variations - texas a&m university
TRANSCRIPT
VARIATIONS
ON A THEME 7 . . -. ,,; 4/ "
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Valerie Piacentini
a & Sheila Clark STAR TREK fanzine
by
Valerie Piacentini
A Socr:~';:)J:'08S publication
and
Sheila Clark
cover by,
Eoo
illustrations by
Virginia Lee Smith
.Fdi tO~C'8 ~~ ;:';hoil,C], Cl:'1rk, Valerie Pi2,centini r£1ypiD;3: .~ f;beila Clark ProoLCG2.CU.D::s' - Sheila Clark Printing' _. Janet QUartan (.; JaOGS fr.
ISSN 02CiO'··1~7C1
Colla:ting - Shaila I s Chain Gang - Hilde r;cCabe 9 .Allison }~ooney 9 COJ:Y ).(itlC;, lrorr8,ine Goodison 9 ]Tr8.l1ces 1\b2~c.neth;y·
Dist:C;l.J.lc1l1:? '"~ ~-;hona (1dhine9 paH~ whine!)
Sheilc:', Cl8,:c:'~
6 CJ:'D.i(!:milJ. cottages Str8,t,}'.mpJ:,"l;in c;
by r~und.e,:::
Scotln:(ld
(c) Scof(lp:('OSS Aug-ust 1983. All rights D-r8 reserved to the '!,Fri te:cs ,mCl arti8t;f:~.. :',.nyone Hishing to Teprint EL.ny of tho mF.ttorial herein is E\skccl. to ob'cain permission in ;Jri ting first. It is understood that thi,s only applies to o~cigJnal mater.ial herein}! and that no attempt is fio,de to supeTElcde 2X1Y Tig;.hts held by Paramount 9 :t:f:3C, ]3I3C or any other holde:cs of copy:d.{}1'C in f:~;C,!\:!_;: q'Jl"i!;I{ materi2~1.
In KrF'oi 'l)l Co11Gct.::;<i 9 vie mot C0r:1nOdo:t'0 Epoe1\: 9 from 8..Dother universE:. His Kirk had r)()(';D 1d.J1Gd~ 2X\d Spock, confused and unhappy 9 he_vine discovered t.hD 8xisteDcIJ of othnr uni'l(,rses 9 attu:rllr'cecl to find a replacement for his lost friend. :;·:'o1:.feV8T, b.G misinte~C1)retec1. hf;J.f~understood data transmitted to birD through his Sf HlS 0 J::' equipment 9 and Kirk res(;;nted bis attempt to frescue' him~
I,!hen his O\'rl1 f.;pryck e.rri ved 9 he returned wi th him9 leaving the Commodore cloubJy alone.
t4e \' .. GJ~OG concerned over the plight of the Commodore? and wondered hO','.1 he might cor(!jj.!.1UC his search. rrtJe Variations on a rl1heme universe arose fro!H ou~C'
discussions on hOl;; he might do so. \-le must stress, hov/ever, that our unive:csG is in no 'Jay }::'eL?tc;;d to thE: Krai th universe.. (Anyone 'danting to read the story fro'!Yl ,<{hich 'de took our 'inspiration', it is 'Spock's Pilgrimage' in Kraith Collected TU~ contact i":'argaret :Draper? The LodgeS' liJantage Hoad, B.o\·,rntocl<, Didcot9 oxoJ.\r~ ':1110 acts 2-8 U .. K .. agent for it, or Debbie Goldstein, 11524 !'.:;o.s}}ville, De tro i t ~ J iT 48205 9 U .. S .. 1\ • )
The n'Go:cy of Y?'riations so f2.1.' is as fo110\·/s. His equipment improved, Spock detected the existence of a Kirk who did need to be rescued from 8)1 untenable sitV.8.tion; young, shy fUld sensitive~ he vias }?irst Officer to 2. 81JOck who ha.d never e,djusted to his 2·~mmm blood and Fho had taken Kirk as a sexual }12.rtner in s!)j_.'GG of the young l Tuman' s horror at being treated so.
Spock set out to resoue him. In tho process9 the Captain was killed, and Spock l'8IH2.incc1. in that universe 9 t9.king his counterpart I s place 9 end returnin,o;)' the bod;,T to bis oi .. m original universe. Fe tJ.1.en set out to rehabilitat~~ Kirk.
1':;nfo~ct\.J.11F\t0J:_y, the Capt9.in had accidentally left a -private tape behi:Clc1. on his last visit to \Tulcan 9 and Sarek ho,d heard it. :.:le believed that Spack Has ill treatine;;' :Kir~'::, and when tI1G Vulcan "lent 'home I to visit 'his f family, Sporek tried to k:LIJ bim. ~:hey ',/ere forced to tell Sp,rek the truth 9 and to tbei~c
surprise, found iJil.ll most understandingo
Sho~('tly p.fter that 9 Kirk's brother Sam 9 1'1110 had deserted him as 0. child, came 9,ooaX'c1. the :;'~~(lt(":?rprise as a crevlTnan. Once again he deserted his o:cother, but this time ~';pock '\'las there to help 11im.
'1:-Jhen 8-pock's f8..l"nily council decreed that he must mar:rY9 Hceoy C2,n1e np , .. rith the sugg8stion th:::.t he 2nd Kirk bond, a relationshi1) legal on Vulcan 2 .. 1 thOl)_gh rarely ell-Ge:r-ed into. }To\<lever~ they only formed a partial bond at that timc~.
lJhe:n ?:icCoy developed xenopolycythemia ~ Spock returned to his orig'i.n8,1 univ8Tse to o~·)t;:tin the cure. \T11en he failed to J:'etUT'D 9 Kirk follm'led hiln o3'"ld '\,<lith the helT; of that universa's LCCOY9 rescued .him.
rr118 ]!~t1"ceT-PJ:-is8 t 8 next fe;d missions v!ere all poli tically orient.'?..ted s "\·'li-[;11 8,naloi(~ues of J?DJ'2,dis e i]yndrome9 l;'la8....Y1 of rrroyius? G8,lileo Seven 1 and. J01..l_reny to B8.bel. i\l'!.d on one of their missions~ Kirk W8,S tricked into takinc 8. \,,rifeo
Var:L2~t~~.on8 7 8..1so consists of episode .:1nalogues 9 this time PlRtO I s S-l;8p·~ children 8.lld il.ltG:c~(l8,tivC? ~Factor. T:ol,v8ver 9 ifre have 8,n idee, for "iJo. 8 Ilnicll loiiIl return to to~cigiI~[;1J. t plotting? unrelo.ted to any epj.sode. P8.rt of it , .. .rill be set in SCOt::;.2X)/~9 8.l1cl \'Te are rlanninc a short holido.y in the area invol-rec1 in order to l'ese~~rc.h the geography of the place. liTe o;,'/e our ideas for No. 8 to comments Hlc.\CLe by several readers - thanks 9 girls - 'de think!
\!.1at is it that has dravm me to you In love and fri endshi TJ trlW?
11 an emotionless 'ITulcan 9
You 2. searching? feeling Fuman. :I\(o .. ·one knoHs hO"\.'1 Hluch I need 'You~ hOvi deep the greed }'lm,',s to h,~;ve you. nec:\r me. I've never told you, but you must see UOH H'!D.ch my life depends on you., ::Jeforc 9 my loneliness 8'r81,'-'9 "]18 p2-in of baving no-one cut like a knife :2,ut my heritage made me hide my strife. 'rOJe8 you lonely, like me" i}'-',S it tbat I'lnicn dre", you to see If this cold, unfeeling being could And. 1,vould:1 -:')ith your gentle goading and teasing 8hoVl a glimmer of emotion? Your breezing Ilaughter and customs intrigue my senses? l:f1hey have broken dOVln the fences ::'::'i cJ.ine; my heart 'l~l:C'om the ldorld I long to be a part Of. J8JneS Kirk, I th8.nk you } i1or everything 'Honderful and nev!. fou hEl,vo hroue'ht me h2.ppiness beforo unknm·,rn -ic lifc" and a friend of my own.
118n I plotted Hi tb my menfolk 'i~o tJ:'8,P the ~.'[uman into n1e,rrie,ge It 'd:}.S to escape a fearful destiny. I h2.d no liking for wifehood to any P12"n 9
::::U-C it seemed to me this one c8,11ed Kirk .. 'ould be preferable to amy mate I ,:!oulcl finel arnong my Ol"m.
'J~:1~::;ll I discovered my mistake. I .h?.d violc:vted a true bond t :·IVE-m thoug;b UD1i Ti tting'J."y ~ n1el. my fear of a too Vlell--known future Has feeble Com~)ared to the guilt I felt because
I!l?,ni.pulations should come to this. T'or I never intended any harm r~·o the gentle man I 1;leel. :C only cr2-ved that freedom of choice
I did not hO,VB,.
Gene Delapeni8.
-)~- -" ."
I ldaS
,'\ f:'7lTI8J.l piece ()f myself P:r:'etendinb' to be \'Inole .h shell of loneliness };~l;ot8cting a flicker of pain.
~:r01d ••• I am (almost) whole. Your golden laughter CO'!l~:)<~,ssion, bright courag'e, ;,inds I delight joined in need :,:alf"])ond hints fulfillment, completion.
I need you. Could you ri sk so much, Overcome P2.st terrors 9
ChEmC8 hard-Hon gains J!'OT 811 unknoltTD. priz e';.'
I could learn to accept 9 rejoice in 9
~i~h8 ]<DoHledge that another - the "li/OlDan I·oves you, brings you the joy of a child. Lven my j e8,10usy h8..S Dot driven you 8},1ay.
You ha.ve brought so much happiness. :[!'oTgi ven so ~nany things ])one in lOVG 9 in necessity, }'ut still pccinful.
I bave:; ODe sure comfort l.;br you al'w.ys return to me. In tb.8 moment of your triumph ".'e 8,:::::'8 together ~ by your choice Conf::conting the \'forld 1:1i th our re8,li ty.
ElUTel:)' ODO day I sh~\ll h2.,ve my dreamg b:ue hand of your initiation,
~i.101 .. 1..cJ.1in{s" [u1d tou.ched, D eve:c' and al H?yS 9
:Pr),:('-ced fr01" me and yet a part of me. T need yo',J.. You 8,re my lif e.
D. Eooker
.!,m T ung:'C.Sl.teful ~ yearning :vo:-e yr-?t morc, tho fiD~d, Cift9 ·:~~z:ch8..Dge of self fOJ:' self')
y~)U h?..ve given me so rnuch9 PTeed me from hideous slave:ry Lnd t9.UCht ma to trust myself.
You nI'e ray si:1.,fety 9 my joy, COlllfo:ct and Hqrrnth, st:'.:'ongth Lz~::,inst even the SOU1'f'; ghosts.
r}-'ru.o oondmo,te - irrovoc2.hle. ,·,\")tal commituc:mt to life' s end~
'il1 I (,ver be 'Horthy'?
l). Booker
You have given me P08-C0 9 YonI' dark eyes SE::.H so clearly 1.'fhere mine ,,-Jere clouded by remembered pain.
fears prevented me from seeing the truth 9
lind my insecurities found me guilty. ~)Ut you are right; 1~;:hl·:; only crime is selfishnoss 9 '
i\l1d of th2,t I 2,m innocent. "llliura •• 01 thank you, ";,ren though I Hill never tell you "'hy.
Gene Dolapenia
A~IS !}.1-]".LJ:ill:Yllid
I Fraglnent Silent shriek of pain ])Umbsho\'1 of existence.
You Plaything' Victim of a madme.,n t s lust Clinging to shards of sanity.
o Hni ted Scars f?,cling 8,S journey ends S8fe harboured in each other's soul.
J). Booker
VAnIA~rIC'(;:: or A r:,lj.-UIZ.'I.1~ 7 ------------~--.---
"I·1ad2}Tl~ eEI,I!. you specify the n2,ture of the problem ·:.u Spack leaned f01'l:,r8.ro.
in the cOlnrnancl chcl.ir, focusing his attention on t.he \V8.vering image on the screen.
"Alas, Commodore 9 there is so much. to. Our equipment is Idea ring out .... but our most· urgent need is for a doctor. Ny husband's condi tiOD \olorsens by the
. hour, and ••• I;
. ilSorry,. ~LC'~ I've lost it.n Uhurafs hands flevr over her board. nr.-ehci:c ti'ansmi tter seems to be gi vingout. I'm having to boost their signal to the limit to,':m;.iinta5.n even this much contact. Try it nOvl, Sir •. "
ilCommodoreYIi help US;'1i ,
'I,he 'blurred image re-formed.,' "Thank the Gods! Can you
ur:Ty Chief 1':~edical Officer is standing 'by ~ and perhaps my Communications Officer em, be of assistance""
Itl;!e vlould "oe grateful. I!
HThe :::;nterpTise will reach your planet \·lithin· the hour. I Hill beam do\\'11 .~ " Spock hesi t.;\-ced. Across the link he sensed his bondmate' s amused reproof. .\}e si&thed resignedly. lIHy First Officer, Captain Kirk, \vill beam davID - ltli th your permission -.> to assess your situation and. prepare a re'port. Any assistance we caD rendeX' \\rill be given."
livre Hill ;:l,'i1ai t your arri val 9 Cormnodore. Forgi ve me, I must go - my husband calls. ii
The f3igY!8,1 fo.ded ag'ain. lfuura turned from her board. lIContact lost, siJ.-:'. ii
8-pock rOS8:. "Have'Dr. "r-"TcCoy meet us in the briefing room, y..ryiss Tjh"U::C8,.
Give him \<fh2~t information He hav8 9 tben join us "there. M:r: .. Sulu 9 you have the con. Captc.\in KLclc 9 ;:J, vJOrd with you. i1
Kir1( £'ollo\·red hin bondmate into the turbolift9 smiling slightly 2,8 he did so. Spoc:.< neve:::, sec-'me(l to lose that note of quiet satisfaction when acldrossin{.s' him as f Ce.ptain Kirk f. He h8.d lone; since forgotten his early jealouc..;y of his counterpart~ the title Has ~'';pock's gift to him, not an attempt to c:ceate a replacement fo:c his long-dead friend. --
:18 knc:\V "l}~at he "'as to Spocks once, during one of tll.eir melds, I{irk he.,d been shDl'ID a truth that had shaken him to the soul; if at 8. ,lord Spock could restore his former captain and lose his present companion, that l.Jord. 1tlolJ.ld not be spoken.
Graclll.eJ.ly, h8 bad become ••• not used to the thought; exact~y, but accepting of it, a reaction made possible because for him his Vulcan boncimate was the single mOGt important factor .1.n his life y his -loyalty tc .'Spoc·k far outw8j.gJ.l"ecl any commitrncnt he felt to fitarfleet or to F,.:1.rth.
f"J:he lift slov.red 9 stopped, and the doors slid open to admit tl/l0 crm<llT!embe:es. Assistant l;:-ngineer J'.!facI:eod murlYHJ.red an absent·-minded greeting, and immediately buried her nose in t~(]e sheaf of specifications she carried; Gary 1\IJitchell nodc:.ed respectfully to Spock, grinned broadly at Kirk, and settled dOlm to study his two seniors \'l:Lth all the tactful discretion of a child eyeing a jar of GI>leets.
There l'lgS no malice in the scrutiny, only' an intense curiosity. r:Pho for-mal announcement of the bonding bet'lNeen I{irk and fipock, occasioned by theLl:' joint promotion and subesqlJ.ent dependency postinG'9 had come as 'something of a surprise to the cre\'!. 9'hey had all knocm that their shy, pupulaJ.' First Officer nevel' became inlfolv8ct i.-lith any of the "lOmen on the ship \oTho ,made their interest, 'pl8,:Ln~
when he he,d let it be knoviD that he 'tlas bonded to a Vulcan they had all a.S8Uml.:~cl.
that his Hife ':i;:;'.8 ,1 member of Spack's family 9 an assumption apparently borne out by the closeness between the tHO men.
3
rr.lhc cl.ecJ.ar2:tion of the true state of affaiTs 9 made by Spock at rlis most impassive, ha.ci. fOT the most part produced. ODe of three reactions. The l1lajority of the 0::('8\-.[ had been surprised 9 slightly curiou8 9 had ';lished them well i:JU-c clearly cOIlfJidered their private lives Dot to b\.~ their business] the few same··, sex couples on l)oD.J:'d had been openly envioD:s of their legally recc,~~nisec1 St2,tUS M. a1 thou(~b. there ldere no reLrule,tions against homosexual liaisons, and :t'equests for dependency -postings on those Grounds '\'/8r8 treated sympathetically, it "\tras still not possible under Terran law for such couples to form a legal un.i0119 and a .felN· ~. a very few - of the Cr8v! \>18re openly disapproving.
Gar; Hi tcheU - typically, Kirk thought wryly - fell into none of those categories. He had not dared to say anythinG to Spock, but had waited fm, a moment ",!hen he 'das alone wi th Kirk to offer ;joking but since:ce congratulations and had immec\ie,toly passed on to outrageous speculations as to ".That form the ceremony had taken, and hovI they had spent vlhat he referred to slyly as thei~c honeymoon.
Despi. te his embarrassment 9 Kirk cQulcm t t help being amused. Gary rnight have learnGd reSpE~ct for his senior officers, but he certainly 1t!asn r t £I,bout to carry that :cGspect -Co extremes. ~Peasing \.'la8 as r.c,tul'o,l to hirn as breathing, the only difference nOl1 being that he had learned also Hhen to stop_ >J.e ,'ras still curious BXld i:creverent, but Kirk and Spock had \>Ton his loyalty 1 and he 'vas as fe:CVGl'!t in hi s support c,f the First Officer as he had once been in his domination of the ShY1 eager-to'-please young cadet.
Kirk rernembered one evening, not long after Spack 1 s announcement, v!he_n, passing tbrou~~h the shuttle bay 9 he had overheard 1"_:'i tchell in conversation 1..-1i th one of the n.co','! shuttle pilots, a man "'ho openly an.d loudly condemned the rela tioDsbip bot\'Teen the Ca}Jtain and the virst Officer.
BItts clL3?:,'Ust:i,ng!11 the man declared. ""Ide ought to lodge a complaint \·,ith Ste,rfleet. ,:
Hearne off it, J'ennings9" r'li tchell grinned. HYou've never com.plaiDed about Hal and 111om? o~c those t",!O gLcls in life science. J1
~fBut tbeii':y?e all lIuman,1( Jennings ar6'Ued. do \Ve knOl'! r-irk' G ,-,dlling'? You kno"'! \vhat they forcing the ].ilLest, mEl,king him submit. A r:uman
tlrrhe Commodore t s a Vulcan. HUId say about Vulcans - he could be and an alien - it's not !.1a.tuTc1,1.;:
Kirh: had slLi.vered, reme"0Jbering - as he rarE~ly did nOH - 8~ 'Vulcan ,<[hi) h<\d. raped his mind 8;od cody for his OHD 'pleasure, fo:rcing him into a life of se:rvi tude -l:ilJ8,t disgusted him, So vivid 'Vlas the memory th8,t T·'fitchel1's 12l1,,~~.ht8J:
stc·l,~('tled him.
r;~'ot :nntrc:'al, huh"~' EoV!. do you know what IS natural for Vulc8.DG? And the Commodore's hal f ?\.l,man., remernber - his motller \-JaS from ·Warth. And YOlJ.' ve only got to loo},: at C2,:rycrt-in Ktrk to see thn t he I s h~J.:ppy. I.eave them alone, 30.i:J)li:n{j'8
it's no !)l1SirleSf:3 of ours, anyvi2:Yo;i
1113u t [--lobi 11, the COT:lmodore and th e C8,ptain ••• Ii .J ennings ""as Ul1\'iilli.r.lS' to let the subject :cest. 1!'I;.Jhy should K.irk get preferential treatment just ·IJ8C8..UI3C he sleeps \·litb t.he CommodoI'e?1I
I\\I/ha t 1JJ.'eferen,tial trea tmen t,?l1
anger. iil"\}:'o KLck takes his share of Securi ty ~ -:-r'1 See jJ they tllink Kirk
!'IIi tcl1ell IS voice took on a note of' risks - more than his share. Just 8,buses his l)osition.
reg].
8,sk
HAnY\'!EW 1 \".Jh:·~,t do you \1ant to do'? Forbid married couples serving' together'," Ca,ptain April 1.~.-.~ his ylife uncler his command? so I 'vo heard, and Spevas of th.e .Potemkin ". his 1,d.fe is his Chief Nedicc,l Officer. Nobody accuses them of playing favourites :~·~·w~hy 8Bsume Spack does? Kirk I s the best First Officer"in-'tll,e }lleet, that \>10,8 s(?,id of hi.m even before be vias bonded, and nothing's changed. :::;1:0'8 damned good, 2.Dzl don't you forget it.1t
"lj18ncy 111m -,yourself J do you?" Jennings sneered.. p:cetty fp,ce C8,:'.] 112,,ve. You should tr; your luck ".Ti th
"Amazing the effect c'\ him ••• or maybe you alre8.(:'..Y
have. Yo",,). h:n8"iT him at the AcademY9 Ci.icln't you':'1i
"God, YOlJ.'ve got a filtJ1y mind!" I';itchell snorte(~. "not everyonel[J ~:'$
promiscuous 8,8 you are - Firk certainly iSD' t. And. if I did fancy him '" 1dhich I don 1 t -- J h<:l.,V8 the Bonse to kno ... , thr:-:.t fooling 8,l'ound Hi th a Vulcan's ·\JO!lC1.m8:ce
is the 8UrGet l'oute to a broken neck. Speaking of 1,lhich, that I s what you 'll get if Spock hears you talking like this - that is, if Kirk doesn't take you apart first. If you don't like the set-up, Jennings~ transfer off, that's my advice. You ;:[OD. It find many on the Enterprise ... ,ho'll agree itlith you - and even fewer \'Iho TIl listen to that kind of talk about the Captain and Pi:rst Officer. ,;
Kirk ll'(_'_C1. sm:L 1 eel_ a Ii ttle~ vlarmed by 11i tehell 's unexpectedly 8piri~'ced defence. Fl:1H:: mELD had not knO"VlD. he VIas there~ and could have taken the easy He.;;; of agreeing \,d-t;h Jennings9 instead he had gone out of his l,{ay to defend Kirk And Spock. Jii.s loyalty, once ,Ion, was real and dependable.
:NO\'f, :remembering that defence, Kirk's smile vIas \<laTIn as he shook his hC::2-cl in mild :r.8p~coof. T'!i tchell grinned broadly, ruefully acknowledging his eu~ciosity and apolog-ising for it.
The tu:rl)olift halted again~ and Kirk and Spack eme::cged, heading for the briefing room, fPhey \1ere the first arrivals, and Spack allo~'led himself to relax sli"lltly as the door closed behind them.
;;T!.erfl8.in behind after the briefings Jim91l the ·Vulcan requested. \ir(1hc_c8 may be ex tra saf og,"1.!.2.rds 1;1(2 can employ. Ii
\"1'11 \,![dt,;1 l<Lrk nodded, adding in 8..D. undertone as the door opened, ';You don t t thi:o.k I UG.Dt to say goodbye in the transporter room~ do you?"
FcCoy ceX"'\8 in, closely took theLL' -ol'>.:-:0s r·:.mnd the Spocl{'s sidC:";.
follo\<led by Uhura and Charlene l'~asters, table? and Kirk slid into his accustomed
i1j.,-TIat do 1;rc:: knolt! about this' planet?<J lt/as Spock' s first question.
'Tbe group p:hce 2,t
"Sensor :c-:nulings are uDcertain 9 Commodore," KiJ.'k replied crisply. ';'l l m not sure vlhethe:c the distorted readings D,re the result of a natural phenomenon, or if they bo;ve been deliberately caused - I I d suspect the former. There are encrFS:Y reaci._irw:s, but very loc8 1,ised, as if there's only one centre of popul8.tion on the "[)J.e,].'!,ut. In my judgemeD'~ ~ If d say itt s either 8, group of non~-·n[d:;i Vi:; life fo~cms 9 pe:r~'hD;ps 2" sma.ll colony 9 or the residue of an indigenous cuI tu:r:e L(l ,:;, state of d.ecl:Lr.lr~.;;
lif.Che,nl.<: YOl.J., CO-pte,in. Dr. FcCoy?"
iir:rhe distortion of the sensors hasn I t he1l)ed me i:1DY 9 \I the doctor repoJ:tecl, llbut my observ3,tions tend to confirm Captain Kirk's, 'J:he sentient life·~fo:rm reading'B are concentrated into a very small area'" a village 9 say - and I'm reasonably-:c'eT-Gc:..in tbat they 8,re humanoid. in more than just aPPo2...rance. ~',~ome of the I'eadin?:s 8,~ce strange, but lIve based my mediki t on a humanoid. strain uDtiJ I C':',D get rno:ce iDforr::ati.on on \·,hat .I'm dealing \,Jith."
\iTransIlor"t;er coordinates tally, Captain,1\ Charlene I"·ff:!)~itd:t'8 contrihrtted.. HTh8 eneJ'{)'y e..r:tci. life form readi.ngs corres-pond to the sourSe of the trnn:::j'!.i~5.8f:;:ion
Leorn P18:c(y(d,-u8,';
H~JO y01..~ heND any observations on the transmission 5 riss Uhura?1I S~poc~;: l:;u}::ned to the Corqrnunic[!,tions Officer.
IIl'rho r:U.Ld;o~ction of the sensor scans cloes not seem to be affe¢tine: cor:rlnun'~
icatioDs, Di.r. fJ1he interference there is certainly due to equipment fnili..G'C:, I foresee no c1ifficul ty in repairing the transmitter. Ii
HI S8C~, X-·'iis8 1' .... :a8ter8 9 Hill the distortion affect the use of the tJ.'8X.lS}.lO·:, ·,er?l;
;I}:O 9 sLc. It',ej safe to beam clown,;:
I'i\lr::_,-<y 1:f,(':11. C8,ptain~ you 'dill beam dOVln v.rith l\-'Iiss Uhura and Dr. }':TcCoy.
Tbis is prirnarily a medical emergency at this stage~ but while the Lieutetlo.nt is engaged in ~('epairing their transmi tter9 you may be able to l(;o.rn sO:Hethint.~
of tbe pL:~:(}et' fJ culture. stay in regular contact \'li th the Enterprise 9 and :nJss l'II£lsters 9 m::!..int2.in a fix on the In,nding party at all times. it
HThr:..t could be a problem, sir. I think 11le f 11 need communicator confirmation fOT safe beama-up. }{ow8ver 9 I should be able to keep track of their location.~'
liDo t.1J8 best you can. 11
Spack l'080, bringing the briefing to an end. out, Kirk C2).TIC to :perch on the edge of the table,
As the rest of the gTOUp filed eyeing his bondmate HryJy.
HI' J.1 take care 9 1: he prot1ised 9 forestalling the Vulcan t S Harning.
Spack smiled briefly. 8-bout this distortion. It F.uma.:.(}' s ternple. \'Hill you
III wish I coulc, believe that. Jim ••• 1 am cOnCerIJ8cl. ~ be natural ••• it may not.1i His hand lifted to the leave the bODd-link open? I Vfould feel ••• ee,sj,8T, soo;;
ill right?
DeVey.' close it off 9 11
You look ••• tired. n Kirk repli ed simply.
"'It ts nothing .... do not be concerned. And before you ash:, t'hy'1<="'9 r have already co:m:nJ,J.tecl Dr. HcCoy. T am merely a little 'run d01;m' as 11e puts it. If it ',iere 9,nytJ.1inC lEore serious 9 do you think he "'lOuld have left me in command'?;'
"I SU)rpose DOt..l! Kirk grinned. w>Ih8.t you need. is a good long le,?,ve. Perhaps <-lftcj:' this m:i.s~don ;'-18'11 get one. It's strange to think that our children aX'c) neo,rly a, year old 9 and vIe haven I t seen them yet ,II
"1:Iould you Hifoh to return to Vulcan'?" Spock asked idly.
Hi/Jell, I'd like to p;o home for a vlhile 9 but you kno\" 9 I'd really liko to visit T1a:cth n.gi3.in. It's been years since I've been there.!1
iI\}Te \,dLl. -(;8,lk of it later. n Spack rose, extending his hand in the f,'8st"U:t'e of affection he often llsed I'lith Kirk. ~ICotllG9 Dr. tTcCoy and r·'Iiss Uhura ,,!ill be \"ai tine_ ',',
rphey uc:lked together to the transporter :cood, and Spack \'latchecl as the thre8 fip;1.1reS sh:Lxnl.11ered and ';181.'e gone. He vras be;-:-ming almost as accom:~·ltshod a liar as Kirk, be thou.ght guiltily 9 and under much. the SalTIe circumstances .~
·~1hen it cgme to someone else's i>lelfare. He had spoken to I'/~cCo;y, but as a friencl 9
not as a doctol.'; gIld he could not bring himself to tell Kirk the real T82,80n •
. A.s tirne paDGec1. the half·~:formed bond 8,ched more and. more fo~c completion ... trw Command.er had 1dO-J_"ned. him it would be so should he ever bond. Kirk had offe:(,8ct the full bond .. nOTe:; than once 9 but Spock felt instinctiv(-~ly tl1at it 1;[,.'.13 not -.. y-e-'c
time to .C:'.lJ.ol:,r such a total commi trnent 0 J!'or his o\,m part he was ready M_ "(::0:('0
than re8,dy ~." but he still \-JondeTed if he had the riCht to permit himself Buch -.:~
final ;:mel ~\"hsolute hold on Kirk. The bond-to-dea th was a great deal foy.' tho Human to givc~, ~·!ht:m he bad al:!:'eady had so much stolen from him.
11cCc,y f s advice bad bf;en b:-cief and. sensible. liT,et Jim decide. 1I Kirk kl1cn-.r ~:,.,ll th~l.t ;,':aB involved 9 had conBidc-;red all the implicattons. If he offe:r0d -G}.10
full bond acain it l'lould be beccJ.use he l-ranted it.
Spock he.d 2,r(Teed. He would '!n-tit until Jim \,ras ready. bis bond.m,~,te bC-::2,\Tl c1.mvn yet again into an unknown si tU8.tion} though he kDC-I'! it to be, that they -were fully linked.
Dut 9 a8 he he His11od. 9
'4atd'"Jed illo{(icaJ.
"I8n't "thj.f;; beautiful ~ J)octor?1I Uhura glanced round appreci8,ti VE"~ly as "the L~nding :party r12."Gcci2.1isecl at the given coo:cdina"tes.
'IJVeJ·"Y here ••• it
nne}). so, n I\lcCoy nodded in agreement. c8:ctrdnly seems pe8.cefuJ..1I
iI f[!h ere I S an aura of "trctDquil1i ty
J\i1..'k ?'1[mcer1 sharply at hir:; tlll'O companions s- but made no comment. rphe cool marble hD,Ll. in \·.Jhinh they found. ther!lselvGs did indeed have a certain D,uf-d;ere
6
beauty, but to him it seemed cold., sterile. As for the tranquillity that had impressed xccCoy, he could not sense it; rather it seemed to him that there "Tas tension :L:o the e-tmosphere - no direct menace, but ••• something that raised the hairs on the b,~ck of his neck. Spock had told him that their repeated melds had sensi tisecl the lTuman 80 that he \</as far more aware then was usual of nuances in the atmospllsre, a8 though he picked up mental emanations from others wi thou·, really bcin::;· avm.re of it, but it VTaS an awareness of feeling and emotion, not of thought - he kne\>l instinctively if his companions were sad, happy, depressed or nervous, but not ,·rh8.t had caused those feelings. 1'his place produced in him a negative reaction, beautiful though it was, it was cold, \>lith no sense of life of joy about it. Automatically he raised his shields in an instinctive gesture of defence.
"Welcome to Platonius, star-travllers. I am Alexander, here to serve you.;o
A young man, dressed in a tunic and sandals vaguely reminiscent of IiBrth ' s ancient GnJ8Ce, appeared through the towering doors at the end of the room and came vmiddy tOI·Tards them. Uhura's eyes \>Iidened, and Kirk had to suppress an understanding' chuckle - Alexander was one of the handsomest humanoid males he had ever seen)) and Uhura obViously agreed with the assessment.
"'['hank you, Alexamder. I am captain James Kirk of the - "
Kirk's voi.ce faded 8.8 Alexander reached them, and for a moment he could not continue. r;ve~cything about the man seemed normal, even his unusual good looks being a m.::::ct(::r of degree 9 but to Kirk it ·Has as though all his mental alarms began ringing at once. He met the vdde blue eyes, and could Dot restrain a shudder ~. the c1er),::c depths of those eyes held an expression of shame and terro]:' that \{as oJ.1 too f2,miliar to him, for he had seen it in the mirror many times durinG the Y0!:'.rs of his possession by the Captai.n.
;; _. U.S.Sa >';~1terprise,1i he continued at last, after a pause that was in reali ty V8J.>y short. IlIV:ay I introduce my companions 9 Dr. Leonard lTcCoy and J1t. Uhura. I,
"You m,a nIl most \>Ielcome, but do not think me di.scourteous if I beg you to hurry. ]?a:-cn1on rr:C'Ol:18 vlOrse, an-l the Lady Philana bade me bring you to he:c at onC8. f1
"Do cto)":' ';>\; KiTh: was l,1illing to defer to Neeoy in a medioal emergency, 8':l1cl the pause gave hinl tilT\(~ to bring his sense of revulsion under control. rIe he,d no evidence th9,-C anything 'vas ldrong here9 only his OvID impressions, and he did not 'vant to "':lorry f)poc1.z: until he had some positive facts to offer.
Alexand."r led them along 8. "Tide corridor lined VTi th towering statues of pure ""hite marbleS! until they came to an ornate door that swung open as the party approached. Their guide ushered them in9 and bOvled"
liThe physician is here 9 my lady. II
;'j~r.lh8Xlk the Gods! You must help my husband 9 I beg you. I think he is dyj31i:.;,.H
It \ .. ,'as the l'lOman they had seen on the vie\vscreen, but as she rose and. came tOvlards tnGfi1 they sa,'! what the screen had hidden? beautiful, statelY9 \·rith em innate look of command, she VIas almost eight feet tall, and built in gTaceful proporti.on to her height. Beside her, Kirk, 11cCoy, Uhura and Alexander had the appearance of being midgets.
For '!,ffeeoy, this vJas a mere detail. III·1ay I examine your husband, l'iLe.'[wr";'; he asked,
"Of course. a '[nan lay tossing
Come Hi th me, ~i She led them through into another room~ \,rhoJ:::'8 in delirium on a bed. "This is Farm en , my husband..;;
~lcCoy c2.refully clre'T back the bedcover, and his scanner whirred 2.S ho p8.ssecl it over the bug'o frameo "Ho\>! long has he been like this':,'"
"FIe haD been ill for sever2~1 days nOv1 9 but the sickness gro\<Js worse. \/Ie can do nothinr;. ',:
face. leg. your
7
l1Dut it t 8 :Lncrodible! 1, l"'~cCoy straig}r~eDed wi th a look of disbelief on .his wYoUJ': husband· is gravely ill, but it E:lll stems from a simple cut oD biB
A CmJ.TS0 of 8,ntibiot~i_CB 'would have elea,red the infection in hours .. Surely doctorrJ .. "
\!~l'here are no doctors here 9 it philana ans'I,'[c::red. lI~rhere has been no illne~m on Platonius fox' eenturies, and any minor injuries we heal oUTselves. In Parmen's case, it Seen1.8 that the fever destroyed his control 9 and so he {Srew l"rorse. CO.Xl
you save h:i.m, J)octox·~j\:
is "I shol1.ld think
simila:c eDout:,;h to SO 9 11 JlfcCoy grunted 9 opening his mediki t. tlHis Human for this to 'Idork... Let's see g a larger
me-G2.1)olism dose, I think ••• lf
As TiicCoy l08,ned over his patient the man surged frantically on the bed. A f18.iling e.i."I!! caught the doctor, knocking him aside? and suddenly it seelDed t11a-c every lODGe object in the room l,'I0.S hurtling through the air to smC1.sh p"g-ainst the walls -. e\"01'~ a hea"T,Y stone bench lUl":'ched from its base to crash to the flooI'.
forvlard, to catch murmured. ',: ry.'h ere
understand - he thinks you w,an to harm him. II PhilQnc, cbrtecl th8 tossing head in her hands. 'lilt is I~ my husband,"( she is nothing to fear - this man \,lill help you. Let him aPJ):C'aoch. ,1
Slowly the storm subsided and Philana nodded to ]\'lcCoy. - it is 88):0 foX' you to apprcach him. 11
rfcCoy came f01:'\vard ldarily? but there 'was no further violent demons-G:catj.oD <II
!J:he bypo J:IirJsed ag'<?inst Pa-rmen' s shoulder, and the doctor sighed in relief.
iJ~!:hat should do it. Perhaps9 Iifa'am? 1,'18 should leave him to rest. He Hill sleep nOF fOT several hours? but <",hen he \"akes you will find him greatly improved. Can you a.rrange for someone to sit 1··Ji th him?"
lilJ:ha-c l,.ril1 Dot be necessary. 11 Philana. touched her forehead. ;'1 am ••• al'lare of my husband - I Hill knold "'",haD he wakes. Come, let me vlelcome YOl'o. p~copeI.'Jy to PIa tonius. :,
rrhey folJm.'red their hostess back into the other room, where ·hiO men cJ.rossed in long Tobes l,-,Te:ce l:Iai ting for them. rt1here "!''las no sien of Alexand.e:r. Phj.lb\na seated he:cseJf ern 2, th~('one-like chair and Havecl a hand 9 at her gesture ft tJ:'8,;Y of wine cupn rose from a table and floated across to hover before eacL in tu:cn.
