"I gather that these tears are garnered on Thygeta?"
"Not from Thygeta, Mr. Spock, rather from the inhabitants of Thygeta. The
tears are formed by an eye secretion emittrA at the moment of a Singer's
death."
"Singers, Commander?" Spock repeated, sitting forward attentively.
is
The Tears of the Singers
"The name that's been given to the creatures who dwell on Thygeta. The
beasts seem to sing constantly. Not like any human or humanoid music known,
but a very definite and complex song. That's one of the questions an
expedition would have answered, along with how the creatures maintain
themselves, since they never-seem to feed."
"I am disturbed by this failure of Federation policy. Ile evidence of such
complex behavior wou'ld argue against the nonsentience of the creatures. If
such were the case the Federation's action in allowing the hunters access
to the planet may be destroying an intelligent species."
Li spread his hands. "As with all governments, Mr. Spock, there are
failures and oversights. The present issue before us, however, is not the
inhabitants of Thygeta, intelligent or otherwise, but with this strange
warp in space." He shifted in his chair, and looked back to Kirk. "Captain,
how soon can you be ready to leave dock?"
. "As soon as I get to the Enterprise I'll cancel all shore leave. With
Scotty back on board we ought to be able to get the inspectors off in a
matter of hours."
"Good, and if we need to fudge a bit on any inspection certificates just
let me know."
"I like a man who knows how to cut through red tape," Kirk said with a
smile. He rose, and shook hands with Li. Spock politely inclined his head
to the base commander, and they left the office.
Spock hesitated in the hall rather than following Kirk toward the lifts.
"Captain, with your permission I would like to delay my return to the
Enterprise by perhaps as much as an hour."
"Why, what's this, Spock? Are you beginning to pine over the loss of a
shore leave?" Kirk teased.
Spock drew himself regally erect. "Hardly, Captain! I merely wish to pursue
a possible line of investigation while I have the libraries of a star base
at my disposal."
16
The Tears of the Singers
Kirk paused and looked thoughtfully at his first officer. Sometimes Spock's
logical or intuitive leaps_ seemed farfetched, but Kirk had learned not to
question them. Many times Spock's seemingly outlandish lines of research
had provided the solution to a particular knotty problem. If Spock wanted
to go off and study a species of singing aliens there was, no doubt, a very
good reason for it.
"Request granted, Mr. Spock. But see to it that it only takes an hour. I
want to be ready to pull out by morning.
Spock nodded. "Very good, Captain."
As Kirk thumbed the lift for the ground floor he noticed that the last
trace if his boredom had vanished.
The crowd in the Green Room had begun to thin, and still Uhura waited. She
was mentally castigating herself for foolish and adolescent behavior, but
it didn't help. She couldn't bring herself to walk out of the room.
A tall woman swathed totally in gold-tipped Ssravat fur gave one final
gushing comment, took her escort's arm and they swept toward the door, and
Maslin stood revealed. He made a rude gesture toward the pair's departing
backs, and then turned toward his dressing room. He halted after only a few
steps, and looked back as if arrested by Uhura's close scrutiny.
Brilliant green eyes stared suspiciously out of a thin, pale face made even
paler by the shock of jet black hair which fell across the man's high
forehead. There was a world of exhaustion and cynicism in those eyes, and
Uhura almost blanched when he said in an infinitely weary and sardonic
tone, "I suppose you want an autograph too?"
Anger that her idol should possess such obvious feet of clay, and anger at
herself for having waited literally at the stage door like some star-struck
schoolgirl, swept away her embarrassment.
"Not anymore, thank you," she said coolly. "I did when I
17
The Tears of the Singers
walked in here, but I find that after a few minutes of exposure to your
personality I've changed my mind." She crossed the room to the door, her
head held high.
"Wait," Maslin said, eyeing her curiously. "You're not like these vapid
socialites. What are you?"
She found it odd that he asked her what rather than who she was, but she
ignored it, and answered, "I'm a Star Fleet officer assigned to the U.S.S.
Enterprise."
"Impressive, if one happens to be awed by that institution. But what's a
technocrat like you doing at one of my concerts, Madam Star Fleet?"
"I'm also a musician, Mr. Maslin, and you're displaying an appalling amount
of ignorance and bias in assuming that all Star Fleet personnel lack an
appreciation or understanding of the arts."
Maslin walked slowly up to her, and Uhura noticed that he was a small man.
They were eye to eye, and she was wearing sandals.
"What are you doing now?" he asked abruptly.
"Now? I'm going back to my hotel room."
"Why don't you come to supper with me? I may be a royal son of a bitch most
of the time, but I pride myself on an open mind. I think I'd like to be
lectured and corrected by you, Madam Star Fleet."
