Chapter 107

Sarek sat in the late morning in his office reviewing an urgent request from Starfleet. They were requesting access to Vulcan space to investigate a passing asteroid. It had been forwarded to him by the Vulcan High Council to deal with delicately. The Council was suspicious of letting even a science vessel pass by T'Khasi given they were on the cusp of a trade agreement with Terra that would hugely benefit their water supplies. From the V'Shar's research, Starfleet technology had advanced enough to allow them to scan for water from a couple of light years away. Although satellites could monitor T'Khasi's surface they were not advanced enough to scan the planet.

He considered how long he could delay in responding without it appearing deliberate when Se'tek entered his office.

"Osu," he bowed. "One of your wife's attendants has requested to see you," he explained.

Sarek glanced up sharply.

"Which one?" he asked, warily.

"T'Sang, she…"

Sarek waved his hand to stop him.

"Tell her I am unavailable," he said curtly before drawing his attention back to the request on his screen.

Se'tek retreated and silence resumed. After a few minutes however, there was a scuffling sound before the office door burst open and T'Sang ran into the room.

Sarek stood up, about to demand what her intent was to disturb him like this but stopped as he watched her wide eyes skip over him and look around the room, bewildered.

"She's… she's not here?" she said breathlessly.

Sarek raised an eyebrow at her. He folded his arms instinctively behind his back.

"Exactly… who are you looking for?"

T'Sang flinched when he spoke and suddenly realized the audience she had gathered with Se'tek and his other aides peeking through the office door to see what the commotion was about.

T'Sang looked resolutely at the floor and didn't say anything for a moment. Then suddenly she walked forward to stand behind his desk, almost shoulder to shoulder. Sarek stiffened, diplomatic etiquette entailed that only an Ambassador and his aides were allowed behind the Ambassador's desk. But being only a child, T'Sang wasn't aware of this.

She whispered something he could barely hear.

Sighing internally, he leaned down closer to hear her.

"Speak," he instructed clearly.

Her breathing shuddered.

"It's your wife, Osu. She's gone missing."

Amanda lay on the soft warm sand of the beach. She smiled as she ran the backs of her knuckles against the silky sand, absorbing the sun's warm rays that lapped deliciously against her skin.

A shadow cast over her and Amanda looked up to find it was Meg, bearing gifts of ice cream with a wide grin. Amanda smiled back, salivating at the thought of such a treat. She reached to accept the offered cone when Meg suddenly looked up, her eyes widened and her skin paled with shock. The sun's rays faded and a chill went through the air as a passing dark cloud blotted out the sky.

Amanda turned to see what had caused her friend so much fear. But all she saw was a silhouette before a flash of pain woke her from her dream…

Sarek strode swiftly towards their rooms. Not slowing despite noticing T'Sang's difficulty to keep up with his pace. He had to act quickly to resolve the situation before Amanda's disappearance became common knowledge and the ruse of their bond would be revealed. Or worse, Ambassador Ovina was made aware…

As they walked, he searched fervently inside himself to find any whisper of their bond. He searched even to find the slightest indication of her heartbeat… and found nothing.

As he entered their rooms, he noticed her shoes from the night before were missing. Stepping briskly through the living area he saw her teaching satchel as she had left it. The kitchen was undisturbed and their bed… hadn't been slept in. Opening the closet he found all her Terran belongings still there and her outer gear was all accounted for.

He closed the door more roughly than he had meant to and turned to the two attendants who had been watching him. As he stepped forward, T'Sang recoiled slightly before noticing what she had done and sheepishly stepping forwards again.

Sarek clasped his hands behind his back and breathed deeply. He was not accustomed to speaking with his wife's attendants which he realized now was a shortcoming he would have to address in future. They were used to Amanda's more gentle touch so he attempted, for their sake, to soften.

"Tell me, when did you last see her?" he said calmly.

Surprising him, T'Pen answered first.

"Last night after we performed, we were in the changing room undressing together. I left the event after and haven't seen her since," she said stoically, firmly looking straight ahead.

Sarek nodded and turned to T'Sang with a questioning look.

"I last saw her in the early morning. There were still two guests that remained. She was with Lady Svelda. She told me to go home as she knew I was to start at the artist's guild today. But when I came to dress her this morning, this is what I found." She gestured to the immaculate bed before them. "So I went looking for her. She wasn't in the clan hall or visiting S'Kelnek and her classroom was empty. So then I decided to check your office but she wasn't there either," she explained, pursing her lips in concern.

Sarek thought for a few moments.

"Very well. So you are certain she has not returned since the dinner? Not even for a change of clothes?" he asked.

They both shook their heads.

"Her evening wear made it back through one of the servers but nothing else."

Sarek started to pace. He called for I-Chaya mentally along his bond but silence was his response. Either I-Chaya was out of range or sleeping…

"If I may ask, Osu," T'Sang interrupted him.

He turned to face her and her eyes dropped to the floor, "when did you last see her?" she asked meekly.

"I left at midnight with Se'tek and Salvik to my office where we stayed until you arrived this morning," he said stiffly.

She nodded minutely but didn't trouble him further. Returning to his thoughts he tried to reach out to Svelda. She received his call but gently pushed him away. A polite way of saying: "I'm busy, come back later." Sarek tried again, more insistent this time but in response to this she blocked him out. Troubling…

"T'Pen, you are to stay here and if anyone asks for your mistress you are to say she is unavailable right now," he ordered.

T'Pen nodded her head, looking resolute.

"T'Sang, we need to speak to Lady Svelda. We must take different routes to not arouse suspicion. Until we know more, we must keep this to ourselves," he said looking at them both pointedly.

"Yes, Osu," they answered unanimously.

With nothing further to say, he made to leave their rooms but stopped when he felt a mental nudge from T'Pen. He looked back at her curiously to meet her now fierce gaze. He had never held a mental connection with the girl before and as far as he knew, she had only ever communicated with Amanda and T'Sang.

"Do not be concerned, Osu. I know, she is still alive."

Tearing himself away, Sarek didn't allow himself to consider the possibility that she was not.