Complications chapter two

Chapter two

Spock

It was his final day serving aboard the USS Nelson as Captain Pikes 1st officer and Chief Bridge Communications Officer. Spock was relieved that the 3.2 year mission patrolling the Romulan Neutral Zone was coming to an end.

Although it was an extremely exciting mission, he found that the walls and deck of the Nelson were becoming all too familiar and was possibly suffering from the early stages of what Cpt. Pike called 'Space Crazed'. The mission however was not as tedious as the bright white décor of the Nelson; in fact it was the complete opposite…

Patrolling the Romulan border was an incredibly dangerous task, as it was their job to patrol along the Neutral zone of the two borders of occupied space. Not only for the illegal smuggler ships sneaking species, contraband and weapons in and out of Romulus space, but the huge dilemma that was the Federation and Romulan Peace Treaty. Which was a peace treaty but, it was sitting on the fine line of all-out war. So the task the Nelson had to face was the huge probability of being on the front line of the battle if, the Romulans decided to break the treaty.

Spock had found the 3.2 year mission to be quite satisfactory, the ship had suffered no real damage and the Romulans had not attacked, but they did encounter quite a few illegal smugglers, which when they did not reply to the USS Nelson's peaceful hails or complied to any civil communications, it concluded in a fierce battle between the ships resulting on most occasions the 1st Officer namely, Him and an away security team to beam aboard the illegal vessel. Recovering stolen cargo, prisoners and to arrest the smugglers. Leading him to having to apply several types of hand-to-hand combat including: the Vulcan Suus Mahnna, Chinese style Karate and on most occasions he application of the Vulcan neck pinch named Tal'ashaya, by using this he rendered several smugglers unconscious.

As he made his way to his post on the Alpha crew shift. Spock thought back to his Mothers feelings of intense worry and anxiousness when he told her of his post in the Neutral Zone. He was aware that his Mother feared for his life and when he had contacted her in his recreational time via Subspace-Comm call, she had been pleased to see him and her jubious smile did make him miss her. Through their familial telepathic bond he could feel his Mother's happiness and overall sense of relief when he had notified her of his return to Earth. However his Father on the other hand, he still rarely spoke to and his bond to his 'ovensu father' was infinitesimal compared to the one he and his Mother shared. This left Spock feeling guilt and sadness, but these illogical emotions were soon pushed aside with meditation.

He had arrived at the bridge. Greeting Cpt. Pike to then relieve the ensign of her shift as chief Communications officer. Once the officer had removed herself from the station, he resumed her seat and regarded the console for a brief moment, to update himself on the current goings on of the bridge.

"Right" the Captain announced clasping his hands together spinning his chair round to address the bridge crew. "We are on our return to Earth and we shall arrive in…"

-"Two hours, twenty-three minutes and sixteen seconds Sir" Spock answered for the Captain as he had picked up on his pause, allowing his first Officer to fill in the details.

"As always Mr Spock, very, precise" The Captain added almost humorously.

Two hours and thirteen minutes later the USS Nelson was in the vicinity of the sol-system approximately 2.9 Light-years away from Earth. With the ship travelling at warp factor three, Spock estimated that the journey would take no longer than ten minutes, with this new information he informed the Captain.

"Ten minutes until we reach Spacedock Three Sir" Spock announced not only to the Captain but to the whole bridge crew.

"Thankyou Mr Spock, inform Spacedock Three of our imminent arrival." Cpt. Pike ordered

"Yes sir", Spock keyed in the Spacedock's co-ordinates and sent the audio message on the standard Starfleet frequency he spoke into his communicator-"This is the USS Nelson reporting back to Spacedock Three we shall be arriving in Nine minutes and twenty-seven seconds"

"This is Spacedock Three, we are receiving USS Nelson. You shall dock at level Four port Thirty-five and welcome home." The man's tinny voice, sounded over the comm responded.

The Captain turned his chair to face Spock "Have Spacedock Three responded Mr Spock?" he queried.

"Affirmative Captain, shall I put it on visual captain?"

"Yes Mr Spock." Captain Pike spun his chair back around straightened his hair and tugged his uniform out in the attempt to look more professional.

"Hello Captain Pike, you are to dock at…"The Spacedock personnel relayed the earlier message that Spock had received.

"2 minutes to arrival Captain" he announced.

