A Role In History

The Forge

Admiral Maxwell Forrest's Personal Log. I've arrived on Vulcan, hopeful that the High Command is finally ready to conduct joint missions with Starfleet.

*//*

Admiral Forrest arrived at the United Earth Embassy, Ambassador Soval waiting for him.

"How did your bonding go?" the human asked.

"My family is happy with the bond, at least now there is less pressure on my brother to get married and have children to continue our family line." The Ambassador replied.

Maxwell smiled as they started walking. "News on the joint missions?"

At that, Soval sighed. "Admiral, the High Command will tell you it's decision at the proper time."

"After all we've been through, I'd rather hear the good news from you." Forrest said

The Vulcan sighed again. "The High Command hasn't included me in their discussions."

"They're not telling their own Ambassador to Earth what they're planning? Welcome to the club." it was spoken with sarcasm.

The Ambassador did a Vulcan version of the eye-roll. "Admiral, I know you find our reluctance to share technology and discoveries restrictive."

"I can think of a few stronger words than that."

"We don't know what to do about humans. Of all the species we've made contact with, yours is the only one we can't define. You have the arrogance of Andorians, the stubborn pride of Tellarites. One moment, you're as driven by your emotions as Klingons, and the next, you confound us by suddenly embracing logic." Soval pointed out.

That got Maxwell confused. "I'm sure those qualities are found in every species."

They passed through the retina scanner at the Embassy security check with a quick scan of their eyes.

"Not in such confusing abundance." the Vulcan told.

"Ambassador. Are Vulcans afraid of humans? Why?"

"Because there is one species you remind us of."

"Vulcans."

The man nodded. "We had our wars, Admiral, just as humans did. Our planet was devastated, our civilization nearly destroyed. Logic saved us. But it took almost fifteen hundred years for us to rebuild our world and travel to the stars. You humans did the same in less than a century. There are those on the High Command who wonder what humans would achieve in the century to come, and they don't like the answer."

"We're not the Klingons. We only want to be your partners. To do what the nations of Earth have learned to do. To work together in common cause." the Admiral explained.

"Unfortunately, the future of relations between our worlds is not mine to control."

There's suddenly a dull thud sound. Max looked back, then suddenly grabbed the Ambassador by his arms to push him to the floor as the dust from an explosion billows towards them and the building starts to fall apart. Then there came a second explosion, and the top of the Embassy was blown off.

*//*

Jonathan couldn't believe the message that was staring at him from the screen.

Admiral Maxwell Forrest had died saving Jon's husband during an explosion at the United Earth Embassy.

Just that moment, Velekh choose to enter his quarters.

"I grieve with thee." the part-Vulcan said, genuinely sorry.

"He died saving Soval. I'd have been a widower if it weren't for him." The Captain said.