"The ecology they played with is now running wild. According to Commander bn Bem, natural instinct will probably lead the animals involved to move toward the largest stable concentration of life on this part of the planet, which would be the Pandronian capital city. Now, what about other damage and casualties?"
"Several other paralyzed security personnel are also showing signs of recovery, Captain," Uhura reported crisply. "Ship damage appears to have been limited to our communications facilities. Under Mr. Scott's supervision, though, we have manged to rig a ship-to-surface link sufficient to get in touch with you—though Mr. Scott insists he can't guarantee how long it will last. Do you want us to beam you up, Captain?"
Kirk was considering a reply when Uhura broke in again. "Captain, Mr. Sulu has sensor contact with another vessel." A long, tense pause while they waited helplessly for further information.
"What's happening up there, Uhura?" Kirk finally called, unable to stand the silence.
"I was awaiting identification, Captain," came the reply. "Klingon cruiser escorting a cargo ship. We can't beam them and they're not beaming us."
"Probably surprised to see you," Kirk ventured. "Their captain's undoubtedly wondering at the lack of response from the surface, not to mention the presence of the Enterprise. I suspect he'll remain silent in orbit, hoping we'll leave—which we will, eventually. But keep a close watch on them, and report any indication of impending hostilities, Lieutenant."
This was all he needed—a Klinglon cruiser confronting the Enterprise at this crucial moment. He had to decide—did they beam up to join the ship, or remain to try to help the Pandronians?
The Klingons were obviously here to supply their ruined base. When a party from the cruiser finally beamed down into the wreckage, Kirk was willing to bet the cruiser captain would head for home with a report, rather than chance a pitched battle with a Federation ship for no particular reason. But he couldn't be certain—not until the Klingon left orbit.
But while it remained, the Enterprise couldn't use its ship's weaponry to halt the attack on Tendrazin. That would put her in an untenable tactical position which would be like waving a red flag in front of the Klingon cruiser. No, they would have to try something else to halt the lumbering assault on the city, at least until the standoff above was broken somehow.
"What do you think, Spock, Bones? Should we beam up?"
Spock shook his head once, quickly, and McCoy grumbled without looking at Kirk, "The least we can do is try to fix the mess the Klingons have made of Pandro."
"Stand by in the Transporter Room, Lieutenant," Kirk announced into his communicator, "but we're not ready to beam up just yet. We've got something we have to do here first. We'll keep you advised."
Ahead, Commander Ari bn Bem executed the Pandronian equivalent of a smile.
"What about the Pandronians who boarded the ship?" Kirk asked.
"We're holding them in the security section of Sick Bay, Captain," came the reply from above. "No matter how small they can subdivide, I don't think they can slip through a force screen. They refuse to discuss their mission, but they admit to being part of some kind of fanatical Pandronian society."
"Fanatical doesn't half say it, Lieutenant," Kirk told her. "Keep them locked up, and whatever you do, don't let one of them get behind anybody."
"No chance of that now, sir," she assured him. "I only wish we'd known their true capabilities when they first beamed aboard."
"This seems to be the day to learn all about Pandronian capabilities," was Kirk's response. "The Klingons learned the hard way. Kirk out"
"Enterprise out"
Once they entered the government stables, bn Bem was first off a zintar. He waited impatiently for Kirk and the others to dismount.
"We must hurry to the government chambers and convey our information to the premier and the council. Action must in effect be put to wrest the Tam Paupa from the traitor eb Riss."
Alternately walking and running, they followed the commander through the winding corridors of the government building. A queried courier told them that the premier was presently meeting in session with the full high council of both Tendrazin city and planet Pandro.
"Are all in private meeting chamber," the dazed courier called as the commander and his three aliens rushed by her.
bn Bem led them upward. Eventually they confronted a high portal guarded by four armed Pandronians in purple and puce uniforms.
The officer in charge barred their way. "No one to be admitted is," he said resolutely. "High Council and premier in special meeting are."
