Jon slowly awoke to find himself being help by T'Pol, he looked up at her face and saw that she was staring at him.

T'Pol: "Are you alright Jonathan?"

Jon: "I think so, my head's sore but suddenly, things are becoming a little clearer"

T'Pol: "How do you mean?"

Jon: "I'll explain later, right now we have to figure out how to try to get our of here."

T'Pol: "Perhaps it would be best if you explained what you meant earlier when you said Arev may have done something to you, that you felt as if you weren't alone."

Jon looked at his hands for a few moments and then he looked at T'Pol

Jon: "Do you sense anything different through our bond?"

T'Pol was silent for a moment then replied. "The bond is still strong, however, it is clouded, it is the same as when I was teaching you how to shield yourself from anothers thoughts."

Jon: "It's not me, it's him."

T'Pol: "Him? What do you mean?"

Jon: "Arev did something to me alright, he didn't just put something in my head, he put someone."

T'Pol: "Jonathan what are you talking about. Did Arev meld with you?"

Jon: "Sorta, he gave me a…katra? Surak's katra."

T'Pol: "That is not possible Jonathan."

Jon: "I was speaking with him, the same as I'm talking to you now."

T'Pol: "Perhaps you sustained and injury which made you believe…"

Jon: "I'm not injured! I saw him T'Pol as clear as I see you. He's in my head and we spoke!"

T'Pol: "I am sorry Jonathan, it is difficult for me to accept what you say. A Vulcan to posses anothers katra, was tales told to children, for a Human to hold a Vulcan katra, is impossible."

Jon: "I know what's in my head T'Pol."

T'Pol: "What did you, discuss?"

Jon: "He told me that, what'd I'd been given was a gift, that I was chosen, that someone had to restore his people to the correct path."

T'Pol: "And that person is you?"

Jon shrugged and went over to the window, he leaned his head against the cool metal of the bars and sighed.

Jon: "I really wish stuff like this would stop happening to me."

T'Pol quickly rose and went and stood by her husbands side, she laid her hand upon his arm and comforted him as best she could.

T'Pol: "Perhaps it would be best if you focused your thoughts on something more pleasant for the time being, recall what I told you the night of our wedding here on Vulcan. You are going to be a father. Let those thoughts occupy your time."

Jon smiled and recalled the news she had sprung on him after they had made love, he had thought it was more of her rare dry humour, and he had joked about it himself. Until she gave him the 'look' and stated she was being truthful. By her count she was 6 weeks along. Jon had just looked at her and then in her mind, he had gone insane.

He leapt out of bed and with a huge smile on his face pulled her from the bed as well and gave her such a huge hug she had thought her ribs were going to crack. She had quickly brought him back down to earth by reminding him it was undignified for the two senior staff of Enterprise to be convorting in such a manor while unclothed, even if they were married.

Jon and T'Pol were pulled from their thoughts of this happy time by the opening of the door to their 'cell'. T'Pau walked in with two of her followers. T'pau stared at T'Pol and pretty much ignored Jon.

T'Pau: "You claim to have been with Arev at the time of his death, correct."

T'Pol nodded

T'Pau: "Arev held Surak's Katra, did he pass it to you."

T'Pol: "He did not, I was unconscious at the time of his death."

T'Pau: "I do not understand, you said you had been with him when he died."

Jon: "No, I was with him, T'Pol had been knocked out by the storm. I hold Surak's Katra."

T'Pau: "You? A Human? This is not possible."

T'Pol: Never the less, it is true. Jonathan and I are wed and bonded, while I cannot say that I sense Surak, I can tell that there is another presence in the bond."

Jon looked at her "You never said that."

T'Pol: "I apologize, I wished to understand more before I said anything."

T'Pau walked up to Jonathan "You will show me"

Jon sighed and nodded, T'Pau reached up and placed her fingers along the meld points of his face. Soon the two were melded.

T'Pau: "I sense that we are not alone, that there is another with us. He comes."

T'pau looked at Jonathan, who's eyes had been downcast during the meld. Suddenly she saw the change in his eyes and felt the others presence fully through the meld. T'Pau quickly broke the meld and stepped back, she looked at the two who had come into the cell with her.

