Interests and Loves
I'm back after a brief break. Here is another story. It is "Tainted". It is the first ever Smooth Thunder story.
TAINTED
BY
LCAMILE
FANDOM: AU ST:TOS
SUMMARY: A new Vulcan starship encounters the Enterprise.
RATING: PG
NOTES: Set during the TOS and the first six movies.
SERIES: SMOOTH THUNDER
DISCLAIMER: STAR TREK IS PROPERTY OF PARAMOUNT STUDIOS AND GENE RODDENBERRY ENTERPRISES.
CHAPTER I -NARRATOR’S STORY
It was mid-2270 as the Vulcan Starship, Soval sailed through space. Mostly of the crew still were recovering from their time-traveling mission on Earth. As they went back in time, the entire crew turned into humans. During the mission, many met Archer and the NX-Enterprise crew as well as some of the founding members of United Federation of Planets. Although it lasted for a few days, the Soval crewmembers controlled their raging emotions as long as they were able to. After they returned to their own time, many had a hard time to repress their emotions.
The Soval, which was newly-developed Vulcan starship with some Earth-inspired designs, left Vulcan five months ago. T’Pau was one of many well-known Vulcans to witness the starship’s launch. Ensign Sallie Marshak entered the Turbo-lift to the Refectory to have lunch. She had a Vulcan Veggie Burger, Vulcan carrot sticks, and Vulcan lemon crème pie, and a tall glass of Vulcan iced tea. She wore a tan long-sleeved Vulcan military uniform with black science stripes, matching ankle boots, clear lip-balm, and a ponytail. Sallie was born on Encumberia in 2252. When she was twelve, she went to Vulcan and enrolled at E’ky, an alternate Vulcan academy. Encumberia , which was now a Federation planet, was an Ancient West-like planet that was founded by Capt. Archer and his crew. The Encumberian was a tall yet curvy full-blooded Vulcan with smooth chocolate complexion, full lips, long yet slightly wide nose, black thick yet straight shoulder-length mane, black eyes, high cheekbones, and silky mezzo-alto voice.
As she continued to eat her meal, she began to ponder about Smoky Water, her hometown. It was a beautiful small city that was crossed between Malibu, California and Nashville, Tennessee. Her parents and two siblings still lived there. Ambassador Sarek once visited there yet his brief appearance hardly drew attention. Shortly afterwards, the Enterprise sailed through space as it traveled to Periphery-10, a Starfleet space station. It was built seventeen years ago. The crew already had been there twice.
The following evening, the Soval arrived at the space station. Sallie walked through the corridor with her former E’ky classmate, Phoebe Lyon. Phoebe, who was an Australian-bred half Aborigine/half Vulcan, was a 5’6 thin yet curvy woman with dark brown smooth complexion, lusty lips, dark brown eyes, shoulder-length thick yet straight strawberry blonde mane, slight wide yet long nose, and slightly raspy voice with mixed posh Australian and Vulcan Hills accent. She wore a tan long-sleeved Vulcan military uniform with white executive stripes, matching ankle boots, a French braid, and clear lip-gloss.
The next day, several crewmembers celebrated Surak’s Birthday, which was world holiday on Vulcan, at the Concert Hall. Mitzi Cube, a Vulcan-bred Denobulan, was the DJ. Most of the party’s songs were hand-picked by the ship captain, Ralma. The Earth-bred Vulcan captain loved late 20th British rock music. Some of the crewmembers secretly mocked his thick Alabaman accent. However, he knew about the derision but he constantly blew out them off since he always wore his adopted state with pride. He grew up near the Tuskegee Institute and even had two Tuskegee Airmen leather bomber jackets. He found them many years ago at a retro shop in California. Both of them were still in good condition.
As the music continued to play, Capt. Ralma left the Concert Hall to check out the space station. While he walked through a nearby corridor, he bumped into Capt. James T. Kirk. At first, the younger Captain didn’t know what to say to the well-known Federation officer. The Southern Captain towered over the older officer. The Soval Captain wore a tan long-sleeved Vulcan military uniform with white executive stripes, matching ankle boots, a ponytail, black fingernail polish on his long greenish-yellow long yet slender fingers, and red four star pips on his collar. The Federation officer wore a green long-sleeved wraparound uniform, dark uniform pants, and dark boots.
