Star Trek 04

by James Blish

  "Spock?"

  "If we had not crossed the Neutral Zone on your order," Spock said coldly and evenly, "you would not now require our opinions to bolster a decision that should never have had to be made."

  The others stared at him, and then at Kirk. McCoy leaned forward. "Jim, you ordered us—? But you had no authority—"

  "Dismissed, Doctor!"

  "But Jim . . ."

  "Bridge to Captain," Uhura's voice broke in.

  "Kirk here."

  "The Romulan vessel is signaling again, sir."

  "Put it on our screen here, Lieutenant."

  The triangular Briefing Room viewscreen lit up to show the Vulcan-like features of Tal. He said without preamble, "My Commander wishes to speak with you, Captain Kirk."

  "Very well," Kirk said, slightly surprised. "Put him on."

  "The Commander wishes to see you and your First Officer aboard this vessel. It is felt that the matter requires—discussion. The Commander is a highly placed representative of the Romulan Star Empire."

  "Why should we walk right into your hands?"

  "Two of my officers will beam aboard your vessel as exchange hostages while you are here."

  "There's no guarantee they'll transport over here once we've entered your ship."

  A faint, cynical smile seemed to be threatening to break over Tal's face. "Granted we do not easily trust each other, Captain. But you are the ones who violated our territory. Should it not be we who distrust your motives? However, we will agree to a simultaneous exchange."

  Perfect—and yet at the same time, impossible to explain to his worriedly watching officers. After appearing to consider, Kirk said, "Give us the transporter coordinates and synchronize."

  Tal nodded and his image faded.

  "I must insist on advising against this, Captain," protested Scott. "The Romulans will try something tricky . . ."

  "We'll learn nothing by staying aboard the Enterprise," Kirk said. "One final order. Engineer Scott, you are in charge. If we do not return, this ship must not be taken. If the Romulans attempt it, you will fight—and if necessary, destroy the Enterprise. Is that clear?"

  "Perfectly, Captain." In point of fact, Scott looked as though it was the first order he had understood in days. Well, with any luck, he'd understand all the rest later—if there was going to be any "later."

  "Very well. Alert Transporter Officer."

  Kirk and Spock were conducted to the quarters of the Romulan Commander by two guards, after having been relieved of their weapons. Had the necessity existed, those two guards would never have known what had hit them, sidearms or no, but nothing was to be gained now by overpowering them; Kirk merely noted the overconfidence for possible future use.

  Then the door snapped open—and the Romulan Commander, standing behind a desk, was revealed to be a woman. And no ordinary woman, either. Of course, no ordinary woman could become both a ranking officer and a government representative in a society of warriors; but this one was beautiful, aristocratic, compelling—an effect which was, if anything, heightened by the fact that she was of Vulcanoid, not human stock. Kirk and Spock looked quickly at each other. Kirk had the impression that if Spock could whistle, he would.

  "Captain Kirk," she said.

  "I'm honored, Commander."

  "I do not think so, Captain. But we have a matter of importance to discuss, and your superficial courtesies are the overture to that discussion." Her eyes swung leveling to Spock. "You are First Officer . . .?"

  "Spock."

  "I speak first with the Captain."

  Spock flicked a glance at Kirk, who nodded. The First Officer tilted a half bow toward the Commander, and Kirk entered the office. The door snapped shut behind him.

  "All right," he said. "Forgetting the superficial courtesies, let's just have at it. I'm not surrendering my ship to you."

  "An admirable attitude in a starship captain," she said coolly. "But the matter of trespass into Romulan space is one of galactic import—a violation of treaties. Now I ask you simply: what is your mission here?"

  "Instrument failure caused a navigational error. We were across the Zone before we realized it. Your ships surrounded us before we could turn about."

  "A starship—one of Starfleet's finest vessels. You are saying instrument failure as radical as you suggest went unnoticed until your ship was well past the Neutral Zone?"

  "Accidents happen; cutoffs and backup systems can malfunction. We've been due in for overhaul for two months, but haven't been assigned a space dock yet."

