Chapter 17
Shran stirred as his alarm started blaring at him. With a groan, he smacked it silent and rolled over, pressing against a warm, strong body. The skin was smooth and soft against his cheek and he knew the scent at once.
�Ngh!� groaned Telev as he woke up, his arms snaking around Shran�s waist. Shran grinned to himself as he nuzzled into Telev�s neck, inhaling his scent, while his antennas tickled his jaw. Telev let out a giggle and opened his eyes. �Stop it! No fair, I�m still half asleep.�
�So am I. So it�s perfectly fair.� Shran smirked against Telev�s skin.
�Ugh.� Telev arched his back, trying to squirm away, but Shran held him tight. �You�re mean.�
�And you're like a child in the morning.�
�Then you shouldn�t be cuddling me. It�s not appropriate.�
�Oh Telev!� Shran laughed, half disgusted, half amused by his lover�s twisted little mind. Telev grinned at him as Shran looked at his face. He was bleary-eyed and tussled-haired. In short, he was beautiful. Telev had a classical, anhydrous beauty that made him irresistible, although he was one hundred percent male. Shran couldn�t resist kissing him. Telev hook an arm around his neck and held him close, kissing him with the same tender ferociousness that he had last night.
Then the baby monitor blared with Soval�s cry. Shran broke the kiss to look at the device and sighed, resting his brow against Telev�s.
�Looks like the day has begun.�
�Indeed. You�d better see to him.�
Shran nodded and brushed his antennas over Telev�s face before getting up and pulling on a pair of trousers. Then he went into the playroom where he�d set up a cradle-nest of fur and silk, like any Andorian baby would sleep in. Soval was whining, but his cries had died down as soon as the door had opened. Shran scooped him up and held him to his chest, nuzzling the top of the baby�s head.
�Good morning. Are we hungry?�
Soval let out a noise that sounded like an affirmative and reached up to his father�s face. Shran smiled as he went into the kitchen and fixed up a bottle. Then he sat in one of the seats by the counter and fed Soval. Soval wrapped his hands around the bottle and Shran smiled down at him. Telev came up behind him and put his arms around Shran�s middle, resting his chin on Shran�s shoulder.
�He looks happy.�
�He does, doesn�t he.� Shran smiled at Telev before looking back down at the baby in his arms. Then his smile fell a little. �What if I lose him?�
�What?�
�What if T'Pol takes him with her? I�ll only get to see him every now and then.�
�Your father was always away with the Guard. You didn�t seem to be too upset by it.�
�He took leave for his children�s first year, doing a desk job so he could come home and be with us. He went back into space when I turned two. Telev, it�s this time that matters so much. Everyday he�ll change, learn more, become more of the person he will be. I could miss that.�
�Well then make sure you don�t. Keep him here.�
�How? I couldn�t take him from T'Pol either. We�re at an impasse.�
Telev sighed and then kissed Shran�s cheek, smiling at him. �One of the amazing things about you Thy'lek, is you always come up with something when you have to. Trust yourself.�
�I�ll try.� Shran sighed.
The comm. went off, louder than it needed to be. Shran quickly passed Soval to Telev who didn�t bat an antenna at this and rushed to answer it.
�Shran here.�
�Commander Shran, this is Lieutenant Glarak.�
�Yes?�
�You are to report to Imperial headquarters at 1300 hours, on the dot.�
�For what?�
�I am not at liberty to disclose that information. All will be explained when you arrive.�
�Understood.�
�Good. Glarak out.� The comm. went dead.
�As friendly as the rest of those PADD pushers in the Imperial Headquarters. Why would anyone want a job like that?�
�To be with their families.� smiled Shran, walking back to Telev. �I think he likes you.� he chuckled, seeing that Soval was holding onto Telev�s (actually his) robe.
�Everyone likes me.� smirked Telev.
�This is true enough.� Shran scooped his antennas against Telev�s, �Even Lissiel likes you, and she�s not easily impressed.�
�Says you Thy'lek!� said Lissiel as she came into the kitchen. Shran eyed his sister for a moment,
�You know Lissiel you have impeccable timing.�
�Don�t I just?� smirked his sister as she got herself a glass of water.
�So� have fun with pink-skin?�
�Hm, he needs a few lessons, but he�s got great potential. I think he�ll be one of the longer lasting ones.�
�Good to know.� Shran said, grimacing.
