The Pet
Chapter One
This is my first attempt at writing. It's a Star Trek original series
story. Star Trek and its characters are the property of Paramount
pictures, and this story is just a work of fan fiction. It's just for fun
and not for profit.
I wish to acknowledge Fan4Richie for the encouragement and betaing this for
with out it I would not have even tried. I hope that you like it.
I am completely baffled as to how I succeeded in getting into the predicament
I presently find myself. I've had far more difficult and dangerous
assignments. I predicted this mission to be almost routine, just a little
role playing for several days and then I expected my intervening time on
Stoamer to be equivalent to a shore leave I was positive I would find myself
with limitless time on my hands for exploring the community or locating some
type of excitement. However Mr. Spock on the other hand had entirely more
responsibility that would be required of him during this time. He would be
sitting through days of negotiations and buttering up to countless
Ambassadors. I later found that I was totally wrong concerning my
expectation of the mission, as everything I did appeared to turn against me.
I should have realized things were beginning to go wrong for me back on the
Enterprise when we received a communication from Admiral Nagura. That
momentous day started out indistinguishable from any other preceding day
however things began to change rapidly. I had breakfast with Bones that
morning, nothing unusual about that. Afterwards I left the officer's mess,
heading towards the bridge, to begin my shift. Spock was presumably already
at his post, considering he hadn't joined McCoy and I during our morning
meal. It was Spock's habit, as befitting a first officer, to secure the
bridge preceding my arrival. So his behavior was nothing out of the
ordinary. No, I would have to maintain that the morning hours passed as
routinely as always.
With shore leave recently concluded, and the majority of the crew back to
duty I was anticipating the new assignment. Our most recent mission was a
perfunctory one, so I was prepared for something with a little excitement. I
had just entered the bridge when Uhura received the message that caused me so
much aggravation. "Captain, communication from Starfleet H.Q. It's from
Admiral Nagura, sir. Message was sent, Personal, for the Captain and First
Officer only. Reply, immediately."
"Pipe it down to my quarters, lieutenant and inform me as soon as the
remainder of the crew returns." I told her.
Following Uhura's acknowledgment of my request I then turned to Spock and
added, "Mr. Spock, care to join me?"
"As you wish, sir," he replied. I gave the con to Sulu and Spock and I left
the bridge together. Following our arrival at my quarters I punched up the
Admiral's missive on my personal computer. Spock was standing silently
behind my chair scanning the message beyond my right shoulder. As I read the
transmission, I could imagine Spock's eyebrow gradually migrating up his
forehead and disappearing into his dark hair. I was convinced he would be
just as astonished as I was concerning the significance of the transmission.
I could not conceive, just then, how disastrous my role in this assignment
would become.
To U. S. S. Enterprise, Private communications:
Eyes only: Captain James T. Kirk commanding,
And Commander Spock.
From Starfleet Command, Earth.
The members of the diplomatic association will be gathering on Stoamer. This
assemblage is scheduled for star date 3851.6 at 0915. The traditional
Federation representative is preoccupied with another obligation therefore
cannot attend. I am consequently required to locate another to represent the
Federation in his stead. Since the Enterprise has not received new orders,
as of yet, I am handing this assignment over to you and Mr. Spock.
This is a ticklish but imperative obligation. It is essential that you
accomplish this with the utmost consideration. Any miscalculations during
this delegation could have an adverse effect on the conclusion of the conference.
You realize the most prominent Ambassadors for Stoamer will be in attendance
at this conference. They will have an extremely strong influence over the
proceedings during the delegations. If you can get one or two of these
Ambassadors to agree with you on the matter of the trade agreements, we will
have an opportunity to receive an almost unlimited supply of dilithium
crystals. This and not to mention the other possibilities that free trade
with Stoamer will encourage will make them a good addition to the Federation.
Mr. Spock will be our representative for the duration of the conference. It
will be his assignment to negotiate for the Federation on the trade
agreements. Mr. Spock is the better individual for this task, as the Stoamer
Administrator and its population, holds humans in such abject regard that any
communication with them is subsequently impossible. All humans to the
populace of Stoamer are perceived as no more than insignificant pets.
Therefore I am giving Mr. Spock complete although temporary authority over
you during the conferences. You will be required to submit to his authority
until your reinstatement as Captain of the Enterprise.
Captain Kirk, it will be imperative for you to accompany Mr. Spock to these
conferences as well. Unfortunately you will be required to play the role as
Mr. Spock's Pet while you are around the Stoamer Ambassadors. I realize this
sounds bizarre, but all the Ambassadors will retain at the very minimum one
human pet as part of their entourage. This possessing of humans as a pet is
deemed a status symbol to the population of Stoamer as well as an exhibition
of ascendancy in their sovereignty. Assisting Mr. Spock in this fashion will
acknowledge him, by Stoamer, as an official Ambassador from the Federation.
You will both be required to act according to their political structure in
this matter for the duration of the conference. Mr. Spock, you as our
representative, will have an opportunity to convince the Stoamer Ambassadors
of the advantages they will gain in dealing with the Federation as equals.
Present to the inhabitants of Stoamer to what ends, we of the Federation, may
become as an asset into their culture and not as insignificant Pets.
I have sent along with this recording, all the pertinent information you will
need about Stoamer to study on your way to the delegation. I apologize for
having found very little relating to their interaction concerning the
master-pet association. You will require further research upon your arrival
on Stoamer. Accumulate all the information you can, as it will only support
your advantage with these people. You depart when your crew has returned.
