Chapter Text
From the Subspace Communications Records of Jim Kirk, January 2099–April 2099
Sent:
Vulcan Science Academy
Admissions Council
Shi’Kahr, Ti’Valka’ain
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January 01, 2099 09:12:59
Received:
James T. Kirk
Riverside, Earth
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January 16, 2099 22:42:08
James Kirk,
The Vulcan Science Academy announces that you have been selected as this year’s Human exchange fellow. You will complete your coursework and dissertation on Vulcan under the instruction of the Academy’s finest educators. Upon your completion of the program, you will receive dual doctoral accreditation from the Vulcan Science Academy and the University of California system.
Based on your background in Emergent Anthropology, Biology, and Communicology and your current research in the field of Library Science and archive practices, you will collaborate closely with Dr. Amanda Grayson. Dr. Grayson has also agreed to act as your host for the duration of the program.
Vulcan’s Space Central will coordinate with the United Earth Space Probe Agency to arrange for your transport to Shi’Kahr. Due to the extended six month journey from Earth to Vulcan, no transportation home is offered for the duration of the program.
The Science Academy also recognizes your unique position as one of only eighty-three Humans afforded the opportunity to live and work on Vulcan and will therefore facilitate contact with other members of your species.
May your Education embolden your ascent from Chaos.
Peace and long life,
VSA Admissions Council
Selar son of T’Rel
Volak son of Sokar
T’Han daughter of Steltar
Surev son of Denak
Kuvak son of L’Vor
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Sent:
James T. Kirk
Riverside, Earth
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January 17, 2099 08:43:09
Received:
Vulcan Science Academy
Shi’Kahr, Ti’Valka’ain
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February 21, 2099 25:46:06
Dear Admissions Council,
I wanted to send you my receipt of your offer of admission as well as convey my gratitude. I hope that my work on Vulcan supports the growing relationship between our two worlds. I look forward to attending the VSA.
Sincerely,
James T. Kirk
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Sent:
United Earth Space Probe Agency
Vice Admiral Maxwell Forrest
San Francisco, Earth
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January 17, 2099 09:31:52
Received:
James T. Kirk
Riverside, Earth
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January 17, 2099 09:31:52
James,
The VSA just informed me that you’ve been named this year’s exchange fellow. On behalf of the UESPA, I offer a sincere congratulations. (And, as a fellow Berkeley alum, a pat on the back). I’m reaching out to coordinate your transportation and living situation. I understand that Dr. Grayson will be your host once on Vulcan, but I also wanted to let you know that the doors of the United Earth Embassy in Shi’Kahr will always be open to you, should you need anything.
As far as transport goes, I figure that once you’re back in the Bay Area we’ll charter you a shuttlepod from San Francisco to the lunar spacedock sometime in late April/early May. Of course you’ll have to pass the physical, get your open spacewalk certification, and finish your shuttlecraft training by then. I understand that UC Berkeley and UT Austin both offer a six-week aeronautics course pretty much year-round; they’ll also help you log the necessary pilot hours (generally, we like to see at least thirty with an instructor and twenty solo). Whichever program you choose, some of those hours will take place during a moon trip, during which you’ll also take your test for open space certification. In all likelihood, you won’t see any time either extravehicular or in the pilot’s seat, but we do need the certs for insurance reasons.
There’s been a scheduled goodwill trip to Vulcan on the books for months. Since our mission is primarily diplomatic there’ll be several other civilian passengers also onboard, so you’ll have some people besides the ship’s complement on the trip with you. Anyways, Potomac was the first Earth ship to reach warp 2.8 last year, and we’ll hopefully be up to 3 by the time we’re ready to leave. That means the trip should take five months, seven if we’re unlucky, but we’ll get you to Vulcan in plenty of time.
I also don’t think I need to remind you how few humans have lived on Vulcan for an extended period of time. By virtue of your position, you’ll be an ambassador for the entire human race, just like the other exchange students before you. Not fair to you, but there’s no getting out of it. I expect you’ll do us proud.
Please reach out to my secretary if you have any further questions. Her SCN is 0843772.17096462, and you have mine, too.
