They arrived at the conference hall early, giving themselves plenty of time to get familiar with the layout of the building and to seat themselves in a location that afforded them a good look at the entire room. The seats were arranged in a semicircle pattern around a podium at the front. On one side sat the Federation delegation; on the other, the Klingons. From the crowd that was already gathering, it was obvious that the room was going to be very full.
T'Katha and Julie strolled along through the gathering crowd of people, casually looking about, trying to locate their Klingon adversaries. Josh had already left to take position upstairs.
"This is like looking for a needle in a haystack," Julie complained. "There must be five hundred people here," she estimated.
"Six hundred and thirty-seven, actually," T'Katha replied.
"I don't know why we just don't use your tricorder to scan the crowd and find our Klingons," Julie grumbled.
"We have already discussed this. Joshua was concerned,
"I know, I know. I'm just worried we won't find them in time, that's all," Julie answered, a bit put off by the Vulcan woman's constant lecturing. "What if we split up? We could cover more ground that way," she suggested.
"I was just considering that. However, it would make communication difficult. Unless…" T'Katha's voice trailed off.
"Unless what?"
"I have an idea, but I am reluctant to suggest it."
"Try me."
"We could engage in a mind-link," T'Katha stated.
"A mind-link? Is that like a mind-meld?" Kramer asked.
"Not precisely. A mind-link is a kind of telepathic connection. It will allow me to communicate with you by transmitting my thoughts to you."
"Sounds good. What's the catch?"
"The mind-link is not a perfect solution," T'Katha explained. "It has several limitations and…drawbacks."
"Let's hear them," Julie answered.
"Very well. First, the mind-link is only effective within a radius of approximately twenty-five meters."
"In this room, that shouldn't be much of a problem. What else?"
T'Katha nodded. "The mind-link will allow me to transmit messages to you telepathically. You will be able to respond by 'thinking' your response, which I will be able to 'hear'. However, you will not be able to initiate a message."
"Well, that's not perfect, like you say, but for all intents and purposes it should suffice. I think we should do it," Julie said.
"There is another issue," T'Katha went on. "A mind-link, like a mind-meld or any telepathic connection, involves the opening of thoughts, shared memories. Put simply, much of who you are, your innermost thoughts, will be exposed to me. Not because I seek out such things, but simply due to the nature of the link. To put it bluntly, your privacy will be somewhat violated, Doctor."
Julie took a breath. "I see. Well, I can't say as if I like the sound of that. But on the other hand, I don't have anything terribly dark to hide. And I think I can trust that you won't spread what deep dark secrets I do have around the galaxy, right?"
"Of course. Any information I become party to as a result of the link will be treated in the strictest of confidence. You have my word on that, Doctor."
"Then let's proceed. We're losing time," Julie answered.
Without another word, T'Katha put her hand to the other woman's temple and closed her eyes. Concentrating, she quickly focused on the telepathic link.
Moments later, she removed her hand.
In her head, Julie could hear, "It is done."
Surprised, Julie thought, "I can hear you, T'Katha. Is that it?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"I dunno. I guess I just assumed the linking procedure would be more involved, that's all."
"You are empathic and possess some inherent level of telepathic ability. That made the link much easier to establish."
"I see. Guess I should thank my grandmother, hmm?"
"Your grandmother – Imari – she was Betazoid, correct?"
"Yes. How did you know?"
"As I told you, the mind-link has given me access to many of your thoughts and memories." T'Katha paused, then, "I can sense this makes you uncomfortable. Do you still wish to continue?"
"You're right, this isn't very comfortable, but I'll survive," Julie replied. "We need to find these Klingons and this is the best way we have to communicate. At least we can. I'd feel better if we knew how the captain was doing," she finished.
"Do not concern yourself with that," T'Katha answered. "Joshua is intelligent and resourceful. He will manage."
"You and the captain – you seem to know each other pretty well. You were in Starfleet at one time, weren't you? Did you serve together at one time?"
There was a pause. Julie could sense – whether from the mind-link or her own empathy she could not be sure – that the question put T'Katha on the defensive.
Finally, the Vulcan woman answered, "Yes, though that is not all. You see, Doctor, at one time Joshua and I were involved in…a physical relationship."
Julie's eyes widened even as she continued to scan the room. "You mean you were lovers?" she asked silently.
"That is correct. Does this trouble you?"
"No, not at all. It's just that, well, don't take this the wrong way, but you don't seem like the captain's type. Or maybe he doesn't seem like your type. I mean, I know there have been cases of humans and Vulcans marrying, but, well, what I mean is,"
T'Katha cut Julie off mid-thought. "I understand your confusion. You are correct, humans and Vulcans do not often take each other for mates. However, you must remember that my father, Spock, is one-half human. I am therefore one-quarter human. In my youth, when Joshua and I were together, I was uncertain of many things. I sought to discover the truth of my identity, to reconcile my human and Vulcan heritage."
"I know what you mean. My family comes from two different cultures – human and Betazed. And they're different, but nothing like the difference between humans and Vulcans. I can imagine how difficult it must have been to try and make sense of the two sides."
"Indeed. You are one of the few I people I have met who may in fact understand, Doctor. In any case, my father had dealt with this difficulty by ultimately rejecting his human side and choosing to live his life exclusively as a Vulcan. In the vanity of my youth, I attempted to find another path. It was during this time that I met Joshua. We were serving together on the Agamemnon during a three-year deep space survey. He was – is – interesting, complex, intelligent, fascinating. We grew close during our time and eventually our relationship became intimate."
"What happened?"
"I do not wish to discuss details. Suffice it to say that I eventually discovered the same truth my father had – that the only viable choice was for me to live my life as a Vulcan. So far as I can tell, it is not possible to reconcile the two cultures in a single individual. The differences are simply too great. When I came to that conclusion, it became apparent the relationship could not possibly continue."
"Why are you telling me this?" Julie asked.
"Because I have learned deeply personal information about you. Your grandmother would be one example. But to name another, I am now aware that you were orphaned at an early age. Your parents were killed fighting in the Cardassian war when you were 12 years old. You have no siblings, no aunts, uncles or cousins. Your only kin are your surviving grandparents on Earth. I offer my condolences."
Her parents. Sharp pangs of emotional pain, long dormant, shot through Julie. "Thank you," was all she could find to say.
"I can feel your distress. As I warned you, the mind-link can be a troubling experience. By sharing deeply personal information about myself, I am attempting to maintain the equilibrium of our relationship. Do you understand?"
"I think so," Julie lied. "Thanks. But how 'bout we concentrate on the Klingons and not swap any more stories?"
"Agreed," answered T'Katha.