Star Trek - TOS - The Tears Of The Singers

by Melinda Snodgrass

  ocean shimmered red gold in the dying light. It was the first time since

  their arrival that there had been any color evident other than the varying

  shades of silver, white and clear crystal, and Uhura found it a welcome

  change.

  Realizing that she was wasting time, she slung her tricorder over her

  shoulder. Guy took her arm, and they headed off in a generally

  northerly,direction. They skirted the cubs, not wishing to alarm the

  youngsters, but the Thygetians now seemed unconcerned with their presence.

  They watched the humans curiously out of their pale blue eyes, but showed

  no fear. As Uhura and Maslin moved past several of them chirped and trilled

  while bobbing their heads up and down.

  so

  The Tears of the Singers

  "They certainly seem intelligent," Maslin remarked. "I mean, that sounded

  an awful lot like a greeting to me."

  "'Ib me too."

  "How could the Federation have classified them as animals? When I think

  about some hunter coming along and giving them a joh of electricity to the

  head it makes me want to do the same to some bureaucrat, and see how they

  like ft."

  Uhura looked distressed. " How did you find out about this?19

  "Ex-girl friend wanted a crystal tear. When I'm contemplating spending that

  much money I do a little research."

  "Did you buy it for her?"

  "No, I found the way they were obtained to be disgusting and barbaric."

  They rounded an outcropping and discovered what appeared to be a trail

  heading up into the cliffs. The sand had been smoothed and packed as if by

  countless large bodies. They exchanged glances.

  "Think it's a path up to the adults?" Maslin asked.

  "Quite likely. We've still got a few minutes. Let's go a little way and see

  what we find."

  The path wound between crystalline formations and fallen boulders, climbing

  higher into the tumbled outcroppings at the base of the cliffs. Uhura

  frowned and took a slow turn, studying the trail and the surrounding area.

  "What's wrong?"

  "I'm not sure. This trail is well worn, as if it's been here for a long

  time, but it doesn't seem well used, if you take my meaning.,

  Maslin copied her slow look, then shrugged. "I don't see anything."

  "I'm not sure there is anything to see, but I have the impression that this

  trail is not the scene of constant comings and goings between the adults

  and the cubs."

  46so?"

  09

  The Tears of the Singers

  "It just seems odd that the adults of a race would show so little interest

  in their young. That doesn't seem to be a very prosurvival trait."

  Guy sucked thoughtfully at the insides of his cheeks, then shook his head.

  "Maybe the adults think there's something they have to do that's more

  important than watching the kids. 19

  "Spock suggested something like that earlier, but it still seems odd."

  They resumed their climb. Suddenly Uhura froze. Maslin, who had been

  looking back toward the ocean, bumped heavily into her. He opened his

  mouth, then bit back the words at her sharp, chopping gesture. He then

  discerned the reason for her abrupt haft. Beyond a curve in the trail

  someone was holding a low-voiced conversation in a language he didn't

  understand. Uhura lifted her tricorder, and carefully switched it on. 1he

  murmurings continued for several more minutes. Then there was a sharp

  snick, as if some device had been shut off. Uhura switched off her

  tricorder and let it fall to her hip. She then darted around the crystal

  outcropping.

  This time Maslin was ready for her because he had seen her tense as she

  prepared to launch herself around the rock, and he was right behind her as

  they exploded around the curve in the trail.

  The Klingon woman, Kali, knelt in the sand, caught in the act of replacing

  a communicator on her belt. Terror flared in her golden eyes at the sight

  of the humans, and her hand jerked for the disruptor at her hip.

  "Christ, don't . . ." Guy began, but Uhura was quicker. She crossed the

  intervening distance in one bound, and her booted foot lashed out, kicking

  the disruptor from the Klingon's hand. Kali grimaced and gripping her wrist

  pillowed it in her lap.

  "I'm sorry," Uhura said, dropping down next to her. The woman flinched

  away, then relaxed into hostile alertness

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  The Tean of the Sinpn

  when she realized that Uhura wasn't going to hurt her again. "Is it broken?"

  "No, only bruised."

  Uhura glanced at the disruptor lying in the sand. "We do tend to react

  without thinking, don't we?" she asked a little ruefully.

  Some of the tension leached out of Kali, and she nodded slowly. "Perhaps

  that is why we lose so many ships and men."

  "It's one possibility," Uhura replied cautiously.

  "What are you doing out here?" Maslin asked, perching on a nearby boulder.

  "Getting a feel for the world."

  "But-w-" Uhura shot him a warning look, and he subsided.

  "What?"

  "Well . . . ah ... it might be dangerous," he improvised.

  Kali laughed, a light, musical sound that blended well with the omnipresent

  song. "I am not your typical Earthwomanweak and helpless. I can take care

  of myself."

  "I would say Lieutenant Uhura has done a pretty good job of taking care of

  herself too," Guy said challengingly.

