"Scion," the ESH whisper in her ear so close it tickled her awake. She wriggled closer to listen. "There is something you should know. The parts for the holo-projector incorporate a transporter that can take you to a number of preset locations. When you go back to the monastery, make sure you bring your helmet."
"Transporter to where?"
"Somewhere safe. I am not told where."
Juliette untangled herself from him and rolled away. Secrets. Lies. There wasn't a day without them. At least now she felt well enough to get out of bed for breakfast, rather than slide over to cover the indentation left from the ESH when P'Nem brought morning tea and fruit. Somewhere safe was a place she needed her helmet. Shikahr City? That seemed to make sense. Wherever it was, Matron's plan was in motion.
She tapped along her forearm. The casing had shrunk to a snug carapace and beneath the blue transparency was something decidedly more...arm-like. Perhaps today, she wouldn't feel so drained and could focus on her lessons longer; she was tired of ruminating over the same information and wanted, no needed, more.
Box had served as her tutor in those times when Juliette could stay awake, with P'Nem as her meditative guide, who did not bring up the topic of the sehlat or weapons training again - even on the day of Juliette's return to the monastery and the near-constant supervision of T'Sana. The stern-faced Initiate escorted her to morning lessons and looked in on every session after. Juliette's only free time was the short period after evening meditation and night chimes, when T'Mar would sneak over, because, much to Juliette's jealousy and relief, while the Betazoid must be watched, the Vulcan was beyond reproach.
The parts were delayed, lost in transwarp shipping, and delayed again. Conveniently, their arrival seemed to coincide with Juliette's healing - more of Matron's planning, no doubt, as if sending thousands of kilos of equipment across the galaxy wasn't difficult enough.
She placed her forearms together. Now they looked more like a pair. When the casing had been cut away, her healed arm had been a thin, itchy twig. Now, full as its twin, only the nightmares remained - half-waking in a sweat and tangle of covers, terrified to behold her arm a bloody ruin of gore and bone remained. Those will pass, P'Nem had said. The ESH had said. Surot had said. Those will pass.
Her repaired nerves seemed extra sensitive as she ran her thumb over the badge that rested in her palm. A chip felt more as if the wing had been clipped away. In that, she could relate, even though the jagged sensation was nothing to the tightness she felt as she watched the console creep toward completion of its decryption routine.
T'Mar was anxious as well, fussing with her hair, which for novices and initiates alike had been a long-lasting novelty. There had been stares, of course, and not all uncomplimentary. T'Mar had pretended not to notice the attention but Juliette felt T'Mar's notice and the sliver of pride that followed. Pointing that out would have been rude. But of all the attention, Danek's was the most pronounced, and Juliette knew to leave them alone when they were together.
"We need to find a way to get Danek's help," T'Mar said as if Juliette's thoughts of him had brought him to her mind as well. "But bringing him to your room would be exceedingly improper. Maybe I can integrate his console with ours."
"If Pylkau catches us, Danek will be our only ally who can deny being involved, but if his console is integrated-"
"Yes, but his skills would be helpful."
"I'm sure they would be" Juliette said, and feigned all innocence beneath the flare of T'Mar embarrassment.
"Did you send the images from the summit back to Betazed?"
Juliette could only nod. Even in her sound-proofed cell, she didn't like talking about Box, or him, the tall, broad-shouldered Vulcan with white hair that escaped the edges of his hood. The images from the summit's sensors had been grainy, but T'Mar was certain he was the stranger who had told Surot before Juliette arrived. By now, those images were now on Betazed, where one could only guess at the favors Matron would call in to learn more about them. Was the network they were decrypting his?
The console went from red to green, another sign of success. Would the other nodes of the network see? T'Mar didn't think so, but this was all so old, and the console words had double meanings - nothing was certain. And the network - could be nothing. The Tal Shiar, at least from the few references she'd found in the memory stacks, hadn't even existed until long after the Time of Awakening. What would they want with an ancient network? Unless it wasn't so ancient.
T'Mar pressed a sequence on the console. "We are on the channel, but no one is saying anything. There is nothing to decrypt."
"Too bad they are not more talkative," Juliette said, prodding another sequence. "But we can record what comes to this badge, right? We cannot always be here to listen."
