He saw the edges of her begin to darken, begin to crumble into black sand, as if she were being charred by volcanic flames.
She pushed herself up, tried to crawl out of range.
She left a trail of darkness, reverting to her shadow form.
Kirk allowed himself a moment of triumph.
He had been ready to sacrifice himself for his son. But now he would have another chance. There was still time.
And then Joseph hurled himself at Kirk and drove him off the platform to the floor.
Kirk gasped as he hit and rolled, his son’s mass crushing him as he landed on top.
A sharp pain in his lower chest told Kirk he’d snapped a rib.
Stars of pain exploded in his vision as he attempted to draw a breath. Then the pain of his ribs was eclipsed by the pain in his hand as Joseph, instantly back on his feet, kicked the gravity weapon out of Kirk’s grip.
Kirk hugged his hand to his chest, wincing as he realized his index finger was broken.
Then, as if Kirk were no more than a child himself, Joseph grabbed his jacket and hauled him to his feet.
Kirk wavered. The control room spun around him. His hand throbbed and each breath set fire to his chest.
“You can’t control me anymore,” Joseph said. His face had darkened with rage and exertion. His other hand was clenched into a fist.
Kirk refused to accept the evidence of his eyes.
“I didn’t give you this anger,” he told his son. “Think back… think back and remember… all I offered you was love and acceptance. You always belonged.”
Joseph hesitated.
“Think for yourself. She’s been manipulating you,” Kirk said. “Controlling you….”
Norinda, restored, stepped up behind Joseph, ran her hands over his shoulders and onto his chest, pressed against him as if for protection. “He’s lying again,” she whispered. “Everything he says about me is a lie because he’s jealous.”
“I want to live my own life,” Joseph said.
“You can’t with her,” Kirk warned. He shot a quick glance to the floor to locate the gravity weapon. It was three meters away, and its operating lights still glowed. “She’ll absorb you into the Totality.”
“Liar,” Norinda said, as if Kirk’s claim was of no importance. Then, so quickly that the movement was a blur, her arm shot out, stretched into a black ribbon, and shattered the gravity weapon, sending its components tumbling and sparking across the dark floor, leaving Kirk defenseless.
Joseph didn’t seem to notice. He kept his attention on his father, eyes burning with the indignation of youth. “Then why hasn’t she done it?”
For a moment, pain and desperation fell from Kirk. Joseph was right. Why hadn’t Norinda acted against Joseph?
Kirk had assumed that she had taken Joseph to use as bait to capture him. But now that Kirk was here, she had taken no action against either of them.
The answer came to Kirk like a lightning bolt.
Norinda couldn’t claim either one of them.
Kirk knew she had tried to take him into her realm of dark matter on Remus, but other than his arm momentarily appearing to corrode into darkness, nothing had happened.
Kirk stood straighter, filled with the power of knowledge. He ignored the pain in his ribs, in his hand.
“Because she can’t harm us,” Kirk told his son. “There’s something about us, you and me. Maybe our genes. Maybe something alien I was exposed to in Starfleet.” A smile played over Kirk. Wasn’t that what Starfleet Medical had said about McCoy’s astounding longevity? That he had been exposed to something in his career?
It had to be the same explanation for Kirk. There was something special about him. Something he’d passed on to his child.
“You’re finished,” Kirk said as he began to advance on Norinda. “I’m the weapon that will keep the Totality away.”
Joseph stepped forward in confrontation. “Stay away from her.”
“I know what she’s like, Joseph. I know how she can distract and confuse– “
Kirk suddenly gasped as Joseph struck him in the face.
“You don’t know a thing about her,” he said.
Kirk put his hand to his face, the shock of actually being struck by his child more painful than the physical blow.
“Joseph, no….”
The youth stepped closer, punched Kirk again in the chest, turning his broken rib into a white-hot steel lance.
Kirk choked with the pain, stepped back in agony. “You don’t understand…” he said, his voice faltering.
