Star Trek 05

by James Blish

  "All right, Scotty." He shut the intercom off and turned to Spock, his irritation finally breaking out. "Mr. Spock, I don't seem to communicate with these people. Do you think you can persuade them to behave?"

  "I shall endeavor, sir."

  "If it weren't for that Ambassador's son, they'd be in the brig."

  "Yes, sir." Spock went out.

  He found Sevrin sitting cross-legged in the isolation ward, in a yoga-like position, a cold, hostile figure. There was one security guard in the corridor outside. Spock stood on the other side of the isolation shield.

  "Doctor, can you not keep your people from interfering with the running of the ship?"

  "I have no influence over what they do."

  "They respect you. They will listen to your reasoning. For their sake, Doctor, you must stop them."

  The baleful eyes lifted to Spock's face, answer enough in themselves.

  "Dr. Sevrin, I can assist you and your group. I can use the resources of the Enterprise to establish whether or not Eden exists, and to plot its exact location. I can present a case to Federation that would allow your group to colonize that planet." There was no answer. "Neither you nor they are at present charged with any crime worse than theft, plus a few lesser matters. The charges may be waived. But incitement to mutiny would tip the balance. And Federation would never allow the colonization of a planet by criminals. If they persist, they will be so charged, and forever barred from Eden."

  "As I have been barred," Sevrin said softly. The voice was low, but the gleaming eyes were those of a fanatic.

  Spock hesitated a moment. "Then you knew you were a carrier?"

  "Of course I knew. You have researched my life. You have read the orders restricting me to travel only in areas of advanced technology, because of what my body carries."

  "I fail to understand why you should disobey them."

  "Because this is poison to me!" Sevrin looked around, as if seeing all the technology of the ship, representing all the technology of space. "This stuff you breathe, this stuff you live on. The shields of artificial atmosphere we have layered about every planet. The programs in those computers that run your ship and your lives for you. Those bred what my body carries! This is what your sciences have done for me! You have infected me!"

  He shook his fist at the ceiling; his "you" was obviously not Spock but the whole Galaxy. He began to pace.

  "Only the primitives can cleanse me. I cannot purge myself until I am among them. Only their way of living is right. I must go to them."

  "Your very presence will destroy the people you seek out! Surely you know that."

  "I shall go to them and be one of them. Together we will make a world such as this Galaxy has never seen. A world, a life. A life!" His passion spent, Sevrin sat down, and after a moment lifted his head to look at Spock, a faint smile on his lips. "And now you are about to assure me that your technologies will find a cure for me. And I will be free to go."

  "Yes, Doctor."

  "And for that reason I must persuade my friends to behave, so they too will be allowed."

  "Yes."

  "Send them in," Sevrin said, smiling still. "Ill talk to them."

  It was an uneasy victory, whose outcome was uncertain. Spock went back to the bridge.

  "They've been a lot quieter," Kirk reported. "How did you accomplish it?"

  "It had nothing to do with me. Could I speak to you a moment, sir?"

  Kirk rose and both went to Spook's console. "What is it?"

  "Dr. Sevrin is insane. I did not consult Dr. McCoy. But I have no doubt of it."

  "I'll have Bones check him again," Kirk said, stunned. "You had great respect for him. I'm sorry, Mr. Spock. But it explains some of what they've done."

  "His collapse does not affect my sympathy with the movement, sir. There is no insanity in what they seek—I made a promise which I should like to keep. With your permission, I must locate Eden. I shall work in my quarters. May I have the assistance of Mr. Chekov in the auxiliary control room?"

  "Mr. Chekov, assist Mr. Spock."

  The auxiliary control room was deserted except for Chekov, who was at the plotting console, bent over the computer, studying.

  Spock's voice came over the intercom. "Ready for your plottings, Mr. Chekov."

  Chekov fed a tape into the computer. The door opened, and Irina entered, hesitantly. "Am I allowed in?" she asked.

