To boldly go where no man has gone before, that was the creed of the Starship Enterprise. But this was weird, even for them, Jim thought as he adjusted his collar for what must be the tenth time as he waited beside Scotty in the transport room. They had been contacted by Starfleet and asked to escort a royal family back to their home planet of Asheera, and since it was on their current course there had been no reason to refuse. Besides, new people was always welcome on board a ship where every face was familiar, even if you could not put a name to it. But still, these… Ash-irans, was that how you said it?... were the strangest people he had ever been briefed on. And that was saying something. Apparently. They were in addition to two sexes also divided into two sub-sexes, so to speak. Singers and Guardians. Jim wasn't sure what the distinction was, but he knew not to acknowledge the presence of a singer - not even to look at them. Apparently, the singers were identifiable by off-worlders due to wearing old-fashioned domino masks, of a style that had once been quite popular on earth. However the asheeran, that was the name, the asheeran masks covered the bottom half of the face instead of the top, like earth ones.
"Beaming up now, Jim" Scotty's voice broke into his disorganised thoughts and Jim instinctively straightened up into a rigid pose he practiced very hard when alone in his quarters. There was the familiar whirring, buzzing noise and then there they were. Five of them, like expected. The king, his two children and their consorts. The king, easily recognised by his fine robes and proud stance, stepped down slowly, as if unsure how his feet would carry him. When he spoke, however, his voice did not so much as hint at any discomfort.
"I am king Herodion of Amhrán, crown of Asheera." he said slowly, as if he was testing the words. "Which one of you is Captain James T Kirk?" Jim stepped forward, hand outstretched in the customary human greeting. According to his briefing, the asheerans were keen on skin on skin contact. Low level telepaths, they were more comfortable with unvoiced conversations. Jim did his best to keep his mind calm and collected, focused on the situation. Best not to dwell on things better not dwelt on. The King's brow furrowed momentarily but then he smiled, and his severe dark face softened into something that could almost be considered handsome. He shook Jim's hand.
"Welcome aboard the Enterprise" Jim said warmly, "I am Captain Kirk."
"It is most generous of you to allow us aboard your ship" King Herodion went on, his voice now warm like hot brandy on a cold evening. It sent shivers down Jim's spine. The pleasant sort of shivers, like with- he firmly pressed the thought down into his subconsciousness.
"We are honoured to have you present amongst us, your majesty" Jim said, turning on his charms. "This is my Chief Engineer, Mr Scott, and my first officer, Mr Spock." The King nodded at Scotty, then turned to Spock and raised his hand in the traditional vulcan salute. As he did, the four other asheerans did the same. But none of them said a word, not did the blank expressions of the two tall men in the back change. The last two were both smaller than the King and slender, what little of their dark skin that was visible was like chocolate with just the right amount of cream in it. Their robes were loose and flowing, made of thin breezy fabric that hinted of sensuality. They both wore upside-down dominos, covering their mouths, jaws and lower half of their cheeks. Singers, Jim realised and hastily averted his eyes.
"I am honoured" the King said again. "And these are my children, Suneet and Ranit" he gestured to the singers, "and their bonded guardians."
Jim bowed politely, as did Spock and Scotty.
"Welcome" Jim said again, feeling a bit awkward. It felt strange to greet someone he was not to look at, or even directly acknowledge.
"We have quarters set up for you" Spock broke in, sensing Jim's discomfort. "Please, this way."
King Herodion nodded his approval, and led by Spock the strangers left the transport room. Jim heaved a sigh of relief.
"Well, that went well, I think" he said to no one in particular.
"Aye" Scotty agreed, "but those masks give me the creeps."
"Don't worry about it Scotty," Jim said glibly, "you're not supposed to notice that the singers exist anyways."
As it turned out, the Singers were a curious pair. They could be seen all over the ship, moving almost soundlessly in their loose robes that covered everything, including their hands. Their eyes were huge and dark, all-seeing and non-telling, and the masks only emphasised the eerie silence. That they were constantly followed by large, hulking shadows did nothing to ease the crew's mind about them.
Two days into the journey to Asheera, which was to take one week at the current speed, King Herodion was having lunch with Jim in the Mess Hall. The King had insisted on eating there, wanting to see how the crew lived.
"I am afraid I spend most of my time in the palace" he said as he looked curiously at the tray Jim offered him, "and I do so enjoy seeing how off-worlders live." It took a bit of time for the King to get his lunch, as he was not used to waiting in line or serving himself, but eventually they found themselves at a table. Jim could not help but marvel; the King looked so severe with the harsh lines of his face and his dark robes, but he seemed to be hiding a wellspring of good cheer and curiosity beneath his solemn expression.
