Star Trek 11

by James Blish

  Acidly bitter, Kirk finally spoke to his men. "The afternoon entertainment wasn't enough for them," he said.

  And he stayed bitter, as arrangements were made for the evening's entertainment. Enterprise uniforms vanished. He and Spock were forcibly clad in short Greek tunics, knotted over one shoulder. Leaf wreaths were settled on their heads. And in the main room of the suite, a table appeared. Piled high with food, with fruit and wine, it glittered, heavy, with silver and crystal.

  The dressing room door opened. A little shy in her highly becoming mini-robe, Christine hesitated. Then her pleasure in seeing them sent her smiling to them. "Are we glad to see you!"

  Uhura addressed the question in Kirk's eyes. "We were forced into the Transporter and beamed down. It was like becoming a puppet for someone."

  "I thought I was sleepwalking," Christine told him. "I couldn't stop myself."

  "I don't understand it," Uhura said. "A simple invitation would have brought me running for this . . ." She lifted a soft fold of the golden robe that matched her exotic skin color.

  "Definitely," Christine agreed. "Why use force on a girl to get her into clothes like these?" Then she paused, looking at Kirk. "Captain, what's wrong? Something's terribly wrong, isn't it?"

  "Yes," Kirk said quietly.

  He had heard the sound of laughter. The bewildered girls stared at each other; and Kirk said, "Spock, have you felt any reaction to the kironide shot?"

  "I have experienced a slight flush, Captain."

  "So did I. Shall we try a simple test? Let's concentrate on raising that cluster of grapes."

  They fixed their eyes on the grapes, the girls watching them in uncomprehending silence. The grapes continued to nestle placidly between two apples.

  "Didn't budge," Kirk said.

  There was a fanfare of music and a burst of applause. Kirk looked up from the disappointing grapes. Panels set into the room's walls had slid aside, revealing boxes behind them. They were crowded with Platonians. Kirk caught sight of Alexander at a music stand, his instruments beside him. Parmen, Philana and McCoy occupied the center box. The philosopher-king stood up, lifting a hand.

  "Fellow Academicians! Twenty-five hundred years ago a hearty band of vagabonds arrived on this barren planet. Those were times of desperate hardship and heart-breaking toil. Then a divine Providence graced our genius with the power of powers! Through it, our every need was materialized. We determined to form a Utopian Brotherhood. This is a festive occasion. For tonight, we welcome its first new member into our Brotherhood!"

  Kirk used the top of his voice. "Don't count on it, Parmen! First you must win the doctor's consent!"

  McCoy, shouting back, called, "I'll never give it, Jim!"

  Whispering, Parmen said, "Doctor, please. You are destroying the festive mood . . ." He waved a hand. "Let the madcap revels begin!"

  The four Enterprise people were sent whirling around the couches in a game of musical chairs. Then Uhura was dropped on one in a languorous pose. Christine's turn came. Her chin was placed on a bent hand, her body disposed in a seductive position. Kirk and Spock were each pulled to a couch. After a moment they were caused to exchange places.

  Eraclitus called from a box, laughing. "Ah, how fickle and faithless! Make up your minds!"

  Spock sat on Christine's couch, straining against Parmen's will-to-power. It was no use. His arms encircled Christine; and her hand was forced up to caress his face. The Platonians tittered.

  "I am so ashamed, Mr. Spock." But even as her whisper reached Spock, her hand had reached into his hair to tousle it amorously. She whispered again. "Oh, stop it, Mr. Spock. Please make them stop it . . ."

  But they were in a close embrace, Christine's arms entwined around him. His eyes were closed in desperate concentration. He was forced to open them in order to gaze passionately into Christine's. Their lips met. As the kiss ended, she said brokenly, "I have so wanted to be close to you. Now all I want to do is crawl away someplace and die . . ."

  "Careful, Mr. Spock!" Eraclitus called. "Remember! The arrows of Eros kill Vulcans!"

  Christine sank back on the couch. Spock's body followed hers to shouts of "Bravo! Bravo!"

  Uhura was saying, "I am so frightened, Captain . . . so frightened . . ."

  "That's the way they want you to feel, Lieutenant. It makes them think they're alive."

  "I know it . . . I wish I could stop trembling . . ."

  Kirk pulled her to him. Uhura looked into his eyes.

  "Try not to think of them," Kirk said. "Try!"

  She smiled faintly. "You know what I'm thinking, Captain?"

  "What, Lieutenant?"

  "I'm thinking of all the times on the Enterprise when I was scared to death. And I would see you so busy with your commands. And I would hear you from all parts of the ship. And then the fear would pass. Now they are making me tremble. But I am not afraid."

  Her dark eyes were serene. "I am not afraid . . ."

  They kissed.

  The applause was scattered. And what there was of it was too loud.

  Philana in her box stirred restlessly. "Parmen, let's get on with it."

  "You are so impatient, my wife! Observe the doctor and learn. He is content to wait for the piece de resistance."

