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Title: Diplomatic Function  "I have Minster Ghavzhetoui on, Captain." "Main screen please, Uhura. Minister Ghavzhetoui." "Troy, please, Captain Kirk. I know off worlders find our names difficult. We find our names difficult. Welcome to Savina." "Thank you, Troy. It's good to be here. This is a memorable occasion." "That it is, and one I never thought to see. We have scheduled a meeting for you and your senior officers with Prince Rhadomassin in an hour. Unfortunately the princess will not be available - a family matter, you understand. We have arranged many amusements and entertainments in honour of the occasion and we would hope that all of your crew will be able to attend at least some of them." "That's very good of you. I'll get my exec to draw up a rota. I understand that the actual signing will be in four days?" "That is correct. There will also be witnesses from the Tarvine Alliance and the Shokoya Conglomerate in attendance. We are determined this thing will be seen." "Of course." "I'll see you in an hour then."
An hour later Jim, Spock, Scotty and McCoy, together with the head of security and Ambassador Clement entered the hall. They were seated at a large table along with the other two delegations. Troy sat alongside a younger man who nevertheless wore an air of authority. Troy stood. "Gentle beings, it is with great pleasure that we welcome you to Savina. Now I feel sure that you all know why you are here, but I would just like to go over the background again as this is such a momentous occasion. "We have always been a warlike species. Over the centuries smaller states have gradually been assimilated until there were only two great powers left. Time and again war broke out, and time and again we were brought to the brink of destruction. Lately however it seemed that we would finally end it. Both sides developed ‘planet buster' bombs, capable of causing a chain reaction that would totally destroy our world. Something had to be done. We had to find a way of creating a lasting treaty. A way was found. Six months ago Prince Kardoluma Rhadomassin of the Couyama Territories married Princess Amtanira Getanitaa from the Bastovin Faction. We have asked you all here to witness the signing of the peace treaty, to attest to the fact that there is no coercion, no force being employed. We have asked you to witness the beginning of a new age for our home. "Thank you." He sat, and the prince stood. "Thank you all for coming. I am sure you are wondering why we have waited until now for the formal signing of the treaty. It is a long standing belief of our people that a marriage which lasts six months will last for life, and indeed, it does seem to be so. After six months we celebrate. We are also very superstitious. As Getanitaa and I had never actually met before our wedding it was decided that the formal signing should wait until now so that we didn't tempt fate as it were. "This will also be our joint coronation. There are a number of formal entertainments laid on as well as numerous informal ones across the city. Please feel free to join in as many, or as few, as you wish. Have fun." And that seemed to be that.
The celebrations were going on long enough for everybody to have two full days on the planet. Sulu and Chekov were in the same group. Chekov picked up an itinerary and studied it for a while. Sulu studied the crowd. "There is a parade through the city in an hour and a formal dance this evening at the palace. Or there is a concert in the botanical gardens. Which would you prefer? Sulu?" He looked around. Sulu was deep in conversation with an ensign from botany. "I guess that answers that one," he muttered. "I do that too," said a voice from behind him. Chekov turned and saw a smiling face. "Mind you, I do it because I like a sensible answer. What's your excuse?" "For what?" "Talking to yourself." "Oh. I – er…" Chekov had heard of women like her. He had dreamed of women like her but he never believed they really existed. The Savinad were a striking looking people with dark skins and light hair. This woman's skin was a rich, chocolaty brown, and her hair was almost silver. Emerald green eyes stood out like beacons. She was, quite literally, breathtaking. Her dress was made of some iridescent material and Chekov watched, fascinated, as it changed colour with her slightest movement. "Are you all right? Can I get you something?" Chekov decided that breathing might be a good idea about now. "No I'm fine, it's just that you're so…" "So….?" She raised her eyebrows questioningly. "So beautiful. You are quite the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." "I'm glad you said that." "Oh?" "As soon as I saw you I wanted to take you to bed. If you think that then it's going to be easier than I expected." Chekov spluttered incoherently. He was no prude, but he was still young enough to be thrown by such a direct approach. "I'm Tani. What do your friends call you?" "Pavel." "Come on, Pavel. Let's find somewhere quieter." Tani took his hand and led an unresisting Chekov through the crowds. Soon they came to a small door in a plain wall. Tani looked into an optical scanner and the door opened. They slipped through into a magnificent garden. Ahead was a large building, but Tani turned away and slipped between some bushes. Chekov found