A/N: Disclaimer is in the first chapter. English is not my native language, so you may find a couple of Greeklish mistakes.

.

An Intruder in the Garden between Vulcan and Earth

.

Part 3. Sarek

.

I am working in my office, when I hear the high-pitched screams. My first thought is of my adun'a. Mentally I reach out to her, but through our bond I find only tranquility. Amanda is still sleeping in our bedroom. She is to take daily naps, as per her doctor's orders. The journey is tiring, especially in her condition.

The screaming comes from the garden. Since Vulcans do not scream, it is logical to assume that whoever's screaming is Human.

On a daily basis, our embassy is visited by several groups, mostly schools and tourists that visit the cultural center and the garden. Everybody is strongly advised to touch nothing. Despite their beauty, some plants can cause skin irritation, others are poisonous. Garden guests follow a specific stone path and are always under supervision. The screams indicate that someone decided to ignore security regulations.

I walk out into the corridor only to meet Solev, the embassy's security supervisor.

"We have an intruder in the garden," he says.

"How did he enter?"

"Levitation boots. He entered from the north wall. We've been monitoring him for some time. His name is Poloud, a freelance photographer. He is probably after t'sai Amanda."

I am extremely irritated. First the flyer and then this... These activities need to stop. If Amanda finds out, she will be upset. Amanda must not be upset. It's not enough she subjects herself to haemodialysis every third day; we need to guard against uninvited strangers who are trying to approach her. I do not wish to calculate the possibility someone might mean any harm. I shall double my efforts to finish my work here so we'll return home as soon as possible. But this media frenzy needs to stop. The day before yesterday was the flyer, today this invasion, tomorrow who knows?

"Is he under arrest?"

"Νo, osu," Solev admits, a little reluctantly.

"Then why he's screaming?" I ask, but immediately realize the reason.

"Your sehlat smelled him and we decided not to intervene," Solev says trying to estimate my reaction.

"I see," I nod. Solev is right. I'Chaya will not harm him, but this unpleasant experience might discourage others. In fact, this gives me an idea.

"You have done well. Arrest him, but do not reveal we know his identity. Bring him to my office. I wish to speak with he who threatened my bondmate."

"As you wish, osu," Solev says and leaves.

After two point one minutes the screaming stops.

When Solev returns to my office, the sight is … odd. In his arms he is carrying a sobbing human.

They are followed by a certain middle-aged sehlat who has gained considerable weight since I got married because my adun'a lets him steal food from our kitchen and who now looks innocently first the ceiling, then the carpet and finally around the room. Everywhere but me.

I give the so-called innocent middle-aged sehlat an austere look of disapproval which he ignores completely. Probably because when I was a child, we used to engage in staring contests.

However I will be firm with I'Chaya. He knows he shouldn't interfere with the Embassy's security. He and I had discussed in great detail his behavior before leaving Vulcan. Certain promises were made. Especially that he would not create any problems.

Then I turn to Solev. The scene is undignified.

"What is this? Put him down."

"I can't ambassador. He agreed to get down from a palm tree if we promised we wouldn't let his feet touch the ground," Solev says looking embarrassed.

"Oh, sweet God, take this monster away," the human cries between sobs. "I'll become a good man, I'll feed the poor, please send him away, ple-e-e-ase!"

Both Solev and I stare at the human who is trembling like a leaf. His trousers are torn, his clothes are dirty and he's wearing only one shoe.

However by this time, Solev appears he's had enough.

"We are not in the garden any more, human," he says. He attempts to release him, but the man screams even louder and clings on to Solev, still refusing to touch to floor.

"No! No, please don't leave me. Oh, God please. Don't leave me with this beast!"

Solev stands uncertain of what to do. I glare at I'Chaya. I know humans fear ursus-size animals, but this is ridiculous. The human screams louder than Amanda and her mother when they first saw him. At least they have an excuse of being females.

I admit I didn't know that when human men scream, they sound like women. I'Chaya tries to appear indifferent, but I've known him all my life. He did this on purpose, and now he's quite pleased with himself.

And truth is ... I am pleased too. But I won't tell him. He knows this behavior is unacceptable. We have discussed this before coming to Earth. Now to calm down the human...

