Blindside

Caroline R. Kummer

2284

PROLOGUE

The Federation ambassador stood facing Colony First Minister Reg Arant. Neither had been looking forward to the meeting.

"Ambassador Carlysle, it seems we have reached an impasse. I regret our relationship with your Federation must end in this manner, but you know we have very little choice."

The ambassador stared at the first minister. "Minister Arant, the Edam system has been a member of the United Federation of Planets for fifteen years. Surely you must realize I wouldn't compromise that alliance if I didn't believe the situation was grave. You are putting your trust in an Empire that will ultimately turn against you! Already your system is being used in ways you cannot imagine, and soon—"

The first minister raised his hand, interrupting. "I feel your anger, Ambassador Carlysle. I have waited for some substantiation of your allegations. Since you appear intent upon creating dissension on our world, I must ask you to leave Colony and the Edam system. All Federation representatives will be asked to leave, and your trade routes will be closed. Edam will now cultivate a relationship with its newly introduced neighbors."

The ambassador, thus dismissed, turned and left the first minister's chambers as he motioned to his secretary to bring in his next guests.

"Now," said Arant, as the new arrivals seated themselves in front of his desk, "tell me about this Romulan Empire of yours..."

-1-

Captain's Log, Stardate 8445.7

With little more than a week since we left Earth, I am already beginning to detect an air of celebration throughout the ship. Following the situation on Sarva, we have been assigned a deep space exploratory mission. The crew has been reprovisioned, thoroughly checked out, and everyone seems to be thrilled with the situation. My new helmsman and navigator are showing themselves to be quite proficient at their posts, and Security Chief Chekov has become somewhat legendary in the rec deck for his simulator battles, which lately have taken a reckless and ruthless turn, much to the amusement of the junior officers.

Captain James T. Kirk closed his log, stretched, stood up, and walked sock-footed across his quarters to the intercom. He still had more than a half-hour before reporting to the bridge, but there didn’t seem to be much point in trying to catch a nap now. Funny, the deeper they got into space, the harder he found it just to sit back and do nothing. Doctor McCoy had offered one explanation: "You spend so much time being Captain Kirk, you’ve forgotten how to be Jim Kirk. You have over four hundred-ninety men and women on this ship who look at you and ask ‘What’s next?’ but it’s a question you can’t answer when you ask it yourself. Besides, as far as I can tell, you’re missing the presence of Ambassador Christopher."

Kirk hadn’t argued, but he hadn’t been totally satisfied with the doctor’s assessment. After all, he was not one of those gloomy leaders he’d read about, one upon whose shoulders "command weighed heavily." Quite the opposite; he thrilled to command, to be the one to whom the questions were posed. If it meant he spent all of his time being Captain Kirk, well, that was just part of the job.

But McCoy had made a final point: "Now your first officer, on the other hand, has just the opposite problem. Since he released Sybok’s katra on Vulcan, he spends all of his time being Spock, and I’ll be damned if there’s anything in this universe that can dissuade him from that role. Maybe it’s something he needs to do, after sharing his noggin with first me and then Sybok."

Kirk had laughed, secretly grateful his Vulcan first officer had not been privy to that particular conversation. As much as he loved and respected his two friends, he sometimes felt Spock and McCoy spent far too much time slinging barbs, and McCoy’s could be razor-edged. The captain wasn’t sure he would have wanted the doctor bringing up Sybok right now with his friend.

Now, standing in front of his communications viewscreen, he debated whether or not to call the bridge.

"Bridge to Captain Kirk."

Startled, Kirk sat down and answered the page. "Kirk here."

Spock’s image appeared on the screen. "Captain, I apologize for interrupting your rest period, but we are receiving a coded transmission from Starfleet Command. I can have it decoded and sent down..."

"No, Captain Spock. I was just on my way up. Decode and standby. Kirk out." So much for the nap.

*****

The turbolift doors slid open, and Captain Kirk stepped onto the bridge. "I certainly hope Starfleet isn’t sending us another one of their diplomatic missions. Maybe just a hearty ‘bon voyage’ on our new mission," he said, walking towards the command chair.

Spock gave the captain a quizzical look as he handed over the small stack of data sheets. "Doubtful," he pointed out. "And illogical."

"Well then, maybe a first contact mission, a scientific survey of a nebula, even escorting a pair of robot freighters to Sherman’s Planet...anything but a diplomatic mission. I’m not so sure that I can stomach another one so soon after Sarva."

"Starfleet Command seldom issues assignments on what we may desire."

Kirk interrupted his first officer. "I know, Spock, I know." The captain sighed and sat down in his chair as Spock rose and moved smoothly to the side.

"Message ready, sir," Uhura announced.

"On screen, Commander."

The chief communications officer flashed Spock a grin, and the Vulcan raised one slanted eyebrow, all of which went unnoticed behind their captain’s back.

Admiral Moses Cartwright’s image appeared on the huge forward viewscreen. "Enterprise, you are hereby ordered to proceed directly to the Edam system. When you reach the outer boundary of the system, hold position. You will be met by the Federation ambassador to Edam. Diplomatic ties have been severed, and all Federation representatives have been ordered out."

There was a pause then Cartwright continued. "Jim, we don’t know what’s happened out there, but that system is vital to Neutral Zone protection. It’s provided a key buffer area for our border patrols, and now all of sudden the Federation has been booted out, and a whole sector is left unprotected. Ambassador Carlysle is as much in the dark as we are. There have been no reported Romulan violations of the Neutral Zone, but interplanetary activity has increased within the system in the past six months. Get the ambassador’s group safely aboard the Enterprise, find out what you can, and report back to Starbase Twelve. The Edami have ordered them out within three standard days, so you people will have to move it. We’ll be waiting to hear from you. Cartwright, Starfleet Command, out."

Kirk glanced around at the silent bridge, his eyes finally coming to rest on his first officer. "Well, Captain Spock. Comments?"

Dead-pan, Spock replied, "Bon voyage is indeed appropriate."

-2-

The Enterprise had been maintaining warp seven for fifty-two straight hours, and down in the engine room Captain Montgomery Scott was feeling the strain every bit as much as his precious "bairns." Orders or no, he thought glumly, ‘tis too fine a ship to be punished this way. Racing across the galaxy to ferry a bunch of diplomats home... He listened to the high-pitched whine of her engines and shook his head sadly. "Three more hours, m’lovlies. Aye, then you’ll have a breather." And a leisurely journey back to Starbase Twelve...

On the bridge, Kirk could not quite get rid of a nagging uneasiness. Warping through space for two and half days was bad enough, but Moses Cartwright had left his orders so vague. Pick up the ambassador and his family on the Edam system boundary, debrief, and report. Report what? Cartwright wasn’t telling him something. It was an old admiral’s trick, and Kirk thought it typical for Cartwright to be indulging in that type of tactic. He turned towards the communications station, where Spock and Uhura were huddled. He knew they were trying to raise someone... anyone, in the Edam system. Even at this range, the outermost planet should be receiving their transmissions.

"Anything on subspace?" Spock was asking. Like the captain, he found the lack of information about their mission disquieting.

"Transmitting on all frequencies, sir, and monitoring response channels. Nothing so far," Uhura said.

Spock straightened and turned towards Kirk. "Captain, I suggest we approach the Edam system more cautiously than we had anticipated."

"We weren’t planning on trumpets and fanfares, Captain Spock," Kirk said, "but what are you thinking?"

Spock folded his hands behind his back, a posture Kirk knew meant the Vulcan was preparing to offer a lengthy discourse, but Spock surprised him. "I would prefer to wait for the briefing to elaborate, but in compiling the recent historical data on the system, I have found some...inconsistencies."

Kirk heard the slight hesitation. "Very well, Captain Spock. Have your report ready for the briefing. We’ll be anxious to hear about your ‘inconsistencies.’"

Spock went back to his library computer. He hoped to find more concrete data on the Edam system, but the reports he was accessing were not detailed. For a system that had been a Federation member for fifteen years, there was surprisingly little substantive information available. Spock’s Human half found this curious, and his Vulcan half found it illogical. For all the worlds that comprised the Federation, he did not expect, or rely upon, empirical knowledge. He did, however, expect his data resources to be complete and up-to-date. This did not seem to be the case with the Edam system. Had the Vulcan’s back not been turned, the slight frown now creasing Spock’s brow, hidden in the shadow of his hooded viewer, would have undoubtedly added to the captain’s unease.

A half-hour later in the briefing room, Captain Kirk motioned to Spock to begin. The first officer called up a system map on the triviewer.

"The Edam system revolves around a two point five magnitude main-sequence star, which you now see on your screen. There are five planets. Two are class M; Edami and Colony." The visual display changed to show each planet as Spock continued. "Edami is the home planet in the system. As its inhabitants developed interplanetary travel, their exploration took them here, to the planet they call Colony. It was with Colony that Federation first contact was made. The main reasons the Edami agreed to join the Federation were their desire for technological assistance and eventual travel beyond their frontier. They are an extraordinarily peaceful people, intelligent and curious despite their virtual isolation."

He changed the visual once again, this time calling up an image all too familiar to the assembled staff. "As you will note, this system sits directly on the far edge of the Neutral Zone, with the Romulan Empire less than seven light-years away. Even so, General Order Three, which guarantees system sovereignty to its members, is maintained. As Federation members, the Edami were entitled to the full services and protection of Starfleet, yet they chose to decline."

Doctor McCoy couldn’t stand the impassive recitation any longer. "You mean to tell me we just left them hanging out there, right next door to the Romulans, without so much as a slingshot to fire at them?"

Spock folded his arms and regarded the doctor coolly. "We granted them the right to live their lives as they saw fit, in the manner in which they had always conducted themselves. General Order Three has been in effect for eighteen years, ever since first contact. After they joined the Federation, the Edami would not permit Starfleet to operate within its system."

