Return to Valjiir Stories
"Poul, I want it stopped, and I want it stopped now!" Kirk ordered furiously as soon as Bradigan was in the office. The Admiral seated himself and regarded Kirk with understanding, but he remained adamant.
"Jim, there's nothing I...
"Bull. You simply go in there and tell those civilians to pack up and get the hell off my ship, or you tell me what the hell's going on! You know what they're doing - what you're helping them do - to my officers is against every law in the book! You can't confine starship personnel without presentation of charges to their commanding officer, who just happens to be me! And no one's told me a goddamned thing!"
"The commissioners are working under top priority, Captain," Bradigan said. "My orders are to see that they're given every cooperation...."
"This ship's cooperation does not include blind acceptance of the flaunting of Federation law!"
"Jim, no one's flaunting..."
"Then why was I given inconsequential busywork for the past week? If you're so sure I wouldn't object, why keep me out of the way?" Kirk took a deep breath. "If I let them get away with breaking a minor regulation, what's to stop them from breaking major ones? What is going on here! Have you heard the rumors? Alien conspiracy, for god's sake! There's no alien conspiracy on this ship, or anywhere in Fleet!"
"Jim, I don't know either!" Bradigan replied stridently. "All I was told was to take the commission to the Enterprise, then to the investigative board on Terra. I was told to give them everything they requested, no questions asked, and to give you the paperwork. There's nothing I can do about it. I don't know anymore than you, but I've got my orders and I'm giving you yours - for the last time, Jim."
Kirk looked Bradigan squarely in the eye. "Until and unless I'm told what's going on, I won't follow your orders, or anyone else's," he stated firmly.
Bradigan sighed. "Then I'll have to relieve you of duty."
"What?" There was no mistaking the menace in Kirk's voice.
"I'm authorized to do so."
"Not on my ship, mister."
"Then you'll have to cooperate."
"Administration's got it all neatly figured out, don't they?" Kirk turned from the admiral, pacing, then, "All right, but I'm staying in command. And I'm damn well going to ask some questions." He glared, daring Bradigan to order him not to. "You just better realize that this is under official protest and every log entry I make from now on will reflect that fact."
"That's your prerogative, Captain," Bradigan replied.
Kirk sat down behind his desk, rubbing his hands over his face. What could he do? Nothing. Cop-out? No, my hands are really tied this time. What's going on? Real xenophobia? Official xenophobia? No, I can't accept that. But there's no other explanation. This commission is persecuting my best officers, my best friend, simply because they're not Terran. And I've let this happen to my people. I don't like it one bit, and I like Starfleet a hell of a lot less. I've ‘cooperated' six innocent people into an inquisition. Divisiveness and suspicion have spread needlessly all over the ship, and I've allowed it in the name of cooperation. I trust my people. They've never given me reason not to. I should never have allowed this. I should have insisted on sitting in on the commission's interviews. I should've talked to Spock that first day. I should've talked to them all, assured them that they have nothing to fear... Or do they? They were relieved of duty, confined without reason. Sulu didn't know I was being kept in the dark, neither do they. They must believe I'm allowing it. If that's not reason enough for fear... He looked up, intending to reverse his decision about keeping command - then stopped. Isn't that the biggest cop-out? Relinquish command so you can say ‘there was nothing I could do?' I'm putting a stop to this, Elamas or no Elamas!
He rose from his chair and strode out of his office, leaving Bradigan asking a closing door where he was going.
Kirk had to wait by the briefing room door to make room for the security team that was escorting Lieutenants M'ress, Mrraal and Arex away. Each of the non-Human crewmen looked at him as they passed, but none spoke to him. He felt their hostility and that fed his anger at the commission.
As he entered the room he overheard the end of a question Davis was asking. "...specifically about the events connected with Shas."
God, not that! Kirk thought, as Spock answered, emphatically, "No."
