Ring of Treason
Chapter 10
"A ship in port is safe, but that's not what ships are built for."
Grace Hopper
Jim piloted Copernicus out of Earth's orbit and up to the outer planets. He brought the shuttle in forward and faced the great ship so his mother would get the best view as she hung in space. They could see the Enterprise becalmed and serene, looking majestic and beautiful, her running lights lit like jewels. The sight of his ship always gave him a frisson of joy that ran through his whole body. His mother glanced at him, reading him without difficulty. She recognized a cue when she saw one and she patted him softly on his knee.
"She's beautiful, sweetheart, just beautiful! The most beautiful ship I've ever seen," she said. "I'm so happy to finally have this opportunity to visit."
In the back, Spock and McCoy exchanged knowing and indulgent glances at Jim's obvious love and pride for his ship and the pleasure clear in his face as he showed off the Enterprise to his mother.
Jim gave his mother a happy grin when he saw that her face, as she looked at his ship, was enthralled, her eyes shining. He noted that some of the other ships participating in the War Games had arrived. They had stationed themselves around the Enterprise, the Fleet Flagship, ringing themselves around her in concentric circles. It was a beautiful sight. More would arrive soon, he knew, and he hoped the War Games schedule had been distributed to all the Captains. There would be formal greetings and check ins later.
"Kirk to Enterprise."
"Scott, here, Captain."
"Scotty, we're coming in. Is the shuttle bay cleared for docking?"
"Aye, Captain. Bring her in. Shuttle bay doors opening."
Jim brought Copernicus straight in as the giant shuttle bay doors opened and Spock's navigational coördinates brought them in straight to the center of the huge bay. Jim parked, waited for the giant doors to close behind them and the bay to pressurize. The red light changed to green, and he opened the Copernicus hatch and helped his mother out, Spock and McCoy following her.
Lieutenant DeSalle, at his post, smiled as he recognized Jim's mom. "Welcome back, Captain, and welcome aboard, Dr. Kirk."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. Good to be back. I'm giving my mom a tour of the ship; it's her first time to be on board!"
"She's a beautiful ship, Dr. Kirk. Best in the Fleet. You'll enjoy it."
"I know I will, Lieutenant. And it's so nice to see you again in better circumstances. Thank you again for all you did for Peter."
"It was my honor, ma'am. No thanks are necessary."
Jim nodded his thanks at DeSalle. "Lieutenant, please join us for lunch today; I'd like all the Department Heads there so my mother can meet everyone. Will you let them know, please?"
"Aye, sir. A pleasure. Thank you."
"Come on, Ma; let's go to the Bridge first. I need a status update from Scotty." Jim couldn't hide his eagerness and slight impatience to be back on his bridge.
"Spock, you're with me. Bones, do you want to check on any of your patients, or will you join us on the tour?"
"I'll join you for lunch, but I'll skip the tour if you don't mind. I wanna' check in with Chapel and M'Benga first. I'll see you in a little while in Sick Bay, Winona, when Jim brings you on the tour. I'll be proud to show you my domain."
Jim led his mother and Spock to the turbo lift and Spock took his usual station keeping stance at Jim's right shoulder. They went straight to Deck 1. Scotty beamed as he saw Winona and immediately vacated the Captain's chair. The Captain nodded a hello at Uhura's relief.
"As you were, Scotty. Report."
"Aye sir. As you can see the ships have started to assemble. More ships will arrive this afternoon and tomorrow. We received the schedule for the War Games. We'll start at 0700 day after tomorrow. We're Blue Team Leader. The John F. Kennedy is Red Team Leader. I have your padd ready with the latest time line and roster for the Games."
"Thank you, Mr. Scott. You remember my mother?"
"Aye, sir, a pleasure to see you again ma'am. Welcome to the Enterprise."
"Thank you, Mr. Scott; it's wonderful to see you again and to be here on this glorious ship. So this is the place famed in song and story where all the decisions are made," she cast a laughing glance at her son.
"Don't believe all you hear about your son," Jim said smiling at her. "It's all greatly exaggerated. Why don't you take a look around the bridge while I take care of a little business."
"I doubt that," said his mother, but she obediently walked around the bridge looking with interest at everything and then gazed out the forward screens enthralled at the sight outside.
"Spock, would you mind taking Ma on the tour of the crew's quarters? I'll meet you in my quarters in just a few minutes, I have to pick up my dress uniform and you'll have to also. I just need to comm the Captain of the JFK and say hello."
"Of course, Captain. It will be my pleasure."
"Get me the Captain on the JFK, please," he said to Uhura's replacement, and the Ensign's quick fingers completed the task before Jim even finished settling into his Captain's chair.
"Todd! Jim Kirk here. Great to see you and your ship again. Are you ready to go down fighting?"
Spock and Winona heard a huge belly laugh through the comm unit as they walked into the lift. "You wish! Jim! How the hell are you doing? Grown up into those stripes yet?"
