Onto Altair VI - Day 1 of the Reception continued

In the Spotlight

Saana is wearing one of Eve's collections, a full gown of bright African print that was slightly off the shoulder with a thick choker necklace, Eve was excited for the big reveal. She was in her glory, being recognized for her talents, and now she had the opportunity to be broadcast live with Everett Taylor and Michelle Combs in the wedding reception.

"Planet Earth, we have an exclusive report from the designer of Nyota Uhura's wedding dress, Lt Evelyn Brody. And with her, we are interviewing none other than the mother of the bride, Professor Saana Uhura of the United States of Africa. Eve, what is Ms. Uhura wearing?"

"Thanks Everett, it's wonderful to be here with nearly all the delegates from the Federation partaking in this wedding reception. Ms. Uhura is more traditional and conservative, so she's wearing on her head a blue printed African hair wrap that represents her culture. The patterns are intricately designed to reflect her complexion. This pattern also flows through her bodice, the skirt is full flowing and one solid color. This style not only represents her culture but is also a style that compliments her figure."

"You are so right Eve, that dress does compliment her hourglass figure, what a model! Will we see more of your designs Eve?"

"Yes, tomorrow. At the moment, Nyota is wearing traditional Vulcan robes that are layered with an underskirt that represents her husband's clan."

"That is awesome Eve and thank you. Do you have anything else Professor Uhura that you want to say?" asked Michelle.

"No, not at the moment, I am enjoying myself being with my daughter and her new husband." Saana replied as she twirled around in her gown.

Everett commented with a snap and twist of his fingers. "You sure are Ms. Thang, you work that gown! On behalf of Everlasting Lasting Love Agency, we thank you. Back to you Eve!"

Eve looked and thanked Ms. Uhura for modeling her gown, "This is so exciting, I'm already receiving orders as we speak. Thank you for the interview!"

"Good for you young lady, I can tell you worked hard on this. The print on my dress is so historical it tells a story. Plus, I feel so much better hearing positive feedback about my daughter. Thank you for being her friend."

Eve's eyes teared up. She was so grateful to be a part of the reception and friends with Nyota. She gave Saana a big smile. "Now go mingle and enjoy yourself with your family."

"Thanks I will, I am going to find Nyota and Spock."

2nd Event of the Reception:

Saana left the interview and went to meet more delegates, she had the opportunity to be amongst such a diverse party like this. She was introduced by Amanda; Andorians, Betazoids, Quills, and the president of the Federation, most of them worked with Sarek. Saana wandered alone at one point to observe the different cultures and species of people. She was lost in the moment. Saana felt she was meeting celebrities, she personally logged in her mind how to document the event.

Saana ended with familiar faces; Kirk, McCoy and Amanda were talking.

Amanda saw her first, "Hey! There you are Saana, are you having a good time?"

McCoy tipped his glass to her, "I see you have become a celebrity Saana."

"And a fashion model for my crewman Brody," added Kirk with a smile.

"Yes, it's all for a worthy cause. Unity and understanding"

McCoy gave Saana a warm smile. "By the way madame you do look extravagant."

Saana smiled and batted her eyes, "Why thank you doctor McCoy, I noticed the accent when you said that."

Kirk chuckled and gave an eye to Bones: "He always does that when there is a beautiful woman around."

The four of them chit-chatted until a tall gray haired man joined them.

"Gentlemen and ladies."

Kirk and McCoy straightened up quickly and wiped the smiles off their faces, pulling back their shoulders.

Chester observed Kirk and McCoy at attention.

"At ease men."

Saana turned and looked up, smiling sweetly, and surprised, "Chess you're here? What a pleasant surprise!"

Amanda looked in awe, and mouthed "Chess?" while Kirk and McCoy did a choked cough, spitting their drinks again.

Chester had his winning smile and soft, deep voice. Those silver-blue grayish eyes looking down on the woman of his dreams.

Amanda looked at the two and saw the attraction in Nimitz's eyes. "Saana you-you know Admiral Nimitz?"

"Yes, we met at Starfleet Command, he gave me Kay's memorial records. Remember I told you?"

Chester, taking Saana's hand, put it against his lips and kissed her knuckles, while meeting her eyes and then wrapping it around his arm.

"I've wanted to see the mother of my master code breaker again."

Saana blushed, "Oh, Chess."

Kirk and McCoy bowed their heads to hide their reaction and mouthed 'Chess' with a smirk.

Amanda looked again between the two and saw the affection. "Oh my, it's good to see you again Nimitz."

"Please, Amanda, for the day and the rest of this evening, please call me Chester. This is a special occasion, and it's rare that I get invited to such events."

