A Kindred Spirit
Part two
The planet Athos was a pleasant sight on the viewscreen. It was a class M planet, Earthlike in its vast oceans and large land masses, and their next mission was to investigate it. The captain of the survey ship 'Gillian' had named the world after one of her favourite fictional characters. The other three planets in the system were named Aramis, Porthos and D'Artagnan. Kirk smiled as he read the report. 'The Three Musketeers' was one of his top ten books as well.
"Have you read it, Spock?" Kirk asked.
"Affirmative, Captain," Spock replied. "It is curious. Athos is perfect for humanoid life. There is evidence of cities but sensors do not detect traces any of life. What happened to the inhabitants?"
"No... No, Spock. I meant 'The Three Musketeers!" Kirk chuckled.
Spock was startled by the misunderstanding. "You were reading the report, sir. I assumed that is what you meant." He had amused the captain in some way but could not see how. Would he ever comprehend humour? He made sure that his face remained expressionless as he continued, "I have read the book, sir. It is an interesting, if romanticised work of fiction."
Seeing that he would get no more from Spock, Kirk returned his attention to the report. It made interesting reading and on the strength of it, the Enterprise had been sent to follow it up. He ordered six landing parties down; each team to investigate a different city. He had wanted to go himself but, mindful of Spock's objections last time, decided to see how his highly trained crew would deal with the challenge.
He busied himself with his other duties until Uhura spoke to him. "Captain, message from landing party two. It's garbled, incomprehensible."
"Let's hear it," he said, trying not to fear the worst.
Piercing screams penetrated the bridge for a few moments then there was a sudden silence. Uhura's face was ashen with shock but she continued to work at her board. "I've lost them, sir," she said, at last.
"Get them back," Kirk demanded.
"I can't sir. Their transmissions have ceased."
Kirk jumped from his chair and strode over to her. "That's not good enough. Re-establish contact, at once," he snapped.
Uhura remained calm. "I'm trying, sir."
"Captain." Spock's tone was urgent. "The life signs of landing party two have ceased to register."
Horrified, Kirk pressed a button on the console. "Transporter Room. Beam all landing parties up at once."
The wait was intolerable. Kirk paced the bridge, worried about his crew, wondering what had happened on the planet's surface.
"Captain." Spock's tone sounded tense to a captain who was learning to read him with ever increasing accuracy. "Landing party five have disappeared from our scans."
"Damn!" Kirk muttered as he strode to the lift. "Spock, take the con. I'll be in the transporter room."
"Acknowledged, sir." Spock returned his attention to the sensor display. Kirk had little patience, something Spock found difficult to deal with. There was much he would like to teach his captain - he had already begun. Kirk was willing to learn but he had one of the strongest personalities that Spock had ever come across. Having him as both commander and friend was proving to be a dilemma both awkward and mentally stimulating.
"Mr Spock," Uhura reported. "Twenty four persons beamed aboard alive. Some are seriously injured."
Spock sighed. That meant that twelve were almost certainly dead, for there were no life signs from Athos now. Kirk was going to take this very hard.
Mitchell spoke. "Mr Spock, the captain is going to want to go down there himself now."
Spock swivelled around to face him. "I am aware of that. However, the incidents on the planet must be investigated."
"Yes, but Jim is not expendable. You must stop him."
Spock walked over to the centre seat and settled down. "Are you telling me my duty, Mr Mitchell?" He stared at the navigator.
Spock's gaze was obviously unnerving him, but Mitchell replied, "No, sir, but he respects your judgement. He'll listen to you."
The bridge crew stared at Mitchell in astonishment but compared to the amazement felt by Spock, it was nothing. For the navigator to say what he had done in front of everyone meant that, at last, he was putting Kirk first. Perhaps there was some hope for him, after all. Spock did not allow his face to betray him as he replied, "You need not remind me of my duty, Mr Mitchell. I will advise the captain but his final decision must be respected."
"Not if it's the wrong one," Mitchell argued.
Spock wondered if Mitchell could make any judgement without it being coloured by his possessiveness. "Captain Kirk is an able commander. He will make the correct decision."
"Like he did on Athena? If you hadn't been there, he'd be dead."
"Irrelevant, since he insisted that I should be there," Spock replied.
Mitchell turned away in defeat and said no more.
***
At the post-mission briefing, all the known facts were studied. Two of the landing parties were intact. They had wandered their assigned cities, recording everything. Beautiful buildings made from a red-hued stone with immaculate gardens surrounding them. Flowers, trees, and shrubs grew in lush profusion. Magnificently plumed birds sang sweetly, and colourful insect darted about, intent on pollination. There were wide roads; narrow alleys; many cul-de-sacs but no vehicles were to be seen.
All the buildings were locked and phasers made no impression on the material of the strange arched doors. There were large, opaque windows but they also were impervious to phaser fire. The eerie silence of these large cities was unsettling to those who had visited them but the command crew who watched the recording felt it also.
The other teams had been decimated and McCoy reported on the survivors. "Some of them have severe injuries, others have only got scratches. They are all in deep shock and I can't get any sense out of them as yet. I have my best people working with them."
"We must know what happened," Kirk said. "We'll have to risk another landing party."
"No," McCoy said, before Spock could object. "You can't put more lives at risk when we don't know what happened to your people."
"Doctor, it's our duty to find our what is down there. I need to find out, first hand, what happened to those crew who longer register on our sensors. Sure, they could well be dead but what if something down there is holding them, masking their life-signs somehow. Also, we need to know what happened to that civilisation who built the cities and to identify what happened to them. If they've all been destroyed, then who-ever is responsible could pose a major threat to the Federation." He looked at Spock for support.
