The Ek'Tevan Prerogative

by Simplymare

Spock goes to New Vulcan to answer to the "Ek'tevan Prerogative", an edict which requires Vulcan males to give up their reproductive rights to the State. When Spock refuses to comply, he is arrested and forced into a chemically induced plak-tau.

3. Chapter 3

The Ek'tevan Prerogative
By Mary K. Hanson
Limited Copyright © 2010

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ACT THREE:

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Surgical Arena

From the floor of the arena, the camera looks up at the mirrored side of the one-way glass of the picture window of the office where Uhura, McCoy and Sa'aat are situated, and then pans down and around to reveal the surgical arena itself.

Near the door, T'Pau stands with Vulcan females #4, and #5 who are much younger than T'Pau herself. The young females, standing in a line against the wall, are dressed in nothing but filmy russet-colored robes that barely cover their otherwise naked bodies. T'Pau is dressed in less formal attire than we saw her earlier, but is well and discreetly covered from neck to foot. The young females are quiet and calm, almost in a trance-like state, but T'Pau is alert and seemingly in control of her faculties.

The camera pans past them and further into the room. We can see Vulcan females #1 and #2 naked and buriedin blankets near a far wall; both appear to be sleeping or unconscious. Their hair is askew, their skin flushed; and they seem to be taking quick, shallow breaths. The camera continues across the floor of the arena showing us tussled blankets and pillows, what looks like spots of green blood on the floor, and two torn russet gowns, until it finally comes upon Spock.

He is in the throes of the chemically induced plak-tau and seems to have lost all control. He is completely naked, and his body is flushed with the blood fever. Bruises discolor his skin, although he seems completely unaware of them. His eyes are wide and ferocious-looking; he is alternately panting and "chuffing". He doesn't speak but instead makes animalistic noises like roars, grunts and growls.

Spock grapples with Vulcan female #3, who seems just as wild-eyed as he is, and is just as naked. Her russet robe lies in tatters under her writhing body. Spock is on his hands and knees over the female who is on her back, and struggles to hold down her arms while he maneuvers himself between her thighs. The female's resistance seems more teasing than defensive; as though she is spurring him on. When Spock gets her into the position he wants, he releases her arms, grabs hold of her hips, and pulls them up off the floor to meet his body. The female throws her legs around him and lifts her head up to howl into his face. Spock snaps at her with bared teeth, catching her in the chin. Her skin between his teeth, he snarls and she purrs. The female rakes her fingers through Spock's mussed hair and down his back, leaving long deep scratches in his skin that start oozing green blood immediately. Spock's body then starts rhythmically thrusting against the female's.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Second Floor Office

Inside the dimly lit office, Uhura and McCoy are still at the large picture window, watching Spock. Sa'aat is standing at the desk behind them, and Uhura turns to face him. Her features show a mix of shock, sadness, and concern for Spock, and some queasiness over what she's witnessed. McCoy turns away from the window, too, and puts a tentative hand to Uhura's shoulder as a show of compassion and support.

McCoy
If it's any consolation, Uhura, Spock doesn't know what he's doing…

Sa'aat
…A side effect of the inducement is also temporary loss of short-term memory. Spock will most likely not remember anything that happens while he is under the drug's influence.

This information does not help Uhura feel less miserable or worried. She seems to have to fight her way through her emotions to speak cogently.

Uhura
I thought the "blood fever"… the plak-tau, dissipated immediately after mating.

Sa'aat
During a normal Pon Farr, yes, that is true. But this plak-tau is artificially induced. Its effects will not dissolve until the male is completely spent or the counteragent is administered.

McCoy
So, they're going to keep him going like that until he falls over?

Sa'aat
The reasoning behind the chemically induced plak-tau is to have the male mate with as many females as possible in order to guarantee that at least one offspring will result from the pairings. To achieve this, the male must remain in a heightened state of sexual arousal for a long period.

McCoy
How long? Doesn't Priapism (1) become an issue after a while?

Sa'aat pauses, searching his mind for the definition of the word, and then answers.

Sa'aat
Not generally… Although a male in plak-tau may have to temporarily endure the pain of a protracted erection should he find it difficult to immediately find a female and consummate mating, the body does recover.

McCoy
Okay. But, in a case like this one... by the second or third female, isn't the male just "shooting blanks"? I mean, in Human males there's a "refractory period" that has to take place between ejaculations or else the quality of the semen is diminished. It usually takes about fifteen to thirty minutes depending on the age and health of the man.

Sa'aat
Vulcan males similarly go through what we call the "bek-tor wak" (2), but it is usually only for a duration of five to seven minutes. Our circulatory system is more efficient than Humans'.

McCoy
Well, good for you… But this kind of prolonged exertion can't be good for Spock. As I understand the plak-tau -- with the little information that's been made available to Star Fleet by the Vulcan Medical Academy -- it puts a tremendous stress on the Vulcan male's heart, deprives the body of nutrients and hormones, and can play havoc with the limbic system… not to mention the muscle strain the male has to endure…

Sa'aat
The po-zung (3) triggered by the counteragent helps to correct that. Once the exertion is over, the male goes into a lengthy restorative sleep which helps to settle and repair both the body and the mind.

McCoy
(after a brief pause)
I thought Vulcans didn't like talking about sex.

Sa'aat
As a race, we do not. Sexuality is a primitive function that eludes logic -- and it is a matter for privacy and discretion. However, in my capacity as an Osavensular T'Guv, it was necessary for me to speak openly about such issues in order for me to better instruct and inform my students. I am, therefore, in the habit of speaking frankly on the matter.

McCoy
And you helped Spock with this -- with sex.

Sa'aat
Yes.