T'Mar reviewed Juliette's work. "That will have to be sufficient, we could adjust-oh, Danek has sent a message. A box arrived from Betazed earlier this morning and delivered to the projector room."
"The holo-projector parts! Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Probably because Pylkau wants to inspect the parts before you were-"
"Oh no, he doesn't," Juliette said as she dashed out the door.
#
"Novice Sri," T'Sana called out, "You shall slow down."
"I regret that the Initiate must move faster," Juliette called back as she raced down the hall to the lift.
The crate took up a third of the projection ring, was taller than Juliette and even longer than it was tall. Pylkau was at an end, prodding at a panel.
"Initiate Pylkau," Juliette tried to keep from sounding winded, "I was not aware you had received a package from the Alpha Quadrant."
Pylkau's expression flickered from surprise back to a Vulcan placidity. "Thankfully, this one does not sing. I believe it is the parts-"
Juliette stood on tiptoe to read the display on the side of the crate "Oh, it is not addressed to you, but to me. I will open it tomorrow and start work immediately." She hoped it sounded routine. If Pylkau inspected the parts and found the transporter components -
T'Sana darted into the projection room. "Novice Sri, it is after evening chimes, and you have no need to be out-"
"I will inspect this technology before it is used in the holo-projector," Pylkau said.
"My father sent schematics were weeks ago. Have you not completing your inspection of those?"
"I have, Novice Sri. And I will verify the veracity of those schematics. One cannot expect a relative newcomer to photonic technology to understand all its complexities."
Juliette swept herself between Pylkau and the crate. "I believe my father said instructions for diagnostics would be sent, and it is expected that I will follow them."
Pylkau flashed with annoyance. "Open the crate, Novice Sri."
"I will open it when we are ready to install the parts. T'Mar and Danek are assisting, and as Initiate T'Sana said, it is very late, but in the morning-"
"You seem to have forgotten your place, Novice," T'Sana said. "Now open the crate for Initiate Pylkau."
"No matter," Pylkau said. "I'm sure a plasma cutter from shop-"
"-And you will be responsible for any and all damage to the equipment inside," Juliette said, talking over Pylkau. The Initiates were momentarily surprised, just long enough for T'Mar to arrive. Juliette was relieved to see her stern frown - she didn't feel so outnumbered, but it was still two Initiates to two novices.
"Novice, you seem to be exceptionally skilled at trying the patience of others. I will inspect these parts."
"If you touch the crate or anything within, I will send it right back to Betazed."
Pylkau frowned. "Suit yourself, Novice Sri."
"When was the last time you received parts from ShiKahr, or new equipment from the Vulcan Science Academy?" Juliette asked.
Pylkau shook his head. "What has that got to do with-"
"Months," T'Mar said. "Presumably, there have been higher concerns than maintaining one Syrrannite monastery."
"And yet," Juliette said before Pylkau could respond, "you treat the generosity of House Sri with all the respect of a smuggling operation."
Tight-jawed. Suppressed anger. Pylkau stepped close. "You are gravely mistaken, Betazoid. You will step away from that case."
Betazoid, is it? His full attention was all she needed to reach. Pylkau sensed her presence too late, and even as he looked away, she maintained a hold. He tried to force her to break the connection. Juliette shouted through his resistance, her vision erupting with bright flashes.
Fine, let's inspect EVERYTHING. Your computer program caused the blackout. You spend more time exploring the station than maintaining it. I will make sure everyone KNOWS.
Pylkau seized Juliette by the shoulders.
"This is most unwise," T'Mar said, shaken by Pylkau's sudden grip on Juliette. "Let us wait until Master Surot-"
"There is no need," Master Surot said as he entered the chamber with Danek. Everyone was deferentially silent as he surveyed the room. Pylkau released Juliette.
"Initiate Pylkau."
Pylkau bowed. "Master Surot."
"Initiate Danek interrupted my evening meditation to let me know Betazed had delivered parts and supplies. He also indicated that perhaps my presence would be necessary to allay any concerns about property."
Pylkau's eyes were mottled pink. Juliette imagined her own were worse and kept her gaze downturned.
"Initiate Danek's concerns are unfounded," Pylkau said. "I have far more important matters to attend to - the air scrubbers on eleven need a diagnostic."