  "I see. But you have managed to navigate with this malfunction?"

  "The error has been corrected," Kirk said. He knew well enough how transparent the lie was, but the charade had to be played out; he needed to seem thoroughly outgunned—in all departments.

  "Most convenient. I hardly believe it will clear you of espionage."

  "We were not spying."

  "Your language has always been difficult for me, Captain," the woman said drily. "Perhaps you have another word for it?"

  "At worst, it would be nothing more than surveillance. But I assure you that you are drawing an unjustified . . ."

  "Captain, if a Romulan vessel ventured far into Federation territory without good explanation, what would a Star Base commander do? It works both ways—and I strongly doubt you are the injured party." She pressed a button and the door opened. "Spock, come in. Both the Federation Council and the Romulan Praetor are being informed of this situation, but the time will be long before we receive their answer. I wish to interrogate you to establish a record of information for them in the mean-time. The Captain has already made his statement."

  "I understand," Spock said.

  "I admit to some surprise on seeing you, Spock. We were not aware of Vulcans aboard the Enterprise."

  "Starfleet is not in the habit of informing Romulans of its ships' personnel."

  "Quite true. Yet certain ships—certain officers—are known to us. Your situation appears most interesting."

  "What earns Spock your special interest?" Kirk broke in.

  "His species, obviously. Our forebears had the same roots and origins—something you will never understand, Captain. We can appreciate the Vulcans—our distant brothers. Spock, I have heard of Vulcan integrity and personal honor. There is a well-known saying that Vulcans are incapable of lying. Or is it a myth?"

  "It is no myth."

  "Then tell me truthfully now: on your honor as a Vulcan, what was your mission?"

  "I reserve the privilege of speaking the truth only when it will not violate my honor as a Vulcan."

  "It is unworthy of a Vulcan to resort to subterfuge."

  "It is equally unworthy of a Romulan," Spock said. "It is not a lie to keep the truth to one's self."

  That was one sentence too many, Kirk thought. But given Spock's nature and role, it could hardly have been prevented. The woman was wily as well as intelligent.

  "Then," she said, "there is a truth here that is still unspoken."

  "You have been told everything that there is to know," Kirk said. "There is nothing else."

  "There is Mr. Spock's unspoken truth. You knew of the cloaking device that we have developed. You deliberately violated Romulan space in a blatant spy mission on the order of Federation Command."

  "We've been through that, Commander."

  "We have not even begun, Captain. There is of course no force I can use on a Vulcan that will make him speak. But there are Romulan methods capable of going into a human mind like a spike into a melon. We use them when the situation requires it."

  "Then you know," Spock said, "that they are ineffective against humans with Command training."

  "Of course," said the Commander. "They will leave him dead—or what might be worse than dead. But I would be replaced did I not apply them as Procedure dictates. One way or another, I will know your unspoken truths."

  To Kirk, Spock's iron expression never seemed to change, but now he caught a very faint flicker o
f indecision which must have spoken volumes to the Romulan woman. Kirk said hastily, "Let her rant. There is nothing to say."

  Spock did not look at him. "I cannot allow the Captain to be any further destroyed," the First Officer said in a low monotone. "The strain of command has worn heavily on him. He has not been himself for several weeks."

  "There's a lie," Kirk said, "if ever I heard one."

  "As you can see," Spock continued evenly, "Captain Kirk is a highly sensitive and emotional person. I believe he has lost his capacity for rational decision."

  "Shut up, Spock."

  "I am betraying no secrets. The Commander's suspicion that Starfleet ordered the Enterprise into the Zone is unacceptable. Our rapid capture demonstrates its fool-hardiness."

  "Spock—damn you, what are doing?"

  "I am speaking the truth for the benefit of the Enterprise and the Federation. I say—for the record—that Captain Kirk took the Enterprise across the Neutral Zone on his own initiative and his craving for glory. He is not sane."

  "And I say," Kirk returned between tightly drawn lips, "that you are a filthy traitor."

