Jo lay curled up in her bed, using one of Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sweaters as a blankie, tribble Zero purring in her lap. Her dad had asked her to take care of the tribble for him. She knew that was just an excuse. He was trying to cheer her up, and that the animal was supposed to comfort her. And she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been trying hard, to act normal, to be cheerful, not to cry. But right now she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t manage. The right sleeve of Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sweater was wet from her sniffling, and Zero was positively vibrating. But not even that helped.<\/p>\n
Thorby was on Arrakis again. Her dad had explained to her that Sybok wanted to find out if Thorby would get along well with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Maire. If they could be friends in their minds, too. Vulcans were telepaths, so that was important. They needed different friendships than Humans did. If Thorby could be friends with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Maire, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d stay with Sybok and his family and move to New Vulcan. Maybe he wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even come back to say goodbye.<\/p>\n
The worst thing was that Thorby wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t talking to her anymore. She knew why. He was just too sad. When he hurt too much, he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t talk. Before, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d always shared their dreams when it got that bad, and in their dreams she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been able to comfort him. You didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need words in dreams. But now he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d shut her off, and that hurt. That hurt so much. She had a headache all the time. And she was cold. Also all the time. And the worst thing was, she liked<\/i> T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Maire and Sybok and T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Sara. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been up on the Enterprise a couple of times, visiting with Uncle Jim and Spock, and with Thorby, too.<\/p>\n
Hurt so much. So much. It was like when her dad went away, like when her mother died, as if the hurt would never go away again, and there was nothing she could do to make it go away or get better, and she had no idea how she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d make it through even one day. Forlornly, the tribble trilled away in her lap.<\/p>\n
The door hissed open, and Carolyn came in. Jo tried to sit up without dislodging Zero. Tried to smile, too. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said and hated how small her voice sounded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, yourself,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn said and smiled tensely. She was probably not happy with Jo being such a drama queen over Thorby.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look, I understand how Thorby needs a Vulcan family,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo burst out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m trying to be happy for him, I really do. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She trailed off and bit down on her lip, trying hard not to start crying again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, about that …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn hesitated. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153May I sit down?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo nodded and scooted backwards a little. Carolyn sat down carefully, her expression serious. As if something bad had happened, and she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know how to tell Jo. Suddenly, Jo was scared. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked. Her voice was too shrill, but she couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help it. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is something wrong with dad?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh god, honey, no. Your dad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine. Everything\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn took a deep breath. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just fine, okay? Everything.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo said, somewhat dubious.<\/p>\n
Carolyn noticed and smiled wryly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Honest, I promise. However, you know why Thorby went to visit with Sybok today?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dad explained it to me. Sybok is going to make sure Thorby can get along with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Maire. Thorby needs to have a special Vulcan friend because of his telepathy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn agreed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s exactly what Sybok did today. Only, Sybok discovered that Thorby already has a special friend.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart was pounding. But Thorby didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know any other Vulcan kids, or did he? And she was human, so she couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t possibly be\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And that was a bit of a surprise for all of us. Because, Jo …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn reached for her hand and squeezed it. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s special friend, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Me? Seriously?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice squeaked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m human! I thought that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all about Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s telpe\u00e2\u20ac\u201d telepathy, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not tepe\u00e2\u20ac\u201d I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not. And Dad said that Thorby has to go live with Sybok because he needs a Vulcan family. Do I have to go and live with them now, too?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Her lips trembled. She didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to lose Thorby, especially not if she could be that special telepathic friend he needed. But she also didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to leave her dad. Not after all she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d had to do in order to get to stay with him in the first place.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, sweetie, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry. Do you want a hug? Sometimes you just need a hug, and you look as if you could use one right now. And then I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll explain, okay? Everything\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine. I promise.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo nodded. She felt so mixed up inside, and her head was hurting so much. Carolyn pulled her into her lap. Her teacher was warm and soft and solid. And she was real calm. Her mother hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been big on cuddling, always fidgeting, already thinking of the next thing on her to-do list, and also not very comfortable to cuddle with because she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been so thin, kind of bony. Jo pressed the tribble against her stomach. It just kept purring, a rumbling vibration that radiated contentment.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Better?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn asked. Jo just nodded, her head pressed against Carolyn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulder. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Normally, the special friendships Vulcans need for their telepathy are with other Vulcans. And normally, as kids, they need help to form these friendships. Which is why we asked Sybok to help Thorby. But you know how there are exceptions for every rule?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Uncle Jim is Bonded with Mr. Spock. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a pretty special friendship, too, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Carolyn made a noise that was a mixture of a cough and a laugh. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pretty special. So sometimes a Vulcan can have a special friendship with someone who is not Vulcan. And sometimes that friendship simply happens. Just like that. Because you get along that well. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what happened with you and Thorby.