Shadowtime ...

[T'aral 0]

VULCAN - 10 YEARS AGO ( V.S. )

 

"The technique is efficient in its simplicity: set your limbs beneath your opponent's crainial structure, then thrust upwards." The instructor frowned as he watched T'Aral set her arms against the practice simulant. "Incorrect: your stronger arm needs to be behind the neck structure. There is strength required to generate sufficient energy." He paused the lesson. "Novice, I fail to comprehend your inability to master this technique. It is not difficult: the Suus Mahna is far more complex and you have mastered all techniques. Why do you find this more challenging?"

T'Aral paused and straightened before her instructor. "Forgive me, Salsek: I believe my logic is in question when considering your most recent instructions."

The instructor did not frown, nor did he smile. He simply nodded in understanding. "The technique is difficult to learn for those who consider its ramifications. You, I believe, are such a person. Consider this before continuing: the Navorkot is an evasive maneuver, but there may be times when evasion is insufficient. As distasteful as the thought may be: there are times when taking a life is necessary. It is illogical not to be prepared for every contingency."

T'Aral stood motionless for a quarter hour pondering the thought, during which time the instructor stood and waited with stoic patience. Finally she looked upwards. "I am ready."

 

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Today

 

T'Aral sat next to Tifa, observing her condition and remaining prepared to interviene if a life-threatening development occurred. It was most unlikely: Tifa was merely reacting to the situation she found herself in. She would have to be monitored for post-traumatic stress, but she had days to deal with that eventuality. Ideally Tifa would receive counceling, yet in this T'Aral felt inadequate. She was a Vulcan: her entire culture supressed such emotive reactions. Tifa was not a Vulcan: her social experience and mental development required a different approach.

 

This left T'Aral with no recourse but to continue monitoring. It was not a preferrable situation, however, since that also left T'Aral with plenty of mental capacity to consider her own actions in recent events. She had used the Tal-Shaya; something she had promised herself not to do. As a physician the act was all but unthinkable except in the most extreme cases. At the time she thought she was in such a situation: as her mind took in everything that had transpired, however, uncertainty developed.

 

She had a phaser: the stun setting appeared to be working. In hand to hand combat a nerve pinch may well have been effective - but she had not attempted it. Worse, while the attacking individuals were under the influence of the bio-agent, they may have been able to recover if they could be isolated until the virus burned itself out. 72 hours was not an excessive period of time when life was in the balance. The difficulty was in isolating the individuals so that they would not be a danger to themselves or others, but surely this was not an insurmountable problem?

 

As T'Aral sat and considered the situation, an unfortunate truth became more and more apparent. She had not maintained the discipline of Venlinahr. She had not remained logical, and she had not held life in the level of respect that was required of a Priestess of Vulcan. She had failed the order, she had failed the Vulcan people, and she had failed herself. Her actions were disgraceful, and she did not know what could be done about it.

 

Even while her thoughts built up into a tempest within her heart, T'Aral remained placid in her expression. There was still Tifa, who would need strong people around her who cared. Perhaps it was another failing, but T'Aral was protective about the Comanche Creek crew, with Tifa being among her primary concerns. Part of T'Aral's penance would obviously be continuing to serve others around her. The rest would have to be addressed in time. If necessary, there was always the Fullara ...