It hadn't taken her as long as she had thought before they had found their destination course, once Michael had figured out that the numbers were flipped around it was all in the travel. She had given him another sedation again for most of the trip to keep him calm and seated. Misha had only needed a change once before she was awake and watching the viewscreen. How far she could see, Michael didn't know but she suspected it was better than a human baby's vision. She could see how it was captivating, the swirls of white that came and went.

"Approaching Talos lV." The computer announced and continued to speak, listing off facts of the planet and its species— her mind catching onto their abilities Psychogenic. A form of telepathy… Her head cocked as she placed the infant into her seat then plucked out a new hypospray.

If they were going to a species equipped to deal with mind-based abilities, powerful enough to warrant Starfleet concern if the planet was prohibited, then clearly they would be able to help Spock in a way that she couldn't. Sure, she was a vampire and that came hand-in-hand with telepathic abilities but… as Ophelia had said, she wasn't developed enough in age to get those abilities.

Michael pressed the hypospray into his neck, waking him though he mumbled out softly, this time repeating the words in Vulcan before she took to the helm and dropped them out o warp but almost immediately, the computer alerts went and the ship shook as they stopped the immediate sight of a black hole.

Gut instinct clawed at her to put the ship into warp and get the hell away but the fact she knew; there was no black hole here. If there was, it would have been in the files and one of this size would drastically affect the systems around this area….

This was not real.

Within the frozen second, she could see the terrifying depth; the light that seems to seep into it and the clarity was astounding… her fingers were temptingly close to the switch; so close to getting out of here.

Misha whined out, the shuttle shaking again… but Spock was also calm; too calm; whether because he knew this was potentially fake or it was the fact that he compromised; she didn't know. Putting her faith that this was an illusion, she directed them towards it, the computer warning….

Then like a bubble popping, the illusion broke and the sight of the planet filled her with relief.

"Oh, thank god.." She muttered, leaning forwards to console Misha as she fussed.


Her eyes raked over the surface of the planet, her senses feeling alive as if she was being over stimulated, it ticked at her aggression and she could feel her fangs were out, responding as if there was danger. She felt… the telepathic presence, it was like a pressure against her skin or like a constant soft breeze that flowed around her. It was… like a fog. It really rubbed her in the wrong way.

The planet was beautiful and there was no denying that life was steadily returning back to this planet, there was a low melodic sound echoed, more predominantly from the plant life though she couldn't focus on that.

A new scent, if it was a real one did catch her attention, a low thumping heartbeat, small and fast indicated it was a human female.

Michael stepped out of the shuttle, noting the human as she walked towards them. She was blonde and more a tight dress that hugged her figure, her eyes were a bright blue and yet… there was the feel of fog all around her; shrouding her even.

The woman's head cocked to the side curiously. "Who are you?" She had a sense of..lightness and not at all concerned.

"Commander Michael Burnham," Michael responded with. "You're a human… I wasn't aware there was one here?"

The woman nodded, stepping closer. "My ship crash-landed here when I was young, they put me back together."

"Your name?"

"Vina."

Close enough now, Michael could feel a fog seemed to wrap around her face particularly, was she under some illusion? There was a slight dilation in her eyes that…didn't quite belong with this light level.

"You're under an illusion, aren't you?"

"Yes, by choice." Vina smiled. "You're not human, clearly."

"Vampire."

"Oh," Vina's tone was curious though she felt the subtle shift in the air, the black pupils dilating a fraction. "You're telepathic too?"

"In development. My species gets them later in life."

Vina just smiled before her attention turned, her face melting into a smile as she saw the bundle on one of the chairs that had Misha pulling on her blankets; the fog seemed to swirl around her as well, causing her eyes to close and settle into sleep.

"You have a beautiful daughter."

Michael said nothing but watched the expressions turn as she noticed Spock, his lack of responses to her and she felt the concern emanating from her.

"The Talosian's are below the surface. They wish for you to join them. You can beam down with Spock where they'll examine him"

Michael's eyes flittered to the baby.

"They'll keep her safe, Commander. She'll sleep with pleasant dreams." Vina smiled.

