Ring of Treason
Chapter 25
Epilogue
"But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride."
T.S. Elliot
"Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats"
Jim sat relaxed in his command chair. It was still early in Alpha shift and all was quiet. The Enterprise's impulse engines purred under his feet. Mr. Scott reported that their Silver Lady was running as smooth as silk and because of that Scotty and Jim were as content as a Captain and CE could ever be. As he drank his coffee, his yeoman passed him department reports that had to be read and signed. Jim glanced at his First Officer. Spock was bent over his viewer looking at reports from Stellar Cartography.
It had been a month since Enterprise had left Earth's Solar System and the debacle of the treason ring behind them. Jim had heard from Admiral Nogura the happy news that rigorous interrogation of the prisoners and a deep Fleet internal SIS investigation had found no more traitors. Jim had also received several letter vids from his mother and Peter; Commander Bradford was recuperating well, and everyone was enjoying his visit. He was to report back to work in another week.
Enterprise was presently in orbit around Proxima Centauri, a star in the Alpha Centauri system whose 15.53 magnitude appeared to be changing for an as yet unknown reason. Since it was only 4.3650 light years from Earth, Enterprise had been ordered to do a "drive by" and check on the phenomenon. Mr. Spock had assigned 6 of his 14 Science departments to conduct the studies. They had been very busy for 9 days and the Science Department reports were now being downloaded into Enterprise's central computer before being sent on to Fleet. Being such a near neighbor to Earth, Proxima's unusual behavior, was worrisome to Fleet Science Department.
Uhura's voice interrupted Jim's reverie. "Sir, we're receiving a message from a Courier shuttle. They request permission to deliver a diplomatic pouch to Enterprise."
"Oh no, not another diplomatic mission," groaned Jim. "They never go smoothly…in fact they always go badly! Ok, Uhura, have DeSalle check their credentials and beam in the pouch."
In a few minutes, Jim's chair comm beeped. "Yes, Mr. DeSalle?"
"Sir, the pouch is on board, but it's for Mr. Spock, Captain, from Ambassador Sarek's office."
"From Sarek?" Spock, are you expecting something from your father?" asked Jim in surprise.
"Negative, Sir. I am not expecting anything from my father."
"Well, you better go down and get it, it may be important." Jim was puzzled; he racked his memory, but he was sure that in the almost three years he had served with Spock, he had never received a diplomatic pouch before today. Packages from his mother, yes, but never anything from Sarek. He hoped there was nothing wrong with T'Pau, Amanda or Sarek. He curbed his growing impatience and curiosity while Spock was gone…he'd know soon enough.
He heard the turbo lift's return and Spock came in carrying the pouch. He was reading a letter written on real paper. Curious, very curious, he thought.
"Spock?"
Spock looked up from his letter, mild surprise visible on his face "Captain, it is from Sarek's office, but actually it is a letter and holo chip from T'Lane. In her letter she indicates the contents are not an emergency and that there is no need for concern."
"Really? From T'Lane, That is rather surprising," said Jim mildly. Surprising, hell it's astonishing, thought Jim. "Still it has to be important if it was sent in a diplomatic pouch."
"Yes, further she requests that you, Dr. McCoy. Lt. Uhura, and I view it in a private place."
"Really? Stop saying that, you sound like an idiot, thought Jim. "Well, I don't know about you, Spock, but my curiosity can't wait until the end of Alpha shift. Let's go view it now in the briefing room. Uhura, get a replacement for a few minutes, and comm Dr. McCoy to meet us. Sulu, you have the con."
"Aye sir."
McCoy met them in the briefing room several data padds in his hand. His voice was testy. "What's goin' on, Jim. I'm knee-deep in quarterly reports which are late by the way, because with all the treason business, I never finished them, and since Medical is under Science, my commanding officer is after me to finish them ASAP!" He cast an irate glance at Spock.
Jim, with the ease of long practice, ignored the grouse. "We don't know yet, Bones, but there is a letter and vid from T'Lane, and she wants all of us to view it together. Go on Spock, let's see it."
Spock inserted the chip into the viewer and four sets of eyes became riveted on the screen.
