Chapter 5

The Enterprise arrived at Warbase 5 by the end of first shift the next day. It sailed into orbit in line with Reliant and Excelsior, proudly displaying the scorch marks from the battle over Thieurrull. Spock wasn't one to go with such grand fanfare, but he knew Kirk did. And Enterprise was not only the admiral's flagship, it was the ship receiving the Empress' attention for the Armageddon torpedo. Those battle scars would remain like medals until the ship left the Warbase.

Saavik glanced over towards the captain's chair from the science station. Let Kirk thump his chest in a fever of testosterone. She knew Spock didn't care as long as he didn't have to partake in it.

She read over the new orders from the Empress' staff. The monarch was having a banquet that night. The command officers from the Warbase, Kirk's fleet, and those others receiving their sovereign's favor were 'invited' to attend. Saavik's eyebrow twitched. The underlying meaning was they had better be there. After dinner, Enterprise was to present the glories of the new Armageddon weapon along with speeches from the others. Then the Empress would address them all.

Saavik was already prepared for the presentation. Her staff had switched from research to creating an exhibition. Highlighted was the effectiveness of the torpedo that destroyed enemy worlds with a de-emphasis of the new world's instability. The new dilithium algorithm in the matrix, created by her and her people, allowed the Empire to harvest rich veins of the crystal in the days before the planet exploded, and was one of their deliberately chosen keypoint victories.

She frowned over the lack of guest names given. Other than those from her own ship, there was nothing for who else would be attending. As Chief of Spock's personal guard, she'd rather know whom she was facing. There were some enemies one should never be surprised with, but she couldn't demand what the Empress was not willing to give. At least, not demand it and live. What else did one expect from a ruler who was so vain, she ordered everyone to use her royal title only, and so dangerous, she tortured those who used her name?

Saavik spared a second to wonder if Sickbay was done with its test results. McCoy said they'd be ready before the first watch was over. He had said so when she contacted him after her morning meditation. A full night's sleep had worked wonders for her physical being, but she still had that disturbing echo when trying to reach meditation. Since the bioweapon affected Vulcan mental disciplines, she thought she had better report the condition. McCoy was checking with Sumic's people to see if they experienced it as well.

As if on cue, the communicator on her uniform sash vibrated silently. This was the personal system used only by Spock's guard. She checked it secretly. Stron wanted to see the captain and her immediately.

Second shift was coming on the bridge. She turned over her station to T'Mes and used the personnel change to address Spock quietly. "A moment of your time, Captain. You were asking about the security situation on the Warbase. I have found the information you requested."

Innocuous enough if anyone overheard. She had twenty different code phrases for Spock's personal guard needing him, another thirty for his underground, and they changed weekly.

Spock nodded calmly and turned the bridge over to Chekov, explaining to his first officer that they would be beaming down for the Empress' banquet in a few hours. Their accompanying guards, one for her and one for Spock, followed silently. No one looked up at the sight of her guard. Spock's order that all Vulcans have additional security while the Romulan bioweapon threatened was covering for her well.

Once in the lift, Saavik activated a jammer, this one equipped to send phony dialogue to the Security pickups. Fathiyya was no longer on duty at the Security station, and her second had only the standard oath of loyalty recorded.

"Stron needs to see us," Saavik explained.

"Regarding?" Spock asked.

"He did not say."

When they reached Spock's quarters, their guards flanked the door as they entered. They found Soluk as well as Stron waiting for them. Like so many Vulcans, they managed to convey something was wrong without showing any emotion, and Saavik automatically braced herself.

Stron spoke without preamble. "T'Pau contacted Soluk and I. She has ordered that we discover if Lieutenant Saavik is pregnant. If she is not, we are to execute her immediately. The orders are to be carried out by the end of today."

Utter silence filled the room.

They knew it was coming, but it did not make it easier to hear. Saavik looked at Soluk and Stron, once more acutely aware that her comrades would be her slayers.

The knife's edge in Spock's voice was clear. "And the reason you give us this warning before carrying out your orders?"

"I answer first to you, sir, by personal oath and the alliance of our Houses. I answer to Saavik by Starfleet command," Stron said. "By those bonds, I will follow you before even T'Pau."

When Soluk nodded solemnly in agreement, Saavik swallowed hard.

