Kirk peeled back the top of a container of iced tea for himself, smiled at his guests. "What can I get you?"
"We've wasted too much time already," Janeway said firmly, her face registering displeasure with the tempting softness of Kirk's world. "We need computer access now."
Kirk poured the iced tea into a crystal tumbler. "Kate, Ambassador Spock has just this minute stepped through the door. It has taken him a week to come here from . . ." Kirk hesitated. Bateson had reminded Kirk that Spock's ongoing mission to Romulus was still unofficial and still off the record. ". . . from his last posting," Kirk continued. "Some refreshment while we talk is not going to delay anything." He held up his tumbler. "Iced tea?"
"I also believe we should commence right away," Spock said.
Kirk sighed. So much for easing into the critical planning that had to be done.
Kirk remained at the bar as Spock sat down in an upholstered chair—an antique from the twenty-second century, the automated porter had explained—and placed a small padd on the low table before him.
Intendant Spock took a seat at the opposite end of the table. Janeway and T'Val sat down beside one another on a couch to Spock's left. Scott dragged a hard-back chair from a dining table and sat to Spock's left.
Janeway pulled out a padd, switched it on, and held it out to Spock. "We've prepared a list of the files we want, and a series of technical topics for which we need further information before determining what other files we'll add."
But Spock made no effort to take the padd. "I have not come here to reveal the secrets of Starfleet technology," he said calmly.
Kirk saw the angry look that flashed between Janeway and T'Val.
Instantly he stepped forward. "Spock—I don't think you received my report about what these people—"
Spock cut Kirk short. "I received the complete file. I know what these people want. I have no intention of giving it to them."
Janeway shifted in her seat as if she were about to pull a phaser from a leg holster.
"Kate," Kirk said quickly. "Why don't you give us a moment to straighten out the . . . uh . . . miscommunication?" He stepped up to Spock and Scott. "Ambassador, Scotty, will you join me on the balcony?"
"Certainly," Spock said as he rose to his feet. "But I assure you, I am aware of no miscommunication."
Kirk refrained from arguing in front of Janeway and T'Val. He ushered his two friends through the sliding glass doors, then turned back to the mirror Spock. "This'll just take a minute."
As Janeway and T'Val glared at him, Kirk slid the doors shut.
Spock and Scott stood at the stone balcony railing. Above, only the brightest stars could be seen against the glow of Montreal's lights. Below, those lights traced the streets that made up the regular grids of the city's newer sections, and the meandering, narrower roads that remained of the old town. Montreal had escaped major damage during the Third World War, and much of what lay below was original, not reconstructed.
"Spock," Kirk said, "I don't think you realize how serious my guests are."
"On the contrary," Spock replied. "I do not believe you realize what a critical question their presence raises, especially in regard to the Prime Directive."
Kirk sighed again. If there were two words he didn't want to hear again as long as he lived, they were "Prime Directive." With "time travel" coming in a close second.
"Spock, the Prime Directive has no bearing on this. Number one, they aren't from our universe. Number two . . ." Kirk took a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy. ". . . I've already interfered in their natural development. I have to set it straight."
Spock regarded Kirk with a skeptical expression Kirk knew well. "Jim, can you honestly believe that a handful of words you exchanged with my counterpart can have led to such farreaching consequences in the mirror universe?"
"It's not a question of belief. Scotty got me Starfleet's classified reports on the mirror universe. The ones coming out of Deep Space Nine. Everything Janeway, and T'Val, and your counterpart have said is backed up in those reports." Kirk looked at Scott. "Scotty, you've read them. You've talked with Janeway. Tell him."
Scott nodded. "I have t' say Jim's right, Ambassador. The Deep Space Nine logs do confirm that 'Kirk' is one of the most famous, not t'mention 'infamous,' names in the history of the mirror universe."
"Why would it not be?" Spock asked. "Their Kirk was the despot whose reign led to the worst excesses of the Terran Empire."
"Spock, 'Kirk' refers to me. I'm the starship captain who 'crossed over more than a century ago.' Their Kirk is known as Tiberius."
