Am Richtungen 001...
Captain Archer regarded the message with slight amusement. "I didn't think Genevieve would want me anywhere near Soval, let alone a family function."
He mused. He felt very happy for Genie for finding a good man so soon in life, despite his misgivings. Reading the message again, he had no doubt that she had had a lot of influence in composing it. Thinking for a moment, he went ahead and hit the intercom.
"Lt Bates, meet me in my Ready room."
Sitting back. He keyed the com again.
"Lt Jasmine Sir." Came the delta shifts commo officer.
"Lt. I need to place a call to Terra. Could you patch me through to the Vulcan Consulate in Sausalito, using these codes?"
"I'll try Sir. Should have you through in a moment." Came the reply.
"Just patch him through when he answers. Archer out."
A few moments later. Lt Bates stepped into the Ready Room.
" You wanted to see me Sir?"
"Yes John. I just got a personal call and need to respond. I need you hold the flag while I'm out of contact. Should not be no more than a half hour or so.
If that."
Bates replied. "No problem Sir. Ships status is still green. Were still coasting five days out from 001. So hopefully, nobody's thinking of stirring things
up in the mean time. Everything ok Sir/"
Meaning?" Jon looked at his temporary XO.
"Meaning family Sir. No one sick?"
"Oh." Jon smiled. "Nothing like that. Just a call from an old colleague I've been out of touch with for a while. Wants to invite me to a family
gathering. I was supposed to contact him with the particulars. Also had something important to discuss with me."
Finished speaking. Jon raised his arms overhead and leaned back in his chair as he stretched. His spine popped pretty loud as he pressed
against the back rest. Holding that position with his eyes closed. When he opened his eyes. He saw Bates still standing there
there grinning at him.
"What?"
"How old did you say you were. Sir?" He asked with just a little mirth.
"Not too far ahead of you. Don't worry. Your day is coming."
John answered back with a grin. Straightening. He reached onto his desk and grabbed a PADD and handed it to Bates.
"And when it starts hitting me, I'll probably jack knifed with Parkinson's. I dread getting old. Was all Bates replied as he perused the PADD.
"Let me know when your back in the saddle Sir." He finished and headed out the door as the Soval's image appeared on the screen.
Jon turned his attention to the desk monitor and regarded Soval.
"I trust you just received my message Jon?"
"Indeed I did Soval. I never even knew you had a daughter. Tell her congratulations."
"Thank you. But actually, she's my niece. We had adopted her shortly after she came to live with us. She regards us as the family she should have had."
Jon could swear, he could actually sense a warmth in Sovals voice as he answered Jon.
"That's good. What I'm even more curious about is your message implied something more. It will not be a problem for me to make it to the bonding, but
do you have something else in mind?"
Soval closed his eyes a moment, then leaned forward slightly. It appeared he was working on something just out of view of the pick up. Shortly, an
incoming file notice popped up in the lower left corner of Jon's monitor. Soval looked back at Jon and answered.
"I am not making this request lightly Jonathan. But I would have you go over the information in this profile. Then give me your answer when you
arrive at the consulate. It is imperative to have an answer sooner, but I leave it to you to make your own judgement."
Jon was intrigued by Soval's request. "I will do so, but now I'm a bit curious as to what I'm getting myself into."
His reply seemed to spark a hint of mischief in Soval's eyes. Soval leaned forward again and it was obvious he was adjusting the video feed. The
next thing Jon knew. He saw Soval seated with Genie to his right. A beautiful, petite auburn haired young lady to Genie's right. And to the young
lady's right was none other than Dr. Orratt. Regarding the four people who now filled the screen. He commented.
"I guess it must be serious then."
"It is. However, this is a matter that is best dealt with among family. Dr. Orrat has been tasked by his matriarch on the matter of a bonding
concerning an allied daughter. And I will have him explain what is asked of you."
With a nod. Soval indicated Orrat take over the conversation. Jon turned his attention to Orratt and found himself being seriously regarded
by the old doctor.
"Captain regarding your past animosity towards my people, may I prevail upon you my apologies concerning your father. I understand our
deeply rooted sense of jurisprudence had considerably crippled his attempts to have a working warp engine for your people and that it gave y
ou a sense of bitter animosity since he never lived to see it come to fruition."
Jon nodded. A bit puzzled.
"What has my past attitude towards your people have to do with this Doctor? I have come a long way since then and have come to respect
many of your people in the prevailing years."
