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Amethyst Skies: Ch 5 (Departure)

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12/4/2260
Bridge
3:45 PM


Kirk gazed grimly out the window at the view. It was impressive. Tkara Prime was a small ringed gas giant about the size of Neptune. It had two M class moons, the first of which the away team would be beaming down to in an hour.

The Saratoga had arrived in orbit forty-five minutes before where they had been greeted and given clearance. Now the team was involved in last minute preparations and discussions with Commander Thelin.

And their Captain was sitting in the Chair brooding.

His Soul Siblings were leaving the ship and he would be leaving them behind. They had gone on away missions countless times, but each time he had been nearby.

They weren't children, they were Starfleet personnel. They had faced danger. He recalled the attack on Nerva Prime and the pandemic that had swept over both the Saratoga and the USS Cygnus.

Oh yes, his Soul Siblings had faced danger, even death. But each time he had been there with them, or nearby, or at the very least in orbit.

This time he would be far away and if anything were to go wrong…

He sighed. Many times Pike and others had warned him how difficult it could be to have family members serving with or under him. This was one of those times. As Captain he knew that it was routine and often necessary to send crewmembers away on missions.

But as a brother...

He knew that this wasn't a dangerous mission. Tkara was a more or less a friendly planet. And Alyen and L'Naym would have plenty of other Federation personnel near them.

But the protective big brother in him was not happy.

At all.

He took a breath. Focus, Kirk! You're a Starfleet Captain. Act like it!

He recalled a conversation he'd had at the Academy with a friend, Patrick Ryan, about his college-age sister. She had been a virgin and had been frequently teased by her friends because of it. Finally one of them had dared her to lose her virginity at a hotel party that she would be going to. At the party she met a male Tkarite about her age. She had been immediately besotted with him and had been more than willing to accept his advances.

They had gone to his room, but things had quickly gone wrong. She had thought that a gorgeous Tkarite male would be the perfect person to lose her virginity too, but once they were alone she got scared. When he started to undress her she panicked.

He had immediately stopped and asked if she wanted to continue. She'd said no and had actually started to cry saying that this had been a mistake. He hadn't been upset at all and had taken her home where her parents had had a long talk with her.

Kirk recalled Ryan's next words. "Now if this guy had been a human male she would probably have been in serious trouble. Most guys do not like being rejected, especially when things are starting to get hot. But the thing about Tkarites… when it comes to sex they're seductive and downright predatory, but they never force. Ever. Apparently it's a major law with them."

He also recalled a conversation he'd had with Z'rol.

***********************************************************************

*Flashback*

12/2/2260
Ready Room

Kirk listened quietly as Z'Rol informed him that her mother has agreed to host Rodriguez's team. He gave her a few more instructions before leaning forward.

"There is another matter, Lieutenant. A personal matter. I, of course, want you to keep an eye on and assist all the members of the team." He paused. "But I'd appreciate it if you could keep an especially close eye on Crewmen Alyen and L'Naym. Make sure that they don't face certain…pressures."

Amethyst eyes met his. "Permission to speak freely, Captain."

"Granted."

"Captain, the Nlians are our neighbors and we have traded with them for over two hundred years. We're well aware of their monogamous nature and we also know the consequences of their Mating Bonds being disrupted."

Her voice grew solemn. "Among my people the strictest rule in matters of the flesh is never against another's will. And there is one punishment for breaking that rule.

"Another rule in matters of the flesh, which has proven very useful in dealing with offworlders, is to always respect the claim of another. Both of those rules are particularly enforced where Nlians are concerned.

She paused. "I know that you and Crewmen Alyen and L'Naym are close friends. Did they ever tell you about how L'Naym Announced herself and her lifemate to me?

He nodded and she continued.

"When I acknowledged her claim over her lifemate I was also pledging to protect it. Not only would I never come between them, I wouldn't allow any other Tkarite to either if it were within my power. That's another reason why the Announcement and Acknowledgment have always been important. The Tkarite not only agrees to honor the claim but to defend it as well.

