New Vulcan Generations

by NeshaTriumphs1

Set three years after Illogical Progression not a required read for this fic, however , Spock and Nyota, as husband and wife embark upon a new adventure together - parenthood. But, will things from their pasts and their surroundings make things easier or harder for them to take this journey together?

18. Journey to Torvon III

Journey to Torvon III

"Why is it that he is going through his time and you are not?" Nyota asked as she and Spock laid in bed, discussing the issue of Ambassador Spock's recent depletion into Pon Farr.

Spock replied, "Of this I am not sure. We have the same genetic makeup and we were born precisely at the same time, which would indicate to me that we should be experiencing it simultaneously, however, with his recent travel through the time rift, we have no way of knowing for certain if it did not in some way, albeit some small way affect his physiological time clock. It does seem to serve as a further indication of the fact that we are in fact two separate beings, although the same." She smirked a bit. Her Spock, always throwing in the fact that he and Ambassador Spock are not the same person. She knew and he knew that she understood, but it would be a subject that she might need reminders of, along the way.

She stroked her thumbs across his eyebrows, brushing them neatly into place as she said, "Well, at least you know one thing about the situation of your Pon Farr."

His eyebrow shot upward at her comment and he began to speak, "One thing, Nyota? I know practically all that there is to know, currently, although I have not experienced it for myself yet. It is only this thing that I do not know and that is why Ambassador is going through it while I am not..."

She placed her two fingers over his lips to silence him and said, "All that I meant is that at least you know that whenever you do experience it, you don't have to search for a mate for yourself, because I am already yours. I am already here, and I am not going anywhere."

He did not generally give such acknowledgment to her words, but at that point thought to himself that her statement had been the most romantic and fulfilling words that he had ever heard. He kissed her fingertips and gathered her closely to himself as they laid in bed.

Spock shook the thought from his current remembrance. Dwelling on their times together was not going to bring her back to him. She would not again become his. She was no longer there. He took a swallow and glanced at Kirk, who was still watching him. It was becoming quite uncomfortable. "Captain, I ask again that you refrain from watching me so intently. I assure you that I will not produce any error on this mission."

Kirk nodded and said, "I am not doubting that, Spock. I am just... concerned."

"Please, do not be. You have far too many responsibilities on this ship to concern yourself with someone who requires no concern." Spock said, which achieved a nod from Kirk.

The fact was, Spock himself was concerned. He knew that his emotions ran very deeply, but his had reached a level of which he did not know could exist. His emotions were completely irrational and fluctuating quite viciously within him. He was lamenting, silently. He was mourning over the dead, although he knew it could not change the outcome of the situation, and most importantly, he believed himself to be in what he researched as "denial". Spock had never experienced denial before. For all things to which others may be in denial of, he believed himself to have dealt with in logic.

But, now... he thought that he had failed. He had not felt his connection to Nyota broken. He had not felt that their bond had been interrupted. When she died right before his eyes, when he actually held her dead body in his arms, when he actually monitored as the tests were performed to indicate that she was actually Nyota... he still had not felt her connection to him dissolve. He knew that it must be denial. He had not reacted in the way that a Vulcan would, upon losing their bond mate's connection to death, therefore, he logically presumed that this must be the emotion referred to as denial. As illogical as it seemed to him, he did not want to admit that Nyota was gone. He wanted to think that something else had taken place, that he missed something and that soon she would be in his arms again, gathered closely next to him in bed, again. Spock shuddered and thought, illogical. He looked at Kirk again. Damn him! He was still looking. He would have seen the shudder. Now, Kirk was approaching the science station.

Kirk began to offer his friend a few words, "Spock, you did not have to come. Starfleet would have given you leeway for the fact that you are grieving..."

Spock decided against allowing him to continue. "I would not expect to receive leeway for grieving, Captain. I did not expect it when my mother died, and I do not expect it now. I have duties aboard this ship, and I have business on Torvon III." Kirk leaned against the science station and looked at Spock. Spock elaborated, "I watched her fall to her death, but... I find it difficult to believe that she is dead. The doctors performed several tests which indicated that the dead body was in fact Lt. Uhura. Even her father and her brothers insisted that she was herself. Yet, I still can not believe that she was."

"We call it denial." Kirk said, sympathetically. Of all the things that he ever thought that he would have to do as captain of this ship, trying to console the Vulcan was among the last of them.

Spock replied, evenly, "Yes, I know. I have researched it. It is the first stage of how humans deal with the loss of a significant being. However, I do not believe that it is my current situation. I have been attempting to figure it out in a scientific manner."

