Purgatory's Key

by Dayton Ward

  Her lips trembling, Joanna reached up to wipe away the lone tear trailing down her right cheek. “I’d like that. I want to try, too, Dad. We’ll do it together.”

  McCoy pulled her to him, feeling her arms around his waist and her face against his shoulder. Reaching up, he placed a hand on the back of her head, holding her as the emotions surged forth. He had carried the burden of sadness, guilt, and regret for far too long, and now he felt it lifting ever so slightly from his consciousness. It would take time before he pushed it away forever, but at least now he would not be undertaking the task alone.

  Pulling away from him, Joanna wiped at her eyes, and McCoy did his best to compose himself.

  Joanna said, “I . . . I told Nurse Chapel I’d update the patient logs for the official report. She was looking pretty tired, and I thought she could use the break.”

  “That was very thoughtful.” McCoy swallowed the lump in his throat. “I’m going to check on Martinez.”

  They exchanged a final look, each smiling at the other, before Joanna turned and headed to the small desk used by Chapel for her administrative work. Taking that as his cue, McCoy made his way to the patient care ward. The first thing he saw was Lieutenant Commander Raul Martinez, lying unconscious in his bed. He had not moved since the last time McCoy had looked in on him. Standing beside him was Captain Una. Ensign Timothy Shimizu was sleeping on his side in an adjacent bed. Una was dividing her attention between her friend and the patient monitor above Martinez’s bed, and McCoy noted that the panel’s readings had not changed since his last check. Unlike Shimizu and Martinez, Una was in her Starfleet uniform.

  “Captain,” said McCoy, “how are you feeling?” He had recommended but not ordered her to bed rest in guest quarters.

  Turning from Martinez, Una replied. “I’m feeling much better, Doctor. Sleep did wonders, but I couldn’t stay in that room any longer.” She gestured to her friend. “I wanted to check on Raul.”

  McCoy shook his head as he stepped into the room. “No need to explain. I understand completely.” He waved toward Shimizu. “I was going to send him to guest quarters, but I can do that when he wakes up.”

  Una once more looked down at Martinez. “Has there been any change in Raul’s condition?”

  “No.” McCoy pointed to the monitor. “On the plus side, he hasn’t gotten any worse. There’s no way to know how long it might take for him to pull out of whatever this is, but we’ll do everything we can for him.” McCoy had begun the process of composing the report he would soon be filing to Starfleet Medical, requesting special assistance and treatment for Martinez.

  “When I set out to bring them home,” said the captain, “I was prepared to find some or all of them dead, but I never considered anything like this.”

  McCoy replied, “The best medical minds in the Federation will be consulted. There are any number of treatments to be tried. I’ve even talked to Ambassador Sarek and Doctor M’Benga about possibly discussing the commander with Vulcan High Masters.” He shook his head. “I used to be a skeptic about that sort of thing, but Spock’s convinced me. If there’s a way to help Martinez, I promise you we’ll find it.”

  “Even if he’s helped, what then?” Una’s gaze was fixed on the unconscious man. “Will he be able to return to Starfleet? Will he even want to? So much time has passed. Everything has changed so much.” She blew out her breath. “I can’t help thinking I did this more for myself than for any of them. All things considered, maybe they were better off there, in the other universe.”

  “I don’t agree with that at all,” said McCoy. “From what I understand about what happened over there, none of you had much choice about your fate. Only you and Sarek were able to figure a way out, while everybody else was left in the illusion, or whatever the hell it was. You gave them all a chance to regain control over their lives, to chart their own paths, the way we’re meant to live. You gave hope. Our futures will be better with these people playing a part in it, and I for one am damned grateful to you for that.”

  Still staring at Martinez, Una said, “Thank you, Doctor. That’s very kind of you.” She folded her arms. “However, I put a lot of lives at risk. I’ll have to answer for that.”

  “I’ve got a hunch more than a few people aboard this ship will be ready to vouch for you, starting with those two men up on the bridge. Spock will do it because you and he served together, and you and I both know he never forgets that sort of thing. Jim Kirk will do it because he’ll always support Spock, and because it’s the right thing to do.”

