((The chapter heading is a line Jessel and Quint share. And oh God, how did this get so dark? I really thought Water would be pretty light-hearted, and Bones would sit safely as a well-tended to prisoner in a small office, growling but never in any danger.))

Chapter 12

Day by Day the Bars we Break

The call from Doherty had come, and Spock and T'Kray had handed their Relocators in addition to Jim and Leonard's to Charika. Now the human would have to connect them to the ship's computer while Blau was instructed to find a way to stop the shield from being compromised further. The day was drawing to a close, and Spock was back in his quarters to speak with Jim. He had sensed some unease from him and had to admit that he was worried.

Spock had barely prepared to make contact when he felt the warmth of Jim's mind, gentle and sweet but aching with something he couldn't quite pinpoint. Are you all right, T'hy'la? The answer wasn't a verbal one, just a sense that yes, his bondmate was well.

Spock, I need to tell you something and I don't know how. That was a strange statement that would never have come from a Vulcan. Their link was telepathic, so when words eluded Jim, he could just convey what he meant. This, however, was still very difficult for the human and something he only did by accident. Spock told him as much. What followed was a sequence of impressions, thoughts, and a trace of fear, revolving around the human representative of the Dariis on the planet. Jim's hope to get into the board of enquiry through her was transmitted along with an idea how that might be done. And Spock understood the underlying fear. He interrupted the incoherent stream of information.

Jim, do you believe I think so little of you? When there was no answer to that, Spock continued. I trust you fully. I would not have bonded with you otherwise. You will not hurt me.

No. Spock, there's something else. An hour ago or so Nentwych told me the descent is broken. A cold hand closed around Spock's heart. Is there any chance that you can do something to stop this?

The science department is working on a solution … and I will join them. Charika is connecting the Relocators to the ships computer so we can use them to bring you and Leonard back up. Jim, be careful, whatever you do. He hesitated, but then almost against his own volition the thought was transmitted. I cannot lose you.

You won't lose me. I'm tough to kill. Spock had no answer to that. He knew this was meant to be humorous, but he was too concerned to appreciate it.

Jim I mean it. I cannot lose you. I cannot. He steadied himself, pushed his fear aside. I need you to do something for me. I will require an artificial source of energy where you are.

I guess … I guess I can do that … I would have thought communications centre, but that's out of reach now the pods aren't working. There's a strong generator near here, too. Any idea when you'll need that?

I will let you know in time. Do not go far away from the place. He considered keeping the next bit to himself, but then he decided against it. There is another generator in a place away from the dome. We assume that Leonard may be near it. If you find yourself in the vicinity of a factory that belongs to the board of enquiry, we do not need a separate signal. But please try to be near one of these two.

Why do you need a source of energy down here? This time, Spock was not going to give the whole truth.

We will then be able to target you. Jim didn't ask further, obviously assuming he meant for transport up or to transport down the Relocators. Please be very careful, Jim. If this woman realises what you are doing she may try to harm you. Do not let her.

What, harm her first?

If you must. I promise you I will make great haste. The mental equivalent of a sigh was transmitted.

Spock, about the Dome … Speed up the science department. You can get me and Bones to safety with Charika's magic, but the rest of them … Spock knew that Jim was right, of course. There were two thousand people down there. The thought that they all would be swallowed by the ocean was terrible to a Vulcan who valued life almost above everything.

I am certain Blau is doing everything she can. But I will remind her of the urgency of the matter.

Good. I miss you, you know. It had only been a few days, but Spock had to admit that the telepathic contact wasn't quite the same. Vulcans lay almost completely still when they slept, but Jim didn't, and sometimes Spock woke up when Jim moved. He hadn't told Jim that because he didn't want him to worry. The truth was, he enjoyed it. He enjoyed slipping out of sleep to find his human shifting against him, always snuggling closer than he had been before. He enjoyed burying his nose in Jim's hair and inhaling his scent. He enjoyed what happened when that woke Jim up in turn. Yes, he missed Jim, too. He put all the affection he had into their link and felt Jim's smile.

