Vahklas
By Blacknblue (aka Bluenblack)
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek. I wrote this for fun. Anyone is free to download and/or redistribute this story as long as you keep it complete and intact, and as long as you don't make any money from it.
Note: Vulcan terms used in this story were taken from the online Vulcan Language Dictionary, the Vulcan Language Institute, or I made them up myself.
This story makes several references to events that took place during earlier stories in my series. In addition, this story incorporates aspects of the Vulcan social and economic structure as described in my prior stories. If you have not read my earlier work you might have issues following along with this. Or you might not. Enter at your own risk.
Anyone is welcome to use anything I invent in these fan fics as long as they don't make any money off it. I also appreciate it when they take the time to give me a brief nod. Otherwise help yourself.
Note Secundus: I have been dealing with health and other RL problems quite a bit of late. One result has been a drastic slowdown on my writing. I apologize for the delay on getting this chapter out. I also apologize if it falls short on quality.
Chapter 8-A:
Tolaris sat hunched in the water shower letting the cold spray cover his head. It wasn't helping much. The only friends he had were abandoning him. His own clan was on the verge of disowning him. His head was about to split open from the pain and none of it was his fault.
He moaned quietly and walked out of the lavatory, leaving the water running behind him. The bottle was waiting on the desk where he had dropped it. The Tellarite merchant had sworn that the drug was safe for Vulcan use, but he really didn't care at the moment. If it killed him he would be better off. Anything to stop the pain.
He read the label, which said "Aspirin." Chemical composition - acetyl derivative of salicylic acid, whatever salicylic acid was. The important part was where it said, "For relief of pain and inflammation." Recommended dosage for an adult Vulcan was five tablets. He swallowed ten and staggered back into the shower, opening his mouth to let a stream of cold water wash them down. In a moment the agony in his head began to cool somewhat. Then his stomach started to burn.
He needed to see a healer... A blinding flash of pain made his knees buckle. No, not a healer. The would confine him again for observation. If he had to endure another day of unlawful imprisonment he would surely lose control completely. He could not risk seeing a healer.
He needed to kill something. Badly. Unfortunately his preferred targets were not a viable option. Tucker was simply too well guarded. So was Hess. His traitorous former companion Kov was the son of a Council Minister. He was untouchable.
"She asked ASKED for it! She ASKED ME to show her melding! She WANTED to explore her emotions!"
He pounded his fists against his temples, trying to supplant the inner pain with physical sensation. No one cared about the truth of the matter. T'Pol was a friend of Kuvak and T'Pau. So was Tucker. Hess was Tucker's servitor and Kov's mate. There was no recourse on Vulcan against someone who had the favor of the highest reaches of government. His own clan would not dare to protect him, or even try. He would have to leave Vulcan again.
It wasn't FAIR.
#
Kov approached the Tucker's front door with hesitant steps. The door chime echoed pleasantly, followed almost instantly by the faint sound of small feet approaching at high velocity. The door slid aside to reveal Lady T'Pol and the child T'Lissa. Kov offered the ta'al and bowed stiffly. "Lady. Peace and long life. I bring news."
"Enter." T'Pol stood aside and motioned for the little one to give him room. "Be welcome to our home, Adjunct Ministerial Assistant Kov." She looked down. "T'Lissa. Escort our guest to the front room and make him comfortable while I prepare water."
"Oky, Ma-Mehk." The little one told Kov, "This way, Adjuns Misser Asint Kov." He dutifully followed the chirping native guide as she explained his options. "We got a hard couch n' a soft couch. Mosta Vulcan people who come liketa sit onna hard couch n' Human people liketa sit onna soft couch but not allus 'cause Edest came n' she sitted onna soft couch n' said it was comfy but it was too soft 'cause it wuz hardta get up from but it felt good onna butt n' Sa-da says he wouldn't sit onna hard couch 'cause his butt is too flat already 'n he don' wanna push it out the front of his pants but he was jokin' 'cause you can't really push your butt out the front of yer pants by sittin' on it can you?"
The little one fixed Kov with her blue-eyed gaze and waited patiently. Kov groped for words and finally told her, "I have never known of it happening."
She nodded. "I didn't think so I cud tell that Sa-da was bein' funny but sometimes I can't tell if he's makin' a joke or if he just thinks that somethin' is funny 'cause he gotsa disturtud sens o' humor is what the Edest says." The child stood beside a low stone bench expectantly until Kov seated himself.
"Your father merely regards matters from a Human perspective, T'Lissa." Lady T'Pol walked in carrying a tray with the traditional pitcher and cups. "That does not make his viewpoint any less valid."
The child nodded vigorously. "I know Ma-mehk 'n I can allus unnerstand him 'cause I can think like-." The little one gasped and her hands flashed to cover her mouth. Her bright blue eyes widened and she looked at her mother fearfully.