He had never felt so old, never felt such a failure.
“If you want to go after her,” Joseph said, still advancing, powerful, unbowed, with all the force and assurance of youth, “you have to take me out first.”
He stood there then, hands at his sides, making no attempt to protect himself.
Kirk was within arm’s reach of Joseph.
He could never defeat his son’s strength, evade his speed, or match his endurance.
But Kirk had years of Starfleet combat training. He had learned the Eighteen Strikes of Vengeance from a Klingon Master. Spock had taught him how a sudden, sharp blow to any one of six nerve clusters could bring down any human.
Kirk could not defeat Joseph in any kind of fight. But with his experience, all he had to do was raise his hand against his son once, and Joseph would be unconscious before he hit the floor.
One strike. One hit.
Against his own child.
To do so would be inconceivable.
There were no rules to change, no new game to play.
Kirk had finally met the one opponent he couldn’t defeat, because it was the one opponent he would never harm.
Joseph appeared to sense his father’s acceptance of defeat.
“In time, you’ll understand,” Joseph said.
“I already do,” Kirk said with sorrow.
Norinda slipped up against Joseph, turned his head to hers, kissed him deeply.
Kirk looked away.
Norinda laughed.
“Don’t worry, James,” she said kindly, “you’ll feel better soon.”
Kirk looked back at Norinda, wondering what she meant.
“It’s time for you to receive your gift.”
Kirk was confused. That’s what the Totality called it when they captured humans and brought them into their realm.
“Accept,” Norinda said as she walked toward Kirk, arms outstretched. “Embrace,” she said, and her arms dissolved into black tendrils that flowed through the air like smoke to wrap gently around Kirk.
“Be loved,” she said.
Pain danced like electricity across Kirk’s skin as he felt himself dissolving in Norinda’s grasp.
Her face was so close to his, changing back to the human form it had when he had first met her.
“That’s right,” she said in a childish, teasing voice, “you were wrong. There’s nothing special about you at all.”
Overcome by defeat, Kirk felt his body decay into nothingness as he was absorbed at last into the Peace of the Totality.
33
U.S.S. ENTERPRISE
STARDATE 58571.5
“Surrender?” Riker said.
On the viewscreen of the Enterprise’s bridge, Picard appeared to be as pleased with the strategy as his former first officer.
“For this to work,” Picard explained, “we have to get close enough to the Vulcan ships to take them off-guard.” His voice and image sparkled with interference, and there was a definite time lag between exchanges. Instead of using subspace, the Enterprise and the Belle Reve were communicating by laser transmissions-an old but effective method of evading eavesdroppers. In this case, the eavesdroppers were the two Vulcan cruisers chasing Picard’s vessel, within minutes of arriving, weapons armed.
“It isn’t quite what I had in mind for my first command action on this ship,” Riker said.
Picard smiled ruefully. “Just don’t get too use
d to that chair.”
Riker returned the smile. “Is there anything else Geordi needs to know?”
“Just follow Mister Scott’s lead and… hope for the best. Belle Reve out.”
Riker tapped his combadge. “Geordi, did you get all that?”
La Forge answered from engineering. “Sure did, Captain.”
“Think it’ll work?”
“Could get tricky if they try to board us while we’re attacking. But if Starfleet’s tested it, I’m ready to give it a shot.”
Riker was tempted to remind La Forge that Picard had said the artificial-gravity distortion techniques had been tested “in simulation,” but he decided not to add any additional distractions to what was already a complex situation.
When Spock had returned from the realm of dark matter with the knowledge that gravity was what kept the Totality away from the stars and galaxies, he had provided the key to the new strategy. Then Starfleet’s Department of Advanced Research had demonstrated proof of concept at Mercury, for using projected gravity fields as a weapon. Now Admiral Janeway was spearheading the crash program to use the new technology to engage the Totality at Vulcan, and, if need be, drive them from the Federation one world at a time.
