STAR TREK
"Trekking".
E P I S O D E TWO
"VERESDIN."
Written by Alfredo Juillet Frascara.
11.v.1997
__________STARRING__________
Dario Marmolejo, Commander of the Space Station n` 35.
Lena, adjutant officer .
First Officer of the "Lenium" {Cargo}= Jaime.
Crew of the "XMinus" : Also of the "Temperance"=
Captain= James Tiberius Kirk
First Officer and Science Officer = Xtmprszntwlfd S'chin
T'gai Spock
Lieutenant =John Newark
Jennifer Smith = Exo biologist
Chief Engineer = Scotty
Engineer = Smirnoff
Lemuel = Radar
2nd. officer = Chekov
Guards= Simpertigue, Lagrange.
Crew= Sulu, Maora
ORES {Aliens}= Alamniro, Romir, Ronie.
THE CHANGELINS = Emperor Mingesh
Ship "Chamaleon". Captain Richel, First Officer = Liana,
Second Officer =Farag, Muala, Medical Officer = Martina.
Ship "Legend" .Captain =
THE PREDATORS. Ship "Rage".
----------------------------------------------
Planet Veresdino in the Alfa System of the Apus
Constellation.
----------------------------------------------
Vessels of the Mars Company =
Lenium {Cargo}= First Officer = Jaime.
XMinus
Grissom
Beta Brabazone
-------------------------------------------
Chapter one.
VERESDINO.
=========
Jaime looks on the console and pissed on it.
- Ja, ja ! He laughs, and he gave a full turn in the
air, smashing his skull unto the wall.
- Shit! - He said, rubbing his head. - "Atomic Mouse!" -
He yelled, and he catapulted through a corridor. It was the
corridor with the failing lights.
A series of hand bars passed at his left. At his right ,
the smooth metallic wall.
- Atomic mouse ! Hieeaa! Red eyes, titi! Titi!"
He arrived at the Dining Hall, and he pick up from the
floor a sealed dish, and opening it, he eats some.
-Killer tomatoes! Aa! Ahaaaa!"- He yelled, giving a
great leap, and going as an arrow to any place, banging his
head unto the wall, and blood begun to pour.
- Ah! Blood ! "- He yelled, and he shot by a corridor,
missing by scant centimeters one of the borders.
Inside of a sealed room, the three Ores washed at the
Homo sapiens sapiens shot as an arrow in front of the crystal
window.
- He went totally mad."- Acknowledged Alamniro
- 6 682. 32.2.220.6-681.'- Mumbled Romir, that were some
kind of assertion to the Alamniro's words.
- We must keep on trying.- Ronie told the other two
Ores.
- Let's concentrate in his mind. Perhaps we can induce
him with Ugrotron."- Romir said.
= No way! This man it's out of reach !'= Alamniro
expostulated in a fiery manner.
- This man has potentials.- Ronie said.
- Potential? A weak mind, they have ! It rips apart !
But then, perhaps we over estimated his capacities. Perhaps
with others of the same race we could go slower. Gentler ."-
Romir said.
The Ores were floating in a yellow liquid, moving with
quick movements of their twisted legs.
They were like that since three weeks ago, when they
were captured by the rest of the human crew of that cargo
ship {the "Lenium"}.The rest of the humans were killed when
the Ores fights them mentally. But the only survivor was
immune to their waves inducing biological break up ...
The "Lenium" ,when passing close to the planet
"Veresdino" , was intercepted by two patrol vessels.
- Identify your vessel. please"- John Newark, one
officer of the "XMinus " asked by radio.
After ten minutes asking for a response, Maora, a tall
woman with black hair, said :-" They did not want to answer !
Also they are in a collision course !"
- Perhaps they are all sick, or something."- Jennifer
Smith, the Exo Biologist said.
- Prepare the magnetic grappling! Mister Spock, tell our
twin ship "Beta Brabazone" to cover us !"- Captain Kirk
ordered.
- Yes, Sir."- Answered the first officer.
The "XMinus" closed in no time to the "Lenium", who was
fixed with the grappling. Then the scouts enters ship, using
explosives.
- Lieutenant Newark ! Inform me !- The Captain asked.
- "There is a sector that is sealed, Captain! By a glass
we can see three aliens floating there!'- Newark radioed.
- Aliens? ."= Spok utters.
- At bow a man was found ! He is sick."- Newark adds.
- Sick? Then he must be quarantined ! - Asked the Exo
biologist, exciting herself.
- I think that will be not necessary, Officer Smith! The
man is crazy!"- Newark remarks.
- Deep shock. It will be necessary to sedate him for a
long period."- Doctor McCoy told to officer Smith.
- At least two weeks.'- Affirmed her.
- Here Scotty ! The ship has their meteorite deflectors
in bad shape. Also it has little fuel in their tanks."- The
Chief Engineer told by the radio.
- O.K., came back."- Kirk asked him.
- Lagrange and Simpertigue radioed from the Soto Base
that they had landed successfully."- Officer Uhura said, from
his post.
- Perfect. ...beam them back now."- Captain Kirk asked
by the intercom.
A little while more, and both Lagrange and Simpertigue
were aboard ship.
The "XMinus" vessel closed to the 35th. Orbital Station,
and using a port bay, it opened a passageway into the
Station.
- Now hear this, crew of the XMinus" This is your
Captain speaking. From the first man to number 50, with shore
leave for 8 hours. The other group of fifty men and women
will be going when the first group came back. "- Captain Kirk
ordered by the radio.
- Are you going to be in the first group , Captain?"-
Lemuel the Radar Man asked .
- I am the Number One, forget you not. I will be going
in the first group."- Kirk smiled to the only gay of the
entire crew.
- Then Mr. Spok will be in charge here?
- Yes. Call him now."- Kirk asked to the half man.
- I will be in charge here, Captain. Don't worry. But,
have you some special order for me?"- Asked Spok.
- I must be informed about what those doctors down there
are learning from those three aliens we leave at the surface
of Veresdino. Also I wish to be informed when that crazy man
will recover."- Kirk asked.
- I see."- Answered the first officer.
They went by the pneumatic tube to Station 35. Kirk went
directly to the Officer's quarters, and asked an interview
with the Station's Commander.
A little time elapsed, he was received by the Big Man in
person, inside a beautifully over decorated office.
Dario Marmolejo was a short and fat person, 53 years
old.
- Please take a seat, Captain Kirk! Lena ! Gave some
drink to our guest !"- Said Marmolejo Dario, seating in his
harm chair with a sigh.
Lena was the assistant general, a young girl that used a
tight red dress. She asked Kirk about which drink he prefer,
and he asked an Algolian wine.
- Fine choosing !'- Marmolejo expressed.
Lena walks serving the drinks, making Kirk a dizzy man.
She smiled at him continually...
- Cheers !- Marmolejo said, drinking of his glass in one
gulp.
Kirk preferred to drink bit by bit, in order to savor
it.
- This things are the ones that help a man to keep on
going! "- The Commandant Marmolejo said.'- Two years and I
will be promoted to Director of the Investigations Center at
Algol 8 !"
- A good post !"- Kirk said.- " I had known that the
Algol System had attained the same life standard Earth
cherished now. "
' - Look here, Captain Kirk, you know that since the
invention of the Cosmic Transports the far away places of old
are to-day as neighborhoods ! So they had attained a good
standard of life. A patented invention on Earth it's known in
weeks through all the Federation! Provided there is a Cosmic
Transporter there, that is !"- The Commander of the Station
gave his opinion.
- So it is. "- smiled Kirk to Lena, who was pouring more
wine in his glass.
- Lena! Accompany us ! Take yourself a drink!"- The
Commander Marmolejo asked to the adjutant.
- Ay! But you know what happens to me ! - She laughed...
and she pours same Algolian wine in a glass, for herself.
- Prosit ! For us !"- Marmolejo said, drinking his glass
in one gulp.
' - I came to ask you some extra fuel. for my ship."-
Kirk said .
- Ah! Ask whatever you wish, Captain ! You are a good
mate! My adjutant here will provide you of whatever you need
! But tell me, it's true that you find three aliens in deep
space ?"- Asked Marmolejo , and Lena poured more wine on the
glasses.
- In the ship "Lenium" we found a man totally crazy, and
in a chamber full of liquid three aliens were floating . We
take them and disembarked at "Base Soto", on the surface of
this planet we are orbiting now."- Kirk said, drinking a
little more of the Algolian wine, that it was taking effect
in his system.
- Interesting! Then I will ask the Base Soto about it !
Because there is a faint possibility that an alien ship could
came here to the rescue!"- Marmolejo expressed his fears.
- Are you married ?"- Lena asked Kirk, when pouring more
wine in his glass.
- yes, but my wife is dead now. ' - Kirk answered,
looking at the beautiful blue eyes of the blonde Adjutant.
- Ay! That stare of yours! They make me feel like the
Little Riding Hood != She said, backing a couple of steps.
- Lena ! Don't fall down...before pouring some more wine
in my glass!' - Laughed Marmolejo, showing his empty cup, and
when she went to did it, he takes her by the arm.
- Ay, release me !' - She begs.
- Women! They tell us no, and in their inner self they
are asking for it !"- Marmolejo mumbled, drinking his cup in
one stroke.
- You should not be so daring !"- Lena asked of him,
pouring herself another portion.
Kirk was seeing the walls and furniture of the
Commander's office dancing before his eyes. He began to
regret the acceptance of so many libations.
- Another bit, yes?"- Lena asked, and she poured more
wine in their glasses.
Klunk !
The head of Marmolejo makes the desk's objects jump in
their places, when going down.
- Ja ja ! He passed already!"- Lena laughed, looking at
the Commander.
- Did he always goes down like that?- Kirk laughed,
taking Lena's waist.
- Ay, don't be fresh!! Shall we dance, better?- Lena
asked, and without an answer, she lighted a music dispenser,
and embrace Kirk in a dance.
They tried to dance for a while, and when their legs
entangled themselves, they fell down ,to the soft carpet of
the room...
...
Four days elapsed, an urgent message arrives to the
"XMinus".
- I will call the Captain .= Spock announced to the ones
surrounding him, and in the minute he uses the audio
communicator.
...
- I must go.
- Oh, no ! Y love you. I cannot be without you !
- I had brought something for you, so you didn't
despair."- Kirk smiled.
And in a box a collar of silver and brilliants shines
under the lights of that room.
- Oh, how beautiful! - The eyes of the beauty shined as
the jewel, or more !
- Those {jewels} aren't deserving your beautiful self,
but it's the best I can borrow in the Station's Main Store."-
Kirk said.
The radio/telephone chirruped, and Kirk in an automatic
movement, opened the lid and said:- Kirk here.
- Captain: we had received a distress message from the
surface...Soto Base."
- Read it to me.
- "The three alien species had taken control of the
whole "A" Sector of the Soto Base. We request your help.
Signed, the Director General."
- At which hour this message arrives?"
- Since five minutes, Sir."
- Fine. I'll go there. Beam me up! "- Kirk ordered.
Three minutes elapsed, Kirk materialized himself in
front of Scotty, who was the operator at that time.
- Welcome aboard, Captain. Did you rest well ?"- Scotty
asked, smiling broadly.
-Yes, Scotty. A delightful vacation...- Kirk smiled-
"Where is Mr. Tgai Spock ? "
= Tgai Spock ? That is his first name ?
- Yes.
- Mr. Spock is in the Control Cabin...Seems he is in
love with the Commander's chair."
Kirk runs by the corridors, as it was a costume of his
grandfather, back at the XMinus...Spock sees him appearing
half disheveled, and he stand up from the Chair.
- Good day, Spock. All swell in here ?
- yes, Sir. We performed a routine inspection and we
have full charge of fuel."- Spock said, pulling his shirt.
- Very well. What more did you know about the problems
in the Soto Base?"
- There are two new messages from there, Captain.
- You tell me about.
- The aliens seems to posses ESperes powers, Sir. They
control some human brains.
- I understand...then the poor loony we found was
manipulated by them...
- Yes, Captain. So they had taken control of the
Engine's Department, in the Soto Base. Also they had
delivered an ultimatum : if in three more hours the rest of
the humans there didn't surrender, they will disconnect the
systems to the whole complex.
- They should die of cold !
- So it is, Captain. As the Soto Base it's located at
the South Pole , the loss of energy means there would be no
heaters running. It is a death penalty..."
- We must plan something ! Some attack plan...'- Kirk
said, pacing the room.- We mustn't be mere spectators here !"
- In fact, that is our mission, Sir. ' - Stared the
first Officer.
-----------------------------------------
- We have several things at our side : the knowledge of
the complex , our communications with the loyal members of
the Base are running...we can beam personnel there in no
time."- Kirk said.
- And just an hour to do something !
- Do not despair, Sulu. We already have two combat units
ready to launch, waiting for my signal, at the Transport's
Room."- Kirk smiled.
- Sorry, Captain. I guess I am a bit nervous.'-
- We all are, but try to refrain your impulses. "- Kirk
slapped the man.
- In short, a squadron, guided by me, will appear in the
decontaminated sector, and will begin to attack immediately
the rebel forces, pushing in the direction of the site we
think the aliens inhabits."- Spok said.
- Those aliens are called Orons.' - The doctor said.
- Orons. And by the meantime, the second battalion , or
second group, will be beamed by Scotty right into the Engine
Sector. Inside Base."- Kirk slurped.
- It will ask for a perfect calibration.- Doctor McCoy
told the chief Engineer.
- Yes, Doctor McCoy. I will send a decoy first, so I
cannot fail. It will be a twenty seconds delay."- Scotty
grunted.
- You know Scotty it's a good engineer. Very well, Sirs,
once we face the modified humans inside the enemy complex,
please bear in your minds that they are being manipulated, so
do not kill them. Just stunned them. Our real enemy are three
mangled half fishes in a pond."- Kirk remembered them.
- And what if we faced the Orons ?- Asked Lagrange, a
guard.
- I guess they are in a tank with water. Bear in mid
they cannot breath air as we. .. Let's go, Scotty !"
The Chief Engineer began his fumbling with the
Transporter. After a while, and seeing his device came back
in one piece, he said"- All ready here, Captain. "
- Mr. Spok you and your men must preceded us. "
Spok and his group walked to the beams and they were
sneezed to the planet orbiting below.
Spok saw the commander of the loyal forces some two
minutes after, as it was all scheduled like that, and told
him:- " We'll began the attack right now !"
- The enemy it's beyond a sealed door made of steel. It
is the only corridor going their place."- Voroky the Manager
told him.
- All right, Mr. Voroky, my men will plant a bomb there.
Tell your people to back off."
They planted the bomb there, who blow the door in three
minutes elapse. A dense havoc of lethal rays pass through the
threshold. The rebels were there with killer instincts...
- A real pity. If we answer the fire, lots of them will
die, and we now for certain that they are just puppets of
those Orons."- Spock told to Mr. Voroky, a fat little man of
bald head and little scurrying eyes.
- But we must to attack, Mr. the Vulcan. Your comrades
are going to disembark in any minute."- Voroky said , pulling
fiercely a little red mustache over his upper fat lip,
moisture with the water of fear.
The Pfizer began to sizzle, and the heat was on,
there...
Meanwhile, Kirk and his army appeared in corridor # z23
as if were a magic spell working on.
- In front of us it's the Engine Room, mates. Fire at
will."- Kirk gave his command.
The corridor was a large one, and it's sides were
covered by refrigeration tubes.
Running , they soon meet with a couple of guards brain-
washed. Those two guys fired and two men of the Kirk's
platoon went dead.
So the rest stunned those enemies, killing them as the
stunning rays were a lot too many...
- McCoy! You try to help our injured men. Lagrange ! You
cover the doctor !"- Kirk yelled.
The advance was slowed by the resistance of other
enemies, who began firing Pfizer unto them, at full
charge...The reconditioned people were unafraid of rays...
- Captain ! We have three more wounded ! - Simpertigue
assured.
Kirk ordered a more strong force in the Pfizer, so the
corridor were cleaned of enemies, ending with the fierce
resistance.
They arrived to the Engines Chamber' s door.
- Blow it !"- Kirk asked harshly.
The door was blown up with a dynamite charge, together
with pieces of refrigeration ducts, who began to spit water
at high temperature.
- The humans had blown the door to the Engine's room !"-
Romir the Orons said.
- Impossible ! We have a whole battalion fighting the
humans in a far corridor !"- Alamniro said.
- This came from other source."
- Perhaps they were beamed into a near by corridor."-
Ronie said.
- Then they are from some vessel in orbit. In the Soto
Base the Transporters were destroyed by our slaves, at our
command."- Romir remembered.
- Did you scan those new intelligence ? - Asked Ronie.
- I am sensing a group of human egos. They are inside
the Engine's room..."- Said Alamniro.
- Soon they will be here...they will be ours...no match
for our will ! Race of brain pigeons !"- Ronie assured.
- We must have visual contact to sing the victory
song."- Romir muttered.
-------------------------------------
- Still no signs of the aliens?"- Kirk asked.
- No, Captain. But we have found three sealed doors .
Perhaps in them we can find the Orons."- Simpertigue said.
- Blow them all !"- Asked Kirk, looking for shelter.
Soon the three doors were blasted, and the men run into
the chambers.
Two were long corridors, ending in the engines
themselves. The third was occupied by a giant pool full of
liquid, brilliantly lit, where the three Ores were swimming
violently.
The aliens were prepared to the mental attack, so they
acted very quick.
The first three guards felt the cold " mental fingers"
rummaging inside their brains, and began to receive the fast
brainwashing from the Ores. The next step were the
assimilation of a series of orders . The whole process takes
only three seconds !
The three guards turned their weapons towards the rest
of the platoon, who were steeping inside. As their Pfizer
were in the "Stun" mode, their fire wasn't mortal.
- Captain! The Ores were found! But the first inside the
chamber are fighting us !"- Simpertigue told Kirk, who was on
the rear.
- Throw a laser bomb immediately !We cannot take risks
!"- The Captain Kirk ordered.
The bomb crashed all the glasses , so the liquid and the
Orons went down in a flood.
The Ores finally rested in the metal floor of that
chamber.
- It's our end."- Alamniro said.
- Others will follow."- Ronie assured, breathing
spasmodically.
- I have enough strength to turn a man crazy !"-
Alamniro exclaimed from the floor, eyeing the empty place...
Their bodies were bleeding their green blood...
- Attention ! Nobody goes inside the alien's chamber !
They are real dangerous ! They can brain wash any mortal
being who dares pass that threshold !- Kirk snorted.
So nobody goes in there until Mr. Spok arrives, as he
and his platoon were the survivors of the previous fight
against the brainwashed members of the Soto Base...
- All clear, Sir."- Spok announced.
- We have the Ores out of their environment. "- Kirk
said.
- Do you blast their aquarium?
- So it was. You must understand it wasn't a matter of
preserve their good health, seeing the dangerous species they
are."- Kirk replied.
- Self evident, Captain."- Spok said, closing to the
danger.
With his telepathic mind he scanned inside. He felt the
strong pulse of two alien minds, and another weakling fast.
- Do you feel something inside the chamber, Spok?
- Yes, Captain, They are alive, and they are extremely
dangerous, they could control me without effort, but it seems
they must have visual contact. "- The First Officer answered.
- The Atomic Reactor it's closing to the critic point,
Captain."- Simpertigue warned, who was in radio contact with
the Soto Base Commander.
- The damage in the refrigeration ducts was enormous.'-
Spok whispered to the Captain.
-Scotty !"- Kirk called through the visophone.- "Beam up
all our forces immediately ! "
- Proceeding!"- Scotty replied, from the ship.
- There is a group working in the replacement of the
damaged tubes."- Doctor McCoy informs .
In that moment they were beamed up to the "XMinus".
Kirk, followed by Doctor McCoy and Mr. Spok, walked to
the Main Deck. There, Chekov stands up from the Commander's
chair, saying:- " All the crew is on board, Captain."
- I suggest you move the "XMinus" from over the Soto
Base, Captain. It seems that the repair team couldn't fix all
the damages. The chain reaction it's on it's way."- Uhura
said, from her Communication's Post.
- Scotty, full speed ahead."- Kirk asked to the Chief
Engineer.
- The "XMinus" abandoned the orbit around the Veresdin
planet, and hurriedly took refuge among the stars.
A yellow flower blossomed in the surface of Veresdin...
- There goes the Soto Base !"- Doctor McCoy put in
emphatically.
- Poor people !"- Kirk said, looking amazed...
- We have twelve people from the Soto Base aboard !'-
Scotty announced from his post, using the radio communicator.
- I'm going there !"- Kirk answered.
In fact, in the Transporter's Hall, twelve workers and
staff from the Soto Base were , wild with joy ...the joy to
be alive.
- Thanks you very much, Captain! You had saved us !"-
Told Leonardo Dunn, ex Director Manager of the blowed
complex.
- Gave your thanks to Scotty, our Chief Engineer ! We
had so little time to react! A pity we don't beam up more
people ! "
- 316 in all , Captain! Several died in the battles, and
some others totally crazy , all due to those bastards from
deep space ! But I am certain there are some others in the
surface ! Because we had some aerial artifacts, and I gave
full authorization to use them, when the danger began..."
What was implicit in his words was the fact he refused
to flee , choosing to stay at work, no matter the dangers !
Kirk commanded Chekov to return to the planet Veresdin,
and to the Lieutenant Uhura to scan all the surface ,
searching for humans.
Uhura saw six vessels flying due north.
- Six ships in view, Captain. "
- Radioed them we are going to help . Request them to
land ."- Kirk said, and he ordered the crew on board were
located in some cabins, to rest .Some injured ones went to
the Infirmary.
- The vessels from Soto Base are landed, Captain! They
ask for more information."- Uhura snorted.
- We will send them food. Mr. Spok! You will go there
in an auxiliary ship , carrying food and clothes. Try to
begin some course of action. Our ship could take them to
another planet, if necessary."- Kirk urged.
- Yes, Captain.' - Spok said.
- Infirmary inform : just three rescued were needing
medical assistance. The rest has just scratches.- Doctor
McCoy said through the intercom.
- Better that way. See that they receive good beds."-
Kirk asked.
Spok. in the interim, were descending in an auxiliary
ship near the airplanes of the Soto Base. Two of those
airships were big Flying Saucers models, capable of to carry
more than 100 persons each.
- Thanks to Jehovah God that you are here ! We need
food.- A big man said, shaking hands.
- I am Spok, First Officer of the XMinus. My mission
consist in hear your troubles and try to solve them. By the
moment I brought some food and clothes ."
- Very well ! I am Diego Almagro, Chief of the Fifth
Sector. I brought with me all the women and children of the
Soto Base ! "- announced the man, showing with a gesture of
his hands the group of people that were gathering in front of
the Auxiliary Ship.
- Simpertigue ! Supervise the distribution of the food
and clothes! = Asked Spok to the Guard. Other members of the
crew begin to help.
There were several crates with merchandise, and eight
big bags with clothes.
- We have the intention to arrive to the city
"Starlight" , that is located in the West of this continent.
"- Luis Pastene informed Spok. He was the former Public
Relations man of the Soto Base.
- Population seven thousands inhabitants. One Astro Port
in construction, whose major commercial activity is the
fishing in the Clinton Sea."- The tricorder of Spok said,
when asked.
- perfect. Have you enough fuel?"- Spok asked.
- Yes, but our ships are being piloted by non
experienced crews, so I beg you could accompany us to the
aforementioned city, guiding us."- Diego Almagro asked.
- And it would serves your presence there, to be better
received. Our number could awake suspicions in some of those
citizens."- Pointed out Manuel Martinez, pilot.
- I am taking your suggestions , gentlemen, so I could
ask my captain about them. - Spok replied.
The captain Kirk ,when hearing it, answered via the
audio communicator:- " We have a schedule to accomplish, Mr.
Spok. I had maintained correspondence with the Central Base,
and they are giving us another two weeks here, no more. Our
sister ship, the " Beta Brabazone", was sended to Algol B."
- Enough are two weeks to organize this people in their
new localization. "- Spok assured.
He begin to guide the airplanes to the Starlight City,
where they arrived in two days.
Spok talked with Rufino Rubio, the Major of that city,
saying:- " I am Spok, first officer of the XMinus vessel, now
orbiting Veresdin. I am sure you know already what disgrace
befell on the Soto Base."
- So it is ! But, seat ,please !"- Asked the Mayor
Rubio.
They were in a climatized office, whose windows has in
front the docks. So they were able to see the sun, the blue
sea and the traffic of the numerous fishing vessels.
-Thanks. As I were telling , in the Soto Base an
accident makes the fusion chambers to melt...and their are
melting still, sinking in the floor with the atomic heat."-
Spok remarked.
- A pity."- Exclaimed the Major, seating in his soft arm
chair, with a sigh.
- The people from the Soto Base that I had guided here
are mainly women and children. From our vessel in orbit we
beamed another 16 persons, among them the Director Manager."
- I see. But in numbers tell me how many they are."-
Asked the Major Rubio.
- 80 women, 32 children and 49 men."- Replied Spok.
- Here in this city we numbered about 7.000 people. We
have 42 fishing vessels , that provides us of meat . Also
there are one mine of iron and another of Lithium."- The
Major informed Spok.
The First Officer saw that the data was correct, using
his TRiCorder, so he adds:- '...And cattle. 7.000 heads."
- Ah! That! Yes, I were forgetting . It is because I am
here so close to the sea, that I easily forget what is going
on in the fields."- The Major smiled.
- The Soto Base personnel was employed by the Levi
Consortium. Those Companies probably will decide to re invert
money in this planet. So the permanence of those refugees
could very well be provisory."- Spok opined.
- And also that Consortium could decide not to invest a
coin more in Veresdin! I am well aware of the situation, Mr.
Spok. And I am not being insensible. I had studied the city
maps and there is a spot, at the north of Starlight, ready to
begin building houses for those people. By the meantime, I
can provide shelter for about 200 people here in this
building."- Rufino Rubio offered.
- I have some days leave to help in this works. "- Spok
assured.
They had another reunion with the Manager Director of
the disappeared Soto Base, who was beamed to the land,
together with the other 15 who were at the XMinus.
Leonardo Dumm, ex Director, communicated himself with
the Consortium Levi, via the sub radio of the XMinus. They
offered help , using two big cargo vessels ...and as to new
inversions in the planet Veresdn, they said that it will be
matter of further studies, all depending of the next share
holder's reunion ...
Spok returned to the XMinus after 15 days in the
Starlight city, together with his crew.
- Labor accomplished, Captain. I leave the refugees of
the Soto Base very will inserted in the City's society."-
Spok put in emphatically.
