The Vulcan Changeling Project

Echoes

Kirk struggled to his feet with the help of Talerth and as soon as he was able Kirk snapped, "Get out of my chair, mister."

Commander Talerth raised an eyebrow, but didn't move from the coveted chair. "Captain, I am going to contact the other Romulan ships and tell them that you are dead. Surely even you can leap to the next logical conclusion."

Kirk's lips were firmly pursed.  Taking Kirk's silence for miscomprehension, Commander Talerth said, "Hide."

Kirk snarled but ducked down behind his chair before the view screen came shimmering on. Uhura shivered as she hailed the renegade Romulan ship.

Commander Talerth smiled as a thin, cruel face shimmered into view. "Sub-Commander T'une, I have a marvelous victory to report, "Captain Kirk is dead. The Enterprise is ours."

The Sub-Commander raised an eyebrow and said, "Glorious news indeed, but where is his body?"

Commander Talerth leaned forward in the chair; careful not to reveal Kirk's hiding place. "He is dead, that's all you need to know."

Respect shown in the Sub-commander's eyes as she said, "Very well, where is Commander Raeth?"

Commander Talerth smiled, "He is interrogating some of the prisoners and you know how he loves his work."

For the first time Sub-Commander T'une smiled. "Yes, I know."

Commander Talerth saluted and then waved to Uhura as he said, "Cut the transmission, Lieutenant."

Once the transmission was cut Commander Talerth jumped up from the chair, "Saleth," he spat.

Kirk stood up from his hiding place. "What is a Saleth?"

Commander Talerth smiled and shook his head. "It is untranslatable."

For the first time in what seemed like years, Kirk laughed. As he did so the ship seemed to echo his sentiments, for the tension on the bridge relaxed as the bridge crew members grinned at each other.

"Keptin, my sensors are detecting a fleet of Romulan warships," Chekov said his strained voice cutting into the idyllic atmosphere.

***

Sarek's eyes met Sub-Commander T'une's, "Has Commander Talerth contacted you?"

"Yes, Ambassador Sarek, we have come to our destination." T'une answered softly.

Sarek nodded. T'une studied the ground before Sarek's feet. "You may accompany me to the bridge or stay in your quarters."

Sarek looked up from his meditative stance and said firmly, "I will accompany you."

Sarek and T'une stood side by side looking out the view screen and Sarek's throat tightened at the sight of the Enterprise, for she seemed to glow brighter as Romulan birds of prey swarmed around her like vultures. The rebel ship and the Enterprise would soon be destroyed. Sarek closed his eyes and all he could see was Amanda's face as she held up baby Spock for his inspection and his uncaring words from so long ago echoed back at him. "He's so human," Sarek had said with distain.

A whirring sound caught Sarek's attention and T'une gasped as Kirk materialized on the bridge.

Kirk grinned as he said, "Greetings, Sub-Commander." He then looked down at his bare chest. "Sorry I didn't have time to dress formally, but it was imperative..."Kirk's voice trailed off when he caught sight of Sarek, his jaw working back and forth in stressful popping motions. "Sarek, what are you doing on a Romulan ship?"

Sarek stepped forward and in a voice that made Kirk think of his first officer, said "Captain, I was not to inform you about the situation until it became absolutely necessary, as it appears it just has."

Kirk took a deep breath and winced for his lungs still ached, "You'd better have a good explanation for all of this for as far as I'm concerned, you're a traitor to the federation, Ambassador, Sarek."