Carnival

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Chapter Three

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Logic and Truth

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Organizing the Gamma group and deploying them to Pacifica was a simple task compared to being exposed to the sensory overload that was the Carnival below. Checking off names and giving orders soothed his ruffled mood better then any sedative McCoy could offer. Even T'Lai's presence couldn't affect his performance now that he had a task to oversee. He was a picture of pure contentment.

When the last crew member beamed down, the Science Officer reviewed the digital roster and signed it off. T'Lai looked over his shoulder curiously; the scent of her skin was invading Spock's comfort zone. "There were 144 people within this room. You previously mentioned that all present were a fraction of the crew on board; is this correct?" Her tone expressed a sense of awe that intrigued Spock.

"Affirmative. There are a total of 430 men and women assigned to this vessel." He put his hands behind his back and addressed T'Lai like he would a Cadet. "284 are currently on the Enterprise - 139 are engaged in their duties, 145 are sleeping or experiencing leisure activities. 146 are below, two of which are likely intoxicated beyond repair." It was obvious he felt slightly frustrated at the actions of his associates.

"You don't need to refer to a device in order to know such details?" T'Lai was impressed.

"Of course not. It is my duty to ensure that the Enterprise is functioning as efficiently as possible. That entails knowing every crewmember and their current status." He turned and started down the corridor without warning. T'Lai was momentarily confused at the abruptness of his leaving.

The report was on the Vulcan's mind. Perhaps now that he had T'Lai with him, he could inquire about some details that escaped his earlier information gathering. She followed him like his shadow. Her eyes seemed to roam over everything in sight. They stopped outside of Spock's quarters and she gently touched the name plate next to the doors. The Vulcan woman didn't bother to suppress a grin as she said, "You're inviting me into your room? In some cultures, one would think it bold."

"It is just a room." He faced the woman with seriousness etched in every feature. "Additional rules apply here however. You may not interrupt me while I am working on my report, nor will you try using your feminine wiles. Though you are Vulcan, you seem to favor seduction as a means to get what you desire. It maybe effective when applied to Captain Kirk, but it is only wasted energy when I am the intended target. Understood?"

One of her eyebrows rose as if in challenge. She was surprised that he'd be so blunt about her charms; she had forgotten how stiff her race had been. When Spock mirrored her expression T'Lai sighed. "All right. I know a lost cause when I see it. Most men on Pacifica admire me for my stimulating conversations rather then my body anyway. I have not abandoned the ways of logic, though I may smile and laugh like an uncivilized barbarian."

Spock opened the door and entered his room. "Emotion is illogical, therefore your statement is contradictory; furthermore, we do not look upon those with emotion as 'barbarians,' they are just unpredictable; therefore, unreliable."

T'Lai daintily crossed the threshold and stared around at all of Spock's decorative pieces. "Chaotic compared to order, which you prize above all else I assume." She replied as she dared to touch a few Vulcan artifacts when she thought the officer wasn't looking. "My expressions could be a farce, however. You should know best… living with humans as you do; thinking one thing while saying another is an easy task for them. Likewise, I can seem to express… yet be devoid of all emotion attached to said actions if I wished it."

"Do you wish it?"

The woman seemed to ignore the question as her hands reached out to take hold of a framed picture. It was of a Terran woman beaming at the camera like the person holding it meant the world to her. Her blue eyes held so much positivity that looking at it made T'Lai swell with a feeling kin to love. As she moved to pick the frame up, Spock grabbed her forearm and gently pushed her away. "Do not touch anything." The coldness of his voice cut through the room like a knife. Spock dropped her arm and marched to his desk where he promptly sat down.

"Mr. Spock." T'Lai's eyebrows knitted together in concern. "There is a picture of a human female by your bedside. I am most curious."

"And you will continue to be so as I commence this report." He didn't both to address her with his eyes as he went to work. "Computer, access database. Search word 'Pacifica' followed by 'Madame Zira'." The computer sprang to life and started to spew information about the planet while T'Lai allowed a slight pout to reach her lips. She felt ignored, she should have known better. Spock was a tough man to crack.

