Chapter Text
Jim has never before set foot on the Farragut. The ship had been destroyed by Nero in the first attack. When the smoke began to settle, the namesake, like all great ships, was passed along to a new vessel. And her crew memorialized on a wall of names on the Command Division’s campus.
Getting on board, Jim half expects to start seeing ghosts.
“Acting Ensign Kirk, welcome aboard,” Spock greets, appearing on Jim’s left as he makes his way down the corridor. “The captain has requested your presence in his ready room.”
“Understood, Commander,” he replies casually, noting the odd lift of Spock’s eyebrow. He has no idea what it means in this context, but he can’t waste the time to try and decipher Spock today. Not when this is supposed to be his first-ever mission. And amazingly enough, being a midshipman is entirely unknown to him.
While it’s entirely possible this mission happened in his previous life, he doesn’t know anything about it.
The turbolift stops in front of them with a lilted chime, both men boarding quietly as two engineers follow inside.
"Jim, I didn't know you were in command!" One of them says, gesturing to his yellow shirt as the lift begins to move. Ensign Greeley if he remembers correctly. "You spent so much time working on that transporter, I was sure you were one of us."
"Only when I need to be," Jim says with a cheeky wink as the turbolift bellows again and the two engineers depart with a friendly wave. Jim doesn’t realize he lets out a deep breath until Spock speaks in reply.
"There is no reason for you to be nervous," Spock says calmly as the doors slide shut again, leaving them alone.
"What?” Jim, embarrassingly, jumps at the sudden reassurance. “Thanks, Spock. Just… first mission jitters."
With a pat to Spock’s bicep as the lift stops again, Jim exits in search of the ready room. There’s a mission briefing in a short while, so Chris’s request to meet immediately is an odd one. They would have been seeing each other soon enough, what could be so important it can’t wait?
The doors slide open, Chris sitting at the head of the oblong table. He appears to be looking something over on the console display until he sees Jim enter.
“There you are,” Chris greets before gesturing to the seat at his right. “Pop a squat, kid.”
“Sir,” Jim greets, patting Chris on the back as he crosses behind to his supposedly designated seat. “You needed to see me?”
“I want to thank you for coming aboard,” Pike begins and Jim tilts his head in a bit of confusion. “You’ve really been putting in some leg work these last few weeks. Well, more than usual. I know you were probably looking forward to graduation and the parties after.”
Jim’s curiosity melts into a pool of uncertainty and something else that he’s not sure he wants to name.
“That’s… sweet of you, Chris,” Jim admits, voice coming out softer than he means despite his best efforts.. “But I worked hard for this.” He gestures vaguely to the ship around them and the open space outside the window.
This is what matters.
Besides, Jim hadn’t gotten an official ceremony for his first graduation either, the event was canceled in respect of those who lost their lives. Those who would never be able to walk the stage or receive their proper commencement.
“I’d rather be out here doing something important. Not sitting around listening to long-winded speeches from people who’ve been sitting behind a desk for twenty years.”
Chris lets out a soft chuckle as he shakes his head.
“What’s so funny?” Jim asks, not understanding the joke.
“You are,” Chris clarifies, reaching across and placing a hand on Jim’s shoulder. “It’s only been two years, but you’ve come a long way. I don’t think there’s anything left I can teach you.”
“I…” Jim pauses a second, unsure of where to even begin. “I’m sure that’s not true.”
“No, it is,” Chris says as he gives one final pat on Jim’s shoulder before retreating. “You’ve made me proud, son. I mean that.”
“Th-thank you?” Before Jim can think of a more proper reply, the doors to the ready room open once again and the command team joins them.
As everyone gets situated, Chris begins and Jim’s thoughts take a moment to refocus on the job at hand. First Spock tells him to not be nervous, now this. Since when did everyone in Starfleet get so… maudlin?
It didn’t help that at that moment, Spock chooses to sit down directly across from him, taking the spot to Chris’s left.
“Alright everyone, we’ve been invited to participate in peace talks between two disputing planets on the edge of Vulcan space.”
“Sir, is this correct?” One of the ensigns asks as she looks over the mission details. “The planet who requested our presence isn’t even warp-capable yet. How can that be?”
“It is no mistake. The Himol, though rich in dilithium, have reportedly not sought to expand beyond their planet.” Spock explains and Jim's heart pounds.
