Part Four
Barely a full solar day has passed since Spock rejoined the faction as one of their supporters. Spock thinks he can understand at this moment that (admittedly illogical) sentiment of time moves slowly, which he often hears in the laboratories when the Science staff are between projects. His lack of visibility into the events transpiring on the opposite side of the capital means he can only rely on faith that the counterattack will come. He had estimated how long it might take to infiltrate the building with the array, given Kirk and McCoy encounter no trouble or delays, and that length of time is past. So presently every additional minute compounds his uncertainty and his concern.
Lt. Kargin is always watching him mingle among the Qinaid as if waiting for a signal to jump in and start a fight. Spock cannot express to her that he also waits for a signal. Before they parted ways, Jim had said, "Don't worry, Bones and I will take care of ourselves. You do the same." He had held up his communicator. "We will warn you in advance before we start the array."
Mulk-dan feels he has gone too long without motivating his followers, it seems. Certain Qinaid have moved the makeshift platform in the Big Debate Hall to a hastily built stage and have decorated it with the motifs and symbols worn by the crowd.
Spock is oddly placed to the right side of Mulk-dan, like one of his generals, as Mulk-dan interrupts the chatter in the hall to begin his next rallying speech. Spock cannot imagine what more nonsense he will be required to hear and appear to support. The thought turns his stomach, even as he knows he must play his part.
Mulk-dan calls out, "Comrades! We stand as the Organized Resistance Against the Federation."
Cheers erupt along with a smattering of clapping.
"We represent a society that has been long oppressed by the ruling government. We have seized the capital and begun our campaign to return the power to the people!"
Among the shouts and applause of the Qinaid, Spock's Vulcan ears pick out the soft, familiar beep—their Starfleet communicator attached to the belt of someone standing off to the side of the stage. Arms crossed, the Qinaid looks down in bemusement at the device. He pulls it off his belt and shoves it into a jacket pocket to muffle the sound. But Spock can still parse the staccato of its beeping.
Spock looks in the direction of Kargin and waits until she meets his gaze. Then he raises an eyebrow. The officer herself remains utterly still, giving nothing away to those guarding her, but Spock makes out the still curl of her lips.
Mulk-dan is saying, "—all the lies, but we know the truth—!"
Spock smoothly steps into Mulk-dan's personal space at the podium, disrupting the speech and causing Mulk-dan to tense up.
Spock stares him down. "I desire to speak to the people of Qinaid."
Spock does not have to convince him, shockingly, and can only surmise that Mulk-dan perceives Spock as a threat but Mulk-dan has also declared him an ally to everyone.
Mulk-dan says, "Then speak, Spock of Vulcan." He sweeps his hand from Spock toward the crowd invitingly, a public acquiescence of the podium—and the people's attention—to Spock.
In unison, his followers grow quiet.
Spock stares across the sea of people for a long moment. Then he begins: "You seek the truth. Vulcans choose not to lie because they believe in the sanctity of facts more than opinions and emotions. Therefore trust that I decide to speak candidly to you today.
You claim that Vulcans and Humans could not be more different. Indeed, you of Qinaid praise the Vulcan way as logical and valuable while you disparage the Human way as overly emotional and lacking clarity.
Might I remind you: the foundation of division lies in hatred; the foundation of unity lies in peace.
I have never denied that I am both Vulcan and Human. Yet I have also never openly acknowledged my own struggle over my duality. Which aspect of this heritage is more representative of who I am? Am I better as an individual if I am more of one way than the other?
Recently I encountered someone who thought that by virtue of being born divided, I had discovered the solution to unifying two distinctive parts into a whole. Their simple assumption was born from hope, I presume, that I could help them solve their own struggle. It is then I realized I did have an answer, one which I failed to recognize applies to my personal dilemma despite having witnessed it many times over the course of my career—and despite having relayed the message countless times to others.
Simply put, it is thus: that embracing all aspects of one's identity is what makes one stronger. It is what the Federation stands for.
My parents hoped that, despite their differences, they could find common ground and create a harmonious future together. My existence is a testament to their belief.
