Disclaimer: I've borrowed a creature from the trek world. I do not own anything from the works of any other authors, nor do I own Vulcans, Star Trek, The Mirror Universe and anything else that I've confiscated to make my story more interesting! I don't make any money off this, just grins when I'm able to get as evil as I can in the context of these stories.

Warning: There's a disturbing death at the very end of this chapter by an animal attack. If you can't take that sort of thing, DON'T READ IT.

Drama, Part II

The other ladies arrived at the entrance section of stone wall right after Maya did. As Amanda unlocked the door section of the gate, in walked their beloved Demek. He was clutching his chest and obviously controlling the look on his face with all of his might. But two things were unmistakable to the ladies: He was visibly bleeding in the light of T'Kuht from the area he was holding so staunchly and his walk was more of a concentrated shuffle.

As he fell to the smoothly paved ground, the ladies, except for Mariana, screamed. Mariana went into nurse mode. "Someone, I need about two clean towels, a strong antiseptic, even high-proof alcohol will do in its place. Bring me a hard plastic card, like the kind we use for data credit swipes. And bring me a high-insulation blanket, it's cold out here! Until then, someone give me something right now to staunch the flow of blood," she said in an even tone as she began to cut away Demek's robe over the wound with a little knife she kept on her for protection at all times.

Maya tried to tear off a piece of her robes, but it was much too strong a material for her to rip so easily. Dana took off her sweater and eagerly handed it over to Mariana. "This is going to hurt," Mariana whispered to Demek, "I'm sorry, in advance."

Amanda mentally called to Sarek, but there was no need. He was already on his way there having heard the mental call of distress sent out by the older man.

Mariana was pressing the sweater to his wound as she pulled out a medical scanner she always carried on her person. She no longer served in the healthcare field, but old habits died hard. Green blood was already beginning to fill the garment but it was almost as if the nurse didn't notice or even find it disturbing. A coppery essence was beginning to permeate the air. Amanda and Dana stood off to the side trying to stay out of her way and Maya was at Demek's head. The telepath was about to attempt to touch his mind, but in his semi-consciousness he reached up and gently stopped her by grabbing her wrist. "Do not, child," he begged sluggishly. "There is- too much there- eager to- be surrendered. Do not." She listened to his wishes and instead touched her fingers to his, trying to anchor him.

"How is he?" asked Amanda.

"He's bleeding way too much," said Mariana as she took his readings with the scanner with one hand, for once her emotions strongly in-check. "I'm not so up on my Vulcan physiology, but this wound is technically not in a lethal spot. But it's bleeding badly either because it's so deep or it nicked his lung, I can't get a clear reading with the scanner. We have to get him to a hospital, fast. There's nothing else I can do for him here except clean everything and try to stop the bleeding."

His eyes fluttered open again and he looked up at Mariana, then Maya. He sluggishly looked over at Amanda and Dana. All of them were outwardly anxious except for Mariana who was trying her best to keep his wound covered. "Beautiful girl children," he whispered. Tears were in Amanda's eyes and Dana turned away, not able to look anymore. Maya sniffled as she forced herself not to look at the wound that was obviously bleeding out much too quickly.

Sokam arrived with the materials requested since Maya had sent the request along their bond. Sarek arrived just then, as well, and was on his comm to the Vulcan Academy Hospital. As soon as he was done with that, he was contacting the V'Shar agents specified to him by Demek from the mysterious communiqué sent to him that morning. "Demek," he addressed him. "You must enter Healing Trance."

By that point he was unable to speak verbally. Maya was holding his hand so he thought to her- I am too weak. I must be assisted.

"He said he can't do it on his own, he needs help," she relayed quickly.

Sarek was about to sit next to him and do so when Demek raised his other hand to Sokam. He is of Healer talent. He has the ability.

Sarek realized what was meant even without being told and Sokam couldn't help but hear the words via the bond with his wife. Maya moved away from Demek's head and surrendered her place to both Sarek and Sokam.

