Cousin Charlie (Part 15)
Kirk sat in the captain's chair and gave Spock and Uhura a sidelong glance when they walked on the bridge.
"Captain" Spock said nodding his head as he walked to his station.
Kirk returned the nod and then studied his PADD for a moment.
He swung around in the captain's chair.
"Mr. Spock, I have an update on our mission on Alpha Seti." He then glanced over at Chekov. "ETA Mr. Chekov"
"We should arrive at Alpha Seti I in exactly three hours, forty minutes sir."
Kirk stood up. "Very good, Mr. Chekov. You have the con."
Spock raised an eyebrow as he watched the captain approach.
"Mr. Spock, I have a few things I need to go over with you. Please meet me in the conference room in fifteen minutes." he said still studying his PADD.
"Very well, captain" Spock replied.
Kirk walked off the bridge and resisted the urge to look back at Spock and Uhura. He still wasn't exactly sure how far he was going with his query. After all, they were adults just as Bones had pointed out. Spock was his friend and he didn't want to upset the apple cart so to speak by creating a polarizing situation.
He sat at the table still debating with himself when Spock walked in and stood before him with his hands behind his back.
"You wished to discuss Alpha Seti, Captain."
Kirk looked at him standing there while he was still wrestling within himself.
"Sit down, Spock." he replied pointing to a nearby chair.
Spock raised an eyebrow. "I gather from your expression, you are troubled, captain. Would you care to elaborate?"
"Spock, we've been through a lot together haven't we? After all you asked both Bones and I to go with you to Vulcan during your time. We've been through a lot together. I consider you and Bones to be my closest and most trusted friends."
Spock drew up at the mention of 'his time'. It was something that they had not discussed since the ordeal was over. If the captain brought it up now, whatever was bothering him must be serious. Spock leaned on the table.
"Jim, I have never questioned your friendship and there is no need for you to question mine. We have both laid our lives on the line for one another. There can be no closer relationship between us than what we already possess. Please tell me what is bothering you."
Spock observed that the captains face was somewhat flushed and his heart rate had increased. He was also sweating which he did when he was nervous. Spock was puzzled at his behavior as the captain normally did not display such tendencies. The captain looked up at him and took a deep breath.
"Spock, how long have you and Uhura been involved?" Kirk asked looking at him directly. He searched Spock's face for his reaction.
The question took Spock totally by surprise. He was sure, however that he did not show it.
"Captain, I wasn't aware that I was required to report my personal relationships to you." he responded, his face stoic.
Kirk leaned back in the chair. "See, I knew you'd have that attitude. I am concerned. You and Uhura are two of my senior officers. What if it doesn't work out? What if you two end up on missions together? You must admit that I am justified in my concern. Are you two serious or are you just playing around?"
Spock stared at him. "Vulcan's do not play around captain. I can assure you that your concern is unfounded. Lieutenant Uhura and I are both aware of the pitfalls this type of relationship can present, however I would think that you of all people would know that we take our positions as Starfleet officers seriously."
Kirk looked at him a moment and didn't speak. He stared at his hands that were clasped together before him on the table.
"Jim" Spock said his voice low "I can assure you that nothing on the bridge will change. We are professional people and we know how to conduct ourselves. I cannot understand why this is so upsetting to you."
Kirk looked at him and sighed. "Alright Spock. I trust you. Actually, I'm happy for you. I guess I'm just surprised. I never would have guessed that you were interested in her or any other woman on this ship."
"Is there something else you wish to inquire about, Jim or shall we move on to discuss Alpha Seti?" Spock replied.
Kirk sighed again. "Alright, Spock. I get the picture."
He turned and picked up the PADD that was on the table. "It seems that Justine Graham is on Alpha Seti. She has been seen in the company of a man who was passing himself off as a Vulcan. However, we have learned that he is in fact a Klingon. Starfleet does not know if she has passed any information on to him yet, and they wish to talk to both of them."
"Why would he do that? Alpha Seti I is neutral territory." Spock said.
"I can only assume that he did it to get suspicion off of the Klingon Empire. Even though Alpha Seti is neutral territory, the Klingon Empire and the Federation are still very tense with one another and fights are breaking out across the galaxy. Buying Federation secrets is sure to give us the justification to start another fight with them.
