Ties That Bind (K/S) Pt 3 of 4
Jul. 7th, 2008 02:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gilda_eliseTitle: Ties That Bind
Fandom: Star Trek (TOS)
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Notes: Kirk and Spock return to Earth when Starfleet agrees to review their courts martial after Komack’s disgrace. Originally published March 2004 in Beyond Dreams 7. Sequel to "The Exile."
The attack went on and on as his shields slowly shattered. He expected them to fail at any moment, letting in the machine’s malignant power. He was losing his fight, his strength ebbing away with each attack. Spock shuddered and let out a hoarse scream when the probes sent another surge to batter at his wounded mind. Pain was a well-known companion now.
If he could only hold out just a little longer. Surely he had been here a great length of time. The session had to be over soon. It had to be. He had tried to withdraw from the torture. But the constant bombardment had left him too weak to call forth even the simplest mental disciplines, much less the rigid controls needed to instigate the burying of his own soul under such conditions.
He thought of his lover with regret. Spock would fail not only his people, but his t’hy’la as well. His inability to defeat the mind probe could leave Vulcan open to possible attack; the Romulans were not attempting to regain their telepathic abilities for nothing, and Kirk, he knew, would take on the responsibility for it all. It was his way. The human didn’t know what it was to surrender.
He felt the last of his strength slipping away when the attack suddenly stopped. It took several seconds for his limbs to stop their trembling and his gasps to finally quiet. Spock opened his eyes.
Across the room, the Romulan doctor studied the readouts on his equipment. After a moment he turned and gave Spock a studied frown. “You are proving to be stronger than the rest. I suppose it is to be expected. Your telepathic rating is the highest of the group.”
Spock swallowed, trying to wet his dry lips. His throat was raw. “You will not succeed in this. There is no substitute for the mental and emotional discipline that has allowed us the full use of our minds, a discipline your people were disinclined to follow.”
The doctor approached the bed and began removing Spock’s restraints. “You may be correct. But if I am able to discover a way to do so, not only will my own future be assured, but also that of my people. You of the Federation have held us back for far too long.” He stepped aside and began running a medical scanner over Spock’s body.
Free from his bindings Spock tried to sit up but could do so. It was not weakness, more a numbing of his extremities. “I am unable to rise.”
“It should pass after a few minutes.” The Romulan helped him to sit up. “Testing on...volunteers has shown that the damage does not become permanent until after several probings.”
Spock looked up in alarm. “There are those-”
“I told you we greatly desired this information.” The doctor slowly pulled back and seemed satisfied when Spock was able to stay upright on his own. “You see, it’s passing already,” the Romulan noted before moving off to study the scanner’s readout.
Spock didn’t answer. The sensation in his arms and legs was most unpleasant, but he was relieved when they finally responded to his mental commands. After several minutes he slipped clumsily off the bed and managed to keep on his feet as long as he held on to something for support.
“Your guard will be here shortly. You should be able to walk by then.” The doctor walked back and handed him his clothes.
It proved difficult, but Spock was able to dress without aid. The fastenings gave him trouble, but he finally succeeded in buttoning his tunic. The pants, with their drawstring waist, were even more difficult and he gave them only a perfunctory tie. He was pulling on the slipper-like shoes when his guard showed up.
“I want him returned at the end of his sleep cycle,” the doctor ordered. “I believe his next session will be the deciding one.”
With a curt nod, Spock was motioned out the door. He was still having trouble walking, and each time he stumbled the guard was there to encourage him with the menacing club he carried. A phaser was not even needed anymore. Spock would have been unable to manage more than a pathetic response even if an opportunity for escape arose.
But they did not know that he had already planned his escape. Not a physical one, by no means, but an eascape nevertheless. His body would be here for them to do with as they pleased, but he would not. He regretted this had turned out to be his only alternative. But he felt that Kirk would understand.
Once back in his cell, Spock lay on his bunk and got as comfortable as he could. He closed his eyes and, one by one, barred the passages to his mind. Deeper he retreated, throwing barricades behind himself as he went. And when he reached the core of his being, there was nothing to light the way for any who would attempt to follow.
~
Kirk rubbed his forehead. The headache was getting worse as he tried to pay attention to what his chief engineer was saying. He didn’t like what he was hearing. “You’re sure about this?”
“Quite sure, Captain,” Stovan responded. “The ship was not built to sustain this speed for any duration. We must drop to warp four or risk damaging it.”
“How long before we can return to her present speed?”
“I do not know. If there has already been damage done, we will need time for repairs. If not, the engines must still be tested and recalibrated to make sure there will be none.”
Kirk stared at his folded hands on the desk. Finally, he nodded. “Drop speed to warp four. But let me know the minute you know anything.”
“Yes, sir.” The Vulcan turned from the room and was gone.
With a sigh, Kirk stood and headed for his bed. There wasn’t much to do as they slowly gained ground on their quarry, though reducing the ship’s speed would now add days to the chase. Damn it! They had been so close.
He’d thought about returning to the galley. He knew Uhura spent most of her time in the one area where there was bound to be people. But for some reason, the idea of company was not pleasant. He’d have to act optimistic, when all the time what he felt was a gnawing fear that he wasn’t ever going to see Spock again.
He kicked off his boots and lay down on the bed. He ordered the lights to their lowest setting, darkening the room to match his mood. The sheer hopelessness of the situation was pulling him down and he couldn’t find the will to pull himself back up. He was tired of fighting: Starfleet, illness, the Federation court system...the Romulans. Was this the price he and Spock had to pay for daring to be together?
A sudden chill caused him to turn on his side and pull the blanket over himself. The slight whiff of his lover’s scent as Kirk buried his face into the pillow only deepened his misery. His body and mind ached for Spock. Their bed was both a haven and a torture for him now. But he needed sleep.
He was just dozing off when someone buzzed for admittance. He almost didn’t answer. Finally, he dragged himself from the bed, not even bothering to put on his boots. He grimaced in annoyance when the door opened and McCoy and Sator walked in.
“What can I do for you, gentlemen?” Kirk caught the glance McCoy threw at the healer. Great. All he needed was to be mentally dissected by both medical men. He motioned them to the room’s sitting area.
They took their seats, McCoy and Sator across from Kirk. McCoy cleared his throat. “How are you feeling, Jim?”
“How do you think I’m feeling?” Kirk asked, sarcastically. “Spock has been kidnapped by Romulans, chances are they’re frying his brain as we speak and we’re following in a possibly damaged ship. I feel just great, Bones.”
“We were just informed that the ship’s speed was decreased,” Sator noted.
“Then you know how I feel.”
The healer studied him a moment. “You do not look well.” He reached across and lightly touched Kirk’s temple.
Kirk pulled back in anger. “I think I’ve got a reason for that.”
“There is more to this than Spock’s absence.”
“What are you talking about?” McCoy interjected. He pulled out his medical scanner and passed it across Kirk’s body. “Everything I’m picking up can be accounted for by the undo stress he’s under.”
“There are some things that your equipment cannot record, Dr. McCoy. There is a weakening of his life force. It is almost imperceptible at this point, but it will grow over time.”
“What did you see?” Kirk asked.
“There is something interfering with your bond to Spock.”
“What is it?”
“That I do not know. I would need to reestablish a link between us.”
Kirk took a deep breath and then sat forward to make it easier for the healer to reach him. “Will it be like last time?”
“No. The ‘path’ I will take through you to Spock is already in place. There will be no pain this time.”
It only took a few seconds. It struck Kirk odd that he felt nothing, nothing at all. But when Sator dropped his hands, Kirk knew he wasn’t going to like what the healer had found. He was getting very good at reading Vulcans.
“Spock has thrown a shield around his mind.”
“I thought he did that all the time.” McCoy looked questioningly from one man to the other.
“This is more than ordinary shielding, isn’t it?” Kirk asked.
Sator nodded. “He has, in essence, buried himself behind it. It is not temporary.”
“Wait a minute,” McCoy interjected, “are you telling us he won’t be able to get out? Why would he do that?”
“Because someone, or something, is trying to get in.” Kirk rose and walked over to his desk. He sat down and turned on his computer, pulling up the files on the six missing Vulcans. He scanned the dates and time when each had disappeared. “I wonder how many of them have had to do the exact same thing, and how many have died because of it.”
“Perhaps, all,” Sator stood and came to stand next to the desk. “for no Vulcan would allow himself to be used to the detriment of his own people. Spock has done what he must to ensure the Romulans did not get what they were after.”
“What will it mean for me?”
Sator features softened, and Kirk almost swore he could see regret on the Vulcan’s face. “He may pull you in after him. He is already drawing on your physical strength. Eventually, he will call on your mental strength as well.”
They both heard the chair shoved back as an angry McCoy stood and approached them. “And then what? What happens when he runs out of strength?”
“We’ll both die, won’t we?” Kirk looked up at Sator. It was almost a relief.
“Perhaps, I am not certain. The bond varies from couple to couple. It could have a minimal affect or pull you to your death. I will truly regret if this is what comes to pass, James. But I do not believe Spock would have done this if given another choice.”
“I know that. What can I expect...if the worst happens?”
“It will not be painful. You will slowly weaken. Your thoughts will become disjointed. Eventually, you will fall into a deep sleep, and then coma.”
Kirk pressed his lips together and nodded.
“Can’t you do anything?” McCoy asked.
“I could attempt to add my strength to his—”
“No,” Kirk immediately responded. “It could end up killing you, too. And then T’Mala.”
McCoy came around and grabbed Kirk by the arm. “Jim, he might be able to keep you going longer, maybe give you enough time to find Spock.”
