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Summary: What exactly transpired between Surak and S?Task during their final meeting?

Disclaimer: Trek gave us the Vulcans, the Romulans and Surak. Diane Duane gave us S?Task and the Rihannsu. This is just my attempt at recording what the ghosts of ch?Havran whisper in my ear at all hours of the day and night.

Special thanks to Gayle, Selek and Kiri for their feedback and support.
 
 
 
 

Debris littered the cold blackness of Vulcan space. Caught in the orbit of this fiery red planet tumbled the wreckage of a hundred ships. Destroyed, their hulls crushed by the invisible, invincible, steel thoughts of telepathic adepts.

But these ships did not belong to the inhabitants of the planet. They were the remnants of an invasion force led by an arrogant alien organization. One who presumed that with their superior technology, they could trick these innocent creatures into subservience.

How wrong they had been.

With their tails between their legs, these Dithulhiv Pirates scurried back to their home space, telling the tale of how they had been beaten by a backwards planet.  But it was a planet with a people as ferocious and tenacious, as hot and unyielding as the deserts of their world.

It was the aftermath of  'Ahkh': the Great War. Numerous small Vulcan ships were blasting away debris from orbit, rescuing survivors and salvaging any equipment they could from these invaders. Many had been killed. Even more were lost without a trace, presumably to the void. It could have been worse. Vulcan could have been enslaved or stripped of her few remaining precious resources.  Instead the people had banded together and forced these pirates from their home, making their planet safe once again for their children.

Now they faced a greater threat. For a time they had been flirting with the idea of peace. There was even a leader who was chief advocate for this peace. He and his group had become respected and visible on the planet these last few years. National leaders had actually taken this movement seriously. They were beginning to believe that it might be the way to save their war-torn planet. Now it all might be lost as the ancient battle cries rose once again. The future felt uncertain...
 

"S'haile, We just found another one." The young centurion whispered into his commander's ear.
 
 The quiet comment drew his attention away from the viewscreen before him. Riov Suder stood up, tugged down on his uniform tunic, and then nodded his acknowledgment to the officer's words. "Very well. I will see to it now."
 
 The Commander switched off his scanners and followed the armored soldier down the hall. The sharp clicking of their military boots echoed in this tin can, rattrap, poor excuse of a ship. This vessel had been commandeered from the civilian mining corporation.  The needs of the planet were greater than the need for profits in this perilous hour. Many had come out of retirement for this war. He, among many, had been called upon to perform a final duty. Now that the fervor of the battle had died down, it was time for the clean up. It was a detestable job, but a necessary one.

For the most part, the pirates? ships had been destroyed. Through mental tricky and illusion, the pilots had crashed their ships into each other. Few lives were lost on the Vulcans' side. Only a few intact ships were remaining, having been overtaken by the sheer numbers of Vulcan security. Multitudes of pods were suspended in Vulcan's orbit. Many were filled with escaping Duthulhiv, who were promptly executed. Others were found to be empty, having been jettisoned by their disintegrating ships. Most were sabotaged, set to explode in the faces of their foes. A few had contained escaping captured Vulcans, alive but shaken.  As the weeks wore on, Riov Suder was coming upon more and more of these pods containing the bodies of Vulcan escapees. Not many could survive the weeks of starvation and dehydration in a cramped pod. If the physical aspect of the experience had not killed, the isolation would definitely drive one insane.  Mostly, the pods were "space mines," an unpleasant reminder of the 'visitors'.

He hoped that this pod was not booby trapped like the others. He had already lost more than a dozen good people had on this salvage mission. He had no desire to inform another mother of the loss of her son or daughter. He and his mate had begun to mourn the loss of their youngest daughter.
 
 She had only been 37. A soldier who had been sent to fight the land invasion forces. Along with her entire squadron, she had been disintegrated. A mercifully quick death. But Vulcan had prevailed and pushed the invaders off their planet. Many of their countrymen had been kidnapped and held by the invaders in an attempt to ransom the planet.  Among them esteemed leaders, leading scientists and emissaries of peace. These leaders of the lands had sacrificed their lives in order to buy time for the planet.  Once the surprise of the strangers? betrayal settled in, the battles became lopsided, in the Vulcan's favor. Though the Vulcans lacked technological proficiency in comparison to the Duthulhiv pirates, their mental telepathy turned this technology against their foes.

 
 The small doors of the cramped space ship parted and the commander stepped into the diminutive bay. In the center of the well-lit room was the pod, tilted on its side. It was deceivingly small and round like the others from the invaders' ships.
 
 "It is safe, Riov.  No devices no bombs. We believe there is someone inside though, someone alive."
 
 The Riov shot the technician a look then hurried to the pod.
 
 "Well, then let's crack it open!" He shouted to the technicians around him. As they gathered their tools, he peeked into the pod's window but saw nothing. The thick grime of the transparent aluminum kept its secret from his view. He heard muffled cries and his urgency skyrocketed.
 
 "Get that opened!" Again he bellowed his order.
 
 The technician activated his laser torches.  The narrow whirring tight beam began to cut through the fused, frozen hinges. An acrid stench of metal filled the room. The technician turned off his laser and nodded to the commander that he was through.

He motioned to the others to apply their crowbars. He stood back, his arms crossed over his chest, watching in anticipation.  The metal creaked and groaned beneath their strength. At last, the door gave way. A loud hiss of air escaped through the crack. All began to cough and gag at the stench. Two men pried the door off and it fell to the floor with a loud thump.  Carrying their scorched prize, the men stepped back.
 
 With his hand covering his mouth and nose, the Riov stepped closer to peer into the dark pod. He saw a shadow waver in the dark and he drew closer. The stench of feces and Vulcan sweat was overpowering. The scent alone told him that this was one of his own and not those disgusting creatures with their fat bodies and flabby green jowls. Somehow, the thought of them caused him to shiver.
 
 "Hello?" The commander offered in his most neutral tone.
 
 A hand emerged from the blackness of the pod. One of the technicians coughed and the hand retreated back into blackness of the pod. The Riov's obsidian eyes stabbed fiercely at the men and all quieted down. This time the Vulcan in charge dared to peer deeper into the pod. With his hands supporting him on the pod's scarred opening, he dared to descend further into the darkness. His eyes widened in shock and horror as he recognized the face before him. Though gaunt with starvation and contorted in madness, this visage was still recognizable. It was a face Suder had seen many times on the news nets these past few years.

 "S'Task?"
 
