It's Much Too Late For Clever Titles
I'm a little hesitant to release this one into the wild as it's not done yet and I have only a vague inkling of how I'm going to end it.
Title: Nixaan Theta [1/6] I've Got A Feeling
Fandom: Star Trek XI
Pairing: Kirk/Spock pre-slash so far.
Rating: R
Summary: An away mission goes horribly, horribly wrong.
Warnings:This fic is (somewhat) affectionately known as The Angsty Thing That Will Never End. Seriously angsty. Possibly melodramatic. I think the story I wrote about Jim cutting his arm off to save Spock is positively chipper in comparison. So, head's up?
Based on the prompt : Five Times Kirk Touches Spock Without Thinking and One Time Spock Touches Kirk Without Thinking. The touches are there if you're paying attention but it kinda got away from me. This is becoming a trend. XD
This section's not too bad, in fact I think I can probably label it The Happy One but I'll issue the general warning for graphic violence and angst now. Also, completely unbeta'd - all mistakes are mine. Please point out anything that seems odd, I have a terrible habit of abusing clauses and shifting tense with no warning. I am also balls at naming things.
Nixaan Theta
Part the First : I've Got A Feeling
The orders had arrived following the successful plague relief effort to the Terran settlement on Dhosa.
He'd been flushed with the victory and pride in his crew. Sulu and Scotty for ignoring standard practices and combining their skills to coax every ounce of possible speed out of the ship. Bones for synthesizing the cure so that no further lives had been lost after the Enterprise had arrived. Spock for devising a delivery method for the cure that would save the colonists without exposing the crew to the plague. Every single man and woman under his command had worked tirelessly until Bones had sounded the general address that the Dhosans were safe.
The reception on Dhosa had been legendary, exuberant men and woman crying openly and pressing thankful embraces to any Enterprise crewman within reach. Even Spock's cool demeanour hadn't spared him and Jim would always grin at the memory of his stiff Vulcan First Officer trying to disentangle himself from the gratitude of plump mothers without causing injury or offence. The holo of that moment had made the rounds of the ship the next day and were a great source of amusement among the crew. When Spock had protested, Jim had laughed and told him it was good for morale. The matter hadn't been raised since.
The hail from Starfleet command had come after the desperately needed detox hypo. He'd been really good about not pointing out the hypocrisy of the lecture too, it had been him and Spock that had carried a certain limp and singing Doctor of their acquaintance back to the ship after all. Bastard was annoyingly alert despite his state the night before, Bones shared his talent for greeting the morning after with wits intact when others were struggling to penetrate the fog of alcohol well into the afternoon. If anything, the sarcasm got sharper after a night out. He'd jumped at the chance to escape the nagging and had taken the call on the bridge.
The bridge crew was smiling when Pike's face had flickered onto the viewscreen. Jim adjusted his posture so he was no longer sprawling in the Captain's chair and his voice was flavoured with genuine regard.
“Kirk here. Admiral Pike, good to see you again, sir.”
“Hello Kirk. I just received your report on the Dhosan situation. You've done Starfleet proud, son.”
He warmed. As long as he got to keep the Enterprise and the wonders of Space, he generally couldn't give a fuck what Starfleet Command thought of him. Pike was different. Pike had believed in him, the first man in his life to urge him to do more, be better. The first person he'd ever wanted to prove himself to.
“Everyone here shares that praise, sir. I've submitted requests for commendations for Lieutenant Commanders Spock and Scott, Chief Medical Officer McCoy and Helmsman Sulu for their efforts in the matter, sir.”
“I see that. I've flagged the requests and added my recommendations as well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“So are you ready for your next challenge?”
“Always, sir”
“We've had reports of a possible dilithium deposit on a small planet on the outskirts of the Grayceon system. I'm forwarding all current intel on Nixaan Theta to Lieutenant Uhura. Your mission is to investigate the presence of dilithium on Nixaan Theta and secure a trade agreement for the Federation should it exist.”
Kirk frowned. “Is that really a mission for the Enterprise, Admiral?”
“We figure it's time for you to get your feet wet on a little old fashioned diplomacy, Jim. It's all well and good to charge in and be a hero, but a starship captain needs to be able to represent the Federation on all levels.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make sure Spock goes with you when it's time to negotiate.”
“Sir!” He didn't try to disguise the reproof.
“We've been talking for almost a full minute here and you haven't sworn at me or called me Chris. I'm sure you'll be fine. Commander Spock's presence will be an insurance policy for the more hesitant members of the Admiralty. Do me proud son.”