Mariana asked, "Sarek, place your hand here and apply as much pressure as you can."

He held the fabric to the wound as Sokam began to meld with him. In the tense four minutes that ensued, not one person said a word. Mariana poured the antiseptic over the data card and then poured some onto one of the clean towels. She looked up at Sarek, eyes determined, and said one word to him, quickly. "Lift."

He pulled the sweater away and she quickly swiped the wound clean with the antiseptic towel and then applied the sterile data card over the spot. "It should seal the wound and keep him from losing air if the wound has reached a lung." She then applied the second still-clean towel over the spot and looked up at Sarek again, "Press." And he did so, impressed at Mariana's calm and presence of mind in the situation. He realized, belatedly, that this could not be the first stab wound she'd dealt with.

They heard a shuttle land. The four agents of the V'Shar entered and Maya found herself snapping her mental shields closed, but it was already too late. Their telepathy was off the charts and even with her shield active she didn't think she was going to be able to keep them from discovering…

One agent took in the situation, the leader of their group, and began immediately speaking with Amanda. He introduced himself as Sumar. He was of average height and more of a muscular build, his skin as brown as Maya's, his hair woolen in texture and in close-cropped cut. He proceeded to question not only verbally, but mentally. He cast into Amanda's mind so delicately she didn't even notice. He detected no lies spoken by her. He was also careful not to stray into any area not of his concern.

By the light of T'Kuht they were all able to see clearly. The other three agents fanned out. One questioned Dana. He introduced himself as Zymak. Tall and confident, he had more of a soft touch both in nature and word. If his look could be described, he most resembled a Terran Eurasian. He also probed delicately in her mind to determine whether she spoke the truth or not. He was astounded by her outer control. She kept her face straight, but he could see that mentally she was in turmoil over Demek on the ground, from what she could see, bleeding to death.

The other two agents seemed to advance on Maya, worse than curious about what was in front of them. You fear us the one named Stilen thought to her in a not detached way.

One such as yourself should not be possible. And yet you exist thought Toven with palpable fascination.

Maya realized she was backing up and refused to do so anymore. Holy crap! She found herself thinking. She stood her ground and forced herself not to cower. "What of it?" she asked with false bravado.

Why do you speak verbally when you are capable of so much more? Asked the one named Toven, honestly curious.

"You're supposed to be here for Demek," she reminded them, honestly angry.

Amanda noticed her friend's distress and for the first time that night her anger finally surged to the surface. "You get away from her," she said as she walked over to Maya and stood in front of her. She didn't care who these guys were, they were scaring her friend.

"A hospital unit shall be here shortly," said Sumar, their leader, as he walked over to the other two agents. "I will question the young woman now."

Amanda had already positioned herself in front of Maya and she reached behind her and took her friend's hand. Not understanding how, she sensed danger here. She realized it was Maya's ability bleeding into her from the contact with her hand, broadcasting. Maya felt as if she were in danger?

The one named Stilen pushed on, orbiting Amanda's position, his eyes unable to leave Maya, "I was the first to discover her," he said to Sumar, his face still calm.

Sokam stood and announced, "Healing Trance has been established." Then he walked quickly to where his wife stood, not at all ignorant of what was happening. "What of my wife?" he asked as he territorially put his body in front of hers and Amanda's to shield them from their eyes.

"His vitals are dropping," Mariana announced. "Heart rate, blood flow, respiration are all slowing…" She felt a detached sense of disappointment.

"It is only the healing trance doing what it is made to do," Sarek said to allay her fears. "It is shutting down everything so that he will not lose anymore blood."

"Good idea," she said as she continued to scan Demek. And indeed, the flow of blood had stopped to a trickle.

The four agents looked at one another, conferring mentally. Then four sets of calculating eyes turned back to the Vulcan in front of them shielding his wife not only physically, but mentally. "You are both operating below your telepathic potential," Sumar shared with him.