 

******
A few weeks later in Shi'kahr..

There was a soft rap at his office door. The seated Vulcan halted his readings and quietly responded, "Enter."

His personal assistant, T'Vera poked her head in and softly announced, "S'haile, he is here." Her face was an implacable mask but her eyes twinkled in merriment.

Surak stood up from his desk, smoothed down his robe and parted his lips to speak, "Please send him in," But before he could get his last word out a dark skeletal form breezed into his office. The sight of him nearly took Surak's breath away. Such a drastic alteration in his appearance, but there was something more.

The towering man closed the door behind him, abruptly shutting T'Vera out.

"I would speak with you, Surak." The haggard man began without preamble. No greetings, no exchange of pleasantries, no observance of protocol or custom. Surak noticed how his student trembled in great agitation.

"As you wish," Surak offered as his calm settled around him as shield. It seemed that the way to answer extreme emotion was with fewer emotions.

"Don't give me any of that feeble, serenity. I want to talk with you, man to man." S'Task clenched his fist by his side, his jaw tightening in growing agitation.

With these harsh words, a mutual silence ensued. Surak did not so much as blink an eye at this outburst. As soon as the words had left his mouth, S'Task wished he could take them back.  It seemed that this fury never abated. He even found himself beginning to hold it closer. Dearly grateful for its existence. Since it had been this rage which had kept him alive all those weeks in the pod. Not this pretense of passion's mastery or the application of logic. Sheer guts and grit held him together, nothing more. It would be a betrayal, to this instinct or any powers, which had endowed him with it, to turn away from it now. Not after he has seen a new truth.
 

Surak took a moment to compose himself. He found himself slightly taken aback by the forceful response of his now shaken friend. The entire group had joyfully anticipated his prized student?s return. All of the members were eager to offer assistance in healing. Surak, himself was not a trained healer, but he wished to support his ..friend in any way he could. Rather than provoke another visceral response from the tall, edgy man, Surak merely silently nodded.

The final severing of this tie with Surak would complete this enlightenment. The thought of never seeing him again filled S'Task with dread. But it was a necessity. Suddenly, his fingers twitched. Just as they had been since he began the long confinement in that pod. The healers had told him it was due to the long starvation. His nerves had been striped of vital nutrients. The palsy may diminish with time but it will never truly disappear. It seemed to S'Task that the plague of the pirates would never leave the planet. Every where he looked there were reminders of the 'visit'.

Watching S'Task quake was most unsettling to the teacher. Surak knew what would calm his friend's nerves and he walked over to his shelf. After moving three rows of books out of his way, he took out his hidden stash of ale. S'Task smiled, then harumphed as he noticed that it was the same bottle he had given him for holiday last year.

Had it been that long ago? S'Task thought to himself. So much had changed. He had changed. His entire perception of this practice, this experiment, had changed with this one incredible life altering experience. Now to him mastery did not seem to be the way. S'Task knew what Surak was trying to do: put him at ease to ruffle down the hot flustered anger he was displaying, placating him and S'Task hated it!

While Surak poured out two short glasses of the blue alcohol, he quietly inquired to his student. "You have seen the healer?" You do not look well my friend."

S'Task took the short glass and quickly tossed back the drink. Going down, the thick liquid seared his throat. Then he seethed through his teeth as the backlash of the drink altered into a cooling mint flavor. "I have seen more healers than I ever care to again in my life." S'Task pushed his glass back in front of Surak, the gesture, a silent demand for another.  This time, Surak joined him in the imbibing.

After this second drink, Surak watched the effects of the alcohol calm his friend as it usually did. This one had so much potential. His ruthlessness, if properly channeled, could carry him along onto any path he followed. Surak had been certain that together their life paths would continue, as they brought their people into a new era.  Now Surak began to wonder.

He began to believe that this entanglement with the invaders had spoiled their enthusiasm for peace. It raised their hackles, making them ripe once again for war and bloodshed. All around him now were the cries of fear. This fear was transforming in a growing violence around the globe. His student before him, one had formerly agreed with his precept, was a living example of what happens when one is exposed to this extreme terror of violence. He wondered what had happened so horribly to change S'Task's inclinations. What had he experienced to make him so furious? How badly had he suffered? The evidence of all this pain was in his haunted eyes, the gaunt, hollow, sunken face, and the brooding mood. Even the cracking of the voice was testament to the horrendous struggle his student had suffered.

S'Task turned his haunted eyes to Surak. Never before had the Vulcan man seen anger as it swirled in his friend's eyes. He waited with extreme patience for S'Task's next words.

"So, where were you? " S'Task accused.

Surak looked to his friend uncertain of his meaning. "I have been here, writing and trying to keep the group together in the aftermath."
 

"NO!" S'Task's rage made him come alive. "I mean, where were you for the talks?"

Surak took a step back from the fury of his friend. The gesture of smoothing his robes gave him a moment to compose himself. S'Task was affecting him more that he wanted him to. "My flitter had a malfunction."

S'Task snorted at this disclosure. "How convenient," he sneered then looked out the window.

Surak offered his consolation in the form of serenity. He wished to be the perfect model for mastery while conveying his personal concern for his student. "I heard of the attack through the radio. We were very concerned about your disappearance. We waited and hoped for your return."
 
 

Surak's word hit his ears, but S?Task lost himself while gazing out the window
The life outside the glass bustled with energy. Somehow witnessing it made him feel even more dead inside.  His experience changed him. Not for the better, that he knew for certain. Rather things were clearer to him. He had touched upon a flicker of truth and it burned deep inside and would not let him go. This was all but an illusion. His struggle to keep death at bay was the true reality. The horror S'Task had suffered through could have easily been Surak's instead.  The irony of it: a simple malfunction had changed his life.  Maybe it had even changed the life of his world as well.
 

"Surak, " S'Task suddenly came out if his reverie to attend to his intended business. "I am leaving."

It was the sudden intense tone that took Surak by surprise. Then despite his best efforts, he filled with dread. His innards went cold at S'Task's dreadful pronouncement. The outwardly composed man looked down to the hem of his robe, and noticed that it required some mending. T'Vera always seemed to take pleasure in doing those little things for him. It was a momentary diversion, to distract him from the pain that was welling within him. S'Task was going to leave the group and him.

The burning intensity of his closet friend affected him and he drew closer.

He dared to touch S'Task's shoulder as a soft whisper escaped through his lips, "T'hy'la . . "

But S'Task rashly threw off the offending touch and jumped out of his seat. Turning his back on Surak, S'Task shivered as the intimate title struck a cord in him: anguish and anger.

