Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Two point three hours found them orbiting the planet of New Vulcan. Jim and Spock were down in transporter room three waiting for the Vulcan party to beam aboard.  Jim was excited because he was going to see his old friend Spock Prime who went by Selek now. They had spoken a few times since he had left New Vulcan after he was cleared for duty after the mess with Komack. He felt Spock’s amusement at his excitement and didn’t care. He viewed Selek as a favorite Uncle and he knew that Selek did not see him as his Jim as they were totally two different people. The transporter pad lit up and there stood Selek, Sarek, Amanda and two aides. He was surprised that the two aides were non other than Stonn and T’Pring.

Jim held his hand up in the Ta’al and spoke, “Greetings, Ambassadors. Welcome aboard the Enterprise.”

He startled when Amanda rushed from the pad and first hugged Spock and then himself. “None of that now, child. Let me have a look at you.” She held him at arms lengths and looked him over. She placed her hand on his expanding belly and gave it a rub. She smiled when one of the babies kicked her hand. “This one is a strong one.”

“I know,” he said and winced when he was kicked again. He turned and smiled at Selek, “Hello old friend.”

“Hello, James. You are well?”

“Yup, Spock makes sure I am taken care of.” He smiled at him and winked when he felt his Spock’s possessiveness spike. He sent to his mate feelings of love and devotion to keep him calm. ‘I love him as an Uncle. He is family and no one can come between us, my mate.’

‘I can not help it. The bond you share with him feels like a threat to me.’ Spock was confused over the emotion. Intellectually he knew that his mate and counterpart felt nothing but friendship but the new primal part that he always had to quell did not. He pushed it away and nodded to his father and Selek. “Father, Ambassador Selek. Stonn and T’Pring.”

“Spock,” his father said to him. The others nodded back to him and Jim.

Jim smiled at Amanda when she rolled her eyes at her two boys. They shared a look of commiserated amusement. “How about I have an ensign show you to your rooms? Once I have the other Ambassadors and their aides settled, we can dine together.”

“That sounds lovely, Jim. What have you been craving?”

“Plomeek soup and saltine crackers. Oh, and star fruit juice. Damn, now I’m hungry.” He pouted at her when she laughed.

“I will make sure when we have lunch together, there is plenty there. I remember well when I was carrying Spock and the intense cravings.” She hugged him again and they left the transporter room with the ensign as the transporter pad lit up again.

There stood the Ambassadors and their assistants for the Andorians and Betazoids. He moved forward with Spock at his side to greet them.

“Greetings, Ambassadors. Welcome aboard the USS Enterprise. I am Captain Kirk and this is my First Officer Spock. If you have need of anything on the trip let us know. We will have staff assigned to you to make your stay more comfortable.” Jim could feel curiosity emanating from the Betazoid Ambassador. The Andorian Ambassador was emotionally locked down. Her emotions should have been all over the place as they were a very emotional people.

“Thank you, Captain. I am Ambassador Shrathe Zh’raothor and this my aide and son Ral and my other aide, Kass Th’izaarrit. If you would be so kind as to have someone direct us to our quarters.” She stood rigid and stared over Jim’s shoulder, never once looking him in the eye.

Jim nodded, “Of course Ambassador. We have someone waiting to show you the way. Let us know if you need anything. We have assigned someone aboard ship to assist you with your needs.”

“Again thank you.” She walked past him with her aides following and headed out of the transporter room after the ensign.

‘That was weird.’

‘Indeed, for a very overly emotional people, she was very controlled.’

‘You’d almost think she was taught by a Vulcan, with that level of control.’ Spock raised an eyebrow at that thought. Jim sent back amusement to him. They turned back to the remaining Ambassador and his aides.

“I am Ambassador Omal Nexi. My aides are Legel Irux and Eisul Treigit. Thank you for your kind welcome.”

“You’re welcome, Ambassador. As you have heard, we have assigned a member of my crew to assist you for the duration of your stay aboard our ship.”

“Thank you, Captain.” He paused before he continued on with what he wanted to ask. They could feel the curiosity rolling off him as well as confusion. “Do you perhaps have some time now? I do have some questions for you.”

“That is agreeable. We have some time before the meeting we are attending.”

“Thank you, Captain and First Officer. Perhaps we could talk on the way to my and my staffs quarters?”

“Of course,” answered Spock and they all exited the transporter room.

**********

Omal was curious of these two men who felt just like one of his people. He could tell from the conversation his aides were having that they felt it as well. He was not sure how to broach the subject with them. Vulcans were a emotionally locked down people who did not seem to understand the emotions they felt but repressed. Humans on the other hand were almost too easy to upset or easily offended if they feel a question is too intrusive.  Well there was nothing for, he took a breath and asked the question on his and his aides minds. “You feel like my people. My staff and I are confused on how a human and a Vulcan can feel like a Betazoid.”

Jim and Spock shared a look and Spock was the one to answer him, “We were recently kidnapped and genetically experimented on. They used Betazoid DNA and spliced it into our own along with DNA from the Kintzi.”

The Ambassador stopped and just stared at them. He could feel some of what they were feeling but it was mostly dampened. They had very good control over their abilities. The Vulcan he understood, but he was surprised at the control the Captain had. “This discussion I believe would be best in a more secure environment. Would we be able to meet later?”

“Yes, Ambassador. We can meet if you like and have dinner together?” Jim asked him.

“That would be wonderful. Would I be able to place a call?”

“Absolutely, Ambassador. Just ask my Chief Communications Officer and she will put it through for you. Her name is Lieutenant Uhura.”

“Thank you, Captain. Until later then.” They walked the rest of the way to their quarters and the Ambassador and his aides entered. Jim and Spock went further down the hall and to Spock’s parents quarters.

“That was news to him. You could feel his dumbfounded shock like a fist.” Jim complained as they waited for Spock’s parents to answer.

“Indeed, they are a most emotionally open people.”

“That is going to take some getting used to.” He rubbed his stomach as Amanda answered.

“Your food awaits,” she said as she stood to the side.

“Best mom ever!” He said as he walked in and dropped a kiss on her cheek. She laughed and they sat down to eat and enjoy each others company. Jim was happy that Sarek brought her along for the trip. It made him and his mate happy.