"Our potential, especially hers, is not of your concern," said Sokam as conversationally as he could but his jaw was clenching.

Sarek also stood and positioned himself in front of Amanda. Both women were now covered by their husbands. "May I remind the four of you that this is my residence and the Terran females here will be respected?"

Sumar advised, "We have the utmost respect for she who is his wife," he nodded in Sokam's direction. "We wish no harm to her or your wife."

Amanda and Maya looked at each other. They wanted to be there for Demek, just in case. They both walked out from behind their husbands and made their way back to Demek's side and sat down on the ground with him. Dana did the same. Mariana was also still sitting there with him as she covered him with the blanket. "He's unconscious, but I think he's tentatively stable. The flow of blood has been dramatically slowed by the healing trance." She then continued her scans. "It seems like he was stabbed with something that did more damage coming out than going in. That's usual for any stabbing wound, but this weapon was a doozie, like it was made to cut the person up from the inside and inflict extra damaging cuts on its way out. Who would have done this to him?" she wondered arbitrarily.

Medics and a Healer from the Vulcan Academy Hospital began swarming in through the open gate, just then, silent and efficient. The young ladies quickly moved out of the way for them. He was confirmed as stabilized into a healing trance by the attending Healer, moved onto a stretcher by Vulcan medics, and then they were moving him off of the property quickly.

"Can I come along?" Mariana asked as she followed.

"You did the initial work on him?" asked the attending Healer, noticing the amount of green blood she was covered in.

"Yes, and Sokam put him into Healing Trance," she said as she inclined her head in his direction.

"Come with us," the Healer nodded at Mariana, then he gave one curt nod over to Sokam that translated as 'adequate work'. They were gone less than three minutes after they'd arrived. Sumar sent Agent Toven with a mental command to accompany them.

But the remaining three agents were still there. "I retrieved this off of his person," Sarek was saying as he handed over an info-PADD to Sumar.

"He asked that they be given that," confirmed Sokam, still keeping an eye on the agent named Stilen whom was currently monitoring his wife closely on a mental level. He was amazed at the control he maintained on his growing rage as he mentally watched another male watching his wife!

Dana, Amanda and Maya were all standing there, dazed. "Will he live?" asked Amanda as she looked at Sarek.

"That remains to be seen," answered her husband. "The hospital personnel at this point are the only ones who will have a hand in that matter."

"Can we go to the hospital and wait?" asked Amanda.

"I do not see why we should not-"

"We advise against it," said Sumar.

"Whoever has attacked Demek has done so for currently unknown purposes," stated Zymak. "If it is known you are involved, they may attempt to strike at you and those closest to you," he said, genuine concern in his words. "Toven has instructions to keep watch over your Mariana and Demek. As soon as her duties have been dispensed we will return her to your residence, ambassador."

"Is there some reason Demek wished for me to inform you if something were to befall him?" asked Sarek, confused on that count. Why was his friend mixed up with the V'Shar?

The V'Shar was an agency comprised of abnormally strong telepathic agents who kept Vulcan safe, though their methods were more than questionable. The average citizen did not have to bother with thinking of these things since most were truly unaware of them. But as an ambassador, Sarek had seen several outcomes of their unfortunate doings. Even the Terran Empire knew not to mess with the V'Shar. The only ones the intelligence agency respected were the elders of their world, and the elders saw them as a necessity to remain unencumbered by their Terran overlords in the matters of their planet. As a result, the V'Shar were often left to their own devices.

"There were several things Demek stumbled across. And he was privy to certain…information concerning the four of us and knew we would understand and properly handle the outcome," said Sumar.

Sarek saw it was currently the only answer he was going to get. And at the same time he wanted to remove the viper-like being, Stilen, from his property. Sokam was too close to his Time to ignore the open looks given to his wife by the man. He wondered what his intentions were, but it was only logical to finish what was started, first, before attending to that. "I was told by him that I would receive a package via courier tomorrow morning and that I was to hand it over to you."

