by Rudy Josephs
“Isn’t he Cadet Jackson’s roommate?” McCoy asked.
Lynne replied with a nod, but Kirk wanted to ask how McCoy knew that. It wasn’t like they traveled in the same circles. He guessed that McCoy really had been investigating Jackson’s death, beyond listening to rumors on the grapevine.
“Seems like that might be a good place to sit,” the doctor said as he moved toward an empty row—and Thanas.
“Why does this guy keep popping up in my life?” Kirk muttered to himself as he reluctantly followed Lynne and McCoy over to the seats. By the time he reached them, McCoy and Thanas had already introduced themselves.
“Didn’t expect you to be saving us seats,” Lynne said as she took a chair on Thanas’s right.
“Wasn’t saving seats for all of you,” the Andorian replied as his antennae leaned toward Lynne. Kirk bristled. Somehow the antennae managed to seem lewd. Thanas looked right in Kirk’s eyes. “Unless you plan to accept my little challenge.”
At first, Kirk didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. Then he remembered the comment Thanas had made about something on the Golden Gate Bridge. Some stupid game that, more than likely, would get everyone involved expelled. Kirk let his rolling eyes speak for him as he pushed past Thanas to grab the next seat over.
But McCoy cut Kirk off to claim that chair. He shrugged an “I’m sorry” type of expression, and didn’t move. Kirk didn’t protest. It would be okay, he thought. He could sit beside Lynne anytime. The farther Kirk was from Thanas, the better.
Kirk was growing increasingly uncomfortable in the assembly hall, which had less to do with the hard seat and more to do with the seating arrangement. He couldn’t hear the whispered exchanges between Thanas and Lynne, and that set him on edge.
He knew Lynne had no interest in the Andorian. Kirk wasn’t jealous, per se, but he wanted to know what Thanas was saying. He assumed that it was about himself. The few things Kirk did overhear, he didn’t like. Every time McCoy tried to engage Thanas in conversation, it made Kirk like the Andorian even less.
Regarding his deceased roommate, Thanas had said, “Well, he was bound to wash out, anyway.”
Of Jackson’s death in particular, the response was an even more crass, “Died the way he lived: in his sleep.”
But it was the comment about having the single room to himself that sent Kirk over the edge.
“All right,” he said. “Time—”
“Excuse me,” Cadet Uhura interrupted Kirk’s outburst. “Any room for me in here?” Kirk hadn’t even noticed her come into the room, but he was just glad that something could shut up Thanas.
Thanas stood, which was more courtesy than Kirk would have ever given him credit for. “Sure, sure,” Thanas said as he looked at the group beside him. “Shove down one.”
So much for being polite.
“Gladly,” Lynne said as she slipped past McCoy and took a seat on the other side of Kirk. He tried not to smile too much at the new seating arrangement. He’d certainly gotten what he wanted out of it. Unfortunately, by the size of the smile on Thanas’s face, it seemed like he did too.
Uhura had arrived just in time. Admiral Bennett and several senior members of the Academy administration were filing into the room from one of the side entrances down by the lectern. She couldn’t be sure if the solemn expressions they wore on their faces were due to the situation at hand or not. They sort of always looked that way.
She’d lucked out by finding Thanas sitting at the end of a partially empty row. Better still that he made space for her beside him. But even better was the fact that she was seated right beside McCoy, who had treated Andros the day before. “Dr. McCoy,” she greeted him once she was in her seat. “Any news?”
“Still sedated,” McCoy said.
She wanted to press him for more information, but Admiral Bennett called the room to order and got right to the point. “I suspect that many of you have heard the tragic news of yesterday. A member of our ranks has left us, far too young.”
There was a mumbling among the usually silent cadets. Word passing from those in the know to those still out of the loop.
“Cadet Jackson was one of our bright young stars.”
Uhura’s blood boiled when he heard a sarcastic snort from Thanas. Even though she’d never had any interest in the Andorian, that one grunt would have killed any feelings she might have had.
“Cadet Jackson, who was only with us for a short time, had already made his mark in his classes as a standout cadet. We will hold a memorial service for him on Saturday, following morning classes. His family will be holding his funeral at the lunar colony the next day. Those closest to Jackson will be permitted to reserve a spot on the lunar shuttle. I know his parents would appreciate a respectful showing from our cadets, mourning one of their own.”
Uhura’s head silently nodded along with the admiral’s last comment. She would make the journey if she could. She hadn’t really had the time to get to know Jackson, but it was the right thing to do.
Then the admiral rose from his chair. His somber expression shifted to one of anger. “The administration is split on my telling you what I am about to say. I, however, believe that it is important not to cover up the truth within these halls.”
All eyes were suddenly focused on Admiral Bennett.
“Cadet Jackson’s death happened under what we consider suspicious circumstances,” he said as a few cadets gasped. “And it was not the only tragic event yesterday. Some of you may have heard of the medical emergency regarding Cadet Karin Andros.
“At this time, we have reason to believe that these two tragedies may be linked. Should anyone have any information regarding either cadet’s recent activities, they should bring it to me or to Captain Warde.” He nodded toward the woman who had just entered the room from a side door. The way she was standing and scanning the room led Uhura to believe something was up. Something Spock hadn’t known of when they spoke earlier.
