Captain's Log
Stardate: 2261.8.22
The Saratoga completed its survey of the Scarlet Expanse and came back within range
of Starfleet's subspace arrays yesterday. No sooner had we done so when we were ordered
to go to the remote Campor System to investigate a strange anomaly that Starfleet's remote
sensors had picked up. We'll be arriving shortly.
James T. Kirk
Saratoga Sickbay
9:40 AM
"Beatin' strong and steady," McCoy said warmly as he held the fetal doppler over L'Naym's
stomach. At three months along, her belly was just beginning to round.
L'Naym listened enraptured to the sound of her unborn child's heart. "Beloved, that sound,"
she whispered to her lifemate.
Alyen squeezed her hand tightly, too moved to reply.
Kirk watched from a distance smiling. In preparation for their upcoming mission he'd decided
to personally visit each Department. Upon arriving in Sickbay he'd discovered that he'd walked
in on his Soul Sister's regular pre-natal exam.
Pre-natal exams. That was one of the many plusses about the Saratoga; her class was one
of the few in the Fleet that allowed families aboard. Altogether there were nine children onboard
with a tenth on the way. The Saratoga's greatest treasures L'Naym called them.
"I need to get back to the botany lab," McCoy had completed his exam and L'Naym was getting up.
"Commander Rodriguez is very excited over the algae collected from that rogue planet."
In the last days of its Scarlet Expanse survey, the Saratoga had come across a rogue planet.
Although lifeless on the surface it had many subterranean caverns with countless blue acid
streams warmed by the planet's molten core and filled with bioluminescent algae. Kirk had
nicknamed it the Blue Planet. A blue planet in the midtst of the Scarlet Expanse. A blue planet
with no sky, but caves, tunnels and illuminated rivers.
L'Naym hadn't been allowed to go on any of the away missions but she was eager to get to
the labs to look at the algae collected.
As she headed off to change back into her work uniform, Kirk stepped closer to Alyen.
"Baby-making doesn't slow her down does it?" he asked with a grin.
"Why would it?" Alyen answered with a grin of his own. "She's as fearless and dedicated as you are."
"Though with a lot more brains," McCoy murmured as he put away his equipment.
Kirk ignored the CMO's jab and clapped Alyen on the back. "So…Dad, has it all started to sink
in yet?"
"Jim…" all levity had fled from the Nlian's face. Nothing in life had affected him so deeply as
knowing that he was going to be a father and his most joyful moments where when he placed
his hands over his lifemate's belly, felt the little one move and tried to imagine what his son
would be like. At moments like that his joy and gratitude knew no bounds.
"Jim, there is no end to the joy I feel when I think of the little one, Shylea and I have created."
His voice dropped to a near whisper. "When I hold her and I feel the baby moving…I feel like
I could drown in my love for both of them."
He held a hand out to his Soul Brother. "Can I show you?"
"Of course," Kirk said softly, reaching out to take the Nlian's hand.
Two Souls briefly touched.
The Joined Soul shared the depth of his love for his beloved.
His pride, joy and love for their child.
The Touched Soul rejoiced for them both and for the little one to come.
"I'm so glad for you, Little bro," Kirk whispered solemnly as Alyen's hand dropped away.
"You and Shylea both.
He knew that joy over their upcoming child had consumed the Nlians from the moment the Mating
had struck and all their hopes and dreams were now tied up in the birth and raising of the son that
couldn't arrive soon enough as far as they were concerned.
"If anyone deserves this much happiness it's the two of you."
"All right you two," McCoy grumbled. "This is a sick bay not a daytime drama soap." McCoy sounded
like his usual sardonic self, but his eyes showed that he was moved.
Arex's voice came over the intercom. "Captain. We're approaching the Campor System."
"On my way, Arex." As he turned to go he winked at his Soul Brother. "Catch you later. Dad."