"At this point, there is no way to be certain if that interpretation is correct."
Kirk struggled to understand why Spock was being so stubborn. "We can be certain. Go back in there and ask . . . yourself."
Spock folded his hands behind his back and looked out at the city lights beyond. "Jim, by your own analysis, the Janeway, T'Val, and Spock of the mirror universe are losing a desperate battle. Were you or I in such a situation, would we not say or do anything in an attempt to reclaim victory?"
Kirk knew better than to argue with a Vulcan. Outmaneuvering them was a far better strategy. "All right, Spock. What's going on?"
The picture of Vulcan innocence, Spock turned to Kirk. "I merely came in response to an urgent communique from Starfleet Command, asking me to meet you here on Earth. While I was in transit from Romulus, your preliminary report arrived by subspace. Had I read it before I had left Romulus, I would not have left Romulus. But as I was almost here, I decided to continue my trip. That is the extent of what is 'going on.'"
Hal Evasion, Kirk thought. He had long ago learned that the longer one of Spock's answers was, the more likely it was he was hiding the truth.
"I don't understand, Spock. Why don't you want to give your counterpart the technical secrets that could help free billions of humans and Vuicans from lives of slavery and despair?"
"They are not humans and Vuicans," Spock said. "I will concede that they are analogous to both species, but—"
"Spock!"
Spock widened his eyes at Kirk's outburst.
"They're Vulcans and humans. Noequivocationispossible. What is wrong with you?" Kirk looked at Scott. "Scotty? Do you know what he's up to?"
Scott stared at Spock. "Ye dinna seem to be yourself, sir. That's for certain."
Spock looked mildly insulted. "In what way, Captain Scott?"
"You're like Jim, here. Ye never let the Prime Directive stand in your way before if you thought justice was not being served. I mean, it's a fine principle and all, but life is never as black or white as the lawmakers think it's going to be. There're always exceptions to every rule, and you and Jim used to be able to recognize those exceptions with the best of them."
As unused to hearing praise from Scott as he was, Kirk was nevertheless appreciative of the engineer's support. Though it was still odd to hear Scott call him by his first name. "Scotty, are you agreeing with me . . . again?"
Scott seemed as unused to the idea as was Kirk, but he didn't argue the point. "Appears so. I must be mellowing in my old age."
Kirk leaned on the balcony railing beside Spock. "I still say there's something you're not telling me."
Again, Spock looked away from Kirk, his gaze following the lazy flight of a distant orbital shuttle as it took off from Earth Station Dorval.
Now Kirk was intrigued by Spock's silence. Despite the popular belief to the contrary, Vulcans could lie whenever they chose to, and Spock had certainly proved no exception to that rule over the years. He would not do so to profit himself, but in the past he'd had no compunction about misleading enemies or serving a greater good. Most important, though, Kirk knew, Spock would never lie to him. So his friend's silence now distinctly implied that there was an unspoken truth that might answer Kirk's suspicions. Yet, for whatever reason, Spock was restrained from talking about it.
But why? Kirk asked himself. What could Spock have learned about th
e mirror universe in the time it took him to reach the hotel from the transport station?
Then Kirk realized the obvious. Whatever Spock knew, whatever he was hiding, he had known it before setting out for Earth.
Spock looked at Kirk. "Is there something more you wished to say?"
But Kirk remained silent as he completed his reasoning. Spock said he had received Starfleet's urgent request to meet Kirk on Earth. While in transit he had read Kirk's report. But he was so far along in his journey that rather than turn back, he had continued to Earth. Kirk had it.
"Spock, it's not logical."
Spock raised an eyebrow.
"As soon as I came back from the moon, I asked Bateson to locate you on Romulus. Less than a day later, I gave him my encrypted report to be transmitted to you. If you read it in transit, you'd only be a day away from Romulus. Why not turn back?"
Spock started to say something, then stopped.
Kirk held up a finger, making his point. "You were about to say there was a delay in your receiving the report, weren't you?"
Now Spock remained silent.
"But that would be a lie, wouldn't it?" Kirk asked. Silence.
