Yesterday's Son

by A. C. Crispin

The same night, after a brisk workout on self-defense techniques with Kirk, Zar asked the Captain hesitantly if he might speak with him—privately.

  He felt comfortable in Kirk's quarters immediately, though this was the first time he'd visited them. Somehow he'd never felt at ease in Spock's cabin—a reflection of the way he felt toward both men, Zar decided, studying the paintings with admiration.

  Kirk pointed to a chair. "Sit down. Would you like some Saurian brandy?"

  Zar eyed the bottle the Captain produced warily. "Is that ethanol?"

  "Yes, it certainly is."

  "No thank you, then. My roommates gave me some once, and it made me throw up."

  The Captain cocked an amused eyebrow, and put the liquor away. "It's been known to do that, all right." He sobered. "What did you want to see me about?"

  Zar didn't reply. His face was closed, and only the tightness of the jaw muscles betrayed him. Kirk had an uncanny feeling of déjà vu. The Captain sat back, waiting with an outward show of patience. Finally the younger man looked up. "You and Mr. Spock have served together for some years now."

  "Yes, we have."

  "You know him better than anyone else. He trusts you, and you trust him. If you feel that you're betraying that trust by talking to me, I want you to tell me."

  "That's fair enough. Go on."

  With an abrupt gesture, Zar straightened, one clenched fist grinding into his other palm. His voice was harsh, demanding. "Why doesn't my father like me?"

  Kirk sighed, realizing he should have expected something like this. Zar continued in a rush of words, "I've studied—McCoy says I learn faster than anyone he's ever known. I've done everything I can to learn how to be Vulcan. I've followed the dietary restrictions. No meat. My mother told me how kind and loving he was. How gentle. When I was small, I used to dream about him, how he came from the stars, and I used to imagine that he'd come and take me with him someday. She used to say that if my father could see me he'd be proud of me. . . ."

  The Captain sighed again, then sat back, eyes level. "I'm going to tell you the truth, because I think it's your right to know," he said slowly. "When he went back in time through the atavachron, something strange happened to Spock. He changed—whether the change was caused by the device, I can't say. Since it didn't happen when we went back using the Guardian, it probably was. While he was with … your mother, Spock became like the Vulcans of that time period—5,000 years ago. He … reverted … became an emotional being. One with strong feelings. He did things he'd never done before, even to eating meat."

  "And while he was this way … he … took my mother." It was a statement. Zar took a deep breath, shook his head. "Then it wasn't love he felt for her, only …" he swallowed, then swallowed again, and his voice was thick. "Poor Zarabeth. All her life, she remembered a dream, something that was never real. She never realized that she was … used."

  Kirk put a hand on the younger man's shoulder, shook it a little. "We don't know that's true. The only person who knows is Spock, and I doubt he'll ever discuss it. It could be that your mother found something in him that they made real between them. That's really none of your concern. I told you what I know, so you'd understand that Zarabeth told you the truth—her truth. What was true for her, doesn't necessarily hold true for you, now."

  The gray eyes held only bitterness. "He meant it, when he said it was because of duty that he searched for me. He doesn't want me—never did. I was stupid not to realize it."

  "He risked his life—and more, he allowed McCoy and me to risk our lives—to find you."

  "Not because he wanted to, though. So many things are clear, now, that I didn't understand before. I'm an embarrassment to him—a … barbarian that happens to look like him. Every time he sees me he's reminded of an incident he'd rather forget. No wonder he won't discuss his family on Vulcan with me. Vulcan customs are old, and strict. Offspring like me are called 'krenath.' It means 'shamed ones.' You Humans also have a word. Bastard."

  While Kirk was still searching his mind for something—anything—to say, Zar nodded gravely and left.

  Chapter IX

  Doctor McCoy halted outside the quad that Zar shared with two other men, and keyed the door panel. It opened, and he stepped in to see Juan Cordova and David Steinberg, Zar's roommates, playing poker in the sitting room the three shared. Cordova looked up. "Hi, Doc." He nodded at the bedroom. "He's in there.

  "Thanks, Juan," the Doctor hesitated. "You seen much of him lately?"

