Chapter Thirty-six

"Father?"

"Yes, Daniel?"

"Why is everyone walking on egg shells?"

"I do not understand what you mean."

Daniel wrinkled his slightly arched brow together as he tried to find a way to make his father understand what he meant. Huffing in frustration he tucked his loosely curled hair behind his delicately pointed ear. After looking around the bridge for a moment he returned his attention back to his father.

"Everyone is so quiet. The Captain seems particularly stressed...even you do not seem to be yourself."

"I am constantly amazed by your ability to detect even the slightest emotional change in those around you, it is a useful skill."

Daniel smiled brightly upon hearing the approval of his father.

"To answer your question, Dr. McCoy's daughter is ill."

"I hope that she will be okay."

"So do I."

"Comman'deer?" Chekov asked.

"Yes, Mr. Chekov?"

"Ze Intrepid, she is hailing us."

"Open a channel." Spock ordered. An older Captain appeared on the screen. "Yes, Captain Yule, how may I help you?"

"Commander Spock, we have another member aboard that is showing similar symptoms as Dr. McCoy, an Engineer named Michaels."

"Has Michaels had any recent contact with Dr. McCoy?"

"Yes, she is our Chief Medical Officer, he was her last patient just before she fell ill."

"Then this is contagious." Spock concluded.

"That is our fear as well. Have there been any new developments?"

"No."

"I will contact Starfleet and give them this update. In the mean time I believe it would be best if our ship stay close to one another until more can be learned."

"Agreed. Michaels should also be moved aboard the Enterprise."

"But if he is also contagious..."

"Precautions will be taken, however the Enterprise has already been exposed. Our sick bay is more capable of handling both his condition and a break out than the Intrepid."

"True." Captain Yule nodded. "Very well, I will have Michaels transported to your sick bay."

"Thank you, Captain. I will alert medical on the new development."

Spock got to his feet and Daniel scrambled out of the way. Looking down at his young son Spock found himself lost for a moment in thoughts of what he would do if Daniel fell critically ill. In a rare display of affection Spock lifted Daniel up to carry him. Smiling in delight Daniel wrapped his arms around his father's neck and kissed his cheek. Spock raised an eyebrow, but didn't protest.

"It is far past your bed time." Spock announced.

"I am part Vulcan, I don't need the same amount of sleep as humans."

"Your mother would disagree." Spock looked over his shoulder. "Mr. Chekov, you have the con, I will be in sick bay if there is need of me."

"Aye, Sir."

With Daniel still perched on his hip Spock took the turbo lift down to the main quarters floor. He put Daniel down and instructed him to get ready for bed. Disappearing into the bathroom for a while Daniel came back out dressed in soft black pajamas. He went to seek out his place on the couch that had been made up into a bed, but Spock stopped him.

"You may sleep in my bed tonight, I will not be using it."

Daniel didn't have to be told twice and jumped into the large bed and bounced around for moment before settling down. As Daniel made himself comfortable in the sheets Spock walked over to tuck him in. Leaning down Spock kissed the top of Daniel's head.

"I wish mother and I could live with you here." Daniel said quietly.

"Space is no place to grow up, and the Enterprise can be a dangerous place."

"I know." Daniel sighed. "It's just that mother and I miss you terribly."

"I saw very little of my father as a child. It is not always an easy life. However, the important thing is to know that I love you and your mother very much."

"I love you too."

"Sleep now."

"Father?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I could be a Starfleet Officer one day?"

"You can enter any profession that you wish."

Daniel smiled and snuggled further down into the sea of blankets. For a moment Spock found himself wanting to join his son to take advantage of the short time they had together during this visit. Brushing off the thought Spock lingered only long enough to watch Daniel fall asleep.

Returning to duty Spock walked briskly down to sick bay. It was getting to be late at night after what had turned out to be a very long day. The infirmary was eerily quite and mostly vacant. Spock made his way back to the ICU room where Joanna was being held. Stepping into the room he found a somber scene.

Laying on the biobed Joanna seemed to be struggling for every breath. She looked as through she simply didn't have the energy for her next breath. The pulse monitor was tapping out a frightfully slow rhythm. An IV dripped fluids into her arm. A slight shimmer on her skin told him that they'd had placed an isolation barrier over her skin to protect her system from any invading particles.
McCoy was sitting in a chair next to his daughter's bed with her hand held in his own. Looking ready to drop from exhaustion himself he didn't seem to notice that Spock had joined them. Staring at Joanna he barely even blinked. Silently watching the pair Kirk was leaning against the far wall. Kirk looked up at Spock and shook his head sadly.

"Doctor." Spock said quietly.

"Yes, Spock?"

"I am afraid that I must inform you of a second case aboard the Intrepid."

"Another case like Joanna's?" McCoy asked in alarm.

"Yes."

"We should have them brought over here into isolation." Kirk said.

"I have already instructed the Intrepid to do so, Captain."