  "Enough," the Commander said, touching a control plate on her desk. "Give me communication with the Enterprise."

  After a long moment, Scott's voice said, "Enterprise; Acting Officer Scott."

  "Officer Scott, Captain James T. Kirk is formally charged with espionage. The testimony of First Officer Spock has confirmed that this intrusion into Romulan space was not an accident; and that your ship was not under orders from Starfleet Command or the Federation Council to undertake such a mission. Captain Kirk was solely responsible. Since the crew had no choice but to obey orders, the crew will not be held responsible. Therefore I am ordering Engineer Scott, presently in command of the Enterprise, to follow the Romulan flagship to our home base. You will there be processed and released to Federation Command. Until judgment is passed, Captain Kirk will be held in confinement."

  There were a few moments of dead air from the Enterprise, but Kirk had no difficulty in guessing what Scotty was doing: ordering the two Romulan hostages to be put in the brig. When he came on again, his voice was almost shaking with suppressed rage.

  "This is Lt. Commander Scott. The Enterprise follows no orders except those of Captain Kirk. We will stay right here until he returns. And if you make any attempt to commandeer or board us, the Enterprise will be blown to bits along with as many of you as we can take with us. Your own knowledge of our armament will tell you that that will be quite a good many."

  "You humans make a very brave noise," the Commander said. She sounded angry herself, although her face was controlled. "There are ways to convince you of your errors."

  She cut off communication with a flick of a switch. Kirk swung on Spock.

  "Did you hear, you pointy-eared turncoat? You've betrayed everything of value and integrity you ever knew. Did you hear the sound of human integrity?"

  "Take him to the Security Room."

  The guards dragged Kirk out.

  "It was your testimony that Captain Kirk was irrational and solely responsible that saved the lives of your crew," the Romulan Commander said. "But don't expect gratitude for it."

  "One does not expect logic from humans," Spock said. "As we both know."

  "A Vulcan among humans—living, working with them. I would think the situation would be intolerable to you."

  "I am half Vulcan. My mother was human."

  "To whom is your allegiance, then?" she asked with cool interest. "Do you call yourself Terran or Vulcan?"

  "Vulcan."

  "How long have you been a Starfleet officer, Spock?"

  "Eighteen years."

  "You serve Captain Kirk. Do you like him? Do you like your shipmates?"

  "The question is irrelevant."

  "Perhaps." She drew closer, looking into his eyes challengingly. "But you are subordinate to the Captain's orders. Even to his whims."

  "My duty as an officer," Spock said rigidly, "is to obey him."

  "You are a superior being. Why do you not command?"

  Spock hesitated. "I do not desire a ship of my own."

  "Of course you believe that now, after eighteen years. But is it not also true that no one has given you—a Vulcan—that opportunity?"

  "Such opportunities are extremely rare."

  "For one of your accomplishments and—capabilities—opportunities should be made. And will be. I can see to that—if you will stop looking at the Federation as the whole universe. It is not, you know."

  "The thought has occasionally crossed my mind," Spock said.

  "You must have your own ship."

  "Commander," Spock said pleasantly, "shall we speak plainly? It is you who desperately need a ship. You want the Enterprise."

  "Of course! It would be a great triumph for me to bring the Enterprise home intact. It would broaden the scope of my powers greatly. It would be the achievement of a lifetime." She paused. "And naturally, it would open equal opportunities to you."

  The sound of an intercom spared Spock the need to reply. It was not an open line; the Commander picked up a handset and listened. After a moment she said, "I will come there," and replaced it. Spock raised his eyebrows inquiringly.

  "Your Captain," she said with a trace of scorn, "tried to break through the sonic disrupter field which wards his cell. Naturally he is injured, and since we do not know how to treat humans, my First Officer asked your ship's surgeon to attend him. The man's first response was, 'I don't make house calls,' whatever that means, but we managed to convince him that it was not a trick and he is now in attendance. Follow me, please."

  She led the way out of the office and down the corridor, followed by the omnipresent, silent guards.

