While you were sleeping . Part 3.
An hour and a half later Kirk was back in McCoy’s office.
“Are you sure she’s not drugged? She’s still sleeping -it’s been six hours.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she slept for days, Jim. Like I said, she’s exhausted.”
Kirk shook his head. “Well, Bones, what did you find out?”
“Firstly, I tracked Jonathon Percival Rand, Yeoman Third class, by his medical records. It seems he’s currently in custody on Earth, charged with assaulting a superior officer … he put the man in the hospital. I reckon he’ll be doing time, Jim. All I can say is, whoever sent you Beauty instead of the Beast is your friend.”
“Let’s hope so,” muttered Jim, “Did you find out anything about her?”
“I’m a doctor not a detective … but I might consider a change in careers. I searched Starfleet medical records using the biomedical parameters on my tricorder and found Janice Rand, Yeoman First class.” Bones pointed to the picture on the screen. Kirk moved around and peered over Bones’ shoulder at the picture of the pert blonde. And she had smoky blue eyes, by God.
“Damn, that’s her all right.”
“That’s what I thought. So I contacted the person listed as her last supervisor, one Commander Elan Iftikhar on New Vulcan.”
Jim raised his eyebrows, “She’s been on the colony? How long?”
“Just over nine months.”
“I thought they had six-month ceiling on tours there. The burnout’s supposed to be incredible.”
“That’s what I heard too, so I contacted Commander Iftikhar. He was very interesting. Evidently our Yeoman Rand is a genuine miracle worker. According to Iftikhar even the Vulcans loved her. She only has to walk through a room and the paperwork sorts itself out and the figures all balance, the coffee becomes fresh and the sun damn well comes out from behind the clouds.”
Kirk was looking sceptical.
“That’s what I thought too, Jim. He said it was easy to underestimate her and write her off as just a cute lil’ thing, but she has a core of steel and a way of organising you don’t even realise is happening. He swears while she was there he halved his coffee consumption, ate better, and got enough exercise and sleep; now the poor guy looks like hell.”
“Did he mention that she walks on water?”
McCoy rolled his eyes. “Doubt there’s enough water on New Vulcan for a stroll. But she sounds like an exemplary yeoman.”
“Either that or he had other reasons to sing her praises. He wouldn’t be the first commander to get rid of a lemon by giving a glowing reference.”
“Except, when I first contacted him he jumped to the conclusion that she might be coming back after R&R. When he realised she wouldn’t be coming back he looked kinda … desperate.”
“Personal relationship then?”
“I don’t think so, Jim.”
“Well,” said Kirk, “We have an exemplary, almost magical, yeoman who just served nine months in one of the highest stress situations around and is transferred here without leave or even decent night’s sleep. What the hell is that about?”
The chime sounded on the doctor’s door and it opened to admit Mr Spock. He nodded to McCoy and turned to the captain.
“Captain, the computer informed me I would find you here. I have ascertained that the person in you office is Yeoman ...”
“Jonathon Percival Rand?”
“Indeed. However, I believe this is incorrect. ”
“Really,” drawled McCoy, “what gave you that idea?”
Spock looked nonplussed.
“The gender of the person is incorrect.”
“She could have had sexual reassignment surgery, Spock -- it doesn’t bar Starfleet personnel from active service.”
“True, Doctor; however, as the personnel record on Jonathon Percival Rand shows him as male six months ago I logically concluded that, in the case of sexual reassignment, the post-operative exclusion period would still be in place.”
“What?” said Kirk, who was enjoying watching Bones wind Spock up.
“Starfleet personnel cannot serve in space for six months after sexual reassignment surgery and they must wait two years before embarking on deep space missions,” replied Spock.
“Purely on medical grounds Jim,” said McCoy. “The effects of altered gravity on the blood flow to the newly created ...” As he spoke he made a series of quite descriptive gestures, his long surgeon’s fingers naturally mimicking the shapes of the body parts.
Kirk held up a hand and said, “Too much information, Bones.”
McCoy grinned wickedly.
“In addition,” continued Spock, “Jonathon Percival Rand’s records indicate he is six feet, one inch tall, doctor, and the person in the captain’s office is five feet five inches tall. Even in the event of sexual reassignment the difference in height ….”
