Title: After the Rescue
Part: NEW 16/73
Author: Karmen Ghia, karmen_ghia@yahoo.com
Series: TOS
Romance Code: S/Mc and then some.
Rating: NC-17
Appendices: http://members.tripod.com/karmen_ghia/atrappendices.html
See part one for disclaimers, etc.
Yustala rose and paced behind his desk. Sarek regarded him silently.
"Ambassador." He stopped. "The pirates will not let Rovirin go easily. They have much at stake here. They consider this their home."
"I was under the impression that pirates and Klingons were never long in the same vicinity."
"These Klingons and pirates have come to an understanding. They both want our mineral wealth and are willing to share it between them. What we get out of this arrangement is merely to be allowed to continue to live."
Sarek considered that an understatement as he looked around the beautiful room in the palace the Gozshedrefreingin Commune had built for Yustala. He had been deeply impressed by the beauty of Milryia, the capital city, with its elegant buildings, sweeping plazas and wide boulevards, all built by the Gozshedrefreingin Commune. A mere two years ago it had few paved roads and no architecture of note. Yustala might curse the Klingons but at least their Commune had brought great beauty to Rovirin.
"What sort of understanding is between the pirates and Klingons?" This interested Sarek.
"They don't kill each other." Yustala said flatly. "My uncle Morel would know more, he is in contact with both groups. He likes them." Yustala scowled and looked out his window at the nearly completed Klingon cathedral.
Sarek looked at it, too. "Will he take me to see the cathedral?"
* * *
"I WANT HIM OFF ROVIRIN BEFORE SUNSET, MOREL." Hobie stood on the bridge of the Tien, in orbit with her sisters, the Maja and the Yaja, around Ficsionia. He was deeply disturbed that Sarek the Vulcan was on Rovirin.
"It shall be done, Captain Talljet," Morel said smoothly. "He wants to see the Klingon Cathedral tomorrow morning and I'll convince him then it is in his best interest to leave us." He turned to his aide, Colonel Imstk, next to him, "I do not feel Sarek plans to set up shop here, do you Imstk?"
"No, not at all, sir."
"Then see to it." Hobie was anxious to speak to Maja. "I will be there in three days to deal with your treacherous nephew." He broke the connection and made one to the Gozshedrefreingin Commune. Polmira's lovely face filled the screen.
"Father, I am pleased to see you."
"And I you, child, but it's late, why are you still awake?"
"I'm just on my way to bed. Will you speak with Master Ghet?"
"Master Ghet now? Is he not your uncle Maja?" Hobie teased.
"This is the Gozshedrefreingin commune, father." Polmira liked to observe the proprieties.
"Well, then, yes, please. Sleep well, little one."
Master Ghet appeared: "I can feel you from here. What's wrong?"
"Sarek is on Rovirin, in Milryia, and will be visiting the cathedral tomorrow morning."
Maja was stunned: "Oh, god! He must leave."
"So I have said to Morel and he promises to have Sarek gone by sunset."
Maja clasped his elbows with his tattooed hands, his one gesture of distress left over from childhood.
"Are you all right, Maja?"
"Yes, I think so. Why is he here?"
"Yustala wants to join the Federation."
"The swine! After all we've done for this dusty little ball of dirt!"
"I feel as you do, Noli."
"Why is Sarek coming to the cathedral?"
"I don't really know. I suppose he just wants to see it. Sarek was always interested in things Klingon. Probably wants to practice his Klingonese with native speakers, have a look at the building, view the latest marvel of the Klingon renaissance, as I hear it is called. You know you and Master Khat are rather famous, even in the Federation."
"Well, he can look all he likes but I'll keep everyone away from him."
"You could send little Farro out to talk to him."
Maja laughed: "Can you see blunt little Farro telling Sarek what he thinks? It would be quite amusing."
"Yes, very." Hobie was relieved to see Maja smile. "How are the JetCheqs?"
"Oh, fine. They study, they play, they work and everyone is happy and in good health."
"Polmira looks good."
"Polmira always looks good. I'm making him and Tien wear veils around the Klingons."
"If you're worried about the Klingons why do you let Kalzat make love to Tien?"
"Oh, Kalzat. He's one of the family by now." Maja waved a dismissive hand. "Actually, Hobie, I was thinking that when you come here you would take the JetCheqs and Kalzat for a visit to Jir on Orissa while we move the Commune to Zhaharnisha."
"I'd be happy to. What's on Zhaharnisha?"
"The usual. First a barracks, then a church and as many public buildings and villas as possible in the meantime."
"I see the Haats are going to build their planets into submission."
"I hope so. Blasting them into submission is so messy. Of course it eliminates the treacherous swine like Yustala from the gitgo."
"And the noble warriors like Morel as well."
They looked at each other and wondered when they would lose this home this time. It was the price of success and they silently gave thanks for the bigness of the galaxy. But still, it was sad; they were very fond of Rovirin.
"Hochofedra, Nolo," Maja shrugged. "I'll see you in three days. Godspeed."
"Godspeed, my Maja."
* * *
end of part 16
This story also lives at http://members.tripod.com/karmen_ghia
Appendices: http://members.tripod.com/karmen_ghia/atrappendices.html