Disclaimer: As much as I wish I own these characters (and the actors! Oh, yummy...) I don't. However, I do own Niburan and it's inhabitants, Abrigon, Rhododensalvus, and all that other stuff. So no stealing, please!
Thank you for the lovely reviews. And to the not so lovely reviewers - no one is making you read this story. So instead of sarcasm, actual helpful information would be much appreciated. Thanks.
We arrived precisely two minutes and fourty-seven seconds early.
The city of Abrigon rose before us, made almost entirely of glass and marble. The sun, rising behind its impressive skyline made the city appear like a water color painting - almost too creative to be thought of as reality. The sight of it momentarily made my heart ache for Vulcan - the tall spires and extreme heat here similar to that of my home planet.
I turned around, the government building facing us in all of its glory. It must have been one of the only buildings not entirely made of glass, for the sake of visitors who were unable to stand the weather here.
"Spock to Enterprise - party has safely landed on the planet face," I said into my communicator after flipping it open.
"This is Sulu - Affirmative. Enterprise out."
I turned my head to Nyota, nodding in the direction two men waiting for us outside of the building. They were Niburan, of course - black eyes, long limbs, very dark skin with an almost orange hue. I remembered learning that their skin tone was like this to protect them from the sun's harmful rays.
Spotting us, the two of them stood a little straighter.
"Are you two from the Starship USS Enterprise?" one of them asked us in his native language.
"I am Acting Captain Spock, and this is Communications Officer Uhura," I responded, politely speaking in Niburan as well.
They just nodded, turning to the doors behind them, the motion causing them to smoothly slide open. They stepped in, their long legs able to cover the tall threshold with ease, and I turned to assist Nyota. However, she, once again, proved her independence by stepping up on her own without hesitation. I couldn't say the action was too unexpected.
The walls of the large lobby were entirely made of glass, but were covered with screens - reminding me of the screens my father would put up for my mother so her delicate skin wouldn't be burned. Large, marble pillars reached to the high ceilings, creating dramatic shadows.
"The Joremur waits for you in the main conference room," said the man traveling in front of Nyota. Judging by their stance in front of us, it occurred to me that they were guarding us. Beneath my calm exterior, I wasn't sure if I should feel relieved that they did this to ensure our safety or uncomfortable with the fact that they thought it would be necessary.
I processed his words quickly - the Joremur. We wouldn't be meeting with the head of Domestic Relations, we would be meeting with their ruler.
Fascinating.
We walked through a tall pair of stone doors at the end of the hall - if they were not opened electronically, I would assume they would need to be opened by both men. Our guards led us to the left and to the door at the end of the long hallway.
One of them nocked and the doors silently slid open.
"Welcome to Abrigon," said the tall man standing against the opposite wall made entirely of glass. He looked similar to the other men - tall and lean with long limbs and an orange hue to his black skin. The only difference were his icy-blue eyes, seeming to take in everything around him.
"It is very nice to meet you, Joremur," Nyota responded in his language, using Niburan manners well enough as to not look into his eyes, but above his head.
"We are honored to be in your company, Joremur," I said to him formally, looking above his head as well.
He gestured to the long table standing before us. "Please sit down. I have received word of your landing party being captured, and I am sorry for the trouble it is causing you," he told us kindly, the majesty with which he moved to sit down obviously holding the confidence of a supreme ruler. Nyota and I sat before him and his almost white eyes flickered between the both of us before continuing.
"I have sent out search parties in hope of finding them. I do hope this doesn't hurt our chances of being accepted into the Federation," the man before us continued. I couldn't help but think of how hard it must be for Nyota not to roll her eyes, a frequent action of hers.
"Our largest concern at the moment is having our crew returned to the ship safely, nothing more," Nyota pointed out in fluent Niburan.
"Yes, of course, though the numbers of antihuman, immigration, and technology terrorist uprisings are dwindling. And we have some very good Colleges now, all the more reason for us to be accepted," the man said with a smile.
I turned to him, my eyes almost touching his, but not quite, "My Lieutenant was correct, Your Majesty - first we must find the Captain and the others, then we will negotiate your... Circumstances."
The Joremur's expression turned sour for a moment, before his charming facade fell back into place. "Of course," he repeated.
It occurred to me that the only reason he agreed to meet with us today was because he thought it would help his chances in the Federation accepting his domain. And, judging by Nyota's facing, she had realized the same thing point seven second after I had.
"Is there any sort of signal we can use to track them down?" I asked the now silent man, already knowing the answer.
"No. They are very opposed to such methods. Although they may soon change their minds if they wish to broadcast the fact that they have hostages. When that happens, we will find them."
Yet, by then, some may already be dead. Nyota turned to look at me, our eyes connecting. I knew that the idea must have crossed her mind, as well.
The Joremur stood up to face the wall, the sun now starting to rise over our heads. "You are welcome to use our sun-tight quarters until you can beam up," he told us as a dismissal.
"Thank you, Joremur."
"We would be honored, Joremur."
At Nyota's words, he turned to look at her. His eyes trailing up her body with a curt nod.
- -
"Oh, the nerve of some people!" she exclaimed.
I held my finger to my lips, knowing the guards were still outside - one of them waiting to take her to another sun-tight room.
"Still," she said, her voice falling to a whisper, "He may be the Joremur, but that does not give him the right to..."
She sighed, shaking her head in frustration, her long, brown ponytail waving around her shoulders.
"I understand," I told her softly.
I sat at the small table, looking at the meat before me with disgust. The Joremur were kind enough to leave me food, at least. I would have to thank him for that before we left, knowing that it would appear rude if I didn't eat it.
She laughed, moving to sit beside me. "You can have some of the funniest expressions," she remarked with amusement.
I felt the corners of my lips turn upward for a moment.
"What do you suggest we do now, Commander?" she asked me. Although I knew her question was meant in the most innocent of ways, I had to disguise a shiver down my spine.
"We should most likely beam up after the sun has moved from directly overhead and discuss it with the crew. We will then need to contact both the Federation and request how they would like us to proceed," I said, knowing she wouldn't agree.
I was correct in my assumption. Her eyes rolled in her skull.
"Can't we break the rules, just once? We have to find them. They could be hurt, or burning alive for all we know," Nyota said, her eyes pleading mine.
I wished we could.
This chapter was relatively short, I realize, only because I have to switch POVs! So more coming ASAP...