It was on the tip of her tongue to refuse, but there was a compelling power
about Maslin when he dropped his prickly, sarcastic mien, and concentrated
his not inconsiderable charm on a person.
"All right," she said at last. "But only if you ask my name, and stop
calling me Madam Star Fleet. I'm owed that courtesy at least."
"I think you might be owed a good many others as well," Maslin retorted
with an appraising look. "And what is your name?"
"Uhura."
is
The Tears of the Singers
"A powerful name for a powerful lady. Just let me change, and you can try
to teach me some manners."
"That's too large an undertaking for a single evening, Mr. Maslin," she
replied easily.
He mimed a touchd, and suddenly smiled. The expression softened the harsh
lines around his mouth, and made him seem younger. He vanished into his
dressing room, and Uhura realized that she hadn't felt this giddy in years.
She decided to enjoy the sensation and the moment for as long as they
lasted.
When Mashn returned he had shed his formal attire, and wore slacks, a
sweater and a long, knee-length jacket. Uhura noticed the height of his
boot heels, and decided that Guy Maslin was not a man who lived comfortably
with his size.
The composer held the stage door for her, and they stepped out into the
warm night air. Capella was a lush and hospitable world, and Uhura breathed
in the scent of citrus and alien fruit which was carried to her by the
wind.
"Do you mind if I don't call a cab?" Maslin asked. "On a night like this
I'd rather walk."
"Fine. It isn't often that rm planetside, and I enjoy the fe
el of earth
underfoot."
"How do you stand it?" he asked, thrusting his hands into his pockets, and
striding along beside her.
.611A(hatTl
"Being closed in on a ship all the time."
She smiled at him. "A common misconception that people have. First, the
Enterprise is one of the largest ships in the fleet, so I'm hardly cramped.
Also, we have rec rooms, and gyms, and a botanical garden where a person
can relax, and more importantly--I love it. My work is interesting, and
you never know what new experience is going to confront you when you're on
board an exploratory vessel like the Enterprise. I don't think I'd be as
happy making a milk run between Earth and Vulcan, say."
19
The Tears of the Sinsm
"An adventuresome as well as a beautiful ladyt" he murmured with a sideways
glance at her-
"That's coming on a bit too strong."
"I never pay empty compliments."
'-And I wonder how many women have heard that line?"
-And she's also a lady who reads the gossip columns.9
Uhura blushed with vexation. "I do not. Your reputation transcends even the
gossip columns."
.,Touch,6 again.9, He stopped walking, and Pulled a gold cigarette case
from his coat Pocket. He thumbed a tiny button on the side of the case, and
a cigarette slid smoothly from the recesses of the case already burning.
Uhura a brow at the expensive toy. He returned the case to his Pocket, and
studied her as he took a thoughtful drag on the cigarette. ,,How does a
manget to you?" he finally asked.
"By not playing games with me."
'IF& enough. Okay, no more empty Compliments) but YOU Will permit me to buy
your dinner, won't you?"
"Of course. You invited me."
They walked on in silence until they reached an awningcovered doorway.
Maslin indicated the bright blue canopy. "What passes for elegance on this
backwater. I suppose I should be grateful that there is anyplace other than
bars that is open at this hour,99 he added as he held open the door.
-I take it you've never been out to the frontier before."
,-This is the first and the last time. I like my caviar to be Beluga, my
champagne aged and my jumps between worlds to be short. And those amenities
you only find in the settled
99 areas.
"A luxury-minded and wt very adventuresome man," Uhura murmured in
imitation of his earlier remark.
"No, you are definitely not going to be easy," Maslin said in a low voice
as they followed the maitre d' to the table. The composer ordered quickly,
choosing an elegant and expensive supper. When the waiter left he leaned
back in the booth and
20
The Tears of the Singers
studied Uhura. "You're the first Star Fleet type I've ever really talked
to."
"Yet you seem to have formed some pretty strong opinions about us on the
basis of little or no information."
He shrugged, and took a sip of champagne. "You represent a lot of things I
don't like."
"Such as?"
"Discipline.,'
"You have to be disciplined to be a musician."
"That's self-discipline, not discipline imposed from outside."
"We're not precisely keelhauled if we step out of line, and remember we
choose to join the service. There are no conscripts in Star Fleet."
"You said you were a musician," he said, switching subjects.,"What do you
play?"
"Not play, sing. I can handle the Vulcan lyrette, though Spock tells me my
attempts are feeble at best."
"I'm surprised you tackled it at all. It's a difficult instrument.,,
"I like challenges, Mr. Mashn."
"Guy, please.,'
"AM right, Guy.,,
"And who's Spock that he sees fit to comment on your musical skill?"
