The Return
Kirk landed the flitter with care for he did not want to cause D'Ventra any more pain. Waiting for them were Simonson, Dubois, Higuchi and a medical team. Before opening the door, Kirk turned to his group. "We don't separate until I give the word." They all agreed and, making a conscious effort to control his tension, Kirk pressed the unlocking button and left the flitter.
If we're heading into a trap what can we could do to protect ourselves? he asked himself. "Sir, Mr D'Ventra needs medical attention." he said aloud, and staring straight ahead.
Doctor Obuto and a nurse went inside the craft. After a short medi-scan the physician emerged and said, "His injuries are not too serious but we need to get him to sickbay."
Kirk and the others stood close by, with their prisoner standing amidst them, as the medics placed the Andorian onto a stretcher. "Permission to accompany Mr D'Ventra, sir. Under the circumstances we prefer to remain together." Kirk was prepared to defy them if necessary until he knew the right course of action.
Simonson and Dubois exchanged a glance then the admiral said, "Permission granted. I understand your reservations but please believe me; you're all safe now. I called in Commanders Dubois and Higuchi because they were aware of the situation and I assure you that no-one except those present know anything about your return."
On noting their silence, the Intelligence Chief shook his head. "It's just as well they trust you, Admiral. In their place I don't think I'd know what to do." The officers turned to follow the medics. Kirk and his team walked behind them, alert to every sound or movement but the short journey was uneventful. On their arrival in the emergency room, the Andorian was taken to a cubicle where a doctor of his own species treated him.
"Admiral, do you want me to examine these cadets?" Dr Obuto asked.
"Wait. These youngsters are wary," Simonson said. "Can't say I blame them." Simonson first studied Kirk and then Spock. "I don't know how you got my comm number but I think you, Mr Spock, may have had a hand in it. I'm glad you felt you could trust me." He called the doctor over. "Order emergency isolation procedures of this unit at once, Doctor."
As the surprised woman obeyed, Kirk chewed his lower lip. What was he to believe? Could he really be sure that Demarco was the only one who had engineered the attempt on their lives? Could one or more of these officers also be involved? Had Simonson ordered isolation to stop them from receiving any help? There was little he could do now but go with his instincts and give Admiral Simonson the benefit of the doubt. He indicated the prisoner. "This man, Yarrow, was sent to pick up the assassins. He should be questioned. As he has already implicated Chief Scalia, I don't think anyone from Starbase Seven Security should interrogate him."
The officers were obviously shocked. "Very well, Cadet Kirk," Higuchi responded. "Put him in one of those cubicles where you can keep an eye on him."
Kirk obeyed, making sure the man was still securely tied before returning to the others. He glanced around. Apart from themselves, Simonson, Higuchi and Dubois, there were two doctors and three nurses. The room was effectively sealed to the outside world and it remained to establish that none within were in league with Demarco. But how?
"I have every confidence in Admiral Simonson, Commander Dubois and Mr D'Ventra," Spock said. "However, I do not know the others. Nurse Tarlen is a Deltan. Her empathic abilities would be of use in determining if anyone in this room harbours ill intentions towards us."
The Vulcan's belief in those three people reassured Kirk. It mirrored his own gut feelings about them. Also Spock had come up with a way to verify the loyalties of the others in the room. Had he, perhaps, been following Kirk's thoughts? There were times when Kirk almost believed that Spock could just about do that. "You trust her, Mr Spock."
The Vulcan nodded. "I believe her to be an honourable person."
The Deltan woman smiled and for a moment her pheromones must have affected Kirk for he fought to control his reactions. "Very well. Nurse Tarlen, will you help us?"
She approached them, the cool professional nurse again. "I would be honoured. Please tell me how I may assist."
Kirk knew little about Deltan empathy but if Spock believed it might be helpful it was worth trying. "There was an attempt on our lives. Those responsible are in positions of authority. We need to be sure of the people in this room."
She was silent for a few moments. "I am only a low level empath however I do have some skills." She stared at Spock then added, "Your psi ability is... " She hesitated under his scrutiny then turned back to Kirk. "I will try to ascertain if these people are trustworthy."
"Go ahead," Higuchi said. "There's been infiltration on every level. It's important that I be cleared of any connection with this conspiracy."
Once Tarlen had finished she seemed tired and strained. Spock held out a chair for her and she collapsed onto it. "There are no negative or destructive emotions from anyone," she reported. "Murderous intentions are difficult to suppress. I believe I would have been aware of them."
"Will you trust us to deal with this now, Jim?" Simonson said, his voice gentle.
