Chapter 10 - Teach the ChildrenU.S.S. ENTERPRISE, EN ROUTE TO QO'NOS
As an experiment in social engineering, someone at Starfleet Command decided to see if children were adaptable to Starship life, and vice-versa. Someone else decided the proving ground for this experiment should be the U.S.S. Enterprise. Captain James T. Kirk thought very little of the idea, at first. But later, he decided it was one of the worst ideas StarFleet ever had. This, from a man who had waved M-5's front plating in front of the admiralty after that fiasco. Kirk knew incipient disasters. For all that, things merely got worse.
Originally, it had been meant to be a small cross-section of children from all the families of the six-hundred crew members of the Enterprise. This proved unfeasible for several reasons, not the least of which was location. Junior officers, who must by necessity comprise the bulk of any starship crew, often do not have children of their own or close ties to family members that do. Advancement is the way of all flesh, then.
So it was that two things occurred: the potential field of over two-thousand children was whittled down to a little over two-hundred, and restricted to those crew members who had enough of a handle on their career tracks to bring in their kids without real trouble. In other words, the children of senior crew members, particularly the senior staff.
James T. Kirk saw an immediate problem with this scenario. Children of rank sometimes tend to act like it. No greenie, or anyone not themselves of the senior staff, would want to deal with children who could get out of trouble merely by citing their sponsor relative. Whatever assurances the officer was given from above, one snide look from an arrogant young face would be more than enough. In times past, such a dilemma would have Kirk turning to Spock. But Spock was on Qo'noS, pursuing the peace as Ambassador that they could never gain on fields of fire. So Kirk turned to Spock's father, Sarek. After all, it had been Sarek who rescued Peter Kirk from the still-unknown terrorists who had held the boy for over a decade, and who helped the shattered young man to rebuild, raising him in his own house.
"So, you see my problem, Sarek. Particularly in the case of the teenagers, I need to find a solution that at least keeps these well-heeled kids from running amok all over my ship."
"A true quandary, James. But easily solved. I believe that I am now in a position to yield up my trusted ambassadorial aide. His name should, as you say, trump all the others."
"Is Peter ready for service aboard a starship? I have to admit, I was stunned when he entered the Academy, a scant three years after being released. By the way, my friend, I've said it before, but I owe you my soul for that. You see, Sam was rendered sterile. Peter - is my biological son. That I couldn't protect him when the time came is a source of shame to me."
"He is ready, James. Remember, serving with you is a lifelong dream of his. As for the rest, how could you know? I find my logic is often flawed, as concerns - my sons."
"Then it's a deal. I should be able to get the waiver pretty easily. Since the - tragedy - at Admiralty Hall, there's been a lot less micro-management."
"So I have heard. You yourself complained that such wanton interference cost Captain Sulu the USS Cooper. If I may enquire, James, how does he bear up?"
"In many respects, very well. The prospect of having his young daughter on board for a time surely doesn't hurt. But he's bitter, Sarek. As am I. I feel as though someone gutted a good man so as to give me the back of their hand. I trained him and Pavel, not to sit at that front console forever, but to maybe say, 'I learned how to Captain from Jim Kirk'. Selfish, I know. Speaking of selfish, how is your condition? Every time I ask Spock, he cites privacy."
"I find myself chuckling at jokes Peter will tell, frowning when lectured by T'Pau, and making the occasional innuendo about my wife. Saavik is thrown off, but seems to enjoy the 'new' me. Speaking of Saavik, James, have you a slot in engineering for her?"
"I'll certainly try, Sarek. But I don't know if Peter will be comfortable with his ex-wife on board."
"In strictest confidence, James, they are frequently still 'comfortable' in each other's presence. I know this to be a fact."
"How could you know that without catching them in the act?"
"Easy. They have denied it just as frequently as they have disappeared for hours at a time. Also, stares across a supper table are quite telling."
"Thank you, Sarek. For everything."
