Danny Amor's Online Library/Danny Amor's Online Library - Volume 1.iso/html/startrek/incomplete/newbeing.p3

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From: [e-mail] (Virginia Boehm)
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Subject: New Story - Mission of Honor, part 3 of 15
Date: 24 Mar 1995 22:40:13 GMT
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Star Trek is Paramount's.  Some of the characters are Diane Duane's .
Three other
novelists, Margaret Wander Bonano, Mellissa Snodgrass, and Carolyn
Cowles, should be
added to the list of people I've borrowed from. This is non-commercial
fan fiction.  The
story is mine. Copyright, V.B. Worthen, 1995.



                             Chapter 3




       Standing next  to Spock facing the crowd,   Jim glanced

at his friend.  Spock seemed quite comfortable, almost relaxed, as if a
matter

long unresolved had finally come to a satisfactory solution.

     Everyone who could possibly be spared from duty was present,

some in uniform, some in whatever off duty garb

struck their fancy.  The diplomatic contingent had turned out in

full numbers, even the two Klingons.

      In the depths of interstellar space, Moria, in consultation

with Sarek, had created Vulcan.  It was sunset and the sky

was red and lavender and yellow.  There was a glow on the horizon

- T'Kuht would soon rise.

     The music began.  It was Vulcan too, and very ancient.

Far removed from the dissonant sounds Jim

remembered from the koon-ut-kal-if-fee, this music was soaring,

lilting, triumphant.  Bones and Nyota emerged, and stood next to

Spock.  Nyota wore something orange and amber that looked like a

flame and made her dark skin glow.

     The music swelled again as Saavik came in, escorted by Sarek.

 Heather's tinkering with  the clothing synthesizer had obviously paid
off.

 The gown was green, the Vulcan color of life, and it shimmered with a
life of

its own.  Saavik was stunning.

           Jim began, "On hundreds of worlds in thousands of ways, men
and women

unite for their mutual joy, and the continuance of their kind.

The Federation honors these diversities, and one of  my greatest
pleasures

as a Starship Captain is to officiate at these unions.

     "Tonight, Spock and Saavik, both of Vulcan, stand here before

their shipmates to be joined together.  "Saavik," he turned to her

"Do you join with this man of your own free will and volition,

without coercion or intimidation of any kind?"

     "I do," Saavik said with a glance as Spock that said a great

deal more than the words could.

     "Spock, do you join with this woman of your own free will and

volition without coercion or intimidation of any kind."

     "Most certainly."

     "State to each other your expectations from this union."

     "I expect to be your wife, Spock, to share my life with you,

to give and receive total trust and confidence, to commit myself

to you and no other man, to multiply your joys, divide your

sorrows, and bear and raise our children in a bond that will

endure unbroken for as long as we live."

     "Saavik, I expect to be your husband, to share my life with

you, to give you my total trust and confidence and receive yours,

to commit myself to you and no other woman, to multiply your joys,

divide your sorrows, to father and raise our children in a bond

that will endure as long as we live."

     Jim paused as Uhura handed the ring to Saavik. "Spock, from this
day forward, you

 are my husband and bondmate.  I will cherish and love you, trust

 you and be trustworthy, holding you always above all others in my

 esteem, giving you my first loyalty, placing your interests above

 my own, and giving all that is mine to you freely, even life

 itself.  I swear this in the presence of this company and in the

 presence of the All who is everywhere.  And in token of my

 pledge, I give you this ring".

     The look on Spock's face was all serenity and confidence as

he made his vows.  "Saavik, from this day forward you are my wife

and bondmate.  I will cherish you and love you, trust and be

worthy of trust, holding you always above all others in my esteem,

giving you my first loyalty, placing your interests above my own,

and giving all that is mine freely to you, even life itself.  I

swear this in the presence of this company, and in the presence of

the All who is everywhere.  I give you this ring in token of my

pledge."

     "By the authority granted me as a Starship Captain, I

pronounce Spock and Saavik husband and wife. Jim smiled "Live long

and prosper my friends."



     Jim moved to stand next to Spock, and the crowded room grew

even more attentive.  Many Federation marriage ceremonies had

been held aboard the Enterprise, but the Vulcan bonding was an

Enterprise first.

