Part 17
F'arnock watched the two reenter the room and noticed that the boy seemed calmer. Apparently Travis had been right is saying that it would be necessary for the boy to speak with Tanner. Apparently Tanner had been able to reassure him about what would happen. F'arnock was honest with himself, since it was quite illogical to try to deny what one knew was true, and knew that that was something he could not have done. It was illogical to not accept was must be done, or to fight against it.
Still it was better that the boy went willingly.
Preparing to stand, F'arnock said, "Preparations have been made for Ezranok's transport to Vulcan with us later this evening. Now would be an appropriate time for him to become acquainted with our ship."
For the first time Ezranok spoke in the conference room, "Before we do that, I would like to have a couple of points clarified." The boy spoke clearly, but quietly.
F'arnock and Malhai'ik exchanged a glance then settled back into their seats. This was the first time either of them had been questioned by a child in their lives, but it was an all around strange situation. "Of course, Ezranok. What do you wish to know?" Malhai'ik answered.
Ezranok took a deep breath and started the first phase of his plan. "From what I've studied while on the Wild Card, Vulcan boys between the ages of eleven and thirteen undergo what is called the 'rad'nomar tanbaidar', a rite of passage trial, from what I've read. After this is completed, they are considered to be subadults, and are more independent. Is this accurate?"
A raised eyebrow was the only indication that anything was different about the questions Ezranok had posed. The Starfleet officers looked at each other in confusion. Why was Ezranok asking these things now? Why not wait until later in private?
"Yes, that is accurate," F'arnock confirmed.
"Is it also true that while the trial is usually devised and supervised by the parents, that if a suitable situation occurs in the boy's life, that is accepted as the required test?" Ezranok asked.
The second eyebrow raise to accompany the first, "Yes, that is also true."
Ezranok seemed to relax suddenly. Vin had felt the building tension in the link, but there was not a hint of where it had been coming from. He knew that the fear the boy had felt previously had faded, but there was a still anxiousness and tension pervading the boy's mind. He had no idea where Ezranok was going with these questions, but he could feel his anxiety.
Ezranok leaned forward, mirroring the Vulcan's formal posture and pose. "I would submit to you that I have already completed the rad'nomar tanbaidar. Six months ago, the keepers kidnapped a young human empath and murdered his mother right in front of him. I supported him through the shock of her death and have cared for him from that day until three days ago when we were both rescued by the crew of the USS Wild Card. From my understanding, the trial is designed to test the particular abilities of the boy involved," Ezra explained his reasoning. "Would you not agree that that is as strenuous a test of my abilities as could be devised? These two," Ezranok waved at Captain Larabee and Vin, "are witnesses to the conditions under which we lived and the condition the boy was in at the time we were rescued. The can affirm that that Blair would not have survived his captivity alone."
Malhai'ik and F'arnock sat silently for a few moments. Then they turned to Larabee and Tanner for confirmation.
Chris had caught on, at least slightly, to what Ezranok was up to. Ezranok had been on his own for several years, and he would be loathe to give up all of his independence. Granted if this worked he would not be considered an adult for several more years, but he would have some say in what happened to himself at least.
"That is correct," Chris said. "According to Doctor Jackson's report, Blair would probably not have survived the initial shock of his mother's death, let alone the six months that followed. Ezranok supported the boy both physically and empathically and began teaching him to shield himself from the ambient emotions around him." Vin simply nodded his agreement with what Chris had said. He had also caught on to what Ezranok was trying to do.
Or so he thought.
F'arnock and Malhai'ik considered what they had been told and agreed. "You are quite right, Ezranok," Malhai'ik said. "Under the circumstances, this will be allowed to stand as your rad'nomar tanbaidar."
"Can that be made official before leaving the station?" Ezranok pressed.
"That can be accomplished quite easily," F'arnock said as he pulled a computer monitor around to face him. "Computer, record into permanent file of Standai'ishi child Ezranok the conversation of the last 16.82 minutes within this room. Include the notation that this child is now classified as a subadult, remedial schooling may be necessary, but rad'nomar tanbaidar has been completed. More information to follow as details become known," F'anock instructed the machine.
A coupled seconds later a mechanical voice announced, "complete."
F'arnock and Malhai'ik watched as part of the tension left the eleven year old's frame.
"You have my thanks, Minister F'arnock," Ezranok said inclining his head slightly, showing respect and gratitude.
Again the Vulcan's indicated their surprise with the raising of eyebrows, "Why do you call me 'Minister', Ezranok?" F'arnock asked. "We were not introduced with titles."
