The Vulcan Changeling Project

Departures

Muriah looked around her in wonder. Vulcan spaceports were like no other. Though Muriah could sense strong emotions from the travelers, all appeared calm in the gleaming halls of the spaceports. The emotions that ran through each Vulcan's body remained suppressed. Muriah reached for Tiberius' hand as she looked up at Spock. "Is it always this way?" She asked.

Spock looked around him at the passersby. Their faces remained placid. Their movements purposeful. "Yes," he replied in a flat tone.

Muriah clutched Tiberius' hand tighter as she shook her head. "I must be upset, for I am having trouble blocking out the thoughts of others."

Spock and Tiberius looked at Muriah's pale face in concern. They both led her to a bench where Tiberius and Spock put their fingers on her temples. After a few moments, color flooded back into Muriah's face. She then looked at Spock and Tiberius and said, "Thank you." Without a word she laid her hand on both of theirs. "Spock, we both treasure your friendship. Whatever will we do without you?"

Spock looked over at Tiberius' possessive expression and then dislodged his hand from Muriah's. "You will both adjust without my assistance."

Muriah nodded as they all made their way to the departure gate. The moment seemed surreal to Muriah as she observed Spock's intense gaze, the monotone announcement of their flight and the systematic click of Vulcan feet as they calmly made their way towards their respective destinations. Muriah blinked knowing that the memory of that day would remain clear. No matter how much time passed she would always remember the sights and sounds of this moment. Though inconsequential, Muriah knew they would float to the surface of her consciousness from time to time-unbidden.

Muriah paused at the gate in an effort to prolong the moment. She clung to Tiberius' hand as she looked up at Spock and whispered, "Spock, I fear we shall never see you again."

Spock held up his hand in the Vulcan salute as Muriah did the same. The V shape of their fingers froze in a triangle of good-bye as they both intoned, "Live long and prosper."

Spock watched until Tiberius and Muriah disappeared into tiny specks and then turned to leave. It was time to go home. It was time to go back to the Enterprise.

***

6 Earth Solar Months Later

McCoy scowled over the 3-D chess set, the tip of his tongue escaped out of the corner of his mouth as he concentrated on the squares before him. "Spock, before you came back I was beginning to acquire some skill at this game."

Spock looked pensive as he arched an eyebrow. "Indeed, it would have been most gratifying to witness such a burst of talent." A smile twitched at the corner of his lips as he leaned forward and said, "Checkmate, Doctor."

McCoy's eyes bulged as he snapped out a reply. "Why you pointy-eared...."

Kirk's laughter interrupted them. "Gentlemen, please...."

Uhura's tense voice on the intercom cut off Kirk's admonishment. "Captain, I have a Priority 1 message for you from Star-Fleet."

Kirk looked around the room. The only two occupants besides himself were McCoy and Spock. Kirk jammed his fist on the reply button. "Patch it through here, Lieutenant," Kirk ordered as he made his way to a computer terminal.

Kirk sighed before he activated the screen, savoring his ignorance of what lay on the other side of the transmission. As soon as the screen came to life Admiral Komack's face appeared. Kirk swallowed, the Admiral looked tired. Komack skipped the pleasantries. "Jim, as you are aware the situation on Babylon 2 has escalated into a violent civil war." He paused, took a drink of water and then continued on. "Jim, the Klingons are involved. They have furnished weapons to the party that is against reunification and the joining of the Federation. The forces that want to join the Federation are being slaughtered. Jim, they're killing women and children. The violence is horrific. The Emperor has declared martial law. He has proposed that all Federation members and those that sympathize with the Federation are to be evacuated within 36 hours or they will be killed. Jim, I know you were supposed to be on shore leave, but the Enterprise is the closest ship to Babylon 2."

Kirk nodded. "Understood," he replied in a clipped tone.

Admiral Komack searched Kirk's face for a moment or two and then straightened his uniform. "Jim, the crew of the Enterprise will be the first responders. It's going to be bad."

Kirk clenched his jaw as he said, "Understood." Then he terminated the connection and looked back at McCoy and Spock. "Gentlemen, we need to make our way to the briefing room, STAT."