It’s one thing to see Spock’s mind at work in a lecture hall or during a chess game, but Jim’s favorite setting is always a starship.
“The Paeroxi people from the neighboring system have had a long-standing trade deal with the Himol. One that predates their status as a Federation world,” Spock continues, “They were allowed to continue their contacts with Himol free of further involvement from Starfleet. It is only in recent years the Prime Directive has become more of a concern. This is likely a situation in which old regulations do not meet current diplomatic needs.”
“If we haven’t been in contact with them, how did they know to ask for our aid?” Jim wonders, unsure how they could have gotten a message to Starfleet without warp-capable ships.
“I am hoping it’s nothing more than what it sounds like. A trade dispute. And if the Himol people contacted us for aid, we may be able to initiate an unofficial First Contact.” Captain Pike concludes.
“Sir,” Jim begins, “If the Himol people aren’t Federation, is there anything we know about them? They may not subscribe to the same peaceful diplomatic ideals most Federation species do.”
“A good point,” the captain says with a nod. “Let’s keep in mind that the Himol are the ones who asked for Federation representatives. I think it’s safe to assume they are at least not hostile toward us.”
“That does not necessarily mean they will not be hostile toward the Paeroxi.” Spock offers, catching Jim’s attention again. “However, there is little point in speculating.”
“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,” Captain Pike says as he rises from his chair before looking out at his crew. “Spock, Kirk, you’re coming with me to the assembly. The rest of you, maintain low orbit and keep the sensors going. Even if they don’t listen to us, this is a good chance to study their planet.”
-
Their small contingent seems even tinier compared to their hosts. While all three men are tall, the Himol people are towering, muscular, and striking in appearance. With light blue skin and dark hair wove into intricate braids. Each one has to look down or stand at a distance to comfortably meet any of the human men in the eye.
As they make their way into the impressive capital building, Jim notes he does not see any Paeroxi. The Federation database has extensive knowledge of their people as one of the major suppliers of the quadrant’s dilithium. And Jim expected to easily spot the trademark lilac hair and antennae. Captain Pike is apparently on the same page.
“Our other guests won’t be joining us yet?” Captain Pike asks their guide, a woman named Adreena. While still impressively tall, the captain can meet her eye without craning his neck.
"Our diplomatic teams have elected to refrain from mingling before your arrival," she explains as they are led toward the central building of the government complex.
Situated on six separate mountain peaks, the outer five buildings surround a central spire that towers high above the others. Between them, intricately carved and decorated bridges connect them. The bridges, Jim notices, have two levels. The top layer is a bright and airy walkway bustling with officials. The tier underneath carries water in channels like small rivers built above the lush valley.
"An aqueduct system?" Jim asks.
"At such high elevations, snow forms on the buildings and mountain peaks. The runoff is led to turbines placed throughout the bridges." As she explains, Jim wonders if he sees a hint of pride in the way she gazes out at one of the structures. This one is seemingly under construction as workers stand on hovering platforms. The sound of chiseling echoes through the mountain valleys.
"Quite resourceful," Spock comments from Pike's other side, taking in the sight. “Not dissimilar to how my people harvest water in many areas of the desert.”
"Our other Vulcan guest said something similar," Adreena says as they are led into the central spire's entryway. The three men walking behind her share a look amongst themselves.
There had been no mention of Vulcans.
Despite the massive chamber being made of stone, Jim is surprised when there seems to be no echo of their footsteps or conversation as Adreena continues. "She also stated Vulcans use a similar method of natural architecture by building underneath cliff faces to shield themselves from the sun and circulate cool air. I was delighted to find our methods of construction to be so alike."
“Indeed, there may be much our species can learn from one another.” Spock agrees.
"I take it you're responsible for these masterworks," Captain Pike says.
"They are hardly my design," Adreena answers, "They have stood for nearly a century. It is merely my job to maintain them."
"I imagine it’s difficult battling such extreme conditions," Jim offers as they board an elevator. Instead of rising as he expects, they begin to descend into the mountain.
"Our people have sculpted the world beneath our feet for millennia. There is nothing we are better suited to do." Adreena explains as the doors open. Instead of a dark, damp cave, they reveal archways carved from the outermost layer of the mountain, forming windows that look out into the valley. "From the rock, we breathe life."
