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Chapter 4: A Vulcan's Memory

"I t'ink ve're almost dere." Chekov said when he had finally returned from a good sleep in Sickbay.

"T'ink?" I said laughing, "Dere, Ve're?" I continued to smirk at him.

"I cannot help your infernal language! It makes no sense to me half ze time." He said to me, leaning back in his chair to glare at me.

I shrugged. "You know, I always thought I might wish to visit Russia." I told him seriously.

"Vhy didn't you?" He asked. Now we weren't joking. I shrugged again. "No time, not enough credits, you know, that stuff."

"I'd be happy to show you around if ve ewer make it back to Earth." He said not looking at me.

I swiveled him around in his chair so he had to look at me. He stared right into my eyes, like he could scare me with the intensity. It didn't work, only because I had grown up giving those glares to kids that called me a geek. That and I also beat quite a few up on the Academy grounds as part of a simulation.

"My, My Pavel," I said jokingly again, "Sounds like your asking me on a date."

His face turned red and he stuttered, "Not a date, just two people, enjoying…"

He stopped again when I purposely frowned.

"Not that I wouldn't…. It's just…." When I laughed he made an exasperated sound, like he knew I was putting him on.

"I'd rather go to Scotland." Becky told us. Scotty immediately glanced up when he heard that, smiling proudly at the thought of his homeland.

"Aye, a beautiful place Scotlan is." He told us happily, "You canno believe the sights ye can see thare."

We got into a fight about the best country on earth; Russia, Scotland, Africa, Japan. No one bothered to defend America.

Right as Uhura was about to tell us the luxurious life of Africa, the turbo-lift doors hissed open, letting in Kirk and- Johnna?

Johnna followed the captain diligently, looking smug and in control. Kirk himself seemed highly annoyed—my guess was that McCoy had gotten the best of him, forcing someone to watch him everywhere he went.

Chekov tapped my shoulder and I got up. He took my seat, looking at Vulcan, now close up on the screen.

"Coming up on Wulcan, Keptin," He said after searching on our current coordinates.

"Thank you, Mr. Chekov. Mr. Sulu Standard orbit." Kirk said back, smiling at the way Pavel said "Wulcan,"

"Aye, sir"

The landing party consisted of Spock, Chekov, Johnna, Uhura, and me. The Captain was declared unfit for this 'mission', by Doctor McCoy, whom had meticulously planned. First of all, the Captain didn't need to go with them. Secondly, why go if there was possible danger, and he was already hurt. I had to agree.

Spock split off from us, going to visit his family while he could. That left us at a loss for what to do. I tried to remember what we had seen. There was the colony of either Romulans or Vulcans, unable to survive the heat. I thought it more probable to be Romulans, seeing as how hot it was on Vulcan. I still didn't know what this had to do with either race though. It must have been the Romulans that had the secret seeing as the goddess was from Romulus. They were not peaceful people as we already discerned. Was it possible they had someone undercover on Vulcan, watching carefully for weaknesses? Why though, and how?

What, when, who, where, why, and how? Those were the most simple questions and yet the hardest to answer. I hated being insubordinate, especially when it came to Starfleet. I walked my way toward the city of Shikahr, surprised when everyone followed me without question. Even Uhura, whom was three ranks above me. Along the way we saw few Vulcan children. The only one I noted was a young boy walking in a full outfit of robes with his pet. The pet was a six foot tall sehlat as I later learned, basically a giant teddy bear with six inch fangs. I myself thought it was sort of cute but Becky found them funny. When we came into the city, we were greeted by a kind group of Vulcan's, consisting of mostly the younger generation most likely our age, and all woman; or rather they greeted Becky. They all wore the same deep blue robes as we had seen the one Vulcan dressed in with three triangles tip to tip on the left shoulder, long black hair pulled back into a tight braid.

"It is a pleasure to see you again, Friend." The one girl said.

"And you T'Shan. Tell me, why are you in the city? I have always known you to be more of a country girl." Becky seemed to be joking. With a Vulcan?