Danek hid his surprise well. He bowed to Master Surot. "My logic was in error. I regret disturbing your meditation."
"It is no matter," Surot said. "Initiate T'Sana, see Novice Sri back to her cell. She has been overextending herself, again."
#
Sleep seemed an excellent destination to ease her churning thoughts, the ache in her shoulders and the pounding at the back of her eyes. But the console had recorded a something - a message - from that secret channel, a rasping voice that scarcely sounded like a language and more of a gurgling stream. She could reach out to T'Mar and- No. her emotions were still too jagged from the contact with Pylkau. It was better to use her console and - write. Remain detached.
She kept her message to T'Mar terse and free of the excitement that made sleep impossible. A message has been recorded. Did T'Mar have to steady her own emotions? Constantly, but for her, it was as natural as breathing, crucial as a heartbeat. In that, Juliette envied her.
Acknowledged. I will get a language module from Danek tomorrow morning. He understands the power systems better than I. And with that, T'Mar would be asleep, while Juliette rolled the sounds that were not yet words over and over in her mind.
Was the comment about power systems a scheme to get Danek even more involved? If it was, it was a good one.
So it only made sense he would be presented in the holo-projection room the following morning attentive next to T'Mar while Juliette wished the massive gray and black case was truly a gift box as Pylkau feared - one that bellowed out off-key melodies until his ears exploded. The crate, however, remained silent, and there was nothing to be done about that.
The identification plate glowed as she pressed her palm on its smooth surface. A series of clicks and clacks crawled their way from the insides to the in the sides opened to even smaller cases, carefully labeled in block script with names like 'plasma coupling array' and 'holographic stabilization matrix'. Hundreds of parts. Days of work.
The final clack popped the screen partially away from the side of the box. Juliette pushed her fingers underneath and levered it the rest of the way. It was a PADD, heavier than most - most likely hardened against the electromagnetic ravages of the Sas-a-shar - like the holo-projector in her room.
Danek helped retrieve components from the crate. He pulled out a squat box. "This is a photon regulator."
"Perhaps we should open it, to make sure it is in order," Pylkau said. Juliette glared. He was still trying to pry.
"I'm not sure we should, Initiate Pylkau," Danek said, "It says here that opening the case could contaminate the regulator."
And expose the internal workings. Clever, Papa, Juliette thought with relief as she marveled at the PADD with its instantaneous response and screen clear enough to reach into, free of clouds and cracks. Papa's researchers had done well with the interconnects and the instructions for each step of the upgrade, even a partial AI troubleshooter. Of course, there were informative articles and little tests along the way. Even in a crisis, Papa couldn't help but teach. As she read, she felt T'Mar's attention first, then Danek's, the crate being all but forgotten for the PADD.
I have not seen one with an attached sensor - I have only seen that on tricorders, T'Mar thought.
My father uses one to scan rock formations. Are these common on Betazed? Danek asked.
Most people do not need anything this sophisticated. My Papa has one, but I don't think even his would work long in the desert. This is very specialized. It will take hours just to learn all its features. I will make sure you can use it.
It could even have a weapon. T'Mar said.
Pylkau glanced at the PADD. "Vulcan had such devices a decade ago. I found them entirely too bogged down with features to do anything well."
"And yet, the monastery suffers with a supply of substandard PADDs," T'Mar said.
"What you consider substandard, Initiate, one should consider sufficient. Aside from a few blemishes, our PADDs are perfectly functional, and meet the needs of the novice while that over-engineered monstrosity will break down in a week. At least then, you will no longer be needlessly distracted."
One hopes it has a weapon, T'Mar said.
Juliette pursed her lips to hide her smile. Perhaps she should ask Papa for more, if only to annoy Pylkau. It seemed so strange for the monastery to eschew modern equipment. Or was the Vulcan government unable to provide? That seemed unlikely, and confusing.
She established T'Mar and Danek as allowed users of the PADD and let them use the scanner to capture their biometrics, and suggested sharing it. T'Mar and Danek worked the schedule between them with a specificity that was more suited to the markets of Ferenginar as opposed to a monastery on Vulcan.
Yes, definitely ask for more.
While T'Mar studied the PADD, Juliette reached out to Danek.