"And you, James. He is a good young man. Strong, not unlike his father."
The screen went blank. At supper that evening, Sarek announced that the pair would be going someplace.
"Where, Father?"
"Yes, Sarek? Where?"
Sarek thought for a moment, and said one word.
"Home."
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Taking Peter aboard had been not only a good, but also a historic decision. No sooner had he spent a week on board, keeping the children from acts of destruction - or even potential acts of creation, than the Ghidoran disaster began. Romulus fell, then for 2 hellish days the UFP itself ceased to be. It did so once again, though now only on paper.
Fate is strange, for it was also in this week that Peter and Saavik finally re-bonded, only to be told startling information about their heritage. Peter had known that Jim was his father, but not that his own mother had been half-Romulan. Saavik had known she was half-Romulan, but not that she was one-quarter human. Like many young couples, they had thought they had a hedge against consequences. Surely a human could not easily impregnate a Half-Romulan, half-Vulcan. Despite its commonality, interbreeding took a bit more effort than that. But the two common heritages they already shared had lead to a third commonality: In 10 months time, Saavik would give birth to their child. To her shock, though, James T. Kirk was not the only Enterprise officer who would be forced to deal with the prospect of an impending grandfatherhood.
"Doctor, are you certain? How is it that I never knew of this human blood?"
"When a Vulcan is raped, Saavik, it is considered on Vulcan to be a matter of their having lost control. Such a loss is a shame to the family. Now, I know I'm speaking from some ignorance here. There are more levels to it. But, that is what those words boil down to, in this country doctor's humble opinion. But your Vulcan family must have still cared very deeply for you."
"You know who my family is? I do not wish to shame them. But my child is not the child of rape. Nor will they ever be touched, as I was, or as Peter was."
McCoy frowned. What had been done to the hybrids like Saavik on Hellguard was well known. But it was only within the last week that Peter had admitted that it was the Admiralty of StarFleet that had kidnapped him, and kept him in cryo-stasis. Before they locked the 13-year old boy away for 11 years, they had passed him around like a sexual party favor, a phaser at his head the whole time. Saavik had known this, through their bond, which she felt was about to be re-established. Love, marriage, and child, all in one week, with three-headed Ghidorah on the horizon. Not a situation for lesser beings to endure.
"Saavik, I know who BOTH your parents are. The one is dead, executed by her own people for failure. Not to be cruel, but you are better for having never known her. As to your father, him I know all too well. Many's the time he sat where you are, arguing with me over nothing."
"Are you certain, Doctor? There are other Vulcan-human hybrids."
"Kid, I not only double-checked, but went straight for the clincher. We have the DNA of a certain human spouse, living on Vulcan, on file. Would you like me to say her name? Because it's a dead-on match."
"No need, Doctor. I have called her Mother, but in fact she was my grandmother. Her name is Amanda Grayson. Wife of Sarek, Mother-of Spock. Spock, then, is my father."
Sporting a boyish grin, McCoy tried to boost Saavik's spirits.
"You have my sympathies, Saavik. But it could be worse. The way Jim gads about, Peter could have been your half-brother."
Knowing she had human blood actually relaxed Saavik. Perhaps, now, emotions were allowable, just a bit.
"If Peter were my brother, we would both have to move a quadrant apart, or be held in shame. For I love him."
The Enterprise was now two days away from Qo'noS, but Ghidorah was already there, and had reportedly engaged the Klingon fleet. The strange abilities Peter Kirk had manifested allowed them no extra speed, only the ability to go at their best speed without shaking apart. Saavik kept watch over the engines, sporting a jacket of McCoy's design meant to protect her unborn child from sudden radiation spikes. Through their bond, she could tell Peter when to reset certain parameters to normal. Considering the amount of variables involved in warp engine operation, this was no small task. It was a testimony to Peter's strength of character that these abilities had not corrupted him, as they had so many others. Even allowing for the legendary 'Kirk ego', Peter knew he was up against a foe that physically was a combined megameter in diameter, and seemingly infinite in power.
