Star Trek 05

by James Blish

  "And would have sent the Captain with it, if we. had not had a Transporter lock on him during the first fade-out. As of now, only the overlap time has changed; the next interphase will be early, in exactly twenty minutes. Can you be ready?"

  "Aye," Scott said, "she'll be back together, but we'll have only eighty percent power built up."

  "It will have to do."

  McCoy came up behind them, carrying a tray bearing a flask and three glasses. "Compliments of the house, gentlemen," he said. "To your good health and the health of your crew. Drink it down!"

  "What is it?" Spock said.

  "Generally, it's an antidote-cum-preventive for the paranoid reaction. Specifically, a derivative of chlortheragen."

  "If I remember aright," Scott said, "that's a nerve gas used by the Klingons. Are you trying to kill us all, McCoy?"

  "I said it was a derivative, not the pure stuff. In this form it simply deadens certain nerve inputs to the brain."

  "Any good brand of Scotch will do that for you."

  "As a matter of fact," McCoy said, "it works best mixed with alcohol. But it does work. It even brought Chekov around, and he's been affected the longest of any of us."

  Scott knocked his drink back, and made a face. "It'll nae become a regular tipple with me," he said. "I'll be getting back to my machines."

  Spock nodded after him and crossed to the command chair. A moment later Chekov himself entered, beaming, and took his regular position. Uhura was already at her post, as was Sulu.

  "Your absence was keenly felt, Ensign," Spock said. To begin with, give me an estimated time for completion of the Tholian tractor field."

  "At the enemy's present pace, two minutes, sir."

  "Mr. Sulu, I have the computers programmed to move us through the interspatial gateway. Stand ready to resume the helm as soon as we emerge on the other side—wherever that may be."

  "Transporter Room."

  "Scott here."

  "Ready for interphase in seventy-five seconds."

  "Aye, sir, standing by."

  "Mr. Spock," Sulu said, "the Tholians are getting ready to close the web. It seems to be contracting to fit the ship."

  "Counting down to interphase," Chekov said. He now had an open line to the Transporter Room. "One minute."

  "Mr. Scott, have we full power?"

  "Only seventy-six percent, Mr. Spock."

  "Can the computer call on it all at once?"

  "Aye, I think she'll stand it."

  "Thirty seconds."

  Suddenly, on the viewing screen, between the Enterprise, a tiny figure in an environmental suit popped into being.

  "I see him!"

  "He's early!"

  "It's the Captain!"

  The webbing began to slide across the screen in a heavy mesh. Behind it, stars slid past as well.

  "Tractor field activated," Sulu said. "We're being pulled out of here."

  "Try to maintain position, Mr. Sulu."

  The ship throbbed to the sudden application of power at the computer's command. Heavy tremors shook the deck.

  The web vanished.

  "We broke it!" Chekov cheered.

  "No, Ensign, we went out through the interdimensional gateway. Since we went through shortly after interphase, we should still be in some part of normal space. Compute the distance from our original position."

  "Umm—two point seventy-two parsecs." Chekov looked aghast. "But that's beyond Transporter range!"

  "You forget, Mr. Chekov, that we have a shortcut. Mr. Scott, are you still locked on the Captain?"

  "Aye, sir, though I dinna understand how."

  "You can beam him in now—we have broken free."

  "Aye, sir—got him! But he's unconscious. McCoy, this is your department."

  "I will be down directly," Spock said. "Mr. Sulu, take over."

  As it turned out, no elaborate treatment was needed; taking Kirk's helmet off to let him breathe ship's air removed the source of the difficulty, and once he had been moved to his quarters, an epinephrine hypospray brought him quickly to consciousness. For a moment he looked up at Spock and McCoy in silence. Then McCoy said, "Welcome home, Jim."

  "Thanks, Bones. You know, I had a whole universe to myself after the Defiant was thrown out. There was absolutely no one else in it. Somehow I could sense it."

  "That must have been disorienting," McCoy observed.

  "Very. I kept trying to get through to the ship. I think I did at least three times, but it never lasted. I must say I like a crowded universe much better. How did you two get along without me?"

