The Vulcan Changeling Project

Control?

McCoy squeezed Nurse Chapel tight when he heard Kirk's ship wide announcement. A few moments later McCoy heard Kirk's voice paging sick-bay, "Bones? Bones? Where are you? This is no time for screwing around, Mister."

McCoy grinned for it was good to hear Kirk's impatient voice once more. McCoy was still smiling when he paged Kirk back and said, "Doctor McCoy at your service, Captain."

Kirk replied back ignoring McCoy's jab," Bones, I need you up here on the double. We have a medical...emergency."

McCoy winced for this was the part of his job he hated, the part where a smiling Star-Fleet officer that had once been in sick-bay for a check-up was now a piece of blown apart pulp. "Who is it, Jim?"

Kirk sighed heavily, "It's Muriah."

McCoy lowered his voice, "Jim, I'm sorry but all the corridors are blocked with fighting. I couldn't get to you if my own father were up there."

As if to confirm his statement Kirk could hear the whine of phaser fire in the background. "Situation understood, Bones," Kirk out.

Kirk looked over at Uhura and Spock, "I'm sorry, Spock, Uhura. Do what you can to make her comfortable and then back to your respective stations."

Spock stood mutely before his blood spattered console, some of it red, some of it greyish green like his own, some of it brilliant green and he continued to stare as it dripped down on to the floor in a conglomerate of color. Spock tried to avoid stepping in the puddles as he made his way to his monitor and then he looked over at Uhura and the breakable part of his heart snapped when he saw Uhura's pain filled expression in her dark eyes. She trusted him. How could he let her down? How could he let Muriah die at their feet?

"Captain," Spock's voice was tense with the effort it took not to rush to Uhura's side. "I would like to attempt to take Muriah to sick-bay."

Kirk's jaw tightened. "I need you up here, Spock. Permission denied."

Even though Uhura had turned her back away from him and the Captain, Spock could tell from the way that she was breathing that she was crying. Spock took a step closer to Kirk's chair and whispered. "Jim, if Muriah does not get to sick-bay soon, she will die."

Kirk stood up abruptly, a little too abruptly for he had to grasp the arm of his chair to keep his balance. "Spock, Muriah saved my life. Nobody appreciates that more than I do, however, with that being said I need you on the bridge."

Spock shook his head, "As illogical as if may seem, I cannot let her die. Mister Scott take over for me please," Spock said calmly as he picked up Muriah.

Kirk felt as if he had been punched in the stomach, "Spock, I need you here."

Spock gazed deep into Kirk's hurt, angry eyes and said, "Understood, Captain, I will accept the appropriate punishment at the appropriate time."

After Spock left, Commander Raeth fought against the security officers that held him as Kirk turned around and grinned. "I'm afraid that I'm in control of my ship again, Commander."

Commander Raeth raised an eyebrow, looking bored, "So, it would seem. Captain, things are not what they seem, for I was sent by the Romulan Empire to stop the Vulcan Romulan Brotherhood. Sarek is aboard my ship of his own free will as we speak."

"Do you want me to stun him?" One of Kirk's security team asked, hoping Kirk would say,'yes.'

Kirk looked thoughtfully over at the Commander, "No," he said slowly.

Commander Talerth spoke again, "Captain, there isn't much time; you will just have to trust me."

Kirk scanned the view screen. The Romulan ships seemed to loom closer as a wave of dizziness assailed him. Kirk rubbed his eyes, "How do I know this isn't a trick, maybe we should just fight?"

Commander Talerth laughed, "You gesture is noble but hardly practicable. Your ship's weapon capabilities are almost depleted and you need what's left of your power for life support."

Kirk's jaw tightened, "Then we will destroy our selves."

Commander Talerth nodded in approval. "That is an honorable choice, however, the Romulan government is determined to destroy the Vulcan Romulan Brotherhood and it would be illogical for the Enterprise and her crew to be destroyed as well. Captain, we can help each other."

Kirk rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger. "Perhaps, we could discuss a treaty over dinner?"

Commander Talerth sighed, "Captain Kirk, I beg you to take the matter seriously."

Kirk tried to concentrate on Commander Talerth's words, but his vision kept going in and out of focus and he grabbed the arm of his chair as a wave of pain engulfed him.

"Captain, what is it?" Commander Talerth asked and then he frowned when he saw the gash on Kirk's shoulder. "Captain, is that wound from a Romulan dagger?"

"Yes," Kirk hissed.

"Captain, it is imperative that you listen to me for all Romulan daggers are embedded with a small capsule of poison and it is just as deadly to humans as it is Romulans." Commander Talerth said as he paused for effect.

Kirk sighed long-sufferingly, "Of course it is."