Stardate 2227.52
S'chn T'gai Fortress
A storm of images and words were flying past Amanda, her eyes were moving fast in order to keep track of the information. The holographic images continued to move and Amanda tried to absorb everything that was put in front of her. She felt a little bit of adrenaline and she was getting a bit of a headache. She was starting to think about how she was hungry for lunch. Then the images and words stopped. She let out a breath of relief.
"What were the symbols you saw?"
T'Rama was looking down at her in the skill dome, waiting for a reply. The look on her face made it seem like she didn't believe in Amanda. It had been 2 long grueling weeks. T'Rama did not lie about her training to Lady of Vulcan. She was learning everything about etiquette, the culture of Vulcan, and the Vulcan language. It was a lot to wrap her mind around but she refused to be defeated, and more than anything she wanted to show this Vulcan woman that she was more capable than she looked.
It also helped that as she was learning more about Vulcan, the more information offered to her about the geography of the planet and the culture the easier it would be to escape. It was what she needed to better understand a way off this planet but also be able to survive and navigate this culture until she could runaway.
Amanda had a small smile put quickly tried to subdue it when T'Rama arched her brow at her, "Rata, tapan and tafar".
"Your enunciation was slightly off, but that is the best a Terran can do given with your disadvantages."
Amanda ignored the fact that she insulted her. It was best not to fret over insults over small things. She knew when to pick her battles with these unusually blunt beings.
"I will do better next time."
"We shall see. What are the meanings of those words?"
"Concept, mental discipline, and cerebral process."
"Correct."
"Can you write them in both vanu-tanaf-kitaun and gotavlu-zukitan?"
Amanda demonstrated her skills but drawing the symbols for each of the words with her hand in the skill dome. She saw the character's appear and float around her as finished writing them.
"That is correct. You need to open the curvature of 'ah' by 42.3%"
Amanda nodded. It was strange being taught like a child. Especially since it was her job to teach children or at least it was.
"You have spent enough time in the skill dome learning language. I must teach you more in etiquette. You must become a Lady of Vulcan that can be respected."
The platform under Amanda rose and was made level with T'Rama so she was no longer in a hole in the ground.
Amanda walked off the platform and followed T'Rama. As she walked to follow T'Rama she thought more about the last 2 weeks. She had hardly seen Sarek. She saw him on two different occasions and it was when he had this foot out the door to go to his office or work on things for the Terran Empire. One morning she tried to get up early enough to talk to him during breakfast but as soon as she got to the kitchen he stood up and left saying he was needed at the capitol in "32.45 minutes." Amanda wasn't going to lie; it was almost annoying how accurate Vulcan's got with numbers. They somehow had this internal clock and could repeat back to you the exact time down to the last millisecond.
The next time she tried to talk to him he had gotten home late while she was reading on her PADD. She said hello to him, and he made a curt nod, did the Terran salute, and mentioned that he needed to meditate. Then he ran off to his room shut the door and that was almost 4 days ago.
She knew a man like him would be busy but she did not realize he would be so busy that she wouldn't be able to make an apology to him. She felt it was almost too late to do so now. If she had a chance to apologize soon she would do it but she felt like she would never see him long enough to tell him. She would just have to work with where they were and maybe build his trust. She wanted him to trust her. She needed him to. It would only make her life easier when the time came to fly off into space.
It was lonely and isolating living on this planet. The Vulcans did not like her and she was unsure if she liked them. They have only proven themselves to be cold and violent. She would hear reports about the Ak'spar in Shi'kahr. They were still trying to murder the Imperial Starfleet and any Terrans they saw walking the streets. Amanda did not support the Empire but she did believe that Vulcans had the potential to be violent and kill her.
The loneliness was starting to feel was very raw. The isolation of being throw into a new culture where everyone assumed the worse of you and saw you as less than was having it's effect on her mentally. The last few nights she found herself having nightmares. She would wake up in the middle of the night multiple times and would cry. Each dream was the same. She would be in the desert and then on the horizon she would see a swarm of people running towards her in all directions. As they got closer she could see that they were Vulcans. Then they would overtake her and kill her. Then she would wake up from her dream.