  He concentrated stiffly on his work. "Yes."

  "I have been looking for you, Pavel. What room is this?"

  "Auxiliary control."

  "What's it for?"

  "Should the main control room break down or suffer damage, we can navigate the ship from here."

  "Oh."

  "What do you want?"

  "To apologize. I should not have teased you. It was cruel."

  "It doesn't matter," Chekov said.

  "But it does. It is against everything I believe in."

  "Let us not discuss your beliefs."

  "And I do not like having you angry with me," she said softly. "Or disapproving."

  "Then why do you do such things?"

  She began to wander about the room, examining the panels in seeming childlike curiosity. Chekov continued working, but his eyes followed her when she was not looking in his direction. Then she came back to him. "What are you working on?"

  "I am assisting Mr. Spock in locating your Eden."

  "Now you are teasing me," she said in sudden sharpness.

  "I am not. These tapes contain star charts, and we project the orbits of the various known planetary systems here, determining by a mathematical process whether or not they are affected by other bodies not yet charted."

  "Do you know all these things?"

  "What I do not know I find out from the computer banks. If I knew nothing at all, I could navigate this ship simply by studying what is stored in there. They contain the sum of all human knowledge. They solve our problems of navigation, of control, of life support . . ."

  She bent over the computer, close to him. They tell you what do do. And you do what they tell you."

  "No. We use our own judgment also."

  She came still closer. "I could never obey a computer."

  "You could never listen to anyone. You always had to be different."

  "Not different. What I wanted to be. There is nothing wrong in doing what you want."

  She faced him, smiling still. Abruptly Chekov arose, took her in his arms, and kissed her hungrily.

  "I am not receiving, Mr. Chekov," said the intercom. "Spock to Mr. Chekov. Repeat. I am not receiving."

  Chekov broke free and opened his intercom. "I am sorry, Mr. Spock. I was momentarily delayed."

  With permission, the Aurora group had stored its gear and bedded down in the Recreation Room. Adam and Mavig were relaxing when Rad entered.

  "His name is Sulu," Rad said. "Specialist in weapons and navigation. His hobby is botany."

  "Can?" said Adam.

  "Can. I reach botany. It's my favorite of studies. What's yours?"

  "Vulcan. Spock is practically One now."

  Irina came in; the others were instantly alert

  "Everything can be handled from auxiliary control. The computers contain all the information we need. We can do it."

  "It starts to chime," Adam said.

  "When will it?" Rad wanted to know.

  "Soonest Like Sevrin said, now, we should go out, swing as many over as we can."

  "You suggest any special ways to swing them?"

  "Just be friendly. You know how to be friendly, then they'll be friendly and well all be one. All right? Scatter. Remember, it's a party we're inviting them to and we're providing the entertainment."

  "I like parties," Rad said.

  "I like the entertainment we've planned. All hit numbers."

  Adam and Rad grinned at each other. Then everyone went off, in different directions. Adam headed directly for Spock's quarters.

  Spock said "Come in" absently
. He was at his computer, studying the images, making notes. Adam approached him diffidently.

  "Am I crossing you?" he asked. Spock shook his head. "I was wondering if—" He stopped, noting the lute hanging on the wall behind Spock. "Hey, brother. You play?"

  Spock nodded.

  "Is it Vulcan? Can I try it?"

  Spock took the lute down and gave it to Adam, who tried several chords. "Oh, that's now. That's real now. I reach that, brother, I really do. Give."

  He passed the lute back to Spock, who amusedly played a few runs.

  "Hey. How about a session, you and us. It would sound. That's what I came for. I wanted to ask, you know, great white captain up there he don't reach us, but would he shake on a session? I mean, we want to cooperate like you asked, so I'm asking."

  "If I understand you correctly," Spock said, "I believe the answer might be yes."

  "I'll spread the word."

