Work Text:
DIPLOMATIC EXPEDIENCY
by ardavenport
The starship Sickbay was hardly the more restful place for healing. It was full of noises and beeps, people coming and going, hurrying amongst its other rooms, full of its perpetually heavy and anti-septic atmosphere. Plus, the low-level hum of the Enterprise itself. And this morning, he could hear much more commotion in the other rooms than there had been the day before. But it was the place he had been assigned to recover and he accepted that; the noises and vibrations could be, with well-practiced discipline, ignored. Sarek needed to be at his best when the ship reached Babel.
He did half-attend to one nearby activity, his son and Captain Kirk playing chess while they waited for Spock to be released from Sickbay. There had been some delay.
Laying on the biobed, eyes closed, Sarek had no concern for the ship functions that they quietly discussed. Some disagreements between the science and engineering departments over equipment upgrades. Supplies that would be picked up and delivered at Babel. Personnel transfers. The topics did not interest him, but the tone of the discussion, the obvious ease of their working relationship, reassured him. He son's Starfleet career was a fact he could disapprove of, but not deny. Sarek could be at least satisfied that his son found his path fulfilling. And much as he disliked speaking of it, Kirk's comment that Spock could pursue greater scientific discoveries in Starfleet than at the Vulcan Science Academy was true. At least based on Spock's numerous and diverse scientific publications, which Sarek followed with interest.
The chess discussion moved on to a list of new supplies demanded by the Chief Engineer to cover the damage incurred from yesterday's space battle, fought while Dr McCoy was operating on him.
It still amazed Sarek. Dr McCoy, who had never operated on a Vulcan before, performed the heart surgery that his own Vulcan doctors had told him would likely kill him. All while a hostile Orion ship was trying to destroy the Enterprise.
He had opted for medication when his heart condition was diagnosed; it was the treatment that would most likely allow him to outlive his wife. It had been a logical decision. The meeting with his physicians when he returned to Vulcan would be most interesting. Amanda had already collected all the medical records, including Dr McCoy's credentials, which were exceptional. Though Sarek already possessed McCoy and Kirks' credentials before the conference at Babel had even been announced.
Both Humans had been part of his son's near-disastrous divorce when T'Pring named Kirk her champion at the wedding ceremony, side-stepping the traditional challenge to maximize her chances of keeping her new intended husband and not risking him in the ritual fight with Spock. T'Pau had privately admitted to him that she suspected that McCoy injected Kirk with something that would ensure he lost the fight with a pretense of dying. But she allowed it anyway and accepted his declaration that it was only something to compensate for the atmosphere, too thin for the Human to effectively fight in. Her decision certainly spared Vulcan the problem of having to explain the death of a starship captain at the hands of his first officer. Expediency had been the logical choice over tradition.
Kirk's voice intruded on his thoughts.
"Checkmate."
Checkmate? Spock was checkmated? By Kirk?
Sarek half-opened his eyes. His son had a disappointingly petulant look on his face as he examined the 3-D chess board.
"Go again?" Kirk invited.
"It would seem that we have the time. But I am puzzled by the delay, even with the sudden activity in Sickbay. Dr. McCoy's bedside manner may be questionable, but he is usually punctual." Spock had earlier tried to leave, but a nurse sternly told him to wait until they were done with a sudden rush of patients.
"Ah. I can answer that. I just got DeSalle's report." Kirk, chest bandaged and laying on his own biobed, turned a bedside viewer toward Spock, who had pulled up a chair to the table between them. His son read it while Kirk set up the chess board. Spock's eyes widened as he scanned the screen.
"Indeed. I am surprised that Mr. DeSalle allowed the party to go on for as long as he did."
"Well, with you and me on the injured list, and DeSalle's only a lieutenant; he didn't think he had the authority to order them to shut it down. And Scotty just told him to not to bother him and 'take care of it' since he's tied up with the repairs on the ship.
