The Vulcan Changeling Project

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The planet was called Babylon II and Doctor McCoy could see and feel why for it was hot and everything from tribbles to live male and female slaves could be bought and sold here. It was a decadent world that belonged neither to the Federation, Romulans, or the Klingons and as a result anything went.

“It’s hot,” McCoy grumbled, “hotter than Vulcan.”

“Actually, Doctor, it is five degrees cooler than Vulcan,” Spock replied with an irritating calm.

“Well, I don’t care how much cooler that Vulcan it is. It’s still hot.” McCoy emphasized the word “hot” as he glared at Spock.

Spock arched an eyebrow. “If I recall correctly it was your idea to come here in the first place.”

“Damn it, Spock, I know it was my idea to come here. I thought we could find an unusual birthday present for Jim. This place has everything,” Spock said as he gestured to the market place around him.

Spock flared a nostril as offensive odors rose from the streets, intensified by the heat. “Yes, Doctor, this place indeed has everything.”

McCoy paused to wipe a trickle of sweat from his forehead. “Look,” he said as he pointed to a small shop. A sign stood out in front and it read” Ancient Weapons in Federation Standard, Klingonese and Romulan. McCoy smiled. “Now that’s the place to find Jim’s present.” McCoy said triumphantly as he rocked back and forth on his heels in excitement, for he and Spock had an unspoken competition every year to see which of them procured the best present for Jim’s birthday.

Spock looked slightly bored, betraying none of the anticipation he felt in regards to the purchase of Jim’s gift. “Fine, Doctor, I will wait for you outside.”

McCoy shrugged, “Fine, suit yourself, Spock.”

Spock looked around him with distaste. This place was adequately named, for in Spock’s eyes it was immoral. A woman danced in sensual circles as several Federation soldiers cheered her on. A small man with beady eyes was attempting to interest a Klingon soldier in buying a genuine human skull, when suddenly an eerie bagpipe noise filled the streets and everyone hushed to a silence filled with anticipation. The crowd turned as one to face a platform where a fat, burly man stood.

“Welcome to the female slave auction. We have humans and orions today, ladies and gentlemen. Let the bargaining begin.” The crowd cheered as the man led a voluptuous woman to the stage. Spock turned away, grieved that he could do nothing to stop the peddling of flesh, for Babylon II was neutral territory; it was no man’s land and the Federation had no power to stop the slave trade here. Spock sighed and walked towards a book seller’s shop he had noticed earlier. After browsing through a few volumes, Spock picked out one for Jim and then headed back towards the weapon shop, hoping the slave auction was over.

As Spock neared the weapons shop, he glanced over at the platform and to his dismay,  the slave auction was not over. A tall slender woman with reddish, brown hair stood on the platform and as her dark, blue eyes searched the crowd, she fixed her gaze on Spock.

“Help me,” she cried telepathically.

Spock gasped, for it was the Vulcan cry of deep distress, a secret only known to Vulcans. A secret so deep that Spock had never even discussed it with Jim. “1000 credits?” The burly man howled. “Is that all? I thought you were a lively crowd?”

“2000 credits,” a drunken Klingon bellowed.

A calm voice rang out above the crowd, “5000 credits.”

The crowd fell silent as the man yelled, “5000 credits going once, twice, sold to the Vulcan.”

Spock walked up to the platform as the man clipped a gold cuff on Spock’s wrist. “Live long and prosper, Muriah,” the man jeered as he slapped her on the backside. Muriah lost her balance and tumbled into Spock. The crowd could contain themselves no longer, “Kiss, Kiss Vulcan, but make sure you don’t smile. What’s he going to do with her? Whatever he has in mind she is going to be disappointed.” The crowd yelled and cat called as Spock and his slave walked with dignity out of the crowd.