“ ‘Might be able to’, ‘maybe give me enough time’? That’s not good enough, Bones. Not when it could kill Sator. Besides,” Kirk turned away and put distance between him and his friend, “I don’t believe Spock will let it happen. Don’t ask me how or why I think that, because I couldn’t give you a good answer if you did. I just know what’s between me and Spock could never hurt me.”
“Quit being a fool! I know you love him, but stop trying to blind yourself to what could happen.” McCoy was almost shouting.
“I’m not.” Kirk looked at the doctor with affection. “Don’t try to understand it, Bones. Just know that whatever Spock needs, I’m more than willing to give. Besides, it’s only until we find him.”
“Finding Spock may make no difference at this point,” Sator interjected. “He may be unable to surface from the depths to which he has taken himself. But if you feel it would be of assistance, I am willing to be of service.”
“I thank you for the offer, Sator. We’ll see,” Kirk finally answered.
“I will be in sickbay until you call on me.” The healer walked to the door and then stopped. “They say that near the end the bond draws the two together and each becomes aware of the other. But it is only myth,” Sator added before he took his leave.
“Did you hear that, Jim? What if we find Spock and he’s so far gone he’s beyond help?” McCoy asked, dejectedly.
Kirk studied his friend for a moment. There was so much McCoy would never understand; no one could who had never joined with another has he and Spock had. Nothing Kirk could say would change that, so he fell back on the one thing he knew for certain. “He’ll never be too far that I won’t go after him, Bones. The universe just isn’t that big.”
~
Uhura watched the stars stream by from the window of the observation deck. It seemed even Vulcans could be enraptured by the sight of the universe’s most ancient inhabitants. She’d been surprised by, and then grateful for, the small room located toward the back of the lowest deck. After that first visit with McCoy, she had found herself returning time and again.
But tonight, for some reason, the vista of stars didn’t have the power to move her. Perhaps the fog of depression that had settled over the ship could not be lifted by something so remote and untouchable. The heart of the vessel was dying, and all aboard her were already in mourning. And that, too, had been a surprise.
Spock had always been her idea of a Vulcan. But the three years Uhura had served with him had brought little understanding of that quiet, dignified man. If in all that time he had released control of his emotions, she had never seen it. Perhaps Kirk was the only one who had. These people, on the other hand, were warm and approachable. Their reserve was not forbidding, and their sorrow at what was happening to their captain and his bondmate was heartbreaking.
She had seen Kirk just a few hours earlier, pacing nervously on the bridge, as if he could make the ship go faster with his distracted motion. Forced to drop their speed to warp four, the vessel they’d been following for several days now was slowly coming into reach. But not fast enough for the man chasing it.
And it was beginning to tell. Kirk seemed...remote, the bright incandescence of his personality muted. He was quiet. Too quiet. It even seemed as if he had lost more weight. The sight of him was becoming painful as he held in his grief and pain. She had even waited until he had left the bridge to take her own leave. She couldn’t have borne the small confines of the turbolift alone with him.
Uhura suddenly turned from the window and left the room. She needed activity, not the cool serenity of the OD. She hurried to her cabin and grabbed her workout clothes. Maybe an hour on the mats would dispel her depression.
The gym was nearly empty when she entered. She almost turned and left when she saw its sole occupant. Kirk stood toward the end of the room, his back to her. But something in his bearing made her stay. She let the door silently close behind her and stood in the shadows, watching him.
He was dressed in white. The soft pants were form-fitting, but not tight; the top, a tank of the same material. The shoes he wore reminded her of ballet slippers and his wrists were wrapped. His entire being seemed focused on his task as he chalked his hands; he seemed light years away.
Kirk put down the chalk and turned to approach the rings that hung suspended from the ceiling, the long ropes bringing them almost within reach. He gathered himself and then leapt the few feet to grab hold. He hung there for several moments, his head back.
Then his right leg began to move, forward and back in a whipping motion. His body followed, and each time the force of the motion brought him a little higher, until he rose high enough to lock his arms to his side and hold himself there, balanced on the visibly shaking rings.
Uhura could see the effort in his face. It was taking all he had to keep the rings against his body and not let his arms pull away. Fascinated, she moved closer but stayed out of his line of sight.
The swiftness of his drop startled her. One moment he was holding himself rigidly in place; the next he was down, the momentum of his weight and the slightly swinging ropes carrying him up and over. His body flipped end over end, his arms seeming ready to dislocate, giving the movement its name. Again and again, he looped through the air, one dislocate after another. He was flying, his muscles stretching, obeying his commands as he pushed his body to its limit.
She had never seen anything as beautiful...or frightening. He seemed to need to be able to exert control over something, anything, to blunt his feelings of helplessness. He was flying; and somehow, she knew, he had Spock with him, too.
Then, just as suddenly, he stopped and held himself in the position he had started from. He readjusted his grip and slowly pulled his legs back and up, at the same time unlocking his elbows and moving his upper body forward. The muscles of his arms bulged under the strain as, inch by inch, he lifted himself, not stopping until he was handstanding on the rings. Again he waited, the ropes moving even more as he fought to keep the rings beneath him.
With held breath she watched him fight both gravity and his own body. Finally, he let himself fall and swing through another dislocate. Three hundred and sixty degrees and then he let loose of the rings, his body continuing its spin, arching over and landing him on his feet.
Kirk stood with his arms out and let his eyes close. It was as if he didn’t want to let go of the moment; wanted to remain in that other place where there was no lost lover, only peace and the oneness they shared.
Yet Uhura was not surprised when his arms came down to his sides and his eyes opened. He had never been a man to run from anything. This, too, he would face head-on. He had started in her direction, though she knew he couldn’t see her, when his legs gave out from under him and he fell senseless to the floor.
~
He felt bile hit the back of his throat as he came to. Kirk rolled over and vomited into the bowl that magically appeared next to him. He wretched for over a minute, dry heaves wracking his body long after he’d emptied his stomach.
He felt the slight prick of the hypodemic and the almost instant relief it delivered. His insides settled down and he flopped back onto the bed.
“Feeling better?” McCoy asked, his words laced with both worry and anger.
Someone started the mechanism on the bed, and Kirk was slowly brought to a slight recline. He waited until the bed stopped to open his eyes. His hand shook as he took the offered towel from the doctor to wipe his mouth. “What happened?”
“You passed out. What the hell do you think you were doing, anyway? Sator told you something like this could happen. Nyota told me what you did. Blast it, man, you don’t have the strength for that kind of thing.”
“Obviously, I do. And I needed it.”
McCoy shook his head and helped Kirk off the bed. “You could have killed yourself. If it hadn’t been for Nyota, you’d still be on the floor of the gym. Come on. I’ll help you over so you can wash out your mouth and change into something more comfortable.”
Kirk looked down at himself. He was still in his gym clothes. “How long was I out?”
“Not long. Maybe twenty minutes. Sator said not to wake you, that you’d come around on your own.”
McCoy led him into to the small bathroom and stood by while Kirk rinsed out his mouth and began to undress.
“Where’s Nyota now?”
“I made her leave...along with half the crew. You caused quite a stir.”
“I’ll have to thank her for that.” Kirk was working to get off his pants when the doctor handed him a hospital gown. He looked up in surprise. “What’s this for?”
“If you think I’m releasing you, you’re crazy. You’re staying right here for at least thenty-four hours.”
“I can’t do that. I need to be on the bridge when we finally catch up with that ship.”
“Which won’t be for another thirty-six hours, at least. I mean it, Jim.” McCoy shoved the gown at him. “You’re under medical surveillance until I say you’re not. And I’m not saying you’re not until I’m sure you’re okay.”
Glaring at his friend didn’t seem to do any good, so Kirk grabbed the offending garment. He hated wearing these things. “I know it won’t do any good, but I’m telling you, I’m fine.”
“Oh? You usually pass out after physical exertion?” McCoy sarcastically asked.
“I miscalculated, that’s all.”
“Miscalculated what?”
Kirk grew pensive. “How much it would take to touch him.”
“I don’t understand. You ‘touched’ him?”
He smiled, slightly abashed. “Maybe ‘touch’ isn’t the right word. Sometimes when we’re apart, if I try really hard, I can...feel him, his aura, for lack of a better word. Since I’m no good at meditation, I’ve got to be doing something that takes a lot of concentration.”
“I hope you at least learned something from this.”
“He’s alive, Bones. Don’t look at me like that,” Kirk remarked, annoyed by the look of incredulousness on McCoy’s face. “I know I’m not a telepath. But something’s going on up here.” He touched his forehead. “Maybe Spock’s Vulcanness is rubbing off.”
“You’re crazy, you know that?”
Kirk didn’t know if McCoy was kidding or not. He laughed anyway. “I know that,” he replied as he shrugged into the gown and tried unsuccessfully to gather the ties in the back.
“Here, turn around.” McCoy chuckled as he closed up the back of the robe. “You know, the design of these things hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.”
“Why not?” Kirk allowed the doctor to help him back to his bed. His legs felt like rubber and he knew he’d never have been able to make it across the room on his own. It still rackled.
“I’m not sure.” McCoy lowered the bed again and pulled the blanket up to cover his friend. He dimmed the light. “Maybe to keep recalcitrant patients from thinking they know more than their doctors. There’s nothing like having your ass hanging in the wind to knock a person down a peg. Now get some sleep. I’ll be back in a little while to check on you, so no sneaking away, you hear?”
“Yes, Mother.” Kirk’s eyes were already closing when his friend left the room. But less than a minute later he heard a soft whish as the door opened and closed again. “You forget something?” He didn’t open his eyes.
“I...Doctor McCoy sent me to give you this.”
Kirk’s eyes flashed open. Christine Chapel stood at the foot of the bed, a glass of some chalky fluid in her hand. He pulled the blanket up to his chest, feeling ill at ease and oddly vulnerable knowing he wore next to nothing under it. “What is it?”
