Star Trek: Kos'Karii Book 1

by Kos'Kari

Set during the Federation-Cardassian War, a Klingon with telepathic abilities adjust to life as a Starfleet Intelligence Agent.

14. Chapter 14

Book 1 – Chapter 14

The seat looked like an oversized dentist's chair. She was strapped down at her ankles, wrists, and across her chest. From the outside of the circular interrogation area, the force field allowed the team to see in clearly. From the inside, the field was a solid white wall. She was mildly aware of her restraints, but very convinced of her pregnancy. She sang Terran lullabies to 'Little Jonathan.'

Just before Jack crossed the threshold, K'hux expressed a keen observation, "During the holodeck fight, I saw Selvah come to your side. She stands almost as tall as you. If she is looking up at the blonde's face, the person behind the mask is probably male." He tightened his fists, "It's important somehow. Is it meaningful to you?"

"Nothing comes to mind," Jack said, "but it's an observation I can use."

K'hux felt he was onto something but could not pinpoint it. But maybe someone here could assist, "Which one of these telepaths can best keep secrets?"

Ileybra slipped in and whispered, "You can trust them both, but Lucy needs a break from Selvah. Come, I'll introduce you."

When Jack entered the room, Selvah's emotions blew him back into the door, and the smell was like a seedy barroom; stale beer, old cigarettes, and sweat.

"Jack, my love, I've missed you," her sigh was saccharine sweet, "How was your trip?"

Instead of hiding his anger, he used it, "Unsuccessful, I could not find your lover. Who is he!? Where can I find him?"

Selvah was genuinely hurt by his accusation. "I would never betray you."

"Then who have you been sneaking around with behind my back?" he snapped. "I was told he was my height, and blond with blue eyes." He raised his voice, "What is his name!?"

"I have no lover!" she was defensive, then she got mad, "You have a lover – that Klingon girl! She cast a spell upon you. I saved you from her." Her ire turned to joy, "You and I can be together now."

Jack inquired, "How did you save me? What did you do?"

"What does it matter, my love?" she wondered. "We can put your affair behind us and move on."

"I need to know," Jack shed crocodile tears and gave Selvah an incentive, "I need closure. If I don't know, I'll never get over her."

"A neuro-toxin," Selvah informed him.

"I need the cure," Jack tried to sound frantic, "She was never alone. Dozens of people could be infected. 'I' could be infected!"

She shook her head, "It was designed with her in mind. I wouldn't have gone along with the idea if others – if you – could be hurt."

Jack was making progress, "This wasn't your plan? Who helped you?"

"I cannot say," she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply through her nose. "You smell wonderful. Come closer, my dear heart."

If he didn't get out of here soon, he was going to throw up. "Selvah, I will not have secrets between us. You will tell me everything, from the beginning, about this plot. I will otherwise divorce you and you will never see me again. So, start talking!"

Selvah could not talk fast enough. "I was approached at the ShiKahr District marketplace, on Vulcan. I had just discovered you and that girl were cohabitating. I suddenly heard a voice. She spoke my name and asked how I knew Rexx. I told her I knew no such person. After she described Rexx, I realized she meant the Klingon girl."

Selvah had no intentions of telling this person anything, but something overwhelmed her. She felt compelled to describe every detail to this woman. The Klingon girl's attendance was horrible. When she did come to school, she wore whatever she wanted, instead of a cadet's uniform. It infuriated Selvah that the harder she campaigned the faculty for the girl's expulsion, the more leeway her colleagues extended to the exchange student.

Off campus, the girl absconded with Jack's affections. They shared a domicile. Sometimes, that damned girl wore Jack's dress shirts when they ran errands together. It was a subtle, but revealing display of their intimacy.

Over St. Patrick's Day weekend, Jack had taken the girl to Ireland to see a parcel of land that his father, Lorian, had inherited from his father's side of the family. There was only one building still standing on the property – a one room cottage, about 30 feet away from a warm spring. On the near end of the structure, closest to the door, was a kitchen, with a wood burning stove and a sink with an indoor pump to the well. On the far side was a fireplace and a sleeping area.

Jack remembered that weekend. A few days before the trip, he took a day off from work to go to the cottage, inspect it, and hire a cleaning crew to give it the deluxe treatment. Once the job was done, Jack returned to make sure the place was spotless and stocked it with supplies, to include an inflatable bed. When Jack took Kari there, Selvah, this Peeping Tom bitch, watched and filmed the couple performing favors for each other!

Jack fumed, "Where is the film footage!?"

She was shaken by his ire, "I gave it to the woman. She insisted I give her all the images I had of you and the girl." She started to withdraw, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to anger you."

Jack had to calm himself, lest Selvah stop confessing. After finding control over the volume of his voice, he continued the interrogation, "The woman at the marketplace, what does she look like?"

"She is a blonde with blue eyes, rounded ears," Selvah said. She closed her eyes, and lifted her chin. "She is small. I remembered thinking she looks like Adanya."

Jack followed up, "Who is Adanya?"

When Selvah was in medical school, her academic advisor said she was not well-rounded. He recommended she be a mentor in the Academy's tutoring program. She was assigned to Adanya, who was struggling with chemistry.

Jack said, "You graduated medical school a century ago. What is it about her that you remember her a hundred years later?"

"I envied her," Selvah remembered. "She was beautiful and charming. She had so many admirers and I had none." Internally, she was grateful that Jack had taken an internship off-world. Otherwise, he would have been head over heels for the Betazoid female. And Adanya would not have insisted he convert to Klingon-ism.

"I don't remember how long the blonde and I talked," Selvah continued, "but she said if I helped her, Rexx would be gone, once and for all. She said when I decide to help her, she would be near."

She lowered her chin, and started sobbing, "The night at the movie theater, when you shared your coat with that girl, I decided to help. I looked about the theater, and the blonde woman was there. She gave me instructions. Over the next few weeks, I researched the virus she wanted and wrote notes. When I acquired all the data, I put it in an envelope and looked for the woman. She was outside my lecture hall the next day, where…" she scowled, "…it was the Betazoid electoencephalogy class. That blasted girl never came to class but managed to pass the course! She conspired with the Commandant to cheat."

Kari did not cheat. Jack tutored her and Ray asked the head of Starfleet Medical's neurology department to grade her paper and projects. The doctor took her paper to Brack Woodside and said, "Ray Donald removed the student's name from the paper. Whoever he or she is, you might want to make this person an SI Agent."

Jack got a specific vibe from Selvah, "You offered to turn the virus into a weapon against Kari, didn't you?"

Selvah opened her eyes and admitted, "I even told the blonde I was at the top of my class in micro-biology. All I needed was a sample of the girl's blood, and I could tailor the poison specifically for the witch. She said not to worry. Someone else would make what she wanted. She said my part was over, but I should continue to report on the girl's activities."

It wasn't likely to have one, but Jack asked anyway to cover the bases, "Imagine the envelope. Is there writing on it? A name or address?

Selvah closed her eyes once more, trying to see it, "Manila envelope. There's nothing on it."

Jack sensed no lies, and the envelope he saw in her head was indeed blank. He also found a memory about Ezra. The blonde told her how Ezra died. Selvah only repeated what she had heard. She was not part of the Rixx murders.

"I need a drink," he got up from the chair. As he headed for the door, he told Selvah, "Stay put."

Once outside the room, he went to the food replicator. T'paan followed with tricorder in hand, taking his vitals and recording his brainwaves. Ray was also on Jack's heel, "So, what's up with her?"

Ken had followed Ray, "She's telling the truth. All we have her on is conspiracy to commit murder on our DD."

Ray wondered, "What about the shuttle explosions?"

Ken answered, "The blonde told her."