- Roof, jobs ? Because those Flying Saucers models are
somewhat not adecuated for long periods..."- Kirk remembered.
- Some of them asked to keep on living in those
artifacts. They are the pilots and some women, as they are
going to use them for tourism. The rest are in the Major's
building, that once was an Hospital. They have beds and a big
communitary kitchen."- Spok informed.
- I am happy to hear this ! So must you."- Kirk said.
- Can I know why I must be happy , Captain? - Kirk
asked, arching one eyebrow.
- Our next reunion will carry us all to Vulcan.- Kirk
advised, going out of the room.
Spok keeps on looking that door, with incredulous
stare...
--------------------------------------------------
- Apus, Octans, Tucana...far from our Earth."
- Far...and close, at the same time, thanks to the new
engines. What before takes generations , to-day it takes us
two or three weeks time."
- I remember my first voyage. It was to the star number
1148...a planet in which humans and birds of two meters high
were living in perpetual war."
- Bross?
- Yes ! It's famous. But scanty populated. Never they
interested much in that planet."
- Because of those birds. It was to live with the weapon
always at the side. And as they are so much Terra formed
planets, why go there to live in danger?"
The light in the console blinked, and turns to green.
- We passed through that ion cloud. The danger is over."
- They are going to relieve us in fifteen minutes.
- I invite you to a 3D chess play.
- I accept ! The loser will accept any future voluntary
mission...
- As always.
Fifteen minutes elapsed, the change of the guard
arrived, so Newark and Simpertigue departed to the gambling
room.
--------------------------------------------------------
---
Vulcano !
That dark and lugubrious planet, whose volcanoes throw
dark clouds of smoke to the red skies...Nest of volcanoes,
race that in their origins was a bellicose and conqueror
...probe of which was the Romulans.
To day they are a race of specialized beings, in the
different branches of knowledge, allied of the Federation of
Planets, with Earth as founder.
The Vulcan worked out a philosophy of restrictions that
has no more than two thousands years, with amazing changes in
their society. Where hate and lies once inhabited, now
flourished peace and concord. The wishes to conquer were
extinguished, replaced by the ardent desire to conquer their
inner selves.
Not all the Vulcan were loving that active philosophy.
There were people that whose self inner conquest was just a
limitation to the powers they received when born.
Several hundreds were united in a new Political Party,
and now they were working to achieve the splitting of Vulcan
from the Federation...in order to recover the freedom and
independence of old.
Because of the, the Federation commissioned the XMinus
to Vulcan, in order to convince the members of the reforming
party of the improvements obtained when belonging to the
Federation. Spok was the child of a high dignitary, member of
an ancient and honorable family, so they thought he were
going to be heard with dully respect by the members of the
Reform Party.
- To return home must be . for you, a wonderful
emotion."- Doctor McCoy told Spok, being both at the Main
Bridge.
- It is always gratifying to see the family."- The First
officer answered.- But in this case, I think there will be no
time to go on visiting them. My mission will take me all the
available time , and much of my attention."
- Vulcan in the main monitor."- Uhura asserted.
Chekov digitized in his desk, and the main visor showed
the red planet, with a dark sky in the backwards.
- It can be seen red flashes in the dark side."- Chekov
exclaimed.
- They are volcanoes ! - Spok muttered, his fixed stare
on the planet where he was born.
- We get it ? "- Kirk asked, walking in.
- Yes, Captain. Vulcano...In three minutes we will enter
to the atmosphere.
They saw several silhouettes appearing at port side
.Uhura contacted them, and inform: -" They are going to
escort us, Captain. A honor escort, they said."
- Right. Let us be guided."- Kirk asked.
Soon enough they descended in a modern astroport , very
well lit, s it was night in that hemisphere.
Kirk , Spok and ten members of the crew descended from
the XMinus, between them the Exo Biologist Jennifer Smith.
- Welcome to Vulcania ! I am honored saluting so an
illustrious explorer !"- Commander Mabok exclaimed , who was
dressed in a very wide jacket.
- Mine is the pleasure. It is always agreeable to be in
a friendly land."- Kirk replied.
- And you must be the First Officer Spok ! Of an old
family here, your return fills our chest with proud! "- The
Commander Mabok thus saluted the half Vulcan.
- Thanks.- Replied Spok, face immutable, and stiff as a
rock.
They were carried to an Hotel, where they have several
hours to change clothes and clean themselves. Some five hours
elapsed, a Vulcan named Cherkov presented himself to Kirk,
saying:'- I am Cherkov ! Chamberlain Second Class. I will
attend you and your crew's well fare all the time you choose
to stay in Vulcan!"
His height was 1.60 meters and he was fat.
- Glad to know you !"- Kirk smiled at him, seeing he
wore a red and black robe, with a broad belt made of tin,
that cuts his figure in two.
- By the meantime, rest in this Hotel, and Mr. Spok
should attend some lectures in the Politic Ministry.I am the
appointed person to carry him there. Of course you and
whoever wants can attend those lectures too, Captain Kirk.
But it is not obligatory , except to Mr. Spok."- Announced
the Chamberlain second class.
- I think it will be interesting for anyone to learn
about your political intricacies. "= Kirk said, calling for
Spok, with his video phone.
The Vulcan arrived in two minutes, and he declared "- It
is necessary to attain more knowledge about the present
situation. Mr. Cherkov, can we go right now to attend those
lessons?"
- No, as the first one is scheduled for to-morrow at ten
o'clock. There you will learn about the various messages the
Reform Party has issued to the government. Also it is
available the sayings of the elders that are in charge of the
nation."- Cherkov said.
So Spok waits with impatience the ten o'clock of the
following day...
The rooms were warm and well lit. Several politics begun
teaching Spok all the nuances of the present politics. Kirk
was present too, not that he was going to attend the meetings
with the opposition, but he was there in order to learn about
the future mission of his First Officer...
One week elapsed, Spok was appointed for a meeting with
the leaders of the Reform Party, and he went to their site
with several official politics. They were backing up his
presence there, just in case some aspect weren't covered with
the recently gained knowledge of Spok...
Kirk was pacing his Hotel rooms, and after some twenty
minutes he decided to go alone to the streets, in order to
refresh his burning brain...
He saw the people of Vulcania {Capital City of Vulcan}
with a mixed quota of envy and surprise. The cargo vehicles
weren't seen , nor airplanes.
He went to the subway, and there he find the
explanation: subway trains linking the different points of
the city. All there was very silent, and just the rumor of
feet were audible .The enigmatic Vulcan just didn't speak in
public !
He takes a train, and travels five station ahead,
climbing up when he felt a tinge of claustrophobia...
The streets were damp there. A woman approaches him,
saying " Hi, handsome ! My name is Dara."
- Eh...Good night."- He answered, realizing it was a
young woman with the slant eyes of the vulcans. Her hair was
combed to the rear of her head. The dark clothes were adorned
with some metal graples. A pair of boots gave her the final
appearance of a night crawler...
- I guess you are from Tierra, a tourist, and probably
recently in our city. "- Dara said.
- Yes. How could you ?"
- You are not a vulcan, because your hears are rounded.
And I bet the excitation you felt at your Hotel makes you
went out ! To admire the strange, to see for yourself..."-
Dara asserted, smiling crookedly.
- I am looking at a Sherlock Holmes in disguise. Female
version...And what about you ? Why are you in the street at
this hour?"- Kirk replied.
- I have a row with my husband ! I divorced him since
just one hour ago. "- She said, with glaring eyes.
- Too many time married?
- Two months. At the beginning ...but let's go to a Cafe
the street it's too humid. "- She invited.
They search for a Bar , and they went into it hand in
hand, as she takes his hand firmly, when first crossing the
street.
Seated at a table, and sipping the coffee, she expanded
her story by analyzing her days of married vulcan...She
obviously felt herself free, now. When she ends the story,
Kirk said"- And then you find me ."
- Yes, I find you. And you like me."- She said, staring
into his eyes.
- Hem ! You also are very sympathetic. - The Captain
Kirk said, touching his own neck with his right hand, as if
wishing for more air. He wasn't accustomed to this kind of
"logical" talks...right to the point...
- If you desire, we could go now to your Hotel. Or
mine."- Dara invited him, touching his hand.
Kirk thought it over a while, and he refused.
- No, thanks you. In my country...my society, it's not
properly to go so fast."
- A society where the Time concept it's sub- appraised,
his members are easily end disappointed."- Dara rationalized.
- Yes, could be . But we could talk a little more."-
Kirk offered the girl.
- No, thanks you. I wish a very nice stay at Vulcania."
- Dara said, and depart.
Kirk smiled, moving his head slightly to the sides, and
finished his cup of coffe. The, he stands up and went out of
the Cafe. The day was breaking, with a yellow tint, that
makes him remember one ancient perfume of the same color,
that his mother used long time ago...
The Vulcan people were increasing it's numbers, as it
was time to began to work. Not a human were around there.
And it wasn't strange! Vulcan has little tourist
attractions, being a planet full of volcanoes, the same who
were throwing to the heavens dark cloud of dust. And also
there were big earthquakes, a dozen a month...and the strange
philosophy of the people scared the humans , who were
familiar with the subterfuges , the merciful lie, the false
appraisal...so this Spartan-like people scared them stiff !
Kirk went to his Hotel , using the Subway. He takes a
long shower and went to bed at 08:07 hours...
===================================================
Spok was seated at a table, at that precise hour,
talking with the principal opposites to the Government plans.
- Delegate Spok: I am Riskiv, Associated Director from
the Reform Party. I am here to read to you a detailed
memoranda of our present position , with respect to the
Federation alliance. Our desire it is to obtain a complete
separation of Vulcan society with respect to that gathered
lot of planets called the Federation."
- It seems logical to begun with your position. You may
proceed."- admitted Spock, while Riskiv drinks some of water.
- Let's see...There are three main points . The First
Point is that we had noticed a slowing down of the
development of Vulcano; now there is the old interest of to
learn , investigate, invent new mechanisms or new theories in
the several branches of the knowledge. Now it is preferred
the novelty, the mere option of the merchandise that is
offered us via Catalogue , or with samples, from the other
Federation planets. It's understandable ! For which purpose
to be caring to invent, if with a little research it can be
found manufactured , the desired invention? Some
philosophical theory ? We search and found that it was
discovered and carried to the experimentation in another
planet ! Now we are mere readers of philosophical theories,
we are admired of the alien achievements in the mathematical
fields ! We are consumers of any other electrical gadget that
choose to be imported here ! So if we split from the
federation, we would establish Laws that will forbid the
traffic between that Conglomerate and us ! We would be alone
again, to feel ourselves alone...Then our philosophers will
return to their particular studies, our technicians and
engineers will begin inventing !
"Point Two : Emigration. Actually by each thousands
inhabitants ,a hundred has already emigrated. The percentage
has been increasing year by year, since our alliance with the
Federation. Millions had already gone, maybe the most
pugnacious of our population. At the pace we are going, in
ten years some cities will be half empty, their industries
paralyzed ,slowing down the total productivity in a 50% !
"The solution that our Party foresees for this
particular problem it's very simple: general prohibition for
any unauthorized trip to the exterior of Vulcano...and I tell
you, Mr. Spok, the authorized trips will be very few!"
- I see.'- Spok commented in a cold manner.
- The Third Point is related to the few we are obtaining
by being in the Federation. The tourism it's almost in
existent, as our world isn't agreeable for the human Earth
kind. They preferred blue oceans, pale blue skies and white
sand beaches, in which their desinhibited and liberal women
can take sun bathes and being admired...Our ore sells had
increased a magre 7% from the pre-Federation times. With
respect to Technology, our ships had been equipped with the
best engines the Federation can sell, it's a fact, but the
they are being used in the Federation's benefit."
With this final words, Riskio finished his
expostulation.
Then Spok replied:- " I had heard the Honorable Riskio
in his discourse. I had analyzed his sayings and he have, in
part, reason to complain. But to return to our oneness it's
like to return to the kerosene to lit lamps and to the
explosion engines to move aerial vehicles. They had been
abandoned , for ever, the days of the heroic struggle against
an hostile Universe .
Inside of the group of planets named the Federation, all
have passed through this same identity crises , this
melancholic groups , remembering the passed time of heroism
and effort. We had paid already for the individual effort. We
have evolved as individual persons - our main philosophy of
life proves it. It is clear that to be a little master piece
is, apparently, more valuable than to be a brick in a major
building
"But in that union we will grow together. It is the
apparent inmovility that worries to-day the Reform Party. But
it is because they are viewing this in a planetary fashion. I
ask the honorable members of the Reform Party to see that
thousands of Vulcanians are to-day big businessman, also
Managers of important organizations as Banks and Hospitals.
And a lot more it will be boring to enumerate here.
"The vulcanian race had been the new sap inside a
ligneous tree. To day the Federation soars ahead , thanks to
the efforts of many of our fellow citizens.
"With respect to the Industry and the invention, the
Vulcan race has patented three times more improvements and
inventions than the rest of the Federation members put
together. This is more notorious if we compare with our
planetary records ...Never before such as this !
"It is true this inventions are being developed outside
our planet. But the inventors had received hundred of million
credits for them! And part of that money had been invested
here! And they keep on receiving the royalties !
"And this carry us to the Emigration Problem. It is true
that the actual percentage of emigration outweighs that of
the new born. I must remember you that the usual number of
children rise by each couple in Vulcan is of one son.
" I had revised this same case in the other planets of
the Federation, in the time when they too were beginning it's
membership, and the percentage of emigrations in those
periods were similar to the ones we are seeing in Vulcan. The
rate will descend in a slow way, and it will end by not
represent a problem. As I said, it's like the new sap running
by a ligneous tree. Once the tree achieve the saturation
point, the sap will need not be too much.
" And so I am arriving to the Third Point of the
Honorable Riskio pointed out. This is, how little Vulcan has
gained with this coalition. Here will be boring to repeat
what I had already said. Here we are advancing as a group,
and the results are appearing in a slowly manner. And this is
because the range it's wider. It has to be with all the
circuits of science, industry, commerce, communications and
transport.
" Now it's not as before, mere jumps in one or other
human knowledge.
" I finally pray all the Reform Party members have the
will to considerate again their secessionist ideas, that some
day it will be seen as a burden in the road to better days
for Vulcan. Also suicidal, as now it's the time of the big
alliances. What could happen to Vulcan if some other Alliance
's forces came from the deep of space ? We would be an easy
prey. Proud and lonely our planet would perish ...we would
fight against the wind mills and that will be all. We would
be defeated and we would loose our identity, that to day we
are so proud of.
" That will be all for now."
With those words Spok ends his message. Their speeches
were reproduced in all the TV Hologram sets throughout all
the planet. Thousands of people heard the uttered words.
Spok talked a little to some of the presents, and then
they attend a meal of honor, in which the old union among the
ancient tribes of Vulcan was commemorated.
- We are the taxi drivers of Spok. We are here waiting
he finish those interminable sessions , to return to the
active service. It is humiliate. Seems all the Vulcan are
staring at us in mockery."- Newark said.
- We are the workers the Federation has here. We will be
always in the service of this or the other politic . "-
Simpertigue reply.
- I can't believe this !"- Newark said.
- Yes! The heroic times are finished. The grandfather of
the captain piloted the "Priceless". His nephew are
vegetating in the "XMinus".- Simpertigue confided to the
other .
- Vegetate? ' - Newark felt himself intrigued.
- Do not advance further. Stay put.'- Simpertigue lit
his laser pipe, breathing the smoke with delight.
Both members of the crew were seated in front of their
monitors, astern of the XMinus. The information were flowing
from the radar , showing them all the planet's traffic. It
was being tapped in the Orbiter Computer.
- Mr. Spok is also a member of the crew. His special
aptitudes makes himself eligible for the mission he is trying
to accomplish now. "- Simpertigue remembered.
- Those Vulcan ! We will have some days in the surface,
but to think in all those macho-like females gives me the
creeps !"- Newark groaned.
- You must see the bright side of things ! At least,
they aren't klingons !"- Simpertigue laughed heartily, and in
that instant the Captain Kirk appeared there.
- Too much fun in a working post signifies, generally,
little attention to the job !"- He admonished, and asked a
report of the guard. 18 ships had abandoned the planet, and
12 had entered the atmosphere. All this data was with several
details more, such as the destiny points, crew members and
cargo.
- Little traffic for a so famous a planet ! "- Kirk
mumbled.
- May be it's the quality and not for the quantity that
it is a famous planet, Captain.- Simpertigue replied.
- Could be so. And at purpose of this, our Mr. Spok is
entangled in high politics ! So high, that I am asking for a
new assignation for our vessel."- Captain Kirk commented,
seating in a chair.
Newark said:- " I was commenting about that, Captain! It
seems to me a waste of time and recourses just to be here
orbiting the same planet, waiting for Mr. Spok, who knows for
how many time he will be engaged in those political
discussions."
- He also said we are the taxi drivers of Mr. Spok.'-
Simpertigue chipped in.
Kirk said "- Not so little thing as taxi drivers ! But
it is a waste of our time. I will ask my petition to
Headquarters in a plausible way, as to gave us some chance to
go somewhere else."
And he retired.
- Why did you said that I said we were as taxi drivers
of Mr. Spok? - Newark asked.
- Alas! You would be just a little thing if you can talk
in absence of someone what you cannot have the guts to say in
front of that someone ! You must always speak as if the
absent were present: in that way you need not repent
afterwards."- Simpertigue replied.
============================================
Simpertigue ends its turn and walked to the Main Deck,
and he sees Kirk busy sending the message, with the aid of
Lieutenant Uhura. He went there and said :- " Captain Kirk,
can you gave me an interview for this afternoon?
- Yes. At three o'clock in my office."- Answered Kirk
absentminded.
As it was twelve hours { ship's time} Simpertigue went
to lunch .
At three o'clock he enters Kirk's office. Uhura asked
why he was there.
- I asked an appointment to the Captain, Sir."
- Well...you aren't being too lucky., He has the
willies."
- Damn."- Simpertigue said demurely, and stepped in.
Kirk offers him a chair, and said"- Be brief,
Simpertigue. And do not touch religious themes, I have too
much to do."
- If this is the case, Captain, I ask your leave to
retire myself. I am a man of ideas and I cannot abridge them"
- Speak.
- Please tell me how it goes in reference to your
requisition."
- Bad! - Kirk yelled, and Uhura's head appeared in the
threshold .
- Are you calling me, Sir?
- No! Lieutenant, you can resume your duties."- Kirk
said, and he adds to Simpertigue :- " I expose them the
wasting time we are having here, and the answer was that an
armed vessel of the Federation over the Vulcanian skies was
enough back up for Mr. Spock's efforts down there. And if we
retire the "XMinus", we are endangering the political
schemes."-
- And there will be no new mission?
- They said there is no important mission to gave
us...by the moment."- Kirk answered.
- So we are stuck here .'- Simpertigue said, crossing
his arms.
Kirk retired a bottle of wine from his desk, and he
served two portions in two glasses, offering one to
Simpertigue, who received it gladly.
- Only a urgent call from someone in distress could move
us now."- Kirk assured.
- We can create that urgent call !
- I think I'm not that desperate."- Kirk snorted.
- Then you could license us , to visit Vulcan and search
the fun here isn't !"
- As we are relatives I will refrain to punish your
words, but gave me the power to castigate you."- Kirk
remarked, and he slaps Simpertigue.
- Enough.- Simpertigue said, drinking the rest of the
wine, and with a salute, he retired from the office.
When going by Uhura's desk, Simpertigue told her:- " He
wasn't so mad: he just bit me once."
Uhura buried her nose in her console. She wasn't
interested in fights...
-Uhura ! Came immediately, please!"- Kirk bellowed from
his office.
She enter the room at a brisk pace.
- Do you know what that bum came here to ask of me?"
- No idea, Captain.
- Close that door. Seat there. Well. He wants a shore
leave for all hands ...vacations on Vulcan."- He snorted.
- You opposed, of course.- Uhura asked mildly.
- Not yet. I must study this matter, but in this moment
I am feeling very strained."
She walk round the desk, and seats in the border, near
him. Her legs shone under the silk. Kirk's eyes were trying
to run from their orbs.
- Course of collision ! "- Kirk interjected, and he
embrace those appendages of ebony.
She smiled and caressed the blond head. She understood
that man, inheritor of some heroic ancestors. That gravitate
heavily over his anguished ego, making stagger enormously.
- Do you think I can leave all hands without endanger
our mission?- He asked, rising his head.
She puts his head over her chest, and the man rushed to
it, hungrily.
----------------------------------------
- And how was the interview? Did he said yes?"- Newark
asked Simpertigue.
- I don't know ! I asked to send all not so busy hands
to Vulcano, and he slaps me !"-
In that moment the audio communicators begin to chirrup,
and a voice said through the loudspeakers:-" Attention all
the crew members ! This is Lieutenant Uhura warning you ! In
two minutes our Captain will speak !"
Then some cracking in the loudspeakers, and the voice of
Captain Kirk boomed out :-" This is your Captain ! The next
people will remain on board : Simpertigue, Newark, Uhura,
Scotty, McCoy, Chekov and Uhura ! The rest of the crew will
have a shore leave of 15 days ! The shuttles will carry you
to Vulcano ! "
- Hurrah!"- They all yelled, minus the aforementioned
members of the crew...
In half an hour the two shuttles were heading to the
surface of Vulcano...with a cheering gang.
- I did it great ! I asked shore leave, and I obtained
for all hands except me !"- Simpertigue yelled to Newark.
- Try to made a complain to Kirk."- He replied.
Simpertigue told the Captain it was an injustice to have
him in the XMinus, when he was the one that asked the shore
leave.
- Do not complain, crew member ! We will have some other
amusements here. "- Captain Kirk answered enigmatically.
-------------------------------------------------
At dawn of the next day on board, Kirk summoned the
scant crew left, and he said :- I have news for you. "
- And are them good news ?- Simpertigue asked
- A Vulcan commission will arrive here at noon. It's a
study, about the human behavior in space...with 0 gravity.-
Kirk whispered.
-But we aren't in 0 Grav !"- Scotty replied.
- But we will be from now on ! That is required by the
study we are going to see performed !"- Kirk smiled.
- This is very suspicious for me !"- Scotty mumbled.-"
Those studies had been performed centuries ago !"
Kirk grew red in the face. He exclaimed"- Not all those
studies are pertinent for to-day crews ! Also, if we
cooperate with the students of the " Vulcan University" ,we
will be performing a very good act indeed !"
Chekov said:-" I understand, then that this is more a
students research ! "
Some minutes more, the XMinus 's crew was in 0 gravity.
The University team arrives at noon. 22 of them, all
females from Vulcan. The resistance of Scotty vaporizes...
The students begun making the crew performs several
exercises ,with scanners glued to their bodies, so they taped
the metabolic variations.
Some romances flourished - except in Scotty 's case- and
when the researches were accomplished - one week elapsed-
nobody could honestly feel at a loose for not to have landed
in Vulcan ...
After 8 days of the student's departure, Spok
communicate with the vessel, so Kirk puts him in the central
monitor, to talk seeing his friend.
- Good morning, Captain. I am sending this encrypted
message to you after a very tiresome reunion with the
political opposition . ?This is getting harder each day it
passes. The Reform Party is really decided to go on banning
Vulcan 's decision to keep on inside the Federation. So I ask
you for more patience, as I cannot foresee when this mission
of mine will end. Live long and prosper."
The screen went blank.
- Uhura : send this message to Headquarters immediately.
Attach to this my last request to my superiors."-Kirk asked.
This time he received a positive answer.
" From Headquarters to the Captain Kirk in the "XMinus":
the "Grissom" vessel will arrive to Vulcan shortly, to
release you. The captain Sanchez ,of the "Grissom", will
deliver your next assignment. End of message ZQQ7."
- Eureka !"- Kirk laughed, when seeing his departure
were approaching.- "Uhura, send an encrypted message to Spok,
telling him we are on the move. Tell him I will be sending
our position at all times, in case he finish his job and
wants to join us."
- Aye aye, Sir !"- Uhura smiled broadly, showing a
generous portion of her long legs, making the eyes bulge of
every male on the Bridge...
------------------------------------------
CHAPTER TWO
THE Changelings.
---------------------------------------------------------
Captain Kirk enters the "Grissom" via the Beamer.
Captain Sanches, a man in his forties, receives him
cordially, presenting his crew.
- My first officer Luis Uribe, Second Officer Raul
Reyes, Communication Officer Lisa Mayenz.
- Glad to meet you ."- Kirk said, looking at the young
and smiling Lisa...
- Please accompany me to my room, Captain Kirk."-
Invited Captain Sanches, taking him by the arm.
In his office, with an oak desk in between, Captain
Sanches told Kirk:= " We know there is a war between two
alien races, in quadrant 48. The "Mars Company" thinks we can
earn some credits if we went there as advisers. "
- Always the money.
- Unfortunately, ships are made with money, Captain
Kirk. As you and me are mercenaries now, we cannot expect the
Mars Company acts in a pure philantropical way. Thing they
aren't."
- Yes, I receive a monthly payment, same as all the
crew. But to earn money aiding races in conflict seems to me
without ethics."
- We are warriors, in the deep end. Also with a touch of
explorers. All the money in the world means little thing
before a ship's main deck. Or am I wrong?"- Asked Sanches.
- You are right.' - Kirk smiled.
Sanches pours some Chilean wine unto a couple of
glasses, and they drink.
- Good wine. Vina Carmen..."- Approves the XMinus
captain.
- Yes, I bought some hundred cases myself. Well, the
data is storage in a CD. "- Sanches said, handling Kirk an
envelope.
- I guess you aren't accompanying us."
- I am here to relieve you of the surveillance of
Vulcan. I assume Mr. Spock is down there."- Sanches said,
pointing to the floor...where Vulcan orbited round its sun.
- yes, and I was told he will be there a lot more time
than supposed previously."
- A pity. He is a man of the stars, not of political
saloons."- Sanches asserted.
They talked about Earth and the new manners. Then Kirk
went to his ship, to read the orders.
The races were not human. They were in a desperate war,
and the Changelings were the ones willing to communicate with
Terrans.
- Uhura, please call all hands aboard. We will depart in
two hours elapsed."- Captain Kirk ordered her.
- Yes, Captain.- She replied.
Doctor McCoy came to his office, and asked"- Where are
we heading now, Jim?"
- To a war, Bones ! Get ready your musket !"- Kirk
smiled.
- You seems very pleased to endanger our lives !"- McCoy
stated.
- I will try not to endanger them too much."
- That I will appreciate very much !"- McCoy retorted.
