by Uhura's Song
"I think that makes them my responsibility, too," Brightspot said. "Will you be afraid to stay here alone?" She wrapped Wilson's wrist with her tail and explained, "You smelled afraid before."
"If it will help, I can live through it," said Wilson.
"Good. Get some sleep. I'll wake you when I'm done." Once again, Brightspot flung herself out into the darkness and vanished.
Evan Wilson lay down and closed her eyes, but she did not sleep.
Chapter Twelve
Jim Kirk woke at the first pale rays of sunlight and, remembering Left Ear with hope, gave Spock a cheerful, "Good morning, Mr. Spock. I trust you slept well?"
"I did not sleep, Captain. Just after midnight there was considerable disturbance in the forest not far from here. I felt it best to remain on watch."
"You might have waked me," Kirk said.
"I might have, but I did not. I saw no further cause for alarm."
Damn Spock's literalness, anyhow. Short of a direct reprimand, there was never a way to tell him that his behavior bothered you. And, of course, there was no need for a direct reprimand. It was a very annoying habit of Spock's. "What sort of disturbance?"
"An argument, or so I would judge from the types of sounds I heard and from the behavior of various members of the camp this morning."
Kirk took in the few Sivaoans who were up and around. He saw what Spock meant: they greeted each other the way Brightspot greeted Fetchstorm, with the twitch of a tail tip. I don't like that, he thought.
Seeing his concern, Spock said, "I merely report the fact. I have no reason to believe we are the cause of the disruption or that we have anything to fear from it. I am, however, curious."
"Curiosity-" Kirk stopped in mid-sentence. He had been about to say, "Curiosity killed the cat"; he thought better of it. "Nothing, Spock. I suppose we'd better see to breakfast. Even curiosity has to be fed."
"I believe Mr. Chekov is preparing something."
Kirk grinned. "Mr. Chekov is certainly full of surprises. I may recommend that Starfleet Academy look up that teacher of his in Volgograd; the skills she teaches are remarkably useful planetside."
"They are indeed, Captain. And the attitude she instills toward 'primitive' people could be extremely valuable when dealing with native cultures that lack the high technology of this world."
"Good morning, Keptain," said Chekov. "Breakfest should be ready in a minute, sair." He brushed his hair back and wiped sweat from his forehead. Apologetically he added, "I thought we'd eat outside, es long es we hev the chence."
Kirk waved aside the apology and examined breakfast, a sort of shishkabob of various items roasted on a green stick. Chekov, brushing a sauce over them at intervals, said, "Local shashlik- Distant Smoke gave me his recipe."
Bemused, Kirk rejoined Spock and said, "Shashlik."
"I am unfamiliar with the term, Captain." Spock did not turn; he was watching the activity in the clearing with interest. Kirk followed his stare.
Across the clearing, a crowd gathered quickly around Catchclaw's tent. "Captain? I should like a closer look."
"Of course, Mr. Spock." The two of them walked across the clearing. Kirk searched the crowd for Brightspot- her interpretation might be useful- but she was nowhere to be seen. They pushed to the fore.
Catchclaw emerged from her tent carrying a pair of small, neatly wrapped bundles, dumped them on the ground and glared at the crowd. Her tail lashed. "Well?" she said. "Haven't you ever seen a to-Ennien move on before? Where are your manners?" All the ears in the crowd flicked back in amazement, then two Sivaoans leapt to her assistance. She gave a few sharp directions and they began to remove bottles and dried herbs from her tent; these they took across the clearing to store in the chem lab.
From the tent nearest Catchclaw's, Settlesand came out to look. She too flicked back her ears. She vanished back into her tent and, when she reappeared, she was carrying another pair of small, neatly wrapped bundles. She walked over and, without a word, dropped her bundles beside Catchclaw's. Catchclaw curled her tail briefly about Settlesand's wrist.
The four children were wildly excited. They bounced and bounded and poked all the bundles with their tails- and began making tiny packs in imitation of their elders.
