STAR TREK - The Brave and the Bold Book One

by Keith R. A. DeCandido

  Im fine, McCoy said, waving him off. Answer the damn question.

  Great, hes getting crotchety again. I was checking the pH readings. Xelaxine is basic. If we lower the pH value, make it neutral, itll go inert. Now, Derubbios serum is neutral, and the acidity is irrelevant to its effectiveness. What if we try adding an acid compound to the serum?

  You want to introduce an acid into the human bloodstream?

  Rosenhaus sighed. It was just a thought. If we can find an acid thats relatively harmlessascorbic, maybe, or citric.

  McCoy looked at the computer model Rosenhaus had called up, and shook his head. Wont work. The only acid strong enough to bring xelaxines pH down to seven would have to be a lot nastier than the human body can take. Itd eat the blood vessels alive.

  Dammit. Rosenhaus pounded a fist on the table.

  Putting a hand on Rosenhauss shoulder, McCoy said, Easy, Lew, were not out of the woods yet. Theres something

  What? he asked, looking up at the older doctor.

  Computer, call up the molecular structure of Andronesian encephalitis.

  Rosenhaus frowned. What does?

  You ever heard of Capellan acid?

  Uh, no.

  Not surprised. I was stationed on Capella IV for a few months before I reported here. The Capellans are warrior typesthey had no interest in medicine or hospitals.

  Rosenhaus blinked, then blinked again. Okay, at this point Im completely lost.

  McCoy smiled. Bear with me, Lew. Computer, call up molecular structure of Capellan acid.

  As soon as Rosenhaus saw the second image pop up on the screen, he winced. Thats a naturally occurring acid on Capella? What do they use it for, sieges of the castle? You could do wonders pouring this over the battlementswipe out your enemies in a microsecond.

  Believe it or not, its in their drinking water, McCoy said with a smile. They build em tough on Capella, but not that tough. One of the things I noticed when I was there was that they didnt suffer from Andronesian encephalitis, even though the conditions on the planet are ideal for it. Turns out, they did have it, and they also had this corrosive acid in their water.

  Rosenhaus put it together and snapped his fingers. The acid neutralizes the encephalitis.

  For starters, yes. It still leaves acid in the system, though, just nothing as nasty as the acids raw form. The question is if its enough to also neutralize the xelaxine.

  Only one way to find out.

  McCoy nodded. Computer, call up molecular structure of xelaxine. After it did so All right, now project what would happen if all three were combined in the human bloodstream.

  Rosenhaus watched as the molecules rotated toward each other on the screen. Atoms shifted, bonds broke and re-formed, shapes changedfirst the xelaxine and the encephalitis each broke apart, then the Capellan acid did likewise, and then they all started to come together in new combinations. Finally, when they settled down, there were five molecules. One was a single oxygen atom bonded with two hydrogen atoms; three were carbon bonded with two oxygen atoms; the last was six carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and six oxygen atoms.

  Water, carbon dioxide, and ascorbic acid, Rosenhaus said. I dont believe it. He laughed. They go from dying of a nasty virus to the functional equivalent of eating a grapefruit.

  Chuckling, McCoy said, That and holding their breath too long. Well have to monitor their CO 2 levelsprobably need to flush it out of most peoples systems before they can be safely dischargedand of course theyll all need to be re-inoculated for encephalitis.

  Rosenhaus nodded. Well have to make sure everyone is inoculated first. If they havent been, well have to give it to them.

  I want to run a few more tests before we try this on Ms. Braker over there, but I think were on the right track here. He turned to Rosenhaus and smiled. Nice work, Doctor.

  What nice work? I made a dumbass suggestion. Youre the one who turned it into something workable.

  Chuckling, McCoy said, I tell you, I never thought anything good would come out of those months I spent on Capella.

  Nurse Jazayerliwhose presence in the lab area Rosenhaus hadnt even registeredsaid, I hate to interrupt this mutual admiration society, Doctors, but I have checked on Ms. Braker, and she has indeed received an inoculation against Andronesian encephalitis.

