Sybok

by Saidicam2229

Why was Sybok really exiled from Vulcan?

"We are nearly there," Sybok exclaimed happily. "The Great Barrier, then on to Sha Ka Ree"

"You mean to our deaths," Kirk spat out. "You'll destroy this ship and everyone on her."

"I told you, Captain, Sha Ka Ree will protect us."

"Sybok," one of his followers called out from the science station. "A ship is approaching fast."

Spock and Jim exchanged looks. "Star Fleet?" Kirk asked quietly.

Spock shook his head. "Seems highly unlikely Star Fleet could have received news of Nimbus III and responded so quickly."

"Klingon then," Kirk said grimly. "Sybok," he stepped down by the captain's chair the Vulcan now occupied, "we are in danger. You have to raise the shields and leave this area at once."

Sybok shook his head. "We are too close."

Spock stepped down to stand by the other side of Sybok. "If that is a Bird of Prey it will destroy us."

Sybok looked at his brother. "How do we know what ship it is?"

Kirk stepped forward toward the helm and pressed some buttons until the main screen adjusted to show their pursuers. The bridge went quiet. "Is that a…Vulcan cruiser?" He didn't see the brothers exchange an uneasy look.

The whistle of an incoming hail broke the silence. Spock looked at Sybok then slid his hand over the control arm and answered the hail. The view on the screen dissolved from the ship to the Vulcan ambassador.

"Sarek?" Kirk exclaimed.

The elder Vulcan stared ahead, his gaze intense, his countenance steel, even for him. "Spock?"

"Yes, Father?"

"Are you…well?"

Spock tilted his head. Sarek does not engage in small talk. "Yes."

Sarek's eyes flickered to Jim. "And you, Kirk?"

Jim shrugged. "We are uninjured." He gestured helplessly toward Sybok and sighed.

Sarek trained his eyes on Sybok. "You will cease this action at once and turn yourself in."

"No," Sybok said lightly. "How are you here, Sarek? Which of your sons have you been tracking?"

"I have but one son," Sarek spat back.

"Ah, that's right." Sybok smiled ruefully. "I forgot. In that case, we are a little busy here."

"You will not release them," Sarek stated, although the question was implied.

"I am not inclined to at this time, no."

"And you intend to take a ship into the Great Barrier?"

Sybok laughed robustly. "Where do you get your intel?"

"Then you will add murder to your list of crimes?"

His smile ever present, Sybok shook his head. "I intend to kill no one." He waved a finger at Sarek. "Unless forced to."

A muscle flexed in Sarek's jaw. "Why did you steal this ship, Spock's ship?"

Sybok grinned broadly. "Now that was not intentional." He grabbed Spock's shoulder and shook it lightly. "That was Sha Ka Ree's will."

Sarek took a deep breath and released it. "You need a ship. Take this one. I will beam you over."

Sybok stood and moved closer to the screen. "No, I was brought to this ship for a reason."

"Fine, then keep it but beam the Federation crew to me and go wherever you wish."

Sybok looked away and seemed to consider it. "I…I would consider releasing most of the crew," he looked back at Sarek, "to my father." He shrugged raffishly.

Sarek compressed his lips. "Very well, if it pleases you to hear it…ALL of the crew…son."

"Aww," Sybok mockingly patted his side where his heart lay. "I cannot give up all of the crew."

"Why not?"

"I need some to run this ship," Sybok admitted. "My followers are devoted but have no knowledge of star ships." He sighed at Sarek. "What you really mean is you want Spock."

"Obviously."

"Spock will not leave this ship."

"No," Sarek agreed. "He would never leave his crew behind."

Sybok glanced at his brother appraisingly. "Perhaps, but I mean I need him by my side."

"For what purpose?"

"I do not know yet, but we were reunited for a reason."

Spock saw Sarek drum his fingers on the console, his eyes widening at the tell.

"Then no doubt my presence here is also Sha Ka Ree's will."

Sybok frowned. "How so?"

"To reunite you not only with a brother, but also a father."

"Sarek!" a male voice off camera called out in warning. Sarek silenced him with a glare.

"You wish to come here?" Sybok asked Sarek's nod he clapped his hands together. "Delightful!"

Spock stepped forward. "Sarek, it is not worth the risk."

"My risk is no greater than yours."

Sybok turned toward Spock, holding his arms out as though expecting a hug. "A family reunion!"

