by Uhura's Song
The blood tests proved him the only one free of the phage. Evan Wilson lifted her eyes to meet his. "Captain?" she said, "you are aware that this makes you our guinea pig?"
"I know," he said, "the vaccine might not work on humans."
"Worse," she said, swabbing his arm with antiseptic and reaching for the hypo Another StarFreedom had prepared, "It might give you the disease- and I've a philosophical objection to that sort of thing."
"Go ahead, Evan. If I come down with Noisy-Baby, Another StarFreedom can always mix up another batch of antidote- although I will insist she use a hypodermic to administer it."
"Having it blown up your nose is too undignified?" Evan asked, mischief in her eyes.
"Let's just say I have a philosophical objection to that sort of thing."
"Okay," Evan agreed, "stop fidgeting and let me get on with it."
He doubted he had been "fidgeting" but he made no objection. She went ahead with her work. When she had finished the injection, she sat back on her heels and said, "Elath, but I hate all this waiting!"
A tail tip thrust through the entrance to the tent. "Company, Evan," he said, "maybe that will take both our minds off the waiting. Come in."
It was Stiff Tail. With her, she had brought several other members of her last camp, including Left Ear. The newcomers crowded just inside the entrance, and their manner spoke of some hesitation other than a desire to avoid contagion. Of course, thought Kirk, they all had Noisy-Baby when they were children too; they have no reason to be afraid of it.
Bristling slightly, Stiff Tail began, "It is my understanding, James Tiberius Kirk, that you may speak for all of your people?"
"For my crew, yes," he said. "I would not be so presumptuous as to speak for Brightspot or Another StarFreedom."
Brightspot said, "You speak for me as well, Captain."
Another StarFreedom added, "Me too."
Adult they might be officially, he saw, but they were not yet ready to confront an adult as formidable as Stiff Tail unless it was absolutely necessary. "All right," said Kirk, "What do you want, Stiff Tail?"
She was taken aback. "It is what you wanted," she said. "We've come to speak to you about"-she took a deep breath- "the Exiles."
Jim Kirk folded his arms across his chest. "Don't stick your tail in something that doesn't concern you, Stiff Tail." Stiff Tail hissed; and all around him, Sivaoans- including Brightspot and Another StarFreedom- bristled. Evan Wilson laid her hand nonchalantly on her quarterstaff.
Her tail a spike of rage, Stiff Tail said carefully, "That is something we say to children, James Tiberius Kirk...." She did not raise a hand to strike, but he saw claws unsheathe, saw the tremor in her arm, knew the effort she made in such restraint.
"Yes," he said, making it very plain, "to children."
Stiff Tail took one step toward him- and Evan Wilson's quarterstaff barred a second. Stiff Tail turned on Wilson, but found no open threat, no challenge, in her stance, only a statement of fact: that far, no further. And with a massive effort, Stiff Tail lifted her ears erect and smoothed her fur. She stepped back.
"I do not understand your actions, James Tiberius Kirk," she said at last. "Do your customs permit you to explain...?"
Kirk said, "Two thousand years ago, Stiff Tail, your people exiled the Eeiauoans. Now you are ashamed of that action- ashamed that you did not find some other solution to the problem. Am I right?"
Stiff Tail nodded. She shrank in size, just as Grabfoot did when he wished to go unnoticed. "I see," she said. "In your eyes, our treatment of the Exiles was childish."
"You don't see," Kirk said. "Your solution to the problem of the Eeiauoans at the time may have been correct- or not-but that doesn't matter!"
Stiff Tail's eyes went wide, her ears flicked back: "Then why-?"
"The only thing that matters is what happens to the Eeiauoans now," he said. He spread his hands. "Stiff Tail, you are so ashamed of something that happened two thousand years ago that you were willing to let an entire people die rather than discuss them. That kind of evasion of responsibility is hardly the act of an adult." He swung and pointed. "Brightspot, Another StarFreedom- they were the real adults in your camp. Time after time they tried to help, despite your customs, and despite ours."
