An: I am sorry I am little late with this update, but school has been kicking my ass! I mean I got a REALLY bad case of 'senioritis' and it's eating me alive. (For those of you not in school you wouldn't know what I am talking about) It's my last year and I trying to get out of school for good!
Enough of my ramblings. Enjoy this chapter!
A Wrinkle In Time
Chapter 7
The Return of the King
(A Few Hours Later)
Sulu arrived in Vulcan Space and was hailed by one of the Vulcan ships in the area. The captain knew it would not be easy to seek an audience with the Vulcan King.
The face of a Vulcan general appeared on the screen and it didn't seem to please.
"What business does a federation starship have in Vulcan space?"
"I am on an important mission to see the king. I must talk to him."
There was a brief pause.
"Let me get this straight. You, a federation captain want an audience with the most powerful leader in the galaxy! Who do you think you are?"
Sulu struggled to explain himself.
"I have important information for his ears only."
"Whatever you have to say to the king then surely you can say to me."
"No! I must talk to the king. If he is watching this or if he is nearby then let me show him this!" Sulu raised the necklace Syon had given him. The general didn't know the significant of the necklace, but knew it to be Bajorian and very valuable. Something only a member of the Vulcan Royal family could posses.
There was another brief pause.
"Let me contact the king and see what he says. But let me inform you that the king is dying and doesn't have the time nor the patience for games."
"Neither do I." Sulu said sternly.
The general turned off his screen.
"Do you think this going to work?" Mr. Jones asked.
"Yes, it will."
"What makes you so sure, Captain?"
"Because we have no other choice." Sulu again said a Shinto prayer.
Not for himself however, but for his friends.
(Vulcan)
T'Pring and Sybok wasted little time in getting back to Vulcan and meeting with the Vulcan High Council. For them it was a matter of life and death. If anyone discovered their plans, their entire families would be executed, but worst that half-human Spock would take the throne. It was something neither T'Pring nor Sybok wanted.
Luckily, for them there was a Vulcan on the council that detested Spock as much as they did.
Ambassador to Earth and Prince Spock's childhood tormentor, T'lau.
Before meeting with the other members of the council, T'Pring and Sybok secretly met with T'lau.
"We have no choice! We can't allow for Spock to rule the empire!" Sybok wanted to get T'lau to see reason for voting him the next king.
"If Prince Spock takes the throne then the Vulcan Royal family won't even be Vulcans! In just a few generations there will nothing humans ruling over us!" T'Pring argued.
T'lau raised his hand to silence the both of them.
"I don't want Prince Spock on the throne anymore than the two of you. However, there are other things to consider. One how will helping you benefit me? And what to do with Spock because I don't think he is going to take to kindly to losing his place in the line of succession. This could very well throw the empire into civil war." T'lau was just a greedy as T'Pring and Sybok. He wanted his cut too.
Sybok hadn't thought of civil war and the repercussions it could have. While there were many Vulcans who didn't like the idea of Spock's half-human genetics, he was still the son of the King and a proven diplomat. And Sybok still bore the burden of his mother's actions. Still, Sybok was a full-blooded Vulcan and that fact along made his right to succession more valid than Spock's.
"The meeting is about to start. Although, I must remind you that you are the son of T'lana and that fact will be brought up." T'lau glanced over at T'Pring. "T'Pring, you might to get in there early to avoid suspicion that would come if you walked in with Sybok. I must finish talking to Sybok."
T'Pring nodded her head and walked into the council room.
"I want my daughter to become your queen! That is the only way I will support you. You promised me Sybok!" T'lau's voice was full of tension.
"What would you have me do? I simply can't rid of T'Pring! She is married to Spock! Only after I get rid of him can I marry your daughter, so help me!" Sybok snapped.
"There are only two more on the council that hate Prince Spock as much as we do. I can get them to fight for our cause; however, there are still five others that are neutral in their feelings for Spock." T'lau noticed his servant in the room.