Somehow, Riker wasn’t surprised that in the midst of such an enormous undertaking, James Kirk had found a way to apply it to a personal mission. He had also been heartened to learn that Picard really had been kidnapped by Kirk. But he was even more pleased that Picard had since made up his mind to do anything he could to help his fellow captain recover his son. And if Kirk’s personal quest offered the chance that the Totality could be defeated at the same time, so much the better.
“We are being hailed by the Vulcan cruisers,” Worf announced.
Riker exchanged a look with Troi, gratified to have her at his side again. He saw that she was ready, straightened his jacket, and told Worf to put the signal onscreen.
A sallow young Vulcan in a combat helmet appeared.
“U.S.S. Enterprise,” the Vulcan said coolly, “you are infringing on Vulcan territory. Drop from warp and prepare to be taken in tow.”
Riker knew he had to appear to surrender for Picard’s plan to work, but he had to make it look good. So with practiced offense, he refused the demand. “We’re well outside your system’s territorial boundaries.”
“In the current situation, new rules apply. All ships traveling at warp are presumed to be enemy vessels. Drop to impulse or be fired upon.” Despite the deadly threat he made, the Vulcan’s tone remained crisp and uninvolved.
Riker feigned annoyance. “We’re on a rescue mission.”
“Provide details.”
“We’ve been asked to rendezvous with a private vessel, the S.S. Belle Reve.”
Riker was certain he saw the Vulcan’s face tighten. He caught Troi’s eye. The nod she gave was imperceptible to anyone but him.
“The Belle Reve and her crew are guilty of criminal actions within the Vulcan system. If you persist in aiding them, you will be considered accomplices.”
Riker gave an impression of shifting uncomfortably in his chair. Adopting an air of extreme reluctance, he addressed his conn officer.
“Ensign Choyce, take us to impulse.”
Riker returned his attention to the viewscreen and the Vulcan. “I take it you want to scan us.”
“You will be boarded and searched,” the Vulcan said.
“I will file a complaint with Starfleet Command,” Riker threatened.
“That entity no longer exists.”
“Captain,” Worf interrupted, following his script. “The Belle Reve has been hit.”
“Damage?” Riker asked, as if it were of utmost concern and not part of Picard’s plan.
“They have lost warp engines,” Worf replied. “Shields are fluctuating.”
“There’re Starfleet personnel on board that ship,” Riker said with a hint of anger, knowing how that typically human emotional display would annoy a real Vulcan.
“They are reporting injuries,” Worf said loudly. “Severe burns. They are requesting emergency medical aid.”
Riker stood to face the nameless Vulcan on the viewscreen. “I’m responding to that request. If you want to board and search this ship, you’re going to have to do it when we reach the Belle Reve. Enterprise out.”
Riker gave a quick cutting gesture and the viewscreen returned to showing the stars at warp. He looked over at Troi and she applauded lightly. “Bravo. He believed every word.”
Another time, Riker might have taken a bow. But he was about to take the Enterprise into battle.
“Ensign Choyce, set a course to the Belle Reve. Maximum warp. Hold station at five kilometers when we arrive, and so the Vulcans don’t get suspicious if they scan us, alert transporter control to operate as if they’re preparing for medical evacuation.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
Riker turned to Worf. “What are the Vulcans doing?”
“Following. Weapons are armed, torpedoes are loaded.”
Riker waited a few moments, then, “If they haven’t shot at us by now, they’re going to wait to see if we follow through on what we said.”
Worf bared his teeth in an unsettlingly predatory smile. “Then we have them.”
Riker wasn’t as convinced as Worf, but he had long ago learned the folly of arguing with a Klingon.
“Th’Enterprise is droppin’ from warp,” Scott said.
Picard watched the viewscreens carefully. A moment after the Enterprise streaked to relative stop, the two Vulcan cruisers completed the same maneuver.