Orders received, they'd plotted a course for Grayceon sector and spent the three travel days going over the rather sparse official records transferred from Starfleet Command. Spock had presented the report in his typical clipped manner and Jim had followed along on his PADD.
A Class-K planet, Nixaan Theta was unsuitable for agriculture outside of the pressure domes established by the original colonists. Records of indigenous life forms were spotty and based on speculations. The colonists were from an advanced race of humanoids (bipedal, no known psi-talents) who had departed their home world for reasons unknown to establish Nixaan Theta. They referred to themselves as Nixaanites and were a reclusive and isolationist group who had denied the invitation to join the Federation ten years prior, though an informal trade agreement of industrial metals for medical supplies and luxury goods had been in place since contact was established. Standard dialect was the trade language and all interactions took place in Biodome 1 (no other name provided). No one from Starfleet had ever reported the operations and living conditions outside of the established trading post thus no cultural information was available.
“So, essentially, nothing is known about the Nixaanites beyond their mineral wealth and a pathological need for secrecy?” His face was impassive as he considered the paltry intelligence. “Did they at least send us a holo so that we know superficially what we're dealing with?”
Spock's fingers were already flying over the console, projecting a flickering image of a yellow humanoid over the conference table.
“Project an average human male beside the holo please, Mr. Spock.”
A few quiet clicks sounded in the room before another image joined the Nixaanite.
“I would hardly consider myself average, Mr. Spock.”
“I estimated that this was the logical conclusion to your enquiries and elected to save time, Captain.”
He suppressed a grin and shot Spock a knowing look over the table and focused his attention on the two figures hovering before him.
“Tall bastards, aren't they?” he mused to no one in particular. His projection reached no higher than the shoulder of the looming alien. The hands relaxed at its sides could easily hold his entire head in one taloned palm and it had twice the mass of the Jim simulacrum, muscles slabbed meatily over a solid frame and reverse hinged elbows and knees.
“It would appear that they have evolved from quadrupeds based on the articulation of the joints. Fascinating.”
“Do we have any motion captures on file? I'd like to see how they move.”
“Negative Captain. I have relayed all of the data provided by Starfleet.”
Jim took another assessing look and filed the information.
“All right, so we have a race of unknown humanoids with unclear motivations in possible possession of a resource that the Federation needs badly. Based on what little information we have and the informal trade practices already in operation we are to assume the race is non hostile. Our mission, for those who missed Admiral Pike's comm on the bridge, is to confirm the presence of dilithium on Nixaan Theta and to secure a trade agreement.”
His department heads were all nodding, save Spock who merely continued regarding him levelly.
“I'd like to handle this in two stages. For stage one - myself and a small security detail will beam down to the Biodome 1 for a rendezvous with the Nixaan Theta representative. The landing party will be beamed one mile away from the official meeting point, I want a chance to look around before meeting the delegate. We will be gather soil samples and test for the dilithium indicators on planet. Select six of your officers for the detail, Lieutenant Giotto.”
The security chief nodded and began making notes on his Datapad.
“Captain, would it not be wise for you to remain aboard the ship while the initial data is accumulated?”
“Probably, but it wouldn't be very much fun now would it Mr. Spock?”
If Vulcans would sigh, he imagined Spock would be bellowing gusts in his direction at that point. “May I point out, sir, that standard practices for command personnel-”
“Are to be followed at the discretion of the commanding officer. I've read the regs too, Spock. They made me take a test and everything.”
“Yes Captain, perhaps in this instance you should consider-”
“It'll be fine Mr. Spock. You'll be here to provide backup in case something goes awry. If dilithium indicators are detected I will rendezvous with the Nixaanite designate and stage two of the operation will commence. I will signal Commander Spock and Lieutenant Uhura to join me for negotiations. If not, we'll pass this off as a check in and make enquiries for future supply trade opportunities. Starfleet would prefer that we not leak the possibility of dilithium in the hopes of avoiding Klingon or Romulan interest in the planet.”
He looked around the conference room. “Any questions?” He waited half a beat. “Good. Lieutenant Giotto, please forward you list of candidates to Mr. Spock for approval. Dismissed.”
Bones sent him an angry look as he exited the room and he knew he was going to hear about this later. At length. Uhura, Scotty and Giotto followed silently. Spock lingered.
“What is it Mr. Spock?”
“Captain, it is customary for us to review missions before decided upon a course of action. I am curious as to why you neglected to consult me prior to the general debriefing.”