As Jack gulped water, he pointed at Ken and nodded to confirm his statement. Breathlessly, he ordered, "Get access to Terra's satellite surveillance videos. Night of New Year's, look around the Academy movie theater. The blonde…" he kept drinking water.

Though Jack didn't finish the set of instructions, Ken was reading his mind, "I'm on it!"

Before he took off, Ray said, "Loop me in, please."

Jack shooed Ken along and did his best to explain, "She's been hypnotized. The mind bender used her memory of Adanya to mask himself. But she spoke to someone that New Year's night. It might be the real conspirator. If not, the conversation she had with whomever might reveal something."

Ray was anxious for the cure, "What about the poison? Has it been delivered? If yes, how much time do we have to get the cure? If not, who is the poisoner?"

T'paan demanded of Ray, "Back off. His temperature has gone up three degrees since exiting that room."

Jack started shaking and told T'paan, "It's not me. Kari's agitated. I need to get back to Titan."

"Lucy!" Ray hollered.

She did not come out of the galley where she'd taken K'hux, but Ileybra poked her head out, "nuq (What)?"

Ray answered, "loDnal nIS kari. k'hux ghaH ngeH titan tlhob. (Kari needs her husband. Ask K'hux to send him to Titan.)"

K'hux exited the galley behind Ileybra. He scowled at Ray, "tlhIngan Hol Dajatlh'a' (You speak Klingon)?"

Ray scowled back, "Qu' wej SenwI' rIlwI' je (doesn't everyone)?"

The doctors, the telepaths, and the Marines nodded. Individually, they replied, "HIja'."

The Klingon nodded, "nov yap (you foreigners are all right)." Then he tapped his com, "K'hux to Amy. Is my Lady Kos'Kari with you?"

"Yes," Amy was heard. "She hyperventilated, but…"

"HoD K'hux!" totlh barked while gasping for air, "Return now. Set course for vulqangan 'a wej!"

*** BREAK ***

After unlocking the front door, his dog rushed by him to the panel under the front staircase. The hatch was the barrier to the basement, and the pet bolted down the steps, barking his head off. This was not right. He had locked the door to his underground sanctuary before taking the dog for an afternoon stroll. Someone was in his house. Standing in the front threshold, he noted the doorjamb was in perfect condition – entry was not forced. He went to the basement door – the padlock was not scratched, so again, no forced entry.

Flickering light from the 'man cave' suggested the intruders were still here. He then realized that he no longer heard Pen Veh. Worried about his best furry friend, he dashed downstairs. At the bottom of the steps, he stopped. Shining up from the center of his workbench in the middle of the room was a holographic pornographic film. The female in this smut was his daughter.

"Per your playback device, you have viewed this footage an inappropriate number of times." The statement came from the female standing to the right of the work table. Her black leather vest tapered at the waist, and came down to the middle of her calf. Where the garment left off, a set of heavy, military-style boots began. Her head was bald. Her ears were pointed. The tattoo on the ball of her left shoulder looked like a dragon's head. Its serpentine body coiled the limb. Her middle digit was the tip of its tail. Upon that finger was a flawless half-carat diamond.

He walked up to the table, and disengaged the video player. The room was now completely dark. He said, "Two minutes in, I turned it off to go vomit."

The darkness replied, "You knew what it was before loading it up for playback. So, as I said, viewed more times than appropriate. Computer, illuminate the room, 40 percent brightness."

When light returned, he found the female had turned to him. He did not expect to see cranial ridges, but he did expect an iris-less stare. The white around the pupils turned blue right before his eyes. The hue was her not-so-subtle display of adoration. She whispered, "Hello, Father. You look better than I expected."

Ambassador Sator'Roc ejected the old-style thumb drive from the playback unit, and smashed it on the tabletop. He placed the mangled drive in his daughter's hand, and then he held his child, "Hello, my precious girl." He kissed her forehead, "Though I am pleased to see you, you should not be here. You don't know who might be watching."

She stood on tiptoe to peck his cheek, "Transporter tech, no one saw a thing."

As she squeezed her Daddy, Sator'Roc heard someone else in the room. The tenor voice spoke in Vulcanese, "I thought you were fatter than this! You are just all fur, aren't you, boy?"

Father spotted the male in the far side of the basement. His head was not shaved clean, but his dark brown locks were cut very short. His green eyes were bright. His pointed ears revealed him as part Vulcan. The ease in which he had smiled at Pen Veh was a sure sign that he was part human. His black leather vest also tapered at the waist, but in a masculine manner. Though the male hid his skin under a long-sleeve, grey shirt, his muscular biceps and triceps were pronounced. They rippled as the young male clutched Pen Veh.

While rubbing the dog's belly, the lad laughed in Vulcan, "You are ticklish!" The pet licked the warrior's face, "Wow, your breath is horrid!" He set the dog down and encouraged him, "Go fetch me your treats. Go on!"

"Father," while looking up at him, Daughter tapped the left side of Father's chin with her right index and middle fingers, "Focus on me, not him."

To Daughter's companion, Father looked like Bill Nighy, the vampire king from the 'Underworld' horror flicks. The parent narrowed his eyes at the male but growled at his child, "Au tor wuh veh svi' wuh wontin k' du. Uf tor du dotor tor shok ish-veh kanu k' ik ru'lut i'? (Vulcan to English: He is the one in the film with you. How do you plan to kiss your children with that mouth now?)"

Daughter rolled her eyes and huffed in tlhIngan Hol, "mIw rap jIHvaD wom SoS; nuj SoQmoH 'ej pagh qab licking! jIHvaD, vav, wej ghaH yIqIm! (The same way Mother kissed me; mouth closed and no face licking! Pay attention to me, Father, not him!)"

The dog bounded down the steps and dropped a bag of Milk Bones at the warrior's feet. The warrior placed the dog atop the far end of the workbench and started giving him treats from the bag. He laughed, "Atta boy! Take 'em down like Tic-Tacs. Have another one!"

"Father," Daughter tapped his chin again, "I need the details for your neuro-toxin and its cure."

Father finally turned his sights away from the male and onto his daughter. He ran his palm over her smooth cranium, "The poison excludes you, My Treasure, because you are not a pureblood Rixx. These ridges and ears are masterfully sculpted and flawlessly applied. How long have you had them?"

"A few days," she smiled as Father ran his fingers over the bumps on her forehead. She whispered with both love and sadness, "vav (Father), why did you do it?"

As a Vulcan, he could not lie, but he could stall, "I will tell you everything when the Terran calendar changes over to a new day. Will you spare 47 minutes for your father?"

With a quick shake of her head, Daughter shut her eyes and winced. Immediately, her companion barked, "Qo'noS khel k'hux. ngeH tInwI' SuD chal Dargh. (Khel to K'hux. Send down blue lotus tea.)"

As a red China tea set for three appeared on the crafts table, the companion came to his Lady, picked her up, and gently seated her upon the slab. He commanded her to look at him.

Father expressed discontent in Vulcan, "Du dungi stariben tor t'sai von k' nuhk'es. (You will speak to Lady Von with courtesy.)"

He firmly asserted in tlhIngan Hol, "tIvu' jIHbe'. jIvItpu' DochHa'meH ra' ghaH jaw. (I am not your servant. I will speak to my Lady in the manner she commands.)" He then took a cup from one of its saucers and brought it to her lips. Though his voice was stern, his expression was one of concern, "tlhutlh. vaj ghIch qeb SoH, 'oH Qo' mum SoH. (Drink. If you squeeze your nose, you won't taste it.)"

As she pinched her nostrils and sipped the beverage, the companion advised her, "yIjatlh vaj vIleghjaj SoH. (You should let me talk to him.)"

She shook her head and sadly bade him, "ghobe' Qu' ghotvam'e'. vIleghjaj. (No, this is my duty. Let me do it.)"

