Chapter 85 - Nevasa Torektra - 40 Eridani A System
Ych'a - Guest Quarters
Mimi stepped out of the sonic shower and pulled on her acclimatisation suit. She then put on the light robes that Sordd had advised would be suitable for Vulcan's summer going into 'winter.' It never ceased to amaze her how cool she felt despite wearing the many layers of clothing. She then sat at the dressing table and carefully put her hair into an intricate braided up-do. For bonded women on Vulcan, the culturally appropriate way to wear long hair, for the very few who chose to have long hair, was in an up-do, and she wanted to make the right first impression. As well as learning the Vulcan language, meditation techniques, and Vulcan martial arts Mimi had also been learning a LOT about Vulcan culture. Sordd and the children were her primary tutors in all of these respects. In actuality the children themselves had learned many things concerning their own culture as a result of teaching Mimi…
Sordd and the children were currently taking their few pieces of luggage to their cruiser. On arrival at Vulcan they would dock with Vulcan Space Central, a space station in orbit near the planet. Although Mimi was married to Sordd and therefore had full Vulcan citizenship, as this was Mimi's first time visiting Vulcan she was required to pass through security screening. Sarek and Amanda were going to ensure the safe transfer of the children directly onto the planet surface.
When Mimi had finished the braid she sat in the quietness waiting for Sordd's return...
Sordd had spent quite some time in meditation during their journey to Vulcan. She had noted that the closer they got to the planet the shorter the duration of his meditation became. As each day passed he grew more and more relaxed, something only a bondmate or very close relative would notice. She had wondered if it was because he had been homesick and was now coming home... She had not asked him about it, as he would deny such emotionalism. Even the children had an increased serenity and calm about them as well as being more 'Vulcan' in their reactions. Not that they had been wild on Earth, not by human standards anyway. Conversely, the closer they came to Vulcan the more nervous Mimi had become... things that ordinarily did not worry her were worrying her now. What if she mispronounced things with embarrassing results? That didn't seem to matter on Earth, it would just be laughed off, but Vulcans did not laugh. What if she had an outrageous emotional display in public? Again on Earth it would just be laughed off, the same could not be said of Vulcan. What if she made a mistake at work? In the past she had made many a blunder at work without causing any harm. She was now going to be working with Tela'at Hakausu Sakht in the labs at the hospital. She had not worked in labs for years, yes, they would obviously give her training but any errors could have very serious consequences. What would she do about friends? Amanda was fast becoming a good friend, which Mimi was thankful for. But would she manage to make more?
As the door swished open she turned to see Sordd enter the room, he was calm and serene as ever. Mimi took a deep breath and gracefully rose to her feet. She smoothed down the russet coloured robes then picked up her dark blue outer robe.
Sordd approached her and reached out his fingers in the shape of a ta'al. Mimi smiled at him then put her hand up to mimic the pattern. He gently caressed the back of her fingers in the more intimate, private, Vulcan kiss. She immediately felt the familiar tingling sensation move from the tips of her fingers, then across the palm of her hand and up her arm. Followed by the butterfly sensation in her core. "Ashayam," he said softly, "do not fear, it is illogical."
Mimi sighed and gave him a faint smile. "Well not really," she replied. "I might make lots of mistakes and cause offence left right and centre. They might not even let me on the planet!"
Sordd had increasingly noticed that Mimi had gradually withdrawn since their departure from Earth, wanting to spend less and less time in the communal areas. Despite their conversation on the first day of their trip to Vulcan, it was obviously weighing heavily on Mimi's mind that her emotionalism could cause potential offence. He also sensed through their bond an increasing nervousness and fear of the unknown. He had tried his best to reassure her but that reassurance could only go so far... The reality was he could not shield her from everything that might happen. There were those on Vulcan who were not as tolerant as he or his family. There were those who did not fully embrace Kol-Ut-Shan - Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations, symbolising the elements that create truth and beauty. It was disagreeable to have to admit it but Vulcans could have prejudice. He had not said anything to Mimi, but there were those who would abhor her very presence on the planet merely because she was human and especially because she was married to him. Illogical though that was... He would protect her as much as he could...
"Ashayam, the security screening is a formality. We have completed all the appropriate paperwork…" Sordd endeavoured to give Mimi her privacy, particularly as she had not learned how to fully shield her thoughts from him. However, on occasions probing their bond was merited. Today was one of those occasions... "It is not the security clearance that is at the root of your concerns?"
