001 : Iscariot

[Elena de Luca]

S'Peen had not been allowed to see his Daughter since the Spartan had left the stranded Tak'Lar. Gann was ensuring the Vulcan's couldn't get complacent in their captivity. In all honesty, Gann couldn't imagine 'why' he had given himself over as a hostage, but had never once demanded his sibling be transferred out of his reach, and it bothered him !

"Captain. The Vulcan Ambassador is demanding to see you."Marial said.

"Is he now .... Well let's leave him in his little cell for a while longer, no need to go pampering to the hostages just yet." Gann said, "Besides, I think he needs to realize he isn't giving the orders around here ... How long until we reach the Kapleses System ?"

"When I request to speak to you, CAPTAIN, I expect to be granted that request." Everyone turned to face the rear of the Bridge. S'Peen was stood watching them impassively, "I made an agreement with you in good faith, am I now to assume you have reneged on that agreement ? ... Furthermore, you have denied me access to my Daughter, something I find deplorable !"

"How di ....... Never mind." Gann said, glaring at his crew and making a mental note that someone would be made an example of shortly, "I made 'NO' agreement Ambassador, other than I would release you and your Daughter, once I deemed it safe to do so. But we have another task to complete before I can let you go."

"That is ... Unacceptable." S'Peen said.

"Get this man off my BRIDGE ...." Gann shouted, "The next time he is outside his cell without my express permission, I will KILL everyone who allowed it to happen !"

"My Daughter ?" S'Peen asked impassively. Gann was trying hard not to explode, he glared at the Vulcan wishing he could throw him out of an air-lock and be done. But two hostages were always better than one.

"If he mentions her again, throw the child into space !"

Two people grabbed S'Peen by the arms and turned him away from the Bridge, but the superior physical ability, even in such an elderly Vulcan, was more than they could manage. He threw both men into the bulkheads and spun to face Gann as several phaser's were aimed at his head:

Be mindful of who you threaten 'Captain' ... In Human parlance, 'It may come back to bite you' sooner than you could imagine."

With that S'Peen left the Bridge followed by two bruised guards. He was unceremoniously pushed into his quarters and the door locked behind him ! ........

~~~~~

Elena felt T'vana moving in her arms, she opened her eyes and looked at the little girl. She was moving in her sleep, Elena could see her eyes under the lids flicking rapidly left and right, she was in REM sleep, and was obviously dreaming. She held the child close to her hoping to settle her. She almost jumped when T'vana stiffened and her eyes opened:

"My Father." the little girl whispered.

"He's OK sweetheart, he's across the hall in his room." Elena said, trying to reassure the child.

"No ... He is in a confrontation with Gann, but there is something wrong." she said, sitting up and moving closer to Elena, "He, he is being threatened, but, is confident the Captain will not carry out his, threat, to throw me into space ... There is somethi ... V'Sat ... The name is prominent in Gann's mind, but also in my Father's."

"V'Sat ?" Elena asked, but T'vana was already slipping back into sleep. She lay the girl down on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Satisfied she was in a deep sleep, she left the room and headed for the Bridge ..... It didn't go un-noticed that no less than four people were now stationed as guards outside the Ambassador's room.

~~~~~

Even before entering the Bridge Elena could hear Gann screaming at the crew. It was possible he would kill someone just to make a point. Elena entered as the Captain was trying to strangle one of his crew ...

"No sugar in your tea ?" she asked casually. It was enough to halt the killing and Gann dropped the semi-conscious man to the deck, kicking him in the ribs on a whim, before turning to face his hired Assassin:

"You really do have the knack for understatement, don't you." Gann said, glaring at her.

"I try." Elena replied, looking at the helm, Where we off to now then ?"

"I don't 'PAY' you to ask questions." Gann said, eyeing the woman like prey, "You are here to do my bidding, it would be wise to remember that."

"You have yet to 'PAY' me anything Gann ... You had better remember 'THAT' ... I'm not one of your inept crew, I'm here on hire, and very EXPENSIVE hire at that ! ... As such, I will make whatever decisions I deem fit to ensure my continued survival, and subsequent payment for job completion. At this point in time, I am out of pocket, and suddenly having thoughts that my 'employer' is about to renege in a contract, isn't something that is healthy for those involved ..." she said, her eyes never leaving his as the distance between them closed until she was centimeters from his face.

No-one on the Bridge dared speak as the two stared each other down. They were less than surprised when Gann, laughing off the encounter, dropped into his seat and said 'Goodnight' to the Assassin. Elena turned to leave the Bridge, knowing she had acquired a new-found respect from Gann's crew, if not the man himself.

She turned before leaving and spoke:

"Oh, just curious, but who is V'Sat ?" she asked, not bothering to wait for a reply before she went back to T'vana ..........

[Elena de Luca]

Gann had spent the night pondering over Mia's last question before she left the Bridge:

"Oh, just curious, but who is V'Sat ?"

'Now where would she have come up with that name in particular ?' he wondered as the Spartan arrowed towards her next destination, the Kapleses System, in fact, the third planet in was their target. On the surface, one elderly male was residing, oblivious, even for a Vulcan, of the fate to which he was irrevocably destined ... He was waiting for another Vulcan at the moment, the one he was holding hostage. Funny, for all their 'superiority' and mental excellence, some were denser than month old lubricating oil !

"Ahh, Ambassador S'Peen, what can I do for you this morning ... The quarters were satisfactory I hope ?" Gann said without turning.

"We had an agreement Gann ... I evaluate we have traveled much further than the distance agreed for my Daughter and my own release. I expect you to hold your side of the contract."

"I'm afraid there has been a slight change of plan regarding your release Ambassador." Gann said, getting up and turning to face the elderly Vulcan, "You see, when you destroyed the Romulan vessel, you cut off my payment pipeline so to speak."

"I do not understand. Your personal issues regarding payment have no relevance to our agreement." S'Peen said, his eyes hardening fractionally.

"Well, as I see it, Ambassador ..... You and your Daughter have become collateral should I need to barter my way out of this situation. Neither of you will be leaving anytime soon, so I would relax and settle in." Gann said, turning away and sitting back down ... He was only half way through the process when a hand clamped itself around his throat and lifted him off the deck !

S'Peen didn't need to look around the Bridge to know several phasers were pointed at his head. It didn't bother him on any important level ... He turned Gann to face him by rotating his wrist while keeping him suspended, all his body weight on his straining neck.

"If you don't release your hold on him, I am going to discharge this weapon into your skull." Marial whispered, the tip of the phaser holding rock-solid only centimeters from the back of the Ambassador's head, "I am 'NOT' going to ask you twice 'VULCAN' ... Release Gann, or die here, and now." S'Peen turned very slowly, moving Gann at the same time and positioning him him away from Mirial, but in direct line. Should she fire, the force of the beam would vaporize S'Peen and Gann alike before dissipating ...

"I conclude that should you fire the weapon, it will end both our lives simultaneously. Are you willing to kill your employer I wonder ?"

Marial stood in complete silence for a long moment, almost seeming as if she was elsewhere. S'Peen looked over her shoulder and the merest expression of surprise crossed his face, but he still held Gann, who was loosing consciousness very quickly.

"Ahh. I see you have noticed our guest has arrived." Marial said, a grin forming .... One of her Security people was stood in the doorway, a phaser in his left hand, his right hand was resting on the shoulder of his Daughter. T'vana was stood in complete silence, her small face expressionless, except ....

"Lower Gann to the floor S'Peen. Or the child will die in front of your eyes !" Marial hissed.

S'Peen increased the grip on Gann fractionally, causing him to wheeze in pain. Marial had had enough ...

"KILL HER NOW !" she said, her eyes never leaving the Ambassador's, but as the seconds past, and the expected phaser discharge didn't happen, confusion ran across her face. She took her eye's from S'Peen and looked at her comrade. The guard was gripping the girls' shoulder with such force that the distortion of her clavicle was clearly visible. T'vana was sweating, not in pain, but with the concentration she was expending. But it wasn't that that got Marial's attention. It was the fact that the mans phaser was now only centimeters from 'HER' own head, and his finger was closing on the activation trigger every second !

Elena had entered the Bridge, but dared not speak in case she distracted T'vana. She stood in awe at what the child was doing, and knew it must be taking every ounce of her mental strength.

S'Peen was no less than astonished that someone so young could have such control over another being. He allowed his grip on Gann to ease as he lowered the man to the deck, but he didn't release his hold completely. T'vana could loose control at any second, and he didn't want a bloodbath to ensue. He winced suddenly, feeling the mental contact of his Daughter, and he had to act quickly to put up the barriers he had so skillfully constructed, but he wasn't fast enough, and the five year old slammed into his consciousness !

Releasing Gann, he staggered backwards into the view-screen. T'vana in turn relinquished her mental hold on the guard and thrust him aside. She took the smallest steps forward, everyone moving aside to clear her path. Even if anyone wanted to stop her, or even shoot her, could not have done so, she had them all now. But her focus was on her Father, and what he was hiding within his mind ....

Turmoil. Secrets. Frustration ... Dishonor. Frustration. Revenge ...

T'vana was hit by wave after wave. All the time her Father trying to construct a mental 'wall' to keep her out of his innermost thoughts, but he was loosing.

Fear. Loathing. Resentment. But pure 'HATRED' most of all.
He wanted to repay those who caused the Death of ...