She could feel that the human wasn't lying though she felt…distrustful nonetheless but the fact was, she had no choice; she couldn't quite juggle protecting Spock and her daughter in such an unknown situation but...if Spock brought her here for treatment, there may be no malicious intent.

She flittered towards Spock, her fingers coming to stroke along with Misha's blankets in passing before she helped him up. "Insert the coordinates." She requested to the human.

Vina nodded, moving closer and her fingers tapped in a series of numbers.

"Energise." Her eyes lingered on her bundle before light over swept her vision and a new sight filled her eyes.

It was a cave. More or less. Though she could feel how the fog seemed to warp around the end; it looked like it was empty, there was not…distinct sound or smell yet her gut knew that she wasn't alone and that they were in front of her.

"I know you're there." She spoke out loud, her eyes flicking to where the strongest pockets of fog swirled and weaved. After a second thought, the fog cleared away, revealing to her the figures of what she could assume were Talosians. Their head were significantly bigger, though she suspected it was down to their abilities that required bigger brain mass. Their skins were lightly translucence with ebbs of purple and blue-ish hues that varied from one to the other and they were dressed in long robe-like clothes that concealed the body shapes. Not that it mattered to her. Their heads though, she could plainly see not just their veins and pulse though other movements that flexed like muscles under the skin, perhaps exercising their usage of gifts.

Your assessment is not incorrect.

The voice was in her head but she felt a sudden defensive urge that sharpened her fangs once more with a warning growl that quietly echoed. The touch of fog that had touched briefly over her mind withdrew.

Only the main male seemed to respond. "My apologies, it seems conversing in the old ways would be apparent."

"I am unaccustomed to telepathic intrusion, you are…unexpected..." She could get used to it but there was little reason to trust that it wouldn't trigger her defensive urges as she didn't know these beings. Although the last thing she wanted was to snap again. "But I would appreciate that."

The male nodded once. "It is highly unusual for a species to see through our illusions. It takes a gifted telepath for that."

"My species is telepathic in nature but more so in later life." She was sure they could have gotten this information already but she felt no…intrusion or fog like before, they weren't going to try it seemed. If they did, they may have seen her capabilities and if she couldn't be easily tricked… "I have not yet gained enough knowledge or discipline to render aid to my brother, I believe he brought me here for a purpose."

The male's eyes flickered down though the muscles in not just his head but the few Talosians also moves; the fog soon wrapped around Spock briefly.

"The Vulcan is experiencing time as a fluid rather than a linear construct." One spoke, a female if the higher deviation of their voice was any indication.

"He sought telepathic healing?"

"He knew conventional medical treatments would be fruitless." The male spoke. "we are…able to treat him."

There was more to what he was saying. Michael pressed, "But?"

"He desires to share his memories of that he received. But… to do this, we would like new memories in return for our…services, as you'd call it."

Michael's eyes narrowed. There was a lot of implication to what that'd mean and she didn't know what they sought from her. Experience? Education? She doubted they had much company before aside from their little pet human they had.

"What are you looking for?"

The male's head turned, looking back to Spock before back to her. Fog flittering between the group, around her though never touched her closely but they were clearly communicating.

Vina appeared soon enough, coming to stand next to Spock.

"They're deliberating on the content of their desired memories." Vina spoke, "They are curious."

"I can tell." Of both.

"If they come to an agreement, you must give them willingly. It would do no one good if they try to force payment although they're aware that forcibly entering your consciousness will trigger your defensive instincts."

Michael said nothing, staying statue-still at the deliberation before the Male turned back to her. "There is…much to be learned from you and…your kind. We would like the memories of your experiences with the one that made you and your slaughtering of the Terran vessel."

Her eyes darkened a fraction and didn't move; though, of all the things to ask, they had to go straight to the deep and personal she didn't like to think about.

"Why?" Her tone was sharp.

"We have never encountered your kind before and yet… your species has a lot of potential to be a danger for us, we need to understand more."

"What would you have asked if I was human?"

"Another memory, of you and your brother but… that is something learned from another time." The female spoke. "You can see past our illusions."

"They are afraid of you, Commander Burnham." Vina Spoke, her eyes almost sad, her lips lightly pursed, "You represent a hole into their defence. Illusions are…what they're about."

