I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profits from my writing. I tell you this because I prefer not to be sued.
Preferences II
Tovorek had called an emergency meeting of the Council of Elders. They listened as he related the tale of the three intrepid women and the spies they had escaped from. The Elders were intrigued by the supposed existence of more Artifacts and outraged that Vulcans had been killed, enslaved, and sexually abused. If even one still lived on Hellguard, a rescue mission must be attempted. It was preferable to have Starfleet do the job, but if they refused, a rescue would still be undertaken.
Nyota's crocheting was the talk of T'Pau's knitting workshop. T'Pau had taken the pink sweater set Nyota made for baby T'Shana to the class for her students to examine. Many of them wished to learn the technique, so crochet hooks and patterns were replicated and Nyota held her own workshop the next day.
While she and T'Sela were thus occupied, Spock and his father went to pick up the custom made boots
Sarek had ordered as a gift for Spock. They fit perfectly, which pleased Sarek as he had paid extra to have them completed before Spock and Nyota left New Vulcan.
As they left the shoemaker's shop, a display of hand-carved wooden toys in the window of another shop captured Spock's attention. There were many small animals, ones native to the planet of his birth.
"These are very well made, Father. I will purchase a few for my son."
Spock actually bought ten of the miniature wooden beasts and a set of wooden blocks with the Vulcan alphabet and numbers carved into the sides."
"Father, I would prefer that you not tell Nyota of my purchase. We have recently had a "discussion" about the number of baby items she has been acquiring from various on-line sources. I will hide these in my luggage."
Tovorek explained the whole situation to Pike, beginning with the Artifacts the Tragans had been guarding and ending with the capture of the spies at Starbase 7. Pike was not entirely certain that Starfleet should get involved in the search for more Artifacts, but he also knew if the Vulcans' request was ignored, they would attempt to take matters into their own hands.
There was no question in his mind that Hellguard most be located and any survivors of that horrid place rescued. Pike preferred to keep the whole affair as quiet as possible. The fewer people in the know, the better, so this would have to be a job for Kirk and Spock. They were already hip deep in this mess.
Pike contacted Admiral Holt, the Base Commander of Starbase 7. The two Romulan spies were about to be released from Sickbay and taken to the Brig.
"What's your pleasure, Chris?"
"Bill, I want you to put our two Romulan buddies in solitary confinement. I'd also prefer that that as few people as possible know about their presence. The situation is complicated and I'll need to interrogate them myself."
"You got it."
"Thanks. Pike out."
Holt sighed. He didn't know what was going on behind the scenes and he much preferred to keep it that way. Holt liked things neat and orderly. Anything involving Romulans had the potential to be messy.
"C'mon, Bones, hurry up. We're gonna be late."
"No, Jim, we're not. I'm almost ready now. I just need to use the dermal repair kit on one more spot."
"Yeah, you really don't want to show up at Sarek's place covered in hickeys."
"Truth be told, I don't really want to show up at Sarek's place at all. I'd prefer to spend the evening with T'Ameela."
"You're not getting too serious about her, I hope. We're supposed to leave here in a couple of days."
"No, it's not gonna last, she's a little too much woman for me. Makes me want to take back most of the nasty things I've said about Vulcans. It turns out that they are very passionate creatures, not to mention strong. You wouldn't believe what that girl can do with her.....Well, maybe you would. However, this Georgia boy knows enough to make hay while the sun shines."
Bones put the kit back in his bag.
"Okay, all done. Let's get to the beam down point."
As far as Vilas and Hurev were concerned, the food in the brig left a lot to be desired. They were Romulans, not Vulcans. Yet meal after meal they were served nothing but vegetables and bread. Hurev especially would have preferred some meat. He'd never gotten to finish that corn dog!
O'Neal's Protection Services arrived in New Sura'Kahr ten minuted ahead of schedule. Caseworkers from the Immigration Ministry were on hand to assist all who needed it. One of them, Tarsel, had been assigned to Shirela. She had no known living relatives, no job, and no education to speak of. However, she was of particular interest to the Elders, so special consideration would be given her.