  Nevertheless, Parmen got on with it He moved the table of food into a corner and rolled another one into its place. It was loaded with weapons—swords, a bullwhip, knives, a battle-ax. In its center a brazier, a poker thrust into it, glowed red hot. The two Enterprise men were lifted from the girls' couches. Kirk found the bullwhip in his hand. He saw Spock reach for the poker. Its tip of iron flamed with its adopted fire.

  Kirk whirled to the boxes. "You're dead, all of you!" he cried. "You died centuries ago! We may disappear tomorrow—but at least we're living now! And you can't stand that! You're half-crazy because you've got nothing inside! Nothing!"

  But Parmen was looking at the girls. Turning, Kirk realized that they had been transfixed, helpless, on their couches. The heavy whip rose in his hand and lashed out at Uhura. It flicked close to her cheek.

  McCoy could bear no more. He rose in his box. "Stop it, Parmen! Stop it! I can't take any more! I can't! I'll do whatever you want!"

  Apparently, his capitulation came too late. Parmen merely grinned at him. "I'll stay here with you!" McCoy cried. "I'll serve you. But stop this!"

  Alexander broke from his place. Racing to the table of weapons he seized a knife and rushed at Parmen. He was stopped cold. Parmen stood up. "Alexander, again! He likes to play with knives. Very good. We'll indulge him . . ."

  Slowly, relentlessly, the knife blade was pressed against the little man's throat. It halted there—and suddenly, unseen fists slammed Parmen against the back of his box.

  The shaken Platonian stared around him. Staggering back, he shouted, "Who . . . who . . . who did that?"

  Kirk tossed the whip away. "I did!"

  Eraclitus was on his feet. "Impossible!"

  "What's going on?" Philana screamed.

  Kirk lifted his head to the boxes. "Platonians, hear this! The next one of you who tries anything will get hurt! Not only do we possess your psychokinetic ability, but we've got it at twice your power level!"

  "Not twice mine!" Parmen's eyes veered to Alexander.

  The dwarf was spun around; and, knife upraised, sent racing toward Kirk. Instead of evading the charge, Kirk stood still, drawing on all his strength of concentration. His new power slowed the onrush. With a supreme effort, he turned Alexander around and set him running toward Parmen. The battle of wills was joined. Parmen's cold eyes bulged with his struggle to recover control of the dwarf. But Alexander had picked up speed. He vaulted into the box, the knife extended to Parmen's heart . . .

  The Platonian shrieked. "Captain, no! I beg of you. I'll do anything you say! I do not wish to die! Do you hear me, Captain?"

  Kirk arrested the knife. But Alexander, so close to vengeance for his years of suffering, fought to plunge the knife deep into his
tormentor. "Let me do it!" he cried to Kirk. "Let me finish him!"

  Kirk strode to the box. "Do you want to be like him, Alexander?" he said.

  The dwarf's eyes met his. After a moment, he shook his head. Then he threw the knife at Parmen's feet.

  The new power was exhilarating. Kirk used it to force Parmen to kneel before the dwarf. Alexander looked down at the bald, arrogant head. "Listen to me, Parmen! I could have had the power—but I didn't want it! I could have been in your place right here and now! But the sight of you and your Academicians sickens me. Because, with all your brains, you're dirtier than anything that ever walked or crawled in the whole universe!"

  As he jumped from the box to Kirk's side, he turned to say, "Get up from your knees! Get up!"

  Parmen, his world crashed around him, spoke to Kirk. "Captain, you knew it was my intention to destroy you and the Enterprise. Yet you have spared me."

  Kirk eyed him for a long moment. "To us, killing is murder—even for revenge. But I am officially notifying you that other Starships will be visiting Platonius—and soon!"

  He'd been right. There was nothing in these people. Once their control power was defeated, they shriveled into nothing. Their ruler was too hasty with his reassurance. "There's no need for concern, Captain. They'll be safe. Of late, I've begun to feel that we've become bizarre and unproductive. It's time for some fresh air. We'll welcome your interstellar visits."

  "I don't believe you," Kirk said. "The minute we leave, you'll lose your fear—and turn as sadistic as ever. So let me warn you. This incident will be reported in its entirety to Starfleet Command."

  His voice went icy. "Keep your power. We don't want it. But, if need be, we can create it in a matter of hours. Don't try anything again."

  All his essential weakness had appeared in Parmen's flabby face. "Understood, Captain. And you're right. None of us can be trusted. Uncontrolled power turns even saints into savages. We can all be counted on to live down to our lowest impulses."

  "You're good at making speeches," Kirk said. "I hope your last one sinks in. Stand back."

  Obediently, Parmen shrank back into the box. Philana was haggard, almost looking her great age. McCoy left them to join Kirk.

  "Alexander!" Kirk called.

  As the dwarf hurried over to him, Kirk released his communicator from his belt. Flipping, it open, he said, "Kirk to Scott. I'm bringing a guest aboard. Standby to beam us up."

  Alexander looked at him, love in his long-suffering eyes.

  Table of Contents

  CONTENTS

  PREFACE

  WHAT ARE LITTLE GIRLS MADE OF?

  THE SQUIRE OF GOTHOS

  WINK OF AN EYE

  BREAD AND CIRCUSES

  DAY OF THE DOVE

  PLATO'S STEPCHILDREN