Not for long, T'hy'la. After withdrawing from the meld, Spock contemplated reminding Charika of the urgency of his objective. After a moment, he thought better of it. Charika knew how important this was, and he was desperate to help Leonard McCoy. Back on the planet Dainam, Leonard had gone far beyond his duty to save the critically injured man, and Charika was deeply grateful. He now had a chance to return the favour, and there was no doubt that he was thrilled about that fact.

So rather than pressuring Charika, Leonard headed to the science department. At this time, it was all but deserted. Blau's shift must have ended hours ago, only a young woman sat at a desk with her eyes half closed. When Spock entered, she jerked upright. 'When does your shift end, ensign?' he asked her.

'In half an hour, sir.'

'You may go. I do not require assistance.'

'Thank you, sir. The …' She fell silent and flushed crimson.

'Do you have a question?' Looking at her feet, the woman shook her head. He could well imagine what she was going to say: That the projects were delicate and to be handled with care. He had worked in the science department long enough to know that this was something you said to someone who was not part of your department and who might start messing around with your things. Rank did not matter much in those moments. It was actually part of regulations: If the scientists left someone else alone with their projects, they had to point out that things might be dangerous. Everyone on this ship, however, knew that Spock was a scientist and that the only reason why he was not head of the department was his position as executive officer. 'I am aware that you have to warn me. Your concern for the safety of my person and the work of your department is duly noted. Do you know if Blau found anything?'

'We … we're close to a solution. It's a bit difficult because the water's not like normal ocean water. I had an idea, an hour ago, and ran a test. But it'll take a while. It's all there in the files.' Spock eyed the young human and it struck him how easy it was to underestimate these people. She looked young and small and almost like an adolescent. But this was a scientist, not a child.

'What is your name, Ensign?'

'Nita Daran, sir.'

'Go to sleep. If that experiment of yours turns out to be or lead to the solution I will make sure it goes into your record.' If anything, she looked even more intimidated. Spock allowed himself an expression of mild amusement. 'There is no reason to be afraid of me, Ensign Daran.'

'I … I'm not afraid. I just … I didn't expect to speak to a legend when I signed up for this mission.'

'And now you have three legends to deal with. You will find that we are no different to other Vulcans or humans.' Chances were he was the first Vulcan she met, but then again, the differences between the two species were marginal. Not that most Vulcans would like to hear that. It seemed that his words had calmed her a little, because she smiled.

'Thank you, sir. Good night.'

ϡ

When T'Kray woke up in the middle of the night, she wasn't sure why. A glance at the chronometer told her it was 2312 hours. While Vulcans generally had better night vision than humans, the dark was so complete that even her senses couldn't pick up anything except for the digits on the clock. She had a strange, ominous feeling, the way it might be if someone stood on a frozen lake, unsure of the thickness of the ice underfoot.

The picture made her frown. This wasn't something out of her mind. Leonard? she ventured without much hope. She got no answer, not directly, only a sense of futility. Try and talk to me.

It's not working. Unable to help herself, T'Kray smiled.

But it is, I can hear you! Lenkam, where are you? Talk to me! The sense of futility deepened painfully.

I don't know where I am. You'll be too late. I can hardly think straight. I'm aching all over. I don't have much time left.

What is your condition? T'Kray asked, pushing her fear away.

Critically dehydrated. I'm in a cavern of some sort, no idea where. There's a pod station here, and some levers on the wall. I don't have water. Tried to drink salt water to slow the process, but the truth I'm dying. He didn't seem panicked by that thought, and T'Kray was filled with admiration for the stoicism with which Leonard faced this fact. For all his growling when life was good, in extreme situations he was the bravest man one could imagine. Right now, she wished she could say the same for herself.

Don't you dare give up yet. We'll come down so soon, Len. We'll find you and get you up here and help you.

Soon? T'Kray, I don't think I have another 24 hours. What will happen if I die here? To you, I mean. T'Kray really didn't want to think about that, but not answering wasn't an option.

Whatever happens, don't shield, I beg you. If you don't shield I'll sense you even if you're unconscious, and maybe I can help you cling to your life or find you more easily. If you … if you die, I can lock the part of you that I have with me in my soul. A sense of confusion came from Leonard.

Like what Spock did to me? She smiled. It was intensely painful.

