Chapter 17 – History's Fallacies

Even the most blissful of marriages and relationships have their stressful moments. Vavrin repeated those sentiments to himself as well as the other Uhaii nowadays aboard the Blood Vengeance. They all accepted Sen's eccentricities that accompanied his genius but at times he tried their patience and this was one of them.

For all of Sen's life, he refused to eat Amil beans though they were the best nutrition one could get even in small quantities. The military crew and the Uhaii gladly ate the military rations but their Praetor vowed never to eat them after a mission gone wrong many years before. Everyone knew this. Everyone planned for this. However, many of the containers of special food just for the Praetor spoiled due to lose lids of all things but the dried Amil beans reserved for the crew and MRE's remained safe. During the past few days, Sen yet again proved his resolve regarding MRE's and Amil beans.

On the fifth day of Sen's fasting, Vavrin doctored the beans with butter to help. "You have to eat something. Nutrition shots are only a temporary fix. These are so good for you."

With his arms crossed, Sen stared at the beans willing them to change into any other food. "I know every nutritious detail of Amil beans and I know I should eat them but I just can't do it. I CAN'T STAND AMIL BEANS AND MRE's!" He rolled up his sleeve. "Give me the shot," he demanded so Vavrin did before he left.

Kicking the bulkhead several times as Vavrin walked towards Zelipe's quarters. After several buzzes, Zelipe finally answered hair rumpled wearing shorts and a T-shirt. "Is something wrong?"

"What took you so long?" The Uhaii were trained to awaken at the drop of a hat.

Zelipe smirked. "I hoped you would go away."

"Sorry to disturb your sleep but I have to speak to you regarding Sen's health."

Zelipe stepped back inside. "Come in but keep it to a whisper. Bahar's asleep. We're adjusting to Federation standard time."

Vavrin followed him in wondering how they could keep quiet enough in the cramped quarters. "You need to use whatever political BS you can think of to get us to the Enterprise ahead of schedule or we're going to have a Praetor with an ulcer."

"Still refusing to eat," Zelipe surmised.

"I've tried everything. Maybe since Sen can split his attention between so many tasks, when he finds something that he feels strongly about, he gains the stubbornness of several minds." Vavrin noticed Bahar begin to stir. "Have you noticed that since Alawa died, he's become more....well more?

"Stubborn in his eccentricities," Zelipe finished.

Bahar stumbled over in his pajamas looking sleepy. "Talking about the boss," he commented. "Or trying to steal my man," he added kissing Zelipe's cheek.

"The easier of the two," replied Vavrin. Years ago Vavrin became comfortable around them. He didn't even think twice about their lifestyle. "I'm surprised we woke you."

"I had the same training as you. I just pretended to be asleep so I could listen in."

Vavrin sometimes forgot that Bahar had the same training as the rest of them since as the slightest of the group; he wasn't the strongest among them but held his own. However, his piloting skills topped everyone else's. "Well any ideas?" asked Vavrin.

"We could say that we want to catch them off guard, gain the upper hand but it would be....rude," Zelipe stated. "I'll convince Sen."

Bahar dressed quickly. "I'll set a new course. I sure hope he appreciates this."

"He does," Zelipe and Vavrin answered at the same time and so it was done. The peace negotiations began a day early.

On board the Enterprise

When Spock glanced to the back bio bed, his father removed his hand from Autumn's face. Her eyes fluttered open. Sarek put a straw in a bottle of water and turned to her. With his Vulcan hearing, Spock heard something that made him desperately fight to keep control.

"Oh my! This can't be. Rishley told me I was glowing and congratulations. I can't be pregnant. I read that children were only possible between humans and Vulcans using genetic engineering so I didn't bother with the contraceptive shots. Oh my God!"

"You are not pregnant, merely dehydrated and still hung-over. Now, drink this so you can rehydrate yourself." Sarek ensured she sipped the water. "Yes, it does take genetic help for a human and Vulcan to reproduce. Why did you think you were pregnant?"