McCoy
(inviting)
You know, after things settle down here in New Vulcan, the Federation could really use your help in updating and expanding our information on Vulcan sexuality and procreation. What we have isn't nearly sufficient to be of any real help to the Vulcans in Star Fleet…

Sa'aat
I do not know that I would feel entirely comfortable divulging such information for public distribution and scrutiny.

McCoy
(irritated)
Of course not. God forbid you should set aside your priggish sense of decorum and actually have an intelligent conversation on the subject.

Sa'aat gives McCoy a completely deadpan look in response. McCoy turns to the window for a moment to try to compose himself. After a few seconds, he looks a little puzzled and mutters toward the glass:

McCoy
I don't see any guards in there.

Uhura
When Vulcan males are in the plak-tau, they usually perceive other males as competition for the females, and will kill them if they enter the mating space… Sometimes the Officiate will have a guard with her, but she has to shield him with her mind so the male in the "blood fever" can't see him or recognize him as another male… In ancient Vulcan history, all males and females killed to gain their mates.

McCoy
(sarcastic)
Lovely --
(after a pause)
These women… If they're as "ramped up" as Spock is, why are some of them just standing there on the sidelines?

Sa'aat
T'Pau controls them. That is her role in this interaction. She is the abru-gla-tor (4), the Officiate here. She regulates which female comes into Spock's sphere of perception and at what time. She keeps the others quiescent until they are required, and sets those that have been successfully mated into a dream-filled sleep.

McCoy
And why doesn't he go after T'Pau? Under those robes, she's still a female -- isn't she?

Sa'aat
As Officiate, T'Pau also exerts a limited control over the plak-tau male so he does not attack her. It takes a disciplined and powerful mind to manage so many disparate psyches at one time.

McCoy turns away from the window to face Sa'aat.

McCoy
Please, do not tell me you actually admire what she's doing.

Sa'aat
I do not admire T'Pau's present course of action. I do, however, admire her ability.

McCoy
Unbelievable…

While the men speak, Uhura looks distracted and very sad. She then brings herself out of her reverie to ask:

Uhura
Is he… is Spock now bonded or married to them, to all of those women?

Sa'aat
No. Since the inducement of the mating is artificial, no legal marriage under current Vulcan law is perceived. The females are not bonded to him; there is no linking of the minds. Only the bodies are connected.

McCoy
That's a polite way of putting it.

Uhura
And what about offspring? If any children should result from this, what happens to them? Where do they go? Who takes care of them?

Sa'aat
The children will stay with their biological mothers, but will be considered wards of the State. The Ek'tevan Prerogative stipulates that offspring generated by the artificial plak-tau are to be considered "Taluhk Tan"(5) and a new hope for the prolongation of our race. They will want for nothing. The State will see to their education, housing, medical needs…

McCoy
And what about Spock? If he fathers children in this way, will he have any contact with or influence over his kids?

Sa'aat
In Vulcan society, the males generally control property and preside over legal affairs, but when it comes to matters of procreation, the female's wishes always take precedence. For example, a male can never demand that a pregnancy be terminated; and he can only have access to his offspring if the female permits it (6). As far as children born of the Ek'tevan Prerogative are concerned, however, the male's parental rights are even more restricted than they might normally be, as the children are considered to be the offspring of the State, not of the male whose genetic material was used to create them.

McCoy
Wow, it just keeps getting better and better.

Uhura
Isn't there any way you can put a stop to this?

Sa'aat
Not at this stage. What is done is done, and cannot be undone. The only influence I may be able to exert will be after the plak-tau has passed. Until then, Spock is… on his own…

The camera moves past Uhura and McCoy, through the glass of the observation window, and down to the floor of the surgical arena again.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Surgical Arena

We see Spock lying on his side, panting, drained, and barely awake. There are now deep scratch marks down his back and along his sides, along with the darkening bruises on his skin. Despite his exertions, he does not sweat; but his eyes are sunken as he is becoming more dehydrated.7

The Vulcan female #3 is on her knees a few feet away from him. The female is equally spent, breathing rapidly, and flushed with the recent intercourse. Her ribs and hips seem bruised, and there is a bite mark on her chin. All of her passion is abated, however, and she seems to be in a sort of trance again.

T'Pau is standing over the female and has the fingertips of one of her hands against the female's temple. The two are locked together in a touch-telepathic mind link. When T'Pau raises her hand, the female rises to her feet with it, as though attached to it. T'Pau escorts the entranced female over to a pile of blankets near a wall as distant from Spock as possible, and then moves her hand to direct the female to lie down on the blankets. The female lies down and T'Pau removes her touch. The female tugs the blankets up around her, curls up into a ball and falls asleep, still panting softly.

T'Pau then walks slowly, almost ceremonially, to one of the other still-robed females, Vulcan female #4, standing by door and touches her temple with the fingertips of one hand. This female, like the other one, is instantly mind-linked with T'Pau and follows the hand wherever it leads her. T'Pau walks this female over to where Spock is lying. As the women approach him, Spock slowly rolls up onto his hands and knees again, and then sits back on his heels, breathing hard. T'Pau releases her mind-link hold on Vulcan female #4, and steps away. As soon as the trance-inducing link is broken, the female looks down on Spock and her eyes widen. In response, his eyes glisten with arousal, and he gives out a low growl. The female cocks her head to one side and grins at him, her own arousal catching up to his very quickly.

Spock grabs the female by the ankle and yanks her down onto the floor. She falls onto her rump and back and bounces once against the blankets underneath her, but does not seem to mind the roughhousing. With a single movement, Spock flips her over onto her stomach. She shimmies up onto her hands and knees as he flings her robe up over her back, revealing her naked buttocks. He bites her hard on the bottom, and as she yowls with pain and excitement, he mounts her from the rear.