"He's our half-Vulcan first officer. He plays the lyrette very well, and
has given me a few lessons."
"After supper will you sing for me?"
Uhura felt her throat constrict at the thought. Maslin had performed with
some of the greatest voices in the Federation. What was acceptable aboard
the Enterprise became ridiculous when in the company of this man. She
quickly shook her head.
"Come now, if you don't I'll think my original impression, that all Star
Fleet personnel are technocrats, was the correct one.1t
21
The Tears of the Singers
She gave a laugh, and reached for her champagne. "When you put it that way
I have to agree, if for no other reason than for the honor of the fleet."
"That's the spirit."
They were interrupted by an insistent beeping from Uhura's communicator.
She puffed it from a fold in her gown, and flipped it open. Maslin watched
curiously.
"Lieutenant Uhura here."
"Lieutenant," came the voice of her second. "I'm to inform you that all
shore leaves have been canceled, and all personnel are to report aboard
ship as soon as possible."
"Thank you, T'zeela. I'm on my way." She flipped shut the communicator, and
looked at Maslin.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go. Maybe you can find someone else to share
dinner with you." She rose and started away from the table when his hand
shot out, and closed around her wrist. There was surprising strength in the
long, slender fingers. She looked at him questioningly.
"Wait. That person said 'as soon as possible.' In this case I think as soon
as possible means after supper."
"A nice try, but I can't agree. You don't know Captain Kirk. Soon for him
means now."
"You're becoming all hard and military on me," he complained. "Where's that
sensitive artist I saw looking out of those beautiful eyes?"
"She's moving aside for the officer, which is how it should be.99
"We're talking about thirty minutes, maybe an hour tops," he pressed. "And
this is probably the only time we'll ever spend together. Please say you'll
stay."
She wavered, reminding herself of duty and responsibility; but that gay,
carefree side that had surfaced during this evening reminded her of the
inspections, and that they really couldn't leave until they were completed.
Maslin's hand was warm on hers as she sank back into the booth.
22
Chapter Two
The bridge hummed with quiet activity. Kirk paused just off the turbolift,
and allowed that surge of satisfaction he always felt when he entered the
command center of his ship to wash through him. There was polite
acknowledgment of his arrival from the crew members at their various
stations as he moved to the command chair.
Kirk realized after scanning the circular room that none of his first-line
people was present. Lieutenant R iley held down the helm for Sulu, T"zeela
occupied Uhura's seat and Scotty's pert young assistant worked at
engineering. Kirk spent a moment admiring the way Lieutenant Bethany Wilson
fitted her uniform, and he dubbed Scotty a sly dog for attracting her from
life support to engineering.
The captain slid into the command chair, and a young yeoman brought him the
day's paperwork. Kirk signed the sheets w
ithout really knowing what they
contained. He knew it was a bad habit, but he had given up on reading the
reports
23
The Tears of the Sinprs
years ago when he had realized that their only purpose was to satisfy the
paper pushers back on Earth.
The door of the lift hissed open. Scotty, Kirk identified from the sound
and rhythm of the boot heels on the deck. He gave the yeoman a dismissing
nod, and handed back the clipboard.
"Captairil I tell ya I canna stand itl" It was apparent that Scotty was
deeply moved for his accent blurred all of his words instead of the few he
considered obligatory.
"What seems to be the trouble, Mr. Scott?" Kirk asked, swinging around in
his chair.
The chief engineees round face was ruddier than usual, and his jaw worked
for several seconds before he answered. "That damn Ssasenach inspector.
He's driving me and my engineers crazy. He keeps crawling through my
engines with that pinched and sour look of his even after I've told him
everything is fine. At this rate we might be cleared to warp sometime next
year."
"Show a little pity, Scotty. The fellow's probably a frustrated Star Fleet
applicant."
"He's a damn bureaucratl Him and his dam snotty ways, as if I don't know
how to maintain me own engines!"
"Relax, Scotty. If I have to I'll call Li, and have him get this inspector
off our backs. Besides, sometimes they do find something that needs
overhauling."
The engineer gave a disdainful sniff. "Maybe on a lesser ship than the
Enterprise." .
"Get back to your engines, Mr. Scott. When we are cleared to leave I want
to be ready to go."
"Aye, sir." He paused at the door to the turbolift. "But I tell you,
Captain, you best do something quick before I commit murder."
Kirk laughed. "Don't worry, Scott."
The engineer left, and Kirk settled back in his seat to meditate on the
situation they were being sent to investigate. The phenomenon offered
dangers of an unknown quality and 24
The Tem of d* SIn8m
quantity, but Kirk had other fears as well. This particular quadrant was one
winch both the Federation and the Klingon Empire were expanding into.
Star Trek - TOS - The Tears Of The Singers Page 2