Disclaimer: Don't own it. Never have. But I can always hope.
A/N: Out of all the chapters I've written, I think this one is pretty dodgy. But it's written and posted, and it adds to the story. Please let me know what you think.
Two chapters to go.
All spelling and grammatical errors are mine, and I'm sorry if you come across a lot of them.
Reviews are like speaking truth; you may love what they say, you may despise what they. In the end, it's all the truth, and it must be said. Please, give me the truth. (YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!) I CAN handle the truth!
Origins: The Journey Begins
Chapter 28: One Word
STARDATE: 2231.120 (Sun, April 29th, 2232) [8 months Old]
Spock woke before his mother. This was becoming more frequent, especially since he started walking two months ago. This was the ideal time for Spock to practice balancing on two feet.
Ever since is first steps, Spock's baby weight had reduced dramatically. His once chubby body was now slim enough to show off his frame. His legs now had visible knees, and his arms noticeable elbows. Although only eight months old, Spock was still a big boy. Not in weight but in stature. He could easily pass off as a one-year-old.
Spock toddled around the room. However, as soon as his body alerted him that the time was 5:35, Spock had the sudden urge to alleviate his bowels. Spock glanced quickly around the room calculating his course of action. He hated soiling himself. He didn't like the feel of it, and his mother wasn't awake yet to help him deal with his soiled diaper.
Baby Spock grunted in frustration and made his way behind the small loveseat. You wouldn't realise it was a loveseat, not with the way Amanda had her robes strewn across it. Nevertheless, Spock hid behind the loveseat, squatted and filled his diaper.
He quickly unclasped the diaper and stepped away from it. Mother would not be pleased if I leave this here. Spock thought to himself.
Spock surveyed the soiled diaper before slowly approaching it. The diaper was facing upwards, cradling the mess. Spock grasped the clean corner and slowly dragged the loaded diaper towards the small bin.
Once at the bin, Spock stared at the diaper, considering his next course of action. Spock carefully folded the diaper until the mess had been covered. He then grabbed the diaper and placed it into the open bin.
Now that I have dealt with the soiled diaper I shall seek out a solid method to cleanse my posterior. Spock thought as he paced back and forth in front of the change table.
Spock knew that the change table stored packets of baby wipes. He just needed a course of action that would allow him to reach the opened packet on the highest shelf without falling and messing anything else.
After only a couple of minutes, Spock decided to use the bottom shelf as leverage and stand on it to grab the packet of baby wipes. Spock grabbed hold of the shelf in front of him to steady himself as he stood on the shelf below. This added height allowed him to come face to face with the baby wipes. Balancing carefully, Spock extended one hand and clasped the edge of the packet and drew it close to his chest.
With two feet back on the ground Spock dropped the packet in front of himself and pulled out a couple of wipes. With the wipes in one hand, Spock placed his free hand on the ground to steady himself as he bent over.
After depositing the dirty wipes in the bin, Spock mentally debated about putting on a clean diaper. He didn't want to. He loved the feel of being free. However, he knew his mother would rouse on him. He couldn't understand why, but he decided not to make her angry. He grabbed a clean diaper from the middle shelf of the change table and put it on. Whilst giving himself the final check over he heard an audible, "How fascinating."
Spock's head snapped in the direction of the comment. There, on the bed before him, was his mother. He was so involved with his mission he had no idea that she had witnessed the entire event.
Smiling broadly, Amanda patted the mattress beneath her, beckoning her son to join her. Spock complied and toddled towards his mother.
Upon entering the main bedroom after a long session of meditation, Sarek notices his bondmate and son sitting cross-legged on the bed.
"Say 'mummy'." Sarek heard his wife say to his son.
"No, Spockles. No pictures." Amanda said, not knowing that her husband was watching on from behind.
"Pictures?" Sarek queried with raised brow. He ventured further into the room to make his appearance known. Amanda sighed and looked up at her husband.
"I'm trying to get him to say 'mama' or 'mummy' but he keeps on sending me visions of myself. He knows what I mean, he just refuses to speak, choosing pictures and visions over speech." Amanda explained before turning back to Spock.
"Spock, who is this?" Amanda asked in a childish tone, hoping to get him to speak.