The viewing perspective of the vid was obviously from a shuttle. They could see the terrain drift by below the shuttle camera. Jim was startled. "That's Iowa! T'Lane is heading for the farm! What the heck is she doing?"
The terrain showed the shuttle coming in for a landing, and the camera perspective shifted to the farm-house. Winona's front door opened and she came out of the house followed by Peter and Commander Bradford. They stood on the porch looking at the shuttle.
Peter's surprise at seeing the shuttle was very obvious on the camera view and as T'Lane opened the hatch and walked towards them, Peter saw who it was, and ran towards her. He reached her and hugged her hard. She pointed to the shuttle and the camera and then leaned over to tell him something. Peter grinned hugely, jumped up and down, and waved frantically at the camera. The three watching faces couldn't help but smile at the child's excited happy face and even Spock raised a humorous eyebrow.
"What in the world is T'Lane up to?" murmured Jim, with a smile in his voice, his hazel eyes never leaving the screen.
Winona walked over to T'Lane, exchanged greetings with the young Vulcan, and she too turned and waved at the camera. T'Lane spoke briefly into Winona's ear; she nodded and smiled. T'Lane walked back to the shuttle, opened the hatch and brought out a large square shaped covered box and a bag.
She brought the box back to Peter, sat down on the grass and indicated for Peter to sit by her. She said something to him, uncovered the box, reached in and brought out one of Cleo's kittens and placed it in Peter's lap.
The little boy's eyes got huge with surprise and his mouth made an O. He took the kitten in his hands and held it up to his face; he looked up at his grandmother who smiled and nodded. He stood up, reached over and put an arm around T'Lane's neck. Jim saw her hesitantly put her arms around the child and pat him gently. Peter turned back to the camera; he held up the kitten so the camera view was clear and his lips mouthed "Sorrel." He was so excited and happy that three of the delighted watchers laughed out loud and even Spock had a slight smile on his lips. T'Lane spoke to Winona, handed Peter the bag and indicated to him that she had to leave. Peter nodded and they walked her back to the shuttle. Peter and Winona waved at T'Lane as she took off and the camera view shifted again in lift off. The last view from the shuttle camera was that of Peter holding the kitten under his chin, Commander Bradford holding the box and bag, and Winona with her arm around Peter as the three of them stood on the grass in front of the farm-house waving.
"If that wasn't the sweetest thing I've ever seen," said Uhura, a little misty eyed. "Peter looked so happy."
"Yeah," said Bones. "Sure beats doing damn quarterly reports!"
Spock's dark eyes glowed softly as he handed the vid chip to Jim. "I believe you will probably want to watch this again, Jim."
"You bet I will! Spock, it was incredibly generous of your father to give Peter one of Cleo's kittens. Did you see Peter's face, how happy he was?" Jim's hazel eyes gleamed with delight.
"Yes, Captain, but I believe you have either T'Lane or my mother to thank for the idea. You know how much my mother loves Peter, and T'Lane became very attached to the child. Somehow I doubt that it was Sarek's idea." "Still," Spock mused thoughtfully, "my father seldom refuses any of my mother's requests and as he has unlimited use of the Embassy shuttle and the courier services, it was logical for T'Lane to avail herself of them."
"Well, whoever's idea it was, it was perfect. Still Spock, Sarek had to approve the courier, the use of the diplomatic pouch and T'Lane's use of the Embassy shuttle to fly the kitten all the way to the farm. I'm sure it was expensive. You can't tell me otherwise. Peter'll love that kitten; it will keep him occupied this summer and make it easier for him to handle my being gone. You know, I think I'll go to my cabin, watch this again and place a call to Ma and Peter. I'll see you back on the bridge in a little while."
The three of them watched as Jim left the room whistling softy; his soft smile lit up the briefing room and warmed the hearts of the three people watching him. Three pairs of eyes exchanged glances of perfect satisfaction. Jim stance, as he walked out of the room, radiated total contentment and for his crew nothing was more important than that; for when their Captain was happy, everybody was happy.
FIN
A/N I'd like to thank my friend Carol for all her help in proof reading this story. Her careful eye in finding errors has been invaluable. I'd also like to thank her for lending me her beautiful Abyssinian kitty for this story. Queen Cleo, however, is not a mama; her 2 kittens, Sorrel and Sheba are my invention.