Chapter Nineteen
There was a sound from Spock's bunk. The others turned to look. Spock had dragged himself to a sitting position and was now attempting to stand. Hunter crossed the room to restrain him.
"Easy, friend. I don't think that's such a good idea." Spock's look was fleetingly one of exasperation before he composed his features into the familiar Vulcan mask.
"I assure you, I am quite able to rise, Mr Hunter. I have spent some hours in restorative meditation."
"Well you don't look restored to me, Spock. Far from it." Spock suddenly understood why humans rolled their eyes when they were exasperated. For a moment, he almost made the gesture himself. Hunter was correct in his observation; Spock's 'restoration' was not complete and he was more than ever concerned about losing control. Exasperation was an emotion that, under normal circumstances he could master without effort, without thinking. Right now, keeping it in check was taking every scrap of energy he possessed.
He sank back onto the bunk. Suddenly, the emotion welling up inside him was no longer exasperation; it was anger. In a flash, Spock was on his feet, his hand around Hunter's throat, propelling the man across the room slap into the wall. Relinquishing control was liberating; energy suddenly charged through him fuelling the madness induced by the Skarran's toxin.
"Spock!" The Vulcan ignored Kort's cry as he squeezed his hands tighter around Hunter's throat, choking the life out of him even as his victim's eyes stared back at him in stricken disbelief.
Not since the moment when the knowledge of Kirk's death had freed him from the tortuous fever of the Pon Farr had Spock felt such a cathartic mix of horror and release. Kort and Kravok pulled him away.
As Kort bent to revive his friend, Kravok stepped between them to restrain Spock, but the Vulcan was no longer a threat. He stood, swaying, his internal struggle to suppress the surging madness, visible only as intermittent muscle spasms in his otherwise severe facial expression. If Kirk or McCoy had witnessed this, they would have been alarmed, but to those who knew him less well, Spock's facial tics revealed little of his anguish.
"Forgive me." He uttered, the deep voice hoarse, "I am not…myself." He stared at Hunter unsure whether he had choked all life out of the human, until a rasping cough allayed his worst fears.
Helped by Kort, Hunter sat up. Despite his obvious discomfort, he looked at Spock, seeking to reassure him, "Next time you tell me you're restored, I'll take you at your word," he said. Kort was less forgiving.
"You almost killed him." He said, "The poison is consuming you."
"Technically, what you say is true, but I can control it. This regrettable incident was due to a momentary lapse in concentration. I should have been aware that emerging from a semi-meditative state might lead to delayed processing. It will not happen again."
"We can't be sure of that. I say we restrain him." Kravok said. Hunter shook his head. "If Spock says he can control it, that's good enough for me. We have more urgent matters to attend to."
"Indeed." Spock said, "I believe that the Morana plan to come for T'Hana soon."
" Can Piklamer find out what he wants to know by reading her mind using the terlak?" Kravok asked.
"We must assume that T'Hana has no defences against him. She is not a telepath and has had no training in resisting intrusive incursions from the minds of others."
"Then the answer is, yes." Kort said.
"I believe that is what I just said," Spock replied, "However, there is a difference between looking into the mind of another and gaining an impressionistic overview of their thoughts and emotions, and being able to filter through all of that to obtain precise information."
"What do you mean?" Kravok asked.
"I mean that 'mind-reading' is a deplorably inaccurate term, but that it does describe what Piklamer would need to do in order to extricate the scientific formulae from the chaos of T'Hana's other thoughts. In short, he would need to sift through her mind and read the contents almost as one does digital data."
From the look on their faces, Spock could tell that they partially understood what he was talking about. It had been easy for Piklamer to pick up on Spock's complicated interpersonal relationships, the mixture of loyalty, friendship and affection that he felt for Kirk and McCoy and other important figures in his life. Memories too, were impressionistic. What would be less simple for the Moranan to access was the knowledge T'Hana had acquired from years of study –capturing the detail would be still more elusive. Still, Piklamer was skilled in the use of the terlak as an instrument to magnify his own psychic gifts.
"There are of course other means of obtaining such information." Said Kort.