I see in you that same commitment to work together and to achieve a better future for your people. This is why the Federation desires to ally with you, because of our common purpose: to build a future where every individual, every culture, and every world can flourish in peace and prosperity.
We do not wish for any world to suffer the trials of war. Today, you fight to preserve your autonomy and your independence but know this: the battle is only against yourselves. The Federation embraces you as you are and expects you to be nothing less."
The crowd appears barely affected by his speech.
Spock is silent for a moment, then he turns his gaze toward the clearly infuriated Mulk-dan. "You take the future of Qinaid into your hands for selfish reasons. You are but a bully and you are even less fit to be the voice of your people than your elected officials."
"So, you're a traitor after all, Commander Spock. Seize him!" Mulk-dan barks to those closest to Spock.
In the moment Spock prepares to fight back, he feels something unusual, like a steady vibration against his shielded mind. It's not intrusive but it is foreign.
Ah, the array has gone live. He sincerely hopes that McCoy remembers a Vulcan's hearing is acute and factors that into the frequency chosen to stun the Qinaid. To that end, he fortifies himself in case of an unexpected outcome as the vibration reaches a peak.
An invisible wave rolls over everyone. Shouts of surprise, of pain, ring out as the Qinaid begin to react, stumbling and falling all around him.
Spock easily maneuvers around the Qinaid who intend to grab him and resolutely drives forward to where Kargin is being held. "Lieutenant!" he projects his voice over the melee.
True to Security's training, Kargin launches herself at the nearest guard, knocking him to the ground with a kick to the chest. Spock arrives in time to go for the other guard, easily dodging a badly aimed swipe and finally able to test out his hypothesis that nerve pinches can work on this species. It does appear effective, for the Qinaid goes limp.
"Mr. Spock!" Kargin hurries to his side, a plasma rifle in her hands. "Orders?"
"The Qinaid approximately fifteen point four-two meters to your right is in possession of one of our communicators." He had given his phaser to Kirk and McCoy and needs a replacement, leaning down to pick up a club-like weapon from the floor as he speaks. "Retrieve it and find Lt. Collis. Do not engage except in defense. We cannot be certain how long the Qinaid shall be affected by the soundwaves."
Spock has memorized the route to the command center. "I estimate it may take up to twenty-four minutes to disengage the comms blocker and reach the ship. Stay safe until then, Lieutnant." When the officer doesn't immediately move, he presses, "Go."
Kargin firms her jaw. "I knew you'd never give up on us."
Spock is partly relieved, partly embarrassed to be relieved. "The sentiment is appreciated but unnecessary."
"That's not what Dr. McCoy tells us!" And with that remark, she is running across the Big Debate Hall, nimbly dodging the drunkard-like staggers and sprawled bodies in her way. Then the lieutenant is out of sight.
Spock redirects his attention and effort to reaching the hostages. The insurgents are in a state of disorientation. Spock suspects if a diagnostic monitor were present, it would be ceaselessly flashing the warning light that their life signs are dangerously unstable. Voices continue to cry out in fear; others are angry but confused as to who to blame.
Ahead, a few of the officials' attendants are braving their own state of suffering and trying to wrest away any kind of weapon from the discombobulated rally-goers. Spock raises his eyebrow as he approaches an armed Heng-ren, who is looking quite unwell and shaky on his feet, yet slides toward Spock in a determined way.
Closing the distance between them, Spock wastes no time in pressing his free hand to the side of the diplomat's pallid face. With the Heng-ren's hearing likely unreliable, a shallow mind-meld is the quickest way to converse.
Spock relays, Consul, forgive the intrusion. You must proceed without delay to a safehold. He makes his intent known in regards to deactivating the interference between the planet and the Enterprise. Our officers will move quickly to subdue the uprising. Make your identity known along with those of your comrades and cooperate. You will be protected.
A sense of understanding comes to Spock. Satisfied, Spock releases Heng-ren from the mind meld. The Qinaid seems to want to say something to him but only turns away after a brief pause to pull on the arm of the person nearest him.