Telek:Lnet;:i.c pO'ders? and possibly some form of telepathy, K.irk noted as 11 0 took 'One"' 'o:p"""-Lho~"C~UPB~~- It d bett8r-~;a tch m~;; ~t0P u:r:. til. I fill~ ,~~r:. ju::?_~. '::!~1~:?~:~, :~tlg.:~E E::'1E£.~~e, ~~~.9 ,~P.?: ,~·!!.1.E·,t. !l.~~:..il~-?'apa?jl~·t~.~_~ ~~~ .•
Fe TosJ.londoc1. courteously to PhiJana'8 formal speech of 1;/elcom0~ -eben Slililecl at ·her. "Is thG~cG any other "!,'lay in ldhich liTe CDll help you?!l he aslcecl. \l\'ou m01'"1.··· tioned 2v :p:roblcrn 'di th your communications c-;quipment .- Lt. Uhura has [1. gT(]gt dml1 of expeI'iC:l1ce in these matters, and she "1:.rill be only too pleased to do \"lh~;';l:; she can. ~1.lh8Yl if y( 1). ldish to let me inspect the rest of your equipment 9 I can prepare 2. :C~~~,1ort :foJ:' your Chief Rngineer as to vrha t further vlOrk is required. \l
1)1 .. 10 ';lould bo most grateful. Dionyd ,-,!ill conduct YOl!o round our settlernc.:~nt,;\ Philana incU.ce;t;ecl the younger man 9 "and Eraclitus will show the Lieute:nan-c OlJ.:i:'
communications centre. ;',
a'Pel'ha~pf; Y01) IIould begin at once 9 l"Iiss Uhura. tl As he spoke Ki:ck cau(,·.ht f/icCoy's eye (:i.Del glancod quickly at the 'Homan.
rpakine: -the hint.~ flceoy set dm·.Jll his Hine cup. "If you hav8 no objectioD9 Captain9 1111 go "1;lith Uhura. Look8 li1(8 you're going' to be busy for a Hhilo, and I dontt '".,I8.:nt to be too fB,r from my patient. tl
"Let rl.1.8 kD.0"1:[ if you need any further aSBistance, Niss Uhura 1 and repoJ~'t to rre Hhen you .(l8.VG finished. II Kirk 1,vatched as Fxacli tus escorted his COlDpcu1ions
out? then tn:r.TIocl to smile a,gain at Philana. i'I should report to the CommOdOJ:'8 9;; he said evenly" ::l:.fill you excuse me?"
"Of couY.'SG$ Captain. lI
Kirk pulled out bis communicator. 11Kirk to Enterprise."
H'~ t.erp:ci so . -. f)pock heTt;. 1\
Ii A v:ceJj-rnilv:.try l.'eport 9 Cormnodore. \'/e have no.n-do con-Gcw"G? and have been r.eceivecl. \.;i'\~b e;:.i:F;c"t courtesy.1f As he spoke, Kirk opened the tight channel of the bond-·Hnk fully, making sure that the rest of his mind \>las fully shielded. Fo knovlD -cele"J)c.!,thic race could monitor the bond--link, OJ:' even detact its use - he hoped that the Platonians could not? eitbor, but it Has a risk he had to take",
\I~rhe_t is vJel1, Ca-ptain. Fm'l is the ])octo~cls patient?iI
ilJ.'lcCoy has begun treatment 9 and expects 8, full recovery. Ii
III BJTl v1ef)'sed to bear it. ':That progress a:C'o you makin{.~ \,lith the technical 83~jistEmcc~?a
liLt. UhlE'8. 11.,,:.1.,8 begun work on the comr.mnice,-cions equip-ment, and I gm about to bc;::;in cOll1pilin,g my report on what furthe:c as!,:Jist8)1Ce is needed. 11
;n}hen you b.[1,V8 completed your report VlO ',·fiJl begin tall<s ,:ri th tl1e Platoni8,llS n,nd institute normal first conte,ct p:roceclures4' Please empbasise to them tJ.-:,.c1;l:; OlD:' assistance nOv1 iB lIDconditicmal, but they may Hish to kno\,! more of the :(i1ederatioD before \'1e leave.;;
,IVery \F:~11, Commodore. KiTk out. 11
IISpoek?11 IIJim, is sometbing vlrong"?/...'
I 111m not sure 9 Spack. I could be jumping at shado\<Js, but I don It tl1inL: so. Look, this is going to sound crazy 9
but is there any I'lay you can shi eld the Enterprise from any telekinetic inte:L'~' ference from the planet? And Cem you shield the cJ:'e" tr:m any telepathic influence?1 I
III C8.11 alter the frequency 0f tIl'?
hu11 shields, and take the ship out to maximum orbit. ~rhat 1",rill minirniso o.,ny telekinetic effects. Countering 'cele·· pathic influence directed gt.:;'a.i.nst t_ho ere'" "Iill be more difficult, but IceD shield them 9 for a time at 182.fd.;. ·f)O
you suspec t treachery Jim? 1/ I II 1m not ready to g'o th9;t fG..J:' ~
yet. But thE-;re I s definitely sorncthin:::. ~. wrong here. I can feel it. :ne cax'cful, Spook ,- and don't let anyone else ']eaiii dOl-m·1 I
I/Jim9 you must also take; cO,re. I·Yr. Kyle reports that he cannot i!lfd.ntc:dn 2. transporter fix on you~ and 8.J.tl10112.:11 I can monitor your posi tioD th:.c01..J.e-);rl -tIle bond, I cannot do it for YLiss TJln.n.:a O~'_'
for T'"icCoy. Also, the concent~t:'~~,t5_m.l
needec\ to shield the ereH "ill i'leaken my control of the bond""link. I sngc""t that you close it dmrn from yoUl:' enei., unless and until you need me~ J lid11 remain open to you so that no time iG lost in establishi.ng the lin!:./,
1/1'11 be carefu1 9 t ' hy'la.//
Kirk 1.'8.})12,Ced bis communicator and turned back to PhiJ.an2,. \11)oulc1_ it 1)8 convenient fOT me to begin 8,t once-"i'\\
IICf COU:'.'DG, C<:l.ptain. Dionyd, see that our guest h8.s whatever he requirGG. I Hill meJ-:e 8.:erc;.ngements for your accomodation 9 Captain Kirk ~ I hope you 8,lJ.d your cOfrl'panionf.:! \·d.ll be our f-suests. II
9
1,'lile' cl 1)(~ honoured 9 Y(a 'am. Ii Kirk bm·.red slightly GJ1l1. fol101.,red ])ionyd i'ro-m the room, um-::lin?;'ing his tricorder as be Hent.
!II don1t k:n(y\-,J' v!here to start,); the }lp,tontEl,D said as they headed dmn1 che c.orrido~c; ;:::,S t118y vl8.1ked he shortened his stride to accomodate the smal1e:.c Euman. \(2G::ch~) .. -Pfj in our generating station?li
a;Phc".:l; Hill (10, \I I{Jrk agreed.
As they continued on their "fray 9 several Platonians, both male and female, greeted t 1.J8m. Kirk noted that all ivere as tall as those be had already met .N by the standards of his society, Alexander ','[as indeed a midget. No\v he knoH, too, one of the things that had bothered him ""hen he had first beamed do"m .. the proportions of the buildings, the doors and decorations 1 were all on a saaIe sui table to bis hosts ~ \vhich had made him realise that something was odd, although he h2,(\ not realised that until nOH.
i1you~c lJ80ple aren't na ti ves of this planet, are yoU?11 he asked casually as he scannod the m;:J,chinery displayed to him~ noting thcl.t although it vTas alien in construction he ~12,S familiar 'vIi th its operatioD<I
:lVO. (}u.r ~Qeople came originally fr.'OTfl Sandara. l.~rhGn OUJ::' sun 1del1t nove" it was necess,),xy fOT us -to find Dev! homes, Earth Has one of the planets 'de consid~,~
ered~ but :rejected to 8,void. a clash VIi th its superstitious natives. During our survey, Pe,:C'Yncl1? ou~c leader. \Vas im-PTessed by the teachings of the "philoso})ller Plato; he detenninecl to found the pel'fect Platonic republic. 1;1e settled hecce almost a -C;tlOllSfl"t1d. ~,/ears ago ~ and our society has remained secret and IJ8aceful ever since. Unfo:ctunately, 'Ide did not take into account that although He 'Hore p8rfect~ our equ:Lpri10nt 1,.,10.,8 not:) as you knovl~ 'VTe no\'! ne(::d assistanc8 9 8131CB all our tecl1Ytical kno\'rledge has been forgotten - we depend totally on the tecbnology \'10 brought Hit}l us, but have lost the ability to maintain that technoloL-;Y.;;
IISUl'01y yGU~C ancestors made provision for eventual breakdo1tm?H KLck asked.
t;()UT ancestors'? Captain 9 He El,Te the original settlers. I Has •• ,let '(ne
ses, ... 1'i6 Hhen I left f)anda::ca~ and that, 0,8 I said, Has about a thouSELtlcl years ag'o. l.,l0 (?,re a perfect society - H8 do not age, vTe do not staf:~n8.te, POl' millenia our .'race bas been bred for intelligence 9 long~~vi ty 9 the mistake we made HaS to forget the;t; our 'lJachines <;'\Te not as advanced as He, fl
HAnd yet :yeu required a !~;ct()r,ll Kirk sa.id absently, concentrC'tting on 111.8 tric():'c.'dcl:' 8,8 he spoke. i1you have none of your 01,'fD. il
"~i:hey D.C,V() Tlot been nCE:d.ecl. Ol.l.l' eugenics programme gave us perfect honJ. th, but "'Tit}) no LLJ.nOEJ8 'de lost our resistanco to infection. Parmenls in,j'tu:y He,S the result of ~~, ~3cratc!') sl..:stainecl in a fall·,· a simple matter? but the iJ.'!.fection I-ras beyond. OiXL' 8oDt~('ol. Fo"" 1,'J8 reeJ.ise that 'tlO have nDed of - It Dionyc1 b:-('okc off suddenly, glf"ncing at Kirk, but seeing til() r:'Llffl,':Yl ap")arently absox'bed in t)c'" reading's of his t::cj.corder 9 11e re18'xed •
• iAI1 tJ.':i.s i:3 out of date~ but repairable?!! Kirk s2~icl thoup;htful1Y<l ';():f cou:rst::? on:',' ong<ine(~rs 1,1i11 need to ~'!lamJ.facture some of the::; I?'2plo'cement })C,,~:,ts ••• I'm sorry, 'i)Lonyrt~ you 'IJere: saying?"
"l'ict1.1:i..ll:::)' of irnportance, Captain, Have you finished hero?H
(;Yef:l, I 1,')[\V8 2-11 I need. It 1,.r:Lll take I1H] a little time to study tbese TE-::sul ts ", 1.s -the:('e some'dhere I can Hork?';
"AIJ.ol,-'[ nH.;-; -'co sbo1;.J you to your quarte:cs. Your companions will join YOl.). \'IlH.:11
they have i'i::,1ishecl.:;
IJ?be ~CnO~TlG to \>{}1ich Kirk \'1<:3..8 shoHn 'tlGre large and ornate 9 deco:catad in the same sE::mi~·cl2,ssicf.\l style as the rest of the buildings he had seen. ~Po bis reltef t}v.:; fl1.rn:LshiDC::S he,d been scaled d.o"l.D to Bui t Human dimensions. Ki.:c!.c ,,,ondG:ced '..1110 had, thought of it - not J?hiliJ.n8.~ he \'Tas sure.
~l'heJ.'0 ';i8,8 no sign of r;cCoy or Uhura~ so he settled dovm to prepare his report.
10
As he 'Ho}~ked paT-G of his mind. 1.'faS busy v.ritb tIle little he had learned. It '?9:u.:~:;~. simply be tb.at e.n enclosed society like:: tho pla:tonians I VIas l,'li3XY of strange:cs ~ even 1,-Then they C2X:18 to help? but that did not explain tile look of terror in Alexi".~mdeJ:'8 eyeS. .)Tad J'fJcCoy seen j_t':) l.18 'I;.JOnclered. (if COl1.::CS8 9 the doctor hgd been busy l;ritb. 111.8 pe,tient.
Once t.l8 had \'1OY.'l1 that look of terror? and t!.lere h3~d. been no-one to help hi.ill? vrhrd:;'8vc::r the rights and \·rrongs of Pla-conian society, no Elan should be compelled. to :l.:i.ve Hith that fear, and Kirl:e l s UHD experience rnade him cletm':iTline to do l.'rhe,·ceve:.:- he could to help, to bri.ng Alexander tbe coxufort he h(::tcl long-eel for, but .l12.cl not received ••• until Spack C8xne to him. f.rhe first thing "1:TE\S to find Ale~-;:o;,:!.de:r, tDJ.k to him alone, persuade the man that he VIas to be tr'lJ.sted •••
Kirk's "G.:wughts 'dere interrupted as l'ilcCoy and Uhura entered. Ee tu:cned \,Ji th a Br.'1iJ. 8. \;Fd., Bones. FOlN did it go, Uhura?H
rrhe H0Yl1fU1 slu.-ugged. ilI've patched 'up the equipment as best I G •. I.n, and \'!8
can communicate clearly \,ri th the EJ,1terprise no\-! 1 bt).t the Hhole console :eeally needs to be stripped dm·m and rebuilt .. It'll take me a oouple of days, but it really sb.ouJ.cl be done if the transmitter is to Hark prope~cly ~- I don't gUaT.'antee my repair for very long. \1
111 looked in on him just before I came back here. He's resting "1..,elJ., and making a :cerna:L"'kablE-J Tecavery. JiuJ. 9 I learned something Hhich could be interest·ing. I -Goo1{ J::eac1.ings from Parmen 9 and also from T0:'acli tus - wel1 9 I needed. the readings ::roC] a heal thy platoni2on to knoVl 'dhat the results should be. )loth of thern have r.-i, veTY high concentration of kironide in theiT bodies. Ii
i1Ki:conide l He broke off 8,8
'Hw .. t could be \olha, tis 8,ffecting the C:\ q1J.iet voice came from behind him.
sensor reading's. I l;Jondo}::' ••• 'if
'ii}0ccunD me~ Captain Kirk. Is there 8.nything you need? Are you comfo:rte.bl(~ here';')'
lI~rhiL;) J.~:; rine~ Alex8.Y1der." Kirk turned \-lith a reassuring smile.
'\11 '1.10..3 to tel} you that it \'lill soon be time for the evening n1Gal - you ·:3,Te
to dine ,,'j. th tbe L2/Jy PhilcU1cl.. a,Dd the PIa. toniEtns. lI His message deli vored, .l\II':;x·~
ander liD.{<~?~('i.::d. "If there is anything you need? you have only to ask,l\ he f~aid
vii th the 2,L(' of someone searching for a reason to remain.
Actin:f on ins-ci,nct, .Kirk sat dOl/In on one of the benches and smiled ,~(",::~in.
"I expect "':f0u':ce curiou;:) c .. bout us, Ii he said easi ly. II"\.Je clon' t mind. 8J1S1:!o:<'ing questions, you kncy\,!. 1\
Alexn .. .ndcr slJ.b,jected Kirk to a long, searching scrutiny ~ {ben tU!~Ded to [-)tTtdy jl,!cCoy and lJ11l1TE(,. ;lYou take it all so calmlY9 11 he sai.d at last.
"Take "'That cal'.nly'?·I' j{irk \"as ,?u7.,zled.
1;rrh<-~,t you a:ce freaks ••• midgets ••• like me. And yet your m8$ ter I!lUS-C t~cust
you 9 to 2JJ.0'.,! yo l1. to corne here."
ilFre~~ .. ks· j·."18,stOT? I clon' t understand... Alexander 9 do you mean b(.:;c::~:,use
He are sf!1eJ.J.e:r: than the platonians?H
"Of cOUJ"'so. Y01...l must "be deformed, like me - bu.t you don't seem to mind.. ,;
111:1181'13 8..~ec me.n.y raceD in the Federation,tt Kirk said. ":30me are as t8,11 as the Platonians, others are to us as VIe aTe to them. Size is no i.ndic9,t:i.zYo. of intelligenc8 '., tb.e 1disest man I ever heard of is an Andori2,D vrho \'fould sC8..rcely reach my 1;!~·:d3t. :13y ·the sto,ndaTds of hi.s OVln race 9 he is a midget ... bu·!; be is the tnost rc:v0J:,ec1. of his people. II
ill~ut P,"J~Ylen told me thD,t becm.lse I did not grol,'r ••• because my mind cann.o-c contain t.he gj.ft of poV.rer 9 I am useless 8. fool and a slave. U
11
iTrrhey I TG lying,;' Kirk said flatly. ;; And I carl prove it. Bones, SC8D
Al exander. Ii
l'lcCoy f<IDved f01:'Idard 9 .his tricorder whirring. I?!\ctually, your intelligence level is [t cou~!?le of points higher than Parmen f s, Ii he said 9 studying the 8c~C'een. "He h8,S ceTt(".1..j_l1 bra,inv[D,ve rat,terns tlla t you clon It. • • iJhat you said c.,bout -Po1.·,re:c -~ do YOl)o hn,ve -the telekinetic ability too?ft
IiNo 9 I don'toll
'''r)1en t.l18;G's it - the only difference."
til [;1,111 2,,8 intelligent as Parmen?1t Alexander sounded disbelieving.
IISlightly rEare so .... and a lot more intelligent than T:~racli tus~ I mig'ht adel. i~
At Feeoy I s noel the alien dre\{ a shuddering bro8.th. lIYet I am 8, fo011 foT. I believecl him." Fis face hardened ",itb resolution, and be turn'ed to lUrk, grasping the F::uma.n t 8 shoulders. nCaptain, you must leave 0 Take your people and return to your ship at once. H
HAre 'de-:. in d8j~\ge:c here?11 Kirk asl::::ed.
"11.0:('8 -C}'.l[;JD you knO'H. please s Captain 9 YOll must ••• n Alex':U1der broke off abruptly, his body stiffening. r:Phen 9 as though at some unspoken command, :J8
turned and. i-)eg8J1 to move jerkily towards the door.
"\.1hat •••. 'Ii :'-'icCoy started forv/ard 9 then he too sudde'nIy stiffe:necl and began to follo\'1 the alifmt Uhura opened her mouth as though to speak, then she 8..1 so 9 held tn sorne unseen control? began to mOVe vIi th tbe others.
Kirk 'dc:d;chec1. faT 2~ fev'! seconds in bm,dlderment, then he gasped alOUd as something' "touched his sensitive srIields 9 a mental command to g:o Hith his comp[m--'4 ions. Crut:r.'8)_~:ed~ he gathered his defences to resist, then instinct made hin: pause. His h8St defence vlOuld be in fact to pretend that he had no defence, to obey tbe comme.nds. Ira someone trained by Spock the compulsion "(tlas easy to break 9 tboug'h to l':TcCoy and UlnH.'a it must be irresistable5 he HQuld lea:cn jUfJt
hO\,I strorv' t}J8 J?lu:tonians \-IGre before he alloHed them to knold that he could dGfy them.
~f.1be decision occupied only eo ... split second. I,!i thout relaxing his shieldf;; be aJ.lol'lcd tho sense 0:': the command to reach him9 and. obc.:;yed it9 1ilalking' out in.to the co:cric1.o~c c\f3 thoug'h he \'Jas as deeply enthralled as th{~ ottwrs.
~.i:he cmnpu1sion 2·.round. tJ.":te ·,:iiJ.,J.lfJ ::',S they were. the TaOPi:
P2.nn(-::n, tbO'...t(l;h .':,!,
led thCEl into a large 1]8.11. I'rhe Pla tonians sat on 1)(-;,XJ.(;h8S t,bough TJI'8TJa-ring' to Hatch an entertainment -- and po~Ch~;tPD Philfmr.l, by his sids 9 Bat enthroned. on a dais at o_ne ond of Ii ttle p2.1e he seemed to have recovered fully :Crom tl1C7.
illness thc.d~ heel ·r.:,~..:'ostrat.ed him only iJ..- fm·J hours earlior.
A.s Yi!:"~;: beJ_-Ged beside his companions 9 Parmen t s ntten -Cion vIas ?,l~C'oE:'cly f5.xec1. on the co-1:l8x·iJ.1( .. ~ }'ilexander.
;;You tc,J.;.c too much~ slave. Are :you simply a or do Y01). E'lUCXl to betray those \-Iho gave you life'? out of the 1;{Q,Y I-,thile idO speak vIi th our. 0 .guests.;'
thoughtlesG 9
fTO matter;; cllatte:ci.ng fool, ille vJill keel) Y01..1
Par-G1eD 1:18,ved his hand negligGntly 9 and Alexander flew through the a:Ll.'~ to. hang as though pinned by unseen hands ag£',inst the far ''''2,11. !.Phe spects,cl() seemed to amuse the Pl8.tonians, for ParmEm had to call for silence and \Vnit fo~c
the laughter to dio d01'lD bofore he began to address the :Ehterprise officers.
~IDI'. J.\cCoy, He of Fla:conius Ovr8 you a debt lif e but for BY.wHing us trJat we are vulnerable. have cho s en you to remain 'wi th us. II
of gr2~ t itude ~ not only fOJ: my He must have a hoaler, EU1c1. I
r-IcCoy impossible
fr0 1,.mocl. "I am pleased to see you recoverecl, Pa:cmen, but it is fo:1:' me to rE;main here.;;
12
About to echo l'IcCoy I s refusal, Kirk r02"lised that he and Uhura were stj~:n being held 'by the compulsion that bad br01J.ght them here. He could have b:rokcD. it 88,sily, hut rC0rn8..ined silent fo:(' the momont.
aYon C2.i.1 t t keep me .here, 11 r·1cCoy said flatly. HOur ship 1,..,i11 not le,s1.ve yd. thant us. \',
\lAh, but it 1,·dJ.lt you See ••• Ij ParmeD broke off as a muffled explosion echoed tb.rou:~)'1 thc-; room. liA trifle early 9 but no matter. You are now dec.ct, J)octor~ you and your comp8Jlions. 'vIe sacrificed an unused building in a good cause. i:->oon 1 Hill contact your ship on our restored transmitter and in:fo~cYn
your.' COmll12-:n.CtG:!.' _. \"j.th every appearance of regret .- of the unfortunate explosion in ou~c enr:,i:(lCC;TiD:~.~' section that killed our most gallant saviours. ~rJ1(-:::ce ~'rill
be no bod.ies~ of COUY'se... Have no fear - your stay will be comfortable D.nd pleasant, ,',nd ~Gher8 ;dill be much for you to do. Although He need little medical attention, 8, healer may perhaps solve the curse of sterility that plagues us •••
liAs for your companions ••• n Parmen gazed thoug'htfully at I{j.rk and Ubura. ii'\''/e had iYlteDc1.eo. to keep only you, but when Commodore Spuck so obligine,ly sent us a male 2J.1d [" female, hOI>! could 'He 2'efuse such a handsome gift? As a Science Officer, Ce .. 'p·t~,:.~,:L:n 1(i:ck will bl::; of use to us ~ and from such a handsome couple HO
can breed f.'.. De,,! ~cace of servants Alexander is a fool, and bores us all.;;
"You 1r'8 crr1zyJ H l'-'fcCoy took a step f(rvlard, but came to an abrupt halt as Parmen held up his hand. l'\'Ihat makes you think I'll coopera,te? Or that J"irn D.nd Uhura itlill '~u
~l!T.lhey , ... rill cooperate becal . .lse they must? in the same way that they were forced to como b(~T8 n01;!. You \'/8 cannot coerce, for your mind must be freG to serve us, but they 1,vill be tbe hostages for your obedience. J)ionyd 9 show ouy.' friend. II
rrhe P:Le:tonis,l1 rOSe to his feet and moved fOl'v-rard? facing Uhu:ra. }:'o raised hi s hn.nd as thougb thro\ving something, 2nd from thin air 20 knife fln.shed pa£fC }1er hea:c1) to clc.'.tt;::Lc agniYl.st the w2,11 behind }10r. Another folloHed, and 8,not.~.18J·'9
faster than tIle eye could follo\'!? a rain of l8th:7~i steel that missed UhuJ:>2, by a hD,ir' s~wb:('(j:?,cUlh e2~ch time.
',"m101),(,;h.:; PE'"T'."ilC:Yl raised hif:3 hand again and. Dionyd returned to his ·.l}J.uce. 1"An effec·L:i:lt(~.: Cl.uc<1onst:cr..tion9 but perhaps a little ••• final9 if concentration sho"o.ld 1'!(3,veY:. It is possible? hOvJ8Ver? to inflict thG most severe -punisJ:H!lGll.t 'Ifri.th no J::L(::,:,:rn. i:Ic"t.c}I ag,c.\in. H
Ee nodded tOl'rD-l.'ds Kirk~ and inst2,ntly rt sheet of fire rOSe up rOllnc1. tbo Human I s fec~t, c;n:i:'olding him in flames. 11cCoy could feel tr.le heat from lil)l~;l-'O he stood 9 8,nc1. ;.':0 'd8;cched in horror as the slend.er figure waS alte:cnc-'J;Gely J::cVE-:;:<LGd and conc(-)aJed by the hungry flames. It h~.1,d to be an illus.io11 9 he told h:i..,.n8(J.f~ ranneD ldOlJ.ld D()t destroy ODe of bis vr:\luable host[lges merely as a dOrf]onn-GJ:\,:\ti{)l1 •••
And t!.1~)n Kirl.<: scree;mod.
i"stop it! ntop it? damn you.l ll j-ifcCoy cursed tho pO\'Jer that held llirn FrLiJ.:.I.. as he fm.1c,'ht tel e;o to his friend. }]o cOl.J.lcl see Uhura's eyes "'lide 1,.,rj.tb fJhock e,u she too str:'J:'ed Ln £tD,y,-uish n.t the tortured rDo,Yl.
";But of cou·.i:'so." ParrrGD H8,ved his h8.....nd 9 and instantly the fire died~ r.:LTk sank to his kn(~es~, sobbine;9 hugging himself as though against some unendurable; pgiD, but he H8B 1xnrna.:d::ed by the;: fire -~ not even l1is clothos Here scorcbo'l.
;;Co to }--;J,.1'll, ~i P';!,rmen s<:.'tid indulgontly. "Satisfy yourself that he is un1:tc,Tmed ~ 1)hysical1y. !.ehc.~ fla;mes 1"01.'0 an illusion, of course ~ the pain vJaG not. fpbGn think to yuuJ::i-:le1f, Doctor, ho\'! often such to:rmont can be repe,::'.ted "vitll0Ut ,~~,ny dam:.~.g'e to tho v:'Lctim. 'This and more is \'lhat your friends will suffer if 'you refuse me:. )'0.1:"1-:: 1;;
At 'cl,c co'1r:li.:..nd Kirk's hc.;:_~\cl ;jerkE:d up, e-nd he watched Parmen blco1l_kJy.
\lYon '-.,J:i.r::ll:·I_ to SC':'V8 rn.o? do you not? the Platonian asked smootbly.
,/
, ,
. ,
' ..
': "
"
.": ': ~ .' . .1. .. ::,
t
. ,
.,-,' , ~~;:':/ '.' .
~' . ~ , .
..?~{
Inst::1:<'·.1tly the golden head vTD,S b01:Jed. "I 0;1:1 your slave~ my lord t ;:he l.'rl.!i[~peTed.
I1Cor.1mand m8~ 2nd ~r \·vill ob(::y in all thing·s. ,.,
T·1cCoy t fj heart 8an1.<0 POI' a mOIYlent be had dcl1.'ed to hope that Kirk had somaho"·l mann.{S'ccl to resist PSJ:'rf"lenls contro19 kno1tling the man as he did 9 he had b(XJ.D Bure t.llat Ki:clc I;J r:i.:Lncl 1"fa8 his Oldn ••• but kno-Hing also '."That Kirk had suffered in "C.he past9 he Has 8,180 certain that Kirk could neve~e have submitted himself Hilling'ly to such a ges..Jeu:ce of humiliation.
".T1.etl.:nn to your quarters 9 1\ Parmen said. mPalk wi tn Alexander - he "\-·Jill be able to tell' you more of Hhat it means to defy me. I g'ive you this night, \trhile my friencls o,ud I celebrate my recovery, to consider ;,hat I have said to you. nut befoTe you go. _. t; He gestured, and their communicators and phasers slip'qcd from thci:c )),,]'t8 to float through the air 8,nd land at Parmen's feet. "It Hould not do for you to 8,ttempt to contact your ship, \'Iould L t? Go, and consider "That I b.aNe saicl.: i
Parme:n J:'o-cu:cned to his place, and as he did so the invisible supports boJ.d.·~
ing Alexand8:c l;le:ce removed~ the man crumpled heavily to the f100r 9 but 8,fter a moment he rOBe to b1.s feet end limped over.
"I,et me heJ.-!! you, II he \<lhispered as f.lcCoy feet. '·'~Come, le:Yc's g:et ont of here. 1i lIe put led her to "thG door. following rIc Coy and Kirk~ leadi.ng neJ:'t for l1is leg clearly was hurting.
lifted a trembling lUrk to his his arm round. Uhura t s sboulder gncl
he 1:18,S leaning on her 2~S much 8,8
As the he8;',;:] doo:c s\,rung closed behind theTIl 9 they could hear the light, mocking JaughtoT of the Platonians, and P<:trmen I s voice raised in a toast. ";~I:O
our nO\1 slaves, my friends: n
On the ::';:o.i;e=c;!rise~ Lt_ Pn.lmer turned Learn the Communications console. ;;(, transmission fTOI,] Plat0niu8 ~ sir. It 1 s KinE,' Parr-nOD. \I
,IOI,} ~J.l..1d.io, j",i out enant • ;, see tbat :101). l1E"'.VG recovered 9
Spack turnc,d to face t.he screen. sir 9 II }18 said formally.
til 8;,~! inc1.eed recovered 9 thanks to YOl.Lt'
nHo1tle'.re:r, I bJ:'trv;;' unh8.ppy nevrs 9 Commodore. doctor. 11 J?axrnen I s voice Your officers are dead~ ,I
rrhe:ce H2,S 2, s}}8.X'P intake of hreath from someone on the bridge 9 bu·c Spock only bO"lrrnd bir::: hOE.l,d over his steepled fingeTs. "nay I D,sk hOH9 sir 71l h0 saiLI. quietly.
1Ir.i:b.f';Y \1CY.'e i.ns}Jecting· ODe of our g(~nerating st;:;:ti.ons. T.he equipr.1Gnt \'1[\8
mOJ:8 da:rw;e·)::'OU8 tl1~"0n 1.'fe kneH - l:re have lost all our nndersto,nding of SUCll tb.ings._ rJ~he:C'e Was an explosion, _ 0 ',fa ... dere unable to recover the bodies.,
·';Commo(J.orc, I am desolate. 1;lilJ lo.n(~' bo 1.'GTrlembel'fJd and
c!:l .. n do ••• ~ .,;
r11hey came to aid us, and died in our 88TVico. hono-ured on Platonil1.s. If tb0re is anycliine; T
1ifJ:hCr::'0 if.) nO·Ghlng. I ask you to excuse me9 sir and "re n1uf~t ·l,10lLC'Yl cur dead. Ii
I must i.nform t.hu C:C8\·,' 9
;10:[' cOU~?f:,:e. I understand. v.[heYl you are ready to talk e.gCtin I \<lil1 be:; .he)~e.1<
l)almeJ:' Cl)."G the screen 8,8 the transmission ended 9 and 8vlUng round in her chair to G8-2;('; 0.1; the CommoclorG~ everyone on the bridge \'las looking in tl'G 88/:1e dirc.;cti.mJ.9 hu.-G o~:Jly Charlene HasteTs left her post ·to stand by the comrw.:.nc1. cho,i:·,:,.
l1r~iSf) j';·:·asts::cfJ, if you are (J.bout to express your sympathy or condolences, please d.o not. B ~Phe qui.et voice Has vory calm. IICaptain Kirk is alive.;; lJ.ry.1H
dark eyes Li.ft0cl to hOT trOlJ.blecl fac0 9 then p2.ssed on to Palmer, to Cbekov ,'rho had takon over Kirk's monitors, to Sulv. at the helm and ):~i tchell at navig'2.tiol1 and surely ·c.hoTe vrore tear.'s on more than one ff'\CC/:' He smiled slightly, und. Ifhen
1)
he spoke J.l:i.B voic() 148..8 filled \-ri th aSSUrr1.,DCC.
;': T~V'G~1::'Iy "I/v.lcan lG}o'lfs beyond. d.oubt the moment of [lis benehnate f B cJ.eath. I Ja:cmer.t says that he is dead .- and Parmen lies. I 1}[On(1.81.' ;,·!hy?H
:ISir ••• '.: Charlene hesitn;ted. lIyou can only 1')(: Su::ce of Captaj3.l Kirk. -i:.0J~;/c
about 1]hlJ.:(,2-. ":,Y).(1 }'i(CCoy',~;'
;;iJ.~(}e CE\-~d:;l-:t5.n aDd T are not in direct contact at the moment 9 but the <:1,1).];2,
of the li.nk is und.isturbed. jJc could not hide his grief from me if they '."r8T8
de2.d. Yj.sr:~ Y:.I,2:J3teJ".'s, you have the can. I v.rill be in my quarters. a Fe p<-),usec1., tl1en concoc:j.:nc tb.at the circurnstances alloltled and required 8Xl explanati(iD he ,,·rould not nori::8,11y have given, added shyly, !lIt is easiest for us to COrlT(ln.;.nicate in private. An soon as it is safe to do 80 9 the Captain will contact me ·Hitb an eY'.p12-11atioYl - I ;,vish to be ready to respond. n He paused age,in, then conti.l1v.ed 9
"I sensed youX' (;~cief faT the Ca}!tain, (1nd for me. lJ:bank you, my friends.',;
~f1he tu:.coolift door had closed l)ehind tbe 'J'ulcan befoTe Gary l\Ii ten ell ge;v8 an 2.IY~)recio;t;i"Ie chuckle. If Sounds like a handy thing~ that bond·-link." I~e
\"inkecl out.J'.'ag'colJ.sly e;t Lt. Palmer. 'ilJ3etter watch out? Caroline - you ftncl l0:1lU'8,
could find ym.rcselves out of a ,job if it catches on. 11
Del:LbeJ:'a,-cely, ){il:'\. hung back a little, allo\'li.ng "f.'leCoy and. Uhura to rnove ahee-tel ~~ .he;; sonsed that Alexaneler "JQuld talk more freely in a direct exchange, :cather tb8,1l to art audience.
apariHc:;:n said. you 1el exple,in I'fn£d:: it means to defy l.l.im, it he prompted.
/:,lex.:u1(1.er b.p."l tocl 9 studied Kirk for a moment~ then indicated a 10'\'1 doo~C' they ll/ere ,just pe,r..;;;:·!ing. lIf3hall 1ila go to ray rOOTn 9 CC1..ptain? He can -talk mcn.'G freeJ.y t1:18~ce • Ii
Kirk .n()(:.cl0(1.. ;'0:[' courS8. And Alexander - rny friends call me J:i.\'(l.:: Ee turned to call ·GO leCoy. 7'}!oDes, sec if Uhu:rIJ. t s aLL right. - I III be D,].on(;' 800D. Ii
NCCoy nod·:'I_cd and continued 8,long the co rricio:L' 9 Kirk 1:1atched him le~~_:ve,
then tu~cned to [olJ.OI" Alexande:r' through the dOOrHE-t.y.
