To whom it may concern,
I would like to sincerely apologize to both Sensera and Fameanon, in no way was I attempting to steal your characters or plot line. For this I apologize, I didn't realize that I had done such a thing. In response to this I have made several alterations.
Ginie's name has been changed to Kathrine Samantha Forrest, her appearance will remain since it is essential for fans to see the connection between herself and Admiral Forrest, her father. You'll also note that the motorcycle has changed to a Cobalt Blue Yamazaki, it will appear several times in the series. She is still a MACO but also has a Masters in Poly Sci and Economics. That will not change.
Sorak has been changed to Suran, his appearance will also be altered, his hair will become salt and peppered and he will have gray eyes. He will be a bit more assertive, but still a Vulcan at heart.
As for the plot, I admit the parallel between the works is uncanny, however I will not change how she arrives before the Ambassador after 5 years, it was logical and something I could see the Admiral do without a doubt. Thus, the letter and plot device will remain. However, the direction was different to being with and you're going to love how far I'm going to take it.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me. All the names will be altered in both ACW and "Shattered".
I apologize once again.
Sincerely,
Kuro the Dark Ringmaster
On another note, this work has a parent work called "Shattered" it was inspired bySensera but after discussion I altered my work. All similarities weren't and Sorak belong to them. Thus they have been altered to Suran and Kate. It makes more sense when you read the parent work.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: Enterprise, it is property of Paramount Pictures and it's creators: Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. Katharine Forrest and Suran were inspired by characters created by Sensera and Fameanon's Ginie and Sorak. Any parallels between the works with this one were unintentional.
Part I: Memories
Magic, it is said to be all around us, in the air, under foot, beneath your fingers, and in your voice. It curls around us, keeping that small hope alive that perhaps there is something even greater than all of us. Each year there is one day, a single day where the fighting ceases and families gather, a special day where peace truly prevails on Earth. It also happens to be the one day a year that many ask for a miracle. They wish with all their heart and soul that somehow that which they lost will return to them whole. While the world seemed to come together for the one day dedicated to family, there are those who wish for one, just a moment where they belong to a group.
A chill had settled over the city, as the spirit of the holidays seemed to sneak its way into every house and shop window on main street, each nook and cranny some how had evidence that Christmas was going to arrive. Children gathering before windows lined with toys, their noses pressed against the glass, as though they would be able to break through it to reach the toy behind it. Parents looking over lists and laughing as they selected ornaments, wreathes and trees for the home. Even lovers making special plans to spend in the company of one another, their ideas blossoming into a night of romance and affection.
Yet, despite all this warmth there was a sadness which had settled in the heart of a young woman walking through the chaos. She was dressed from head to foot in her standard uniform, absent of any and all evidence that Christmas was due to arrive soon.
Kate Forrest is currently working as a body guard to Ambassador Soval, the crankiest Vulcan she had ever met. After the death of her father, she was assigned to him as a body guard, part of his last wishes. Naturally, she does as he asks and begins to work for him.
Kate looked out over the courtyard, the snow had just begun to fall and a chill swept through the foyer of the usually warm embassy. The sound of robes whispering as its occupants moved filled the air as well as hushed whispers. It was odd, during one of the warmest holidays of the year, not a single cheerful element was seen in the Consulate. It was understandable in some ways; after all they didn't celebrate Christmas. Then again, the Vulcan Minister was visiting and seemed interested in exploring their culture, especially during this time of year. She sighed as she looked at the wall across from her, she wasn't used to the Consulate being so cold, she had purchased a gift for the Minister, the Ambassador, and Suran, but wasn't certain if it was appropriate, she was the only human around.
Several pairs of dark eyes turned to her after hearing her heave a sigh, causing Kate to freeze, she could tell they were curious, well one of them was, the other glared at her. The young blonde straightened up, her blue eyes staring forward as she did so, she had a feeling that they were annoyed with her display of boredom. It wasn't boredom, more like two measures of conflict, ½ a measure of anxiety and ½ a measure of sadness, shaken over right with a thin slice of melancholy, thrown in the glass. It was only this cocktail, which could possibly describe what she was feeling.