That's when the tears would come and she would cry herself back to sleep. She knew that a horde of Vulcans would never come for her like that, but she really did believe Saya when she said she had many enemies out there. That is why she needed to get strong. Her body was regaining it's strength and even though she wasn't back to her normal weight she was looking less sickly and more like herself.
This time when she woke in the middle of the night she thought that she saw someone in her room but when she blinked and rubbed her eyes the imaginary figure was gone. Anxiety filled her and she couldn't sleep the rest of the night. An irrational fear filled her that her captures from the San Francisco prison were there to take her back. She was able to calm herself down, but it made her worry when she finally did get up with the sun and took her Tri-ox compound. She felt like one of her doses was missing. She brushed it off thinking she miscounted from the day before, and it would be fine since Sarek said that if she ever ran out she could easily get a refill. That was easily remedied this morning when she asked Zhi'rev to talk to the doctor to get that for her.
Zhi'rev did it quickly, and even brought her a soothing Vulcan tea and then her anxiety was completely gone in regard to her medication. Zhi'rev had proven herself as an effective worker and Amanda liked her surprisingly. She felt camaraderie with her as she spoke to her more. She was just a young girl trying to survive and she could respect that because she saw herself in her. The only people she sort of trusted were Saya and Zhi'rev, and they were both Vulcans. Yet Amanda still didn't trust Vulcans entirely. Maybe she just didn't trust anyone who aligned themselves with the Empire anymore.
She sighed.
T'Rama brought her out of her rumination, "The Lady of Vulcan does not sigh. Vulcan's do not sigh. It is illogical to do so. You must be more in control of your emotions."
The desire to roll her eyes was so strong but she held back and didn't do it. She would never be a Vulcan because she never could be, but she hoped to be herself yet function in their society to meet her goals.
"I understand, T'Rama."
"Good. You must choose logic over emotion. That is the path the Lady of Vulcan must adhere to."
"I only wish to serve the Terran Empire. So I know what my duty is."
"Yes, your duty as my son's bondmate is to protect him from death. You must elevate him in his role as governor. "
Amanda felt mad. She did not want Sarek to be above her. It was obvious that T'Rama did not care for her. It must have been a burden to teach her, but it was so Sarek could live and survive. It was as if she worshiped her son. What about her feelings or the fact that she deserved to be equals with Sarek? Wasn't the family structure and system on Vulcan a matriarchy? Amanda thought that she would be more respected more as a woman, but she decided the exception to the rule were Terran women.
"My goal is to become the best Lady of Vulcan I can become, T'Rama. I have only proven myself. I have been learning the language faster than most Terrans can. I have made tremendous progress over the past 2 weeks. I do not wish harm upon your son."
"You have learned slower than a Vulcan. A mere Vulcan child can learn at 3 times the rate you are."
"You missed my point. I'm doing my best and I've learned a lot. I'm not going to give up. I'll take whatever you can throw at me."
"I do not understand why you would assume that I would throw any object at you?"
Amanda laughed for a moment, and noticed the seriousness on T'Rama's face, "I do not mean throw literally. I just meant that I can learn or deal with any subject, topic or challenge you put in front of me. I won't give up that easily. If I can survive a Terran Empire prison I can survive this."
T'Rama arched her brow, "Interesting. Come we still have much to get through for today."
Amanda was exhausted after her long day with T'Rama. She felt the woman was slowly respecting her more and more. It wasn't perfect because every time she felt like she was making progress with her she would say something insulting about her being a Terran.
The loneliness started to fill her as she sat in her room by herself watching the Vulcan sun go below the horizon. She tried to shake the feeling, but it just sat with her in the undercurrent of her emotions. She shook her head and picked up the PADD in front of her. It was time for her to watch the Official Imperial Holonews. She hadn't seen it yet that day.
It first started with Captain Phillipa Georgiou and her success with the ISS Forge. Then it listed any other major changes with in the hierarchy of Starfleet.