McCoy was not placated. "Well that seems pretty isolationist, so much so that they seem to be unaware that when they joined the Federation, they became someone’s enemy—the Romulans, to be precise."

"Doctor, we are not sure if it is Romulan intervention which has precipitated this situation."

McCoy snorted. "Care to give me odds?" he snapped.

Kirk halted the argument. "Gentlemen, we’re not even sure what the situation is. Let’s table the speculation and continue assessing the information we do have. Mister Geller, your report please."

Ship’s anthropologist Jeffrey Geller presented a short summary of the Edami people, but with his usual flair for the dramatic, he paused before revealing his coup d’grace. "Physically," he said, "you have noticed the Edami are humanoid in almost every way, scale nine. However, there is one significant difference: The Edami are full telepaths." Geller sat back, enjoying his little bombshell.

The captain looked at him skeptically. "Telepaths?"

Geller smiled. "Captain, not only can they read minds and emotions, they can project their thoughts and feelings. Don’t you see? It’s why they adopted their philosophy of peace and non-violence, and why they don’t want to have Starfleet within their border. Really, it’s very similar to the Vulcan belief that ‘the spear in the other’s heart is the spear in my own’...only for the Edami it is literally the truth. With the mental powers they possess, war takes on a whole new meaning. Imagine knowing every move your enemy is about to make, having him feel every injury you sustain, and you his. Survival requires a complete rejection of violence."

Kirk looked around the briefing room table at the rest of his officers, watching for some reaction. His Vulcan science officer in particular seemed lost in thought. Kirk recalled his first officer’s mention of inconsistencies. McCoy, too, had his eye on the Vulcan. Spock would have a better understanding of the telepathic process, but McCoy detected something else.

"All right, Spock," the doctor said, "you probably knew about this telepathy and whatever else the Edami have up their psychic sleeves. But the Vulcans embrace a philosophy of peace and yet seem to tolerate Starfleet."

"There are some on Vulcan who barely tolerate Starfleet, Doctor." Spock steepled his hands in front of him. "Mister Geller has drawn a comparison which is superficial at best. The Vulcan philosophy of peace grew out of a violent, bloody history which nearly destroyed our world. The peace that has endured since the time of Surak has been based on a dedication to logic, and logical solutions to problems. As members of the Federation, Vulcan accepts the necessity of an entity such as Starfleet in a universe filled with unknowns."

He drew a breath and continued, "The Edami, on the other hand, have led a very isolated existence. They were fortunate that their first contact with other worlds was the peaceful arrival of a Federation scoutship. Even so, their outworld contact has been limited to merchant trading on Colony and within the system. They have yet to venture out beyond their frontier. This might explain—" Spock was interrupted by the whistle of the intercom.

"Bridge to Captain Kirk."

The captain hit the comlink switch. "Kirk here."

"Captain," came Uhura’s voice, "I am receiving a transmission from the Edam frontier. I’ve tried responding, but the message just keeps repeating."

Kirk was already on his feet. "Keep trying, Commander. We’re on the way." He started for the door. "We seem to have raised more questions than we answered," he said to his officers. "It’s time to start getting those answers." Kirk left the briefing room, his staff close behind.

***

Uhura continued transmitting a response to the Edami message. Each time the message repeated, she tried a different frequency. Kirk and Spock stepped onto the bridge just as the transmission began again.

"Attention Starfleet vessel. You are requested to hold position. You are approaching Edam system boundary. You are requested to hold position."

Uhura looked up at the captain. "Still no response to us, sir," she said.

Kirk studied the viewscreen. Even the little frontier planet, Colony, was nowhere in sight. "Navigator, what is our position?" he asked.

"Approximately one light year from the Edam system, expecting arrival at system boundary in less than an hour," Lieutenant Gnutson responded, glancing at his grids. The older Centaurian male was the Enterprise’s navigator since leaving on this five-year mission. Commander Chekov had been promoted to Security Chief and Third Officer of the Enterprise. Gnutson was a short, thin, balding man, but very dedicated to his work.

"Mister Hennessy," said Kirk, crossing to the command seat, "reduce speed and bring us to a full stop."

"Aye sir," said Chief Helmsman Hennessy, beginning the process. The young red-haired man had replaced Hikaru Sulu at the helm since the latter’s promotion as the captain of the science ship Cooper.

Spock stepped away from his scanners and moved to the captain’s side. "Full stop, sir?"

"A hunch, Captain Spock. The Edami transmission is requesting that we hold position. Perhaps we won’t get any more information until we comply. For now, we’ll play it their way."

The first officer nodded as Hennessy brought the ship out of warp drive for the first time in almost three days, then reset the viewscreen for normal space.

"Long-range scan, Captain Spock," Kirk ordered.

Spock returned to his hooded viewer. "Nothing sir," he said, not looking up. "We are still too far out to read the frontier."

"Source of transmission, Uhura?" Kirk asked hopefully.

"The transmission has ceased, Captain," she answered. "I can’t locate—wait, I’m receiving something else, sir. It’s a new message."

"Let’s hear it, Commander." Uhura opened the channel.

"Attention Starfleet vessel. You are requested to maintain present distance from Edam system. Coordinates for the Federation ambassador located on planet Colony will follow. You may send one unarmed vessel to retrieve your people and carry them to your ship. Repeat, one unarmed vessel, one pilot. You will then leave our territory."

Kirk waited for more, but all that followed was a stream of coordinates pinpointing the ambassador’s location on Colony. "Open a hailing frequency," he instructed Uhura.

"All frequencies open," she said.

"This is Captain James T. Kirk of the Federation starship Enterprise. We have transporters aboard our ship that can beam the ambassador aboard, if you would allow us to move into range." He waited, and the transmission started again.

"Attention Starfleet vessel. You are requested to maintain present distance—"

"All right, Commander, keep monitoring in case they change their tune. Anything at all, Captain Spock?" the captain asked hopefully, turning to his first officer.

"I suspect a message drone, Captain," he said, looking up from his scanner. "Apparently equipped with sensors, triggered by our movements."

"Can you fix a location?"

"Negative. Most mysterious. Perhaps it is either beyond our sensor range, or too small to register."

"Or perhaps it’s cloaked?"

"Given the situation, a distinct possibility."

The captain stood and began to pace. He was not a man who liked being told what to do, especially by some unseen message drone. He finally paused up by the science station, his eyes still fixed on the forward screen. "Mister Gnutson, plot a course to Colony and lay it into the shuttlecraft Discovery’s computer. Also, give me the elapsed time, full shuttle speed, to Colony. Captain Spock—"

"Captain, request permission to take the Discovery to Colony and pick up the ambassador," the first officer said.

Kirk thought he detected a hint of urgency in Spock’s voice, then dismissed it as his own misgivings. "Spock, once you’re inside their system, you’re on your own. Our hands are tied. We can’t enter, and you can’t go in there armed." He searched the Vulcan’s face, but Spock’s expression was unreadable, as usual.

"Course laid in, Captain," Gnutson announced. "Estimate the Discovery’s arrival at Colony in three hours, maximum speed. Frontier boundary in two hours, then one more to Colony."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Commander," he said, turning to Uhura, "call up the ambassador’s bio. Spock, take a look at—"

"Captain," Spock interrupted, "I will have no trouble identifying the ambassador. She and I have met before."

"She?" Kirk hoped his jaw dropping wasn’t as noticeable as it felt. Not that female ambassadors were rare in the Federation; there were many. But Kirk thought they had been talking about Gareth Carlysle, one of Earth’s most senior and distinguished diplomats.

"Kathryn Carlysle and I have met before," Spock continued. "I have followed her career with some...interest."

Kirk got the impression he was about to say more and then decided against it. "Okay, Spock. I’m also going to have Doctor McCoy put together a field kit, in case anyone in the party has a medical problem that can’t wait. Get together anything else you need, and meet us on the hangar deck in ten minutes."

***

The Discovery’s hatch was already open when McCoy and Kirk entered the hangar. Climbing inside, they saw Spock seated at the controls, going through his pre-flight check.

"I still can’t believe you’re buying this set-up," McCoy said under his breath.

Kirk cut him off."That’s enough, Bones. We don’t have a choice. Our orders are to get the ambassador and her family aboard the Enterprise, and this is the way we’re being allowed to do it."

McCoy remained unconvinced. "And you, Spock," he said, directing his attention to the first officer. "You’re just going to fly into the hornet’s nest, scoop ‘em up and cruise home?"

"Doctor, I do not underestimate the potential problems that might be encountered. However, we are taking all precautions, including your medical ‘bag of tricks’."

"But you’re not a doctor," McCoy persisted. "What if someone is hurt or sick?"

"We have no reason to believe anyone has been harmed. And the instructions specified only one officer would be allowed within the system."

"One unarmed officer!" McCoy reminded him.

"Granted," Spock acknowledged calmly. "However, I know Ambassador Carlysle, and I am a command pilot. In six point two hours, we should all arrive back aboard the Enterprise."

Kirk had the final word. "Spock, good luck. Stay in contact, updating us as soon as you find the ambassador."

"Of course, Captain," Spock replied evenly, turning back to his console.

"C’mon, Bones. Let him get out of here." Kirk ushered the doctor back through the hatch, turning to watch the cover slide closed. They went back out through the airlock and headed for the turbolift.

Hnnessy reported the Discovery ready for launch. "Open hangar doors," Kirk ordered.

"Doors open, sir," Hennessy confirmed.

Kirk hit a switch on the arm of his chair. "You’re cleared for takeoff, Captain Spock. See you in six hours."

The Vulcan’s voice came through the speakers. "Discovery acknowledges. Spock out."