"Deck 5," said Spock.
As they walked through the corridors of Deck 5, and entered Jim's cabin, Winona placed a hesitant hand on Spock's blue sleeve.
"Mr. Spock, please will you tell me how he's doing?" Her eyes looked up at him and he saw the worry behind them.
He did not pretend to misunderstand her. "For the most part, he is doing well, Dr. Kirk, but there are still some bad days. This morning was one of those days. I'm afraid he not only feels grief, but he also feels great anger and guilt that we did not arrive to Deneva in time to do more, perhaps to save Sam and Aurelan. It is not logical, and most unlike the Captain, who can usually put his losses into perspective after a time of introspection, but in this situation his guilt and his grief are not lessening to the degree the doctor and I would like to see."
"I was afraid of that, Mr. Spock. In his head he knows there's nothing he could have done for them, but his heart won't accept it. I know he has hidden most of his pain from me thinking to save me from more grief, just as I have hidden most of my pain from him. What a pair we are." She sighed. "Jim and Sam had a very special relationship. Sam was such a loving and kind big brother, and Jim adored him. Sam always had time for Jim; in spite of the 5 years between them, they were very close and Jim thought Sam hung the moon. Now, I think we've both been silent long enough. I'm going to make it a point to talk to Jim about Sam before we leave. Somewhere I read that a grief shared, is a grief halved. I hope we can make that true. At least I have Peter, and that has helped."
"Peter has been a consolation to Jim as well, Dr. Kirk."
"And he has you, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy. Don't think I don't know how much you've helped him, supported him, and been his friends."
Spock inclined his head. "It has been my honor to be here for the Captain."
They heard Jim's voice outside the door and he came in with Lieutenant Uhura.
"Are you two ready for lunch?"
"Nyota! It's so lovely to see you again." Winona gave her a hug which Uhura returned warmly. "I hear you're coming with us, I'm so glad. We'll have a chance to visit more later. Peter will be so surprised and happy to see you."
"You look wonderful! And I can't wait to see Peter, Dr. Kirk.
"Please call me Winona, Nyota. so I don't feel like someone's elderly mother." She cast a teasing glance at her handsome son, and he leaned over and gave her a light kiss and tucked her arm into his. "You'll never be old, Ma, not possible. Let's go eat."
Lunch was a riotous affair. Sulu, Chekov, Scotty, Kyle, DeSalle, Uhura, Reilly, Chapel. Bones, M'Benga, Giotto, Spock, Winona, and Jim all talked, laughed, and ate to their heart's content. The Galley had done themselves proud. Dessert was a huge chocolate cake and everyone (except Spock) sighed happily when it was carried in. It was a perfect ending to a grand meal.
"I hate to break up the fun, people, but we have to be getting back. Thanks everyone for joining us for lunch. Scotty, mind the store. See you in the morning for the press conference. Don't forget your dress uniform. I'll comm you with the beam in coördinates later today."
"Aye, Captain."
Winona went around and shook hands with each crew member. Her eyes were soft with gratitude, as she thanked everyone again for what they had done for Peter. It was no wonder that Jim thought the world of his crew; they were indeed the best in all of Star Fleet.
Back on board the shuttle, Jim had Uhura sit beside him so he could brief her on the mission and about the press conference scheduled for the morning. "Lieutenant, I want my statement to the media about the installation of the Trans Warp Drive on the Enterprise to be brief and a bit ambiguous. We don't want to give too much away. Do you think you can draft something for me to look at this afternoon?'
"Of course, Captain. I'll start work on the statement as soon as we land. Since I'm spending the night, we can work on it until you're satisfied."
"Jim," McCoy's voice came from the back. "I don't like this at all. This press conference is just the sort of situation that makes you a sittin' duck to the Romulans… and in case you've forgotten, let me remind you that the Romulans and the Klingons have put a price on your head. You're just way too exposed out there. Couldn't you just release a statement?"
"Dr. McCoy!" Spock's disapproving voice silenced the doctor.
"What does he mean, there's a price on your head and you're a sitting duck, Jim?" Winona sandwiched between Spock and McCoy, leaned forward and asked her son worriedly.
Jim threw an angry glance at McCoy. "It's nothing, Ma. Bones is just worried because it's the Romulans behind all this. But I won't be there by myself. Scotty, Spock, Nogura and Security will all be there by my side. Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Jim landed the Copernicus and helped his mother out and threw another furious look at McCoy, who by now was well aware that everyone on the Copernicus was very annoyed (including Spock, who didn't even do annoyed, but whose eyebrow had climbed way up to his I am very displeased with you height) that he had worried Winona with his big mouth. Damn, he thought. Why don't I ever engage my brain before my big mouth? If it's one thing that woman doesn't need is to worry about her one remainin' son.
They walked up to the Embassy in silence and they could hear the excited voice of Peter coming from the side drive. "Faster, T'Lane, push me faster!"