�How about you two?�
�Great as always.�
�Hm, so I heard.� Lissiel�s smirk widened.
�So did we. And again. And again, again, again, again and again three more times- did you get any sleep last night?�
�About an hour.� Lissiel shrugged.
�Ah!�
Lissiel laughed and lowered her voice in a conspiratorial whisper, �Did you hear grandpapa and grandmamma. They always make such a racket when they mate.�
�I know, but Old Man and Lady were worse, I mean, the whole �Yip, yip!� thing Lady does is just so�� Shran burst out laughing. Telev shook his head.
�I have to say Ghee�s growling is far worse.�
�I know, but �yip, yip!�? It�s such a stupid sound.�
�True.�
The three of them chuckled to themselves but fell quiet as Narion and Aresa came out. Aresa�s skin was glowing and Narion had a stupid grin on his face, their arms around each other.
�I think a good night was had by all.�
�Me too.�
�Good morning children.� crowed Ghee, emerging from the spare room, three vivid bruises on his neck and a proud smirk on his face.
�Morning Ghee.� they chorused.
�Where�s pink-skin Lissiel?�
�Still asleep.�
�Wore him out?� grinned Telev.
�So it would seem.� Lissiel grinned.
Soval finished his bottle and Shran took him back to burp him. When he let out a belch, he giggled and clapped his hands. Shran tickled him under the chin, making him giggle even more.
�Was someone on the comm. Thy'lek?�
�Yes, I have to go to Imperial Headquarters for some reason.�
�Maybe they want to inquire about Soval.�
�Maybe, I doubt they�d bother with such a thing at Headquarters though. They�d just send someone.�
�Possibly, but the Vulcans are our allies now, and Soval is the first child of our two bloods. They might take a personal interest in him.�
�My son will not be a mascot for anything! Not even peace.� snapped Shran, narrowing his eyes.
�None of you might be given a choice.� sighed Narion. �I know the Guard.�
�So do I! I�ve been in it over thirty years. I tell you if they try to turn my son into some sort of political symbol I�ll have them!� Shran�s face told everyone he wasn�t kidding. Ghee changed the subject.
�When did Senkrad get in? Must have been late, I didn�t hear him.�
�Neither did I.� said Lissiel.
�I didn�t hear him either.�
Shran furrowed his brow and went to Senkrad�s room. He poked his head in and then retracted it, frowning.
�He�s not there.�
�Really?�
�Really. He didn�t come home.�
�Well that�s not like him.�
�What�s not like who?� asked Archer, coming out of Lissiel�s bedroom looking bleary-eyed and very rumpled. Shran grinned to himself before saying,
�Sen. He didn�t come home.�
�Senkrad�s a grown man, he�ll be fine.�
�I�m sure he is, I�m just wondering where he could be.�
�Maybe he went climbing.�
�At night? Even he�s not that crazy.�
�You think climbing in the dark is crazy, but not when the cliff is melting?�
�At least you can see what you're doing in a heatwave.�
The door opened and Senkrad walked in humming to himself. Shran stared at his brother, then at his sister and then said, in a low voice, �T'Pol and Trip.� and looked at the door. No one else came in and everyone stared at him. Shran shrugged, �It was worth a shot.�
�Where have you been Senkrad?�
�Just walking around.�
�All night?�
�Yes. Did I miss anything?�
Lissiel and Archer shared a look, as did Shran and Telev and then as one they said, �No!�
One of Senkrad�s antennas poked forwards, then he said, �Fair enough. I�m hungry. What�s for breakfast?�
�I haven�t started making it yet.� said Shran.
�Well, start! I�m hungry.�
�What if I don�t feel like doing it?�
�Then I�ll dye your hair pink again!�
Shran darted into the kitchen with a curse. Archer grimaced.
�I can�t picture that.�
�I�ll get you one.� said Lissiel, sliding out of her seat and walking over to a self in the main room and pulling down a thick leather bound book.
�Lissiel don�t you dare!� snapped Shran, looking mortified. Lissiel ignored him as she sat down again and opened the book, flicking through the pages.
�Ah! Here it is.� she said and let Archer look over her shoulder. Archer stared at and then let out a snort.
�Love the look Shran! What were you going for? Punk rocker?�
There was a light thump as Shran hit his head against the counter a few times. Then he straightened up and walked over, snatching the book out of Lissiel�s hands.
