#logicborn

She’d been watching them from the shadows. Seeing which of her fosters had potential and which did not. Not that any of them would go to waste. They all served at least one purpose for the Emperor. Her fosterlings were all hostages. As long as she held their eldest children, her lords, admirals, and governors would not dare to turn against her. And the ones with potential could be trained to replace their parents as a loyal army to defend the Terran Empire.

Her eyes narrowed as Michael, the orphan she’d chosen to adopt, brought up her blade just in time to keep the lanky half-breed Vulcan from removing her head with his own sword. Spock was so fast, and she cared about him almost as much as she did her daughter. It didn’t hurt that the boy was ruthless. His logic gave him a tongue as sharp as the blades he wore, and he’d go far in Starfleet. Philippa couldn’t wait to see how he turned out once he went through the Academy.

“Go shower, Michael. I want to spend some time with your brother, Spock.” When their sparring practice was over, she stepped onto the field. The sunlight reflecting like a nova off her golden body armor. She’d taken him under her wing when Michael took a shine to him that matched her own, and she was very fond of Spock’s mother. His father, was a faithful operative of hers for Section 31 as well. It was only right that she care for him like he was her own.

“Walk with me, Spock. I want to hear about your plans for the future.” Georgiou left her long coat with one of her Kelpian slaves and began to walk with the boy. He was taller than she was now with long legs and a straight back. He was beautiful.

The changes to Enterprise were going to take some getting used to, but after spending months on a ship powered by mushrooms, Chris Pike knew he’d adapt. It was good to be in the newer primary colored uniforms. It was a hell of a lot easier to read someone’s rank by the bands on their wrist instead of trying to pick out tiny little pips on their badge. Whoever thought that was a great idea was a damned fool.

He had a bright smile on his face as he headed toward the new science labs even though he didn’t feel it—not the way he used to. Before the he’d touched that damned crystal, he’d worked for a positive future full or hope, but now, he wasn’t sure what to do. The Federation would survive, and it would thrive. But he wouldn’t. How was he supposed to deal with his fate?

“Stop thinking about years from now, Christopher,” he mumbled to himself as he made the last turn toward where the computer said he’d fine Spock. “The present. The new future. That’s what matters. As long as you’re on Enterprise, you’ll be fine.”

Bright red doors of the computer core whooshed open and shut behind him. It was quiet inside, which wasn’t a surprise. Spock didn’t talk to himself, and he was alone in the chamber. “Spock, you’re in the wrong uniform.” The smile on Pike’s face wasn’t forced this time. He was happy to see him and couldn’t wait to give him the news. “My chief science officer is a lieutenant-commander.”

P O S I T I V I T Y !!