The camera then pans back to T'Pau, who is now standing by the door of the arena. Although her face seems composed, she watches Spock with great focus and intensity.

Exterior: Docking Bay on New Vulcan, Late Afternoon

The docking bay is a group of runways, landing pads and hangers where small spacecraft are able to land, dock, or take off from the surface of New Vulcan. It is situated just inside the city limits. Sa'aat is there, walking through the area to get to his own ship. We can see a number of Vulcan ships there, along with their engineering crews and a handful of security personnel, and we can also see the Federation shuttlecraft parked on one of the landing pads. Sa'aat gives the shuttlecraft a cursory glance as he walks past it and continues on to one of the hangers nearby. The doors on the hanger are closed. When Sa'aat reaches the hanger doors, he types a code into a control panel to the right of the doors, and they snap open. He enters the hanger, and the doors snap shut behind him again.

Interior: Hanger in the Docking Bay on New Vulcan

At first, the hanger looks completely empty; the floor space seemingly vacant of any craft or vehicle. Sa'aat lifts one hand, palm out and speaks:

Sa'aat
Haulat, snem-tor el'mish t'to-sai. (8)

At his command, we see a sort of wavy distortion appear in the air in front of him that takes up most of the hanger. As the Haulat's cloaking shield drops, we can then see the ship itself. The ship does not look like it is of either Human or Vulcan design. It is comprised of two distinct pieces, each shaped like a double-convex lens, one piece stacked on top of the other. The hull of each lens-like piece is covered with a dense layer of greenish-black, metallic looking "skin" that is smooth and seamless. Initially, there do not appear to be any doors, windows, weapons, or other protrusions anywhere on the exterior of the ship. As Sa'aat approaches, however, the greenish-black "skin" of the ship ripples with anticipation.

Sa'aat
(command, to the ship)
Tu'ash (9), Haulat.

At Sa'aat's command, the greenish-black skin pulls taught in one area and an orifice, like a mouth with dark lips, opens in the lower deck of the ship. Sa'aat steps through the orifice and enters the Haulat. As soon as he is inside the vessel, the orifice closes and the exterior of the ship returns to its former unblemished condition.

Interior: The Cruise Ship Haulat, Lower Deck

The interior of the Haulat looks somewhat like the interior of other Federation and Vulcan spacecraft; everything is lit up and pristine. The walls all look "glassy", and one can see the underside of the skin pressed against them. The floors are buffed to a high polish. The ship seems to be circular inside with a large tube in the center that holds a turbolift between the lower and upper decks. The lower deck has rows of seats at one end, the engineering section, a small transporter platform and a storage area where some supply crates are stacked neatly. Sa'aat walks past the crates to the turbolift and enters it. The camera follows him, as the elevator lifts him up to the second deck.

Interior: The Cruise Ship Haulat, Upper Deck

The upper deck is where the command station with a viewing portal in front of it, and other workings of the ship are located. There are electronic devices, scanners, dials, and clear crystal panels lit up all around with a variety of read-outs on them. The command station looks like a shallow well near the fore of the bridge, in which the captain of Haulat stands or sits while the ship is in action. Waiting for Sa'aat on this level are Sarek and two younger Vulcan females, T'Kela and S'Risha. Both women are dressed in ankle-length chalice-shaped dresses and have veils around their shoulders. T'Kela has her hair trimmed very short; S'Risha wears her long but up off of her shoulders. As Sa'aat approaches the group, he finds them engaged in conversation.

T'Kela
…T'Pau and Semuk continue to press us.

S'Risha
There is insufficient time for our forces to gather. I would suggest that the implementation of our exit strategy be initiated swiftly in order to secure your safety, Ambassador.

Sarek
We cannot leave until Spock is well out of the induced plak-tau.

T'Kela
We may not have that luxury --

Sarek
Leaving Spock to the ravens is not an option.

As Sa'aat joins them, the females bow to him, and he bows to Sarek.

Sa'aat
(to the women)
I agree with the Ambassador. I will not abandon Spock. However --
(turning to Sarek)
We must be prepared for a hasty evacuation, Ambassador. As always, the Haulat is at your disposal.

Sarek
If we evacuate, the Haulat alone will not be sufficient to accommodate all of us.

T'Kela
We have three other vessels at hand, Ambassador, and I have a small ship of my own. The Lerash-Khush10.

Sa'aat
I can also speak to the Humans. They may allow us access to their shuttlecraft… and the Enterprise is currently on its way back to New Vulcan. I estimate its arrival in three hours, twenty-seven minutes. If necessary, we can entreat its captain to provide us with Sanctuary.

S'Risha
It has been said that the Enterprise captain is t'hai'la11 to Spock. He may indeed be willing to assist us.

Sarek
Very well. Set stage-one of the exit strategy into action. However, I wish to avoid having to withdraw from New Vulcan if at all possible…

Sa'aat
Understood.
(to the females)
Get our people ready. If we have the Humans' cooperation, I will advise them of the accurate transponder signals. Let me know when you are set. We will start in the inner city and fan out from there. Advise those who are currently off planet to remain so unless they hear directly from Ambassador Sarek or myself.

T'Kela and S'Risha both nod in agreement, and start heading toward the turbolift. Sarek steps briefly away from Sa'aat to address the women before they leave.

Sarek
You must understand that if we leave New Vulcan under these circumstances, it is probable that we will not be allowed to return. You may be losing your home-world for a second time in less than a year; you must consider this.

S'Risha
We have, Ambassador.

T'Kela
We are with you, sir.

Sarek
Then, it is my hope that your loyalty will someday be rewarded.
(he gives them a Vulcan salute)
Live long and prosper.

T'Kela and S'Risha
Peace and long life

The two women enter the turbolift, and descend out of sight. When they are gone, Sarek looks to Sa'aat.

