he hates me ... I've been told many times how he's denounced me
publicly at every opportunity ... but is his hatred strong enough to
lead him to betray his government?"
"Perhaps not on his own, but with sufficient telepathic prodding ..."
Sarek countered. "Logic seems to favor Kamarag as a likely suspect in
Peter's abduction."
"But how does that connect with Peter investigating the KEHL?"
"If the same person or persons are influencing both groups ... it would
be simple to induce the KEHL to turn Peter over to someone who would
then take him to Kamarag."
"You think there's a third party involved?"
"I would suspect so. That way, the KEHL would not have to deal with an
alien ship."
"Makes sense. Uhura is trying to track down the ships that departed
Earth during the time in question. But that's a tall order. She's been
working on it since yesterday, so maybe she'll have something soon."
"Have you heard any reports about the KEHL and its activities?" Sarek
asked. "I have not yet scanned today's communiqu6s."
"The leader, Induna, was finally released on bail," Kirk said. "Last I
heard, he was calling for--" The captain broke off as the intercom
signaled. He activated it. "Kirk here."
"Captain?" It was Commander Uhura's voice. "Sir, I've managed to locate
the points of origin of both the message sent to Peter in his apartment,
and the subspace one that reached us."
"Good work. What did you find out?"
"The first transmission, the one patched together with clips from old
transmissions of yours, was sent from a vessel in Earth orbit ... the
Bobino."
"What kind of ship? What registry?"
"Bobino is a freighter, registered to an Otto Whitten, who owns her but
is not her pilot."
"Did you check him out?"
"Yes, Captain. This Whitten is a man with a past. A con artist ... but
clever. Arrested many times, but the charges were always dropped. The
vessel is registered as a 'freighter," but 'smuggler' is probably a more
accurate description."
Kirk glanced at Sarek. "Sounds about right," he said.
"Who is the pilot?"
"Bobino's pilot is a woman named Erika Caymor. Same thing as Whitten.
She's been arrested a number of times, but she always gets off.
Extortion, credit fraud, theft,
smuggling ... the list of charges against her goes on. But the
authorities could never make anything stick. They're a nasty--but
clever--pair."
"They sound like scum," Kirk said, bitterly. Smugglers who had smuggled
not contraband, but Peter Kirk, off-world.
"What about the other transmission? The subspace one7"
"That message originated on Qo'nos, Captain. I can't pin it down any
further than that."
"Damn!" Kirk muttered, looking over at Sarek and nodding ruefully. "Good
work. Thank you, Commander."
"I was glad to be of help, sir," she said. "I put in a call to
Vice-Admiral Burton's office, asking them for any information they have
on Bobino's registered course. I'll let you know when I hear from them."
Kirk clicked off the intercom and turned back to the Vulcan. "Looks like
logic and instinct are both paying off," he said.
"What will you do now, Kirk?" Sarek asked. "Will you stay on course for
Freelan? What about the ransom demand that you exchange yourself for
your nephew?"
"At the moment, our course is taking us toward both destinations," Kirk
said. "I plan to get to the closest possible approach to the stated
coordinates, then hand over the Enterprise to Spock and order him to
take you to Freelan. I can hire a small ship at the nearest starbase and
make that rendezvous myself."
"Why not use the Enterprise?"
mission like this."
"But ... Kirk. Going to keep that rendezvous alone will be extremely
... hazardous," Sarek said, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh, I don't plan to just waltz in with my eyes shut, Ambassador. The
Enterprise's speed has given me nearly a two-day lead that the
kidnappers don't expect. If they keep that rendezvous, I plan to be
there well ahead of time, so I can find out where they come from."
"Logic suggests that they will come across the Neutral
Zone from Qo'nos," Sarek said. "Kamarag told me once that his ancestral
estate is located there."
The captain programmed the food dispenser in his cabin for a cup of
coffee, then, when it arrived, took a grateful sip.
"It's frightening," he said, "to think that the Romulans could plan
something like this for so long. Planting a colony on Freelan,
disguising their appearance, all that security for decades ... and the
gradual acquisition of Vulcan children to raise so they could control
their telepathic abilities. All of this beginning in the days be fore we
even knew what the Romulans looked like! By my calculation, they've been
working on this plan for seventy-five years!"
"Possibly longer," Sarek said, sitting down on the edge of the bunk. "We
have no idea when Fredan was first colonized.
