A Child of Two Worlds [Spock]

Chapter 1: Kobayashi Maru

The Kobayashi Maru was considered to be one of the most pristine and difficult test any cadet could ever take. It was designed by a half Vulcan/ Half Human man, a hybrid in the view of his home world.

"Professor Spock, a women similar to you is taking your test today." A cadet inquired, smiling at a PADD as he looked at the names of people taking the test. As inventor, Spock was given permission to watch all simulations that take place.

"How is she like me, cadet?" Spock asked, mildly interested.

"She's 3/4 Vulcan. 1/4 human. Raised by humans though." The cadet added, almost scowling. Spock raised an eyebrow, confused at his strange behavior.

"When will she be taking the simulation?" Spock asked, now more intrigued. Someone else was like him, someone else didn't belong in this universe. Or any.

"Couple hours." The cadet shrugged, setting the PADD down. "With all respect sir, I think you should go for her. She's your age, similar to you in many ways."

"Cadet, I do not wish for your dating advice. I am perfectly capable of finding a partner for myself." Spock said, getting slightly annoyed at the young cadet's attempt.

"Sorry sir, just a suggestion.." The cadet mumbled, taking the PADD back in his hand.

"Professor Spock?" A young women asked, walking into the observation and design area for the simulation. Spock looked up, setting down everything in his hands. "My name is Nikaniki, I am a friend of the person doing the simulation in a couple hours. Her name is T'Mar, I was wondering if I could observe the test?"

"Nikaniki... That is a Russian name, correct?" Spock asked, more fascinated by her name than answering her question.

"Yes sir it is." She answered, fidgeting with her hands.

"Fascinating. Yes, you may observe the simulation." Spock finally answered her question. "T'Mar is a Vulcan name, your friend is Vulcan? At StarFleet?"

"She is 3/4 Vulcan sir, raised on Earth." Nikaniki answered, trying to keep her face as straight as possible. Spock just nodded and returned to his normal work.

~~~~~~~

Two hours later, T'Mar was sitting in the captain's chair of the simulation. The sheer weight and pressure of the test caused nerves to flare inside of her, but she suppressed them with the Vulcan training she had gotten as a child. More Vulcan than human, but raised human; that never settled right inside of her.

"Begin Simulation." A voice said, starting the chaos. Questions came from every which way, the makeshift crew on high alert.

"Captain, the Klingon War-birds are firing on all our weapons. What's our order?" A weapon's technician asked, looking up from his console and over at T'Mar.

"We remain calm and wait it out. Alert sickbay to be prepared for some injuries, Klingon and the injuries of our crew. If the Klingons become injured and defenseless, it is our duty as a federation vessel to help them out. No matter what the quarrel we have with their species." T'Mar ordered, a smirk quickly flashing on her face before it disappeared.

"Fascinating strategy.. if she fails the test I assume she should be given a higher powered job. Possibly First Officer." Spock noted, typing into a PADD.

"She's usually like that sir. Statistically, she is more Vulcan than human, but being raised by human's has caused her to have more human mannerisms."  Nikaniki pointed out, laughing a little. Spock raised an eyebrow at her before going back to taking notes on T'Mar's test.

RED ALERT RED ALERT. The words flashed on every screen in the test, red lights and alarms beginning to go off. People began talking, yelling, everyone speaking at once in a fast tone. The room went dark, the old whine of machines as they had the electricity ripped away from them.

T'Mar's heart sunk. She had failed the test. If any Vulcan had seen that she was certain they would refer to her as a failure to the race. One nice thing about StarFleet is that Vulcan's do not wish to be here. They prefer to thrive in their own Vulcan Science Academy.

Sulking, T'Mar walked out of the test and through the halls. She was looking for Nikaniki, but didn't see her. "Cadet T'Mar." A man's voice said, almost robotic. She slowly turned around, her heart skipping a beat at the man. He was Vulcan, a real Vulcan.

"Sir?" She asked, a smile on her face. Something about the man brought the smile out from her.

"I understand you are 3/4 Vulcan, yet grew up around humans. Therefore you act human?" The man asked, an eyebrow arching on his face.

"Yes Sir. I am 1/4 human. I did grow up on Earth. As you know the difference in emotional responses is very different from those of Vulcan's. I do not wish to have grown up that way, but it was the way I lived and I will not change for the Vulcan council." T'Mar answered, turning her back to walk away.

"I am not from the Vulcan Council. I am half Vulcan, half Human; similar to you. I was just wondering if what your friend, Nikaniki said was true." He said, causing T'Mar to stop dead in her tracks.

"So you are like me, but you were raised on Vulcan, so you act more Vulcan?" She asked, the smile growing wider on her lips.

"Correct. You did well on the test, despite that it failed. You made it further than most cadet's, the strategy exceeding what I have seen in the past." He informed, his voice still robotic.

"Thank you sir." T'Mar answered, relief swelling inside of her.

"Spock. My name is Spock." He said, handing her a PADD he had in his hand. On the screen was her test results, they were all above the exceeded point.

"Thank you Spock, sir." T'Mar said again, holding her hand out. Spock shook it, a little smirk flashing on his face. It was quick, almost unnoticeable, but T'Mar noticed. She didn't know too much about Vulcan behaviors, but she knew that wasn't one. It was the human part of him.

Nodding, T'Mar handed the PADD back and walked away, meeting Nikaniki at their dorm.