     Spock and Saavik turned to face each other.  Their right

hands moved to one another's faces.  They spoke the Vulcan words

slowly, in perfect unison, and to each other alone.

     "My mind to your mind.

     "My thoughts to your thoughts

     "My soul to your soul

     "Never and always

     "Touching and being touched."

     Jim could see Saavik's face clearly.  There was wonder,

almost awe, a seeking-and-finding, a smile, and finally

 after what could have been seconds or minutes, a blinding

 total joy.  After a timeless time, they removed their hands from each
other's faces.

     Jim assumed that they would end the bonding with the Vulcan two

finger embrace.  He was wrong - Spock kissed her, a serious kiss,

not a perfunctory peck, and when they did turn to face their

assembled shipmates, the expression on Spock's face was a match

for Saavik's.

     The assembly exploded with applause.



     "We didn't get that much of a hand the last time we saved the

galaxy," McCoy commented dryly.

     "Bones, we do that every other Tuesday.  But this, now this

was an occasion."

     "Think there is anybody here who still believes that horse

manure about Vulcan's not having emotions."

     "Probably.  Old ideas die hard.  Of course Vulcans have

emotions - violent ones. Just look at their history.  They came

closer than we did to blowing up their planet, and we came close

enough.  But Surak's followers mastered the art of controlling

their emotions, rather than being controlled by them.  When

appropriate, Vulcans can be very emotional.

          "Did you know what they had chosen in the way of expectations

and vows - they really picked the heavy stuff - absolute trust,

lifelong commitment, placing each other first even if it costs

them their life.

     "There's a whole laundry-list to choose from in the

Federation ceremony book.  I figured they'd be on the restrained

side - mutual respect and regard, providing a good home for the

kids, that type of thing."

     Jim nodded. " I was surprised at first, then after I thought some
more I wasn't."

     "Why?"

     "Have you ever known Spock to equivocate, to commit himself

less than totally to anything he undertakes?"

     "I see what you mean.  Spock couldn't give less than his all

to his bonding any more than he could to anything else.  She's a

very fortunate woman, Jim.

     "And, in case you didn't notice, a very beautiful one as

well."

     "I noticed.  Think we could take advantage of old friendship

 and kiss the bride."

     "Lead the way."



     Uhura worked here way in the general direction of both the

bar and Heather McConel.  Scotty's red-haired second  was wearing
electric

blue shot with silver, and the gown clung to her in a way that

showed off her natural assets, which were considerable.  She's

trolling with heavy bait, tonight, Uhura grinned.

     Nyota picked up a glass of champagne and took one for her

 friend as well.  "McConel, you owe me money," Uhura laughed.

     The Engineer turned towards her and took the champagne.  "You

and a lot of other people.  I was giving five to one odds that he

wouldn't kiss her, and did I ever lose.

     "Nyota, how did she do it.  For years, half the women on this

ship have been trying to figure out how to knock Spock's feet out

from under him, just for a night, then Saavik comes back to the

ship and  gets him to commit for life.  What did she

say?  What did she do?"

     "We'll probably never know."

     "After they come back on the duty rooster, we'll have to have

one of our little get togethers and make her Tell All."

     "We can try, but I'll bet you she won't."

     " How much?.... No, it's no bet.  After the loss I took tonight,

 I'm through betting for the mission."


     Sulu and Chekov were systematically casing the room. "Lots of

new faces on the ship since my day," Sulu remarked nodding in the

general direction of a group of Ensigns and Lieutenant j.g.'s,

bunched together, not comfortable enough on the Enterprise to

mingle easily with the ship's almost legendary senior officers.

     "And some of them are very nice faces indeed, Hikaru." Chekov

agreed.

     "Do you suppose we could cut a couple out of the pack and

become better acquainted.  I'm thinking the brunette in the red

dress..."

     "The tight red dress..."  Pavel nodded.  "That's Lieutenant Taylor.

 She's very nice, but her  friend next to her, Tina Gavick is even

nicer, and she's Russian too."

     "Don't you believe in diversity, Pavel?"

     "She's female, I'm male.  That's sufficient diversity for me."


     The sound of a bagpipe warming up cut thorough a babel of

conversations - the Enterprise's distinctly informal band was

about to play.  "Duty calls," Kirk said to McCoy and went to stand next

to the band.  He nodded to Uhura and the band produced a fanfare

that got the crowd's attention.