"Shuttle away," Hennessy announced. The Discovery appeared off the Enterprise port side, then in a burst of thrusters went racing towards the still-invisible Edam system. Doctor McCoy watched until it was no more than speck among the stars. He blinked, and the Discovery was gone, invisible as well.

-3-

The far side of the planet Colony rotated into its night-cycle, plunging already raw temperatures below freezing. The generally unforgiving climate in this hemisphere had caused the planet’s earliest explorers, some fifty years ago, to abandon their first camps and seek a more hospitable location for what would eventually become the thriving Colony settlement.

The Edami had discovered a wealth of minerals and ore upon reaching their farthest planet, and once they had established a suitable base, volunteer colonists from the home world signed up and shipped out, anxious to become a part of the "great experiment." Colony was the planet of the Edami future; it would be their stepping stone to the galaxy, a promise that eighteen years ago seemed on the verge of being fulfilled when first contact with the outworld was made.

Kathryn Carlysle, the Federation’s first, only, and now former ambassador to Edam, paced the length of the small room, pausing every once in a while to listen for noise outside. A space heater in one corner barely took the chill out of the air, while beyond the cabin walls the wind whipped through the abandoned camp. She looked over to where her son lay sleeping. Thirteen year-old Devon had stretched his lanky frame out on a cot, covering himself with one of the thin quilts they had found. Carlysle tried to dismiss the thought that they had been left here to die. She tried to convince herself that the Federation had indeed been alerted to pick them up.

Shivering, she pulled her own quilt more tightly around her, and pictured her husband the night she and Devon had left the settlement.

She had been sitting in their garden, enjoying the last little bit of twilight. Chas had appeared and sat down next to her.

"Kathryn, the cruiser will be here soon. You must go with them."

Kathryn nodded. She knew he was right. Still... "Chas, you have to come with us. It isn’t safe here...not anymore."

He shook his head. "This is my world. I must stay here, and try to convince them that what we have said is true. I need proof and time. You and Devon must leave. Go back to your Federation. Tell them what we suspect. I shall do what I can here, but not until I know you are safe."

Kathryn wrapped her arms around him, feeling his love, his strength...

"I’m staying, too," a voice behind them announced. Devon stood in the lengthening shadows.

His father’s voice took on a harder edge. "That will not be possible. Federation personnel have been ordered off-world."

"I am Edami!" the boy protested. "I’m not an off-worlder, I was born here. I’ve never even been off world!"

"You’ve never been to Edami, either," Chas pointed out. "In this matter, there is no room for argument. When the cruiser arrives, you and your mother will both be going on it."

Devon looked ready to offer an argument despite his father’s warning, but then he felt the concern and caring behind the harsh words. Fighting back tears, he joined his parents in one final embrace, then left to pack his satchel.

Now, as Carlysle watched her son sleep, she renewed her vow to Chas. She would keep Devon safe, get him away from Edam, back to the Federation and her home world.

"Mother?" Devon rolled over, squinting up at her in the dim light. "Mother, are you all right?"

"Yes, Devon," she answered, coming to sit beside him on the cot. "I’m sorry if I woke you."

"I wasn’t really asleep," he said, sitting up on the bed. "We had to leave, you know."

"I know, darling. I just wish there had been some other way."

Devon frowned. "We still may not be safe, Mother. The ones who brought us here—the ones you don’t trust—they wanted to kill us right away. They didn’t think it was safe to let us leave."

His expression, so much like his father’s, made Kathryn swallow hard before responding. She tried to reassure her son. "They also knew they would have to contend with the full force of Starfleet if any harm came to us. No, we’re being allowed to leave, and the Federation will simply close its book on Edam."

Devon remained unconvinced. "But don’t you see...?"

Kathryn stopped him. "Sh-h-h. Listen..." She stood and crossed to the cabin door. Outside, the wind was howling, but she could just make out the sound of...

"A ship!" cried Devon.

"Quiet! Yes, I think it is! Gather our bags, while I see what—"

"No!" He was out of bed and standing in front of her. "What if you went out there and never came back?"

"Devon, don’t be ridiculous. It’s got to be the ship coming to pick us up. Who else would be crazy enough to be all the way out here?"

"Fine, then I’ll go with you." He stood tall and defiant in front of her, determined to have his way this time.

Kathryn was ready to argue, but pulled herself up short. She gave him a sad smile. "You’re right. We’ll go together. Let’s get our things."

They left the cabin together, and headed out into the icy night towards the sound of the ship. Neither one looked back.

***

Spock set the shuttle down at the coordinates provided by the message drone. Visual references had been useless as he flew into the planet’s night rotation, but his sensors had shown him two life-forms at a distance of one hundred twenty point four meters from the clearing where he’d landed. He activated the shuttlecraft’s exterior floodlights, took a powerful hand lantern from the supply locker, and opened the hatch.

The blast of cold air took him by surprise, until he recalled the planet’s climate specifications. He pulled his field suit closer at the collar, hoping his charges were ready to depart. He placed his beam along the perimeter of the clearing, and caught only the wall of forest, tree branches and limbs bending and swaying in gusts of fierce wind.

Suddenly, two shadowy figures emerged into the spill of the shuttle’s lights: one tall, one a bit shorter. As they moved closer, the smaller figure stepped forward, and Spock felt a tentative, yet distinct, mind probe. He quickly clamped his mental shields into place, preventing the touch from going any further.

The small figure spoke. "Who are you? Identify yourself!" The voice was young, but strong.

"I am Captain Spock, First Officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise. I am looking for Federation Ambassador Kathryn Carlysle and—"

"How can you prove this?" the young voice challenged. Behind him, Devon felt his mother lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Devon, it’s all right." Carlysle stepped forward fully into the lighted clearing, stopping a few feet in front of Spock. "It’s been a long time," she said quietly.

Spock merely nodded, knowing she was speaking of more than her past three days wait for rescue.

***

Inside the shuttlecraft, Spock showed the ambassador the small rear cabin, reclining one of the seats as a bed for her son. He then readied for liftoff, under the watchful eyes of Devon Carlysle. The boy was sitting in the navigation seat, fascinated by the intricate control console. His mother came forward and stopped behind his chair.

"Devon, I think you ought to try a nap."

"Mother, please! This is the first Starfleet ship I’ve ever seen! I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to!" He looked up at his mother, pleading.

"Perhaps Captain Spock would prefer to be left alone."

Spock looked up from his controls, and for the first time met her eyes directly. "The boy may stay," he said, "but it is time for all of us to strap in."

She nodded and took the seat behind Devon.

"Liftoff may be rough due to the strength of the surface winds," Spock explained, adjusting his own belt. "I estimate three point two minutes for atmosphere escape." He flipped a series of switches, and the shuttle engines roared to life.

Devon concentrated on the gauges, then turned to look at his mother. We’re off! he thought. Kathryn smiled.

*****

Kirk checked his chronometer again. Spock should have found the ambassador by now, and be headed back to the Enterprise. The flight to Colony had been, in the first officer’s words, uneventful, and at last report he’d had the planet in sight, preparing to enter orbit. That had been thirty-five minutes ago. Kirk wished he’d specified half-hour, rather than hourly checks. There was no reason to think anything was wrong, but it would give him something to do other than watch the minutes tick by. He turned to the communications officer. "Commander Uhura, anything new from that message drone?"

"Negative, Captain. No new transmissions."

"Are you still monitoring all other frequencies?"

"Affirmative. Nothing there either."

McCoy suddenly appeared beside him. Kirk hadn’t even heard him come on the bridge. "Jim, why don’t you give Hennessy the conn and catch a nap?" the doctor suggested. "Spock won’t be back for another three hours at least."

The captain didn’t want to admit how tempting that sounded, especially not to McCoy, and he’d probably just lie awake in his cabin anyway. Still, he thought, maybe he should get off the bridge for a while. Without looking at McCoy, he said, "Mister Hennessy, you have the conn. Commander Uhura, page me the moment Captain Spock checks in. I’ll be in my quarters." With that, he rose and strode off the bridge. Astonished, McCoy followed.

In the turbolift, Kirk finally looked at McCoy, the hint of a smile playing around his mouth.

McCoy was furious. "You did that on purpose!" the doctor spluttered. "I was all set to give you my—" He stopped, and began smiling himself. "Well, at least it got you out of that chair for a while."

The turbolift opened on E Deck, and the two walked silently to Kirk’s cabin. Inside, Kirk sank into a chair while McCoy perched on the edge of the bed.

"Somehow I knew you wouldn’t sleep," the doctor said.

"Bones, I just can’t get rid of this feeling that something’s not right. Even Spock is suspicious, but he’s not going to admit that something seems wrong."

"Say, I meant to ask you," McCoy said. "What did Spock mean when he said he knew Ambassador Carlysle? I thought she’d been in the Edam system for years."

"She has. You know her father is Gareth Carlysle. In fact, I thought he was the one we were picking up. I didn’t know his daughter was also in the diplomatic service. She was the first ambassador appointed to Edam fifteen years ago...been there ever since. Spock didn’t elaborate, but they probably met at some conference Gareth and Sarek were part of."

McCoy looked thoughtful. "Yeah, that makes sense. He seemed awfully anxious to pilot the rescue shuttle."

Kirk smiled. "I had Uhura pull her bio. You could take a look at—"

"Oh, no!" said the doctor in mock horror. "I know what bio-pics look like. I’ll just wait for the real thing."

The intercom signaled, and Kirk leaned forward as Uhura’s image appeared on the screen. "Sir, Captain Spock is calling in."

"Send it down, Commander. Thank you."

Spock’s voice came through the speaker. "Discovery to Enterprise."

"Enterprise, Kirk here. Go ahead, Captain Spock."

"Captain, we are leaving Colony planet orbit, establishing course back to the Enterprise."

"Is everyone all right?"

"All aboard and well, sir."

