Licentious Logic
Apr. 28th, 2011 01:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
trista_zevkiaTitle: Licentious Logic
Author: Trista_zevkia
Chapter: 2/4
Fandom: Star Trek; 2009 Movie
Characters/Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Rating: PG-17
Warnings: SLASH
Summary: Kirk Vrs. Vulcan: To the Pain!
Disclaimer: All monies made will be converted to intergalactic space credits, since gold pressed bars of platinum are a nuisance to carry in zero-g.
Author's Notes:
Chapter 1
A bit of typing the next morning, and Jim had all requests from the Vulcan’s quarters routed to him. They didn’t ask for anything and kept quiet in their quarters that day. The hourly requests to speak with Spock started two days from New Vulcan. Kirk would send back a polite reply, saying that he would be happy to assist them. They’d respond that it was a personal matter for Spock, and Jim would imply that he’d pass the message on. At the start of the next hour, a new message would flash and the process would start over again. Apparently, they thought they could annoy the weak human into doing what they wanted, wearing down his resistance.
Boy, had they picked the wrong human to try that with, Jim thought as he sent his latest response back to them. Considering they way they just kept sending differently worded messages every hour, they had no idea how to go about annoying someone. When they kicked it up to a message every half hour, Jim realized they’d brought plastic knives to a gun fight. Now his replies spoke of how he’d be happy to help and it was really starting to hurt his feelings that they didn’t trust him. Just to prove this, he put a frowning face where his signature should go. Emoticons for the emotionless, it seemed appropriate somehow.
His replies involved as many random emotions he could think of and Jim imagined the Vulcans having to look them up to see what he was talking about. That got him thinking about other ways to keep them occupied. Captain Kirk concluded his message with ‘My Vulcan brethren, you are harshing my mellow with your reoccurring smurfiness’ and a shrugging stick figure. Hitting send, Jim was grinning when he looked up at Spock’s approach. Spock had been avoiding him since the observation lounge, so Jim’s grin only got bigger as Spock got closer.
“Captain, I have noticed that you have been receiving numerous messages over the last few days. I checked, and this represents a 78.46% increase in your daily communications. Is there some new duty you have undertaken that I might assist you with?” Jim’s smile fell away as he realized he’d been busted, half a day away from his goal.
“Just chatting with some friends, not ships business.”
“I was unaware you were friends with anyone residing in the guest quarters.” Spock had caught him, but Jim wasn’t concerned. It had been a gamble to lie to Spock, but he’d tried on the slim chance that Spock hadn’t done his research. Slim was more like none in this instance, but he’d tried.
“I was getting bored, so I intercepted the calls from the guests, that’s all.”
“Captain, now that I am aware of Stonn’s illness, I know how to conduct myself around him. You need not stop me from doing my duty out of some fear for my safety.”
Jim leaned in to whisper at Spock. “Bullshit, mister. That man was stronger than you and you won’t talk about it. Without McCoy backing up your claim that he’s not contagious, I’m not letting you near those guys, no matter how much they ask.”
“They have asked for me?” Spock seemed surprised by that news, so he hadn’t broken the encryption Jim placed around his messages the other day. “For what reason, Sir?”
“They won’t say, so you won’t go see them, understood?”
“Understood, Captain.” A nod and Spock returned to his station. It didn’t matter if Spock was emotionless or not, Jim would swear Spock was grateful! With a goofy grin, Jim went back to annoying the crap out of some Vulcans. He wondered what they’d make of some Old Earth song lyrics?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
J<3S
Less than ten hours to New Vulcan, two hours before the end of the alpha shirt, the Vulcan’s missed sending their message. Jim waited a full sixty seconds before turning around. Spock wasn’t there, so Jim went over to his station. Spock had logged that he was going to the science lab, but that was ten minutes ago and he hadn’t logged in there. Jim plugged the earpiece into his ear and had the computer locate Spock.
Before he could get irritated to find Spock in his quarters, Jim ran a search on their guests. Four of them were in Spock’s quarters. Trying not to panic, Jim sent two security teams to wait in the hallway and convinced the computer to show him inside of Spock’s quarters. Spock had his arms lose and ready at his side, ready for a fight. Between him and the bathroom was a large Vulcan, the other three blocking the main entrance. With his guts twisting into writhing snakes, Jim listened in.
