Grayangle - thanks for the review, as for how the Federation knows about Sentinels, well, my impression of hte Federation has always been a bit more benign than whatcurrent governments are. I would think that somewhere in the 200-250 years between present day and Classic Trek, they'd have figured it out but not try to make lab rats out of them, especially if Sentinels are around on other worlds in whatever form they might come up in.

Hope that clears up any confusion,

knoteach

Part 12

Vin held Ezranok throughout the tide of emotion, rocking slightly and murmuring reassurances. Vin knew that he was having trouble understanding, exactly what was happening.

Within the last thirty hours he had gone from long time prisoner and slave with only one friend in the world, to being rescued and developing a link with one of his rescuers. Then he had had the one person that he could depend on pulled away and the bond between them broken. Vin knew that Ezranok did not discount their bond, but the difference between a couple of months and a few hours was quite significant.

So he held him and let him cry out his grief and pain.

And as he sat comforting his bond mate, Vin wondered if Chris might not be right in suspecting Ezranok of having Romulan blood. Ezranok's emotions were much more open than any Vulcan he had ever known. Even the youngest children were taught to control everything, to suppress all emotion. Yet Ezranok openly and unashamedly displayed his feelings. It might have been a result of the memory loss, but Vin didn't think so.

Whatever the case, Vin vowed to be there for him as long as possible.

As the sob subsided into sniffles, Ezranok pulled back and wiped at his face. "I'm sorry, I don't…"

Vin stopped the apology with a single finger placed at Ezranok's lips. "It's all right. I know how much it hurts when a bond is broken."

Ezranok looked at him, his head tilted slightly, a curious expression on his face. "What happened?"

Vin hesitated, not really wanting to drag up the past, but he wanted the boy to know that he did understand. "I lived with a Vulcan family for a couple of years when I was a boy maybe a two or three years older than you are now. A couple months after I got there, the son of the people I was living with, who was several years younger than I was, was hurt by a wild animal while saving my life. He and I had been friends since I arrived, so I volunteered to help nurse him back to health. During that time, we developed a bond kind of like the one you and I have."

Ezranok's eyes grew as Vin told the story, his mouth forming a small "o" in surprise. When Vin broke off, Ezranok repeated gently, "What happened?"

Vin drew a deep breath, "He died just before I left. He got caught in a rockslide and crushed. There might have been a chance, but the doctor was over at the next settlement and couldn't get back fast enough." Tears slid silently down Vin's face as he remembered the frantic hour waiting for the doctor to return only for him to arrive mere minutes after his friend died and the immense pain as the bond was torn from his mind. He had been told later that he had slipped into shock and it had taken quite a bit to bring him out. They had never told anyone about the bond that had formed between them.

Vin sbapped his eyes open suddenly when a gentle hand rested on Vin's cheek. He then looked down into wet green eyes. "Does it still hurt?" Ezranok asked quietly.

"I still miss him, but no, it doesn't hurt any more," Vin told him. "I know you're hurting, but Blair is fine. He's doing what he was meant to do. You knew he was a Guide, so you knew that this time would come." Vin paused momentarily until Ezranok nodded his understanding and agreement, then continued, "I know it's still hard, but hopefully you can stay in touch and see each other now and then. I know I'll definitely make sure to stay in touch where ever you end up." Vin smiled and hugged the boy close at the last, and to his surprise, Ezranok returned the hug.

"Thank you," Ezranok whispered into Vin's ear just before he let go.

After Chris left the Sick Bay he headed immediately for his quarters to send another update to Admiral Travis. Upon arriving his marched over to the computer terminal and sat down, but instead of calling for a line to the base, he sat and considered the events of the last hours. If anything else happened on the way to base, he might just decide to retire. This was all just too crazy!

Sighing, he opened the com, "Larabee to the bridge, get me a line to Admiral Travis at Star Base 4."

JD complied quickly, he himself still mulling over what he had seen in the Sick Bay. "Admiral Travis will be on in a moment, sir."

With a vague feeling of déjà vu, Chris watched the image change from the young communications officer to his superior again.