In reality she hadn't had a real Christmas since her father's death, he had always made sure that joy and warmth enveloped the house during this time of year. It was a time of miracles and love. The one time of year he and her mother wouldn't fight. The only time of year they would stand with one another for a photo and send cards. Kate smiled softly at the thought of her father picking cards, it was something she always helped him with.
Usually he's buy one big box and then a special extra card. This single card was selected with care, a great deal of thought went into it and was normally one that each year became more and more beautiful. She didn't know who received the one card, for the longest time her mother suspected it was a mistress but she had a feeling it wasn't. He would look at the card for a while as he sat at his desk and write neatly in it. Oddly it was the only card he spent any time drafting and writing. She never learned the recipient of it, no matter how hard she tried to sneak a peak at the address of it, she never learned it.
Just outside the window the snow began to fall, the white puffs floated on the wind effortlessly, just as it had when she was a child, she could only imagine the amount of irritation it caused the Vulcans, they were a desert people after all. Yet, in her book snow marked the time of year, blue eyes gazed out the window as it fell, glowing in the light of the moon from the heavens above. She could remember how her father would pick her up and carry her outside as soon as he spotted the first snow. She would rise as soon as he woke her, Admiral Forrest was always careful to wrap her in a number of layers and lead her out into the backyard. Sitting on a side table was the hot cacao and they would watch the snow fall for an hour before he shoved her inside. It was quiet and cold, yet with her father there, it seemed warm and comforting. Kate shook her head, her life hadn't been like that since he died.
Her mother didn't do anything for Christmas, except run off on vacation to some tropical location. Her siblings often joined her, and few ever did any of the traditions she had as a child. As the years passed the more frequent were the fights on and around Christmas. She could still feel the sting of her mother's words as she told Kate that she looked too much liker her father and to leave because looking at her hurt. She learned later he mother never wanted her, she was an accident. Her mother only wanted Sam, her older brother, and not her. It was her father who fought to have her, stating he wanted a little girl to treat as a princess. Even if she turned into a tomboy, she would always be his princess.
It saddened her to think that the things she had used to mark time passing were gone as soon as her father was snatched from the universe. Her mother wanted nothing to do with the massive amounts of charity, how her father visited veterans in the hospital, helped hand out food to the needy and even helped with the Children's Choir in the chapel not far from their home. Her father wasn't very religious, but his kindness seemed to warm all those he touched.
Even as a little girl she watched her father put on a pair of jeans and a Santa hat with a bulky brown coat, a tool belt around his waste and a pair of work gloves. He was ready to build miracles, and he did each year. With new designs in parks, helping make repairs to soup kitchens and the like and even playing with kids. Her father, the man who's bear hugs made the day better, and gentle touches reminded those he was close to that they were not only safe but wanted.
She could remember the gleam in his sky blue eyes as he was met with a new task, he had managed with the assistance of several crew members to construct several homes in a small rural town in Iowa for a total of 20 families. They were completed in nearly a month and a half, with heat, electricity, running water, and all the essentials. He hadn't sat back through it, no, he was there lifting walls in place, placing insulation and putting up sheetrock. His large calloused hands would hold a drill and he would hang on just about anything to get the job done. With each home came one final touch, a Christmas tree, fully trimmed, which she helped create.
For those brief weeks he wasn't Admiral Forrest, but Max, her father. His cheeks were almost always tinted pink as was his nose from the cold. They would work together to trim the trees outside a children's hospital and he would tote a sack of goodies through it. Of course he refused to wear the suit, but to be honest the kids didn't care. Max was going to visit them and attempt to brighten the bleak white halls of the hospital with hope and joy. His smiles were infectious and his laughter would make even the gloomiest rooms bright.
The way the snow would stick in his short hair and how he would carry her on his shoulders, he always smelt of cedar, pine and cinnamon. He was her father, and she wouldn't change a thing about him. Oddly it was her favorite time of year, simply because her father got to be the man he was and not the Admiral who made Star Fleet famous. Not that she hated it, but it was nice to see the man she knew at home too.
Each year, like clock work, Kate would do all the things they had done together. Only this year she was working in the Consulate, simply because the Ambassador deemed it necessary, so there she stood outside his door, staring out the window as she tortured her self with memories of what had been. She would try to do the annual things, each year she would help with cookies, deliver toys, visit veterans and children in hospitals, only it wasn't the same. She wasn't her father, and each year she noticed the sadness in the eyes of adults who knew her father. The way they looked at her as she walked by wearing his old hat and bettered brown jacket.