Can you install the language translator in the operations center tonight? You could install it in the operations center that T'Mar uses on level five.
I can, Danek thought back, but I will have to hurry. I have to get up early to gather zattre tomorrow. There is an electrical storm forming, and we want to make sure we have enough in case it turns into an extended storm.
Oh, can I-?
No, they will not let you come. I will be going with Syvok.
Oh.
I will leave an extra zattre'kack out, if you wish.
We are compassionate, even to those who are not to us. She had searched the memory stacks on sehlat. There was little known on the feral ones, with so many questions unanswered.
Like if they played with their prey before killing them. Or if they let some prey live.
Juliette? Danek's thoughts intruded on her own.
Yes? Oh. Yes. Please do. But please, be careful.
I have every intention of doing so. T'Mar told me Pylkau grabbed you as you kept him from inspecting the parts.
Juliette felt a tight line of concern in Danek's question. In all fairness, I force contacted him.
That does explain his eyes and your own. You should be more careful.
It was necessary, though it provoked his reaction. As you know, it can be painful, especially when one fights it.
Perhaps. It was still disconcerting. I regret I did not arrive sooner.
There was a hint of something in his tone that made Juliette glad he had not.
You arrived at exactly the right time. I am very grateful.
That evening, T'Mar sat with Juliette in her cell as they tested the translation module.
"I hope this works," Juliette said, going over the schematic of the badge - again. There had been no improvement. Those systems that were damaged seemed outside its ability to self-repair.
"I have loaded the translator with every known dialect," T'Mar said. " If they speak Romulan, then the module should be able to translate."
"Maybe we'd be better off if they weren't speaking Romulan."
"That does open the possibility to more positive outcomes."
A soft beep emerged from the console.
"Danek?" T'Mar asked into the microphone. There was a moment of static over the connection to the fifth level operations center.
"It is. I think the translator is in place. I hid it within the console so no one should suspect it is there." Danek sounded like he was whispering.
They ran the recorded message, the voices rasped, and text appeared on the screen.
B dash seven dash one, one, four clear.
B dash eight dash two, two, nine clear.
B dash eight dash three, seven, two clear.
Acknowledged. Proceed.
"Was that code?" Juliette asked.
"It could be sections of the monastery. I can check the maps," T'Mar said.
Juliette studied the graphs. "That last bit didn't come from the monastery."
"It did not appear to," T'Mar said. "which means there are not only Romulans in the monastery, but there are those outside as well. And whoever is on the outside seems to give orders."
"We should tell someone."
"Juliette, all we have are messages that may or may not be real. Once I overheard messages that indicated the monastery would be attacked. I almost told Pylkau, but when I ran a diagnostic, I found a faulty console, replaying centuries-old logs."
"This hardly seems the same," Juliette said. "But if we are wrong, and you have to explain how you've gotten all this access to the fortress, and there's nothing, you'd be in worse trouble than I am."
"Not even achieving Kolinahr would be enough to convince Master Surot to grant me access again."
Juliette couldn't help but smile. To achieve Kolinahr is the pinnacle of Vulcan logic. The idea that T'Mar could active that level of Vulcan perfect and still be grounded was at the very least, illogical. But still, she seemed to genuinely enjoy - no, take great satisfaction in searching the archives and ancient memory stacks. Risking that because Juliette felt uneasy was selfish.
They could wait.
Juliette anticipated when the next message would come from the time of the message from the night before. But even though she expected them, the rasping voices shattering the perfect silence of her cell started her anyway.
This message was longer, and she listened to the tangle and flow of words to stop before switching to the translation module. The words repeated themselves as the translation was displayed on the screen. She read the words carefully, and read them again to be sure, her heart pounding.
Juliette didn't care if T'Mar was awake when she whispered into the console, "They have communicated again. I am sending what they have said." Her eyes re-read the last lines, even as she sent the translation.
We are running out of time. We must explore other options.
"What do you think they mean by 'other options?'" T'Mar asked.
"I wish I knew," Juliette said, "I don't like how it sounds."
"I concur," T'Mar's voice whispered from the console. "But at least I think I have worked out their coordinate system. I think they are searching sections of the monastery in a pattern. That means I-"
"Can figure out what is their next area to search?"
"We will need more data sets, but unless their other options change their pattern, I believe so."