The obedient servant lowered his head once, set the tea cup in her hand, and took a step back, "HIja', jawwI' (Yes, my Lady.)"

As she closed her eyes and pinched her nose to take another sip, the companion glared at the father and contacted his mind, "Tell her what she wants to know or surrender your mind to her so she can find the answers herself. You are otherwise hurting her. If she flinches again, I will not deal with you lightly."

As Father assisted Daughter with another sip of tea, he promised, "Waiting will not harm the Empire. Please be patient; only 46 minutes left until tomorrow. Tell me, My Treasure, how did you figure me out?"

"A couple of little things," she drank a bit more of this horrible brew, "The first was a set: Rexx and Selvah." Though Von knew the name 'Trajan Rexx Sator'Roc,' he never used it. The patriarch introduced her to the servants of his Ancient House and visitors to his home as, 'my daughter, the Lady Kos'Kari.' Only three people ever called her Rexx: Mother, Father, and Saltas.

Because Selvah is exceptionally tall for a female and she looks up to see the blonde's face, K'hux deduced the blonde was probably a male in disguise. Gender alone eliminated Mother, and height disqualified Mother and Saltas. Leaving only Father.

The second thing was the satellite that killed Ezra and his family. The programming language was oddly familiar, but she could not place it. Then, earlier today, she overheard K'hux telling the story of Lady Balnac, her gnomes, and her flashcards.

Daughter said, "I loaded the language into a text-to-speech program, adjusted the audio pitch, and suddenly, I heard Balnac speaking gnomish. All this time, I thought you burned those index cards. Instead, you studied them."

Father hopped onto the table, taking up the empty space beside Daughter, "Lady Balnac was a linguist. Though the syntax is Klingon, object-verb-subject, the parts of gnomish speech were modeled after Terran Latin. Because you spoke so many languages, she thought you would think it was fun. After the Halloween incident, she was heartbroken that you, her favorite youngster on the block, had teased her. I learned gnomish to explain that I put the zombies on her lawn."

Daughter wondered, "I hardly spoke to her. Why was I her favorite?"

Father smirked, "You exercised Vulcan manners, instead of Klingon, when you interacted with her. She thought your mind keen for realizing a non-Klingon would appreciate a less aggressive tone."

Daughter looked about the basement arts and crafts room and remarked, "I see you have developed an appreciation for Lady Balnac's lawn ornaments."

Father said of the gnomes that lined the shelves in here, "They have two layers of paint. During the day, they look as they do now; happy and friendly. At night, they glow in the dark with undead cannibalistic glory!"

She snickered, "I'll have to get K'hux down here for a peek and a good laugh!"

"K'hux," the Father smiled, "His is a name I have not heard in a long time. How is he and the rest of the family?"

She grinned, "When he is not my first officer, K'hux is headmaster of Von's officer training school. Recently, he has found himself madly in love with a beautiful human-Vulcan hybrid, with fiery red hair."

H'tav had retired from Qo'noS's public-school system. He was now in charge of Von's training camp for youngsters, ages three to 15. Rico completed a four-year enlistment with the KDF. Under K'hux, the twin was learning the finer points of strategy and commanding soldiers and ships. Nala's situation had not changed; she was still head of Lord Von's household staff, and utterly in love with her ex-husband.

She said of her patriarch, "Von continues to wait for Aujin's return; but he is not idle. He is still the leader in medical device development. He has hired Amy, the object of K'hux's affection, to assist with his inventions."

"Amy is a nice name, it means 'beloved,'" Father said, and inquired, "I assume she is your friend. Do you have many of them?"

Because not all of them had surnames, Kari listed friends alphabetically by first name: Alan Hamilton, Amy Grey, Ben Posey, Danny Pays, Danovaa, Frank Lacroix, Gregg Clark, Ileybra Vroh, Ken Berkley, Lucy Bennett, Rahim Irraziqi, Ray Donald, T'Paan, and Tennille Posey (Ben's daughter).

"Vroh?" Father repeated, "The name is familiar. From where do I know it?"

She had to recall for him, "Shonar Vroh defended me in the criminal assault charge involving Doybesh."

"The bully!" Father partially remembered it, "I thought Rico crippled him."

She said sadly, "No, Father, I did. You don't remember much, do you?"

Father confessed, "Prior to your birth, I recollect a great deal. I have difficulties with the last 20 years." Father pointed at the other male in the room, "You neglected to list him as a friend."

"He is in a category all by himself," she informed Father. "His name is Jack." In detail, she recalled the night she first saw her beloved; the time of year, the time of day, and the playful sehlat. She said with a laugh, "I guess I'm not good at flirting because our paths crossed twice that night, and I could not get him to follow me."

He did not interrupt, but silently, he thought, "I chased you for miles the first time, and lost you in the crowd at the movie theater. I didn't pursue the second time, because I thought you and Tennille were on a double date."

She turned her head to her romantic partner and said aloud, "I sat at the bar's front window all night, keeping my eyes open for you."

Once more, his mind spoke, "You drank apple juice that night instead of hard liquor. Did you stay sober in case I showed up?"

Because Father heard only one side of the conversation, he did not understand the whole thing. However, when the tips of the male's ears turned green at Daughter's brilliant violet stare, he suddenly knew too much! He disrupted the pair's intimate telepathic communications with, "When did you finally meet?"

By chance, they bumped into each other the next morning. She described the entire day, but to the companion, she left out something very important. Almost a year later, he was still very annoyed that… "She wouldn't tell me her name."

Father smirked at Daughter, "You have your grandfather's guile." He gazed amused at the companion, "By not telling you, you would not be able to sleep. You would be up all night, thinking about her, anxious to be with her again. Come the morning, you would hold onto her with both hands, and never let go. She baited and hooked you, but good!"

Companion was even more irritated, "You tricked me!" he was also confused, "How did you learn this from Che or Darius Rixx? They passed away before you were born."

"Klingon guile," Father clarified, "She learned it from General Chang's journals." Von's marriage to Nala was a means of solidifying an alliance between their parents. Though Nala eventually fell in love with her mate, Von was not passionate about her. When Aujin came along, Chang not only thought her a better ally, but a bride his son would appreciate.

"When Von and Aujin met, Chang did not introduce her by name," Father explained, "Throughout the evening, he addressed and referred to her as ''IH jawbe'' – the beautiful lady. Chang wasn't sure the tease had the desired effect until the next morning. Von contacted his father just before dawn, hyper about starting work with her."

Because Chancellor Gorkon had declined her assistance, Aujin left Qo'noS's orbit shortly after Von had left their company the night before. Days later, when Gorkon died, and Chang ordered Von to find Aujin, he did not have to look hard. In those interim days, he had been tracking her ship's movements, purchased a vessel, stocked it, and was less than an hour away from leaving everything behind, including his honor, to pursue a life with her.

The companion assumed, "She had to have known what Lord Von was up to when he caught up with her."

"Indeed," Father said, "She also knew what Chang had intended for her and Von. She played ignorant because doing otherwise would not further her goal of helping the Klingon people."

He wondered, "Did she know about the conspiracy?"

Father speculated, "Probably."

He asked, "Why didn't she stop it?"

Father stated fact, "For centuries, Klingons have killed their leaders when they become ineffective. Why would she interfere with an accepted social and cultural practice?"

He countered, "She considered it wrong when members of her family were assassinated."

Daughter pointed out, "That perception is correct because, on Betazed, assassination is not an accepted practice."

The companion appeared satisfied with the answers, so Father tapped Daughter's hand and requested, "When and where did you go on your first date?"