  "I neglected to mention it," she added, "but I will expect you for dinner. We have much yet to discuss."

  "Indeed?" Spock said, looking at her quizzically.

  "Allow me to rephrase. Will you join me for dinner?"

  "I am honored, Commander. Are the guards also invited?"

  For answer, she waved the guards off. They seemed astonished, but were soon out of sight. A moment later she and Spock reached a junction; to the left, the corridor continued, while to the right it brought up against a single door not far away; it was guarded. There was a raised emblem nearby, but from this angle Spock could not read the device on it. He moved toward it.

  "Mr. Spock!"

  He stopped instantly.

  "That corridor is forbidden to all but loyal Romulans."

  "Of course, Commander," Spock said. "I will obey your restrictions."

  "I hope," she said, "soon there will be no need for you to observe any restrictions."

  "It would be illogical to assume that all conditions remain stable."

  They reached the Romulan brig; a guard there saluted and turned off the disruptor field. When they entered the cell, he turned it on again. McCoy was there—and so was Kirk, sitting slumped and blank-eyed on the bed, hands hanging down loosely between his knees.

  "You are the physician?" the Commander said.

  "McCoy—Chief Medical Officer."

  "Captain Kirk's condition?"

  "Physically—weak. Mentally—depressed, disoriented, displays feelings of persecution and rebellion."

  "Then by your own standards of normality, this man is not fully competent?"

  "Not now," McCoy said reluctantly. "No."

  "Mr. Spock has stated he believes the Captain had no authority or order to cross the Neutral Zone. In your opinion, could this mental incapacity have afflicted the Captain earlier?"

  "Yes—it's possible."

  "Mr. Spock, the Doctor has now confirmed your testimony as to the mental state of your Captain. He was and is unfit to continue in command of the Enterprise. That duty has now fallen upon you. Are you ready to exercise that function?"

  "I am ready."

  McCoy looked aghast. "Spock—I don't believe it!"

  "The matter," Spock said, "is not op
en for discussion."

  "What do you mean, not open for discussion? If . . ."

  "That's enough, Doctor," the Commander broke in. "As a physician, your duty is to save lives. Mr. Spock's duty is to lead the Enterprise to a safe haven."

  "There is no alternative, Doctor," Spock added. "The safety of the crew is the paramount issue. It is misguided loyalty to resist any further."

  Kirk raised his head very slowly. He looked a good deal more than disoriented; he looked downright mad. Then, suddenly, he was lunging at Spock, his voice a raw scream:

  "Traitor! I'll—kill—you!"

  With the swift precision of a surgeon, Spock grasped Kirk's shoulder and the back of his neck in both hands. The raging Captain stiffened, cried out inarticulately once, and collapsed.

  Spock looked down at him, frozen. The guard had drawn his sidearm. McCoy kneeled beside the crumpled Captain, snapped out an instrument, took a reading, prepared a hypo in desperate haste.

  "What did you do to him?" McCoy demanded. He administered the shot and then looked up. His voice became hard, snarling. "What did you do?"

  "I was unprepared for his attack," Spock said. "He—I used the Vulcan death grip instinctively."

  McCoy tried a second shot, then attempted to find a pulse or heartbeat.

  "Your instincts are still good, Spock," he said with cold remoteness. "He's dead."

  "By his own folly," said the Romulan Commander. "Return the corpse and the Doctor to their vessel. Mr. Spock, shall we proceed to dinner?"

  "That," Spock said, "sounds rather more pleasant."

  It was pleasant indeed; it had been a long time since Spock had seen so sumptuously laden a table. He poured more wine for the Commander.

  "I have had special Vulcan dishes prepared for you," she said. "Do they meet with your approval?"

  "I am flattered, Commander. There is no doubt that the cuisine aboard your vessel far surpasses that of the Enterprise. It is indeed a powerful recruiting inducement."

  "We have other inducements." She arose and came over to sit down beside him. "You have nothing in Starfleet to which to return. I—we offer an alternative. We will find a place for you, if you wish it."