Kirk shrugged. "He had Security keep an eye on it. No fights broke out and they didn't destroy anything on the observation deck, but they indulged pretty heavily in some substances that aren't banned by the Federation, but may not be entirely legal on their home worlds. Then they started showing up in Sickbay at around 0500."
"Indeed. I find it very disquieting that diplomats, whose primary task is to responsibly represent their respective worlds, are so prone to taking advantage of their positions. I trust that no Vulcans were involved in this."
"Uuuuh." Kirk turned the screen back toward him. "There's a 'Shuum' on the list."
Frowning, Spock peered at the screen. "Indeed. That is most disappointing." He continued scanning down the report.
Shuum was the youngest member of his staff; Sarek would discipline him when he was released from Sickbay. It was disappointing. But it was hardly the first time something like this had happened. Even Vulcans were not immune to indulgences. They always seemed to find a logical reason for their actions.
"There are also some Enterprise crew members listed as well."
Kirk now looked disappointed. "Yes, I saw."
"Including Crewman Willard."
Kirk just signed.
"I fail to understand why you insist on being so lenient with his antics."
"He's a good crewman. Likes his job, top performance ratings. He just goes on shore leave and … loses his mind." He shrugged and threw his hands up in resignation before countering. "And I wouldn't say confinement to quarters, extra duty shifts and cancelling shore privileges is being lenient."
"I did recommend transferring him off the ship, after his last infraction."
Kirk frowned. "He hasn't done anything bad enough for a black mark like that on his record."
"I have already stated my disagreement. And it would appear that this time the shore leave came to him." Spock placed a pawn on the third level of the chessboard. Kirk immediately followed it up with his own move.
"Regardless of who was involved, it would not be wise to leave this incident unaddressed. Neglecting to do so would invite a repeat. With possibly more serious consequences." Spock continued as he carefully considered his next chess move.
"That might be a problem. I don't have much authority over the diplomatic staff. Unless they actually start fighting and breaking things, I have to go through their ambassadors. And I can't just line them all up like a shore party that we just had to bail out of jail. Filling up Sickbay isn't enough . . ."
Kirk's words trailed off. Spock's brows rose with interest. A sly and very Human grin spread over Kirk's face. He clicked the comm next to the viewer.
"Kirk to McCoy." There was a long pause.
"I don't have time for anything right now, Jim. You're not getting out of here –"
"I just got Lt. DeSalle's report and I thought you might like to talk to the ambassadors about what their staff has been up to."
"You bet I do!" Both Kirk and Spock flinched back from the sudden increase in volume from the comm.
"I could have them report to you, if you have a convenient time when you want to meet with them."
"Be damned with what's convenient for them! I want them here in Sickbay in . . . two hours! McCoy out!"
Kirk clicked off the comm with obvious satisfaction. "There. We don't have to talk to the ambassadors about their staff. Dr McCoy will do it."
Spock brows had risen higher and he nodded in appreciation. "A most elegant application of Dr. McCoy's temper. But would he have any authority to discipline the ambassadors?"
"Our Chief Medical Officer is his own authority. And he doesn't have to discipline them to get his point across, just yell at them. Besides, he'll have all the lab tests about exactly what their staffs were consuming. And . . ." Kirk looked up at the ceiling in speculation. " . . . there might be some leeway in how specific I am in my report to the Federation about what happened. Depending on whether or not there's another incident."
"I expect that your promise of discretion – and Dr McCoy's verbal assault – should motivate them sufficiently to prevent any further trouble," Spock added with approval.
Sarek could not deny that it was a sound tactic that he had used many times. Equal application of reward and threat often produced diplomatic results where logic and reason failed. Which was still logical since so many diplomats' goals were driven by baser motivations.
Captain and First Officer continued their chess game after Kirk contacted Lt Uhura, the current duty officer, and instructed her to send Dr. McCoy's 'invitation' to the ambassadors of the offending staff members who were listed in DeSalle's report. And he added that the invitation carried his authority.