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re meant<\/i> to be friends,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Like soul mates. Soul mates are the most special friends ever.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She knew she shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t whine or beg, but she couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help herself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t separate soul mates, can you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn said softly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t. So we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been talking, Sybok and your dad, and Uncle Jim and Mr. Spock, about what to do. Because what your dad explained to you \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Thorby needs a Vulcan family, too, for his telepathy. But you need to be with your dad, and your dad wants you to be with him. He knows it was wrong to try and send you away when you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want that at all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thorby doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to go away, either,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo muttered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never say that, but I know he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Carolyn nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We know that now, sweetie. Sybok persuaded Thorby to tell him. So we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been talking about that. And we have decided that the best thing is if Thorby stays on the Enterprise. Now, your dad and Sybok and your Uncle Jim and Mr. Spock would like to talk to you about how that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to be. Do you feel up to that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo straightened and slid away from Carolyn. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m good. I can talk to them. Dad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not mad at me, is he? I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything. I mean, I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not telepathic, right? And is Thorby back yet?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She tried sounding not too hopeful, not too desperate to have Thorby back.<\/p>\n
Carolyn sucked in her lower lip for a moment. Jo wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure if she was trying not to grin or not to look worried. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153your dad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not mad at you. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a bit worried. Because a special friendship can be difficult sometimes. But he knows that you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do anything. Or Thorby. Sometimes, such things simply happen. And he knows it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not a bad thing. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry. Thorby will be back tonight. Right now he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still on Arrakis, spending the afternoon with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Sara and T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Maire. Because even though you are his special friend, he likes Sybok\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s family, too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So do I,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They are nice. That made it even harder. It would have been easier if I could have hated them.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn said and rose to her feet, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153now you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to hate anyone. Come on, your dad is waiting for us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Carolyn held out her hand to Jo, and although Jo thought that was a bit silly, she didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind too much. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the kind of thing a mom would do, <\/i>she thought. She tried to remember if her mother had ever held her hand like that, but she came up with nothing.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Jim was willing to forgive Carolyn Paul for anything and everything right now. Next time she wanted to get into a brawl or felt like frolicking drunk in a pool, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be standing on the sidelines, applauding. Caught between his best friend freaking out at the top of his lungs (up until now Jim had believed that no amount of cursing could make him uncomfortable anymore; not so; learn something new every day) and his Bondmate freaking out in silent panic, Jim was beyond grateful that there was one sane person left to help him deal with the situation.<\/p>\n
Because, no matter how much he tried to calm the fuck down, his mind just kept reeling. No wonder, what with Bones muttering curses under his breath, and Spock looking ready to keel over. Only Sybok appeared relatively unruffled, perhaps even amused at their hysterics. At least he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seemed to mind much that Bones had tried to punch him in the face. And knocking Bones out for a few with a Vulcan nerve pinch had at least given them a chance to regroup. Which, oh boy. So necessary. Speaking of necessary …<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim pushed to his feet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I need five minutes with Spock. Sybok, sorry to do that to you, dude, but you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in charge of Bones. If Carolyn comes back before we do, get us before anyone says one word. And I mean one word<\/i>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
With that, he dragged Spock up and to the door. Spock didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t object. Not a good sign. When they were safely on the other side of the bathroom, Jim pushed Spock to their bed. He toed off his shoes. Then he crawled behind Spock, knelt down, and hugged his lover close. He relaxed as much as he was able, breathing deep into his stomach, and projected all the confidence he could scrounge up through their connection. After a few minutes, the terrible tension in his head lessened. He rested his head on Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s left shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bones will get over it, Spock. He knows it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not your fault, or Sybok\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, or mine, or hell, anybody\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he murmured. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be a terrible father. Look, we talked about that already. That family might one day be a thing we could consider. Now it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s happened a bit sooner than expected. Hey, it could be worse. Remember that story about male pregnancy induced by alien sex-pollen that circulated at the Academy? Now that<\/i> would be awkward.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He considered the idea, then added, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Though I guess the VSA would go totally gaga for that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Spock stifled a noise. He sounded like a strangled tribble, and Jim grinned at the pained amusement that transferred through the Bond. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There is no evidence to back up your confidence, Jim,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said at last. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153However, I am unable to perceive a logical alternative to the plan you have devised.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got another ten days for Sybok to work with you and Thorby and M\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Benga,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim told him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Carolyn will calm Bones down. And you know how happy the kids will be.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stomach twisted at the mere thought of how he<\/i> would feel if he were separated from Spock, with no way to tell when or even if he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d ever see him again. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to imagine how awful the last few days must have been for Thorby and Jo. They hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t known of their Bond, how special their friendship was, why their impending separation hurt so much. And they were good <\/i>kids who trusted the adults in charge of their lives, in spite of the shit that had happened to them that no adult had been able to protect them from. And now those supposedly responsible adults had almost torn them apart, regardless of their wishes. Damn.<\/i><\/p>\n