She approached the bed and handed him the container. “It’s for your stomach. He said you’d probably feel better with something in it.”
He came up on one elbow and took the glass, quickly swallowing the liquid down. “That’s about the nastiest stuff he’s come up with yet.”
Chapel gave a tentative smile. “He said you’d say that.”
She’d taken the cup and was starting for the door when Kirk called out. “Wait.”
The woman turned, slightly fearful.
Kirk tried to convey a nonaggressive demeanor. “Bones said you had something to tell me.”
“I don’t know if now is such a good time. You should be resting.”
He shrugged. “I can’t. Bones just doesn’t understand.”
She walked back to the side of the bed. “Doesn’t understand what?”
“That as long as I’m alive, I have to feel alive. Did Dr. McCoy tell you what’s going on?”
“A little. He had to if I was going to be able to help out.”
Kirk nodded. “Did he tell you that Spock might be dying?”
“Yes, and that you might be, too.”
“Maybe. In any event, I know my limits. It may not always seem that way, but I do. My giving Spock energy to continue didn’t have anything to do with what happened.”
“So your passing out was only a slight miscalculation, was it?” She colored and looked down. “I’m sorry. I had no right saying that. I...I overheard...”
He studied her a moment. He knew he looked like hell. She didn’t look much better. “So what was it you wanted to tell me?”
She brought her head up, apparently surprised he had returned to the previous topic. “I wanted you to know...you and Spock, that I wasn’t the one who went to the authorities about your...relationship.”
“No?”
“No. I can’t say I’m not partially to blame. I’m the one who told Dr. Norton about it.”
“Irene?”
“Yes, she and Dr. Matheson got it out of me.”
He frowned. “When was this? When we were taking them to M113?”
Her color deepened. “No, while we were on M113.”
“I don’t...” He suddenly remembered their stay on that planet. He and Spock were newly bonded and having a hell of a time coming to terms with the change in their relationship. But that night, everything had finally come together for them. They had come together, as Spock’s physical desire for him awakened. He had gone back to the ship the next day tired and sore...and happier than he’d ever been. He blushed furiously. Damn, how many people had seen them at one time or the other?
“I didn’t see anything,” she hurriedly responded and then blushed to rival Kirk’s. “But I did find out. I was so hurt. I know I had no reason to be. Spock was never mine.”
“It still can hurt.” He smiled gently. How easy it was to be gracious when you were the one who had won. “I’m glad you told me.”
Her smile returned, more sure this time. “So am I.” She took a deep breath. “I feel like such a weight has been lifted. I couldn’t stand the idea that he...that the two of you hated me.”
“You still love him, don’t you?”
“Yes, I can’t seem to stop.”
“Christine—”
“Don’t say it.” She shook her head. “I know he’ll never be anything but yours. When I think back, I think he always has been. I probably knew it then, but I refused to admit it.”
“It just seems such a waste. If you found someone else...” He quieted when he saw the look of gentle scorn on her face.
“Could you? Will you if you have to?”
Kirk didn’t have to think about it very long. “No, I suppose not. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, there are worst things. I could never have loved anyone. I’ll be okay.” She took his hand for a moment and lightly squeezed. “I know you’ll take care of him. Now go to sleep before we both get in trouble.”
He watched her leave and then lay in the darkened room, wondering if he could have been so gracious a loser. Probably not, he thought as he turned on his side and pulled the cover up. But Spock had been his forever. No matter what happened, he always would.
~
The small ship was a slowly growing speck on the view-screen. T’Para estimated they would be within hailing distance of the Romulan vessel in one point two minutes. Kirk sat outwardly calm in the captain’s seat, though his insides were churning. They were almost into the Neutral Zone. If there was any chance of getting Spock back, it would have to be now.
Unfortunately, they only had low-grade phasers. This wasn’t a military ship. The phasers were in case of an unexpected attack, and were only meant to buy them time until help arrived. He would have to bluff the Romulans into giving up their hostages.
“Since the ship is not of Romulan design, it may not be armed.”
Kirk glanced at his navigator. “I hope you’re right, T’Para. Sukar, open hailing frequencies,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir.” The young Vulcan turned to his board. “I have them, Captain.”
“This is Captain James Kirk of the VSA ship, Warrior’s Oath. Please identify yourself.”
There was nothing. Kirk waited twenty seconds before reiterating his request. When there still was no answer, he turned to his helmsman. “Stenn, lock phasers on target, stun force only.”
“Phasers locked, sir.”
“I repeat, this is Captain James Kirk. If you do not identify yourself we will be forced to fire upon your ship.” Kirk turned to communications. “Anything?”
Sukar was listening intently into his earpiece. After a moment he nodded. “Yes, sir. They are now responding.”
“Can you get a visual fix?”
The Vulcan was busy at his controls for a moment. “Coming on screen.”
Kirk swiveled his chair forward. A dour looking Romulan, perhaps middle-aged, appeared. Kirk leaned forward, studying the man. He wasn’t dressed in Romulan military fashion. Perhaps luck was on their side.
“This is Tazon, chief scientist. This is a research vessel, Captain. You have no right—”
“If you are a research vessel,” Kirk interrupted, “you’re a Romulan one, which puts you on the wrong side of the Neutral Zone.”
“A failure in our navigational system. As soon as we discovered it, we corrected our course. If you will allow us, we will be on our way.”
“Interesting how you discovered your error while in Earth orbit, Tazon...and registered as a Vulcan freighter.” He saw the Romulan visibly blanch. Maybe they weren’t armed.
“You are mistaken, Captain. We were studying a nearby nebula when we inadvertantly crossed the Neutral Zone. I promise you, our intentions are to return to our own empire with all speed.”
I’ll just bet they are. “The Federation does not take such intrusions lightly, whether accidentally or not. It would be best if my engineer were to examine your equipment to make sure it is, indeed, in working order.”
“That will not be necessary. I have been assured all repairs have been completed.”
“I insist, Tazon.” Kirk’s voice steeled. “I would prefer this be done amicably. But it will be done. Lower your shields and prepared to be boarded.”
The Romulan hesitated but, apparently realizing he had no alternative, finally nodded. “Very well, Captain Kirk. Our shields are down.”
Kirk rose and motioned to Stenn, “Take the con. Keep the phasers locked on that ship. If you don’t hear from me in five minutes, fire on it. Sukar, have Stovan, Dr. McCoy and four security men meet me in the transporter room.”
When he entered the turbo, Kirk slumped against the wall and closed his eyes. Only minutes left and he would have his lover back. The healer’s fears had been groundless. Whatever Spock had needed to take from him, he had been able to give. He was still on his feet, and he took it as a sign that Spock was still alive and well. As the lift slowed, he straightened and his command persona was in place when he reached the transporter room.
Inside, he was met by a contingent from security. While he gave them their orders, Stovan appeared with his equipment. Somehow, he would have to disable the ship in full view of its crew to give the rest of them time to find Spock.
Kirk was strapping on his weapon when the doctor entered, Christine Chapel at his side. “Bones, I can’t have—”
“Just hold on, Jim. I might need the help. We don’t know what we’re going to find. Besides,” he lowered his voice and motioned Kirk aside, “she wants to go with us. I think it’s something she feels she really needs to do.”
Kirk looked at the nurse. A certain calm had settled on her since their conversation. Yet he knew she would never have contentment, not as long as she yearned for something she would never have. Maybe, in some strange way, this would help her. She was giving Spock the one thing she could, her expertise as a nurse. “All right, Bones. Just tell her to be careful.” He turned to the rest of the landing party. “Okay, everyone. We don’t know what kind of reception we’re going to get, so stay alert.”
~
Kirk tried to take in as much of he could as they were led from the transporter to the Romulan ship’s engine room. They had been met by Tazon and their party escorted directly to their destination. They passed two other crewmen, both dressed in quasi-military attire, but Kirk figured there couldn’t be too many more on board. It was a small ship.
The engine room was state-of-the-art, though. Kirk called his ship and then stood by as his engineer began his work. Stovan’s barely contained excitement as he scanned the equipment would have been amusing under different conditions. All the while Tazon waited close at hand, never taking his eyes off the engineer.
“What kind of research do you do, Tazon?” Kirk asked, trying to redirect the Romulan’s attention.
The scientist answered without looking at Kirk. “As I mentioned earlier, Captain Kirk, we were studying a nearby nebula. It has some rather unique properties.”
“It’s a pretty small ship. How many are there of you?”
Tazon glanced at Kirk for only a second. “There are only four of us on board. Myself, my two assistants and the pilot who seconds as the engineer.”
“You like to live dangerously. If you were to get into trouble—”
“A distress call would be sent out. We are not totally cut off.” Now he looked at Kirk and held his gaze. “Our government is aware of our position. A flagship would be here within minutes.”
“How could they know where you are, if you didn’t?” Kirk coolly asked.
Just then McCoy interrupted. He was studying the tricorder he had discreetly been monitering. “Jim, I’m picking up Vulcanoid readings.”
Kirk turned sharply to him. “Where?”
“One deck down.” The doctor readjusted the controls. “Looks like two of them.”
“Tazon?” Kirk’s gaze swung back to the Romulan.
“That is not possible, Captain. I assure you. There are only Romulans on board. Your crewman must be mistaken.”
“I’m not mistaken,” McCoy bristled. “The differences between Vulcans and Romulans is small, but unmistakable.”
“Come on. I think we need to take a look around.” He motioned to two of the security men. “You two stay here with Stovan. The rest of you, come with me. All right, Tazon.” He aimed his phaser at the Romulan. “Lead the way.”