Too much they had shared these long years. Together they had built a cause, a purpose and now it was all unraveling right before their eyes. But S'Task knew he had to stick close to this new truth. He was compelled to show Surak the errors of his ways. If he would not listen, then he would leave. But S'Task knew that he could not stand another minute here in this room to be subjected to more pacification. Not when the passions, the very essence of his species were being driven away, beaten down, ignored and destroyed by this insidious practice of stoic, passionless behavior.

"Surak, " he took in a deep breath and faced his teacher, "this is wrong. Very wrong. I can?t stand by and watch you breed the heart out of our people. This brushing aside of our instincts will not free us. It will kill us. We cannot deny who we are.  If we do..how can we be prepared for more of those like the pirates? The universe might be filled with those and we have to act fast before . . ."
 

A quirked brow from the smaller man halted S'Task's quiet tirade. "You think this is funny?"

S'Task accurately interpreted the minute physical gesture of his master. Decorum and understatement ruled this man in all things.  S'Task knew him too well. Under normal circumstances the brow would have brought a smile to S'Task as well. But now it infuriated him. He glared at the smaller man before him. Something other than their shared joy was now being provoked.   He saw the face of his adversary. He saw betrayal. And the fact of this revelation suddenly caused S'Task to inwardly mourn.
 

S?Task continued in a quieter voice, "Do you realize that we will be trading our souls for peace. What kind of peace will it be devoid of our passions, the things that make life worth living? To love, to fight, to live, to explore. You would have us trade all that for a good night's sleep?"

"S'Task,? Surak interjected as his hands slid up into the sleeves of his robes. ?We have held this discussion many times before. This need for violence is so strong that it is becoming impossible to temper it.  What we need is a complete abandonment of our ways. In its place there will be a successful demonstration of a viable alternative of peace.  Together we this reached middle ground. Now, you do not share this vision, this desire for a unified world? "

"I do want a peaceful world, Surak. But this," and S'Task drew very close to his teacher. His voice softening with the closing of the distance. "This is not the way. It cannot be the way. Not when.." The anguished pupil trailed off.

It had seems all so clear as he suffered in the pod those long agonizing weeks.  Now it seemed so emotional. But that was exactly it. Emotions. The core, the essence, the heart of what it meant to be alive. Not these passionless somber creatures that Surak would have them become. Devoid of life. It must the passions that ruled.  They must be harnessed and ridden, exploited and cherished. It must be since...and S'Task looked to down at his teacher. Now he seemed even smaller than before. More vulnerable and less indomitable.

 "Surak do you have any idea what happened in the space above the planet? In those ships of the enemy."

"No, S'Task.? The smaller man looked up into the gaunt skeletal face of his pupil. ?I am only aware of the details which were imparted through the news nets. Any information you wish to share wound be most enlightening."

The understatement was infuriating to S'Task. But this was not out of the ordinary for them. The lanky man glared at his teacher, former teacher he corrected himself. "It was horrible."

Surak witnessed a surprising transformation in his pupil's face. For years he had known him to be calm in his enthusiasms. A subtle but infectious exuberance which had drawn many to the cause. Surak possessed a draw, but he knew S'Task possessed charisma. It was that trait which would draw nations to the cause. He saw how the youths of their group looked to S'Task for leadership, but in respect, S'Task always deferred to Surak in all matters.

But now the tables were turning and circumstance were changing perhaps for all times.  Surak again looked to this man whom he had shared his deepest secrets with. But this man now before him was a figure resembling the tragic heroes in the literature of his youth.

S'Task took a moment to recollect the tragic circumstances which had drawn him to this moment. His large knuckled hands drew together and he steepled his fingers. With his eyes closed as if in a fervent prayer he began his tale in a deep somber tone.

"It was midday when they finally emerged from their ship. Everyone was impressed with their level of technology. I overheard the others say that a species so advanced in space travel must be peaceful. That was my first inkling that not everyone was fully convinced of the benevolent intentions of ?the visitors?."
******************

S'Task was jostled by numerous other Vulcans.  All were assembled here at this makeshift platform at the space dock. The ?visitors? were late for their arrival and the rumors were beginning to fly. S'Task suppressed a smile as he over heard the outlandish and sarcastic tales being told.

"Maybe they stopped for directions?" The businessmen snickered to themselves as the other picked up on the scenario.

"No...no..they stopped by d'Neval's for a cup of kaffik! " This joking pair behind S'Task had their own ideas about the reason for the delay of the visitors. Other overheard speculations were less comical.

"Perhaps they have reconsidered? Since they are so far advanced, they do not wish to bother with a face to face contact."

S'Task knew that these jokes and rumors were his people's way of spending their extra energy. Just the jitters, resulting from this prolonged waiting. The mood of the crowd was growing tense in this anticipation. They would do well to practice a little discipline S'Task thought to himself. He took in a deep breath and reveled in the deep-seated calm his mastery afforded him.

Then there was a rumble beneath his feet. A wave of quiet swept through the crowd as the vibration grew louder. Everyone looked around.  Necks craned as their eyes searched the sky for the approaching ship. It loomed large and dark over head.

Despite his will, S'Task found himself in awe of the sheer magnitude of the silver saucer. A great roar filled the sky then it suddenly went silent as the saucer descended to the ground in an eerie silence. The absence of sound from the gathering was equally as eerie.  Upon touching down, the silver saucer did not so much as unsettle a grain of sand; the weight was that delicately landed. In the nearby sands, more saucers began to land around the perimeter of the gathering. The varying sizes and colors littered the desert floor with their iridescent bloom.

Everyone let out along held tension breath, as all eyes remained riveted on the saucer before them. There had been a protocol established during the short conversation with the ?visitors?. It had been decided that the appointed president of the leading nation of Vulcan would greet the visitors. S'Task's attention was minutely drawn back to the fact that Surak had not arrived in time for this momentous occasion.

 The tall dark man wondered were he could be. It was he who was supposed to be amongst the first to greet the visitors. Now it might fall to S'Task to stand in his place, if the leaders wanted to even bother with the fledgling peace movement. The oversight would have meant very little to Surak, but S'Task would have found it amusing.  Neither would have been offended in being overlooked. Both men possessed an infinite amount of patience when it came to their people. Both were confident in this movement and if it took generations to accomplish their goals, so be it.  But both were convinced it would happen. It needed to happen, if Vulcan was to remain alive.

