A/N: *lets out puff of air* okay here goes. I slaved over this. Well... that is if you count watching a ton of TOS episodes "slaving" ;)
Writing a speech is hard at the best of times, try doing it about a subject that you can't exactly Google. Not to mention nobody REALLY wants to sit and read a long-winded analytical spew about how scientifically plausible it is for a Human and Vulcan to get along. SO this is my result. I am probably more nervous than Peter right now. IF you hate it, I won't shoot myself or anything... but I probably will cry. So be gentle in your hating please *cowers in corner like a scared bunny*
I make reference to quite a few TOS episodes. I'll let you have the fun of guessing where they are all from. But if you actually DO want to know, just ask and if I remember which one it is, I'll tell you.
Thanks to all who have followed this crazy idea of mine. I hope the ending doesn't totally blow out your brain. :) If so, I'll try to glue it all back together. And I can promise my next fic will be standard K/S/M goodness. No more OCs and random Vulcans for a while (although it has been a blast)
Peter took a deep breath and checked his appearance in the window before opening the doors to the Main Auditorium. The sound of a thousand voices filled his ears.
In a few minutes I'll be in front of those people…
He shook his head and worked his way through the crowd catching snatches of conversation here and there:
"Heard you and Tina broke up?"
"Three hours of homework and I still don't understand!"
"The students took exception to the last…"
"Wow check out that guy…"
"I've been coughing all night…"
"…my roommate wants to kill me…"
"That's my spot you green-blooded seat-warmer!"
Peter stopped in his tracks and whirled around. He scanned the crowd until at last he found the unmistakable source of the sound.
Dr. McCoy was towering above Spock with his hands on his hips. Peter grinned and worked his way up to their row.
"Doctor, I specifically recall you being assigned to seat F38, you will note I am in seated in F40."
"Yeah, but I switched with you because the angle is better for my holo-vid."
"Hey guys," Peter interrupted.
"Hey Pete!" McCoy grinned, "You look sharp."
"Thanks. Where's Jim?"
"Captain Kirk went backstage in order to locate you," Spock said, he still hadn't moved from F40.
"Oh, okay I'll get over there in a sec. Where's everybody else?"
"Uhura and Scotty will be here soon. Sulu got whisked off by a buddy of his. Chekov is in the bathroom," Bones glared at Spock then added, "We're all seated together so if you hear thunderous applause from this direction you know it's us."
"Thanks," Peter grinned, "Nice to know there are some friendly faces out here."
"You'll be great."
"Hope so. Else this'll be the biggest flop in Federation history, but hey… at least I gotta be known for something right?"
"Having analyzed your outline, I have no doubt that your lecture will be of great interest," Spock added seriously. He then reluctantly stood and allowed McCoy to seat himself.
Peter shook his head, "Okay I better get going. Soral's probably wondering if I got lost. See ya afterwards!"
McCoy pulled out the camera and recorded Peter navigating his way through the crowds.
"Doctor, I had understood you would only be recording for the duration of the lecture."
"I will, but this is a mood setter. Check out all the people he's about to wow. Hey… isn't that your parents?"
The impressive figure of Ambassador Sarek entered the crowded room followed closely by his wife. They made their way to seats in the front row section.
"Man, rank has its privileges," Bones griped, "Ought to give Lady Amanda holo-vid duty."
"I remind you that this will be broadcast live inter-planetarily. There is no need for an amateur recording."
"Amateur! I'm gonna tell your mom you said that about her."
"I was referring to—"
Spock was interrupted by the appearance of Jim, "This is why I sit between you two. Hey, did you switch places?"
"Better for my recording," Bones grinned.
"Ah," Jim smirked as he sat himself down, "Saw your parents, Spock. Your mom wanted me to ask you-"
The lights dimmed registering it was time to be seated. Kirk clamped his mouth shut (previous message from Amanda forgotten) and swallowed down the butterflies.
If he was nervous, think how Peter must be feeling!
Well," Peter whispered as he heard the cue to go on stage, "Here goes nothing."
Soral gave him a firm nod.
He took a deep breath and walked out. The stage seemed oddly bright and distant from the sea of people in the dark. Peter adjusted his data pad on the podium and then began,
"Hello, my name is Peter Kirk. And before you ask; yes I am related to that Kirk."
A muffled chuckle arose from the audience. Bones whipped the holo-vid over to record the cheesy Cheshire-cat grin that had crept up on Kirk's face.
Peter cleared his throat and continued…
"When you hear the phrase "Vulcan/Human Collaboration" What comes to your mind?... Some imagine an awkward interaction between two polar opposites. One is stoic; the other flamboyant. Almost doesn't seem like it could ever really work…"
Amanda nodded in agreement. She had felt that way the first time she met Sarek…
"Sure he's good-looking, but can you imagine being attached to someone like THAT? Besides, I'm much too lively and stubborn for a Vulcan's taste…"
She met his eyes and smiled.
