Crossover - Michael Jan Friedman [45]
Odd, the Vulcan thought.
“Teacher, shall we conduct the class inside today?” D’tan asked, in recognition of what would soon take place.
Spock considered the question for only a moment. “No,” he replied.
D’tan looked pained. “But, today, we would no doubt find it an atmosphere more conducive to study,” the youth pressed.
According to the strictest principles of logic, D’tan was correct. Nevertheless, that was not what the Teacher intended to do. The conflict between the two should have concerned him, but it did not.
Addressing his students, he said, “Today we will continue our studies where we are. We will bear witness to all that we see. And we will remember.”
Complete stillness descended over his followers. They looked to Spock for an explanation of his decision. But for the second time in as many days, he felt inadequate to the task.
Today he would not be their teacher. Instead they would learn from their former comrades out in the courtyard—those who had set a different course for themselves. Spock sighed, wondering what he himself might learn.
As he observed Belan and the others waiting for their moment, he noticed his students rising and forming a line to either side of him. After a moment or two, he realized what they were doing.
In Surak’s time, they were known as lines of witnessing. On his immediate left was D’tan, and on his right was Skrasis. each at the head of a queue.
The old and the new, the Teacher thought. It was fitting.
As on ancient Vulcan, he and his students would bear witness to the events that would follow. They would recall these events for others who wished to know of them, for as long as they lived.
Though pleased to see the old tradition surviving so long after Surak practiced it, and so far from the burning sands of his homeworld, Spock was uncomfortable in the role of leader just then. Surely, Surak had not known the sort of doubt he felt, as he attended what would come.
He did not have long to wait. As usual, the guards were extremely punctual.
Four of them pushed out the cart that contained the prisoners’ food, while a total of eight others watched the prisoners themselves.
As usual, the rebels approached the food cart from all sides. It was then that the Vulcan realized something was wrong.
The soldiers were unusually alert, watching the prisoners more carefully than at any time since Spock and his followers were brought into the compound. Subtle signs of tension in their posture told the Teacher that they were on guard.
The only explanation was that the spy had somehow informed his superiors, despite their precautions.
For a moment, Spock was certain that Belan would realize his plan had been discovered and call off the attempt. Either the Constantharine saw the signs as Spock did and chose to ignore them, or missed them entirely in his preoccupation. In either case, the subject was soon rendered moot.
Being closest to a soldier, Belan was the first to strike. He lunged for the guard’s weapon, at the same time calling out to his accomplices to do the same. Almost simultaneously, the rest of the prisoners in Belan’s group converged on the remaining soldiers.
As Belan struggled with his guard, he struck him in the side of the neck, using a technique that predated the exodus of the Empire’s founders from Vulcan. And though the blow was primitive by current Vulcan martial arts standards, it was nonetheless effective.
When the Romulan crumpled to the floor, Belan grabbed his hand weapon. Within seconds, all of the guards were similarly accosted.
Spock noted that Santek had also secured a weapon. So had Minan, both of them employing fighting techniques that the Vulcan had taught him. And though the soldiers resisted, each of them was soon lying on the ground, disarmed and presumably at least temporarily disabled.
It was then that their captors made their move. Soldiers appeared suddenly all along the wall that ringed the compound—armed with disruptor rifles.
Others appeared behind