Mejohm Riax found me in the Vulcan Archives, researching the Kolinahr.
"Spock, old friend, still hanging around these old dusty rooms?" He interrupted "Computer archives are faster."
"I enjoy the simplicity of searching through these old records." I responded, "and the solitude."
"Understood," he replied, "but I know of no one else to contact." He began wringing his hands, my friend was in distress. "My beloved niece, Grace,"
"The daughter of William and Sandra Slattery?"
"Yes, the same," Mejohm lowered his head, "they have medicated her, and still she fights. I fear for her life and her sanity. She does not even acknowledge Tessius, her brother."
"I will come." I assured my old friend.
I walked into the facility where they were holding the girl. She was backed into the corner. Her brother Tessius stood near the door, trying to calm her, calling her name softly, 'Grainne'. She was striking out at anyone who tried to approach her. Her mind was a flurry of grief, and fear and something else I could not place. I could feel her through the glass where I was watching. I was told she was a strong telepath and recently her abilities were as she entered puberty.
I entered the doorway and stood next to her brother for a moment, he glanced at me, tears streaming down his face. I could feel his pain and fear, but he was not a telepath, more of an empath. I took a deep breath and focused on the girl. "Grainne" I called with my mind, she paused in her flailing. She turned her gaze to me, her breathing slowed so I approached and grabbed her arm, pulling her tight to me. She struggled to free herself, but I held tight as I placed my hand on her face, "My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts…"
Planet Vulcan 2370 (Grace):I woke tangled in my sheets, sweating and anxious. The dream plagued me again. My chest burned as if I ran a marathon across the Vulcan desert. I untangled myself and got up; I knew I would not sleep anymore tonight. I finished my packing and wrapped up the small statue I made for my brother Tessius. I would see Tessy, as I called him, and his wife, Dana (who most people call Mal) soon. I would also get to see their dogs my "niece" and "nephew", Nutmeg the Chihuahua French Bulldog mix and their pit bull mix Meagher. Yeah, we have this Terran thing with names and nicknames. My full name is Grainne Rowan Slattery, but most people call me Grace.
I was looking forward to seeing Tessy and Mal, and to be off Vulcan for a while. As part of the Federation Embassy on Vulcan, I traveled semi-regularly, but things were quiet and recently we were not off planet for almost five months. Then three days ago Federation Ambassador Lusu Riax informed me that the USS Morgaine, where my brother Tessius is the first officer and Mal is a mission specialist; would pick me up and take me to rendezvous with the USS Enterprise and my former love Jean-Luc Picard. She gave me no other information.
I stepped into my bathroom to clean up and dress for the day, when I looked at the mirror, I did not even recognize myself. My hair was a mess, okay messier than it normally is when I wake up. My hazel eyes were so pale they were almost grey, even my freckles lacked pigment. I really need to find out what is going on this dream. Well that will have to wait, the Federation calls. Once finished I went down to my favorite cafe on the corner of the street near the Embassy. They are always open as Vulcans sleep way less than humans. Having lived on Vulcan since I was nine, I adopted many of their ways. Though I need more sleep.
My best friend and colleague, Tlok, was seated already when I entered. He nodded, showing he would not mind if I joined him after getting my meal from the replicator in the corner. I ordered my standard scrambled eggs and toast. Tlok looked up as I sat down, raising a pointed eyebrow, "still not sleeping well?" he asked. Tlok was a friend since we were teens when both of us were orphaned. His parents died in the same accident that took mine. Tlok seemed the perfect Vulcan unless you knew him well. If he considered you a friend, he could seem almost human. When we were younger, he would taunt me for being human; but let any other person, including my brother Tessy, tease me, his protective side would surface.
"Do I look that bad?" I asked.
"You look tired."
"That stupid dream," I mumbled, picking at my food.
"Some meditation?" He replied, placing his hand on my arm.
"I don't have time to start a new sculpture before I leave tomorrow. So, meditation sounds great."
"I am going before starting our workday." He stood picking up his tray.
"If you could wait until I finish this, I'll join you," I replied, taking a bite of my eggs.
He sat back down and picked up his tablet. So, Vulcan…
I felt much calmer after mediation with Tlok; he is a patient teacher, for a Vulcan. I went back to my small quarters and finished packing before beginning my day of meetings and preparations to leave Vulcan. I packed my small suitcase with my favorite Vulcan veils, some underclothes, and my three favorite Vulcan robes. I wrapped the sculpture in my thickest robe and tucked it into my suitcase.
