Searching for Kov - Chapter 5

Searching for Kov

by myst123

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

AN: Translations of Surak from Vulcan Culture Institute, http://home.teleport.com/~vli/surak.htm.

****

Chapter 5

After scouting the planet from a safe distance, the four friends could detect no life signs. Determining they needed to take a closer look at the vicinity of P’Jem, T’Pol directed Trip to take the shuttle in on the far side of the planet, then had him navigate to the former monastery through a series of canyons. Trip wanted to ask how she was so knowledgeable about the terrain, but let it go as there were more immediate concerns.

Once within visual range of the ruins, Trip set down the shuttle behind a rock formation T’Pol had selected.

“The outcrop is unique and will serve as a visual reference. Should any of us get separated, this location will serve as a landmark.”

The four emerged from the shuttle. T’Pol and Malcolm, scanners in hand, surveyed the area.

“The section to the south of the ruins looks the most promising,” Malcolm concluded. “The energy levels there suggest an artificial environment has been constructed in that vicinity.”

“I concur.” T’Pol brought her scanner together with Malcolm’s to compare their readings. “Our scanners cannot read the area, which may indicate some sort of shielding device.”

Malcolm pointed to an area on T’Pol’s scanner. “If we swing around to the west, there is a small bluff which may give us some protection. From the top of it we should be able to get the lay of the land and identify a point of entry.”

“But the bluff will not prevent a security system from detecting us.”

“No, it is a risk. But if we stay close to the surface, we may avoid detection. Vulcan security logically assumes the majority of intruders would occupy point three meters to three meters above the surface and will have calibrated their system to scan that area.”

“You have studied Vulcan security technology?”

“Yes. I find it fascinating.”

Trip felt his teeth begin to clench. Why had he ever assumed Malcolm was a friend? And since when had he been studying Vulcan technology? He had never mentioned it. *Hell*, thought Trip, *if I’d known all it took to get T’Pol’s attention was a little knowledge about Vulcan security, I would’ve done my own research*. Women. Didn’t matter if they were human or Vulcan, they always required too much work.

“…and then we’ll return to this location.” Malcolm’s words caught Trip’s attention.

“Yes, the plan is acceptable. Commander Tucker and Doctor Phlox, do you agree?”

“It makes perfect sense,” Phlox responded.

“I need a bit more detail,” Trip stalled, unwilling to admit his jealousy had allowed his mind to wander.

“You were not attending to our plans, Mr. Tucker. You had allowed your mind to wander. We will approach the site from the bluff, and Doctor Phlox will remain here. I do not expect any violence; but if Kov is here, our unanticipated presence may provide us with an advantage. We are anticipating our scanners will work once inside the security field, and that we can isolate his biosigns. If not, we will have to conduct a search, which will be much more risky. We may have to render unconscious anyone we meet to accomplish our mission, but that would be most unfortunate. The most acceptable outcome would be to find Kov is here, and to get him away as quickly as possible.”

“What’s all the secrecy about here?” Trip asked. “This place isn’t a spy station anymore, is it? Why all the subterfuge?”

“It is a sacred spot, concerning private matters about Vulcan society. For example, Vulcans in need of renewal come here for assistance.”

”What is this renewal? You’ve mentioned it before.”

“We have rituals for purging emotions which are threatening to an individual’s control. It is logical to assume that Kov may be in need to such rituals to again re-enter Vulcan society.”

“Are you talking about brainwashing him? He is being brainwashed? He was kidnapped to erase his mind?” Trip demanded.

“That is not how we see this ceremony. For us, a society which adheres to Surak’s teachings is the most important goal.”

“Do you buy what you are saying, T’Pol? That what you suspect is happening here is right?”

“Commander Tucker, this is not the time to discuss philosophical differences between humans and Vulcans. Let us find Kov and get him back to his father. Then we can discuss our cultural differences.”

Trip bit his tongue and nodded. T’Pol found a place for Phlox to conceal himself near the base of the rock formation, and then led Trip and Malcolm towards the bluff. They crawled up the back of the incline and peered over the edge to see and entrance to a tunnel below.

“Some of the catacombs may have survived the Andorian attack, or may have been reconstructed,” T’Pol murmured. “The security field may be a means of disguising the presence of the monks, to keep the Andorians away and yet to allow the traditional Vulcan ceremonies to be conducted on this sacred site. Mr. Reed, do you see any possible entry points?”

Malcolm studied the area carefully, and again ran a few scans. He still couldn’t penetrate the security barrier, but he could see poles at regular intervals which could be used to create an invisible fence. The three crept down the side of the bluff and found one of the poles out of visual range from the opening of the tunnel. Indeed, when Malcolm scanned the base, there was a gap in the field big enough to allow them to slither underneath.

“Not a very effective security system,” Malcolm whispered with some disappointment.