Kirk took a deep breath and advised him, "Spock, it is no scientific issue. It is simply pure emotion. You love Nyota." Spock realized that he had not heard Kirk say her name since first discovering it. Him saying it now hurt Spock's heart, along with the statement itself. Kirk continued, "She was your wife. It is natural that you would not want to lose her, especially to death."

Spock retorted, with a slight hint of agitation in his tone, "Not wanting to lose her and not accepting that I have are two different things, Captain. In fact, I am so far affected by this state of mind, that it does not seem to occur to me that our bond has even been broken. The absence of the breaking of the bond is so profound that I have wondered if this is indeed a result of this issue known as denial, or if my reaction or lack thereof is a result of her not being dead."

Kirk folded his arms. This was truly rough. How did Uhura do this for four years? How did she manage to console Spock's emotions in the face of grueling logic and challenge his logic in the heat of his extreme emotion? Spock needed her, because Kirk had no idea what to say, at the moment to help his friend with this unique and trying state of mind. Kirk tried to cater to the logic, "Spock, I am all for the thought of her not being dead. What could be the alternative, as I know that you have already considered any and every one that there is."

Spock replied, just as quickly as the question was formed, "The most prevalent alternative is that the woman whom I witnessed die was a clone." Now, Kirk looked doubtful. Spock nodded his head and reported, "There is no clone technology that we know of that could make a clone in the perfect image of a person, however, what about the clone technology that we are not familiar with? Livingston Kurok is an expert in clone research, among other things. Nyota's human family does not have the emotional and mental connection provided to me through my bond with her. If my Nyota had perished, the connection should have broken in my mind. The fact that it did not raises far too many questions."

Kirk asked, "Do you think that Kurok made an Uhura clone for Sybok to try to trick you into thinking that she was dead?"

"I am not saying that I think that she was a clone, Captain, I am merely outlining alternatives. Our bond should have been broken upon her death. It is a psychic connection that I do not believe that I could forcefully hold on to, even if I attempted to do so. I have not felt it break. I did not feel her die at the moment that I saw her die. If she was a clone, perhaps it was thought that I needed to see her die with my own eyes to accept that Nyota is dead, without the evidence of the breaking of the bond. Suffice it to say that I am not certain of the fact that she did die."

Kirk felt himself brighten up, at least a little, "So, she might be alive. If she is, do you think that she is on Turvon III, or do you think that she is hidden on New Vulcan somewhere?"

Spock thought for a moment. That would solve everything. That would console him. That would bring his mind back to peace and logic, not just feigned control. It would make him happy again. He answered. "I think that I will need to see Sybok, to gather any information from him that I can, to resolve the matter."

Now, Kirk looked concerned. He asked, "Spock... will you be able to face him, with your feelings..."

Once again, Spock cut Kirk off, "Captain, I have tried to inform you that my feelings will not interfere with my performance." Spock said shortly, then, he added, a bit gentler, "Jim, I need to find answers to all of my questions. Whether it is that Nyota is not dead or whether it is that I am in denial, I must discover why I did not sense her presence leave me. I must discover why I have not mourned in the Vulcan way, by trying to reprogram myself to adjust to the detachment of our bonding. I must be certain as to what has happened to her and what has happened to me as a result. I am going to meditate, briefly, if that is acceptable, Captain. I shall return shortly." Spock arose from his seat and promptly exited the bridge.

Kirk returned to his seat and Chekov turned to look at him, "How is he, Captain?" He asked.

Kirk shook his head, "He does not know how he should feel." Chekov sadly turned back to his own workstation. Whatever it was that Spock should feel, Chekov did not want to even imagine it. He, himself, felt badly enough having been Uhura's friend. For the man who had obtained her as a wife, who had and lost children with her, who slept with her each night, held her closely, kissed her, loved her... how could he know what to feel at the moment? It would not even be logical for him to be able to deal with such a thing, but Spock was Spock. He seemed to be alright when really, no one knew what he must be going through. No one could.

Ambassador Spock did not look up when Tirza entered the laboratory. He continued to work. She walked over to him and looked at what he was doing, over his shoulder. He now glanced at her and she asked, "Have you found anything that could confirm your theory that a clone was destroyed instead of the actual Lady Uhura?" He stared at her for a moment, but did not answer. She nodded once and said, "It still seems to be a logical choice for you to tell Spock about your theory. Even without the proof, it would be of some comfort to him."

"Without proof, it could be giving him false hope. After losing his wife, false hope is not something that I wish to give him."