Tazon looked as if he was about to refuse, but when Kirk stepped closer and brought his phaser to within inches of the scientist’s face, the Romulan reluctantly led them from the room.
They took a flight of stairs to the deck below them. A door opened to a long corridor with what looked like laboratories lined up on either side. Tazon approached the second door on the right.
“Hold it.” Kirk stepped forward and motioned Tazon out of the way. While one security guard kept his phaser trained on the Romulan, Kirk cautiously opened the door and looked around. Nothing moved. “Okay, inside.”
Inside, the room was filled with monitering equipment...and one bed. McCoy rushed over to the motionless figure on its surface. It was a naked male. A waste processor straddled his groin and his features were obscured by the helmet-like devise that covered his head. Off its surface spiked an array of probes. “What the hell is this?” the doctor demanded.
“It is a neural locator. Much like the Klingon mind-sifter, it works its way into the subject’s mind and seeks out whatever it is programmed to find,” Tazon answered with a hint of pride.
Kirk approached the bed. Whoever it was, it wasn’t Spock. Kirk would now his lover’s body anywhere. And though full-grown, this Vulcan had the not-quite-developed body of a very young man. He turned to the Romulan scientist. “Take it off him.”
With a scowl, Tazon complied.
“The student,” McCoy noted when the device was finally removed.
The young man didn’t move. He might as well have still been under the machine’s control.
“Can you do anything for him, Bones?” Kirk asked.
“Not here. We need to get him back to the ship. I’m going to need Sator’s help with this one.”
Kirk opened his communicator. “Kirk to Stovan.”
“Stovan here.”
“How’s it coming?”
“It is most unfortunate, Captain. There seems to have been some sort of engine malfunction. It will take three point seven hours to impliment repairs.”
Kirk grinned. “Good, keep at it. We’ve found one of the abductees. I’m having him beamed to the ship with McCoy. Kirk out.”
“What about Spock?” McCoy asked. “You’re going to need me here, Jim.”
“This boy needs you, Bones. I’ll find Spock, don’t worry.”
“I’ll stay, Doctor.” Chapel stepped forward. “I can help the captain.”
“Go on. We’ll be right behind you, soon as we find the rest of them,” Kirk insisted.
The doctor grudgingly gave in. Kirk called the ship and ordered the transport, and as the beam took McCoy and his patient, walked over to Tazon and pushed him toward the door. “Okay, where are the rest of them?”
“There is only one other.”
“There have been six Vulcans taken.” Kirk glared at the man. “What happened to the rest?”
“They died. We disposed of the bodies.”
Kirk blanched. Four had died. Was Spock one of them? He tried to speak but found his voice blocked by a lump of fear. He cleared his throat. “Show us the other one.”
The next room was set up the same way. Again a lone figure lay on a single bed. But this time the room was dimmed and the machines were turned off. Kirk edged closer. Though his loins were covered with the waste disposer, there was no neural locator about the subject’s head. It was Spock.
“Turn on the lights,” he snapped.
Kirk didn’t know who responded to his command. He couldn’t look away from his lover. The Vulcan had lost weight. Several tubes snaked around him and to the cuffs on his arms. His nose and mouth were covered with a respirator. But for the slow rise and fall of his chest, he could have been dead. Kirk finally tore his gaze away and looked at Tazon. “What’s wrong with him?”
The Romulan made a disgusted noise. “He has become like the others. They cowardly retreat into themselves rather than continue to fight. Eventually, they die. This one, I had hoped to be able to revive and continue the treatments. The young one, though, I believe we were about to succeed with him.”
Kirk caught himself as he instinctively began to lunge for the man. Instead he flipped open his communicator. “Stovan?” There was no answer. Kirk tried again, but got no reply. Finally, the communicator crackled to life.
“Captain, we have come under attack by the ship’s crew,” Stovan calmly responded.
“How many?”
“Only two, I believe. But I will be unable to complete my work.”
“Is the ship functional?”
“I do not believe so.” Stovan’s voice was drowned out by an explosion.
“Stovan, are you still there?”
More noise, and then the Vulcan was back. “Yes, sir. Should we attempt to hold our position?”
“No, find a place out of range of their fire and get back to the ship. We’ve found Spock, but the rest of the abductees have been...disposed of.”
“I understand, Captain. We shall return to the ship and await your signal.”
“We’ll be right behind you. Kirk out.” He turned his attention back to Romulan. “Your ‘assistants’, I assume.”
Tazon smiled. “All Romulans are trained in the use of firearms, Captain Kirk. We know how to defend ourselves. Once they have dealt with your engineer, they will be coming for you. And I’m sure by now one of our ships is on its way.”
“We won’t be here. Christine, get Spock ready.” He called over the security men and motioned to Tazon. “Bind him.”
“It does not matter, Captain Kirk. You will not succeed. He might as well be dead.” The Romulan struggled while the guards secured him.
Kirk ignored him and moved back to where Chapel had begun to work on Spock. She almost had him unhooked from the medical equipment.
“Watch out!”
The shout from one of his guards saved him as a phaser blast shot by Kirk’s shoulder and he dove for the floor. At the door, two Romulans fired a continual barrage. Off to his right, the two security men had ducked behind some of the equipment and were returning fire. He crawled to where his view was unobstructed and added his phaser fire to theirs. They were running out of time.
Kirk’s communicator beeped. “What is it?”
It was Stovan. “We were awaiting your signal, Captain. We must depart immediately. Long range scans show a Romulan ship less than three point two minutes away.”
“Damn it!” Kirk got another shot off. “Have the transporter room standing by. As soon as I give the word, beam all five of us over. Kirk out.”
Finally, Kirk got a clear shot and one of the Romulan’s went down. It left the other wide open. A shot from one of the security men ended it. Kirk leveled himself up off the floor and turned back to the bed where his lover lay. The tubes had all been removed...and Christine Chapel slumped lifeless over Spock’s body.
~
Uhura was in the transporter room when the last of the boarding party coalesced on the transporter pads. Kirk was carrying Spock in his arms. The Vulcan was wrapped in a blanket, and his head had fallen against Kirk’s chest. Even from where she stood, she could see how the life had been almost drained from him.
The two security men were to their right. In the arms of one was the body of her friend. McCoy stonily came forward and took her while Kirk gently deposited Spock on the gurney they had ready. The trip to sickbay was made in silence.
Once there, McCoy and Sator quickly sequestered themselves with Spock in the back room. Christine’s body was taken by one of the techs who would prepare it for its journey back to Earth.
Uhura watched the medic leave with his burden. She almost followed him but then decided against it. There was nothing she could do for Christine now. And they were all still in danger.
The captain had left for the bridge from the transporter room after receiving a message that Tazon’s distress call had been answered. When Warrior’s Oath had attempted to move off, they had found themselves locked in a Romulan bird-of-prey’s tractor beams.
Uhura decided to go to the bridge. When she got there Kirk was already trying to break the enemy ship’s hold on them. Stovan was throwing every system they had into the engines. So far, it hadn’t helped. All requests for communication had been ignored and the ship was being slowly pulled toward the Neutral Zone. They would cross into it in seven minutes.
Uhura was mesmerized by the Romulan ship that filled the viewscreen. She had nothing to do, was extraneous on this ship, so she would spend her last minutes watching the instument of her destruction. She knew Kirk well enough to know that if they couldn’t escape he would allow the ship to blow up rather than let her fall into the hands of the Romulans. She really couldn’t blame him. No one knew what it was to be a Romulan captive. She certainly didn’t want to be one of the ones to find out. And they knew what would be in store for the Vulcan crew.
She glanced at Kirk. He was so calm, there in the center seat. No one looking at him would know that the man he loved was slowly dying in sickbay, or that there was a pretty good chance he would be joining him. Only determination showed on his face.
Is that how Hikaru felt? Is that what had caused him to leave her behind? Kirk had found a spirit to match his own in Spock. Was Hikaru looking for the same thing? She looked around the bridge. She was going to die, on a ship that wasn’t hers, in a place not of her own choosing. Bitterly, she realized how much she regretted her recent decisions.
She had been unwilling to let go of the past. Kirk and Spock had made their own lives. They didn’t need her. All along, it had been her needing them, or at least the safety and familiarity they represented. She had gone into Starfleet because life on Earth was not enough. When had space become too much? When had she let her dreams die?
The ship gave a violent shudder and the lights flickered. She heard Kirk swear and then give more orders. He would not give up. And if he missed the one who always stood at his side, he didn’t let it deter him.
“Engines are super-heating, sir,” the engineer quietly announced.
“How much time do we have, Stovan?” Kirk asked.
“The engines will explode in approximately four point three minutes.”
Kirk turned to his helmsman. “How soon to the Neutral Zone?”
“We will cross into it in eighty-seven seconds.”
Kirk nodded. He turned and smiled at her. She didn’t know if it was his way of apologizing or giving comfort. She supposed it didn’t matter. One way or the other, they would no longer follow the same path.
The ship shuddered again and she saw Kirk’s hands tighten on the armrests.
“Sixty seconds to the Neutral Zone,” Stenn calmly announced.
Uhura almost laughed. How very Vulcan. But then she saw him reach out and take T’Para’s hand. A looked passed between them and then their hands moved back to their boards.
The explosion caught them all unaware. Suddenly the viewscreen was filled with a blinding light and the ship lurched back.
“All engines stop!” Kirk commanded. He frowned at the screen. “What the hell happened?”
“Signal coming in, Captain,” the communications officer announced.
“On audio, Sukar.”
“This is Captain Maunder of the USS Yorktown. I heard you needed a little help.”
~
Fandom: Star Trek (TOS)
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Notes: Kirk and Spock return to Earth when Starfleet agrees to review their courts martial after Komack’s disgrace. Originally published March 2004 in Beyond Dreams 7. Sequel to "The Exile."
