| |
|
Table of Contents
|
Despite her father's advice and his wishes, Nyota spent the night at the family farm. However, in the early morning, she bid a fond farewell to her father and Julius. Then she hurried off to return to her ship and prepare for the day's upcoming festivities.
After returning the rental vehicle, she opted for the use of a much quicker means of travel, a transporter. It was a wise decision. She returned just in time to begin a shower and change into a dress uniform for the reception.
The reception was only the first part of a group of activities scheduled to go on for most of the day. As with the reception, the formal exchange of diplomats, the induction and other activities would take place in the largest ball room in the building, adjacent to the Federation Council chambers. Most diplomats commented on the appropriate architectural feature as many social events became council debates and vice-versa.
Following a nice relaxing shower, she thought about the events of the previous day and sighed heavily. Just when she thought everything was going to work out, along comes a big question mark.
After finishing her shower, she began arranging her hair. Nyota tried to put the troublesome thoughts out of her head. She would need a much happier face and a more festive demeanor for the rest of the day.
Finishing with her hair, she began the process of assembling the various awards and ribbons which would adorn her dress uniform. Although she was deeply involved with the various details, either instinct or intuition told her to check the ship's chrono as well. It proved to be a mixed blessing. If the dressing process wasn't accelerated to 'warp speed,' she would be late!
Standing before a full-length mirror, only minutes later, the commanding officer of the Epsilon Communication Array Complex checked the details of the elaborate uniform. Noting with great satisfaction that all was perfect, she smiled outwardly. Yup, the smile worked, too.
She walked quickly over to her cabin's intercom and flagged the bridge. "Bridge, have transporter prepare for my departure. Mister Harrington, you have the conn." Then she added, "That is, if there's anyone left on board to give commands to; Uhura out!"
Nearly everyone had opted for extended shore leave. Only a skeleton crew would stay aboard. That way, everyone would get a chance to see home or take an R & R. With a basic rotation schedule, even the skeleton crew would get a chance to get off the ship.
Just before leaving her cabin, she picked up a communicator and placed it inside a concealed pocket within the uniform's tunic. "Just in case, Nyota," she said out loud and then headed off to the transporter room.
All went smoothly and she actually got to the reception with a few minutes to spare. Navigating her way through the jubilant crowd, she sought out the Betazoid delegation. After a few minutes, she found her old friends and managed to corner a few.
As soon as Shanara Jana saw Uhura, she smiled kindly and made her way through the gauntlet of diplomats, bureaucrats and revelers to reach her old friend. Finally, face-to-face, the Betazoid woman hugged her friend with deep affection, "Nyota!"
Uhura always thought Shanara's smile was incredibly contagious and she returned it with one of her own. "I was afraid I would have to stand in the reception line just to see you!"
The two dear friends laughed and tried to carry on a conversation amidst the noise and general confusion. Uhura watched her friend closely and recognized a familiar, faraway look. "Find anything interesting about Terran males yet?"
The question caught Shanara off guard, but evidently Nyota had hit the mark. The Betazoid diplomat laughed, then chided her friend a bit. "I thought I was supposed to be the telepath here. And, yes, I find them all very fascinating!"
Uhura laughed hard, "You're incorrigible!"
"Wrong, my dear; I'm 'encourageable!'"
The two got silly again and stayed together for most of the morning, renewing their friendship.
Unfortunately, the time passed quickly and soon an announcement was made to begin the formal admittance ceremonies. Uhura gave her friend a hug and then watched as she took a place on the main speaker's platform, with the rest of the Betazoid delegation.
Events progressed slowly, almost painfully so, but it was impressive. Uhura had never seen so much pomp and circumstance before. It was wonderful. In fact, the only thing that ruined the day was the series of long speeches and, before long, she was ready to leave. At that moment though, Shanara stepped forward to speak. 'Now, this could be interesting,' Uhura thought.
Now officially the Ambassador to the Federation, Jana started out simply by explaining her home planet's excitement in becoming the newest member in the United Federation of Planets. Her speech was very good and somehow managed to avoid all the usual clichés of standard oratory.
Then Shanara began to thank various individuals and suddenly Nyota was listening to her own name, in front of hundreds of people!
The Betazoid diplomat continued, "Our first contact with the Federation was quite interesting and enlightening. The Captain of the first contact ship impressed all of us. Primarily, it was her thoughts of understanding, kindness and an overwhelming desire to learn about us. That caused our government to welcome the Federation and its principles with open arms instead of suspicion."