With the delicate hiss of the saucer?s hatch, excitement rippled through the crowd. S'Task admitted to himself that he felt the excitement as well, but he did not show it. Nor did he allow that emotion to interfere with his attention to the spectacle before him.

With a gentle whirring, the front hatch began to descend. A sliver of bright light escaped from the opening's edge and the door lowered to the sands creating a platform.

Figures emerged, figures upon two legs.  Arms hung by their sides. S'Task breathed a sigh of relief. Being bipedal creatures, there would be more in common than what had been imagined. The worst predictions had been that they were creatures of light and air, unable to exist in the heat of Vulcan.  These creatures looked rounder and shorter than what most considered to be people.  They emerged from the saucer into the light of Nevasa, the sun of Vulcan. Here were the Duthulhiv, upon their planet, an advanced species with the ability to travel from star to star.

Clad in tall boots and snug tunics, the round people cautiously emerged from the saucer. Tapping boot heels and jingling rings on their belts were all the sound the ?visitors? made as they quickly made their way down the platform.  All of the Vulcan dignitaries remained silent, straining to hear the first words from these ?visitors?. The words never came.

S'Task could not see what was happening, but he heard a whine, then screams from those up front. A wave of panic swept through the peaceful gathering, transforming it into a stampede. S'Task furrowed his brows and looked around to figure out what was happening.  In a moment of unreality, he asked himself, what was everyone escaping from?

 Total chaos broke out as all the finely dressed dignitaries began to run for their lives.  Orange beams of power and light emerged from the saucer and lanced through the crowd. Great cries of fear and pain arose from his people. A pungent stench of charred flesh began to fill the air. The elegantly dressed priestess next to S'Task suddenly lost her face as a stray laser bolt hit her.  It was an invasion, not a meeting, S'Task realized in horror.

************

"I am a Vulcan, bred to peace," A bloody S?Task repeated to his captors for the twentieth time during his tortuous interrogation.

A shiver rippled through him, followed by a gut-wrenching cough, as he spat up green blood. This collection joined the pool at his knees. Along with other captives, S'Task endured hours of this grueling torture. The slaps and beatings were relatively painless, but the hours upon hours of smacks, punches and finally blows with pipes had done their damage. S'Task was injured, not enough to cause him alarm but enough to decrease his comfort level. These Duthulhiv did not possess the strength that most Vulcans exerted and this was frustrating them. They began to resort to weapons and implements to inflict their damage. Out of the corner of his eye, the peaceful Vulcan could see the bodies of the four females who had been shot. They were supposed to be examples to the rest of the captives, but all that action incurred was the wrath of the remaining victims. They all steeled their resolve quite intent in not giving their captors an ounce of satisfaction. The females had died well; hurling insults at the killers before being helplessly shot.

Now S'Task was wondering what these people wanted. What purpose would be served by beating them to death? Perhaps it was a pleasurable perversion of their kind. The Vulcans knew nothing of the ?visitors? and this sudden attack must be throwing the world into turmoil. S'Task hoped that his people were aware of this treachery and were taking the proper actions to prevent further invasion.

All around him were the thuds of pipes and fists upon solid flesh.  But there were no screams, no cries of the pain. His people were stoic and resolute and would offer no satisfaction to these abusers. Deep inside, S'Task felt a pride and a satisfaction in that trait. S'Task became aware of another who had just entered the bright room. He could not understand their language nor could he properly interrupt their foreign body language. This new arrival seemed to be a displaying fear as he uttered something to the group of thugs who had been inflicting the interrogations. They halted their blows and seemed to turn on him. A feral smile crossed over his face as he backed away from the encroachers.  Behind him the door slide open and there in the threshold were more Duthulhivs. S'Task's heart sank. He interpreted this changing of the guards as a resumption of the beatings. But to his surprise, each of the new arrivals took a Vulcan and hauled them to their feet.

With his hands still tied behind him, his guard led him through the ship. The remainder of his associates accompanied him as they were led to their fate. They rounded a corner and stood before large doors. The massive door slid apart revealing a spacious loading bay, containing the remaining hundred or so captured Vulcan dignitaries. Relief at their existence flowed through S'Task. He and his associates were thrust into the bay with the others. The guards left them alone.

S'Task watched as the fellow captives saw to the newest arrivals' needs. Hands were unbound; wounds tended to and water offered.  A young woman released S'Task's bond. Her swollen green eye was the testament of her mistreatment. But otherwise she was in high spirits. Like the others, fury was her emotion of choice and she displayed it well in her angry eyes and clenched jaw.

But the emotions were running perhaps too high and S'Task found himself suddenly punched to the ground as the president of the Lhai nation struck S'Task hard across the jaw.

With his face contorted in rage, the president spat out his words, "Do you still think we should put down our weapons and mumble words of acceptance, peace lover?? With his fists clenched tight by his side, the president seethed in fury.

An unruffled S'Task merely replied, " It will do no good for us to turn on one another." From his prone position on the deck, S'Task momentarily wondered if he should attempt to stand or if his position would be better heard while he remained down. His decision was made for him as a hand was offered to help him up.

"He is right, " the deep even tone of his ally interjected. "Now is the time for us to come together and work towards escape. You are S'Task." The dark faced man simply stated. "I know that you are a proponent of non-violence. I will not ask you to put aside those beliefs, only that you do not hamper us in our attempts to break free."

"I will not stand in anyone's way," S'Task smoothed his robe then looked from the president then to his new ally.

As the dark skinned man began to walk away, S'Task called out after him, "And you are?"

The man twirled on his heel and quietly answered, "I am Tuvok, Riov of the Fifth flight squadron."

S'Task, like most Vulcans, knew this man and respected him as a hero. S'Task also knew of the man's bloody and ruthless history. He merely bowed in deep respect and uttered gratitude in his assistance. Tuvok accepted the gracious gesture and walked away, returning to his military troupe on the far side of the bay.
 
 

S'Task looked at the dignitaries in the room around him. Gathered in their groups their finery was now tainted by green blood and dark smudges from the filth of the ship. Like the others in his movement, S?Task had adopted the simple robes of the desert adepts. His garments disguised the dirt and blood well. The temperature in the bay was climbing due to the many bodies. He absently unclasped the top of his robe and moved through the chattering crowd. He drew closer to the large bay window, a transparent shield to the vastness of space. It was not a window but rather a force field.  The prospect of being sucked out into the void was not pleasant to say the least and he was certain that this fear tactic was just what the Duthulhivs had in mind. If you get out of hand, down goes the shield without a moment to think. He drew out a cautious hand and brushed the energy field.