"I concur, sir, but I would suggest a certain, obvious precaution."
Kirk didn't like the sound of that. "Such as?"
"All members of the landing parties were human. It is logical to assume that there is something on the planet which is dangerous to human life. Hence, I would suggest a group of non-humans, specifically myself and three Andorian security officers."
"That makes sense, Mr Spock," McCoy agreed.
Kirk wasn't pleased at the way this was going. "I agree also but I'm going as well along with another human. Four is too small a group."
"Captain, it has proven fatal for humans to be on Athos. I do not recommend that you go," Spock argued.
"Twelve of my crew are likely to be dead down there. It is my responsibility to find out their fate. I will go on this landing party."
"Captain, I would advise you that I consider any human going on this mission to be a liability," Spock insisted.
Kirk leaned forward, intent on his first officer. "There is no proof of that. Vulcans and Andorians could be equally at risk, couldn't they?" He saw the Vulcan reluctantly accept that, and smiled.
"It is possible," Spock replied.
"Captain, Mr Spock is being cautious and he is justified in being so." Gary spoke for the first time.
"True, but you and I are going with him regardless," Kirk said.
Mitchell's eyes widened. "Jim..."
"We always work well together. I want you with me," Kirk said.
Mitchell smiled, for this was the first time since the unfortunate incident in his quarters that Jim had spoken to him. Mitchell had been afraid that he'd really lost him this time. "Thank you," he said. He would make up for his lapses now that Jim was giving him the chance.
Kirk nodded then turned to Spock. "And you, of course, Mr Spock. In such a dangerous and unknown situation I need the security of your presence."
Spock did not know how to answer that. It was his duty to protect, to defend Jim in such circumstances but should the captain be going into the situation at all? Spock was confused. Regulations were open to interpretation in such instances and he did not know the correct action to take. "I am still unconvinced that the captain should be risking himself on this mission, sir."
Kirk stood up and restlessly, paced the room. He stopped behind the Vulcan's chair. "Spock," he said.
Spock stood up to face him. "Sir."
"I understand what you're saying and I do respect your opinion," Kirk continued. "I will heed your advice in all things but in the end, I am responsible for my crew and I must be on hand to see what happened to them. If I get into trouble, well, you'll be there."
Spock met his captain's intense gaze for long moments. Finally, he nodded slightly. "Very well, sir."
Kirk touched Spock's arm. "We beam down in an hour. Notify the Andorian security team."
"Aye, sir." Spock left, followed by the others all except McCoy.
"I'm amazed how you deal with that Vulcan," McCoy said. "I've never seen anything like it."
Kirk didn't answer the comment. "Try and get me some answers from the survivors, Bones."
***
Heavily armed, the landing party materialised on the major city on the planet. There were no signs of the missing crew. The Andorians fanned out, surrounding the others, their phasers set to kill. As they walked along a large boulevard, Spock studied his tricorder. No other human readings registered.
He looked at the buildings, the greenery, and said, "Captain, something must tend the gardens. The lawns are immaculate."
"I know, Spock," Kirk said. "It's a mystery and I don't like mysteries."
Spock knelt beside a particularly showy, red flower, and gently touched its petals. The others, on seeing him, came over.
"What are you doing, Spock?" Kirk asked.
Spock looked up. "On Y'det four, live certain sentient flora. I have now determined that these flowers are not intelligent."
Kirk smiled a little, at the thought of intelligent plants but he had heard about Y'det. "Have you been there?"
"Affirmative, sir. I conversed with one of the plant species. It was most interesting," Spock commented.
Kirk didn't ask how Spock had conversed with a flower and wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Let's see if we can gain entry to one of the buildings," he said, pointing to a particularly impressive one. It had large marble-type columns reminiscent of Terran Greco-Roman architecture that would not have looked out of place as a temple in the ancient days.
They walked over to it, up the stairs and past the columns to a large, ornate doorway. "Try to open it," he said.
They exhausted every method but still the door remained shut. Kirk sat down on a step and Mitchell joined him. "How about 'Open Sesame'?" Mitchell joked. "Yes and find me a genie as well," Kirk said, with a laugh.
"Your wish is my command," Mitchell said.
Kirk made a face but didn't comment.
"Captain, something is happening," Lt Thelen, the senior Andorian security officer. The others joined him to see the door slowly swinging open.
"Phasers ready," Kirk ordered, as they all stared into the dark opening. The only light inside was a deep, purple hue but what caused it was impossible to tell. "Gentlemen, I think we are being invited inside," Kirk said.
"I bet it's a trap," Mitchell said.
"Very possible," Kirk said. "Opinion, Spock?"
"My tricorder does not detect any sign of life, sir, but something or someone must be controlling this. It may want to lure us in and kill us."
"The others met their fate in the open. I guess it isn't any safer there."
"Indeed, Captain. Something must have removed the landing party."
"That 'something' seems to be inviting us in, Mr Spock. We'll accept the invitation but we'll be prepared. That's an advantage of sorts. Take extreme care, everyone. Let's go."
Thelen led the way. Kirk, Spock and Mitchell followed while two remaining Andorians brought up the rear. Once all were inside, the door closed, noiselessly, behind them.
"Captain, we are trapped," Lt Dov, the last in line, cried.
Kirk swung around; he hadn't heard a thing.
Spock examined the closed door. "There is no way to open it, sir. There is no alternative but to continue. We must proceed with caution, sir."