Then there he was on the screen with his ever phlegmatic face, her stranger of a husband. She laughed because she felt like she saw him more on the holonews than in person. She observed his form and Amanda had to admit Sarek looked regal in his robes. He was hologenic, which was important for his role. There were other men next to him in the shot. There was a Governor Grax of Betazed, Governor Gav of Tellar, Governor Shukar of Andoria, and Fleet Admiral Kirk. Amanda felt her stomach churn when she saw the fleet admiral. She did not like that man and was reminded of her last encounter with him in prison.
She turned her attention back to the video as Sarek spoke, "The Governor's Circle has been reformed to include Vulcan as a participant once again. It is my wish to serve the Terran Empire and the Empress with this honor."
Sarek did the Terran salute as the other governors did so in return. Amanda remembered Governor Grax from her wedding day. He had briefly mentioned the Governor's Circle but Amanda now assumed that it was official now. It was big news for Vulcan and good. It meant more influence for Vulcan in the Empire and Amanda wasn't sure if she should be elated or scared because the target just got larger on her back.
The segment went back to the announcer, "That is it in the news of the Governor's Circle. We congratulate you Governor Sarek and the rest of Vulcan for your hard work and support of the Terran Empire."
Amanda now understood what this was all about. This Governor's Circle thing was to calm down the civil war that was happening on Vulcan. It might help but Amanda was skeptical of the results. Her focus came back and she continued to listen.
"Now we turn it over to our Empress Hoshi Sato the III."
The woman appeared on screen and started to speak her final words as she usually did,
"Your Empress now speaks. Prepare to receive my word. It has been my honor to protect you from the cancerous ideas the rebels like the Ak'spar have been spreading. We are seeing the end of insurgent groups across the expanse of space because of my Imperial Starfleet. Let the blood of the insurgents be a reminder of the power and majesty of the Terran Empire. As my subjects you are protected from them because of my grace and mercy. Destruction is what leads to peace. Your freedom can only be obtained through complete submission to me, and power can only be obtained through your own ignorance. Heed my words."
The transmission ended and Amanda was startled by the ring of her communicator. She answered it, "Hello?"
Sarek was happy to be out of the scrutiny of the holocamera lenses. He tried to fight back this resentful feeling had for the Empress for killing his father. He pushed the emotion away. The last 2 weeks of marriage had been interesting. He had purposefully avoided Amanda since he did not want her emotional outbursts. Yet at times when he was meditating at night he could sense her anxiety and a loneliness that he did not understand. It perplexed him that she could feel those emotion so deeply and to project them into the bond unknowingly. Besides these intrusions into his meditation it felt as though he did not have a bondmate. He knew Amanda had a right to know about pon farr, but he concluded that it wasn't necessary information to give her at this time. There were quite a few more months before he would be required to give her an explanation. He was more preoccupied with forming his cabinet members and those that would work closely with him in managing Vulcan.
"Governor Sarek, you make us proud."
The blue Andoria governor came up to Sarek and patted him on the back. He stiffened from the contact but ignored it.
"Governor Shukar."
"There you go with your emotionless response that could be colder than the ice mountains of Aenar."
"My response did not change the internal temperature of this room, especially, not to below freezing temperatures."
Governor Shukar started to laugh and then he heard the laugh of Governor Grax join in from behind him. Sarek turned to look at him.
Grax chimed in, "I'm happy we were able to publicly announce you as an addition the Governor's Circle."
Sarek replied, "Now it will be easier to eradicate the Ak'spar from Vulcan."
"I agree. We need to continue to eliminate them. It's easy to exterminate pest once you know what can end them."
A voice rang out from behind the Vulcan and Betazoid governors, "That is the only time I would agree with you, Andrus."
Governor Grax gave a grimace of a smile, "Fleet Admiral, I'm glad to see we meet eye-to-eye on this. I hope we can do so more in the future."
"I think not. We all know that the Empress favored me before you took my idea about Sarek's Terran whore!"
Sarek had an illogical desire to nerve pinch the man. It seemed that Governor Grax could sense Sarek's irritation and looked at him to reassure him.
"Yes, it was my idea to make sure Governor Sarek would have a wife."
The fleet Admiral shook his head, "Sure as hell you did."