No. I cannot take your katra. Only a fraction of it, the one I have since our bonding. A sense of you being there with me. Something to guide me to you when I go.

So Vulcans believe in an afterlife?

We believe that something of us survives. But that doesn't give me comfort now, Len. Promise me to fight. Something changed. The ice gave, but not under her. It was Leonard who was slipping under the surface. The contact didn't break but the deliberateness of his thoughts was gone. He was unconscious, and this time he wouldn't wake without help.

ϡ

Reading through the files started by Blau and continued by Ensign Nita Daran, Spock decided that the young woman deserved a letter of commendation. Her experiment had run its course. All they had to do was add the chemical to the water near the dome. It would take twelve hours for the shield to reform, but with the Relocators they wouldn't need the pods. The door slid open and T'Kray entered, her face slightly drawn. 'How far are we?' she asked without preamble.

'I expect Charika to be finished with his work tomorrow.' T'Kray nodded curtly.

'We have just run out of time. Leonard has lost consciousness from dehydration.' Spock's lips opened slightly and for one moment he wondered if this could still end well at all. If the man was already comatose they had to be very fast.

'Are you certain?'

'I had contact with him before he slipped. Spock, he's going to die.' For one moment, hours ago, he had wanted to give up, to get Jim out of there and leave. The certainty of imminent loss etched into T'Kray's features roused something inside him, perhaps something more human than Vulcan: a sense of defiance, of refusal to sit back and let things happen. He strode over to her and did something that was definitely more human than Vulcan: He grabbed her shoulders and stared at her.

'No. He is not. We will find him, we will bring him back up here, and he will receive the necessary treatment.' Spock let go of her. 'He has one advantage: You are a Vulcan. The moment we reach him, you can meld with him, make him drink something, a little at least, even if he is unconscious. No one is dying.' Leaving her there, he walked quickly to the medical department. He found a nurse and instructed her to prepare in advance whatever was needed to treat severe dehydration.

Spock was back in his quarters when the computer chimed. This could only be Charika. He rushed to the console. 'Spock here.' Charika's face appeared on the screen, looking tired but distinctly triumphant.

'One done, three to go. Now I've worked it out I'll be quicker.'

'When will it be finished?'

'I'll prepare everyting and let the computer do the rest. I'll check the data tomorrow. So … around 1000 hours I should be all done, I guess.' Spock nodded curtly.

'Good. Time is of the essence.'

'I'll try and make it faster, but I've got to double check. Too dangerous otherwise.' Spock pursed his lips.

'Understood. Do what you can and then sleep, Charika. Sleep deprivation doesn't improve accuracy.' The same was true for himself, but sleep eluded Spock, once again, so he lit the firepot and sat cross-legged on the floor. Peace was slow to come, but in the end, it did.

The purpose of this meditation was not so much finding rest but adding the final touches to a plan: He would ask Jim to activate the power source. Spock and T'Kray would transport into the Dome. Together, they would find Leonard McCoy, pods or no pods.

The main problem was that they had no real idea where Leonard was. This they had to find out. If Jim did not manage to winkle that bit out of Nentwych, finding him could prove very difficult. It occurred to Spock that T'Kray might be tempted to force the information from someone. He would keep this in mind. Spock would prefer if that could be avoided. To his own surprise, Spock realised that if there was no other way, he found the idea to coerce one of the board of enquiry into revealing where McCoy was more acceptable than letting the man die. He would have to contemplate that attitude later.

When Leonard was safely aboard the ship, there remained a few other things they had to do: to find out who was behind the board of enquiry; to find out if allowing Driin into the Federation was really a good idea; if not allowing them would be even worse, because the culprits would get what they wanted. That last was not his decision, nor Jim's. What he and T'Kray had to focus on were the two humans, currently trapped under the surface of the vast oceans of Driin. They were both in danger, but the immediacy of the threat to McCoy's life made it difficult to remain calm and composed. To T'Kray it must be infinitey worse, and to Jim as well. Spock had no delusions: If McCoy were to die, they would all emerged scarred with a vital part of them missing. And for the first time since the Doctor had been abducted, Spock forced himself to face that this time, it might come to that.