A wicked smile crossed Empress Sato's face. Her white teeth could be shown and it almost looked like she was snarling like a rabies infested canine. A gold glass filled with wine was pressed to her lips. She took a long gulp, and then let out a laugh.
She looked down at Vulcan through her window. They would bow down to her soon enough. The image of her coming down as their messiah and then them falling to their knees made her smile.
Now that she was going to be on Vulcan soil soon there was no way the citizens would dare to question her authority. They would fall into line and bend to her every command and wish. She brushed her fingers against the elegant glass in her hands. The ship started to get closer to the ground and Empress Sato could see crowds lines up to greet her. Her smile widened at the reception. Her eyes scanned the crowd and then her smile faded. There were Vulcan holding weapons and signs. The moment the ship got closer to the ground a flurry of Vulcan ran towards the ship. They looked inhumane and barbaric as they ran in a frenzy towards the Empress' ship. Imperial Starfleet officers used their phasers to eliminate the Vulcan citizens trying to jump over the barrier. The ship's phasers open fired on the crowd of Vulcans and Imperial Starfleet officers.
She saw body after body fall to the ground until all that was left were Imperial Starfleet officers. She grimaced as she stared at the mess. The Vulcan people didn't come to worship her. Not yet, at least. She knew they would soon. The ship landed completely on the ground and she stared at the pile of ash and bodies that covered the ground through her window. This is what they deserved for their insolence. Empress Sato could no longer tolerate this type of disrespect and behavior. Her dark eyes scanned the surroundings outside the ship. The Terran Empire symbol had been removed from everywhere and a holo vid was seen of Soval and Skon with propaganda messages from the Ak'spar.
The Empress spoke under her breath, "You kill some less important bastards and they live forever."
Anger was boiling inside her and it was starting to turn into a fiery wrath. She threw the cup that was in her hand against the wall and watched the wine spill from the cup and get onto the wall. Empress Sato was always in control on the Terran Empire. To see the disrespect and lack of influence and fear frustrated her to no end.
That was changing today she would bring those pathetic Vulcans to their knees. This foolish rebellion would end today. There would be no more talk of democracy and free speech. She would fulfill her business here in this pathetic part of the universe.
The ship gravitational field turned off and Empress Sato felt the heavy gravity of Vulcan weigh down her frame.
"Imperial Majesty, we have arrived at Vulcan. I have come with a hypo with a tri-ox compound."
The Empress turned around and looked at the silent nurse, "Come in and hurry on with it."
The nurse administered the hypo and left the room immediately. The Emperor felt more at ease after she had the hypo. She pulled out some eye drops and put them in her eyes. It would help with the brightness on the planet. Terran eyes did not evolve to handle great quantities of light. The only flaw the Terran species had in the Empress' opinion. She walked over to her lounge chair and grabbed the golden robe and draped it over her shoulders. A Kelpien slave came in with the Empress' sword and kneeled at her feet while they handed it to her. She adorned herself with it and started to walk from her room on the ship. Her eye's glowed with a hatred for this damn planet. She would love to see this place burn in hell.
Sarek stood rigidly in the Hall of Thought. His robes were stiff and pristine. Not a single wrinkle or fiber was out of place. A Terran Empire pin was on his chest. The gold of the pin reflected with the light as he moved forward slightly.
Sarek was alone in the Room of Enlightenment. The walls were lined with shelving that carried various artifacts and scroll from Pre-Reformation Vulcan. This was Skon's official office for decades. Anxiety filled him and he averted his eyes from the bookcases. He noticed a book on a pedestal surrounded by a holo barrier. He had never opened it due to it's age. He walked over to it briefly. He read the hand written title of it. The Teachings of Surak. It was an original copy of the book. A curious desire filled him. He walked over to the desk where his father use to sit. No one had moved his belongings since his death. He pressed a button that was located in one of the drawers. The barrier on the book turned off.