Once the transporter released him Sarek took stock of the men before him. Sybok, as always, was grinning almost manically. Spock, Kirk, and McCoy stood beside him clearly uneasy. There were two other humanoids present holding phaser rifles.

"Father!" Sybok moved forward and grabbed Sarek by the shoulders to hug him. Sarek stiffened uncomfortably.

"Allow me to notify my ship of my safe arrival so they may move away."

"Of course!" Sybok gestured to the control panel. Spock assisted Sarek in making the call.

"Now, come! We have so much catching up to do!" He led them to the forward Captain's conference room. "Spock, can one of those screens show us what they see on the bridge?"

"Yes." Spock turned on the main view screen to show as was asked.

"Splendid!" Sybok took a seat on one side of the table so he could also see the screen. He gestured to the other chairs. "Please, sit."

Kirk and McCoy took a seat several seats away from them. Spock pulled a chair out but hesitated upon seeing Sarek make no move to do so. He remained standing beside his father.

Sybok gestured to his followers. They stepped forward and raised their weapons. "I said sit!" Sybok ground out.

Sarek raised an eyebrow then took the seat directly across from Sybok. Spock took the seat beside him.

Sybok smiled. "Much better. There is no reason to be surly."

"Now what?" Sarek asked, placing his clasped hands on the table.

"I thought we could have a nice chat, catch up, then we'll cross the Great Barrier and find Sha Ka Ree."

"I am certain Spock has explained to you that nothing survives the Great Barrier. No ship has returned. No probe has sent back data."

Sybok waved away his worries. "We will be fine."

"Why do you think so?"

"Because Sha Ka Ree will protect us."

"Why us, when they have protected none who went before us?" Spock asked curiously.

Sybok sighed with frustration. "Because I am devoted to them, and they have told me."

Sarek raised an eyebrow. "They speak to you?"

"Yes!" Sybok hissed. "My mind is great, Sarek. Better than yours. And they communicate with me. Guide me to finding them."

Sarek sighed softly. "You have been in search of them since you were a child."

"Mother's katra told me to find them. It took longer than I expected. I had to grow stronger, more powerful. I had to find my true calling."

"Is that what all this," Sarek gestured to the ship, "has been about? All these years? Because you missed your mother?"

Sybok's face screwed up angrily, then he relaxed, his usual serene smile returning. "You know, I think when we meet Sha Ka Ree the first thing I will do is have them bring Mother back. Just to annoy you."

Sarek tossed his hands open in a shrug. "I would anticipate meeting T'Rea again to be pleasant. There was no animosity between us."

"No," Sybok agreed. "Because you cannot feel animosity for someone that never mattered to you."

"True," Sarek agreed. "My marriage to T'Rea was a typical Vulcan marriage for two people in our stations. We did our duty for our clans, as was expected of us."

"Me," Sybok surmised. "Born out of duty. In a loveless marriage."

Spock cleared his throat softly when Sarek said nothing. "That does not mean unwanted, Sybok. I never met your mother, but it is clear she wanted you. And we wanted you, when you came to live with us."

Sybok looked toward Spock, his face softening. "I know, Spock'am. I no longer hold that pain." He looked back at his father, his expression hardening. "For certain your second marriage was different. A human of your choosing, and yet you brought her to a sterile world where her every emotional instinct would be shunned. Her pain was great." He knew Spock's mother as a nerve for Sarek, and he longed to touch it. "How is Amanda?"

"Do not speak her name!" Sarek muttered darkly.

Sybok raised both eyebrows in surprise. He looked toward his brother. "How is your mother?"

Spock looked between Sarek and Sybok, confused by the hostility. "She…prospers."

"With him?"

Spock frowned. "Of course."

Sybok turned back to his father. "A pity. She deserved better." Sybok and Sarek became locked in a stare for several minutes. "There she is," Sybok murmured. Sarek gasped softly.

"What are you doing?" Spock asked, sensing Sarek's distress.

Sybok leaned closer to his father. "She is on the cruiser. I can reach her, even from here," he warned him. "Compel her to come to us."

"You will not touch her," Sarek vowed.

"And if I do?"

Sarek leaned closer to him. "Then I would be the one forced to kill."

Sybok smiled humorlessly. "Now that I believe." He sat back. "I am hungry. Anyone else hungry?" He stood up from his chair. "Keep them here," he addressed his followers. "I will be back."