Kirk and McCoy could only stare in disbelief. The hard, cold, by the book Fleet Admiral was showing his soft side, and it was scary. They both looked at each other with their mouths open, what made it worse was that Nimitz was smiling.

Amanda asked again, then looked at Saana in confusion, "So how did you two meet at Starfleet?"

"I sent two officers to support the Professor when she stayed at the Vulcan Embassy, and this spitfire of a woman had them running out the building." Chester said, chuckling.

"I hope I didn't scare them?" asked Saana.

Chester laughed and smiled more before looking at Amanda. "Well, I said to myself, I want to meet the woman who scared off two of my best officers. When I met her I asked her to join me for lunch and she accepted."

Kirk stared from Saana to Nimitz and just couldn't believe it, he couldn't even talk. All Kirk could think about was how this man was on his ship the whole time as a hard nose, stiff neck of a man. If he had known that all it took was a set of pretty brown eyes, he would've taken Professor Uhura with him.

Chester's heart jumped so much, he couldn't contain himself, she was here holding his arm. He felt like he was still in a dream and was just starting to wake up.

"Saana, would you like to take a walk with me in one of the many gardens here?"

"That would be nice Chess," responded Saana, fixed on his steel gray eyes.

Nimitz excused himself and addressed Kirk.

"Kirk, McCoy thank you for escorting me here and for your hospitality on the Enterprise. Amanda, congratulations on your son's wedding and this wonderful reception."

He smiled down and led Saana off into the midst of the crowded gathering.

Amanda watched them walk away confused. "I would never have imagined that she meant Admiral Nimitz."

"You and I both, I can't believe what I just witnessed." A confused Kirk said as he watched them walk off.

"Looking at what has happening so far, it couldn't get worse." McCoy again tried to finish his drink before noticing it was empty.

"I don't even remember drinking this, I know I'll need more if anything else happens at this reception."

Amanda smiled and remembered Nimitz's demeanor, the man was a legend for being no nonsense, direct, and having a rough temper. Now seeing him so soft, smooth, and debonair with Saana shocked her. Knowing how Healer Shath has a crush on her... things could get complicated for Saana and her non-existent love life. She looked at both men, sipped her drink and smiled.

"You haven't seen anything yet Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy. Those Uhura women can slay dragons!"

Kirk looked at McCoy and wondered what she meant.

3rd Event of the Reception:

Shath had been observing Saana from a distance for some time. He didn't know why he followed her, he only knew he had an undeniable urge to keep her safe. Safe from other potential mates. So far, several delegates had approached her and engaged in a suitor's quest. She wore a universal translator to support simple greetings, but when she smiled it triggered a response from the suitors to continue to engage in conversation. Shath rubbed his heart, unable to prevent his body's response to the social transactions. Touching is such an extremely intimate act to him and his people, seeing her interact with others intimately in such a casual way pained him pain in a way he could not give words to. When Saana engaged with T'Amanda and the two starfleet officers he met at T'Pau's dinner, he took a deep breath, they were not a threat. Shath observed them while he attempted to converse with another Vulcan, remaining on guard, Shath stiffened when a Starfleet admiral approached her, then he kissed her hand. Shath's hands started to flex back and forth into fists, his breathing increased, his brows arched and his thoughts betrayed him, "MINE! Do not touch her!" His feet started to move towards the couple when a low commanding voice stopped him.

"Stay where you are Healer Shath, do not interfere."

Shath froze, glancing to see Sarek standing next to him.

Sarek saw the turmoil in his friend.

"You are not bonded to her, your display would cause confusion and conflict."

Shath took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "But he is touching her, violating.."

Sarek cut him off, "Violating what law? Uhura has not broken any bonding laws, nor is she a citizen of our planet. Your justification is illogical, I question your state of being."

"My state is nominal, my facilities are excellent."

"Yet you struggle with her being approached by other males. You, Shath, have no claim. I've warned you."

"Yes, you have stated it as such, I don't understand why I-"

" I understand quite well, come let us return to our suite and meditate to release this hold and find balance."

Shath thought about it and Sarek was right, if he stayed here it could trigger a physical altercation. He didn't want to jeopardize his opportunity to bond with Saana, he must use wisdom. Shath watched Saana walk arm in arm with the Starfleet officer, smiling and laughing as they walked into the garden. He reluctantly turned and left the reception with Sarek as his support, rubbing his heart as he went.

While Spock and Nyota held court with delegates, their vanguard nearby keeping watch, Karu and Charlene joined them.

"Nyota, this is so beautiful, how exciting, I've never met so many people from different parts of the Federation!"

Charlene grasped Nyota's hands in excitement.