"I hate to interrupt what I am sure is a wonderful tour," an 8-foot-tall goliath of a man says in a deep booming voice as he approaches. When he leans over in a slight bow, Jim almost worries the man's weight will make him topple over. "I am Chancellor Thiwell. An honor to have you, my friends."
"The honor is all ours, Chancellor. I am Captain Pike," he says, turning to gesture at his crew. “My First Officer Commander Spock, and Ensign Kirk. We’re looking forward to learning about your people.”
"As are we. Please," the chancellor gestures to a wide arched doorway at the end of the corridor. "I understand the high elevation may be difficult for you. Come, sit. We will begin shortly."
Following into the main chamber, the Paeroxi finally reveal themselves by beaming directly into the room without any formal address.
"They certainly feel at home here," Captain Pike comments to Spock under his breath as they take their seats around the circular table set in the center of the room. Despite its slim profile, Jim’s fingers trace the marbled lines and cool surface. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen marble cut so thin for such a large, steady surface.
"After much strange circumstance," Chancellor Thiwell begins, voice loud, and somehow not reverberating around the stone room. "We welcome all visitors to our home today. It is my hope we can enter a new era of trade that is fair to all parties."
"Fair," A Paeroxi woman spits out. "You claim that it is fair to go back on trade agreements that have been in place since before you were born?"
"First Minister Shadar," the chancellor begins as he sinks into his chair, "If you are so eager, perhaps you would like to begin our discussion."
"Gladly," the woman says as she stands, looking out over the crowd.
Around her eyes, there is an implant of some kind that does not appear on any of the rest of her species. Two sleek-looking pieces of metal curve around the outside of her eye sockets like crescent moons.
"We have held these contracts since before the founding of the Federation. To expect us to bow to their demands is not only an insult to us but not legally sound. They hold no power in any dealings with non-Federation species.”
One of the chancellor's advisors stands up faster than Jim thinks someone of his size should be able to. In front of him, a small plaque shows he is from the Resources Management Bureau.
"Our agreement was finalized based on the little knowledge you provided us about the galaxy at large, which we now know was not accurate for the time. Neither is it accurate now. We had no way of knowing how valuable dilithium was and is." He explains, turning to speak to Captain Pike more directly. "They take advantage of our lack of allies beyond our world. They have acted against our wishes. They view themselves as a mouthpiece for a world that is not theirs!"
“In what specific instance have they spoken for you?” Captain Pike asks, attempting to find the truth buried under the bickering.
“A Vulcan requested permission to build a new development on our planet’s surface. They mistook us for a mere colony. Instead of correcting the mischaracterization, the Paeroxi used it to establish further false authority over us.” The bureau administrator seems to only get more angry as he recounts the tale.
“By their own admission, the Vulcans have no right to speak with you!” Another Paeroxi man stands up, pointing an accusing finger.
“That is not for you to decide.” A Himol woman jumps to her feet in turn, her stone chair scraping heavily against the floor. Adreena, sitting beside her, takes her by the forearm and gently tugs her back down.
“I see, so the Minister accepted on your behalf without consultation.” Captain Pike goes on, believing he’s pieced together the puzzle.
“Quite the opposite,” Chancellor Thiwell answers, a grave look on his face. “They rejected on our behalf. Which they have no right to do. When we spoke with the Vulcan, she advised this was a matter better resolved by the Starfleet.”
“This is more complicated than we were led to believe,” Captain Pike explains, looking between all three parties. “I’d like to sit down with each of you alone and get each side’s story straight. With only the most essential members of your teams.”
“As we have said,” First Minister Shadar interrupts, “The Federation has no say in treaties established before we joined.”
“No, but interfering in the politics of a non-warp society is considered a punishable offense,” he counters. “And if you would like to solve this matter peacefully and without investigation, I expect you to cooperate.”
The minister huffs, but relents. Turning to her contingent, she dismisses most of them. Instead of beaming out, they begin walking towards the exit. The chancellor’s people appear to be doing the same as Chris turns to Jim.
“Spock and I are gonna be busy for a while,” he explains, pointedly looking towards the hall now bustling with aliens. “See what you can find out. I want to know everything going on here and start with what the Vulcans even want with this place.”