  The Recreation Hall was jammed. Lights had been dimmed, with the effect of spotlighting the group. They were singing; for those crew members who could not be present, intercoms carried the music throughout the ship. The words went like this:

  I'm talking about you.

  I'm talking about me.

  Long time back when the Galaxy was new,

  Man found out what he had to do.

  Found he had to eat and found he had to drink,

  And a long time later he found he had to think.

  (spoken)

  I'm standing here wondering.

  (sung)

  If a man tells another man, 'Out of my way'

  He piles up trouble for himself all day.

  But all kinds of trouble come to an end

  When a man tells another man, 'Be my friend.'

  (spoken)

  What's going to be?

  (sung)

  There's a mile wide emptiness between you and me,

  Can't reach across it, hardly even see—

  Someone ought to take a step one way or other.

  Let's say goodbye—or let's say brother.

  Hey out there

  Hey out there

  I see you

  I see you

  Let's get together and have some fun.

  Don't know how to do it but it's got to be done.

  There was enthusiastic applause. The three girls took up the song. The boys faded back, clapping rhythmically. The clapping soon spread throughout the audience.

  On the bridge, Uhura, Sulu and Scott were at their posts, listening. When Kirk came in, Uhura turned the intercom off.

  "Thank you."

  "At least we know where they are and what they're doing," Scott said. "I don't know why a young head has to be an undisciplined one. Troublemakers."

  "I made a bit of trouble at that age, Scotty. I think you may have."

  The intercom buzzed. "Spock to bridge."

  "Go ahead."

  "Captain, something strange is taking place. Two of the boys slipped out of the group somewhere during the last five minutes, and now the girls are beginning to go. And it is not Haydn's Farewell Symphony they are staging, either."

  "Come to the bridge."

  "Something strange here too," Sulu said. "I have no response on controls. We're going off course."

  Scott crossed to Sulu's console and checked it. "It's shorted—no, it's channeled over somewhere—yes, to auxiliary control."

  As Spock entered, Kirk began calling. "Bridge to. auxiliary control. Bridge to auxiliary control."

  "Captain," Spock said, "in my opinion someone else is running the ship."

  "That's right, Captain," said Sevrin's voice from the intercom. "Someone else is running the ship. I am. All functions, Captain. Life support as well. I suggest that you do not attempt to regain control. I do not intend to return the helm to you until and unless we reach Eden. If I am in any way prevented from reaching that destination, I shall destroy the ship and all aboard."

  Scott and Sulu had been frantically checking circuits. Now Scott said, "He can do it, Captain. He has got everything channeled over."

  "Start a traceback on all circuits. See if you can bypass."

  "Do that," Sevrin's voice said, "and I shall retaliate. I shall not warn you again."

  "We are leaving the neutral zone now, Captain," Sulu said. "Bearing into Romulan space."

  "Do you read any patrols, Mr. Spock?"

  "No, sir."

  "They'll be on us soon enough. Dr. Sevrin! You are violating Romulan space and endangering the peace of the Galaxy. They will see this as a military intrusion and attack. Bring her about. Now. If you bring her about and return to Starbase, nothing will be said about this."

  "Like you said, brother Sevrin," said Adam's voice.

  "If you do not, you will never reach Eden. You and this ship will be destroyed. We would be no match for a Romulan flotilla."

  "He's got jelly in the belly," said Adam. "Real scared."

  "Adam, Rad—you are being led by a man who is insane. You are being used by him. Spock, tell them."

  "Adam," Spock said. "There is a file in the computer banks on Dr. Sevrin. You will find in it a report attesting to the fact that he is a carrier of a bacillus strain known as Synthococcus novae."

  "Ain't that just awful?"

  "You will also find a report from the same hospital giving a full psychiatric profile of him, projecting these actions of his."

  "Yeah, brother."

  "You know I reach you," Spock said. "I believe in what you seek. But there is a tragic difference between what you want and what he wants."

  "You're making me cry," Adam said. Then he began to sing:

  Heading out to Eden—

  Yeah, brother!