She almost halted her probing there as she sensed uncontrollable sorrow rising in her Father. Sorrow and bitter resentment. He needed revenge.

Their Mother ! ... All the stories they had sat quietly listening to, were 'LIES' ...
It was him. He had allowed it to happen.
He was experimenting, Genetics. Mind control. Longevity. Eradication.

EXTERMINATION !

Her Father was the monster who had created the virus that was killing the Vulcan's and could exterminate 'ALL' Vulcan life should he be allowed to continue. He was extracting his revenge on those who had worked to create the virus, but that need, that, drive, knew no bounds as he slowly succumbed to the need to take the loss of his Bond-mate out on all Vulcan life ... Worse, 'HE' was the one in control of all that had happened thus far ! [/blockquote]
"Stuuu .... Stun ....Her ...." S'Peen begged, but it was no use. She controlled everyone on the Spartan. She was inside her Fathers' head now, and was seeing everything this evil being had done, had caused to be done, and would continue to embrace until there was no-one left to blame !

"T'vana ... T'vana." Elena whispered, looking around the Bridge at the statuesque crew, then at S'Peen. She had never seen fear on a Vulcan before, and hoped she would never have to see it again, "Please. You are going to cause irreparable damage if you continue to probe so deeply. Please, leave his mind ... We have all heard what you saw, we all know it is your Father doing this.

"You could not resist the temptation to see the final end of all your work." T'vana said, ignoring Elena, "You committed these crimes for revenge, when it was you that caused my mothers' death. No-one but you could be blamed, and now you seek revenge ..... For 'WHAT' your error !" T'vana said, sadness in every word as she left the monsters' mind.

S'Peen suddenly collapsed to the deck, gasping for breath and struggling not to vomit. He was loosing consciousness and needed to fight the urge. He looked at his Daughter, who was cradled in Mia's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, all semblance of Vulcan emotional control gone.

Elena got to her feet, the child in her arms. She looked at the others, then at S'Peen himself. No-one was holding weapons on anyone, they were all trying to come to terms with the communal sharing of the Vulcan Ambassador's thoughts ... She turned and carried T'vana to her room and gently lay her on the bed. Exhausted, the five year old couldn't remain awake and she fell into a deep deep sleep. Staying until she was sure T'vana wasn't going to wake, she covered her and left. She sealed the door and placed an access encryption into the computer, then ordered a level five force-field to encompass the room. Sure no-one could enter the room without her knowledge, she went back to the Bridge ..........

[Elena de Luca]

" ..... so you will 'NOT' lay a hand on my Daughter. Anyone disobeying will feel my wrath !"

"Like you felt your Daughters' I expect." San said easily.

"So let me get this straight." Gann was saying as he prowled around the Bridge, "You have been financing this little enterprise all along. So I'm guessing you played the hurt Father in order to come and meet us socially ?"

S'Peen was watching Elena as she entered the Bridge. He locked his gaze on her and ignored Gann completely ... She knew he was trying to work out why she was protecting his Daughter, rather than throwing the five year old to the proverbial wolves. Was there some reason, this woman, this 'Assassin' had taken it upon herself to stand beside the child ... He had to know ... Stepping forward, he approached Elena slowly, Gann was protesting that the Vulcan wasn't listening, but it didn't matter. He stood in front of her and raised his hand. Slowly he moved his finger tips toward her face. Elena allowed him to get within a centimeter of contact before she spoke:

"Touch me and it will be the last time you breathe, Vulcan." she said quietly, pushing the business end of the phaser she was holding, into his groin. S'Peen almost grinned. He loved someone with spirit, and this Assassin certainly possessed that. He moved his hand a fraction closer, feeling the weapon move in tandem, "I have nothing to loose in killing you S'Peen, so please, attempt your mind-meld." she finished, raising her eyebrows in anticipation of killing the man.

S'Peen took a step back and lowered his hand, watching the woman before him intently. He frowned, as if something he was trying hadn't worked, or the result was, unexpected.

"Your mind is, very, dark, almost shielded, Mia ? ... It is unusual for someone of my ability not to gain a moderate link even without physical contact. I find that, intriguing ...... How long before we reach the Kapleses System, Captain ?" he asked, still holding eye contact with Elena.

"Two hours, give or take." Gann replied.

"I shall be with my Daughter." the Vulcan said, turning away as if that was the end of the conversation.

"You are going nowhere near your Daughter S'Peen." Elena said, stepping between him and the exit, "She has just discovered that her Father is a murderer, and is responsible for the death of her Brother ... You must be really proud of yourself. Oh, no, you Vulcan's don't feel that sort of thing do you. Well alas, it seems your Daughter does. So, stay away from her, do you understand me ?"

"You allow subordinates to speak freely Gann. That could be a costly habit on your part I think."

"You think the Captain is going to take the hint, maybe have one of the crew kill me to clear the way, well, I think you should know that the Captain and myself have come to a somewhat tentative agreement, whereas, he doesn't try to have me killed off, and in return, I don't kill the rest of his crew and throw him out the nearest air-lock ... He 'values' my contributions thus far S'Peen, and I am confident we will continue to work together amiably. Is that not correct, Captain ?"

"We need her S'Peen. There is no-one else who can get close to the people you need, eliminating." Gann said, remembering his encounter with the Assassin vividly.

"As you wish. Captain ... But mark my words. Everything and everyone becomes, how is it you Human's say it, 'surplus to requirements' at some point." the Vulcan Ambassador said before turning to leave the Bridge, this time without incident .......

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena had stayed with T'vana as the Spartan entered the system and established orbit around Kapleses Three. She knew she would need to leave the child for some time, and worried that S'Peen would manage to get to his Daughter while she was on the surface. She had no choice but to take the child with her ... She knew Gann, not to mention S'Peen himself, would object to her actions, but frankly she didn't care. She had to keep the child safe, and somehow ensure her next target was still alive when they left orbit !

"T'vana ... I would speak with you my child."

The little girl grasped Elena's hand for a second before facing her Father:

"You are no Father to me now. You would do well to separate yourself from my presence. I will not be responsible for the consequences should you continue attempting to approach me. You are aware of my 'abilities' so heed my warning if you wish to remain among the living." S'Peen almost fell to his knees as T'vana hit him with a mental warning, "I am ready now Mia." she said, turning away.

"You are sure this is the right thing to do ?" Gann asked.

"I will contact you in two hours. It will be done by then ... Energize !" Elena said, ignoring the Vulcan completely as the two vanished from sight .....

~~~~~

It was midday on the surface. Bright sunshine, a cloudless sky, every inch the holiday destination. Taking the girls' hand, Elena made her way to the nearest information terminal ... The area she needed was classed as a retirement village. The elderly settled there to live out their twilight years in comfort and quiet. They had access to a three kilometer long beach front that was peppered with everything the elderly retiree would want. After finding what she was looking for, she took T'vana to a local outfitters where both purchased appropriate wear. Elena, in light-weight trousers and white top, and T'vana in a bathing suit and sandals ... Ready, they made their way along the beach .....

Recalling the image of the man she was after, she checked the shade-covered loungers as they casually meandered along. She spotted V'Sat instantly ... He was asleep under a large canopy, almost in meditation really, but Elena thought he was simply enjoying the sun and breeze coming off the sea. making a casual three sixty rotation, allowing T'vana to pull he around laughing, she made sure she hadn't been followed, then stepped toward the elderly Vulcan ... T'vana playing the hoping child desperate to use the facilities.

"I'm sorry to disturb you Sir." Elena said, embarrassment on her face, "But could I trouble you to allow my Daughter to use the .... She is desperate ?" T'vana promptly hopped from foot to foot every inch the little girl needing the bathroom.

"By all means ... Please, come with me." the man said, taking T'vana by the hand and leading her into the house, Elena close behind. The second they were inside T'vana stopped and looked deep into the mans eyes. Elena was shocked at how quickly she made the mental contact .. Seconds later, she released the mans' hand and nodded to Elena.

"We do not have time to explain Doctor." Elena said, pulling the man deeper into the room, handing him a data-chip quickly, "You must send this information as soon as we leave you. The 'chip is programmed to contact my superiors and send the data contained via a sub-space link ... I am about to shoot you, but do not be alarmed, it won't kill you, I just need to make it look like you are dead."

"Wait." V'Sat said quickly, T'vana took his hand and explained the situation in more detail before letting the man go, "I now understand why this man, your Father, is attempting to kill me, but his reasoning is fundamentally flawed. Nevertheless, I think it wise to transmit this information 'before' you shoot me. I am not as healthy as I once was, and I may take more time to recover from a phaser shot, however moderate."

Elena nodded, watching the elderly gentleman move across the living area and place the chip in the Comm screen and ...

The beam of almost pure energy lancing from the phaser, hit him in the middle of his back, and he disintegrated instantly ... Elena spun and was shocked to see S'Peen in the doorway, phaser in hand, and now pointing directly at her and T'vana !

"I may not have my Daughters' abilities, but I did not require them to know you were attempting to deceive that fool Gann. It appears my intuition was correct ... 'PLEASE' my Daughter, do not attempt to enter my mind. I have enough control to kill both of you before you establish a link." he said, moving around to the Comm center and removing the data-chip, but not before Elena noticed the 'transmit' confirmation on the screen ..........

[Elena de Luca]

Elena spun, reaching for her weapon, but T'vana stepped in front of her and regarded her Father with a mixture of confusion, and dismay. For a Vulcan, however young, these were emotions that rarely surfaced, but the predominant emotion, was on of pity !

"I shall not attempt to enter your mind S'Peen." the five year old said almost apologetically.

Elena realized what the child had said. Addressing your blood parent by their given name was the ultimate insult in someone so young, and was only tolerated in extremely unusual circumstances, and only then when used as a term or respect. S'Peen was visibly shocked by her address, but recovered quickly:

"While I am under no obligation to explain my actions my Daughter, I would li ...."

"DO NOT address me in that manner. I no longer consider myself connected in any way to you, or your bloodline. Henceforth you will address me by my given name only." T'vana said. Defiance in every syllable.

"As you wish ...." the man said, recovering from the insult, lifting the weapon once more, "I will not give you further warning 'CHILD' do not attempt to enter my mind." S'Peen said, moving over to the Comm screen and removing the 'chip. He looked at it as if it was a new species of life, before throwing it over his shoulder in indifference. He tapped the ornate Comm badge he wore and spoke quietly. The next instant Elena felt the tell-tale grip of a transporter beam ......