"Cast out fear, T'Lissa," her mother soothed. "Adjunct Kov is aware of your heritage. Although he is not a member of your clan he, Anna, and his father Kuvak are a special case. It is safe to speak of your Human blood in their presence. Although not when anyone else is able to hear."
"Oky, Ma-mehk." She relaxed and climbed onto the soft couch to sit with legs dangling and eyes bright. Her mother poured the ritual cup of water and offered it to Kov, who accepted it with appropriate gravity and sipped it politely.
Kov paused, then set the cup down. "Lady T'Pol. I have come to offer recompense for the injury that I have unwittingly inflicted on your House. I am ready to provide whatever resource, or perform whatever service, you deem appropriate."
T'Pol glanced significantly at her daughter. "I have already received notification from my husband of the events that took place on the factory floor this morning. Recompense of any kind would not be appropriate." T'Pol made a slight gesture. "I insist that you abandon the effort."
Kov looked unhappy. "I must respectfully express a difference of opinion, Lady T'Pol. My actions were the source of this disharmony." He hurried on when she started to speak. "As soon as I learned that Trip had reason to regard Tolaris with disfavor I should have removed him from the factory. I did not need to know why. The mere fact that Trip was displeased with his presence should have been sufficient. Therefore, I am responsible for the difficulty that has resulted."
"Responsibility for this distasteful situation is widely dispersed." T'Pol turned to the child. "T'Lissa. You drawing supplies have not yet been replaced. After you have completed this task, please begin sorting the vegetables for the evening salad."
"Oky, Ma-Mehk. I tear up the letsus." T'Pol pensively watched her daughter trot away before turning back to Kov.
"Adjunct Kov. It is my sincere wish that this entire situation be allowed to fade into the past. My behavior in this matter was far from admirable. I would find it agreeable if none of us were forced to confront the consequences of my poor judgment again."
Kov took a deep breath and inclined his head. "As you wish, Lady T'Pol. If at any time you decide otherwise, my offer will remain in perpetuity." He stood and waited while the extremely pregnant woman levered herself to her feet and escorted him to the exit. Kov headed down the walkway with the faint beginnings of relief.
#
Tolaris finally manged to dry himself off and get dressed. With shaking hands he lit a candle and assumed meditation position. But focus was beyond him. He finally slapped the candle across the room and staggered to the comm.
His krei's face grew solemn when Tolaris explained, in a voice that was perilously close to cracking, what had happened. "This is disconcerting news indeed," Koss told him, with a sympathetic expression. "I had not realized that Tucker's hatred of our clan was so virulent. Or...," he paused. "Perhaps my wuh'wak-ko-telsu wields more influence than I had realized."
"My own shipmate turned against me." Tolaris looked away bitterly. "I assisted Kov numerous times when he first joined the Vahklas crew."
"In justice," Koss said, "I suspect that Kov was acting to protect his father. Recall that T'Pol' mother was a close friend to T'Pau, and that Tucker wields great influence with the blueskins. The High Council considers it critical for planetary security that we maintain peaceful relations with Andoria for the present. It is quite likely that Kov was given no choice in the matter."
"This is your best appraisal?" Tolaris swallowed.
"It is the most logical deduction, based on the available data," Koss said. "I will attempt to intercede for you with the Elders. However, if T'Pol and Tucker are determined to destroy you, and if they are willing to use all of their influence to do so, I am not sanguine about victory."
"I am grateful for your efforts, krei Koss." Tolaris straightened and fought to wrap a whisper of dignity about himself. "It seems you are my sole remaining ally." The screen darkened and he turned toward the closet where he kept his satchel. The one with the cleaning supplies and change of clothing. And the knife.
A trip to the desert near Telo mesa was no longer optional. He had to kill something, or he would surely go mad.
#
Morning light stroked Trip's eyelids more gently than anytime in recent memory. He stirred and blinked, finding himself alone in bed. T'Pol's side of the sheet was still barely warm, she hadn't been up more than a few minutes. He yawned and stretched with a smile. It was Sunday. Half a day off. Wonderful. Then he remembered T'Pol's appointment. Whoops.
Trip rolled out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Suddenly he stopped in the doorway and looked back. The new still hadn't worn off of the grav neutralizers. How long had it been since he was able to just roll out and get moving like that? Without virtually no effort at all? Trip grinned and hit the shower, whistling. It was going to be a good day.
Breakfast was ready by the time he was. Of course. T'Pol watched while he smiled and played with T'Lissa. She said nothing, but the bond was speaking volumes. Trip gave her several affectionate looks that were returned with interest. Definitely a good day. Trip cleaned up the dishes while T'Pol undertook to clean up the hooligan. Since T'Lissa had been thoroughly dunked the night before, only a moderate amount of scrubbing was required to make her fit for public viewing.
