Post by dragonfan on Mar 8, 2008 9:05:57 GMT -5
Title: One Universe Over
Fandom: Star Trek Enterprise
Rating: Teen
Chapter 38
Admiral Forrest walked into a building that at one time he had honestly thought that he would never see the inside of again. The Vulcan Embassy was once more filled with life and activity; a true testament that the lives lost here had not been lost in vain. Humans and Vulcans alike were moving across the lobby; conversing, going over hand held data pads, exchanging small packages, simply going about the business of any embassy anywhere in the galaxy. The only sign that only a short time ago this had been the site of a massacre was a simple flame pot set unobtrusively to one side with a small plaque that simply said in both Vulcan and English, 'The light of logic will never be extinguished'. Some would thing that the Vulcans were being sentimental. Forrest knew better. They were in fact giving the finger to any who would try and force them off of the path of logical enlightenment by killing their colleagues and they were hiding it behind quoting Surak.
Forrest went over to the flame pot and touched the plaque. The quote was said to be Surak's final words to the men who had killed him. 2,000 years later the Vulcan people were still following that path he had died persuading them to follow and were now as stubborn on staying on it as they had once been about staying off of it. 'Stubborn as Missouri mules,' Forrest thought fondly. 'But they really are the best friends Earth can have, at least now that they realize someone had been screwing with their data about Humans and the rest of the universe.'
"Ambassador Soval is available to meet with you now Admiral Forrest," came a young voice from behind him. Forrest turned around and nodded to the young aid. He searched his memory and came up with a name, Sarek. This was one of the survivors of V'Las' attack on the embassy. 'The kid had been away doing a study on young Humans, helping out on a kindergarten field trip, if he remembered correctly' Forrest thought. He had looked a ghostly pale green the last time Forrest had seen him. A thorough look satisfied Forrest that the young man had recovered from his ordeal. He was no longer that terrible shade of pasty green.
"I'm glad to see that you're back and looking well Sarak. Have you been continuing your studies in Human development?" Forrest had been involved in politics for far too long for the grin that was in his mind to ever reach his face but he couldn't help but react that way to the idea of sending a Vulcan to kindergarten. He followed Sarek across the stark lobby, grateful that here he didn't have to dodge the people walking around. In a similar Human establishment nearly everyone would be running and woe the man who wasn't quick on his feet!
Once they were past the receptionist and in the long hallway that led to Soval's office Sarek replied, "I was able to resume my studies without too much disruption to the classroom although I am still uncertain as to why a celebration was held upon my return to work. The children are far too young to understand the situation between our peoples."
Forrest had a flash of a memory of his youngest grandson's birthday party and imagined this young Vulcan smack dab in the middle of it. It was a struggle to keep a lid on his amusement but he managed. "What you need to understand is that Humans are emotional and some of our customs are based on that. Young children are much more concerned and at the same time are completely unconcerned about other people's emotions. If there hadn't been a party for you, and thus an acknowledgement that you had been missed, some of the children would have been upset on your behalf. They would feel that you would have been emotionally hurt if you were not welcomed back because that is what they would feel in your place. Some of the other children would simply have grabbed at any excuse for a party."
Forrest paused and turned to Sarek, realizing that he held a vital key to the young man's studies that Sarek might not be aware of. "Kindergarten is a very vital time in Human emotional development. Up until this age children are often lacking in extended social interaction. They interact with their parents and siblings but quite often kindergarten is their first long term, extended interaction with both their peers and with an authority outside of their families. Some children are naturally empathic, that is aware of other people's emotions. Some children have not developed this awareness. It is something that must be taught before a lack of that awareness can cause something like the deaths that happened here." Forrest turned around and gestured back towards the lobby and it's only ornament, the flame pot.
"How can a lack of awareness of other's emotions cause such a thing?' Sarek asked as they continued down the hallway. He had observed an incident where Miss Angela spoke to Gregory and Justin who had begun to argue over a toy. She too had spoken of the emotions of each child to the other child. Justin had begun to cry and apologize after this talk. Miss Angela had been pleased with Justin's reaction, something that Sarek had found incomprehensible. Perhaps Admiral Forrest's information could clarify the incident.
Forrest looked grimly at Sarek. "Sarek, objects have no emotions. Objects can be destroyed with little to no consequence. Some of the worst killers in Human history looked at people that way. I was all too ready to believe that a Human was behind the deaths here because Vulcans don't have emotions." Forrest knew better but he also knew that it was beyond rude to point that out. "That and your people's interference with our space program have stirred up a great deal of anger in people. I'm simply grateful that V'Las' actions have had the unintended consequence of cooling some of that anger."
They had arrived at Soval's office by this point in their discussion. His door was open and he had overheard the last part of his friend and aid's talk. He was pleased when Sarek realized what his friend was trying to explain. "The spear in the other's heart is your own," Sarek quoted.
