What a fan fic writer needs is a good disclaimer, one that says she doesn't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor does she make any profit from her writings. That's still the secret to not getting sued!
Secrets V
"New Vulcan Immigration Ministry now serving number 87."
Shirela's number had finally come up. She tried to enter the Immigration Office, but was stopped by Pennington and the Starbase Security Chief, Commander Rossi.
"Ma'am, we'll have to debrief you concerning your part in all of this."
"But my number has been called. I have been waiting for hours. I will have to start all over again if I lose my place."
Pennington thought for a moment.
"Maybe one of us should go with her, put her in protective custody."
"Well, I guess that would work. You go with her and I'll talk to the others."
Pennington escorted Shirela to her appointment. He patiently explained to the clerk, whose name was Tanar, that Shirela was a witness in a case involving suspected Romulan spies. Tanar was new at his job and had no idea how to handle such a complicated case.
"Perhaps it would be best if I got my supervisor, Tolvin."
Tanar disappeared for a moment and then led them to a quiet corner office. Tolvin offered them tea and chairs.
"I understand that there are complications with an ongoing espionage investigation. Are there other immigrants involved?"
"Two other women have come with me."
"Perhaps it would be more efficient if I interviewed all of you at once. Do you know the numbers they were assigned?"
"Yes, 88 and 89."
Tolvin had T'Luris and T'Vora paged. His day had just gotten much more interesting.
Both Vilas and Hurev had been taken to the starbase hospital and placed under heavy guard. Vilas had a severe concussion and was unconscious. The poison in Shirela's pendant had degraded some after years of storage. It was no longer deadly, but Hurev would have permanent nerve and muscle damage to his leg. He refused to even speak to any Federation representative.
Commander Rossi debriefed Chernal and the rest of the family. No charges would be filed against the old woman. In fact, if Rossi had his way, he'd get her a medal. He and his team took testimony from no less than fifty witnesses. God bless those Vulcans and their photographic memories.
Rhurin and his sisters had all been debriefed and then had their interviews with the Immigration Ministry. T'Luris and the others still had not returned. Rhurin escorted his sisters to the hotel room the Ministry had provided and then hurried back to the bench in front of the office. He hoped that he had not missed her. Rhurin wanted to meet with T'Luris again. There were questions he needed to ask, such as why were the Romulans chasing her, and whether she had a bond-mate.
Tolvin sat in his chair, riveted. Shirela told her tale and the other two women attested to the truth of everything she said. He entered their names and those of their mothers into his database. T'Vora had an aunt living in New Sura'Khar. T'Luris was actually a distant cousin of Tolvin's.
However, Tolvin still had some questions, most specifically about the artifacts that Orinar had given them.
"Please tell me again of the artifacts that Orinar gave you."
"He said that they were really worthless old things he had found in a hole on some abandoned world. He threw in a battered scroll for good measure, plus a piece of the broken pottery jar it came in. There were other such things lying in the storeroom on Caldena."
"Might I see these articles?"
The three women each opened their duffels and produced their share of the "junk" Orinar had given them. They waited while Tolvin examined them in minute detail.
"Fascinating. These artifacts may be genuine, dating from the time of Surak. I will need to contact the Cultural Minister regarding their proper treatment."
Pennington could not help himself. He burst out laughing. The joke was on Orinar.
Tolvin contacted Minister Tovorek and told him of the story of the three Vulcan-Romulan women and the Artifacts they had brought with them contacts. He also mentioned the possibility of more such items on Caldena."
"Tolvin, do you have some expertise in ancient artifacts?"
"I was an archeology student at the Vulcan Cultural Institute, in my final year at the time of the Genocide. My academic adviser Professor T'Sela can verify this for you."
"Very well. See that the women are comfortable and well cared for. It may be that we owe them a great debt. I shall contact you with further instructions."
Tovorek was very busy for the next few hours. He contacted T'Sela to verify Tolvin's credentials. She did so readily.
"Tolvin was one of my best students. It would actually be quite helpful to have him here to assist me with my work. My daughter will be born soon and I will need to take maternity leave."
"I will try to make that happen, T'Sela."
When he contacted the rest of the Council of Elders, they agreed that Shirela, T'Luris, and T'Vora should be given lodging, education, and economic compensation at the expense of the New Vulcan government. They would be safely delivered to New Vulcan by a private security firm, part of another larger group of immigrants.
Next, Tovorek contacted the Immigration Minister, Svosh. He arranged for Tolvin to be immediately transferred to the employ of the Cultural Ministry. Two hours later, Tolvin, his bond-mate Resha, and the Artifacts were on their way to New Vulcan, courtesy of a private security firm.
Tovorek was quite satisfied with all he had accomplished. He would even be on time for his dinner with Ardana.
Rhurin was still sitting on the bench outside the Immigration Ministry Office when Pennington escorted the three ladies next door to the Starbase Security Office. No words were exchanged, but T'Luris knew that Rhurin would be waiting for her when the interview was over.