USS MorgaineAs soon as the beam finished materializing me, I could see Tessy waiting, a huge grin on his face. Mal stood next to him.
"Sis', you made it." Tessy extended his hand as I stepped off the transporter pad.
"Yes, though I still hate transporting…" I grimaced.
"You can't feel it," Tessy claimed. I glared at him.
"Come on Grace," Mal called as the door to the transporter room opened. "Your brother and I gotta get back to work. You two can argue after dinner."
That evening we dined with Captain Lords, the command crew, and my sister-in-law. We laughed and ate and had a great time. Tessy and I forgot about our argument about the transporter until he and Mal were walking me back to my quarters for the evening.
"If you don't stop, I will not give you your gift." I snarled at my brother.
"Tessy stop, I want to see what she brought." Mal giggled as she put her hand over his mouth.
"Fine," he mumbled under his wife's hand.
When we arrived at the guest quarters, I took the sculpture out of my bag. It was a miniature sculpture of the altar on the temple of Mount Seleya, from Vulcan. I visited it once and fell in love with the place. I recreated the altar just from memory. I sculpted it from Vulcan clay and fired it in the small kiln I kept at the Embassy. It even impressed Tlok when I showed it to him.
"Oh my god, Grace, it's beautiful," Mal exclaimed turning the piece around in her hands. "What is it, sis?"
"It's the altar from the temple on Mount Seleya," Tessy replied, taking the sculpture from Mal.
"I only went there once; it was so beautiful. I had to re-create it." I replied.
"Well, I'm not sure if this is how it's supposed to look, but I love it," Mal exclaimed trying to take the sculpture back from Tessy.
"I've seen pictures of the altar, it looks just like this, only way bigger." Tessy winked.
"Tlok claimed it was a very 'accurate representation'," I smirked.
"Yeah, what about this Vulcan, Tlok? Any plans sis', where in the seven-year cycle is he?" My brother asked, sitting on the couch, Mal plopped down next to him.
"You know he has a wife, what is with you?" I shook my head at my brother. Such a meddler that one. Unfortunately, he and Mal are my only remaining family.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about her, she still off planet?"
"Yes, but due to return soon."
"Well, what about Jean-Luc?"
"Really brother, I think you have more important things to worry about than my love life."
"Yeah, Tessy, give the girl a break." Mal stood, always the reasonable one, one of the many reasons I loved her. I have won the sister-in-law lottery. "Plus, we gotta go, I have the first shift in Stellar Cartography tomorrow."
I spent two days on my brother's vessel. When Tessy and Mal were available, we spent it together as much as we could. Mal even took me into stellar cartography, I loved the stars, though my life kept me planetside for many years learning to control my ability; did I mention I am a telepath, a human one, but a telepath none the less. Once I acquired strong control, I followed in my parent's footsteps and joined the diplomatic corps. Now Vulcan was my home and I enjoyed the stars whenever I could.
Mal and I were standing in the corridor, trying to decide what to do with ourselves on our final evening, when her communicator beeped. She walked over to the nearest panel to contact the sender. I waited while she conducted her business. A frown crossed her face. When she finished, she wrapped me in a warm hug. "My schedule just got changed, Vonlee just went into labor a couple of days early, I have to cover the rest of her shift tonight and tomorrow morning, so I won't be there when you transfer to the Enterprise, stay safe."
"Thanks, Mal," I said as I released her. "I'll take Nutmeg and Meagher for a walk in the Arboretum for you and then get ready to go." After spending a few hours with the dogs, including wiping copious amounts of pitty slobber off my pant legs, I went to my quarters, packed my belongings, meditated and then headed to bed.
I pulled on my favorite pair of pants and a long tunic for comfort while traveling. They told me this was not a diplomatic mission during the original briefing, more of an intriguing vacation, so I figured comfort was paramount. I pulled my reddish blond hair up into a messy bun and walked to the transporter room. Tessy met me there. He pulled me into a warm bear hug.
"Stay safe Sis'." He murmured into my hair.
"I will big brother." I hugged him tighter, soaking in the familiar essence of my older brother.
"Tell Jean-Luc I said howdy." He directed when he released me.
"I will." I moved onto the platform with my suitcase, lighter by one sculpture. I raised my hand in the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper," I whispered as the beam whisked me away.
USS Enterprise:In the Enterprise transporter room, I was greeted by a beautiful woman, definitely at least part Betazoid, psychic energy was emanating from her like a beacon. I took a deep breath and tightened up my own telepathic shielding; I have no problems around humans, and most Vulcans, but other telepaths and some empaths could throw me off if I was not careful or tired. Apparently, I was having trouble still.
