View source for Lt. Meidra Sirin, Lt. JG Ikaia Wong, Lt. Alieth - Hungover On Vulcan

==Synopsis==

After a night of partying on Vulcan, Lieutenant Meidra Sirin and Lieutenant Ikaia Wong must work out the mysteries of what happened during the night before consequences catch up to them.

==Personae Dramatis==

* Lt. Ikaia Wong
* Lt. Meidra Sirin
* Lt. Alieth

<big>'''Supporting Cast'''</big>

* Haadok
* T'Mihn
* T'Vel
* Sorth

==The Story==

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 1</strong>
|-
| '''((Lil’ Naal’s Bed ‘n’ Breakfast - Somewhere on Vulcan))
'''
Ikaia was slow to wake up this morning. In fact, he very much didn’t want to wake up at all. He really would have rather slept for the rest of the day. But something was nagging in the back of his mind telling him to wake up. He couldn’t understand why his mind was nagging him like this. But the first thing he felt was the splitting headache as he blinked his eyes open. He promptly closed them again when he felt the light from the window irritate him. Ikaia groaned as he curled up into a little ball. But something felt off to him. He remembered wearing his casual attire last night when he was invited for a party night with Lieutenant Sirin to make up for essentially missing his own birthday due to the events of the previous mission. But this didn’t feel like his usual leather jacket and tee shirt that he wore. There was more fabric to this. With hesitation, he blinked his eyes again and saw that he was, in fact, NOT in his casual outfit but in Vulcan robes.

Now Ikaia was quite confused. He groggily started trying to glance around the room. This was NOT his quarters. This was clearly Vulcan architecture and design. But he didn’t exactly know where he was. This could have been a very convincing holodeck simulation. He couldn’t POSSIBLY be on Vulcan, right? What he did know was that he was laying in a bed right now and quite honestly, that’s where he wanted to stay. He grabbed some of the blankets and pulled them over his head with a groan.

'''Wong:''' Ugghhh…. Remind me to try to find a better cure for a hangover….

Somewhere off in the room was another voice.

'''Sirin:''' Remind me to not do chocolate liqueur shots with you without eating anything first.

Meidra opened her eyes warily, knowing she recognized the other voice, but not completely sure why she was hearing it. Wasn’t she on Resolution? No, um Excalibur? That sounded right, but she wasn’t there either because she was lying on a bed that was made of wood and covered with a blanket that was colored in multiple colors much like the universe had vomited on it. She sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes.


'''Wong:''' Stars…. I hate to ask, but can you not yell that the next time? My head feels like it’s been hit by a shuttle. A ''whole'' shuttle.

'''Sirin:''' A shuttle full of shots.

'''Wong:''' Where…. Where are we… and what happened? Because I actually have no idea.

'''Sirin:''' Well::stands up:: I believe we are on Vulcan, and ::coughs:: apparently in a hotel room of some sort.

Ikaia was not getting up. He was still bundled up in that blanket as if it would protect him from the consequences of the night before. But as soon as he heard the word “Vulcan” he slowly pulled the blankets off his head.

Meidra stretched slowly, her memories a bit hazy. Celebrating Ikaia’s birthday the evening before had been just what she needed to avoid thinking about her current situation with Vedek Dwich. She remembered that she and Ikaia had been on a personal mission of some sort. Something concerning Alieth, and...Commander Teller? It was all coming to her in bits and pieces. The counselor looked around. Was Alieth here? Shaking her head to get the fogginess out, she glanced over at her friend.

'''Wong:''' V…. Vulcan? Why…. are we here?

Why, indeed? She yawned, smirking as a particular memory came back to her.

'''Sirin:''' How else were you supposed to become a Vulcan priest without getting ordained on Vulcan?

Ikaia sat up as best as he could. The room was absolutely spinning to him. Which brought about the next symptom - nausea. Ikaia swallowed thickly to keep the feeling down. He drew his knees up towards his chest as he rested his arms across them. He pressed the palm of his hand against his forehead with a groan. 

'''Wong:''' I… what? Wait…. Why would I do that? When did I do that? Am I really a priest? ::Groaning:: Ohh…. my head….. Can we make the room stop spinning for a moment? I want off this ride….

Meidra paused, they were supposed to have been celebrating Ikaia’s birthday. Which was definitely ''not'' supposed to be on. Vulcan. Rubbing sleep from her eyes, she frowned as a bit more of the previous night’s conversation came back to her.

'''Sirin:''' You told T’Mihn that if a Vulcan priest couldn’t marry you and my krei, you’d become one yourself to perform the ceremony. 

''T’Mihn?'' Why did that name sound so familiar to him? But the rest of that sentence was just so distracting, that question was blown right out of the water!

'''Wong:''' Wait what?! 

He looked over at Sirin with a bleary-eyed confused expression across his face. Did he really ask to marry ''his best friend?!'' 

Meidra bit back a laugh. She didn’t remember everything from the night before, but she knew Ikaia wasn’t a priest. He was too innocent for that life. She grimaced, thinking of a certain Bajoran vedek living his best life without her in it.

'''Sirin:''' The matriarch invited you to come see her, and I did not think it was a good idea. I think. It’s all a bit hazy, but I remember something about avenging….something. You told her that you would be a better family to my cousin than her own and um, I think you might have challenged her to some sort of duel. 

'''Wong:''' No… no way? I ''really'' did that?!

Meidra paused, seeming to remember something else.

'''Sirin:''' Then you decided to create your own religion.

Ikaia glanced down at his robes. Maybe he really IS a Vulcan priest now? What did this entail? Was he now going to have to call himself a PA and a priest? What would his captain think of this? What was going on?!

'''Wong:''' Am I dressed like a Vulcan priest? I mean it WOULD explain my robes! I----

He stopped to press a hand against his mouth. He swallowed again. 

'''Wong:''' Ugh…… ::Muttering:: I feel ''awful….''

'''Sirin:''' You ''look'' like a ''valit.'' ::sees his confusion:: It is a small Vulcan rodent that burrows in the desert. Fitting that you like to wear blankets as headgear.

She stood up, testing out her legs as she pondered his question about the priest vestments. In actuality, they were basic Vulcan robes one would wear to a formal dinner. They were years out of fashion, but Meidra didn’t think they’d bought them. She struggled to remember, but was almost positive they had stolen the robes from somewhere they should not have been.

'''Wong:''' ::Deadpan:: ''Hilarious.'' ::He pulls the rest of the blankets off of himself::

'''Sirin:''' I’m not sure of too much, but some things are slowly coming back to me. Last night, when you created the Path of the Nightbird cult, you wanted to be called Your Fluffiness. Then five minutes later, you said your name was Sparky.

Ikaia wondered if the reason why he wanted to be called “fluffy” was because of his hair? It couldn’t be because of his body. He keeps his muscular self in great shape! Well… minus last night’s partying and today’s horrible hangover.

'''Wong:''' I started a ''cult'' too? And actually called myself Sparky?! Please tell me I don’t have ''any'' followers! 

'''Sirin:''' No idea. ::rubs her hand:: I think I did the Vulcan nerve pinch thingie again. ::looks at teeth marks on her wrist:: I think T’Mihn bit me.

'''Wong:''' How are you so good at remembering all this? All I remember is just…. Well… ''almost'' nothing.

His shoulder felt sore and he felt like he was sitting on something strange. Now that wasn’t a hangover symptom. None of them were. This was ''something'' else.

''oO One problem at a time, Ikaia. Oo''

He tugged at the neck of his robe and pulled it back revealing a nasty bruise. That would explain why his shoulder felt like a mess. He hissed and winced as soon as his fingers brushed against it.

'''Sirin:''' El Aurians have almost total recall. It may blur a bit when intoxicated, but we remember all the things that are, as well as most of the things that should be. ::pauses, remembering Dwich:: Even when we don’t want to. 

'''Wong:''' This…. This looks like nerve pinch damage. But it’s in the wrong spot. This wouldn’t have knocked me out.

'''Sirin:''' Perhaps the bottle of Romulan Ale you drank had something to do with it. Shots are one thing, but you tried drinking a Vulcan guard under the table. It did not end well for either of you.

Ikaia tilted his head with curiosity (and regretted it when his dizziness acted up). He certainly didn’t remember drinking anyone under the table. And wasn’t Romulan Ale illegal?

''oO If it isn’t around here, it SHOULD be. Oo''

'''Wong:''' It’s not ending well for me ''now.'' Ugh…. ::He pauses to massage his temples:: ….Hey. Was I nerve pinched last night? It seems like someone didn’t like me being a priest. Was it…. T'Mihn who did this?

'''Sirin:''' She tried. But she was hanging from your back at the time and didn’t get a good grip. You should have never turned your back on her. She’s ancient, but vicious. The strange thing is, it looks as though there was more than one attempt. T’Mihn only tried once. 

Ikaia looked at his shoulder again. He was going to need to run a dermal-regenerator over that. Right now, it was just really sore. He let go of his collar and pushed the fabric of his robe to cover it over for now.

'''Wong:''' Wow…. okay. That’s uh… one feisty woman. I think I’m going to have to make amends with her. Clearly, I’ve upset her and well, I don’t think I can let that stand in good faith.

'''Sirin:''' That…..would be unwise and not good. I highly advise against such an action.

'''Wong:''' I don’t see what can go wrong. I’ll just apologize to her and try to fix things. 

'''Sirin:''' There are some things that cannot be fixed, Ikaia. Trust when I tell you, this is one of them.

Ikaia tried to swing his feet over the side of the bed. Now time to check out the weird thing he had been sitting on. He still felt incredibly dizzy. No doubt that he had some vertigo playing into this. He’d need his ''vertazine'' to fix at least most of this. It should be in his personal effects should he have held onto them throughout the night.  He grabbed onto the night stand for balance as got up. He looked at the bed for a moment and saw…. ''nothing.''  So whatever he was sitting on was ''on him'' and not the bed. He slowly reached behind him to see what he could feel. 

It felt like he had a large bandage on his backside. Or at least he thought he did. There was only so much he could feel through his clothes. But there was only one real way to check it. Ikaia did NOT like this idea one bit. A shocked expression started to cross his face.

'''Sirin:''' Starting to remember?.

'''Wong:''' Uhhh…. Did I have a uh… ''medical procedure'' done last night?

'''Sirin:''' Well, you did say something about missing your nurse. Do you remember having anything done? I think we parted ways for a few hours after the...um...thing we did.

'''Wong:''' Oh. Nurse Harper. He’s a pretty good nurse. Was I talking about him? Uh... I just… I’m drawing a real blank on what I did. Aaand what ''thing'' did we do?

He was going to have to find a private spot to try to get a look at why he had some sort of bandage on him.

'''Sirin:''' I...remember we did quite a lot. But ::embarrassed:: the actual order of events are a bit...out of order?

Ikaia was going to say something further when he heard the sound of his PADD going off. That was a good hint that his personal effects were here even if his outfit was not. He took a glance around the room to try and track down the sound before he saw a satchel on a nearby shelf. He didn’t remember bringing a satchel. But it DID sound like his PADD was at least in it. He picked it up and sure enough, his stuff was in there including his PADD. He pulled it out and answered it. He saw a VERY familiar face pop up on the screen.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 2</strong>
|-
| '''Wong:''' Aloha, Alieth. Nice to see you…

The expression of the petite Vulcan on the other side of the padd was much more frowny than usual. The kind of look you don't want to see when you wake up. Meidra hadn’t seen that look since the last time she’d had too much to drink.

'''Alieth:''' Finally you answered, Wong. I have been trying to reach you for hours.

Meidra grinned, in spite of the situation, and called out to her krei.

'''Sirin:''' My favorite little gremlin, you honor us by your presence.

Ikaia adjusted the screen so that Alieth had a better view of everyone in the room right now.

'''Wong:''' Unfortunately, I’m really hungover right now. I… I don’t think I’ll ever drink real alcohol again.  

The petite Vulcan on the screen blinked for a moment and in an act of emotion rarely displayed (and only in front of her nearest and dearest) she pinched the bridge of her nose.