He turned back to her. "We made the Walk to become adults in your eyes, Stiff Tail. Now you must make a journey to prove your maturity to us: you must accept what was done in the past and live with the consequences. The Eeiauoans need all the help they can get- and that includes yours."
Stiff Tail jerked back as if bitten. "You'd force us to go with you to Eeiauo?"
Jim Kirk shook his head sadly. "I can't force you to do anything you don't want to do, Stiff Tail- least of all grow up."
She turned on her heels and, tail lashing, pushed past the crowd and out of the tent. Her companions followed. Well, he thought, I gave it my best shot.
"Keptain?" said Chekov, a plaintive note in his voice. "I don't understend, sair. I thought we did all thet so we could talk to them...?"
"We did all that to get their help, Mr. Chekov. If we can take a few extra hands back to Eeiauo with us, so much the better. Particularly if they know what they're doing."
"How many do you need, James Tiberius Kirk?" It was Catchclaw who spoke. "You must know that Another StarFreedom has already chosen to accompany you. She is a capable physician, despite her youth."
"I said all the help they can get, Catchclaw. I meant just that," said Kirk.
Her ears flicked sharply back. "How many will your ship hold?" she asked.
"In a pinch, several hundred," he told her.
"Oh!" said Brightspot. "Then I'm coming too."
"And I," said Rushlight. "It would be a trip to sing about."
Catchclaw curled her tail, amused at Kirk's surprise, and advised, "Never turn down the company of a bard, James Tiberius Kirk: songs ease a trail.- I and my four will join you too." It took him a moment to realize she meant to bring her children. Under the circumstances, she could hardly leave them behind- and he could not turn down the services of a second doctor.
"Thank you," he said simply. "All of you. And Catchclaw, I'd appreciate it if you and Rushlight would just call me 'Captain' like the rest." He was not about to listen to 'James Tiberius Kirk' all the way to Eeiauo.
"As you wish," said Catchclaw. "Your name is now your own choice, Captain."
Only then did he realize the implication of his request. When he looked over at Evan Wilson, she wore her sweetest smile. She said not a word. The tilt of her head was enough to say it for her.
Chapter Seventeen
Jim Kirk stepped from the transporter with a sense of elation. "Welcome aboard, Captain Kirk," said Ensign Orsay from the instrument panel. Her face was a study in mixed reactions: half delight to see him and half an attempt to conceal her horror at his appearance.
"Thank you, Ensign. It's good to be back." He needed a status report from the bridge, a shower and two days' sleep- in that order.
As the medical team Evan Wilson had requested helped Chekov onto a stretcher, she thumped her quarterstaff on the deck to spur them. Amid all the clean lines and austerity of the transporter room, she looked wilder than the Sivaoans. Brightspot, Another StarFreedom- each carrying one of Catchclaw's babies-stood frozen to the arrival platform, staring about in earstraining amazement.
"Brightspot," he said, "you'll have plenty of time to see everything. Now clear the space for the next contingent...." He motioned, and they stepped hesitantly down.
Kirk nodded to Ensign Orsay who said, "Energizing." Another StarFreedom gave a quiet shout, almost a cheer, as Catchclaw with Grabfoot, Uhura with TooLongTail, Rushlight, Knots (a rememberer) and Brave Tongue (another doctor) materialized. They too had to be motioned from the transporter platform.
Two more parties arrived. but Jim Kirk looked in vain for Stiff Tail. "I guess she's not coming," said Brightspot, whiskers drooping in disappointment.
"I guess not," Kirk sai
d. "I'm sorry, Brightspot. I had hoped..."
"That she could grow up, too," Brightspot finished for him. "Me too. Maybe next year she'll be old enough to Walk."
"Maybe next year," Kirk agreed.
