this is not optional, I outrank them by a smidge, and they will arrive in all PPE. The timer starts once they acknowledge my orders. Am I clear?"
"Crystal, Captain." She smiled as she sent the orders through to medical.
"So based upon review of all data and evidence available, Dr. McCoy: what would the outcome have been had she not acted?"
"We would not be here. Her willingness to sacrifice her own life to preserve the ship's integrity is the only reason any of us are still alive to discuss it. Jim, I would like to recommend her at minimum for the Starfleet Silver Palm."
"Does anyone else have other suggestions, and do you agree with our esteemed doctor's opinion?" Jim asked quietly.
Spock stood quietly, no, reverently. "I have seen the destruction of all I know and love, billions dead, and all at the hands of one who made a very specific choice. Today I have seen another make a choice that saved all I now know and claim as my own to its ultimate preservation. I recommend her actions warrant the medal of valor."
He sat back down in silence.
Jim looked at him thoughtfully and then spoke. "Spock, I agree with you. That recommendation must be supported by all bridge officers. You will submit your determination to me by 1700 hours. I will make my final determination and alert you all.
Once they were dismissed, asked Jim to speak privately.
"What's up?" Kirk asked. It was unusual for Spock to not share what needed to be said.
"I require leave while at New Vulcan," Spock said, as vaguely as possible.
"Is everything ok? "
Spock thought carefully about how to continue.
"Is everything ok with your father? The past two years cannot have been easy on him – sorry, on any of you, but he's in charge of the planet. Can you tell me what's happening?"
Spock felt smoldering frustration, wishing he could just submit a leave request like everyone one else, not having to give a significant accounting as to why. "Jim, currently I do not know the exact reason. My father requested a confidential meeting. That is all I can offer at this time."
"I hear you, and I understand. Your request is approved…on one condition. If there is anything you do need, you let me know."
"Thank you –", Spock said, interrupted quickly by his captain and friend.
"Should you need to, say, leave the system, just let me know. I will grant permission for you to use Winona. I would suggest you run the multi-purpose transit inspection, but I saw you already have. I am here for you, Spock."
Spock went to his quarters, packed a bag, and headed to the shuttle bay. Once he set the autopilot and verified the craft was clear of the Enterprise, he sent a coded message to Nyota, in Romulan dialect.
"K'diwa, I will be planet side tonight and possibly tomorrow. I will send for you once I meet with my family - I have been called to a private meeting. It is disagreeable to be parted from you."