Kirk went to the main deck, and he talked with Chekov
about the new destination, giving him the coordinates.
By the intercom he speak to all the crew aboard the
XMinus, saying " - To all the crew members : this is your
Captain speaking. We will be heading to a dangerous spot in
the galaxy, where two alien races maintain a bloody struggle
for power. One of those races calls us to be of help. We will
act as a technical aid, so don't trouble yourselves thinking
we will fight alien vessels. "
- A good point here.' - McCoy said, looking at Kirk.
- The Mars Company that hired you and me pretends to
gain some economical potential with us giving the Changelings
some advise...and blue prints of engines and weaponry.
'I ask you to be alert every moment from now on. We had
an idle time here ,orbiting the peaceful Vulcan. Now we will
prepare to be alert, as anything can came our way. This I ask
you : put your whole senses to the job. "
And he ends the speech with the motto of the Mars
Company: "Earth matters !"
- That was very touching of you."- McCoy said to him,
but Kirk didn't grabs the exact meaning of those words...
The XMinus begun his trek at full speed. The engines
moaned with the effort, as there were old models, refitted by
Scotty .
- Guess we can fuse some circuits. Captain, if we keep
on with this pace."- Radioed the Chief Engineer to the
Captain.
- Then put the XMinus in a safer speed, Scotty. Better
to arrive late than not at all."- Kirk sighed. His previous
vessel was the Enterprise, a sound Starfleet vessel, capable
of feast this XMinus were far away to accomplish...
Two weeks elapsed, they were close to Quadrant 48.
- Ship ahead, Sir. Visual contact."- Said Uhura.
- Put it on the main screen. Also tell them we are from
Earth. Chekov ! Shields on !"
The ship in the main screen was a spheroid, with several
rods sprouting from it.
- They salute us ! They are asking us to slow the
pace."- Uhura communicate.
- O.K., Scotty, half impulse power. Uhura, ask them to
receive me in their main deck."
- Hi Hi, Sir....They are acknowledging the order. They
reply...saying they have no transporter beam apparatus. You
must go in person...or they will send us a shuttle."
- Tell them I will go in a shuttle."- Kirk response.
So he chooses Lagrange and Simpertigue, and embarks in
the shuttle. Five minutes elapsed, and he was in the
spheroid, whose size was huge.
The door slid open, and he stare at the ones named
Changelings.
They were human beings !
- Welcome aboard the "Chameleon", Captain Kirk ! Nice to
see humans aboard.I am Richel, Captain of this vessel."-' '
Welcomed him a female of about 60 years old, wearing a pink
dress.
- Lady ! Mine is the pleasure."- He replied.
The other members of the alien crew were all females ,
of several ages and heights. They all wore civilian dresses,
and they were smiling amicably.
- I came with Simpertigue and Lagrange, my personal
guards."
- No need to bring here guards. Captain Kirk ! We are
friends of the humans of the planet Earth. We knew them two
years ago, when the " Symposium" came this way in a research
travel. We advise them not to go further, as our enemy is
lurking those places. "- Said lady Richel.
- A pity you have a war going on."
- Yes, and more pity is to be retreating. We have lost a
whole system already, and we fight in another. We Changelings
are a peaceful race, and with the centuries we have populated
three solar systems. Now we are loosing them in the hands of
the Predators."- Lady Richel sighs.
- I will help you in any way you chooses fit."- Kirk
said, touched to see a lady like his grandmother aching for
those worlds...
- I will present you my officers...This is Liana, First
Officer. And Farag, Second Officer. Muala, the Scientific
Officer, and Martina, medical officer on board..."
Liana , Farag and Muala were of old age, but Martina was
a superb specimen of a woman, with moist lips and a pair of
dark green eyes where Kirk seems to be plunging head on ...
- My pleasure. I expect you could accompany me to my
ship, in order to present you my officers, too."- Kirk said.
- No problem. But now permit me to invite you to a
little dinner ."- Lady {and also Captain} Richel whispered.
- I will be delighted."- Kirk said, eyeing Martina.
Lady Richel puts Martina at his side, as if she approves
of his interest, and they talked about the machines and men
of both vessels, not touching the war theme.
- I have some knowledge in Homo sapiens biology. I
attended some patients of the "Symposium " crew."- Martina
whispered to Kirk.
- Very interesting ! But you resemble a very healthy
specimen of my own race."- Kirk said, drinking something of
what appears to be wine.
- Thanks you. I hope you encounters me agreeably to your
sight."- She blushed.
- Agreeably ? I am beginning to be in love with you !""-
Kirk whispered in her hear.
Simpertigue asked to Richel:- " And how many crew
members are in this vessel, madam ?"
- "389 persons, Guard. We must have that number, as when
going into battle, we need a lot of gunners. Those spikes you
saw protruding our vessel are mainly cannons...plasma
cannons."
- And in how many battles your ship had fought?"-
Simpertigue asked.
- In 23 battles, 3 skirmishes and one sighting of a
lesser enemy vessel, who preferred to fly instead of to fight
us."- Smiled the Lady, understanding Simpertigue's questions
as a Guard's gaffe.
Lagrange asked Farag about how many women were in the
crew, and she laughed instead of answering.
- There are several interesting features in our vessel,
Captain. Please go with Martina to see them."- Asked Lady
Richel, after dinner.
- I will be most honored."- Kirk said, smiling. Martina
takes him by the hand, and they went down a corridor.
- And you could go seeing our weaponry, gentlemen. "-
Captain Richel invited Simpertigue and Lagrange, who were
guided by the not so interesting officers Farag and Muala.
Martina said"- This is our entertainment's room. There,
in those couches, we hear music and also we play our
instruments."
- I wish to hear you sing, Martina ! I am sure you sing
like an angel !"- Kirk told the beauty, kissing her hand of
polished nails.
- Thanks . I am not sure what do you mean by angel."-
She asked, blushing slightly.
- One angel is a spiritual creature that visits Earth to
see all it's running smoothly. They are beautiful, when they
choose to show themselves."- Kirk affirmed.
- Oh ! I am afraid I am no angel, as when choosing to
show ..."
She couldn't end her phrase, as Kirk kissed her. At the
beginning she didn't response, but when realizing the meaning
of a kiss, she asked for more.
- Here...or in my quarters?- She asked, out of breath.
- Wherever- Kirk answered.
They went to her room, and she said:- " Please, I rather
like this ...naked."
So they naked themselves. When in the bed, Kirk whimpers
, as something bites his leg.
- What is in this bead?
- Oh, I am sorry ! Must be a needle.' - Martina said,
kissing him eagerly.
So they make love in a torrid fashion...
- Glad to have you in my ship, Captain Kirk. Please came
whenever you choose fit. Let me escort you to our main
planet."- Captain Richel said.
- I'll be glad to came back. But do not forget you are
invited to our ship."- Kirk replied.
- I have not forget your invitation, Captain. "- She
smiled gently.
Martina kissed him good bye, to the annoyance of
Simpertigue and Lagrange, who had been boring seeing the
weaponry of the ship in the old timer's company.
- Did you get ...it ?"
- Yes, Captain. Both things. "- Smiled Martina.
- Good . This will promote you to a bigger vessel."-
Captain Richel promised, seeing by a monitor how the shuttle
of the XMinus were traveling away.
- That Captain Kirk has heat in his veins."- Martina
said, taking her true morphemic semblance.
- All humans have that urge inside . It's an instinct."-
Assured her Captain .
- Have you the photos?
- Yes, Captain.'- Replied Lagrange, handling Kirk the
video camcorder.
- Good. We must analyze it, with the computer's aid.
Then we must see what they really have."= Kirk said.
- You seem to have a good time with the doctor..."-
Simpertigue insinuated.
- Yes, Simpertigue. But you know I am no blabber."- Kirk
smiled.
- You lucky you !"- Simpertigue laughed.
- Wish I knew why they call the Changelings. They
resembled perfect human beings to me."- Lagrange assured.
Kirk felt a little tingle in his spinal cord, but then
he forgot.
Or choose to unnoticed
The vessels gained speed, and the Xminus were in the
Chameleon's path. There were no time to further social
reunions: in two occasions they change direction, as the
Predators were lurking near .
- Bad thing . This Changelings are too afraid of those
Predators. "- Scotty said.
- Perhaps they have a good reason.'- Chekov replied.
They arrived, after ten days , to Tronoglon, the capital
planet of the Noglon System.
Several hundred of big vessels were patrolling the three
planets of that System. Noglon was the third, counting form
the sun.
- This is our home planet. Please follow us to the
surface, where we will be in better position to talk and
after the necessary intercourse."- Captain Richel asked.
- We are following you."'- Answered Kirk.
In ten minutes they landed in a great Star Port.
- What a number of vessels ! - Scotty said, when going
out of the ship.
Kirk and his retinue goes down the ladder. They were
Scott, McCoy, Chekov, Uhura , Simpertigue and Lagrange .The
rest of the crew reminded at the XMinus.
Captain Richel and her officers goes down the
"Chameleon", that was parked at the nearest site. She said"-
I will serves you as your Host here, Captain Kirk. You and
your men will be our guest of honor."
Kirk spotted Martina, who were smiling him in a languid
fashion. He reply :- Must delighted, Captain !"
So they climb in a land vehicle, and they traveled
downtown, where the Changelings offers them luxury rooms to
stay.
- We will begin our work early in the morning, Captain
Kirk. We really are in a hurry: after the deliverance of the
weapons and knowledge, I am sure you and your crew could stay
here in this Hotel as long as you wish"- Captain Richel
asserted.
- Thanks you very much, Lady. The rooms are superbly
decorated."- Kirk replied.
And he was 'nt adorning the truth: the Hotel were
decorated with marble walls, a thousand mirrors and thick
rugs. The furniture was highly decorated and the gold and
silver shone in every corner.
That night they dine at a table, hearing an orchestra ,
who played languid tunes to some dancers performing in a
dais.
- Like old Las Vegas. I only missed the gambling
tables."- McCoy sighs.
- You gambler you !"- Kirk smiled, hand in hand with
Martina, who was at his side.
- Like this was in all the planets we lost. "- Martina
spoke.
A chill runs over the humans. The phantom of war kissed
each one in the cheek.
- Pity you are loosing. We will try to revert this
situation."- Kirk announced.
- We asked for help...to your Federation. But they are
asking more time , to study our situation. And we feel that
they will attain his decision too late."- Captain Richel
expostulate.
- The Federation ! I used to be a Captain, there."- Kirk
remembered.
- And I your medical officer.'- McCoy said.
Kirk went to dance with Martina, and McCoy with Captain
Richel.
Scotty stayed at the table, sipping a soft drink.
A while later the ladies went out, and they returned to
their rooms.
- Nice people, this Changelings ! Totally humans."-
Scotty said.
- Good night."- Kirk groaned, going to his bed.
- This humans are naive.
- And lovably. They are like child. Never a suspicion."-
Martina said.
- This is because we are using their forms. Do you look
that waiter, in the background? For an instant he abandoned
the human morphology. I almost fainted ! "= Captain Richel
exclaimed.
- I hope they change him ! "- Martina said, enraged.
- Yes, don't worry about that. I called the Hotel
Manager at once. He said he was a replacement, ant that this
situation will be not repeated."- Richel said, putting one
tentacle over the oily shoulders of Martina.
- Better he did that ! I am in love with the blonde man
!"- She said.
- Are you going to visit him...to night ?"- Richel
asked.
- Yes. "
- Please be sure you know what you are doing . A slip
and your heart will broke in a hundred pieces."- Richel
advised her officer.
- I know. But I am a female in love. "
Early the other day Kirk and his group walked to the
land vehicle, and travel to the XMinus, where they
disembarked the weaponry that was storage in the decks.
- We will copy this weapons a thousand fold ! We need
new weapons, to surprise our enemy."- Captain Richel said to
Kirk.
- We are willing to help. Also to teach you how this
weapons are better used.
So they begin to teach a squadron of changeling guards.
This guards learned fast, and in a week the lessons were due.
- We appreciate what you just did. Please stay in town,
to see several films we have."- Richel asks Kirk.
- Fine."- He said, hand in hand with Martina, who was
with her head in his shoulder.
They went to the cinema ! They saw the beginning and end
of the alien invasion. Some pictures were breath taking, as
they show the mutilations the Predators did to the captured
warriors.
Also they saw the Changelings in his true form : they
were as oily seals, with arms and legs barely defined, as
instead of fingers they used three black tentacles.
They eyes were round and yellow in color. They mouths
were mere splits in a log's face.
- But you are not like them !'- Kirk told Martina, after
the first film viewed.
- No, they are another branch of Changelings.- She said,
very pale in the face.
- Fortunate for me ! I would never love that other kind
of Changelings.Too different to us !"- Kirk said, kissing the
female.
McCoy went to Kirk's bed room, that night, and told his
friend"- Better realize the kind of delusion you are handling
here, Jim ! "
- What are you talking ?
- There must be a sole kind of changelings here, man !
Or do you really think Martina is a special kind, together
with those sympathetic ladies on board the " Chameleon "?
They are just using those forms to please us ! "
- I cannot believe you !"- Kirk exclaimed, passing one
of his hand over his eyes.
- yes, as you wish...Love had been your true companion ,
ever ! I understand . But we better leave this planet, or we
will began to have serious complications, the end of which I
better don't foresee !" - The doctor of the XMinus said,
leaving Kirk alone in his bed chamber.
A little while longer, and Martina entered the room,
embracing the man and kissing him ardently.
Kirk were caressing that superb body with his hands, but
his mind was reeling inside his skull. The words of McCoy
were a slice in the fabric of his dreams. And what he
envisioned beyond makes him shudder...
He just the same make love to the "woman", but at dawn
he summoned his group, saying " - We live this planet. Our
mission is accomplished."
- Pity, captain ! There are some superb broads here !"-
Simpertigue assured.
- Just the same we must return to our duties."- Ordered
Kirk.
So they communicate with the rest of the XMinus crew,
and in half an hour they were all located inside the hull of
that vessel.
- Uhura, told the Station we are asking permission to
leave the surface.- Asked Kirk.
- Hi hi , Sir.'- Uhura replied.
Some minutes elapsed, she said"- We have permission to
take off. The "Legend " will be waiting us in orbit, to
escort us out of this system."
- Very well.'- Kirk snorted, as in his inner self he was
dreading the Changelings refused to let them go.
Once in orbit, the "Legend " approaches. It was a very
huge vessel, similar to two spheroids united by a bar.
Hundred upon hundred of spikes protruded all over those
spheroids...they were cannons...
- Captain Lemak speaking ! Greetings, Earthlings ! I am
here to escorted you out of this planetary system...and
beyond, upon on request !"- Was the message received by the
XMinus radio/video system.
- Captain Kirk here. Thanks you for being our escort,
Captain Lemak. We will follow you whenever you pleased."
- In this moment, captain ! Just stay close."- Was the
prompt answer.
No image was being received. Kirk begin to think why...
They passed through a maze of thousands vessels, much of
them un-armed, just leisure yatch, cargo ships, passengers
vessels ...all the ones that could run from the occupied
planets ...
- A pity what this people are suffering. If we could
help more ...I will gladly stay to lend a hand."- Scotty
muttered.
- Yes, but we already disembarked a thousand new weapons
here. Also this XMinus vessel has little war power. Just a
couple dozens torpedoes, and a rusty Pfizer at prow."- Kirk
remembered his Chief Engineer.
They keep on at the wake of the "Legend", a fast and
deadly starship of the Changelings.
- There must be a couple of hundred men inside that
vessel."- Scotty said.
- Or the double. "- Kirk remarked.- It's length is of
four hundred meters long ...the spheres have a diameter of
eighty meters ."
The hours turned to days, and then they were ready to
say good bye to the "Legend", that was turning to return,
when a flash in the void attracts the attention of Chekov.
- Captain ! There is something approaching..."
- Put it in the main monitor !"- Asked Kirk.
A pair of big vessels were barely visible, little specks
in the darkness of space.
- The Captain Lemak is calling ! He said he is tracking
a couple of Predator 's vessels ! He is saying ...that we
must escape from here at maximum velocity ! He said...they
will try to stop those ships !"- Uhura said, from his post.
- Tell him we Earthlings didn't escape ! We'll fight !
Chekov ! Shields on ! Scotty ! Get ready with those torpedoes
! - Kirk ordered, and he signaled to turn the vessel to face
the intruders.
- Two torpedoes are coming this way, Sir."- Chekov
advised.
- Scotty ! Full engine power ! Chekov ! 30 degrees
astern!"
The XMinus avoided the incoming torpedoes by a scant 200
meters...The Legend sends a dozen torpedoes to the incoming
Predators machines.
- They are huge ! Look the numbers, Captain !"- Asked
Chekov, shoring the computers.
- Forty kilometers wide ! - Kirk uttered, and he seats
with trembling legs.
The "Legend " were trying to return to his Base, but the
pair of alien crafts were closing the possible course, and in
the meantime a shower of red rays were crisscrossing ,
searching for the hull of the Changeling vessel.
- They are not paying us any attention ! "- Chekov said.
- Time to escape. Captain !"- Uhura exclaimed.
Kirk asked more power to Scotty, and rushed against one
of the Predators ships.
- Tell me when our torpedoes reach maximum range, Scotty
!"- Kirk asked.
Two minutes ela[psed, and the voice of the Chief
Engineer was heard by the loudspeakers"- Maximum range
attained, Sir ! Torpedoes on the bay !"
- Fire torpedoes at will !"- Kirk ordered.
The six torpedoes went rushing to meet the alien super
starship.
- The terrans are fighting, Captain"- Kurit, the First
officer of the "Legend " ,announced.
- Guess they are digging their own grave."- He lamented.
- Alien torpedoes are coming, Sir.
- Shields on ! What, is that tiny ridiculous ship ! Send
them a tractor beam !"- Ordered Sjowei, Captain of the "
Rage".
The six torpedoes exploded against the shields of the
"Rage", and two of them ripped the hulk ! Just beneath that
part was the torpedoes shaft, so the explosions lit the
storaged missiles, making an enormous explosion, that stopped
the big vessel in space !
- "Rage" to " Terrible " ! This is Captain Sjowei
speaking ! Direct hit from the unidentified vessel cause
stoppage of the engines ! "
- " You should have been more careful ! Now you wait
until we dispatch both alien vessels to oblivion !"- Yelled
Raskar, Captain of the "Terrible"
The Captain Lemak , seeing the impossible make true,
turns his ship to confront the remaining Predator vessel,
firing all his cannons . Several shots were ripping the enemy
spacecraft, when a pair of huge torpedoes exploded near his
hull, so the "Legend " broke in two pieces, killing all the
crew in a flashing ball of fire.
-Look, Captain ! The "Legend" explodes !"- Chekov said,
no matter Kirk was seeing it just like him...
- Guess we are in trouble ...Scotty ! Have you the
torpedoes ready !"- Asked Kirk by the Intercom.
- Almost there ..."- Replied Scotty.
- Damn ! Chekov ! Fire the pfeissers when ready !"
- We are out of range, Captain !
- Damn ! Scotty ! Fire the damned torpedoes you can !"
- Four are ready , Sir !
- Fire !
The four torpedoes rushed out of the shaft, flying
swiftly to the incoming alien vessel.
- Four torpedoes coming , Sir !
- Blast them with the plasma rays !' - Captain Raskar
ordered.
A hundred death rays tracked the incoming torpedoes,
heating the metallic structures and making them explode in
space, uselessly.
- The two other torpedoes ready, Captain!- Scotty said.
- Fire !- Yelled Kirk.
The two remaining torpedoes went out, to be blasted some
seconds elapsed, by the deadly rays of the "Rage"
- No torpedoes ready, Captain. Better we run."- Scotty
said by the Intercom.
- Chekov ! Enter hiperspace now !
- But Captain ! We have no idea of the place where we
will re appeared ! Let me do some calculations !"- Chekov
begged.
- No time now ! "- Kirk said, smashing the appropriated
controls, making the XMinus jumps into Hiperspace barely in
time, as the Captain of the "Rage" were ordering in that same
instant the firing of four huge tracking torpedoes against
the little vessel...
The "XMinus " reappeared in space, but parsecs away from
it's original place...
- Can you recognize the stars ?"- Kirk asked Ensign
Chekov.
- No, Captain. But let the Computer makes the necessary
calculations..."- And he digitized over the keyboard.
- At least we didn't get killed.- Uhura said from her
post.
- Jehovah God protected us !"- Kirk said, kissing a
little gold medal with the Star of David.
- We are 2.000 lights years from Home, Captain. We will
need to make another Jump, in order to arrive there in our
life -span. - Chekov announced.
- Then make a very nice calculation, so you put us at
the door of Earth."- Kirk smiled, released then of the
terrible tension of the passed moments.
- I'll be in my room."- He adds, and he went to his bed.
- I need to rest.- He told himself, before he get
asleep...
---------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER THREE.
=============
Kirk awoke. Something was missing...He walk out of his
room, and walk by the corridor. Yes. The sound of the main
engines had stopped.
- What is the matter, Chekov ?"- He asked the Ensign,
when entering the main deck.
- We are receiving a delegation from the "Beta Brabazone
", Sir."- He indicates.
Kirk looks on his watch. Four hours sleep... In the main
monitor the Beta Brabazone was in full sight.
- How did they spot us ?- Asked of Uhura.
- The Changelings communicate us the Predators were
attacking their home planet. I inform them about the "
Legend"...And then they said the Beta Brabazone were in the
vicinity. So we contacted."
- Good. "- Kirk mumbled, seeing the Captain of the
Brabazone and a pair of officers were walking in.
- Captain Rodeck at your disposal, Sir !-
- Welcome aboard, Captain Rodeck."- Kirk saluted.
- This are my first officer, Fardulio Mores, and the
Second Officer, Marmonides Lisio."- Presented the Captain of
the Beta Brabazone.
- Glad to meet you, Sirs. We had an encounter with the
"Predators, who had smashed a big vessel of the Changelings,
the "Legend". Their weaponry consists mainly in rays of a
great potency. Also some big torpedoes."
- How great are those ships, Captain?"- Asked Rodeck.
- Four hundred meters long, Captain. And very fast."
- We are no match for them?"
- I am afraid we cannot defeat them, except for a stroke
of luck. We managed to disable one of those big vessels, with
a pair of torpedoes that went where it hurts."- Kirk smiled.
- Oh, congratulations ! "- Opened his eyes in amazement
the captain of the Beta Brabazone.
- Yes, but I guess they will be not idling next time.
The fact was they were more interested in the "Legend" then
in us.- Kirk confessed.
- The Changelings said to me, by radio, they are
suffering a heavy attack, and that I better wait until the
situation could be handled by them."- Rodeck said.
- Yes, it is the reasonable course of action."- Kirk
replied.- We are returning to Earth. You could do the same."
- I will ask for orders. "- Rodeck asserted.
They return to their ship, and half an hour elapsed,
they communicate Headquarters asked them to return to the
main base.
So both ships dive into Hyper, and appeared in the
vicinity of Jupiter.
From then they traveled with the normal engines,
arriving to Mars in three days.
They descended in Memnonia. There were several cupolas,
linked by tubes.
They walked to the entrance, as the weather was fine,
except for the oxygen, but they were using portable gas
chambers connected with their nostrils.
- Welcome, Captains ! The Executive Manager is waiting
for you !"- A guard told them.
They were guided to an ample room, with ample windows
facing the transparent ceiling of the cupola.
- Captains ! Good to see you back !"- Saluted Fernando
Marconi, the Executive Manger of the Mars Company.
They shake hands, seats in the conformable arm chairs,
and Marconi asked Kirk about the situation.
- The Changelings are terrified. They are loosing
planets in a hurry. I think in a little time they will be
arriving here, asking for shelter."
- Dark clouds over Tierra..."- marconi said.
- We should notice the Federation about this. With our
little vessels there is little thing we can do."- Kirk put in
emphatically.
- And you saw those ships?
- I also fight them. I disable one that measured 400
meters long."- Kirk informed.
- Terrible ! And congratulations. We have 345 vessels in
all, quite an Armada, but the 70 % are cargo vessels. And the
rest aren't heavily armored. So you think in the
Federation...and What do you suggest. Captain Rodeck?"
- I hadn't seen them. But I confide they are as terrible
as Captain Kirk is saying. So the best would be to gave this
hot potato to the Army Forces. We are a commercial fleet, no
match for those Huns."- Rodeck replied.
- Then I will suggest the same thing to my superiors. By
the moment, gentleman, I ask of you to stay here, and you,
Captain Kirk, please make a report of what you saw."-
Fernando Marconi asked.
So Kirk went to write the requested information, and
Rodeck return to his ship, who was posted a kilometer away.
In that very afternoon Fernando Marconi summoned both
Captains, and told them Headquarters were confiding in their
own forces.
- Ridiculous !' - Kirk yelled.
- Not so. They had told me they've a terrible new
weapon. Guess you know about it...your son worked in it."
Kirk paled, and said "- The Genesis bomb !"
- The Terra forming Bomb...yes. With this in our hands,
we can smashed all the Predators worlds in a flash."- Marconi
said.
They were astonished to hear that....
- But surely...those Predators have civilian forces
living in those planets ! They will die !"- Kirk exclaimed.
- C'est la guerre, mon capitain ! It's war ! Nobody
asked them to invade the Changelings and for that matter, who
believe they will stop in the Changelings worlds? Could they
not came here ...and blow us to bits?- Asked Fernando.
So they put their ships in orbit, waiting for the cargo
vessels to arrive with the Genesis Bombs.
- A big mistake here.- McCoy told Kirk.
- Perhaps we must brake the crust to fry the egg.'- Kirk
muttered.
The cargo vessels arrive eight days elapsed. Also in
those days several scout ships arrived, eighteen in all, so
they all received the lethal weapons.
- You are supposed to deliver the cargo to the
Changelings. We had communicate with them, and they will be
the heroes of this phase of the war. They will carry the
bombs to the Predator's systems."= Informed Marconi.
- I hope they will be as good as their world."- Rodeck
said, as he was afraid the Changelings could smash the
Predators...and then Earth.
The convoy starts the 30 of May, with 34 vessels in all.
They were the fastest of the Mars Company's fleet.
- The Changelings are offering this world and the other,
in exchange for this bombs."- Uhura said to Kirk, as she was
all day hearing the communications.
- I hope there will be enough Changelings alive to pay
them..."- Kirk replied.
They used the Hyper Drive, and arrives to the 34
Quadrant in two days. There were 54 big black war ships
waiting for the Genesis bombs.