The attack went on and on as his shields slowly shattered. He expected them to fail at any moment, letting in the machine’s malignant power. He was losing his fight, his strength ebbing away with each attack. Spock shuddered and let out a hoarse scream when the probes sent another surge to batter at his wounded mind. Pain was a well-known companion now.
If he could only hold out just a little longer. Surely he had been here a great length of time. The session had to be over soon. It had to be. He had tried to withdraw from the torture. But the constant bombardment had left him too weak to call forth even the simplest mental disciplines, much less the rigid controls needed to instigate the burying of his own soul under such conditions.
He thought of his lover with regret. Spock would fail not only his people, but his t’hy’la as well. His inability to defeat the mind probe could leave Vulcan open to possible attack; the Romulans were not attempting to regain their telepathic abilities for nothing, and Kirk, he knew, would take on the responsibility for it all. It was his way. The human didn’t know what it was to surrender.
He felt the last of his strength slipping away when the attack suddenly stopped. It took several seconds for his limbs to stop their trembling and his gasps to finally quiet. Spock opened his eyes.
Across the room, the Romulan doctor studied the readouts on his equipment. After a moment he turned and gave Spock a studied frown. “You are proving to be stronger than the rest. I suppose it is to be expected. Your telepathic rating is the highest of the group.”
Spock swallowed, trying to wet his dry lips. His throat was raw. “You will not succeed in this. There is no substitute for the mental and emotional discipline that has allowed us the full use of our minds, a discipline your people were disinclined to follow.”
The doctor approached the bed and began removing Spock’s restraints. “You may be correct. But if I am able to discover a way to do so, not only will my own future be assured, but also that of my people. You of the Federation have held us back for far too long.” He stepped aside and began running a medical scanner over Spock’s body.
Free from his bindings Spock tried to sit up but could do so. It was not weakness, more a numbing of his extremities. “I am unable to rise.”
“It should pass after a few minutes.” The Romulan helped him to sit up. “Testing on...volunteers has shown that the damage does not become permanent until after several probings.”
Spock looked up in alarm. “There are those-”
“I told you we greatly desired this information.” The doctor slowly pulled back and seemed satisfied when Spock was able to stay upright on his own. “You see, it’s passing already,” the Romulan noted before moving off to study the scanner’s readout.
Spock didn’t answer. The sensation in his arms and legs was most unpleasant, but he was relieved when they finally responded to his mental commands. After several minutes he slipped clumsily off the bed and managed to keep on his feet as long as he held on to something for support.
“Your guard will be here shortly. You should be able to walk by then.” The doctor walked back and handed him his clothes.
It proved difficult, but Spock was able to dress without aid. The fastenings gave him trouble, but he finally succeeded in buttoning his tunic. The pants, with their drawstring waist, were even more difficult and he gave them only a perfunctory tie. He was pulling on the slipper-like shoes when his guard showed up.
“I want him returned at the end of his sleep cycle,” the doctor ordered. “I believe his next session will be the deciding one.”
With a curt nod, Spock was motioned out the door. He was still having trouble walking, and each time he stumbled the guard was there to encourage him with the menacing club he carried. A phaser was not even needed anymore. Spock would have been unable to manage more than a pathetic response even if an opportunity for escape arose.
But they did not know that he had already planned his escape. Not a physical one, by no means, but an eascape nevertheless. His body would be here for them to do with as they pleased, but he would not. He regretted this had turned out to be his only alternative. But he felt that Kirk would understand.
Once back in his cell, Spock lay on his bunk and got as comfortable as he could. He closed his eyes and, one by one, barred the passages to his mind. Deeper he retreated, throwing barricades behind himself as he went. And when he reached the core of his being, there was nothing to light the way for any who would attempt to follow.
~
Kirk rubbed his forehead. The headache was getting worse as he tried to pay attention to what his chief engineer was saying. He didn’t like what he was hearing. “You’re sure about this?”
“Quite sure, Captain,” Stovan responded. “The ship was not built to sustain this speed for any duration. We must drop to warp four or risk damaging it.”
“How long before we can return to her present speed?”
“I do not know. If there has already been damage done, we will need time for repairs. If not, the engines must still be tested and recalibrated to make sure there will be none.”
Kirk stared at his folded hands on the desk. Finally, he nodded. “Drop speed to warp four. But let me know the minute you know anything.”
“Yes, sir.” The Vulcan turned from the room and was gone.
With a sigh, Kirk stood and headed for his bed. There wasn’t much to do as they slowly gained ground on their quarry, though reducing the ship’s speed would now add days to the chase. Damn it! They had been so close.
He’d thought about returning to the galley. He knew Uhura spent most of her time in the one area where there was bound to be people. But for some reason, the idea of company was not pleasant. He’d have to act optimistic, when all the time what he felt was a gnawing fear that he wasn’t ever going to see Spock again.
He kicked off his boots and lay down on the bed. He ordered the lights to their lowest setting, darkening the room to match his mood. The sheer hopelessness of the situation was pulling him down and he couldn’t find the will to pull himself back up. He was tired of fighting: Starfleet, illness, the Federation court system...the Romulans. Was this the price he and Spock had to pay for daring to be together?
A sudden chill caused him to turn on his side and pull the blanket over himself. The slight whiff of his lover’s scent as Kirk buried his face into the pillow only deepened his misery. His body and mind ached for Spock. Their bed was both a haven and a torture for him now. But he needed sleep.
He was just dozing off when someone buzzed for admittance. He almost didn’t answer. Finally, he dragged himself from the bed, not even bothering to put on his boots. He grimaced in annoyance when the door opened and McCoy and Sator walked in.
“What can I do for you, gentlemen?” Kirk caught the glance McCoy threw at the healer. Great. All he needed was to be mentally dissected by both medical men. He motioned them to the room’s sitting area.
They took their seats, McCoy and Sator across from Kirk. McCoy cleared his throat. “How are you feeling, Jim?”
“How do you think I’m feeling?” Kirk asked, sarcastically. “Spock has been kidnapped by Romulans, chances are they’re frying his brain as we speak and we’re following in a possibly damaged ship. I feel just great, Bones.”
“We were just informed that the ship’s speed was decreased,” Sator noted.
“Then you know how I feel.”
The healer studied him a moment. “You do not look well.” He reached across and lightly touched Kirk’s temple.
Kirk pulled back in anger. “I think I’ve got a reason for that.”
“There is more to this than Spock’s absence.”
“What are you talking about?” McCoy interjected. He pulled out his medical scanner and passed it across Kirk’s body. “Everything I’m picking up can be accounted for by the undo stress he’s under.”
“There are some things that your equipment cannot record, Dr. McCoy. There is a weakening of his life force. It is almost imperceptible at this point, but it will grow over time.”
“What did you see?” Kirk asked.
“There is something interfering with your bond to Spock.”
“What is it?”
“That I do not know. I would need to reestablish a link between us.”
Kirk took a deep breath and then sat forward to make it easier for the healer to reach him. “Will it be like last time?”
“No. The ‘path’ I will take through you to Spock is already in place. There will be no pain this time.”
It only took a few seconds. It struck Kirk odd that he felt nothing, nothing at all. But when Sator dropped his hands, Kirk knew he wasn’t going to like what the healer had found. He was getting very good at reading Vulcans.
“Spock has thrown a shield around his mind.”
“I thought he did that all the time.” McCoy looked questioningly from one man to the other.
“This is more than ordinary shielding, isn’t it?” Kirk asked.
Sator nodded. “He has, in essence, buried himself behind it. It is not temporary.”
“Wait a minute,” McCoy interjected, “are you telling us he won’t be able to get out? Why would he do that?”
“Because someone, or something, is trying to get in.” Kirk rose and walked over to his desk. He sat down and turned on his computer, pulling up the files on the six missing Vulcans. He scanned the dates and time when each had disappeared. “I wonder how many of them have had to do the exact same thing, and how many have died because of it.”
“Perhaps, all,” Sator stood and came to stand next to the desk. “for no Vulcan would allow himself to be used to the detriment of his own people. Spock has done what he must to ensure the Romulans did not get what they were after.”
“What will it mean for me?”
Sator features softened, and Kirk almost swore he could see regret on the Vulcan’s face. “He may pull you in after him. He is already drawing on your physical strength. Eventually, he will call on your mental strength as well.”
They both heard the chair shoved back as an angry McCoy stood and approached them. “And then what? What happens when he runs out of strength?”
“We’ll both die, won’t we?” Kirk looked up at Sator. It was almost a relief.
“Perhaps, I am not certain. The bond varies from couple to couple. It could have a minimal affect or pull you to your death. I will truly regret if this is what comes to pass, James. But I do not believe Spock would have done this if given another choice.”
“I know that. What can I expect...if the worst happens?”
“It will not be painful. You will slowly weaken. Your thoughts will become disjointed. Eventually, you will fall into a deep sleep, and then coma.”
Kirk pressed his lips together and nodded.
“Can’t you do anything?” McCoy asked.
“I could attempt to add my strength to his—”
“No,” Kirk immediately responded. “It could end up killing you, too. And then T’Mala.”
McCoy came around and grabbed Kirk by the arm. “Jim, he might be able to keep you going longer, maybe give you enough time to find Spock.”
“ ‘Might be able to’, ‘maybe give me enough time’? That’s not good enough, Bones. Not when it could kill Sator. Besides,” Kirk turned away and put distance between him and his friend, “I don’t believe Spock will let it happen. Don’t ask me how or why I think that, because I couldn’t give you a good answer if you did. I just know what’s between me and Spock could never hurt me.”
“Quit being a fool! I know you love him, but stop trying to blind yourself to what could happen.” McCoy was almost shouting.
