The Syvian Incident - Ch. 1

[sesh_khem]

A/N :

• This was written for the 2010 Holiday Fic Exchange on LJ
• Pairings: Spock/Uhura, Charlene/Scotty
• Sequel to Dragonfire. Best to read that first.
• Thanks to my awesome beta, Wyntreaurora! 

Disclaimer: I neither own nor profit from these characters.
Summary: This is not the way they'd planned to spend Christmas Eve.

 

 

The Syvian Incident

Nyota sat at her station on the bridge, feeling rushed and just this side of being overwhelmed. Too much to do; too little time to do it. Work was busy: Starfleet wanted the linguistic records from their recent encounter with the Wothians annotated as well as her report on the new algorithms for the upgraded universal translator. And of course, they wanted them yesterday.

If it had been just work, things wouldn’t be that bad, but everything else seemed to go haywire this week. The holiday season was fast approaching, and she’d ordered all her gifts and new dress for the holiday party. The merchant had guaranteed delivery to Starbase 7 when the Enterprise was docked there for a routine visit. But the package wasn’t there. She’d practically camped out in front of the cargo bay, hoping each arriving ship might have her shipment. All for naught. She tried shopping at the starbase’s paltry stores, but everything was either cheap tchotchkes or overpriced baubles.

Then there were her friends, heaven bless them all; but everyone seemed to need a shoulder to cry on, and all of them chose her shoulder. Sulu couldn’t make up his mind about which ensign to bring to the holiday party; Janice was furious with Jim for flirting with yet another alien beauty; and Charlene was about to give up on Scotty ever asking her out on a real date.

A warm hand on her shoulder startled her from her thoughts. It was Spock, his brow wrinkled with concern.

“Lieutenant, your shifted ended 5 minutes, 30 seconds ago.”

She sighed. “Thank you, Mr. Spock.” She looked over Spock’s shoulder and saw Lt. Brooks waiting patiently.

“Sorry, Brooks. I’ll be done in just a minute.” She downloaded the Wothian transcript to her padd. “Station’s all yours,” she told Brooks, and followed Spock to the turbolift.

She leaned against the wall and heaved a heavy sigh as the lift doors closed.

Spock pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. “Nyota, you are exhausted. Perhaps you should retire early.”

She stood rigid and tense in his arms. “I know I should retire early, but I can’t. I have to turn in this transcript by 0700 hours, and then review and report on the new translator specs by the end of my shift. Plus, I promised to stop by Charlene’s tonight.”

“You should not have made such a promise when you have other obligations.”

She glared up at him. “I didn’t know at the time I’d have so many other obligations.”

“Then perhaps a nap before dinner? I will bring back a tray from the mess.”

“Mmm,” she said relaxing into his embrace. “That’s an excellent idea.”

The lift doors opened. She reluctantly left his warmth and turned to walk down the hall to their quarters. Spock followed her in and leaned against the wall, watching appreciatively as she undressed.

“Don’t give me that look, mister,” she said with a half-smile as she reached for her robe. “Besides, aren’t you supposed to be getting our dinner?”

“Is it not right for a man to appreciate his wife?”

She walked to him, tying the belt around her waist, and took his face in her hands, pulling him closer for a kiss.

“I never feel under-appreciated with you Spock.” She pulled away slightly and gave him a quick slap on the rear. “Now get going. I’m starving.”

She settled down on the couch to work and Spock made his way to the mess hall. As he stood in line he saw Charlene seated at a table with Yeoman Rand. He filled his tray and made his way to their table, where they sat talking, heads close together. On his approach, they both looked up, startled.

“Commander!” They said in unison.

“I am here on unofficial business, ladies. Lt. Masters, I am afraid Nyota is working this evening on an unexpected project. It will be necessary to reschedule your visit with her.”

Charlene looked disappointed. “Well, duty comes first. I understand. Thank you for letting me know, Commander.”

Spock nodded once and made his way to the door.