"Good, Spock. Check in again as you leave the system’s border."

"Acknowledged, Captain. Spock out."

Kirk switched the channel off and turned to McCoy. "All right, Bones. Get out of here, and let me see if I can actually take that nap."

"Just the fact that you’ll try fills my prescription," McCoy grumbled as he left.

*****

The Discovery left Colony orbit and headed towards the frontier. Spock set his course, then looked over at his passengers. He noticed how much the boy resembled his mother. Devon had his mother’s same red-brown hair and dark blue eyes, and the expression those eyes held could have been Kathryn’s thirty-five years ago; the look of one setting out on adventures unknown. Spock thought he also recognized something else, something familiar, questioning, or searching...

"We should reach the Enterprise in approximately two point eight hours," he began, "at which time—"

"You mean this isn’t the Enterprise?" Devon interrupted.

"Negative. This is the shuttlecraft Discovery."

"But you do have weapons, don’t you?" the boy persisted.

"Negative. This shuttlecraft is not an armed vessel. Its primary function is transportation and research," Spock explained.

"But we’ve got to be able to fight!" Devon cried. "We can’t just let them destroy us!" By this time, Spock could see the boy was quite agitated.

Carlysle tried to calm her son down. "Devon, take it easy," she said, putting her arms around him.

"Mother, make him understand! Once they appear, they mean to destroy us!" The boy struggled out of her embrace.

She looked over at Spock, who raised an eyebrow, questioning.

"Please, Captain," Devon pleaded, "You’ve got to believe me. I heard them! They’re going to follow us. We won’t see them until the very last minute, when they’ll appear and destroy your ship!"

Spock could hardly believe the boy would have overheard such a conversation, but something in Devon’s intensity made him wonder. He motioned to the ambassador. "Perhaps you should take your son to the aft cabin and make him comfortable," he told her.

"No!" Devon cried. "Mother, tell him! Tell him I know!"

"Shhh, Devon, please, come back and lie down. I’ll talk to him." She guided her exhausted son to the rear of the shuttle. A few minutes later, she returned and sat in the chair next to Spock. She watched the Vulcan for a long moment.

"It really is good to see you again, Spock," she said finally.

"I regret it had to be under these circumstances," he replied, keeping his eyes on his controls.

"I’ve often thought about you, where you were, what you might be doing..."

"I have been impressed with your diplomatic career. It is unfortunate your assignment here ends in this manner."

Carlysle’s eyes flashed with anger. "Unfortunate? Spock, you don’t know the half of it!" She got to her feet and began pacing. "It could mean the end of this world!"

Spock was surprised by her sudden fury. He realized Humans were given to exaggeration. Still the ambassador and her son both seemed to know something he didn’t. He found that disconcerting. What were they hiding? "Kathryn, what was your son talking about? How could he have heard the plan he described?"

She sat back down. "He didn’t actually hear what he told you, but you must believe what he says."

"Because he is half Edami?" Spock asked,

The woman studied him. "Yes."

Spock nodded. "I felt him trying to reach my mind on Colony."

Of course, Carlysle thought. "He has not been exposed to many off-worlders," she said, then added, "except, of course, his mother."

"And the boy’s father?"

"Chas. I think...he must be dead. He could have come with us, as my husband, when the Federation was ordered out, but he chose to remain behind. Someone has to convince the Edami of the threat they’re facing."

"Threat?"

"Romulans," she said simply. She looked for a reaction, but Spock’s face revealed nothing. She’d forgotten how skilled he was at that.

"The Romulans are on Colony now?" he asked levelly.

"For the past six months. In fact, it was a Romulan crew that took us to the camp where you picked us up."

"Your reports have mentioned none of this," Spock pointed out.

Damn him, thought Carlysle. Why won’t he show some reaction? Aloud, she said, "I was alone out here, Spock. Sometimes you can’t play it by the book. As an ambassador, that fact becomes clear very quickly in situations as adverse as this one."

Spock was thoughtful for a moment. "And the conversation your son claims to have heard?"

She bristled. "Devon often uses heard when he’s read another’s thoughts. He must have touched the minds of the crew that brought us to the camp. I don’t understand what he meant about a ship appearing, but even back on Colony, he was convinced we were to be killed."

"Perhaps I should speak with him," Spock said. "If I could get him to remember exactly what he sensed, I will have a better understanding of how to proceed." He set the shuttle controls on auto-pilot. "Stay here. This will take a few minutes." He disappeared into the aft cabin.

Devon was stretched out on the reclining seat, his face turned towards the wall. Spock sat down on the seat next to him, and cleared his throat.

"Mister Carlysle..."

Devon turned to him. "Do you believe me now?" the boy asked.

"I need additional information," Spock said. "There is a way I can touch your thoughts, much like you are able to read the thoughts of others. Will you permit this?"

Devon considered him. "I will," he said finally.

Spock put his hands together for a second, then leaned forward and placed them on the sides of Devon’s face. The boy was surprised by the warmth of the fingers lightly touching his skin, then became aware of Spock’s gentle mind probe. Devon tried to concentrate on the event, but he found Spock was very much in control.

Just relax, Spock was telling him in his mind. I shall find what I seek, you need only open your thoughts to me. Time lost all meaning, until minutes—or perhaps only seconds—later, Spock drew his hands away.

"I have found what I need," he said, slowly getting to his feet. "Stay here and rest now." The Vulcan headed to the front of the shuttle.

Devon watched him leave, then settled back in his chair. The mind-meld had left him tired, but also curious about the alien who had shared his thoughts. He tried to sort out his impressions, as one thought kept coming back to him. The experience had been "fascinating."

*

Spock returned to the pilot seat and addressed the ambassador. "Devon permitted the mind-meld. He is a most remarkable child."

She chuckled softly. "Don’t let him hear you call him that. He certainly doesn’t consider himself a child anymore."

"I shall try to remember. However, I was able to obtain a more precise picture of what lies ahead. It seems there is indeed a ship pursuing us. It is unmanned, and I suspect it is the same vessel that originated the messages received by the Enterprise. The ship is cloaked."

"Cloaked?"

"Romulan technology," Spock explained. "It renders the ship invisible to our scanners."

"But why go to all this trouble? Why weren’t we just killed on Colony?"

Spock hesitated, then said finally, "I suspect you are not the only target."

Carlysle was horrified. "Your starship?"

"I believe so." Spock knew the shuttlecraft was only the bait, leading the phantom ship directly to the Enterprise.

"Oh gods, Spock, what have I caused?

"Nothing yet, Kathryn. Your son has given us an advantage. The odds, as my captain would say, are in our favor. I must contact the Enterprise and tell them what we have learned."

*****

Reg Arant paced the small office that was his sanctuary. Away from the formal chambers and reception rooms of the vast government buildings, the first minister found this space his favorite. His windows looked out over the Colony settlement. Its eclectic architecture reflected the influence of the little world’s contact with the United Federation of Planets.

He hadn’t wanted to end that alliance. Privately, the decision had anguished him, and he still felt saddened by the turn of events that had led to it. In particular, he missed the gentle Human ambassador, Kathryn Carlysle. Their official relationship had little in common with the friendship that had developed over the years. He’d stood with Kathryn during her marriage to Chas, and was talera, what she had called "godfather," to her son, Devon.

Arant did not imagine such a friendship developing with the Romulan representative D’Naris. In fact, he’d discovered the Romulans in general were not inclined to associate with their Edami counterparts outside of purely business dealings. They weren’t exactly unfriendly, Arant thought, but they certainly weren’t as open and communicative as the Federation members had been. To the Edami, they were a closed book, telepathically, which, of course, was their right.

Standing at his window, he noticed the running lights of a cargo-carrier approaching the landing field on the far side the settlement. The huge transport vessel was undoubtedly returning to Colony for routine maintenance, a job recently assigned to the Romulan technicians. Their mechanical skills had greatly increased the fleet’s efficiency rating, and D’Naris had promised even more advances as the Romulan-Edami alliance was forged. Perhaps it was for the best, Arant thought as he turned away from the window. In the past six months, the Romulans had shown more interest in the Edami than the United Federation of Planets had in fifteen years. He didn’t doubt that interest would soon prove beneficial to both their worlds.

*****

The Romulan task force chief D’Naris and two technicians, Ptrik and Malem, also watched the carrier land. They were seated in the lounge of the receiving complex, a long, window-walled building that flanked one side of the landing field. An Edami waiter appeared at their table, ready to take their order. D’Naris waved him away. "Nothing. Thank you. Jolan tru," he said brusquely.

As the waiter left, D’Naris leaned close to his two companions. "It will not be long now. A week more, at most, and we’ll be able to leave this rock. It comes none too soon. My patience with these Edami is wearing thin. I might actually be forced to speak sharply to one of them."

Ptrik looked out towards the landing field as the carrier taxied to its hangar. "Another of their flying boxcars, Malem. Are you ready to go back to work?"

Malem stretched dramatically, yawned widely, and pushed himself away from the table. "I suppose I can make a show of it for another week. But I swear by the Praetor himself..."

D’Naris silenced him with a glare. "We will all do what is necessary, as long as it is necessary, to accomplish our mission here. And that," he added menacingly, "I swear by the Praetor himself."

As he fixed the technicians with his unrelenting stare, the carrier disappeared into a hangar. None of them noticed the lone figure who darted from the shadows and into the hangar just as the doors closed.

-4-

"Bridge to Captain Kirk."

Kirk was awake immediately. He checked the time. Too early to be hearing from Spock. He answered the page. "Kirk here."

"Sir," came Uhura’s voice, "Captain Spock is calling in."

"I’m on my way."

Minutes later, Kirk fairly ran onto the bridge. "Open the channel," he ordered. "Enterprise to Discovery. Come in, Spock."