"If she was a clone, My Spock, he would not have felt his connection broken from her, and your theory would be closer to being proven. Both of you could investigate the issue and come to a conclusion quicker." He smirked a bit at her. She responded to it with, "Send him the research notes, include your theory. See what he makes of it. Perhaps he has been thinking along the same lines, and if he has... to resurface an ancient Terran phrase, "Two heads are better than one". Tirza placed her hands on his shoulders, squeezed them, then began to get started on her own studies.

Ambassador Spock watched her get started, then decided to follow her advice. He began a transmission to the computer address of the Enterprise science station, which he knew all too well. After delivering the message to Spock, Ambassador Spock looked at Tirza and said, "I have taken your advice. I thank you for extending it my way. You are a most beneficial mate, Tirza."

Tirza nodded once and replied, "I am merely attempting to match your own efficiency in that aspect, Ambassador Spock."

Spock returned to his quarters. They were more plain than they had been before, but they did have his meditation materials. Yet, he found that he did not feel like meditation. Did not feel like it? He sat on the bed. He wished to lay down. He wished to just lay there and do nothing but reflect on his reaction to Nyota's fall. He had become afraid. He was frightened that the worse possible thing that could happen in his life was happening, then moments later, he realized that it did not feel as badly as he had thought that it would. That made him disgusted with himself. For all of the times that someone referred to him as "cold" and "unfeeling," all of the times that Nyota had defended him and corrected their line of thinking... for all of the love between him, he did not understand why it had been so easy for him to deal with losing her.

He had no desire to fall apart, as she had once described that she would if he was to die, but he at least wished that he could know the feeling of falling apart, inside. She deserved at least his internal irrationality, did she not? Or were they right? Was he truly this cold? Did he ever even love her? Illogical. This train of thought made no sense. Of course he loved her. He loved her before she ever became his. He loved her before she loved him, even... He decided to lay down. He did not know what to do. He wanted to cry. He almost wished that just for a moment his sanity would leave him, that he could rage and wail and become overtly out of hand, at least that would dictate the importance of losing her, but he did not feel it within him to do. She was gone, and he had not reacted at all in the way that he believed he would have before losing her. He had not even felt their separation. He thought that either he was still holding on to her, or he had never been as connected to her as he once thought. Both thoughts alarmed him to the point that he felt that he would cry, and yet, he could not.

The alert on Spock's door sounded and Spock said, "Enter." He sat up in the bed as Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, and Chekov entered the room. As none of them had a place to sit, near him, he stood and nodded slightly to them.

McCoy spoke first, "We decided to check on you, as you did not seem like you would be resurfacing. I can't pretend to know how you are feeling, Spock. But I know that you are quite stellar at pretending not to feel anything. You really don't have to do that with us, Spock. And I don't think that Lt. Uhura would have wanted you to."

Spock stared at Dr. McCoy and said, "Dr. McCoy, I assure you that I have no intention of pretending. I am merely handling the situation in a logical manner. It would not bring Lt. Uhura back to the ship if I express emotion. It would be as illogical as this gathering. Captain, if you needed me on the bridge, I certainly would have responded to a call." His eyes seemed to pierce Kirk. Spock had not wanted to be bothered, but especially in this way, by a group. Even if this was a group of friends, Spock had not given himself over to showing emotions to these people. they were his friends, but friendship only went so far with Vulcans, in comparison to humans.

A Vulcan could love their friends greatly, to the point of even dying for them without second thought, however, to behave in outward shows of emotion was not forbidden, but did not adhere to their views of life. This, Kirk just now realized may be considered blatant disregard for Spock's beliefs, as opposed to comfort. Damn, they needed Uhura there. Spock would never open up, not even the least bit, without her. Kirk did wish that Spock's denial was accurate, that she was alive, but he knew that it was not likely. In their years together, for the first time since they had became friends, Kirk realized that he did not know how to be the friend that Spock needed, not through something like this.

Now, Spock left his own room, with the others following him. Kirk offered, "We miscalculated. This would have been acceptable for humans to deal with humans."

"I understand that, Captain." Spock stated, and he did. But, it had made him extremely uncomfortable. He would prefer to be on the bridge, where they were most likely to try not to deal with his possible emotions.

Kirk walked unto the bridge after his early morning walk over the ship and report from Scotty, to find Spock on the bridge, just as he had been the previous two mornings. Kirk sighed and walked over to him, "Another long night of work, Mr. Spock?"