“I bet I know what that ‘project’ is!” said Janice. The two women giggled, unaware that Spock heard. If only, he thought.

He entered their room to find Nyota asleep on the couch, loosely holding her padd. He put the tray on the table, quietly walked over to the sofa and gently pried the padd from her hands. He took the throw that lay across the back of the couch and put it over her, resisting the urge to kiss her.

He sat at the table with her padd and perused it while eating his dinner. She had made significant progress and he determined that it would be best to let her sleep. He would wake her with sufficient time to complete her annotations before the start of her shift. He then moved to his desk and pulled up his own work.

At length, he shut down his terminal and rose. He gently shook her shoulder.

“Nyota. Nyota, it is time to wake up.”

“Hmm? Oh, hi hon—” She sat up with a start. “What time is it?”

“0300 hours.”

“What?” She stood up. “Why did you let me sleep so long? Oh heck, where’s my padd? How on earth am I going to—?”

Spock took her by the shoulders. “Nyota. You needed the rest. I have awakened you with sufficient time to finish your report. Now sit, take some nourishment. Your padd is on the table. I will bring you coffee.”

She put her hands on his. “How did I get lucky enough to have you looking out for me?”

He took her hands and kissed each. “It is I who is fortunate.”

She gave him a quick kiss and a smile and sat at the table where he’d set out fruit and bread. She was munching on an apple when he brought her a mug of coffee. He sat across from her with his own padd and a cup of steaming tea.

“Oh no,” she groaned.

“What is wrong?”

“Charlene! I was supposed to…”

“I informed Lt. Masters that you were occupied with work this evening.”

She sighed in relief. “You thought of everything. Thanks, Honey.”

The two worked in silence for a while before Spock left to meditate and sleep the few hours he needed. He woke as she was preparing to shower.

“Perfect timing, Handsome,” she said as he climbed out of bed. “I just sent off my report to Starfleet. Care to join me?”

He tilted his head, calculating how long it would take to properly satisfy his wife, have breakfast, and be on the bridge on time. Content with the result, he said, “I believe I shall.”

 

***

A well-rested and very satisfied Nyota sat at her station with a smile. Janice noticed her expression and waggled her eyebrows. Nyota gave her a wink before turning back to her console.

Just as she was pulling up the specs she was supposed to review, the red message light began flashing.

“Enterprise here,” she replied. After a moment she turned in her seat. “Captain, incoming message from Starfleet.”

“On screen,” Kirk replied.

The starfield before them vanished and was replaced by the face of Admiral Louis.

Kirk stood. “Hello, Admiral. New orders?”

“Afraid, so Captain. We’ve received word of trouble brewing amongst the Syvians.”

Nyota suppressed a gasp. Spock rose from his station and stood by her side.

“What’s happening on Syvia, sir?” asked Kirk. “And why are we being deployed if it’s an internal matter? They are our trading partners but not Federation members.”

“Your success there was the catalyst for them to petition for membership. And what’s going on there doesn’t appear to be internal. There’s a new faction on the planet trying to topple the government, and they are almost certainly being armed from an off-planet source. I need you to go there, figure out who’s arming the rebels, and put an end to this uprising. The Syvians know and respect you. I understand they hold your communications officer in particular high regard.”

Spock stood a little straighter. “That’s true, Admiral. She’s the one who saved them from disaster on our last trip. If it hadn’t been for her, there would be no trade agreement.”

“Well, Lieutenant,” said the admiral, “It looks like your services will be needed again.”

“Understood, Sir,” she said.

The admiral pressed a few keys on his terminal. “I’m sending you the details now, Kirk. How soon can you be there?”

Kirk turned to Spock, who answered. “At warp 8 we would arrive in 39 hours, sir.”

“Good,” said the admiral. “Find out who’s arming the rebels, Kirk, and stabilize the situation. We worked too hard to get the Syvians to the table, and now we want them in the Federation. I know I can count on you and your crew.” The admiral nodded once, then ended the transmission.

