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Title: Safari  Part 1 "May I have a word, Captain?" "Certainly, Uhura." "Would you mind coming to my quarters? And Mr. Spock too." "Erm.. Okay. Spock?" "Of course." As they left the rec. room, both men wondered what Uhura could possibly want. Neither of them had ever been invited 'home' by her before. Soon they were seated and offered refreshment. "Now then gentlemen, what do you know about Ra'as Shoula?" "It's a class M planet discovered by the Andorians ninety point three standard years ago…" As Spock droned on Uhura threw a helpless look at Jim. He shrugged as if to say, "you asked for it," before breaking in. "Spock, I think that was a rhetorical question." "Not entirely Captain. As Mr. Spock has just said, despite abundant plant life there were no living creatures, other than insects, so the Andorians decided to colonise it with various animals from their home world. Like Earth, they have no really wild areas any more, only game parks. On Ra'as Shoula the animals are free to roam as they should. Some thirty years ago they opened up the Eastern continent to be used in the same way for Terran creatures. Once the ecology was stable they were left to their own devices with the exception of a survey every five years. My father is leading this year's expedition. Something is going seriously wrong." "In what way, Lieutenant?" Spock asked. "Animals, and plants, turning up in the wrong places. Not just the wrong habitats, the wrong continents. There have been instances of anomalous behaviour..." She hesitated. "Among other things the camp has been attacked twice. Animals as diverse as lions and antelope have been – working - together." "What? You're not serious?" Jim exclaimed. Even Spock looked startled. "I wish I wasn't, Captain. The Federation Council is sufficiently worried by the situation to give my father carte blanche to call on anybody he chooses to investigate. He's asked me to go. They don't actually have a specialist comm. jockey, and I spent a lot of time with him in the bush when I was young so I know a fair bit about animal behaviour, I can do double duty if needed. I suggested that Mr. Spock would be a good choice. I know you're not an expert on wild life, but you're a damn good researcher, and you're desert born. That's where most of it is happening. Dad said he would love to have someone of your reputation, but he won't just drag you away. Both you and Captain Kirk have to agree." "Do you have more detailed information?" Uhura indicated a data wafer already in her computer. Spock immediately began reading. "Your father's a vet, isn't he?" Jim asked. "Originally, but nowadays he usually works for the colonization board. When a planet is under consideration he studies the native ecology and tries to minimise the impact of Terran imports." "It sounds fascinating." "It is." Spock looked up. "Captain, with your permission, I would like to accompany Lieutenant Uhura. It is imperative that we find out if the situation is being artificially induced, and if so, how and why. If it is a natural phenomenon the implications are tremendous." "I'd have said terrifying," Uhura murmured. "Indeed." "Why? I don't understand." "Ra'as Shoula is no different from a hundred other planets," Spock said. "If this is a natural occurrence, then the same thing could happen on any of them. If it started on an agricultural colony, one where they bred sheep or cattle, not only would it be dangerous for the farmers, depending on the severity and spread it could lead to widespread famine. Virtually every sentient species keeps pets…" He trailed off. Jim couldn't remember when he had seen Spock so perturbed. Jim swallowed. "You need to get there as soon as possible. I'll clear it with Fleet." "Thank you, Captain." "Thank you Sir. I'll just call Dad and let him know." "Do it from the bridge. I'm sure Spock would like to talk to him. I know I would." A few minutes later the screen revealed a worried looking man. "Dad! What's happened?" "Nyo! It's good to see you. We've just discovered the lab's been wrecked. Fortunately all the data are in a secure area." "Excuse me sir, but how did they get in?" "You must be Captain Kirk. Something burrowed under the fence. It's something we should have considered…" "No doubt you've had a lot on you mind. I understand you want to poach my first officer?" "I wouldn't have put it quite like that, but – yes." "Very well. May I introduce you to Mr. Spock?" "I am honoured to meet you Doctor." "Please, call me Idris. I can't tell you how glad I am to get someone of your reputation. Nyo tells me you're like a dog with a…" Jim saw Uhura wince. "Extremely tenacious when you have a mystery to solve." Spock looked completely nonplussed. "How soon can you both get here? I assume you are letting my little girl come?" Jim hid a grin at the look Uhura shot her father. Little girl? Ouch! "If the Captain is agreeable we can leave within the hour and be with you in three point two standard days." "You'll want the Newton?" Spock nodded. "Fine. If you give us details, we'll see what we can do to replace any damaged equipment." "Why thank you. Actually it's not too bad. Mess rather than damage. It was a bit of a shock though. Nyo, Mr. Spock, there's no need for you to bring anything other than personal gear. We can provide everything else you might need. We've even got Vulcan soft suits. They're very practical for the conditions here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really must be getting back to my 'housework'. Goodbye Captain, Mr, Spock. We can talk properly when you get here. Bye for now sweetheart." "Bye Dad." Uhura turned towards the lift. "I am slightly puzzled, Captain. I did not understand the phrase Idris used. Like a dog with a..." "Oh, I think I'll let Lieutenant Uhura explain that one, Spock. Lieutenant?" Uhura froze, one foot inside the lift. She turned slowly. "Like a dog with a bone, Mr. Spock. It means that once you sink your teeth into something, you don't let go." He cocked his eyebrow at her. "Indeed? I fail to see why I would wish to sink my teeth into something." They entered the lift together. If it had been anybody else speaking, Jim would have been sure that Uhura was being teased. The base was a permanent structure of several low buildings surrounded by a wire fence. Idris was waiting for them when they landed. Uhura ran down the steps and gave him a hug. "Dad! Oh, it's good to see you again." "Hello, sweetheart. I've missed you. You do realise that I engineered this whole thing just to get you here, don't you?" "It wouldn't surprise me. Anyway, this is Commander Spock. Mr. Spock, my father." Spook gave him the Ta'al. "We come to serve." He was somewhat surprised when Idris returned the salute, and spoke in Vulcan. "You honour us with your service," He carried on in Standard. "I'm afraid that's it. We don't stand much on ceremony here. Now, let's get you settled in. I don't know if Nyo's told you, but I prefer to keep established teams together, so you'll be working mostly with her. I hope you don't mind but the accommodation's a bit cramped. We're rather crowded at the moment. Your quarters are the last building on the right. That's the mess, the labs are over there. I'm sure you're both tired so we'll see you for dinner at 19.30. Oh, before I forget, you won't be able to use personal communicators, I'm afraid. There are large ammasite deposits all over the planet and they're just not strong enough to punch through the interference." "I wouldn't call this cramped," Uhura said as they entered their bungalow. "From the way Dad was talking I was expecting to have to share a bed. Common room, bathroom, even a cooking area. I wish I'd had this sort of space at the Academy." Spock didn't answer. "He treats everyone the same." She didn't know why she had said that. "I doubt that," Spock replied, indicating a large bowl of Valtora lilies on the table. "I assume these are for you." Uhura chuckled. "I expect so. They're my favourites. Which room would you like?" "I have no preference." "In that case I'll take this one. I like to see a view whenever I get the chance. Damn." "What is wrong?" "My father knows me entirely too well." Uhura emerged from her room with a soft suit in her hands. "My size." "He is merely showing you that he cares." Spock looked into his room and found another suit with a note. 'Nyo told me your size. I hope it fits. Idris.' It did. Perfectly. Spock wondered if Uhura knew him entirely too well.
