"Don't you start," Kirk said. "I'm going to the bridge."
Kirk walked out of his quarters and . . . and . . . he refused to look back.
"The nearest turbolift is to the right," Spock said from behind him.
Kirk turned to the right, into the corridor leading to the turbolift alcove. But by the time the lift arrived, Spock and McCoy were at his side again.
McCoy patted Kirk's shoulder as the lift doors slipped open. "Don't worry, Jim, We'll get her back."
"I know we will," Kirk said. "With or without Starfleet."
The doors closed. The bridge, and Fleet Admiral Nechayev, awaited.
"Not another word, Captain Kirk."
Kirk opened his mouth to protest, read Nechayev's mood, then decided instead on silence, folding his hands on the glowing surface of the conference table in the Sovereign's observation lounge. This was not the time to question Starfleet's strategy for dealing with Teilani's kidnappers.
He was aware of Nechayev watching him, waiting for him to dare to interrupt her opening statement again.
But Kirk looked off to the side of the room where a large glass case contained an elaborate terrarium in which a dozen or so small lizards, most from Earth, remained motionless beneath wanning lights.
"That's better," the admiral said. "Anyone else have something to add?"
Kirk didn't risk looking at Spock, McCoy, Scott, or Nechayev's executive officer, Commander Tan Kral, a serenelooking Trill whose spots merged on his bald head, creating the impression of a covering of extremely short and splotchy hair. Commander Kral had had nothing to say beyond greeting Kirk and the others when they had entered. Kirk doubted he would speak now.
"Good," the admiral said. She brushed her pale blond hair from her forehead as if she had just completed a physically demanding task. "As I was saying, this is how the mission will proceed.
"We are en route to the mirror Voyager's last known position near the Goldin Discontinuity, and will arrive in three days. We will then track the Enterprise and the mirror Voyager to locate the mechanism, artificial or natural, which serves as the link between our universe and—" The admiral snapped her head toward Kirk with no attempt to hide her anger. " What is it, Captain Kirk?!"
Kirk forced himself not to respond to the admiral's painfully obvious dislike of him. True, he had tensed as she had spoken, shifted in his chair, all minor and unavoidable responses to the . . . the stupidity of her plan. Apparently, though, just his presence in this room was enough to annoy her.
"I believe we're forgetting there is a woman's life at risk," Kirk said, struggling to remain calm for Teilani's sake.
"There are potentially billions of lives at risk, Captain."
"But Teilani is the key!" Kirk could no longer stand the confinement of remaining seated at the table, as if he were a willing member of her crew. He jumped to his feet. "Why waste time searching for ships that have hidden their warp trails and might already be in the other universe? Whoever took Teilani wants to conduct a trade. Intendant Spock, Janeway, T'Val, they're on this ship. Let's make that trade."
Nechayev rocked back in her chair. "The famous Captain Kirk, hero of his century, wants to give up so quickly? Give in to blackmail like a . . . a Ferengi?"
Kirk looked out the observation windows to see the stars slipping away at high warp. He tried to draw strength from them. "Admiral, of course we will not give in to blackmail. But we can use the trade to set a trap. Whoever has Teilani is from the mirror universe. If you want to know how they got their Voyager into this universe, how they plan on taking the Enterprise back, they'll have those answers. Do it my way and Teilani's safe, and you have a prisoner or two who can tell you what you need to know, instead of wasting a year scanning space for something you might never find."
Nechayev looked at Kirk with contempt. "The best minds in Starfleet Intelligence have spent decades developing the proper response to the demands of kidnappers and terrorists. If we find the crossover mechanism and either destroy it or take control of it while the kidnappers are in our universe, they will be cut off from escape, and more willing to deal."
Kirk pounded his fist on the table. "They'll be cut off and desperate and more willing to kill their hostage!"
Nechayev jumped to her feet, as well, and leaned over the table to face Kirk eye to eye. "No! Once the mechanism is shut down, Teilani is the only thing that gives the kidnappers a way to get back home. They won't harm her!"