Karu chimed, "I've never been to a reception like this at all!"

"Ny you should see Eve, she's on cloud nine with her interview and being second host to this reception. You made her dreams come true."

"I'm proud of Eve too, she does deserve this, she gave up a fashion career to work in Starfleet." responded Nyota.

"Nyota, if she was not in Starfleet you would not have met Lt. Brody and seen her designs." Spock added.

The three of them looked at Spock and slowly agreed. Nyota leaned into her husband's arm and smiled at her logical wonderful man.

"With that said, I need to use the ladies room, come with me Char."

Nyota grabbed Char's arm and left followed by her personal guard Vora.

Sulu stood with Spock and looked around at his grand reception.

"Did you expect something like this Mr. Spock?"

"No, I did not plan this event, it is the combination of my family and Vulcan High Command. I find it quite interesting that this event is on my behalf."

"Why so?"

"There is, as you say, a mixed history of events that occurred that made certain parties react."

"Oh? Do you know most of the delegates?"

"Yes, my father has been a diplomat since before my birth. I was introduced to many of them as a child. Would you like to be introduced to Ambassador Malitalu?"

"Who?"

"According to my resources, he has a wide ranging sword collection."

Sulu gave him the biggest smile. "Mr. Spock, now you're speaking my language, lead the way."

Both men turned to find the ambassador, followed by Commander Arnak. Along the way, people greeted Spock and gave him congratulations on his marriage. Sulu was impressed with different delegates as they mingled around the large reception.

4th Event of the Reception:

The Battle with T'Pring

[The votes are in and the people have spoken. They wanted Uhura and T'Pring to meet and confront each other. I had hoped the opposite, but it's in the future. After watching Star trek-Discovery, I started to like Micheal Burnham who often acts confused at first, but when the chick was in a fight? She can kick butt and then turn diplomatic. I do like the fight scene where she demonstrated the Vulcan martial art, which Spock currently is teaching Nyota. I had plans to write that, but the votes have spoken! Enjoy!]

T'Pring stood next to Stonn and observed the reception with its various people of the Federation. But deep inside, T'Pring was seething, she didn't want to be here at the reception, or face the fact that Spock had bested her again. When word spread across Vulcan that Spock had returned the Intrepid's katras home, it was magnificent, glorious even. No Vulcan had achieved such a task. She hated Spock, his intelligence drove her crazy. Since their youth Spock performed better than her, it showed. What made it worse was that she had to give homage to him and his human bride. She didn't know what he desired in such a simple creature as a human. Then again, he was human too. But now she wasn't sure just how human he was, his abilities had out shown all of Vulcan and Spock he become a sovereign citizen. How did he do it, how with all those emotions flowing about him? She felt her intelligence should prevail, but that wasn't the only thing that was bothering her.

Her family had to pay for the Kali-i-farr incident. A challenge which she had every right to make! This reception was only part of the debt.

She had to endure this ...this humiliation.

Stonn looked down at her, sensing her distress.

"All is well T'Pring, in another day we can depart from Altairs."

T'Pring kept her face firm , and compressed her lips. "Yes, you are correct. I continue to receive a glare from T'Pau to entertain me."

Stonn glanced around to see T'Pau on her dais staring at them. He bowed his head, and wondered how long the S'chn T'gai clan would hold this incident over them. He knew that T'Pring had thought the plan out, he had desired her, she had desired him. To this day he asked why she had deviated from their plan. In his most private thoughts he had perhaps doubted he could best Spock in the duel. Did she too?

She turned to Stonn. "My husband, I will seek refreshment and center my thoughts."

"If you wish, my wife."

T'Pring walked among the crowd to find a place of peace. Not long after arriving in the corridor, she met other female Vulcans conversing about their careers and the Intrepid, causing T'Pring to become frustrated. Spock had become highly respected, legendary, because of the Intrepid. Vulcan females found Spock to be more desirable than before, and asked themselves how he had been overlooked as a potential mate. She didn't realize how powerful Spock had become, his telepathy must be unlimited. Her resentment of him continued to grow, she could never match him in her lifetime.

From a distance T'Pring watched Spock's wife walking with a guard and another human female. The two females were laughing and touching each other's arms, while the guard maintained a passive face and walked behind them with an imperial staff. T'Pring remembered she had seen the guard before at the academy, her brother was a commander in Vulcan Central.

The corridor was so wide that they could pass each other from a distance, and go unnoticed if not looking.

She glared at the two human females, and they returned the stare as they walked. T'Pring whispered something that caught Nyota's ears, she instantly walked over to T'Pring and stared at her.

"Did you say something? T'PRing? Did you just call me human?" Nyota demanded firmly with her sharp eyes.