“Spock, we have discussed it over the last several days. Stonn’s actions were guided by his advancing condition and inappropriate.” The one speaking sounded Vulcan controlled and reasonable, but Jim wasn’t ready to relax yet. “After considerable analysis, however, we cannot fault Stonn’s logic.”
“I can. I do not have the training or inclination to accept the position he asked of me.”
“Despite your mixed heritage, your psi abilities are above average and will increase with use. You will learn and perform adequately while you do so.” Spock’s hands were now fists, the only visible sign that he did not want to be in this position. “Is it not logical to do that which will benefit your society most?”
“Perhaps, as Stonn so recently reminded me, I am not Vulcan enough to be that logical.” Spock understood what they wanted, more than Jim did, but neither of them wanted this for Spock!
“If so, then this is your only opportunity to find honor within Vulcan society.” Another Vulcan Jim owed a punch in the mouth, but for now he had a better idea. One he acted on before Spock could think too much and allow his desire of acceptance influence this decision. Pushing the correct button, Jim’s voice echoed throughout the ship.
“Commander Spock to the bridge, Spock to the bridge.” Spock recognized the out when he heard it, even if he suspected the timing.
“Forgive me, gentleman, but my presence is required elsewhere.” Spock inclined his head, but had to wait for a response. “The Captain will not be please if I do not answer his summons.”
“Then do not let us keep you. I trust you will meditate on our words, so we may discuss this at a later time.” The speaker turned, and slowly the Vulcans left Spock’s quarters.
Not trusting them, Jim contacted the security teams and suggested they offer to assist the Vulcans with finding the guest quarters. Spock headed to the bridge with alacrity. Jim closed everything down and took out the earpiece. When the turbolift doors opened Jim was waiting to push Spock back into the lift. The door closed as he told Sulu he had the con. Setting the destination for the lift, Jim looked up at Spock.
“You ready to explain yet?”
“To what are you referring, Captain?”
“To the fact that I felt the need to send four armed security officers to your quarters, to protect you from a politer version of what happened the other day.”
“It is not my place to tell you.”
“Are you sure? Because those Vulcans seem to think you’re an expert in it.” The doors opened and Jim used his expression to make Spock walk with him. Spock could tell they were headed to sickbay and started to try and talk his way out of it.
“Captain. Jim, it is not that they believe me an expert. It is because they believe I am immune to the sickness that they think I can help them with it.”
“Are you immune?”
“The doctors could not determine one way or the other.” Spock answered while Jim stood outside the doors to sickbay, with no need to verbalize his threat of a medical exam.
“You don’t want to do it, whatever it is they want you to do to help them.”
“It would require that I remain on New Vulcan for the rest of my life. My interests in exploration and science would be curtailed by this new, career path.” Along with the hesitation before career, Spock also let disgust into his voice.
“What do they want from you?”
“It is a thing no outsider must know.” Spock was trying out a new facial expression, a slight crease in his forehead and puppy dog eyes, begging Jim to stop. Jim could have easily given in to those exotic eyes, if he didn’t know this was important.
“Am I still an outsider to you, Spock?” From Spock’s surprised blink, Jim thought that might have sounded just a little closer to the truth than he wanted. So he retreated to his unspoken threat. “Do you discuss it with your healers?”
“Most would recognize the symptoms and discussion would be a waste of effort.”
“Spock, if anybody else tried to hide something from me like this, you’d recommend I toss ‘em in the brig.” Regulations, for once being used against their biggest supporter. And, just to be sure, Jim sent his pleading, puppy dog eyes at Spock.
“Very well, Jim. I will explain what I can.”
“To Bones as well?” Jim sucked in the side of his lower lip and kept up the begging eyes.
“If you insist.” At Spock’s words, Jim entered Sick Bay, hoping Spock didn’t see the triumphant expression he’d just made. It was such a thrill to know that not even Vulcans were immune to the Kirk charm, now he just needed to test it on Klingons! A reluctant Spock followed Jim to McCoy’s office, where they found the good doctor scowling at a padd. “Bones, Spock’s going to tell us what’s going on!”
