by 11(lit)
Kirk strode to the box. "Do you want to be like him, Alexander?" he said.
The dwarf's eyes met his. After a moment, he shook his head. Then he threw the knife at Parmen's feet.
The new power was exhilarating. Kirk used it to force Parmen to kneel before the dwarf. Alexander looked down at the bald, arrogant head. "Listen to me, Parmen! I could have had the power-but I didn't want it! I could have been in your place right here and now! But the sight of you and your Academicians sickens me. Because, with all your brains, you're dirtier than anything that ever walked or crawled in the whole universe!"
As he jumped from the box to Kirk's side, he turned to say, "Get up from your knees! Get up!"
Parmen, his world crashed around him, spoke to Kirk. "Captain, you knew it was my intention to destroy you and the Enterprise. Yet you have spared me."
Kirk eyed him for a long moment. "To us, killing is murder-even for revenge. But I am officially notifying you that other Starships will be visiting Platonius-and soon!"
He'd been right. There was nothing in these people. Once their control power was defeated, they shriveled into nothing. Their ruler was too hasty with his reassurance. "There's no need for concern, Captain. They'll be safe. Of late, I've begun to feel that we've become bizarre and unproductive. It's time for some fresh air. We'll welcome your interstellar visits."
"I don't believe you," Kirk said. "The minute we leave, you'll lose your fear-and turn as sadistic as ever. So let me warn you. This incident will be reported in its en-tirety to Starfleet Command."
His voice went icy. "Keep your power. We don't want it. But, if need be, we can create it in a matter of hours. Don't try anything again."
All his essential weakness had appeared in Parmen's flabby face. "Understood, Captain. And you're right. None of us can be trusted. Uncontrolled power turns even saints into savages. We can all be counted on to live down to our lowest impulses."
"You're good at making speeches," Kirk said. "I hope your last one sinks in. Stand back."
Obediently, Parmen shrank back into the box. Phi-lana was haggard, almost looking her great age. McCoy left them to join Kirk.
"Alexander!" Kirk called.
As the dwarf hurried over to him, Kirk released his communicator from his belt. Flipping, it open, he said, "Kirk to Scott. I'm bringing a guest aboard. Standby to beam us up."
Alexander looked at him, love in his long-suffering eyes.
* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JAMES BLISH, author of Bantam's popular Star Trek series, once won the coveted Hugo Award for his novel, A Case of Conscience. He, has written many other science fiction novels and short stories as well. Mr. Blish, who is trained as a biologist and was formerly em-ployed by several large pharmaceutical companies, is an American citizen presently making his home near Ox-ford, England. He was one of three persons who jointly founded the famous Milford Science Fiction Writers' Conference in the early 1950s, and, under the name of William Atheling, has written some of the most informed criticism of science fiction.
The End