Spock raised his hand, gently touching Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s meld points. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Jim, if no one is at fault for what happened, then that includes you, too. And statistically, at least, you are correct in that assessment of the situation. The likelihood of a spontaneous interspecies Bond forming between children can be calculated at 0.003214% .\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re quoting decimal points at me, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re better.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim smiled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Control okay? Serenity mostly restored? Then we can go back to Bones and Sybok. I bet Carolyn will be here any minute now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I do not object to your usage of colloquialisms under appropriate circumstances,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock responded primly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait, what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim bounced off the bed, beaming. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m allowed to ask you how you are feeling<\/i> now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He fist bumped the air. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hell, yeah!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Leonard knew he had to apologize. No matter how much reason he might have had to throw a fit, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been out of line. In a way that just might cost him the friendship that mattered most to him in his life so far.<\/p>\n
The bathroom door opened again, and Jim and Spock emerged, both of them still pale and tense, but more composed and less upset. Jim sat back down in his armchair, while Spock remained standing next to him.<\/p>\n
Leonard scrubbed his palms over his face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he muttered roughly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m so damn sorry. For what I said. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not true, none of it, and I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe it for a second. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can be such a bastard.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your outburst was an emotional reaction to a perceived threat for your daughter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s well-being, Doctor McCoy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock said calmly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was logical, if misdirected.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say a word. Leonard saw the pain in his eyes, though. He also noticed how Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fingers twitched as if he wanted to take Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand or sling his arm around his partner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s back. But Jim didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t move, just stared at Leonard, face impassive, hazel eyes hard. Leonard felt even worse.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Bones,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he managed at last. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Or Leonard.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He attempted a laugh, but he sounded more like a walrus choking. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153After all, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to be a family. And won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that be awesome.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Spock got that deer-in-the-headlights look again that had made Jim drag him out of the room in the first place. Sybok wore the distinctly pained expression of a man who was wondering how in hell he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d gotten caught up in the wrong holo-drama. Jim just groaned.<\/p>\n
A moment later, Jim shook his head. He put his arm around Spock and drew him next to him on the armchair and as close as the Vulcan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stiff posture allowed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bones, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve saved my life. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been the only family I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had for years now. I couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care more for Jojo if she really was my niece. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re still sitting here and talking right now, okay? However, and I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fucking believe I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the one saying this: Talk to a therapist. No one is to blame for what happened, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be damned<\/i> if I let you take out any of this on Thorby or on Spock. And that? That is not your friend Jim Kirk speaking right now, but your damn CO. Got that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Leonard nodded miserably.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Great.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim exhaled in a ragged sigh. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think we should also ask Guinan if she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s willing to put up with the three of us in one room.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He rubbed his neck with his free hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In fact … maybe we should ask her to drop by when we talk to Thorby later.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Leonard nodded again. He hated that Jim didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t trust him to keep his temper around Thorby. He hated even more that he agreed with Jim.<\/p>\n
Then the door opened, and Carolyn stood there. Jo was holding her hand, a frown on her pale face. In her free arm she carried the damn tribble.<\/p>\n
Jim smiled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, Jojo. Come in. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve saved you a seat on the sofa next to your dad.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo attempted a smile and sidled past Jim and Spock. But she sat down next to him, she held herself as stiffly as Spock, clearly worried. The tribble purred in her lap. Jim evidently recognized the beast and paled. Carolyn joined them on the sofa, settling on Jo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s other side. Casually, she put an arm around Jo, and offered Leonard a reassuring smile that he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t deserve.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Carolyn said that Thorby doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to go away after all?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d There was so much hope and pain and fear in Jo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s high voice that Leonard thought his heart might break at the sound. How had he failed to notice just how much his daughter was hurting over losing her friend? Suddenly Leonard thought that Bond or no Bond it would have been plain wrong to separate the kids. They had both suffered so much loss in their lives already. Leonard risked a glance at Jim. He had removed his arm from around Spock. Somehow they managed to sit at least two inches apart, which should have been impossible on that armchair. If possible, Leonard felt even worse. He knew better than anyone what Jim and Spock had survived to end up together.<\/p>\n