Sarek
How does he fair?

Sa'aat
Worn and bruised but thus far free from any severe injury. He bade me tell you: do not to abandon your stance to protect him. I am concerned, however. He is not safe here. There is more in T'Pau's mind than cunning and a lust for power… Although she shields herself from me with great effectiveness, I can sense in her a slow-glowing ember of deep hatred; and it is focused on your son.

Sarek
I agree with your assessment. I believe that the loss of T'Pring, the destruction of our home-world, and the people's displeasure with her past -- and current -- leadership have all weighed against T'Pau so heavily that the burden of them has crushed her better self and driven her into madness. Her future actions, therefore, may be mercurial --

Sa'aat
-- And rapacious, especially where your son is concerned.

Sarek
Yes. She seems driven to damage Spock. I believe in her mind she has confused him with Spock Prime, and blames him for the death of T'Pring and the loss of her previous and more secure life.
(after a pause)
Sadly, I also believe that it was she who assassinated Spock Prime.

Sa'aat
Yes. That was my impression also. But if she was the killer, she hides her guilt well.

Sarek
She has a well-structured and fortified mind.
(vaguely bemused)
You are aware, are you not, that suspicion for that killing fell upon you for a time.

Sa'aat
Considering my recent "activities" through the Hurgh Ghor, it was probably a warranted notion, if an erroneous one.
(more serious)
Perhaps you could challenge T'Pau's seat on the Council based on her mental status.

Sarek
I have no proof other than my own suspicions and some anecdotal evidence. A challenge on that basis would be, at best, little more than a gamble...

Sa'aat
We are running out of options… and out of time.

Sarek
Yes, so it would seem.

Sa'aat
(after a brief pause)
How may I best serve you now, Ambassador?

Sarek
Speak with the Humans; obtain their cooperation if possible. And stay with Spock. If our misgivings about T'Pau are accurate, her belligerence against him will only intensify.

Sa'aat nods and heads back toward the turbolift, but he stops when Sarek's addresses him again:

Sarek
Sa'aat --

Sa'aat turns to face Sarek.

Sarek
You know my mind, Sa'aat, so it may be redundant to put this into words, but… I do appreciate your assistance at this time. I know that when we previously parted it was not on the best of terms.

Sa'aat
The past is the past, Ambassador. I live only in the present.

Sarek gives Sa'aat a slight bow of the head in acknowledgement, and Sa'aat enters the turbolift.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Surgical Arena

Inside the surgical arena, we now see Vulcan female #4 lying on the floor surrounded by pillows, sleeping away as are the other used-up females.

At first, we can only hear Vulcan female #5 as she howls angrily and beats on the floor with her palms. The camera pans the room to locate her, and find her slapping the floor in front of Spock's face. He is sitting on his heels with his torso bent over his thighs and the top of his head against the floor. He turns his head to one side to view the female. In his bruised face, his eyes still burn with the effect of the plak-tau, but his body is so exhausted now it is slow to respond for him. He is covered with saliva, blood and other body fluids and looks very drawn. He groans loudly and pushes himself up into a more upright position, still sitting on his heels. He then tries to get to his feet, but his legs seem "rubbery" and won't support him for more than a few moments, and he falls over in heap. His impact with the floor forces a loud painful cry from him, and he rolls slowly onto one side.

The female reaches him and pounds on his hip and thigh with her fists, leaving more bruises on him, and bites him in the shoulder several times to get him to react to her. In a sudden flash of rage, he finally lashes out at her with one of his own fists, and strikes her so hard on the skull that her head whips backward. There is an ugly-sounding "crack", and the female's head lolls around on her shoulders for a few moments before she falls over -- dead, her skull fractured and her neck broken.

In his present state, Spock is unaware that he has killed the female. He labors back up onto his knees and shuffles toward the female. "Chuffing", he slowly starts to mount her.

Across the room, T'Pau continues to watch but does nothing to stop him.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Second Floor Office

Inside the still dimly lit office, McCoy is standing by the window with his back to it, while Uhura sits in the chair by the desk. She is unwilling to watch the happenings in the surgical arena anymore.

When the door opens suddenly, Uhura jumps to her feet and McCoy rushes the few steps it takes to get to her side, in case he has to protect her. Uhura and McCoy both express relief, however, when they realize it is Sa'aat at the door. Sa'aat enters the office and shuts the door quietly behind him.

Sa'aat
I require your assistance --

McCoy and Uhura look at one another and then look back to Sa'aat.

McCoy
What? No "hi, honey, I'm home" or "gee, sorry for treating you like crap before" or other pleasantries; just an "I require your assistance"?

Sa'aat's eyebrows knit in consternation. He turns to Uhura, seeking an explanation.

Uhura
He's frustrated. Don't mind him. If you can help us get Spock out of this place, we'll do anything you want.

That was what Sa'aat wanted to hear. He steps further into the room and stands beside the Humans.

Sa'aat
First, I will require the doctor's medical tricorder.

McCoy
Why?

Sa'aat
So that I can document the DNA signatures of those who mated with Spock during this time, in order to allow us to trace their individual patterns and keep track of any offspring that may arise from this plak-tau.

McCoy
Don't you Vulcans have your own medical equipment to do that?

Sa'aat
Yes. But shortly I may not have access to it. I need to log the information elsewhere for safekeeping.

McCoy glances at Uhura, and she gives him a quick, short nod of assent. Reluctantly, McCoy hands his tricorder over to Sa'aat.

McCoy
That's Federation property, by the way. I'll need it back when you're done with it.

Sa'aat
Thank you. Next, I will need you to contact the Enterprise, on a secure channel, so that I may speak with your captain.

Uhura
I can do that… But only if you promise me you'll get Spock out of here.

Sa'aat
That is my objective.

