#why did spock need a reason to relinquish command?

[anewstartrekfan]

Other post Journey to Babel mood: Where the hell was Scotty?

[moderndaybard]

2020 Weekly Ficlet 11/52(? We’ll see?)

Ever At Your Side, Part 2/7 (Spock) [New Trek/Pokemon Crossover. Because Why not.] 

(Part 1-Kirk; Part 3-Bones; Part 4-Uhura; Part 5-Scotty; Part 6-Sulu; Part 7-Chekov)

Beginnings:

“Was it to satisfy your emotional need to rebel?”

It was well that he had sought out solitude after his meeting with the elders, the heads of the Vulcan Science Academy—it was now taking every technique he had ever learned for suppressing his human emotions to prevent an illogical, childish outburst.

It seemed his course was set now: to Earth and Starfleet Academy. Starfleet, at least, had expressed no reservations, qualifications, or hesitation upon his acceptance, informing the potential cadet that, with scores and a record such as his, the options to either teach or seek an officer’s position upon ship would be open to him after he graduated, and he had at least his first few years in the academy to decide.

Almost of its own accord, his hand drifted to his pokeball, releasing its occupant with a light flick of his wrist.

“Kadabra?”

The half- Vulcan looked at T’Kay, his partner of many years, with a level gaze, and chose to speak aloud, rather than reach for the psychic connection he knew she was ready to open. “We will be joining Starfleet. The next transport leaves in eight days. As we are perfectly capable of being ready in said time, I see no reason to delay our journey even longer.” As he finished, he resisted the urge to look around for any observers, knowing full well he and his Kadabra were alone. Most Vulcans, if they had any pokemon at all, preferred the psychic type, and almost never addressed their partner aloud, seeking instead the psychic connection that eliminated any possibility of misunderstanding and served to tie the partners closer together. But he had often found that speaking to T’Kay aloud, particularly after he had come to some sort of decision, had its benefits.

Emotional benefits? A disapproving voice in the back of his mind asked—his own, not his partner’s. T’Kay was one of two individuals Spock had ever known that never expressed contempt for how he carried himself or when he slipped. Now, she stood beside him in contented silence, a calming presence that helped him focus even further. That was one of the benefits of speaking to her, of giving his thoughts voice: once laid out, organized, plans could be made, steps taken. The logical progression could proceed. He could focus, get himself back under control on those occasions where circumstances rocked his grip.

“And perhaps, if I am not Vulcan enough for the Science Academy, I may yet be for Starfleet.” He reprimanded himself for the words as soon as they were spoken, as they only served to lend credence to the High Elder’s accusation, but T’Kay, the only one who heard him, merely stayed with him, expressing no remonstration whatsoever.

It was well he had sought out this solitude.

-----------------------------------------

Meetings:

It was not surprising that Amanda had found out about the fight at school—neither Spock nor his father could lie, if pressed (though they both did their best to omit certain details of the bullies’ choice of taunts), and the boy’s bruises would not fade in a few hours’ time.  At first, she had offered what comfort she could, trying to be a calming presence for her young, confused son even as she also sought to demonstrate that emotions were nothing to shun, be ashamed of.

It was clear that her actions, though, were only increasing the turmoil within her son, and though it pained her, she kept her silence for the next few weeks.

“Mother?”

“I have something for you, Spock. I think it’s about time—most boys and girls your age are getting their first partner, and I wasn’t much older when I chose Rosemary,” Amanda began, with a nod towards the house, where the elderly Meganium slept, content.

The young half-Vulcan looked down at the red-and-white ball his mother pressed into his hand, trying to decide what creature it contained. Had his mother chosen a grass type for him, like she had? He hoped not—as much as Rosemary had always been a part of family life, she was one of the few grass-types on Vulcan, that type having struggled to adjust to certain non-earth planets. Having one of his own would only make him stranger.

Silently, he gave the pokeball a light toss, staring at the small, yellow pokemon that appeared before him, seemingly asleep. It was an Abra—one of the most common choices for a Vulcan’s partner, as it was one of the best-known and -respected psychic types, the preferred type of their people. He’d have the same kind of pokemon as more than half of his classmates…

…he would be a little more like them, at least.

Spock looked to his mother, and saw her nodding, with a small smile. She said nothing, but for a moment, the boy had the illogical thought that she knew exactly what he had been thinking. Aloud, Amanda only asked, “Do you know what you want to name her?”

Spock gave the inquiry careful consideration. He knew from his mother that some humans gave their pokemon names that a person would have, others more like those given to a non-pokemon pet. Vulcans, he knew, almost exclusively gave their pokemon ‘normal’—person—names. Which would he do?

“T’Kay. I will give her the name T’Kay.”

