He pushed himself from the pavement and looked at her face, which was unmarked. He brushed her hair from her cheek. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She looked up into his eyes, right into his heart. “Oh my. You saved me.”
No, Edith, you saved me.
Kirk stood up and pulled Edith to her feet as McCoy and Spock arrived. He looked at Spock and knew what was coming.
Spock wore a stern look. “Jim. Do you know what you’ve done?”
“Of course he knows, Spock,” said a smiling McCoy as he patted Kirk on the back. “He saved her life.”
Spock stared at Kirk. “Yes, Doctor. And now he must save ours.”
“Bones, is she asleep?” asked Kirk, as McCoy entered the room.
“Yes,” said McCoy. “I found an old-fashioned sedative in what used to be called a medicine cabinet. Slipped it in her cup of tea. Never knew what hit her. She could actually use some rest after what she’s been through tonight.”
Spock shook his head as he paced around the dimly lit room. “Unfortunately, Doctor, a sedative will not solve our problem. How to right history so that all is as it should be is the only way we can get back to our own time. Logically, since Edith Keeler did not die, we cannot do so without going back in time again. But we cannot do that without getting back to the Guardian. And we cannot do that…”
“Spock, you’re speaking in circles,” interrupted McCoy.
“Unfortunately you are correct, Doctor. We are in a vicious circle. I believe it was once called a ‘catch-22.’ There is, unfortunately, no logical solution. We are trapped here, and Captain Kirk’s actions will change history for the worse because he allowed Edith Keeler to live.”
“Are you suggesting Jim should have let her get run over by that truck?”
“It was her destiny,” said Spock.
Kirk finally interrupted. “It was her history, not her destiny.”
“I fail to see how a question of semantics will change our present dilemma,” said Spock.
“It would take me too long to explain,” said Kirk. “But there is a logical way out of this.”
Spock raised an eyebrow. “With all due respect, there is no logical solution. As a Vulcan, I have taken into account…”
“But there is, Spock,” said Jim. “And because you’re a Vulcan, you’re the only one who can save us.”
Kirk sat at the edge of the bed and looked at Edith as Spock stood nearby. He ran his finger across her cheek. So smooth, so fragile. Just like Kariel. Her expression was so peaceful as she slept. He wanted to memorize it forever.
“She is beautiful,” said McCoy, bringing Kirk back to reality.
“Yes, she is,” said Kirk, still staring at her face.
“Jim,” said McCoy, “I think it is worth whatever we have to give up to save her.”
“Thank you, Bones,” said Kirk, standing up. “But we don’t have to give up a thing.” Suddenly he was the captain again, putting his feelings on the back burner. He turned to his first officer. “Spock, you used a technique when we violated Melkotian space. At the OK Corral.”
Spock raised one eyebrow as he looked at the captain. “I’m not sure I understand, Jim. I am not familiar with the location of Melkotian space, or having ever visited there, for that matter.”
“Trust me, you will,” said Kirk.
“Now I’m really confused,” said McCoy, sitting down on the bed next to Edith Keeler and absentmindedly taking her pulse. “When did you become a fortune-teller?”
“I’m just remembering the future,” said Kirk.
McCoy dropped Edith’s wrist and stood up. “I think I’m going down to that thing called a ‘speakeasy’ for a drink,” he said, heading for the door.
“Wait, Bones, let me explain,” said Kirk. He searched for the right words but there were none to be found. “I’m not sure how to put this exactly, but…I’m dead.”
McCoy rolled his eyes as he turned the doorknob. “In that case, don’t wait up for me.”
“Bones, please.”
McCoy stopped and crossed his arms. “Okay, I’m listening. But last call is in thirty minutes.”
Kirk started to walk around the room. “We arrived here through the Guardian, a time-travel machine. But this is really my second trip here, because I have been allowed to come back to this point in time.”
“Why can’t I remember our first trip?” asked McCoy.
