"He is the first officer of a ship that he is no longer present on and therefore has no obligation to at present," Spock pointed out, keeping his voice calm, despite the fact he was logically trying to surrender his post to a man who he was beginning to hate (irrationally, of all things, though it seemed very rational at the moment). "He has all of my qualities to a superior degree, and your relationship with him alone would make working far more enjoyable. His greater experience could lend innumerable benefits to the crew and the ship that I cannot possibly provide."

Then, a pause. He hated what he was about to say, but it needed to be said. "Neither has he been--" Hated. "--compromised by recent events to the point where it has affected his mental stability."