"T'Hana would die rather than reveal what she knows to H'Narth, even under torture." Kravok asserted. Kort was less than convinced, "Are you sure of that, Kravok? Do you know this woman well enough to say how deep her loyalty to the Empire runs?" T'Hana was incensed,
"I speak for myself, Kort. It is true that in the past I have been conflicted, but Kravok knows that I share his sympathies. I am a scientist first and foremost. I have long spoken out on the madness of Klingon scientists working in isolation, distancing themselves from Federation scientists because of their belligerent attitude to other races. For this I was almost expelled from the Klingon Science League."
"It is true. When I lay babbling in my fever about the resistance to the Empire, T'Hana warned me to be wary of H'Narth. She did not betray me. I feel sure that, like you and I, Kort, T'Hana can see a different way."
"Then we must hope that you are right, Kravok." Was Kort's only reply. T'Hana glared at Kort, clearly angered by the way that he spoke of her as though she were not in the room. Spock listened, thinking.
In his conversations with Kravok, the Klingon had explained that his own disloyalty to the Empire ran deep. His elder brother, Varron, who had died in the crash on Skara, had influenced him but only when he had seen Kravok begin to question things. Kravok had made his own choices.
It had come as no secret to Spock to learn that the Klingon Empire was not rock solid from the highest echelons of Klingon High Command to the lowest orders. Klingon was a society bound by tradition and a code of honour that was unfathomable to those born outside its rigid boundaries. Kort had explained much to Spock, but there was a great deal more that remained shrouded in mystery.
Kravok, like Kort, had wrestled with his beliefs but they both felt in their hearts that the Klingon code of honour did not automatically sanction the disregard and aggression that the current reigning elite practised on other cultures, other worlds. It merely reflected the present rulers' interpretation of that code.
T'Hana was of the same mind as Kort and Kravok. She was a scientist and she was curious about the wider scientific community that she could be a part of were the Klingons not held in near universal contempt throughout the galaxy. And, there was one big factor that could tip the balance of T'Hana's loyalty – she had feelings for Kravok – and he for her.
Last night, in a whispered conversation, the Klingon woman had explained more about the breakthrough she had had in stabilising the notoriously volatile element, porathium. That, combined with what the Morana had discovered on Skara was the key to activating the hyperwarp core, to mirroring the effect of whatever it was in the Moranan's own universe that did the job alone.
"I have a suggestion." Spock hesitated only because he was aware that his recent loss of control might have undermined their confidence in him. He was not a man to pause for dramatic effect.
"What is it Spock?" Hunter asked, encouragingly.
"I can meld with T'Hana and erase her memory of the formula for stabilising the porathium. That would remove the need for Caton and Piklamer to torture her."
"Forgive me, Mr Spock. My understanding of the Vulcan mind meld is quite vague. Would I lose the knowledge forever? You may not be aware that my research findings have not been replicated and they were only partially written up."
"I would preserve the memory for you and return it to you at a more favourable time." There was silence as each member of the company absorbed the implications of what Spock had just said. The Vulcan was aware that what he offered T'Hana was overshadowed by the reality of the state of hostility that existed between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. Was it too wide a gulf to bridge?
"T'Hana?" Kravok said, prompting her gently. For him, the decision was easier, not least because it would remove the woman he loved from harm's way.
"I am…not sure." T'Hana stammered.
"Spock – such a course of action would leave you vulnerable to Piklamer again." Hunter cautioned. Spock nodded,
"That is true, but I am able to resist him."
"Are you, Spock?" The Vulcan did not answer. He was not in the business of repeating himself. Instead he crossed to T'Hana and asked,
"May I?" T'Hana nodded uncertainly.
Spock placed his fingers on T'Hana's temple and leaned close until his face was almost touching hers. "My mind to your mind." He began, "My thoughts to yours." Kort touched Hunter's elbow and drew him away.
"Is this wise, given Spock's state of mind?"
"I have every confidence in Mr Spock." Hunter said, quietly, watching the Vulcan at work. "I don't think he would even try something like this if he thought it might harm her."
"And I have confidence in your judgement." Kort said, quietly, "Perhaps the Vulcan is a man who can build bridges between our differences. He would make a fine ambassador for peace between our peoples."