     "Gentlebeings," Kirk raised his glass, "I would like to

propose a toast:  To Spock and Saavik, may they live long and

prosper.  May their happiness be great, their sorrows few."

     Shouts  filled the chamber and glasses were lifted and

drained.  After the shouts had died down glasses refilled, Spock spoke,

"Saavik and I would like to propose a toast, to the Starship

Enterprise, to her many adventures, to those that we've served

with and come to know as our friends."

     The band crashed into "Enterprise Starship" and four hundred

voices sang along:

     "Enterprise, Starship

     The places you've been to!

     The things that you've shown us,

     The stories you'd tell.

     Enterprise, Starship

     We sing to your spirit,

     The beings who've served you

     So long and so well..."



     There were other toasts, many of them - to the Federation, to

Sarek and Amanda, to Kirk, to the Excelsior in Sulu's honor, to

Vulcan, to several other Federation worlds, and even in a true

spirit of peace, or more likely truly under the influence of

spirits, a toast to the Klingon Empire.



     Jim watched as the event began to turn into one of the

parties that were almost as much a source of the Enterprise's fame

as her missions were, then headed for the bridge.  They were due

to rendezvous with the Klingon ship and he should pay his respects

to his old friend/enemy Kor.

          "Lieutenant,"  he spoke to the Communications officer on the

evening shift, "Contact the Klingon vessel Conquestor."

     "Aye, Captain," and after a moment, "I have them. Commander

Kor wants to speak to you."

     "Put him on the screen, Lieutenant."

     Kirk looked at the familiar face that appeared on the screen.

It had been a number of years since their last meeting.  Kor had

aged, but the face was still that of the warrior Kirk knew.

"Greetings, Kor.  You look well."

     "No I don't, Kirk.  I look terrible.  I was peacefully sinking into

 the dotage of retirement and I got called back to serve the Empire

 one more time, on this so called Mission of Honor."

     "This is my last mission too, Kor," Jim responded.  "It's

been many years since our first meeting on Organia."

     "Ah, yes, those were the times before those glow-worms

interfered.  You were so resourceful, such a worthy adversary.

The way you blew up my munitions, inspired, so Klingon."

     "And the way you would have executed my first officer and me

would have been equally inspired, of course.  As I recall, you

planned to dissect him and kill me or worse with that mind sifter."

     "Naturally. I did not want to do it, but it would have been

necessary under the circumstances.  But along came those glow

worms, those Organians and stopped our conflict.

     "Then, when we met again in orbit around the Singer's world,

once more it was not written that we were to fight.  I guess the

gods have ordained that we not meet in battle this side of the

Black Fleet."

     "And now the Organians  specified us in particular

to go to Organia  to transport those who will sign the

accord between the Empire and the Federation."  Jim smiled.  He

rather liked Kor to the extent that he could actually like a

Klingon.  The crusty old warrior was an honest enemy, and when he

gave his word, a reliable if temporary ally."

     "Do you think it is possible for energy beings to have a

sense of humor, to chose us of all people to be the emissaries of

peace."

     "I think it's more along the lines of 'I told you so'" Kirk

opined.  "Remember, they told us that some day we would

voluntarily seek lasting peace between our peoples and become fast

friends and we scoffed at them."

     "Yes.  I remember.  Those blobs of energy simply want to have

the last word.  But whatever was long ago is long ago.  Listen to

 us - we sound like two old warriors exchanging memories in the

 tavern, drinking away our idle lives.

     "Speaking of drinking, and of eating, Kirk, I would like to

invite you and your senior officers to come to my ship for dinner

tomorrow at 1900."

     "Accepted.  We'll be there."

     "I will look forward to seeing you then, and to seeing your

first officer.  Does the Vulcan still serve aboard your ship?"

     "Yes, but he won't be there tomorrow.  He was married this

evening and it is Starfleet custom that a newly married couple be

taken off the duty roster for a few days."

     "We have a similar custom.  Did he take a Vulcan as consort?"

     "He's only half Vulcan.  His mother is human.  And his bride

 is half Vulcan and half Romulan."

     "Vulcan cunning, human courage, and Romulan fire," Kor mused,

"Their children will be formidable indeed.  Extend my best

wishes."

     "I'll do that.  Until tomorrow, then Kor."