"Will you please release the security officer? I promise our sehlat will not attack you."

For the first time the human looks at me. Then terrified he looks at I'Chaya who sits quietly in his two back legs, looking as innocent as a cub. Well… a giant cub with six-inch fangs.

"You–you won't let it eat me?' he asks in a trembling voice.

Amanda would laugh. I am certain.

"Vulcans do not lie. I'Chaya is harmless to people who mean no harm," I add with meaning.

Still shaking, the photographer slowly stands on his own feet. Solev releases him, and then straightens his uniform, a little irritated.

Time for a small interrogation. Or as Amanda calls it, grilling.

"Mister ..."

"Name's Poloud. And I'm gonna sue you. And you!" He points a finger to Solev. "I'm gonna sue you all for assault! You filthy alien scams!"

I must admit the speed in which Solev turns from divine rescuer to despicable enemy is amusing. I decide to humor the situation.

"Poloud ... Poloud ... Solev, did we have such a name is today's guest list?

"No, ambassador. We did not."

"So, Mr. Poloud. It is safe to assume that you broke inside a private facility, attacked a pet–"

"A PET?!"

"–and now you threaten to press charges against us."

"A very good estimate of the situation, osu. He was also carrying an illegal cloaking mechanism," Solev says, giving me a pen-size object.

"Indeed." I observe casually the small item.

"You'll be sorry you ever messed with me. When I'll finish with you and your slut, you'll–" I give him a cold stare and he pauses mid-sentence.

That was the final straw, as Amanda says. He must have realized he crossed the line, yet even now he refuses to acknowledge his grave error.

Perhaps he needs assistance.

When he entered inside my office trembling from fear, I took pity on him. But that was before he offended my beloved, fragile and expecting bondmate. Yes, I will make an example out of him and others like him who might attempt to copy his actions.

This man planned to assault my bondmate. Did he think I'Chaya is scary? Fear. He hasn't seen fear yet. I'll show him the stuff nightmares are made of.

"May I inquire as to why you broke inside our embassy, Mr. Poloud?" I ask in a casual manner, returning the pen-size mechanism to Solev.

"I'm a photographer," he spats. "And I don't know what you're doing in your planet, but here the press is free."

"There is a distinct difference between freedom and impunity, Mr. Poloud."

"Oh, yea? Well to me they are one and the same. What you're gonna do? Sue me?"

"That is not our intention. However I must remind you that as long as you stand on Vulcan ground you are subject to Vulcan law."

He sneers. "You can't arrest me. And don't tell me we'll go out for a fistfight. You people are pacifists, right?"

"Considering the fact that you were after my bondmate – yes, we are aware of your intentions – I could regard you as a threat. I do not appreciate threats, Mr. Poloud. Not against my bondmate."

He laughs arrogantly, but I can tell he is nervous.

"So what? You're bad or something?"

"Or something." I give him an ice-cold look and after a few seconds he lowers his eyes.

"I am not bad, Mr. Poloud. However I can be inventive. And your challenge to a fistfight is tempting. Do not tempt me, human. Your bones are not that resilient."

He gulps and for the first time regards me with fear, not I'Chaya.

Some things are inherent; they can't be bought or put to sale. Decency, for example, or solidarity. But, like all things, we need to use them or else they rust. I believe Mr. Poloud hasn't heard the inner voice of his consciousness for some time now.

By all means, I am more than willing to assist him.

"Nevertheless, fistfights are not our standard policy. We shall verify your identity. After that, you'll be escorted outside the embassy," I say nonchalantly and nod to Solev.

"Escort Mr. Poloud to one of the meditation rooms until his identity is confirmed. Then he will be free to leave."

Solev takes Poloud to the door and hands him to one of his men. Once they leave, he returns back to me.

When the embassy was first built, we took into consideration how loud human cities are. The level of noise is acceptable except when someone wishes to engage in deep meditation. For that reason four meditation rooms were built inside the embassy. Their unique construction ensures that no noises from outside reach the inside and vice versa. The walls absorb 99.99 percent of all sound.

