Merged

Chapter Seven

Jontek stepped into Admiral Gardner's outer office, informing the aide of his arrival. The aide buzzed into Gardner's office and Jontek found himself a moment later greeting the man he had reported to since Admiral Forrest had been killed.

"Jon…tek? I understand that is what you've chosen to called yourself now?"

"Yes, Admiral. It seemed to be the logical solution to merge our names."

"I'm I speaking to Sontek?"

"You're speaking to both of us. If you wish to speak to one of us, you should address that one specifically."

"So I can speak with Jon alone."

Jon answered. "Not exactly but Sontek will allow the words to be mine."

Gardner was intrigued. "Hmmm. Interesting."

"I'm somewhat surprised that this is not a full debriefing."

"We'll do that tomorrow. For now I just want to talk with you. Have a seat, Jon." Gardner indicated a chair for Jontek and went to his own chair. "I have a proposition to make."

Jontek tilted his head. "What type of proposition?"

"Jon, you have to see that this is a unique opportunity."

"The situation is unique. I don't know about the opportunity."

"Section 31 has requested that you be assigned to them. They see the fact that Starfleet would have a human fully operational within a Vulcan to provide opportunities for intelligence gathering that would be unprecedented. The world already believes you are dead. Well mostly, there would need to be some clean up, classification of data."

Sontek was about to decline when Jon stopped him. "Let me answer this."

Jontek's face took on a hard edge. "No."

"Don't you see, Jon? They are right. You'd be able to get into places no other human could."

If the Vulcan visage changed at all, it was to become even harder. "We said No."

"Why not."

The part that was Jon spoke. "I've seen how Section 31 operates. I will not accept that the end justifies the means."

"You know that sometimes hard choices have to be made. Take the lesser of two evils. Do what's best for the greater good. Having the best data possible would allow us to make the best decision possible."

"I've done that, Admiral. I know the price that one pays when the way that information is gathered is not ethically obtained. I'm not willing to do it again if I can help it. We will not become a spy. That is final."

Admiral Gardner nodded. "I thought you might say this. I told Section 31 not to count on you joining them. I had to offer it to you though. This was a way for you to continue playing a role."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Jon. You can't expect to be able to maintain your duties as Admiral."

"Why not?"

"For one, Sontek is not a member of Starfleet."

"He has a point, Jon."

"So he could join."

Sontek was shocked at the direction the conversation was going. "Don't I have a say in this?"

"Yes, Sontek, you will but let's get to the bottom of this first."

"And be promoted to Admiral immediately?"

"Everyone would be informed that I'm still alive, and that as such, I hold the rank of Admiral. Doesn't seem like a problem to me."

Gardner shook his head sadly. "That wouldn't work, Jon, and you know it. Not everyone is going to believe this situation is for real and those that do would have all sorts of objections to the situation." Gardner coughed. "Uh, Sontek, no offence but there are those who remember the days when the Vulcan High Command called the shots for Starfleet. They might see you in this role doing the same thing."

"So you're just going to throw me and over thirty years of Starfleet service out the window? I can't believe you'd do this to me!"

"Calm down, Jon."

"Don't tell me to calm down. This is my life he's throwing away."

"No, Jon. It's our life."

"You won't be discharged, Jon. We've made the decision to put you on medical leave. Until another solution to this situation can be found."

Jontek jumped up and started pacing, although the movements seemed to be somewhat forced. "You know there isn't any other solution. We're merged! We can't be separated!" The man stopped and turned. "You're taking away everything I grew up with, everything I worked for."

"This isn't any easier for us. It is the only choice we feel we can make under the circumstances. Give it some time, Jon. It's possible that time will point the way to something else."

"He's right Jon. This wasn't totally unexpected. Give it some time."

"Damn it. I know it's the best choice. But I don't have to like it!" His voice was cold as he answered, "Then will that be all, Admiral Gardner?"

"I'd like you to come back tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. for a full debriefing. We'll also go over any press releases to inform the world of your current situation."

"We'll be there."