The first date took place ten days after they met. He took her to the San Francisco Zoo. Because it was outdoors, visitors could bring their leashed pets. While the pair was at the small monkey cage, reading the placard, an elderly couple passed behind them with their Teacup Yorkie. The pup yipped and got Kari's attention. The monkeys screeched, which made Companion look up. She laughed, "The lemur almost marked the back of Jack's head with a heavy stream of urine, ha-ha!"

For their second date, he took her to Disneyland. With VIP passes, they did not have to wait in long lines for rides and shows. They rode everything and had front row seats for the musical performances! When the nightly fireworks show started, they watched while snuggling in a gondola.

Their third date was at Universal Studios. She enjoyed the documentary on the history of filmmaking. He got fitted for a superhero costume. Though originally acquired for Halloween, he wore it regularly, to cheer up sick children at local hospitals.

She brought Father's attention to her diamond ring, and with eyes of sapphire blue, she gazed at her companion, "On the morning of November 1st, he took me to a holo-suite, wherein all the stars in the known universe seemed to bat their lashes at us. Down upon one knee, he professed love and proposed marriage."

From that moment on, the pair referred to each other openly as 'loDnal' and 'be'nal.' At the end of the same month, they began sharing a residence. The next day, she filed paperwork with Starfleet to have 'Tucker' listed as her surname. Though California did not recognize common-law unions, the institution of 'Starfleet' was considered a separate entity; the same way Washington D.C. was independent from the state of Maryland. On May 29th, after 180 days of living together and presenting themselves as married, they met Starfleet's requirements for common-law marriage.

Father was mesmerized by her glow, but wondered, "Why do you not exchange wedding vows?"

Her radiance dimmed. She sighed sadly, "We do not yet have Von's approval."

Father still did not understand, because of the tattoo, "This is Rico's artwork, is it not?"

"It is," she extended her arm, and admired her brother's talent, "He did it freehand!"

"Qu'vaD loDnal (Husband of my daughter)," the Father addressed the companion, "You have a matching mark down your right arm?"

"HIja', vav be'nal (Yes, father of my wife)," Jack replied, "'nuD DaneHchugh? (Do you wish to examine it?)"

Father nodded, "HIja', bel (Yes, please)."

Husband picked up Pen Veh and carried him to its master. Kari's lenses turned purple as her mate set his vest upon her lap and pulled his arm out of his jersey. As Father inspected the kos'karii drawing on the husband's arm, Husband whispered softly, but firmly to the Daughter, "DapoltaH, jot be'. ghaH vavra''e' pa'Daq. (Calm yourself, woman. Your father is in the room.)"

In a hushed tone, she quipped, "loDnal. chaw' jIH SoH Ho'. (You are my husband. I am permitted to admire you.)"

Father addressed the male, "Under modern rites, only Rico's approval is required for you to wed his sister."

Husband knew, but, "My bride belongs to an Ancient House. It is disrespectful to her and the living god to proceed without the patriarch's blessing."

Father appreciated his perspective, "Qu'vaD loDnal, please spell my daughter's full Klingon name."

Husband had been through this before with H'tav, and was happy to do it again for the biological father. He spelled her name and knew why the 'V' in V'Kos'Kari was silent. He knew the difference between H'tav's 'House' versus Kari's 'Ancient House.' When asked to recite his bride's maternal lineage, he listed seven couples, going back six generations accurately: Annaliese and Theseus; Annabel and Addom; Aujin; Cassandra and Aaron; Casella and Castor; Deidre and Darius; Alyssa and Sator'Roc; and Aujin and Von. Husband correctly included Aujin twice. Her first appearance was credit for creating the artificial womb that gestated Cassandra and Aaron's children. The second time was due to Aujin being the patriarch's wife.

When asked of his wife's siblings, Husband provided the names of Aujin's children, "Gaius, the son of Magnus Vulko. Draikon, Lucius, Odyssess II (namesake of Marcus's uncle), and Oberon II (namesake of Aujin's father), the sons of Marcus Bocc. Axin Kullox Rexus, the daughter of Lord Von." The last name on the list was Mriq'O; which was indeed twin-brother-Rico's true birth name.

Father wondered, "Do you know the significance of the name 'Axin Kullox Rexus'?"

He was aware of the three Betazoid figures, but he did not have the trio's full story. However, of what he did know, "I can't imagine how the brothers must have resented each other!"

Father said, "For the sake of the nine children she had with them, they learned to deal with it."

"NINE!?" he was astonished.

"Per Bao-tan records, eight pregnancies and nine births," Father nodded, "Rexus fathered five. After his death, Traxin and Kullox disappeared with their four offspring. She was, at the time, not yet 40, so they may have had more children."

"Rexus died first?" Husband repeated, "I thought he was the younger brother."

She confirmed, "He was. It is a very long story, for another time."

Father suggested, "As the brothers and Traxin are the reason you are here, you should share the tale."

Husband looked at his wife, who was unhappy that he'd put his shirt and vest back on. "DapoltaH, yISeH be'; 'ej nuq vIghel ghaH muja'. (Control yourself, woman; and tell me what he is talking about.)"

Father, himself, explained, "In the lowest level of the Royal Rixx Palace is a room lined with hexagonal pieces of amber. Each dollop contains an engorged mosquito. Inside the insects is a blood sample of Traxin and her daughters. When technology advanced, bugs were replaced as keepers of the family DNA and the genetic profiles have been uploaded to a database."

Father continued, "Traxin's last recorded pregnancy was with Kullox, and reveals she had twins: a boy and a girl. The daughter's DNA is captured in amber. Except for the XX chromosome, Chann is a genetic match to Kortar, the first Klingon."

Husband paraphrased to ensure he understood what he was hearing, "From the family name, I gather Rexus fathered the Betazoid royal family, and Kullox is the progenitor of the Klingon people." He stared at his wife, "Were Kullox and Rexus biological brothers or brothers like K'hux and me?"

She replied, "Biological half-brothers through their father."

Next logical step in this was, "So you must have some of Kullox in you, which means you share a few DNA markers with Kortar. How many?"

Father said proudly, "Thirteen."

Daughter informed him, "You missed a few. Doctor H'okH and her research team identified 16." She then pouted, "I share only four with Kahless."

Husband realized the social implications of this, but it was not foremost in his mind. He muttered to himself, "It makes sense." With Betazoid telepathy, Klingons could read the minds of enemies, know their strategies, and develop countermeasures. The downside was, "The flu that sterilized and short circuited the Rixx family telepathy would probably have the same effect on Klingons." He peered unto his wife, with the realization, "The High Council asked you to get the neuro-toxin, its variations, and cures."

"Any Rixx who survived the flu carries a cure, because we have antibodies," she stated. "But, we Klingons will not advertise our kinship to Betazoids, so my antibodies will be used for vaccines once we get to Qo'noS. As an added precaution, the Empire wants the parent strain and the cure you developed a quarter century ago. The problem is, Starfleet's medical database on the subject is corrupt. It looks like someone put a lit cigarette to micro-fiche. Selvah might have done it to cover her tracks. There are only two ways to know: get the notes she gave the blonde woman, or get whoever hypnotized her to undo the Jedi Mind Trick."

Husband reminded her, "I diagramed the original toxin and the cure. If your telepathy can jog my memory, I can redraw it."

She was aware of this, but, "I still need Selvah's notes. If it does not match your recollection or if it contains information not on the fiche, she is most likely the person who damaged the database. If she is not the culprit, there is an unidentified player at the table. He, she, or they can recreate the illness or cultivate new strains." She tapped her father's knee, "So, Father, back to the original request: I need the details of your neuro-toxin and its cure."

Father nodded, "You will have it in 20 minutes." He killed time by asking, "How was your reunion with Alyssa?"

The Daughter stated, "Frustrating. She wants me to rule her people, and realign them with the Empire. As Queen-Regent, she does not need me to surrender Betazed to the Klingons."