~Phe :,_'00·('1 in ');.1ic11 he found b:L::JsE?lf 1;/2,S of normal Human _propo:ctioIH3 "~ ,;ve:,:l the furni-cu:ce bE' .. cl ;)0:cn scaled dO'I;,m. Ki.rk sighed liJi th relief as he s£,nk into ;.\ Cb(3,Lc. ";~:_11).8;1.;lfl "oet.-'c8~c,;1 be grin:nE:cl. "1 \"IE~S l)eginning to feol ovo:cvTbe~!+mccl.:;
J\lexf1nrlc:c nocl.cloc1.. Hri.1h8.:t'i3 1)artly 1,,!hy I decided to live horo$\:\ he: confosBoi..l. lir:Phe othm:'s :{v:)ve~(' come 1181'8 ~ it's too cramped for them. I built all t}JO i'u:cnitu:ce uys81f,:; he added proudly. 1fT (f),Y I offer you some l;Jine. 0 • .Jj;'l-!',': "
\i}';i() 1.1ino, tt.![.tl1ks, but (Jer11fl..pS some f:r.uit .:juicG 9 if yOlJ. have it"::
AlexD.:r~clC':c busied bili1f3elf at c), side: table, and returned holdiD{': t;-10 cur';::). Handing one to Ki}:l:::, bo sat d.oltfl1 opposite hiTlJ. I1rrr18Y d.rink 8. lot 1 nnel sOl,,(-;"Gip.lCS
they force me to boe.ome drunk 1;[i th the::1 9 GO I never-Touch alcohol 1tlr){~n Ilm OJ]
my oi,.-rYl.. \'I
K:LY.'1.c nocJ.cl\?Cl r:;:yrf:lpatheticalJ.y. ;'It's an lJnple8,sant fe01i.ng 9 isn't it: I'd. ox"" snd.eY.' 9 life ·'.:i8,Y no-c ll[J,ve ·much time~ BO 1'11 get :cight davID to hv.si.ness, PaY.'hG.l;. Emd tbe othO~(,8 , .. can they re8,d minds?':
':r'o, '" }.J.(-;:n::l,ndGI' rC'plic:c1 positively. nrnbey can con_trol people like Y()l1.. 2,:neT me, and. t:ncy (;~: .... n 11l()VC; objE:.'cts around pretty much 2.1; "l"i11 9 but they can.lt X'88/.I.
our thoug_h t; f3 • :,
;llJ:fr::r,,;C.lfi c, J:'8J .. :i.of, at any rate. 1I Yi:c'l<: sipped his jui.ce. If But Jlar1:;cJ1 kt181:[ you'd W2.~dlCd d(; ~ ;;
It ThG}:'t:; (;,:,:'(,; ·'llord.-t01'fJ 2.11 round the pa12,c8 9 relics of tbe old days. ()nly l'e,rmen k:0.C\'!f.-:': l'J.c;\1 to US8 tllGf!l -~ -cha·t; I s hOld he's hung onto pm'ler for so long. .:8
kno-v.'8 if r~,ny of ·C:.l0 others try to plot ag8..:i.nst him. I-tl~~ all right,:' }:}O e:..6.dec1, o bservin{; y:L:ck' G sll..clclen nervous glanc(-) at t.he Halls. 1i1J.1here aren t t £ill'Jr in 11 ore ..
1G
After 8,11 ~ \lho' cl plot 1"Ti tIl E:..?J" I'SO :i. t 18 I·liser to aSsumo thD,t a:nYHhe:re else He could be overhee,Td,;; ·f(j.J:'k
said, thouCht:f~J.lly. ilEmu)I that could 'complicate 1"natters... still, tell 'iile ';l.h,}.-G you can for nO i .'!. Fe.vo they al i:lays had these p'OltferS, for instance?"
III'o·c OJ:'j.gin2.11y, except in very rare cases, but vrhen they began thcLcprogramme of L;'onetic engineering' 9 thr::t.t I<las one of the characteristics t11Q.t 1,.'18,3 bred for, v.ntiJ. by tIle time of the destruction of Sandara it vIaS a universal talent. As you kno\'!, this group settled on rIa toni us. 11 t first they amused th0[:ls01 ves ·.plt',ying e,t setting up their so-called ideal state - Parrllen he,d \n;:;~de
a hobby of studying your planet t s ancient Greece.\!
It}\:O-C very Good at it~ l;Jas he'?1t Kirk grinned.
Alex.::~,nd0r stared as though Kirk had uttered rank heresy. ,Jim'? Parmen is aD acknoHledgecl expert ~~ It
"'):'\[0.,1 KiJ::1!: shook his head firrnly. nBe's a dabbler 9 that's all. Take tJ:lOse Stg-CU8S out tb.e~.~() .. ~ even a rank amateur knows tllat the Greeks fjc1..intecl their statues in vivid. colours - it's only tho fJ2.ssage of tiY!18 that has loft t}lOSQ survi ving ~q!eciL1~;ns as vrhi to. And no serious student would dream of setting up this pe:('ve:cs:Lon of PIn,to 1 s relRl.blic. \i
aso he c1.ocf.m I t knoH eV8r"jthing ••. H Alexande::c looked thoughtful, consl.de:ci:ng this n8' .. ! ide';]::-' '~iJS)'-t to get back to the history of Platonius 9 after a I<lhile Parmen decici.c<J to :LJ.1cx'ease the siz e of the colonY)l and they began a brooding p::cog:carrrrfle. It '.T2,8 a dic-laster. .'-!';\reTiJ child bOJ:'n \·las ••• like me); 1,<leak 9 uncle:cuized 9
sickly ~ .?l1cl vitb no tr(],c(~ of men :~al ab.i..:U. t"Jr. Parmen declared that he viOuld not pe:cmit SUGh l~gJil1GSS to exist in Ii.is perfect '",orIels Q,nd so all the c.hilch>(E.l Here ki1.1Gd~~. ~(fve often thoufj'ht that they Here the fortunate onGs.!1
"It t [j P2..Tn:{;JD ;:.J,nd the others \11110 8,r(~ uf~ly ," '.Kirk said \'li t11 quiet 8.Dc;e:c. ':~Cheir IJoclies [),:·:.'c p81.'fect, but their minds and l1cQrts are hideous. lance knm-r someone like thc:d;'- he vlf\S beautiful to look [t.t~ but 118 had no heart. llut _. if the }?lp,-Gu.n:l<: . .llf3 k:i.1101<.l all th(~ cbildren 9 Alexancler 9 how did you escape,,:"
°1 11;:\8 al101:Jsc1. to live ~. they W[ult()d a sample to study. ;\ specimen. -iD~:~c{)
time they tbcu:)"l.t tbcy td solved t11(; prob1em they'd try 8,gEt.i..n 9 and each tin:c t.~.'lC~T
fai.led. r:C1:}c ••• fD,ulty children 1:tere destT.oyocl. l\t 18,8t they simply 8torn.')(~cl. trying'. Pi::',::C1J1011 '\'T['~S going to get rid of me then, but re--.cacli tus perBuEl-doc1 ::dl:1 to keep r!l.e ••• fo~(· rny 'errtertainment v8.,lue t , 1'18 SEdJ.. T beC2,me Court .J8f:j-t;e::r~ f3(-:~CV;)J:lt9
tho butt of tlH:i:c Lmmou::e. I play tboir {';'8J:]OS9 (;1,nd I lof3e ••• oh yes 9 I lose.;' '1"e looked 8,-(; JU.:d-c, mis8T'Y in his (::)yes. ilAnd nO'd tllcy'll do tbat to you, W[."IJ::s ·.;TOU
tllcd.r sl;.-;,vG. .J '"(,1. sorry, Jim. If I'd 1..-!arned you 8,-[; once 9 you 'might !:!.il,VC 1')(':;(;]] able to oGCcn)c: ••• but I vIas too 8,fx'[;,j.d. rrhis is all I've knovm 9 all rw life:: •• , '1l11cro I s :0.0 OGC[;t"[!G f~com pg.rrn.en -- for [),ny of us. n
"Protect rno:;i J\lexal1de~c J.2.ll{!,'n.ed 1)itterly. 1Y1Y ]!C~,rC'~ntf3.~·
~:b.l~:-'-·O ;ifO)""J nn"LJ.1in5:; Kirk could think of to say. 1'.!:e had knou11 misery j_D h.-i.f::l OHX1 lifo, i.)\)."G e;t; Jeast the: Capt2,i.n had com8 to him as a st:raDe;er~ [d.s s}).yly··, offered Lcicmc1,;'3h.i::) had been used and bot:cayecl, but there x12.d bOOD no blooc1.·-tie betHeen t;-;.01.11. .rris w(;rnorios of his own parents, though feV! and ciistOJ.11; ~ \'lere filled ,<!ith '.18,:('[;1"(;1'1 and love. He tried to imo.gine hOI>! it must have been fOI: AlexandUT to onduJ.'e Buch torment at the hands of the veTy people 1:lho s.houJJ1. 1~e:v(;
cn,red fo~(' h:iJ!l~ 03.le:. J'78coilecl from the thought l,·ritr.l revulsion. A:t last r.lG rooJ.ised ·t;l:n:c Llex8..nder \'1<:18 still speaklng.
ijYou mu;;;t X'€H;}::::mber that I've nover seen any other people. I thougl2"\; 1:')cu:~nr:?n
HUS ri:g'l,t 9 tbat QV8ry01W Has liko him and thf,:; others 9 beautiful? clove:c \;'.:od cruol. I u~::nd to be e;J..'o.:toful tl1at they allo\oJed me to live at aLl9 morlstor t:cJ~.1:!; I \'<l[tSo •• and the;t 1 Has permitted to Serve th(;Hrl. It \'las only as I gr01.<f oldoT s· and. turDc~c1. to t}-;[;; old t2-pes for company 9 th8,t I learned to understand l<flat they
'Here reaI1y lik(~.
1I1fir:w p2.ssec1" n"ncl over the cGntl..J.riC:8 mucl'"! knowledge Has lost. ObS' it I s there in the olel :;?8cords? if you kno\-! Hb.8re to look for it 9 but J don't thi:w.k any of thGm eVGi.'.l :comember that, nOH, rrh8 Inn,chinery decayed, broke dovrn, and tb€y bege.n to S:Pf:2k of contacting other rC),ce8 to seek help, but they H0X'e afraid of 'That ',10ul'J ha1)pen to their private plaYGround, and so they did nothing. 'f'l18n PaTCHen bs,on.Dc ilJ., and Philana called for help. your ship answered. "\'fl1ile they 1,vai ted fcn~ 7101.1. to reach Platonius, Dionyd 8u;ggestecl this plan to obtain tl~le holp they "ranted and to avoid interference. l.,rnen you appeared as well, end "I'Ti."!;}} 8"
Homan of you:c O"1(7:n race, !~x8.cli tus 88,'1'! the chs,nce to breed. slaves? more victims for tl1eiT [;v:msement. ffhey C8..n me,ke you obey, as r do. l1
fI~Phey I,ron't. Hin, AlexElJ1der," Ki:ck said fiy:rnly. 11\'[e'11 r~et out of he:c;:~ ..... and you t 1J_ cone 'Hi tIl us. That 1 s a promise. I!
1Il1'h.a-c f n '1:TDa;(; 11m trying to rnake you understand 9 Jim w~ there is no 8GCCt").)C;.
Your shi}) is ss.,fc only because Parmen can t t break tbrough its shields, 2..:0(:. he can'·t; roaoh the "!"J15_l1ds of your cre;t! - perhaps it I s just too far o)lfay. ~r;ut the minute you::c Ccm11:[)OdoX'8 lov.rers the shields, Parmen ."rill Q'l.. ve the ship - he! 11 make it crash into t1:}O a:tmosphere, or take other people from her ••• he can do as he likes. 'Iijven if you could signal your comrades t they t d have to lower the shields to tal{o Y01). aboD,rd, 'Houlcln I t they? Unless you \'rant to soe more of your friends in tbis pos:Lt:Lon., you'd better hope tho.t they leave quicl-cly. After all, they tbink you t r(-~ de[t(:\..
;lAnd even i.f by some miracle you did escapo, ho\'! can I go I,d th you You fve seen onJ.::] 2" 2/:12,11 "Q\.l,rt of what :ra:cDoD }l~;"tS made me. Thc.:"!re's no place for me in your ,,!OrIel, JLn ••• noHheJ.'e to IUD -to ••• lI
Alcxendo}?ts voice faded and he bO~lled his head. 9 coveTing his face wit.h s.I.1al~ing
hands. Kirk basi tOoted ~ then moved to Gi t on the couch beside him9 slipping' his arm round tho slmnped Ghou1deJ.'s.
\I Al eX2J!do:r.:' , listen to me.;; dGf3:pisc yOl ..... fox' \·.[112,';:; you did to
Kirk'n voice 'das very quiet. "you tbink I 'el St8,Y a.live? I'vo done 'Horse ~ .. much "1;IOl~S8o"
IlYon .. ' fi).exander looked. UP9 his eyes 'vide l;Ji tb disbelief.
;':{es, mUG I 1.'ra8 young, shy 2nd ve~cy lonely~ I v.!8.S good at my (job, h:J."G I VIas nervous 'H.i.t>1. other pearle, had no friends. ~4hen friencls11ip I'ras offeTud to 11i.8 I rer'W[H;:( Oll:(; ro:r: it9 only to fi.ncJ. t.bat I'd. ~",uE:n t:d,cked. I spent ~/s'u;J::-:-', i:o tl1,) pm'10)::' of D .. s;.~,clist "1;,110 used my minel and body ror his pleasur'e 9 C()y".\"t~ ... 'clJinc; me as P[tI'TllE?:() co.'.!.t: 'ols you. rpr18D Commodore SY.lock found me 9 a.nd. freed me. ;."i () te .. v., ;:jXG m8~ }1clpocl me, until I 1;1a,S fit to be his comp;:;·mion. I 0\'10 him my lifc~ rv:!c!. 1:\::1 Gani ty ••• <:lDcl. f.l... c'.dbt I C2,l1 DeVer rep8-Y. You G[l.D be bQlpecl~ D,S I HD.S bel'pE:c1. ,. [:.nd you Hill be. '"
Aloxander i~rd.J.cd. s2,clly. til c<L~nof.:;t believe youS' ,Jim. ])ut you'll DOYO]::' /;'{':'G 8):fay frOl!1 ho)_"'o, so ••• ~i
He; bTolce 0:::':[' ;:),b:'Cvptly rmrJ S"(H'm1g' to bis feet9 his body rigid. he 88,id stiffly 1 forcing' the \voD .. ls out 0.8 h0 bn{!,'D,n to move to-wards b[!,V0 no choicD .. , 2,nd neither Hill YOu."
iiI GXl coJ 10d. ~ the cloo:::"o \;1
KLcl:: s.:\t for 2, mornent as tbe door closed behind j\lexanc.lc?r. I·Tu sr:oul\..:. g'C'.:'G
ba.ck to EcCoy u,nJ. lJhuJ:'2, c:.!-s quickly 8..8 possible 9 but fi:cs"t (18 \{{)uld. tu .. ko c\;Jv8.n.-Gs,ge of the -privC),cy 'he~ce to contact 8poc}~. He kne\'r that Dometimes his face :~c0v(J2<'le(~
his oHloti.ODS ""hun they COf:lmuni cat eel. through the bond. 9 and 'while h8 could -CoJ.u:L'ato FcCoy s8c;i:n::; him tl!.J~;n9 it ,'w .. s too p(Lrsona1 a thinp; to reveal even to someone 'J.r:j discrlJet 8JJ ·,n~l1}.:t'a. Leaning back in his seat he readied his m:i.nc1' 9 and tbcn opc;Y!ed t.he char:mc} of the bonel-link. .
As 1.'.0 'L'T2..,cl~e bis \'ray to his cabin, hurrying vlithoug seeming to hurry, S!)oc1~:
found hirnself :ceflecting on Vlbat he had said on the brid.ge. 'My friends f he bad
18
called them, and had felt no embarrassment at doing so. In the othe~c lmive:cs(? only Kirk and l'iicCoy had come close to being' friends - the crew of the ]~rd;8J~priGe had respected hiro, but there had been nOne of the very real affection and personal loyalty ho sensed from this ere1,-J. Jim had given him that" In reachinG out to t118 desperate young Human he he.d r(;leasecl a caring that had refused to be buried again: th8 crew had felt his concern for their "Ielfare, and responclecl t, it. He Honld never have the first Kirk's easy charm, but in his ol-m quiet \-Iay he had I-lOn tbe same respect from bis cre", tbat his dead friend had done.
:n had been surprisingly easy, too, to shaH an interest - no open displays of emotion or feeling, which would have been both painful and difficult \'lith anyone bnt .Jim, but a quiet Hord of appreciation, praise for a job well done, concerned [),dvice ",hen needed, had all ;ron a response that made so much easier that task I-li th Hhich, in the other universe, he had never felt oomfortable, the command of Kirk I s ship. Here he had moved slo;rly at first, so as not to create too great a contrast betHeen his methods and those of his sadistic connterpart, but he \-Ias confident no;r and snre that no-one remembered the cold, aloof ms,n who had once held the command.
Jim had tcmght him so much 1 had given him 80 much... Spock frowned as he let himself into his cabin and, activated the privacy lock. It seemed ••• selfish to "'ish for more. The longing for a full bond I-IaS almost a physical ache noVl, a nagging hun(£'er that usually waS eased by his brother's phYSical presence. ~llhif:J
partinG, \-lith its added hurd en of Horry for Jim's safety, made it much more difficult to bea:c.
SlO1.vly, Spock sank d01ilD to sit oross-legged before tho flickering flame of the fire shrine. He opened his mind fully, ready for his bondma te' s call, and quickly b:conght the need to reach out under" 'strict control - J"im must not sense that hung'e~(' in him, for the bond - if and Hhen it came - must come onl~/'from the Eumants need, not his.
~:hen, suddenly, Kirl< 'lt/as there, a l-.{arm presence. He clung to hi;:-, brother's mind in 8, quick, vrelcoming embrace.
Ilr 'by t la?// fJ.1here 'Has affectionate concern in Kirk's thought. //18 a11 \1ell Hith yon '/i
//A11 is \'Iell _. nOI-I,/ / Spock responded contentedly.
" ". " " ',; ..,. 'I' -,;
;"j'cCOY \<las alone ltlhen Kirk returned to the room they had been given. ;;~:'lhex:(-3 i s 1Thura'!'(( he asked anxiously 9 afraid that Parmen mir,'ht have summoned her.
t;Fixin{~ some food - we found 9, kitchen through there." l\,~cCoy ind.:i.catod ODe of the inner doors. "Someho;d Parmen got sidetracked on the dinner invit2..tioD9 remember. still, it seems '.>lolre not supposed to starve. As prisons go, ttd.;:~ one's pretty luxurlous 0 Ii
"Jt'n still a prison9~i Kirk commented. "HeY9 Hhat are you d.oing';';; J18 <.-~dded.
as HcCoy C[:J.,1!18 fOJ.:".,rard ,"i th his scanner a.t the ready.
I1JU;:\t mG,~-::inu; sure, after ths. t Ii ttle display of Parmen f s, 11 FcCoy {!;:'C'un "God. l1Hmm9 no phYf:rLcal damage. ~rhOL:.;e flames look.ed real enough to me. Ifoi.'! do you feel'~'11
1!I'u1 (lkay, but 'I;!Ould you mind taking another look at my ankle? It's e., hit sore after UH:d; t\·ri.st I gave it ,just before He beamed down. H Kirk [)"poke C2,8Ui},11y 9
but he h8J.0. l.1j .. g b:.:?8a:Vo 1 praying that !'i!.CCoy ",ouIdn I t ask him what he l:
19
bu't glVt;Yl tht.: existence of Parmen's monito:rs9 this 'Has the only ..,<lay to commun·~·
icate safely with l".IeCoy. As soon as he gained. entrance to his friend's mind hG took control oJ~ the fjpeech centrG 9 then m8.clo his presence known.
l/'lorW8' 1/ II . ," Jun,/.' ''!ithout
equivalent of a shout. the power of speech 1\!CCoy' s thought was the ment2~1 I I'Jha t'" goine on 'I I I
/ /SOX.'l~ J couldn't ask permission - Parmen has monitors allover this place and I don't '/I8Xlt him to kno\>! I can do this. I just wantecl to warn you to be careful Hh8.t you se.y, and. to tell you not to give up hope - 11e doesn't contToJ. me. I can block his command.s and sugb8stions, hut it's safer if he doesn't realise th2.t until I'm ready. Just try not to Horry too much, huh? Sorry, I've got to get out no\'! - I'm not really used to this.11
//Ji·~-!l ••• // At the anxiety in T'/loCoy's mind Kirk lingered reluctantly, reflecting a:':J he did so ho", unlike a contact with Spock this was. It V.'a8 a considerabJ.e GffoJ::'-t to leave his bondma te 1 s mind, but Nceoy, good friend tboll_e.:b he vlaS~ held n011e of the open welcome he was used to - tllough it might siDlply have been becau~je contact on this level it'las extremely limited, being more silent conversation than the exchange of tXlOught and feeling he shared with Spock.
\Jna'lT2.JCe of his friend's train of thought, rr:cCoy asked hesitantly, I II suppose YO'lJ. coulcln' t •• • contact Hhura like this? She I s as scared as I n:m, tJ:lOug'h she'll not Sh_OH it. If you could just reassure her ••• ?/ /
1/1'11 tJ:';'// Kirk promised. IIJust remember the mr'ni.tors, Bones, and. if you really need to 'talk' to me again like this, try to find some excuse for me to put my J.1DJlds 0n your [lead. NO\'i I really must go. / /
Yirk DJ.loy/cd. his hand to slip from TifcCoy' s head. As he did so the docto:c looked up and g:C'inned. 11ro damage., just a nasty wrench. ~rhe manipulation should hel.p, but let me knUH if it still troubles you.!! JJe rose~ and stretched. "\/onder vlhere Uhura f s got to with that food?1I
"Comin::; :ri;:-;ht up. n
a cold meed., IYU.t that's liS if on cue, UhuTa entered with a laden traJi. ',"It'n
probe,bly ;just as well - I don 't guarantee my coold_ng.;;
I~Loo\~s g:re:;,t to me 9 H l\},cCoy said appreciativel;y as Hhura set the trc\y OJ)1,'!D on a table (~nd joi.ned the men. "Eo1t! about you, ,Jim?"
111ThiG is fjJle 9 Uhu:cs,. rrhanks. Ii th8:b despit3 tl-u?; ,!;T2,CC of fear in hor
Kirk smiled at hE::r, noting with apPl'ov[l..l eyes, her v(lice was calm~ her bands stegdy.
TficCoy ~:1:nd "ljhul'D- c8,rriecl on an idle conversation as they ate. Kirk H8,S grateful fox' tb(~;l;., since it. gave him time to t.hink hOH best to reach UhUI.'~), ,·1,f3
l'flcCoy 112-(1. 2-8"1.((:;(1. He had ~~oDGiclered t:::;lling botb his companions about his 1:'8ce.nt contact \'I:U;i;"; ;-;-pock 9 bltt d.ecided ELf..:'c_inst it - should Par-nen become suspicious, and orde:r:- t}.I.e-·:.'l -Go tell him Vlh8,t thf;;Y kne\,r of any escape attempt~ they i:lOuJ.d no-c be able tu rofuse. He \'Jas sorL"J about thnt9 x'ealising that for all i'<1:cCoy knnH they \101:'(;; isol:xi.;ed here ~ tbe doctor \-1,:1..8 not aVIare that tho bond-link :OOl;!
fUDctiow.;·cl o;rG~C SJ.1j. T)nnto-planet dis tance.
It l:fc.\;~j going to be difficl11t, he r.eflected.. \,Ii thaut communiC2 .. tors, ''liicCoy and phure, could not; be located by the transporter, and l1lhile Spock could tr.?,ce him through tho bond··~link., i.t 1,vould be nec(;ssary for them [tIl to be tor.:;eth(:;D:' if all three 1:!e~ce to be rescued. All four, he corrected himself9 he 1:fould not leave l)ln.tonins i;lithout .!\lexancler.
~j1hen tb8l.'e VIas the problem of the :Enterprise. Parmen might not haVE' abO-n~' doned his intentiDn of ste:'1,ling other subjects from the ship. !'-lhile the transport",,,· coul.ci. oO:rIOally operate through the shields, the distortion caused by the ld.J?o:n:Lde made that ,';:1 haz,aJxlous gamble;; yet if the shields were J.o'.'rc:cc'cl., tl1eir protection Has lost.
Ki::ck siglled. It looked as though he'd have to playa \\TEdting garne~ 8,nd t:cy to pick his momGnt to move. Gpock -vIas fully alert 9 and ready for his sigrm,l ~
20
but Kirk hoped he idould not have to 1:Jai t too long9 he 1,vas already concerned about his bondmate's health, and this additional strain must be affecting him, even thougb he denied it.
Seeing that the others had finished eating', Kirk rose. IILooks like you've got Im~ded \-l.i.th the 1.t.ffl-shing up. Bones. Care for a \'Talk, Uhura? He haven't seen the garden yet.;;
Tlhu:ra glanced up, surprised at Kirk's sugGestion, but she quickly realised that he had his reasons. She took his hand as she rose. "That'll be nice, Jim. 1<:racli tus told. me they're lit to be beautiful by night as well as by day."
Kirk took her arm as they walked out into the garden. "'i'he generators are on their last legs," he remarked, nodding tOHards the ornamental lights. "It shouldn I t take 1..1.8 long to overhaul them, though. II
I1You're resigned to staying here, Jim?"
n"\de I d bette]::' face it, Uhura, we may not have Enterprise is concerned 9 we 're cr.-ad, and Spock is looking for bodies that 've been blown to pieces. Hould it·"
any choice. As far as the too practical to Haste time It \Vouldn It be logical - 1101'[9
Uhura ghnced at him uncertainly. \'Tas that a hint',' Spack had already shown himself to 1;;8 anything but logical "Ihere his hondmate's welfare ;las concerned. ;':{ou think we should cooperate with Parmen?" she asked.
!lIt does seem tho sensibL.:; thing to do. l/fe knolt! he can make us obey wha t f s the point in suffering for no thing? It I S no use fighting ""heD you kno\', you can't '\'lin." He paused br.:side a recessed seat, and slipped an arm round hEn_' vlaist. :II,et's sit d.O\'fD for a moment. Ii
UhuI'Cl. nodded to herself as she Hent Vii th him. Jim Vias trying to tell her sometbing. ~)hl;)td knO\'ID tll_at a passive acceptance was not typical of the young First Officer she h2,d lea.rned to respect.
Ale~ctecl "oy tbat~ she sum'led no surprise when he dr8\.'l her close, and bent his head to kiss her. Her arms slid round his neck, holding him in a cloz.e embrace. If proof vlere needed, this was it - Jim rarely touch8d any of his companions, he never made advances to any mem:)t.:~r of the Cr8'I:T, and absolutely would not behave like this in such a hazardous situation ••• unless of course he "las heing controlled •••
·~~:ven [:\.s the thought occurred to her, sbn felt the touch of Kirk's mind. Iluhurn.QII
II.Jim·': \'!hat. 0 .11 Her lips trapped by his kisn, she could only formulate the thought.
III EtSK forgiveness, I I he said fonnally. //Under the circumstances it Has im-possible to ask consento h'OVl attend, for I have little time. Parmen does !.10t control me. IJ'berets got to be a vray out of this, and I'll find it somehm·'T. J·ust bo careful I'lhen you say - this vlhole place is hugged. If you need to I "be,lk I to me 9 get me (;1,10ne and ••• and •• • 1/
I I And \(is" you? Ii Uhura chuckled.
Kirk l-IaB aIre8.d.y withdrawIng his mind, but he caught her final thought. Ilrrhat'11 be no hardship. 1/ He drevr hack 9 looking dOv/n into her face 9 fecline: slightly dizzy 'xc the realisation that he had enjoyed kissing Uhm:a. (lnconscionsly his arms tigl1tened, pulling he~[' soft i,varmth even closer, colouring as 11,:) felt thG first flush of arousal. random thoug'hts tumbled through his mind; ,··tit}:, 1.1avara he ho,d loa:-cned that ho could function 88 a normal male; Uhura bad mOTe tho.n once incLicated discreetly that if he was interested, she ,ras "Iilling: despite tho monitors they could h2.ve privacy - Alexander vlouldn' t mind thew using his rom'!;: it would be ••• pleasant to make love to Uhur8.. 1 and she vlOuld seek no commitm(')nt from him9 it \vould be fun to make love vr:i:th a willing~ responsive partno:-c - 8nd he \<lould prove himself fully a mAn at last •••
21
}{is thong'hts came to ~tn abrupt halt. No commi hnent':-' But he had already made one -~ his -~)oncling vow to f3pock. ~Phe Vulcan Vlould never holel him to his
VOvl of fidGlity~ but he had made it9 meaning every "'lord. ~.:lith ~ravara ho bad not kno>m wh20t he Has doing, was his \;ordworth so little that he ,;ould break a solemn VOVI at the first temptation? spock might not demand fidelity of him, but he demanded it of himself. He .,vaB Spock' s bondma te? they had never shared a physical relationship, 'and the Vulcan's impotence ensured that they never ,;ould, but he ,/Ould not dishonour his mate. It VIas all so simple that he almost chuckled, - he didn't Vl8,nt to. He could have affairs if he ;rished, but to protect his privacy Spock would ;ri thdra,r a little. It just wasn't worth it.
Kirk smiled faintly and stood, pulling Uhura to her feet. "Let's get back and see ho\>! :Gones is getting on," ht1 said cheerfully.
UhU:C'?'9 sensing that her chance had como and gone~ Gave a faint sigh of accept8nc(~. ~)hG had been avIare of Kirk's arousal, and had vlOndered ••• ])isappointed, but not really surprised, she grinned back at Kirk. "I don't knoer about you, but :c could use some sleep," she said.
The follo1:,ixlg: m01.'ning, none of the Platonians ce,mG Dear them - perhaps they Here -being given a chance to consider Farmen's warning. Kirk decided. to use the time to learn as much as he could of the state of the Platonians I tech·· nology - the kno,dodge would prove useful whichever vray things turned out., He departed after <)reakfast, taking Uhura ,;i th him; !;cCoy elected to remain behind to begin a preliminary study of the readings he had taken of Parmen 9 Phi12,na and the others.
Eo-one hindered th oir Hork, al thou@;h Kirk became aVlare that ])ionyd. began to shadm'J tbem 8,t a discreet distance, intervening only to shepherd them caro"' fully mray from the communications centre. He made no attempt to interfere wi th their US8 of the tricorders, from wbich Kirk deduced that the Platonie.n \'las av/are of their function.
'rhey "lore so absorbed in their t8,8k that it Vias early afternoon before Kh'k turned to "DhuTa Hith a grin of apology.
"So:c::cy - you must be ready for something to drink. Let's go back and ~hav(;:
lunch -vJith :[:)one8 ~" \18 can fini$h this later. n
JVicCoy l;1C'oS pacing the room anxiously. Fe s1.>n.J.ng round as they came in. "Jiml T!1ex,k Codl I dicitl't know vrhere you'd gone, Dnd none of these people would tell me. ',I
(Poo 1Xf)f)(::-t to consider tht] effect of' his vJOrds 9 or to attempt to sof-(;C'D tJ!o blo\1, T·:cCoy blurted out, lI1f you were honing' for any last-minute reSCUE) from the 'EnteT~o:ciG(;, fOT'{3,"et it. ;.31-10' 8 (tone. II
"No~ I dontt believe it!f1 F.Lck 88,t davID heavily on the: couch, Dta~cin[(
at the doctor.
\lIt's trLl.e. I SCl.'t! Spock myself."
"You 8[\,\'1 hi.m"~ But • •• it
1'Ahout an bOUT after you left9 PC1.rmen callf~d me. S·pock vIas already on screen. ;,'0 told J:'2.:cmen the Tihterprise had been urgently called 8,vray - some sort of emergency. Pe.xmen asked if he'd be back, and Spack said no - theytd a.lroo,dy transmi ttod fu1l details of the Federa tioD, and if the pla tonians ever ',.rgntocl to talk about ;joining, they could contact the l"ederation Council direct. An ambassado~!:> "Hould be sent, but it would probably be 80me other ship. I tri.0d ~~G hard as I could to call out, to let Spock knmr I vras there, but Parmen had. me frozen. I'm. so:cry, Jim.1I
"'i'ho:ce Has nothing you could have dono,' Kirk said clully. Ee buried bis face in his h~\nds. nYOlJ_' 1'8 sure she 1 8 goner,)"
22
"I "ratohed her leave. The Platonians' sensors aren't all that powerful, but they Here able to track her out of orbit."
l1Anything else? HOlt! \'las Spock?'1t
FoCoy considered lying, but knevr Kirk \'iOuld not believe him. "He looked like hell, ", he s8"id frankly. "Even Parmen noticed it - he asked me why, later couldn't und,erstand why a commander shOll} d be so distressed by the deaths of three underlings. I'm afraid I told him that you ',rere Spock' s adopted brother."
"I understand." Kirk realised that by telling part of the truth, i1cCoy had managed to hide 2, more valuable secret, that of th e bond-link.
iiSO Hbat hn..ppens now?H [ileCoy asked.
nNo',,? j~:othing. \I
m2,ke the best of it. Kirk laughed bitterly. 11 Parm en , s ',jon.
1;Ielcome to slavery, Bones." All Vie can do is
]VicCoy shook his head doubtfully. This ,raS not the Kirk he had come to 1mo'"" but i t .::r:c~, he suddenly realised, the passive, obedient Kirk of a few years ago. l'erhaps it 'daS only the shock ••• maybe vrhen he had absorbed the full implications of the departu:ce of the Enterprise, his courage and obstinacy vrould return •••
llemembering '.'That Kirk had F'aid the previous day, if:cC:oy 1mel t dovln. "Let me have a look at that ankle again," he said gruffly. "It certainly vron't help if you lame yours elf. "
Unde:rstancling what l'lcc:oy I'ranted, Lirk rested his hand on the doctor's he3,cl and opened his mind. Unus9d to mental contact, his friend VIaS already in full flov! •
/ / ••• can't g:L ve up yet - there must be something VIe can do I I knoH you were relying on the bond; if Spock had beamed dovrn you might have been able to reach him. :nut 1,oJe've got to fend for ourselves nOVI. He really does believe you dead. \'Te'lJ. make it? Jim - somehovT. Just don't give up."
Kirk fought down the longing' to reassure his friend. r,TcCoy had managed. to avoid mention of the bond by mere chance - in response to a direct question he might betray it, and it I'las better to aSsume that Farm en would unders-t2oncl the meaning of f3uch a link. "Detter for Neeoy to suffer a fev! hours of uncertainty, cather than 8.110\'1 him to betray th(~ir one hope •••
//1'11 b:'y, }Iones,// he began, then suddenly exclaimed. aloud, ''','./he:ce's Uhura?"
"l<Ihe,t :;; were talking. room 9 only to
.r/:cCoy sprang to his feet. "Parmen must have called her Hhile I:W
Come on, Jim - "le've got to find her • •• " He started across the stojl short as though he had hit an invisible barrier.
Hvlhgt I S HI'OD[..(?H Kirk folloltfed, and \<las careful to halt at the same distance.
"A barrier -.' looks like they don't \1ant us to find her. l1
illJ:t1ere I s no Use fighting them - I told you. IT Kirl( allo\·led his shoulders to slump. ;'~';ones, I'm sure they I'ron't harm her - she's too vah:able to them."
111 hope yOU t T8 rigbt911 f'~CCOy grunted as he allowed Kirk to lead him bp,ck into th(:; Tomil. "I sure hope you're right. l1
For. sev::n:'o..l hours the two men remained imprisoned in their. quarters 9 8-'J,ch alone wi -[;11 his thoughts. Y'icCoy 9 despite his encouragement of Kirk 9 viaS almos-G in despair. Ffo bad been relying so much on the bond-link between his friends, h9,d been so certain th8"t Spock would knOI< thB"t Kirk HaS still alive ••• but that hope VIas gone Hith the I~nterprise - she would not return, had no reason to, E:.:od there would be no miraculous rescue this time. His heart ached fOT Kirk? rescued once from 0, life of degradation, and ahout to face once more the whims of a tyrant? it v'{oY.'ried him that Kirk seemed so pas~;ive7 as though hlreC1dy J:'GSigDecl to his fate, and he feared for his gentle friend t s sanity.
23
Kirk 1:-18)3 8}iJa:re Df 1',TcCoy' s mood and longed to reassure him, but did not dare. r.l'heir one hope vIas his link ""ith ~~pock - that9 he r.1US't conceal from Parmen Hhc~tever the cost. T-.l8 was certain9 as he had said? that Uhura W2.,S safe -she "'as far too v8.1uable to the Platonians for them to risk harming her - ancl thi.s s(lparation ",as probp,"'lly only intended to play on their nerves, make them more vulne:cable. POI' her sake 9 as well as rr:'cCoy t s 9 he wished he could end this fiasco nOH, but he dar~'d not act until Spock vias ready.
A t last the uneasy Bil~~nce -V!as broken as r1cCoy got slo\>lly to his feet. if Jim • • ,II h8 said un.steadily.
ayes ••• ::
I1You 1d better go - don't try and fight it,"
Hith g dospairin€; look at his friend, Neeoy felt himself dra\·m from tho rOOln o
~r.he summons faded as he entered a room surrounded on three sides by raised alcoves x'(.;senibling boxes at a theatre. They were empty as he hal ted in the centre of the floor, but gradually filled up Hith laughing, chattering Platonians.
After lilha"t seemed an eternity, Parmen and Philana entered, to take tbeir seats on 8. raised cl8,is at one end of the room. Parlnen bOHed to him mockingly.
liGreetings, Healer. Soon the entertainment begins. Viill you not vle1come our leadine: fiBl1',·',',
. All eyes Hero fixed on the doorHay behind him. Ncnoy turned reluctantly, his eyes Hideninr:,' as Kirk came slov,ly into th(-? room.
He v
24
in dusgust.
A1exander rose slowly to his feet. 111 Horshipred you,n he said qv.ietlY9 1Iyou W8TC t")2o..utifu1 9 and vlis8, and powe:cful •.• 1 was not 1tlOrthy to livr:-:' amon:~'
you. It ',.,ras enough for me to be allo\\red to servo you. But DO\'! I see you for what you ,s-J:'G, .g,nd I am ashamed that there is any part of you in me. ·l~:OW caD you ••• 1;
Alexander's Hords died into a choking moan as his body oonvulsed, tVlisting in agony~ 'drithing to the movement of Philanrt's hand. Kirk, sensing th8.t his control hc,d boen relaxed for the moment, rushed fOri-lard to catch the swaying figure in his 8-1?lUS. As soon as he touched the PIa tonian he felt the Haves of pain searing through his OVID flesh, and bit be,ck a cry of agony.
ul:olcl on, ,; he murmurecl, blocking as best he could for hoth of them. "Fold on 9 Al exa~lcl er: \;
"Enough!;; J?armen 9 -who had "Philana, do not be too hasty. let us enjoy the entertainment.
been watching with interest, It is true they have much to
To your places, slaves I"
took control. again. learn~ but fiL'st
As he:: spoke, l'1cCoy \'laS draHTI away to the stool Parmen had originally indicated., Alexc.nder to an empty seat at the side of the room. A harp floated through th e ;:.dJ:' into :his hands 9 and he began to play it 9 a slow? haunting tune that remincioci, Kirk so vividly of Spack that his longing for his bondma'ce found expression in 8D urgent, irresistable mental cry that produced an instant response.
