Star Trek 05

by James Blish

  The legends were true, sir," Spock said in a low voice. "A fantastically beautiful planet."

  "Eden," said Chekov.

  Kirk said, "It almost—was this what they believed they'd find?" Spock nodded. "I can understand now. But why have they remained in their ship? Well, spread out and approach with caution."

  The other three moved away. Kirk remained where he was, flipping open his communicator. "Dr. Sevrin, this is Captain Kirk. You are under arrest. You will debark from your ship."

  The shuttlecraft remained silent, its doors shut. Then there came a whimpering little sound, in Irina's voice. "No . . ."

  "You will come out at once."

  "No! No!" This time it was a scream of pure terror. Kirk went after McCoy.

  "Bones, you heard that? What do you make of it?"

  "She sounds terrified."

  "Of what?"

  McCoy took out his tricorder. "I don't know, Jim. I don't read anything abnormal. Wait a minute . . ."

  There was a yell of pain from Chekov. He was standing by a flowering plant, his right fist clenched to his chest, his face contorted. They got to him fast.

  "What is it, Chekov?"

  "The flower, sir. I touched it. It's like fire."

  McCoy forced him to unclench the fist. Fingers and palm were stained and seared. The surgeon aimed the tricorder at it, then at the flower, the plant proper, the grasses.

  The sap in it is pure acid," McCoy said. "All the plant life. The grass, too." He took out his medical kit and smeared ointment over Chekov's hand.

  "Their feet!" Kirk said. "They were barefoot! Don't touch a thing. Bones, will our clothing protect us?"

  "For a short time."

  "Captain," Spock called. "Come over here, please."

  He was standing under the largest fruit tree. Kirk joined him and looked down. Adam lay dead on the ground, twisted, a half-eaten piece of fruit from the tree still clutched in his hand.

  "Bones," said Kirk.

  McCoy took readings. "Poison. The fruit is deadly."

  Spock bent and picked up the body, his enormous strength holding it easily. He looked at Kirk. "His name was Adam."

  Understanding now, Kirk walked to the shuttlecraft openly, Spock beside him. Kirk pushed a button, and the doors opened. He called in gently, "You will be cared for."

  The girls and Rad came limping out, murmuring in pain.

  "It hurts," Irina said.

  "I know," Spock said. "It hurts us all."

  Chekov went at once to Irina and held her comfortingly as McCoy began to treat her. Kirk went on inside the craft

  Dr. Sevrin sat on the deck in the yoga position, immobile, heedless of his blistered, naked feet. His injuries were shockingly worse than those of the others.

  "Bones, in here, please! Dr. Sevrin—Dr. Sevrin. Look at him, Bones. How can he stand it?"

  "He should be beamed aboard. He needs more attention than I can give him here."

  "No!" Sevrin said suddenly. "No. We are not leaving."

  "We'll take care of you aboard the ship," Kirk said.

  "We are not leaving Eden. None of us."

  "Be sensible, Sevrin."

  "We're not leaving!" As Kirk bent to help him, Sevrin thrust him savagely aside, lunged for the door and ran, despite the agony it must have cost him. He plunged straight toward the huge fruit tree. There was no chance of stopping him; by the time Kirk and McCoy were out of the craft, he had reached the tree, seized a fruit and bitten into it

  "No! I have found my Eden!"

  Then he moaned, doubled, and fell.

  The group by the shuttlecraft were for a moment paralyzed by shock. Then Chekov turned to Irina. "He too is dead, Irina."

  She looked at him in a daze. "And the dream is dead. He sacrificed so much for it. When we landed, and he saw Eden finally, he cried, all of us felt the same. It was so beautiful. And we ran out into it—and . . ."

  "Spock to Enterprise. Mr. Scott, stand by to beam the injured aboard. Medical team to the Transporter Room."

  Everything was normal again on the bridge. Uhura said, "I have Starbase now, Captain."

  "Alert them that we have the four and will be beaming them down. And mark the incident closed."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Bridge to Transporter Room. Scotty, are they there?"

  Three of them, sir."

  "Stand by. Mr. Chekov, do you wish to attend?"

  Chekov stood hesitantly. "Captain, sir, I wish first to apologize for my conduct during this time. I—did not maintain myself under proper discipline. I endangered the ship and its personnel by my conduct. I respectfully submit myself for disciplinary action."

  "Mr. Chekov," Kirk said with a faint smile. "You did what you had to. As all of us did. Even your friends. You may go."

  "Thank you, sir."

  He started for the elevator, but as he did so, the doors opened and Irina stepped out. For a moment they looked at each other in silence.

  "I was coming to say goodbye," Chekov said.

  "And I was coming to say goodbye to you."

  They kissed, gently, sadly. Irina said, "Be incorrect, occasionally."

  "And you be correct."

  "Occasionally."

  She turned back to the elevator, but was intercepted by Spock. "Miss Galliulin, it is my sincere wish that you do not give up your search for Eden," he said. "I do not doubt but that you will find it—or make it yourselves."

  She bowed her head, entered the elevator and was gone. Chekov and Spock went back to their posts. Chekov still seemed to be caught in the moment; then he became aware of the silence about him, the awareness of the others. He looked around.

  Kirk was smiling faintly; he turned to Spock, whose face was expressionless, but who was nodding.

  Kirk said, "We reach, Mr. Chekov."

  Table of Contents

  CONTENTS

  PREFACE:

  WHOM GODS DESTROY

  THE THOLIAN WEB

  LET THAT BE YOUR LAST BATTLEFIELD

  THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

  TURNABOUT INTRUDER

  REQUIEM FOR METHUSELAH

  THE WAY TO EDEN