Visitors

IX

Mac'hla sat at the head of the table and folded their hands neatly. Next to her sat Spock and Kirk, the three of them ready to discuss the plan.
"As you are aware, we have arrived at Betazed." Mac'hla started, "But there is an underlying reason for our arrival. What I am about to disclose is protected by Starfleet and stays in this room. Is that understood?"
The small group around the table confirmed.
Mac'hla had chosen a small group of people whom they believed were best suited for this mission.
Ejhisseh, who was half Betazoid and raised on Betazed, would be invaluable as she was capable of feeling emotions and behaving in the way a betazoid would.
Andromeda was extremely clever and empathetic. Once she underwent the genome procedure, she would be able to read emotions  almost as well as the Betazoids and fit in flawlessly.
Sivna, despite having never been on one, knew a lot about Klingons ships. They were familiar with all of the technology aboard and should have no problem accessing the records.
Lastly, Camari. She would not be beaming down to the surface, but her expertise with genome alteration would be necessary to disguise everyone.  
"A Klingons cruiser was found by Lake Cataria... Its purpose was research and to gather information about a particular region of Betazed, though we are unsure why. The conference is to discuss what the cruiser could possibly be looking for, but Admiral Kirk has decided to take matters into his own hands. Admiral?"
Jim straightened up, "I have decided that our best option is to send down a group of you to find out what the information is. You will be beaming to the surface and boarding the crashed cruiser. Your sole purpose is to find the recorded data and bring it back to us. You are not to examine any data you find."
          Ejhisseh looked pale, "I... I grew up on the Shore of Lake Cataria."
         Mac'hla looked at their PADD, examining the image of the crash. There was considerable damage to the shore and the nearby homes had been all but destroyed.
        "Miss Zhiquitren..." Mac'hla muttered, "I am going to show you a photo. Do you think that you could describe the location?"
       "I can try."
       Mac'hla projected the image into the air, showing the details of the crash.
       Ejhisseh let out a strangled cry and stood, "I—"
       "Ejh..." Sivna said, grabbing her arm, "Hey, sit, it's okay."
       "No, it's not!" She whimpered, "That home... there." She zoomed in on a destroyed house in the background of the photo.
      The beautiful home was in ruins, the rubble still smoking and glowing with red embers.
       "That is my home. Were there any casualties?"
       "No deaths." Spock said, "Mild injuries, but all injured have been treated and are in temporary housing."
         She sat back down, hands trembling and antennae pinned back with worry, "It is on a small peninsula on the farthest west edge of the lake. It's secluded; not many people even know it's there."
Mac'hla stood and strode over to their distressed Helm officer, "Miss Zhiquitren, do you believe that you are capable of doing this?"
"You need me down there."
"That was not my question." Mac'hla said, "I asked if you believe you are capable of going to the surface for this mission."
She was quiet and Mac'hla knelt next to her, "Ejhisseh, even Vulcans understand that some things are too emotionally distressing to do. If you cannot, I will not judge you. None of us will."
Spock opened his mouth to say something, but Mac'hla shot him a stern look and his jaw closed again. It was almost frightening how much that face looked like his mother's. It must be a universal mother thing.
"I can do it. I owe it to them." she asserted.
"How very Vulcan of you." Jim admired, "It is an admirable quality to be able to move forward."
Ejhisseh nodded solemnly, "So... what is the plan? How are we going to get to the ship?"
"It's not like they're just going to let anyone near it." Andromeda agreed.
"That would be where Miss Rushim will come in." Mac'hla explained, "Commander, you study temporary genetic modification. The guards will not let anyone near the cruiser accept for the betazoid guards, but this will not be a problem should you look like the guards. Do you think you would be able to create a modification to give them the appearance of Betazoids?"
"I should be able to, but mixed species genetics are always complicated. Ejhisseh will be fine with her already being half Betazoid, but you..."
"I will not be accompanying you to the surface." Mac'hla said calmly.
"What?" Jim asked, "Maggie, we need you down there."
"I have full trust in my officers, sir. In my current condition I would only slow them down."
"Current condition?" Sivna inquired, "Are you hurt?"
Mac'hla took a deep breath, "No. I am pregnant, and I have found that I am slower in this state. I cannot run for as long, nor can I lift as much weight as I used to be able to."
"Holy shit." Camari grinned, "You're pregnant?"
Kirk and Spock stared at them dumbstruck.
"Yes, but that is not important. The point is, I will not be accompanying you."
"Well, I should certainly hope not." Andromeda said, "You could get hurt... or the baby."
"Babies." Mac'hla corrected, "But once again, that is not important. While I am pleased to be pregnant, I cannot allow it to interfere with my duty. If I am injured, then so be it. I was a captain first. I have no doubt you all may find that response distasteful, but I ask you keep your opinions on it to yourself. We must focus on the task at hand."
"Babies. Plural." Camari whispered, "I... okay. Focussing. But we will be talking about this later."
"I would expect nothing else, Miss Rushim." Mac'hla sighed, "Commanders, Ensigns, please report to sickbay to begin the modifications. Doctor Sebber and Nurse Elior have already been briefed on the plan, and will assist you. We will join you shortly."
The officers shuffled out, leaving Jim, Spock, and Mac'hla alone in the conference room.
"If anything happens to my officers, I will ensure that you are held responsible. Is that understood?" Mac'hla asked coldly.
"Yes, Captain." Spock replied.
"Yes." Jim muttered, examining them.
"You know I do not put my trust in others easily. Do not take this trust for granted; if anything happens to break this trust you will never have it again."
Spock nodded, remembering the time he had lost Mac'hla's trust... and how hard it was to get it back.
There had been a small emotional outburst from both parties, but Spock's was particularly hurtful. He had claimed he wished that the then-Lieutenant was different; anyone but who she was then. Mac'hla, at the time, was still struggling to control their emotions. They had run away from the Enterprise to attempt Kolinahr,almost dying in the process. Spock had shattered a bond and broken their trust. Their trust was like crystal: precious, pure, and rare... and so, so fragile. He feared he would never be able to repair that crystal bond, but over the course of Kolinahr it seemed that Mac'hla had built a crucible, and repaired that trust herself.
But once a crystal is fractured, it will never be as strong as it was before. And if it was broken once more, it would surely never be repaired again.
Mac'hla tapped their long nails on the table anxiously, "I will show you to sickbay."
She began to stand, and Jim reached out and helped her up. She raised an eyebrow.
"I am capable of standing on my own, Jim."
He smiled at hearing Mac'hla say his name, "I know you can."
"I was hesitant to tell anyone because people have a tendency to treat pregnant people differently. Please, do not act as if I am any different."
Jim smiled and ruffled her hair like he had done when she was a young officer, "I won't, Maggie."
"Come, follow me."
Mac'hla lead the two officers from the meeting room and down the hall, head held high and presenting no different than normal.
Too many people knew already for their liking, and they'd be damned they let anyone else find out.