Sumar and Sarek stepped off to the side to speak confidentially for a few moments while the one named Zymak approached the other ladies and asked, "Are you well, T'Sai Amanda, T'Sai Maya, Miss Dana Philo?"

"No. We're worried about Demek," Amanda answered truthfully. Dana nodded in agreement, but Maya seemed to have withdrawn into herself.

Zymak nodded. "It is to be expected. I detect a high amount of attachment by the present company of females though you hardly knew him."

"And I don't know what else is going on, but one of you is scaring Maya," Amanda said angrily. "I'm sure my husband's hospitality doesn't include that liberty."

Zymak turned and looked at Sokam, his thoughts going past his rudimentary screens. Please do not misinterpret Sumar's interest in your wife and also yourself.

What interest would that be? Answered Sokam.

You are both strong telepaths. The interest of the V'Shar is to find such telepaths, train them, put them into our ranks. We are aware, you have already chosen to become a Healer. But a woman such as your wife would be invaluable in the Terran world as one of our agents. And she has vast potential for destructive gifts that have yet to be explored-

A flash of unmitigated rage tore through Sokam and it took all of his might for it not to translate itself in outwardly. My wife, MY WIFE is to NEVER see danger of any kind. Is that clear?

Zymak recognized then what it was he was seeing. He was not only observing a male intensely concerned about the welfare of his bondmate, but it was also a male on the cusp of his Time. I seek forgiveness he caved instantly at the force of nature growing before him.

Sokam paused. And what of Stilen? Sumar, yourself, Toven, you are interested in her abilities...our abilities. But what is Stilen's interest in my wife?

Zymak never answered since he knew Stilen's interests were nowhere in the realm of honorable. So he elected to simply remain mute on the matter.

Sokam continued I have remained tame because I stand on my cousin's property. But I will never allow your Stilen near my wife again, is that clear?

Zymak understood.

"You may pick one agent to remain on your premises," Sumar said to Sarek as he made ready to leave.

"I choose Zymak," said Sarek, having gauged the agent's sincere concern for the members of his house.

Sumar nodded and was about to collect Stilen when he said, "I also wish to inform you that during the commotion one of the Terrans, a hidden female, slipped out of the walls of your house. She has walked into the area of the open desert and is currently in mortal danger."

Just then, they heard the yowl of a le-matya.

Twenty Minutes Before

Cassie heard a lot of commotion and sat up in bed. She looked out of her window, but whatever was going on was too far away for her to see. She got out of bed, got dressed and snuck out of the door of the house. Sneaking up on the scene she saw Sokam standing in front of Maya and Amanda. She strained to hear their words, stepped closer so she could remain unseen. But everyone was so damned busy, no one even noticed she was there! She couldn't help but smirk. And then she focused on what she had just heard.

"You are both operating below your telepathic potential," said the dark-skinned Vulcan.

"Our potential, especially hers, is not of your concern," said Sokam.

Sarek then moved and was standing in front of Amanda. "May I remind the four of you that this is my residence and the Terran females here will be respected?" Sarek told the Vulcan strangers.

Sumar advised, "We have the utmost respect for she who is his wife," he nodded in Sokam's direction. "We wish no harm to her or your wife."

But already, Cassie's mind was putting everything together. Had they have been speaking about Amanda, Sarek would have been the first one opening his mouth. But no, it was Sokam who'd spoken up. Everything she'd always ignored about Maya suddenly made sense. Telepath? She smiled and her heart almost burst with joy. If nothing else, this piece of information was worth more than having the title of Thought Crime removed from her name! But first, she had to get away with the information. If she could only sneak out!

Just then, the medics from the VAH swarmed in and began working on the bloodied Vulcan on the ground. How hadn't she seen him before? There was blood everywhere. That's what that coppery stink was! How disgusting! But with all of the medical personnel standing in the way, she figured then was as good a time as any to get away unnoticed. While they were all swarming out of the property, that's exactly what she did.