This would not be a battle solved by a gesture, or the winking of an eye.
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While his uncle/father received mind-blowing revelations about Ghidorah from the entity called Q, Peter resumed his stewardship of the ship's visitors, the children. As Peter stared at them playing, running and arguing, as he himself once did, he felt that StarFleet really had committed a grand folly. These children were about to enter the Ultimate War Zone, and Enterprise had no time to place them someplace safe - if anyplace was. Happily, he saw a much calmer Demora Sulu walk up to him.
"Hi, Peter. Congratulations."
"Hi, yourself Demora. So you heard."
"ALMOST everyone has. What are you and Saavik gonna name the baby?"
It was a question an 11-year old might ask. The question meant that they were going to beat the bad guy for certain, nobody was going to die, and that the only big issue was naming. Peter swore to do what he could to maintain such optimism.
"Oh, well, there's a while before that, kiddo. I'm sorry I scared all of you before."
"Oh, I wasn't scared. Some of the little ones were, but not me. Our dads are gonna kick his bi-tailed butt! This is, after all, the Enterprise. King Ghidorah is gonna be destroyed."
Needless to say, Peter did not tell Demora that the creature was not impressed with names, or anything else. Captain Sulu had been furious with him for scaring the children with even a watered-down version of "The Rime Of the Ancient Destroyer". He wondered to himself why he was becoming more and more nervous as they approached Qo'noS. Yes, he was scared of Ghidorah, but he knew what the thing looked like, had seen it in his mind for two decades. His nerves made no sense to him.
"You okay, Peter? You're shaking."
"It's just tiredness, Demora. By the way, what did you mean when you said almost everyone has heard about me and Saavik? Who hasn't gotten the news?"
Demora turned, and saw 15-year old Sophie Tanabe, second cousin to Commander Uhura, making a beeline for Peter. Demora had let her crush on him go, but Sophie was a bit more determined.
"Her. She hasn't heard, cause she's been busy."
"Doing what?"
"Oh, it's not what she's been doing...."
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Indeed, her presence had been felt all over the ship, as Peter Preston attested to his uncle, Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott. The man had few breaks, right now, but his visiting niece and nephew were always a bright spot in his life, so he made time.
"So we... did it. I fell asleep, but she says it still happened. She dragged Johnny Harris in next, and started before I had a chance to get dressed, or anything."
"I'm nae here ta lecture ye, lad, but what were you thinking? Anyone who moves in on ye that quickly ye should know enough to take a step back. I know how it is. Sophie's a looker, to be sure. But even today, when all the guilt and other mind trash is put aside, nobody simply offers companionship, first thing off."
"I know. Back home, there are girls who have said they might, but Sophie just said it outright. Now Angie Thompson is ticked with me, too. Sophie asked her about it, but she and her dad have a contract she wants to keep with. That, and she hates Sophie's guts. I think I'm with her on that."
"Then maybe it's Angela ye should be tryin' to tell that to. As to the rest, let next time count, and this one not. If you must, regard it as a vicious prank someone played upon you."
"Thanks, Uncle Monty. Hey, you're not my father, too, are you? Like the Captain is Peter's?"
"Peter Preston! Your mother is my own sister!"
"I know. It's just things are getting weird on this ship."
"That - I'll concede, lad. I've nae seen it like this before. I cannae believe we're actually hunting the Slither Ghidree! Raving bigots in StarFleet, Romulus wiped away, the UFP on life support... what is the galaxy coming to?"
"Er, an end?"
Scotty's smiled to hide his shock.
"Ye smart-mouthed punk! This is the USS Enterprise, of which your Uncle Monty is chief cook and bottle washer! Mark my words, we'll be having dragon stew on Celts' Day, this March the 17th."
"Uncle Monty?"
"Aye?"
"You can have my portion. I'll settle for corned beef and cabbage."