T'Pau: "It is true, Surak is with him. Come we must decide what is to be done."

And almost as quickly as they had come, the trio had left. The meld had taken a lot out of Jon, and in his already weakened state was just a little too much for his body to handle. He slowly sat down and laid his head on the ground.

Jon: "I really wish people would stop doing that to me."

T'Pol: "Well, she did ask permission, which you gave."

Jon: "Next time I do that, hit me"

T'Pol: "As you wish"

The two of them remained alone in their cell for the next few hours, Jon had fallen into a light sleep. T'Pol had gone though their supplies and found while they had adequate food, they would soon be running out of water if they were unable to replenish their supply. Her thoughts were interrupted by the opening of the door, she looked up to find Koss there.

T'Pol: "Koss, why are you here?"

Koss: "I have come to inquire if you and your mate need any thing."

T'Pol: "We will soon need water."

Koss: "I shall speak with T'Pau, do you require anything else?"

T'Pol looked over at Jonathan and tenderly traced her hand along his cheek, he barely stirred. "We need to return to Enterprise, he needs medical attention."

Koss: "Until Surak's Katra is reached, that would be inadvisable."

T'Pol looked at him, then looked back at Jonathan.

Koss: "I will deliver your request for water to T'Pau."

Koss turned and left, T'Pol didn't look up to watch him go. T'Pol gathered her thoughts and slipped into a light meditative state. She would need her thoughts in order if she were to find a way out of this for the two of them.

Meanwhile, Jon was once again meeting with his passenger.

Surak: "Captain, you must help my people recover what they've lost."

Jon: "What do you mean?"

Surak: "recall when I had told you that my people have strayed from the path I set out for them."

Jon: "Yes."

Surak: "You must help them find that path again."

Surak, whose back had been turned to Jonathan for most of the conversation, turned to face him. And Jon had to hold back a curse. Surak had open sores on every exposed surface of his skin and he was very pale. Jon recognized the signs of radiation sickness.

Surak stumbled toward Jon and fell, Jon caught him and lowered him to the ground. Surak spoke again, but this time his voice was barely a whisper.

Surak: "Find the Kir'Shara, it is the only…way…"

As Jon felt Surak pass in his arms, he watched as Suraks arm stretched out and pointed to a specific part of the cave.

Jon quickly woke and found himself in T'Pol's arms.

Jon: "Hey"

T'Pol: "Greetings, would you like a drink?"

Jon: "Sure."

As T'Pol went to the packs to get the water container, the door opened and T'Pau and two others walked in.

T'Pau: "You will give up Surak's Katra to another."

Jon: "Why?"

T'Pau: "It is unthinkable to have a Human carrying it.:"

Jon felt that he was missing something, but made a decision anyways.

Jon: "Fine"

T'Pau: "You will come with us."

Jon looked over at T'Pol and smiled, he then stood and with her help followed the other 3 out into the central courtyard. Two Vulcans came and took Jon from T'Pol while she was held back. They placed Jon in a raised platform. T'Pau came and stood in front of Jon and placed both her hands on his face and begun the meld. After a few moments it was becoming clear the meld was not going well. T'Pau had her eyes clenched shut and Jonathan was sweating heavily and grimacing as if in pain.

Suddenly, T'Pau was tossed away from Jonathan and stumbled back a few feet. She blinked in surprise and looked around her.

T'Pau: "I have failed. I could not remove the Katra. Surak expressed his desire to remain where he was."

Jon meanwhile had collapsed onto the platform, with T'Pol rushing to his side. She cradled his head in her lap, she glared at T'Pau and the other Vulcans. She desperately wished there was something she could do. She looked at Jonathan and her thumb gently caressed his cheek. Slowly his eyes opened and her looked up at her, he then looked around the centrel chamber and his gazes settled on a small alcove at one end.

Jon: "The Kir'Shara…."

T'Pau: "What did you say?"

Jon: "We must find the Kir'Shara."

T'Pol: "What is it?"