~~~~~

Back aboard the Spartan, S'Peen instructed Gann's men to confine both his Daughter, and the Assassin. Gann was furious, but once confronted with the recording of Mia's so-called 'assassination' of V'Sat, and his need to intervene, he swore to take retribution, and even attempted to get at the woman he detested, but was thwarted by his own personnel, who apparently feared the mad Vulcan more than their employer.

"You shall confine my dau ... This 'child' and her companion, behind a level five force field. Neither are to be allowed visitors. At the first sign of issue, you will vent the compartment to space." S'Peen said, hardly giving his Daughter a glance as he turned away from them.

~~~~~~~~~~

Eighteen hours later the Spartan entered orbit around a little known planet in the Del Veno System ......

Elena and T'vana woke as the door opened:

"I will be taking my leave of you shortly ... Daughter ! ... Fear not, regrettably, we shall never meet again." S'Peen said, entering their quarters unannounced, "You know you are dying T'vana. I would have hoped to spend your last few days in seclusion, where we could contemplate your brief, but unparalleled lifetime, but that is not to happen. It is a regrettable loss to the Vulcan race that we could not stu ..... Arhhhh !"

S'Peen dropped to the floor in agony. T'vana sat up on the bed facing her Father, smiling at his discomfort. She almost smiled at the faces of the guards as they too fell to the deck in a pool of blood and vomit. The Ambassador fought back, slamming wave after wave of hatred into the child. But T'vana had him, and was expanding her sphere of influence rapidly ...

Engineering:

It took seconds for the Engineer to input the instructions, then the warp core ejected from the Spartan. He then turned to dismantle the impulse engines, and dumped the remaining matter and antimatter. His last act was to cause a cascade drain of all the remaining power cells. The Spartan died in high orbit, only battery power allowing them to see or breathe. But the ship was dead ....

Weapons:

Marial made sure nothing would work as she purged the main computer banks, before dumping the computer core ... The Spartan had become a three hundred and fifty five thousand tonne meteorite, falling towards the surface of an innocent planet !

[/i]
S'Peen realized what she was doing and fought back with the only weapon he could ... His MIND !!!

Elena was almost statuesque as the scene unfolded before her. She had T'vana in her mind, constantly reassuring her she would be safe, while her 'eyes' could see the fight, her mind was holding a little girls hand as they walked through fields of bright yellow flowers, sunshine warming their faces, but flashes of what S'Peen had done made her frown nervously. T'vana quickly dispelled any worries and implanted a beach, lapping waves, the two of them running into the surf .. It was nothing the child had experienced, but she drew the memory from her guardians mind and supplemented herself into the memory ...

It was then that S'Peen showed his Daughter what she had done ... Elena managed to turn to face the little girl and was horrified ... T'vana, a pretty five year old girl, was ageing, ageing so rapidly that the cells, even at a microscopic level, couldn't keep up with. Not ageing outwardly, but her appearance changed every second, the inner turmoil causing havoc within her small body. She was loosing the fight with her Father, but had resolved not to allow him to continue. He wanted to eradicate the Vulcan race, while she wanted to preserve it. But most of all, she wanted to protect the woman she looked upon as her Mother .....

"I ... I am Sorry." she whispered, using every minuscule fragment of her being to defeat her Father. Both fell to the floor, the hold on everyone breaking instantly !

The Dal Veno System, and her civilization, had always known they wanted something to show for their centuries of artistic heritage. They had passed on technological development, in favor of expanding their knowledge of the arts, and architecture. yes, they made use of their developments, but never negatively ... Gravity-defying buildings, almost three kilometers in height, towered over the main city, while platforms over ten kilometers square hung, seemingly in mid-air, suspended from gossamer threads attached to orbital anchors. water defied gravity, flowing upwards in a myriad of colors, both pleasing to the eye, and practical. The System thrived on knowledge of the Arts, only wanting to make the best for themselves and those to come ....

The people of Dal Veno III watched in utter dismay as what they first thought as a meteor that had finally made it's way to their paradise burned a trail through the clear blue of the mid-day sky. Thousands watched in dismay as the object turned into some man-made harbinger of death and destruction ....

"Please find it in your heart to forgive me .... I had to prevent his actions from, escalla ....." T'vana said, looking directly into the eyes of Elena. She frowned, feeling something akin to a transporter beam, but not. T'vana was smiling, almost wishing Elena a safe journey, "Good bye."

Elena suddenly found herself separated from the ship, but not in her mind, she was physically 'OUTSIDE' as the massive Defiant Class Star Ship plunged into the city. The spire was severed almost two kilometers from the ground, cut cleanly in two. Elena watched as the Spartan disintegrated, knowing the child that had saved her life had most likely saved the Vulcan race. Her senses sharpened into pristine clarity as the child protecting her perished. She slammed into the wall, all thoughts of survival gone ..........

[Elena de Luca]

~ Three Months Later ~

ooo000ooo

"How are you feeling today Colonel ?"

Elena strained to open her eyes, the antiseptic whiteness almost burning into her brain, but after a few moments, the nurse dimmed the lighting and closed the blinds .. Gradually, she opened her eyes and looked around the room:

"Where ?" she asked, her throat sore.

"You are at Star Fleet Medical on Earth Colonel." the man said, watching the nurse continue her assigned duties, "You had one hell of a lucky break. Not many people falling out of a crashing ship survive to tell th ......"

"How many died ?"

"One thousand three hundred fourteen."

Elena closed her eyes, tears forming before they rolled down her cheeks. She couldn't believe the death toll. Almost two 'THOUSAND' people. Men, Women, and Children had perished when the Spartan slammed into the tower on Dal Veno III. It was her fault, she should have stopped S'Peen the moment she knew he was behi ......

T'vana was holding onto her. One tiny hand searching for contact. Suddenly, her mind was filled with the little girl, all else around her insignificant. She could see her birth, the birth of her brother and the realization that she had very little time left. But then T'vana seemingly eased off her contact, allowing Elena to 'explore' her mind, the mind of a baby, but with so much potential ... Elena cried as she realized that T'van knew she would not live to see adulthood, or a joining, of siblings of her own. But she was not bitter, it wasn't in her makeup to be so. She accepted the reality of her 'uniqueness' and her role in saving the Vulcan race. She was, content ....

Elena grimaced as a memory was thrust into her mind. She couldn't understand how this was happening, but had no option but allow the recall to play out .... S'Peen, her Father, the one respon ....... NO ! ....... Not S'Peen, not responsible, a pawn, an unwilling confederate, realizing what was to happen, but powerless to prevent the inevitable .... A name, a face, one Elena had seen before but couldn't latch onto the image, the memory. But slowly, ever so slowly, the image solidified, and she knew ....

T'vana appeared as if in a dream ....


"Thank you for being with me Elena. You became a Mother to me. I must go now, but I will always be with you. Our joining ensured our life-long bond. You will have my thoughts and my, emotions, with you should you wish to remember me. I hope you will find it within you do do so ... I love you my Mother and will miss you. Until we can meet once more, please, do what is right."

The image faded, leaving Elena in tears. But she only had to think about T'vana to bring her memories, her, being, into reality, or at least, a reality within her own mind, and that was all she needed.

"The ship ... Were there surv ....."

"No. The ship was totally destroyed on impact with the outer city. Thankfully, the only fatalities were from the ship and the tower it impacted during decent."

"I would like to attend the funeral's if that is possible." Elena said, gaining strength by the second, "I need to make arrangements for the children to be returned to Vulcan."

"Children ?" the man asked, puzzlement on his face as he checked the PADD he was holding, "There was only one child on the ship at impact Colonel, and his remains have already been transported for burial on his home-world."

"No ..." she said, trying to sit up, "There were two Children, a boy, aged eight, and a girl of five !"

"Colonel." the man said, holding onto her shoulder as the nurse approached to sedate her, "We found no evidence of a second child. DNA scans only picked out two Vulcan signatures ... Now, please rest, I will return tomorrow to see how you are."

Elena couldn't argue as the nurse requested the appropriate sedatives be infused on the Med-Comm ... Her eye began to feel heavy, and she felt herself dropping into sleep. She looked at the man leaving, and the man he spoke to outside the observation window ... Her heart missed a beat as she looked at the rank, Fleet Admiral, and then at the face ... It was him, it was the man who had used S'Peen, the man behind the attempted extinction of the Vulcan race ... As she fell into a deep sleep, the last thing she could see was the man watching her closely ! ..........

[Elena de Luca]

Her recovery took another month ... Physiotherapy mainly, to get her used to using her legs once more. But Elena wasn't one for sitting around and was in the gym at every opportunity, much to the annoyance of the medical staff charged with looking after her.

Reaching the end of her tether, she contacted her Father ....