Jon was becoming unsure where this was heading now.
"And I assure you Captain, I can appreciate such a change being beneficial in your interactions with us. However, what we are prevailing on
you to do is become very intimate with our people in a manner that you have not experienced before. As of now. There is only one other
Vulcan in Starfleet who has been involved with a human. Much to her clans disapproval. And to our knowledge, this will be the second."
Orratt paused a moment, to share a look at Soval, who indicated for him to continue.
"You have received a standard profile of a young Vulcan woman named T'Wen. She is now a widow and it is imperative that she be bonded soon.
She suffered greatly at her mates demise, and I'm sure Ambassador Soval can fil you in on this event."
When he stopped speaking. Jon regarded the file notice in the corner of his monitor a moment before answering.
"Soval. This wouldn't happen to be related to that incident where some extremists tried to infiltrate the Vulcan compound behind the
consulate about six monthes ago?"
Soval sighed tiredly looking down as he did. Making eye contact with Jon. He answered.
"A group calling them selves Pouze Terra disguised as city service workers forced their way into the residential area and tried to inflict a
great deal of damage to our facilities and people. We had managed to contain a great many of these terrorists, except for a small group
of a dozen who had taken refuge in the service bays. They had taken several males as hostages. And while we tried to fight our way down
to them. Had tortured these men. T'wen's mate had been unable to shield his mate from the massive pain he'd experienced as he slowly
died, and T'Wen literally got to feel him pass away. She is in a very fragile state, so this is why we are prevailing upon you to step in."
Soval stopped speaking and looked at Jon.
"It is imperative that we have your answer soon. Jonathan."
"In regards to attending Soval, I will most definitely be there, I'll go through the file, and would having an answer for you be rendered when I get there?"
Jon felt like he was about to be painted into a corner on this one. In a sense he knew he was. He didn't quite understand what point Soval wanted to
make with him on this proposal. Regarding Soval. He nodded.
"Seven days it is. I'll let you know when we make orbit. Thanx Soval."
Soval nodded as the connection ended.
Jon sat back in his chair. This is kinda heavy. He thought. This is in revenge for what? His musings continued as he downloaded the file to a PADD and
rose to head to the bridge.
Sausalito.
Soval rose from the couch as the connection terminated. rounding the low table in front of the couch, hands steepled in front of him.
He looked down, then turned to face Orratt.
"It is a long shot, but I honestly hope he takes it. Despite evidence to the contrary, that we would be capable of emotional markers. Doctor.
I should be agreeable to dismiss you for the day to take care of needful things. I was almost ready to dismiss you entirely. However, since
your Telsu initiated your bonding, there isn't much I can contribute to the matter."
He ended that by regarding Bridgett with a sharply cocked brow. Bridgett only grinned at him before looking at Genie, her grin blooming to
a full smile. Genie simply looked at her with amusement.
"It seems to run in the family. Preferring older men. As I had told you before. You make this decision and stick with it. I have the inclination
that you wont regret it. I couldn't ask for a more honorable man for you. I don't have any reservations about you going through with the bond.
I know right now you want to get it over with and have a hold of your man, but have a little patience. It will happen soon enough."
Genie turned to Soval.
"I'm surprised you didn't mention that we finally figured out Jon was the one who fixed my paper work to join the Maco's. He will definitely think
this is revenge."
Soval noted her slightly amused tone. He also couldn't help but admit, it was a good way to keep Jon in line and earn some maturity.
Bridgett and Genie both could tell that Soval's eyes displayed a little mischief as he continued to regard them.
"It would be in his best interests if he accepts. He may have earned my respect, despite his human failings, but lets say he could use some improvement."
To Orratt. "As to the status of your kinswoman, Has she been made comfortable?"
"Osu, she is with the healers at this time. Her daughters are with their fore mother, and will remain there until after the bonding.
I trust that Admiral Forrest has been made aware of this little enterprise?"
Soval nodded.
"To quote him Doctor: This is in revenge to what. He was highly amused when we finally revealed that he was the one that had had Genie
inducted into the Maco's by deception. He was in agreement that it could be used as a highly effective black mail tool."
Genie giggled at that. "Proper Justice I would say." Sharing a conspiratorial grin with Bridgett as she spoke. Bridgett listened to the conversation
with interest. And was no doubt amused by this little prenup detail from her mothers past. And trying mightily not to giggle...