Chapter Fifty-Four
Of Romulan and Warrior Kings
Moves
Jabari headed toward what years ago had been aptly nicknamed, 'The Big House." He determined that his chess partner would probably be with Benjamin, more than likely talking about Star Fleet. It was at that point it dawned on him how Rhin's presence might affect Spock as a Star Fleet officer and also, how Rhin might be affected by a male dressed in a Star Fleet uniform.
For a millisecond he questioned his presence here, with her. Then he wondered if he had to make a confession to Spock about her, and her really hard to believe secret. It then occurred to him that Star Fleet Intelligence knew about Rhin from their defrocked interrogator, perhaps he could just reveal just a little of his wife's experience. That information would answer any question Spock had about his earlier inquiry about Star Fleet Intelligence.
Just as he suspected he entered the clearing to see Spock, thankfully dressed in their clan's clothing, seated with his father drinking tea.
Pointing to Spock and laughing Jabari said,
"Like a sheep ready for slaughter my chess partner awaits his fate."
Spock raised his eyebrow, and his lips turned up ever so slightly as he said,
"Or perhaps 'a wolf in sheep's clothing.'
Benjamin's comment was,
"Jabari, I think the latter is closer to the truth. By the way, there is a chess board already set up in the first cabin, you two are welcome to use it for the duration of your stay. That cabin has no sleeping facilities, we use it for clan meetings."
"Thanks Dad," was Jabari's exclamation, Spock nodded.. Jabari stopped and asked Spock would he be willing to engage in a friendly wager.
Spock's reply was,
"Gambling is not logical and has led many members of varied species down a path to ruin."
"But that is the practice of gambling, not a friendly wager between brothers."
Spock had to agree to the truthfulness of Jabari's statement so he said,
"Just this once I will engage in this ill advised activity."
"Alrighty then, the stake is one game, if I win one game you will have to entertain the family with…uhm, ahh, with a… with a song.
If Vulcans were able to roll their eyes in disbelief, that would have been Spock's next action.
"So what if your are not successful in carrying out your goal, I believe then you would be obligated to perform the same feat."
"And I will also perform a dance as I sing, you would not want to miss that would you Spock?"
"Indeed."
Spock had won three straight games when he was momentarily distracted by Nyota's message,
'Spock, tell Jabari to come to the cabin as soon as possible.'
Of course, Jabari capitalized on Spock's momentary inattentiveness and said,
"Check."
Spock, still concerned by the urgent tone of Nyota's message rose from his seat and said,
"Brother, your wife requires your attention. You must return to your place of domicile immediately."
Jabari's sudden move disrupted the game board but Spock memory would allow him to reset every piece to exactly where it was.
"Sorry Bro," was Jabari's last words as he sped out the door.
He burst through the doors to find his battle tough wife reduced to a flood of tears holding on to Nyota.
Nyota soothed her sister-in-law and said,
"Remember, tell him everything."
Rhin acknowledged with a nod of her head.
Nyota's hand was at her brother's back, she whispered,
"Hold her as she talks to you."
As he approached she said,
"I have failed you, I am sorry, I am sorry…
Jabari, your life seed is growing within me, you will be a father."
"Failed me?…failed me? Rhin, you have not failed me you complete me. Now you do so in the most total sense a husband can ever experience."
He picked her up, caressed her face, kissed her passionately and as he smiled said,
"It is consoling to know I have not been shooting blanks.
Now if it were the case that subsequent joinings after pregnancy would provide that initial child with immediate siblings, that day Rhin would have ended up carrying quadruplets or would it have been sextuplets. But who was counting?
Nyota sent to Spock,
"We must talk...bedroom."
Of course he agreed with her choice of their meeting location.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Nestled in his arms Rhin said,
"What will we do?"
"Well, for sure no child of mine will be subject to the dangers of space. That was the life I chose, I could not force that upon him or her. Rhin, I have many options, as will you. My father's business could use your advanced skills, the Nairobi Museum of Arts and Antiquity could use mine and besides, I still have my 'nest egg' stored away., my warehouse is cramped full of valuables.
Babe, don't think that I am disappointed, surprised maybe, but not in the least bit dissatisfied. I guess we have to determine where we will settle."
"Can we stay here? I have never seen so much beauty."
Her husband replied,
"Now I will initiate a form of blackmail, you might call it coercion, In order to grant your wish you have to get to know your neighbors, my family."
Rhin nodded.
He thought, in this quiet, peaceful piece of Terra he would raise his children so they would know the only family they would have, his.
`0`0`0`0`0`0`0`
Nyota was attempting to talk while Spock was administering the most potent form of distraction possible.
"Spock, we have to talk"
As he brought his lips down to her neck he sent,
"Yes, as you were saying."
"I was trying to tell you about Jabari and Rhin…"
"Beloved do you think that subject is on my mind right now?"
"No, but…"
"That preposition, 'but' is not relevant in our present situation, for there is no exception to where my present activities will lead us."
"Spock, are you engaging in an act of seduction"
Of course, he had to define the word,
'Seduction: to persuade another to do something disloyal, unlawful, evil or wrong, to persuade to engage in sexual intercourse, especially for the first time.'
K'diwa, none of the aforementioned definitions is true except the end result of my present explorations, the experiencing of mutual pleasure."
With that statement, Nyota reached up and caressed her husband left ear…