"But Peter kam," said the slightly breathless voice of T'Lane. "I do not want you to fall and injure yourself."
"I won't fall, T'Lane, honest. I can do it, push me faster."
"Very well, Peter kam. I will push faster. Hold on and pedal as fast as you can and steer straight."
"Whoopee! Yea! Look at me T'Lane, I'm doing it! I'm riding the bicycle all by myself!"
"Excellent, Peter kam! You are an apt pupil. Keep pedaling, do not slow down!"
They all turned into the walk and saw Peter flying down the drive pedaling furiously, T'Lane looking after him with a very non Vulcan look of pride on her face.
"Peter," yelled Jim, "turn the handle bars and come back."
"Uncle Jim, look at me!" yelled Peter, not turning his head. "I'll try, but I don't know how to turn the bike yet!"
"That is true, Captain," murmured T'Lane. "We have not had a 'turn' lesson yet." Her face was a little flushed from her exertions, and she looked prettier than ever. "Your nephew learns very quickly. I expect that by tomorrow he will be proficient at turning and stopping as well."
"Peter," called his grandmother. "Just jump off the bike dear, and come here. Look who's here."
Peter brought the bike to a dead stop by simply jumping off. He turned around and spotted Uhura. He whooped and dropped the bicycle and ran over to her and enveloped her in a huge hug. T'Lane followed him slowly, Vulcan curious about the new female visitor."Miss Nyota! Wow, I didn't expect to see you today." He beamed up at her, his admiration and affection for Uhura evident in his face.
"Hey, Peter." She ruffled the unruly hair so much like his Uncle Jim's. "I'm here for the rest of the day and until tomorrow. I have to do some work for your Uncle Jim, but we'll have time to visit too. You've grown taller, young man and it's only been two months since I've seen you." Jim smiled at Uhura's evident affection for the child.
"Lt. Uhura, this is T'Lane, Ambassador Sarek's assistant. She has been kind enough to teach Peter the art of bicycle riding."
T'Lane gave Uhura a polite nod, which Uhura returned with a friendly smile.
"Shall we go in? We have a lot of work to do."
"Peter," his grandmother said, "this evening you're going to bunk with your Uncle Jim so Nyota can sleep in our room, so after you've finished your bike lesson with T'Lane, run in and grab your pajamas and some clothes for tomorrow and take them in the other room. Nyota, come with me and I'll get you settled."
"Where is Dr. Bones going to sleep, Noni?"
"Don't worry about me, Peter. I'll bunk with Spock. At least he doesn't snore, like some people I know."
Jim, who was still angry with him for worrying his mother, didn't respond to the gibe.
OK, then, thought McCoy. I'm in deep shit here, me and my big mouth; better apologize soon.
"I'll meet you in the office in a few minutes, Lieutenant, and we can get started. Ma will show you where. Sarek has a big table in there where we can work comfortably."
Uhura came into the beautiful office and greeted Sarek who was working at his desk. "Ambassador, I hope we won't disturb you working in here." Her lovely voice was diffident. She was a little in awe of the Ambassador.
"Not at all, Lieutenant. Please consider the office yours while you need it."
Jim came in then, and they sat down and got to work right away. The rest of the afternoon was spent working on the press statement, editing and re editing until Jim and Uhura were satisfied. Jim ran it by Spock and Sarek and they agreed it would serve.
Peter came in hot and sweaty from his bike practices and Winona sent him to take a bath before dinner.
The late afternoon sun went down, and Sarek's aide came in to tell them dinner was served. It had been a very long day and they all ate hungrily of the delicious meal.
After dinner, Sarek excused himself for his daily evening call to Amanda, and everyone wandered into the office and settled in. Spock set out the chess set for his game with Peter. Winona got her needle work out and Bones sat reading one of his medical journals. Sarek's aide brought in coffee and tea and a soft drink for Peter. Uhura, who never traveled without her lyre, got it out, and silently questioned Jim, who nodded happily. He sipped his coffee slowly as she tuned the lovely instrument and started singing one of her favorite old Earth folk songs.
"Hallelujah"
I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah1
Jim stood slightly apart from everyone sipping his coffee, listening to Uhura's beautiful voice. Somehow the song's refrain seemed to echo what he felt. His hazel eyes took in the sight of the people in the room. He realized that everyone that he loved the most was with him in this room and he took a deep breath as he felt a fierce thanksgiving and protectiveness well up in him. He wanted to stop time; he wanted to keep this moment forever; his feeling of utter peace and contentment, the knowledge that they were all safe here with him and that whatever came, whatever it took, he would somehow keep it that way. His glance caught Spock's as he looked up from the chess board, and he saw that the Vulcan, as usual, had read his thoughts without effort. Spock held his glance and gave Jim an infinitesimal nod, and Jim knew with total certainty that Spock would also travel on that journey with him.
1 Leonard Cohen Lyrics
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