to continue his work we will have to make alternative plans."
"Do we have any, Spock?" Kirk asked wearily. "We've been working on this
for days, and are no closer to a solution than when we started."
"We have made some progress."
"But none of it relates to the phenomenon, and that beast isn't likely to
give us the luxury of a second chance."
"We will discuss this further when I return to the ship. Perhaps I was
mistaken in assuming that the phenomenon and the Thygetians were somehow
linked."
"I hope not, Mr. Spock, because that would leave us without any theory to
work from."
Kirk lay back on his bed and stared up at the ceiling while he waited for
Spock to arrive. The phenomenon had begun to take on a mocking, almost
human persona for Kirk, and he didn't like it one bit. Here he was, James
Tiberius Kirk, captain of the starship Enterprise, the finest ship in the
fleet. He, together with his crew, had quickly and efficiently solved every
assignment that had come their way. Until now. This time they were up
against something that defied some of the best minds in the Federation.
Kirk wondered if he ought to call Star Fleet, and yell for help.
That thought was so abhorrent that he swung off the bed and began
agitatedly to pace his quarters. He had never had to ask for help, and he
couldn't stand the thought of it now. Also, on a less personal and
egotistical level, there was the
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very real chance that the phenomenon wouldn't give them time for
reinforcements to arrive. Each day brought it closer and closer to the
Tkygetian sun, and if it destroyed that life-sustaining star all those
happy, frolicking cubs and their mysterious elders would be swept into
oblivion.
This was one of those times when the mantle of command lay heavy on his
shoulders. He wished he could cast it aside, and stop being responsible for
his crew, the Federation, the galaxy; but he knew he never would. He was a
starship captain, and having tasted that power he would never willingly
give it up.
Kor understood. They had touched on the subtle opiate of command that day
after the capture of the hunters when-they had shared a bottle of Saurian
brandy and reminiscences culled from years of galaxy-spanning explorations.
Kirk had enjoyed that afternoon. It wasn't often that a captain could
confide in anyone, and even rarer was an opportunity to talk to a person in
a similar position. There was no doubt that command was lonely. For an
instant Kirk envied Kor his bride, and wondered if such a partnership setup
could work in Star Fleet. He then shook his head, and dismissed the notion.
He wasn't ready for any sort of commitment, no matter how lovely and
talented the lady. The Enterprise was all the lady he wanted, and he
couldn't picture her sharing him with a mere human woman.
The page chimed, and Spock stepped into the room "I stopped by sick bay
before joining you, and Ir- McCoy said that early indications look good.
Maslin seems to be responding to the cordrazine."
"Good, but I'd like it better if we can find some way to continue without
him," Kirk, said over his shoulder as he pulled a fresh uniform out of the
dresser, and began to dress. "I did pull the man out here against his will.
I'd prefer not to bring him back in a box."
"I have been considering the possibility of transmatrix scan---?'
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The Vulcan was interrupted by the whistle of the communicator. Kirk crossed
to the table and switched on the com. Sulu's face looked seriously out at
him.
"Captain, the phenomenon has reached the innermost planet of the solar
system. I thought you might like to observe its effect on a relatively
large body."
"Thank you, Mr. Sulu, I would. Mr. Spock and I will join YOU momentarily.
99
The bridge was very quiet when they arrived. Scotty had wandered up from
engineering, and everyone had abandoned his panel to watch the sight on the
main screen. Spock moved quickly to his science station, and Lieutenant
Mendez scrambled to get out of his way. Taking his seat, he began a running
commentary on the planetary readings.
"Mean distance from the sun-W.3 kilometers; equatorial diameter-5023
kilometers; mam--0.069."
The gaudy colors of the phenomenon writhed forward, its outermost tendrils
just brushing the pockmarked, cindery surface of the inner planet. The
planet seemed to waver, becoming almost transparent, and then it vanished
from view as the space/time rip enveloped it.
Spock swung about in his chair and looked at Kirk. "AD readings have
ceased. Scanners show only the meaningless readings associated with the
phenomenon. For all intents and purposes the planet no longer exists."
"But where has it gone, Mr. Spock?" Scotty murmured.
"Into wherever that, " he pointed at the aurora that danced and sparkled
across the screen, "leads."
There was a whistle from the communications station, and rzeela immediately
answered the summons. Koes face replaced the disquieting phenomenon on the
main screen.
"Did you see that, Kirk?"
AGI saw it.,
"Well, what are we going to do about it?"
"Commander, I'm open to any suggestions at this point."
"Sorry, I'm out of suggestions."