'''Alieth:''' Well, you should suffer a little after all the ruckus you and my krei have created. I am 75.7658974354% certain that most of the guilt is on her, but you cannot deny your part in this affair.

'''Sirin:''' Why is it always my fault? I am almost positive I was defending your honor.

The phrase was only met with another pucker of Alieth's slanted eyebrows. Or a deeper one if that was possible, along with a dangerous narrowing of her eyes.

Before he could say a word, however, the Klingon turned the padd back towards him.

'''Wong:''' Hey, Alieth? I think I’m some sort of Vulcan priest now. I have no idea what that entails. But I somehow became one last night. The drunk version of myself had some interesting ideas.

Unfortunately, he was starting to look a touch green. That nausea was really starting to come back.

'''Alieth:''' That is one of the problems and I think you should contact Haadok, he...:: Alieth interrupted herself for a moment before moving closer to the screen, so that her face took up the entire padd:: You are not going to vomit, are you Wong? I cannot spend another six hours trying to contact you two, go to the bathroom.

'''Sirin:''' He’s definitely going to vomit.

'''Wong:''' What? N-no. I’m fine. ::He was NOT fine.:: S-so it’s Haddock? Like the fish….? 

'''Alieth:''' No, no Haadok, the man you two wronged yesterday. Before .... all the Clan Hall matters. You should sort that out as soon as possible, or the courts will intervene.

Meidra moved to the ancient replicator and requested Vulcan spice tea. What materialized was a cup of bright blue sludge that smelled like leftover plomeek soup. She made a face usually reserved for sessions with Kirky Bean. Sighing, she turned back to the conversation and shrugged.

'''Sirin:''' They’ll never make the charges stick. ::pause:: Not that I remember what the charges are. I may have to contact that Andorian attorney you have mentioned. Pita? Pepper? Something weird. ::shrugs::

Wronged? Did he offend someone else already?! That didn’t sound very Starfleet of him! He was going to have to fix this! Especially BEFORE Starfleet finds out.

'''Wong:''' Wow… I… I need to fix this. Smooth things over. I hope he’s oka---- 

A hand flew up to his mouth. His other arm wrapped around his stomach. Nope. Ikaia was far from okay himself. His stomachs made a loud gurgle in protest.  

'''Wong:''' I think… I’m… ugh… gonna be sick….. 

'''Sirin:''' I’d agree with that assessment.

On the other side of the screen, the diminutive figure of Alieth pulled away from the screen a little, revealing a small fragment of her Gorkon quarters, a galaxy away.

'''Alieth:''' I urge you to find somewhere to expel the contents of your stomach without further compromising this already precarious state of affairs.

The terrific, healthy (for a vulcan, yet not for a Klingon) shade of green that her friend was acquiring prompted her to make a brief pause.

'''Alieth:''' ::With restrained urgency.:: You should do it fast. Now.

He got up from where he was sitting. The only problem was he had no idea where the bathroom even was. All he knew was that this was a bedroom. He hasn’t even seen outside of this space yet. He looked around for ANYTHING that would help prevent him from making a mess. His gaze settled upon this ornate metal pot. That was going to have to do. He darted over to that pot and before he could apologize for anything, he doubled over and threw up into the pot.

'''Wong:''' …...Ugh……. ::A raspy whisper:: …. Sorry……

That was as much as he could say before he made yet one more prayer to this pot. It wasn’t the most becoming prayer for a newly minted priest.

'''Sirin:''' I’m not judging, but vomiting into a sacred water jug isn’t usually proper priestly behavior.

On the padd's tiny screen, Alieth raised her hand towards her nose once more and, before she completed the movement, she let it fall back into her lap, out of view of the device's camera.

'''Alieth:''' Some may even call it insulting. In any case, it is a noticeable display of poor manners.

Ikaia sat there for a moment in a daze. 

'''Wong:''' ::Groans:: I’m…. ugh…. I’m sorry…. I’ll deal with it…  Didn’t mean to interrupt or offend….. Please continue….

'''Alieth:''' Haadok, as I was saying, was offended by the actions you performed yesterday. These were deemed of such gravity that he is likely to take the case to law courts. ::Looking towards the corner of the padd trying to catch a glimpse of Sirin:: Which is not particularly befitting of a Starfleet officer's record, as you well know, Meimei..

'''Sirin:''' I’m not the one who threw up in a priceless sacred water jug.

He looked at the pot again while wiping his face with the back of his hand. (He'll have to clean EVERYTHING later). This was sacred?! How is he so bad at being a priest?! Did Vulcans just accept ANYONE as a priest? Ikaia was very much questioning their standards.

'''Wong:''' Starting to think I make for a terrible priest. But about this whole thing with Haadok, I really do think I have to go make amends here. Not only because it's the right thing to do but this could jeopardize my Starfleet career. ALL of this can. If anyone from the Fleet found out what I did here, I might get demoted OR WORSE! 

Ikaia was worrying again. He had worked so hard to get to where he was. The thought of losing it all terrified him.

On the small screen Alieth nodded gravely.

'''Alieth:''' Precisely. Which is why I urge you to seek out Haadok as soon as possible. His last known location that I track is in a cantina on the outskirts of the city not far from your current position. Get there as soon as possible and do WHATEVER IT TAKES to sort this mess out.

Ikaia got up from where he had doubled over. There was at least one wrong he could right by cleaning up this pot. He picked that up too.

'''Wong:''' I think we can accomplish that. I’m sorry for all the trouble we caused, Alieth.

'''Sirin:''' I’m not.

'''Alieth:''' Anyway, if I get any more information or get in touch with the Halls of the Clan I will call you back. Take the padd with you. ::Alieth held silent for a moment and glanced at the two of them with a stare that would make McKenzie proud::: And do not screw up any further.

'''Wong:''' We won’t. I promise you that.

'''Sirin:''' ::waves distractedly:: Yeah yeah, live long and prosper.

With that, the small screen of the device went dark.

Ikaia glanced back at Sirin.

'''Wong:''' Whatever we did, she’s quite upset with us. Hnn… we’re going to have to go fix this and make as much good as we can. Aaand I’m going to have to fix your hand while I’m at it.

Meidra felt actual paper in her robes and pulled them out, frowning. They bore the official seal of T’Mihn’s estate. Looking at it, she felt quite surprised.

'''Sirin:''' I think we have bigger problems than Haadok.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 3</strong>
|-
| '''((Just outside of Lil’ Naal’s - Somewhere on Vulcan - One hour later….))
'''
Ikaia had put on a pair of sunglasses he had replicated back inside the bed and breakfast. It helped cut back on the sunlight and just made everything just a bit more tolerable for him. Even with medication, the headache wasn’t entirely leaving him. Neither was a horrible realization. Ikaia had gone to the bathroom to yank the bandage off his backside. He was expecting blood. But when he saw the ink, he realized what had happened. 

''He had a tattoo.'' 

And it was in a really embarrassing location.

The poor Klingon remained quite quiet for the rest of the time. His mind is still processing everything. He didn’t even see what the tattoo was. He just knows he now has well…. Something tattooed to his rear end.

Just as his mind was starting to circle back around on those thoughts, a voice managed to cut through all his thinking.

'''Sirin:''' Are you unwell?

'''Wong:''' Huh? What?

'''Sirin:''' You aren’t planning to vomit again, are you?

'''Wong:''' I er…. Ah…. was just uh… thinking about something.

He looked just slightly flustered when asked. There was absolutely something he WASN’T telling Sirin.

'''Sirin:''' ::stares at him:: What did you do?

Ikaia had a look at Sirin. Her eyes narrowed at him. Oh there was something INTERESTING he wasn't saying. A slight blush started to cross his face. Meidra patiently waited for him to just admit whatever he’d done.

'''Wong:''' Ah er…. I uh…. Did a self exam earlier? It's ah…. Not important.

'''Sirin:''' Show me.

A bigger blush crossed his face. 

'''Wong:''' Ha! Uh… n-no! W-why is this so important?

'''Sirin:''' Because you have poor judgment when intoxicated and I’m trying to assess the damage.

His face was now a bright pink hue from the blush which has now made its way to the top of his ears.

'''Wong:''' It's… uh… haa…. Please don't laugh but… ah…. ::mumbling. Looking away from Sirin's gaze:: I think…. I think I have a tattoo in a really awkward spot….

Comprehension dawned and the short counselor raised her hand to the bridge of her nose. She could see how Alieth became frustrated with patients. 

'''Sirin:''' Turn around and show me.

Ikaia seemed absolutely SHOCKED at the idea. His hands flew up to his face as if it would help him hide his embarrassment.

'''Wong:''' Here? Now?! Out in the open?!

Well, Lil’ Naal’s was in the country. There weren’t too many people around for MILES. But he still felt so uneasy about being exposed like this.

'''Sirin:''' Yours will not be the first nude body I’ve seen after a night of drinking.

Ikaia bit his bottom lip. He was hating this. He was hating every bit of this. But this was from one teal shirt to another. He absolutely wanted to keep this clinical.

'''Wong:''' I’m only doing this from a medical standpoint. I uh… need to know that it’s not infected or anything.

He turned around and pulled the back of his robe up. It would have been up to Sirin to do the rest. Ikaia had his hands full of robes. 

'''Wong:''' It’s ah… on my right side.

He definitely felt those cold hands touch him and he tensed up a little. Who knew that Vulcans (even if they were hybrids) were capable of such cold hands?

'''Sirin:''' Very interesting.

'''Wong:''' Please be honest - is it bad? 

This whole adventure so far had really thrown him out of his groove. He mentally reminded himself to NEVER get drunk again. This was a whole different level of crazy for him!

'''Sirin:''' The lettering is efficiently transcribed. The color is interesting. Your skin tone sets it off nicely.

'''Wong:''' It isn't anything weird, right?

'''Sirin:''' Your choice of words is….. logical.

'''Wong:''' What does it say? Also, what language is it in?

'''Sirin:''' It’s in Vulcan. Hmm…..Property of Alieth 

Ikaia groaned as soon as she said it. Of course it would have been something like that. This was certainly the theme of the day.

'''Wong:''' It really is that? ::A beat:: You're right. I do make poor decisions while impaired if I thought a tattoo on my backside is a great idea. We absolutely CANNOT tell her that I have that tattoo. She’s going to think I’m creepy and weird.

'''Sirin:''' What makes you think she already doesn’t?

'''Wong:''' Because I'm not and I'm generally a good friend? ::Sighs:: The PADD work I'm going to have to fill out back home is going to be interesting. Are you done back there?

'''Sirin:''' Just admiring the artistry. The tattoo isn’t bad either.

Welp! This just crossed into a territory he wasn't thrilled about. He was still blushing. However, his expression was noticeably deadpan as he just let go of his robes.

'''Wong:''' Okay! This exam is now over.

'''Sirin:''' :: smirking:: Alieth is a lucky girl.

Ikaia straightened himself out. But there was one thing he was having trouble shaking all morning - the brain fog that had made its’ home in his mind. He felt like he was grasping at thoughts only to have them slip through his fingers like sand. Hopefully, it will clear up soon. Right now, his mind felt blunted.

'''Wong:''' Anyways… here’s a question - how did we get out here? Do we have a mode of transportation? I… I don’t remember anything yet.

Meidra saw Alieth’s yellow racer nearby and grinned. No scratches on it, so they must have driven safely the previous night. Or maybe things had just known to jump out of the way.

'''Sirin:''' We seem to have a vehicle.

'''Wong:''' Well, that’ll work! 

Ikaia walked up to the vehicle. He was about to consider driving when a wave of dizziness hit him. He held on to the side and pressed the palm of his hand to his head.

'''Wong:''' Ugh…. still way too out of it. Is this your car? Are you well enough to drive?

Sirin: I am prepared to operate this vehicle. .Are you well enough to be a passenger? I do not believe my krei would appreciate vomit anywhere near one of her favorite rides.

'''Wong:''' Just a bit dizzy still. But it’ll pass. I’ve already taken some vertazine for it. I don't think I'm gonna throw up again.

Meidra gave some thought as to their destination. 

'''Sirin:''' Well then, let’s get in and decide where we need to go for our answers.