"This oath is not unexpected," Stron continued. He could not be more wrong. "We have already sworn to aid your underground in overthrowing the Empire. It is this same oath with which we serve you and Saavik now."

Even Spock's formal reply of "Your service honors us" was not enough for what these men were giving them, and she saw he knew it.

But Stron was already moving past it. "Two more items of note. McCoy was about to send the test results to the bridge, but they said you had gone. He's sending them here."

To admit she was anything but calm was illogical, so Saavik went coolly to the computer with Spock and brought up Sickbay's report.

Every test showed negative. She was in perfect health. And not pregnant.

She closed her eyes, not wanting to appear less Vulcan in front of Stron and Soluk. Her back muscles tensed as they had yesterday, waiting for the death blow. Her comrades may not give it, but T'Pau would make sure it was delivered.

The weight of the heavy silence threatened to make her break. Spock finally spoke. "We have the rest of the day to find a solution."

Does he suggest I get pregnant in the next few hours when I could not during pon farr? We do not know if I am even capable of it, being a hybrid. "Not even," she replied, feeling an unnatural calm. "You must be at the banquet in 2.74 hours."

His voice broke, the words hoarse and, for the first time ever with her, harsh. He grabbed her arm and spun her around. "Damn you, do you want to die?"

She blinked. She had thought those same words about him only days ago. She was gratified for his hand still on her arm, no matter how hard it gripped her. She wanted to touch him in return, but wouldn't in front of the others. "No, I do not. But this is T'Pau, Spock. No one wins against her, even the Empress is afraid to try."

She couldn't bear the way he was looking into her. If only they didn't have an audience. "Mr. Stron, you said two things. What is the other?"

After everything they already faced, this next thing was no surprise. "Sarek is here."

Spock's jaw clenched.

"He is on the Warbase as a guest of the Empress. However, T'Pau's message stressed he was in our vicinity."

The noose drew tighter around her throat. Soluk and Stron held out against T'Pau's orders, but Sarek would carry them out. And he was close by, giving them no extra time for planning an escape.

To know her killer was Spock's own father... She glanced up at him and felt a sudden stab. "No, Spock! You cannot wage war with your father, T'Pau would bring all of Vulcan down on you. Do you think I want that?"

His jaw worked as he kept control. He didn't answer her, but spoke to Stron. "How many in the guard know of T'Pau's orders?"

"All of them. They were each contacted with the message."

He looked down again at her. "How many can we trust with your safety?"

"All."

She hadn't answered. Soluk had, and both hers and Spock's eyes snapped on the man with his unexpected answer.

"We spoke with them. They gave you the same oath as us," Soluk said.

Stron added, "They ask only that, if possible, precautions are taken for their families' safety."

Spock agreed immediately, but Saavik felt the weight of more lives added to protect her.

"Your orders, sir?" Stron asked.

Spock finally let her go. He squared his shoulders. "We take control. I have failed to do so for too long. We have hours to discover a solution. My father will not strike until the end of the day. In the meantime, Archernar has to answer for his duplicity over the bioweapon. And I have an idea in mind where his punishment will help us."

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion. "How?"

"I will explain later after I have spoken with him."

She doubted the Romulan could help. "If you do not require me, I need to speak with the guard concerning your security at the banquet. If we may stay here?"

"Granted. I will contact you shortly." His voice dropped low and he almost reached out to take her chin. Almost. Stron and Soluk politely looked away. "We will find a way."

But she could see in his eyes that he didn't believe it.

She asked her real questions the second he left. "Stron, the probability we have of saving my life from T'Pau?"

He was Vulcan. He answered truthfully, as he knew she wanted. "Point zero nine percent."

That agreed with her own calculations. She folded her hands behind her so he did not see them clench. "The probability T'Pau will kill Spock if he tries to save me?"

"If Sarek does not do it -- and I do not believe he will -- T'Pau has other agents. I calculate 99.89% that Spock will be killed too."

And that made her decision. She began to make preparations for the banquet. She went into painstaking detail on where to place the guards and who would beam down to the planet. She had them each repeat it until she was sure they knew everything. When they were done, the men exchange glances and straightened from Spock's desk.

"About T'Pau," Stron began.

She held up her hand. "We will wait until we hear from Spock. For now, give the rest of our people their orders. I will meet you in the transporter room for our beam down to the banquet."