  Heading out to Eden—

  Yeah, brother!

  No more trouble in my body or my mind—

  I'll live like a king on whatever I find—

  Eat all the fruit and throw away the rind—

  Yeah, brother!"

  Kirk shut off the intercom; it was impossible even to try to determine a course of action through that noise. He got up and looked at Spock, who nodded.

  "We are within sensor range of Eden and continuing to approach," he said.

  "Whatever they're going to do, they'll do it now," Kirk said. "We have no choice left. Mr. Spock, Mr. Scott, come with me. And let's make it fast."

  He led them down the corridors to auxiliary control.

  "Phasers out and on full. Well cut through the door. If Sevrin stops Life Function, we should be able to get through and start it again before any serious consequences follow—I hope. Well take shortcuts in turn, so as not to risk killing somebody and damaging equipment when we hole through. I'll go first, then Spock, then Scott."

  His phaser spat, followed by Spock's. Then another sound started, like the whine of an oscillator, going higher and higher. Spock, with his sensitive hearing, reacted first. He dropped his phaser and clapped his hands to his ears.

  "Mr. Spock!" As Kirk went to him the sound stopped. "It has stopped. It's all right, Mr. Spock."

  "It—hasn't stopped—Captain. It is beyond—no! Captain—they are using . . ."

  Kirk's head suddenly swam. If there was an end to Spock's sentence, he never heard it.

  An unknown time later, Kirk came to, finding the corridor just as before, Spock and Scott stirring to consciousness. No, not just as before; the door to auxiliary control was open, and there was no one in there.

  The three of them got to their feet and staggered in. Spock pointed. "There it is. An ultrasonic generator, feeding into the ventilation system . . ."

  The First Officer suddenly leaped forward and smashed the device with an iron first.

  "Why did you do that?" Kirk said. "The parts could have . . ."

  "It was set to go off again in a few seconds, Captain—and this time on a killing frequency. It must have been Sevrin's work; I doubt that the youngsters would have let him do it had they known the device could be made lethal. Clearly he didn't inten
d us to get back to make any reports."

  Kirk grabbed the intercom and began calling. "Kirk to bridge. Come in, do you read me? Engineering. Hangar deck. Transporter Room. Do you read me? Kirk to bridge."

  "Captain?" Scott's voice said.

  "Sulu here, Captain. What happened to us? I heard a whistle and then . . ."

  "Never mind, Sulu," Kirk said. "Do we have control of the ship?"

  "It's still all in auxiliary, sir," said Chekov's voice. "Some of the gear is jammed."

  "Can we break orbit if we have to?"

  "I think so, sir."

  "Hangar deck to Captain."

  "Kirk here."

  "Sir, one of the shuttlecrafts has been taken. We were all knocked out . . ."

  "Stand by. Mr. Spock, do you read any Romulans?"

  "Negative, Captain. I am picking up the shuttlecraft, however."

  "Where?"

  "It has landed. Sir, except for those aboard the shuttlecraft, I read no sign of life at all. Neither animal nor humanoid. And there are only five life forms aboard the craft."

  "Auxiliary control to McCoy. Bones, are you all right?"

  "Yes, Jim."

  "Stand by the Transporter Room. Full medical gear."

  "Bridge to Captain Kirk," said Uhura's voice. "Do you wish hailing frequency, sir?"

  "No. They tried to destroy us. Let them think they succeeded. I want coordinates zeroed in so that when we beam down we are not visible to them. Mr. Scott, the con is yours. If a Romulan patrol appears, hold in orbit; Lieutenant Uhura is to try to make them understand. I don't want to provoke combat. Mr. Chekov, join us in the Transporter Room. Mr. Spock, you too."

  The garden was brilliant with sunshine, dazzling with flower color, opulent with heavy-laden fruit trees, one of them a giant. But it was utterly silent. The landing party looked about in awe.