Chapter Twenty-nine

Salen looked at himself in the mirror and had trouble recognizing himself at first. It had been a long time since he'd worn anything other than a uniform of some description. The layered organic look of his Romulan clothing along with the syn-leather duster went a long way to enhance his true alien nature.

Even his skin seemed slightly greener against the deep ox-blood color of his clothing. They'd added something to his hair to give it a greasier look that caused it to separate into straight locks. A hint of blue eyeshadow drew extra attention to his slanted brow. With his unnaturally white hair Salen felt that he didn't look particularly Vulcan or Romulan. He'd long felt more like a species of his own, the first and last of his kind. Now out of his human clothing the sense was stronger than ever.

"You know," Razor beamed "I think this might just work."

"You do make a damn fine Romulan, Dingo." Beckett added.

"No need for insults." Salen said with a knowing smile.

"Although I still say we should be wearing our phaser suits under these get ups." Razor complained as he looked down at his own plain clothes.

"We'd be in more danger in them." Salen shook his head. "If we are detected as being Starfleet they will kill us, the phaser suit would just mean that they'd have to kill us manually, and the suits may give us away."

"I supposed I'd rather take a phaser to the chest than a knife to the throat...if those were my only options."

"Let's not talk about those kind of options." Beckett interrupted. "Let's focus more on how this is going to work."

"The two of us go into town and start asking around for Evans, throw some gold and latinum around to prove we've got the coin, and wait for an invitation." Razor reviewed the plan. "Once inside we make friends, talk about doing some trade into the Star Empire, and hopefully get a nice personal tour of the facility from Evans."

"And what are you not to do under any circumstances?" Beckett asked sternly.

"We are not to begin a fight." Salen answered.

"However," Razor grinned "if one does happen to start we're allowed to finish it."

"Do your best to ensure that doesn't happen." Beckett chastised. "If we don't hear from you two in forty-eight hours we'll do what we can to come get you. But understand that if you are captured for ransom Starfleet can not negotiate for you release."

"Understood, Sir." Salen and Razor replied in unison.

"Don't make me come down there and get you."

"That won't be necessary, Sir." Razor assured and then looked to Salen. "Well, 'Za'ire', you ready for this?"

"I am. What should I call you on the planet?"

"Razor works as a bodyguard's name." Razor shrugged. "For you though 'Salen' is far too Vulcan, and 'Dingo' doesn't sound believably Romulan."

Salen nodded in agreement. He and Razor followed Beckett to the transport room. Along the way the other Dogs offered their wishes of good luck and expressed envy that they had to stay on the ship and miss out on any action that might be incurred along the way. The pair stepped up on the transporter pad and turned to face Beckett.

"Good luck, boys, come home safe."

"Aye, Sir."

Salen's vision blurred for a moment along with a familiar tingling sensation as they were beamed down to the surface of the planet. Taking a deep breath of the warm dry air of Enaria Salen was suddenly reminded of the rare times in his youth when he had actually been on Vulcan. Enaria had far more vegetation than Vulcan, it had all evolved to need very little water but didn't look particularly like typical desert plants. Razor looked around unimpressed.

"We're both going to die of heat exhaustion before we get anywhere near Evans." Razor complained.

"The town is less than a mile from here." Salen said as he started walking. "You will survive."

"Why do Vulcans take everything so literally?"

"Because to not say exactly what you mean is to lie, and Vulcans do not believe in lying."

"You're about to go tell a drug lord that you're a Romulan criminal looking to get into bed with him. Sounds like lying to me."

"I do not have the same reservations about lying for a good cause that the rest of my species has...and I have no plans of sleeping with Evans."

"You are one weird creature." Razor shook his head sadly. "I mean you're weird by anyone's standards, human or Vulcan."

"You are not exactly the model of normalcy yourself." Salen pointed out.

"Point taken." Razor looked ahead. "There's the town. I'm not really used to just walking into a place in broad daylight."

"We wish to be noticed."

"Trust me, we will be."

"Stay a pace behind me." Salen instructed.

"What?"

"No Romulan would allow a hired guard to keep equal stride with him."

