Shi'Kahr was by far the largest city Kassia had ever seen, with a population well over two million. It was also by far the cleanest. Efficient Vulcan sanitation combined with the clean utilitarian lines of Vulcan architecture gave Kassia the impression of a society built on order and control. The vast bulk of the city screamed kolinahr. It unnerved her, but not nearly as much as something else on her mind.
"Everyone's always a bit unsettled at first on Vulcan," Tarik said. They'd deliberately arrived at night, so as to become better acclimated to Vulcan's hot weather. Even at 10:00 at night the temperature would have qualified for a scorching hot day on most places on Earth with the possible exception of the Arabian Peninsula and the Sahara Desert. "You'll like the Alien Quarter a lot better, trust me!" he said, trying to rebuild his own excitement.
The assassin aboard the Decadence had proven to be the only one. A systematic examination of the ship's complement had eliminated the possibility of another agent, and the cruise line had generously refunded Tarik's money. I suppose they would have paid for my funeral expenses had the killer succeeded, Tarik thought sourly. But being home gave him some measure of comfort: Vulcan's police forces were substantially more competent than any cruise line security team.
"It's not the city that's making me nervous," Kassia said. "I'm still sensing that something more is going to happen. The sooner we're in your family compound the better!"
"Agreed," Tarik said. He had also considered the notion that the Tal Shiar would have a backup team on Vulcan to pick up where and if the first assassin failed to complete the job. He hailed a ground transport which took the trio to the Alien Quarter.
The Alien Quarter of Vulcan's leading city had started centuries before as the human legation on Vulcan. Signs in various languages broke the clean lines of Vulcan architecture, and a cacophony of alien speech and music filled what would have been silence in the Vulcan part of the city. Over the years other races found they preferred the company of humans to that of Vulcans on a daily basis: Andorians, Tellarites, Deltans, and later Klingons and Romulans. The Romulan community was small -- only two thousand or so -- but growing at a steady rate. It was in the heart of this community that the House of Takor was located.
Technically, it should have been called the House of Tarik, since it was his after Takor's death years before. But Tarik had never brought himself to displace his father's name at the head of the household. If anything, it should have gone to Sotok, the family's business agent for decades and the one who truly kept things running smoothly these days.
There was, of course, the matter of Sikal, Tarik's maternal grandfather. He had taken residence at the household some months before and, according to Sotok, had gone to great lengths to make himself inconspicuous. He and Tarik had corresponded briefly before the fighting had become intense, but this would be their first face-to-face meeting. Despite Kassia's reassurances, Tarik was still very nervous about this meeting.
"It's going to be okay," Kassia said. "Sikal, at least, means you no harm. In fact, he could be of great help to you."
"I know, and I believe you. I'm still getting used to the idea of having a family again!" Tarik said.
Tiyanna was speechless, instead absorbing the sights and sounds -- and thoughts -- surrounding her. The two adults smiled at her.
They arrived at the House of Takor, an understated domicile with an enclosed courtyard with a garden of succulents preceding the main entry. Sotok, a tall, elderly Vulcan, greeted them. Sotok always reminded Tarik of a New England shopkeeper on Earth -- an impression helped by the fact that Sotok had learned English in Boston and had a distinct Boston accent even in Vulcan these days.
Sotok raised his hand in the traditional salute. "Live long and prosper, Master Tarik," he said simply.
"Peace and long life, my friend." Kassia got the sense from Tarik that Sotok was truly a friend, not just a hired hand.
"These must be Kassia and Tiyanna," Sotok said, turning to the two ladies accompanying Tarik. "It is a pleasure to see you in person at last. Tarik's letters have been filled with little else but talk of you for the past several months!"
Kassia looked at Tarik and smiled.
Another person, nearly as old as Sotok but more solidly built, emerged. "Tarik!" he exclaimed. "You're here at last!!!!" The older man embraced Tarik warmly. To his surprise, Tarik found himself embracing the old man back.
"Grandfather! I never thought I would ever see another relative of mine again!" He couldn't help but feel the tears on his face.
"Enough of that, boy! We've got some serious talking -- and drinking -- to do!"
Sikal, as it turned out, had been an admiral in the Romulan Star Navy who had fallen from favor around the time Tarik's parents had been exiled. However, Sikal and the officers and men under his command had had different ideas about his stepping down. For a period of three months Sikal had operated a rogue force within the boundaries of the Empire, seeking to overthrow the usurpers who had seized control of the government and even approaching the Klingons, the Cardassians, and the Federation for aid. An officer in his inner circle had betrayed him, however, and Sikal spent the next twenty years in a re-education camp. Upon being released, Sikal worked at odd jobs aboard freighters until he'd save enough money to emigrate to the Federation.
"When the authorities on Vulcan got my application for asylum, they were most interested, I can assure you," Sikal said. "The six-month waiting period was shortened to six days, and here I am!"
"It's great that they were willing to accommodate you," Kassia said. She found herself liking the old man, who had a clever, dry wit and a very subtle sense of humor. "Are there any other relatives of Tarik's out there?"