  McCoy nodded. Thank you, Nurse. Cmon, Lew, lets get to work.

  Matt Decker swore he would never complain about the difficulties of running a starship ever again. As bad as it could sometimes get, it couldnt possibly be worse than co-running a planetary government for a day.

  He and Kirk had been at it for almost twenty-four straight hoursand that was on top of a full day of neutron-stargazing. Decker was about as exhausted as he ever intended to be when there wasnt an actual war on.

  Then again, he thought, for all intents and purposes, we are fighting a war. Were just waiting on Guillermo and Spock to find the enemy for us.

  However, all the tasks that needed to be performed had been, and any others that were pending could wait until morning. There hadnt been any new outbursts of the virus since the Enterprise was targeted. Masada, Spock, McCoy, and Rosenhaus had all reported that they were making progress, but had nothing new to report. Bronstein had said that all had been quiet since Kirks little speech at the SCMC. As the sun started setting on Proxima, things seemd to have quieted down.

  Right now, Commodore Matthew Decker needed a good nights sleep more than anything.

  Idly, he wondered how anyone on this planet did sleep. Proxima had a thirty-hour day. With the colony primarily in the northern hemisphere, at this time of year the sun was up for about twenty-six of those hours. He remembered Wills childhood joke about how it was always night in spaceon Proxima, it was never night, it seemed.

  Kirk had just gotten a couple hours sleepand he had also gotten some sleep prior to the mission, since his ships time was at early morning rather than late night when they arrived at Proxima. The idea was that he would then stay up during the rest of the night in case of an emergency, leaving Decker to catch up on his desperately needed rest.

  As he hauled himself up from his chair to head for the door, he said to Kirk, So where are we supposed to sack out, anyhow?

  Before an irritatingly fresh-faced Kirk could answer, Deckers communicator beeped.

  Shaking his head, he took it out of his belt. I knew I should have phasered this thing when I had the chance. Couldve just said the rioters did it. He opened the communicator. Decker here.

  Wow, Commodore, you sound like hell, Takeshewada said.

  Number One, Im going to sound like the ninth circle of hell if you dont give me a very good reason why you called me when I was on the way to bed.

  As it happens, I do, and its good news, twice over. Our two doctors think theyve nailed the virus. Its notwithout small risks, but nothing as life-threatening as the virus itself.

  Kirk stepped up. How soon can they adminster it?

  If Takeshewada was bothered by being queried by a different CO, she didnt show it, and Decker himself was too tired to care. They have to verify that people have a particular inoculationsome kind of elephantitis or somesuch. Lew said it was a common vaccination, so it shouldnt be an issue. But they figure to have mass-produced the serum by morning.

  Decker smiled a happy smile for the first time since arriving at Proxima. Thats the best news Ive heard since my son made commander, Number One. Whats the other good news?

  Its even better. Guillermo and Spock have localized the emissions from the artifact. Unfortunately, we cant get a transporter lock within fifty meters of the emissionsapparently this thing interferes with the beams.

  So much for pulling the beam-out-the-suspect trick, Decker mutterred.

  Mhm. And we cant get any decent sensor readings in there. Best we can tell is that there may be some human lifesigns, possibly. Our only real option is to go in person. Permission to beam down and lead the security detail to apprehend the suspect.

  Denied. Ill take Bronstein,
and

  Matt, with all due respect, youre exhausted. Sos Bronstein. Ive actually slept recently, and if were dealing with the type of psychopath that would infect an entire colony and a starship, you need a fresh hand on deck, not a stubborn old commodore whos falling asleep on his phaser.

  Decker sighed. Takeshewada had said all that without even taking a breathshe had obviously rehearsed it ahead of time, knowing full well that he would insist on leading the party himself.

  Id like to go also, Commodore, Kirk said. With all due respect to the abilities of your first officer, I think we owe it to the Proximans for one of the two of us to be present when the person responsible for this nightmare is taken in. And the commanders rightyoure in no shape to lead it. It should be me.

  Im perfectly capable of commanding the mission, Captain, Takeshewada said in her most clipped tone.

  And I think Ive earned it after sitting on my rear end since we got here.