The next morning they headed out to the area that seemed to be the epicentre. They took the shuttle. Being a long range craft it avoided the need for camping gear, leaving plenty of room for their equipment. Nothing happened until the fifth day. They were watching a pair of large animals. They were not behaving in an unusual manner, but as Uhura said, you didn't expect to find giant pandas on the savannah. "Look at that." "What is it, Lieutenant?" "Well, I don't know too much about pandas but I'm pretty sure that they don't just stand around like that." Just then a familiar hum filled the air. Spock brought up his tricorder. They watched as the animals dissolved in what was, unmistakeably, a transporter beam. "So, now we know," Uhura murmured. "It's artificial. Did you get anything?" "Only that it is close. I cannot get accurate readings because of the ammasite." "That's probably why they chose this area. Natural shielding. Now all we have to do is find out who's doing this. And how. And why." "Indeed. We should return to the shuttle and report this." They started to walk back. "The base has got stronger sensors. Maybe they'll be able to trace the signal now we know the general area to look in. I'll contact the Enterprise as well. The Captain's got orders to come running if we call." "He is in charge of a warp capable starship. I fail to see that running would be an efficient method of travel." Uhura chuckled. "You know very well what I mea… Smoke!" They began to run. They had only gone a few meters when they saw the flash. The ground shook as the blast hit them. By the time they reached the shuttle it was a burnt out hulk, already cooling. "Be careful, Lieutenant." "I will. I just want to see if any of the comm. gear is salvageable. Oh no." "What is it?" "I think it was a monkey. They must have used it to start the fire and then just abandoned it. The poor little thing, it must have been so scared." Spock looked down at the charred corpse. Uhura sniffed. Spock realised that she was crying. "I do not understand. You were not upset when we saw that antelope killed yesterday." "I know, but that's just life. It's natural. This poor creature had been captured, obviously taken to a lab somewhere, subjected to who knows what, and then somehow was forced into this. Wild animals are terrified of fire." "Lieutenant, please stop crying. It is important." Uhura looked up and gasped. A pack of hyenas and a couple of leopards formed a semi-circle which was slowly closing. She stood slowly. "The cliff behind us has a shelf two point three meters up. You know more about these creatures than I do. What do you estimate are our chances of reaching it?" "Rather better than if we stay here." "Agreed. Ready? Run!" They turned and sprinted for the cliff. Spock kept pace with Uhura, then streaked ahead, turned, and braced himself. She put her foot into his cupped hands and was boosted up to the shelf. With a heave and a scramble she was on. She turned to see Spock walking away from the cliff. He kept his eyes on the biggest hyena until he had a good run up, then spun round and headed back. He had only gone a few meters when one of the leopards pounced. There was a brief struggle, and then he was up and running again, leaving the unconscious animal on the ground. Somehow he managed to get up despite a bite wound to his shoulder and deep scratches across his chest, belly and back. Spock's outer robe and shirt were shredded. "Here, let me help with that." Uhura helped him take them off and then started tearing the shirt into strips. While she was doing this, Spock started to dig up a plant which had attracted his attention. Suddenly she saw movement below. A couple of baboons were climbing a tree. One of them appeared to be carrying something. She barely registered what it was when the monkey threw it at Spock. Uhura flung her arm across. She cried out as she felt fangs sink into her arm. There was a flicker of movement, and the snake's body lay twitching at her feet. Spock eased her to the ground, tied his belt tightly around her arm, and used his knife to prize the snake's jaws apart. The head joined the rest of it in the dust. "That's an Andorian feathered viper," she whispered. "I know. I am going to try to suck out some of the venom. I regret I have nothing with which to sterilize the blade." Uhura managed a shaky laugh. "Somehow I think an infection is the least of my worries." "Perhaps. Please close your eyes." Instead she watched the bottom of the cliff in case of another attack. Spock sliced into her arm and started to suck out the poison, taking tri-corder readings as he did so. "That should be sufficient," he said at last, "although I cannot be sure. One of the sensors has been damaged. Apply pressure to the wound." Uhura watched as he dug up the rest of the plant. He started crushing the root with his knife, and then started to chew it, spitting out the juice. He then spread the resultant pulp on the cut and bandaged her arm with strips of his shirt. "This is an Andorian plant. When the juice is mixed with the enzymes in saliva it forms a mild antiseptic," he explained. "Is there any more? Your shoulder needs attending to." "Thank you. Try not to swallow any of the juice. It has some unusual properties." "Such as…?" "It can lower certain inhibitions. It also causes mild hallucinations. They are however unusual in that they tend to be a distortion of the current reality." "Distorted in what way?" "For example, at the moment I am seeing you but dressed as Cleopatra. So beautiful," Spock sighed. Uhura