I II gm h ore, t' hy , 1a. I I //f)T)Ock., I'lY]
mean to do th2;t;. sorry./ I Kirk I s thought l,oJas tinged with It's just ... these people are vilf3l1 I
guilt. 1/1 cliclT! t t
IIHave you changed your mind? ,Tim? You have only to call me ,,,,hen you are all togetheT, and J Hill beam you up.l/
I I~)o, / I Kirl( replied slol;1y. think I could live with myself if
1/\-10'11 give Vie didn't.11
them their chance - J don't
I II lcnoi;J.// r.rhe affection in Spack IS mind shaded into detGrmination. //1 require (2, FeH more minutes, Jim? but I vlill be ready "'lhen you summon me. Lef:l,.Ve the link op c;;n , and al10H Parmen to direct your actions as much as you think safe. r?h:cough YOUT mind I can judge the strength of hi.s, and make the f:Lnal adjustme:nts. /,:
//1 Hill,// Kirk promised. //Spocl<? are you sure youtre 2tll right(' You feel •.• cliff erent. / /
/ /1 8/i ] Hl8:cely a little tired,// Spock reassured his bondmate.
Ilok"", I'll ",-"cept that for to have a tc-;,]J:;.9// Kirk told him. something 18 ab(}~,"t to happen" //
DCH"9 but Hhen this is over you a~nd Th en he ad.rled u:cgently, 1/8ack off
I 8..J.:'0
:f o:c :nOl/!
l)armel"! he,d :risen to 3,cldres8 tbe Platonians. "1'1y friends 9 our com·Day;~J' is not yet com~qlGtGo IJet us ;,,,eleome tlle motber of our ne\'! race of servgnts.;i 1\8 he spoke i-:](~ ind:i.catecl the arched cloor\'Jay? and the 1,IlOman \vho had just c::cosse0. t118 threshold"
UhuI'<3.. \'i,~8 \'Jea:cing a long? fJ.O\'ling gown of richly-embro idered silk. He::c hair \·"as piled. high on her head 9 gems flashed at her throat9 on ho:c han(l.s~ in her hair, [l,nd as she ~crossed the room she "Halked like a queen.
Kirk had bE;811 so used to Jooking on Uhura as a friend and. colleag'ue that he had 8,lrnoG"G fOJ.'gotten l:That a beautiful \\Foman she '-'[8,S. He gazed tn fr2.n\;.: admiration, p,nd even the Platonians paid silent tribute to her loveliness 8)"1(1. grace.
'rbe :cespite lo,sted only a moment. A 10\>1 couch slid aCTOSS the floor, arld
in obedience ·co Pe.:r:men f S Hill she sank dOv/n to recline against the soft cushions.
26
"Behold your bride, James Kirk," said Parmen mockingly. "A prize fo:;:- any man to VeJ.U8. l!1ill you not greet her fi ttingly?H
VIi th an effort Kirk allO'.'led his shields to fall just enough to experience the platonian's oommand. Fe walked across to stand looking dOVlD into her eyes, then slowly bent his head to kiss her lips. Uhura's arms rose to encircle him, and at the touch of her mouth he knel{ that in another place, under different circumstances, he could indeed enjoy making love ;Ii th this warm, lovely I{oman ... but he knell also that he never would. Now fidelity to his bonding was no longer a physical necessity but a conscious)! willing choice. He would remain fai thful to Spock not because he must, but because he wished to do so ... and triumph filled him as he raised his head to smile reassuringly into Uhura I s anxious eyes.
"Very pretty, II Parmen applauded. "But you must not keep the lady waiting, Captain. Bhow us noV.! a Terran make$ .1ove. 1l
The 1'latonians laughed expectantly, and Kirk Hai ted until silence fell again before he took. a step away from the couch and lifted his head to look Parmen in the eye. .
"}'o," he" said quietly.
ParmeD's f8,ce darkened "lith anger and surprise, ?lObey me!tI he snarled 9
launching 8, mental command which Kirk parried easily.
ayou do not command me, Parmen," Kirk said 'Idi thout raising his voj.ce, but; allowing 0. note of mockery to enter his tone. "You think yourself 2JJ_~po"erful, try to bend me to your ;Till."
He had barely finished speaking '''hen Parmen launched his attack? a fluTr'J of commands the;t rebounded easily from the Human f s shield. Unable to believe that such resistance -Has possible, he S\·Ji tcned his approach from the mental to the physic""l, using his telekinetic pOHers to hurl an ornate vase at this defiant upstart. For the first time Kirk retaliated, reaching out to jar I's,x'lllen I s men 1<,,1 p8.ttef'DS so that his control Has lost, and the vase fell to sl1i'o'ctef' h.<CY111'"
lessly on the floor. A second nudge from Kirk sent the Platonian bacblarcls so that he sat clOl:ID clumSily in his chair.
//Spock, DOH!II Kirk raised his voice? speaking rapidly to keep Pannen's ci,ttention. i;YOl1.. think yonrsel yes so pO':lerfu1 9 II he said with contempt. a~I.'here
are races in the g3J.8,XY vlhose p01ders make you seem like ineffectual childTol1. ISke all children, you must be taught. The lesson begins nOVl. n
1'h8 :1.0\1 hum of the transporter filled the room, and Parmen le811ed for'do,rd in his eh8,ir 8,8 Spock Yn8,terialised heside Kirk. iiCommodore Spack! ·('Jut you::c ship left ••• ;,
An eyobro"1 arched sardoni.cally. "You should not believe 8,11 the;c YDU a:c" told, Parmen." Spock moved closer to Kirk, his hand outstretched in the ritu2.1 greeting. HI have missed you 9 tthytla 9
1i he added softly for his bonrlms,tetfj ears alone:.
Kirk S'C.1iled as the 'Gouch of their hands opened the link fully, but thecs 1,o!as no tilDe fox' r:my further greeting. "Bones9 Uhura? come here? and stay closel H
he snapped, ta~ing advantage of the fact that Parmen's bewilderment had lost him contl'ol of the Humans.
Hesponding to the tone of command ]VfcCoy and Uhura obeyed; as they drevT closer tho combined shield of the tl'IO bondmates expanded to cover their minds a180 9 protecting them from any outside influence.
"1;Iell, Ple.tonians c:" Kirk said challengingly. "Surely such pO;Terful beinc;s can overcome 2, meTe tVIO opponents9 Or It/ill you admit that you are but childJ::'en? belpless in tbe :vcesence of adu1ts?H
Angered. by his patronising tone~ the Platonians respondE:~d to the challenge, directing the full force of their minds against the tHO Hho defied them.
27
K:i.rk sf!1iled as he and Spack parried thu attaclq the one thing he h2..d been afraid of '",rs-fJ tl'Je.t the Platonians would unite to overcome them~ but as he h~~c.l
suspected, tbey "r81.'8 too .:Lndividua1 9 too jealous of each other? to cooperate even '.lnen it \'fould best serve' their ends. Had he been alone? sheer v,wight of numbers '.-I(yuld. eventually hONe defeated hirf!9 but with Spock at his side it \',m,f:~
necessa:r:'Y only to block 8,11(.1 clefloct the direct f1ttacks 9 to jam the brairl1'JaV8 pf~,tterns the,-c COTlt:col1ecl theil.' kinetic ability.
l'aL'(:!8n, IJatching the struggle? fro\med \'!orriedly. Incrodi bIe c!,s it soemed, his peopl,:; '\'iGi.'8 losing. "rho tHO aliens seemed able to sense each attack on them and counter i-c before it 'Has launched. E~:wh attack'? Yes - each direct attack •.. As he gazed frantically around, Pannen' s eyes fell on his last weapon~··:.
Alex2,nckr, c}Couched beside the \>18,11, sobbed aloud as he fel t the familLl" tug of hiG rna-steT' 8 mind. ITe began to move fOrl"ard slovrly 9 cautiously, picking u-p a long ~jf1ggecl shE\rd of the shattered vase as he passed. Pannen I s orders \ISTe hideously clea:-c ill l1is mind. Intent on t11eir struggle, the aliens had forg'otten him. Kill one of tbem, break their concentration; a110\.r Parmen one lc\st chenoe 2.t the o-chc:r. Kill one? .Jim ViaS nearest ••• J'im9 vlho had been his friend. ••• v/ho had been kind... }~ut the habit of a lifetime "fas hard to break •••
:Prom some'ilhere, Alexander found the strength to do vlha t he must. fl1rernbling l.'li tt the ef:fort of holding back 7 be somehow choked out the one word, lI.Tim!;;
It ',<IGB enough. Kirk glanced at him? sa\'! the agonised face~ the improvised dag[;;er clutched in one shaking hand - and smiled.
\;:noncs, ,; 1,']8 Sc\id softly ~ and before an;yonc could realise \<That VIas h8.ppenin.g, befo"e Pmc:nrm could think to p"8vent it, neeoy had da"t,"d fonrard and ])u110C\ the helpleB::j Alc:;xander into the shelter of the mind shield.
Kirk and f-)pock exchanged a thought, and reached their decision. It vfr:\S
time. Tl'H::i:c linL:ed. minds struck oUt9 impacting on tbe undefended minds of tbe Pl;:1ton:La:ns 1,:.r:LU} stuDning force. Alive, but helpless9 they all dropped ,,·,1'1'3:0:::'8 they stood, lJJ:lc;,bJe to move a muscle as they ""'l<li ted. for the death they 'dH~C'e sV.:CG
1:!ould fo110\'!.
Spoc\ lifted his communicator. W8nergis8, lifr. Kyle,ll he said c2..1mly.
jitcCoy g:oc!. TJhura H2.-tchod as a securi ty tE~aln9 led by Chel-:::ov, ma teri8,liBfJc~. in the rOOTfl o l}ithout ldai.ting for orders the guards began to move among' the P18,toniann, f2..stcning a, metal bpnd to tho H:cist of each.
~3pGcl~ tool-;: [1, -Gricrocle:c from Chekov and stud.ied the readings. .r\s the; gu~:U".'d8 finished t~1eJJ? te.sl-c and stepped back? the Vulcan nodded in satisfa.ction.
nrrh;:~,t 1-',:\r:~ ctca.,;,·m their fangs fo~c the rnor:lent,'1 he observed vIith a vindictivc::·,,· ness the docto:c bad never heard before in the quiet voice. \;'[ith eyes only fOT his bondx!l2 .. to, -[;):10 \iulcan continued 9 lIIt:r'llSt you are unharmed, Niss Fhu:ra'? And you? Doctor "';,
l!"i\~O h.8,:em done, uxcept to my pride," ri~cCoy said rtlGfully. "l don't 1i1.<0 being a pUTrpct. ;:;pock? 1/!hat did you do to them?lI He indicated the semi,conscious Plc3..tonie.Ds.
•111Ju) tlun'Ge,l equiv2.1ent of a pllaser stun - they liTill reCOVGr shortly. IFhe bands contain a -GTDX18mitter to jam their brainvra.ves. t,Phere \'lill be no int8:c'ference 1ditll ,theiI.' normal tllOught processes? but they vIill be wlable to 2,ffoct a.DY of OUT 'r8ople. Ide have yet to d.ecide 'l,-11"1a t to so about P2,rrnen and his friends, c1..nd I 0.0 not intend to expose 1'Jy creill to any further risk. f.rhe b[~Xl,d.8
can only be :,:'e1eo,[J8d -hy me, and. I do not believe the pLJ,tonians have t.hc technoloLY to l'Gr:lOV0 them. j,
Spock I fJ I/o:lce Vf208 D .. S quiet and even as usuEd, but Kirk looked at him sha"ply.
11 [-jpocl,:: , 'I.n.:; 1 ~ce going back to the Enterprise. No morn nonsense abo1J.t just being ti::ced ~. Y01 .. l.. 1 ro on the verge of collapsG. H
28
Spoc;'( nE,>dc no attempt to artsue. In r\ tone so 1m', that only Kirk 8~nd 11.-'icCo;y heard 7 he 1'8p1:i.eo. teasingly 9 ilYes~ Capt.2oin. ii
Kirk tu.xTIed to the landing party. liTflr. Chekov 1 you're in charg'8 do\·rn hex'e. UhuTa 9 "\>fOlJ.lcl you sho,,! Chekov around~:) I tm sorry - I kno1,ol you must be tirod t but I 1,;rant this area secured before the J:la tonians have a chance to sta,rt plannin[:)' any thing. ;\
IiI'11 be ;:-'.11 :cight911 Uhura sssured him.
"'1118)), 1Ih811 you do beam up, bring Alexander Hith you -- he'll be l8aving "lith us. Ask ~:)ull). to find him quarters 9 shalt! him around. 0 .you knolt! the thing. ,;
~'II11 be C:1.o,d to,1I Uhura smiled.
UJ\lexc'l,ncler ••• ;; Kirk smiled reassuringly. I'm sorry I can't take you aboard myself, but I Sulu, though, and I'll see you later."
lIyou heard Hhat I told TJhu:n:t. have ... things to do. You'll like
III understand, Jim. II mEhanl:( you for remembering
} 110r the first time there lIas hope in the sad eyes. your promise. 1I
Kirk smi1ed again, then turned to ~'TcCoy. befo~ce this Vulcan passes out on me. 11
IICome OD 9 Bones. Let's get back
They mg,d8 i t ~ . .:just. As the three men materialised on the transpo~cter platform, f-jlJoci.··: m'.fsyed~ and ,,!ould have fallen but for Kirkts arm round his waist. ~: .. r:l.thout ptt.using to argu.8 9 the EumaD lifted his friend into his arms, and \"i th a \'JT.Y smile of ackno\{ledgement for Kyle's bemused stare, led the 1'12:Y out of the trcillsporter room to sickbay.
rJlhe Vr!.Jc8J:1 \1aS fully conscious 9 hovrOV8r, \'Then Kirk placed him gently on the diar;l1ostic "bed, and a lifted hand halted HcCoy's advance.
nll mOl!lent f ~:3ones,H he reqlJ.0sted f eyeing the Scanner resignedly. ;;j"im, since OlD':" f}:,iend "rill keep De fully occupied here for some time, do you feel 1,01011 01louC{h to tn,ke over?"
HI lin fine, Ii l(irk assured him. In,./hat do you want me to do?"
"Contact ;.:~tari'loet CommeJ1d, and advis'e them of the latest developments on platonius. If tl1ey agree \,,rith my recommendations, implement tho instructi.ons you \'Jill find on the tape in my dOG};: vio"ler. \,rould you also scbedule 8, deb:r.'iof~"
in2:' session for the 'landing party in three hours time. f1
Kirk eyed birn Harily. nYou're not fit, .. li he hegan~
III "Ii].J. mako you a promise, ,Jim, to ease your mind. I am confident; that ncCoy "Til} 2.g~('ee th2-t I afIl fully capable of completing our task here. If he c1.0G8 9 you Hill Ce2,SG to "i;forry about me, and '>'Ie will postpone discussion of ou~c ••• personal conce:I;DS until tho matter of Platonius has been settled. I)
"And :U' ~::lones doesn I t agree vIi th yoU?H Kirk asked suspicionsly.
iir.[lhe:m I H:LJ.l submi t myself to his ministrations, [l,nd leave the matte:Ll::' to my First Office:!.'. \;
aTh<::\-G 1 s 2, frJ.i:i:' offer9 Jim,il rl.fcCoy grinned. "And I'll promise you th.?,t be Hontt fool '(HG - if be 1ilalks out of here, itlll be because hets fit enol,J.gb to do so. n
Hf?hLd; I S Good enough for 111(;0" Kirk turned for the door. 1'11'11 be on tJ:,l.O bridge if yo:.). 'd<))'lt me. H
"Jim.o .;:
At the t(::·'J,fJi:ng note in thD Vulcan's voice Kirk S\·rung back, his eyes 1;I<1r"jr,
tIYe[{?"
IlTl·Tir)yJ.; T BUt,>gest a detour via your cabin? Your present attire, al tbougb
29
interesting, is scarcely acceptable StarfJeet uniform. lI
Kirk glanced clo1.,m at his bare legs. l1I'd forgotten about that. I've g'ot 8, reputation fo~c eccentricIty o.,t Starfleet Command 8,S it is - no point in Csiving them anythj_n~~~ 'l10re to t8,lk about. ~ehanks for reminding me, Spack. I'11 ;)e back as fJOon as I can. Ii
Z.e tUT118(l fo·.L' the door again 9 miE3 sing the qui.ckly--masked flash of pai.n in the dark eyes. )\. sl:Lght tremor in the link almost made him hesitate, but he car:ciecl on\'l .HI?~ knO\1 tho 09.US8 1 and everything vrould be settled (18 soon as -ehey had the time and th0 privacy to talk.
(;ar:,_'Y5.:o;.:; F;l. f:.-:'osh uniform for SpOCk9 Kirk emerged from the Vuloan.' G c.e1)in, mentally t5.ckinC: off the list of instructions Spack rt'?,d given him. (:rI1G contc-:,ct wi tn St8,:cflee-c Comrn8,nd h8.d been satisfactory9 Admiral :Broome ha.d had. tjj"j1G to consider Spccl( 1 s assessment? and on he8,ring Kirk's final report had declared himself satisfied to leave the solution of the Platonians in the Vulcan's ha,Ylds.
liTom ·'ene bridge Kirk had gone to the Commodore's quarters to vievl the log taper, Hit}} a chuc1:~le of approval for the elegantly simple solution his bondmate had found, he J:19.d uSf~d the intercom to issue the necessary orders to the medical, ene;ineerinf!;, communications 9 science and security sections - the arrangements vrere complicated ~ 'out vlel1 \.,i thin the capability of the Enterprise eye\'!.
Fis o~ccl8r8 civen and the Jebriefing called, he had risen intending to rC)17o.I"TI to sickbay~ t8,ki.ng along a clean uniform bad been a last-minute inspiration? prompted.1:;y the:; untroubled vihration of the link9 indicating that Bpock h2,d not found it necesf3t::1..x,:y to argue with the d.etermined doctor.
In the corx'idor Kirk paused 9 gle..ncing undecidedly FJ.,t 8, door half"18,Y along. As he \'l8..itecl., t~Jing to decide? it opened 8,l1d lThura 9 back in uniform, energect.
·';.r:Ti, Jir1i. ·)·:VeY"jthing' all right?"
OPine, U!.I.ura. ii lYf.3,king up his mincl 9 he added quickly 9 1I]\Say I spegk -Co ym.l
for a fm·i mO"(:18l1ts .~ privat81y?l\
df;lLC(~ .-, con1G on in .1: Shetturned bacTc 9 the door opening; at her a.p·pro[v~h.
Once in E;jJI. e, a tr,7tCC! of his old diffidence returned. \fIf you I TO bUf:3)T, I could eO·'-]IC b;:;..e1.( L~,;'Ger9ti he offered..
IIJ':fo, i·i;'s okay." Uhura indicated the tape she ·Has carrying. \'1 'd jU~jt finished ·:ny ::ceport·s and was on my vlay to bave a cup of coffee before t.he d.eb:cieflng. '-'Ibat can I do for you? Jim?"
lilt's 8.bout vlhat happened on Pla tonius. H He paused fOT a moment 9 gC1t1".le~cing
his thoUD,'hts, tb.en continued 9 HV.Jhen we Ii/ere ••• together daVin there ~ our r:"d.ncls touched. -:Co'u "Ii"lust b.s~ve seen that I vIas ••• attracted to you. 1Jbu):'a, you 8,~C8 ve~::'Y
beau tifuJ. 0" more than that 9 you are \I!8,I'ffi 9 generous, and loving. 'Tlo ••• ShC .. l?8 ·ldith you \·lOulcl be D, rnaTvel10us experience for Cl..ny man. It's ••• please fOl'c::i.ve roe if .I'm presumi_~.le.:, I dOll l t know hen'l you feel about it... I don't ,,;rant you to think that ",hat I ••• felt might lead to something more... It "lon' t ..... because I "I:!OD I t let it.1i
11I-3eeu .. use of ;)pOCk'?l1 Uhura asked quietly 9 he could not ;judgB her reaction.
"Ye;-::, ·b8C2..t1.Se of Spock. Al though there's no divorce on Vulcan as ~r_\or:C[m8
uDderst8,rd. it, he l el giva me my freedom if I asked him. But I l,'lon't ask ,~ I don I t \'/2nt ·l;o ask. I made promiSE s to h.im on Vulcan ••• and more than anythil1(': in life·'{--l;18)1-G to keep those promis8s 9 no matter how great the temptation to brea.k th0~:I. Anc~ you ?>!~ 2. great temptation, Uhura. H
llJim, .Jim.:; "lH'lura shook her head 9 half smiling. HI never met 8, m2,,11 as painfull;y hm.18Gt as you. I 1:.J0ncl.er if I can be as honest in return. 1:001\:, I t1J. admit th::::..t 1 fiDd you attractive, that it'd be the easiest tbing in the ,·rorlcl ·to \.fant 21Xl Q,ffo,:LT ,d_tl1 YOll .• In fact9 I do Hant one. But ••• it'd cost us both
30
too much. 'Jb3t you and Bpock have is •• oit's something' I don't completely understand, hut l.tT 8 too beautiful to be spoiled. I know where your hea:ct really lies. You'd be a Tn8,rvellous 10ver - but I'd risk losing' your f:ciendship and trust. IPhat' s too important to me. If
"You he,ve Spock' s trust too, did you knlw th2"t"" Kirk f"sked softly. ;'Spock closed d,OHl) the bonding link Hhile 'de Here together - he didn't ,;ant to risk your privacy. Usually a Vulcan \"iill monitor any mental contact his bonclmate has - he Has tbeTe when I linked wi t11 Bones 9 for instance.
H(J:1he otl!e~c thing I vanted to say is that I'll be telling Spock \,rha:t I ••• fel t '"' I don't kwe any secrets from him - but neither of us ,<rill kno',/ Hhat you felt... I '(J1:'omise you, Hhen I \-las in your mind I didn't al10v.J myself to iook. It \·ras a ••• a communications link only <) it
"Just 8f; "elJ.," Ul1ura commented lightly, "I doubt either of you 'lOuld appreciate my emotions intruding ••• 11 r:lore seriously 9 she added 9 l!Jim ~ I'm ve:'7Y fond of Y01)., 2.l1cl I think of you as a good fri.end. I'm not going to promise that I \'lon' t speculate !1bout you as a lover 9 but I'm certainly not eating my he9xt out ':Tith unrequited love! That good enough?B
"l'1.0:C8 t112..11 I deserves I think. ~Chank you 9 Uhura. tl Kirk smiled and indicated the bu.ndle of clothing he '"as carrying, "\<Tell, I'd better be on my \W,y ~- if I knOH anything, there's an impatient Commodore fretting to get ou-G of sick bay .;;
"I'lJ. 1,'J[,,1k pai::'t of the lt18;Y \'li th together. .;:!~ Tm still dying for that clebri efiD{i' .'ii
you 9 \I said Uhure. as they left the ca):xLn cup of coffee -~ have I got time befor(~ the
aplenty ~ .. Kirk 8,ssured her. ;'I'm still not .£..onrpletel~ certain tbat :1::ones Hill let him out, you kno\.,r. It
"Yeo.h, t2.l::e hilT! [I).'ray and stop clutterin{! up my sickbay! I: I'.'{CCoy grol'!led 8.8 Kirk poked (;1)1 enquiring head around his office door. IIGivo that uniforrn to Ol!.e
of t11e :o.U:(,S88 9 and come in for a minute .- let the man get dressed in decent 'p:d. v;::~cy. "
\lYou f TC:~ su:ce l1e' s all right to be out'?I! Kirk asked as he obeyed the instructions end -LJorched on the edge of neeoy' s desk.
tlEonestly, hetn fine. 1:'or the moment. Just havin{;' you back on board. Vlill 11el1). Oh, JIve ,\H.'8scri·oed 8, stimu.li;mt~ and as soon as this is over I'fl] tc,king you both off cltl.ty for 8, few days, but he can See this platonius affair th:COl).gh qui to safoJ.y. Go o:n - 'oick up yOUl~ Vulcan and ,get on 1,..,itb it - tbe soone}? 1:.10' :['8
2),ltlay fTom he:'?CJ, the better Ifl1 like it.';
A~.~:r:.:':!:!!E~~'::.'.~j." .·1~~~.8,.:r:'1!, SUll). he,~3 told me about this custom of keeping a record of day·,-to,~·d8,y 0ventG.
I have decided -Co O,cl.Opt it) so much has happened to me the:b I am af1'8,id 'l;})(;!:c
otheri,!isG T 8h8,11 for.get .~ and I hfl.,ve so much no"'" that I \·.Jish to remembor.
F:rorn beinr; an outc8,st ;;'l,nd a Lceak9 I find myself treated as normal, fullyaccepted by th~se friendly people. ~:hey do not kno\,r my full story ~ ~JilJ'! ht:\s said that I must decide ho.!! much I reveal, and to \.,rhOffi 9 they do knoi:! that; I \lTD,S ::ce:jected by my ov111 kindred, and quietlY9 unobtrusively, but since:cely, they have 'bO[';lUl to teach fne the joy of living.
I have .!G8,lkeo. \·ri th the Vulcan Commodore 9 Spack. I-Ie is a vIiS8 9 col1rpassio}18-"Go man 9 and ho has svoken Hith me at length 9 telling me much of this nevr life I have entered, and the opportunities that ,·rill be open to me. So many vrc)J~lcl89 so much thn:t; I con do, I "'ho Has one.O spurned 2,8 useless! He has promised -to help me decide my future, and I know that I caD trust him. It 'vas str8nge fo}?
31
me to lea~cX!. that he and Jim are life-rna tes ... such a joining is unkno 1,m on Platoniu8 y but then life Here a small community - but as I vlatched them to(:,'ether: it -puzzled. ';(]J:; no lone;el'9 for they are perfectly attuned.. It is clea'r that he adores Jim - (is that the rigbt 1;lord 9 I ,-,fOnder? I !!'lust ask) - and Jim mniles most often .",hen the Vulcan is near.
I h8,V8 fJpe:t'1t considerable time li/ith Dr. NcCoy 9 answering questions, cooper-' ating in tests, lJut most often simply t2~lking. I Was greatly surprised \'Then I learned that they shll 'dish to aid the Platonians, hut ITcCoy has made me understand that they must have their chance, one last chance to learn, as I am learning, to enter this ne'" and Iwnderful galaxy.
i',iore and more I find myself dralm to the craft of healing. I nerved, myself to ask W!cCoy if I could leam this art. He seems to think it possible, for ",hile it if> -0:('\),8 that I am much older than is usual for a medical student, my life--span is 8uch that although I do not have Platonlan longevity my life expectati.on is much greater than a Human's, and I could 'still undertake the courses of sh1Cly. I "'ill read the books he has lent me, talk further 'tlith h;"'1, vri th ~::;pock, and Hith Jim.
Spock has just told me that his preparations are complete, and He are about to leave Plo,'conius. There is to be one last communication Hi th Parmen, aIld he bas asked. if I widh to be present. I have refused. r/fy ne\<! friends have te,ught me not to hate, but I cannot yet forgive. I take nothing from Platoniu8 but many yea:cr; of lli tter memorj.es, it is too soon to forget the past. ;~he future beckons "me, and for now it is all that I can see.
On Platonius Parmen fretted impotently as he paced the marble halls of his palace. .UO\"/ much longer did these Starfleet vermin intend to remain'? And \'That Here they c10:Ln(;" anyvm,y" All that cargo that had appeared, boxes and crc,tes and cylinders, ,,11 the technicians, all the crewmen - above all the recl,,·sh:i.:cted securi ty {}.12,:cds he \<fas cominr<; to loathe to the point of' madness. Larg(-; e.,re::ts of his domain ' .. 101::e Y'101/] out of bounds:; the pOlt1er plants 9 the communications cent:ce, the long, .. ~d.i..sv.sed fnedic,s!'l ':ring cra\,!led wi th the intru.ders - even unused. 'rooms had been tak0.':l over. j\~'o-one v{onId answer Ids questions. ~p1[le scienti~3ts Emd tecJJ."·~
nicians .,..,(-):::'8 SGen only at a distance, hurrying about their duties, while the security (1).~~:.('ds }!oli tely but firmly refused to discuss v!hat was going' on.
If o:ol'Y he !lnd. the use of his mental pO Hers - then he I cl make then l.'egTct this humili.8,U.ol1 .. but the insufferably polite Cheh:ov had deigned to eX;Jl2,in that the mysterious b,·:!.ncis e~).ch of his p(:lople DOH \.'lOre rendered that impo:;;;sible, !;md even t.h8 8:LTn1!lE~st use of pOvler \vE~,S unsuccessful.
It i.'fe.rei all :\irk t s fault! f)omebow the Human h2~d been able to i.,ri thstand tho mental dom5 .. :no;i:;ion. FOld how 'Nas that possible? His co"(npanions had been vuln81.'able.
nF2"J~'T:1Cn, if you vTill join the others in the assembly room 9 CommodoTe flT)Ock is ready to ;3P ee);,: to you. f?
;'Anc1. if' J do :not choose to go?" P8.rmoYl eyed Chekov insolently. ;'1 Ftn1 no slav8 9 to l11D. at his biddingo it
Chekov sh:rL\~?:f;ed. "Suit yourself. Your people hB-ve already gathered;; if you do not wish to hear v.rhn..t the Commodore has to say ••• II
lJith 2, mufflod curse P2'.rmen sHung on his h00;1 and stormed into the room, from '\<1hic11 the rJ.atonians bad been barred Q. fe\\7 hours previously. 11..11 H8.S 2.. S
it had been, S[1.V(:! that a LJ .. rge vi 81,1Jinp; screen no\'! dominated one we1.l1. His people Here all in thei:e [\.ccustomed places 9 as he took bis 'seat beside Philp,D-:1.. he noted tloat F:l.'ac:Li tu," Has looking a little Iuffled - the fool h8.d attempted to 8:tt,',ck one of tb.e ~c8cl,,,shiJ:'ted f,U8,rds y and had heen quickly and efficiently rendoTcd helpless... No-"one else had made the same mistake.
As soon 8..S l\s'Sl""'n1en "'/2,,8 seat.ed 9 [,:;3 though at a signal the screen sprCl.Dg int.o lif(~. COl:ml0doJ~'e fl."pock appec\red 9 sitting at Q table, Kirk to bis right, tbe
32
healer on his left.
lIl)latonie,ns ~ the Vh-terpI.'ise \'Iil1 soon leave your planet,. and "'8 vlill not return. 'jlhis is my parting message to you.
"'Vie cc.'.:uo in [:',ood faith 9 in [J,nsv,r°:c to to 8.bduct e.nc1. 2,1)UG8 three of my officers. rema.ins, and \18 have given it -, though it will make of it. Captain Kirk?'!
a plea for helpy your response 1'/2B
Hoit/ever., the need for our help still is for you to decide what use you
f.Pbe young' B\unan leaned farHaI'd. Ill/Ie have inspected and repaired gIl your g'ener8,tors 2,nd polt!er p18nts," he said. IJA sub-space radio has been inst8,11ed, and you 1:r:i.l1 nO·1d be able to contact our nearest Starbase. In the east 'h'ing 'de have inst0.l1ed 2, tape librc,ry 1:1.hich will teach you how best to use 3.11 th:d:; '1'18
have given you. }i'Ol", Dr. I'lTcCoy has some vital information for you. II
ilyou \·,j.sbed me to investigate and rectify the abnormal births among your people since you C9.me to PIa tonius. I have done SO.;I There itlaS an intense 82.(1· ... ness in tho blue eyes. "~ose children vlere not freaks, not mutants. IJ:he kironide on tllis planet over-rode tile genetic engineering you relied on for centuries "." those unfortunate cllildren ;[hom you I-lantonly destroyed 1dere the original form of Y01.lr race. fJ.1he choice rests VIi th you? oi ther remain 2,8 Y01). fl,):-f.]., a Sfl18,11~ sterile group, or raise children \'Tho will all revert to tbe form of your o.ncc8to:cS. I CAn help you no further; there is no cure., for theT8 is nothing to cure. FOldever? vIe have provided you vIi th medical equipment 8,nd. drugs to treaf~'1ny fU-GuTe injuries. It
n\"!e do Dot interfere "Hith other cultures,,11 r.rhe Vulcan nO\'1 leaned farHaX'd. "Ide have givan. you the means to survive by repairing all your equipment 9 but the fub.Lee of your people is in your own hands 0 ~~he tapes v18 left wiI1 tell ;)'01.1
of the c:LvLU.sc:cionH that lie beyond Platonius y one day, if it is your l:risIl, you may ,JO]..1::' us. It Hill be :':t cOfnpletely free choice. Defore 1,118 lee,ve, I Hill remove tho tJ:'u,nsmitters vrhich are inhibiting your mental powers - they are only tl1ere fo:( tIle pTotection of my people. ii/hen vIe have gone you 'will be f:.:'ce to study ano. discl1f:,s v/hat vIe h2.ve told you, and decide vlbat you 'dish to do Hith your futU:C8.
ItEm,rovoT ••• \; rl'h2 deep voice took on f-1 note of \18.1"ning. IIno not think tl1:;i .. t yO"ll. will t:C£o\P others 2.8 you did us. rphis Vlorld has been qU8,rantined, 2jld C'o"
i:{cl.,rning' beacon plgced in orlJit so thEtt no ships \-1ill como here innocent:ly ::.f3 "I,ve did. Should you ':r:LBh contact ;:.Jith the Federr,tion., you need only use the 8ubo·· spp,ce I's,dj .. o, 2X!.d an ambassador vrill be sent - but he Hill. be a 'Ilulcan? one of my people, ".mel 80 invulnerahle to your control.
"I b2 .. vo no more to s::J .. y to you. You Hill not be contactE'xl ['~g,9,in unless e .. nd until y01J. Y0l1TSelves oxpress a ;dish to tB .. lk. It is nOH for you to decide. T'nt8rpris(~ OlJ.t. ,j
r:Phe 8C:('(;811 cl.c,rk(:med.., and \'lith an audible click the bands fell from tboLc wrists.. P[;"T'l1l0.D. looked around blankly 9 noting for the first ti.me th8 .. t the:; :cod··, shirts had vanished. rphe :8nterprise h8..d truly gone~ they Vlere alone.
iir:[lhink theylll n1eJG.--: .e, g'o of it., Jim'?!! l':IcCoy asked as they ros(-:) from the t2,ble.
KiJ:,k l1\'1ho knol4s? T hope 80 9 because I hate \-1Etste 9 but; c),13 far 0 .. 8 Parmer.! is co:n.c8rnecl ••• \rIell, let's say I don't C2~re too much. 1i
iiC2,n't say I blr:·tme you. And where do you think you're going':.'" he dema.nd.ed, C2. tchin{J,· Spock t s e1 hOI'l as the Vulcan TO se.
"To the !)J:iclg~), of course. I must ••• it
11 ••• (.;;0 to your quarters and get some rest the next tlrc00 cleWs, remember? () ff you go 9 -,both come and. put you to bed?'·l
you and Jim are off duty for of you - or do you \·.Jant mf) to
33
'jlHe 1 re g'Oll1ts lde I :ce going! d Kirk said hastily. "y,Hght as VIell giv~ in., Spock - 11(0 1;18~}3}fJ it.. if
liT Cl.ln f?v\1D,1.'8 of that. ~l 11h8 Vulcon nodded~ accepting defeat.
They '::<::.lkod ?clong' in silence, par-bing at their respective doors. YJ:c1.< lool<ed up e:t ~.1:i..s bondmD-te. HGo and g'et ready for bed. I TIl get us sorfle \·r:Lne~
and we t l1 h['.;~/(~ 2, fell! 'luiGt momnnts together before you get some sleep,i", bE~
said \'li.th a smi18.
1'1:hat i,<!o'lJ.lcl be pleasant, I; the Vulcan agreed.
In :(dG cabin. Spock shoHerecl and changed into a sleeping robe, then sank dO~/m before the fire shrine to compose his mind with a short period of medi tation. vIhen he rose to bis feet again Kirk \-18..8 ,just appearing through the connecting door betV!8cn their quarters. He too had changed into a Vulcan robe, 8,nd "/8,8
carrying tvro gJ.;,ClSC)CS of the light wine they both enjoyed.
HHe::ce of ~)pock f s stay until
come and si t dovm while you drink it. 11
-;Jed and patted the cover beside himo !lIn you f:::~,11 ~\sleep.11
Kirl( perched on the edu;e fact, get into bed .. " JIll
Spook obeyed \.rillingly, Md for 8, moment or tvro they sipped theLr: vrine iYl
silence. 'Then Kirh: turned to look his bondmate in the eyes.