They left and she waited a moment before leaving herself. Her guard, T'Ratka, followed her, saying nothing when she ducked into her quarters, but waited outside the door.

Saavik looked at her weapons collection displayed on her wall. It was unique. None of the arms were valuable or rare, but each had been used in an attempt to kill her. They symbolized her ability to survive.

So how did she end up here?

She drew her phaser, held it out before her.

It was much like the one held against her father's head years ago. She remembered it clearly. When she had awoken that day, her mother was gone from their corner of the barracks. She had run around the camp looking for her and found her at the main gates. Two Vulcan guards had stood in the opened barriers, one a step back and to the right of the other. The latter was the one her mother had cursed, and because the curses were the same ones her mother always used against her absent Vulcan father, Saavik had identified who this man was.

Her father. She was ordered to never use his name; she didn't even know it until the day she obtained her Imperial citizenship and saw it on her records. Even then, she could not claim it for her own.

Or her mother's name.

She had stood stock still, staring at him, as her mother had continued to rant. Saavik had scuttled a little closer, as always making no noise, but he had suddenly seen her. His expression hadn't change; he only looked back at her.

The other Vulcan, the one behind her father, had sharply interrupted and jabbed a finger at her mother, asking her father if the accusations were true. Saavik hadn't known what the accusations were; she hadn't paid attention to anything once she had caught sight of him.

He had given a minute nod of his head, but never looked away from her. She had sworn he recognized her even though she was some distance from her mother. And she had sworn, despite her mother's later objections, that he had accepted her.

That was when the other Vulcan had put a phaser to his skull, and her father, accepting his responsibility, took the weapon and shot it into his head.

Saavik squeezed her eyes shut hard, forcing the memory away. She had no choice, any more than her father had back then. If she didn't do this, T'Pau would kill Spock.

She eased the pressure on her eyes, but she kept them closed. She drew three long, deep breaths and raised the phaser to her head.

Logic warred with survival instincts. Her hand acted as if it did not answer to her mind and refused to pull the trigger. For a long agonizing moment, the inner battle was fought until she yanked the phaser down, her rebellious hand dropping the phaser to the floor.

She had fought her whole life against death. She could not willingly give herself to it. Not by her own hand.

She snarled at herself. She was dead anyway, and she could not drag Spock into it with her!

But she could not pick up the phaser.

Or any of the daggers, disrupters, phasers, or swords on the wall. She placed her hands flat into the collection and leaned her weight on her arms, her head dropping between them.

Better I die by my own hand than let T'Pau's agents slay me. She tried to convince herself of it. Her mind knew it was true, but her heart--

The computer signaled for her attention, and she moved against the heaviness of her head to look over her arm. Kirk was already at the banquet with Sulu and Terrell. Typical. Eager to impress the Empress with an early arrival. And the admiral was complaining about the Romulan prisoners still on board the Enterprise.

The Romulans...

... The one on Thieurrull who had spoken before the riot: One last battle before the grave.

Spock hadn't heard him, but she had. Heard also Commander Alaka'i's battlecry: Glory!

It was what her mother had said as she faced the Vulcan guards come to finally kill her for 'seducing' a Vulcan male. It was what the Romulan prisoners had cried as they began the riot that caused Saavik to first meet Spock, what the prisoners yelled at this last riot. She could remember every word of all the cries, mantras used to stir the soul for the fight ahead:

For Honor. Glory.

One last fight. One last battle to the grave.

Take this chance to leave behind a warrior's mark on your name.

I will endure my enemies no longer. I die on my own terms.

She remembered their faces-- her mother, the prisoners of both riots -- and their words echoed in her mind.

She pushed off from the wall, and acknowledged Kirk's signal with the prearranged plans for Spock's arrival and the prisoner transfer.

Quietly, she scooped up the phaser as she walked out. T'Ratka immediately fell into step, but Saavik could easily get rid of her later. She led the way to the transporter station.

Once in the brig, Spock ordered Security to leave he and Archernar alone. They and his personal guard backed off, easily at hand if the need arose, but out of earshot.

"You played a dangerous game, Archernar."

The Romulan struggled to a seating position on the bench. He was still jailed in the same interrogation room as yesterday. "You sound displeased, Cousin. Why?"