"I have been looking over the research which New Vulcan obtained from Livingston Kurok on his cloning experiments. All of the notes that he has given us indicates the genetic makeup of Vulcans being cloned, but none have been included, in our records, for humans. I am afraid that I have no sufficient notes of his human cloning to compare to the knowledge of the woman who fell to her death."

"He can clone a Vulcan?" Kirk asked, shocked, slightly startled and quite confused.

Spock stated, "He has research which indicates that he can. I have no physical evidence that he has successfully done so, yet, he is more advanced in cloning than any other scientist that we know of."

Kirk now asked, "Spock, have you slept at all, since you have been back on the ship?"

"It has not been necessary, Captain. There are still things which I need to discover, first." Spock replied, not taking his eyes away from his screen.

"I wish that you would at least indulge me in making me think that you can get some sleep." Kirk said.

Spock looked at Kirk and said, "It would be completely illogical for me to spend energy on such an act when I have so much research to study." He returned to his reading and added, "We will be on Torvon III in a short matter of hours. I wished to have some level of preparation for my first meeting with Livingston Kurok, after learning so much about him."

Kirk said, "Spock, please do not tell me that you respect this guy's scientific advancements!"

Spock responded, "His scientific advancements have been quite fascinating, Captain. However, his methods of experimentation have been far too unethical to warrant true respect. Still, I can understand why someone could find him interesting. He is quite intelligent and very accomplished in his advancements in science. Given other circumstances, I could possibly understand why someone might admire him."

There was something about the way that Spock made the assessment to make Kirk ask, "What do you mean by that, Spock?"

"She would have been his." Spock said, in a low voice. "If Mr. Kurok had not become so unethical in his experiments, Lt. Uhura would have married him."

Kirk marched over to the science station and said, "You mean to tell me that we are taking you to a planet where the two most powerful beings on the planet both have something against you? Spock, you have got to learn to talk to me about things! Both Sybok and Livingston are proven unethical and overall just evil and considering what happened on New Vulcan, they probably both want to get a huge piece of you. This mission places you in the line of severe danger!" Kirk suggested.

Spock reminded him, "My occupation places me in the line of danger, Captain. I am not afraid for my safety, on Torvon III, as I am not afraid for it on any planet. I have been interested in meeting this scientist upon learning about his former relationship to my wife, and now I have the opportunity not only to do this, but to possibly find what I can only describe as closure, for lack of an equivalent Vulcan word, on a matter that I dare not speak about again. Have you decided upon a landing party, Captain?"

"You and me, of course. McCoy, and Mr. Chekov." Kirk answered.

"I see that you have not gotten out of the habit of taking off of the ship the most qualified of the bridge personnel. Who do you leave to comm to?" Spock asked, looking at Kirk.

Kirk pointed a thumb at the communications officer and said, "To Hawkins, or to Sulu. Neither Lieutenant has that certain spark that Uhura had, but..." Kirk flinched at the mentioning of her. Spock simply looked on, not seeming to react, at all. Kirk shrugged his shoulders, trying to get back to his original train of thought, "They get the job done." Spock nodded his head.

The communications officer, Lt. Hawkins looked, alarmed, at Spock and said, "Commander Spock, I just received word from the surface of the planet that we should proceed to send down the landing party." Kirk and Spock nodded at each other, but Hawkins continued, "Wait, Sir. the voice on the transmission... it's Lt. Uhura's." Kirk's eyebrows shot up. Perkins said, "I know that seems impossible, but after the incident with Nero, Lt. Uhura trained me everyday in linguistics. I know her voice better than I do anyone else's on this ship, even yours, Captain."

"On screen." Kirk said. When Lt. Hawkins complied, Livingston appeared on the screen. Kirk had only heard of him, but had never seen his face before. The man had a skin tone of an amber color, like honey in the light of the sun, and he wore his long hair in dreadlocks. But, beyond him, in the back, there was a woman seated, and she did not turn to face them, but Kirk had studied Uhura's form for long enough periods of time to pick her out of a crowd, much less an office. He knew that Spock had recognized the woman, as well.

Livingston smiled at the crew and said, "Hello, Enterprise. It is so nice to finally see all of you. I certainly hope that the Federation sent you for purposes of peace, because I am a little winded of the concept of violence, for the moment." His eyes went directly to Spock, "And a certainly very special hello to you, Spock. I have studied so much about you. She does not settle for just anyone, does she? No, our Nyota aims high." He smiled at this statement. Spock clenched his fists, only a bit. Livingston announced, "You must come down to the surface, at once. I have been waiting for this visit, for quite some time. Sybok has been waiting, as well. We will see you and any of your colleagues that you wish to bring along, shortly, Captain Kirk." He ended the transmission.