Father stated, "For Betazed to be considered a partner instead of a conquest, you are very much required."

Daughter countered, "For them be 'partner material,' Betazoids must have something of value with which to bargain. In goods, it has natural resources. However, it is already being shared with neighboring worlds. There isn't enough to offer the Empire. Even if there was, Betazoids do not have a fleet or a proper armed escort service to deliver the goods. So, the Empire would have to pick up its purchase, which is not time- or cost- effective. In services, Betazoids have telepathy. But, as socialists and pacifists, they will not use their powers for the benefit of the Empire before all others, nor will they use the ability in war efforts, even if it would save their own skins. Thus, their only use is as a labor force. Mother can sell her people into slavery, without my help."

Daughter did not feel it, but Jack certainly did. He mentally commented to his bride, "He is pleased that you are angry with Alyssa. Why?"

Immediately, she asked, "vavwI' (my Father), why do you want me to be mad at Mother?"

Father stated, "Children often see their parents as never-do-wrongs, which makes it difficult for them to hear and accept the truth."

She inquired, "And what is the truth?"

Father squeezed her hand, "You might want to document the rest of this conversation."

She sat up, and cracked her neck left and then right. The popping sound was loud. She closed her eyes for a moment and upon reopening, the orbs were solid black. She called out, "totlh to K'hux, begin audio and visual recording."

K'hux replied, "ta (recording)."

"I am Sator'Roc, son of Che." He began by saying he had grown up on Vulcan with human neighbors and friends. Due to their influence, his emotions were close to the surface. For this reason, his father believed Terrans were a cancer to be cut out of every society. When Che discovered Crown Princess Aujin of Betazed was holding a proverbial scalpel, he hurriedly went to her aid.

The Ambassador said, "I had not considered humans or emotions a disease. Father wanted to show me otherwise, so he brought me to Betazed to see for myself." Having lost her parents, grandmother, and child, and then finding her husband in bed with another woman, Cassandra's turmoil was overwhelming! Add on the confusion and fear of the masses, Sator'Roc felt like he was being buried alive.

"Marcus, Aujin's Protector, was a godsend!" the Father proclaimed, "He saw I was suffering and he suggested I think about pie. He said, 'If you try to eat the entire thing in one sitting, you'll burst. But, if you take a slice at a time, and let it digest before coming back for more, you are less likely to become sick.'"

Over the years, Sator'Roc took in emotions in piecemeal. He found comfort in music. Purring cats were soothing. At the age of 20, he wed his first wife, Vaas, and discovered passion. She had died from anaphylactic shock, which forced her widower to learn about sorrow.

Father paused, remembering his first bride, "We met when we were seven-years-old. I was so flustered by her beauty, I could not speak." He chuckled, "She thought I was a moron! To test the theory, she challenged me to a game of two-dimensional chess. When I won two out of three, she decided I was just shy; and my bashfulness was charming."

He grew quiet and became sad, "You would have liked her," he said to his daughter, "She was an anthropologist, who was fascinated with Klingon culture. I applied for ambassadorial duties on Qo'noS for her. She died two months before the assignment was approved."

Daughter did not know Father had been married before. She had a million questions but now was not the time to ask. Father, however, heard her mind, and answered the most important of Daughter's queries, "I did not tell you about Vaas because the story is sad and you were a happy child. Why sour your joy with knowledge of mortality before you lost someone you knew? And no, Alyssa was not a 'rebound' romance. Vaas passed on in 2295. I attended Alyssa's coronation as Queen-Regent in the mid-autumn of 2329."

Husband asked his bride, "Weren't you born in the summer of 2330?"

She nodded, "Late summer, about ten months from mid-autumn. Ten months being the length of a full-term Betazoid pregnancy."

Father confessed, "You were conceived a week after we met."

She punched his arm lightly, "Father, you dirty dog!"

Father defended himself, "The interlude was her idea! I declined three times, but she was persistent and…and…and…" He looked at Husband, "You understand what I mean. Help me here."

Husband said it as chivalrously as he could, "The libido of a Betazoid female does not take no for an answer."

Father bowed his head, "Thank you." Then he looked at his daughter, and heard her thoughts. He answered, "No, my departure from Betazed was not about running away from her. It was not about her at all. I had simply returned to my duty station. Five weeks later, she was on Qo'noS, pregnant with you."

Again, he heard her brain. He replied aloud, "Yes, Daughter, I know about condoms." Father inventoried, "We used a tricorder to ensure she was not ovulating. She had an IUD to prevent debilitating menstrual cramps, and to deter pregnancy, even though she was 'unknown to man.' We used condoms and spermicidal lubricant. All things considered, you should have been born with body armor!"

He refilled Daughter's tea cup, offered the Husband a beverage, and then pour himself an herbal drink. "I did not comprehend joy until I held you, and," his smile was wide, "You and Rico quickly brought full-blown laughter into my world!"

He turned his sights to Husband and told him the story, "The twins were five months old. We were at H'tav's home. It was late afternoon, and we put the pair down for a nap in Rico's crib. Rico did not want to share his pillows, so he yanked the one out from under her head. Half a dozen times, she tried to sit up, but he pushed her down, and growled like a vicious Chihuahua puppy. Eventually, she kicked him in the face. He slapped her. She slapped back. Soon, fists were flying. Bloody noses followed. Ha-Ha!" he was in hysterics, "Nothing funnier than infants brawling!"

Husband chuckled, "Who won?"

"Neither," the Father tried to catch his breath, "Alyssa and Orar came in, slapped H'tav and me on the backs of our heads, and broke the children up. We never put them in the same crib again…at least not when their mothers were around!"

At the patriarch's estate, H'tav, K'hux, Kamarag, Kravokh (Chancellor K'mpec's predecessor), Nala, Sator'Roc, Shonar Vroh, and Von gambled on which baby would knock the other out first. Father laughed, "Every week, the kitty increased. For two and half years, the prize was unclaimed."

Husband was sure he knew this part, "On the twin's third birthday, they fought over the toy bat'leth."

Father nodded, and smiled, "Von, Shonar, Nala, and I split the pot."

Husband's mouth fell open, "K'hux bet against our girl!?"

Father snickered, "Nala and K'hux bet on different babies as insurance. No matter which infant won, mother and son got a share of the loot!"

When the titters settle, Sator'Roc said with anguish, "When I heard what happened at the schoolyard, I was shocked – devastated that you," he kissed her hand, "My Treasure, was unaware that I loved you. I am not entirely sure what happened next, but I very clearly remember H'tav trying to pry you from my arms. He begged me to let you go, so he could see if you were injured."

Trusting H'tav, Father surrendered the child. As medical personnel started clamoring about Sator'Roc, he lost sight of his daughter; but he heard Alyssa, "He is not all right! Look at him – he is crying! Vulcans do not cry!

"I got her attention and told her you and I would be fine," he said, "You just needed to hear me say the words. I would do this happily for you, every day for the rest of my life. A Vulcan 'happily' saying 'I love you,' every day – your mother thought I was delirious and had me sedated."

In his next memory, he was lying on a hospital bed. Beside him, Alyssa and Saltas were discussing Rexx, who was not in the room. Father had panicked, "Where is she? Is she alright? Where exactly are we? Someone bring me my little girl!"

Sator'Roc recalled, "This is when Saltas suggested a mind wipe. I refused! I told them, 'Let me digest this slice of pie, and I'll be fine. Just get me my daughter!' Because it made no sense to Alyssa, she once again thought I was out of my mind and had me medicated."

The next two years of his memories were fuzzy, but, "At the end of the second year, I stumbled upon Alyssa filling a box with baby items. We had no friends who were expecting a child. When I asked about it, she said it was remembrances of the baby she had miscarried years earlier."