Sikal thought for a moment. "Takor had a brother, Keron, but he's of no account," he said. "The man's a thug at best. You're better off not meeting him. I don't know if he's married or had any children."
The dinner was a feast by any standard, accompanied by a copious amount of drinking. Tiyanna was starting to look bored. "What's this?" Sikal said, noting that she was starting to drift away from the interchange. "I can't have such a lovely little girl look so sad! I have something for you!" Sikal left the room and returned with three large packages. "I picked these up when I was on Earth being interviewed by Starfleet Intelligence."
"Grandfather, really, you shouldn't have!" Tarik said.
"Don't tell me what I should and should not do, young man!" Sikal admonished teasingly. He gave one of the boxes to Tiyanna. She looked up questioningly at Tarik, who nodded. She opened the box, and found a stuffed horse with a horn on its head.
"It's a mythical Earth animal called a unicorn," Sikal explained to her. "It symbolizes purity and it's a favorite of little human girls."
"Thank you!" she said as she jumped up and embraced her newfound great-grandfather.
Sikal gave another box to Kassia. Kassia opened it and found a heavy gold necklace. "It's from Egypt," Sikal said. "A replica of one said to have belonged to Queen Nefeteri. Tarik told me about your interest in spiritual things and I thought this might strike your fancy."
Kassia was flabbergasted. Gold meant little in the way of currency in the age of replicators, but the craftsmanship was exquisite and alone would have demanded a high price. "This -- this is incredible!"
"And for you, grandson. This should draw your interest." Tarik opened his box -- which was much heavier than the others -- and found an ancient weapon, a low, boxlike affair with a short muzzle and a handgrip. A small shoulder stock folded on top of the weapon.
"It's called an Uzi," Sikal explained. "One of the finest projectile weapons Earth ever produced. You now have one of only 1136 still in existence. This one was built over 300 years ago and saw service in the Arab-Israeli Wars. It's still in working order. You'll find 500 rounds of ammunition in there, too."
"An excellent addition to my collection," Tarik said, working the action and checking the firing chamber instinctively. The weapon was not unlike those used by some of the Mulluran soldiers in the recent campaign. "I will ensure that it finds a place of honor!"
~Tarik, something's happening! I'm sensing six people surrounding the compound!~ Kassia thought at him.
"Sotok, call the authorities immediately," Tarik said.
"Master Tarik, is everything okay?"
"I can assure you that it is not. Or rather, Kassia can."
Sotok went to the communications station. "The comm is not working."
A loud hiss sounded as someone fired a disruptor into the front door. "Tiyanna, follow Mr. Sotok to the library -- quickly!" Tarik said. Without question, Tiyanna took the old Vulcan's hand as they both left for the basement library.
"We're dealing with five people, correct?" Tarik asked Kassia. Kassia nodded. "They're Tal Shiar agents. Right now they're going down a checklist of things they need to do... they mean to kill all of us!"
"Any weapons here?" Sikal asked.
"Just kitchen utensils -- Mother and Father were pacifists," Tarik said, then he looked down at the Uzi. "And this," he said, slapping a clip into the receiver and working the action.
"Are you kidding? That thing's an antique!" Sikal exclaimed.
"I don't care if it's a black powder musket it's still all we've got," Tarik said. "Kass, keep scanning them. Grandfather, get to the kitchen and find the biggest knife you can."
All three of them retreated to the butler's pantry, an alcove off the main dining room that was the most defensible position on that level of the house. The lights went out.
Immediately all three ducked down under the dining room table just before disruptor beams hit the butler's pantry. Tarik traced the beam back to its origin and fired a burst from the Uzi. Missed -- dammit!
~To your right!~ Kassia thought.
Tarik adjusted his aim and fired. A scream, followed by the disruptor clattering to the floor, indicated a hit. Tarik moved from under the table into the kitchen. Light from Tu'kuht, Vulcan's companion planet, began to filter through the windows, casting an eerie red glow onto the proceedings -- and enhancing Tarik's night vision. He saw the fleeting image of another assassin headed to the stairs leading to the basement. Tarik fired again, bullets ricocheting off the walls. The assassin fired back, disintegrating part of the wall Tarik was hiding behind.
Tarik kept moving, knowing that if he stayed in one place he was as sure as dead. He bumped into one of the assassins, felt a hard punch to his jaw. Tarik staggered back before launching a side kick into the assassin's chest. The assassin fell back. A flash in the dim light indicated he had a knife. Tarik still had the Uzi and nearly cut the assassin in half with a burst at close range.
Another flash, followed by a scream. "Got the other one!" Sikal announced.
"Two down here!" Tarik said. "Kass -- you okay?"
Silence. Tarik found an emergency lamp in the kitchen and turned it on. The assassin was unconscious as Kassia held him by the temples, staring intently into his eyes. The man dropped to the ground. "I've got their plans," she said with determination. "I know where they're operating from, and who's running this operation."