“I’d ask your technique, but considering it’s you?” Bones’ scowl got deeper as he watched Jim pull the second visitor’s chair up beside the desk. “It wouldn’t work for anybody else, would it?”
“Nope.” Jim plopped into a chair, and Spock attempted to sit in the other one without touching it. “Spock, whenever you’re ready.”
“Doctor, if you would turn off any recording devices in the room, I will begin.” McCoy could be expected to have private medical conversations in his office, it was a matter of seconds for him to engage the privacy settings and nod at Spock to continue.
“Male Vulcans are subject to a particular condition, a loss of emotional control that can lead to death. There are more symptoms, but as I am not afflicted I do not believe I can share them with you. Other Vulcans hold the cure and before, logical means were used to limit the impact of this condition.”
McCoy raised a hand, but spoke before Spock could give permission. “I know you’re talking about before the Narada incident, but the rest of that sentence didn’t make sense.”
“This condition, known as the Pon Farr, occurs in fully grown males about every seven years. It is a biological drive, which even we do not fully understand. Before, as his time approached, a male would return to Vulcan or his wife would join him.”
“Hold your horses there, Spock! Biological drives and wives? Are we talking about Vulcan sex here?”
“Yes, McCoy.” The lack of his title was Spock’s unemotional, polite insult, but Jim was too intrigued to notice. Jim shifted in his chair to better hide his interest in the intriguing conversation. “It is more than physical; there is a telepathic component as well. This means that a physical substitute will not suffice. The Priestesses of the Time were trained to establish this mental connection, and gradually sever it as the male’s time passed.”
Jim traded a glance with Bones, both knowing that was the position Stonn wanted Spock for. Spock noticed, and acknowledged it.
“After the destruction, it was believed that the older Vulcans should be entered into the genetic database first, so as not to disturb the activities of their direct descendents. But many of my generation have prematurely entered their Pon Farr cycles and have been called to New Vulcan find a solution.”
“Spock,” Jim found he had to speak or risk losing his emotional control. “You are more than a solution to a biological drive.”
“Thank you, Jim.” Spock sounded unaffected, but the arm rest under his hand creaked as he squeezed it. “Before, my hybrid heritage was considered a possible cure for the condition. If I did not burn, the healers might better understand why pure Vulcans do. Now that difference marks me as Sayerak.”
“Spock, I don’t know the meaning of that word, but I’ve got a good idea.” Jim tired to keep his voice gentle, his tone conversational, but gave up on the effort as he snarled into Spock’s face. “And if I ever hear you using that word, it’ll be over Stonn’s dead body!”
Rather confused by this sudden outburst, Spock was unsure of how to respond. He risked a look at McCoy, but he had a very unhelpful, dreamy expression on his face as he looked at Jim. Spock quickly dismissed the idea of explaining it wasn’t as derogatory of a term as Jim seemed to think. “Understood, Jim.”
Jim smiled at him, a blazing smile completely at odds with the angry man he’d been a moment ago, but both emotions heartfelt. Spock suddenly felt a need to swallow, and attempted to bring the conversation back to what he’d been so wary of discussing before.
“There are numerous rituals involved, including the ceremonial bonding at the age of seven.”
“Seven? Your parents fixed you up at seven?” McCoy was indignant, and Jim kind of agreed with him on that.
“Arrangements such as these for political reasons were common enough on Earth.”
“Common enough still doesn’t make it a good idea.”
“Back to the issue at hand, gentleman.” Jim stood and began to pace as he planned. “Spock, we’ll be at New Vulcan shortly.”
“Nine hours and seven minutes, Captain.”
“Right, shortly. And until we drop these people off, you won’t be out of my sight long enough to go to the can.”
“What can, Captain?”
“I’ll explain, over an early supper and a few games of chess locked in my cabin. You feel like sleeping or meditating, you do so on my bunk. Clear?”
“Not entirely. I do not understand why you feel the need to escort me about my night.”