“Hello,” he smiled.
“Hello, I’m Ralma of the Vulcan starship, Soval,” he said as he put his hand out for a handshake.
“I am James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise.” The Starfleet officer accepted the handshake.
Meanwhile Sallie and Phoebe danced to The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You”. They were the only ones on the dance floor. Many talked casually and ignored them while the others were quietly amused by the couple. While Mitzi played the music, she softly removed her headphones. Her rather large black round headphones rested on her shoulders as the song ended and “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and The Pips began. As the second verse started, Spock entered. Everyone became silenced as they watched the famous Vulcan. As his eyes turned to Sallie, she continued to dance with Phoebe.
“Oh Snap,” Phoebe screamed as she noticed the older Federation officer.
Quickly the full Vulcan turned and greeted him with a warm “hello” as she continued to dance. The entire room gasped as Spock returned it with a rather devilish smirk. However, Sallie and Mitzi persisted with their business. Shortly later, Sallie’s communicator bumped. She removed it from her dark shoulder hoister and answered the call. It was Cmdr. Gavlis, the science officer. Sallie and Phoebe were both wanted at the main Science Lab.
“Duty calls,” Sallie remarked to her dance partner after she ended the call and returned the communicator to her hoister. The Encumberian’s dark eyes looked at the older officer up and down before she gave him a silky “See you around” and a sweet Vulcan hand salute. Shortly afterwards, many stood up from their seats as Sallie’s hand calmly grabbed Phoebe’s hand and led her away from the interplanetary Starfleet officer.
“Later days,” Phoebe smiled as she gave him a Vulcan hand salute.
“Maybe, we will meet again,” he chuckled as he watched Sallie.
CHAPTER II-NARRATOR’S STORY
It was early morning in the Refectory as many talked about the previous evening between Spock and Sallie while Phoebe and Sallie had breakfast at the couple’s shared quarters. Their conversation was about the rebirth of a now extinct Vulcan flower. It was part of Cmdr. Gavlis’ side project which was supported by the Vulcan Science Academy. Sallie was the commander’s assistant since she had great knowledge of both ancient and alien plants. While Phoebe accidentally stepped in the project when she found a lost document that dealt with ancient plants during the pre-logic era.
As they continued to eat their breakfast, Capt. Ralma announced that it was now official shore-leave. However, the captain called them the next moment for a brief conference with him. Phoebe tucked a lock behind her ear as she drank her herbal tea. The sides of her strawberry blond locks went into a ponytail while the rest hung down with a middle part. She wore her standard Vulcan starship uniform with clear lip-gloss. Phoebe was still slightly angry that she missed the rest of the party.
Sallie finished her meal as she thought about the stores that she want to shop at. Her record collection hadn’t been updated in a long time. As she went to her desk, she looked at the finished reports. Phoebe noticed recently that Sallie became more absorbed in her work than usually. Although she was older than the Australian, she was rather pedantic about “intimate bustle”. It was Sallie’s label for shagging.
Meanwhile, The Motels’ “Only the Lonely” played in Sallie’s head. When she was fifteen, she sang it during karaoke night at The Glisten Coffer, a youth nightclub near the Starfleet Academy when she briefly studied at the academy for two and a half years. She received a huge applause before she calmly bowed and left. She removed her headband and sneaked back into her campus place. Her family and friends still knew nothing about her performance.
Shortly afterwards, the song changed into Stevie Wonder’s “Lately”. She heard it for the first time after she met Capt. Archer and T’Pol. It played in the background during a Starfleet picnic. Sallie felt rather strangely as she looked at the well-known couple. She slightly swayed to the music as it began louder on the speaker. The festival DJ fixed the speakers after he switched to another song. As the Commodores’ “Lady (You Bring Me Up)” started, she caught a Frisbee that was meant for Porthos. She held the Frisbee while the beagle jumped up and down. She lifted her sun-visor a bit before she threw it and chased the orange rubber disk with the dog. Archer and T’Pol watched with amusement while some of Sallie’s crewmembers saw in surprise. She leaped with Porthos for the rubber disk as she wore a Randolph Scott peach long-sleeved tee shirt, black khakis, peach/black Nikes, light peach lip-gloss, peach sun-visor, and a ponytail. She frolicked about with the Beagle as they played with the Frisbee.
