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During the first few minutes of 'A' shift's return to duty, the rumors ran wild. Most betting crew members had their credits on a mission abort. However, no one had seen Spock yet and Sulu was being quiet on the subject.
McCoy had slept a little later than normal. He attributed that to all the prosthetic surgery, combined with so much activity since boarding Enterprise and, unfortunately, old age. Even going to bed early didn't help very much.
When he walked into sickbay, he found Chapel in tears and Tavar was unusually silent.
Approaching his old friend slowly, he spoke quietly to Christine. "What's wrong?"
She was startled by his quiet and sudden appearance. Wiping away a few tears, she tried to assume a more professional appearance. "Doctor McCoy, I'm sorry. It's just that --" she searched for the words and was glad that McCoy didn't press her "-- after all the preparations and getting our hopes up, it's just a shame we can't do something."
The doctor was as confused as he had ever been. "What are you talking about, Chapel?" His tone had gone from concern to downright worry and near panic.
"Haven't you heard?" Her eyes were now wide in astonishment. "Romulus is involved in a full scale civil war and the Diplomatic Corps has recommended we cancel the rescue attempt."
McCoy's tone changed rapidly to anger, "What in blue blazes... has Spock said anything yet?"
She blinked away a few more tears and shrugged, "I'm not sure, but... we're still on our original course, at least, for now."
Still angry by what he had heard, McCoy pressed her, "Are you sure about all this?"
"I wasn't falling apart because we're heading back home, it's... well, it's personal. Anyway, Nyota will call me the minute she knows of a course change."
Ignoring the personal aspect of her comments, he put a hand on both of her shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes, "And you won't hear about one either. Not if I have anything to say about it!"
Before Chapel could react, he turned and stormed out of sickbay, fast, for an old man. "Next stop, Mister Spock's quarters," Christine said through a weak smile.
McCoy flew out of the turbolift as soon as the doors popped open. He made a beeline for the ambassador's quarters and nearly knocked over three very surprised ensigns on the way. When he reached Spock's quarters door, the indicator showed that he was out. "Damn!" After his curse, the doctor went back to the turbolift. Upon entering the car, he yelled out his intended destination, "Bridge!" The turbolift jumped, just a little too quickly to suit McCoy.
When the doors opened again, the surgeon was greeted by ten anxious pairs of eyes. Evidently they were just as much in the dark as he. "I take it Spock hasn't been up here yet," he said dryly.
Sulu responded very quietly, "No, he's talking with Cee and Koord. As far as I know, no decision has been made, yet."
At that precise moment, Spock strolled onto the bridge from the other turbolift. He did not speak, but walked to the science station and asked Saavik for a report on the activities in the immediate vicinity.
Saavik gave him a very quick summary and then the bridge was silent.
The doctor couldn't stand it anymore. "Dammit, Spock, say something!"
Spock turned to face McCoy with the usual arched eyebrow, "What would you have me say, Doctor?"
"For the love of --" he sputtered and began again "-- what are you going to do about the mission?"
Retaining the look of calm and innocence Spock explained, "Why, Doctor, I thought that was obvious."
"Dammit, Spock, I'm a doctor, not a mind reader!"
Both Sulu and Uhura suppressed a smile and the rest of the bridge crew held their breath as Spock began to explain. "Doctor, are we not proceeding on course and on schedule?" He remained passive, his tone even slightly condescending.
McCoy was frustrated, but at least he had calmed down. "All right, but why all the mystery?"
Spock still remained unflappable. "To which mystery are you referring?"
The doctor was about to fly off the handle again, but checked it. "You haven't changed a bit. Didn't you think to inform the crew of your decision?"
Shifting his stance, Spock appeared to be losing patience with McCoy. "Since making my decision, I have spent one point nine minutes in the turbolift, one point six minutes reviewing data with Commander Saavik and two point four minutes in a conversation with you. I have, therefore, not had time to make the decision known. Did I not tell you that I would consult you if I decided against the mission?"
"Oh, yes," McCoy commented quietly.
Spock continued, "Doctor, is sickbay ready to handle the captives?"
Looking a bit sheepish, McCoy responded quietly. "I believe Doctor Tavar still has a little more work left to do."
"Then please, return to sickbay and assist Doctor Tavar as I anticipate arriving at Romulus in a relatively brief period of time. Undoubtedly, Captain Cee's team will require finishing touches and an inspection of their prosthetics."
McCoy was dumbfounded. Spock was right, as usual. "Okay, Spock, keep me posted on the arrival time." McCoy then turned his attention to Uhura. "Nyota, could you contact Cee and have his team report to sickbay?"
Uhura nodded, "Certainly, Doctor." Her smile reflected a relief from tension rather than her usual pleasant manner.
Satisfied at last, the doctor shuffled silently to the 'A' turbolift and disappeared.
Spock then headed for the 'B' turbolift. Before entering, he turned to face Sulu. "Perhaps you should make a ship-wide call and notify the crew of my intentions to continue the mission. I do not wish to be on the receiving end of any more such... discussions." Then he stepped into the turbolift and left.
There was a very pregnant pause until Leslie and Stiles looked at each other and said, "We're going," to each other.
Then the rest of the bridge crew broke up in various forms of cheers, yells and whistles.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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