“Yes, Jimmy, why don’t you tell him why you want him in your bunk?” Bones sounded so smug, Jim had to stick his tongue out at him.
“Because, Spock.” A glance at Bones let him know Jim wasn’t talking to him right now. McCoy just snickered at him. “Vulcans are smart, strong and capable of anything they believe logical. You’ve just said they may be emotionally compromised as well, so I’m not putting anything passed them!”
“Putting what passed them?”
“There’s nothing they won’t do, and you knew what I meant.”
“I could volunteer for Beta shift, where the bridge crew and science teams would be able to alert security in an emergency. Then you would not have to compromise your sleep schedule.”
“Like I’d sleep, waiting to see if someone tries something on you! Besides, I have to be up to talk to Pike when we get there.” Rolling his eyes, Jim turned to frown at McCoy. “Bones, you joining us for supper or are you just going to put snide comments about my eating habits in my file as usual?”
McCoy considered a moment before replying. “Both.”
J<3S
Jim expected Pike to have further words about making inappropriate jokes on company time, so he was surprised when Pike called the instant they were in range. He almost begged Jim to beam down, apparently missing someone to drink beer and shoot the breeze with. Once the Vulcans were off the ship, Jim went readily.
He couldn’t talk about the Pon Farr stuff Spock had said in confidence, but Pike would laugh at the annoyance war Jim had going on with the Vulcans. Jim had only started on his second beer when the electricity went off. He didn’t need Pike’s muttered ‘that’s weird’ to know something was very, very wrong. His communicator was in his hand before he thought about it.
“Kirk to Enterprise.”
“Enterprise here, Captain.” The deep voice that responded was not the deep voice Jim needed to hear.
“Commander Fry, location of Mr. Spock.”
“New Vulcan. He received a call from Ambassador Sarek and beamed down a half hour ago, Sir.”
“Keep an eye on the planet, something’s gone wrong.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Kirk out.” Jim looked to Pike, who was frowning at his computer.
“Net’s down too. We should go to the command center and see if we can help.” Jim nodded and gestured for Pike to lead the way. If he hadn’t need directions he would have ran as he called the ship. Pike set his chair to top speed the instant they were out of the doorway, but Jim easily kept up with him. “Jim, should I ask why your first instinct was to check in on Spock?”
“Can’t talk, running.”
Pike would have laughed at the absurdity of saying that as opposed to a simple yes or no, but they were almost to the first building built. The computers it housed had helped establish building plans and settlement options. Now the data it held was the future of the species, a genetic census meant to preserve them. Vulcans were logically interested in the survival of this building, working now on backup generators.
Pike and Kirk were granted access because everyone knew the humans were representatives of the Federation. To start, they could only listen and try to find out what the problem was. A computer virus had shut down the main computer, which still controlled the electricity. As computer programmers raced to stop the virus, it was shutting down functions, heading for the memory core.
Jim leaned over a shoulder to see the lines of code, but knew his limited understanding of written Vulcan would hinder his ability to help. Frustrated, he was easily distracted by some late arrivals. His relief at seeing Sarek was undercut by his despair at seeing Spock was with him, but Spock senior. Pushing over to Sarek, Jim was very careful to not grab the ambassador and shake him.
“Sir, the ship said Spock was with you.”
“I was at a council meeting and had not yet been able to talk to my son.” Jim turned, but Spock Sr. wasn’t there. He was standing with his back to Jim, staring at the wall. He made a move, and a collective intake of breathe was the equivalent of Vulcan panic as all the computer screens went blank. Into the silence, Spock Sr. spoke.
“Any power outage of more than thirty seconds will enact firewalls around the memory core. All input since the last backup will be lost, but the loss of less than thirty minutes of work, at this time of night, is negligible. The virus relied on the emergency power to continue, suggesting this was a distraction. Has anything out of the ordinary, other than this, occurred?” Spock asked the question of the crowd at large, but Jim was the first to reply.
“Spock is missing. He was lured down here by a fake message, and he responds to emergencies.” Spock Sr. twitched an eyebrow at Jim, but inclined his head.
“Then we shall look for him, Captain Kirk.”
Jim smiled, knowing there was a reason he loved this man!