Kate never wanted pity, pity wouldn't bring him back, but she wished for one night, just one she wouldn't have to return to a cold and empty house. She wouldn't have to spend Christmas alone since her mother wanted nothing to do with her. She wouldn't have to wonder what it would be like to see her father, and if he would be proud. She ached for one more hug and kiss on the head, just one more to tell her she was loved and wanted.
Her vision blurred for a moment and in a brief second of confusion she lifted her fingers to her cheek, only to discover something damp against them. She pulled her long slender fingers away and stared at them dumbly, she didn't even realize she was crying. She hadn't felt the tears escape and now wondered if that was why the Vulcans stared at her. Her gaze left her fingers and sifted to her reflection in the window where she realized just how bad she looked. Her eyes were brimming with ears and she could see the line traveling down her face from the one which had escaped.
The only piece of evidence of just how badly she missed her father.
~~*CW*~~
Christmas, it was one of the most irritating holidays on Earth, considering people often blew it out of proportion. It was supposed to be a time of peace and joy, only it had become highly commercialized and didn't seem to have the same meaning, at least it didn't in the eyes of a certain Vulcan. A pair of dark brown eyes glared out at the sky, snow, he hated snow. It was wet, cold and made him miserable, not that he could feel misery. The Minister was resting in the privet housing of the consulate and he had decided to get a jump start on his paperwork. Even if he knew most of the offices would be closed since it was an Earth Holiday, he didn't like the idea of being behind.
Dark olive toned hands wrapped around a stylus as he made several annotations on the PADD before him. Most of it was on trade, the taxation on Vulcan goods was illogical since it harmed both their economies, the objective was to allow them to grow in unison and foster a rather beneficial economic bond. The only issue was that the human's didn't understand how to build one that wouldn't strangle either side if something were to occur.
There was a subtle knock on the door, drawing him out of his revive, "Enter," he called as he looked up. Standing before him was a rather weary looking elder Vulcan, he had gray hair and a pair of rather bright blue eyes, his skin was pail and his face had a few wrinkles. Suran held out a stack of envelopes, most of them were about up and coming events. "Osu, these were just delivered," he explained as the Ambassador held his hand out for them. "Thank you, Suran," he stated before placing the stack on his desk.
The Vulcan nodded and stood awaiting orders, "Is there anything else I can do for you Osu?" he asked. The Ambassador looked up, only to catch his reflection in the now blank screen of a PADD. His silver hair was neatly placed, he had aged very little since he arrived on earth and noted his prominent nose and chiseled chin. He returned his attention to his aide once more and replied, "No, thank you Suran, that's all for now."
His aide bowed slightly before leaving, he listened to the door close behind his aide before turning his attention to the calendar before him, it was the 23rd and Christmas Eve was just around the corner. The Ambassador paused as he looked out the window once again, as much as he disliked the holiday he recognized it was important to most humans, especially since this year it lined up with Chanukah, and Kwanza. Dark brown eyes floated over his desk and he noticed an empty space on it, the space that was usually occupied by a special Christmas Card, one that for the longest time he disliked.
The Vulcan quickly ushered such thoughts away, the Andorians and Vulcans had been experiencing a great deal of tension. Once again the Andorians were demanding more than the Vulcans were willing to give, not that this wasn't unusual, but their violence certainly seemed to escalate. Several trade ships from Vulcan on its way to earth were attacked, causing the Vulcan people to become even more irate than usual with the Andiroans. With such tension even the Ambassadors steered clear of one another and only conversed when necessary.
It didn't help that someone had once again attempted to assassinate him, two months, one week, two days, nine hours and eighteen minuets ago. He had been walking through the park with Suran discussing the implications of trade between the planets once they opened trade even more and the ideas of the Starfleet Admiral, the goal was to create a Galactic marketplace. The policies were difficult and the arguments seemed to ring out even more than he thought possible. They were so entrenched in their discussion that he had missed the signature sound of a phaser charging.