"I have already made that pledge to them. When they arrive my mother will make a similar pledge and as the Matron of House Z'rol every member of her household, including the staff, will be bound to honor it as well. During their stay they and the rest of the team will be guests of my House and, as is tradition, under their protection. No one shall harm, take advantage of, or attempt to seduce them."

Her eyes once again met his. "You have my word, Captain. Both as a Starfleet Officer and as a Daughter of House Z'Rol."

*End Flashback*

**************************************************************************
Bridge


Kirk took a breath, recalling another known saying about Tkarites.

"A Tkarite can be more cunning then a snake, but once they give their word they never break it."

Commander Thelin's voice drew him from his musings.

"Captain, the away team is ready to leave. They're on their way to the Transporter room now."

"Thank you, Commander. I'll be right down to see them off."

************************************************************************
Transporter Room
3:50 PM


Kirk stood in the Transporter Room facing the assembled team. After he'd concluded his formal farewell he met his Soul Siblings' eyes.

"Be safe," he said softly.
Amethyst Skies: Ch 1
Captain's Log
Stardate 2260.12.1
The Saratoga has concluded its three week stay on the planet Astrana. This was a productive mission; we studied
a beautiful new world, made a successful First Contact, learned many things about an incredible culture and made
new friends, both for ourselves and the Federation.
We are now on-route to the Volanis Nebula. After three weeks of acting as a planetary research station I know that
the chance to study a nebula will please Stellar Sciences.
James T. Kirk
***********************************************************
Captain's Ready Room
2:00 PM

Kirk completed his log and sat back. Things were quiet now and he'd decided to use the remaining hours
of his shift to catch up on reports and there were a lot. The Saratoga was six months along into its
five year mission of circumnavigating Federation space. In that time there had been a lot of triumphs and
a lot of tragedies.
The past two months had been a whirlwind of activity. So far the <I>


Amethyst Skies: Ch 4
Briefing Room
5:25 PM

Lieutenant Z'rol gazed thoughtfully around the Briefing Room as the meeting prepared to begin.
All Tkarites were taught from earliest childhood to learn as much about the people around them as possible.
'Knowledge is a basic key to power and to gain it one must observe.'
So as she silently gazed at the other members of the team, her mind supplied information.
Lieutenant Commander Pablo Rodriguez, Head of the Saratoga's Botany Department. A quiet mannered
man, but highly intelligent and with a spine of steel.
Good traits to have. Strength is vital and hidden strength is often the best to have as your opponent
might underestimate you. That plus intelligence combined with a quiet manner can make you difficult to
read and that could give you further advantage.

He was consort to Lieutenant Harmaya Rodriguez and that marked him as Forbidden
to her.
A pity, because he's quite handsome with his sleek black hair and mustache.
Lieutenant


Amythest Skies: Ch 6
12/4/2260
Tkara

As the away team beamed down they found themselves facing two Tkarites, a male and a female,
both dressed in stylish uniforms and with long sword-like blades at at their sides. They both bowed
slightly.
"Greetings Federation scientists, the male said. He nodded at Z'Rol. "Lady Droi welcome home.
Matron Z'Rol awaits you.
Z'Rol was smiling. "Maskel. Telafay. It's good to see you both again." She turned and beckoned to
the team. "All of you please follow me."
Shouldering their packs and equipment, the group set out toward the looming estate in the distance.
Z'rol led the way with Maskel and Telafay bringing up the rear.
L'Naym gazed upwards as they walked. It was late evening and the sun had already set. The night sky
was a dark violet, lit by bright stars and the glowing orbs of Tkar Prime and II. "The sky's so beautiful,"
she whispered.
"It is," Z'Rol answered her. "The amethyst skies of Tkara have been the subject of many a poem and song.
Both on this world and o
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suburbantimewaster's avatar
Love how Kirk cares so much about his Nlian siblings and how Z'Rol promised to protect them.  Something tells me the Nlians might have to do the ritual more than once on this planet.