~~~~~~~~~~

"Can't you 'ORDER' them to let me out !" she asked.

Sato Tetsutaro watched his Daughter closely. He had known since her birth that the child would become a formidable force in whatever sphere she chose to pursue. But when she was recruited to the Intelligence Corps, under her paternal Mothers' name, he was so proud of what she had achieved. that was no to say he was sorely tempted to ensure her failure during the early stages of selection ...

"I never did understand why your Mother did not allow you at least one Japanese name." he mused, "Alas. No, my Daughter. I cannot order them to release you. But I have it on good autho ......" Sato was saying as the Doctor entered.

"Admiral ..." the woman said, before turning her attention to her patient, "OK Elena, get packed and get lost. We've had enough of your moaning."

"Really !" Elena said.

"I'm releasing you. On condition you keep up the physio, and rest for at least another month ... I'm signing you fit for duty as of the end of the month. Good luck." the Doctor said, leaning in to give her a hug before leaving.

"You knew !" Elena said, eyeing her Father with mock suspicion. Sato in turn held his hands up in feigned shock at such an unwarranted accusation, before getting up and telling her to hurry ....

~~~~~

As they entered Star Fleet Command Headquarters, Elena was concentrating on what her Father was saying, but that part of her that was always working noted something, a recollection maybe ... As they reached the top floor, and Admiral Tetsutaro's office, a man was leaving the Command Center.

"Ahh, Sato ... So good to see your Daughter is on the mend. Are we going to see a return to work in the near future, Talent's such as your Daughters' are hard to come by ?"

Sato made the smallest of bows, in deference to the mans rank:

"Thank you Admiral. I am sure my Daughter will return to work once she is able. Did you wish to see me ?" he asked, curious as to why a Fleet Admiral was leaving his office.

"No, just catching up Sato ... Catching up." the man said, eyeing Elena before leaving without another word. Tetsutaro shrugged and headed for the office, turning when he realized his Daughter wasn't following. He walked back and took her arm, coaxing her to follow him as on-lookers watched intrigued at the conversation. Once in the office Elena ran to the terminal at the side table ant spoke:

"Computer .. Access personnel files .. Flag Command Officers assigned to this Section .. Authoriz ........"

Sato hit the 'End' button and glared at her:

"May I ask .. What you are doing ?"

"It's HIM !" she said, emotions raging through her every fiber, her body shaking in fear, something she had never really experienced before, "Father. He is the one who controlled S'Peen. He was the one responsible for trying to wipe out the Vulcan RACE !"

"How could you know this child ?" Sato asked, trying to calm his Daughter.

"Who is he ?" she countered, helping herself to a drink.

"Fleet Admiral N'Vok ......" Sato said, puzzlement crossing his face for the first time, "He is of Romulan decent, but was brought up on Earth from being a child. His adoptive parents are now regrettably deceased. He has fought against any and all involvement with the Romulan Star Empire, and is Chairman of the Inquiry Board designated to investigate all Romulan activities within the Sector."

"He was at the hospital ......" Elena said.

"I think maybe you should not be drinking my child." Sato finally replied, deep in thought ..........

[Elena de Luca]

Sato allowed his adopted Daughter to reflect on the conversation before he decided to interrupt her thoughts. He refreshed her drink, and requested a traditional Japanese beverage for himself, before sitting down and waiting for the inevitable ...

Elena downed the drink in one, placing the glass on the ornate desk without thinking. Sato picked up the glass and wiped the stain away:

"You have to believe me."

"I have never doubted a single word uttered by you Elena. Though I must admit my trepidation in accepting that a Fleet Admiral would be behind the plot to eradicate an entire race of people."

Elena had no way of confirming her facts. It would need a Vulcan of exceptional mental agility to delve into the memories T'vana implanted deep within her, and asking a Vulcan to find evidence that his or her race was about to vanish from existence was unwise to say the least ... She knew she needed more, but how ?

"I think I need some sleep." she said, replacing the glass on the tray.

"I would like you to stay with me tonight. I am concerned you may suffer, aftereffects from your injuries ..." Sato said, "I will not take no for an answer Daughter, so indulge an old man and go home to bed."

Elena couldn't really refuse. She kissed her Father and followed his Adjutant out of the office ... Thirty minutes later, despite her resolve to remain up until Sato got home, she was falling into a deep sleep the moment her head hit the pillow ...

~~~~~

The house and garden was everything she remembered, the pristine manicured lawn, the flower beds, the ornate Japanese waterfall toward the back of the garden ... She was five, no, six years old, enjoying the summer sun, the water her Father was spraying on her as she constantly got in the way of his watering the garden. Running round, making her Father work to keep the stream of water on her, she noticed someone in the corner of her eye ... Halting quickly, she spun around, but the water distracted her and she began to run once more. There ... A man ... Hidden, but stepping into the light of the garden. Why was no-one asking the stranger his business, why was he being allowed to intervene in her excitement !

As she turned to ask her Father who the stranger was, the man drew a small knife from under his coat. Grinning at Elena, he approached her slowly. Still her parents seemed unconcerned at what was developing before them ... Elena began to back-step, keeping distance between her and the man with the knife, but suddenly he was there !

Tripping on the hose she fell to the floor, the man smiled as he knelt before her, raising the knife. She was almost mesmerized at the sun glistening off the precision-ground metal of the blade ...


Her own sense of self-preservation triggered her automotive reaction !

Without opening her eyes, she threw herself of the bed ... Landing on the carpeted floor, she grasped the phaser she had placed under that side of the bed. positioning her knees wide to allow for stability, she spun the weapon towards the bed. The man with the knife had lost his bearings when the expected sleeping target suddenly became animate. He turned to fact his target and began a thrust towards her chest, but the power of the phaser far outweighed the knife's reliability, and he was thrown against the far wall, unconscious ...

Satisfied she had the upper hand, she approached the would-be assassin as the door flew open. suddenly her room was awash with Star Fleet personnel. then her Father entered, almost swathed in Security Officers.

"Friend of N'vok ?" she asked, pulling her robe across her chest ..........

[Elena de Luca]

Officers dove on the prone would-be assassin, manhandling him to his feet roughly as Sato placed a protective arm around his Daughter. It was evident that the man had suffered some injury from both the phaser hit, and his impact with the wall and cabinet. One of the Security detail turned to Tetsutaro:

"Admiral, this man has sustained injuries. We will take him to the Medical center for treatme ......"

"No. I want him taken direct to the Detention Center. Use your shuttle' transporter and erase al logs." Sato instructed the Officer, "He is to be placed in 'Secure Holding Delta' and must, under no circumstances be allowed to see or speak to anyone."

"He will need attention Admiral." the Officer said boldly, worried at the man's imminent destination. But Sato walked up to the prisoner and placed his open palm on his chest. After a second he increased the pressure until the man looked ready to pass out.

"He will live. You have your instructions Major." Tetsutaro said ......

~~~~~

"It wont take N'Vok too long to get his man out Father." Elena said after the house was once more clear, though Security had been increased outside.

"N'Vok will never discover we are holding his man. My Security Personnel are totally loyal to ensuring my well-being. No-one will see them enter, and no-one has access to the area he will be secured in unless they work for me. The Federation President himself would need my approval to enter the area, if indeed he is even aware of it's existence."

"I wouldn't underestimate the man Father."

"You need not worry my child ... Now, you should try to get some sleep, your de-briefing begin's at zero nine thirty, and we will have a stop to make prior to your attendance." Sato said,kissing her on the forehead and leaving her room ......

~~~~~~~~~~

Dressed in the black uniform of Star-fleet's Intelligence Division, Elena checked herself in the mirror and used a cloth to wipe the winged arrowhead denoting her rank of Colonel. Pulling her tunic down subconsciously, she was satisfied she looked as good as expected given the circumstances, and left her room. Admiral Tetsutaro was waiting in the hall. They went down stairs and into a small room off the foyer. Inside was a small transporter pad. Nodding to the Security Officer, the pair stepped up and seconds later vanished ..... Re-materializing, they were met by the Major from the previous night:

"Admiral. Colonel ... I hope you managed to get a little sleep after the excitement ?"

"Yes, thank you Major." Elena replied, before the group left the transporter room and made their way to the holding cells ... The failed assassin was sat on the floor next to the cot, he didn't stand as the three approached the cell's force-field, but gave a look of disdain before wincing in pain.

"Has he been treated ?" Elena asked.

"No, ma'am. The prisoner has received zero attention." the First Lieutenant said, snapping to attention, eyes fixed on some mythical point in the distance, before Elena told him to relax, "He has refused any form of nourishment, just sits there ... Glaring ... Weird." the man finished, stepping back to his station.

"We would like to know who employed you to enter my home and attempt, albeit, incompetently, to kill my Daughter." Tetsutaro said casually, but received no reply. He turned to the Lieutenant and ordered the force-field dropped, he stepped into the cell, the 'field snapping back into place behind him. Elena watching on with apprehension, as two guards with phaser-rifles took aim on the prisoner instantly.