As soon as he left them, Sarek turned to his son and raised his hand toward his face. Spock instinctively leaned away. "Your mind. I must have it."

"Why?" Spock frowned.

"I must know that your mind is yours."

"It is."

"I must know!" Sarek insisted. Spock hesitated, then bowed his head toward his father, allowing him to access his thoughts. After a brief moment Sarek sighed, pulling his mind back. "Your mind is yours."

"As I said." Spock watched his father, puzzled by the obvious relief he was showing.

"If he had control of you, you would have still said it."

"Control?" He frowned at Sarek's nod. "I have seen no evidence of mind control. He accesses memories, painful ones, but it seems to provide some measure of benefit."

"He is dangerous," Sarek insisted. "You do not know what he has done."

"No, Spock's right," McCoy piped in. "I feel…free of my pain. He cured it."

Sarek glanced at the doctor but made no comment.

"Then what has he done?" Kirk asked pointedly.

Sarek stared back at him. "Sybok is ill. His mother also claimed to hear the voices of gods. She had some delusion that Sybok was a gift from them and was predestined for some sort of greatness."

"The existence of Sha Ka Ree can be neither proven nor disproven," Spock pointed out.

"Perhaps, but Sybok is no heavenly gift."

"How can you know?" McCoy asked philosophically.

"I remember his conception; there was nothing transcendent about it."

Spock looked away uncomfortably and noted Jim's smirk.

"You must not give quarter to his delusions, Spock. If he detects any vulnerability in you, he will use it."

"I do not agree with that," Spock protested, meeting his father's gaze. "Sybok was only ever good to me. He would not harm anyone."

"Why do you think he was banished from our planet? How many others have ever been?"

Spock crossed his arms. "Because he was emotional. He rejected any logical philosophy."

"There are areas on Vulcan where the teachings of Surak and his disciples are not followed. Being emotional does not get one exiled. Your mother is proof of that."

"No, but he convinced others to believe as he did. He developed a following and was deemed dangerous."

"Dangerous," Sarek stressed.

"He was dangerous because he didn't just convince people," Kirk surmised. "Not by his words."

Sarek nodded solemnly.

The doors swished open and Sybok came in with a tray laden with covered dishes. He paused just inside the door and eyed the men. "Ah, ah, ah," he said whimsically. "What is it your mother would say, Brother? My ears are ringing." He chuckled as he set the tray on the table in reach of the others. Sybok dug into the food, silently watching the four men that simply stared back. "No one is going to eat?" They ignored him. He grinned at Spock. "It occurred to me, Brother, with me not being home as you grew that you had no one to offer…life advice."

Spock frowned. "Such as?"

Sybok grunted as he finished chewing a bite of fruit. "You know, with women."

Spock flushed before he quickly clamped it under control. "I do not need any-"

"It is all about lubrication, Spock'am. Always keep some handy."

Sarek crossed his arms. "You are attempting to embarrass him," he accused. "And…that is unnecessary, for those skilled in what they are doing," he said with a touch of smugness.

Sybok sighed. "Not every orifice is self-lubricating, Sarek."

"Oh geez," McCoy whispered.

Sybok grinned as disgust briefly flashed across his father's eyes. Even Kirk was covering his face.

"If you are going to be crass, this conversation is over," Sarek warned.

"My apologies then." He grabbed another piece of fruit and chewed it. "I am open to other topics of conversation."

"Spock was informing me of this…service…you perform for others." He saw Sybok look at Spock proudly. "Perhaps you would perform it for me."

Sybok swallowed then set down the food that he was holding. He watched Sarek warily. "No."

"I insist," Sarek demanded. "Show all of us…show Spock…my greatest pain."

Sybok shook his head. "You do not deserve it."

"Sybok, why would you deny Sarek this?" Spock asked. "If for no other reason than to prove to him you only wish to help."

Sybok merely shook his head.

"Tell him the real reason," Sarek goaded.

"Sarek?" Spock turned toward him.

"He already knows what my greatest pain is. He does not want you to see it."

"It was not…I did not mean to…"

Sarek stood up, towering over his son. "You will show him…or I will."

Sybok looked at Spock, his eyes wide with fear. "I was young, Spock'am. Inexperienced."

Spock stood up as well, his anxiety needing movement. He was vaguely aware of Jim standing beside him. "Do it. Do it or I will meld with Sarek and see it myself."

"Do not do that," Sybok implored. "Do not meld. You would feel it as well."