"No one has shown any signs of a bioweapon."

The Romulan frown and looked sincerely confused. "That makes no sense. I know it worked."

"Maybe your fellow prisoners lied to you. Maybe you misunderstood their plan, but no one splashed by that liquid is in anything but good health."

"That can't be!" Spock admitted if the man was acting, he was good at it. "I tell you I know it worked. And do you think I'd come to you with lies? I know better than that!"

"Perhaps. It does not matter to me. You have nothing to bargain with and I have my orders. You and the others are to be transported to the Warbase we orbit. The Empress herself wishes to witness the executions. Good luck to you in whatever afterlife you believe in."

As he expected, Archernar called to him before he reached the Security field. "Wait!"

He looked back and got a surprise. The Romulan's hands were balled into fists and his handsome features twisted into a sneer. "I get it. I am not the one lying here, you are. You found out what the weapon does and Vulcan forbid you should speak of it. Is it that you are too embarrassed, Cousin, or that you decry so much that we are able to bring about your great shame?"

Spock raised an eyebrow, but kept his puzzlement to himself.

"Those people were affected days ago, weren't they? And you cleverly didn't test them until yesterday when they were perfectly normal. Why go through such extreme measures? Who do you have to justify yourself to? Not me, not a prisoner."

Spock stayed silent. It was working for him so far.

Archernar's eyes narrowed, working on the plot as he saw it. "The Empress is here? Why? Why all the interest in us?"

Because of the Armageddon torpedo. She wants to see the people from the world it destroyed. Not that you know anything about it.

The Romulan stepped quickly across the small room. Spock held out a hand, signaling him to stop, as his other hand dropped to his phaser. Archernar halted, but didn't back off.

"Well, you blew it, Cousin. I have proof that you didn't erase. Two of those Vulcans were down here dragging out our women, so I'm guessing their bondmates weren't around when pon farr hit."

Pon farr!

"Look at you," Archernar jeered. "You wince at the words! Should I call it the Fires, or the Time of Mating, or one of multiple euphemisms you people have?"

I wasn't the catalyst for Saavik's pon farr. The bioweapon created it.

And McCoy... I asked him first if he was coordinating the results from the tests for all the affected people, but then asked if he found anything so far about Saavik. Only he did not know I only asked about her. The higher hormonal levels, the fatigue... all of them had it.

Spock spoke hesitantly as his mind whirred with implications. "You say two Romulan women were taken from here by Vulcan males? You saw this as evidence of the bioweapon working?"

Archernar's lips drew back from his teeth. "Well, damn me for giving you an early chance to kill them. But I warn you, Spock--"

"Quiet!" Spock thundered. And Archernar reluctantly stilled.

Spock was deadly calm. "You are going to be of great value to me."

Archernar turned his head to the side, and the calculating gleam came back as he took in the Spock's intensity. "How?"

At that same time on the Warbase, Saavik was explaining to T'Ratka, "I want to ensure the floorplans we were given are correct. Take this," she held out a tricorder, "and compare this level with the map. Check everything: entrances, staircases, the rooms that branch off from here. I am going to examine the banquet room."

T'Ratka protested, "I am supposed to guard you."

"Do not be concerned. I sent for Soluk. He waits for me in the main room." Saavik forced a wry note. "I believe I can get from here to there safely."

T'Ratka acknowledged the order and moved off.

Saavik went into a small changing room and ordered a uniform jacket and undertunic from the replicator. After a pause, she ordered a captain's insignia. Her basic plan was to make Kirk so angry, he shot her. This was a good start. And at least she'd die warm.

As much as Kirk already wanted to kill her, she wanted to kill him. But Spock said he needed the man alive, so alive he stayed. A pity. But once Kirk murdered her, Spock may be able to use that to his advantage. Her death would have meaning.

She stood in the entrance for the hall and gave credit to the Warbase staff. It couldn't have been easy to create this from whatever cargo bay or gymnasium the room was previously. The utilitarian metal walls were covered with white bunting, valences of rose material draped over them. Dark carpeting covered the floor setting off the white tablecloths and walls. Someone even produced chandeliers. On Saavik's right hand side and high in the air was a balcony where the Empress would look down on her people and eventually address them.

More than Kirk came early. A full party was in swing, the pounding music assaulting her ears. It figured the admiral had told Spock not to arrive until later.