Commander Linius Sonadufo , Changeling, received the
bombs from the Captains, and offered to any one of the crew a
place in his big star ship, to "see the show ", as he puts
it.
The earthlings refused to go, so the Changeling fleet
began speeding their vessels against the Predators.
- The problem is not in our hands, now. What did we do,
Captain Kirk ?- Asked Rodeck by the radio.
- My orders are to return to the Mars Base. "- Kirk
replied.
So the 34 vessels return to Mars, where they waited for
news.
- We have a relay station posted in Pluto. From there we
can easily communicate with the Changelings."- Fernando
Marconi said to Kirk.
- And it is being about time they send us some news."-
Kirk replied.
- Just 3 days aren't much for so a difficult task. They
will try to pass unnoticed...and stabs by the back."- Marconi
smiled.
- Sounds to me as Bruto killing the Caesar."- McCoy
scoffed.
- We need the Changelings back in their home planets. We
need peace to return to our trade. We gain nothing leaving
the Predators in the loose."- Marconi retorted.- The
Predators were assembling another big wave of flagships to
crush the remnant of the Changeling forces."
Two weeks were waiting, and then the radio brings them
good news: 80 % of the Predators planets were terra formed.
Also, the half part of the invaded planets were also bombed.
- A pity . So many people killed.- Kirk uttered.
- The Predator fleet it's without a Base. They will run
out of fuel , as they are being attacked with all available
ships the Changelings have. "- Marconi said.
- We should go there to help."- Rodeck jumped from his
seat.
- I am glad to hear that. Our Board of Trustees asked me
to send some vessels to the Changelings home planets, to help
in civilian tasks. I ask you to volunteer."- Marconi said.
Kirk and the rest of the captains volunteered, but
Marconi chooses eight fast vessels to go, so Kirk and his
crew remained at Mars.
Kirk was visiting each day Marconi's office, in order to
know about the war.
The Predators still fought. They were warriors, and they
didn't surrender.
- You can go now, Captain . They need more advanced
weaponry. Our Company had bought some interesting new
weapons, from an Arab country. Please fly there and deliver
it to the Changelings."- Asked Marconi .
- I will be pleased."- Kirk said.
The XMinus were loaded, and in eighteen hours they
arrive to the 34 quadrant.
Two starships were waiting : the "Chameleon " and the "
Locust".
- I am Kirk, Captain of the XMinus. I bring you some new
weaponry."- Announced .
- Welcome , Captain Kirk ! I am Captain Richel."= A
voice was heard by the ;loudspeakers.
Kirk paled somewhat, and he decided to visit the
"Chameleon".
He saw a bearded captain, and some other men aboard.
- Welcome to the Chameleon, Captain Kirk !"- The bearded
man said, shaking hands.
- Are you...the Captain now ? I heard ...Captain Richel
speaking...or I am in the "Locust"?- Kirk asked.
- You are in the Chameleon , of course ! I am Richel !
Sorry I am using a male's appearance. We are in difficult
times, Captain, and the female appearance tends to damage
with the use ."- Explained Captain Richel.
McCoy chuckled, and Kirk looked unto the faces of the
other officials...
- Permit to present my officials to you...again, Captain
Kirk...This is Liana, Fareg, Muala...and Martina."
He looks each one. Liana was a fat old man, and Fareg
and Muala stolid men of great height. Martina was a young man
of stolid green eyes....
- Nice to ...see you again."- Kirk said bluntly.
- Our men will disembark the weaponry, Captain Kirk. "
- Do it. "- He response.
A fiery pain in the chest were aflame ...
In two more hours all the cargo was aboard the
Changelings ships. Kirk was invited, together with the rest
of the Mars Company's fleet, to land at any of the recovered
planets.
They accepted, and they were of help, as some sectors
were seriously damaged by the death rays of the Predators,
and people were needing transportation to better situated
cities.
Two months elapsed, they heard the resistance were over.
Every Predator aboard a ship has surrendered, mainly because
they were floating in space with no propulsion whatsoever.
The Changelings placed all the Predators remnants in
their home planet, Rwjishtar...who was previously terra
formed. The trembles volcanoes and deluges were the common
thing. So the Predators were too busy to think in
hypothetical revenges...
Kirk and the rest of the terran chiefs were summoned in
front of the Emperor Mingesh, who condecorated them with
heavy chains of platinum and gold, plus lands in the
recovered planets.
The five systems gained to the Predators were in bad
shape, due to the bombings. They were planets in
decomposition, so they will be of service only one or two
centuries in the future.
= The Predators used to be communists. They were
incompetent, so they invade other races in order to survive.
Now they are alone, defeated...they will be never again a
menace."- Emperor Mingesh told them.
- The communism was an evil theory that never worked out
in Tierra, Sir."- Kirk replied.
- yes, I study your Union of Socialist Republics...but
tell me about yourself, Captain Kirk."- The Emperor asked
from his throne.
- I was born in Earth. When young I live in Tarsus IV,
and at Starfleet Academy I had a relationship with Dr.
Marcus, who then gave birth my son David. My first assignment
as Captain was the Star ship Enterprise, who was a well armed
vessel, where I replaced Captain Pike. there I found several
young officers, of whom Spock the Vulcan was Science Officer,
who I promoted to First Officer , when needed. I had fighted
the Klingons, except once that the race of the Organians
intercepted our efforts, heating our weapons.
"I was the first to contacted visually between the
Federation and the Romulans.
"I spotted the governor of Tarsus 4 , who had massacred
thousands of humans before my very eyes, alive and well,
posing as an actor. I destroyed a Predator vehicle with two
torpedoes."
- An impresionant account ! I congratulate you, Captain
Kirk ! From now on you will have the title of Duke of the
Toromaldon, lands and lives, in the planet Orovengo."=
Decided the Emperor, visibly impressed.
Kirk began to denegate the favor, but the Captain Richel
signaled him not to speak .
After the homage, Kirk went to the Captain Richel, and
she said"- If you denegate the favor in front of the Court,
you surely would be degraded and perhaps ends in jail. You
cannot refuse a gift of the Emperor Mingesh."
Kirk assented, pensively.
McCoy approached him smiling. He said: '- Seems the
Emperor makes you a courtesan."
- I am very honored...I understand it is his form to
express gratitude. But I will not accept the lands and the
people, as it was for money that I help the Empire."- Kirk
replied.
- Now there is a dinner , in palace. We are all invited.
Your presence there is obligatory."- Captain Richel said.
- Then ,if it an obligation, we will be there."- Kirk
smiled.
- I beg you to accompany me to some Hotel . There you
will be attended, and provided clothes ."- Richel said, and
so they all went.
Uhura was delighted to see the richly decorated dresses
where to choose. - It is superb! I feel like a princess !"-
She said.
The Captain Richel and the other officers of his vessel
changes to females again, so Martina were again a delicious
woman, but Kirk remembered the Herculean man he were just a
couple hours ago, so he decidedly tried to avoid her/his
company...
- I am eager to return to Earth. This lady Martina makes
me very nervous"- he said to McCoy.
- You were very interested in her before !"- McCoy
replied.
- Yes, but did you remember how she was in battle ?
- Mm, I think he wore a mustache..."- McCoy smiled.
After the dinner and the dances, the members of the
XMinus return to his ship, as Kirk refused to sleep in the
Hotel...
- I better sleep in the ship. It is safer."- He
explained McCoy.
At dawn, Uhura received a message from headquarters, so
she telephoned Captain Kirk. He wakes up, and said '-Captain
Kirk here. Tell me, Uhura."
- Sir, I receive a call from Headquarters. They told me
the Changelings had decided to pay with gold and silver. "
- A good way to pay the debts.
- yes, Captain, but we must to collect the payment at
Shaunurr...in the former Ferio System..."
- You mean...in Predator's land.
- Yes, Captain. "
- Well, I think you must not worry, Uhura. Now this
Changelings defeated the Predators, there is nothing to worry
about."- Kirk decided, and he ends the conversation.
Uhura looks at the receiver, not so sure of her
Captain's words...
SHAUNURR.
Of the five systems the Predators originally have, Deuom
was the most rich of all. The other four systems were ....,
...., ...., and ....
Deuom has four planets, three of them too huge to be
inhabited, so Shaunurr was the sole possibly inhabited one.
But this was an advantage. From Shaunurr it was possible to
go mining the rest of the planets, who were rich in minerals.
As the machines could mine without difficulty, all that
riches were carried to Shaunurr, go very rapidly became the
best equipped of all the communist governed planets.
All that were now sadly a tale of old times. War was
reduced Shaunurr to a volcanic stone hurtling around Deuom.
Their riches were deeply submerged under tons of rubbish. The
Genesis bomb were actually making the planet a desert.
The Changelings discovered several mines in a chain of
mountains, in the north hemisphere. There were tons of gold
and silver, ready to be shipped. And as they were honest ,
they decided to pay Earth with that gold and silver...before
the planet begin to shake those mountains in it's terra
forming madness.
The XMinus stayed at a synchronic orbit, and in a
shuttle Kirk and three other crew members went to those
mines, guided by the radio signals the Changeling leave there
for them.
- Pity this Changelings are not here to welcome us. "-
McCoy said, descending from the apparatus.
- Afraid, Doctor McCoy ?- Kirk smiled.
- Not a bit !"- The doctor replied, enraged somewhat.
The place was very deserted. The mouth of the mine
opened its jaws a couple dozen meters away.
Simpertigue and Lagrange went there running, armed. They
enter the mine, and after some minutes, they went outside,
saying := All clear, Captain ! The gold is there, waiting for
us ! "
- O.K., Simpertigue. You and Lagrange will stay here,
guarding the entrance and the shuttle craft. We will carry
the gold aboard."
Kirk walked with McCoy and five other crew members, and
they did find several carts loaded to the brim.
- Good stuff ! But heavy. And this carts cannot be moved
out of the rails. We better carry the stones in little
bags."- Desmares, a guard, said.
- Let's get moving ! There is plenty of job to do.' -
Kirk urged.
The work was a heavy one. The shuttle has no special
place to put the mineral, so they used the corridor to put
the stones.
When it began to grew dark Kirk decided to return to the
XMinus, and they climbed to the Shuttle. Kirk gave the power
to the engines, and they climbed to the XMinus slowly, as the
engines began to heat .
- This system will takes us three days, at the least. I
would carry the XMinus down there, and the job will be
accomplished in no time."- Kirk decided.
- But Sir ! There is no space there ! The terrain has
too many boulders, and the XMinus cannot descend
vertically!'- Protested Scotty.
- A real dilemma. But I am sure you and Ensign Chekov
will find a better place to descend."- Kirk smiled.
Chekov looked at him in despair ...
Two hours elapsed. The XMInus was standing on a
desolated area, 250 kilometers from the site.
- This is the best location near the mine"- Chekov
explained to Kirk.
- Very far indeed ! But then, we will use the Rover."-
The captain explained.
The Rover was a truck of regular size, with six wheels.
Kirk send 35 crew members there, to fasten the process.
Meanwhile, he and Scotty walked to a near by ravine.
- The Predators signed a treaty surrendering their
forces and giving back the two planetary systems they
invaded."- Scotty said.
- They loosed the war. The Changelings hate them, so I
guess they will never be able again to rise to the stars."-
Kirk said, descending to the bottom.
- Water..."- Said Kirk, touching a stream of pure water.
- It is rare, as all around here it's dry."
- The terra forming process was a failure. So in the
same area can rise a volcano and a fountain. But, in the end,
all ends being destroyed. Only after the Genesis effect stops
it's effect its when the land rest a thousand years, to
begin rising as the Phoenix, and life return."- Kirk replied.
- So it is more a damnation than a blessing."- Scotty
said, touching a cactus.
- Yes. It is an unfinished product. The Universities are
working in it. Perhaps in the future a new Genesis Bomb could
be dropped and it really terra forms a planet in a swift
way."- Kirk said.
A quake lasted some three minutes, and they return to
the ship.
That night the Rover came back, with several tons of
gold.
- There was a collapse in the mine ! An earthquake
produces it !"- Simpertigue informed.
- And the gold?
- Safe, Captain ! The collapse was produced past the
carts full of silver. But we better get hurry, or all will be
going down there, and we will lost the treasure."- La Grange
said.
- Very well, then First hour in the morning I want the
Rover in the move ! And carrying as much people as it can !"-
Kirk ordered.
- Yes. Sir !"- Simpertigue replied, going to download
the cargo.
At dawn Kirk and 45 men went to the mine, and carried
out of the shaft every ounce of gold and silver. Meanwhile,
the Rover was loaded and send to the XMinus.
This work went for three days, and all the treasure was
well storage aboard the XMinus. The Kirk ordered Chekov to
rise the ship .
The XMinus fly in a normal way to the heavens, and they
set course to the Solar System.
In its path they encountered several Changelings war
ships, to whom they identified themselves and so they keep on
flying without problems.
- There is a lot more Changelings crafts now."- Scotty
said.
- Perhaps they are using the Predators ships, too."-
Chekov opined.
- No way ! Those Predators wrecked all their ships at
the end of the war ! "- Kirk said, as he was better
information.
- Solar System ahead, Sir !"- Uhura informed.
- Send a message to the Mars Station: XMinus carrying
the payment in its way."- Kirk said.
- Encoded, Sir?"- Uhura said.
- Yes...we don't want any pirate running against us,
don't we?"- Kirk smiled.
A week after the landing and deliverance of the treasure
of the Changelings, the whole crew of the XMinus was called
from Earth, so they traveled there in the XMinus.
- For what purpose they want us there, Captain?-
Simpertigue asked.
- No idea, Guard . "
- But you are the Captain !
- And they equally didn't informed me.
- Perhaps they want our resignations.
- Could be, but I just don't imagine how you jump to
this silly conclusion.- Kirk said, sipping an Ale.
- It is because the bad news are always in hidden. It
was for a promotion or a vacance, we would know by now."-
Simpertigue said, looking to the stars by the porthole.
- Cousin, cousin ! there is a pessimist tone in you that
aren't present in our family."- Kirk looked at the Guard.
- Perhaps I am some kind of a mutant."- Simpertigue
smiled faintly.
- No, I guess you aren't a mutant, but surely you are a
mule .- Kirk laughed.
Scotty arrive to the dining table they were sharing. He
said" - Captain, the engines are malfunctioning."
- Don't tell me ! I knew they needed a haul. Can we
arrive to Earth?"
- Of course, Sir ! But we better not try to land...Or we
will bust the engines . We should do some reparations in
orbit. With new spare parts I have not aboard."- Scotty
informed.
- Well, there is ! "- Kirk said, and walked to the main
deck. He told Uhura"- Tell Earth main Station we have our
vessel in bad shape. Tell them to gave us prompt location in
some of the orbiting station. Also call the Mars Company and
informs them we are arriving to the Earth orbit with the
XMinus unable to land ."
- yes, Sir."- Uhura begun to work in that.
One hour elapsed they received orders to directly attach
the XMinus in the Orbit Station Number Six.
- It is a military station."- Mumbled Uhura, seeing,
minutes elapsed, the signs in the hull of the huge Station n`
6.
A delegation arrives to the ship, one officer and three
soldiers. They asked what was the problem , and being
informed, they told Scotty to stop the engines totally, that
they will send energy to the ship.
Captain Kirk received a direct call from the Mars
Company, asking they were all prepared to aboard a shuttle ,
who were charted to carry them to the surface of Earth.
They all bagged their pertenences, and when in the
shuttle, they all look at the XMinus not knowing if they will
ever see it again.
============================================================
CHAPTER FOUR
EARTH
--------------
At Earth, the Company carried them to one of their
buildings, where they were lodged.
- captain Kirk : I am Viola Maresh, and I am in charge
of your welfare. "
Kirk looked at the beautiful young woman, and smiled,
shaking hands.
- The Company has fixed an interview for to-morrow
morning. I will came to search you at eight o'clock."- She
said.
- Very well, Miss Viola. My men are becoming very
nervous, as they believe our days up there are in stake."-
Kirk exposed.
- I am not informed about your future destinations,
Captain. Just to see you and your crew are well treated."=
Viola said, rising her shoulders.
- We could be dining to day? There is so much tome I am
not in Chicago, that a guide will suit me fine."- Kirk
invited her.
- I will be glad to accompany you, Sir."- She accepted.
Kirk went to his room, bathed properly and puts fresh
clothes on. Then a chime told him there was someone at the
door. He looked the watch : 21.00 hours sharp.
- Nice girl- He smiled, and opened the door.
A young Marine was there...and also Viola Maresh.
- Good evening, Captain! Are you ready ? Permit me to
present you Lieutenant Fardon Gordon, my fiancee."- Said she.
- Oh. Good afternoon, Lieutenant.'- Kirk salute,
astonished.
- Nice to meet you, Captain Kirk ! You are a legend in
the Corpse."- The young man said, shaking hands .
- Good. Please go inside, I'll be ready in a minute."-
Kirk invited.
They stepped inside the department, and Kirk puts on his
coat, and with a very quick glance at a mirror, they went out
into the night.
- We thought you could be interested in some serious and
elegant Restaurant, Captain. So I decided to carry you to the
"StarGazer REstaurant."- Viola said.
- It will suits me fine."- Kirk replied. He was very
disappointed. He was expecting a nice get-together with the
lady...and no boy friend at all ! But he was very polite and
he will never show his disappointment. So he feigned a joyful
state he hardly feel.
They arrive to the Restaurant. It was one of those big
and impersonal places where business men have their
dinners...The orchestra were playing old melodic sounds, and
the people there were aged.
- Nice place. Tranquil."- Kirk said.
Viola laughs, eyeing Fardon Gordon.
- Oh, hat a release to hear that ! I were afraid you
will not like this place."- She said.
Then another person arrives, and Kirk looked at her with
unbelievable eyes.
- Viola ! What a nice surprise !"- The recently arrived
person said.
Viola stands up and kissed the woman in the cheek.
Because it was a gorgeous woman, about 27 years old, tall and
very nicely built.
- Permits me to present you Captain Kirk, recently
arrived from deep space. Captain, this is Badia Delarmin, my
friend."- Viola said to Kirk.
- Most enchanted to meet you, lady !"- He said, smiling.
- Thanks you, Captain Kirk."- Said she, looking him with
a pair of luminescent big blue eyes. Her skin was milky
white, and her hair was a cascade of soft yellow blondes ...
They seat , and the waiter came, to receive the
indications. They asked meat, and vegetables. Red wine for
the males and ales for the ladies.
Viola began to chatter amiably with Badia, making all
the presents intermingle in the conversation. They eat and
when finished the coffees, Kirk invited Badia to dance.
- I will be delighted Captain."- She accepted.
Viola and FArdon Gordon went to dance, too.
When dancing the slow songs the orchestra keeps on
playing, Kirk embraced Badia, who was a superb dancer. he
felt the strong body of the lady, and aspired the soft
fragrance she wore.
- Glad to be in Earth, captain ?"- She asked, with sulky
voice, in the hear of Kirk, making him wince of delight.
- Oh, yes ! But I am not so sure I am in Earth... having
you in my arms."- He responded.
She tighten the grip on his hand, and Kirk felt the
biggest erection in years. His heart began to pounce, and
from then on he began to told the lady how much he was
enchanted with her...
The dance ends, and all returns to their tables.
- We could go somewhere else's !"- Viola invited.
- Yes. Too many grandfathers here."- Gordon said,
smiling.
- I heard a new Dancing Ball were opening its doors to-
night."- Viola informed.
- The " Goola Hum " ! I heard that , too !"- Badia said,
smiling to Kirk.
- Then to the Goola Hum we go !"- He said, laughing.
Viola said unto the hear of the Captain of the XMinus:-"
Sorry, Captain, but the Company didn't pay me today ! It was
supposed , but they postponed the payment ! And FArdon has
just $21 , so if you lend us another $20, we would be able to
pay this consumption !"
- Don't you worry. I'll pay !"- He said, and he did.
They all went outside, takes a cab and went to the
"Goola Hum ". It was located some 45 blocks away, surrounded
by a nice garden . A lot of cars were parked there, and
inside the music was very loud, the chairs all occupied, and
three orchestras were paying at the same time, for the six
different dancing floors, located in different levels.
Gordon talks to a waiter, and handling him the $21 he
owns, he obtains a table for four persons near a dais.
- Came this way, ladies, and gentlemen ! There is always
room for our brave soldiers !"- The waiter said, guiding them
to the table.
Also one of the orchestras were close by, so they barely
hear themselves, so they must to shoot.
- Nice place !"- badia told Kirk in his hear.
- I guess I am in love with your eyes !"- He retorted.
Gordon asked the less expensive of the drinks, and they
went to dance.
Kirk discovered that Badia was a real good dancer, and
also the he was out of form, being so many moths in space.
- You dance very well."- Badia said to him.
- And you dance better than me !"- He laughed.
Viola and Gordon carried them to the other dance floors,
so they performs all kind of steps.
Some three hours elapsed, they return to their table,
and asked for more drinks. Kirk , seeing Gordon was asking
for cheap drinks again, intervene and asked for the Algolian
beer, so they drink the blue liquor and felt themselves
cheering up.
They dance until dawn, and they went to leave the ladies
to their homes. Gordon accompany Kirk to his Department, and
he told he will repaid his part when receiving his wages.
- Don't ever mention it ! I have enough of money, and I
enjoy the party. "- Kirk replied, giving some hand strokes at
the shoulders of the young officer.
Then he went to bed, and two hours elapsed the chimney
woke him up. He went to open the door.
- Good morning, Captain ! I am here to carry you to your
appointing...or did you forget it already "- Viola said,
smiling at the entrance.
- Oh ! Please, came in ! I will be ready in a minute."-
Kirk replied.
- Do you mind for a cup of coffee, Captain ?= She asked.
- I will be more than glad you could prepare it !"- Kirk
said, going inside the bathroom.
Five minutes elapsed, they were drinking hot coffee, and
then they went out.
- The reunion will began in twenty minutes. We have
enough time, if we take a taxi."- She said.
They stopped one, and fly to the Mars Company's building
, a dark 890 stories high colossus.
- There is the office. I cannot go inside, but I will
wait here."- Viola said, after she talks with the secretary.
- O.K., darling."- Kirk responded.
The secretary called him a little time elapsed. He was
guided to a dark and spacious office, where five other men
were waiting.
- Come in, Captain Kirk ! You are welcome !"- One of the
men said. It was Mr. Raskio Rasmmusen, the principal share
holder of the Company.. the virtual owner of the "Mars
Company".
The other men were Executives, who were there to back up
the sayings of the Big Boss.
Raskio Rassmusen begs Kirk to seat down, doing the same
thing himself and the executives. He offered non tobacco
cigars, and plunged in a long discourse, mainly a detailed
enumeration of Kirk's achievements in favor of the Company.
In this enumeration the other men were of help, as he
forgets easily the trend of his monologue.
Kirk was astonished. So this man was the owner of the
Company ! A person who easily forgets facts and dates !
At the end of the speech, Raskio RAsmussen said"- So as
you see, Captain Kirk, I am well aware of your personal
value. And seeing you had donned a lot for the Company, I
will gave you 45 shares as payment for your loyalty to this
Company ! "
Kirk wasn't sure about the economic value of those 45
shares, but he assumed it was a big quantity of Credits.
- And with the shares, a perpetual wages of $459.000
monthly ! Are you satisfied, Captain Kirk?"- Asked the big
man, with a big smile unto his face.
- I am honored by your generosity, Mr. Raskio ! I am
sure this shares and the wages you are giving me makes of me
a wealthy man ! But I had heard nothing about a future
mission for me ! "
- There will be no more missions for you, dear Kirk ! I
am making you a share holder ! So you will be attending our
monthly meetings, where you could gave you opinions and vote
, in behalf of the Company's increasing power !"- Riskio
explained.
Kirk were there a while longer, hearing the other
gentlemen 's explanations about his future obligations. At
the end, he repeat his thanks and went out.
- How did it goes ?"- Viola asked, when seeing him .
- I need a drink."- He said, taking the woman by the
arm.
- It was ...such bad? Oh, Captain ! I am so sad !"- She
said, and they went outside of the building, after a raid in
the elevator through 456 floors.
They went to a near Bar, and Kirk serves him a whisky,
she an Ale.
- This people had makes me a share holder."- Kirk said.
- Oh! How many shares?- She asked, amazed.
- They say 45 shares. I have all here."- Kirk indicate,
showing her a CD.
- It's official, then ! Take care of that CD. It money
in the Bank. And 45 shares means 4.5 million Credits ! "- She
asked for a whiskey...
- And a monthly wage of $459.000 ."
- A treasure ! "- She affirmed, drinking in one gulp the
glass of whisky.
- But I cannot get back to space. I am finished. They
landed me."- Kirk said, staring melancholic to the street,
where thousands were passing.
- Pity. But with your previous trips you should be more
than satisfied...of not ?- Viola said.
- No, I cannot feel satisfied with 5 years in the
Starfleet and three more years in the "Mars Company"...I was
born to command a ship. "- Kirk put in emphatically.
- Well ! You can buy yourself a ship ! Or you can go to
the Starfleet and ask for a job. "- She smiled, taking his
hand.
- Viola! My life is among the stars. Also my crew was
landed. They didn't know , yet."- Kirk muttered.
- If you want it. I will tell them. "
- Thanks, but I must be the one. For them just their
payments were issued. No shares, no big monthly payment. "-
Kirk groaned.
Viola kissed his cheek, smiling . She felt pity for that
young man, who was so dedicated...
They went to her apartment, as it was closer , as she
said she want to show him something.
- Here it is !"- She said, handling a photograph to
Kirk.
- From Neil Armstrong to...Leonard Maresh..."- He reads.
- yes ! He was a welder, but also a enthusiast of the
space. And he sends a letter to Neil, asking for a souvenir,
so he sends him that photo."- She said, leaning against him.
- You smell good."- Kirk said.
- Just ...that ?" - She asked . sulkily.
AS they were very close, Kirk kissed her lightly in her
lips. She moaned and kissed him strong.
Kirk embraces her, and then they embraced each other,
seeking for love, shelter and a little love...
That afternoon Kirk summoned every crew member of the "
XMinus " to his Hotel room, and told them what was happening
with their careers.
- We are out of business."- McCoy said, seating heavily
on a couch.
- And I was so enchanted with the XMinus ! Another ship
I would have to forget !"- Uhura said demurely.
- It is not the end of the world. I want to goes back to
the space. I will ask to Raskio Rasmusen a new assignment !
And if that didn't suffice, I will sell my shares and I will
buy the XMinus !"- Kirk said, enthusiastically.
- That will be very good ! I hope you succeeded. But I
was called by that green blooded Vulcan, and he said he will
arrive here soon."- Mc Coy informed.