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A bit less gentle, but still concerned with the actions of his grandson, was Leonard McCoy. John Leonard Harris had his own tale of Uhura's British Cousin.
"She didn't even have Peter Preston out of there, yet. I felt like a nothing. She only took off enough to get where she was going, this time. I thought I was pleading with her, last time. Truth is, she only took it all off so that Lt. Kirk would see her in the altogether. She told me as much. I feel like I've been used."
McCoy shook his head.
"You feel like you've been used, boy, because you HAVE been used. Now, it happens, and it's not the end of the world. But for pity's sake, John. No precautions, except her word that nothing will come of it? Totally depending on someone else's information in any circumstance is just a bad way to go. I mean, haven't you been taught better?"
"I thought I had. But she was offering, and I was taking before I knew it. I know guys like her back home. Within a month, nobody'll go near them, so they have to seek out a new circle of friends. Even that wears out, eventually. I'm a moron. I yelled at Peter Kirk for stopping us, when I should have been thanking him. Hmmph. I'll bet she takes it all off for him."
"For him? You mean, she's targeted the Captain's son?"
"His nephew."
"No, his son. It's a long story, but Peter Kirk is married, now. Bonded to Saavik, who is carrying a certain Captain's grandson. Or doesn't she care?"
"Heh. I don't know if she cares, but I'm certain she doesn't know. Listen, Gramps, I gotta talk to a few people. But I promise not to Kirk anybody else while I'm on board your ship."
With that, Johnny Harris left his grandfather's office, while the older man laughed and shook his head. Then he stopped.
"I'm supposed to simply accept the word of a randy 14-year old that he's not going to Kirk anyone el- "Kirk"?!? No, it-it couldn't be. They wouldn't. I mean, I know Jim has a rep..."
McCoy accessed the library computer.
"Vernacular of young people on Earth and Earth Colonies, past 5-10 years... use of name 'Kirk' as a verb... synonyms...
"Oh, boy. McCoy to Captain! Jim, there's something you should know..."
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As James T. Kirk received the most annoying non-Ghidorah news of the past week, three young people met in the halls. Angela Thompson, daughter of the ship's security chief, spoke first.
"Look, Preston, I'll forgive and forget. She's like an asteroid collision, anyway. But never again. You want active engagement, mister, then you better show loyalty first."
"I will. After all, disloyalty only got me to be a notch on someone's belt. But maybe we should take it slow, respect your contract with your father."
"What contract? I just told her that so she'd back off. Nobody can make a choice around her!"
Johnny Harris spoke up.
"Oh, I know Someone who can make a choice. Peter Kirk, who just got married. Wanna watch it happen?"
Peter Preston smiled.
"A lot more than I wanted her."
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In the Rec Area, Sophie Tanabe pleaded her case to a man who could feel his wife's mind and the mind of their child as though they were both in his arms. In other words, her prospects were dim. Undeterred, she pressed on. In Engineering, Saavik felt Peter call to her.
"I understand, Husband."
They often used the formal titles with each other simply because they could both remember a time in their lives when such happiness seemed a remote dream.
"Lt. Saavik to Commander Uhura. Please meet me at the main Rec Area. There is family business there."
"Uhura here, Saavik. I'll be there. I was afraid of this."
Sophie's pleas continued.
"C'mon, Peter! It'll be great fun. It'll help me win the bet."
"What bet would that be, Sophie?"
"I've Kirked all the required people on my list. But back home, no one will Ever be able to top me if I manage to Kirk a Kirk."
"How did my name become a synonym for....."
"Not YOUR name, doll. Yer uncle's. I mean, he's only had one on every planet. It's a well-known fact, so's back home y'say that you Kirked someone."
"The Captain's reputation should preclude you from showing that kind of disrespect aboard his own ship."
"It IS a form of respect. Anyone as gets that much deserves applause. Now, look, I did what I had to with the others, but you and I could be hours at it. Whaddya say?"
"No, thank you, though I'm flattered."