Kirk turned to Uhura. “Ready to save the planet again, Uhura?”

“Always, Captain. And not just for the Federation. Nightstar means too much to me.”

Kirk nodded. “Alright people. Let’s review the admiral’s transmission, and we’ll meet in the briefing room in half an hour.”

***

Spock felt Nyota’s concern across their bond. He also felt her determination. He had no shame in expressing his pride at his wife’s career successes, but he strove to hide his desire that she never be placed in danger.

But as his wife, he could never truly hide anything from her. She sensed his concern. She picked up her padd and walked to his station.

“I know, Love,” she whispered. “But wild horses couldn’t keep me from helping Nightstar right now.”

Spock raised an eyebrow, and tried not to smile. “I fail to see how untamed equines factor into this situation.”

She poked him with her stylus in mock irritation. “It’ll be fine, Spock. The Syvians are good and reasonable people. I’m sure we’ll figure this out.”

He nodded and she felt a surge of his love and support. She smiled and returned to her station.

She read through the list of documents and was surprised to find one from Nightstar addressed directly to her. She asked to leave the bridge to watch recording in private. With permission granted she went to a nearby conference room and pulled up the message on the tabletop screen.

“Daystar, my sister. I am sure by now you will have heard of our current troubles. I feel terrible asking you to come to our aid yet again, but these matters appear to be more than just planetary political unrest. We have sent the Federation all that we know about the rebels. I know with certainty that your skills will find the answer to this mystery.

“I am sorry that we are to meet under the shadow of war, but I am so glad that I will see you soon. The tapestry in your honor will likely be finished during your time here, and I trust that we will celebrate its unveiling when we figure out who is supporting the rebels.

“Let me tell you what I know…”

Nyota made notes of Nightstar’s informal briefing. She was hopeful that something in her friend’s more personal communication would inform the crew as they reviewed the official documents. Seeing Nightstar tell her tale, seeing her careworn expression, only fueled her determination to help her friend.

By the time she finished the recording, it was time to go to the briefing room. The other team members arrived shortly, and Kirk turned to her first.

“Lieutenant, was there anything in the message from Nightstar that might be useful?”

“Perhaps, Captain. She said that the rebel group is small, a fact that first led them to suspect an off-world influence. Secondly, the rebels are an offshoot of the cult of the dragons. They worship them as gods, but unlike the more mainstream dragon religion, these rebels believe that the dragons are the true rulers of the planet and that the Nightstar’s people have no true claim to the throne. Of course, the rebels believe that they should hold the throne as regents during the hibernation.”

“Convenient,” said Bones.

Nyota nodded and went on. “These people also believe that the prophesies of Nightstar’s line are false; made up to make the royal clan look more powerful than they really are. Only the dragons are the true prophets, and the ‘false prophets’ are somehow stealing the prophesies from the dragons and claiming them as their own.”

McCoy shook his head. “How can generations of prophesies that were proven true suddenly be seen as false? Especially after the most recent one, involving us, was so dramatic?”

Spock spoke up. “In my experience, Doctor, unscrupulous people can convince themselves of anything when they have an opportunity to gain power. If an outside entity is goading the rebels, they will tell them what they want to hear, and give them a way to regard themselves as righteous liberators, rather than treasonous rebels.”

“There’s one more thing,” continued Nyota. “There may be a brief mention of this incident in the Prophesies, but it offers no clues.”

“What does the prophesy say?” asked McCoy.

Nyota looked at her padd. “The weak will seek fire from the stars. Only your stars can quell the fury.”

McCoy snorted. “Well that’s helpful.”

“Perhaps it is, Doctor,” Spock countered. “If you remember, Nyota is called Daystar amongst the Syvians, and their current queen is Nightstar. Also, the Federation might be seen as a ‘star,’being allies from across space.”

Nyota shrugged. “Well, if nothing else, it lets us know that, so far, we’re on the right path.”