himself in a courtyard surrounded by bungalows. "Come on, this way." Tani pulled him into the nearest one. "Was that the palace?" He asked. "Yes. Don't worry. I work there. These are staff quarters." "What do you do there?" "What ever I have to. So many questions. Come here." She pulled him into her arms. A long, long time later, she released him. Tani stepped back and wriggled out of her dress. The first thing Chekov noticed was that her nipples were painted gold, as were her lips, eyes and nails. Then he saw the gem in her navel. It was green like those in her ears, and the colour of her eyes. "Do you like what you see," She asked. "Very nice. Very - co-ordinated." He could have kicked himself. Tani chuckled. "You can touch if you like." Slowly, carefully, he reached out with the tip of his finger and touched the soft skin of her shoulder. Tani shivered as he drew his finger along her collar bone and down her breast. She caught his hand and pressed it to her breast. She backed up to the bed and sat down. "I think you're a bit over dressed, don't you?" In his haste Chekov managed to jam the fastener of his shirt. Then he tried to take his trousers off over his boots. Eventually he was standing, naked, in front of her. His breathing was rapid, partly from excitement, partly from nerves. Tani patted the bed. "Come on, I don't bite. Not very often, anyway." Chekov sat down next to her and reached out to touch her breast again. Tani took his hand. She traced the lines, and massaged his fingers. "Such lovely hands," she murmured. "So strong, so soft." She kissed his palm. He slipped his other hand behind her head and pulled her towards him. She melted against him. He pressed forward and she lay back. Slowly, so slowly, he kissed his way along her jaw, and down her throat. At last he reached her breasts. He paid particular attention to the nipples. He loved nipples and Tani seemed to like him loving them. Deep down he was also curious as to whether the paint would come off. It didn't. As he got lower he began to worry in case he offended her. Apart from a short lived fling with an Irilian yeoman all of his experience was with humans. He decided that the best thing would just be to ask. Chekov parted Tani's legs. He looked up at her. "May I?" "Oh yes, please." Tani's voice was shaking, and a little whimper escaped her as he buried his face in her warmth. She tasted vaguely of vanilla, and peaches, and liquorice, a combination that shouldn't have worked, but somehow did. Chekov wanted it to be really special with Tani. He licked, and sucked, and nibbled. He put into practice everything he had learned about pleasing a woman. He had had a good teacher. "Pavel, I want you in me. Hurry." Chekov slid up the bed. Tani was gasping, and her pupils were enormous. She slid one hand around his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss, while her other hand guided him into her. He tried to take it slowly, but at the first hint of penetration Tani thrust up hard against him. He gasped as she squeezed her muscles. "That feels so good," she whispered. Chekov started to move. Tani matched him thrust for thrust. He soon felt his climax building. He desperately tried to hold on for a little longer. Every so often she would give another squeeze. "Don't do that, please. I won't be able to wait." "It's alright, my darling. Just let yourself go." She did it again. "Aah no…" As he shuddered through his orgasm he felt her bucking and writhing beneath him. Suddenly she howled. Chekov kissed her deeply and then he rolled over. "I'm sorry," he said. "I tried to make it last. Was it all right? I mean…" "Shh." Tani leaned over him and stroked his face. "It was fine. It was better than fine. Don't worry. With us, the man's orgasm always triggers the woman's. How about you?" "That was wonderful, although I don't think my ears will ever be the same again." "Ooops. I should have warned you." She looked a bit sheepish. "If it helps, the louder the noise, the greater the satisfaction." "Oh." His face brightened as he realised what she had said. "Oh." Tani snuggled up against him and began running her fingers over his chest. "Hmm. I've never seen chest hair before." "I could get rid of it, if you'd like." "No. No, I like it. It gives me something to get hold of." She gave a gentle tug. Chekov was playing with her nipples again. "What is this? Is it make-up? It hasn't even smudged." "It is make-up but it won't come off without soap." "I'd like to see you without it." "Would you? Come on, I need a bath." Chekov stared in amazement. The bathroom contained every luxury he could imagine, plus a few he couldn't. "It's a bit basic, I'm afraid," Tani said. "Basic?" "A nice long soak is one of life's great pleasures, and we take our pleasure very seriously." "I can see that." "How hot do you like your bath?" "You run it the way you like it and if it's too hot I'll scream." "Fair enough." A short while later Chekov was leaning back in deep, fragrant foam with Tani astride his lap. Carefully he applied a little soap to her breasts and began to wash them. Gradually the paint came off. "That's much better," he said. "You like them like that?" "Oh yes." He leaned forward and took one into his mouth. "When do you have to go back?" "The day after tomorrow." "Then we'd best not waste any time." This time she howled even louder.