They watched as Spock withdrew his fingers softly and T'Hana opened her eyes, which she had kept tightly closed throughout the meld. For a moment she looked at Spock, her eyes boring into his. Watching them, Hunter remembered what Spock had said about his mind-meld with Piklamer about the joining of minds not being a one-way process. What had Spock revealed of himself for T'Hana to look at him with such intensity?
"It is done." Spock said, gently. "When Piklamer searches for the formula, he will see only the images that I have planted instead and you will be suffused with a feeling of well-being." T'Hana smiled,
"The images of Vulcan are quite beautiful, Mr Spock. One day I would like to visit your planet and its fine science academy."
"The honour would be Vulcan's." Spock said, inclining his head slightly in the faintest echo of a bow.
Piklamer withdrew his terlak from the Klingon woman's forehead and cast it aside in frustration.
"What is it?" Caton asked, impatiently. "Do you have what we need?"
"Her mind is less orderly than the Vulcan's." Piklamer replied, also impatient. After another attempt at reading T'Hana's thoughts, he swore and threw the terlak across the room, "Her mind has been tampered with. The terlak is useless."
Caton's anger was palpable. It surged within him, paralysing him momentarily with a murderous rage that leached out through his pores, fouling the room with its noxious contagion. Piklamer felt it and was disgusted.
His relationship with Caton was not complex. Caton could, through his contacts at the Federation and at Klingon High Command, deliver him what he wanted: the means by which to return to his own galaxy. In return, knowledge of the hyperwarp would be Caton's – and the Klingon's. He did not care what purpose they put this knowledge to and he did not fear an incursion of Klingons and men like Caton into his own galaxy – they would be crushed like flies. Caton was foolish if he thought otherwise.
It had been the Klingon woman, T'Hana who brought them together. Nor had hacked into the Klingon Science League's research records and found information relating to her work on stabilising porathium. Piklamer's own research had uncovered Caton's unique placement between Klingon and Federation corridors of power. It was Caton who had led them to Ravik, to the site of the science station where the remains of Piklamer's ship was hidden in a top secret underground hanger that was hermetically sealed to all but a select number of the scientific community there.
Piklamer cursed his decision to leave the craft unguarded while he, Nor and the handful of Moranan survivors of the crash, scattered themselves across the galaxy to gather what materials they could to repair the hyperwarp. It had been discovered by the landing party of a Federation Starship patrolling the area and taken to Ravik. There could have been no doubt of the importance of the discovery, and Piklamer saw immediately that he could exploit the enmity that seemed to exist between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. Caton provided the link.
In return for information on the hyperwarp, the Klingons had helped the Morana destroy Ravik and arranged for the transportation of the scientist T'Hana to Skara, and were to have secured a Starship that would take the Morana home.
He looked at the Klingon woman, who was slumped over her chair in a faint – evidently the experience of having her mind probed was as distasteful to her as it had been to the Vulcan.
"Take her back to the others." He said to Nor. "She is no good to us like this." To Caton, he said, "You would do well to learn a lesson from the Vulcan and control your emotions."
"It is the Vulcan who has done this." Caton seethed. Piklamer nodded,
"It would appear that way. It seems that I must join minds with Spock again, but this time I will be prepared. He will not overcome me so easily a second time."
"I will not spare him or his precious captain." Caton said, coldly.
Piklamer turned away, tired and slightly bored with Caton's tantrum.
"T'Hana!"
The big Moranan known as Nor crossed the room and laid the Klingon woman on one of the bunks."
"What have you done to her?" Kravok demanded, blocking Nor's way back to the door. Another Moranan stood in the doorway, terlak at the ready and Nor had, with uncanny speed, produced his own weapon and was levelling it at Kravok.
"Don't confront him, Kravok." Hunter warned. Kravok backed down, but his eyes burned with hatred.
T'Hana seemed unconscious. Kravok stared down at her in dismay.
"Spock, can you help her?" Hunter asked. Expression solemn, Spock crossed to the Klingon woman and contemplated her passive face for a few moments, without disturbing her. Then, quietly he spoke her name.
T'Hana sat up, a peaceful expression on her face. "What happened?" She asked, puzzled at their looks of concern, "I remember Piklamer coming towards me with his terlak and then…nothing, except beautiful images of the sun setting across the Vulcan sand dunes." She smiled at Mr Spock, "It worked…I revealed nothing to them of any importance, but they will come for you soon, Mr Spock, I fear."
