MEDAL OF VALOR
Chapter 14
By Diddlepie
Disclaimer: I make or intend to make no profit from this fan fiction work. Other than my original characters, all characters belong to Paramount.
To my ever-loved beta, Simplmare: Thank you!
Author's Note: When I started this story in March, I just had my hours reduced at work, so I figured what a great opportunity to try writing a ST 2009 story. I had some extra time, and the kids were in school, no problem, I'd have my story written by the time school ended. Well, the kids are out of school, and I'm still writing.
So here's the deal, don't get nervous as I will finish, but be patient with me as I probably won't be posting quite so frequently. So without further ado:
Lt. Sulu said tensely, "Captain, we are on Yellow Alert Status." Kirk could hear the wail of the klaxon horn in the background.
"Did McCoy make it onboard before the shields went up?"
"Yes, sir. Doctor McCoy is with Commander Spock in O.R. One."
"Any communications from the Romulan war bird?"
"No, Sir. It's just sitting there. Its weapon systems are powered up, and its shields are raised, but it has not made any aggressive moves."
"Patch me through to it." There was a brief period of dead air and Kirk impatiently began pacing.
"Go ahead, Sir."
Maintaining a confident, cool voice, Kirk said, "This is Captain James T Kirk of the USS Enterprise. Please state your purpose."
After a few moments of maddening silence a strong, arrogant female voice answered. "This is Prefect HaG'ash Et, of the Romulan Empire. Why do I not see you on my view screen Captain Kirk?"
"We are having difficulty with our view screen. It was programmed for the Medal of Valor Ceremony on New Vulcan, and has not been switched back to standard transmission." He knew his excuse was flimsy, but he wasn't going to freely admit that he wasn't onboard.
"And," Kirk added, " Prefect HaG'ash Et, we were not expecting any additional visitors."
"We detected phaser as well as disrupter fire on New Vulcan, Captain. Do you require OUR assistance?" Sarcasm flavored her words.
"What I require, Prefect HaG'ash Et, is an answer to MY question. What is your purpose here?" He let his mounting frustration and anger clearly come through.
Kirk could see the remaining Vulcan Council members and lesser officials congregating in the background at the Council Field Command Post.
"Our purpose is only peaceful, I assure you Captain. While we speak, we are also in contact with the Vulcan Defense Force, and our Conciliator Ift, is awaiting communication with a member of the Vulcan Council. As you can see, these are not the typical actions of a raiding star ship."
"AND again, your PEACEFUL purpose would be?" Kirk asked.
"Why Captain, we only wish to deliver Romulan medical aid supplies, which are more suitable for Vulcan use, given our similar genetic make-up. We also are equipped to deliver a small number of defensive weapons. New Vulcan is vulnerable to attack given its small protective force, Captain. We are prepared to remedy that condition."
Kirk wished he could see her facial expression to see if she was sincere.
Sarek, who had been attended to by one of the healers, stood at the Council Field Command Station. His leg was heavily bandaged and he was using a shattered piece of a chair as a cane. He motioned for Kirk.
From the computer tie-in with the Vulcan Defense Force, Kirk could see both ships in a standoff. The Enterprise and the Romulan war bird had weapon systems powered, but on standby. Both had shields set to maximum. Surrounding the two major vessels were a cadre of smaller ships all in varying states of panic. Some were preparing warp drive, others were powering up the little bit of armament they had. Pretty useless strategies, Kirk mused. If the Romulan war bird wanted any of these smaller craft gone, they wouldn't have a chance.
God, Kirk wished he was up there!
XXXXXXXXXXXX
The rush from the transporter room had been furious. Because of a transporter malfunction, the beam had cancelled the settings on Spock's portable thoracic stabilizer, and he arrived not breathing. The race to sickbay had probably caused a few injuries to unprepared crew members in the hallways as the medical team ran full speed with the hover gurney. Spock's heart was still beating, but the damage to his brain, and organs would be irreparable if he didn't have oxygen once again flowing. The doors to sickbay were wide open when they arrived, and McCoy had Spock on a bio-bed in less than a minute.
And is if planned, the ship's klaxon horn began bellowing a yellow alert right at that moment.
"What the hell?" McCoy muttered to himself. "If that's the damn Romulans ringing the door bell, I want to be the one to answer it!"
