“So what’s it like?” Chapel asked. “Finally getting to see your sister’s world?”

He sighed. “It’s… intense. Your world. Bizarre and stressful, compared to my cozy research lab back in Kampala.” He gave Chapel an appraising look. “But it clearly forges powerful bonds among its members. I’m grateful that Nyota found some family in the wake of her memory loss.”

Chapel held his gaze. “I was the one who did the bulk of the work re-educating Nyota after Nomad. I really came to feel a sense of responsibility for her. And even though her memory had been effectively reset to zero, I felt I got to know her better than ever before. Her keen mind, her eagerness to learn. Her love of music, her warmth, her playfulness. The things that remained intrinsic parts of her even without her memories.”

He studied her. “Why did you keep her aboard the ship? Why not send her home to recuperate?”

She sighed. “We were out in deep space. Nomad damaged us, and by the time we were able to limp toward a starbase, another emergency came up and we had to divert. By then, Uhura was already back on duty, because she learned so fast. She was given the option of a medical leave…”

He nodded. “But she refused. She didn’t want to face us.”

Chapel touched his hand. “She didn’t want to be reminded of what she’d lost. Remember, she only lost episodic memories, not emotional bonds. She could bear facing her crewmates more than her family, because losing her memories of her crewmates didn’t hurt as much.”

Malcolm thought that over in silence for a time. It was a good, soothing thought.

The next thing he knew, he was waking up on the couch hours later with a blanket draped over him. He smiled. Christine Chapel was good to the Uhura family.

Chapter Fourteen

Starfleet Security Headquarters

“Free Ashley! Free Ashley! Free Ashley!”

Vekal stood with Targeemos on the periphery of the group of protestors standing outside Starfleet Security Headquarters. The two cadets did not join in their chant, but they offered tacit support with their proximity. Vekal saw little logic in the idea that repeatedly restating a demand would increase the likelihood of it being granted, but apparently it had a symbolic value for these emotional beings, and Vekal wished to express his support for the peace movement’s goals. His concern about Starfleet’s intentions for the Warborn had only been exacerbated by the events of the peace activists’ recent visit, and upon learning that Targeemos shared his concerns, he had suggested approaching the activists and offering their support.

Beside him, the natural-born Arcturian shifted her weight and looked around nervously, betraying a level of conviction rather weaker than Vekal’s. “Are you sure it’s okay to be out with them in public?” she asked, a variation on an inquiry she had posed several times already.