Leonard did his level best to muster a reassuring smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, Jo. Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to stay here, I promise. Honey, we had no idea. It just, well, it doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happen very often that …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That a Human turns out to be a Vulcan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s soul mate?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo asked and wrinkled her nose. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It happened with Uncle Jim and Mr. Spock, though. And with Mr. Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mom and dad. So it can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be that special.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yet in all the history of Vulcan-that-was and New Vulcan now there have been only seven examples of Bonds between Humans and Vulcans up until now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And those Bonds were created between adults after careful consideration.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim managed to turn his laugh into a very creditable cough. When he met Leonard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes, he was still grinning, though. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Jojo, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re simply a very special girl,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Also, I think we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need such big words here. Think of it as a special kind of friendship. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been telling us for weeks how Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your bestest friend ever. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s perfect. And nothing has changed about that. We just have a fancy Vulcan word for your friendship now. Okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo nodded warily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So what will happen now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Leonard hated the suspicion that was so clearly audible in her voice. But he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t blame her. After all, he had tried to leave her behind and to take away her best friend \u00e2\u20ac\u201c soul mate \u00e2\u20ac\u201c dammit, Betrothed<\/i> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c fuck\u00e2\u20ac\u201d <\/i>With the best intentions, sure, but what difference did that make for her?<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonard said, frantically trying to gather his thoughts, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153remember how we talked about Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s telepathy? Telepathy is …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He cast about wildly for an adequate comparison. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153… a bit like playing the clarinet. It takes practice. And since you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s … special friend, you need to learn about it, too. So while we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re here, Mr. Sybok will teach the two of you. When we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re back in space, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll keep up lessons with Mr. Spock and with Dr. Elbrun.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo said with a surprised, happy sigh. She had obviously expected something different, something dire. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I bet Thorby will be awesome at telepathy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim smiled at Spock, a singularly sweet and vulnerable expression that made Leonard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart ache. Then he ducked his head and flushed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s one more thing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because of his telepathy, Thorby also needs a Vulcan family. So Spock and I will adopt Thorby. We uh…<\/i> hope Thorby won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mind too much. And that won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t change anything for the two of you. That just means that Thorby can come to Spock if he has a problem. You, too, Jojo. Telepathy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s real nice, but us Humans aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t made for it. So if anything makes you uncomfortable, anything at all, just talk to us, okay? Your dad, or Carolyn, or Spock, or me, or Guinan, or Dr. Elbrun. Got that? No matter how odd or silly. You have a question, something bothers you, just come to one of us, and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find a solution.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What he said,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonard confirmed weakly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Somehow, Jim had ended up in a library on the first floor of Keep Arrakeen, while the festivities in the great hall downstairs were still in full swing. He suppressed a sigh. Tonight\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s event should have been the party to end all parties. After all, it was basically his and Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wedding feast and the official farewell celebrations for the Enterprise rolled into one hot mess. Crew members and smugglers and Fremen were getting the party on together, and yeah, it was more of a blowout than a diplomatic function, and Jim was proud of that. They were setting a standard here, and he was determined to aim high because he had to think of crew morale and of impressing foreign dignitaries and things like that.<\/p>\n
Of course the shindig also featured certain traditional\/formal elements, such as champagne (cold and tart, and pretty much the best thing about the whole damn evening), speeches (only three of them thoroughly embarrassing \u00e2\u20ac\u201c thank you, Scotty, Gary, but what the hell, Guinan?!) and gifts (some admittedly more ridiculous than others \u00e2\u20ac\u201c no, not the ones for the Halleck or the Fremen leader or Sybok, those were perfectly appropriate because Uhura had picked them out) and a banquet with ten courses and an obscene variety of cutlery to keep track of. But after dinner, there was music and dancing and, of course, more booze.<\/p>\n
But Bones had beamed back on board right after the banquet, and his speech had been short and somewhat stilted and too serious. Jim couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t drink more than a glass of champagne or two because he was on Alpha shift the next morning and his alcohol tolerance was still pretty much non-existent. Also, he simply had too much on his mind that was no damn fun at all to really enjoy himself. Then Spock and his brother had disappeared into the courtyard for serious and probably Thorby-related conversation as soon as the banquet was over and politeness allowed. The familial Bonds to Thorby that Sybok had formed for them had settled well, but Spock was still less than confident in his abilities as a proper Vulcan parent. So after Jim had concluded his obligatory tour of the crowd with lots of fake smiling and vigorous shaking of hands, he had managed to drift away from the crowds. He had meandered through the public rooms of the keep, marveling at the architecture, and regretting somewhat (though not too much, because it had been worth it, worth everything<\/i>) that his post-Bonding sick leave had kept him from getting to know Arrakis as well as he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d wanted to. And now he was here, in the keep\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s library. The noise of music and voices was muted to a dim buzzing in the background.<\/p>\n
Fremen didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really do books, mostly passing on their lore in songs and stories (which wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the worst way to do it, Jim thought, not after spending several evenings listening to Fremen songs and stories in Arrakeen taverns and around the hearth fires of Sietch Tabr and Sietch Jacurutu). Yet here was this library, probably installed by the smugglers, a large room with tall bookshelves lining the walls, full of leather-bound tomes and even triangular compartments filled with scrolls. The room smelled of leather and parchment and paper. Or at least Jim supposed that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what it was, this deep, musky, dusty scent.<\/p>\n
For several minutes Jim wandered around, fingers trailing across the backs of books, taking in the look and feel of the room. He thought of the two old-fashioned books in his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s house in Iowa. The bible was a family heirloom, one of those weird, outdated customs. He remembered tracing his older brother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name written on the flyleaf, right under his dad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name. His mother never got around to adding his name, and he had no idea what had become of the bible. Perhaps it had been buried with Frank. The other book was an old children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d found in the attic one day when he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been hiding from Frank. It was a story about a little boy with a weird scarf, a prince of some sort. The cover and half the pages had been missing, and he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never been able to make heads or tails of the story. He recalled there had been something about a desert in it. And about a friendly fox.<\/p>\n