"Have you spoken to Charlie or Hailey?" Spock asked.
"No. I don't plan on giving them too much information. Their concerts should take up enough of their time. We will, of course, keep an eye on things." He stood up and stretched.
Spock nodded. "I can assure you captain...there will be no distractions for you to be concerned about."
Kirk nodded and stood up. "I know Spock" he said walking through the door. "Let's just do this."
****************************************************
Justine read over the message she had just received from KaMur. The Enterprise was now in orbit around Alpha Seti I.
She decided to give the information she had to KaMur before he left to haggle with his operatives. Normally she would not have trusted him with the goods before getting her money. Things had changed, however, with their so called marriage.
She didn't know a lot about Klingon culture and traditions, but one thing she did know was that when it came to family relationships, there was no deception and complete honesty was their policy. Betraying a family member who had given you their trust was punishable by expulsion from the clan and in some cases death. It was a serious offense that would not be forgiven and she knew that she could use that to her advantage.
Since KaMur now believed her to be his wife, she knew that he would not double cross her and she had to keep the information safe. She couldn't risk something happening and forfeiting her prize. She knew that she was being watched and it wasn't KaMur's operatives doing the watching. No, she had been in the business long enough to know that the Federation was on her tail, but she prided herself in being one step ahead of them.
If KaMur possessed the information and then the Federation confiscated it, he would still owe her. That would be his problem, not hers. She smiled at her own craftiness. She also received the added benefit because he now believed that she trusted him. He would let down his guard a bit and she was sure that she would be able to find out just how much he was worth. Maybe she wouldn't be so hasty to get a divorce. She smiled to herself.
KaMur was gone with the information and had told her that he'd be back in a week. That would give her enough time to figure out what to do about this marriage situation and how to continue to work things for her own best interest. Until then, she'd use her status as his wife to her advantage. He had left her ten thousand credits as promised and she wondered just how much he was worth. She decided that after she took care of Hailey, she'd make it her business to find out just how much KaMur had tucked away.
She checked the time and realized that the Enterprise would be beaming people down to the planet before long. Pretty soon Hailey and Charlie would be checking into the hotel and she had to be ready. She smiled to herself. Her plan had been disrupted a little, but she was always open to change. However what was not going to change was her desire to get her hands on Hailey's inheritance!
*************************************************
Nyota tried to concentrate on her duties, but her mind kept wandering back to the events of the prior evening. She squeezed her thighs together remembering her evening with Spock. She smiled to herself.
He had hardly looked her way while they were on the bridge. In fact, after returning with the captain after their meeting he seemed even more reserved if that was at all possible. Still with Spock being Spock, she knew that he most likely was being extra cautious.
"Our relationship in no one's concern" he told her that morning before leaving her room.
While she knew that what he said was true, she wondered if he was a little bit ashamed of the fact that he desired her. Was it going against his Vulcan discipline?
She knew that Spock didn't talk about his private life, so a part of her wasn't surprised when he made that statement.
She sighed looking up from her console. At least he could ask her to lunch or something. He hardly looked her way.
"Lieutenant" the captain said turning around in his chair. "I'll be beaming down to the planet. You are to come with me. Contact McCoy and have him meet us in the transporter room."
Nyota looked at him surprised. "Yes, captain."
Kirk then looked at Spock "You have the con."
Nyota looked at Spock and he didn't seem surprised that the captain had asked her to come along.
He noticed her inquiring look as they got on the lift. "I need someone who speaks fluent Klingon. Apparently one of them is posing as a Vulcan down on Alpha Seti and I want to root him out."
Nyota nodded and relaxed. It wasn't often that she got to go on missions with the captain.
They walked into the transporter room where two red shirts were waiting.
"Mr. Jamison, Mr. Hernandez" Kirk said nodding.
"Captain" they replied in unison.
Kirk and Nyota stepped on the transporter paid.
"Energize, Mr. Scott" he said crossing his arms.
They materialized in the lobby of the Purple Sea resort where they were staying. Nyota looked around clearly impressed.