�I�ll just put this away.� he said, sounding very annoyed. He stomped into his bedroom and then returned short one embarrassing book and then said in a light voice, �Lissiel, do you remember when you shaved all your hair off. I think there�s a few pictures, why don�t I just go get them.� He edged his way towards the shelves. Lissiel was out of her seat in a flash, tackling him and knocking them both to the ground.
�You do that Bug and I�ll make sure you and Telev can never have fun again!� she snarled, a hand around Shran�s neck and shaking him while she rested atop him. Shran grunted and knocked her off, rolling over so he was pushing her face into the floor. Lissiel thrashed against his grip and flipped him over her shoulder.
�Children! We�re all starving over here. Lissiel, kindly allow Thy'lek to fix us breakfast.� said Aresa, watching them with an amused expression. Archer looked alarmed. Shran grunted and got to his feet, stepping on Lissiel�s back to reach the kitchen. Lissiel hissed and jumped to her feet, charging towards Shran. Senkrad and Telev jumped in her way, Telev holding Soval secure in one arm. Soval giggled at the commotion.
�Peace Lissiel! You can beat him up later.�
�Not like she could if she tried.� sneered Shran.
�I�m a woman! I could beat you up without breaking a sweat.�
�I�m a Guardsman, I�ve had years of special training.�
�Enough the both of you, are you fifteen or over fifty?�
�I�m just fifty grandpapa.� said Shran in a very false-innocent voice.
�Oh!� Th�nack threw his hands in the air and slumped against his wife in defeat. Ghee chuckled.
There was a knock at the door.
�I�ll get it!� Senkrad ran to the door and opened it. �Jhamel!�
Shran hissed as he cut himself with the knife in surprise. Lissiel�s eyes widened.
Jhamel stood outside the door, her usual serene smile on her face, dressed in an elegant lilac dress, a gauzy thing surrounding her shoulders and jaw, like a fence, like she�d worn before. Her smile widened a little and she inclined her head to Senkrad.
�Hello Senkrad. You left your jacket at my apartment. I thought I would return it before I went to the talks with the ambassador of the Andorian people.� Jhamel held out Senkrad�s jacket. Senkrad�s cheeks flushed and he threw his family an embarrassed look as he took it.
�Thank you very much Jhamel.�
�You're welcome Senkrad. Once again I extend my invitation to come and see me whenever you wish. I enjoyed talking with you.�
�Erm� yes. I enjoyed talking to you too. I shall most definitely take you up on your offer.�
Jhamel�s smile widened. �Good, I�m glad.�
�Good morning Jhamel.� said Shran, coming to join his brother.
�Hello Shran. It�s nice to hear your voice again. I haven�t heard it in some time.�
�I�ve been busy I�m afraid. But perhaps we could get together for a dinner soon. My brother could come with us.� Shran�s grin was wicked and Senkrad�s eyes were huge as he stared at his brother.
�That would be lovely. Is it true what I have heard about the sudden arrival of a son for you Shran?�
�Yes, it is true. I�ll tell you all soon Jhamel, but right now I�m afraid I have to make dinner for ten people, not including myself. Would you like to join us?�
�Thank you, but I�m afraid I have to go.�
�Hello Jhamel, it�s nice to see you again.� called Archer, feeling he ought to greet her.
�Captain Archer, what are you doing here at such an early hour.�
�Recovering from a lesson in Andorian mating habits courtesy of my sister.� said Shran with a grin. Jhamel giggled and shook her head a little.
�Well, perhaps we too can arrange to meet Captain. I would love to hear of what you�ve seen out in space.�
�I�d be glad to.� said Archer, smiling at the young woman, who he admired greatly for her bravery.
�I really must go. Goodbye.� Jhamel turned and walked away, with that refined, elegant grace of the Aenar. Shran closed the door and then turned to Senkrad with a grin.
�So that�s where you were. Spirits Senkrad you waste no time!�
�Nothing like that happened. I just bumped into her while I was walking and we started talking and since we were both enjoying the conversation so much we went back to her apartment to continue talking. I swear! That�s all we did. Talk.�
�With your mouths?� asked Telev.
�Yes with- no! Not with our mouths like that, oh- leave me alone!� Senkrad stuffed his arms across his chest and pouted. Shran laughed and hugged his brother for a moment, then pulling away and walking back into the kitchen.
