"They're going to see us pretty soon either vay," Chekov said. His prediction was confirmed when an explosion rocked the ground five yards to their right.
Exposed and without the firepower to disable the land vehicles, Kirk and company would have been in serious difficulty, had not they begun dematerializing just then.
"… So when I thought about it, I was shocked at how simple it all is. That's probably how it came to be called the Only Way." Sulu smiled earnestly. "The Federation's complex and varying belief systems are so terribly inefficient."
"He's been talking to me like this ever since he arrived in my transport room," Scotty said.
Dr. McCoy ran his medical tricorder over Sulu while he spoke. Kirk saw him studying it.
"Sulu," McCoy said brightly. "This is all most interesting. I've often thought there must be a better way to run this damn society of ours. Why don't we go into the aft space lounge here, where I've got some comfortable chairs and a bit of my equipment, and you can tell me all about it?"
Sulu nodded in agreement and walked amicably off the control deck in the direction the doctor indicated.
"Bones, what the hell is wrong with him?" Kirk whispered.
"Fairly simple, I think. He has been fed some sort of drug which has made him susceptible to brainwashing. I doubt if I will ever discover the true properties of the thing. Probably indigenous to Beta Prometheus. But I think I can find an antidote, or at least flush it out of his system. He'll probably cooperate."
McCoy followed Sulu onto the rear deck.
"You won't mind if I give you a physical while we talk, will you?" McCoy smiled. "You've been through a heck of an ordeal, and I want to see that you're healthy. Go ahead, tell me all about this Only Way stuff. We'll just start with a simple injection, in case that Beta Promethean food didn't have an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals."
"It works like this," Sulu began. "Each member of the Conclave works for the good of the community. None of this individual gain for individual effort stuff. Everybody contributes what they earn to their Conclave, and the Shrewdest Ones decide how best to allocate the resources. Of course, right now they don't have complete control. The Ruling Family creates the laws. But they're an aristocratic and tradition-bound group that's on their way out. And many of the traders go their own way, up to a point. . . ." Sulu became drowsy. McCoy nodded his head, smiled. He ran his medical tricorder over Sulu, while appearing to listen to the explanation. When Sulu was asleep, McCoy rose, covered him with a blanket, and went back to the control deck, where he checked the physical condition of the other officers. When he returned, Sulu was just waking up.
"I must have dozed off," he said to McCoy. "I guess I was tired. Where was I?"
"You were telling me about the Only Way." McCoy said.
"The Only Way? What would we want to talk about that corrupt system for? Those damn Shrewdest Ones almost killed me, for heaven's sake! They're hypocritical, totalitarian, and abusive! Even most of the Beta Prometheus population hates them. They're completely narrow-minded, there's no room on their planet for the least dissension. Why, where would we be without dissension, without debate? How colorless our lives would be without a variety of cultural backgrounds. How ridiculous to think that individuals should have any loyalty to a system in which they had no voice. . . ." Sulu would have gone on, for his fury at being incarcerated for a substantial period of time was in need of release, but McCoy just smiled and wandered off.
Uhura was chatting with the young Lieutenant Roose, McCoy was talking to Dr. Bernard Hans, and Chekov was showing off the navigational resources of the star yacht to the engineer Norquist Svenson. Kirk walked over to the captain's chair and sat down amid the noise and tumult of the happy gathering. Barbara looked back at him.
"Warp ahead, Cadet O'Marla. We'll rendezvous with the Excelsior. Uhura, tell Commander Sencus we're on our way. We'll have you back on your Starship in no time," Kirk said to Sulu, who had come onto the bridge.
But Uhura shouted over the noise. "Captain Kirk, I've got a warship rapidly approaching from the starboard quadrant."
"Identify."
"It's hard to say. Not so large as a heavy cruiser but much larger than we are."
"Mr. Spock?"
"Confirmed, Captain. My sensors say that she is heavily armed."
"A Bird-of-Prey?"
"No, Captain."
"Visuals."
The main view monitor came alive with the dark universe. In the far distance was a rapidly approaching dot of light.