“No,” T’Pol agreed. She ran a few scans and found biosigns for about 20 Vulcans within the perimeter of the area. “It is reasonable to speculate that those living here are indeed Vulcan monks who returned after the destruction of their monastery. There are no signs of weapons. They pose no physical threat, but they will not reveal the presence of an individual if asked.”

“Is Kov here?” Trip asked.

“It is possible. The readings are not accurate enough to make an absolute determination. We will have to investigate for ourselves.”

Malcolm led the way to the tunnel entrance, hugging the side of the hill closely and moving stealthily with cat-like grace. T’Pol and Trip followed his lead. At the entrance, Malcolm gestured for the other two to wait and slipped into the dark interior, allowing his eyes to adjust to the gloom before signaling them to follow. Torches lined the walls, giving the space a medieval atmosphere. The three followed the lighted tunnel, finding empty cells with hard cots along the way. The living quarters for the monks. Malcolm came to an abrupt halt outside one of the chambers. T’Pol glanced down at her scanner and back at the Lieutenant, nodding. Malcolm reached out to the door and pushed it open slowly. A candle lit the interior with lone figure was seated cross-legged before it. They had found Kov.

****

After all the drama and intrigue leading up to that moment, the actual meeting was unexpectedly anticlimatic. Kov opened his eyes, saw the three standing before him, and said, “Trip, what are you doing here?”

“Kov!” Trip whispered in a surprised tone. “Are you OK?”

“Of course,” he responded in a normal tone of voice.

“What do you mean by that? There’s no ‘of course’ about it! You disappeared from Earth days ago. Your father’s worried sick. And you’re sitting in a ruin light years from where you were last seen with no trail to show how you got here. What the hell’s going on? Have you been brainwashed, or renewed, or whatever you want to call it?” Trip demanded.

Kov rose to his feet.

“I was brought here against my will, but nothing has happened to me I didn’t wish to have happen. I’m pleased to see you, my friend. It has been too long since we communicated. Please, come with me and I will explain. There is nothing to fear here.”

Kov led the three back to the surface, walking unhindered through the passages. Once above ground, he took a deep breath and gaze around, seeing the ruins of P’Jem above him. He turned and looked at the two humans and the Vulcan.

“Malcolm, how good it is to see you again,” Kov said warmly. “And you,” he said, turning to T’Pol, “must be T’Pol.”

“Yes. How did you know?”

“Unless Trip has a habit of traveling around with different Vulcan women, it is logical you are the woman he writes of in his letters. He frequently mentions you.”

“Enough of that,” Trip interrupted. “Are you here against your will or what? What is going on?”

“I was brought here against my will. I have a dreamlike memory of a woman I met in the 602 Club taking me to a ship, but from that point I have no recollections until I awoke here. According to the monks, I was brought by two lower ranking members of the VHC to have my memories realigned. However, because the monks do not perform the ritual without the consent of the individual involved, nothing happened to me. The VHC representatives left to report back to their superiors. We have heard nothing since.”

“You didn’t think to notify anyone you were OK?” Trip asked, slightly irritated that all the intrigue and worry had been for nothing.

“No communications link exists from P’Jem,” Kov explained. “Once the men who brought me here left, there was no means of contacting anyone. I was waiting for the next shipment of supplies to be delivered in 120 days.”

“I don’t get it,” Trip said. “They bring you all the way here to get ‘renewed’ and don’t find out ahead of time that it isn’t going to happen? That isn’t logical. What a waste of time!”

“Prior to the discovery of the spy station and the destruction of P’Jem, the monks would have performed the rituals as requested by the VHC. However, after the monastery was reduced to rubble, the monks began to question the position of the VHC. Vulcans may be reserved, but they are honorable. When they discovered that the monastery had been used to hide a secret intelligence gathering station, the monks came to hold the VHC more responsible for what occurred than they did the Andorians. As a result of this change in perspective, the monks make their own inquiries into a situation before conducting any ceremonies on an individual.”

T’Pol listened closely. “The monks are ignoring the teachings of Surak?”

Kov looked at her, and shook his head. “The VHC do not have the sole right to interpret Surak’s words. Their command to have my memory erased was not in the spirit of Surak, but politically motivated.”

“Explain.”

“You know, T’Pol, I’d feel a lot more comfortable if we all just stopped the chit chat, got back to the shuttle, and returned to either Vulcan or Earth,” Trip interrupted. “No offense, but this place gives me the creeps. There’s a gaggle of Vulcans in all their ceremonial splendor over there watching us. God knows what they are planning.”

T’Pol and Kov looked over in the direction indicated by Trip. Indeed about 20 Vulcan monks were observing them.

“Come,” Kov invited, “let me introduce you.”

