with himself for the foolish delay over the stone, but he had been unable
to resist the lure of its sapphire beauty. He only hoped that the two
Klingons could handle the remaining hunters while he captured their leader.
He needn't have worried. As he raced along the base of the cliff
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he passed Kandi, circling one of the downed hunters and taunting him to get
up. When the man did, the Klingon neatly knocked him to the ground again.
This happened twice more before they were lost to sight behind the rocks.
Kirk trotted steadily along the cliff, following the deep, irregular
footprints left by Garyson as he ran through the sand. Suddenly the
footprints vanished. Kirk stopped and made a slow circuit of the
surrounding area, looking for any place where the man might have branched
off in a new direction. There was no indication that Garyson had tried to
double back, or headed down toward the water's edge, so only one option
remained. Kirk turned to face the cliff just as a large, jagged piece of
crystalline rock went rushing past his head.
He jerked back, but the missile still managed to hit his shoulder with a
glancing blow, numbing the left arm from his shoulder to his fingertips.
Before he could recover, Garyson was upon him. The larger man slammed feet
first into his chest and sent him crashing to the ground. The breath was
driven from his body in a massive whoosh, and Kirk had a feeling that if he
removed his shirt he would have three-inchdeep footprints on his sternum.
Fortunately he was wearing a heavy parka which absorbed some of the b low or
he might have had his chest crushed.
Garyson reached out and gripped him by the throat, and Kirk realized that
he didn't have any more time for recovery or inane thoughts. If he were
going to survive he would have to start reacting. His body seemed to howl
in protest, but he managed to bring up his knees and feet, and with a hard
thrust sent Garyson flying over his head.
Kirk staggered to his feet, and walked right into a piledriver blow that
sent him reeling backward. He cautiously worked his jaw. Nothing seemed to
be broken, but several teeth were decidedly loose, and there was the sharp,
coppery taste of blood on his tongue. He was disgusted with his poor
performance thus far, and decided it was time to get serious. 143
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He was hampered by the loss of his left arm, but that didn't affect his
kick. Tensing, he launched himself into the air, and gave Garyson a violent
kick to the jaw. He heard bone snap, and as he tucked and rolled he
congratulated himself, assuming that the fight was over.
He was wrong. A lesser man would have been rendered unconscious by such a
blow, but Garyson seemed only dazed. He shook his head, and then plowed
back in, fists pumping like a piston.
Rather like a dinosaur, the captain thought sourly as he danced out of
reach of the hunter's bearlike arms. Their brains are so small that they
don't even know when they're unconscious--or ought to be, he added, feeling
a rush of wind past his face as he ducked another swing from Garyson.
His last wild punch had left the hunter off-balance, and Kirk moved in.
Using his still-awkward left arm for defense he began to lay a series of
punishing right jabs into Garyson's face. His knuckles were beginning to
hurt from the damage he was inflicting on the other man, but it was nothing
compared to what Garyson had to be feeling. Both eyes were beginning to
swell shut, and blood was trickling from his slack mouth. He continued to
fight back, if somewhat feebly, and he did manage to land one punch on .
Kirk's already sore mouth. One of his loose teeth let go, and Kirk paused
to spit it into the sand.
That brief moment of inattention was enough. Garyson moved in and enveloped
Kirk in a powerful bear hug, trapping his arms against his sides. With a
grunt the hunter tightened his grip, and began to bend Kirk inexorably
backward over his heavy thigh, trying to snap the captain's spme.
Kirk felt sweat popping out on his forehead from the strain, and his mouth
opened in a soundless scream. His mind seemed to run in frenzied circles as
he sought some way out of the trap he was in. Out of the comer of his eye
he could see Garyson's massive torso, and below ... he gave a mighty
effort, and twisted slightly in the man's grip. The action tore
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at his already overstressed back, and he thought he would pass out from the
pain, but it had accomplished what he needed. His knee was now in position,
and with one final exertion he slammed his knee into Garyson's groin.
The man released him with a gagging groan, and clutched at his crotch. Kirk
struggled to his feet and, drawing back his booted foot, gave Garyson one
final kick to the head. The big hunter collapsed in an inert heap at Kirk's
feet.
"I like the way you reasoned with him." Kor's voice came floating from
behind him, and Kirk turned painfully to face the Klingon. "After all, it
wouldn't do to have anyone hurt."
"How long have you been here?"
"I arrived just as you gave Mr. Garyson the coup de grace, as I believe you
Earthmen call it." He took the captain's face in one hand, and turned it
this way and that as he inspected the damage. Kirk winced at the touch and
pulled away. "I do think that he took the worst of it, if it is any comfort
to you."