"I am a high commander myself and envoy extraordinary to United Federation of Planets," bn Bem announced with dignity. "Has This One information vital to safety of city Tendrazin and all planet Pandro."
"Nevertheless," the officer replied, "This One's orders say clearly that we are to—"
"This One claims extraordinary over ordinary," bn Bem shot back, "on all integrals mine and rank of high commander."
"Overranked and absolved is This One," the guard admitted, executing a half bow. "Be it on your association, I admit you." He moved aside, directing the other guards to do likewise.
The door was shoved inward and bn Bem strode importantly into the chamber with the Federation contingent close behind.
Most of the room was taken up by a huge table in the form of an eight-pointed star. High-ranking Pandronians of varying age and venerability were seated at seven of the points. At the star-point farthest from the doorway sat the premier, who abruptly rose and stared at them in shock.
"You," the new premier of Pandro exclaimed, the Tam Paupa positioned securely on his head, "how did you escape from—?"
Lud eb Riss suddenly grew aware he was on the verge of saying too much. Slowly he assumed his seat again and left the startled gaping to the rest of the representatives in the chamber. Those exhalted Pandronians were no less stunned than the new arrivals. bn Bem's hastily composed speech and declaration of emergency was totally forgotten.
"Lud eb Riss," he was finally able to stammer, "This One under arrest declares you as traitor to all Pandro intelligences!" Turning, the commander called back through the still-open door. "Officer of the guard." The officer who had first prevented them from entering came into the chamber, followed by two of his subordinates.
bn Bem pointed across the table. "Arrest Lud eb Riss, the usurper."
"Remain at your posts," eb Riss countered in a new, strangely commanding tone.
"Note the altered voice, Captain," Spock whispered to Kirk. "One of the benefits of wearing the Tam Paupa, apparently. It magnifies more than the decision-making ability of whoever wears it. eb Riss is clearly more than he was. It is no wonder the Pandronians have placed such faith in whoever the Tam Paupa was on."
The officer of the guard hesitated, took a step backward. eb Riss appeared satisfied and to be gaining confidence with every moment.
"What have you done, eb Riss," Kirk demanded to know, "with the real premier, Kau afdel Kaun?"
It wasn't eb Riss but one of the councilors seated at the table who supplied an answer. "Have you heard not? Old afdel Kaun died from the effort of trying to handle the affairs of his office without the aid of the Tam Paupa. The strain was for him too much. The final dissolution his body met these two days past." He gestured toward the far corner of the table.
"Is now Lud eb Riss, wearer of Tam Paupa, premier designate of planet Pandro, to be confirmed this day itself."
"But you can't make him your new premier!" an outraged McCoy insisted. "He's the one who's responsible for the theft of the Tam Paupa in the first place."
Expressions and reactions differed markedly from human ones, but there was no mistaking the shock that McCoy's startling accusation caused at the table.
Slowly, the attention of every councilor shifted to the premier's chair.
eb Riss appeared only momentarily shaken by the direct charge, but with the assistance of the Tam Paupa he quickly recovered his confidence�
�as would be demanded of any planetary leader in such a situation. Kirk had already realized they were not arguing against a single Pandronian, but a Pandronian plus one.
"This a monstrous lie is," eb Riss declaimed with certitude. "Has This One only just risked life and integration to return and warn of danger to city of Tendrazin from beasts created by alien enemy Klingons?"
It had to be the Tam Paupa's assistance again, Kirk realized in frustration, which had induced in eb Riss the brilliant ploy of both denying McCoy's charge and stealing their chance to warn the council of the impending threat at the same time.
"Lies, lies, more and greater lies!" a near-violent bn Bem objected, waving his arms so hard that his middle torso occasionally hopped clear off his hips. "Not only a usurper and blasphemer is eb Riss, but was he himself who cooperated with Klingon aliens and them enabled to produce their monsters on Pandro."
"See how at moment of most crucial need for confidence and stability they dissension and disruption attempt to sow," boomed eb Riss with sly power. "Commander bn Bem has by his stay with Federation aliens been corrupted. Must he for his own good be imprisoned.