Uhura
Plans and goals don't cut it. I want your word as a Vulcan: you'll get Spock out of here.

Sa'aat
(nods his head once, deeply)
You have my word.

Uhura detaches her communicator from the belt at her waist and opens it up. She fiddles with some of the small unit's settings to get a secure channel.

McCoy
(to Sa'aat)
Are you going to tell us what's going on? Or do we just have to play "20 Questions"?

Sa'aat
All will be explained when I speak to your captain.

Uhura hands Sa'aat her opened and activated communicator. He looks it over before lifting it near his mouth.

Uhura
Just talk into it; someone will answer you.

Sa'aat
(into the communicator)
Kahr-Lan Sa'aat of the Vulcan Military wishes to speak with Captain James T. Kirk of the Federation starship Enterprise.

Kirk
(voice over the communicator)
Enterprise. Kirk, here. What can I do for you, Kahr-Lan Sa'aat?

Interior: Transitional Council Cathedral on New Vulcan, Catacomb Antechamber

In a small ceremonial chamber inside the bowels of the catacombs below the Cathedral building, we see T'Kela, S'Risha, and the child Tasmeen among a small group of other Vulcans, mostly females. They are all dressed in dark clothing, looking very funereal. Candles illuminate the room, and we can see that there is no electronic equipment in here. It all looks somewhat "primitive" and ancient. A small altar is set into the wall, off to one side on the room. On the altar are several small prong-shaped mechanical devices and a pile of tiny, square transmitter chips.

T'Kela steps up to Tasmeen, and uses one of the small prong-shaped devices to attach a transmitter onto the back of the collar of Tasmeen's dress. She smoothes the collar down, effectively hiding the chip from view. T'Kela then goes to the other Vulcans in the room and does the same thing; marking each one on the collar with a transmitter chip. When she is finished with the others, she goes to S'Risha and applies a transmitter to her collar as well. Then she hands the device over to S'Risha. As S'Risha applies a transmitter to T'Kela's collar, T'Kela speaks to the group:

T'Kela
Remember, so as not to be detected, the sasayek (12) will not activate until just before transport is initiated. The range for these units is only 457.2 thoneks (13). So, if you are out of range during the initial evacuation, get to the next nearest rendezvous point as quickly as possible…

S'Risha
If you do not yet know where your group is to be located, see me. Please, keep communications brief and to a minimum during this time…

T'Kela
S'Risha will disburse the additional units and their dispensers to all Sect covey-leaders…

The other members of the group line up near S'Risha and she starts handing out the sasayeks and their prong-shaped dispensers.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Second Floor Office

McCoy and Uhura are standing with their backs to the observation window. They have been listening to Sa'aat talks to Captain Kirk via the communicator and are now apprised of the Fonn Vuhlkansu Sect, T'Pau's possible madness, and Ambassador Sarek's exit strategy. Sa'aat folds the communicator closed and hands it back to Uhura.

Sa'aat
I suggest that you two get back to your shuttlecraft as quickly and as quietly as possible, and make it ready for departure.

McCoy
We get lost in this place --

Sa'aat
I can get you to a turbolift that will take you back down to the main floor. From there, keep to your right -- always your right, and you will find the exit. Leave the planet surface as soon as your ship is ready; later, activate your transporters only upon my signal. Remember that Semuk controls the majority of the military… Trust no individual or vessel that does not transmit to you the agreed upon identification frequencies.

Uhura
Where will you be?

Sa'aat
I will activate the Haulat and put it into orbit. Then I will collect Spock and make him ready for transport. Once the evacuation signal is issued, we will only have a few minutes before the Vulcan Fleet will be alerted to our actions… The fleet is small but the vessels are still formidable. Your shuttlecraft will not be able to stand and fight against them with any success, so flee as quickly as you can and rendezvous with the Enterprise. I will follow…

Sa'aat ushers McCoy and Uhura to the door and opens it for them. Just as they are leaving, the observation window in the room behind them turns solid grey, and nothing can be seen through it.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Surgical Arena

From the floor of the arena, the camera shows us that all of the observation windows have now gone completely solid grey. One cannot see into the rooms beyond the windows, or see out of the windows to the arena below. The camera then pans down to the door area of the arena. No one is there.

The camera further pans the room, showing us the four sleeping females and the one dead one -- who is lying on her back, staring at the ceiling with blank eyes -- and then slows down and settles on T'Pau. T'Pau is standing over Spock, one foot on either side of his body as he lies on his back on the floor. He is panting very heavily; his usually smooth, combed hair is a tousled mess; he is bruised everywhere and somewhat filthy with blood and spit and sex; his bottom lip is split and there is blood on his chin; his eyes still burn with the plak-tau but he can barely keep them open.

T'Pau kicks him in the side with the side of her foot to roust him. Spock groans and his eyes flash, but he does not move.

T'Pau
No po-zung for you yet, Spock. One more to go.

T'Pau lifts up the hem of her own heavy dress and then -- with a little bit of difficulty due to her age -- kneels down so that she is sitting on top of Spock's hips and groin. He gives her a long look of confusion and starts breathing more deeply, but does not interfere with her. She reaches under her skirts for him, and positions him where she wants him. Then she starts to "ride" him; moving her pelvis back and forth, and up and down over him until Spock's body starts mechanically responding to her.

As she pumps against him, he lifts his hands up to try to touch T'Pau's head, as though he wants to mind-link with her. She guides the hands away from her without any effort, and they fall away and bounce once against the floor on either side of his body before going still. Spock then lifts his head up off the floor to watch her, and chuffs through his teeth, but doesn't have the strength left to do much of anything else. His head settles back onto the floor and lolls to one side, while T'Pau continues to stimulate him. His whole body rocks and pitches on the floor with the force of her rhythms and he cannot control it. When he finally climaxes, he lets out a series of coughs, then one long aching groan, and closes his eyes.