Spock makes his way from the hall. As he exits, he notes that Mulk-dan and several of his lackeys are missing from the chaotic scene. Despite having espoused their commitment to the cause, when the tide turns the most cowardly abandon their soldiers. Spock feels no remorse for the reckoning coming to Mulk-dan and his ilk.
Remnants of the faction leadership team lie in wait inside the Controller Office. Spock can hear their disjointed conversation, a series of yelled arguments, grunts and groans. Although their speech suggests the array had an unpleasant effect, they aren't paralyzed. Of course they would retreat, thinks Spock, for if the faction cannot hold onto the main operations center, their campaign has failed.
Spock tucks his club under an arm and flicks the phaser he recovered on his way here to a setting with a wide range that will be more properly debilitating than the array. He won't take their lives, but he hasn't the time nor the patience for physical combat. Mulk-dan and his generals are dangerous, but the masses of Qinaid slowly recovering around the complex are collectively stronger and more unpredictable, and therefore a greater threat.
He listens in a moment longer, waiting for Mulk-dan's feverish screams of "Figure out where they are!" and "Useless, all of you!" to crescendo. Then he disintegrates most of the door and steps through.
Everyone comes to a halt to stare at him and his steadily aimed phaser. "Surrender."
"You think arresting us will end this?" Mulk-dan snarls. "There are more of us, and our people will never stop fighting against you!"
"We know. But the difference is that we will ensure no harm befalls your people or ours as we work towards the right solution. Something," Spock points out, "which you all have demonstrated you are not capable of."
Suni-jun's hand jerks down to a weapon on the table. Spock fires before she can do more than lay her hand upon it. The blast sweeps across the room.
Every Qinaid drops to the floor and does not get back up.
Spock steps farther into the office, pushing the unconscious leader out of his way with his foot to make room for himself at the console. The system is up and running, and he confirms they had not found his subroutine.
Spock executes it, causing a complex-wide reboot of the primary systems. The room falls dark and hushed for the five seconds it takes to complete the reset cycle. When the power and lights return, Spock sets to work adjusting the transmission ports necessary to revive communications with the outside.
Once he feels confident it should be working, he opens a frequency to space. "Spock to Enterprise."
He hears only a staticky hiss.
And then a voice rings clear—Sulu's.
Sulu says, "Mr. Spock, boy are we happy to hear from you!"
"I am equally pleased, Mr. Sulu. If you did not receive my earlier signal, I must duly inform you the Qinaid have revolted against their government and attempted to establish control of the capital seat."
"We received your encrypted signal, sir, and went to code red."
"While I do not believe there is an imminent threat to the ship, maintain code red. The hostiles are armed. Prepare to beam down a battalion contingent with orders to subdue. Certain civilians are at risk and must be evacuated."
"We're working on it," responds Sulu blandly. "Uhura relayed the priority one message to the 'Fleet vessels within range. The USS Polaris is the closest to this sector and has confirmed she's en route but she's still several parsecs out."
Spock hesitates over his next remark. His duty to the ship and crew comes first, so he has contacted them, but Kirk and McCoy are here on the planet and he wants to reach out to them, and ensure their safety as well.
Sulu cuts into his silence, asking more softly, "Mr. Spock, where is the Captain?"
He supplies readily, "Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy should be at these coordinates." Spock recites the coordinates from memory. "If not, a communicator should be in his possession; use its beacon to track them. Lt. Kargin has also recovered a communicator. Medical assistance should be on standby to receive Lt. Collis."
"Nurse Chapel and her staff are already on their way to the transporter room." Then Sulu presses, "And you, sir?"
"I must remain on the planet."
"Acknowledged."
The pilot's tone implies that if he takes the heat for beaming back all their people except the First Officer and receives an earful about it later on, Sulu expects Spock to come to his defense for following an order they both know Kirk will not think fondly of.
"I will keep you apprised of developments on the surface. Spock out."
Already Spock can see through the reactivated camera system that many Qinaid are shaking off their disorientation in the Big Debate Hall and in the outer plaza. But it seems upon realizing the faction's leaders have abandoned them, some Qinaid are hurrying to escape from the grounds. Others are regrouping with their hand-weapons.