gulped in surprise. "Oops." "Forgive me," Spock said. He shook his head slightly. "I did not realise that I had swallowed any." "Perhaps you didn't. Your mouth's bleeding. Wow. It acts fast, doesn't it?" She giggled. "You look good in a loincloth." He raised his eyebrow. "Tarzan. What will happen if the animals come after us again?" "We should see them, but possibly odd colours, or a lion might appear to be a rabbit. It is impossible to say." Uhura giggled again. "Imagine being mauled to death by a giant pink bunny. Oooh, this is weird. How long do the effects last? "The hallucinations only last a few minutes. Then we will have to sleep for several hours." "So if anything happens, we'll be helpless?" "Affirmative." "Well, just in case…" Uhura leaned forward and kissed Spock. Then she yawned. They thought that the night passed without incident. When the sun rose the only sign that anything had happened was the burnt out wreck of the shuttle craft. Then they discovered that their phasers were missing. Spock descended carefully, and, when nothing happened, motioned Uhura to join him. They examined the wreckage, but could find nothing usable. "What do we do now, Mr. Spock? Are we going to wait for rescue, or shall we try to get back on our own?" "We wait. By now we have missed two communications. Unless anything has happened to prevent it, I estimate that we will be picked up in three point four hours." "And if something does prevent them coming for us?" "Without a source of water our position here will be untenable. However, the decision may not be ours." He was staring into the bushes. Following his gaze Uhura saw several low shapes slinking through the shadows. "Ah." "They are between us and the cliff." "There's a gap that way. Perhaps we should try it?" "A logical suggestion, Lieutenant." Slowly they made their way in the direction of the gap. It soon became apparent that they were being herded. It also became apparent where they were being herded to. The bush changed gradually to scrub which became thinner and thinner. Eventually they stood, gazing over a sea of sand. "How far is the nearest water hole, Mr. Spock?" He consulted his tri-corder. "Eighty two point seven kilometres," he replied. "My canteen is almost full. How much water do you have?" "Mine's about half full. Can we make it?" With the proper equipment, yes. However we do not have the proper equipment, we have hardly any water, and we are both injured. I estimate the odds-" "Don't. Please don't. Just yes or no." "It is possible." "I think our friends are getting impatient. Shall we go?" Together they stepped onto the sand. It was hard going. The mid-day temperature was nearly 50C, the sand was loose and they were confronted by a series of huge dunes. Some were too steep to climb, forcing them to go around. When darkness fell they had only gone a few kilometres. All the while the hyenas kept pace with them. Twice they tried to turn back, but snarls and bared teeth convinced them that it would not be a good idea. They spent the night huddled together under Uhura's robe. During the following afternoon as they stopped for a short break Spock checked Uhura's arm. It was obvious that it was infected. Spock thought it increasingly unlikely that they would reach the water hole, but there was still no possibility of turning back. He offered her his canteen. "Oh no you don't, Spock. I know you. You first." "Very well." He tipped it up, but didn't swallow. She didn't notice. She took a couple of swallows, and then tipped the canteen up. "That was the last of it." "I know. Do you wish to rest a little longer?" "I'd love to, but I don't think our friends would allow it." She swayed as she stood. Spock tried to take her arm but she shook him off. She straightened her shoulders and started up the next dune. That night he held her as chills shook her body. By the morning she was barely conscious so he picked her up and carried her. It couldn't last long, of course. He had lost blood, the bite was infected, and he was sunburned. He suspected he had internal injuries and he was dehydrated. He hadn't drunk any water since they had started their trek. The next morning he was unable to stand while holding her. In the end the only way Spock could move both of them was to crawl, towing Uhura by the hood of her suit. Eventually he found himself unable to maintain his grip. He tried slitting the hood to form a loop, but his arm was nearly numb and he could not keep it bent, so it just slipped out. He slid back until he was lying alongside her. "I am sorry," he whispered. "I tried. I tri…" The sensation of movement woke him. Spock opened his eyes and saw that he was in a vehicle with the camp's medic bending over him. He tried to speak but his mouth was too dry. Dr. Jennings lifted his head and gave him a few sips of water. "Uhura," he gasped. "Feathered viper." "We know. She'll be fine. Relax. You need to sleep. You can heal when we get back to camp. Somebody will be with you when needed." There was the hiss of a hypo, and darkness closed in again. Spock was recalibrating his tricorder when Uhura was released from sickbay. She looked unusually subdued when she entered their hut. "Lieutenant, are you well?" "Yes, fine thanks." She wouldn't meet his eyes. "I'll- er – I'm just going to pack my gear." She disappeared into her room. She returned a few minutes later. "Spock, when I was in sickbay they told me you saved my life. They said that you were dangerously dehydrated. They said that you must have given me all of the water. Why?" Spock opened