Silently, Sarek walked back to the pedestal and he gently opened the ancient text that guided logic on Vulcan for over two millennia. His hands carefully opened the book to a random page. He noticed immediately that a page had been taken out from the section he was looking at. His brow furrowed slightly. It was most curious. He carefully turned the pages to another section and saw a paragraph was blotted out on page 341. Confusion was the only emotion he could process in that moment. His fingers skimmed through the pages and again he could see passages were blotted out entirely. There was one section of the book that was missing three consecutive pages.
Ever since Sarek was a child he had studied Surak's teachings. He knew everything about the true Vulcan way. All the content in the old book in front of him was something he could repeat aloud to another being without any issues. He was aghast. The only logical explanation was the blotted passages and the missing pages could only mean one thing. Censorship. The most important text in all of Vulcan history had been censored for its own people. Sarek desperately wanted to know what those missing words were. The sound of footsteps made his heart rate spike slightly, but the steps passed by the door and continued down the hallway outside.
He set down the book on the pedestal and carefully closed it. He walked over to his father's old desk and turned on the barrier. The time on the clock in the room indicated that his meeting with Empress Sato III would begin in 3.42 minutes. Nerves filled him and it took him a long moment to be in control of them. Even though it wasn't logical each nano second felt longer as he watched the time pass by.
His mind was consumed with the thought of the Teachings of Surak. He didn't want to believe that he had been learning from a censored version of it his whole life. If Surak is so well-respected why would anyone intentionally censor his words? Conflict and confusion started to fill him. Sarek did not want to come to a quick conclusion because he did not have all the evidence needed to make a proper deduction. There had to be a logical explanation to the missing pages. He would investigate further at a different time.
The door slide open and Sarek turned quickly and stood up even straighter. It was T'Pau.
"Greetings, T'Pau."
T'Pau look sever and gave Sarek a silent nod in response, "The Empress is here and will shortly enter the room."
T'Pau walked towards Sarek and stood next to him. An Imperial Starfleet officer walked in and started to speak, "Please welcome the Mother of the Fatherland, the Overlord of Vulcan, Regina Andor, Sovereign Tellar, our Imperial Majesty, Empress Sato the III."
The Imperial Starfleet officer gave the Terran salute and the moment the Sarek saw the Emperor he had an illogical wave of fear enter him. It was fleeting because the next emotion was anger. He recalled the death of his own father and the injustice of it. It was because of the Emperor that Vulcan was in anarchy. Sarek's face remained phlegmatic even with the whirlwind of emotions within him. Nevertheless he gave the Terran Salute and kneeled as the Empress walked in. Even with T'Pau's age she also kneeled and did not dare to test the Empress' power. The room fell complete silent as they only hear Emperor Sato III's footsteps hit the solid ground.
The Empress wore her regal armor, and in her eyes there was a cold deadness. Her armor clanked with each step. Her eyes swept the room and fell upon Sarek. A spiteful smile rested on her lips and her eyes narrowed slightly.
"So you must be Skon's son."
She slowly walked towards Sarek who was on his knee. "You look just like the late governor. It would seem that I had some oversight when I executed Skon. As you can see I have personally dealt with T'Latya and she will no longer be a problem. The rest of her life will be miserable and long."
The Empress waited for Sarek's response, but Sarek's eyes remained trained on the floor.
"Are you mute?" The Empress enquired as she took her hilted sword from her side and used it to tilt up Sarek's chin. Sarek's heart rate went up when he felt the cold weapon contact his skin. He was forced to look into the relentless eyes of his ruler.
"I am not," Sarek managed to say evenly.
"Rise, and follow me to this table. We have much to discuss." Empress Sato looked at T'Pau as well and the two Vulcans followed silently to the old desk Skon had once been owner of.
The Vulcan's waited for the Empress to be seated and then she spoke.
"I assume you know well what I wish to discuss with you son of Skon. Tell me what is your name?"
"Sarek, your Imperial Majesty."
"I see. Sarek, you must know what business I have come here for?"
The gleam in the Empress' eyes seemed dangerous and Sarek felt as if she was testing him,
"I do not. For no one can guess the thoughts or motivations of the Empress for that is why you are the ruthless leader of the Terran Empire. Your ways and thoughts are more logical than the rest of your subjects."
