Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to Gene Roddenberry. The movie rights belong to J.J. Abrams and Paramount. Thanks to Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine for inspiring me to write about the young versions of Spock and Kirk!
A/N: Once again, my sister wrote some of this chapter. If you see a paragraph full of awesome descriptions, it's hers.
Mission to Gamus
Ch. 3: Overlords
(Spock POV)
While Jim continued to plan with the lamori about how to expose the truth behind Gamus's utopian society, I tried to regain control of my emotions. Jim remained close by, as he could feel how much I was still suffering through our mind link. It was difficult to separate Samm's memories from my own fears that Jim would be taken away from me, but I continued to make an attempt to do so.
"Captain Kirk, we apologize for any adverse effects sharing minds with Samm had on your bondmate." Harvvi spoke for all of the lamori. Jim waved him off.
"He knew the risks before he initiated the meld. But thanks. He'll be alright."
//Spock, are you sure you don't need Bones to take a look at you?//
I glanced over at Dr. McCoy, who was still grumbling away on his communicator. From the looks of it, he was having an important conversation with Uhura concerning medical mind-healing techniques. I didn't wish to disturb him. There was also the fact that I avoided McCoy's treatments like the plague. Most of the members of the Enterprise crew believe this is because I do not like the doctor. However, my personal choice to often refuse treatment was not a reflection on his abilities as a physician. Not much was known about the physiology of Vulcan-human hybrids, therefore unless I was critically injured or ill, it was only logical that I evade McCoy's treatment.
//I am fine, Jim. I am quite capable of recovering from emotional trauma.//
"He doesn't look alright," Harvvi fretted, glancing over at my pale, shaking form. "Please, let us help make him more comfortable at least. We have a stash of blankets not too far down in one of the smaller caves-"
"That would be great," Jim cut in. Harvvi gave him a quick bow before grabbing Maathu and heading down the tunnel. I knew Jim meant well, but did he really have to let them fawn over me? Vulcans do not receive special treatment when they are emotionally compromised.
//Jim, you are aware that I do not require a blanket. Luxuries are not necessary for Vulcans to-//
//I know that.// Jim interrupted, turning his full attention back to me. //But it made him feel less guilty about your condition, so I figured, why not? Besides, the cave temperature is chillier than what you're used to.//
//That is correct.// I admitted.
//I'll have you know that my bondmate is getting all the luxuries at our disposal so he can make a quick recovery.// He ran his fingers through my hair in an attempt to distract me from the extraneous dark thoughts swirling around in my brain.
//Jim, you are overly sentimental.// He just shook his head.
//Love you too, Spock.// Harvvi and his mate returned a few minutes later, carrying two blankets and even a few pillows.
"First Officer Spock, we apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused you," said Sapphia as the males distributed the pillows and blankets.
"My sacrifice is little compared to what you have endured," I insisted as Jim wrapped me up in the woolen blankets. "Do not concern yourselves with my discomfort, as it could not be avoided." My chills gradually subsided, although I was still cold. I tried to block Samm's memories from my mind but I was having trouble concentrating properly. The gamosian's agony of losing his bondmate would just not disappear, no matter how hard I tried to purge the feeling from my conscious mind.
The lamori whispered among themselves as Jim sat with me. I could hear snippets of their conversation, mainly about how grateful they were that someone understood their plight and would help them take action. Why hadn't the Federation discovered the truth about Gamosian society sooner? These people shouldn't have had to suffer for this long! The more I dwelt on the fact, the more ill I felt…
"Spock, you don't look so hot." I noted the concern in Jim's voice as he addressed me. My eyes were tightly closed, my breathing shallow. I didn't even make a comment on the fact that my body temperature was no higher than normal. That's when Jim knew how seriously the meld with Samm had affected me.
//Can you heal yourself?// Jim wanted to know.
//A full healing trance would take several weeks to complete.// He frowned.
//What about a light trance?//
//I can attempt it. However, I do not wish to leave you unprotected.// Jim chuckled.
//These lamori wouldn't hurt a fly. I'll be fine.//
//I was not referring to the lamori. There may be other dangers on this planet that we are not aware of.//
//Spock, I can defend myself ya know. All those bar fights back in Iowa were actually good for something.//
//Very well.// I relented. //But I will not shield the bond. Your presence allows me to concentrate better.//
//Funny, most people think the opposite.// Jim never did know how to receive a compliment.
//Most people are not your bondmate.//
A surge of affection pulsed through our bond, and it warmed me more than the blankets did. Kicking off the blankets, I scooted closer to the damp cave wall. It was time to prepare myself for deep mind-healing, as I had to call on the ancient Vulcan techniques my father taught me.