'''((Twenty four hours earlier - S'th'gee Clan Household, Grand Oasis, outskirts of Chi-ree, Xial, Vulcan))'''

T’Vel watched the matriarch speak to ghosts in her head again, allowing a soft sigh to escape her lips. The illness that had plagued T’Mihn had been progressively gotten worse over the last year, exacerbating from mere forgetfulness to periods of complete madness. They’d managed to hide this from the Council, but the way T’Mihn was going, it would only be a matter of time before she was removed to Gol, or punished if found she was lucid enough to stand trial for her dealings with known criminals as her distant krei, Samek.

The Vulcan aide stood in silence, contemplating the most logical of options. She could not go to the Council and admit that this had been as the humans said “pushed under a rug” for so long, but neither could she stand there and let the matriarch descend into the prison of her own insanity. No, there must be another way to bring peace to the household again without destroying the reputation so carefully cultivated over centuries.

She thought back to T’Mihn’s former physician, Sormed, who had verified the illness and had then disappeared, never to be heard from again. Only two people knew of the diagnosis, herself and T’Mihn. The document that had shown T’Mihn’s bleak prognosis had been onan scroll, not on a PADD or other electronic device, as T’Mihn did not approve of such innovations. She was a product of her generation and demanded that all work be handwritten and stored where she could retrieve them as needed. Pleas to upgrade to a more logical system had fallen on deaf ears.

She pulled out her personal PADD that T’Minh knew nothing of, and hurriedly typed out a message to Alieth. She needed to learn the full truth of T’Mihn’s illness, but it could not look as though it was an intervention. She remembered hearing the matriarch complain about a Klingon that Alieth was spending time with and had an idea. She’d invite both of them here and let T’Mihn think it was to present the male for her approval. 

She silently watched the mistress of the house chatter with people who were not there, then left the room to prepare for their visitors.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 4</strong>
|-
| '''((Present Day, Cantina outskirts of Chi-ree, Xial, Vulcan))
'''

Ikaia has taken a nap for part of the road trip over to the cantina. He had only just woken up when the car came to a stop. He felt the jolt in movement which prompted him to wake up. Ikaia yawned. His Klingon fangs were out on full display as he allowed the yawn to pass. He pushed his fingers under his sunglasses to rub the sleep out of his eyes.

'''Wong:''' Are… are we there yet?

'''Sirin:''' We’ve just arrived. Can you function at acceptable levels? You’ve been sleeping the entire time.

She glanced over at the sleepy Klingon, one eyebrow raised. The boy was a good drinking partner, but obviously was not used to Meidra’s level of alcohol intake. He’d get better with practice.

'''Wong:''' Huh. I must have nodded off at some point…. 

Like the minute he sat in the vehicle.

'''Sirin:''' I noticed. How are you doing?

'''Wong:''' Still a bit tired. How are you holding up?

She thought about it, then shrugged lightly. She was trying not to remember some things, even as she attempted to recall others. It was giving her a headache. She missed Dwich terribly, but he was gone and she was fighting a hangover. She really wasn’t at her best.

'''Sirin:''' I remember too much, yet nothing of consequence. We need real answers.

'''Wong:''' Hmmm…. The sooner we can put the pieces together of everything that happened last night, the sooner that we can catch a break.

'''Sirin:''' I concur. I vaguely remember something about Commander Teller. Odd. ::shrugs again:: What is the plan? What are we doing?

'''Wong:''' So recap…. We’re looking for this Haadok. I literally have no idea what he looks like other than a Vulcan.

'''Sirin:''' Perhaps we’ll be fortunate and he’ll find us first.

'''Wong:''' Considering how upset with us he seems to be, I’m not so sure that’s a good thing.

'''Sirin:''' If we want the answers we seek, we need to find him.

Ikaia paused for a moment to stretch before taking off his seatbelt. Pushing open the door, he stepped out. The sand crunched under his feet. The cantina was small. But it had a decorative facade with a well outside. Ikaia walked past the well and stopped for a moment. He glanced at the well. There was something familiar about it to him.

'''Wong:''' Weird. Either I’m getting a serious case of deja vu here or I’ve seen this well before. 

Meidra looked from the well to Ikaia and took a step back.

'''Sirin:''' Have you vomited in one of those lately?

'''Wong:''' I dunno. There’s something familiar about it. Like I just have this really fuzzy memory of just being near a well. 

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to know where this was going. Glancing at his attire for the first time, she grinned slightly.

'''Sirin:''' Maybe you fell in and that is how you lost your clothes.

'''Wong:''' Do you remember anything?

'''Sirin:''' ::thinking:: I remember…. I left you here alone.

Ikaia looked into the well. His clothes clearly weren’t in there. He didn’t see anything!

'''Wong:''' Well, I don’t see any clothing inside the well.  ::Glancing back up at Sirin:: Why do you keep asking me about whether or not I’m going to puke?

'''Sirin:''' Because you seem to have an affinity for it..

Ikaia reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. Meidra smirked, seeing the resemblance to Alieth in the gesture. The cuteness was almost unbearable.

'''Wong:''' It was just ONCE! In a sacred water pot. Which I completely cleaned out, by the way.

'''Sirin:''' I just want to make sure you have no ill effects from last night. You may be Klingon, but your system was still compromised. T’Mihn was not the most gracious of hosts.

'''Wong:''' ::Sigh:: Thank you. I… appreciate the concern. Really.

'''Sirin:''' You are welcome. It’s not every day that you almost get poisoned by an insane Vulcan matriarch.

Ikaia paused. He tried to think back to last night. But it was coming up blank. He had no recollection of this.

'''Wong:''' Almost poisoned? Wow. I actually have no memory of this. 

'''Sirin:''' That does not surprise me.

'''Wong:''' Well, I think I'm just feeling the effects of the hangover. It'll clear up by the afternoon.

'''Sirin:''' ::clapping her hands together:: Just in time for happy hour.

'''Wong:''' Anyways, let's go find Haadok.

Ikaia walked over to the cantina entrance and opened the doors. It looked like a clean, well kept space. There were a few patrons seated eating meals. At the bar itself was the largest, most muscular Vulcan he had ever seen! He was pretty sure that man could break most Klingons over his knee…. Including himself.

'''Wong:''' Whoa! ::Whispering to Sirin:: Do you see that guy with all the muscles?

'''Sirin:''' Does he look familiar?

'''Wong:''' I sure hope he isn't the person I actually upset…. ::Gulp!:: He looks like he eats Klingons for breakfast….

Meidra’s gaze traveled up and down the Klingon in question. She liked what she saw.

'''Sirin:''' ::smiling:: But what a way to go.

Ikaia gave Sirin a deadpan look. Although, she probably couldn’t see it with his sunglasses in the way.

'''Wong:''' I’m going to go talk to the bartender, I’ll be right back.

Ikaia walks up to the bartender and begins asking questions. From a distance, Ikaia’s body posture was relaxed. Right up until the bartender pointed at the muscular Vulcan. Ikaia’s entire body just tensed up as he looked at the Vulcan in question while pointing at him. He did a double take while looking between the bartender and the giant muscle bound Vulcan. The bartender nodded with Ikaia’s pointing. The poor Klingon looked tense. As soon as he was done talking, he made his way back to Sirin.

'''Wong:''' That giant Vulcan with all the muscles? That’s Haadok. That’s the guy I cheesed off.

'''Sirin:'''  What could you have possibly done… you know, I am not going to finish that question.

'''Wong:''' Well…. I sure know how to pick em. At least while drunk.

'''Sirin:'''  You should attempt some sort of rapprochement now that you can see straight.

'''Wong:''' Ah hey. Would you mind coming with me? Not so sure I want to be around a Vulcan who could snap me in two just by looking at me!

'''Sirin:''' ::hiding a grin::: Of course. He looks friendly enough.

'''Wong:''' I think you and I have a very different definition of “friendly.”

Ikaia started to walk over to where Haadok was seated. He mentally had to prepare himself to talk to this large man. As soon as Ikaia was close enough to talk to him, he cleared his throat.

'''Wong:''' Ahem! Uh… greetings? You uh… must be Haadok, right?

Haadok turned around to eye the Klingon and his… friend?

'''Haadok:''' It seems you are back.

'''Wong:''' Ah! Well, yes I am! My name is Ikaia Wong and my friend here is Meidra Sirin…

'''Sirin:''' ::tilts head slightly:: Greetings.

'''Wong:''' I actually just want to talk to you about last night? 

'''Haadok:''' I remember. Clearly. You insulted my brother, Vanik, and then you attacked me. I had to defend myself.

Ikaia seemed surprised at the accusation. That didn’t sound like him. For starters, he’d never strike anyone. He wouldn’t even hurt a fly! He looked over at Sirin.

'''Wong:''' Er…. huh. ::Glances at Sirin:: I don’t know about anything Alieth has told you about our Academy days, but we went to school with Vanik and well, let’s just say he had an interest in me that was unreciprocated.

'''Sirin:''' I’m sure you wouldn’t have recognized flirtation if it bit you in the… tattoo.

'''Haadok:''' You rejected him when he needed you. He has not forgotten you, Wong.

'''Wong:''' Whoa whoa whoa! Is this what this is about? My apologies. I’m really sorry. At the time that happened, I was only twenty, and I’ve never encountered anything like that. I got scared and ran. I’m really sorry that it came across like rejection. But I had no idea what to do. I hadn’t been going to school with Vulcans for very long and we didn’t have any on the islands where I grew up. 

'''Haadok:''' Excuses.

'''Sirin:''' Actually, this one is as naive as a newborn foal. Quite charming, if you are into that sort of thing. Myself, I prefer a man who knows what he wants and knows how to go after it.

'''Wong:''' Naive?! Come on! I’m better than that!

'''Sirin:''' ::dryly:: You drank poison.

'''Haadok:''' This Klingon is the reason why Vanik is STILL a cadet as he casually pointed out last night.

Now THAT surprised Ikaia. He had no idea Vanik was still a cadet. They took many of the same classes together. That means he didn’t pass something.

'''Wong:''' I…. I had no idea. I would have thought he’d have his own posting by now.

'''Sirin:''' ::under her breath:: Or a new boyfriend.

'''Haadok:''' He does not. He still thinks about you. Likes to talk about that handsome blond Klingon. You’re a distraction and a disgrace.

'''Wong:''' Okay uh… can you stick a pin in that for a moment while I talk to my friend here?

Ikaia motioned for Sirin to follow him to a quieter spot. He stole one quick glance at Haadok before speaking to Sirin.

'''Wong:''' Something feels off about this. For starters, I’m not the sort to attack anyone and I actually don’t think I’d do that while drunk.

'''Sirin:''' You appear to forget much after intoxication.

'''Wong:''' Apparently so. But I know me. I took an Oath and I’m super bound to it - first, do no harm. I wouldn’t strike anyone. I don’t even really like carrying a phaser around. I really doubt that I’d be the sort to suddenly turn violent with a little liquid courage flooding my system.

Meidra stared hard at the other Vulcan, feeling a deep distrust arising within her. She wondered if T’Mihn had met with him at some point to cause trouble. Shaking off the thought, she turned to the Klingon beside her and spoke softly.

'''Sirin:''' There’s more to this. I don’t like it.

Ikaia blew the three few strands of hair out of his face for a moment.

'''Wong:''' I feel like he’s also blaming me for Vanik’s failure to graduate. Which is unbelievable. 

'''Sirin:''' What would you suggest we do?

'''Wong:''' I think what we need is evidence. Something that proves that I didn’t attack him. I feel like if we clear my name, he wouldn’t have a case to stand on in court and with any luck, it’d force him to drop it before it gets that far. ::Glancing up, he could see a camera pointed at the bar. He gestures at it.:: Now thaaaat might be helpful. I wonder if there’s more?

'''Sirin:''' I’m sure the greatest programmer in the Fleet can find a way to download what we need without arousing suspicion.

Ikaia blinked. His smile was just a touch goofy as he rubbed the back of his neck.

'''Wong:''' You think I’m great?

'''Sirin:''' I think you need to get that surveillance. But yes. 

