It was two years after the incident with the Horta on Janus VI, and the Enterprise was passing through the star system again.
"Open a comm channel with the Janus colony, Lieutenant Uhura," Kirk said.
"Speaking with Chief Odella now, Captain," Uhura said after a few moments. She looked at the captain. "It seems that Vanderburg retired last year, sir."
"She's asking to speak with you privately, Spock," she said, turning to the science officer with a look of surprise on her face.
Kirk raised an eyebrow but said, "You may take the call in your quarters, Mr. Spock."
Once in his quarters with the video channel open, Spock was greeted by a middle-aged woman with short dark hair. "I'm Chief Odella," she said. "I hope your captain wasn't offended by my request for a private chat with you."
"Not at all," Spock said.
"I wanted you to be the first to know that the Mother Horta passed away a couple weeks ago. She kept asking for you, but I had no idea who you were – only that you seemed to be part of the initial team that communicated with the Horta. Vanderberg wiped most of the data about the initial incident with the Horta from our databases here. I think he was a little embarrassed that you and the other members of the Enterprise had to come in and solve it.
Anyhow, with the help of Starfleet records and the team of Vulcans we have here assisting us with the young Horta, I got the full picture. So I felt it was only appropriate that you should know first."
"That is very much appreciated, Chief," Spock said.
"She did not seem to be in pain," Odella added. "Our scientists know a little bit more of their biology – not a lot, but enough to determine that she died from old age most likely."
Spock sighed in relief of some kind. "I'm glad to hear that."
"The young Horta have been creating some sort of memorial for her in the tunnels. I was told the Enterprise would be orbiting for several days so you're more than welcome to beam down and check it out. It's really quite something."
"I would be most curious to see their mourning rituals," Spock said. "And perhaps speak with them myself again."
Odella smiled through the viewscreen. "I am sure they'd be happy to talk with you again. After all, you saved them all from destruction."
"That is only partly true, Chief. I merely assisted in effective communication between two parties."
"Ah, yes, the ambassador. Well, we'll look forward to seeing you."
Spock ended the comm call and mused that the Horta seemed to mature faster and live longer than humanoids. Fascinating. He felt tinges of grief that he would address later. But it seemed that the end of the Mother Horta's life was not the end of the Horta themselves.
For that, he was glad.