HSpock, lrG: r8 going to establish the full bonding as soon as posstble,:\ he said quietI;)'.
aNo, Jim-" It is not necessary .. "II
\'}3ut it. is necessary~ t'hy'la. You need. it - YOlJ.'ve neE~ded it .stl1 along, .haven't you?\;"-'
\\'It is ·iJec(),G::i.ng; ••• more and more necessary-,ll Spock admitted reluct2ntly ~»
he could. not J.ie to his bondma"te. '·'J-jut I can control the need. if
;iAnd F10,ke yourself ill, like now-?u Kirk countered gently. ItT Hon' t 8,110H it. I'm !:lot e;oing' to see you suffer for the need of something I can give.;'
ilJ\.nd I CD,TInot accept desperately'. ":C Hill not last defence. i\
something you \-IQul.d -take this from you.
fincl painful," Spock burst out I Hill not strip you of your
"30 ~~~:~~~~.l_.~j. it1H Kirk said vlith relief. "I h(lV8 'been vlOndering 9 you kOOV!9
\;rhethel' tt -1,<.'2,8 -;)ocause you didn't II/ant ••• the ultimate intimacy. I thou;3,'ht th2.t pe:cbe.ps y~):,~ \'T2..n"CnO, to keep that last bit of privacy. Epock9 dicln' t you kno",.r that I l/!c:"llt this, for both of us? He have so much ••• but I'm greedy. I've 2,,11,vays 1.<:001"'::0 -th2.t there· I g just that little bit more 'He' ve been deny.il1f:~: (;u:csclvcfJ. 1)0sides ~ look 8.t it this \'lay.); His tone grmv thoughtful. "Platonius hn$ t8.1J.ght us that 'de'11 one df),y need. to take th9.t last step, to co",plete the bond. '.ioulcln't it be bette:!:' if 1,'.'8 botE-!CT18':::, the.t it 'dRS our O\'ln free choic8 9 that we :,~~~.'}:t.0::\ it ,'II
,1Y88 •• ~:. ~)~£)ock' s hand rose, fingers spread. fol.' the mind touch a.S he} silent1y D.f::lkocL PC-::L''1I,lission. lIBut I must knOH tbat this is t:ruly 1:1rw.t you l.'i';".U-C.:'
iif)e8 fOl.' ~vonrElelf, t'hy'ln,.n Kirk leaned for1.'!8,rd. 9 copyinp: the gest1LcC1 his T!1ind. opon:Ln.(:: in '.:!elcoIDe.
At 1[>~8t 81)oc13: 1eaned back~ joy lighting the dark eyes. H\'J11en shall it 'be, he asked.
"I tho1).g:t.,·~ ••• i-lhen \'!e go back to Vulc{!-n. I'd like it to be at home(!o IJornehow •• o" he pf'~8ed hoplJfully. lIiJill it he ••• all right ••• if \-Ie l,'/ait till them? Strictly GI)Go,lcLn{j', \'Ie should have official \:1i tneBses since vlG held back Jast time 9 8.ncl. \'!8 \\rouldn I t lw.ve to E:~xplain anytbing to ~3grek Mel. T'Pau. })esi.d.0S ~ 1 would like ou::c pQ.:r.ents to be th~)re. {f
nOf COl.H.'fle." Spock extended his hand to Kirk, closing v,bout the cool fingers as th.ey -cov.ched his. "You are herG? and nm1 that I arfl certain tbat you \"rish to complete the bond 9 tho strain is eased. It vIas only ••• wishing fo:c it •..
a.nd \vondoring\ ••• if \'/e would ever share ... 1f
H"Vle '.-Jill,;' Kirk promised. He -Cook 8},,'!8,Y Spack's empty glass vri 1:;h his free hand 9 then pusJ:.lsd the Vulcan back against the pillo\·lS., HIlio\-l get some sleep.:'
He s(J,t CIU:lGtly watching the tranquil face until the deep 9 relaxed breathing told him that Sj)ock ..,ras asleep, then gently began to Hi thdraw his hand from the Vul.can's al.aeJp. Spock stirred restlessly, hi.s fingers tightening, and Kirk paused 9 2, srnile of understanding crossing his face.
Vlell, the cabin \Aras \'/arm enough ••• and their bonding \Vas \,1811 enough established that none of the cre"'! Hould be surprised if they learend that he had spent the Di[;l1t in his bondmate's bed - although the more prurient ... ~mj_nded a:nong them ::::':)Y,1,cl be surpri.sed to learn !.'9~ he had passed the time!
Carefully, moving quietly 80 as not to disturb his sleeping stretched out on the bed, resting his head on Spock' 8 shoulder. smiling' at that last thought as he fell asleep.
bondmate, Rirk Fe Has still
E~EE9n<Jl~_.I~?A~: ."~ ... Cp)2~t.?'in J~ rr.-.l(i~:!: 1'm glad thc/c He've decided to complete thc] bonding- link at Ifl,st, Et.nd that
it's because- ,:ro "both \'lant it9 not because \'18 have beF;D forced into it. It See~'HS
strange now ltihen I look back and remember hov! terrified I once was 0 f mente,l contact .. and ;"01'1 much I hunger for it nOI{. On the day of our bonding I offered the full link, mod Spock refused1 I "Iasn't ready, and he knel{ it. Fa" I 8,m ready 9 and tt \·dl1 be all the more glorious because I have lost all traC(~J (;1 fear.
AchnlJy, H 'dill be very difficult to Hait for Vulcan. Still, it won't be long nm'! ~~ evon if starfleet sidetracks us again on our \VaY9 they can't den_y us home 1,:;(3,vc: much longer. It Hill be good to. see Sarek 8)1<1 r:l,llPau C),{'/~,in - 2nd this timE: t.he:cG vfill also be r.ravara and the cbilclren. Quite a family 1'm collectin;::J
J~ut Tll.OS"G inr90rt8"nt9 there vfill be time for Spock and me. \.'!r;'ll cor!!l,)l()-ce the bondincs -,' then. I'll take him to 1?arth. I really 1:11.1st decide soon "'rhu~cc I 1ilant to @;n. Sl)C)ck h~3.S left the choice to m0 9 and I must admit, I've 8,)] idef'. at the:: b2,ck of my m:i,nd... I must remember to he,ve a VIord with Assistr'.n-c I~lgi.j.l.enl~
lV~acJ,00d •••
[if P:.H~:£9.2:
rrhe ·:~18,!.'l8t 'J8,S barely suitablo for colonisation 9 but it 'das eminently sui table r6:t:, J:'of12e,:.cch.
It I1L.c1. TX;\Sf:Jecl. through flourishing Devonian 9 Carboniferous, rermiOJ1, ~r.l:-c:i.c."sf:)ic
and Jurar:;sic Qj:'2,S, an equally flourishing Cretaceous era. !.'lela ti vely 8,d'i/{?J.1COo.
plant life b("rt once covered the entire land surfac8 9 abund8,nt animal life had enjoyed 8, :cuL.J.tively carefrE=?0; environment. 'Civil:i.sation' had never 8,risen to spoil th(; environment ••• but Gvolution had, it appeared 9 reached a peak, -'l).len. devoluti(ll1 h8,d S(~t in. tiiass ~ llo,snive - extinctions hgd occurred 9 ·Hi th tbe hi&)1er 8:n:i:l1lsJ.s f;'~nd plants dying first 9 until finally only a felfr hardy g:C.'::tSS8S and lichcDfl :,.iGJ:i:) 1eft9 8,nd only a fel f! sinp1e animal forms. Even the sea ·"'.1(:\8
empty nov! sn:' .... o fox' g f(~\,r t.iny creatures that fed from the scp"nty vegetable detri tus i;f2"shccl into the brackish shallovls by flood \'later.
rphc {!;:COVJ1cl. vas rich i.n fossils.
n,:beJ,:8 ,,I8,S no obvious reason for life to hav(,; died out ~ the soil lJD,f.i
fert:i.l(::1 tXH:; c~U.mD;l;e l:lOrld~wl,.,idfJ \'JO,S sti.ll very comfortable? ranging as it f:rom mild "l;(;111P(:!~(',..1,te to vrarm temperate.
l' , C •. J.CI.
T'ec1.e:cc;tio).1 Gcic.'Dtists felt that if they could dj.scover \lJhy li.fo he,d ·!)CC01llC .sJ.T!lost extinct l1.cl.'e, on a Vlorld that looked so ideally suited for life, it cou1d
be helpful to preve:ot anything similar hs,ppening on any vrell-populo,tecl ·!?ederation world - quite Q,)X-,j,t from solving the sixty-five-million·-year·-old mystery of who,t killed off :;_;:a~ctb_'s clinos0,urs. 'But on }}1,rtb 9 other species had. immedL'jtely fJl10d the {~'a"ps 18:i:t tho dinosaurs~ llcT(?, nothing [lad.
A reser,}:'ch station Has sited here 9 manned by top scientists dra1;m f:com 2,11 over the )Yeder::lt.iori. ~:he base \"D .. S commanded by stonn of Vulcan.
[.rhe position sui ted Stann admirably. It \I/as a prestigious position for [>]1 ambi t,iOU8 scienti.st ~~ and it was also a long way from Vulcan. Far enough Learn the hostile Klingon Empire to be relatively safe from attack, it vIas neo,r enough to Homulus to be patrolled - on the rare occasions it was patrolled - by a Romulan 8coutship; there was little chance of their ever being visited by Captain 8])ock.
storm haa. never quite understood his secondary wife's dread of her ex,,' betrothed. It seeDed unlikely to him that Captain Spock ,",ould seek vengeance for being- ,cefused by a I"ife he hacl not himself chosen, and with whom he had had li.ttle contact, but cP'Pring- certainly feared him, and had not seemed to think stann's position "s a top scientist - not th8,t he had been that then, of course, but he had been Hell in line for promotion - would be My protection should the Captc.in turn no-sty.
stonn \ms Si ven a completely Leee hand in the deployment of his personnel, and decided. almost immedi9,tely to spread them over the entire v-rorld, reasoning that in e;ny gbre:n si to 9 half a doz Gn men could Vlell discover as much as t'dO
dO~3en9 fOI' the 2::ceater nllmber could 'dell end up getting in each othert S -Hay.
'l'ho mai.n bc,se WIS sited i.n a relatively fertile part of the southo'cn hemi-sphere 9 the BC8..t-ce:ced others where scans bad Sh0\'111 a potentially heavy concentr.ation of :i:'oSGils.
~lhe 8cientistn sottled dovm to vh<:"d; they expocted to be a r(-:Marding; e~nd knew would be an extended, period of research. Since the VU.lcans r of necessi -cy, had taken t}")oi:t:' I,rives, many of the other races also ap";Jlied for their \·.Jive~j -~
OI'9 in 2, fe"" C8,S8S, husbands ~~ to join them~ from there it vias only £1, short step to r8qum3ting that their children 9 too, be allowed to leave the custody of grandparents 0:(' l)'Dcles a.nd 8..unts 9 and rejoin their parents. supplies He:ce initially f8~"C~cic;d in at regular intervals 9 but a couple of non-scientific husbands i:',nd ?, 1,.life at one base 9 all of vThom \>lere interested in {;ardenin{::; r\nd. finding tir:1D br~n{?;ing heavy op thei:e he..nds, OXI)criHlented Vii th planting some e;:\silY-£f:cm·r.n. voget8,bJ.eso \:Ihatevor had killed off the higher plants in t.he past \1/8,8 cert2.inly no longer affecting' such plants DOH - unloss the different ,::::enctic strain 1?ro·c8cted them ,- for they grm" rapidly cmd. yielded good results. ct}:)e:c b8..ses also -tried, seei.ng in this a useful source of fresh vegetahles as \1811 {:.1.8
a more pe,lo;k_~ble ~o:C'eventivG for scurvy than the vitamin pills supplied..
rpim\:~ ~);?,888d.~ children ·Here "born to some of tho scientists. ~rh(-; b.irtlls \-ferO reported. "I;}hen t}le Federation did not object - which they could IT~\ve domo sinc8 thi~7J \'la8 0, ::research planet? not 8, colony -- more of' the personnel forg'ot about COrrGI'2,ception.
Soo.n t;t,;ey :oad Hh8,t, aHlountecl t.o 2, scientific colony, \"ith t.he plcJnted are::_\s expanding' ':J}J.i10 still being kept as ga:rdens re.:ther than farms. Some of tlle \·dvQS Hho uoro nD-l~ interested in gal~dening developed their uwn inte:c8sts, er,d. in time f), IbaI'te~(~ store' was set Ul.) 2,t oach b8-se \"here the non-scientific personnel tI:'c~,cl8d things tbey made or grevl. \--,fhen the supply of made 2o~ct:i.c18B -. embroidery, icnit\'!(?ar, artHork 9 even ltToodvrork - the vlOod brought in by the regular sl):pply ships - exceeded local demand, Stonn arranged foJ::' the su:pp1y ships to te,kc; 'thef:w back to }~eder8.tion bases where they were sold? the J:'881_11 ting income en::l,b1:Lng the I colony I to become more and more self-sufficient Et.Dcl. pTovida itself 'I:fith l1xxuries not included in :regUlation requisition lists. ll1ed(;:J:'3tion High COmm3D.C1. \'h?fJ pleased at the ini tiati ve shovm by stann's group 9 when tlH;! :researcb_ lJJ:'o:ject tel"'illinated, there Hould already be a strong' nucleus that regarded tbe p12,ce as borne for the 8,gricul tural/scientifio colony that '/lould
36
undoubtedly continue on Omegs, FOrTIacis nOvJ that they knew the place Haf> fertile £1nd would gJ:?o'" p12"nts from other ;Iorlds.
P,ut thflt day was still far in the futurE?
The g:['ound shook violently, suddenly and ;Ii thout warning. 1'he research personnel dropped to their knees vlhere they were, unable to remain upright .. one or two, caue;ht particularly off balance, measured their length on the floor. Flame shot upwards, spreading rapidly as volatile fumes were ignited by the naked flame of a test burner. Kadar, a scientist from an experimentally colonised ocean planet vlhere all the population lived on boats and \1hose sense of bfllance ,laS therefore excellent, managed to reach a fire extinguisher, Hhile his comp8,triot Veran lunged to\>lards the burner; swearing in his 0'Nl1 language as the hot fuel tap scorched his fingers, he turned it off. The flames 'lied do'Wl1 as the ground steadied,
,!hile the lab orderlies begAn to tidy things up, the scientists studied instruments s seeking information on thE: quake.
HI enD make no seDse of these readings, husband,H T'Pring told Stann. U\~lhatever it Has, it 'ltlaS not a standard earthquake. It appears to be e. completely unkno'Nn phenomenon. II
Stann thought for a moment. "\>Ie must report this to the Vulcan Science Academy? 1,18 may require further assistance. n
VTi thin moments reports began coming in from the other bases. All had experienced -the same inexplicable condi tion8.
1I1<forld wide," Stonn muttered, looking round his top men. "1;lorld \1ide. Could we be experiencing a repeat of the conditions that led to the destruction of life on this vlanet "n
I:rt S88ms unlikely 9 n the P,ndorian Cheral commented. "Earthquakes alone should not co-use vrides1;)read destruction of both animal and vegetabl e life .. ;;
'i\\iot ;:1,11 of the world has bases s l1 ·V!enitok of T<;arth put in. Hr:J:here 3):'8 vast stretches of ocean... On Earth 'ltfe are stil19 as you kn01;l9 studying vfhy many species dies out suddenly millions of years H.g09 mostly animal - thou{4"h many plant spe)cies suffered too. )i~arth scientists h,we becm studying for over tHO hundred yercrs the theory postUlated in the hlentieth century that 0\ very l8,rge '<"net eo}? irnp2,c"!Jecl Hi th .Earth 9 causing h8,::cmful radiation. ~rhere \-\jeW no surface mal.;k to show Hhere such an impact might have occurred 9 but the mOHt
likely possibil:i.-c;y has heen suggested to be a point in the ocean. lUght sotUe~' thi.ng similax' not have bappened here? rrhis is an asteroid-rich system9 an,c;, e.., small astoroid coming down over the ocean might Hell be unobserved."
"Unlikely," snapped llex of crellar in his abrupt mannor.
His collc[::,s'U8s all knelt! by Den'l that Bex d.id not intend rudeness? the r:rellari tes he,d. 2- ,,!holly undeserved reputation for Lrri tabili ty th.s,t 1tl20S d.uG solely to theLc "Qhysical makeup. Their mouths vJere not designed to cO'pc:; vritl"! the intri.c2,cics of speech common to most othe:r.' ra,ces. As in c~ll species j some individu;:?J.s I'fere more shorttemvered than others 9 but Bex v'as knovm throu<,?'hout I<:egafor for the evenness of his temper. IHj:here \i8.S no epicentre. An astc;roicl. making' contact \,rould provide an epicentre. 1I
Vfeni tok, "\.'Those interests were biological rather than geologicg19 shrn{<'ged. uYou're ric;1"Yt9 of courSe. I \18..8 ,just putting ['m idea into the pot, so to spc8,ko"
lilt is ;:!, 8u{s'gestion that could qpply to the past, Ii Stann put in, lieJ.though as I underst2ncl it9 for such Em imp8,ct to have much ~~ffoct, a vast 8,ffiOunt of dust 'ltIQuld l.'equi:r'e to be thrO\'lD into the 8,tmospherEj. That alone makes such a suggestion iU[!,J),plioa1)le to the present phenomenon. It He looked round. \~Yes,
l<odar?ti
IIHG,S no base :ceported incre8,sed vulce,nism~,:l1
37
1!j}one. In spi to of the violence of tJ:'l8 occurrenc8 9 not one aotive volc8..llo \>Ii thin the scanning area or any bas e - has erupted."
"Y'!ot even Stromboli?" ;/Tenitok asl;:ed disbelievingly, referring to a volcano named for the rj\~::c:r.8.,n one by a homesick T talian who bad been in the first group to reach :r'i8e;2.for. IUs stay had beon short~ he had returned home \I/i thin a few months~ Etcc(-Jpting' ""That amounted to demotion rather than rt?main any long'er a;wCt"JT from his beloved Italy, and S\vearing that never again would he accept a p08i-cion avu?vY from it. ., ut fl.lthoug'h he was 8one, the name he had given the mountain had lasted. Stromboli spat out ask and dribbled lava almost non-stop.
lit-Tot even ~;tromboli," the Hor:1Ulan J)ecius, whose base was closest to it~ replied. "iJ"uite the opposite, in fact. Stromboli has 'dried up', and emi.tted. no lave, 8,t all si:nce this happened." It was practically equivalent to saying that the sun 112.d risen i.n the ',Jest.
IIrrhen has something happened deep insidG the planet?tI Cheral askE~d. ill\. magma ohamber under Stromboli perhaps drained in to a deeper level?"
"That too ",ould shoH an epicentre," 13ex, the ackno\>lledged expert on earth .. , quakes, put :Ln.
itThen nobody can suggest anything posi ti ve to explain this?!! stann asked. Hlt{e have only negc:,tives - things it CQuld not have been?"
rmere Here reluctant nods from around the table.
IIThon I SU{S'e;est that each base assie:ns someone to examining all data pertinent to the occurrence in the hope of finding something, however small, that o:pPGars positive. I ,,!ill inform the Science Academy of our findings mean .... while, ['..nd LI 1;I8 have a recurrence... If vl8 still have not discovered al1ything, I "ill have no option but to inform Starfleet and ask for 8,ddi tional help."
The shock ths,t hi.t the })1terprise "as totally unexpected. It Has almost as though the sJ.lip hqd heen struck by an enormous tidal \I/ave that tossed .her \·dldly 9 tr.rO'I,-r:Lng everyone out of their seats into a confused pile of a:rrns <·?,nd legs on tlle po~ct side of the bridge. F,ven Spock 's lie;htl1ing-~fa.st ref1ex88 failed to re:wt quickly enough, and be too joined the tumble of bodies. 1:he shi p mJ8.y eel., li.sting be.dly to starbo2,rd, anel the helpless cre\{ rolled 'do\>lnhil1'. Spocl.<: c2~ut<ht ·Tt tli0 command chair and stopped himself, his mind screaming, //JDH//
Kirk I S 8XlfJ\·rering thoug'ht felt vagu_cly breathless. 110 .K., Spock. JIm Vlpdged. You a11 rif;ht? I I Anxiously.
//Yes.// rj1he ship continued to toss for a minute. Once she VIas stil19 the CY81d be{;'8.D
to pick tbe\rlselves up. One or two remained proney mostly unconsciouf:3. Sover:?J. of thOSE: l,,!h(' weTe able to rise bad hro,\<:en bones.
Spack pUDch~;d the intercom. ?Inamago reports l H / j,Jim? 1/ /IOn my 1Nay. II rrhe three young ensigns Kirk had been
hard though it 1:[8,8 on their nerves:; tIle ship came first. bridge before tho first of the dam;;,ge reports came in.
testing could H2.it9 Fe vlalked onto the
Cf),rstoJJ'~j? C\S Kirk's seniol.' assistant, on duty on the bridGe while Kirk carried out the Toutine testing of young cre1.>rmen, and slightly nervous of the responsibility '" Y~irk usually took the science post himself \'lhen Spock 1;[.9.8 on duty - :cclinq ulshod the position \,Ii th a silent sigb of relief, and Kirk om1t over the vie1,rer.
Spock w.l.itcd silently. l"inally Ki.rk straightened, a look of complete bafflement (m, bis fEtCe. "There I s nothing out there to account for tl1is effect? CClJ"i1fDodore, .;;
38
'l'ne \I1;d_can stared at him. A Human Hould almost certainly have repeated 'Nothing?' in a (U_sbelieving voice; Spock \>las not even tempted to do so as Kirk returned to the vi ewer.
Uhura looh:ed round. "All departments except engineering report no mo,jor damage, sir. Sickbay reports thirty five casual ties, mostly fractures. [\0
report yet from engineering,"
'!'he chair intercom buzzed. Spock punched it, knowing that this must be engineering, knowing that it meant something Hrong.
"Spock here.;;
"Eng'ineering~" came Nasters I calm voice. 1I0ne of the dili thium c:cysteJ.s is badly cracked. v!e'll have to replace it."
IIfrhe otho:r crystals?1! Spack asked.
"Ono shol{s 8, hairline fracture that could split off no more than a sli vcr and shouldn't 8,ffoct performance more than one percent. The other tHO are fine."
tlH,eplacG l)oth the cracked ones. You can keep the second for a rese~cve if you're certain it's inside tolerance variability."
"It's that, sir. I'll tool it do,m once He get it out and get rid of the crack. We'll be about ten minutes." There Has a click as the channel closed.
1I1'i[r. F)ulu - sublight speed. tl
i'ii:\.ye", sir.;;
Spoc~ glp,:ocecl back at Kirk~ waiting patiently. His bondmate would ·be 8.vfare of the sc:mtiny; he did not nGed to speak.
After a minute, Kirk straightened again. ttr[lhere are indications of a magnetic surge,tl he said, almost hesit8ntly, as if - unlikely as it seemed to the Vulcan " .. he I'ras unsure of his facts. "There's nothing to indicate wbere it came from. nut a surge of that intcnsi ty ••• even the r:lurasaki Effect ltlasn 1 t that violent. l ; I-Ie bent Qv(;r the viewer once more.
;~H(:Jss.2.ge f::com Starfleet Command~ Commodore," Uhura reported.
Things vre:l.'?e nov! back to normal and had been for several hours.
liOn thn mc,in screen, Lieutenant. 1I
It H9,8 Admire::.l Sentor. "Commodore R~ you are avlare of the magnetic su:rg'c that affected -Chis quadrant a few hOUTS ago. n
ilYes ~ Acl.mi:cal. Ii
"Reports nOVI indicate that it may be centred on f"egafor, a small planet in the Omegn ]yornacis system ·Vlhore He have had a small research stf-ltion for the past fifteen years. rPhe planet has suffered several of these magnetic ~:ru:cges
over the past yeo,r, but this is the first one Hhose effect has been felt outl-li th the plan8t t G frcavi tational field. The surges have been accompanied by earth,," quakes on 1\/fegftfor, but Scientist Stann and his men have been able to make no sense of the readings they are obtaining. He bas nO\-l asked for addi tioD£',l scientific assistance.
"As the nearest Starship Hi th a highly qualified Science Officer, you vrill proceed to ricg2-for at top warp sreed and place your scientific staff at stonn' 8
disposal. '"
"Acknowledged," Spock said au toma ti cally. This di vC)rsion ,Jould dels,y their arrival 2.-0 Vulcan and their bonding by ••• far too long. But duty alHays came first.
"Sentor out .. 11
~'he familiar yet ever-changins starf ield reappeared on the screen. Spack
39
sat watchL1g' it for some moments before saying9 "Ffr. Chekov, compute cour88 to Omega 111oJ_'nacis.;;
Chokov had 8,1:ceady s-tarted 'Nork, knmring the:t -the order ,"ould be coming. His finge:cs d.ancec1 over the controls. "Laid in? sir. it
iI}lTr. f)ullJ. -~ 1:!3 .. :rp factor six. 11
Sent~r bac:. specified top warp speed 9 but 1,vi th only one flavled dili thium crystal in reSerVE), Spock kn8\{ that \'rarp six VIaS the fastest they dared go and retain a s8.fety f8,ctor.
111ho ;·:~lte~qn.'ise S\VllDg face his Science Officer. headed for the turbolift,
onto her nm'l course? Spock svrung his chair :cound to itEr. Kirl<.: - a \'lord with you, please. tI He :1:'088 ['mel
Kirk at his heels.
l{;ven in the privacy of the car~ Spock maintained his formal, eX'Pressionles,s mask 9 and Kirl.<, :CGs-P8cting hi.s silence, also said nothing 9 realising the,t Spack p:ceferred to VlD,it for the additional privacy of his quarte:cs before revealj,D-g what VIas on his mind. Even the half bond \-las closed, and the Euman did not attempt to fO.Tce it open, guessing that Spock ·Has troubled - as indeed he also Vias - by the realisation that the completion of their bond must wait.
Once in Spock' G cabin, however, Kirk abandoned restraint. "l,.·.nlat' s wrong, SlX)ck? 'JjlJ.S ·vJ.111 delay our bonding, of . course - but ••• tI as he sa;V! the ~d yes ~. vIOrY:~/ in :::;pockfs eyes, II •• othere's more to it than that9 isn't there·:'H
i10lCC' ordeJ".'8 1 J·im. I A.,m to put my scientific staff at storm's dispose.:!. ,;
"Oh.ll
~)pock nmiled slic'htly at the flo,t non-commont. "Is that all you can S2 .. ;y 9
Jim. '.1
tr~Phtc',(l.1.c C.od yon' re you, and not the CaptD,in.1\
lilt is ce:r.'t2,in that she should 9" Spack agrel"':d. 1\!:.~y betrothal \Vas b~coiGn
amica.bly; frorlL Vb'·Lt you told m8 9 hers ·Has not.;;
f:0 9 ICLY.:+~ t·hOll{;,ht. The Capt.':dn }lad not cared for ~:(l'"Pring9 only hiG ·D:cicle VlaS h11rt H1:18:0 sbe rejected him9 repudin,ting the childhood betrothgl \·:1.1011, 8,-[;
t1:lenty 8,nd cO)."1.sidered to have reacbed years of discretion, sbe vIas 'J .. skud if s.bo o.grGed to th8 ":"ilC"::;cch arTangecl by ~her parents, saying thr,.:t she Hished. instead ·GO become the seco.ndc.',:r.:y vrife of stann.
Unfo~"(,tv.n(::tcly, 'only t 1,·18..8 not tho cl,pplicttble lilord.
rJ:}18 insectu'C' Cnpt2..in I s pride Vl[:lS his most lTU.lnerable part. r~ort8J.l;y
inS"lJ.lted by tJ.\0 sli.ght9 he had v01;!(0d vengeance, 8Xlcl. the yer';,rs had not lesf~enecl his batl.'Gd fOT tho \'loman who had, he believed, so belittled him. ~rh8 f2,ct i):1<:"?,t hC? bad net ;,o12,D.ted her, that his sexual preference, even then, l,'-lEt.S for 0-[;1) OJ.:' "i"li[\.:L::."!S9
was unimpo~('·i~2.nt. He had not forgotten, could not9 that shc~ had dareel. :t.'ecilLcoca.te his dislike l,d.tll 1.'2vu.lsicl1.
Be had !)Ut3J1 intolJ.i-D'ont enoug:h _. or cunning enough - to rO[;l,li.sb' th::'.t h(:~
cle.red. not (."':..ctively pursue her in vengeanc0 9 as long as she - and hGx' hU8oa.:nd. kept out (If hifJ H~-1y, he Has l,villing to let his hatred fester? no-·one mOY.'8
patient than bo \"then he considered it necessa:r.-y. :Sut if he had been sent to ffJegafoI.'9 it \18.,[":: certrl.-in that he would h2,ve seized his chance for TOVeD-ce.
llIs I~e'p~i~'inu; likely to bc.; on X'Iegafor}1I Kirk asked.
"She is,;: Spock rOl.-lied. 111 made a point of discovering "Ihere she IVO,S,
qui te smnc time 2.CO r •• her knO\'lledg;e of thl::' CaptD,in' s character could rL'vve bec~n r1., danger to us. \1
:~J)o you SUP1~0f3'2 they kno1;i yet ·I;!bich ship has been ordered to thei::r:' Ets;:·:d.st2,.i.'lCe f'il
\I'rhey Hli(.~lrt ,.. but Hill they l<:nol,·! that Spock is on board the T';oterp:::,:LDf .. -';"':
HIf th(;y do ••• I \vonder hOld apprchonsi ve they are?!l Kirk said softly. \;j.lnd He CelD It C;VGn I.'88.8SUre tl1em without betraying ourselves ••• 11
For (;" yc::s,r, Stonn had beeD sending j.ncreasingly desperate messages to Starfleet, 'dP;:c:oing of some post.~ible but unpredictable disaster stemming f:rom the uDtro,cen»)le but violent magnetic surges that were gaining in frequency. He had received nothing but routine acknovlledgements of his messages~ and SUSlJectod that thos(~ mes;:iages had been dismissed as the panic reaction of a mere civilian. However, in thi_s he did Starfleet High Command an injustice; note had been takcn of the reports, of their increasing frccluency, hut Starfleet ,las in the mj.ddle of OD.e of its periodic disagreements with the Federation High Counci1 about funding, \'lith the Council taldng the view that Starfleet costs were soaring unnecessa:d .. ly and. that cuts and savings \vould have to be made.
(liFo;,) ca,n thos!;) cloth-headed idealists at :F1ederation Offices justify -GG11inc us to cut '~x\ck oV.:r' expenses'?11 one harassed Starfleet Adrl1ir2-1 had exclairned :Ln c.
moment of eX8,sper2:tion. iilJ.'hey'll spend a fortune putting' fitted caxpets into a wai ting I:oorn but they '/fon't authorise ten c:redi ts to repair a faulty \·;ar:n:i.ng light th,o,t u:UJ 88,ve lives at a road crossing. They expect us to keep off the Ylingons I·d. t.h shillS patched up with string and sticky tape, but they I d. be the first; to r3C:'('ef~xn Lf tbe Klingons actually managed to get through to 2XlY'dhere important. An fo'Y.' these reports from liTegafor - they'll tell us to ignore thern until it IS too lrd;e, tben they'll ':londer ,,[hy we didn't act sooner. PoJi ticirlnsl;\
rphe /\_dmir2J 1 s :prediction had come true. The maf.{Y1etic surge had affected even the 1J8J.J.·"rn:'otected -planetoid Hhere the ,Figh Council met ~ and these 8_Ue;nst personaQ,'8s 1_1~:/J. !.)X'OlDl)tly pc:mickedo Starfleet \118$ given instant permisnion to spend Hh2.-G()vu:-c 'vJ2,S n8CGSf:;2.ry to save the :Pederation _. for that rea.d 'tbel!!' "'" from inst?~nt cJ.cstrrtcti.on.)
Y"O-C ~-)tOlT,1 gte,reel. :;:Lt the meSS2{{8 that had ,just come through in respo:nse to biB last (\'efJve:cc_",-Ge communicat1on.
'stEU:T:lbi~) )-;_nterprise diverted to Omega Fornacis. Commodore Spock b3.8 b(;8]1 inst:ructed. to ·()l?,.ce his scientific staff at your disposal. '
Comr:-lodorG ~-m()ck.
~n_01d \<Jim.ld. rJ1!r:ring react to this n8\\!s~;~ If only it had been any other Bl-.dpL
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ti;-.rIJ?~c:Lnf?;~ if as you. fear Spock Hished_ to harm you 9 he \1ould sUTely hc,ve done so long' D_p;'O. It is eig'hteen years since you refUEled him., •• ;'
11 1.'.'(; h;J,'\rc~ -been, on I.r:'egafoy.' most of tl1at time. He 1I2.8n't been ne(3,T .'()e:r:e. :',,:';':.i.t
nOH... ;::\l.Gb~;"r1(.1., 1 beg of you~ send ~:I;:)U and the cl1ildren to on(~ of tJ.]O ot}V-::l?
bases, ['vt leC:Ls-c. ~')end them out of I'each of his possj.hle vengeance.': Sh.e 8.b.ll.ci.d·_· ered. \;r:~~e (lOGe; not forG'ct. <",Iben he I"as El, child 9 one of my '[let gl"av<.d:;h IS bJt hi:m. he ,,"IE',f) b.:,ndlin~,:; it 1 but clumsilY9 ODd it ':las 8.fraid 9 so it gripIJcd. his finger \rLtb :i.ts tee-t:h to support itself, nothinc more""'" but it drevl blooci,. rl~~1e:ce
vwre adult;::-:; present~ and he said nothing', but on his next visi t9 a mo:otb JS,'l;CT,
he cau[tht the :;S'T'::;"V8.th 8,nd 1.n:ung its neck, and nothing I could SElY would ntoT) hi1'n.. He f:>s.ici., 'I permit noth.ing to injure me \'lith impunity. I If he eould do that f01' a ':)ite f:'-:-'om Em unintelligent pet? as D. cl1ild 9 iJhat might h(~ do n01,-,r, cl-S
an adult9 tel soml~one Hha rejected. 88.rriage vlith llim? Or to tho person \\rbO~ll f~_he
chose inrd;e8,d.' F:e might \\[811 choose to str'ike at us tbrClugh tbe childTou. :'i,:::? has no com'f}c\ssion, StonD 0 He d00Sl1' t care \·,hat he does - and tba t is 1;/1:lY I kn(YIJ I could. neV(f.c- ·O::12"rr.y him. ii
~,rf1lp:cin_:'1'9 I am not exactly a person of no impoTtance. He could not treat me or nry fsxli.ly ~., a£l if vTO ' .. ICl'O •• • nonenti ties. He must knovl that if he \\re~l'e to atteTllp'c ';;0 h20rnl me or my family? he could not escape suspicion.1i
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11}1e coule",.. ~:'}e 1,{ould.. ~ro him~ what he does is right because he daGG it. I could h8,V8 told my father thELt ;·)pock killed. my grt avath9 but I realised tho,t if I did., 8,nd 118,d him punished for it 9 he \-lOulct find some Hay to be :ceve:c:,gE~d on me k. and OD. my f20ther. f30 I just said it had died in the night. It It(01)ld be the same he:c8. If T had married hifJl, and tried to be a faithful wife to hirn, b.e might not 118-ve been cruel to me.e.but I couldn't risk it. I 1tTould novel.' he,ve kno·i<m... An l).DidaX"J ·Hord 9 Stann - even that Has enough to anger him. I knOl,'l he I·rill find SOJ!e Hay to hit back at me~-::-through you, or ~r' Su~ or most likely the ohil(L~'en. Ii
ll"{-iJy \-life, you are repeating yourself. Calm your thoughts. r::e would not dare attempt to :i.njure the head of this planet.
jlEe 1dould dare anything 7 stonn. Anything. If
DU-G ~;tono refused to give \'lay. As he saw it 9 a confident approach l,·ias lTlore likely to dirJoJ:tr:1 any malice Spock might fe.el than a covJ8.,rdly one. Spock had most probe,oly [::ot 8}:lay vIi th a great deal as a child - incidents like ~P1Pring' s gr'2-vath -, because be had bullied his victims into letting him get 8;o..ray ·vrith· it. :nut it 1'!23 ho,):,dly likely that Spock~ a Vulcan in a position of prestige~ should still ~ af·;;e:c eig'hteen years, be harbouring feelings of resentment tOl,'lards fo,
Homan l:Tho h?,d ~"(.'e:jected him in order to become the secondary Hife of someone elso.
On I'8s,ching !:~egafor? J.~irk set his staff to monitoring the planet tiiTenty··· four hOU~C8 ,~, d8:Y. If these magnetic surges Here coming from he.1:'e, he i.·'Ja;oted to knoi:1 \'that 1X?xt of the planet ·""0$ causing them. Headings from the surf,::.ce 1:!8:C8
clear1y 1.1.801088 t 1?erha 1)S on 88 from space Hould "be more informative.