"Prince Sybok, we have a serious situation." The servant lowered his head.
"What?"
"Captain Sulu of the federation starship Enterprise is in Vulcan space and is requesting a meeting with King Sarek."
Sybok's eyes widen. It had to be the work of Syon.
"Who is Captain Sulu?" T'lau asked.
"He knows Syon, the son of Prince Spock and his human concubine! This could be serious because if Sulu is aware of what is going on then the King will have us killed!" Sybok waved his arms around. The plan seemed to be falling apart before it even began.
"Then I will send my finest assassin to take care of him, but first allow him to land. It will be less suspicious than blowing up his ship."
"I want no witness to this!"
"Agreed."
(Earth)
"It's a boy!" Ny wrapped the infant in a small towel and handed him over to Nyota.
Sulu smiled and Kirk tried not to vomit. He had seen naked women before, but not when they were giving birth.
Spock who sat in the next room attempted in vain to control the mental and physical affects of his Pon Farr.
Ny thought it was weird to deliver a baby from herself albeit another Universe, but was grateful that the child was all right.
Nyota held her child her arms and began to cry.
"I wish my Spock was here to see him. He looks just like his father." Nyota was referring to the child's pointy ears, and the large nose, that both Spocks had.
"Just a minute." Ny went into the living room. "Spock come and see Nyota's child. He looks just like…" Ny stopped talking, she could see Spock's hands shaking, and his back wet from sweat. When Spock turned to look at her, Ny could sense some was wrong.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yes, I am." Spock lied.
"Why don't you come and see the child."
"He isn't mine."
"I know but….she really wants Prince Spock to be there. I know you aren't the Prince but at least you look like him enough to make her feel better. Please."
Spock could feel his mental ability slipping from him and he internally fought so that he wouldn't lose control of his emotions. He didn't want to look at the child. It felt too illogical to see the off spring of another version of himself. Who knows what might happen if the infant's cries irritated him enough. Centuries ago, before the suppression of emotions, Vulcan parents were known for killing their crying children during Pon Farr and Spock did not want that to happen.
Nonetheless, Spock understood that in human culture, having friends and family present at the birth was important.
And in some ways, the child was his.
Spock followed Ny into the room and stood in the corner as Ny asked Nyota to hand the infant over to her.
"Hold him Spock!" Ny placed the small child in Spock's arms.
Kirk laughed, "Papa Spock."
Spock raised an eyebrow.
"Congratulations Nyota." Sulu kissed Nyota on the forehead.
Spock held the infant in his arms. The child was tiny and Spock suppressed the urge to want to hurt him. It was ironic that Vulcan impulses during Pon Farr, at time for mating and producing offspring cause them to become violent even towards their own children.
The child was alert like most Vulcan infants and looked intensively at Spock.
It was an exact replicate of Spock, only the child was slightly darker.
"What are we going to name the lad?" Scotty asked.
Nyota shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. I want for him to have a Vulcan name."
"His name should be Syon. It's a logical name considering he is the son of a Vulcan prince." Spock held the infant closer to his chest and thought for a moment possible children he might have with Ny. Would they look like this?
"What does Syon mean?" Nyota asked.
"It means 'Return to Glory' in ancient Vulcan." Spock answered.
"Return to Glory? What a nice name!" Nyota smiled and Spock handed the infant back to Nyota.
Nyota began to nurse Syon.
Once Syon drank his filled, he fell asleep and Nyota wondered about her Prince.
Will he ever come for her?
(Later that night)
Bones and Lenard injected Kirk with a lethal dose of morphine and watched as the medicine relived him of the pain he was going through. Afterwards, the room was quarantine and the men knew that they would have to leave the apartment and burn it to prevent others from discovering Kirk's body.
"Well it's done. We are going to have move very soon and burn this place down." Bones sat on the couch, the sight of Kirk's body will haunt him for the rest of his life.