  McCoy paused, feeling emotion once more welling up within him. “And I’ll do it because you brought my daughter back to me.”

  Thirty-seven

  “Thanks again for everything, Tom. I owe you a drink the next time we’re at the same starbase.”

  On the main viewscreen, Captain Thomas Blair smiled from where he sat on the bridge of the Defiant. “Not a problem, Jim. I’m just sorry we didn’t have a chance to really catch up.”

  Leaning against the bridge’s forward railing, Kirk returned the smile. “Duty calls, and when it does it always has lousy timing.”

  “I appreciate you leaving all those extra supplies and equipment. That should help to tide us over until the Lexington and the Masao arrive in a few days. Your people were a huge help with the initial resettlement. We’ll be able to hold down the fort until everybody else gets here. I imagine things will be pretty quiet until then.”

  Nearly forty-eight hours had elapsed since the battle with the citadel and the return of Captain Una, Ambassador Sarek, and the others. It had taken far less time for Kirk to start getting antsy about moving on to their next assignment, or in this case a diversion to Starbase 6 for the Enterprise to receive a much-needed inspection and repairs. With his chief engineer asking, if not outright begging, for the Enterprise to put into a starship maintenance facility for a good going-over, Kirk had requested another ship be sent to Usilde to relieve them. Another trusted friend, Commodore Robert Wesley, was now en route aboard the U.S.S. Lexington. Kirk knew that this world and its people who had already endured so much would be in good hands. If there was anyone else who could oversee the delicate situation faced by the Usildar and the displaced Jatohr, it was Bob Wesley and Tom Blair. As for the Masao, Kirk only knew the ship and its crew by reputation as one of three vessels dedicated to Starfleet’s Corps of Engineers. He and the Enterprise had worked with another of those crews on occasion and found them to be a resourceful group who could accomplish anything if they set their mind to the task. The Usildar would want for nothing once their new or restored villages were constructed or repaired.

  Stepping down from his science station, Spock crossed the command well to stand next to Kirk. “Captain Blair, I understand that you play chess. My father does as well, and would welcome a formidable opponent, should the opportunity present itself.”

  Blair’s smile widened. “Chess against a Vulcan? I’ve never had the pleasure. I just may look into that, Commander. Thanks.” To Kirk, he offered a mock salute. “Until next time, Jim. Fair winds, following seas, and all that.”

  Returning the gesture, Kirk replied. “Fair winds, Tom. Kirk out.”

  The connection was severed and Thomas Blair’s image was replaced by a view of Usilde, slowly rotating as the Enterprise maintained its orbit.

  Seated at her communications station, Lieutenant Uhura turned in her chair. “Captain, I’ve just received a message from Ambassador Sarek, conveying his thanks for the provisions and other material we provided to him and Councillor Gorkon.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant. Please pass on my acknowledgment. I’ll send a long message in a little while.”

  From where he sat at the navigator’s station, Ensign Chekov said, “All departments have reported in, Captain. All personnel are back aboard, and we can depart.”

  Lieutenant Sulu reported, “According to Mister Scott, we
can go to warp at any time, though he requests that we ‘take it easy.’ His words, sir.”

  Kirk smiled. “We’ll do our best. Carry on, gentlemen.”

  Turning back to the viewscreen, Kirk continued to lean against the bridge railing while allowing himself one last, long look at the lush, blue-green world. After a moment, he glanced at Spock, who remained nearby. “Your father volunteering to stay behind was a good thing, I think. He’s just the right person for a job like this. He and Gorkon both.”

  Spock nodded. “Perhaps this is but the beginning of a stronger relation between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.”

  “That’d be something to see.” After a moment, Kirk asked, “I approved your mother’s request to transport to the surface less than an hour ago. How’s she doing?”

  “Doctor McCoy was pleased enough with her recovery to discharge her from sickbay earlier this morning, though he did recommend bed rest in her guest quarters. As you have learned, she was not amiable to the doctor’s treatment regimen.”

