Written for the LJ ReverseBang
Based on the art of linstock: Steampunk Lovers
Betas: wyntreaurora, ndia_ink
Genre: Steampunk AU; Reboot Uhura/TOS Mirror Spock
Warnings: Total AU, a bit fluffy
Fic Summary: The Star Alliance is a collection of independent principalities. The Age of Steam has wrought changes in the balance of power. Political maneuvering and royal intrigue resemble a chess match. Nyota Uhura just hopes she's not the pawn in someone else's game.
Arts Mécaniques
Roland M'Batu, chief advisor to Prince Ba'laan Uhura of the Federated Territories, strode the cold corridors to the privy chamber, headed for a meeting he dreaded. He slowed his steps as he turned the corner, wiped his damp brow and neck with a silk handkerchief, then walked purposefully to the door. He nodded at the guards and waited as they opened the giant wooden doors, intricately carved with the ancient history of the Uhura clan. As he made his way to the farthest window, where His Highness stood, M'Batu found himself wondering if the decisions made today would make it into the clan's saga.
Prince Uhura spoke without turning. "Well? Has there been a reply?"
"Yes, Highness. The Vulcan Prince is ready to discuss terms of an agreement. He accepted your proposal, and suggested he send his advisors here to discuss the arrangements, as an act of good faith."
"Hmmf. This Vulcan is all courtesy and promises. Well, wait a time and reply that I accept his proposal. Then keep me apprised of the arrangements as you make them.
"Of course, your Highness." M'Batu bowed and turned to leave.
"A moment, 'Batu. The Vulcan, has he any unmarried sons?"
"Yes, your Highness. Two sons of marriageable age."
"Well, that will bear considering." He sighed, resigned, as if it was something he'd rather not consider. He shook his head and raised his hand.
"That will be all for now M'Batu. Thank you."
M'Batu bowed and made his way out of the room. As the guards closed the doors behind him, he let out the breath he'd been holding and walked with purpose down the corridor to his own office.
He shook his head. The Prince knew full well that the Vulcan had two sons. Ba'laan Uhura brought up the topic for one purpose; to let Roland know to put out feelers regarding a marriage between the two principalities.
Roland sat at his desk and folded his hands. He closed his eyes in thought for a moment. For the Prince to make such overtures was a bad sign. He wondered if this course of action would have been considered if the Princess was still alive. The Prince must have given up hope of any other diplomatic measures to stabilize the brewing troubles with the Vulcans, their neighbors to the south.
There had been no outright war between the two kingdoms in over 400 years, since the Vulcans eschewed violence in favor of logic. But that logic was cold, calculating. While trade between the two nations had been equitable for much of that time (Vulcans had the technology; The Federated Territories had the raw materials and energy resources), the balance of power was swiftly tilting in favor of the Vulcans. The Federated Territories' primary trading partner was Vulcan; Vulcan's reach had extended halfway across the world.
The Federated Territories' hard-won prosperity was now in danger; higher tariffs and lower prices for their own exports ushered in a slow decline. The nation struggled as the newly-poor sought the low-wage jobs in Vulcan's factories, creating the world's latest and greatest technologies for pennies an hour.
Prince Uhura knew, as did Roland, that the tipping point was near. Vulcan held all the cards. Roland had never allowed himself to even consider that the Prince might use his own daughters in this dangerous game. Matters were indeed becoming desperate.
Roland opened his eyes and sighed. he turned on the mechanical writer on his desk, and began composing a letter to the Vulcan envoy.
Nyota Uhura sat in the library, trying to rush through her Orion verb conjugations.
"My Lady," said her tutor, exasperated, "I know that you are anxious to leave. The airship, however, will not leave without you. Your father gave explicit instructions—"
"I know, I know. I may not leave until I finish the lesson to your satisfaction, professor." Nyota took a deep breath and steadied her nerves. "I am ready. Continue."
"To be," her tutor instructed. "Past tense…"
"Ib raan
ga raang
twa raang…."
Nyota had no idea how she got through the last half hour of her tutorial. She was about to go on her first international trip without her parents. And Captain J.T. Kirk, who would serve as her escort to the Harvest Festival in Bolius' capital city, would pilot the airship. Of course there also was old Cousin Wynn going with them as chaperone. But still! A week away with no duties or studies. Nothing but banquets, entertainment, dancing! It was the first time the 19 year old felt like the princess she was.