I sat with my back against the wall, crossing my legs and resting my hands on my knees in a meditative pose. Jim watched with interest. He has told me many times that he believes this pose to be rather 'sexy'. I do not understand why, as meditation is a necessary practice for all Vulcans so that we can keep our emotions in check. It has absolutely nothing to do with mating practices, but that's Jim for you.
Most humans know little about the Vulcan seventh sense and our experiences during meditation. Over the years, Jim has come to appreciate it, just as he has come to appreciate our telepathic sixth sense. However, he has displayed a much higher aptitude for telepathy. All of his meditation attempts were failures, and he became so frustrated with his inability to focus that he just gave up entirely. Jim often envied me for my calm state of mind, just as I envied his ability to think of unorthodox solutions when faced with adversity. We were very different beings, but when our minds were in tune, we were an unbeatable team.
One of the female lamori called Jim away to ask him about the merits of joining Starfleet, and I took that as my cue to begin to initiate a trance.
As I focused on deepening my breathing, my awareness of my bodily discomfort, of the cave, and all that was connecting me to the present physical reality faded away. Likewise, I slipped the well-honed tool of my intellect into its sheath. I surrendered myself to my seventh sense, an innate deep and natural sense of oneness with all there is. Thought as we know it, with all its limitations, ceased. I was the cave, I was the stars, I was the lamori and the Gamosians together, every speck of matter and antimatter. To use a Terran metaphor, I was no longer just a tiny droplet of water, but the entire ocean, aware of itself and delighting in the fact. I am limitless… The ocean was both changeless and ever-changing, outside of time as time is just another of its myriad manifestations. While it held the potential for patterns of destruction and lower forms of particle interaction, it also held the potential for creation. The logic of forgiveness was one of creation's most powerful forms, and I recognized said energy pattern and recreated it within me. I wove it gently, mathematically into my mind, laying a rudimentary foundation for healing upon which time would complete.
While inside the trance, I was still vaguely aware of what was happening around me. My sharp olfactory senses allowed me to hear voices of those near me. Jim was speaking with Mr. Scott via communicator, and from the sound of it, our Chief Engineer sounded rather frantic.
"Captain, there's a malfunction with the transporter! I'm afraid I can only bring ye in one at time!" His Scottish brogue always increased when he was stressed. The malfunction must be serious if the mild-mannered engineer was this worried.
"Alright, Scotty. Bones, you go first," Jim ordered.
"Dammit, Jim!" I could only imagine the weight of the doctor's glare. "What about Spock? Shouldn't he be your number one priority?"
"He's already healing himself, he'll be fine," Jim assured him. "The Enterprise needs her CMO. And I need you to continue that research about mind healing." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "These people need all the help they can get. When Spock arrives on the ship, I want you to contact Starfleet and use Spock as proof of the situation on Gamus. Thanks to the meld, he can explain exactly how things work on this backward planet." After a bit more arguing, McCoy consented and I no longer felt his presence in the cave.
"Scotty, I want you to beam Spock up next," Jim ordered. No answer. "Scotty?"
"Excuse me, Captain." I wasn't about to leave Jim here alone, so I broke the trance and sat up.
"I cannot allow that to happen, Captain." Jim jumped, as if startled. He glanced at me, his blue eyes full of guilt.
"Spock, I thought you were supposed to be in the middle of your trance."
"I deemed it necessary to break my trance for the time being. I believe I have a say in where and when I am transported." Jim glared at me.
"Don't make me pull rank on you, because I certainly can. I'm doing this for your own safety." I matched his glare with my own. It was not apparent to anyone else in the room besides Jim.
"Jim, I cannot just leave you here alone in this situation." I stared at him, my eyes pleading with him to let me stay behind for once. After what I had just experienced, leaving Jim alone on a strange planet was a scenario I would rather avoid.
//Spock, you are being overly sentimental.// Jim flung my earlier words back at me. I hate it when he does that.
"Scotty, lock in on Spock's coordinates. Beam him up the first chance you get."
//Jim…I cannot help but hold this against you. // His irritation at me was evident.
//Spock.. I look forward to any punishments you wish to deal out later. Stop worrying! I'll be along in a minute.//
"Captain, I cannae beam up anyone else!" Scotty's frantic voice squawked from the communicator. "After Dr. McCoy left the pad, the circuits themselves were fried by an unknown power source!"
"How long until you can fix the transporter?" Jim wanted to know.
"Maybe a day or so…" the engineer estimated.
"A day?" Jim cried. "Scotty, that's not good enough! Spock and I are in a bit of a situation right now and we need to return to the ship as soon as possible." I thought I heard Scotty gulp.
