Disclaimer: Chapter 1 bro

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Hey y'all! Here's the next chapter for ya!

I hope y'all enjoy it, and thank you for reading! :)

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One Week Later

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Dearest Maeve,

Your mother took off for Vulcan this morning. I knew you'd want to know, so she'll be at Vulcan a little less than an hour from when I sent this message. I hope you have a good day, and message back when you can!

Love,

Dad

I read my dad's short message on my Padd and smiled. I'd have to message him back tonight when I had time. For now, though, I had to get ready for class.

The morning went by in a blur and finally, I got to take a break and have some dinner before I had to head to Kobayashi Maru Test Encoding with Spock. I was headed out from Advanced Chemistry Lab when suddenly I heard some familiar voices from ahead of me.

"Why are you so happy?" I heard Bones ask. I glanced over only to see him talking to Jim.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"No, I don't suppose you do," Leo answered, rolling his eyes. Jim ignored him.

"Hello ladies," Jim said, winking at some girls as he and Leo made their way down the steps. "I'm taking the test again."

"You've got to be kidding."

"You're the one we have to set the test up for?" I asked incredulously from behind them. "You've got to be kidding."

"Yeah, tomorrow morning and I want you there," he told Leo before he turned to me. His brow furrowed together and he looked completely and utterly confused. "What the hell is up with your ears?"

"I'm part Vulcan, Jim."

"But--wait, why didn't I know this?" he asked incredulously before he turned to Leo. "Did you know this?"

"Since when were you Vulcan?" Leo asked.

"Since I was born," I told him, rolling my eyes.

"But why didn't you tell us?"

"I was afraid of ridicule," I said simply.

"Maeve, we'd never hurt you like that," Leo said. "Don't you realize that? We're your friends."

"You're Vulcan?" Jim asked again, still hung up on the fact.

"Yes! Jim, I'm Vulcan. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to be ridiculed, but I recently decided to embrace my Vulcan part and live like that. The only reason I decided to stop being the me you guys know is because, frankly, I didn't want to be that me, now can we please move on? I'm okay now, I'm happy the way I am, and I was hoping you guys would be too. I've learned to trust you, which is why I'm standing here with you, ears blazing." Leo and Jim glanced at each other.

"You aren't given the names of the students you're testing?" Jim asked, changing the subject immediately. I almost sighed in relief.

I shook my head, "I only know the day of, and that's only if I decide to go and watch them take the exam, which... I typically can't because of my scheduling. So basically, I won't be there whether you want me there or not."

"You know I've got better things to do than watch you embarrass yourself for the 3rd time. I'm a doctor, Jim. I'm busy."

"Bones, it doesn't bother you that no one's ever passed the test?"

"Jim, it's Kobayashi Maru. No one passes the test. And no one goes back for seconds, let alone thirds."

"Maeve passed it," he pointed out.

"Actually, no. I didn't. I just found a way to do the most I possibly could in that situation. And I'm not allowed to talk about it, Jim. And neither is Bones, so don't even try."

"But you're the closest anyone's got."

"I managed to save my own crew and get some members of the Kobayashi off their ship before I was 'killed,' but I still, overall, blatantly failed the mission."

Jim rolled his eyes before he patted Bones' shoulder. "I've gotta study," he told us before he ran off.

"Study, my ass," Bones muttered.

"That's probably much closer to what he'll actually be doing," I told him, only partially joking as we headed to the mess hall together for dinner.

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Everyone had heard of Cadet Kirk's stunt by now, and Spock communicated to all of my professors that I would not be coming to my classes until it was discovered how Kirk had hacked the system, and they were to give me the notes and information I missed in the meantime. So that's where I had been until 1530, when we found the subroutine, we figured out exactly what had been done to the system, and we were required to report it to the board.

And that's how we got landed here.

"This session has been called to resolve a troubling matter. James T. Kirk, step forward," the chair began as Jim stood, walking slowly to the podium at the front of the room.

I sighed slightly and shook my head from where I was sitting at Bones' side.

He glanced at me, "something tells me Jim won't be too happy with you."

"Or Commander Spock," I added.

"Who?" he was cut off as the chair began again.

"Cadet Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this council suggesting that you violated the ethical code of conduct pursuing to regulation 17.43 of the Starfleet code. Is there anything you care to say before we begin, sir?"

"Yes. I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly?" My heart dropped as Spock gave me a small look before standing. I stood with him.

"Step forward please. This man is Commander Spock. He is one of our most distinguished graduates. He's programmed the Kobayashi Maru exam for the last 4 years," he introduced. "And this young woman is Cadet Maeve O'Grady. She was invited to learn computer sciences as well as aid the Commander in his duties programming the test, as she is noted as the Commander's most notable and successful student to date. She has been aiding him for the past few months."

"We've been acquainted," Jim said. I felt Jim's anger, disappointment, and most of all, his betrayal, as he stared at me. I couldn't meet his eyes.

"Commander?"

"Cadet Kirk, you somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine in the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test."

"Your point being?"

"You cheated, James," I told him with a small glare out of the corner of my eye.

