The Vulcan Changeling Project

Vulcan Poetry

Spock studied the Vulcan harp. "My Father would not express affection for me by singing."

Muriah sat down at the edge of the bed. "I don't know which is worse. To remember affection that can never be replaced or to not remember any at all."

Spock flushed as Tiberius and Muriah studied him for a moment. He didn't reply as he held up the harp and inspected it. "I believe this instrument can be restored. However, the cell is beyond repair."

Muriah nodded as she surveyed the room once more. Before leaving she picked up the wooden music box. She then shivered and glanced at the door that stood opposite hers. Sand drifted in through an open window. "Let's go. I don't wish to see anymore." Muriah whispered.

Once outside Muriah gazed out the window at the heat waves which distorted the image of the sand into a watery blur. Tiberius and Spock came and stood behind her as they all three watched the heat waves ebb and flow like an oceanic tide before them. "The desert is so beautiful. I wonder if any poetry has been written about the perfection of Vulcan's desert landscapes?"

Spock raised an eyebrow as he clasped his hands behind his back. "Vulcans do not write poetry."

Muriah exchanged a smile with Tiberius as she said, "You can't be serious. Surely, Vulcans have written poetry about love and life. Everyone else in the galaxy has."

"Vulcans are not like everyone else," Spock replied in a monotone voice.

Muriah raised her eyebrow in an arch that matched Spock's. "Spock, you and I both know that Vulcans have passions and feelings just like any sentient being. Besides, in the days before Surak, Vulcans did not repress their emotions, therefore they must have written poetry."

Spock looked back at Muriah and Tiberius. "Perhaps, it has never been an inclination of mine to find out."

Muriah laughed and as her laughter died out as she looked back at her childhood home once more. "Spock, I have to leave Vulcan. As soon as Tiberius pronounces that I am well enough to travel I will depart. I need to go to a place where I can blend in and disappear for a while."

Spock gazed out into the sands. "Muriah, the galaxy can be a dangerous place. Where will you go?"

Muriah moved closer to Spock, her eyes seeking the image he sought. "Spock, I believe in the cause of amnesty for all beings. Perhaps, I can make a difference somewhere in the galaxy."

Tiberius stepped forward, standing close enough to touch Muriah but not doing so. "I too believe that one person can make a difference, but two can make an even greater difference. Together they can watch each other's back in battle."

Feeling like an intruder, Spock stepped out of Muriah's personal space. "You propose to solve the problems of the galaxy with violence?"

Muriah turned to face Spock. "Spock, look at me. Do you think that is what I want? Don't you see that I need a cause? If you had never left Vulcan, you would not have become the person you are today. You are greatly admired in Starfleet and on Vulcan. Your parents are proud of you."

Spock fixed his gaze on Muriah as he said, "My father is not proud of my decision to join Starfleet."

Muriah placed her hands on her hips, reminding Spock of his mother just before a lecture ensued. "You are so stubborn, Spock. Your father is very proud of you. If you can't see and feel that, you're blind. What's happened to Vulcan? Are all of you so blinded by logic that you can't say that you care for someone? You and your father can't speak those words, you have difficulty speaking those words to your best friends and what about Uhura?"

Spock's jaw tightened as he whispered, "What about Uhura?"

Tears flowed down Muriah's face as she pushed past Spock's discomfort. "Spock...must you lose everyone in the name of logic?"

Spock could feel his control slipping at the mere mention of Uhura's name. Closing his eyes, he attempted to banish the passionate thoughts which threatened to break loose. His skinned burned and his heart rate increased at the thought of her smooth mocha colored skin. "I must go," Spock gasped out in a harsh tone as he stumbled away from Muriah and Tiberius.