Sarek turned to watch his son but was mentally bombarded with an image of himself. 'Vision Sarek' was sitting in his meditative pose in his night robe.
"I understand your dilemma," Sarek spoke as he moved himself to the edge of the mattress. Sarek stared at his son before choosing to speak in Vulcan, "Spock, life revolves around speech. As my son, you will be subjected to different species who use speech as their only way to communicate. If you do not learn to speak, you are eliminating many different species from your knowledge of communication."
Sarek turned to Amanda and nodded slightly, mentally urging her to continue with her speech lesson.
Amanda spoke in standard, "Spock, say 'mummy'."
Both parents were once again bombarded with a vision. Only this time the image was of the word 'mother'. The word was floating around in their minds.
"Spock." Amanda groaned in frustration which made Spock laugh and clap his hands.
"Fascinating," Sarek responded as he stood there staring down at his son.
Later when Amanda and Sarek were walking down the hallway with Spock slowly walking behind them, Sybok emerged from his room and darted across their path with something clutched in his arms, unaware that they were there.
"Sybok. Calm yourself. There is no need for running." Sarek spoke sternly.
Sybok jumped in fright at the sound of his father's voice and dropped the box that he was holding. He hadn't seen him there. Sybok hung his head in shame; his father had seen him running with a broad smile on his face. He felt ashamed to bring such disappointment to his father.
Sybok straightened up and composed himself. "I apologise, father. I will make an effort not to do that again." He bent down to pick up the box.
"What do you have there, Sybby?" Amanda asked in a sweet tone. She always brought a smile to his face. Sybok couldn't help himself, he smiled at her and raise the box up so she could see.
The dark green box had a picture of the Terran Rainforest on the front. The box was long and wide. Amanda smiled back at Sybok. "A puzzle."
"The puzzle you brought with you from Earth. I was wanting to work on my memory skills and complete it before my Control Exercises with Father." Sybok's voice grew small as the sentence went on. Sybok looked up at his father.
Sarek raised an eyebrow. "I understand why you were rushing before. This puzzle you have selected is 5,000 pieces. You have three hours. Take Spock with you." Sarek inclined is head towards his eldest son. It was his way of 'smiling' at his children. Sybok beamed before racing to grab Spock's hand and drag him to his room.
Once in his room Sybok hastily opened the box and sprawled the contents all over the floor, flipping over all the pieces so the picture was facing upwards.
Sybok sat down next to Spock, with hands in his lap, and his eyes closed. When he opened them he lunged forward and selected a couple of pieces. After piecing them together he repeated his actions.
Spock watched his older brother, amused by his antics. The next time Sybok sat down and closed his eyes, Spock decide to see what was going on in his brother's mind.
Spock gently placed his hand on Sybok's cheek and infiltrated his mind. Sybok was remembering the picture on the front of the box. He was using it as a guideline. Soon the vision changed. Sybok was remembering the last time he had completed this puzzle. Placing each piece in the exact same position that he did the last time he had completed it.
Spock was intrigued, sending an image to his brother. The image was of this morning when Sarek was staring down at Spock, saying "Fascinating".
When Sybok received the image, he opened his eyes and turned to his brother, replying with "Fascinating."
Sybok and Spock had finished the puzzle by the time Sarek summoned for Sybok. Not knowing what to do with Spock, Sybok grabbed his hand a guided him to his Control Exercise room.
Sarek and D'Torres, the clan's medical practitioner, were waiting for Sybok and were surprised to find that Spock had come along.
Sybok stripped down to his underwear and went over to D'Torres who hooked him up to the monitor. D'Torres then turned to the briefcase he had brought with him and studied it for precisely seven seconds before calling Sarek over.
Sarek came over and D'Torres pointed to a second monitor. "I have enough equipment to monitor your second son if you are interested."
Sarek nodded once in approval. It was only after Spock had been hooked up to the monitor that they realised how similar he was to Sybok.
"Fascinating," Sarek said as he glanced between the two monitors.
"Indeed. After The Incident Sybok was left with severe damage to his Vulcan abilities. His emotions rule over logic. Your younger son, Spock, is much like Sybok. Although he has little amount of human DNA, his actions and responses are very similar to that of a human."