Spock was the first one off of the bridge and the others followed closely behind him. Chekov shook his head, completely confused. If that woman was Uhura, then why did Spock think that she was dead? And how did Livingston get Uhura to work for him? A mind controlling agent? This was confusing before it even began.

They stepped onto the transporter pad and Scotty exchanged brief words with the Captain before beaming them down to the surface of the planet. Upon reaching the surface, the first image that Spock saw was Sybok's face, the second was Suzak. The small toddler was standing next to Sybok, but when he saw Spock, he called, "Spock!" and quickly rushed over to him. Spock reflexively picked up the boy, then glared at Sybok as Suzak kept his arms tightened around his neck.

Spock accused, "You kidnapped him."

"He is my son, Spock. I took custody of him." Sybok corrected.

"Ravalan is dead. She died pulling Nyota off of the escarpment with her, questioning her about him." Spock stated.

Sybok sighed and said, "It is tragic that you had to witness such an ordeal. Suzak, come to your father." Spock placed Suzak down and he returned to Sybok and held his hand. Sybok said, "Hello, Captain Kirk, Dr. McCoy, Ensign Chekov. How are the three of you?"

Dr. McCoy answered, grouchily, "We aren't dead."

Sybok smiled at the description and said, "No, you do not appear to yet be dead, Dr. McCoy. I should show you inside. Livingston is interested in meeting you." Sybok said it as though addressing the group, but was clearly looking at Spock. Kirk and Spock walked next to each other, following Sybok and the child who held his hand.

McCoy and Chekov filed in a straight horizontal line with their two commanding officers, Chekov on the other side of Spock, and McCoy on the other side of Kirk. McCoy asked, "Who would have thought that Vulcans would have so many family issues?" Kirk looked at him, then at Spock.

The Captain asked Spock, "Are you alright?"

"I am, Captain. I have realized that there is nothing wrong with me. I am not in denial. Nyota is here." He said, matter-of-factly. Kirk stared at him. Spock added, "I feel her. She is here, and she is alive."

Livingston touched Nyota's face as she hung by her wrists from a contraption which kept her from moving. She was wearing nothing but her undergarments, she was wet, and she was shivering from the cold of her cell. He asked, "Do you believe that this torturous cell was intended for prisoners who were guilty of treason? That is why I found it fitting for you. I gave you everything that I had, all of me... and you betrayed me. You left me, when I needed you most."

"You seem to be doing fine on your own, Livingston." She said.

He smirked at her persona. Extra tough. She always tried to hide her fear with overt toughness. He could not help but to admire her heart for it. Livingston touched a scar on her left breast, "You have a hideous scar, here Nyota. Why, I wonder would a Starfleet Lieutenant would choose to keep such an atrocity? It makes me shudder, even, the ugliness of the thing! You have the means to remove any scar from your body."

"This mark is one of my most prized possessions." She said through chattering teeth.

He stroked his fingers across it, thoughtfully, and said, "Ah, this must be one of the territorial marks of the Vulcans, which I have heard about. Now, I can see it. It is a bite mark, and I am going to presume that it was no accident on your Vulcan's part to place his mark right over your heart. Is it the only scar on your body?"

"Yes, it is." She answered, proudly. She truly did love the scar, despite the pain it caused her when Spock had made it.

Livingston continued to study the mark, "What kind of mad animal would actually want to maim your flawless skin with a mark of possession?"

"Possession is his way of showing love, and I openly accept it." Nyota said, straight at Livingston, looking him directly in the eyes. "You may want to rethink keeping me alive. He will know that I am here. I know how proud you are of your little clone tricks, but one thing that you can not clone is the connection that Spock and I share. I do not believe for one moment that your clone fooled him."

"If she did not, she did cause him some grief. No matter how he did or did not feel, I think that you can be certain that seeing a dead body so likened to your own was enough to manifest significant trauma. That trauma is only the beginning, Nyota. he has more trauma to endure before I am done with him." Off handedly, he said, "This scar... It shows me something. Your Spock's bottom teeth are crooked. With all of the scientific advancements of Vulcans, your husband has not fixed this bottom row of teeth?"

Nyota explained, "His teeth perform their function properly. It would be illogical for him to fix them for cosmetic..."

"SHUT UP!" Livingston yelled, which caused her to jump. He fussed, "Do not dare to speak to me about his so called logic! Do you think that you were a logical mate for him to select, especially with the Vulcan population in the condition that they are in? Nothing that he has done in relation to you has been logical!"

