Heresy 15

The atmosphere in the Andorian ship was frigid. T'Nir turned up the heating in the cabin as high as it would go, but it took a long time, even so, for the chill to leave her bones.
  
Still, she thought, we are safe now, rescued, and on our way home. She had watched through the porthole as Spirits of Earth lifted off. The Andorian pilot was not good enough to take off without engines, she thought with a sly internal smile. The encampment had vanished in a massive cloud of dust as the Spirits of Earth's thrusters had fired; by the time the dust had settled, they were already so far away that there was nothing of the camp to be seen.

No matter. We know where it is; we can come back, if there is need.

Now, there was a need for something else. T'Nir sat on the bed, facing Stiak, who was in a chair, and lost in thought.

"We must talk about some of my findings," she said.

Stiak looked up at her. "Specify."

"I have begun the deciphering of the data records. My assumptions concerning the format have proved to be correct."

Stiak smiled. "I expected no less of someone of your talents."

Despite herself, T'Nir smiled back. Then her face fell. "The historical records I have so far discovered seem to support the historical statements of some of Bresar's detractors."

"In what way?"

"I have discovered references to certain events which we had presumed hitherto to be fabrications of Bresar's enemies. The destruction of L'seiran, the death march from Akaal to Shi'kor, the massacre of the Stiralians - all these must now be viewed as historical events, in the light of contemporaneous evidence to that effect. These documents were written by Bresar's own supporters."

"That is... a working hypothesis, certainly. It will no doubt be verified in time."

"There is more. It points to a systematic program of atrocities. It is possible, Stiak, that the historical Bresar is actually a worse tyrant than his opposition pictured him. It seems that, in some instances, he left no opponents alive to make records of his actions."

"We must view Bresar in his historical context. Many of his actions would seem repugnant, even unthinkable, to modern Vulcan sensibilities. We should not, of course, condone such acts, but we must not judge by our own standards. To do so would make us poor historians."

"There is, of course, a further source of information." T'Nir raised her dark eyes to meet Stiak's. "The katric ark. The remnants of Bresar's own consciousness - if it is Bresar."

"It is Bresar," said Stiak.

"You have communed with the katra?"

"I have."

T'Nir took a deep breath. "Will you permit me also to commune with the katra?"

Stiak shook his head. "Not at this time. You are not trained in the required mental disciplines. The katra of Bresar is... an intense experience. This is for the reasons that have already been stated. His mindset, his mode of thought, is quite at odds with modern sensibilities. Without proper training, it is unwise to attempt contact." He shifted in his chair, a little uneasily. "If you acquire the necessary training, then of course I will permit it."

"Did you permit Valikra to commune with the katra?"

"No. Valikra has no training, and she lacks the required psychic faculties for successful communion. Her interest in the katra is purely political and symbolic."

"I fail to see what political use could be made of this discovery."

"Valikra is a romantic, I think, beneath that stern exterior. She believes that Bresar may serve as a symbol of Vulcan and Romulan unity. I suppose, in essence, this is an admirable aim."

T'Nir shook her head, decisively. "Not if Bresar was really the sort of person depicted in these records."

"We must study the records further, and come to a better understanding. And we must also study the katric ark."

"Will you permit others to commune with the katra?"

"Of course. There are a number of persons with the required mental discipline that I wish to see. I hope to bring contact with Bresar's katra to as wide a range of people as possible. It is not my wish to conceal anything. We will build up a complete picture of Bresar's life and activities, as far as our records will take us. It is possible, I suppose, that this may conflict with Valikra's aim of presenting Bresar as some sort of legendary king over all the Vulcans - but that is Valikra's problem, not ours. I am not a politician."

T'Nir smiled. "I am relieved to hear that." She extended her hand, fingers outstretched. Stiak reached out his hand in return. For a while, they sat there, touching fingers, by the light of Chara as it dwindled in the viewport.