Before he realized what was happening he was falling backward, a small figure had slammed into him causing him to fall and Suran in turn. He could remember the sound of a phaser being fired and her return shots, they seemed to split the air above him and he could remember her glaring at the target. Naturally their attacker had attempted to take off, only for Kate to stun him. He could still remember how the young man had fallen, it was quick and she glared at him before turning her attention to him and Suran. In that moment she looked every bit the warrior she had been trained to be.
In those seconds she looked every bit the way his friend Admiral Forrest had looked, protective, confident and cool.
A reminder that the young woman before him wasn't the same young girl he had met at a Christmas event. The memory of Kate as a child still remained; she was dressed in a cool blue and silver dress with a pair of black mary-janes and a midnight blue bow in her hair. Her blue eyes stood out from her pale skin and she looked very much like a doll. Those large ceruleans glistened with curiosity and that evening he spent time answering her questions, which were rather intelligent for a child of nine years, and secretly enjoyed every moment of it. However, that wasn't what he enjoyed the most, it was the sound of a bright violin that still loomed in his memory.
That evening he watched the young girl sit up, he had inquired as to where she was going, only for her to reply, "To give a gift." It was simple and yet it confused him, he hadn't seen her with a package of any form. He watched curiously as the young girl walked toward the side wall and pulled out a black case. With ease she opened it and moments later had a violin in her hands. She tucked it under her chin and quickly checked the strings, plucking them delicately to insure it was indeed in tune. The bow was held loosely between her fingers as she did so.
Once the instrument had met her requirements she walked into the middle of the room, with it in her hands. Her strides were smooth, it were as though she were gliding across the floor. Her light blue dress swaying as she did, he was quiet as he watched her with intrest. She had said she was going to give a gift and he wondered just what this gift entailed. He turned to the Admiral who held his hand up and mouthed, wait. Soval turned his attention to the young girl now standing in the middle of the floor, her violin was tucked under her chin and she delicately positioned her fingers. Blue eyes flickered closed as she drew a deep breath. He watched intently as the bow was drawn across the strings, and in that moment as soon as he heard the bow being drawn he was enthralled. The sound was light and soft, it sounded as though he were listening to the beat of a butterfly's wings, gentle and supple to the ear.
Soval stared, it took everything he had to mask his shock. The room fell silent instantly as he listened to a recording of an orchestra respond to her pleading call. Her small fingers flowed deftly over the black finger board, and the bow moved with the same fluid motion of water. The young girl who had spent her evening conversing with him about his culture was allowing him into her world. He could hear the peddles of a flour opening, the sound of a gentle breeze caressing his skin as he was invited into a sacred place under vast blue skies.
Her crystal blue eyes were closed and her expression was the epitomie of serenity, no one would ever know that she had been nervous about this moment. In fact, if he hadn't been speaking to her the entire night, he would have sworn she was confident in every movement, only did he realize now why she was so nervous. Yet, her nervousness never caused her bow to falter.
The Ambassador slowly opened his eyes as he listened to the final note, it trembled slightly in the air, a solemn but sweet good-bye. Without thinking he was on his feet, he began to clap loudly as did a number of other individuals. For the first time in what had felt like years he had felt a peace thanks to the actions of another. "What was the solo called?" he asked Admiral Forrest after a moment, his eyes fell on his old friend with curiosity.
He watched a smile curl the Admiral's lips as he stated, "You should ask Kate." Soval turned to see the young violinist standing beside him, she was still holding her violin and he noticed a few trendles had escaped the confines of her hair bow. "You're technique was impressive, and you play very well," he stated. A light dusting of rose crossed her cheeks and she glanced away from him, he was confused momentarily, only to realize that he had embarrassed her. "Thank you, I'm still learning and I thought I was rather clumsy on the execution," she replied softly. The Ambassador lifted a brow to this, he had never heard the piece but didn't think it sounded clumsy, in fact, it was anything but.
"I would have to listen to more recordings before I could determine such a thing," he stated simply. Kate nodded as she swept one of her long blonde curls behind her ear. She chewed on her bottom lip and he wondered just what it was about him that made her nervous. "Honey, the Ambassador was wondering what the piece was called. Why don't you tell him?" asked the Admiral, he flashed a warm smile causing the tension in the girl's shoulders to release ever so slightly.
