Constellations

by Marco Palmieri

  Another man stepped forward in front of the viewscreen. He was young, blond, and very distrustful. “You serve the truth? The whole truth? Not just some palatable version? Not ‘Let’s forget this person existed because they made a mistake or that person because they countered the accepted and approved histories’?”

  “Yes, I serve truth,” Uhura said. “After all, if people don’t know there was a mistake, how can they avoid it the next time?” This answer seemed to relieve the first man and the second stepped back again.

  “You must forgive Tano,” the dark-haired man said. “He recently lost someone he cared about for daring to speak of something ‘unpleasant.’ I am Kurning, leader of the FreeSpeakers. We sent the distress call that you answered. You have obviously discovered the danger we face should the Grid overload—”

  “And no one will do anything about it!” Tano exclaimed. “So we have!”

  “What do you mean?” Kirk asked.

  “Why should we trust you, Enforcer?” Tano challenged, stepping forward again. “Do you not work for an oppressive government yourself?”

  “No, I work for the United Federation of Planets, a peaceful organization, which does not suppress the rights of any of its members,” Kirk answered.

  “Ah,” said Tano. “‘Peaceful.’ Our Enforcers do not ‘suppress’ either. We are allowed to express any happy, good thoughts we like. Those who do not are not ‘suppressed.’ They simply disappear. Like your engineer.”

  Kirk leaned forward intently. “Scotty? Is he all right?”

  Kurning nodded. “He will be safe until morning. But if something is not done, he, too, will be killed.”

  “As will many millions on your planet if the governmental leaders don’t allow us to help you fix your Grid,” Kirk reminded him.

  “Exactly!” said Tano with a dark grin. “So we have come up with an equitable exchange.” He reached for something offscreen and pulled forward a tied and gagged Kyo-Ina. Tano gleefully pulled her gag down so she could speak.

  “Captain Kirk! Tell these…people…they must release me. It will do them no good to hold me here.” She looked at the viewscreen, pleading.

  “Do you hear her, Enforcer? ‘These people.’” Tano repeated her words with disgust. “Not ‘criminals’ or ‘rebels.’ How about ‘misdirected believers’? No, those words are too negative and unpleasant! But we are all of these on Donico! Anyone who dares speak truly is an ‘un-preferred element.’ Or is it ‘preeducated’?” he demanded of Kyo-Ina. “I so easily forget the latest acceptable terminology,” he mocked.

  “That’s enough, Tano,” Kurning warned. He looked into the viewscreen. “Lieutenant Uhura, if you truly believe in what you say—if you believe in truth and freedom of information, you must help us.”

  “I don’t understand,” Uhura said. “How can I help you?”

  “We have tried to convey the truth to our people and have had our words twisted by our leaders and ‘reimagined’ into shapes they do not mean. This is how the leaders control the people and maintain their power. Our own people will not believe us. They will not even believe you, as they have been told that offworlders are agents of deceit or that their existence is a fantasy tale told to children.” Kurning explained, “But the leaders of our world must be convinced not only to shut down the Grid with the help of your engineer, but to tell the people of Donico the truth! Truth about the threat to their lives. Truth about their world—the good and the bad of it—and the universe they live in.” Kurning’s speech intensified. “If you are the one who conveys information, relay this to our leaders: We have one of their own.” He indicated Kyo-Ina. “We will exchange her for the release of the engineer Scott so that he can fix the Grid. But they must first inform the people of Donico of the unpleasant truth about the danger they are all in. If they do not admit what is real and true, we will not release Kyo-Ina. And your engineer will die. As will we all. But without truth, what is worth living for?” Kurning gave Uhura one last pleading look. “We will be watching and listening. Help us, Uhura. Make them communicate the truth.” The viewscreen went dark.

  Uhura looked at the captain, suddenly anxious. “He can’t expect me to…Captain, how am I supposed to change the minds of a whole society? How can I convince their leaders to listen to me?”

  Kirk’s voice was warm and confident. “You’ll just have to get them to hear the truth.”

