Treason ch 33

Chapter Thirty-three



"I can't believe I agreed to this."

"It was the most logical option."

"Sucks to your logic, Spock."

Kirk watched as Spock furrowed his brow as he tried to figure out Kirk's oddly phrased statement.  When Spock took a breath to ask him to explain it Kirk gave him a glare that told him that he was not about to go into further detail about it.  Sitting at a large mahogany table over flowing with the best fresh fruits and bakery that Romulus had to offer the pair waited for their host.

"Jim, there was no sense in being difficult with Ty'rick over this small request."

"Forgive me, Spock, if I don't seem over joyed to be sitting down and sharing a bagel with an insane Romulan who has taken great personal pleasure in torturing us both."

"I doubt there will be a need to share, there appears to be plenty for everyone."

Kirk closed his eyes and mentally counted to ten for a moment.  There were times when, despite all his logic, Spock was impossible to reason with.  Glancing around Kirk took note of the guards that were well hidden in the shadows.  So far nothing about this little tea party had lead to something that was going to help them escape.  

Spock suddenly got to his feet.  Kirk was about to do the same until he saw the reason for his friend's action.  Ty'rick had just entered the room.  Kirk had no interest in being polite the way Spock was and remained seated.  Ty'rick gave Spock a slight bow before sitting down across the wide table from them.  Now that Ty'rick was seated Spock sat down once again.

"Thank you for waiting for me, Gentlemen."  Ty'rick smiled sweetly.

"Of course."  Spock nodded.

"As if we had a choice."  Kirk grumbled like a petulant child.

"James, I can understand your feelings towards me..."

"Really?  That's odd, I've tried so hard to hide them, you sick fu..."

"Ty'rick,"  Spock interrupted  "I assume you have brought us here to reach some form of compromise."

"Very logical, Spock."

"Thank you."

"Spock,"  Kirk hissed  "if you thank him one more time I am going to kill you myself."

"James, Spock is just trying to be civil."

"You don't deserve to be treated with civility.  You tried to force us into killing one another just so we wouldn't have to suffer any more of your twisted torture.  Now you expect us to bargain with you?  Forget it, it will be a cold day in hell before I cooperate with Romulan scum!"

Ty'rick smiled and reached out to take one of the brightly colored fruits.  Picking up a small knife he started to peel the thick rind off the juicy fruit.  Kirk looked around his own plate for a similar knife but didn't find one.  He crossed his arms over his chest and stared sullenly at the Romulan.  Spock looked over the offerings and picked up an apple like fruit.

"Spock, what are you doing?"

"I have not eaten in several days."

"It's probably poisoned."  Kirk huffed.

"It is not logical for Ty'rick to poison me."  

"He's right, James, it's not poisoned.  Please eat."

"No thanks, I'd rather starve to death."  Kirk replied sweetly.  

"That's your choice."

"I'm getting really sick of you telling me that.  Why should we trust any 'deals' you want to make with us anyway?"

"I would be willing to take a Blood Oath with you."

"No, thanks.  I've had my fill of those."  

Ty'rick nodded and took a bite out of the fruit which dripped yellow juice down his chin.  Spock munched quietly on the apple, even giving a small sound of approval over its taste.  Feeling a little betrayed Kirk continued to glare at Ty'rick.  He thought about throwing a sticky bun at the Romulan, but decided against it.   

"Spock,"  Ty'rick said  "you are a creature of logic."

"Indeed."

"Then you know the logical conclusion of your presence here is war with the Federation."

"I do not see that as a logical conclusion."

"When the Federation learns that we have one of their top Starfleet Officers, what other option will they have?"

"I did not come here under orders or as a Starfleet Officer, they will do nothing to retrieve me."

"Are you sure about that?  Even if you were both just civilians do you really think the Federation would stand by and allow us to execute you?"

"You will not execute a civilian.  Even if you did, they would have no choice.  The treaty states that anyone of the Federation caught beyond the Neutral Zone is under your jurisdiction."

"It may say that on paper,"  Ty'rick shrugged  "but you can't tell me the Federation wouldn't do everything in its power to get you back."

"The Federation is not ready to start a war over the lives of two men."

"Why are you so hot to start a war you can't win?"  Kirk demanded.  

"Because I would rather die in battle than rot in old age."  Ty'rick replied evenly.  "Romulans are growing soft, we need to shed some blood if we are going to regain our previous glory."

"War is not the only way to achieve glory."  Spock noted.  "Imagine your place in history if you brought true peace between Romulans, Humans, and Vulcans?"

"Peace is for the weak, Spock."