Tell your folks I said hello, and congratulations again.
Vice Admiral Maxwell Forrest
Transportation Chief, UESPA
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Sent:
James T. Kirk
Riverside, Earth
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January 17, 2099 09:38:09
Received:
UESPA Materiel Command
Captain George T. Kirk
John F. Kennedy Spacedock, Luna
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January 17, 2099 09:38:29
Dad,
I just got accepted to the VSA doctoral exchange program. I got the subspace comms from the admissions council and Admiral Forrest ten minutes ago. I can’t believe it’s really happening. (Admiral Forrest says hello, by the way).
Anyways, I’ll be heading back to Berkeley in about a week. UESPA wants me to get my shuttlecraft license and open space cert before the trip to Vulcan, and I’m probably going to take the school’s course for it, so it looks like I’ll miss your and Mom’s leave. I might be able to schedule my moon trip for when you’re back at spacedock so I can see you before I go.
Please tell Mom and Sammy for me. You know they’re both shit at answering their comms.
Love,
Jim
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Sent:
UESPA Materiel Command
Captain George T. Kirk
John F. Kennedy Spacedock, Luna
SCN 0586273.12029483
January 17, 2099 10:22:03
Received:
James T. Kirk
Riverside, Earth
SCN 0843772.18734983
January 17, 2099 10:22:23
Jim, honey, that’s FANTASTIC. Your mother and I are so excited and proud of you. You’ll be the first Kirk in deep space. (Also, when you comm Forrest back, tell that son of a bitch he still owes me a motorcycle from the last pool game he lost at the 602).
I’m sure we’ll be able to figure leave out. Your mother and I aren’t going to let you run off into deep space without saying goodbye.
Love,
Dad
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Sent:
James T. Kirk
Riverside, Earth
SCN 0843772.18734983
January 17, 2099 10:43:09
Received:
Vulcan Science Academy
Dr. Amanda Grayson
Shi’Kahr, Ti’Vulka’ain
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February 13, 2099 17:12:39
Dear Dr. Grayson,
I hope this transmission finds you well. I’m sure that the VSA has already informed you that I was selected as this year’s doctoral exchange student, but I wanted to contact you regardless. I’m not sure how the Academy assigns its faculty mentors, but it’d be an understatement to say I’m thrilled, especially given your research into the influence of dialectical particle physics on both contemporary and Golic Vulcan urbanism.
I greatly anticipate meeting you.
Thanks,
Jim Kirk
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Sent:
Vulcan Science Academy
Dr. Amanda Grayson
Shi’Kahr, Ti’Vulka’ain
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February 13, 2099 19:34:28
Received:
James T. Kirk
Oakland, Earth
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March 21, 2099 05:22:16
Dear Jim,
Please, call me Amanda! You’ll be living with my family and I for at least a few years; I would prefer we be friends, rather than colleagues! I am so pleased that you’ll be joining me on Vulcan: it means that instead of being the only human in the anthropology department, I’ll be the second one. The department is rather small; many of my colleagues believe that fields such as history, archaeology, and material studies (all of which are contained by the anthropology department) belong in the past, rather than the ever-expanding present. However, you will find an enormous breadth of material on Vulcan, more than enough to satisfy an archivist for his whole lifetime.
I also understand that you have some field experience in archaeology; my colleague Dr. Haskell tells me that you were an enormous asset to his dig at Qumran. Your experiences with field research (especially in such an arid environment) will come in handy on Vulcan, as even though the Science Academy often claims there are no archaeological sites on the entire planet there are—as you shall see upon arriving—a great deal. Accounts of such endeavors on Vulcan could greatly enhance your dissertation, and might also mean a starship posting after your graduation. (I will also confess that in my advancing age I find field work to be progressively more and more burdensome, and would greatly appreciate the assistance of someone younger).
Please do send along your current précis when you have a moment, whatever it looks like: I just want to have an idea of what direction you want your research to go in. I know that you want to focus on the Vulcan methods of archival preservation, but what specific areas?
I seem to remember the procedures for getting on a shuttlecraft, much less a starship, to be extremely arduous and time-consuming: how are your endeavors progressing?