He flicked a glance to his First Officer and nodded. Everything Spock had asserted was true, they'd grown close in the months since Nero and he considered the Vulcan's cool logic and towering intellect to be invaluable to his command. Moreover, he was becoming a friend, perhaps something more and he briefly reconsidered the hasty decision to leave Spock aboard the Enterprise instead of at his side where he belonged.
He shook his head. “I'm sorry Spock, I shouldn't have left you out of the loop like that. I've a feeling about this mission-”
“A feeling, Captain?” The incredulity was communicated by a single raised eyebrow.
His lips curled up, acknowledging the silent rebuke. “An intuition then. I need you on the ship for this, Spock.”
“Captain, I am still hesitant to support your decision to beam down to Nixaan Theta alone. It is not logical to place yourself at risk. A starship captain must -”
Flashes of the Kobayashi Maru trial passed through his mind and he held up a hand to forestall the rest of the speech. “Look, Spock, I appreciate your concern but my decision stands. I will beam planetside with the security detail and you will remain aboard to command the Enterprise.”
Spock stilled and Jim could feel the full weight of his gaze. “Perhaps if you were to elaborate on your reasons for this level of insistence-” Spock trailed off and stiffened further. Continued questioning of direct orders was quite out of character and he reconsidered his First Officer in light of the obvious show of concern.
He relented with an easy shrug.
“I need to be there Spock. I can't send you or Uhura or any of my other officers into a situation I would not be willing to place myself, I refuse to operate like that. Besides, Admiral Pike's support notwithstanding, we were given this mission in hopes that we would fail and some dried up has-been Admiral is just waiting to collect on my first major defeat and take my ship from me. I will not let that happen. The ship is mine. The crew is mine. You are mine. I will protect what is mine.”
He paused. “I need to be there to make sure we don't fail. You need to stay here in case we do.”
A surprised blink was the only outward reaction to the impassioned plea. “I see.”
“No you don't. Not yet. You will though.”
Automatically seeking to break the tension, he reached out and clapped the Vulcan hard on the shoulder and grinned at the highly discomfited look that crossed the stoic features.
“Forward me the detail list once you've approved it. I'd like to meet the men before we go face certain death together.” His laugh followed him out of the room and he missed the sharp inward snap of Spock's eyebrows at the words.
Next
Title: Nixaan Theta [1/6] I've Got A Feeling
Fandom: Star Trek XI
Pairing: Kirk/Spock pre-slash so far.
Rating: R
Summary: An away mission goes horribly, horribly wrong.
Warnings:This fic is (somewhat) affectionately known as The Angsty Thing That Will Never End. Seriously angsty. Possibly melodramatic. I think the story I wrote about Jim cutting his arm off to save Spock is positively chipper in comparison. So, head's up?
Based on the prompt : Five Times Kirk Touches Spock Without Thinking and One Time Spock Touches Kirk Without Thinking. The touches are there if you're paying attention but it kinda got away from me. This is becoming a trend. XD
This section's not too bad, in fact I think I can probably label it The Happy One but I'll issue the general warning for graphic violence and angst now. Also, completely unbeta'd - all mistakes are mine. Please point out anything that seems odd, I have a terrible habit of abusing clauses and shifting tense with no warning. I am also balls at naming things.
Nixaan Theta
Part the First : I've Got A Feeling
The orders had arrived following the successful plague relief effort to the Terran settlement on Dhosa.
He'd been flushed with the victory and pride in his crew. Sulu and Scotty for ignoring standard practices and combining their skills to coax every ounce of possible speed out of the ship. Bones for synthesizing the cure so that no further lives had been lost after the Enterprise had arrived. Spock for devising a delivery method for the cure that would save the colonists without exposing the crew to the plague. Every single man and woman under his command had worked tirelessly until Bones had sounded the general address that the Dhosans were safe.
The reception on Dhosa had been legendary, exuberant men and woman crying openly and pressing thankful embraces to any Enterprise crewman within reach. Even Spock's cool demeanour hadn't spared him and Jim would always grin at the memory of his stiff Vulcan First Officer trying to disentangle himself from the gratitude of plump mothers without causing injury or offence. The holo of that moment had made the rounds of the ship the next day and were a great source of amusement among the crew. When Spock had protested, Jim had laughed and told him it was good for morale. The matter hadn't been raised since.