"Close up," Kirk said quickly.
The screen flashed and a rusty warship sped into view.
"It looks like the Sundew," Sulu said, coming to stand behind Kirk. "But it can't be. Probably that pirate Maldari has got himself another ship."
"Evasive action, Captain?" Barbara asked without looking.
"We'll have to outrun them if we can," Kirk said. Scotty and Svenson hurried downstairs to the engine room.
"Commander, I've got another ship coming up rapidly," Uhura called. "This one from the port quadrant."
"Identify."
"This one is a Bird-of-Prey. The Klingons are on to us as well," Mr. Spock said.
"Full ahead warp speed," Kirk said.
Barbara's hands flew over the controls and the ship shot across the galaxy.
"Scotty, do we still have two torpedoes?"
"Aye, sir. They're small but I think they'll launch. That is, if we don't use the engines at the same time."
"What?" Kirk said.
"I told you, Captain. This little yacht has enough energy for one or the other, but not both."
"All right. Tell you what. Barbara, on my word, you shut her down. All engines. We'll fire one at the Sundew and one at the Klingon vessel, then we'll take off again. Everybody ready?"
"Aye, Captain."
"Ready here."
"Full stop," Kirk commanded.
The ship slowed and stopped in seconds. It hung in space.
"Fire," Kirk ordered.
The ship bucked as the two torpedoes fired simultaneously and headed for the warships.
"Now, warp ahead full. Let's get going," Kirk said.
Barbara touched the controls and the Princess shot forward and raced across the galaxy.
"That ought to give us a minute," Kirk said.
On the screen, the crew watched tensely as the torpedoes locked on to the larger ships. The ships raised their shields, but the explosions rocked them and they slowed visibly.
"Direct hits!" Chekov exulted.
"Yes," Mr. Spock said. "But both warships are fully enabled. They are still following us. In fact, they are gaining on us."
Everyone looked at the main viewscreen. Views of both warships were up, and they loomed larger and larger.
"Warp speed?" Kirk asked.
"Five," Barbara said.
"She canna go any faster, Captain," Scotty's voice came up from the engine room. "As it is I do nae have enough energy to get us home at this speed."
"How long until they close on us?" Kirk asked.
"Judging from our speed, their speed, and the distance between us, I would say we have less than five minutes' safety. After that they will have no difficulty scoring direct hits," Spock said tersely.
Just then Barbara jumped up from her seat and ran past Kirk.
"Barbara, don't leave your post," Kirk shouted.
Before he could stop her, however, she stood next to Uhura. She reached past the communications officer and ran her fingers over the console.
"Calling Starbase 499. This is a high-priority message for the C in C. Please note code name: Princess. Repeat, patch me through to the C in C at once. Code name: Princess."
"Barbara?" a voice came back quickly.
"Admiral, it's me. We're being chased by two warships, a Klingon vessel and a Promethean pirate. We have the hostages safely on board. But we are being attacked. We need a little help up here."
"I understand. Over and out."
<
br /> When Barbara stood up, everyone was staring at her. She looked over at Kirk, who was looking at her curiously.
"An old family friend," she said lamely, then she went back to her station.
There wasn't time for anyone to question her.
"Distance is closing, Captain," Chekov said.
"Captain, two incoming torpedoes, port and starboard."
"Scotty, put our shields up," Kirk said.
"I canna put shields up and keep us at warp speed," came the familiar voice. "We do not have that much power on this luxury bucket."
"Torpedoes at half-distance," Uhura said, trying to keep her voice even. The bridge had gone deathly silent.
"Put the shields up, Scotty. Barbara, cut all engines." Barbara looked back at Kirk. "Do it now," he said strongly. "Scotty, I've given you every bit of power this yacht's got. Make those shields hold."
"I'll try, Captain."
For a moment no one spoke on the bridge. Then the little yacht was hit, and it rocked halfway on its side. The officers were thrown to the floor.