"You are a Star Fleet Officer, yes ..." Sato asked the man, "Are you in the habit of not standing to attention when addressed by a Senior Officer ?"

For all his years, and obvious outward frailness, Admiral Tetsutaro was no geriatric old man. Without warning, he leaned in and thrust his left hand forward. Fingers wrapped around the man's throat and immediately applied pressure. The man tried to bring his arms up, but Sato applied a few more grams of thrust to his aged fingers and the movement halted instantly.

"Stand up, slowly ... Push your back against the wall and use your legs. If you try anything other than the act of standing I will relive you of consciousness." The man, eye's bulging in pain and fear, did as he was told until he stood almost half a meter taller than the Admiral holding him, "Good ... Now, I would like you to cross your arms behind your back ... Good ... Now, step one meter forward and put your feet together. Sato took a backward step to remain at his optimal distance to keep the grip on the man ... OK, now I want you to allow yourself to fall back to the wall with your arms still behind you." He stepped forward as the assassin followed the order ...

Tetsutaro knew that in this position it was impossible to move either leg without the other slipping from beneath the person, causing him or her to drop to the floor. Self-preservation would make that person try to brace the fall with their hands ...

"No-one knows you are here." Sato said, easing the grip on the mans throat allowing him the ability to speak if he so wished, "We will get the information we require. It would be much better, and infinitely more civilized if we could do this without the need for the vulgar torture methods employed by some of the less, intelligent races ......" he said, a warm smile on his face as he increased the grip on the man, cutting off his air supply instantly, "But alas, we do not have time for niceties .... Do 'NOT' move your arms !" he finished, releasing the man completely before stepping back, the 'field dropping to allow his exit, snapping back instantly.

"You may seat yourself now." Sato said, that warm, Fatherly lilt appearing in his voice once again, "We shall return later. I do hope you will have decided to co-operate with my inquiry by that time ... Good day Sir."

"Did you smack me as a child ?" Elena asked, grinning.

"Feed him if he wishes to eat, but he is to receive no treatment for his injuries." Sato told the First Lieutenant, before he, Elena, and the Major left the Detention Center. A short coded turbo-lift trip rose them to surface level and Elena found herself in the main Headquarters of Star Fleet Intelligence ..........

[Elena de Luca]

Elena's assignment debrief and the inquest into the apparent disappearance of T'vana took four days. It hadn't gone un-noticed that N'Vok had been present for all of those four days, watching Elena as she gave her reports, and asking numerous, seemingly pointless questions, which only served to cloud issues, rather than clear them up sufficiently ..... The three man board eventually thanked De Luca on the success of her assignment and concluded that S'Peen was responsible and should he have survived would have received the maximum sentence allowed under Federation Law ... This was no comfort to Elena, who had wanted to protest, but a word of warning from Admiral Tetsutaro ensured she held her tongue. As the board was dismissed, Elena watched the Fleet Admiral as he began to leave. But not before he approached Sato and Elena:

"Admiral I hear you had some excitement a few days ago. I do hope you, and your Daughter of course, are fully recovered." he said, a sickly smile of concern on his face.

"We are well. Thank you Admiral ... Now, if you would excuse us, I plan on treating my Daughter to a short break at our country home before duties force both of us back to officialdom." Sato said, bowing respectfully before taking Elena's arm, "Come my child." Elena remained expressionless as the pair left the man in their wake ... Once outside Sato whispered something to her before heading for the doors ......

Two Days Later:

The villa in Nyon, on lake Geneva, roughly midpoint between Lausanne and the city of Geneva was idyllic ... Situated on the lake shore, it was a sprawling expanse of open rooms. Elena had come here when Sato and his deceased wife Louisa had officially adopted her at the age of nine. She had come back less than half a dozen times since her graduation, and always cherished her visits ... She was beside the pool reading when Sato came out to her:

"We have visitors Elena. If you could dress and join us in the lounge please ?"

"Of course. Give me five minutes." she said, getting up and heading around the pool to the patio doors of her room ... Five minutes later she was ready. To say she was surprised by 'who' the visitors were could be classed as an understatement.

"Ahh my dear." Sato said, handing her a drink as she entered, looking at each of the civilian garbed people in turn, "Our guests .. Section Admiral Paul Drew, Fleet Admiral Magellan Lin, and General Grace Norris, Federation Intelligence."

"Now Sato, there is no need for formalities here, we are your guests, we didn't come for a military review." Grace Norris said, stepping forward and kissing Elena on the cheek before commenting on how well she was looking, "We haven't seen each other, unofficially of course, since you were little Elena. If I remember rightly, you pushed a certain Captain into the pool for calling you, now what was it ... Shorty, that's it." Everyone laughed at the story, and it was all that was needed as an ice-breaker.

"Our guests are going to be staying overnight Elena, so if you could restrain yourself from anything unbecoming ...." Sato said, grinning.

"We do have an ulterior motive for being here, but that can wait until after dinner maybe ?" Grace said lightly, putting her empty glass on the table, "Now, I'm no spring chicken, but I 'DO' love a little sun, and you two look as if you could do with some color, you're too pale for my liking." she said to Drew and Lin before heading for the door, "I'm off to change, meet you at the pool."

"Bloody Marines ... That woman really should realize she's in her sixties. Not to sure all that frivolity is dignified." Lin said, topping up his drink shaking his head in amusement.

Elena sipped her drink, watching the scene with interest. She did wonder though, why three of the Federation's most Senior Officers had suddenly decided to drop in ..........

[Elena de Luca]

The rest of the afternoon was taken in a relaxed environment, in fact, you wouldn't have known the combined responsibilities the people at the house had if you didn't recognize any of them. For all intents, they looked like an 'Old Age Pensioner' get-together, with Elena there to top up the drinks.

She had decided she would not be the one to broach the subject of their guests, choosing to wait to see which one let her in on the secret ... At dinner, the topic ranged from holiday homes, to transport, to growing your own vegetables. The group went out onto the large patio, overlooking the lake. At this time in the evening the water was like glass, hardly a ripple breaking the crystalline surface. Sato handed out his most expensive brandy snifters, the warm golden cognac catching the light.

"Those glasses are Waterford. Very old, and impossible to replace, so please be careful ... Now ... Maybe one of you should enlighten my Step-Daughter on the reason for your visit ?" he said, taking his own seat and sipping the golden liquid.

"We have an assignment we would like you to undertake Elena." Drew began, "We have gone through your report thoroughly, and were very interested in what you didn't say, rather than what you did. Thus, our rather lame excuse for visiting rather than getting you upstairs, so to speak."

"I'm not sure I understand Admiral." Elena replied, her face expressionless.

"Then maybe we misunderstood." Admiral Lin said, placing his glass on the table and standing."

"Elena ......." Tetsutaro said, the minute hint of admonishment in his tone.

"You are referring to Fleet Admiral N'Vok and his involvement in the attempted genocide of the Vulcan race."

"We need to draw N'Vok out." Drew said, as Lin took his seat, allowing Sato to refill his glass, "There's no way we can simply implicate the man in the crimes he is responsible for, and make the charges stick. Especially given there's no-one left to corroborate any of the accusations. You, on the other hand, have already accused him outright."

"And just 'how' am I supposed to draw him out, as you say ... You shot me down when I made the original statement, disputing the facts then practically gagging me in the process. N'Vok smirked his way through the debriefings knowing full-well that he was home free ... Free to resume his plans anytime !" Elena said, downing the last of her brandy before filling the glass once more. Admiral Lin passed over a PADD. She took it and read, shaking her head with each paragraph. She turned to her superior:

"You agree with what they are proposing General ?"

"It was my initial idea Elena." Grace Norris said.

Elena stood up and walked toward the pool and walked around the rim, eyes on the gentle ripples as the water circulation system cleaned and refreshed the liquid. She finished her drink part way round and stopped walking as Tetsutaro approached. He poured more cognac into her glass and smiled, knowing she would do what she needed to do ... Returning to the table, she picked up the PADD once more and read:

..... COMMUNICATIONS CENTER :: NEWS FLASH .....

..... was suspended from duty today pending investigations into her involvement in the deaths of several prominent Vulcan Scientists .....

..... has not been seen since early yesterday, and is suspected of using unlawful means to depart Earth. A thorough investigation into her whereabouts has begun and .....

..... no details can be released at this juncture, but the head of Star Fleet Intelligence, General Grace Norris, has promised a full and complete investigation, which could lead to severe charges being brought against the former Investigator .....

"He will never fall for it." she said, dropping the PADD onto the table.

"We think he will." Lin said, "Why the hell would we 'pretend' to throw you to the wolves knowing he would see right through the ploy. The beauty of this is he can't fail to believe it."

"I want a free hand ... Regardless of the outcome." Elena said.

Agreed." Section Admiral Drew agreed instantly.

"OK ..... So, how long do I have before this press release goes out ?" One of the house Aides dropped a bag at her feet and vanished back into the house.

"It went out two hours ago." Drew said ..........

[Elena de Luca]

"It went out two hours ago." Drew said ..........

Elena sat looking at the Head of Section Forty Seven. Part of her wanted to jump over the table and throttle the man for his presumption, but the other side of her. The analytically, Intelligence Operative side of her, knew he had done the right thing ... Picking up her glass, she downed the amber liquid in one go and picked up the bag. She walked around the table and kissed her Stepfather on the forehead:

"See you soon." she said, almost as if she was off on a casual hiking trip with friends, then she left the grounds via the wooded area the other side of the pool area .....