     "Until tomorrow., Kor out "

      "Lieutenant, can you put Rec One on

the screen. I want to see how the party is progressing."

     It was progressing well.  The band had exhausted its limited

repertoire.  There was taped music for dancing.  McCoy was dancing

with Amanda, and he noted Chekov with Lieutenant Gavick. Scotty

 was dancing with the bride, surprisingly light on his feet considering
his bulk.

     Another group was gathered around Uhura.  She was singing and

Sarek was accompanying her on the Vulcan harp.

     Abruptly, Sarek put down his harp and walked away.  Kirk watched as

 Sarek walked over to the Klingon trade

delegates who, Jim had noted earlier, seemed to be getting as drunk

as possible as rapidly as possible.  He could faintly hear

something - it sounded like the Klingons were singing too.  Sarek

took one of them by the arm and Kirk made a decision.

     "Lieutenant, you have the conn until change of watch," Kirk

said in passing to the communications officer as he ran for the

turbolift.  He had seen Sarek angry before, and he could be

formidable.  Jim couldn't let some sort of diplomatic incident mar

Spock's wedding reception.

     By the time he got to there, whatever had seemed likely to

happen was over.  Spock was standing next to his father, speaking

earnestly to the Klingons, who nodded and drunkenly weaved their

way out into the corridor.

     "What happened, Spock, Sarek."

     "Those two began to sing a Klingon song.  To have such a song

sung at Spock's bonding was an insult.  I started to tell them so

 when my son intervened."

     "My father, it is clear that the two were thoroughly under

the influence of ethanol.  The insult was not deliberate.

 No insult should be taken where none was intended."

     "You are correct, Spock."  Sarek turned to Kirk, "Captain, I

apologize."

     "Unnecessary, Sarek."

     Spock and Jim headed towards the edge of the dance floor.

"What can you tell me about the song that so upset your father."

     "I myself know very little Klingonese, but I understood part

of it.  It was quite crude, and not at all subtle.  Graphic

instructions to the groom."

     Kirk nodded, "I had assumed something along those lines.

Even for trade delegates from an agricultural colony those two are

intolerably ill mannered.  I'll have to keep a close eye on them.

I don't want a diplomatic incident aboard this ship.  Particularly

one involving Klingons."

     "Jim," said an insistent voice beside him, "This is supposed

to be a party and you look like you and Spock were talking

business."

     "We've concluded it," Jim smiled at Heather McConel.

     "Then don't just stand there.  Come dance with me."


     "'Operation Clean Getaway' is ready to go whenever we get the

word," Sulu whispered to Scotty in a merrily conspiratorial tone."

     "Aye laddie.  Ready to do my part."

     "Don't think it will be too much longer.  I'll let the

Captain know."



     McCoy looked at the dancers, "I think I'll go cut in on the

 Captain.  He's been dancing with Heather long enough."

     "I doubt she thinks its been long enough," Uhura smiled.  It

was quite clear who Heather's target for the night was.



     Spock caught his captain's eye as he left the dance floor.

They headed for a relatively quiet corner.

     "Time to execute 'Operation Clean Getaway'?" Jim smiled.

     "It is.  Saavik and Sulu are in place."

     Jim saw them near the exit, apparently deeply engrossed

 in conversation.  He looked at Uhura, nodded.

     Uhura who had been quietly strumming her guitar, playing

nothing in particular, suddenly began playing one of the ship's

favorites of the songs she'd written over the years:

     "Oh I'll sing you a song about Cyranno Jones

     "Redoubtable spacetrader he..."

     And people began to move towards her to join in the chorus,

     "Oh, the trouble with tribbles

     "The trouble with tribbles

     "They don't come in dibbles ... or dabs.

     "But in boxes and barrels...."

     Chekov passed Jim and Spock and moved into the corridor,

Gavick in tow.

     "Pavel found a way to improve on our plan," Jim grinned.

      Scotty left by the other door, nodding to Saavik and Sulu.

     A moment later, Sulu gave a barely perceptible nod to Spock.

     "Have a pleasant evening, Jim,"  Spock moved into the

corridor.

     "You too," Jim smiled.

     "Most assuredly."

     Jim watched Spock and Saavik dash for the turbolift car that

Scott had waiting for them.  They got in, the door closed, and the

car left as Scott opened the panel next to the lift and stopped

all service.