  "We managed," McCoy said. "Spock gave the orders. I found the answers."

  Spock gave McCoy a curious glance, but nodded confirmation.

  "You mean you didn't have any problems?" Kirk said, with slight but visible incredulity.

  "None worth reporting, Captain," Spock said.

  "Let me be the judge of that."

  "Only such minor disturbances, Captain, as are inevitable when humans are involved."

  "Or are involved with Vulcans," McCoy added.

  "Understood, gentlemen. I hope my last orders were helpful in solving the problems not worth reporting."

  "Orders, Captain?" Spock said.

  "The orders I left for you—for both of you—on tape."

  "Oh, those orders!" said McCoy. "There wasn't time, Captain. We never got a chance to listen to them."

  "The crisis was upon us and then passed so quickly, Captain, that . . ."

  I see," Kirk said, smiling. "Nothing worth reporting happened, and it all happened so quickly. Good. Well, let's hope there will be no similar opportunity to test those orders that you never heard. Let's get to work."

  LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD

  (Oliver Crawford and Lee Cronin)

  * * *

  An airborne epidemic was raging on Ariannus; the Enterprise was three hours and four minutes out from the stricken planet on a decontamination mission when her sensors picked up, of all unexpected objects, a Starfleet shuttlecraft. Furthermore, its identification numbers showed it to be the one reported stolen from Starbase 4 two weeks earlier.

  Its course was very erratic, and it was leaking air. There was a humanoid creature aboard, either injured or ill. Kirk had the machine brought aboard by tractor, and then came the second surprise. The unconscious creature aboard it was, on his left side, a very black man—while his right-hand side was completely white.

  Kirk and Spock, curious, watched the entity, now on the surgery's examination table, while McCoy and Nurse Chapel did what seemed indicated. This, in due course, included an injection.

  "Doctor," Spock said, "is this pigmentation a natural condition of this—individual?"

  "So it would seem. The black side is plain ordinary melanin."

  "I never heard of such a race," Kirk said. "Spock? No? I thought not. How do you explain it, Bones?"

  "At the moment, I don't."

  "He looks like the outcome of a drastic argument."

  "I would think not," Spock said seriously. "True, he would be difficult to account for by standard Mendelian evolution, but unaccountable rarities do occur."

  "A mutation?" McCoy said. "Tenable, anyhow."

  "Your prognosis, Bones?"

  "Again, I can't give one. He's a novelty to me, too."

  "Yet," Spock said, "you are pumping him full of your noxious potions as if he were human."

  "When in doubt, the book prevails. I've run tests. Blood is blood—even when it's green like yours. The usual organs are there, somewhat rearranged, plus a few I don't recognize. But—well, judge the treatment by its fruits; he's coming around." The alien's eyes blinked open. He looked as though he were frightened, but trying not to show it.

  "Touch and go there for a bit," McCoy said. "But you're no longer in danger."

  "You are aboard the Starship Enterprise," Kirk added.

  "I have heard of it," the alien said, relieved. "It is in the fleet of the United Federation of Planet
s?"

  "Correct," Kirk said. "And so is that shuttlecraft in which you were flying."

  "It was?"

  "Don't you usually know whose property you're stealing?"

  "I am not a thief!"

  "You're certainly no ordinary thief," Kirk said, "considering what it is you appropriated."

  "You are being very loose with your accusations and drawing conclusions without any facts."

  "I know you made off with a ship that didn't belong to you."

  "I do not 'make off' with things," the alien said, biting off the words. "My need gave me the right to its use—and note the word well, sir—the use of the ship."

  Kirk shrugged. "You can try those technical evasions with Starfleet Command. You'll face your charges there."

  "I am grateful that you rescued me," the alien said with sudden dignity.

  "Don't mention it We're glad we caught you. Who are you?"

  "My name is Lokai."

  "Go on."

  "I am from the planet Cheron."

  "If I remember correctly," Spock said, "that is located in the southernmost part of the Galaxy, in a quarter that is still uncharted."

