Deeds Not Yet Done

Deeds Not Yet Done

Deeds Not Yet Done

              Tunguska Crater

The only casualty of a game of hover ball sat in sickbay while McCoy patched him back together and gave him a piece of his mind.

“I just don’t get you. You can fight with Klingons, out think a Gorn, and flummox a Tholian. But for some, unforeseen reason, ‘duck’ isn’t in your vocabulary. Even that hobgoblin of a first officer of yours can do that. But no, you’ve got to show off, and show everybody in the Gym you’ve still got what it takes. I don’t know if it’s ever crossed that macho mind of yours you’re no spring chicken anymore. Hell, you’re almost a senior citizen! Your nose is a different matter. It’s going to be a bit swollen for a few days, and you may find your sense of smell is off. You know, that computer with ears, and you with your nose, -”

Jim interrupted.

“Are you going to insult me all day Doctor?”

“No. Just long enough to make sure you don’t pull the same damn fool stunt again.”

The intercom in sickbay came to life with Communications Officer Uhura asking for the Captain. “There’s a priority one message coming in.”

Jim reached for the intercom button on the wall closest to him, and thumped it with the side of his fist.

“Pipe it to my quarters. Afterwards I’m going to need to talk with Mr. Spock. Kindly inform him that I’ll want to see him in about ten minutes” Jim carefully put on his uniform, careful not to jar the nose lest there be another bloodbath. Jim then stood and strode for the door to sickbay only to find his chief medical officer pointing at a computer console. On its screen was the definition for the term ‘duck’.

While walking down the hall towards his quarters he couldn’t help but notice the crew was behaving absolutely normally. There weren’t stares or snickers, despite the fact the captain of the flagship of the Federation had a nose as big as a turnip. When Jim entered his quarters his first port of call was his mirror. He wanted to inspect the damage first hand. At first he was startled, which quickly became mild shock. He recalled that when the ball hit him in the face he had not felt nearly as bad. However, the resulting nose bleed did make him think Bones might have been right. With his nose the size of turnip, and his face black and blue, reaching for the ball in the manner he’d chosen wasn’t a foolish thing to do, it was just plain stupid.

He turned to the computer where the message had been decrypted and was displayed on his cabins computer screen. The words sounded ominous.

“James T. Kirk, First Officer Spock, and Chief Medical Officer McCoy are to present themselves to Dr. Christopher Emory at Starfleet headquarters. Any and all leaves for all crewmembers are hereby cancelled, and the Enterprise is ordered to Earth immediately. By order of Starfleet Command”

Kirk had not been given an order in so frosty a in tone in a very long time. It reminded him of when he was a small boy in school and the principal wanted to see him. His cabin door chime buzzed.

Spock had arrived with the usual punctuality.

“I apologize for being early, Captain”.

“Nonsense, you’re right on time, as usual.”

“I believe you are mistaken captain. Your orders were I that I arrive ten minutes after Lt. Uhura spoke to you. I arrived with forty-seven seconds to spare. Therefore, I am early”.

Wearing an expression of mild annoyance Kirk motioned for him to enter the cabin.

Spock put his hands behind his back and entered Kirks cabin. Kirk sat at his desk and pressed the intercom button which put him in instant contact with sickbay.

 “Bones, if it’s not too much trouble I would like you to come to my cabin”.

“I’ll be right there. Anything to get away from this blasted paperwork.”

Kirk poured himself a drink. “Have you ever heard of a Dr. Christopher Emory Spock?” he asked.

“The name is somewhat familiar. I seem to recall reading a paper written by the man recently. I believe it was about five years ago.”

“That’s really helpful Spock” replied Jim, thinking it might have been better not to have asked the question at all. Jim wore an expression of extreme fatigue and cradled his head in his hands. Sometimes it really didn’t pay to ask Spock a question.

There was a buzz at the door to Kirks quarters. It opened, and Leonard McCoy walked in.