Two Days Later:

"Look, i'm not asking for some long-term relationship, where we can rest our heads on each others' shoulders and cry about what could have been ... I'm simply asking you to get me off Earth ... And as I stated, you won't regret giving me passage." Elena said, glaring at the man before her at the bar.

"You don't look the type that needs hiding." he said, placing a hand on her shoulder, moving it slowly downward toward the outline of her chest, "Maybe we can discuss 'other' forms of payment ?"

Elena smiled at the man, moving closer and forcing his hand firmly into the leather jacket she was wearing. Then, before he realized his mistake, she grasped his arm at the wrist and turned it quickly. slipping her fingers between his fingers ans thumb, she pushed downward, forcing the man to his knees. Without hesitation she landed a well-aimed knee to his jaw and released her grip as he slammed into the bar almost unconscious !

She knelt beside him, moving stray hair out of his eyes:

"Touch me again, and you will die before your hormones can make any appreciable contribution to the chances of your copulation ... Now ... I am staying locally ... I am looking for a 'specific' type of employment, so you may just be wasting my time, but 'IF' you suddenly decide you know of someone who can use my 'talents' then ask for Samara Ni ... Someone will get a message to me."

She stood, eyeing the patrons in the hovel that they called a bar. She couldn't believe that these places still existed on Earth, but then, people sometimes made places what they needed them to be to provide specific amenities ..... Looking out of what was almost laughingly called a window, she could see the faint outline of San Francisco through the fog-laden mists.

This was the third establishment she had entered, and the third she had ensured her presence would not have gone, un-noticed. She needed her name out there, she needed her 'talent' advertised in the best way possible, and that was through the criminal community. Hell it was better than having a 'curriculum vitae' in her opinion .......

~~~~~~~~~~

The room was, lets say, less than five star, in her humble opinion. But it suited her for the projected persona she was using. Samara Ni was from a less than reputable family. She had spent hours in the Federation Records Archive establishing a legend, one that would stand up to the most vigorous scrutiny. She figured that N'Vok had hired people from this area in preference to looking 'off-world' ... He needed to eliminate a certain woman. One that could identify him as the person behind the attempted eradication of the Vulcan's ... Despite his rank of Fleet Admiral, the woman had given evidence hidden from view to protect the very identity he sought so much !

Leaving her room, Elena walked down the dusty street to the bar .... Entering, she looked for the most likely candidate and approached him:

"Buy a girl a drink ?" she asked casually.

"I'm not in the habit of hiring prostitu ......"

That was as far as the man got, as Elena slammed her open hand into his throat, fingers one side of the windpipe, thumb the other. She closed the grip instantly, cutting off his oxygen supply, the surprise of the attack rather than her weight pushing him off balance, slamming him into the bar.

In her left hand was a hypo-spray. Unseen, she pushed it against his thigh and injected the contents. She then closed the man's air passage, until he slumped, lifeless, onto the bar ... Releasing her victim she allowed the body to drop to the floor before ordering a drink ... Two men dragged the corpse through the back of the bar and over a small rise, then dumped the body before returning to the bar, nodding to the barkeep as they retrieved their drinks ... Thirty seconds later the body vanished from sight ...

"What's a girl got to do to get work around here ?" Elena asked, tapping her now empty glass on the bar ..........

[Elena de Luca]

It took less than an hour for someone to approach her with an offer of employment, it took her less than a moment to reject the offer, but not before the man had confirmed that the 'corpse' was conscious and being held at Star Fleet Security pending charges. She decided that no-one was going to bite regarding her employment status, so downed the last of her drink and left ...

Making her way back to her lodgings, she swayed from side to side, almost falling to the ground at one point, before managing to grasp hold of something ... Her reactions surprised the man, as he was slammed against a shop-front window, almost breaking the glass !

"Wait Wait !" the man said hurriedly, "I'm not ..... Armed." he said, choking as she pushed her forearm into his throat. Looking left and right, she stepped back, releasing her hold and the man slipped to the clod concrete floor. Elena took several more steps backward, until she was stood in the middle of the dusty road. Satisfied she wasn't going to be surprised further, she approached the man and helped him to his feet:

"You were in the bar." she said.

"Yes, but I could not approach you. The 'people' that I work for tend not to like their employee preferences advertised. I saw what you did to the man who was rude to you ... You have quite a short temper, and in reflection, I am not sure you are, suitable. But my employers do the deciding, not me."

"I'm not sure I want to work for someone who can't introduce himself in person." Elena said, brushing dirt off the mans jacket sleeve, "Tell him thank you for the consideration all the same." she said, walking away towards her lodgings once more."

"Samara ... Please ..." the man said running after her and stopping dead in his tracks as she turned to face him suddenly, "I am not sure you understand ... When my employer wants to see someone, they generally do as they are told, and go."

"Then, I imagine that this, will be a refreshing surprise for him, won't it." Elena said, smiling as she walked into the night .....

~~~~~~~~~~

She was running short of options, and she knew it ... The news broadcast's of her pending indictments, and the fact she was to be charged with murder were catching the interest of numerous, self-employed factions that she could do without. It wasn't going to be long before some bounty-hunter, or investigator came across her.

Taking the tricorder from her bag, she went to the window and scanned ..... There, the tracking patch she had placed on the man from last night was still functioning. Snapping the device shut with a wry grin, she headed for what was laughingly called a bathroom. She showered and dressed, admittedly surprised that the mans employer hadn't sent someone after her, but then, why would he, she was going nowhere in particular. Re-entering the living area, she noticed a piece of paper on the mat in front of her door ... Taking her phaser, she approached the door cautiously, moving the paper with her foot away from the door then bent to pick it up:

Job Vacancy
If interested
Same Bar 14:00 hrs

She turned the paper over but the underside was blank ... 'A bite maybe ?' she thought.

It was 10:34 when she left her rooms. Taking the tricorder, she headed in the direction of the single she was tracking. Thirty minutes found her in what she supposed was the 'Upper Class' area of the abandoned city. Several of the buildings had been refurbished, though why, was beyond her, when no-one needed to live in what was once known as poverty. Scanning once more she double-checked she was close, then placed the device in a crevice where it was hidden from sight. Checking she had the type one phaser hidden inside her waistband, she moved forward cautiously .....

The building as occupied. Three people, all on the upper floor, a standard precaution for someone not wanting to open the door to the wrong type of people. Walking the perimeter, she found no breaks in the wall, so it meant her climbing in ... Finding a suitable platform, she climbed, cautiously glancing over the top to the building beyond. The courtyard was empty as expected. She dropped down and moved behind the husk of a dead tree. Moving quickly, she ran to the wall of the building and edged along slowly until reaching an open window, 'Not surprising given the outer wall' she though, retrieving her phaser before climbing into the room itself .....

Recalling the layout of the building, she made her way across the room, opening the door slightly. Satisfied, she stepped out and approached the foot of the darkened staircase ... She should be relatively safe using this one, as it seemed not to be the main stairway to the upper floors, but she would need to be cautious all the same. Reaching the top step, she halted, listening intently. There, three voices, two male, one female.

Reaching the door, she checked the power setting on her phaser one last time, then leaned closer, listening intently and stood back quickly. What she heard almost stopped her heart.

She recognized one of the voices ! ..........

[Elena de Luca]

Stepping away from the door, fearing she would loose control and barge into the room, she leaned against the opposite wall, oblivious to the fact she could be discovered at any moment ... 'This can not be right' she thought frantically. Suddenly she heard footsteps, two, maybe three other people. Ducking into the closest room she held the door ajar, hoping to see who was in the room opposite. But no such luck ..... Checking the time, she realized she had less than an hour to get to the meeting arranged for her. So, making her way back to the ground floor, she went over the wall at the point she climbed in. Then, dusting herself off, she headed back to the bar ...

~~~~~~~~~~

Arriving in good time, she entered the and took a seat at on of the few empty tables. She was only mildly surprised at how much business the place got during the day. The place was a dive, pure and simple, and every degenerate criminal had been here at one time or another, thus the excellent employment prospects, even for someone in her profession. The barman approached her table. Placed a drink in front of her:

"Compliments of the Gentleman at the bar." he said nervously.

Elena picked up the glass, held it up to the light, and looked through the liquid. Not that she could have visually detected a drug purely by her actions, but it gave her something to do while she studied the buyer of the drink. She placed the glass back on the table and looked at the Steward:

"Thank the 'Gentleman' ..... But inform him I am choosy as to who I accept drinks from ...... NOW !" she added as the man faltered, given 'who' the drink was being returned to .......

~~~~~

"Forgive me ... But I am somewhat unaccustomed with people I buy a drink for returning it, un-drank."

"Well there's a first time for everything I suppose." Elena replied, uninterested. She knew she was winding this man up well beyond anything he had been accustomed to in the past, and his temper could end the conversation, not to mention, her 'life' very quickly should he choose to. But she knew from experience that people like this man begrudgingly respected people like her. Of course, he would have already signed her death warrant, it wouldn't be good for his minions to see him allowing such disrespect. But for now, he was in the market, and she was employable ...

"Then may I ask if you would like to join me in a drink ?" the man asked, still standing over Elena.