"She is not a thing! And you are putting her in harm's way!"
"You are out of line, Captain!"
"You are!" Kirk shouted. "You made me an offer so I would help you. I accepted. But now you're not listening to anything I say."
Nechayev's pale complexion was becoming flushed. "These are not the old days of the final frontier, Captain. Starfleet no longer straps on its laser pistols and warps off to blow up strange new life-forms first and ask questions later."
"We didn't do it that way in my time, if that's what you're implying."
"Excuse me?" the admiral said in mock confusion. "I know that's how you did things. I've read the history books."
"I lived that history. I made some of it."
"And that's what makes you think you're better than the top people at Starfleet Intelligence?"
"Listen to what you're saying, Admiral. You're provoking a confrontation. Always trying to make everything into a good or bad situation. Am I better than Starfleet's experts? That's not a question that should be asked. Who are those experts? What's their experience? It's all twenty-fourth century, isn't it? So that's what they're good for. If a band of present-day Orion pirates had kidnapped Teilani, or a renegade Klingon crew, then Starfleet's experts would know exactly what to do and I'd stand back and let them do it.
"But we're dealing with people your Starfleet knows nothing about. They're ruthless. Unswayed by logic. Driven by generations of frustration, hatred, and the need, the desire, for revenge. And forgive me for saying so, but in this perfect Federation you've inherited, I don't think the Starfleet of this day understands that kind of passion. And the proof of it is that useless plan you just laid out."
Kirk and the admiral remained standing, watching each other like wary knife fighters about to do battle, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
"Admiral Spock," Nechayev said, "before I have Kirk escorted from my bridge, explain to him that Starfleet's plan is logical."
"The plan is quite logical," Spock said. "But, the beings who captured Teilani are not. Thus, I must agree with Captain Kirk that the plan stands little chance of success."
The admiral broke her gaze from Kirk and looked at Spock as if she'd been betrayed. "How can you say that?"
"Because it is true."
Nechayev narrowed her eyes in thought. Then she smiled. The effect was not pleasant. "I see. You're in this together. Of course, Kirk and Spock. And let's not forget Dr. McCoy. All three of you. Caught up in some . . . pitifully transparent attempt to recapture the glory of your youth."
The insults Kirk could ignore, because they weren't true. He couldn't be responsible for what people who didn't know him thought of him. But given Nechayev's sudden resistance to his presence, why had she offered him a berth on the Sovereign in the first place?
He looked at McCoy. The elderly doctor rubbed the fingers of one hand together, a nervous gesture exposing the tension he felt.
Spock, of course, remained placid, though Kirk had no doubt that he was feeling the same outrage at being so wrongfully judged.
But then Spock surprised everyone by also getting to his feet. "Fleet Admiral Nechayev, by refusing to consider Captain Kirk's advice, I believe you are sidestepping the orders you were given by Command at the outset of this mission."
Nechayev looked momentarily confused, then laughed scornfully. "What? You're going to have McCoy declare me unfit for duty so Kirk can take command?" She shot a glance at Kirk. "As I said, I've read all the history books. I know how you think." Then she l
ooked at her Number One. " Commander Kral, how do you respond to Admiral Spock's charge? Am I disobeying my orders?"
The Trill shook his head slowly. "No, ma'am. You are required only to ask for Kirk's assistance in those matters you feel are appropriate."
"And since it's clear you find me completely inappropriate," Kirk said, "why am I here?"
McCoy answered the question, and Kirk could hear the bitterness he felt. "It's obvious, Jim. Starfleet was so eager to stop you from being involved in any of this, they asked you on board to keep you out of the way and under their control."
Kirk stared at Nechayev in dawning comprehension. "You have no intention of helping me save Teilani."
Nechayev shook her head at him. "No matter what you think of us in this century, we're not monsters. We will do all we can to save Teilani, after the security of the Federation has been assured."