"Captain," said Spock, "I believe we have a problem."

Kirk felt himself tense reflexively. "Report."

"I believe that the Discovery is being followed by an unmanned vessel of unknown registry, possibly utilizing Romulan technology."

Kirk looked over at the science station, where Lieutenant Gnutson was manning the scanners. "Mister Gnutson, confirm."

"Sensors indicate the Discovery on course, alone. No other vessels in the area."

"Spock, we don’t pick up another ship," Kirk said. "What do you see?"

"Captain, according to my information, this phantom, if you will, is cloaked, fully armed, and programmed to follow the Discovery beyond the frontier and to the Enterprise, where it will self-destruct in an explosion of sufficient magnitude to destroy any matter within a considerable range."

The Enterprise bridge crew was stunned into momentary silence.

Spock continued, "I have entered a course change for the Discovery which I am sending to you now."

Kirk motioned to the navigator, who put the grids on the screen.

"As you can see," Spock added, "I shall cross the frontier well beyond transporter range. I shall then bear mark two-four, taking the shuttlecraft across vector eight. That will put us in transporter range long enough for the Enterprise to lock on and beam us aboard."

Scotty looked at Kirk, scowling. "Sair, he’ll be in range barely three minutes!"

"Two point eight minutes precisely, Mister Scott," came Spock’s voice. "We cannot risk drawing the phantom any closer for any greater length of time, or it may be able to pick up and fix position on the Enterprise."

As Captain Scott entered the turbolift, Kirk saw the logic in what Spock was saying. "Two point eight minutes should be sufficient, Captain Spock," the captain said, "and we’ll be beaming all of you aboard."

"Agreed, Captain. I shall program the shuttlecraft to proceed on a random course away from the Enterprise immediately after our beamout. I have set the sensors to record the event of the attack on the shuttle and transmit that data to the Enterprise."

Kirk understood. "So the shuttle is the bait."

"Transporter room to Cap’n Kirk!" came Scott’s excited voice.

"Kirk here."

"Cap’n, some sort of signal is interfering with the transporter. I’m gonna have to beam them aboard one at a time!"

"Spock?" asked Kirk over the comm channel.

"I surmise the proximity of the cloaked attack drone and its cloaking field are the source of Captain Scott’s ire."

Kirk couldn’t argue with his first officer’s logic. He sighed. "Okay, we’ll get your passengers aboard first then you. Understood?"

"Perfectly, sir. I shall instruct the ambassador and her son to stand by in the shuttlecraft rear cabin. Spock out."

The Vulcan headed to the rear of the shuttle. "You will need to stand together in the rear cabin," he instructed. "As soon as we enter transporter range, the Enterprise will begin beaming you aboard."

Devon looked at the tall commander who had touched his mind. "Aren’t you coming with us?" he asked.

"I will remain until last."

"But they’ll kill you! You said you learned the plan when you read my mind. And I remember! They’ll blow you up!"

Spock regarded the boy patiently. "Devon, I do not intend to be ‘blown up.’ Our mission was to retrieve your mother and you, and once you are safely aboard the Enterprise, then I too shall beam aboard the Enterprise."

Devon stepped forward, as he had when Spock first saw him in the clearing on Colony, except this time his posture was not defiant at all. "Thank you for saving us, sir," the boy said seriously.

"You are welcome, Mister Carlysle," Spock replied, equally seriously, but Kathryn detected the hint of a smile in his dark eyes.

"Scott to Discovery. Ready to beam one aboard."

Spock clicked on the comlink. "The ambassador’s son is in the rear of the shuttle. He is ready to beam aboard."

"Aye, sir, energizin’ now."

After Devon had successfully be beamed away, Spock turned to Carlysle. "I should be no more than a few minutes after. If something goes wrong, please take time to familiarize Captain Kirk with the situation on Colony. I regret we did not have more time to discuss it ourselves."

"But we will, Spock," she said.

Spock didn’t answer.

"Scott to Discovery. The lad’s aboard, safe and sound. Ready for the ambassador herself."

"Acknowleged." To Carlysle, he said, "Please move to the rear cabin."

*****

Kirk prowled the transporter room nervously. McCoy hovered close by, and Scotty was at the controls. The intercom signaled from the bridge. "Hennessy here, Captain. One minute until the shuttlecraft is out of range."

"Noted, Mister Hennessy. Kirk out."

Carlysle materialized on the transporter platform, and Kirk stepped forward. "Madam Ambassador, I’m Captain James T. Kirk. This is my ship’s doctor, Leonard McCoy, and our captain of engineering, Montgomery Scott."

Carlysle stepped down to stand beside her son. "Thank you, gentlemen, for all you’ve done for us," she said.

Kirk was surprised to hear the strange lilt in her voice, similar to Scotty’s burr, but not quite as pronounced. The boy held out his hand. "I am Devon Carlysle, and I also thank you."

Kirk smiled. "Welcome aboard, Mister Carlysle." He shook the boy’s hand, then turned back to the woman. "Madam Ambassador," he began.

"Please, Captain, call me Kathryn."

"Kathryn it is, then. Doctor McCoy would like to give you and your son a quick once-over down in Sickbay, and in the meantime we’ll make sure your quarters are ready."

McCoy took over. "Just follow me, folks," he said, leading the pair out of the transporter room.

"Captain," said Scott urgently from the transporter console. "I canna get a lock on Captain Spock."

"Blasted molecule-scrambling—"

"Stow it, Bones," snapped Kirk, moving to the transporter console’s comlink. "Enterprise to Discovery. Spock, we have a problem here."

"I surmised that, Captain. I believe the attack drone has moved in closer to my position. I shall attempt to evade it further. Have Captain Scott standing by."

Kirk turned to Scotty. "I’m heading to the bridge."

*****

Kirk began barking orders as soon as he hit the bridge. "Uhura, raise Captain Spock. Hennessy, have a break-away course set in. Mister Gnutson, complete a three-sixty scan of the transporter perimeter. I want to know the instant the Discovery is back in range. Mister Hennessy, stand by to take us out of here at Warp Factor Seven." A chorus of "ayes" sounded around him as he took the center seat and punched the arm control. "Spock, report."

"The phantom ship appeared two point one minutes ago, Captain. Sensors indicate no life-forms aboard. I am sending a technology scan now, but early indications are—"

He was interrupted by Gnutson at the science station. "Captain," the lieutenant said excitedly, "Captain Spock’s scan shows the phantom with a tractor lock directly on the shuttlecraft!"

"Spock, get that ship back into transporter range now! You’re under tractor lock!"

"Acknowledged, Captain. I shall continue to transmit sensor data. I have detected a most unusual..."

"Belay that!" Kirk ordered. "Just get the hell into range so we can beam you out of there!"

Spock’s voice came back, calm, steady. "Captain, I shall cross transporter perimeter in one minute. This will likely trigger detonation. The resulting blast could do significant damage to the Enterprise, even at that range. Therefore I suggest—"

"We already have an escape course laid in, Spock. Scotty is standing by in the transporter room."

"Forty-five seconds to perimeter," Hennessy announced.

On board the Discovery, Spock watched his sensors relaying the buildup of the phantom’s self-destruct sequence. Through his viewscreen, he noted the vessel’s shape and design, knowing there would be nothing left to analyze once the explosion took place.

He could feel his shuttlecraft straining against the tractor beam. The phantom was drawing the Discovery closer, and there was no way to outrun it. He was closing in on transporter range at maximum speed, but the phantom was faster.

Thirty seconds... It would be just barely enough time, Spock thought. He noticed the incredible power readings he was now registering. The entire phantom was becoming a gigantic matter-antimatter juggernaut, poised for detonation. He checked his data transmission, satisfied the Discovery would continue to scan and relay until she was engulfed in the phantom’s destruction.

"Twenty seconds, Captain!" came Hennessy’s voice over the comlink.

"Captain, I believe the attack drone is about to engage its self-destruct," reported Spock.

"Commander Chekov, be ready to raise shields once Spock is aboard," the Vulcan heard Captain Kirk order.

"Aye, Kyptin."

"Ten seconds," reported Spock.

Kirk gripped the arms of his chair, his palms wet, and stared ahead at the viewscreen as though he could watch the Discovery cross to safety.

Chekov took over the countdown. "Five, four, three, two, one...mark!"

"Energize, Scotty!" Kirk’s order echoed in the shuttle.

Brilliant light flooded the interior of the shuttlecraft. Spock threw his arms up in front of his face as his console exploded, twisted metal tearing loose and pinning him against his chair. His last conscious thought was that he had miscalculated.

*

"Bridge to Transporter Room. Scotty, do you have him?" Kirk demanded.

"Locked onto him, sair, but I can’t seem to..."

"Captain! The phantom has detonated! And I’ve just lost contact with the Discovery!" Gnutson interjected.

"Scotty," Kirk almost pleaded, "bring him in!"

"Got ‘im, Captain!" the engineer reported. "Materializing now."

"Shields going up, Kyptin," reported the security chief.

Kirk wheeled to the helm. "Go, Hennessy!"

The helmsman slid the warp control forward as fast as he could, taking the Enterprise on the programmed escape course away from the phantom’s spiraling aftershocks. Even so, the Enterprise was buffeted and tossed like a cork on the ocean. The bridge lights dimmed as power was diverted to the shields. The pounding seemed endless.

"We’re clear, Captain," Hennessy said finally, "and safely beyond explosion affect." The Enterprise stabilized in its warp-powered flight.

Kirk looked around at his bridge crew, shaken, but at their posts. "Thank you all. That was close work." He hit his intercom. "Bridge to Transporter Room. Scotty, is Captain Spock..."

"Captain." Scotty’s voice sounded strained. "Medics have just taken ‘im to Sickbay. Sir, he was caught in the explosion."