The game continued. Sarek covertly watched. Spock's problem became apparent very quickly. Either Kirk's strategy was very sophisticated, or it was just Humanly random. It was very difficult to win against an opponent who could not be adequately anticipated. But Spock managed to end the game in a draw. He declined a re-match, intending to study Lt DeSalle's report further while he waited.
"I hope that Dr. McCoy can find the time to release me before his meeting."
"Don't want to stay to watch the fun?"
Spock grimaced. "I believe my time would be best spent elsewhere while Dr McCoy lectures the ambassadors."
"Good point," Kirk agreed. "But then again, McCoy might also find some time to look at your baby pictures with your mother."
Spock looked pained at such a suggestion and Sarek silently agreed. "Captain –"
"Hmmm, baby pictures. I might have packed a few of those," his wife's voice speculated.
Sarek's opened his eyes wide. He had failed to notice Amanda's quiet entrance into the room, behind Spock.
"Mother!" Spock exclaimed in a soft, but shocked tone.
Kirk rubbed his chin and nodded his head forward in an attempt to hide his grin.
"My wife."
Sarek raised his hand, two fingers extended. Spock's surprise increased. He had not seen that his father was observing him. Amanda smiled, a little too slyly, and came to him, their fingers making the connection of husband and wife, their mental presences touching.
Behind her, Spock belatedly calmed his surprise. Behind him, Kirk was still trying to not laugh. He had obviously seen Amanda come in. And . . . he did not look at all surprised to see Sarek awake.
Amanda released the connection.
"There is quite the show going on out there." She turned toward Kirk and Spock to include them before turning back to Sarek. "I'm afraid you're going to have to have a talk with Mr. Shuum.
"I have been made aware." He took a long breath. "Please, inform him that I will be speaking with him once we reach Babel and that I expect no future incidents from any others on the staff."
"I will do so as soon as they are finished with him here," Amanda agreed.
It was, of course, completely unacceptable for a man to use his wife in any part of his work unless she was a confirmed co-worker. But these were extraordinary circumstances. And his staff knew that his wife spoke with his voice.
"I received a very nice communication from a Lieutenant Uhura who said that Dr. McCoy would be speaking to all the ambassadors about . . . what was affecting Mr. Shuum. Since you were already in Sickbay, she thought you would already know. And that you probably would not be required to attend."
Sarek looked past her toward Kirk. "I assure you, Captain, there will be no future participation from any of the Vulcans on my staff."
Kirk nodded. "Of course, Ambassador."
Spock was left standing, looking from commander to father and back again. To Sarek's relief, he regained his composure and returned to his own biobed to read his reports. Amanda looked toward her son fondly but refrained from any more undignified teasing before she left to pass on Sarek's message to the staff.
A short time later, Nurse Chapel arrived and announced that Dr McCoy was too busy to release Spock himself. Her uniform was splattered with purple and orange stains that nobody asked about. After a short examination, she issued the doctor's directive that he was to rest in his quarters and not return to duty until the next day, and only after he reported to Sickbay for an examination. Spock gratefully agreed, dressed and left. Kirk waved him on his way, obviously wishing he could join the exodus.
Closing his eyes, Sarek resumed his thoughtful rest. He knew his own body and . . . it was healing. And in a healthy way that he had not felt for a long time.
Another noise intruded. Something different and very Human. Dr McCoy's voice in another room. Shouting. The ambassadors had arrived. Opening his eyes, he saw Kirk listening, a satisfied smile on his lips. The Human's hearing could not possibly make out what was being said, but he obviously recognized the sound of the Chief Medical Officer's voice. What was being said was of little concern to Sarek. But . . . he noticed that there was very little response from the diplomats. McCoy's authority was at least being tolerated. Kirk's strategy appeared to be working.
Interesting. The result of this incident could indeed be . . . useful. In future negotiations. It was not logical, but . . . it was expedient.
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