She found him in the crowd at a table up front and center, directly beneath the Empress' dais. He wore a gold trimmed, maroon V-necked tunic, no sleeves, with enough medals to catch the light and blind the people sitting around him. He preens for the Empress.

Unfortunately, she admitted the years of fighting in the Empire had kept his body lean and hard, but the way he puffed his chest out for some woman sitting next to him sickened Saavik.

She walked in at a normal pace. She expertly took in the room, long experience identifying potential targets and threats.

Sulu, Uhura, and their guard were at a table behind Kirk. They laughed over something with a Trill male who she identified from his insignia and distinctive markings as Torias Dax, the Warbase's commander.

Standing behind Kirk was Richichi, wearing the same brief style tunic but with his phaser tucked into the center of his waistband in some cocky attitude. Idiotic.

At the other end of Kirk's round table was a man she identified as Admiral Cartwright. He was leaning back in his chair, looking across the table but not speaking with Kirk at the moment.

Standing a few paces away was--

Damnation. Sarek.

She may not have to worry about getting herself killed.

Standing between Sarek and Cartwright was a young, Vulcan woman in Starfleet uniform. With the way the admiral called her back and placed a possessive hand on her hip, Saavik guessed this was Valeris.

Kirk saw her over the shoulder of the woman he was talking to, and right away, he snarled at her being out of the bolero top. He said something she couldn't hear at this distance, but Sulu must have because he grabbed Uhura and pointed, that foul smile laughing at her.

Saavik went through the other ways she could get Kirk to do what she wanted. She could attack Richichi, show him the foils of keeping his phaser where he had it. If she killed Kirk's Chief Guard, especially when he still thought she had murdered Johnson, the admiral would have his other guards slaughter her immediately.

She kept the same deliberate pace, holding her arms out slightly so he could see she didn't plan reaching for her weapons. His expression changed, undoubtedly wondering what she was doing.

She drew close enough to pick out sounds from their table, but what made her eyes flick in Cartwright's direction was not something he said, but the intent stare he gave Kirk.

No, not Kirk. Behind him. Richichi.

The Chief Guard kept dropping back behind Kirk's shoulders. It finally aggravated the admiral enough that he turned and snapped at his Chief, and Richichi moved back to the usual place. Until Kirk started staring at her again, and Richichi dropped back again.

She was focused on Kirk and her plan to die, but her mind could not be shut off and snippets from the past swirled back.

Richichi served with Cartwright. He became Chief Guard when persons unknown murdered Johnson.

Admirals were worried about where they'd be soon if Kirk kept growing in popularity.

Her eyes flicked back to Cartwright. The man kept his eyes on Richichi, but he leaned towards Valeris, nothing more. Just aware of her. She was talking again with Sarek.

Only Sarek still outlasts Cartwright with the Empress' patronage. Kyle's words.

And Sulu smirking: Better be careful, Spock. You may not be Sarek's heir much longer.

Uhura digging in, trying to find a sore spot: Valeris was looking for Spock while she was here.

And she heard Cartwright ask Kirk when Spock was beaming down. Picked up the scent of his sweat through a Vulcan woman's extra sensitive sense of smell. Not sweat from heat or exertion -- nervous perspiration.

She checked Richichi again, the telltales of his sweating as he kept behind Kirk wafting towards her.

Something about Valeris made Saavik's eyes dart back. The woman was suddenly still, but carefully keeping a normal face towards Sarek as she folded her arms behind her. She fumbled with something that suddenly dropped out of her sleeve; it fell in her palm and she slid it back in place. A hypo.

Damn it again.

Cartwright was planning to wipe out all his enemies tonight. Kirk with his meteor rise in power, the Empress' other favorite, Sarek, and Spock, his heir. And he'd present their carcasses to his monarch who would simper that he battled for her.

Saavik hastily revised her plan, looking for options. She calculated the seconds she'd have after her first move. She was only steps away from Kirk and she must know what she was going to do.

At least, both the Romulan and Vulcan in her were at peace. She'd die in an honorable battle, one that saved Spock. It would save Kirk too -- and Sarek, but so be it.

As soon as she drew near the table, she knew what came next.

"Richichi," Kirk ordered, "frisk her."

