Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own Star Trek.

A/N: There is a bit of violence mentioned in this chapter. I don't think that it is too graphic Just thought that I should warn you.

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Origins: The Journey Begins

Chapter 4: One Older Brother

STARDATE: 2230.231 (Thurs, Aug 19th, 2230) [3 weeks Pregnant]

Amanda was dressed in her casual Vulcan attire; a long deep red dress with a black hood and a long sleeved black under shirt. When first arriving on Vulcan she quickly adjusted to the heavier gravity but she still wasn't completely accustomed to the heat. Thankfully, today wasn't too hot.

It had been three weeks since she was informed of the successful conception of her child and two weeks since she had the embryo planted in her womb. She smiled at herself as she looked at herself side-on in the floor length mirror in her bedroom. It would be months before her stomach showed any trace of pregnancy but Sarek had given her permission to inform Sybok of her pregnancy.

Sybok was Sarek's son from his first bondmate. Although Sybok was only eleven he was quite perceptive. He had features that were similar to his father; eyes, nose, lips and stature. He was beginning to show similar characteristics in the way he talked and presented himself.

Soon Amanda and Sarek were on their way to the Early Learning Centre for Vulcans where they would meet up with Sybok after he had finished his studies for the day. When they arrived at the Centre they waited patiently on the steps outside the building.

Amanda was so excited she couldn't conceal her smile. Sarek stood as rigid as ever; hands behind his back, face placid, posture tall and straight. However, deep within himself he felt… angst. Although Sybok shadowed Sarek's behaviour, Sybok was starting to dismiss general Vulcan customs. This worried Sarek. He did not allow his thoughts to pass onto his wife. She loved Sybok for who he was no matter how he acted. When Amanda first met Sybok there was an instant respect and connection between the two. Sarek did not want to disrupt the peace by bringing division.

Sybok emerged from the building talking earnestly with another young male Vulcan. They were of similar age and walked with each other to and from the Learning Centre.

Sybok looked up from his conversation with his friend to see both his father and Mother Amanda standing on the steps further down.

"As always, it has been enlightening discussing matters with you, Konrok." Sybok said as he glanced over at his parents again.

Konrok followed his gaze. "Likewise, Sybok. It is quite unusual that your parents have come to retrieve you, is it not?"

"Indeed. I shall soon understand their reasoning for being here. I will see you tomorrow." Sybok said and looked at his friend.

"That is merely an assumption. I may contract an illness overnight that may require bed rest so you may see me tomorrow, or you may not." Konrok stated tilting his head slightly at every word he emphasised.

"I hope to see you tomorrow, Konrok." Sybok shared as he started to head off in the direction of is parents.

Konrok walked bristly to catch up with Sybok. "Hope is an illogical emotion, Sybok. The teachings of Surak do not instruct us Vulcans to use irrational emotions such as hope."

"Do you not want to see me again tomorrow, Konrok?" Sybok asked with a dead pan face.

"Of course. You are my friend, I enjoy your company." Konrok responded.

"Then I hope that neither you nor I succumb to illness during the night." Sybok replied then hurried off in the direction of his parents.

He ran up to Amanda and threw his small arms around her in a hug. Sarek drew in a quick breath and looked around to see if anyone was watching his young son express such raw emotion in a public place.

"Mother Amanda!" Sybok exclaimed as he retrieved himself from her embrace. "It is good to see you." He smiled and turned to his father. He knew not to show him any affection in public. He simply nodded his head and Sarek nodded back.

The three of them started walking back towards the mansion they called home, once they passed the city limits Amanda called for Sybok who was marching far ahead of them.

"Sybok." Her voice barely contained her excitement.

"Yes, Mother Amanda?" Sybok responded as he retreated back to where his parents were.

"I have some important news to share with you." Amanda began.

"We are not at home. Perhaps waiting until we are is the most logical course of action." Sarek intercepted.

"Nonsense. We're outside of the city, there's not another Vulcan insight." Amanda replied.

"Proceed with caution." Sarek answered and extended two fingers towards Amanda who placed her fingers against his.

"I assume that this news of yours is either of great happiness or great sadness for you to not want other Vulcans to know." Sybok observed.

"Sybok remember your teachings." Sarek warned Sybok. Sybok's emotions were starting to guide his speech. Sarek's concern started to brew deep within him once more.

Sybok looked to the ground regained his composure and looked back to Amanda, his face was calm and void of emotion. "What is it that you wish to share with me?" He asked, careful not to say any words that might upset his father.

"You are going to be a big brother." Amanda rejoiced.

Sybok, completely forgetting his composure, bounced towards Amanda and enveloped her in a tight hug. "That is wonderful news! I will be the best big brother I can be." He let go of Amanda and walked ahead of her. He turned back and saw his father standing next to Amanda. He hung his head slightly as he realised his mistake. "I apologise, father. I did not control my emotions very well."

"I understand that Amanda's news is quite overwhelming. It is a reason to celebrate. Even I feel the need express happiness." Sarek said.