His team sprang to action rivaling the most precise piece of machinery on the Enterprise. Without further direction, Nurse Christine Chapel replaced the portable thoracic stabilizer with the hospital version TSR* (thoracic simulator/regenerator unit) over Spock's damaged chest. She adjusted the controls and listened to the familiar hum as life giving oxygen was being pumped directly into his blood. A small army of medical personnel attacked their duties. Monitors were adjusted, settings were analyzed and new ones formulated for patient stabilization. Dr M'Benga, who was McCoy's handpicked specialist in Vulcan physiology, was laying out surgical instruments. Another nurse arrived with a precious cargo of green fluid: Spock's previously banked blood supply.
But the effect of blood loss was making itself known as Spock's heart went into tachycardia, beating faster than Vulcan norms, in an effort to supply his body with much needed oxygenated blood. His body was reacting to the severe stress, with increased blood pressure and heart rate. Unlike a Human body, which could be temporarily placated with saline solution, to fill the vacuum left by blood loss, Vulcan physiology required blood to fill the circulatory system. There was no substitute.
McCoy watched as Spock's heart threatened to shut down from the exertion. "He's headed for an M.I*. Give me a hypo with 100 mg Mestoria stat!"
The Vulcan healer, Vnei, who had beamed up with Spock said calmly, "That will not be necessary. We will bring down his heart rate together." McCoy's mouth opened, ready to give the healer a piece of his mind, when Dr M'Benga took McCoy's arm and gave him a nudge. "A healer can assist a Vulcan in medical distress by supporting them through a mind link to lower heart rate, blood pressure, many systemic functions. I've seen it done successfully many times. But no healer has ever attempted it with Human/ Vulcan mixed physiology."
"That is correct Dr M'Benga." She replied as she moved into position at Spock's head. "However, your species reliance on pharmaceutical interventions for all physiological disturbances is not suitable for Vulcan metabolisms."
McCoy stood ready, chewing his lip tensely, as the Vnei put her fingers firmly along the side of Spock's face, seeking his psi points. As she closed her eyes and pressed deeply into his skin, all eyes were glued to the bio-bed's readouts. Spock's heart rate began to slow, then spiked again. Vnei began mumbling a mantra, the concentration apparent on her face.
In the meantime, nurses began stripping what was left of Spock's uniform off his exposed arms and shoulders. Quickly they outstretched his arms on the padded cross members of the bio-bed, and firmly taped them down in preparation for surgery.
Hypo in hand, McCoy stepped closer watching as his patient's heart rate lowered then soared once more. As it peaked for the third time, he pressed the loaded hypospray into Spock's side. Within seconds, the heart monitor readout began to slide downwards.
Healer Vnei released her grip, exhausted. She backed away to give the surgical team access. "Commander Spock's heart structure is Vulcan, however his endocrine system is more Human than Vulcan. The excess adrenaline flowing through his system made it exceeding difficult to access his autonomic nervous system."
Talking over his shoulder as he stood under the sterilizer's light beam, McCoy yelled back to her, "He presents a challenge for both of us, Healer."
As Drs. McCoy and M'Benga prepared for surgery to stem the flow of blood, Vnei readied the anesthesia formula, using a mixed formula of Human and Vulcan anesthetics. Arteries and veins would have to be sealed to stop the crushed and severed vessels from leaking anymore of the precious fluid. With his heart beating slower, at least it wasn't being pumped out as fast as they transfused it, McCoy said to himself.
Vnei pressed the prepared hypospray solidly into Spock's neck. His head settled back a bit more on the bed. Standing at the head of the bed, she tipped his face back, and gently laid two fingers across his left temple. "I shall monitor his state of consciousness, while you conduct the surgical intervention," she said, closing her eyes in concentration. "You may begin."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Captain, do not be mistaken. The Romulan Empire is not a friend of the Federation. However, we are not the heartless animals the Federation so frequently paints us to be. And although our relations with the Vulcans are not "warm", as Humans might say, they are our cousins by blood. We only wish to offer them our condolences and whatever aid we might bring."
It was Sarek who spoke next, his voice controlled, and placid. Considering the pain he must be in and the fact that his son may be dead, Kirk found his level of control astonishing even for a Vulcan.
"Prefect HaG'ash Et, the Empire was explicitly told that we would not accommodate a visit at this time. However, you are here, and at a most inopportune time, I hasten to add. Therefore, as a show of your stated peaceful intent, you will drop your shields, disengage your weapons, and then have Conciliator Ift beam to this coordinate for discussions."
She began to protest, when Sarek continued as if he were talking to a misbehaving child.
