M'Benga

by Starsinger

Very little is said about Geoffery M'Benga. He is African, like Uhura, a doctor who is skilled in xenobiology, especially Vulcan biology, and he studied in a Vulcan ward. I'm taking this a step further. Don't own them.

Born in the Nairobi, the capital of Kenya on the African continent, M'Benga had been a precocious child. Always seeking knowledge, and wisdom. He was often found roaming the countryside where many wild and dangerous animals still roamed. He was somehow never afraid of them. The park rangers, who still patrolled against poachers, taught him at an early age how to survive in the wildlands, so he would always have a shot at survival.

As he grew, he became more and more inquisitive about the city world around him. He saw many people, not all of them human, and would often pester them with questions. His mother would always catch him and apologize profusely, and the aliens would often smile and graciously accept her apologies and pat M'Benga on the head. There were two, however, who did not.

The first was a young Betazoid woman who was lost. Her eyes told him she wasn't human, and her very posture told him she needed help. The six year old ran up to her and tugged on her hand, asking if he could help her. She smiled winsomely at the little boy whose open and friendly nature won her over. "I'm having lunch with some friends, and I can't seem to find the café. I'm Iriani, what's your name?"

"My name is Geoff," he responded. When she told him which café, he simply led her through the streets and straight to her friends.

"Geoffery M'Benga! Don't you run off like that again," a young girl scolded him after finding him with Iriani. "Mama will be angry with you!"

"Oh, don't scold him, please. He was most helpful. I would never have found my friends without his help," she gave them some credits. "That is a tip for helping me out, Geoff. Thank you."

Geoff's family, so many in big cities, was poor. So, the money he brought home that day was welcome. While the family kept a close eye on him, they didn't discourage him from helping people, and Geoff always seemed to know who needed help the most. The next alien of significance he helped was a Vulcan. Sirot had come to Nairobi to see the wild game preserves. He ventured out unguided and was not prepared for the large animals he encountered. While most left him alone, he was, unfortunately, mauled by a leopard. Geoff, who was on one of his forays, saw the whole incident and charged in with the biggest stick he could find. The leopard, obviously confused at the confrontation, loped away quickly. The rangers gave Geoff a radio to use every time he went into the park in case he needed help. He ripped off his shirt and tried to staunch the bleeding as he radioed for help.

Sirot came around to focus on the young human hovering over him, helping him. He felt the boy's hand pressing on his side, near where his heart was. "You need to remain still," Geoff told him. "Help is on its way."

Sirot nodded before sinking into a trance. This boy, he knew, was something special. Days later, waiting for a transport back to Kenya, he asked one of the nurses if she knew the boy's name. "Him? That's Geoffery M'Benga. He's going to make it out of here one day. One day, he'll be a great doctor."

No one doubted this statement, much less Geoff. As he grew up, the realities of his situation became clear. His family could not afford to send him to medical school. When he finished school at age eighteen, he applied to Starfleet Academy Medical, and was accepted quickly. At the end of the third year, he, on a whim, applied to Mt. Seleya and the Vulcan Halls of Healing for the summer break. Two weeks later, an invitation was given to him to come to Vulcan and learn about Vulcan biology.

T'Pau herself met him at the spaceport with a human woman. "This is Amanda Grayson, she is the wife of Ambassador Sarek and you'll be staying with them while studying here." Geoff smiled at Amanda and nodded at T'Pau. T'Pau held out a hypospray, "This is a Triox compound that will help you until you adjust to the climate and atmosphere." He tilted his head away from her as she expertly connected it with his neck.

Geoff followed Amanda to her home where he was shown to his room, "This is my son's room, but he's currently an instructor at Starfleet Academy," she showed a smile and much pride.

"Who is he?" Geoff asked, absently.

"Spock," she replied.

He nodded. Geoff had met Spock on several occasions and he respected him. He learned a great deal about Vulcan physiology, and most importantly, the Vulcan Healing Trance. T'Rein once yelled at him, "Slap her! Slap her hard! This is the only way we can get her out of the trance now that she is healed and coming around as it is." So, Geoff did. The woman was breathing hard as his blows finally managed to bring her around. She blinked up at the young human who hovered above her before nodding at him. He knew it was the closest thing he would get to thanks.

Geoff grew to know and like these people. They really weren't that different from humans. He was present when, after an eleven month wait, a tiny baby girl was born to the waiting arms of her mother. He was also present when an elderly Vulcan man passed away and gave his katra over to halls of Mt. Seleya. He even met up again with Sirot at the marriage of Sirot's cousin, T'Nor towards the end of his stay on Vulcan. "It is pleasing to see you again, Geoff. You are an agreeable addition to the Vulcan Halls of Healing."

"I've worked hard," Geoff admitted. "I'm going back to Earth next week."

"You will be a valuable addition to their medical staff, Geoff. Vulcan will prosper with someone with your knowledge there," Sirot said.

It was with great reluctance that M'Benga left Vulcan. He'd made friends, and even more connections. He left it with a greater understanding and respect than he could possibly even have imagined of an ancient people and their customs. One day he knew, it would come in handy, as Starfleet always sought to increase its understanding across the universe. He looked forward to spreading that knowledge now, as he moved through life.