  Kirk could not resist a small smile. “I’ve noticed that sort of thing tends to run in your family.”

  “Indeed. It is her intention to remain on Usilde with my father, and I have already taken my leave of them.”

  “Then I guess we don’t need to head to Vulcan after a stop at Centaurus. Scotty will be happy to hear that.”

  As if on cue, the turbolift doors opened, and Kirk looked over his shoulder to see Captain Una walking onto the bridge, followed by Montgomery Scott. While the chief engineer proceeded to his station, Una paused just outside the lift doors. As she had done during her previous visit to the Enterprise months earlier, she was taking a moment to look around the room as though soaking in the scene. Kirk noted a wistful, faraway look in her eyes as she inspected the different stations. Everyone on the bridge had turned in their seat to regard her, and each offered a silent, respectful nod. There was no animosity or disapproval here. To a person, his crew was telling Una, each in their own way, that they respected what she had done for her shipmates, and they harbored no regrets about the role they had played in helping her.

  For her part, Una seemed to understand the unspoken acknowledgments, for after a moment she reached up to wipe the corner of her right eye. “Thank you. Thank you all. I could not have done this without your help, and I’m forever grateful.” Looking to Kirk, she added, “You have one hell of an outstanding crew, Captain. Bob April and Chris Pike would be proud.”

  Uncomfortable with the public praise in the presence of his subordinates, Kirk turned from the railing as Una moved around the bridge and stepped down into the command well. She extended her hand to him.

  “I can’t ever thank you enough, Captain.”

  Taking her hand, Kirk shook his head. “No need to thank me. Captain Pike would have done the same for us if the situation were reversed, and I know you’d have supported him just like Spock was there for me.”

  Turning to Spock, Una smiled. “And you, my old friend. What would I have done without you?”

  “I am confident you would eventually have devised your own solution, Captain. My presence merely facilitated that process.”

  Una laughed. “One of these days, I’ll have to teach you how to accept a compliment when it’s offered.”

  “When you do,” Kirk said, “let me know the secret.”

  “I’ll do that.” After a moment, Una’s smile faded, and she drew herself up, reasserting her military bearing. In a lower, more formal voice, she said, “Captain, now that everything’s done, I’m presenting myself to you for arrest. I figure we should play it by the book from here on out. There’s no sense adding trouble to what’s already going to be a pretty large pile when I get back to headquarters.”

  Shrugging, Kirk replied, “Well, they’ll have to throw us both in the brig, then. I went along with the plan. I’m not about to let you stand there by yourself.”

  “It is possible that Starfleet Command will understand and appreciate the very unusual and unique circumstances that compelled you to act as you both did.” Spock, his hands clasped behind his back, punctuated his comment with a raised eyebrow. “Of course, this likely will be contingent upon their review of what I assume will be the very lengthy and detailed reports each of you submits about this affair.”

  “After all,” Kirk said, “we did mitigate an interstellar incident and perhaps even prevented full-scale war by rescuing Gorkon. I can’t imagine anyone who’s commanded a starship could sit on a review board and take issue with an officer doing everything in their power to make sure that no one is left behind.” He turned to Una. “You’ll have people on your side, Una, including me.”

  Spock added, “I stand with you, as well, Captain.”

  After a moment, Kirk said, “Doctor McCoy told us about Martinez. I’m sorry.”

  “Your doctor is hopeful that, given time and proper care, Raul might emerge from his catatonia.” Una’s expression softened and she dropped her gaze to the deck for a moment. When she looked up again, Kirk noted the moisture at the corners of her eyes. “I just wish I could’ve gotten in there sooner or done more.”

  “You can’t keep punishing yourself,” said Kirk. “You had no way to know they were even alive, or if it was possible to retrieve your comrades.”

  “The whole time, we had the answer. We held it in our own damned hands. All those years, wasted.” Una shook her head. “I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to forgive myself.”

