A Purpose in Death

[Savros 0]

Savros stopped dictating to the computer and turned to stare at the considerably smaller pieces of broken metal stacked not so neatly in their case. Those pieces had made his trip bearable. He relished in the fact that there were no other species present to witness his horrific display of emotion.

 

It had taken the complete trip, but he had accomplished his goal. T'Pvell had consented to the joining. The union was scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and none too soon. He suspected his 3-week estimate was optimistic and did not wish to be caught unawares. If he were to survive, the timing must be right.

 

The communication panel chirped. Savros reached forward and pressed the toggle. The face of T'Pvell appeared.

 

"It is good to finally see you. I am pleased you have made it this far."

 

Savros held out his hand in the traditional Vulcan gesture. "As am I to see you."

 

T'Pvell returned the gesture.

 

"Is all in readiness?"

 

"All shall be ready at the prescribed hour," T'Pvell announced. "Though there is an important matter to discuss."

 

"I am certain all will be satisfactory," Savros responded optimistically. "I have already received clearance to land and shall be joining you in about 2 hours." He ended the transmission abruptly feeling the onset of another wave.

 

 

 

Three hours later, the Savros was refreshed. His bride's parents made every facility available to him in preparation. He took advantage of their kindness to bath, change clothes and move to a meditation chamber. In this setting, the plak tow seemed distant. In fact, he had not felt the onset of emotion and hoped irrationally that it would not come.

 

Behind him, the room danced momentarily with sunlight. "I do not mean to disturb your mediation", sounded the voice of Se'tok, "but there is a matter of considerable urgency to discuss."

 

Savros smiled. He could not think of anything which would cause him concern. "Is it so important?"

 

Se'tok repositioned himself before Savros and sat down. "There is something we have not explained to you."

 

"I cannot think of anything that would make this day less pleasant. Tell me, father of my betrothed, what news do you bring?"

 

"I am glad that the rut-tak-ku root has calmed your mind, but I have not been entirely forthcoming with you."

 

Savros straightened up and shook his head. Drugged, he realized, they felt it necessary to drug me. He wondered if he had already entered the plak tow.

 

"That's better. The light of understanding returns. Remember when I told you that T'Pvell's bonding had been broken with the fatal disease of her betrothed." Savros nodded, wondering where this was going.

 

"That was only partially true." This was an unexpected turn, thought Savros. Vulcans do not lie easily.

 

"Savil is not dead. He has aligned himself with a dangerous faction of revolutionaries who deny the teachings of Surak. They were exiled a year ago. Since this no Vulcan male has approached my daughter believing that she may have somehow been influenced by him."

 

Savros put his hands together to calm himself. While he knew Se'tok's actions were logical, he despised the position he found himself in. Se'tok knew his plight. He also knew his avowed pacifism. Had he not been clear that he could not, under any circumstance take a life.

 

Se'tok paused to let his son-to-be digest the information and continued. "I am certain you see the logic in my actions, but I also see the anger in your eyes. There's more…" He breathed a purging breath. "Savil has declared that anyone attempting to bond to T'Pvell will die. To this end, he has studied the Kal-if-fee for several years."

 

Continuing with his hands tightly together, Savros whispered "I will not kill. Therefore, you have condemned me to death."

 

"For my daughter's sake, I hope you change your mind. You, Savros, are a Star Fleet officer. Your ship has been responsible for taking lives. Therefore, you are complicit."

 

Savros lunged forward and grabbed his accuser by the throat, but Se'tok did not defend himself. Instead he let down the walls in his mind to reveal his thoughts. An instant later, Savros loosed his grip and began the mind meld.

 

If I do not this evil, a greater evil will be done.

 

Yes, my son. This will seal you to our daughter and we shall be grateful to you.

Even if it were possible for me to take a life, how will I defeat Savil, one who has studied the Kal-if-fee for so long? I will die in combat. A fitting end to a pacifist?

 

Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts. In life or death, you will be a hero to my daughter. Should you live, she will be forever in your debt as will our whole family. If, however, you should die, the authorities shall incarcerate Savil. Your death will serve a great purpose and you shall be remembered for your sacrifice.

 

With that the meld ended. At least there would be a purpose in death.