From shannara@pnx.com Fri Jul 5 13:50:57 1996 Received: from pnx.com (pnx.com [199.190.97.2]) by Zeus.Token.Net (8.7.4/8.7.3) with SMTP id NAA01062 for <trek@token.net>; Fri, 5 Jul 1996 13:50:40 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <199607051750.NAA01062@Zeus.Token.Net> X-ROUTED: Fri, 5 Jul 1996 12:44:02 -0500 Received: from shannara.pnx.com [199.190.97.107] by pnx.com with smtp id AMCKDGCJ ; Fri, 5 Jul 1996 12:42:54 -0500 Reply-To: "shannara@pnx.com" <shannara@pnx.com> From: "shannara" <shannara@pnx.com> To: "trek@token.net" <trek@token.net> Subject: "Freeze and Thaw" (TOS) (h/c) Date: Fri, 5 Jul 1996 12:41:57 -0500 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Priority: 3 X-Mailer: Microsoft Internet Mail MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_01BB6A6F.5A8FACA0" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Status: OR This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_01BB6A6F.5A8FACA0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit This is for the archive. SYNOPSIS of "Freeze and Thaw" (TOS) (h/c): The Kzinti (from TAS) have decided they are ready to put aside their warlike ways and join the Federation. Ambassador Sarek and Admiral Kirk are assigned to meet with the Kzinti and evaluate them for member- ship. Can Sarek and Kirk work together despite Sarek's grudge against Kirk? ------=_NextPart_000_01BB6A6F.5A8FACA0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: .txt (Text Document) Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="freeze.txt" copyright June 1996 to Laurie D. Haynes and LoneStar Trek No reprints without permission of the author. No license infringement intended on any holder of Star Trek licenses Freeze and Thaw By Laurie D. Haynes Sitting in the Kzinti council chamber, Kirk shivered from more than the cold air. His associate in the negotiations was freezing him out. Kirk recalled when Sarek beamed aboard the Enterprise. At that time, the admiral attributed Sarek's aloof demeanor to typical Vulcan non-emotionalism. As the trip to Kzin progressed, Kirk came to realize Sarek was avoiding him. Even when he tried to discuss the upcoming negotiations, the ambassador would only give him terse answers, then excuse himself, saying he had matters to attend to. Kirk wished Amanda had accompanied her husband. He might have been able to gain her help with Sarek. Finally, the admiral consulted with his first officer about his father. While playing their nightly game of chess, Kirk brought up the subject. "Spock, maybe it;s my imagination, but your father seems to have something against me. Has he said anything to you?" Spock slowly raised his eyes from the chessboard to meet those of his friend. "My father was very ... pleased when I went to Gol. He felt I was finally proving myself a true Vulcan." Understanding dawned in Kirk's eyes. "And now, he's mad because you returned to Starfleet." " 'Mad?' " Spock repeated, his mouth quirking. Kirk grinned and said, "No, of course not, Vulcans don't get mad. Shall we say he thought your actions were devoid of logic?" Spock steepled his fingers and nodded. "So why's he mad at me?" "He is aware it was my loyalty and friendship for you that brought me back to the Enterprise," Spock replied. Kirk smiled at the irony. "As glad as I am to have you back, I regret I'm causing your relationship with your father to fall apart. I thought after the Babel mission, he'd accepted you being in Starfleet," Spock answered, "My father had accepted the fact, but when I returned to Vulcan to study with the elders, he felt I had finally 'come to my senses.' " * * * * * * * The sound of Sarek clearing his throat snapped Kirk out of his reverie. The Kzinti contingent was entering the room. The male was a particularly large golden-furred feline. The female, following a few steps behind, was sleek and black and obviously pregnant. Removing his cape, the male handed it to the female, who draped it across her arms and retreated to the corner of the room where a cushioned chair stood. The male nodded and she sat down. "I am Kazar, king of the Kzinti," the male announced. "My mate is Kyrea. She bears my son." Towering over them, Kazar regarded Sarek with scorn and addressed Kirk, "Why have you brought this ... plant eater to these chambers?" Kirk stood also and replied evenly, "Sarek is one of our finest ambassadors. If you wish to join the Federation, you must learn to respect the customs of other beings." Kazar barely restrained a sneer. He seemed to think for a moment, then replied, "Very well, he may remain. Sit, Kirk." Both standing, now, the admiral and the ambassador faced the king across the table. Once Kazar was seated, Kirk and Sarek sat back down. The