The static electric charge raised the hairs on his arms and very gently S'Task drew his palm over the field. The crackling of the charge gave him a slight comfort as he momentarily transported his thoughts back to the desert and to Surak. He closed his eyes and attempted to feel the bond he shared with the others.

Being psi-blind, his teacher could not be contacted. Surak had never experienced a telepathic mind touch. His parents had blinded him in his youth to protect him during his business ventures. But there was one whom S'Task felt an affinity with. A bond that bordered on the ancient warrior bonds. He reached out to Vorik, a youth who had retreated from a remote desert clan to join their movement in the land of the here and now. Utilizing deep breathing techniques and drawing upon all of his disciplines and powers, S'Task attempted to transmit a simple message to Vorik. It was a simple message that would reassure the group and give them hope: I am alive.

He thought he sensed something in return. A sliver of delight reversed back to him following the transmission of thought. But it was fleeting and S'Task could not be certain if it was real or imagined. But the moment passed and reality intruded in on his mediations. He felt eyes upon him and he opened his own to give the inquirer his full attention.

?S?Task? the somber deep voice resonated. Even though the Riov was not clad in his uniform, he was all warrior. The aura never left him despite his attire or his circumstances. The Vulcan who was bred to peace turned to Tuvok, and once again offered him a deep bow of respect. ?Yes Riov," he began, but the dark-skinned man waved away the tittle and brusquely ordered, ?Just Tuvok while we are in here. Your assistance is required, S?Task. But first, I must ask you a question and I expect you to answer it in all honesty.

?I will endeavor to be truthfull,? was the taller mans answer.

?Are you truly a conscientious objector? Will you kill under any circumstances??
 

Before Tuvok could continue, S?Task answered automatically. ?No. Not to save my life and not to save the life of another. I would give my life if it would save another but to kill? No not even these Duthulhiv would cause my anger to be aroused or to force me to kill.?

As he scratched his close cropped hair, the dark skinned man made an obscure signal to another covert across the room. ?I see.  That is most helpful. Whatever happens, hold to these ideals. We are counting on you.?  The Riov walked away without further conversation.

S?Task's curiosity was piqued after this cryptic exchange. He was not going to be let in on the operation.  But he was honored by the fact that they regarded him as essential to their plans.

The time went by slowly, but the captured found ways to amuse themselves. Games of chance were conducted in the far corners of the large bay. Many couple even engaged in intimate exchanges despite the lack privacy. If it passed the time why not, S?Task thought to himself. He chose to fill in his time engaging in conversations with others in the congregation. Much to his surprise his face was known amongst these diplomats. This revelation was most appealing to S?Task. He took this opportunity to share in the message of the movement. Though he knew he was not earning any converts, many enjoyed engaging in pleasant debate.  The alternative was boredom. With that boredom came the violence of frustration, which must be avoided if they were to survive this captivity.

They were not fed nor was additional water provided and very soon the bay began to reek of Vulcan biological waste.  By S?Task calculations it had been two days since their incarceration began, but three since the kidnapping. S?Task had been training himself in this deprivation technique. But he was certain that the others were not used to being without food and water for so many days. They were diplomats and city dwellers. Luxuries to them were a necessity and the deprivation was beginning to wear on their nerves. Something needed to be done before the group reached a boiling point. The anger was rising and S?Task sensed it in his mind.

Then it happened. What S?Task knew would happen. It was a fight of great proportions. On one side of the bay were the Elkahass, a fierce faction who had been vying for power in the council for generations. On the other side were the Voprotans, a great nation who had swindled the Elkahass generations ago. Expansion had decimated the Elkahass? numbers in a systematic genocide. The sore feelings never truly healed and they now looked intent on destroying each other. S?Task put himself in between the two packs. No one had any weapons. They had all been confiscated when they had been captured. But the Vulcans had powerful hands and even more powerful minds. Those tools would be enough to kill not just the warring sides but everyone in the room. He attempted to raise his voice above the hollers, but neither side could hear. Luckily no one had yet thrown a punch or hurled a mind sweep. He tried to reason with those close to him. And attempted to entreat them not to fight, not just yet. This might be what their captors wanted, for them to kill themselves thereby saving them the trouble of doing it.

An older man, one who looked too old to be able to survive this long incarceration, punched S?Task right in the stomach and that started a chain reaction of violence. Bodies and voices let loose upon each other as the long pent up fears and anger came out in great roars and swinging arms. Now with the rage unleashed, S?Task realized that they would not and could not hear or see him.

He abandoned the crowd and took up a stance upon a metal container. He stomped his foot and shouted they continued to battle. More joined the fight until most of the Vulcans were battling. It was a great writhing mass of bodies, in one great roar of rage. S?Task wanted to weep and holler in fury himself at the fruitlessness of their action. Then out of the corner of his eye, he spied a movement.

He suddenly had a thought and scanned the mob for the Riov. It would not be difficult to detect him, for he was the darkest skinned man. But he was no where to be found. And S'Task suddenly wondered if this was the plan. He continued with his attempts to halt the fighting. As if on cue, the Duthulhiv guards arrived. Clad in their purple uniform and wielding large laser riffles, they shot into the horde. The massive slayings did nothing to deter the Vulcans from their drive to rip each other to shreds. The guards again fired into the crowd while others fired into the air. The whining of the lasers ultimately drew the battling Vulcans' attentions.

Relief welled through S?Task, then bewilderment. Why would the Duthulhiv be concerned about the lives of their captures, unless they were needed. Then hope sprang from within. Their lives would be needed even for a short duration, perhaps as leverage or ransom. That caused S?Task to once again hope that his people were standing up to the invaders and were not yet a conquered people. With the multitudes properly restrained and subdued the guards vacated the bay. The formally battling Vulcans were left to clean up their own mess. Those who had just moments ago been at each other?s throats, were now cooperating in tending to the wounded, searching through bodies, and piling up the dead.

S?Task hopped off of his platform and waded through the huddling masses, again searching for the face of the Riov. No one requested his assistance. They all looked at him as if in shame, licking their own wounds and tending to their injured. S?Task offered his assistance nevertheless.

He did not ask where Tuvok was, since he did not want to draw attention to his absence. But it was beginning to look as if the Riov had concocted some sort of scheme. S?Task merely hoped that the rest of them would be a part of the liberation.
A few hours had passed since the bloody battle and the Vulcans were taking a much-needed rest. S?Task had emerged from his mediations. He found that they were not as deep or as intensive as he wished them to be. But at least it was a bit of respite from his weariness.