Kirk took pity on Spock and broke in before McCoy could wind him up any more. “Have you found out who she really is?”
“Indeed, and I can see from the doctor’s monitor you have reached the same conclusion as myself. I checked the transport manifest. Along with the cargo beamed over today, there was one new crew member purported to be Yeoman Jonathon Percival Rand, but who is evidently Yeoman Janice Pamela Rand.”
“Okay, so far so good,” said Kirk.
“The yeoman, upon arriving on board, proceeded directly to your office, presumably to present her orders, and she has never left. I surmise that she sat down …”
“And the poor kid fell asleep,” finished McCoy.
“Exactly,” concurred Spock. “No other record of her being here exists. We have not received any notification from Starfleet, no pay clearance has been sent to the bursar and she has not received a room assignment.”
“If she’d accidentally stepped out of an airlock no one would ever have been able to trace her,” mused Kirk.
“While what you say is essentially correct, accidentally stepping out of an airlock would be a highly unlikely occurrence, Captain.” Spock said, his brows drawn together.
“Really?” started McCoy but caught the warning look Kirk was giving him.
“Did you find out anything more, Mr Spock?” asked Kirk.
“I contacted some associates at the Academy. They speak very highly of the yeoman. Her clerical skills instructor said she “Looks like … ‘a blonde … bombshell’, sounds like ‘a blonde bombshell’, but does paperwork like a …” Spock paused again as he repeated another seemingly incomprehensible human idiom ... “ ‘a Vulcan on speed’.” Spock raised an eyebrow.
“There’s a frightening thought,” muttered McCoy.
“I also spoke to my counterpart on New Vulcan, intending to request that he make some enquiries, but he knew Yeoman Rand personally,” continued Spock, ignoring McCoy.
“Probably two of them,” drawled the doctor.
“That was in fact the case,” replied Spock. “He said the one in this timeline and the one in his original timeline where ‘the same, only different’. Most illogical.”
Spock appeared offended that “he” could have said such a thing. “He informed me that this yeoman is very well thought of. She spent her off-duty hours assisting the Vulcan women and children and was accepted to a remarkable degree. The children responded most positively to her. She also performed a useful role in liaising between the Vulcans and the human support staff. There were inevitably misunderstandings and she showed considerable skill in dealing with these.”
“High praise indeed.”
“I concur.”
Something in Spock’s manner made Kirk prompt, “Did he say anything more?”
Spock appeared reluctant to reply. “There was a violent incident that he witnessed. He said the yeoman was not much help in such a crisis; indeed, her training notwithstanding, she spent the time hiding behind some furniture. She was, however, remarkably compassionate and helpful assisting the two Vulcan women who were assaulted.”
McCoy frowned, “One of the ’fleet’s personnel became violent with Vulcan women?”
“No, doctor … it was a Vulcan male.”
“A Vulcan man,” repeated Kirk slowly and incredulously, “violently assaulting Vulcan women? Spock, what was that about?”
“Captain, further discussion of this incident is not relevant to the matter at hand.” Spock looked acutely uncomfortable.
“Well, it seems miracle woman is no action hero.” said McCoy, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “I suppose you can’t have everything.”
“Did he say anything else?” Kirk prompted.
“One thing,” replied Spock.
Kirk raised both eyebrows in enquiry.
Spock was almost frowning. “He said if she has one fault, it is that she … nibbles.”
“Nibbles?”
“Indeed.”
“And he knows she ‘nibbles’, how?”
Spock’s face was flushed with a faint green tinge and he spoke hesitantly. “He claimed … his personal experience supported the assertion.”
Kirk and McCoy exchanged loaded glances.
Spock continued, “He further stated that although he could tolerate this …practice… he believed I should exercise caution in this regard and suggested it might be prudent for you to be vigilant as well.”
“Meaning what?” asked McCoy.
“I have no further comment on the matter,” replied Spock. “I must return to my duties.” With a nod to both the captain and McCoy, Spock left before Kirk could sufficiently order his thinking to respond.
The two men sat frowning, one thought in their minds … “nibbles”?
