Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are all so fabulous. Again more unconventional formatting. Also, we're probably going to be having almost daily chapters (in-universe) from here till the end of the year. Don't you want to hear more about the kids' adventures in New Vulcan? I plan to stick to the once every two weeks posting schedule, but occasionally I may post a bonus chapter. I've been dealing with a blood clot for the last couple of months that has cut down on my writing time, but I'm starting to get better.
Day 292: We probably prevented an intergalactic incident
From: NyotaUM
To: Jim's_cuddlebear
Time arrived: 12/10/2260 07:03:21
Subject: Thank you for the tip-off. We probably prevented an intergalactic incident.
So yes, my child was out for blood. You don't mess with her friends. I don't know how your little sister managed to quickly get herself on the friend list, but she is there. Although even if she wasn't there, I feel like Josephine's sense of justice would intervene. She doesn't like bullies and really doesn't care if they're Vulcan bullies. She also doesn't tolerate xenophobia.
Her maternal grandfather was blatantly racist and xenophobic. He was so mad losing custody to us because his granddaughter was adopted by an African woman. For all her faults, Josephine's biological mother raised her daughter not to be her father. At least she did one thing right. 1 million other things were done wrong, but at least there's that. So, Josephine despises that behavior and will fight it by whatever means necessary.
Anyway, we had a long conversation. I had to explain to my 12-year-old that this is another one of those situations where the adults are supposed to handle it. I don't think she's used to having that type of support yet. Josephine is getting better at trusting us and telling us things, but you can't undo 10+ years' worth of damage in a year and a half. It doesn't work that way. I wish it did. I wish we could just magically fix everything, but we can't. I'm trying, though.
Although, I now have a list of horrible ways that the learning pod kids torture your sister. Your father wouldn't fall for the 'I ran into a door' thing, would he? Because they've hit her a couple of times. Although maybe physical bullying is so unheard of culturally that he just assumes everything is emotional torture? I am planning to have lunch with your dad.
Speaking of the Vulcan, how are things going with your father? I know we didn't really get to talk much yesterday, and we're both busy. I have to get my team ready to be here without me for two weeks.
I am looking forward to working on the colony at the University in the linguistics department. They are trying to make sure as many ancient Vulcan texts are preserved as possible. I feel honored to be asked to be part of the restoration work.
XXXX
From: Jim's_cuddlebear
To: NyotaUM
Time arrived: 12/10/2260 12:15:01
Subject: Re: Thank you for the tip-off. We probably prevented an intergalactic incident.
I am glad that we were able to avoid such an incident. We also had a similar conversation last night with Peter. Although in our case, it was violence should be used as a last resort. He may have heard a slightly edited version of the events that led to the Vengeance incident. Mostly related to Jim's decision not to fire an experimental torpedo into Klingon space. The moral was vengeance, and violence can be destructive. It is important to step back and deal with situations rationally.
I feel that it was a constructive conversation overall, even though I needed two chocolate cookies afterward. I did not enjoy reflecting upon the events that led to James's death, even though it was a temporary death. That part of the story was kept out for the sake of Peter's mental health. Peter should not be aware of how close he came to not having an uncle.
Concerning my father, I have not consumed anywhere near as much chocolate as I thought I would to get through this visit. Peter speaks very highly of my father and is enjoying their interactions together. Although he was disappointed that he was not able to attend their fencing club meeting. However, he did promise to watch the video. James has joked that children make all parental interactions more tolerable. We will see if that is the case when Winona arrives soon. She is looking forward to seeing her grandson in person.
PS: How did your lunch with my father go? I assume you will not read this message until after the fact.
Xx
From: NyotaUM
To: Jim's_cuddlebear
Time arrived: 12/10/2260 16:14:01
Subject: Re: Thank you for the tip-off. We probably prevented an intergalactic incident.
Actually, I didn't get to look at this until several hours after lunch. Lunch went well. He was a perfect Vulcan gentleman. I now have a better idea of what I'll be doing. He's the one who recommended me for the project, so I hope I don't let him down.
I have to agree with Jim's point about parental interactions being better with grandchildren. My interactions with my mother have improved greatly since the adoption. She absolutely adores her granddaughter. Interactions with my father continue to be nonexistent. He hasn't sent an email since this mission has begun. Honestly, I have no desire to talk to him. So, that's for the best. Well, outside of the wedding invitation which I think the new wife sent by accident. I hope so anyway.
I think maybe your father realizes that he made a lot of mistakes. I got that impression during our lunch. I know my mom has told me she's trying to fix some of those for me many times. Which is how we ended up in the trial program. But I think your father is trying to do the same thing for your baby sister.
The main reason for lunch was to convince me to consider a full-time position on the colony with the VSA. I think this is his way of getting playmates for his kid.