Uhura turned to the back of the room where she saw Spock standing by the door. His eyes had locked with Warde’s. Some kind of silent communication passed between the two.
At the front of the room, the admiral continued, “All information will be held in the strictest of confidence.”
While the cadets exchanged worried glances, the admiral turned the proceedings over to Captain Halston. Introducing himself as Jackson’s advisor, Halston said a few words about his student. It was mostly the generic compliments that one would say about someone they had very little information on. It made sense, since it was only a few months into the year. It only made Uhura feel more guilty for not knowing Jackson better herself.
Captain Halston rose from his chair. “I would like to conclude this assembly with a moment of silence.”
The faculty rose, leading the cadets to do the same. Uhura could see that Captain Warde was frustrated that she’d come in at this moment. She seemed to be busting to say something to the admiral.
Uhura also noticed that Captain Warde kept looking at the cadet on her left, Dr. McCoy. Everyone in their row took note of the exact same thing.
The cadets were dismissed after the moment of silence ended. Uhura saw that Captain Warde wasn’t wasting a moment as she headed straight for the admiral.
Uhura wanted to stick around to see what was up, but Thanas and the others were leaving. This was the best time to get information out of Jackson’s roommate, but another opportunity had just presented itself. Something was up with Dr. McCoy. It wouldn’t hurt if she ran some quick questions by him first. There was no better way to make a name for herself in the first year than to assist in a high-profile investigation.
It would also be a good way to get Spock to take more notice of her.
She joined the flow of slow-moving students who were making their way out of the room. In the brief moment she’d tried to get Spock’s attention to let him know where she was going, she’d gotten separated from the group. She was stuck about a dozen feet behind the people she’d
been sitting with, but the crowd between them made it impossible to catch up.
She kept an eye on Jim Kirk since he was at the back of their pack. He’d barely acknowledged her during the assembly. She’d had several run-ins with him since their meeting at that bar in Riverside. Every time he saw her, he made some flirtatious comment or tried to find out her name. She’d never intended that joke to go this far when they’d first met. She figured at the time that she’d never see him again. But now they’d fallen into a pattern, and she wasn’t about to be the one to blink. Funny that she was on the other side of this kind of game with Spock and his mysterious Vulcan name.
She suspected that Kirk’s sudden lack of interest had to do with his proximity to Monica Lynne. Uhura barely knew the girl, but she liked her enough. She was one of the more serious cadets, and likely to be among her prime competition for graduating at the top of the class. Besides, any girl who could distract a guy away from Uhura was a good one to keep around. She didn’t have time for guys right now. If only someone could tell that to Thanas.
And, as if on cue, the Andorian egoist was quick to pounce when she caught up to the group in the hallway. “Miss me?” he asked.
“Not even a little,” she said, before realizing that kind of comment ran counter to her mission to get him to talk. As damage control, she did something she normally wouldn’t have done. She grabbed his hand to pull him out of the flow of students exiting the building, still keeping close to Dr. McCoy. “I heard you were packing Jackson’s things.”
“Well, I haven’t really—”
“Need help?”
Thanas nearly stumbled on the walkway. She’d caught him entirely off guard. “You mean you want to come to my quarters?”
She tried not to sigh too loudly. “If that’s where his things are, yes.”
“Right now? Because I can skip Botany. Seriously. I could use an excuse to miss that class.”
Darn. She wanted to go with him, but she had that test. And then a presentation in Astrosciences. Her schedule was full for the day. She’d never get any answers out of him before class. And McCoy was moving farther away.
“After classes,” she finally said. “This afternoon. I’ll meet you at your room.”
Uhura left him with his mouth agape as she hurried to catch up with McCoy and his friends. She couldn’t believe she’d just offered to meet Thanas at his quarters. That had been the plan and all, but there was something different between planning to do it and actually agreeing to it. She hoped she was doing the right thing.
She put those concerns aside as she reached McCoy. “Can I ask you a question? A medical question?”
He looked back to Thanas, who was still gaping after her. “Problem you need diagnosed?”
“Just an unsightly growth,” she said with a playful nod toward the guy she’d just left. “But I can remove it on my own.”
“No doubt.”
“I was just wondering,” she said. “Well, I heard Jackson died in his sleep. And, well, I was wondering what could cause that in someone so young. I mean, it’s rare, right?” She placed a hand on his arm, remembering back to what Spock had said about her flirting. She meant even less by it now, but she figured it she could use a bit of flirtation to her benefit, then so be it.
But her touch went unnoticed. McCoy was too busy exchanging a suspicious glance with Kirk. Uhura was trying to find a way to ask about the eye contact, but Lynne beat her to it.
“What was that?” Lynne asked.
“What?” Kirk replied, throwing up his hands in mock confusion. If he ever wanted to make it in Starfleet, he was going to have to work on his innocence act. An enemy captain would notice that right away if they were ever in a showdown.
“I think she means that look you two shared,” Uhura said. “And don’t ask ‘what look,’ because it couldn’t have been more obvious.”