Grabfoot, in his excitement, pounced on every foot in reach; Kirk could trace his route through the crowd by watching adults jump in reaction. At last, it was Kirk's turn. Grabfoot pounced, then swarmed up to his side and clung to his chest, staring nose to nose. "To Sretalles!" Grabfoot said, "We're going to Sretalles! You come meet us there! Catchclaw says!"
Kirk didn't know what to say but gave in to the impulse to scratch Grabfoot fondly behind the ears. Grabfoot looped his tail delightedly, then he climbed to a better vantage point on Kirk's shoulder to peer at Spock's ears. "Not touch Mr. Spock," he said, almost sadly. "You come to Sretalles! Maybe different there- maybe okay to touch! Tell how it happened CloudShape came to Vulcan. Good-bye for now, Mr. Spock!"
"Good-bye for now, Grabfoot," said Spock gravely.
Grabfoot scrambled to the ground and led his siblings in a mad charge across to say good-bye to Chekov.
There was a touch at Kirk's elbow. He looked down to find Wilson at his side. "Captain," she said, "have you seen Brightspot this morning?" There was a note of urgency in her voice.
He shook his head. "Mr. Spock?"
"Nor have I, Dr. Wilson. Is there some problem?"
She shook her head. "I'll tell you after I find Brightspot. And she should be here, dammit. She's missing Armageddon."
"I beg your pardon, Doctor?" It was just as well Spock asked, thought Kirk, it saved him the trouble.
Catchclaw pulled tent pegs. Now she reached inside and struck the main supporting pole. The tent collapsed in a flutter of bright-colored fabric- and a collective gasp ran through the assembled crowd. Catchclaw glared at them defiantly and, stripping the poles of their usefuls, began to roll up her tent. A moment later, Settlesand's tent collapsed with a soft whoosh.
Wilson, distracted, finally turned back to Spock and whispered, "Brightspot must have been right about Catchclaw. You'd think none of these people had ever seen anybody pack up to move before."
Spock said, "I see, Dr. Wilson. I agree with your assessment. Captain, it is our conjecture that these people have never before seen Catchclaw decamp."
"Armageddon," said Wilson darkly, "I told you. When scandalous people start behaving respectably, watch out!"
The two tents were packed in a remarkably short length of time. Settlesand brought two quickens. She held a muttered conversation with Catchclaw and shooed Catchclaw away from the work. Distant Smoke, ears still flattened in surprise, stepped over to offer his assistance, and soon he and Settlesand were at work loading the packs.
"Dr. Wilson," said Catchclaw, "I would like to check your wounds, for safety's sake." She motioned and Wilson followed.
"Interesting," said Kirk, watching where she led, "I'd say Catchclaw wants to make sure Stiff Tail knows she's going."
"She could hardly be ignorant of the fact, Captain, given the attention paid the event by the other members of the camp."
Kirk watched Catchclaw evict Stiff Tail from her own tent and usher Wilson inside. "Ignorant, no, Mr. Spock. But I'd say Catchclaw was twisting the knife." Stiff Tail paced outside her tent, her tail lashing. "Catchclaw could, after all, have examined Dr. Wilson's wounds before she struck her own tent."
"You are right, Captain. And Catchclaw need not have chosen Stiff Tail's tent for the purpose when we have our own shelter."
"Exactly. I'd be a lot happier if Dr. Wilson didn't look so grim."
"I fail to understand why Dr. Wilson's purely emotional response to such a situation should affect your own."
"Her instincts are good, Spock."
"While I agree with your assessment of Dr. Wilson's talents, I would object to your use of the word 'instincts'. It bears a strong resemblance to Dr. Wilson's own 'gut reactions.' And it is still my observation th
at-"
"I know, I know. That Wilson refuses to admit to logic. Spock, if she has a logical reason to be worried, I'm even more concerned."
Kirk caught a glimpse of a bright flash of fur through the milling crowd and moved to get a better look. Brightspot and Jinx stood in the spot where Catchclaw's tent had once been, staring down at the oval of blackened groundcover that confirmed a lengthy stay. Brightspot bristled her amazement; Jinx looked frightened.