Kirk struggled to control the sudden tears that welled up as he was called by his first name. To have the responsibility taken off his shoulders would be very welcome. He noted the agreement in Spock's alien eyes then nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Now let the medics check you over and we'll turn Yarrow over to Commander Higuchi. Simonson placed an arm around Kirk's shoulders. "You and your team have been through enough. Once you've been fully debriefed, you'll have some time off."
"Sam Danziger's body, sir," Marla Van Wyck said in a broken voice.
"Everything will be taken care of, Marla, don't worry," Dubois reassured.
As Tarlen took charge of Marla and another nurse escorted Kirk to a diagnostic bed, the senior doctor smiled at Spock and asked, "Will you let me examine you?"
"I am unhurt, Doctor."
"It's procedure, young man. Please do as I ask."
Spock suffered the medical examination, paying no attention to the doctor, as his keen hearing picked up the conversation between Simonson and Dubois. He began to shut them out but decided against it. Tarlen had admitted that her empathic gifts were limited. If either he or the Deltan woman had made a mistake, it was his duty to eavesdrop. He might learn important facts.
"When Wallace told me that Demarco hadn't issued the youngsters with phasers, I should have recalled them then, especially since he was already under suspicion. Higuchi persuaded me to let it continue, to give Demarco enough rope and now Cadet Danziger's death is on my conscience. It was my fault. What am I going to tell the boy's family?" Simonson rubbed at his eyes and began to pace. "Now Demarco's disappeared. We don't know if he'll ever be found or who was in his pay and even Intelligence and Security can't be trusted."
"You couldn't have known, sir," Dubois replied. "They've covered their tracks very well."
Higuchi joined them. "We need to establish just how high this goes. First I interrogate Yarrow. After that steps must be taken to protect these youngsters while we decide whom we can trust and how we're going to round up the rest. We can't rely on Starbase Seven Security Section that's for sure. If I have to put every member of Intelligence and Security through verifier scan I will."
"I just hope it works, Commander Higuchi. The security checks were inadequate before. Look how they had us all fooled. It took two youngsters to expose them. That at least gives me some hope for the future of Starfleet if these boys are examples of Federation youth." He squared his shoulders. "I'll be reporting to Starfleet headquarters, and to the Federation Council. To think that cadets in my care were exposed to such risks! " Simonson glanced over at Spock. "Can you imagine what the Vulcans will make of it? Lady T'Pau is keeping a close eye on Spock's progress. If she thinks he's still in danger and tries to remove him from the Academy, I'll fight it all the way."
Would T'Pau do that? Aware that Dubois was looking at him, Spock kept his eyes closed. "Since his arrival, the place hasn't been the same, that's for sure," she commented.
Spock puzzled over that remark then set it aside for later as he listened to Yarrow's interrogation. The man repeated what he had told them earlier and added no more names to his list. Kirk's voice broke into the Vulcan's concentration. "How are you, Mr Spock?"
The Vulcan sat up. "I am well, Mr Kirk."
Kirk settled into a cross-legged position on the bed. "Marla is resting. D'Ventra is asleep. The doctor wants us all to have counselling."
"I am a Vulcan. I have no need for human therapies." The very thought of revealing his innermost feelings was abhorrent to Spock. "I do wish to state that it is my opinion that Commodore Wallace is not involved in this conspiracy."
Kirk smiled. "Yes, that's my feeling too."
"I do not have 'feelings', Mr Kirk. My opinion is based on logic." Spock did not admit to eavesdropping.
"Is everything you do based on logic, Spock?" Kirk asked.
Simonson walked over to them. "I'm going to send you to a safe house until this investigation is over. I don't want you in any more danger. Nurse Tarlen will accompany you to care for Thrav. The security system at the house is foolproof. No one will get in there unless you permit it. Just give me a few hours and I'll take you there myself."
Spock and Kirk shared relieved glances. "Thank you, sir," Kirk replied. "How long will we need to stay there?"
"Until I'm sure of your safety. I'll be following the investigation with great attention, Cadets. Commander Higuchi has promised me his full co-operation on this." He looked at Spock, hesitated then asked, "Are you well, Spock?"
Spock tried to remain impassive. The admiral had seen his weakness after the computer incident. Despite Spock's assurances that exhaustion had caused the collapse, and the failure of the medical department to find any signs of illness, Simonson was concerned that it could happen again. "Affirmative, sir."
"All right, both of you rest. That's an order."
***
The house was several kilometres from the Academy complex. It was surrounded by a perimeter force field with a secondary one encircling the building itself. Inside there were three bedrooms each with adjoining bathroom, a large and airy living room, a kitchen and a basement. After familiarising the cadets with the security system, Simonson left them there.
Kirk stood looking out the floor to ceiling window, of the quarters he and Spock were to share, at the rolling hills in the distance. "I wonder how long before it'll be safe to leave?"