"Exactly my student," Soval said as they stepped into his office. "The words may be different but the intent is the same. You must learn to look beyond the differences between species. When you see how they are the same, the differences which once were so vast become increasingly small."
"I will ponder your words Teacher," Sarek said as he bowed, then left.
Finally Forrest allowed himself to chuckle. "I wonder if the kid is in as big a shock as I was when I had that epiphany."
"It is as unsettling as it is wondrous," Soval agreed. The two old friends sat down together on the low bench that sat off to one side of the lavishly appointed office. Vulcan desertscapes were artfully mounted on all of the walls and the furnishings; desk, chairs, bench, bookcases and lamps, were all of Vulcan manufacture. Personally Forrest preferred wood to stone but he'd become used to Vulcan style furniture over the years.
"I just got Archer's report on their encounter with the Tandar. Have you heard from T'Pol?" Forrest's amusement fled as he spoke of the report that had brought him to Soval's office. He had needed the break from the seriousness of the situation but now it was time to get back to work.
"I have," Soval said as grave as Forrest. "Now is not a good time for the Vulcan people to be facing a faceless enemy who uses others to attack. We have just begun to open talks with Andor over the problems caused by V'Las. They are not going well," he admitted. It wouldn't take very much to begin another war between the two races. Andorians were vicious, illogical and V'Las had done his very best for years to push them to the breaking point.
"And right now Earth is just as vulnerable as Vulcan is," Forrest said frustrated. "V'Las' insane takeover attempt has helped tone down the animosity towards Vulcans a bit but we're still two years away from launching Columbia and we've only just begun to lay the keel for the next NX ship after that. We're going to need more ships and crew out there with the experience Jon's crew is getting if we're going to be needed to defend Earth." He thought for a moment. "I don't suppose that Andor would be willing to have a Human mediator? Sometimes it's better to have a neutral third party involved in talks that are likely to blow up at any moment." He had been involved in negotiations that had broken out into fist fights more than once.
"Not one who is Starfleet as they are allies to Vulcan," Soval pointed out. "But perhaps a Human negotiator would be prudent. We do not seem to be making any headway on our own." He didn't want to admit it but it was true. He considered Forrest's situation. "Would Vulcan engineers be helpful to Starfleet in speeding up the construction of your starships? We have them to spare at the moment due to needing to restructure our military."
"That would be very helpful Soval!" Forrest exclaimed. The two friends began to work out a way that they could each help the other solve their problems. Soval thought to himself that it was no wonder the Other had chosen T'Pol and Commander Tucker for a chosen mate bond. Their marriage alliance was already proving to be far more useful than even he had supposed.
The End
Fandom: Star Trek Enterprise
Rating: Teen
Chapter 38
Admiral Forrest walked into a building that at one time he had honestly thought that he would never see the inside of again. The Vulcan Embassy was once more filled with life and activity; a true testament that the lives lost here had not been lost in vain. Humans and Vulcans alike were moving across the lobby; conversing, going over hand held data pads, exchanging small packages, simply going about the business of any embassy anywhere in the galaxy. The only sign that only a short time ago this had been the site of a massacre was a simple flame pot set unobtrusively to one side with a small plaque that simply said in both Vulcan and English, 'The light of logic will never be extinguished'. Some would thing that the Vulcans were being sentimental. Forrest knew better. They were in fact giving the finger to any who would try and force them off of the path of logical enlightenment by killing their colleagues and they were hiding it behind quoting Surak.
Forrest went over to the flame pot and touched the plaque. The quote was said to be Surak's final words to the men who had killed him. 2,000 years later the Vulcan people were still following that path he had died persuading them to follow and were now as stubborn on staying on it as they had once been about staying off of it. 'Stubborn as Missouri mules,' Forrest thought fondly. 'But they really are the best friends Earth can have, at least now that they realize someone had been screwing with their data about Humans and the rest of the universe.'
"Ambassador Soval is available to meet with you now Admiral Forrest," came a young voice from behind him. Forrest turned around and nodded to the young aid. He searched his memory and came up with a name, Sarek. This was one of the survivors of V'Las' attack on the embassy. 'The kid had been away doing a study on young Humans, helping out on a kindergarten field trip, if he remembered correctly' Forrest thought. He had looked a ghostly pale green the last time Forrest had seen him. A thorough look satisfied Forrest that the young man had recovered from his ordeal. He was no longer that terrible shade of pasty green.
"I'm glad to see that you're back and looking well Sarak. Have you been continuing your studies in Human development?" Forrest had been involved in politics for far too long for the grin that was in his mind to ever reach his face but he couldn't help but react that way to the idea of sending a Vulcan to kindergarten. He followed Sarek across the stark lobby, grateful that here he didn't have to dodge the people walking around. In a similar Human establishment nearly everyone would be running and woe the man who wasn't quick on his feet!
Once they were past the receptionist and in the long hallway that led to Soval's office Sarek replied, "I was able to resume my studies without too much disruption to the classroom although I am still uncertain as to why a celebration was held upon my return to work. The children are far too young to understand the situation between our peoples."
