Chapter Text
The Bridge of the USS Pathfinder
Stardate 2260.3
“A simple diplomatic jaunt through the neutral zone? I could get used to this, Bones,” Jim said, leaning casually against the edge of the captain’s platform.
“Indeed. One might even say this is a mission well within tolerances for minimal disruption,” Spock added from his station, eyes scanning the sensor readouts.
Leonard McCoy snorted, arms crossed. “Let’s not go tempting fate, shall we? Every time one of you says that, someone ends up in sickbay.”
“All channels clear, Captain.” Lieutenant Uhura said, fingers moving over her console. “No unexpected activity detected.”
“Good. Let’s keep it that way. How long before the—”
“Shuttlecraft approaching with the Vulcan delegation,” Chekov announced from his tactical console. “Estimate arrival: one minute.”
“Never mind. Bring them aboard, Chekov. Gentlemen .. shall we?”
“Stand by to recover shuttlecraft,” the young navigator said as the turbolift doors slid shut behind them.
In the shuttle bay, re-pressurization completed, the hatch slid open. Sarek and Spock Prime, moved with measured Vulcan grace through the hangar deck, until they stood in front of Jim.
“Ambassadors ..”
“Captain,” they said as they raised their hands in the Vulcan salute.
“We were not informed that you would be our escort,” Sarek said as they entered the ship’s main concourse.
“Spock wanted to surprise you.”
Sarek’s eyebrows rose as he turned to his son.
Spock, however, stood at attention offering the ta’al. “New Vulcan honors us with your presence. We come to serve.”
Sarek’s eyes flickered for just a moment at the mention of the colony, but his voice was steady when he replied. “Your service honors us.”
“Let’s get this party started,” Jim said.
Several eyebrows rose this time, McCoy’s most dramatically.
Sarek regard him coolly for a beat. “We would prefer a tour of the ship, Captain.”
Jim nodded. “I must return to the bridge. Spock and Dr. McCoy will guide you.”
As the tour got underway, Spock fell into step beside his older counterpart. When he noticed Sarek pausing a few feet away to ask the medic a question, he said, “your guidance regarding Khan was invaluable.”
“It was a morally gray, but necessary, course of action. We will not speak of it again.”
“Of course. Nonetheless, I am grateful.” His eyes drifted to Sarek and his voice dropped a notch lower. “How is our father? He appears .. discomfited.”
“The first bondings in the colony have taken place. I suspect he has been affected by them, as is to be expected.”
Sarek looked up just then, his gaze settling on both of them. A subtle ripple of unease flowed through the filial bond - and Spock knew the assessment was correct.
As Sarek took a step closer, the older Spock addressed Leonard McCoy. “Perhaps you would be so good as to show me to my quarters, Doctor.”
“Father, if I may ..” Spock began, as he and Sarek resumed their walk.
“Not now, Spock.”
There was no harshness in his tone, only the subtle strain of fatigue and discipline stretched thin, but the boundary was clear. The diplomat deftly steered the conversation where he wanted it to go.
The outpost to which they were headed — located just far enough from the homeworld to have escaped Nero’s attack — had been Vulcan’s premier orbital scientific station.
“The mission is twofold,” Sarek explained. “We are to review the outpost’s ongoing research, and provide diplomatic oversight. The station hosts both Vulcan and Federation personnel. Continued cohesion requires careful management.” He paused briefly before adding, “as an astrophysicist and a diplomat, I am uniquely positioned to assess both the scientific and political implications of their work. Ambassador Spock accompanies me in his capacity as one whose prior diplomatic service commands respect.”
“That is logical.”
Sarek nodded and then looked appraisingly at him. “I trust you have been well, my son?”
“All is well.” Spock held his father’s gaze, but a sliver of conflict bled through his composure.
For a instant Sarek found himself reaching inward for Amanda. She had understood their son’s hidden unrest in ways which eluded him. Her gentleness had often bridged what logic could not, and without her he was not quite sure how to broach Spock’s recent brush with darkness. He considered, briefly, the captain’s failed attempt at levity earlier regarding Spock’s desire to surprise him, and a thought crystallized. Soon they would pass through the space once occupied by Vulcan, and it was possible his son had requested the assignment out of concern for him.
Amanda’s influence lived on through Spock.
The realization was simultaneously painful and consoling.
A paradox that even a Vulcan could not fully dismiss.