A familiar smell woke Chekov. A large pot of coffee and a traditional Russian breakfast sat on a tray by the bed. The other side of the bed was empty, cold. He checked the bathroom just in case, but Tani was gone. As he poured a mug of coffee he saw an envelope on the tray. He opened it to reveal one emerald earring and a note. //My Dearest Pavel, Our time together has ended. I'm sorry but it has to be this way. You are a sweet, lovely man, and deserve much better. Thank you for everything. You will always hold a special place in my heart. You have time to eat, and when you are ready to go you will find a drone outside that will lead you to the gate. Once again, thank you. Love It had started off as a little friendly fornication with a willing girl, but Chekov felt that with time it could have been something more. He wasn't normally inclined to introspection, but this time he found himself grieving for the could have beens, and wondering if he should, could, have done anything differently. Sulu was waiting for him when he reached the beam down point. "Where did you get to?" he asked. "I met a girl." "Who was she? What was she like?" Chekov just shook his head. Normally the trouble with Chekov was getting him to shut up about what he had been doing. He never divulged intimate details, but he would always tell Sulu about the girl, whether she was funny or serious, what she looked like, her voice. This time, nothing. When, after a few days he still hadn't spoken about what had happened Sulu began to worry. He asked Uhura who decided that Chekov had a crush, and invited them both to her quarters that night. After a few drinks Chekov loosened up enough to give them the bare bones of the encounter. It was obvious that it had affected him very deeply, but there was nothing that they could do other than advise him to chalk it up to experience. The next day the newly crowned king and queen came aboard for a tour. Captain Kirk himself escorted them. Chekov was busy with his board so he didn't see them come onto the bridge. When the captain introduced them he looked up into a pair of startlingly green eyes in a warm chocolaty skin, topped with silver hair. "Are you all right, Mr. - Chekov, isn't it?" the woman asked. "I – er- Ye- yes. I'm sorry, Your Majesty. You reminded me of someone." "Oh? Pleasant memories I hope?" "Very pleasant." "Good. Now then, Captain, what's that station over there?" "What's wrong?" Sulu whispered as they walked away. "You look like you've seen a ghost." "That's her," Chekov replied. "That's Tani." "What?! No. It may have looked like her…" "It was her. Didn't you see? She only had one earring on. One emerald earring." "No, it must be a coincidence. What would somebody like her be doing hanging around a space port picking up men?" Chekov couldn't answer. They told Uhura about it later. She agreed with Sulu. When the Enterprise broke orbit the mystery remained unsolved.
"It has been a year since our visit to Savina. At first things seemed to be going well but recent indications are that they are again on the verge of war. As one of the witnesses to the signing of the treaty I have been ordered back to the planet to see if disaster can be averted." Jim switched off the recorder. "What is it Uhura?" "We're being hailed Captain." "On audio, please." "…Enterprise, Seshai to U.S.S. Enterprise. It is strongly recommended that you do not come any closer." "This is the Enterprise. Troy is that you?" "Jim? Yes. I'm on board my skiff. I will be with you in a few minutes. May I come aboard? It is urgent." "Yes, of course. What is it?" "I'll tell you when I get there." Ten minutes later Troy was escorted onto the bridge. He was carrying a baby which he handed to Chekov. "Pavel Chekov, this is Prince Andercoryan. Your son." "My – my son? Tani?" "Yes. I have a message which explains everything." Uhura came over and took a data wafer which she slotted into her console. The screen shimmered and cleared to show a woman with green eyes and silver hair. She was holding a baby. "Pavel, hallo again. Yes, this is your son. Our son. It's time for some explanations. You were never meant to know about this, but things have changed. When Rhadomassin and I married we had never met. We agreed to it because it was the only way anybody could see that might prevent another war. To really consolidate the treaty I needed to have a child, and people had to believe he was fathered by my husband. Unfortunately it wasn't possible. "Although we gave them up as too dirty even for us, in the past we have experimented with both chemical and biological weapons. They caused terrible genetic damage. A large percentage of our population cannot have healthy children. Rhadomassin is one of them. "No doubt there are many Savinad men who would be suitable donors, but there was too much at stake. We could never trust them to keep the secret. It seemed that our only hope was an outsider, someone who didn't know