Jim couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t remember ever having been in an honest-to-goodness library before. It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that there were no old style books left on Earth. They were just not common anymore, mostly expensive antiques, nothing an orphaned hick in Iowa got his hands on. And yeah, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d probably visited a library at some point, because there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been school trips to museums when he was little, before Tarsus, and museums always had libraries. But museums were different, with that hallowed, faintly uncomfortable do-not-cough atmosphere. This room, these books? It felt alive. Not like Spock had described his hiding place in his father\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s house, that monument of untold stories. Here, from haphazard stacks on the desk in front of the windows to the solemn rows on the shelves, books exuded a quiet, benevolent authority. As if they wanted to tell him that the answers he was looking for actually existed and that he had a chance in hell to discover them, too. Suddenly, he wished Spock was with him now, and not in the banquet hall, talking to Sybok.<\/p>\n
Opposite the door, in the middle of a long stone table, an astrolabe was mounted, an intricate construction of gold and silver and ivory, beautifully engraved. The various parts were turning leisurely, an accurate rendition of the planet\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rotation and the universe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s momentum. Jim sat down in front of the astrolabe, his back to the door, and watched the moving spheres. He recognized some of the depicted stars. Khosla, the Ferengi outpost that was their next destination was visible. It was hard to believe they were already five months into the mission. It was even harder to believe they were only<\/i> five months in.<\/p>\n
Jim heard footsteps approaching but didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t turn around. He was fairly certain it was Halleck.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sit with your back to a door, Captain,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the old smuggler said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not healthy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Worried about drafts on a desert planet, are you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Normally, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d say it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s safe for you to sleep naked here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Halleck told him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But as it is …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Three days ago the smugglers had caught a man trying to plant bombs on their Spice crawlers, an off-worlder who had ended his own life before he could be questioned. Three days ago, Commander Paul had informed Jim that a crew member \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a Maintenance technician \u00e2\u20ac\u201c had not returned from shore leave.<\/p>\n
Halleck had a point there. Because as it was<\/i>, Jim had the confirmation now that there were more people on the Enterprise with a secret agenda besides the three legit Section 31 agents he knew of. Who else and how many, Jim had no idea. Of course it was more than likely that Gav had an informant on board. There was too much money in the slave trade not to keep an eye on the flagship\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doings. Next was \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Humans First\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, the fundamentalist branch of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Humanitarians for Earth\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. With Marcus as a martyr, the isolationist movement had turned the corner toward extremism and terrorism. Commander Paul had made sure that Jim was aware of just who those radicals saw as the greatest threat to their cause. Namely, himself, Khan, and any and all Vulcans. And of course it was always possible that there was a third party involved he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never even heard of so far. Whatever. The damage was done, and would have been much worse if the smugglers hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been that vigilant.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re leaving tomorrow, so there should be no further trouble right now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim rose to his feet and turned to face Halleck. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Captain, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been in this business longer than you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re alive.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The smuggler\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disfigured face contorted into a wry grin. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know exactly what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re up against.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He touched the scar a slaver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s whip had left on his jaw many years ago.<\/p>\n
Jim inhaled heavily. Sighed. Made a decision. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sybok tells me you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve met Thorby.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Halleck nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Serious lad. Never sits with his back to a door.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We picked him up at New Sydney,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said, watching Halleck closely.<\/p>\n
For a heartbeat, the older man closed his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sybok\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s taking T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Sara and T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Maire along to New Vulcan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said carefully, as if he were trying to walk across drumsands without making a noise. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a long journey. Over two hundred and fifty light-years.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The smuggler stared at him, his gaze inscrutable. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll owe me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can live with that.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153See that you do, son,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Halleck said, eyes dark and surprisingly kind. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And remember not to sit with your back to the door.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
After the banquet, Sybok and Spock had taken the opportunity to escape from the noisy revelry of the party. Now they were sitting in a secluded courtyard of Keep Arrakeen, the residence of Gurney Halleck and seat of the Arrakis Trade Union. Many smugglers were collectors or plain packrats; Gurney Halleck was a connoisseur of cultures. There was a library in the keep, a music room, and in the courtyard, nestled into a hedge-maze of incense bushes, a Vulcan rock garden. Sybok had designed it a few years ago at Gurney\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s request.<\/p>\n
Although it was late, it was hot, desert hot. The stones of the garden still added to the warmth, radiating the heat of the day. Only in the small hours, the cold of the desert night would seep into the city, bringing some measure of relief before an early, fiery sunrise. Appropriately, Sybok and Spock sat at the center of sa-kailar<\/i>, the triangle of brothers. In the light of Muad\u00e2\u20ac\u2122dib<\/i>, the second moon of Arrakis, the dust-reddened shadows of the sa-kailar<\/i> crossed between them.<\/p>\n
Both of them had settled into the loshiraq <\/i>position, posture perfect and, perhaps for the first time, in harmony with each other. Sybok considered Spock. His younger half-brother as he had known him fifteen years ago, and as he had come to know him during the last forty-six days. He was aware that his brother was engaged in a similar exercise.<\/p>\n
