Chapter Six - Spock

I made sure my phaser was fully-charged before I left the ship. I had no desire to be defenseless against such a monstrous alien creature. It was absolutely vital that we isolate the creature and study it, and that would present great danger. I was willing to take the task upon myself. I felt a sort of duty to discover the exact identity of the captain's attacker, and discover its purpose for attacking.

I almost regretted leaving my reptilian friend on the ship, but I knew it would watch Jim even more carefully than McCoy ever could. In the captain's pain and inevitable boredom, an animal companion would probably make him feel as though he was not alone. Humans have a strange, sentimental connection to animal life forms such as the avian reptile. Companionship...a thing that even Vulcans can understand.

I began my search in the meadow where Jim had been brutally attacked. It was not hard to find, for there was red human blood everywhere. Unquestionably belonging to the captain.

I scanned the area with my tricorder, keeping one hand near my phaser. No sign of the creature as of yet, but it was likely it was nearby.

[Returning, so soon?]

I whirled around, to find myself only inches away from the snarling muzzle of the alien creature. Its red eyes glared at me in obvious anger, and its flaming tail swished restlessly. [You of all people should not have returned,] it continued, in a strangely familiar voice. [You of all people should have known it would be me who attacked your captain.]

And abruptly, I understood. "Henoch."

[Very perceptive of you, Spock!] Henoch taunted. [Just like your foolish captain. Tell me Spock, does your captain live? Is he plagued by nightmares every time he sleeps?] Its lips curled back in a cruel snarl. [He attempted to deceive me into leaving your body. My compliments to your captain, for if it wasn't for his devious plan I never would have discovered this much more useful host. One more fit for a higher body temperature, and better equipped to deal with soft, defenseless mortals.]

"Henoch, I do not know what you wish to achieve by this," I commented as calmly as I could. My human emotions were dangerously close to the surface. "Your actions are not logical."

[Logic is the ultimate evil in this universe,] Henoch told me. Then he paused. [I stand corrected; there is one thing more evil than logic. And that is your captain.] An evil expression passed over its face. [For that, he must die. And not quickly, not at all! Piece by piece, I am stealing his soul and leaving part of myself. Look if you dare.]

Henoch lowered his head, bringing the great golden disc on his forehead to come into alignment with me. I looked closely, and in it I could see images of Jim. All of his happy times on board the Enterprise, slowly being stolen away by some alien monster. Entire pieces of his being, what made him who he was, were being taken every day. And in the absence of each piece, a minuscule part of Henoch was given to him without his knowledge.

"Fascinating," I said.

[Oh yes, isn't it Spock? It is fascinating indeed. My powers are unlimited. You captain will be dead within days if you do not find a way to defeat me.] His head rose, and the red-gold eyes stared once again. [Good luck finding a way,] he laughed. [You'll definitely need it.]

With that, he spread his wings and flew away faster than I could see. I stared in his direction of departure for a moment, then flipped open my communicator. "Spock to Enterprise. One to beam up. I have urgent news to discuss with the captain."

"Aye, energizing," Mister Scott responded, and I felt the usual golden light surround me.

~~~~~~

"Let me get this right," Jim said. "Henoch's in some alien creature, he's been taking me apart through nightmares and somehow influencing me past that, and I'm gonna die in a week."

"That is correct," I said.

"That's the craziest damn story I ever heard," McCoy said. "You made that all up."

"I am a Vulcan. I am incapable of lying," I reminded them.

"The hell you can't!" Doctor McCoy yelled. "I've seen you do that lots of times!"

"Bones..." Jim warned, and the reptile that had been watching him scolded McCoy in a series of squeaks and chirps. It appeared to be copying the captain. Most fascinating.

"Spock, if that story is true...what are we supposed to do about it?" Jim asked.

"I do not know, Captain," I admitted. "Henoch appears to have great psychological power over you through dreaming. Perhaps if we contained him in the brig, I could perform a mind meld and-"

"No," Kirk interrupted. "No mind meld. I don't want him getting you too. There has to be some other way of reversing Henoch's power..."

"Well, if you've got an idea now would be the time," McCoy said, sounding rather anxious. "If Spock's right and Henoch is killing you, then we don't have much time left."

[I have an idea!] a tinny voice chirped.

I blinked in surprise, and my two friends noticed my sudden silence. "Spock?" Jim asked. "What is it?"

The feathered reptile that had been resting on a nearby table jumped down and scampered up my uniform, coming to rest at my shoulder. [I have an idea,] the voice repeated, and I realized it was coming from the creature itself.

"Fascinating," I commented. "I believe this creature is communicating. Perhaps my first exposure to it has somehow enabled an understanding of its dialect over time."

"Are you saying that your lizard friend is sentient?" McCoy demanded.

"I believe so." I looked at the creature. "Please continue with your explanation."

[If James Tiberiouskirk suffers in nightmares, my powers could counter the demon beast's magic,] it said. [All life on my world possesses mind powers. James Tiberiouskirk can rely on my magic to protect him from the demon beast.]

"Spock?" Jim asked, obviously wanting a translation.

"It says that all the creatures of Sherok posses psychic powers, including Henoch's new form and itself. It believes that its own powers may be able to shield you from the harmful effects Henoch has placed upon you," I explained. "I do find it curious, however, that it refers to you by name."

"By name?" Jim sounded a bit startled, if I place the emotion correctly.

[James Tiberiouskirk sounds surprised at my knowledge,] the alien said. [Does he not realize that is how my magic works?]

"I do not believe so," I replied. "Humans are known to have little faith in what you call 'magic'. But I believe they will consent to your shielding."

"I find it awfully unfortunate that we can't understand half the conversation," Doctor McCoy said pointedly. "If it does have mental powers, why can't it speak telepathically?"

[I can speak!] it cried in outrage. [But if I use my powers, only two can understand. Spock of Vulcan, and James Tiberiouskirk.]

I raised one eyebrow. "An amazing revelation." I looked to McCoy and Kirk. "It says it can mentally project thoughts, but only I and one other person are capable of receiving its messages."

"Who's the other person?" Jim asked.

"You are, Captain."

The captain was silent for a moment, then shook his head a little. "Wow. That is amazing."

How true that is, James Tiberiouskirk.

Jim jumped a little at the telepathic contact. "Spock...is that it?"

"It is indeed the creature voicing its thoughts," I confirmed. "However, Doctor McCoy will be incapable of reception."

"Oh, joy," the doctor complained. "Why me?"

James Tiberiouskirk and I share a special bond, the creature said. We have met before, though this form is new to me.

Jim stared at the reptile. "You don't mean..." He paused. "Sargon?"

It is I, James Tiberiouskirk.