who I was. A little research showed that Humans and Savinad are close enough to breed without any problem. We have agents on Earth who gained access to the medical records of your crew, and you were genetically the closest match. Troy came up with the idea of me accidentally meeting you and… If you were not willing I was to stun you and we would take what we needed. "I am so, so sorry, but you must understand. We were desperate. I was also given drugs to use if I did not find you appealing. As soon as I saw you I knew they would not be needed. I never expected to enjoy our time together as much as I did. I certainly never thought that I would develop feelings for you. If it is any consolation, leaving you that morning was the hardest thing I have ever done, until now. "Anyway, it's all come to nothing. Somehow, somebody found out and here we go again, treading the same old path. This time there will be no turning back. "I am supposed to give you all sorts of instructions about bringing Ander up in the finest traditions of our people, but as they include constant warfare and now mass suicide they're probably best forgotten. I would just ask that you do your best for him, and try to love him as I do." An aide came up and whispered in Tani's ear. She gave the baby a final hug and handed him to the aide. She bowed her head for a moment, and then straightened. "The queen thanks you for you help in this delicate matter. Tani… Tani wishes things could have been different." The screen went dark. Uhura was sobbing quietly. Jim put his hand on Chekov's shoulder. "Pavel, if there's anything…." "Captain." "Yes, Mr. Spock?" "Missiles launched. Both sides." "Shields up!" They watched the destruction in mute horror. Explosions dotted the planet's surface, slowly at first, then faster until they formed a chain reaction. When the fury died away there was nothing left but rubble. "Spock?" "Total destruction, Captain. The largest piece is no larger than a shuttlecraft." "Oh God. Troy – I don't know what to say. You're welcome to stay with us of course." "Thank you Jim, but no. I have been with my princess since she was born. I will not leave her now. I am going home." Jim escorted Troy to the transporter room, and handled the controls himself. Back on the bridge he watched as Troy piloted his small raft until it reached the point where the capital city should have been. Then it exploded.
Jim and Spock entered McCoy's office. Chekov was feeding the baby. He tried to stand but Jim motioned him to carry on. "Pavel, I've had a message from the Federation Council. They are not going to force you into anything, but as Ander is the last member of the royal house of Savina, they feel that the council should take responsibility for him." "The royal house of a dead people from a planet that no longer exists. With respect sir, he is not the council's child, he is mine. I will decide." "Well said, Ensign," Spock murmured. Jim shot him a look. "He will be well taken care of." "I will decide." "Okay. We'll support you in whatever you do. Have you given it any thought?" "Yes sir. My sister and her husband want children." "But?" "But they went to Daria 4." Daria 4 was the biggest scandal of recent times. Whether it was incompetence or something worse had yet to be determined. The planet had been cleared for colonization despite high levels of Heinlein radiation. Within two years the entire population was sterile. "Where are they now?" Chekov hesitated. "Deneva. They went out with the relief effort and decided to stay. They say it is very beautiful." "It is. I hope they'll be very happy there. Right mister, from now until we reach Deneva you are on special duty. You are our ambassador to the last remaining member of the Royal House of Savina." "Yes sir. Thank you sir." "Tani was a very special lady." "She was. I loved her." There was nothing Jim could say to that.
Ten days later they arrived at Deneva. Elena and Manfred were waiting for them. The formalities were quickly concluded and Andrei, as he was to be known, was welcomed into the Keppler home. The Enterprise was in orbit for a week. Just before they left Elena and Manfred brought Andrei aboard so that everybody could say goodbye. Although it had only been a few days, they had all grown fond of the baby. In fact it looked as though they might have to break Uhura's arms to get her to let go of him. Manfred thanked Chekov for trusting them with his child. Chekov said that he couldn't think of a better home for him. When they left both Chekov and Elena were in tears and there was a lot of surreptitious sniffing from Uhura and Chapel. When he entered the bridge Jim was surprised to see Chekov at his post. "Are you alright, Pavel? You can have another few days if you need them." "No thank you Sir. I'd rather get back to normal, if I may." "Of course. Right, lay in a course for the Romulan Neutral Zone. We're overdue for a border patrol. Ahead warp factor 2." FIN |