"It is much more difficult to create than it is to destroy."  Spock argued.

"Enough of this pointless banter."  Ty'rick said.

"Yes, please,"  Kirk groaned in relife  "let's get back to the more traditional torture, all this pretending to be nice to one another is killing me."  

Ty'rick ignored Kirk and looked directly at Spock.  In a sign that he was willing to listen Spock put down the half eaten piece of fruit and gave the Romulan his undivided attention.  Ty'rick nodded in respect before continuing.

"Here is the deal, Spock, you will speak to the Romulan Senate, you will tell them that the Federation is preparing to go to war over you, that if they do not strike first they will lose all of Romulus, admit that you came here as a spy to report on Romulan weakness.  In return I will ensure that you and your friend are returned to a neutral planet unharmed, I will also attempt to talk the Senate into allowing Vulcan to remain neutral during the resulting war.  Refuse and I will have you publicly executed as a Federation spy, and I warn you Romulan execution methods are slow and painful.  Far worse than anything you've been through already."

"Ty'rick,"  Kirk growled  "you are wasting your breath.  Spock is no traitor, he and I would both gladly suffer any death you have to offer before agreeing to this.  What you offer isn't freedom anyway, we'd be instantly arrested for treason by the Federation and imprisoned for life anyway.  Besides there is no way Spock is going to lie to help start an intergalactic war for..."

"I will do it."  Spock interrupted.

"Spock?"

"I will speak to the Romulan Senate."  

"Excellent."  Ty'rick smiled.  

"Are you out of your Goddamned Vulcan mind!"  Kirk roared.  

"This is the logical course of actio..."

Spock didn't get a chance to finish.  His temper suddenly flaring Kirk twisted out of his chair and launched himself at Spock.  The pair landed in a tangled heap.  The fight that ensued was short lived as several of the guards pulled them apart.  Kirk strained against his captors to get at Spock who was staring at him emotionlessly.

"Traitor!"  Kirk cried passionately.  

"I am simply doing what I think is best and logical."  Spock replied.  "Ty'rick is correct, if I am publicly executed the Federation will not remain neutral, Vulcan will also take the insult to heart and it will bring war to what is left of my species.  There will be war one way or another, this way perhaps Vulcan can survive.  Ty'rick, may I speak to the Senate now?"

"Of course."  Ty'rick smiled.

"Spock!  Don't do this!"

"I must."

"I will never forgive you."  

"I am prepared for that."

Kirk fought against the guards once more.  Ty'rick stepped up to him and ordered his men to bind Kirk's wrists behind his back.  He growled in pain as the marks across his back were reopened by having his arms roughly pinned.  Ty'rick glanced at Spock who was standing as peaceful as a lamb before turning back to Kirk with a bright smile.  

"Don't take it so personally, James, a Vulcan's only loyalty is to logic."

"Apparently."

Ty'rick lead the way and Kirk was forced to follow.  Spock walked by Kirk's side of his own free will.  As they traveled the twisting halls Kirk tried to silently implore Spock to change his mind about this.  Spock showed no signs of even noticing his friend's attempts to bore guilt into his heart with his withering glare.  

It was clear that the Senate did not expect their arrival and they spent a few minutes outside the grand hall waiting while Ty'rick went inside.  With Ty'rick gone Kirk tried once more to talk some sense into Spock.  

"Spock, if you're doing this for me..."

"I am not."  

"Oh...um...okay, well whatever you're doing this for, please don't."

"I am sorry, Jim.  This is the only way."

"You can't honestly believe that...you're about to start a war..."

"The war has already begun."

Kirk growled in frustration, but Spock was deaf to him.  Ty'rick returned with a lupine grin on his face.  He opened the large double doors wide and invited Spock inside.  Kirk was forced to follow by the guards.  Inside the Romulan Senate waited for them.  The room was set up much like the Vulcan Council with the members sitting up high above the floor behind a bench made of black stone.  

There were twelve members, three of which were women.  Spock walked into the middle of the room and graced the Senate with a deep bow.  The Romulans looked down on him with what Kirk could only describe as disinterest.  It boiled his blood to see Spock showing them such respect when they clearly thought that he was little more than an animal.  

"I am Spock of Vulcan."

"We know who you are."  The lead Senate member, Vin'el, said dismissivly.  "All we care about is why you are here."

"I am here to inform you that the Starfleet has been preparing for a war against Romulus."

"War?"  Vin'el demanded.  "If the Federation desires a war they will have one!"

"I did not say the Federation, I said Starfleet."  Spock corrected.