The hail from Starfleet command had come after the desperately needed detox hypo. He'd been really good about not pointing out the hypocrisy of the lecture too, it had been him and Spock that had carried a certain limp and singing Doctor of their acquaintance back to the ship after all. Bastard was annoyingly alert despite his state the night before, Bones shared his talent for greeting the morning after with wits intact when others were struggling to penetrate the fog of alcohol well into the afternoon. If anything, the sarcasm got sharper after a night out. He'd jumped at the chance to escape the nagging and had taken the call on the bridge.
The bridge crew was smiling when Pike's face had flickered onto the viewscreen. Jim adjusted his posture so he was no longer sprawling in the Captain's chair and his voice was flavoured with genuine regard.
“Kirk here. Admiral Pike, good to see you again, sir.”
“Hello Kirk. I just received your report on the Dhosan situation. You've done Starfleet proud, son.”
He warmed. As long as he got to keep the Enterprise and the wonders of Space, he generally couldn't give a fuck what Starfleet Command thought of him. Pike was different. Pike had believed in him, the first man in his life to urge him to do more, be better. The first person he'd ever wanted to prove himself to.
“Everyone here shares that praise, sir. I've submitted requests for commendations for Lieutenant Commanders Spock and Scott, Chief Medical Officer McCoy and Helmsman Sulu for their efforts in the matter, sir.”
“I see that. I've flagged the requests and added my recommendations as well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“So are you ready for your next challenge?”
“Always, sir”
“We've had reports of a possible dilithium deposit on a small planet on the outskirts of the Grayceon system. I'm forwarding all current intel on Nixaan Theta to Lieutenant Uhura. Your mission is to investigate the presence of dilithium on Nixaan Theta and secure a trade agreement for the Federation should it exist.”
Kirk frowned. “Is that really a mission for the Enterprise, Admiral?”
“We figure it's time for you to get your feet wet on a little old fashioned diplomacy, Jim. It's all well and good to charge in and be a hero, but a starship captain needs to be able to represent the Federation on all levels.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Make sure Spock goes with you when it's time to negotiate.”
“Sir!” He didn't try to disguise the reproof.
“We've been talking for almost a full minute here and you haven't sworn at me or called me Chris. I'm sure you'll be fine. Commander Spock's presence will be an insurance policy for the more hesitant members of the Admiralty. Do me proud son.”
Orders received, they'd plotted a course for Grayceon sector and spent the three travel days going over the rather sparse official records transferred from Starfleet Command. Spock had presented the report in his typical clipped manner and Jim had followed along on his PADD.
A Class-K planet, Nixaan Theta was unsuitable for agriculture outside of the pressure domes established by the original colonists. Records of indigenous life forms were spotty and based on speculations. The colonists were from an advanced race of humanoids (bipedal, no known psi-talents) who had departed their home world for reasons unknown to establish Nixaan Theta. They referred to themselves as Nixaanites and were a reclusive and isolationist group who had denied the invitation to join the Federation ten years prior, though an informal trade agreement of industrial metals for medical supplies and luxury goods had been in place since contact was established. Standard dialect was the trade language and all interactions took place in Biodome 1 (no other name provided). No one from Starfleet had ever reported the operations and living conditions outside of the established trading post thus no cultural information was available.
“So, essentially, nothing is known about the Nixaanites beyond their mineral wealth and a pathological need for secrecy?” His face was impassive as he considered the paltry intelligence. “Did they at least send us a holo so that we know superficially what we're dealing with?”
Spock's fingers were already flying over the console, projecting a flickering image of a yellow humanoid over the conference table.
“Project an average human male beside the holo please, Mr. Spock.”
A few quiet clicks sounded in the room before another image joined the Nixaanite.
“I would hardly consider myself average, Mr. Spock.”
“I estimated that this was the logical conclusion to your enquiries and elected to save time, Captain.”
He suppressed a grin and shot Spock a knowing look over the table and focused his attention on the two figures hovering before him.
“Tall bastards, aren't they?” he mused to no one in particular. His projection reached no higher than the shoulder of the looming alien. The hands relaxed at its sides could easily hold his entire head in one taloned palm and it had twice the mass of the Jim simulacrum, muscles slabbed meatily over a solid frame and reverse hinged elbows and knees.
“It would appear that they have evolved from quadrupeds based on the articulation of the joints. Fascinating.”
“Do we have any motion captures on file? I'd like to see how they move.”
“Negative Captain. I have relayed all of the data provided by Starfleet.”
Jim took another assessing look and filed the information.