“Because I came alone this time,” said Kirk. “I’ve been here before. At least up to the point when Edith died.”
McCoy looked confused. “You mean…”
“You said you were allowed to come back to this point in time,” said Spock. “By whom? The Guardian?”
Kirk shook his head. “No, not the Guardian. I’m not sure I understand it myself. But the memories of my entire life are intact, and I must use them to make things as they should be.”
“That is not possible,” said Spock. “Edith Keeler should have died yesterday if we were to return history to its correct course.”
“History doesn’t have a correct course,” said Kirk. “And the Guardian is more than just a time machine. Bones, go get yourself that drink.”
“I think I need one before I’m going to understand this,” said McCoy, heading out the door.
Kirk turned to Spock. “And now I’ll ask you to mind-meld with me.”
Spock had not stirred from his meditation, but Kirk and McCoy were already drinking coffee. “This is the best I’ve ever tasted,” said Bones. “That is, without any sort of medicinal additives.” He took another sip. “Tell me again why this is going to work? Because last night all I can remember is some crazy story about Chekov getting killed in a gunfight and coming back from the dead. And now you’re back from the dead. Damned bootlegged bourbon plays tricks with your mind.”
Kirk put his cup down. “The Guardian is more than a machine. It has a spiritual mission that is hard to explain. Basically it is able to reach into our minds when it seeks to put history on a correct course. In the original time line before Edith’s death, she believed it was her destiny to help people. She had already formulated her future in her own mind; not the exact details, but the basis of her actions. As of this moment, the Guardian knows her future will affect World War Two in a profound way because her intentions have not changed.”
“And by keeping her alive we’ve set that in stone.”
“Not necessarily. Spock is going to mind-meld with Edith and remove any ambition she has to reach her original goals. But just temporarily.”
“What is she going to believe?”
“That she is destined to live a perfectly normal life for a nineteen-thirties woman. To raise children and have a happy home.”
“You’re going to turn this forward-thinking woman into a housewife? She’s a pioneer.”
“We’re not changing her permanently, Bones. Just long enough to trick the Guardian into bringing us back into our own time.”
McCoy poured another cup of coffee. “That’s fine, Jim, but what’s going to happen to her?”
“She’s coming with us.”
“It is the only logical solution,” said Spock, entering the room.
“I’m glad you agree,” said Kirk.
Bones shook his head. “You’re going to take a Depression-era woman to the twenty-third century? Without even asking her permission?”
Spock nodded. “It is our only chance.”
McCoy was still incredulous. “What about her chances to live in the time period she was meant to live?”
“Her life in this time period would have ended anyway,” said Spock. “Anything else is simply…”
“Gravy,” Kirk cut him off.
“Not exactly my choice of terminology,” said Spock, “but I believe you have made your point. Doctor, if we leave her here, millions will die when my suggestion wears off. She will at least have the chance to fulfill her destiny in our time; a destiny she was never able to achieve in the original timeline.
When she gets there…”
“When I get where?”
Kirk hadn’t heard Edith enter the room and was caught off guard. “We’re, uh, going to take you out to dinner. We thought we’d celebrate. You know, because obviously some guardian angel was watching over you.”
“You’re the only guardian angel I need,” said Edith, putting her hand on Kirk’s shoulder. Her soft touch sent a bit of electricity through Kirk. “As for going out to dinner, you boys don’t have two nickels to rub together. Besides, I’ve been saving a piece of beef in the icebox and planned to make a stew.”
The meal was delicious, a welcome change from the synthetics conjured up by the ship’s computer.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” said Kirk.
“Yes,” added McCoy. “You’re an excellent cook.”
Edith smiled. “Why, thank you, gentlemen.”
“Miss, you have something on your cheek,” said Spock, sitting across the table.
Edith brushed her face with her hand. “Did that get it?”
“No,” said Spock. “Please allow me.”