"There are thousands of witnesses should the Enterprise attempt to take advantage of your unprotected status, Prefect. You have arrived here presumptuously, as an obtrusive, uninvited, attendee. If your intent is as benign as you state, you must have foreseen our trepidation. It is only logical that you make the first step."
Standing on the sideline, Kirk was able to see the Romulan bridge. HaG'ash Et was conferring with several other officers. The bird of prey's bridge was much smaller than the Enterprise's and had the overall appearance of being cramped. If the rest of the war bird was similar, with little space consideration given for the occupants, he could only begin to fathom just how heavily armed it was. The whole ship must be just one big weapon.
HaG'ash Et turned back to the screen. Kirk could see her now. She was tall and rough looking with the muscular build of a man. The close genetic link with Vulcans was obvious in her upswept brows, dark hair, and slightly green tinge. Their cultural differences were equally apparent as HaG'ash Et leaned into the view screen aggressively as she prepared to speak.
"Do not threaten me, Ambassador Sarek," she hissed.
"You should know, Prefect HaG'ask Et, Vulcans never threaten. If you find my terms unacceptable, you may leave. It is you who said your mission here was strictly humanitarian." Sarek stood ramrod straight, hands lightly gripped behind his back. His voice and face devoid of emotion.
The Romulan Prefect glanced behind her for a moment, then slowly straightened, taking a deep inaudible breath. "Ambassador Sarek, we accept your invitation. We would only request the Enterprise do the same."
"That is a matter for Captain Kirk to decide, and one that will have no bearing on our agreement," Sarek said.
"Very well, Conciliator Ift will beam to your coordinates. And perhaps Captain Kirk will have his view screen repaired so that we might negotiate the Enterprise's status." The haughtiness had returned to her voice.
As soon as Kirk saw that the war bird had dropped its shields and depowered its weapon systems, Kirk opened his communicator.
"Ambassador, are you coming with me?"
Sarek replied, "Spock still lives, although his hold on life is tenuous. I can feel his life spirit. Do not think me callous, Captain, but I must attend to something else foremost."
"I would never think you uncaring, Sir. Whenever you are ready, just call."
The Vulcan Ambassador watched as the Enterprise Captain dissolved in a column of swirling sparkles.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Uhura sat outside the force field wall of O.R. One. Christine Chapel had come out several times to update her, but had never stayed more than a minute before returning to her duties. The damage to Spock's chest was horrific. Most of his lung tissue had been dissolved by the disrupter fire, and his blood loss was made more critical because of his unique hybrid blood type. Although McCoy had wisely insisted Spock bank his blood when he became the CMO, the question now was whether there would be enough in the bank for a long sustained surgery.
The only good news was Spock's heart was uninjured. His heart placement had taken after "his father's side of the family", as McCoy put it, and was tucked into his right lower side with additional protection from a layer of Vulcan cartilage surrounding it.
But Healer Vnei was having a hard time keeping the patient sedated. The dosage for a Human was significantly higher than it was for a Vulcan. The Healer was concerned that given the higher dose and the surgical time needed, Spock's Vulcan physiology would suffer long term effects.
Now as Uhura looked on, she could tell that he was coming out of anesthesia again, as the monitors all began jumping wildly. Healer Vnei renewed her grip on his face, and in deep concentration attempted to use her mind link to coherence his petulant Human physiology into giving in to his Vulcan heritage.
Uhura watched the Healer's hands as she pressed them into Spock's skin. Her own mind wandered. She wondered how old the Vulcan Healer was. Did she have a son? Did he die on Vulcan? Or maybe she was a widow, who lost all her family in Vulcan's destruction.
Uhura's mind wandered further, as she focused on the Healer's long fingers. She remembered the first time she'd ever touched Spock herself. She knew better, but in a moment of glee, when she'd successfully finished her final spoken exam in Vulcan and Romulan, she'd grabbed his arm in excitement. Instantly, she felt the Vulcan stiffen, unprepared for physical contact. His eyes went wide as though he had been attacked. She had apologized profusely, stumbling wildly over her words as she tried to tell him she knew better than to make physical contact with a touch- telepathic race.
She also remembered, it was the first time she realized her feelings for him were not the dead end she had assumed. Once she had composed herself, Spock looked in her eyes intensely. Gently he took her fingertips in his hand. She felt a tidal wash of serenity, and strength flow over her. His hand was hot, but dry, and she loved the feel of it. As he held her fingertips, another feeling washed over her; respect mixed with attraction. He held her gaze with his dark eyes. So much was said without words. She became lost in his world, until his deep voice interrupted her. "Cadet Uhura, you need to breath."
