"I am glad I missed the session. Those voices seem to be too strong even for half Vulcan ears" Leonard had ended up setting up a field hospital in the hut the Tree flock people had provided for their use.
"Will we recover, doctor?" Spock was rubbing his temples with both his hands. He scanned the first officer once more.
"Unfortunately, you will be back to your annoying self soon enough". Leonard screwed his face. "Till then, I suggest that you all rest".
"Not that we can go somewhere" Lt Opal pointed behind her; a local guard was standing there, talking amiably with another security officer. If she had another thought to share with them, she failed. Lt Opal doubled over and retched. Leonard hurried next to her. The portal and now this seemed to have a bad effect on her constitution.
"He must leave his cursed place" he mumbled to no one as he treated the lieutenant. "It is not good for our health. What good did it bring us?"
"Do not fret, Bones" Jim seemed solemn and least affected by the booming echoes of the Council Members. "I believe a... Decision will be made soon".
Leonard stared at Jim over Opal's head. He seemed to expect the events to unfold in a certain way, resignation and stoic patience was written all over his features.
"How are you so sure, Captain?" Li Ann asked.
Jim exchanged a knowing look with Spock. Those two had been conferring without him. Leonard would have to push for answers soon, but his patients came first.
"Dr Chang, do you ever have gut feelings?" Jim asked instead of answering.
She seemed confused. "Sometimes".
"This is one of those times".
####
It was late evening when they had news again. All the members of the away team had finished their tasks and were now gathered on the grass in front of the Chief's tree house. The locals were polite; they had thought to bring them food and drink. However, Spock knew that if they wished to leave the dining area, they would be stopped.
Jim was pacing up and down, growing impatient the more time they had to spend waiting. Leonard was chatting with Annagret, Opal and Sulu. The latter seemed rather refreshed after his long nap. Mr Scot was fidgeting with some trinkets he had brought with him and Li Ann had been cataloguing the flora of the planet. He had been rather impressed by her diligence in contacting scientific research. Spock would have to request her transfer to his team. At least for a project or two.
Spock walked around the room, hands behind his back, till he crossed paths with Jim. The Captain stopped pacing. The pair of them gazed towards the streets of the tree city.
"How much longer, Spock?" Jim said in a soft voice. "We have business to attend to".
"Based on our experience with the assembly and its proceedings, I believe we will soon hear from them".
"They will be forced to accept the situation. Does it need to take so long?" He grumped a bit and Spock smiled. Sometimes Jim became as impatient as a five year old would have done.
"If your assessment is correct..."
"...mostly my assessments are correct. You have admitted that my assessments are on par with Vulcan assessments".
"This is right, I have said that, Captain" he inclined his head and smiled briefly before becoming cool again. "However, there will be the need to show as if all the proper procedures have taken place in order to avoid the possibility of realising there is manipulation of the Council. Especially if that is case".
They fell silent as they noticed a group of locals walking towards their place. Soon they would know the outcome of their labor, or they would get a hint on whether Jim was correct.
"Captain Jim T Kirk," the leader of the group called to Jim. On all of their breasts, the Chief's symbol was visible. He could feel Opal tensing and relaxing behind him. "The Chief has requested your presence".
Spock and Jim exchanged a knowing look, which did not pass unnoticed by Leonard. "Is it safe? Is something wrong?".
As always, the suspicious nature of his friend was immerging. Jim, however, was fast to shut down all the doctor's complaints before they were voiced. "I am sure that the⦠Chief, or his Council would not harm us" he paused and turned around to face the group leader of the local guards. "Am I wrong? Is my doctor right to be scared?"
If he was an Earther, Spock would have thought that the leader was offended. "No harm will come to you". A deep breath was taken to confirm Spock's previous assessment of the leader's mood. "Do you doubt our intention towards your person, Captain?"
"I am definitely doubting your ability to keep us safe" Jim raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response, an apology. The hard leader provided none, so he went on. "There is no objection to me bringing Lt Opal and Mr Spock with me".
"That is no question".
"It was not". The two stared each other for a few moments.
"The Chief's invitation did not exclude any other members of your group attending the meeting" was the reluctant answer.