"Where are we going to go? It cost money to move here." Sulu knew he didn't make much working at the restaurant, everything was so expensive on Earth during this time, and he had the added burden of helping Nyota with Syon.
"I want off this world!" Kirk shouted.
"Remember we have a baby sleeping in the room!" Sulu reminded Kirk.
"Sorry!"
"We have been sending out a low frequently signal ever since we landed here, but with no luck. No one has picked up on it." Sulu lowered his head and yawned.
"We should get some sleep." Scotty suggested.
All the men worried about getting to their rightful homes if not for themselves at least for the child, whose life will be very hard living during a time of intolerance and fear.
Just then, there was a loud knock on the door.
The men exchanged glances and Sulu with a small gun in his hand opened the door.
Sulu gasped.
Bones gasped.
Kirk and Scotty gasped.
Standing before them in royal Vulcan regalia was Amanda, the King's concubine and Prince Spock's mother.
She had with her several Vulcan bodyguards and walked into the small apartment.
"I am Amanda, the future Queen Mother of Vulcan. I have come to bring back my grandson to the royal family, as well as help in sending the crew of the Enterprise back to their Universe."
"How…did you…." Scotty tried to ask.
"I picked up on a signal coming from a ship that no one in this time could possibly have. We must leave quickly! The Empire is in peril!"
"Peril?' Kirk asked.
"Yes, a Captain Sulu of your ship is on his way to Vulcan to meet with the King. I haven't the time to explain it now, but I will on the way."
Kirk turned to Leonard, "This is getting more confusing by the minute."
"Where is Nyota?" Amanda asked.
"She is the room sleeping with her newborn son."
"Syon." Amanda answered.
"How do you know his name?"
"Like I said I will explain it on the way. Get everyone we must leave this time!"
Ny heard the commotion while going through her small baggage she had brought with her from the Enterprise and woke up Spock. While repacking her things she didn't realize that the tribble stole-away had escape.
"Sounds like our ride is here!"
(Solaris Prime)
Stonn entered the gates of the Temple on Tilian alongside Maren, the Bajorian monk who lived with Prince Spock.
"After the death of his concubine and his infant son, the Prince has become reclusive and only goes out when he needs to. He doesn't want to deal with anyone."
"Does he think he was responsible for their deaths?" Stonn asked.
"Well yes he does. The Prince is atoning for his sins." Maren answered.
"For the disease he spread on the Earth?"
"That and so much more. We cured him shortly after he arrived, but his soul needs curing the most." Maren pointed in the direction of a man hunched in the front of a large statue of a Vulcan God.
Maren turned and walked out, leaving Stonn to himself.
The man had long shaggy hair, wore white robes, and had the appearance of a religious fanatic.
"Prince Spock?" Stonn asked carefully.
He turned around and Stonn stepped back.
"Yes, I am."
Stonn dropped to his knees.
"Your majesty, the Empire is in peril! Even as we speak T'Pring and Sybok are trying to speak to the Vulcan High Council and vote to have Sybok rule as King. Your father is dying and wants you to come back home…." Stonn was cut off by Prince Spock's booming voice.
"I will never come back to Vulcan! Everything I stood for is lost! If Sybok wants the kingdom then let him!"
"Don't you realize your majesty you are atoning for a lie! A lie!"
"What lie? Nyota, the love of my life is dead! I don't have anything to live for anymore."
"Your majesty, your father sent Amanda to 1999 Earth to bring back Nyota and her infant son. They will be brought back to Vulcan, but their lives will be at the mercy of T'Pring and Sybok once your father dies."
Prince Spock eyes reflected his confusion.
"Alive?"
"Yes, they are alive."
"How can this be?"
Stonn stood there for a moment. "Your majesty, please tell me what happen? How did you end up coming here?"
"I was on a survey mission and our final destination was Earth 1999, the reason was because we wanted to collect samples of the human civilizations during this time. I was to meet with the Enterprise and bring back Nyota with me. And that was when things became complicated."
"Complicated?"
