Polyamory | Star Trek (Spirk x OC)

2.6 - A Battle Of Wits And Words

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Cali and Jim arrived at the hall relatively early, meeting up with Bones at the same time as they entered allowing the three cadets to sit together towards the front, almost on the first row, on the right side of the hall. Bones was sat closest to the aisle while Cali sat closer to the middle of the row of seats. Jim was sat directly between them. 

On all sections of the hall, there were a sea of red uniforms, only being broken by the dark greys that sat on all of the edges closest to the aisle, the graduated cadets that worked around the academy as teachers or helpers.

Sat not too far away on the opposite set of benches, a few rows further from the front, Cali had turned around at one point and spotted Spock sat on the end wearing his similar grey uniform. Spock had spotted Cali turn around to look at him, easily able to spot the silver hair in the sea of red, but avoided looking at him directly when he was turned around due to the amount of people in the room. Though, he had looked when Cali had turned back around to face the front. 

Spock could easily spot the man's tensed shoulders as he looked anxiously towards the front. Spock could see that Cali was sat next to his partner and near his older friend. He had to assume that the two had spoken and made up, which explained why he seemed so anxious now about his partner getting punished. Spock couldn't help feeling slightly bad for causing Cali to feel such a way but quickly pushed the emotion back. He needed to stay professional right now.

The cadets all arrived before the board of directors of the academy, allowing for there to be a quiet buzz of whispers as everyone wondered what the school meeting could possibly be about. Bones and Jim joined in, talking to each other about it but Cali didn't, since he had already been informed about this disciplinary the night before by Spock. 

Instead, Cali sat anxiously in his seat, watching the front, waiting for the directors to enter and it all to start. He was managing to hide his anxiety quite well, managing a smile that even fooled Jim when he turned to his other side to ask what Cali thought about it all. Not knowing what to say, he just shrugged and parroted the question back to him and Bones, hoping they'd not expect him to talk again.

Cali was feeling terribly conflicted about what was about to happen. Now that he had made up with Jim and no longer felt angry, he really didn't want to see him punished for his cheating. However, he also knew that Jim had to face the consequences for his actions otherwise he wouldn't learn. Even if it hurt him at the time.

Eventually, the board entered, all taking their seats at the row at the front facing all of the curious students, who immediately silenced their whispers upon seeing them all enter. Sat in the very centre of the front bench was Admiral Barnett, the head of the academy, who begun speaking after a few moments, addressing the room. 

"This session has been called to resolve a troubling matter." He explained, making people's brows furrow as they wondered what it was. Then he called his name. "James T. Kirk, step forward." Cali immediately grabbed Jim's hand as he and Bones shared a worried look. Giving it a squeeze of reassurance, Jim looked down at his boyfriend thankfully as he stood up and made his way to the front where a podium was set up on his side of the hall. "Cadet Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this council, suggesting that you violated the ethical code of conduct pursuant to Regulation One-Seven point three of the Starfleet Code. Is there anything you care to say before we begin, sir?"

Looking back at Cali and Bones behind him anxiously, Jim turned to face Barnett, "Yes, I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly."

Upon his request, Barnett looked over at Commander Spock and gave him a nod, prompting the Vulcan to stand up. Immediately, Jim turned around and made eye contact with the Vulcan, who watched him carefully as he walked down the steps to get to his podium on the opposite side.