J<3S
Chapter 3
Author: Trista_zevkia
Chapter: 2/4
Fandom: Star Trek; 2009 Movie
Characters/Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Rating: PG-17
Warnings: SLASH
Summary: Kirk Vrs. Vulcan: To the Pain!
Disclaimer: All monies made will be converted to intergalactic space credits, since gold pressed bars of platinum are a nuisance to carry in zero-g.
Author's Notes:
Chapter 1
A bit of typing the next morning, and Jim had all requests from the Vulcan’s quarters routed to him. They didn’t ask for anything and kept quiet in their quarters that day. The hourly requests to speak with Spock started two days from New Vulcan. Kirk would send back a polite reply, saying that he would be happy to assist them. They’d respond that it was a personal matter for Spock, and Jim would imply that he’d pass the message on. At the start of the next hour, a new message would flash and the process would start over again. Apparently, they thought they could annoy the weak human into doing what they wanted, wearing down his resistance.
Boy, had they picked the wrong human to try that with, Jim thought as he sent his latest response back to them. Considering they way they just kept sending differently worded messages every hour, they had no idea how to go about annoying someone. When they kicked it up to a message every half hour, Jim realized they’d brought plastic knives to a gun fight. Now his replies spoke of how he’d be happy to help and it was really starting to hurt his feelings that they didn’t trust him. Just to prove this, he put a frowning face where his signature should go. Emoticons for the emotionless, it seemed appropriate somehow.
His replies involved as many random emotions he could think of and Jim imagined the Vulcans having to look them up to see what he was talking about. That got him thinking about other ways to keep them occupied. Captain Kirk concluded his message with ‘My Vulcan brethren, you are harshing my mellow with your reoccurring smurfiness’ and a shrugging stick figure. Hitting send, Jim was grinning when he looked up at Spock’s approach. Spock had been avoiding him since the observation lounge, so Jim’s grin only got bigger as Spock got closer.
“Captain, I have noticed that you have been receiving numerous messages over the last few days. I checked, and this represents a 78.46% increase in your daily communications. Is there some new duty you have undertaken that I might assist you with?” Jim’s smile fell away as he realized he’d been busted, half a day away from his goal.
“Just chatting with some friends, not ships business.”
“I was unaware you were friends with anyone residing in the guest quarters.” Spock had caught him, but Jim wasn’t concerned. It had been a gamble to lie to Spock, but he’d tried on the slim chance that Spock hadn’t done his research. Slim was more like none in this instance, but he’d tried.
“I was getting bored, so I intercepted the calls from the guests, that’s all.”
“Captain, now that I am aware of Stonn’s illness, I know how to conduct myself around him. You need not stop me from doing my duty out of some fear for my safety.”
Jim leaned in to whisper at Spock. “Bullshit, mister. That man was stronger than you and you won’t talk about it. Without McCoy backing up your claim that he’s not contagious, I’m not letting you near those guys, no matter how much they ask.”
“They have asked for me?” Spock seemed surprised by that news, so he hadn’t broken the encryption Jim placed around his messages the other day. “For what reason, Sir?”
“They won’t say, so you won’t go see them, understood?”
“Understood, Captain.” A nod and Spock returned to his station. It didn’t matter if Spock was emotionless or not, Jim would swear Spock was grateful! With a goofy grin, Jim went back to annoying the crap out of some Vulcans. He wondered what they’d make of some Old Earth song lyrics?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
J<3S
Less than ten hours to New Vulcan, two hours before the end of the alpha shirt, the Vulcan’s missed sending their message. Jim waited a full sixty seconds before turning around. Spock wasn’t there, so Jim went over to his station. Spock had logged that he was going to the science lab, but that was ten minutes ago and he hadn’t logged in there. Jim plugged the earpiece into his ear and had the computer locate Spock.
Before he could get irritated to find Spock in his quarters, Jim ran a search on their guests. Four of them were in Spock’s quarters. Trying not to panic, Jim sent two security teams to wait in the hallway and convinced the computer to show him inside of Spock’s quarters. Spock had his arms lose and ready at his side, ready for a fight. Between him and the bathroom was a large Vulcan, the other three blocking the main entrance. With his guts twisting into writhing snakes, Jim listened in.