Sarek whipped his head in the direction of the doctor. "I shall start Control Exercises with Spock at once."
Sarek sat in front of the boys and began the exercise. He started infiltrating Sybok's mind with visions and images to try and provoke him. At first, Sarek was pleased with his progress, however, when shown an image of Spock and Amanda being teased and taunted, Sybok breathing hitched and his fists clenched.
Seeing his older brother struggle for control made Spock's anger rise. Soon, both monitors were flashing, signalling the height of the boy's control.
"Remember your training, Sybok," Sarek said. The images and visions had stopped but they were still affecting him. "Breathing. Meditation."
Sybok was beginning to calm down. His monitor had stopped flashing and his breathing began to even out.
Spock, however, had no idea what was going on. All he knew was that his brother was angered and it was all his father's fault. Spock's control slipped.
Very intense waves of angry emotions crashed into the minds of both Sarek and Sybok. Sybok brought his hands to his ears to try and stop the raw emotion from hurting his head.
Sarek also had trouble containing his response. His breathing was ragged and his eyes were wide with shock.
D'Torres had his eyes peeled on Spock's monitor. The signals were off the charts.
"Fascinating." D'Torres spoke, "He may have human DNA but his Vulcan heritage is very dominant. These are the strongest mental abilities I have seen in any Vulcan in all my years as a medical practitioner. From my studies, there was only one other Vulcan who had readings as high as this."
"Who?" Sarek asked.
"Surak," D'Torres answered.
All eyes fell on Spock. Spock was still in a state of confusion. Everyone seemed fine, but he still felt angry.
"From what I can see, Spock's human emotions have made his Vulcan emotions more prominent, which will be dangerous to him and everyone around him if he does not learn how to control them. This will be an issue if, and when he has his Time." D'Torres stated.
Sarek sat down directly in front of Spock and taught him how to relax into a meditative trance. Surprisingly, Spock caught on quite quickly and succeeded in suppressing his emotions.
"Fascinating," D'Torres said softly. "Sarek, I suggest that you that you take Spock to Young Advanced Minds."
"Do you think that it is wise to send Spock to this school. Only seven students are chosen every year."
"Your son is more advanced than any other Vulcan I know. He needs to be professionally trained before he starts at the Early Learning Centre. The Young Advanced Minds programme goes for three years. Three years which will be crucial for your son."
"Indeed. I shall look into it."
Later in the day, Sarek wasted no time and decided to take Spock to see the principal of the Young Advanced Minds institute. The principal did not like the idea of Spock being accepted and came up with many reasons why he would not be attending the school.
Sarek came home in a foul mood. Although he didn't visually show how pissed off he was, Amanda could feel his annoyance through their marital bond. As soon as Sarek had closed the door to the master bedroom he sighed heavily.
"Sarek, Ashayam, what troubles you?" Amanda asked from the bed. She was already dressed in her night robe with the sheets tucked around her legs, her back up against the wall. She had paused her reading to look up at her husband who looked lost. He didn't know whether to pace angrily and inform his bondmate of the irritating principal of the Young Advance Minds institute, or to meditate on the day's events.
Figuring that his mate would like to know what is happening, he chose the former.
"The principal of that institute will not allow Spock to attend because of his heritage. He claimed that if Spock is admitted there will be one less 'full Vulcan' that will not have the opportunity to reign their minds." He spoke. His voice was unwavering and determined.
"Spock's not allowed to go?" Amanda questioned as she lowered her book onto her lap.
"According to the principle, he is not full Vulcan, therefore, he does not meet the requirements to attend."
"That's ridiculous! Spock has every right to attend that school! He needs it more than the others. He's a direct descendent of Surak, for crying out loud! You have to pull rank!" She exclaimed.
"I believe my status has no effect on the education system. There are only a few people who have the authority to 'pull rank' on the principal of that institute. Unfortunately, I am not one of them." He sighed audibly and sat himself down at the end of the bed.
"Is there anyone that you know that does have the authority?" Amanda asked, taking off her reading glasses.
"Yes. However, it is not their battle. I must find a way-"
"—Do you want your son to attend this school?" Amanda interjected.
"It is the most logical course of action." Sarek tried to explain.