Amanda laid a gentle hand on her son’s arm. “I think that is a very good name.” She watched as Spock’s eye suddenly widened, staring at his new partner. The pokemon apparently slumbered on, but Amanda knew T’Kay was not as unresponsive as she seemed.

“She is in my mind,” the child breathed out in something that a human would call a wondered whispered.

Amanda nodded. “She is opening a psychic bond so you can communicate with her. It will only grow stronger as the two of you grow together. I will give you some time to get to know each other.” She stood, turning towards the house, but glancing over her shoulder to the pair in the garden. Her son and his pokemon were oblivious to her, exploring the tenuous connection already forming between them.

From what she had heard, Vulcan children sometimes struggled to open the psychic bond with their partner at the very start, and though she would never tell him, Amanda thought she knew why Spock had faced no such struggle, mere moments after accepting T’Kay.

Perhaps, having one of the most ‘Vulcan’ pokemon (an assertion she always found somewhat comical, since all Pokemon originated on Earth before having been introduced to the rest of the Federation) would not help her son fit in more with his classmates, but at the very least, he would not be as alone.

When she could not be there for him, T’Kay now could.

---------------------------------------------

(2009)

As he had done throughout his life on Vulcan, Spock sought out solitude. On a ship this size, as crowded as the Enterprise was with the achingly few survivors of his race, it would not—could not—last, but the instinct to put distance between himself and especially those who witnessed his outburst drove him away from well-traversed hallways after relinquishing his command.

He only stopped when he realized he was in one of the transporter rooms—the transporter room—and then he found he could go no further. He stood there a few moments, then, as he usually did when retreating from some sort of shame, he released T’Kay.

 (Continue reading on AO3) 

[laurapora]

Afterglow - {Spock} Pt. 1

Orbit -  A sphere of activity, interest, or application.

Stifling a yawn, Mina Sulu entered the Botany laboratory and settled down behind her desk with a cup of herbal tea. It was approaching 1800 hours, and while most of the crew members aboard the Starship Enterprise were winding down, she was just getting started.

The twenty-six year old junior science officer had been assigned to work night shifts, which she personally took great enjoyment in. Peace and quiet were both rare instances on the ship, and she nearly jumped out of her seat at the prospect of attaining the position.

Working into the early hours of morning didn't bother Mina at all, she had always been something of a night owl, and more importantly it allowed her to avoid times of peak activity on the vessel. Not that she didn't appreciate a little excitement now and then, but her idea of a good time had more to do with microscopes, and alien flora than it did Phasers or planetary exploration.

After completing a routine check of the current specimens in the lab, she eagerly began inspecting the newest finds that the field officers had brought in. The room was silent aside from the whirring of machinery as Mina ran diagnostic tests on the foreign plant life, taking extensive notes with a PADD.

Despite being heavily immersed in her work, Mina kept a book open on her desk and would occasionally stop to scan a page, her dark eyes absorbing the content with notable interest. She was so absorbed in her routine that she failed to notice a figure standing in the doorway.

Their presence was preventing the automated door from sliding shut, and they took advantage of this fact to observe Mina's actions for a minute. Then, stepping into the lab, the man cleared his throat softly.

She glanced up quickly and saw that her brother, Hikaru Sulu, had stopped by for their usual evening chat. An occurrence that Mina simultaneously dreaded, and enjoyed. The two siblings were very close, but that often meant Hikaru stuck his nose where it didn't belong. Growing up, he had assumed the role of being her protector, and it was something he had a hard time relinquishing even now.

She offered him a smile, and resumed her work hoping he would get the hint and leave sooner rather than later.

Hikaru wandered over to Mina's desk, attempting to keep a casual demeanor, but his attention was trained on the book he had seen her pouring over. Gazing down at the pages, he frowned.

"You're still studying Vulcan?"

Mina sighed, she knew that tone all too well, it was his 'I don't approve of your decision' voice.

"Consistency is typically how one achieves progress."  She responded evenly.

"Progress towards what? There is only one Vulcan aboard this ship, and he speaks English perfectly well. There would be no practical reason for you to address him in any other way."

Mina bristled, her agitation growing with each second. "Can't a woman have a hobby?"

"It's never just a hobby with you, Mina." Hikaru said quietly, and stepped closer to his sister.

"You've got that same look in your eyes. I've seen it enough to know that you're fixating again, and on your senior officer, no less. It's a waste of time, and you know it. There's just no getting through to him."

Mina took a step back, and shot her brother a dark look. "I appreciate your concern, Hikaru, but must inform you that your fears are completely unfounded as I am perfectly capable of discerning fact from fiction, and therefore have no ulterior interest in Vulcan culture beyond intellectual stimulation."

She moved away from him, and crossed the laboratory to silence a machine that had completed a scan to identify possible unknown biological entities in plant composition.

"And besides that, I don't think it's any of your damn business what I read, or enjoy."

Hikaru let out of a frustrated groan, and crossed his arms over his chest. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."