Razor paused in his step long enough to allow Salen to be slightly ahead of him. Falling into his role as body guard easily Razor scanned the surroundings vigilantly. Salen walked with his head held high, ignoring the stares of the natives as he walked down the streets. The buildings were made of the same red sand that covered the terrain making them look like they had simply risen from the desert. The walls also had the native vegetation sprouting from them giving the town a pleasant natural feel. Wasting no time Salen walked up to the first person he saw.

"You," Salen growled "where is your main market place?"

"Wha...what are you?" The man asked in shock as he stared at Salen.

"I am getting angry, that is all you need to know about me. Now answer my question."

"To the East, near the fountain."

The man pointed the way and Salen turned sharply and walked off without another word. Razor caught up with Salen with a broad smile on his face. Salen narrowed his eyes at his partner and Razor sobered up his expression.

"You're frighteningly good at this." Razor noted.

"I am allowing the memories of West guide my behaviors. He was an exceedingly unpleasant man."

"Really? I'm kinda liking this side of you."

"Do not get used to it, this is not me."

"I don't know, I think it might be. You don't seem to have much control over who you are from one moment to the next. You're constantly surprising me. It's a good feature to have in this line of work."

"I do not understand."

"How can the enemy know what you're going to do next when even your partner can't quite figure it out?" Razor giggled. "Sometimes I'm not even sure you know what you're going to do next."

Salen said nothing and continued to walk though the town in sullen silence, catching the eye of everyone he passed by. Razor had unknowingly hit a nerve with Salen, and it was making him thirst for violence. Salen traced this new unpredictable side to his intense brush with pon farr. As far as he was concerned he had never been the same since. His blood was now quick to boil, and he was uncertain how to quiet this new beast in his chest. He wasn't even sure he wanted too.

"Something wrong behind your ear?" Razor asked suddenly.

"What?"

"You're rubbing at it like it hurts."

"No." Salen brought his hand down, he hadn't even noticed that he'd had it up. "Over there, that store is a front for a drug runner."

"How can you tell?"

"The good luck symbol on the sign is slanted to the left. It is a call sign to those who know to look."

"How do you know that?" Razor asked impressed.

"I learned it from West."

"Nice."

"Just follow me and stay quiet, remember you are my bodyguard not my friend."

"Yes, Sir."

Salen nodded in approval and strode into the store. The shop itself had antiques and various junk for sale. Everything was covered in a fine reddish dust from the sand that made up the walls. At first it looked like the store owner wasn't home. However an older gentleman soon came out from a back room. Unlike the rest of the town folk this man didn't looked surprised to see Salen.

"You look like you're a long way from home." The shop keeper chuckled.

"So do you." Salen replied evenly. "You are from the Gelin colony on Inara 9."

"How do you know that?" The shop keeper took a step back nervously.

"The whites of your eyes have a slight blue tint to them, a harmless side effect only caused by spending a great deal of time under the unique solar radiation of Inara 9's sun."

"Not bad." The shop keeper nodded and relaxed. "You're a little harder to figure out, you dress like a Romulan, you speak like a Vulcan, you hold yourself like a human, and yet you don't really look like any of the above. Are you a hybrid?"

"My heritage is not important. This is." Salen reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a bar of gold pressed latinum and tossed it at the shop keeper. "I've got two more of those for anyone who can get me in touch with a candy maker named Evans."

"Got a sweet tooth, eh?" The keeper smiled.

"Sugar is a weakness of mine."

"Who pointed you in the direction of this little corner of the galaxy?"

"Phoenix."

"And how do you know him?"

"Her." Salen corrected. "And that's none of your business."

The shop keeper thought about his options for a moment before pocketing the gift he'd been given. When the shop keeper took a step towards Salen Razor pulled his broad shoulders back in an aggressive move that showed he was ready to fight. Fear flashed over the shop keeper's expression before he composed himself and relaxed once more.

"I'll tell you what," the shop keeper smiled "you find yourself a room at the Targon Inn and I'll see if I can get room service to get you something to fit your tastes."

"Do not take too long." Salen hissed. "I do not wish to spend anymore time on this dusty backwards rock than I must."

