Vartheb crossed the room to where Fledgling lay wrapped in the net. He nudged the bundle with his toe. Fledgling hissed and snapped, but was bound too tight to reach. Vartheb turned to Ludedmi.
"Go get Uboq and set up the cage." Vartheb wandered over to a table, picking up a beaker, turning it in his fingers before setting it down.
"I am surprised it took so little time to capture one of these things. I am sure it will make your work easier." He spoke with his back turned, McCoy had to strain to hear.
"What work is that?"
Vartheb turned to face him. "You are going to replicate the Aminta drug."
"I'm a physician, not a chemist."
Vartheb frowned and sighed. "Your constant untruths are becoming tedious. You have a reputation in research circles, Doctor."
"This is outside my area of expertise."
Vartheb's antennae twitched in irritation. "I will suggest you become an expert quickly, if that is the case."
"Where is Kelan?" McCoy asked. He could tell the question was unexpected. Vartheb's antennae froze for a second, then quivered.
"Kelan is not your concern," he stated flatly.
Ludedmi and Uboq returned, each laden with several large panels. In a few minutes they had assembled a sturdy looking cage.
Vartheb nodded. "Put the creature in."
Ludedmi looked dubious at the prospect. When he reached for the netting, McCoy noticed a deep gash along the inside of his hand and wrist. It was hard to suppress the moment of satisfaction, but he remained silent as the two carried Fledgling to the cage and shoved him in, netting and all. He sighed.
"Ludedmi, why don't you let me take a look at your hand."
Uboq roared with laughter, but Ludedmi approached McCoy cautiously, like he expected the doctor to strike without warning. Vartheb said nothing.
McCoy held his hand out, and the Orion slowly extended the wounded hand. It was a deep gash, reaching from the index finger, across the palm, then several centimeters up the arm. It was crusty with dried blood.
"You're lucky. A few more millimeters would have nicked the radial artery. If I can have my medical kit, I can treat this. Also it is past time for my medication."
Vartheb got the kit from the cabinet while McCoy sent Ludedmi to wash the wound. Once again, he was not allowed to touch the kit himself. Vartheb handed items to him as he worked, finally applying a dressing. When he was finished, he injected himself, and Vartheb returned his kit to storage.
"Aren't you going to untangle the bird from that net?"
Uboq laughed. "You do the honors. Perhaps the thing will snap off a finger."
McCoy got up and walked slowly to the cage. Fledgling trilled. He crouched beside the door for a moment, wondering how he might proceed.
{Uncalennie.}
{Little Birdie. I'm going to untangle you.} He lifted the latch on the door and inspected the binding.
"Vartheb, I will need a knife or scissors, something to cut the net."
Uboq drew a small knife from a pocket, handing it to McCoy. He grinned, taking out his long dagger. He leaned forward. "Don't get any stupid ideas, Human." He licked his lips. McCoy turned back to Fledgling and began cutting away the net material, struggling a bit because of the shackles.
{You fear these Dark Salortog?}
McCoy tried not to think about what would be the end result. He continued to trim and changed the subject.
{I can understand you inside my head now. I couldn't before.}
He felt a wave of amusement from Little Birdie, warm and golden. He almost laughed aloud for the cheer it contained.
{One or both of us have learned how to listen. Eldest Mother said things happen in time and in the One.} He was serious again. {Why do the Dark Salortog keep us in this place? It smells loud.}
McCoy cut away a large portion of the netting, tossing it behind him before thinking a reply. He smoothed a bent 'feather' into place and continued sawing at the ropes.
{They want me to make something for them, a drug.} He felt the inquiry come back at him. {A drug is a substance that can make you well if you're sick, or alter your brainwaves, or make you feel good or bad. In their case, the drug is bad.} He paused, then thought with emphasis. { I will try to protect you as much as I can, but if you have a chance to get away, do it. They cannot know we speak to each other this way.}
{You will come away with me, together,} Little Birdie sent with total confidence and assurance, turning his head enough to make eye contact, the colors fluctuating in warm shades of red and gold. McCoy gently cut the last pieces of net away and got to his feet. He extended the knife to Uboq, handle first. Uboq took the knife and kicked the cage door shut.
Fledgling got to his feet and hissed at the Klingon who sneered back. McCoy shuffled back to the table and sagged onto the chair. He wondered how much longer he could keep going.
"You seem very at ease with the creature." Vartheb sat at the table again.