  Steinberg shook his head. "Not for the last couple of days. He's been keeping to himself."

  Cordova looked worried. "I even broke down and asked him if he wanted to join us in a hand, and he turned me down. First time that's happened."

  In spite of his concern, McCoy's mouth twitched. "He plays a pretty mean game of poker, doesn't he? Taught him everything I know—till it got too damn expensive."

  Steinberg was disgusted. "You mean you're the one we should blame? That's the last time I play poker with a Vulcan!"

  "Yeah," Cordova agreed. "I'm taking him with me next time I get leave—we'll clean up every casino from the Center to the Klingon Empire!"

  The Medical Officer chuckled, then sobered. He gestured at the closed door. "Do you know of any reason—have you done anything that might—"

  Steinberg was shaking his head. "You mean have we corrupted him lately, the answer is no. When I came right out and asked him if he was all right, he just looked at me and said, 'Of course. Do I appear any different?' And he said it—you know how … Vulcan."

  McCoy grimly keyed the door panel. "I know indeed." he muttered.

  "Who is it?" Zar's voice, but the door stayed closed.

  "McCoy."

  The panel slid open. "I'm sorry, Doctor. I didn't know you were there. Please come in. . . ." The younger man sat before an easel, a brush and palette in his hand.

  "Haven't seen much of you for the last couple of days, Zar. What's up?"

  Zar dabbed carefully at the canvas, not meeting the Doctor's measuring stare. "Up? The Enterprise maintains a constant gravity of one Earth gee. Why should—"

  "Not another one!" McCoy interrupted with a groan. When the artist didn't raise his eyes from the canvas, he amended, "I meant, what kind of things have been going on with you lately?"

  One shoulder twitched in what the Medical Officer assumed was a shrug. Baffled, McCoy walked around to get a better look at the painting.

  It showed a blood-colored sun setting over a jagged upthrust of rock and ice. The background was muted, and the glow of the sun on the ice-glazed boulders was a scene McCoy remembered vividly. The defiant angle of the glacier stabbed the roundness of the sun like a dagger.

  "Cold as hell, in spite of the sun," the Doctor commented. "I remember how strange that icy glow looked. You've really caught it here."

  Some of the remoteness left the artist's expression at the compliment. Zar dabbed carefully at one corner again, turning so McCoy couldn't see his face, but his voice betrayed him. "It's beautiful. So cruel, but beautiful. I miss it … sometimes." He straightened, laid down the brush. "This is Jan's favorite."

  "You've done others?"

  "Yes, I like to paint almost everything I've seen. I've done three others since I came on board, and some sketches."

  "I'd like to see them."

  Zar dragged several canvases and a fat sketchbook out of the cabinet built into the bulkhead. "I'm afraid they aren't the same as they were in my head," he apologized. "Nothing comes out the way I envision it."

  McCoy set the first painting on the other side of the easel, and examined it. A portrait of Jan Sajii—the distinctive features were unmistakable, despite the flaws in perspective. The artist had caught the characteristic tilt of the head, the humor in the eyes. He could see Sajii's influence in the style. "That's the first one I did," the younger man offered. The Medical Officer nodded.

  "That's old Jan, all right. You've really caught him."

  The second painting was a pose
d grouping, showing Spock's Vulcan harp propped against a chair, next to an open book. Mathematical equations showed on the pages. A Star Fleet uniform tunic hung over the back of the chair, with one sleeve dangling free. Gold braid of a full commander winked against the blue. McCoy studied the picture intently, nodding to himself, then looked back at Zar, who didn't meet his eyes. He lifted the painting down carefully.

  The last canvas was an abstract, with swirling shades of purple, muting into lavender, shading out to rose and light blue. A jagged slash of black jumped out of the center to drip off the side of the painting. It disturbed McCoy. "What's this one?" he asked.

  The gray eyes still avoided his. "I painted it the other night. It really doesn't mean anything."