"A… Vulcan biological situation, Captain? Do we need to divert to New Vulcan? If that's what you two need, I can have Uhura contact Starfleet and-" Jim groaned.
"No! Why does everyone always think that? It only happens every seven years!"
"I apologize, Captain," came Scotty's sheepish voice.
"Don't worry about it," Jim assured him. I could tell he was trying very hard not to laugh at Mr. Scott's earlier illogical statement. "We're just in a little danger by staying where we are. The Chancellor will not be pleased when he learns of our talks with the so-called lower class. I'd rather avoid a diplomatic fiasco if at all possible, thanks."
"We'll get on it right away, Captain. Scott out." Jim snapped his communicator shut and turned to me.
"It looks like we're both stuck here." I was about to give him a witty response when Elennya approached us. Her expression was tense, her long fuchsia hair in disarray.
"Captain, our informant just told us that the overlords are heading this way."
"Good, I want to talk to them," Jim said grimly.
"No, we must hide!"
"Come, Elennya!" Sapphia called from across the cave. But Jim and I held our ground.
"There is no logic in hiding from those who will no longer have power over you." I pointed out. "We will not allow your treatment to continue."
"And Starfleet will back us up," Jim chimed in. "As soon as they're convinced of what's going on…" He mumbled that last part under his breath. The four lamori glanced at each other. Harvvi nodded, and so did Maathu and Elennya. Sapphia took a little more coaxing to convince, but she too finally agreed.
"Captain, we will trust you," Harvvi declared. We listened for their arrival, and soon faint footsteps could be heard. They grew closer, and Sapphia reached for Elennya's hand.
//Spock, this had better go well because if it doesn't, I'm responsible.// Jim was worried.
//It was the only logical choice, Jim.// The footsteps grew louder, and Jim pulled me away just in time from the 'doorway' in the cave wall. The same Gamosian representatives that we'd met earlier entered the lamori's secret meeting place. Chancellor Oreilli and Ambassador Worryn did not come alone. A faction of security sporting strange apparatuses on their heads accompanied them. Judging by the horrified reactions of the lamori upon their appearance, I suspected these were the dreaded MM.
"What is the meaning of this?" Oreilli exclaimed. He glanced around the room to spy Jim and I watching patiently to see what he would do. His gaze finally landed on the five lamori, and he graced them with his coldest glare. Harvvi, Maathu, Sapphia and Elennya defiantly stared him down. Samm maintained his lost expression, as usual. "Captain Kirk and his first officer are our esteemed guests!"
"We just wanted to speak to them about our situation," Harvvi insisted. "This was the only way." The chancellor shook his head.
"They are not to be kidnapped and treated as prisoners by you… you filth! You did not have permission to speak with the offworlders. Why, I should-"
"Hey," Jim butted in before the chancellor could finish. "Watch who you're calling filth! These people have suffered their whole lives, thanks to the likes of you and the constraints of your society. You owe them some respect at the very least!"
"There's no need to get angry, Captain," Ambassador Worryn interjected. "These people have clearly manipulated you."
"What Harvvi speaks the truth," I informed them. "They did not harm us. All they wanted was to ask for our help."
"Captain, these unfortunates have misguided you," said the chancellor. "They have told you many lies to further their own ambitions. We have seen it before."
"That statement is incorrect." I stared at the chancellor, my expression unreadable. After all, I was just relaying facts. "They have told no lies. I have melded my mind with one of your lamori elders. I have felt his pain from watching his mate be tortured by your Mind Manipulators and their bond shattered. The crimes you have committed against them are inexcusable."
"Starfleet will not stand for it," Jim added. "If you are to join the Federation, changes in your society must be made." The two Gamosian leaders exchanged a look.
"I did not wish for Federation representatives to find out this way," Worryn sighed. "But we admit it. It is all true, but necessary for our society to survive. Lamori bonds are unworthy of the same significance as those between a male and female. It is simply not natural for those of the same sex to form a marriage bond."
"Not natural?" Jim growled.
//Jim… do not say anything you will regret.//
//Spock, no offense, but I really don't give a shit what I say right now.//
"Yes, Captain, unnatural," answered the ambassador. "The union between husband and wife is held sacred among out people."
"It is imperative for bearing children, thus continuing our population," added the chancellor.
"Just so you know, in Starfleet, and in fact in all Federation worlds we see absolutely nothing wrong with unions between members of the same sex, or even members of different species." Jim informed him.
"That is wrong," Oreilli stated flatly. "That is not how we do things on Gamus. It is against our religion, and besides, our society functions well as is. We believe that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Jim's hands were balling into fists and I was afraid he was going to punch the chancellor. But, he didn't.