Kirk felt sick. Starfleet had lied to him. And he had no recourse. He was trapped—on one of the most advanced starships in the Fleet, the prototype from which Jean-Luc's own new Enterprise had been developed. And it was hurtling at maximum speed to a region of space hundreds of lightyears from Chal, and from any chance of rescuing the woman he loved more than life itself.
He could see that the admiral sensed his sudden feeling of defeat.
She sat down, gestured for him to do the same.
But Kirk couldn't see the point. "It seems we're finished here."
Nechayev shrugged. "As you wish."
Kirk started for the door. Spock pulled out McCoy's chair, helped him stand.
"Captain," the admiral said before Kirk could leave. " Starfleet did invite you on this mission for a reason other than the one you imagine."
Kirk looked over his shoulder. Somehow, he doubted that.
"You seem to have developed some sort of relationship with the three intruders from the mirror universe," Nechayev continued.
"Because they trusted me, Admiral. But that was before you ambushed them in my suite. I doubt any relationship exists by now."
"If it did," Nechayev said, not letting him go yet, "Starfleet would be most appreciative if during the next few days, you could speak with them, to help develop our understanding of their universe. Their ancient history, the events of the last century, the struggles they face today. It would be most helpful."
"If I refuse?" Kirk asked. "Do you have a plank on this ship I could walk?"
Nechayev did not respond to his sarcasm. "The choice is yours, Captain Kirk. Remember that. The choice Starfleet offers has always been yours."
"I make my own choices," Kirk said. Then he walked out, not waiting to be dismissed.
He knew what he had to do, now.
And to save Teilani, he had only three days in which to do it.
FOURTEEN
"I could kill you," Janeway said.
Kirk kept his back to her, gazing out at the magnificent vista of Yosemite National Park as it could only be seen at sunset from the summit of El Capitan. "You could try," he said, "but—"
Janeway's hands struck Kirk's shoulders with the force of a charging targ, knocking him into a fatal one-kilometer fall which lasted just long enough for him to feel an overwhelming sensation of déjà vu, and then—
"Warning," said the computer voice, "physical risk parameters exceeded. Safety overrides engaged."
Kirk felt solid ground beneath his feet. When he looked down, there was still nothing to see below his feet except air. But he could walk on it.
He turned around to look at Janeway, still standing at the edge of the summit, hands on her hips, distinctly disappointed that he was not plunging to his death.
"As I was saying," Kirk continued. "You could try, but the holodeck won't let you."
Kirk walked through the air to return to the simulated granite—a perfect illusion created by shifting holographic projections and transporter-based replicated rock and stone.
"That's what I thought," Janeway said. "
But you had to be sure."
"I had to be sure." Her quick smile surprised Kirk. It seemed genuine. "You'd have done the same."
Kirk didn't answer. Better to keep her guessing. But she was right. He was beginning to see the starship captain at her core.
Janeway broke the sudden moment of silence between them by looking around, breathing deeply, eyes shut. "Even with my eyes closed, the illusion is perfect. The wind, the heat rising from the rock, the smell of the pine trees . . ." Her eyes fluttered open and she looked away, as if stricken with a sudden wave of unbearable sorrow.
"What is it?" Kirk asked. He was genuinely concerned. In the past three days, he had come to see Janeway as more than an enemy to be manipulated as he worked to achieve his own goals. There were layers of intrigue within this woman, concealed beneath a deceptively brittle shell of indifference, as if at her core she carried a burden so great, she was afraid to reveal it even to herself.
Janeway ran her hand across her short auburn hair. She had removed the harsh red dye since being beamed to the Sovereign. An attractive change, Kirk felt. "I was just thinking . . . trying to think of the technology that goes into something like this. The thousands, the millions of hours of design, testing, programming. . . . Do you know what that says about a culture if it can afford to expend all those resources on entertainment?
"They use it for training simulations, as well," Kirk said.
But Janeway ignored him, continuing with her point. "It means all the other problems are solved. No hunger. No disease. No war. . . ."