"…Others see the advantages that such a partnership can create. One supplies the analytical side of a problem while the other provides a more… abstract view."
McCoy smirked,
"Random chance seems to have operated in our favor," Spock said.
"In plain, non-Vulcan English," he corrected, "we've been lucky!"
"I believe I said that, Doctor."
"Whenever I heard people talking about Vulcan/Human interactions, my thoughts always turned to the dynamic rapport between Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock of the Enterprise. These two remarkable individuals have distinctly diverse personalities, yet when they combine their abilities; it creates a wholly unique and seemingly unstoppable force."
Spock concentrated his gaze on Peter, and refused to acknowledge the scrutinizing stares of those around him. What Peter had said was, after all, based on quantifiable fact. There was no reason to feign ignorance about what existed. It was, however, somewhat uncomfortable to have so many people looking at him. They should be paying attention to Mr. Kirk.
"...I admit, I always thought what Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock had was an anomaly. Two unique beings who just happened to work well together…"
Amanda's thoughts drifted back to the day she had met her son's Captain.
"Spock is my best officer… and my friend," he had said defensively.
"I'm glad he has such a friend. It hasn't been easy on Spock… neither Human nor Vulcan… at home nowhere except Starfleet…"
"… it seemed like theirs was the exception to the rule. Vulcans and Humans would be better off if they associated exclusively with their own kind… or so I thought. Now, after having spent 3 months studying the nature of our two unique species, I have come to the conclusion that a Vulcan/Human relationship is not only scientifically plausible, it is rationally desirable…"
The Captain of the D'Vahl had ordered the broadcast to be shown on the Main Viewscreen. At first, some of the crew had dismissed it as a waste of valuable time, but now every one in the room had ceased their activity to listen…
"...In order to grasp the precise rationale for such an affiliation, it is important to first understand where the other is coming from… When you take a brief look at Vulcan and Terran history, it is easy to concentrate on the contrast of our cultural growth. Further analysis, however, reveals a striking similarity in both our worlds' objective..."
McCoy had become so wrapped up in Peter's speech he'd accidentally let the holo-vid drop to his lap. He'd never been one for history lessons, but the way Peter presented the similarities of Vulcan and Earth development was actually… fascinating. (And he'd swore he would never use that word!)
"...In both our histories, we find the identical objective: to move beyond our primitive and savage pasts to embrace an enlightened future…"
"They were humanitarians and statesmen, and they had a dream- a dream that became a reality and spread throughout the stars. A dream that made Mr. Spock and I brothers."
Garth had seemed shocked, "Mr. Spock, you consider Captain Kirk and yourself brothers?
"Captain Kirk speaks somewhat figuratively and with undue emotion. However, what he says is logical, and I do, in fact, agree with it."
"…when Vulcan made First Contact with Earth on April 5, 2063, neither of us could have realized the unique alliance that had just been created. This alliance would grow thanks to a concept known as IDIC…"
"The glory of creation is in its infinite diversity," Dr. Miranda Jones said.
"And," Spock added, "The way our differences combine to create meaning and beauty."
"…IDIC accurately conveys precisely what a Vulcan/Human relationship is founded upon. The idea isn't for the Human to act more Vulcan, or for the Vulcan to endure extreme Human behavior. Rather, the idea is that each one of us has something unique to offer. Combined, these unique attributes create a sort of… symbiotic power. Much like combining two vastly different chemicals can create a valuable substance..."
Ambassador Sarek found the analogy appropriate, and wondered briefly if it had been of Peter's inspiration or Soral's. He was gratified that Mr. Kirk had not approached the project with a brazen attitude. His treatment of the delicate balance between both cultures was reverential. He would make a formidable Diplomat, if he chose such a career path.
"…Conventional Human wisdom states that we choose friends because of who they are. But in reality we form attachments with others because of the way they support who we are. This falls back into the idea of a symbiosis. Between a Vulcan and Human such a symbiotic give-and-take can be expressed in simple ways… such as helping each other understand complex scientific or emotional concepts…"
"I see… she was making a romantic overture towards me."
"Soral, you're a genius when it comes to cramming gravitational calculations into my thick skull, but you've got a lot to learn about Human women…"
"Your continual assistance in this subject is greatly appreciated."
"…Or it can be as profound as both fighting to survive, relying on the other's unique ingenuity or strength…"
"We are gonna make it. Okay? We stick together. You save my back from those bird-things and I'll keep you awake until help comes. Agreed?"