"Curious" was his verdict as he examined the food on his place. "What do you call this?"
"Lasagna" Jim replied, amused.
"And I am to eat it as it is, with a fork? It looks like a spoon would be more suitable."
"Humans rarely use spoons unless the are eating soup" Jim explained, and Herodion nodded thoughtfully. He cut a small piece of lasagna with his knife, speared it on his fork and lifted it to his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully, then nodded once.
"I approve" he said, "my thanks to the chef." Jim bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"I am sure Officer Nilstrom will be delighted to hear that" he said instead. They ate in silence for a few minutes, the king clearly savouring every bite. Eventually, he neatly put his cutlery down on the clean plate and looked directly at Jim. It was unnerving; like all asheerans the king avoided direct eye contact with people, preferring brief touches, but now his dark eyes saw straight into Jim's.
"My children wish to sing" he said. "Do you know what that entails?"
Jim shook his head no.
"Only that it is a great honour for an off-worlder to get to hear the song."
"It is" Herodion acknowledged. "My children hear the heart-song of any soul they touch." He went on, speaking as slowly as before. "They also have a strong instinct to share this heart-song in words that the person in question can understand. It has lead to… incidents." Jim nodded; that much he knew - just the night before he had read several reports on diplomatic incidents involving asheeran singers. And three wars, one of which had involved half of the current star system.
"I have read of a few of these incidents" Jim said carefully, "but there were very few details." Herodion nodded.
"It is as we wish it to be. You must understand, we value our singers greatly - they are rare these days, and that I have been blessed by having two of them… I thank the gods each morning for my children."
"I am sure they are a great asset to your house" Jim said and hoped he did not sound too simpering, "but what does this… hearing of the heart-song entail? For the other person, that is?"
"You are a wise man, Captain Kirk" Herodion nodded, then sat in silence. Clearly, he was considering how to lay his words.
"My children have heard the songs of a select group of your crew, ones that sing more clearly than the others. These souls can be heard without touch. They ask that you permit the gathering of these souls in a suitable location, for an evening of singing. During this evening, my children will sing the heart-songs of those present." Jim thought about it.
"I see no reason not to" he said slowly, "but I will not order anyone to attend. It must be voluntary."
"Of course, Captain. My children will invite the ones they hear the most clearly."
"Would tomorrow night be suitable?" Jim asked, thinking they might as well get it over with. If nothing else, it could be interesting.
"Tomorrow evening will be most excellent, Captain."
"Heart-singers?" Bones asked skeptically over his glass of whiskey that same evening. "What rot is that?"
"I don't know" Jim shrugged, "seemed rude to refuse. And it's voluntary, anyways. You don't have to go."
"What, and miss the goblin's heart-song? Not a chance." Jim rolled his eyes.
"I wish you wouldn't call him that" he protested, but without much effort. Ever since… that incident, Bones had been more hostile to Spock than normal. It was more than the usual snarky banter now, almost antagonistic. It made Jim wish he'd never said anything; he missed the easy camaraderie they'd had.
"I'm not going to be nice to him just because you're tits over arse for him, Jim." Bones said, his tone angry but his eyes worried. He gestured with the glass, almost spilling the drink. "Besides, after the way he-"
"Don't" Jim pleaded, feeling the useless tears sting his eyes again. He was sick of crying; he had done so for days on end, cried until he felt as if he had no liquids left in his body. And still, he felt as if he could cry an ocean without much effort. Not that it would help. Crying never helped. "It was… he needed help. I was available."
"I told you not to do it" Bones griped as he poured himself more whiskey, "told you you were setting yourself up for heartbreak, but no. Why would you listen to me?"
Jim didn't reply. There was no point; Bones was right. And still… he did not regret a single moment of it. Besides, Spock in Pon-Farr was, without any doubt, the wildest ride he'd ever had. That the half-vulcan had ran straight back to Uhura the moment the blood fever passed was something he could live with. He had to. If not for himself, then for the secret. The secret he hadn't even dared to tell Bones.
He wondered if he'd dare to have more whiskey, but decided against it. Some risks were better not taken. His gran-mamae had taught him that years ago, after Tarsus. Just this once, he was going to take his advice. And tomorrow, his heart-song was going to be sung as Spock and Uhura listened.
He wondered what it sounded like.