Kate looked up at him and smiled a little, "The solo was a compilation of smaller solos which appear in a famous Symphonic Suite, called 'Scheherazade', composed by Rimsky-Korsakov in 1888," she replied. It was only then Soval noted that she had earned the attention of not only himself but his aide and the other Ambassadors who had joined the party, including the Andronian Ambassador. The young girl never shifted her attention and continued, "It was based on a famous collection of stories often called One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. It was one of the few of it's type, although it contains all the hallmarks of a traditional Russian Composition for the time, colorful orchestration and an interest in the Middle East, it is considered to be one of his greatest works, but few know of it." Kate paused as she looked to her father.
Not only could she play the solo, but she knew of the composer and the history of the piece, another unexpected fact. Max nodded and gestured for her to continue, she turned her gaze to Soval once again, her blue eyes seeking his permission to continue. Oddly, he found this endearing, she clearly cared about the social constructs of his culture, enough to attempt to insure that she wasn't overstepping her bounds. Soval nodded, curious to hear the rest of the information she knew of the work.
"The story, One Thousand and One Nights, was about a sultan who had to marry a wife, but did not desire one. If he refused to marry he would loose his position. So each day he would take a new wife, only to kill her in the morning, after marriage was consummated the night before," she began her voice was firm bust distant, "The protagonist never intended to marry the Sultan, she was forced. She had no desire to die, so she decided that rather than consummating the marriage she would tell the Sultan a story.
"The Sultan at first was irritated, but decided that the story wouldn't hurt, if it would make her relax enough for consummation. So Scheherazad began her tale. As she spun her story, the Sultan became enthralled, so much so that his original objective became a detail as she told of thieves, magical Kates, and a famous sailor named Sindbad, to name a few," a smile curled her lips at the last story, "She would weave them so well that when the morning sun arrived, she would leave him on a cliff-hanger. The Sultan was so enthralled that he prolonged her execution and demanded that she return the next night to hear the next tale.
"For One Thousand and One Nights, she spun these tales, all of them fitting together, yet strong enough to stand on their own. After doing this, the need to survive suddenly lessened as the cold sultan warmed to her, and even began to love her," Kate said tenderly, her fingers slipping over the scroll at the end of her violin as she said this, "On the final night she ended the story and finally allowed the Sultan his prize, not just consummation, but a true marriage, one which he never wanted to escape."
The group of dignitaries was silent as they listened to her summary. "Why was the piece called Scheherazad?" asked the Andorian, oddly it was a logical question. Kate smiled as she looked at him, "Scheherazad was her name," she replied. Ambassador Soval was quiet as he looked at the girl before him, the story sounded interesting and he wondered why he had never heard of the collection of tales. Quickly he turned to Suran and whispered in Vulcan, requesting a copy to be brought to him, he had a feeling it was going to be large, but he oddly thought it logical to read them, just to understand the Middle Eastern Culture, which he had little knowledge of.
Soval slipped out of his memories of the young woman who was now guarding his door, curiously he wondered if she still played. She had only been nine when she preformed for him, and he could tell by the response in the room that she was beyond her years in skill then. If she had continued she could possibly become a master.
The Ambassador shoved his musings aside as he picked up a PADD, all that was left was his signature on a report and he could send it off to the High Command. With a slight flourish he signed the PADD and sent the report on it's way. He stood up from his seat and quickly crossed his office. As he opened the door he noticed something that he never anticipated he would see. Kate, while standing at attention, he noticed tear tracks running down her face, she had attempted to dry them, but their evidence was clear as day to his keen eyes.
Her normally crystal clear blue eyes, were red and he could tell they were slightly swollen, he hadn't insulted her, he was well aware that he wasn't what many humans considered to be considerate, however, he hadn't done anything to merit tears. He stood silently watching her, concern slowly ebbing at his self control. "Major, are you alright?" he asked hesitantly. It wasn't like him to inquire about her well-being, but he just wanted to make sure she wasn't injured which would affect her ability to protect him.
The young woman turned to him, he could tell she was putting up a brave face for him as she gave him a stiff nod. "Yes sir," her tone was unyielding as she guarded her emotions. While he knew she was lying, he didn't say a word, he had no interest in pushing her away. He nodded as he walked toward his quarters, Kate followed him diligently until he was inside the privet residence. "Good night, Ambassador," she said softly. Soval nodded in turn, as he watched her turn to leave, something was wrong, now all he had to do was figure out what it was.