  The Doctor made a rude noise. "Like hell it doesn't mean anything. I'll bet a psychologist would have a good time with it. Wish I had more training in that field." He opened the sketchbook as Zar put the pictures away, smiling a little as he recognized himself, bent over a microscope in the lab. The sketches varied from people aboard the Enterprise to Sarpeidon's now-extinct animals, with some conventional penand-inks of fruit and a few draftsman-like studies of electronic circuitry. The Doctor found himself turning back to one of Uhura bending over her communications panel, dark head tilted characteristically as she listened to voices only she could hear. "I really like this one."

  The younger man looked over his shoulder, then, taking the book from McCoy deftly ripped the page out and handed it to him. The Doctor grinned, pleased, and pointed to the corner. "Thanks. Can you sign it for me? I've got a feeling that'll be worth money some day. Jan agrees with me—says you've got real talent."

  Zar shook his head, mumbling, "You're an optimist, Doctor," but McCoy could tell he was pleased as he signed the sketch with a flourish.

  Though still puzzled by the younger man's reticence and ill-humor, the Medical Officer was relieved that his black mood seemed to be lifting. He suggested lunch, and saw a glint of humor in the gray eyes. "Have you ever known me to refuse food?"

  The small galley was crowded when they entered. McCoy punched in his order, and took a sandwich, soup, coffee and a large piece of pie to an empty table. His companion joined him in a minute, carrying a tray loaded to its edges with a huge salad, soy protein wafers, several vegetables and two kinds of dessert. The Doctor shook his head, watching the other tackle the salad enthusiastically. "You still taking that supplement I prescribed?"

  "Yes. It tastes good."

  "Well, I think you can stop soon. You've certainly filled out since you left Sarpeidon."

  "I know. I had to get a size larger coverall the other day. The old one got to be too small in the shoulders."

  "Keep eating like that, and it'll be too small around your waist."

  Zar paused, bite halfway to his mouth, and looked slightly alarmed. "Do you really think so? I work out with Captain Kirk almost every day, and by myself a lot. The Captain says it makes him tired to watch me." He put his fork down, shaking his head. "I wouldn't like being fat."

  McCoy grinned. "Don't be so literal. Go on, eat your food. I was kidding—that means making a joke. Just come up to sickbay sometime and let me put you on the scale for my records—and to satisfy my curiosity."

  The conversation had turned again to painting, and McCoy was telling his listener about the art galleries on Earth when all animation abruptly faded from Zar's eyes. The Doctor followed his gaze to see the First Officer and the Chief Engineer across the mess-room. Now we'll find out what this is all about, he thought, waving them over.

  The two officers sat down, and McCoy and Scott exchanged a few comments, while Spock and Zar sat silently. The Doctor looked from one impassive face to the other. Worse than ever. And Zar isn't trying anymore.

  "Have you finished your physics assignment?" The Vulcan was abrupt; his inflection that of a teacher to a backward student. McCoy could sense Zar's embarrassment, though the younger man's face didn't change.

  "Most of it, sir."

  "Very well. What are Fraunhofer lines?"

  Zar sighed. "The dark absorption lines in the solar spectrum."

  "Essentially correct, but lacking in detail. What is the function of spectroscopy?"

  "It was through the function of spectroscopy that …" Zar continued, his voice precise, sounding like a study tape. He finished, and took a deep breath.

  The catechism continued. "What is the Heisenburg Uncertainty Principle? You need not give the math."

  Generous bastard, McCoy thought, glancing at the Vulcan. Why is he doing this? Sudden flash of insight: he doesn't know any other way to talk to the kid …

  "… the measurement of its moment is approximately equal to Planck's constant, 'h.' 'h' is equal to 6.26 times 10 to the minus 27th ergs per second," Zar finished with relief.

  Stop. Now. McCoy thought. But the Vulcan continued after a second's pause, "What laws govern photoelectric effect, and explain the phenomenon using the concepts of quantum theory."

  The younger man hesitated for a long moment. His answer this time was slower, broken by pauses as he dredged the information out of his memory.

  When the three laws had been duly given, McCoy turned to the Vulcan to change the subject, but Spock ignored him. "The formula, please."

  The gray eyes flicked to the Doctor's face, then dropped. Zar's voice this time was lower, as though the muscles in his throat were constricting, and he hesitated between words, obviously groping. Finally he stumbled through.