SpocK co.n-Gacted Stonn, and r-lrrant;'ed a meeting's then punched the inte:-ccom. HFr. Kirk, L'Gno:c-C to me in briefing room one in five minutes. Dr. ri[cCoy, I·HisJ.l you also -Co be l)):esent. 11 He closed the channel. tI~{lr. Cbekov9 you have the con. If there in a magnetic surge Hhile the landing party is on the surface, hold posi.tion f~,S 1()."~1~:',· 8B posHible so that the scientific st2..ff may gather 0),S rnn:n.y reading's as -L)Qf:;~:;ir-)J.e. "Break orbit only if it becomes necessary to e.li.SllTG ·[)18
'.I.hye, si:c.'·: If Chel-:ov Has unhap-)"=y vii th the responsibility plf:1Ced so 2~pp'a:rently l'!.onc0.alently on hi s shoulders 9 he did. not sho\·! it, and Spock ~cegist··~
ored a rner.d-;,},l note in his favour. E'~r. Chekov ·would make a {;ood Captain one day.
Spoc1::~ l'88,ched the briefing room first9 but only a feH seconds befox'e t·TcCoyo r:f.1he QOctOT 1J[tS lool':.:ing slir!7htly "1dor.ried, and Spook raisod an enqu . i.ring (0ye·::n::'O\·T. IIVh8:t t fj the p:c'oblem 1 r:ccoy7'il
!:~cCoy shool:: hi.s head. 1;I:;:hor8 isn't one ••• not really. Yet.>!
"ii/ell, it isn I t anytbing that I can put a 1:lrong. O:r J·.'O-tl1er, something not quite right. the ship. ~. I could be imag'ining things-:'you of rRdi8,t:Lon affecting: personnel ••• a
finger on, Bince that kno1'T hOl; I
but there's sometbin:;;· magnetic surge hi. t am about the possibility
"yO"\) "G!.1inlc there might be some tnimical radiation linked to the mp,e,'netic surge··;'\;
\1Iet T fl ,llJ.;'lt say th2,t I'm seeing. ~ .not signs, but the· beginning of signs ••• of mental ••• i: }Jo shook his head. !lEental unsteadiness isntt--golng~ to expla,in vlha t I rrl(':;.::U.1 p:co}j,=:n::'ly. It's more like the i.'Jay Jim Has \>Then you came b~1Ck f:com Vulc8J.1 .. ~ yOl~:l:' \Tu.J.c8,n. Eot as marked - just indications. Shadows of B- d.i.DtU:'Cb~ 8~nce~ or cf. lact of t;quilibrium ••• though just in ODe or two people.;1
i;:;pock f1.'o\·r.ned. Hyou think the surges miGht be coming through s::mef)l'\'T f~('()m
cmother un:i.vc:"C~;u ~':;
J:IcCoy Hh~cl.ltt~;·ed. ilDoesn t t seem likely, does it ';'H
43
;IOn the f~.l"ce of it9 no~ passage betlJ0Cn lmi verses is op en to 8.-chni t. Kirk ...
1rut strang'or things have happened. vIe ]:>:nm.z that possible. li He glanced tOi",ards the door as it slid
"Sorry l'm late, H J::irk apologised easily, "It took slightly longe:~ than 1 expected to link up the monitors. ele kept e;etting some odcl readings, but \;8
finally got them balanced. u
Spack glanced from him to Nceoy. "Odd readings," he repeated. "Jim, l'fcCoy has come up vii th a tentative possibility - " He explained quickly.
I<Jrl{ frankly.
thought 2"bout it. "I >laS very col.d,
"fls to the medical aspect, I donlt know," he so,ie" I remember ~~ "
UYet you 1,l/ere running a high temperature 9 r; Spock put in. "You had pneumonia. Ii
"Yes ... but I had a job to think straight, too. I felt confused ... "
Spock nodded~ ills too, experienced some confusion, but not as marksclly as you did. ii His li-ps set resolutely. tI\'!e must consider a cross-universe fd.oor' here as 8, possibility, based on our special knowledge. J3ut for the llOl!lent, He should 82,Y nothing of this to anyone else. Doctor~ you will remain on the l~terprif3e. Keep your stc.l,ff on full alert status 9 I have ordered relr. Chekov to remain in orbit, even in the face of further magnetic surges 9 and injnriGs are a definite ',Oossibili ty. Also - in vie\'! of \;hat you have just said .. kee',O a:n eye on mem!)e:('s of the ore\-' Hho have been affected by this incipient confnsion. If there is any aggrava tioD. of their candi tioD. 9 let me know. Jim, you and I will beam do\·T.D to visit Scientist stann - our orders are to assist, after all. "1'[8
\<Jill see l:That he has to say 9 and if he can add any further informatio.n to ';lhat i:le al ready knO"H.;\
1iYes, of course. I'; Kirk hesitated 9 then went on. HDid he seem ••• '.'!oITied., at all s ,\;Jhcm you spoke to him,?!1
"AI1'lost pugnaciously normal, I ,iould say. II
"'}Ie ';ra,S ','Jorried, i',' Kirk decided..
"It I S a long stoX"J, ]lones, and even I don I t know all of it. Apparently Captain \<laB engaged to a girl called T'Pring? it \-fas an arranged betrotho,19 Hhen she \-,Tas tl-lenty, she broke it off and married this Stonn instea:1~ f.{l.he Captain '!TaB pretty bitter ahout i t,1I
"I get the TJicture,11 HcCoy said. Ills this fJ:'Pring here toO"~';i
nYes, '" Spack s8,id.
Il.~e ca:ceful,:' J;'fcCoy vlarnecl. I1If she knew the Ca:ptain ""ell ••• 11
til la.101/J,; Spocl( ral/lied. HI intend to be ••• very careful. II
',,1 1>J.10
a..'1d
stonn met his -two visitors just outside the main lab at his base. ;rC;omL1~·· odore f:ll)ock 9;; he act<novrledged.
lIf:)cientist ~)tonn9;T Spack replied evenlY9 a trace of indifference in his tone. ilri:rd.s is my }~irst Officer 8,ncl Science Officer ~. and my bondmate. James Kirk.'"
He wo,s awo,re of a touch of amusement in KiI'k's thoughts. / /Neatly done, Spock ~. lRd; I don't guarantee it'll reassure .thEE! - not if TtPring knm'i tbe Captain :~1,8 'wGll as sr~e must have done./ /
f)tonD nodded in acceptance of the introduction. "Captain Kirk,;; he said. in greetingo Fe Glanced back at Spack. ilTo be honest, Commodore 9 I donlt kno":! :Lf there's V8:1":';] much that any of us can do. These surges have been occurrine; fOT
fully a year, but until no,1 Starfleet has done nothing but acknOl'lledge receipt
44
of our reports. Yfone personnel c-Gu6ying them of the tOl) "len in their
of the readings make any sort of sense - I've had ever since the first one, and I have on my staff some fields in the :fi1ederatioD" If
"I realIse j.t is difficult," Spock agreed smoothly. "But per11aps all it requires in 8, f:C8Sh approach. Human illogic caD often reach conclusions that more disciplined minds fail to realise.:I
stann s}.lOok his head. "I .have several Humans on my staff 9 Ii he said gloomily. IIrTbey are 8,8 baffled as the rest of us. i1
iOPeY.'h2.~,!;) if "'.;Te {Day see some of your \>wrk?1I Kirk put in"
"Yes, of course. ~[lhis 1daY9 g'ontlemen. H ntonn turned and led then] inside the lab.
Inside, both visitors glanced round quickly. immediately, and gave his bondmate a mental nudge. table" ,n;,. / /
Spack noticed TtPring / /r.rhe ltTOman at the fOUTt!.1
Kirk Gave h"r his full attention for a moment. //8he's quite a beauty.// ~'hen, as ,,-CaITo led them to the first table, he added, //She'8 like a perfect cryste,l. Deauti".:ul ••• and cold./ /
/ /She could easi.ly be hiding fear, Jim. She knew the Captain./ /
//1 kno'.-l. I didn't forget - hO\'1 could 1"7 But she is ••• almost too controlled./ ,I
Spock SllO-G her a'quick glance. Before he could reply, Stonn said? \;~ehis is Ster CheraJ., COlwmodore. Cheral 9 Commodore Spock~ Captain Kirk? Science OfficeX' of the ":n-cerpri.se. Hill you explain your HOl'k to them. if
Cheral's quick look at them Has almost resentful, and Kirk thought he could guess "lofhy. Ji.ltl1oug.b Stann h<1d requested additional aid, many of his staff undoubtedly f81t that? given time? they could solve the problem of the Tr'lc\gYletic surges. Che:tal obeyed immediately? hO'wover 9 and. Kirk gave f)tonn full marks fo:c discipline.
lI~rhOf:JO ::~:CG the magnetic readings for tho planet?;1 Cllcral bogan. \;\'le sta:"('ted taking tbe,sE:! :·?,s soon 8,S He arrived here - our assignment 1tlas to discovcT \-.Thy life became p:c<:1,ctica11y 8..Xt-inct9 and \-Ie 'began by studying all aspects of the ecological condi tioJ)f:j. He also made a stll..dy of magnetic fluctuations in tIle past, ij he added? 8,1'C;1.ost as an afterthought -~ tbat had not been his work. ItlJe disCOVGT(::cl that -the ;i!f'{','De"liic field "vaS steady $' within the .Domal limits of fluctu2:t;i.on that occur th:col"!.gh the [',ction of sunspots? ion storms and so on. r:Vhen~' a year <".1,[;,0 -
the p12.<-Dct 8uffo:-coc't considerable seismic dist'urbance. rphis was accompD,nioc1. ~')y
these fi:;:fJt ...-ngSs:i.v8 fluctuations in the mae-:91etic field. There have been scnrera1 oth8r sud:1 distlu'bances since? and each 'Has marked by 0, similar magnetic fluctuatio:n, altl"!ough the intensity varied .. rrhe last such disturbance.o.the re;.ldings ]'.-.Jerrii off the scale. Ii
Kirk 8x8,mined the readout of the magnetic field and its fluctuations faT some moments, th~:n said$' ult ve Dever seen anything like it eith(.::r? CommodoTe.;; He looked bc:,ck at Ch8ral. li~frill you make 8, copy of this to be sent to the Fnterpriso fo~C' analysis',) I do not dispute your findings? and I do not lntencl to denir<rate yOUI' ability 9 but the Enterprise has at her disposal the most adv<:\Dcec1. computers 2,vo,ilo.ll1e. If there should be any sort of pattern to these fluctu2,t,· ions, our computers will find it .1;
liVm:y vo11 9 Captain,H Cheral agreed. ston.n led them to the fourth ta~)le.
ttl believe you knOl;] ny w:Lfe 9 Commodor.e,11 E)tonn said quietly y and Kirk shivered. ·.Hou sturid could the man be? j\:-o man 9 no matter hOvl even ..... tempered, \'lould 2-ccept this reminder that the Vlornan had once been betrothed to him 1:rith equanimity. lie noticed a faint shado\"! cross TtPring's face a180 9 and knev[ fO)7 certain the~t she, p,t least9 did fully realise her possible danger.
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Spoc\: fitiffGl'1ocl cteliberatoly, and kne1:f that Etonn had seen and realised. that he 81101)_1<..1 have been slightly more ci~ccumBp(~cto However, Spock said noth:i.nc,' to 1:1irn, hut irlclincd his head slightly. !l1~pt Pring-,ll he said Gtiffly.
"Spock s:\ sbe said quietly'i but there "Was and "Kirk 1.<:n8""1 that she \>Tas indeed t8rrified~
the faintest quiver in heT voice, IH:~r control war.:: forced.
Pointc:cJJ.y 9 he held out his h8.nd, fingers outstretched in the rituaJ. bOYlclma'te embrace, ~):C1ock touched his fingers, allowing himself to relax. ilrlhis is my hondrnate, J£W18S Kirk of T.i'arth.11
~~I:Prin{,: lO'Vle:r:ed her head in aCknO\,'ledgement9 her tension barely eased. Kirk smiled at 11or 9 trying to, let her see that he vias in no fear of Spock. lilt's a pleasure -Go meet you, f/l:a'e,m,fI he said.
The ·'/uloan Homan glanc8rl Quickly at· Spack as if trying to assess his reaction to lois bonclmate' s remark. Logically, the Spack she remembered Hould react 1,'litb je(;3J.ousy~ vlOuld be extremely -possessive of his bondmate. Striving for a middle courSe - one tbat ,lOuld combine possessiveness ;lith trust ... Spock knm .. ! th.8,t he had totally failed to reassure the \vornan. She say! only the poss .. essivenes13, and hE.? vlas forced to admit to himself that she was probably just~,
ified. Vulcans did not make good actors ••• vlhich vT8-S probably the main reason. \>Jhy "Vulc2,n had no thespian tr8,di tion. There were singers and musicians in ·plenty ~ even dancers ••• but no actors.
Irhe Gcorls;rio ·Has b:r.ol:::en by the tremor of ·yet another earthquake1 leGS violent ULLs time then rnany that had preceded it. Spock moved instinctively to protoct KLI'L~ \"Jho \"Jas moving to protect him? they rolled toe;ether on tb(~ f100:c, their aJ:,rilf:> Tound (~2,ch other, and as the ground steadi.ed ag8.in 9 Kirl.\: sa.t l1..P, grinnin:): b:co[l,c1.1y. w\"!e'11 have to stop meetinfs' like this 9 il he murmured c[lisch:i.ev·~
ously to his bonc1rrw;te 9 Hno threv! him an indulgent glance.
The ·byplay did not go unnoticed by ~r.lf Pring, alert as she VIas to every nUB-nce of h(:)}? onec·time betrothed I s actions, even as she too picked hO:(,88J.f up.
She did. not a110i'l herself to relax ••• but she found herself bre8,thin{< a Ii ttle eaf:Li .. 8J:'. 'J.1his }{urnan did seem to possess a sort of ••• calming effect on t}H~
unpredictable f-jIJock, and Spock 9 it secmed 9 did have SO\"::18 care for lds DOl1chnate t s 'Nelfare.
If she l}8,cl mc;.rried. him ••• 1,'Jould he h8,ve been like tflis Hith her";
]\:0. f3he l;!2,S sure he i"cmId not. Fe n2,d killed her gr'av8;th 9 in spite of everythinr;Bhe could ·say to dissuade him? children thoug'h they hEtel been, it V!2,S
obvious eV8:tl tnu:o -c..hat her 'dishes '-'lere of no importance -to hi.m. She could nct ex.-pect him to change just becau.se they ",Jere adult:; a boy Has nOLrnally e:x.-occtcd to behave t(J':ID,}:'0.B l1is betrothed, even as 8, child~ as he \"ould do once tJ.l0Y ':lC:f.'C-;
tru.ly" bond.cel. it~(1is Human had some sort of aldlemy)) or perhaps it vias ,j"L1.st thc1.-G Spock had chosen him himself ratller than having him chosen for him. ·p·o I)':::~Tcnt8
Hould be (-30 lost to common sense as to bond thei.r child to another illaleJ ~)]:J(.;
could not J.'ccal1 ever hearing of another caso 9 alt,hough Ghe kn8\<1 from heT studies that male ~)oncli!.'.(~";9 once rela.tively common in thE-; days of their "HarrinI' !:!ari-t, he,d neveI:' beo:n (~.ccln.,:':,ncl_ illoga19 undesi.rable 8..S it .. ·la.S nO"V! conr·d.dered.
l'Iearn";ThilG, Kirk "'J8..S deep in study of th~? readings "the instruments '·iOTe
shoVling on this l;:-l.test quake~ E;pock stood by 9 Haiting aPDarently patientJ.:y.
FinoJ.ly, KiI'l<: shook 11i8 bead. lIr.rhere'fl no thine nevI,;? he said f.';J.oomiJ.y. nTh ere 18 a magnetic surge coming from somei>Jhere 9 its force is, quite 1.1. terf\Jly 9
shaking' the "Awle fo.b:cic of spaco. ]3ut there's absolutely nothin{~ to incl:Lc;:~.te
Hhere the sU:i:'ge iG coming from~ no directionF3,1 bias 9 nothing'. It's just ••• happening. ;i"
His eyes met 8-qock'n. 'Tho Vulcan shook his head. "rJ;here has to be 2.J."'1
explanation, l.{(r. ·Ki:~ck.)i
rJ.lfpJ?:Ln<,; shive:ced at his form~tlity. rphis \<las his bondmate, yet he vT£~S
speaking· to him af1 if he Has a l!1ere .innion officer. She was inexperieYJcc~d.
enough in ~:·;-G9,:.cfleet procedure to realise that the formality meant only that
47
Spack was ITpeai.d.:r.1C thus because it \>r8.S 8. duty situation,
lIAgreecl 9 Sil> - but so far we l'ack the data to track do\vn the source.;;
He \'laS interrupted by the bleep of Spock's communicator. r:Phe Vulcan flicked it open. "Spock here."
\'l/;as-Gers, Commodore. Sensors have picked up a kilometres clue north-west of your current position. after the 12,8-0 disturbance.!1
life form The life
reading reading
some ten a"PP'8ared
Spock g!.8-Dced at Stonn. "Have you any personnel at the designated p18,ce'?" he asked.
Slo1lily, stann shook his head. IIThis has hapl)ened before, II he said, b.alf re1uctan·',ly. "~"rice already we have detected a life form reading after ono of these clis-Gu:r'bances, but each time, \vhen \'18 investigated 9 there \1a8 nobod.y tbere. I think you \'Jill find the same thing happening this time. 11
III 1;ronder. l<iss j':Jasters - lock transporter onto the life form and bea:m it up to the ship. I want to knOi'1 who it is - and where it C8,me from."
i'lAye, si:c.;; ~Phere was a distant voice giving orders.
brief pause, during which they heard l'!jasters' II'inally - /;1.48 have him, sir. A humanoid male. i ;
nKeep him there.. ;-.';r. Kirk and I Vlill be returning immediately. Lock onto us and beam up "'hen I'eady .. H
"'Aye, sir... Fhergising. II
rr' Pring ldntched. the sparkles vanishing 9 her teeth playing wi th her Up]J8T
lip. Stann looked at her.
I'Th(;'T.E:, nm·r,;; he said 1tli th all the self-assurance of a dominant ID8J.e 1.vho fel t himself pJ.'ov(,cl right in the face of female illogic. "You can't say thc',t Spock shoHed 8,ny great hostilitY9 did he?;;
She shook her head 9 and her voice trembled as she reDlied~ ":CoQ • • and th8,'i; Horries me. He \Vas just like_ thD-t "lhen he killed my gr'avatb. Pleasant9 eveD. smiling ••• aveD ;''1110D he killed it. I ?onft trust him, stann. I .don't tX'llp;t hi-::1,"
"Eis i)ODdr'v:.~.te seemed to have a c2..1rn~Dg influence over him, VI S:tonn comme.r\ted.
;JSeemed,:; I.ptpring repeated. III concede that he did not appear to be afrz:d.cl 9
but I \,rondc:;:' .h0\-.r g:eGn.t is his influence over Spock7 ~)pock was clearly disple2.sed 1trhen the : ""I.1Y:18Xl could give him no information on the magne'tic effect. '1'-:::r. Ki:ck ••• ' and Kirk 1(n01;.' it. f)ince wllen did anyone ever call bis bonclrnate 'sir', if uve:cything be"Gl'leen them I'Jas as It should be?lI
Stann looked at her 9 a trace of v!orry in his eyes. l'lhat she said vIas t:cnc 9 Spock118:tl.shovi1 coldness the moment Ilis condmate hael proved unable to p:covide him 'ltJ:i.th pos1'·cive information on observed data. Illor the first time~ he bef:?,'f~n t()
think th8,t ~:::)(~~~ch[n!s f.T"Pring's dread of Spock 1.'JaS at least to some degree ;j1..1.stified.
Spock [,"J.ncl KLck materialised to find tHO security guards vlatchin{5' a neI'V01JS-··
looking' mo,18 ,·.rho looked completely Human. As they stepped down from the pad8, the cloor opened snd l'·\cCoy strode in. 1Q,rhere' s this person I've to check out':';·, he demanded abruptly.
Kirk grinD.Gc1 to himself. Truly 9 nasters l:Jas a competent officer\: be dnu:bted that he wmIc! hc,ve thought to have the stranger medically checked. 11asters, on duty bssido the transporter chief, nodded tC)\'lards the shrinking humanoid. ;;'f"Wl'8,
Doctor o 1>
r.'fcCoy {(c'LllYcecl 9 and raD his scanner over the rnn.D. He glanced back 8,t hel~. H1,l!ha t 9 81)8cifically, do you vrant to know ~ Niss Hasters'/ll
IiSpecifics,-11y~ is he Human 9 and if not, Hhat is he':'''' she asked grimly~ '-'lith an apolo{1;etic look at Spack.
/i.8
HOh 9 he's Hurnan all right,); r.1cCoy confirmed. o~rhough there I s something about the rec\clings ••• i~ lIe glFmced over towards [':pock. 11Something that tallies vIi th 1tlh2,.t '.\1('; ,-,reTe discussing earlier s Commodore. He's disorientated ••• body tempera tl:!'~(,8 r8,the~(' 101,</ ••• It
Kirk 8nd Spock glanced at each other as YcCoy looked from one to the other~ 11you unde):'s-cand 'i'lhat lim trying to say, Commodore?" Nceoy asked vlith 2, gJ8..YlCe at Kyle 2cncl the g~\ards. "asters didn' t matter; she already knew ab011"C the al ternate ul1i verses, though not as much as there \'/a8 to kno'ltl.
Spock nodded. "Yes, Doctor. It appears that our previous hypothesis ;ras correct. ;;
WIest I?hc question is, .,,,hat do we do about it'?tI
Spock g'le,nced at the nervous Human. tlHho are you?" he asked abru1!tly. I?'dhere do you come from?"
~rhe ·'JUTI1Sj1 looked, if anything, even more nervous. <1I'm ll.obert J3rov·rn,;; he said 9 his voice trembling. "1'm a computer technician currently vlorking at the new computeT centre 'aeing constructed on Omega Fornacis to correl"te ,,11 the data pertaining to the magnetic surges \"e've been experiencing for the past year. a
Spock's eYGbro'1"'s lifted. There vIas no nevI computer centre being constructed - here _. so tbB.t Stc.rfleet, or the Federation Council, or both, in the othGJ' universe 1Jeing affected were being more realistic about the problem th8D they were in t.Jlis universe a
ii~IJh{-;J:'8 am I,':; BrO\vD \{ent on. "And hm,r did I get here- One minute I '·m haTd at Hork 9 U10 next I'm in the middle of nowhere ••• and then 11m beamed aboard 8-
Starshi p .... :;
"I In: e,fT2,:J.cl ',ia can't answer :your questions at the moment 9 r,1r • ·:'3rovln~;;
Spack said smoothly. ;1ffhese magnGtic surges are ••• responsible faT many thin~!;s
that VIe cannot exp12~in." l:re looked. at the [s'Uards. aF,scort r,~r. J3rovln to a guest ca"bin~ see that he is well looked after. i1
';Yes 9 siT. ',: 'rhe e;uards knm{ perfectly 'Ne11 \"hat fjpock meant';) oste:nf:d.bJ.y a ev.est9 t'}ro':Jn ':!()uld be carefully c:tnd unobtrusively sruardcd.
As thc;y left the transporter rOOD 9 Spock looked round his sen ior officers. 'ill ",ant to see you all in my quarters irnmediately 9 ?i he said.
l"';aste~cs nodc;,ed to Kyle and she moved to join the others as they hen,ded. fO:L>
the door. ?,y mut'ual consent they remained silent until the door of S;;)ock' s office closed IJohincl them. Spock looked round at them. liI'm including' YG1} in this confeT'ence~ }:iiss l~8-sters9 because you do know something about the t l
l1801'Y ry('
a1 ternate lmi-'\To~cses. It seems fairly obvious to me that l1re .Drown h8.8 come from another universe - ODe WD(:.?re the JT'ederation has paid more attentioll to ·U.18 si tuation tI18..D. ours has. Fe has possibly come through to the same pl[~,ce orl ()ur i'!~ag2.,for that he \'las on his ••• though ho\>! the surge could carry him is a mys-Gc:;):,} to me.\>
l'iias-ccrs rwddecl. "A natural phenomenon similar to the ODe you c:ce,0.ted ·,,!{.len you built 1:.h3,-I::; '·b?2.JJSporter' you used'··" she asked.
Spocl< nodded. iiYes ••• and the pOHor involved to do it must he stagg·eY?in~:<. \l/e have SUS1)ec-GGcI. -~ II he incU.cated Kirk and J>TcCoy - Ilthat this \"as the cause of the SUJ:'g88~ blJ.t. \'[(] lacked proof. Fo\'! v!() have proof of a sort. fJlhe q-u.of-:Jtion is, what do l,.-[e de about it\l\
The intm_'com hleeped. "1Jhura to Commodore Spocko II
Spock ::L'cacbed out. ;,'Spock here.;;
"r D.?,I.re a cont2,ct from Scientist stonn 9 sir. iI
apipo it d01.·;n here 9 Lioutenant.1i
49
stODD I S f8,e8 ap-peared. :f;:ven with his vule;:",n control it was obvious to aLL of them tb.8,t he 1:.Jas deeply concerned? even shocked 9 about something. ;;Coml'llOdoJ:.'8 SPOCk9 one; of my men has vanished. ,;
"UndGT uhat ci:ccumstances?iI Spock asked.
EOne mor;lont he ltJas 1;!orking at his computer ••• the next? disap"pe2,,~':'8d. ~L\he:J:"e 1'18,8 nothing like a transporter effect? moment he 1;[2.8 thBre ~ and the next ••• he had simply gone. Ii
IlHhat is his name?'; Kirk put in.
he had comuletely apparently, one
"J3ro'vm - Hobert Bro',lDo He is one of the EUm2.DS \'Jorking on lYTegafor ~ possibly our most skilled computer operator."
til see, '"~ Spook said? his even voice giving no indication of the excitement he felt. :iiJllw..nk you for the information. !-'Iay we come down again and see -G!.'l8 place froIfl. 'Hhere he va.nished r
:","
"If you think it Hill do any good - but I assure you, his colleagues :moH
";r don't dou1)"C it91i Spack replied quietly. 1'Rxpect 11S down in five minutes.;: -Fie flickf;d the intercom off.
"Hobe::ct Y5T01:i.'.1,;' Kirk Hhispered. "One Hobert DrowD disappears •• ,,9.,DotheJ:' appo8.rs ••• "
Jilt in ~J.r):ost certain that 'our' Robert J'3ro1tm is at this mQment in bis cQUnterp2,rt'[-:l uni~.rerse9 'Hondering ':lhat h8,s h2:ppened to him9!f Spock agreed. He Sighed. ;:~.'Te h2,(~. ho-red to keep the knoHledge th:'1,t there are other uni V8rSGS to ourselves 9 " he -Geld r:asters. "r:vents appear to have 'forced our hand'. J}'l1e knoHleclge is potenti8.11y quite dangerous 9 I feel ••• ;:
LastoTs nodded in agreement. HYes 9 I rec.lise tha t9 1i she said. i':::;ut nO-I'j
the po\·re:cs tln;c be:; of tv{O universes seem to be likely to discover the fo.ct, -=md trlat transfer !iot':i8cn them is possible. 1fr'lat vIi1l they m2J::e of it !""
"I shudder to think," neeoy told her.
?1If they eM be convinced of how d2-Ylgerous it iS 9 t11ey mig'ht decide -C;' sU'Ppress 2.11 knO\<lledge of it 9 H Kirk said optimistically.
liYes ~-. ()lrc Cf.\D they be convinced /ii T':cC~}y asked.
tilt if) U]:) to US to convince ther11 9 i'i Spock sn,id. lq;!e already kno\-l th2,t tho transfer ~-)e"G\<!ee_r:~ tHO universes hs,s 2-D adverse effect on the I:(um2,n body"" tbis maX} T)rO\':T"!. is eold' 9 di80I:,ient2~ted •• ~HheD Jin 1"l8nt through tHice in close 8uccession 9
he ended U~_-) ','lith Irneumonia 9 and n0e,rly died. I myself suffered confusion, my thougbt p:cocesH8B VIeTe 81m'!ed appreciably 9 and I too was ;;t\</ctre of a ce:c"Gain bodily cl1:U,l. I tx'avelled bebtleen universes more than h,rice ~ and the ef:Cect does app8E' .. :C to bc; clF!1ule"tive. Yet bol.'; to convince 3t2~rfleet of tho,t 'ditJ::lOU"l; bet:rayin.':t -U,:·.e f8,C-C t11at .. ,r8 e,lJ:'co.,dy kno", how to "P["SS bet\>leen universes 7"';
"T"\or:tes j,'l('.\d better see our medical 'L;:\DO of his concli tion.
'visi tor' agc,in 911 Kirk su[!;gestecl9 Hand 1-!laLc: !), :Cull rphat '.-JQuld be e;1; least some evidence.::
Spock l.'.'od.cleci., "Yes. ])0 thS.t9 Doctor •.. Ne8..Dvlhile, J'im 9 you and I \:\lUst return to the:: p12.net. I vlEmt to know more about the disQ,ppearance of this uni veTse I s :tic 'b,s:r_'-c Brovln. II
·3ro\'T:o. \'!E:,S one of the stD,ff at stann's base? and stann himself Has "·l8,:U~J.ng
fOT thera ' • .rbeD -Gbey beamed dOHn. frhe laboratory had a haunted. loolq the ::<1.J.'.'~!.::'-n
scientist in the room gave the impression of looking over his shoulder 0,11 the time 9 as if 1dc:..:I_ting for something to leap out at him •• ,or 8.S if he "18.S f,,'oir:g to disa-P:9E~e,J.:' himself, The Andorian, on the other hand 9 was so obviously P9_~ looking over biG shoulder that it "Tas clear that_he too \<Jas very a\<J2~re of his colleague! 8 clisa)!pe2"rance but Has quite det~rmined not to show it.
stann. IntrodlJ.ced them. lister Cheral you already knovl, Commodore? C2~pt-::,in. This is l)~C. Vcden •. ,;
S-poclc nodded aclmmlledgement. "Gentlemen."
Spock studied. them thoughtfuJ.ly. r.]"ervous -~ Oh9 so nervous! 1tScientis"G Stann has told me ;dhat ho.ppened9 gentlemen. \:.1hi18 I have no doubt that his report is c;,CCux'i),te, I Hould be interested in hearing the details directly from you. ;;
~:he -(;1;!0 "['leD looked 8,t each other. Vaden ans\,rered.o
,., TechnicL?l1 J3ro 1tTn W:1,8 feeding data into the computer 9 ;) he said g pointinz to 8, smeJ.J. console, "2,nd he simrly disa-p-peared. 1,'linked out, suddenly.;;
,·;}\~o t::c'2,nspo::cter effect:!! Kirk asked. Stonn had said not g but •••
1I1}o. r·cco like ••• v!ell, a movie special effect. There one freJne, gone the next.1I
S-pock nodd.cd. / !Not qui te the same as my 'transporter', then./! he thought over the bo:ocl· .. 1ink. "And that l:lSS 8,11,?11 he asked aloud.
liYes, Ccwnnoclare. 01
stonn i((l.,:~ncGd at Spock f s thoughtful face. ;;Do you knovl v1hat caused this, Commodore· ." l1e ["skeel 9 struck by the understi;nding he sal'1 there.
liVe 1.12..V8 Em
no confirm::;cion. iclea," S-pock repli eO. carefully, It remains speculatioDo 11
"but vJithout more de..t8, (Ire h[;\V8
Bpock 2,'C:'-VG 8, negative gesture th8,t to the Vulcan expres.sed his re{~Tet as I'Jell as b:Ls inai)5.J.ity to comply v!i th the request. HV!i thout more data, I prefe::<' to sp,y not}line: i:',S yet. ilS soon 8.S \<Ie have any additional informatioD 9 vlG l,riJ.1 g·i ve you 'i;hc fe,c-cs - such as they .2.re 0 iI
stann g:r't)).1ted g feeling no sight. 1:' Ilulcan himself, he understood pe:efectJ.y woll the \Tu1c[:,:o. ):ccference for certainty before committing themselves. lIe .nodded to the tHe scientists to continue I,li th their Hark, and folloHed Kirl.< 8.11.cl Spock out of tJ.1r:: :;~OOL1.
Outf:d.du~ :;,)oc1:: se,id quietlY9 ilr;tonn 9 1'10 are not trying to be 2."V.rk"'lC?l.J::'Cl .. ~ I")~,'.t
if ';'[112;["; i:{0 sl).f:lpect is tru.e 9 the fe1>18r peorle who knoH about it the ·bett;;:;/.'o J.
int.end no i:osult tn your me1l 9 but "'hat they do not knO\-1 ••• 1i
"YOl), b(;~U.uve it to be somethine; ~. I; stonn cut himself off in mid.··sentencf:;9 and gC:1VO 8J1 c·:nbaT')·:asscd half-l2..ugh. l1}lut of course it is sOTJ.cthing sericus. ,;
nIt could destroy us 2,11 9 './ Spock s8.icl seriously. \;It has _ ;;
E:e 1n'o\(~ oft" as the r,:round bODcath them shook again9 th::covling them all ·cr;the f100:c. J\fJ everythinG' ste8.died~ t.here came a startled exclamatioD9 2.,udibJ.e even tl"1J.'oll(·):"1 tbe closed door.
Kirk :o::'\·;co~3nised the p,bbreviation before either Vulce,n 9 scrambled to hi.s feet ;:;,nd fuYnblod the door open.
'.Pho romn no"\:! contained three "(:1en. Voden 1das bending over a second Y-"::um8-D \"ho lay in fTon-c of the computer consoles: Chergl ""as: gaping at them9 fu~,J.~
predomin2J.l-c i:n. his eyes.
Yirk strod8 oVer to the kneeling Voden. 'iThis is :'3r0 1"rn,?iI he asked h2,J::'f3hly
as he I'lsn-c.
, .' ,um.
'lYeD~ sir.;; y,;:->den's. voice I'las shaking.
"KiY.'~·~~ lme1t boside the unconscious man 9 cbecking his pulses rH1C 'tulC:2.11 ',K\S already r(-)aching for his communicator.
as ::::pock joined
51
;'Ee T G VC}~'Y cnlcl. and his pulse is i.'leak 9 Ii J"'_irk reported briskly.
SI)ock: :e()f3.(:.8C1' 9 lJ.nderstanding whst Kirk 'I,10.,S sayinG'.. ;'S!!ock to ·f~lte:r:qrj.sE0
thr2e; t(: iJ82:n; 1'):'.-;9 !·'liss TThura. Dr. l';cCoy to T:WE~t us in the tr2,n8port81:' room ~'ri th Co medicE'.,]. t8s;nl. And.o.ask security to Ch8Ck our 'f:;uest's t c8,bil'l.1\
Spoc l,:: ::2,l,g,nced .2:pologetically tOl-lards stann. "Fy apologies s sir9 but I believe J)J'.'~ i'ieCey to be the best person to deal "rith I"1r. BrOltln'S condition. I expect to ob-GEdn the addi tional dat2. I require \tlhen he regains consciOu.SJ!8SG. I Hill be in -Couch,,;; Kirk had already motioned Vaden 2;.,1tlay" 1I]~nergize" I,
~he scientists \'latchecl, puzzled, confused, frightened~ as the transporter beam ca:criod the three men a\<Tay.
)leCoy bent over Ermm, muttering to himself as he checked the readings. IITboroughly chil1ed,I1 he finally said aloud. "Hypothermia and pneumonia.;' Fe straighteYlecl~ \'Ii -eh a glance at his orderly. "Intensi ve care immediately, ~<if.ako.
Tell :nurse f.Oa:nTu:'::a to prepare an intravenous drip solution 9 15}; salhydrate, 15% renamyc1n. ;;
l'tcCoy ~:;lm':l.ced at Spack, \'Iho turned to accompany him \'lith a glance, in his tUill, at Ki::.'k Q ]{irk nodded. \;1'11 see about the other Dr01:lD," he said quietly and left ~:;:c:Ls>:ly.
In tJJ.G co:cric1.or9 I':::cCoy delayed, allo·vring riako to enter the turoolif-'c ;;.r5 .. tl.l the med. trolley. As the turbo1ift doors slid shuts f![cCoy said 9 softly 8.1t;.10U(")1
there vias nu body to overhear, lllVhe readinG'S are close to Jim. I s wbenyou C,'ot back that timG.;'
IIlTot quite. iPbis man him - but :i_till ·he a close
is more thing.
severely affected. I He' 3 in shock as "mIl
should be abJ.e to 1';)[·),'/2
as everythi:n/< GIse 0;;
liThe eX'fect of a round trip made in 80 short a tilJ1e'?11 Spack askedc
IlIt seem:::·; pJ:'ob(J.'blt.~. ,Jim had several days bet1tJeen what I'T8 might call the out"\.'lard 8),).cl. re·Gu,J:.1J journeys y T:-:r01tln had ... hoV! 10ng~,l An hour<)\7
I'i A t tt".:. '3 :'108 t. ;',
;IIn a,deli tj.OD, rm,rn had the shock of a sudden, unexpected transfel:' to some··" vlhe:ce - "\:.reJJ., st:!:'ange. S:he other ?rown sho"\:Jed signs of 8110ck 9 a1 thou{?,'h t}?8"Y v!ere pretty ,,·rell overlaid by confusion" ·;1 He frowned. HJim ·Hent to c11cc1:,:: ~ •• you think tho other l1ro"lD might have disappeared agaln?l1
jJI th:Ll1~{' it very likely, and the c1oo~cs ODct1c.;d for him. appcs,recl, i '0 is only logical
Doctor.;; He moved fOPdard to\olards the turholift, i1~l:he other ODe appeared lilhen 'our' I;rOvT.D. (Uf3~'A
t.o assume that the event has been reversed.;;
;'Urn. '.'TeJ.l, in that case I bope to hell his reoplc.; have a medic near1)y, ()J~
I wouldn t t li\e -Go 8X1Ei1tl0T for his life. I,·
'<?Tb8 in:te:,:'cc-d;in!·;· thing~ Doctor, j_s that the t\'IO ·;5rO\'lDS did. chane'(:; l}n:L·ve:;~·8C0r::,
and at p:r("':3"l.1.rI':.a~L)ly the same moment. 14hen I first came here, the Captain "\"![~,s st.ill alive ••• 2.l1cL he :,::'emained here. Ee Has not dravm into 'my' univers8 y vIe 1i.1et. The conclusion ~f"am"··Forced to consider is that this interchanf';e is occur:r.in(~'.9 not beh'Jeen t.his universe and one similar to the one I initially came fJ:::'om, b11-(; from yet another kind of al teJ:'Date uni versc:"; - ODe in ,,]hich h,lO similaT ·beinC:8 cannot co~'exist.;;
i\It is possible. f9cceDt that to them, we Hould be the anti-'matter univeJ:'se. l;
YcCoy va8 still eonfJidering that when the lift doors slid open. crhey continued their journey to sickbay in si.lence.