Sallie shook her head as the song ended. Although Phoebe didn’t noticed her when she finally her breakfast and cleaned the table, Sallie didn’t say much as they went to meet with the captain. The young Vulcans were alone with the captain in the main conference room. Phoebe felt a little nervous about the encounter as there was a long moment of silence. The conference room’s door opened twenty moments later. Sallie and Phoebe looked at each other briefly before they both went to a nearby Turbo-lift. An hour passed as Sallie listened to Bobby Womack on large dark round headphones at the space station’s main entertainment store. Spock stood beside her as he listened to Bobby Caldwell. They didn’t notice each other as Capt. Kirk entered the store. Kirk tapped lightly on Spock’s shoulder. He turned around and removed the headphones. They went to a nearby corner and talked. As Sallie finally removed the headphones, she noticed them. She quickly went into the New Wave Section. She looked briefly at the classic New Romantic sub-section.
“Hello,” said a familiar voice nearby her. It was Spock. He smiled as they were now face to face. Sallie was an inch shorter than the Starfleet officer.
“Hello,” she answered as she wore a standard starship uniform, and clear lip balm. Her mane hung down with a middle part as a tan flexible head band covered her pointy ears. She brushed a lock from her shoulder.
“I’m sorry that we’re interrupted at the party. I’m Cmdr. Spock of the USS Enterprise.” He gave a Vulcan Hand Salute.
“I am Ensign Sallie Marshak of the Vulcan starship, Soval.” She returned the salute. He came closer as Kirk joined them.
“Well, Spock I see that you met a new friend,” Kirk remarked as he wore his green uniform long-sleeved shirt, dark pants, and black boots.
Sallie turned around and saw the shorter Starfleet officer. Kirk looked better-looking in person since she saw several photos of him. She thought that he had exquisite rather rugged pink complexion.
“Hello, I’m Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise,” he warmly smiled.
“Hello.” Sallie took her hand out to shake. The older officer was at first stunned by the gesture so he accepted the hand shake. The young Vulcan’s hand was strong yet somewhat soft. Her dark chocolate hand had long slender fingers with short polished nails. Spock watched them as Mariah Carey’s “Breakdown” played in the background. He liked that song although Carey’s high notes sometimes bothered him.
“Excuse me,” Sallie said when she detected the CMO, Gavlis nearby. He was picking some fresh music disks as he was talking one of the store clerks. The rather young med-tech was the only crewmember who met the Enterprise crew before during a previous assignment. Moreover, he met Pike while he temporarily studied at Starfleet Medical for a year. He bumped into Chekov earlier today. They talked briefly before the Russian went to the bar. The Mortar Shire native was quiet 6’0 rather thick man with muscular frame, light brown eyes, broad nose, long dark blonde eyelashes, slightly rugged olive complexion, shoulder-length thick dark blonde mane, plump lips, and raspy voice. He wore a charcoal ash-colored short-sleeved military medic turtleneck, Vulcan tan starship jacket, matching trousers, and tan boots. The sides of his locks were into a ponytail while the rest hung down.
He bought his music disks and some movies and left before he had a concise banter with Sallie. He went to his quarters and put up his new purchases. Astal was one of many senior officers who stayed on the ship during the Soval’s brief Earth stay. However, he stayed busy with many sick crewmembers from a previous encounter with a rare space aliment. The Sickbay still stank of vomit.
He sighed as he began his reports. He had both medical and ship ones to deal with. Many crewmembers stated that he was constantly not logical with his some of his quick thinking decisions. Though his “illogical” routine had saved many lives and bought several innovations to the alien medical field, it didn’t bring much respect from the Vulcan High Command. Just a week before the Soval’s launch, Astal threw a bottle of a sehlat’s urine at the Vulcan High Command Building.
CHAPTER III-PHOEBE’S STORY
I went to Mitzi’s quarters after my strange conference meeting ended with Capt. Ralma and Sallie. We both detected a faded smell of Terran Whiskey on his breath although my nose isn’t highly sensitive like Sallie’s. I suspected that we all changed from our time-traveling mission. While I stayed on the ship during the entire mission, I still had to deal with many problems from our previous mission. I was part of a Bridge skeleton crew since some of the relief crewmembers were ill. Sometimes Mitzi and I would like at each other during Gavlis’ brief reign as acting captain because of Ralma’s illness. Although he was the first to quickly recover, he was quiet when Gavlis commanded the ship as we returned to our own time.
