Title: The Keepers

“Sickbay.” Kirk told the computer. “Opinions, Gentlemen.”

“I don’t know what to make of them Jim.” McCoy said shaking his head. “Nila suddenly appeared on the Bridge, and I checked with Scotty, no transporter beam was used – so how did she get aboard? Ambassador Engel talks like he’s your best pal but then he’ll ask something that is unsettling.”

“What has he asked you?” Kirk asked.

“Remember the duplicate Earth we ran across a few years back?” McCoy asked to which Kirk nodded. “Well Ambassador Engel asked me what the vaccine felt like and why I did I constantly think about my daughter during the mission.

“Now the thing is I never put in my report about my thoughts on my daughter, only about the effects of the vaccine.” McCoy explained. “Then he began asking me about my divorce in detail which made me think he had met my wife before; when I asked him he said he never met the woman. I’m a little unsettled with how he knows something that I never told anyone – not even you Jim.” Kirk nodded remembering Engel’s unsettling question to him which he relayed to McCoy and Spock.

“What about you Spock?” Kirk asked. “Ambassador Engel seems to talk to you quite a bit. Has he asked you anything that he shouldn’t know about?”

“No Captain, Lord Christopher has not.” Spock said without missing a beat.

“Well you seem to have no problem using the ‘Lord’ title that he claims to have.” McCoy commented.

“I only use it out of respect for the Ambassador.” Spock said raising his eyebrows. The turbo lift stopped and all three men walked to Sickbay to continue their discussion.

“How is everything going?” Lady Nila asked her husband in an old Terran language called Latin. She wanted to talk with Lord Christopher, who she had not seen for several days, but did not want to speak through telepathy so she picked a language that the Federation did not require any one to learn. The rest of the Bridge crew continued their work not wanting to disturbed Lady Nila or Lord Christopher.

“So far everything is as we thought.” Lord Christopher said also speaking in Latin. “They are good people and they wish to learn all that they can.”

“But for what purpose?” Lady Nila asked making another adjustment to the helms control.

“You’re beginning to sound like Lord Cruz.” Lord Christopher responded back surprised at his wife.

“Lord Cruz does have a point when it comes to the varies members of the Federation – ”

“Lord Cruz has bias opinions that are not well founded.” Lord Christopher said cutting his wife off. “You’re forgetting that I am Terran.”

“Not for a long time.” Lady Nila reminded him.

“So do you think the Captain is beginning to get scared of us?” Lord Christopher asked changing the subject; he did not end the topic, it was just to be finished at another time.

“He will be soon – they all will once we reach Vitae Custos.” Lady Nila said. “I still say their too young to be given such knowledge as the Keepers possess.”

“And my sister says they can be taught.” He said firmly.

“You and the Lady Philomena are basing your entire judgment on the fact you personally know three out of many members of the Federation.” Lady Nila said rather pointedly . “I will say that those three are rather unique individuals, but they are only one family within the Federation.”

Lord Christopher looked carefully at his wife. “You’re getting at something, aren’t you?”

“I have my suspicions,” Lady Nila said holding up her hands to a surrendering pose. “Nothing more then that.”

“Then we will discuss this later in an area more private then the Bridge.” Lord Christopher said taking his wife’s hand and kissing it. “And I have my own suspicions.” He added.

What they did not realize was that Uhura listen to them very careful and wrote down what they said phonetically to translate later through the universal translator.

“Spock knows something and he’s not telling us.” McCoy told Kirk when Spock left.

“What do you mean?” Kirk asked taking the offered glass of whiskey from McCoy’s hand.

“Usually he would be hyper-analyzing the whole situation and would have several theories as to who exactly the Keepers are.” McCoy said taking a swig from his own glass of whiskey. “Also he had no problem switching titles for Engel.”

“I think you’re just annoyed that he didn’t banter with you during our discussion.” Kirk smiled at the Doctor.

“That’s my point – he didn’t.” McCoy said putting down his glass. “Spock usually jumps at the chance to point out how human I am with my illogical conclusions that I jump to without enough information. Not once during our whole talk did he say ‘illogical’ or ‘fascinating’. ”

“I hadn’t notice.” Kirk said emptying his glass. “Maybe Spock does know something but he doesn’t want to say anything until he knows his theory is correct.”

“Maybe,” McCoy reluctantly concurred. “But I feel as though Spock was trying to defend Ambassador Engel against us.”

“You too?” Kirk asked; he felt the same way about his first officer. “Maybe he’s just trying to find the logic in the situation before he says anything.”

“Anyway you need to rest – you’ve been working non-stop since Ambassador Engel arrived.”

“Yes you’re right.” Kirk resisted the urge to yawn; he didn’t want to provide McCoy any further proof of his tiredness.

“I know I’m right – now get some rest.” McCoy ordered motioning Kirk to the door.

“Alright, I’m heading to my quarters.” Kirk smiled at the Doctor and left suppressing another yawn.

When Spock left Sickbay he knew the Doctor and the Captain suspected something; he could read their expression easily. He did not allow it to faze him in the slightest. All the questions that the Captain and Doctor had would be answered when they reached Vitae Custos.

Spock felt excited to be returning to Vitae Custos; he had been there once visited Lord Christopher and Lady Mina when was younger, before he joined Starfleet. It was an enlightening experience but what he enjoyed most was that unlike the people of Vulcan the people on Vitae Custos accepted him as he was with no expectations.

As his shift was over Spock returned to his quarters for meditation and to relax. But before he began either he inserted into his computer the disk given to him by Lord Christopher from Lady Mina. He almost smiled when he saw that it was a message from Lady Mina.

The message was simple; an apology for not being able to come and a request for him to visit her when he reached Vitae Custos if it was possible. Lady Mina explained that the Captain would be offered shore leave for him and his crew since they were to be at Vitae Custos for a long period of time as a possible avenue for Spock to come planet-side.

Spock weighed the possibilities in his mind; it would be pleasant to visit Vitae Custos and Lady Mina again. The problem arose in the fact that none of the crew knew of his prior acquaintance with the Engels or his visit to the planet below them and the fact that he rarely took shore leave. Most if his meditation was spent on how to solve his little conflict.

Authoress' Note: More mystery! I really do hope everyone is enjoying the story and thanks so much for the feedback! Please let me know what you think!