Shran was early for his meeting with whoever it was he was supposed to meet, dressed in his usual Imperial uniform. Soval was clinging to his front, sucking on his fist, while his other hand held him to Shran. For extra safety Shran had used another length of silk to keep him from falling. The Guard rarely objected to such things and since Shran had an idea that this meeting would be about Soval, he had wanted to bring him along.
The Imperial Headquarters had once served as a home for the Imperial Family on this part of the planet. This meant that it was covered in carvings cut into the white marble that made up the whole building and silken tapestries, paintings and other forms of art. Most of the rooms were large, but there were smaller ones for smaller meetings. However this was the place for the grandest, most important meetings that were held by the Imperial Guard.
It was for this reason that Shran�s stomach wasn�t making friends with his breakfast. He could admit to being nervous. Whoever he was about to face was important if it was happening here. It could even be the Lord High General of the Imperial Guard. Shran had met him twice and each time had been terrifying. The man was a giant, figuratively as well as literally. His presence made most soldiers break out in a sweat. Shran was a little harder to affect than most soldiers, but even he couldn�t help but feel nervous about him.
Walking into the huge lobby, he went to the desk and gave his name.
�You�re to go to the main conference room. The Council shall see you there.�
�The Council?� Shran�s voice cracked.
�Yes.� the woman at the desk said, not changing her bored expression. �They�ll be waiting for you.�
�Erm� right.�
Shran wished he hadn�t eaten at all. He was about to speak to the Council? The council was comprised of nothing but the highest-ranking officers of the Guard, the leaders of the Imperial Guard. And he was supposed to walk into that room without a clue as to why he was there?!
Shran wondered if he should have left Soval at home. Oh well, too late now.
When he got to the door of the main conference room he didn�t hesitate. He just knocked and waited to be summoned.
�Come!� called a strong male voice. Shran took a deep breath and strode in, trying to look confident and proper.
Twelve imposing Andorians sat on one side of a long, slightly curved table. Each had a monitor and wore a severe expression. In the very centre was the Lord High General. There was no seat to take on the other side. Shran walked smartly to stand before the table, right in front of the Lord High General and saluted sharply.
�Commander Shran reporting as ordered sirs?�
�At ease Commander.� said the Lord High General. Shran assumed the military stance and relaxed a little. It didn�t sound like he was in any sort of trouble. He noticed several eyes flick to Soval with curiosity, but no one looked disapproving that he was there. �First allow me to congratulate you on your child. I must admit I didn�t believe the rumours were true.�
�Thank you sir. I must admit I�d say was the most surprised of all.� said Shran. A ripple of amusement passed through the twelve.
�I�m sure you were.� The Lord High General paused and studied Shran for a moment. Shran stared back, refusing to look away. Then the Lord High General steepled his fingers and regarded Shran over them. �Commander, you�ve been on mandatory planet-side recovery for how long now?�
�Half a year. To be specific seven months, ten days.�
�And how do you feel you have coped with the loss of your ship?�
Something cold seemed to slide down Shran�s back. Something was up. The Lord High General wasn�t one for pleasantries. Still, he answered the question honestly.
�I believe I have coped well. It has been difficult, but I have begun to move on.�
�Good.� The General regarded him for a further moment. Shran did his best to stay still. �Commander� times are changing.�
�Sir?�
�The Vulcans, the Tellerites, they are now our allies. Our enemies have dwindled.�
�Yessir.�
�I am aware that most of those facts can be attributed to you. It was you who urged us to open peace talks with the Vulcans and it was you who, with honour and integrity, prevented war with the Tellerites.�
�I did it for the benefit of Andoria.�
�Yes, we know you did.� The Lord High General fell silent. A female general stood up.
�Commander, in regards to the destruction of your warship, the Kumari. We have interviewed all the survivors, as well as yourself, and we have also spoken with various officers whom you have served with in previous years. Our review of what happened the day the Kumari was destroyed is now complete.�
It took a lot of self-control to keep his eyes from popping out of his head. As it was his shoulders tensed. �I see.�
This was what this was all about?! This sentencing wasn�t supposed to happen until his period of mandatory planet-side recuperation had been complete. They were half a year early. Shran�s heart was beating so hard and fast it was a hum.
�After taking into account that the ship which fired upon you was only stopped after great effort and the sabotage by the pilot, and that you had not been anticipating such an attack by what appeared to be a Tellerite ship, and the statements of your crew that detail your actions, we can conclude that the destruction of the warship Kumari was not caused by lack of actions on your part and that you did all you could to preserve both it and the ship. Therefore we will not be delivering a punishment upon you.�
Shran saluted the council, �Thank you General.�
The woman nodded. Another female general looked murderous. Shran hid a smirk.