“Distance to targets?” Picard asked.
“Five kilometers port and starboard,” McCoy answered. “They’ve sandwiched us.”
Picard tapped his finger on the arm of his chair. “We have to turn that around.”
“We’re being hailed,” McCoy announced. “It’s the Vulcans.”
Picard looked at Spock, standing at his side. “Any suggestions?”
“Resume laser communications with the Enterprise,” Spock said.
“This close,” Picard cautioned, “the Vulcans will detect the transmission.”
“Correct,” Spock agreed. “But they will not be able to decipher its content unless they intercept it.”
Picard grinned as he saw the end result. Lasers were a line-of-sight communications method. “One of those two ships will have to position itself between us and the Enterprise.”
“Captain,” Scott said, “the Vulcans are gettin’ a wee bit peeved. They want us t’ open a channel or they’ll fire.”
Picard stood to be better prepared to play his part for the Vulcans. “Doctor McCoy, establish a laser com link with the Enterprise. Transmit sensor data, anything in the library… just be sure to encrypt it to make certain the Vulcans will be curious.”
“Vulcans do not need to be ‘made’ curious,” Spock observed.
“If those are Vulcans,” Picard said. “Onscreen, Doctor.”
A stern Vulcan appeared on the center screen. Picard was surprised to see that he wore a battle helmet, as if he expected to take part in personal combat at any moment.
“I demand to know why you fired on me,” Picard said angrily.
“Demand?” the Vulcan replied. He almost smiled. “Drop your shields and prepare to be boarded.”
Picard continued playing his role, wondering how long it would be before the Vulcans noted the laser link.
“I will do no such thing. You have no authority in open space.”
The Vulcan was about to respond to Picard’s challenge when he abruptly looked offscreen as if someone had just arrived with an important message.
It was the right message.
“Belle Reve, you will cease all laser communications with the Enterprise at once.”
Picard hoped Spock’s logic was sound as he forced an escalation. “We don’t have any laser-communications capability.”
The Vulcan glared at him from the screen. Then McCoy announced
that the Vulcan ship to starboard was moving in at high speed, and just as quickly as that had positioned itself directly at the midpoint between the Belle Reve and the Enterprise, blocking the laser link between the two craft.
Picard tapped the control that cut viewscreen communications. “Is he where we need him to be?”
“Precisely,” Spock said.
“Fire,” Picard ordered.
For the first time since the war with the Totality had begun, light-matter life fought back.
The attack was crude, the weapon of choice imprecise.
Had the Enterprise and the Belle Reve attempted such a tactic on a Romulan warbird, after a few seconds of confusion the Romulans would have laughed and adjusted their shields to make themselves impervious to further annoyances.
But a few seconds was all that Picard and Riker needed.
So far from the Vulcan sun, there was little to see in the darkness of interstellar space.
The Belle Reve and the Enterprise could be noticed only by their running lights, effectively invisible against the vista of stars.
The Vulcan cruiser might have been glimpsed, traced by the glow of its impulse engines as it dropped into position between the two Starfleet vessels. But once it was in place, its running lights and the soft illumination from its viewports were lost against the tens of thousands of other points of light that made up the galactic band of stars.
The energy that the Enterprise and the Belle Reve directed against the Vulcan ship was equally invisible.
Each ship altered its artificial-gravity generators to project toward the other, out of phase. The phase shift was precisely tuned so that the peaks of the Casimir wavelengths met at the coordinates of the Vulcan ship, where they amplified each other, creating a dramatic increase in local gravity.
At this point in the attack, an observer might have seen flashes of light as interior conduits collapsed within the Vulcan ship and multiple explosions strobed behind its viewports. A few more seconds, and the ship was easily discernible because of the detonation of its port nacelle.
Then the heavens were ignited by multiple quantum-torpedo bursts and phaser fire from the second Vulcan cruiser.
But the light show didn’t last long.
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