"I didn't come here to cause disharmony, I came to help my brother." But… at that cost? She knew they'd clarify those experiences right up, even with her mind-meld with Sarek's mirror counterpart; she'd have to…re-experience that pain, the torture behind it if they wanted her first memory of her Sire. "But… what I experienced was torture. Literal torture when I met her" She spoke, shaking her head. "I do not want to relive that agony."

Vina stepped forwards, her hand comings towards her though there was caution in her and she could see how one of Talosians twitched as her warm hands came to hers. She blinked out at the coldness though didn't let go.

But at the touch, Michael felt more from her than she had expected; that she could see and feel more from Vina; could feel sharp flitters from her mind, emotions were the most predominant thing she could feel; Concern, discomfort, fear… and curiosity. There was also a foggy connection that branched out and away that seemed to lead directly to the Talosians.

Vina inhaled deeply, "Pain…is not familiar to them. Not in the way that you remember. They have…never needed to endure it, they cannot imagine what your experiences are like aside from…references of others. If they cannot take your pain, they'll withdraw to another point where there is less."

"How assuring." She couldn't help the snarky comment though Vina's fingers gripped her hand tighter.

"They aren't cruel, Commander, not without reason."

Michael gave her a stern look. "Not my personal transformation. But… I have made others, you can learn from those, and take the memories of my sire… I can share those but… not my change." She didn't relent on that stance, as selfish as it was; she wasn't going to allow herself to suffer again for the sake of…education. She didn't like the idea of sharing her memories of her sire but… by comparison, it was something she could give. She was not the one they should be worried about, it was Ophelia.

Vina's head turned before she let go. "They…can agree to that."

Not without some dissatisfaction, Michael could sense but they probably heard the warning bells.

"In order to reorganise your brother's mind, we have to disengage him from logic then reconnect him, the mind will perceive the linear construct when we're done."

Michael spared a look to Spock before she nodded. "Okay."


"This is it?" Pike's head tilted in curiosity at the small box Agent Tyler had presented. Inside the box was a very small band that looked to a lot like a piece of stretchy spandex tubing. Though it was neutral in colour; a light charcoal grey, it had wiring to a little panel on the centre

The Man himself nodded lightly though he chuckled softly. "It's aesthetics is to be worked on but this should do the job. The panel is to face the inside against the baby's skin, it'd side is adjustable though I'd recommend an ankle since it's out of grabbing reach. You can cover it easily with her normal clothes and ….She's protected"

Chris chuckled, folding the lid down with a smile. "You know, if section 31 fails on you, you can always fall back on salesman."

Tyler snorted "I'll keep that in mind, Sir."

He picked up the box and slipped it into his desk draw. He couldn't wait until Michael returned, though Section 31 had them stationed still, he knew what he'd do to ensure Spock's safety and the safety of his mate and child. Although… breaking into the conversation with Spock would be…somewhat awkward, he knew he couldn't hide this…new development from him. Not only by the fact that he was with his sister… but now the parental figure for her daughter; his daughter in a sense.

On his PADD, he turned to see some dings pop up, two from Admiral Cornwell, none urgent though important and… inquiry from Cestus lll. Chris frowned slightly before he reached forwards to a panel.

"Bryce, open a channel to Cestus lll from Captain Pike, tell them I've received their inquiring, and send the feed to my ready room."

"Aye, Captain."

"Problem, Sir?" Tyler asked.

"Not sure… Detmer and Airiam should have checked into their room by now, or three hours ago." Why were they asking to talk to them than his crew members, he didn't know, but his good mood was soured by edges of concern. A lot could happen in a shuttle, though he didn't doubt Detmer's flying skills.

"Cestus lll is a research Colony, isn't it?"

"Yes but it's got a few residential areas for travellers and pit stops. Detmer didn't plan to stay long."

"Seems…bit of an odd place to go."

"She was meeting some old friends." He couldn't fault her for that.

"Sir, we have the Colony's leader sending a transmission, putting it through now."

Pike jumped to his feet and came to a stop to his screen where it lit up and on the other side was an eldered male, his face was lined and his hairr grey, blue eyes looked very sharp though his lips pursed a fraction.

"I am Commander Sean McKellen, I take it you're the captain of the…USS Discovery."