"Not much. Did you get the rest of them?"
"They are all sitting very quiet and subdued at their camp, waiting for
your pleasure."
"My pleasure is that we get them back to the Enterprise, and lock them in
the brig before my more vengeful nature takes over and I kill them."
"Let us handle it for you. We're not so squeaniish as you humans.11
"That's all right." Garyson groaned, and began to re consciousness. "How's
Lindenbaum?" Kirk asked as they jerked Garyson to his feet and started
slowly back toward the camp, supporting the semiconscious hunter.
"Fine, but I think he will be glad to get to sick bay."
"That's understandable. Hell, F11 be glad to get to sick bay-"
By the time they reached the transporter room Garyson had recovered enough
to attempt another lunge for Kirk. Ragsdale grabbed him by the back of his
collar, and pulled him away from the captain. Scotty eyed the four
glowering 14S
The Tears of the Singers
prisoners who accompanied the security guard and the captain, and prudently
sent for more security.
As soon as the first group had left the platform the engineer beamed up the
remaining prisoner together with the two Klingons and the injured
Lindenbafim. McCoy, who had been waiting with a medical team, stopped his
running monologue of complaints and, stepping forward, helped the young man
onto an antigrav stretcher.
"You better come too," he said, pausing before Kirk and eyeing his battered
face.
"Once I see these people safely in the brig."
"Have it your way, but God knows I think you have enough muscle in this
room," he glanced about at the eight security guards who ringed the
hunters, "to handle these characters without your help."
Kor and Kandi continued to stand on the transporter platform. As Kirk
started to leave Kor called to him. "Captain?"
"Yes, Commander?"
"If you would prefer not to have, shall we say, semihostile aliens aboard
your ship you can send my officer and myself directly to our ships."
Kirk paused at the door and grinned over his shoulder. "As strange as it
sounds, Commander, I'm beginning to trust you. Why don't you come along
while we see our 'guests' safely locked away, and then I think McCoy can be
persuaded to break out the Saurian brandy while I have my face repaired."
Kor exchanged a quick glance with Kandi, who looked hopeful. "Very well,
the offer of Sa4rian brandy is too good to pass up. We accept your
hospitality."
Garyson had listened to this exchange with what was obviously a growing
sense of outrage. His heavily jowled face took on a deep, brick red color,
and he stared murderously at Kirk. One of the security guards gave him a
quick push on the shoulder, propelling him into motion, and the entire
group left the transporter room.
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The Tears of the Shisers
They received more than a few curious and startled glances as the motley
crowd of fourteen humans and two Klingons went marching through the
corridors of the Enterprise. Kor noticed that they were taking what seemed
to be an inordinately circuitous route to the confinement area, and he
assumed Kirk was bypassing any sensitive areas. He didn't blame the Earth
captain; he would have done the same.
The hunters were deposited in the brig, and the force field brought up.
Garyson approached the door, and stared hostilely after Kirk as he walked
down the corridor with the two Klingons.
"You're a traitor, Kirk. A traitor! Working with Klingons, allowing them to
attack Federation citizens. I'm gonna see you fried, Kirk, when we get
back."
The captain stopped, and half turned to took back at the burly hunter.
There was an amused and ironic twist to his lips. "Ibat's fine, Mr.
Garyson, but I'm afraid you're going to have to take a number and stand in
line. Someone else has first claim on taking a piece out of my hide."
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Chapter Nine
Kali stormed off the transporter platform, heading for the door. The
transporter operator started to speak to her, then thought better of it when
he saw the angry frown that pulled her delicate bifurcated brows into a
straight black line over the bridge of her nose. The commander's new wife
was well known for her quick temper, and he didn't want to attract her
attention when she was so obviously on a tear.
She continued to seethe as she marched through the corridors heading for
the bridge. She couldn't believe that Kor would return straight to the
Mothos after dealing with the hunters. Surely he would have wanted to spend
time with her since they had been separated for several days now.
Unfortunately that didn't seem to be the case, for she had waited for over
two hours in the human camp without Kor returning. Kirk had checked in with
his first officer, informing the Vulcan of the successful capture of the
hunters, but he made no mention of her husband so she could only assume he
was back aboard the ship.
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She rode the power lift to the bridge. Before the door opened she stiffened
her back, and set her jaw in a tight fine of outrage. She was determined
that he would have no doubt of her anger. The doors opened and she strode
onto the bridge, only to have her outrage evaporate when she realized that
Kor was not at his usual position in the command chair. Instead she
recognized the back of Karsul's shaved neck. He always wore his hair cut
close to the scalp, like a common jevul fighter, a low-class affectation
that she found silly and irritating. She decided that she really didn't
want to talk with the first officer, and she began to retreat back onto the
power lift.