“Spock, we have discussed it over the last several days. Stonn’s actions were guided by his advancing condition and inappropriate.” The one speaking sounded Vulcan controlled and reasonable, but Jim wasn’t ready to relax yet. “After considerable analysis, however, we cannot fault Stonn’s logic.”
“I can. I do not have the training or inclination to accept the position he asked of me.”
“Despite your mixed heritage, your psi abilities are above average and will increase with use. You will learn and perform adequately while you do so.” Spock’s hands were now fists, the only visible sign that he did not want to be in this position. “Is it not logical to do that which will benefit your society most?”
“Perhaps, as Stonn so recently reminded me, I am not Vulcan enough to be that logical.” Spock understood what they wanted, more than Jim did, but neither of them wanted this for Spock!
“If so, then this is your only opportunity to find honor within Vulcan society.” Another Vulcan Jim owed a punch in the mouth, but for now he had a better idea. One he acted on before Spock could think too much and allow his desire of acceptance influence this decision. Pushing the correct button, Jim’s voice echoed throughout the ship.
“Commander Spock to the bridge, Spock to the bridge.” Spock recognized the out when he heard it, even if he suspected the timing.
“Forgive me, gentleman, but my presence is required elsewhere.” Spock inclined his head, but had to wait for a response. “The Captain will not be please if I do not answer his summons.”
“Then do not let us keep you. I trust you will meditate on our words, so we may discuss this at a later time.” The speaker turned, and slowly the Vulcans left Spock’s quarters.
Not trusting them, Jim contacted the security teams and suggested they offer to assist the Vulcans with finding the guest quarters. Spock headed to the bridge with alacrity. Jim closed everything down and took out the earpiece. When the turbolift doors opened Jim was waiting to push Spock back into the lift. The door closed as he told Sulu he had the con. Setting the destination for the lift, Jim looked up at Spock.
“You ready to explain yet?”
“To what are you referring, Captain?”
“To the fact that I felt the need to send four armed security officers to your quarters, to protect you from a politer version of what happened the other day.”
“It is not my place to tell you.”
“Are you sure? Because those Vulcans seem to think you’re an expert in it.” The doors opened and Jim used his expression to make Spock walk with him. Spock could tell they were headed to sickbay and started to try and talk his way out of it.
“Captain. Jim, it is not that they believe me an expert. It is because they believe I am immune to the sickness that they think I can help them with it.”
“Are you immune?”
“The doctors could not determine one way or the other.” Spock answered while Jim stood outside the doors to sickbay, with no need to verbalize his threat of a medical exam.
“You don’t want to do it, whatever it is they want you to do to help them.”
“It would require that I remain on New Vulcan for the rest of my life. My interests in exploration and science would be curtailed by this new, career path.” Along with the hesitation before career, Spock also let disgust into his voice.
“What do they want from you?”
“It is a thing no outsider must know.” Spock was trying out a new facial expression, a slight crease in his forehead and puppy dog eyes, begging Jim to stop. Jim could have easily given in to those exotic eyes, if he didn’t know this was important.
“Am I still an outsider to you, Spock?” From Spock’s surprised blink, Jim thought that might have sounded just a little closer to the truth than he wanted. So he retreated to his unspoken threat. “Do you discuss it with your healers?”
“Most would recognize the symptoms and discussion would be a waste of effort.”
“Spock, if anybody else tried to hide something from me like this, you’d recommend I toss ‘em in the brig.” Regulations, for once being used against their biggest supporter. And, just to be sure, Jim sent his pleading, puppy dog eyes at Spock.
“Very well, Jim. I will explain what I can.”
“To Bones as well?” Jim sucked in the side of his lower lip and kept up the begging eyes.
“If you insist.” At Spock’s words, Jim entered Sick Bay, hoping Spock didn’t see the triumphant expression he’d just made. It was such a thrill to know that not even Vulcans were immune to the Kirk charm, now he just needed to test it on Klingons! A reluctant Spock followed Jim to McCoy’s office, where they found the good doctor scowling at a padd. “Bones, Spock’s going to tell us what’s going on!”