Pike nodded. "Captain Christopher Pike. I'm curious that you're the ones contacting me, I was expecting my officers."

Greying eyebrows rose sharply. "Captain Pike, I sent word for Starfleet's intervention an hour ago, but… I believe we've found what…used to be a Starfleet officer."

Pike felt his gut chill, his face draining of colour. "What?"

McKellen inhaled, "We've found and recovered…the body of a synthetically enhanced human, our…records indicated a Starfleet officer of that description seen earlier. Records of their shuttle were easy to follow."

"A body? Airiam's dead?"

Oh… that wasn't good.

Pike turned to Tyler. "Go get Stamets and prep him to jump to Cestus lll."

Startled but getting the hint without further prompt Tyler shot off towards the turbolift doors. Pike turned his attention back to McKellen.

"What can you tell us?"

McKellen shifted in discomfort, "We…have a firm idea of the cause of death and have run many scans and collected up evidence for your viewing. Unfortunately, we're…still collecting up the officer."

Pike could tell the man didn't like how it was phrased but it gave him the insight that….Airiam's death was not straight forwards. There had been no mentions of Detmer. As much as he felt his mind sore to this dreaded information, he held his emotions back and focused.

"Anything of another Starfleet officer, under the name of Lieutenant Keyla Detmer?"

"We've recovered blood that doesn't match to the technology-enhanced officer, did Lieutenant Detmer have cybernetic implants?"

"Yes, left eye and cranial implant."

"Then we've found the implants, but not the owner."

Pike closed his eyes, his heart racing. "We'll be with you shortly, prepare to debrief us when we get there. We'll collect everything you have, including Lieutenant Commander Airiam's body"

McKellen nodded gravely, "Of course, Captain Pike."

With a flick of a button, the line closed though it didn't make the dread and ebbs of fear of what he'd find less horrifying. It had meant to be a trip… how could it have killed Airiam… and Detmer? What had happened to her?


Captain kept a firm grip on the human in her arms, not that she thought she'd escape, no, but she wanted to ensure things went smoothly as they travelled. The human had stopped whining and was under the full weight her venom washed through her system. There was the thrill of this; that this was her childe.

The removal of the implants had left damage that altered the appearance of the skin; no longer bleeding, there was a slight imprint into the flesh that lingered. Captain didn't know if it's fade out and look normal or if it'd stay. The eye though, that had been a tricky part to figure out; no sign of a new one so it seemed that they'd have to find something to fill that space. Maybe a marble? Eyepatch?

"Captain, we've reached a pit stop and we're all to leave," Gant called, his head poking around the door, despite her warning growl.

"I'm busy."

"Our Sire's got a room for you two, follow her scent."

Carefully, Captain adjusted her stance and lifted the human up then flittered from her room in the bird-of-prey out into what she could see was a series of old tunnels, though she followed her Sire's scent until they reached a lone room where a human male and Ophelia was.

"Ah, so this is ya crew." The man spoke with a chuckle. "Good tastes."

"Captain, set your childe down. Trigger here needs to remove the internal implants for the flesh solidifies." They were standing beside a reclined gurney with arm pieces and straps, an old scanner and tricorder was on the side, beside a flickering monitor and a series of medical and engineering too.s

Captain's arms tightened around her, noting the sharp implements. "That'll kill her."

"No, she'll be fine."

"I'll be gentle, lassie. Just need ta take a few scans for my assessments than I can make a plan of action."

Ophelia appeared close though Captain felt the grip into her hair, the flash of fangs in her vision before the woman yanked he head back, forcing her to expose her throat to her.

"I'm not asking you." She warned. "Stay by her side, if you must, but let Trig work. If you kill him, I'll burn your childe alive in front of you before the transformation is finished."

Captain growled though the grip didn't relent, nor did she until she felt her teeth clamp into her throat. She gasped out with a hiss though forcibly dropped the human as her hands came to wrench her sire's teeth but she pulled away last moment.

Her fingers came to newly broken skin, a familiar scar from her sire's teeth. Withering under the weight her sire's pressure, Captain scooped up her human and placed her down onto the gurney, her hand staying gripped to the woman's forearm at the very least, wanting to keep this physical contact with her Childe. Ophelia smirked though after a moment, breezed out and away.