There are always wars and rumors of wars. However, to prevent any possible legal battles, I will inform you all of the following: I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings.
The Jorian War V
Holding peace talks on a starship was not without precedent. Jonathan Archer had done it and so had Christopher Pike. However, that fact didn't reassure Jim Kirk in the least. Any number of things could go wrong, and in his case, they usually did.
Sarek had presided over such negotiations before and knew it was in everyone's best interests to keep the delegations from the three planets small, no more than four or five persons each. Guran and his adviser Roleg would represent Nalthus, accompanied by two security guards. After a brief time of preparation, they were beamed to the Enterprise and given guest quarters. Then a course was set for Erdrusia.
Queen Viella would bring her Head of Council Doshen, Lady Felda, Baby Jiver, and two guards. Guran was hoping to have a visit with his little son, whom he had only seen once. However, the Queen was noncommittal.
"We shall see. It all depends upon Guran's attitude."
Shrelb was feeling somewhat guilty about embarrassing Spock. He went through his personal data files and downloaded several dozen images of his Vulcan friend, many dating back to when the boys were five or six years old. Shrelb knew that most of the images Sarek and Amanda had taken were destroyed along with Vulcan. He would give copies to Sarek to help him recover some of what had been lost and to Nyota so she could compare her growing son to his father.
T'Mardis' little ship was quite impressive. The family made the journey from New Shannai'Kahr to New Sura'Kahr in only a few minutes. Selek set them down in an empty field behind the Inn. Staff appeared almost immediately to carry their bags and show them the way.
T'Mardis waited for them inside. Selek made the introductions and led them to a large, private suite where a child-friendly lunch awaited them. T'Mardis thought that they would all be much more comfortable away from the stares of other diners. A family of seven was a rarity on New Vulcan, as was having four children under ten years of age. Mixed species couples, however, were becoming a far more common sight.
Afterward, there was still a bit of time before they had to meet Healer Sertok . T'Mardis decided to take the ladies and kids to enjoy the sun room while Selek and Sirin chatted.
"Selek, I had so many questions that I wanted to ask you. However, some seem rather trivial now. I can not fathom the scope of your loss. You have lost more than most, including your identity."
"It is true, Sirin. However DNA scans have proved that Spock and I are not identical. This gives me hope that my family and Vulcan still exist in the universe that I left. I believe that the worm hole brought me to an alternate universe. However, that portal has been destroyed. There is no way for me to return home. I have found solace with T'Mardis and the daughter that she carries. I find my teaching position at the university to be quite challenging."
"Selek, what was I like in the other universe? Was I also without logic?"
"You have fared much better in this universe, already escaping a most unfortunate fate. My Sirin died young on Terra, finding none to assist him when he entered Pon Farr. He hid himself away in a cottage in the New Mexican dessert, where his body was found some time afterward. He left no children and was never reconciled to any of his family."
Sirin silently counted his blessings. He could not imagine his life without his family or dying alone and unloved.
Queen Viella was fascinated with the interior of the ship. She thought them quite elegant and complimented Jim frequently as he gave her a brief tour on the way to her guest quarters.
"Your ship is so beautiful and your crew looks so nice in their bright uniforms."
"Why, thank you very much Your Royal Highness. I had nothing to do with either the décor or the uniform design. They were chosen by specialists at Starfleet Command. I'm glad you like them, though. Most people find a starship rather sterile and impersonal. Ah, here we are at your guest quarters."
Queen Viella's quarters were the nicest and largest available on board, with two sleeping areas. The smaller room had been designated for Felda. A crib and changing table had been borrowed from the childcare center for Baby Jiver.
The Erdrusian monarch examined everything in minute detail, very impressed with the "luxurious" accommodations.
Nyota took her lunch break with Sarek. Spock was having a very busy afternoon and not likely to get away for several hours. This gave his bondmate and father the opportunity to spend time together and discuss the photo images Shrelb had given them.
"Father, when was this taken?"
Nyota had indicated a photo of four small boys playing near a fountain while their mothers kept watch. Spock was bundled up against the weather, recognizable only by his eyes and freckles.
"That was in Paris in 2238, near the UFP Headquarters. The boys enjoyed walking on the edge of that fountain, or at least they did until Kehel fell in. He became chilled and contracted a lung infection. A few years passed before his grandfather Krass brought him on another diplomatic mission."
Nyota continued to scroll through the images. Most were self-explanatory, Spock and two or three of his friends at various diplomatic functions, or playing on the Embassy grounds in San Francisco. Nyota's attention was captured by a photo of a very young Vulcan male in formal attire dancing with an Andorian child.
"Oh my! What was this occasion?"
"Ah, that was a ball held at the Andorian Embassy in San Francisco. Spock was thirteen, wearing his first tuxedo and dancing his first waltz with Shrelb's sister Tireth. He handled himself quite well. Here is another of him dancing with Amanda."
"Sarek, what a beautiful smile she had."
"Yes, I miss it still."
Sarek took a moment to compose himself. There was no point in dwelling upon his losses.
"Now this one was taken in Golden Gate Park the following year. Spock had enjoyed quite a growth spurt that summer..."