I was reassured that there is an alternative to the learning pods for the non-Vulcan children in the colony. There's an "international" school. I feel like that probably exists because they don't want the non-Vulcan students intermingling, but that's just me.
Also, I heard some stories about what your sister has gone through. The good news is your father did pick up on the bruises and did not believe her when she said she fell into a door. That's when he started looking into alternatives.
I don't like the concept of separate but equal education. However, I feel like the international school would be a more tolerable environment. Not that I'm planning to leave anytime soon. But I wouldn't mind taking a year off after the five-year mission and do another academic tour of duty. I enjoyed my time in Georgia. I wouldn't mind doing it again. We won't run into the two bodies problem as much as other people in Starfleet because everybody needs doctors.
Anyway, I'll see you at dinner tonight. We were invited, but I think that only happened because somebody really wants my kid there. I think he found Jo Jo ready to beat up those other girls sweet, in a very Vulcan way. Your father confuses me.
XXXX
From: Jim's_cuddlebear
To: NyotaUM
Time arrived: 12/10/2260 17:14:01
Subject: Re: Thank you for the tip-off. We probably prevented an intergalactic incident.
I find my father's behavior quite confusing on a regular basis. I am not surprised you also found him highly confusing.
I would not be surprised if he would pull various strings to get you a job on the New Vulcan colony solely so that my sister can have a friend on the world. I would not be offended if you chose to not spend the entire five years with us. I would miss you. Although I think my people with benefit from your experience.
I plan to do more research on the international school before I speak with my father. I think this might be the solution to our problems.
XXXX
T'hy'la: Good news. Your sister really loves Legos. Better news, per the message Sulu got from the fiancé a couple of days ago, more will be on the way. This is good because we will have to give some of our Lego stash to your sister.
T'hy'la: How's the conversation with your father going? You seem mostly calm over the bond, and I haven't heard any screaming, so I take that as a good sign. Although, I wish you would have let Nyota stay with you.
Spock: He agreed not to give into Peter and Josephine's second request to visit the learning pods.
T'hy'la: This is good considering Nyota found many rings and other things that could become small concealed weapons in JoJo's luggage. I had to put parental locks on the replicator. I don't think our talk yesterday worked as well as we thought it would, considering they asked again to go to the learning pods during dinner.
T'hy'la: Leonard is also a little concerned about why JoJo felt that drastic action is necessary, considering her biological mom and grandfather. Nyota and Leonard are planning to discuss this with Margarita.
Spock: That may be necessary.
T'hy'la: Very necessary.
Spock: My father has also decided that my sibling would benefit from an educational environment outside of the learning pods. Therefore, he agreed to let her be with the Enterprise students for the next two weeks. This will give him time to work on other accommodations.
T'hy'la: Vulcan private school? Do they have Vulcan gifted kid school?
Spock: They will not accept her due to her unfortunate circumstances. He tried after Saavik returned home bruised 6.7 weeks ago.
T'hy'la: Is "unfortunate circumstances" a euphemism for being of partial Romulan ancestry?
Spock: Yes.
T'hy'la: Fucking assholes. How soon can she test into the VSA?
Spock: Three years. Even then, my father will probably have to intervene on her behalf.
T'hy'la: There are no other educational options?
Spock: Not for students of Vulcan ancestry. There is a separate school for non-Vulcan immigrants and children of volunteer workers. My father is sure that it would be an adequate learning environment for Josephine should Nyota ever decide to take a permanent position on the colony.
T'hy'la: Of course, he would poach our chief communications officer so his kid can have a playmate. I would be offended if, honestly, we wouldn't do the same thing for Peter.
T'hy'la: This feels like the concept of separate but equal, which pisses me off because it is never really equal. I assume the justification of this is Vulcans learn differently?
Spock: Yes, which is not entirely inaccurate. The school has traditional instructors, and not all the learning is computer-based as with a traditional Vulcan school. However, I found I grasped information better when I was at the Academy.
T'hy'la: Now, being half Romulan, would your sister be allowed to go to the school? This is also where all the Starfleet kids are going to go, right?
Spock: Yes.
T'hy'la: Chris three's mom is thinking of taking a post on the colony, but I am talking her out of it for the sake of humanity. I'm still going to get him off the ship, but I don't want Chris three on the same planet as your sister
Spock: I appreciate that.
Spock: My father said yes, she would qualify. He will meet with the headmaster once he returns to check into the possibility of her enrolling there. Although he is worried that the curriculum may not be advanced enough.
T'hy'la: I think they can modify that. She needs socialization, and she needs to be away from assholes.
Spock: My father appreciates your suggestion. He also says it's safe for you to bring the kids back in. We have cake.
T'hy'la: And we can all use cake.
To be continued