Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four

Bedazzled and Bewildered, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four Update

Kirk and Spock were walking down the corridor, heading to the conference room. Rounding the last curve before reaching Sickbay, their intent was to pick up the Ships’ Surgeon on their way. The pneumatic door slid open but instead of Dr. McCoy exiting, a beautiful young blonde officer stepped out.   Nodding toward the Ship’s Captain, she said, “By you leave, sir.”

Smiling broadly Kirk said, “On your way, Lieutenant, J. G. . . .."
“Brianna Cantrell, sir,” she said, inclining her head, slightly in deference to his rank. She then turned and went on her way.

The conversation he and Spock were engaged in, prior, didn’t pick up again as expected. Instead, Kirk noticed the Vulcan was busy following the young woman with his eyes. Standing there, reluctant to lose sight of her. And the girl was also looking back over her shoulder. Both had a look of confusion on their faces. Almost as if neither expected to find the other here. Knowing what he did, Kirk found himself questioning his friend’s very odd behavior.

“Everything all right, Mister Spock? You seem preoccupied,” Kirk asked. 
Snapping to, Spock said, “Forgive me, what?”
“As if your mind was somewhere else.” Kirk explained.
Nodding, Spock replied, “I deeply apologize, Captain.” Spock’s gaze continued, before he managed to pull himself fully back again.

“What’s gotten into you? Is it the girl?” Kick nodded toward the way they came.

“It is difficult to say.” Spock cleared his throat, stalling. “I am apparently suffering from what you humans call déjà vu. I don’t believe I have met her previously, I don’t recognize her face, however, there is something about her so very familiar I cannot shake the sense that somehow, I do know her. And those blue eyes of hers . . .” He recalled his mother’s mentioning the blue of the Anomaly’s eyes. They were gorgeous, just as his mother said. And in the next minute he chided himself for having noticed.

"Well, all right, but I need your assurance you’ll focus on the mission ahead.”

Giving Kirk a disbelieving look, Spock raised an eyebrow, tilted his head to cast his gaze on the Ship’s Captain. “Have I ever let you down? A Vulcan is capable of divided concentration while remaining focused, Captain.”

“Really? Because I could swear just now your mind was wandering.”

“I have not wandered anywhere, Captain, that would be inappropriate. All I was doing was admiring the scenery. Fascinating. My Time truly is drawing near.”

“I see, sure that’s all it is? I mean, aren’t you the one who said she was being placed on this ship with you. For the sole purpose of allowing you to get to know her?”

“Indeed, that was the mandate that came down from T’Pau.”
“Why couldn’t Cantrell be her?” James Kirk was suddenly as excited as a bridegroom, “Or are you expecting a more formal introduction?” 

Spock patiently waited him out. "Remarkable leap you just made there, Jim. Yes, it could be her, I cannot rule that out. But assumptions often bring more peril than merit. I am clearly attracted to the lieutenant. Should she prove not to be she who is without name, and should I indulge the attraction, in my current state of mind it could lead me to disgrace myself yet again. Then, where would I be? I am already in what my mother often suggests, dire straits with T’Pau.”

“I see your dilemma. Best steer clear as much as you can, then. Do you have a definitive date on when the formal introduction is to take place?”

“As of this moment, no I have not, which is also most curious.”
“Perhaps, this is all to test Kiftiri, if that is what truly occurred between the two of you.” Kirk shrugged his shoulders. “I could be wrong; I know so little of these things.”

“Indeed? Were I to allow a guess, I would certainly believe you know more than that which you allude, Captain.”

At that moment, Dr. McCoy caught up with them. A few paces more and they arrived at the conference room. “Gentlemen, shall we?” Kirk said, gesturing them inward. 

“Good day,” Kirk began, gazing about the table. “It’s so good to have our little family back together. Are we all here?” he saw the empty seat. “Where’s our A & A officer?” Sulu glanced at Chekov; Scotty looked to Uhura then to McCoy.

"I finished her physical. She should be here.” At that moment the pneumatic door parted and in burst Brianna. “I keep reminding myself, this is not the Excelsior,” she exclaimed. Gazing about the room, she felt horribly self-conscious for more than just her tardiness Recognizing the faces, she quickly realized. My God, they’ve put me in with the Big Boys. She could feel her cheeks suffusing with her sudden embarrassment.

“Captain. I’m sorry to be late, it won’t happen again, sir.”

“What caused your delay, Mister Cantrell?” Spock asked. Head of the Science department, her immediate boss, he was well within his purview to inquire.
“I, ah, I don’t like to give excuses, sir.” Seeing expectation in their faces, she added, “I’m afraid I got lost. I did my training on the Excelsior. That layout is so different. It’ won’t happen again.”

Spock nodded his head at her. “I believe a tour of the ship is in order. Nineteen-hundred hours, does that suit you?”
“You need only give the word, sir.”
“C-Deck, Turbo shaft A.”
“I shall await you.”

Seeing all of the Command Crew’s faces looking at her, to Spock and then back again, she realized his offer was possibly rare for him to make. She was at once honored and at the same time wishing for a less than public display. At that moment she understood the words of her brother, Erik. She, also, didn’t ask for all of this attention.

“Allow me to introduce you to our newest addition,” Kirk said, sweeping away the awkward silence. “This is Lieutenant, J. G. Cantrell. She comes to us with a meritorious degree in Physics, mastering in Anthropology and Archaeology while at the Academy Welcome aboard.” 
Those around the table nearly in unison echoed, “Welcome aboard.”

Very shortly, Kirk brought the meeting to order, and they quickly got down to the business at hand, the upcoming mission. “So,” Kirk said, “Sulu, what do we know of this plant-creature menacing the galaxy?”

Scrolling through his notes on his P.A.D.D. Sulu directed his report to the captain, but also glanced about at the others, busy taking their own notes. “From the reports given, there is one central being referred to as the Mother, who is all encompassing, knows all and offers peace to the planet’s inhabitants. Some of which are, in their infected state, busy recruiting others to follow. Spores are used to spread the infection. Prolonged contact with them leads to death. Recruitment has been high.”

“Why would anyone give up their autonomy like that? I just don’t comprehend,” Uhura said.

Brianna glanced first at Kirk and then to Spock, directly across from her, who nodded his head. Although only 106.68 centimeters away, it felt as if he was the expanse of the Great Chasm on Vulcan away. The distance was painful. She needed him to be nearer and had no clue what she could do about it. Quasit tu? She tried to press into his mind, to no avail. The First Officer’s Shield was fully intact, impenetrable. She stopped her efforts, lest she disgrace herself for a second time.  

“Peace has a powerful draw to it,” she began. “Most long for it, especially when they rely solely on themselves and reject the notion of something higher than themselves even exists. This creates a void in the spirit that must be filled. It would appear that this plant-based entity knows this and uses this as the draw.”

All for now, thanks for reading!