"If you're so anxious to know the details of our missions, why don't you ask me?" Kirk demanded angrily. The commissioners, as well as Spock, Ruth and Jilla turned to face him. "After all," he continued in a calmer voice, "I'm responsible for everything on this ship."
"Two aliens mutinied, kidnapped an officer, stole a shuttle that was illegally modified for warp drive, sabotaged the ship's communications equipment and god knows what else, for the sake of rescuing another alien from a self-induced addiction to a lethal drug," Belinkov sneered. "How are you responsible, Captain?"
"Those are facts, with one notable exception," Spock returned coldly, "and one notable omission. My addiction was not self-induced, and the actions taken by Miss Valley and Mrs. Majiir were at my request, in order to free the captain of this vessel."
"From an alien influence!" Chanti broke in triumphantly.
"And those facts are in the court martial records," Ruth added stubbornly, ignoring the TerAfrican commissioner. "The rest is none of your business."
"What my officers have said is correct," Kirk said, facing the commission. "The public record holds all the information you or anyone else needs to know about that mission. As to my responsibility..." He paused, his entire manner becoming stern and official. "I am responsible because this is my ship. I answer for all actions taken by anyone aboard. Lieutenant Valley and then-Ensign Majiir may not have had authorization for what they did, but I assure you, I considered their acts official. When an officer follows his or her conscience and puts ultimate good before the rulebook, they have to be willing to answer for the consequences. The captain of that officer has to weigh the action, and if he finds the officer in the right, he must stand by that officer and take the consequences on himself." He straightened. "Now what I want to know is what you people are doing here, what you hope to gain by this senseless persecution, and why you've chosen to keep your purpose secret from the captain of this vessel, because I am responsible for whatever you do here."
The commissioners whispered together for several minutes, while Kirk tried to smile reassuringly at his officers. Finally Hashi gave him an answer.
"It was necessary for our protection, Captain Kirk."
Kirk blinked, unable to believe the simplicity of the response. "Protection from what?"
The woman seemed puzzled at his lack of understanding. She explained patiently. "It is necessary for Humans to know the limitations of alien species."
"These ‘alien species' are members of the Federation," Kirk forced himself to say with equal patience.
"For now, Captain," she countered. "Vulcans are powerful, physically and telepathically. Antarians - certain of them - are even more so. They could prove dangerous."
Kirk felt a wave of cold dread, and he fought the rage that came with it. "That statement is close to treason against the United Federation of Planets, Commissioner," he said tightly. "I doubt Ambassadors Sarek or evan Rhialan would take kindly to it. I don't take kindly to it, or to your actions."
"And yet, you allowed them to proceed," Spock's quiet voice accused him.
Kirk turned to face the Vulcan. "I was told to cooperate, and I did," he admitted. "And I was wrong. Forgive me, Spock, for doing what a life in a military career demanded."
"But it is not your career that is being threatened. Have you not yet seen that there are lives at stake?"
"Not on my ship."
"On any ship when this sort of madness is permitted."
"I don't let anyone tell me what happens on..."
"Especially aliens." It was Ruth who interrupted, her voice shaking with disdain. She looked past Kirk, to Hashi. "We've begun to distrust each other, Terran, to take sides, maybe to hate each other, certainly to fear. Does that please you?" She glanced around the room. "You all scare me nearly to death. But not at all for the reasons you think you do!" She quickly left the room.
Feeling helpless, Kirk stared at his First Officer until the commissioner said, "Captain, have you forgotten that the Antarian is under arrest?"
"Forgotten!?" Kirk exploded. "You didn't bother to tell me in the first place!"
"She was placed under arrest for breaking into your quarters, Captain," Davis said quietly. He reached for the intercom and said, "Security."
Kirk's hand came down on the table, a bare fraction of an inch from Davis'. His eyes were blazing, but he smiled coldly and said, "If you don't mind, Mr. Davis, I can handle my own crew and give my own orders." He spoke in an angry growl to the voice that answered.
"Security, sir."