'''Wong:''' Ha! Ah wow! Alright well…. I think I can get into the cameras from here. Not exactly a Starfleet approved method. So as long as nobody breathes a word about this, I can cover our tracks and be fine. After all, I don’t want to cost us our jobs. Ugh. This whole plan is wrong on so many levels…. But I’m going to need a diversion to keep the heat off of me while I do this. How good are you at distractions?

Did he not remember who she was? She almost laughed.

'''Sirin:''' ::dryly:: You must be joking..

'''Wong:''' Not joking. Absolutely not kidding at all. Unless you want to be handling the programming part. ::A beat:: Alright. I’m just going to step into the bathrooms to avoid being caught on camera for this. I’ll be back before you know it.

'''Sirin:''' At least if you need to vomit, you’ll be where you need to be.

'''Wong:''' I appreciate the concern. But I'll be okay. I don't exactly feel like blowing my warp core anyways.

Ikaia got up from where he's seated.

'''Wong:''' Good luck.

'''Sirin:''' Don’t get caught.

Ikaia made his way over to the bathrooms and disappeared from sight.

Haadok didn't hear the exchange between Wong and Sirin. But he DID see the Klingon walk away. Meidra recognized the look on Haadok’s face. It spoke of the superiority so many Vulcans showed, camouflaged as logic. She wanted to punch him. 

'''Haadok:''' Your friend has left you, Sirin.

'''Sirin:''' A trip to the facilities is common after a night of drinking.

'''Haadok:''' He is a bad influence. First he has corrupted my brother and now I see he has done the same to you.

She could imagine the look on Addison’s face at that, and barely prevented a snort of laughter from escaping. She grabbed a bottle of Vulcan brandy from a nearby table, making a show of studying the label with a weary eye. She would not punch this idiot. Not yet, anyway.

'''Sirin:''' Normally, people accuse me of being the bad influence.

'''Haadok:''' That is an interesting thing to say.

'''Sirin:''' ::shrugs, opening the bottle to drink from it:: I’m an interesting woman.

'''Haadok:''' I have seen what he is capable of last night. You should not trust him. 

'''Sirin:''' Who I choose to trust isn’t your concern. He’s harmless, why bother continuing this farce?

'''Haadok:''' If your aim is to get me to drop the case against him, I will not. He is a Klingon. Violence is a natural tendency for them. His temper is a fierce one. I had to defend myself.

Meidra scoffed. She wasn’t about to let this smarmy male harm her friend.They had not known each other long, but he was quickly becoming family to her. Now, if Alieth could see it too, well, who knew what could happen? Giving the other Vulcan an amused stare, she waved the bottle around as a prop.

'''Sirin:''' Ikaia is many things, but violent is not one of them. If anything, he is weak and mild. What really happened last night, Haadok? Did you trip on your own ego and hurt yourself?

Haadok froze when he heard the sound of a loud crash.

'''Haadok:''' What was that?

Meidra threw back another gulp of brandy from the quickly emptying bottle.

'''Sirin:''' Perhaps some small rodent come to terrorize the big strong Vulcan.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 5</strong>
|-
| '''((Meanwhile in the Cantina's bathroom.))'''

Ikaia glanced around him as he sought out a stall. No one was here so far. So he had some options. He entered the cleanest one he could find and shut the door. He perched on top of the toilet seat like a gargoyle as he pulled out his PADD to start trying to get into the network those cameras were on.

''oO Why does she keep thinking I'm going to puke after exactly one time? Maybe I REALLY don't feel 100%. But I just don't feel queasy enough to…..Oo''

His stomachs gurgled at him angrily. Ikaia groaned at the sensation. It felt like a stomach ache to him.

''oO Ohhh…. That doesn't feel too good. Spoke too soon. This is so stupid. Medical Officers shouldn't get sick. Yet here I am. Oo''

There was a thought at the back of his mind. Maybe there was some validity to Sirin suggesting he may have been poisoned? He was about to dwell on this more when he finally got into the camera's network. He started copying last night's files to his PADD.

''oO I'm in. Time to grab those files and cover my tracks. Make it look like I was never here….Oo''

He was tapping away on his PADD when he heard someone enter. He could hear the footsteps stop in front of his stall. There was a knock at the door.

'''Wong:''' Occupied! 

The footsteps moved on. He looked back down at his PADD and kept working. He had the files he needed. He was just deleting all traces of him ever having been in the system in the first place. 

''oO This should cover our tracks. No one should be none the wiser. I hope Meidra's doing okay. Oo''

He had just finished his mission when a wave of dizziness hit him. Ikaia tried his best to keep his balance when he felt his footing slip. Ikaia YELPED as he tried to keep his feet out of the toilet when he fell forward into the stall door. This did not break his fall! Instead, it was sheared clean off its hinges, causing him and the door to cascade down in a loud crash!

He glanced around in a daze for a moment or two when he heard a voice from one of the stalls asking if he was okay. He shook himself off as he looked at the sorry dented state of the door.

'''Wong:''' Uhhh…. Everything is okay?

He frantically put his PADD away and picked up the door. He was trying to fit it back into place. But nothing was fixing this. He decided to set it down before trying to figure out his escape. He settled on casually washing his hands and walking out of the bathroom as if nothing ever happened.


'''((Back in the Cantina))'''

Ikaia stumbled out of the bathroom and made his way back to Sirin and now Haadok.

'''Wong:''' Ah hello! Did I miss anything?

'''Sirin:''' Nothing of consequence.

Ikaia glanced at the brandy Sirin seemed to be drinking straight from the bottle. Maybe the hair of dog trick worked for her. But he couldn't even THINK of drinking right now. Just the thought of it was enough to unsettle his stomachs.

'''Wong:''' Our friend here is driving you around the bend, isn't he?

'''Sirin:''' He’s quite adamant in his recollection of last night’s events.

She calmly took a drink from her bottle, sighing in contentment. She may yet get to punch this smarmy male with the stupid name.

'''Haadok:''' We were just discussing your case.

'''Sirin:''' ::to Haadok:: You were being deliberately obtuse.

'''Wong:''' Er wow. Okay. Ah… anyways, Mister Haadok, when would you say that we interacted last night?

'''Haadok:''' 9pm. Local time. Or perhaps 2100 hours as Starfleet would put it.

Ikaia nodded as he took a seat next to Sirin. He pulled out his PADD for her to look at.

'''Wong:''' Can you give us a moment?

'''Haadok:''' Certainly.

Ikaia went to look for the footage in question, Meidra keeping an eye on Haadok. 

'''Wong:''' Has he told you anything else while I was gone?

'''Sirin:''' ::in a low tone, never taking her eyes off the other Vulcan:: Just that you are a violent psychopath who will lead me astray. ::sighs:: Sadly, he is quite mistaken, you couldn’t get into a proper fight if you tried.

'''Wong:''' Somehow, I don't think Starfleet would be keen on allowing that into their ranks.

'''Sirin:''' You’d be surprised.

He pulled up last night's footage, Meidra glancing down to see what had actually happened the night before.

'''Sirin:''' What are we looking at?

'''Wong:''' It’s last night’s footage. Hopefully, there’s something in here that will clear my name….

Ikaia could see himself wandering around the cantina with a bottle in hand completely drunk out of his mind. His wobbly zig zagging gaite ended up with him bumping into Haadok.

'''Wong:''' Is he REALLY counting THAT as assault? I don't think I could even have walked a straight line let alone hurt anyone.

'''Sirin:''' You still can’t.

'''Wong:''' ::Deadpan:: ''Hilarious.''

The video continued on. Ikaia could see himself stopping to talk to Haadok although without sound, he couldn't tell what was being said. However, it wasn't long until he saw Haadok reach out to try to nerve pinch him. Ikaia could see the look of fear cross his face.

'''Wong:''' He assaulted me. I wasn't even fighting back….

Meidra watched in curiosity, head tilted to the side. It was somewhat entertaining to witness the poor attempt at a nerve pinch. Not that she was much better.

'''Sirin:''' Fascinating. His posture is completely incorrect, but his enthusiasm seems to make up for it.

Ikaia saw himself pull away from Haadok's grip only to be picked up and carried outside. Another cut in the footage from outside the Cantina revealed Ikaia being thrown into the well. He finally looked back at Sirin. Ikaia looked really uncomfortable. He was feeling upset, shaken, and chilled at what he saw. 

'''Wong:''' ….. He's trying to sabotage my career. Everything. Everything I've worked so hard on. All those sleepless nights spent studying. All those times I helped out on missions. Everything. And I could have drowned in that well last night…. That pointy-eared cretin! 

'''Sirin:''' We will end this now.

'''Wong:''' Agreed.

He finally looked back at Haadok as he made his way over to him.

'''Wong:''' Mister Haadok. It has come to our attention that you may not be entirely forthright with us.

'''Sirin:''' ::losing patience:: You attacked a helpless drunk.

'''Haadok:''' That is not possible. I do not lie.

'''Sirin:''' But you do try to attack people who are not sober enough to defend themselves.

Her fingers twitched, a sure sign she was going to nerve pinch someone soon.

'''Wong:''' You tried to nerve pinch me and when that didn’t work, you picked me up and threw me into the well last night. Had I not made it out, I would have drowned. I hardly call that self defense.

'''Haadok:''' You attacked me, Wong.

'''Wong:''' No. You attacked me under the idea that you can get some form of petty revenge by sabotaging my career in Starfleet. And you did it while I was at my MOST vulnerable. 

'''Sirin:''' You are illogical in your defense. It is beneath any Vulcan to hide behind half truths.

'''Wong:''' I do believe that’s a crime which we have evidence for.

Haadok narrowed his gaze at the other Vulcan and her friend.

'''Haadok:''' What evidence?

'''Sirin:''' ::gulps brandy, slamming the bottle on the table:: You have shifty eyes. It screams your guilt.

'''Wong:''' We also have a video which shows that I never attacked you. At worst, I drunkenly bumped into you. But I absolutely was NOT able to walk a straight line then due to me being entirely sloshed. I think if this video ever made it to court, I don’t think your case against me would survive. In fact, I’d have a much stronger case against you.

'''Sirin:''' And I know of a cutthroat Andorian attorney who would eat you for breakfast.

Haadok froze. He had been caught. If that video surfaced during court, his credibility would be done for. Haadok pushed himself up from his seat and sat the cup of tea he had been drinking back down.

'''Haadok:''' How unfortunate. Then I suppose I do not have much of a choice in the matter and that I must withdraw my case.

'''Sirin:''' Logical.

'''Wong:''' Good. I suggest you do that now, Mister Haadok. ::Glances over at Sirin.:: I’m satisfied if you are.

Meidra shrugged, then had an idea. 

'''Sirin:''' Can we throw him in the well now?

'''Wong:''' No. I don’t think we should stoop to his level. Considering his level is that of the sand we’re walking on.

'''Sirin:''' Your maturity is quite annoying.

Haadok’s expression was subtle but it was there. A certain Vulcan-styled irritation. Perhaps he didn’t achieve justice for his brother today. But he will get it one day.

'''Haadok:''' Consider yourself lucky, Wong. 

And with that, the large Vulcan left the cantina. Ikaia glanced over at Sirin.

'''Wong:''' Thanks for all your help.  

'''Sirin:''' I still think he should have kissed the bottom of that well.

'''Wong:''' I think I’m ready to leave this place. I feel like if we stay for too much longer, Haadok will come up with another revenge scheme against us.

Meidra’s grin was quite chilling as she stared at the door Haadok had just walked through.

'''Sirin:''' If he did, you would not be able to prevent his fate.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 6</strong>
|-
| '''((Twenty one hours earlier - S'th'gee Clan Household, Grand Oasis, outskirts of Chi-ree, Xial, Vulcan))'''

Meidra and Ikaia made their way to the large doors leading to T’Mihn’s domain. The stillness of the cool Vulcan night was only interrupted by the chirping of nightbirds and the drunken conversation between friends.

'''Sirin:''' Now, you don’t say anything unless you are asked a question. And even ::hiccups:: even then - don’t reveal too much. T’Mihn is an old viper, she might look fangless, but she can still attack if you let your guard down.