- I cannot believe it ! At last he get tired of those
silly political maneuvers !"- Kirk uttered.
- Not so ! He said he finished his task in Vulcan,
receives a Diploma or something, and he was free to go where
he pleases !"- McCoy informed.
- I think we will soon have another ship under our feet
!"- Uhura said, and they all takes their glasses and they
made a toast " For the stars and beyond !", they said.
Two weeks elapsed, and the same reunion was held. Spock
wasn't arrived.
- I don't know about Spock. Just that previous call of
him."- McCoy said.
- Perhaps he is traveling already."- Uhura said.
- I have not good news for this meeting, gentlemen."-
Kirk informed.' - I met the owner of the "Mars Company". He
refuses me to go piloting no ship. He wants me here, to put
some color to his share holders reunion. A hero among
oldsters...And he also refuses to sell me any ship...In
relation to the XMinus, he sold the vessel to a smelting
company. So the ship will be melted and transformed in who
knows what piece of silverware."
- A pity ! That ship could had been refitted with little
costs !"- Scotty said, furious.
- Business are business, said Raskio Rasmusen. So I take
my shares, my money...and believe me, gentlemen, I am not
ready to live tied to Earth ! "- Kirk assured.
- No one of us wants that, Captain."- Scotty said,
giving Kirk his former title.
- I asked about buying a ship. My money, being a good
sum, it is not enough for to buy a starship. I can buy a
little boat, barely able to fly to the Moon or Mars, but
nothing more."- Kirk announced.
- I met a strange man, just the other day. It is a
professor, who promise me to show some blue prints of him,
about a new powerful engine..."- Uhura said.
- We not need new engines, but a whole new ship."-
Scotty replied.
- I also think that if I buy a new ship, the motivation
is not present. We could go to the Moon and Mars, but for
which motive ? Like a freighter ? Like a tourist ship?"- Kirk
asked.
Someone rings the bell, and Kirk went to open the door.
- Good morning, Captain Kirk. May I came in?"- Asked
Spock, smiling.
- Good Lord ! it's Spock !"- Kirk said, embracing the
Vulcan, who rises an eyebrow, intrigued.
- Spock is back !"- Uhura laughed.
After the preliminary greetings , they all present the
Vulcan the problems they were having to return to the trade.
The Vulcan heard all those theories in silence, and when
he saw nobody gets nothing more to say, he informed them
thus:'- I came to Earth mainly because my former task in
Vulcan is over. The Reform Party sub divides itself in three
mew parties, each of them littler and now, with no relevance
whatsoever. Having no more to do there, i called Doctor
McCoy, to whom I advised I were to came."
- And I advised everyone in this room of it."- McCoy
adds, smiling faintly.
- So. Then, the Vulcan also gave me a special mission,
that is, to find a good crew, to command their new flagship,
the " Temperance", in a two year's trek. And I think you are
the indicated crew to accomplish in a good form that task. "-
Spock said.
Kirk takes the tall man by one arm, and said"- You just
find your crew, Commander."
They all were smiling, and the Vulcan approves with a
movement of his head...
====================================================
Chapter Five.
--------------------------
Into space again.
--------------------------
We are in the space...again."- Kirk dictates in his
Diary. It was the third week in high space, and no planet was
near the " Temperance".
- Two days and we will arrive."- Spock said.
- You hadn't told me yet about the mission objective,
Spock"- Kirk complained.
- There is nothing to know right now, Captain. My orders
are to gave you the necessary information when I sees fit."-
The Vulcan said.
Kirk paced the room, angrily. Spock was the Commander
there, and also the ship contained a 345 crew members, the
majority of vulcanian origin.
- I get to had patience."- Kirk mumbled.
He went to Chekov, and asked "- Are we in good course,
Ensign?"
- yes, Sir ! We are in line with the indications. But I
must tell you we are going to arrive very dangerously near to
the Neutral Zone."- Said the Russian.
- Yes....the Neutral Zone is directly ahead. Perhaps our
mysterious commander will asked us to plunge directly in the
romulans hands."- Kirk scowled
- I beg your pardon , Sir?"- Pavel Andreievich Chekov
asked.
- Nothing , Ensign. I was talking for myself."- Kirk
replied, ;leaving the Deck.
He went to the Infirmary, where Doctor McCoy were
reading some medical article in the monitor, but seeing him,
he cut off the machine, and asked:- "I expect you aren't ill,
Captain.."
- No, Bones, but I am needing that tonic you have in
here."
- Oh, that tonic ! Yes, I guess there is something in
that shelf...yes, here it is."- McCoy said, and poured a good
portion of bourbon in a glass, handling it to Kirk.
- Thanks you. I can always replace this with a good
Algolian beer, but I like to drink in good company."
- Thanks, Captain. But tell me, what's eating your
stomach, this time?"- McCoy asked, looking gravely his
friend.
- Spock isn't releasing information, and I need to know
where are we heading !"- Kirk said drinking the bourbon.
- Oh, that long heared monster ! One of this days I will
open his skull, just to see what he has inside ! But, then I
heard we are approaching the Neutral Zone..."- McCoy
remarked.
- yes ! It is a dangerous spot, as the romulans are
eager to pull the trigger, each time some vessel
inadvertently crosses the border."- Kirk assured.
- Well ! I guess you will not commit that mistake...I
mean, to cross the border accidentally."- McCoy said,
remembering one previous time, when Kirk did crossed the
border...and all were caught.
- No ! With no orders at all, are you crazy ?"- Kirk
replied, offended.
- Now you are being violent, aren't you ? There must be
something eating you...what it is ?"- Mc Coy asked mildly.
- The fact we receive our posts due to the machinations
of Spock. It was too easy to return to Starfleet !"
- Now, came ! We are highly qualified people ! Where do
you suppose the Federation will take an experimented crew
,out of Starfleet Academy? "- McCoy asked.
- Yes, we have our curriculums..."- Kirk appeased
himself.
Janice Rand enters the cabin. She also was contacted and
enrolled.
- Sir, we arrive to the Neutral Zone. Commander Spock is
calling for you."- She said, glowing her natural beauty in
the parlor of the room.
- Tell the Commander I am on my way there."- Kirk
replied.
The handsome blonde went out, leaving a faint perfume in
her wake.
- This gal certainly gave something to live for, eh, JIm
? "- Asked Doctor McCoy.
- Yes. A very interesting creature."- He smiled, leaving
the couch where he was reclined, and going after her.
The corridors were lighted profusely, and some crew
members were walking to their posts.
- Captain ! We are in the Rim. Please let me inform you
of the mission at hand."- Spock said, standing near Uhura.
- At last !"- Kirk replied.
- We must get through the Romulan lines, and land on the
Neiklot planet. There is some ruins in that planet, recently
discovered by the archeologist Penther, a terran. He
disappeared shortly after his discovery, but he managed to
send a message to Earth, saying his discovery can change the
cosmic balance."- Spock said.
- The cosmic balance. Perhaps Doctor Penther gets too
much sun, and his brain watered..."- Kirk utters.
- Federation Headquarters takes his message seriously. I
think you must take this mission as a serious one, Captain
Kirk."- Spock said, tilting one of his eyebrows.
- Yes, I suppose I must. Then we are here at the Rim,
because you commanded it. Now I guess I am in command."- Kirk
asked.
- Well, yes, Captain, to a certain extent. I am not
going to gave up as Commander, you see. I must have control
of the situation, at all times. Also, if I think some of your
orders aren't ..."
- Please ! I had been your Captain since I entered the
Starfleet ! I know how to fly this bird !"- Kirk blushed in
fury.
- I am totally aware of it, Captain. That is why I will
let you fly the "Temperance"."- Spock said, walking out of
the Deck.
Kirk went to seat at the Captain chair, breathing
heavily. Chekov avoided his stare, embarrassed, same as
Uhura.
McCoy arrived there, saying :- What is the matter,
Captain? Commander Spock went to see me , saying you were
upset."
- Yes ! I have reasons to be ! That ...vulcan brought
us here, and mind that the mission is a transgression of the
Treaty ! We are supposedly trespassing the Neutral Zone, and
land in a planet of the Romulan Empire ! "- Kirk informed.
- And he brought here in the open !"- McCoy concluded.
-Yes ! And now we must be in every spy satellite the
Romulans have in the vicinity ! "- Kirk expressed.
Chekov said"- Romulan Bird of Prey at prow, Sir !"
They all saw the enormous ship fly lazily in front of
them , surveying the neutral Zone.
- Send them a friendly message, Uhura ! Tell them..."
- I know what to tell them, Sir . "- She said, talking
by the microphone.
Seconds elapsed, she said"- The "Farflung" had
responded, Sir ! They remind us not to cross the border, or
they will shot !"
- Tell them we aren't crossing."- Kirk said.
- This time."- McCoy ended his phrase, smiling with his
eyes.
- Chekov ! Please turn astern and advance at full speed,
leaving the Rim far back."- Kirk ordered.
- Yes. Sir."- The Ensign obeyed.
2 hours elapsed, Kirk commanded to stop all engines. The
"Temperance" stops in the middle of space.
- We will wait here . We are out of scanning. We will
return in two days more."- Kirk informed the crew, using the
general communication loudspeakers.
He walk to his office. There he summoned Chekov and
Scotty, in order to study a better course back.
- I am supposed to attend the meeting as Commander,
Captain Kirk."- Spock said, walking into the chamber.
- You are entitled to attend this reunion, Spock. But
please don't speak."- Kirk replied.
Chekov and Scotty looked at each other. Where was the
friendship between Kirk and Spock went?
After two long hours of calculations and opinions, the
course was set. The reunion ends, and Kirk sent out, leaving
the rest of his crew there.
- The captain seems upset."- Chekov said.
- It's because of me. He is resenting my post here, but
the Federation Headquarters makes me Commander of this
Mission. And I intend to use that power."- Spock explained.
Kirk went to the infirmary, and asked McCoy for a glass.
- Oh ! Too much pressure, Captain? Well, here is the old
Bourbon, at your disposal."- McCoy said, serving him a shot.
- Mm! This Bourbon seems to be each day better !"- Kirk
said, after the first gulp.
- Easy now ! There is no need to be hurry in the booze
!"- Smiled McCoy.
The Exo Biologist ....came into the Infirmary, and
seeing Kirk drinking, he blushed.
- Came in, Miss Jennifer ! We are having a break here
!"- McCoy said.
- pardon me, Captain ! I didn't want to intrude."- She
said.
- You are not intruding, Exo Biologist Smith."- He
smiled.
- I came here to see you, Doctor McCoy, as I feel a pain
in the chest."- She said.
McCoy used his Tricorder, and after some minutes, he
said:- " It is our heart. Perhaps too much tension, in this
days ? A new mission perhaps makes you too tight. You need to
relax. I can give you some pills, that will ease your
tension."- McCoy said, handling her a pair of pills in a
plastic box.
- Try to drink a little Bourbon, my dear. It makes the
same results, but with pleasure attached."- Kirk said,
handling her his half emptied glass.
She takes reluctantly the glass, and she have a little
sip. Then she coughs, handling the glass to Kirk.
Then Spock enters the Infirmary, and seeing what were
happening, he said:'- Captain Kirk ! It is forbidden to drink
liquor in duty hours ! "
McCoy intervened, saying "- It is not liquor, Commander
Spock ! It is a sample of a tonic I distilled . It causes a
slight muscular distention. The appropriated to tensional
states."
- Oh. Pardon me, Captain....Doctor McCoy: I need you to
analyze this sample. Please inform me of the results. I'll be
in the bridge...now the Captain seems to be very busy here."-
Spock said, handling McCoy a flask with a blue liquid.
- I'll work in it, Commander."- McCoy said, eyeing the
liquid with an intrigued stare.
Spock left the room with a little bow .
- This man is infatuated ! "- Kirk said.
The Exo Biologist takes the pills and depart to her
quarters...
- Handsome woman.'- Kirk said.
- Yes. Pity she is beginning to crack."- McCoy replied.
Kirk went to the Control Room, and he talked to Uhura.'-
- We need to know if the Romulan warbird is still there.
- Scanning. Sir, we are out of range."- She said, after
some trying.
- Pity. Well, we will moving at high speed. You will be
attending for any vessel in the surroundings."- Kirk said.
- Aye aye, Sir.- She smiled.
The clock struck the two hours elapse. Kirk asked full
power and the "Temperance" spring forward. It reaches the
Neutral Zone, and zoomed past it.
- No ships in our path, Sire."- Uhura informed.
The "Temperance" traversed the void and end by
circumnavigating the planet Neiklot .
-" There is some ruins in that planet, recently
discovered by the archeologist Penther, a terran. He
disappeared shortly after his discovery, but he managed to
send a message to Earth, saying his discovery can change the
cosmic balance. We are here to search Penther and his
findings."- Kirk announced to his crew.
- The shuttle is ready, Captain."- Chekov informed.
- The guards and me aboard ! Miss Smith, you are coming
with us !"- Kirk ordered, and they all climb to the vessel,
and went to the surface.
- I am receiving a signal, Sir."- Chocolate, the pilot,
informed.
- Which kind of signal?
- A distress call. It came due north."- Chocolate said.
- Set the course , we are going there. Better than to be
flying at random."- Kirk asserted.
The shuttle, flying at match 5, soon was at the north
pole.
- There is ! That red blotch, astern !"- Chocolate, a
fat brown skinned man, announced.
- Try to land in one piece, skipper."- Kirk groaned, as
the site was full of boulders.
The shuttle has vertical landing system, so it managed
to land in a clearing.
- Better we put on our spatial clothes, gentlemen and
Madame."- Kirk said, helping the lady to dress .
- The site is at 400 meters. "- Chocolate informed.
- All right, you swill stay aboard with two wards. If
somebody came this way, try to be in the alert."- Kirk
ordered.
The scouting team went down the ladder, and walked at a
brisk pace . Soon they were able to see the building. It was
big, and the red paint was evidently putted there as a signal
to airships.
- Seems pretty old.'- Lagrange said.
- There is two entrances there. "- Simpertigue spoke.
The building has four stories high. Its walls were made
of some kind of plastic, jarred and bitten by the storms and
the ice.
They lit their lamps, and enters to the building. The
ice was there present, shining with the lights they were
throwing.
A long dark corridor run from left to right, crossing
their path.
- Left.- Kirk ordered. A head ache begun to molest him,
perhaps it was the cold.
- There are rooms over here !"- Simpertigue said, going
by a door in the wall.
Several rooms were interconnected. Inside several large
skeletons were freezed.
- Seems to me like animals."- Lagrange said.
- Look ! - Simpertigue said, showing a form laying at a
corner.
It was a human being, heavily clothed. He was dead, and
he was ripped at the stomach.
- Killed.'- Kirk announced, looking apprehensively
around him.
- The one that kills him must be long gone.'-
Simpertigue muttered, as he try to move the body and he
snatched an arm. He rummaged inside the clothes, and he finds
a radio transmitter, frozen but sending the distress call it
was heard aboard the shuttle..
- Seems to me it's the discoverer of the ruins."-
Lagrange said.
- Then it only rest to find the his discovery...the one
that can change the cosmic balance."- Kirk announced.
They went further down the halls. Several corridors were
present, and they walked through them finding more and more
rooms, all empty.
- A staircase! Perhaps we must go down."- Simpertigue
signaled .
They were descending, when a howling began. They saw
huge quadrupeds charging, and they began firing the Pfizer's.
One of the carnivores grabs a guard by a leg and carried it
away.
- Let's rescue him !"- Kirk said, running after the pack
of beasts, but he lost the trail, and they all stop at a
deserted room.
- gone ! I hear not the sound of the pack ! They looked
like wolves !"- Kirk groaned.
- Perhaps they went out of the building."- Simpertigue
muttered.
- The carried by the wolves was Lamartine, Sir. 20
years old."- Lagrange informed.
- Let's go from here !"- Kirk asked his crew.
They walked until arriving to day light. Then they went
to the shuttle, as they were freezing.
- Too much cold there !"- Lagrange said.
- We must search for the missing ..."- Kirk said.
A message was announced from the "Temperance" .
- Kirk here."
- Sir, we are detecting a metallic vehicle down there.
It's moving fast in your direction."- Chekov said.
- How mush I have?"
- Twenty minutes, Sir. "
- I'll be on my way. "- Kirk answered.
- What's up now, Captain?- Simpertigue asked.
- There is something moving in our direction. It will be
here in 20 minutes. ..Care to a second try? "- Kirk asked..
- You mean...going there and search for the artifact?-
Simpertigue asked incredulously.
- Yes, man ! Or we will be fighting our way !"
- I am ready.Sir."- Simpertigue replied, very stiffly.
It was a tradition in their family to go boldly where nobody
has gone before.
- O.K., then. This is what we'll do: we will enter that
building, and we will search the object again. We know in
this four stories over the surface the object is not. But
perhaps it is in the cellars. Also, Chocolate, if we cannot
made it in those 20 minutes, you will take off without us."-
Kirk asked.
- A risky maneuver, if I can say so, Captain."-
Chocolate replied.
- Speak.'- Kirk asked.
- Why we don't return to the " Temperance" and blow the
incoming vehicle first? Then you could go down and search in
peace."- Chocolate said.
- Nice putting. But I guess the incoming party is part
of a greater force. "- Kirk replied.'- Now, let's moving !"
They run to the building, six guards and Kirk guiding
them. They traversed the rooms and corridors, and began to
descend.
- Twenty minutes already, Captain. We never has a
chance."- Simpertigue said.
- I knew it. "- Kirk replied, searching with the torch
light into the endless stair.
One hour elapsed, they find a long corridor, and then a
huge hall, all in pitch darkness.
- it's colder in here."- Simpertigue said.
- I can feel it "- Kirk replied.
The hall has two main structures 35 meters high. Several
rods and cables were traversing the room, ending in big
sockets on the walls.
- Guess we find it !"- Kirk yelled.
They heard a mighty explosion, up there.
- Guess the machine arrives. Perhaps they are fighting
the shuttle."- Lagrange said.
- I told chocolate to take off !"- Kirk said, trying to
talk to the shuttle with his communicator, that were useless
there.
Jennifer began to poke unto the big structures. She find
a cabin, and there was three seats , in front of some tables
filled with buttons and dials.
- Seems to be some kind of control room. But it is
without energy, Sir."- She said, after some trying.
- Good. A junk. How the archeologist could said this was
a menace to the cosmic balance...? I cannot imagine ."- Kirk
scoffed.
- Perhaps he was a whacko. Too many time here in the
dark freeze his intelligence."- Simpertigue put in
emphatically.
- Perhaps. We cannot take this monster machines up
there. We cannot make them tick. We cannot do a damned thing
!"- Kirk snorted.
- Listen !"- Simpertigue asked.
A rumor were increasing its volume.
- Somebody is coming here !"- Lagrange informed .
- Put the lights off !"- Kirk ordered.
Five minutes elapsed, they saw red lights coming, and
several forms in between. Groans indefinable were being
uttered.
- The enemy !"- Yelled Simpertigue, and began to fire
his Pfizer.
They all did the same, as the incoming people bean to
shout and running unto them.
- Retreat !"- Asked Kirk.
they begun to run for the opposite door. The aliens were
shouting like animals, and their number keeps on increasing,
no matter the ones that went down under the Pfizer's shots.
- Run !"- Kirk asked of his men.
He saw the red rays of the enemy forces fried to or
three of the guards, but there was no time to look for them.
They find another staircase, so they descended by it at
top speed, and they landed at a corridor , who has an iron
door.
- Open it !"- Yelled Kirk, firing up against the aliens,
that were descending cautiously.
They opened the rusted door, and they all went the other
side. Then they bolted it.
- Guess this will do. It is a massive door, and I think
only a bomb could destroy it."- Kirk announced.
- Perhaps they will carry down here such a weapon."-
Lagrange replied.
- could be, but for then we will be out of reach."- Kirk
assured.
They saw the corridor keeps going in a straight line.
They walked four hours, and they take a break, laying on the
concrete of the floor.
- What a nightmare !"- Simpertigue said.
- We are entombed here."- Lagrange uttered.
- Now we are only five ."- Ferrelo , another guard,
said.
- When there is life there is hope."- Kirk said.
The cold wasn't so great, but the air was stale.
Somebody coughed.
Half an hour elapsed, they begin to walk again. They
find a stair that went up in the dark.
- Look ! Seems we are lucky !"- Ferrelo said, lighting
the stair.
They began climbing the metallic structure. It was
rusty, and it swayed with the weight of these 5 men.
- I hope this thing will not collapse."- Prayed
Simpertigue.
- Try to set your feet gentle ! Or else..."- Kirk asked.
they climbed for hours and they ended in a tower.
- Out ! Oh Jehovah Lord, thanks you !"- Kirk said,
jumping to the snow.
- I will not go inside that pit in a hundred years !"-
Simpertigue said.
- Neither do I."- Ferrelo cried.
Kirk uses his communicator device. Chekov answered
promptly.
- This is the " Temperance". Captain, is that you?"-
Asked Chekov, with incredulous voice.
-Yes, Ensign, beam us up."
Scotty managed the trick and they were in two minutes
aboard the " Temperance".
- Lucky you were under the building, Sir ! The alien
vessel was an all terrain monster of a machine ! They began
bombing us without further ado !"- Chocolate said to Kirk,
who was in the Infirmary, being attended, like the rest of
the scouts.
- I told you to take off in 20 minutes !"- Kirk
exclaimed.
- But that I did ! They arrive a little earlier ! So I
take off and without a scratch !"- Chocolate replied eagerly.
- Well ! Now we must rest ."- Kirk proposed, and went to
his bed.
- Sir, I need your report."- Spock asked by the
intercom.
- Go to ...wait , Commander ! I had to rest !"- Kirk
replied, disconnecting the device.
Six hours of sleep and a warm bath makes Kirk a new man.
He dressed with fresh clothes, and went to the control room .
- Ensign Chekov ! Inform me about that enemy vehicle "=
Kirk asked, seating in his chair.
- It is an all terrain vehicle, 80 meters long. It is
manned by some humanoids twice our height, captain."- Chekov
informed, showing in the main screen a pair of photos the
shuttle managed to take when being attacked.
- Pity they didn't communicate with us, first. "- Kirk
whispered.
- Our main consideration is to retrieve that cosmic
menace, |Captain."- Spock said.
- I must inform you, Commander, that the engines of
artifacts are two huge chinks of metal. Also located down
under, we cannot take them in one piece, so we would cut it
in pieces, and then there is some cables going to the walls.
Seems to me there is more machines we didn't see. "= Kirk
exclaimed. ' ' -" Officer Smith ! Tell the Commander what you
saw."-
- I find two huge engines, Commander. They seems to work
building a high energy field, but they are out of power. Also
the ice and humidity rusted it. I think it is beyond
repair."- Jennifer Smith said.
- I asked information, not what you are thinking of it,
Officer ! My orders are to take those machines and carried to
the civilization ! So now, Captain Kirk, I ask you to destroy
all enemies, and send for that machines, no matter in how
many pieces we cut it !"- Spock ordered.
- Chekov : localize the alien vehicle."- Kirk asked.
- I have it localized."
- Scotty ! Set a torpedo landwards. "
- Aye aye, Sir !
- Fire !"- Kirk ordered.
The torpedo zoomed to the surface and exploded on top of
the all terrain vehicle.
In a circle of 500 meters all fused and melted ,with the
high temperature the proton torpedo provoked.
- Enemy vessel is no more, Captain..."- Chekov said.
- Good. Simpertigue ! Take both shuttles and went there
with all your guards ! Clean the site. "- Kirk ordered.
- Yes. Sir !"- Simpertigue saluted and departs in a
hurry.
Four hours elapsed, Simpertigue were radioing the "
Temperance" the site was freed of enemy forces.
- I will send you a scientific team. Please guard
them...they have a lot of job to do."- Kirk told the Guard's
commander.
\ - Send them all right ! Also some hot chocolate,
please."- Simpertigue asked, making Kirk smile .
For two months they were there. Also in two occasions
they torpedoed enemy vehicles, in order to assure the
scientific team the time for to do their job.
- I love you."- Jennifer told Kirk, who was helping the
scientific team , there in the ruins.
- Me too. But came here ! It's too late to go to
work...yet."- He laughed.
She climbs over him, laughing and kissing his chest.
- Oh. Jenny ! You are so sweet !"- Moaned Kirk a little
while longer.
- My...Captain ! "- She said, transpiring a bit.
- Captain ! Enemy vehicle approaching !"- Simpertigue
yelled, standing at the side of the hut.
- I am coming ! I am coming !"- Kirk said.
- Yes, you better come !"- Simpertigue said.
Ten minutes elapsed, Kirk went out of the hut. In the
distance, a black object were hurrying against them.
- What the heck ! Why there is not a torpedo flying
already !"- Kirk yelled to the " Temperance"
- Sir ! We are fighting against a tractor beam they set
at the surface ! Impossible now to throw a torpedo ! Also it
cannot be donned now ! The object it's at 450 meters from
your post ! it will burn all , you included !"- Chekov said.
- Then beam us all !"- Kirk yelled.
- Cannot be so, Sir ! The tractor beam would smashed
your bodies to pieces !"- Chekov replied.
- Damn !"- Kirk said, running for the shuttles.
One of them soars high. The heat melted the ice around
Kirk.
\ - Is it ready ?- Kirk asked, when he enters the cabin of
the second shuttle.
- I don't know, Sir !'- Ferrelo said, looking in
desperation to the hundred buttons in the console.
- Where is Chocolate !"- Kirk asked.
- Inside the ruins, Captain !"- Jennifer said, seating
at the controls. With dexterity, she start the engines.
The enemy vehicle was at 40 meters, and firing. One
direct hit smashed a wing.
'- Fasten belts !- Jenniffer yelled, and he pushed the
red button.
The second shuttle soars high, trembling all its parts,
due to the mangled wing.
- We cannot fly horizontally, Sir."- She announced.
- Then drop a bomb to those bastards !"- Kirk asked.
- Pardon me, Captain ! I am not accustomed to the
weaponry ! I just have a lesson of flight !"- She responded,
anguished.
Kirk looked at her, and said : ' Pardon me, Officer Exo
Biologist. I'll do the trick. Try to stabilize the craft,
please."
He seats unto another chair, and searched for the firing
systems. Two laser cannons, for aerial skirmishes, and two
torpedoes at port side. That was all the weaponry the vessel
had.
Kirk defined the target, and the computer did all the
rest. One of the torpedoes went down screaming , and it
exploded in one mighty ball of fire.