There was a horrible screeching sound at his feet, and Kirk looked down to see Grabfoot testing his claws against the deck plates. The child, ears almost flat against his head, said, "Catchclaw! All rock! No place for a tent! We'll get all wet!" He shook himself in disgusted anticipation.
"The whole ship is a tent," Kirk told him. "I promise you won't get wet unless you want to. Mr. Riley, would you see our guests to their quarters? You'll have to explain most of the equipment to them, but you'll only have to do so once. They'll remember it."
Brightspot brightened and curled her tail impudently at him. Uhura said, "If you don't mind, Captain, I'd like to do that myself."
"Of course, Uhura, but then see you get some sleep," Kirk said. "Evan, that goes for you too."
"First things first," she said. "After I get Mr. Chekov into sick bay and have a look at Mr. Spock, I want to see if I can spring Scotty. He must be chafing at the bit by now."
He nodded his permission, then added, "I'll be on the bridge if you need me."
She raised an eyebrow. "You need sleep too, Captain."
"I know that, Doctor, but I assure you it can wait until we're underway."
"That's what I meant," she said, and he realized it was so.
Excusing himself, he eased his way through the crowd of Sivaoans. Grabfoot, now perched on Catchclaw's shoulder, eyed him as he passed and said, in scathing tones, "Want to get wet!" Jim Kirk laughed but continued on his way.
He did not stop until he reached the bridge. Sulu rose from the command chair, his formal salute and grin of welcome marred only by a startled blink. Perhaps I should have taken the shower first, thought Kirk ruefully, as Sulu said, "It's good to have you back, Captain."
"It's good to be back, Mr. Sulu."
He waited a moment as Sulu took his customary station, cheerfully displacing the crew member who had filled in. Sulu no longer hobbled; Wilson would no doubt be pleased to see him recovered from both her ministrations. Jim Kirk settled back into the command chair and did what pleased him- "Set course for Eeiauo, Mr. Sulu," he ordered, and added, "Let's not keep Dr. McCoy waiting."
"Aye, aye, sir!" came the reply. It was echoed with enthusiasm from all sides. Seconds later, Sulu said, "We're on our way!" And, while Jim Kirk luxuriated in the quiet surge of power beneath his feet, a soft cheer went up around him.
At last he swung the chair toward his communications officer. "Ensign Azuela," he said, "as soon as we are within range of a Federation relay beacon, I want to speak to Dr. McCoy- the sooner, the better." Reluctantly he rose. "The conn is yours, Mr. Sulu; I'll be in my quarters if anything comes up."
As the turbolift doors hissed open, he took one last look around the bridge, gave a contented sigh and headed for his quarters.
He awoke feeling better than he had in weeks, showered a second time, dressed- reveling in the feel of clean clothes- and opened the intercom to the bridge. "Scott here. Glad t' have ye w' us again, Captain."
Kirk chuckled and said, "And you too, Scotty. I take it you don't have a case of Noisy-Baby?"
"Noisy-Baby, sir? It was ADF syndrome the lass was checkin' on, I thought."
"Never mind, Scotty. I'll explain later. How's Mr. Spock?"
"Ye can see for y'rself, Captain. Dr. Wilson moved him back int' sick bay- where she can keep a closer eye on him, if ye take my meaning." That drew a full-throated laugh from Kirk.
"I do, Mr. Scott, I do!"
"Mr. Chekov's there as well. The lad looks a sight but he's in good spirits."
"I'll go have a look," said Kirk, "and, Scotty, make sure you inform me as soon as you get through to Bones."
"Aye, that I will." When Scotty had signed off, Jim Kirk rose, stretched and headed for sick bay.
A line of crew members stretched from the doors and halfway down the corridor, and he paused to greet each as he passed by. At last, he eased his way in and found havoc- a carefully controlled havoc, but havoc nonetheless, as doctors took blood, tested blood, barked records into the computer and generally inoculated everyone in sight.
A hand and a tail caught him firmly by the arm and steered him to a chair. "Hey, Brave Tongue!" called Evan Wilson, "Not him- he's already been done!"