Chekov brought his shashlik- the aroma made Kirk realize how hungry he was- and gave them each a skewer. "I hev some for Lieutenant Uhura and Dr. Wilson, too," he said. "It was just es easy to make enough for five."
Wilson and Catchclaw came from Stiff Tail's tent. Chekov started toward her, but Jim Kirk held him back. "I'm not sure you should interrupt them at the moment," he said; but when Wilson spotted Chekov, she gave an easy wave and came to collect her breakfast.
"Mr. Chekov," she said, "thank you. You have just saved a life. I'm ravenous." She demonstrated by tearing into the food. Aside from her thank you, she did not turn her attention from Catchclaw and Stiff Tail.
"Brightspot's here, Dr. Wilson," Kirk said. "You wanted to speak to her?"
'Where?' she said. He pointed, and she waved and called out. Brightspot immediately joined them. Jinx followed, her attempt to remain unnoticed making her seem clumsy; Jim Kirk had no doubt now that she was badly frightened.
Brightspot said excitedly, "Catchclaw's leaving!" and Jinx flinched.
Catchclaw and Stiff Tail were still having words with each other, tail tips quivering. When Catchclaw saw Jinx, however, she walked away from Stiff Tail and called the youngster to her. Jinx dashed to her; Catchclaw caught and wrapped her comfortingly in her tail.
Jinx brightened and straightened. Catchclaw said a few words to her, and Jinx arched her whiskers forward in assent. Tails still entwined about each other, the two walked toward the Enterprise landing party. Stiff Tail followed at a distance, tail twitching.
"Dr. Wilson," said Catchclaw, "I go to Sretalles. I hold you responsible for Jinx to-Ennien."
Whatever Wilson had been expecting, Kirk thought, seeing her startled expression, it wasn't this. She said, "By my custom, I must ask, Catchclaw, does this meet with Jinx's approval?"
"Keptain," said Chekov urgently, "she's esking Dr. Wilson to beby-sit!"
Jinx looked at Catchclaw, then at Wilson. "I don't mind," she said unsurely and then, as if realizing something, "No, I don't mind."
The other Sivaoans, to judge from their reactions, did mind. Stiff Tail's tail whipped. Ears were laid back all through the crowd and more tails began to lash. "Captain," said Spock in a warning tone.
"I see it, Mr. Spock," he said. "Stay alert, Mr. Chekov."
He called out, "Dr. Wilson, you can't accept the responsibility for Jinx. We have no idea how long Catchclaw will be gone."
Wilson did not turn. She regarded Jinx and Catchclaw gravely.
Catchclaw repeated, "Dr. Wilson, I go to Sretalles. I hold you responsible for Jinx to-Ennien."
"Captain," said Wilson, "I sincerely hope that wasn't a direct order. I accept the responsibility, Catchclaw, and I thank you."
Pandemonium broke loose. Stiff Tail rounded on Catchclaw, hackles bristling. "No!" she said. Half a dozen others in the crowd echoed her sentiments but no one made any move to interfere.
Catchclaw gave Jinx a lick on the forehead and released her, nudging her toward Wilson. Jinx immediately wrapped her tail around Wilson's wrist and Wilson stroked the tip reassuringly.
Then Catchclaw groomed the fur on her right shoulder, the one facing Stiff Tail. The action was remarkably contemptuous, and Kirk was not the only one to think so: Stiff Tail raised her arm as if to strike. Catchclaw jerked her head back, her eyes wide, her ears flattened to her skull. A low growl went through the crowd and Stiff Tail, as if startled by her own actions, immediately let drop her arm. She stepped away from Catchclaw and turned her back. "No," she said again.
"It's done," said Catchclaw. Without a further word, she walked toward the crowd.
It gave way before her and she stepped through, gathered up her children and plumped them on top of the packs. They clung and waved their tails; their excitement made them oblivious to the distress of the adults around them.
Catchclaw said, "Well, Settlesand. Are we going, or are we just planning to stand around all day with our tents packed?" Settlesand jumped and mounted. As they vanished into the forest, the welcome-homes set up a farewell racket.