  But Uhura was unconvinced, and the small, nagging voice of self-doubt in her head suddenly became the words that she spoke. “I can’t do it. They won’t listen to me. I’m not a diplomat. I’m just a messenger who’s still in training.” She looked at Kirk and felt completely vulnerable. “I haven’t been on a landing party since…Nomad. I’m not ready for this.”

  Kirk stood and grasped her by both shoulders. “You can do this, Lieutenant. You are ready for it. You are an invaluable member of this crew, and even if you don’t believe that or remember it…I do. You heard them. They don’t trust me. The only person they’ll listen to is you. Scotty’s life is in your hands. As are those of the Donican people. You are the communications officer of this ship, and truth and information are not only what you do…they’re who you are.” Kirk’s gaze pierced through Uhura’s fears. She felt the strength of his belief in her calm her fears slightly. Enough for her to take a deep breath.

  Uhura held her head up. Her shoulders straightened. “Aye, sir. On my way.”

  Uhura was met in the transporter room by two red-shirted security guards—Steib and Friedman—who accompanied her up onto the transporter pad. Uhura nodded to the transporter chief, who beamed them down to the Donican surface.

  When they arrived at Diplomatic Headquarters, the blond woman who’d been briefly seen onscreen quickly moved toward them, accompanied by four black-suited Enforcers. When Steib and Friedman moved their hands toward their phasers in anticipation of trouble, Uhura gestured for them to keep their weapons undrawn. She faced the blonde, who identified herself as Cinda-Ru.

  “What do you want here?” Cinda-Ru asked, her face masked in a tight smile.

  Uhura began, “I have information for you. About Kyo-Ina.”

  Cinda-Ru unconsciously clenched her teeth at the mention of the kidnapped co-worker. Despite her Donican teachings and attitude, it was a tender subject. “Kyo-Ina is not available. That is an internal Donican matter of no concern to you.”

  Uhura considered her options. “Then I would like to speak with my friend.”

  “That is not possible,” Cinda-Ru said. “Have a lovely day.” She turned to leave. Uhura stopped her.

  “Please, I…want to understand his crime. What has he done that was so terrible?” Uhura felt more anxious than her manner portrayed.

  “He was misinformed. That misinformation will be corrected,” Cinda-Ru answered.

  “I would like to understand. Can you explain to me what he was misinformed about? Perhaps I can help correct his misimpression. Get him to see the truth of the situation. Then I could share that truth with others so they will understand better.” Uhura smiled winningly at Cinda-Ru, who considered Uhura’s words.

  “I will confer with the council,” Cinda-Ru decided. “Please wait here.” Uhura took a deep breath when Cinda-Ru left with two of the Enforcers, leaving two others behind to watch the landing party. Uhura smiled at the Enforcers, who remained stone-faced. She turned to Steib and Friedman and shrugged. They waited.

  Cinda-Ru soon returned. She said to Uhura, “We are aware of your starship orbiting our world. And we are not so foolish as to think that more will not follow and decide to intrude more forcibly into our society in the future if this situation is not clarified for all involved. You may see your engineer.” Uhura grinned widely. It was a small victory, but a good first step. “However…” Cinda-Ru continued. Uhura’s smile lessened. “We will be monitoring your conversation. We expect you to respect our ways, or else, like your friend, you will have to be…corrected.” Uhura nodded her understanding.

  Cinda-Ru g
estured for Uhura to come with her. When Steib and Friedman moved to follow, the Enforcers stopped them. Uhura looked back at the two security guards and shook her head, indicating that they should stay behind. This was her mission. But as she left them to go with Cinda-Ru, Uhura suddenly felt very alone and vulnerable. Scotty’s life depended on her. As did all the Donicans’ lives. She tried to joke to herself, No pressure, right? But the humor seemed hollow even to her.