  Maslin and Kali locked eyes, and Uhura stepped in. "Arguing racial

  superiority has always biin a useless exercise, both on my world and in

  space. "Me captain is right, we have to work together if we're going to

  solve this mystery. What do you make of the Thygetians now that you've had

  a chance to look around?"

  "A number of our officers would like to classify them as animals." She

  glanced at the two humans. "It makes it much easier to colonize an

  uninhabited planet."

  "But what do you think?"

  "I think they are unquestionably intelligent, but I still do not understand

  why you think there is a correlation between the phenomenon and the

  Taygetians."

  "Actually, I don't either," Maslin said, sliding down onto the sand so he

  could sit between the two women. "That's 91

  The Tears of the Singers

  Spock's-theory, and we can't prove it or disprove it until we can understand

  what they're singing about."

  "If it's a language why not use your universal translator?"

  "Slwk tried that this afternoon," Uhura said.

  "But all he got was gibberish," Guy added excitedly. "When I first listened

  to a tape of the Thygetian song I could tell that large pieces of it were

  missing. Apparently the translator picked up on that also, so it couldn't

  make sense out of what it was recording."

  "How could you tell the song wasn't complete?" Kali asked, shifting until

  she could relax with her back against some rocks.

  "Music is audible mathematics. Just as there is a logical progression in

  math so there is in music." He shrugged. "I have this quirk that enables me

  to translate music into numbers almost instantly. When I heard the tape it

  was obvious that it didn't track."
<
br />   "And now?"

  "It's even more apparent now."

  "I'm not certain I understand, but it would be interesting to watch you

  work."

  "Then come on down and watch. Thmorrow I'll begin programming the

  synthesizer to the Thygetian song. With its help I'll be able to build a

  picture of their musical theory."

  "And that will enable you to understand their language?"

  "It will certainly help."

  She sat in thoughtful silence for several moments, then looked up. "Perhaps

  I will come to your camp."

  "Do," Uhura said, picking up the disruptor, and presenting it butt first.

  Kali stared in confusion, first at the weapon, then at Uhur-4. "Go ahead,

  take ft. I think we can agree that neither of us is a killer or a monster."

  Kali hurriedly holstered the weapon. "It will be dark soon. I must get back

  to camp."

  "And so must we," Uhura said, rising and dusting off the

  92

  The Tears of the Sir*ers

  seat of her pants. "Spock will kill us if we don't get back before the sun

  sets."

  "Wouldn't that be an illogical reaction?" Maslin asked.

  "He would find a logical reason to justify it."

  "That must be convenient. Sort of like having a selective conscience or

  memory." He held out his hand to Uhura, and she helped him to his feet.

  "Come to our camp, Kali. We'd like to have you."

  "I will try. You are a professional musician?" she asked Guy. He nodded.

  "Well, perhaps you will play for me. I like music." She turned and started

  down the trail with Maslin staring incredulously after her. Uhura chuckled.

  "Play for her? Like I'm some sort of nightclub musician who'll play for

  anyone at anytime. Doesn't she have any idea who I am?"

  "No. Based on what we know about Klingon society, I'm quite certain that

  being a musician is not one of the- more respected functions. Besides, you

  played for us."

  "I played with those of you who were going to be in the landing party, and

  coached you," he corrected as he took her hand, and they started back

  toward camp. "I'm used to being paid for what I do, and very well. A

  lieutenant's pay in Star Fleet doesn't cut it." His jaw set, and his

  nostrils flared a bit with anger.

  "I thought you were beginning to accept your position on this mission, even

  to enjoy it."

  "I'm intrigued by musical puzzles, but I still don't like the way your

  captain impressed me into service, and I intend to go to Star Fleet when

  this is over. As for enjoying it . . ." He stopped, and placed his hands on

  her shoulders. They were at the base of the cliffs now, and the sun was a

  blazing orange disc that seemed to rest upon the face of the waters. "I

  enjoy YOU. 19

  His mouth sought her, and she didn't avoid the embrace. As they stood

  locked in each other's arms the sun seemed to

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  The Tears of the Singers

  plunge into the water, and the sky turned a dark blue. lie stars gleamed

  like white gems through ragged openings in the clouds, and below them at the

  watees edge the cubs pushed up on their front flippers, faced the cliffs and

  began a soft and haunting song that cut across the music of their elders.

  Their heads jerked up, and the two humans stood mesmerized by the

  melancholy night music. Once more the elder Thygetians paid no heed. They

  just continued their song in sublime disregard of their young, who sang so

  mournfully below them. Mashn stood with his hands clenched at his sides,

  and his eyes glittered greenly with unshed tears. Uhura, too, sensed the

  longing and deep sadness inherent in the song, and she stepped closer to

  Guy. His arms went around her.

  "Sad, so sad. If only I knew what they were saying."

  "You will soon. I only hope we can help them."