 There was a tap at the great bay door, which grew into a pounding. S?Task began to discern a pattern in the rhythm. It was code telling them to... And he concentrated as he translated the code. Others began to discern the meaning of the tapping and in one voice they all shouted.

?Everyone get up,?

?What??  The other Vulcans murmured, still groggy from their sleep and weary from their wounds. But still they rose to their feet.

?Hurry! Get up!?  Were the multiple orders from the stronger.

The pounding at the door ceased and all of the Vulcans stood in shocked silence. Questioning murmurs wafted through the room, how could anyone on the outside know Vulcan sand pounding codes? Then the front slide apart. There in the threshold was a small group of Vulcans led by the missing Riov Tuvok.

"Tuvok!"  was the great cry as the throng surged towards the entrance.

?This way all of you!" The Riov commanded and led them out of the holding bay and down the halls. S?Task was swallowed in the swarm. After many twist and turns, they came to a dead end. S?Task did not even try to hide his great smile of delight or approval. Here were his people trusting Tuvok when they had no reason to trust him at all. But they did. Hope and a common enemy were drawing them all together. Either way it did not matter to S?Task, they were leaving this confinement.  Their excited chatter rippled through the hall, then they halted their march to freedom.

?Everyone, shut up! Shut up!!!!?  Tuvok's assistants bellowed to the liberated. The herd settled down and gave him their full attention.  ?Now listen! These are escape pods.  Everyone, get into groups of five and stand before the doors. WE will open them for you.? A chuckle went through the crowd as they saw what the tall man meant by We. The assistant?s large hands gripped a small Duthulhiv by the upper arm. ?Enter them,? he seethed through his teeth as the frightened little man began to punch in foreign codes activating the pod doors.  As each batch filed into their pods, the door behind them slid shut. Then the codes were entered to release them from the ship. With a thump then a hiss the Vulcans escaped in the stolen pods, into the void, free at last from the pirates.

Time after time S?Task stepped back, offering his place in line to another. He wished to be certain all were on their way before he made his escape. He noticed that the Riov and his entourage remained back as well. Until finally all of these pods had been released. There were twenty Vulcans remaining in the halls.

?Tuvok,? S?Task raised his voice and made his way to the Vulcan in charge.

?That is Riov to you, plebe!? An assistant blocked S'Task's way to the dark warrior.

?Let him through,? was Tuvok's reply. As S?Task drew closer to the Riov, he again bowed and murmured his thanks of liberation. Ignoring the gratitude, Tuvok merely began to give orders to his cohorts. Unlike others who might be ingratiating themselves, S?Task was merely following his clan's custom of proper etiquette. But by those same rules, if the overture was not recognized that would be cause for a duel. But S'Task had since long overcome that need to save face ever since joining the ranks of the peace movement.

?I am pleased that you chose to remain behind, S?Task. Your services are required.?  Tuvok momentarily glanced up at the taller pale-faced Vulcan before him.  He then turned to the female by his side and asked, ?You are prepared, my wife? ?

A ripple of surprise passed through S?Task, as he heard this title. He dared not even look upon she who was the bond-mate of the great Riov Tuvok. To do so before he was addressed would be considered rude.  But the diminutive female gently addressed him first. S?Task had met many persons of power before, but her presence was magnetic. Pink eyes and pale skin were the symptoms of her lack of pigmentation and the hallmark of her clan?s ancient legacy.

?S?Task, on behalf of my husband, we thank you for remaining behind to assist us. Come.? And she offered a place by her side. The lady?s dusky rose gowns swept along S?Task?s legs. Her long snow-white hair was braided and piled high upon her head. This fair-skinned one bore the facial markings of the highest order of a clan who possessed the most fearsome gift of all: The Final Thought. Only a strong mind such as Tuvok?s could be bonded to one with the ability to kill with a conscious thought. Tuvok filled S?Task in on his scheme as the trio stalked down the hall, their entourage following in their wake.
 
 

As they rounded various corners, the entourage would break apart into trios. After their departures, screams and weapons fire would be heard in the distance. S?Task knew all too well what was happening. He shuddered, as he thought of his people?s potential unleashed upon these non-telepathic invaders. S?Task could feel the mind brush of this powerful women by his side. He remembered her name; it was a well-known one through out the world. Independently successful of her mate's clan, she had earned a reputation, as a powerful mind adept. Both revered and feared, this one known as T?Sela had captured enemies of her clan, caused and averted wars with her mind assassinations, and inspired awe in the youth around the world. She was famous and deadly. At this moment, she did not resemble the lethal weapon S?Task knew her to be; her features seemed softer, her carriage was graceful. A contrasting opposite to her mate?s dark fierceness and military gait as he led the trio down the hall.

?The only thing that we require from you, S?Task, is your sight. Keep a lookout for pirates as we,?   Riov Tuvok's words were interrupted by an explosion from far off. He and his mate exchanged a smile.

?It has begun,? were T?Sela?s cryptic words.

?Then we do not have much time.?  Tuvok picked up the pace as he searched for the something. For what S?Task knew not.

A multitude of explosions rocked the ship, throwing off the artificial gravity in certain places.  Smoke, via the air ducts, streamed into the corridors. Lights flickered above them, as the ship seemed to be coming apart. Tuvok took a moment to consider their direction as they entered yet another non-descript junction. As if an inner force was guiding him or his impeccable memory was serving him, he chose a direction. With his mate's hand in his, Tuvok hurried her along despite the choking gas in the corridor. S?Task instinctively put his hand over his mouth to stem the inhalation. His eyes teared in this stinging noxious fumes.  He was running blind and did not stop in time before bumping into the lady. The brief contact rattled him. Her power was ominous and just that brief contact made his mind revolt. Her anger, her emanations and her confidence we so tightly under wraps, it seemed that anything would set her off. But S?Task knew better. Her disciplines were far greater than his were. Otherwise all those around her would be dead from a mere thought in a fleeting moment, if they had even trespassed upon her.

?It is here,? was T?Sela's terse announcement.

She glanced over to S?Task, her eyes surprisingly soft.  Due to their sprints through the halls, a delicate green flush had risen upon her unnaturally pale face. Now he understood how so many had trusted her. How they would have willingly led her into their inner sanctum and how she could infiltrate her enemy with the mere sweep of her gaze. S?Task was immune to such charms, but he could see her appeal to those who lacked discipline.