“It is curious,” Spock agrees after a moment, and Jim wonders if he’s imagining the hesitancy. “They stated the Vulcan science team mistook this planet as a colony. It is not typical for my people to make such a mistake. Our scientists are particularly thorough.” Spock explains, eyes still focused on the crowd, as if trying to locate a rogue pair of ears.
“Ya don’t say,” Chris comments with a sideways smile, meeting Jim’s smirk.
“I’ll see what I can dig up,” he agrees before joining the other ‘non-essential’ dignitaries.
Stepping out into the corridor, the divide between factions is dramatic. Along the arched windows, the Himol cluster together. The Paeroxi, on the other hand, gather along the innermost wall of the chamber. Far away from their hosts. Spotting Adreena a short way down the hall, Jim walks over with a smile.
“Looks like we might have to wait a while,” he begins, leaning on the balustrade beside her. “Hopefully they can at least get somewhere without everyone yelling at each other.”
“Yes, it’s not how I hoped today would go,” Adreena agrees with a nod. “We had no idea a simple request would lead to such problems.”
“I’m sure the captain will get to the bottom of this faster than you think.” Jim started, “If you don’t mind, I have a question for you.”
“How can I be of help?” She asks, standing to her full height and looking down at him.
“You mentioned speaking with a Vulcan about engineering techniques,” Jim begins. “I was wondering if you knew what they were interested in building here.”
“Ms. Podav had expressed Vulcan’s desire to create an emergency outpost and supply center,” Adreena began, Jim’s eyes widening at the name. “The more she learned of our planet, the more interested she was in beginning construction.”
“Emergency outposts,” Jim repeats, “Would you know, by any chance, if Ms. Podav is still here?”
“Yes, she was very insistent on staying until this issue was resolved. Her team seems eager to get construction started immediately and are currently performing geological surveys.”
“Would you be able to arrange a meeting between us?”
“Of course, I’ll let you know the moment she returns.”
-
“So it’s very rare among your people?” Jim asks the Paeroxi men around him. While they did not wish to converse with the Himol, they seemed all too ready to complain to an unknown human.
“Not unheard of, but yes,” One of the men says, his antennae twitching curiously. “Many do not wish to integrate technology into our bodies. The First Minister, however, found her failing eyesight to be detrimental to her work.”
“If it’s rare then I’m surprised such a complex procedure was able to be done. Ocular surgery and implants can be very delicate from what I understand.”
“Yes, well,” The man’s antennae twitch again, this time more suddenly. “I suppose the Himol are good for more than their mining.”
“The Himol performed the surgery?” Jim asks, unsure if he is understanding correctly.
“There is much danger in mining. Injuries, sickness, muscle and tissue damage. Since introducing our medical training to them, they have flourished. Another blessing we have bestowed upon them.”
“I see,” Jim starts, nodding along with the man as his antennae calm. “If it is your medical knowledge, then what did the minister need from them?”
“They are craftsmen,” he explains, “Better suited to delicate work.”
"It is you," A firm but level voice says behind Jim. He is met by the small Vulcan woman, Professor Podav. Her intricate pile of ink-black braids and short stature, surprisingly, allow her to blend in more with the Himol milling about the corridor. "You are the young man from Starfleet, are you not? The one who pointed out Vulcan's inefficient emergency procedure."
"I'm flattered you remember me," Jim offers as the Paeroxi man excuses himself. At least Jim could get a bit of information from him.
Turning to face the professor properly, he holds up his hand in the ta'al salute. "I apologize for taking you away from your surveys. They must be important to your work."
"Quite important, yes," she begins, taking him in slowly from toes to ears. "However, no work can officially begin until this planet is welcomed into the Federation. Adreena tells me that is why you are here."
"Yes, absolutely. Starfleet made sure to send their finest," he agrees as the two of them move to stand along the arched windows overlooking the valley. "But while the important people get this taken care of, I was talking to some of the people around here. They seem excited about your project."
"Yes, they were quite taken with our idea for a Vulcan settlement." Professor Podav explains as she joins Jim. Her hands neatly fold into a practiced meditative position in front of her while she seems to consider her words. "Their kindness and willingness to work with us is more than my team expected."
"An entire settlement?" Jim asks, "I was under the impression it was a single outpost."