  Cinda-Ru explained the Donican perspective to Uhura as they walked. “Here on Donico, everyone is happy. Everyone is equally well treated. Everyone’s feelings are respected. Everyone’s position is considered. In the past, our people were hateful to each other. Hurtful. Inconsiderate. They only thought of their own happiness instead of that of others. They said things without thought to the consequences of how others would feel. That doesn’t happen now. We consider what is best for everyone. What will make everyone happy.” Cinda-Ru stopped walking and reached for Uhura’s arm, determined to convey this to her. “Bad news frightens people. Pain and anger and death and destruction hurt people. We don’t want fear or pain. We want joy. Unpleasant things simply do not happen here. That is our accepted life on Donico. Which your friend disrupted with his talk of disaster.” Uhura listened intently, gathering information.

  They resumed walking and soon entered a room where Scotty sat on a cot in a barred cell. He stood instantly when he saw her and moved toward the door of the cell. “Lieutenant Uhura! What’s goin’ on? Where’s the captain? Are they goin’ t’let me out of here to fix the Grid?”

  Uhura was greatly relieved to see that Scotty was all right. She moved over to the cell and covered his hands with hers. “Captain Kirk is back on the ship. He’s fine. I’m glad to see that you are, too.”

  Before Uhura could say anything further, Cinda-Ru reminded her why she was there. “Now that you know us, we will allow you to attempt to reeducate your friend. It will not change his need for correction—that must be enforced. But perhaps it will help both of you to understand.” Cinda-Ru indicated what looked like a small video camera hanging inside a corner of the room. “We will be watching.” Uhura nodded.

  Scott began to pester Uhura with more questions until she interrupted him. “Scotty…the Donicans have charged you with sedition for your…negativity about the Grid.” She looked up at the camera and watched her words.

  “Negativity?! The thing’s going to blow any minute and they’re worried about ‘negativity’? Are they all daft?” he protested.

  Uhura tried to control the situation and thought quickly. She glanced down at her hand, healing from its earlier injury, and something occurred to her. “Scotty, do you remember when Nomad…turned you off?”

  Scott was confused at the sudden change of direction in the conversation. “Aye. But what does that…”

  “In its own way, Nomad turned me off, too, when it erased my memory.” She glanced back at the camera, conscious of its presence. “But…we got better, right?”

  “Aye?”

  “Well, the Donicans seem to believe that as long as things get better, there’s no point in…dwelling on what’s past if it’s unpleasant.” Uhura continued to formulate her thoughts.

  “But there’ll be no Donicans to dwell on anything if they dinna’ fix their Grid!” Scott insisted. “What does the past matter, when they won’t face the present?” He suddenly sat back down on the cot in the cell, seemingly defeated.

  “The past matters because without acknowledging and accepting it—even the unpleasant parts—if you refuse it, then you can’t learn from it and get beyond it and grow. And heal.” Uhura looked intently at Scott. “You tried to put Nomad’s killing you behind you.” Scotty shook his head. “You have. But pretending it didn’t happen isn’t putting something behind you; it’s denying something happened to you. It’s denying a part of who you are. And until you accept who you are—all of who you are, the good things and the bad—you never can be whole. And you never can be truly happy.” Tears filled Uhura’s eyes. “Scotty…you died…because of me. You were trying to protect me. It was my fault.”

  Scott immediately stood up and moved to stand near Uhura. “No, no, it wasn’t your fault. It was that beastly bucket of bolts. I didn’t want it to hurt you. I couldn’t let that happen.”

  Uhura looked at him. “But you did.”

  “What?”

  “Despite your trying to stop it, Nomad hurt me. It erased my memory. Took who I was away from me. You didn’t stop it. You couldn’t.”

  Scott looked sorrowfully at Uhura. “Lass, I’m so very sorry. I tried to save you from it. I tried…”

  “But there was nothing you could do. That’s the point. We both have a guilt that we can’t change even if it’s over something we’re not truly responsible for. It’s a part of our past. A part of who we are. And if we deny that feeling, we deny ourselves. Because all we are is made up of our past. And until we understand our past, acknowledge it, we can’t understand ourselves.” Uhura’s mind flashed with the memories of the log entries she’d reviewed, but also with the experiences she’d had since then—laughing with Chapel, being rewarded with a compliment on a good job by Spock despite her own insecurities, a kind gesture from Yeoman Cappa. This was all a part of who she was.