TBC....
nutrekexchange.livejournal.com/4430.html
“Are you sure she’s not drugged? She’s still sleeping -it’s been six hours.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she slept for days, Jim. Like I said, she’s exhausted.”
Kirk shook his head. “Well, Bones, what did you find out?”
“Firstly, I tracked Jonathon Percival Rand, Yeoman Third class, by his medical records. It seems he’s currently in custody on Earth, charged with assaulting a superior officer … he put the man in the hospital. I reckon he’ll be doing time, Jim. All I can say is, whoever sent you Beauty instead of the Beast is your friend.”
“Let’s hope so,” muttered Jim, “Did you find out anything about her?”
“I’m a doctor not a detective … but I might consider a change in careers. I searched Starfleet medical records using the biomedical parameters on my tricorder and found Janice Rand, Yeoman First class.” Bones pointed to the picture on the screen. Kirk moved around and peered over Bones’ shoulder at the picture of the pert blonde. And she had smoky blue eyes, by God.
“Damn, that’s her all right.”
“That’s what I thought. So I contacted the person listed as her last supervisor, one Commander Elan Iftikhar on New Vulcan.”
Jim raised his eyebrows, “She’s been on the colony? How long?”
“Just over nine months.”
“I thought they had six-month ceiling on tours there. The burnout’s supposed to be incredible.”
“That’s what I heard too, so I contacted Commander Iftikhar. He was very interesting. Evidently our Yeoman Rand is a genuine miracle worker. According to Iftikhar even the Vulcans loved her. She only has to walk through a room and the paperwork sorts itself out and the figures all balance, the coffee becomes fresh and the sun damn well comes out from behind the clouds.”
Kirk was looking sceptical.
“That’s what I thought too, Jim. He said it was easy to underestimate her and write her off as just a cute lil’ thing, but she has a core of steel and a way of organising you don’t even realise is happening. He swears while she was there he halved his coffee consumption, ate better, and got enough exercise and sleep; now the poor guy looks like hell.”
“Did he mention that she walks on water?”
McCoy rolled his eyes. “Doubt there’s enough water on New Vulcan for a stroll. But she sounds like an exemplary yeoman.”
“Either that or he had other reasons to sing her praises. He wouldn’t be the first commander to get rid of a lemon by giving a glowing reference.”
“Except, when I first contacted him he jumped to the conclusion that she might be coming back after R&R. When he realised she wouldn’t be coming back he looked kinda … desperate.”
“Personal relationship then?”
“I don’t think so, Jim.”
“Well,” said Kirk, “We have an exemplary, almost magical, yeoman who just served nine months in one of the highest stress situations around and is transferred here without leave or even decent night’s sleep. What the hell is that about?”
The chime sounded on the doctor’s door and it opened to admit Mr Spock. He nodded to McCoy and turned to the captain.
“Captain, the computer informed me I would find you here. I have ascertained that the person in you office is Yeoman ...”
“Jonathon Percival Rand?”
“Indeed. However, I believe this is incorrect. ”
“Really,” drawled McCoy, “what gave you that idea?”
Spock looked nonplussed.
“The gender of the person is incorrect.”
“She could have had sexual reassignment surgery, Spock -- it doesn’t bar Starfleet personnel from active service.”
“True, Doctor; however, as the personnel record on Jonathon Percival Rand shows him as male six months ago I logically concluded that, in the case of sexual reassignment, the post-operative exclusion period would still be in place.”
“What?” said Kirk, who was enjoying watching Bones wind Spock up.
“Starfleet personnel cannot serve in space for six months after sexual reassignment surgery and they must wait two years before embarking on deep space missions,” replied Spock.
“Purely on medical grounds Jim,” said McCoy. “The effects of altered gravity on the blood flow to the newly created ...” As he spoke he made a series of quite descriptive gestures, his long surgeon’s fingers naturally mimicking the shapes of the body parts.
Kirk held up a hand and said, “Too much information, Bones.”
McCoy grinned wickedly.
“In addition,” continued Spock, “Jonathon Percival Rand’s records indicate he is six feet, one inch tall, doctor, and the person in the captain’s office is five feet five inches tall. Even in the event of sexual reassignment the difference in height ….”