The Empress made a small pleasurable laugh, "Ah, it would seem you inherited your words of flattery from your father. This might work out very well. You are right that my ways are more logical for it they weren't the Terran Empire would have crumbled by this point. But in my hands it will continue to thrive eons from this very day."
"I am sure the Terran Empire with continue to grow and be successful."
The words that came out of Sarek's mouth were hallow to his ears even in his droning monotonous tone. The Empress' smug expression didn't change which meant she did not detect he lack of sincerity.
"Sarek, I have come to personally charge you with the position of Governor to Vulcan. You will have a seat in the Governor's Circle and will be given every rite and privilege associated with the title." The Empress waited for Sarek's reply. T'Pau's calculations on this subject were correct. Sarek spoke before he could process his swirling emotions
"I am honored to receive such a title and position. I will serve thee and the Empire with all fortitude and energy."
He quickly gave the Terran salute and the Empress spoke again, "Excellent. I'm pleased you the honor and privilege of working under my direction. I am the most excellent being in the universe and thus you are lucky to be given such a title. You were the obvious chose since Skon was so well liked by the people of Vulcan."
Sarek wondered about the word 'lucky' for the term was not used on Vulcan. The definition of luck meant that things were happen stance or chance rather than a calculated decision. Sarek knew the decision of the Emperor's presence here today was calculated and methodical. No other reason would the Emperor step foot on a planet where over half the population wished to she her life terminated. Sarek decided it was wise to not comment on her use of the term.
"I am lucky to receive a title and will serve you until my last breath. I only wish to serve the Empire."
The Empress laughed, "Let us hope your last breath will not be soon then. This brings me to my next set of business."
Sarek's eyes widened. What other business was left? Sarek looked over at T'Pau who was also sitting silently and she turned to look at Sarek for a brief moment. She was also not aware of what the next bit of information the Empress was going to divulge.
The Empress spoke, "I am giving you the gift of a wife."
Sarek froze, and he tried to absorb the words that the Empress had just spoken. Sarek heard a small gasp from T'Pau but didn't dare to look at her. He could not find words to use and instead gave a curt nod.
"I hear you do not currently have wife. With my wisdom I thought it wise that you have one if you are to be governor of a planet like Vulcan. You will be on the Official Imperial Holonews and you have an image to uphold. Your public persona is a direction reflection of me and I will not have my image tarnished or questioned by anyone! So I have a gift or a peace offering. I hope she will please you."
Thoughts raced through Sarek's mind. So many questions filled him and he had no idea what to do or say. Who was the women? He had to know who it was if they were considered good enough to be his wife. He wondered if the Emperor picked from one of T'Pau's list of bondmates that he had reviewed in the past. Yet T'Pau's gasp indicated she did not know who this mystery female was. Was Sarek being given a wife who would spy on him and make sure he stayed in line? He would not be surprised if the Emperor wished to control and manipulate him into following her will if there were always eyes and ears on him. He could not betray the Empire at all. His thoughts could potentially be read by a Vulcan bondmate when they bonded. Dread and fear filled his core as his thoughts continued to race on to every possible conclusion. Sarek forced words out of his mouth even though he could not process his own emotions.
"I accept any gift you bestow on me with your wisdom, Your Imperial Majesty."
The Empress seemed pleased by that response, "Good. You will meet her in 2 days. Currently she is on a ship from Terra. The official wedding ceremony will be then and will be recorded for the whole Terran Empire to see."
Sarek's eyebrows rose slightly and he spoke wishing not to test the Emperor but wishing to know his own fate, "Why is my," Sarek paused trying to say the right word, "fiancé on a ship from Terra?"
The Emperor laughed at the stupidity of the Vulcan in front of her, "Even you could guess why. She is human. It will be the first intergalactic wedding of its kind. And all because of my mercy and grace. The whole Terran Empire will be watching and celebrating in this joyous affair. You will be the first mixed species couple to ever be married. I am making a special exception to you and this girl."
T'Pau could no longer hold back her words for she spoke out of turn, "Empress Sato, why has thou chosen a Terran as a bride for Sarek?"