  Uhura turned to the camera watching them and addressed the Donican council. “Just as we can’t be whole without accepting all of ourselves, even the sad things, even the bad things, even the things that were out of our control, neither can you. How can you appreciate a sunny day without knowing what a rainy one is like? How can you appreciate having someone in your life who you love, without understanding what it is like to lose someone? You can deny that your people are unhappy by refusing to see sadness. You can deny Kyo-Ina has been taken by some of those unhappy people. You can deny that the Grid threatens you. But that does not mean these things did not happen, that these problems do not exist. A lack of disagreement is not peace—it is silence. And if you really want your people to be happy instead of docile, physically safe instead of emotionally shielded, alive instead of dead, you will see the truth, you will hear the truth, and you will speak the truth to your people. And you will truly live!” Uhura’s voice rang with the strength of her convictions and her eyes shone with a refreshed clarity. She knew who she was. Again.

  A moment passed and nothing seemed to happen. Uhura and Scott stood alone in the room. Had anyone been listening? Had anyone heard?

  Scotty shook his head. “I canna believe that that flying pile of circuits brought me back to life, only for me t’die here, because some people refuse to save themselves. It doesna’ make sense.”

  “No, it doesn’t. And it’s not going to happen if I can help it.” Uhura stood firmly, confidently.

  “Uhura.” Scotty looked up at her, saw her rediscovered strength. “When that thing…when Nomad…killed me and then brought me back…repaired me like I was just some broken baffle plate, turned me off and on like a machine…I’d never felt so out of control in all my life.”

  Uhura reached out to Scott. The two clasped hands in understanding and shared experience.

  A moment later, Cinda-Ru, no longer smiling, walked through the door. “Kyo-Ina has been taken away. I want to get her back. As do some on the council, though not all. While they are interpolating—” She stopped herself. “While they are…fighting…” It seemed a difficult word for her to say. “I…want to help. How do we fix this…problem?”

  Uhura smiled. “First, with a little information. Is there a nearby access point to a mass communications console?”

  Cinda-Ru nodded.

  “And will someone kindly unlock this cell and direct me to the Grid controls?” Scotty looked wryly at the ladies.

  Cinda-Ru moved to unlock the cell.

  As Kirk and the rest of the bridge crew watched the transmission from their viewscreen, Kurning, Tano, and Kyo-Ina were among the Donicans who listened in wonder and concern as Cinda-Ru appeared on every vid-screen on the planet a
nd explained the situation with the Grid. The communication was cut off by a dissenting council member, but it was too late. The information was out there for all Donicans to hear. Kurning turned and untied Kyo-Ina. “You are free,” he said to her. “Now we shall all be free.”

  Back aboard the Enterprise, Scott and Uhura resumed their usual bridge positions and exchanged a knowing smile.

  “Good to have you back,” Kirk said to Scott, then turned to Uhura. “Both of you.”

  Uhura grinned. “It’s good to be back, sir. Very good.” Her hands automatically danced across the communications board as she began to pass reports on to others as a matter of course.

  McCoy exited the turbolift and moved over to stand at the side of Kirk’s chair. The captain noted to the doctor, “It seems that with the help of the FreeSpeakers, Kyo-Ina, and Cinda-Ru, the population of Donico II is well on their way to learning to live with their past and present.”

  McCoy smiled. “Bodes well for their future, doesn’t it?”

  “It certainly does,” Kirk agreed. He swiveled in his chair to look at his communications officer. “But they wouldn’t have dealt with it at all if it weren’t for someone forcing them to face the truth and cope with the Grid situation. You did an excellent job down there, Lieutenant.”

  Uhura smiled widely. “Thank you, Captain. But I didn’t do it alone.” She looked over at Scotty, who looked back at her warmly. “In fact, if there’s one thing I learned down on Donico II, it’s that confidence isn’t about being independent and sticking your head in the sand, pretending everything is okay. It’s knowing when to go to someone else for help.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Scotty affirmed.

  As Kirk ordered Sulu to take them to their next destination, the competent, confident communications officer of the Starship Enterprise tended to her duties and looked forward to her next assignment.