No More Tomorrows, by Tarisian Dreams
A sequel to Peace of Centaurus, in the Shadows of Time series
"Hello, Spock," replied Sarek. There was only the slightest hesitation, through which Captain Spock certainly saw. He held his tongue, however, and his judgment, as he was still quite unused to the world. Archer had, fortunately, dealt with Vulcans enough to wear the mask, but he also knew that Vulcans were not easily duped. "I trust you are well."
Spock blinked at the supposition. Vulcans were not ones for small talk, even his father. "Considering my recent return of mind and body, I surmise that is an adequate description of my being, Father." Were he truly himself, he might have mused asking about his father's own well-being, but the thought did not form past a fleeting mental image. Quite peculiar was a more solid and staying thought in the resurrected mind of the Starfleet officer. "Doctor McCoy and I are continuing the mind-meld process, with the assistance of T'Lar."
Archer fought himself not to react, given what he knew of it from T'Pol's experience. He had no idea what Spock was referring to, of course. "And the results?"
Spock considered the question, then answered, "The doctor would say, 'At a snail's pace,' though I am still unclear as to how an arthropod's movements could relate to recovery." He canted his head when Sarek coughed into his hand. For a moment, Spock was sure his stoic father had chuckled. "Do you require water?"
Archer was quick to nod. Drinking water meant less talk, which meant being able to adjust to the circumstances before Spock's father was carted off to the Vulcan equivalent of a madhouse. Sarek, came the answer, from far away. That is my name. The older Vulcan retired to some cushions laid out in the old shrine on top of Mount Seleya. Muscle memory favored a certain way of sitting, especially given the physical make-up of Vulcans. "Thank you, Spock," was said when given the water. Slowly, memories were fed to Archer, as well. It was difficult, though, and the mind-Sarek-was hesitant at sharing certain aspects of them. Archer, esteemed though he was, had entered Sarek's body without warning or invitation. If Jonathan Archer had any doubts about the existence of Vulcan emotions previously, he was now acutely aware. Your Crewman Daniels has explained to me aspects of your mission. Though it will cause Spock to wonder the reasoning, ask of him some privacy. You are in need of meditation. I will share with you what is needed. "Spock." The younger man turned and regarded Sarek, waiting patiently. "I require privacy for meditation. I will meet with you later, my son."
Spock paused, looking at Sarek a moment, before giving a short bow of his head, "Of course, Father. How is it phrased? 'Take all the time you need.'"
Once Spock left, Sarek guided Archer through the steps. You have done this before? The answer came to him. Logical that T'Pol would have helped her captain at such times.
It's been awhile, Archer admitted. It was more difficult back then, I think.
Indeed. The mind is somewhat material and transcendental. As it is also a muscle, the technique is refined in my body. I must say being human is most curious. Clouded, in contrast to the Vulcan way. Archer tried to hide his disgruntlement at the observation. He wondered at the response, an amusement walled away and noted automatically, and the logical dissection of such a human emotion. It does no good to hide your reactions from me, Mister President. Across the chasm of time, this condition resembles a mind-meld in many ways. We are of one mind and two bodies. No more tangents. Let us meditate, and I will reveal what I can.
It seemed like hours that Archer as Sarek sat upon the cushions, using a lamp to meditate. Finally, a calm descended on him, and the way was open.
Sarek and his entourage had been dealing with two worlds within a system midway across the Federation. The two worlds had both independently developed warp capability, yet were uninterested in dealing with each other. However, the Federation required in their case, that they establish diplomatic relations with each other before they even considered applying to join the Federation.
While Sarek was building his case, before meeting with the planets' delegations, his new aide assisted with organizing the research. "What are your thoughts regarding the Kuizaan and the Palorik, Commander?" Sarek had asked Riley looked up and considered. Sarek could tell he was nervous, but to the Irishman's credit, he wasn't obvious about it.
"It reminds me a bit like home."
"Which home, Commander?" asked aide blanched, but recovered.
"I suppose it works for either one," he noted sadly. "Tarsus III wasn't exactly accomodating when Tarsus IV was in trouble, from what I understand... I'd meant Ireland, however."
"You refer to the history between the Catholics and Protestants? Kevin nodded in answer to the ambassador. "I am only somewhat familiar with the old religions of Earth. I would appreciate what you can share of your heritage. We may find within it, a clue to assisting these peoples in diplomatic relations."
"Aye, Ambassador. ...Though your own heritage, perhaps, may be key as well." The raised brow from Sarek quelled Riley into silence, before the Vulcan gestured with his hand to continue. "Well... It's just that there are fundamental differences between Vulcan and Romulan philosophies."
"They are opposites, Commander Riley. I do not see any logic of comparison of Vulcans and Romulans to Kuizaani and Palorikians. Or Roman Catholics and Protestants, for that matter." Sarek folded his hands and awaited Riley's response.