Everything was packed. All she needed to do was dress for the journey. She left the library with a grin on her face and it was all she could do not to run to her rooms.
The guards opened the doors at her approach. Her maid, Cassie was there waiting for her, hardly less excited than her mistress.
"Come, m'lady. Your clothes are laid out for you."
Nyota began changing as Cassie helped her don her new traveling clothes; a cream canvas flight skirt, the latest style in travel boots, a collarless blouse in starched white cotton, and the brown leather flight jacket, complete with the royal crest. As Nyota inspected herself in the mirror, Cassie brought out her hat, gloves, and goggles.
"Ready?" the young maid asked her mistress.
Nyota grinned. "Yes. Let's go."
The pair made their way through the residential wing and down the steps, past the throne room and privy chamber. As they reached the Clan Room, the sitting room reserved for family, two guards swiftly opened the doors. A tiny woman of middling years sat stiffly in an armchair facing the fire.
"Cousin Wynn," said Nyota, giving her father's first cousin a quick curtsey. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting long."
"Long enough for me to have a cup of tea and warm myself before we go on that awful contraption," Cousin Wynn said sourly.
Nyota sat and pulled on her gloves. "Cousin, I'll never understand why you complain so about airships. You hardly take the train anymore, and are always flying about the territories."
"Hmmph. It's only because they are faster. I cannot be dawdling about."
Nyota smiled and took the cup of tea that a servant provided. "If you say so, Cousin."
"I do say so," she replied, and smoothed an imaginary wrinkle in her skirt. "Now, where is that father of yours? Doesn't he know we have a flight to Bolius? I hate landing after dark—"
The great doors to the sitting room were thrown open, and Prince Uhura strode in. Nyota and Wynn both rose and curtseyed.
"Now, now….enough of that. Sit down you two," said the Prince as he eased himself into his favorite chair. "Wynn, good of you to do this for Ny."
"As always, Ba'laan, I am happy to assist," said Wynn, lowering her head in a respectful bow. "Besides, it has been many years since I saw the Bolian capital. It will be a pleasure to visit the palace once more."
"Good, good," said the Prince, taking a sip of wine. "And keeping my eldest child out of mischief, I hope."
"Father, when have I ever caused you concern about mischief?"
"Oh ho!" laughed her father. "What about the time you hid in the barn and had the whole staff out looking for you, eh? Or when you decided to teach yourself to drive the steamcar since I would not?"
"Uh, well…"
"Uh, well indeed," Prince Ba'laan said with a smile. "But this is different. It is your first journey to another realm. I know I do not need to remind you that you represent not only the House of Uhura, but the nation as well—"
"Yes, father. I will do nothing to cast you or our people in an unflattering light."
"…and while young Kirk is a good officer, beware of him and any other man seeks more than a dance or two and polite conversation. And no more than one glass of wine, young lady…"
"Father!"
"Yes, well, Wynn here will make sure nothing of that sort takes place." He stood. "Well, Ny, off you go. Have a good time, mind your cousin, and tel-com me when you are settled." He kissed his daughter's forehead.
"Yes, father. Thank you."
"And Wynn, I hope you take a turn on the ballroom floor yourself," he said kissing his cousin on the cheek.
"Pshaw! Off with you Ba'laan, we have an airship waiting for us."
With that, the pair made their way to the courtyard, followed by their maids. The royal steamcarriage waited for them at the bottom of the steps, its engine puffing away at the rear as the driver made various adjustments. Footmen moved forward and helped the ladies into the car. Once seated, Nyota looked through the window, up at the palace. There stood her father at the window of the privy chamber. She waved with a smile. He waved back, but there was something sad in his eyes.
The steamcarriage rolled into the airship port, right up to the red carpet. The footmen opened the doors for Nyota and Lady Wynn, and Captain Kirk was there to greet them. He made a dashing figure in his air captain's uniform.
"My Ladies; it is my great honor to accompany you to Bolius. The Enterprise awaits. Allow me…" he held out an arm to each woman and they walked the length of the red carpet to the mechanical lift. The lift operator opened the door, bowed, and soon the trio rode higher, higher, to the airship's portal.