Spock clasped his hands behind his back. "Feel what?"

Sybok hesitated for some time. Finally, Sarek turned toward Spock, his hand raised. Spock readily stepped closer.

"No! I will do it!" Sybok stood, his hand outstretched in a halting motion. He walked around the table to stand in front of his father. They stared at each other for a long moment. "Why do you want this? It will hurt him."

"He deserves to know."

"If you wanted him to know you would not have blocked it from him."

"He was a child then," Sarek explained. "He is no longer. He deserves to know why our family was torn apart, and by whom."

Sybok looked pained. "You want him to hate me."

Sarek shook his head slightly. "He is Vulcan, he will not-."

"You hate me," Sybok insisted.

Sarek pressed his lips together. "No," he said hoarsely. "Despite it…despite all of it…you are my son, my first born. I cannot hate you, but I do not respect you. I will not tolerate you."

Sybok sighed, then nodded. He met Sarek's gaze and his mind reached out. Behind them, a vision appeared.

Amanda, young and beautiful, was standing in the courtyard of their home in Shikahr. A young Spock was with her, only six years old, and they were playing a game involving kicking a ball back and forth. Amanda laughed as she ran around her son, trying to outmaneuver him to steal the ball back, but Spock was quicker and was managing to thwart her efforts. They stopped as an adolescent Sybok joined them.

"Do you want to play?" Amanda invited.

Sybok shook his head. "I wish to show you something, Amanda," he announced.

Amanda crinkled her nose at Spock playfully. "What do you want to show me?" she asked Sybok and stepped closer to him.

"Something I just learned." He moved closer, eliminating virtually all the space between them. "I have to touch you." He raised his hand and reached toward her face.

Amanda pulled back. "What is it?"

"It will not hurt," he assured her. "It will make you happy."

"I'm already happy," she said.

Sybok shook his head. "You have pain. Everyone has pain, but I can feel yours so easily."

"What are you talking about?"

Sybok frowned slightly. "I cannot explain it. I can show you. Let me show you."

Amanda frowned and glanced at Spock who was watching them with interest. "Okay, Sybok. But be careful."

"Of course." Sybok moved closer to her again and pressed his fingers to the right side of her face. Amanda gasped as Sybok entered her mind. She gasped louder, her hands grabbing for his wrist. Sybok wrapped his arm around her and pulled her tight against him.

"Stop," she whispered.

"Just wait."

Amanda moaned in pain. "Stop!" She tried to struggle against him, but already he was much stronger than she.

"A little more," Sybok insisted, his eyes wild.

Spock gasped aloud, his face showing horror. He shook his head mutely. He could not see his father close his eyes. McCoy had stood up from the table and was slowly making his way toward Jim and Spock as he watched the events unfolding.

Amanda moaned again and dipped as her legs gave out, but Sybok held her in place.

Spock ran up and pushed him. "Stop, Sybok!"

Sybok used his leg to push Spock away. In the background they could hear running, and it was getting louder.

Sarek burst into the scene. "Kroy'kah!" Amanda screamed and Sarek fell to his knees groaning in agony. Spock was sobbing now.

Another Vulcan male ran in behind Sarek and ran to Sybok placing his hand against his face. Sybok cried out and broke away from Amanda. The man grabbed Sybok and performed a neck pinch and lowered him to the ground.

"Mother!" Spock cried out running to where Amanda now lay on the floor unmoving.

Sarek crawled over until he reached her and gathered her up in his arms. "Ashayam," he murmured against her hair, holding her tightly.

The other Vulcan moved out of the scene then returned. He gently moved Spock aside and crouched on the other side of Amanda. He reached out to check her pulse. "She lives," he assured Sarek.

"I cannot feel her, Soran," he whispered. "Her mind…there is nothing."

"I have called for the healer. For both of you. We should take her inside." He helped Sarek to stand with Amanda in his arms. As Sarek walked away he called out to him. "I called the V'Kor."

Sarek stopped and turned toward Soran. He blinked several times before he could focus on his friend. "He can be rehabilitated."

Soran's jaw clenched. "I do not believe he can."

"He is only fifteen."

Soran reached down where Spock was clinging to his leg, his face buried in Soran's robe. "Are you willing to risk it, Sarek? Risk Spock?"