?Then we shall proceed,? was her counter-part's reply. He released her hand and motioned for them both to stand back. His long dark fingers deftly imputed the 'borrowed' codes for the door. The door slide aside and the Riov entered with great confidence. The suddenness of his actions surprised the pair of pilots in the small cockpit. They furiously came at him, but he disabled them with a slight pinch to their necks. S?Task has seen this maneuver many times before but never so quickly had it been implemented.

No explanation was required; he knew why their lives were being spared. It was Vulcan irony. Their minds, in her powerful grasp, would be used to crash into their sister ships. Despite all the excitement and danger, T?Sela was fully composed and centered upon her duty. Tuvok took her hand and guided her in between the pilot's chairs.  With a subtle and silent jutting of his chin, Tuvok ordered S?Task to do his duty and keep watch. S?Task did just that. He stood as sentinel outside the door.

The battle was heard far off. Their compatriots were fighting this battle in order to keep the pirates away from just this little scheme. They were working as a unit, S'Task realized. It was a master plan and a surge of pride welled up within S?Task. If only they could be so cooperative when it came to plans of peace, S?Task wryly mused to himself. He kept his eyes and ears sharp to detect intruders, while Tuvok placed his full attention upon his mate for these few crucial moments.  The smoke filled halls were still for these few tense moments.  The sentinel focused his attention on his surroundings attempting to detect any movement in the smoke.
 

S?Task felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Tuvok.

?It is time, ? the Riov uttered in an exhausted voice. ? Around the corner is another escape pod. I will give you the code.?

?And what of you and your mate, Riov??  S'Task suddenly inquired. He felt invigorated by all this excitement and the danger.

?We shall stay. She needs me to defend this doorway.?

?Then I shall remain as well,? S?Task enthusiastically countered.

?No!  Your services are still required,? And the Riov lifted his hand to S?Task face not even bothering to seek permission for a meld. Tuvok assumed it would be given and proceeded to place his fingers upon the neural point of the peaceful man.

S'Task grasped his hand.  A stunned Tuvok mustered enough energy to glare as this obstinacy. No one had ever dared refuse him anything in his long career. He could have forced himself upon S'Task. It was well within his rights and within his power. Instead, the overtired Riov relented.

?I would be honored to carry your katra back home,? was S?Task?s utterance as he drew Tuvok's lithe hand back to his face.

A single word escaped through Tuvok?s dark lips, ?Remember.?

It was a meld like no other in S?task's life. The power was more than strong; it was all consuming. S?Task?s legs gave out and the Riov grabbed a hold of him. All of his life and that of his mate's were transmitted in that moment and locked deep into S?Task core. The moment passed and S?Task was left trembling in the aftermath. Tuvok's quiet voice pierced through the confusion.

?Now go take care of that which was entrusted into your keeping, S?Task of the peaceful Vulcans.? S?Task looked up at a face which was familiar but yet foreign. He was suddenly aware of everything that had gone on in the warmonger's life. A part of him held pride in the events and another part reviled at the knowledge. But a deeper aspect cherished these memories and the deeds of this heroic man.

?Save us all, Riov Tuvok,? was all the rattled S?Task could muster. The overwhelming need to escape came over him, not as fear but as an anxiety welling up within. He instinctively knew where the pod was and what the launch codes were. The knowledge had been imparted to him in the brief touching of minds. S?Task made his way blindly through the smoke filled corridors. Screams of distant victims filled his ears. A beat of dual life throbbed in his brain threatening to break through his reality. "The pod," S'Task chanted to himself, as if it were his mantra. It was the best method he knew of to keep his concentration. ?The meditations will harness the katras. The pod??

*****

?I do not remember activating the pod. All I remember was watching the ship slowly fly into its sister and both vessels folding like leather in the black void. No fires, no explosion just a silent crumpling of metal to metal. My forgotten pod was buffeted by metal debris, chunks of ships spinning in space. I felt the life of Tuvok and T?Sela wink out. In my mind?s eyes I saw them on the bridge of the pirates' ship. Her hands on the terrified pilots' faces. Paralyzed beneath her mind controlling powers. Through her hands they brought their own ship to its destruction. In horror, they helplessly watched the impeding crash. Tuvok kept a vigil outside the door to keep away the pirates. At the last moment, when there was no turning back and no force in the galaxy could prevent their doom, he turned to she who is his wife. With a fleeting thought, she stopped the pilots? hearts, then approached her mate.

With their fingers touching and their eyes upon each other, they lost themselves in this final moment. Neither noticed the viewscreen as it filled with the image of the approaching ship.
 I shared in their final moment and heard their song of passion.

<>
 
<

In a gush of cold vacuum, their lives winked out in the moment of impact.
I shuddered at the death and felt suddenly alone. More alone than I had ever in my life. Then these minds began to knock at my consciousness. I did not dare reach in to read them. But as the weeks wore on, their voices became more insistent. And this terrible gift they had imposed upon me overtook my will and my reality. It became my existence during the time in the pod.  Their passions, their experiences were relived in my mind. Slowly driving me mad, but keeping me sane as well. Anger, fury, hatred and hope kept me alive. Their passions kept me alive. To get me home in order to release their katras upon the desert winds. I have never had a mate. I have never known what it is to be so totally consumed by another. Their lives and passions played out in my mind and heart as if I had lived them. But I had not. And it was maddening. Now I know ..I know another man's and woman's life. And I must honor that experience.?
 

As S'Task's tale winded to an end, a sullen Surak once again offered him a drink.  This time the hapless Vulcan refused. He was spent from the recollection of his trauma and drained from this turmoil of seeing his t?hy?la, perhaps for the final time.  S?Task stood up from his seat. He let out a long sigh while gathering his thin robes around his lean frame.

?So?? was S?Task?s terse request.

Surak had so much to say but could not put into words what he wanted to say. He gathered his wits and took a moment to gaze out the window. In the streets, children played as their mothers called for them to come inside for tea. Tradition, Surak silently mused. Will we always follow this tradition of sharing tea at this hour?  Surak began to realize that perhaps it was not tradition which he and S?Task were trying to alter in the mind set for the Vulcan people, but rather how to act upon these traditions. And to question why we hold them so dear. Was it pride? Was it fear? Was it the need to find certainty in this uncertain world? ? These were questions Surak had hoped he could have explored alongside S'Task. But it was all changing. They were changing.

?So we part,? was Surak's only answer to S?Task's inquiry. ?And what of all this consideration you put into this movement? What will you do? Go against us publicly? Because if you do it will mean..?