“I’m not.” Kirk looked at the doctor with affection. “Don’t try to understand it, Bones. Just know that whatever Spock needs, I’m more than willing to give. Besides, it’s only until we find him.”
“Finding Spock may make no difference at this point,” Sator interjected. “He may be unable to surface from the depths to which he has taken himself. But if you feel it would be of assistance, I am willing to be of service.”
“I thank you for the offer, Sator. We’ll see,” Kirk finally answered.
“I will be in sickbay until you call on me.” The healer walked to the door and then stopped. “They say that near the end the bond draws the two together and each becomes aware of the other. But it is only myth,” Sator added before he took his leave.
“Did you hear that, Jim? What if we find Spock and he’s so far gone he’s beyond help?” McCoy asked, dejectedly.
Kirk studied his friend for a moment. There was so much McCoy would never understand; no one could who had never joined with another has he and Spock had. Nothing Kirk could say would change that, so he fell back on the one thing he knew for certain. “He’ll never be too far that I won’t go after him, Bones. The universe just isn’t that big.”
~
Uhura watched the stars stream by from the window of the observation deck. It seemed even Vulcans could be enraptured by the sight of the universe’s most ancient inhabitants. She’d been surprised by, and then grateful for, the small room located toward the back of the lowest deck. After that first visit with McCoy, she had found herself returning time and again.
But tonight, for some reason, the vista of stars didn’t have the power to move her. Perhaps the fog of depression that had settled over the ship could not be lifted by something so remote and untouchable. The heart of the vessel was dying, and all aboard her were already in mourning. And that, too, had been a surprise.
Spock had always been her idea of a Vulcan. But the three years Uhura had served with him had brought little understanding of that quiet, dignified man. If in all that time he had released control of his emotions, she had never seen it. Perhaps Kirk was the only one who had. These people, on the other hand, were warm and approachable. Their reserve was not forbidding, and their sorrow at what was happening to their captain and his bondmate was heartbreaking.
She had seen Kirk just a few hours earlier, pacing nervously on the bridge, as if he could make the ship go faster with his distracted motion. Forced to drop their speed to warp four, the vessel they’d been following for several days now was slowly coming into reach. But not fast enough for the man chasing it.
And it was beginning to tell. Kirk seemed...remote, the bright incandescence of his personality muted. He was quiet. Too quiet. It even seemed as if he had lost more weight. The sight of him was becoming painful as he held in his grief and pain. She had even waited until he had left the bridge to take her own leave. She couldn’t have borne the small confines of the turbolift alone with him.
Uhura suddenly turned from the window and left the room. She needed activity, not the cool serenity of the OD. She hurried to her cabin and grabbed her workout clothes. Maybe an hour on the mats would dispel her depression.
The gym was nearly empty when she entered. She almost turned and left when she saw its sole occupant. Kirk stood toward the end of the room, his back to her. But something in his bearing made her stay. She let the door silently close behind her and stood in the shadows, watching him.
He was dressed in white. The soft pants were form-fitting, but not tight; the top, a tank of the same material. The shoes he wore reminded her of ballet slippers and his wrists were wrapped. His entire being seemed focused on his task as he chalked his hands; he seemed light years away.
Kirk put down the chalk and turned to approach the rings that hung suspended from the ceiling, the long ropes bringing them almost within reach. He gathered himself and then leapt the few feet to grab hold. He hung there for several moments, his head back.
Then his right leg began to move, forward and back in a whipping motion. His body followed, and each time the force of the motion brought him a little higher, until he rose high enough to lock his arms to his side and hold himself there, balanced on the visibly shaking rings.
Uhura could see the effort in his face. It was taking all he had to keep the rings against his body and not let his arms pull away. Fascinated, she moved closer but stayed out of his line of sight.
The swiftness of his drop startled her. One moment he was holding himself rigidly in place; the next he was down, the momentum of his weight and the slightly swinging ropes carrying him up and over. His body flipped end over end, his arms seeming ready to dislocate, giving the movement its name. Again and again, he looped through the air, one dislocate after another. He was flying, his muscles stretching, obeying his commands as he pushed his body to its limit.
She had never seen anything as beautiful...or frightening. He seemed to need to be able to exert control over something, anything, to blunt his feelings of helplessness. He was flying; and somehow, she knew, he had Spock with him, too.
Then, just as suddenly, he stopped and held himself in the position he had started from. He readjusted his grip and slowly pulled his legs back and up, at the same time unlocking his elbows and moving his upper body forward. The muscles of his arms bulged under the strain as, inch by inch, he lifted himself, not stopping until he was handstanding on the rings. Again he waited, the ropes moving even more as he fought to keep the rings beneath him.
With held breath she watched him fight both gravity and his own body. Finally, he let himself fall and swing through another dislocate. Three hundred and sixty degrees and then he let loose of the rings, his body continuing its spin, arching over and landing him on his feet.
Kirk stood with his arms out and let his eyes close. It was as if he didn’t want to let go of the moment; wanted to remain in that other place where there was no lost lover, only peace and the oneness they shared.
Yet Uhura was not surprised when his arms came down to his sides and his eyes opened. He had never been a man to run from anything. This, too, he would face head-on. He had started in her direction, though she knew he couldn’t see her, when his legs gave out from under him and he fell senseless to the floor.
~
He felt bile hit the back of his throat as he came to. Kirk rolled over and vomited into the bowl that magically appeared next to him. He wretched for over a minute, dry heaves wracking his body long after he’d emptied his stomach.
He felt the slight prick of the hypodemic and the almost instant relief it delivered. His insides settled down and he flopped back onto the bed.
“Feeling better?” McCoy asked, his words laced with both worry and anger.
Someone started the mechanism on the bed, and Kirk was slowly brought to a slight recline. He waited until the bed stopped to open his eyes. His hand shook as he took the offered towel from the doctor to wipe his mouth. “What happened?”
“You passed out. What the hell do you think you were doing, anyway? Sator told you something like this could happen. Nyota told me what you did. Blast it, man, you don’t have the strength for that kind of thing.”
“Obviously, I do. And I needed it.”
McCoy shook his head and helped Kirk off the bed. “You could have killed yourself. If it hadn’t been for Nyota, you’d still be on the floor of the gym. Come on. I’ll help you over so you can wash out your mouth and change into something more comfortable.”
Kirk looked down at himself. He was still in his gym clothes. “How long was I out?”
“Not long. Maybe twenty minutes. Sator said not to wake you, that you’d come around on your own.”
McCoy led him into to the small bathroom and stood by while Kirk rinsed out his mouth and began to undress.
“Where’s Nyota now?”
“I made her leave...along with half the crew. You caused quite a stir.”
“I’ll have to thank her for that.” Kirk was working to get off his pants when the doctor handed him a hospital gown. He looked up in surprise. “What’s this for?”
“If you think I’m releasing you, you’re crazy. You’re staying right here for at least thenty-four hours.”
“I can’t do that. I need to be on the bridge when we finally catch up with that ship.”
“Which won’t be for another thirty-six hours, at least. I mean it, Jim.” McCoy shoved the gown at him. “You’re under medical surveillance until I say you’re not. And I’m not saying you’re not until I’m sure you’re okay.”
Glaring at his friend didn’t seem to do any good, so Kirk grabbed the offending garment. He hated wearing these things. “I know it won’t do any good, but I’m telling you, I’m fine.”
“Oh? You usually pass out after physical exertion?” McCoy sarcastically asked.
“I miscalculated, that’s all.”
“Miscalculated what?”
Kirk grew pensive. “How much it would take to touch him.”
“I don’t understand. You ‘touched’ him?”
He smiled, slightly abashed. “Maybe ‘touch’ isn’t the right word. Sometimes when we’re apart, if I try really hard, I can...feel him, his aura, for lack of a better word. Since I’m no good at meditation, I’ve got to be doing something that takes a lot of concentration.”
“I hope you at least learned something from this.”
“He’s alive, Bones. Don’t look at me like that,” Kirk remarked, annoyed by the look of incredulousness on McCoy’s face. “I know I’m not a telepath. But something’s going on up here.” He touched his forehead. “Maybe Spock’s Vulcanness is rubbing off.”
“You’re crazy, you know that?”
Kirk didn’t know if McCoy was kidding or not. He laughed anyway. “I know that,” he replied as he shrugged into the gown and tried unsuccessfully to gather the ties in the back.
“Here, turn around.” McCoy chuckled as he closed up the back of the robe. “You know, the design of these things hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.”
“Why not?” Kirk allowed the doctor to help him back to his bed. His legs felt like rubber and he knew he’d never have been able to make it across the room on his own. It still rackled.
“I’m not sure.” McCoy lowered the bed again and pulled the blanket up to cover his friend. He dimmed the light. “Maybe to keep recalcitrant patients from thinking they know more than their doctors. There’s nothing like having your ass hanging in the wind to knock a person down a peg. Now get some sleep. I’ll be back in a little while to check on you, so no sneaking away, you hear?”
“Yes, Mother.” Kirk’s eyes were already closing when his friend left the room. But less than a minute later he heard a soft whish as the door opened and closed again. “You forget something?” He didn’t open his eyes.
“I...Doctor McCoy sent me to give you this.”
Kirk’s eyes flashed open. Christine Chapel stood at the foot of the bed, a glass of some chalky fluid in her hand. He pulled the blanket up to his chest, feeling ill at ease and oddly vulnerable knowing he wore next to nothing under it. “What is it?”
She approached the bed and handed him the container. “It’s for your stomach. He said you’d probably feel better with something in it.”
He came up on one elbow and took the glass, quickly swallowing the liquid down. “That’s about the nastiest stuff he’s come up with yet.”
