I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. As the wife of a 20 year Navy Vet, I have experienced many a homecoming down at a pier, surrounded by flowers and balloons. To all of those who serve, have served, or wait anxiously at home for someone to return, I offer my humble thanks and prayers for happy reunions.
Flowers And Balloons Part Two
After explaining the plant collection procedure to Petra, Commander Tjiena had her obtain a sample from a low lying branch. Petra opened a sample container and picked up a small specimen, dropped it inside and then closed the lid. She placed the container into her carry bag and slipped the strap over her shoulder.
Immediately, the remaining plants began to emit a high-pitched wail. Larger ones dropped down from the higher branches, with tendrils hanging like the strings on balloons. The plants were beautiful to behold, but the survey team was unable to appreciate their beauty, as they were under attack.
It seemed that the giant orchids of Gareth VI were both sentient plants and telepathic.
"Intruders! Murderers of offspring! Savage animals! Eaters of plants!"
While the survey team members screamed in agony at the thoughts flooding their minds, strong tendrils bound them to the trees. Spock tried to calm himself and to obtain mastery over the pain. When he could again form cohesive thoughts, he directed them at his attackers.
"Stop this at once! You are killing us. We did not realize that you were sentient. We intended no harm."
"Your kind always intend harm! And you, the one called Spock, you are the worst offender here. We can sense the plants which have given their lives to feed you. Your companions at least reek of animal flesh."
Spock was suddenly regretting his fondness for fresh produce and the fruit and grain he had eaten for breakfast.
"Release us and we will leave this place. We will return your offspring to you."
"Oh, we can not do that. You are an excellent source of nutrients. We shall tighten your bonds until you expire from lack of air. Then we shall consume you slowly, over a matter of months, as we have done with all the animals on this world."
"Then you are also murderers. We are sentients like you."
"Your kind must travel from place to place to get food, unable to obtain it by converting the soil's nutrients. You nourish yourselves through death. That makes you inferior. If you cease to exist, it will be of no consequence. The universe will continue without you."
The plant beings increased the level of pain and the survey team members lost consciousness.
After Rachel and Esther had finally composed themselves, the family decided it was time to leave the shuttle port. However, when Rachel tried to put Jason into his child safety seat, he began to scream.
Rachel sat down on a bench, rocking Jason back and forth. He would not relax his grip on her. She held him, kissed him and sang to him until at last he fell asleep in her arms. Sirin opened the door to the van and helped Rachel secure their son for the trip to Wong's.
When Mr. Wong saw then, he gave them an enthusiastic greeting.
"Our esteemed doctor has returned from space. Let's give you a table in the corner where it's more comfortable. You are all just in time for the Early Bird Family Dinner Special."
Rachel smiled at the thought! A family dinner! While a server brought them tea, the family made their selections. As they waited for their food, a family on the other side of the restaurant was celebrating a birthday. Their table was decorated with flowers and balloons.
There were songs and laughter as one of the servers brought out a decorated cake. For Rachel, it was a sweet thing to see after all the sorrow she'd experienced on her mission. However, her pleasure soon turned to disgust when see saw all the uneaten food being carried away. Rachel wanted to go over to that table and scream at them. However, she held her tongue.
Her experience with the Fursian Famine had forever changed the way she thought about food and resources.
Spock considered. Perhaps he could convince these beings of his value and that of his companions. It would help if he knew what to call the one who addressed him.
"You have already learned my name. Perhaps you might tell me yours. I have a right to know who holds me prisoner."
"You have no rights here. However, I shall grant your request. I am Arsholg, the oldest and wisest of the Chenay."
"Arsholg, if I was able to convince you of our worth and place in the universe, would you release us?"
"Perhaps. However, it will be difficult to persuade me that you have any value."
Just then Spock's communicator beeped. The survey team had missed their check-in time.
"Spock, what is that annoying noise?"
"Those are my people on the starship in orbit above us. The survey party did not check-in at the appointed time. If I do not speak with them, they will send another team down to investigate what has befallen us."
"There are more beings such as you? Contact them and tell them not to come. Your presence imperils us."
"You will have to free my hands in order for me to do so."
Arsholg reluctantly ordered the release of Spock's hands. Spock activated his communicator.
"Spock here."
"Spock, what's going on down there? Where is Commander Tjiena?"
Pike's voice revealed his agitation.
Spock surveyed his surroundings. Commander Tjiena and Ensign Julian were unconscious. Petra was awake, but in great pain. Tears were streaming down her face.
"Commander Tjiena is unconscious. Our situation is grave. We are being held captive by sentient plants. They are telepathic and have attacked us with severe pain and disabling sound. Currently we are bound to trees awaiting our destruction, unless I can convince their leader Arsholg of our value. We are considered to be animals and destroyers of plant life."
"You know, kid, arguments are good. However, sometimes actions are better. Sit tight and don't worry."
Spock was about to comment on how worry was illogical and that he was unable to sit while tied to a tree when he felt the tingling effect of a transporter beam.
After their early dinner at Wong's, the family went home. Rachel felt like kissing the front lawn, she was so happy to be there. She was even glad to see Ivan.