"Wow, Captain. This is beautiful."
Kirk looked at her. "Yes it is. However, we are not here for the scenery, Lieutenant."
"Yes sir." she replied contritely.
Kirk gave her a quick smile. "Of course we will not always be on duty either."
"Of course" she responded smiling.
She waited while the captain walked up to the desk with Jamison and Hernandez to make inquiries. For a moment she felt the hairs on her neck rise and she knew that someone was watching her. She pretended to look at the paintings on the wall and noticed that a blonde woman was sitting in the lobby. She continued to walk along the wall inspecting the paintings hoping to get a closer look.
"Lieutenant" Kirk called and she looked up at him from across the room.
She hurried back over to him.
"Uhura, this is not a site seeing mission!" Kirk scolded.
"I know that captain!" she snapped. "A woman was watching us. I walked over pretending to examine the paintings in hopes to get a better look at her."
"Did you?" Kirk asked looking around "Where is she?"
Nyota looked over where the woman was sitting and realized that she was gone.
"She's gone" Nyota replied.
"It could have been Justine Graham, Hailey's mom." Kirk said. "What did she look like?"
"She was blond...in her forties maybe." Nyota replied wondering where the woman had escaped to.
Kirk grabbed her by the elbow. "It most likely was her. I just checked with the hotel and she must be registered with an alias. The hotel did inform me that there are a number of Vulcans here for the Scientific Symposium that is going on. Many of them are students. That's where you come in. Come on!"
Nyota followed him to the lounge of the hotel. He whispered something to Jamison and Hernandez and they politely disappeared. The bar was dimly lit and Kirk sat down at the table. Nyota sat down across from him and began looking around. She spotted the woman that was watching her.
"Captain, the woman I saw in the lobby is now sitting at a table across the room." she whispered.
"What does she look like?" asked not turning around.
"She's blond and she has on a blue dress" Nyota said.
"Alright lieutenant. You stay here. Don't worry. Jamison and Hernandez are in the area. I'm going over there. I should be back shortly." He got up and Nyota watched him walk across the room.
She listened to the different voices surrounding her. She picked up several languages being spoken, but no Klingon. She glanced over at the captain who was now sitting at the table with the woman. She could tell that the captain had turned on the charm as the woman's laughter reached her from across the room.
She glanced around and then noticed that a man appearing to be a Vulcan was watching the two of them from the bar. She wondered if this was the Klingon that the captain told her about. He did look like a Vulcan, but something about his eyebrows weren't quite right.
She got up and walked over to the bar and stood beside him. She spoke to the bartender in Klingon. "Do you know where a girl can get some good deals?" she asked.
The bartender scowled and replied in Andronian. "I didn't understand you. Hold on a minute while I get my universal translator." He then pulled it out from under the bar.
Nyota replied in standard. "I wanted to know-"
"The beautiful lady wanted to know where she could do some shopping" the Vulcan looking Klingon replied grinning at her broadly. "Can I buy you a drink before you run off?"
Nyota glanced across the room where Kirk was still carrying on a conversation with the blond woman. "I really shouldn't" she replied in standard.
The man followed her gaze. "Your boyfriend?"
"He's not the problem." she replied. "I need to keep a level head if I want the best deals."
"I am Ro. I see from your uniform that you are with the Federation. Are you here for the symposium?"
"Yes" Nyota lied. "What about you."
"Oh yeah, me too" he lied right back at her.
"Well I'll see you around then." Nyota replied as she saw Kirk stand.
Ro nodded his head and watched her walk off.
KaMur had told Ro that the Federation would be snooping around. That woman did not fool him one bit. However, KaMur failed to tell him that the Federation had such attractive officers. This would prove to be very interesting. He was happy to have something else to occupy his time other than looking after KaMur's whore.
He quickly sent a message to KaMur giving him an update on Justine. He was being paid very well to watch Justine and he wanted to give KaMur a detailed account of her actions. He told him about her being questioned by the captain of the starship Enterprise.
He wasn't exactly sure what the woman was fishing around for, but it would be a pleasure to watch her and try to find out. Yes, it would be very interesting indeed.