He waited, but Mina gave no response, and Sulu turned to exit the lab.

"Good night, Mina."

"Good morning, Hikaru."

__________

One of the most irritating things about working with her brother was that he knew her too well. Hikaru hadn't been entirely wrong when he mentioned Mina's tendency to fixate on things, sometimes to the point of obsession. She'd been that way her entire life, although, her control over it was far more refined these days.

Still, it hadn't stopped her from developing an interest in a particular first officer. Out of all the humans and humanoids aboard the Enterprise, Mina had to set her sights on the one who was, quite literally, emotionally unavailable. She didn't need anyone to tell her how ridiculous the notion was, but it seemed the laws of attraction had a twisted sense of humor, as Mina was undeniably captivated by the pragmatic, and ever logical Lieutenant Commander Spock.

Tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear, she frowned and attempted to regain focus on the current situation. This proved useless, however, because moments later the door of the laboratory slid open once again.

"If you've come back to question more of my life choices, I don't want to hear it." Mina announced, not bothering to check who had entered.

"I have no intention of discussing anything pertaining to that subject." A cool voice replied.

She gasped, and spun around, cursing inwardly as her gaze fell upon the pointed ears, and impeccable posture of the Vulcan commander.

"My apologies, sir." Mina clutched the PADD to her chest, heat rising in her face. "I thought you were someone else."

Spock arched an eyebrow, "Yes, that is quite clear."

"Is there something I can do for you?"

There was a brief silence, during which Mina was painfully aware of her constricted breathing. She felt like a fish who had been suddenly thrust from calm, comfortable waters into the stark and unforgiving air.

Spock gave no indication that he noticed her discomfort, his keen eyes assessing her as if they were meeting for the first time.

In a way, that was true. Neither of them had yet made direct contact before now due to Mina being reassigned only one week ago. She had taken comfort in that anonymity, and having it ripped away so quickly left her floundering, for lack of a better word.

"I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to be formally introduced. As Science Officer it is my responsibility to evaluate the performance of all those who work within the Sciences Division aboard this vessel. This includes conducting intermittent progress reports to ensure that your work is satisfactory."

"Right, of course. I was just finishing up diagnostics on alien flora collected from the latest expedition to the class L Planet that was charted yesterday."

Spock nodded, "Please continue, I would like to monitor your procedures first-hand."

Mina gulped, and a shiver ran through her body. No pressure.

She clutched her stylus tightly to hide the tremble in her hands, and resumed documenting the results of each lab test as it was completed. It was hard to tell whether or not Spock could sense her unease, but he had the decency to at least give her some space while she worked.

About ten minutes passed before he spoke again, causing Mina to jump slightly as his confident voice broke the silence.

"You are attempting to learn Vulcan."

She threw a cursory glance over her shoulder, and saw his tall figure stooping slightly to read the book she had left open on her desk. Her eyes widened, but she tried to remain calm. There was no reason for Spock to draw any rash conclusions as her brother had.

"Yes, I've always found language to be an integral part of cultural study, and I'm already fluent in four languages, so I figured why not add a fifth?"

Mina cringed as her statement lingered in the room. She hadn't meant to sound so pretentious, but her thoughts never seemed to translate very well into spoken word. One of the many reasons she loathed small talk.

Spock tipped his head to one side, eyes curious. "Cultural studies is a topic more suited to someone interested in Communications. Is it possible that you intend to one day join your brother as a member of the helm crew?"

Mina grinned in spite of herself, and chuckled softly.

A slight crease appeared on Spock's brow. "I was not aware that my question could be perceived as humorous."

"No, no it wasn't so much your question as..." She shrugged, "to be honest sir, just the thought of working alongside my brother is laughable. I can assure you I'm perfectly happy where I am. Learning about other cultures is simply a pastime I enjoy."

Confusion flitted over her commander's features, but he quickly resumed his neutral expression.

"Very well." He paused, glancing down once more at the book. "If you find yourself unable to understand an aspect of Vulcan linguistics, you may refer to me as a guide. I would be most interested to hear your thoughts on the structure and syntax of the language as it compares to the others you've studied."

Now it was Mina's turn to be confused. If it wasn't for the blood pounding in her ears, she could have sworn that Spock just admitted to wanting the two of them to carry out a casual conversation.

"Oh, that would be great, thank you." She managed to say.

He bowed slightly, and spun around towards the exit. "Good evening, Officer Sulu."

She frowned at the use of her last name, it reminded her too much of Hikaru.

"Actually, sir, you can call me Mina."

His head turned slightly, eyebrow arched. "Is your title an insufficient way to address you?"

Realizing her mistake, Mina quickly shook her head, "No, of course not, forget I said anything."

She faced away from his inquiring gaze, and busied herself with a machine, letting out a relieved sigh when the door finally slid shut.