The Enterprise has enough phaser power to deter any small riots, and very likely Security will be organizing officers from other departments to boost their numbers. The first wave of officers will start on crowd control and retrieval of the hostages. Once the Polaris arrives, followed by other battle-ready ships, the might of the Starfleet will be undeniable to all of Qinaid.
For all that Mulk-dan and his followers claimed the Federation had a hostile purpose, Spock could tell they assumed an organization labeling itself as peacekeeping would not be prepared for war. Underestimating their opponent's strength and experience now leads to their downfall.
In this, Spock feels a sense of victory. Peace is hard-won and equally hard to keep. Through a legion of Starfleet officers, the Federation shall showcase how seriously it takes its mission. Let all of Qinaid learn by example how one maintains civility while also upholding justice.
Spock would rather be nowhere else but here, at the frontlines greeting his fellow officers upon their arrival.
Spock is but minutes aboard the Enterprise and heading for the Bridge when two figures nearly jump him in the corridor beyond Transporter Room II.
"There he is!" Leonard McCoy approaches Spock at a quicker pace than Jim Kirk does and proceeds to pat down Spock's shoulders and arms. "You pointy-eared rascal!"
"Doctor, you would have quicker results with your medical tricorder."
"Don't tell me how to do my job!" Leonard retracts his hands. "Bah, I can tell you fine."
Jim's serious gaze travels over Spock from head to toe. "Are you alright?"
"Affirmative."
The stances of both men relax. Kirk tells him, "You did well, Mr. Spock."
"Thank you, Captain. ...I take it the insurrectionists have been duly contained?"
"Well enough." Kirk pivots to start walking and McCoy and Spock fall in line with him. "Some of them are making quite the racket in the brig, though. It seems no one took into account what would happen if they failed to overthrow a government after Qinaid's induction into the Federation. The government eagerly handed them over to Starfleet. They're headed to an Earth court to be tried criminally as Federation citizens."
"Surrounded by and at the mercy of us humans," quips McCoy. "They're going to love that."
"It is no more than they deserve, Doctor."
"Speaking of deserve..." Leonard trails off.
The two men trade a look, and Spock feels a moment's apprehension at what may come from them next.
"However can we thank you, Mr. Spock? We humans who are so... self-serving," says Jim.
"And callous," adds Leonard.
Jim visibly restrains a laugh. "Very morally weak."
"Flaky!" McCoy cackles.
"He didn't say that one, Bones."
"I'm sure he would have!"
If Spock had any less control over his body's temperature, he would be flushed. "I presume your laughter means you are joking."
"Oh, a little," Kirk says, a ghost of a smile gracing his lips. "There are just a few of us ship-side enjoying your... engaging rhetoric."
"A ten-star performance, Spock." The doctor bobs in place, hands at his back and blue eyes twinkling. "Although you should've seen Jim's face. One would have thought he was being attacked personally—like his favorite puppy turned and bit him!"
Kirk glares at his tattle-tell of a friend. "It was all part of the plan—I knew that." But his voice falters just a little. "I just never imagined hearing my second-in-command say mean things."
McCoy chuckles.
"That," now Jim tattles to Spock, "is exactly what Bones did while listening to you. He laughed!"
"Hey, don't point your finger at me! I heard Scotty laughing too!"
So, Spock thinks, the humans are generally amused by his insults. At least no apology will be in order.
Kirk and McCoy's banter tapers off, and their features soften as they stop to look at Spock.
"And then you brought forth the truth," Jim says, smiling. "I couldn't have said it better."
"Jim, you couldn't have said it all. That was purely from here." Leonard taps his chest, then after pausing, moves his hand to tap his side inside. He winks at Spock.
As he considers Jim and Leonard more closely, Spock realizes the two men are proud of him. He had only meant to vocalize the aspirations of the Federation: not to destroy but to preserve and welcome. Only because he felt the purpose so keenly at that moment that he had been uncharacteristically impassioned with his delivery.
"Thank you," he can only say to his friends.
They nod and move farther down the ship's corridor, needing to speak nothing more.