"Okay Mr Spock, put me on speaker to the whole ship and lieutenant Cowl, inform Engineering to switch to half impulse power and to prepare for docking" the Captain ordered to his 1st officer and Helmsman.

"Yes Sir" Both Spock and the Helmsman replied " You are now on speaker Sir" Spock added

The Captain nodded in appreciation ;"Crew of the USS Nelson, I am glad to inform you that we have arrived at Earth and shall be docking shortly, you may start to relive your selves from duty. And it has been a pleasure serving with you, Cpt. Out." Pike's smile grew as he said "on visual" to his Helmsman with an "Aye sir" from the helmsman. The great image of what was Earth and Spacedock Three appeared as the ship entered orbit, the view from the bridge was a beautiful setting the great Atlantic ocean filled the screen before been interrupted by the entry into Spacedock three. The ship was being manoeuvred by the Spacedock's Navigation team; the crew of the Nelson began to relieve themselves from duty and head for the transporter rooms with their belongings.

Whilst the bridge crew vacated, the Captain motioned Spock to wait behind. Spock approached Cpt. Pike knowing that he was to give him a farewell.

"Spock your duty as a 1st Officer has been outstanding; you have become not only an admirable Starfleet officer but also my friend"

Spock was shocked by the Captains last statement unsure how to answer but to his pleasure the captain spoke again, "I have also issued you a promotion to lieutenant Commander which I hope you will find to be… satisfactory" the Captain added with a smirk.

Spock was full of gratitude but, he kept his face as serene as ever showing no underlying emotion. He was proud of his control and his performance aboard the Nelson."Thankyou Captain it is most satisfactory"

Pike chuckled "I knew you would, you Vulcan's find everything to be satisfactory, and Spock it Chris we are not on duty.

Spock found his Captains amused tone to be quite pleasant however he felt awkward calling Cpt. Pike by his given name, but out of social nicety he did so "Indeed …Chris"

As the he and Chris departed from the bridge into the turbo lift Chris spoke again "Will you carry on working with the Nelson Spock? He asked leaving the turbo lift, making their way to transporter room two.

"No I intend to work at the academy in San Francisco, as a professor" Spock replied.

"Really? Oh I thought you'd stay in the action" Chris sounded shocked at Spock's decision.

"Yes, although I plan to teach for 3-4 years then resume my post on a Starship but preferably as a Science officer rather than a Communications officer" Spock replied in a completely logical fashion, but hinting to Chris that he would like to be assigned to the newest 'in-construction' flagship the Enterprise.

The Enterprise was being constructed Earth bound, which Spock found to be highly illogical , as the construction of the Flagship would be easier and quicker if it was to be built in Space dock, the low gravity environment would make it a much simpler task. Even though constructing the Enterprise on Earth seemed to be illogical, the Starfleet Headquarters were adamant on the ship being built planet side. This illogical behaviour did benefit Spock. The construction would take 3-4 years allowing him to teach a certain set of Cadets from Day One to Graduation, and still have sufficient time to be commissioned to the Enterprise.

"So…Spock what subjects will you be teaching at the Academy?" Chris asked as they entered the queue for the Transporter pads.

"Phonology, Xenolinguistics, Physics, Maths and Suus Mahnna" Spock answered, then he thought to himself whether Chris would like to carry the conversation on, so he added in a social implication that he had become acquainted with…" What will you do, Chris?" Spock found this use of conversation to surprise Chris. Illogical.

"Well, I… was going to stay with the Nelson until the Enterprise is complete, which I will then apply to be her Captain" Chris replied in an optimistic tone full of excitement, Spock found this tone of voice and the gleeful expression the Thirty-seven year old man expressed to be very obscure because Chris had not been commissioned to the Enterprise and yet he was full of excitement and anticipation as if he had.

"Ah, well I hope it goes well for you and your ambitions become reality." Spock had spoken without thought, logic or reason. He froze. He had just wished Christopher Pike with hope; a human emotion and a very illogical one at that.

Christopher however did not notice Spock's sudden discomfort and spoke again "Aha, me too, me too, well I'm next see you Spock. Energize" with an erratic wave of his hand Christopher Pike dematerialised before Spock's eyes.

Stepping onto the Transporter pad Spock realised what he had said to his former Captain. He decided upon meditation to fix his wrong. He beamed down to Earth San Francisco Academy. It was 13:43 by the standard earth time so Spock decided he would sign in to his new post as Professor Spock.