Chapter 12

The amphitheater was split into two sections. They were separated by razor wire. There was a post on the left and a post on the right. In the center, there was a pedestal. M'Benga sighed as he saw Spock being led to the pedestal. He stepped up and looked forward. A human eunuch removed his sarong. The crowd cheered.

"Spock's Vulcan blood is rich," an Andorian called out. Others laughed at the comment. Spock was well endowed for a V'Tosh. M'Benga clenched his fist and hoped the three shots he gave Nyota would help. He gave her one antibiotic, anesthetic, and a sedative.

The crowd roared again as a young African male was brought to the theater. M'Benga presumed it was a relative of Nyota. He had heard that Spock had an African cook who lived with him. Kamu was placed by a slab on the left.

Spock stared at the young man. He tried to steel his face, but it the shock was apparent. Sarek had complicated matters to entertain his guests.

Next, the crowd grew quite as Nyota was led into the theater. She was not chained. She was forced to kneel by the slab. M'benga looked around. V'Tosh, Tellarites and other species spoke softly. She was comely and desirable. From what Joseph could determine, there were some members of the audience who wanted to bid for her after the ceremony, if she survived.

The crowd applauded as Sarek entered.

"Welcome, to the bonding ceremony of my son, Spock. Today, he will choose his mate," Sarek grinned at Spock.

Spock realized that Sarek was punishing him for because Spock turned away from T'Pring and did not produce an heir.

T'Vulk'ain had few social mores. The V'Tosh did pretty much whatever they wanted to whomever they desired. They were an intelligent species, but they lacked the discipline of the Surak descendants who escaped and founded the Remus Confederacy.

Spock had considered relocating to Remus if Sarek had denied his request to teach at Starfleet Academy. Spock had many distant relatives there. However, he felt a responsibility to resolve the issue on Earth first. Starfleet was no match for the "T'Vulk'ain Empire, but he knew there was hope.

Kamu looked at Spock with pleading eyes. There were few human males who survived the V'Tosh rituals. Human females were often physically damaged, but many lived through the ordeal. He hoped that Spock would save him.

Spock looked at Kamu and then at Nyota. Spock had known Kamu much longer. He had only saved Nyota as a favor to her brother, but there were many benefits to the alliance with the female. For one, she could produce heirs. Although Spock feared what Sarek would do with the offspring. He had Spared Spock's life, but would he do so for Spock's children with a human?

Spock looked at Nyota. She was kneeling on the ground. She looked up at him, but her face showed no emotion. Nyota was dressed in a sheer gown like the Vulcan priestesses wore of T'Vulk'ain. It was a sign that Sarek expected Spock to copulate with her.

"He will choose the cook," M'Benga heard a V'Tosh say. "Spock has no desire for females."

"How do you know this?" another replied.

"It is common knowledge that he is a sa-ka-ashausu." The first Vulcan said.

For the sake of Nyota, Joseph hoped that the rumor was wrong.

M'Benga turned his attention to the theater. Several V'Tosh entered with drums and bells. Next, a large door rose and a Vulcan entered. He was smaller than Spock. M'Benga was hopeful that Spock could defeat him and still save Nyota. When the two Nausicans followed, M'Benga palmed his face. They flanked the door and watched as Volaris stalked Kamu. Despite his heritage, Volaris was outmatched who had grown into a large man of 1.91 meters. He was even taller than Spock.

Sarek stood up and waved his hands. The Nausicans sprung into action. They cornered Kamu and dragged him to the slab. They then held him down while Volaris mounted Kamu. Then they backed away and took their stations by the door.

Nyota said nothing, but tears began to flow. Spock was humiliated as he could not hide his arousal. Nor could Kamu. He quickly flipped Volaris off his back. He stood over the Vulcan and spread his legs, mounting his prey.

Sarek leaned forward with his chin resting on his fist. Volaris wailed and moaned, but his arousal was apparent as well. Several V'Tosh had pulled the females between their legs for service as they watched.

When Kamu was done, he stood up in victory, but Sarek was not satisfied. He waved his hands and the Nausicans stalked Kamu again. Kamu looked to Spock, but his request was denied. He ran toward the razor wire. His flesh was ripped and blooded when he reached the pedestal where Spock stood.

"Save me," he cried.

Spock looked down at his friend.

"You may join our clan," Spock said. He looked up at Sarek.

Sarek grinned and nodded. Then he stood up and watched as the bloodied figure crawled over to his sister and stood up.

Nyota pushed up on her knees and took Kamu's lok in her hands. She stroked it until it hardened.

"Take her," Sarek said gleefully.

Kamu lifted his innocent sister onto the slab. He removed her gown. Spock clinched his fist. Several V'Tosh stomped their feet in anticipation.

"Spock is jealous of his mate." An Andorian said.

"Which one?" A Tellarite replied with a chuckle.

Kamu palmed his face and walked back toward the center of the theater.

"He wants more! Give him some, Spock!" the Andorian shouted.

The crowd grew silent. Then two guards appeared and dragged the Andorian out of the amphitheater.

Spock stepped down off the platform. His lok was flacid again. He looked at Nyota and then Kamu. Before he could act, Kamu grabbed the razor wire and cut both wrists vertically. Then he fell to the ground, bleeding out.

A guard was at M'Benga's side. He was led back to the surgical room he was in earlier.

Nyota climbed off the slab and stood there. Spock regarded the green scars from the carvings Sarek had ordered. She looked beautiful, but he felt no desire.

Sarek waved his hands and the Nausicans took Volaris away. He had shamed the Vulcans and he would soon join Sarek's stables. He had a special place for traitors.

The crowd roared as the main event began. Spock's opponent entered the theater. Spock was well aware that Stonn had interfered with T'Pring when his mate died.

Spock clenched his fist when he saw Stonn approach his fiancé. The crowd cheered, but a lesson was learned. No names were called, but the crowd favored Stonn. He was especially cruel to human females. It would be a fascinating show of brutality if Stonn vanquished Spock.