I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. The Jorian War is over with, Baby Azizi will be coming soon!
The Jorian Peace
It would have seemed impossible the previous week, but all three parties were sitting at the negotiation table, highly motivated to work things out. As most of their disputes with Erdrusia and Nalthus had been based on a religious delusion, the Jorians decided some concessions were in order.
Duke Germish listed them.
"We will send no more troops nor will we demand tribute. All claims to both Erdrusia and Nalthus are hereby withdrawn. We will not interfere in the political or religious life of either world. Instead we ask that Erdrusia and Nalthus form a union with us for our mutual benefit, a trade alliance."
"Each world has items absent on the other two. Our alliance could then make petition for membership in the United Federation of Planets. We would then sell our dilithium only to worlds with UFP membership."
Sarek looked around the table. Neither the Erdrusians nor the Nalthusians seemed to be making any objections to this. Sarek suggested that they all take a short break from the negotiations, so that each delegation could discuss Duke Germish's proposal.
T'Sela felt in need of an outing, so she placed baby T'Shana in her stroller and raised the sun shield. In truth, she wanted to see how Tauril and T'Pau were faring in their crowded household. Mother and daughter traveled the short distance to the Elders' home. The sounds of laughing children could be heard from the backyard.
As T'Sela pushed the little one up the walkway, T'Relah approached her.
"May I speak with you, Lady T'Sela? It concerns Ambassador Sarek's parents."
T'Sela sighed inwardly. T'Relah was known to be a busybody."
"You may speak for a moment, but I must get my child out of the heat soon."
"Thank you, my lady. I am concerned for their mental health. There has been much disruption here of late. First the adoption of the orphans, then the construction project, and now they are being visited by some very undisciplined children. I can not help but wonder what might occur next."
T'Sela was angry now. She calmed herself and prepared a defense of her family.
"Elders T'Pau and Tauril have made an honorable choice. They are raising orphaned children of partial Vulcan heritage even though both are past the typical child-rearing age. They are also temporarily housing family members who have done the same. Any disruption in the neighborhood's routine will pass in a few days when the visitors return to Terra."
"By the way, T'Relah, what service are you rendering to the colony and to those who are without kindred?"
T'Relah had no response. She and Kruneth labored at their pottery business but had done little volunteer work since their shop had opened.
"If you will excuse me, then."
T'Sela continued up the walkway and rang the door chime.
The Erdrusians and Nalthusians readily agreed to the Jorian terms, both recognizing the value of a trading alliance and Federation membership. Guran was particularly pleased that Queen Viella would no longer be trading with the Ferengi. Perhaps they might come to an understanding on other matters as well.
It was Sipel who saw the major obstacles to the trade alliance's Federation membership. He explained the issues to all present.
"Under UFP labor laws, workers from member worlds must have proper safety equipment to protect their health. In the case of dilithium miners, this consists of masks, gloves, and sturdy, protective clothing. Kehel's interviews with the Erdrusian miners have shown that such safety equipment is lacking."
"I recommend that the equipment be upgraded as much as possible before the petition is presented to the UFP General Assembly for a vote. This would demonstrate concern for the miners' health and rights. I believe that Kehel can supply a list of venders who sell Federation approved safety equipment."
"Further, I also recommend an inspection of the mining conditions on Joria. Any deficiencies there would also need to be addressed before the petition for UFP membership is presented."
Sipel's suggestions were adopted by all the involved parties. Sarek suggested that they adjourn so that a preliminary membership petition could be drafted. As they were still in Jorian orbit, Kehel would take a team and inspect the mine conditions there.
Queen Viella was glad to get away from the negotiations. Kehel had provided her with the safety equipment catalogs that she needed. It was all a bit overwhelming. Guran's mine workers all had the best equipment available. She would seek out her husband's advice. Perhaps it would be a first step in a reconciliation.
The young queen also came to another realization. Though the Erdrusian colony was small, its Royal Council was even smaller, consisting of just five members. Perhaps if she had enjoyed the benefit of more advisers, she would not have made such foolish decisions. Doshen, the Head of Council always agreed with whatever the queen had wanted to do, no matter the consequences to the people. Erdrusia needed a Natural Resources Minister, someone to make the day to day decisions while keeping the people's best interests in mind.
T'Sela had invited the whole family for dinner. That way they could have a comfortable visit, as Sarek and T'Sela's home was somewhat larger. Besides, T'Pau seemed a bit fatigued and could definitely use a break.
Again, Sirin was struck by the differences between Sarek's old home and the new one. The ancient, ancestral home with its stone walls and floors was gone. The home had been constructed from several prefabricated modules, joined together. There were no servants here, though T'Sela occasionally hired help when diplomats were visiting. The ancestral home had been supplied with a staff of at least a dozen.
Yet this home was inviting, warm and comfortable in a way that the old estate had not been. Sirin watched as the children played happily on the floor of the family room. Tauril held T'Lonna and Hannah on his lap as he told them yet another story.
However, the idyllic scene was interrupted as Torel had another instance of difficult breathing. The episodes were coming more frequently and of longer duration. Sirin and Rachel were becoming quite concerned.