Governor Gav stepped in after being a silent by stander, "Kirk, you best leave this kind of debate for the Circle's table not in the halls of this capitol building where every Vulcan in a 10 mile radius can hear you."
"Gav, if you think I would take advice from a talking pig you best think again."
"Do not cast insults on me because you fell out of favor with the Empress. You are lucky she continues to keep you around."
Kirk got close to Governor Gav, but then Kirk felt a weird sense of calmness come over him, and it irritated him when he knew what Governor Grax was doing.
"You are manipulating my emotions, Governor."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
"Well, it seemed necessary with the tantrum you were presenting in front of citizens of the Terran Empire. I do not believe the Emperor would approve of such behavior here. We need to present a strong front to the citizens of the Empire."
Fleet Admiral Kirk knew that Grax was speaking was the truth. He conceded with his own silence and a sigh.
Sarek was feeling exhausted from these emotional individuals, and spoke, "It is time to reconvene our meeting in the council chambers. We can discuss more there in private."
The group of men nodded and they walked to the council chambers. The members took a seat at the chairs around the rectangular table that was in the middle of the room.
Sarek spoke, "I welcome you to the Hall of Thought on Vulcan. You have gathered here before with my father, Skon. I only wish to serve the Terran Empire as Governor to Vulcan."
The governor's clapped and the admiral did so reluctantly.
Governor Grax spoke, "We need to establish a comm with Emperor Sato. There is much to discuss since we last met. Especially since this is our first meeting with you Governor Sarek."
Governor Grax set up the call with the Empress. She appeared as a holoprojection in the middle of the table in front of them.
"Governors, it is good to see you. What do you have to report to me?"
Governor Gav spoke, "Your Majesty, we wanted to give you updates on the insurgent groups in the Terran Empire."
"Then show me."
A map of the Empire projected across the table and red dots started to light up across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Sarek was taken back by how many insurgent groups there were across the Terran Empire. His face remained calm and collected and he squelched the shock he felt in his chest. There was a cluster around the Ferenginar and a big cluster in a star system near where Qo'noS once was. He also noted that there were Ak'spar located on the near by ice planet, Delta Vega. There was an obvious opposition to the Terran Empire and it seemed to be growing in power by number every day.
The Empress grimaced, "Why is that when I have sent my Imperial Starfleet to eradicated these traitors that they keep multiplying? In one of our last meetings I wanted you to clear out the Beta Quadrant. Fleet Admiral Kirk, what can you do to explain yourself?"
"Emperor, I only have the Empire's best interest in mind. I brought down major two outpost of the Liberates along the border of the Alpha Quadrant. Most of them were Ferengi and Klingons."
"It is not enough! We need to get rid of this filth before they poison the minds of my subjects. I will not tolerate any more of these insurgent groups combining forces. They must remain oblivious of each other so they do not join forces. We already saw parts of the Ak'spar becoming allies with the Klingon insurgents near Betazed. We need a weapon so powerful it will make a statement to these traitors!"
Governor Grax chimed in, "We indeed do have a weapon that is in development, Emperor Sato."
Grax looked over at Sarek with a knowing look. Sarek was taken off guard for only a second.
"Yes, Emperor, before I was a governor I was working on Project Satev-tukh. I was leading a team in the research phases of creating a weapon that could destroy a planet without depleting our stockpile of dilithium crystals."
The Empress spoke, "Ah, yes. I remember your father briefing us on the project. Do you have any updates about it?"
Sarek spoke, "No, the project was put on hiatus during the height of the Ak'spar uprising. Vorlik is now in charge of the project and it only reconvened last week."
The Emperor slammed her fist down, "I want the best scientists we have in the Terran Empire put on this project! We must kill these heathens once and for all."
Governor Gav spoke, "Long live the Terran Empire."
The other governor's replied, "Long live the Terran Empire."
Sarek spoke, "I will see to it that the project has acquired the finest scientists VSA has ever produced."
Sarek's uneasiness was growing but he subdued it. The last thing he needed was Governor Grax sensing his apprehension.
"Good to hear, Governor Sarek. You will get along nicely in the Governor's Circle then."