�Sorry General Timaul. You won�t get to see me beheaded today.�
�Now that that has been dealt with we can get to the real matter at hand.� said the Lord High General.
�There�s more? I just came close to having a heart attack and you want to discuss something else?� Shran said none of this out loud, only nodded his head. He glanced at his son, relieved to see that Soval was asleep.
�Commander, you�ve served us for 32 years this year, correct?�
�Yes sir.�
�You�ve been one of our best officers, in war.� The last two words rang a little through the room. Shran wondered where this was going.
�Thank you sir. I only did what I could to protect my planet and people.�
�Much of your missions are such sensitive information over half your file has to be restricted to the twelve people sitting before you. You and your team were our best weapon against our enemies.�
�Thank you sir. We were proud to do it to defend our people.� Even to Shran the words were starting to sound mechanical. That was because every time he said it he mentally added, �We were also crazy enough to do your dirty work.�
�Quite.� The Lord High General regarded him, once again sizing him up. �However, would you be one of our best in peace?�
�How do you mean General?�
�I mean, would you be as effective a peacekeeper as you were a solider at war?�
�I would do my best. If peace is good for Andoria, then I would maintain it as best I could.�
�And do you think peace is good for Andoria? You have permission to speak freely.�
Shran sighed and narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment. �Yes. I believe peace is good for Andoria. Andoria has been fighting since we were invaded by the Orions. I believe Andoria needs rest, needs peace, for the sake of her people. Children should grow up without fearing their planet, their homes will be taken from them. Families should be able to stay together.�
�You speak from personal experience? You grew up in wartime, as we all did, and you have lost two close family members to war.�
�Yes, I speak from experience, but also from truth.� Shran hesitated before speaking again. �I also think that we are in danger of loosing sight of the point of war. The true point of it is not for honour or personal gain, nor is it for the sheer sake of war. If we loose sight of that we will loose sight of part of what it means to be Andorian.�
�Well said. So, Commander, would you agree to do whatever you thought would ensure peace? Work alongside once-enemies even?�
�Yessir, so long as they proved themselves trustworthy. I would not believe that because a document was signed we were ensured peace. I would need the once-enemy to prove themselves, as we would have to prove ourselves to them no doubt.�
�No doubt. Very well then Commander, we have a new assignment for you, which take place effective immediately.�
�Sir?� Shran�s antennas twitched.
�Is something wrong Commander?� The Lord High General�s antennas reared in warning.
�It�s just� I still have half a year left of mandatory planet-side recovery.�
�We are aware of that. However if you can pass a psychiatric test, then you will be declared fit for duty again.�
�I see sir.� Shran felt a foreboding in the back of his mind. Now what did they want him to do? Shran hoped it wasn�t anything underhanded. He would obey of course, but he was no longer interested in underhanded tactics.
�First, we will congratulate you because we have agreed to promote you to the rank of Captain, which is required for this new assignment.�
Shran was floored. �I� thank you sir.�
�I know it seems unorthodox to promote you, but you have served us well, and, if it wasn�t for the fact that we were loathed to lose you, we would have reassigned you to the role of ambassador.�
�Thank the spirits you didn�t.�
�Now, along with this promotion, you are being given a new command. It is also� unorthodox, seeing as it already has a commanding officer.�
�Has he been promoted sir?�
�No. He is remaining in command, and you will be joining him.�
�I�m to command a ship that already has a commanding officer?� Shran frowned in confusion.
�Actually, by the end of today, this single ship will have three commanding officers of equal rank. This is why we selected you. You�ve worked with these officers before. Together you will command the ship as a whole.�
�That�s not unorthodox, that�s just insane!�
�I see sir. For how long will this assignment be?�
�A year.�
�A year? But-�
�Yes Captain?�
Shran held his tongue and shook his head. The Lord High General looked at his monitor, and pressed a button. The large viewscreen behind him switched on. There was a ship in the foreground. Shran�s mouth fell open in shock. The Lord High General pointed to it.
�This is your new ship Captain. I�m certain you will bring all the fine qualities of Andoria to it.�
�Y-y-yes sir��
Shran gaped at the ship, unable to look away. Then he thought rather wryly,
�Pink-skin�s not going to like this.� as he stared up at Enterprise orbiting Andoria.