Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed the last conversation. You are so wonderful. Please note that the kids have yet to read the replies written in the previous chapter. They haven't arrived to New Vulcan yet. Sad face emoji.
Also, a quick reminder, I don't write accents. In this chapter, we are going to get to read our first message from Pav. I have faith that by 2260 voice recognition software will be able to understand his accent perfectly and present his messages in standard basic. When it doesn't, he just corrects everything by hand.
Day 296: The continuing adventures of the Enterprise kids on New Vulcan
From: kitten_loverJJMU
To: Spock' s_cuddlebunny; Jim's_cuddlebear
Subject: We are now safe on New Vulcan
Time arrived: 12/14/2260 00:00:01
Hey, Uncle Spock and Uncle Jim, I thought I would write to you today. It's our first full day on the colony, and we began with visiting the wildlife sanctuary. I have pictures. We all got to feed an actual sehlat, not ones like Annie. Although Annie is the best. I also got to play with Saavik's robot sehlat as well. They're so cuddly. Do you think my dad would let me get one? I mean, it's not an actual living pet.
We actually learned a lot at the conservation center. It was really interesting. There are actually six pregnant sehlat presently. They are planning to do another round of implantation soon. That's also not the only species that they're trying to rebuild. The researchers are looking into seeing if there are any similar species around to increase genetic diversity within the population. Everything was so fascinating.
Tomorrow is plant life day. We are going to the New Vulcan Botanical Gardens and Plant Life Conservation Center. This is where they're trying to genetically engineer various lost plant species. I love stuff like that. I'm sure Mr. Sulu is going to want lots of pictures.
Saavik is having fun with us. She enjoys that the only person who is a dick to her is Chris 3. But he seems like a dick to everybody. I think he is still bitter because we all took Chris one's side. OK, he's also cranky due to another allergic reaction today. Let's just say I'm thankful that the interns are stuck at the VSA and don't get to do cool things like us. I'm sure they have more dicks among their ranks.
OK, Chris three is also mad that we still have to do other assignments in between our field trips. We are still working on our current history unit, and he hates it. We'll have to do an independent research project. Sue gave me family text messages, social media posts, and emails from that time. Apparently, one of her ancestors was an amateur archivist and believed in preserving everything.
Also, did you know that Liz and Sue actually genetically share the same great-great-grandmother? I thought it was an adoption thing, but it's not. They're actually distantly related. They both think it's kind of cool.
We also have to do a special project on an aspect of New Vulcan culture that we hope to preserve. Before I forget, Uncle Spock, do you have any idea on what subject I could do my report on? I'm thinking of something food-related because we're going to the farm in a couple of days. After that, we're also going to sit through a traditional ceremonial Vulcan dinner. Apparently, it's diplomat practice.
I also got to explore the house more today, and it is so big. You and Uncle Jim have your own bedroom set aside. There are also a bunch of musical instruments in there that I don't quite recognize. One looks like a harp.
The only downside, really, is there's no pool. Apparently, that would be extremely wasteful on a desert planet. Even though there is more water than what was on Vulcan. So we're allow water showers but no pools. [Pouting emoji]
Anyway, Expect lots of pictures of the house and gardens. Write back when you have a chance.
Peter would write, but he's having way too much fun taking pictures of everything. And cuddling with Annie. Again, Annie is the best.
Xxx
From: PC_Enterprise_2260
To: SuluHG2260
Subject: I'm never volunteering to be a chaperone again
Time arrived: 12/14/2260 00:00:01
I do not know why I thought it would be a good idea to volunteer to chaperone a group of teenagers and cadets. We've been on the planet one day, and we've already caught several trying to get their hands on "Vulcan headache medication" and cannabis tea. That's in addition to the underage sneaking in alcohol.
None of the actual Enterprise kids were involved, just the interns. Or at least we didn't catch any of them. Which makes it worse because a few of them are actually my age. It's moments like these I realize that Kevin's actually older than me, even though he's just doing his time on ship next semester.