- Yes !"- Kirk hissed, when the cloud of fire and smoke
slowly drifted in the wind.
There wasn't a trace of the enemy all terrain vehicle
now !
- Shuttle Two to "Temperance". Respond, please."- Asked
Simpertigue, using the transradio.
- "Temperance" here. Chekov speaking."
- This is Simpertigue speaking . The captain wants to
know about your present condition. Over."
- We are free of the Tractor Beam, Sir ! The First
Shuttle went there and torpedoed the enemy base..."- Chekov
informed.
- We are going to land in the ruins. Order to the first
shuttle to do the same."- Kirk ordered, speaking by the
microphone.
- Aye aye, Sir."- Chekov responded.
With both shuttles landed, Kirk went with all his forces
to the labyrinth. They found 30 alien creatures, who were
trying to kill the 9 human survivors, who were fighting back
with their Pfizer's.
Kirk and his men shots the aliens from two different
directions, killing them all.
- There ! Filthy beasts!"- Simpertigue yelled, smashing
the last alien skull.
- Thanks , captain ! One minute more, and we would had
been History !"- Saluted Fernandes, one of the three humans
who were fighting there for their lives.
- Thanks the Lord Jehovah! And now, let's see how much
of the engines we must be carrying still."- Kirk said.
They went to the engine's chamber. One of the two big
machines was already carried to the "Temperance". The other
was half disabled.
- Pity we must dismantle it after a careful mapping. "-
Kirk said.
- Why we just filmed it ? Surely in Earth the
technicians could reassemble it using the films !"- Lagrange
proposed.
- Yes, we will do that. Another surprise, and there will
be no "Temperance" to deliver this junk."- Kirk assumed.
So he ordered to fasten the works. They slice the engine
using lasers, and the pieces were numbered and carried in no
time to the awaiting ship.
- I must protest ! The second machine it's damaged !"-
Spock said to Kirk.
- Sorry, commander, but we must take notice of our
enemies increasing power. We had resisted their efforts until
now. Perhaps the next time they will come up with a new
device to whom we could do nothing to prevent its working. So
there will be no deliverance at all!"- Kirk snorted.
- I will do a report, Captain ! "- Spock announced.
- You can do all the reports you want. But fast your
belt. We are leaving orbit in three minutes."- Kirk smiled
gently....
The "Temperance" abandoned the orbit and went at a rush
to Federation's controlled space.
-----------------------------------------------
- There it goes those damned humans !"- Gorkorwe said,
looking at his monitor.
- Pity ! We were reassembling the tractor beam ! With
three megabullions watts more , we could have landed it in no
time !"- Asaskirr shouted, throwing an iron bar against a
window....
------------------------------------------------
- Neutral Zone passed already, Captain"- Uhura said.
- Well donned ! In three months we will be at home."-
Kirk replied, with a tired smile.
- There is a minor problem here, Captain Kirk."- Spock
said.
- And you are going to tell me about it , Commander?-
Kirk smiled.
- You will be demoted, Captain ! Your mission was not
well accomplished, due to your runaways wishes ! The second
machine I am sure it will be not working properly ! "- Spock
assured.
- Pity to hear that. I will try to survive."- Kirk said,
standing at his bridge.
- Miss Jennifer is waiting you at your cabin, Sir ! She
said she has an urgent matter to discuss !"- Uhura informed
his Captain.
- Oh ! Tell her I'm on my way !"- Kirk said, unfastening
his coat...
00000000000000000000000000000000
Two months of travel was a delight for those in love,
namely Jennifer and Kirk. They cherished each moment they
were together, and Kirk even wrote her some poems.
At last, they arrived to Earth orbit, where thousands of
other ships were seeing by the amazed crew.
- There are lots of new models !"- Kirk said.
- Seems they encounter a new race in the sky !"- McCoy
said, indicating some alien designs .
---------------------------------------------
- Captain Kirk, you had brought us the machines from the
planet Neiklot, in Romulan sphere of action. And you had
safely returned us the "Temperance", who now it is at our
docks."- General Vasques said.
Kirk was seated in front of five generals of the
Starfleet. Some guards and typing machines were present also.
He didn't answer, as those were the facts.
- We have here a Report from Commander Spock. In it he
stated that you cut the second engine in several pieces,
busting the machine. What do you can tell us about this
issue?"- Asked the same General.
- We were attacked several times by natives, and in each
occasion the aggression was more and more effective. The last
one was directed to the "Temperance" : a Tractor beam. So I
decided to put an end of two months working efforts."- Kirk
replied.
- The five generals who were seated at the table talked
each other in ushered tones, and after some minutes , General
Vasques said:- " We have no doubts about your good basis to
act. The accusation is dismissed. Also, we are very pleased
with your work: the second engine is already assembled and
tested successfully."
- Thanks for your considerations."- Kirk replied.
General Ortega, a fat mustached man in his sixties, said
"- We sill not gave you back the "Temperance", Captain."
Kirk blushed and then he turns very pale.
- We will design you to the "Enterprise". It has been
rebuild with the last improvements at hand."- General Vasques
informed.
Kirk heard all this as if in another room...The
"Enterprise " again in his command !
- "As his Captain, you have the free election of your
crew."- Coronel Ortega said, standing and giving a handshake
to Kirk.
- I am very honored, Sir"- He replied.
Coronel Palacios , a thin barbed Chilean , commanded a
guard to fetch some bottles of Chilean wine, who was served
in some glasses.
The generals made a toast :-" Blessed be Jehovah , God
of the Armies !"
- " So be it !"- Kirk replied, drinking the fresh liquor
in one gulp.
When he went out of that room, he saw Spock, pacing at
the corridor.
- I hope they didn't punish you too roughly !"- The
vulcanian said, staring fixedly at the Earthen.
- I just don't figure how you are feeling pity for me,
being the one who accused me !"- Kirk yelled, pushing him
aside.
Spock landed against a wall. As a couple of guards
helped him , he said"- That Earthman ! He never knew how to
restrain his instincts !- And smiled crookedly...
--------------------------------
Kirk went to his apartment. Jennifer were there, waiting
for him.
- And how did it goes, darling?- She asked, kissing him
in his cheek.
- Oh! They promoted me as the new Captain of the
"Enterprise " !- Kirk informed, smiling ...
- Oh, darling! How happy I am !"- She said, mounting
him. They fell unto the carpet.
---------------------------------------------
- " I had summoned you here this day, as I am going to
deliver a couple of news !' - Kirk announced to the group.
They were at a Resort Hotel, using one of the gardens to
also do a barbecue.
- I knew this wasn't a leisure pic nic !"- Simpertigue
signaled to Lagrange.
- Two news . One is bad, and the other is a good one !"-
Kirk said.
- Tell us the bad news first, Captain !"- Simpertigue
yelled, from his seat in front of the fire.
- They take away from me the "Temperance"! I am no
longer his Captain !"- Kirk informed.
Lagrange jumped , hands clenched, and he yells : -" That
sonofabitch ! I knew Spock was a resented long heared alien
!"
Uhura asked for the good new.
- They make me Captain of a refitted "Enterprise"! -
They all looked at him in sheer surprise, and then all
start to yell and laugh at the same time.
- This is pandemonium !"- Kirk said, looking how
Simpertigue and others were throwing ignited charcoals and
pieces of meat to the heavens ....
- It's a joyful moment! Let them be happy ! - Jennifer
said, kissing him.
Kirk stumbled to the grass, with her on top, performing
there an erotic art...
After that barbecue, they were too drunk to make any
future considerations, so Kirk appointed them for the next
Monday, at the same place.
The three days elapsed , a sober Kirk received the
invited. A barbecue was being attended by three cooks of the
same Hotel.
- Ladies and Gents : I had summoned you all here , to
offer to the braves a place aboard the refitted "Enterprise"
. The one who refuse to be booked, please go now. The ones
that chooses to fly with me, could be eating of the barbecue
when ready..."
They all laughed, and nobody goes from the spot.
- I see that they all are staying. The barbecue must be
looking great.{Laughs}. I will pronounce here a distasteful
matter, to get ride of it as soon as possible : Mr. Spock
will be going with us !"
- Kill the traitor !"- Simpertigue yelled.
- Yes. We will kill him with work. He will be our
Science Officer !"- Kirk announced.
Nobody likes this nomination, and their faces were
showing their dislike .
- The First Officer will be John Newark..."- And he
named all the officers.
The Newark asked :- " When we will be reporting for
duty, Sir?"
- "To-morrow. So you can prepare your bags and
suitcases, and be embarking to-morrow in the morning. There
will be five shuttles at our disposal. Site 99 in the
"Heinlein Starport".- Kirk announced.
- We will have a five years program, Sir "- Uhura asked
eagerly.
- Yes, Uhura. Same as before."- Kirk smiled broadly.
- You mean it will be filmed and showed to all the world
as Star Trek Series II ?"- Simpertigue asked.
- You are being presumptuous, Guard! ' - Spock said,
walking in.
He was dressed with a red shirt, jeans and a pair of
Adidas shoes.
- You, talking about being too presumptuous ! You are
the s.o.a.b. most presumptuous of all worms at Starfleet !"-
Simpertigue yelled, punching the Vulcanian in his chin.
The inhuman went to the floor as a flour bag.
- Let him sleep a while !"- Kirk ordered.
- We should barbecue him !"- Scotty said, smiling.
- Don't , please ! I am allergic to lizard meat !"-
McCoy refused.
The roast beaf is ready , Sir !"- The first cook said to
Kirk.
- Please go to the tables, ladies and gentlemen! "- Kirk
asked .
The cooks began to serve the meat in big dishes,
together with brewed potatoes, cauliflower's, onions an
carrots .
- We have Chilean wine, Sir...,or do you prefer some
other choice?"- The maitre asked Kirk.
- Chilean wine ! As well as the algolian beer ! Serves
as the Chilean wine !"- Kirk said, and he was then with a
glass of red wine, that he drinks at a gulp.
- More ! We have two main reasons to be merry to- day
:we are going back to space in a grand manner, and Spock is
sleeping !"- Kirk laughed.
Simpertigue drops some wine over the face of the Vulcan,
but he don't stir.
- Let me see this !"- McCoy worried about the Scientific
Engineer , and he used the Tricorder on the Vulcan.
- He seems to have a cerebral dysfunction ! Jim, you get
to send this ...Vulcan to the Hospital !"- McCoy said to
Kirk, who was approaching.
- I guess Simpertigue beats him a little too rough!"-
Kirk replied, and called an ambulance , using his pocket -
box radio transmitter ...
Spock was carried in a stretcher, much to the worried
look of Simpertigue.
- next time I will just slap the s.o.a.b. !"- He said to
Kirk.
- You better go to the "Enterprise" now, cousin !
Because if Spock wakes up before our departure, he will
surely be denouncing you of traitorous attack."- Kirk
expounded.
- yes, Captain."- Simpertigue replied.
- Ensign Chekov : beam Simpertigue up !"- Kirk said unto
his radio transmitter, and in a second the Guard wasn't on
the surface of Earth...
------------------------------
The crew aboard the refitted "Enterprise" , Kirk asked
of Chekov the complete list of the crew on board.
Chekov copied the list on a 3.5 floppy disk and handled
to him.
The Captain walked to his office, and inserted the disk
on the slot of the Computer , and read :
ENTERPRISE CREW MEMBERS =
Captain James Tiberius Kirk.
First Officer John Newark.
Second Officer Maora Noemi
Science Officer Xtmprszntwlfd S'chin T'gai Spock
Medical officer Leonard Horatio McCoy
Chief Engineer Montogomery Edward Scott
TRansporter Engineer Wladimir Smirnoff.
Ensign Pavel Adreiev Chekov.
Exo Biologist Jennifer Smith
Communications Officer Nyota*/Upenda*.... Uhura
Radar Man Lemuel the fleto
Guards {Enlisted First and Second Class}: Simpertigue,
Lagrange
Nurse Christine Chapel
Itaka Hikaru Sulu
Winston* Kyle (Lt - Transporter Chief)
Janice Rand (Yeoman)
Kevin Thomas Riley (Lt)
John Farrell (Lt)
Dave Bailey (Lt)
Charles/Carlos Jaeger (Meteorology Officer/helm)
Leslie (Lt)
Kelowitz (Lt Cmdr)
DeSalle (Lt)
DePaul (Lt)
Hansen (Lt)
{Also some other 400 crew members more.}
-----------------------------------------------
Kirk saw that there was some other names, and they were
of the races the Enterprise find in his previous voyages. He
reads with a tingue of melancholy in his eyes :
Andorians
Catullans
Deltans
Elasians
Eminians
Eymorgs
Fabrini civilization
Gorn
Halkans
Horta
Kalandans
Klingons
Kohms
Landru
Organians
Orions
Medusans
Melkotians
Metrons
Morgs
Nomad
Romulans
Sehlat (Spock's "teddy bear" - "Journey to
Babel")
Talosians
Tan-Ru
Tellarites
Thann
Thasians
Tholians
Tribbles
Vaal
Vulcans
Yangs
Also there were some phrases in Vulcan and its meaning :
fal-tor-pan refusion of body and 'katra'
katra essential essence of person
kunat kalifi mating or challenge
kroykah stop!
plak tow blood fever
pon farr mating cycle
=======================================================
- Sir, a message has arrived....from Starfleet Commanding
Office."- Uhura said, using the intercommunication.
-Send it to me, please."- He ordered.
Janice Rand came to him with the message, encoded and in
a floppy disk. Kirk gave his thanks to the girl, touching
her hand. She looked at her as she were the sister of the
Producer, and departs.
- Ay !"- Kirk said, staring those legs going away.
he reads the message in his PC Epson. It reads like this
{sort of} :
- Captain Kirk of the Enterprise : Salute !
"We hope you manage to master your new ship by now. Your
mission number One is to go at full speed to planet
Lotalcos, in the .... System, .....Constellation. There is a
colony there {terrans} who are in danger, so take all the
inhabitants and carry them out of the planet and to the
destiny we will told you in due time.
"That is all. Have a nice day."
- Sure it is some Vulcan in command! It is a very
difficult mission ! There are Muerhui there !"- Simpertigue
told Kirk, when informed.
- Cousin ! There is a honor in serving the Starfleet !
There is no difficult task here ! "- Kirk reprimanded.
- Yes ! The honor we will receive at the Star Fleet
Cemetery !"- Growled Simpertigue.
- Prepare your men. Now you are the chief of the
Scouting Party . Your wages are increased tenfold !"- Kirk
remembered him.
- Yes, plenty of occasions here to spent a dime !"-
Simpertigue eyed Kirk with a grin.
- There ! You must preserve the good humors of our
family !"- =Kirk laughed.
Doctor McCoy walks in the Captain's cabin, and asked
where was the hidden booze.
- There is no booze here, Doctor ! We were just
joking."- Kirk explained.
- Oh ! Well, if you despise a good Bourbon !"- He said,
showing a bottle of liquor he were carrying in a paper bag...
- Oh, Doctor , you are the most kind of person ! Stay s
we could laugh together !"- Simpertigue said, taking the
doctor by his elbow.
- Well ...just a little while, no more !"- McCoy said,
smiling.
Kirk produced some glasses he has in his desk, and the
Doctor filled the cups. Kirk make a toast :' For us !"
- May we live long and prosper !"- McCoy added, making
Simpertigue coughs, remembering The vulcanian...
- Please, Doctor ! Don't spoil the Bourbon !"- He said,
and McCoy laughed.
- Don't be too vindictive, lad ! This here life is of
struggle and biting, but please don't grudge on old hates !
Make new enemies, and forget the old ones !"- The Doctor
said, pouring another round.
- Oh, I seem I am in a lower gravity field !"-
Simpertigue said, and Kirk notice the same effect.
- Jim, I guess it's the Enterprise loosing its gravity
field!"- McCoy said, when he try to walk and he went upwards
instead.
Kirk called Uhura, saying"- Nyota, tell me what is
happening !"
- Don't worry , Captain ! It's Scotty trying to fix the
Hyper drive in time !"- She answered.
- Ask him how many we will be swimming !"- Kirk asked.
- He told me a couple of hours, Captain. There is no
need to came here, as Chekov said the velocity is normal,
there is no objects in a million kilometers from here,
Captain !'- Uhura replied.
- Very well, then. Pay attention for incoming messages,
Uhura."- Kirk said.
- Why you tell her Idiota ?- Sim[ertigue asked him.
- No idiota : Nyota. Is her name."- Kirk explained.
{Spanish Idiota means Idiot }
- Ah. Sorry."- Simpertigue said, retiring from the
cabin.
- This lad is your relative , really ?"- McCoy asked.
- Yes. He is a consanguine of mine. "- Kirk sighed.
- He is very similar to you, externally. "- The Doctor
said.
- I don't know how to take your words. "
- He has your height, muscles and blonde hair."
- O.K., but let's talk something clever. Have you any
new nurse...good looking ?"
- Oh, yes ! Nurse Chapel.
- But I met her eight years ago ! And she seems to be
interested in Spock."- Kirk explained.
- But that green blooded person isn't here ! I know that
you, with your persuasion , could make her get in love with
you."- McCoy said.
In that precise moment Jennifer enters cabin, and stare
at the two men, knitting her brows.
- What am I listening ? To whom you would make love,
Kirk ?- She asked in a shrill voice.
- To nobody, dear ! The doctor is drunk ! "- Kirk said,
taking her by one arm.
- And I were just leaving !"- McCoy said, taking the
half emptied bottle and wrapping it again.
- Oh, yes ! And now you leave !"- Jennifer said, trying
to stop him , but he ducked and went out, cackling.
- Oh ! He has a laugh similar to the Agatha witch !"-
She said.
- Oh, you also reads Little Lulu !"- Kirk smiled, and he
showed her his personal collection of Lulu comics, he always
had with him , in microfilm...
She forgets the rage she was having minutes before, and
reads those funny stories . Kirk went to bed, and he get
asleep in no time.
She saw him and sighed. His loving powers were slacking!
Just as the gravity field of the Enterprise !
================================================page69
- There are some reports , Sir. About colonies in the
new worlds we help discover.'- Uhura said.
- Fine. Gave me some."- Kirk asked, and in his spare
time he began to view them all.
New planets were the life was a permanent struggle
between men and the environment...Also some times were
against aliens, but they were easily disposed of, as the
worst enemy of men it's another group of men...
- Interesting, those tales, love."- Jennifer told him ,
after some days of the same.
- There are repetitions. Some videos seems to me
replicas of the Far West time, really !"- He smiled.
She embraces him and kisses him with passion.
- Hey ! "- He said, surprised of it.
- I must take the initiative, as you aren't ."- She
said.
Kirk responded to it. He was young, she was young...what
is the matter with me ?- He thought.
After that torrid moment, in the solitude of the bath
room {where most people find themselves, you believe it or
not } Kirk realizes it was not lack of passion, but boredom.
The girl was fine to be with her a couple of week ends, but
he was having this affair too many days already.
- Time to find a planet and go on discovering things."-
He told himself, smiling sadly.
That s why he loves this job ! The perpetual change, the
emotion. Now , with the hyper engine dead, no new planet was
at sight !
He finished what he was doing, flush the toilette, and
went to talk to Scotty.
- How it's going, Scotty ?
- Not as good as I wished, Captain. There are too many
fused cables round here. Also when I retire the new elements,
I also loose some of the old. that were enhanced ! Now I am
trying to mix the old and the new. Perhaps I could make it in
two months."- Scotty informed.
- Fine. You see to it."- Kirk said, eyeing the entangled
web of hardware and cables ...the nightmare of an engineer !
A guy looked at him, as if trying to speak. Kirk
summoned the engineer to his quarters, using Uhura, as he
doesn't have a resented Chief Engineer on board...
- You call for me, Sir "- Stated the man.
- Yes. It was seeming you want to tell me something."-
Kirk said, seated at his chair.
- Well, yes, Captain. I am Toro Rorrealba, second class
engineer. I helped the team that refitted this ship,
Captain."
The guy was tall and very strong. Kirk thoughts were
that he would precise a hammer to knock the guy down ...
- Very interesting. And what do you think about the
repairs Scotty is being doing?
- I think he spoiled everything , Sir ! With due
respect, I swear to you the refitted was very well
accomplished. This ship were 60 % more effective than before
!"- Toro said.
- I see. But also it failed when we were attaining the
Warp Speed. And some items were fused."- Kirk remembered.
- Yes. But it was due to Scotty's orders ! He refused to
lit some vital parts he knew not ! "- Toro said.
- And why don't you write a report in it's due time ?"-
Kirk said, angrily. At his back, Scotty were doing things his
way, at the old way !
- Because it were too late, Sir ! And now he is trying
to convert the "Enterprise " in the old model it was before !
"- Toro accused.
-But he told me otherwise ! He told me he was mixing
parts new and old..."- Kirk stops his saying, choked with
rage.
- He told you so, Sir, as he now you are a clever man,
what would stop his doings ! And I remarked you, Captain, the
new improvements and fumbling he is doing will lead us
nowhere ! The best thing it's you calling for help right now
! Or we will be not months in this desolated part, but years
!"- Toro urged.
- I cannot rely just in your word, Toro. I must ask the
advice of others ."
- "Call them ,. Sir ! You will be hearing the same thing
! "- Toro sighed.
- Have you the determination to say all this in front of
Scott?
- Yes ! You call an assembly of engineers, and I will
talk !"- Toro exclaimed.
- Very well, then, Return to your work. I will call a
meeting right away."- Kirk assured.
He summoned Newark, and he informed him about the course
of things.
- I always has doubts about this accident, Captain ! A
new system, failing in the first intent !"- Newark remarked.
- Call all engineers to a meeting. At six hundred hours.
And I want every officer present !"- Kirk groaned.
- Yes, Captain."- Newark said, going to accomplish his
task
At 06.00 hours they were all present in the main
chamber. Kirk said"- There is one engineer accusing Chief
Scott of inefficiency. Speak, Toro Rrorealba."
Scott were bulging his eyes as if he were about to
suffer an heart attack. He , accused of incompetence, by one
of his helpers !
- " As I told Captain Kirk , Chief Engineer Scotty
didn't ignited the Warp System as it was meant to be. He
deliberately disconnected some vital parts, trying to do
things in the old way. So the system collapsed, and some
vital parts were fused. Now he is trying to configure again
the old system the "Enterprise" has close to a decade ago,
and with bits and parts. "- Toro said.
A terrible silence befell upon everyone there. The
majority was amazed to hear Scotty was an incompetent, as he
was very well connected everywhere.
- I said this is a lie ! I used the warp system as it
was ordered to do by the same Manuals issued before we depart
! Now listen me, Toro, you were always a busybody, a problem
maker man ! And as I refuse to promote you , now you are
rising false accusations against me !"- Scotty assured.
Toro produced a wad of paper, and he was reading all the
wrong doings Scotty apparently did with the Warp System of
the Enterprise...
Some two hours elapsed, not one there present were
believing Scotty's defense. They all heard how Scotty
accepted and refused charges , and how first one and then a
lot of engineers began to expressing how Scott has mixed up
the conditions of usage of the aforementioned system.
so the meeting was ended by Kirk, who said"- We had
heard several engineers here. One said he was innocent of our
present situation - stranded in deep space- and others are
saying he is guilty of incompetence. Now we are not a jury
here, to judge Scotty, but also we must arrive to a decision.
The decisions here I had taken before, and this is no
exemption to the rule : Scott will be released of all duty on
board, until I decide on the contrary. Toro and the rest will
try to mend the wrong doings . And Uhura will call to
Headquarters, informing them it is not 2 months we are
possibly be delayed, but years. So they must send a fast
vessel here. We need an overhaul , and we cannot do so in the
middle of nowhere.
" And as to our mission, the reason we are traveling, I
guess they will send somebody else. This reunion is over,
gentlemen. "
They all went to their places, commenting the bad news.
Scotty went out, very stiffed, looking straight ahead...
- They say they are going to send us help immediately,
Sir ! Two ships are already on this way !" - Nyota said.
- Very well. "- Kirk said, seated at his throne...
- The first mission, spoiled."- McCoy murmured to Kirk.
- I am not responsible for that, Bones. How were I went
to know Scotty has dementia senile?"
- I am sure the guy is not whaco, Jim. He just didn't
developed his concepts. He sticks to the old ways."- McCoy
affirmed.
- In three weeks they are meant to arrive. Sure we are
going to be send to Earth."- Kirk assumed.
- I don't pronounce myself in those matters. I prefer to
consider one day at a time. And I am thinking there is some
Bourbon left at my Dispensary. Do you want to join me,
Captain?- McCoy smiled.
- O.K., let's go drying that bottle."- Kirk accepted the
invitation.
21 days after the meeting, two great vessels arrive .
One was a dark streamlined Cruiser, and the other a cargo
vessel, with a team of Engineers and spare parts.
- I am Dragon Lemartine, Captain of the " Defiance". I
am ordered to carry the officers with me, to Chalos V."- Said
the Captain of the battle cruiser. He was small and dark
skinned.
- I am glad to meet you, Captain Lemartine. May I
present you my officers."- Kirk said, happy to find he were
going to move, at last!
He presented the Enterprise officers to Lamartine. He
did not present Scott, who were confined at his cabin.
- We are going to came back as soon as the " Chino Rios"
cargo vessel ends the reparations. "- Lamartine said, with a
French smile in direction to Jenny.
- I thought we were to depart soon."- Kirk felt his feet
going unto the floor.
- Yes ! The " Chino " will make minor changes to the
Enterprise engines, and then they will fuse both ships in one
body, and they are going to do a jump in hyper."- Captain
Lamartine said.
- Oh ! I felt relieved."-Kirk smiled, going out of the
room.
- You seems to be as clever as your beauty "- Lamartine
told Jennifer, who blushed .
- Thanks, Captain. But I am not...."
- You are ! There is a pair of suns in your eyes, a red
rose in your lips, and your hair is woven with golden silk by
some group of fairies."- He said, taking her hand and kissing
it.
- Oh, please ! "- She said, and run out of the room.
- An enchanting lady !"- Lamartine said to the other
officers.
18 hours elapsed, the " Defiance" saw the train of ships
accelerate , preparing to do the Jump. Two hours of it, and
the Jump was accomplished.
- Now we go !"- Ordered Lamartine to his men, and the
"Deffiance" jumped , also, in the red vacuum of Hyper
Space...
- This is flying !"- Toro said to Kirk, fastened to some
chairs, in the back of the vessel.
- Pity I am a passenger now !"- Kirk growled. It was an
humiliating return to Earth !
Two weeks elapsed, they return to Earth. The alien
vessels weren't present now. The Emperor of the Borgs were in
his way to his kingdom...