She looked up, her peripheral vision picking out two, no three of the man's people watching her every move. They were obviously armed, and given the nature of this place, her sudden demise would not make any impression. She looked at the drink, then up at the man holding the glass, pointing at the seat opposite, shrugging. The man sat, placing the drink in front of her. She instantly told the steward to replace the drink with a fresh one, just to annoy her 'guest' then she looked at the man:

"I assume you are my two o'clock appointment ?"

The man, who had noticeably 'not' introduced himself, seemed to be experiencing something new in his life, and wasn't sure if he liked it. It was certainly making his henchmen nervous too, as they edged back and forth in confusion. 'Way to make a lasting impression Elena' she thought to herself. Then picked up the refreshed drink and took a sip, waiting for her 'guest' to speak ...

"You are Samara Ni ..... My name is unimportant ..... I believe you could be useful. I pay well those who succeed, and suffer failure of my employees, badly." Elena sat in silence watching and waiting for him to continue, "I require three people to disappear, on shall we say a permanent basis, the Woman will be the first target .. Would you be interested in accomplishing that for me ?"

"Well ... " she said, placing the empty glass on the table, not surprised when it was almost instantly replaced with a fresh drink, "That would obviously depend on the targets, and what you would be willing to pay." she said, shrugging. He took a PADD from one of his people who had approached quietly, and made a few inputs. Satisfied, he slid the PADD towards her, and waited .....

Elena took the PADD and looked at the images and names of the three people this man, or rather, his employer, needed eliminating. She didn't hide the fact that she recognized the three people. Sliding her finger on the screen she enlarged the first image and read the name:

Colonel Elena de Luca
Star Fleet Intelligence

[Elena de Luca]

"High value target ..." she said, studying the image closely, thankful that it wasn't actually 'her' in the photo, or at least, not how she looked at this precise moment, "What's she done to warrant this kind of attention ?"

The man took the PADD from her and turned to leave. Elena knew she had overstepped the unwritten law of any Assassin for hire, you don't why, just how quickly, and how much ! ... She didn't turn to watch him leave but took her drink and finished it off, dropping the glass on the bar. Again it was replaced instantly, but the barman informed her that her line of 'credit' had left, so the next drink, she would pay for ... Moving away from the bar itself, she took a table far enough away from the door but close enough should she need to leave that way. Her prospective employer was talking to two men outside before he spoke to someone via a Comm link. He was obviously on the wrong end of an argument, and closed the Comm fuming. He spoke to the men with him then sent them into the bar, Elena sat quietly enjoying her drink and watched the low-grav athletics on the primitive monitors hung around the place.

"Our employer has, reconsidered. He would like to see you later this evening." one of the henchmen said, "Midnight .... Be here."

"Sorry, I'm no longer on the market. Tell your 'employer' he will have to look elsewhere. Though I seriously doubt he will find anyone willing to assassinate a member of the Intelligence Division ... Either way, wish him my best in his endeavors, won't you gentlemen." she said, returning her attention to the screen.

She had obviously put the two thugs on their back foot, so to speak, as they found themselves faced with something new ... No-one tended to say 'No' when they spoke, and they were trying to work out just how much damage they could do to the woman without suffering any adverse consequences from their employer ... They spoke quietly, standing over her and glancing in her direction every few words until they seemed to reach a decision. The man who spoke reached forward and took hold of her shoulder. She in turn moved forward, slamming a long thin blade into the mans' groin, mere millimeters from her intended target, but it had the desired outcome as he jumped backwards, squealing in pain and grasping at the blade embedded so close to his proverbial 'wedding tackle' ... The second man turned to face her, but found himself looking into the business end of a phaser:

"Take your 'boyfriend' and leave ...... I'm really enjoying this program, and I'd hate to miss anything." she said, smiling sweetly, as if being judged for a cake making competition.

"Our employer will 'KILL' you for this." the uninjured thug said, grabbing his companion and heading for the door quickly. Elena shrugged and returned her attention to the athletics ........


~~~~~

"Progress ?"

"I went back to the bar." she said, handing over a micro-recorder, "I doubt he's the man in charge, I had the distinct feeling he was working for someone much more powerful. Given the targets, it can only be N'vok." she said, waiting for her contact to check the information.

"You I can understand." the contact said, "But why those two ?"

"Your guess is as good as any at this point. You had better inform them that they need to take precautions."

"They won't ... Any outward appearance that they have changed routine could alert N'vok. They will have to go on with their duties as normal." the man decided instantly.

"You 'DO' know he may well hire someone else to do this, I assume ?"

"Then they will just have to take that chance, won't they." the man said, grinning, "Report when you can." he finished, leaving her alone ........

She spent the next two hours at the Haman, a traditional Turkish Bath House, enjoying the massage and the sauna, before dressing and heading back to her room ... She was a little disappointed when there were no signs of a break-in, and no-one was waiting for her. Maybe she had misjudged the situation, maybe the man 'had' found someone else to do the job ... Undressing, she slipped into bed, making sure her usual precautions against surprises were in place. Uncharacteristically, she was in a deep sleep within seconds ....

~~~~~~~~~~

Asleep, she felt the warmth of the Sun on her face. As per normal practice, she took a full minute to 'listen' to the room. Keeping her heart-rate steady, and breathing shallow as if still asleep, before slowly opening her eyes or moving a muscle. Satisfied, she sat up and swung her legs off the bed. It was then she noticed the note ... It had been pushed under her door during the night, that much was obvious. She got up and walked to the note, making sure not to stand in direct line of the door as she retrieved it. Leaning against the wall to one side of the door, she slowly opened the folded piece of paper:

Target one: 300 bars of gold-pressed Latinum
Target two: 100 bars
Target three: 200 bars

Completion bonus: 2,000 bars !

**********

She sat back on the bed, re-reading the note. It was obvious they couldn't find anyone expert enough, or indeed stupid enough, to take on three hits in succession, and three very high profile targets at that. It was even more obvious to her that N'vok was pulling all the strings. She was determined to see the man dead for the deaths of S'Koril and T'vana, not to mention the countless others he was responsible for ! ..........

[Elena de Luca]

She held off leaving her room for almost two hours. She figured that if her 'services' were needed that desperately then someone would come knocking ... They didn't.

'Hmm, maybe I have underestimated my value' she thought wryly, before getting off the bed and leaving. She didn't use the front door this time, she needed to acquire certain things, and didn't want one of her employers' goons knowing what she was up to ... Dropping from the first-floor window, she crouched and checked her surroundings. Satisfied, she moved along the row of buildings until she reached a hostelry frequented by Elloran.

The Elloran had come a long way since establishing themselves on Earth. Noted for their ruthlessness in trading, they supplied and you paid, or you died ... A simple doctrine that had served them well. Entering, Elena picked her way through seemingly comatose patrons until she reached her goal .. The 'man' was sat, a woman either side. He made no effort to acknowledge her presence but continued to degrade the woman sat at his feet.

"I don't have all day." Elena said, waiting while the man took a moment to look up, but when he did, he stopped what he was doing and looked her up and down ... She had chosen a skin-tight one-piece suit, the material seemingly changing color depending on the angle. The suit left nothing to the imagination. She hadn't worn it as a fashion statement, but something to distract the Elloran, and it was working. She dropped a PADD in front of him and waited yet again, "You could never afford it." she threw at him.

"Is that so ?" the man said, reading her list of requirements, "Some of these are rather, expensive, not to mention hard to get hold of."

Elena reached forward and snatched the PADD:

"Then we have nothing to talk about." she said, turning to leave, and finding a phaser-rifle aiming into her face. She casually raised her arms, smiling at the weapons' owner, then turned and dropped a small sphere onto the table, "Motion-activated ... Six figure audio reset cipher ... Fifteen second delay." Elena had to admire the man for his nerve. Anyone else faced with a proximity grenade would have buckled instantly, but he sat watching her for over ten seconds before finally asking her to de-activate the device:

"Zero. Two. Two. Nine. Four. Seven ... Reset thirty ... Activate." Elena said, enjoying the mans discomfort and obvious relief as the grenade powered-down.

"Kill her !"

"RESET ZERO !" Elena said, dropping below the phasers' muzzle and kicking the owner in the groin. The grenade began to emit a high-pitched whine, a red light flashing rapidly. The man looked from Elena to the table and back, but she was already throwing herself through one of the windows. The man only had a second to realize his mistake before the grenade reached detonation point. And .....

Elena walked back into the room through the still intact front entrance ...

"That one's a dummy." she said, dropping the PADD on the table and lifting the fake grenade, appraising it as if a possible purchase, before carefully placing it on the table. The man, realizing he was still in the land of the living went through numerous emotions in seconds, then focused on the woman before him. But Elena was again ahead. She dropped a second grenade on the table:

"Any chance that one's a dud too ?" the man asked, knowing the answer already, "Didn't think so ... I have to congratulate you. You're the first, and last, to get one over on me. I won't be so 'trusting' in future."

"All saying you actually 'have' a future." Elena said, leaning forward and touching the man on his temple, making the man flinch at the momentary burning sensation, before dropping a bag of Latinum bars next the device, "I would like my order filled within twenty four hours. In my profession, it is unwise to suffer fools lightly. If you can't fulfill my order, say so 'NOW' and I will look elsewhere. Try to have me killed and the sub-dermal implant in your temple will cause an aneurysm and you will be dead before you can shout for help ..... Let me make myself clear here. I am not in the habit of making threats, but I take exception to persons I am dealing with trying to get the better of me."

"...... And if your order is ready on time ... What about this ?" the man asked, tapping his temple.