"I might you a question of the same origin." T'Shan responded with no visible emotion.

"Dispatch mission," I told them. I shouldn't have jumped in like that, but Becky, even though I knew for only a few short days, was a horrid liar.

"I see," T'Shan said though she knew quite clearly that wasn't why. The other Vulcans behind her seemed to grow restless.

"We must be going, I am afraid our classes shall start soon. Live long and prosper." She told us all, right hand forming a V.

"Peace and long life." Becky responded respectfully. The group dissipated, all of them in quite different directions. It seemed somewhat odd, especially since they all had to go to class. I shrugged to myself.

Beep, Beep. My communicator insisted dully. I handed it to Uhura and she flipped it open with a flash.

"Uhura here," She said quietly. Spock's voice filtered back through the private communicator channel.

"Report."

"No changes or new information."

"Have your party meet me at the coordinates I am sending you now in a half hour. Spock out." Before Uhura could respond he already had his communicator flipped shut and was off the channel.

The communicator beeped one shrill time, signaling it had received the coordinates of where ever we had to go. Uhura listened as a blank voice repeated the numbers dutifully.

"Oh, I know where that is!" Becky said happily. "That's-,"

She noticed us all looking at her and fell silent. I had a feeling she was going to say 'that's where Spock lives' but I didn't ask her to finish her sentence. We made our way toward what I guessed to be Spock's home, Becky out to lead. She didn't bother to question if she was headed the right way, she knew exactly where to go and how to get there.

We were there in the half hour we were supposed to. Upon our arrival the door flung open to reveal whom I guessed only to be Spocks mother. She rushed forward to hug Becky tightly. Becky hugged her back. Spock and Ambassador Sarek stood behind them looking as embarrassed as a Vulcan could.

"It is so good to see you again, honey!" Spocks mother said fiercely.

"And you Amanda, I missed you."

"You have no idea what it's like with only Sarek here. He hardly gives me hugs anymore. Him and his logic my foot."

Amanda said jokingly. Becky laughed with good humor, a sound I had not heard from her before.

"I do not see how that is humorous. If not for logic, we simply could not survive." Sarek said pointedly.

We all laughed. Amanda directed us all inside, and told us to make our selves at home. That made me think of Chekov trying to rearrange everything into a Russian style, with maps of the Soviet Union hanging on the walls. I nearly laughed out loud.

Amanda disappeared into another room then hurried out with a plate of cups and saucers. We all took one and said our thanks. I took a sip of the hot, dark liquid. Tea. Actual tea. It was wonderful too. Everyone else tried theirs. Pavel hid a grimace and Becky smiled. I thought it to be one of the best things ever since the academy.

I set my cup in its saucer and held it on my lap.

"The reason we are here is not for any other reason then a mystery of sorts, as I am quite sure you have figured out by now mother." Spock said carefully.

"I know."

"Then you have also figured out that the mission we are on is not one issued by Starfleet Command." The question seemed directed more at Sarek then Amanda.

Sarek gave a sharp nod. Spock looked toward me, basically saying that it was me who should tell the story.

I started off, it was painfully slow from point A to point B especially when Uhura added her two cents whenever I left something out.

By the time I had finished I noticed that everyone except me was deep in their own minds, trying to come up with some sort of solution.

"And you think this to be somehow connected with the death of Rebecca's father?" Sarek asked. Becky seemed to wince at her full name. "I'm not sure. I don't think I've ever heard of a Vulcan killing anyone for any reason."

"Nor would you. Killing is something no Vulcan takes lightly."

I took another sip of tea.

"I know, of course that the Vulcans and Romulans were a single race a very long time ago, but I can't help but wonder why the two branched off in different ways."

I didn't expect him to answer me and he really didn't have to either. What surprised me is that he did answer and it didn't even seem to bother him.