"Piklamer needs some time to recover – using the terlak in this way exhausts him, but yes, it will not be long. And in my present weakened state, I will not be able to resist his probing indefinitely. We must hope that help arrives before my mental defences are breached." Kort growled in frustration,
"If only we could find a way out of here."
"I have been giving that matter some thought." Spock said, "There may be a way." He had their immediate attention.
"How, Spock?" Hunter asked. "Nor is always accompanied by another guard and as long as they have their terlaks, we're powerless.
"I will attempt to plant a suggestion in the guard's mind. I will suggest that he leaves the door to this room unlocked after him. However, I am not sure if I can influence a Moranan in this way, without touching him."
"I thought Vulcans were touch telepaths?" said Kort.
"Some Vulcans have advanced abilities." Spock answered, simply.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, Spock, but won't this mean the rest of us escaping and leaving you here, leaving you to Piklamer?" The Vulcan did not answer immediately. The sight of Piklamer crawling on the floor, crying out for Nor flashed in his mind. "Of course, Mr Hunter. I will keep Piklamer and Caton occupied for as long as possible to assist your escape."
"It may be our best chance." Kort said, reluctantly.
"Spock, we can't let you stay here alone. Piklamer and Caton will show you no mercy," Hunter said.
"As long as he believes that I can give him what he wants, he will keep me alive. In the meantime, you, like T'Sorf have an opportunity to escape."
"We will return for you, Mr Spock." Kravok's voice. "You saved my life. It would dishonour me to do otherwise." Spock nodded in acknowledgement, but in truth, he was wearier than he had been in his life.
"One named Spock!" It was time. Nor stood in the doorway. Spock focused on the other guard, as he walked towards him, concentrating. They moved out into the corridor and the guard hesitated. Nor did not seem to notice when the Moranan hung back, his hand hovering on the lock. Spock could not risk drawing Nor's attention to the guard, so he kept his gaze straight ahead. Had he succeeded in inducing the Moranan to leave the door unlocked? Hunter and the others would know soon enough.
As the sound of Spock and the guards footsteps grew fainter, Kort moved swiftly to the door, "It worked!" he said, in surprise as he tried the handle.
"Did you doubt him?" asked Hunter.
"We must go. Spock won't be able to hold out against Piklamer indefinitely," his Klingon friend replied, ignoring Hunter's reproach." He motioned for Kravok and T'Hana to go first. Outside, the corridor was deserted. "This way." Kort said, decisively. Hunter hesitated, torn between the need for escape and his concern for the self-sacrificing Vulcan officer whom he had grown to like and respect.
"We can help him more by finding his captain, if he is on Skara." Kort said, quietly, and Hunter nodded, his decision made. There was nothing that he could do for Spock now.
Kort put a finger to his lips and all four stood still. Voices echoed from down the corridor, then faded away. They proceeded with caution but the way was clear and quickly they reached a door leading outside. "It's daylight. We could be spotted climbing over the fence." Kravok cautioned.
"They are not looking for us like they were last time. We can do this." Kort said, "T'Hana, you first, then Kravok. If Piklamer cannot break Spock, he will find some way of forcing him to restore your memory."
The others watched with mounting tension as T'Hana ran, crouching low towards the fence. Once there, she scaled it easily and made for cover in the tangle of bushes giving into the forest. Kravok followed next, then the others.
It seemed too good to be true. Like T'Sorf, they made for the river, but this time there were no boats moored by the banks.
"We could swim across to the other side, but I don't think that would confer any great advantage." Hunter said. No one relished the prospect of plunging into the icy Skarran water unless it was going to offer the best opportunity of escape. Kort pointed into the forest, "Our best chance of evading capture is to head into the forest and upwards into the hills. And, by doing this, we also head roughly in the direction of the Curie's shuttle."
They were distracted, suddenly by a familiar sound that seemed oddly out of place on this world. Looking back at the compound, they saw several spirals of splintered light begin to coalesece and take shape – Klingon shape. All four watched as five Klingons materialised before their eyes.
"They are here!" Said Kravok.
"We should split up." T'Hana suggested. "Two trails will be harder to follow." Kort shook his head. "We stay together." No one argued.