Be well,
Amanda
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Sent:
James T. Kirk
Oakland, Earth
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March 21, 2099 19:56:21
Received:
Vulcan Science Academy
Dr. Amanda Grayson
Shi’Kahr, Ti’Vulka’ain
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April 11, 2099 25:18:03
Dear Amanda,
I wonder: if the VSA’s anthropology department is in question, how did I become this year’s exchange fellow? My understanding was that applicants came from all academic backgrounds—wouldn’t it have been more topical for the VSA to select a student with research in a more prominent field?
My time at Qumran was fascinating, and I definitely hope to have a similar experience on Vulcan. We found four separate scroll fragments and far more pottery than Dr. Haskell had expected, and I think the whole process gave me an appreciation for the value of archaeological study even in areas that most people think aren’t worth our investigation any longer. The temperatures were extreme, but I’ve heard that those on Vulcan can be even more so.
My précis is attached. I’ve also included a working bibliography, in case you’d like to take a look.
As far as preparing for interstellar travel… I’m halfway through my shuttlecraft training, and just passed my physical. Still, the idea of flying to the Moon—solo, in fact!—at the end of all of this for my final test is pretty daunting. My dad has always taught me that no matter how much you study, there’s always going to be unknown factors when you’re traveling in space. Gravitational and temporal anomalies, equipment malfunctions, random asteroids … all of it can throw even a routine Moon run off.
I’m sure all of this, though, is far simpler than it was when we first achieved warp. In fact, by the time you receive my letter, I’ll probably have finished my tests, and I might even be on the way to spacedock. I wonder how different procedures were when you first traveled to Vulcan? I understand it could take around four to seven years to get there.
An unrelated question, but can I ask who the members of your house are?
Thanks,
Jim
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Sent:
Vulcan Science Academy
Dr. Amanda Grayson
Shi’Kahr, Ti’Vulka’ain
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April 12, 2099 09:09:42
Received:
James T. Kirk
USS Potomac, Alpha Centauri System
SCN 0257422.18734983
May 14, 2099 02:39:10
Dear Jim,
I’m sure you’ll already be aboard the starship by the time you receive this message, so I’ve routed it to Alpha Centauri’s relay. Hopefully it reaches you in a timely fashion!
Unfortunately, the situation with the Academy is too complicated to convey through channels; we might discuss it upon your arrival on Vulcan.
The précis is very good. Your focus on preservation methods is admirable. I would recommend examining some of the works of T’Velar; her research into oral memory rituals in Vulcan’s post-warp period is topical for you. Additionally, the late twentieth-century speech by David Bearman on digital archive practices might be of note.
It certainly seems as if they’ve streamlined things since I first traveled here thirty-something years ago! In that time, we had to take engineering courses and log a hundred jet piloting hours before we were even allowed in the spacecraft! And due to the nature of the ships, we never flew solo: everything was partnered, even the spacewalks.
I never wanted to travel to space: it had never been in my plans. Due to the War, people back then were often less interested in humanity’s greater purpose and potential and more interested in their own selfish needs. I admit that I was the same. Then Zefram Cochrane achieved warp, and everything changed for me. I was unprepared to fly in a starship, and I was very ill for the first several months aboard. However, my travel experience was likely very different than yours will be.
I left Earth for the first and last time in 2070, six years after I met my husband Sarek. Prior to 2070, he had held a position as Vulcan ambassador to Earth. In 2070, however, my husband was reassigned to a new diplomatic position on Tellar. Given that we’d had a son, Spock, in 2067, we decided that I would return to Vulcan with Spock while Sarek was stationed on Tellar, so as to provide him with a Vulcan education. As you noted, interstellar travel in those days took far longer and Spock spent four years of his life aboard the starship. Although the ship was one of the largest in the Vulcan fleet, quarters were still quite cramped. I understand that the Potomac has ample space for both its crew and its civilian passengers.
Unfortunately, after you pass through the Alpha Centauri System it will be difficult to reliably pass subspace messages, as Vulcan does not maintain relays in the Andorian System. (Part of the Potomac’s mission, as my husband explained to me, is upgrading the current relays). Once you enter the Vulcan System, your captain will alert us, and I’ll send one of your fellow exchange students (though he will have matriculated by the time of your arrival) to retrieve you.