"Miss Valley, I'm told, was placed under arrest. She left the briefing room on deck seven seconds ago. Kindly inform me when she arrives. Kirk out."
"Do you really think she'd return to the brig on her own, Kirk?" Chanti asked skeptically.
"If that's where she's supposed to be, you bet I do."
There was uneasy silence until the com buzzed, and Ruth's angry voice hissed, "Don't worry, sir, I know my place!"
"Lieutenant Valley," Kirk began, but the con was clicked abruptly closed.
Sulu slumped the minute the door to his quarters closed. He'd told the double guard to get away from his cabin, and they'd replied they couldn't follow his orders, at least not concerning dismissal. Bradigan's orders. "Damn it all!" he growled.
Jilla stood in the doorway to the sleeping area. "Why are the guards here?" she asked quietly.
"How the hell should I know?" he snapped, then regretted it as Jilla stared at the deck. He started to cross to her. She backed away.
"Jilla, don't do this," he said.
"They are to protect you," she whispered. "They are to keep me from contaminating you."
"Don't say things like..."
"It is true!" Jilla cried. "They fear me, they hate what I am!"
"Then fuck what they think!" Sulu blazed. "I don't and I need you!"
With a choked-off sob, Jilla took slow steps toward him.
"Jilla...!" he growled in frustration. She gasped and stopped. "Honey... damn you...!"
The words let loose a cry of terror from her and she turned and ran from him. Sulu raced after her, catching her, and at the touch of his hand, she screamed and fell. He pulled her into his arms, but she was past feeling him. Blindly she tore at his face and his arms and chest, screaming and sobbing in terror and anguish. Her raw agony seared into him, filling him with remorse and bitter castigation. Her attack soon turned helpless and futile, her body shaking, the blows she rained on him becoming less and less hurting. Gradually she slowed, then stopped, collapsing into his arms, nearly choking on her deep, tear-filled sobs. She began whispering words of regret and fear, repeating over and over how sorry she was, that ‘they' were right, that she hadn't wanted to believe it.
Sulu felt his own anger being washed away in confusion. His arms tightly around her to prevent her from bolting from him, he asked worriedly, "Who was right, hon? What don't you want to believe?"
Her words spilled out; xenophobia, the commission was right. She was worthless and worse, dangerous. His own xenophilia had caught him, her worthlessness would destroy him. They saw an alien conspiracy to take over Terra, they saw his alleged cooperation because of her treachery to him - her bond and love for Selar. She was treacherous, could not be other. They would dissect her, examine her - anything to reverse what Selar had done, to ensure there would be no more like her. She understood his duty, he did what he had to, what he must do to protect the Federation from the vile thing she was. He thought she could be as nothing to him, an alien, new taste, different color, a thing to be used for Human passion, Human convenience. But she had betrayed him, and they were right. Her eyes glistened with fear, her body trembling with the bitter despair of her own making.
The words stung, the terrible emptiness behind them burning her and him. Sulu knew this was the core of Jilla`s being, the horror that, had she stayed on Indi, would have destroyed her. It was the reason telmnor on Indi didn't live. Their own shame, the surety of their own worthlessness fed on the agreeing emotions of those around them and eventually ate them alive. He pulled her head against his chest, trying to cut through the despair. "No... no, hon... I love you... you..."
"There have been - so many others..."
"I know..."
"Did you not love them?"
"Not like I love you."
She stared up at him, her eyes pools of misery. "Then they were no more than..."
"No, Jilla, I've cared for everyone I've ever..."
"Bedded," she finished softly. "As you bed me."
She meant it. He knew exactly how she meant it. Whore. And though he knew she applied it to herself, he also knew that he was as much a whore as she believed she was. More. She’d slept with two other men in her entire life - he refused to count the events on Canti. Until his relationship with her had begun, there hadn’t been a week in which he had slept with only two people – male or female. And since she was Indiian, what he was, what he felt, became what she felt. It hurt. And what hurt more was that there was nothing more to say. He held her, unable to do more than hush her, until she fell into sorrowing, restless exhaustion in his arms. He carried her to bed, got in beside her; but he lay awake, Jilla's bitter truth whispering in his mind, until well after midnight.
