Continuing our story—

“I had trouble sleeping,” the teen explained. “I couldn’t stop thinking about meeting the two of you and what it might mean for the future. My uncle is…” She paused, her voice cracking. “Was good to me. He and my aunt were decent, and they loved my cousins and me. I was never mistreated.”

“But?” Jim’s mother prompted.

“Uncle Tolar got involved with the syndicate. I used to hear them talking about it and how he got in too deep. I don’t know what happened exactly but it all went bad. That house we just left? We’d only moved there a short time ago. We had to flee our old house because they knew where we lived. My uncle thought we were safe at the new place.” She let out a little sob. “But I guess they found us.”

Jim saw his mom put her arm around the girl’s shoulders. He turned to look forward.

“How did you end up in Spock’s hover car?” he asked.

She hiccupped. “Because I wasn’t sleeping, I heard them arrive. I knew-I knew someone shouldn’t be coming to the house then. I knew it was bad. I wanted to warn everyone but there wasn’t much time. Uncle Tolar came out of his room, he’d heard them too. He saw me and told me to run.”

“Easy,” his mother said. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say more.”

Jim bit back a denial on that.

“I went out the window by the kitchen and tried to figure out where I could run, how I could get away with them right there in the house. Then I saw the Vulcan coming toward your window. I saw his vehicle. I knew he had to be coming for you, so I got in the car and hid there.”

“Thank goodness you did,” Mom said.

Spock had remained silent until then. Now he said, “Who is she exactly, Jim?”

Jim blew out a long breath. “Remember Gaila, from the Academy. She was Uhura’s roommate.”

“Yes, I recall.”

“We were involved…before the test. Before everything with Vulcan. I guess…she was pregnant and never told me. Desda is that child.”

“And yet you found her when you were here,” Spock replied.

“Coincidence, I think. We’re here for those kids. My mom’s grandniece and nephew. Gaila’s brother, Tolar, recognized me as the man Gaila had been involved with and brough Mom and me to his house. I don’t think he knew what was about to happen.”

“He didn’t,” Desda insisted. “I think he wanted us to meet, though. That maybe you would take me with you when you left Orion.”

“You must have other relatives here.”

“Jim!” His mother admonished.

Jim pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just…I need time to think. Time to get this in my head.” He glanced at Spock. “Wait. How are you here? Your dad said you were undergoing Kolinahr.”

“Yes.”

“Was it successful?”

Spock looked at him, his expression unreadable. “We are about to arrive at the school where your relatives are alleged to be. Please prepare for arrival.”