Mimi shook her head.
Sordd gently brushed his fingers against her cheek. "Tell me what concerns you…"
Mimi took in a deep breath as she looked up into his eyes… "I don't want to let you down..."
Sordd had not heard this turn of phrase before, however, he had spent enough time among humans to deduce the meaning of it. It amazed him how humans described emotions with so many different words and turns of phrase. At times it was confusing and it was always highly illogical. Now was not the time to tease his wife on her choice of words… "I assume that you mean you do not want to… 'disappoint' me?"
Mimi nodded her head again in agreement.
"It is my understanding that with disappointment there is a gap between expectations and reality... Something is incomplete... T'Sai Margaret," he gently brushed her cheek again, "you are she who is my wife. I already have that which makes me complete, that which makes me 'fulfilled.' Therefore, there is no possibility that you will ever 'disappoint.''' To bring an end to this particular line of thought Sordd gently pulled Mimi towards himself and kissed her on the lips.
*'*
Ych'a - Observation Lounge
When they had entered the 40 Eridani system, a trinary star system comprised of a giant primary star, 40 Eridani A or Nevasa as Vulcans called it, and two other stars, 40 Eridani B a red dwarf, and 40 Eridani C a white dwarf, a brief announcement had been made over the ships systems to inform the passengers and crew. As a result of the announcement, Mimi and Sordd made their way to the observation lounge with Avarak and T'Shahel in tow. On their way there, the ship dropped from warp 7 to warp 2 as they entered the Nevasa system. It would only be another two hours before they arrived at Vulcan, otherwise known as T'Khasi.
Much to Mimi's relief, the observation lounge was not as busy on their arrival at the Nevasa system as it had been on their departure from the Sol system. There were only a few families with very young children. She found a seat close to the observation window while Sordd obtained some refreshments for her and the children.
Mimi looked out the window. Similar to their journey through the Sol system, they were not going to pass every planet in the Nevasa system, as the planets were not in alignment. They were going to drop out of warp as they passed Ket-ket'e, the tenth planet in the Vulcan system, Delta Vega the seventh, and T'Khut, Vulcan's sister planet.
It was not long before they arrived at Ket-ket'e where the ship dropped from warp 2 to impulse power as it passed by the planet. Later, when Mimi was describing Ket-ket'e to her parents she told them that it looked like a white and beige coloured marble suspended in the black of space. It had many moons. Like Jupiter in the Sol system, Ket-ket'e was the largest planet in the Nevasa system, nearly eight times the size of Vulcan and 226 times its mass. Also like Jupiter, Ket-ket'e had several very faint rings made of dust. Fortunately, for all who were taking the time to look, as they were passing by the gas giant the faint rings could be clearly seen with the naked eye.
Delta Vega looked like a white and blue striped marble. Sordd informed Mimi that the white colour was due to ice fields, and that the planet was home to many predatory species. Avarak told her that the Hengrauggi or Snow Slugs looked something like a crab that had collided with a giant squid. They had two tails, which could serve as whips to catch their prey, as well as six limbs, the front most two had carb like pincers. They had a mouth that shot out squid-like tentacles. He went on to inform her that the majority of the Hengrauggi population was a little larger than an average human, though some members of the species were observed to have grown many times larger. As an afterthought he told her they had hundreds of eyes... Mimi's own eyes nearly popped out at this information and she made a mental note never to visit the planet. When discussing the Hengrauggi with Mimi, Avarak was reminded of the first time he had gone rock pooling with Adam and Peter and the subsequent research he had carried out on his padd regarding the animals and plants that lived in Earth's oceans.
He also told her about the Drakoulias, which Mimi thought sounded a bit like Dracula. They resembled a cross between a polar bear and a gorilla. They had a generally ape-like body covered in brown fur with grey/blue areas and a mane, a bit like a lion. They also had large protruding tusk-like teeth. The average Drakoulias was a little taller than an average human, but they were observed to have grown significantly larger; more than twice the height, and several times the bulk, of a human.
Yes, Mimi insisted that she did not ever want to visit Delta Vega. Sordd found this quite fascinating considering the number of apex predators that were in existence on Earth...