  The last vestiges of light vanished, and the song ended. The cubs settled

  back into their nests, and prepared to sleep. Down the beach they could see

  the lights of their own camp, and beyond that the Klingon camp like a

  watchful eye on the hill overlooking the humans.

  The Tkygetian song went endlessly on, and Guy and Uhura began to hurry for

  the security and warmth of the camp. The immensity of this new world, and

  the mystery of the song, oppressed and frightened them. Fred Ragsdale's

  round face seemed a welcome sight as they came through the perimeter of the

  camp.

  Late that night Maslin lay quietly in his tent listening to the song.

  Uhura's thigh was warm against his, and her soft breaths fluttered the hair

  on his arm as they lay wrapped in the sleeping bag. He shifted her to a

  more comfortable position, easing the cramp in his arm. She murmured some-

  thing, then dropped back to sleep. He brushed his lips across her hair and

  allowed his head to fan back against the pillow.

  The song lulled and beckoned him, yet he feared this place

  The Tears of the Singers

  with an unreasoning dread. Ile chorus softened, and shifted in key,

  reminding him of "Die Winterreise." IEs arms tightened about Uhura, and

  softly, almost below his breath, he began the song.

  As a stranger I came here, a stranger I depart again.... For my

  journey I cannot choose the time, I must find the way for myself in

  this darkness. A moon-cast shadow goes along as my companion.

  I will not disturb you in your drearns-it would spoil your rest. You

  shall not hear my footstepsoftly, softly, close the doorl As I pass I

  write on your gate "Good night," so that you may see, I thought of

  you.

  95

  Chapter Six

  "Has Lieutenant Mendez completed translating the message that Lieutenant

  Uhura intercepted, Captain?" Spock had taken a folding camp stool and placed

  it at the mouth of their cove. From this vantage point he could watch both

  the Klingons in their hillside camp, and the cubs who were gamboling about

  and plunging in and out of the frigid ocean. Now from a position of relative

  privacy he had contacted Kirk.

  "She certainly has, Mr. Spock," Kirk's voice came back over the

  communicator. "And it confirms my suspicions that Kor has his hands full."

  "How so, Captain?" Hearing the sounds of an altercation, Spock shifted

  slightly on his camp.stool, and glanced back over his shoulder toward the

  small group clustered about Maslin's CompuSynthesizer. Mashn and Brentano

  were squared off and shouting into each other's faces. Spock almost

  interrupted communication so he could break up the

  The Tears of the Singers

  fight when he saw Uhura heading out of her tent. He relaxed back onto his

  stool, knowing that she would handle the situation. He found human emotions

  confusing at the best of times, and he couldn't fathom the instantaneous

  dislike that had sprung up between Maslin and the chunky security guard.

  "Spock, are you there?"

  "Yes, Captain. Something took my attention. You were

  saying?" -

  "It seems that the lady is not reporting to her immediate superior on the

  planet. Rather she's using a tight-beam, scrambled transmission to contact

  her husband."

  "But why communicate secretly with Commander Kor?"
>
  "My question exactly. There's nothing to give us any indication of the

  problem in the conversation we intercepted, but I would say the very fact

  the conversation took place supports my theory that Kor is not in full

  control of his ship."

  "You suspect a mutiny?"

  "It's not unknown among the Klingons."

  "Let us hope, for our sakes then, that Lieutenant Commander Kah keeps her

  husband well informed, and that he is not replaced by some less

  conciliatory commander."

  "Believe me, I'll be watching for anything out of the ordinary. I haven't

  forgotten that we are outnumbered, and that the Klingons are vicious

  fighters. How are things on your end?9

  "Everything is progressing on schedule. Mr. Maslin is set up, and he will

  begin programming the synthesizer today."

  "How long is this likely to take, Spock?"

  "Uncertain, sir. The fact that the universal translator was unable to

  fathom the song indicates that there is more at work here than mere

  language."

  "You're not comforting me, Mr. Spock."

  "I wasn't aware that I was supposed to, Captain. I assumed you wanted

  accurate facts, not meaningless reassurances."

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  The Tears of the Singers

  "A joke, Mr. Spock. "

  There was a pause. "I see. Will there be anything more, Captain?"

  "Not for the moment. I'll probably be down in the next day or two, but

  right now I need to get down to engineering. Riley's been reporting some

  odd fluctuations in the dilithium crystals. "

  "Do you wish me to assist Mr. Riley? It would be most unfortunate if we had

  occasion to need power that the crystals were unable to supply."

  "I would say that's an understatement, but no, I see no reason for you to

  return to the ship. If it looks like more than a minorproblem I'll recall

  Scotty. "

  "Very good, Captain. Spock out."

  Spock flipped shut his oommunicator, and replaced it on the back of his

  belt. There was a flurry of activity at the Kfingon camp, but it didn't

  seem to be directed toward anything coherent. The Vulcan shook his head,

  feeling strong disapprobation for the unscientific methods employed by the