Mitzi, who was two years older than Sallie, was a junior lieutenant as well as a weaponry specialist. However, she hardly used combat skills since she was a lower deck officer. Mitzi, who was 5’9 curvy woman with black shoulder-length silky curls, rotund lips, silver eyes, smooth peach and cream complexion, long yet slender nose, and long slender fingers with purple knuckles. She wore a ponytail, a red/tan Vulcan uniform and clear lip-balm. She was one of the few junior officers who had their own quarters. It was somewhat bigger than mine.
Mitzi told me about the aftermath of the holiday party after Sallie and I left. Spock stood beside her for a while. She even let him play some music yet most of our crewmembers weren’t pleased until Dr. Astal arrived and got on the dance floor when Spock put on Simply Red’s “Stars”. Our doctor casually two-stepped with his back turned to Mitzi and Spock. There was stillness among the crowd. The bold general practitioner continued to dance until the party’s near end.
After the holiday party, the Soval CMO was glad that he did it. He went to the empty Sickbay and looked about. Some of the bio-beds still had restraints while the rest were removed last month. He rubbed his tired eyes as he sat down at his office desk. A figure entered its office. It was Sallie. She just left the main Science Lab early. They exchanged greetings since they didn’t see each other earlier.
Two days later, the Soval and the Enterprise remained at the space station. Sallie walked beside the Enterprise Science Officer into the space station bar. As they looked at bar attendants, Spock briefly grinned at her momentarily before his face became calm. The older officer looked about until he motioned her and showed her a nearby table. As they sat down, a waitress asked them for an order. Spock gave his order first while Sallie moved her chair slightly from Spock. She softly brushed his arm with her hand when she finally gave her order. When the waitress left, her long slender dark fingers were unknowingly on his hand.
“What I am doing?” Sallie thought as she quickly removed her hand from him.
“What is the matter?”
“I’m sorry. It just seemed awkward.”
“Oh I see,” he looked poignant.
“No, it’s not you. I really dig you. It is my very first date.”
There was a long silence at their table before their orders arrived. The couple thanked the waitress at the same time. They looked at each other as several thoughts went through their minds. Sallie studied the older officer’s facial features. He was handsome with his dark short silky locks, warm smile, smooth deep voice, and slender yet muscular frame.
When Sallie was sixteen, her fiancée dumped her and married someone else. Although she only met him five times, the break-up was somewhat a shock. Her family was still trying to find a replacement for her first pon farr which was now three years away. Sallie had secretly a couple of books that dealt with alternate methods to pon farr. She recently found an ancient Vulcan tea that eased sexual cravings. Moreover, the tea worked well yet Sallie stop drinking it two weeks ago.
Meanwhile I was at the ship’s gym doing my aerobics. My partner, Sallie, was on her date. She was hesitant but I knew that she need some experience. Spock couldn’t keep his eyes off Sallie during the party. Moreover, he asked her out yesterday after a brief encounter at a corridor in the space station. I continued with my calisthenics as several thoughts raced my mind.
I hadn’t heard from my parents in two weeks. I hope that everything was fine back home. Mom once told me last month that she wanted to return to Starfleet. As for Dad, he still had many offers to return the Federation but he constantly repudiated. His former ship, the Obdurate was recently renovated before its second voyage into space with a new captain. The Enterprise met with the Starfleet ship, the Obdurate, five weeks ago. Many of the crewmembers were Starfleet Academy graduates.
My maternal grandfather surprisingly spoke to me yesterday. He was still thrilled that I chose High Command over Starfleet. Granddad was a recluse although he was one of the most respected citizens in Vulcan. He wondered if I met a nice guy yet. I told him that I didn’t. When he learned of my affianced’s death last year, he came to Earth to comfort me and stay there for over two months while I briefly studied at the Starfleet Academy. Although there are other grandchildren beside me, he seemed intrigued by me. He hugged me good-bye before the Soval’s launch.
After I ended my exercises, I walked to my quarters. I saw a mysterious human walking with Capt. Ralma near the Turbo-lift. He wore a gold Starfleet uniform and had dark brown hair. I didn’t see his face but noticed that he had an Iowan accent. He laughed at one of Ralma’s comments as they entered a room.