Nyota lifted an eyebrow at him and asked, "And what do you know about what he has done in relation to me?"

"I know that he married you, and that even with knowing that both myself and Sybok are here, on this planet, he has come to it with the Enterprise. In fact, I am going to meet him face to face, in a few moments. I hope that you can keep yourself entertained while I am out." He smiled and left the cell. When he got outside, he told the guard, "Hose her down." The guard nodded once and pressed a button, which switched on a spout which fired water at Nyota, like a fire hose, and she clenched her teeth together and groaned, a bit, but refused to scream. She looked over her shoulder to look up into the camera, which she knew was recording, defiantly and managed to suppress her urge to scream, even in the face of the pain of the pressure of the water.

The spout moved up and down, slowly, then stopped, once she was drenched. She felt her skin stinging and each drip of water seemed to cut into her flesh after the terrible pressure at which the water had attacked her. The "hose" was extremely painful and stopping herself from yelling had took great effort. She took a few moments to catch her breath, now even colder than she had been before. She began to repeat a meditation chant in Vulcan, and found that she was no longer focused on her pain, or on the discomfort of her temperature. She stared straight ahead and said, "Spock..." She needed to focus on him, on her love for him, on her certainty that he would come for her, that this was temporary.

Spock glanced around him as he walked. This attracted stares from his crew mates. Spock seemed to be listening to something that they could not hear. Kirk's focus on him was anxious, but Spock soon resumed his look forward, without explaining to them that he was beginning to sense himself coming closer to Nyota. Sybok led the men into the tower of the prison, and brought them to Livingston's office. A woman who looked exactly like Nyota, but of course, could not possibly be, entered the room, barely clad in a silky, shiny green material gown which covered a small deal of her body. Kirk found himself staring at her as she smiled brightly and reached for Suzak. He told himself that it was quite alright to ogle this one, because she was not the real one, and not Spock's... and practically naked. On her way out with the child, Suzak reached for Spock's hand again and he said, "Not Uhura. Not Uhura."

Spock nodded and said, "I know." Suzak allowed the woman to take him from the room and Spock looked at Kirk.

Kirk started to talk to Sybok, "So, your life has been reduced to living within a prison tower and playing house with Uhura clones?"

Sybok responded with a warm smile, "That does not seem to be reduction from living in a prison cell and staring at the ceiling for days on end, but I see where you are going with this... there are things to be done for me, here. When I am finished with my business with Livingston, I shall move on." Spock did not point out to him that he was a prisoner and now a fugitive of the Federation, not to mention, most recently a terrorist. It was completely illogical for Sybok to assume that he would remain free and "move on" from his current station.

"How many Uhura clones are there?" Kirk asked, "I mean, are there enough to go around? Can I bring one back to the ship with me?"

Sybok laughed and said, "That seems to be entirely up to Livingston, Captain. Be sure to ask him."

As though on cue, Livingston entered the room. Kirk reflexively grabbed Spock, so that he would not move towards the man, and it was not until he had that Spock realized that he had moved towards Livingston. Spock glanced at Kirk and nodded once, to thank him. He was unsure of what his body had planned on doing to Nyota's captor, but he knew that if he had gotten any closer to him, it may not turn out well, at all.

Livingston smiled at them and asked, "Is anyone hungry?"

"No." Kirk said. "Mr. Kurok..."

"Doctor Kurok." Livingston corrected. Dr. McCoy scoffed at the statement. Livingston frowned, "I have heard about you being grumpy, Dr. McCoy, but you are a guest, here."

"Yea, and I live for the moments when I am invited to be a guest at a damned prison planet run by terrorists." Dr. McCoy said.

Livingston looked annoyed as he asked, "Why are you here?"

Dr. McCoy answered, "Because the captain insisted. If it were up to me, I would never be in the same room as a monster like you..."

"I believe that Dr. Kurok was asking the captain why Starfleet sent us to contact him, Dr. McCoy." Spock said.

Livingston nodded his head and walked to a chair, which he sat down in. "Have a seat, gentlemen." He said, "And tell me everything that the Federation sent you to tell me."

"Dr. Kurok," Kirk said, taking a seat, "The Federation is concerned about the fact that you have declared war on us."

"I have done nothing of the sort." Livingston replied with a gleaming smile. Looking at his handsome features, his well kept visage and his eloquent manner, one may never know that just moments before he stood before a defenseless woman in a torture chamber.

