Dr. M'Benga is a busy man.
Dr. M'Benga
McCoy finally consulted Dr. M'Benga about Spock and Uhura. "Doctor M'Benga! You certainly are a hard man to get in touch with."
"Dr. McCoy. You know, I only took the assignment on the Enterprise under the condition that I could continue my studies on Vulcan when necessary. They pulled me out of a conference on advanced meditation healing techniques in order to testify for Mr. Spock's trial."
"I understand you're busy Jeff, but you don't know how much your presence could have been used here lately."
"I'm here now. Is there something urgent you need me for?"
"Well, I don't know how urgent it is, but it is a matter of import. It is regarding our resident Vulcan bonded pair."
"Quelle surprise. What's happened now?" M'Benga asked.
"First, you must understand everything discussed is strictly top secret and private. Lieutenant Uhura is on medical leave but she is still head of communications so I don't want any of her friends or colleagues privy to this conversation." McCoy stressed. There was more than one busybody on the ship, and McCoy had it on good authority that Jeff and Christine were a thing now. He didn't want any pillow talk spreading information about his friends.
"Understood. Mum's the word. I come to serve." M'Benga said, and he gestured as if zipping his lips and tossing away the key. "So what is this all about, Leonard?"
"Well..." McCoy began. He explained the happenings on the Enterprise since Dr. M'Benga left for his conference on Vulcan.
"And you say it affected the entire crew?" M'Benga asked when McCoy finished his long tale about the various incidents, including the mass telepathic events.
"Yes, everyone was affected to some degree. Have you ever heard of anything like it on Vulcan?" McCoy asked.
"No," M'Benga said in a worried tone. "You're the expert on this one, Doctor. Is there no similar report from the Starfleet medical archives?"
"Not really. It was sheer luck that led me to find Zanthi Fever. The Betazeds seem to know a lot more, but their research pertains to their own people, nothing on Vulcans and it's usually a female illness, so there's little research on males. We're flying blind out here. I've seen mass intoxications before, but nothing like this. We could always trace previous outbreaks to spores or radiation or love potions, what have you, but never telepathy.
"What's most puzzling is how it pertains to Lieutenant Uhura? Spock was treated for the virus just before he was arrested, but Uhura is still having strange symptoms."
"Send all the medical files to my office and I'll ask some of my Vulcan colleagues. And Doctor, send it encrypted priority one."
"Priority one? Why?"
"Yes, we're dealing with the sensitive medical records for the grandson of the Vulcan head of state. Unfortunately, there have already been leaks from this department. If the information should fall into the wrong hands..."
"I get your meaning. Mr. Spock's already in trouble with Starfleet top brass."
"Not just Starfleet, there are those in the Federation who would love to take down Minister T'Pau through her family. T'Pau has enemies even on Vulcan."
"Really?" McCoy was fascinated by the very idea of Vulcan politics being so cutthroat.
"Of course, politics is a dirty profession no matter where you live. It is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. I don't know which one is more frightening, Minister T'Pau's iron will or her logic."
"I suppose so, and you're right. Politics is nothing like doctoring, huh? At least we keep our noses clean of all that nonsense." McCoy said.
"Uh, yeah," M'Benga agreed, but he looked a little uncomfortable. "Send me the files, Leonard and I'll get back to you as soon as I have some answers."
"Thanks, I'll have them transferred asap." M'Benga left and McCoy got busy collecting all the test results gathered since Uhura first came down with the Pon Farr. He included everything; all logs and notes and pertaining to Uhura and Spock since their bonding was encrypted and sent priority code one to Dr. M'Benga's office.
McCoy hoped he was doing the right thing trusting M'Benga, but he had run out of ideas and maybe, just maybe, the Vulcans knew something they were keeping to themselves about this Katra business. In the meantime, McCoy still had his everyday duties to attend to. He couldn't waste any more time worrying about their resident Vulcan troublemaker and his lovely bride.
*/*/*
M'Benga looked over the medical records and shook his head. He knew a lot about Vulcans, but these tests and the incidents didn't add up. He needed to consult with someone with more knowledge about Vulcan marital bonds and katras. But before he could consult with anyone, he needed approval.
He went to his console and sent a priority message over secure channels to his Vulcan contacts, and then he waited. It wasn't long before his console alerted him to an incoming priority message with Vulcan encryption.
T'Pau of Vulcan looked stately while seated at her desk in the office at the Vulcan council building and greeted Jeffrey M'Benga with the traditional Vulcan salute.
"Peace and long life T'Sai T'Pau. You honor me with your prompt reply." M'Benga said. He was always nervous to speak to T'Pau, and he imagined she thought him an illogical tool for the lack of self-control.
"Let us dispense with the pleasantries. What is thy urgent request?"
"I have been informed that Spock and his new bride are experiencing some medical difficulties. They gave me access to their medical records for consultation. However, I cannot determine the cause of the phenomenon. The ship's chief medical officer believes it pertains to a Katra." M'Benga had read the reports, and it stunned him to learn that part of the bond Spock shared with Uhura involves something so mystical. "I would like to send the records to Vulcan healers to determine a diagnosis," he requested.
"Negative. You will bring the records to me. I will send transportation for you. Be prepared to depart in one cycle. T'Pau out." The screen went black and M'Benga let out a long bated breath.
Bring the records to Vulcan? T'Pau wanted to see him personally? Why? How had he gotten himself into this mess? There was no help for it. He had to hurry to prepare for his visit. He didn't have much time and if T'Pau said one cycle; she meant it and not a moment sooner or a moment later. Vulcans believed in punctuality if nothing else and he could not keep the ruler of all of Vulcan and her colonies waiting.
As he packed up a few belongings for the trip, his door chimed. "C'mon in," he shouted and continued his task.
Christine came in with a happy bounce. "What are you doing, Jeff? Going somewhere?"
M'Benga looked up from his task and gave her a smile. "Yes, I've got to go back to Vulcan for a while. I don't know how long I'll be there."
She frowned. "But you just got back. What's so important on Vulcan?"
M'Benga stopped and looked at Christine. "Chris, I cannot tell you. Not now anyway. But please trust me. I'm not running away from you. I just have some old business on Vulcan to attend to."
"I didn't say you were running away from me," she denied.
"No, you didn't. But you had a certain look in your eyes. Look, Chris, I didn't lie to you. This thing between us is just casual. But I do care about you. Just don't read too much into anything, okay? Don't fall for me." He warned her.
Chris blew out a breath and waved his words away. "I'm not falling for you or anybody else. I've learned my lesson."
M'Benga took her hand and led her to sit beside him on his bunk. "Chris, don't say things like that. You deserve to fall in love when the time comes with the right guy. Or hell, with the wrong guy. We all make mistakes. That's how we learn. I've got a lot on my plate right now. I wouldn't be a good boyfriend to anyone. But someday I hope I will be. I won't ask you to wait around for that someday, though. So you do you."
"I understand," Christine said with a lot of false confidence.
M'Benga saw right through it. "Do you really?"
"I'll try to understand." She amended.
"Good. What are your plans for tonight?"
"I guess nothing since you're busy." She stood to go, but M'Benga pulled her back down.
"I happen to be a man who travels light. I'll pack tomorrow. Tonight I'm all yours."