Kirk didn’t wait to hear the rest of what the engineer was saying. He was already heading for the turbolift.

-5-

McCoy walked into his office, and wasn’t surprised to find the captain still there. Kirk had gotten to Sickbay just in time to see his first officer being taken into the operating room. McCoy’s grim expression as he followed the gurney had spoken volumes. The unconscious Vulcan was covered with soot, his field suit torn and soaked with green blood. Kirk had waited outside for a progress report, but as one hour became two and then three, he had finally collapsed into one of McCoy’s office chairs, determined to hear immediately Spock’s condition.

McCoy sat down wearily behind his desk and rubbed his temples. Finally he met Kirk’s eyes. "He’ll live, Jim."

Kirk searched the doctor’s face, looking for what was not being said. McCoy continued, "He was caught in the blast and had some second-degree plasma burns on his arms and hands; not too serious. When the front of the shuttlecraft exploded, he must have been crushed against the pilot seat, just before the transporter grabbed him. Almost every rib has been broken or cracked, and he suffered a great deal of thoracic trauma. We’ve relieved the pressure, and he’s breathing easier..." The doctor hesitated.

"C’mon, Bones," Kirk pressed. "What else?"

McCoy sighed. "It’s his eyes, Jim. I’m getting no optic nerve response. There was metal dust and debris that we removed magnetically, and we’re looking at the possibility of flash burns, but I’m getting distinct indications of intracranial pressure causing nerve trauma. Right now, Spock is totally blind. I’ll have to wait until he’s more fully recovered to run some tests."

Kirk barely heard him. Spock was blind...but he had suffered temporary blindness once before. Surely McCoy remembered. "Bones, his inner eyelid! Maybe..."

The doctor shook his head. "They didn’t react. After removing the splinters, I found the inner membranes still folded. They never had a chance. He sustained some surface scratching of both eyes. I bandaged them to prevent infection from setting in, but as I said, any further prognosis will have to wait." McCoy rested his head on his arms, and Kirk was suddenly aware of how tired he must be.

They sat quietly for a few minutes, until soft footsteps caused them both to turn towards the door.

Ambassador Carlysle stood there. "Commander Uhura told me you were here, Captain," she said. "She also told me what happened."

Kirk realized he had not spoken to the ambassador since she and her son were beamed aboard. "Ambassador, I’m sorry I haven’t greeted you properly," he began.

She stopped him. "Please, Captain, don’t apologize." She looked beyond the two men to the dimly lit recovery room where Spock lay. "How is he?" she asked finally.

"Still unconscious, but comfortable," McCoy answered. He gave her the same rundown on Spock’s condition he’d given the captain. She continued to stare into the recovery room, then abruptly focused her attention on the two men in front of her.

"You both look ready to drop," she said. "How long has it been since either of you has had a meal?"

Kirk and McCoy exchanged glances. McCoy spoke up. "Now look here, young lady, you save your mothering for that kid you’ve already got..."

"Who at this moment is in your officers lounge gorging himself I suggest you both join him before you pass out."

Kirk realized he was ravenous. McCoy knew he, too, should eat, or his fatigue would get the best of him. But the doctor was concerned. "I don’t want Spock waking up alone," he said. "I’ve already sent Doctor Dushayne to her cabin, before I had another patient on my hands. I’d better stay close by, in case he starts to regain consciousness."

Carlysle, however, had other ideas. "Doctor, I would be very glad to stay with him. I promise I’ll have you paged when he wakes up."

McCoy hesitated. "He’s liable to be disoriented, and knowing Spock, he’ll have ten million questions..."

"Please, Doctor McCoy. I owe him at least this much."

McCoy considered her for a moment, then relented. "My nurse, Marie Webb, is on duty. If you need anything, just ask." He pushed himself away from his desk. "C’mon, Jim, let’s go get dinner before she sends us to our quarters without dessert." Pausing briefly at the recovery room door, he checked the monitor over Spock’s head, then said to the ambassador, "He’s liable to be out for quite a while yet, but stay close just in case."

Carlysle nodded. "I will, Doctor. Thank you." She watched them leave then went to Spock. She pulled a stiff-backed chair close to his bedside, and sat down to begin her vigil.

*****

"How did they check out, Bones?" Kirk asked as he took a bite of his chicken salad sandwich.

McCoy chewed on his fried chicken thigh as he answered, "They’re fine, Jim, aside from the boy’s crazy-quilt make-up. Kind of reminds me of your first officer, internally, that is." Noting the captain’s quizzical look, he continued. "You did know the kid’s half-Edami? Well, don’t look so chagrined. He appears fully Human, but there’s at least one major difference."

"Explain."

McCoy took a deep sip of his sweet tea and leaned forward. "He’s a high-order telepath. He had answers to questions before I even asked ‘em."

Kirk sat back in his chair. "That wasn’t part of the ambassador’s bio. It only mentioned she had a son." He was beginning to wonder what else she had failed to report.

"Well, somewhere along the line she also partnered. She didn’t say anything about the boy’s father, and I didn’t ask. Seems like that’s more your area, if you’re curious." McCoy smiled innocently.

"It isn’t a matter of curiosity, Bones," Kirk said, shaking his head. "Kathryn Carlysle has been in the Edam system for fifteen years. That’s a long time for any ambassador to be in one place. We may have just met one reason why." He stood up, asking, "Do you think she’s up for a chat?"

"I think you’ve already made up your mind. Don’t let me hold you up," the doctor said, taking a bite of his mashed potatoes and gravy.

*****

The ambassador was sitting at Spock’s side when Kirk returned to Sickbay. "Come on over, Captain," she beckoned with a wave of her hand. "Please, join me." She nodded at a chair next to her.

Kirk stared at Spock’s still form, and checked the monitors. "No change," he mumbled to himself. He sighed and sat down, pulling the chair so that he could face her. He wanted to get right to the point. "Ambassador," he said, "I know you and your son have been through a lot recently, but we have some questions that we need answered."

Carlysle ran her hand through the tangles of her long hair, using her fingers like a comb. "Captain, I’m not even sure where to begin."

Kirk noticed the sadness in her voice and tried to soften his tone. "Let’s try the beginning," he said, smiling.

She found herself returning the smile. "You know, I’ve been in the Edam system since the beginning, since the Federation first established diplomatic relations there."

"Yes, I know. I’ve read your file." McCoy had been right. Her bio-pic hadn’t come close to doing her justice. Kirk noticed the deep red highlights in her hair that he hadn’t seen in the harsh light of the transporter room. Her blue eyes were very dark, almost navy, and seemed to carry the same sad reflection as her voice.

"Then you also know I remained there by choice, even though I was offered numerous other assignments. My father never understood. As a diplomat himself, he always felt the galaxy was far too exciting to spend too much time in one place."

She was interrupted the appearance of her son at the Sickbay doors. "Hello, Devon," she said.

Devon entered the ward and went to stand beside his mother. He stared at Kirk, his blue eyes seeming to gaze right into the captain’s soul. It was the kind of look Kirk was used to getting from Spock.

"You are quite worried about him, aren’t you, sir?" the boy asked.

Kirk frowned. He had been thinking about his first officer. "If you mean Captain Spock, Devon, yes, I am concerned. I never like the idea of my crew taking risks alone, and playing cat-and-mouse with the Romulans is very risky business, as I’m afraid Spock has proved."

Devon thought for a moment, then addressed his mother. "You and Captain Spock are friends, aren’t you, Mother? Like Captain Kirk and Captain Spock?"

"Yes, Devon," she said. "We met many years ago, when we were about your age."

Now Kirk was interested. He leaned forward. "Spock said he’d met you before, but he didn’t go into detail. I assumed it had something to do with both your fathers being diplomats."

"It was so long ago..." she said. "I suppose, Captain, if you want me to begin at the beginning, that might be as good a place as any to start." She glanced up at her son. "Devon, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid you’ll have to—"

"Please, Mother, let me stay. I’m part of this too."

Yes, most definitely a part, she thought, then said aloud, "Very well. In a strange sort of way, it’s because I met Spock that you are who you are."

Devon sat down and closed his eyes, as he often did when his mother told him stories about her world. In doing so, he not only heard the words, but saw them, much as his mother saw in her mind what she was describing. He had begun doing it as an exercise, testing his mental skills. Now he did it for himself, to better understand the tale his mother told.

"I was twelve when my father was appointed Terran ambassador to Vulcan," he heard her begin...

"Katie Lynn, come in please."

Katie heard her mother call and ran into the kitchen. Breathless, she stopped just short of barreling into her father.

"Wonderful news, my little Katie," he said. "We’ve got an appointment. We’re off to Vulcan!"

She felt the smile leave her face, and stared dumbfounded at her parents. "You mean Mum and I must go, too?" She couldn’t believe it! Leave all her friends, their beautiful cottage? Who would care for her pony? All these questions came tumbling forth, but the answers stayed the same. All three would leave for Vulcan next week. Katie cried herself to sleep that night.

One week later, she found herself in a stranger place than even her wildest dreams could have prepared her for. Vulcan was very hot and dry, and its people, although not so physically different compared to some of the alien ambassadors she had seen with her father, seemed cold and aloof... almost rude.

"Katie," her father began.

"Kathryn!" she cried. On the journey to Vulcan, she had decided that since her world had been yanked out from under her, literally, she would no longer be little Katie. From now on, it would be Kathryn who would live this new life.

Her father gave her a sad smile. "Kathryn, we are meeting the Vulcan ambassador, Sarek, and his family at their home tonight. His wife, the Lady Amanda, will be your tutor while we’re here, in addition to your classes at the regular Vulcan school."

"Why must I go to their school?" she demanded.