Kehel and Spock took a team of scientists and engineers down to the planet's surface, spending two days observing and inspecting various Jorian dilithium mines. Though they worked long shifts and had poor rest facilities, the workers actually had good quality safety equipment and nearly all of them wore it faithfully. Managers and supervisors seemed to be the exception to the rule.
Some found the equipment bothersome. Others wanted to make a physical distinction between themselves and the laborers, so not wearing safety equipment was almost a type of status symbol.
When Kehel discovered this, he asked Dr. McCoy to perform some scans of the supervisors who had been on the job the longest. The results were frightening. Anyone who had been on the job for ten years or more had some type of dilithium related health issue.
This made the good doctor curious as to the health of Jorians who received secondary exposure, such as wives who handled their husbands' dusty coveralls and lunch pails. Bones expressed these concerns to Admiral Pike and Jim over coffee in the Officer's Lounge.
"Gentlemen, the Enterprise simply doesn't have the resources to run all those health screenings. Potentially, thousands of individuals might be involved. The miners wear their coveralls home to be washed. This exposes their wives and kids to dilithium dust. I recommend that a team from Starfleet Medical Corps be deployed to Joria. They can bring in extra scanning equipment and blood analyzers."
Pike nodded.
"Okay, I'll contact the powers that be and make it happen. This whole thing has become such a mess. I'm getting my own dilithium headache."
The three old friends sat in Shras' quarters, working the petition for the Jorian Alliance's UFP membership. Sarek, Shras, and Korem had all been through the process many times before, so they knew each other's strengths and weaknesses. Sarek was adept at finding the benefits to a world that sought membership, but could not always see what was in the best interest of the Federation. Korem was usually able to do this, but the subtleties of language often escaped him. Shras was quite the wordsmith, a respected poet on Andor, but more interested in the Federation's potential profit than the needs of a potential member world.
However, the three of them together were balanced, operating like a well-oiled machine. In three working sessions they had drafted a proposal that they felt most of the Federation member worlds would agree to. If the Jorian alliance held up their end of the bargain, providing their citizens with adequate safety gear and health care, admittance to the Federation was essentially a given.
Queen Viella preferred taking her meals in the Rec Room. She liked the family atmosphere and the easy fellowship most of the starship crew had with each other. She had not enjoyed such relationships growing up.
The young queen was especially fond of observing Counselor La Plante and her family. Her husband Simon was helpful with the children, seeming to do his share of feeding and diaper changes. At three years old, Jeffrey could sometimes be a handful, especially when he didn't want to do something.
"I don't want to eat my veggies! I want ice cream now!"
Jeffrey pounded on the table and then kicked it for emphasis. His father glared at him but stood his ground.
"Jeffrey, if you don't eat your vegetables, you won't grow up to be big, healthy, and strong enough to serve in Starfleet. You won't ever get tall enough to see into Commander Spock's microscope without a step stool. And, if you kick the table again, you might spill everyone's food and drink. If that happens, I will take you back to our quarters, whether you're hungry or not. You won't get any ice cream for two weeks. Understood?"
"Yes, Daddy."
Jeffrey meekly picked up his fork and ate his vegetables.
"Thank you, son. That's much better."
Simon ruffled Jeffery's hair as he spoke. Jeffrey smiled and the momentary unpleasantness was forgotten.
Just that morning Felda had told her queen of the family she and T'Vessya had witnessed in the marketplace, the jealous little girl who had injured her older sister because she had been raised without boundaries.
Queen Viella realized that her husband was right. Children needed discipline. It could be achieved without harshness or cruelty. Queen Viella owed Guran a big apology.
Nyota sighed with relief as she finally made it back to her quarters. She and T'Vessya had spent a long day translating the diplomatic party's membership proposal into Jorian. Despite sitting in a chair that kept her feet elevated, they were quite swollen by the end of the session. She had a headache and her back was killing her. Nyota collapsed on the couch, too tired to change out of her uniform or even move. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep for about an hour, only to be awakened by her unborn child kicking her in the bladder.
When she emerged from the bathroom, Spock was setting out the dinner he had picked up from the Rec Room. She gave him a tired smile.
"Your son has been very active today."
"I will have to calm him, then."
Spock put his hand on Nyota's stomach and spoke soothingly to his child. The baby was less active and Nyota was able to eat her dinner in peace. Afterward, Spock helped her change into her nightgown and made her a foot bath with the herbs T'Mena had prescribed. After a half hour of soaking, Nyota was again sound asleep. Spock moved her to the bed and marked off another day on the old-fashioned paper calendar on their bedroom wall. Six more weeks to go!
King Gerlhu knew his people well. They were too concerned about possible dilithium-related health issues to cause much of a protest over false prophecies. Nearly a third of the Jorian population was employed in some aspect of dilithium mining. Most were relieved to hear that Starfleet would be sending medicals teams to screen them for problems.
A potential political crisis had been averted. Those who had practiced the old ways in secret were encouraged to come forward and help their people return to Joria's former happy society. It would be a difficult task, but the Jorians were accustomed to hard work.