She felt like a foolish school girl. "Yes, thank you for reminding me, Commander."
She smiled to herself: what a stupid thing to say. Her mind returned to the sterile whiteness of the Enterprise sickbay.
The monitors had settled down. She could see Spock's form lying, unmoving on the bio-bed, his arms held out to the side. Between the movements of the doctors and nurses, she could make out the arc of the thoracic simulator/regenerator over his chest, and a transparent bag of green fluid hanging near his head with a thin green tube ending in the base of his neck. She told herself to breathe.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kirk wanted to go to sickbay, but that's not where he headed. The doors opened with a hiss of air as he stepped onto the bridge.
"Mr Sulu, report."
"The Romulan ship has powered down its weapons systems and shields, Sir. Three people have beamed to the Vulcan Council Chambers. And Prefect HaG'ash Et is looking for you." The young pilot of Asian dissent, spun around in his chair with a grin on his face.
"She can wait. What's our weapons status?"
"Weapons remain fully powered, on standby."
"My new friend, I'm sure, wants to chat about that. What about this accident that's waiting to happen out there with all these little ships powering up to do battle with the Romulans? Someone's going to get their fingers blown off accidently if they don't cool it."
Sulu replied, "The Vulcan Defense Force has issued a communication advising all visiting ships to power down weapons. They are slowly beginning to comply."
"Good," said Kirk, "Tell me immediately if there is any change in the war bird's status." Turning to the communication's officer on duty, he said, "Any communication coming from Ambassador Sarek, gets patched through to me right away."
"Captain, any word on Commander Spock? We all saw what happened." Sulu asked solemnly.
"No. Not yet," Kirk said his voice dropping. "I'm on my way there now."
The bridge doors hissed open, and Kirk was gone.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sarek walked with a painful limp across the now deserted Kr'tr Kla Square. The large sun was heading for the distant horizon, and soon only the small sun would be left alone in the sky. Sarek had never thought of them that way before, although Amanda would have quickly assigned the two astrophysical bodies some type of Human emotions. Perhaps the fact that today he thought about them that way was a sign of fear: his fear of being left alone, losing both his wife and son. He would need to meditate soon to relieve himself of his ever encroaching emotionalism.
He arrived at his house and entered. In the darkened bedroom that Spock and Nyota had shared, there was a small group of Vulcans gathered. Lying on the bed was Elder Spock, still wearing the plain cloak he'd worn earlier in the day. His eyes were closed and his breathing was labored. One of the Healers approached.
"He rests comfortably, and serene in thoughts, but close to death. We continue to attend, but his fate is out of our hands." Sarek looked up, just as the bigger sun slipped from view.
The large brown psherk that had been hiding in the food preparation room, silently rolled into the room, stopping at Sarek's feet.
Impassively Sarek said, "You will stay until it is finished?"
"It is our honor," replied the Healer.
"Then I will travel to the Enterprise. You will not need to provide me with any updated information. The Defense Force, and Council will know where I am."
He glanced at the psherk that quietly rumbled at his feet.
As he walked to the hallway, he did not see Clet-pa prowl by the window.
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Kirk told himself to remain "in command" as he walked to sickbay. The fact that he might be losing the only real friend he'd ever had, was not an emotion he could entertain, let alone fall head first into.
He found Lt. Uhura slowly pacing outside the O.R. She looked at him relieved and saddened all at the same time.
"How is he?" Kirk asked.
"He's holding his own. McCoy called the second shift in, but he, Dr M'Benga, and Healer Vnei are still in there."
Kirk looked over her shoulder through the sterilizing force field that surrounded the O.R. He could make out Spock's prone form, as well as a small battalion of nurses and technicians.
A single tear escaped and Uhura brushed it away. It was clear she had been crying, by the look of exhaustion, and reddened eyes that masked her usually beautiful face. Kirk pulled her close in a hug, and let his hands smooth down the back of her head as he felt her break down sobbing. He leaned his face onto her dark hair, and for a moment all that had happened this day spun through his mind: waiting in the square for Sarek and Spock, entering the Great Hall, watching Luf'Tiea sprint up the stairs, the intruder and a phaser rifle, a roaring blast hitting Spock in the chest, and seeing him mutilated on the dais floor, the Ka-ta-pak Ketchelebs being rounded up, and the Romulan war bird arriving in a face off against his Enterprise.
Pulling himself out of this dark rumination, he said, "Have you had anything to eat?"