"You took control over a Federation prison planet, you orchestrated the attack of another planet (New Vulcan), and you have endangered Starfleet personnel and caused the deaths of many innocents along the way."

Chekov added, "Including Lt. Uhura." Chekov felt his fists tighten and he took a deep breath.

Spock added, "The list did not include the fact that Federation transmission lines were interfered with for several weeks."

Livingston looked at Spock and said, "Perhaps you should sit down."

"The war!" Kirk snapped. "What is the point of it?"

"Look, I contacted the Federation to tell them to come and get the Federation personnel from this place. They whine about not being fed and about my work and there really are far too many of them for me to kill without Federation backlash. So, please, take them. I keep the prisoners. You leave me to my business and I do not bother any more of your planets. The New Vulcan situation was an oops on my part. I had no idea those Vulcans were so crazy." He smiled at them when he said this.

"Where is my wife?" Spock asked. His voice was calm, but when the others in the room looked at him, they noticed that his jaw was clenched tightly and so were his fists. He had remained calm up until this point, now, Kirk stepped away from him, nervous that he may see a certain side of Spock that he had once witnessed, and did not particularly wish to witness again.

Livingston clapped his hands together and said, "Funny you should ask me that! I want to do an experiment on Vulcan problem solving." He said, "Computer, split screen surveillance."

On the large screen, several recording of several Nyota clones appeared. All of them were enduring some type of physical torture and screaming or groaning in pain. Most of them were calling out to Spock. The sight made everyone in the room startle and cringe. Chekov covered his mouth with one of his hands. His anger burned within him, and it took all of his power not to rush at Livingston and kill him. Even if they were just clones of Nyota, were not these clones people? They seemed as though they felt pain, and it was nothing to him to hurt them!

Dr. McCoy glared at Livingston and said, "For someone who likes to be called a doctor, you certainly do not seem to have a spirit of healing."

"Silence, Doctor." Sybok said. Dr. McCoy grimaced, but did become silent.

Livingston stated, "This is a simple task. Spock, if you can guess which one is Nyota, I will allow you to see her, in person." Kirk rushed after Livingston, ready to charge him, but Sybok quickly subdued the captain, by placing a hand up towards him and restraining him, mentally. Sybok said, "This is not your task, Captain, but Spock's." Kirk struggled with Sybok's mental hold and kicked at Livingston, cursing him and trying to get him within his grasp, but found himself unable to move forward. He soon stopped and stood, pissed off.

Spock did not seem to notice as he intently studied the screen, on which there were sixteen Nyotas. One of them caught his attention. She was on the third row of squares, and the third one on that row. Her back was to the camera, but her head was turned towards it and she was staring into it, practically wordlessly, not yelling or groaning, but straining to keep herself calm. Spock stated, "She is the third one on the third row of squares." He looked at Livingston.

Livingston smirked and said, "Computer amplify stated image."

Soon, Nyota was the only one on the screen, still staring at the camera, she repeated Vulcan meditation chants. Livingston asked Spock, "Are you sure that this is her?"

"Affirmative." Spock replied. "She is definitely my Nyota."

Livingston opened his communicator and said, "Start the whip." Only a moment later, a computerized machine within the cell came on and it lashed several different whips at Nyota's back. She now screamed in pain. Spock rushed towards Livingston and Sybok intercepted him. When Sybok grabbed Spock around his arms to hold him, Spock kicked at Livingston and connected with his jaw. Livingston crashed to the floor and held his face. Kirk and Chekov went after Livingston, but Sybok looked at both of them and simply said, "Freeze." They did not know why, but it became practically impossible for them to move.

"DAMN IT!" Kirk cried out, as he realized that he could not move, yet again.

Sybok squeezed Spock repeating, "Calm down, Spock. Calm yourself." Spock tried to fight Sybok out of his mind, but Sybok was in. Spock calmed his motions, but his face showed an unrestricted amount of anger.

Livingston got up, laughing, and walked over to a mirror and said, with his voice muffled from his facial injury, "I am going to have to replace several teeth and my jaw is shattered. That was an impressive kick, Spock. Vulcans' strength always captivates me. You pack a pretty mean bite, too. I saw the mark that you left on Nyota." Spock struggled with Sybok again, but Sybok quickly subdued him.

"I must see her." Spock said, turning his head to look at Sybok.

Livingston said, "Stop the whips," into the communicator. He smiled at Spock. now, his smile looked much more sinister, considering the gash on his face of broken skin, the blood in his mouth and the form of the shattered jaw. Spock wished that the kick would have been a bit higher, that he could have reached his temple, or his frontal lobe. He really wanted to kill him, at the moment. He wanted to kill him more than he ever wished to do anything else. Spock tried to control his rage, calm himself. he looked at the screen to see Nyota.