"The Vulcans and Romulans are very close, but only biologically. They, of course, have emotions and that it what gives their credit for being a deceitful and undesirable race. They believe the path to wisdom is through emotion instead of logic. They can kill without any guilt, but ironically, cannot seem to bear the fact that they are in some way related to Vulcans. When it happened they were happy to go and develop there own colonies elsewhere."

Sarek looked to Spock and he took over the story.

"The Romulans first of six colonies was unsuccessful. What exactly caused them to go so wrong is unknown to us. The next three developments were not entirely successful, but we have limited to knowledge of their progress. The last are the main two, as you know to be Romulus and Remus.

"Though we don't know much about this race we do know that they are common trouble makers."

Spock seemed to be cut off by Chekov's sudden interest in a furry animal locked securely in a cage.

"Is that a Tribble?" He asked out of the blue. "Yes it is." Amanda answered. "I love how fuzzy he is. His name is Treble."

"Say that ten times fast," I whispered to Uhura. She concealed her giggles.

"Mother I hardly see why you own such a creature. their existence is illogical." Spock said with distaste. Amanda let out an exasperated gasp. "I was hoping there would be a day without that word being said." She told us. We smiled but said nothing.

I took another sip of tea.

Sarek just got back to business like the Vulcan he was. "We have some of our kind that may be able to help you, but only if they are allowed on the Enterprise."

I shall have to consult the Captain to know for sure…I cannot help but ask who would it be that we would take aboard the ship?"

"T'Shan. You knew her only briefly I am afraid, but Miss Korff has associated with her."

"Yes, we actually just saw her recently." Becky said to Amanda more than Sarek.

BEEP,BEEP! Spock's communicator complained. He answered it diligently.

"Spock here." He said into the device.

"Spock, how is it going down there?" Kirk asked rather impatiently.

"From the sound of your voice it is almost as if you are expecting something to go wrong." Spock inquired.

"Well I must assume the worst … but anything to report?"

"No Captain, other then to receive permission to have a Vulcan board the ship to help us with our mission."

"Permission granted. Be ready to beam up in approximately 30 minutes. Kirk out."

We all looked at each other, asking what to do with our eyes. Becky made the first move and broke the eerie silence.

"It was nice to see you again, Amanda, Sarek. I hope next time our visit will be longer and on better terms. I suggest we find T'Shan before to long."

And we did find her quite easily. It turns out she was one of Sarek's advisors and was coming anyway to give him some important papers. After some heart felt goodbyes and the traditional Vulcan ritual of 'Living long and Prospering' we beamed back aboard the Enterprise with our guest.

"Welcome aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. I am Captain James T. Kirk."

T'Shan did the Vulcan Sign—but with her left hand. I didn't really take it to mind. I had noticed before we transported that she was left handed.

"Nice to finally meet the Famed Captain Kirk. Hardly believable one of your stature could need my help."

"Yes, well we shall talk of this on our way down to your quarters." He said back calmly. "Yes, of course." T'Shan said equal to his tone.

As they left, T'Shan glanced back at me. It was an almost

Evil stare, even though she had no expression. Her eyes showed it all. They were a startling grey, with specks of black. And they were gone now leaving Chekov, Scotty, Uhura, Becky and me together in the transporter room.

Becky shrugged. "I dunno about you guys but my shift is over, and I kinda want to go down to Engineering for a change."

Scotty immediately smiled and said happily," I'd love to show yea around." They left together, along with Uhura. That left me and Pavel. Alone. We stood there looking at our feet awkwardly.

"I guess I should go the bridge. It's my turn for an all nighter." I said after a minute. The sentence actually wasn't that true seeing as how there is no night or day in space.

"Yeah. I'll see you later then." He said like he was some what out of it.

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Awsome eh? Really long this time. Fyi most people don't know that Peace and Long life is the proper response to Live long and prosper. So PLEASE PLEASE review. I write faster. Right now I am at 1 chapie every two weeks. The more reviews, the faster I type. Any questions about charactors, requests for backround info on anyone will be seen and most likely answered eventually THX! LLAP _\\ /