"Because he said that I was glowing like a light bulb," Autumn replied. "People say that to pregnant women. There's something about Rishley that just ain't right."

At this point Spock decided to interrupt. "Excuse me, how are you feeling Chef Beaumont?"

"A bit silly at this point but thank you for asking," she answered.

"The Romulans are arriving a day early so you'll need to make arrangements. They will be here in three hours."

"Oh no, well I'll just think of something."

When she tried to leave Sarek stopped her. "You need to drink more water and take a nutritional supplement first."

Reluctantly, she did. so Sarek took Spock aside. "If all goes as planned, Autumn and I will be bonded once this mission is complete."

Though Spock wanted his father to bond because of the necessity created by Pon Farr, he failed to see the logic in choosing Chef Beaumont. While he did not have anything against her, he found her to be very opposite of his father. However, it was not his place to question his father, his elder nor did his father ever question his choice of bond-mate. "Chef Beaumont has a very vivacious demeanor. Because of her youth, I doubt if she will change anytime in the near future."

"I do not expect her to change." Sarek glanced back to see Autumn finishing her first bottle of water. "Her personality compliments my own."

"Is the bond because of Pon Farr?"

"No it is not." Sarek saw her taking her vitamin. "Nor is it logic," he added. "I suspect that it is for the same reason you chose Nyota."

"Very well," he replied. Spock knew he could not argue that logic. "The Praetor is due to arrive at seventeen hundred hours in shuttle bay one. Will you begin the negotiations a day early?"

"No because his early arrival is a power play. Negotiations will begin as planned. During dinner and the ship's tour, I will gain insights into the Praetor. I look at his unscheduled arrival as more opportunity to observe."

"That sounds logical."

With Sarek busy talking to his son, Autumn sneaked away to begin dinner. Originally, she planned stuffed chicken breasts and braised plomeek for the vegetarians. With several more mouths to feed, she decided on Dumpling Delight though it was low brow for the occasion. To make it suitable for non-vegetarians, she decided to stir fry some diced chicken that they could sprinkle on top.

Aboard the Xanti 1 shuttle craft, Sen's passel of Uhaii curiously stared at the Enterprise noting its odd nacelle design as they made their final approach. All wore regal robes with Sen in his black and silver and everyone else in grey except Urdu and Pinel who wore all black uniforms. Bahar guided the shuttle in and landed. Then they assembled. Sen looked over his group. "I hope everyone has practiced their Federation common."

Urdu the biggest of the group finished hiding all his weapons within several hidden pockets. "I only learned their curse words."

Urdu and Pinel exited the shuttle first.

Minutes earlier Kirk glanced at his reflection in a reflective panel in the shuttle bay before thanking the heavens above that Rishley and his contingent decided to work on some art. McCoy rolled his eyes and tugged at his collar. Spock and Sarek who wore his Vulcan ambassador's robes stared stoically ahead. Uhura tugged her uniform down. Unarmed guards lined up in military file ready to greet the Praetor. Kirk gave everyone the once over. "Well, let's hope this goes better than when Rishley boarded."

McCoy smirked. "Like it could get any worse."

They looked at the rounded rectangular greenish shuttle whose doors opened. Two Romulan guards in black exited. Both looked at Starfleet guards standing shoulder to shoulder along the red carpet with the Enterprise's officers at the end. One remained on the ramp and the other ran back up it and blocked the entrance. Uhura stepped up to the captain. "Sir, let me truly act as the attaché here."

"Be my guest," Kirk replied. "Are we in breach of Romulan etiquette?"

"Not really, I believe they are Uhaii a branch of the Tal-Shiar devoted to the protection of the Praetor."

"The number of guards at such close quarters to the Praetor makes them uneasy." Kirk selected several guards and motioned them to go the back of the shuttle bay. "Can you fix this?"

"Yes," she answered. Uhura calmly with her hands at her side approached the Uhaii at the bottom of the ramp. "Greetings, our guards are at your command should you require any assistance. They were awaiting your inspection."