Sybok pulled a small scroll from his robe and placed it on the moon-frosted sand between them. In careful calligraphy, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d painted his promised gift on the parchment: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was an idiot.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/i>The glyphs looked beautiful in the moonlight. But the warmth in his brother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes was even more stunning.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What wrought this transformation in you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Vulcans do not change the way you have; not in a hundred years, certainly not in fifteen. It is against Vulcan nature, even for the most changeable of Surak\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s line.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Sybok contemplated pointing out Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s limited knowledge of Vulcan nature. However, even though Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s understanding of his father\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s species was limited, Spock had come to understand himself<\/i> so much better in the last forty-six days that Sybok was unwilling to argue over minor factual fallacies. He had also put too much effort into creating the calligraphy to render it invalid at his brother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first question. Therefore, he chose to answer the question and to disregard the deflective commentary.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Love,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sybok said and shrugged, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and death.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The usual; the constants of the universe; sweet Aleu, who had taught him the meaning of joy and agony in equal measure. In his mind, he found the solid weight of grief and pain in its usual place, at the very core of his being.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Kaiidth,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i> Spock replied, more grounded than Sybok had ever seen him before, not only familiar with these parameters of existence, but at peace with them.<\/p>\n
The shadows between the stone formations formed an invisible bond between the brothers, dust and red, night and blue. One day Sybok would tell his brother about a young Human with clear grey eyes and a wry smile, about an artist called Aleu Black, and about Sybok\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first pon farr<\/i>, about the fever and the blood, about love and death and pain.<\/p>\n
Not tonight, though. Sybok had done what he could to prepare his brother, to spare him what he had endured. Not much was left to say now, and he was grateful for that.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When in doubt,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, facing his brother, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153do not shield. Shielding at the wrong moment may rob you of the one chance you have to survive together. If you cannot trust yourself, trust Jim.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He could see how Spock inhaled the desert night, a shuddering breath of too much emotion and unspoken words. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nemaiyo, Sybok.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/i><\/p>\n
Sybok smiled. Once upon a time, Aleu had attempted to explain the finer nuances of human emotions to him, such as \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bittersweet\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or \u00e2\u20ac\u0153tears of joy\u00e2\u20ac\u009d. Sybok had come to regret his inability to cry long ago, but the meaning of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153bittersweet\u00e2\u20ac\u009d had come to him only in recent years: In spite of what it had cost him, Sybok could not regret that he was here tonight, the man he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d become.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It seems excessively self-indulgent to ask this of you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock said abruptly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but Jim requested that I ask for this favor.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Sybok was tempted to roll his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Brother, please.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When you reach New Vulcan, would you … take it upon yourself to visit Ambassador Selek?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What would you have me do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Sybok asked. He would have gone anyway, would have done anything. But he was curious as to what Spock would say, now, here.<\/p>\n
A long silence followed, drenched in moonlight and the shadows of the rock garden. When Sybok was ready to give up, Spock inhaled, a fearful, tense breath that would never turn into a sigh.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ease his pain, if he allows it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock said.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
At Khosla they almost caught up with the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>. The Dionysus, a freighter of the elusive Vulcan space gypsies, had left the Ferengi outpost just hours before their arrival, en route to Lytasia, a system near Lambda Coronae Borealis, a mere five light-years from Khosla. They stayed in orbit long enough for a polite (and, in terms of bureaucratic bribery, expensive) thank-you for that cordially provided information. Then they warped thataway.<\/p>\n
Jim was stuck in his office, going over some reports with Lieutenant Romaine, who was in charge of all the admin stuff for Sciences. Romaine was good at her job, but her reports were endless, and her relentlessness set his nerves on edge. To make matters worse, Spock was busy in the lab with some delicate experiments that absolutely could not be interrupted, so he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even have sexy times to look forward to. Only the thought of hanging out with Scotty later on helped Jim stay patient and polite. (Beer and a recording of the last Parrises Squares match, oh god, yes, please.) At least it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just him; Janice Rand loathed Romaine. Even Spock wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t keen on her. So Jim listened with half an ear to Romaine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s latest litany on efficient PADD use, while he kept an eye on the screen for updates from the bridge. If they managed to catch up with the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur <\/i>this time, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be able to get out of here and away from her …<\/p>\n
The Enterprise dropped out of warp at a good distance from Lytasia. The planet had seven moons, all of them equipped with bases, and they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been warned there was a fair amount of traffic in the system. They emerged not too far from two of the moons. The Dionysus was right in front of them, close enough to be visible with the bare eye. Apart from the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i> freighter, space seemed empty. Odd.<\/i><\/p>\n
Hailing Dionysus,<\/i> read the text that scrolled across the screen. No reaction. Shields up, but no movement. Indistinct life-signs on board. Interferences with comms and scanners.<\/i><\/p>\n
Okay<\/i>, Jim thought, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not just odd. Something\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s off there. <\/i>He made a decision. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lieutenant Romaine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said and got up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry to cut this short, but I need to go up to the bridge\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the Enterprise swerved like a yacht in a thunderstorm on the high seas. Jim knew exactly what that was like because he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d actually lived to puke his guts out on Pike\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s boat the summer of his second year at the Academy on that memorable occasion. On the screen at his desk, half a dozen objects lit up, zooming towards them from behind the moons. Another shockwave made him tumble. Romaine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s precious PADD skittered to the floor. Before he managed to reach the comm unit, the ship gave the distinct lurch of emergency shielding. The moment he slammed his right palm on the comm panel, the ship went on red alert.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bridge,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he ordered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What the fuck?