by Dayton Ward
Sounds good in theory, anyway.
Pushing off from the railing, Kirk began moving toward his command chair. “Mister Chekov, lay in a course for Starbase 6.”
“Aye, sir,” replied the ensign, his fingers already moving to carry out the order.
Kirk settled into his seat, resting his elbows on the chair arms as he took a final look around the bridge. Everyone had returned to their duties, and the status screens and indicators he could see from where he sat told him that the Enterprise and its crew were ready for departure. Closing his eyes for a moment, he drew a deep breath, then released it slowly.
“You okay, Jim?” asked McCoy. The doctor had taken up his customary position to the left of Kirk’s chair. Mirroring his friend’s actions, Spock now stood near Kirk’s right arm.
“I’m actually relieved, Bones. I’d been carrying the secret of the Transfer Key for years. Hiding it in my cabin, not able to tell anyone, worried about what might happen if the wrong people somehow found it. I’m glad it’s over.”
Spock said, “Do you believe you acted correctly in preserving the secret?”
“Yes.” Though he blurted out the reply, Kirk realized he was questioning his response even as the word left his lips. “It was probably the safest of several undesirable choices, and I understand why Bob April did what he did. Based on the information he had at the time, there was too great a risk to allow the Jatohr to continue what they were doing, and he was honoring the dying wishes of the transfer field’s creator. Eljor didn’t want it used as a tool of aggression, and leaving it for the Klingons or some other enemy certainly wasn’t an option.”
Kirk paused, drawing another long, calming breath. “If I have any regrets, it’s that we weren’t able to understand the Jatohr’s plight sooner, and we weren’t able to help them. We might take issue with their methods, but they were and still are fighting to save themselves from extinction.”
“Given the differences between our dimension and theirs,” said Spock, “it is entirely possible that time is measured in a different manner throughout that dimension, and not just in the realm in which Captain Una and the others found themselves. What might sound immediate to us may in fact be a significant interval from the Jatohr’s perspective.”
“But there’s no way to know for sure,” replied McCoy.
The Vulcan nodded. “Unfortunately, Doctor, you are correct.”
“And that’s the tragedy.” Kirk said nothing for moment, content to contemplate the planet still rotating on the bridge viewscreen. “But at least we can help the Jatohr who are here, and the Usildar as well.”
Then a less unpleasant thought occurred to him. “I guess there is one downside to all of this. An Enterprise tradition’s been broken.” He smiled. “There’s no secret to pass on to whoever ends up replacing me one day.”
“I’m okay with that,” replied McCoy. “Besides, you look pretty good sitting in that chair.”
Spock said, “Agreed. The mission of the Enterprise is one of discovery, not secrecy. Let that be its tradition for generations to come.”
“That’s very profound, Mister Spock,” offered McCoy.
“I always endeavor to provide meaningful counsel.”
“You do quite well.” Sitting up a bit straighter in his seat, Kirk said, “Mister Chekov, are we ready with that course?”
The young ensign shifted in his chair and nodded. “Course for Starbase 6 laid in and ready, sir.”
“Mister Sulu, take us out of orbit. Once we’re clear of the system, proceed at warp factor two.”
The helm officer nodded. “Warp two, aye.”
Discovery.
Kirk let the notion roll around in his mind as he watched the planet Usilde grow smaller on the viewscreen, disappearing from sight amid the vast, uncounted stars visible in the interstellar void. A tradition for generations to come. They were indeed very powerful words, evoking an even greater challenge and the potential to forge a legacy for all time.
It was a challenge James Kirk, with the help of his friends, crew, and his ship, would always be ready to face.
Space . . . the final frontier.
These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.
Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds . . .
to seek out new life and new civilizations . . .
to boldly go where no man has gone before.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, we are grateful to Ed Schlesinger and Margaret Clark, our editors at Pocket Books, who toil behind the curtain to make sure we authors behave ourselves and play well with each other. The entire Legacies trilogy was a rather sizable undertaking with a lot of moving parts, and our editors were there to make sure we kept the trains on the tracks, the balls in the air, the ducks in their rows, and all those other things that keep projects like this moving.
Thanks very much to fellow wordsmiths Greg Cox and David Mack, with whom we conspired to bring about this little slice of celebration for Star Trek’s 50th Anniversary. The collaborative process—the emails, the brainstorming, the plotting and planning and evil laughing—was our favorite part of the entire project, fueled as it was by our mutual love for the little television show that started it all.
We tip our hats to John Van Citters at CBS Television Licensing. More than just the guy who approves our stories, he’s as much a fan as any of us: fiercely protective not just of the Star Trek brand but also its legacy, and unwaveringly supportive of our efforts. While we literally could not do what we do without his approval, we also can’t do it without his encouragement and enthusiasm. Thanks for being in our corner, John.
We owe a special shout-out to our copyeditor, Scott Pearson. Given the chaotic circumstances under which this book was written, Scott ended up shouldering a larger burden than even he likely anticipated when he took the job. He saved our bacon a couple of times with his eagle-eyed review of our various blatherings, and we figure we also owe the guy a bottle or two of his favorite wine, or at least the stuff we can afford.
Finally, there’s you, our faithful readers. We’re here because of your continued good graces, particularly for something like this, and you’re never far from our thoughts whenever we hatch these crazy schemes. Star Trek’s 50th Anniversary is your party too. Live long and prosper, and thank you.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dayton Ward has been modified to fit this medium, to write in the space allotted, and has been edited for content. Reader discretion is advised.
Visit Dayton on the web at www.daytonward.com.
Kevin Dilmore is universally specific and easily sendable. If you have questions about postage rates, contact your local post office.
FOR MORE ON THESE AUTHORS:
Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Dayton-Ward
Authors.SimonandSchuster.com/Kevin-Dilmore
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ISBN 978-1-5011-2277-4
ISBN 978-1-5011-2278-1 (ebook)