“Can you blame me for looking at him?” McCoy joked. “He’s just so dreamy.”
“Very funny,” Lynne said. “But neither of you are fooling anyone. Fess up. You know something.”
“Would you believe I don’t know anything?” Kirk said.
Uhura jumped on the easy set up. “Yes, actually, I would. But it’s the good doctor we’re talking about.”
The group stopped by the fountain near the Academy gardens, where they would not be overheard. It didn’t make any difference. McCoy still refused to open up. “I don’t know anything,” he insisted.
Uhura wasn’t the only one not buying it. The doctor wore his emotions on his face. Clearly he wanted to share some information, but he knew better than to do so. This might take some finessing.
Again, Lynne beat her to the punch. “Clearly, you already told Jim what you ‘don’t know.’ Might as well share it now before you force me to get it out of him.”
Uhura liked Cadet Lynne more and more with each passing moment. Kirk, however, seemed to enjoy the idea of Lynne forcing information out of him, if the expression on his face was any indication.
After a couple more minutes no one had said anything, and Kirk finally caved. “Oh, just tell them,” he told McCoy. “Word will spread soon enough, anyway.” He checked to make sure that no one else was within earshot of the group before admitting, “McCoy assisted on the autopsy.”
“Really?” Lynne asked, clearly surprised.
Uhura feigned surprise, since Spock had already told her that much. Of course it was best if no one knew, though. “So you know how Jackson died?” she asked matter-of-factly.
McCoy looked increasingly uncomfortable. “I can’t say anything about it.”
“Of course you can,” Lynne said. “We promise not to tell anyone.”
Kirk sighed impatiently as McCoy considered his options. Then looking directly at his friend, Kirk blurted out, “Jackson did something to his body to help him get through his training,”
“Like performance enhancers?” Lynne asked.
“No, that would have been too smart,” McCoy said. Since the cat was out of the bag, Uhura guessed he’d decided not to hold back any longer. “Sorry,” he said. “Shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. But this kid . . . Somebody convinced him that he’d do better at the Academy if he didn’t feel any pain.”
“I’m not following,” Uhura said. Spock hadn’t told her the specifics of the surgery Jackson undertook. He’d only said that Jackson had his body altered to help him succeed. “How does someone not feel pain?”
Kirk jumped in again. “Basically, someone shut down his pain receptors.”
“It’s a little more complicated than that,” McCoy said. “But that’s the gist of it. Guess he thought that if he didn’t feel any pain, he could push his body further.”
“That’s idiotic,” Lynne said. Apparently, she didn’t mind speaking ill of the deceased. “I mean, if you’re going to do something to help with the training, wouldn’t you do something that actually helps, not just mask the problem?”
“It’s crazy to do anything to your body just to get into Starfleet,” McCoy snapped, his anger growing.
Uhura could practically feel the waves of emotion emanating from him. It was so intense that Uhura felt like she needed to defend her almost-friend. “But Jackson probably didn’t—”
“Oh, I don’t blame Jackson,” McCoy said. “He’s just a kid. I blame whoever did this to him. I blame whatever sick, twisted doctor—and I use the term loosely—performed this operation. That person should not only lose his license. He should be strung up by his toes. No. I blame that person.”
“I blame Starfleet,” Kirk added, stopping the conversation dead.
Uhura was the first to speak. “You . . . what?”
“I blame Starfleet,” he repeated. “All their rules and codes and obsessive training. All of this. It’s intense to the point of being ridiculous. Jackson never would have looked for someone to do that to him if this Academy didn’t give him a reason to.”
All three of the cadets around Kirk started to speak at once, wh
en Captain Warde interrupted. “Excuse us.” She stood with a medical officer that McCoy seemed to recognize. This was not going to be good.
“Dr. McCoy,” Warde said. “We need to bring you in for more questioning.”
“But I already told you everything I knew,” McCoy protested.
“Some new evidence has come to light,” Warde said. “A few things we could use some enlightenment on.” The tone in her voice suggested that she was speaking about more than just some clarifications on the autopsy.
“Dr. Griffin?” McCoy asked.
The older doctor couldn’t bring himself to look at his student. “We’ll talk about it elsewhere,” he said softly.
“But—”
“Come with us, please,” Warde commanded.
The officers flanked McCoy and walked him toward the administration building. Kirk and Lynne followed, trying to get information out of the silent officers. Uhura could hear as their voices trailed off in the distance that they were not getting far. It occurred so suddenly that she’d almost convinced herself that it hadn’t really happened at all.
She hung back when she saw Spock approaching her. Before she could even ask, he explained what had happened. “Evidence came to light linking Dr. McCoy with the illegal procedure performed on Cadet Jackson.”
“I don’t buy it,” she said, surprising herself as well as Spock for her boldness. “I was just talking to him. The way he reacted . . . I just don’t buy it. What’s this evidence?”
“That, I am not at liberty to say.”
“Look, either I’m a part of this investigation or I’m not,” Uhura said, well aware that she was crossing a line. “You want me to talk to Thanas later today, I’m going to need all the information at my disposal. How else will I know if he’s telling me something important?”
“I did not realize you would become so invested this quickly.”