"Let me ask you something... I think we all know the answer to. The test itself is a cheat, isn't it? You programmed it to be un-winnable."

"Your argument precludes the possibility of a no-win scenario?"

"I don't believe in no-win scenarios."

"Then not only did you violate the rules, you also failed to understand the principle lesson."

"Please, enlighten me."

"You of all people should know, Cadet Kirk, a captain cannot cheat death." That was the wrong thing to say. I felt Jim's extreme emotional pain override his anger as he registered the comment for a tense moment.

"I of all people?"

"Your father, Lt. George Kirk assumed command of his vessel before being killed in action, did he not?"

"I don't think you like the fact that I beat your test."

"Further more you have failed to define the purpose of the test."

"Enlighten me again."

"Jim, the purpose is simple," I began, trying to stop any further argument between the two men. "You experience fear in the simulation. You have to harness the intense emotion and maintain control of yourself and your crew. It's expected that every Starfleet captain has this quality. Just like your father did. Although he could not find a solution that would allow him to survive, he found one that saved hundreds of people. Including yourself. And that's what matters, James. That's what you had to aim for. You didn't have to cheat just so you could win and get what you wanted."

There was silence for a moment as he thought. His emotions were slowly turning from angry and painful to understanding and disappointment at the disappointment he heard in my own voice as I spoke to him.

"Excuse me, sir," a cadet interrupted, wrenching our thoughts from the problem at hand. "We've received a distress call from Vulcan."

My eyes widened and I stiffened, as did Spock from next to me.

"With our primary fleet engaged in the Laurentian system, I hereby order all cadets to report to hangar 1 immediately. Dismissed."

I was frozen for a moment before Jim's voice broke me from my reverie.

"Who was that pointy-eared bastard?"

"I don't know... But I like him," Bones said before he caught my panicked look. Jim looked to me as well as my breath picked up speed. Both looked confused and concerned.

"Mother," I murmured. Their eyes widened before I turned, bolting from the room faster than I have in my entire life.

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"Commander, this isn't fair, even the board ruled I was by far your most distinguished student. I asked for the Enterprise, and-"

"Commander, a word?" I turned to see Uhura and I couldn't help but grin, trying to contain my simmering emotions regarding Vulcan.

"Yes, lieutenant?"

"Was I not one of your top students?"

"Indeed you were."

"And did I not--on multiple occasions--demonstrate an exceptional oral sensitivity, and I quote 'an unparalleled ability to identify sonic anomalies in subspace transmission tests?"

"Consistently, yes."

"And while you were well aware that I'm qualified and desire to serve on the USS Enterprise, I'm assigned to the Farragut?"

"This was all an attempt to avoid the appearance of favoritism."

"No. I'm assigned to the Enterprise."

"As am I," I cut in. Ny and I glanced at each other out of the corners of our eyes and smirked slightly as Spock hesitated for only a moment before fixing the data on his Padd.

"Yes, I believe you are," Spock said.

"Thank you," Ny and I said before we headed to the shuttle.

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I ran to my station, now in my (unfortunately very revealing) blue uniform and black boots as I took my seat at my station.

"Mr. Spock," I heard the Captain greet.

"Captain," Spock greeted as he sat in his spot next to me. "Engineering reports ready for launch."

"Thank you," he said, going on to make an announcement to the crew as I tried to focus on my work, but the combined panic from myself and the rest of the crew made it difficult.

I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep, shaking breath, purging myself from all emotion and reverting back to the stoic, Vulcan self. I had to remain calm, and shutting myself down was the only way. I'm sure mother will be fine. I felt eyes on me and suddenly a clothed arm brushed lightly against my bare one and fire suddenly filled my body. My eyes shot open and I looked over. My now-stoic eyes met with Spock's deep chocolate brown. I read his eyes, the eyes that were asking me if I was okay, telling me he was here, and I nodded, refusing the emotions that began welling up in me as I turned back to my work.

If I just didn't think, everything would be fine. It was hard, even with Spock's arm periodically brushing against my own, sending fire up my arm and reminding me I had a friend sitting there next to me, but I just kept breathing and attached myself to his calm outer emotions as much as I could, ignoring the deep simmering intensity I felt burning below his stoic surface, while I focused on my work. I shut out the rest of the world until I heard a commotion.

"Captain! Captain Pike, sir, we have to stop the ship."

"Kirk, how the hell did you get on board the Enterprise?"

"Captain, this man is under the influence of a severe reaction to a vaccine," Bones told him, trying to talk over Jim.

"Bones, plea-"

"He's completely delusional and I take full responsibility-"

"Vulcan is not experiencing a natural disaster, it's being attacked by Romulans," Jim interjected.

"Romulans? Cadet Kirk, I think you've had enough attention for one day... McCoy, take him back to medical. We'll have words later."

"Aye captain."

"Sir, that same anomaly-"

"Mr. Kirk is not cleared to be aboard this vessel, captain," Spock interjected, standing from his position next to me.

"Look, I get it, you're a great--I'd love to do it again with you soon-"

"I can remove the cadet-"

"Try it! This cadet is trying to save the bridge!"

"By recommending a full stop mid-warp doing a rescue mission?" It was silent for a moment.

