Author's Note: This is the sequel to my story "In The Name of Love and War," however, it could be read as a stand-alone. But, certain events occur in that story the consequences of which will be addressed here. Therefore, you may want to read it first. It's a quick read, so I hope you'll check it out. Bri

Prologue

2156. Krios Prime.

Trip opened his eyes slowly. The lights were so bright that they felt more like burning beams bearing down upon him. Yet he felt cold. He tried to move, but realized that he couldn't. He lifted his head and looked down at himself spread eagled on top of a metal table, stripped down to nothing but underwear. As his vision slowly came into focus he could see a man in a white coat and a female standing next to him.

"W-what's happening?" Trip said groggily as he tried again to get up. "Where am I…and, and what am I doin' here," he slurred as he pulled against the restraints.

"Just relax Captain Tucker," the man in the white coat said. "I must apologize. Your anesthesia wore off prematurely. You should not be awake."

"Who are you? What are… you doing to me," he said in a slightly elevated voice.

"You are on Krios Prime Captain and I am the First Monarch's Chief Medical Officer," the male said. "We are treating you for an illness…caused by a dangerous pathogen… something you picked up here on our planet."

"Yes, you've been quite ill," a female said as she approached the table from the other side of the room. "Now Captain Tucker, I am sorry but I need to give you something." She then looked at the male in the white coat in the room and hesitated.

"Do it," he instructed.

"Under these conditions?" she asked.

"It cannot be helped," he replied. "He must be presentable when the First Monarch arrives. She cannot see him in this state. It would greatly distress her. He has to appear normal."

"But he is awake. He won't be able to withstand the pain."

"Give him the anesthetic along with the treatment, but it must be administered at once."

Suddenly, something rippled across Trip's stomach and he lurched, then screamed in pain. Seconds later a similar ripple appeared across his forehead. He screamed again and jerked against the restraints.

"What are you doing to me!" he yelled. "What…he gasped…what…" then he passed out.

"How is he?" the woman asked after a few minutes.

"Under considerable distress at the moment," the man replied as he checked the monitor above his patient's head, "but he will be alright, with rest and with the treatment."

"And the parasites?"

"They are intact. When they are mature, they will make him open to…let's say, suggestion, if you will… her suggestion, among other things. The woman nodded, then injected the unconscious Starfleet Officer with additional hypos. Then they watched as the parasites rippled through their hosts' body again, then settled down after a time…in their new home.