Ikaia was very tipsy at this point. Attempting to out drink a Vulcan guard was a terrible idea. He wasn’t even sure HOW he came to that idea. He couldn’t even remember who won. Ikaia waved his hand. He had enough liquid courage in his system that he really had no sense of the danger he was in. His stance was wobbly and unsteady. He was clearly inebriated. 

'''Wong:''' Ha nah…. I got this. I… I can do this. She’s probably actually not… not that bad….

The counselor shook her head, making her a bit dizzy. She knew that letting this poor innocent boy anywhere near the matriarch without protection was unacceptable. Alieth could not be here to watch over him, so Meidra would do so in her stead. 

'''Sirin:''' I know you always want to see the best in people. ::beat:: Just follow my lead and don’t say too much. And...keep that hologram handy, we may find a… ::hiccup:: use for it.

Ikaia briefly attempted to think back to the hologram he had programmed back at the cantina. He did it more as a joke than to do anything serious. It had managed to give him a laugh. 

'''Wong:''' Whaaat? The Flying Head? Pfff…. It’s hilarious. I… I dunno who the man’s head belongs to, though. Just some…. Uh… random officer I think…. Why do we need it….?

'''Sirin:''' I do not know. But all things can be used as a weapon if needed.

Further explanation was halted by the opening of the doors. There were no guards around, which instantly put Meidra on alert. If T’Mihn did not deem them a threat, she was up to something horrible.

'''T’Vel:''' We welcome you to our home.

The walk to T’Minh’s lair was mostly silent, broken up only by a wayward giggle from Meidra. She hated this place and didn’t feel like she’d ever be welcomed there, but it wasn’t going to hurt her as it had as a child. As she passed the ceremonial lirpa, she had a stray impulse to pull it off the wall and challenge the lady of the house to a duel.

Moments after they entered the room, T’Mihn did as well. Her expression seemed different somehow, like she was almost - content. This could not be good.

'''Sirin:''' T’sai T’Mihn, this one who comes to you is honoured by your presence.

T’Mihn stared at the two intruders in her home. She struggled to maintain her composure that Meidra had brought a Klingon spy into their sanctuary. Didn’t the little fool realize that Klingons could not be trusted? Even now, in the years after the Klingons had fought against the Federation, there were spies trying to weasel their way into secrets they had no business knowing. She could hear Sern speak to her and he was telling her that she must destroy Meidra and this - boy - before harm fell upon her house.

This was T’Mihn? She didn’t seem so scary to Ikaia. She looked downright pleasant! Maybe this was blown so out of proportion? Well… he had to think. Somehow. He needed to make a good first impression.

''oO Okay, Brain. It’s first impression time! What…. What do we go with….?Oo'' 

'''Wong:''' <big>'''''Haaaloooohaaaaaa!'''''</big>

That was definitely NOT subtle at all! In fact, that was quite loud and enthusiastic.

Meidra pinched the bridge of her nose, wondering how Alieth managed to avoid this situation. She decided to transport them to her cousin’s secured garage and borrow the yellow demon Alieth seemed to treasure. If they were going to survive this evening, they were going to need fast transportation that could not be traced like a transporter log.

'''Sirin:''' Ikaia...no.

'''T’Mihn:''' Welcome my children. This one before you is honored by your presence. ::motions to ornate chairs:: Come, sit. We have refreshments to replenish you from your long journey. Where is Alieth? I specifically requested her presence.

The old woman smiled placidly at these interlopers. How dare Meidra bring this - nirak into her home? A Klingon spy presented as possible kin. She took a cleansing breath, remembering the poison in her ring. Fussing over an ancient teapot, she shook the dust into the three mugs. They would all perish together if she could not get them to confess their treacherous behavior.

'''Sirin:''' On board her ship. The ship she’s on. Not on top of it, um…she’s in the ship. ::frowns:: Why isn’t she here? You should have invited her.

T’Mihn nodded. Obviously the Klingon infidel had gotten her drunk to learn clan secrets. It would be kind to kill her. 

T’Vel entered with refreshments and slid a note to Meidra while T’Mihn’s back was turned.

'''T'Mihn:''' Perhaps next time.

Ikaia looked at the seats being offered. He wobbled his way over to it and sat down with a flop. Meidra quickly scanned the note and frowned.

'''Wong:''' Ah… tha… thank you. ::A glance at Sirin:: Seeeeee? Anyone who off…. Offers tea is a good person!

'''Sirin:''' Your standards are rather low. ::hiccups::

'''T'Mihn:''' Drink the tea, it is most pleasant. 

Ikaia picked up a cup that was offered to him. He took a drink of the tea and a stupid smile crossed his face.

'''Wong:''' Woooow! This is good stuff…. It's got a ''kick'' to it….! Thaaanks….

'''Sirin:''' '''''Drop that.''''' ::slaps cup out of his hand::

'''T’Mihn:''' Perhaps you can inform me who I serve tea to this evening.

'''Wong:''' Oh… sorry….. My… my name is Ikaia Wong and I'm a goodest medical offi… officer and Physician Assistant. I'm a total cinnamon roooll…. A goodest boy! ::Hic!:: Oh, Meidra… your hiccups are contagious … maybe it's a new disease. We…. ::Hic!:: We should call it…. Wong-Sirin Syndrome…

That was FAR from being a good introduction! 

'''T’Mihn:''' This is supposed to be Alieth’s replacement for Sern?

'''Sirin:''' ''Nen lhomek i skavdu tsifuzin.'' (You are tending a plant that is dead)

'''T'Mihn:''' Sern died only to be forgotten. 

Ikaia curiously tilted his head. He really wasn’t sure what a “sern” was. Was this the Vulcan word for friend? Or something else? He kinda wished he spoke fluent Vulcan.

'''Wong:''' Ah…. what’s…. ::Hic!:: What’s a “sern?”

'''Sirin:''' He was T’Mihn’s grandson….and Alieth’s chosen bond mate.

'''T’Mihn:''' They were nothing to each other.

Ikaia was trying really hard to track on to what was being said. But it was like grasping at water. He was coming up with nothing. Meidra sighed, she was forgetting something important, but couldn’t remember what it was. Stupid chocolate martinis, she knew she should have stuck to Klingon blood wine once she’d started. 

'''Wong:''' Wait whaaaat? Can you… you explain that to me again? I’m… ::Hic!:: supposed to be what...?

Meidra was getting some weird vibes off the old girl, and focused her energies on trying to read T’Mihn’s emotions. All she was getting was static. Something was wrong with the matriarch, besides the usual skulduggery and sense of superiority. She would have to be extra diligent in protecting Alieth’s innocent cinnamon roll of a friend.

'''Sirin:''' I’m not sure if anyone knows the answer to that question.  

She slowly waved a hand in front of her face, struggling to recall if she should be seeing seven fingers on one hand. Shaking her head, she tried to focus on the crazy Vulcan lady who was calmly losing her mind. She knew she had to protect Alieth and this silly Klingon from T’Mihn.

'''T’Mihn:''' You are the one Alieth has chosen for her bond mate. Drink your tea.

It finally clicked inside of Ikaia’s alcohol-addled mind. This was NOT what he was expecting at all!

'''Wong:''' But… But Alieth is my friend. She’s cool and amazing and... awesome and so smart and she’s got…  ::Hic!:: … she’s got this smile that I call the…. The Mona Lisa smile….. She doesn’t think I …. ::Hic!:: … notice it. But I do…. Best friend…. ever….

'''Sirin:'''  She is a jewel that shines brightly ::hiccup:: in a sea of stars. 

'''T’Mihn:''' The tea is getting cold ::pours Wong some more, fretting at the tea that has spilled onto the floor::

Ikaia couldn’t help but to giggle. 

'''Wong:''' I…. I like everyone in this room. You’re all….. You’re all…. Fantastic.

'''Sirin:''' You should drink some water.

'''T’Mihn:''' You should drink some tea. I shall get you more.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 7</strong>
|-
| She left the room and Meidra hurriedly showed Ikaia the proof that T’Mihn had been mentally ill for at least a decade, signed by the matriarch’s personal physician. There was also a file sent to Meidra’s PADD showing that the healer had disappeared soon after the prognosis, with T’Vel’s assertion that he’d been silenced. 

'''Sirin:''' We need to find that scroll. A copy on my PADD will not hold up in a court of Vulcan law. T’Mihn is a danger to herself and others. We need to get her to tell us where that proof is….and I think Commander Teller is going to help us do it.

Ikaia was trying really hard to track on. This was important. Really important. He had to at least TRY to sober up. 

'''Wong:''' Hold…. ::Hic!:: hold on. 

'''Sirin:''' What are you going to….

The next thing Ikaia did was both comedic and shocking. He slapped himself as hard as he drunkenly could. The sound of skin slapping against skin reverberated throughout the room. Ikaia yelped at slapping himself. He rubbed his cheek.

'''Wong:''' Ugh…. that hurt. ::Hic!:: Okay…. Okay…. So what do you want me to…. To do?

'''Sirin:''' Turn Teller’s head on.

'''Wong:''' I… I can do that. Just point me in the right spot.

'''Sirin:''' You’re already here, Ikaia.

'''Wong:''' No….  I meant…. ::Hic!:: ughh…. I meant literally point me in the right spot. Everything is soooo wobbly….. ::Hic!::

Meidra may have sworn under her breath. 

'''Sirin:''' Alieth, you owe me much for this mess.

Ikaia stumbled around for a moment until he was in the right direction. He fell to the floor with a drunken flop.

'''Wong:''' Wow….. even the…. The floors are comfy.

'''Sirin:''' I’m sure T’Mihn will be pleased you think so.

Ikaia lazily pulled the PADD from his back. Without getting up from the floor, he started uploading the Flying Head program into the nearest holographic emitter.

'''Wong:''' Pff-ha! This is… ::Hic!:: going to be soooo hilarious. What effect will…. Will this have?

'''Sirin:''' We’re going to scare her into telling us where that medical report is.

'''Wong:''' Oh…. is this…. ethical?

'''Sirin:''' The Vulcan High Council decides what is ethical. We’re just helping them by giving them something to debate.

'''Wong:''' Vulcan rules are ::Hic! Uggh…..:: weird. And I sooo… ::Hic!:: need a cure for these hiccups….

'''Sirin:''' Imagine T’Mihn finding us before we get Teller up and running. Now hurry.

Ikaia finally finished uploading his Flying Head program before shoving the PADD back in his bag. He drunkenly rolled on his back on the floor. He held his arm up and gave a VERY wobbly thumbs up.

'''Wong:''' Tell….. Teller is…. Activated. Ha! Pfffffff…. This is going to be soooo much fuuuunn….! The Flying Head should come up any minute now…..

Meidra could hear T’Mihn coming back. 

'''Sirin:''' Get up off the floor, Ikaia.

'''Wong:''' Ugh… do I have to get up….? ::Hic!::

'''Sirin:''' Yes.

'''Wong:''' She’s coming back… ::Hic!:: is… isn’t she?

'''Sirin:''' She is. Make sure you get that head to say what we agreed upon.

Ikaia pushed himself up off the floor as best as he could. He wobbled his way back to his seat and flopped down.

'''Wong:''' Whooooa….. The room is spinning. Is this a… a …. A… trick room?

'''Sirin:''' It will be, if you get that head to work. 

Horrifying sounds began to emanate from the holographic projectors. Ikaia was grinning like an idiot. This was already amusing for him in his inebriated state. The sound was getting louder and eventually it became a voice.

'''Teller the Flying Head:''' My nawme iws Commandew Tewwer awnd I wove uwu!

Ikaia was grinning some more.

'''Wong:''' It’s…. It’s like the bestest…. Right?

'''Sirin:''' It’s like being with the actual human. Well done.

Ikaia laughed-snorted as he flopped back in his seat. Oh he was so ready for this show!

'''Wong:''' I had to…. ::Hic!:: had to do this for effect. Oh…. sounds like she…. She’s on her way back….

'''Sirin:''' Stand up straight and try not to vomit.

Well…. He was TRYING to stand up straight. The poor Klingon was still just far too tipsy and sloshed to be able to do ANYTHING straight.