"It perhaps started that way. And is what we have constructed on Delta Vega," Podav says as she turns away from Jim to look out across the valley. "We were unaware of the untapped potential of this planet. Were it not for the halting of our scans we would have been able to finish construction months ago."
"Scans were stopped midway?" Jim asks, seeing Adreena scowl slightly over Podav’s shoulder.
"The Paeroxi contacted our ship to inform us we were trespassing." The professor explains.
"Which, of course, is not true." Jim supplies and watches as the woman seems to take a deep breath in through the nose.
"Vulcan has been purchasing dilithium from Paerox for decades. Every source we have informs us that this planet is only populated by their people. Not naturally, but as a colony." Podav explains, and Jim wonders if he is imagining the tightness in her jaw. "A single scan of the surface proved this to be incorrect. We simply did not discover this impropriety until now because we had no reason to doubt them. Their illogical deceit delayed my project and left me with no choice but to turn to Starfleet."
"At the symposium, you had said your designs were intended for public transit. That the new engines would improve efficiency and lower maintenance costs for existing lines." Jim begins, trying to figure out how the woman managed to almost entirely change careers in a year. "Is that no longer your goal?"
"When confronted with the nearly nonexistent infrastructure for planetary disaster, it was logical to submit my designs where they would be most useful," Podav explains as Adreena approaches, joining the two of them with a silent nod in greeting. "My designs and experience in metropolitan traffic patterns and city planning led the High Council to elevate me to head of a new division. I suppose I have you to thank for that."
"Me?" Jim asks, taken aback. "Ms. Podav, I didn't do anything. I only made a suggestion, it was you who made it happen. A perfectly efficient civilian transport system reaching across all of Vulcan space doubling as emergency evac. This could change everything! The High Council clearly saw your degree of skill and training free of my influence."
"I had always wondered if humans were as prone to exaggeration as rumored," Podav says and Jim sees the barest hint of a smile. He knew Spock wasn't the only Vulcan with a soft spot for being told they were efficient.
"No exaggeration is needed, Professor," Adreena agrees, finally speaking up. "With your assistance, the plans for the central buildings of the settlement have already been vastly improved."
"I take it you're the Master Engineer?" Jim asks, meeting Adreena with a broad grin.
"Only in title when stood beside someone so skilled," She argues, turning to gesture at Podav with an upward palm. "I cannot begin to tell you how exhilarating it is to see the foundation of my world's next wonder."
"Yes, well," Podav clears her throat softly as she turns away from them both to go back down the hall. "If you're both finished with your expressions of emotion, I do have a team to get back to."
"If it wouldn't be any bother," Jim begins with a bite of hesitation. "May I see what you're working on?"
-
"This is-" Jim nearly gawks at the plans laid out before him. The holographic projection simulates all the routes traveling to and from Vulcan.
"Incomplete," Podav specifies before Jim can finish his thought.
"I was going to say impressive," he corrects as he leans over the projection table in her temporary office.
The intricately carved walls remind Jim of the Vulcan Embassy, but instead of the rich red tones he was used to, the stone was painted with various pigments. In contrast, the Vulcan woman’s dark hair and robes made her seem more like a shadow.
"These separate docking systems," he points out, "Are the modular platforms so much more efficient than a stationary one?"
"In normal conditions for transit, not at all," Podav explains as Jim looks through every detail of the new Vulcan Emergency Response System. "A stationary platform is more than efficient if properly managed. Moving platforms are unnecessary and create an extra need for labor as well as maintenance and training. But when platforms can be constructed on any level ground-"
"You can have as many landing stations as there are people to set them up." Jim finishes the thought.
The scientific data, the maps, scans, and geological surveys were one thing. But this ! An entire plan was devised by a Vulcan specialist for peak efficiency of the one thing he'd been looking for.
"How many people could be moved here from Vulcan with this system working at full capacity?" Jim asks, too focused to notice another member of her all-Vulcan team appears in the open doorway. Behind them, Captain Pike and Spock.
"Approximately 340,000 people per hour on a standard transit schedule. The same as Shikahr's most state-of-the-art commuter lines," she explains, before shifting the display screen to show all of the emergency procedures being activated. The simulation shifts red as more lines than Jim can count appear. "With my current allocated resources for shuttles and assuming I will have the staff to support them, I can guarantee evacuation of over 600,000 an hour."
