Tuvok scanned the manifests of all incoming ships docking throughout Vulcan, looking for a familiar name. He no longer just looked at those ships coming from Earth since that traffic had fallen off dramatically after the first day of Vulcan's quarrantine. Unfortunately not every ship posted their passenger lists and he would meet the most likely ships at port to watch as the passengers disembarked.
It wasn't like he was shirking his own Star fleet duties to do this research. He had returned home for his Ponn Far reunion with T'Pel and soon after his blood fever broke they became aware that a crisis had occured between the Federation and Vulcan. He could no more leave Vulcan and return to his ship than he could force Perrin to allow him entrance within her home.
As he prepared to leave yet another spaceport empty handed, he heard a freighter Captain arguing with a Vulcan Port Officer about his cargo. He would have simply walked on except something struck him about the woman draped on the Captain's arm, and he stopped to listen.
"I don't care what your records show, I haven't been anywhere near the K9 sector, nor would I EVER consider transporting those damnable puff balls! I did that once, YEARS ago and it took me three months to dig them out of the machinery!"
The Port Officer kept looking at his pad and up at the ship sitting on his landing pads. "This is 'The Erstwhile', is it not?"
The captain rolled his eyes at the obvious, as he was standing directly under the name painted on the ship's bow. "Yes."
The Vulcan checked off something on the pad, "And you are Captain Thadiun Okona, wanted by Federation authorities on 2 different colonies."
Okona took exception at this. "Yes and NO! I am Captain Okona, but the charges on both colonies were dropped ages ago. I'm sure if you com them they will clear up this misunderstanding immediately."
The Port Officer looked at the outrageous human with equanamity."We are unable to com any other Federation world at the moment, something which I'm sure you are aware." Okona shrugged his shoulders at the woman attached to his arm as the Vulcan went through his checklist once more. "Our standard protocol is to refuse you entrance to our world, Captain Okona, until we can be assured you are being truthful. Your choice is to stay here in our holding area, or to leave Vulcan immediately."
Tuvok moved to the side so he could get a better look at the Captain when suddenly a deep throaty voice spoke up to ask, "Officer, it I may be so bold to inquire, is there any restriction on me visiting your world?"
The Starfleet commander would have smiled at the sound of her voice, if Vulcans did that kind of thing, and he started forward towards the trio as they officer started to look through his pad for THAT protocol. "And you are?" he asked as he readied himself to run a criminal search on her name.
The woman smiled, "Phoebe Janeway, I'm originally from Bloomington, Indianna on Earth, but have been living on Kronos for the last 3 years studying with their art masters."
As the Vulcan started his newest search, Tuvok came up behind him. "Madame Janeway, I apologize for not meeting you when you arrived, your Captain obviously made better time than he predicted. Would you like to go directly to the gallery, or to your quarters?"
The auburn haired woman smiled widely at the tall dark Vulcan before her as she responded, "My quarters would be heavenly. Captain Okona's ship, though piloted expertly, was a little short on creature comforts."
Okona scoffed behind his hand as he suggested that wasn't what she said "last" night. Tuvok could see her carefully step on one of Okona's feet to stop any further revelations as the Vulcan Port Officer looked up from his pad.
"There are no current warrants out for you, Madame Janeway. You may proceed to customs."
Captain Okona looked at Tuvok and gave him a head nod towards the ship, "Since I'm stuck here, can you help me with her baggage Mister....?"
"Tuvok." answered the Vulcan.
"Mister Tuvok, right. You know women, they never can travel with just one jump bag." and Okona began carrying down the first of 5 bags, which caused Tuvok's eyebrow to rise significantly as he turned to Janeway.
"Three years was a long time on Kronos. One tends to accumulate things when you're in one place that long." she explained with a smile.
"Indeed." he answered as he picked up four bags, while she grabbed the remaining suitcase. "This way, Madame. I'll call for a transport once we clear customs."
"Thank-you, Mr. Tuvok." She then turned back to Okona to whisper a goodbye. "You are a good friend, Thad, too good."
He leaned down to ask if she wanted him to wait and she shook her head. She knew it was too dangerous for him to remain at a Federation facility any longer than absolutely necessary. Once the com traffic started again and they knew he was a wanted man, he would be arrested and his ship confiscated... again. He smiled forlornly at her decision, then kissed her goodbye.
Tuvok readjusted the 4 bags he was carrying several times as he waited for the kiss to end. He finally considered putting them down when Janeway pulled away at last. She touched his face gently one last time, then turned to follow Tuvok to customs without a backwards glance.
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