Edith smiled as Spock reached out with his hands and touched the pressure points with his fingers. Her smile vanished, her eyes went blank. “My mind to your mind…”
Kirk held her hand as she rested on the bunk. Her eyes flickered a bit and then she awoke. “What happened?” she asked.
“You just blacked out,” said Kirk.
“I think I’m falling in love with you, James…”
And with that they were gone.
“Aye, did you find Doctor McCoy?” asked Scotty, as Kirk and Spock came through the portal.
“Affirmative,” said Spock.
McCoy came through next.
“Doctor, glad to see you,” said Scotty. “Are you feelin’ all right?”
“Fine,” said Bones, as he turned to look at the portal just as Edith Keeler came through. The smile she’d had on Earth disappeared in an instant as her eyes filled with fright. “Oh my God, where am I?”
Kirk rushed forward to hold her. “You’re fine, Edith. Just try to relax.”
But even his strong arms around her couldn’t calm her. She looked at him as if he were a stranger. “James…your clothes…what happened?” She turned and spotted Spock’s ears. “Oh my…” Kirk caught her as she fainted.
“And who is this lass?” asked Scotty.
“Long story,” said Kirk, as he lifted Edith into his arms.
Spock flipped open his communicator. “Spock to Enterprise. Beam us up.”
The transporter shimmered as Kirk felt his soul and Edith’s merge for just a moment.
Kirk didn’t reappear in the transporter room. The shimmering was replaced by the rainbow light, and he found himself staring at the being again.
“Welcome back,” said Kariel, smiling. “You have accomplished what you intended.”
“I did?” asked Kirk. “You pulled me out of there before I had time to find out…”
“There was no reason for you to be there any longer. You had righted what you set out to correct. A destiny has been fulfilled. All is as it should be.”
Kirk didn’t feel any different. His memories seemed unchanged. “But I don’t know what happened…how things turned out. What became of Edith?”
“Edith Keeler was a pioneer who helped people, just as her original destiny intended. She wasn’t supposed to be killed in a traffic accident. You were supposed to go back in time and put things back on course. You righted history, James. She did great things in your time. Changed countless lives.”
Kirk searched the caverns of his mind and still came up empty. “But did she…and I…”
“Why don’t I let her tell you,” said the being. Kariel stepped aside and Edith Keeler walked toward Kirk, looking as radiant as the day he’d first seen her.
“Hello, my love,” she said.
“Edith…” Kirk grabbed her and pulled her close. Her perfume was the same and filled his heart with memories. He pushed back and looked at her face, not a day older than when they’d met. “I don’t know…”
“Shhhhh.” She interrupted his question by putting one finger on his lips, then placed her hands on his face and held it. “It is not the same as when Mister Spock does it, but it works rather well in this dimension.” She smiled. “How does he say it? My mind to your mind…”
She looked deeply into his eyes as the missing memories flooded back; faster than anything Jim Kirk could imagine. His smile grew wider as he relived them in an instant. He saw Edith’s career in Starfleet, her efforts to feed and educate people on a planetary scale. She’d saved millions! When his memories were complete Edith pulled his face closer and kissed him. “There,” she said. “Is that better?”
“It’s wonderful,” said Kirk. He turned to the being. “Thank you. For everything.”
Kariel nodded, then faded away.
“Where did she go?” asked Kirk.
“Let me show you,” said Edith, taking him by the hand. “About time that I was the one who took you on a surprise journey.”
And with that, they vanished into time.
Rocket Man
Kenneth E. Carper
The ancient Klingon ship had Agent K in its sights and he knew it; he just didn’t care.
That’s it, you Klingon bastards. Catch me if you can, he thought defiantly. The bridge was pungent with smoke, and sparks exploded closer to his face than he liked, but he’d never felt more alive. He sat at the helm of a freighter that handled like a slug and was venting plasma like Old Faithful. The Klingons had poked holes in it with their disruptors but now it was clear they were finished playing with him.