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Kirk looked over at Spock and gave a miserable shrug. "Then I guess we just
keep doing what we've been doingonly harder."
McCoy stood with his back to Kirk and Spock, staring stiffly at the glass
cabinet in his office. The captain had finished speaking several moments
ago, and silence hung like a pall in the room. McCoy suddenly whirled to
face them, and his normally kindly blue eyes were hard and flat. He shook
his head, his mouth twisting with disgust.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. Well, I'm going to call Uhura, maybe
she'll be able to reach you. You sure as hell havqn't listened to a thing
rve said."
"No! Don't do that," Kirk said, catching McCoy by the wrist before he could
touch the com.
"What's the matter? Are you ashamed of what you're doing? Don't want to
face Uhura? Well, I'd be ashamed too if I had made such a callous
suggestion."
"The captain is not being callous, he is merely being logical. We are
weighing one man's life against the possible destruction of millions. There
can be no hesitation."
"Excuse me, Mr. Spock, but I've never been much of an advocate of Jeremy
Benthem. It's damn easy to say that a few ought to suffer for the good of
the many when you're not among those few."
"I would not be swayed by such considerations, Doctor. I would always do my
duty."
"You would choose to do your duty," McCoy said, thrusting a finger at
Spock. "'Mat's a completely different situation from this one. Mr. Maslin
is not making a free choice, he is being coerced."
"Then you think I was wrong to bring him, Bones? At the time we made the
decision you seemed to approve."
"That was then-4his is now. The man is now my patient, and he's ill. I'll
not willingly have him sent back to that planet.'9
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"None of us wants to do it, but we just don't have any choice," Kirk said.
"You haven't listened to a word I've saidl" McCoy shouted furiously, and
flipped open the com.
"Communications." Uhura's voice came softly over the com.
"Uhura, this is McCoy. Get down to my office right away."
"Guy?" she said, and her voice was breathless with fear.
"No, no, he's fine. At least for now," he added with a look to the captain
and first officer.
4'On my way."
Ile door slid shut behind her, and she looked questioningly at the three
grim-faced men. McCoy put an arm around her waist, and guided her to a
chair. He then looked challengingly at Kirk. "Okay, tell her."
"Tell me what?"
"Uhura, we need Maslin, need his expertise. Dr. McCoy says he is doing
better, and I want both of you to return to the surface of the planet."
"You can't approve of this," she said to MCCOY.
"I don't. That's why I brought you down here. I want you to talk some sense
into them."
She looked pointedly from her lieutenant's braid to the multiple lines of
braid that adorned the sleeves of the men. McCoy gave his head an impatient
shake. "Just forget rank, and speak out."
"Have I your permission, sir?" she asked Kirk. He nodded. She drew in a
quick breath, and began. "You can't do this, sir. The man cannot survive
another flare of the disease."
"And the galaxy can't survive the space/time warp," Kirk said gently. "It's
growing, Lieutenant, and destroying everything in its path."
"But Guy's tried, and he hasn't been able to break the Thygetian language!
Sending him back down there to try again can only result in his death, and
for what?"
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"Uhura," Kirk said, moving in and taking her hand in his. "He's our only
hope."
"And he's my only hope too!" she cried, leaping out of her chair, and
pulling her hand away from him. She then turned away, and covered her face
with one hand. She was appalled at what she had said-appalled at the truth
in it. Dreams of a captaincy, fame, glory, rank, all shriveled and vanished
before her love for Maslin. Somehow, by not expressing it, she had managed
to hold the emotion at bay, but now that feeble defense was gone.
She turned slowly back to face the men. "Captain, I am tendering my
resignation. I will not return to Thygeta, nor will I permit Mr. Mashn to
return. Now, if you will excuse me I shall be in my quarters."
The door whispered shut behind her, and Kirk looked glumly up into McCoy's
startled face. "Congratulations, Doctor. Is that what you had in mind? Now
I have neither resident expert nor communications officer."
McCoy's face took on an expression of mulish obstinacy. "I think it's about
time we stopped being so God-damned selfish aboard this ship, and realized
that people have a right to a life of their own. Uhura loves this man, and
I think we ought to be giving her our support and our congratulations-not
making her feel bad for choosing something beyond Star Fleet."
"A touching and emotional outburst, Doctor," Spock said dryly. "But it is
highly likely that none of us will have a future if we do not find a way to
remove that spacettime rip. I suggest you think on that," the Vulcan
concluded as he walked through the doors of the sick bay.
lGrk gave McCoy an inquiring glance, but the doctor had nothing more to
say.
