The Obsidian Mirror NC-17 Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Paramount owns the characters. Original characters and creative content belong to me.

Read chapter one here.

The Obsidian Mirror

~~Chapter 2

I waited for Kirk to speak but he was silent, the confusion in his eyes turning into sharp assessment--further proof that this was a different man than the one who beamed down to the Halkan Planet this morning. In this same situation, the Kirk that belonged in this universe would be bellowing with rage, demanding explanations and ordering executions. This Kirk watched, waited, gathered information.

It was a mistake.

Transporter chief Kyle was observant. And an operative of Sulu’s. In a few moments, he would begin to see that something was amiss. I could easily dispatch him and the guards at the door but could not so easily explain away their murders. I stepped forward.

“Status of the mission, Captain?” I asked.

Kirk stared into my eyes as if searching for something.

“No change,” he said uncertainly.

“Standard procedure, Captain?” I prompted.

Kirk looked me over carefully. I could sense him strategizing. He was a skilled tactician but he was taking too long to answer. Finally, he nodded--not his customary response. I acted quickly to cover for this irregularity and issued the order to destroy the Halkan cities myself. Kirk looked alarmed.

“Military capabilities, Captain?” I asked, interrupting him before he could speak.

“None,” he said quietly. The confusion had returned to his eyes.

“Incredible that this society has chosen suicide,” I said.

Kyle glanced at me, suspicious. He pressed the com button on the transporter console, no doubt to alert Sulu. I had to act quickly to keep Sulu from investigating. And clearly, Mr. Kyle needed to be distracted.

“Mr. Kyle,” I said loudly. “You were instructed to compensate during the ion storm.”

“I tried to compensate Mr. Spock.—,” said Kyle.

“Carelessness with the equipment will not be tolerated.” I knew that Sulu was listening from the bridge. My charade would need to be realistic. I spoke over Kyle’s protestations.

“Your agonizer. Your agonizer, please.”

By now, it was likely that Sulu was watching through one of the recorders that he has installed throughout the ship. But if Sulu was coming, he would be here. I am certain that he continued to observe, solely for his own entertainment. Kyle cried out and writhed satisfactorily enough.

Though my back was to her, I felt Nyota’s horror like the sting of a wasp. It was unfortunate but necessary that she witness this. The other Uhura would have watched with narrowed eyes and parted lips and demanded that I apply the agonizer to the base of the skull where it could inflict the maximum amount of pain. I held the agonizer to Kyle’s chest until the charge was spent then dropped it indifferently unto the deck. I turned to Kirk and saw that my demonstration accomplished another thing: it served to further his understanding of what he and his crew beamed into.

He stood silent, pale, furious.

But Sulu was still watching. I brushed by Kirk and snapped orders at McCoy and Scott. They didn’t respond, instead closed ranks around Uhura, McCoy’s posture almost a challenge. I glanced at Uhura. Her eyes were wide but not frightened. She flattened her palm against the hilt of her dagger.

My blood warmed.

A chastened Kyle called me back to the transporter console.

“Mr. Spock, there was a power surge--.”

“Due to your error, Mr. Kyle.”

“No, Mr. Spock!”

I took advantage of the confusion.

“Captain, did you feel any abnormal effects?” I asked. I stared into his eyes.

Finally, Kirk understood.

“Yes,” he said. “Dr. McCoy, you’d better look us over. That was a rough beam up.”

Kirk strode towards the door then stopped. “Mr. Spock. Have those transporter circuits checked.”

In my opinion, his attempt at bravado was weak. It was apparently effective since Sulu had not appeared. As the four of them exited the transporter room, Uhura dropped her eyes from mine in a way that made my heart pound in my side. I concluded then that it was in my best interest to continue to assist this Kirk.

Additionally, I was beginning to find the situation…extremely interesting.

I clicked on the com.

“Golan, acknowledge,” I said.

“Golan, here.”

I spoke in Vulcan. “Please see that the captain and the landing party arrive at sick bay without incident.”

“Yes, S’haile.”

I ordered Kyle to an hour in the agony booth for good measure and to give me an opportunity to study the transporter logs. It was as I expected. I deleted the transporter logs and considered my options. This Kirk was thoughtful and restrained. It was likely that he and the landing party would debrief in sick bay.

My communicator beeped.

“Spock, here.”

“Mr. Scott has exited sick bay and is headed to engineering. Lt. Uhura is going to the bridge,” said Golan. “What are your orders?”

Kirk was information gathering again.

“Guard Miss Uhura,” I said. “I will be on the bridge shortly.”

“Acknowledged.”

“Golan--,” I began.

“With my life, S’haile,” he said.


End Chapter 2

girl6
5/09