Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four
IDIC, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four Update Brianna gazed out of the viewport, feeling the thrum of the engine beneath her booted feet. “It’s so dark,” she said as the space skiff landed ...
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The Mission, a Cantrell: The Early Years, Part Four Update
“Spock,” Kirk greeted the Vulcan, grabbing the back of the chair opposite the captain. “You’re back from yet another training cruise. Good to see you survived the ordeal.” He took a seat and flagged the barmaid from across the Harbour Master Lounge.
The room was bustling with Starfleet personnel as well as an assortment of civilians, all traveling in and out of the space port that rotated in Earth’s orbit. Glancing out of the large observation window, the inside trellis of the space station was gently illumined against the blackness of space.
In the distance a row of commercial starships were berthed port side of the station. Starfleet housed their vessels starboard. It was evening and most of the work had scaled back for the day. A few workers in space suits hovered over a freighter across from the lounge, but mostly the docking area was deserted.
“I know you took additional time to go home. How are your parents?”
“My parents are both in good health, thank you. Where’s Doctor McCoy?” Spock asked.
“Oh, he’ll be along,” Kirk grinned wryly. “He was just finishing up with the required annual physicals, posting today’s reports to the board.”
“Ah, up to his eyebrows in brass,” Spock nodded. He gazed over at Kirk and Kirk met his eyes.
“You want to tell me what’s on your mind? You didn’t just call us over for a drink. I know you,” Kirk pointed a finger at the Vulcan, “and that’s your troubled look.”
Spock drew in a breath, straightened in his seat and attempted to wipe away any such remnants of emotion from his features. As if to ignore Kirk, he turned to the waitress, gestured to his empty glass and requested another. Kirk just smiled.
“My urgent family meeting included T’Pau,” Spock began, slowly. “Seems my slipup during the k’Matra I told you about, has been reconsidered. I suspect that time is on my side, now that she who without name is older. An adult even in human terms.”
Kirk took a swig of his bourbon and gazed at his friend. “Good news, I hope.”
“That’s just it, Captain. I will be introduced to her at some point, soon. Also, she is to be placed on our ship. My assignment from the High Councilor is to take time to get to know her. Since my main objection was that I do not know her.”
“And this is a prelude to . . .”
“I’ve been ordered to marry her.” With that, Kirk spewed his mouthful of bourbon. The amber liquid dotted the tabletop with wet blotches, creating an almost decorative pattern. He grabbed up a napkin to blot his mouth.
“Just like that? It’s not like you deflowered her. What Era do you live in?”
“No, physically she is unspoiled. However, I did, in some fashion, bind her mind to mine, causing the spoilage, as Vulcans equate it.”
“Are you talking bondlink?” Spock flagged down the Bar Maid.
“Another bourbon for my friend, if you please. On my tab.”
“And you, Captain?” she asked, batting her green eyes at him. Spock nodded, holding up his brandy snifter.
Shortly, she returned with the order, placing a glass before Kirk, and then smiling at Spock as she took a second brandy-filled glass from her tray, placing it next to the Vulcan, taking time to place the empty glasses on her tray. Clearly, she was flirting. Spock nodded his head at her.
Taking a mouthful of his drink, Spock watched as the woman went about her business. Again, his voice dropped to a murmur, “I am uncertain, Captain. There was this . . . game . . . we would play. A mental form of tag, if you will. I would enter her dreams; she would enter mine. We both found solace spending this time together. Perhaps, as T’Pau intimated, I did create such a connection, binding her slowly to myself, one thread at a time.”
“Wait, how did you manage to enter her dreams and she yours? I’m afraid you lost me on that.” Kirk draped an arm over the back of the chair.
“The initial encounter, such as ours, often leaves an infinitesimal thread that can be detected by others. All one need do, is climb down the thread to enter the mind of another. Have you never wondered what was meant by the words: ‘Parted from me and never parted; never and always touching and touched,’?”
“Such as what’s said at a Vulcan marriage rite?” Gazing toward the door, watching for McCoy, “I have to admit, it's crossed my mind, and I still have no idea.”
“Vulcans have learned to rely upon their psychic links to one another, since the open expression of emotion is frowned upon in our society. It is all part of our personal, private lives, the mindmeld that tethers a couple together.”
“So, she’s aboard our ship?”
“If not already, at some point. No doubt among the influx of new crewmembers.”
"We'll have to ask McCoy about it. He is dutybound to give shipboard physicals to the incoming crew. Surely, he would know."
Suddenly Dr. McCoy entered the room in a flurry, throwing his jacket over the chair next to Kirk’s. “What should I know? Sorry I’m late. Dang Starfleet Brass who has no concept of time . . . or that I may dare to have any personal time. So, you two have your heads locked together. What did I miss?” As he spoke McCoy was busy flagging down the Barmaid. “Saurian brandy, if you please.”
“Spock here, tells me he is to meet his little Mystery woman, soon.”
“Hot dang, do I hear wedding bells? No need to look so glum about it. You can be sure I’ll be first in line to throw you one humdinger of a Bachelor party, my friend —
Wait, I thought the Council ruled against you.”
“They did, initially. But the fact that I made contact with her again may have changed the dynamics. My father, apparently, fought to allow us to at least meet. T’Pau, in her infinite capacity for such, has taken it to the inth degree. So, yes, unless the prospective bride calls for a Challenge, you do indeed hear the deep and resonant vibrations of a gong.” Spock stood up with that, gathered his wrap over his arm, pushed in his chair, tapped in the payment of his tab on his phone. Turning his attention back to his friends, he said, “At any rate, as we have an urgent mission for which our crew is being reassembled, I shall see you both aboard the Enterprise. Good evening.”
“T’Pau. Isn’t she his grandmother, or something?”
Taking a sip, Kirk said, “His great-grandmother, I believe, which doesn’t make his life one iota easier, I’m afraid.”
“Maybe not, but it does make him a Vulcan prince.”
“That it does.”
All for now. Thanks for reading!
I hope that their meeting goes well. They both do love each over.
Thank you. We'll just have to see where kiftiri takes them. Thanks for reading and responding.
I imagine Bree picking songs to wedding or something.. And this quote came to my mind:
McCoy: "It's a song, you green-blooded Vulcan! You sing it! The words aren't important, what's important is that you have a good time!"
Spock: "Ah, I am sorry Doctor. Were we having a good time?"
McCoy: "God I liked him better before he died!"
I always liked the banter between Bones and Spock.. in TOS, older movies and newest movies.😃
I love the banter between them, too. I do hope I caught the flavor of it in my novel. As for songs for the wedding, she could always end up dropping the tea (she is to serve him, if she accepts the betrothal), in his lap. Brianna in no ways would ever consider Challenging the match, since she's well-aware the fight is to the death.
Spock was so very cute during that scene you referenced. His logic, flawless, but for the subject matter. As a kid I learned an alternate version to Row Your Boat.: "Row, row, row your boat underneath the sea. Ha-ha, fooled you all I'm a submarine!"🤪
I will keep my fingers and toes crossed that their meeting goes well but the way things have been going, I won’t be holding my breath! Remember to trust your heart Brianna.
Thank you for responding. The next update has been posted. Bedazzled and Bewildered.
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