"I don't want you flattered, I want you flat on your back. Now, I know you saw my bod in the storage area, so I'm all there, that way. We'll be continuing a family tradition, Lieutenant."
Peter was trying to keep from laughing.
"How do you figure that, Sophie?"
"Well, what in blazes do you think my Cousin Nyta and Janice Rand wore those flimsy skirts for? Your unc wanted easy access. Now, Nyta denies all that, but we all know the truth, right?"
Behind Sophie, all the players had gathered. He tried for the killswitch.
"Sophie, I'm married. As to everything else you said, I think you better say what you told me to Commander Uhura."
"Yer not married. Your bonded to a Vulcan. Seven years is a long time to wait, Peter Kirk. Plus, Nyta knows my opinion, and she can deny all she wants. Look here, I've had boys. Now, are you gonna be a man for me? Like your Uncle?"
The trap was sprung. Peter regretted its necessity, but had Sophie backed off after the announcement of his marriage, he would have gladly stopped. Peter spoke.
"Actually, Jim is my father."
Saavik, now.
"The seven years is merely the height of a cycle, not the only time we can mate. Else, my HUSBAND and I could not have conceived our CHILD."
Peter Preston.
"Since this boy fell asleep, one has to question your technique."
Angela Thompson.
"No wonder intimacy used to carry a stigma. People like you'll make up any excuse they feel like."
John Harris.
"I enjoyed it. I'm not gonna whine, and moan. But if you just hadn't stopped to mark something on your pad, in the middle of it all. Throws a fella off."
Sophie looked more indignant than ashamed.
"So I enjoy it, and you lot have to humiliate me for that. Anyone else to twist the knife?"
The most dreaded voice of all.
"Oh, just me. The lady with the easy access red-skirt."
Sophie turned around, a very worried look on her face.
"Ny-Nyota! Nyta, I didn't mean that you were a bad sort, or anything like that. Fact is, I think the Old Man would be a great..."
Uhura shook her head.
"He wouldn't want you if you were green. Come with me, Hagia Sophia Tanabe!"
"I'm not StarFleet! You can't give me an order!"
"Then consider it a threat."
She got up.
"Those are different."
Uhura grabbed her young cousin by the ear, and dragged her out.
"Owww! Nyta, nobody does this any more!"
"I'm bringing it back! Lieutenant Kirk, after I am done with her, she will be in your custody, and at your disposal - and that includes opening an airlock, if you feel like it."
"Thank you, Commander. Now, as to you three...."
A few halls down, Uhura released the girl's ear, and spoke frankly with her.
"You almost make me wish this was the Victorian Age! Sophie, using people like that is...."
"Something that's done, Nita. Your Captain, for one. Don't start in with me about your platonic relationship, either."
This far away from slapping her young cousin, Uhura decided to use the truth as another kind of bludgeon.
"Twice. Jim and myself? Twice. Once, back at the Academy, when both our steadies were in a snit, and one other time, here. Do you want to know what the occasion was?"
"I suppose."
"He had just received horrible news. His mother and son had been killed by terrorists. Now, Peter was alive, kept by those worms at Admiralty Hall. But we didn't know that. I stayed with him that night, Sophie. But what I remember most was talking with him about his family, who were now all gone. You haven't seen tears til they've leaked out of the face of the strongest person you know! Those few hours were not about technique, or about gratification. They were about love."
"You love him?"
"No. Not in that way. But he, and Leonard, and Spock, and Scotty, and Pavel, and Hikaru are all people I would take a knife in the back for to stop their tears. That's love, Sophie. And you are wasting it on a scorecard mentality."
The arrogance seemed to fade from the girl's eyes. Nyota saw her little cousin again, at least in spirit.
"I'm sorry I did that. I'm sorry I hurt the boys. I'm sorry I made you ashamed of me - again."
"What... 'again'?"
"Mum says, you told her she shouldn't have had me. That it was a mistake."