However, do not forget, Captain, that, like Vulcans, Romulans have a
considerably greater life span than humans."
The ambassador spoke without thinking, but, suddenly hearing his own
words, he experienced a vivid memory of Amanda. They had been sitting
together in her garden, watching T'Rukh, when she'd said, suddenly,
"Sarek ... I want you to know that I expect you to remarry after I am
gone."
Her husband had regarded her with mild surprise.
"Amanda ... is this statement a result of your having turned forty
yesterday? I understand that this particular anniversary of birth is
frequently stressful for humans ... "
She'd smiled at him. "No, my husband. My remark was entirely logical.
We've never spoken of it before, but it's obvious that, barring some
kind of accident, you will outlive me by at least sixty years. You
should not deprive yourself of companionship, out of some misguided
sense of loyalty. To do so would not be logical."
"But--"
She'd smiled again and stopped his words with a shake of her head. "I
know this is premature. But someday you'll remember this conversation.
Someday you'll be relieved to know that you have my blessing in choosing
another consort.
Let's leave it at that."
And they had.
He looked up, to find Kirk regarding him intently from across the small
room. "My apologies, Captain," the ambassador said. "My thoughts turned
... elsewhere. You were saying?"
The human shook his head slightly, his hazel eyes softening.
"I want you to know, Ambassador, that I admire you and Spock for
continuing with this mission ... despite everything that's happened."
"Work is an anodyne to grief, Kirk," Sarek said. "Or, at least ... it
presents a distraction."
"Yes, I know," the captain replied simply.
"Ambassador ..." He hesitated.
"Yes?" Sarek said, raising an eyebrow.
"I may be overst
epping, here, but I just wanted you to know that ...
that Spock ..." Kirk was struggling to find words. Sarek nodded
encouragingly. The captain tried again. "He's taking his mother's death
very hard," he said in a rush. "With some people, it's a relief to
transmute grief into anger. If you don't mind a word of advice ... be
patient. Let him work through this on his own.
He'll ... come around."
The Vulcan regarded the human steadily. "I will keep your words in mind,
Kirk," he said quietly. "Patience is a virtue on Earth ... on Vulcan,
we are taught that it is an essential component of life."
Kirk sipped his coffee in silence for several moments.
"Kamarag," he said, finally. "Ambassador, if he does have Peter, I'll
have to go to Qo'nos ... and stage a rescue."
Sarek shook his head. "Captain ... alone? That would be ... most
illogical."
"Rescuing Peter isn't an official mission," Kirk pointed out. "But ...
maybe I don't have to go to Qo'nos alone.
Chancellor Azetbur was rather grateful that I saved her life ...
possibly she'd be interested in knowing about what's going on."
"I would not tell her directly, Kirk," Sarek cautioned.
"Why not?"
"There is no way for us to know who may be under the
Freelan influence now," Sarek reminded him. "Azetbur herself might even
be suborned."
"They'd never get close enough to her," Kirk said, but the captain was
clearly taken aback at the idea.
"Possibly you are correct. But what about her aides? If they discover
what you know, and that you have shared your knowledge with the
chancellor, that would make her, in turn, a prime candidate for
assassination."
"You're right ... "Kirk set his coffee cup down so hard it sloshed
into the saucer. "Damn! This entire situation breeds paranoia. You can't
trust anyone!"
"I will speak with Azetbur. I may be able to discern from her
expressions and speech patterns whether she has been influenced. I will
attempt to warn her ... subtly, as well as discover whether she knows
anything about Peter."
"Thank you, Ambassador. I'd appreciate that." Minutes later, Sarek sat
before the comm link in his cabin, waiting patiently as the screen
flickered. Finally it cleared, and familiar features coalesced before
him. Sarek inclined his head respectfully. "Madame Chancellor."
Azetbur inclined her head in turn. "Ambassador Sarek. I trust you are
well?"
"I am, Madame. And you?"
"Entirely," she said. "Allow me to offer condolences on your recent
bereavement."
"Thank you, Madame Chancellor."
The Klingon woman gazed at him, and, for the first time since he'd known
her, seemed at a loss. "I heard about the attempt on your life,
Ambassador. It was a relief to know that Wurrl had failed. I take oath
on my father's honor, Ambassador, that neither Keraz nor Wurrl was
acting under my direction."
"I know that, Madame Chancellor," Sarek assured her. "I sensed Wurrl's
mind telepathically during the struggle. He was definitely not allied
with your government."