Salen whipped around and stormed out of the store as though he was already late for the appointment. They wordless went to the the Targon Inn and paid for a room. Once in the small room Salen started pacing back and forth. Razor took his communicator out of his pocket and hid it under the mattress, knowing that it would give him away as being Starfleet. Sitting down on the edge of the bed he watched Salen for a few minutes.

"You look like you're suffering from 'mission high'." Razor smiled knowingly.

"Mission high?"

"Yeah, it's like a constant adrenaline rush that one gets while on mission."

"That would explain a great deal of my symptoms. How does one cure it?"

"Cure it? Just enjoy it, it will make you sharper when the real action begins."

"You do not appear to have this 'mission high'."

"Oh, I do. I've just learned to control it over the years. Inside my heart is thumping at a hundred miles of an hour."

"Can you teach me this control?" Salen asked.

"It's something that just develops over time." Razor shrugged.

Salen furrowed his brow at the idea that one could develop control simply by waiting. On the one hand it made some sense, but he had always believed that all emotional control had to be won by mentally fighting for it. Salen stopped pacing and crossed his arms over his chest, however even just standing he had the compulsion to shift his weight from side to side. He couldn't even keep his arms over his chest and started to fidget.

"So...so it is not unusual for me to be unable to hold still right now?"

"Not at all." Razor assured. "You're still rubbing at your ear. What is that little light there? Does it hurt?"

"No. It is simply a hearing aid." Salen answered as he put his hand down. "I am deaf."

"Deaf?" Razor repeated in shock.

"A recent accident. My hearing is now equal to that of any Vulcan. In fact I hear someone approaching now."

"Shop keeper?" Razor asked as he got to his feet.

"Not unless he brought friends."

Salen went over to the door and opened it a second before the visitors had a chance to knock. Looking momentarily surprised the well built man who lead a small pack of others regained his composure and put his hand down. He looked Salen over before glancing at Razor.

"Mr. Evans would like to extend an invitation to you to join him for dessert." The man announced.

"I would be delighted."

"Please leave your weapons here."

Razor tensed in protest until Salen gave him the silent order to comply. They had known from the start that they'd never be allowed to bring phasers into Evan's compound, but they felt it would look suspicious if they didn't carry them at all. Salen tossed his phaser, which had been modified to mimic a Romulan weapon, on the bed and Razor did the same.

Salen followed the men who had come to retrieve them calmly. He had expected to experience some fear as they placed themselves into the hands of the drug lord. However, he found himself actually enjoying the danger they were in. Razor remained on high alert, but as a body guard that was his job.

The men had arrived in what looked to be the only ion powered vehicle on the planet. Getting into the craft they skimmed across the sands and low lying vegetation for nearly an hour. It did not escape Salen's attention that the craft moved in a large arc meaning that they were not traveling as far from the town as the men wanted them to believe.

Eventually a large sprawling mansion surrounded by an energy gate came into view. The plant life was richer and more colorful around and on the structure than in the rest of town, however, it was the same basic architecture as the rest of the world making it the perfect way to blend in. When Salen and Razor were invited inside they found that the interior was nothing like what they had seen in the town.

The red sand mud had been added to the outside, however inside was pure luxury. The hardwood floor had a high gloss shine and was littered in the finest Orion rugs. Salen glanced at the art on the walls and had to admit that Evans had good taste. They were lead to a large set of double French doors that were guarded by four muscular men. Two of the guards stepped forward to search the guests for weapons. Salen held his arms up to allow the pat down and Razor did the same.

"Don't worry," Razor chuckled as the guard ran his hand up Razor's inseam "that's all me."

The guard gave Razor a disgusted look, but gave a nod to the other two to let them know that neither man had any hidden weapons. The other two opened up the double door which lead into a heavily decorated office with a large mahogany desk where Evans sat. Evans looked up at his guests and smiled. He had gray at his temples from his slowly advancing years, but he still had some youth left in him. His face was open and friendly, but his bright blue eyes sparkled with the gleam of a true predator.

"Ah, hello there," Evans greeted warmly "thank you for coming, Mr..."