his mouth. "No, don't tell me. There's bound to be a logical reason. The thing is – the thing is, you risked your life for me, and I don't deserve it." "Why do you say that?" "I lied to you. I got you here under false pretences. Oh, I did believe that you were the best man for the job, but that wasn't why I suggested you." "Why then?" As she gazed at him Spock realised that her eyes were filled with tears. "I love you. I have loved you ever since we met. I've tried not to show it. You're not going to be interested in a soggy emotional Human and I didn't want to embarrass you, but it's been so hard seeing you every day, almost close enough to touch... When this came up it seemed the ideal opportunity. I knew Dad would keep us together. I hoped that being with you would, oh I don't know, be a sort of aversion therapy or something. It didn't work, and I nearly got you killed. I'm sorry. I- I just - I'm sorry." With a sob she turned and ran into her room. Spock waited until he could no longer hear crying, and then he knocked on her door. "Lieutenant, may I come in?" No answer. "Nyota, please, let me in." Eventually the door opened. Uhura sat on the bed and began stuffing clothes into her bag. He knelt in front of her. "When I went to Vulcan I had no wish to marry T'Pring but I did not think I had a choice. I was determined to make the marriage work, but I was relieved when she refused me. On Omicron Ceti I was totally infatuated with Leila but even there, even there, I knew that there was somewhere else I wanted to be, someone else I wanted to be with." He took her hands. "I did not say anything because I never considered that a warm, demonstrative, emotional Human would want a cold, controlled Vulcan." Spock tipped her chin up. "If it had been you with me on Omicron Ceti, I would not have been able to walk away." Slowly he leaned forward and kissed her. Nyota stood up. "Undress me," she breathed. "Nyota, I –." "Please." She was wearing a vaguely Oriental style dress with buttons down the shoulder. Spock fumbled them at first. He was surprised to note that his hands were shaking. At last the dress came free. He slid it off her shoulders. As he ran his hands down her sides his fingers tangled in a filmy nothing. With an uncharacteristically impatient gesture he tore the panties aside. "So beautiful," he whispered. Nyota looked down, suddenly shy. Spock tipped her chin up. The look in his eyes, so tender, so loving, almost made her knees buckle. He kissed her. On the lips at first, then her face, ears, neck. Lower, down her breasts, belly. She reached down and started to pull his shirt up. Spock raised his arms and it came free. He stood and she pulled him onto the bed. Nyota helped him to remove his pants and boots, then, at long last, they were naked, skin to skin. There followed a long period of exploring, touching, tasting. She found that the tips of his ears were exquisitely sensitive. He found that her feet were definitely out of bounds. She liked to have her nipples licked; the backs of his knees were ticklish. Feeling a welcome hardness pressing into her belly Nyota looked down. "Oh – my!" Spock pushed her gently back into the pillows. He paused above her. "Are you sure?" She could only nod her mouth dry with anticipation. And then he entered her. They both gasped. He was hot, much hotter than she had imagined, and the double ridges gave a sensation like nothing she had ever felt before. He was so big… He waited to give her time to adjust, and then he started moving. Each thrust sent wave upon wave of pleasure rushing through her. It wasn't long before she was moaning, writhing, begging for release. Spock ran his hand up Nyota's arm, across her breast and down her belly, down, down. His fingers barely touched her before she was crying out in an earth shattering climax. As she fell back against the pillows she felt him falter, then thrust hard, once, twice, three times and he came sobbing her name. Spock collapsed with his forehead on the pillow. Nyota turned her head with a soft sound and rubbed her cheek against his. Her face felt wet. Spock raised himself up and looked at her. Her eyes were closed, and tears were running into her hair. "Are you all right? Did I hurt you, disappoint you in some way?" "Oh no. Don't worry. It's quite common for women to cry after making love. It's never happened to me before though." "I shall take that as a compliment." "You should." She sighed as he kissed her tears away. "There is just one thing." "What's that?" "Well, you are rather heavy." Spock tried to pull away, but Nyota clung onto him so they ended up lying on their sides, still entwined. He stroked her face and said something in Vulcan. "What's that? I sounded like part of a poem." "It is." "What does it mean?" Spock just smiled slightly and shook his head. "Go on, tell me." "It's very old, pre-reformation. Most regard it as overly sentimental." "I promise I won't laugh." That caused a raised eyebrow. "Tonight I ascended to Heaven. My beloved showed me the way." "Oh Spock! That's beautiful." Suddenly she yawned. "I am so sorry." "You're tired. I should return to my room and let you sleep." "Stay with me. Please." With another small smile Spock settled back. "As you wish, my queen." Nyota chuckled. "Cleopatra?" "Yes, although perhaps Helen of Troy would have been more accurate." Nyota ducked her head. She was sure she was blushing. "You saw me as Tarzan?" "Mmm." "I refuse to swing through trees in a loincloth." Nyota laughed. She was still grinning at the thought when she fell asleep.