She saw the disappointment in his face that he couldn't do it himself, but he wouldn't take the chance of getting too close so she'd stick a dagger in his belly. But she didn't plan to do any such thing.

Richichi stripped off her phaser, knife, and agonizer. He then started searching her from the tip of her head, even shoving his fingers into her hair looking for weapons clipped in her dark mane or gummed to her scalp.

Sarek was looking in her direction, but the captain's insignia threw him off at first. It took a moment before she saw his expression change.

Recognition.

Richichi opened her jacket, searched the collar and her neck, and then spread down. Valeris got a mean look in her eye as she watched. When his hands moved under her shirt for her chest, Saavik struck.

She grabbed his phaser without taking it from his waistband and fired it. The blast caught him full in the groin. As he screamed, she ducked behind him for cover, what little she could get as he doubled over, and pulled her phaser off his sash, giving her two.

The seconds she had were winding down. Kirk moved for his phaser thinking she was coming for him next. She wasn't. Simultaneously, she fired at Cartwright and Valeris, cleanly killing them.

One second more. She fired into Cartwright's guards as they reached for their weapons. For her? Or for Kirk or Sarek? It didn't matter; she couldn't take the chance they'd carry out their plan against Spock.

It was the last move she got.

Kirk's guards were on her, the first blow from a phaser butt against her head. She fell under the sea of bodies. The strikes rained on her and she waited for one of her attackers to shoot her.

They didn't.

Instinctively, she curled around herself, but the boots and fists opened her up so they could reach her head and torso. Blow after blow hammered into her and she did nothing to stop them until, without warning, the killing madness rose up.

She struggled up, actually lifting the weight of the people on her, and striking everyone within reach, hearing with satisfaction their grunts and cries. She wasn't completely on her feet when someone kicked her hard in the abdomen and the lightening strike of agony crippled her. Her enemies swarmed over her, thrashing even harder now, and the madness died out leaving her completely weak.

Someone grabbed her arms, yanking them out flat. Knowing what was coming, she jerked them back, but a boot heel ground down, breaking the bones.

No! Not my hands!

A Vulcan used their hands for funneling all their mental energy. Now hers... but what did it matter with her death ahead.

She tried to pull within her mind, to use the Vulcan pain disciplines to leave her body and its hurting behind, but with the drain from the madness, reaching the required mental state was difficult. She didn't want to scream out like a weakling, but she would soon if she couldn't retreat inside her head.

Someone slammed an agonizer on her and left it on, the searing pain frying her nervous system, and she did scream then, and it felt raw and tore at her throat.

She reached again to mentally withdraw, feeling like she crawled within herself towards some sanctuary. She thought she almost made it when the Vulcan inside her whispered:

My katra will be lost.

That was no surprise, but it made her wince.

And the Romulan whispered:

I was wrong. I will die like my mother, not my father.

She moaned and hoped no one heard her.

She hardly felt the blows now and ahead of her was a beacon. She peered into it and saw the memory of Spock in their shelter on Thieurrull. He was beckoning to her, and she heard her voice from then tease him in return.

She stretched out towards the memory. If she could reach it, no one could hurt her anymore. She was almost there... if she could just cut herself off from the remaining physical pain... just reach him... his hand was extended towards her... she called to him, but he was listening to a Saavik in memory, not her... if she could just... crawl... further...

It helped that the next blow rendered her unconscious.

Archernar found he had stopped breathing. "Are you telling me Saavik was in pon farr and I wasn't around?" He shook his head sadly. "Damn! The infuriating difference a few days make."

Spock was beyond the point where he could take anymore. "Mr. Archernar. You will focus on what I say and what I tell you to do."

"My apologies, Cousin. But why all the concern now? She is well and..." His eyes widened and then he shook his finger at Spock reprovingly. "Tsk, tsk, friend Spock, you did lie to me. You said she was not yours, and yet you...." His smile held decidedly unfriendly teeth in it. "Regretting something, Cousin?"

Spock's chest tightened. "The point is, it has created a problem. I do not expect you to know this, however--"

"I don't need your explanation, I know your Vulcan law." Archernar spat the last as if it were a curse. "Why do you think I damned myself for admitting two of our women were taken by your men? You're telling me Saavik will be executed."

Obviously, he hadn't given this man enough credit. "I am."