"I only wish to serve the Terran Empire."
The Emperor smiled wickedly, "Good."
Governor Shukar spoke up, "I want to present the next order of business for this meeting, Empress."
"Continue, Shukar."
"Terran Empire Technologies Trade Show is in a week and a half. Vulcan is expected to host and our weapon suppliers are ready to present the latest in our technology advancements with in the last year. As governors we will be there with our spouses."
"Good, we will need the Official Imperial Holonews to cover the event. I want the insurgents to know that we are powerful and we have weapons they don't have at their disposal. I want to instill fear into the hearts of the people."
Fleet Admiral spoke, "We will do just that Emperor. The Imperial Starfleet already has a new warp drive and a fascinating upgrade to agonizers that would be important to present."
The Empress responded, "Yes, the agonizers will be a good thing to highlight on the OIH. It is time for this gathering to end. I am in need of attending to other important tasks."
The Governors gave the Terran salute and the Empress' holoprojection flickered away. Governor Grax turned to the rest of the men in the room, "There are no other items of business to discuss here. I think we all know what we need to do. We will drive these insurgent groups to the ground. I need to leave. I have business on Betazed that needs attending too."
Governor Grax got up from his chair and left and soon the others left. Sarek was left alone in the council chambers thinking about what had just occurred. Project Satev-tukh was back in operation and Sarek felt that internal struggle in him once again. It was illogical for a leader of a Terran Empire planet to feel this type of conflict. Not only that it looked like the number of insurgent groups in the Empire were growing. It was surprising to hear that Ferengi and Klingons were working together to bring down the Terran Empire. Sarek stood up from his chair and exited the chambers to the Room of Enlightenment where his office was.
He walked in and noticed the ancient copy of The Teachings of Surak. He was reminded that the contents of that book were missing and it still pressed on him. Sarek knew that he would need to meditate through the rest of the night to find equilibrium. He had thought that these feels and misgivings about the Terran Empire would have disappeared by now, but it hadn't. There was pressure for him to ensure that Project Satev-tukh trajectory was moving forward. Then there was a matter of the censorship of important records like the Teachings of Surak.
Sarek sat at his desk and kept staring at the old ancient book. He wanted to know what the missing pages contained. He may never know the truth since the likelihood of him finding the records was less than 0.4%. The Terran Empire would have ensured that the records were completely destroyed.
"Governor Sarek."
Sarek looked up at a Vulcan man who now stood in front of his desk. He was tall and slender his hair was a medium brown and his hair was styled in a traditional hair cut. It was his secretary.
"Soran, I assume you have brought me today's status report."
"That is correct, Governor."
The man set the PADDs on the desk, and started to speak as Sarek went through the file on the PADD, "The Ak'spar numbers have slightly grown over the last week at a 1.4% rate. We have successfully intercepted the Ak'spar broadcast tower that was found in the S'Lara region. Vorlik has reported that they have run over 400 different test with 45 different variables. The results are inconclusive at this time. They plan to run 345 different test before the next report.
'As for your schedule I have added a Vulcan cabinet meeting with the Minister of Trade, Minister of Defense, Minister of State, and Minster of Thought tomorrow at 1330 in the council chambers into your personal calendar. Here are a list of materials you can read before the meeting. Is there anything else I could be of service to, Governor?"
"Your service honors the Terran Empire. If you could find archived information on how that copy of the Teachings of Surak was obtained that would sufficient."
"I will look through the records with haste, Governor."
"You honor the Terran Empire."
The young secretary gave the Terran salute, and Sarek gave the salute in reply. Soran left the room and left Sarek alone in the room once again.
He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a small black drive. It was the one that Governor Grax gave him. Sarek had been unsuccessful in breaking the encryption thus far. He wondered what information was on this drive that his father wanted him to have.
Sarek soon spent the rest of the day trying to go through paper work and look at policies that were in place to cut down on the Ak'spar. He dove deep into his work to distract himself from any self doubts he felt about the Empire. He was a governor and did not have the luxury to doubt. It was as the sun was going down that Soran came back into his office to remind him that the work day was over and if he wanted him to comm Tevak to escort him home. Sarek decided it was best to return to his home and eat end meal.