"Jon. I'm truly sorry. You've been a close colleague for years, the best damn Captain of an NX class starship, and your work towards bringing about the Federation is something to be proud of. And you've been a friend. If there's one thing I've learned in all the time I've known you it's not to believe that there is any finality in what seems to be your fate. There is something else coming your way. I just don't know what it is yet."

Jontek nodded and walked towards the door, leaving without looking back.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

As Jontek made his way towards the Vulcan Compound, the scene in Admiral Gardner's office kept replaying.

"I can't believe they've thrown me out of Starfleet."

"That's not what happened, Jon. You're on medical leave."

"That's just because they don't want to make it official. This way it's like limbo. You know there's nothing that will change."

"I don't know that, Jon. I would estimate that the probability of something changing that would allow you to return to your former position is infinitesimally small, but it is not totally outside of the realm of possibility."

"All right…you tell me. What is possible that would change this?"

"There is not adequate data to speculate."

"God, I hate it when you Vulcans do that."

"What?"

"Aren't willing to admit you don't have an answer."

"I don't have an answer right now, but that does not preclude the possibility of having an answer in the future. I think there's a saying. 'You never know.'"

"That doesn't sound like a very Vulcan saying to me. I wonder if Daniels saw any of this."

"It's not. It's a human one, but there is a certain amount of truth in the statement. Who is Daniels?"

"A human from the future. There will be a temporal cold war in the future. Well, maybe not. After that trip back to the past, maybe that changed things or maybe all of this is exactly what was supposed to happen. The last thing in my timeline he pointed out was the creation of the Federation. But if he knew about this, why wouldn't he have warned me about the shuttle accident? I guess it will drive me crazy if I try to figure that out."

"Jon. I know you're taking this situation hard. Let's see what the other side of the situation is."

"What?"

"We're at the Vulcan Compound. Time for me to hear the other side of things."

"Oh. Right. Sorry. I guess I've been a little wrapped up in self-pity."

"It's understandable. For now though, put that to the side and let's…I find another interesting human expression…let the other shoe drop."

XoXoXoXoXoXoXo

They made their way much easier into the Vulcan Compound but that was to be expected. Sontek was in his element here. He was recognized as a fellow Vulcan and treated with the respect that his position as a researcher at the Vulcan Science Academy garnered him. He made his way to the appointment he had with the Ambassador's staff. Soval, though reaching the age of retirement was still the senior Ambassador to Earth. He had been grooming the next candidates for the position for the past five years but T'Pau had not yet made her decision as to who would next hold the post. Thus, Jontek found himself at the table, years of history between him and the head man at the table.

Soval started the meeting. "It is agreeable to see you, Sontek."

"We have chosen to go by the name Jontek to recognize the unique reality of our life now. It is agreeable to see you as well, Ambassador."

"Jontek." Soval said the word as if trying to accept all its implications. "I can see the logic in choosing that name." He went on, "However, I would like to request a conversation with Sontek and would prefer that the conversation be shielded from Jonathan Archer whom you are hosting. My reading of the report sent indicates this is possible."

The half that was Jon was surprised? "What report?"

"Just as you needed to send a report to your superiors, I also had to provide a report of the incident."

"But I don't remember you writing one or sending it."

"I did so when you were unconscious."

Soval was not specifically aware of the argument that was going on inside of Jontek, but he was astute enough to see constant switching between emotional expression and stoicism upon the face the man in front of him. "Sontek's report on the incident which we received a week ago."

Jon was realizing that even though he was fully merged, his Vulcan 'partner' was keeping things from him. Just as it had been with the Vulcans when he was growing up. Jon started to feel the same anger he'd thought he'd put behind him. It was almost with a sarcastic twist that he asked, "So you thought it would be best to keep it from me? How could you do this?"

Not understanding the underlying question the human was asking, Sontek was direct. "I explained the use of mental shielding, Jon."

"I meant if we are the same 'being' how could you do this to me? It's like I'm only allowed to be present when you want me to be…the rest of the time…well I saw enough of that growing up!"

"I told you yesterday, I now understand this is not acceptable. But I can't change what happened before making that realization."