However, over time we made an impressive discovery. Humans can't stand sensory deprivation, not even when they sleep. An average Human sleeps in a room at 30 decibels. Inside our anechoic chambers they become restless, even disorientated. Some claimed they could even hear the sound of their own heartbeat. A few began hallucinating within 45 minutes of entering a chamber.

I believe some time inside one of these rooms will furbish Mr. Poloud's rusted solidarity.

I do not believe this will cause a diplomatic incident. Not serious anyway. Besides, it is not our fault that he, as a human, can not tolerate our hospitality. We all acted according to our nature, even I'Chaya.

I turn to Solev who awaits my instructions.

"Is Ambassador Tevarn still inside a meditation room?" I ask and Solev flushes.

"Yes, osu," he says and we speak no further of this subject. Nature has taken over; it is Tevarn's Time. He and his bondmate are inside a locked chamber for the past three days. That is why I was summoned urgently back to Earth. Tevarn was working on a treaty which can not delay.

"Do any of the meditation rooms have any problem with their lights?"

"I am not aware of that, osu. We can perform a sanity check. Close them for five to ten minutes and reopen them in a random order a few times. Just to make sure they are functioning properly."

"Excellent. I believe we can verify Mr. Poloud's identity within … an hour?"

"Very well, osu. I shall notify the Human authorities immediately after I call my bondmate, parents and grandparents to see after their welfare."

"That is acceptable. Please give them my regards."

"I will, osu," Solev nods and exits the room, leaving me alone with a certain sehlat.

I give a severe look at I'Chaya and prepare for a serious mental fight. He and I had discussed in great detail his behavior before leaving Vulcan. He knew better.

"Before leaving home you promised your behavior would be exemplary. Do you remember this?"

He does not answer to my question, so I continue.

"Would you consider this behavior as exemplary? What you did may cause a diplomatic incident."

Still, no reply.

"I am listening. Have you anything to say in your defense?"

Oddly enough, my friend remains silent. This … is unexpected. Apart from stubborn, I'Chaya is extremely vocal. He always speaks his mind. Why he remains silent? Could it be that he regrets this behavior?

"Why did you do it? You knew this situation was under control. Why did you interfere?"

No reply. That is most strange. I expected at least a few growls. Instead I get absolutely nothing.

With a sigh, I kneel down on the floor in front of him. Now we are on eye level. What shall I do with him? He is so stubborn, he reminds me of … me.

I know I'Chaya will never regard me as an adult. When I was an infant he assisted my mother changing my diapers.

I start scratching his neck and behind his ears. I know how much he likes it. He closes his eyes and enjoys the pampering.

"Listen… I know how fond you are of Amanda. Truth is … I am quite fond of her too. But she is my bondmate and my responsibility. And I have all this under control. Security in and around the embassy is of the highest level. Do you think I would let any of these people approach her?"

He gives me a suggestive look.

"The reason the flyer managed to approach us, was because Human, not Vulcan authorities monitor the area around the embassy. Although unexpected, it was landed within eighty seconds. And none of those images leaked. Besides, it's not your fault you were sleeping."

He looks at me, then looks down, then back at me. Still saying nothing.

"Your attempt to keep Amanda safe is honored, but the local fauna is off limits. You will not assault any other native. Yes?"

My friend's breathing is heavy, yet he keeps his mouth shut. Well, then. Since he doesn't disagree, I rise.

"I assume your silence is a sign of repentance. But know this. If you don't behave, you will never travel with us again. Do you understand?"

He nods once.

"Very well. You may go."

He lowers his head and turns to leave. As he walks out of the room, a feeling of regret washes over me. Why was he so silent? I hope I wasn't too hard on him.

.

To be continued…

.

Vulcan words (from the Vulcan Language Dictionary)

adun'a: wife

t'sai: Lady

A/N: The reason why I'Chaya said nothing will be revealed in the next chapter.

Anechoic chambers are usually used for audio research but I've read that NASA also owns one. The one located in Minnesota is Guinness-certified as the quietest place on Earth. There is a 30-minute mark but most people can't stay longer than 20 minutes. They emerge disoriented and unsettled. Add darkness and you have the stuff nightmares are made of.

Υour thoughts, comments and ideas are most welcome.