Kirk approached the brig with determined remorse. He was going to stop what had been going on, one way or another.
He expected to find her pacing, furious and full of hellfire. But Ruth sat in a corner, curled tightly around herself, silent and shaking. He motioned for the guard to turn off the force screen. She didn't even look up. She was afraid.
Ruth was afraid. The realization hit him hard, emphasizing just how bad the situation was. He'd never seen Ruth Valley afraid - and showing it - not even during the worst moments of their worst missions together. He hadn't known there was anything that could frighten her that much.
"Ruth," he said softly.
She gasped, realizing that she wasn't alone. "Damn," she muttered, then looked up at him, the anger he'd been expecting quickly masking what she was really feeling. "Yes, sir?" she asked scornfully.
"It's going to be all right," he assured her as he stepped closer.
Her eyes flashed around the cell before meeting his. "Is it?" she snarled.
He kept his voice level. "Yes. You have nothing to fear."
"You won't let them get me, is that it, Bwana?"
"Ruth, I'm sorry I caught you with your defenses down. Please, talk to me."
"Talk to you? Talk to the man who had his Security Chief gun me down? Twice!?"
"What?" Kirk's eyes flashed with genuine surprise and anger, and Ruth's accusatory stare wavered.
"You didn't..." she began; then her eyes hardened. "Sure you didn't. You never know what's happening on your ship."
"Ruth, believe me, this time I didn't," Kirk growled.
"Of course I'll believe you, Terran!" Ruth spat. Kirk grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Did anyone ever tell you you need a good spanking?" he said harshly, but his eyes were soft with memory. She had begun to pull away, but now she looked at him, hesitant and almost afraid to hope. "Ruth, Bwana won't let them, or anyone else, get you," he murmured. "Not if I know what it is that's after you. Will you tell me?"
"You don't know?" Ruth whispered, searching his face. "You really don't know?" He shook his head, and she hesitated again, then took a deep breath. "After we were confined to quarters..."
"When was that?" Kirk interrupted.
"Only a few hours after we were relieved of duty... you did know about that?"
Kirk sighed. "After the fact, yes, Ruth. Bradigan told me it was just for a routine security check."
"Routine. Ha!" Ruth snarled. Then she took another breath, and went on. "I tried to call you, to ask why, what we'd done... but the intercom wouldn't... the turbolift wouldn't answer either, or the... And you don't know!" She was getting angry again. "Only the captain can order... Sulu and the guards, full Security detail, phasers..." Panic crept in over the anger. "M'ress and Mrraal were separated, the rest of us locked away with our roommates told to watch us... No reasons given, and the questions from those sick... even Spock, you let them do that to Spock!" she suddenly shouted, bitter yet full of disbelief.
"Ruth, it wasn't me, I didn't..." Kirk began, trying to pierce the hysteria that was building, but she went on as though she didn't hear him.
"I had to fight Sulu when he came to get me, I just wanted to talk to you! Security came instead of you and I had to fight, I couldn't just let it happen! Spock said they'd expect us to go like lambs to the slaughter, and it's true, oh god, Jim, it's true, go quietly, follow orders, cooperate..."
There were tears in her eyes and she was trembling, but when he tried to enfold her in his arms she pulled away, hissing at him.
"That's what you've been doing! Cooperating! Following orders! You'll kill us all and you don't care as long as you don't get into official trouble...!"
The word broke off in surprised shock as Kirk harshly took hold of her shoulders and shook her.
"Ruth, stop it!" he ordered. "I'll admit, I've been 'cooperating,' but I didn't know with what! Yes, I'm worried about official trouble. Bradigan can relieve me if I don't follow orders. Is that what you want, to put me in a position where I can't do anything?"
"What have you done so far, Terran!?" Ruth nearly screamed.