She stepped forward. "Welcome to the Enterprise Grace." She smiled, "Jean-Luc asked me to meet you, he's delayed. I am Counselor Deanna Troi."
"Nice to meet you meet you, Counselor."
"I'll show you to the guest quarters and let you get settled," Deanna stated matter-of-factly. "Jean-Luc would like you to have dinner with us this evening. Until then the Enterprise is yours to explore."
After dinner and some wonderful conversation with the Command crew, Jean-Luc stood and extended his arm. "Care for an escort back to your quarters?"
"Sure." I stood and looped my arm through his. "Good night everyone, it was wonderful to meet you all."
Once we reached my quarters, the door slid open and Jean-Luc followed me in. I kicked off my shoes and sat down on the couch, Jean-Luc, perched in a chair across from me.
"How is Tessius?" He asked, "I hear the rascal is now the first officer on the Morgaine. Captain Lords is recommending him for his first command."
"Yes, I know but he doesn't, plus Mal is finally with him too, she's a mission specialist. They're on their way to Argot Sector. There are three new star systems to chart, and the Ferguson had to leave due to engine trouble." I smiled wistfully, "it was good to see my family again."
"Did Tessius ever touch the face of God or eat at the restaurant at the end of the universe?" Jean-Luc asked chuckling.
"Not that I know of, but you know my brother." I grinned at him.
"And how is life on Vulcan?"
"I know people think I am crazy but, I love it." I curled my feet up under myself. "They have always welcomed me and my ability. They helped me learn to contain and control it. Deanna threw me off when I first met her. Betazoids are strong telepaths, and sometimes it startles me."
"She's only an empath, her father was human," Jean-Luc replied, finally settling more comfortably in the chair. "You should have not even noticed." He stated.
"I've been traveling and exhausted for the past few days, maybe my control has loosened." I chewed my lip, "I will meditate before bed, that should help." We sat in silence for a moment. "Do you know why I'm here?" I asked.
"No, do you?" he replied. I dropped my mental shield, probing, he was being truthful. Jean-Luc looked at me, he felt the intrusion, he always could. "I would never lie to you, Grace."
"Sorry, Jean-Luc." I looked down at my feet embarrassed, "I've been having these strange dreams. Then I was called into the Ambassador's office and told that my brother's ship was picking me up and bringing me to you." I stood and paced, "She told me to pack lightly. Does that seem normal to you?"
Jean-Luc grabbed my hand as I paced past him. The jolt of our hands touching just briefly shocked me into stillness. "Did you feel that?" I asked as I pulled my hand away, wiping my palm on my dress.
"Yes," he stood, "that's new. Should you to go to sickbay?"
"No, I think I need some rest, some meditation." I tentatively touched his hand again, no shock this time. "Maybe the fatigue is causing me some problems." I moved toward the door, "I need to meditate and try to sleep. Thank you, Jean-Luc. Good night."
On the way out the door, Jean-Luc gave me a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Good night Grace", flashing me a genuine smile.
I quickly undressed and pulled on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts before going to lie on the floor, it was as close to a meditation stone available in my quarters. When I finished, I turned off the lights and went to sleep.
I could see a figure, far away in the trees, crying out for me…The ground moved as I walked, always keeping the figure just out of reach, the figure was tall, surrounded by shadows and lit from behind, obscuring the identification. I walked on yet never reached my destination…as the figure turned…
I awoke with a start, breathing fast, the dream, it was different but the same. As I rose the communication panel in my room chimed. "Yes,"
"Grace, I need you to meet me in the transporter room," Jean-Luc emphasized "now."
"I'll be right there."
When I arrived in the transporter room, Jean-Luc was there in his uniform, Beverly Crusher was also there, dressed more casually. Not wanting to arrive in my pajamas I pulled on a Vulcan robe and a pair of soft slippers and covered my sleep-tousled hair with a veil before heading to them. Worf was standing at the control panel. As the door closed behind me, the transporter beams formed. Suddenly there were three Klingons, a Romulan in restraints and what appeared to be a Vulcan on a stretcher, dressed in Romulan attire. His face was gaunt and bruised. I was unsure whether he was alive, then his chest rose.
"Worf and Kaloyr, show Pardek to the brig." Jean-Luc barked orders. "Dr. Crusher and Dr. Ngampagh, please take Ambassador Spock to Sick Bay, Grace you follow them. I will speak with Captain Mortok and then meet you there." My jaw dropped, did Jean-Luc say, Ambassador Spock, I quickly closed my mouth and followed the stretcher.