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Six vessels of unknown origin and without identification, pirates or slavers most likely, are attacking a civilian freighter. ID in Vulcan and Standard is Dionysus, looks like an old Starfleet Normandy class model. We got caught in the crossfire. Good news, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found us some V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Lieutenant Benjamin \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ben\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Finney replied, voice harsh with adrenaline, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bad news, the pirates found them first. Damage report coming up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153On my way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim hit the turbolift at a run. When the doors closed on him, his breath hitched. But then the lift opened to the bridge, and there was no time to remember the last time he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d heard those sirens, seen the lights dimmed. His eyes were on the front screen, his mind on the damage report.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153One hit on deck six, sir,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Finney reported. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Impulse power is failing. Glancing blow deck twelve, hull damage. The bridge of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i> is gone. Their shields are holding, but they are pretty much sitting ducks now. Also, the pirates are locking weapons on us again. Hang on\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim clung to the back of center chair as the ship bucked under the renewed attack. Thankfully, the shields held. However …<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell me. The impulse drive is down for good now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said and slumped into the chair. The turbolift hissed open, and with three strides Spock was at Gaila\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s side, scanning the incoming data on the enemy vessels and the ship of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Over at the weapons console, Ben threw up his hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Got it in one. And the starboard phasers are out of commission, circuitry fried. Fuck, those bastards were fast.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Be faster,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim snapped, his eyes on the screen.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Enterprise to Dionysus,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Uhura called, trying once more to get through to the gypsies. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What is your status? Enterprise to Dionysus\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d But of course there was no answer.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Status of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim asked.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Their shields are at 40%, getting weaker,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gaila chirped. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So our scanners are picking up clearer signals over there now. Fifteen life-forms left on the ship, twelve of them humanoid. Make that eleven. Still no reaction to comms. Evacuation via transporter impossible. Something\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s interfering with beaming. Either their shields or a disruptor of the pirates \u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ben, phasers, whatever\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s left, whenever you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re ready.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim hit the comm pick-up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shuttle One crew get ready for an emergency rescue. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trying to blast the pirates out of the way for you. Get out the moment we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve fired.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim pulled up the duty roster to check who was on the shuttle crew for Beta One shift. Lieutenant Dave Bailey, in charge of nav, tacticals and ops on the Alpha Two team, was the designated pilot. Next to Jim himself, he was the best pilot on board. Good. The two security guys he only knew in passing, one of the male nurses was the medic on the team, and a maintenance tech \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Petty Officer Thule. Hopefully one of them spoke Vulcan. He had no idea if those space gypsies knew Standard.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Zooming in on the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Lieutenant Kelso, the navigator and tactical officer on Beta One shift put in, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Got them. Oh, shit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The magnified picture of the damaged V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i> vessel showed an ugly, fractured hole where the bridge in a ship that size should be. Around the ragged edges of the breached hull, remnants of neon-red letters in Standard lit up the blackness of space: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Barqu\u00e2\u20ac\u201d cat \u00e2\u20ac\u201doard.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Barque cat on board!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kelso and Gaila cried at the same time.<\/p>\n
Barque cats were a space-bred race of domestic felines with low-grade telepathic abilities and supernatural talents for detecting radiation and pressure leaks that not even the best scanners were able to detect. The rule was to evacuate Barque cats first, everyone else second, and the ship third. On average, a single Barque cat would save hundreds of crew members and ships in its lifetime.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Phasers locked on target,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ben announced. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got their weapons locked on us again, too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fire!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim shouted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Evasive maneuvers?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Impulse power still offline,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Helmsman Lieutenant Gary Mitchell reported. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No evasive maneuvers possible. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s warp or nothing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Captain, I am picking up fluctuations from the warp core of the Dionysus ,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock added calmly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is turning unstable. Based on the data I am receiving, their systems must be shut down within sixty minutes.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Countdown until impact,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ben cut in, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ten \u00e2\u20ac\u201c nine\u00e2\u20ac\u201d FUCK! There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s another one! Where did that bastard\u00e2\u20ac\u201d five \u00e2\u20ac\u201c four\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The scene on the screen and the readouts on the consoles coalesced into a moment of dazed clarity. A heartbeat later, Jim realized what would happen.<\/p>\n
Shuttle One wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make it; Ben would get the three pirate ships between the Enterprise and the ship of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>; the resulting debris would narrow down the safety margin for getting there to nil if they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t launch a second shuttle immediately; there was not enough time to round up the back-up shuttle crew; and with Bailey dead, Jim was the only pilot left on board who had a ghost of a chance to pull the tight-ass maneuvers required for this stunt. Jim was in the turbolift and on his way to the hangar before Ben finished his countdown. The impact of the pirates\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 renewed attack made him stumble and drop to his knees, but thankfully didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t stop the lift.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Engineering,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he gasped into the comm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I need someone to meet me in the shuttle bay. The warp core in that Vulcan ship is going critical and must be shut down at once.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153… on it, Captain,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the muffled voice of Lieutenant Amell poured out of the comm.<\/p>\n