T'Pol objected to taking the aircar, but Trip held firm. "Walking is good, yes. But it's half a kilometer from the cube station to Kerlek's office. You are too far along for that. Wait here, wife. I'll be right back." She pressed her lips together and decided not to bother arguing. When he got like this it wasn't worth the effort.
She did however, put her foot down once they got to the parking garage. "Husband, a powered chair is unnecessary and illogical. I am quite capable of walking fifty meters to the lift, then another twenty meters from the lift to Healer Kerlek's office. I will only agree to use a chair if you will also agree to ride in one." He backed off, pouting only slightly.
"I wanna chair!"
"No, T'Lissa. You do not require a chair either. Your father is being overly protective again. Do not encourage him."
"But dey look fun!"
"They are fun, honey. Just like driving a ground car, only you can feel the wind blowing past. I think your mom would like it if she would just try one."
"Trip..."
"Oh, all right. Put your eyebrow down. You know I can't stand that."
"T'Lissa. Skipping is not appropriate. This is not a recreational area. I prefer that you walk."
"Oky, Ma-mehk. I sowwy."
"You have done nothing wrong. It is merely more appropriate to maintain a dignified pace when calling upon a healer."
"Here you go, honey. If you can't ride a chair, ride Sa-da's shoulders."
"Trip... this..."
"Yay!"
"Ow. No kicking, kid. Just hang on."
"Husband. Please."
"It's an educational experience, dear. I'm teaching her Human customs."
"Duz yer head hurt, Ma-mehk? Whyfore you rubbin' it?"
#
The air was moving swiftly along the edge of the mesa. Tolaris closed his eyes and drew in the pre-dawn scents of stone and plant and wildlife. Already he could feel the knots in his muscles loosening. This was the way Vulcans were meant to live. Out in the open desert. Not penned in cages like tame kbet.
The prior evening's hunt had been less than sufficient. He found only a few smaller creatures to settle his nerves before sunset drove him back to the visitor's quarters. He had risen before first light and, by the time the sun was halfway above the horizon, he was on the valley floor.
The trail down from the mesa was agreeably steep and twisted. It had required focus and balance, leaving him no time or energy for brooding. The broken terrain around the foot of the mesa was rife with small game, but today he needed more. Tolaris moved carefully through the boulder field, alert to the signs of prey worthy of his time and attention.
Before the sun completely cleared the horizon, his patience was rewarded. Gravel sliding and the sound of dirt being moved led him to a half-grown sehlat. Most likely a young male, too weak to compete for a mate this year. But he was past caring about any of that. It was alive, it was warm-blooded, it was strong enough to give him a real fight. It was his target.
The knife flickered from its sheath like a reptile's tongue. He circled uphill and climbed a small ledge, which gave him room to make a running leap directly onto the animal's back. The battle was brief but fierce. He poured everything into the fight. His rage, his fears, his shame... it all drained away into the surging power of his prey's struggle, into the scent of blood as it fountained around his blade, and into the screaming pain that echoed down the canyon as the sehlat died. Tolaris worked his leg from beneath his prey and stood up, breathing heavily and savoring the joy of the kill. He was clean and strong again.
"A most distasteful exhibition." He spun to see one of the priests from the Telo monastary regarding him disdainfully. The old man's hands were tucked into his sleeves, and his head was covered by a deep hood. Only his pursed lips and contracted brows were visible. "The beast displays no indications of illness or disability. There was no logical reason for it to attack you unless provoked."
Tolaris wiped his blade on the sehlat's fur and sheathed it. He strolled over to face the old man serenely. "I was the one provoked, elder."
The priest looked up slightly to meet his eyes. "Indeed? What danger did the beast present to you?"
"Danger? None." Tolaris smiled slightly. "I am provoked by the weakness that our people have permitted to drain them. I am provoked by those who would abandon our rightful heritage as hunters."
The priests eyes narrowed. "You do not follow the teachings of Surak?"
"I am V'Tosh Katur." Tolaris felt his smile widen at the disapproval that spread over the old man's face.
"This monastary and the surrounding area is intended as a peaceful retreat," the priest said. "A place of contemplation and restoration. It is not a preserve for the slaughter of endangered wildlife."
"If we do not redeem ourselves, and return to the ways that made us what we are," Tolaris said, "we will soon be endangered."
"Enough." The old man gestured and turned. "Come. It is time you left this place. Your violent lack of discipline is not welcome here."
Tolaris' hand moved by pure reflex. His fingers found the points of Tal-Shaya and applied the pressure without hesitation. The old man was dead before he hit the ground.
The ecstasy was like nothing he had ever felt before.
TBC