"Darling, we’ve been over this before. You are as much an ambassador here as I am. Your interaction is every bit as important as mine. Amanda will keep you up with your standard Terran courses, but you must also have a feel for what your young Vulcan peers are learning. And," he added with a sly grin, "it’s a great way to make new friends."

That night, she accompanied her parents to Ambassador Sarek’s home. Amanda met them at the door. "Gareth, Jean, come in," Amanda said. "And this must be your daughter. Hello, dear. I’m Amanda."

Kathryn could not take her eyes off Amanda. She was beautiful...and she was Human!

"This is Katie, Amanda," Gareth said. "She’s looking forward to her lessons with you."

They followed Amanda down the cool hallway and into the living room. "Please, have a seat," she said. "Sarek had to take a call in his office, but he should be joining us any minute. And Spock is here somewhere..."

Jean spoke to Kathryn. "Spock is Amanda and Sarek’s son. He’s about your age, I believe."

"Yes, he is," said Amanda. "I think they’re to be in some of the same classes at school. Ah, here he comes now... Spock, come and meet our guests."

A tall, solemn boy entered the room and walked over to stand beside his mother. Again, Kathryn couldn’t keep from staring He looked so...Vulcan, very little like his mother, except, maybe just a bit around the eyes.

"Spock," Amanda was saying, "this is Ambassador Gareth Carlysle, his wife Jean, and their daughter Katie—"

"Kathryn," she said quickly, then blushed with embarrassment as her father shot her a reproachful look.

Spock nodded politely at the three. "Welcome to Vulcan, Mister Ambassador, Madam," he said formally.

"Spock, perhaps you could show Kathryn the gardens before it gets too dark," his mother suggested.

Spock would have preferred to excuse himself, but he maintained his calm, steady gaze. "Kathryn, would you care to see the garden?" he asked.

She answered in the same formal manner. "Thank you very much. I would enjoy that." They left through the glass doors just as Sarek came into the room.

Outside, the Vulcan sun was low in the sky, and the air had lost some of its oppressive heat. Kathryn walked among the green, flourishing plant life and took a deep breath. "This is the first place I’ve seen that reminds me of home," she said wistfully.

"I was told you live in ShiKahr," Spock said.

"I mean home...Earth. Britain, to be exact. Do you know where Britain is?"

"Britain is an island off the coast of the Terran continent..."

Kathryn continued, not really listening to his textbook geography lesson. "It is absolutely the loveliest place you can imagine. All green, with hills and moors, and in the spring there are fields of wild flowers..." She stopped, feeling herself about to cry. She wiped her eyes and looked up to see Spock staring down at her.

After a moment, he asked, "Do you play chess?"

*

School was every bit as horrid as Kathryn had imagined. She was either ignored by the students, or taunted for her lack of skills. Spock was indeed in some of her classes, but he kept very much to himself, not even mixing in with the other Vulcan students. The small translator she wore allowed her follow the classes, but she soon discovered the level of work was far beyond what she had been studying on Earth. It was impossible to join in the free-form discussions that seemed to take up most of the class time, discussions that often continued well after a class ended. It was during one such after-the-bell roundtable that Kathryn suddenly found herself the center of attention. A particularly loud student, Stahl, confronted her in the courtyard following their philosophy class.

"Well, silent little Earth girl," he said, "how does our study of philosophy compare to what Terrans teachers have taught you?"

Kathryn looked at the boys gathering around her, and wanted to run away. Instead, she held her ground, chin up.

"Come on, now," Stahl persisted "Surely Earth has had its share of philosophers, even though Terrans are too blind to follow an even remotely ethical code of behavior."

Kathryn glared at him, bristling with anger. "We do not insist upon everyone following the same narrow-minded, limiting path as you Vulcans, if that’s what you mean," she snapped.

"And what do you know of the Vulcan way, Human? You sit in our classes like a statue, come and go on command... tell us, what have you learned of the Vulcan way?"

A voice behind her said, calmly, "Perhaps she is getting her first true lesson right now."

Stahl’s eyes flashed with anger, just for a moment, then his mask fell back in place. His voice, however, took on a harder edge. "I knew we could count on you to come to the defense of the Human, Spock. We should be asking you these question. Who better to explain to us the ways of the Humans?"

"I shall be honored to answer any questions you might have, Stahl. Perhaps we could set up a tutorial?" Spock’s face remained impassive, while Kathryn saw Stahl was working hard to control his anger. The rest of the boys waited for Stahl’s reply.

"I can see you have your time committed, Spock. We wouldn’t want to interrupt your exchange of ideas with the Earther. She might actually be teaching you something." With that, Stahl turned and walked away, the other boys close behind.

Kathryn turned to Spock. "Thank you," she said. "I’m sorry if they..."

"There is no need to apologize," Spock said evenly. "No offense was intended. They can be cruel..." He stopped, unwilling to say more.

Kathryn, however, felt the need to do something for this serious young man who had stood up for her. "Spock," she said, "maybe they were right about one thing. Maybe you and I can exchange ideas. You tell me about Vulcan. and I’ll tell you about Earth."

Spock pondered this. "Such an exchange might prove interesting," he admitted.

Through the rest of that year, Spock and Kathryn shared their respective worlds. Kathryn enjoyed her lessons with Amanda, but it was the time she spent with Spock that she found most rewarding. Spock found the Human girl ‘fascinating.’ While he didn’t completely understand her, what made her laugh or cry so easily, he too, looked forward to the time they spent together. He learned things about Humans that his mother could never teach him—she was his mother, after all!

As Gareth Carlysle’s year on Vulcan came to an end, Kathryn realized she would soon have to say goodbye. It was on the occasion of their last afternoon together that she learned her final lesson about Vulcans, and Spock. They were seated in the garden, heads bent over Spock’s chessboard, yet neither was particularly interested in the game.

"We’re leaving tomorrow, Spock. My father has been reassigned to Delta."

Spock nodded, not looking up from the board. "The Deltans are a fascinating people," he said. Kathryn noticed Spock often used the word fascinating with an almost reverent tone. "My father hosted a Deltan delegation two years ago," he continued. "They are quite unique."

Kathryn didn’t really care to talk about Deltans. Didn’t he see the point? She was leaving! "Spock, when we first came to Vulcan my father told me that I was as much an ambassador here as he was. I think I’ve decided I want to become an ambassador when I grow up."

Spock moved his king’s bishop to an open file. Kathryn countered with her knight, blocking his progress. "I should think you will make an excellent ambassador, Kathryn. You have certainly made Stahl and his friends understand Humans to an extent I would not have thought possible."

It was true. She had finally, although grudgingly, been accepted as a worthy peer by the Vulcan students. "What about you, Spock?" she asked

He continued to study the game, looking for his next move. "My understanding of Humans, while admittedly more substantial than Stahl’s, has also grown," he acknowledged.

"No, I mean when you grow up. What are your plans? What are you going to do?"

Spock finally met her eyes. "My father, of course, would like to me to join the diplomatic service as well." He hesitated, then continued "But I am going to join Starfleet."

"Starfleet?" Kathryn was shocked.

"Yes. I have discussed this with no one else. When the time is right, I shall inform my father of my decision. Starfleet is the one place I believe I can make a difference." He said this with such conviction that Kathryn knew he would make no other choice. She had seen how he was spurned by his classmates, and could imagine the same treatment, or worse, were he a student on Earth. In Starfleet, however, comprised of beings from hundreds of worlds, a half-Human, half-Vulcan would simply be one more being, one more who wanted to make a difference.

That evening, they said goodbye, formally and without emotion. And that night, for the first time in over a year, Kathryn cried herself to sleep; not because she was about to be alone again, but because he was.

Devon opened his eyes, surprised by the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. His mother had stopped talking and was sitting across from the captain, her eyes shining wetly also. Kirk was the first to speak.

"Kathryn, Captain Spock is one of my closest friends. I feel like you’ve given me some insight into that friendship. Thank you."

Carlysle took a deep breath, composing herself. "He was a friend to me when I needed one most, Captain. I shall always be grateful for that. We didn’t stay in touch after my family left Vulcan, but I did know he entered Starfleet. I joined the diplomatic service and started, or rather continued, my planet-hopping life."

"But your appointment to Edam..." Kirk began.

"Was almost fifteen years ago," she finished for him. "I know, it’s a very long time to have been there...I didn’t expect to be, but then, I didn’t expect to fall in love. When I met Chas, the idea of settling down and raising a family was the farthest thing from my mind. Love can alter the best laid plans, Captain. In my case, it gave me roots, a feeling of home that I hadn’t felt since I was a little girl." She paused, and looked at her son.

"I wanted to have children, but Chas was worried. Oh, biologically, there was no problem, but the Edami were just getting used to the idea that they weren’t alone in the universe. The birth of a half-Human, half-Edami child threatened centuries-old feelings of provincialism in a very tangible way. Even Chas feared the consequences, both for us and the child, so I told him about Spock. He came to realize that what was important was the whole individual one is, not just the halves that make up that whole. And so, Devon was born. A whole Devon." She smiled at her son.

Kirk tried to imagine what the reaction must have been. If the Edami were timid about the unknowns beyond their frontier, to suddenly have an unknown born among them would have been hard to accept.

"Kathryn," he asked, leaning forward, "what happened? Why has the Federation suddenly been kicked out, after so long?"

"Once the Edam system became Federation members, our little corner of the galaxy got very popular. Outworlders were welcomed to Colony, as long as their ships were engaged in no military exercises. As the years went by, however, it became obvious that we were nothing more than another feather in the Federation’s Neutral Zone cap. Being on the far side of Romulan space, we were too isolated to be viable members, especially with the restrictions imposed by General Order Three. The Edami scrambled to establish trade agreements, but for the most part we were ignored. For fourteen years I didn’t fight it. These are happy people, and so was I. I wasn’t going to be the one to tell them they were being used!"