"This can't be contagious." McCoy muttered. "I have run every test possible and there isn't a single trace of a pathogen."

"Perhaps it is toxicological."

"I've thought of that, I can't find anything in her system that shouldn't be there."

"What exactly is happening to her?"

"I'm not sure, all I can say is that her sympathetic nervous system is shutting down, at a slower rate her endocrine and immune systems are also becoming disabled. Right now I am dripping adrenaline into her system just to keep her heart and breath rates up."

"Fascinating."

"It's not 'fascinating' you ice-hearted halfbreed!" McCoy snapped with sudden anger. "It's killing my little girl and I don't even know where to begin treating it."

"My apologies, Doctor."

"Spock, tell us more about this second victim." Kirk interjected.

"His name is Michaels and he was Dr. McCoy's last patient. He is showing similar symptoms. That is all I know of him."

"Let's take a look." McCoy sighed as he gently put Joanna's hand down. "There must be something more than just doctor/patient that connects them."

Michaels was transported directly into another ICU room and an isolation shield was placed over his skin. He was slightly more alert than Joanna had been, but not by much. There was a deep bruise over his left eye. McCoy checked the vitals and confirmed that Michaels was suffering the same fate as his daughter.

"Michaels, what can you tell us about becoming ill?" McCoy asked.

"Not much, Sir." Michaels panted. "I starting getting really tired, and I guess I passed out."

"When was that?"

"I'm not sure, about an hour ago or so." Michaels closed his eyes. "I feel so weak."

"Are you and Dr. Joanna McCoy in a relationship?" Spock asked suddenly.

"No." Michaels answered quickly. "No, I am not to touch her."

"'Not to touch her'?" Spock repeated. "That is unusual wording, Engineer. Have you and Dr. McCoy had an altercation?"

"No."

"Michaels, have you had any recent contact with any Vulcans?" Spock asked.

Michaels shook his head weakly.

"Any contact with any telepathic beings?"

"No."

"Spock," McCoy broke in "why are you asking about Vulcans? They were in the middle of space when this happened."

"Just a thought that has occurred to me."

"Well keep it to yourself."

"Very well, Doctor."

"Did you get that bruise when you fell?" McCoy asked Michaels.

"No, I got that down in Engineering."

"What happened?"

"I don't...I don't really remember."

Before anyone could press Michaels for any more information he passed out. Kirk stepped over to the bed and crossed his arms over his chest. McCoy started setting up an adrenaline drip for Michaels to keep him breathing. Spock was left with his slanted brow firmly knit together in thought. He walked over to the computer and began typing before returning to look at Michaels.

"Anything you'd like to share with the rest of the class, Spock?" Kirk asked.

"Class, Sir?"

"Never mind. What are you thinking? You look like you've got a theory."

"I do, however...it is illogical."

"Illogical?" McCoy repeated. "Now this I have to hear."

"The Engineer and your daughter share the symptoms of an exceedingly rare Vulcan disorder."

"I didn't realize that Vulcans had disorders." McCoy grumbled.

"We have our diseases as any species does. It is known as Pa'nar Syndrome."

"Spock, how could two humans have a Vulcan disease?" Kirk asked.

"They can not. Hence why my thoughts were illogical." Spock admitted. "However, although it has never been recorded I believe that it may be possible for a Vulcan to transmit Pa'nar Syndrome to a human. Of course Michaels and Joanna would have needed to have contact with a Vulcan."

"Salen." McCoy said instantly.

"That was my first thought too, Doctor." Spock nodded. "However, it should have been at least a month since Joanna has been with Salen, and there is no reason that Michaels would have had that particular contact with Salen."

"That 'particular contact'?" McCoy repeated. "Please don't tell me you're talking about sex."

"Not directly. Pa'nar Syndrome is contracted through an improper mind meld. In order to contract Pa'nar Syndrome from Salen he would have had to perform a mind meld with them both. With Joanna I can understand how that would have happened..."

"I don't!" McCoy interrupted angrily. "What in the hell would Salen be doing mucking around in Joanna's mind?!"

"A sharing of the minds is part of the Vulcan mating ritual."

"Oh God," McCoy moaned "I did not need to hear that."

"It is not a full mind meld, it is more like a brief brush to share..."

"Stop right there, Spock." McCoy said firmly. "Damn it, man, when did you become so chatty about Vulcan rituals?"

"I am only trying to help you understand."

"Perhaps I don't want to."

"Gentlemen, none of this explain how Michaels got sick." Kirk broke in. "Unless you think Salen's been sleeping with Michaels too."

"I highly doubt that, Captain. I checked the records, Michaels has been aboard the Intrepid for as long as Salen has been in the Academy and Salen has never been aboard the Intrepid."

"So Salen and Michaels should never had met, let alone melded." Kirk mused. "Could Joanna have given it to Michaels?"