THE END
TAINTED
BY
LCAMILE
FANDOM: AU ST:TOS
SUMMARY: A new Vulcan starship encounters the Enterprise.
RATING: PG
NOTES: Set during the TOS and the first six movies.
SERIES: SMOOTH THUNDER
DISCLAIMER: STAR TREK IS PROPERTY OF PARAMOUNT STUDIOS AND GENE RODDENBERRY ENTERPRISES.
CHAPTER I -NARRATOR’S STORY
It was mid-2270 as the Vulcan Starship, Soval sailed through space. Mostly of the crew still were recovering from their time-traveling mission on Earth. As they went back in time, the entire crew turned into humans. During the mission, many met Archer and the NX-Enterprise crew as well as some of the founding members of United Federation of Planets. Although it lasted for a few days, the Soval crewmembers controlled their raging emotions as long as they were able to. After they returned to their own time, many had a hard time to repress their emotions.
The Soval, which was newly-developed Vulcan starship with some Earth-inspired designs, left Vulcan five months ago. T’Pau was one of many well-known Vulcans to witness the starship’s launch. Ensign Sallie Marshak entered the Turbo-lift to the Refectory to have lunch. She had a Vulcan Veggie Burger, Vulcan carrot sticks, and Vulcan lemon crème pie, and a tall glass of Vulcan iced tea. She wore a tan long-sleeved Vulcan military uniform with black science stripes, matching ankle boots, clear lip-balm, and a ponytail. Sallie was born on Encumberia in 2252. When she was twelve, she went to Vulcan and enrolled at E’ky, an alternate Vulcan academy. Encumberia , which was now a Federation planet, was an Ancient West-like planet that was founded by Capt. Archer and his crew. The Encumberian was a tall yet curvy full-blooded Vulcan with smooth chocolate complexion, full lips, long yet slightly wide nose, black thick yet straight shoulder-length mane, black eyes, high cheekbones, and silky mezzo-alto voice.
As she continued to eat her meal, she began to ponder about Smoky Water, her hometown. It was a beautiful small city that was crossed between Malibu, California and Nashville, Tennessee. Her parents and two siblings still lived there. Ambassador Sarek once visited there yet his brief appearance hardly drew attention. Shortly afterwards, the Enterprise sailed through space as it traveled to Periphery-10, a Starfleet space station. It was built seventeen years ago. The crew already had been there twice.
The following evening, the Soval arrived at the space station. Sallie walked through the corridor with her former E’ky classmate, Phoebe Lyon. Phoebe, who was an Australian-bred half Aborigine/half Vulcan, was a 5’6 thin yet curvy woman with dark brown smooth complexion, lusty lips, dark brown eyes, shoulder-length thick yet straight strawberry blonde mane, slight wide yet long nose, and slightly raspy voice with mixed posh Australian and Vulcan Hills accent. She wore a tan long-sleeved Vulcan military uniform with white executive stripes, matching ankle boots, a French braid, and clear lip-gloss.
The next day, several crewmembers celebrated Surak’s Birthday, which was world holiday on Vulcan, at the Concert Hall. Mitzi Cube, a Vulcan-bred Denobulan, was the DJ. Most of the party’s songs were hand-picked by the ship captain, Ralma. The Earth-bred Vulcan captain loved late 20th British rock music. Some of the crewmembers secretly mocked his thick Alabaman accent. However, he knew about the derision but he constantly blew out them off since he always wore his adopted state with pride. He grew up near the Tuskegee Institute and even had two Tuskegee Airmen leather bomber jackets. He found them many years ago at a retro shop in California. Both of them were still in good condition.
As the music continued to play, Capt. Ralma left the Concert Hall to check out the space station. While he walked through a nearby corridor, he bumped into Capt. James T. Kirk. At first, the younger Captain didn’t know what to say to the well-known Federation officer. The Southern Captain towered over the older officer. The Soval Captain wore a tan long-sleeved Vulcan military uniform with white executive stripes, matching ankle boots, a ponytail, black fingernail polish on his long greenish-yellow long yet slender fingers, and red four star pips on his collar. The Federation officer wore a green long-sleeved wraparound uniform, dark uniform pants, and dark boots.
“Hello,” he smiled.