"Nothing, because, up till now, I didn't know what was going on; and up till now, there was nothing I could have done even if I had known. But this, arresting you for coming to see your captain which you had every right to do," he emphasized, "that I can do something about. And the rest... there may not be anything I can do directly, but there is something." Kirk paused, locking his eyes onto Ruth's. "But Ruth, I have to have command of the ship to do it, and that means more cooperating, and more following the orders of those jackass civilians." More fear and bitter confirmation came into Ruth's eyes, and he vehemently shook his head. "For a little while, Ruth. We're only a few hours from Earth. A few hours, Ruth, that's all I'm asking. I won't let anything harm you, or anyone else, is that clear?"
She began a defiant retort, then closed her eyes and whispered, "I want to believe you, Jim; Goddess, how I want to believe you!"
"Then do. Trust me." He grinned wryly. "If I screw this up, I promise to personally announce to the ship what happened on Metaxa, all right?"
Ruth's smile was only the barest echo of his. "Deal, Bwana," she murmured.
Kirk stood and motioned to the guard again. "Don't worry, Lieutenant," he called as he left.
At Mrraal’s low growl, Ramon Ordona woke from an uneasy sleep. The Caitian was still pacing, his long tail swishing angrily behind him. The chronometer read 0307.
“Mrraal, why don’t you…” Ramon began.
Mrraal swung around, hissing, “What?!”
“Nothing!” Ramon stammered. “I’m sorry!”
At his words, the door to the corridor opened, the double guard stepping inside, phasers drawn and aimed.
“Lieutenant Mrraal, you are hereby placed under arrest for treason to the United Federation of Planets. Will you come with us, please.”
M’ress padded restlessly from the sleeping area to the living area and back. She was alone; Tara was on duty. The guards outside the door were no doubt enough to protect the rest of the crew from the imaginary Caitian menace.
She heard herself mewing fearfully at the reminder. She’d tried to call Ordona’s cabin to at least talk to her mate. The intercom wouldn’t respond. Even with her knowledge of communications, there was nothing she could do when the programming simply refused to acknowledge her existence.
There was no way out, not even vocally. She shuddered and decided to try again to get some sleep. She turned and headed for the bed that usually belonged to Ensign Vianno, and heard the hiss of the door. The dim light of the night-mode corridor came through the open doorway and silhouetted the two guards.
“Lieutenant M’ress?” A voice called.
“Yes?” she answered, suddenly more than terrified.
“Will you come with us? I’m afraid you’re under arrest - for treason to the Federation.”
Chekov had been invited to spend the evening with Lieutenant Gollub. Arex would have preferred to have the company of the Human navigator himself, though he completely understood the Human need for sexually compatible interactions. He did not like being left alone to brood over racial memory and present fears. When the door opened late in the evening he thought that perhaps Chekov had changed his mind. Two guards came into the room instead, and both expressionlessly leveled their phasers at him.
“Lieutenant Arex, you’re under arrest.”
“What charge?” Arex asked.
“Treason to the Federation. Come with us.”
Sulu was awake before the door finished its short whoosh. He sat up staring at the guards who now stood inside the cabin. “Didn’t I tell you to get the fuck away from…” he began. Jilla stirred, then sat up swiftly, shrinking away from him. His arm came around her, protectively pulling her back to him.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the guard’s stern voice said. “I’m afraid I have to ask you to stand aside.”
A tremor of fear went through Jilla and Sulu growled, “No.”
“We’ve been ordered to place Lieutenant Majiir under arrest, sir. And you, if you attempt to interfere.”
“There are no charges…” Sulu stated.
“There are now, sir. Treason to the United Federation of Planets.”
Jilla sobbed and Sulu turned to her.
“Hon, it’s wrong,” he insisted softly.
“Let me go,” she whispered back. “There is nothing you can do… nothing you should do… please, Sulu…”
“Lieutenant,” the guard interrupted, “we have our orders.”