"The truth," Kirk said, "is that you were already on your way to Earth when I asked Bateson to find you. And the reason you were coming to Earth has something to do with the mirror universe."
Spock looked away again. "Jim, I truly regret these present circumstances. But all I am at liberty to say to you is . . . go back to Chal."
"Chal?"
Spock touched Kirk's shoulder, and Kirk knew the level of concern Spock must feel for him to express himself in such human terms. "Go home. You are no longer part of Starfleet. I know you no longer want to be involved in . . . in Starfleet activities. You should not think about returning to the mirror universe and trying to right ancient wrongs."
Kirk felt the satisfaction of knowing he had been correct. He also understood the reason why Spock was worried about him, even though there was no need for it. "Spock, believe me. There's nothing more I want to do than get on the next liner back to Chal. I plan to . . ." He smiled as he realized he was about to say aloud what he had been thinking for months. "I'm going to ask Teilani to marry me. I intend to spend the rest of my life tending my garden. Chal is world enough for me, now.
"And the last thing I want to do is go back to the mirror universe. But I feel responsible for what happened there. I have to do something to help. Besides, what harm is there in telling these people what they want to know? I won't be fighting their battles for them. Those days are over for me. But if I can give them the tools they need to do their own fighting, I owe them that much. And that's why I asked you to come here and help."
Spock looked up at the handful of stars above. "I cannot help you. And I am sorry."
Kirk felt anger well up in him, but he knew it was just a visceral response to frustration. If he thought Spock was open to logic, he'd spend the rest of the week debating the situation if he had to, until Spock was forced to agree. But there was some other factor at work here, and it was unlikely Spock would reveal enough to let Kirk know what the rules of the game were. And in that type of situation, Kirk knew, the best strategy was to write his own rules.
"Then I am sorry if I have interfered with something more important you're involved in," Kirk said, almost formally. "And I appreciate your taking the time to come to see me. But, for now, it seems there's nothing more to be said."
Spock turned away from the railing as if Kirk had spoken a spell which had broken through some enchantment. "Star fleet Command would like to offer you transportation home by starship. The Sovereign is departing Spacedock tomorrow morning at—"
"I have no intention of going home, Spock. I made a promise to those people. I'm going to keep it."
Kirk could see Spock respond to the challenge in his voice. "You no longer have the security clearance to obtain the information they request. And Captain Scott would be facing grave consequences if he attempted to use his position to do so for you."
Scott fairly blustered at Spock's threat. "Now, see here, Spock."
"It's all right, Scotty," Kirk interrupted. "What I'm going to do won't involve you. I have other friends in this century. And I'm sure Captain Picard has more than enough authority, and more than enough compassion, to try to help billions of innocent beings regain their freedom."
Kirk nodded to Scott. "Good night, Scotty. Thanks for coming." He looked at Spock. "Ambassador." He started toward the sliding doors.
But Spock didn't let him take more than three steps. "Jim, wait."
Kirk stopped, but did not turn back. There was nothing like forcing the other player to make his move first.
"You won't be able to find Captain Picard."
Kirk slowly turned back to Spock. "I'm waiting."
Spock looked troubled. "I am under . . . strict Starfleet orders . . ."
Kirk understood the dilemma. Starfleet duty versus a lifetime of friendship and trust. But Kirk knew a way around that. "Spock . . . if we follow the logic of the situation, strictly speaking, I'm a civilian and you're part of the Vulcan diplomatic corps. I can understand how Starfleet might strongly insist on certain types of behavior and nondisclosure, but neither you nor I are truly subject to orders anymore. Are we?"
The night wind was picking up, and it blew at Spock's robe, as if even nature—or the dull bureaucrats at the Department of Weather—were attempting to steer him on a new course. Kirk could almost see Spock thinking, calculating all possible actions and results, as if they were facing each other across a three-dimensional chessboard. "What you are proposing," Spock finally said, "is, I believe, what is commonly called a slippery slope."
Scott snorted with laughter. "Och. As if you two haven't careened down a few of those in your day. C'mon, Spock, ye know what ye have to do."