Archernar's eyes glittered with an anger that surprised him. And stirred deep jealously. "What do you want from me?"

"Your testimony. I plan to formally protest the execution by saying Saavik does not fall under the law."

Archernar blinked. "She doesn't?"

Spock forced patience and explained. Archernar listened attentively and when the Vulcan was done, he nodded slowly. "Logical. I mean that sincerely so take it that way. Very logical. But will they listen?"

Spock's voice grew cold. "I will make them listen." The statement hung in the air before he continued. "Now, I want to ask you a question. How large is this 'carved niche' of yours?"

Archernar started to answer automatically, but stopped as it sunk in. He stared suspiciously at Spock, his lips pursed, "Why are you asking me that?"

"If I fail, I want you to take Saavik behind the Romulan border."

Archernar's jaw actually dropped and he blinked stupidly. "You want Saavik to go with me?"

Spock felt his heart twinge. "Want has little to do with it. Can you ensure her future? You need not be concerned about finances. Saavik has been part of many profitable missions. And I will settle a lump sum with you."

Archernar laughed. "Good! I'll use it to buy all the ropes I'll need to tie her up! Are you insane?! She'll kill me!"

Spock could not help but feel a warmth at the thought, but he doubted the Romulan would understand why. "We are not going to give her that choice."

"Of course. You are insane." He eyed Spock. "You give her up so easily -- perhaps I was wrong and she is not your woman after all?"

Spock's lips whitened.

The Romulan smiled. "I thought so. And what am I supposed to do with her? Sit around while she pines for you? You know how long our lifespans are. That's no way to spend a couple centuries." He rubbed his chin with some of his old mischief. "Of course, even though her heart and mind are with you, her body will be with me, and sooner or later that pon farr cycle is going to come around again..."

Spock felt the old familiar rise in temper that had plagued him as a child, but that he had learned to harness, making it cold and controlled. He targeted Archernar with it. "Do not push me. Have we a deal?"

The Romulan obviously recognized when not to go further. "You must have a plan to get me near enough to her in case I have to smuggle her away, so I won't waste time with that. Not when we have yet to speak about price."

Spock gave him a dark look. "I said I would provide it."

"For boarding her, feeding her, providing her with the lifestyle she deserves: rich clothes, fine jewelry, servants at her beck and call. My price is for my agreement."

"I will let you live. What more is there?"

Archernar sighed at his density. "You are most assuredly not a businessman, friend Spock. You have to let me live. You need my testimony and my ability to slip Vulcan's number one criminal across the border. Without me, you're lost. That must be worth... let's say, the release of every Romulan on board your ship."

Spock raised the inevitable eyebrow. "You cannot convince me that you think so altruistically."

Archernar's grin mocked the idea. "Good for you. I'm thinking of the years I will make them pay for their salvation." His grin faded to something dark. "And perhaps, I am patriotic enough not to want them slain by your Empress."

Spock folded his arms across his chest. "Releasing enemies is frowned upon in the Empire."

The Romulan shrugged. "Mine too. I don't care, it's your problem. And my price will be paid before I do anything. Do we have a deal?"

Why is nothing ever simple? But Saavik rose in his mind: the sense of her next to him, facing all his dangers first; her eyes alight with a new discovery found at the science station or in the labs; those days on Thieurrull. Spock gritted his teeth. He would find a way. For her. "We do."

Archernar held out a hand to shake and Spock eyed it coolly. "Sorry," the Romulan said and grinned. "I know you're half-human so..." He shrugged. Slowly, he sobered and, after a moment's hesitation, placed his hand instead on Spock's shoulder. "If it comes down to it, I will keep her safe."

That is not what bothers me. "See that you do," he warned, "or I will find you."

The Romulan broke the moment with his, by now, infamous smirk. "It's not you I'm worried about, it's her."

"Sir?"

He looked over his shoulder to the Security man. "Yes?"

"You're wanted on the comm, sir."

He exited the interrogation room and stabbed the button on the comm panel. "Spock here."

Archernar leaned arrogantly on the door jam, keeping just clear of the Security field. "Does your Empress need a napkin now?" he mocked.

But Stron's voice on the other end of the line killed Spock's retort instantly. "Captain! I was just contacted by Ensign T'Ratka. Lieutenant Saavik is down."

And all the blood drained from Spock's face.