It seemed odd to him that she would do this now, near 13 years after the loss. He didn't question her, because whatever she needed to do to find closure was healthy. However, after filling the first box, she started another one. This one was bigger and she packed it with things a mother collects for a growing daughter's marriage.

"I was concerned that she was holding on instead of letting go," Sator'Roc said. Because he was fearful of upsetting any kind of balance she had, he chose to touch her mind telepathically rather than confront her with words.

From his closed eyes, tears trickled down his face, "I saw Lord Von, holding a lifeless baby. I heard him whisper, 'When I lost my beloved, she was carrying our daughter. If you live for me, I will raise and cherish you as if you had been born to us. Please, breathe for me.'"

In varying stages of growth, the child weaved in and out of his mind for years. His favorite visions included the little girl singing, "All of me, loves all of you. Love your curves and all your edges; all your perfect imperfections. Give your all to me. I'll give my all to you. You're my end and my beginning; even when I lose, I'm winning."

Father sniffled, "In my mind, Vaas was seated beside you, accompanying your song with her violin. Because we did not have children, my intellect said you were not real; but my heart believed you were."

Early last summer, Sator'Roc had an epiphany. The girl's name was Kos'Kari, but he called her Rexx. He saw her eyes. He heard her voice, "vav, qatlh Soj quv So' SoH? (Father, why do you hide the sweet food?)"

"I suddenly remembered putting cookies and candy on the top shelf of the pantry, out of your reach. I ran to tell Saltas you were a real person!" Father frowned, "That's when he told me what had been going on for the last seven years."

After Sator'Roc declined the mind wipe, Saltas looked for other treatments. Believing it to be the best option, Alyssa attempted the erasure on her own. Due to her inexperience, she injured her husband and herself.

"Because I was seizing, I was Saltas's priority" Sator'Roc said. "Saltas said the only way to fix me was to finish what Alyssa had started. After completing the task and monitoring me for a few days, Saltas believed I could fully recover my memories within a year, but your mother was an obstacle."

First, Alyssa did not believe she had harmed herself, so her mind rejected Saltas's attempts to treat her. Second, intentionally using her broken telepathy to reinforce the mind wipe, accelerated her deterioration. Third, due to the Betazoid 'imzadi' telepathic link, Sator'Roc's brain showed signs of Alyssa's instability.

Daughter paused to give orders to her Klingon crew, "Qel grey, Qul 'ej ja' wItI'nISmo'. (Doctor Grey, research and report back.)"

The room echoed with a female's voice, "HIja', totlh."

She returned her attention to her elder, "Go on, Father, I'm listening."

"Alyssa's mind and influence over me began to wane when she heard of the assassins," Father explained. When it happened, Saltas had called her to his office to inform her. She had a panic attack. After Saltas took her to the ER, Alyssa admitted Ezra had contacted her two weeks prior. Ezra wanted her to appoint a successor because Trajan Rexx was unfit to rule. Ezra suggested his wife or one of his daughters. Alyssa said her child was fit and her condition was improving. She told Ezra that his niece would be moved out of the psychiatric ward soon. Alyssa believed Ezra and Steeha sent the killers.

Saltas told Alyssa to let her brother think Trajan Rexx was dead. Saltas had interrogated the would-be assassins and knew the method they planned on using to kill the child. He was willing to use that information to complete a death certificate. He also had gallons of Rexx's blood, from which he could manufacture ashes to be passed off as Rexx's remains. Alyssa had refused because it was supposedly not in Rexx's best interests.

Though Saltas knew Alyssa's words to be untrue, he realized that any plan he came up with required Alyssa's cooperation. She would otherwise sabotage his efforts and Rexx would be no better off. As a short-term measure, Saltas increased security and restricted Rexx's movements. For the long-term, he played on Alyssa's deep-seeded desire for Rexx to marry Von.

Sator'Roc said, "Alyssa does not know her Aunt Aujin is Von's wife. Von himself would not have known his bride's origins if I had not accidently made it known."

In 2295, the reigning Chancellor was Azetbur, Gorkon's daughter. When Sator'Roc arrived on Qo'noS as Vulcan's Ambassador, she organized a state dinner, where she could introduce him to the High Council and other important and influential Klingons. To Azetbur's surprise, Von declined to attend because he was not a politician and did not want to be pressured into political alliances with any of the guests. So, the Chancellor arranged a second, private dinner for Lord Von, his bride, the Ambassador, and herself.

Sator'Roc immediately recognized Aujin and showed the Queen proper respect. The Chancellor and the Queen's groom were surprised to discover they were in the presence of royalty. During the meal, the dining room doors were locked and Aujin told her story to the Chancellor and her husband. She also explained that she had not revealed her linage to anyone because it was not relevant. She would not return to Betazed or make effort to claim the crown. Out of respect, the dinner companions swore never to reveal or discuss this again.

"Though cordial with her, Azetbur resented Aujin," Sator'Roc recalled.

The Chancellor spoke of peace and cooperation with the Federation, to include sharing technologies. Aujin made it clear in the Council chamber that she was an ally of the Empire, but not one of its citizens. Azetbur did not have the right to commit foreign tech to other governments. She had said, "The humans have a peace treaty with the Romulans. Does that give the Federation the right to demand the Empire surrender cloaking tech to its enemy?"

Some cabinet members agreed with Aujin on principle. Others sided with her simply to irk Azetbur. The Council's final vote on the matter was 20 to 6, in Aujin's favor. It was a serious blow to the Lady Chancellor's authority and image. She worried that Lady Von would challenge her for leadership of the High Council.

When Aujin realized Azetbur was preoccupied with the notion, she confronted the Chancellor with facts. "I do not want to be the head of state, because I have tyrannical tendencies. I would abuse my power. Such a person makes enemies. I would rather sleep in the arms of a loving husband than clutch a cold sword each night, in fear of what might come in the dark. If you keep me out of your politics, you and I will have nothing to fight over."

Daughter commented, "Aujin sounds like a wise woman. No wonder Von loves her so, and why he will never marry another."

"Still, your mother hoped," Father said, "And Saltas encouraged her, because he needed her permission to send you away quietly. If he had tried otherwise, Alyssa would raise hell, which would have advertised any plans he had for you to anyone who would do you harm."

Saltas got Alyssa to agree, but she insisted her child have an escort. Thus, she contacted Spock. Spock knew El'Tarc had been trying to recruit Rexx for the Academy. He also knew Starfleet Intelligence was interested in Young Lady Sator'Roc. In the end, Spock satisfied everyone's wants. Rexx or Kos'Kari worked for SI, while attending graduate school at the Academy, after visiting her beloved Lord Von.

Daughter interrupted, "During this time, I remember Saltas trying to pass me off to another doctor. If he planned to send me away, why did Saltas consider this other physician?"

"Saltas's former student was intended to stay at your side," Father said. "If you remained on Vulcan, a Vulcan-human hybrid would be better equipped to handle your emotional outbursts. If, during your visit with Lord Von, you wanted to stay on Qo'noS, the doctor would facilitate Von's medical staff's understanding of telepathy and Vulcan biology. If you went to Terra, the doctor could help you navigate the human world. All of this while performing competently as your primary physician."

Husband wondered, "Why did Saltas think his old student would follow her like this?"

Father replied, "As I understand it, the pupil is a fanatic about Disney animated features. The young male's closet desire is to be a hero for a damsel in distress. As damsels in these films are princesses, and Rexx is one, Saltas said 'she is a temptation he cannot resist.'"

Husband wondered, "What if she did not want him at her side?"

Daughter answered, "He considered that. Such is why he gave me a dossier on you and sought my approval before approaching you with my case."

He pursed his lips, "So you knew who I was when we met?"