     And not a second too soon.  Twenty or thirty people poured

from the room, working their way past Jim and Sulu, only to be

stopped by Scotty at the turbolift.  "Sorry lads, lassies, there's

been a minor malfunction of the turbolifts on this level.  Not

serious.  I'll get it fixed in a couple of minutes.  What's the

rush?" Scotty said innocently.

     "To the tube!" someone in the group called out and they moved

in that direction, opened the entryway to the jefferies tube -

and found Pavel Chekov and Tina Gavick locked in a passionate

embrace, blocking the entry.

      The  laughing  group turned away, good natured in defeat.

     "'Operation Clean Getaway' successfully executed, Sir," Sulu

gave him a mock salute."

     "There will be commendations for all hands," Kirk grinned.



     Jim was hailed by Spock's parents as he returned to the

party.     "That was a very nice wedding.  The Enterprise does things

with a class all its own," Amanda complimented him.

     "I never thought that I'd get the chance to officiate at

Spock's wedding," Jim smiled.  "And I'm so glad I did."

     "Saavik is ideal for Spock.  It just took him time to realize

it," Amanda commented.  "And I'm rather looking forward to having

grandchildren who mix Romulan, Vulcan and Human traits.  They

should be interesting."

     "When I was talking to Commander Kor earlier he said that

children who combine Vulcan cunning, Human courage, and Romulan

fire, should be formidable indeed.  He had me convey his well-

wishes to Spock.

     "This is indeed a new age," Sarek noted, "when a Klingon

Commander wishes a Starfleet officer well."

     The intercom whistled.

     "Captain, Commander Kor wishes to speak to you again."

     "On my way.  Excuse me, Amanda, Sarek."



     "Ah Captain," Kor's tired face once more looked at him from

the screen.  Sorry to take you once more away from the party, but

I forgot to mention another matter - the

assorted charges the Klingon Empire had against you and others of

your officers have all been dropped in the interests of peace."

     "I knew the assassination charge I was convicted of recently

had been dropped.  Didn't know there were others."

     "Oh yes, you have been tried in absentia many times over the

years.  There were 17 convictions for capital crimes brought

against the Enterprise's officers.  Eight of them were yours."

     Jim shook his head, "And they called it the Peace of Organia!

What would have happened had we been at war?"

     "And yet, you and I never got to met in battle.  Defeating

James T. Kirk would have brought me much honor.

     "There is peace now, Kor.  Relations between our people will

be in the hands of diplomats, not warriors."

     "Not necessarily a change for the better."

     "It can be if they are the right diplomats.  And hopefully

they will be and the peace will work.  Perhaps in the Black Fleet,

we'll be fighting side by side against a common enemy."

     "Perhaps.  There are still the Romulans."

     "I've been thinking about that.  This peace between us puts

them very much at a disadvantage."

     "Do you think they may try in some way to interrupt our

mission?"

     "The thought has occurred to me."

     " Perhaps we will have trouble with the Romulans. I would

rather enjoy one more battle."

     "There's a human proverb that states 'Be careful what you ask

for. You may get it.' See you at dinner tomorrow.  Kirk out."



     Heather had said something about a party down in Engineering,

 Jim recalled.

     He heard it before he got to the Engineering lounge.  Scotty,

a very inebriated Scotty, was telling one of his favorite tales.

     "Twas my first posting to the Enterprise and me a new j.g.

Brought a recipe with me, hopin' to make an impression on those

interested in such things by teachin' them what good hootch was."

     Jim quietly stepped into the room, and was not surprised to

find Heather, obviously waiting for him, handing him a glass.

     "So my roomie and me, we went into business, found a nice

place to hide our rig so it looked like a part of the mixing

chamber."

     "You had to hide it?  On the Enterprise?

     "Rememmer," Scotty slurred, "I'ma talking about Captain

Pike's Enterprise, where the Chief Engineer had to pretend there

was no engine room hootch be'in brewed."

     "Not like this one," Kirk raised his glass, "Where the

Captain even drinks it."

     "I dunno whether Captain Pike drank it or not, but Number One

did.  An a good thing too as the matter werra."

     "So what happened?" asked a very new member of the

Engineering crew.  The old hands had heard the story before.