"Damn," Kirk muttered. He peered into what seemed to be a large hallway. There was a faint eerie light of sorts and he could not see very far.
"There is an open doorway, approximately twenty metres ahead," Spock said.
"How can you see that?" Kirk asked.
"Vulcan visual capacity is beyond the human range," Spock informed him.
Kirk thought that he could easily get an inferiority complex around Spock. What other abilities did his first officer have? "Well, flashlights will help us humans. Lt Thelen, can you see the doorway?"
"No, sir. I can see but five metres ahead," Thelen replied.
"Flashlights on," Kirk said, hoping that would help.
Thelen obeyed. The beam hit a wall and caused a sparkling, visual explosion. Almost blinded, Kirk closed his eyes and covered them with his hands. "Turn it off, Thelen," he cried.
The stinging in his eyes eased. "What now, Spock?" he asked.
"It is possible that the two forms of light are incompatible. Exposure to the combination might damage our optic nerves."
Kirk forced calm on himself. "Then you'll have to lead us, Mr Spock. We'll have to rely on your unique vision." He spoke to the others. "Remain in physical contact at all times. If we lose someone, we might not find him again. Mr Spock will lead, I'll follow, Mitchell next, and security at our backs. Keep your phaser hand free. Are you ready, gentlemen?"
He took a firm grip of Spock's shoulder and felt Gary's hand on his. He took a deep breath as they walked into the unknown. He was unafraid for his two friends were with him plus three of his best security officers. They would complete their mission here. He relaxed and trusted himself to Spock's guidance.
"There is a chamber beyond this doorway," Spock said. As they passed through it he added, "There are bulky items against the walls that I cannot identify."
"It's even darker in here. I can't see a thing," Kirk said. It was so quiet in here; it was unnerving.
"There is a machine, of some kind, directly ahead," Spock said, stopping.
Kirk moved to his side. "Surely one of us should be able to hear it too."
"It is almost noiseless but my hearing is more sensitive than a human's."
"Perhaps Andorian antennae can pick it up." He turned. "Mr Thelen?"
"Jim, I've just lost contact with Thelen," Mitchell said. "He was here until just a second ago. I was talking to him."
Chills ran down Kirk's spine. "Thelen, Dov, Kasran, where are you?" There was no response. If they had been attacked surely, at least, Spock would have heard something."
"They're not here, Jim. Permission to search," Mitchell requested.
"No. We stay together," Kirk said. "Spock, can you see or hear them?"
Spock trained all his senses on it, tensed, then checked his tricorder. There was no mistake. He forced his voice to remain even as he reported his findings. "Sir, the security team lie ten metres away in the direction we have just come. Their life signs do not register on my tricorder. I believe them to be dead, sir."
"No, Spock. That's impossible." Kirk's voice betrayed his shock and, despite his denial, his belief at the Vulcan's words. He bent his head down, almost weeping with the realisation that he had lost more crew.
"Jim." Mitchell put an arm around his shoulder.
Kirk's grief forced its way through Spock's defences and he fought to minimise its effect.
"Lead us to them," the human said, once he had found some control. Spock did so, and Kirk knelt by the Andorians. They were warm to touch but they weren't breathing. "What killed them, Spock?" He drew his hand away; sticky with their blood.
"Captain." Spock's voice was sharp. "Something approaches yet does not register on my tricorder."
Kirk jumped to his feet. "Back to back. Stay close. Don't lose physical contact."
Nervously, Mitchell waved his phaser. He didn't sense the presence but Kirk trusted the Vulcan and he was never wrong in such matters. He forced himself to stand straight; glad of the others' support. When a shuffling sound registered near him, he shivered with dread.
"Where are they?" Kirk whispered.
"All around us, sir," Spock replied.
Mitchell listened in horrified fascination as Kirk tried to communicate. "Greetings. I am Captain James T Kirk. We are on a rescue mission and mean you no harm. Please identify yourselves."
There was complete silence until Spock's strained whisper broke it. "Captain, they are not alive."
"What! That's impossible. Perhaps so alien...."
"No sir. I have determined that they are not living beings."
"Robots?" Kirk asked.
"Negative, sir. Even robots have certain emanations that I am able to detect."
"Jim, what are they?" Mitchell could barely control his fear. His voice shook. "I can't see a thing."
"Take it easy, Gary." Kirk spoke reassuringly.
Kirk was having trouble with his own natural fear. He stared in front of him and tried to relax in the way Spock had been teaching him; it was difficult if not impossible. The small hairs on the back of his neck rose in a premonition of immediate danger. "Spock," he murmured, leaning closer to the Vulcan.
Suddenly, the room was ablaze in light. Kirk blinked furiously as his eyes fought to adjust to the brightness. He became aware of the tension in Spock's arm and focussed, eyes watering, on what the first officer had already seen. Three of his people; ones he had thought to be dead on this planet.
"Minell1, Mendoza, Alexov," he called.
"Captain." Spock's voice sliced through Kirk's elation like a knife. "I remind you that these people do not register on my tricorder. They are dead."
Kirk glanced at the lack of readings and, at first, would not accept. "A malfunction," he began.
"No, Jim," Spock said, in a command tone that Kirk had never heard him use before. "These are re-animated corpses."
Kirk's whole being filled with horror but he acknowledged that the Vulcan's words were true. He swallowed. Somehow, he must deal with his macabre situation.
Mitchell had only recently been romancing Anne Minelli. "Anne, you're all right, aren't you?"
Anne smiled, but it seemed forced and for the first time he noted the death-like pallor of the three people facing them. Mitchell stepped forward but Kirk caught at his arm and hauled him back, saying, "They're zombies."
