I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. I need to say this to take care of my own hide!
Taking Care Of Our Own III
Tauril sat at tea with T'Pau, planning their next move.
"My wife, the Immigration Ministry is very sensitive to matters of privacy. They will not tell us who a child's relatives are. However, our positions as Elders might induce them to reveal whether or not Senar has any family. We should at least attempt to determine this."
"I agree. Also, as Tovorek owes me several favors, he may also be able to apply some pressure if need be. Let us try on our own first, though."
Tauril switched on T'Pau's terminal and located the information for the Immigration Ministry Office. He was connected with a secretary. He gave the young woman his title, name, and house information. The secretary had the wisdom to connect the Elder directly to Minister Svosh.
"This is Svosh. How may I assist you, Elder Tauril?"
"Elder T'Pau and I have recently bonded and will be claiming the child Saavik to raise as our own."
"Yes, all is in order with the request. There will be no difficulties."
"That statement is perhaps a bit premature. It seems that Saavik has formed a familial attachment to another child. We were wondering if that child is available for adoption."
Svosh considered Tauril's request for a moment. It was not generally his policy to release such information. However, Tauril was both an Elder and a solicitor, and would eventually find a way to obtain the knowledge he desired, while at the same time making a lot of extra work for Svosh. The Minister decided that compliance was in his own best interests.
"Very well, Elder Tauril. What is the child's name?"
"He is called Senar."
"One moment please."
Svosh entered the name into his database and found the matching case file. Senar had no living relatives.
"The child has no one to claim him."
"Seeing this is so, Elder T'Pau and I would like to adopt him."
"It will be necessary for you to complete the required forms, which I will forward to you. However, it is unlikely that your request would be denied."
"Is is possible to have it approved in two days time, so that the children need not be separated?"
"It is possible if the forms are completed within the next two hours and returned to my office."
"They will be completed."
T'Pau made another pot of tea as Tauril opened up the attached file Svosh had sent him. His experience as a solicitor came in quite handy. Tauril had the application to adopt Senar completed within thirty minutes. He and T'Pau signed printed copies which were then scanned into the computer and attached to the file. Tauril sent the completed package back to Svosh.
Svosh contacted the couples' character references, a mere formality, as they were both revered Elders. All was in order, so Svosh contacted Tauril and T'Pau before he left his office. Their application had been approved. They would be able to take both Saavik and Senar home at the same time.
Dr. McCoy had told Nyota that she could either work her shift on the bridge or spend the day giving Vulcan lessons, but not both. He also insisted that she stop wearing her beloved black uniform boots in favor of Starfleet issue sneakers.
"We need to keep an eye on the swelling, darlin'. It's probably caused by the anti-rejection meds. I want you to stop by Sickbay every morning for a blood test, just to be sure your liver and kidneys are okay. You should probably stop wearing your wedding ring, maybe put it on a chain around your neck."
"Thanks, Len. I'll be a good girl."
"Oh, I know you will. Besides, if you weren't you'd have to deal with the hobgoblin. He might try to confine you to quarters."
"Don't give him any ideas!"
Spock brought his beloved dinner in their quarters. After they had eaten, he gently massaged Nyota's swollen feet until she had nearly fallen asleep. Their days had been long and stressful lately, with Spock feeling the tension in his neck and shoulders. Nyota made him sit on the floor next to the bed. She laid down on her side and began to soothe away his stress, both with her hands and her kisses. He had achieved a state of near bliss when the comm unit chimed. It was his grandmother T'Pau. Why did Spock's family always call when he was in pajamas with his hair askew?
"Greetings, Grandmother."
"Greetings, my children. Ah, it appears that we have disturbed thy rest."
"Thee is never a disturbance, Grandmother. Is there something I can do for thee?"
"Yes, Spock. Tauril and I will be raising two of the children thee and thy shipmates have rescued, Saavik and Senar. I was hoping thee and Nyota would escort them to New Shi'Kahr."
Nyota slid off the bed and stood behind Spock.
"Oh, Grandmother, this is wonderful news. The children get to stay together. Of course Spock and I will bring them to thee. By the way, congratulations on thy bonding. I look forward to meeting thy husband."
"He looks forward to meeting thee. Live long and prosper, my children"
"Peace and long life, Grandmother" said Spock as he ended the communication.
He joined Nyota on the bed, rubbing her belly and feeling their son kick at his hand.
"Beloved, the universe is a strange place."
"How so, Spock."
"In Selek's reality, Saavik became his wife. In our reality, she is to become my aunt."
"Yeah, that's pretty strange."
Jack and Lewis arrived on New Vulcan and got their favorite suite at the New Shannai'Kahr Inn. Then they checked with the Immigration Ministry Office to see where they should go to pick up little Krysta. The official they met with informed them that the child was not yet on the planet, but that she was expected to arrive by noon the following day. Jack was a bit upset by this news.
