The Vulcan Changeling Project

Without a Vision...

Sarek inspected his quarters with satisfaction, though he was surprised for he expected Romulan furnishings to be more militant. The room was dimly lit with spotlights on different sculptures of historical figures from Romulan’s past. Sarek observed them one by one and as he came to the last one he paused for it remained unlit. The sculpture was of a female soldier, her jeweled eyes shone and as Sarek reached his hand out to touch the cool stone he gasped, for the statue was made of a material that was only indigenous to Vulcan. Could this be the same sculpture that he had heard about since he was a boy? Sarek looked again as the female soldier stared back at him defiantly, yet there was a hint of sadness in her eyes as well for at her feet lay the body of a male soldier, a sword pierced through his side and there be no mistaking that he was saying good-bye to the woman. His stone eyes looked up at her with love and regret; it was an extremely moving piece that made Sarek feel uncomfortable at the naked emotions it portrayed. Sarek almost jumped when he heard his door buzzer chime, for he still had to get used to life aboard a Romulan Vessel, just one more secret he would have to bury in his compartmentalized memory. “Come in,” he called flatly.

Commander Rael’s presence filled the doorway as he said, “Ah Ambassador Sarek, I see that you have noticed my sculpture collection. Of course they are all copies except for the one you are studying.”  Commander Rael moved gracefully across the room and stood in front of Sarek as he reached up and then turned on a light above the sculpture. The sculpture was even more exquisite as the light illuminated it, its translucent green color seemed to pulsate with a life of its own and Sarek found he could not keep his eyes from it.

Rael laughed, “Ambassador Sarek, I would venture to say that you are overcome by the beauty of the sculpture and yet you show no feeling what so ever. You do realize its origins do you not?”

“Yes,”  Sarek whispered as he touched the cool green stone. “The sculpture is Vulcan. How did you come by it?” Sarek asked as he circled the sculpture once more.

Commander Rael nodded in approval. “Now that’s the reaction I wished for it is beautiful is it not? A fine example of Vulcan craftsmanship, so full of anguish, don’t you think?” When Sarek didn’t answer Commander Rael continued on. “I came by the sculpture many years ago. A prominent Politian had fallen out with the Praetor. He was tried, found guilty and executed. His estate was then auctioned off. When it was discovered that the sculpture was of Vulcan origin, the Praetor ordered it to be destroyed. I was in charge of the auction and at the time I was young, brash, and anxious to please the Praetor, yet I still could not find it in my heart to destroy such a beautiful object, so against my better judgment I took it.”

Sarek nodded in wonder, for he thought the tales of the sculpture were just that, stories from long ago. “Commander Rael, you have given me a gift by showing be a remnant of Vulcan’s past, therefore I in turn will return the gift by telling you the story behind the sculpture.”

Commander Rael smiled, “I was hoping you would be able to impart some knowledge of the sculpture’s beginnings-its creation. We will discuss it over dinner. You know it is a disservice to both our cultures that we do not share information with each other, a sort of art exchange if you will.”

Sarek nodded wearily, “Yes, I quite agree.”

Commander Rael looked at Sarek sadly, “Ambassador, do you have any children?”

“Yes, a son,” Sarek answered softly.

Commander Rael sighed, “I have a son as well, let us hope that we can create a better world for our children and their descendants.”

“Yes, even though hope is illogical, it is sometimes necessary to bring about change, for without a vision the people perish.” Sarek said as he continued to stare at the sculpture.