"No, Jim. It's impossible. They're alive," Gary protested.
"They are being controlled," Spock said. "We must not permit their bodies to be used in such an obscene fashion."
"You're right, Spock." Kirk steeled himself. He aimed his phaser. "Fire."
"Surely we could stun..." Mitchell tried.
"The stun works on the bodies nervous system. These are corpses. Fire."
Minelli, Mendoza, and Alexov walked towards them; dead lips smiling. Kirk and Spock opened fire and, after a moment of hesitation, Gary took the third one - the once beautiful and vital Anne Minelli. Kirk bent his head in sorrow at having destroyed them.
"You had no choice, Jim," Spock assured. "They were being used."
Mitchell touched Kirk's shoulder. "He's right, Jim."
"I know." Kirk straightened up, pulled out his communicator and flipped it open. "Enterprise, six to beam up. Three alive. Three bodies."
"Sir, there's a wee fault in the transporter. We're working on it and I'll beam you out as soon as we can," Scott answered.
"All right, Scotty. Do your best." Kirk closed the communicator. "Why would the transporter choose this particular time to malfunction?"
"It is most disquieting," Spock commented.
Kirk looked down at the Andorians, wondering how they had died in such silence and with so little struggle. They were one of the foremost fighting people in the galaxy! He knelt down by one of them and touched a large bruise on the officer's neck. A sudden movement; Kirk recoiled as the strong fingers of Lt Thelen grabbed his throat, pressing his windpipe with a power no Andorian should possess. He let out a strangled cry.
Spock was there in a moment; the crushing hold of the dead officer removed with Vulcan strength. Kirk scrambled to his feet and was immediately under attack from Kasran. Prepared, this time, he was able to fight off the Andorian and use his phaser to disintegrate him. He struggled to fight his pain, as Gary's yell for help penetrated. He twisted around to see his friend pinned under Dov, rigid with fear and horror. Kirk wrenched the body away, aimed his phaser, and with grim determination he fired again.
Gary was breathing in tortured gasps and struggled to sit up. Kirk helped him to his feet. "Are you all right?" he asked. Obviously badly shaken, Gary was trying to keep it to himself. He nodded his head and Kirk was grateful. "Good," he said.
He looked up to see Spock holding Thelen in a one-handed grip;the other hand touching the dead Andorian's temple. The Vulcan seemed to be in some sort of trance. "Spock?" he asked, in alarm.
The Vulcan's eyes opened. He placed the Andorian's body down gently, then faced his captain. He looked troubled. "Sir, we must return at once to the ship. We are in grave danger."
Kirk didn't question him. He flipped his communicator open. "Mr Scott, beam us up at once."
"I'm trying, sir," the strained voice of the engineer said, "but we've picked up an energy source on the planet. It's knocking out our systems and draining all our power."
"Damn... Move out of orbit. Take my ship out of danger."
"I've tried, sir, but dinna have the power even for that. We're struggling just to stay in orbit."
Spock was checking his tricorder. "There are no such readings on my tricorder, Mr Scott. Explain the nature of the energy."
There was silence.
"Mr Scott," Kirk tried. "Mr Scott."
Spock interrupted him. "Captain, it is logical to assume that the energy source has affected our communications. At present, there is nothing we can do about the situation. I must address another matter. It concerns my discovery when in contact with Thelen."
"Spock, I don't understand..."
Spock knew he would have to tell Kirk something about the mind-meld. There was no choice. "As you know, Vulcans have certain telepathic abilities. I am able to touch another's mind; even one that is alien. I sensed that someone who controlled Thelen. It was a fleeting glimpse. The alien withdrew, at once, on sensing my presence. However, I am certain that it has great power." He saw the touch of awe on Kirk's face but there was no fear. "Captain, the being has not spoken with another living creature in thousands of years. It was astonished when it made contact with me."
"You never cease to amaze me, Spock," Kirk said. "Without doubt, you've contacted the one responsible for all this. Perhaps..." He stopped as all the lights went out, leaving them in the strange, almost impenetrable darkness as before.
A powerful grip caught his wrist. Mitchell gasped, and Kirk almost smiled as he realised that Spock must have grabbed hold of him as well; Mitchell had never before, come up against a Vulcan's strength. Spock was making sure that they were safe. One Vulcan mother-hen was ensuring that his chicks would not stray. "What does it do?" Kirk asked. "Kill anyone who lived here? Kill everyone who lands here?"
"Essentially correct, Captain. I believe it destroyed the civilisation that once flourished here, possibly terrorising with its technique of corpse control as a prelude to extermination."
"That's obscene," Gary cut in. "What kind of monster would do such a thing? Jim, we must get out of here."
"I agree, Gary, but how?" Kirk commented. "Mr Spock, it's pointless to wander about in the dark. Can you find the doorway we used to come in here? Maybe we can get it open this time. "
"Affirmative. I can find the entrance."
"Good. Gary, take hold of my shoulder and don't let go. I don't want to lose you as well."
"I aint going anywhere, Jim, except along with you and Mr Spock." Mitchell took a tight grip on Kirk's muscled shoulder, and only then did Spock release him. His sigh of relief was discernible.
"Some bruises are worth it," Kirk said, in an effort to lighten things.
"Well, maybe, but this one wasn't much fun." Mitchell chuckled.
"I do not understand, Captain," Spock said.
"Terran humour, Spock. I'll explain it one day," Kirk promised.