Uhura always had trouble understanding her first cousin, Sophie's mother. She also knew that the six months leave she had taken during the 2281 refit had been the most stable time in Sophie's life.
"I'd like to know how much Saurian Brandy she had in her when she quoted me. Sophie, I told her that before you were born. Your father never promised her anything. Deep space archeologists are usually quite honest that way. But she saw you as a solution to her loneliness, after she washed out of the Academy. That was an unfair burden to put upon a child."
Sophie smiled to hear things said she had always thought about; sometimes she wondered if her mother's import business was just a way of keeping her at parties.
"What - do ya think Peter's gonna do to me?"
"Whatever it is, you just accept it. He and those others in there are my family, and so are you. In other words, don't try to 'Kirk' anyone else."
"I won't, Nyta. But... one last thing; how was he - really? No lewdness, just...."
Commander Uhura smiled.
"Little Cousin, He's Captain Kirk."
Back at the Rec Area, Peter Kirk had set up the structure for what he had to do next.
"I don't know if there's anything to be punished, here. That said, I am asking you four to take on more responsibility. The fight we're about to undertake requires my presence on the Bridge. So, rather than playing at grabbing one another, you will be in charge of keeping the younger children calm and safe. Using my abilities, I've reinforced the walls and floor to a great degree. For the duration of the crisis, this Rec Area will serve as your quarters, as well. Any questions?"
John Harris raised his hand.
"Pete, what are our chances against King Ghidorah? He's supposed to be, well, invincible."
Peter chose his words well.
"He's also supposed to be a myth. I'd say the one cancels out the other. People, keep these kids calm. Fear is the enemy right now, even more than Ghidorah."
Sophie walked up to Saavik.
"Look, all the things I said, I'm really sorry. I just lost perspective, that's all."
Saavik smiled.
"We will get along fine, Sophia. So long as you stop staring at my husband as he walks away."
But still she stared.
"Hey, I got rights!"
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Captain Kirk was still talking with Q, so Peter went to his own quarters, to catch 45 minutes of precious sleep. Something then came over the video monitors.
"Attention, all personnel. These images are being beamed via time-delay remote from Qo'noS. We see confirmation of King Ghidorah's existence, and flashes of the creature as he engages the Klingon fleet. Thus far, the fleet seems to be hard-pressed against the onslaught."
Peter saw images of ships darting in, firing weapons, running, dodging, and dying. Then he saw Ghidorah.
Saavik came back to their quarters for a change of clothes. In the corner, she heard audible sobs, and realized what had been bothering her on the way over. She turned and saw her husband, bunched up, crying his eyes out. Peter never cried. He had told her each tear was a victory for the monster. He muttered, almost unaware of her.
"He'sREal! He'sReal! He'sReal!Realraea alraeealreallreal! He's reaaaaaalllllll!!!!"
She held him in her arms, understanding his pain instantly, as only she could.
"Oh, my love. To you, Ghidorah has always been an image in your mind. But that image is now made real, and the brave front you have put forward falls away to nothing. I won't let him hurt you Peter. I'll kill him myself first! Please, Husband, come out of there. We need you. You are the rock that will break his teeth. You - are my rock."
But the pain had been too great, for too long. Peter continued to mutter, while Saavik called Sickbay.
"McCoy here. Saavik, is it the baby"
"We are fine, Doctor. But I fear my Husband - has suffered a nervous breakdown."
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On Vulcan, three diplomats were turned away by one of their own.
"Sarek, be reasonable. Be logical. We know now that you were right about Ghidorah. Please help us to reforge the ties that were severed by the bigots. The Federation needs you, Ambassador."
But Sarek was steadfast.
"I am no longer an Ambassador. I am a terraformer, and quite pleased with my work. You may go, gentlemen. We have nothing to discuss."
"I must confess to being disappointed in you, Sarek. What could you possibly accomplish as a terraformer?"
Sarek weighed the thought.
"I am working on a form of... pest control."
Next- Chapter 11 - The Origin