"Tell me what I need to know, Spock," Kirk urged. "Then, if I can help you, I will. If I can't, I'll go back to Chal and . . . build myself a rocking chair."
The offer to take himself out of the game seemed to be the condition that finally convinced Spock to bend the rules. Kirk and Scott drew closer to Spock as he prepared to tell them what he had been holding back.
"Eight days ago, Starbase 310 received an automated EFA alert, requesting authorization for a change in command. The starship was identified as the U.S.S. Voyager. The new commander, as Captain Jean-Luc Picard."
Scott's eyes flashed with genuine excitement. "The Voyager's back?"
But Spock shook his head. "No, Mr. Scott. The real Voyager, it seems, remains in the Delta Quadrant. Starfleet Intelligence believes the EFA alert came from a duplicate Voyager."
But that made no sense to Kirk. "Spock, the Voyager is one of the latest Starfleet designs. There hasn't been a Starfleet in the mirror universe for almost a century. How could it be duplicated when the two histories have diverged so completely?"
"In short, stolen plans. According to the Deep Space Nine logs, the Terran resistance successfully stole and used the plans for the Defiant. Since that time, Starfleet Intelligence has become aware of an increase in the number of attempts to access the classified specification files for a variety of Starfleet vessels, including several at Earth Station McKinley, where Voyager was constructed. Break-in attempts at McKinley ended almost two years ago, which might logically imply that the last attempt was undetected, and successful. Starfleet Intelligence believes the Terran resistance is responsible for those attempts, and has succeeded in creating a mirroruniverse Voyager."
"That cannae be right," Scotty protested. "If those lasses and your counterpart already have that kind of access to Fleet computers, then why go to all the trouble of coming after Jim to have him do the same?"
"You have answered your own question, Captain Scott. To cover up the fact that they already have been successful."
"But, Spock, if Jim hadna decided to help them, they were going to kill him."
Spock was undeterred. "Or so they say."
&nb
sp; "Gentlemen, this is . . . fascinating," Kirk said, "but there's a more important matter at hand. What happened to Jean-Luc?"
"That is unknown. Starfleet dispatched a high-speed fighter wing to the Voyager's coordinates, which were within a lightyear of the Enterprise's last reported position. Both the Voyager and the Enterprise were gone. However, residual warp trails indicated they had both been in formation at that location only hours earlier. The quantum signature of the warp particles left in the Voyager's wake confirms that it is from another quantum reality."
"Could the warp trails nae be traced?" Scott asked.
"No, Captain Scott. Either both ships employed a warpparticle containment field to mask their trails, or . . ."
Kirk didn't wait for Spock to finish. "Or both ships are now in the mirror universe."
"You see my dilemma, Jim. The three people who abducted you could very well be involved in the hijacking of Starfleet's most powerful and—in the wrong hands—deadliest starship."
Kirk stared down at the tiles of the balcony. As if he were about to face combat, his mind became focused and totally aware at the same time. He sensed the cool temperature of the night air, the growing gusts of wind, the distinct sounds of traffic moving above the roads below and through the sky above. But there was no rage in his heart, no sudden adrenaline call to action.
Only disappointment. Sharp and overwhelming.
Because he had just realized why Spock had not been forthcoming.
"Spock, I want to ask, Why didn't you tell me all that at the beginning? But I know the answer."
Hidden by years of Vulcan training, that same disappointment could still be seen in Spock's eyes. Not a reflection of Kirk's, but Spock's own.
"You think I might be involved," Kirk said, each word a knife to stab the cooling air between the two friends. " Involved with the Resistance, the hijacking . . . all of it. The truth you were trying so hard to keep to yourself, is . . . you don't trust me."
Spock chose his words carefully, as if this moment of revelation was as difficult for him as for Kirk. "Starfleet feels . . . it is not prudent to accept your involvement with the resistance members at face value. Whether you are truly driven to correct an imagined wrong you might have done a century ago, or whether any guilt you might feel over such an action might leave you open to manipulation without realizing you were being used, Starfleet feels that, at best, you are . . . compromised in this matter."
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