Amanda was gobsmacked by Sarek's statement and just stared at him in shock. Sarek turned to her and allowed himself to smile. Amanda jumped for joy threw her arms around her beloved. Sybok clapped, sang and skipped merrily ahead of the two until they reached the mansion.

"I realise how hard it would be for you to express such raw emotion. I understand that Sybok acts the way he does because of The Incident but I want to inform you that I am very pleased with how you handled yourself just then." She said as she leant up against his frame. He slowly relaxed his posture, realising that there are no other Vulcans in sight.

"It was not the right thing to do. However, I could not bring myself to squash Sybok's excitement about the child that you carry. It would not have been reasonable." Sarek then paused to stare at his wife. "I am concerned about Sybok's mentality. His emotions are becoming more dominant, soon the ways of Surak will not matter to him. I accept full responsibility for his action."

"Sarek don't you dare!" Amanda stopped walking and glared at Sarek, he stared back at her. "It was not your fault! You are not to blame and neither is Sybok. If anyone were to be blamed it would be the Zephlons." Her voice rose with each sentence. She couldn't believe that after all these years Sarek still blamed himself for Sybok's incident.

…Precisely 12 years, 3 months and 3 days ago…

STARDATE: 2218.135 (Fri, May 15th, 2218)

It was the year before Vulcan would be finally recognised as a member of the Federation, and a year before the conference where he would meet Amanda Grayson for the first time.

Sarek, being the Ambassador for Vulcan, was busy as usual. However, his work load had increased tremendously in the last 12 months due to the upcoming union between the Federation and Vulcan.

Sarek was currently working on his paperwork in his large office at the Vulcan Embassy. Piles of paper were neatly placed on his desk, the grey carpet floors completely clean. The mahogany door was polished and the tall cabinets on the back wall were in pristine shape. His office was spotless.

Sarek sat down on his office chair. He never opted for sitting when he could stand, it was always more convenient to stand than sit. However, after 50 hours of standing non-stop he needed to give his legs some relief. It was late at night, the sky was dark, and not even the moon cast a glow through the window behind him.

As soon as he sat in his brown leather office chair a young Vulcan woman came to his office door. It was against Surak's ways to express raw emotion in front of anyone who was not part of your immediate family but this Vulcan woman was clearly distressed.

"S'Reiyah, I ask that you compose yourself." Sarek said calmly as he stood.

"Ambassador, the Zephlons have attacked." S'Reiyah said trying to hide the panic in her voice. S'Reiyah was a colleague of Sarek's. She was reliable and loyal to the household of Sarek. She had been running, which caused her long black hair to be plastered to her elegant face. Her electric deep green eyes betrayed her lack of composure. When Sarek looked into her eyes he saw worry and fear. Her words replayed in his mind.

Zephlons. Dark creatures with mental capabilities stronger than Vulcans. Their physical form is like any humanoid alien, they stand on two feet and their facial features aren't that dissimilar to a humans. However, their lizard like skin is as dark as the void of space. Their entire exterior acts like armour making their skin virtually impenetrable. Their arms are long, reaching down to their feet. They lack elbows but the subtle bend in the limb allow them to use their arms as support as they walk. Their claw like hands are just an extension to their arms. Zephlons use their arms more than their legs. Their arms reach down to the ground allowing them to swing their body in front of them as they run in a manner similar to Terran apes.

"Zephlons." Sarek echoed S'Reiyah's words.

"They've attacked your home, Sir." S'Reiyah said as she continued to fight for composure.

"T'Sana?" Sarek asked.

"Vultan and the others are holding their ground. If my calculations are correct their forces will only last for another 13 minutes before the house is breached." S'Reiyah exhaled deeply.

Sarek quickly made his way from out behind the desk and passed by S'Reiyah. He needed to get home to protect his bondmate. He exited the Embassy, S'Reiyah following closely behind. He began to run in the direction of his home. S'Reiyah contemplated whether to follow Sarek or to stay at the Embassy. She needed to help Sarek and his family. It was not her job, she was not their servant, but it was the right thing to do. She ran after Sarek.

They ran past several burning buildings. On Earth you would be able to hear the final screams of the humans as they were consumed by smoke and fire, but this wasn't Earth, it was Vulcan. And Vulcans do not scream. The sound of the fire blazing was all that could be heard. Sarek didn't know if the occupants of the houses he passed were in hiding or dead. But considering that the smell of burning flesh was overpowering to the Vulcan senses, death was the most likely outcome.

Sarek and S'Reiyah approached the mansion but remained unseen. On a usual day the large front gate would be closed and locked and the tall white wall would keep the mansion secure. Behind the wall was a magnificent garden; tall trees and large shrubs covered the front yard making it look like a small oasis.

However, as Sarek and S'Reiyah peered out from behind a nearby tree they saw that the gate had been clawed down and the white wall had dark stains all over it. Near the gate was the still form of Vultan, Sarek's family bodyguard and servant. His dark green blood pooled around his head, his ears had been ripped off and were resting in his cold, lifeless hands.

