by Dayton Ward
“That makes two of us,” Boma replied, smiling as he regarded the administrator.
Though he said nothing, and he made certain to keep his facial expressions in check, Kirk was sure he noted something between Boma and Shin. Could it be that interplanetary romance was in the air? Given what the man had been through, Kirk figured he was entitled to a bit of happiness.
Turning to Spock, Boma said, “Commander, I enjoyed working with you again. I only wish it could’ve happened under more pleasant circumstances.” He paused, clearing his throat. “I still owe you the apology you should’ve gotten from me before I left the Enterprise. I hope you’ll accept it now.”
Spock shook his head as he regarded the younger man. “No apologies are required, Lieutenant. You comported yourself with distinction during this mission, and I have already forwarded to Starfleet a notation to that effect for your service record.”
“That’s . . . unexpected, sir,” Boma said, his expression conveying his confusion. “Thank you.”
“I was merely informing Starfleet Command about the accomplishments of a skilled officer, Lieutenant,” Spock replied, “whose actions and conduct during his most recent assignment should be given their due consideration when examining opportunities for the next stages of his career.”
Leaning closer, his voice low but not so faint that Kirk could not hear, McCoy asked, “Spock, you’re not going soft on us, are you?”
The Vulcan’s only reply was the slight arching of his right eyebrow.
“I am going to miss you once you’ve left us, Captain,” Wiladra said, punctuating her words with a hearty laugh. “It is a pity you cannot stay longer. You and your crew are most welcome.”
Sortino said, “He may be back sooner than you think, Chancellor. If you and your leadership council approve Starfleet’s request to establish a base here, then several starships will use it as one of their support stations in this region. That might well include the Enterprise.”
“That’s right,” Kirk confirmed. For now, the Dolysians, and the Kalandans, for that matter, would have to get along without him and his crew. He was eager to turn over his current responsibilities to the captain of the U.S.S. Potemkin, because he already had orders for a new assignment, one that would return the Enterprise to its primary objective of exploration. He greeted that new task with growing anticipation, wondering where it might take him and what he might see along the way. Despite that eagerness, Kirk often lamented the reality of not always being able to return to a civilization encountered during a previous mission. Such was the case with many of the worlds he had visited in his travels. It would be regrettable if the Dolysians were added to that list, and he wondered when Starfleet orders and fate might conspire to bring him back here.
One day soon. Well, one can hope, anyway.
Moving so that she was able once again to grasp Kirk’s hand, Wiladra said, “I understand all too well the demands of duty, Captain. With luck, your superiors will see fit to bring you back here, if for no other reason than to behold whatever secrets the Kalandans might reveal.”
“I look forward to that day, Chancellor,” Kirk said. It would take months, if not years, to pry the secrets of the ancient race from its subterranean storehouse. Given what the Kalandans had revealed so far, what other wonders were there, waiting to be found and brought out from beneath the protective cloak of the past? It was a question for others to answer.
Meanwhile, James Kirk knew that his proper place, as always, was aboard his ship and with his crew, on a course for the future.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thanks of the first order go out to my editors at Pocket Books, for their invaluable assistance throughout the writing of this book. As always, their guidance was and remains greatly appreciated.
Special thanks go out to my friend and frequent writing partner, Kevin Dilmore, with whom the story for this novel was developed. Due to circumstances beyond his control and the pressing need to see to more important matters, he wasn’t able to stay on as co-writer for this outing, and while I know he regrets not being able to participate, I have no doubts that he made the right call. We’ll get ’em next time, bro.
A nod of appreciation is extended to Michael Richards, the writer who supplied the original story for “That Which Survives” to the producers of the Star Trek television series, and to John Meredith Lucas, who wrote the teleplay on which Mister Richards’ story is based. I’d also like to tip my hat to Lee Meriwether, who portrayed Losira in the episode. While a conscious choice was made not to reuse Losira in this story, there is still something of a tribute in the form of Meyeliri, the holographic character who is described as appearing much like Ms. Meriwether does as of this writing.
Finally, I’d also like to thank James Estes, Ross A. Isaacs, Evan Jamison, Steve Kenson, Steve Long, Richard Meyer, Christian Moore, Peter Schweighofer: authors of The Way of D’Era, Book 1: The Romulans, a sourcebook for Last Unicorn’s Star Trek: The Next Generation Roleplaying Game, for terminology and other small bits of lore and trivia I used to pepper certain scenes throughout the book.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAYTON WARD. Author. Trekkie. Writing his goofy little stories and searching for a way to tap into the hidden nerdity that all humans have. Then, an accidental overdose of Mountain Dew altered his body chemistry. Now, when Dayton Ward grows excited or just downright geeky, a startling metamorphosis occurs.
Driven by outlandish ideas and a pronounced lack of sleep, he is pursued by fans and editors as well as funny men in bright uniforms wielding Tasers, straitjackets, and medication. In addition to the numerous credits he shares with friend and co-writer Kevin Dilmore, Dayton is the author of the Star Trek novels In the Name of Honor, Open Secrets, and Paths of Disharmony, the science fiction novels The Last World War, Counterstrike, and The Genesis Protocol, as well as short stories in a number of anthologies. For Flying Pen Press, he was the editor of the science fiction anthology Full-Throttle Space Tales #3: Space Grunts. He also provides regular content for Star Trek Magazine, Tor.com, and StarTrek.com.
Dayton is believed to be working on his next novel, and he must let the world think that he is working on it, until he can find a way to earn back the advance check he blew on strippers and booze. Though he currently lives in Kansas City with his wife and daughters, Dayton is a Florida native and maintains a torrid long-distance romance with his beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Visit him on the web at daytonward.com.
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