She awoke to the long unfamiliar feeling of a strong arm around her, and a warm body pressed against hers. She rolled over and smiled up at Spock. "I want to wake up like this every morning." "I will see what can be arranged. I am sure that the Captain would be willing to oblige, possibly Mr. Sulu. I know Chekov would." He grunted as she poked him in the ribs. "You know very well what I meant." "Perhaps, but you should be more specific in order to avoid confusion." He caught her hand. "Please do not do that again. Dr. McCoy is certain to want to examine us and I do not think I could explain away new bruises." "Oh Lord! I'd forgotten about them." Nyota jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. When she returned, freshly showered, Spock was still lying on the bed. "Come on, get moving. You don't want them to find us like this, do you? The doctor would never let it rest." "We have a little over two hours before they are expected to arrive." "Oh. Oh well, I might as well carry on. I've still got most of my packing to do." Spock put his pants on, then sat and watched her bustle about. "I love you," he said suddenly. "I always knew I would have to say it if we ever became more than friends. I thought it would be difficult, but it is the easiest thing I have ever said." Moved beyond words Nyota sat on the bed and took his hand. He raised her hand and kissed each finger. "I heard somewhere that Vulcan's don't kiss." "No." "What do they do instead?" He extended two fingers. Nyota copied the gesture touching her fingers to his. "I saw your parents do that." "Yes. This is for bonded couples, and this," he crossed his wrists, "is for other family members." "Like this?" "That's right. And this," he extended his fingers again, "should never be used in public." Slowly he ran his fingers up hers, down the back, and around the front where he started again. "For a touch telepath this is more intimate, more erotic, than a kiss." "It's pretty effective on non-telepaths too," she murmured. Spock noted, almost dispassionately, that her pulse and respiration were up, her pupils dilated. They sat, completely engrossed in one another until a noise outside broke in. Then they heard a familiar Southern drawl. "Come on you two, aren't you up yet?" "They are early." "You don't say?" Nyota thought rapidly. "Don't argue, just follow my lead." Hastily wrapping her towel around her she stuffed Spock's shirt into her kit bag, and then opened the door. "Captain, Doctor, you're early. Are you sure it's not under the bed?" Mystified, Spock looked under the bed. "No." "What's going on?" Jim asked as the walked in. "I saw a spider." "I didn't know you were scared of spiders." "I'm not usually. I woke up and there it was on my pillow, staring at me. The damn thing was a big as Spock's head. I swear it looked like him too." It was a good thing that the others had their backs to him when she said that. "Perhaps it was a delayed effect of the juice you ingested," Spock suggested. "If there is nothing else I will return to my room. Lieutenant, gentlemen." With a polite nod Spock turned towards the door. "Hold it, how did you get those scratches on your back?" McCoy asked. "That was me," Nyota said. "Picture it, me standing on the bed, stark naked, screaming like a banshee, Spock rushing in like an avenging angel… I was so relieved to see him I jumped into his arms." Jim swallowed. "I'm afraid I knocked him into the wall. Sorry." "No matter. I will see you at breakfast." "Yes, we've got a lot to tell you." Jim said. "So hurry up." When Spock came out of the shower he found his shirt and boots on his bed and Nyota had already left. He found her in the mess with her father, Jim and McCoy. He took his tray and joined them. You have news Captain?" "We've found the base. Or rather, they showed us." "What do you mean?" Uhura asked. "They destroyed it. " Idris replied. "There was a massive explosion in the early hours. We called the Enterprise straight away, which is why they got here early." "Why did you not inform us?" Spock asked. "After what you two have been through I thought you could do with the sleep." "What have you found out so far?" "Nothing," Jim replied. "The explosion really was huge. There's a massive crater. The base also seems to have been filled with incendiaries. A security team went in as soon as we arrived. According to the preliminary report there aren't enough remains to even identify the species." "But what made them do it?" Uhura asked. "As far as we can make out, you did." "Us?" "And the animals?" "Trust you," Idris said, fondly. "We caught and examined a couple of the hyenas. They've got some very complicated circuitry buried in their brains. I think we'll leave it. There's no point in subjecting them to more stress by trying to remove it now their controllers have gone. A pair of sandilor has been spotted. We'll capture them and keep them here until a team from Andor arrives. I doubt that they will find anything on their side. There's no point in having your experiments running around half a world away. You want to be able to keep an eye on them." When the Enterprise left Ra'as Shoula a week later they were still no nearer to finding out the whys or wherefores. Warnings had been sent out across the federation to watch out for aberrant behaviour among the wildlife. Spock and Nyota settled into a cosy routine. They would finish their watch, usually dine separately, and then meet in one or the other's quarters where they spent the night. No-one else knew. Spock was too private to say anything, and Nyota found that the secrecy lent an added thrill. Life went on. Part 2 "Captains Log, supplemental. It has been three days since Commander Spock and Lieutenant Uhura disappeared. The local authorities have found no trace of them. Hope is running out." "Captain!" "What is it Mr. Hemmingway?" "They've found them. Mr. Spock and Lieutenant Uhura. The chief investigator sends his compliments and will you meet him at the hospital in five minutes?" "Tell him I'm on my way, and let the crew know please." Captain Lengaard was already waiting for them when Jim and McCoy beamed down. "Captain Kirk, your people are safe. They're hooked up to life support but it's just a precaution." "Thank you. Where were they?" "We still don't know anything as they're still unconscious. They don't appear to have been harmed, but they have been drugged. It should be wearing off any time now. They were found by a man in a cheap hotel. The room was supposed to be empty. As you can imagine it was a bit of a shock for him. They were just lying there, fully clothed, on the bed. The kidnappers were very careful as there is no trace of anyone other than Spock and Uhura." He glanced over at a monitor. "They appear to be waking up. This way." Spock and Uhura were released from hospital the following day. They were interviewed several times by Captain Lengaard, but neither of them could tell him anything. The last thing either of them remembered was walking down the street on the way to a concert. Two days after their return the Enterprise broke orbit. The day after that, Spock asked to speak to Jim and