"And that's supposed to make it all right?" Suddenly a memory came up in Jon's mind that shocked Sontek.

"Are you unwell, Jontek? You seem to be…agitated."

"Mr. Pointy-Ears! You called Ambassador Soval Mr. Pointy-Ears? Du duhik akan-if-ritishayas V'tosh!"

"I was a child!"

"You were impertinent and rude."

"As I said, I was a child!"

Soval tried again to elicit a response from Jontek. "Perhaps this is not a good time to discuss the situation."

The voice from the hybrid held a distinct edge. "Perhaps if you discussed 'the situation' in front of me instead of leaving me out, things would go better, Soval."

"Ahh…Jon. I was trying to spare Sontek the discomfort of allowing his life to be laid open before you, not keeping things from you. I thought you and I had developed more trust than this."

Suddenly the realization of the multiple situations that had led to his emotional response hit him. A combination of facing his life not as an individual but constantly hidden within another lifeform and the loss of his Starfleet status had resulted in this tantrum of his. He recalled how supportive Sontek had been throughout the day when any of these situations had arisen, especially during his meeting with Gardner. "I'm sorry…I guess I haven't been myself," the sound of humiliation was present clearly indicating the human side was speaking.

"That's an understatement." The fact that these words were said with the absolute dryness of the Vulcan Forge made it quite clear that the Sontek half had said it. Jontek started to laugh. Not just a small chuckle, but a full-fledged, belly-wrenching laugh with tears coming from his eyes and an inability to catch his breath.

The other Vulcans at the table were shocked that one of their own would be displaying such unacceptable behavior, but Soval simply presented a slight smile. When Jontek caught his breath, he stated. "Get it all out, Jon?"

"Yes. I apologize for my behavior. It was not very Vulcan."

"But it was Human." At Jontek's nod Soval continued. "Now, Jon, do you have any objection to allowing us to speak with Sontek behind mental shields?"

"No. I think I understand now."

"I'm sorry, Sontek."

"Nam-tor ri thrap wilat nem-tor rim."

"What does that mean?"

"There is no offense where none is taken."

"I've really got to learn Vulcan."

"Indeed."

For what seemed to be an hour or so, Jon found that he was in a semi-meditative, semi-dreamlike mindset caused by Sontek's use of their primary consciousness behind mental shields. When he felt the shields lower, he was surprised to still be in the conference room with the Vulcan Ambassador staff.

"Are we finished?"

"Not quite. They want to talk to you."

"Did everything go well?"

"I'll let you know later. But do not be concerned. All is as it should be."

"Thank you, Jon for you understanding while we talked with Sontek."

"Vulcans don't usually say Thank you, do they?"

"No. But under the conditions, we wanted to let you know that although this is not an easy situation to determine the right course of action, we understand that it is something that you are struggling with as well. Neither you nor Sontek chose this path."

"That is certainly a true statement if there ever was one."

"You both have a long road ahead of you."

"What are you getting at, Soval?"

"We are willing to have you join the Vulcan Science Academy with Sontek. He has agreed to a lower security clearance since we see a potential threat in having a Starfleet Admiral, even one on medical leave, privy to certain research." As Soval watched Jontek's changing visage again he hastened to say, "You have time to discuss this with Sontek. You know he plans to return Sprong's and T'Vlan's possessions to their families on Vulcan and you have agreed to that. The ship to take him back will not leave for two weeks. Perhaps you will have your decision made then."

Jontek nodded.

"Finally, Jonathan, I and all of Vulcan owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"For the Selaya. Sontek told us what your memories say. We may not have sensor readings or other such data but what Sontek saw in your mind clearly shows the Vulcans on the Selaya would not have wanted to live that way. We could not have helped them."

"Why didn't you believe me nine years ago?"

"Because, Jonathan, we thought you disliked Vulcans enough to destroy them. We were wrong. We can see that now."

"I guess it's better late then never. I know apologizing isn't at the top of a Vulcan's desires. Nam-tor ri thrap wilat nem-tor rim." "Did I really say that?"

"With a little help from a friend."