"Isn't obvious? To help stop the chaos on Vulcan. Electing Sarek as governor was not enough to undone the anarchy that has been taking place here for weeks. A marriage between the two worlds seemed the way to bridge the gap between Vulcan and Earth at this very moment. If you question my wisdom I may have too see your pathetic green blood on my sword."
T'Pau became more rigid, "Thou are wise and thy decisions are the best decisions for Vulcan. We only wish to serve the Empire."
Sarek felt disgust in the pit of his stomach. He was being forced to marry a human female. Terrans were violent and lacked dignity. Their emotional outburst were unpredictable and their greed for power made them the worst species that existed. Sarek tried to fight down the feeling of distrust for Terrans. He kept telling himself was loyal to the Emperor and would fulfill her request because he was serving the Terran Empire.
Sarek spoke, " I wish to serve thee, Empress Sato. I question what is this female's name?"
Empress Sato laughed, "I do not know, why would I trouble myself with memorizing her name? It is of no consequence to me. Anyway, I can no longer waste my time here. I will see you at the official ceremony in a couple hours from now."
T'Pau and Sarek stood as the Empress stood to walk away. They gave the Terran salute as she walked away with her guards out of the Room of Enlightenment. After a long moment of silence, T'Pau finally spoke.
"I cannot agree with the Emperor's choice in thy bondmate. She does not even know who the female is. This potential bondmate may have experience in allowing males to pay her for her services in intercourse."
Sarek could not believe the words coming out of T'Pau's mouth. He had never heard her refer to trafficking of other species before.
Sarek spoke, "I must serve the Emperor even in this request."
T'Pau looked at Sarek with her stoic face, "Thou must. I only question if it is viable to create a true bond between thee and this future bondmate."
"I hypothesis that such a bond is not likely and highly improbable."
"If so, we must hold a bonding ceremony. Though shouldest form a betrothal bond with her to test if thou can forge a bond with her. Psi-null Vulcans and psi-capable Vulcans usually can form a bond 96.7% of the time. I would estimate that the situation may have some similarities but the Terran mind is also different. There is no way to estimate the success of this union. "
"Affirmative. That is a wise experiment, pid'kom."
"Regardless, thou wilt have to forge a true bond when the fever takes you That is if thou wishes to survive the fires of pon farr."
Sarek blinked and his adrenaline spike with that thought. If a mental bond wasn't possible with this human he would be meeting his death very soon. Not only that but he was being forced to bond with a person he did not know and a Terran. The Terrans who invaded Vulcan and killed so many of his own people. There had been no known marriage between a Vulcan and Terran. There may have been couples because of the years of inter mingling but he doubts there are records of it. There may be only gossip and he had not heard any.
Sarek responded, "Yes, T'Pau."
T'Pau looked straight into Sarek's eyes, "Even so, if she cannot form a bond with thee. There are options to make sure you can find a more suitable bondmate."
Sarek's eyebrows rose at T'Pau's suggestion. It was illogical of her to even considered eliminating his future Terran bondmate. Even though Sarek did not desire the union he did not want the Emperor to lose trust in him. For T'Pau to even be suggesting such a thing meant she was very displeased by the Emperor's announcement.
T'Pau continued, "The official ceremony begins in 2.34 hours from now. I suggest thou prepare with hast."
The woman gave the salute and Sarek gave it in return.
T'Pau turned on her heel and gracefully exited the room without another word leaving Sarek to his own disastrous thoughts and emotions.
Deep Space in the Alpha Quadrant
ISS Defiant
Amanda laid on the hard bed that was beneath her. Only a day ago she was in cell in that prison. A chill ran up her spine as she recalled her recent time there while being blind. She no longer would be ungrateful for basic things like seeing or her freedom. She paused on that thought. She made a small frown.
She wasn't free. She was still a prisoner. She was basically getting sex trafficked. She no longer had a citizenship with Terra. She was officially a citizen of Vulcan now. Amanda had no idea who she was marrying. When she tried to question the Imperial Starfleet officer who escorted her to this ship they only scoffed and threw her into this room.