Kirk took pity on Spock and broke in before McCoy could wind him up any more. “Have you found out who she really is?”
“Indeed, and I can see from the doctor’s monitor you have reached the same conclusion as myself. I checked the transport manifest. Along with the cargo beamed over today, there was one new crew member purported to be Yeoman Jonathon Percival Rand, but who is evidently Yeoman Janice Pamela Rand.”
“Okay, so far so good,” said Kirk.
“The yeoman, upon arriving on board, proceeded directly to your office, presumably to present her orders, and she has never left. I surmise that she sat down …”
“And the poor kid fell asleep,” finished McCoy.
“Exactly,” concurred Spock. “No other record of her being here exists. We have not received any notification from Starfleet, no pay clearance has been sent to the bursar and she has not received a room assignment.”
“If she’d accidentally stepped out of an airlock no one would ever have been able to trace her,” mused Kirk.
“While what you say is essentially correct, accidentally stepping out of an airlock would be a highly unlikely occurrence, Captain.” Spock said, his brows drawn together.
“Really?” started McCoy but caught the warning look Kirk was giving him.
“Did you find out anything more, Mr Spock?” asked Kirk.
“I contacted some associates at the Academy. They speak very highly of the yeoman. Her clerical skills instructor said she “Looks like … ‘a blonde … bombshell’, sounds like ‘a blonde bombshell’, but does paperwork like a …” Spock paused again as he repeated another seemingly incomprehensible human idiom ... “ ‘a Vulcan on speed’.” Spock raised an eyebrow.
“There’s a frightening thought,” muttered McCoy.
“I also spoke to my counterpart on New Vulcan, intending to request that he make some enquiries, but he knew Yeoman Rand personally,” continued Spock, ignoring McCoy.
“Probably two of them,” drawled the doctor.
“That was in fact the case,” replied Spock. “He said the one in this timeline and the one in his original timeline where ‘the same, only different’. Most illogical.”
Spock appeared offended that “he” could have said such a thing. “He informed me that this yeoman is very well thought of. She spent her off-duty hours assisting the Vulcan women and children and was accepted to a remarkable degree. The children responded most positively to her. She also performed a useful role in liaising between the Vulcans and the human support staff. There were inevitably misunderstandings and she showed considerable skill in dealing with these.”
“High praise indeed.”
“I concur.”
Something in Spock’s manner made Kirk prompt, “Did he say anything more?”
Spock appeared reluctant to reply. “There was a violent incident that he witnessed. He said the yeoman was not much help in such a crisis; indeed, her training notwithstanding, she spent the time hiding behind some furniture. She was, however, remarkably compassionate and helpful assisting the two Vulcan women who were assaulted.”
McCoy frowned, “One of the ’fleet’s personnel became violent with Vulcan women?”
“No, doctor … it was a Vulcan male.”
“A Vulcan man,” repeated Kirk slowly and incredulously, “violently assaulting Vulcan women? Spock, what was that about?”
“Captain, further discussion of this incident is not relevant to the matter at hand.” Spock looked acutely uncomfortable.
“Well, it seems miracle woman is no action hero.” said McCoy, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “I suppose you can’t have everything.”
“Did he say anything else?” Kirk prompted.
“One thing,” replied Spock.
Kirk raised both eyebrows in enquiry.
Spock was almost frowning. “He said if she has one fault, it is that she … nibbles.”
“Nibbles?”
“Indeed.”
“And he knows she ‘nibbles’, how?”
Spock’s face was flushed with a faint green tinge and he spoke hesitantly. “He claimed … his personal experience supported the assertion.”
Kirk and McCoy exchanged loaded glances.
Spock continued, “He further stated that although he could tolerate this …practice… he believed I should exercise caution in this regard and suggested it might be prudent for you to be vigilant as well.”
“Meaning what?” asked McCoy.
“I have no further comment on the matter,” replied Spock. “I must return to my duties.” With a nod to both the captain and McCoy, Spock left before Kirk could sufficiently order his thinking to respond.
The two men sat frowning, one thought in their minds … “nibbles”?
TBC....
nutrekexchange.livejournal.com/4430.html