Sumar, the strongest of the V'Shar at the house that night, detected a Terran mind directly near. He effortlessly scanned the mind and what he found there was deeply disturbing. This Terran had plotted to undo her own kinswoman on flimsy information. Worse yet, the information was not enough to achieve the goal she'd set out for herself but she was too feeble-minded to realize that from the start. Now she had a true piece of damaging information. The telepath, Maya, would be unveiled to the Terran world by this one. The V'Shar were interested in the Terran telepath for deep undercover operations until such time as they heard from her mouth she was not interested in them. And even if she did not wish to join, they were not above involuntary recruiting. It would not do to have the cover of a potential agent blown before they could be put into circulation.

So when the hidden Terran stood to leave, he allowed her to go. Then he planted within her an intentionally misleading piece of information for her to walk in the wrong direction…directly into the open desert. Her mind was weak enough and the suggestion was quite simple.

Cassie left the gates and couldn't believe she'd made it out unseen! She looked to the right and to the left, but could not decide which way she should go. She knew the Terran section of the city was to the right of her, up the paved road, but something else told her if she went to the left she would find a Terran settlement there after less than ten minutes of running. So she began to run toward the open desert.

The light of T'Kuht made it easy for her to see where she was going. She was already becoming exhausted by her exertions in the thin air. But she laughed and laughed at the information she carried that would guarantee she could go home for a certainty. She could almost feel the comfort of her old bed and her joy knew no bounds. She knew daddy would reward her with a new wardrobe, among other things, for returning to the- What was that?

She turned around quickly and saw something bounding toward her, moving impossibly fast. It paused for one second and she was able to get a good look at it. It was impossibly big and muscular with greenish coloring that faded into orange leathery skin. It looked like a mountain cat, but it was definitely native to Vulcan and contained something on its back that resembled an elongated jagged uneven dorsal fin. Its fangs and claws shining in the light of T'Kuht were unmistakable to Cassie. This was most certainly a dangerous predator.

She swallowed hard as her breath caught in her chest, fear welling up inside as a strangled cry got stuck in her throat. She looked at the creature and wondered what it would do next. It seemed to pierce her with its stare as it crouched and yowled. The sound caused her to stumble backward as she tried to run, but she found herself falling over as she soiled herself out of pure fear. The strange looking cat leapt the few feet it needed and was then practically standing on top of her. The suffocating weight of its upper body on her chest, the creature swiped at her face once with its claw and she could feel blood pouring down the side of her face, instantly obstructing the vision in one eye when she attempted to sit up. She was sobbing as the beast drew away from her and began to circle her position. Soon she was not even able to cry as she fell backward onto the sand. Whatever was in its fangs made her literally paralyzed. The numbness spread from her head, where she had been directly wounded, and continued down her body slowly by degrees.

She was lying there, in horror and shock as the creature came close to her, sniffed and then bit down into the side of her jugular having smelled the best blood flow there. She felt a blinding explosion of pain as the thing's fangs penetrated her skin and its jaw quickly sucked the blood from her body. Her life flashed before her eyes.

Smiling joyfully at her father's face as he stood over her crib… Her first day at preschool, stealing Jenna Tully's carrots from her lunch bag and throwing them out of a window just because she'd overheard her saying they were her favorite, watching with secret glee as the little girl cried and cried when she discovered they were gone… Meeting up with Dana when they were little girls to go to the library and do their homework together… The first boy she ever encouraged to look her way… The pregnancy scare she had in her late teens and how Dana had been there for her… Her days away at college, missing her home, wishing she was back there, Dana always there to take her mind off of it… Deciding to turn on Dana to get back to that life she knew she deserved above all else… Realizing that betraying Dana was the biggest mistake of her life, not because it was wrong, but because it had lead her…here.

As the life ebbed out of Cassie, the le-matya then moved on and bit into her abdomen. She was dead before he began to dine on her intestines, savoring the exotic meat.