Kirk didn’t bother looking at a chronometer. He knew what time it was, close enough. The fact that the commissioners would all be asleep didn’t bother him in the slightest. Belinkov, Hashi, Davis, Jung, and Chanti were about to get the most acrimonious tirade their suspicious minds had ever heard. And then I’ll go find Bradigan. But first, I’ve got to talk to Holden.
He got in the turbolift and headed for the Bridge. Once there, he had a hurried conference with Lieutenant Holden at communications.
“I want you to contact Babel without asking for clearance from Headquarters; you understand me, Lieutenant, without notifying Headquarters. Send it first priority and add a note making sure it reaches all the ambassadors, with special care to Sarek, Costain, Rhialan, Raal and Morax. Message as follows: Emergency situation, of the most urgent importance that you journey to Terra, details unclear but the Aprilist Movement and all non-Human races of the Federation at risk; highest danger, highest priority; Do not, repeat DO NOT contact Secretary Elamas until you reach Terra.; I refer you to the files on United Nations of Earth commissioners Belinkov, Chanti, Davis, Hashi, and Jung; Signed for Spock of Vulcan, Jilla Majiir of Epsilon Indi, Ruth Valley of Antares, M’ress and Mrraal of Cait and Arex of Edos; Captain James T. Kirk, commanding U.S.S. Enterprise. Put yesterday’s stardate on it, with a Terran equivalent.”
Lieutenant Holden stared at Kirk for a moment before a hint of a smile started playing around his mouth. “Yes, sir,” he said.
Kirk watched with growing satisfaction as Holden sent out the message, then turned and headed back to the turbolift. He nearly collided with Sulu who, wearing only a pair of silk pajama pants, was rushing furiously onto the Bridge.
“Where's…” Sulu began shouting, then stopped abruptly, stiffening. He glared at Kirk, speechless for a moment, then managed a vehement hiss. “What did she do, Captain?”
Kirk closed his eyes and wearily scrubbed his hands across his face before confronting the outraged lieutenant. “Explain, Mr. Sulu,” he said in his most patient voice.
Sulu’s eyes flashed with the same bitter disbelief he had seen earlier in Ruth. “Why did you issue the order to have Lieutenant Majiir arrested?” came the terse response. “What kind of bullshit is treason to the Federation?”
For a moment, Kirk wondered why he wasn’t outraged; then he realized that he was, but it had become a natural state. “I didn’t issue any such order, Lieutenant.”
“Then why was Jilla dragged out of bed in the middle of the night and taken to the brig?”
“Out of…” Kirk turned to the con and his intercom and quickly called Lieutenant Arex’s quarters. He got no answer there, or at Lieutenant M’ress’ – then Sulu told him that M’ress was confined in Lieutenant Ryan’s cabin, and Mrraal with Lieutenant Ordona. Neither call brought a response. Before Kirk could call Security, Security called him.
“I refuse.” Spock’s answer was quiet, but very firm.
Lieutenant Chau from Security gulped but stood his ground. “I’m sorry, sir, but I must insist.”
“Charges?” Spock shot the question at him.
“As I stated, Mr. Spock, treason to…”
Spock’s eyebrows came down in a fierce glare. “Fleet regulations are quite specific. I must be informed of the exact charges enumerated in any arrest directive.”
“I… I imagine you’ll be told, sir, when we reach the brig,” Ensign Patil stammered, trying to support his duty-mate.
“I will be told now, Ensign.”
The look in the Vulcan's eyes made his tone seem a growl and Patil fell back a pace, glancing helplessly at his companion.
“Mr. Spock, sir…” Chau began.
“No. Until and unless I am officially notified of the specifics of the charges against me, I will not go voluntarily to the brig, or anywhere else. Do I make myself clear, gentlemen?”
“Sir, we have a duty…”
“I am not interested in your duty.” Spock had risen from his seat, ignoring the phasers that were aimed at him. “You will leave my quarters. Now.”