“I’d ask your technique, but considering it’s you?” Bones’ scowl got deeper as he watched Jim pull the second visitor’s chair up beside the desk. “It wouldn’t work for anybody else, would it?”
“Nope.” Jim plopped into a chair, and Spock attempted to sit in the other one without touching it. “Spock, whenever you’re ready.”
“Doctor, if you would turn off any recording devices in the room, I will begin.” McCoy could be expected to have private medical conversations in his office, it was a matter of seconds for him to engage the privacy settings and nod at Spock to continue.
“Male Vulcans are subject to a particular condition, a loss of emotional control that can lead to death. There are more symptoms, but as I am not afflicted I do not believe I can share them with you. Other Vulcans hold the cure and before, logical means were used to limit the impact of this condition.”
McCoy raised a hand, but spoke before Spock could give permission. “I know you’re talking about before the Narada incident, but the rest of that sentence didn’t make sense.”
“This condition, known as the Pon Farr, occurs in fully grown males about every seven years. It is a biological drive, which even we do not fully understand. Before, as his time approached, a male would return to Vulcan or his wife would join him.”
“Hold your horses there, Spock! Biological drives and wives? Are we talking about Vulcan sex here?”
“Yes, McCoy.” The lack of his title was Spock’s unemotional, polite insult, but Jim was too intrigued to notice. Jim shifted in his chair to better hide his interest in the intriguing conversation. “It is more than physical; there is a telepathic component as well. This means that a physical substitute will not suffice. The Priestesses of the Time were trained to establish this mental connection, and gradually sever it as the male’s time passed.”
Jim traded a glance with Bones, both knowing that was the position Stonn wanted Spock for. Spock noticed, and acknowledged it.
“After the destruction, it was believed that the older Vulcans should be entered into the genetic database first, so as not to disturb the activities of their direct descendents. But many of my generation have prematurely entered their Pon Farr cycles and have been called to New Vulcan find a solution.”
“Spock,” Jim found he had to speak or risk losing his emotional control. “You are more than a solution to a biological drive.”
“Thank you, Jim.” Spock sounded unaffected, but the arm rest under his hand creaked as he squeezed it. “Before, my hybrid heritage was considered a possible cure for the condition. If I did not burn, the healers might better understand why pure Vulcans do. Now that difference marks me as Sayerak.”
“Spock, I don’t know the meaning of that word, but I’ve got a good idea.” Jim tired to keep his voice gentle, his tone conversational, but gave up on the effort as he snarled into Spock’s face. “And if I ever hear you using that word, it’ll be over Stonn’s dead body!”
Rather confused by this sudden outburst, Spock was unsure of how to respond. He risked a look at McCoy, but he had a very unhelpful, dreamy expression on his face as he looked at Jim. Spock quickly dismissed the idea of explaining it wasn’t as derogatory of a term as Jim seemed to think. “Understood, Jim.”
Jim smiled at him, a blazing smile completely at odds with the angry man he’d been a moment ago, but both emotions heartfelt. Spock suddenly felt a need to swallow, and attempted to bring the conversation back to what he’d been so wary of discussing before.
“There are numerous rituals involved, including the ceremonial bonding at the age of seven.”
“Seven? Your parents fixed you up at seven?” McCoy was indignant, and Jim kind of agreed with him on that.
“Arrangements such as these for political reasons were common enough on Earth.”
“Common enough still doesn’t make it a good idea.”
“Back to the issue at hand, gentleman.” Jim stood and began to pace as he planned. “Spock, we’ll be at New Vulcan shortly.”
“Nine hours and seven minutes, Captain.”
“Right, shortly. And until we drop these people off, you won’t be out of my sight long enough to go to the can.”
“What can, Captain?”
“I’ll explain, over an early supper and a few games of chess locked in my cabin. You feel like sleeping or meditating, you do so on my bunk. Clear?”
“Not entirely. I do not understand why you feel the need to escort me about my night.”
“Yes, Jimmy, why don’t you tell him why you want him in your bunk?” Bones sounded so smug, Jim had to stick his tongue out at him.
