Chapter Thirty-three
The Desert Saga
There was so much that Spock wanted to convey to his father. He was especially concerned at Sarak's response to Sy'bok's actions, since they had brought reproach on the family and the house of Surak. He was fully aware of how deeply the protective instinct was embedded into the Vulcan psyche…protections of aduna, children, traditions, and family honor, Besides the combat involved during Pon Faar, the most fierce protectiveness would be for bondmate and family honor. No doubt his father's mental calm and even possibly his clarity might be affected by this blotch on his family caused by this delinquent son.
Meanwhile, Te'nek had made his way down to the engine room, accompanied by his father-in-law. He would instruct him to serve as eyes and ears for him as he attempted a connection. He was certain that if he made contact with Star Fleet, a patch through could be made to the Vulcan Embassy. Sending out a wide array for pick up by either ship, satellite or planet, he sent it as a distress signal that contained the ship's coordinates. Any response would only be heard on his dedicated channel and he waited. The voice response was,
"This is United Federation Star Fleet vessel, The Apollo, how can we be of service GMT0267?"
Te'nek's Standard was not up to par so he turned on the automatic translator and said,
"This is a Vulcan merchant ship and we have an urgent need to speak to Osu Sarak at the Vulcan Embassy on Terra in the city of San Francisco."
"Patching you through."
A male voice answered in Vulcan and questioned the nature of the contact.
Tenek simply said,
"This is healer Lo'vaak's kinsman, it is most urgent that I speak to him or to Osu Sarek."
There was a click and then,
"Sarek here."
'This is Te'nek, Healer Lo'vaak's sister's bondmate, I am able to report that presently I am below in the engine room after a ruse that allowed me to be sent here to work on a non-existent problem with the ship. This Sybok remains in control by force and intimidation. I am going to attempt to free the other Vulcans and perhaps sheer numbers against him might convince this Sybok to release the ship to our control. He is constantly on the bridge, has not slept and is a threat to the well-being of my wife and unborn son.
Spock's voice interupted,
"This is Ambassador Sarek's son, Commander Spock of StarFleet. I am now tied into the captain of a Federation vessel that is quite near to you."
Addressing that ship's captain Spock verified that his instructions were clear. He said,
"Captain, establish the male's signature at these coordinates"
The captain responded,
"Aye commander, they have been secured and locked."
Spock continued with his instructions to Te'nek,
"If you return to the bridge you must place yourself to his left. So that the ship's transporter beam can lock on to his signature. If you encounter him in another area convey his distance and direction from you so that his male's signature can be encorded, and locked-on for beam out. Please advise your bondmate of this planned action so she can distance herself a bit away from him. I do not forsee a problem because the transporter beam will seek out a male Vulcan presence."
What Spock did not know was that already Sarek was planning a 'welcome' for his son that was completely out of character for him, but totally what Sybok deserved for marring the name of Surak.
Spock spoke again to the captain of the Federation vessel,
"Please have armed guards in your transporter room and advise them that the individual coming aboard should be placed in isolation. Do not allow his appearance to deceive you, he is a gifted telepath. All need to avoid, at all cost, even the slightest touch of his hands."
"Understood, Commander," was the captain's reply.
Now came the hard part, the wait.
Spock advised his father that commandeering a vessel for criminal use was a Federation offense and carried with it imprisonment. Sarek's eyes were steel and his voice was exceedingly flat and cold when he spoke,
"The Federation may have him after I address him. He will first receive my counsel and discipline."
Sarek requested that Star Fleet grant him the right to 'first interrogation'. He will have to be brought to the Embassy, not for asylum, but for his father's observation. For indeed Sybok had violated certain Vulcan principles of which the Federation was not aware .
Te'nek soiled his hands and clothing to give the appearance of having engaged in repair work, pocketed the still live com unit and left the engine room. He listened for sounds that could give him a clue of the location of his Vulcan brothers' imprisonment. It did not take him long to locate their location, free them and then he turned to lead them to the bridge when he encountered Sybok, phaser in hand pushing Ta'Na in front of him.
Tilting his head his reprimand was,
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, deception is not permitted."
Te'nek shouted,
"Three meters to my left next to a female Vulcan signature."
With that the distinctive whirl of a transporter beam was heard and Sybok disappeared before their eyes, not included in his beam-out was his phaser which fell to the floor. Ta'Na collapsed and Te'nek caught her limp body. His final words in regard to Sybok were, 'So much for his supposed genius.'
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As the promised courtesy, Sybok was transported to the Embassy to be 'interviewed' by was seated in the physical fitness area housed by the Embassy. He instructed the guards,
"Please leave 'he who was my son,' who is now vrekasht (outcast) with me but remain close athand on the other side of the door."
Holding up his managled hands Sybok said,
"Father, you must have become aware of my very 'well thought out' visit plans. They included my
honored brother also."
Sarek voice was even, his words spaced out and methodical,
"Sybok, son of my deceased Vulcan bondmate in what way have I betrayed you?"
Raising his eyebrow he said,
"As if you do not know. It was you who allowed the right of first born to pass to Spock, he who is not a true Vulcan, instead of to me."
His father's answer was simple,
"The decision regarding the rites of thol'es (nobility) was determined by T'Pau, our pid-kom (female ruler of family or clan) and it must be passed on to one who has embraced The Vulcan Way, which by your own choice you abandoned to become V'tosh'ka'tor. Your choice was made more obvious when you left the planet with a group avowed as 'Vulcans without logic.' Iin your youth, all my efforts to influence you in a positive way were blocked first by your mother, then by your grandmother. With your mother's death your grandmother took you off planet to an unknown destination. Your formative years did not forster in you the basics of The Vulcan Way, which included, respect for The Six Sacreds: The House, The Clan, The Family, The marital bond, authority, and life, even of the unborn."
Syboks rebuttal was,
"Those are the ways of the ancients, of a time of spears, bows and arrows and lance. No such thoughts can be used to excuse yourself, Sarek of the House of Surak. For a person who utters untruth, even words can be used as a weapon."
His father's response was,
"T'Pau saw there was no deceit. I stand clear of any accusation."
Sybok virually invaded Sarek's space, his lips curled as he said,
"And my most dedicated brother, the shining example of The Vulcan Way, as a matter of fact, according to you, its champion, has sullied his sheets with a Terran whore…"
That proverbial expression, 'straw that broke the camel's back,' comes to mind. The internalized rage, unaddressed sorrow at the loss of His Amanda, his planet and the majority of his people, added to that, the shame engendered by this shameful offspring made itself known by the brutal power in that one release—Sybok lay unconscious on the floor. Sarek summoned Spock who observed Sybok's prone body.
There would be no more smirks, unwelcome eye contact, invasion of personal space or challenges and as per Spock'sinstructions, just a swift removal of Sybok's limp body.
Sarek's parting words to the male who once was his son were,
"Some lessons take longer than others to learn, you were never instructed properly, perhaps your time under Terran discipline will educate you, but if not, because of your eidetic memory, you will remember this, our final time together."
Sarek gathered his robes and gracefully left the room as the shackled Vulcan male was escorted by Federation guards, out of the room, out of the Embassy and out of all that is Vulcan.