"I suddenly felt sick, but I had no idea how it happened. Thinking that it was nothing but a cold I met with the humans of the Enterprise and went to Earth to begin the survey mission. Eventually, I became so sick I couldn't move, however, I noticed that certain humans I came into contact with became infected too. Only much worst. The disease spread like wildfire and there was nothing I could do, expect leave in the hopes that I could find a cure. Once I was diagnosed, I knew that it was with the taboo disease of M'loin. The Bajorian scientists cured me because I didn't want the Vulcans to find out, however, T'Pring informed me that the disease spread on the Earth and killed Nyota. She was carrying my child."
Stonn felt his hatred for T'Pring rise. M'loin was a sexually transmitted disease for Vulcans and was very taboo. However, when an infected Vulcan encounters another non-Vulcan, the disease becomes airborne and can be deadly. This is what happened to the humans of 1999 Earth, but somehow Nyota and a few others managed to survive.
"You have been lied to your majesty. Nyota is not dead nor is her son, Syon. They are alive, but things are complicated due to a variety of factors. You must come with me. You must help your father."
"They don't want a half-human Vulcan on the throne."
"There are many who would rather see you ruling than you traitor brother Sybok. The Empire will fall into chaos and peril if you say here."
Prince Spock thought seriously about what Stonn had said, still he was sick of the prejudice both he and his mother faced because of his mixed heritage. Neither the humans nor his own people fully embraced him and there was no place he could call his home. No matter what he did, to the Vulcans he was a half-breed, inferior and something to be feared. To the humans he lacked a soul.
However, if Nyota was alive and if his father needed him, then he would have to put aside his personal problems and answer the call of duty. Sybok could not be the ruler of the Vulcan Empire; he lacked the skill to rule and was a traitor like his mother. Although, he wished there was another to take his place, Spock knew there were none. He would have to take the throne, or else the glory of Vulcan would cease to exist.
"There is still time to save the humans on Earth. The Bajorian scientists here cured me and they can certainly cure the humans." The enthusiasm in Spock's voice returned.
Just then a there was a shouting at the entrance of the temple.
"Father!"
Syon walked in a hurried pace towards Stonn and Prince Spock.
Spock looked at Stonn who took a moment to figure who it was.
"Syon?" Stonn asked and then saw that Nero was following behind him.
"Yes, it me. Father we must go to Vulcan!"
Spock was becoming more confused and Syon realized this.
"My mother gave birth to me in 1999 Earth, but I was taken by this man and raised in this time. The purpose being that I would turn against you and help T'Pring and Sybok take the throne. Only Sybok wasn't aware of my existence and now things have change with my mother sending a message to the wrong Enterprise…"Syon was rushing and not making any sense. However, he felt he would explode if he didn't tell his father the whole truth.
"How so?" Spock was confused. "I understand how this looks, but I will explain to you on the way. Even as we speak T'Pring is making her claim to the council!"
"Yes, I am aware. Stonn has told me everything."
Syon nodded in Stonn's direction, he knew that the Vulcan worked for his grandfather was to be trusted.
"First thing however, we must give a cure to the humans of the Earth before anything else happens!"
"Allow me your majesty, I can take my ship and travel back to 1999 Earth and release the cure in the atmosphere." Stonn lowered his head.
"Fine. You go with this man, and I will go with Syon. I want to know everything. Just how are you so old?" Spock asked his son and he could see both himself and Nyota in his eyes.
Stonn went with the priest. There was little time. If Sybok could convince the council to give him the throne, it could mean civil war.
Syon had plans for Nero.
He wanted the Romulan to think everything was okay and that Syon would not inform the prince of his past actions.
But Syon's plans for the Romulan, for T'Pring and for his uncle would settle the score of the last time
The empire would not fall into chaos.
Not if he had anything to say about it.
An: It's short but I do have classes. However, I might post either this week or early next week. I just got to get my thoughts together for the last two or three chapters.
Comments? Reviews? You know what do to.