  "What are you doing so far from your home?" Kirk asked. Lokai did not answer. "You know that upon completion of our mission, you will be returned to Star-base to face a very serious charge."

  "The charge is trifling, I would have returned the ship as soon as I had—" Lokai stopped abruptly.

  "Had what? What were you planning to do?"

  "You monotoned humans are all alike," Lokai said in a sudden burst of fury. "First condemn and then attack!" Struggling to get a rein on his temper, he sank back. "I will answer no more questions."

  "However we view him, Captain," Spock said, "he is certainly no ordinary specimen."

  Lokai looked at the First Officer as though seeing him for the first time. "A Vulcan!"

  "Don't think he'll be any easier on you," McCoy said. "He's half human."

  "That's a strange combination.''

  Spock raised one eyebrow. "Fascinating that you should think so."

  "You're not like any being we've ever encountered," Kirk added. "We'd like to know more about you and your planet."

  "I—I'm very tired."

  "I think that's an evasion. Surely you owe your rescuers some candor."

  "I insist," Lokai said, deliberately closing his eyes. "I am extremely tired. Your vindictive cross-examination has exhausted me."

  Kirk looked down at the self-righteous thief for a moment. Then Chekov's voice said from the intercom, "Contact with alien ship, Captain. They request permission to beam a passenger aboard. They say it's a police matter."

  "Very well. I'll see him on the bridge. Let's go, Mr. Spock."

  Still another surprise awaited them there. The newcomer was almost a double for Lokai—except that he was black on his right side and white on his left.

  "I am Bele," he said. His manner was assured and ingratiating.

  Kirk eyed him warily. "Of the planet Cheron, no doubt. What brings you to us?"

  "You bear precious cargo. Lokai. He has taken refuge aboard this ship. I am here to claim him."

  "All personnel on this vessel are subject to my command. No one 'claims' anyone without due process."

  "My apologies," Bele said readily. "I overstepped my powers. 'Claim' was undoubtedly an unfortunate word."

  "What authorization do you have and from what source?"

  "I am Chief Officer of the Commission on Political Traitors. Lokai was tried for and convicted of treason, but escaped. May I see him, please?"

  "He's in sickbay. Understand that since you are now aboard the Enterprise, you are bound by its regulations."

  Bele smiled, a little cryptically. "With your permission, Captain."

  There were two guards at the door of Sickbay when Kirk, Spock and Bele arrived; McCoy was inside. Lokai glared up at them.

  "Well, Lokai, it's a pleasure to see you again," Bele said. "This time I'm sure our 'joining' will be of a permanent nature. Captain, you are to be congratulated. Lokai has never before been rendered so—quiescent."

  Lokai made a sound remarkably like a panther snarling, which brought in the two guards in a hurry. "I'm not going back to Cheron," he said with savage anger. "It's a world of murdering oppressors."

  "I told you where you were going," Kirk said. "We brought your compatriot here simply as a courtesy. He wanted to identify you."

  "And you see how this killer responds," Bele said. "As he repays all his benefactors . . ."

  "Benefactors?" Lokai said. "You hypocrite. Tell him how you raided our homes, tore us from our families, herded us like cattle and sold us as slaves!"

  "They were savages, Captain," Bele said. "We took them into our hearts and homes and educated them."

  "Yes! Just enough education to serve the Master Race."

  "You were the product of our love and you repaid us with murder."

  "Why should a slave have mercy on the enslaver?"

  "Slave? That was changed millennia ago. You were freed."

  "Freed? Were we free to be men—free to be husbands and fathers—free to live our lives in dignity and equality?"

  "Yes, you were free, if you knew how to use your freedom. You were free enough to slaughter and burn all that had been built."

  Lokai turned to Kirk. "I tried to break the chains of a hundred million people. My only crime is that I failed. Of that I plead guilty."

  "There is an order in things," Bele said. "He asked for Utopia in a day. It can't be done."

  "Not in a day. And not in ten times ten thousand years by your thinking. To you we are a loathsome breed who will never be ready. I know you and all those with whom you are plotting to take power permanently. Genocide for my people is the Utopia you plan."

