Taiyah's guards somehow managed to keep their eyes on both the Enterprise away team and the Hath-Menda clan members they passed all at once. "These girls are creeping me out," mumbled McCoy to Tria, whom simply shrugged. The two women followed close by as they were led into the Hath-Menda spire. Inside a group of women were waiting to meet them. Spock recognized they were all dressed in the same attire as the woman who had interrogated them the day before, save for the guards.

One of Taiyah's black-dressed guards pulled out a beeping device, and affixed it to her ear, listening. Spock watched the woman carefully, wondering whom was contacting her. He noticed that the Hath-Menda clans-women all looked at her suspiciously as well, and followed her with their eyes as she approached Tria.

"Matron," she said, "I have just received word that one of our High Matron's most trusted guardians has been sent to aid you during this encounter. Regretfully, she was not available when we left the central spire. With your permission, she would like to take my place."

Tria thought a moment, "Is this...Iyl? Matron Taiyah mentioned sending her to serve me." She spoke evenly and with as much authority as she could muster.

"Yes, madam."

One of the Hath-Menda attendants leaned over, whispering in Tria's ear. She shook her head, disapprovingly. "It is not your concern," she said softly. "Matron Taiyah's offerings of friendship will serve the clan well until Thayra-Lossa has taken it's prize." The attendant backed down, but looked unconvinced. Tria addressed the black-clothed guard. "When she arrives, send her up to my chambers. I need time to prepare." She grinned, ironically. "My predecessor packed quite the punch," she said, rubbing her bruised jaw. The women laughed, appreciating the jest, and dispersed allowing them to take the main elevator to the top floor where the Matron's suite was located.

Once they reached the suite, she asked the second black-clothed guard-woman to make sure no one entered. "Matron," she replied, "it may be best if I were to remain in your presence." She looked subtly at the Hath-Menda guards outside the suite's doors.

Tria shook her head, "I would prefer if you stayed outside," she said firmly; then left the women outside the door.

"It is likely," Spock said as the door swished shut behind them, "that the room is bugged."

The group agreed. Spock and Sulu set to work looking for any suspicious devices in the room. McCoy followed Tria into a dressing room where she sat down at a barely used vanity with a small washbowl set into the surface. "Did you plan on helping me change, Doctor?" she said playfully.

"Ah, no," He said, embarrassed at how following her into the room might have seemed. "I thought maybe some of that woman's clothes might be in here."

"Right," she said. "Dirty laundry. What is that about?"

"I'll need a sample," he said, "of the pheromones they put off so that I can make a sort of … antidote."

Her mouth hung open as she realized what they were planning. McCoy rather stiffly looked through the dressers and closets for anything that hadn't been washed. Tria smirked at the doctor, whom she was certain felt like a dirty old man. The two exchanged a look as he emerged from the bathroom with a light robe, McCoy holding it awkwardly. Tria turned away, giggling at him and started to fill the bowl with water to wash the dried blood off her face.

McCoy excused himself and went into the main sitting room to find Spock and Sulu working on the computer terminal in an ornate metal desk. "Did you find what you need, Doctor?" said Spock.

"Uh, yeah. How about you?"

"We found two concealed transmitters in the room, but there could be more," said Sulu.

"So careful what we say, huh?"

"Indeed," Spock confirmed. "I estimate we will have ninty-seven minutes before Tria is expected to rejoin the other Matrons at the central spire."

"Is that going to give you enough time to...prepare? You know," he added casually, "for the clan." He emphasized 'clan', trying to sound as convincing as possible.

"I am confident that Lieutenant Sulu and I will be able to make the arrangements necessary."

The officers worked in silence at the computer, careful to encrypt their work. Eventually, Tria emerged in fresh clothes, though they did not fit her quite right. It was a short deep red tunic dress that she had to cinch at the waist to fit. She moved over to the desk looking at the men, but not speaking.

"Got it," said Sulu under his breath. McCoy and Tria both moved to gather behind the desk with Spock and Sulu, in view of the monitor. The screen was an array of code, nothing that the Doctor or the anthropologist understood. Sulu yielded the console to Spock, whom entered in a string of commands.

"Are you able to contact the Enterprise?" Tria whispered in Vulcan. The two humans looked at her, confused at first, but realized what she was doing, and looked to their first officer.

Spock nodded tersely. "I am in contact with them now," he replied in Vulcan. He worked quickly, commands flying across the screen with only the occasional response. Spock's eyes focused unwaveringly on the screen for what seemed an age as the others waited, hoping for a successful rescue.

"Doctor," Spock said, sitting back, "Lieutenant, if you would move to the front of the desk. We have little time." The men moved to the other side of the desk. Spock motioned for Tria to follow him but she did not move, not sure what was going on. Spock prudently placed a hand on her back, guiding her away from the desk by at least five yards. The two officers looked at Spock, waiting for some kind of order. "Thirty-nine seconds, gentlemen. Doctor you will only have seventy-three minutes to put your skills to use."

McCoy had almost forgotten about the robe draped across his arm. "I'll do my best, Spock, but that's not much time."