I'rolm, in Intensive Care, 'das already attached to an intravenous drip. l'·"Coy bent over bim, ·checking the readings, and grunted 10; s satisfaction. "Stabil« ising. fI
"Em·! soon before he regains consciousness'?" Spock asked.
l'':cCoy looked irri tably at him. "Spock, a man isn't an automaton you can switch on and off," he grol;led. "He'll come round e\;hen he comes round - it Vlould kill him to try to bring him round prematurely "'i th a stimulant - and I can't predict hOI; long that'll be. I'm a doctor, dammit, not a fortune teller!"
Jll":cCoy~ vIe must learn what he Sayl, where he vmDt, as quickly as possible,l; Spock said urgen<fty";" "The d.isturbances are becoming more frequent; as must act to halt them, and soon."
"Hol'I';; l':cCoy asked bluntly. "This isn't something like that damn' trans·· porter of yours, to be slrli tched -off "'hen it's not neededl It's a natural thing, like a ••• an earthquake - only it's more like a gal~'{yquake - and "'ho can--control an earthqua}c8";;
"lIarthquakes can be controlled, Doctor - to some extent. And this, Hhatever it is, is notanatural event. If a door is opened permanently behleen two uni verses ~ univer~s'al chaos 1;!Ould ensues there was never meant to be a ga te1,vay behleen the universes. Yes, I knoVl, it has happened - briefly - in the past, and becau~:e of that I learned hOH to makesuch· a doorHay - and it is just poss« ible that I can make use of my knoHledge of hovr to open such a doorHay to force this one closed. Rut - if possible - I must speak to Brolm first, discover \"ha t he kn01<l8."
P,ehind ttl,em the door slid open, and Spock glanced round? kno1tJing even before he did \\fho had entered. "Jim'?!!
;rr.118 other J~.ro'1tm has vanished? n he said simply. "The guards swore that }:!8 hadn't even tried to open the door, let alone tried to get past them -- but his ca."bin vIas empty 9 and every airvent \I/as firmly scre1tled~ he didn't sneak out that way. No? bets gone back to ",11ere he came from - ,just as this ODe did .. ',; 'f-':8
indicated the unconscious Bro'vm.
I'iA door\"ray to another universe 'I Ii Spock said thoughtfully.
"No 9' Kix'K said •
. j:.1Jot a doorHay 9 Spock - two at least,. Assuminl-:~; he \"as found at the Same place tha,t' -lle had been in the other universe. o. rehe other Brown was -vlOrking in a computex' centre and ended up in the middle of nowhere ••• while ours vanished from a computer centre in a different place. If there was just one doorws;y, the two ~SrO\,nlB \'101J.lcl just have changed places 9 and all He would have knO"!D ;,'las tJ.1ec.t suddenly a "G(::chnician called :Brown had shown signs of disorientatioD9 cliz~iness?
and so on, with no obvious reason for it." He hesitated. "I hope to hell he materialised b8,ck on the planet ••• and not in orbit." The other t'.</O looked 8.t him~ horror da\·ming in their eyes.
fipock's lips tightened. "Both doorways will have to be closed ... and, if possible 9 locked4 '" He deliberately ignored Kirk's final comment 9 knovJing that they could do not11ing about it, could not even have foreseen it.
HI knov' hew to open 8. doonlay. That knowledge could be put to use ... to close on8,\; Fe lJ8sitated. nAt both ends. l >
IIlrhat means going there. H I.:fe hesi t.ated. arrive h(:rE? ",;
through," Kirk said sharply. "You could be trapped "And when you go through ••• might another Spock not
53
"You reached that conclusion too," Spock said softly. "It is not inevit·< able, however. :Perhaps it was just the coincidence of both }lrOl</Ds being at the tHO doorViays that transported them both throup,h the barrier. If the Snack of that otbeJ:' univ8Tse is nOl,.,rhere near 9 then he might remain unaffected. ';;
1I'J:1here I s another thing, i1 Kirk said. "'vIe knold the h'IQ places here ~~ go through one, it'll take you to its exit at the other end ... but hm-I-,iiTI yeu find the other entrance~ Buildings can change the appearance of the ground" you can I t just depend on recognising Vlhere it is."
"I lmoVl." Spock looked seriously at his bondmate. "Jim, you must ;)e my lifeline. ;;
"But... ,:pock, Vlithout the full bonding link, I could never remain in touoh vii th you through the barrier."
Spack nod.ded. HYes. Jim. I know we planned to wait until vIe reached home9 planned to have 1'/iother and Pather as ~/,ri tnesses since out official bonding -Has
incomplete ••• but nOl,I[ 1;18 cannot \lIait. And • •• I must admit9 I cannot re~.;r8t the fact. "le can claim that it \{as an unselfish decision, reached for the sake of tl,vO uni ve:cses ••• j\
?lAnd. kno\,r that it is for us, as well, 11 Kirk finished softly 9 his eyes alight \<lith trust and affection.
ft,cCoy clea.:ced his throat 9 judging it time to remind them of his presence. uAssumin.~!.: you do fo:cm a full bond - " rphe look on Kirk I s face reminded him of the sun coming out from behind a cloud, reassuring him that Kirk did indeed ';!ant to form the full mental and emotional link - "can you guarantee that Jim Hill 1)8 able to :,x"nain in contact with you';' He isn't a te1epath, remember - eVen though he vIas able to communicate \vith Uhura and me on Platonius. He had to touch us.;;
lII=:ve:r1 now, Hi thout the full bond, vIe can communicate over a fair distance 9;' Spock said. ,;r:OI' else do you think Vie \<lere able to plan your escape from P8,l~nen?
It is qui i.:) ti:rine; - making contact vIi thaut fi:rst melding - but we can do ito Given-the full bond, I have no doubts of our ability to stay in touch."
i:Jirn couldn It sense you through the harrier last time - If 11cCoy began.
Spack J:18,lf smiled. ;"','/e have far more experience of communicating: n01rJ t.han we did then. In addition9 this barrier is disinteeTating9 or so it seems. find - as I s2,id ". '.'Ie Hill have the full bond. II lIe looked at ricCoy, almost shyly. nldill you be OUT './itness,,~H he asked diffidently. Kirk nodded his agreement.
Toucl1ed, instinctively aVlare of ha\,l important it vTas to them to h2.ve a ~;.Ji tness 9 evon though as far as Vulcan vIas concerned they Here already fv_lly bonded 9 Y:'cCoy said quietly 9 ~'I would be honoured. 11 •
iI~hC:l..nk YOt_i.$!" Spack murmured.
Afte:c an infinitesimal pause, Kirk half changed the subject, realisinc; ths,t before they did anything more thay had to have their plan fully worked out. ,i":,)hat exactly do you "rant me to d.o?" he asked.
I'Pi:cs-G I must reconstruct certain of my equipment for making a tcloo~ri"!f',y t. \;fuen I go tJ:n:ougl1 at one place, you must close that door. I vlill close the other encl,. Cive roe some minutes to do so - although I expect to be able to inform you \·.;heD I lAave closed i t. ~hen return to the other doorHay s and I ,:Till fol10\'J 9 u;:;d_n'2~' your mind. to guide me. It must be on foot, hovrever~ as I t.J:linl.::: 1t unlikely "G!:J.8."G I i,rill be able to acquire transport, and if you travel too f8,,st I -::::ly not rJ8 able::: to fo11ovI exactly where you f,'ll.ide me. Then I vlill return through the secoDd dOO:C'd~\y. I \.,ill tX"J to close it as I pass through f though T may not have the time ~ it all de-pends on hO\<1 rapidly a traveller re.8ses through the barrie:r. Once I s.ill back, you must close the second door. The one doorw2-Y in the othe~(' 11'nive:cs8 might remain open - but alone, will probably be harrn1e.ss.i\'
Kirl.\: t:.1ouC~'ht it OVer for a moment. B'de'll have to tell stann ~ a he s8.id. "At J.east a,bout the other universe. Get him to keep his men out of tb,e H2,Y 9 ancL
swear Vod8n~ (~.beral and .Brovm to silence. \I
nIf Dro\·m survives,;; r.'IcCoy stable, but he c.o:u-1,d still die.
said bluntly. "Yes 9 his condi tioD lIe t s very. ill. 11
is relatively
BIloe!":': nodded scceptance of the comment. "Jim 9 ",rill you speak to stonn-? I must concent~cate on building the necessary equipment. 1,
IlYes, of course. Sf
HAnd ••• Jim'·:'~; He held out his hand? fingers ready for a meld. i;::::ow? It "Iill give us a little time to adjust to the full bond. Ii
III,:01J?;; YiJ:'k agreed gladly.
Spack I s h,md touched the Ruman I s face, fingers falling easily into the contact points. Kirk reached out, duplicating the gesture.
I/Ji',rl ••• give me your mind.l/
/ IVy "i_nel j.s yours. II Harmth ~;.[ashecl through the Human. He had learned hOiV important he \\Tas tC'
Spock~ he h!:,-d sensed in their melds? in their half-formed bond? the unvr8..vering affection the Vulcan felt for him. FOI'l , the wave of pure love that flmleel into his receptive mind almost overHhelmed him. He allo'ded himself to be c2,rried a,l8,y in the flood, floating unresisting for some seconds before he summoned up the strenr;-th to penetrate his bondmate's mind.
III lOVG you, t'hy'la - my chosen brother.11
iIe felt tho Vulcan I s thoughts eddy, draHing -the Human mind deep into his Ol,·m while at the same time the mainstream of his thoughts continued to pour thro1J:'h Kirk I CJ mind. If only I 'Nas tel epa thic -too, Kirk thought regretfully. This utter l)elong-ing \.;;;;; so:-:-. wo'Yi'C.ierful 9 So-rea'SSUring, so filling<. and fulfil1~ ing - and that "HaS \.!i th only one partner telepathic.
He became a':'8.1"e of Gentle mind laughter.
n;iSpock .'//
//It docs not ID2ctteT that you aTe not a telepath9 Jim. rrhe bond is macle~ our minds 8,]:'(; OD8. rphere are no longer any barriers save those He main-G<-:j.l1 to
permit us to fU:0.ction independently. / /
~j;he!':,e \18.8 8, senSe of triumph, almost ~ in the Vulcan's thoughts 9 min2~led with an fear that vras [1.1re;;',dy dissipatings- an apologetic htmger the,t sought fo:::' X'Cl.i.C:.~~ and Ki:ck 9 feeling it? fed it \·Jillingly_ I/I love you, ::';pock. ~l: .tCYV"C; you. I trust you. Fow could you deny uS this fo:c so long.,// Almost accu.sinr:C;. -'/' __ eo feel \'Ii th you ••• // His anns slid easily 8,round ;)pock, holding h~l.[, "bonclmate close. Spack relaxed af3:ainst him~ Kirk felt the ~('estT['"int the VUlccUl h2,cl been exeroising for so long vanish as he gave himself up to the physical 8,nd ment.al embrace.
HOI'! lIe kne1;: "'That it had been like for Spack for S0 lonp;~ why Spack had boeno.onot 1)'DHcoll, exactly, but not \,.re11 either. rChe half bond must h8NE.! 1)(~8n
torture 9 -'c8jTGalising: the Vulcan with its hints of what could be ••• like a hun{~'X~i
man si tt:i.ng' at a table laden with his favourite foods but unable to eat anything because ,_\ lX=Lc:rio)::' existed between him and it.
1,)e11 9 the fle,rrier existed no more, would not have existed as long 2,8 tllis but for S~!>()ck t S misplaced - but understandable - cODsidera tioD"
rrhcy stood for some seconds, no longer trying to communicate but simply 8,11ovrin,g tf_loir affection for f3ach other to reach out and reaffirm their tote.l commi tmen t.
At 12.s-C still 10 c1;: ccl 0
;"~]1ock dropped his hancl 9 and Kirk //E):),ield your ill :nd 9 Jim.l/
copied him. ~:heiT minds \·rere
It l'tf1.B hardly a shield? more like a veil, Kirk thought. His alda~CeneSf:;l of
r-;pock V.Jas a8 (:,'J::'82,tt no;,,,, as it had ever been in a full meld 9 and that 1,'1EtS Hith a mental 811:L81(1" in 1')lac8. It shovled him ,just hov! much had been missing' befoJ:'c~ hOld much h(-;) [:l,S 8, non-telepath)/ had not knOVIY1 was missing from their prevL:-YLU3 contact. He kDG"i,'j that Spock \'.'as av.18,re of his realisation9 and feared hiB reaction (0V8D. yet.
He f3"ll1:Lled ~;\gain. r'faintaining the shieldjl he tried to project a feeling' of reaSSUY211.CG, lcnmJ he had failed 9 and dropped the shield in order to confoT-G Spock. !/\-c 1(; 8-1_1 riGht, Spock. It feels "lOnderful./ /
//T~(:Y to sbield again? Jim - remember ;,,,hat I taught you. You should ~)C; able to forrn f\ l;etter shield than that? even though it isn rt as complete 8,8
befoI'e ••• // ·"~(es9 -that is excellent."
T-':cCoy ;"!2...tcb;: .. :;djl strangely unemb8,rrassed.? realising th'::·l,t the "Hords ;,·n::;r,3 tJ.1(;'
la.st paTt of a telepathic exchange, glad that his friends took his presence so much for- g:t'?ntccl th[tt they Hanted his presence nOH, in "hat had to be such ,m importan-c momGn-c for them both, but not sure 'dhether to envy them their close·· ness or b:::; I'81ie"ved that he did not have th8.t sort of complete rapport with anyone. Gooel old r::uman friendship \<laS enough for him.
56
Spock broke the contact 2.S he remembered the task at hando" "Let me knm,r if TIrovm :cecovers consciousness, II he said. IiI vTill be in my quarters 9' canst ... · ructing t'o.e necessary apparatus .11
HUhon do you ',nnt me to speak to Stonn'r" Kirk asked.
"As soon 808 possible, II Kirk decided. "The sooner everything is done, the bettero If these shocks get any worse, the fahric of the barrier might be so damgged thz:.t 1:1e would be unable to repair it. tI
"Then I'll go immediately." He touched his fingers to Spock' s, then strode out. Spocl" follo'ded, leaving J1cCoy slightly puzzled at the totality of their return to I no TlTInlI from the emotional 'high' he had llfi tnessed ••• and feeling' ever so slightly bereft of something unidentified and unidentifiable.
It ,'reB 12,-oe no\<l on the ple.net. The resee,rch complex had not closed dOl'll for the n:Lr)1t .. 8, skeleton stQff remained on duty in case of any disturbMccs then - but Stonn himself had gone home.
l'iKirk here;" the Human- said briskly. but it's important that I speak to you 80S
"I'm sorry to disturb you so Io,te, soon as possible. Hay I beam dOVln-?':
"Yes, of course, I; Stonn replied. He >ras slightly puzzled, then decided that since Ifirk was Science Officer, he must want a possibly more detailed discussion of events than had been possible >lith his non-scientific Comme,nding Officer around. He gave Kirk the co-ordinG,tes of his house, and the HumPJ.1 materialised seconds later.
Kirk moved fo:cvrard y hand help up in greeting. "Live long' and prosper?:; he said 9 and ~3tonn \I12.S forced to concede his good manners c
HPe2.C8 8,ncl long life?" he replied. j',you have met ~PfPring - this is ~(1I E)u$ my prima::c'), \dife~ my children? S'gath9 fI1t}iasi, Spandel, Su'lar and ~r'zel.;' -"::'8
indic8.teci. -chem in strict order of 8,ee. rrhe first four were well-groHn, ne.':t~cly
t:\dult~ Ir"z81 \'I8,S nmch young'er? only six or seven? Kirk decided. ~rhere -vrar:; nothing to indicc,te 'Hhich woman had mothered each child.
Kirk lOH8T0d his heml in a half bO\<l directed at all stonn' s fam:~ly.
you live lont,'; wei. productive lives,11 the stande.rd greeting for the young. IJ'he formali ti eS ldera sometimes tedious, but once over they ensured 2- permanent acquaint8.nceship which mig'ht? Kirk thought? serve to dull ~r 'Pring's obvious fef-l,r of his bOU(C;;:l,te. At least this time they had all been got over >Ii th in onc ;?:o~ he had nr)"!; bc.',d. to Hlt.:;et stonn f s fD,mily one at 8, time.
He ·'curDeo. his attention to the scientist. Hl1ay I speak "lith you alone, sir? This is e, ",p,tter of some ••• delicacy, end seriously, the fe\<Ter people Vl'10
kno", about i~G, the better - for the security of the l"ederation.I do not doubt the discretion of your family, and I kno\<T 'dell the utter· reliability of the VulcEm re,ce -_. bv.t ' .. -That is not kno\·m cal1not be repeated 9 - even by accident o ;;
stonn's 8Y8S opened Vlicle s he nodded, and the women ushered the children out. Only IJilPring, the scientist, seemed to hesitate for 2, moment, looking o;c KLck 9 then she too Hent out.
storm '.-!2,ited, hesite...nt to beg·in.
Hatching Kirk. NOvl that the time had come, the Fum8,n ld~.8
I,linally he said, with Vulcan directness~
J<Sorne time aL~o, Commodore Spack formulated a theory that this \<12.8 not the only universe in existence. It is a theory that had been speculated 8,bout on Farth cen~,uries ago, but had been forgotten about due to the impossibility of provine J G. I_Phe theory ltfas that several universes co-existed \'li th this on8 9
and that 'b8,J::-rie:cfi existed between them. He is not a scientist - 11 he spoko the lie convinci.ngly enough - ;;but he is interested in the subject, and - "Holl, 11e had a flash of insi.ght? he was able to develop an apparatus that did indeed prove the existence-of other universes. His investigations 9 however 9 incUc2,t.cd to him t}l[;"t positive knovf!_edge of these other universes 9 together with ~"l.n
57
appaX'Fltus fOJ::' 1}8nct:ca.ting them$ could be incredibly dangerous if it fell in,to the ,,,rang hands. After considerahle thought? he destroyed his apparatus> 8,11 his noten~ 8 . .nd sup~pr(]ssect thc: cliscoV'2ry. Before doing so? however? he ",ent into 8,t IG["fJ-G -Guo other univc:.'!:,sos fa 1.' a brief time. Later 9 he rebuilt his appp"ra tUG fo:(' one visit to one of those universes - it held certain ll1E:dici;:l,1 kno\,'ledge th?,-c .0.(: knew would be of value here. He and I both Vl8nt throur;'h, anc1. althougb He reJeurnecl safelY9 "J8 had proof of the dangers of the tran8fe:c9 I Has V0r'J ilIon my return. He destroyed his a:pDaratus once more9 and f2J;:ed research into the medication \1e had brought b8,ck.
I!lde SUS1)Gc-God that the disturbances here were due to a flavl in the b2"r:cie:c bet\.Jeen this llnive:cse and another9 vJ0 are no\" sure of i t~ Your technicis,D 1)rown is ve:cy ill, unconscious in fact 9 with the same readings th[tt I shOl·!(::d on my return th:cougb the barrier? but more marked 9 and \'lhile he vJas away ••• the life fonn that 'de found in the desert H8,S another Bro;m, \;ho heed come from D,
laboratoX"J someuhere that had been built specially to investigate the disturbances in bis universe.'i1
stonn HGnt '98010. lIIf the barrier beh'Jeen tHO universes 1"Jere to crumble, surely thOI'8 i'!(Juld be ·1;lidespre2..cl devastation, It he said.
"Th0::J.:'G C01J.1d b8 almost complete 2~nnihile,tion9 at least in the are?, close to the breach,' Kirk said flatly. "Spock believes it might be possible to repair tb.() fJ.rL'\"is if ,·re move quickly. He is rebuilding certain of hif, app2.~C'2,tus
- 8,f)'8.in! It is fo:ctunate the .. t Vulc2.ns have such excellent memories. n Eo 8;3;1.:1
Stann flinch sli,£!,'ht1y, and realised that the scientist "~las rernembering 8, young' woman 1,{ho 118..c1. chos(::n not to m2,rr'J the younger Spock but h8..d inste.?d beCOrt18 tho secondary 'i:r:Lf(;: of 8D R,t th8,t time unimport2.nt~ although [l,mbiti01Js 9 scic~ntist.
j;rtm sor:cY9 8:1.:(' ~. I had Dot intended to revive YOUT inemorie8 - yes~ I kno':T 2.bOl.1-t Tl J?ring'~ :1?o~t7b2,!.)fJ I might have 8. word ",i th her Lefore I leave - I may be 2'))10 -Co reassure !.lC:r:' 011 (;(~j:'tp:,in points .. ,j
Ki:c:;: nodel.de!.. "'1 realised t1'18.. t. And that you 9 also 9 'dore somewhat. ap-prehe.nsive. ;
"H0T f8[" ','8 'de):,C·) infectious. i;
illJncle:cf, t2,Y)(1..~',!:;ly so. ?ut ~:~pock has ••• meIlo"Jed ••• since our bonding.. I::·oucv·()]:' 9
as I "VQ,S s8,yi:n{: ~., once his equipment is rebuilt~ Spock plans to go throu?,'b. o,ne doorw2'Y9 so th::.-:.t 1'''2 can cIose it from both sides, then we ttlill use the bOl1cl~··link to lead him ·GO the oth(~:r.) door 9 throug~h \·rhich he will return. fT1h.en 'dE~ v!ilJ. C1088 it ;).S 1,']€J.l. e::ceafter, \'J~: will simply ••• not 1<::no'" \"h8..t c8..usecl tl.18 distu:cbr:xlcC'f) to ceaf)0;, 2-HY r:lO~('8 than ':Ie kno"'i 1!lh2~ t callS eel. th em to begin Q Only you 9 G\:,ock 9 :fL'. l/;·cCoy and I viLt knOl,'l the .. "hole truth, 8,1 though our Chief ;:ihginecr knoHs serme of it. YOUT t1y(.'(;(;; i.ll'.;n - TIr. Vodon9 ster Choral and }}roHn - wiI1 1-:':rlo1,'l somuthin.:(~
but I fm 81).:;;8 you can persuade thom tb2.t nobody would beliuve such 2:11 lUl1i1ccJ.y story •• 0'"
;ol..[:Oy 2.J'.';:; you t.Jlling f!l8 all this/ i, Stonn asked. "Surely it \,.'Ould be 8~J,fe:r
- in you:c o':?n '.;fords - if oven I did not kno1il. \I
';;~',./(; DC-:Ud. YOl), to k(HYp tbe laboratory empty i>Thi.le Spock goes throug111 ;:..nc1. kco"p yOlE' l)COl)le out of thG \}''J,y ,,,hilE} r-:\cC;oy 8,nd I IC-:)2.vG for the othe:r.' dOOT"l.1r:,y.
l,'/e could. )-1:.:,"'18 cm·.lCoctcd some t,?lG to satisfy you 9 but 1ife felt you desorved to knovl tho -GJ.:'u::";;::'.·
"I ·C.::lr:(!.·~.::: yet} fo:;:' your trust.;· Stann thought for a moment. \,I:f1his Hill 'bo very d8.D2,2:'-:'0l1S roJ:' ~)POCk9 will it not?"
'olYes. If it \"c::re possible for me to go instead.,. But \'le kno .. " that Vulc8..DS 2...T(·:~ rno~;~'() ros:istant to the debilitating effects of tr8nsfer thS)l rturn:~,ns.
~rhE: trip thr()u,~.').l 2nd be.ck almost killed DroHD 9 Hhile Spock made such a tr8D[if\,:~('
a couple of tj-rncfJ l:rith 1i ttle ill effect;; a tempora:ry di80r:i.ente;tion~ no-Ghir}:.~
rnoro. Yl
58
They discussed the situation for a little longer, then Kirk said, '''I should return to Uk }i""t"rprise soon, Spock -" Fe broke off, unwilling to lot ;';tonn know hoV! mucb Spock needed - wanted - his bondma te' s comforting presence noar him. In time the reM ache, caused by Spock' s long-:denied need for the full bond, would fade, but for now, in spite of the shield, he had been aware as he had never been before of Spock wanting him clos8a IINay I see T'Pring,?il
"Of course." stonn went to the door and opened it; a minute later, ~."Pring arrived. Stonn nodded to Kirk. "Peace and long life;" he said again, and left.
''You 1m,nted to see me?" T'Pring asked. there was 2, tremor in it that she could not
Her voice was quite controlled, but completely disguise.
"Yes. You clon't have to worry, you know - about Spock, I mean. ;::e's quite grateful to you now. He always did prefer male partners... His family council was qui to stm.'tled 'Ihen he announced that I vias his chosen bondmate, but there was nothing they could do about it; male bonding may be rare, but nobody had ever thou(,ht to ".'Gmove the provision from the legislation." He grinned suddenly. "You'd bo surp:cisecl ,Ihat you can get a'day vlith sometimes, perfectly legally, just because a 1ml ],,0,8 fallen into disuse and been forgotten. Of course, 8, lot of the time~ lecis12;cion is immediately passed to prevent anyone else getting 3,\Vay l'fith the same thing, depending on how public it's been. Nobody seEmS to carc.; though th9,t one ps,ir of males of the present day decided to bond, the provision for male bonding is still in the statute books for any others who "ant to use it. I imagine 1)8CaU8e it was such a time-honoured custom in the past. it
T'Pring looked intently at him. lIyou are ••• content?H
:'Very,:: Kirk assured her.
nAs 8, child ••• he was very cruel .. ,"
"As a child, he 'das very unhappy. He didn't kno;l who he was - or \{hat to do Hi th himstelf. Fie had Human emotions that he could not cope Hi th .. his mother ,das dead? she couldn't teach him. J3ut once exposed to Humans? he began to lea~cD.ii
";1 see ••• I think.'1
"Ee 110 lon(:,'e:c feels resentment? l:e'Pring. He is bonded to me? and He have a secondary l".Jife i'lho has given us two children. He is happy - as 9 forgive me? he would not have been had you married him. I can give him the emotion8.1 response he needs because of his Human blood~ you could not have done so 9 for Vulcan emotions 8.re not the same as Human ones. H
nIt j_8 tl."l18 I never understood him~ I feared him? \'lhat I kneH of him. ,;
KiTk conlel vlell understand that. And. T' Pring had not been the Ca})"tnin 18
helpless sJe,v8, forced to submit to his every 'Ihim.
/ /J ",/I l:fl..,/ ...
Kirk TEd-seel. his head. til must go now 9 rr'Pring. Spock wants me. 1·-/e'dish you ever-y h8.1)\)j.ness for the future. a He pulled out his communicator. i:IU.rk-co ,[GDterprise. :''eady to beam up. II
As he shinnnered avray 9 Stann came back into the room. T' Pring Vlatcl1ecl the space \'Ihere Kirk h,,,d been, her face a confused mixture of emotions that Here obvious to stonn, a mixture in ;Thich pity 'das predominant.
"He said I '/asn I '0 to wOl'ry 2,bout Spock any more. But stonn - I'm sure he is afraid of Spock, although he denies it. He said Spock "anted him; h8 left immediately, and I could see that he vias vlOrried."
stonn \Ias less sure. It could be that the Commodore needed his Science Officer's assistance in the Hork in ,Ihich he \Ias currently occupied. But of course he coulc! not tell ~"Pring that. He could only be grateful that the Human
59
h8.d taken the time to try to reassure Ttpring ••• and amazed at the depth of Kirk's uncl.o~(·st8;nding. He himself had thought IJI'J?ring to be bet:r2ying li'ctle ,jf
her terre:e, 8;C :Least to Luman eyes.
As he 11alked the corrido:cs to give the order to vacate the labore,tory J{j.rk t s theoretical I do 0 THay I 1t!2,S in 9 stann decided tl.la t Eurne,Ds did 9 -pe:~chD,VS 9
have more del)th to their minds thnn he had previously thought. Certainly this one did.
Vodm1 an.d Cl."!eral, the hra men \·rho used this laboratory most 9 were still both there, I-Jol'king busily but Hi thout the "lhole-hearted concentration th2,'o usually ch2.}.'s.c-ce:rised tost of the research staff on Negafor, and stann kno\-, t1123; the mystery of T~ro'lln f s disappearance and reappearance must be Heigning heo.vLLy on them. 'J:;.1ey 2.ccel)ted his order vii th no more than a token protest? instp,ntly silenced. "!'"hen stonn said, "'Ide donrt "rant to risk anyone else disappearing the Hay 13ro'tJl1 did. Until we 1<:nO'vl ",hat hap1:>ened - or have some assurance that it "!"Iill not hC.:?l)8n D.g'coin -.. I Hant this room kept empty. l':r. Kirk will be coming dovlD to conduct some sort of test in it - they have a theory to explain Hh8,t baPl')ened hut requLce more proof before announcing' it. II
liDo you kno", hOyl J3rovm is, sir?!? Vaden asked.
~;I u.nc1.ers-cend he is still unconscious, a StanD replied.
il1Jill he be ",11 riCht'"''
;;He is very ill - that is all I knoi>!. II Fe Hai ted until the two soientists had begun to go."ther up their notes preparatory to leaving the room9 before a,cld~
ing 9 ii~r:here is just one more thing 9 gentlemen - He kn01,o1 'vhat h8.ppened to tecnniciaYl ':.;ro"m, 11.0W be vanished and then re2.ppeared a short time later ••• but it vJould not do for that information to be too 1didely discussed. ii
111JnlesR '.'TO Gould explain it9 sir 9 nobody Hould believe us any\"ay~;1 Voden said drily. :I fOT on(~ h2:,ve no intention of speal(ing about it. I'd :.iust [,-8 soon fo:c{~;et it ever h[q)pened 0) "
Chex'c'?J. nodded agreement. 011 'Vlouldn It even oare to speouls,te on 1:rh[d~ c(1).ld. have caus 8(1. :;:irO\'Tn' 8 ••• vanishinG act. I tm just glad 1/[e' re not the ODes litho h2,'iTe to come 11.'0 \\ritb an answel~ for it.';
;~E,?,v(:; you any idea Vlhat theix' theoY"J is 9 sir?'; ""iroden asked ouriou.81~'.
HOnly 8, eGl1GI?2,1 autlinQ,l: Stonn replied cautiouslyo HSome sort of tr8.ns~· porter effect ce,useo. by freak solar coneli tions ~" he lied ,lith an ease that surpr.ised hitllself. gis subconscious mind 9 he realised 9 must have been C('il:,r:.:';ide:e'·· inc 1tlhat t;o 82;'f if he 1:12.8 asked.
Che:cal f:coHned. "'If so ~ and if thOSe conditions Here to recur on' a heC:.1.vily populat,';cl pI2,net .... "
arr.TI~d-; 9 J believe 9 is one of the things r·Tr. Kirk 1dishes to test .... the possibi'; ty of 2.I1Y recurrence. 11 He ushered the two scientists to the doo:t. 7I1411ile this y.·OO~'!1 :cemains empty 9 you can shar.e Dr. J3ex I s laboratory.1!
nYes, tl:i.:::-.: };ehind Stann's b8.ck9 the tHO men exchanged a ru.eful 0'1::')1CO •
. Vot that th8Y disliked J!ex$ but the r::ellarj.te ' s abrupt manner "laS h8::cd to live \vi t11 for r;to:cC' t.11.2.11 2, short period 2~t 8. time 9 1",hich Has \-"lhy he had a 18J)o~c,~'~:L()J'::'y
to himself. ~C1e 1:::t::.l.tion personnel had an unofficial rota for socialj.sinL'· ld.:Gh Iiex ,<,hieb ,;;'2Y(~ t~:'lC rrel18.ri te l)lenty of company \-li thout bcing too r:::ceat ,'3. st::cEd..n on s..ny of -'cl'2~0 O'G~:1'9:CS ~ even the most imperturbable of them occasionally founcl himself [~(~t-Gi.nL: L<,:citatecl at }lex's e.brupt manner of speakine;.
Stann O·)8J.1ed the dOOl" of }Jex f s laboratory and. entered 9 closely fol1ovJcd by the oth(-:;rs. ',:::ex looked up_ \"\Iell'7",1
"11m 2.:fraid. I I 11 h2.ve to ask you to share your accomod,9."Gion vii tIl ste:i:' C}18:rr~1
and. Dr. \Toc1.en fOJ:' ;:"1, little Hhile. captain Lirle !'vants the use of a laboJ:::::.tor:y dOVD here to c['.:·c]:"'Y out 80me tests and. theirs seemed the most sui table fo}.' l:dB -purpose. 'J.'hey could 9 of course, use the main laboratory, but tbe equipment
" there is too (s'eneral, there is so much coming and going ... II
60
'I'IVeVj 'He}l.:; It sounded ungracious's but Ti8X' sears tvli tched in I<!h.'::tt, to the Tellari tes, H2JS 8. smile. He moved to g long bench ond Svlept SOHle p8,·peI'S
off it \1ith Uh9;'C \18,8 almost a flourish. II~Chere is a selection of equirrnent in this Cupbo8,rd - if you require anythinc,' else 9 just ask I> Ii He pressed a s'di teh, 2nd a unit slid f:com the wall. ;;A computer you can use freely - I prefer tbcj:; one. I, He indicated 8, small computer terminal ,·,here he had been "'Iorking.
n'J.1hF\nks,;; Itoder.l said. He \'las Hell aware that most of the scientists on the station .. includin,i himself - "lOuld have been at least mildly annoyed at having other scientists billetted on them at no notice at all, but Rex go,ve the impression, throug'h his actions, of being posi ti vely delighted to have them there.
stonn nod.c1,ed to them, and left. He "lent back to his room and acti.vated the radio.. ;'J:nterprise. it
The plessant fennle voice that answered him was something of a surpy.'ise. "Enterprise. Lt. Uhura.1!
\lC:~n I 8P82,k Hi th either Captain Kirk or Commodore 8pock9 please" ~rhis is stann. it
"One i",.10l:!1ent, sir. If 11 put you through .. 1\ There "las a brief silence, then.,
liThe lsJ)oTr\-Go:cy is rea,ely for you, Captain. i!
;;~Ph8Xl\S. '1e'11 be dovm shortly - I can It be precis89 the instrLunents "lJ8 need are J.l8-ving to be adjusted and it I S delicate "'IOTk. II
"I l1:n.c1.e~cstancl. contact me 'Hhen you I re ready. stann out. It
T).ren ex-pectiI1{~; it 9 f-jpock "'as startled by the suddenness ,·Ii th which his surroundinC8 ch:'c..nged. ~lhere "\das an abruptness that had not been there \'Then he tr8,Dsfer:eeo. u[-d:()",:;' his I transporter'1 it \>fas no \vonder that the two TlrOVll1S hcv.1. been shaken b"y i"c, especially since they had no reason - no reason at all -to expect sucb 8, thing to hap1)en.
De :"ecove:"ed his "Iits relatively quickly, glad to find that there 'eiaS not the SE!,TI18 scr.8e of disorientation that he h~1d experienced - albeit mildly ,-, on his last tT8ns:C'er~ Yes 9 it \"as probably the shock rather than the tr2-Dsfer thn;t h8/d so affected the b/lo Humans. Fe sent 2, h8,sty re8.,ssurance over t118 ()oncl.·-link to his 2)'lXiollS f:('iend before c8.-refully operating the mechanism designed to cJose the 'dOOT\-.Jc\jff. "(-:"ifJ av12.I'eness of Y~irl:.:ts mind diminished slightly 2-nd he r()t\~U.sed th?~t the r,18cl18j:1if:ltil had Horl<:ed. f.rhis doorway at least 1:1as blocked.
}}e looked 8.,~I_~oul1d. rrhis part of the pl8,1i.et .~ in this "I).Diverse ~-. '\;J?~8 a :;:-ich? fertile 2.}::'ea,. long' lush gr8,s8 vfitb {;, fe1:J sCf\ttered trees. " 1-Ie could feel the tl1.{; of J.\:irk 18 'I·liin( ';,iov:i.:nc: 8)d2,Y 9 and begevD to f0110\·'9 taking careful note of ):1is su:crOl,J.ndinr;fl gH J~e 1'lent. 1'.:ot tb.:\t he ",ould be able to report on this, bv:t be kn8':! the.t J.i.:LTk l,'iOuld be interested ••• stonn, to0 9 could be told. In this "tJ . .nive:cse 9
the dis8-8'Ge:c t.bt:d:; had overtaken their l'-'-;ee;'afor had not hap-pened.