'''Wong:''' I’m not…. Not gonna throw up again…. I already did… did…. Did that once. Made my mouth taste weird….. Not fun….

And yet when he did that, he was STILL attempting to drink that Vulcan guard under the table as if his drunken self learned exactly NOTHING from the experience.

'''Sirin:''' ::innocently:: You seem tired. Perhaps we should take our leave.

'''T’Mihn:''' We have much more to discuss.

As if on cue, the room began to fill with an eerie mist. It filtered out into the air and poured itself over every surface. Meidra tried to not roll her eyes at the theatrics.

'''T’Mihn:''' What is happening? 

'''Wong:''' Whaaat….? I see nothing….. 

Of course, it was EASY to play stupid when he was drunk out of his mind.

'''Sirin:''' Have you slept lately? You’re looking a bit pale.

'''T’Mihn:''' I tell you there is something in this room with us!

As if on cue, something began forming in the mist. Bright glowing yellow eyes cut through it like a knife. There was the sound of ominous giggling.

'''Wong:''' I…. I…. ::Hic!:: … don’t hear anything….

'''Sirin:''' There is nothing to hear.

'''T’Mihn:''' Silence! 

Finally, the shape got clearer. It looked more like a giant head. It moved through the mist towards T’Mihn. By the time it finally sliced through the mist, the head and its identity was fully revealed. Sitting in front of T’Mihn was an 8 foot head of Commander Teller. The ginger haired officer was grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat. His eyes continued to glow as he continued moving forward.

'''Teller the Flying Head:''' Hewwo, T'Mihn. I missed uwu. Did uwu miss me? Youw favouwite?

Ikaia took all his will power just to avoid laughing. Instead, what came out was a barely concealed snort. Meidra looked over at the matriarch with a bland expression learned from numerous diplomatic meetings she’d attended on Resolution.

'''Sirin:''' Is something wrong?

There was a sudden shift in tone from the Flying Head. Something far more ominous sounding.

'''Teller the Flying Head:''' You’ve been a bad girl, Minnie! You know your head isn’t on straight and that’s why you stole mine!

'''T’Mihn:''' What do you want, demon?

'''Teller the Flying Head:''' Confess. Give these children the scroll you hide. Write out a confession that you tried to kill these officers. Do it now…. or your head might be pulled off like mine!

Ikaia’s hands flew up to his mouth. He was grinning from ear to ear.

'''Wong:''' Ooooo… Meidra, she thinks she… she sees a demon. 

'''Sirin:''' If she means you, I might agree.

'''T’Mihn:''' Leave this place, demon!

'''Teller the Flying Head:''' Give them their proof!

'''Wong:''' Pfff! I don’t see a….. demon. Do you see….. One?

'''Sirin:''' I see a very agitated old woman, and a drunk ::hiccup:: Klingon.

'''T’Mihn:''' Can’t you both see it? It’s a demon.

'''Wong:''' There’s…. There’s no such things as…. Ghosts or demons…. Or supernatural boogie woogie….. ''It’s all in your head the whole time!'' ::Hic!:: So…. so…. So….. what are you talking about, Mrs. T’Mihn…..?

'''T’Mihn:''' You brought this… creature into my home. ::jumps on Ikaia’s back attempting a nerve pinch:: 

'''Sirin:''' Let him go! 

She jumped to the Klingon’s defense as the spry old woman was spun around on her friend’s back. Ikaia was screaming and Meidra had had quite enough. She reached for T’Mihn, pulling her hand back when she realized she’d felt sharp teeth. The old woman screamed as the giant head came closer, opening his large jaws to show hundreds of rows of teeth.

'''T’Mihn:''' Fine! ::runs to desk, writing a confession:: Take it, just get out of my home.

Both scrolls were thrust into Meidra’s hands as the head started to sputter. The old woman glared, realization dawning. She advanced on our heroes, malice in every step.

'''T’Mihn:''' Was this a trick? Guards!

'''Sirin:''' :: pulls Ikaia to the door:: And this…::hiccup:: is where we leave you, old girl!

Ikaia may have had talent in holographic programming. But that talent only went so far while he was drunk. His ability to catch and squash bugs in the code was at best a bit dodgy. So it came as no shock that the Giant Flying Head was starting to give out. He felt himself being yanked to the door by Sirin.

'''Wong:''' The tea was lovely…. By the…. By the way! Thank you…..! ::Waving at T’Mihn::

'''Sirin:''' Run, Ikaia.

'''T’Mihn:''' Guards!

Ikaia was further dragged outside towards well… a destination to say the least. He really wasn’t sure what was up and what was down at this point. He just knew he was running SOMEWHERE with Sirin.

'''Wong:''' Awww…. She was batty and…. Mean…. We should sooooo visit again. She cured my hiccups……!

'''Sirin:''' Alieth owes me a thousand debts for this.

Ikaia was still running. It looked like they were heading towards a building of some sort. The sound of Vulcan guards running behind them was unsettling. Their feet pounding against the sand. Ikaia started to get the vague idea that they were…

'''Wong:''' Oh…. we’re in a lot of trouble, aren’t we…..?

'''Sirin:''' Only if they catch us.

'''Wong:''' Where are we going…. What are we doing…..?

'''Sirin:''' Less questions, more running!

Somewhere, in Ikaia’s mind, he felt like Meidra wasn’t running fast enough. They needed to get inside that building for some reason. So Ikaia did only the most logical thing his drunken mind could come up with. He scooped up Sirin bridal style and hoofed it towards the building.

'''Wong:''' See….? MUCH FASTER!

Regrettably, his breath reeked of alcohol from a night’ s worth of drinking. But he was, at least, light on his feet still when a fire was lit under him. He moved quickly across the yard.

'''Sirin:''' I swear if you vomit on me, I will hurt you.

'''Wong:''' Aaah! Please don’t… don’t hurt me…!

Ikaia busted through the door to the building only to discover that it was a garage with a yellow racer parked in the middle of it. A getaway car.

'''Wong:''' I…. I don’t…. I don’t think I can drive…. I see two of you in my arms…. And I sooooo know there’s not two of you…. Otherwise I’d have to admit I have…. Four arms…..!

Ikaia finally put Sirin down. He unsteadily made his way over to the passenger’s side and slumped in the seat. Meidra checked the mirrors and revved the engine. Hopefully her cousin had corrected the passenger door adequately. She didn’t need Ikaia flying out of the yellow demon car.

'''Sirin:''' Hang on, this is going to be a bumpy ride.

Ikaia held up a finger as if he were trying to mimic a starship captain. It was a terrible mimic as he wobbled around with a stupid grin on his face. He pointed to the garage door.

'''Wong:''' Yellow car…. Engage! Maximum warp….!

His arms flopped down in front of him as he sat back in his seat.

'''Sirin:''' The things I do for family.

And with that, the garage door was flung open and the bright yellow racer peeled out of there as if it were chased by the Borg. It wasn’t long before the clan household was nothing but an angry speck in the distance.

''((End of flashback))''

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 8</strong>
|-
| '''((On the Road to T’Mihn’s place -  The Present))'''

Ikaia’s stomachs gurgled at him again. He groaned as he curled up a little more in the passenger’s seat of the car. It felt to him like he had a nasty stomach ache or flu. He really wasn’t feeling all that great. He was looking quite pale and ill. Added into this mix, was a new symptom - a fever. He was feeling far too warm. In the back of his mind, he was really starting to think about Sirin’s mention of poison. Although, he had to rule everything else out first. Time to be both his own medical officer and patient. He pulled a tricorder from his bag.

'''Sirin:''' Too much excitement?

'''Wong:''' Ugh… no. It’s not that. I just really don’t feel very good. Usually, I’d have recovered from most of the hangover by now. But I just feel awful. Like it's actually getting worse instead of better.

'''Sirin:''' You’ve been poisoned.

Ikaia started to scan himself. There had to be a reason why he was still feeling sick. Meidra making constant reminders of him being poisoned seemed to have a LOT of validity right now.

'''Wong:''' Poison is a top candidate based on what you’ve said. But I want to rule out things like appendicitis or other pathogens. I suspect that if I was actually poisoned, I'd still find something in my livers. 

'''Sirin:''' And what do your livers tell you?

He finally collected his data and looked over the scans.

'''Wong:''' Huh. That’s interesting….

'''Sirin:''' You figured out I was correct?

'''Wong:''' Well, I can rule out pathogens and I can certainly rule out appendicitis. But…. well… I am seeing something in my livers that SHOULDN’T be there. Compounds that…. Ugh…. ::wrapping one of his arms around his stomach:: ….compounds that don’t belong in a Klingon liver. I think there’s a very good chance that T’Mihn poisoned me. You’re entirely right.

'''Sirin:''' Imagine that.

'''Wong:''' I don’t even remember anything about the visit with T’Mihn last night. But if she did poison me, it’s likely she has the antidote for this if I had to take a guess. Otherwise, I’m either going to find myself in a hospital or someone’s sickbay OR I’m going to have a very miserable 48 hours ahead of me while my body tries to flush it out. It’s not going to be pretty.

'''Sirin:''' More vomiting. Lovely.

'''Wong:''' I’ll uh… let you know if we need to pull over so I can eject my warp core so to speak. This isn’t exactly fun for me either.

'''Sirin:''' Try not to eject anything on the vehicle’s interior.

Ikaia was going to say something more when he heard his PADD go off. He pulled it out of his bag and propped it up on the dashboard before answering it. A certain familiar Vulcan appeared on screen - Alieth.

The Vulcan's eyebrows on the screen furrowed slightly, and she took three and a half seconds longer than necessary to begin speaking. Not a good sign, to say the least.

'''Alieth:''' You are in my racer. In my yellow racer.

'''Sirin:''' A most excellent vehicle. We thank you for its use.

Extremely brief sentences that, even so, foreshadowed a tempest.

'''Wong:''' Hi, Alieth.

'''Sirin:''' Greetings.

The petite Vulcan stared at them for a few seconds in silence, though her gaze shifted more than once to the vehicle they occupied before refocusing on it. The slanted eyebrows lowered further down her forehead, obscuring her eyes.

'''Alieth:''' Has your physical condition improved since my last contact? Have you overcome the counter-effects of ebriety?

'''Wong:''' Ugh no. Apparently, I’ve been poisoned. Something about T’Mihn doing that? But I literally have no memory of it. Your cousin seems to though. 

The Vulcan's eyebrows lowered even further, as her eyes narrowed into a thin line that transpired a minuscule mixture of concern and suspicion.

'''Alieth:''' The allegation that a Matriarch made an attempt against your lives is extremely serious... and even more so having in mind that she failed, and you have survived. How...?

Before the question was finished, the vehicle's driver was already answering, knowing more than well what was on her krei's mind.

'''Sirin:''' I knocked the cup from his hand, but he had already ingested a small amount.

'''Wong:''' Enough to make my life hell right now. I’m not feeling so hot. Or actually I am with this fever - 101.6.

'''Sirin:''' If you were human, you would be dead. Let’s be thankful Commander Teller never came for tea.

The Vulcan woman who stared at them from across the galaxy made a pause longer than usual.

'''Alieth:''' Keeping Geoffrey John alive was problematic enough without adding further threats to his life.

As if the redheaded human wasn't already a danger to his own life on his own. Anything added to that pale-legged catastrophe was just a call for calamity. The full-blooded Vulcan blew out through her mouth. Something that, perhaps, could have passed for a sigh.

Eventually, she turned to face the Klingon. A Klingon who was considerably paler than usual ...and perhaps a little greenish.

'''Alieth:''' Anyway, how are you feeling, Wong? Do you need medical assistance?

'''Wong:''' I’ll make it. It’s just going to be rough. But I’m pretty sure I can hold out. 

'''Sirin:''' Or hold it in.

'''Alieth:''' :: Narrowing her eyes:: Are you going to vomit?

'''Wong:''' I just… need to get the antidote for this. As soon as I have that, I’ll be on the mend and by tomorrow, I’ll be back to my old self. And no… I’m not gonna puke. Or at least I don’t think so.

'''Sirin:''' Can you be an improvement to your old self?