Before she could make her escape Karsul spun about in the command chair,
and pierced her with his dark gaze. There was always something so intense
and brooding about the man's look which made her feel like some small
insect held beneath-the merciless gaze of a microscope.
"Looking for your husband?" he asked. He drew out the last word, making it
seem almost an epithet.
"Yes, but as& he's clearly not here I shall go to our quarters.91
"You won't find him there either."
"Then where is he?" she demanded, becoming tired of Karsul's baiting tone,
and the knowing look in his eyes.
"Still aboard the Earther ship."
"Nothing is wrong, is it?" she asked, stepping toward him in her agitation.
"No, nothing's wrong. I suppose he just enjoys spending his time with
Earthers." The bridge had grown very quiet, but there was a quick titter
from one of the crew at his sardonic tone. The sound was abruptly cut off
as Kah stared hostiley about the bridge, seeking the source of the laugh.
She stood with her hands tightly clenched at her sides, and tried to think
of something to say. To bring up the temporary truce in the face of such
obvious hostility seemed foolish. Nor could she admit that she had been
spending a good deal of
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time with the humans and actually enjoying it, and suspected that Kor felt
the same. That would be more than foolish-aft would be suicidal.
"So," she muttered, dropping her head. "I suppose I will waft for him in
our quarters."
"I will escort you."
"Nol" she said sharply, taking a step back. Karsul's face darkened with
anger, and she backpedaled frantically, trying to regain the ground she had
lost with her rude outburst. "I mean, I thank you for the offer, but that
won't be necessary. Besides, it is probably best that you remain on the
bridge in case of emergency."
"What could possibly happen? After all, our noble commander is no doubt
keeping a watchful eye on the humans to make sure that they don't attack
us." There was again a ripple of laughter across the bridge.
Kali stiffened, and drew herself up proudly. "The Earthers are not our only
worry," she said coldly. "Do not forget thatt" she said, thrusting out her
arm toward the screen where the phenomenon billowed and writhed. "It is a
foolish man who barricades and guards the door while leaving the windows
open behind him."
"Why, thank you for telling me. It is always enlightening to study tactics
at the feet of such a master of strategy as yourself. I
"Don't crow too soon," she gritted from between clenched 'teeth. "I'll have
your job someday." And turning on her heel she reentered the power lift. Th
her dismay Karsul crowded in after her, backing her into a comer of the
small elevator.
,"I know a way for you to have the job much sooner than you expe
,ct.19
"How? By killing you?" she snapped.
; He laughed deep in his throat, an ugly, predatory sound that sent a
shiver of fear through her body. He then reached out and captured her
chin between his fingers. She jerked her
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The Tears of the Sir*ers
head aside, trying to escape his touch, but he tightened his grip until his
fingers dug painfully into the sides of her jaw.
"Little wild cat. No, that wasn't what I had in mind. Rather, you should be
very nice to me. Then when your husband is gone, and I have become captain,
I might make you my first officer ... among other things," he added
significantly.
Ile elevator hissed to a stop, and the doors opened. Kali brought the side
of her hand down on his wrist in a numbing blow. Karsul let out a yelp and
released her. She leaped past him out of the door and beyond his reach. She
froze in the corridor in a defensive half crouch, glaring at him and
panting a little with hatred and fright.
"Be nice to you? The very thought of it nauseates me! And as for being your
first officer and other thing.P-I would rather be a galley cook on board
a garbage scow!"
Karsul cradled his injured wrist with his other hand, and gazed at her with
a combination of anger and lust. "If that's what you want, I'll see to it
that you get it, but only after I teach you the proper respect for men.
Your husband is too weak to keep you in line, but I'm notl Under my
tutelage you'll learn the proper position for a woman---at the feet of her
manl"
Kali gave him a scornful smile and threw back her hair with an impudent
toss of her head. "Any Klingon woman is happy to take that position, but
only if there's a man available. I confess I don't see one right now."
Karsul let out a roar of rage, and leaped at her. Whirling, she fled down
the corridor, and nipped into her and Koes quarters. She slammed her hand
against the lock panel just as Karsul's heavy footfalls reached the door.
She began to shiver with reaction and, resting her back against the door,
she slid to the floor where she sat hugging her knees to her chest.
"Kor," she whispered aloud, her voice catching a little on a half sob. "Why
aren't you here? Why aren't you doing 151
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