//Spock, I have to tell them.// I felt his frustration through the bond.
//Jim, please keep silent! They will not understand…//
//I gotta try, Spock.// I relented. As Starfleet officers, we had protection in name on most civilized systems. The punishment for harming an officer was one month was severe. Hardly anyone would dare to accost us, and the chances that the Gamosians would were slim.
"Chancellor, Ambassador, what would you say if I told you that I was bonded to Spock?"
"Pardon me?" The chancellor laughed nervously. "Your joke is not funny, Captain."
"It's not a joke," Jim growled, taking my hand in his. "In fact, it's the furthest thing from a joke. Spock and I are bonded by Vulcan law, as well as in Terran matrimony. He is my mate, and I am not ashamed to say it. Our marriage is protected by rights granted to us by the Federation." All of the Gamosians minus the lamori stared at us with absolute revulsion.
"Mr. Spock, is this true?" Worryn had to ask.
"It is. We have been bonded for five years now," I informed them with just a touch of smugness. "I could not ask for a better mate."
"No…no…that's…ugh…" Worryn shuddered and turned back to the chancellor. "What do we do now?"
"What we always do – we keep it quiet. If the Federation allows and celebrates such bonds, then they must not know the truth about our society," Oreilli stated. "Take them to be cleansed."
"What?" The four lamori shouted in protest, but they were quickly detained.
"Let them go," Jim ordered. I backed him up.
"Starfleet will not stand for-" That was when Oreilli gave the signal and we were suddenly approached by ten very imposing looking Gamosians.
"Woah, you wouldn't do this to us?" Jim cried as the MM surrounded us. "You know the punishment for harming a Starfleet officer. You'd be stripped of your titles for sure! Besides, Dr. McCoy has already been beamed up to the Enterprise. He knows the truth, so there's no reason to torture us!"
"This is why we have knocked out all of your long range communications." We were met by Worryn's most unpleasant sneer.
"What?" Jim blanched at that.
"You will not be able to contact Starfleet until we come to an agreement. If we do not torture you, you will inform Starfleet that Gamus is a suitable candidate for federation status, leaving our any irrelevant details of your visit here. If you do not agree, then you will have to be cleansed." Oreilli looked rather pleased with himself.
"We're not going along with your little agreement, you sick bastard!" Jim spat.
"I express the same sentiments," I added. "We will not cooperate in such a fashion."
"I thought you might say that," the chancellor mused, turning to Jim. "I imagine your disposition will be much improved after your stay in the Chamber." Jim glanced at me, and I felt his fear radiating through our link. He was not afraid for himself, but for what would happen to me and our bond if he was severely tortured.
I knew that the possibility of our capture by the overlords had never really occurred to Jim, or else he wouldn't have spoken up about our bond. It hadn't really occurred to me either, although I did briefly consider it. At the time I did not believe that the Gamosian leaders – or were they overlords - would have any motivation to harm members of Starfleet. I knew that Jim had meant well, that he only wanted to help the case of the lamori, but thanks to his emotional revelation he had put us in real danger. While Vulcans could withstand mind torture with the help of our techniques, I didn't know how long Jim could last. In my short lifespan, I had never encountered any technology that could break a Vulcan bond, but what if the Gamosians had discovered such a thing? What would I do if they severed my bond with Jim and he lost all memory of us?
"Take them to be cleansed!" Oreilli ordered.
//Don't worry, Spock. We got this.// Jim's confident thoughts helped as we were manhandled by the MM. //They can't beat our telepathy.//
//I hope you are correct, t'hy'la.//
As the MM dragged us away to the Chamber, I wondered if Samm's painful memories of having to watch his bondmate be tortured would soon become my own. Only time would tell…
End Ch. 3
Spock's side note: While logic is the viewpoint through which Vulcan children are taught to view and conduct such a healing, there are others channels by which the same end can be reached, and had I time, I would have explored them. Humans practice some of them, whether you know it or not. In my time spent with Jim, I have come to realize that emotion is just the opposite side of the same coin as logic, neither higher nor lower a form of energy, simply a different manifestation of it. Of course, I knew this intellectually, but to have it in my experience has changed me considerably, for the better I think. The concept of infinite diversity in infinite combinations, the most ancient and prized of Vulcan values, has expanded and taken on a broader, fuller dimension of meaning for me since meeting him.
A/N: As you could probably guess, Spock's side note was written by my sister, and not by me. She also wrote the beautiful description of Spock's Vulcan healing trance. I owe her so much for lending her talents yet again! (It helps that she practices yoga and knows a lot about meditation.)
Thanks for all of your detailed reviews for the last chapter – they really blew my mind!!