Ezranok cocked his head and said, "According to the records that I have seen, the only people that can approve the rad'nomar tanbaidar are the child's father and the High Counsel ministers. You are obviously not my father, therefore you must be a member of the High Counsel ministry."
"Quite logical, young Ezranok," Malhai'ik congratulated him. "Well done."
Ezranok inclined his head again, "Thank you."
This time F'arnock stood as he spoke, "If that is all, it is time for us to be going." His tone gave the idea that any other questions should be asked later.
Time for phase two, Ezranok thought as he too stood. Silently he sent to Vin, "Vin, you and Captain Larabee must stand, too."
Vin was careful to keep the confusion he felt off of his face, but he stood, signaling to Chris for him to stand also. "Why, Ez?"
"You will see soon enough. Trust me?"
Vin didn't say anything, but instead gathered all the affection and faith he had in the young boy and sent that down the link.
Ezranok nearly faltered as he felt the flood of emotion Vin sent to him. It amazed him that Vin could feel so strongly for him so quickly. In his experience with adults, which granted was quite limited, adults didnot become attached to children that were not their own quickly. In fact most adults tried to avoid children when ever possible, since children created a great deal of fuss and bother. Yet in just three days, Vin had already become so attached to Ezranok that he wanted to keep him and raise him as his own.
Pulling his determination tighter around him, Ezra got ready for the next part of his plan. This all hinged now on Admiral Travis, if it went wrong, it would destroy them all.
Ezranok stepped away from the table and in front of Vin, but instead of continuing around to go with the Vulcans, he stopped and looked up at Vin before folding gracefully to his knees. Travis, the only person till sitting in the room, stood and followed the two Vulcans as they strode around the table to see what was going on. When they arrived, they found Ezranok kneeling on the floor and slowly bending his body backward. He finally stopped with his back arched, the top of his head touching the floor, his arms fold behind his back, completely vulnerable.
Ezranok finally spoke, words that Vin had only known as a legend, words that would change their lives.
"My life was given from your hands, from your heart you saved this vessel. But for that there was a great price, and I offer to you this vessel as repayment of that debt. I give you all that I have in return, my life." After Ezranok finished the offer, he remained still. He had done his part, it was up to them now.
Vin could not believe what Ezranok had done. He had invoked the K'landain'esh, the custom of life debt indenture. If he were rejected now, Ezranok would be bound by Vulcan law to hai'bengas'ndei, ritual suicide!
Carefully Vin raised on one foot and gently tapped the boy's arched abdomen right over his heart. "The debt is acknowledged and recompense accepted. Rise, K'landain'esh is done." Vin reached down and helped Ezranok off the floor. Vin released Ezranok momentarily, but as he looked into the smiling face of his new son, Vin couldn't resist pulling him close and hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, Ez." Vin sent as he held on tight.
"And thank you, Vin." Ezranok returned.
"Do you understand what you have done?" Vin asked silently, worried that Ezranok might not understand what he had initiated. "If I am killed in action, then you will…"
"I will die too, I understand. But I do not think I could survive the breaking of our bound anyway." With that Ezranok showed Vin how pervasive the bond between them had become, entwined through his mind and into every area of his thoughts.
And Vin knew he was right. Ezranok would not have survived the breaking of the bond. Maybe in a few years time when he was older and more experienced with it, he might have been able to, but not less than three days after having the bond with Blair broken. Even if Ezranok survived physically, his mind would have been destroyed.
And none of them had thought about it. Even Vin hadn't thought about what the breaking of two bonds so close together would do to the boy. Vin squeezed the slender body tighter to him as he shuddered thinking of what could have happened. Ezranok had remained quiet, not mentioning the damage that could have been done so that he would not be seen as a burden to Vin or anyone else, not wanting to push himself where he wasn't wanted.
Admiral Travis and Chris remained silent as they watched Vin's response to the boy's words, but neither of them understood what was happening. Looking to the Vulcans for guidance, but the impassive expressions and raised eyebrows gave no clue what was going on.
"What the hell is going on?" Chris finally asked as Vin gathered the boy into his arms. When Vin didn't answer, or even seem to hear him, he turned to the Vulcans for explanations.
"You have gained another member for your crew, Captain Larabee," F'arnock answered. "Further explanations will have to come from Tanner and Ezranok. We can no longer interfere."
The two men calmly walked passed where the two were still wrapped in an embrace, before walking out the door, Malhai'ik turned and said, "Give them some time, Captain, Admiral, then they can explain things more fully. Take good care of him, Captain Larabee, and tell them that he is welcome on Vulcan anytime they wish to visit." With that they slipped out, leaving behind one oblivious bonded K'landain'esh pair and two very confused Starfleet officers.