I'm exhausted already, and I've had no personal time with my girlfriend. Yesterday, Olivia had to give an impromptu sexual health seminar to the actual Enterprise kids. Outside of Peter and Josephine, who were already on their way to the ambassador's house. Besides, they need a completely different version of the seminar, just being 12.
I won't be spending any quality time with my girlfriend tonight because Chris 3 had an allergic reaction at the sanctuary. It didn't help that a large animal that I cannot pronounce the name of tried to bite him because he was being an obnoxious brat. He refused to listen to anything we told him. You don't touch animals you're told not to touch. You definitely don't throw things at them when they try to run away from you. Thankfully, he picked up something that made him break out in hives.
You knew me when I was 16. Did I act like that much of a brat back then? Was I ever that horrible or stupid?
Anyway, we're going to the botanical gardens tomorrow. I will take lots of pictures. I'm sure you're interested in seeing how much it's grown since you helped build it last time we were on the planet.
xxx
"Why are you laughing?" Sue asked as she passed him his orange juice.
"Because Pav is being hilarious." He explained. "Apparently, they've already caught several getting into the Vulcan headache meds, and his girlfriend was forced to do a sex ed seminar for the Enterprise teenagers.
"That tracks. Per Gina's letter, they caught Jay and Ashley 2 about five seconds from losing clothing in a supply closet. I'm not surprised about the Vulcan headache medication. Was it the cadets or the teenagers?" Sue asked.
"Cadets. I think Jim really will ask your mom to raise the age minimum on cadets or at least cadets that they send for the semester program. Some of the Enterprise kids are older. Also, Pav just realized how young he really is compared to everyone else."
"I will back up that conversation. We had a couple of 15-year-old prodigies on the Hamilton before I left on maternity leave that I wanted to throttle. I don't think it was all baby hormones." He couldn't help but laugh at that.
"They were just really that incompetent," Sulu added.
"I really hope they grow the fuck up before they're on a ship for real. Also, age and maturity are two separate things."
"You may have a point. In some ways, Pav is young, especially when you compare him to Kevin and Liz. But he also buried his sister."
"I don't think it's fair to anybody to compare their maturity levels to Kevin and Liz. They are in a class by themselves." Sue told him, and he had to agree.
XXXX
From: SuluHG2260
To: PC_Enterprise_
Subject: Re: I'm never volunteering to be a chaperone again
Time arrived: 12/14/2260 07:14:01
You volunteered because you want your future stepdaughter to know that you actually care about her. Especially because she's now trying to be OK with you dating her aunt. Just be thankful that Ashley 3 wasn't the one breaking into the Vulcan cannabis. Or the one making out with random people in supply closets.
Sex ed is very important. Make sure they all know that fertility lube actually exists. I love my daughter very much but raising a child during the five-year mission is intense. I regret not being there more. I'm missing both of my children growing up.
No, you weren't that bad when you were 16. But you were also a 16-year-old who just survived his parents' divorce and his sister's death. You weren't on the same level as many of your peers, which is how you ended up friends with somebody who's a decade older than you. Sue pointed out that there is a difference between age and actual maturity. You've dealt with a lot more in your life than others.
That being said, you know that you did some edibles that you shouldn't have when you were 16. You still have the best alcohol stash. Also, do you remember what happened on our first shore leave? I had to untie you from the headboard of our shared hotel room because your partner just left you there when he found out your real age.
Is your girlfriend's sex-ed curriculum going to include safe words? I feel like it should. Also, enthusiastic consent should be covered.
We've already got your pictures of the Vulcan botanical gardens and agricultural research center. I can't believe it's grown so much since we were there. Although I assume a bunch of the large trees have been transplanted from other planets? Or maybe some of its indigenous? I have so many questions. I wonder if we can go back to the gardens while we're on the planet?
Are you going back to Enterprise with the kids, or are you staying? I know the kids want to spend quality time with their uncle again.