“Because, Spock.” A glance at Bones let him know Jim wasn’t talking to him right now. McCoy just snickered at him. “Vulcans are smart, strong and capable of anything they believe logical. You’ve just said they may be emotionally compromised as well, so I’m not putting anything passed them!”
“Putting what passed them?”
“There’s nothing they won’t do, and you knew what I meant.”
“I could volunteer for Beta shift, where the bridge crew and science teams would be able to alert security in an emergency. Then you would not have to compromise your sleep schedule.”
“Like I’d sleep, waiting to see if someone tries something on you! Besides, I have to be up to talk to Pike when we get there.” Rolling his eyes, Jim turned to frown at McCoy. “Bones, you joining us for supper or are you just going to put snide comments about my eating habits in my file as usual?”
McCoy considered a moment before replying. “Both.”
J<3S
Jim expected Pike to have further words about making inappropriate jokes on company time, so he was surprised when Pike called the instant they were in range. He almost begged Jim to beam down, apparently missing someone to drink beer and shoot the breeze with. Once the Vulcans were off the ship, Jim went readily.
He couldn’t talk about the Pon Farr stuff Spock had said in confidence, but Pike would laugh at the annoyance war Jim had going on with the Vulcans. Jim had only started on his second beer when the electricity went off. He didn’t need Pike’s muttered ‘that’s weird’ to know something was very, very wrong. His communicator was in his hand before he thought about it.
“Kirk to Enterprise.”
“Enterprise here, Captain.” The deep voice that responded was not the deep voice Jim needed to hear.
“Commander Fry, location of Mr. Spock.”
“New Vulcan. He received a call from Ambassador Sarek and beamed down a half hour ago, Sir.”
“Keep an eye on the planet, something’s gone wrong.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Kirk out.” Jim looked to Pike, who was frowning at his computer.
“Net’s down too. We should go to the command center and see if we can help.” Jim nodded and gestured for Pike to lead the way. If he hadn’t need directions he would have ran as he called the ship. Pike set his chair to top speed the instant they were out of the doorway, but Jim easily kept up with him. “Jim, should I ask why your first instinct was to check in on Spock?”
“Can’t talk, running.”
Pike would have laughed at the absurdity of saying that as opposed to a simple yes or no, but they were almost to the first building built. The computers it housed had helped establish building plans and settlement options. Now the data it held was the future of the species, a genetic census meant to preserve them. Vulcans were logically interested in the survival of this building, working now on backup generators.
Pike and Kirk were granted access because everyone knew the humans were representatives of the Federation. To start, they could only listen and try to find out what the problem was. A computer virus had shut down the main computer, which still controlled the electricity. As computer programmers raced to stop the virus, it was shutting down functions, heading for the memory core.
Jim leaned over a shoulder to see the lines of code, but knew his limited understanding of written Vulcan would hinder his ability to help. Frustrated, he was easily distracted by some late arrivals. His relief at seeing Sarek was undercut by his despair at seeing Spock was with him, but Spock senior. Pushing over to Sarek, Jim was very careful to not grab the ambassador and shake him.
“Sir, the ship said Spock was with you.”
“I was at a council meeting and had not yet been able to talk to my son.” Jim turned, but Spock Sr. wasn’t there. He was standing with his back to Jim, staring at the wall. He made a move, and a collective intake of breathe was the equivalent of Vulcan panic as all the computer screens went blank. Into the silence, Spock Sr. spoke.
“Any power outage of more than thirty seconds will enact firewalls around the memory core. All input since the last backup will be lost, but the loss of less than thirty minutes of work, at this time of night, is negligible. The virus relied on the emergency power to continue, suggesting this was a distraction. Has anything out of the ordinary, other than this, occurred?” Spock asked the question of the crowd at large, but Jim was the first to reply.
“Spock is missing. He was lured down here by a fake message, and he responds to emergencies.” Spock Sr. twitched an eyebrow at Jim, but inclined his head.
“Then we shall look for him, Captain Kirk.”
Jim smiled, knowing there was a reason he loved this man!
J<3S
Chapter 3