  The First Officer raised an eyebrow. "You need to review that. Very well, what is meant by the critical angle of incidence?"

  Long pause. McCoy found he was gripping the handle of his spoon as he stirred his now-cold coffee. The younger man thought intently, then his face hardened and his chin came up. "I don't know, sir."

  "The critical angle of incidence …" began Spock, and proceeded to lecture capably for the next four or five minutes. The Doctor glanced over at Scotty, who was listening with a credible amount of polite interest for one who had heard it all before.

  Finally the lecture seemed to be drawing to a close. Spock finished with a two-sentence summary of the topic, and stopped. Zar looked at the other two officers, paused for a beat, then slowly raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating," he intoned.

  The imitation was perfect, but there was nothing good-natured about it. There is mimicry, and there is mockery, and this, thought McCoy, is definitely mockery. It wasn't lost on the Vulcan, who dropped his eyes, hastily picking up his fork.

  The Doctor cleared his throat. "What do you think our next assignment will be Scotty?"

  "Whatever it is, I hope it'll be sometin' wi' a little excitement to it. I'm findin' more thrills in my technical journals than I'm encounterin' on this trip."

  Conversation continued desultorily between the Chief Engineer and the Medical Officer, until Scotty announced that he had duty and departed.

  Spock, who was evidently finding the atmosphere uncomfortable, made another attempt. "I've finished reviewing your current assignment in biochemistry, Zar. Your answers were accurate, for the most part. If you have your next assignment ready I could—" Without a word, the younger man got up and left the table, heading for the food processors on the other side of the galley.

  Embarrassed and concerned, McCoy attempted a light tone. "Never saw anyone with an appetite like that! He'd put Attila and all his Huns to shame!" Zar returned to the table with a large, meat-filled sandwich. Deliberately, he picked it up and began eating, ignoring everything around him.

  When the Doctor was relating the incident to Kirk, later that day in sickbay, the Captain smiled at that point. McCoy shook his head. "It wasn't funny, Jim. Zar ate it right in front of him. It was the worst insult he could give. You should have seen him—and you should have seen Spock!"

  "Really bothered him?"

  "Yeah. He got that look—you know the one, when he's hurt and he won't show it—and left. Zar just sat there until he was out of sight, then dropped the food, and
got out of there. I don't mind telling you I'm worried about both of them. What could've caused Zar to do such an about-face?"

  Kirk looked uneasy. "I think I know. I told him the truth the other day—about Spock, and the atavachron, and his relationship to Zarabeth."

  The Doctor whistled softly. "That could explain it—he took it really hard?"

  "Yes. This is serious. I can't risk allowing this kind of thing to affect Spock's efficiency. He's too valuable an officer. I feel sorry for Zar, but—hell, I feel sorry for Spock, too. But I've got a starship to run. This can't go on."

  The bosun's whistle filled the air. "Captain Kirk, acknowledge, please," came Lieutenant Uhura's contralto.

  He thumbed a button on the sickbay communicator. "Kirk here."

  "Captain, I have a Priority One distress call, from sector 90.4. It's in code, sir. For your eyes only."

  "On my way." Kirk was out the door before McCoy was out of his seat.

  Chapter X

  The bridge doors slid open, and before Kirk stepped through, Uhura placed a coded readout in his hand. Sitting down, he flipped a switch on his command chair.

  "Computer."

  "This is Captain Kirk. Do you have voice-print ID?"

  "Identity acknowledged."

  "Lieutenant Uhura received a Priority One distress call with accompanying message. Scan, decode and translate to a readout, then erase the translation from your memory banks after I've received it."

  "Working."

  He sat tensely, resisting the urge to drum his fingers on the arm of the command chair. The bridge crew cast covert glances at him, but the Captain was oblivious, mind racing. Priority One from Sector 90.4 was ominous. That sector held only one thing of any importance—the Guardian of Forever.

  A strip of readout spouted under his fingers. The translation read:

  PRIORITY ONE

  Stardate: 6381.7

  From: NCC 1704, Starship Lexington,

  Commodore Robert Wesley,

  Commanding

  TO: NCC 1701, Starship Enterprise,