"If you cannot complete the task before the women beam aboard the Enterprise, then more extreme methods will have to be used. I expect in that case, execute with caution. Only the women should execute a backup plan should it be necessary."

McCoy started to say something, but was cut off as the air around them began to hum and streak with light. Within moments they were gone.

Spock stood next to Tria in silence for a moment, realizing his hand was still on her back. Glancing down at her, he could see that she was still looking at the spot where the others had disappeared, thinking. Though the matters at hand came imperatively first, Spock made note that as soon as they were back on the Enterprise and the situation under control, he would have to make certain she went to sickbay. Deep green marks were manifesting around her neck, though she did not show any signs of serious injury.

"Why didn't you go with them?" Tria said suddenly, in Vulcan.

"I do not believe they would be missed. However considering the basis for your challenge with the former Matron Hathra was over myself, I believe it would seem suspicious if you did not keep me at your side." She nodded. The Matrons kept their prize men close to them, so Spock was right.

Uncertain what to do until the rendezvous at the central spire, Tria took the opportunity to appreciate that for now, they were safe; and alone. She pivoted so she stood in front of him, slipping her arms around his midsection. He looked down at her, eyebrow raised. "Although I am certain there are no video surveillance devices in these rooms-"

"Shh," she said. "I'm just happy you're okay." Something about that struck Spock as ironic. She buried her face briefly in his neck, taking in his warmth. He softly placed a hand on the back of her neck, his face a mask, though his eyes were gentle.

"As a guest aboard the Enterprise you are not required to act in response to dangerous situations," he said officially. "It was not necessary for you to attempt a rescue."

She smiled, craning her head to look at him. A stinging in her skin caused her to jerk back down, the ache from her bruises too uncomfortable to stretch in such a way. Instead she stepped back, so she could look him in the eye. "Spock, it doesn't matter if I'm not in Starfleet. I had the opportunity to help you...and you were in danger."

"Though by doing so, you put yourself in danger. It was not a logical decision."

She sighed, putting a hand on his cheek. She could sense his concern, though he tried to suppress the emotion by putting his logic before the urges to protect her. "As much as I might try to make logical decisions," she said, "it is much more difficult when they can affect the safety of someone you love." She smiled, feeling the faint rush of warmth in his being. Brief, but immediately controlled, but there nonetheless. She tried to pull his face closer to his, but was interrupted by a chime at the door.

Tria frowned and Spock stepped back from her, standing inconspicuously back from her. "Come," she said, the door opening. The guard whom had come up the elevator with them entered the room, followed by another woman in similar clothing. The newcomer stepped forward authoritatively, looking Tria in the eye. It struck Tria as a bold move for someone who was not above her current station.

"I apologize for my lateness," she said. "Your clans-women did not want to allow me entrance."

Not knowing how to respond, she said, "Are you Iyl?"

"I am." She looked behind Tria and the Vulcan woman did not miss the recognition in her eyes when she spotted Spock. "Where are your other males?" she said flatly, "I thought they came up with you."

"They are in the back room," Tria said coldly. "I asked them to start cleaning the stench out of my bed chambers." Iyl sniffed, watching Spock closely. "Do you have a problem with him, Iyl? If you had not heard I fought hard to get him back. I would imagine that would speak for itself that he requires more respect than the others in this clan."

"My apologies," she said. "I will see to it personally that your transport back to the central spire is ready … and safe. Matron Taiyah wants to be certain you make it through the day."

"That is kind of her," Tria said respectfully.

"She has much invested in you, Matron," Iyl said. "Your guards told me that if you required any information on your troop formations, you can access the surveillance from your terminal."

"Excellent, though I am certain all is in order. I need only play my part once we arrive, is that not correct?"

"It is. All that is required of you is that you cooperate until the ship is ours. What will happen to you afterward, I cannot be certain. Though if you continue to please my Matron, she will see to it that your rule is bountiful."

"I owe her much," Tria said, maintaining her facade of prestige.

"If you will excuse me, Aata will return for you when we are ready to bring you to the invasion force." She nodded at the other woman and they both left.

"Fascinating," Spock said as soon as they were alone again.

Tria turned to him, confused. "What?"

"That woman is the one whom interrogated Doctor McCoy and myself while we were prisoners in this facility. Though, she now acts as a loyal member of Matron Taiyah's clan."

"What do you think it means?"

"My best assessment would be that she is a spy – for the High Matron."

"She was worried you would recognize her," she mused.

"Indeed."

She shrugged. "I'll be glad to get out of here. All these spies and rivalries are too much."

"Yesterday you were excited to have a chance to observe a new civilization," Spock reminded her.

"Well yesterday I didn't think I would end up so involved," she sighed.

He raised an eyebrow, a subtle hint of amusement in his face. Tria practically floated over to him, arms slipping under his once again. She nuzzled her nose along his jawline and kissed his earlobe. At this close contact she could easily sense the hastily suppressed excitement the gesture caused. "I just hope we're back on the ship tonight," she breathed into his ear.

"The odds that Doctor McCoy will succeed in time are -" She shot a look up at him, he changed his phrasing. "Slim," he concluded.

And regardless of the danger they were still in, she just laughed.