"Aye, well... If you lived in Ireland back in the day, Ambassador, you might see it differently." Riley spent the next few hours telling Sarek about the humanity behind the history of his people, and how they had been split for so long and finally came to understanding. "It took time, of course. But we found we had more in common than our religious philosophies could divide us on."
In the end, accepting the differences with his own people and the Romulans, due to Riley's explanation of his people, Sarek was able to reach the Kuizaani and Palorikians.
Archer could sense that Sarek was uneasy at sharing about the Romulans, including his personal opinions of them. There was an understanding, however, that Jonathan Archer treated information regarding the future as being sacrosanct to the mission at hand. An almost Vulcan response, Sarek noted. Come, we will meditate more, later.
Before Archer could get up, however, Daniels appeared as a mental hologram. "Finally got this to work. Jon, Sarek says he is both here and there, with you." Archer nodded, knowing his voice could be heard. "We can't keep the link going too much longer. I don't think this device has been used involving a Vulcan before. Try to stay as long as you can, though. From what I've been able to discern, Kevin Riley should check in with Sarek soon. Try to find out um... you know. Personal things." Archer rolled Sarek's eyes, which Daniels smiled at. "That's a first. See you, soon."
Archer found himself walking to a communications chamber. He was left to speak with Sarek's aide over communique. "Commander Riley." The Irishman smiled widely, from where he was standing.
"It's good to see you, Ambassador. How is Spock?" Kevin indeed seemed happier than Sarek had recalled the time previous, as he related to Archer.
"It has been awhile, Commander. Spock is continuing his sessions with Doctor McCoy. I trust that he shall make a full recovery." Archer felt like he was having to perform Shakespeare in front of the man himself, with Sarek seated in the back of his mind. Do not become distracted, Mister President. You are currently Vulcan. You cannot just act the part. You must be Vulcan.
You're not helping, Archer wanted to say.
"That's good news, sir! I must admit, when we'd heard what happened..." There it is, thought Archer. We.
Very good, agreed Sarek.
"We, Commander?" Archer raised his brows for emphasis.
The Irishman blushed brightly. "Aye, well... A new friend of mine was with me. We both knew Spock, you see, and..." This man must be in his forties, thought Archer, and yet he's reacting like a teenager.
It is my observation, Mister President, that despite being a dependable officer and aide, Kevin Riley has not made the necessary investments in personal relationships to obtain the maturity that comes with such experience as most human males his age have accrued. Archer tried to keep the thought aside while Riley talked about how he'd heard and that 'everyone'-whoever that was-was concerned and amazed that Spock had cheated death.
"And then, I'd heard from Sulu. Apparently, you hounded Jim about getting it done. Amazing! A miracle, if you ask me." Sarek stirred within their mind, and Archer couldn't help but react for the Vulcan.
"It is my observation, Commander, that there are no such things as miracles. Bringing Spock back to himself and restoring his mind was the logical conclusion," even if it was fraught with danger for both Spock and McCoy.
Kevin smiled over the transmission, "Well, if that doesn't count as a miracle, I don't know what does."
"Indeed," Archer felt himself say. "How does your friend know my son?" That seemed to be the right question. Riley shared with the Vulcan little about the woman he was seeing. Just that her name was Cléante al-Faisal, and they had begun to see each other earlier that year.
"It's working out very well. Her work takes her all over, too, so there's no worry about having someone waiting at home. Um, not that you don't make it work, but Amanda can come with us sometimes... I should just stop while I'm ahead, shouldn't I?" Kevin smiled a bit. It was one thing for an ambassador's wife to be in the entourage. Aides didn't get that same privilege, even if Riley had become Sarek's protege. Of course, Kevin had proved himself a worthy ambassador in his own right, even if he didn't have the rank nor title, quite yet. Sarek thought him quite promising, personal relationships aside.
"Do not fret, Commander. Vulcans do not take insult to injury." Or, if they do, they don't act upon it directly... Archer noticed that Sarek neither confirmed nor denied the thought. The ambassador and the commander exchanged files for work over the transmission, then closed transmission in the usual Vulcan fashion.
Archer was going to look for a Federation file on al-Faisal, but apparently, Sarek already knew something of the woman, as he'd been following the activities of the Enterprise, as well as knew of the Warrantors on Vulcan. Back at the President's office, Sarek was giving what information he could regarding the woman to Daniels. The time agent was running checks against information gleaned from the data saved prior to the unraveling of his timeframe. There wasn't much to work with.
"As it would logically necessitate, I will not inquire specifics in regard to your mission, Agent. However, as this does involve my aegis and President Archer's thoughts betrayed reasoning behind your investigation, I would offer my observations." Daniels was both thankful for the insight, but also wary regarding the amount of knowledge the Vulcan now had, thanks to the connection he had with Archer.