He led the way over to the monks, followed reluctantly by Malcolm and Trip. T’Pol had no expression on her face, but Trip sensed a thoughtfulness about her response to the situation. She wasn’t concerned, but she was wanted an explanation for this unexpected turn of events.

Trip and T’Pol recognized the Vulcan Elder from their previous visits to the planet. The Elder inclined his head towards both. “T’Pol, it is most logical to find you involved in this unanticipated encounter. Your impulsiveness continues to direct your actions, I see.”

Trip opened his mouth to defend T’Pol, but closed it again upon receiving a frowning look from her.

“I regret the destruction of this sacred place,” T’Pol responded.

“Your actions were those of a logical Vulcan, T’Pol. Our treaties with the Andorians prohibited such deception on our part. Regret is not reasonable.”

Trip was getting a headache from all this rational discussion. Why couldn’t these Vulcans act like the autocratic deceivers they were known to be? Malcolm looked equally puzzled by the behavior of all the Vulcans involved. These were not the Vulcans either were used to. Except T’Pol, of course. And Kov. And V’Lar.

“Elder, my friends wish to return me to my father, who is unsettled by my disappearance. I would like to go to him, but I request to return here for further instruction. I have found your teachings most informative and wish to become a pupil, if you would permit.”

“Kov, I will instruct you, but you must acknowledge that you have a liberal interpretation of Surak which will be displeasing to many in Vulcan society. Your ideas may cause further concern, not only by the VHC, but by the ordinary Vulcan. If you pursue your curiosity in re-examining Surak, then you must be prepared for resistance.”

Kov bowed his head in acknowledgement. As one, the Vulcan monks turned and returned to their underground quarters. Kov turned back to the three rescuers and asked, “What is next?”

“Well, I guess we go back to the shuttle, and back to Vulcan,” Trip said, not quite sure what to do.

“Yes,” T’Pol agreed. “Our shuttle is this direction. We came through the security fence over there.”

“We can walk through the fence,” Kov said. “Everyone knows we are leaving, so it won’t matter.”

The three walked through the invisible barrier and returned to the shuttle and Phlox.

****

“Your father’ll meet us on Vulcan,” Trip told Kov, once communication had been made with the older man. “He’s happy your OK. Me, too, by the way. I couldn’t believe it when you disappeared.”

“It was not the way I would have wanted for events to develop,” Kov said, “but I have been fortunate to be given the opportunity to learn a great deal about my culture. This is not a method I would recommend to anyone, but I am willing to accept this is the manner in which I have become more intimately acquainted with Surak and his teachings.”

T’Pol frowned slightly. “You were taught Surak’s philosophy as is every Vulcan child.”

“No, I was taught the VHC interpretation of his writings, as redefined 90 years ago, at the time of extreme discord between Vulcan and Andoria, and the discovery of the brutality of humans. Vulcans at that time became concerned by the volatile societies encountered in space, and felt the need to recast Surak’s words in a more dogmatic fashion.”

“How do you know this?” T’Pol asked in an almost challenging tone. Trip, Malcolm, and Phlox exchanged looks. This wasn’t going to be pretty, and it seemed too personal for them to intrude. The three men relocated themselves to the fore of the craft to leave T’Pol and Kov to their discussion.

“I have always been interested in Surak’s teachings and tried to live by them,” Kov said gently. “I became on engineer to please my father, but that is not my calling. In my research, I found translations of Surak from two generations past in which his words were not so rigidly stated. I have discussed this with the Elder of P’Jem, and he recognizes the shift I discovered in which our ancestors sought to protect us from the agitating elements of alien societies by spreading a strict, unyielding version of Surak.”

“Are you saying Vulcans can have emotions, that our violent nature does not need careful monitoring?”

“No, those are the truths of our nature. We must be vigilant. But we must also acknowledge that we have emotions. As a youth, I was instructed that Vulcans do not take offense. But in the teachings of Surak from my first fore-mother’s time, the interpretation was there is no offense where none is taken. Offense is possible, but the choice is not to take umbrage. Another is the existence of fear in our society. Current thought says Vulcans do not experience fear, but again prior generations were instructed to cast out fear, as fear allows room for nothing else. These are very different concepts. One says we don’t have the emotions, the other says we do have the emotions but must acknowledge and control them. I believe we need to know we have these emotions and control them rather than deny their existence. Absolutes are dangerous to our society. There must be more willingness to allow diversity, to recognize that one person may be more capable of controlling responses to insults or fear than others, and to accept differences within our society. We are not exact replications produced from one mold.”

“And the Elder of P’Jem allowed you to discuss such concepts? To deny the teachings of Surak?”

“T’Pol, you are too afraid. You do not acknowledge that you are unwilling to allow differing opinions about Surak because it will disrupt society as we know it. But our society is based upon a lie. We must question or the lie will eat away at us and destroy us.”

