Spock's daughter

II 23

[In the Underground room]

There was light from somewhere above, an artificial hearth, a stone chair and obelisk.

"I want to know about the vessel which brought you here. Your propulsion systems, weapons, sensors, everything. You have an artificial implant in your arm", Ishan said.

"Yes. It was necessary to replace the elbow joint after I was injured in a combat simulation", Tuvok replied.

"I also want to know about your medical technology, scientific advances, artificial intelligence." (Ishan)

"I'd be glad to tell you all about my people and learn about yours. There's no need to hold us here for interrogation." (Chakotay)

"You should expect no better treatment after invading Sakari territory." (Ishan)

"As I said, we didn't know there was anyone down here." (Chakotay)

"Yes, so you've said." (Ishan)

"Your people have clearly made every effort to avoid detection by outsiders. Is it so difficult to believe that those measures were effective in our case?"

"If they had been fully effective, you wouldn't have found anything interesting enough to bring you here."

"That's something we can help you with", Chakotay suggested.

"What?" Ishan asked.

"We can show you how we detected the gallicite, so you can disguise it better. We can also help you eliminate the last traces of the ruins on the surface, so no one else will be curious about them."

"You've seen the ruins?"

"Yes. I assume the Sakari once lived there."

"Long ago, before I wan born."

"What happened?" Tuvok wanted to know.

"My people never even knew who the invaders were or why they attacked. It was all over in less than an hour. Some of the colonists were fortunate enough to escape into the mines. We've lived here ever since, where it's safe. If the invaders ever learned of our existence here, they might return", Ishan explained.

"I can certainly understand your caution, but let us demonstrate our good faith by helping you protect yourselves. Then we'll go and never bother you again."

"Agreed. But you will be supervised at all times."

[In the Cave]

Another tremor was starting.

"We're almost to the next passageway. Can you make it?"

"Not much choice", Lil answered.

More rocks fell.

"It's all right. We'll find a way out."

"We should use that weapon", Lil gestured to the phaser, "It's worth the risk now."

"I might agree with you if I still had it. It's buried somewhere under all that."

"What?"

"Im so sorry. Try to stay calm. I know it's hard."

"You don't know anything. I feel like I'm crawling out of my skin. I need to do something. I can't take this."

She pushed him to the ground softly and straddled him. He pushed her off.

"I can't let you do this."

"I'll bet you wish you could. All those moments where you cared for me. The way you would stare at me. You can't tell me you're not interested in me."

"You're right. I can't."

"Then please, don't push me away", Lil said whiny.

"Oh, believe me, I'd like to, but I know this isn't really you. And I really don't know about your feelings, if you feel the same for me."

"I was, I was just afraid to admit it. You see, I've wanted this for so long. That someone would like me which I would like back."

She slowly leaned down.

"I don't know... what to do", he said unsure.

"Just let it happen."

She leaned down again and kissed him lightly on his lips, which were surprisingly warm, despite him being a Borg once.

"I hope someday you'll say that to me and mean it", Icheb said.

Lil shot up to her feet and and stumbled back and slammed into the wall with her back.

"You'd let me go insane rather than help me?"

"You know that's not true."

"You just stay away from me", Lil said and wanted to run away again. Icheb sprinted after her immediately.

[At the Holodeck - Paxau resort]

"You called, Ensign? Is there a problem?" the doctor asked when he came onto the holodeck.

"Not at all", Vorik said.

"You seem much improved."

"Yes. Your holodeck therapy was very effective. I must compliment you on an innovative solution."

The doctor smiled proudly.

"I'm pleased to hear that. This could be a viable alternative for space-faring Vulcans. When we get back, I'm sure Starfleet medical will..." the doctor started.

Vorik interrupted him when he gave him a look.

"... never hear about your personal experiences from me", the doctor continued.

"Thank you, Doctor. May I return to duty?" Vorik asked.

"Soon enough, Ensign. I'll need to run a few more cortical scans."

[In the Doctor's office]

"Mister Vorik's biochemical readings are stabilising. They're not back to normal yet, but I believe he's got through the worst of it. I'm ready to release him from Sickbay", the doctor reported.

"Good work, Doctor. Will this treatment help Lil as well?"

"I don't see why not."

"As soon as the away team gets back, I'll send her straight to you."

"What I'm still confused about, is the fact that she suffered from the Pon farr, BEFORE Vorik came in contact with her."

"As a matter of fact, I already know something about it. Tuvok told me."

"Tell me", the doctor demanded.

"Well we already know that she is half human. And we had no clues about the other half of her DNA. But when Tuvok got to know about Lil starting to suffer from the Pon farr first, he told us that it only starts with a Vulcan or half Vulcan and can only go over to another person by physical contact", Janeway explained.

"And Lil had the Pon farr before the physical contact", the doctor mumbled.

"Do you know what that means?"

"Lil is half Vulcan??!!"

Janeway nodded.

"It is possible."

The doctor sighed and sat down with a hand on his forehead.

"Let us talk to her about it later. Right now, I'm planning to do a comparative study of all these mating rituals. It really is fascinating, from a socio-biological point of view."

"I'm sure Lil will appreciate your efforts, Doctor", the captain said.