They heard her before they saw her. T'Aria arrived at the observation lounge just in time for final approach to T'Khut and then Vulcan. By this stage in the journey T'Aria was quite content to sit on Mimi's lap and therefore made a bee line straight towards her when she saw that Mimi was in the lounge.
Mimi welcomed her with open arms and lifted her up on her lap. T'Lir chased close behind. "T'Sai Margaret if this is an inconvenience to you…"
Mimi did not give T'Lir the opportunity to finish. "It's ok. I really don't mind." She smiled.
T'Lir nodded her head in thanks then sat down on a seat close to Mimi. Mimi noted the small sigh that escaped her.
Wanting Mimi's full attention, T'Aria gently touched her on the face and looked up into her eyes, "Storilaya Ha-kel!" she announced. As Sordd was away getting some more refreshments and Avarak and T'Shahel were now talking to their friends Mimi turned to T'Aria's mum for the translation.
"It means going home!" T'Lir explained. "T'Aria was born on Sierra and has never visited Vulcan. We have explained to her that Vulcan is home…"
"Storilaya Ha-kel!" T'Aria agreed. Mimi smiled down at her. She was not the only one who was storilaya ha-kel... To a new home.
Once T'Aria was settled Mimi had the opportunity to focus on T'Lir, who looked ever so slightly harassed. Mimi only knew this because she had spent so much time in the presence of Vulcans.
"Is everything ok T'Lir?" Mimi ventured, knowing well that even if it was not T'Lir might hide it behind Vulcan stoicism.
T'Lir's jaw flinched slightly before she managed to school it away. In what was a very rare situation it would be logical to admit defeat. "Nirsh," she replied neutrally.
Mimi knew not to probe for the reason of the troubling, she could offer to help though. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
T'Lir looked at Mimi. Unbeknown to Mimi, T'Lir 'liked' her; she 'liked' her a lot. Vulcans could sometimes be quite harsh regarding T'Aria's behaviour, she was a lot younger than she looked, yet Mimi had been totally accepting and non-judgmental. As well as quite refreshing, T'Lir found this to be quite an admirable quality. She also found that she could 'relax' in Mimi's presence, as well as Sordd's who had definitely changed since she last knew him. Perhaps Mimi could help... T'Lir knew enough about human culture to know that it would be polite to explain some of the complexities of the situation before accepting the offer of assistance. "There are complications regarding T'Aria's paperwork. We cannot go planetside until Sierra provide the appropriate documents. They have had 46.456 standard days to do so." Mimi detected a hint of exasperation in her tone.
"Being Vulcan can you not just transfer directly onto the planet?" Mimi asked with confusion in her voice.
"Nirsh." T'Lir shook her head. "T'Aria was not born on Vulcan. Even though she has full Vulcan citizenship she is required to go through Security Screening. He who is my husband is trying to… 'chase up,'" she thought the use of the human phrase would be appropriate, "the documentation. As a result we have been unable to pack." She turned to focus on her daughter. "T'Aria is at a stage where it is unwise to leave her unattended."
Mimi nodded her head in understanding while remembering the story she had heard of Spock painting the floor green with his toy Sehlat after being left unattended for only a few minutes.
Sordd arrived with a tray of hot beverages and some carrot cake. He simply nodded in T'Lir and T'Aria's direction before placing the tray on the table.
"Sordd and I could watch T'Aria for you. If that would help?" Mimi turned to look at Sordd. "That would be ok wouldn't it?"
Obviously not being party to any of the previous conversation Sordd was slightly confused, although he did not show a hint of that confusion on his face. He was sure Mimi would explain later. "Ha," he replied simply. Being a healer Sordd detected the very slight change in T'Lir's iris indicating a decrease in her stress levels.
"Vu dvin dor etwel," T'Lir said to Sordd with a serenity in her voice that had been missing earlier. She turned to Mimi, "Your service honours me."
Mimi smiled back, "It is a pleasure! Does T'Aria need snacks or drinks?"
"Her snacks and drinks are in this bag. There are also some toys if she…" T'Lir turned to look at Sordd unsure if she should admit the challenges that her daughter faced. He was a father of two children, surely he would understand? "gets bored."
T'Aria shook her head at the accusation. "T'Aria rom!"
T'Lir gracefully rose to her feet and handed Mimi the small bag. "Shaya tonat, thank you." She bowed. She briefly placed her hand on T'Aria's cheek, feeding her calm, before leaving the lounge.
