I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writing. If I did, I would buy a new wardrobe!
Wardrobe Issues IV
Admiral Pike woke Jim up and had him order their speed increased to Warp Three. They made New Vulcan several hours ahead of schedule. T'Pau did not seemed surprised in the least.
"I and two others will meet Kirk, Spock, and Chernal in the appointed place."
Jim woke Spock up out of a very sound sleep.
"We're in New Vulcan orbit, buddy. Time to deliver the merchandise."
"Understood, Jim. I will be right there."
Chernal had left little Karl with Bones. The doctor had provided the old woman with analgesics, anti-inflammatory meds, and orthopedic walking shoes. She would greet T'Pau as an equal, standing on her own two feet.
Kirk, Spock, and Chernal materialized in a large chamber beneath the New Vulcan Cultural Museum. The containers with the artifacts were beamed down next. The structure had been built to receive the exhibit of Ancient Vulcan artifacts that was currently touring museums on Terra. Spock and Nyota had seen it when they visited the Louvre on their honeymoon. The party was escorted to the inner vault where T'Pau and two other Elders were waiting. The containers followed them, carried by two of the biggest, burliest Vulcans that Jim had ever seen.
The construction crew had been working overtime to finish the underground vault. The outer, smaller, climate controlled chambers would be used for the copied records that were coming from the Federation Historical Archives. The large, deep inner vault was a clean-room. Once the "Ancient Treasure" had been secured inside, access would be granted only through DNA scan.
T'Pau dismissed the Vulcan security team. She greeted the landing party and made introductions.
Spock had given Chernal a universal translator to use, but she insisted on greeting T'Pau in the "new" language she had been practicing. With Spock's help, she told T'Pau, Tuvin, and Tovorek the story of how her family had guarded the Ancient Treasure since the time of the Sundering. She and her husband had brought it with them to Tragan V one hundred and thirteen years ago. Many lives had been lost in the attempt to keep it away from the Romulans.
Other groups had left the Romulan home world around the same time, some with other pieces of the Treasure. Chernal had heard that most of these people had been slaughtered or enslaved and the Artifacts reclaimed by the Romulans.
"I have read the tablets. The scroll jars have remained sealed for over one thousand years. It was feared that exposure to the air would damage them. I do not know what they contain, but my ancestors thought them worth preserving."
"We will honor thy diligence in their preservation. They shall not be opened until the document specialists arrive and can do so under the proper conditions. We would see the tablets, however."
"Please do."
Spock opened the container with the tablets and laid them out on a table before his grandmother and the other two Elders. There were gasps and raised eyebrows, very emotional reactions for Vulcans.
"Chernal, thee and thy people do all Vulcans a great honor with thy service and thy sacrifice. Our offers of citizenship and sanctuary pale in comparison to the gift thee has brought. Is there anything else we can do for thee?"
"I have read the reports and watched the videos detailing all that these two young ones have done to save the remnant of the Vulcan people. They are heroes to my people and I have declared them sons and honorary members of my clan. How has Vulcan honored them?"
Spock and Kirk looked uncomfortable at this. Neither was particularly interested in more honors.
"Elder Chernal, Spock and I have already had more attention than we need. More honors are not necessary."
"In other words, Spock's own people have not acknowledged his actions or those of his captain. I am a Romulan, but this does not seem like the attitude of a grateful people. Perhaps it should be discussed with the full Council of Elders. However, it is late and I am satisfied with the precautions taken for the Treasure. I should like to return to the starship and my great-grandchild now. May you all live long and prosper."
"Peace and long life, Chernal."
Spock returned to his quarters in time to wake his wife up for breakfast. Hamed had planned a morning feast in honor of the Tragans, who would be departing immediately afterward.
Spock tossed his uniform into the refresher and lay down next to Nyota, kissing her awake.
"Wake up, my Nyota. We have a busy day planned."
"Good morning, Spock, my love. Did you get any sleep at all?"
"Perhaps three quarters of an hour."
"Lie here and rest while I shower. I'll wake you when it's time to get dressed."
Nyota showered and dressed, then finished Spock's packing. She woke him at the last minute, giving him just enough time to take a sonic shower and get dressed. They would hurry to breakfast, taking their luggage with them.