Chapel gave a tentative smile. “He said you’d say that.”
She’d taken the cup and was starting for the door when Kirk called out. “Wait.”
The woman turned, slightly fearful.
Kirk tried to convey a nonaggressive demeanor. “Bones said you had something to tell me.”
“I don’t know if now is such a good time. You should be resting.”
He shrugged. “I can’t. Bones just doesn’t understand.”
She walked back to the side of the bed. “Doesn’t understand what?”
“That as long as I’m alive, I have to feel alive. Did Dr. McCoy tell you what’s going on?”
“A little. He had to if I was going to be able to help out.”
Kirk nodded. “Did he tell you that Spock might be dying?”
“Yes, and that you might be, too.”
“Maybe. In any event, I know my limits. It may not always seem that way, but I do. My giving Spock energy to continue didn’t have anything to do with what happened.”
“So your passing out was only a slight miscalculation, was it?” She colored and looked down. “I’m sorry. I had no right saying that. I...I overheard...”
He studied her a moment. He knew he looked like hell. She didn’t look much better. “So what was it you wanted to tell me?”
She brought her head up, apparently surprised he had returned to the previous topic. “I wanted you to know...you and Spock, that I wasn’t the one who went to the authorities about your...relationship.”
“No?”
“No. I can’t say I’m not partially to blame. I’m the one who told Dr. Norton about it.”
“Irene?”
“Yes, she and Dr. Matheson got it out of me.”
He frowned. “When was this? When we were taking them to M113?”
Her color deepened. “No, while we were on M113.”
“I don’t...” He suddenly remembered their stay on that planet. He and Spock were newly bonded and having a hell of a time coming to terms with the change in their relationship. But that night, everything had finally come together for them. They had come together, as Spock’s physical desire for him awakened. He had gone back to the ship the next day tired and sore...and happier than he’d ever been. He blushed furiously. Damn, how many people had seen them at one time or the other?
“I didn’t see anything,” she hurriedly responded and then blushed to rival Kirk’s. “But I did find out. I was so hurt. I know I had no reason to be. Spock was never mine.”
“It still can hurt.” He smiled gently. How easy it was to be gracious when you were the one who had won. “I’m glad you told me.”
Her smile returned, more sure this time. “So am I.” She took a deep breath. “I feel like such a weight has been lifted. I couldn’t stand the idea that he...that the two of you hated me.”
“You still love him, don’t you?”
“Yes, I can’t seem to stop.”
“Christine—”
“Don’t say it.” She shook her head. “I know he’ll never be anything but yours. When I think back, I think he always has been. I probably knew it then, but I refused to admit it.”
“It just seems such a waste. If you found someone else...” He quieted when he saw the look of gentle scorn on her face.
“Could you? Will you if you have to?”
Kirk didn’t have to think about it very long. “No, I suppose not. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, there are worst things. I could never have loved anyone. I’ll be okay.” She took his hand for a moment and lightly squeezed. “I know you’ll take care of him. Now go to sleep before we both get in trouble.”
He watched her leave and then lay in the darkened room, wondering if he could have been so gracious a loser. Probably not, he thought as he turned on his side and pulled the cover up. But Spock had been his forever. No matter what happened, he always would.
~
The small ship was a slowly growing speck on the view-screen. T’Para estimated they would be within hailing distance of the Romulan vessel in one point two minutes. Kirk sat outwardly calm in the captain’s seat, though his insides were churning. They were almost into the Neutral Zone. If there was any chance of getting Spock back, it would have to be now.
Unfortunately, they only had low-grade phasers. This wasn’t a military ship. The phasers were in case of an unexpected attack, and were only meant to buy them time until help arrived. He would have to bluff the Romulans into giving up their hostages.
“Since the ship is not of Romulan design, it may not be armed.”
Kirk glanced at his navigator. “I hope you’re right, T’Para. Sukar, open hailing frequencies,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir.” The young Vulcan turned to his board. “I have them, Captain.”
“This is Captain James Kirk of the VSA ship, Warrior’s Oath. Please identify yourself.”
There was nothing. Kirk waited twenty seconds before reiterating his request. When there still was no answer, he turned to his helmsman. “Stenn, lock phasers on target, stun force only.”
“Phasers locked, sir.”
“I repeat, this is Captain James Kirk. If you do not identify yourself we will be forced to fire upon your ship.” Kirk turned to communications. “Anything?”
Sukar was listening intently into his earpiece. After a moment he nodded. “Yes, sir. They are now responding.”
“Can you get a visual fix?”
The Vulcan was busy at his controls for a moment. “Coming on screen.”
Kirk swiveled his chair forward. A dour looking Romulan, perhaps middle-aged, appeared. Kirk leaned forward, studying the man. He wasn’t dressed in Romulan military fashion. Perhaps luck was on their side.
“This is Tazon, chief scientist. This is a research vessel, Captain. You have no right—”
“If you are a research vessel,” Kirk interrupted, “you’re a Romulan one, which puts you on the wrong side of the Neutral Zone.”
“A failure in our navigational system. As soon as we discovered it, we corrected our course. If you will allow us, we will be on our way.”
“Interesting how you discovered your error while in Earth orbit, Tazon...and registered as a Vulcan freighter.” He saw the Romulan visibly blanch. Maybe they weren’t armed.
“You are mistaken, Captain. We were studying a nearby nebula when we inadvertantly crossed the Neutral Zone. I promise you, our intentions are to return to our own empire with all speed.”
I’ll just bet they are. “The Federation does not take such intrusions lightly, whether accidentally or not. It would be best if my engineer were to examine your equipment to make sure it is, indeed, in working order.”
“That will not be necessary. I have been assured all repairs have been completed.”
“I insist, Tazon.” Kirk’s voice steeled. “I would prefer this be done amicably. But it will be done. Lower your shields and prepared to be boarded.”
The Romulan hesitated but, apparently realizing he had no alternative, finally nodded. “Very well, Captain Kirk. Our shields are down.”
Kirk rose and motioned to Stenn, “Take the con. Keep the phasers locked on that ship. If you don’t hear from me in five minutes, fire on it. Sukar, have Stovan, Dr. McCoy and four security men meet me in the transporter room.”
When he entered the turbo, Kirk slumped against the wall and closed his eyes. Only minutes left and he would have his lover back. The healer’s fears had been groundless. Whatever Spock had needed to take from him, he had been able to give. He was still on his feet, and he took it as a sign that Spock was still alive and well. As the lift slowed, he straightened and his command persona was in place when he reached the transporter room.
Inside, he was met by a contingent from security. While he gave them their orders, Stovan appeared with his equipment. Somehow, he would have to disable the ship in full view of its crew to give the rest of them time to find Spock.
Kirk was strapping on his weapon when the doctor entered, Christine Chapel at his side. “Bones, I can’t have—”
“Just hold on, Jim. I might need the help. We don’t know what we’re going to find. Besides,” he lowered his voice and motioned Kirk aside, “she wants to go with us. I think it’s something she feels she really needs to do.”
Kirk looked at the nurse. A certain calm had settled on her since their conversation. Yet he knew she would never have contentment, not as long as she yearned for something she would never have. Maybe, in some strange way, this would help her. She was giving Spock the one thing she could, her expertise as a nurse. “All right, Bones. Just tell her to be careful.” He turned to the rest of the landing party. “Okay, everyone. We don’t know what kind of reception we’re going to get, so stay alert.”
~
Kirk tried to take in as much of he could as they were led from the transporter to the Romulan ship’s engine room. They had been met by Tazon and their party escorted directly to their destination. They passed two other crewmen, both dressed in quasi-military attire, but Kirk figured there couldn’t be too many more on board. It was a small ship.
The engine room was state-of-the-art, though. Kirk called his ship and then stood by as his engineer began his work. Stovan’s barely contained excitement as he scanned the equipment would have been amusing under different conditions. All the while Tazon waited close at hand, never taking his eyes off the engineer.
“What kind of research do you do, Tazon?” Kirk asked, trying to redirect the Romulan’s attention.
The scientist answered without looking at Kirk. “As I mentioned earlier, Captain Kirk, we were studying a nearby nebula. It has some rather unique properties.”
“It’s a pretty small ship. How many are there of you?”
Tazon glanced at Kirk for only a second. “There are only four of us on board. Myself, my two assistants and the pilot who seconds as the engineer.”
“You like to live dangerously. If you were to get into trouble—”
“A distress call would be sent out. We are not totally cut off.” Now he looked at Kirk and held his gaze. “Our government is aware of our position. A flagship would be here within minutes.”
“How could they know where you are, if you didn’t?” Kirk coolly asked.
Just then McCoy interrupted. He was studying the tricorder he had discreetly been monitering. “Jim, I’m picking up Vulcanoid readings.”
Kirk turned sharply to him. “Where?”
“One deck down.” The doctor readjusted the controls. “Looks like two of them.”
“Tazon?” Kirk’s gaze swung back to the Romulan.
“That is not possible, Captain. I assure you. There are only Romulans on board. Your crewman must be mistaken.”
“I’m not mistaken,” McCoy bristled. “The differences between Vulcans and Romulans is small, but unmistakable.”
“Come on. I think we need to take a look around.” He motioned to two of the security men. “You two stay here with Stovan. The rest of you, come with me. All right, Tazon.” He aimed his phaser at the Romulan. “Lead the way.”
Tazon looked as if he was about to refuse, but when Kirk stepped closer and brought his phaser to within inches of the scientist’s face, the Romulan reluctantly led them from the room.
They took a flight of stairs to the deck below them. A door opened to a long corridor with what looked like laboratories lined up on either side. Tazon approached the second door on the right.
