Adequate could not go on to explain how Nyota felt regarding the announcement made hours ago. She was thrilled. In all retrospects going on a rescue mission just for the sake of it was a nice way of starting the second five year mission with a bang. Jim would have approved, she was sure of it. T'Pring sent back a wave of content in the shared bond. Jim had been there for Nyota and Christine's wedding, presiding over it, really, but it was a shame that he hadn't been there to attend Nyota's bonding ceremony with T'Pring. It was the happiest day of her life. She felt that he would have cried during the ceremony more than she did. She saw Riez sitting down at the mess hall with a dark cloud above his head not speaking to anyone who came close to him. T'Plass, a Vulcan officer, placed a hand on the man's shoulder then leaned forward and whispered something into Riez's ear.

T'Plass leaned up as a eyebrow was raised at the Vulcan.

"That is nice of you to ask," Riez said. "but no."

"Kuv ish-veh istaya," Riez appeared to be amused. "Sorry, I meant, if you wish." The Vulcan rubbed the back of his neck.

"I sometimes slip in my mother language," Riez said. "don't have to apologize."

"What part of Earth do you hail from?" T'Plass asked.

"I was born on a Federation Colony, not Earth," Riez said. "a mix of Andorian and Gangorian."

"But I heard you were born on Earth," T'Plass said.

Riez smiled.

"I lied on my file about that," Riez said. "no one needs to know that personal information."

"That is a federal offense," T'Plass said.

"It is not hurting anyone," Riez said. "or bothering anyone for that matter."

"I will consider continuing this conversation on a better time," T'Plass went past the man with slender shoulders.

"'Continue this conversation later'," Riez mocked to himself. "everyone tells me that and never get around to it." He shook his head with a grunt then started to shove his knife against the steak using a fork in his other hand to keep it balanced.

Our view glided over back toward Nyota but there was Christine sitting alongside her. Christine's hair was a shade of brown and shorter than it used to be years ago. The two women had seemed like they aged ten years during the time that they had been off the Enterprise off on different assignments. Christine's hand touched Nyota's hand looking back at her in concern.

"Is there something wrong?" Christine asked.

"It is just that. . ." Nyota said. "I heard a rumor."

"Oh, the rumor," Christine said.

"It makes sense," Nyota said. "it makes sense why he refused to tell us. "

"You would have done the same if it were Pree," Christine said.

"No, you would have done the same," Nyota said. "the only time Pree would be in that kind of situation if I were dead." Christine paused, rubbing her chin, thinking. "but instead, you would take her ass out of Gor and taken her on a safari on planet that has a lot of plant life still unknown to botanists, well, actually enlist her into that study and be part of the assignment as a nurse."

". . . I am not denying I would do that," Christine said.

"Because you would do it," Nyota said. "and you wouldn't put yourself into danger."

Christine raised an eyebrow.

"Are you saying there isn't carnivores plants out there?" Christine said.

"I am not saying that," Nyota said. Christine lowered her eyebrow. "I am saying you would not put yourself under the threat of Romulans."

"Oh," Christine said. "if it were grave, I would, but Ii would jot dream of it."

"You love Pree too much for that," Nyota said, as Christine grabbed the woman into a hug and kissed Nyota's right cheek earning laughter.

"How is the bridge?" Christine asked, as she unwrapped her arms from around the woman's shoulders.

"Well..." Nyota thought back. "hailing channels are crowded with demands to turn back. Asides to that, the bridge is fairly smooth." Christine grew a concerned expression that was riddled with a gut wrenching realization. God, did it hurt. The expression of her face turned into dismay and disbelief.

"He stole the ship," Christine said. "he stole the ship."

"Lower your voice, sugah," Nyota said. "it is the right thing to do."

"You are putting your career on the line not telling the others," Chrstine said, "how am I to react that you are not going to be on this mission?"

"I rather be court martialed saving lives then none at all," Nyota said. Then she made an addition in a lowered voice cutting away at a piece of her dinner sharing a glance with Christine. "I would never begin a mutiny against Spock. Nor would you."

It was the kind of loyalty that a captain would need to take command of a starship. A kind of loyalty that Spock had on his side with the main command crew. Christine looked at Nyota at the eye seeing the conviction and certainty through those eyes that the loyalty had not gone away. And Nyota was right. She wouldn't begin a mutiny against Spock. After all that he had been through. Not after how much they both cared about him. Loving Spock was one thing. Caring about him was a entirely different story. The two women resumed eating their dinner in silence. The thought of Nyota not being with her in space hurt Christine. Christine decided. If Nyota was going to be court martialed then she will too by keeping the secret back. Spock had only mentioned through the intercomn that he was assigned as captain. He hadn't known Sarek had some effort in that rank upgrade. He hadn't known that others were behind the scenes giving perfectly reasonable explanations: "He is getting a new assignment," "Mr Spock has come out of retirement," "My son is determined to move on and is getting himself prepared." and last but not least, "Spock is not interested in being devoted to logic and not emotions his entire life."