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The Enterprise has returned to Janus VI after five years, with James T. Kirk at the conn, driven more by curiosity than anything else, especially since all of the Horta's eggs hatched four years ago, according to Chief Vanderberg's last message.
Kirk gazes at the viewscreen, watching the grey planet rotate below. "I wonder how the Horta are faring now that she and her children have accepted the miners' presence."
Spock glances up from his scanner, a subtle smile playing at the corners of his lips. He turns to his now husband. "I am certain she finds the humanoid form as revolting as she typically does, Captain."
Kirk struggles to suppress a grin as the bond between them ignites with warmth. "I bet she still considers your ears the most attractive human trait, Spock."
Spock almost responded with, "Captain, I see no reason to stand here and be insulted." Instead, he said, "The Horta is a remarkably intelligent and sensitive creature, with impeccable taste.
Kirk laughs heartily at the memory. "I remember, Spock. You said the same things five years ago."
Spock inclines his head in acknowledgment with slight affection in his eyes. "With your permission, I would like to visit her and the children."
"We'll both go."
The two materialize outside Vanderberg's office. After Kirk shares a handshake with Vanderberg and Spock exchanges ta'als with the chief, they are allowed to enter the lower levels. There, they witness numerous Horta happily tunneling, while several miners collect the minerals.
The one Horta that remains missing is the mother, who permitted Dr. Leonard McCoy to 'bandage' her phaser wound with thermoconcrete. This method allowed her to heal naturally while she cared for her eggs.
One of the Hortas pauses its tunneling as the men observe and begin to move toward them slowly, wiggling. A humming sound soon emanates from it.
Spock recognizes the hum as a form of communication, similar to a greeting. He feels an instinctive connection to the smaller Horta as it continues to hum. "Jim, the little one has touched my mind. She wishes to convey a message."
"Are you sure, Spock?"
"Yes, I am quite certain."
Kirk sits on a nearby rock as Spock slowly approaches the smaller Horta, extending his hands.
The Horta wiggles before becoming still as Spock touches her toward the front. The hum changes in pitch and grows slightly quieter. He begins to verbalize what she says: "Are you the humans known as Spock and Kirk?"
Spock doesn't attempt to inform the Horta that he is a Vulcan. "Yes, I am Spock, and the human nearby is Kirk."
Kirk's expression remains neutral, but inside his mind, he can't help but smile fondly at the memory of the mother Horta thinking Spock was a human with elegantly pointed ears.
"Spock, tell her that we are here to see her mother. We want to speak with her and renew our friendship."
Spock conveys the message mentally.
"The one who was our mother is now one with the planet. She is no longer our mother." The little Horta replied using Spock's voice. His voice shifted to one of sorrow.
Kirk reacted with visible shock. "You mean... she's dead?"
Spock began to cry silently, unashamed. "Yes, Jim. That is precisely what she is saying."
Kirk immediately rises from his seat and approaches the smaller Horta, gently placing a hand beside Spock's. "Tell her we grieve with her and for not knowing she had passed away."
The Horta reacts instantly with a slight wiggle but soon stops.
"She already knows, Jim."
"The Horta does not understand the concept of what humans call grief. All of us retain our mother's memories, including the two humans from the stars who saved us survivors from the miners before they understood more about us," the Horta replied, again using Spock's voice.
The Horta moves away from Spock and Kirk, beginning to emit acid from her body before returning to the two men. She leaves behind a large green stone, allowing both to touch her once more. "A gift from me personally. I believe Mother would have approved."
Jim examines the stone visually with interest, carefully avoiding the acid remains; it's already smooth and shiny. "Spock?"
Spock withdraws his hands and activates his tricorder. "The stone is very similar to malachite." He soon resumes his mental communication with the Horta.
"I want us to be friends," the Horta communicates in Spock's voice.
Unbeknownst to the three, this moment marked the start of a lifelong friendship.