Freeman stood next to the transporter chief as T'Pring materialized on the transporter pad.

T'Pring said, "Permission to come aboard, Captain."

"Permission granted, Colonel," Freeman said. "The situation may have become more urgent. One of our crew is…ill."

"A Vulcan?" T'Pring asked.

"Yes," Freeman said. "She's behaving unusually, and these bone blades have grown from her forearms-"

"This is exactly what I was concerned about, Captain. Sumevini is a radical ethnonationalist. Your officer is the latest victim of Sumevini's illegal experiments in genetic augmentation."

8

8

"The bone blades are vestigial," T'Ana said as she helped T'Lyn put on leather gauntlets that had holes for the bone blades as Mariner, Freeman, Ransom, Tendi and T'Pring watched. T'Lyn's blades and the skin around them had been cleaned of blood.

T'Ana went on, "They're evolutionary holdovers, like human tailbones. All Vulcans have them, but they're usually well under skin and muscle. But these have grown out and are fully actuated, just like in Vulcans' evolutionary ancestors."

Mariner said, "You know those gauntlets make the bone blades look totally fake."

T'Ana said, "There are signs the tendons connected to the bone blades have tendonitis. The gauntlets will help with the pain."

T'Ana finished putting on the gauntlets. T'Lyn adjusted the tightness of the straps. The bone blades twitched. T'Lyn said, "Moving them is less painful. I can manage the rest with my own mental disciplines. Thank you, Doctor."

Nurse Westlake came over with a PADD. "Doctor, I have the test results Colonel T'Pring asked for."

T'Ana accepted the PADD and read it. "Lieutenant, the test results are positive. You have been genetically augmented. He probably did it when he gave you that hypospray. I can reverse it, but right now, you're a walking crime scene."

Mariner said, "Wait, genetic augmentation and a recessive trait? That doesn't make any sense."

T'Pring said, "Sumevini is following a logic all his own."

Freeman tapped her combadge. "Freeman to Shaxs. Please locate our guest and escort him to the brig."

T'Lyn hopped off the biobed. "Captain. I want to participate in the questioning of Sumevini."

T'Pring said, "That would be unwise."

"Unwise, but necessary, Colonel. I have been violated. My honor will not let that stand." Back to Freeman: "Please, Captain."

"I don't know, Lieutenant. The whole ship is talking about…that incident. Can you keep it together?"

"It is…difficult, Captain, but I can retain control of my emotions."

Freeman looked at T'Lyn for a long moment. Then she turned to Mariner. "Stick to her like glue, Beckett."

"You got it, Mom."

Freeman said, "Lt. Tendi, return to your station. Jack, you have the con while we talk to our guest."

8

8

"Aw, man," Mariner complained as she, T'Lyn, Freeman, and T'Pring entered the brig. Shaxs and another guard were already present. "You had to put Sumes in my favorite cell? I can't be thrown in the brig again until after it's fumigated."

Freeman said, "Actually, Mr. Billups is replacing a plasma conduit that runs under the floor. It'll take a couple of weeks. But last time we were at Douglas Station, they put a new bunk in cell 5. I hear it's a new model that's comfier."

"Mom, would you believe me if I told you I would send Starfleet a review?"

"Mariner, would believe me if I told you they asked me to ask you for a review?"

Sumevini said, "Human levity in the face of tension. Another illogical trait."

T'Lyn said, "It serves its purpose. If they did what I thought was logical, they would be restraining you while I tested my bone blades on your throat."

"Yes, it looks like they would be most effective. I am pleased. My other subjects did not survive, and only third grew effective bone blades."

T'Lyn couldn't hide her shock. "You did this to…others?"

"My disciples. Volunteers all. Believers in my vision. They gave their lives so the Vulcan people can have a brighter future."

"And when you saw me, you didn't hesitate to take advantage me without my consent?" Anger cracked through her control. "What kind of monster are you, Sumevini? How could you do this to me?"

"I have blessed you with a great gift, T'Lyn. Surely you can feel the power coursing through you now, power that is the birthright of every Vulcan. As you are now, right now, you could take over this ship all by yourself. No one could stop you. Join me, T'Lyn. Together we will build a new future for our people."

T'Lyn seemed to waver. Then she stepped back, closer to Mariner. She said, "This ship rightfully belongs to Captain Carol Freeman, and I will pledge my honor and life to protect it from anyone who would take it from her. And I want no part of any future you envision for Vulcan."

Mariner smiled. "Our side one, dark side zero."

T'Pring said, "Your followers are dead, and your latest victim wants nothing to do with you. It is over, Sumevini. You will be returned to Vulcan and be tried for your crimes."

"I beg to differ, Colonel T'Pring. Computer. Enga's Redoubt."

The forcefield on the cell vanished, and a transporter effect shimmered around T'Lyn and Sumevini. Mariner charged and wrapped her arms around T'Lyn. She, T'Lyn, and Sumevini vanished. Every console in the room started to flicker.

Freeman went to the door and it didn't open. She tapped her combadge. "Freeman to Ransom. Jack! Bridge! Anybody!" No answer. "Dammit!"

T'Pring was at Freeman's elbow. "I grieve with thee, Captain."

"What?"

"Your daughter and Lt. T'Lyn are as good as-"

"I don't want to hear it! You Vulcans. You don't know Mariner. She's beaten up Klingons twice her size. I'll bet on her any day of the week. You want to help? Help me regain control of my ship."

"Of course."