"I will leave the de-activator in my room. You can pick it up once I've gone. I stick to agreements." Elena said, turning to leave, "I have heard good things about you. I am admittedly disappointed at my treatment ... Twenty four hours ... Oh, don't touch the grenade." she said, grinning as she left the hovel ..........

[Elena de Luca]

"I don't think this is going to work, it's taking too long to get to N'Vok !"

"We need to gather all the evidence before we confront him. He is dangerous in the extreme, and could easily release any surplus pathogen if he feels cornered. Follow the plan."

"I seem to remember telling you that i would work this as I deem necessary. Please don't try to force my hand on this, I have, too much interest, and before you point out the blindingly obvious, YES, it is all about T'vana ... That little girl died because of this man, and he is 'NOT' going to get away with it !" she said, leaving the man stood alone .....

Later:

"I want to meet my employer."

"Not going to happen. He isn't in the habit of meeting the 'hired help' no matter what the circumstances." the barman said with a hint of implied menace in his voice, "My advice, do the job you were hired to do, take your money, and vanish."

Elena snatched the man and glared into his bloodshot eyes:

"Send him my resignation." she said, turning to leave the bar, before running around the side to an open window. She watched the barman enter the back room and open a Comm channel. Lifting the tricorder she had brought with her, she recorded the inputs and subsequent conversation:

"She has gone."

"Find her ... Offer her any sum, after all, she will never receive the payment. Once she has removed the targets, no-one will remain who can identify me or my involvement in the murders. All we need is fr this over-confident 'Assassin' to kill three people, then she will be exposed, and my role in this will never be discovered. Go after her ... NOW !"

The Comm closed and Elena moved away from the window. replaying the conversation she analyzed the voice patterns and grinned ...

"Gocha ! ......

~~~~~~~~~~

"I had the distinct feeling that you would visit me." he said, ignoring the phaser pointed at his midriff, "You are obviously under the misconception that you will get away with what you are planning, but I feel I must warn you ... At this moment, associates are positioned to carry out my bidding, and should they not receive word from me, they will kill Admiral Tetsutaro and the others before you can raise the alarm."

"I have no intention of killing you N'Vok ... In fact, your 'premature' death is the furthest thing from my mind." Elena said casually, "I intend beating you until you are so close to death you will be begging for it. The Federation has suspected you for a long time, I intend to acquire the necessary confession before your 'unfortunate' death while attempting escape." she finished, sitting herself down as if a guest at a dinner party waiting to be brought a drink.

N'Vok began to approach her. Slowly, methodically, one small step at a time, he closed the distance between them. Elena could do nothing about it as N'Vok held her gaze. She tried to raise the weapon in her hand but found it impossible. The Vulcan was only meters from her now, and she realized she would die in this room ...

"You seem, confused, my dear." N'Vok said, almost forming a grin, "I am sure I can help you. You don't really need to keep hold of that phaser, do you. Maybe you should place it on the seat beside you ?"

Elena couldn't help herself. despite how much she fought, her arm moved to the side, and her hand released it's grip on the weapon. She looked back at N'Vok.

"Yes. I knew who you were form the start ..... I must admit, I was more than curious, if not amused, at how far I could go before you broke down and attempted to resolve this on a 'personal' level. But alas, even you must now realize the futility of your efforts. S'Peen was willing to sacrifice his children. What does that say about the Vulcan race ?"

"I am going to kill you." Elena spat.

"I believe it was one of your ancestors, Napoleon Bonapart, who said, quote: "You must not fight too often with one enemy, lest you teach him all you art of war." ... I feel I should not fight with you any further. It is time for you to depart this life Elena." he said, reaching forward and placing his hands either side of her head. She 'felt' the man entering her mind, knowing he was going to force her to kill herself ....

But ....

Someone was there ... Not physically, but there inside her mind ... N'Vok grinned as he implanted the desire for her to end her life. But he suddenly frowned, confusion spreading across his face... 'No, she could not fight him' he thought, probing deeper, only to be confronted by the presence of another, younger, but infinitely stronger min than his own ...

'NO, you cannot be here .. Leave my mind now !' he screamed inwardly.

Elena began to regain control, and started to move one hand toward the phaser she had dropped.

"Get 'OUT' of my mind !" N'Vok screamed, making Elena want to vomit.

"Close your eye's Elena." a voice said within her head, and she knew it was T'vana, somehow speaking to her, helping her, "Close your eye's Elena. You should step aside from what is to happen, Close, close, clo ........ I love you beyond words ..... Sleep, all will be well ......"

~~~~~~~~~~

Elena smiled. realizing T'vana was here, was alive, was with her and helping her to fight N'Vok ... She wanted to remain awake, wanted to help the little girl who she had thought dead, but the will of T'vana was much too strong. She witnessed N'Vok succumbing to the child's will, watched him loose every fragment of his mental ability as he slowly reverted to something akin to a mindless husk .. But it was too much for her to hold on to, and she succumbed to the instruction, the coaxing, of T'vana, and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep ..........

[Elena de Luca]

In her subconscious, Elena could feel the warmth and love from T'vana. The little girl had been with her all along, though buried so deeply Elena never knew ...

"All is well now Elena, but I need you to do something for me before you wake."

"How did, what happened, I thou ....."

"It doesn't matter now, my body perished in the crash, but I transferred my katra into your mind. Please forgive my actions, but it was the only way I could guarantee you safety against N'Vok. He would have killed you had I not intervened."

"But your body ...." Elena said within her confused subconscious.

"It is gone. Please, I do not have much time. The longer I remain within you, the more the possibility of damage to your mind. I must be allowed to, leave you Elena." the little voice said within her.

"Leave, where, where would you go ?" she replied, tears running down her comatose cheeks.

"Please Elena, do not grieve, I will be with you in your memories, and will be so until the day of your own passing. But for me, my time is at an end. To remain would be, unacceptable, and against everything our Vulcan teachings evoke. You need to wake now Elena, before the lethargy consumes your mind for ever ... I will rest peacefully knowing I have your love to guide me."

The tiny voice within her fell silent ...

"T'vana .... T'vana ...." Elena whispered, before realization dawned.

"T'VANNNAAAAA !" she screamed, sitting bolt-upright on the cold stone floor, before realizing that the child she had come to love was now lost for ever. But T'vana was right, even as her panic rose, she began to 'feel' an inner calmness throughout her mind. T'vana was here, if only as a memory, but there was something else, something more ... Elena had retained something of the five year old child, something purely Vulcan, something unexplained, but there all the same. Elena wasn't sure where her newly acquired 'oneness' would take her, or even if it would be retained. But that was for later ...... Looking around the room, her eyes fell on the body of N'Vok, his face a grotesque masque of demented pain and agony. His body twisted beyond anything physically possible ... Elena wasn't squeamish, but she felt the need to avert her eyes, if only for a moment, as what the man had done, to S'koril, and to T'vana, and to countless others. Finally, she got to her feet and approached the body, she placed fingers on the neck, feeling for the tell-tale throb of blood coursing through veins. But she knew the gesture was futile, so finding a large blanket, she covered the body.

Moving to the communications console against the wall she spoke:

"Computer .. Open a secure channel to Admiral Sato Tetsutaro at his home."

"Communication established." the voice said.

=^= Admiral .... =^=

=^= Elena .. Where are you .. Are you in danger ! =^=

=^= You need to come .. I am in the home of Fleet Admiral N'Vok .. He is dead =^=

=^= You ? =^=

=^= No .. It is hard to explain but I will do so once you are here =^=

=^= I will be there shortly =^=

The Comm closed and Elena looked at the form under the blanket. How she had wanted to see this man dead, how much she had wanted him to die at her hands ... But even those feeling seemed to dissipate even as they formed.

ooo000ooo

The door opened, allowing Admiral Tetsutaro to enter. Two men, pulling a mag-lev casket followed him in. Sato pulled the blaket back to see the face then, nodding to the two men, he stepped back, placing an arm around Elena and leading her into the next room. Neither man spoke as they lifted the body and placed it in the casket, Elena never saw either the men, or their cargo, again ...

"It was T'vana ...... N'Vok was using his mental ability to destroy my mind, but T'vana was there, here ..." she explained, tapping her finger against her temple, "She transferred her, Katra ?, before throwing me from the Spartan, seconds before it crashed."

"She is still ....."

"No. No, she has, gone. It is difficult to explain, but she's here, yet not, yet I 'feel' she has gifted me something. I'm sorry, I just can't explain it in words."

"There is no need my child ..." Sato said, rising, "I have someone outside. She is going to take you home and remain with you."

"No, I'd prefer to be alone. Please ... I'll walk, the air will do me good I think." Elena reassured him. After kissing on the forehead, the man she thought of as her Father, Elena left him alone. Knowing he would do what was necessary to ensure her involvement was at a minimum.

The men were waiting for him outside the complex. He took a phaser off the nearer man and adjusted the setting. Both men stood back as Sato took aim and fired. The casket and it's contents vanished from existence. He handed the weapon back and began the slow walk to his home.

~~~~~~~~~~

She couldn't remember the long walk, nor her ride in the turbo-lift ... In her quarters she went through her routine of changing for bed, before thoroughly exhausted, she lay down.

Had anyone entered her room
they would have seen a woman enjoying a contented, restful sleep


Elena was dreaming of a little girl she will miss dearly


~~~ooo000ooo~~~