"...Though Vulcans do not have the same emotional requirements Humans do; the fact remains that it would be foolish to disregard the obvious benefits of a Vulcan/Human collaboration. To doggedly pursue acquaintances with only those of our own kind goes in direct opposition to the very principles of IDIC..."
Lady Amanda had learned to control her tears for the sake of her husband, but now she could feel some threatening to spill over. She felt unashamedly proud of Peter Kirk. He was attacking the subject with passion, but verified everything said with fact. There were likely Vulcans all over the galaxy squirming at his statement that friendship with Humans might not be needed in Vulcan society, but was beneficial. They could say nothing against it, however, as Peter had coupled every statement with an impressive display of deductions and logic. Soral's contribution, no doubt.
"...As we have seen, it is by our willingness to accept each other (not merely tolerate) that we are allowing our Infinite Diversities to combine and create those Infinite Combinations that make us stronger together than when we are apart... In conclusion I shall quote the words of Surak:
"I am pleased to see that we have differences. May we together become greater than the sum of both of us."
There was only a brief silence before the audience burst into applause. On board the D'Vahl, the entire crew remained silent. All eyes were riveted to this very unique Human.
Peter cleared his throat as he waited for the noise to die down, and glanced backstage at Soral. Now for the moment of truth…
"As I have stated, there is still much progress to be made. We each of us have barriers we must overcome in order to truly experience that remarkable gift that comes from embracing diversity. As with any interaction, time and the willingness to try is what enables us to grow.
"That is why…
"I, Peter Kirk, have formally applied to serve on board the Vulcan ship D'Vahl. Yesterday at 0800 hours I received my acceptance, and have been granted a 12 month commission."
…
A gasp escaped from some in the audience. Then silence. You could hear the proverbial pin drop.
Peter swallowed hard. Well, he hadn't been sure what to expect. Complete silence was… a little disconcerting.
Suddenly, in the darkness… coming from the area he knew the Enterprise crew was sitting…
Captain Kirk jumped to his feet and began to clap loudly. His chin was set, and he was biting his lip. He refused to think about the tightness in his chest, or the lump that had grown in his throat. The only thought he allowed himself was pride. He was proud of his nephew. Proud of Peter. Never-mind the enormity of what he had just done. Never-mind how crazy, and out-of-the-blue, and terrifying, and wonderful the idea was. He would clap until his hands bled if need be. He dared anyone to try and stop it!
Spock stood at almost the precise moment as Kirk. His mind began to race with the variety of scenarios Peter was likely to face on an All-Vulcan ship. There were so many problematic factors to consider such as the diet, environmental accommodations, language barriers, physical discomfort and emotional requirements. Yet… despite all reason, Peter had already been accepted. Like Jim, this Kirk had broken with tradition and beaten the odds. If Spock knew his Kirks, Peter would wreck havoc on board the D'Vahl, but he would find a way make his mission a success.
Bones hopped out of his seat, camera forgotten, and whispered hoarsely, "This is all your fault, Spock! Not all Vulcans are as decent a guy as you, and they're gonna murder that boy! I just can't believe it. I can't believe it! Jim, did you know about this? If you did, I'll never forgive you! I'm two seconds from a coronary! This is both of your faults. It's mine too… should never have sent him those pointed ears…" McCoy continued to ramble hoarsely to no one in particular. He clapped for all he was worth, "Peter on a Vulcan ship? Heaven help us all!"
The rest of the Enterprise crew followed suit not seconds after their Captain stood. They clapped in unison.
Down in front, Ambassador Sarek rose solemnly followed by his wife, whose tears were falling unnoticed down her cheeks. "I know you had something to do with this!" she whispered at her husband. He looked at her blankly. "Don't give me that," she hissed, "This is entirely your fault… and I love you for it."
Peter felt relief. His knees shook as he watched the crowd before him slowly begin to stand. The clapping grew louder as more joined in support. He looked back at Soral who bowed his head in honor.
A Human serving on an All-Vulcan ship… not the life he had envisioned for himself all those years ago when he had joined Starfleet Academy. Of course, he'd never imagined he would get a Vulcan roommate, or have a knack for the Vulcan language, or dress as a Vulcan, or end up spending 3 days on board a Vulcan ship and like it.
So much in his life had changed in just the past 3 months. Maybe it had been a crazy idea, or maybe it was a brilliant one. Maybe he was in for the ride of his life, or maybe this next year would make Deneva look like a picnic. It didn't matter.
Soral believed it would work, and as long as he had that stubborn, clean-to-a-fault, fiercely loyal, incredibly reserved, and brilliant Vulcan behind him… he knew he'd succeed.
There's more... don't hate me just yet...