Open Secrets

Xiong nodded, and al-Khaled saw the concern in his friend’s eyes. “Yeah. That’s what worries me. That, and wondering if the Klingons will figure this out before we do.”

34

Pe

“You sent for me, mate?” Pe

Turning from where he had been examining the garden’s array of plants, M’Benga replied, “Afraid not.” He rose from the bench, brushing his hands together. “Sinar tells me we have a visitor.”

“We?” Pe

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” M’Benga indicated for Pe

Falling into stride alongside the doctor, Pe

M’Benga nodded. “I’m told he’s resting. That last meld took even more out of him than the first one.”

“I figured it would be hard,” Pe

He and M’Benga had not been allowed into T’Pry

“Apparently,” M’Benga said, “this Sten has embedded himself so far into T’Pry

They came to the door leading into Sobon’s study, and Pe

“What in the name of…?” he began, feeling his jaw slacken before he caught himself.

“Greetings,” offered the Vulcan woman standing before them. “I am T’Nel.”

On closer inspection, Pe

Stepping around Pe

T’Nel nodded. “I am T’Pry

“You live here, in the commune?” M’Benga asked, looking around for a place to sit but foiled at every turn by more of Sobon’s books, scrolls, and other papers.

“No,” T’Nel replied. “I live in the village of Ha’tren, several kilometers from here, though T’Pry

Gesturing toward the door, M’Benga said, “Would you care to walk outside?” To Pe

“That is acceptable.” As the trio moved back into the corridor, T’Nel said, “In our youth, we were quite satisfied living here. I mentored under Healer Sobon, and T’Pry

Pe

“The pigmentation of T’Pry

They emerged from the main entrance to Sobon’s home and into the courtyard that formed the commune’s center. Outside, Pe

His eyes tracked along the high stone wall that formed the village’s perimeter—installed, Pe

“How delightfully fascist,” Pe

Now, turning his attention back to T’Nel, he asked, “I understand that you’re a healer?”

“That is correct,” she said, clasping her hands behind her back as the trio began to walk a circuit around the courtyard. “Though I am not nearly as accomplished as Healer Sobon. Still, the Dashaya-Ni’Varwill require two healers working in concert, and he feels my familial co

“So,” M’Benga said, “you’re obviously familiar with what happened to her.”

“I was there when it happened.” T’Nel paused, nodding to one of the workers tending to a garden as they walked past. “T’Pry