Bones in private. What he told them threw them both. "The woman who was returned is not Nyota Uhura." "Don't be silly Spock. Of course it's her." "No Captain, it is not." "I suppose you have a reason for saying that?" "Yes, but no proof." "Go on." "Last night I tried to speak to her on a personal matter. She did not appear to know what I was referring to. I noticed a ring on her desk .I asked where she got it. She did not remember." "And?" "She got it the day before we were kidnapped. I gave it to her when she agreed to become my wife." An hour later they were still stunned. Spock had refused to divulge any details other than that they had been intimate for some time. Despite everything they said he was adamant that the woman was not Nyota. Eventually he left to try and devise some way of proving his allegations. Jim took a sip of brandy. "I don't know, Bones. I mean Spock and Uhura? Do you believe any of it?" "Oh I believe they were lovers all right. At least once." "Really?" "Remember when we picked them up from Ra'as Shoula? Come on; don't tell me you believed that garbage about a spider. And those scratches on his back were definitely made by nails. Don't forget that I checked them both over too. Certain hormone levels were raised. They had had a very good time that night." "You examined them both this time. Was there anything different about her?" "Not really. She's a bit hoarse. Could just be getting a cold I suppose. Oh hello Christine." "Hello Doctor, Captain. I know this sounds insane, but I think – I think Nyota's not Nyota." "You too huh? Sit down and tell us all about it." "I suppose Spock…? He's bound to have noticed. You know that he and Nyota are lovers? It's been going on eighteen months or so. Nyota told me a few weeks ago when I saw her coming out of his quarters. She thought it would be better to tell me rather than have me find out by accident. Anyway, the night before they disappeared she came to my quarters. She was so happy…. Spock had proposed. He'd even got her a ring. I don't know how he knew her size, but it fitted perfectly. This morning we were chatting, girl talk. She seemed a bit, I don't know, uncomfortable, as if she wasn't too sure what was going on. I asked her if they had made any plans yet. She asked, plans for what? The ring was lying on her desk. I got her to put it on. It was too small. She couldn't get it over her knuckle." Jim looked at Bones. "I think you'd better examine her again." It was nearly the end of the watch so Uhura was ordered to report as soon as she was relieved. While she was being examined Chapel and Jim stayed in McCoy's office. "Are you okay about this?" Jim asked. "You know, Spock and Uhura. It doesn't bother you?" "What, you think I might be causing trouble out of spite?" "I think it's unlikely, but it has to be considered." "Of course. No, I'd rather it was me but… Look, I realised a long time ago I'm not what he wants. She's my best friend. I hope Spock is a friend now too. If they can make each other happy that's fine by me. I want to scratch her eyes out occasionally, but I think I've got it under control." Jim chuckled. "You'll live." "That's your considered medical opinion, is it?" Bones asked. "Yep. Did you find anything?" "Everything checks out, even down to the DNA. And she's very angry at being inconvenienced because of the unstable ranting of a troublemaker like Spock. He's obviously holding a grudge." "What? That doesn't sound like Uhura at all. Did she say why she thought Spock would want to cause trouble?" "He tried it on and she slapped him down." "That settles it. That's not her." "Steady on Jim. We still don't know what happened while they were missing. She might have been subject to some kind of conditioning." "No. A woman with her looks must have had enough experience of those situations to know how to let a man down gently. And Spock would never do anything like that. No Vulcan would." "But she might believe it. Hang on," Bones looked at his terminal. "It's a message from Spock. Now what's he thinking of? He suggests examining her again, but checking height and weight physically, getting a blood sample rather than using sensors." "Could be worth a try. Lieutenant Uhura to sick bay immediately." Spock stood up as Uhura entered his quarters. "What can I do for you lieutenant?" "I've been ordered to report to sick bay again. I take it that's your doing?" "Yes." "What have I done to you?" "You have done nothing to me, but you are not who you purport to be. I – we want the real Nyota Uhura back." She moved closer. "So you're going to continue this absurd crusade against me?" "I am." She pressed her body against his and slid a hand round the back of his head. Spock closed his eyes and swallowed. "And there's nothing I can do to persuade you to drop it?" "Nothing." "I'm sorry." Spock's eyes flew open and he stared in disbelief at the knife. Uhura caught him under the arms and lowered him to the floor. She yanked the knife out and with a quick movement stabbed it into the desk communicator shorting it out. She bent down and touched Spock's cheek gently. "I am sorry." Uhura paused for a moment at the door, and then was gone. Somehow Spock managed to roll over and drag himself to the door. It wouldn't open. With the last of his strength he raised himself up enough to trigger the sensor, and fell through into the corridor. A pair of ensigns from security was passing. Spock was dimly aware of a voice calling for help, and pressure on his chest. A voice asking the same questions, over and over. "Who did this? Can you hear me, Mr. Spock? Who did this to you?" " -." "I can't hear you. Who did it?" "Uhura!"
Jim looked up as McCoy entered the office. "Well, will he make it?" "I don't know. He lost a lot of blood and I had to remove part of a lung. It looks like she used something like a Klingon dagger. There's something else. There's some sort of infection. I've never seen anything like it. Both Humans and Vulcans have similar conditions, but they're genetic. He's running a fever and his green blood cells are distorting, hardening. They're losing the ability to carry oxygen. Because the changed cells are hard they can't pass through the capillaries, causing clotting. I've got him on pain killers and anti-coagulants at the moment. They're helping, but I don't know how long for." "Prognosis?" "Probably he will asphyxiate or a major blood vessel is going to be blocked. There might be other symptoms that haven't shown up yet. I just don't know." "Do what you can, Bones. Now what?" The call was from the chief of security. "Uhura's been spotted in the shuttle bay." "Did she get away?" "Well, no. That's the odd thing. A technician was doing maintenance in the control booth when he spotted her entering a shuttle craft. He found himself locked in and the communicator dead. She started the shuttle craft up then just sat there for a few minutes before powering down and leaving. My people are checking it now, but so far everything appears normal." "And there's been no sign of her otherwise?" "No. In fact according to the sensor logs, she wasn't even there." "I'm on my way. Bones…" "I know."