“Hello, I’m Ralma of the Vulcan starship, Soval,” he said as he put his hand out for a handshake.
“I am James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise.” The Starfleet officer accepted the handshake.
Meanwhile Sallie and Phoebe danced to The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You”. They were the only ones on the dance floor. Many talked casually and ignored them while the others were quietly amused by the couple. While Mitzi played the music, she softly removed her headphones. Her rather large black round headphones rested on her shoulders as the song ended and “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and The Pips began. As the second verse started, Spock entered. Everyone became silenced as they watched the famous Vulcan. As his eyes turned to Sallie, she continued to dance with Phoebe.
“Oh Snap,” Phoebe screamed as she noticed the older Federation officer.
Quickly the full Vulcan turned and greeted him with a warm “hello” as she continued to dance. The entire room gasped as Spock returned it with a rather devilish smirk. However, Sallie and Mitzi persisted with their business. Shortly later, Sallie’s communicator bumped. She removed it from her dark shoulder hoister and answered the call. It was Cmdr. Gavlis, the science officer. Sallie and Phoebe were both wanted at the main Science Lab.
“Duty calls,” Sallie remarked to her dance partner after she ended the call and returned the communicator to her hoister. The Encumberian’s dark eyes looked at the older officer up and down before she gave him a silky “See you around” and a sweet Vulcan hand salute. Shortly afterwards, many stood up from their seats as Sallie’s hand calmly grabbed Phoebe’s hand and led her away from the interplanetary Starfleet officer.
“Later days,” Phoebe smiled as she gave him a Vulcan hand salute.
“Maybe, we will meet again,” he chuckled as he watched Sallie.
CHAPTER II-NARRATOR’S STORY
It was early morning in the Refectory as many talked about the previous evening between Spock and Sallie while Phoebe and Sallie had breakfast at the couple’s shared quarters. Their conversation was about the rebirth of a now extinct Vulcan flower. It was part of Cmdr. Gavlis’ side project which was supported by the Vulcan Science Academy. Sallie was the commander’s assistant since she had great knowledge of both ancient and alien plants. While Phoebe accidentally stepped in the project when she found a lost document that dealt with ancient plants during the pre-logic era.
As they continued to eat their breakfast, Capt. Ralma announced that it was now official shore-leave. However, the captain called them the next moment for a brief conference with him. Phoebe tucked a lock behind her ear as she drank her herbal tea. The sides of her strawberry blond locks went into a ponytail while the rest hung down with a middle part. She wore her standard Vulcan starship uniform with clear lip-gloss. Phoebe was still slightly angry that she missed the rest of the party.
Sallie finished her meal as she thought about the stores that she want to shop at. Her record collection hadn’t been updated in a long time. As she went to her desk, she looked at the finished reports. Phoebe noticed recently that Sallie became more absorbed in her work than usually. Although she was older than the Australian, she was rather pedantic about “intimate bustle”. It was Sallie’s label for shagging.
Meanwhile, The Motels’ “Only the Lonely” played in Sallie’s head. When she was fifteen, she sang it during karaoke night at The Glisten Coffer, a youth nightclub near the Starfleet Academy when she briefly studied at the academy for two and a half years. She received a huge applause before she calmly bowed and left. She removed her headband and sneaked back into her campus place. Her family and friends still knew nothing about her performance.
Shortly afterwards, the song changed into Stevie Wonder’s “Lately”. She heard it for the first time after she met Capt. Archer and T’Pol. It played in the background during a Starfleet picnic. Sallie felt rather strangely as she looked at the well-known couple. She slightly swayed to the music as it began louder on the speaker. The festival DJ fixed the speakers after he switched to another song. As the Commodores’ “Lady (You Bring Me Up)” started, she caught a Frisbee that was meant for Porthos. She held the Frisbee while the beagle jumped up and down. She lifted her sun-visor a bit before she threw it and chased the orange rubber disk with the dog. Archer and T’Pol watched with amusement while some of Sallie’s crewmembers saw in surprise. She leaped with Porthos for the rubber disk as she wore a Randolph Scott peach long-sleeved tee shirt, black khakis, peach/black Nikes, light peach lip-gloss, peach sun-visor, and a ponytail. She frolicked about with the Beagle as they played with the Frisbee.