Whatever protection Catchclaw had afforded Jinx and Wilson was gone. Kirk took advantage of the distraction and ran to her side. Spock and Chekov were right behind him. They made a small protective V around the two. "Phasers, Captain?" said Spock.
He hoped that wouldn't be necessary. "Not unless you absolutely have to, Mr. Spock. I want to avoid it if we can, but if we can't -" He saw Uhura through the shifting crowd. "Lieutenant Uhura," he called, "Here. On the double."
Uhura hurried to join them. "What happened, Captain?"
"I don't know, Lieutenant. Ask Dr. Wilson." He had meant it as a reproach to Wilson, but Uhura took it literally.
Wilson said- and Kirk could almost sense her shrug- "Catchclaw asked me to look after Jinx, and I said I'd be glad to."
Still the crowd made no threatening moves toward them. Brightspot padded over to Wilson and said, "Don't be scared. They're not mad at you."
Kirk said, "Are you sure, Brightspot?"
She flicked her tail tip at him. "Why should they be mad at you? Catchclaw did it. Catchclaw was right, but they don't believe that."
Winding Path crept toward Stiff Tail, making himself so small he almost groveled. He said, "Once to-Ennien is more tail than brain- and Catchclaw is twice to-Ennien." Stiff Tail whipped her tail twice; Winding Path shrank smaller.
Rushlight stepped in; and, unlike Winding Path, he made no attempt to minimize himself. "Tell me how it happened," he demanded, with a quick glance past Stiff Tail to Uhura; he seemed almost amused. Bristling, Stiff Tail gave him the details.
The longer he listened, the more his tail curled. Stiff Tail got angrier. When she had finished, Rushlight said, "Catchclaw does as she sees fit. You should know better, Stiff Tail."
That set her ears back, Kirk saw.
"Know better!" said Stiff Tail.
"You heard me," he said, and this time his tail stiffened to seriousness. "Look at them, all huddled together like a clutch of baby silverspots.... Smell for yourself!" Stiff Tail turned; her manner changed instantly.
As she started toward them, Jim Kirk tensed. She froze on the spot and thrust her tail forward, as if the group were surrounded by an invisible tent. He relaxed cautiously. "Come in, Stiff Tail," he said, hoping he was right. She took the fewest steps necessary and reached for his wrist with her tail.
"I apologize for frightening you," she said. "This was no fault of yours. You do not know our customs. Evan Wilson did not understand what she was saying, although she knew the correct words."
"Wrong," said Evan Wilson. Still holding Jinx's tail in her hand, she advanced on Stiff Tail fiercely. "I knew precisely what I was doing. I accepted the responsibility of looking after Jinx. I accept the responsibility and I will do it."
Stiff Tail drew her arm back to deliver a blow, but Wilson was fast- one arm shot up to block, the other to strike. Stiff Tail was so astonished, she froze. So did Wilson. It was just long enough for Kirk to catch Wilson's arm. Rushlight did the same to Stiff Tail, wrapping his tail around her wrist; he made the chuffing noise Kirk had come to associate with amused disapproval and said, "You see, Stiff Tail, you are caught in your own snare. You dare not strike if she truly does not comprehend her actions; and, if she does, you have no right."
His tail released her falling arm, then immediately looped up again. "Oh, this will make a fine song, Lieutenant Uhura. You'll see- you and your people will provide us with two nights' entertainment for the next festival!" Uhura laughed; it was the sweet sound of rel
ief.
Then Rushlight perused Wilson slowly, from the set of her feet to the tension in her upraised arm to the glare she fixed still on Stiff Tail. "You are a tail-kinker," he told her. "I hadn't realized that someone without proper claws or sharp teeth could be so fierce." Without taking her eyes from Stiff Tail, Wilson bared her teeth in acknowledgment.
"No fight," said Stiff Tail. With that, she simply walked away.
Brightspot happily looped her tail around Wilson's waist, entangling it with Jinx's. Wilson laid a small hand on the shoulder of each and exhaled a deep breath. "Elath bless me," she said, "I have never been so scared in all my life," and then she laughed too.