'''Alieth:''' His old self is already appropriate, it requires no improvement. In any case, did you learn what happened with Haadok?

Meidra hid a grin. Her little krei was…''fond''…of the Klingon. She filed it away for future reference.

'''Wong:''' As for Haadok, it turns out that cretin was trying to sabotage my Starfleet career because Vanik didn’t graduate, which he completely blames on me for distracting him. I never attacked him. But he attacked me when I was at my most vulnerable and lied about it.

'''Sirin:''' And threw you into a well.

The Vulcan blinked once. With both pairs of eyelids. Very slowly.

'''Alieth:''' ….what?.

'''Wong:''' Which reminds me…. I’m not really a priest, am I? Nor does my tattoo say what you claimed it to say. You were yanking my chain the whole time, weren’t you, Meidra?

'''Sirin:''' Perhaps. It’s a bit fuzzy.

On the padd, silence lingered, with many associated eye blinks.

'''Wong:''' If I had to take an educated guess, the change to robes was to keep me from freezing after being thrown into the well. Not because Vulcans would allow ANYONE off the street into their priesthood. So what does my tattoo REALLY say?

Meidra stared at him, her gaze placid. Finally she nodded.

'''Sirin:''' It means lucky. And you have proven that multiple times on this adventure.

Finally the Gorkon officer seemed to regain her ability to speak.

'''Alieth:''' Which tattoo?.

Well. That was far better than “Property of Alieth.” Although, now that he brought up that he now HAS a Vulcan tattoo in front of Alieth, he was hoping he wasn’t going to have to explain it.

'''Wong:''' Oh uh… it’s just a tattoo I got last night. 

'''Alieth:''' ....While you were inebriated and poisoned…

Meidra grinned, glancing downwards at a certain part of the young Klingon.

'''Sirin:''' In a most interesting place.

'''Wong:''' Meidra, don’t tell her where it is.

'''Alieth:''' ::narrowing her eyes:: ….where? 

'''Sirin:''' If she’s ''lucky'', she’ll find it on her own.

'''Wong:''' Meidra, please----

Ikaia stopped when a particularly BAD stomach cramp hit him. He wrapped his arms tightly around his stomach with a groan. He waited for that feeling to pass before speaking.

'''Wong:''' ….We need to find that antidote. 

'''Alieth:''' Scan a sample of your blood, I will see what I can arrange with the nearest Starfleet facility. In any case, where are you headed now?

'''Wong:''' I’ll send you what I’ve scanned. :: the tiny vulcan in the PADD nodded :: to these words:: We’re on our way back to T’Mihn’s. I’ll avoid the refreshments this time around.

'''Sirin:''' Representatives from the Council should be meeting us there. I do not want to try apprehending her on our own.

The Vulcan's slanted eyebrows lowered smoothly, darkening her eyes and rendering her features even more earnest than usual.

'''Alieth:''' Is it that serious, krei?

Before Meidra could answer that question, Ikaia picked up his tricorder and got ready to send the data.

'''Wong:''' There. The data should be on its way to you. You can probably see why I’m feeling so rotten at the moment. I realize that going back to T’Mihn’s at this point is crazy. But right now, I feel like we need to do something crazy.

He put his tricorder back in his bag, Meanwhile, on the other side of the galaxy, a ring chimed on a PADD to the left of Alieth. She picked it up and studied the screen for a moment during which one corner of her lips twitched faintly.

'''Sirin:''' Perhaps we can get her to give us the antidote.

'''Alieth:''' I would not count on it, but you have little to lose by trying. In the meantime I have contacted the nearest fleet officers, they will supply you with the antidote at the 14th health clinic on Chi-ree. ::Turning to Meidra:: You know which one it is, Meimei.

After all, she had had to take Alieth there on more than one occasion, after a race ended prematurely in a massive collision.

'''Wong:''' I’d hate to see what the full dose of this stuff is like. I think I got off lucky.

'''Sirin:''' Tattoos don’t lie.

The Gorkon' Chief Science Officer raised an eyebrow but said no words, without letting on whether or not she was curious about the assertion.

'''Alieth:''' Certainly a full dose would have been, at ninety-nine point seven three nine percent, lethal. Even if luck is not a real thing, the fact that you have not taken a full dose certainly has worked in your favour.

'''Wong:''' Maybe that tattoo is lucky in more ways than one. Anyways, I’d like to have a few words with her about poisoning a Starfleet officer. Hopefully, we can come up with something persuasive enough for her to give up the antidote.

'''Alieth:''' It is certainly not the first time Pid-kom has threatened one, or more, Starfleet officer's lives, I doubt she would be impressed by such kind of speech.

'''Wong:''' Has she poisoned others in the past? Or is this a recent behaviour for her?

He was trying to determine how premeditated this was.

'''Sirin:''' There have been stories that she has aided my grandfather in the past. Rumors. There is no way of really knowing everything she has done over the decades.

'''Alieth:''' Probably better not to know.

There was a brief silence at the meeting. The landscape transformed from open desert, with its wide gravel fields and shifting dunes, to a more rocky area, shady cliffs and dry wadis that bordered Chi-ree. The sun, already high in the sky, hung ready to scorch any living creature that happened to be under its rays, such as the two poor, unsuspecting, hungover people in the yellow racer.

'''Wong:''' How much further until our destination?

Or more accurately, how much longer would he hold out on this road trip without stopping? That was what Ikaia was trying to calculate.

'''Sirin:''' At least 30 minutes.

'''Alieth:''' All you have to do is drive through an area of hairpin bends until you reach the top of the mountain range, from there it is just downhill in an area of slightly more pronounced curves.

'''Sirin:''' ::wryly:: I’m certain having a driver that does not try to go beyond light speed while driving will make the journey agreeable.

The statement was greeted with a stare that could extinguish several suns and send entire solar systems to damnation, one that she had learned from a certain red-haired human with whom her krei shared crew. One to which, of course, Meidra was by this point immune.

Then there was a silence of uncertain comfortability (possibly default in the case of the Vulcan-blooded and to be determined in the case of the near-vomiting blonde) that the Klingon eventually broke.

'''Wong:''' If nobody minds, I think I might just nap the rest of the trip. I think it’s the poison talking, but I’m feeling beat. And Alieth… I’m sorry for stressing you out.

'''Alieth:''' :: in all seriousness:: Do not ever do anything like this again.

Yet there was a soft gleam in her eyes as the screen went dead, shutting off the communication. Concern, to be sure, and perhaps a tiny hint of fondness.

'''Wong:''' Bye, Alieth. I’ll be more careful next time.

He clutched at his stomach again as he leaned forward. He was in the middle of another really bad cramp. As so, he waited for this one to pass too.

'''Wong:''' Thirty minutes…. That’s what I have to hold out for….

'''Sirin:''' Get some rest and try not to choke on your own vomit.

Ikaia curled back up in the seat after that bad stomach cramp. He closed his eyes.

'''Wong:''' Don’t worry…. I’ll be up and ready for T’Mihn when we get…. ::Yawning:: there…..

He quietly nodded off. The poor Klingon was out like a light.

Meanwhile, at the padd neglected on the seat, Alieth glanced at Meidra.

'''Alieth:''' Be cautious, I do not believe he is ready for what justice means on our planet.

'''Sirin:''' I shall protect him, krei.

Alieth nodded mutely, and the screen faded to black once more.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Chapter 9</strong>
|-
| '''((Just outside the S'th'gee Clan Household, Grand Oasis, outskirts of Chi-ree, Xial, Vulcan))'''

Ikaia felt the car stop once more. He slowly came back around. He was bleary-eyed and tried to focus on his surroundings. Of course, his surroundings were a little darker thanks to the sunglasses he was still wearing. He pushed his hands under his sunglasses to rub the sleep out of his eyes again.

'''Wong:''' We’re here, aren’t we?

'''Sirin:''' We are.

'''Wong:''' They’re waiting for us?

'''Sirin:''' They are.

'''Wong:''' I have a few choice words I’d like to be able to say to T’Mihn here. Understandably, being poisoned by her is not my idea of being a good host. I can get up. I’ll make it.

'''Sirin:''' I’ll be here in case you need assistance.

'''Wong:''' Thank you, Meidra.

Ikaia opened the car door and pushed himself out of his seat. At least he was still able to stand and walk even if he really didn't feel like it. Ikaia forced himself to move as he made his way to the door of the house. Already, he could see some VERY serious looking Vulcans around here. He assumed that they were from the Council. Ikaia waved at them.

'''Wong:''' Greetings. My name is Lieutenant Ikaia Wong and I'm with Lieutenant Meidra Sirin. We're both here about Mrs. T'Mihn.

'''Council Representative Sorth:''' You are the ones who contacted the Council?

'''Sirin:''' That would have been my krei, Al’rig-pseth ::turns to a confused Wong:: Alieth.

'''Wong:''' I'm currently one of the people impacted by Mrs. T'Mihn's actions. ::He was starting to feel a little sick again. He groans at the feeling::  ….Still impacted.

'''Sorth:''' ::looks at his notes:: I see. You can understand that this is a highly personal situation that offworlders are not usually permitted to witness.

'''Sirin:''' I think he’s earned the right to be a part of this. She did poison him. And attempted to poison me. 

She handed over the confession and the proof that T’Mihn was not coherent enough to lead the clan. Sorth looked over the documents, a thinning of lips the only outward sign that he understood the implications.

'''Wong:''' Any chance we'd be able to speak with her? She has something that I need.

'''Sorth:'''  Given the circumstances, it is...logical… that you do so.

When the two officers entered T’Mihn’s study, the old woman was frantically searching for something. Meidra resisted the urge to smirk. The next time she met Commander Teller, she would have quite the story to tell. 

'''T’Mihn:''' He is here. He is hiding, ready to pull off my head. We must find him.

'''Sorth:''' Do either of you have any knowledge of this?

'''Sirin:''' Perhaps she poisoned someone else who did not enjoy it.

Ikaia looked confused. He knew nothing about T'Mihn's strange ramblings because he couldn't remember much of last night.

'''Wong:''' I really can't explain this one. 

'''Sorth:''' T’sai T’Mihn….

The matriarch glared at Sorth, but did not stop searching. Meidra shook her head, wondering how shore leaves had become synonymous with chaos. She’d have to schedule a session with Genkos. As soon as he scheduled his with her.

'''Sirin:''' No one’s ever been able to explain this female. 

'''T'Mihn:''' ::to herself:: Show yourself, demon!

Ikaia made a noise to try to get T'Mihn's attention.

'''Wong:''' Ahem! Mrs. T'Mihn? May I be able to speak to you?

Sorth stepped closer, his imposing figure clearly meant to get T’Mihn’s attention.

'''Sorth:''' T’sai, given the circumstances, I feel justified in taking you into custody. 

'''T'Mihn:''' ::noticing Ikaia:: You! You brought the demon head into my home. 

Ikaia looked surprised as T’Mihn pointed at him.

'''Wong:''' Me? I really don’t know what you’re going on about. 

'''T’Mihn:''' I should have killed you both when I had the chance. ::To Meidra:: What did I do to deserve your wrath?

'''Sirin:''' You bit me. 

'''Wong:''' And you’ve come close to doing that with me. You poisoned me. Poisoning a Starfleet officer is a serious crime. Not to mention, I’m not exactly thrilled about it.

'''T’Mihn:''' You are a Klingon spy! You should be put down like an animal. Meidra was always a poor excuse for a Vulcan, but I never thought she would be so bold as to bring a Klingon into my home. You both deserve death.

'''Sirin:''' You have finally lost your mind. I only regret that Alieth is not here to witness it. It might bring her a measure of peace to see that the person who tormented her with such superiority is such a poor excuse of a Vulcan. 

The woman turned to Meidra, her eyes wild and a sneer on her face that seemed utterly out of place on the old woman's previously stern yet collected features. For a long time silence thickened, like sand did in the valleys of the desert, until someone dared to break it.

'''Sorth:''' ::softly::I believe that I have heard enough. ::severely:: T’Minh, you are under arrest and will be judged according to the ancient laws. This is your chance to make amends and earn a lesser conviction.