The room was barebones. It had a bed, a replicator and a sonic. There was a PADD on the bed and a change of clothes that were Imperial Starfleet standard sweats. It was as if she was in a 5-star hotel compared to the weeks she had to suffer in that cold cell in San Francisco.
Amanda could hear the low humming of the ship as they travelled through space. She wished she had a window, or that the PADD had anything useful to read. She eyed the PADD one more time and its screen lit up. She sat up and stared at the screen. A new broadcast was coming in. It was the Official Imperial Holonews.
Amanda didn't know if she was ready to watch the OIH again. Not after what that doctor showed her. A feeling of anxiety flooded her as she recalled the barbaric Vulcan attacking innocent Terrans. She tried to shake the flashes of images. She started at the screen again. She knew that she had to watch it since it was part of her duty as a subject of the Emperor.
Her hands grabbed the PADD and she turned on the new transmission. The start of the news was how she expected. It quickly listed off the victories of the Imperial Starfleet as well as any notable changes in Starfleet captains. Amanda's eyes narrowed when she saw the name of Phillipa Georgiou show up as the new captain of the ISS Forge. Wasn't she first officer? Amanda assumed she must have killed the captain.
Quickly the footage changed and the Emperor was in the screen. Yet the Emperor Sato was not in the palace. She was in a different location and surrounded by other Vulcans and dignitaries. The Emperor walked to a podium, "Your Empress now speaks. Now prepare to hear my word. It is with great pleasure that I announce to you the new Governor of Vulcan."
Amanda caught her breath. She felt a deep sense of dread knowing that she would be faced with the appearance of a creepy old man who would abuse her. All her nerve ending were firing and made her stress levels increase.
Amanda's eyes were glued to the screen as she waited for the moment of truth. The Empress smiled and continued, "I have appointed S'chn T'gai Sarek as the new governor to Vulcan."
The camera followed a young man who was walking towards the Emperor from the crowd who looked to be close to Amanda's age. As the man got clear into view Amanda's jaw dropped. This had to be some sort of sick joke. She immediately recognized who this man was. She met him at the Terran Empire Delegation. She remembered how he stared at her as she was getting dragged away.
Amanda continued to listen, "As you all know Sarek is the son of the late governor, Skon. He will continue on the legacy of his father even though he was assassinated by the likes of the traitorous T'Latya at the Terran Empire Delegation. Now kneel, loyal servant."
The footage continued as Amanda watched Sarek kneel before the Emperor and as she took her specter and placed it on either side of him, "I, Emperor Hoshi Sato the III, give you, S'chn T'gai Sarek, all rites and privileges associated as Governor of Vulcan in the Terran Empire."
There was a thunderous applause and Amanda could not get over the shock. Amanda felt some relief about not having to be forced into a marriage with an old man but the images of the violent Vulcans still plagued her thoughts. Old men were typically weak, but young healthy men were strong and potentially dangerous! Amanda continued to analyze what she had just heard and saw. T'Latya murdered Sarek's father the same night her father was killed. Her eyes grew wider. This was a twisted joke. This couldn't be happening to her. She covered her mouth with her hand and blankly stared at the screen. Her life would be a living hell until her last breath. Amanda clenched her teeth and her fist. If she had any power to end the Terran Empire she would in this instant. She couldn't do that now but she could survive, and she knew she would no matter what.
Author's Note:
Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter up. I was working on the story outline, and I've been busy with my life. I was in the middle of moving apartments and work picked up and that has been taking up a lot of my time.
I just recently moved to a ridiculously huge and fast-paced city 6 months ago so it was hard adjusting to the new environment, and dealing with the anxiety it was giving me. Here is a PSA: take care of your mental health. There is nothing wrong with admitting you have mental health problems or struggles.
Then after all of this I found that I didn't have the motivation to write as much. I probably won't be updating as frequently as I did when I first started this story but I hope to be slightly more consistent. This chapter isn't where I want it to be but I feel that it is enough since many of you have been waiting for an update for a long time. So forgive the errors.
Thanks for reading and all the support. It means so much to me! Please follow or leave a review. Live long and prosper.