Both Romulan guards' eyes roved over the Enterprise security guards before they nodded. Then they both stood at sides of the ramp. The Romulan they recognized as the Praetor with long hair, unusual for a Romulan and unheard of for a Vulcan exited wearing black and silver robes and his entourage in grey robes followed behind him.

Uhura stepped forward, praying her high Romulan and etiquette were perfect. "Greetings Praetor Sen Hiro-Ang. We are honored to have you as our guest. I am Nyota Uhura, Communications Officer aboard the Enterprise. I will be your interpreter and cultural liaison." To acknowledge his rank, she extended her hand first hoping he wouldn't refuse her because some breach of etiquette.

Sen clasped her arm just above her wrist and she did likewise for him. Now, he hoped his Federation standard was passable. "I am pleased to meet you as well and I am glad to be on board. Your Romulan is impeccable. My Federation standard is rusty I'm afraid. I will need your services from time to time."

"Actually, you speak it quite well. Would you like to meet the crew?"

"Please," he replied.

As they approached, Kirk stepped forward remembering the protocol that Uhura taught him. Greet him first and then introduce yourself to him. Address him first by his rank and full name. After the first meeting, one may address him by his rank only. If he gives you permission to address him by his first name, that signifies friendship. If he acknowledges you as captain, he will thank you and have his second in charge will introduce the rest of the party and then yours will follow suit. "Greetings Praetor Sen Hiro-Ang. I am Captain James T. Kirk. On behalf of the Enterprise, welcome aboard."

"Thank you," he replied. "Since there is a cultural difference between us and your crew might worry about giving offense, my political advisor Zelipe will answer any questions you may have and he will not be offended at any question."

Zelipe stepped forward and nodded to the captain. "We are pleased to meet you. This is Vavrin, personal physician to the Praetor and these are his other advisors: Nils, Meka, Asparouh, Bahar and Panil." Each one stepped forward as they were introduced.

Spock stepped forward as decorum dictated. "I am Commander Spock. This is Doctor McCoy, Chief Medical Officer and Mr. Scott, Chief Engineer."

The Praetor snapped his fingers and a guard pulling an anti-gravity cart emerged from the shuttle. "This is my gift to you Captain and your officers: Romulan Ale."

"Thank you for a most gracious gift." Kirk stepped back and let Sarek step forward.

Sarek gave the Vulcan salute. "Greetings Praetor Sen Hiro-Ang," he said. "I am Ambassador Sarek. On behalf of the Federation, welcome."

Sen stepped forward and bowed his head ever so slightly and lowered his eyes: the Romulan way of giving sympathy. "All of Romulus gives our condolences to Vulcan. Our Empire grieves for your loss." He snapped his fingers and another guard emerged from the shuttle and handed him an object. Personally, Sen presented a large decorated bronze cylinder with ancient Vulcan symbols. "Before the exodus, our people took many cell samples of the flora and fauna of Vulcan. I'm sure your scientists can use these cells to restore much of what was."

For a moment Sarek stood speechless, not only did the Praetor himself present a gift but he presented a gift that would make New Vulcan a true home for his people. "This gift is most gracious. All of Vulcan thanks you and the people of Romulus."

During the exchange, Kirk glanced to Uhura who gave two very enthusiastic thumbs up. Everything is perfect. Discreetly, McCoy did a tricorder scan of the Praetor and looked slightly shocked. Kirk decided to ask him about it later. "Praetor, would you like a tour?"

"Yes," he replied.

Exiting the shuttle bay with Kirk in the lead followed by the Praetor and his entourage, they started down the hall when laughter and loud music echoed through the intercom.

Right now........

I am an antichrist
I am an anarchist
Don't know what I want
But I know how to get it
I wanna destroy the passerby

The Praetor and his entourage stopped as did everyone else. One thought echoed through Kirk's mind: Oh Shit! Rishley strikes again!

A/N

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What was your favorite scene? I'm curious to know folks' thoughts on Zelipe and Bahar's relationship. Please let me know what you think.