Nyota and Wynn settled in the royal cabin, drinking tea as the airship slowly rose. Nyota put her cup down and turned to her cousin.
"Is it possible to be excited about something, and dread it at the same time?"
Wynn smiled sadly. "Yes, Ny, it is."
The first night of the Harvest Festival was to be a great banquet and special entertainment. After all were settled in their respective quarters, Cassie helped Nyota prepare for the evening. She steamed the gown to shimmery perfection, and the cloth resembled liquid gold. When Nyota emerged from the bath, Cassie curled her hair in the latest fashion. Next she retrieved the gold tiara with its amethysts and diamonds, adding the gold pins to secure it.
Nyota looked at herself in the mirror. "I do clean up well, if I do say so myself."
Cassie laughed. "As I am telling you almost daily! You are a princess and yet you dress as hidebound librarian."
It was Nyota's turn to laugh. "That's because I am a hidebound librarian!" Her face turned serious. "I spend a great deal of time in books and have learned much that my father is not aware I know. This trip is not for diplomatic good-will, or for personal pleasure, Cassie. Keep your ears open, especially for word of the Vulcan royal family."
Cassie nodded. "I thought something was in the air. Well, I'm not above a little eavesdropping below stairs. And I'm sure there's a manservant I can cozy up to." She winked. "Wake me when you get in; I'll tell you all I learn."
Nyota bent to kiss her maid on the cheek. "You are a rare jewel, Cassandra," she said with a smile.
A knock came at the door and Cousin Wynn entered.
"Well, my young cousin. You look lovely."
"So do you Cousin Wynn! Enough to capture a few hearts, I'll wager!"
"Oh, hush child," her cousin said, not displeased. She seated herself. "Now, I wish to speak to you seriously before the captain arrives."
"Of course. What is the matter?"
"I just recommend keeping your wits about you, and learning all you can about any persons of influence."
"Dear Cousin Wynn, I am aware that this is, shall we say, an 'educational opportunity,' and as a matter of fact, I have urged Cassie to consider it such as well."
Wynn nodded, satisfied. "Well, I am glad to see you learned more than painting and poetry from those sycophants your father call tutors."
"I found early in my education that one can learn a great deal from what is omitted from a textbook, and that sitting in the broom closet behind the throne room can lead to very interesting discoveries."
"Ha!" Wynn clapped her hands in a rare moment of mirth. "My dear girl, I am glad to see that you inherited your mother's cunning as well as your father's charms."
Nyota lowered her head in thanks, and a knock came at the door.
"Captain Kirk," announced the servant.
"Ladies," said the captain, bowing, "I shall be the envy of the assembled company, for you are the loveliest creatures here."
"Enough with the flattery, Captain," said Wynn. "And give me your arm. I hope these entertainments won't take too long. I'm starved."
The trio made their way to the reception in the Grand Foyer. Liveried servants passed by with trays of tall champagne glasses and hors d'oeuvres.
As to be expected, the Lady Nyota, being the eldest (and unmarried) child of the Prince of The Federated Territories, was the object of much curiosity. Any single man of high birth (or his mother) sought an introduction, and Nyota had hardly a chance to sip at her wine. She felt as if her face would freeze in its forced smile. As yet another gentleman bowed and took his leave Nyota touched Captain Kirk's arm.
"I need some fresh air."
"Of course. This way." They made their way to an open window. As the captain went in search of refreshment, Nyota leaned to whisper to her cousin.
"Cousin Wynn, who is that dark gentleman standing by the tapestry over there?"
"Ah, that is Spock, the younger son of Sarek of Vulcan. Be wary of him, young cousin. They say his heart is a cold as his stare. It gives me the shivers just to look at him."
Nyota agreed as she looked at the bearded man standing solitary against the wall. He was as still as a statue, except for his eyes, which roamed about the room in an emotionless glare. When his eyes met hers, he nodded in an abbreviated bow. Nyota looked away quickly, ashamed to have been caught regarding him. She cleared her throat.
"And is that his elder brother?"
"His half-brother and heir to Prince Sarek, Lord Sybok. He is quite a gentleman; a bit on the wild side, I'm told, but no more than usual for the young heir to the throne."
Captain Kirk returned with wine for the ladies, and soon the announcement was made that the entertainments were about to begin.