"It's not a rescue mission. Listen to me. It's an attack."

"Based on what facts?" It was silent for another moment as Jim tried to get his raging emotions under control. I stood and walked over, sending him a wave of calm as I placed my hand on his clothed shoulder. He sent me a grateful glance before his gratefulness was replaced by concern at seeing my dead eyes. I sent another small wave of calm and he turned back to the captain. I knew Jim was telling the truth. I had to let him speak.

"That same anomaly, a lightning storm in space that we saw today, also occurred on the day of my birth, before a Romulan ship attacked the USS Kelvin. You know that, sir. I've read your dissertation. That ship, which had formidable and advanced weaponry was never seen or heard from again. The Kelvin attacked a place on the edge of Klingon space. And at 23:00 last night there was an attack. 47 Klingon war birds destroyed by Romulans, sir. And it was reported that the Romulans were in one ship, one massive ship."

"And you know of this Klingon attack how?" Jim looked to Nyota.

"Sir, I intercepted and translated the message myself. Kirk's report is accurate."

"We're warping into a trap, sir. The Romulans are waiting for us. I promise you that." There was another moment of silence.

"The cadet's logic is sound. And Lt. Uhura's is almost unmatched in Xenolinguistics. We would be wise to accept her conclusion."

"Scan Vulcan space. Check for any transmissions in Romulan," the Captain told the Xenolinguistics Cadet.

"Sir, I'm not sure I can distinguish the Romulan language from Vulcan," he answered. I moved back to my own spot.

"What about you? Do you speak Romulan, Cadet...?"

"Uhura. All 3 dialects, sir."

"Uhura, relieve the lieutenant."

"Yes, sir."

"O'Grady, hail the USS Truman."

"All the other ships are out of warp sir and have arrived at Vulcan," I reported from my station. "But we seem to have lost all contact. We can not contact any Federation Vessels."

"Sir, I pick up no Romulan transmission... or transmission of any kind in the area."

"It's because they're being attacked," Jim interjected.

"Shields up. Red alert."

"Arrival at Vulcan in 5 seconds," Sulu reported. "4... 3... 2..." As soon as we were out of warp, all hell broke loose.

"Emergency evasive!"

"On it, sir," Sulu said.

"Damage report!"

"Deflector shields are holding."

"All stations. Engineer Olson, report."

"Full reverse. Come about starboard, ninety degrees."

"Drop us down underneath them, Sulu."

"Captain, they're locking torpedoes," Spock reported as we worked frantically. My heart was beginning to speed up with the panic surrounding me, and it was getting harder and harder to block out the increasing emotions of the crew.

"Divert auxiliary power from port to forward shields. Sulu, status report."

"Shields at thirty-two percent. Their weapons are powerful, sir. We can't take another hit like that."

"Get me Starfleet command."

"Captain. The Romulan ship has lowered some kind of high energy pulse device into the Vulcan atmosphere. It's signal appears to be blocking our communications and transporter abilities," I told him somewhat frantically. I felt Spock's arm brush against mine once again, making me shiver.

"All power to forward shields. Prepare to fire all weapons."

"Weapons ready."

"Captain, we're being hailed," I told him through the chaos. Suddenly, everything was almost... calm. And everyone's emotions turned more to curiosity than frantic fear.

"Hello. I'm captain Christopher Pike. To whom am I speaking?"

"Hi Christopher, I'm Nero."

"You've declared war against the Federation. Withdraw... I'll agree to arrange a conference with Romulan leadership at a neutral location."

"I do not speak for the Empire. We stand apart," Nero said. His voice would have sent shivers down my back had I not been shut off to my human and Betazoid emotions. "As does your Vulcan crew member. Isn't that right, Spock?"

My brow furrowed as Spock stood and walked forward.

"Pardon me, I do not believe that we are acquainted," Spock said.

"No, we're not. Not yet. However, there's something I would like you to see. Captain Pike, your transporter has been disabled. As you can see, by the rest of the armada, you have no choice. You will man a shuttle. Come aboard the Narada for negotiations. That is all," he said before he cut the stream. Spock and I glanced at each other quickly, both confused.

"They'll kill you, you know that," Jim said.

"Your survival is unlikely," Spock agreed.

"Captain, we gain nothing by diplomacy. These beings will not listen, they are filled only with anger and hatred. Going over to that ship is a mistake," I intervened.

"I too agree. You should rethink your strategy."

"I understand that. I need officers who've been trained in advanced hand to hand combat," Pike commanded.

"I have training, sir," Sulu offered.

"Come with me. Kirk, you too. You're not supposed to be here anyway. Chekov, you have the con."

"Aye, Captain."

I sat back at my station, confusion beginning to write itself all across my face. What the hell was going on? I didn't understand why Spock had to go, and I wasn't happy with there being a need for him to leave the Bridge in the first place. Was he going to be sent with Kirk and Sulu?

Then a tugging thought, a small prayer of sorts, began in the back of my mind. One I found I couldn't stop...

Please let Spock be safe, wherever he's going, please let him be safe. Let him come back soon.

I can't lose him.

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