As the machine stopped, Nyota stopped yelling and simply attempted to catch her breath. She still did not cry, but her face was distorted as though she would. She looked at the camera again and said, "You can do whatever you want to me Livingston. You will not see me cry!" She gave the camera a smirk and said, "Go to hell." Her back was bleeding from the lashes, and she turned away from the camera to simply hang by her wrists and stare straight ahead, repeating the meditations. "There is no pain..." She shut her eyes tightly and winced with a painful moan. Her arms were so tired. She felt so weak. "Spock." She stated. Her voice sounded hopeless, like she had lost it, though she continued to chant.

He looked at Sybok, "Please, Sybok..."

Sybok nodded once and told Livingston, "He sees her, now." Several of the prisoners turned guards entered the office to lead Kirk, McCoy and Chekov out of the room while Sybok kept Spock in front of him as they walked. After a while, Spock and Sybok walked into a doorway and the steel door shut behind them.

Kirk rushed to the door and beat on it. Spock turned to look at the door and Sybok said, "It is either them or her."

"Her." Spock said and continued walking. One of the guards snatched Kirk away from the door, and Kirk punched him in the face. The two of them began to fight and soon, both Chekov and McCoy were fighting Livingston's guards, as well. Suddenly, the light of a phaser pierced through one of the guards and everyone fighting stopped to look at another Nyota clone. She pointed the weapon at Kirk and said, "I have to advise you to stop fighting and move in the direction of your ship. All of the Federation personnel which were stationed on this planet have been beamed aboard your ship. It is time for you to go."

"You're out of your goddamned mind if you think that we are going to just leave Spock and Uhura here with you."

"Mr. Spock is a guest, and this is the prototype's new home. You will leave both of them, or die where you stand." She jerked her head towards the hallway and said, "This is your direction, Captain." Kirk began to walk in that direction, and when he passed her, he chopped her arm to knock the weapon from it. She punched him in the face and he groaned. For such a little woman, she had one hell of a punch. He punched her back, rationalizing that she wasn't THE Uhura, so... he went for it. She fell back against the wall and kicked him in the stomach. He thought for sure that the punch would have knocked her out, but he tried another, which she dodged and punched him in the ribs. Finally Kirk took her by her collar and slammed her backwards against the wall, one hard time. Her eyes crossed and she slid down the wall, unconscious.

He turned towards Chekov and McCoy. Dr. McCoy said, "For a moment there, Jim, I really thought that she had you."

"Nonsense." Kirk said. "Mr. Chekov, can you get this door open?" Chekov had been studying the door, trying to see if there was a way to get through it.

He answered, "I believe that the controls for the door are on the other side, Captain."

Captain Kirk thought for a while, then decided "We need to get back to the ship and get the schematics of the layout of the building from Starfleet command. Spock will be alright until we can figure out the layout and work our way back in to get him and Lt. Uhura out. We will return with security personnel, everyone armed." They had to leave the building to beam back aboard the ship, as they could not beam out of the prison.

Styik touched his fingers to Sytar's. The older of the two boys tilted his head as the baby sent him a mental image. It was Nyota. She was hurt, but she was fine. Styik asked, "What do you mean? You have been sending me these images since Mother died, and I still do not know what they mean!" The baby sent another, of Nyota in a far away place, but alone. Styik frowned and sighed, "It will delight me greatly when you can communicate with words as opposed to pictures. Are you telling me that Mother is alive?" Sytar giggled, and Styik took it as a yes. "Why did you tell me that she was dead." Sytar stared at Styik, but did not reply. Styik said, "Damn it. I keep forgetting that you can only answer in images. Yes or no questions only... Okay, before, were you telling me that Mother was dead?" Sytar gave Styik an image of a dead Nyota. Styik said, "This is confusing! Were you trying to warn me that we would think that she was dead?" Now, Sytar pressed his whole hand to Styik's hand and smiled. Styik sighed and said, "I misread your image. I believed that you were telling me that she was dead. You were trying to warn me. Why did Father not know?" The baby stared at his older brother again. Styik sighed and muttered, "Damn it! Sytar, do you think that Father knows that Mother is not dead?" The baby began to laugh quite eagerly. Styik smiled at him, "Well, at least you have some good news... If Father knows that she is alive, he will bring her back." He picked Sytar up and hugged him.