  Decker sighed, as he feared he was going to have to navigate some minefields here. He did not want to have his first officer in a pissy mood.

  Im not impugning your skills, Commander Takeshewada, Kirk said tightly, its just that

  Both of you simmer down, Decker interrupted. Hiromi, youre right, Im in no shape to deal with this. But Kirks right in that he should be in charge. He knows the terrain better, and hes been the face of the government all dayI think the Proximans will appreciate his presence when we apprehend whoever the hell this is. Where is this location, anyhow?

  A house in a residential section just outside Sierra City. She read off a series of coordinates. Decker checked the wall map and saw that it was the Karsays Point neighborhood, about half a kilometer outside the city. Takeshewada continued, Were still waiting on a profile of the occupant of that house. Ive already talked to both ships security chiefs. Ive got a team of twenty set to meet up at Posada Circle.

  Kirk looked at the map. I can be there in ten minutes.

  Fine, Takeshewada said, once again utilizing her were-going-to-talk-about-this-later tone. Takeshewada out.

  Decker closed his communicator. At this rate, he thought, Hiromi and Ill be talking for hours when this is done.

  Dont worry, Commodore, Kirk said as he grabbed his phaser from out of the drawer of the desk where hed been keeping it, well have this taken care of by the time you wake up.

  Like theres a chance in hell Im gonna be able to sleep, Decker said with a snort. Hey, Jim.

  Kirk stopped midway between the desk and the door and gave the commodore an expectant look.

  We dont know what were dealing withfor all we know, theres an army down there. Even if its just one nutcase, its someone whos attempted mass murder. Be careful.

  For one second, Jim Kirk looked just like Will did the day he got his commissionsober, calm, yet obviously ready to face whatever was coming. Thanks, Matt. And dont worry.

  As soon as he left, Decker let out a long breath that sounded more like a snort. Dont worry, he says. Whatm I supposed to do, sleep?

  He fell more than sat into the chair behind his desk and called up a report from one of Bronsteins people. May as well get some work done

  Hiromi Takeshewada took a moment to lean back against the statue of Captain Bernabe Posada, look up, and let the setting sun shine on her face. Its been too damn long, she thought.

  Growing up in Tokyo on Earth and moving around to various cities all over the Sol system, Takeshewada had always considered herself a city person, never one for the great outdoors. A career in Starfleet was a natural for her after living in tall buildings in the midst of cities.

  But after spending so long indoorswhether on planets or in starshipsshe had grown to truly appreciate breathing fresh air, feeling the light of the sun on her face, and the unique tactile experience of standing on real ground. In her younger days, serving as an ensign aboard the U.S.S. Mandela, she never really appreciated what it was like to feel a planet under her feet instead of a constructed floor. Now, though, with age came wisdom, and she knew to appreciate when she stepped on a planet.

  She never knew when it might be her last chance.

  The Mandela had been destroyed less than a month after Takeshewada had transferred off the ship to take a post as a lieutenant aboard the Potemkin. She had lost a lot of good friends there. Right before she left, she had passed up the opportunity for shore leave on Starbase 13, which orbited a lush world. But she had had paperwork to catch up on, so she didnt bother, figuring shed do so the next time.

  If her promotion hadnt come through, there wouldnt have been a next time.

  So she stood now in Posada Circlelike the statue that was its centerpiece, the circular road was in honor of the captain of the colony ship S.S. Esperanza, and also the first Chief Representative of Proximas governmentsurrounded by a detail of Constellation and Enterprise security. As she waited for Kirk and Vascogne to arrive, she made sure she took a moment to bask in the sunlight. Because the Constellation could be destroyed tomorrowor the next dayor next year. And if it does happen, I will have done this. And it feels good.

  Then a government aircar landed six meters from the statue of Captain Posada, and Kirk stepped out of it. As the young captain walked toward Takeshewada, she noted that he was shorter than she had been expecting, though he was still taller than she was. Most people were, to her great irritation.