"Excellent! Let us go then".
The three of them followed the Chief's Guards accompanied by the low grumping of Dr McCoy.
The Chief was awaiting them along with Thera inside the Council meeting room. Now, the chamber was empty, and the light was not natural, but Spock could identify the source of illumination. Seemingly, they were alone, but Spock was sure that more Royal Guards were just a call away from their Chief. They always followed the Chief, unless the Chief had sent them away. Spock and Jim sat across the Chief and Thera, while Opal opted to stand still behind them.
"Captain James T Kirk, Mr Spock," the Chief acknowledged the two of them. His posture and tone indicated that there would be a prescribed announcement. "I have been tasked by our Great Council to inform you about our decision regarding your offer of help".
The Chief paused for a moment and looked at them. Jim had to lean forward and prompt him to go forward. Phera extended a long hand towards Thera, who handed a wooden tablet with information on it. Spock cocked his head to the side; the young Thera was always vibrating with excited energy next to the Chief. Now all the fire was subdued.
"We thankfully accept the knowledge of fixing and maintain the Eralmet, this knowledge has partially been provided to us. Regarding the light lamps, which Mr Spock has so kindly designed-
"with the help of Dr McCoy" Jim clarified.
"-with the help of Doctor McCoy, we will accept and produce the design for our own benefit. Would you, Mr Spock, spend some time to explain the finer details of how they work? Alongside the doctor, of course".
"I will be happy to be of assistance, sir".
"Thank you, Mr Spock". The Chief stared for a moment to the two of them, in the trademark long and unhurried manner.
"What is the decision regarding Dr Chang's work?" Jim asked the Chief.
"Our Great Council has decided to decline the offer".
"This is illogical" Spock spoke up, ready to defend his crewmate's excellent work. He had followed through Li Ann's presentation to the summit and, based on his knowledge of the topic and Dr McCoy's comments during their work together, he had deduced that she had done excellent work, which would benefit greatly the Tree Flock People. "The proposed modifications would ensure the best, most efficient and surest way to solve your problem. It would be a waste to reject it, and, if I may say, foolish".
The Chief turned and was now facing him only. "I am aware of the possibilities of the offer you have made us, Mr Spock. If it was up to me, I would have implemented Dr Chang's solution right away. Alas, I am bound by the law, as the Council is bound by tradition and superstition".
"Chief-" Thera spoke in a hushed, pleading voice.
"You have to understand that the trees are our not only our source of wealth. They are our soulmates, our responsibility. We were given nature to protect it and not alter it in our whim. We will not mess with what the nature has gifted us. She knows best, after all".
"And yet, you left your natural environment back. Your ancestors defied once in the past what the nature dictated. She had chosen for you to live, thrive and eventually die on another day. Your ancestors defied that once in the past, took the pieces of nature they deemed worthy and abandoned all the rest behind".
"A choice that has led to the trouble we face right now. Sometimes bold decisions taken recklessly are not optimal".
"Sometimes bold decision taken recklessly are the only choices we have", Jim retorted.
"Are cautious decisions taken under manipulation efficient?" Spock could not hold his accusations back. He could feel Jim tensing on his side.
The Chief measured him in silence, his face structure became tenser. Next to him, Thera moved the eyes between the two of them in confusion. It was fascinating to Spock how sometimes people would refuse to believe something even if the evidence was in front of their eyes. "Sometimes, those decisions are the only one we can make". The Chief rose, and the rest stood up with him. "I believe this brings our business to an end. Would it be possible to have your crew for three more hours before you move to other parts of the vast galaxy?"
Jim nodded in agreement and they arranged minor details before they left Phera and Thera. Spock itched to comment on the discussion they had before, however, he wished not to discuss the matter in front of Opal. They would have time later for that.
Once a certain distance from the Council's chamber, Jim took out the communicator and called the Enterprise.
"Lt Uhura. Please beam up all the personnel except me, Mr Spock, Dr. McCoy, Lt Opal and Mr Scott. We will leave this place soon. Await my signal for departure. Kirk out".
Jim smiled to him since the first time they entered the City of Trees and Spock's heart felt lighter already.
