TOS/TFP: The Sentience Syndrome Chapter 4

Doctor McCoy stood beside a medical berth, waiting for Spock to regain consciousness.
He had waited for hours for Spock to wake up, relinquishing his time to fulfil his basic need for water and nourishment to stay by his friend’s side.

This was always the hardest part. Waiting.
Waiting to see if your patient would make it through or never wake up from their slumber.
Life…death. It was up to Spock now to make that decision. There’s only so much a physician can do. It was ultimately up to him.

As McCoy stood there anxiously, waiting for Spock to wake up. Spock opened his eyes slowly and took in a deep breath.

“Spock! You’re alright!” McCoy exclaimed upon hearing the sharp intake of breath.

“Evidently.” Spock replied and tried to rise up.
McCoy placed his hand on Spock’s chest and gently pushed him back down.

“Actually Spock, you look a little bit green. I think you better stay in your bed for a while. Just to be safe.”

“But Doctor, my skin is naturally tinged with green.” Spock creased his eyebrows slightly and informed McCoy, completely missing the friendly yet teasing doctor’s order.

“It was a figure of speech Spock.” McCoy said.

“Very well. Doctor.” Spock nodded.

“Is it alright if I leave you alone for a bit? I have to speak to Ratchet about how the hell we’re going to get back home.” McCoy asked and then indulged in a bit of profanity.
He had been fairly composed throughout this entire ordeal and felt like he had earned the right to a little outburst.

“I assure you Doctor I am fine. I do not need your assistance. You may go speak with Ratchet.” Spock assured him.
McCoy smiled and then went to see Ratchet in his laboratory.

“Excuse me Ratchet, I was wondering, how do you propose on finding a way to send us back home?” McCoy asked Ratchet.

“I’ve been going over this for the past couple of hours and I think it’s best if we discussed this with Optimus.” Ratchet answered him gravely.

Uh-oh that didn’t sound very good. What if we can’t get back home? We can’t stay here, we’re outsiders and we’d never see our friends again! McCoy thought as he walked over to the central part of the base were Optimus Prime and the other Autobots were standing.

“Optimus.” Ratchet addressed Optimus Prime.

“Yes Ratchet?” Optimus Prime replied.

“I’ve gone through every possible way of sending Doctor McCoy and Mr Spock back to their own time, and save one method, it is impossible to send them forward in time.”

“What is the one method?” Optimus Prime asked.

“If we used the forge of Solus Prime, we could recalibrate the ground bridge to be capable of sending people across space and time. But that would mean using some of its precious power that we need to restore the Omega Locks”

“Are you certain there aren’t any other ways to send them home Ratchet?”

“Yes Optimus. I’ve gone over every possible way. It’s impossible.” Ratchet shook his head.

“Perhaps if you allowed me to convince you.” Spock spoke up.

“Spock! I thought I—” McCoy exclaimed in surprise at seeing his disobedient patient and was cut short.

“The fictional concept of ‘mind reading’ in human media was always believed to be an impossibility. But to an extent it is a reality. I am capable of such feat. I am able to join my mind with yours and show you why it is imperative that we return to our ship.”

“If you could bring me in closer proximity to your face. I will proceed with the mind meld, with your permission.” Spock asked Optimus Prime.

“Permission granted.” Optimus Prime lowered his hand to ground level and allowed Spock to step aboard. Optimus lifted his hand up, close to his face.
Spock then placed his hand on Optimus Prime’s large face. Merging his mind with his.
Both minds now existing as one.

Spock showed Optimus Prime memories of his past missions, his achievement, of the time the crew of the Enterprise saved the Earth by bringing two Humpback whales into the future.
When the melding had finished. Optimus closed his eyes for a brief moment to process what he had just seen and then spoke up. “From what Mr Spock has shown me, it is evident that these beings are crucial to the safety of this planet. We must therefore use the power of the forge to ensure the survival of the human race.”

Optimus Prime then took out the forge of Solus Prime from the storage area and went over to Ratchet’s laboratory and collaborated with Spock, McCoy and Ratchet to build a ground bridge that would send Spock and McCoy to the correct co-ordinates.

“It is done.” Ratchet announced after completing the final step of building a functional time travelling ground bridge.

“Though your time with us has been brief, on behalf of all us I would like to thank you for all that you’ve done for the human race and wish you the best of fortune during your travels.

“Thank you Optimus Prime. I don’t usually say this to machines, but it’s been a pleasure to meet you and the others Ratchet.” McCoy genuinely told Ratchet.

“Likewise Doctor McCoy and Mr Spock” Ratchet politely included Spock.

“You’ll get no such response out of him, I’m afraid.”

“On the contrary Doctor, Ratchet has been most amicable and helpful in our time of need and the feeling is ‘mutual’ as you say.” Spock corrected McCoy.

“You never cease to amaze me Spock…”
The rest of the Autobots watched as McCoy and Spock stepped into the ground bridge and turned around to give their good-byes.

“Live long and prosper.” Spock gave the Autobots the Vulcan hand salute.

“Goodbye… Team Prime.” McCoy waved the Autobots goodbye and addressed them by the name they had dubbed themselves.

McCoy and Spock then entered the swirling green vortex and were transported out of the Autobot base and back into the U.S.S Enterprise.