In The Family
Chapter 12
"Fugitives were predictable….
They always needed the same thing. Travel. Lodging. Cash.
The Holy Trinity."
Dan Brown
"Phillip Boyce is a reasonable man, Jim. He knows you're doin' everything possible here on Nara."
"It's little enough what we've done so far, Bones!" Jim fairly seethed with frustration.
"That's utter nonsense, Jim Kirk! We've assured Doris that we're here to help her, that Antares will not mine here, that we'd make sure of that. Uhura's found out that Antares Corporation is close to ruin, so you know their motivation. You've recruited Gavin and Sonnai to help us, and they're already searching for those two goons who broke in and who injured Mayri, and we've put put an end to the illegal bore digging. And… it's only been two days since we got here! So don't tell me it's little enough. We're not magicians, Captain! You're entire perspective is somewhat skewed, that's for sure!"
Jim met Bones irate glance with a rueful one of his own. "Well, when you put it that way, I guess we have done a lot."
"You bet your black britches. And tomorrow evening is the birthday party so we're doin' good."
"Yeah, you're right, Bones."
And with that a more tranquil Captain was able to relax, think of something else, and enjoy his evening with Bones.
Jim woke, as usual, just before his alarm went off. He yawned and stretched, not fully awake yet, and still feeling a bit lazy. He could have used another hour of sleep, he thought, but that was just not happening this morning.
It had been past midnight when he'd finally gone to bed. It had been late when Bones finally left, the two men spending the time just talking, shooting the breeze about Nara, Antares, about Winona, and the children. They nursed their one after dinner drink, and then, on impulse, chuckling at their plan, they'd decided to record a vid comm to Peter and Joanna as a treat to the two children, and they'd include talking about the two cats in the vid. It would tickle the children to no end for them to include Saffron and Sorrel in their call. Joanna and Peter doted on those cats and Jim knew his mother would also enjoy the children's pleasure. He and Bones would too when they heard all about the vid from the two children.
Earlier in the evening, Leonard had received a long vid letter from Winona describing the activities she had planned for Joanna. He knew that Joanna would spend a good deal of the week with Winona by herself, since Peter did not have the week off like JoJo did. Every activity had been excitedly approved by Joanna and she hoped they met with Leonard's approval as well, to please let her know if something didn't.
He sat back and read it out to Jim. Her first Saturday afternoon would be taken up by a fishing expedition at the Kirk Lake with Winona, a picnic basket, Peter and friends. Also planned was a special ladies only lunch at Mama Salvatore's, with mama, Marie, and her two little girls joining them. Afterward, they were all going to the Rectory for dessert with Father Joe. There would also be a baking day with dozens of cookies baked for Peter and friends. Joanna was very excited she was finally going to learn to bake.
There was a donkey ride on Dapple planned for another afternoon, and as a final surprise, Winona had made an appointment in Riverside for both of them to get a pedicure. Joanna had never had her toenails painted and she was thrilled at the idea, (Winona assured Bones it would be a clear nail polish), and maybe, she added, they'd do some girl shopping too.
Leonard was delighted about all of the activities Winona had planned for his little girl. "I can never thank Win enough," he told Jim. "It's so good for Joanna to be at the farm with Winona and Peter. It's such a change of environment for her, from the big city."
"Ma is delighted to have her there, Bones, so is Peter. We all love JoJo, you know that," Jim had assured him.
"I do know that, Jim, but I'm especially happy about it because I want Joanna to see how other people live outside the stultifying atmosphere of the Darnell social circle, what it's like to be in a lovin' family situation where privilege and wealth is not the end all and be all of existence. Being at the farm with your mama and Peter and all the Riverside folks will give her another view of life, help ground her in reality. I know she's too young to realize it right now, but she's making great memories she'll carry with her when she goes back to Atlanta."
As Jim dressed, he thought of how much better things were for Bones and Joanna now. Bones' access to the child had increased dramatically since Fleet Jag lawyers had gotten involved. Jocelyn's high priced Atlanta family lawyers had not, in anyway, intimidate Bones' lawyers. Now Bones could see Joanna whenever he was on Earth, travel with her, and speak to her via comm as often as he wanted. Bones and Joanna deserved the best, Jim thought with satisfaction, and the best included as much time together as possible.
Jim, once more in casual civilian clothes, pulled out his dress slacks, green silk shirt, and silk tie and put them in a clothes bag. Bones would do the same because tonight was Doris' birthday party. He and Bones would change in Doris' home, the less beaming back and forth, to and from the ship the better. Also, he and Spock thought the same….that it would be best not to leave Doris' home today or tonight.
Although it was unlikely, it was better to have enough man power available in case the Antares goons tried something. Antares Corporation was getting more aggressive as the break-in and attack on Mayri proved. If anything happened to Doris, their most vocal and knowledgeable adversary would be gone, her protesting voice silenced, and the prospectus would have a much better chance for a positive vote by the subcommittee members.