Two days after the insurrection on Qinaid was defused Spock is informed that he needs a 'breather', according to Dr. McCoy. Therefore by the ship's doctor's orders, Spock has been granted a short absence from his duties to recover from his ordeal.
He had been outvoted on this matter. Jim had clapped a hand to his arm and said, "Meditate... or something. I only allow fully rested officers on my bridge!"
McCoy and Spock had shared a look over Kirk's shoulder, then, for it was quite possibly the most hypocritical statement from their friend in a long history of them. If anything, Spock suspects Jim is the one who needs the nap. The man has been jumping between fielding questions from Starfleet Command, placating the Council members feeling upset over their hard work with the Qinaid delegation nearly coming undone, and generally directing the containment of the arrested Qinaid across multiple sister-ships.
Relaxing is not part of Spock's preferred use of his free time. Unfortunately, someone has also blocked his access to his unfinished Ops reports. So it is interesting when he hears a familiar beep indicating an incoming message has been forwarded to his desk's console. Spock opens the message.
Consul Heng-ren's weary but smiling face appears on-screen.
Eyebrows raised, Spock leans back in his chair and steeples his fingers as the message begins to play.
Heng-ren begins, "Greetings, Commander Spock. On behalf of Qinaid, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unparalleled bravery and assistance during our time of peril. The courage and dedication displayed by your crew in protecting us from the brink of war will forever be etched in our history.
Your intervention not only saved countless lives but also reignited our hope and belief in the principles of unity and cooperation among all beings. The partnership between our worlds symbolizes the very essence of peace and exploration that Starfleet upholds.
We pledge our enduring friendship and alliance with the Federation. May our collaboration pave the way for a future filled with discovery and harmony."
Heng-ren falls quiet, seeming to collect himself. Then he offers a look of contrition.
"I feel you understand diplomacy better than we do, Mr. Spock. The words I have just spoken should be given full-heartedly—but I must confess that while I wrote them and mean them, for my gratitude is genuine, there remain others of my peerage who do not feel the same. In spirit, our people cannot yet be one with the Federation. But I have faith that, as you have demonstrated by saving us from ourselves, we will as a collective someday embrace your ideals of compassion and peace. Thank you, Spock. It is my honor to have met you.
As one who owes a debt, I offer to you a triple blessing in the custom of my people: may peace always find you, may your friends walk beside you, and may 'good luck' be yours. Farewell!"
Spock clicks off the viewscreen and after a minute leaves his desk. Hands locked at his back, he takes up a position by the portside window of his quarters' main cabin.
In some ways, the Consul had judged him as quickly as others tend to upon seeing the pointed ears and stoic demeanor. Except, as Spock had said to Mulk-dan, this judgment of him was not born of fear or mistrust. To Heng-ren, Spock had been considered the result of a successful union between people of different races; this made Spock exciting, a curiosity and, most importantly, a symbol of harmony.
A startling thought... that a half-breed might seem a disappointment to some but represent hope to others. Someday, perhaps, he may learn to view his heritage as the catalyst to a special calling. An inkling of that certainty lingers with him still from the confrontation with the Qinaid. Never had Spock felt more settled and purposeful than when speaking to peace and unity and the wisdom of forging bonds between diverse cultures.
Furthermore, he is kindred to his fellow Starfleet officers through the sanctity of these beliefs. He could never be alone when among friends. And he does have friends, he knows now.
Two in particular are more than friends. They respect him, support him, care about him, and trust him with their lives. They bring joy into his life.
Spock is not one to gamble on the hypothetical—at least, he did not used to be that way. But there is something very matter-of-fact in him now which tells him that as a half-Vulcan, half-human he is uniquely suited to take on any gamble.
A gamble of the heart, to be specific. The risks are a return to loneliness and an emotional wound that could be difficult to heal from. On the other hand, the reward would be... exhilarating.
"One does not experience Heaven standing at the gates of paradise," Spock advises his reflection.
He pictures his future. Jim Kirk and Leonard McCoy are in it. He need not hold on to them because nothing in this universe can remove them from his heart. He loves them.
Someday soon Spock will gather his courage and reveal these truths, and just one more: that the place where he fits best is in their keeping.