? I know what it will mean, Surak. And I do not want that. I would not let this be a catalyst for yet another war upon our world. Quarreling over logic would only be an excuse to fight. But if the pursuit of peace is a decent cause then they will fight for that as well. It does not matter the reason all that matters is the fighting. And I have come to the conclusion that this is our way. Perhaps these instincts could be channeled in more constructive ways or even be codified into a coherent form. Any, who would agree are welcome to join me.  But I will not publicly mock nor stand against you Surak. I am not that sort of man.?

? I know you are not. Then you will give all of this up? S?Task there is so much you learned and even more that you have taught. There is so much that you could do for all of us, for all of Vulcan.?

?I know and for your sake, for our sake. I will do this thing.  I am but a part of this plan. Only I can make this work. The personal cost is irrelevant.?

?It could mean even your life.?  Both men knew that the effort they exerted in this cause could cost them their lives.  But the price, if they passed this up, was greater than merely their own lives.

S?Task mentally steeled his will against adversity. His mind was made up and nothing could dissuade him now. Certainly not the possibility of losing his life. He had already experienced that brush. So this journey would be simple in comparison.

?Any who wish to declare themselves in this matter may join me. I will listen to all and draw them into the fold thereby nullifying the violent backlash upon your group. This need for our heritage will rear its head, Surak. There will be nothing you or I could do once these dissenters begin to remind us about the loss of our ways. The lines are being drawn in the sand, Surak. Not by you or by me but by Kaiidith. This is the way to purge ourselves and to become more than we could ever be together. It may not be in our nature to fully cooperate together. This pride which we are endowed with serves us well in our survival but destroys us simultaneously.?

Surak took a moment to absorb all that had tumbled out of S?Task. He then uttered, ?Our greatest strength is also our greatest weakness.?

?Yes, and if it is indeed our way, all I can do is follow it to its logical conclusion,? was S'Task?s counter.

?And I can only encourage us to slow the entropy of the universe down," was Surak's reply to the man's calm speech.

?Do what you must as I know that you will. But as for me, I must follow this path of our true selves. To do so otherwise would be to live a lie. That in fact might even hasten the entropy of the universe. Rather than dissension and bloodshed within our people, perhaps those of us whose hearts are fiercest and whose stomachs cannot tolerate the slow death of our life force, should just leave.?

?No,? Surak whispered, as if he felt the floor drop out from beneath him.

?Yes, this may be the intention for our people. The path is being laid out before us. Only if we are courageous enough can we stop the battle drums and war cries to a slow murmuring whisper of dissension. Either way, the line must be drawn here.?

Surak felt his jaw clenching despite his best efforts. ?You do understand that this choice is not one born of logic.?

?Yes, I know.? S?Task felt a sense of triumph as his words were falling into their intended places. Many times they had engaged in this sort of banter and the words would be clumsy, the ideas not extremely well defined. But not this time. S?Task was certain of his train of thought.

Surak warned, ?If you choose to follow that calling, just realize who really made the choice. Not you, but your angry heart. Is that what you really want??

S?Task needed only a moment to formulate his counter. ?It is the choice of pride and the choice of a fierce heart. I know this. And I hope that it will continue to be the legacy of our people.?
 

Surak realized that they were both firmly rooted in their stances. S'Task was making sense in his own emotional way.  It was fueling his potent emotions and adding dimension to his faith. Faith that Surak also believed he himself possessed a faith in his determination to follow this path of logic. Firmly entrenched in their beliefs, the men saw their opponent truly for the first time. An opponent as well as a partner in peace.

S?Task slightly inclined his head, to silently take his leave of his former teacher. Surak stopped him before he could flee. ?S?Task,? and the man halted his retreat.

The gracious Vulcan man lifted his hand and parted his fingers to offer his t?hy?la a familiar farewell. ?Peace and long life to you, he who will always be my friend.?

S?Task furrowed his brows at the reoccurring terms of endearment Surak insisted on honoring him with.  ?Live long and prosper, he who was my teacher?and will always be my t?hy?la.?  The proud man finally let that barrier be broken.  Both realized this would be the last they would ever speak to the other.

He left the office and stormed down the hall. A crestfallen Surak remained stock still in the middle of his office, watching his best friend leave his life. T'Vera poked her head in and offered her assistance. They heard the voices of the group raised in a welcome home cheer at S?Task's return. But the cheers died away quickly as S'Task did not remain to speak with them.  Surak heard the outer door close, then he glided over to the window. There he watched S?Task and the young man who had bonded with him.  A bond that Surak had shared in as well, the bond of brothers in arms.  Accompanying S?Task was one whom Surak had known as a youngster from the desert.  He was now a man with a family, a past and uncertain future.

As the two men stormed down the street, the taller S?Task glanced over his shoulder and shot a look towards the window. Surak held his breath for a moment as the glare caused him to quiver.  Those dark eyes flashed at him, piercing and accusing. But containing a slight hint of sorrow as well. He remembered the day that he looked out this same window to see a young student who insisted on camping out on his doorstep.  Those same eyes had looked up at him with a determined enthusiasm, bright and cheerful. Now that was all lost, as Surak looked into the eyes of a much older and enraged man.  Surak let out a long sigh and his shoulders sagged as he felt this defeat swell though him. He hoped that this would be the best course for the planet. For his and S?Task's planet. It was illogical to hope. But that was all the man had left, for the moment.

He felt the gentle presence of T?Vera beside him, her gaze fixed on the window scene as well.  She spoke aloud what Surak felt in his heart. ?He never believed that once we embraced and rejoiced in our differences, we would at last find peace.?

As the cloaked men turned the corner, Vorik looked up at the robed skeleton by his side, his jaw clenched in a fierce determination. Vorik knew that the deep pain and ache continued. It might always throb in S?Task?s being.  All during this ordeal, S?Task had been transmitting to Vorik. The younger man had shared in all of his pain and agony. He too had lost all that he had held dear and no long walked in the path of the listeners, the Shroy, the desert clan who had taken in Surak so long ago. The former novitiate was not ready to completely abandon passion?s mastery either, but it had lost its appeal during this shared ordeal.

Vorik murmured the sentiments that S?Task?s heart whispered in shame. ?He will never accept the fact that our differences will always be the wedge between us and peace.?  Then the young man asked a simple question. It sprang to his mind, feeling that he required reassurance from his new teacher.  ?S?haile, is this the end??

?No, Vorik,? a determined S?Task replied.  ?It is merely the beginning.?

The end.
 

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