"Sarek, do you want him to have this education?" She was stern.
"Yes." He softly answered.
"Then it is your task to ensure his admittance into that school. You have to do whatever it takes, using whatever you have. This is your son's future, for goodness sake!"
Sarek stood abruptly. His bondmate's speech filled him with determination once more. He strode towards the door and was about to exit when Amanda stopped him.
"Ashayam, it's late." She began.
"Vulcans do not require much sleep. My mother will still be awake. I shall return before morning." With one final nod, Sarek sent Amanda a wave of love and adoration before slipping out for the night.
Sarek arrived at his mother's house at precisely 10:30 p.m. The guards of her mansion greeted him and allowed him entrance.
The foyer of T'Pau's mansion was large and spacious. The floors were made of some exotic wood the colour of charcoal and the walls were decorated in fabrics of deep purple and gold. The House emblem of Surak hung in brown and black against the wall as you enter the mansion.
"Mother." Sarek addressed his mother as she gracefully appeared from one of the many side rooms.
"It has been four years, seven months, and thirteen days since you have stepped inside this house. What is it that you need me for?" Her voice was strong, but not condescending.
T'Pau was dressed in her royal scarlet and gold robe. Her greying hair draped around her shoulder like a silver cape.
"I need your assistance," Sarek spoke as he remained still. His hands behind his back, head held high, and his eyes fixated on hers.
"I am not here to be called upon to fight for you," T'Pau stated as she circled her son like prey.
Sarek thought his mother might say that. There was only one way he could get her to assist him.
"Ko-mekh (mother)," Sarek began. He spoke to her using the language of high Vulcan. The language which his mother preferred. Although the ancient Vulcan language was lost among most Vulcans, Sarek knew it well.
"Thy grandson needs thou." His words made his mother's ears visibly twitch.
"Is mine grandson in danger?" She responded in the same language. Her voice void of emotion.
"His education is in jeopardy. Mine authority is of nay lay-to in this situation. His segregation begins. I am at a loss of how to proce'd." Sarek's voice was low. Even if their conversation was being heard by his mother's servants, he doubted that they would understand the long-lost language.
T'Pau stopped walking in circles around her son. She closed in on him, standing centimetres away from him she spoke in Standard. "Who is this Vulcan that brings division?"
"Tutuk, the principal of Young Advanced Mind's." He answered.
Without any response, T'Pau strode towards the door, leaving her son standing in the middle of the foyer.
"Come, Sa-fu (son). This is one battle that Spock cannot fight for himself."
Further into the early morning, Sarek and T'Pau found themselves at the institute. It wasn't a large building. They only accepted seven students a year. Therefore, the building was quite small.
T'Pau entered the building, knowing that the principal would still be here. According to T'Pau, Tutuk was a trouble maker when it came to Vulcan law.
After 12 minutes and 53 seconds, Tutuk reluctantly obeyed T'Pau's order. However, he did specify that for Spock to gain a position at the institute, he would have to do a mind exam.
Sarek walked out of the room, leaving his mother behind. Using his familial bond, he suggested to his mother to stay while he quickly went home to get his young son.
Sarek returned with his sleeping son nestled safely in his arms. Tutuk guided them to a small exam room. Even when the lights were turned on the room remained quite dark. In the centre of the room was a small panel.
Tutuk approached the small panel, activated it then told Sarek to place his son before it.
Sarek woke his son gently before sitting him in front of the panel. Tutuk stood before the young boy and said, "You need to complete at least the first two levels of this exam to be guaranteed a position here."
Tutuk then turned and guided the others out of the room into the observation room next door. There, they would observe Spock without causing him any distraction.
The view screen attached to the panel flickered on. The first question appeared. It was simple at first, what is the square root of 16?
Without delay, Spock reached for the button with a '4'. A soft 'ding' sound echoed the room before the next question appeared.
Soon Spock had completed the first two levels, but he had no intention of stopping. It was almost midnight when the exam timer ran out. He looked at his score on the top right-hand corner of the screen. Level 10. Score 100 out of 100. 100% correct.
A message appeared on the screen. 'New high score.'
He looked in the direction of the observation room.
Spock stifled a yawn before stating aloud, "Fascinating."