“Please, Commander, don’t force me to – “ The words froze in the Chau’s mouth as Spock’s cold eyes bored into him. Spock took a step forward and both men took a step back. The lighting in the Vulcan’s cabin was subdued, and the shadows created by the corridor’s light made him look unusually dangerous; unusually satanic. Ensign Patil, the younger of the Security guards, had only been serving on the Enterprise a few weeks and wasn’t yet used to the appearance of the First Officer. He began to panic and his hand tightened on his phaser.
Spock noticed the slight movement and sidestepped agilely. The phaser’s blast missed him by centimeters. It didn’t miss the lyrette hanging behind him. With a screeching, singing protest, the instrument clanged to the deck as its owner moved swiftly to the offending guard, his fingers making contact with the man’s shoulder even as the stun blast from Chau’s phaser hit him.
“I see there’s no sleep in you either, Doctor,” Scotty said from the door that joined his quarters with McCoy’s. McCoy looked up from his glass of brandy.
“None at all, Scotty,” he replied. “I’ll be glad when these civilian commissioners are off this ship and out of our lives.”
“Aye, Doctor, you’ll not be findin’ anyone in Engineering to argue with that,” Scotty sighed. McCoy motioned him to a chair.
“Since I’m not sleeping and you’re not, how about joining me in a little brandy?”
“I don’t mind if I do,” Scotty said, and took the offered glass.
“Do you know they warned me against Ruthie, and my own wife?” McCoy snorted.
“They implied that Jilla was pullin’ the wool over my eyes as well,” Scotty rejoined, “as if anyone could, or that sweet little lassie would try.”
“My personal opinion is that they’re all a bunch of lunatics. I only wish I could make that a medical opinion as well.”
The agreeing statement Scotty was about to make was cut off by the whirring of a phaser and a horrendous screeching sound. McCoy and Scott were out the door and into the corridor in time to see the security guard collapse under Spock’s hand, and Spock collapse under a second phaser blast.
“What d’you think you’re doin’?!” Scotty bellowed, at the same time McCoy shouted,
“What in blazes is going on here?!”
The security guard was at the intercom, calling the captain, and Scotty headed for him as McCoy quickly dashed back into his quarters for his medical kit, then knelt down beside Spock.
“Captain, there’s trouble on…” the voice of the Lieutenant Chau said breathlessly, but before Kirk could ask, Scotty’s voice cut him off.
“Captain, they attacked Mr. Spock!”
“He was resisting arrest, sir!” Chau cried.
Kirk groaned, then barked into the com, “Everybody stay where you are! I’m on my way.” He closed the com and raced for the turbolift calling, “Come on, Sulu.”
Spock fought the dull ache and the swarm of dizziness that fogged his mind. He mustn’t remain unconscious. There was too much at stake, too much could happen while he was insensate. He struggled back up from the darkness, desperation propelling him.
A barely felt hiss sounded against his arm. Stimulant, his mind identified immediately. McCoy’s voice, a question that was a demand, and the shadows around him lightened. He opened his eyes.
“Spock?” McCoy said again. He was weak enough to allow the doctor to aid him to his feet. “What did they do?” McCoy wanted to know. There was still too much aftereffect from the phaser stun and though Spock heard, he wasn’t yet able to comprehend.
“Do?” he asked dully, then forced his mind to clear. “Do, Doctor?” he repeated. “I was placed under an illegal arrest. I resisted.”
“We had orders…” he heard Chau begin to say.
“From who?!” Scott interrupted, his voice echoing in Spock’s thoughts as righteous thunder. “You canna just come to a man’s quarters and drag him off into the night!”
“We had orders, Mr. Scott!” the man insisted.
“What orders, what charges?” McCoy shouted.
“We don’t question our superiors, Doctor.”
“Maybe it’s about time you started,” Kirk’s voice was a sudden addition as he strode toward them from the turbolift. “At least when they don’t make any sense. You see, Lieutenant Chau, those orders didn’t come from me.”