Her arms were bent and folded against his chest. She turned her head to the side so that her ear was pressed against his heart. It was oddly soothing, and she let herself relax curled up into herself.
"You sound like Christine Chapel. She's been trying to get me to eat something all day."
He closed his eyes and felt the solidness of her humanity as he rested his face on her smooth hair. "Well if you don't listen to her, you know who you get next, and you don't ever want to get on McCoy's bad side."
She smiled inside the momentary comfort of his arms. "He saved Spock's life, you know."
"Poor guy." Kirk replied. She broke his grip to look questioningly into the Captain's face.
"He'll never let Spock forget it."
His communicator crackled for his attention. "Yes, please escort the Ambassador to sickbay. Kirk out."
He smoothed the hair away from her face and wiped the trailing tears from her eyes. "Can I tell you something?"
"What?" Uhura said expectantly.
"Spock is one lucky bastard."
She smiled warmly at him, and took a personal cloth from her pocket to dry her face.
Sarek entered a moment later, escorted by a young female ensign.
He gave a brief nod to the captain, and looked expectantly at Uhura.
"What is my son's current status?" His voice was level, but subdued.
Uhura answered. "Spock has been in surgery ever since we beamed up. His lungs were largely destroyed, and he has had a shortage of blood, but the doctors and Healer Vnei feel that he is stabilized. The final outcome, however, is unclear."
Sarek waited patiently, signaling that he expected more information. Uhura continued. "It was difficult to keep him sedated. And he's had a hard time entering a proper Vulcan trance. Healer Vnei is concerned for the effect it will have."
Sarek bowed his head for several seconds. "Lieutenant, I thank you for the care you have given my son today. I can assure you, he has been aware of your presence at all times."
Uhura simply nodded her head in reply.
"Ambassador, Sir," Kirk spoke next. "Do you need further assistance on the planet to round up the Ka-ta-pak Ketchelebs?
"No, Captain. The shock of Medal of Valor Ceremony has driven most of the remaining Ka-ta-pak Ketchelebs to us. We are not a society accustomed to violence, especially predatory violence against our own citizens. The very act of the vicious attack on the Council and Spock awakened these crippled and misguided members of our society to the realization of what they had become.
There are a few remaining at large who are more sinister in their motives, but the Defense Guard will find them."
An exhausted Dr McCoy emerged from the sterilizing force field, followed by Dr M'Benga, and Healer Vnei.
"Sorry to keep you guys waiting." McCoy said. "He's stable for now. We've stopped the bleeding, and pieced together what was left of his lungs." He stopped taking a deep breath. "All the bones of his chest have to regenerate, and he can't breathe on his own. The TSR is doing its job, supplying oxygen to the heart and forcing new lung tissue to re-grow, but it's going to be a long, bumpy road."
Sarek spoke, "Healer Vnei, what of the tow-kath*? Can Spock maintain it on his own?"
"The Commander is in a trance now, and I will remain with him to assist should he have difficulty maintaining it." She paused, searching the older man's face for a moment. "Ambassador Sarek, with the level of thoracic damage sustained, it is doubtful a genetically pure Vulcan could maintain a trance. Truthfully, I am surprised the Commander survived. I would not believe even a Vulcan could survive such damage."
Switching her gaze to Uhura, she continued, "The will to live is strong in him."
Uhura blushed slightly. She replied, "I am glad for that. May I see him now?"
The three physicians looked at each other, but Dr M'Benga spoke. "Of course. I will go with you and explain what you see."
"If you'll excuse me, Doctor, and Healer Vnei, I would also like to see my son."
Kirk looked like he was ready to join them, when McCoy put his hand on his shoulder. "Jim, he's in critical condition. Make no mistake about it. He could die at anytime. Infection, organ failure, internal bleeding, like the healer said, I'm amazed he's survived."
"You did a good job." Kirk said with a tight smile. "Let's hope he does survive so you can hold it over his head for the rest of his life." He turned to join the others.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
On the dark deserts of New Vulcan, the wild creatures surfaced from the cooling sands to begin their evening's hunt. Some would thrive and others would perish on this night as happened every night in the constant battle for life on this harsh planet. In the darkness, beside a small house, a single Vulcan crouched outside of a window listening intently to the raspy labored breathing coming from the other side of the wall.
*Myocardial infarction = heart attack
*tow-kath= Vulcan for the Vulcan healing trance. Taken from the Vulcan/ English dictionary
*TSR= Thoracic Simulator/Regenerator Unit