May you have a safe passage.
Be well,
Amanda
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From the Private Messages of Jim Kirk, May 16, 2099
bonesbonesbones: hey asshole
bonesbonesbones: comm me back
bonesbonesbones: i know you’re still in range
bonesbonesbones: can’t believe you’re leaving us for six years
jtk: it’ll be over before you know it.
jtk: you probably won’t even be done with your residency by the time I’m back.
bonesbonesbones: i know, i know. doesn’t mean i can’t complain about it.
bonesbonesbones: also doesn’t mean you couldn’t be less excited about leaving your best friend in the whole universe.
bonesbonesbones: for six damn years.
jtk: aww, c’mon
jtk: you know I’ll miss you
jtk: I’m just excited
jtk: I really never thought I’d make it off this rock
bonesbonesbones: you’re going straight to another rock.
bonesbonesbones: and this one doesn’t have me.
jtk: I know. and I’ll miss you like crazy. but honestly I can’t wait.
jtk: cap just commed to tell us we’re leaving Earth’s range soon.
bonesbonesbones: damn.
jtk: talk to you once I’m there, okay?
bonesbonesbones: okay
bonesbonesbones: miss you already jim
jtk: miss you too
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From the Personal Log of Jim Kirk, August 2099
“Jim Kirk’s personal log, August 21, 2099.
“Right. I’ve been on Potomac for… four months now. According to Captain Archer, we’re a little less than seventy percent of the way there. Probably a month or so at most from Vulcan. We passed Andoria a week ago, which is pretty much the most scenery we’ve had, maybe besides the comet we were traveling alongside for a while. It’s beautiful out here. Beautiful. But it’s—strange. All of the constellations we see on Earth—it all looks completely different out here. You have these landmarks in your head before you get off the ground, and then suddenly you’re flying alongside the stars and Cetus is a completely different shape. Really just reminds you—you’re not on Earth anymore. When you look up at the stars, you’re doing something different than when you’re living right next to them.
“But, Andoria’s sun is one of the ones you can see sometimes back home. It’s a little past Sagittarius, actually, so I guess it’s visible for most of the summer. Archer had the Potomac approach the system from behind Andor so it was eclipsed while we were in the system. I’d never seen anything like it. Andor’s a gas giant, maybe a little smaller than Jupiter, and it has these huge rings. They’re bright blue, as bright as the biggest one around Uranus, and when Andoria’s sun hit the whole thing looked like it was surrounded by this glowing halo.
“The Andorians—they barely see their sun. It’s not like how it is for us on Earth. Andoria’s one of the moons of Andor. It orbits Andor, not the sun—the science officer said it was a pretty weird orbit, actually, probably because of the rings—and they only face the sun maybe ten hours in every orbit around Andor. They have whole calendars for it. The whole rest of the year, they live in these enormous cities underground. It reminded me… I dunno, I remember reading that Ray Bradbury story when I was little. The girl… she never got to see the sun. She was so alone.
“It’s weird to be out here. It’s quiet on a starship. Not very much happens unless you’re part of the crew. They’re putting out fires left and right. Sometimes literally. Yesterday the grav generator was offline for four hours. We couldn’t do anything besides grab onto whatever was bolted down. It was… the whole world had gone upside down. Nothing was where it was supposed to be. It was kind of like the feeling of traveling in deep space, actually.
“I guess I wasn’t ready for how lonely space makes you feel. It’s hard not talking to people from back home, but it’s more than that, I think. I keep remembering that we’re so far away from the place we came from. Not just the place we came from, either. Sometimes Earth feels like the place we belong—like, the place we’re supposed to be. But now that I’ve been to space… I don’t know how I’m supposed to go back, either.
“All this to say, I’m excited to get to Vulcan. I’m ready to start working, sure, but I’m really ready to get off this ship. Archer sure isn’t. It seems like Vulcan is the last place in the known universe he wants to go. It’s uh, it’s weird to have a captain who’d rather not be captaining, I guess.
“Just… one more month to go. Kirk out.”
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