admiral spared a glance at the heavily-clothed Vulcan. Sarek shivered slightly. "Kazar," said Kirk, "would it be possible to increase the temperature in here a bit? It's pretty cold." The feline eyed the admiral with disdain. "I find the temperature quite refreshing, Admiral Kirk," replied Kazar. "However, if you weaker species cannot handle a little cool air ..." "Our weaker species did manage to defeat your people in four different wars," Kirk pointed out. Sarek broke in, giving the impression of long-suffering patience, "Gentlemen, this is leading nowhere. We are here to talk peace, not refight old wars." "You are correct, Ambassador," Kazar conceded reluctantly, his eyes glinting. "My apologies, admiral." The Kzinti turned to his wife and ordered, "Kyrea, adjust the temperature for our guests." She complied, adjusting a control on the wall near her. "Thank you, King Kazar," Kirk said. Kazar took a deep breath and started the talks. "My people want to return to space" he said. "We are willing to make peace with the Federation -- even to become members if that is what is necessary. Our population is just now beginning to recover from the effects of our wars. We do not wish to lose what we have gained by engaging in another war." Sarek nodded and said, "Of course, you realize we must study your people to see if they meet the requirements for Federation membership." The pupils of Kazar's emerald eyes lessened to slits. "You are saying we are not good enough? Do you doubt my promise of peace?" Kirk shook his head and replied, "That's not it at all, Kazar. Every world goes through this before being admitted to the Federation." Sarek agreed and explained, "In many cases, the world is not sufficiently advanced technologically. I hardly think this is the case with your world, but there are other factors involved. Do you keep slaves, for instance?" Kazar said, "There was a time, about 60 years ago, when we made slaves of captured prisoners. No longer." Kirk nodded toward Kyrea and noted, "You treat your wife like a slave." Kazar seemed genuinely surprised as he answered, "She is a female. The females are born to serve the males. In return, we protect them and provide for them. We also cherish them." Kirk said, "In our society, the females and males are equal. They work together to take care of themselves and protect themselves." Kazar replied, "Our females are content with their place in our society." Sarek suggested, "Perhaps we could speak with your mate?" Kirk agreed, "Yes, let's get her view of her place in your society." "Very well," Kazar consented. "Talk with her. You will see I am right." He turned and beckoned to his mate. "Kyrea, come here," he ordered. She rose slowly and made her way to the council table. "Yes, my husband?" Kazar told her, "These outworlders wish to question you about your role in our society." "My role?" she asked in confusion. "My role is to serve my husband, to bear his children." Kirk studied Kyrea closely. She looked to him to be very weary. He gestured to a chair. "Why don't you sit down? We want to discuss this." "A female does not sit at the council table," she replied. Sarek looked at Kazar and arched an eyebrow as he said, "Perhaps your husband will allow it this once." Kazar pulled a chair out beside him and indicated she should sit down. She did so gratefully. Sarek began questioning her, "If you could, would you like to have work outside the home -- work like the males do?" Her eyes glazed dreamily for a moment, then she answered, "There was a time when I wanted to be a healer. Since I cannot, I am content being the wife of the king. He protects me and will protect our children. I am happy." Kirk reached over and took her hand gently, turning it palm up. "You don't seem to need much protection," he said. "you have formidable weapons of self-defense." He tapped her claws with his finger. "Very formidable." Kazar suddenly snarled and slammed his fully-extended claws down on Kirk's forearm. The admiral cried out in surprise and pain as the claws penetrated his sleeve and his arm. Kazar withdrew the claws, but growled menacingly. "She is my female," the Kzinti said. "No other male may touch her." Kirk clutched his arm, which was bleeding badly. "I meant no insult," he said. Kazar glared at him, then said, "Wait here." The feline rose and escorted his mate from the chamber. Sarek snapped, "Why do you think all females are susceptible to your charm, Kirk?" With a sigh, the Vulcan offered, "Let me see your arm. Are you badly hurt?" "No," Kirk replied and brought his arm close to his chest. Seeing the stubborn look on Sarek's face, Kirk extended his arm. The blood was q...
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