I don't own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. Now that I am freed from the pressure of writing the disclaimer, I proudly present the chapter!
Pride And Pressure II
Spock was very quiet all through dinner. He needed to talk with his family about Healer Thorgal's request, but to do so during the meal would have been inappropriate. However, everyone could sense his tension.
When they finished eating and the clean-up, Spock asked his family to join him in the great room. He told them of his conversation with the old healer and his dilemma. Sarek tried to allay some of Spock's fears.
"It is likely Selek has already provided a specimen. When the colony's sperm bank was set up, the Elders decreed that its purpose was to insure genetic diversity by collecting from as many different males as possible. A donation from an individual who is genetically identical to another would be pointless."
"I agree, Father. However, this can not logically be explained to Thorgal without also revealing Selek's origins, which only the Elders and a few others know. It must not be done without his consent."
"Let us contact him now, my son."
It had been nearly seventeen years, but Thorgal had not forgotten. He himself had argued against the procedure at first. At thirteen, Spock was not close to being sexually mature. However, the girl T'Pring's parents had insisted. There was no point in continuing the bond between the two youngsters if no offspring would result.
In the end, Thorgal had collected the specimen, or at least attempted to. Despite several attempts, he found nothing. It must have been quite painful for Spock, but he endured it without complaint or movement. Thorgal had expected the hybrid to cry out like a Human.
Thorgal did not obtain any sperm from the young male, however he did gather DNA. This he turned over to the VSA geneticists who had engineered the hybrid. Apparently all had not gone exactly as planned. Spock had some chronic health issues. He was also much more intelligent than anyone had anticipated him being, so much so that it fostered resentment among certain Vulcans who were already inclined toward bigotry. That son of an Earth woman should not even exist, let alone be more gifted than most Vulcan children! When his admission tests for school were administered at age four, Spock received one of the highest scores ever recorded, even higher than Sarek's. The same thing occurred when he applied to the VSA.
However, his intellect was not all that was extraordinary. Spock was also a strong telepath, whose abilities were beyond those of the average touch telepath. He was able to have some limited telepathic contact with persons he was not touching and did not share a bond with. If he were to exert his mental power, Spock might be able to influence others against their will. The ability had been discovered by accident when a taunting schoolmate attacked him. Spock had attached himself to the other boy's mind, forcing him to stop the assault. This resulted in Spock's punishment. Sarek had ordered his son to never use such tactics again.
However, Vulcan gossip traveled quickly and lasted long. Very soon the whole of the VSA knew of the incident, as many of their sons attended the same school. The geneticists wanted to know how a psi-null Human and a Vulcan of slightly above average telepathic skills could produce such a gifted offspring.
One of Thorgal's colleagues suggested that perhaps there was some gene from Spock's Human mother which enhanced the telepathic ability of Vulcans. This idea had been regarded as near blasphemy, and the young female who expressed it was censured. However, another explanation was never found, and the scientists who had been looking for it perished in the Genocide.
Yet, Spock survived and proved himself a valuable asset to all of his people. His gifts and talents needed to be perpetuated in offspring, not lost forever should the youngster perish in space. Surely such an intelligent and logical mind could understand this. Thorgal would have to convince Spock to do his duty.
Tranil sipped his evening tea and read the latest batch of adoption applications. The third one really captured his attention. Healer Sirin and his Terran bondmate were looking to adopt a male child, preferably a hybrid. Sirin was Elder T'Pau's grandson. Perhaps this family would be a good match for Torel. The boy was 6 years old, and a Vulcan-Romulan hybrid.
He had worked in the mine on Hellguard, but apparently not to his overseers' satisfaction. Someone had kicked the child in the chest, fracturing three ribs. They had been taped, but healed badly. Torel needed corrective surgery on his chest, and soon, before he grew much more. Currently, such surgery was not available on New Vulcan.
Despite his maltreatment, Torel was an amiable and trusting child. He was also quite intelligent. Tranil decided to contact Healer Sirin and inform him of a possible match.