"I like challenges. As a matter of fact, let's talk about challenges, I have never ran from a challenge. I've learned to face them."

Staring at each other, not moving, Nyota continued,

"How about you? Have you ever run from a challenge?"

T'Pring was slightly taller than Nyota, but that didn't stop her from looking dead in her eyes.

Charlene held her arm and tried to stop what was about to happen. "Ny, you don't..."

Nyota held up her hand to halt Char's sentence. Charlene just shook her head and whispered,

"Oh sh$t, this is not going to end well."

T'Pring tilted her head up haughtily. "I accept all forms of challenges, in a logical way, something Terrans fall short of ..."

Vora stepped forward, giving a warning look and pounded her staff.

"T'Pring, it is inappropriate to talk to the S'haile's wife in such a manner, you will show respect!"

Nyota spoke firmly while still looking at T'Pring. "No Vora, let her speak. Me being a lowly Terran, she can instruct me on how to be a Vulcan. Now, back to your term of 'accepting challenges in a logical way', it brings to mind your first wedding challenge. Would you say it was done in a logical way?"

"Yes, in accordance with my rights as pertaining to our laws."

"I find it... fascinating that you said that, because I see that you did out of fear." Nyota said sharply.

"Fear? I do not understand your meaning, I have no fear as a Vulcan."

Nyota slowly chuckled and arched her brow, she didn't want anyone to hear what she really had to say. So, she continued the rest in Vulcan.

"Are you sure? I said it was."

"Clarify."

"Was it not fear that you chose Captain Kirk instead of Stonn as a challenger? Was it not fear resulting from your knowledge that Spock was the stronger Vulcan, because you knew of his abilities? Was it not fear that if Spock had won you were eternally bonded to him?"

T'Pring's eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. She had to admit to herself that the human's Vulcan was precise, she had to give Spock's wife credit for that.

"I made the logical choice in the matter, during the kal-i-fee. Our laws protect and guide us during all marriage challenges."

"Really? I see you are trying again to hide behind your guise. Stonn would have lost his life against Spock, but in fear, you spared him. You were willing to use a Starfleet officer to ensure it. He almost forfeit his life for your lie. I wonder how Stonn would have felt being chosen over a lowly Terran male, with all his Vulcan training, superior thinking, him being Vulcan male. If I were him, I would be insulted. The kal-i-fee is a battle of superior mind and strength, Spock demonstrated this with his best friend. But Stonn could or will never show YOU T'PRing his worthiness. It was your fear, T'Pring, that spared his life. I bet you told him that your decision was... logical, but in reality it was jealousy. Whoops, another human emotion."

"You continue to use that word, it has no merit. Your perception of the situation is not accurate, therefore you do not logically understand our ways as a Vulcan."

"Your ways as a Vulcan you say? I know that Vulcans have more emotions than Terrans, I know that you purposely sabotaged that wedding in your favor! It wasn't logic as you say, it was fear and jealousy."

"Why are you referring to those terms, I have no fear or jealousy. Vulcans don't display such emotions."

Nyota said in high Vulcan. "All transgression arises because of thoughtlessness.

If mind is transformed can bad behavior remain?[1]

There is no other wisdom and no other hope for us but that we grow wise."

Charlene observed the conversation volley back and forth, not understanding what was being said. But she knew that Nyota was not losing, just by the tone of her voice.

Vora was surprised, and looked at Nyota with amazement as she quoted one of Surak's laws. By how the conversation was going, Vora was gaining knowledge of T'Pring's kal-i-farr with S'haile Spock. There was quiet speculation about their wedding. She only knew that S'haile Spock left Vulcan unmarried. Realization came to Vora when she heard how the commander was used instead of Stonn. Vora stood firm, prepared to defend T'Uhura, it's a position that she was proud to fulfill.

" Well spoken T'Uhura, you have chosen the quoted law correctly." Vora said.

T'Pring looked at Vora, defending the Terran, and eyed her in irritation. T'Pring had difficulty interpreting the verse and so still she pursued Nyota.

"You quoting our laws does not make you one of us."

"Really? I am married, and bonded, to a superior Vulcan male. He could take your husband in a challenge in a heartbeat, but we will never know because you logically changed the arena. But I have to thank you."

T'Pring raised her brow, confused by the last statement. "Thank me?"

"Yes, your ill-made so-call logical decision gave me the opportunity to have Spock as my property, and bondmate, the future father of my children, and I wouldn't be having this wonderful reception if not for you." Nyota said sarcastically, waving her hands around them to the sound of soft music and talking.

T'Pring arched her brow and looked at Nyota, trying to best her by quoting 'The Way'.