Tarsel took Shirela to dinner at the New Sura'Kahr Inn. She would sleep there for the night and be given a dormitory room the next day. Food, clothing and other necessities would have to be procured for her, and she would need to be enrolled in adult education classes. As her case worker, Tarsel would be responsible to see to all of her needs.
Ordinarily, it would have been the agency's preferred policy to have a female case worker assigned to Shirela, but none were available. Tarsel would do the best he could.
T'Vora's Aunt T'Shilah was waiting for her at the terminal. They recognized each other immediately, as there was a strong family resemblance. T'Shilah escorted her niece to her small apartment above the seamstress' shop. A sumptuous meal and a soft bed awaited her. T'Shilah would get T'Vora registered for classes in the morning.
Rhurin, his three sisters, and T'Luris would spend the night at the Inn. The girls' bondmates would come in the morning, accompanied by an Elder to oversee the bondings. Rhurin's sisters would then depart with their bondmates. Rhurin and T'Vora would go to their new homestead after the contract for it was signed. T'Luris would also need adult education classes, but there was no hurry.
As Jim and Bones walked up the pathway to Sarek's house, they couldn't help but notice the packages littering the front steps. There was a woman behind them with another one. Jim rang the door chime, causing her to nearly run up to the house, leave her bundle, and scurry away.
Spock opened the door.
"Welcome Jim and Leonard. Please come in."
"Thanks, Spock. Did you know that there are packages all over your dad's front step? Bones and I nearly scared the life out of a lady who was dropping off another one."
"Those would be more baby gifts, I expect. The people of New Shi'Kahr have been leaving them anonymously the past few days to thank us for the concert we gave at the Community Park. Excuse me while I gather them."
"Jim and I will give you a hand with that. There's quite a few."
They brought at least two dozen small packages into the house and set them in a pile in the family room."
Nyota shook her head.
"Spock, they must think we're having more than one baby. I think we've got more than we can use. Perhaps we should donate some of it to the Immigration Ministry. I've heard that many of the new arrivals don't have much in the way of material possessions."
"That is an excellent idea, beloved. However, it is time for dinner and then afterward we will have Jim's adoption."
T'Ameela sat at dinner with Selek and T'Mardis. She had sought out their counsel concerning the situation with Dr. McCoy.
"I have been foolish. Never in my life have I done such a thing before, allowed emotion and attraction to rule over me. I know that he can not stay here and I have no place on a starship. I am looking for a permanent relationship, a bondmate. Is there an acceptable way for me to tell him this, one that will not result in a negative emotional response on his part? I would prefer not to cause him distress."
T'Mardis has no counsel for her friend and employee, so she looked to her husband.
"T'Ameela, the Doctor is aware of all of these things. He will surely miss you when he leaves, but he also knows that he could not give you all that you require. Tell him just what you have told me. I am certain that the two of you will remain friends."
"Thank you, Selek. Your wisdom is appreciated."
Jim was quite relieved to know that his adoption was simply a matter of T'Pau recording his name in the clan registry. He had feared there might be some sort of ceremony involving mind melds and itchy robes.
When he whispered this to Spock, the Vulcan did not entirely conceal his amusement.
"We will get you an "itchy" robe at some point, Jim. However, it will take the tailor quite a long time to embroider S'chn T'gai James Tiberius Kirk cha Sarek on the front of it."
"Hey, I just realized something. Your father just adopted me, which makes me your brother. When your son is born, I really will be his uncle."
"Quite true, Jim."
"Awesome! Uncle Jim!"
Jim's happiness was interrupted his comm link. It was Admiral Pike. Jim excused himself to the patio to take the call.
"What can I do for you, Admiral?"
"In two days, we will leave New Vulcan orbit and make tracks for Starbase 7. The Enterprise will be going on a very important and top secret mission."
"Understood. Kirk out."
A/N: Please forgive the delayed update. Spring has finally arrived in Southeastern Virginia, USA! The daffodils are out, the pear trees are blooming, and it's too nice to stay in and sit at my computer. Happy spring to you all!