Uhura

RECORDS LOG ENTRY: 4-7704.17H. DEMOTH proceeding. Sabotage reported. Agent suspected onboard, target unknown. Security procedures expanded. Code one priority alert for undercover operatives. Schedule shows minor slippage.
       
        Star Date: 7704.23...
       
        Uhura was standing rigidly poised, angry, defiant, facing Admiral Henrichi across his lavish desk. He was standing behind it as if it were an essential barrier and was attempting to placate her.
        “If it were for anyone else, you'd have trouble pushing this through! I'd fight you every step of the way!” Her dark eyes flashed wide in anger.
        “But, for your old commander...” Henrichi began.
        “You were at the hearing. You know I'd be willing do anything for James Kirk. Any one of his old crew would.” She paused, reflectively.
        “Especially now,” he interjected.
        “Especially now.” She sat down. “Damn you, Admiral! You know I've earned this command.” The cargo run was an easy one, and passed by ports she had reasons of her own to wish to visit. It had all seemed so pat, so secure, and then Henrichi had stepped in and it all changed.
        “You have earned a command, Uhura, I'll grant you that. But not a star ship. Not yet. And not the Enterprise.”
        He sat down, leaned back, and studied her. “I need valuable experienced officers at the academy, and I want a special task force that I can draw on from time to time. As I am drawing on you now.”
        “My promotion...” she began.
        “When he comes on board, you will be restored to commander, and assigned as communications chief.”
        “Which means I'm back where I started.”
        “Not exactly. Until he returns, you are to serve as the acting Captain. Think of it as trying your wings. During the refitting you are totally in charge of the crew, its selection and its training.” He smiled at her. “Oh, yes. Mister Scott will be in charge of the actual equipment replacement. His reports to me state that she can be ready in three to six weeks.”
        She stood up to leave, “All of which means I get to play babysitter until the big boys consent to come home,” she stated sarcastically. “And after it's all over, I will probably be too old to command and be stuck at being a school marm, I believe that's the term.” Old habits die hard and the service had habits, like the one of keeping women in training or documentation or communication positions, important sounding to the outsider but safely away from the action. Uhura knew Henrichi was as aware of this as she was.
        He winced a little at the revived expression but he did not answer. He sat twirling his moustache, waiting to see what she did next. He was not without feeling, and yes, he had some small understanding of what had angered her. A woman in a traditionally man's field usually got to clean up the lab, write the software, or ended up teaching. And he had just offered her the latter as a reward for completing the five year mission. Because it suited his purposes to do so. It did not suit hers.
        When he didn't answer she shrugged her shoulders in defeat. She had fought this type of battle before, and winning was a rare event. “All right. I accept. But, after this mission...” she shook a warning finger at him.
        “Your file will be reviewed. I can promise no more than that.”
        “Fair enough, I guess.” She collected her jacket from the chair and started for the door. At the door, she stopped and turned around once more.
        “And just when is Captain Kirk scheduled to come on board?”
        “I can't say. He doesn't know he's coming back.”
        “Oh?” She looked puzzled a moment, then, realizing what Henrichi was up to, she added, “Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?” She laughed to herself as she left.
        Henrichi smiled and twirled his moustache. One more fish in the net, he thought to himself. He looked very pleased.