Absolute
(a word from SCORPIO; this “chapter” is being “simucasted” for both the 19th and 21st Century stories. It is very important and so that no one who is reading this story misses it, I am publishing it in both story lines…sorry if the double post comes off as too much...)
James T Kirk and Edith Keeler were at a loss for words. The ride from the saloon to Kincaid’s estate took close to an hour, and the carriage was escorted by two armed guards. When the ride came to an end, Kirk and Edith were both surprised to see what the destination was; the home where McCoy had been raised from the time he was a child. It had totally slipped Kirk’s mind that McCoy had told him that the mansion was called the Kincaid estate. And now, that Kirk was in the past, in the home that one day would have a young Leonard McCoy running through it, it all made some kind of since; or did it.
“You have been here?” Spock asked, upon seeing the expressions on Kirk’s and Edith’s faces.
“Yes,” Edith said, “In the future, in our time, this home belonged to Dr. McCoy’s adoptive mother. This is where he was raised, from the time he was a baby I think.”
Spock looked to Kirk, almost as if he needed verification.
“She’s right,” Kirk told Spock. “McCoy’s parents were killed in a tragic accident, and he was adopted by a woman named Gretchen Bennett. She, and her husband, both descended from families that had ancestors that were part of this estate. And as the story goes, as best as I can remember, Kincaid built this place, and upon his death, let the slaves care for the home. And so, through the decades, it was handed down from family to family.”
“Weren’t you supposed to go with him for the reading of the will?” Edith asked.
“Yes, I was,” Kirk replied, “Until we beamed up to the Enterprise and got wrapped up in the whole deal with the Klingons and I’lanti.”
Spock shook his head, conveying an air of disbelief.
“Jim,” Spock finally said, “the odds that we were randomly brought to this point of time are increasing beyond control. I now believe we were brought here for a specific purpose and that the theory that time can be traveled just as a ship sails across the water, with help from unseen currents, is true.”
“Are you a poet now? What are you saying,” Edith asked, “that our being here, my nearly being raped by that mad man, are all part of God’s plan.”
“No,” Spock replied, “there are no deities involved here at all Ms. Keeler. All I am saying is that there is more going on here than,” Spock searched for the right phrase, “meets the eye.”
“Or it’s the work of God,” Edith protested.
“I didn’t think you believed in God,” Kirk said with a teasing smile.
“I don’t,” Edith said, “but when I was about to whipped by that man, I prayed, and,” she paused to stop her self from crying, “I was saved.”
Kirk held her hand in his; trying to absorb the pain she felt.
--
Moments later the three travelers from the 21st Century were brought into the mansion. With the soldiers still guarding them, it had been decided by Kirk and the others to limit all conversation about being from the future. The soldiers escorting them seemed to be well mannered, and very respectful of Edith being a woman. A kindly black woman, in her fifties at least, brought them a change of clothing and took their clothes to be washed.
Edith, still distraught from the day’s events, was escorted to one of the many room, where and, after a bath alone in solitude, she found comfort on the large bed in the center of the room. Kirk sat by her side and smiled at her beauty as her eyes, being as tired as they were, closed and she found sleep. Content that she was safe from harm, Kirk returned downstairs.
Kirk found Mr. Spock looking at the collection of art that decorated the wall of the main den.
“I never fancied Vulcan’s appreciating human artwork,” Kirk said, as he entered the den.
“Do not forget, Jim Kirk,” Spock replied, “I am half human. Vulcan art, at least the Vulcan art from my universe, was usually pornographic and featured multiples of women engaged in sexual acts with each other. The art of this world, your Earth, is very interesting, and far more intelligent.”
“You know,” Kirk said to Spock, “you should think about visiting the Vulcan of this universe. The Sarek and Amanda from this universe are very interesting and complex. And don’t forget that they lost a son to that other universe, and I am quite sure they would be very interested in meeting you.”
“I am not here to replace their son,” Spock said, in a cold tone.
“I know,” Kirk said, “maybe the thought of meeting them frightens you.” Kirk said it that way as subtle challenge.
“I fear nothing,” Spock said quickly. “Your attempt at subterfuge will not increase the odds of my deciding to meet them or not.”
“Aha,” Kirk said, “at least I have you thinking about it.”
“I always found the human ability to find meaning in simple words most entertaining,” Spock countered.
Before Kirk could respond to Spock’s words, General George Kincaid came into the den, and then shut the door, and locked it, leaving the three of them alone in the room.
“Welcome to my home,” Kincaid said to Kirk and Spock, “I quite imagine that you two have questions to ask. However, before we start, I must ask you a question first.”
“Go right ahead,” Kirk said.
“Would you like some bourbon?” Kincaid said with a smile.
Kirk replied with his own smile.
“That would be nice,” Kirk said.
Kincaid walked over to the small liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of bourbon. He poured only two glasses.
“I won’t bother pouring you a glass,” Kincaid said to Spock “You’re a Vulcan.”
“Actually,” Spock replied, “I am half human, and hail from a Universe where Vulcan Ale is known to be one of the most powerful drinks in the galaxy.”
“Is it blue?” Kirk asked.
“Red,” Spock replied.
Kincaid motioned for them to sit on one of the large couches, and then he handed them their glasses. They each took a drink, letting the warmth of the liquid drain down their throats.
“Very nice,” Kirk said.
“Thank you,” Kincaid said, enjoying his own glass too.
“Now, please,” Kirk finally said, “who are you and what is going on? How did you know my friend was a Vulcan?”
“Let me show you something first,” Kincaid said, as he stood up.
At first nothing happened, and then Kirk and Spock watched as Kincaid shape shifted into an owl and then a mouse and then (to continue, PLEASE follow this
link)