Selek shook his head in amazement. T'Mardis planned a major overhaul of their living quarters, not just a slight rearrangement. In addition to the interior designer, she had also consulted with an architect. Three rooms would be added to the rear of the Inn, two for children and one as an office for Selek. He and T'Mardis would no longer need to share one. However, they would continue to share the bedroom.
His musings were interrupted by a call from Sarek.
"Greetings, Father."
"Greeting, Selek. We have a slight problem. Spock is being pressured by Thorgal to make his contribution to the colony's sperm bank."
"As I have already done so, his participation would be unnecessary."
"Thorgal does not know this. Spock did not believe he had liberty to give him an explanation for his refusal. To do so would have revealed your true identity."
"Spock need not concern himself. I will deal with the matter."
"There is a time constaint. Spock and Nyota will return to their ship the day after tomorrow."
"Then I will speak with Thorgal tomorrow. Live long and prosper, Father."
"Peace and long life, my son."
Selek sighed. He would have to tell Thorgal everything. Not many knew Selek's identity and origin, just his family, a few Starfleet personnel, and the other Elders. Some of them had wanted to hold the older Spock responsible for his failure to rescue Romulus, and ultimately for Vulcan's destruction. At a Council meeting, Elder Tovorek had even stated that if Selek had not been part Human, perhaps he would have been sucessful in his mission.
Tovorek had regreted that statement almost as soon as he made it. He had reacted out of grief and pain, wanting someone to blame. However, if an Elder was capable of such thoughts, surely others would be as well.
The older Spock had much to offer his people. He had knowledge of possible future events and technologies, plus the wisdom of nearly 160 years. He had used this to find a new home world for the surviving Vulcans. Yet, two Spocks in the same time line would be confusing. This universe belonged to the younger one and it would be unfair for him to have to walk in the older one's shadow.
So, Selek had been "born," and given the name that older Spock had once used during a previous excursion into the past. The clan records were altered, showing Selek to be the brother of Skon. Older Spock became his own great-uncle.
Nyota sat on the sofa, watching the downpour through the large plexiglass doors that lead to Sarek's patio. Selek had said he would speak to Thorgal, so Spock would most likely not have to submit a sperm sample.
However, the situation and her recent conversation with T'Pela had started Nyota to thinking. If both she and Spock survived to retirement, her Vulcan husband would likely outlive her. This fact was not new to her. She had tried to address the topic with Spock on several occasions, but he did not wish to discuss it.
"Nyota, we do not know what the future holds. My fate is not necessarily the same as Selek's. Our tastes and accomplishments are somewhat varied. Also, the universe has been altered. It is too soon to engage in discussions about the future."
And so the topic had been shelved for the time being. Spock did not want to imagine a life without Nyota anymore than she wanted to imagine him living with someone else. However, Selek's existence and T'Mardis' pregnancy were proof of the productive years that might lie ahead for Spock after her death. It seemed inevitable that another female would eventually carry Spock's child.
Rachel looked up from her PADD, surprised to see Sirin standing there. He was holding carry-out containers from their favorite Chinese restaurant.
"Hi there, handsome. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"We have been contacted by the orphange in New Shanni'Kahr. They have a possible match for us. If you are free for lunch, we can review the file together."
"Wow, that was fast, not even twelve hours. Let me finish up here and I'll be right with you."
T'Ameela had been straight with him. Bones could hardly expect a Vulcan to be otherwise. Her uncle Kerosh was offering family, stability, and financial support. She could have those things whether or not she accepted Kerosh's choice of a mate for her. T'Ameela would be able to focus fully on her studies.
However, Vorel was an ideal candidate for a bondmate, and the oldest of only three surviving males in his clan. If T'Ameela rejected him, his rich family would quickly find him someone else.
Though T'Ameela loved Bones dearly, she needed a commitment. Otherwise, Kerosh and the Council of Elders would pressure her to take a bondmate. Bones had to make a decision and soon.
Tranil had sent them video images of Torel, not just stills. Sirin and Rachel watched as the little boy rode a tricycle and read a story from a PADD. He was already mastering both Federation Standard and Vulcan. They also saw him struggle to swing a bat and run while playing baseball with the other children. His mishapen ribcage hampered his breathing.
However, the child's determination and good nature shone through in all he did. He would fit into their family without being overwhelmed by the other three children.