"And that's taking into account the unload times and return trips for more passengers," Jim says.
"As well as delays potentially caused by space debris, technical malfunction, and pilot error, that is correct," Podav explains as her team member approaches.
"My apologies," the Vulcan man interjects, "The Starfleet representatives have come to collect their crewmember."
"I don't mean to interrupt," Captain Pike says, looking between Jim and the professor. "But we're about to beam back to the ship for the night."
"Night?" Jim asks, turning to look outside the office’s door to see that the sun had since set over the valley. Maybe he shouldn't have spent so much time asking for engine specifics before being herded away by nitpicky Vulcan engineers. "I'm sorry, Professor, I didn't mean to monopolize your entire day."
"On the contrary," Podav begins as she shuts the hologram down, the travel patterns, time slots, and emergency protocols all hidden from Jim's view. "Your input has been highly assistive in our planning for the on-site medical facilities and food delegation systems. You are well suited to crisis management."
"Ha, you don't know the half of it," Jim says with a wide grin. "But, I guess that's where we part for today. Thank you for indulging me."
"It has been a pleasure, Mr. Kirk," Podav bows her head gracefully, "And thank you for your assistance once again."
-
"Assistance?" Captain Pike asks once they are safely beamed aboard. "What could you possibly have assisted with?"
"Nothing!" Jim holds up his hands innocently, "I just did what you asked, and she… recognized me."
"Recognized you?" Pike asks as the three of them step down from the transporter.
"Yeah, well-" Jim turns as he follows, looking to the transporter controller. Except Scotty's not there. Nothing is. Farragut's transporter terminal is an older model. And the technician is on Jim's opposite side.
"Professor Podav is well known for her contributions to the Vulcan Science Academy" Spock explains without looking up from his PADD., following the other two men's lead without so much as a glance. "Her presence at the last symposium, however, was somewhat overshadowed if I remember correctly."
Jim rolls his eyes. Spock remembers everything correctly.
"Let me guess," Chris turns, looking at Jim. "Your sparkling personality charmed everyone at that symposium?"
"Not everyone," Jim shrugs before he realizes they're not going to the bridge or the ready room. "Too tired for a debrief, Captain?"
"Never," Chris says without explanation. Instead, Spock speaks up, falling in step to Jim's right.
"The captain has a strict policy regarding dinner," Spock explains, "Aside from Red Alert, it is not to be delayed."
"How... wholesome," Jim comments as they enter the captain's quarters. Jim doesn't think he used his in-room kitchen for much of anything. Aside from trying to hide the occasional bad choice from Bones, he might have even forgotten he had one.
Chris never had the chance to move his things onto the ship before Nero attacked. With his injury and handing the ship over, this was Jim’s first real glimpse into Chris's captaining style in action. But this isn't the Enterprise. So why is all of his stuff here?
"How do you like your steak, Jim?" Chris asks, reaching for an apron.
"Medium?" he says, a bit unsure if he should be playing along. Maybe this was all a joke. Chris cooked for him plenty before but... as a captain, he was cooking for his command team? "You brought all of your cooking utensils onboard for a week-long mission? How many cadets did you have to take away from their posts to carry all this here for you?"
"It would be best not to argue," Spock says cryptically as he finally puts down his screen and turns to wash his hands. "I have tried to inform Captain Pike many times that this practice is illogical. He does not listen."
"I listen," Chris says as he begins to take trays of prepped food out of the fridge. "I just don't care to change my behavior because of it."
"As I said," Spock agrees, looking to Jim as he dries his hands and reaches for a knife to begin cutting vegetables. "There is little use in searching for reason when it comes to the captain's cooking."
"Come on, Jim, you've seen me cook lots of times," Chris doesn't bother to look Jim's way, too busy heating his trusty cast iron. "I get all my best crew involved in the most important functions of the ship. This is one of them."
"Uh-huh, sure," Jim nods, leaning against the counter and watching as Chris starts gathering his fixings while Spock cuts perfectly identical slices of cucumber for their salad. "Good luck with that."
"You will not be assisting?" Spock asks, pulling the knife away from the board before turning to look up at Jim.
"Jim's not allowed," Chris explains, pointing an accusing spatula in the ensign's direction.