She stopped to let her building anger settle down. "Six months ago, the first Romulans arrived on Colony. They approached the government in much the same manner as the Federation had years ago, with offers of technological assistance, trade exchanges..."

"But didn’t you tell the Edami that it was a direct violation of Federation policy?" Kirk wondered.

"I did. But even among the Edami there are those whose opinions can be swayed by the highest bidder. The Romulans painted a very appealing picture, and sentiment towards the Federation slowly began to turn."

Kirk shook his head, still finding it hard to believe. "For a race of people dedicated to peace to even consider dealing with the Romulans..."

She stopped him. "The Romulans came in peace, Captain. They pointed out how desperately the Federation had argued for Starfleet to be allowed within the Edam system...Starfleet, which the Romulans painted as the war-loving aggressor. They showed log tapes of starships blasting Romulan vessels out of the sky. It was a very persuasive argument."

Kirk did not find that hard to believe at all. He had seen some of those same propaganda tapes. One was even a bootleg from the Enterprise herself.

"But now..." He was interrupted by the intercom signal. He opened the channel. "Kirk here."

"Captain Kirk, Admiral Cartwright is requesting a report on our situation at your earliest convenience."

"Acknowledge his request, Commander. Tell him I’m working on it. Kirk out." He turned to face the ambassador. "Duty calls, Kathryn. We’ll continue this soon."

Carlysle nodded as Kirk strode out Sickbay into the corridor beyond. She suddenly realized Devon had moved to a bed adjacent to Spock’s, and she went to him. He was stretched out, sound asleep. She covered him with a blanket, then sat back in her chair, wondering how she would tell the captain the rest of her story.

-6-

The warmth of the recovery room and soft beep of the life support monitors had almost succeeded in lulling Kathryn into a light sleep when movement beside her jolted her back to wakefulness. Spock stirred slightly in his bed, letting out a sharp gasp as he jarred his shattered ribs. He could feel the pressure of the restraining force field reaching from chest to waist, and avoided further movement of that nature. Slowly, he became aware of someone beside him. He tried to speak, but his voice came out as barely a whisper. His throat felt extremely dry, almost scorched, or burned. "Cap-tain?" he croaked. He turned his head, and tried to open his eyes.

"Spock?" said a voice; not the captain...a woman, soft and soothing. "Spock, it’s Kathryn."

Spock lay very still. The white gauze wrapping his eyes made his face look ghostly pale. Carlysle couldn’t tell if he’d heard her, or if he was even really awake. "Spock," she said, leaning closer to him, "you’re back on the Enterprise. You’re in Sickbay. Do you remember what happened?"

"The shuttle..." he whispered.

"You were caught in the explosion. You’re safe now."

"How long..." He paused, and drew a dry, shallow breath. "How long since..."

"They beamed you aboard about several hours ago."

"I am...very...thirsty. My throat...burns."

"You inhaled super-heated air from the blast. Here..." She put a water glass up to his lips. "Try to sip this slowly." She hesitated, then cradled his head on her arm to help him drink. He took two small swallows and fell back, exhausted.

Spock remained motionless for another few minutes, then carefully raised one hand to his face and felt the bandages covering his eyes. This time when he spoke, his voice sounded slightly stronger. "My eyes..." he began.

It was the one question Carlysle felt least prepared to answer, but somehow she summoned the courage. "Doctor McCoy had to remove some metal splinters from them. They’re bandaged to prevent infection."

"Did he... describe...the extent...of the damage?" he asked as Nurse Webb came to the bedside.

Carlylse did not answer, unsure how much to tell him. Right away, Marie Webb spoke up, "Captain Spock, this is Nurse Webb. I’ve summoned Doctor McCoy, but I’m sure you realize that he has to run some more definitive tests, once you’re more fully recovered."

Spock said nothing, letting his hand fall back to his side. The ambassador remained silent also, deciding Doctor McCoy should really be the one to answer any more questions. When she thought Spock had fallen back to sleep, she got up to greet the doctor. Just as she reached the door to the corridor, however, she heard Spock’s voice.

"Kathryn?"

"I’m still here, Spock," she said, returning to his side. "Would you like some more water?"

"No," he answered. "Would you...remain...with me...until..." He stopped, drawing another long breath as his dry voice cracked.

She sat back down and rested her hand lightly on his arm.

*****

As soon as they had heard the summons from Nurse Webb, Kirk and McCoy left the officer’s lounge together. They paused at the turbolift, and McCoy eyed the captain. "Jim, go to your cabin. Get some sleep. There isn’t anything you can do for Spock. Hell, there isn’t anything I can do for him, yet. We just have to wait."

"Sorry, Bones. I want to see him."

The outer ward was quiet. Like the rest of the ship, Sickbay was deep into the night shift cycle, and most personnel were off-duty. Kirk and McCoy went to the intensive-care doorway and peered in. Carlysle was still seated beside Spock’s bed. She had taken her shoes off and curled her long legs up under her on the chair. Her head was bent forward. McCoy thought she was probably dozing. Kirk went over to her and said, softly, "Kathryn?"

She looked up, brushing her hair back out of her face. McCoy could see she had been crying, although her eyes were dry now. She managed a weak smile, and whispered, "Well, you don’t look quite so in danger of imminent collapse, gentlemen." She unfurled her legs and stretched, then took advantage of Kirk’s offer of a hand to get to her feet. They both looked down at the sleeping Vulcan. "He woke up once, just for a moment. I’m not certain he’s even aware of it, or will remember it...but he asked about...about his eyes."

McCoy heard her voice catch. He quickly looked at the readings on the monitor over Spock’s head, then took Carlysle by the hand and gently steered her out of the room. Kirk stayed by Spock’s side, gazing at the bio-bed monitor.

In the brighter light of the outer ward, McCoy could see her red-rimmed eyes were filled with fresh tears.

"Kathryn," the doctor began, "don’t blame yourself. Jim told me about you and Spock, and when you were kids. I know he’s a friend of yours, so you must know him well enough to realize that he would consider your guilt over what’s happened illogical. It’s not your fault."

She brushed at her eyes, wiping the tears. "I know that. I did what I had to do, but that doesn’t make it any easier."

"I know," McCoy said softly. "But just being with him seems to have helped. His vital signs are stronger, and he seems to be in less pain." It was true. McCoy had been surprised at the improved readings on the monitor displayed in the outer ward. He hadn’t expected any change.

"What about his eyes, Doctor McCoy?" she asked suddenly. "Will Spock be able to see again?"

"I don’t know," he answered, staring back towards the room where the Vulcan lay. "I wish to God I had a better answer, but I just don’t know."

Kathryn nodded, hearing the frustration in the doctor’s voice. It wasn’t easy for him, either, she realized. She left, and McCoy looked in on Spock one more time. Captain Kirk was sitting there at his side, watching over his friend in concern. Then, leaving orders with the night nurse to call him if the Vulcan awakened again, he went to the examination bed next to Spock, curled up with a blanket, and dozed off, leaving Spock under Jim Kirk’s watchful eyes.

-7-

Personal Log, Stardate 8446.1

We remain outside the Edam system frontier, awaiting new orders from Starfleet Command now that they have been informed of the Romulans presence on Colony for the past six months. This, along with Captain Spock’s suspicions that the phantom ship which destroyed the Discovery was using Romulan technology, brings us dangerously close to a confrontation out here. If Spock is correct, the destruction of the Discovery is an unprovoked act of aggression, which I feel certain Starfleet Command will not take lightly. I do not take it lightly, as I watch my first officer lying unconscious in Sickbay. I intend to find out who is responsible.

"Admiral, we can’t just sit out here for the next week and do nothing!" Kirk felt his anger building towards the desk-bound paper-pusher on the screen in front of him. He tried to calm himself. Moses Cartwright was one of the most frustrating individuals in the Admiralty.

Cartwright shook his head. "Listen, Jim. The Excalibur and Yorktown have both been put on alert. They’re headed to your sector right now, but the soonest either one will arrive is six-point-five standard days. With the Romulans already entrenched on Colony, we can’t take any chances. We don’t yet know what kind of firepower we’re talking about, and I want at least three starships out there before we find out. The Enterprise is ordered to remain in the sector and rendezvous with the Excalibur and Yorktown.

"In the meantime, use the information you’ve already collected and see what you can come up with. And tell Ambassador Carlysle she’s got the Federation council to answer to for her actions. By not reporting the arrival of the Romulans into that system immediately, she may very well have precipitated a galactic confrontation. That’s what happens when you don’t play by the book."

Kirk heard the unspoken admonition. Cartwright was warning him he’d better stick to the book on this one. "Understood, Admiral. Is there anything else?"

"That’s all, Captain. You have your orders. Cartwright out."

The screen went dark.

*****

For the next forty-eight hours, the Enterprise maintained the proscribed distance from the Edam frontier as dictated. During that time, Gnutson assumed Spock’s science station, sorting through the data relayed by the Discovery about the phantom ship. The data transmissions had come to an abrupt halt at the moment of the Discovery’s envelopment in the plasma explosion. Gnutson would present a summary of the data on the attack drone at a briefing Captain Kirk called for all department heads on the fourth day.

He raised his head from the hooded viewer and rubbed his neck tiredly. Uhura gave him a sympathetic look. "I was wondering when you were coming up for air," she said.

"The next time someone calls me a pain in the neck, I’ll have a frame of reference," Gnutson replied dryly. "I don’t know how Captain Spock does this all day."

At the mention of the first officer’s name, the smile vanished from Uhura’s face. "I wonder how he’s doing," she mused aloud. "Doctor Dushayne told me Doctor McCoy was going to remove the bandages today."

Gnutson didn’t reply. He felt suddenly ashamed. Here he was complaining about a stiff neck, when Captain Spock faced the possibility of never seeing again. He t