“All right, so we have a race of unknown humanoids with unclear motivations in possible possession of a resource that the Federation needs badly. Based on what little information we have and the informal trade practices already in operation we are to assume the race is non hostile. Our mission, for those who missed Admiral Pike's comm on the bridge, is to confirm the presence of dilithium on Nixaan Theta and to secure a trade agreement.”
His department heads were all nodding, save Spock who merely continued regarding him levelly.
“I'd like to handle this in two stages. For stage one - myself and a small security detail will beam down to the Biodome 1 for a rendezvous with the Nixaan Theta representative. The landing party will be beamed one mile away from the official meeting point, I want a chance to look around before meeting the delegate. We will be gather soil samples and test for the dilithium indicators on planet. Select six of your officers for the detail, Lieutenant Giotto.”
The security chief nodded and began making notes on his Datapad.
“Captain, would it not be wise for you to remain aboard the ship while the initial data is accumulated?”
“Probably, but it wouldn't be very much fun now would it Mr. Spock?”
If Vulcans would sigh, he imagined Spock would be bellowing gusts in his direction at that point. “May I point out, sir, that standard practices for command personnel-”
“Are to be followed at the discretion of the commanding officer. I've read the regs too, Spock. They made me take a test and everything.”
“Yes Captain, perhaps in this instance you should consider-”
“It'll be fine Mr. Spock. You'll be here to provide backup in case something goes awry. If dilithium indicators are detected I will rendezvous with the Nixaanite designate and stage two of the operation will commence. I will signal Commander Spock and Lieutenant Uhura to join me for negotiations. If not, we'll pass this off as a check in and make enquiries for future supply trade opportunities. Starfleet would prefer that we not leak the possibility of dilithium in the hopes of avoiding Klingon or Romulan interest in the planet.”
He looked around the conference room. “Any questions?” He waited half a beat. “Good. Lieutenant Giotto, please forward you list of candidates to Mr. Spock for approval. Dismissed.”
Bones sent him an angry look as he exited the room and he knew he was going to hear about this later. At length. Uhura, Scotty and Giotto followed silently. Spock lingered.
“What is it Mr. Spock?”
“Captain, it is customary for us to review missions before decided upon a course of action. I am curious as to why you neglected to consult me prior to the general debriefing.”
He flicked a glance to his First Officer and nodded. Everything Spock had asserted was true, they'd grown close in the months since Nero and he considered the Vulcan's cool logic and towering intellect to be invaluable to his command. Moreover, he was becoming a friend, perhaps something more and he briefly reconsidered the hasty decision to leave Spock aboard the Enterprise instead of at his side where he belonged.
He shook his head. “I'm sorry Spock, I shouldn't have left you out of the loop like that. I've a feeling about this mission-”
“A feeling, Captain?” The incredulity was communicated by a single raised eyebrow.
His lips curled up, acknowledging the silent rebuke. “An intuition then. I need you on the ship for this, Spock.”
“Captain, I am still hesitant to support your decision to beam down to Nixaan Theta alone. It is not logical to place yourself at risk. A starship captain must -”
Flashes of the Kobayashi Maru trial passed through his mind and he held up a hand to forestall the rest of the speech. “Look, Spock, I appreciate your concern but my decision stands. I will beam planetside with the security detail and you will remain aboard to command the Enterprise.”
Spock stilled and Jim could feel the full weight of his gaze. “Perhaps if you were to elaborate on your reasons for this level of insistence-” Spock trailed off and stiffened further. Continued questioning of direct orders was quite out of character and he reconsidered his First Officer in light of the obvious show of concern.
He relented with an easy shrug.
“I need to be there Spock. I can't send you or Uhura or any of my other officers into a situation I would not be willing to place myself, I refuse to operate like that. Besides, Admiral Pike's support notwithstanding, we were given this mission in hopes that we would fail and some dried up has-been Admiral is just waiting to collect on my first major defeat and take my ship from me. I will not let that happen. The ship is mine. The crew is mine. You are mine. I will protect what is mine.”
He paused. “I need to be there to make sure we don't fail. You need to stay here in case we do.”
A surprised blink was the only outward reaction to the impassioned plea. “I see.”
“No you don't. Not yet. You will though.”
Automatically seeking to break the tension, he reached out and clapped the Vulcan hard on the shoulder and grinned at the highly discomfited look that crossed the stoic features.
“Forward me the detail list once you've approved it. I'd like to meet the men before we go face certain death together.” His laugh followed him out of the room and he missed the sharp inward snap of Spock's eyebrows at the words.
Next