"He'll trust me to talk to unknown aliens but not with a paring knife," Jim shrugs, "Another battle not worth fighting."
"Speaking of talking with aliens," Chris begins, "What did you manage to find out?”
“Well,” Jim let out a big sigh. Where to start? “The Vulcan High Council is expanding their planetary transport and setting up outposts and travel hubs in nearby systems. According to the professor, all the information they had about this place was secondhand so their computer considers this Paeroxi space. They didn’t know they were dealing with a pre-warp civilization until after they began scanning.”
“Which means they’re innocent bystanders,” Pike concludes.
“Not entirely,” Jim explains. “Professor Podav was the one who told Adreena to contact Starfleet. The two of them have been working together to begin building a settlement. The Vulcans can’t construct their outpost until this is settled-”
“But the Himol can,” Spock concludes with a final chop. “They are working together on an unsanctioned construction project.”
“Sanctioned by the Himol and built entirely by their own hands,” Jim argues.
“With Vulcan advisement and technology,” Spock argues back. “They are effectively breaking the prime directive.”
“Does it matter?” Jim asks, leaning over and snatching a cucumber slice from the cutting board, “The Paeroxi have been interfering for years. People who don’t know what a warp core is are repairing their aqueducts with hovering scaffolds. I don’t think further meddling is going to matter.”
“Regardless, it is against Federation law,” Spock insists. “The presence of Professor Podav’s team has already changed the course of this planet’s future.”
“Maybe for the better!” Jim tries again.
“So what do you suggest?” Chris asks as the hot pan sizzles in front of him. Even with his back turned, Jim can hear the smirk on the man’s face.
“Ideally the Paeroxi still need their dilithium. It could be devastating if they are cut off from their resources so suddenly,” Spock offers, sliding the cutting board farther away from Jim. “The Himol will not allow themselves to remain under their influence.”
“The Himol don’t have the infrastructure or desire to ship their own product. In exchange for continuing to move the material, the Paeroxi could keep their reduced rate and get priority.” Jim explains, still trying to reach for the vegetables as Spock moves them farther away. “
“They will still need to be approved for a Vulcan outpost to be built on a pre-warp non-Federation planet,” Spock says. “And they will not be easy to convince.”
“The Himol have gone from knowing a single alien race to potentially dozens in a matter of weeks and all they care about is what they can do to be a part of it.” Jim explains, getting more animated the longer he’s allowed to go on. But using it as an excuse to further lean in and take more veggies. “They want to help and learn. Isn’t that more of a marker of their readiness to join the Federation than a warp core?”
“Whether they are ready or not, they are unaware of Federation regulation, ideals, interspecies ethics and diplomacy,” Spock says, giving up on moving the cutting board and just dumping the veggies into the salad bowl. He takes it and places the salad next to Jim on the counter and hands him a fork. “If they are welcomed today, they will still not be ready to engage with the rest of the galaxy in such a complex business as dilithium trading for some time.”
“Which is why they’ll need Jim,” Chris says as he begins plating food.
“What?” Jim asks at the same Spock turns and says, “Captain?”
“Jim, the first rule of construction on a new Federation planet,” Chris says instead of explaining.
“Starfleet oversight is required for every step of the process in case of unforeseen crisis or endangering of life.” Jim recites without thinking about it. It was second nature to any captain who had been on about a dozen supply runs to any colony planet. The first person he always dealt with was an official Starfleet liaison appointed to the project.
“How long did the professor say construction would take on that outpost?” Chris asks.
“About seven months.” Which leaves Jim plenty of time to get back before Enterprise launches. And before Nero.
“Most colony planets are wastelands. The most dangerous things there are the colonists.” Chris begins to explain, “This is complicated and whoever is stationed here will not only need to be the bridge between Starfleet and 3 very different alien species. But also someone willing to get their hands dirty. And who knows the job better than anyone else.”
“An inexperienced cadet-” Spock starts.
“Ensign.” Chris corrects before going on. “Think about it, they’re going to need someone anyway. Would be one hell of a start to your career. Fast track to captain with that under your belt.”
“They’d have to be Federation first,” Jim says, about to go on when he sees Spock turn toward him with a sharp glare. The same glare he got while explaining his plan on how to save Nibiru from the volcano.
“We’ll see what we can do tomorrow in negotiations."