Spock was uninterested in most of the information the computer provided and hastened to any details about Zira. He quickly realized that there was no file on such a person; it made his suspicions sky-rocket, yet he still had no proof that this woman was a liability. The Vulcan folded his fingers together and stared at the screen over them. With every passing hour this Carnival seemed to weigh more heavily on his mind. There had to be some way of accessing addition information on this woman.

T'Lai was sitting innocently on Spock's bed, staring absently at his harp. Spock's chocolate colored eyes flitted from the screen to her form. He narrowed them slightly. Would she aid him? He had been treating her as a ticking time bomb lately, but she did say she was known for conversation. There was no harm in trying.

"T'Lai. What do you know of Zira?"

The woman's head turned slowly to reveal a look of slyness that Spock immediately disliked. "I know some things of interest; however, I'm not willing to provide you with the information you seek unless a suitable trade is offered." She folded her hands neatly in her lap and angled her head so that one of her sleek curls rolled down her neck. Spock merely stared as though disinterested, but T'Lai knew better. She would make Spock come to her one way or another.

"What are you willing to accept?"

The woman thought for a moment. "If I were in this situation with anyone else, the possibilities would be endless. However, since you seem to be put off by offers sensual in nature, I will accept information for information."

"I will not tell you anything that will jeopardize the Enterprise or any member of its crew."

She lifted herself from the bunk and meandered to Spock's desk. "Any member? What if the only one potentially harmed by this exchange is you? You see… I can not divulge information about Zira directly, just as much as you can not jeopardize your captain directly." She leaned against the desk surface and rested her chin on her slender hands. "Yet, I can tell you anything you would like about myself, including opinions and observations that are my own to give. So, how about we talk about each other? It would be fair, and we would both benefit since I find you absolutely fascinating."

Spock contemplated the offer. "Am I permitted to cease the information exchange at any time I wish?"

T'Lai nodded. "We will alternate asking questions until one of us decides that it is enough."

"I accept these terms." Spock rose and went to one of his cabinets. From within he drew out an egg-like device and set it near the computer. The screen went blank as soon as this was done and when Spock began to speak, words typed themselves on the screen. "I will assume that I will start this interview?"

The Vulcan woman nodded again, but eyed the device with concern. She knew enough about modern technology to know that computers usually have a dictating function, so anything external wouldn't be required. Spock noticed her observations and explained, "This is a lie detector. Our ships computer has one as well, but it struggles to pick up Vulcan deceit, since it is nearly unheard of. You will have to forgive its use, for I do not trust that you will not vary from the truth. You are not honor bound by any culture, nor any organization."

T'Lai looked defensive for once and anger colored her cheeks. "I have my word Mr. Spock, and you could have asked for it. Your perception of me as an enemy is unwarranted and I find it insulting. You have no right to judge me a liar based on my lifestyle. It may be dramatically different from your own, but it is not the Vulcan way to assume that such differences turn me into the opposition."

Spock dismissed her rant. He had no urge to engage in an argument when there was data to gather. "What is your true purpose in coming aboard the Enterprise?"

So Spock thought she had an ulterior motive, and he wasn't hesitant to throw it out into the open either. T'Lai was still ruffled that he didn't reply to her outburst. She picked at some non-existent lint on her shoulder and tried to look dignified as she replied, "I have no interest in the ship, just you. I wished to continue my study of your mannerisms, so I asked to be able to accompany you. Simple as that."

The Vulcan relaxed slightly. If there was something sinister going on behind the scenes, at least the ship was not the intended target. He was going to have to phrase his next question carefully to maximize the amount of information received. He had so many inquires that needed to be satisfied, and he doubted this game would last that long.

T'Lai adjusted so that she was standing straight, with her eyes looking down at Spock in a poise what would normally be considered intimidating, but since both present were Vulcan, it was merely natural.

"What is it you fear Mr. Spock?"

