(Mirrorverse) Analyzing the Situation
When he rematerialized on the other side of the transport, Pike sighed in relief. He had at least ended up somewhere instead of part of his fear about never appearing again. He looked to the two people who had chosen to meet him there. Who it was, was no surprise. He nodded once to each, stepping forward. "Uhura. Chekov."
"Captain."
"Keptin."
"Give me an update on the ship and crew." Pike said quickly, gesturing for the two to take the lead. He wanted to make sure it matched what he had learned from McCoy. There was no surprise in the knowledge that they had taken control of the ship readily. They were a formidable pair. Uhura was a ruthless woman with a sheer intelligence that few could match. Chekov was a sadist who let people believe he was completely innocent until the moment he had a phaser against their ribs.
He listened to them tell him about the changes in the ship since Spock had left. They had heard the singing as well, and Chekov said he had heard rumors of people saying the ship was speaking to them. No one was capable of sitting in the Captain's chair as it would turn on them like a startled sleeping dog. The ship was piloting itself to avoid anything in its path, but would not respond to any controls.
He was far more than pleased to hear that the ship had successfully shot down a Klingon scout ship that had spotted them, going so far as to use a complicated signal that Uhura was still determining to block the Klingon's communications and location. The probes were exceptional, and now he had one final act for them.
The news of his reappearance was spreading through the ship like wildfire. By the time they got back to the bridge, Pike had seen dozens in the halls. The salute was familiar and welcomed after so long away, and he returned it proudly. This was his ship, where he knew he belonged. It made his choice for the future that much harder.
There were gasps when he sat down in the Captain's chair and there was no visible reaction. Pike wondered who else had been so foolish as to try after Sulu's attempt. It reminded him of an ancient book, a legend perhaps, about the sword in the stone. The one who could successfully seat themselves in the chair would take over the ship. He would wonder if Uhura or Chekov had even tried, but doubted they would be so stupid. The whole reason for coming to the bridge was simple, and that was to prove he was still captain of this ship despite his absence. He was not so foolish as to know that the news of Spock's absence would also be noted.
For now, he began the simple things such as telling Starfleet that things were under control, dealing with the larger than normal amount of deaths during his time 'missing', hundreds of back logged reports and paperwork. Pike checked his office carefully before hand, but it seemed that his locks, passcodes, and traps had kept anyone from infiltrating both the space and the files contained within.
"Captain."
"Keptin."
"Give me an update on the ship and crew." Pike said quickly, gesturing for the two to take the lead. He wanted to make sure it matched what he had learned from McCoy. There was no surprise in the knowledge that they had taken control of the ship readily. They were a formidable pair. Uhura was a ruthless woman with a sheer intelligence that few could match. Chekov was a sadist who let people believe he was completely innocent until the moment he had a phaser against their ribs.
He listened to them tell him about the changes in the ship since Spock had left. They had heard the singing as well, and Chekov said he had heard rumors of people saying the ship was speaking to them. No one was capable of sitting in the Captain's chair as it would turn on them like a startled sleeping dog. The ship was piloting itself to avoid anything in its path, but would not respond to any controls.
He was far more than pleased to hear that the ship had successfully shot down a Klingon scout ship that had spotted them, going so far as to use a complicated signal that Uhura was still determining to block the Klingon's communications and location. The probes were exceptional, and now he had one final act for them.
The news of his reappearance was spreading through the ship like wildfire. By the time they got back to the bridge, Pike had seen dozens in the halls. The salute was familiar and welcomed after so long away, and he returned it proudly. This was his ship, where he knew he belonged. It made his choice for the future that much harder.
There were gasps when he sat down in the Captain's chair and there was no visible reaction. Pike wondered who else had been so foolish as to try after Sulu's attempt. It reminded him of an ancient book, a legend perhaps, about the sword in the stone. The one who could successfully seat themselves in the chair would take over the ship. He would wonder if Uhura or Chekov had even tried, but doubted they would be so stupid. The whole reason for coming to the bridge was simple, and that was to prove he was still captain of this ship despite his absence. He was not so foolish as to know that the news of Spock's absence would also be noted.
For now, he began the simple things such as telling Starfleet that things were under control, dealing with the larger than normal amount of deaths during his time 'missing', hundreds of back logged reports and paperwork. Pike checked his office carefully before hand, but it seemed that his locks, passcodes, and traps had kept anyone from infiltrating both the space and the files contained within.