"No. Impossible, Pa'nar Syndrome can only be contracted through a mind meld. During the improperly executed mind meld both individuals become damaged neurological. It breaks down the sympathetic nervous system which is what cases the heart rate, breathing, and metabolism to shudder to a stop. It also inhibits the endocrine and immune systems."

"Sounds like what we're dealing with." McCoy nodded.

"Wait, if it was Salen, he would be dying as well, right?" Kirk asked.

"Yes." Spock confirmed. "He would be more affected than either human."

"Meaning he'd be dead." McCoy said bluntly.

"Most likely."

"I can't imagine not hearing even a whisper about Admiral Pike's son dying." Kirk noted.

"There are many reasons that this theory does not make sense, however, there is a quick way to tell if they are suffering from Pa'nar Syndrome."

"And that would be?" McCoy asked.

"Pa'nar Syndrome can be detected and possibly corrected by a skilled mind meld."

"Possibly?" McCoy repeated.

"It is not something I have ever attempted." Spock replied calmly before turning to Kirk. "Since Michaels is no longer conscious to give his permission I must ask you, Captain."

"Will it harm him?"

"He is already dying, Captain."

"Good point. What about you? Is there a chance you'll get this Pa'nar Syndrome?"

"That is not something I thought of." Spock knit his brow together. "I do not know. Pa'nar Syndrome has not been seen among Vulcans in hundreds of years."

"Spock, I can't let you take that chance. We already have two people dying."

"Captain, if I discover that it is Pa'nar, and I can not correct it, and fall ill myself all three of us will need to be brought to the Vulcan Council. If it is not Pa'nar then there is no danger."

"In other words there's not much actual risk."

"Correct."

"Okay, see what you can find."

Spock nodded and approached Michaels. Kirk and McCoy held their breaths as Spock laid his hand on Michaels' face. Spock closed his eyes and remained motionless for a moment. Kirk didn't like the concerned look that fell across Spock's face as the meld continued. After a long five minutes Spock opened his eyes and released Michaels. The concerned look returned to Spock's dark brow.

"Spock?" Kirk asked when Spock didn't say anything.

"It is indeed Pa'nar Syndrome." Spock confirmed.

"So you can help them?" McCoy asked hopefully.

"I believe so. It will take a few days for a full recovery, but I believe I have corrected the damage."

"How did Salen and Michaels come in contact?" Kirk asked.

"I do not believe it was Salen. Michaels was violently attacked from behind, the meld that took place was actually a Vulcan forcing his way into his mind to erase the events, and push new thoughts on him."

"Vulcans can do that?" McCoy asked nervously.

"Yes. Under most circumstances it is considered a crime. Michaels memory is not intact and he did not know his assailant."

"If Joanna was also attacked perhaps she has a better memory of it."

"That is possible, I will need to see her in any case to reverse the syndrome." Spock nodded. "We should also inform the Intrepid that they have an intruder on board."

"Take care of Joanna first." Kirk ordered.

"Aye, Captain."

Leaving Michaels with a nurse the team returned to Joanna's side. McCoy became increasing nervous as Spock spent nearly twice as long with Joanna as he had with Michaels. When Spock opened his eyes again he looked troubled.

"Is she going to be okay?" McCoy asked.

"Yes, Doctor, she will recover."

"Thank you, Spock...I can never repay you." McCoy said meekly.

"You have saved my life many times in the past."

"It's not the same as having someone saving the life of your child. Joanna means everything to me."

"Understood." Spock nodded. "Captain, may I have a word with you in private?"

"Of course. Bones, can we use your office?"

"Sure."

McCoy didn't care that they other two were leaving. He hovered once again at his daughter's side, checking the readings and adjusting her care as needed. Kirk followed Spock into McCoy's office and closed the door behind them. Once again Spock went to the computer to check something. When he was done Spock paced for a moment in uncharacteristic anxiety.

"Spock, what's wrong?"

"It was Salen."

"Salen?"

"He attacked Michaels, most likely in a jealous rage over Joanna who he has taken as a mate."

"Whoa, wait a minute, what was Salen doing on board the Intrepid?"

"Captain, it would appear that Salen is involved in some form of black operations within Starfleet. He was aboard the Intrepid without Captain Yule's permission nor knowledge as part of a mission."

"Starfleet doesn't have black operations."

"That was my understanding as well. However, I checked to see where Salen is stationed, he was originally assigned to the Excelsior, but upon closer inspection there are several transfers that lead to him being stationed on a research station that I do not believe exists. Such subterfuge would not be needed if Salen had gone rouge."

"We need to find him."

"Captain..." Spock hesitated "...it is too late."

"Even if he is in black ops, someone knows where he is."

"From what Salen told Joanna he has been using mind melding as a way to extract information from Starfleet prisoners. With no formal training each time he went into someone's mind his condition would worsen. Considering how close to death Joanna and Michaels were there is no chance that Salen has sur..."

"Spock, no..."

"I may have saved Dr. McCoy's daughter, but I am afraid that Admiral Pike's son is dead."