T'Pau is expressionless when she rises up off of him, gets onto her feet, and smoothes down her clothes. She walks around to where Spock's head is and looks at him for a few seconds. Spock, wheezing, gazes up at her with dull, tired eyes. T'Pau reaches down and touches his temple with the fingertips of one of her hands. She joins her mind to his, and his eyes roll up and his eyelids flutter at the contact.

We can then hear the door open, and the camera pulls back to show us that Semuk has now entered the room. He stands by the door, seemingly tentative about coming in any further.

Semuk
Can he see me?

T'Pau releases her touch from Spock and rises to an upright position again. She looks at Semuk with open disapproval.

T'Pau
Do not play such the coward, Semuk. The kashek fo-dan (14) is in place. He can see, but not comprehend.

Semuk steps over to Spock and looks down on him. Spock does not react to his presence.

T'Pau
I have him, Semuk. Do what you will.

The camera then focuses on T'Pau, so we can hear but not see what is happening to Spock. T'Pau is at first entirely without expression, but then we hear Spock start to moan in pain, and the tiny hint of a smile plays at the sides of her mouth. There are sounds of a struggle and blows being delivered. Spock coughs and we can see his blood spatter on the hem of T'Pau's dress. She ignores it. Then the sound of quick puffs of air from Spock escalates to that of harsh, deep, open-mouthed panting and groaning. Finally, we hear Spock crying out over and over again, until his voice cracks and he sounds like he may be weeping. T'Pau crosses her arms over her chest and seems very pleased.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Turbolift

Sa'aat enters the turbolift and the door shuts behind him. He is carrying a heavy dark robe over one arm; it covers the hand in which he is also carrying McCoy's tricorder. With his free hand he pushes a button which keeps the elevator from moving for a moment, and then extricates from his coat a small communications device that looks like a tubular cigarette lighter. When he activates it, swirling lights appear in the top of it. He speaks into the device with a hushed voice:

Sa'aat
Haulat. Vitorau (15).

Interior: Hanger in the Docking Bay on New Vulcan

In its hanger, we see the Haulat lift suddenly off the floor and hover there. The greenish-black "skin" on one end of the upper hull tightens and peels back like an eyelid, showing us the glassy interior hull of the ship. Lights and instruments inside the ship twinkle on, turning the whole interior of the ship bright white and yellow.

From the lower portion of the ship a thin probe-like extension seems to "grow" out of the skin, and levels itself at the control panel for the doors of the hanger. A pulse is emitted from the probe and strikes the panel, and huge doors in the ceiling of the hanger snap open. The probe is retracted into the ship's skin, and the Haulat hovers slowly up toward the ceiling and exits the hanger.

Exterior: Hanger in the Docking Bay on New Vulcan

Outside of the hanger, the Haulat re-engages its cloaking device, and all we can see is a filmy distorted outline of it against the sky. The distortion rushes up into the sky, then vanishes completely from sight.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Hallway outside the Surgical Arena

Sa'aat walks briskly down the hall to the door of the surgical arena still carrying the concealed tricorder and the black cloak. He arrives at the arena door just as a medical team and several guards are removing the five Vulcan females from the room on anti-gravity driven litters. Sa'aat stands to one side to let them pass, and shows mild shock when he sees that one of the females is completely covered by a sheet.

T'Pau and Semuk are next out of the room, and they seem unconcerned to find Sa'aat standing there in the hallway. Semuk makes no comment to Sa'aat and simply continues down the hall, following the medical team and litters, but T'Pau remains behind to address Sa'aat.

T'Pau
Spock's plak-tau has been completed.

Sa'aat
Was it successful?

T'Pau
Time will answer that question… but he seemed to perform adequately.

T'Pau holds out another long, silvery, glass-bodied syringe to Sa'aat. Sa'aat lifts his free hand, and accepts the syringe from her. He eyes it somewhat suspiciously, but does not voice his suspicions.

Sa'aat
This is the counteragent?

T'Pau
Yes. You will administer it. Then make Spock ready for another appearance before the Transitional Council in the Formal Chamber. They will address him within the half hour.

Sa'aat
But… the counteragent will initialize his po-zung. Spock needs time to sleep and recover.

T'Pau
It may be to Spock's benefit to appear before the Council. An offer will be presented to him there which may repair his status in the eyes of the State. Keep him awake until the proceeding is concluded; after that, he can sleep all he wants to.

Sa'aat
(slightly confused)
As you wish, Minister.

T'Pau leaves, and Sa'aat remains standing by the door for a few moments. He eyes the syringe, makes sure no one is around to see what he is doing, and then scans it with McCoy's medical tricorder. He looks at the readout from the device and seems pleased by it. He utters to himself:

Sa'aat
Not poison…

Sa'aat bounces the syringe in his hand and steps into the arena room. The door shuts behind him.

Interior: Medical Facility on New Vulcan, Surgical Arena

Inside the surgical arena, Sa'aat scans the room with his eyes and mind, looking for Spock, and finds him in among a heap of pillows near the wall. He walks quickly over to Spock and seems shocked by the condition in which he finds him. Spock is lying in a tightly curled fetal position, still completely naked. His body is a mass of bruises, scratches, bite marks, and scrapes. His eyes are sunken and surrounded by dark circles. His skin, still smudged with blood, spit and other bodily fluids, and has an almost grayish hue to it. He is panting, wheezes when he breathes, and shivers with exhaustion and impending shock. Occasionally, is body is wracked by unproductive coughing.