He l~?~d rea:eec1" it might be difficult to follo\" Hhere Kirk led 9 but it idS,S
e8.sier th2Xl he be,d expected 9 ODd he moved easily throuGh the long gr.9,ss.
Str2;;lf~~e, though - this planet looked highl;y sui table for colonis2;tion. ~. \IThy \>las it Iwt colonised? rr11e anim8.1s he noticed all looked. to be completeJ.:f 1dild.... O:c T,'e~h8;;'.'S it Has colonised, but only sparsely. This region mip}:d.; ·he outi'Ii th tile ~ettl~d region.
It 1ii,~.S equally strange hOld events could differ in the se,me universes even Hben peoTJ18 8.nd i)l:;,ces Vlere the same.
rene SGcG:r.1d dooTlI!ay 9 he kne\ol9 \'las 2nd in si{:L8 2, building'. He had chos en materialised inside sn occupied room?
some ten kilometres from the first one, not to arrive at that one in case he it 1,-Jould be easier to slip into the
1)18.C8 9 hidej1 :fLxl the It "vrould l(\i.l{",then the the shock of :cS'"b,.u:'n ~,
merely diso::d. ente:t~eclt:
(.1
appropriate room Orlee the ste,ff had left for the Di:~:ht., .. ~ time he spent in tllis alien universes but that might lossen vlhich 110 1:18..8 sure lie '.'rould feel. ~lhe first BruvJD .h2,d b(~en
tho second one, on his I'etuI'D, lIas unconscious ....
He {r,8,de ((ood. time for fully an hOLJ.r. Ahe2.d of him, perhaps a mile 2,idE'-,Y 9
he could. f~GC buLLdings, and he sent a message over the bond-~link. //Slm'18J_'9 Jim - 1'm corning tc habitation. I imaGine it I s the first BrO\1n' s research c' .1-,.." t· I ! OVC;y lon./ i
/ l ;.:LC·'~l·G. /;:' :?l1e rull of his bondm2.te 1 s mind slovled noticeably.
He -\,!"::,,~l.\:ecl on foJ::.' a few hundred yards before slo\ving even more. //It r 8 <:\
fairly extensive station?// he reported. //AII prefabricated buildin;s:s. It appears to be designed to have a large staff ~ fully threequarters of the fJuild~ ings give the c\:?POEtI'8,nCe of being livinr:, quarters. Fo sign of anyone a:counc1.o//
He T8..U8od. o~(:. 8, 10\1 rise overlooking the station and sUl"Veyed the base, crouchin!"· low 2X!cL peering through the long grass. He could feel Kirk t S 1::inci.
touch still '.lulling- him fonrard, and he checked -the route -he \>Iould h2-ve to t8J;e.
It definitely gave the appearance of being dese:cted. Ee moved fo:n'lard c,g:.:d-n9 eveJ:1J sense 2,le:ct. Provided all random factors ran in his favour 9 even if be Has seen 118 1Jould. not be identified - at first - as an intIvder9 as long as he walked unl"lu:c::ciecl.ly and 8,S if ho had every right to be there. But he could not begin to \'1<:..'.,1\: confidently forv!8.rd until he 'HaS at the very edge of the cOlxlplex what l:lould one of their men be doing i'lande:cing in the ollen countryside?
Bvel~}r'Ghin~s' rem2,ined quiet. He glanced up at the sky. ~f1he sun 1daS still high ~.~ 2-t In:cest i t ~'las mid afternoon~ local timeo F:Phere should be people he~ceo •• He thought :x'"',ck. fJ1he :BrovfD of this universe said the place '\<las 'being constructed'9 and nm .. ,' that he came to look closer 9 tl18re 1-lLf:l,..S an ••• unfinished ••• J.ook to everytlJi.n,~·::~
It didn't \l18)z:e senSe. 10re~ if constru.ction 1;/8.S not ;)tot finis.hed~ the:··:'e should be ~miJdi:(le; ·;!orkers around. 9 constr'uci;,ion cre'iT 9 technicians. n111e;"'?FJ~ ••
unless L i.'()\.'J).' c; sudd.en dis.8.j")1")care.nce and equally sudden and mysterious :ee[,,l}}'eC":J:,;nce had frip)" ;~G:;,ec1. tbcD all 8);18;::/.
;'1111'0 81~:,~.:.'el~/ not! The construction teams assie;necl to vlOrk on undevelo;: ed planets ~'leTe 8,1"\18_YS Starfleet"~emp10yed - at least9 it Has so in botb t.he -universes he he,d lived in. iTo cOlJ.lcl Dot tllink it ~tJould be different he:c8. Starfleo-c ~'io·Ll.1d never. employ men Fho ,'muld jurnp at even robust Dhao.01/1so
~Pl'"!.e "i~LndlL~::: tUt:,(~cd him ol1\·,rards. Ee Has close$ nOH~ to the hui1din{."': he '\'laS
bE~ing clr2\'n."! -G(."):' 11(; COlJ.ld sense in Kirk's mind the aHareness thD:t here u·,,;,.s 1:rhere J}ro~, u 1.')'>':,0. 'been found.
~ilhi8 !·JJ.:1 lcU,l1{,:: looked to he cornrleted9 hut even so it had. a strane.:eJ.y dorelict Jool~: n.1)01J.t it •..
nnce insicl~; the,) building he realised. 1",hy. f~::llis research st2.tion b?.d e:Lthc.,n.' been badJ.y sJ.ted OI:' they hp,d been fantc,stically unlucky. rr:arthquake dam8.cse sho\·red cloa:cly in tho cracked internal \-J9J.ls~ the broken p18,ster underne::"l.th the hole Hhe~'~'8 L"- j~"J{L?:ed end of brokon rafter poked through the ceiling"
He gT'1..1ntoc1. to b::i.nu:ielf. ~rhis clam.sv<e must be very recent "" proba:llly cexl.Sod by the •• G l:!i1c.teve:c it \;[as that S1,·.JO,lJped. the b.·fO !.:,ro\\rns back to their 01'1):1 univO~eSef;,.
for this univ8X'f.Je' s }}r01:fn ha.d been \>10 rki n!?: at a console \'Then he Has t~c2DS:(';~T:;':ed.
in the fi:<:'fTG !,)J2,ce.
f?h:congh ttl}. s door •••
f;ure th-::,t he H.?.S alone in this deserted place 9 he opened tl1e door cnnf5.cl·· er.tly - ru}ci. P-i.re~() 2.8 he opened it he heard ·voices. A 81,)1it second of in0,0ci8io:n~ then he cI.(:;c:i.docJ. to bluff it out. I 've 2~, ~:9.~ to. !l.l'y_~stil(8,te ~~e .~p>.m.~,p~G.L. i,o thOlJ.ght
9 [;"ncl i:ial~;:ec1. j.n ••• and fI'oze-.---
62
Toe t'hrO r'len s-tandin{{ beside a tl"ristecl console looked rovnd as the door opened a,ncl s-t8xea. at him -open·-l1outhed. \l~:;l)ock"'I(
\'.'hat universe "ms this"'
He 110.d assumed from the available evidence that the disturbance VW.S \'Ii-eh 8,n anti"'A'(!lB,tter universe and that the earthquakes and maL,fTIetic surges -Here o:;"usecl by the meeting '2~nd mutual annihilation of matter and antimatter particles. ~':-Ol,'!
it seemed '01.12,'0 he v/2,s "Trong. 1.'!ere the vari2otions simply caused by the differ·, enees be-c';.'een 2.. natur2.1, extensive I r.~a.te\Vay t ond the temporary and limited passagm·rL"'.;y he !::!2:,d. created for himself? Could this - could this possibly be -his O\'lD o:clglnal universe? ---"-
i~Dr. :1'"cCoy. r1r. Scott. H
They sta:cecl at him for a moment longer, speechless. Then-
aDid ••• did you get home all right - you and Jim?11 I·1cCoy I s voice \'1aS very quiet.
He nadel.eel. \tYes. ,J im Has ••• far from 1:!e111 as a resul t 0 f the transr e:c -. but he recovo:cecl. He is.ooat home9 monitoring me nOH. You b'Uessed i'Th2.t ho,p:~)--
ened - \·rhen J3l'OVJH diso,~peared~,)11
but ldhen he came back9 \'18 thought it possible that he 1 d ••• slid :Lnto another lJY.!i verse. IT
Spock I G li;):'"J tightened slightly. "I am sorry. 'Our I 3rown Ii ves ~ but he in unconscious [',nd very ill. ,i
aSpock .~ if":: this a na tureJ. dooY.:'vray bet-iveen the universes? r~\he:ce 'Vlasn t t any clistuJ.'~'_·}c . .J.1C9 'Hhen you w .. well - travelled,li
lQ'Ie beJi.eve so. J3ut not juston8 doorvlay •• ,Bones. \.'I,Ie surmise tlilO~
approximo/c01y ten kilometres apart. I have come through to close them, ot,he:c;.'!ise both univex'ses could easily be destroyed. ',then lde did.n I t realise ldas that it could be ". 1,."loll.ld be ~. this one th8,t \'las inter8,cting i.'Ti th ours. II
';~rheTe I s no cl1[~n1ce th;:l,-c. (I • that your experiments he1ped erea te the dOOJ:'Hr.l.;y;' oJ
T'Jeeoy askecL
"I \'IonIa. cloubt it. Fy method of trc,nsfer - I either travelled fr0T1, or to ~ Vulc2-D i"(l tl:lis universe (I If I had been responsible 9 surely Vulc2,n HOlJ.lc1.
have b"e~e:(l. the fOe!lJ. point of tbe disturbn.nces."
Scott iT:)o~(e for tl.1C first time, 11(:[01:1 do you propose to close these dOOT\-,rays ',',
;;J~y using. a -',]l8chanism simi12,1~ to the one that permi·~ted me to penetrD;tc the brtrrier ;Jefo:cc. I had thouc;ht that I might have to leave this dOOT'd2,Y open 8,t this encl .. _. bOHo,,rer 9 since you both are here 9 you e2011 close it for me once I (:;0 throut:,;h. ,;
~)pOC1.( ino.ic2 .. :cod the meehcmism he held. ':PT8SS this 1)utton 9" he salO.. ;:1 need to retain it until the door1 .. ray is opened again -- once I press the return button I 'dill cixop tbe unit ., and hope tho,t I drop it in timel CJ'rocnsfer j.B
very precipi-G2,tG(I::
;;Yes,;; Spock said quietly, ilJim and I nOH have a full mental bond ,., -'2.nd while He have not had the opportunity to explore it fully yet 9 I kno1tf V!8 Hill both find j.t very rel'larding. \'/e have 2, secondary vlife who has given u.s h-!o childrel,! .. -G,,·d.ns •. Jim is the biolo£dcal father, of course. l!Te haven't seeh them yet? but f.f.1t}lau 8,ssures us that the girl looks like ~ravara and the boy has
8, certc'1in Tesc'~i1'blG,nce to Jin. ~ "thouCh hOld she can tell \·rhen they are so youn;, I do not p:cofesfJ to understand. In my eX'Perienc89 children all look very mucJJ, alike fox" the first. months of their lives.;1
Ii~'cCoy chucVLed. 7;Ah~ but your experience is protty limited 9 isn't it·',·
Spack syc:ilod. ;;Yes9 I bl::;lievo it is,\i
scott H['.S looking 2;t f)pock ts sleeve. ;;/ind you're a Commodore agr:,in:£;'
;;Yes. .Tim is a Captain ~~ 2,nd still my First Officer. As a bonded })o.i:c, l,·te cannot be se::)8,=cated either - not since vie registered our bonding with sts..:r··· fleet.;; Fe gL3xlced 8,cross the room. "Jim is beginning to 'dC':TT'J because I h2.ve not retur~1ecl,; 1."18 se .. id quietly. "lind indeed 9 the doorHay should be closed 2,S
soon 2,S 11ossib10 9 fo:-..:' the s2.ke of both our universes, 120m pleased that J h2.ve seeD you beth ag'2.in, Bones 9 Scotty. ii
i'Amen -Co tba-c 9;i !YfcCoy said. Ii And Spock give our love to Jin,. i;
"I \·,ill (1,0 [~o.. Li ve long, my friends - 2.nd prosper. II
rrhe unit clC' .. ttered to the g-round as ho v2.nished. Leeoy bent and retrieved it, then th}:'lJ.St it 2,t Scott. !lyou do it9 Scotty - I might press the ,,'frong button. I; '~::'e blinked hard 9 determined not to, cry. Spock Has happy 9 he "12 .. S 1;!Ltb Jim ••. 8.PCL tI12.t ;·l8.S all th20t m2,ttered. It 1:.Jasntt as if he ,,·ras alone 9 8,ny''i[ay _. he and Scot~cy h8..cI. oJ.'Jays been friends, and since Spack's last 'visit' they he.d become V0y"Y close.
scott YF'cssed the button. i1\-Je t d better find a deep hole to bu~r.y this, I,eons,I'd. ;;
Feeoy ·o.ocl.d8d. ;'Yes ••• and then forget 'Vlherc."
"Fone,;; ':cCoy c1,.greed. iiLet' 8 get O}:lay from here.)j r~e pulled out his commun:lC8..toT:. ;':;inte:rprise ~ 1de're ready to beam U"9.'1
l<omentB .L2;CC):'9 the ruined room "'2,S empty.
Srocl;: nt<:', j,{"8Tec1. .~,S }.e materi2,lised. ;\rms c3.u,::ht hirn9 steadying birD.. ;;Spoc~<:l';'
;,;.TCCoy •• <I~'
"Yes ~ :~rocl,.:?
tl1e Vulc2:o.. 11m here. ';, :::-)"ir:; voice 1,'T8.S brusque as he ran ,q scanner Qve:·;
9 111;:,11 9 sit ~m"in before you f8.11 dm.m! i1
Ki1.'k J.o\'Ie:-cod. his bonelmate carefully 9 ponel crouched beside .him. :;'J~h'9 do 0]"> . l.:,ray ~ i' Spoel.: G-,),:].d hoarsely. il'Er.\.V8 you closed it "."11
KiTk (·;'T'lJ.nted. ialisecl 9 then fF,id 9
Ee turned 9 looking at the spot Hhere tho Vulc2.,"(} had fJ12 .. tCJ:'";'Eot until we move you a little v1ay. "I'Telre too closc:;.·
'''C1:.\cy should hp,VB closed it at the other side 9 ;', spock muttered.
":J1ho'Y~' '.·T.~10 ,';; I(iTk asked shal.jJly.
}~.cCoy C'.XJ.d f)cott"; SI10ck h2,d to kno1:! \,<,hat he 'HaS talking 8,bout, but \'T8.8 not SU::~8 he ccyulcl rolloH bis bondmD.tc:; I s line of thought, even vri tll the bond linld.:n~'.' -cn. Oil' minds.
"'['ClOY both send you their love.;;
liHuh',.~:'
;'Yes.: i ;·)·qock fell silent for a moment? then said, HI alv{ays did declOl'! t.hat there ':laS GO·(!18 re2"son "ltThy He· were brouGht together. vIas this vThy? Jim";' So that? bonded, "1;18 could remove sornething that H2,8 a dangKc to both our tmive:r'GGs··,';;
nPex'h2."qs,;; Kirk said. ;IOr perhaps it Has just that I"e needed each ct.he:c so much tbo.:c nothing could keep us apart. it
stann 1)2,d been on edge 2..11 evening. Fis 1triV8S were fully a 111are of i·c, his children hS3xlly less so.
As they finished the meal that Stann had barely touched~ T'Su [mel T;r·:;-asi began clea:d.ng the table, and T'Pring indicated that S'gath should take the other child:cen 2oH8.Y1 Vlhen they Here alone, she turned to Stonn.
;'\1110:c is Hrong? husband? Does Spock •••.. ;};t
"They h2..ve QD idea of what might be causing the disturbances 9 11 ston.n replied. ;;1 110.vo beel1 vraiting to hear from them about it - that is 8.11. As far as you are concerned - did Captain Kirk not tell you that you have nothin2,' to fear Leorn Spock?\!
"Yes ••• ',;
IiDicl you not bolieve him?'\
~iI bO;j.8VG that he believed "ldhat he said. Ii
'·'Ane!_ c:() you :oot believe th2.t if Spack had been lying; to 11i1119 he -vroulCl. "\lO-C hB.VO see:n i-e i:n -cheiT bond'7>;;
';IIe is ":<Uf!18,.Df, \,'r8 cannot kno1"r if they are as sensitive to the bond 2-.8 \</(0
Vulcans. ::
\iI f)oliev8 C8.ptain Kirk is fully sensitive to the bond - and tt.18,t 3.'1(-:) h[,,8
consider2.bl(~ j_nflue:c)ce OVeT Spock. i,
T'P~l'in{;' Gbook her boad. "You may be right - but I Hill not brep;tbe \)82.0(0-fully until E:;pock has left. ii
'·'And if f.:C; cloes 9 Hithout attempting to h8.rrn any of us'·~;;
<iI E~ust concede that the T·)lman I s j.nfluence over him is greater tJ:12Tl I 1,,01..1.1(.1 have consJ.cleI.'E:cl pOfJsj.ble.'\
stanD. f-:.llm·red 0, :rueful expresGion to s11o"l;.{. lIYes s my 1dife. Some I:\J.n18Xl he,bits are Cfuite. 0 .contagious.;: i-Te \<las inter:r:vpted by a brisk knock on -ch.e door~ nSDe 'J~:::o "C~10.t is? my \,rife. ii
rrlp:ci:r1~.)· 1:i8n"C to the door$' and instinctively sbrank back 8,8 Spock s-cep:)8c1.
forward... ;';r u(1).1(1. speak "1..[ith your husband?i' he s8.id evenly.
i\.8 ::;l.te rrcond c"si:de to let hiN paS8 9 Kirk gripped her arm. worry l;; he f::aid softly.
StOl:F1 Dod':.-:.ed fo:( her to leave 9 and she door 1"'8..8 closed, he turned almost eagerly.
Vlent gratefully. lIHe11 ?,!
\;J)on t t
As soon as the
;., As f,"?~J:" c\f:J lde: C0,n tell? ""ide have succesE;fully closed the doorHays linking the tHO Fo.i·ve~Ci::leS, ;', S"!!ock said. IIHe cannot be certains hov.Jever, but if the~ce is no recur:cence of the disturbances in the immediate future, I think \1e CEm 2.E;~Jl1.m8
that I'le he,vG been successful. \I
stann Joo1:;:8d closely at him.
lilt :i.r~ " quite draining?;; Spock s,drni tted. li(iUT Chief l~edical Office~.:'
\I[o.nt8 me '!)8,ck on board and confined to bed fOT t,lllonty-four hours ••• and I CQ,nrcss 9 I do not ~(70SL:.d; his prescription. ,:,1est "'ill be 1llelcome. \I
'I\:Till you report l:J11at you have done'?\! Stann asked.
;;r'o ., 8xl.d T beg that you also do not. \'1e v/ill simply say that He h8,\[0 no Glore ider::, of 1J~'lY the clisturb2nces stopped than "iTe do of hOl:1 they started.::
Ij~'{O'J. clf2S0:~."ve the credit __ II
tltlol ;)l)ock sD8;ppedo listonn - -Chink. r,;y bondmate told you - the fm1er "980p18 ldho knolT of this, the better. Contaot bet,,'leen the universes is dangeTous
mOTe d.2J.1r;,'C:Cous 'chp;.Yl you can guess. The I3rol,..,n of the other universe died 2,,8
a result of it.;;
his !ii:i~e clieci" ;~~ton.n -, heart failure.
systE?r:1. ',; yro need to admit that it ~rhe shock of transfer Has too much fo:L.'" was the second transfer that killed him.
"r::2,S 8. :c88,soDC'l,ble Ch,::mC8? althoug;h rle 1...rill need intensive care for some days yete"
"I ;-,!a:(ldeT 1;.j:,le .. t they tl1ink9 in tbe other universe':''' stann said thoue,'r.d;fl..J.J.ly.
""·,110 kno\'8,;; Spock r"plicd quietly and not quite truthfully. Ee d.id. not knO\<To •• but be cO'l;lcl easily [,J .. J .. ess s as far ?"S those "'ho mattered 'Here conce~('nGd .. Ee Has qu:Lte sure that they? too s \'!Quld claim ignorancGe ••
SO HO i,18;ve met 8,gn.,in, Spocl..;· and I.
I tb.i~1lc b8 if': truly }:2 .. pF~l th:roughs -Coo .~ hut I would not
ho h8,s Jirn aGain. If only I could bave gonG condemn that other T:jcCoy to the:: S01:TO·\'1 I hs'\r8
knoHYl. t lec~,st I h20ve become accustoJ:ned •••
~':(G 1nn?:1 .. ied -[;i:lc:tt it 1 ... 18)3 the bond between hirns(:.11f and Jim that ena;'<Lccl ~,jim to corne th)"QUeJl 2:..nc1 .. cloSG t118S8 'd.oors'. r·~ee;·:ls qui to ••• ironic that it S11,Ol11(1, b(j this UniY8~;:;3(-0 t~,le',,/ sc.ved 2,8 1:!8J.l 2,S t}18 ODe they live in.
I d~Y(l,' 'C :;:0~Ct~;8t them -, I never ce,D, these t1;IO men that I loved.. ":':\18).1,
O,Cl.'OS8 t:!Jil.E: c::.ncl f:l'X:"i,Ce, you are our friend' 9 Spock said to me once. I believe . , l C.
It is u .. nJ..j,kely that our paths l"rill cross agD.:iu. I l,'.rish you luck9 )'l,Iy
friends ••• e:nd PJ .. J. the h2,ppiness in the universe ~~ in two universes. hut J tbi:r:\l<: you have tl,l(1·t 8,lT08..cly.
scotty dc:':.~"~~('oyec1, the mech8.nism'Spock left '.;Ji til us s 2.Dd He hErve !!l8..de no report. Officic:,,11y, 1,'T8 - the only ones to knoH about the othel:' uni ve~csos ,'-knOl,',r nothilv'-.'. In tllis 9 nothing seems to be the ".,riSGst thing to knOl,r. 1,8-;; Starfle(;!t scientists Haste time tryinc to '-'lork it out ~~ they "I[ill not, I r.:~i11 Gu~('e.
,And "\;118,"0 is 8.11 outcome devoutly to be 1;fished.
Dl.J:'cing "'d12,t time ~ }{irk hRd gone tllrough the motions of exexni.nine; datE'1, in the ,,:i..ntex..'or:J'Gs of blurring the positive action that they had taken, 1J.sin.r,;' the laboTatoTY V[;\c2,ted hy l/oden and Cheral for part of the time. fit 1ast9 D.ftO?~ [_l,
brief discu[~8ion. \'Jith Spock, he decided that they had ,,'lasted enough time, ~C1;od
suggested ~('(,;-po:ct:Lng- to St~'Jrfleet that the d.isturb[;mces aPTJe2.red to h8:VC:~
cegsed 8,S ine:X:~iJ:]j,cF\,b1y as they h(l.d started.
66
Spock d.uly compiled a report for Starfleet in which he and. Kirk put their heeds together to produce" verbose style th"t - Hith luck - all but the most dedic8,ted scientist elould find tot8,lly unread"J)le - "Ihich \'Tould be just 2's ,wll, for it s2,id nothing to the point. f,tonn, a,fter discussion Hi th them, merely "dmi tted his tot",l ignorance of \'Ih",t had caused both the disturbances end the cess.?,tion of them, and directed any further enquiries to Spock's report.
The reports sent off, stonn invited Spock and his senior officers to 8,
semi-formeJ. 'p2,rty' on Hhat \'Tould probably be their last evening at rl;egafor; neH orders Here 2,lmost certain to come for the Enterprise by the follo'diWc morning. 1J:118 corl1manders of the other bases l,vere present, as ,..rere most of stann's s-Go'ff.
In recognition of the fact that many of these present vlere either }.!\1mrn or of Euman extro..ctioDs the evening was arranged on mostly Human lines. C'r,uiet background music provided a tuneful distraction for anyone 'dho cared to dance; the meal 1>/·8.S in the form of a buffet, ,;i th dishes from all the planets who he"d represent2"tiv8S on r!egafor.
Spock h0,d discussed 'di"ch Kirk \{hat Hould be the best Hay for him to behe.ve, both to try to reassure T' Pring - it clOuld have been cruel to have left her believing thc,t Spock still planned revenge at some future date - yet keep her from suspecting that the man present at the dinner vIas not the Capt2.in that she so feared. 'I'hey decided that he should not tl"'J to speak to T'Pring himself, but that it Hould do no harm for him to seek out her cO-Hife T'SU; Kirk's 8-ssessmen-c of Fltonn's primary vrife vias that she was a pleasant woman but that for a Vulc8,n ,. she was not very intelligent; she h·s,d no professional tr2,ining, nor, 8.pps.:cently, did she h8,ve any interests apart from the care of Stonn's children .. 2:00. 'l"Pring, the scientist, Has perfectly ,Iilling to leave the upbringing of }.'1e::c children to her co-wife. T'Su ... lOuld take Spock at face v2,lu8 9
even if she kncM r;11Pring's dread of her former betrothed~ and "IQuld probabJ.Y9 they hope·"l, end lX[} telling '!"Pring that Spock Has not the monster she ho,d though t he:c.
!J. fm-T minute's Itli th r:r:' Suo confirmed Kirk I s assessment in Spock I s mind.. IJ." SU ",as eo pler:',s,;;o-c 'doman who could respond to an intelligent conversation 8,Dd keep it goinC? bl·d; only by encour2,ging her guests to t8,lk about their OHn inter8sts~
hO\'1 much she 2.ctu('.11y understood of \'lh2. t 'vias ss.id VIas doubtful. She could not be called. stupid. by any st8-ndards? but she W18 not clever, either, ~i:tP:ril1.g·, on the other.' 1'};:c..!.1cl. ~ \'!"?S undoubtedly brilliant ••• but lacked T I Su t s placid ['.cCO)7t{).Dce of life. t.:\1o ff'xnily H9.S probabl;y very haP"PY9 being \{ell-balo,nced s the b·lO
\<fives co\n~[Jler!1o/)t.:Ln{',' l3ach other.
Spoc!( \,],oCl,S !1O,lf aware of rrtpring \',atching him intently [\8 he spoke to I,I."SU.
Did. she think that he ",ould attempt to harm the older woman~ Then ,.!:l th a shock he realised t11[-1:[; she proo8.bly did, that it was exactly \'/11at she would eXI)Qct of his original in this universe ••• [I,TId. wh2-t he ""ould :bave expected of th2:t f)pock too ~ come to t1.1ink of it. l·iemory of an entry in the Capt::dn' s long··' destroyed pOTson?1 log surfaced - 'I permit no-one to harm me. t And another entry - 'i~l1yone foolish enough to feel affection for another can be h2,rmecl through thc,t affection. I do not permit myself to feel anything.'
If only that had been true! Jim \-JOulct hnv8 been saved so much agony ~ .s,nc1 yet9 if it had 1)eeD true? Jim \{ould not have been there to need him •• ~
As i.T: t i3u turned away from him to spe8..k to another guest - Decius ~ the :R.omulan corn·(flancle:c of one of the lesser bases - Spock found Kirk at his side;;, oj Somethin.g troubles you 9 !.j Kj.rk murmured.
\\1). memory ••• ,'J,nd a thought, U Spack said softly. been .o.s be Has, you \<lOuld not have needed me - and I
"If the Captain h8.(l not ;Tould not be here todo;y.
Kirk nodded.. "Does j.t sound terribly masochistic if I say that I'm g12,cl " no\" - ths/c he 1"R8 so cruel'? 13ecause you. a~ce here today?" He held out his ho,nd 9 fingers ext~)l'lcfe(r;' to the Vulcan9 and Spack responded instantly.
67
,iLe-c I s f:i..'.'}cl. ::1- qui et corner for a moment ~;; Spock said. 1P:le I ve hp,rdly h::,.r1. ,s, !HaPlont to C}I}3:'Gelv2s since W8 completed the bond ••• and I find myself longing-for my bondrn:'"'..te f s co,npany .. ;i
Kirk s'(tlilecl. ',IIn [:, ~ilay it J 8 been a ""asted Vleek? 11 he admi tted. ;~OcCl).pi8c1.
with make-l;[or1( .~ but it's been necessary ~ it rle e;lancecr round. HThere GTe some ch::~irs in the be.II. 1Je could go 01).t tbere."
Spocl':, fol1o\!ed hi.m. Vlhe~ce she COl).J.c!. still see
Fei tter saw ;.1: I Prin{:. v10,tching them without 2.ppearing to be
them, carefully spying.
In -[;1--1.8 b.-:,11 , their eyes ltlere 2~ttr2,cted upwards by 8- movement. KiTk g'Tinned, recognising' tbe sturdy form of rjl'ze1 9 the youngest of stann I s children. \Tulccm or n0 9 in [" f2,shioD typical of the young of any plnnet9 she had been att~c?,cted from her :room by curiosity 9 probably slightly 2nDoyed that her older siblings, S'gath and 'i"?8,si, Here permitted to be present at the party~ Spandel and. ;,-u'lar, \-Ihile not quite old enough to attend, 'dould be old enough to overcome theicc curiosi ty. Sbe cOl.lld see nothing? but her ears 'Idere certainly busy enough D,S
she leaned over the railing 9 encouraged by Kirk t s smile cmd the failure of ei ther man to indicate displep,sure.
rllhey sat, relexing silently, content.
From "Gr.'\9 rom:!, r.pIPTine;- could no longer see them for other g'uests [d;2,ndin~;'
bet\'leen neT r,-:od the doo~c, noV! that their heads vlere at Q IOlller level. She moved SlOlllly tJ-'rm}.g'h the :<::'0 om 9 intending to find a nev! position fro\:1 \>Thich she could \'fc~tch thef'j i:rhen },':ex spoke to her and manners compelled her to stop end :ceS1JOl"lcL
to himo
The -G,:!O ':ne11 ':ce}8.xing in the hallH2.Y stiffened. as 2:n ominous cracking SOlJ.no.
came fron! D))()Ve them. ~rhey moved 2.,lmost 9,S one as a white shape fell to"'farcls them~ then -Kirh: :ce:-.\lised that his bondmate was nearer and dre\>l bReK so D,S not to hampeT bi"w 8,8 he cuaght the falling childo
!)'Hz,eJ st2,J~'ed up 2,t her rescuer 9 her face almost as \>fhi te [,,,S her g'o\'-m. Spock glf:tnced. 2,t Ki~ck 9 unsure of Hhat best to do.
II~P8,ke l1C::C .~) ",---cle to bed 9 Spock - I'll ;::{et one of her parents ~ Ii l:{irk 88...id. 'J1he Vulc2:(l nC16.6.ed [mel began to mount the st£dr~ Kirk 1tTent bc:wk into the ~('oom$'
gl[t.Dcing T'..','Ul!.ci. o "'::"e SaH rriPring e,hnost imrnediately $' and crossed to her.
"E:xc"t).se 1"(!0, si::c 9 " he £-1;pologised to Dex 9 A,Dd turned to her. IICen YOT)' come 9
lJ.lI Pring9;; b.e H8.Dt aD. ;IT'zel has h8,d a slight 8,ccident - \>Ie don't; thLnk: she's hurt9 but Ghe ].:!,:!:l. 112''(1 a fright. Spocl< is 1;Ii th he~"(' <.~ fl
HSpock>- :)lIr:d.ng I S eyes '\,videned in fearo to,:!ards the::: doo:c.
1I:\lone V.Jith r:1:'zel':'i; f;.o.f? .hu:cT:i.ed
FrOf,t tJ.l.8 C!_oo~cHay she S8.\'1 the hroken Tailin{:','t and spared the time to p,'1:::'XlC8
at Kirk:a ,;1,'.:0 f'2c,11y should h2.vE: chased ber a'tls.Y 9 I, he aclmi tted 9 I'but she \'!2.ij
enjoying Jj.s-ce:-:d.:t1i to the music and the voiceso •• ;',
iiYes. ~:)'!}oc'l( c?ught her. ,; Fe follo\'lecl the hurl"Ying -VJOlTIaD up the str':..iJ:'.
rrIIPrin(,:~ bu:cs-G into the child 1 S room in tir£le to see Spock tucking U18 r:;~.leGt round ~f.1'zeJ's sl!.O'nlcl.ers, and hear the quiet lai:h2.nk Y01..1 9
jj the child srd.cl.
Spoc1( loo1u:d cl.ovm at her. 1l0ne does not need to th8J1k a logical ::,.c·c:lon,·· he s8.i.d quietly. }Ie straightened as rptpring reached them.
;'LYe you 2.,11 right9 rl:11zel'!,H rrlPring asked 9 her eyes b:right vlith Horr:;a
':Yes, ~notbe:c.";\
ilL on1Y9 I think~;; Spock saicl 9 still quietly.
1180 Ua:!)t2,in Kirk said, but I hD-d to be sure." She looked 8,t him. .J.G \v8.s ••• the ~!.1e:r:'fect chance for revenge. il
(,8
;'I ••• :0.0 lor~ger seek revenges;; Spock replied. 1'1 think that vre are -both happier th::\!'} lifG vl01J.ld have been together9 T'Pring. II Ere looked 2-t Kirk9 his eyes content. ;-'1t he,s been a most enjoY2,ble evenings rr'Pring ••• Come 9 my bonc1m0:tc:,-" he continued...·I,et us return to the ship."
KiTk pulled out his communicator.
It seems 8.8 if eapte.in Kirk was tellinc the truth. Spack waS V8I"J 'r;):Lonsant to me 9 an(L I conff;ss that stann might have been right - perhaps it He,s only the mystery of the situation th8.t made him appear to threatening before. I am no longe::c af~c8,id or him _. because •••
SpocL does seerr. ••• changed. Gentler, more understanding, His eyefj Et:C8 no lODcer shut·~~e:cecl, hiding his every thought, but shine, ldi th Hha t app(;?ars to be a veJ:'J deep 2,ffec-cion ,·rhen he looks at his bondmate. There seems to be [;1, g:C80,t rapport betH8el1 them that I can almost envy G
Ob 9 I J.l2,Ve :'. e;ood husband 1 I do not deny it, 2, co· ... "'ife who is my good friend 9 pond children to be proud of. But what they have •••
Coulel. I hc.v8 had that kind of rapport 'dith Spock, if I had had the CotD~2.8e to bond Hitb. !XiJi'l: I \,rill never knoH. I made my choice 9 and I do Dot :cerJ,Iy regret it.
:)ut TtQ':,· I find myself wondering ••• \'las it the right choice?
I \'li11 DeV8~C knolt!.
I 2~m n:1nd fL1 1Pring no longer fears. If I had realisnd just hO"l;! mucl:!. sbe had dreaded tbe Ccxpt3in' s v(:ngeance~ I think I \·rould have tried to re2..f::su:':'e her before thi~i ••• but perhaps it is as \'Jell that I did not. She believos rny chang'S: of C£HLC1C-CCI' to be due to Jim t s influence~ she has no suspicion that I am not the D8Tson I .. . yes9 pretend to be.
I 2,m ti::ced, thoug:h ~. tired as DO VulcBD ought to be. PerhB,ps I 2X:1 L'cct:Ly:' aIda.. ',:;:0. It is just the effect of going once moro through the b8.rrie:c s coupled l;!i th tho strain 0 f the l[l,st 'Hecks 9 the strD,in of ••• needing' •• 0 tho "\xfncl so much:,l :yet h:,~,vi:n::: to control my "'Fish for it ••• and the joy of h2.ving it ;:-:;l; 1,,',s"Go strange }:1m'! joy cs.n be so tiring.
Jim fJeeUlG mo:co than bappy ~ th01.lP.:h he too is tired~ I':cCoy has :cecommonci.Dd 8.. medical ~:.e.J,ve :r.'or both of us. i,.·fe 1dill visit Vulcan ~ of course, but ~fim \12~r!tG
to go to Ea3:·t1.1 .... it is 9, long time sincE.':; he ld8.S last there ~ 8,nd while bo is not homesick J tho time alvlays comes Ylhen one feelD a longing for the f~'<.mil:.L.'?.:c
sky of ch:L10J.lOoc1.~ the fc\~ili8-r smell of one's native planet. He does no's 1:!2y:d~
to visit h:LB chL1.c1.hood home 9 8.nd ths.t I can understo,nd;; his rnemoriE~s of ti.l0se days B,re mostJ.y 1J.nhappy. So He \1i11 trave1r. visit those parts of }!;?u:,th th;;:;b call to 1.l.8<J Not necessarily the standard tourist e:ttractions 9 but r8,tll<::~;~' qui.ct9
remote spots 1:!hc~"('e \<10 can reL:tx for a fEM days 9 enjoy the scenery ••• e,nd then He ...... rill cornS' br,c:.c to tho ~')1terprise ••• our real home.
//S,p;ck '//
//COc118 in, Jim. / / spock flicked 'off the recorder.
Kirk cr:rce:i.:'ud, crossed to Epock's side 9 and sank into bis favourite T)os:Lt5.on 9
cur1ed up on tIle f1oor 9 leaning against his bondmatG's knees.