The Children of Vaal (Revised)
Chapter 12
Akunna knelt at Shalana's feet, all ready to confess his crime of nearly violating her twin sister in his dreams. Because he and Shalana were now only able to consummate their union in this manner, having borne the allotted limit of children a Vaalian couple could have in their waking world by law, he looked forward to their nightly dream trysts. He thought she was playing a new game with him, dressed in a sexy native costume. However, forced relations on someone one was not married to was a serious crime. Once he found out that Shavara was not his wife, there was no excuse for what he had done. His wife's sister had never appeared in his dreams before, but he should have known. She had been so frightened of him and his advances that she had screamed herself awake. It had been a couple of days since the dream encounter, and his wife seemed a little cold and distant towards him, so he thought that he had better confess and beg her forgiveness. He loved her very much, and remembered when she chose him as her husband. Since she was presumed dead by her family, she could not make the customary announcement of her engagement to him to her village or to her father. He was proud to have been chosen by her, and hated the humans as much as she did.
Shalana was a little angry with Akunna and disappointed with their children's seeming failure at killing the unwelcome visitors. She already knew what Akunna had done, witnessing his dirty deed in her dreaming state as well. It was an understandable mistake on his part and she almost felt sorry for him as he groveled at her feet like a whipped puppy, but then thought it was noble of him to finally come clean.
"Speak, my husband. What have you done?"
"My wife, I may have made a terrible mistake. I almost forced myself on your injured sister in my dreams. I beg forgiveness."
"You have it, my love. It was an easy mistake to make. We are identical twins. However, should you encounter her again and if she permits it, you must apologize to her. My father, however, probably will not be so forgiving. Judging from her reaction to you, my sister is probably still a virgin, unaccustomed to such things. If Makora wishes it, he could have you put to death for what you have done. I do not wish your death, so stay out of his sight."
"I shall and thank you, my beloved mate." He smiled at her as he got to his feet. "I know that your father is the head of your clan and of your village. He has the right to mete out any punishments for those who harm his kin."
"For the past few days since my sister was reported injured and beamed aboard that Federation ship, I have thought about what we have done. We are both guilty of inflicting harm on other Vaalians in our attempts to dispose of the human invaders. My sister is important to me, and should not be thought of as collateral damage. I am relieved that she still lives. We must get my kin off that ship so we can destroy it. When the ship that bears Kirk's ship's name is destroyed, that will send a message to the Federation that they can no longer ignore us, trifle with us, or interfere with our culture. The people of Kirk must pay for what they have done."
"You will get no argument from me, my love. However, haven't they already paid? We have been at war with them for over seventy-five years and just killed Kirk's engineer."
"True, but to them we are glob flies.* This starship in orbit must be destroyed. That will show them that we mean business." She paused in thought for a moment. "Akunna, do not ever try to defile my sister again. If you do, I will have you executed myself."
"And I would deserve it. You have my vow that it will not happen again. If I should encounter her in my dreams again, I will listen to her protestations."
"I accept your vow, my husband. If either of us are caught, we will have to pay for what we have done. I have no intention of being caught. On another matter, what say you about my Romulan friend Toreth? Was she successful at reaching our children?"
"She has. She is very resourceful. Our children will be successful as well at defeating the humans, now that she has given them the necessary tool to do so. Our first born told me via a Romulan communicator that Toreth left for them that he plans now to kill the captain of the Enterprise first."
"A lofty goal. I am proud of him. I know that it is extremely difficult for someone to beam aboard a Federation starship once they have raised their defensive shields, but knowing Toreth and her determination to get her revenge against the dark haired dream intruder, she will find a way."
"My love, why are your kin still aboard that vessel? It seems to me the longer they stay on board, the more dangerous the humans may become. In fact, your father and your sister might already be dead. Our children informed us that they have not been allowed to meet their aunt in their sickbay."
"If they are dead, then Picard and his minions will deserve to die at our hands."
"Agreed, my beloved." They both looked up to the ceiling of their fortress, both hoping now that all was well with their people and their children on the orbiting ship.
Makuta and his siblings bowed in reverence as Toreth appeared in a shower of transporter sparkles in their midst. She told them that she did not have much time, the diversion created by Sirol would only last a few minutes, but did manage to give them an incendiary device to plant next to the warp core and instructions on how to do it. When she left and beamed aboard the uncloaked Romulan craft at the close of Sirol's and Picard's conversation and at Sirol's signal, Makuta's sister Seletha spoke to him.
"Makuta, do we really have to do this? These people have not harmed us. In fact, I rather enjoyed their iced cream that they gave to us."
"I liked it too, Seletha but they may have harmed or killed our aunt. For some reason, they are refusing to let us see her. Besides, I was not completely satisfied with killing fake humans made of light on their holodeck, and neither was our mother when we talked with her after Toreth left."
"But is it not still wrong to harm those who have not harmed us?"
"I have the authority here as first born, Seletha. They have harmed and killed our people when they destroyed our god machine. They must be punished. All of you, it is past time for revenge against the humans. Once this ship is destroyed, the Federation will not be trying to apprehend our mother again."
"Others might come, my brother." Mathari, the second born spoke up.
"Then they will meet the same fate as the Enterprise."
* A Klingon insect, half the size of a mosquito. ("The Outrageous Okona")