"It's the same one I treated before," McCoy said carefully. "It didn't hurt me then."
"And it didn't now. Is the DNA in your tricorder from the same animal?"
"Yes."
"Do you see chemical similarities between the DNA and the drug?" Vartheb's antennae leaned forward.
"I haven't had time to study the formula."
Vartheb pushed the PADD toward him. "Make time."
McCoy looked at the PADD, then at Vartheb. "I have no intention of helping you develop this drug."
"That is not in your best interest, Doctor."
"Perhaps not."
"Most certainly not." Vartheb stood. "Ludedmi, fasten the Doctor securely, we shall let him consider his decision for a short time. I do not want him to be comfortable. Uboq, come with me."
Vartheb and Uboq left, and McCoy soon found himself with one of the leg shackles attached to a table containing some heavy equipment. He tried halfheartedly to move the table, but it would not budge.
"You cannot move the table, very heavy," Ludedmi said, pulling a chair from the table and sitting. McCoy grunted and sat on the floor, wrapped his arms around his knees, and closed his eyes.
{Uncalennie.}
McCoy realized he had nodded off. {Yes, I'm here.}
{Why are these Salortog dark?}
McCoy felt a profound sense of sorrow wash over him, not sure if it was coming from Little Birdie or himself. It was a question he had often pondered.
{I don't know why. Most people are good, or they try to be.}
{The Tribe does not have Dark.}
A tear slipped from McCoy's eye, unbidden. {I hope you and the Tribe never have Darkness, Little Birdie. I am sorry you're seeing it now.} He felt the soothing trill, and let his mind relax back into sleep.
McCoy woke to pain and confusion. He had no idea how long he had been out. He had slumped to the cave floor, his body was stiff, and he was cold. He carefully maneuvered into a sitting position.
Arnette was there.
He blinked to clear his vision. She was still there. For a moment, he was utterly bereft of rational thought as his mind arranged the pieces until they started making sense. He was still in the cave, not at the compound. Arnette was also in the cave. She had her back to him and was talking to Vartheb as Ludedmi, Uboq, and one of the Orion guards looked on. He could not make out what she was saying, but it seemed urgent. She finished, and Vartheb, Ludedmi, and the guard hurried out, leaving Arnette and Uboq. He coughed, and they turned toward him. Uboq was smiling. Arnette's face was placid, reptilian.
Uboq came with the key and released him from the table. He managed to stand, holding to the edge as his muscles protested. He coughed again, and realized he was also having some difficulty catching his breath.
Arnette's precision steps approached him until she was arm's length away.
"I understand you have refused to assist in this project. Have you reconsidered?"
"No."
"There could be considerable financial reward for those who prove themselves helpful."
McCoy spat out a laugh. ""Right. I can just see the credits rolling in." He let go of the table and stood as straight as he could. "Let me clarify my position. All the wealth in the galaxy would not matter. I cannot and will not participate in your scheme. I will do everything in my power to stop you. Is that clear enough?"
Arnette's expression did not change. "I expected this response. Your reputation precedes you, Doctor McCoy. " She nodded to Uboq and stepped back. "Regrettably for you, you are powerless at the moment."
Uboq leaned close. "I told you we would speak of cooperation again. I have a special treat for you. I am sure you will enjoy, yes?" He threw his head back in a laugh, grabbing McCoy by the upper arms, roughly jerking him almost off his feet.
{Uncalennie!}
{S'all right,} he sent back as Uboq drug him to the corner where the Mind Sifter sat. {Stay quiet.}
Uboq slung him into a chair, fastening his legs down. McCoy's heart beat furiously as Uboq powered the box and lifted the head cap from the floor. It looked heavy. Uboq put it on his head. It was heavy. McCoy struggled a bit as the device settled in place. Uboq laughed and took him by the chin, almost gently.
"Now we see what you know, what you feel, your regrets, your fears. And," he laughed again, softly,"what we have left of you when we've finished. Do you want to plead with me now?"
"Go to Hell."
Uboq's smile faded, and he moved to the box, adjusting some dials. He felt a tingle run over his scalp, the helmet felt like it was pinching.
{Uncalennie1 Uncalennie!} Little Birdie's cries hammered at his brain. He tried to send reassurance, but his world was imploding in dark eddies and he was spiraling down into an abyss, a cesspool that was himself and all he had to offer. He screamed, although he told himself he wouldn't. His brain exploded into bright white and he surrendered to the silence.
