The Aftermath

[logical_hobgoblin]

Spock is not pleased.

Pike is not pleased.

There might not be yelling, but the silence is deafening.

Spock has been decontaminated and taken out of the suit, but he's still locked behind an airtight barrier to ensure he's not still able to infect anyone else with whatever it is he came into contact with on the planet. So far, he's not exhibiting any symptoms, but it's unknown whether that's due to humanoid biology, or Vulcanoid biology, or because the virus is ineffectual in an oxygen atmosphere.

Despite all the people poking and prodding at him, he's still working away silently on his PADD, filling out reports. He might as well make use of his time.

Comments

[logical_hobgoblin]

Spock replies in the affirmative. Of course he will set aside time for dinner with the captain. Undoubtedly, there is work to be discussed, given the mission they just completed.

So, Spock promptly shows up outside Pike's quarters at 1800 and sounds the chime.

[theoriginalcaptain]

"Enter."

Pike's quarters are spartan, at best. There's very little that's personal, aside from a picture from on his desk of himself, Robert and Sarah April, and Boyce seated at a table and smiling. There's also a line of small crystals - memory crystals - on a shelf, but they're all switched off at the moment, their memories locked safely inside. That's really the only way to tell this is even his cabin.

The captain himself is sitting as his desk but rises as soon as Spock enters in greeting.

[logical_hobgoblin]

Spock tries not to look around. He has only been here once before, and it still strikes him how bare the room seems. It is like his own, devoid of personal belonging. It doesn't seem particularly usually for a human.

"Captain," Spock greets, just as formal as he's always been, "It is 1800. I have arrived for our dinner arrangement."

[theoriginalcaptain]

"That we did. Have a seat, Spock."

He gestures towards a particular seat on the other side of his desk, one that, on a casual glance, is exactly the same as any other chair. But there are subtle differences, and Pike is absolutely sure that Spock will be able to spot what exactly makes that chair so special.

[logical_hobgoblin]

As soon as his attention is brought to the seat, his brain immediately maps out the curves, noting that they are different than is standard for a predominantly human ship. In fact, it is shaped like the ones that would be found on a Vulcan vessel.

Spock eyes it, somewhat stunned, but he collects himself quickly enough and seats himself in it, no longer perching on the edge. No, he sits in it fully, letting his back rest against the chair comfortably. "I did not expect you to take such initiative. Thank you."

[theoriginalcaptain]

This is probably the most relaxed Pike has ever seen him, and that makes any difficulty it took to secure the chair worth it (and really, it wasn't difficult to find a Vulcan chair - it was difficult to get it to them quickly). "I told you I would look into it, and I'm a man of my word."

[logical_hobgoblin]

"I had opportunity to read of your exploits prior to my internship, but I am learning that your reported integrity was not overstated." Which is as close to a direct compliment as a Vulcan can get without actually putting it in the form: 'you are [beneficial trait]'.

[theoriginalcaptain]

He can hear the compliment in there well enough.

"It'll be installed in the science lab first thing in the morning. Unless there's somewhere else on the ship you'd rather have it?" He really doesn't think there would be, but it's Spock's chair, he gets the final call.

[logical_hobgoblin]

"The science lab will be more than adequate, sir. Thank you." He knows he said that already, but he truly is grateful. Pike is going well above and beyond his duties to accommodate Spock.

[theoriginalcaptain]

Quite the contrary, he's doing what any captain should be doing. The ship should fit the crew, not necessarily the other way around.

"I went through the ship's stores, but it doesn't seem as if we have too many Vulcan dishes programmed in, so I hope the food isn't too disappointing." He did, however, make sure to get only vegetarian things for Spock. Pike will be enjoying his replicated steak very much. "Is the Academy any better?"

[logical_hobgoblin]

"Understandably, the majority of meals offered through Academy synthesizers are of Earth origin; however, there are a few Vulcan staples. Primarily, I have noted that Vulcan spice tea and gespar are missing from the selection here."

He does not wish to sound as if he is complaining, though, so he follows it up with some reassurances. "I appreciate the selection of vegetarian meals available. They are satisfactory for my nutritional needs."

[theoriginalcaptain]

"Vulcan spice tea and gespar, noted." He does actually make a note of that before turning to his own food. "They should be programmed in before the end of term."

[logical_hobgoblin]

"It may prove useful, should you acquire any Vulcan crewmembers in the future." Spock says that carefully, just to make sure it's clear that he's not expecting anything for himself. He is fine with things as they are. Pike has done enough for him already.

[theoriginalcaptain]

"I'm certainly hoping more Vulcans follow your example and join Starfleet, not just resign themselves to lives as ambassadors. If they have anything approaching your scientific aptitude, they'd be very useful on a starship."

[logical_hobgoblin]

"No Vulcan in the history of our education system has ever declined acceptance to the Vulcan Science Academy." Spock says that if their record remains unbroken. Technically it does. He doubts they will have accepted his departure as a blight on their record, considering his halfbreed status.

"It is generally considered unthinkable."

[theoriginalcaptain]

"No Vulcan until you, you mean. A new precedent has been set. It wouldn't be the first time Vulcans had changed their minds, though I imagine the change will be very slow." You're Vulcan, Spock, accept it.