It is the year 2254. As a Vulcan fresh out of the academy, Ensign Spock prepares to board the U.S.S. Enterprise for his first deep-space assignment. After beaming aboard from Starbase 40, the young Ensign is greeted by the Enterprise’s First Officer and Helmsman, Lieutenant Commander Una. After somewhat forcibly announcing that he is reporting for duty and that his trip to Starbase 40 was “uneventful”, the somewhat stoic First Officer reminds him that there is no need to yell. Exiting the transporter room, Una comments how Spock has been onboard exactly 37 seconds without asking a single question.
As the two Enterprise officers head toward a turbolift, Spock begins asking Una some questions, including what her name is. She informs him that she should be referred to simply as “Number One”. Moments after beginning their speedy journey to the bridge, a malfunction causes the turbolift to grind to a halt, trapping the two officers inside. As they await repairs to free them, Number One suggests that the Ensign should make good use of their time by continuing to ask questions. Obliging, Ensign Spock asks her what "the three most salient facts about Captain Pike." After careful consideration, Number One tells him about the Captain’s ability to listen to another point of view, his diplomatic skills, and how he is "utterly unsentimental except when it comes to horses."
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Spock continues to pepper his superior officer with additional questions as her annoyance begins to grow – not only from the onslaught of inquiries from the Ensign, but also from the growing delays in remedying their current situation. Eventually, over time, the two Enterprise Officers begin to discover similarities which leads to a bonding moment over a chorus of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic “I Am The Very Model Of A Modern Major General”. Finally, Lt. Amin propels down a turbolift shaft to effect their rescue. Before their escape from the turbolift, Number One instructs the young Ensign to not reveal what had transpired during their time together.
Later, upon his first – and delayed – visit to the Bridge, Ensign Spock takes in the grandeur of everything before him – both inside and outside the ship. Meeting Captain Pike for the first time, the Ensign is asked if Vulcans ever feel awe. Without hesitation, and with the flash of a very subtle smile, Spock replies “They do, Captain. But they tend to keep it to themselves.”
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