The chancellor visibly relaxed. "What is the purpose of your call,
Ambassador?"
Sarek hesitated for a second, carefully phrasing his inquiry in the most
subtle and least revealing terms he
could manage. "Madame Chancellor ... there was an illegality, a violent
act, perpetrated against a Federation citizen on Earth eight Terran
Standard days ago. I am ... disquieted ... to inform you that this ...
incident, at least on the surface, appears linked to Qo'nos. Evidence
indicates that this ... link may be highly placed in your government."
Azetbur blinked, and Sarek was quick to note the faint flicker of
surprise cross her face. She was learning fast ... her expression
barely altered before her features were, once more, an impassive mask.
But the ambassador knew that, whoever had been responsible for young
Peter Kirk's abduction, it had not been done with the chancellor's
knowledge or sanction. "Qo'nos?" she repeated. "I assure you,
Ambassador, I have no knowledge of any such crime.
Unless, of course, you are referring to the renegades who captured
Kadura?"
"No, Madame Chancellor, this concerns a different matter altogether,"
Sarek said. "Incidentally, may I inquire as to whether Commander Keraz
has been captured?"
"Not to my knowledge," Azetbur said. "He is still at large." She gave
the Vulcan an impatient glance. "Ambassador, if there has been violence
done on Earth by Klingons--especially by any who are government
officials, then I must demand that you be more specific."
"Madame Chancellor, your zeal does you credit--but you have
misunderstood. I am neither accusing nor identifying any Klingon
official as having committed crimes."
"Then what are you saying, Ambassador?" she snapped.
"I do not care for verbal swordplay; I am a Klingon."
Sarek nodded. "I assure you that I would be more specific if I could,
Madame Chancellor, but I regret that I am not at liberty to explain at
this time."
"When you are free to explain, will you, Ambassador? I must confess that
my ... curiosity ... is aroused." Her dark eyes sparkled dangerously.
"You have my word," Sarek promised. "Madame Chancellor ... I am not at
liberty to do more than make a suggestion, for I have no way to
substantiate my suspicions,
but ..." He paused while she listened intently. "If ... individuals
within your government appear to behave in a manner that is suspicious,
or uncharacteristic ..." He hesitated again, choosing his words with
infinite care. "It is possible that ... an external agency is exerting
undue influence upon them. I believe that these external agencies were
responsible for Commander Keraz's actions at Kadura."
Now it was Azetbur's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Really, Ambassador? What
an extraordinary statement."
"I make it only as one living being to another, Madame ... not in any
official or diplomatic capacity.
Guard yourself, Madame Chancellor. I have reason to believe the intent
is to subvert the peace process your government and the Federation have
recently embarked upon."
"What kind of undue influence?" she demanded. "Bribery?
Torture of family members? Drugs, or other chemical forms of coercion?"
Sarek shook his head. "No, Madame. None of those methods. I regret that
I cannot be more specific; however, I have overstepped my authority in
divulging even this much to you."
She gave him a long, thoughtful look, but forbore to ask, evidently
realizing he could not be persuaded to say any more. Sarek took a deep
breath. One final test, now.
"Incidentally, Madame Chancellor ..."
"Yes?"
"Captain Kirk requested that I express his wishes for your continuing
good health and success in your administration."
The Klingon woman's expression brightened ... for a moment she nearly
smiled. "Please express my thanks to Kirk, and tell him I wish him
&nb
sp; success, too. We were ... gratified ... to learn that he and the
Enterprise will continue to serve the Federation."
Sarek nodded. "I have enjoyed our talk, Madame Chancellor; however, I
know your schedule is a busy one. I shall say farewell."
"Thank you for your ... warning, Ambassador. Be assured I shall be
watchful."
Sarek nodded, then held up his hand in the formal salute.
"Peace and long life, Madame Chancellor."
Again the faintest of smiles touched the Klingon woman's mouth.
"Qapla'.t, Ambassador Sarek," she said, wishing him
SUCCESS.
"Captain?" Uhura turned to regard her superior officer.
"I have an incoming call for you. It's Vice-Admiral Burton, sir."
"I'll take it in my quarters, Commander," Kirk said, and then he added,
in an undertone too soft for anyone but her to catch, "Put this on a
shielded frequency, Uhura." She nodded as he left the bridge.
In his quarters, Kirk turned on his screen and Vice-Admiral Burton,