"As for alien life forms, they no better than Klingons are. Only different in shapes and colors. They too wish use of Pandro for their own unknowable ends. Must they be executed immediately, to prevent false panicking of Tendrazin population with their wild, detrimental stories."
"This One—This One knows not what to do, which ones to believe," stuttered Dav pn Hon, the most experienced and respected of all the high councillors. "Wears eb Riss the true Tam Paupa, which knowledge and forthrightness guarantees. Says eb Riss one thing."
His gaze swung speculatively to the angry group of aliens fronted by the honorable Commander bn Bem.
"Produces Commander Ari bn Bem outworld aliens for confirmation of most grave charges. Says bn Bem one thing." He performed a Pandronian gesture indicative of utter uncertainty. "Who is This One, who is council to believe?"
Murmurs of agreement and similar confusion were heard around the polished table.
eb Riss addressed the wavering silence. "Believe in which person you must," he told them, "but whatever you believe, cannot you deny the true Tam Paupa." When this didn't produce an outburst of acclaim, eb Riss played his trump card.
"Anyways, is any present who can offer means of stopping creatures both sides say soon will Tendrazin be attacking?"
More worried mutterings from the assembled councillors. Now their attention shifted from one another to the four figures standing before the doorway.
bn Bem turned to the Federation officers. "Well, Kirk Captain," he asked hopefully, "can you help us?"
"I don't know," Kirk admitted. "Just a moment." Activating his communicator, he turned away from the curious assembly and whispered into the pickup. "Kirk to Enterprise."
"Enterprise," came the reply, toned to softness by Kirk's adjustment of the volume. "Uhura here, Captain."
"Is the you-know-what still you-know-where, Lieutenant?"
"It hasn't changed position, Captain," Uhura responded, matching Kirk's deliberate lack of specifics with some fast thinking of her own. There was a definite reason behind it. If eb Riss knew there was a Klingon cruiser standing off the planet, the situation could become twice as difficult as it already was.
"Thanks, Lieutenant. Kirk out."
"What about one of your dart-throwing mechanisms such as the fasir?" Spock inquired. "Would they not be effective against the Klingon creatures?"
"Perhaps, Spock Commander," bn Bem admitted. "But is not weapons a problem. Is hard for us to produce the dissolution drug. Is not nearly enough in supplies of Tendrazin, not in many cities, to stop creatures so big. Was not ever expected by us to have to fight such impossible accretions of integrals."
"You see," exclaimed eb Riss, taking quick advantage of his opponent's indecision, "they are against their own lies helpless, as well as against assault which soon will come against us. Whereas This One," he reminded them grandiosely, "who wears Tam Paupa is only one who can Tendrazin save. Only This One.
"But will This One save city," he warned them, meeting the eyes of every individual council member in turn, "only if am confirmed immediately and irrevocably by high council as new premier of planet Pandro." And he grinned a Pandronian grin, not at the thoughtful councillors but across the broad table at the anguished face of Commander Ari bn Bem.
"Must do something to stop the traitor, Kirk Captain," the commander pleaded. "Is nothing you can do?"
"Circumstances prevent us from using ship's weapons, Commander," Kirk told him sadly. "As for anything we could beam down, I just don't know. I don't have authorization to use heavy weapons on Pandro's surface, and I don't want to duplicate a Klingon treaty violation by doing so. Besides, I'm not sure a phaser cannon could stop those creatures, and transmitting enough ship's power to be effective would put a strain on the Enterprise's systems which might prove fatal if certain other parties elect to make trouble. I just don't know." He turned to his first officer.
"I am truly sorry, Captain, but it appears we must make a choice whether or not to use modern energy weapons, whether to risk weakening the Enterprise or saving Tendrazin."
"What about duplicating the frequency used by the Klingons in their controller?" Kirk wanted to know.
Spock quashed that possibility instantly. "Highly unlikely, Captain. We would have to achieve in a few hours what Klingon scientists clearly took a considerable period to accomplish. We have no idea what the frequency in question was. To locate it requires more time than we have, by a substantial margin.