Sa'aat places the robe and tricorder on the floor beside Spock, then snatches up the nearest blanket and wraps Spock in it while he pulls Spock up into a sitting position on the floor. Spock gives out an unbidden whimper of pain as though it's excruciatingly painful to sit, and puts a hand out to push Sa'aat away, but he hasn't the strength. He looks up at Sa'aat and does not seem to recognize who or what he is.

Although it takes a moment to register, still under the influence of the plak tau, Spock's eyes flash at the sight of another male in the room and he bears his bloodied teeth at Sa'aat. Sa'aat takes one of Spock's wrists in his hand and pulls on it to extend Spock's arm. Spock snarls and attempts to free his wrist, but is too weak to succeed. Sa'aat presses the tip of the syringe against the inside of Spock's forearm, and administers the counteragent. The syringe hisses against Spock's skin, and Spock blinks at it dumbly for a brief moment.

Sa'aat
It will take several minutes for the plak-tau effect to completely abate. And the counteragent has been know to make some males --

Spock heaves forward and vomits onto the blankets over his lap.

Sa'aat (Continued)
-- quite sick.

Spock looks completely shocked by the process, as though he has never vomited before in his life, and doesn't understand what is happening to his body. As Spock continues to regurgitate, Sa'aat wraps an arm around his shoulders to support him, and keep him from aspirating any of the spew. When the retching passes, Spock's eyes seem to clear of the plak-tau's fire, and his tight features seem to relax a bit. The rapid panting slows down considerably, but the cough remains.

Spock blinks a few times and then lifts his head to look at Sa'aat again. He tries to speak but cannot seem to make the words come out; his lips move but no sound emerges and he looks confused by this.

Sa'aat
Do not be alarmed, Spock. The speech center is normally the last to reengage. You full faculties will be at your command again shortly. Breathe through the fog; it will lift.

Spock takes several long, deep, trembling breaths as Sa'aat rises and walks across the room to one of the panels recessed in the wall. We can hear Spock cough a bit as the panel opens to reveal a sink with a cabinet beneath it. Sa'aat opens the cabinet and removes a large bowl, some hand towels, and some ointment from it. He then holds the bowl into the sink and the sink automatically dispenses purified water into it. When the bowl is nearly full, Sa'aat removes it from the sink, and then carries the bowl, towels and ointment over to Spock. He sets them on the floor near Spock's feet.

Sa'aat then walks to another panel in the wall, touches it, and reveals a compact computerized dispensing station. He speaks directly to the station itself:

Sa'aat
Shur t'plomik, fal, dahkuh (16).

At Sa'aat's request two small but deep bowls of clear, greenish-brown soup appear. Sa'aat takes the bowls from the unit, holding them gingerly because they're hot, and walks them over to where Spock is still sitting on the floor. He hands one bowl to Spock and sets the second one on the floor nearby. At first, Spock doesn't respond to the offer, so Sa'aat lifts one of Spock's hands to the first bowl.

His whole body still shaking and weak, Spock takes the bowl in one hand, and then steadies it between both hands. Sa'aat wraps a few more blankets around Spock's body, and then sits down next him on the floor. Hands trembling, Spock holds the bowl up close to his face and lets the hot steam from it warm his skin before attempting to drink any of the soup. When he takes a sip, the hot bowl and broth sting his wounded lip. He hisses in pain, and turns his face away from the bowl, wincing deeply.

Sa'aat
Move through the pain, Spock. Your body needs the fluid.

Spock inhales then lets out a shuddering breath, coughs a few times, and closes his eyes. It takes a few moments of concentration, but then he seems to have some of his pain under control. He opens his eyes again, lifts the bowl to his mouth with quaking hands, and drinks the broth slowly.

As Spock sips at the broth, Sa'aat scans him with McCoy's medical tricorder and talks to him.

Sa'aat
The po-zung will be upon you shortly, Spock, but you must fight to stay alert. T'Pau wants you to stand before the Council again before you rest.

Spock
(speaking slowly, his voice raspy, tremulous)
What more… do they want of me? They have taken… everything.

Sa'aat
Depriving you of sleep after such an exertion seems to be an obvious attempt by T'Pau to keep you in a muddled state… I may be able to assist you by offering you some psionic support.

Sa'aat raises a hand to touch Spock's temple, but Spock tilts his head away in refusal of the contact.

Spock
(speaking slowly, his voice raspy, tremulous)
Please… I… can endure… no further intrusion on my mind at this time… Sa'aat.

Sa'aat
(lowering his hand, speaking gently)
I understand.

Sa'aat continues to scan Spock's body with the tricorder. He looks concerned by what he sees in the read-outs, but doesn't mention anything to Spock. Sa'aat eventually turns off the tricorder and then pulls from a pocket his small communications device.

Sa'aat
Haulat, ifis-tor reh-vipladayek (17).

At the command, the tricorder vanishes in the signature yellow-gold-spray of the Haulat's transporter device. Sa'aat puts the communicator back into a pocket.

Spock
(over the lip of the bowl of soup)
Dr. McCoy will miss that...

Sa'aat
Not for long. I will return it when I am finished with it.

Spock
It provides you with… information… that you do not wish to share with me.

Sa'aat
When your mind is clearer, we may discuss it at length if you wish.

Spock finishes drinking the broth, and then looks for someplace to set the bowl. He ends up propping it on a pillow beside him. Sa'aat hands him the second bowl, and Spock drinks that one down more readily, his body thirsty for fluids. He sets the second bowl beside the first, then draws the blankets more tightly around his shoulders and turns weary eyes on Sa'aat. His voice is hoarse from panting, quivery and uneven when he speaks.

Spock
May I bathe? I can… smell the others on my skin… Their scent is… making me ill…

Sa'aat
I am sorry. There is little time, Spock.
(he indicates the large bowel, towels and ointment)
But we can refresh you a bit before you appear before the Council, again.