     "We brewed up the best batch of hootch ever seen on a

Starship.  Not even yours, Heather me lass, coulda equal it.  Got

so many order, my partner and I, that we couldna keep up.

     "But then, there started to be trouble - people who hadna had

that much showin up toxicated on duty.  Number One had Doc Boyce

analyze the hootch.

     "They could na believe what they found.  Gamma rays.

Checked, and sure enough, there was a dilithium crystal just

startin to crack.  If they hadna caught it, could have been the

end of the Enterprise."

     "So Engine room hootch saved the Enterprise?" the new

crewmember said incredulously."

     "If you donna believe me, ask Mr. Spock.  He was posted to

the Enterprise same time I was.  Only donna ask him tonight. He's

busy."

     Heather grinned at Jim, "I bet he's busy.  Saavik told me

once that Romulan women were said to be insatiable."

     Jim took a sip of the hootch and changed the subject, "What

do you put in this stuff if it's not gamma rays.  I think in a

pinch you could use it as a substitute for antimatter."

     "Aye," Scotty chimed in, "At least, it'sa nilating me."

     Jim took advantage of the laughter that followed to edge his

way out the door.



     "You are pleased, my wife," Sarek queried when they returned

to their quarters.

     "I'm absolutely delighted.  I knew, or I thought I knew, that

this was what Spock wanted, but I couldn't be completely certain."

     "So it turned out to be one of those situations where logic,

inclination, and the demand of pon farr all lead towards the same

action.  Very well done, well done indeed," Sarek complimented.

     "But having Spock bonded at last makes me feel old.  Now I

 know he doesn't need me any more."

     "But I do, as I always will, Amanda, beloved."



     The party was winding down. There were still a few hard core

drinkers;  and Uhura sat quietly, strumming her guitar and singing to
herself.

     Leonard McCoy listened, recognized the tune, walked over to

where she sat.  "Beyond Antares' is too sad a song for a wedding,

Nyota."

     "I was just sitting here, thinking of all the years, all the

good times, all the friends, and got a little blue knowing that

this mission is the last for me, and for the ship."

     "The last for me, too, and for Scotty, Jim and for Spock.

But we'll keep in touch, Nyota."

     "Of course.  But, without the Enterprise it won't

be the same.  Guess all of us - except Spock - have a bit of the

case of the retirement blues tonight."

    "I'm happpy for Spock.  I think it's a very good match."

     "So do I.  Of course, Spock will tell us its simply logical."

     "I was watching them this evening.  There's a great deal more

there than just logic.  Did you see the way they looked at each

other?"

     "I did.  But I'm glad I'm not Vulcan.  It must get tiresome

trying to rationalize one's emotions.  I'll take my human feelings

any time."

     "So will I."

     "Nightcap?  The Saurian Ambassador came aboard with cases and

cases of brandy and Jim gave me a couple of bottles."

     "Of course.  Can't let you drink alone."



      Only Harb and a few of his people  were still in Rec One.

     "Seen Bones, Harb?" Jim asked.

     "Left a few minutes ago, Captain."

     "Alone?"

     "No."

     "I see. You put on a good party, tonight, Harb.  Everyone's

 calling it one of the Enterprise's best."

     "Thank you, Sir.  An occasion like this - Mr. Spock getting

married on the ship.  And he looked happy."

     "Yes, he did.  Well good night, Harb."


     The firepot's glow was the only light in the cabin on

Deck 5.  "The Ancients called this time the Rapture," Spock

thought/spoke, to his bondmate.

     "They were right."

     He turned his head and kissed her.  She nuzzled his shoulder.

"They called it the Rapture, so much more descriptive than pon

farr.  Saavik, I never knew there could be such joy!"

     "Nor did I.  Yet many Vulcans are said to dread this time."

     "I once did but now find my former attitude most illogical,"

Spock replied, running his hands through the dark hair spilled on

the pillow so close to him. "For us, my wife, it will always be

the Rapture.  Saavik..."

     "Yes..."

     They turned again to each other, joined mind and body,

thinking each others thoughts, seeing through each other's eyes,

feeling with each other's skins, caught up in the total joining of

bondmates at the time of Rapture, and many minutes passed without

words.


     Across the ship in another cabin on Deck 5, Jim Kirk poured

himself another Saurian brandy and stared at the wall.