Sallie shook her head as the song ended. Although Phoebe didn’t noticed her when she finally her breakfast and cleaned the table, Sallie didn’t say much as they went to meet with the captain. The young Vulcans were alone with the captain in the main conference room. Phoebe felt a little nervous about the encounter as there was a long moment of silence. The conference room’s door opened twenty moments later. Sallie and Phoebe looked at each other briefly before they both went to a nearby Turbo-lift. An hour passed as Sallie listened to Bobby Womack on large dark round headphones at the space station’s main entertainment store. Spock stood beside her as he listened to Bobby Caldwell. They didn’t notice each other as Capt. Kirk entered the store. Kirk tapped lightly on Spock’s shoulder. He turned around and removed the headphones. They went to a nearby corner and talked. As Sallie finally removed the headphones, she noticed them. She quickly went into the New Wave Section. She looked briefly at the classic New Romantic sub-section.
“Hello,” said a familiar voice nearby her. It was Spock. He smiled as they were now face to face. Sallie was an inch shorter than the Starfleet officer.
“Hello,” she answered as she wore a standard starship uniform, and clear lip balm. Her mane hung down with a middle part as a tan flexible head band covered her pointy ears. She brushed a lock from her shoulder.
“I’m sorry that we’re interrupted at the party. I’m Cmdr. Spock of the USS Enterprise.” He gave a Vulcan Hand Salute.
“I am Ensign Sallie Marshak of the Vulcan starship, Soval.” She returned the salute. He came closer as Kirk joined them.
“Well, Spock I see that you met a new friend,” Kirk remarked as he wore his green uniform long-sleeved shirt, dark pants, and black boots.
Sallie turned around and saw the shorter Starfleet officer. Kirk looked better-looking in person since she saw several photos of him. She thought that he had exquisite rather rugged pink complexion.
“Hello, I’m Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise,” he warmly smiled.
“Hello.” Sallie took her hand out to shake. The older officer was at first stunned by the gesture so he accepted the hand shake. The young Vulcan’s hand was strong yet somewhat soft. Her dark chocolate hand had long slender fingers with short polished nails. Spock watched them as Mariah Carey’s “Breakdown” played in the background. He liked that song although Carey’s high notes sometimes bothered him.
“Excuse me,” Sallie said when she detected the CMO, Gavlis nearby. He was picking some fresh music disks as he was talking one of the store clerks. The rather young med-tech was the only crewmember who met the Enterprise crew before during a previous assignment. Moreover, he met Pike while he temporarily studied at Starfleet Medical for a year. He bumped into Chekov earlier today. They talked briefly before the Russian went to the bar. The Mortar Shire native was quiet 6’0 rather thick man with muscular frame, light brown eyes, broad nose, long dark blonde eyelashes, slightly rugged olive complexion, shoulder-length thick dark blonde mane, plump lips, and raspy voice. He wore a charcoal ash-colored short-sleeved military medic turtleneck, Vulcan tan starship jacket, matching trousers, and tan boots. The sides of his locks were into a ponytail while the rest hung down.
He bought his music disks and some movies and left before he had a concise banter with Sallie. He went to his quarters and put up his new purchases. Astal was one of many senior officers who stayed on the ship during the Soval’s brief Earth stay. However, he stayed busy with many sick crewmembers from a previous encounter with a rare space aliment. The Sickbay still stank of vomit.
He sighed as he began his reports. He had both medical and ship ones to deal with. Many crewmembers stated that he was constantly not logical with his some of his quick thinking decisions. Though his “illogical” routine had saved many lives and bought several innovations to the alien medical field, it didn’t bring much respect from the Vulcan High Command. Just a week before the Soval’s launch, Astal threw a bottle of a sehlat’s urine at the Vulcan High Command Building.
CHAPTER III-PHOEBE’S STORY
I went to Mitzi’s quarters after my strange conference meeting ended with Capt. Ralma and Sallie. We both detected a faded smell of Terran Whiskey on his breath although my nose isn’t highly sensitive like Sallie’s. I suspected that we all changed from our time-traveling mission. While I stayed on the ship during the entire mission, I still had to deal with many problems from our previous mission. I was part of a Bridge skeleton crew since some of the relief crewmembers were ill. Sometimes Mitzi and I would like at each other during Gavlis’ brief reign as acting captain because of Ralma’s illness. Although he was the first to quickly recover, he was quiet when Gavlis commanded the ship as we returned to our own time.