"It seems that Terrans seek glory for their duty, where duty is given to all to perform. Terrans find it more rewarding than being a part of logic, you seek from me unknown emotions to satisfy my rejection of Spock."

"Oh no, my dear, I am here to reveal to you the facts leading to your choice. To show you how you misled yourself with what you thought you did by the law. But in reality, your emotions reveal your true being. You are more Terr.. human than I by your actions. You let fear guide your decision, a decision that you attempted to prove to yourself and others was justified by the laws of the kal-i-fee and logic. You even thought that Spock being rejected hurt his pride, but instead it made him a better man, a better Vulcan and now a S'haile. And again I thank you, you changed Spock into a better Commander and lover."

"That was not my intention, my intention was to choose Stonn above Spock. Spock's name is his name only."

"T'Pring, PLEASE! Your thoughts betray you, I too know why you were mad with Spock." Nyota slyly smiled at T'Pring.

"Think, your thoughts are my thoughts. At one time both of you shared consciousness as children. And your secret was revealed, Spock saw it. He knows why you hate him, and I do too."

T'Pring pressed her lips in guilt, she hated Spock because he found out her deep dark secret. Her deep loss. She wanted to leave the space that she was currently in.

"Did I strike a nerve T'Pring?"

Nyota stepped closer so that only T'Pring could hear, smiled and whispered.

"Is he here? Is he with his wife and child? I bet you were looking for him in our reception."

T'Pring wanted to scream, to run, but her control was still intact. The female knew of her treachery.

"For that, you pit two best friends against each other, you despised Spock for knowing who you really wanted. For that, you wanted him to suffer his friend's death. Now T'Pring, where is the logic in that?"

Nyota took a deep breath, eyed T'Pring up and down and felt sorry for her. She could have kicked her a$$, but she didn't because of Spock. But she did communicate the truth, woman to woman, she looked at T'Pring again and smiled.

"Well, I think I made myself clear, I want to thank you again T'Pring for the stimulating conversation. I think it was well worth it, and l learned something too. I have to rejoin my reception party, but mostly my husband the S'haile."

Nyota turned and continued walking back to the main hall where her family was still mingling. Charlene, walking beside her, couldn't believe what she had witnessed. It was deep.

"Damn Ny, you told her off.. that was deep."

"It took a long time to get there and I had more to say. I think I was diplomatic, don't you think?"

Charlene softly chuckled. "No. What did you say!? I could tell you told her off girl and you were so angry that you hushed your guard and me off."

"Sorry about that, I didn't like the way she hurt Spock or tried to kill Kirk."

Vora stayed behind and looked at T'Pring. When kal-i-fee was offered the challenger was aware of the consequences might lead to their death. But to select an unknown Terran with no prior knowledge of their Ways was unheard of.

"It was unwise to disrespect her T'Pring, your words and actions will have repercussions."

"I'm already living with the repercussions of attending this reception."

"Then you have no logic. T'Uhura has demonstrated a value of our Ways, her logic prevailed against yours. I am honored to protect such a person. Live long and prosper."

Vora was disappointed in T'Pring and her clan. Somehow, word had gotten out that they owe compensation to Sarek's family. And now, hearing T'Pring trying to insult Spock's wife, she was below any Vulcan. Vora hurried to continue her duty.

Observing in the distance stood T'Pau and T'Lara.

"Mistress, T'Uhura displayed many virtues as a citizen of Vulcan. Her words pierced T'Pring's heart and mind."

"Yes, it was a sight to see such intelligence on display. Spock has chosen wisely, T'Uhura used her own logic to over shadow T'Pring's so called kal-i-fee laws. I always wondered why the child chose the human captain verses Stonn."

"Yes, at the time it was illogical, the Starfleet captain was not versed in our it was interesting that he chose the challenge, Kirk fought adequately."

The two women came out of the shadows after witnessing the interaction. T'Pau spoke again to the conversation they overheard.

"T'Uhura spoke of fear in T'Pring, feelings that should have been controlled since her puberty, but yet her actions that day showed something else. 'Fascinating'."

"Yes, T'Pau, it will be quite interesting to see what this marriage will reveal."

T'Pau walked with her staff and gave a slight smirk. "Or produce, my child. It would be quite interesting indeed."

They continued to walk slowly down the hall and T'Pau asked T'Lara.

"Are the arrangements completed with Starfleet?"

"Yes Mistress, when the Enterprise docks at the Earth Station our engineers will be in place by your orders."

T'Pau was grateful to have an assistant that was able to do all the things that she couldn't. Now, to see her grandson achieve great service for Vulcan and beyond.