They walked through the alien darkness, humans blindly following the Vulcan, and Kirk wondered if he would ever get the chance to explain humour to Spock. Surely there had to be a way out. If Scott was unable to get the transporters working, he would send a shuttlecraft to rescue them. That, however, put more people in danger. Yet, Kirk knew, that an entity powerful enough to disrupt the ship's systems would likely be able to kill anyone on board. His skin crawled at the thought of his ship and crew at the mercy of some unknown, hostile force.
Behind him, Gary's laboured breathing was loud. Kirk hoped that his old friend was able to take the strain; he couldn't afford to have him fold at a critical moment. Once he would have been sure of him but not any more. Ahead, he barely heard the even breathing of the first officer. Spock was as cool as ever in this dangerous situation, yet the tightness of his grip on Kirk's wrist gave some indication of the pressure the Vulcan was under.
"The door lies ahead," Spock said. "I can see it."
Kirk peered into the darkness. "Can't see a thing."
"A few more steps, sir." He stopped and lifted Kirk's arm to touch the door. "We are here."
The feel of the solid material of the door reassured Kirk. "Thanks, Spock." He tried to pull his wrist away. "You can let go now."
"No, sir. It may not be any safer here. I suggest that while visibility is poor, we maintain contact at all times."
Kirk grimaced. "Well, before I lose the feeling in my arm, will you ease off a bit?" The pressure lessened and Kirk smiled a little. Had Spock been afraid that he might lose his captain?
"Forgive me, sir." Spock was startled by Kirk's insight. How had the non-telepathic human known of his fear that Kirk would become separated from him?
"Nothing to forgive." Kirk manipulated his wrist, within the Vulcan's hold, his sincerity very obvious. Yet it was more than a telepathic impression, Spock knew. He did not understand the rapport between them, nor even how it was possible. What kind of bond did he share with Kirk?
"This door's locked," Mitchell's panic broke into his thoughts. "There's no way out, Jim."
"Easy. Stay calm, Gary. We have to think this out. Tell me, what are our options?" Kirk asked.
"We have no options," Mitchell almost sobbed. "We're trapped here. We could be attacked at any time." He let go of Jim's shoulder and pounded at the door.
"Gary, you're a Starfleet officer. Behave like one." Kirk shook him.
Mitchell responded to Kirk's tone. "I'm sorry, sir."
"All right, Gary, Spock and I are with you. Now breathe deeply." Kirk squeezed his shoulders. "C'mon."
Eerie, shuffling sounds penetrated the silence.
Spock lifted his phaser. "Captain, straight ahead. Be prepared. These are not our crew-members," he warned.
The lights went on. Although warned, Kirk was unprepared for the disgusting sight that met his eyes. He recoiled. These bodies were not recently dead. They were in various states of decay. Maggot-ridden; rotted. Unable to face such horror, he turned his head away, ready to vomit. Spock's hold tightened on his wrist and that boosted his courage. Fighting down his nausea, he forced himself to face them.
***
He braced himself, glanced at Spock, drew some courage from him, then turned to Gary. His friend was bent over, hands covering his eyes. "Gary, you've seen worse than this. C'mon, I need you with me." He wished he was able to do for Gary what Spock had done for him. Give strength; ease fears. "Gary, try."
One of the corpses, once a lovely young women, came forward. The remains of its mouth opened. "You are so handsome, Captain. I like you. Would you like me to make love to you?"
"Oh, god!" Kirk whispered, horrified, as all his nausea returned.
"Jim," Spock said, urgently. "Jim."
His grip tightened further and Kirk cried out with the pain. Spock released him then opened fire. Shocked by the Vulcan's action, Kirk found his control and, aiming his phaser, he fired but no matter how many they destroyed, more corpses kept coming towards them. "Gary, help us," Kirk called.
Mitchell was pressed up against the door, his phaser having fallen from his grasp. Spock scooped it up and used it to devastating effect. The extra weapon made the difference and before long only the three of them remained.
"Just as well you're ambidextrous," Kirk commented.
"All Vulcans are, sir."
"I should have guessed," Kirk said, with a slight grin which faded when he turned to Mitchell. "Gary, the danger is over for the moment," he reassured, unable to be angry with him. Without Spock's help it was very possible that he, Kirk, would have reacted in much the same way as Gary had; as his shocked and injured crew very likely had. Mitchell's skin was ashen. "Gary, it's over. Come on, I need your help." He shook his friend. "Gary, snap out of it."
Mitchell's shock seemed to fade a little. "Jim, I've let you down again," he whispered, brokenly.
"You reacted in a normal human way. I'm not angry with you. C'mon, Gary, I need your help in getting us out of here."
Mitchell nodded, and seemed to pull himself together. "I'm all right, sir."
Thankful that Gary appeared to be getting a grip, Kirk released him. "Recommendations, Mr Spock," he asked.
Spock had been examining the door. "Captain, I suggest we search for another exit. As this is the door we entered by and as it has been locked by the alien, it is logical to assume that it will not permit us to leave by it. However, its behaviour so far, has been highly illogical, and it is possible that it is testing us."
"My thoughts also. I don't like being 'tested' like this. Do you have any other opinion on the situation?"
"It appears to be toying with us, as it likely did with the landing parties. It has taken the role of the cat, tormenting the mice."
"An interesting way of putting it," Kirk said, with a grimace. "Accurate though." There had to be some way of fighting this thing. They couldn't just hang around waiting for its next little game! He had to find some way of contacting this being... Of course. That was it! He grabbed the startled Vulcan by the arms. "Spock, you touched its mind before. Can you do so again?"