“Hold it.” Kirk stepped forward and motioned Tazon out of the way. While one security guard kept his phaser trained on the Romulan, Kirk cautiously opened the door and looked around. Nothing moved. “Okay, inside.”
Inside, the room was filled with monitering equipment...and one bed. McCoy rushed over to the motionless figure on its surface. It was a naked male. A waste processor straddled his groin and his features were obscured by the helmet-like devise that covered his head. Off its surface spiked an array of probes. “What the hell is this?” the doctor demanded.
“It is a neural locator. Much like the Klingon mind-sifter, it works its way into the subject’s mind and seeks out whatever it is programmed to find,” Tazon answered with a hint of pride.
Kirk approached the bed. Whoever it was, it wasn’t Spock. Kirk would now his lover’s body anywhere. And though full-grown, this Vulcan had the not-quite-developed body of a very young man. He turned to the Romulan scientist. “Take it off him.”
With a scowl, Tazon complied.
“The student,” McCoy noted when the device was finally removed.
The young man didn’t move. He might as well have still been under the machine’s control.
“Can you do anything for him, Bones?” Kirk asked.
“Not here. We need to get him back to the ship. I’m going to need Sator’s help with this one.”
Kirk opened his communicator. “Kirk to Stovan.”
“Stovan here.”
“How’s it coming?”
“It is most unfortunate, Captain. There seems to have been some sort of engine malfunction. It will take three point seven hours to impliment repairs.”
Kirk grinned. “Good, keep at it. We’ve found one of the abductees. I’m having him beamed to the ship with McCoy. Kirk out.”
“What about Spock?” McCoy asked. “You’re going to need me here, Jim.”
“This boy needs you, Bones. I’ll find Spock, don’t worry.”
“I’ll stay, Doctor.” Chapel stepped forward. “I can help the captain.”
“Go on. We’ll be right behind you, soon as we find the rest of them,” Kirk insisted.
The doctor grudgingly gave in. Kirk called the ship and ordered the transport, and as the beam took McCoy and his patient, walked over to Tazon and pushed him toward the door. “Okay, where are the rest of them?”
“There is only one other.”
“There have been six Vulcans taken.” Kirk glared at the man. “What happened to the rest?”
“They died. We disposed of the bodies.”
Kirk blanched. Four had died. Was Spock one of them? He tried to speak but found his voice blocked by a lump of fear. He cleared his throat. “Show us the other one.”
The next room was set up the same way. Again a lone figure lay on a single bed. But this time the room was dimmed and the machines were turned off. Kirk edged closer. Though his loins were covered with the waste disposer, there was no neural locator about the subject’s head. It was Spock.
“Turn on the lights,” he snapped.
Kirk didn’t know who responded to his command. He couldn’t look away from his lover. The Vulcan had lost weight. Several tubes snaked around him and to the cuffs on his arms. His nose and mouth were covered with a respirator. But for the slow rise and fall of his chest, he could have been dead. Kirk finally tore his gaze away and looked at Tazon. “What’s wrong with him?”
The Romulan made a disgusted noise. “He has become like the others. They cowardly retreat into themselves rather than continue to fight. Eventually, they die. This one, I had hoped to be able to revive and continue the treatments. The young one, though, I believe we were about to succeed with him.”
Kirk caught himself as he instinctively began to lunge for the man. Instead he flipped open his communicator. “Stovan?” There was no answer. Kirk tried again, but got no reply. Finally, the communicator crackled to life.
“Captain, we have come under attack by the ship’s crew,” Stovan calmly responded.
“How many?”
“Only two, I believe. But I will be unable to complete my work.”
“Is the ship functional?”
“I do not believe so.” Stovan’s voice was drowned out by an explosion.
“Stovan, are you still there?”
More noise, and then the Vulcan was back. “Yes, sir. Should we attempt to hold our position?”
“No, find a place out of range of their fire and get back to the ship. We’ve found Spock, but the rest of the abductees have been...disposed of.”
“I understand, Captain. We shall return to the ship and await your signal.”
“We’ll be right behind you. Kirk out.” He turned his attention back to Romulan. “Your ‘assistants’, I assume.”
Tazon smiled. “All Romulans are trained in the use of firearms, Captain Kirk. We know how to defend ourselves. Once they have dealt with your engineer, they will be coming for you. And I’m sure by now one of our ships is on its way.”
“We won’t be here. Christine, get Spock ready.” He called over the security men and motioned to Tazon. “Bind him.”
“It does not matter, Captain Kirk. You will not succeed. He might as well be dead.” The Romulan struggled while the guards secured him.
Kirk ignored him and moved back to where Chapel had begun to work on Spock. She almost had him unhooked from the medical equipment.
“Watch out!”
The shout from one of his guards saved him as a phaser blast shot by Kirk’s shoulder and he dove for the floor. At the door, two Romulans fired a continual barrage. Off to his right, the two security men had ducked behind some of the equipment and were returning fire. He crawled to where his view was unobstructed and added his phaser fire to theirs. They were running out of time.
Kirk’s communicator beeped. “What is it?”
It was Stovan. “We were awaiting your signal, Captain. We must depart immediately. Long range scans show a Romulan ship less than three point two minutes away.”
“Damn it!” Kirk got another shot off. “Have the transporter room standing by. As soon as I give the word, beam all five of us over. Kirk out.”
Finally, Kirk got a clear shot and one of the Romulan’s went down. It left the other wide open. A shot from one of the security men ended it. Kirk leveled himself up off the floor and turned back to the bed where his lover lay. The tubes had all been removed...and Christine Chapel slumped lifeless over Spock’s body.
~
Uhura was in the transporter room when the last of the boarding party coalesced on the transporter pads. Kirk was carrying Spock in his arms. The Vulcan was wrapped in a blanket, and his head had fallen against Kirk’s chest. Even from where she stood, she could see how the life had been almost drained from him.
The two security men were to their right. In the arms of one was the body of her friend. McCoy stonily came forward and took her while Kirk gently deposited Spock on the gurney they had ready. The trip to sickbay was made in silence.
Once there, McCoy and Sator quickly sequestered themselves with Spock in the back room. Christine’s body was taken by one of the techs who would prepare it for its journey back to Earth.
Uhura watched the medic leave with his burden. She almost followed him but then decided against it. There was nothing she could do for Christine now. And they were all still in danger.
The captain had left for the bridge from the transporter room after receiving a message that Tazon’s distress call had been answered. When Warrior’s Oath had attempted to move off, they had found themselves locked in a Romulan bird-of-prey’s tractor beams.
Uhura decided to go to the bridge. When she got there Kirk was already trying to break the enemy ship’s hold on them. Stovan was throwing every system they had into the engines. So far, it hadn’t helped. All requests for communication had been ignored and the ship was being slowly pulled toward the Neutral Zone. They would cross into it in seven minutes.
Uhura was mesmerized by the Romulan ship that filled the viewscreen. She had nothing to do, was extraneous on this ship, so she would spend her last minutes watching the instument of her destruction. She knew Kirk well enough to know that if they couldn’t escape he would allow the ship to blow up rather than let her fall into the hands of the Romulans. She really couldn’t blame him. No one knew what it was to be a Romulan captive. She certainly didn’t want to be one of the ones to find out. And they knew what would be in store for the Vulcan crew.
She glanced at Kirk. He was so calm, there in the center seat. No one looking at him would know that the man he loved was slowly dying in sickbay, or that there was a pretty good chance he would be joining him. Only determination showed on his face.
Is that how Hikaru felt? Is that what had caused him to leave her behind? Kirk had found a spirit to match his own in Spock. Was Hikaru looking for the same thing? She looked around the bridge. She was going to die, on a ship that wasn’t hers, in a place not of her own choosing. Bitterly, she realized how much she regretted her recent decisions.
She had been unwilling to let go of the past. Kirk and Spock had made their own lives. They didn’t need her. All along, it had been her needing them, or at least the safety and familiarity they represented. She had gone into Starfleet because life on Earth was not enough. When had space become too much? When had she let her dreams die?
The ship gave a violent shudder and the lights flickered. She heard Kirk swear and then give more orders. He would not give up. And if he missed the one who always stood at his side, he didn’t let it deter him.
“Engines are super-heating, sir,” the engineer quietly announced.
“How much time do we have, Stovan?” Kirk asked.
“The engines will explode in approximately four point three minutes.”
Kirk turned to his helmsman. “How soon to the Neutral Zone?”
“We will cross into it in eighty-seven seconds.”
Kirk nodded. He turned and smiled at her. She didn’t know if it was his way of apologizing or giving comfort. She supposed it didn’t matter. One way or the other, they would no longer follow the same path.
The ship shuddered again and she saw Kirk’s hands tighten on the armrests.
“Sixty seconds to the Neutral Zone,” Stenn calmly announced.
Uhura almost laughed. How very Vulcan. But then she saw him reach out and take T’Para’s hand. A looked passed between them and then their hands moved back to their boards.
The explosion caught them all unaware. Suddenly the viewscreen was filled with a blinding light and the ship lurched back.
“All engines stop!” Kirk commanded. He frowned at the screen. “What the hell happened?”
“Signal coming in, Captain,” the communications officer announced.
“On audio, Sukar.”
“This is Captain Maunder of the USS Yorktown. I heard you needed a little help.”
~
no subject
Date: 2008-07-09 12:55 am (UTC)Sad to see Christine die, but she gave her life for Spock, so she probably considered it well worth it.
Uhura will be taking a new path after this mess!
no subject
Date: 2008-07-09 01:02 am (UTC)Thanks for reading and commenting!
Sad to see Christine die, but she gave her life for Spock, so she probably considered it well worth it.
Uhura will be taking a new path after this mess!
It seemed a bit weird to me that practically the entire crew spent most of their lives together. This way, I got to change that. :-)