"By all means, Ambassador Sarek. This is everyone's future," Daniels added, even though it was also his home at stake.
"Agreed. For the time I have known Kevin Riley, he has expressed little interest in settling down with anyone, though that no doubt could change. As Archer had observed, Terrance Riley is to be born in 2310, providing Archer and yourself are able to repair the timeline prior to that date. Logic dictates either the Commander does not resolve this difficulty with personal and familial relationships by that time, or he does but something has changed... either his untimely demise or meeting the wrong person at the right time..."
"...Or the right person at the wrong time," noted Daniels. "Seventy does seem rather old to become a father. There's no mention of siblings, but the records are incomplete." Sarek as Archer requested to see the time map. Daniels displayed the map. The Vulcan looked along the maligned timeline. "This amber line reaches farther back than my current timeframe."
Daniels gave a nod of agreement, "Yes. It's difficult to narrow down causalities, as there are many fluctuations that had been fixed but are now unraveling, as the time agents who worked those missions are being erased from history."
Sarek frowned at the news, "Most disturbing. What is keeping you from such danger, Agent?"
Daniels took a breath, "A wing and a prayer, you might say."
"I would not," Sarek answered.
"I know, Mister Ambassador. ...All I can figure is that by reaching this timeframe, and my involvement in frames previous to it, that I am somewhat protected from the fluctuations... For now." Daniels wasn't sure how much relative time he actually had to work with. He hoped they'd be able to solve the mystery and put into action a resolution before it became a danger.
Sarek looked at the corrupted file on Terrance Riley. "He resembles his father." Daniels gave a nod. Sarek was quiet for a moment, then added, "If I am not mistaken in regards to human genetics, offspring tend to have blended skin tones of their parents."
"You are not mistaken, for the most part. There are some rare cases where skin tone can be completely different. Why?" Daniels hadn't even considered this.
Sarek considered the other man, then explained himself, "The commander-though he may have not settled down with anyone since his first marriage-he has been attracted to human women with darker complexions than his own. As you said, it may be that Terrance Riley is a 'rare case.' However, this information leaves me to consider the possibility that there may be an underlying reason as to why Commander Riley precludes other women from his choices. If something has been changed in the timeframe, to where he does not meet Terrance's mother because she does not fit his ideals, then that something must be found out, else you must address Commander Riley's tastes in women-a feat I would not envy anyone to task another." After all, Sarek himself stood out among his own people, for his choice in a wife.
Daniels was quiet a while, as he stared at the face of Terrance Riley in the partial file. "If only we had a sample of his genetic structure... We could test it, maybe even run it against a database of DNA patterns. That's all gone, though."
"It may also be possible that Terrance Riley's mother may not be born, herself, or she may have died prematurely. As you said, the temporal fluctuations involving other time agents are slowly corroding the timeline. However, it would be a paradox that creates itself. Such a thing is not logical. Therefore, it is more likely that some other temporal anomaly is at fault." Sarek's hand followed over the timeline on the map, as he looked for the patterns and logic.
Daniels seemed impressed, "You read the map well, Ambassador. It's not very complete, though."
"Temporal theory is a required curriculum at the Vulcan Science Academy," noted Sarek. Their experience was perhaps limited, but not completely devoid of data. "The strain of this resonant melding is growing strong. I'm afraid it is too much for Archer's body."
"I understand. You've helped a lot, Ambassador Sarek. And sir, might I say... It's been an honor." Daniels smiled, looking too young for his uniform.
Sarek as Archer blinked a few times, "I do not intend to stop helping. I will do my part to assist upon my return. I did not take interest in Commander Riley's social life, but as it seems the future of the Federation and perhaps the galaxy is at stake, I will reconsider." He sat down, "It comes." Daniels hurried to close down the map.
"What do you mean?" Daniels' eyes widened as energy fluctuations went across the device Archer was wearing. "Wait. That's not supposed to happen!"
Archer as Sarek walked out to the trail on the side of Mount Selaya. He saw Spock waiting for him, along with the younger man's friends. Kirk and McCoy, Sarek supplied. It comes, he added.
What comes? thought Archer. Before he knew it, though, Jonathan Archer felt that same disorientation that came before.
Curled up in bed, Jon pulled his pillow closer and nuzzled into it with a sigh. He was waking up, he could tell that. He soon realized he was no longer in bed alone, however. He sat up and peeked over at the woman next to him. She was lean and athletic, her skin a deep brown, with her hair cropped close to her scalp. She smiled at him and pulled him into her side. "Don't go, K.T." Her hand wandered and Archer jumped.
"Oh boyeee..."