Jim hoped to hear from Gavin and Sonnai soon. Identifying the two men who broke into Doris' office and injured Mayri and tracing their employment to the Antares Mining Corporation would completely discredit Antares. The two men would be arrested and the resulting bad publicity for Antares, their known ties to the corporation would certainly end any chance of securing the ryetalyn mining permission.
At Jim's suggestion, Doris had also invited Officers Marchan and Timmons to the party, and Lt. Sulu would also attend. The more manpower visible and present the better.
Jim's comm pinged. It was Sulu's signal, he and the security officer had started their patrol to the Nara ecological sites.
It was almost time for breakfast and Jim was pacing restlessly when his door rang. "Come in, Bones." Leonard walked in carrying his suit bag. "Just leave it on the bed, we'll pick them up after breakfast on our way to the transporter room."
This morning the two men would have their breakfast in the Officers' Mess. Jim usually tried to eat in the main Mess so he could interact with his crew who loved to see their Captain. But today he and Bones had Nara business to discuss that absolutely could not be overheard.
"Already talked with Spock to check on Mayri first thing this mornin', Jim. He said Mayri had a good night. He and Doris took turns waking' her up every couple of hours. Her pupils reacted normally each time, so they just let her sleep after 4 am. She should be fine today, maybe a slight headache, but that about it."
"That's great. Mayri would have been devastated if you'd ordered her to stay in bed and miss the party," Jim smiled. "Doubt if she would have stayed away."
"Humph, if I'd had to I would've ordered it," Leonard gave Jim a cranky look. "If it was medically necessary, of course."
Jim grinned. "Sure, Bones. Keep thinking that. Let's go eat, I'm hungry."
"You're always, hungry, that's why I have you on a semi restricted meal plan."
Jim snorted, gave him a look, but said nothing more. Internally he sighed, it was a constant battle keeping his weight where Bones thought it should be.
The mess yeoman on duty took their orders. Mindful of Bones' critical eye on him, Jim ordered coffee, oatmeal with fruit, a soft boiled egg, toast and coffee. Bones grinned and nodded his approval. Jim waited until they were served, thanked the server, then locked and soundproofed the room. If Gavin commed he wanted to be prepared.
Conversation was sparse, each man preoccupied with his own thoughts. Leonard's thoughts were with Joanna as she enjoyed her week with Winona, and Jim was waiting impatiently for Gavin's report. They were half way through their meal, when his comm pinged. Uhura's voice informed him that Commander Bradford was on the comm.
"Patch him through, Uhura. Make sure the comm is encrypted, please."
"Aye, Sir."
"Jim, good morning. At least morning for you, it's 8:00 pm here. Wanted to update you before I head home for dinner. I missed Davy's bedtime again," Gavin said regretfully. "I have to do better at getting home on time, Violet says he asks for me when she puts him to bed. Anyway, Sonnai and I worked all day trying to identify those two men. They were not listed in the public Antares employee site. We," he sighed tiredly and rubbed at his eyes, "combed through every holo one by one, which took a long time. Antares employs hundreds of beings across the quadrant. When we didn't find them, Sonnai decided to dig deeper."
Gavin smiled. "His instincts have never played us false, and sure enough he discovered a different site embedded within the public one. This one is protected and not for general viewing. It's hidden under the general term "specialized" employees.
As you know, under Federation law every business and corporation must post all employees pictures and their job descriptions. If the Feds discover any hidden or clandestinely hired employees they don't fool around. They shut down the business rightaway. That's to prevent any underpaid, under age, or slave labor that businesses or corporations may try to hide. These safeguards were put in place because of the Orion Syndicate, their slave dealings with unscrupulous companies who used illegal labour. However, there is a clause in the law that states some employee positions along with their pictures may be posted behind the main employee site, concealed from the general public. Permission to do so is given only if there is possible physical danger to individuals by being identified. That's the case with these two men since they're listed as body guards and it might compromise their bosses' safety if their faces were known.
The Federation does allowed a certain leeway, although access to their identities must be made readily available to the Federation Labour and Immigration Department. Apparently the Antares' attorneys, the body guards for the CEO, the Corporation President, and the upper managers' identities are hidden within this site to protect them from kidnappers."
"Bodyguards my eye," muttered Leonard. "They're nothin' more than hired goons sent to do their dirty work, like breakin' and enterin', harming defenseless young girls, and threatening and intimidatin' innocent people."
"You're correct, Leonard." Gavin's sharp hearing caught Leonard's low comment. "As Mayri's experience has proven, they have little regard for the law. Anyway, Sonnai was able to access the holos and we found a match for your two."
"Excellent, Gavin! As usual, you and Sonnai have done outstanding work on this."