Mitzi, who was two years older than Sallie, was a junior lieutenant as well as a weaponry specialist. However, she hardly used combat skills since she was a lower deck officer. Mitzi, who was 5’9 curvy woman with black shoulder-length silky curls, rotund lips, silver eyes, smooth peach and cream complexion, long yet slender nose, and long slender fingers with purple knuckles. She wore a ponytail, a red/tan Vulcan uniform and clear lip-balm. She was one of the few junior officers who had their own quarters. It was somewhat bigger than mine.
Mitzi told me about the aftermath of the holiday party after Sallie and I left. Spock stood beside her for a while. She even let him play some music yet most of our crewmembers weren’t pleased until Dr. Astal arrived and got on the dance floor when Spock put on Simply Red’s “Stars”. Our doctor casually two-stepped with his back turned to Mitzi and Spock. There was stillness among the crowd. The bold general practitioner continued to dance until the party’s near end.
After the holiday party, the Soval CMO was glad that he did it. He went to the empty Sickbay and looked about. Some of the bio-beds still had restraints while the rest were removed last month. He rubbed his tired eyes as he sat down at his office desk. A figure entered its office. It was Sallie. She just left the main Science Lab early. They exchanged greetings since they didn’t see each other earlier.
Two days later, the Soval and the Enterprise remained at the space station. Sallie walked beside the Enterprise Science Officer into the space station bar. As they looked at bar attendants, Spock briefly grinned at her momentarily before his face became calm. The older officer looked about until he motioned her and showed her a nearby table. As they sat down, a waitress asked them for an order. Spock gave his order first while Sallie moved her chair slightly from Spock. She softly brushed his arm with her hand when she finally gave her order. When the waitress left, her long slender dark fingers were unknowingly on his hand.
“What I am doing?” Sallie thought as she quickly removed her hand from him.
“What is the matter?”
“I’m sorry. It just seemed awkward.”
“Oh I see,” he looked poignant.
“No, it’s not you. I really dig you. It is my very first date.”
There was a long silence at their table before their orders arrived. The couple thanked the waitress at the same time. They looked at each other as several thoughts went through their minds. Sallie studied the older officer’s facial features. He was handsome with his dark short silky locks, warm smile, smooth deep voice, and slender yet muscular frame.
When Sallie was sixteen, her fiancée dumped her and married someone else. Although she only met him five times, the break-up was somewhat a shock. Her family was still trying to find a replacement for her first pon farr which was now three years away. Sallie had secretly a couple of books that dealt with alternate methods to pon farr. She recently found an ancient Vulcan tea that eased sexual cravings. Moreover, the tea worked well yet Sallie stop drinking it two weeks ago.
Meanwhile I was at the ship’s gym doing my aerobics. My partner, Sallie, was on her date. She was hesitant but I knew that she need some experience. Spock couldn’t keep his eyes off Sallie during the party. Moreover, he asked her out yesterday after a brief encounter at a corridor in the space station. I continued with my calisthenics as several thoughts raced my mind.
I hadn’t heard from my parents in two weeks. I hope that everything was fine back home. Mom once told me last month that she wanted to return to Starfleet. As for Dad, he still had many offers to return the Federation but he constantly repudiated. His former ship, the Obdurate was recently renovated before its second voyage into space with a new captain. The Enterprise met with the Starfleet ship, the Obdurate, five weeks ago. Many of the crewmembers were Starfleet Academy graduates.
My maternal grandfather surprisingly spoke to me yesterday. He was still thrilled that I chose High Command over Starfleet. Granddad was a recluse although he was one of the most respected citizens in Vulcan. He wondered if I met a nice guy yet. I told him that I didn’t. When he learned of my affianced’s death last year, he came to Earth to comfort me and stay there for over two months while I briefly studied at the Starfleet Academy. Although there are other grandchildren beside me, he seemed intrigued by me. He hugged me good-bye before the Soval’s launch.
After I ended my exercises, I walked to my quarters. I saw a mysterious human walking with Capt. Ralma near the Turbo-lift. He wore a gold Starfleet uniform and had dark brown hair. I didn’t see his face but noticed that he had an Iowan accent. He laughed at one of Ralma’s comments as they entered a room.
THE END