"I will stay." S'Reiyah said as she indicated to the mansion. Vulcans were not permitted into each other's homes without permission of the home owner. S'Reiyah respected Sarek and did not want to disrespect him or his family.

"No. You will come. You will be of better use to me inside where there are most likely Zephlons waiting." Sarek responded.

S'Reiyah nodded and followed Sarek into the large dark mansion. The lights had been shattered, glass scattered on the ground. The carpet on the staircase before them was torn and the walls had dark smears across them similar to the ones on the wall outside. Sarek followed the smears, careful not to allow his footsteps to echo as he continued to walk down the hallway.

S'Reiyah decided to check upstairs. She made her way up the staircase on the right and disappeared into one of the rooms to investigate.

Sarek followed the black smears until he reached the library. Inside he saw his bondmate bound; hands behind her back and mouth taped shut. She was on her knees, her body resting on her feet. She had been tortured.

"T'Sana." Sarek whispered and refused to enter the room. He knew that he too would be captured if he entered the room. But before he could think of an alternative plan a low guttural snarl sounded from the roof above him. He raised his head towards the sound and saw a large Zephlon descend from behind the doorframe of the library.

With a large thump the Zephlon landed in front of Sarek. The Zephlons heavy form slunk forward towards Sarek. He extended his white claws and flexed them in front of his face. He growled again, this time a louder growl that echoed throughout the large house.

Sarek was sent stumbling backwards as a strong telepathic force entered his mind. "Fool. You cannot outsmart someone who is smarter than you." The force spoke to him in his mind. The voice was gravelly and persuasive. "Your mind is healthy and strong. Your telepathic abilities would enhance my own undoubtedly."

From within his mind Sarek heard a soft buzz, it was irritating to his Vulcan ears. The buzz became subtly stronger and louder. The louder it grew the more painful it became for Sarek to tolerate. Sarek raised his hands to his ears knowing full well that it would not aid him. With eyes shut tightly he continued to stumble backwards until he was back out in the foyer.

The pain was torturous. He could feel his telepathic abilities being toyed with. He remained firm not giving in to the strange beast in front of him. All of a sudden it was gone. The pain in his head vanished. He removed his hands from his ears and opened his eyes.

S'Reiyah watched the scene from above and upon seeing Sarek in such pain, catapulted from the floor above them. Using a combination of her weight and momentum she pinned the Zephlon to the ground beneath her. Her feet were on the Zephlon's broken neck. The room fell silent.

"T'Sana." Sarek managed to say through slightly ragged breaths. He led the way back to the library. T'Sana was still in the same position.

"T'Sana." He spoke to her through their bond as he began to unbind her.

"Sarek?" She answered weakly as she felt herself being pulled into his embrace.

"I am here." He answered her softly as he placed his fingers to her face and gently entered her mind. S'Reiyah looked away to give them privacy.

"Her mental capabilities are shaken but not severely harmed. She will need time to recover but her telepathy still remains intact. She will be fine." He said to ease S'Reiyah's growing concern.

"I am truly grateful to have you as my bondmate. I hope I can one day repay you for what you have done today. I adore you." T'Sana spoke quietly as she laid in her bondmate's arms. Sarek lowered his head and allowed himself to sigh.

"Ambassador?" S'Reiyah asked. She didn't know whether to excuse herself or wait to be excused.

"The Zephlons have taken away her ability to control her emotions." Sarek confessed. S'Reiyah was caught off guard, she wasn't expecting that. Sarek only informed his loyal first servant of matters as private as this.

"Sir,-" She began but was cut off by Sarek's stern voice.

"S'Reiyah, my first servant is dead. I must now seek a new servant. Your loyalty and skills were shown today. I select you to take Vultan's place."

"I am honoured, Master." She responded.

"T'Sana is two months pregnant. The child has also been effected by the attack. The extent cannot be determined at this time. Only after birth will I be able to judge."

T'Sana made it into her tenth month of pregnancy before her hormones intensified her emotions and she became ill. Sarek did all that he could to try and reverse the effects of The Incident but he couldn't succeed. He continued to love her and nurture her throughout her existence. After The Incident she deteriorated fast forcing them to perform an emergency caesarean. That was the night that she passed away.

It was the 15th of January, 2219, precisely ten months after the conception of Sarek's first child. The night that T'Sana died peacefully and the night that Sybok was rescued from the same fate. Sarek believed that Sybok had inherited his mother's emotions and he was concerned that his son would suffer a death like his late bondmate.

…Present Time…

Sybok ran to the front door of the mansion. He was met by S'Reiyah. "S'Reiyah!" He exclaimed.

"Young Master, Sybok." She replied respectfully. She waited until Sarek and Lady Amanda were inside the security of the mansion walls before turning to follow Sybok into the lounge room.

Amanda followed her into the room leaving Sarek in the foyer. He stared at the staircase in front of him and remembered the fateful night long ago. He sighed quietly and made a promised to himself. I will raise this child in the ways of Surak. Logic will rule over emotions. I do not want any more of my family to be taken away from me.