- They said the Borg girls were very fine to look at."-
McCoy said.
- It is very strange this. I assume they represent some
future event.- Newark said.
- I must ask a little lenience, here. The times had been
very tiresome to some people."- Kirk asked, smiling.
- A joke of your own ? Sometimes I wonder you know
something more of life than the rest of us !"- Mc coy pointed
out.
- The shuttle is ready, gentlemen. It had been a delight
to travel with you."- Captain Lamartine said, bowing.
- Thanks you. "- Kirk said. He always be remembering
Lamartine, specially when he finds Jenny in his bed. Now
Jennifer were of Lamartine's staff...
They descended to Earth, and they were located at a
building near the space field, where they find decent beds,
fine meals and nice girls to look upon.
- I think I will like this place."- McCoy said, eyeing a
red hair's girl, who was passing by .
Kirk asked a meeting with Lord ASkenazy, Chief Director
for that year.
He was received two days elapsed, and he said:'- I wish
to return to the Enterprise, Sir. It was damaged during my
first mission in it. "
- I find very difficult to accomplish that, Captain
Kirk. The Enterprise disappeared with the " Chino Rios" while
jumping hyper space. We are tracking hither and thither that
route, and I assure you there had been no lucky . "= Lord
ASkenazy replied.
- I cannot believe ! I just cannot believe !"- Kirk
paced the room, touching his head with both hands.
- I can ask for a new mission for you, Captain, but I
don't promise you nothing."- The Director of Starfleet said.
- I thanks you very much , Sir. "- Kirk said demurely,
and went out of the office.
AS the days passed, the disappearance of both ships was
the predominant news. Every engineer of Starfleet were giving
his personal explanation.
- We are cat's pissed, Jim !"- McCoy said, filling the
glasses with Bourbon, at the Casino.
- Yes ! First mission, and I loose my crew and ship ,
after a technical failure ! "- Kirk said, gulping the drink
in one stroke.
- Pity for the gals. They were good ones, those young
people. Perhaps they are in Limbo."
- The scientific people just cannot tell us what is
really like Hyper. So it is too much to ask where are my
boys."- Kirk said, giving a fist stroke unto the table.
- Jim ! Take it slowly, perhaps they will arrive here
soon !"- McCoy said, but without conviction. People loosed at
Hyper never came back !
- I heard about Spok. They beat him at the Hospital,
when he began to dictate lessons to the nurses ! They say a
fat nurse gave him a slap with a tray. "- Kirk informed.
- Ja ja ! I bet ! "- McCoy laughed a while.
- I remembered him , doing his vulcanian strange rituals
at his bed room ! The funny thing he drinks in a flower pot
!"- Kirk smiled.
- yes ! I saw him once, and he said it was a ceremonial
vulcanian glass ! But it was just a flower pot to me !"-
McCoy said.
A junior officer came to the table, and asked"- Are you
the Captain Kirk??
- The same that you are looking at."- Kirk replied.
- I have a message for you: Commander Dicker wants you
right away."
- Guide me."- Kirk asked.
- Can I came along?"- McCoy asked.
- Yes."- Kirk replied.
They walked to the Air Tube, and went Down Town. There
they climbed to a high building's office, and among busy
clerks. Commander Dicker received them in a tiny office,
crammed with papers and floppy disks.
- Welcome to Wonderland ! Captain Kirk , I have you a
new vessel. Take it or leave it."- He said.
Dicker was a bearded fat man, bald and with just one
eye.
- This vessel is the Enterprise?
- No, no , Captain ! The " Enterprise refitted" , as the
media called it, is history ! It never return ! So I am
handling you a good vessel perhaps not so glossy as the
Enterprise, but good to work on it."- Dicker said.
And he handled Kirk a photo. He looked it some seconds,
handling the photo to McCoy, who stared dumbfounded.
- An Oberth Class vessel ! "- Kirk announced .
- Yes ! An Oberth class ...named " Lucas Tudor". They
say it's a Chilean first contribution to the Starfleet."-
Dicker said.
- Fine ! A south American vessel ! Perhaps we could find
some Pisco in it !"- McCoy rubbed his hands.
- I take it ! And I guess I am entitled to nominate my
own crew."- Kirk said.
- An Oberth Class vessel has 200 crew members on board.
There is already 130 Starfleet appointed persons there.
Nothing I can modify, understand ? The rest you name it."-
Dick announced.
- I will take it, Commander. Just tell me which missions
I could wait handling that vessel."- Kirk asked.
- Search me ! I am not in that branch of command. "-
Dick said, producing a bottle of Chilean red wine, and three
glasses. He filled the cups, and he made a toast"- For the
ever flying corpses of Starfleet !"
- You said it ."- McCoy added, laughing.
They drink the wine.
- There is a saying "When the river rumbles, stones is
carrying."- McCoy said.
- You mean ...?"- The Commander asked.
- That we heard a rumor. There is an alien race recently
discovered that has a terrible secret."- McCoy murmured.
-Hush hush ! Yes. I heard that too."- The Commander
looked at the door.'- But I cannot talk of that here."
- Came to our Hotel . "- Kirk asked.
- No, better at my home. I will gave you the address.
This night suits me fine. "- Dick said.
- Well, Commander, we will went there."- McCoy affirmed.
They went out..
- The man seems to be afraid of something."- Kirk
announced.
- yes, Guess I know why."- McCoy said.
At 21.00 hours sharp they ringed the bell at the
Commander 's address.
A servant opened the door, and guided them to a nice
living room, where the Commander was playing the piano for
six other guests.
- Sit there, please. "- The servant asked of them.
They seated in some armchairs, bowing to the other
visits.
- Nice Chopin."- McCoy said to Kirk.
The Commander Dicker ended his performance after some 20
minutes, and he came to them.
- Hi, fellows ! I were entertaining my guests with a
little piano songs. How do you do ?
- Nice, thanks you. And you play beautifully."- Kirk
replied.
- I will play some more, but now please came t the
dining room."- He asked.
But he presented the other guests. There were three
couples, middle aged. All were related to some University.
- Professors. That's what they are."- McCoy told Kirk.
- Philosophers."
- yeah.
They went inside the dining room. Several chairs, a
great table, and several servants began to attend them.
Salads, meat and eggs, potatoes and lettuce. Some
crustacean, and wine.
- For our guests !"- The commander made a toast.
They drink.
A door opened, and a beautiful woman came, seating at
the Commander's right side.
- This is my daughter Lilian."
She bowed her head slightly, looking at Kirk.
- Nice to meet you, lady ! You are beautiful."- Kirk
said, standing up and kissing her hand.
- Thanks you, sir. "- She replied, blushing.
After the dinner, the men went to the smoking room, and
the ladies to the living room.
- Now, I summoned here two of our young heroes of space,
to tell them about the Staregs."- The Commander Dicker said.
- They know something about them?- Asked Tom Leandros,
one of the guests.
- I had not the time to ask them But they can inform us
now."- Dicker said.
- Doctor McCoy heard about it, and he informed me. So it
is better he told you all that he knows."- Kirk asked.
- I will. The guild I belong send me one inform where
the discovery made by the starship " O'Higgins" was
mentioned.
"The "O'Higgins " went to sector 489, in the Orion
Nebula main direction, and after some explorations he arrive
to a planetary system where a race of humans lived. They were
already capable of voyages by the stars, but they seems not
inclined to colonize ."- McCoy said.
- There is a need in the Terrans that makes them go to
other stars, colonizing. This drive isn't present in many
races of the cosmos.' ' Professor Tom Leandros assented.
- The captain of the " O'Higgins" , Juan Rodriguez, was
visited by the Staregs . They were human beings, all right.
But then they asked strange questions to him, as if he were a
reborn or not, he then realize he were talking with people
hundred of years old.
" As the prolongation of human life is a medical
preoccupation, we surgeons are vividly interested about this
case."' - McCoy ended his speech.
- And that is all you know ?"- Commander Dicker said.
- Yes, Commander."
- Do not tell me Commander at my house ! Call me
Alphonse."- He asked.
- We are better informed, gentleman. If Alphonse permits
it, I can tell you everything about it."- Professor Ocranza
said.
-We will be delighted."- Kirk replied.
- And meanwhile you are in this, we will go to attend
the ladies."- Alphonse said, with a smile.
they went out of the smoking room, and Ocranza begun
saying "- The Captain Juan Rodriguez came to Earth and
delivered a full report of what he learned at the Orion
Nebula sector. We had a good friend in the Minister of
Spatial Affairs, so we get a copy of the report .
" The Staregs are magnificent medics. They are centuries
ahead of us. They can recuperate a man clinically dead by 120
minutes ! A feat we cannot equal. Here in minutes cannot
recover the patient, as the brain cells suffers enormous
injuries with the lack of oxygen ."
- " More than Ten minutes and the recovered can be turn
out to be a mongoloid , if the heart begins to pump again."-
McCoy said.
- The Staregs discovered the people recovered brought to
life strange memories, and some time they never be the same
again. They can communicate with death persons, they can link
they souls to other resuscitated, they have glimpses of
people dying...no matter if they are far from the site where
the dying person is."- Ocranza affirmed, lighting his pipe.
- So you think they will gave us information on how to
resuscitate people?' - McCoy asked.
- I am sure the government sends already a couple
hundred physicians there, not only to learn about the
resuscitations technique, but also about the enlargement of
human life. Take notice of this : the average of age at
Sardina, his home planet, is of 345 years."- Ocranza said.
- And with that average they didn't try to seize more
planets for themselves ?"- Kirk asked.
- They seem to have attained a low rate of new born."
In that moment Alphonse enters the room, and asked
Ocanza to go attending the ladies.
- I will talk a little while here, with our heroes."-
Alphonse smiled.
ocranza went out.
- We heard what he said. People having a life span of
345 years, people being resuscited after they arrive to the
other side of here."- Kirk said.
- Correct. They are very strange, as they now have a
knowledge of the after life we don't posses. All it's due to
their mastering of the medicine.""- Alphonse said.
- He said there are several hundred doctors in medicine
already there."- McCoy asserted.
- Yes, it is correct. Why, you want to go there,
Doctor?_' Asked Alphonse.
- It seems it is the heaven of physicians."- McCoy
smiled.
- Well ! Lets went to the ladies. They talk ease the
nerves."- Alphonse said, smiling gently.
He then played another 29 minutes of piano, and then
they all went to their dwelling places.
Kirk called the officers of the ex Enterprise, giving
them the address of the new ship. Then he went to sleep.
At dawn he went to see the Oberth class ship. It was at
site 300, and it was a big and shining fusiform vessel
A couple of guards were posted at the entrance.
- I am Kirk, the new appointed Captain."- He said to the
guards.
- Good morning, Sir. We were waiting you."- One of the
guards replied.
They stepped unto a ladder, that begun to move upwards.
At the middle part of the Oberth Class ship opened the
entrance to the interior.
- This way, Sir."- The guard 020 leads him.
One corridor went round the belt of the vessel, linking
with shafts and rooms.
In one of them he was guided, and the guard told to an
officer that was there "- It is Captain Kirk, Sir. "
The officer was seated with his back to the door. His
hears were pointed. He turns slowly in his chair, and their
eyes met.
- Spock!"- Kirk exclaimed, astonished.
- Captain.!'- Said the vulcanian, standing up.
- You...here ?"- Kirk asked.
- yes, Captain. I was appointed two weeks ago, when the
Hospital gave me the authorization. Now I really didn't know
you were to be the new Captain. I thought you were aboard
Enterprise."- Spock said.
- Yes, but the Enterprise went to the Hyper and never
return."- Kirk asseverated.
- Pity. Such a nice ship....But now you are here,
Captain. Let me introduce you to the other officers on board,
and also show you the entire ship."
- Thanks. By the way, are you here in command ?
- Yes, as First Officer, but now you are in command,
Sir. Also I am really aware you are the one which will be
organizing things here. "- Spock said.
- Don't you worry, I confirm you as First Officer.
Newark will be the Second."- Kirk whispered.
Spock called all hands at Deck, and there he presented
the crew. Then he went to to show the ship to Kirk,
explaining where the crew quarters were, and the localization
of Sick Bay, Engine room, suspended animation pods,
communication center, etc.
- It is half the size the Enterprise, and a quarter less
fast."- Spock assured.
- It will be of service equally. The matter is to stay
in Space."- Kirk murmured.
- And serve the Starfleet.
- And that.
- I guess you will not bring up here Mr. Simpertigue."-
Spock wished.
- No, he will be not coming this time. You see, all the
officers of the Enterprise came to Earth in a Cruiser, and
the rest in a tow boat and the damaged Enterprise. They never
made it."
- You mean they are in Hyper Space ? I find it very
unusual.
- I think they are not in Hyper Space now. They enter
Hyper and they just have some incident there, so they went to
the surface {our space dimension} in some very far point ."=
Kirk said.
- Perhaps they could trace our systems. Perhaps they
not."- Spock uttered.
- And the Chief Engineer Scott it's under a trial for
incompetence. I guess he is too old for his job. So I will
leave him behind."- Kirk decided.
- He was a very fine engineer. "- Spock said.
- You had said it. He WAS a very good engineer."- Kirk
said tiredly.
The rest of the crew arrived at noon. They were very
amazed to see the "Lucas Tudor " was a very streamlined
vessel, having not a disk as the Enterprise.
- This Oberth Class vessels are named so in honor to
Herman Oberth, a scientific of the 20th. Century, and they
used them for scientific missions."- Uhura said to the rest.
Spock leads them in a tour by the vessel. He also show
them their cabins.
- Smaller than the others.'- Uhura said.
- Forget about the "other", beauty. Stick to what we
could get."- Chekov murmured .
They were summoned to the main deck, where Kirk said"-
You are the chosen ones. As you all know, I am your captain
now. Officer Spock is the First Officer, John Newark is the
Second Officer. Then all my old officers will retain their
posts. The original crew of this ship must show me his value,
to get promoted. Spock , show me the actual Chief Engineer."
- Charly Evans is the Chief Engineer."- Spock said, and
the alluded one salutes.
It was a very fat man, with piggy eyes.
- I will rely on you, Chief Evans. Do not disappoint
me."
- I will try not to, Sir."- The alluded replied.
- Fine. Now we a mission for this ship. It is the first
under my command, and it's very simple : in star 489 a comet
it's going to collide with the 3th. planet. We have two
months to went there, take the photos, films and every other
data available, and came back to deliver it . Chief Evans,
tell me how many time we will spend arriving there ?"' -Asked
Kirk.
- One week, Sir. Star 489 have no problems for me: I
went there once."- Evans smiled confidently.
- Fine. We will abandon Earth orbit in thirty minutes,
and then we will increase our velocity , to leave the solar
system behind."
They all went to their post, or out of the way, if not
on duty.
Kirk asked Uhura "- Send me a detailed data about the
crew members. I will be at my office."
- Yes, Sir."- She said.
Kirk arrived to his office, a tiny room near the
engines. A crew member arrives there, giving him the CD with
the required inf.
the list was like this:
VESSEL = LUCAS TUDOR
TYPE = OBERTH CLASS VESSEL
Captain James Tiberius Kirk.
First Officer Xtmprszntwlfd S'chin T'gai Spock.
Second Officer John Newark
Science Officer Maora Noemi
Medical officer Leonard Horatio McCoy
Chief Engineer CHARLY EVANS
TRansporter Engineer Wladimir Smirnoff.
Ensign Pavel Adreiev Chekov.
Exo Biologist Farah Fargouillone
Communications Officer Nyota*/Upenda*.... Uhura
Radar Man Lemuel the fleto
Nurse Christine Chapel
Itaka Hikaru Sulu
Winston* Kyle (Lt - Transporter Chief)
Janice Rand (Yeoman)
Kevin Thomas Riley (Lt)
John Farrell (Lt)
Dave Bailey (Lt)
Charles/Carlos Jaeger (Meteorology Officer/helm)
Leslie (Lt.)
Kelowitz (Lt. Comdr.)
DeSalle (Lt.)
DePaul (Lt.)
Hansen (Lt.)
---------------------------------
There were 48 other crew members, ranking from
technological ensigns to oilers.
Kirk separated the males from the females.
From the crew members, 18 were females and the rest were
males.
Also he scrutinized the females. The best was nurse
Chapel, but she felt inclined for the vulcanian. Uhura was
too old, and then the others were Farah Fargouillone, Lhasa
Fernandez, Mistra Menendez, Anne Lesney, Narina Salas, Mireya
Perez and Sissy Fils.
They all were young , so he was excited . He take a
glimpse to his watch. Ten minutes for the take off...
He went to his post, at the control room.
- Al ready, Sir, and counting."- Sulu said.
- We will depart at the appointed second. All personnel
please secure yourself. The jerk will be in two minutes
now."- Uhura said by the loudspeakers.
Kirk was shocked by the sudden jerk. He remembered his
student days, when he went aboard little vessels like this.
- 45.000 km. per hour , Sir, and increasing."- Sulu
said.
-Chekov, see for those other ships ."- Lirl commanded,
as he was seeing too close some leisure ships that were going
to the outer planets.
- Aye aye , Sir. "- Chekov replied, sweating. The new
controls {for him} were not giving the smoothly response he
was so accustomed to. But that he will not inform. It was his
personal prestige at stake...
BUMP
- WHAT WAS THAT !- Kirk asked .
- I am receiving a message, Sir ! From the " Colorado
Springs"...a yatch 300 meters long. They said we collapse
some 30 antennas from their deck."- Uhura said.
- Spock, confirm that !"- Kirk yelled, sweating..
Spock retrieved information, both by radar and visual,
and then he said : - They have right, Sir. We crossed their
path, and we destroyed some 30 antennas they were carrying ,
with our keel.
- Chekov, you incompetent fool !"- Kirk yelled.
- I am no incompetent fool ! My tracking said we were
100 meters away form that tourist liner !"- Chekov protested.
- They have 120 meters long antennas ! "- Uhura said,
after a little chat with the " Colorado Springs".
Kirk asked a personal communication, and the Captain of
the leisure ship , Dean Acheston, appeared on screen.
- Nice trying, Captain ! Next time you may announce you
will be scaring the Shiite out of us !"
Dean Acheston was a big hairy man. And he was very piss
off.
- Kirk here. Pardon me, Captain! But we are in our first
mission, you see, and the crew is new in this affairs."
- Amateurs ! i will report this, Captain Kirk ! You will
had to pay for the damages...both physical and intellectual !
I am carrying aboard some 3000 people, and the 65% of them
are older people ! You could have killed them from an heart
attack!"
- I am glad to hear they didn't . You can send your
report, Captain. I will be glad to pay for the damages. Mine
was the culpability."- Kirk said.
- Fine. I am glad to find a person that accepts his
ineptitude. "- Acheston glared, and he cut the communication
without the traditional farewell.
- Shall we stop and see for damages at the keel, Sir?"-
Spock asked, very stiffly.
- Not necessary, officer. I think a pair of antennas
couldn't have damaged our strong keel."- Kirk smiled.
- As you wish."- Spock said, indifferently. He was not
in command....
Chekov was at the driving post until Pluto was well
behind them.
- Set course to star 489, commander Sulu. Chekov, you
will be replaced. Go to sleep."- Kirk commanded.
- O.K., Sir. But are you going to punish me?'- Chekov
said to Kirk, murmuring.
- Don't you worry. I am here to protect you for your
inefficiency."- Kirk murmured back.
Some two hours elapsed, and arriving at maximum speed,
Spock handled the computations to Kirk, saying"- This is the
due course to Star 489l. Youcan enter Hyoer when you wish,
Captain .The correction of course are included."
- Fine. Let's see what this bird can do...Evans ! Course
to target in two minutes. Data is running."
- AYe aye, Sir ! I am seeing those numbers running here,
too ! One minute and a half to the Jump !"- Evans replied by
the radio communicator.
- All personnel secure ! Jump in half a minute now !"-
Uhura said by the loudspeakers.
- Now..."- Kirk murmured.
The jump was smooth . Kirk was expecting some bigger
jerks, but nothing of the sort happened. The "Lucas Tudor "
was better equipped for long runs !
Twenty minutes in Hyper, and they return to "normal"
space. { Normal for them}.
- 4891 in front of us, Sir ! "- Sulu said.
- Correct. Congratulations, Spock."- Kirk said, as
another officers could have missed the sun for several light
moths, but Spock carried them safely at the lesser distance
possible.
Using the photon engines, they approaches to Third in a
couple of hours.
It was a terran kind of planet, with blue waters, a lot
of smoky clouds, and three main continents.
- Equatorial Orbit around the planet established,
Captain."- Sulu said.
- Fine. All scientific personal get to work. We want to
check every item possible now, to compare after the incoming
comet arrives."- Kirk said.
So the scientific team, 38 persons in all, begun their
work. As the surveillance of the incoming comet was
impossible to do over the surface, Kirk decided to send a
scouting team to the surface of the planet .
- You will be in command, Spock, until my return. I will
went down there, as the planet seems to me very interesting."
- You have 38 hours to explore left, Captain. After that
you must return, as the "Lucas Tudor" must leave the orbit
and put distance between the incoming disaster and itself."-
Spock said.
- There is something amusing in you, Spock. You always
talk as if the rest of the world were stupid. I know I must
return soon."- Kirk exploded.
- You are nervous, Captain. You should remain aboard. If
you want, I could went there. Just tell me what specimens you
do prefer best."- Spock said, without flinching a centimeter.
- I bet you want to go there ! But no, I will go. "-
Kirk decided. He summoned some guards, a couple of persons
from the scientific team, and went down, using the
transporter.
They materialize over a river. They sunk, and swim
ashore.
Kirk tried to communicate with the "Lucas Tudor", but
for not avail.
- What are we doing to do now, Captain? You cannot
communicate with the vessel, so we could die here, when the
comet collide with the planet !"- Nurse Christine Chapel
said.
- You don't need to be worried, mijita. You just help
Farah Fargouillone ..."= Kirk replied.
Christine Chapel went to Farah Fargouillone , who was
reclined in the floor, touching her ankle.
- Seems I broke my leg ! I went under, and there was
some rock there! It hurts me badly !"- Farah Fargouillone
said.
- Let's see...Oh ! A clean broken bone. Nothing to worry
about. Captain Kirk ! Tell them to beam her up ! She needs
medical care !"- The nurse said.
- Came here, Christine, please."- Kirk said, smiling.
When we arrives to the spot he was, Kirk told her "- Are
you nutty ? I told there I have no communication with the
ship ! The damned gadget gets soaked and it spoils itself ! "
- But how do you pretend to cure her ? I have just this
little bag with bandages, a little quantity of pills and
nothing more !"- She almost wept.
- Now, now ! Don't you pout ! You looks beautiful when
you pout, but there is a sick person now. Tell me, have you
not some anesthetic? Something to inject her and made her
sleep??
Christine Chapel searched in her bag, spilling all the
items on the sand. There were a syringe and some little
bottles.
- It's curious ! This syringe and bottles are not in use
now ! You see, there is a special omnipurpouse syringe,
with..."
- Now, you can lecture me later, Christine. I want to go
there and inject a tranquilizer to that girl. Can you do that
for me?- Asked Kirk.
- Yes, Captain. You don't have to treat me like a
child."- Christine Chapel, nurse, replied, and walked to the
spot where Farah Fargouillone were grimacing .
- Captain, there is something moving in the water."-
Leslie,(Lt, said.
- Something moving, eh ? Can be a fish?- Kirk asked,
looking to the signaled site.
- Kelowitz (Lt Comdr.)said it was very huge."- Leslie
replied.
Leslie was a young woman, with blue eyes.
- Huge, eh? Tell DeSalle (Lt.) I want to speak to him."-
Kirk asked.
DeSalle came . He was a big guy of 40 years, with a
rifle in his hands.
- Yes . Captain?
- Look here, son, don't aim that weapon in my direction
! - Kirk said.
- Oh. I am sorry, Captain."- DeSalle replied.
- Do not think I am not scared already. We have no
communication with the ship, a comet is going to impact the
planet in 37 hours, and also there is something huge in the
water. You need not to aim a rifle in my direction to scare
me. I am already scared ! "- Kirk yelled.
- Yes, Sir. You are scared."- DeSalle replied.
- Yes, we are understanding each our. Now, tell me how
many of your men have guns."
- DePaul and Hansen have rifles, Sir. Then Leslie
,Kelowitz and you haven't. "- DeSalle said.
- Good, three guns. And are you sure it works? -Kirk
asked.
DeSalle fired the waters, and called the other two, who
probed their marksmanship firing a log who was drifting in
the river.
- Yes, Captain. They are in working condition."- DeSalle
smiled.
The "log" jerked and a big ugly head went high unto the
air, attached to a neck Kirk's fusiliers taken as a log.
- Groaaar!
- It is a monster, Captain. Should we kill the beast?"-
DeSalle said.
- Of course, DeSalle. Of course."- Kirk expressed
eagerly.
The three guards fired several rounds unto the hideous
head.
The monster came to the shore, and another monster
appeared, following him.
- Look ! We almost severed his head !"- DeSalle
shrieked.
Kirk was looking, so he DeSalle needs not to shout. The
head , a 4 meters work of meat and blood, were hanging from
some stout piece of flesh. The whole body was now in full
view. It was round, had four legs and a fat tail five meters
long.
- A living dinosaur !"- Nurse Chapel gulped near Kirk,
touching his hand. Kirk grabbed the hand.
The dinosaur collapsed, sending the humans to the floor,
so great was the quake he produced.
- What a monster !"- Kirk said, who was accidentally
climbed on top of Nurse Chapel.
- Yes, Captain. You can release my bosom now, please."-
She said, blushing.
- Oh! Pardon me, Miss ."- He said, hearing a volley of
shouts and rapid firing.
- What !"- He said, looking astonished.
The other monster were charging against them. He was 4
meters high has two legs and a pair of black arms, armed with
big claws. The firing was damaging it's bulk, but this time
the shouting was not so accurate, so the head were still
hovering 7 meters from the floor, looking with distaste unto
the little bipeds and their noisy sticks.
- Let's go ! We must carry Farah Fargouillone far from
here !"- Kirk said, taking the girl in his arms.
Nurse Chapel helped him to run to the forest .
As the shrubbery was very high there, they weren't able
to see how the battle were going on. So Kirk search a site
where the tree trunks were close positioned, to leave Farah
Fargouillone in the turf.
- How it weights ! "- Kirk reclined himself in the turf.
- Pour Captain ! You must have suffered very much !"-
Nurse Chapel said, embracing him.
Kirk searched for a kiss, and he almost obtained one,
but the lady reacted and went 2 paces away.
