Chapter 2

by Starsinger

Jim starts his new life on Vulcan. Don't own them.

USS Enterprise

"Sir, we have the last of the refugees coming off that ship. Sir, one of them is human," Spock heard over the intercom. Spock's head jerked around as he turned to look at his father. Sarek's eyebrows drew together before he turned and entered the turbolift. "Mr. Sulu, you have the conn," Spock said rising and heading for the lift.

Spock pondered who the human might be on the trip down. He remembered his mother mentioning a young man who had come to attend the Vulcan Science Academy years before. Surely he had gone home after he finished. He paused as entered the transporter room. Aged T'Pau was being guided out of the room by her priestesses and several security guards. Indeed, a young male human was heading out with her talking to Sarek. "I grieve with thee, Sarek," he replied to information Sarek had given him.

"Jim," Sarek interrupted him to introduce him to Spock, "this is my son, Spock. You have heard Amanda speak of him."

"Yes, she spoke of you with much pride," Jim replied. "Jim Kirk," Jim said to Spock, carefully keeping his hands to his side. Spock nodded. Jim simply nodded back at Sarek before exiting the room.

"Where is he going?" Spock asked.

"Sickbay, he feels his presence might help alleviate some of the anxiety some of our people are feeling. He single-handedly managed to get 400 hundred of our people off the planet before it was destroyed," Sarek looked at his son. "He has served as my aide in the years since he came to Vulcan." Spock nodded, the young man appeared to be quite capable.

Eight Years Earlier, Earth

Jim Kirk sat at the shuttle port seating area, waiting for the shuttle that would take him to the ship that would take him to Vulcan. Another of his tasks upon reaching Vulcan was to learn Vulcan, the language. He had already started the process by downloading a program to teach the basics of the alphabet and pronunciation. Siberuk, an instructor at Starfleet Academy, had recommended the program to him. "May I join you?" he heard someone ask. He looked up to find a young African only, few years older than he standing there.

"Sure," Jim replied amiably patting the seat next to him. "Jim Kirk."

"Geoffry M'Benga," the other man replied, "headed for Vulcan, huh?"

"Yeah, I was accepted to the Vulcan Science Academy. What about you?"

"I've been accepted to the Vulcan Halls of Healing. I'll be there for two years before returning to my residency in Kenya," Geoff replied. "I'm considering about attending Starfleet Academy as well."

"That's a full plate. You and I must be firsts. There can't be that many humans invited to the Vulcan Halls of Healing," Jim responded.

"I'm the first human, just as you are. Will you be staying with Ambassador Sarek and his wife?" Geoff asked. "I will."

"We're both in this together," Geoff said with a laugh. The waiting area had almost filled when the call came to start boarding the shuttle. They waited for their aisle numbers to be called before boarding. Someone had thoughtfully placed them next to each other. They were both nervous as both were travelling to Vulcan for the first time. The shuttle flight was quick as they docked with the SS Princess Diana. A liner travelling to various planets within the United Federation of Planets. Vulcan would take a week and the boys, sharing a cabin, planned on making the most of the trip.

Neither man was used to luxury, so their small cabin with bunk beds suited them just fine. They were impressed that the cabin had its own facilities. They wandered around the ship and noted the bars that they'd never be allowed to enter. It turned out that Geoff was only twenty. They immediately discovered the dining room with the buffet table. Jim was overwhelmed, Geoff was gratified.

They met a single Vulcan on her way home from Earth. Her name was T'Pring and she said she was on Earth visiting her betrothed at Starfleet Academy. She was curious as to why they were travelling to Vulcan, and pretty much left them alone after learning their purpose. She seemed very, aloof. They spent an hour in the pool at the onboard gym. They swam and laughed at the kids jumping into the pool. They knew the reputation of Vulcan. This was luxurious compared to the austere conditions they were likely to encounter on the planet.

Geoff wasn't prepared for his roommate to be very spare in his eating. He ate slowly and only filled about half his plate. Everything he ate was nutritious and filling, but Geoff couldn't help but note that Jim was slightly underweight. He did smile when Jim picked up a big piece of cherry pie with ice cream. "I suppose we should adjust to a vegetarian diet," Jim said.

"Ambassador Sarek led me to believe that we would be able to obtain what we need to stay healthy. Of course he was talking more along the lines of fish and chicken," Geoff replied. "His wife is human."

"I didn't know that," Jim replied. "No wonder he volunteered to take us in." They both turned in for the night, looking forward to the rest of the voyage.

USS Enterprise

Jim entered the Sickbay just behind T'Pau. What she really needed was rest. He helped her to a bed as he was approached by an older human man. "Dr. Leonard McCoy," he mumbled, barely looking up from his PADD. "You are…human?" he suddenly stared at the blonde in front of him.

"Jim Kirk, Ambassador Sarek's personal assistant. This is T'Pau, I think she's fine, but do you have someone conversant with Vulcan Anatomy?" Jim asked.

"Will I do?" a voice asked from the other side of the bed.

"Geoff!" Jim cried walking briskly around the bed to give the man a hug. "So you did join Starfleet!"

"Just like I planned, although, this wasn't entirely planned," Geoff replied gesturing to the ship. "The debris around the planet was the secondary fleet." Jim winced.

"Where are we headed?" T'Pau asked.

"As far as I know, the Laurentian System to meet up with the main fleet," McCoy responded.

Jim shook his head, "No, we need to head to Earth. I have a bad feeling that's that ship's next target."

I'm trying to slow this story down in the past aspect of it. Hope you're enjoying it, I'm definitely enjoying all the reviews! Please drop me one!