Spock gives Sa'aat a dejected and disappointment look.

Sa'aat
I do not deny you to be cruel, Spock. Truly, there is no time, and… we do not want to flush the evidence from your body before it can be collected and analyzed.

Spock
Evidence?

Sa'aat
Of… the extent of your injuries.

Spock looks down at his body for the first time, and seems stunned by what he sees.

Spock
All this from… a single plak-tau?

Sa'aat
Seemingly.

Sa'aat brings the large bowl of water, towels and ointment closer to him, dips one of the towels in the water, and then applies the wet towel to Spock's face. At first, he just lets Spock's skin absorb the moisture from it, then he starts gently cleaning off the blood and other matter, being careful around the gash in Spock's forehead and the bruising around his eye.

Sa'aat
(cleaning Spock's face)
What do you remember?

Spock
Little… A haze of movements… Everything bathed in dark green flame… Convulsions and… release… Sounds… Screams and echoes, from what source I do not know… Pain and --

Spock coughs a little and wipes the sputum and blood from his damaged mouth with the edge of the blanket that covers his hand.

Spock (Continued)
-- and blood.

Something then seems to occur to Spock and he looks at Sa'aat directly, weary and concerned.

Spock
In the plak-tau… did I injure anyone?

Sa'aat continues to clean Spock's face and neck with the damp towel and answers only after choosing his words carefully18.

Sa'aat
I am not certain.

Sa'aat then sets the towel aside and picks up the ointment. It is in a sort of cylindrical spray-canister.

Sa'aat
Close your eyes.

Spock closes his eyes, and Sa'aat sprays a light layer of the soothing ointment over the wounds and abrasions on Spock's face. When he's done, Sa'aat closes up the canister and sets it aside. He turns back to Spock to find Spock looking at him eyes open again.

Spock
You have… a benevolent touch…

Sa'aat
No always. It depends entirely upon with whom I am making contact.

Spock
...Always gentle with me…

Sa'aat
(exposing some of his feelings for/to Spock)
Yes. Always, when with you, Spock. How could it be otherwise?
(putting aside his feelings)
I have brought you a robe in funereal-dark, to wear. If you can stand, I will help you dress.

Spock
I… wish… to wear my Star Fleet uniform.

Sa'aat
You cannot. T'Pau had it destroyed.

Spock shakes his head slowly, and leans back against the wall behind him with a heavy, trembling sigh. He takes a few moments to compose himself, and then starts to rise to his feet. Sa'aat assists him.

---

1 Priapism is a condition in which blood cannot or will not drain from the penis; also called a "protracted erection"; it is a serious medical issue if left untreated.

2 bek-tor wak: The Vulcan equivalent of a refractory period in Human males; the time between one climax and a subsequent one; literally translated it means "wait time". [[Author's note: This condition is my own creation and is not based in Trek canon.]]

3 Po-zung: literally translated from the Vulcan means "after-exhaustion"; term used to describe the stuporous sleep after the completion of mating during a chemically induced plak-tau. The males only enter this state after being injected with a counteragent that extinguishes the effects of the artificial plak-tau. The po-zung can last anywhere from 10 to 32 hours, but usually lasts about 14 hours. This gives both the mind and the body time to recover from the chemically induced plak-tau effect. [[Author's note: This condition is my own creation and is not based in Trek canon.]]

4 Abru-gla-tor: Vulcan term for "overseer"

5 Taluhk Tan: Literally translated from the Vulcan language, it means "precious gift"

6 This is not based entirely in Trek canon, but is derived from inferences made from it.

7 According to the Star Trek Online Geekipedia, Vulcans do not sweat. In part, the article on the "Introduction to Vulcan Physiology" reads: "…Vulcans lack sweat glands as an evolutionary development to conserve moisture in an extremely hot, arid climate. Excess heat is drawn away by the blood to be exhaled or stored and radiated from the skin when external temperatures are lower. This is why Vulcans have a very warm breath and their skin is almost hot to the touch under most conditions. Another difference in the skin of Vulcans is the fact that, even though the skin does not give off moisture, it can directly absorb moisture from the surroundings if there is any…" Despite this contention, we HAVE seen Vulcans sweat before; T'Pol is probably the most obvious example. And we did see Spock perspire very slightly when he attacked Captain Kirk on the bridge of the Enterprise after Kirk baited him into revealing he was emotionally compromised following the destruction of Vulcan; however that may be because Spock is half Human. Nevertheless, I stuck to the IVP for my information.

8 Snem-tor el'mish t'to-sai: a command for the ship to drop its cloak; literally translated from the Vulcan it means, "Remove device to cloak".

9 Tu'ash: Vulcan for "open"

10 Lerash-khush: Vulcan term for "diamond"

11 T'hai'la: the Vulcan term for "friend/companion/loved one", a special relationship between two people, which is significantly more personal than a friend or sibling yet slightly less than a paramour is. "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry devised the term to explain the intense relationship between Kirk and Spock.

12 Sasayek: the Vulcan word for "transmitter"

13 Thonek: The Vulcan word for meter. 457.2 thonek is 1500 feet.

14 kashek fo-dan: Literally translated from the Vulcan it means "mind shield"

15 Vitorau: The Vulcan word for "activate".

16 Shur T'Plomik, fal, dahkuh: Literally translated from the Vulcan it means "Plomik soup, hot, two". Plomik (or plomeek) is a kind of Vulcan vegetable.

17 "Ifis-tor reh-vipladayek": Literally translated from the Vulcan it means "transport tricorder"

18 Author's note: I had Sa'aat be careful of what he said here because I didn't want him to lie to Spock (as Vulcans do not lie), nor did I want him to tell Spock at this juncture what he suspects happened to Spock, i.e. the assaults by T'Pau and Semuk.