"Awwk! Awwk! Hot chick alert. Welcome back, baby!"
"Hello, you obnoxious bird. I'm even glad to see you."
Rachel patted the top of Ivan's head and gave him some fruit. Sirin sat down with Jason on the floor of the family room and had Rachel join them. Jason repositioned himself onto his knees and rocked back and forth.
Rachel grinned at him.
"Sirin, has he crawled yet?"
"No, I believe he has been waiting for you."
Rachel held her arms out to her son, who propelled himself to her on his belly, moving forward an inch at a time. As she gathered him into her arms, Esther appeared with the cake she had made.
"Oh Mom, thank you! This is so lovely."
Apparently Jason agreed as he scooped a handful of icing into his mouth.
The survey team materialized onto Discovery's transporter platform. Medical team members caught Commander Tjiena and Ensign Julian, who were still unconscious. Spock and Petra were standing on their own. However, their pain was undiminished. The giant orchid creatures were still exerting pressure on the pain centers of their brains. As Spock stepped off the platform, he nearly collapsed. Captain Pike caught him.
"Spock, what's going on?"
"The creatures are maintaining a telepathic connection. I do not understand how they are doing it at this distance."
Petra groaned.
"The plant sample is still in my bag. Maybe they are connected that way."
Petra slipped the bag from her shoulder. Pike took it from her and removed the sample container. He set it on the transporter platform.
"Send that thing back to the planet's surface."
Once the little orchid was gone, so was the survey team's pain. Dr. Ames hurried them all down to Sickbay to check for lingering effects.
After they had consumed their cake, Esther excused herself to head off to a quilt guild meeting.
"Rabbi Goldie and I will probably be back late tonight. You kids shouldn't wait up for me."
"Okay Mom. We won't."
Sirin plucked Jason up off the floor.
"It is time for your bath, my son. Perhaps your mother would like to join us."
"You bet I would."
In honor of Rachel's return home, Jason got to play a little bit longer in the bath that night. He splashed with glee, making both of his parents quite damp. When he was dry and dressed in his pajamas, Rachel sang to him and rocked him to sleep. She tucked him into bed with his teddy bear.
As Rachel turned off the light and tiptoed out of the room, Sirin joined her in the hallway.
"Perhaps you would join me for a bubble bath, as we are both already wet."
He raised his right eyebrow suggestively.
"I can't think of anything I'd like better" said Rachel as she pulled Sirin into their room.
Rachel had to laugh out loud when she saw the bathroom. Sirin had decorated it with flowers and balloons.
"I'm impressed."
"You should not be. Dr. Kroger sent these with me. He chose some of the less garish ones. He continues to receive such items at his home. He says they are driving his wife crazy."
Rachel bent over the tub and sniffed.
"Okay. Whatever you say. However, I don't think the chocolate scented bubble bath and the cinnamon candle were Dr. Kroger's idea. I think those came from my sexy Vulcan hubby."
"That would be correct."
Sirin's wet t-shirt hit the floor with a splat.
Once Dr. Ames was satisfied that the team had suffered no lasting damage, he released them from Sickbay.
Captain Pike was feeling somewhat merciful that evening, so he decided that Fred could be excused from his punishment and allowed him out of his quarters. Spock was thankful to be able to meditate in peace. He put on his pajamas and sat on the floor in front of his lava lamp. Just as he was finding his center, the comm link chimed. It was Fred.
"Come on down to the Rec Room, buddy. We're having a party."
"I will be right there."
Once upon a time Spock would have refused. However, he had recently learned the value of interpersonal relationships with fellow crew members. His friends had helped him cope with the loss of Mera. He would share this celebration with them. Spock dressed quickly and headed for the Rec Room. When he reached his destination, he discovered it to be full of balloons and flowers.
Fred smiled when he saw Spock enter.
"Now that my witness is here, I can continue."
Fred got down on one knee in front of Petra and held her hand in his. He took a black velvet-covered box from his pocket.
"Petra, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
"Yes!"
Petra practically smothered Fred with kisses.
Ordinarily Spock found such public displays of physical affection distasteful. Somehow this one seemed appropriate, so he was not at all embarrassed to have witnessed it. In fact, Spock was thankful that Petra had safely returned to Fred. There had been no mourning at the end of this mission.
Captain Pike ordered that Gareth VI be considered off-limits for further manned exploration. Probes of Gareth V and its Class M moon revealed them to also be inhabited by the giant orchids. Commander Tjiena tried to look on the bright side.
"We may not be able to colonize those worlds, but our planetary survey mission just got shorter!"
Jason gave his parents several hours of alone time before he started fussing. Rachel was glad to give him a fresh diaper and some milk. She was a bit puzzled though, when the baby refused to return to his bed.
"What's going on here, son?"
Jason showed her images of the big bed in his parent's room.
"Oh, I see. It appears that Daddy has been spoiling you. Well, just for tonight I'll let you sleep with us. But we're gonna have to break you of this habit."
Jason chortled as if to say "We'll just see who breaks whom!"
A/N:
You haven't lost your minds. It's not Tuesday yet, but Starquilter57 is a busy girl this week. I posted a day early because I have company coming from out of town. See note on my profile.