Tarik was gratified that the assassin had not harmed Kassia, physically or otherwise. "Good. That makes four. Where's the fifth one?" he asked. A loud scream downstairs answered the question.
Sikal was closest, and first down the stairs. Tarik was hot on his heels. "He tried to hurt us," Tiyanna said. "I didn't know what else to do..."
The assassin was cowering in a corner, clawing at his eyes. "Please -- please -- make them stop! Make them stop!!!!"
"Whatever you're doing, you can stop now," Tarik said.
The assassin relaxed -- comparatively speaking. "Now, I want you to tell me everything. Who planned this? Where are they?"
"I'll say anything -- just keep her away from me!!!!"
"Fair enough. Now talk!"
The assassin spilled everything.
"Kassia, does this jibe with what you got from the other guy?" he asked.
Kassia, now holding a disruptor, nodded. "Good. Now, here's what you're going to do..."
[Mission accomplished. The targets have been neutralized,] Valak reported from the Takor complex.
"Very good," Subcommander Keron replied. "Your diligence is duly noted. You may return to base."
[Acknowledged. Four to beam up.]
"Four? There were five in your team, were there not?"
[We had an operational loss, sir. Tarik was able to kill Zolon before I killed him.]
"Zolon was a weak link. Very well. Transport initiated!"
Keron watched as the team rematerialized aboard the cloaked ship. Or, at least what he thought was the team. Tarik, Kassia, and Sikal all held disruptors, and Valak's hands were bound behind his back. Keron reached for his weapon.
"Don't even think about it!" Sikal said. "I know what kind of tricks this ship is capable of, and you'll keep your hands visible at all times!"
"Kassia, that console over there is the communications array. It works just like every other one out there. Call Vulcan Security and let them know what's going on," Tarik said. "You -- drop the cloak on this ship immediately!" he ordered Keron.
Sikal walked over to watch what Keron was doing. "Okay, the cloak is down," he informed Tarik.
"The Vulcans are sending a security cutter to our location. It appears that we've managed to capture a Romulan surveillance craft single-handedly!" Kassia announced.
"The Tal Shiar are getting sloppy these days!" Sikal announced with a laugh. "Of course if they're taking people like Keron one couldn't imagine why!"
"You mean -- this is my uncle?" Tarik exclaimed. "I guess he got the shallow end of the gene pool! I take it you were responsible for my parents as well."
"Takor was a coward! And that wench Belaz only encouraged his cowardice!" Keron spat. "He was not worthy of the Rihannsu soul!"
"Mind your tongue, man, those are my parents to whom you refer!" Tarik said, then slugged Keron in the belly.
"Did that make you feel better?" Keron asked sarcastically, once he regained his wind.
"No, but this will!" Tarik said as he delivered a right cross to Keron's chin. He then pointed the disruptor at Keron--
"No! Don't do it!" Kassia yelled.
"Give me one good reason why not!"
"Your parents were people of peace. They would not want you to act this way! You're better than he is!" Kassia implored.
"I've been fighting this dragon too long. I guess I'm the dragon now," Tarik snapped, shoving the disruptor into Keron's mouth.
"Grandson -- Tarik -- you are a soldier, a man of honor. He is not. He's a thug masquerading as a spy, and doing a poor job of it! Don't stain yourself this way!" Sikal said.
"What's one more stain?!" Tarik yelled.
"One more that you don't have to have! I want to see him dead too -- he killed my daughter! But he isn't worth my soul, Tarik!" Sikal said. "And he isn't worth yours."
Long ago, Tarik had killed a man who would have been considered evil by anyone's definition. That had been at Starbase 207, the penal colony that had formed one in a series of dead-end posts for Tarik. He had no right to kill that man, but he did.
By Romulan custom Tarik had every right -- and obligation -- to kill Keron, and yet he found himself hesitating.
"Killing him isn't going to solve this, or end this," Kassia said. "He answers to others, and they'll just send more agents."
"She's right, Tarik," Sikal added. "Put the gun down, grandson. You're better than he is."
"Do you have a family, Keron?" Tarik snarled.
"A wife, four children, and one grandchild due soon," Keron replied nervously.
Tarik was sweating now, his lifelong thirst for vengeance weakening in the face of the love and concern shown to him. He didn't know what to think. If your head isn't clear, the last thing you need to do is handle a weapon, Tarik thought. And Keron's death solves nothing. "I'm doing for them more than you did for me," Tarik said as disruptor clattered to the ground. Tarik slumped in exhaustion. Kassia rushed to his side. "It's over now," she said, putting her arm around him. "They aren't going to try again."
Keron laughed sneeringly at them. "They'll be back, you can count on it!" His laughing was cut short by Sikal busting him across the face with the disruptor.
"You fool! The best thing Tarik could have done is leave you alive! With you and your ship intact, the Empire has a lot of explaining to do to the Federation! The Tal Shiar dare not send another team!" he said as the first of the Vulcan security forces beamed aboard.