When Sarek got home he was intrigued to find Amanda sitting at the kitchen table in their home. She had not yet eaten, and for the first time he noticed her physical appearance had changed. Her cheeks were not as hallow, her eyes had more life to them and she looked healthier. Her outfit was properly placed on her. He knew Zhi'rev would help her with that task. She looked up from her PADD on the table and looked at him. Something in her eyes were filled with life and Sarek was confused. This was not the woman he married 2 weeks ago. He hesitantly approached her.
"Tonk'peh, Sarek."
Sarek was once again shocked by her enunciation of the word. Nonetheless he replied, "Tonk'peh, Amanda. T'Rama has been overseeing your Vulcan."
There was a challenge in Amanda's voice, "She has. Are you surprised that a Terran could learn any Vulcan in 2 weeks?"
"I did not state that a Terran could not learn any Vulcan."
"You basically said my Terran tongue could not handle the nuances of your language."
"It is true you are at a biological disadvantage. That is a fact."
Amanda shook her head, "I know, both you and T'Rama seem to remind me of that. That's beside the point. What I wanted to say is ni'droi'ik nar-tor."
It was Sarek's turn to feel surprised. Both his eyebrows rose but spoke evenly, "You are apologizing."
"Yes, on the first day we were married I accused you of being a sexual predator. I yelled at you, and assumed you were going to hurt me. You have yet to do that in the last 2 weeks. In fact you have allowed me my autonomy. I have hardly seen you. So please accept my apology and I promise I won't accuse you of that again."
Sarek was in shock but hid it and remained calm. He walked over to sit across from her at the table, "There is nothing to forgive."
Amanda smiled, "Great! Tevak commed me that you were on your way home and that you hadn't eaten dinner yet. So Zhi'rev made something and I wanted to at least chat with you for a moment before you went to bed."
Something in Sarek's chest stirred. The feeling was strange and he pushed it away. There were many things he needed to meditate on tonight.
"You should have eaten without me. You are still recovering from the time you were malnourished."
Amanda lightly blushed. Sarek was once again fascinated by the strange biological reaction. He would research that later as well. "Like I said I wanted to apologize to you so waiting a few hours was not a big deal."
"Then let's eat."
They both ate in silence and it was slightly awkward and Amanda did not know what to say to the mystery man in front of her. She stared at him as he ate and brought a spoon up to his mouth. She stared a little longer until Sarek looked at her and raised his eyebrow. "Do Terrans have a habit of watching people eat?"
Amanda laughed, "Ha, oh no, sorry I was zoning out."
"Zoning out?"
"It means I really wasn't thinking of anything and I was staring off into space. I didn't mean to fixate on you."
"Terrans can stop their brain functions? I did not learn anything about this when I studied Terran Biology."
"No, that's not it. I didn't mean to stare. I'm fine and the human brain is always functioning. I just wasn't thinking of anything in particular."
"Fascinating."
Sarek then continued to eat and Amanda did so too.
"Um-Do you think we could have dinner together more often? I would like us to be friendly to one another especially since we are married."
Sarek almost choked on what was in his mouth but gracefully recovered. What was wrong with Amanda? She was so different and cordial. Could he trust her?
"I feel that is appropriate."
Amanda smiled, "Good."
He stared at her smile, he found it aesthetically pleasing and wondered why he felt that way about a Terran expression.
Sarek spoke, "There is the Terran Empire Technologies Trade Show in 1.5 weeks from now. You will be coming to the event with me."
Amanda set down her spoon, "Really?"
"Yes."
"Sounds exciting. I look forward to it. I'm sure Zhi'rev would be able to help me get an outfit ready."
"Agreed. I would council T'Rama on this as well."
The both stared at each other for a moment and Sarek wondered for a moment if they really could be allies rather than enemies.
Author's Note:
Surprise, surprise, I bet you did not expect me to update so soon. Let's just say I may have written these chapters in bulk so I could update back-to-back. So many of you have been waiting for such a long time I thought it best to treat you to this. I'm hoping to get the next chapter written soon!