The Vulcan Changeling Project

Futile Oaths

Spock opened his eyes, adjusting to his surroundings. The drumming of the medical support above his head told him that he was in sick bay. He propped himself up on one elbow, looking at the bed next to him. He was not alone. Jim, he thought when he looked at Kirk's prone figure, deprived of its normal energy by the injuries inflicted by the Klingon grenades. He swung his legs to the ground and attempted to stand.

A familiar voice growled at him. "Spock, back in bed now."

Spock looked up into McCoy's blue eyes, searching their blue depths for answers. "The Captain, what happened?"

"What happened? What happened? He went after you and Lieutenant Uhura when you two went for an unauthorized joyride in the middle of a war zone."

"Doctor, I did not know that Lieutenant Uhura was going to follow me and as for the term joyride I am somewhat confused. To go on a joyride would indicate that the Lieutenant and I had stolen a craft of some kind for the purpose of going on a pleasurable, thrill seeking journey. I assure you that this was not the case."

A smile twitched at the corner of Spock's lips when an enraged expression overcame McCoy's facial features. "Why you green-blooded ingrate. Is that all the thanks I get for saving your hide?"

"Doctor, it is your Hippocratic oath to treat me, you could do no less; therefore...."

A groan from the other bed silenced Spock. "Bones, Spock, knock it off." When he attempted to sit up, Kirk found himself right down on his back again. "Bones, who has control of the ship?"

Spock sat up, determined not to be left out of the conversation. "Doctor, did Lieutenant Uhura make it aboard the Enterprise safely?"

Kirk grimaced, "Bones who has control of my ship?"

McCoy put his hands on his hips. "Nurse Chapel, I need two sedative hypo sprays, STAT. Oh, and don't bother putting the numbing devices on the ends. I'll inject them the old fashioned way and it's going to hurt."

When Nurse Chapel rolled a cart into the room, Spock and Kirk became silent. McCoy grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Now that's more like it. Jim, the ship is in good hands, Lieutenant Sulu is in command. Spock, Uhura is safe at her post and if she's not on duty she's most likely looking after that creature that beamed aboard with her."

Kirk moved to sit up again, then changed his mind and leaned back. "What creature?"

"The creature is a Vulcan Feline, she's similar to a house cat." Spock answered, while still lying on his back.

"A cat aboard the Enterprise, I'm allergic," Kirk raged.

"Captain, Vulcan felines do not have the same dander as earth house cats. Her biology is not something that would trigger an allergic reaction in a human. You see..."

"I don't care. The Enterprise is a Starfleet Constellation Starship, not an animal shelter. I want that cat off my ship. Now what's the situation below?"

McCoy looked down. "It's a War Zone, Jim. All medical personnel were pulled out about two hours ago. Now, you need to rest. That leg of yours needs to heal, unless you want a twisted knarred stump instead. Spock, you took a blow to the cranium. I have no doubt that your Vulcan constitution will see you through, but I will need to observe the human half for the next few hours. So, it's silence or the hypo spray."

Kirk and Spock both leaned back like model patients, but McCoy knew better. They couldn't be trusted. He sighed, slipped a numbing shield over the end of each hypo spray, then he signaled Nurse Chapel, making hand gestures that she was to give Kirk an injection, while he did the same to Spock.

When the hypo spray, eased into his flesh, Spock's eyes flew open. "Doctor, you lied."

McCoy grinned. "You bet your sweet ass I did. I'm not Vulcan, besides the Hippocratic Oath states, 'First do no harm,' and trust me if you two remain conscious, I'll be tempted to break a limb or two. So, you see the hypo spray was the only logical choice."

Spock nodded, slurring his words. "Why, Doctor I must compliment you. Your logic was flawless."

McCoy basked in the glory. "Spock, repeat that one more time."

"He's asleep, Doctor," Nurse Chapel said in a soft voice.

McCoy put his hands on his hips. "Well, isn't that just typical. The one time I want him to repeat something and he just conks out. I wouldn't doubt if he's faking it." He then observed the medical readings above the bed and sighed. "Well, Nurse I do believe that our Captain and his First Officer will be out for a while."

***

Tiberius, Muriah along with a group of rebel slaves ran through the chaotic streets, attempting to make their way to a space port.

"Muriah, you must let me attempt to contact the Enterprise. I want you to be safe," Tiberius breathed when they stopped to rest.

Muriah shook her head. "No, I won't leave you. Besides we are going to need every hand on deck if we are going to confiscate a vessel."

Tiberius stroked the side of his wife's face. "Logical as ever my dear."

Muriah looked back at him, basking in his love. "Together forever, right?"

Tiberius smiled, ignoring the sounds of battle that echoed around them. "Yes, forever, always."

When they finally reached Babylon 2's main space port, they all wanted to cheer, but were forced to settle for a nod of triumph from Tiberius. "We're looking for the largest smuggler's vessel we can find. It will be powerful, but not enough to catch the notice of the Klingons. They are hidden on the other side of the moon and must be forced to come out into the open where the Federation can see them."

A voice in the group spoke up. "What if there is a cloaked bird of prey?"

Tiberus sighed, "Let us hope not. A smuggler's vessel is no match for a bird of prey." Then he took his wife's hand and they headed towards a large ship at the end of the dock. There were no guards in sight. This is too easy, Tiberius thought when they walked right up to the ship, blew its security type pad open with an improvised disruptor and boarded.

Muriah wrinkled her nose when the musty odors of the ship assailed her acute sense of smell. "God, that stench is wretched."

Tiberius arched an eyebrow. "Indeed, it appears that smugglers do not emphasize personal hygiene."