As if that sentence had brought him back to life, Ikaia finally removed his sunglasses and tucked them into his sash. The light of the room hurt his eyes. He gave himself a moment to adjust. He looked far worse with the glasses off. He looked tired and worn. His skin was pale. In short, he did NOT look healthy.

'''Wong:''' I survived because of Meidra’s help and of course, being a Klingon. It’s really tough to kill a Klingon with poison. That said, I have reason to believe that you have the antidote for this. After all, what poisoner wouldn’t keep something on hand just in case something had befallen the wrong person? Or themselves? 

The old woman's eyes narrowed and a gleam of something bitter and resentful flashed in the pale orbs.

'''T’Mihn:''' I will not aid you in your search for healing.

The snap did not go unanswered, and the young redhead was next to speak, her calm, controlled tone more frightening than the anger she faced.

'''Sirin:''' Sern would be ashamed of you. :: More softly::And he forgave most of your madness.

Even from a distance, one could hear T'Mihn's teeth grinding against each other as her jaws clenched.

'''Sorth:''' ::leaning towards the Starfleeters::  Lieutenant, you are well within your rights to be there when they sentence her.

However, the Klingon's attention was not on the Council's Arm, but on the woman in front of them.

'''Wong:''' I just want to ask why? I don’t even know you. I never had any ill will towards you.

'''T’Mihn:''' I told you. Klingons are the enemy to Vulcan. You must die, you will die. It is only a matter of time. 

Meidra stared at her, wondering how the matriarch had hidden this illness for so long. Then she remembered the scroll signed by a healer long declared missing. 

'''Sirin:''' She is too far gone to assist us. We will need to find that antidote soon.

The Klingon's face softened slightly.

'''Wong:''' I see...

It may have been tough to kill a Klingon with poison alone. But seriously sickening them was still within the realm of possibility. Ikaia was going to say something more when he felt that horrible familiar burn building in the back of his throat. Before he could run anywhere, he had doubled over to be sick. The poor Klingon PA had found a horrible way to paint the floor. 

'''T’Mihn:''' It won't’ be long until I dance on your grave, as the humans say.

'''Sirin:''' This is getting us nowhere. 

'''Sorth:''' T’Sai T’Mihn, give the antidote you would rather be convicted of assault on the physical well-being of an off-worlder before you are charged with murder.

Ikaia finally looked back up at everyone before looking at T’Mihn. He had clearly made his point even if it wasn’t planned.

'''Wong:''' ::Raspy:: ….. I’ll be taking that antidote from you '''now…..'''

She went to a cabinet and grabbed a vial, running to the window. She raised her arm to throw it, but Sorth was too quick for her, pulling it from her grasp, ignoring her screams of protest. He threw it towards the Klingon who accepted it gratefully.

'''T’Mihn:''' No!! 

'''Sirin:''' Take it quickly, Ikaia, then we will get you to a hospital.

'''Sorth:''' Go, now, both of you. I will be sure that things are taken care of here. 

Ikaia caught the vial. He had what he needed. If the poison was to be ingested to work, the same could be said for the antidote. He popped open the vial and drank it. He tucked the empty vial into his bag. Ikaia offered a glance at T’Mihn. He felt pity for her. To have one’s own mind devoured from within felt like such a chilling way to go. Still living but as a shell of who they once were. No one deserved that fate.

'''Wong:''' Alright. But please go easy on her. She’s also quite ill and is deserving of treatment.

The tall justice official bowed to them and held out a hand in a gesture that could be considered appeasing.

'''Sorth:''' Vulcan justice is expeditious, but that does not mean it is merciless. T'sai has been a dignitary in Chi-ree and Xial for a long time, and her contributions to the welfare of this community still outweigh the indignities of her old age. Her decorum will be spared...where she may harm no one.

'''Sirin:''' As you say. 

'''T’Mihn:''' Will you take me to Sern now? I have waited so very long.

Ikaia made his way back to Sirin. He took the sunglasses from his sash and put them back on. The light was now at comfortable levels for him. 

'''Wong:''' Let’s head to the hospital. I think I’m done here.

He hoped it wasn’t far. He was feeling spent right now. The antidote needed time to take effect.

'''Sirin:''' ::looks at T’Minh, now openly sobbing, her mind gone:: Yes, there is nothing else we can do for her.

'''T’Mihn:''' Sern, my favoured child. Why did you leave me with these enemies? Why did I not allow myself to die when you did? Why?

'''Sorth:''' :: quietly, to Meidra and Ikaia:: Go now, we will contact you when you are needed.

Ikaia finally stepped outside and sat back on the passenger’s side of the yellow racer. Meidra sat in the driver’s seat, not moving as she contemplated the evening’s events.

'''Wong:''' Me. A spy? Even I have to admit, I’d make for a terrible one.

'''Sirin:''' You’re right about that. Too much of a cinnamon roll.

'''Wong:''' Is she…. Going to be okay? I know that she’s tried to kill us and all but no one should have to suffer like that. I really hope that she’s able to get treatment.

'''Sirin:''' Vulcans take care of their own. ::glances over at Ikaia:: How are you feeling?

Ikaia sighed as he flopped back in the seat. The car was already pulling away from the S'th'gee clan household.

'''Wong:''' Tired. Like really tired. Still sick. But not as bad. ::A beat:: Listen, I never got to tell you but thanks for saving me from the well at the cantina after Haadok threw me in. There was footage pulled from last night. You were there. And also, thank you for having my back throughout this whole adventure. 

'''Sirin:''' ::starts the vehicle:: I suppose I can tell you that I stole the robes you found yourself in…. Haadok will never miss them. Thank you for a most…interesting trip to Vulcan. This trip does much to erase bad memories. ::smirks:: I can not wait to see how our next shore leave turns out.

The yellow racer revved up as the two friends sped away from T’Mihn and her delusions leaving behind only dust and the shadows of a past long gone, but not forgotten.

|}

{| role="presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible autocollapse"
| <strong>Epilogue</strong>
|-
| '''((Monastery of Mal-Kom))'''

High reddish arches enclosed the garden, creating a patchwork of light and shadow woven with the greenery of the plants, with the rustle of the wind through the leaves and the gentle dripping of water, sheltering this oasis in the desert with natural rock and carved stone. An old lady walked slowly through the gardens, through the plants and trees that had been transported from her home to this new place. This was not something that was usually done, but this patient had an affinity for the vegetation that went beyond logic, but which soothed her katra. So, the Medical Board had permitted this strange peculiarity, and that is why she now disposed of the green refuge where she talked to each one of the plants as she carefully watered them, giving each had a name, an identity.

'''T’Mihn:''' You must drink enough, or you shall perish, and I would truly be alone.

Meidra watched the former matriarch from a distance, but said nothing to those around her. This woman had worked with her grandfather, had assisted him in numerous crimes that would never be proven, nothing left that could be used to prove the truth except the broken spirit of a woman that has outlived most of her family, all her children and even her grandchild . . What was left after all that, after all those years and all those losses, was only the shell of what had once been, a shadow that still loomed long over many people's lives. Nevertheless, It was unfortunate that T’Mihn had tried to kill Ikaia, but at least it had been the impetus to finally have her taken from her position and placed somewhere she could no longer harm anyone. 

She was satisfied that things would logically play out the best way for everyone involved. She wasn’t sure her krei felt the same. When she turned to look at her cousin, Meidra could read naught in her face, no one could, not even she, who knew Alieth better than anyone else except, perhaps, the late grandson of the woman who talked to the garden flowers. 

The wind gusted a little stronger, bringing with it the scent of the dry sands and the shadows of a southern wadi, far away in the desert. The breeze swirled Alieth's black robes, stern and austere, a single letter embroidered in white on her back, a script that signalled her removal from the Clan and from the lands it guarded, a sentence to ostracism that T'Mihn had imposed on her long months before and that her ailment had meant she could no longer lift.

'''Alieth:''' She looks much smaller. Almost feeble. ::She paused, a moment filled only by the hiss of the wind and the woman's crooning in between the leaves.:: And, yet, I have concerns about what she might be capable of if she ever remembers what has happened and resolves to regain her rightful position.

'''Sirin:''' ::still watching T’Mihn putter:: She is contained. I see no reason she should not remain so.

'''Alieth:''' That is correct, but what she has done, what we know what you have actually done and what we do not know, still burdens me, both for the suffering she has inflicted on people who are dear to me, and for the things we suspect she may have done in the past. ::She tilted her head gently, glancing at Meidra from the corner of her eye.:: Or what she might have done in association with your grandfather.

'''Sirin:''' You could come back to the clan. If that is what you wish. No one would challenge you.

Alieth averted her gaze from the garden for a moment and it rose up into the sky to a point that only she knew and to which only she would understand the significance.

'''Alieth:''' It will still be illegal. And if I violate the law, not only I but also my parents and siblings will be negatively impacted.

As much as she had old grudges with her mother, she did not intend any harm to her, neither to her father, the peaceful tea-master, nor to her little brother, still too young to understand any of that. Metana... well, her sister had earned a reputation for herself and would not be so affected by what Alieth decided.

'''Alieth:''' In any case, that matters little to me, my path led me far from our Homeworld long ago, and from the path my parents had laid out for me. My katra will always long for Vulcan, and the people I have left here, yet if exile is what has been chosen for me, I shall spend it among the stars.

'''Sirin:''' Your mercy is as expected. 

For the first time since they had arrived, Alieth hesitated and glanced at her relative with a deep sorrow in her dark eyes.

'''Alieth:''' It is not about mercy, it is just what it should be, it is what I must do.

A gust of wind came in their direction, ruffling the hair of the two young women and carrying with it T'Minh's senseless mumbling. Meidra stared hard at the elder Vulcan.


'''Sirin:''' And still we allow her to live. 

'''Alieth:''' I think it is what must need to be done, for my father, for Geoffrey John and for Ikaia, for all those she has wronged. ::She paused, longer than necessary, but full of meaning:: And for Sern.

'''Sirin:''' You believe her feelings for Sern colored her actions? Why would you think her madness was for his benefit?.

The full-blooded vulcan's lips relaxed tenderly, rendering her features with a soft, almost mournful air for the length of a blink of an eye.

'''Alieth:''' Maybe because, in some twisted way, I believed that she did it all for him, for the deep love she felt for Sern and for the pain that his death inflicted on her.

Something the short Vulcan could understand better than anyone else, a grief that little could soothe.

'''Sirin:''' She believes Sern to be with her. If we were to take him from her a third time, she would surely perish. It is better to let her live in her own world. But we don’t have to live there with her anymore.

The black-clad Vulcan nodded but said nothing. The sun continued its path across the sky and fell behind the arches, casting complex, tangled shadows across the garden. Alieth had thought she owed T'Mihn a few words, a farewell, an explanation... something, but the time for that had passed, and whatever she said would not percolate in the woman's muddled mind. Another opportunity lost, another moment that would never be because too much time had passed.  Another opportunity lost, another moment that would never be because she had left too much time to waste.

Alieth let out the tiniest of sighs as at her side, Meidra shuddered. Their family was filled with less than honorable people, but they were the ones frequently punished for those who lived by their own form of logic.

'''Sirin:''' Come, let us leave. There is nothing for us here, my cousin.

'''Alieth:''' You are right, we should leave her with the shadows of her past, her memories and her plants.

Alieth turned and began to retrace her steps towards the exit, to leave the province and not return for an unknown length of time.  Under the threshold, she turned one last time and raised her hand in the ta'al, in her people' s salute.

'''Alieth:''' Farewell t'sai, may peace find you here at last and comfort you in the end of your years.

With no further word Alieth finally turned and walked away.

***

Out of the shadows, a figure watched the two officers leave. His eyes followed them, malice in his gaze. Their time would come soon enough, both of them unworthy to be associated with true Vulcans. He walked over to where T’Mihn was gardening and put a hand on her shoulder. She knew too much about his dealings to remain where her mind could be probed by fools.

'''Samek:''' It’s time to get you out of here.

'''T’Mihn:''' Where are we going?

'''Samek:''' To our destiny, T’Mihn. That is all you need to know.

''Fin...for now….''

|}