Good luck gentlemen.
Admiral, Nagura
Commander
Starfleet Head Quarters, Earth
Well, that certainly wasn't the assignment I had been expecting to receive.
I had anticipated getting assigned to one of the border patrols, or the
investigation of some new planet. I would have preferred just about any other
mission rather than to impersonate a pet! I realized I could not influence
"The Old Man" pertaining to this particular situation, as this was an
important assignment for the Federation. If the Federation could receive
Stoamer's dilithium rights out of this, that alone would be worth the
trouble. There will also be the free trade possibilities involved between
Stoamer and the Federation. This too would be an important proposition to
take into consideration. This assignment, though possibly unexciting for me,
would nonetheless be an important one for the betterment of the Federation.
Nevertheless I preferred to hear Spock's impressions concerning our new mission.
"Comments Mr. Spock?" I inquired as I turned at length glancing up into my
first officer's calm impassive face.
"Fascinating" He replied, still entranced by the screen though it had already
been turned off.
"Is that all you're going to say about our new orders Spock?" I quarried.
"I expect it's not very often that a first officer appropriates an official
promotion to an Ambassador by the Admiral even temporarily without good
reasons. Also inducing Stoamer into talks with the Federation and the
additional bonus of obtaining will reflect very well on your record. What do
you say now, Mr. Ambassador?"
Spock appeared to be contemplating the idea thoroughly. I decided to give
him time to consider the circumstances involved pertaining to our new orders.
While he thought about the Admiral's message, I had an opportunity to study
him. I should have realized what I would be getting myself into the moment I
caught a fleeting glimpse of a sparkle within his eyes. His usual stoic
expression betrayed momentary surprise before returning to a more neutral
expression. For just a fleeting instant I caught the distinct impression
Spock was up to some mischief. I immediately rejected the thought that Spock
might use his newly attained powers for anything devious. To some my first
officer may appear like the devil personified but I personally know there is
very little real deviltry in Spock.
He continued to remain speechless for the moment therefore I decided to
prompt him a little. "Well, Spock?" Be fore he could answer me I added, "If
you say anything to Bones about my having to be your pet for this assignment
I just might have you drummed out of Starfleet."
"I would not, though it might be interesting to see his reaction when he does
find out about it." Spock replied.
"He won't, unless you say something to him because as of this moment that
part of this assignment will be classified top secret Captain's orders,
understood?" I expressly declared with as much authority I could muster
under the circumstances. I began to contemplate just how much respect I would
be able to command if my crew realized what I had to become to complete this
mission. I was convinced I would remain the unmitigated laughing stock of
the entire Federation if that should by any chance get out. I had to, at all
cost and for my own dignity, keep this assignment from Dr. McCoy or I would
never be able to live it down.
"Captain I do not believe you will be able to keep this from the good
doctor." He professed softly. "You do realize how inquisitive Dr. McCoy is
capable of becoming when he senses you are concealing things from him." He
said that with the almost smile I have come to recognize when he is teasing
me.
"Spock!" I warned.
"Aye, sir."
After Spock left my quarters I couldn't stop thinking about McCoy and knew I
was in for a rough trip. I have known Bones for a few years; we even served
together before I was assigned captain of the Enterprise so I knew he was
notorious for digging out information from me. So how would I be able to
restrain my old friend from uncovering the more objectionable details of this
mission? I would be hard-pressed to elude him during the entire voyage to
Stoamer since he would realize immediately that I was concealing something.
He would then aggressively seek me out and fervently badger me until he
gained the information he sought. Worse yet he would proceed to
single-mindedly hound Spock and together with gaining no data from him he
would become unbearable to live with. I had to be extremely cautious when
handling Bones otherwise He would be seriously hurt before our mission was
completed.
Putting my dilemma concerning Bones on the back burner to simmer awhile, I
decided to return to the bridge and inquire on our progress thus far. If I
timed things accurately I wouldn't see Bones until lunch and hopefully by
that time I could come up with an adequate statement to appease him. Upon
entering the bridge I had an opportunity to silently observe my senior
officers hard at work. Spock was in the process of reviewing the information
concerning the Stoamer conference. My crews were still returning from shore
leave and preparations for our departure were proceeding on schedule. As I
stood there surveying my bridge crew's efficiency I experienced an
overwhelming surge of pride at having the best officers in the fleet.
About three hours later my entire crew was accounted for, and we were in
route for Stoamer. Spock spent the journey continuing to review the
information Admiral Nagura had sent us. He briefed me on the important
aspects of our mission, and about the Ambassadors we would conceivably
encounter. There was unfortunately, little data about the association
between the Ambassadors and their pets. Furthermore, there was insufficient
information on how I should represent myself in the role of Spock's pet. It
was at Spock's recommendation that, upon our arrival on Stoamer, we should
observe the Ambassadors with their pets to see how they interacted together.
I was compelled to agree with his logic, as we would require any additional
information we could appropriate.
In the mean time I wasted the entire voyage desperately trying to evade
McCoy's unceasing questions concerning our mission. I was uncertain as to
how much of his incessant curiosity I could hold out against before I either
offended his pride or informed him of what he desired to learn. I realized
my irritation with Bones was continuing to grow and would presently get the
better of me. Furthermore I sensed it would only be a matter of time before
I was compelled to yield to him. At this rate I probably wouldn't reach
Stoamer in time to salvage my dignity and save McCoy's pride.
End Chapter 1