"Sir, I contacted it fleetingly when it controlled Thelen. I am a touch telepath. I do not have the ability to reach another without physical proximity," Spock replied.
"Have you ever tried to reach another mind without touch?" Kirk persisted.
Spock shook his head.
"Will you try? If you can make it understand that what it's doing is wrong, it may give us our only chance."
"Captain, it appears to live deep within this planet," Spock murmured. "I cannot touch it." Already, though, he was faltering under Kirk's intense need for his assistance.
"Spock, I can't order you to do this. I don't know much about being a telepath but I'd guess it must be very distressing to be vulnerable to another's thoughts. I wouldn't ask it of you if I could see any other option."
Startled again by Kirk's understanding, Spock re-evaluated his previous conclusion. He saw the logic in his captain's request; the entity would not allow them to depart and must be contacted if at all possible. Perhaps it could be reasoned with. Yet, he did not know if he was capable of such a meld. His experience was limited and he had never before communicated telepathically without touch. He had only reached the entity before, because it controlled Lt Thelen. Could he reach out to an alien being that lived so far below the surface? If it were possible, what kind of price would be exacted from him? His mind might be swamped, destroyed by so much power. Kirk could not fully understand the danger and Spock knew that he would never burden his captain with the details. Yet, the fact that Kirk had a glimmer of understanding, something most humans could not begin to fathom, warmed Spock and gave him courage.
"I shall attempt it, sir," he said, at last.
"How can I help?" Kirk asked.
Spock was beyond surprise now. "There is only one thing you can do to help me. I must place myself under your protection. Once in the meld, I am vulnerable to physical attack."
"I'll protect you with my life, Spock," Kirk vowed, his expressive eyes showing the depth of his commitment.
Spock bowed his head as those words penetrated mental barriers. He needed to hide the emotions that raged within him. This confusion Kirk caused him was the price he had to pay for entering into a friendship with a human. He needed to work more diligently at repressing the feelings held in check for so long, but it was difficult in the face of such genuine concern.
"Spock?" Kirk inquired, his tone indicating that he knew something was wrong.
It was hopeless, Spock conceded. His captain was too intuitive and missed very little. He braved Kirk's concerned gaze. "I will need a few moments to prepare, sir."
Kirk noted the strange expression in Spock's eyes and wondered about it. He wished that Spock would reveal more about himself; there was so much mystery around him. How was he, a human, to know if he were saying or doing something wrong or in bad taste according to Vulcans.
"I'll be with you all the time, Spock. Nothing will harm you," he vowed. "Thank you, sir," Spock replied. "I would entrust myself to none other."
Kirk swallowed, tried to speak and found he could not. He gripped Spock's arms for a few seconds then released him and stepped back.
Mitchell had been watching them closely. More than ever, he was aware of the unusual and intense chemistry between them. What bound these two together? What had passed between them? How did Jim reach the strange, Vulcan first officer? Why had that non-human taken 'his' place as Jim's confidant and advisor? Could he, Gary, ever be as close to Jim again, or had he lost the special relationship they had always shared? So many questions and no answers.
Spock stood, eyes closed, fingers touching. His breathing slowed and he sank into a cross-legged position on the cold alien surface. He did not permit the chill to penetrate his body, instead willing his heat-sense to compensate. He was vaguely aware of the two humans kneeling protectively on either side of him and he relaxed into the receptive state necessary to commune with another. He raised his hands and reached... It was there faintly, somewhere at the edge of his consciousness. How to reach it though? He placed his hands on the ground and sent his thoughts down through the earth, with all the power at his disposal. Although Vulcans were touch telepaths, Spock knew that a few throughout their history had been given a more complex gift. All had been born into the House of Surak. His clan. Now was the time to find out if he had inherited any of it.
He persevered, despite the exhaustion setting in, until he touched the alien mind, so briefly contacted before. Slowly, their thoughts bean to merge. It was powerful - too powerful! It drew him in, encompassing him, turning him inside out, and he cried out in agony. He struggled, caught in the meld like a fly in a spider's web. The more he fought it, the more trapped in the planetary consciousness he became. He was not strong enough to break free. He tried to make it understand but it disregarded him and greedily took what it wanted from him. He tried to calm himself and transmit that to the being, but it did not appear to notice and continued with its study of his mind. He applied himself to his own study but this mind was far superior to his own and he could only absorb a fraction of it. He knew he was in danger. He had to break free before he lost all sense of his own identity. It was sucking him dry!
Kirk watched Spock in trance, listened to his words and was unable to understand a word of it. Something was wrong. He knew it.
"Is he speaking the Vulcan language?" Gary asked.
"I don't know, but I'm sure he's in trouble," Kirk responded. "It may be normal to what he's doing," Gary suggested.
Kirk shook his head as he studied Spock in every detail. He noted the hunched shoulders, the stiffness of the neck, the unnatural rigidity in his body and those signs verified his belief that Spock was in trouble. He could feel it somehow but what could he do about it? Could he bring the Vulcan out of it? Should he even attempt it? Perhaps disturbing him would be dangerous! He had to make the right decision but what was it? He thought of the Vulcan who had placed his trust in him. He couldn't break that trust.
Taking a deep breath, he went with his gut instinct and placed his hand on Spock's bent neck. He gasped as he caught a glimpse of the battle his friend was waging. Fear swept through him. "Spock, come out of it," he ordered. "Spock, do you hear me?"
Spock cried out, keeled over onto his side, and curled up into a foetal position. His body trembled violently.
"It's got him," Kirk cried out in alarm. "He has to break the meld and I don't know how to help him."