"Za'ire." Salen supplied.

"'Za'ire'," Evans repeated "so you are Romulan, that's certainly not a Vulcan name."

"Indeed."

"Excellent." Evans gestured to the chair across from his desk. "Have a seat and tell me what I can do for the Star Empire."

Salen nodded and took a seat. Razor took his place standing a step behind Salen and kept his eyes scanning the room. The righthand wall had a set of glass shelves that held a variety of expensive and rare looking artifacts highlighted by floating light strips. Salen glanced around before bringing his gaze back to Evans who was waiting patiently.

"I am looking to purchase Stargazer."

"Right to the point, no foreplay." Evans replied. "I like that about your kind. Nice and direct. Take your Nero, he wants vengeance on one Vulcan ,and what does he do? Slaughters an entire race, and erases their very home world. I like that kind of ambition."

"I did not come here to talk about the ambition of others." Salen snarled. "I came to speak of my own. Are you wasting my time or can you assist me?"

"I am not wasting your time." Evans assured. "In fact I've been looking for a way into the Star Empire black market for quite a while now. I assume Phoenix told you that I was the galaxies largest producer of liquid Stargazer."

"Indeed. However, I am interested in purchasing it already candied. Can you do that?"

"The crystalizing process is expensive..."

"Can you do it?" Salen repeated. "I was told that you have a facility here that is more than capable of processing the Stargazer into all three of its forms."

"And I do."

"I am looking to purchase four to five tons on a yearly basis. Can you fill that order, and what kind of price are you willing to offer me?"

"How do you plan to move that kind of quantity right beneath the noses of the Federation?"

"Did your sensors detect my ship approaching this world?"

"No."

"Exactly. I know you have what I need, the only question is: how much is it going to cost me to get it?"

"I think we can come to a figure that we can both live with."

"I will need to see your facility."

"No can do." Evans shrugged in apology. "It is based on another world."

"No. It is below us."

Evans suddenly lost the smile on his face. Salen feared that he may have shown that he knew too much. Despite the elevation in his heart rate Salen forced himself to stare calmly into Evans' eyes. Salen could feel Razor shifting his weight behind him as he prepared for what might be a fight. Evans leaned forward and placed his forearms on his desk.

"You seem to know a great deal about my trade...and yet I've never heard of you."

"I work hard to keep from being noticed."

"Can't be easy with a face like yours." Evans suddenly relaxed and sat back, looking at Salen with a catty grin. "You know I didn't think your kind could lie, but you're putting on a great show. However, I'm tired of playing games."

"Games? I do not play games." Salen hissed darkly. "Are you trying to insult me?"

"You really don't remember me, do you?" Evans shook his head sadly.

"Excuse me?"

"I have something I want you to see."

Salen's heart started pounding painfully against his ribs as Evans slowly got to his feet. Razor stepped up closer to Salen so that he was now touching the back of the chair. Unsure of what to do Salen stayed seated while Evans went over to the display shelves. The drug lord looked over the various collectables until he found a small ornately carved wooden box.

Sitting back down across from Salen he pushed the box towards Salen. When Salen made no move to take the gift Evans made a friendly gesture to encourage him to open the box. Swallowing his fear Salen reached out and took the box. His sensitive ears heard Razor swearing under his breath as he sensed that things were somehow going wrong.

Opening the box carefully Salen knit his brow in confusion as he looked inside. At first he thought he was looking at three large crystal shaped emeralds laying on a bed of black velvet. However when he moved the box to get a better look he realized that the stones were actually a thick green liquid sloshing around in a clear crystal prison. Salen's blood flashed to ice as he finally recognized what he was looking at. Shocked Salen stared at the three beautiful crystals motionlessly, not even able to breath.

"I used to buy and sell a lot of this." Evans said in a conversational tone. "I decided to keep a few samples for myself, as a future investment. One day this may be all that is left of a once great race."

"Is...is this..." Salen stuttered in horror.

"Vulcan blood." Evans confirmed with a bright smile. "The middle crystal belongs to you, Salen Pike."

"No..."

"And if Wilson is to be believed: the other two are from your parents."