Spock awoke to the hiss of a hypo. He opened his eyes to find Uhura standing over him. He tried to move but she held him still. "Relax. Believe it or not, I've just cured you. I used to be a medical student before getting involved in all this. What are your normal pulse and temperature? Oh, hang on." She checked the screen above the bed. "Great Father! You people can live with this?" "Why?" "Why what? Silly question. Why any of it? Tell you what, you ask; I'll answer if I can. At the very least I owe you an explanation." His first question totally floored her. "What is your real name?" "My real na…? Kaia. Kaia Vashten." "Where are you from?" She shook her head. "Why Nyota?" "Because we didn't have anybody that looked like you. I'm not being facetious, truly. Our people got to know you both very well on Ra'as Shoula so you were the obvious candidates." "Candidates for what?" "I come from a large, acquisitive empire. We don't go in all guns blazing; we prefer a more subtle approach. We start by using the animal control technology to cause disruption. Then we substitute a few minor, but key functionaries who then 'rise' to the challenge. They promise to stop the chaos, and, of course, they do. Martial Law or the equivalent is declared, and then we just move in. It's very effective. The technology needs testing for new species. That's what they were doing on Ra'as Shoula." "You do not seem to be a typical undercover agent." "How did you guess? Apart from me making a complete hash of killing you. You're right of course." "So how did you become involved?" She gave a bitter laugh. "Love, would you believe? I come from a very moral planet, lots of laws about what you can do and who you can do it with. Dren and I probably broke most of them. He was arrested. They took him outside our flat. I have never been so scared. It was a week before they came for me. They let me see him He'd been tortured... He tried to protect me, insisted we were just flat mates, but it didn't work. Then they gave me a straight choice. I worked for them, or he would be killed. The penalty for our crime is very unpleasant." Spock opened his mouth. "Oh, I know, he was probably shot the minute I left the building, but you have to hope, don't you? You have to try. Besides, at least that way would have been quick." "I am sorry." "Yes." Kaia had been checking the monitor periodically. "Right, you'll do. I'd better go and hand myself in. Sleep now." As she reached to door she turned. "I've heard it said that Vulcans don't have a heart, but you do, don't you. I'll get her back for you. I promise."
Jim and Bones were in the doctor's office when Kaia entered. They stared in amazement as she calmly walked to the desk and gave Bones the hypo and a data wafer. "Spock is on the mend. You'll need to filter his blood for a few days to get rid of any cells that are already affected. Anyone else with copper based blood should be vaccinated. It's all here." "How did you get in here?" Jim asked. Kaia patted her stomach. "I've got a little help. Now, if we are going to get your officer back we need to make plans." "And why should we trust you?" "Because I could have got clean away, but I didn't. Because I'm the only chance you have of ever seeing Uhura again. Because – because you have to. I realise that's probably not the most compelling argument you've ever heard." "Why did you come back?" "I was supposed to kill him. I couldn't. I tried, the Father knows, but I couldn't. Then in the shuttle I saw his blood. I've seen what that disease does. It's a minor thing for my people, but in other species… In the latter stages the skin sloughs off, the bones crumble… I wouldn't let my worst enemy die like that." Jim stared at her. "I know where they're being kept. I know the codes. I'm invisible to sensors. I can get you in and out." "They?" "You didn't think she was the only one, did you?" "And what do you want for your cooperation?" "Nothing. Well, the chance to try and undo some of the harm I've done." "I suppose locking you in the brig would be a waste of time?" "Completely." "Very well. Wait in your – Uhura's quarters. I'll call you when I've made my decision." She nodded and left. "You're not going to trust her, are you?" McCoy growled. "Like she said, I've got no choice. Unless you've got any ideas?" "No." "So I suggest you concentrate on dealing with this," he tapped the data wafer. "How many of the crew are at risk?" "Fifteen. Three other Vulcans, four Rigellians, and the rest are from Mirana." "Get on it. We don't want a plague as well." A week later they arrived at the base. Although she told them almost everything they wanted to know, Kaia still refused to say what her people were called, or where she was from. She did say that she had been implanted with a selection of gadgetry which, among other things, enabled her to sense people through a wall, and rendered her invisible to sensors. The raid was planned meticulously. Spock was politely furious that he would have to stay behind. His hybrid make-up meant that the treatment wasn't quite as effective as it should have been, and he was still too sick. The codes that Kaia provided got them into orbit around the base easily enough. Despite their technology being way ahead of the Federation in some respects, it seemed that their sensors left a bit to be desired. They couldn't tell that the Enterprise was not one of their ships. Jim and Kaia beamed down with a small strike force. She was wearing a shapeless grey outfit which she insisted would make her look like one of the prisoners. Hopefully it would confuse any guards long enough for them to be overpowered without having to kill them. Kaia went ahead disabling the sensors as she went. They had got about half way to the control room before they were spotted. After that things started to get lively. It was a desperate few minutes before they reached a strong looking door. "Is that it?" Jim asked. Kaia nodded and turned her phaser up to the maximum. She blasted the door and stepped through with Jim right behind her. "Dren!" Kaia whispered. Jim saw an officer staring at her. "What are you doing here?" Dren asked. "Mourning you." She fired. "That was him?" Jim asked. "Yeah." "I thought he was dead." "So did I," she muttered. "This is the main computer. We can release the prisoners from here." Another short fire fight and it was all over. Jim left a security detail to deal with the prisoners while the rest of them beamed back with the captives. He looked at the two women. Even standing next to each other he could not tell them apart. Spock knew. He was waiting in the transporter room. As soon as they materialised he stepped onto the platform and, right in front of everybody, pulled Uhura into his arms and held her as if he would never let go again. Eventually he did. Without saying a word he took her hand and slipped the ring on. Christine was right. It fitted perfectly.