Admiral Holmes was waiting for the three ladies and Pennington. They repeated the whole story for him. He was impressed with their cool heads and ingenuity. No lives had been lost, and the Federation now possessed a cloaking device and three transponders. These would be studied and reproduced.
Commander Rossi had researched the registration history of the small Vulcan trading vessel. Before it had been captured by pirates, it had originally been registered to Shirela's grandfather. It was quite possible that Starfleet would turn it to her once the cloaking device had been removed and Security had swept it for evidence.
The three women were released from protective custody with the gratitude of the Federation. The New Vulcan Immigration Ministry would be putting them up in a posh suite at the hotel.
Commander Rossi was quite impressed with Petty Officer Knowles' observation skills. He mentioned this to the Admiral, who promoted him to Chief Petty Officer and transferred him to Starbase Security.
Rhurin accompanied T'Luris and her sisters to their suite. The pair talked long into the might and decided that they had very similar like goals. Rhurin had a homestead awaiting him on New Vulcan. They greed to become bond-mates before the Elders picked others for them.
Spock and Nyota had borrowed Sarek's new hovercycle for their trip to New Shannai'Kahr. Their little concert was a big success. Afterward, they hurried home to help T'Sela with dinner. T'Pau was expected.
T'Pau had been away from New Shi'Kahr for several days, officiating at bonding ceremonies. What she once did only for her own family she must now do for others. She trains the young, as well, that they may replace her. There are few Elders left, but her people's ancient ways will live on.
T'Pau arrived a little early, so she went to chat with Sarek in his workshop. He showed the harps and cradles he was working on for his new daughter and grandson. Then he carried T'Pau tote bag into the house for her.
T'Sela and Nyota were finishing the dinner preparations. Spock had been playing some music for them on his harp when T'Sela asked Nyota a question.
"Last night, you and Sarek were exchanging amusing stories about Spock. I enjoyed those very much, but I did not understand something. Who is Elvis?"
Nyota laughed a bit. "Elvis was a Terran Rock and Roll singer from the mid 20th century. He was so popular that when he died, people refused to believe it. Some nearly worshiped him. His recordings are still enjoyed today. He had a distinctive style and a beautiful voice."
T'Sela considered this. "Perhaps one day, I shall hear Elvis."
Spock shifted his harp a bit. "I am not Elvis, but I once sang like him for a Starfleet talent competition. My commanding officer required everyone to to sing an Elvis song in their native language. It was somewhat difficult to do. I was most embarrassed, however, you are family."
Spock began an incredible rendition of Love Me Tender in Vulcan. He sounded a lot like Elvis. The trio did not observe Sarek and T'Pau standing in the doorway.
When the song had concluded, T'Pau spoke. "I have not heard an Elvis song for many years. I never thought to hear one in my own tongue. Spock, that was most enjoyable. The command performance of which thee spoke, was it ordered by Admiral Archer? I once spent some time with him. He introduced me to Elvis' music."
"No, Grandmother. Captain Pike ordered it, though Admiral Archer was on board at the time."
"And did thee win this competition?"
"Yes, I did. First prize, a music player."
After their dinner, they all sat in the family room. T'Pau gave Nyota a beautiful nursing shawl she had knitted herself. It is in a soft shade of pale green. T'Sela showed T'Pau the pink sweater and cap Nyota has made for T'Shana. It had been produced with a technique T'Pau had never seen before. She and Nyota sat side by side on the sofa, the younger woman teaching the older one something called crocheting.
Spock sang a few more Elvis songs for his grandmother. Then the conversation turned to T'Pau's recent activities.
"Grandmother, what have you been doing these last few days?"
"Spock, I have been performing bonding ceremonies and training others to do them."
"Bonding ceremonies? Did you join anyone we know?"
"As a matter of fact, I did. My friend Chernal was concerned that Jack and Lewis had never had a proper bonding ceremony, so one was conducted for them. It was a reasonable request, as Chernal has been given Vulcan citizenship and has adopted Jack and Lewis into her clan."
"Grandmother, this is fascinating. How does one bond two psi-null Humans?"
"It is mostly ceremonial. They touched each others' minds briefly through me. They seemed to find it very enjoyable.
When Vilas finally regained consciousness, he found himself shackled to a bed in the ICU of the Starbase 7 medical facilities. He had a lot of thinking to do about the course his life would follow. At present it was difficult, because his brain hurt.
If he stayed on this side of the Neutral Zone, he would face prison and have to live in hiding upon his release. He would be branded a traitor, whether or not he acted as one.
However, there was no future for him in the Romulan Empire. Vilas faced execution if he somehow managed to return. He had been discovered as a spy and lost the women he was supposed to keep track of. The small ship, cloaking device and transponders had fallen into Federation hands. And worst of all, an arthritic old woman in a wheelchair had beaten him senseless with her cane.