165
Chapter Ten
He was out of bed, and standing half-dressed at the table feverishly
scrolling pages across the reader's screen.
"What do you think you're doing?" Uhura asked from the doorway.
"I just had an idea, and I was checking out the theory. If I'm right I
ought to be able
"No," she said bluntly and, striding across the room, snapped off the
reader. "It's over. You're finished ... I'm finished."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"They were ready to send you back down to the planet---"
"Well, of course I'm going back to the planet. How else can I complete my
work?"
"Your work? Why all this sudden identification with the military-industrial
complex? I thought you were here under protest."
He grinned sheepishly at her. "Okay, so I've changed my
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The Tears of the Singm
mind. Maybe you've convinced me that there are some things that are worth a
little self-sacrifice."
"We're not talking about a ft(de sacrifice, we're talking about the
possible loss of your lifel And while we're on the subject of change, let's
consider this one--I just resigned. How's that for a little change?"
He sank down onto a chair, and stared incredulously up at her. "You did
what?"
"You heard me."
"But why?"
"Oh no," she said with an ironic laugh and a shake of her head. "You're not
going to get me on that one. If you can't figure it out then I'll leave it
by explaining what ought to be self-evident. I may not have enough pride to
stay away from you, but I do have enough to keep from crawling to you." She
turned away, and stood hunched over the dresser, her hands balled into
tight fists on the hard metal surface.
He crossed to her and, taking her hands in his, gently loosened her
clenched fingers. "Come here," he said, leading her to the bed, and pulling
her down to sit next to him. "We have to talk."
"This sounds bad. Are you about to give me my walking papers?11
"No, hardly. I'm overwhelmed and honored that you want to be with me,
especially since you've- seen me in all of my possible moods, most of which
aren't pleasant. If you can put up with me you're a stronger woman than I
thought, and certainly more than I deserve. But that's for the future," he
said with a dismissing gesture. "And we can't get there without living
through the present. Uhura, I have to go back to Thygeta, and not just
because your captain wants me to. Unless we solve this puzzle the
Thygetians are going to die, and I won't willingly see that music pass from
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They deserve a life just as much as we do, and I couldn't be happy," he
paused to touch her cheek, "even with you at my side, if I knew I hadn't
made every effort to save them."
"But you might die," she said in a voice so low that he had to strain to
hear her.
"I might, but I don't think I will. I'm feeling much better, and I think
we're right on the verge of a breakthrough. Please, stick with me on this
one, Uhura," he pleaded.
She sighed and shook her head. "How could I not? One way or the other I'm
committed to you--even when you're stupid."
"Ilat's my lady. Now go tell the captain that you overreacted, and let's
get back to work."
"I'm going to look like an idiot; and worse, I've wasted one of the great
exit fines of all time. I'll never be able to use the threat of resignation
again with Kirk."
"You didn't really want to do it anyway," Maslin said as he continued
dressing. "You only did it because you were trying to keep my puny body
from the ravages of overwork."
"Yes, and look how well I succeeded," she said from the door. She started
to leave, then paused and looked back. "It doesn't bother you anymore that
I'm in the service?"
"I suppose a man can get used to anything," he teased, and blew her a kiss.
She made a face at him, and left. She was certain that Kirk would be
delighted with the news of her and Mashn's return. As for herself, she
couldn't shake a strong sense of foreboding, and somehow that didn't seem
right on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life.
"It looks bad for the home team, Scotty," Kirk murmured as he and his chief
engineer peered through a chevron mirror arrangement into the guts of the
Enterprise's matter/ antimatter chamber.
No human could look directly into the hellish glare created by the mixing
of matter and antimatter, so a series of angled
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mirrors filtered out the worst of the light, and gave them visual access to
the implosion chamber. There was a steady, quiet glow from the engines, but
that was not what was concerning Kirk. What alarmed him, and was beginning
to tighten a band of pain around his temples, were the obvious cracks and
buckles in the dilithium crystals.
"Aye," Scotty agreed, then glanced over at the captain, and there was a
suppressed excitement in his brown eyes. "But ... I think I have the
answer."
"Well, dear God, why didn't you say so in the first place?"
"Because I wanted ye to see just how far the crystals had deteriorated so
ye won't fight me when I tell ye what we have to do to preserve them."
"I take it I'm not going to like this."
"You're not going to like it," Scotty verified, and led him back into the
main engineering room. "You see, I couldn't think of any explanation for
the deterioration. I then remembered how a soprano can shatter a glass by