Jim told me to remind Gina that she is allowed to expel cadets, and I will say the same thing to you. The Vulcan headache brownies are a violation of the drug policy. It's only allowed during ceremonies and certain cultural activities. I don't think this qualifies.
Anyway, hang in there. You will survive, and at least you weren't around when the interim head of engineering accidentally blew up 10% of the place.
XXXX
From: Spock' s_cuddlebunny
To: Jim's_cuddlebear kitten_loverJJMU
Subject: Re: We are now safe on New Vulcan
Time sent: 12/14/2260 21:32:01
Hey, we are glad to hear from you. Also, we're happy to find out you're enjoying your time learning about animal conservation. I think the sanctuary was the best first activity. The pictures were adorable. We also got photos from the gardens. Do I want to know why Chris 3 has a rash?
Yes, you would be dealing with more dicks if you were with the cadets. I've heard stories about some of the shenanigans with the cadets. I think some of them made Gina cry, and Pav is questioning his life choices per Sulu. He's running into that thing when he realizes he's actually like 20 years older than his own age group. This explains the older girlfriend and BFF. He's somewhere in between Kevin and Liz, who are psychologically way too old to be in their early 20s, and the cadets that make me question how they got into Starfleet in the first place. Was the battle of Vulcan so catastrophic to recruitment levels, that we just had to lower our standards completely? Please don't do stupid stuff like that when you finally hit your teenage years.
I'm so sorry there is no pool. Although there are pools at the space station. So when we go to the wedding, you can swim to your heart is content. We could also have an actual shore leave after New Vulcan. Maybe in February. We might need to do some renovations to Enterprise. There was an incident in engineering while you were gone. I don't want to talk about it.
Spock actually suggests music for your Vulcan culture project. He's also sad in a very Vulcan way that you can't recognize that musical instrument in our room. Although he is amused that his father picked one up for him. Vulcans prefer instrumental and more classical arrangements.
I'm aware that Vulcan society is trying to recover the science part of the culture but have they actually recovered the culture part yet? Are there concerts and poultry readings? Pre-implosion, there actually was a Vulcan equivalent of Shakespeare in the Park. Have they gotten that back yet? I feel like the answer is no.
It takes time to rebuild after such a cataclysmic event. You probably see that with your study of the great pandemic. And it was only a few decades after the eugenic wars which made things worse. It's similar right now. It's hard to rebuild after something so cataclysmic. But you have no choice but to do so.
Anyway, what's next on your itinerary? Are you beginning the classroom portion at the Academy? I feel like that portion is going to be significantly less fun.
Tell Peter he's off the hook. Pictures count as communications. Especially since there are so many of him hugging his grandfather. That is so adorable.
Let's see how this ship does with Annie on board. Then we can talk about more Enterprise pets. That comes from Spock, and he's the one you really have to convince. It's his ship.
xxx
From: Doctor_bones
To: NyotaUM
Time sent: 12/14/2260 21:43:12
Subject: I'm so glad I'm just in charge of my own kids
A starship is different than a shuttle. You probably don't remember how sick I got on our trip to Starfleet together. Otherwise, you would've never dated me. I think I ruined both your and Jim's shoes. Yet, we still ended up best friends. There are days I regret that decision but not right now. We're having dinner together tomorrow. They don't want me to eat alone.
I will acknowledge it's very lonely without you and JoJo. The apartment is way too quiet. Also, we're down the doctor, so I had to work an extra two hours. I'm exhausted. Thankfully nobody did anything extra stupid today. Yesterday was, unfortunately, a different story, and we are still dealing with the fallout from the engineering incident.
I think you're taking the right approach. You can't tell a 16-year-old not to do something. They just need to be safe. Although I believe both will take their time. I love my daughter, but I don't want either of them to turn out like me.
Anyway, how's work going? Probably better than what's happening here. I miss you, and I can't wait for you to be back on the ship.
To be continued…