NX-01 Enterprise
Mu Cassiopeiae III
March 16, 2154

Trip quickly learned that all the aliens were female and called themselves Unar. The male of the species were dumb brutes without even the capacity for language. Nevertheless, the aliens didn't seem to mind speaking to a male human.

The humanoid remained silent and reserved throughout the proceedings. Trip learned they were sexless, reproducing asexually, born and bred to be food for the Unar.

After this interesting bit of information was shared, Trip wasted no time getting down to brass tacks. He wanted most of all to know how the Unar spoke English so fluently. From their proclivity to eating sentient species, Trip feared the worst.

"We learned it from my sex slave." Sephi said. "We also learned Vulcan, its native tongue."

"You have a Vulcan sex slave?" Trip asked, surprised.

"Yes. We do not normally take slaves, but this one was special. We ate the others."

Trip feared he knew the answer before he asked.

"And what was the name of their vessel?"

"The Vahklas. They were not as powerful as you."

"And the slave?"

"It calls itself Tolaris."

Trip was left reeling. He could only think of Kov. Poor, innocent Kov, probably eaten alive.

T'Pol spoke up. "Tolaris is alive?"

"Yes." Sephi answered. "Males normally die after breeding, but it does not. So I kept it for myself."

"And Tolaris is fine with that?" Trip asked.

"It complains often, but it doesn't matter. It is quite skilled."

"I see." Trip said. "And access to your fresh water sources? I assume we're cleared for that."

"If you wish. We have water in abundance."

"And Tolaris?" T'Pol asked. "I would like to speak to him in private."

"Concerning what?"

"A private matter."

"I am prepared to make that concession."

"Then I guess we're done talking." Trip said. "We'll set down immediately and begin extracting deuterium."

The Unar were being more than conciliatory, and that made Trip nervous.

Trip returned to the bridge while T'Pol waited in the conference room for Tolaris. Trip ordered Travis to begin the long descent into the atmosphere and coming to ground near a large river once the Vakili disengaged.

T'Pol didn't have long to wait. Two Unar escorted Tolaris into the conference room and left to stand outside.

T'Pol had a phase pistol, which Tolaris ignored.

"T'Pol," Tolaris said. "It is good to see you."

"Spare me." T'Pol said. "You did something to me and I want you to fix it."

.

"What do you mean?"

"I have Pa'nar Syndrome due to your assault. I want you to correct it."

"I see." Said Tolaris. "I wouldn't call it an assault. You panicked and broke the meld too violently.. That is why you have Pa'nar Syndrome."

"I won't debate who is to blame, I only want you to fix what you have done."

"That is easily done." Tolaris said. "But I want something in return."

"And what is that?"

"You must save me from these people. Especially Sephi. Are you aware of what she has done to me?"

"I am aware. And it is no less than you deserve."

"As you say. But you must save me. Do this and I will cure your Pa'nar Syndrome."

Vulicans did not routinely lie, but T'Pol was willing to go to any length to secure her cure.

"I will arrange for your release. But first you must cure me."

Tolaris didn't hesitate. He approached with one hand already prepared to meld.

T'Pol stuck her phase pistol directly into Tolaris' sternum.

"Force me again and I won't hesitate to kill you."

Tolaris paused, apparently taking the threat seriously.

He touched his fingers to the neural nodes on T'Pol's face. T'Pol tensed.

"You'll have to relax your controls." Tolaris admonished her.

T'Pol did her best to relax but it proved more difficult than she assumed it would be. In the end, she summoned her courage and relaxed, her finger still tense upon the trigger of her phase pistol.

"My thoughts to your thoughts." Tolaris intoned. "My mind to your mind. Our minds are merging. Our minds are one."

T'Pol was easily able to keep focus on her phase pistol. This melding did not have the eager force behind that she was expecting.

Tolaris finished quickly.

"It is done." He said, taking his hand away.

T'Pol lowered the phase pistol, walking to the door and cycling it.

"We are done here." She said to the two waiting Unar.

"You made me a promise." Tolaris objected.

"I promised you nothing." T'Pol said. "Enjoy servicing Sephi."

"No! You cannot lie! It's not logical!"

"You lied to me once. Now we are even."

Tolaris flew into a rage.

He slammed one of the Unar in the face, knocking them back to impact the wall with her head and gripping the other quickly around the throat.

The first Unar recovered swiftly, reaching to try and pull Tolaris away from the other. But Tolaris was too strong. He kept choking the second Unar.

T'Pol reached and pinched Tolaris at the neck. He dropped instantly, unconscious. The Unar recovered themselves and grabbed him by the arms, dragging him into a two-man carry.

"Take him away." T'Pol said, disdainfully.