Title: The Keepers
"Captain may I introduce my sister the Lady Philomena." Ambassador Engel indicated to his sister on his arm.
"Captain," She presented her hand to the Captain. Remembering what Engel had told him about society gatherings and greetings he took her hand and gently grasped it and bowed his head then released her hand. Lady Philomena spoke with a similar accent as her brother and was just as welcoming in her manner. "I have to say it is an honor to finally speak with you."
"The honor is all mine." Kirk said with his most charming smile. "This is my Chief Medical Officer, Lenard McCoy and you have already met my First officer."
Spock had joined them as Kirk was speaking and a sly grin had crept onto McCoy's face.
"So Spock, where did you learn to waltz?" McCoy asked enjoying poking fun at the Vulcan.
"From me naturally," Lady Philomena interjected before Spock could say anything. "I contacted the Commander earlier and asked to met him on Vitae Custos to discuss the tradition."
"You taught him very well." McCoy said as he smugly smiled at Spock. He always enjoyed finding things that Spock did to show he was more human then he would admit.
"As well as I could," She smiled at the doctor before turning to Spock. "May I speak with you for moment Commander?"
"Certainly Lady Mina," Spock responded. "Captain, Lieutenant Uhura wished me to give this to you." Spock gave Kirk a disk. "She said it was important."
"Thank you Spock." Kirk slipped the disk into his pocket and the Commander and Lady Philomena left.
"So Captain, what do you think of my humble home?" Lord Christopher asked eagerly.
"Amazing," Kirk said without hesitation. "It reminds me of those living museums that were common in the late twentieth and earlier twenty-first centuries on my home world."
"That, Captain, is exactly what Vitae Custos is – a living museum." A new man had joined the conversation. He was a bit taller then Kirk with tanned skin and dark hair that had just began to recede on top of his head. There was an air of superiority that clung to his presence that made any one who got close to him feel uncomfortable.
"Captain Kirk, allow me to introduce Lord Alvaro Cruz, a prominent member of Parliament." Ambassador Engel's introduction was rather stiff.
"So this is the famous Captain James Tiberius Kirk of the United Federation of Planets." Lord Cruz spoke unimpressed and bored at meeting the Captain. "I always thought you would be a bit..."
"A bit what?" Kirk asked trying to keep the edge out of his voice.
"Taller." Lord Cruz answered with a condescending smile on his face. "My advice to you Captain, and to the rest of your crew, is not to get too comfortable on Vitae Custos."
"Lord Cruz please," Engel interjected. "Your threats can wait 'til Monday when we are before the Parliament."
"This time you won't be able to charm your way to have your motion passed."
"My sister and I will prove our point again." Engel snapped at Lord Cruz, who simply gave a nasty smile to the ambassador.
"Ah yes, your sister," Lord Cruz glanced over to Lady Philomena who was still standing with Spock but their attention was with what was occurring with Ambassador Engel and Lord Cruz. "She is a most alluring woman."
What happened next went by so fast that Kirk almost missed it. Engel brought his arm back to bring it across Lord Cruz's jaw but he was stopped by Ambassador Sarek, who had seemed to have come out of nowhere.
"Christopher, don't." Sarek said firmly. It was not difficult to tell that Sarek was exerting a bit of effort to keep Engel from hitting Lord Cruz, more so then what a Vulcan would need to hold back a human. "There's no logic in this."
"Yes Christopher, listen to your friend – where's the logic in your action?" Lord Cruz taunted.
Engel removed his arm from Sarek's grasp and nodded to the Vulcan before returning his gaze to Lord Cruz.
"That's Lord Christopher to you," Engel said dangerously. "And I formally request that you keep your thoughts about my family civil."
"Of course," Lord Cruz bowed to Engel then turned to Kirk. "Captain, I bid you a good evening."
"Lord Cruz" Kirk was unsure of what else to say. The whole situation came out of left field for him.
"I apologize for my behavior Captain." Engel said after Lord Cruz was out of sight. Surprisingly the event did not disrupt the evening of the surrounding people; they continued on as though nothing had happen. "Excuse me." Engel walked quietly over to his sister and took her away; as they walked they talked in hushed agitated tones.
Sarek returned to Amanda before Kirk or McCoy could ask him any questions. The Captain and the Doctor just looked at each other in confusion.
"Was that Lord Alvaro Cruz that caused all the commotion?" Lady Nila asked when she joined the Captain.
"Yes it was," Kirk answered. "What does he have against your husband?"
"Lord Cruz has been the chief advocate against the Federation alliance," Lady Nila explained solemnly. "He believes that the members of the Federation are too young to completely comprehend the Keepers or handle the knowledge that the Keepers process."
"But that seemed to be more personal then that." McCoy pointed out.
"Yes," Lady Nila sighed. "Lord Cruz and my husband have never agreed on many things, and Christopher has always been the one whom the Parliament favors the most. Over time Lord Cruz has become very bitter about that and has stooped to throwing personal attacks at Christopher and Philomena.
"I have never seen my husband lose his control like that in public like that before." Lady Nila was worried, it was apparent on her face. "Lord Cruz must have said something really degrading."
"All he said was that Lady Philomena was an alluring woman." McCoy said.
"You only heard what he said out loud," Lady Nila heaved a heavy sigh. "Lord Cruz and Christopher are telepaths; more things were said then what was heard most likely.
"Excuse me I must find my husband." Lady Nila curtsied and quickly left.
"I have the feeling that this alliance is more volatile then what we thought," McCoy ventured. Kirk looked at his friend and nodded in agreement.
"What I want to know is why Ambassador Sarek did what he did." Kirk said thoughtfully.
"What do you mean?"
"Sarek physically intervened to keep Engel from hitting Cruz -- a very un-Vulcan act," Kirk explained. "And he said 'Christopher', no title at all – much more personal then I think Sarek would say for someone he just met."
"So what is going on?" McCoy asked anxiously.
"I don't know, but I'm determined to find out."
Authoress' Note: I am really sorry that this has taken so long to update. I've been traveling and studying abroad. I've introduced Lord Alvaro Cruz, a really nasty guy, who will be causing a lot of trouble for our heroes. So please review and tell me what you think. Reviews really motivate me to continue the story!!