  Bele, his eyes wide with fury, sprang at Lokai. The guards grabbed him. "You insane, filthy little plotter of ruin! You vicious subverter of every decent thought! You're coming back to stand trial for your crimes."

  "When I return to Cheron, you will understand power. I will have armies of followers."

  "You were brought here to identify this man," Kirk told Bele. "It is now clear, gentlemen, that you know each other very well. Bringing you together is the only service this ship has to offer. It is not a battlefield."

  "Captain," Lokai said, "I led revolutionaries, not criminals. I demand political asylum. Your ship is a sanctuary."

  "I'll say it just once more. For you this ship is a prison."

  "Captain, it is imperative that you return him for judgment."

  "Cheron is not a member of the Federation. No treaties have ever been signed. Your demand to be given possession of this prisoner is impossible to honor. There are no extradition procedures to accomplish it. Is that clear, Commissioner Bele?"

  "Captain," Bele said, "I hope you will be sensible."

  "I'm not interested in taking sides."

  "Since my vessel has left the area—I was only a paid passenger—I urge you to take us to Cheron immediately."

  Kirk felt himself beginning to bristle. "This ship has a mission to perform. Millions of lives are at stake. When that is completed, I'll return to Starbase 4. You will both be turned over to the authorities. You can each make your case to them."

  "I'm sorry, Captain, but that is not acceptable. Not at all!"

  "As a dignitary of a far planet," Kirk said, seething, "I offer you every hospitality of the ship while you are aboard. Choose any other course, and . . ."

  "You're the Captain," Bele said with sudden mildness.

  "And as for you, Lokai, I suggest you rest as much as possible. Especially your vocal chords. It seems you will have a double opportunity to practice your oratory at Starbase . . ."

  He was interrupted by the buzz of the intercom. "Chekov to Captain Kirk. Urgent. Will you come to the bridge, sir?"

  It was urgent, all right. The ship was off course; it seemed to have taken a new heading all by itself; it was moving away from Ar
iannus on a tack that would wind it up in the Coal Sack if it kept up. A check with all departments failed to turn up the nature of the malfunction.

  "Mr. Spock, give me the coordinates for Cheron."

  "Roughly, sir, between 403 Mark 7 and Mark 9."

  "Which is the way we're heading. Get Bele up here. I assigned him to the guest quarters on Deck 6."

  Bele, once arrived, did not wait to be asked any questions. "Yes," he said, "we are on the way to Cheron. I should tell you that we are not only a very old race but a very long-lived one; and we have developed special powers which you could not hope to understand. Suffice it to say that this ship is now under my direction. For a thousand of your terrestrial years I have been pursuing Lokai through the Galaxy. I haven't come this far and this long to give him up now."

  The elevator doors snapped open and Lokai ran out, followed by the two security guards.

  "I will not return to Cheron!" he cried despairingly. "You guaranteed me sanctuary! Captain Kirk . . ."

  "He cannnot help you," Bele said. "You have lost, Lokai. You are on your way to final punishment."

  "Stop him!"

  "Not this time, you evil mound of filth. Not this time."

  "My cause is just. You must help me—all of you . . ."

  "The old cry. Pity me! Wherever he's gone, he has been helped to escape. On every planet he has found fools who bleed for him and shed tears for the oppressed one. But there is no escape from this ship. This is your last refuge."

  With a cry of rage, Lokai leaped at him. Kirk pulled him off. "Security," he said, "take both of these men to the brig."

  The guards stepped forward. In an instant, a visible wall of heat formed around both the aliens.

  Bele laughed. "You are helpless, Captain."

  "What a fool I am," Lokai said bitterly, "expecting help from such as you."

  "This ship," Kirk said, "is going to Ariannus. The lives of millions of people make no other choice possible."

  "You are being obtuse, Captain. I am permitting no choice. My will now controls this ship and nothing can break it." Every cord in Bele's body and every vein in his head stood out with the ferocity of his determination.

  "Bele, I am Captain of this ship. It will follow whatever course I set for it—or I will order it destroyed."