The question caught Spock off guard, and he stared into the woman's face as if he misinterpreted her words. She repeated them with a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Fears, Mr. Spock. I am interested to know yours. What is your darkest nightmare? What would shake that razor sharp mind of yours and fill it with terror?"

"I am Vulcan. I do not feel fear."

Immediately the small device on his desk let out a loud chime, and in Spock's own voice it announced, "That is a lie."

This made Spock look both confused and uncomfortable. T'Lai was looking extremely smug. "My my, you need to play by your own rules Mr. Spock. Who would have thought that the perfect Vulcan would lie first, and so blatantly?" The backlash of using the lie detector wounded Spock's pride. It was a reflexive defense mechanism in any conversation which featured emotions.

The officer sat back in his chair, his body tense now that he was forced to dwell on things he would rather not. He had experienced nightmares on occasion, but nothing dramatic. Fear was something he seldom had to face, but he knew what it was all too well. Doctor McCoy hit the nail on the head months ago, when they found themselves caged together on Planet 892-IV.

"Do you know why you're not afraid to die, Spock? You're more afraid of living. Each day you stay alive is just one more day you might slip and let your human half peek out."

McCoy knew his weaknesses better then Jim did, perhaps that is why Spock found it difficult to be alone with the doctor. He was just too good at finding the right places to push that would make him feel all kinds of human; Fragile. Weak. Illogical.

"I am afraid of… my humanity." Spock said simply. His face was angled to the surface of his desk as to not see T'Lai's reaction. It had to be one of surprise, or perhaps it was that expression of smugness he was learning to loathe. The woman was in stunned silence until Spock heard the rustle of her clothing as she turned back to the picture frame next to his bunk. "So that photograph… is that your mother?"

"I do believe that is an additional question that will have to wait until you have finished answering mine." Spock collected his thoughts and tried to phrase his next inquiry in a way that couldn't be avoided or answered vaguely. "Based on what you have perceived so far, how do Kirk, McCoy and I figure into Zira's plan?"

"Clever. It is hard to phrase an appropriate response without a lengthy explanation as to what that plan actually is." T'Lai backed up sat down on Spock's bed. She furrowed her brow as she pieced together something to say. "The Carnival requires people to function. Regular people are adequate, but you and your friends are not regular people. You will fu-"

Her sentence was cut short as she gasped and doubled over, making Spock exit his chair hastily and check on her. She was struggling to breathe, her hands clutching the side of Spock's mattress as to prevent them from flying to where ever the pain seemed to originate. Spock set his hands on her shoulder's to steady her, but she shrugged them off. After a moment, she could breathe freely. She looked up into Spock's face and smiled weakly. "Seems I said too much."

"You didn't answer my question."

"Thank-you for your concern for my well being." Her sarcasm seemed to give her strength. Spock was just glad that he didn't have to explain why a dead Vulcan woman was in his room. There was enough on his plate is it was. T'Lai continued, "As you may have noticed, I am physically unable to reveal that information."

"Then may I change my earlier question and ask why you are unable to formulate an adequate reply?"

At this new inquiry, T'Lai went silent. Spock could only assume that she was calculating the probability of being harmed again if she answered. After a moment, her hands went to the neck line of her patterned dress. Spock's eyes followed her fingers as she tugged at the collar to reveal a rather large ruby nestled between her breasts. It seemed to be melded into her flesh, and it pulsed with a dull light that matched the rhythm of her heart.

"All Dolls have these ingrained into their flesh. It allows Zira into our thoughts and minds."

This was a development that baffled Spock.

"This woman can see and hear everything you and the other Dolls experience, and can potentially control you through that gem."

"Yes."

Spock stared blankly at the jewel thrust into T'Lai's chest. Such a thing was so absurd, that no logic Spock could conjure could explain the existence of such a thing. "Why allow such an invasion? What does she use you for?" To a Vulcan, the mind was sacred. Even the most basic sentient races regarded the privacy of ones own thoughts to be essential. This was a horrific misuse of power.