"Sort of," she said, "I was not given a photo of you, so I did not know who I was looking at; but I knew your name and here…" she tapped her forehead, "…I knew your voice. During my conference with Spock, I heard you whisper, 'Starfleet Intelligence Agents will come for you. Agree to be an asset; otherwise, you are a dead liability. Buy time to plan your escape – take the deal.'"

He remembered being locked in a room, inside the Terran Embassy on Vulcan, thinking the warning to her. "How did you know to look for my mind?"

She shook her head, "I didn't. You reached out to me. And the night we first saw each other, that was not mine and Posey's normal route to the theater. I was compelled to take that path. Tennille fell behind because she wasn't familiar with it. Whatever draws us together, it comes from you."

That bothered him, "I am not your choice?"

Father interjected, "We don't choose who we fall in love with; but we do choose to stay with those we love." He glanced at Daughter, who was gazing upon Husband amorously, "She is not going anywhere." He then returned his attention to Husband, "So, you are the one Saltas chose for my daughter. Do you have green blood?"

He nodded, "HIja'. qatlh NatlhoMlu'meH? (Why do you ask?)"

"Determining genetic compatibility for purposes of procreation," he had a twinkle in his eye, "How soon may I expect grandchildren?"

"A few minutes ago, you wanted to kill him for coupling with me, and now you are encouraging it," she was amused.

"A few minutes ago, I did not know he was Saltas's choice for you," Father said.

"You did not think me capable of finding a suitable mate on my own?" Daughter wondered.

Father explained, "I am simply comforted in the knowledge that this young Vulcan was thoroughly vetted, prior to your meeting him, by someone I trust."

"Grey to totlh," Dr. Grey chimed in from Titan.

"totlh here, go ahead."

"As you requested, I reviewed the Vulcan hospital's records on your parents. Confirmed. Your father's abnormal brainwave patterns mimic your mother's. I also compared mine and Jack's scans of Alyssa to the Ambassador's readings of the past four days. No mimicry. End report."

"Thank you, Amy. totlh out."

Father beamed, "totlh, at such a young age! You are likely to be Sa' (general) before your 25th year." He heard Husband's mind and inquired, "What do you mean she already is?"

He was proud of his spouse, "She's a Brigadier General is Starfleet's Marine Corps."

"But I am not SFMC today," she stated, and continued the interrogation, "What have you been up to since my departure from Vulcan?"

Father glanced at the clock. Only 40 minutes had elapsed, but Father considered it close enough. "I have been plotting my revenge. If you come to an untimely demise, Steeha and her daughters would be next in line for regency. Such should not be their reward for murdering you. At first, I was so angry that I wanted to eradicate the entire bloodline, but Saltas said someone else was already taking care of that. You know of what I speak."

She nodded, "How did Saltas learn of it?"

"When your mother became his patient, he did a full workup on her," Father explained. "He discovered she was sterile and there were no obvious reasons for it. He did research and came across the influenza epidemic that had killed you in Alyssa's womb. Believing you would one day marry and want children, Saltas extensively studied your reproductive system."

He turned his attention to the Husband, "Why is she not already pregnant? With her ovulation schedule, you have twice as many opportunities a month to give her a child." He gestured at the playback device, "From what I saw, she pleases you. Are you…what is the human expression?"

"Shooting blanks," Husband gave Father the adage and then replied, "When you are done answering her questions, I will happily answer yours."

Father relented and returned to business, "Saltas suggested I wait and let the Rixx affliction run its course. The problem was, the longer I waited, the more time I gave your enemies to learn of your location and Klingon identity. Only your death would stop them from pursuing you, and so, I shifted my focus from killing them to killing you. The first step was writing a malicious program. I slipped it into Alyssa's communication feed to her brother. Once the malware took over the com-satellite, I uploaded commands in gnomish. When Betazoid security communicated the proper conditions, the royal family in shuttle crafts at the same time, the code executed – literally."

He sipped tea, "Ezra's funeral is the only thing that would prompt Alyssa to go home to Betazed. I also knew Von would send you as his proxy. In your mother's state of health, there's no way she can keep you out of her mind. Due to our link, she can't keep you out of my mind either. Sincerely believing memories of you will harm me, she will not return to my side. She will voluntarily sever our connection. She will no longer impede my healing process."

Daughter felt Father's spite, "Mother will die on a planet and among people, she despises."

Father said plainly, "As you will not return to Betazed, she will die alone. As alone as I felt, without you." He put his arm around his child, "Did I answer all your questions?"

"Selvah," she said, "How does she fit into this?"

Father snarled, "I stumbled upon her by chance at market. Her fury smelled of sulfur. Riding upon the stench was a clear image of you. I did not understand so I asked how she knew you and what you had done to ignite her ire. At first, she denied knowledge of you. When I described you, her mind snapped, 'Kari.' She then called him 'husband' and you, 'homewrecking whore.'"

He pulled her into an ally and sifted through her mind for images of Kari and 'husband.' Though this angry Vulcaness had pictures of her wedding, Father knew it was not real. "At least one of the five senses will affix itself to an actual and relevant event. This is the reason a fragrance, a melody, a food, or a person's silhouette can trigger an old memory. In her recollections, she nuzzled her groom's locks and beard; but there was no associated scent. She did not know the texture of his hair. The ceremony was in Terran style, and the bride and groom's dance had no tune. These are not things a woman forgets about her wedding day."

Selvah had other mental images that were associated with one or more of the senses, and thus, they were very real. From a movie theater balcony, she looked across the way at the lovebirds, in another elevated booth, kissing and petting instead of watching the film. The accompanying scent was popcorn. When the fair came to town, the couple went through the tunnel of love. They did not kiss, but they cuddled close on this chilly night. Selvah remembered her boat had a slow leak. Her feet were wet and cold, and her new suede boots were ruined.

"As she recalled, his expressions of affection were tender and almost timid," Father said, "She perceived his hesitance as unwillingness. Your affections towards him were aggressive – tugging on his collar to bring him in for kisses, pulling on his shirts to undress him, yanking his belt off, and other activities I am not comfortable discussing."

She did not understand, "Just like her wedding, her visions cannot be relied upon as something real."

Father informed her, "She imagined herself in your place, which resulted in a self-manipulation and extreme sensation that was palpable."

Daughter knitted her brow and glanced at loDnal, "Hot ghaH jatlh ghaH?"

Notably disturbed, loDnal confirmed, "HIja'."

She shuddered, and felt dirty, "Move along with the story, Father."

Sator'Roc wanted to erase these memories from her, but knowing the damage an inexperienced person could do, he opted not to attempt it. However, Saltas was an expert; so, Father hypnotized her into following him to the medical facility.

There, Father explained the situation and what he wanted. Saltas said it would do no good. Selvah was obsessed with the male. She would follow him anywhere. If Rexx was with him, Daughter would fall into Selvah's sights and new memories of the lovers would form.

Father then asked Saltas to make Selvah forget about the male. The old doctor said that would not work either, "Consider Alyssa's mind wipes upon you. They don't hold because something in you resists. You want to remember your child. If we erase the male from Selvah, she will snap back because she does not want to forget him. However…"

Saltas suggested control through cooperation. Saltas told Selvah about the quarter-century old neuro-toxin. He said if she could get the matrix for it out of Starfleet's database and send it to him, he would tailor a poison specifically for the Klingon girl.

Selvah was suspicious and asked why Saltas would help her commit murder. He said there was a price on the Klingon's head. "I get rich and you get your man," he had said to her. "Take as much time as you need to think about the offer. Meanwhile, I would appreciate it if you report her activities to me. It will help me determine where best to make my move."

Father said, "Saltas believed Selvah preferred to keep her hands clean. Thus, she would be content to let her accomplice do the heavy lifting. The moment she agreed to the plan, she was a non-threat to you."

"Why did you let her follow me?" Daughter wondered.

