Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two - Strange behaviors

Jim Kirk was a very happy man, he was very happy because the three members of the Ruling Council would be leaving in three days. He had been marking the days off one by one on the calendar on his PADD. Spock always gave him a bemused look each time he did so but that was okay; it was just one way to keep his sanity around them. He tried to avoid them as much as possible as every time they saw them, in the mess hall or about the ship, they would try to talk to him about moving to Betazed. Mostly it was Itaada and Ograi that did the talking. Etrim would sit there quietly and only chime in when they spoke to him. They made him nervous and gave off a very odd vibe.

Today, the three would be down on New Vulcan going to the market that they had there every three days. There were many great buys and always something interesting to purchase. Today was also the day that the Orion prisoners would be transferred to the USS Frigg and he really didn’t need to deal with them today. He exited the lift and moved to the transporter room where the prisoners were already waiting; he entered and moved to stand by the control panel. He smiled when Chris, Jon entered and Scotty; Scotty walked over to the control panel and set to work.

“Okay, Capt’n. They’re ready fer us.”

“Alright, get them on the pad.”

“Yes, Captain,” Giotto said as he and his men moved the prisoners to the transporter pad. Once they stepped of, Jim gave Scotty the signal and they were on their way to the Frigg. Jim sighed, one less thing to worry about on his never ending list. Chris and Jon clapped him on the shoulder; they left the transporter room needing to make the call to Starfleet to inform them the prisoners were on their way. Jim nodded to the security team and headed off to feed the boys and make his reports. He had leave to still approve amongst other things and the list kept getting longer. Hopefully, things would slow down so he could catch up. He knew that he would have to start working late into the evenings again so he could clean up his backlog; he had a feeling that Spock had another spanking coming his way for not maintaining his paperwork. He rubbed his head and went back to his quarters and work.

**********

Five hours later; he had some of the copious amount of paperwork completed. Yay, almost caught up. Though he was surprised about the change in status form from Sulu and Chekov. About damn time, too. He signed off on it as they were cute together and he saw no problems with the relationship. The chimes rang for the door to his quarters and he frowned. He got up and went to the door to answer it. He had talked to his mother-in-law earlier and they were visiting tomorrow to take the boys for a while to help him out. Spock was at the lab and Omal and Uhura were out doing who knew what as her shift had ended an hour earlier. He blinked in surprise when he opened the door and Councilman Etrim was standing there. He blinked again to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

“Captain Kirk,” Etrim said.

“Councilman, what can I do for you?”

“May I impose on a few moments of your time?”

“Sure, come on in.” Jim stepped to the side to let Etrim in; he led him over to the sitting area and inquired if he wanted something to drink.

 “No thank you, Captain.”

“So what can I do for you, Councilman Etrim?” he asked as he took a set on the couch.

“I wished to talk to you about my fellow council members.”

“Really? What can I help you with?” Jim asked confused.

“I have noticed for some time that they as well as others have been acting strangely.”

“How so?”

“Where before they would spend time with their families and work to help others, they now spend almost all their time at the council chambers and very rarely go out to help amongst our people.”

“How long has this been going on?”

“This has been going on for about two years. They had gone on an Ambassadorial mission to a planet in the sector to help with the wars that were breaking out there. When they had come back Betazed, they seemed different.”

“What seemed to have changed?”

“They were more guarded. Before we would have no problem talking telepathically or sharing our emotional state but when they came back they were closed off emotionally and they would only speak aloud.”

“You mentioned others?”

“Yes, two but they have since passed away. Ilal Turo and Riammeda Boi. We were in a session and suddenly they clasped their hands to their heads and collapsed. They healers looked at them and deemed them to be fine. Then they started to do the same thing as well.”

“Were they close to Ograi and Itaada?”

“No, before this they were mere acquaintances. When they returned from their mission they seemed to be at odds. Now they are all close and all agree with the changes.”

“What about you?”

“I go along to survive. They wish for a higher standing in the Federation; perhaps to eventually lead it. I wish for peace and harmony.”

“Yet, you were the one who said we would be an asset and suggested the DNA testing.”

“Yes, you would be an asset to our people. You two have done much in your young lives and you have persevered against all odds. We needed to know whose DNA was taken. Now that we know, we need to figure out how. You two will do much to give inspiration to our people. You are the youngest Captain in Starfleet history and you have saved Earth multiple times. Our children look up to you and many are interested in joining Starfleet in hopes of having great adventures as you have. That is what kind of asset you would be, an inspiration.”

“Have you noticed anything else?”

“Yes, outside their personality changes; any telepathic communication seems to cause them pain. When Itsaada’s daughter tried to contact her in an emergency it nearly caused her to lose consciousness.”

“Well, we will see what we can do. Do you know if they have any idea you came to see me?”

“They asked me to. To see if I could convince you to come to Betazed. I figured this was more important of a matter.”

“Sneaky. If they asked I will mention that you asked me and my mate to come. I will see what we can do to help you.”

“Thank you. Now I will take my leave and see about staying out of their way for now.” Etrim stood and headed to the door. “Thank you, Captain,” he nodded and left.

Jim sighed, now all he had to do was figure out what to do.

**********

Spock and Omal walked into Spock’s quarters to find his mate deep in thought. “T’hy’la?”

“Oh, Spock. I didn’t hear you.”

“Are you well?”

“I’m fine. I was thinking on what Etrim had to say.”

“Oh?” Omal took a seat. “Would I be able to help?”

“Possibly. He said that four of the Council have been acting strangely. Two when they went to assist a planet in the quadrant that was in the midst of a war. When they got back they would not allow psionic contact. Then later two lost consciousness and were deemed fine but refusing to allow psionic contact. He said that those two have since died.”

“Ah, yes. Itaada, Ograi, Toru and Boi. I remember all the commotion on them refusing to allow it with them. Toru and Boi died in a transporter malfunction. It was most distressing.”

“Don’t mention that part to Bones. I have all I can do to get him to use them when needed. Anyway, Etrim said that when Itaada’s daughter tried she almost lost consciousness. I think that there is something wrong.”

“Yes, Jim I see. Whatever is going on with them, the psionic contact seems to cause issue with it. But how to fix that issue,” Omal said.

“Perhaps if we make the contact, once they lose consciousness we can have them scanned,” Spock said, his brows furrowed in thought.

“Omal, we would have issue doing that as it will cause a problem between Starfleet and Betazed,” Jim said to him.

“So, I will see if Etrim could assist.”

“That could work as he is on the council and could approve medical assistance.”

“Let me ask him.”

“Okay,” Jim said and snuggled into Spock.

‘Etrim,’

‘Nexi?’

‘Yes. I am speaking with Jim about your concerns.’

‘And?’

‘We could assist but you would need to make psionic contact to have them lose consciousness and then approve medical assistance.’

‘This will help?’ Etrim asked.

‘Yes, greatly.’

‘How soon?’

‘When they come back on the ship. If they collapse in the transporter room then they will automatically go to sickbay.’

‘Yes, that will work. I will let you know as soon as I have done so.’

‘Thank you, Councilman.’

‘No, thank you.’

“I have spoken to him. He is willing to help. He will do it as soon as they come back aboard.”

“Good, hopefully we can get this taken care of.”

“Indeed we hope,” said Spock.