“Earther,” the Klingon Commander barked over the comm channel, “this is your last chance! Surrender your vessel or die.”
Agent K responded with a laugh, turned the freighter around, and set it on a direct heading for the enemy ship. It reminded him of an old Earth game he’d once heard of.
What was it called again? Oh yes, “Chicken.”
He armed an antimatter weapon that would ignite in moments. It wouldn’t destroy the Klingons but it would give him the time he needed to complete his mission.
K activated his life-support belt. A cool blue aura shimmered around him and he smiled, remembering when Federation science had attempted to penetrate the technology. Aside from a few prototypes the project was deemed unfeasible and abandoned. Agent K chuckled at the shortsightedness of Starfleet Command.
Pushing aside thoughts of the good old days, he released the airlock and the charged bolts ignited with a roar as the hatch blasted clear. The oxygen rushed from the cabin, tossing K into space.
A final blast from the Klingons shredded the freighter just as the antimatter exploded and it lit up the heavens like a newborn star. K didn’t mind, it was just a loaner.
K would have whooped if he could, rejoicing that his plan had worked. He should’ve been dead, writhing in the vacuum of space, but he felt warm. Better yet, he felt young again, reborn.
The Klingon vessel lay dead in space, disabled by the explosion. It was unable even to limp away. K knew it had all been a risk but such risks were his business.
He touched a button on his belt and activated the thrusters on his evac boots. It had a bit more thrust than he had expected, but it didn’t rattle him. He simply leaned forward, exulting in the thrill of zero-gravity thrust.
Just like orbital skydiving!
He circled above the Klingon ship and watched it grow closer as he fell toward it. Forever falling.
Captain James T. Kirk was falling and nothing in the universe could stop him. He clung for dear life to the fragment of a red-hot steel catwalk he’d been hanging on when it had collapsed. It spun in midair and Kirk saw the rocks beneath him grow closer as he fell toward the desert floor. Kirk released the metal and twisted his body to minimize the impact, but in the end, he knew it was for naught. There was no surviving this.
Kirk heard his ribs shatter, felt
the back of his head crack, and hollered as the catwalk crushed him. He tried to take a breath and choked on fluid. He had known all his life that he would die alone. The moment had finally come. After a lifetime of beating death, he finally had to bite back one bitter truth. Death doesn’t like to lose. It was a lot like Kirk in that way.
He almost felt himself smile at the irony that Bones was right, he really was going to die on the bridge. Or at least under one.
As he lay quivering in shock, Kirk thought he saw something or someone out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to turn to see who it was but he was too broken. He felt something sting his arm, glimpsed the figure one last time and then was alone.
He lay there for the longest time feeling his body go numb and the pain diminish. He heard an explosion in the distance and wondered if Picard had done it.
Did we make a difference?
The venerable Picard was shortly at his side reassuring him that they had indeed stopped Soran from destroying the Veridian star. Kirk felt a final thrill.
We did it.
He felt himself cough and for a moment everything went white. He tried to fight the numbness. He wanted to tell Picard something, some final words to sum up his life.
“It was fun.”
Not terribly profound, but close enough to the truth. The world was going to a black that was like the eternal night of space. Kirk knew there was one last voyage left for him. A trek to the true final frontier.
“Oh my,” he whispered, feeling the world fade away.
Captain Kirk died.
The funny thing about death was that it just didn’t seem to be a permanent thing these days.
Kirk felt his chest rise and fall again and realized his lungs were drawing in breath. He wasn’t a doctor, but he had enough medical knowledge to understand that dead people don’t do a lot of breathing.
Why aren’t I dead? Kirk wondered. Picard? The Enterprise?
Kirk felt groggy, and his eyelids weighed a ton, but he wanted to see the world around him. See the Starfleet of the future. Greet Picard and thank him for helping him beat death one last time.
Strange New Worlds IX Page 28