T'Pau: "The Kir'Shara contains Suraks original teachings. His writings. His words. It has been lost for hundreds of years."

Jon slowly stood and gestured towards the small cave entrence. "Down there."

T'Pol: "You are in no condition to undertake such a journey."

Jon: "We have to, it's your peoples only hope."

A few hours later, after Archer had regained his strength, he T'pol and T'Pau, were gearing up to venture into the small cave opening.

T'Pau turned to one of her people: "The over flights are increasing, it is time to leave this place. You know what to do."

The aid simply nodded and moved off. Jon checked his pack one last time and reached over and grabbed a torch off the wall. He looked at T'Pol and without hesitation headed into the cave. T'Pol glanced at T'Pau and together the two followed the captain into the darkness.

Meanwhile, in Shi'Kar, the Vulcan High Command was meeting, in attendance was Soval. He was there to question why the council so firmly believed the Syrranites were the ones behind the bombing of Earths Embassy, when all of the evidence had yet to be processed.

Soval: "Administrator V'Las. I fail to see the logic behind this course of action."

V'Las: "It is not your place to question our methods Soval. The Syrranites have become a dangerous influence on the people of Vulcan and that influence will stop."

Soval: "Surely it would be more beneficial to have the Humans assist with the investigation here on…"

V'Las: "This is Vulcan soil, it is our people, the Humans will have no more part in this. Our conversation is at an end."

Soval: "Administrator…"

V'Las: "Ambassador if you continue with your aid to the Humans you will be removed from your post. Return to Earth and do not speak of this further."

Soval sat quietly for a moment. He could see that the other members of the council were as confused as he was by V'Las's actions but they were unwilling to speak up. It was therefore logical that he be the one.

Soval: "With respect Administrator, I can no longer sit idly by and watch as you and this council continue on this course. It is not logical. There is no merit or basis for your campaign against the Syrranites. I will inform the Humans that you have with held information from them."

V'Las: "So be it. The decision is final. You are stripped of your rank as Ambassador to Earth. Your security clearances are revoked. I do not need to remind you that your oath of loyaly still remains valid. Now leave us."

The council watched as Soval stood and gathered his robes about his, it was with almost visible anger that he left the council chambers.

Councillor Kuvak: "Was that wise?"

V'Las: "It was necessary. If we are to succeed in destroying the Syrranites, we need to remove the Earth ship from orbit. Hail Enterprise Tell them to leave orbit, now. If not they will be fired upon."

The young Vulcan at the security console nods and sends the message. After a moment he looks at V'Las. "They are refusing to depart. They say their Captain and Fist officer are on Vulcan and will leave when thay are returned."

Kuvak: "Earth and Vulcan have been allied for over 100 years."

V'Las: "The Syrranites had to have seen our ships by now, if they evacuate into the Forge, they will be more difficult to track. We can not wait any longer." V'Las goes to the communications console and contacts the Vulcan Cruisers in orbit. "Drive Enterprise from orbit. Use all necessary force."

In orbit that Vulcan ships close quickly on Enterprise and open fire. On the Bridge Malcolm is thrown against the helm, he looks over to tactical.

Malcolm: "Polarize the hull, raise the new shields, phase cannons to full power, return fire."

Enterprise shakes again as it is hit, this time however it lashes back and with an amazing display of its new firepower manages to severly damage one of the smaller Vulcan ships.

Tacical officer: "Shields are holding, hull plating down to 85"

Malcolm: "Target the lead cruisers engines and weapons only."

Enterprise comes about and unleashes and volly of fire from its phase cannons. However the Vulcan ships shields still prove to be resistant agains the energy beams. It fires back and deals a serious blow.

Hoshi: "Hull breach on C deck, casualties are reported."

Malcolm: "Allies or not, lets up the stakes. Photonic Torpedoes, full power. Fire when ready."

Enterprise fires two torpedoes at the Cruiser and they strike with devastating force. Two more are fired, soon the Vulcan ship is adrift in space.

Malcolm: "I guess the improvements we made work quite well."