T'Lai was amused by Spock's absolute disgust. "That is two questions Mr. Spock, and it's not even your turn. It is time for my question." She got up off the bed and soothed out the wrinkles in her dress; she also corrected her neckline to cover the pulsating ruby. "That is, unless you do not wish to continue?" Her dark grey eyes searched the face of her fellow Vulcan and she found nothing there. She took this as him allowing her to resume. "My next question is delicate… so allow me to speak so it is off the record" The woman gestured to the computer and looked back to Spock.

Since it would be information on his self, Spock agreed and allowed T'Lai to stand on her tip-toes and lean close to his ear. The movement made Spock tense; he did not like her being this close. He felt her breathe on his ear as she asked...

"Did you see this coming?"

The voice was not T'Lai's. It was Zira's.

They moved at the same time. Spock sensed hostility and immediately went to strike the woman in the neck, but T'Lai had her hand halfway up his back before the confrontation even began and got to his subclavian nerve first. Spock managed to strike her across the face as he went down, splitting T'Lai's lip. The woman was dazed by the blow and fell into the wall. She quickly recovered and wiped the blood from her face, dying her sleeve green. She frowned at it before looking down at the floor.

Spock was unconscious and unscathed from the short fall. T'Lai tasted the copper in her blood and glared at the figure at her feet. "Almost had me… too suspicious for your own good, Mr. Spock, should have let me seduce you instead... it would have worked out better for the both of us." She reached down and tugged at Spock's arms in order to heave him onto his bunk. It wasn't difficult with her alien strength.

Afterward she slipped into his computer chair and deleted the evidence of their chat, then debated whether or not to fry the mother board for good measure. She decided the less suspicious she left Spock's room the better. She packed up his truth detector and placed it back into the cupboard he previously removed it from, before heading to the door. She gave one last look around to make sure nothing hinted at what took place, before exiting into the corridor.

As soon as she entered the hallway she ran into the portly engineer who greeted her in the Transporter room. There was a moment of awkwardness as he eyed her up and down before centering in on her broken lip. T'Lai tensed.

"Are yea all right lass?" There was both concern and apprehension in his voice.

"I'm only slightly damaged." She smiled serenely. "I had not realized that Mr. Spock has not engaged with a Vulcan woman in several years. I thought I'd make it memorable as well as educational, which seems to be his preference. I suggested some Terran mating customs since we were both interested in some of their foreign mannerisms. Kissing seemed a difficult concept, as you can see from the evidence." She ran her tongue over her lower lip. Scotty's eyes followed the movement as if caught in thrall. He turned redder then his shirt.

"That was…" He struggled for the right word, his mind no longer running efficiently after this sneak peek into his senior officer's sex life. "…thoughtful... of yea."

"Since Dr. McCoy is at the Carnival, do you mind beaming me back home so that he can take a quick look at it before he returns? I was supposed to rendezvous with him and the Captain half and hour ago, but Mr. Spock and I-"

"Say no more Lassie, I'll get yea home." He rotated to face the way he came. He walked down the corridor in a daze, T'Lai practically gliding at his side. She tried some small talk with him, but her voice had a bit of a purr to it that prevented the blush on the Engineer's face from fading. He tried not to look at the girl the entire way to the Transporter Room because every time he did, he couldn't help but imagine Spock biting that plump lip of hers in the heat of passion.

He could have lived without that sort of visual.

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Author's Note:

I've got myself out of so many sticky situations by distracting people with dirty thoughts. I swear, there's not enough blood in the body to run both the brain and reproductive organs at the same time. Now the darkness begins! Spock, the only one who thinks something is a miss, is out of commission! What are the Captain and Bones going to do now? Especially since they've been drinking... muhahaha!

Please read and review. I am the worst proof-reader on the planet; if you spot anything amiss, do tell. Also if you think that the characters are off, please inform me of that as well. I've been going back and editing some of Spock's lines to make him sound more impersonal. I can't improve without feedback! I'm starving for a simple "So-and-so was here".

Don't make me beg.