Catching sight of her friend amongst the sea of faces, Shanara smiled and continued, "If it wasn't for her, we might still be an isolated planet; isolated from the fear and misunderstanding that usually comes when our abilities become known. Captain Nyota Uhura saw beyond those prejudices and, in so doing, laid the foundation for what should be a lasting and mutually beneficial friendship.
"Because of these reasons and many others, we would like to recognize Captain Uhura, by making her an honorary citizen of our home world." Shanara smiled again and extended her hands outwardly. "Nyota, would you please come up here and join us?"
As she rose, Uhura became weak-kneed and felt the familiar flush that comes with being embarrassed.
Making her way to the speaker's platform, she suddenly became aware that the entire assembly of people was applauding. Eventually, those seated began to rise in her honor. By the time she reached her friend, Uhura was overwhelmed by it all.
Shanara greeted her friend with another big hug. Then, the newly appointed Betazoid ambassador gave the Starfleet officer a medal and a colorful sash. She pinned the medal on Nyota and helped her into the sash, then concluded the ceremony with a mercifully short speech.
With this, the main ceremonies were concluded. Everyone began to make their way to a series of smaller, prearranged parties and events, which were to be held throughout the building and even in the city of San Francisco.
On the main speaker's platform, Captain, and now the newest citizen of Betazed, Nyota Uhura, was being congratulated and thanked by nearly everyone. It took a great deal of time, but finally, she was able to leave the large room and make her way to the next event: an exclusive banquet which was due to start in about ten minutes.
By this time, she had lost sight of her dear friend and so she proceeded on her own. Along the corridors, she was pursued by a few more well-wishers. This made it very necessary to hurry to prevent being late.
Just outside the banquet hall, her communicator chirped. The noise caught her off guard and actually startled her. A curious reaction for a person who heard that sound countless times, but she wasn't expecting it. She had told her crew no interruptions, unless it was really important. She pulled the device and adjusted it for use in the crowded corridor. Seeking some measure of privacy, she located a small alcove with fewer humanoids and furniture. More than slightly annoyed, she began, "Uhura here; this had better be good, Mister Harrington!"
There was a bit of static and the communications specialist recognized the familiar sound of a relay circuit.
"Lassie, can ye hear me?"
Nyota's eyebrows jumped up in surprise, "Scotty?"
"Aye! I need ye in a hurry. Can ye get away for a wee moment? I've got ta see ye now!"
She relaxed and smiled at the thought. The two did need a good heart-to-heart conversation, but now was not a good time. She put a bit of sternness into her normally velvet voice. "Montgomery -- I'm due, make that overdue -- for a very elegant and important banquet. I promise we will get together and discuss our future, later tonight, as planned, okay?"
She was answered by a deafening silence and Uhura was beginning to think that the relay had failed, when suddenly another familiar voice came over the speaker. "Nyota, it's Hikaru. Scotty's right, this is real important and very urgent. Can we transport you to Scotty's office? We promise it's not personal or routine."
She frowned and thought, 'Now what the devil was Sulu up to?' "How long will this last, can I get back in time to finish the banquet?"
Sulu responded swiftly and honestly. "No promises, but I can guarantee you won't want to miss out."
Hesitating for a moment, she thought, her mind racing. If it had just been Scotty, she would suspect an elaborate ruse, but Sulu, too? "Okay fellas, you've sold me. But if you two are up to no good, I won't be speaking to either of you for a long time!" Then she added, "Forget the transporter, I need to get to a less crowded room. Besides, I can't have a ship's Captain looking as if she's jumping around at any man's whimsy."
She wasn't sure if Sulu and Scotty truly appreciated her sacrifice or not, but before the day was over, they definitely would. As she returned the communicator to her pocket, Nyota found herself hoping that the first honorary Betazoid wasn't going to lose her new citizenship on the same day she got it.
Turning away from her original destination, reluctantly, she headed for Montgomery's office, on her own terms. 'Wasn't life ever going to get any easier?' With that thought firmly set in her mind, she increased her pace once more.
|
© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
Star Trek and all related marks, logos, and characters are solely owned by CBS Studios, Inc. This fan organization
is not endorsed by, sponsored by, nor affiliated with CBS, Paramount Pictures, or any other Star Trek franchise.
|