Hoshi: "Sir, More Vulcan ships are approaching, they have us outgunned and outmanned. We are being hailed."

V'Las: "You're hoplessly out gunned, your power systems are failing, don't force me to destroy your ship."

Soval looks at Malcolm: "He is correct, we should withdraw."

Malcolm: "Get us out of here."

On Vulcan, Vlas: "One Enterprise is out of scanner range, begin bombardment of the compund."

Vulcan Cruiser Commander: "Yes Administrator."

Jon, T'Pol and T'Pau continue their journey through the tunnels in search of the Kir'Shara. Jon leads the way, moving cobwebs out of the way, it is a long trip, many times they've had to back track and find different routes and the tunnels ahead had collapsed over time. Soon the three come to some type of crypt. Arrayed along the walls in standing positions, are the mummified bodies of anicient Vulcans. Jon looks at each one of them as they pass. As they approach one in particular, Jon hold up the torch and stares at its face.

Jon: "T'Klass, he was a student of Surak, one of the first Kohlinar masters"

T'Pau looks at him and then at the statue. T'Pol does the same, even tho Jon is her husband and mate and she trusts him implicitly, she does not understand how he can know this.

T'Pol: "There is no inscription, nothing to indicate his bloodline, no name, how do you know who he is my husband?"

Jon just looks at her and then turns and peers further into the tunnel "we're getting close."

Faintly they can hear the thudding of energy blast hitting the surface.

T'Pau: "They have begun their assault."

Jon just nods and moves off down the tunnel, giving the other two no choice but to follow him. After another half hour of walking they come upon and ancient dorrway. However there appears there is no way to get past it.

Jon slowly walks up to the door and studies it for a moment. He then touches the door in three different areas. With a shudder and a lound grinding noise, the door rolls back into the rock. Inside is a room containing a small pyramid shaped item.

Jon reaches out and slowly picks up the object.

T'Pua: "I had my doubts about whether or not it existed."

The three are then shaken by a blast that occurs close to them on the surface.

Jon: "Let's get our of here."

They turn to head back the way they came but the tunnel collapses before them, Jon turns and points farther into the caves, quickly ther three run for the way out.

Vulcan High Command

V'Las: "Report:"

Cruiser Commander: "Geo-magnetic interference is making it difficult to get a target lock."

V'Las: "Blanket the area."

Back in the Forge

Jon, T'Pol and T'Pau are running towards the exit from the caves when they are hurtled to the ground by a close blast. Jon goes over to see if T'Pol is alright, she nods that she if unhurt and they continue on. They emerge from the cave and stand upon a small plateau above the sanctuary where they watch as energy blasts from the Vulcan ships destroy it.

Watching the attack on a display V"las hears the announcement of the sanctuary's destruction.

V'Las: "Comb the desert, leave no survivors."

Kuvak: "We are presiding over a massacre."

V'Las: "We, are eliminating a threat."

In the Forge, Jon and the others are searching for a way back to the city when they hear the sounds of someone groaning. After a brief search they come upon the bodies of a number of Syrranites who had been caught in the blasts. All but one of them are dead, the last is an aid of T'Pau's, he has been trapped under falling debris, his chest has been crushed. There is little the could do for him even if they could. T'Pau goes to him and sits with him. After a moment it is over and she rejoins Jon and T'Pol. Together they move on.

On Enterprise, Malcolm and Soval are in Jon's ready room.

Soval: "I understand we suffered casualties."

Malcolm: "Injuries, two of them serious."

Soval: "I share your concerns about Archer and T'Pol."

Mal: "The Captain and Commander have been in rough spots before."

Malcolm: "What does High Command have against the Syrranites? They went to a lot of trouble to frame them for the embassy bombing."

Soval: "The Syrranite believe violence to be anti-ethical to Surak's teachings. V'Las considers that to be a dangerous mindset."

Malcolm: "He needs to be stopped."

Soval: "I agree, but we may need some help in doing so."

Malcolm: "I have an idea," He hit's the COMM button: "Set Course for Andoria, maximum warp."

Soval raises an eyebrow.

Malcolm: "Shran owes the Captain a favour,"