Kirk nodded and thought for a moment. “How long until we’re in communications range?”

“Approximately 10 hours, sir,” said Nyota.

“We don’t want to alert the rebels or their alien supporters by charging in with Starfleet’s flagship. Can we come up with any excuse for being there?”

A slow smile spread across Nyota’s face. “As a matter of fact sir, we can.”

 

***

Kirk decided that Nyota would handle all communications directly as they headed toward Syvia. She was able to call through a personal channel in their quarters, with Spock by her side.

She put through the call herself, using no more encryption than usual for a personal call; they were hoping to be overheard.

The comm screen glowed with the greens, blues, and reds of the Syvian flag before being replaced by Nightstar’s tired visage.

“My sister!” cried Nightstar, a smile of real happiness brightening her face. She leaned closer to the screen and touched it. Nyota brought her fingertips to meet those of her adopted sister.

“Oh, Nightstar. How I’ve missed you!” She sighed and Nightstar seemed overcome.

Nyota composed herself and moved on to business. “Nightstar, we’re calling to tell you that we’ll be there soon. I know this is a difficult time for you, but we wanted to be there for the unveiling of the tapestry. Would it be too much to ask for your hospitality for the event?”

Nightstar’s brow constricted but loosened as she recognized something in her friend’s eyes.

“My little sister, you should know better than to even ask. There is always room for you and your mate here with us. And any of your wonderful crew. How many of you will be joining us?” Her eyes were pleading. Nyota dreaded disappointing her.

“Dr. McCoy will, of course, join us,” said Spock, “and a few security personnel, given the current situation. I am afraid the captain will be unable to attend, since the ship will be needed elsewhere.”

“Ah,” said Nightstar, crestfallen. “I’d hoped—” She stopped herself, drew herself up with a smile. “My dears, it will be wonderful to see you. I wish it could be under better circumstance. I’m afraid activities right now are rather…subdued.”

“Please don’t let that trouble you,” said Nyota. “I do hope we will be able to go to the marketplace this visit. Your craftspeople are unparalleled.”

“Indeed they are, though I may be biased. We will arrange for security and can certainly make a visit to the market. It will be good to share the best of our world with you.” She took a deep breath. “Well, let us know when to expect you. I trust we will speak soon.”

“Indeed,” said Spock. “We look forward to spending time with you again.”

“Until then, my dear friends, be well.”

“And you, Nightstar.”

Spock reached down and severed the connection. Nyota leaned into him. “I’m so worried about her, Spock.”

He put his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her arm. “I know, K’diwa. We will be there soon.”

 

***

The pre-mission plan was pretty straightforward. The away team (plus far more security than they advertised) would beam directly into the castle. They would travel outside only in the capital, and with palace security as well as a small contingent of their own.

Scotty would take the Enterprise and hide her behind the system’s third planet, monitoring all traffic in the system and ready to come flying to the rescue if need be.

The hope was (and it was a small hope) that seeing Nyota the Daystar again would swell public sympathies, thereby making it easier to get information from the locals.

If that failed, the Enterprise crew would assist and advise in finding and capturing some of the rebels, eventually interrogating them for information of their alien arms suppliers. After that, it would be up to Starfleet to determine the extent of their mission: to find and neutralize the suppliers (in the case of independent arms dealers), or bring in the force of the Federation if this was a case of planetary interference.

“Pack up and rest up people,” Kirk said as he dismissed the away team from their last mission briefing.

Nyota handed Lt. Brooks a few last minute notes. Brooks would be a part of the away team as well, since he and Nyota worked on translating many regional dialects after their first visit to the planet.

She then followed Spock to the turbolift.

“Dinner?” he asked.

“Afraid not, Baby. I’m going to have a shower and then head over to Charlene’s.”

He nodded as they entered their cabin.

“Oh,” she said as she flung off her clothes and boots on her way to the bathroom. “Laundry’s done. Could you pack the dress uniforms? I’ll do the rest when I get back.”

