“You have assumed much, Captain Walton,” Spock spoke as he sat at his dinner table, Wren Walton across from him. “I must compliment you and your crew’s ingenuity to this point.”

Wren glanced at Chief Petty Officer Henry Wyatt, who stood in the corner of the small home. He shrugged with an amused look in his eyes. He’d warned her this was going to be a challenge. She returned her attention to Spock. “I cannot imagine what your time in this universe has been like. It may have come across as impertinent-”

Spock raised an eyebrow. “That is one word that applies, Captain Walton. There are several others that would logically fit.” He lifted his spoon and ate his oatmeal. They’d arrived in the morning. Spock had welcomed Wyatt but resisted allowing Walton entry. It had taken a great deal of honest conversation to get her in the front door. Several moments of silence passed as he slid toasted slices of bread out of the fire. “You have presented me with a repeat of my decision with Captain Pike.” He took a few bites of the bread, staring at the toast as if it would give him an answer. “You must think me an illogical fool, Captain Walton.”

Wren felt conflicted. The voice, the eyes, and the figure of the man were Spock’s. Yet, the differences in this universe had changed his trajectory. He had never become friends with Kirk and McCoy. His half of his humanity had been a stain on his family and his people. How could she ask him to follow in the path of the Spock her history revered? “You told Mr. Wyatt you had wanted judgement in some fashion. Are you asking me to pass it upon you?”

A slight, ever so small smile tugged at the edge of Spock’s lips. “It must seem paradoxical to you, given my history in your universe.” The smile retreated, and Spock looked directly into her eyes. “You must be able to tell me, without doubt or concern, that this is the only way to save you and your people. That you and your crew know of no other way that this is to be done.”

Walton felt as if the force of the entire planet’s magnetic field was behind Spock’s eyes as he stared at her. She had read about him, watched the films and documentaries. Nothing prepared you for staring down Spock, even alternate-universe Spock, in person. He scared her; she realized. There was more knowledge, power, and natural talent between his two Vulcan ears than anyone she had under her command or on the other ships in the squadron. She suspected he could have taken her prisoner and seized control of the Mackenzie in short order.

Spock leaned in, his voice softer than it had been. “You have nothing to fear, Captain Walton. I may strike an imposing figure in intellect and tactical operations, but those days are behind me.”

“Spock couldn’t read-”

“You forget, Captain Walton. I am not your Spock. We were not your Vulcans. You must remember, even we could not defeat V’ger and the Borg.” He finished the last of his oatmeal. “It would be illogical and against my character to subvert your command.”

Walton let out the breath she had been holding. She had no choice; she decided. Spock was their only chance. “This is the only way to save our people. We know of no other way.”

Spock stood and pushed his chair in, a resigned look on his face. “I must pack. You may wait outside. Both of you.”

Walton walked outside with Wyatt behind her. They came to a stop twenty feet from Spock’s front door. Wren noted, “You’re quiet.”

Henry kicked at the ground. “Pining our hopes on Spock makes me nervous. Not because I don’t believe he can help tip the scales. Because I don’t know if their V’ger will play nice.”

Walton wasn’t sure either. “I have similar concerns. But we don’t have a choice. We need to get home. V’ger is in the way. We’ve got an experimental starship and two aging legends who may end up strangling each other with the history between them.” She kicked at the dirt. “We can’t let V’ger and the Borg go undefeated. We have to put some points on the board. It’s the only way.”

Wyatt chuckled. “Never thought I’d have the image of us on the court in a game against V’ger and the Borg. I don’t think they’re going to give us friendly referees.”

Spock stepped out of the door, closing it tightly behind him. Walton watched as he stepped back, staring at the home he was leaving behind. Spock’s struggle with his human side as well documented in their universe. In this one, it seemed like the struggle had never reached a balancing point. He walked up to Walton and Wyatt. “It is time. Whatever happens next, I am yours to command.”

Wren replied, “Let’s get aboard the Enterprise, Spock. Then we’ll figure out who’s in command of whom.”

His eyebrow raised in concern. “Logic dictates it, Captain Walton. We shall debate the finer points once aboard.”

Walton suppressed a sarcastic smile and tapped her badge. “Walton to Enterprise, three to beam up.”