“You make what appear to be rational arguments, but I know from personal experience that leaving the path of Surak is destructive to the individual.”

Kov studied T’Pol with concern. “T’Pol, the danger is not in questioning the current interpretation of Surak, but in denying that you have emotions and can control them. Do you have emotions?”

T’Pol was silent.

“Do you?”

“If I abided by Surak’s teachings, I would not have emotions. It is when I stray that I get in trouble.”

“You are denying your nature, which is the problem. If you accept that you have emotions, then you can control them. But if you insist you don’t have them, you can’t manage them because you deny they exist in the first place. This is the danger of the current teaching of Surak.”

T’Pol shifted her gaze away from Kov and out the porthole. The stars formed lines of white as the shuttle carried them back to Vulcan. She thought about Kov’s words, but could not accept them. He was a radical, someone who had strayed into the dangerous world of the V’tosh ka’tur. She knew what happened to herself when she allowed herself to be tempted by Tolaris, and by her attraction for Mr. Tucker. She thought she could control her emotions in both situations, but in both she had done tremendous damage to her mental and physical health. She could not explore any more. She had to adhere to the current teachings of Surak or she would be lost.

“I can’t take the risk,” she said softly. “I can’t abandon the Surak I know.”

“What does that mean, T’Pol?” Kov inquired.

T’Pol looked across at where the commander was sitting, talking quietly with Malcolm and Phlox. “I must live by the rules of Surak, or I will destroy myself and those for whom I have affection. When I am capable of abiding by Surak’s laws, I can bond with…another.”

Kov looked sadly at T’Pol. He realized there was too much past history he knew nothing about guiding her decision, and that she was putting her connection to Trip in jeopardy by her reactionary response to the past. But without her willingness to look past her fears, or even acknowledge her fears, she could not do so. Kov grieved for Trip, who would be the victim of the current understanding of Surak.

“I urge you to return to the writings of Surak yourself, T’Pol, and to examine his voice at various times in our history of 2000 years. Do not focus on the past generation or two, but look back to our ancestors for more understanding.”

T’Pol didn’t respond. Vulcan came into view and the crew prepared to land. She glanced at Trip, and saw the concern and affection in his watchful gaze. She wanted to share with him her doubts, but questions and curiosity had been her downfall in the past, and she could not do so. The shuttle landed, and the occupants exited to reunite father and son.

TBC

AN: I had originally planned to end the story here, but Bucky feels the story is unfinished. I'll see where the next chapter or two take Trip and T'Pol. And the story didn't really turn out to be much of a mystery after all.

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Nine of you have made comments

Great chapter, myst! I really like the way you've written T'Pol's inner conflict. I do hope she can find a way to make it all work, both for her sake and for Trip's. Thanks for sharing this!

Glad to see you've decided to try another chapter. Even if it doesn't work out, I think we should see Trip and T'Pol talk.

Bucky

Oh, please, let T`Pol reread a bit of ancient Surak. You can´t stop here. Bucky´s right. We need one or two or three ;-)))more chapters.

I really love how you have written Kov and how wise he is in the ways of Surak. I hope and pray that he will have enough influence on T'Pol for her to be able to unbend enough not to shut Trip out and hurt them both. Can't wait for the next part! Ali D :~)

nice, you made t'pol a strong person. sure hope she hooks up with trip though ;-)

I'm glad you're writing another chapter or so. You've just introduced the idea that the teachings of Surak are being wrongly taught in Vulcan society and you absolutely must let T'Pol at least consider the implications. What she ultimately decides to do is up to her (and you, of course!) but she has to at least consider the possibility that there is another way of following "the path of Surak". Great story, by the way -- you've taken it past the mystery of "what happened to Kov" to "what happened to Vulcan society", and I would love to see you follow up on this.

Excellent theory, that Surak's teaching have different interpretations. Well, that's only logical. But I like that you used events in the Enterprise Universe to explain their attitude and such. It tied everything together. I only wish TPTB would take note of these things, so I didn't have to groan every time that mutilated Vulcan culture.

I'm glad you've decided to continue with a few more chapters. I've really enjoyed this story. Hmmm, so the VHC is behind the current way Surak it beening taught. Rather ominous, I see a consiracy here... kinda like the X-Files "the truth is out there".

Hopefully Kov has shed some light for T'Pol. Could this help her shift her context a bit, and help her find a better balance-- we'll have to wait and see. Looking forward to the next posting.

I've really loved this story, so I'm delighted there's going to be more. It's a wonderful interpretion of the Enterprise Vulcans versus the ones from the other Trek series. Shame that TPTB are unlikely to give us anything so well thought out and presented. It was great to have T'Pol in control and taking charge again, yet still acknowledging her attraction to Trip. I also liked Phlox doing a little match making, and the exchanges between Trip and Malcolm.