“Yes,” he said, but the door was already sliding shut.

 

***

Nyota made her way to Charlene’s cabin, trying to tamp down the anxiety she felt about the mission. She wanted to be fully present for her friend. She rang for entrance.

“Come in.”

“Hiya, Charlene. Sorry I’ve kept having to postpone our girl-time.” She hugged her friend.

“Don’t apologize. Work comes first. Besides,” she said as they sat down. “It really doesn’t matter anymore. I’m done. I’m giving up on that man.”

“Wait! What happened?”

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing, that’s what’s happened. All those late nights squashed together in Jeffreys tubes, drinking Scotch-laced coffee while comparing notes on tech journals, dinners in the mess, even a pretty good kiss after your wedding last year. The next morning he apologized. Apologized! Blamed the open bar and the ‘r’mantic nature of weddin’s ‘n all’. Arg!” She punched a nearby pillow.

Nyota rose from her chair, sat next to her friend on the couch and took her hand. “Look, Hon, trust me. He is interested. He’s probably a little scared. Men are notorious cowards when it comes to someone they’re really interested in dating." She shook her head. "Damn, the timing’s bad now, with the mission coming up. But you and I are coming up with a plan when I get back. You hear me?”

Charlene was not convinced. “I don’t know, Ny. There are plenty of other men on this ship. It’s about time I move on from this school-girl fantasy…”

“Just wait, ok? Promise me you’ll wait ‘til I get back and you and I get another chance to talk.” She gave Charlene’s hand a little squeeze. “I just really think you two belong together.”

“Alright, I’ll wait until you get back.” Charlene sighed, then sat up straighter. “Hey, sounds like it might get dangerous down there. You be careful, ok?”

“Promise,” she said, and hugged her friend goodbye, walking wearily back to her cabin, dreading the prospect of packing.

 

***

As soon as Nyota left to see Charlene, Spock packed their dress uniforms, and just about everything else as well. He wanted his wife to have as must time to relax as possible before the mission. They hadn’t discussed it, but she would be in as much danger as Nightstar and Greenweld. If the rebels wanted the ruling couple dethroned, they would certainly like to see the queen’s adopted sister out of the way too.

He made his way to the mess hall, relatively empty after the post-Alpha shift rush. He grabbed a tray and piled it with food, preparing for the uncertainties of the day ahead. He’d brought his padd with him, hoping to catch up on some scientific journals, but saw Scotty sitting alone at a table. He thought a moment, and then joined the engineer.

 

***

Spock arrived back at their quarters soon after his wife’s return. She was removing her boots and wiggling her toes.

“Hello you,” she said with a tired smile. “Oooh, you brought me dinner. Thank you, Ashayam.”

“You are welcomed,” he said, putting the tray on the table. “How was your ‘girl talk’ with Lt. Masters?”

“Well…” she began, but suddenly saw the full duffle bags against the wall. “Spock! You packed!”

“Everything except your undergarments and cosmetics. I know how…particular you are about choosing those items yourself.”

Nyota laughed as she rifled through her underwear drawer.

“Well, that was easy,” she smiled and kissed him before sitting down to eat the meal he’d brought her. “I guess that means we’ll have plenty of time to…relax before we go.”

The corners of his lips moved ever so slightly upwards. “We are of one mind.”

 

***

Feeling optimistic and refreshed after a good night sleep (preceded by a few hours of Spock’s special brand of “relaxation”) Nyota stepped up to the transporter platform, with the captain, Bones and Spock. The first security detail had beamed down ahead of them and sent the all-clear. Spock sent her a wave of calm through their bond, and she gratefully let the sensations fill her; the excitement of seeing Nightstar and the anxiety about the rebellion were muted, and her focus returned.

“Ready, People?” asked Kirk as the two security members joined them on the platform.

“As we’ll ever be,” grumbled McCoy. “Let’s get on with it already!”

“Then, Scotty, by all means, energize.”

Chapter 2