*'*
T'Khut, the third planet in the system, came into view. It was a yellow, brown and beige marble with one moon. As T'Khut shared a tidally locked co-orbit with Vulcan and they were only149,895.3579 km apart. From the angle the ship was approaching, Vulcan could clearly be seen behind it.
Mimi smiled as she thought about how humans had romantically named T'Khut, 'Charis' after the Greek goddess, who personified charm, kindness, grace and beauty. Charis was married to Hephaestus the Greek equivalent of the Roman god Vulcan, thus complementing the Humans name for the Vulcan home world. (Human astronomers couldn't well name T'Khut Venus, the Roman goddess married to Vulcan, as that name had already been appropriated for another planet.)
It was only after the Ych'a had skirted past T'Khut that Vulcan could be seen in full view. On approach Vulcan looked a lot like Mars in that it was a predominantly red planet. While Mars is only slightly more than half the size of Earth, Vulcan was 1.4 times larger. As they got closer Mimi began to see some areas of blue on the planet's surface.
"Ohh it's beautiful," Mimi exclaimed.
T'Aria agreed, "Vaksur. Beautiful!"
T'Aria turned to Sordd; although the planet did not have anywhere near as much blue as Earth, there were still large expanses. There was also a LOT of red. T'Aria was intrigued and wanted to know what caused the different colours. "Po kah sbah eh pla-kur?" she asked Sordd then tilted he head.
Mimi also turned to listen to his answer.
"The sbah is caused by large deserts and mountain ranges. The pla-kur, the blue, is the Voroth Sea, Lake Yuron and scattered small seas."
"Po?" T'Aria asked with bright eyed expectation.
Mimi managed to suppress the giggle…
*'*
Mimi and T'Aria looked up as the purple 'hoop' warp nacelles moved from the vertical to horizontal position in preparation for entering the space station. On their approach, the hangar doors started to open; the only indication that anything was going to happen was a strip of green light which started to light up in a pulsating motion. They slowly left the darkness of space and entered into the massive, well-lit hanger. There were already a number of similar sized starships berthed. Mimi watched mesmerised, as the docking clamps were secured and the connecting corridors were extended... They were one step closer to what would become her new home…
*'*
Notes
I have spent some time going over previous chapters trying to improve grammar etc. I am so sorry for all the errors eg execution uniform instead of excursion uniform XD and the monotony of he said she said etc...
Thank you again to Kehlan and RobertBruceScott.
Kehlan, you have the patience of a saint!
*'*
Nevasa Torektra - 40 Eridani A System
Ych'a - 'Secret Star'
Tela'at Hakausu - Elder Healer
Ashayam - Beloved
Kol-Ut-Shan - Vulcan for IDIC. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Symbolizing the elements that create truth and beauty.
T'Khut - Sister planet to Vulcan - means The Watcher; covers 30% of the night sky; also spelled T'Kuht
Delta Vega - I can't find the position of this planet in the Vulcan system. What it does say is that its orbit around its star brought it close enough to the planet Vulcan that the Vulcan home world could be seen from the surface of Delta Vega. Scotty, Spock (Prime) and Kirk all end up on Delta Vega in the alternate reality (No Vulcan has not been destroyed!)
Ket-ket'e - made up
T'Sai - Lady
Nirsh - no
Ha - yes
Storilaya Ha-kel! - going home
Vu dvin dor etwel - Your service honour me
Rom - good
Shaya tonat - thank you
Po kah sbah eh pla-kur? - Why is it red and blue?
Po? - Why?
Sources
Memory Alpha - Vulcan System, 40 Eridani A, Delta Vega (Vulcan System), Hengrauggi, Drakoulias, T'Khut, Spock's World (gives reference to sister planet of Vulcan. Vulcan for 'the Watcher'; referred to by Human astronomers as Charis
Memory Beta - Vulcan System, 40 Eridani, Delta Vega (Vulcan System), Hengrauggi, Drakoulias, T'Khut
Vulcan language dictionary - has interesting information about the order of the planets in the Vulcan system.
Hidden universe travel guide - Vulcan
trekipedia - 40 Eridani system
masstrek . /wiki /T Khut
Vulcan Kiss- I got the idea from a picture of Spock and a female Romulan commander finger touching TOS: The Enterprise Incident