"That's one way to look at it. But it could also mean that this culture is trying to distract itself from the challenges it still faces. Time spent in entertainment can be a respite from ongoing struggles, not just a reward for having completed them."
Janeway held the palm of her hand up, turning to face the holographic sun as the simulated star reached the horizon, swollen, red, coloring slender trails of clouds salmon pink against the deep indigo of darkening sky. Then she angled her hand as if judging the fall off in heat. Kirk had noticed that Janeway never stopped measuring and testing her environment. She definitely had the soul of a scientist in her.
"Do you always look at everything from both points of view?" she asked.
"Occupational hazard," Kirk said. "I'm a starship captain— was a starship captain. Diplomacy is the best policy. Do you always ask important questions while you're pretending to be involved in something else?"
Janeway lowered her hand and gave Kirk her full attention. In the flattering glow of sunset, she had lost her pallor. She now seemed rested, renewed. "Occupational hazard. I'm a soldier. And I'm in enemy hands. Deception is the best policy."
Janeway was now clad in the civilian clothes the replicators had provided for her. They were similar in cut to Starfleet's shirt, jacket, and slacks, but made from a softly textured, dark green fabric that clung to her with a subtlety missing from the more utilitarian uniform. She no longer reminded Kirk of the grim-faced soldier in a combat suit who had kidnapped him more than a week ago.
Kirk looked back over the magnificent expanse of the pinefilled valley floor. The distant trees were different in number and size from what he remembered. The three-dimensional images that had been used to make this amazing reconstruction must have been recorded recently, and the vegetation no longer corresponded to his century-old memories. "Starfleet's not the enemy," he said.
With Kirk, Janeway watched the shadows move across the valley floor. "You've told me that before," she said. In a scattering of small clearings, the flickering dance of pinpoint campfires could be seen, as if here in Yosemite the stars had found a home on Earth. "But I don't believe you," she continued. "Because I think you think Starfleet is your enemy as much as it's mine."
I'm surrounded by mind readers, Kirk thought.
"Kate," he said firmly, "I don't make any apologies that I've disagreed with Command from time to time . . . all right, a lot of the . . . most of the time, especially recently. But in its own, plodd
ing, earnest way, I believe Starfleet is simply trying to discover the truth behind your presence here, and the disappearance of the Enterprise."
Janeway looked directly into Kirk's eyes, as if to convince him that each word she spoke was the truth. "I told you why we were here. I told you we know nothing about the Enterprise or the mirror Voyager."
"Admiral Nechayev is reluctant to accept that both incursions from your universe happened at the same time by coincidence."
The sun was more than halfway gone, and the fading sky and deepening shadows brought a new intensity to Janeway's features. "What do you think?"
Kirk let her see the truth that was in him, as well. "I don't care. Only one thing matters to me—Teilani's safety."
Janeway studied him carefully. "Is that so?"
Not for the first time Kirk wished that he could read minds.
Then Janeway reached out, took his face in her hands, and forcefully kissed him, her body pressed close against his. One of her hands moved to the back of his neck so the pressure of their joining became unrelenting.
For an instant, Kirk's body responded, and he pulled her even closer. There was a quixotic fire in this woman of the kind that always drew him, a fire fueled by willfulness, by independence, by a shared inability to accept defeat, that would always make him consider her an equal.
But as quickly as that wellspring of passion rose within him to meet her advance, his heart rebelled.
He pushed Janeway away, breathless in the sudden, unbid den rush of physical desire, stared at her face in the fading crimson light of the sun and knew that his was as flushed as hers.
"No," he said.
She drew the fingers of one hand across his face, across his lips. Her touch was insistent, not gentle. "Now I don't believe you."
At another time in his life, Kirk knew, his heart and his mind wouldn't enter into this equation. Beneath these stars he and this woman would exhaust their passion without regret, for their past or for their future, exulting in an eternal present of sheer experience.
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