Ears flicked back, Brave Tongue scrutinized his face and said, "Sorry, Captain. I'm getting carried away." The tail whipped away, and Brave Tongue added, "How big a crew do you have?"
"Over four hundred," Kirk said.
"Oh," he said, clearly startled.
"Cheer up," Evan told the Sivaoan. "At the rate we're going, it'll only take us two more days. Then we get some rest before we have to start in on the real problem. I'm looking forward to it- the rest I mean. I'm just about frazzled."
She did look shockingly tired, but Kirk saw with relief that her eyes still held a hint of merriment. "Evan," Kirk said, "have you had any sleep at all?"
"Enough," she said.
"Barely enough," he corrected.
She shrugged, then gave him a nudge in the direction of the next room. "Spock. Chekov. Morale," she said and, when he hesitated, added, "The sooner you stop bothering us, Captain, the sooner we'll be done- and the sooner I can get that sleep." She made shooing motions.
He did as he was told. He found both Spock and Chekov sitting up. Spock held a computer link, obviously absorbed in some task. Scotty was right: Chekov looked a sight. His face and arms were covered with scars and most of his hair was gone- but the lesions had visibly healed and Kirk could see the stubble of new growth. Chekov glanced up. "Keptain!" he said and laid aside the book he had been reading to sit at attention.
With a smile, Kirk said, "At ease, Mr. Chekov."
Spock lifted a hand to indicate that he did not wish to be distracted from his computer for the moment. Kirk took this as a sign that Spock was recuperating nicely and said to Chekov, "Have you two been behaving yourselves?"
Chekov grinned. "Wouldn't you, Keptain?" he said, and he pointed: Wilson's quarterstaff stood prominently between the two ward beds. "Point taken, Mr. Chekov," Kirk said, grinning back.
There was a sudden burst of music and Spock's head jerked up. The sound seemed to come from his computer link. With a quick look at his startled science officer, Kirk strode across the room and keyed into the central computer from one of the medical terminals. The central computer replied as it normally did- but, softly underlying the mechanical voice, Kirk heard the same tune that came from Spock's link. It was difficult to repress a shudder; they'd had problems with the computer before- "Mr. Spock?" he asked, hoping to hear a simple explanation.
"I have no idea," said Spock, and Kirk said, "I don't like to think about it, Spock- another malfunction like the last time...." This time he did shudder.
"No malfunction," said Evan Wilson. She stepped into the room and paused, arms folded across her chest, to consider Spock. Then she turned to the medical computer and said, "This is Dr. Evan Wilson."
"Dr. Evan Wilson, acknowledged," said the mechanical voice.
"Enough is enough," she told it.
"Enough is enough," the mechanical voice responded- and the music ceased as abruptly as it had begun.
She turned to face Spock once more. "Mr. Spock," she said, "if you're sufficiently recovered to be sticking your tail in where it shouldn't be, then you're taking up bed space under false pretenses. You are released from sick bay."
Except for the raising of an eyebrow, Spock made no move. Wilson's face went crimson, and Spock looked suddenly down at the computer link in his hands, as if seeing it for the first time. Wilson gave a fleeting smile and said, "Or am I to understand that your inability to spot the flag is an indication that you need further rest, Mr. Spock?"
At that, Spock rose with almost indecent haste for a Vulcan. "Indeed not, Dr. Wilson," he said.
"Fi
ne. Now get him out of here, Captain, before I take a stick to him."
As if they had already obeyed, she stepped to Chekov's side and focused her attention completely on him. "Let me see your back, Mr. Chekov." Chekov leaned forward to comply, and she ran a gentle hand over his skin. "Looks good," she said. "Any pain?"
"No, sair- but it itches!"
"Enjoy it," she said. "That's the best news I've heard in days. We'll have you out of here in no time."
Kirk said, "I'm looking forward to that, Mr. Chekov. I want you back on the bridge as soon as Dr. Wilson says you're able."