"She's breached on the left, Captain," Spock's voice said as he read off his console panel. He barely got the words out when a second explosion pounded the ship on the other side. Lights on the bridge flickered and sparked, then went out. Emergency lights glowed in the corners, and the eerie cabin was in half-shadow. Kirk stood by his chair. Barbara crawled back into hers. Mr. Chekov was trying to stand up by his navigation console. Smoke began filling the bridge.
"Another hit will blow us out of the skies," Kirk said. "Return power to engines, Scotty. Barbara, evasive action. Set us on a zigzag course at warp speed."
The ship bucked and rocked as it moved forward.
"Incoming," Uhura said.
"Another torpedo?" Kirk asked.
"Yes, sir," came the answer. "She's locked on to us."
"Brace yourselves, everyone," Kirk said quietly.
Just then the ship changed directions radically and the torpedo shot by.
"I can't do that very often," Barbara said as everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "It takes too much energy from the main propulsion system, and we don't have much left."
"Well, here comes another one," Uhura said. "A Klingon torpedo is locked on to us. Arrival in thirty seconds."
"Warp ahead ten," Kirk called.
"Fifteen seconds," Uhura announced.
"Warp ahead twelve," Kirk called.
"She's going as fast as she can, Captain," Barbara said.
Just then three Starfleet Starships shot into view.
"What the hell?" Kirk said.
One of the Starships passed the little star yacht and took up a position on its tail. The Klingon torpedo exploded harmlessly against its giant shields. The other two Starships surrounded the Princess. The Klingon Bird-of-Prey and the smaller Beta Promethean starship slowed, then stopped. The Princess and her escorts left them behind.
"Thank you, Starfleet," Kirk said to nobody in particular as the whole crew applauded. "Uhura, open a channel to those ships. I want to thank—"
"I wouldn't do that, Captain," Barbara said.
Kirk looked at her thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said, "but we're not supposed to be here, they're not supposed to be there, and none of this ever happened."
Kirk looked at the solemn face of the beautiful girl, who was looking directly into his eyes from her seat at the helm. Those on the bridge waited as the two looked at each other, Kirk with a curious expression, Barbara with a quiet one. Finally Kirk spoke, though not to Barbara.
"Uhura," Kirk said.
"Yes, Captain," she answered.
"Never mind."
For a few minutes the Starships kept their positions around the Princess. When it was evident that she was no longer being followed, the Starships stopped, presumably to return to Starbase 499. The star yacht was once again alone in the galaxy.
Ten minutes later Barbara dropped out of warp speed and they found themselves gliding along behind the Excelsior. Those of her crew who had been in prison for the last eight days whistled at the sight.
"There you are, Sulu," Kirk said. "I'd like to invite you to be our helmsperson, but as you witnessed yourself, we have an excellent one already." Barbara smiled. "And one with pretty good connections, it seems." Kirk looked at her suspiciously.
* * *
The two ships sat side by side in space for several hours, as Montgomery Scott and Norquist Svenson led a large team of Excelsior engineers in repairing the little Princess.
"That ought to get you back to Earth, Mr. Scott," Svenson said, when at last they laid down their equipment and all systems blinked green.
"I'm much obliged for your help," Scotty said. He looked around at the hastily patched engines, the blackened walls, and the barely functioning electronic systems. "I hope her owner is patriotic," he said, shaking his head, when finally they were finished. Scotty called up that the ship was ready, and the engineers walked into the transport room.
Kirk and his crew entered the transporter room with Sulu and his officers. Scotty went to the transporter controls and aligned them with the Excelsior.
Sulu turned to Kirk. "Where will you all go now?" he said.
Kirk looked around at his crew. "Us? Back to San Francisco, I suppose."
Sulu held out his hand to Uhura and she took it.
"Kwaheri," he said in Swahili.
"Kwaheri," she replied, smiling.
He turned to Scotty.
"Slán agat," he said in Gaelic.
"Slán agat," Scotty answered.
Sulu turned to Chekov.
"Dos Vidaniya," he said.
"Oudachy," Chekov answered.
He turned to McCoy.