"Communicating with us reassured her that the plan was active," Father explained. "Reporting on you gave her something to communicate, and by doing so, we knew where she was. More importantly, we knew where she wasn't: home or in a lab, developing her own plan against you."

Father said, "I chose Adanya Rixx as Selvah's co-conspirator because the subject knew her, liked her, and trusted her. And hiding two male Vulcans behind one female Betazoid seemed to be the perfect cover. But you are here, which indicates my hypnotic suggestion could have been better. Where did I err?"

"Height," she replied, "Selvah says the blonde is my height, but looks up into Adanya's eyes. Otherwise, it is a very good distraction. It has Monty, Spock, and El'Tarc stumped. You'll need to teach me your tricks."

Father perked up a bit, "So I will see you again after this business is done?"

She exclaimed, "Of course! We have almost eight years to catch up on, and we will walk into the future arm-in-arm, as father and daughter should." She gave Daddy puppy dog eyes, "We need to settle the present matter first."

"Indeed," he exhaled heavily, and gave up the goods, "Saltas and I had no intentions of creating a new neuro-toxin. When Selvah sent it to us, we studied it to see how it was manipulated into the version that had infected you. That involved an examination of yours and your mother's blood. Viewing your samples side-by-side for the first time, Saltas saw something he had previously missed. He looked into it and discovered the relationship between the Rixx and the Klingons. Realizing the implications, we sent Selvah back to the database to corrupt it. And then we anonymously relayed our findings to the Empire."

Husband remarked, "At some point, Selvah would have gotten tired of waiting for be'nal to die. How were you going to handle that eventuality?"

"We estimated she would wait three years for results," Father responded, "and we predicted Lady Kos'Kari would return to the Empire within two. Klingon territory is vast. Selvah cannot harm someone she cannot pinpoint. And thus, she is no longer a player in My Treasure's life, or yours." He smiled, "You are welcome."

"But my life is to end," she hadn't forgotten what he'd said. "How do you plan to kill me?"

"You are already dead," Father stated coldly, "Yesterday afternoon, Trajan Rexx Sator'Roc fell into a coma during dental surgery. Forty-seven minutes after we started talking, she died from an adverse effect to anesthesia. As she was raised with Klingon beliefs, Rexx will be cremated within six hours of death, in accordance with ancient Klingon customs.

"When Alyssa receives the news, she will collapse and convulse. From that point forward, whenever she thinks about you or anyone associated with you, she will have a seizure. She will never be able to say your name, discuss our Klingon family members, Saltas, me, or even your spouse ever again."

Daughter did not quite understand, "Why will this hold? You said a hypnotic suggestion won't take if the subject rejects the idea being implanted."

"All these years, Alyssa has missed you. Such is pain; one she accepts," Father said. "My suggestion amplifies the ache."

Daughter pondered it, "You could not trigger it while she was here, because you and Saltas are associated with me, which would her to seize."

"Correct," Father nodded, "She would have died within minutes."

Daughter was stoic, "And you don't want her to die quickly. You want her to suffer first."

"My treasure," he held her hand, "Do you think me cruel or do understand why and how I did what I did?"

Daughter raised her hand, to signal Father to wait. She was still absorbing it. She peered at loDnal, "He and Saltas got around Mother and faked my death?"

He tickled the tips of her prosthetic ears, "Yep." He furrowed his brow, "You look confused, be'nal. What don't you understand?"

She asked with a broken heart, "When he realized he had a daughter, why didn't he contact me? Saltas knew where I was. If calling or writing to me was too dangerous or suspicious, Saltas could have sent a message to you. We could have managed this a different way."

Father inferred, "By 'different,' you mean where you commit the murders instead of me."

She agreed, "tlhIngan jIH! (I am Klingon!) I am justified in killing those who have hunted me."

"vavlI'! (I am your father!)," he countered, "I am justified in protecting my child!"

"lugh ghaH (He is right)," Husband agreed with Father, "I would not do less for you or our children."

Father decided, with a smile, "I like him! He understands us."

"And he's handsome," Daughter added with blushing ears, "He and I will make beautiful babies." Then she hopped off the table, straightened her clothing and tapped Daddy's knee, "It's time to go, Father. Other than Pen Veh, is there anything you'd like to bring with you?"

Father slid off the workbench, "There's a chest under here." On the floor, under the slab, was a military-style footlocker. He pulled it out, and summoned Pen Veh. Dangling from the dog's collar was the key to the chest.

When the lid opened, Daughter gasped at the framed photo staring up at her. The Vulcan beauty had milk chocolate colored skin, big brown eyes, and a very short haircut. "This is Halle Berry with pointy ears."

Father stood up and presented photo to Daughter, "This is Vaas, when she was 17-years-old." He swiped his finger across the image and another appeared. "This is my dearest on our wedding day. And this…" from a vacuum sealed garment bag in the chest, Father withdrew a long, silvery silk dress, and a matching veil, "…was her wedding gown…and now, it is yours. You don't already have one, do you?"

Her eyes were wide and her smile was bright, but she couldn't say a word – she was so moved, she was speechless. Husband had a similar expression on his face, but he had a voice, "She had not found one she liked, but I think she has now. Thank you, Father of my wife."

Sator'Roc expressed his approval of this suitor, "Jack Tucker, I would be honored if you called me 'Father' or 'Dad,' or any other similar term not already reserved for your own male parent."

Jack chuckled, "I call my male parent, 'Pop.' And thank you again, Father. Please call me 'Son.'"

Daughter sounded like a child on a sugar high, "vavwI', what else is in the box?"

Father laid the gown gently over Daughter's shoulder and retrieved the next item. He set the violin case on the workbench, and opened it. As he took the instrument out, he said, "I polish it regularly, but I have not kept it tuned. Could I convince you to learn how to play?"

Daughter smiled, "Jack plays."

Father extended it to Daughter's husband, "Then this is a better gift for you, my Son."

Jack rubbed his thumbs against the tips of his other fingers, and timidly reached out. He inspected it carefully, and tightened its strings. After Father handed him the bow, Husband tested his work by playing the theme from 'Fiddler on the Roof.' Upon finishing the concert, he reexamined the instrument, "Once more, gratitude, Father. I will teach your grandchildren to play."

Father bowed his head in appreciation, "You are an impressive young male. Is there anything you cannot do?"

She snickered, "Gestate and birth the grandchildren. Wait, Aujin's artificial womb device – perhaps he can gestate and deliver them." After a hearty chuckle from the trio, she wondered, "Is this footlocker the only thing you want to take?"

Father nodded, "Everything else is either irrelevant or replaceable."

Very carefully, she and Jack put the items back in the chest. Then she held her Father's hand, "I just need the notes Selvah gave you, and we can go."

"The hardcopies were burned," Father said, "The only digital copy is on a chip on Pen Veh's collar."

She smirked, "Smart. Are you ready to go then?"

He nodded and wondered, "Are handcuffs necessary?"

She furrowed her brow, "Why would I cuff you?"

He was befuddled, "Because I murdered four people."

She said solidly, "jIvlaw' 'oHbe' qay'. (Such is not my problem.)"

Father still did not understand, "But you are a Starfleet officer, are you not?"

She waved both hands up and down her torso, "This is not a Starfleet uniform. My business here is for the Klingon High Council. The murder of Federation citizens by other Federation citizens does not sound like a concern for the Empire. Would you agree, my Lord Tucker?"

After requesting Titan transport the box, Jack answered his bride, "Indeed, my Lady Commodore."

Father wondered, "Then where are you taking me?"

She took her father's hand and held them to her chest, "loDnal and I moving to Qo'noS, and you are going to live with us. Would you help us raise our children?"

Father kissed her tiny paws, "My treasure, yes, a thousand times yes!"