Rachel didn't need to see anymore.
"Let's contact the orphanage and tell them we're coming. I'll put in for leave. You do the same. Then we need to call Jack and arrange a consultation. Those ribs need fixed as soon as possible."
Sirin just nodded in total agreement. Torel belonged in their family.
Selek made the trip from New Sura'Kahr to New Shi'Kahr the next morning. Thorgal agreed to meet with him, as it would not do to refuse an Elder. He listened carefully to Selek's story, but had a few questions.
"Up until the Narada's entry into our universe, had this time line progressed identically to the one you came from?"
"No, Thorgal, there were some differences. Some key people were missing or filled different roles. Others had changed apperance."
Selek thought of his Jim, who had amber colored eyes, as opposed to the Jim of this universe. Likewise, his Dr. McCoy had blue eyes, but this one had brown.
"I see. Is this true of anyone related to you?"
Selek's Amanda had possessed blue eyes. His counterpart was constantly being reminded that he had inherited Amanda's large brown ones.
"It is true of my mother."
"Then perhaps you and the younger one are not identical. Has your DNA been compared, or merely an assumption been made?"
"It was the latter."
"Then before I can exclude Spock from the semen collection program, I will need to make such a comparison."
As Selek could find no fault with Thorgal's logic, he decided to inform Spock of the problem himself.
It was still raining, but not nearly as hard as the night before. Spock and Nyota borrowed raingear from Sarek and walked to Karel's tea shop, this time meeting Selek at an inside table. Few Vulcans cared to venture forth in wet weather, so they had the place to themselves.
"Spock, it may be that we are not identical after all. Our mothers were different in appearance. Thorgal wishes to test our DNA before excluding you from the program."
Spock thought about this for a moment. Such a request was logical. And if his DNA did not match Selek's, it would settle the question of alternate universes vs. alternate time lines.
"Very well. I find that I am curious to know the answer myself. There are some significant differences between us."
Spock had chosen to become a science officer, as had Selek. However, the younger one had concentrated his studies more on phonology and linguistics, while the older had worked more with computers. Both had taught at Star Fleet Academy, but Spock had done so at a much younger age. Though Selek was somewhat loathe to admit this, Spock's IQ had tested at 32 points higher.
When they had finished their tea, they walked to Thorgal's office in the rear of the New Shi'Kahr hospital. After a few moments wait, Thorgal's assistant summoned them to his office.
"Healer Thorgal, Spock and I have agreed to the DNA testing. Any other collections will wait, pending the outcome."
"I agree to these terms."
Thorgal called a nurse to collect blood samples from both Spock and Selek. When that was accomplished, he asked them all to wait while the tests were performed. About half an hour later, the results were in and Thorgal called them back to his office.
Thorgal showed them Selek's and Spock's DNA profiles side by side. There were slight differences. They were not genetically identical, not two versions of the exact same person. Selek had indeed come from an alternate universe, not just a later time.
Thorgal waited a moment for them to absorb the information.
"This means that Spock is not excused from doing his duty. At this point, compliance is voluntary, however the Elders may require it sometime in the future."
Spock looked at Nyota.
"I need to speak with my bondmate about this."
Selek had received the answers he needed, so he excused himself to return home. Thorgal led Spock and Nyota to a quiet room for their discussion, then left them alone.
"Nyota, what should I do?"
"Spock, I've actually been thinking a lot about this. It's important for your people to have as much diversity in the gene pool as possible. Thorgal is gonna hound us until he gets his donation. I think that you should give him a specimen. However, I'm gonna be the one to collect it. There's no way I'm letting that old goat anywhere near you with a needle."
"I will comply, then. However, there is another issue. Do we wish to be notified if a child is conceived as a result of my contribution?"
"Spock, that's one thing I would rather not know about. Perhaps we could have them place that information in your file in case you want to ask about it later."
Nyota did not say the words "after I'm dead," but Spock understood what she meant. He would do as she asked.
A/N: Spock made a telepathic suggestion to Sirah the Yang female in the TOS episode The Omega Glory. He also did this in A Taste Of Armageddon through a thick stone wall. No touching involved!