"Bon voyage, Doctor," Sulu said with a smile.
"And you keep warm, old friend," Bones said softly.
Sulu turned to Mr. Spock. He raised his hand in the Vulcan salute.
"Live long and prosper, Mr. Spock."
"Peace and long life," Spock answered.
Finally Sulu turned to Kirk.
"Commander, I don't know what to say," Sulu said quietly.
"Nothing, Commander. After all, nothing happened here, remember? That's the way Starfleet wants it. So that's the way it will be. I always do things by the book. You know that."
"Your book," Sulu answered quietly. "One that is filled with courage and loyalty. You came a long way to help. You all risked your lives," Sulu said, shaking his head. Then he took Kirk's hand in both of his. "May the wind always be at your back, Captain," he said. They embraced; then Sulu stepped up onto the platform to join the last of his officers being beamed over to the Excelsior. He turned to Kirk and company and saluted.
"Until we meet again, old comrades," he said. "Until that day." Then he disappeared.
Aboard the U.S.S. Excelsior Sulu and the other hostages were welcomed back by their crew. As Sulu settled into the commander's chair, Lieutenant Roose stood behind him, waiting for instructions. But Sulu was silent, staring at the main viewscreen, where the little star yacht floated. Finally Lieutenant Roose cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Where are we headed for now, Captain?" he asked.
Sulu came out of his own thoughts and looked up at the young lieutenant. "Where? There will be a debriefing at Starfleet. And then onward, of course. As always. There is so much to explore."
"Yes, sir. Uh, might I suggest, however, that we return to the Mirage? You remember, that newly discovered planet we had catalogued just before we were taken hostage. The one with the ideal environment."
"I thought we had learned all we could from that planet, Lieutenant."
"Unless we were to explore the surface in person, sir."
"I see. Still hoping for a little R and R."
"For the crew, sir. They've all been under a great deal of strain lately, and, well, I just thought …"
"It's a good thought, Lieutenant. What do you think, Sencus?"
The science officer looked ov
er from his console, where, as it turned out, he had been reworking the old problem of who had read the ship's memory banks without permission, and how.
"Captain, I now believe the inhabitants of that planet are, in fact, aware of our existence," he said. "The dolpheels, with their extraordinary telepathic powers, were probably observing us just as we were observing them. It would therefore not be a violation of our Prime Directive if we were to say hello in some way. However …" Whatever Sencus was thinking, the rest was lost to his concentration on his computer.
"Yes, Sencus?" Sulu said. "What is it?"
"I cannot seem to locate them again."
"That's funny. Navigator?"
Violet Bays looked up from her own panels. "I'm afraid I can't either, Captain," she said. "It's curious but, well, they're simply not there."
"Not there? That's an impossibility," Sulu said. He stood up and walked over to the navigator's station. "Do we still have their coordinates?"
"Of course, sir. I know precisely where they are supposed to be. We have graphed their orbit very carefully. But … they're just not there anymore."
"Perhaps their orbit has variations. Did you check—"
"I have scanned their entire solar system, Captain. As far as all our instruments show, there is simply no such planet."
Sulu sighed. "Well then, I'm afraid we won't be going there again. Nor will anyone else, for we'll look pretty foolish if we announce our discovery and can't prove it. Too bad. And I was thinking of asking the Federation to officially name it Sulu's Planet. Just another one of the eccentricities of deep space, I suppose. Any analysis, Sencus?"
"The planet seemed to function in a most subtle and tranquil fashion, Captain. Absolutely in harmony with itself. And their telepathic powers were extraordinary. Whether they are there or not, I might suggest that perhaps they have the power to be seen or not. And now that they are aware of the greater universe, and a number of its inhabitants …"
"Yes?"
"Perhaps they do not wish to participate in interplanetary intercourse just yet."
"You mean, we've been studied and found wanting?"
"Just that, Captain. They seem to have found a perfect peace for themselves and their environment. While the rest of us …" He let the officers on the bridge, all of whom were listening intently now, finish the sentence for themselves. "Can you blame them?" he added.
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