  Kirk carried himself with a confident air. Takeshewada might almost have called it smug, though she admitted that she may have been overlaying her own annoyance at the way Kirk had muscled into this operation. Takeshewada had always been a hands-on type. She had bristled at spending so much of this mission on the bridge, and was looking forward to leading this party herself.

  Rationally, of course, she knew that Kirks reasons for being here made perfect sense. He had indeed been the face of the government to the Proximans in these hard times, and putting him at the forefront of what they hoped was the arrest of the person responsible was good politics.

  Takeshewada hated politics. She was good at playing the gamea blessing when serving as XO to Matt Decker, who was as anti-political as they camebut she still hated having to do it.

  Are we ready to move, Commander? Kirk asked.

  Were just waiting on Vascogne. Hes supposed to have the information on our suspect. Right now, we just know that her name is Tomasina Laubenthal. Ive already had our people clear the streets between here and her house.

  Just as Kirk nodded in acknowledgment, Takeshewada heard the whine of a transporter. Several of the security guards turned sharply, and one or two put their hands to their phaser holsters, just in case.

  However, the two forms that coalesced in the beam were familiar ones the bald head and compact form of Etienne Vascogne, and the taller, blonder, and slimmer form of his assistant chief of security, Helga Litwack.

  Sorry to beam in like this, Hiromi, but I was running late, Vascogne said as the transporter whine faded. Captain! he said upon sighting Kirk. Didnt realize you were joining the party, sir. Or are you here to give another speech?

  This time Im hoping to commit some actions to speak louder than my words, Lieutenant, Kirk said with a disarming smile. Takeshewada hated to admit it, but it was a damn good smile. No wonder he was the one doing the broadcasts. I love Matt, but he comes across as the irritating old uncle you could never stand. Kirk is much more personable.

  Whatve you got, Etienne? Takeshewada asked.

  A doozy, Vascogne replied, running a hand over his smooth head as he looked down at his notes. Our Ms. Laubenthal is a single caucasian female, fifty-three years old, born and raised here on Proxima. Graduated with a degree in political science from Yasmini University in 34, shes worked a variety of civil-service jobs since then, and then went into politics six years ago. Until about two months ago, she was the deputy assistant to the Proximan secretary of the interior.

  Kirk frowned. What happened two months ago?

  The secretarys an appointed position, Vascogne said, glancing up from his note
s. When the old secretary retired, rather than promote from within, the Chief Representative decided to give it to someone new from outside. That new person also brought her own people inLaubenthal was let go. According to some people Litwack and I talked to, she had been expecting to get promoted to assistant, with the assistant becoming secretary. Instead, they were both dismissed.

  Chikushou. Takeshewada muttered the curse.

  With a wry smile, Vascogne said, Yeah, I was thinking that sounded kind of motive-like.

  But why wait two months? Kirk asked.

  Thats the real fun partshe took a vacation to Pirennes Peak. Its in a mountain range about a hundred kilometers south of here. It only recently became a popular spot because the weathers gotten milder in that area over the last five years or so. Once I saw that, I got Litwack here to help me question some people about her. Thats why we were late. Most of the people she worked with are under sedation or dead, but we found a friend of hers named Alvaro Santana who confirmed that she was bitter after being dismissed. Hed been bugging her to take the vacation, and she only did so recentlySantana said he was half-convinced she only went to shut him up about it. He looked at Takeshewada with a grave expression. Nobodys seen her since she got back. And, according to the tourist bureau, she spent her entire time on the peak alone and unescorted and she left sooner than planned. So if she did find the artifact

  I think we have a suspect, Kirk said dryly. Time we apprehended her. Unholstering a phaser of his own, Kirk signalled to the security people. Lets go!

  As a unit, they moved toward Laubenthals house. Within minutes, they arrived at a nondescript three-story white house with a small lawn area in front. The first level was taken up with an aircar garage, with white stairs leading up to a door on the second level. The architecture was your basic prefabricated colonial standardTakeshewada mused that it probably dated back to the colonys founding over seventy-five years earlier. Where most of the colony had, over time, developed its own architecturevarying from neighborhood to neighborhoodsome still stuck with the functional original structures.