Spock moved to his side. It had been a shock to discover that he was expected to sleep in the same room as Kirk and he did not know if it would be possible to endure it. "Admiral Simonson has asked us to be patient. If you are bored it would be logical to continue with your studies."
Kirk looked at him with troubled eyes. "You may enjoy study but I don't. It's necessary though and you're quite right. Spock, will I be in your way here?"
Spock blinked. How had the human known? "I am accustomed to solitude." He clasped his hands behind him and looked around. The room was larger than his own quarters. The beds were placed against opposite walls. Various items of furniture were scattered around and there was a computer terminal on a desk. Opposite the window, a doorway led to a small bathroom.
"The other bedrooms are all occupied but I could sleep outside on the couch," Kirk offered.
Spock could not stop his eyebrow from rising. "That will not be necessary, Mr Kirk. I require less sleep than humans do. I will spend much of the night working on the terminal in the living room."
Kirk nibbled at his lower lip and there was a touch of uncertainty in his manner as he said, "I know it's difficult for you around us. I don't want to add to your problems."
Fascinating, Spock thought. He is not an empath yet his insights are accurate.
They worked on temporal physics until Kirk decided to go to bed. Spock worked late on one of his projects until even he became weary and, after checking the security system was functioning properly, he made his way into the bedroom. Within five minutes he was in bed, wondering how it would be possible to meditate when the other's breathing sounded so loudly in the room. He resolved, however, to attempt it and to his surprise slipped with ease into the familiar patterns. After a time, he drifted into a deep sleep.
An unfamiliar sound woke him. He sat up, alert, to see a startled, robe-clad Kirk making his away across the floor. He relaxed and settled back under the quilt. For a moment he had forgotten where he was. It was 07:00. They were in protective custody and for the first time in his life he had slept in the same room as another.
"Sorry to disturb you," Kirk snuggled under his covers. "I didn't hear you come in last night. I just crashed out."
"It was late, Mr Kirk. I was quiet so as not to disturb you."
Kirk turned onto his side and faced Spock. "This is great. I used to share a room with my brother until he left for university. We would talk for hours sometimes until dawn. I miss that."
"Indeed," Spock replied then listened as the human told him about his family. He learned that Kirk was the younger son of Winona, an agronomist currently on Earth and Samuel - deceased - who had been a highly decorated Starfleet officer. His married older brother was a research biologist newly assigned to Deneva. Spock found it interesting that Kirk had followed in his father's footsteps rather than his mother or brother's scientific fields. His life had been so different from Spock's own lonely childhood and he felt a pang of something unidentifiable as Kirk reminisced on incidents concerning picnics and trips taken with his family. After a time, Kirk propped his chin on his hand and stared at Spock for a moment before saying, "I never told anyone about this before. You're a good listener."
"I am honoured," Spock replied but these confidences were causing him some confusion. It was 07:34. Time he was getting out of bed. "If you will excuse me."
Kirk nodded and turned to look out of the window as Spock headed for the bathroom.
***
Two days later, Admiral Simonson called at the house. "Starfleet Intelligence now have confessions from those named by Yarrow. They in turn have supplied more information. I'm afraid though that Demarco hasn't been found. He must have had his escape well planned." He shook his head. "There's a galaxy wide search for him and he'll be caught one day. All other known suspects are in custody. We believe it's safe for you to return to the Academy but as a precaution, security measures have been tightened."
"Sir, what about the Mestro Corporation?" Kirk asked. "And the reasons behind the attack."
Simonson's expression was grim. "Charges against them are being prepared by the Federation Justice Department. It'll take years for it all to be unravelled but Mestro will be dismantled."
"What about Sam, sir?" Marla Van Wyck asked.
"His body is in stasis. You may see him, if you wish. Tomorrow there will be a ceremony here. His family will attend then they'll take him home."
The young woman nodded and wiped at her eyes. "Thank you, sir."
"What of me?" the Andorian asked.
"You'll return to your studies, Cadet D'Ventra. We need more people like you in Security and Intelligence. The shortages now are going to be severe."
Kirk was pleased about leaving the house but he also felt sad. He had become closer to Spock. Those hours late at night or early morning spent in conversation had drawn them together in a way Kirk would have never believed possible. Granted, he had done most of the talking but on occasion Spock had relaxed enough to tell him a little about life on Vulcan. Kirk knew he would always treasure those moments. He was beginning to realise just how right it was to be with Spock. It was causing him some confusion though. Why did he feel this way about the Vulcan?
The Admiral's voice jolted Kirk from his musing. "Cadet Spock, those equations you gave Professor Solberg have opened up new areas and he's been driving me crazy asking when you'll be returning." Simonson smiled then added, "I must remind you that the events you've been involved cannot be discussed with the other cadets. Now pack up your gear and I'll take you back."