Forrest had a flash of a memory of his youngest grandson's birthday party and imagined this young Vulcan smack dab in the middle of it. It was a struggle to keep a lid on his amusement but he managed. "What you need to understand is that Humans are emotional and some of our customs are based on that. Young children are much more concerned and at the same time are completely unconcerned about other people's emotions. If there hadn't been a party for you, and thus an acknowledgement that you had been missed, some of the children would have been upset on your behalf. They would feel that you would have been emotionally hurt if you were not welcomed back because that is what they would feel in your place. Some of the other children would simply have grabbed at any excuse for a party."
Forrest paused and turned to Sarek, realizing that he held a vital key to the young man's studies that Sarek might not be aware of. "Kindergarten is a very vital time in Human emotional development. Up until this age children are often lacking in extended social interaction. They interact with their parents and siblings but quite often kindergarten is their first long term, extended interaction with both their peers and with an authority outside of their families. Some children are naturally empathic, that is aware of other people's emotions. Some children have not developed this awareness. It is something that must be taught before a lack of that awareness can cause something like the deaths that happened here." Forrest turned around and gestured back towards the lobby and it's only ornament, the flame pot.
"How can a lack of awareness of other's emotions cause such a thing?' Sarek asked as they continued down the hallway. He had observed an incident where Miss Angela spoke to Gregory and Justin who had begun to argue over a toy. She too had spoken of the emotions of each child to the other child. Justin had begun to cry and apologize after this talk. Miss Angela had been pleased with Justin's reaction, something that Sarek had found incomprehensible. Perhaps Admiral Forrest's information could clarify the incident.
Forrest looked grimly at Sarek. "Sarek, objects have no emotions. Objects can be destroyed with little to no consequence. Some of the worst killers in Human history looked at people that way. I was all too ready to believe that a Human was behind the deaths here because Vulcans don't have emotions." Forrest knew better but he also knew that it was beyond rude to point that out. "That and your people's interference with our space program have stirred up a great deal of anger in people. I'm simply grateful that V'Las' actions have had the unintended consequence of cooling some of that anger."
They had arrived at Soval's office by this point in their discussion. His door was open and he had overheard the last part of his friend and aid's talk. He was pleased when Sarek realized what his friend was trying to explain. "The spear in the other's heart is your own," Sarek quoted.
"Exactly my student," Soval said as they stepped into his office. "The words may be different but the intent is the same. You must learn to look beyond the differences between species. When you see how they are the same, the differences which once were so vast become increasingly small."
"I will ponder your words Teacher," Sarek said as he bowed, then left.
Finally Forrest allowed himself to chuckle. "I wonder if the kid is in as big a shock as I was when I had that epiphany."
"It is as unsettling as it is wondrous," Soval agreed. The two old friends sat down together on the low bench that sat off to one side of the lavishly appointed office. Vulcan desertscapes were artfully mounted on all of the walls and the furnishings; desk, chairs, bench, bookcases and lamps, were all of Vulcan manufacture. Personally Forrest preferred wood to stone but he'd become used to Vulcan style furniture over the years.
"I just got Archer's report on their encounter with the Tandar. Have you heard from T'Pol?" Forrest's amusement fled as he spoke of the report that had brought him to Soval's office. He had needed the break from the seriousness of the situation but now it was time to get back to work.
"I have," Soval said as grave as Forrest. "Now is not a good time for the Vulcan people to be facing a faceless enemy who uses others to attack. We have just begun to open talks with Andor over the problems caused by V'Las. They are not going well," he admitted. It wouldn't take very much to begin another war between the two races. Andorians were vicious, illogical and V'Las had done his very best for years to push them to the breaking point.
"And right now Earth is just as vulnerable as Vulcan is," Forrest said frustrated. "V'Las' insane takeover attempt has helped tone down the animosity towards Vulcans a bit but we're still two years away from launching Columbia and we've only just begun to lay the keel for the next NX ship after that. We're going to need more ships and crew out there with the experience Jon's crew is getting if we're going to be needed to defend Earth." He thought for a moment. "I don't suppose that Andor would be willing to have a Human mediator? Sometimes it's better to have a neutral third party involved in talks that are likely to blow up at any moment." He had been involved in negotiations that had broken out into fist fights more than once.
"Not one who is Starfleet as they are allies to Vulcan," Soval pointed out. "But perhaps a Human negotiator would be prudent. We do not seem to be making any headway on our own." He didn't want to admit it but it was true. He considered Forrest's situation. "Would Vulcan engineers be helpful to Starfleet in speeding up the construction of your starships? We have them to spare at the moment due to needing to restructure our military."
"That would be very helpful Soval!" Forrest exclaimed. The two friends began to work out a way that they could each help the other solve their problems. Soval thought to himself that it was no wonder the Other had chosen T'Pol and Commander Tucker for a chosen mate bond. Their marriage alliance was already proving to be far more useful than even he had supposed.
The End