Chapter 36 hidden betrayals and fractured Mindscapes part III

A few seconds later. Which was probably longer in the real world at the time of the occurrence, but in the Mindscape. It was mere seconds when suddenly there were four people standing in uniform robes. The kind that is tight to the body and gray more like the proverbial ninjas outfit from 20th century Terran literature. They hadn't bothered to knock they just walked right in through to Sarek's office. [He's upstairs second door on the right.]

By this point, Kirk is confused about what's going on, so Kirk looks to the commander next to him. Once again, the commanders face has taken on a pale pallor. Kirk thinks to himself that he want to know what's going on and suddenly the scene in front of them shifts from Sarek's stoic form behind his desk. To what must be young Spock's room where he's cowering in a corner as two of the wannabe ninjas hold him by the point of what appears to tranquilizer gun. Kirk is sure of this, because they look similar to something that was used to subdue "patients" on Tarsus. The side of those god-awful things pointed at a cowering Spock. Was enough to break through all of Kirk's careful distance and have him lurching forward only to be the one being pulled back by Spock's unwavering grip on his hand. Kirk turned to look at Spock to ask why in the hell he was stopping him. The question however died on his lips as he noticed the state of his Spock's self-image. He just didn't understand this, he was frozen as the mental image of his T'hy'la raised a literal gray green hand to his cheek.

"Spock! What the hell?" Forgetting about the scene going on in front of them. He turned his attention back to that of the commander his Spock the one whose hand he held it wasn't lost on him that the hand he was now holding felt smaller, weaker, then it had. He knew somehow that was bad. He didn't know exactly what was going on, but all of his training and intuition told him that since this version of Spock was his gateway, invitation, escort, guide, or all of the above. He instinctively knew that if he let this version dwindle away. He may not be taken with him because of his experience, but Spock himself would not survive, that was unacceptable. His first reaction was to pull Spock closer by the hand he held, but instead of acquiescing the commander raised his gray green hand to Jim's cheek.

Kirk watched in frustration, as the visage in front of him tried to form words, if he was still as good at lipreading as he thought he was the first one was "Ashaya" though he was unable to make that one audible. And from the grimace and far-off echoing scream it must be painful. Kirk narrows his eyes in thought. As he watches his commander struggle. Kirk did not like where his thoughts were taking him at all as he considered everything he knew so far. Everything said by the young version of Spock here in this Mindscape. As well as Spock's reactions. The things in the real world. He even considered some of the things that Elder Spock had spoken of concerning himself and his counterpart things that really didn't make sense to him. Considering everything that he had read and been told by Tiggy concerning T'hy'la like how could Elder Spock and his Kirk served together for so long and not realize that they indeed were T'hy'la? The things that Elder Spock had said about having problems with their relationship until after the Fal-tor-pan incident. He is aware that Spock has noticed a change in his countenance as he's puzzling through all of his thoughts. Especially since learning that Sarek apparently sent young Spock off to Gol for reeducation. Secretly, he also considers the fact that even Elder Spock rarely refers to his James as anything other than "friend" or as he calls James himself "old friend." which led to the initial confusion about the possibilities concerning the relationship between himself and Spock. He's aware of his Spock's avid attention on his face. As he is puzzling through these things. He remembers Elder Spock saying that no matter what the universe balances out. Things will repeat themselves one way or another. Even if some of the details are slightly different, like his taking Spock's place in the warp core. But the incident still happens. Kirk then remembers Tiggy telling him about his James and his father challenging each other, because his James interfered in some sort of plan that Sarek had meant to implement. Where Spock was concerned, and his James was having none of it. Though, his James was not the trained fighter that Sarek was. He managed to do almost the next best thing by enlisting the aid of the lady Amanda. Kirk couldn't remember all the details. He wasn't sure that Tiggy had even given all of them. However, he was willing to bet whatever the altercation was over. It was probably something to do with their relationship. Just like in this memory only. Neither he nor the lady Amanda realized what was going on because they had their own very real issues. Or at least he did on Tarsus while Sarek assumed, Amanda was looking for him on earth. Effectively as far Sarek knew getting her out of the way which obviously it did. The question is what exactly was the result? Kirk went over the conversation he had just watched. Replaying in the vision between young Spock and Sarek. The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. As he considered what would be the difference between going to see the regular healers and sending Spock to GOL secretly. Kirk then, remembered all his conversations with the Lady Amanda during his time at the Academy. As well as his time with Tiggy when she came to visit. How she complained that she didn't know exactly what was going on, but something was definitely different with Spock. She mentioned trying to engage Spock in conversation about the "Incident" with himself, and how she was confused. That he would not even talk about it. At one point she had convinced herself that he felt guilty or something but maybe, maybe there was… Another reason? He remembered how Spock had responded to his command for report. He knew his face is probably showing all kinds of dread. He could tell by the sharp set of Spock's mouth. He thought he'd figured out what exactly happened, and he had to keep telling himself to breathe easy and not lose his shit because Spock needed him. Also , that he couldn't immediately go assassinate the Vulcan ambassador to earth as soon as this meld ended. He did however decide to test the theory once again. He didn't know whether to hope for it to work. Hope for it not to work. He drew himself up to his proper height well proper height for this form. He drew back from Spock so that just their hands were clasped. He was aware now that Spock was watching him warily. He had worked out that Kirk had come to some conclusion. Though he wasn't sure what. Kirk said his jaw squared his shoulders and addressed the commander.

Cmdr. Spock, I am your captain and a prince albeit in another universe. If you have something to say to me, you will address me properly, as Captain or given my current state. You may address me as, Your Highness or Lord Kirk. Almost as confirmation of Kirk's horrible theory. He watched the color come back into the mental image of his Cmdr. Spock as well as obvious relief flash through the eyes. He also noticed that signature not smile that Elder Spock is known to grace him with. As his Spock replies. I think I shall go with my Lord, for now if that would be acceptable. The fact that that response was pretty much the last piece of a puzzle Kirk really wished he didn't know the answer to at the moment.

Giving a curt nod in response. He turned his attention back to the scene before him. Just in time to see two of the four gray robed figures attaching restraints to a now unconscious. Spock's wrist and ankles as well as some sort of circular device to his temple. Kirk recognizes this devices as inhibitor. He's definitely confused eye device like that should never be used on Vulcan. It would cause the same damage and psychic shock is the destruction of Vulcan cutting them off abruptly from the communal link it would cause confusion and disorientation… That thought stops. Kirk, that would be exactly what you would need if you wanted to "reeducate" someone relatively strong-minded. To see things a certain way.