The Vulcan Changeling Project

Beauty and Betrayal

Muriah put a finger to her lips as Spock and Tiberius approached.

"What are you two conspiring about?" Tiberius asked laying a hand on Muriah's shoulder and smiling at Uhura.

Uhura's wide innocent eyes looked into Tiberius' without guile. "Nothing, just girl talk." Muriah raised an eyebrow but didn't refute Uhura's explanation.

"Spock, I need you to make sure a friend of mine gets safe passage to the Enterprise," Muriah said motioning for all of them to follow her.

As Uhura passed Spock, he took her elbow in a gentle grasp and whispered into her ear. "Lieutenant, just what are you up to?"

Uhura gazed into Spock's eyes, prepared to stare him down, but felt annoyed when she became flustered instead. For a moment or two they became transfixed by one another. All the chaos around them forgotten. Uhura's hands began to shake as Spock took a step nearer to her. What was he going to do? She closed her eyes when Spock made the gap between them even smaller. Then like a bucket of ice water Spock's Vulcan half took over. "Lieutenant, are you quite well? Perhaps you should sit down."

Uhura's eyes flashed in annoyance. "I'm fine, Mister Spock. Now excuse me," she said shoving away from Spock.

Spock stood looking after her, perplexed. "It seems as if you have angered her," Tiberius commented looking at Spock's confused face in amusement.

Spock nodded. "Apparently, although I have no idea what could have displeased her."

Tiberius grinned. "Indeed? Well, think on it Spock. I have no doubt you will come to a logical conclusion eventually."

Spock looked right then left and replied in a monotone voice. "Indeed."

When they entered Muriah and Tiberius' tent Uhura gasped when she spotted a large white cat sitting on a pile of cushions. The feline opened one green eye and hissed. This show of aggression did nothing to deter Uhura. She inched forward cooing.

"Lieutenant Uhura, that is not a common earth house cat. It's a Vulcan desert cat and they are quite ferocious." Spock said inching away from the hissing feline.

Muriah stepped forward and scooped the big cat up in her arms. "Nonsense she's as tame as a kitten."

Tiberius arched an eyebrow staring down at the green scratches on his arm. "Indeed."

Both women ignored him while Uhura made on over the beautiful animal. "Her coat is so soft and dense," Uhura said petting the cat and scratching underneath her chin.

"She likes you," Muriah said praising the cat for behaving. "Tiberius bought her for me. She was in a cage poor thing, her coat was matted and she was as thin as a stick."

Tiberius came and stood beside his wife. "Muriah is always wanting to rescue something."

Muriah ginned at Tiberius and said, "Yes, much like yourself." For a moment they both stared into each other's eyes forgetting about Spock and Uhura.

Spock watched the scene before him and swallowed in an attempt to quell the empty feeling that made his throat ache and his chest feel like stone. As always the sound of Uhura's voice steadied him.

"What's her name?" Uhura asked.

Muriah grinned and replied, "T'Pau."

Spock raised an eyebrow, for the surly looking cat did resemble Vulcan's leader. "I do not think that name is appropriate, Muriah."

Muriah started to laugh, then her expression sobered when they heard a far off explosion. "Spock, she means the world to me. Please keep her safe. I will come for her later. She travels very well and I'm sure she will be an absolute angel." Spock looked at the creature in doubt but did not refute Muriah. "I wanted to take her to earth someday. What is earth like, Spock?" She asked.

Spock considered for a moment. How was he to describe the cold planet with its contradictory inhabitants? Then he looked over at Uhura stroking the cat. Her dark fingers were a contrast to the cat's white coat. The beauty of her interacting with the feline took Spock's breath away. "It and its inhabitants are beautiful." He answered softly, as if in one of Vulcan's sacred places.

Muriah smiled. "Just as I thought. Spock it is time for us to leave. You and Uhura must beam back to the Enterprise or join your landing party. It is too dangerous to stay with us. Plus, T'Pau needs to be protected until we can collect her. This is not your fight."

Spock clasped his hands behind his back. "Any fight that has to do with inequality is every sentient being's fight."

Muriah walked over and put T'Pau in a large carrier. "Spock, please get her to the Enterprise where she will be safe."

Spock looked at the cat through the metal bars, then he glanced over at Uhura. "Yes, I will make sure she is safe."

While Uhura was saying good-bye to Muriah, Spock took the opportunity to send a signal up to the Enterprise. A moment later a whirring sound overtook Uhura and the cat, their features blurred out of focus but not before Spock noted the look of outrage and betrayal on Uhura's face. Her mouth opened in a round oval and her eyes bore through the complex beam of the transporter straight to Spock's heart, a straight shot that sliced into his essence-his katra.

Tiberius came to stand beside Spock. "Spock, I can't help feeling that you just made tactical error. Uhura is going to be quite displeased."

Spock glanced over at Tiberius in annoyance. "Really Tiberius, your ability to sum up the situation is quite uncanny."

Tiberius grinned. "Touché, my brother."

Muriah smiled at them both, shaking her head. "You're not getting me to comment on that one."

Spock took a moment to compose himself, then he turned towards Tiberius. "I want to assist you however I can. I will brief Captain Kirk when it becomes necessary to do so." He waited for a reply, none came.

Distracted by Tiberius' lack of comment Spock didn't feel the pain of the Vulcan nerve pinch until it was too late. "Muriah must have remembered more than I assumed," he thought just as all went black.

Muriah gazed down at Spock's limp body. "Live long and prosper my friend," she whispered, then took her husband's hand.