After she had made a profound apology for her misdeeds, Queen Viella and her husband Guran reconciled. The ruling councils of both planets accepted them as co-rulers. While also making Guran head of the new joint Erdrusian-Nalthusian Mining Commission.
Satisfied that their work in the Jorian system was done, Admiral Pike ordered the Enterprise to return to Starbase 7. Jim was glad that the negotiations were over, but not at all pleased that he and his crew had been assigned to yet another boring planetary survey mission.
Kehel was delighted to get to Starbase 7, where a fast Rigelian transport ship was waiting for him and his father Ambassador Korem. A morning communication had revealed that Chohara had not yet gone into labor. The trip to Rigel would take thirty hours at top speed. Hopefully luck would be with Kehel and he would not miss the delivery of his child.
Ambassador Shras and Shrelb parted ways at Starbase 7. Shrelb was going home to Andor to meet with Tichon. Hopefully they would find each other agreeable and Tichon would become the fourth partner needed for an Andorian marriage.
Shras could not resist teasing his son a bit.
"Now I finally have hope of seeing a grandchild before I die!"
"Father, you are too stubborn to die before becoming a grandparent!"
Admiral Pike and Ambassador Shras boarded a small, but fast diplomatic transport going to Terra., taking Sipel and T'Vessya with them. They would meet up with Sarek in Paris, two weeks later for a scheduled conference at the UFP headquarters.
Spock and Nyota said goodbye to Sarek at Starbase 7, where a small ship waited to take him to New Vulcan. He would spend a few days there and then proceed to Terra in the company of his wife and new daughter.
There was barely enough time for Spock and Nyota to meet Gaila and her baby in the mall food court for a quick meal. Jim had ordered everyone back to the ship by 1300 hours. The Enterprise was being sent to the Clerian system, which consisted of 15 planets, all needing to be surveyed.
Jim found the prospect of another planetary survey boring, however Spock was secretly relieved to be going on such a mission. His and Nyota's child would most likely be born during this time. He did not wish to be facing down angry Klingons nor spying on the Romulans.
When Sarek arrived on New Vulcan, T'Sela had things well in hand for their trip to Terra. Everything was packed, three large bags that contained mostly baby gear. Sarek sighed, having forgotten how much trouble it could be to travel with a small child.
When he had unpacked and repacked, he made his way to Tauril and T'Pau's cottage, where his nephew Sirin and the family would be visiting for another few days. With so many children in such a small house, Sarek had expected some degree of disorder, but not the type that greeted him when he arrived.
Little Torel had suffered yet another episode of respiratory distress. He was lying on the family room floor while Sirin gave him a hypo spray and Rachel rubbed his chest. Esther, Tauril, and T'Pau were trying to calm the other children, who all watched in terror. Finally Torel's breathing returned to normal. T'Pau took her son outside on the patio for a word.
"Sarek, the child needs chest surgery which can not be performed on New Vulcan. It is imperative that he reach San Francisco as soon as possible. What can be done?"
"Mother, T'Sela, T'Shana and I are scheduled to leave for Terra in two days via the Embassy transport ship. Under the circumstances, an earlier departure is in order. Quarters will be tight, but I believe that we can manage. I will contact the ship's captain and order that we leave as soon as the crew is ready."
"Very good, my son. I shall inform them of these arrangements."
T'Pau entered the house and told Sirin and Rachel of Sarek's plan to get them to San Francisco as quickly as possible. Sarek remained on the patio and contacted the transport captain. A few moments later, he came back inside.
"All has been arranged. We leave for Terra in four hours. If you will excuse me, I must return home and inform T'Sela of the change in plans."
Tauril had not driven a hover vehicle in some time, so it took him a few moments to acclimate himself to it. However, he soon figured it out and delivered the family and all their luggage to the transport terminal. It took two trips.
It was after dark by the time he returned home, so T'Pau had put Saavik and Senar to bed. Tauril rubbed his stiff neck, a consequence of helping to load bags in and out of the van. T'Pau observed his discomfort and massaged his neck and shoulders thoroughly for him. In return, he rubbed Healer T'Mena's herbal ointment into T'Pau's sore knees.
"My wife, it will be more difficult for me to assist thee in this manner after I have returned to my own room."
T'Pau considered Tauril's words and the comfort he had been these last few difficult weeks.
"Perhaps thou should remain here, then. It is quite convenient to share the room with thee."
"Yes, my wife, quite convenient indeed."
Frustrated, Nyota flopped down on the bed. She was tired all the time now and their quarters were a disaster. There were boxes of baby stuff everywhere, things they had received while on New Vulcan and other gifts that kept coming in from various friends and relatives.
"Honestly, Spock! I love Jack and Lewis very much, but if they send one more stuffed animal, well I won't be responsible for my actions!"
Spock decided it would be best not to inform Nyota just yet of the two boxes he had just picked up from Chief Larsen, both of which had been sent to them by Jack and Lewis.
"We need a plan to deal with this. Maybe next Tuesday, when we both have the day off...
Nyota's words were interrupted by a sharp pain in her abdomen.
"Spock, call Len and take me to Sickbay!"