  Kirk could sense that pushing the captain further on this point would be a mistake. She needed time to work through her feelings of despair on her own terms. Whether Una undertook that task alone, sought the aid of a trusted friend like Spock, or even a therapist, only time would tell.

  “If I can be of assistance,” said Spock, “please do not hesitate to tell me.”

  “Whatever you need,” added Kirk.

  Forcing a smile, Una replied, “You’ve both done so much already. Let’s see what Command has to say about our little adventure, and we’ll go from there. Now, if you’re not going to toss me into the brig, I’d like to rejoin my shipmates.”

  “By all means, Captain.”

  With a final appreciative nod, Una turned and left the command well. The turbolift doors parted at her approach, and Kirk saw Doctor McCoy standing in the car. The physician stepped aside to permit Una to enter the lift, offering her a muted greeting before walking onto the bridge.

  Moving to join the captain and Spock, McCoy sighed. “With the exception of Commander Martinez, I expect everyone to make a full and speedy recovery. The help he needs is way outside of my league, Jim, but I’ve reached out to a few friends of mine at Starfleet Medical and made them aware of the issue. They’re already making arrangements for treatment and therapy as soon as we can get Martinez transferred there. He’s got a long road ahead of him, that’s for sure.”

  “At least Martinez will have a chance, thanks to Captain Una.” Kirk knew that her shipmate’s condition would wear on her. She had spent all these years trying to prove that a rescue of her comrades was possible, had taken on the risk of finding and retrieving them, and returned with everyone, which made the reality of Martinez’s condition all that more painful to witness.

  McCoy laid a hand on the red railing, tapping it with his fingers. “You don’t really think they’re going to throw the book at Una, do you? After everything she and her people went through, and everything she risked to get them back?”

  Shaking his head, Kirk replied, “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

  The doctor’s expression was a mask of doubt. “Be sure to talk loudly, then.”

  “Captain,” said Uhura, “incoming message from Starbase 6. Commodore Enwright reports that they’ve received our request for a docking facility and an inspection team, and they’ll be ready for our arrival.”

  “Bless the maker,” r
eplied Scott as he rose from his own station. “It’ll be good to give the old girl a proper checkup.”

  Turning from the viewscreen, Kirk rested his back against the railing, crossed his arms, and offered a wry grin. “Scotty, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you like this before. Do you have so little confidence in your own skills?”

  “It’s not like that at all, sir,” replied the engineer. “But we’ve been through quite a wee bit, as you know, and I’d just like to make sure everything’s shipshape.” He rested a loving hand on his console. “You can’t ever be too sure, Captain.”

  Kirk said, “Well, I’m sure Commodore Enwright will be thrilled that you of all people have such confidence in his staff.”

  “Speaking of the commodore,” said Uhura, “he also sends his regards, and says that he’s looking forward to seeing us.”

  “Well, I’m glad somebody is.”

  McCoy eyed him. “You’re not worried about Starfleet Command, are you?”

  “There is just cause for concern, Doctor,” replied Spock. “Concealing the Transfer Key is a serious matter, as is the fact that its existence was left out of all official reports submitted by three different command-grade officers. Captain Una’s complicity, along with the rest of the Enterprise crew under Captain April’s command, and even myself and Captain Kirk, cannot be ignored.”

  “They can’t throw us all in the brig,” said Kirk. “Besides, with the Transfer Key and the citadel destroyed, there’s nothing left for the Klingons or anyone else to worry about.”

  Spock replied, “There remains the possibility that someone, either the Klingons or even someone within the Federation, might succeed in re-creating the Jatohr technology.”

  “Maybe,” said Kirk, “but given that it originated in a different universe that operates under a somewhat different set of physical laws, that someone has quite the challenge ahead of them.” Despite these facts, and what he had told Captain Una, he still harbored reservations about how Starfleet Command would view her actions and his own. At best, they would be considered “unconventional” and at worst mutinous, though his gut told him that given sufficient information and time to process it, Command would come to understand and appreciate all that had been done, both in the name of loyalty and Federation security.