Torel bravely submitted to yet another medical examination. Healer Sertok wanted to be certain of his diagnosis before prescribing medication, especially such a strong drug for a small child. However, Sirin's assessment of Torel's lung function had been correct.
Sertok was in complete agreement with Sirin and Rachel on the best course of treatment for Torel. He obtained a large supply of the broncodilator the child would need and also suggested some herbs and a chest rub, as well as a mask to be worn when Torel played outside.
"The child is fortunate in that he did not work in the mines long enough to have his lungs filled with dilithium dust. I have examined several of the other young miners who will have breathing issues for the rest of their lives because of it."
While the Enterprise was en route to Joria, a distress call came in from Duke Germish.
"The Prophet Issow is quite ill. He is Queen Janna's brother. Her Majesty respectfully requests that you ship's physician examine him to determine whether anything can be done for him."
Bones nodded his consent to Jim.
"Lt. Uhura, please send a message to the Jorian royal family. Our physician would be honored to examine the Prophet. Please expect our arrival within the hour."
Because Nyota spoke Jorian, she was assigned to Queen Viella, who was very curious about every aspect of life aboard a starship. Due to the starkness of Viella's upbringing, many things that Nyota considered routine seemed luxuries to the queen. Viella had never seen a coat hanger or a replicator before. She was absolutely astounded when Nyota ordered tea and it appeared almost instantly.
"That is absolutely amazing."
Nyota was dumbfounded. Everything on the Enterprise was powered by dilithium. Queen Viella was practically surrounded by it on Erdrusia.
"Well, this is just a small replicator with limited capability. The ones in the Rec Room are larger and have many more programming options."
"Nyota, would it be possible for me to see them?"
"Certainly. It's almost lunch time anyway."
Nyota led Queen Viella, Felda, and Baby Jiver to the Main Rec Room/Dining Area, where Hamed and his crew were just setting up lunch. Crew members who were short of time or didn't like what was being served obtained full meals from the replicators. Nyota replicated a bowl of vegetarian minestrone soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for Viella to try.
"It's real food. I can't believe it."
While the Queen was occupied, her estranged husband Guran entered with his party. He walked up to the table and held out his arms.
"Please let me see my son."
Viella was uncertain as to what to do. Guran had not seen Jiver since the child was a mere ten days old, almost a year ago. Jiver would have no memory of his father and might be frightened. However, she did not wish to seem heartless, especially in front of so many witnesses.
"Very well, Guran However, you must remain close by in case he becomes upset. He does not know you."
Guran moved a seat next to the highchair Jiver was sitting in. He offered his little son one of the pieces of fruit that Nelda had been giving the child. After a few moments, father and son were making a game of hiding the fruit chunks. This was followed by peek-a-boo. Then Guran removed Jiver from his seat and bounced him on his knee.
Viella observed them the entire time. Guran did not seem stern at all. He had once told her that there could be a happy medium between the strict upbringing she had suffered as a child and the lawlessness that the Erdrusian children were subject to.
Viella missed Guran greatly and knew that her child would be much better off with a father than without. She had much to consider.
Dr. Leonard McCoy was not pleased at all. His scans of the Prophet Issow revealed dilithium dust in the man's lungs had lead to scar tissue and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. Issow also had toxic levels of dilithium in his blood and some unusual lesions in his brain.
He explained his findings to Issow and the royal family, who all listened carefully. Queen Janna was particularly concerned for her brother.
"What can be done for him?"
"I can treat the COPD, but not cure it. He will always have some hampered lung function. Drug therapy will cure the dilithium toxicity. However, the brain lesions are worrisome. I would like to take Prophet Issow to our medical facilities aboard the ship in order to run a more detailed scan."
Issow was unwilling at first.
"Janna, I want to die in my own bed, not on a starship among strangers."
"Don't be a fool. Perhaps the doctor can save your life. Besides, as your queen, I order you to comply with your physician's recommendations."
"Yes, my Queen." Issow seemed resigned to his fate.
Rachel and Esther watched as the children all piled on top of Sirin, who had pretended to be napping on the floor. Even little T'Lonna had gotten in on the action by grabbing at her father's toes. Torel's breathing was much improved. He and Jason decided they'd had enough of picking on Sirin, so they started a pillow fight instead.
The adults allowed the kids to burn up some of their excess energy before retiring. Selek would take them all to Tauril and T'Pau's home in the morning. The two Elders would most likely not tolerate such horseplay, nor would there be much room for it.
King Gerlhu, Duke Germish, and two of their palace guards had beamed aboard the Enterprise. Queen Janna had also come along with her brother Issow so he would not be alone among strangers.
Gerlhu had requested that they negotiations not begin until the following morning, after Dr. McCoy had completed the scans of Issow's brain. All the parties involved agreed to this. Even with all their disagreements, Issow was family and related to them all.
Everyone waited for Dr. McCoy's findings. It didn't take very long. He summoned King Gerlhu and Queen Janna to Issow's bedside.
"I have good news and bad news. The good news is that the lesions were caused by long term exposure to dilithium radiation. I can cure them. The bad news is that they've been pressing on a region of Prophet Issow's brain which can cause delusions and hallucinations.
The royal family did not know how to respond. Finally Issow spoke up.
"So it may be that I have never spoken to the Creator at all. I may have done all of our people a great disservice."