Chapter 6
"Father." Spock said, looking at Sarek across the dinner table.
"Yes, my son?"
"I was curious as to the legends about the ocelots. I felt perhaps I could gain insight as to our ancestors mentality by studying the legends." (technically this was true, but Spock didn't really care too much about his ancestors mentality; he had more important things to worry about.
"Very well, my son." Sarek said approvingly. "I shall grant you some computer tapes on the subject if you wish."
"Well first, why don't you tell us some." Spock's mother, Amanda suggested. "I've heard some of those stories are fascinating, and I would like to hear some. We might as well hear them together."
"Very well." Sarek consented. "It was said that the ocelots were a highly intelligent species, as intelligent as Vulcans, and that they were nearly people themselves. When the phaser was first being invented, they were used upon the ocelots, and it was thought that they were able to somehow make themselves immune to them. Obviously, now we realize that these accounts are flawed, or else the phasers were dysfunctional. Ocelots were said to be the pets of the gods, holy above all beasts. There were also rumors of pure white ocelots, that surpassed all others in beauty, intelligence, cunning, and skill. When someone had greatly displeased either the gods or the ocelots, the white ocelot would kill them. They would walk forward, as they are fast enough to dodge any weapon, but before they did so, they would howl. It was said to make your blood run cold, however that phrase in its illogicality has obviously lost it's meaning. There was said to be no escape from this attack, and that after killing its victim, the white ocelot would simply leave, not bothering with the carcass. A more factual piece of information, is that after the Vulcans killed many of the ocelots, the sehlats attacked them, and the ocelots had so few numbers left that they were defeated, and driven away. After that, Vulcans began training sehlats. That is all I know on the subject."
"Thank you father." Spock said politely, letting the information sink in. Some of it, like ocelots being the pets of the gods were obviously wrong, but what else could be right? "Has anyone ever tamed an ocelot?"
"No. It is thought to be impossible."
"I see. Very well. Your information has proved most educational. I thank you, father." Sarek nodded, and they returned to their meal. But Spock's curiosity had not yet been sated.
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It was a day off from school, and Spock sat again with the sehlat council.
"I understand you have initiated contact with the cunning." Clawsworth snarled.
"Yes I have."
"How long will this continue? You shall destroy yourself, and you may compromise our entire existence accidentally."
"I see then that you no longer believe me to be a traitor."
"It is not out of the question." Clawsworth growled, baring his fangs.
"Clawsworth, enough!" Lilypad interjected. "He is involved now, there is naught we can do, only prepare him."
"Fine." Clawsworth conceded. "But this path only leads to destruction. Stubborn One only presents danger to us all."
"Stubborn One?" Spock said, a little bit insulted. "I thought you only gave one word names."
"Normally we do. However the name is given special emphasis when it is in two words."
"Enough!" Lilypad commanded yet again. "Or need we place you in the circle of shame again?" Clawsworth fell silent, grumbling. He walked back to his place, and lowered his head, pawing at the ground agitatedly.
"Spock, you have undertaken a great task." Lilypad began. "We all have advised you against it, but you have started now, there is no going back. Should you break your promise to the cunning, then they would be completely within their rights to send their warriors after you to kill you. We would monitor them to ensure they did nothing but hunt you, but with the exception of perhaps Farsight, we would not help you. Indeed, should you have proven yourself to be a liar, we may help in your destruction. Yes, we do not approve your decision, but there is no taking it back now. We can only prepare you. Is there anything you wish to know?"
"Yes." Spock replied, grateful once more for the calm sehlat. Her experience as cultural expert must have given her much more practice with manners than being a general had given Clawsworth! "I have already spoken with the princess, so some of my questions have been answered. But I do wish to know what power she has. She said she was princess, yet she acted as though she had authority. Would that not fall to the king and queen, if ocelots have such things?"
Lilypad glanced at Clawsworth. "The High Princess's parents were wounded, her father by a le-matla, I believe you call it. Her mother was prey to one of the probe droids sent by Vulcans. She fled, to conceal her color, and fell from a great left their oldest child in charge. But if the High Princess needs help she can consult her parents."
"High Princess? Are there others?"
"Not as of now." Fleetfoot said quietly. "But there is a prince. He is ...young though, still a small pup; he will not have the throne... Maka." Clawsworth's head shot up.
"Maka? Fleetfoot, your youth deludes you."
"I do not believe so." Fleetfoot nearly whispered. Spock was now confused again. Ocelots and sehlats had such complicated naming systems!
"What is the meaning of Maka? I thought I was Stubborn One."
"You are." Fireflight whimpered shyly." And you are Maka, at least to me. Maka is in one of our legends. He was a great hero, and he brought together many great peoples. He did not fight, opting instead to speak for peace, though if cornered he would fight with precision and control. You are to bring us together. You shall not fight with malice, but you shall return us to our former glory, or you shall go a long way toward that goal. I know I am the youngest member of the council, and wisdom comes with years, but I know this to be true. You are Maka. You are Chosen One."