"There is no difference."  Vin'el growled.  "So what Ty'rick said is true, you are here as a spy."

"I am here to rescue my friend."

"And what is he doing here?"

"He was sent here to start the war."  Spock said simply.

"What?"  Kirk, Ty'rick, and Vin'el all demanded at the same time.

"Someone is playing both the Romulans and the Federation for fools.  There have been several incidences that point towards a partnership between a powerful Romulan and a powerful member of Starfleet, working together to spark this war.  Senate members I believe there is a traitor among you.  Logic states that Ty'rick himself is the prime suspect."

"No!  Never!"  Ty'rick spat.  

"He has already made an agreement with myself to give me my freedom for admitting to being a spy."

"Is this true, Ty'rick?"

"Treacherous Vulcan!"  

"Ty'rick is it true?"  Vin'el demanded again.

"I did not intend on keeping the promise."  

"Senate,"  Spock addressed them respectfully  "there have been two attacks on Federation territory that appear to be Romulan in nature."

"Is that why the Federation sent a Starship into Remus?!"  Ty'rick snarled.  

"A Starship?"  Spock asked surprised.  "May I see the wreckage?"

The Senate talked among themselves for a moment and then came to agreement.  Vin'el tapped on the screen set into the bench before him.  A variety of photos of the wreckage that Kirk had seen before came up on screens on the side wall.  Spock looked over the photos for a moment before turning back to the Senate.  

"This confirms my suspicion of a conspiracy."  Spock announced.  "That ship is the USS Valor, decommissioned ten years ago, but never disassembled due to her scientific value.  As a floating and mostly forgotten research project she would not be missed."

"Spock,"  Kirk smiled  "how the hell do you know that?"

"The Valor was the only Starship to be made of an experimental titanium alloy that was meant to reduce the need for deflector shields, however, she was extremely susceptible to her hull becoming self magnetized due to unforeseen complications with the alloy.  You'll notice that several pieces of the hull that are not connected to the wreckage are still being held to it.  The hull created a magnetic field that ruined the computers, but the only metal it attracted was itself.  The problem was never figured out, and eventually abandoned."

The Senate appeared to be impressed and once again began to talk among themselves.  Ty'rick could see that his audience was slipping and stepped up next to Spock.  He bared his teeth at Spock for a moment before rounding on the Senate.

"Vin'el, none of this matters, the Federation is working to attack us, the Vulcan admitted to it.  We must strike first if we are to win the coming war."

"There does not have to be a war."  Spock said.  "Senate, release myself and James Kirk to a neutral planet, allow us to determine the traitor within Starfleet and bring them to justice.  There is no need for the Federation and the Star Empire to destroy one another, it is not logical."  

"This is all a trick!"  Ty'rick spat.  "He will say anything for his freedom!"

"Enough Ty'rick."  Vin'el growled.  "Vulcan, you admit that there is corruption within the ranks of the Federation?"

"Spock, no..."  Kirk started.

"I do."

"We will investigate this."  Vin'el looked to Ty'rick.  "Ty'rick you are under arrest until you can prove you have not been fraternizing with Starfleet and conspiring against the Star Empire."

"What?!"  Ty'rick cried.  "No!"

"Take him away."  Vin'el growled.

Kirk couldn't help but smile as the guards grabbed Ty'rick to haul him out of the room.  He bellowed in rage and fought tooth and nail, but in the end was subdued by the guards and removed.  The guard that had been holding Kirk back wasn't holding onto him any more so Kirk stepped up and stood by Spock's side.  Kirk looked up at the Senate.

"So...what about us?"

"James T. Kirk, you have determined to be nothing more than a civilian, it is our policy to  question and then deport any intruders to the Star Empire back to a neutral planet."

"I think you guys have already handled the 'questioning' part."

"Agreed.  You will be immediately taken to a neutral planet unharmed."

"What about Spock?"  

"He is a different story.  As a member of Starfleet he is a military prisoner and enemy..."

"He didn't come here as a Starfleet Officer."  Kirk protested.  

"No matter.  Spock's execution will begin at dawn."

"No, you can't..."

Kirk jerked away as a guard stepped up behind him to take him off to be released.  Another Romulan had come up and taken Spock into custody.  Spock offered no resistance as they bound his wrists behind his back as the other guard was freeing Kirk.  Kirk pulled away from the guard dealing with him and grabbed onto Spock's arm just above the elbow possessively.  

"You can't just kill him, he's done nothing wrong!"

"I disagree."  Vin'el smiled coldly.

"What has he done?"

"He was born Vulcan."