“But…” Chau stammered, “but… Captain…”
“I know, Mr. Chau, you assumed the orders were mine. So did Mr. Sulu and everyone else on board. Dismissed, and take Patil with you.”
Chau helped Patil to his feet and guided him to the turbolift as quickly as he could. They were immediately forgotten as McCoy, Scott and Sulu began to assault the captain with questions and protests. “Gentlemen,” Kirk said loudly and firmly enough to get their attention, “you’re dismissed.”
“But Jilla…” Sulu objected.
“Later, Lieutenant. Right now I want to talk to Mr. Spock. Alone.”
Sulu seemed on the verge of ignoring Kirk’s statement, then abruptly turned and headed to the turbolift.
“We’ll have a long talk in the morning, Bones,” Kirk promised, and grumbling, both McCoy and Scott went back to the doctor’s quarters and their interrupted drinks.
“May I?” Kirk asked, indicating the door to Spock’s quarters. The Vulcan nodded, and followed Kirk into the cabin. The sense of profound relief that had engulfed him at Kirk’s appearance was rapidly disintegrating into suspicion and fresh concern. He didn’t sit down, nor motion for Kirk to. His lyrette was retrieved and returned to its place on the wall before he spoke.
“Mr. Sulu’s attitude would seem to indicate that mine was not the only repose that was unlawfully disturbed,” he said tonelessly.
Kirk sighed. “Apparently…” he began.
Spock pivoted. “Apparently, Captain?”
Kirk was more than surprised by the quickness, the darkening of the eyes, the slight tonal alteration that he recognized as vehemence in Spock’s voice. The mistrust and anger, first from Ruth and now from the man who was his best friend hurt deeply. It made him even more determined to stop the commissioners. He faced Spock unflinchingly. “I know you don’t understand what’s going on…”
“On the contrary, I do, believe me.”
“I’m here to help,” Kirk went on, ignoring the interruption. “There’s not much I can do other than let the commission dig its own grave. By allowing this farcical arrest…”
“And a farcical execution?”
For the first time Kirk realized that his First Officer was as afraid as Ruth had been. They all must be terrified, and with good reason, he thought bitterly. The atmosphere of racial mistrust and fear was so thick one could almost cut it with a knife. Was it created deliberately by the commissioners? Frightened people often behave irrationally. This type of fear used against these particular ‘aliens’ could easily create violent resistance – which could be interpreted as mutiny or worse – and that would prove the commissioners’ assertions about the dangers of non-Humans in Fleet, and the threat they represented to the Federation. Never mind that without non-Humans there would be no Federation. Kirk’s anger at being used momentarily overwhelmed his sympathy for Spock’s fear.
“Not on my ship,” he snapped. “Damn it, Spock, they’ve done this on purpose!”
“Of course they have. Are you just beginning to see…” Spock’s tone though quiet had the intensity of a shout.
“But we’re not going to let them get away with it,” Jim broke in. “Spock, don’t you see that this reaction is precisely what they want? Hysterical, panicking, resisting, mutinous aliens!” He paused, his mind racing. “Go to the brig, Spock. Calm everyone down. They all respect you, they’ll listen to your logic.” His lips quirked in a wry grin. “The commissioners got that much right. Make sure all of you remain quiet and compliant. I don’t want an excuse for another charge of any kind to be brought against any of you.” He placed his hands on the Vulcans’ shoulders. “We’re only a few hours out from Earth. Hold out!”
“And play Judas goat?” came the blunt question.
“No, Spock,” Kirk said earnestly. “Trust me.”
“Why does our proximity to Earth matter?”
“Because I’ve got calls in to certain ambassadors…”
When Kirk finished talking, Spock took a step back and Jim let his hands drop to his sides. He waited as Spock looked at him, his expression unreadable. Kirk could only hope the Vulcan would accept the gamble he was making. There was a tension growing within him, almost as though his body were unconsciously preparing itself for an attack. He was barely able to conceal the relief he felt when Spock nodded curtly and said, “very well, Captain.”