Holography 1: The Catalyst
By Pat Foley
Chapter 2
Spock entered his home and stopped just inside the doorway. He stood in the Great Hall, looking curiously around, at furnishings that hadn't changed in centuries, that he knew intimately. But this was the last time he would see his home this way, through the eyes of dependent child. Whatever happened this evening, whether his parents approved or disapproved of his plans, whether he left with his parent's understanding, or having severed all his childhood ties, after this evening he would never be a child again. And it had nothing to do with how many days he had lived, or some obscure Terran law claiming he could now make independent decisions. Tonight, he would inform his father he would not follow the career path Sarek had defined for him. And if Sarek did not accept his decision to deviate from that path, then tonight he would defy his father for the first time. He did not count the defiance of an infancy he barely remembered, though he imagined, like all two-year-olds, he had demonstrated some. This would be the defiance of a independent person intent on his own goals. And for the first time, thanks to Terran citizenship and Federation law, he had the means to accomplish what he had long desired, and had so long repressed.
"Spock."
"Good evening, Mother."
Amanda turned to look at the section of stone he had been fixedly regarding. "What is so fascinating?"
"Nothing, Mother. My thoughts were elsewhere."
"I see." Amanda said, not unkindly. "You're home early. Shouldn't you still be at school?"
"I have taken my exams. Two days ago."
"But the term isn't over yet."
"You are correct. I finished them early."
"But..." Amanda looked puzzled, then she shrugged and smiled. "Congratulations. I'm very proud of you Spock."
Spock lowered his head, flushing uncomfortably.
"Your father will be pleased."
"Hardly." Spock said evenly.
"Spock," Amanda chided, then looked at him worriedly. "Spock! You did pass?"
Spock flung his head up, startled at that presumption. "Of course."
"Well," her shoulders dropped as she relaxed. "That's what I expected, especially with you taking them early. But you looked so hang dog."
Spock didn't understand 'hang dog' but he had no wish to listen to comments on his expression. "I passed with highest honors, as usual," he said, perfunctorily. "Sarek will hardly be expecting otherwise." Spock did not comment that his father would accept nothing less. "But I am sure he would have preferred I take the examinations at the traditional time."
"You are too hard on your father." Amanda sighed and then relented. "Almost as hard as he is on you, though you are probably right that he would have preferred you follow tradition and take them at the customary time. Still, he will be proud of you, Spock, even though he'll never show it. You're both incorrigible in that regard. Well, he will be home soon, you can tell him then."
"I shall." Spock said grimly.
"Don't look so worried, honey. Your father will be pleased, you'll see. At your age, two advanced degrees from the VSA is quite an accomplishment. Though I don't know what you are going to do before the next term starts. Have you thought about that? About what your plans are for the future?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'm sure your father will want to discuss them with you tonight."
Spock took a deep breath, feeling unaccountable butterflies at the mention of that discussion. He touched the flap of his carry bag surreptitiously just for the reassuring crackle of the heavy parchment, official looking document, hidden inside, that proclaimed his Terran citizenship. "If you will excuse me, mother, I must meditate on my plans."
"Of course, Spock. Until dinner. And don't worry about Sarek."
Spock climbed the stairs to his room, wondering grimly if there was anyone in the Federation, besides his mother, who would face the prospect of an interview with Sarek unconcerned. Well, perhaps T'Pau. His grandmother was formidable enough herself. But then, she had raised Sarek. Spock wondered, not for the first time, how his mother came to marry his father, and why she was the only being in his experience who treated his father, at least in the privacy of their home, with such a shocking lack of deference. And why Sarek tolerated that. It was a mystery he would never be given the information to solve. And it was improper even to speculate about it. Spock resigned himself to ignorance, and sitting down at his desk, once again lost himself in contemplation of his exciting future. "Spock Xtmprszqzntwlfb, upon..."
To be continued…