"Of course, we could have an extraordinary stroke of good luck and hit upon the precise frequency right off, but I consider that a possibility too distant to be worth considering. We must come up with a different methodology."
Kirk looked over at McCoy, who was apparently deep in thought. "You working on an idea, Bones?"
"I was just thinking, Jim. The Pandronians, according to Commander bn Bem, might be able to handle this attack with their own weapons. All they need is a sufficient supply of the dissolution drug. Well, I've been producing drugs in large quantity all my life. I don't see why the Enterprise's organic synthesizers couldn't turn out all the drug the Pandronians need.
"Even so," he added cautiously, "I'm not sure massive doses of the Pandronian drug will be enough to reduce to harmlessness what's coming this way. The commander's right when he says it will take one helluva lot of the stuff poured into those hulks. They might still be big and strong enough by the time they reach the city to cause a lot of damage."
"Is true," bn Bem agreed woefully. "Even best efforts with drug could not reduce last two creatures we saw while leaving varbox."
"There's got to be a way to make it work," Kirk insisted, trying to will a solution into being. "There's got to be!"
"For yourselves see," eb Riss cried in triumph, "admit the aliens their helplessness to save city. Cannot they preserve you. Only can This One. For This One wears the Tam Paupa!"
"It just doesn't look possible, Jim," McCoy insisted. "Whichever way the Pandronians turn they're faced with a dog-eat-dog situation."
"Bones, if we risk transmitting ship's power and you-know-who decides to attack, then we . . . we . . ."
He paused. Enlightenment dawned on his face.
Spock's eyebrows went up slightly. "Whatever your immediate thought, Captain, I do not see how Terran canines can be involved in our present situation in any way."
"It's not that, Spock, it's—" Kirk started to explain, but the same thought apparently struck McCoy.
"It just might work, Jim."
The first officers eyebrows advanced to his hairline. "Terran canines are involved? Captain, I don't understand what—"
"It's just an expression, Spock," Kirk told him offhandedly, his attention on McCoy. "You're sure you can synthesize the dissolution drug the Pandronians use, Bones?"
"Unless its a much more complex protein chain than I suspect, I
don't see any reason why not."
"And in sufficient quantities?"
McCoy nodded. "As much as is needed."
"Captain, may I point out again the size and flexibility of the creatures the Klingons produced."
"I'm not thinking of destroying them before they reach the city, Mr. Spock. It seems clear we haven't that capability. What I am thinking of is moving them to the point of least resistance."
"If you are thinking, Captain," the first officer declared, "of changing the path of these creatures the way we did the dranzer stampede on Ribal Two, I don't believe it will work. The situation here is not analogous. We are dealing with only a few colossal creatures instead of millions of smaller ones.
"Furthermore, there is no species link between our attackers as there was on Ribal. Each one is different from the next, and there exists nothing like a chosen leader."
"I'm not talking about trying to run them in a circle like we did on Ribal, Spock. Obviously, if what Captain Kor told us about their protein requirements is true, nothing could possibly turn them from the nearest large, stable source of meat, which is Tendrazin.
"But if we can mount enough dart launchers on either side of their approach path and keep a steady quantity of the drug raining into them, we should at least be able to force the two creatures on the flanks to move away from the source of irritation. In other words, they'll continue to advance, but packed closer and closer together. Then if we can shove them tight enough, the combination of pressure, threat, and the presence of so much protein so close should unnerve them enough to start attacking each other."
"I wish I had your confidence, Jim," McCoy told him, "but I must admit your idea has a chance."
Kirk looked for confirmation from his science chief. "Well, Mr. Spock?"
"On the surface it seems plausible, Captain," Spock admitted. "Yet," and he was straining to gather in a fleeting thought, "something about the very concept troubles me, and I cannot say precisely why."
"Have you any better suggestions?" Kirk asked hopefully.
"No, Captain, I do not. And my worry is not grounded in fact. The idea seems reasonable."
Star Trek - Log 9 Page 16