"Jim," Mitchell murmured, helplessly.
"Stand guard. I'll bring him out of it," Kirk said.
Mitchell stood, phaser ready. "Aye, sir."
"Spock, come out of it," Kirk urged, shaking him by the shoulders.
Spock still trembled; sweat poured from his face. Jim touched the Vulcan's cheek, drew his hand away, and rubbed the wetness between his fingers. During all the hard exercise in the gymnasium, he had never seen the Vulcan perspire. What kind of effort must he be putting up now against this unseen opponent?
Guilt consumed him. He had urged Spock to communicate with the entity. If he had only known the stress involved in the meld he would never have suggested it. He knew nothing about Vulcan telepathy and even as his commander, he'd had no right to ask such a thing from Spock. Yet, why had Spock agreed? Had he even known what he would be forced to endure?
He dragged his first officer around. "Spock, snap out of it." He squeezed the thin shoulders tighter. "Damn you, let him go," he shouted into the emptiness of the building. He shook Spock again. "I am giving you a direct order, Mr Spock. Come out of this at once. Obey me." There was no response and Kirk groaned with worry and frustration. "Spock, please," he murmured, in despair now.
"Make up your mind, Jim," Mitchell said. "Ordering one minute, pleading the next...."
"Shut up," Kirk snapped. He didn't need that kind of comment when Spock's very life was in danger.
Gary gave a start at his tone but wisely remained silent.
Determined to get through to the Vulcan, Kirk repeated his name over and over. He didn't understand how he knew it but his voice was reaching Spock; of that he was certain. That encouraged him to continue his efforts and he watched the struggle on Spock's face, knowing that the Vulcan fought to break free. It was some time before the tremors rocking Spock's body eased a little.
"Captain." Spock's eyes were squeezed shut and his face was rigid with tension. "Jim..."
"Spock, you can do it," Kirk urged. The Vulcan moaned with pain and slumped. Kirk caught him and swayed with the sudden dead weight in his arms.
"Jim, the door's opening!" Mitchell exclaimed.
Kirk looked over. "Maybe Spock made the entity understand and it's agreed to let us go."
"It could be a trap, Jim!"
"I know." Kirk hefted Spock over his shoulder and stood up carefully. "I'll feel safer out in the open. You lead. Phaser on stun."
Gary nodded and with caution, walked out into the bright sunlight.
Although hampered by the Vulcan's weight, Kirk followed him. Worry about Spock, the loss of fifteen of his crew on this world and the others injured and shocked, plagued him. How confident he had been at the beginning of this mission. Now he wondered how many more would die.
They made their way across a large well-kept lawn and stopped at its centre. "No signs of pursuit, Captain," Mitchell said. "We can see all around us here, so I guess we are reasonably safe."
"All right, contact the ship." Kirk lowered the Vulcan to the ground, sat beside him and placed a hand on his forehead. It was hot but Vulcan body temperature was higher than a human's. Spock no longer perspired and, hopefully, that was a good sign but Kirk knew little about Vulcan physiology and could not take anything for granted. He tried to find a wrist pulse but couldn't. Alarmed he lowered his head to Spock's side where he thought the Vulcan's heart was located. He heard it beating but it was slow. Maybe too slow for he did know that Spock's heartbeat was much faster than his own. He sat back, worried, but comforted himself with the knowledge that the heart 'was' beating.
Mitchell knelt by him. "Can't raise the ship."
Kirk looked at him. "Spock contacted something, maybe an entity too powerful for him. Something that strong could even affect the ship. I don't know if it let Spock out or if he broke away..."
"Or if you brought him out of it," Mitchell added.
"I doubt I could do that," Kirk said.
Mitchell smiled at him with genuine affection. Jim was too modest about his effect on people. His natural charisma had a profound appeal on everyone who came into contact with him. He had seen that many times. "You could do anything, Jim. Even Spock, in his own alien way, has fallen under your spell."
Kirk drew him a sharp look. Was Gary being sarcastic? "Give me a break."
"I mean it, Jim. I believe you did bring Spock out of it, somehow. Keep trying to reach him."
"I don't know if I did the right thing or not. I know so little about him and this alien he communicated with. Why did it let us go? Is it toying with us? Will it send something else to try and kill us?"
"Or to scare us," Mitchell added. "Maybe it controls, Mr Spock. Have you considered that? If it can control corpses it might manage to do the same to living beings."
Kirk wiped the sweat from his forehead. He couldn't believe that; Spock wouldn't allow himself to be taken over. If only there was a way to reach him but he, a non-telepath - knew no way to touch the unconscious mind of another. He glanced at the beauty around him and scarcely saw it. Too many people had lost their lives here. Too many had been lost during his brief tenure as captain of the Enterprise.
Mitchell knew this mood. He had seen it before. "Jim," he began.
"I know, Gary, but I'll never get used to death." Kirk looked at him.
"That's what makes you the very special commander you are; this feeling for you crew, your compassion."
"I wish sometimes, that I was cold and unfeeling."
"Like Mr Spock."
"Spock's not cold and unfeeling," Kirk protested. "It may appear that way, at times, but I know better." Spock's compassion was deeply buried but Kirk had seen it; been healed and comforted by it. He pulled himself back to their present situation. "We'll stay here for the moment. As you say, we are reasonably safe here. If anything approaches us, we'll know right away. We'll wait until Mr Scott sends a shuttle for us. If transporters and communications are out then that is his next option. If sensors are out, they'll still find us for they know the general area we're in. It's only a matter of time."