"Where is our child now?"
"She is en route to New Vulcan via starship."
"Might I ask which starship?"
"That is classified information, sir."
"Thank you" said Lewis as he grabbed Jack and steered him out of the Ministry Office.
"Why'd you do that?"
"I didn't want you to lose your temper in there and have them change their minds about giving us Krysta. Besides, I've got a hunch which starship they're talking about. Who haven't we heard from in over a month?"
"Spock and Nyota. Maybe we should give them a call."
All Spock wanted was a little afternoon nap, just this once. He very seldom took naps, but he had been working long hours, teaching a Vulcan language class and putting in a full shift on the bridge. They were due to make New Vulcan orbit in the early morning hours, and Spock expected that he and Jim would once again be making a special delivery.
Nyota was already asleep. He gave her and his unborn son each a kiss and curled up beside them on the bed. He drifted off within minutes. However, his nap was interrupted by a subspace call from Jack.
"Hey, buddy."
"Greetings, Jack."
"I was just wondering if you had recently met a little girl named Krysta."
Jack had chosen his words carefully, in case the mission really was classified. He had not asked the nature of the acquaintance or the location of the ship.
"Yes, I know such a child."
"Great. I was just curious. I'll probably call you again tomorrow. Bye."
"Goodbye, Jack."
The Council of Elders held their weekly meeting in their chamber, close to the New Vulcan Cultural Museum. The attached Cultural Institute would begin offering classes in about two months. The Artifacts rescued from Tragan V and those brought by the women from Caldena now rested in a vault beneath the Museum.
The topic of discussion on this particular evening was the Artifacts, or rather the truths contained in them. Surak had called his followers to accept those who did not adhere strictly to the path of logic, so long as their ways were non-violent. This had not been the policy of the Vulcan people. Instead, those considered to be "without logic" had been ostracized, leading to strife and division among families. In fact, it had been a contributing factor in the "Sundering" of the Vulcan people and the formation of the Romulan Empire.
Now there were new issues threatening to divide the Vulcans as they tried to make a new world for themselves. Vulcans from colony planets had heeded the call of the Elders, especially the young and the strong, relocating sometimes at great personal cost. However, they brought with them a diversity of cultures, religions, and customs. Many times they also brought family members of mixed heritage.
As the first settlement, New Shi'Kahr had neared completion and new settlements opened up, those Vulcan-born wished to avoid "contamination" from other cultures. They encouraged "immigrants" to settle in the new towns. They seemed to forget that on New Vulcan, all were immigrants.
This mindset had deviated far from the Surakian ideal of Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination. Things needed to change before a rift developed that could not be healed.
The first step toward change came from a surprising source.
Elder Tovorek had already made many changes in his life. Once a staunch supporter of a "pure" Vulcan society, he had recently gone out of his way to make amends to those he had insulted and persecuted. Tovorek had also taken a Betazed woman as his bondmate.
"Fellow Elders, I propose a few modifications in our policies. The first is that we add members to the Council of Elders. Most of us are Vulcan-born and residents of New Shi'Kahr. All who live on our world should have representation on the Council."
"Second, I propose that New Shi'Kahr be expanded, with new housing and schools built. If others are to come here, there must be homes, jobs, and education for them."
"Lastly, some of the Elders must relocate to other settlements, in order to set an example of tolerance and acceptance for all of our people. My wife and I are willing to do this."
Elder Tovorek took his seat.
Elder Selek rose to address the Council.
"Well said, Tovorek, well said. I would like to move that a vote be taken on these recommendations."
The Council voted unanimously to adopt and implement Tovorek's ideas.
Spock rose from his nap, dressed, and got a late dinner from the Rec Room for himself and Nyota. They watched a holovid for a few hours and then Spock tucked his wife in bed. He headed for the Officers' Lounge. Jim was already there and waiting.
"Captain, I must report a possible problem. I received a communication from Jack Wyatt. He asked me if I knew a little girl named Krysta."
"Krysta? That's the little Human-Romulan hybrid child, right?"
"Yes. I can only assume that Jack and Lewis plan to adopt her. I have no idea how they determined that she was aboard the Enterprise."
"From what I remember about Jack, I'd have to say that he's a really sharp guy. You usually speak with him and Lewis often, right? But not since we've been on this mission?"
"No, not since we left for Caldena."
"There's your answer right there, buddy."
"I expect him to contact me again tomorrow."
"In that case, you might as well beam him and Lewis up and give them a tour!"
Whatever Spock was going to say next was interrupted by Lt. Riley, informing the Captain that the Enterprise was now in orbit around New Vulcan.