"Thanks, Jim, but it was mostly Sonnai. The guy is a genius, pure and simple. Thank goodness he only uses his powers for good," Gavin told him, and to Jim's amusement, echoing exactly Admiral Boyce's comment about Ambassador Sarek.
Jim could hear Sonnai's loud chuckle in the background and he grinned, but there was definitely some truth in Gavin's comment. Sonnai was a genius, and SIS was extremely lucky to have him. He could have made a lot more credits working outside of Starfleet.
"I'm sending the holos to you right now, Jim. They're very clear and sharp, you should have no problem identifying the two men if they dare show up at Dr. Stemple's birthday party."
"Thanks, Gavin. I'll need to update Admiral Boyce on your findings. This will go a long way in putting Antares out of business. After I speak with him, the Admiral might have further orders for us. I'm sure Spock will want to let Sarek know you've identified the two men. Maybe Sarek has a copy of the prospectus for us by now. I'd sure like to have a look at it. They didn't want Doris to have a copy, or even the Governor of the colony, which raises all sorts of legal flags. I'm sure JAG lawyers would have a field day poking holes in that one."
"It seems they by passed all sorts of protocols and proper procedures, Jim. The petition to mine the ryetalyn should've been nullified immediately just because of that. Ambassador Sarek won't find it difficult to find out which members of the subcommittee went along with circumventing proper procedure."
"Spock said according to what Sarek has been able to find out, some members of the subcommittee kept everything they received from Antares a secret, even from some of their own members."
"If that don't yell bribery and illegal shenanigans, I don't know what does," Leonard leaned into Jim's comm to tell Gavin.
"I'd hate to be those subcommittee members," Gavin said, visibly shuddering. "I can only imagine what a very angry Vulcan Ambassador must be like."
"Better them than us," Jim agreed. "Thanks again, Gavin. You and Sonnai went above and beyond. Go home to Violet and Davy, get some rest. I'll let you know how the birthday party goes."
"I'll be curious to find out. Bradford out."
"Finally, we're really getting somewhere, Bones. I'll update the Admiral and speak to Officer Marchan from Doris' house. First, I want to know if Spock has spoken with Sarek. We better finish breakfast and get going."
The two men grabbed their garment bags and transported down to Doris's coordinates. In an excess of caution, Spock himself answered the door then immediately raised the shield again.
"Captain, Doctor, good morning."
"Morning, Spock. Everything quiet last night?"
"Yes, Sir. Everything was quiet and there was no suspicious activity outside. I went out twice to check the parameter of the house."
Leonard frowned. "You think that was necessary, Spock? Those two goon might've been lurking'."
"Which is precisely why I was checking, Doctor."
"They might've jumped you. And from the holos they were big and burley, might've taken you down."
"I hardly think so, Doctor. Vulcan strength, when it is fully engage is formidable."
Leonard opened his mouth, but Jim interjected hastily. "Gentlemen, a moot argument, as Mr. Spock is here and is fine. Bones why don't you go check Mayri which is what you told me you were going to do first thing. Spock, let go into the living room so I can update you. Gavin and Sonnai reported this morning. Also I want to know if Ambassador Sarek sent you a copy of the prospectus, and to whom it's addressed on the sub committee. That should help identify which members Antares wanted in their pockets."
"A good point, Captain. As of this morning I have not heard from my father."
"Hmm, maybe he's being stoned walled, Spock, being given the run around. I bet those subcommittee members sure don't want him to see that prospectus."
"If that is so, Dr. McCoy, I would not want to be a member of that subcommittee or the chairman of said committee." Spock did not smirk, because Vulcans would never demean themselves by showing such blatant emotion, but his dark eyes gleamed and his lips quirked at the prospect of a coldly furious Sarek. To paraphrase an old human proverb, attributed to the English playwright and poet William Congreve, 'Hell hath no fury as a Vulcan Ambassador ignored.' It is to be hoped I will hear from Sarek before the birthday celebration this evening."
"I hope so, Spock. The weight of proof against the Antares Corporation is growing. And now I need to update Admiral Boyce."
"Perhaps from Cousin Doris' study, Captain, it will be more private."
"While you do that, Jim, I'll go do a final check on Mayri. Where is she, Spock, and Doris?"
"I believe they are in Mayri's bedroom speaking to the florist. It was weighing heavily on Mayri's mind that the flowers had not been ordered, and that the party is tonight. She was most anxious to take care of that task immediately after waking and eating breakfast. You may go right in, Doctor, they are both dressed. I was in there shortly before you came."
Leonard shook his head. "That young woman is very loyal and conscientious, to her detriment sometimes, as we saw last night and it's obvious she adores your Cousin Doris, Spock."
"It is so, Doctor. Two qualities highly prized by Vulcans."