An hour later Kaia and Jim were sitting in McCoy's office while Spock was having his last treatment. Uhura was standing by the bed holding his hand. Kaia and Jim watched them for a while. "You look envious, Kaia." "I am. She's a lucky woman." "Do you think if you'd met under different circumstances that you and he…?" She snorted. "I doubt I'm his type." "What will you do now?" "Well, I can't go back with you. I was willing to help you get your people back, but I won't betray mine." "Do you think we would beat the information out of you?" "I know you wouldn't, and that's sort of the problem really. I'm not used to kindness. Besides, too much has been done. I've done too much." "How do you mean?" "Well, let's see. I've been seduced, and betrayed by my lover. I've been turned into a cyborg against my will, and forced to do a job I despise. More recently I've tried to kill one of the finest men I've ever met, killed my lover in cold blood, put a kink in my people's plans for Galactic domination… Oh, and I've found out that there are places where people like me can live free from fear. Not bad for a couple of weeks work, eh?" Jim chuckled. "You are a remarkable woman, Kaia." "You don't know the half of it. I'm tired and even if I found somewhere I could call home I could never live a normal life. Do me a favour? I'm sure that the doctor and Mr. Spock will have fun learning about my little toys. Warn them to be careful. I'm pretty sure that at least one of them is booby trapped." "What do you mean? It sounds like you… Kaia? KAIA!"
Jim watched Spock and Uhura as they sat in the briefing room. Jim noted that they seemed to be sitting a little closer than usual. McCoy entered carrying a specimen case. "Right, I've got the preliminary reports. Both the science department and engineering are still trying to figure out how it works, but this is how Kaia fooled the sensors. From what we can make out, Uhura's DNA was fed into it and somehow it overrode the signal so the sensor read her DNA rather than Kaia's. The rest of the equipment is pretty much what we expected, a sensor, a signal mask, a bomb, poison phial and a couple of other things we haven't figured out yet. "In order to fit all this in a large segment of intestine had been removed so that Kaia was beginning to suffer the effects of malnutrition. The species is totally unfamiliar to me." He paused. "The body was that of a young male." "What?!" "I assume you mean Kaia had undergone transgender treatment?" "No, Spock. He was a man. The only treatment was purely cosmetic, to enable him to pass as a female. There were implants in the breasts and hips, the vocal chords had been tweaked, and - he had been emasculated. The testes are internal, and intact." "So that's what sh – he meant. But why would anyone do such a thing?" Jim looked appalled. "That's obvious," Uhura said. "Forgive me for being crude gentlemen, but it's hardly a case of tuck it up and hope nobody notices, is it? Not in these outfits." Jim glanced down. "I see what you mean. But why not go the whole hog? Why not complete the surgery, give the hormone treatments?" "I see two possibilities," Spock said. "The first is that this was temporary, never meant to withstand a close inspection, and the operation would have been reversed when he returned home." "Close inspection? Spock, is that how you…?" "No, Doctor, it is not. The second possibility is even more disquieting." "Go on." "From what Kaia said it is obvious that every aspect of his people's lives is controlled. Traditionally, totalitarian regimes are intolerant of any deviation from what they consider to be the norm. Often homosexuality is one of the least tolerated deviations. I think it is likely that it was done as a punishment."
When Spock came out of the shower Nyota was sitting on the bed, looking thoughtful. "Is there something wrong?" Spock asked. "Not really. I'm curious. When a couple bond, do they have to have witnesses, a ceremony, or can they just do it on their own?" "A ceremony is usual, but not necessary. Occasionally they may need help from a healer or adept." "So we could bond right now if we wanted to?" "Do you want to?" "Yes." "Are you sure?" "Yes." Spock sat beside her. Anyone who didn't know him would only see the usual impassive Vulcan, but Nyota could quite clearly see his delight and excitement. "Ready?" "Yes." Gently he touched the meld points. She copied him and as he recited the age old words she repeated them. Then they were together, searching, exploring, learning each other's minds in the same way they had learned each other's bodies. There was one area that was blocked. Gently Nyota pushed against it. Suddenly the walls crumbled and she found herself in Spock's most closely guarded memory. They were in the bungalow on Ra'as Shoula. It was the middle of the night. She was sound asleep, but Spock was awake, and holding her in his arms. "You stayed awake the whole night? Why?" There was a slight taste of embarrassment. At first she thought he wouldn't tell her. She waited. "I was happy, happier than I had ever been. I wanted it to last, but I knew that it would not. I was convinced that you would wake and decide it had been a mistake, and that you would want nothing more to do with me." "Oh my darling, how could loving you ever be a mistake?" Gradually they drew apart, and Nyota was pleased to realise that they were still linked. It was tenuous, just an awareness of the other's presence, but it was there. She didn't realise that she was crying until Spock wiped her cheek with his thumb. "You really must stop this," he murmured. "If anyone found out they would be convinced I was mistreating you." "I said I was soggy." "I did not realise how soggy." "Not regretting it already, are you?" "Never, although I am grateful that the hull is rustproof." He caught her hand as she tried to poke him. Spock turned her hand over and kissed the palm. Nyota shivered as he moved along her wrist and up her arm. She gasped as that link flared into life. Spock looked up to see her staring at him, her other hand on her lips. "I – I can feel it," she whispered. "I can feel you kissing me, but I can feel me kissing you." "Yes." "Will it be like that? Everything?" He nodded. She closed her eyes. "Touch yourself." Spock smiled slightly and ran his hand down his chest. Nyota gently tugged at his chest hair. "My turn." She circled a nipple with her finger. He reached out and caressed the other one. "Oooh, this is going to be interesting. If I die I want you to tell everyone that I died happy." They kissed, they caressed. Nyota felt herself taken into a cool mouth. Spock learned just what a hot tongue could do. Eventually they merged, and all the while they were together, touched and touching, penetrated and penetrating, enclosed and enclosing, until at last they crashed over a wave of pleasure that left them limp and gasping. "Well," asked a deep voice, "did you survive?" "I'm not sure. Ask me again when I've recovered. In a week or so." As he fell asleep Spock realised that this was where he belonged. He was home. |