Pavel Chekov had a stupid grin on his face at breakfast. He and Devena had spent the night together. They would be corresponding via subspace. Devena would be attending classes in New Shannai'Kahr at the community college, with hopes of attending Starfleet Academy.
Bones was going to have a tough time saying goodbye to Karl. He had really enjoyed the little guy's company. Spock had noticed their attachment to each other and reminded the doctor that Karl would be with Jack and Lewis, so he would be able to visit him whenever the Enterprise was in Terran Spacedock.
"Remember, Doctor, that Jack and Lewis are friends of mine and Nyota's. They do not live far from the house I inherited from my mother. You will always be welcome in our home."
"Thanks, Spock. I appreciate that. You and Nyota are good friends."
The goodbyes were going to be difficult for everyone, but the crew was glad that the Tragans had found a home on New Vulcan. The Council of Elders issued an Edict making it very clear to everyone that the Tragans were honored citizens, to be given every right and privilege.
After Jim, Spock, and Chernal had beamed up from the surface of the planet, Christopher Pike beamed down. He was the guest of honor at an emergency meeting of the full Council of Elders. Its significance was historic.
Since the founding of the United Federation of Planets, Starfleet had wanted a starbase on Vulcan. The Vulcans had always politely declined. Vulcan had never been conquered in its collective memory. The Vulcan mind could not even comprehend the concept of a conqueror. Times had changed. The Vulcan home world had been destroyed and her population decimated. Long lost treasures had been returned, and the planetary defense system was still being instituted. The Vulcans realized they were quite vulnerable.
Elder Tovorek came right to the point.
"Admiral Pike, if Starfleet is still interested in building a starbase on New Vulcan, we would welcome its construction."
Pike nearly fell off his chair.
"Please allow me to contact Starfleet Command on this matter."
Pike was shown to the Communications Center, where he made a subspace call on a secured channel. The response took all of thirty seconds. Pike returned to the Council Chamber.
"I have been authorized by Starfleet Command to accept your offer. Plans for the construction of a starbase on New Vulcan will be submitted for your approval as soon as possible."
As Pike waited to be transported back to the Enterprise, he couldn't help but wonder just what the heck Kirk and Spock had brought back from Tragan V!
The Tragans were being transported to New Shannai'Kahr via shuttlecraft. Spock and Nyota went down with Chernal and Karl in the last group. Spock carried most of the gear and was thankful that the Inn where Jack, Lewis, and the family were staying was located across the street from the shuttle port. Nyota carried Karl.
Jack and Lewis had not been able to make Sonrisa understand that the great-grandmother she was getting was her own. When Nyota knocked on the suite door and Lewis let the party in, the little girl nearly burst into tears. She had not forgotten Chernal, who was feeling rather weepy herself. Sonrisa led her to the sofa and they sat down together.
Jack's mother Corazon took little Karl from Nyota.
"Gracias! Ah, mijo! Te amo mucho!" (Thank you! Oh, my child! I love you very much.)
Then Corazon was crying too, soon to be joined by Jack, Lewis, and Nyota. Spock was uncertain what to do, until he spotted the box of tissues. He let the Humans and Romulans express their joy in that most illogical manner as the box was passed around. After a few minutes, they were all calm.
Lewis remembered the package Rachel had sent with them for Nyota.
"Here, sweetie. Rachel sent this for you. She said you really need it."
Nyota stood to take the package from Lewis, who noticed her belly for the first time.
"Wow! Jack, check this out. Nyota's got a bun in the oven!"
"Sure enough! Well, I guess I won't ask Spock what he's been up to lately! How far along are you?"
"About five months. It's a boy."
"Do Sirin and Rachel know?"
"Yes, but Esther and the kids don't. We're going to tell them in a week or two."
"Okay, we won't blab. Thanks for taking such good care of Karl and Chernal."
"You're welcome. I'm going to check out this package from Rachel, and then we need to get to the transporter. Spock's father is expecting us."
Nyota opened Rachel's bag, which contained two pairs of leggings and three loose tunics.
"God bless Rachel. My wardrobe issues are temporarily solved."
Nyota placed the garments in her luggage. They bid the family goodbye and headed for the transporter. They looked forward to a restful week with Sarek and T'Sela.