"Let's hope that whatever's messing up communications and transporter functions won't stop our shuttles as well."
Kirk sighed, and felt Spock's forehead again. There was no change and he sighed with frustration at not knowing more about Vulcan mind-melds and their consequences. If they ever got out of this, then Spock would tell him more about it whether he liked it or not. He beat his fist into his hand. He had to know who Spock had contacted and what had been learned. How could he bring the Vulcan out of this stupor?
A memory rose unbidden. A few weeks ago, after an attack from the winged aliens of Athena, he had been lying seriously wounded in sickbay. Confused by Spock's coldness, so different from his earlier compassionate healing touch on the planet, Kirk had reached out and caught Spock's fingers. A faint tingle had swept through his hand and arm and later, Spock had admitted that it had indicated the joining of a bond between them. Something he had called t'hy'la. Something very unusual had taken place. He was not quite sure what and Spock had not really explained, but the Vulcan had accepted that they were friends now and in some mysterious way, it would never be broken.
Was it possible that the strange tingle could happen again, even with Spock unconscious. If it was, as he suspected, some kind of non-verbal communication then it might be possible to reach Spock through it. Decision made, he lifted Spock's hand and placed his fingertips against the Vulcan's.
"Jim, what are you..."
"Quiet," Kirk snapped, then shut him out. He concentrated but nothing happened. Did it need the telepathic Vulcan to initiate the effect? Yet Spock had said it had been spontaneous, surely he could manage to start it himself. He released a shaky breath and tried to hold onto the intense mental effort required.
"Jim..." Gary interrupted.
"I told you to be quiet," Kirk exploded, and stared at Gary in that intimidating way that could reduce a strong man to a quivering wreck. "Don't you know how to obey an order? Why do you question everything I do? I am trying to bring Spock out of this. Leave me in peace. Guard us."
"Yes, sir," Mitchell replied, but watched them out of the corner of his eye.
Kirk evened his breathing and tried to reach the deep relaxation Spock had taught him. He didn't succeed and that angered him. He then tried to recall his own feelings when the spontaneous bond had manifested itself. In some way he had been receptive to Spock, desperate to know what had occurred on the planet, to understand how Spock had saved his life and helped heal his wounds, and desperate for the friendship of a lifetime with the Vulcan. Was desperation the key? He was certainly feeling that way right now.
With grim determination he made a focussed attempt to call the Vulcan. He imagined the tingling sensation at his fingertips. Spock, I need you with me. Be with me, Spock. Please.
He almost doubled over as the sensation, almost painful, blazed up and forced its way to the stunned Vulcan's mind. It was so real now. He could sense his friend's thoughts. It was surreal, uncanny, exhilarating. Spock, can you hear me? he asked silently.
Jim, a voice said in his mind. Spock's voice.
There was a movement, and Kirk looked down to see dark, alien eyes looking at him. "Spock, are you all right?" he asked.
When there was no reply he stared, worriedly, at his friend open eyes but saw no recognition in them; no signs of intelligence. "Spock, he murmured, anguished. "Spock." There was no response and Kirk knew that he would have to do something, even if it meant taking drastic measures.
He knelt up, grabbed the Vulcan by the shirt and hoisted him up into a half- sitting position. With clenched teeth and form control he slapped Spock hard across the cheek. He steeled himself to repeat the blow, and hoped that Spock would forgive him this assault if they ever got out of this mess. After eight jarring blows that would have broken a human's jaw, the Vulcan finally reacted. He grabbed Kirk's wrist in a crushing grip and bore it down.
Kirk didn't resist. If he did, he would have broken or fractured bones to deal with; as it was there would be another nasty bruise or two for McCoy to fix. "Spock," he gasped, as the pain intensified. "Spock, it's Jim. Let me go."
Spock's eyes cleared. "Jim!" he exclaimed. "Jim, what has happened?"
Kirk sighed with relief. "Just what I wanted to ask you!"
Suddenly aware of his captain's pain, Spock released him. He tried to sit up straight but dizziness overcame him and he fell back. Jim's arms went round him, lifting him. He tried to protest but his weakness was intense and he could barely move. He relaxed and concentrated on strengthening himself. After a time, he was able to open his eyes and take in his surroundings. He was embarrassed to discover himself supported by his captain, his head lolling against his friend's shoulder. He fought to decrease his dependence on the human but a nagging thought intruded. It was no shame to permit himself to be helped by his t'hy'la.
"Spock, take it easy." Jim said. "I'm with you. Lean on me."
Spock knew that this voice had recalled him from the depths of his mind, where he had taken refuge from the vast intellect of the planetary consciousness. Despite Spock being in a state of almost catatonic exhaustion, this non-telepathic human had instinctively found the way to him and had brought him out to awareness. The more he knew Jim, the less he understood him. How had his friend known exactly what to do?
He stilled and did what Jim had asked. Leaning heavily against the human's shoulder, a strange calm filled him. He looked up into worried hazel eyes. "Jim, this entity lives within the planet. She is the planet. She created this world and is its goddess." He fought his tiredness. He had been drained by the contact with the entity, yet he knew it was imperative that he continue. Kirk needed this report. "She is all-powerful here. She has...she..." Sheer exhaustion overwhelmed him and his control slipped. He was sinking.... Jim's hold tightened and he concentrated on that like a lifeline.
"Why has she killed, Spock?" Kirk asked.
"She thought...She.." Spock tried to explain. "She believed..." It was increasingly difficult to speak but Spock fought the urge to slide back into unconsciousness.
"Captain, something's coming," Mitchell warned.
End of part two