- What are you going to do ? I here no more firing."-
Chapel said.
- I will go there. You stay here."- He commanded, out of
breath.
He run to the spot, and he just saw the big beast,
ripping the other monster's chest. Blood was pouring all over
his neck. The ugly black arms were working at the hole the
teeth were producing in the warm flesh of the deceased.
- My men ! Where they go ?"- Asked Kirk.
A voice said :'- We are here, Captain. "
Kirk looked in all directions. Just the monster were in
sight. Could it be the men were in the belly of that
creature...alive and talking?
- Are you...there ? I mean...in the stomach of the
beast?"- Asked Kirk, approaching.
- What beast, Captain? We are aboard the " Lucas Tudor
"!- Someone informed him.
Kirk looked at the radio , that was hanging from his
belt. It was functioning !
- Groaar!"- The beast uttered.
Kirk saw it leaps. A two meters leap. Now the beast were
less then 5 meters away !
He turn and run as the wind. The monster couldn't catch
up with him so it stops, looking incredulous at the little
biped, who was running like a lizard.
- Grount!- The monster said, and he return to the beach.
Kirk jumped the last falling log, and ended on top of
Nurse Chapel.
- Captain !
- Please forget my manners ! That yonder log...I
stumbled in it !"- Kirk said, trying to stand up.
She was very mad at him, but considering they were at a
forest, she preferred to leave the matter , by the moment.
- And you find them?
- No! There was that monster, there, eating its comrade.
Nobody in sight."- He said.
- Where I am ?"- Farah Fargouillone asked, waking up.
- We are in the surface of a planet."- Kirk informed
her.
- Oh ! Are we still in it ? How came you don't order
them to beam me up ?- She asked, touching her ankle.
- There is no response for my answers. We must wait
until they decide the comet it's too close, then they will
beam us all up, no matter the disconnection."- Kirk
announced.
- It hurts !"- Farah Fargouillone said.
Nurse Chapel looked worriedly at Kirk. And then she gave
another shot to Farah Fargouillone...
The night came suddenly. They almost could not see a
thing .
- What a night ! "- Kirk said.
- Have you no matches, or some lamp ?- Chapel asked.
- Not a thing ! Listen ! Seems there is something
approaching !"- Kirk said.
She take his arm with her both hands, and she said "- I
here only the wind."
- No, it's not that ! There is something...I can hear."-
Kirk said, embracing the frightened girl.
- You here it ...now?' - Chapel asked, some twenty
minutes elapsed.
- No."
She unclasped from him, and touched the reclined body of
Farah Fargouillone, who gave a sigh.
- Don't waken her up ! You couldn't get the syringe
appropriately!"- Kirk commanded.
- Ssth! Hear ! "- He said.
This time it were there. Some footsteps, heavily
marked...Some big animal...
- I hear !"- She said, sobbing. She cling to him, and he
began to warm her up. She was too frighten to oppose, so he
do what he were wanting to do so many years ago !
- - Groaar!"- Boomed the beasts, guided by the smell. He
was very close now.
- Spock !
- Yes, Captain?
- Beam three up !"- He commanded.
They lighted the place by some instants, much to the
amazing of the monster, and then they arrive to the
transporter's pods.
- Captain!'- Uhura said, looking at him very surprised.
- Don't you worry for me ! There are just some scratches
! McCoy, take care of Farah Fargouillone ! She broke her leg
!"- Kirk said.
Uhura came to him, saying :- You don't understand me,
Captain. You have your dick dangling out, and there is some
smearing at your pants, too !"
- Well, Uhura, try to communicate with the other members
of the expedition ! I will go to my room, to change this
dusted jacket."- Kirk said, hurrying out of there.
- That ugly man ! He cheated me !"- Yelled Christine
Chapel, and she run to her room.
Uhura asked Chekov to stand at her post, and she run
after Miss Chapel.
- There ! Do not cry !"- She told the blonde, shutting
the door, as Spock were after her.
- He is a liar !"- She sobs.
Uhura handed her a glass of water, and soothed her. Then
she asked Chapel to get a hot shower.
During the time Chapel were at the bath room, Uhura went
to the Infirmary and asked McCoy a tranquilizer.
- What is wrong ?- Asked McCoy.
- It's Nurse Chapel, that it's crying .
- Typical reaction to a peak situation. Gave her one of
this pills. She will sleep a while."- He smiled.
Uhura received the pill and return to Chapel. The woman
were dressing.
- Did you enjoy the bath ?
- I didn't . I will go to put a demand against him. An
accusation of rape."- She said, struggling with her bra.
Uhura takes a cup of tea from the dispenser, throwing
inside the somniferous.
- Take a cup of hot tea. It will gave you strength."-
She asked.
- All right. I will need it."- She said, and drunk the
tea.
- You are sure ? Because you will damage his
reputation."- Uhura said.
- I am sure ! He take advantage of the state of terror I
was in that awful place ! I didn't knew what I were doing !"-
Chapel said, and she seats.
- Now, then, there is plenty of time to run for an
accusation. Why don't you relax a little ?
- No, I will go...now..."- Chapel said, and she
collapsed to the floor.
- Good old McCoy ! This was no mild somniferous ! He
must had heard about ! "- Uhura smiled, and she carried the
sleeping beauty to her bed.
- There ! You dream now."- She said, and heard the door
opening.
- What is happening here ?- Spock asked, walking inside.
- Nothing, First Officer ! Nurse Chapel gets to bed, as
she is very tired."- Uhura replied.
- Dressed? I recall she were with a dusty uniform, and
now she is wearing a new one !"
- And what are you going to do, if she likes it that way
? Please go outside, Spock ! You are a man in al lady's room
!"- Uhura remarked.
Spock trembled a little, and replied he was no man ! But
he went out.
Uhura sighed.
McCoy entered the room.
- And how is our little princess now?"- He asked.
- Sleeping. Suddenly she felt like sleeping."- Uhura
replied, eyeing the doctor.
- Yes, this things happens."- McCoy said, and he scanned
Chapel with his TRicorder. Then he speaks in Chapel's hear by
several minutes, injecting her some liquid in her arm.
- Now, she will be O.K. !"- McCoy announced, leaving the
room.
- Clever boy !"- Uhura smiled, and went out.
Kirk bathed, clothed and went to the Bridge.
- Time to go, Captain ! "- Chekov told him.
- Scotty , let's get out of here !"- He ordered.
- He is not here, Captain. "- Spock remembered him.
- Correct. Officer Evans, full speed ahead."- Kirk
ordered.
The "Lucas Tudor " went out of the planetary orbit,
speeding in the sun's direction.
- The Comet will collide with the planet in ten
minutes."- Sulu said.
The "Lucas Tudor" was already out of reach. Then it
stops.
- All cameras pointing to the third planet. Some
scientific members went out ,using special suits, carrying
highly sensitive apparatus."- Uhura said.
- Send some guards outside. We will be in contact with
them, in case we must move the ship."- Kirk ordered.
The comet were lighting hundred of thousands kilometers
with its radiance. The planet Third received the light , that
makes shine their seas.
- Chekov, detonate the satellite."- Kirk asked.
- Yes , Sir !"- Chekov smiled, and opened a lid, pushing
an illuminated button.
Spock looked puzzled.
A very strange thing happened to the Comet. Suddenly it
blackened, and then it exploded.
The pieces then flashed, ignited and disappears.
- This is not what we were ordered to do !"- Spock said.
- I will not came here and seat impassive as one whole
planet , as beautiful as that, is destroyed by a damned comet
! Just for the benefit of some obscure scientist back in
Earth!"- Kirk expounded.
- I will report this, Sir."- Spock announced.
- You can do that, Science Officer."
- I am not Science officer. I am the First Officer. "
- Not any more. Now you go outside and register the
incoming debris with a camera."- Kirk ordered.
Spock listened with an impassive face, and depart.
- Uhura, tell me who can be the new First ? - Kirk
asked.
- Why, John Newark, of course !"- She replied.
- Tell him to came and receive the new assignation. Tell
him he will receive double pay."- Kirk said.
- Aye aye, Sir."- Uhura was amazed.
The debris went to the sun, was filmed , also some
samples were taken.
Two days elapsed, Kirk ordered "- Now we goes back to
civilization. Evans, set a jump when ready."
- Aye aye, Sir."- Replied the man.
- Newark, you are in command, I'll hit the sack now."-
Kirk said, as he was awake since his return from Third.
Spock stared at him. ..
Newark economized time : he asked Evans full speed
ahead, and by the time the full velocity was attained , he
ordered to begun the Jump.
He send Nurse Chapel to wake the Captain.
"'Who's there?' cries the Captain when he heard the
chimney of his door.
- Chapel.
-Came in."- He hurriedly said.
- Captain, First Officer is at his busy desk, hurriedly
making for Earth."- She said, very stiffly.
I will take out the papers for the Customs- Kirk smiled
at her.
-I cannot remember what went wrong at planet Third,
Captain. Can you ?"- Nurse Chapel asked.
- Oh! how that harmless question mangles Jonah! For the
things we don't remember cannot hurt us."- Kirk replied.
She almost turns to flee , but he said "- Stop ! I
always looks at you with love and respect. If you accept my
heart, I can gave it all to you."
'- I cannot accept you. My heart again is of the officer
Spock."- She replied..
But he rallies. 'I seek a woman in this ship to love;
how soon you can forget him? There are a lot of years to wait
before his next Pon Farr ."
- Pon farr "- She asked, enabling one of her brows to
arch.
- When the Vulcan gets corny, baby."- Kirk informed,
laughing.
She went out to the corridor, with flaming eyes.
- Kirk stands up form his cot, and went to the Bridge.
Thus far the busy Captain had not looked up to Uhura,
though the woman now stands before him; but no sooner does he
hear Uhura laughs, that he glanced at her, and seeing her
beautiful legs a-shining, he went Pon Farr , terran style.
- Uhura, didn't I tell you have a beautiful pair of
le...eyes ?_"- Kirk told her, in a whisper.
- Why that hollow voice, Captain? Are you
suffering...again?- She smiled.
He darts a scrutinizing glance to her bosom. He liked
what he saw from there, as he was standing and she was
seated....
-'We sail with the next coming tide,'- He said.
- Oh, you mean...with my next time out of duty?- She
scowled.
He slowly answered, still intently
eyeing her : 'No sooner, Uhura?'-
- 'Soon enough for any honest man that
goes as a Captain...' - She replied.
-Ha! Uhura, that's another stab."-Kirk said, and went to
seat.
Newark informed him about the surroundings.
- We are almost touching Pluto, Sir. In a couple of
hours we will be crossing it's path."
- And the Army station located there? You must ...Uhura
! Call Pluto's Base, telling we are going to pass without
stop."- Kirk ordered.
- Aye ay, Captain. "- She said, smiling.
Spock looked at the pair...
- You can accelerate when the Base acknowledge us."-
Kirk said to Newark.
- They said we must stop. There is too much traffic
going on."- Uhura said, from her desk.
- Newark, set course to Pluto. Spock, see that the
samples are in order."
- Yes , Sir."- Spock said, going out of the Bridge.
But he swiftly return, as the samples were ordered by
him many hours ago.
- Samples ready, Captain. Do you want to leave them at
the Plutonian Base? The scientist of Earth are the ones that
are expecting for it."- Spock remembered.
'- Oh. I forgot... But those samples perhaps are revised
by Customs."
- Possibly yes."- McCoy said.
- You look haggard.- Kirk said.
- 'I'm travel-weary; I need sleep.'
- 'Thou lookest like it,' says
the Captain.
- I had been taking care of two crew members that almost
poisoned themselves eating some syrup out of date."- McCoy
informed, yawning uproariously.
- 'there's thy room waiting for you." Kirk remembered
him.
- I will take you to your bed, Doctor"- Uhura said,
standing from her post.
- No ! You don't ! You are very necessary here , this
minute ! Let's send Nurse Chapel to carry him ."- Kirk said,
vehemently.
- Why..."- Uhura said, but Nurse Chapel takes the Doctor
by the arm and escorted him out.
- There !"- Kirk said, smiling.
- You said I am very necessary here. But Chekov can
replace me. We will arrive in two hours to Pluto, and to
carry the Doctor would have taken me ten minutes !"- Uhura
said to Kirk, who was at her side again.
- I need you at my ca...office. Now."
- Kirk went to his office, and she follows. He closed
the door, and take her by the slim waist.
- Oh ! I am full of love for you !"-
- Yeap. I feel the heat."- She said, smiling.
===============================================
- Pluto in the screens, Captain."- Newark told Kirk,
when he return to the Main Deck.
- Aha ! Nice looking piece of rock !"- He said, smiling.
- You are in good spirits, Captain."- Spock expressed.
- Yes. I had been released of a great problem."- He
admitted.
The Captain laughs lowly to himself, and muttered
something about love and stars...
- They had designed us Porthole 34."- Chekov said.
- Tell them we are going there in schedule."- Kirk
replied, after reading the information at the Computer.
- The gates of Pluto are always opened. A lot of traffic
from the Outer Worlds."- Newark said, from his seat.
- The doors of convicts' cells are never allowed to be
locked within. "- Sulu pondered.
'-"The air is pumped out of that rocks."- Uhura said,
standing near a porthole.
Kirk went there, looking at some white rocks, surrounded
by equipment.
- Nobody knows what a planet have in his sinews."- He
said.
- Yes. I think a planet resembles a human life. Some
humans don't know the fires they are carrying inside."- She
mumbled.
- Girl, now you replace Chekov. We are arriving."- Kirk
ordered.-"You are superb in that post.."- He said.
She gasps, blushing.
The Lucas Tudor went down easily, and inserted its
nozzle in the contracted hole, sunk, too, among several
others.
The officers at the Station were very polite, checked
the retinal identification of Kirk, and refueled the "Lucas
Tudor".
- Now you are number 34 in the list, Captain Kirk. That
means about half day's delay."-
- Something of interest here ?
- Try the megashop."- Replied the officer.
The Megashop was a Computer retailer shop, that was
uninteresting to Kirk, who had old but reliably machines
aboard the "Lucas "
- I have half day's delay in this hole. "- Kirk said.
- I have a suggestion for you."- Uhura told him.
- Now ?
- You said there are some four hours idling here."- She
said.
- Yes.
- Now.
-I follow you."- Kirk said, smiling
-------------------------------------
Four hours and a half elapsed, the ship began to move
out of the plutonian Base.
- Full speed ahead."- Kirk ordered.
- Yes, Sir ! - Chekov smiled.
The vessel were speeding among several others. There
were cruisers, leisure ships, cargo vessels...tourist elegant
crafts, flooding the ether with lights of several colors, to
entertain the passengers.
- A beautiful sight."- Sulu said.
- AS we are usually where no man had gone before, we are
deprived from this vistas."- McCoy replied.
They were ordered not to rush , so they keep their pace
, who was fast enough.
Two days , and they had crossed the eternal planet
orbits.
The traffic was a lot more dense. Uhura were receiving
hundreds of reports by the hour.
Whole trains of vessels were carrying ore from the
asteroids belt unto Mars, Moon and Earth.
At last they arrive to Earth. They were ordered to stay
at Orbital StarBase 890.
- I cannot understand how it is that there are so many
vessels !"- Kirk exclaimed to Hogart Bungosi, the Commander
of the StarBase 890, when arriving.
{The "Lucas Tudor " arrive to Earth orbit the 13.06....,
and Kirk was summoned to Headquarters immediately}
- Guess you are coming from down yonder, Captain !"-
Bungosi smiled.'- Because you are unaware of the most
spectacular invention that we have here !"
- No kidding ! Another miraculous invention? "- Kirk
asked.
- The Replicator ! You can replicate anything now !
Food, pets, weapons, clothes. So the Government decided to
build big Replicators, and they began replicating space
vehicles. "- Bungosi exclaimed.
- No !"
- Yes ! And there are also lots of industries now, doing
the same : replicate. They leave way behind the clonation of
animals. Now they are replicating them. More easy, and in a
couple of hours you have a copy !"- Bungosi explained.
- I bet they are replicating humans."- Kirk sighed.
- No! There is a prohibition . They said the machine
produced animals with the human form. Instinct, loyalty, but
no reasoning. No soul."- Bungosi shuddered.
- Real scaring."- Kirk uttered.
Kirk went to the surface with half the officers of the "
Lucas Tudor".
They were located at the main building of the Starfleet.
Kirk was told to attend a reunion. A special commission was
appointed to receive him at 8.00 hours in the morning.
- We arrive to Earth and I am already a necessary
person."- Kirk joked.
- I guess it is because of that Comet, Jim."- McCoy
assured.
- What else ? I think they are mad at me, but I save a
whole planet !"- Kirk replied.
At 8.00 hours of the next day, Kirk walk inside the room
where the special commission were waiting for him.
Coronel Tallion saluted him, and the rest bowed their
heads slightly , in his direction. {A Commander and four
Lt.Cmdr.}
- Good morning. Captain Kirk. Permit me to present you
Lars Bercouse and Finland Smith, Commanders of the South
Fleet , and the Lt. Comdr. Frederickson, Lastene, Brillant
and Sinatra."
- Sirs."- Bowed Kirk his head slightly.
They seated in armchairs, in front of a table, Kirk
located opposing the commission.
- We send you in search of data, and you brought us the
comet genesis bombed data. What can you tell us about this
change ?"- Tallion asked.
- I thought that was better than a film of a collision .
We saved a world."- Kirk replied.
Coronel Tallion looked at the other members. Lars
Bercouse, an old mustached man, chipped in ...
- Your orders were not those. You should obeyed. Now
there is a similar comet heading Earth."
Kirk looked the other in the eye, saying: " - I cannot
believe it, Sir."
- you should. There is the Comet, 38-690 , approaching.
It is at Pluto's orbit now."- Coronel Tallion informed.
- It measured three and a half times the one you
destroyed, Captain Kirk."- Lt. Comdr. Frederickson pointed
out.
- We can send two bombs in it's direction, Coronel."-
Kirk proposed.
- You are going to do the trick, Kirk. You are the sole
captain capable of it. The only one with fresh experience in
his dossier."- Ordered Coronel Tallion.
- At last I am unique in something !"- Kirk grunted.
- You are unique, Captain. You and your crew."- Sinatra
said, chewing a cigar.'- And because of that we are going to
appoint you Captain of a new ship."
Kirk waved his hands.
- No, no ! I really feel fine aboard the "Lucas Tudor"
Also, it is fast enough."-
- But we need a big vessel this time. The attraction of
comet 38/690 is great."- Lars Bercouse affirmed.
Lt. Comdr. Sinatra stands up from his seat, walked round
the table, and whispered Kirk in the hear:'- I bet you will
accept when hearing the name of your new vessel."
Kirk stared blank at him.
- It's the " Enterprise".
---------------------------------------
- Yes ! I am the Captain of that haunted ship !"- He
belched.
- I cannot believe it ! How the "Enterprise" is here
?"- McCoy asked, gulping some Bourbon down his throat.
- It appeared attached to the "..............." toll
vessel. And no crew whatsoever, in both ships ."- Kirk
informed.
McCoy rubbed his eyes. He just don't want to hear more,
but Kirk expounded :- " No crew ! You know what that means ?
I lost a whole crew!"
- "You are not responsible of that. "- McCoy said, in a
patronizing tone.
- I should accompanied them. I was eager to came back.
That was my error."- Kirk said, looking at his empty glass.
- " And when did you will be in command ?
- To- morrow. Each minute that went by, the Comet is a
lot closer. They called it the Doomsday Comet."- Kirk
informed.
- Then you must sleep. No time to spare."- McCoy
remarked, and he takes the glass from Kirk's hand.
- You are right. Time to hit the sack!"- Kirk exclaimed,
and he walked to his cabin, three doors down the corridor.
They were at the "Lucas Tudor"
At dawn a delegation arrives in the "Resnik" Shuttle
craft. They take all the crew aboard and they travel the
eighty hundred kilometers to the "Enterprise".
- They painted it.'- McCoy said.
- Guess it's scorched."- Kirk replied, and he was right.
The red color was due to some flying through a very hot
place.
All the other officers were very excited, except Spock,
who seats in a chair, at the control cabin, and said "- I
think you better skip the protocol, Captain. No time for
speeches."
But the Media arrived, and also some Senators with their
wives, in several rented ships. They were asking to see the
heroes !
So Kirk spent more than two hours lecturing and
answering questions. Then he apologizes and the guests leave
the "Enterprise".
- Evans, revise all the systems. Uhura, ask permission
to leave. McCoy, go see the Infirmary's existence , medical
supplies and stuff. Nurse Chapel, would you be so kind as to
rub my back?"
- Go rub yourself!""- She said, going to the Sick bay.
- Traitor !"- Uhura hissed from her post.
- Systems ready here, Captain.- Chekov exclaimed, after
some minutes at the controls.
- Set course to the Outer Planets !"- Kirk asked.
The engines moves the "Enterprise" who them leaves the
Earth orbit.
- "Doomsday Comet" it's passing the Neptune orbit,
Captain."- Spock informed from his post.
- Set a course to an intersection point with the Comet,
Scientific Officer."- Kirk asked to the Vulcan.
- I am working on it, Sir."
- Well. Newark ! Full speed. Chekov ! Get ready those
Genesis bombs. Nurse Chapel..."- Kirk said.
- She is not here...Casanova ! "- Hissed Uhura.
- Why is it that you get mad, then ?- Kirk asked.
- Because I should be enough for you !"- She replied.
- You are more than enough !"- He accepted the crude
reality.
- If you flirt with another woman, say good bye to me."-
Uhura whispered.
- Gave me a break !"- Kirk moaned, looking at her.
In that moment the floor vibrates.
- What is happening !"- Kirk yelled.
Uhura received a message.
- It's the Hyper, Sir ! Evans is saying we lost the
hyper drive !"-
- Again ! - The Captain moaned, and he run by the
corridors , arriving at Engine Room.
Evans were suffocating some flames with an extinguisher.
Other oilers and Guards we doing likewise.
- The Warp System, Sir ! I were running a routine test
!"
- This ship is haunted !"- Kirk said demurely.
- It fused. Several wires just fused."- Evans remarked.
- Send it to the Lab. Perhaps there is something in the
insulation."- Kirk yawned.
He went to the Deck. Newark was bend in two and Spock
was gripping his shoulder.
Kirk jumped and push Spock backwards.
- He...is wrong."- Spock said, pointing at Newark , who
was recovering.
Uhura said, visibly shocked :-" Officer Newark was
speeding the ship , to arrive to the Intersection Point.
Science Officer Spock said to Newark he has miscalculated the
point. And then he try to change course."-
'- In this ship there is a captain, who is me. If you
wished to change course, Spock, you should had told me"- Kirk
said.
- You were not here, Captain."
- You, Vulcan, you !"- Newark snorted, seating at his
post.
- Guards ! Escort Officer Spock to his cabin, where he
will be confined."- Kirk ordered.
- You had changed quite a bit, Cap[tain Kirk."- Spock
said, going out among the guards.
- Why he said that ?"- Kirk asked .
- Because you criticize his acts , Captain !"- Uhura
said.
- And because you analyze him ! Any person can see he is
a resented."- Newark asserted.
- Time to our goal , Officer?"-
- Nine hours three minutes, Captain."- Newark answered,
looking at his controllers.
- Fine. You know we must avoid contact with that fiery
fire the comet is surrounded. We must aim our Genesis bombs,
and pray they hit the target."- Kirk explained.
- Those bombs will have the biggest target of all time !
They cannot miss !"- Newark put in emphatically.
- Nine hours. Well, Officer, Newark, keep on driving the
Baby. Officer Uhura, please bring along the last reports from
Earth."- Kirk said. She copied the messages and handled it to
Kirk.
- I will send some messages to the Admiral of the Fleet.
Follow me, Officer Uhura.'- Kirk said, leaving the Deck .
At his cabin, they embraced , kissing fiercely.
- Oh, this is so urgent !"- She said.
--------------------------------------------
- Captain ? Are you in there, Captain ? "- A voice
asked.
Kirk was too busy to reply, so Uhura said :-" The
Captain is not here !"
- Tell him Spock is not in his cabin !"- The voice said,
and went away murmuring.
Some moments elapsed, Kirk asked:- " Who was the man?"
- Some guard, saying Spock is running loose."- She
replied.
- That Vulcan can gave me some big problems. I better
return to the Bridge."-
- Yes, you better do that."- She said, smiling gently.
Kirk run to the Bridge, side stepping a couple of times.
He saw Spock aiming a Pfizer against other officers at
duty.
- Are you out of your Vulcan mind ?"- Asked Kirk,
walking inside.
- Oh, it is you, Captain ! I believe you were sending
some important messages...at your locked cabin !"- Spock
exclaimed.
- There are sended already, some in a fine manner, and
some others in haste."- Kirk replied.
- I am taking command of the ship, Captain Kirk. I will
handle you the ship when this mission ends."-Spock said.
- You are mad."
- Shut up."- Spock said, seating at the principal seat.
From there he begun changing the course, so after some hours,
the big Comet were in full sight.
- Tell Chekov to fire the bombs, Captain."- Spock asked.
- I do not receive orders from you."- Kirk replied.
- Then I will do myself."- Spock decided, and he walked
to Chekov console, and dexterily the bombs began their
flight.
Twenty minutes elapsed, the Genesis bombs exploded
against the big comet, who exploded , throwing debris in all
directions.
The Vulcan handed the gun to Chekov, and he crossed his
arms.
- Uhura, call the guards."- Kirk said.
- Captain, we must move the Enterprise out of here. The
debris will hit us in twenty seconds."- Chekov said.
The guards arrived, and Kirk ordered them to carry Spock
to his cabin, but this time he must be handcuffed to the
mattress.
Some rocks began hitting the hulk.
- Chekov, get us out of here !"- Kirk ordered.
He gave the impulse power to the engines, but one of the
engines fussed and the Enterprise turn to the right,
receiving the debris sideways.
- Shields !"- Asked Kirk.
Chekov pulsed the necessary buttons, and the console
burst into flames.
- Shit!"- She said, as the fires burns his hands.
- Sulu ! Full speed "- Asked Kirk, turning to the
Asiatic, who were at the second console.
- There is nothing working, Sir."- Sulu replied, with
his British accent.
- Damn !"- Kirk said, looking at the monitors.
- They are congratulating us from Earth ! They said the
Comet is no longer a menace !"- Uhura said, having received
such notice by the radio.
- Great ! We will die with a congratulation !"- Groaned
Kirk.
The end of Episode Two.
14.6.1997.- Santiago de Chile.
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