When he stumbled out of the lift, he almost collided with Amell. He hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t expected her to meet him in person. For a heartbeat he stopped and stared at her. But there was no time to wait for a miracle, for Scotty, for Spock, or for anyone else. Jim pushed into the hangar and ran for the lockers at the back. He pulled out two enviro suits and tossed one at Amell.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to be a rough ride, Lieutenant,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, stepping into his suit. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The shields of the Vulcan ship are still holding, so we can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t use the transporter. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not answering comms, but there are still life signs on board. The warp core is unstable, safety margin an hour at most. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s considerable hull damage, so air leaks will be an issue. Your priority is to get to the engine and shut down core before it blows. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll look for survivors.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just the two of us?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Len asked.<\/p>\n
Jim forced a smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Us and whatever is left of Shuttle One and some pirate ships. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be flying through massive debris.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Amell hesitated. He knew what she was thinking. An unstable warp core, a ship leaking air, and a debris field. A suicide mission. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You okay, Lieutenant?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
She nodded, zipped up the suit, and picked up the helmet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready to go, sir.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t permit himself to consider what they were about to attempt. They turned to the shuttle.<\/p>\n
The turbolift opened and Scotty spilled out, running toward them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Len!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Out of breath, he skidded to a stop right in front of them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you doin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, lass?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pushing past her, Scotty grabbed Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going, Captain. Give me a minute to suit up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim looked away from the raw expression in Scotty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes. There was a good chance that he wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see his girlfriend again. But she was qualified to do the job, and the Enterprise could not afford to lose Scotty.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m already suited up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Amell protested. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I can do this\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have more experience than you, Len,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Scotty interrupted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s too dangerous. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m goin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don’t have time for this shit,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said sharply. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Scotty, shut up. Lieutenant Amell, with me.”<\/p>\n
He ran up the ramp into the shuttle. When he was strapping himself in to the pilot\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s seat, he heard the doors of the shuttle close and Amell burst into the cockpit. A moment later, she closed the buckles of the co-pilot\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s chair.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shuttle Two ready for take-off.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He started up the shuttle. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Drop the damn shields for three in ten.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Next to him Amell slammed her gloved fist against the console. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Damn him!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need that kind of outburst to remind him of how he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even spared a glance for Spock. He clenched his teeth. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Still good to go, Lieutenant?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry, Captain.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She stiffened and stared out the front window. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m ready to go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
And they were off. He maneuvered the shuttle out of the bay \u00e2\u20ac\u201c his timing was spot on \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and into open space. Ahead he could see the outline of the Dionysus, small and insignificant in the vast expanse of space as opposed displayed in super-zoom on the screen up on the bridge. The debris field wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t yet visible.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Scotty has a point,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, deftly swerving to portside when alarms for the first pieces of debris started pinging. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But someone has to do this shit. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the best shuttle pilot we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got left, and I hear you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the best engineer on board besides Scotty and Keenser. At least we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be able to say we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done our best.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, sir,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Amell replied.<\/p>\n
A minute later Jim switched off the alarm of the radar. The constant dinging was about to drive him crazy. Alternating between glancing at the screen and out the front window, he wove his way toward the freighter of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>. The Bond ached in his mind, and he was glad that his psionic center was not active. That would be too distracting. For a moment he wondered how Spock calculated their chances of survival right now. On second thought he decided that he preferred not to know. He already knew that they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d need a shitload of luck to make it to the Dionysus before the wreckage of the first pirate vessel closed in on them. Never mind that the fragments of Shuttle One were more than enough to destroy them. And that was discounting the possibility that there was an eighth pirate ship waiting around the corner that hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t made an appearance yet.<\/p>\n
Suddenly a huge chunk of metal whizzed toward them at a skewed angle \u00e2\u20ac\u201c probably a bit of the hull from the ship of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>. But that was not the problem. The real issue were the other two pieces hurtling in their direction.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153FUCK\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The view changes from where you are standing.
Words can wound, and wounds can heal.
All of these things are true.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u201c Neil Gaiman, Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Notes<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0<\/b>\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Gurney\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s advice about never sitting with your back to the door is a textual allusion to a famous scene from \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dune\u00e2\u20ac\u009d canon. (Though in \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dune\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the line belongs to Thufir Hawat and not to Gurney.)<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 The \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dionysus\u00e2\u20ac\u009d is from Vonda N. McIntyre\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Star Trek tie-in novel \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Enterprise: The First Adventure\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Words Can Wound, And Wounds Can Heal Stardate 2260.280, 1600 hours, Deck 4, CMO\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Quarters Jo lay curled up in her bed, using one of Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sweaters as a blankie, tribble Zero purring in her lap. Her dad had asked … Continue reading