Chapter Text
Kirk knew he wasn’t the only one trying hard not to stare at the Communications station. He was, however, the one who had the hardest time pretending to do other work while he was not staring, not having a workstation of his own other than the centre seat. As the seconds ticked by, he felt his tension level rising and he watched every movement of Uhura’s fingers on the board, waiting for the moment.
Turning in her chair, Uhura nodded. “Confirmed, Captain. Definitely a distress call, and the standard mathematical markers do suggest it’s of Tholian origin.”
“And it’s definitely in neutral space.” He turned to his Science Officer for confirmation.
Spock merely nodded. “Affirmative, Captain, though not by a significant margin.” The normally precise First Officer didn’t offer a specific distance, suggesting the margin might be very thin.
Kirk didn’t waste any time on considering things he’d already decided. “Maximum warp, Mr. Sulu. Mr. Chekov, make sure you’re steering in the right direction.” Both officers acknowledged even as he turned back to his right. “Is there any sign of anyone else answering the distress call?” The engine hum began building even before he’d finished speaking.
“Not that I can tell, sir. It seems automated. No change in response.”
“Sensors indicate no other vessels moving in the vicinity, though Tholian ships register somewhat differently than what we would consider normal and may elude detection for a time.” There was a hint in Spock’s voice that he might like to retune the sensors, but Kirk let it go.
“Good enough.” Kirk sat up straighter. “Acknowledge the distress call and tell them we’re on the way, full identification. Let me know when or if there’s an acknowledgment on their part.”
“Aye, sir.” Uhura turned back to her board.
“Time to intercept, Mr. Spock?”
“One hour, seven minutes at emergency power.”
“Very well.” Kirk stood. “Have Dr. McCoy and Mr. Scott meet me in Briefing Room 2 and join me there yourself, Mr. Spock.” He grinned. “When you’re satisfied there’s nothing substantive left to learn from a distance, that is. We have a couple of things to iron out before we reach the Tholian ship.”
“Acknowledged.”
Kirk himself had a couple of things to think about on the way to the briefing room.