"Travis, to Wild Card¸ Chris, what's going on?" Travis look concerned, as well he might. This was the third time they had contacted him in less than two days, and it had been weirder each time.

"Admiral, we seem to have run across a unique situation. Approximately three hours ago, Lt. Commander Vin Tanner brought to my attention a garbled transmission that he had been able to decipher. It was carried on a Starfleet distress band and indicated a down vessel. Investigation revealed that it had been sent by a survivor of the USS Cascade which was lost in this area over eighteen months ago. We located the source of the signal and rescued the lone survivor of the mission, Lt. Commander James Ellison. We also retrieved the bodies of those that did not."

At this point, Chris could tell Travis was wondering what about the situation required his attention. Though the rescue of the stranded man was wonderful, it was a straight forward action and a regular report would have been sufficient, if not for the rest of what he was about to share.

"After Doctor Jackson dealt with the bodies, he started to examine Ellison. However after administering medication for a migraine headache, Ellison was thrown into extreme sensor spikes. Ellison was a latent Sentinel and his senses were coming back on-line, sir. However," Chris rushed on as he saw Travis about to blow a gasket, "Blair, the three-year-old guide we rescued, was two levels away at the time, yet he knew what was happening and returned to Sick Bay on his own to help Ellison. They have bonded and are working on getting his senses under control at this time."

Chris watched as Travis ran his hand through his hair in frustration, a look of disbelieving astonishment on his face. He understood the feelings.

"Alright, let me get this straight, within the last thirty-six hours, you've captured a slavers vessel. On said vessel you found an eleven-year-old Vulcan or Romulan boy and a three-year-old human empath and Guide. Today, you rescued a Starfleet officer that has been stranded on a planet for the last eighteen months, a latent Sentinel whose senses are now back on-line. Said Sentinel and Guide have now bonded and are settling in. Is that everything?" Travis said, his tone daring him to give him anymore.

Chris winced, "Not quite, sir. Lt. Commander Tanner has developed some type of mind link with the boy Ezranok. We discovered it last night."

"Dear God, Chris! You never do anything the easy way do you?" Travis groaned. "Just get back here as fast as you can and pray you don't run across anything else!"

"Yes, sir," Chris acknowledged before Travis signed off. Sighing, he commed the bridge, "Larabee to Wilmington, set course for Star Base 4 at Warp 7." He didn't wait for Buck to say anything before cutting the com and switching channels. "Larabee to Sick Bay, Doctor Jackson, how is everything going down there?"

Nathan keyed open the line. "Fairly well, sir. Vin and I thought that the best place to put Ellison and Blair would be the open quarters beside Vin. Tanner also requested that Ezranok be allowed to stay with him, and I agreed. They just left a few minutes ago."

Chris thought about it a moment then nodded, from what Vin had told him from his own experience, a broke bond was painful. He would be just the one to help the boy when it hit. "Sounds good. I'll be on the bridge it you need me."

Chris leaned back after keying off. Damn, he was tired and the day was only half over. Standing, he straightened his tunic and strode toward the door. Vin would probably be back on the bridge soon and he wanted to beat him back.

Less than an hour later, Vin strode onto the bridge. After the shock and pain had passed, Ezranok had been exhausted and Vin had put him into his bed to sleep. They'd have to make upthe fold out bed later, but for now this would do.

Arriving on the bridge he saw Chris in his chair and headed over.

"How's the boy?" Chris asked without taking his eyes off the view screen.

"Ezranok's doing was well as can be expected, better than I thought he would actually," Vin replied.

"Ellison and Blair?" Chris asked next.

"I checked in on 'em as I came down. They're doing well. Blair was exhausted, too, so they were sleeping. Ellison woke up and indicated all was well. I showed them where the com was earlier in case they have a problem."

Chris grunted an acknowledgement, wondering how to approach the question that was weighing on his mind.

"I don't know what's goin' to happen to Ezranok when we get to Star Base 4. I'm beginnin' to think you might have been on to something when you said he might be Romulan, though." Vin admitted, seeing the conflict on his captain face. "I just hope to hell it turns out all right."

"Yeah," Chris whispered. "Me, too." 'For him and for you.'