"No," Sarek quickly insisted. "Never Spock." Sarek glanced down at his second born, then over to where Sybok remained unconscious on the ground. He looked at his unconscious bride in his arms, then looked back at Soran, his eyes resolute. "So be it," he murmured then headed inside with his wife.

Soran moved Spock away from Sybok then crouched in front of him. He used the edge of his robe to wipe the tears and snot from Spock's face. "Easy, Little One," he soothed. He placed his fingers to Spock's temple. "Forget," he whispered.

Immediately Spock's crying stopped. He frowned and looked around. "Where is Mother?"

"Your parents are unavailable for now," Soran said. "I will see to you."

"I am hungry," Spock whined.

Soran stood, his hand on Spock's head to steer him and keep him from turning around to see his brother. "Then we shall find you something to eat, Spock'am." They entered the house.

Spock dropped into his chair only vaguely aware of Jim's hand on his shoulder. "You hurt her," he said, his voice far away. "You…violated her."

"I did not mean to," Sybok insisted. "I was just a child myself."

"You broke our bond," Sarek intoned. "No child should be able to do that. You broke-" His voice cracked and he took a moment to regain his control. "You broke Amanda."

"I was not prepared for how fragile the human mind is. That she could not shield."

"She loved you," Spock accused. "She treated you as her own."

"And I her, Spock'am. You must believe me. I never wanted to hurt her. I tried to help her."

"It took over two years before she came back to me fully," Sarek said. "She suffered."

"I am sorry," Sybok whispered. He took a deep breath and stepped toward his father and brother. "I am stronger now though. I have so much experience. I can fix this. I can fix her."

"You will never breath the same air as she," Sarek vowed. "Not while I live."

"How many more were there, Sybok?" Kirk asked angrily. "How many others were your mistakes? Part of your learning curve."

Sybok strode over to stand before Kirk. "Do you think what I do is easy, Captain? They cannot do it. No other Vulcan has ever done it."

"Maybe because no other Vulcan would. Because it's abhorrent, what you're doing."

"No," Sybok insisted. "You have seen your crew. They are free of their pain."

"They are hypnotized," Kirk said. "Or brain washed. I don't know, but you have not done them any favors."

"Jim," McCoy objected.

The intercom beeped then Uhura's voice came through. "We have reached the Great Barrier, Sybok."

Sybok smiled. "It is time." He moved to the door and turned once it opened. "Spock?"

"I cannot go with you, Sybok."

"Why not?"

"You are my brother, but you do not know me. I am not the boy you left behind all those years ago. I know my place, and it is here."

Sybok sighed. "Unfortunate." He looked to McCoy.

"Uh…guess you'd better count me out too."

Sybok nodded then turned to leave.

"Sybok!" Kirk called out, stepping forward toward him. "You cannot do this."

"We can. My visions have shown me this."

"Visions." Since Sarek's talk Kirk had been seeing the Vulcan in a different light. "You are mad."

"Am I?" Sybok shrugged. "And if we succeed? Then will you believe me?" Kirk didn't answer, so Sybok left with his followers leaving them all alone.

Sarek sat in a chair, fatigued. He watched the wall view screen with the others, who were standing near it. They held their collective breaths as the ship entered the Great Barrier and, eventually, came through to the other side. They stared at the planet that appeared.

"Is it possible?" Kirk pondered.

"Fascinating," Spock murmured.

"Are we dreaming?" McCoy asked.

"If we are," Kirk answered, his gaze never leaving the screen, "then life is a dream." Kirk took a deep breath. "Come on. Let's get to the bridge." He paused at the door. "Ambassador?"

Sarek hesitated. "I will remain here, Kirk."

Jim looked from Sarek to Spock. "All right then." He moved through the door with Spock and McCoy in tow.

"Spock," Sarek called out. His son turned back to look at him. Sarek started to speak, then froze.

Spock nodded, understanding that which his father could never voice, then headed for the bridge.

Without some difficulty, Sarek had achieved a meditative state while he waited to learn the fates of his children. He heard the conference room door open and quickly looked up.

Kirk paused in the doorway, making eye contact, then moved toward the view screen to afford him some privacy. "Come on, Bones," he murmured as the doctor followed him in.

Sarek's breath caught until Spock stepped into the frame. He closed his eyes in relief.

Spock moved toward his father but stopped at the other side of the table. He clasped his hands behind his back. "I grieve with thee."

A muscle in Sarek's jaw flexed. He cleared his throat softly, then nodded. "And I with thee."

The End