Phasers, torpedoes, plasma beams, disruptors—why did so many sentients choose to resort to them? Clearly it was going to take some time to try and make sense of it all, to clarify that which continued to remain opaque to him. If time and circumstances permitted, perhaps he could seek the wisdom of his elder self, since no one else could elucidate what appeared to be a galaxy-wide conundrum.
A cry from Lieutenant Sulu interrupted Spock’s reverie.
“A hit! One of our torpedoes got through to their flagship, sir!”
Logic and reason would have to wait, Spock told himself. There was a battle to be won. “Lieutenant Sulu is correct, Captain. The Dre’kalak flagship is showing every indication of losing power. Its shields are on the verge of failing.”
“They’re hailing us again.” Uhura fought to restrain her excitement.
“Why am I not surprised?” In contrast to his mildly sardonic words, Kirk’s expression was somber. “On-screen, Mister Chekov.”
The face—or at least the region of the dark green conical upper body that one presupposed was the face—of the Dre’kalak commander appeared before them. A dark patch or bandage of some sort covered his left side and one of his three eyes appeared to have slid several centimeters southward. Behind him could be seen several Dre’kalak moving about in considerable haste, their conical shapes occasionally obscured by flowing streaks of smoke like gray alien ghosts.
“Captain Kirk. We are withdrawing.”
His scientific precocity did not prevent Chekov from betraying his age by letting out a cheer. When he realized that he was alone on the bridge in loudly punctuating the Dre’kalak commander’s concession, he tried to shrink into his seat. Kirk ignored the youthful outburst.
“You admit defeat.” Kirk was watching the alien closely, trying to read meaning into the rippling of soft skin and the flexing of powerful tentacles.
“Yes, we have lost. But we do not surrender. We will depart under fire, if you insist on persisting.”
Kirk did not directly respond. Let the Dre’kalak think the Enterprise was eager to continue the fight when in fact only good tactics and slightly superior armaments had prevented disaster. Furthermore, he was not about to pursue three alien warships without backup. And even had they been so inclined, the badly battered Perenoreans were in no condition to assist.
Besides, the Enterprise had achieved their aim, which was to prevent the Dre’kalak from destroying the Perenorean colony ship.
A quiet Spock was mentally reviewing exactly the same scenario. It would be interesting to see if the Perenoreans argued for pursuing and annihilating their assailants. That would suggest that they were far more aggressive and more dangerous than they had presented themselves. It was reassuring when no such call to continue the battle reached the Enterprise from the Eparthaa.
This time, Kirk did not consult with anyone on the bridge. “I would say go in peace, but it’s a little late for that. So, just go.”
The image on screen was breaking up, possibly from damage to the enemy flagship’s communications systems, perhaps from making preparations to initiate the jump to warp space. “We have lost, Captain Kirk—but so have you.”
The image crackled once more, then vanished entirely. As the bridge complement looked on, first the Dre’kalak flagship and then its two flanking vessels went to warp speed. In their wake, they left a gas giant, several huge moons, and two starships: one lightly impacted, the other severely damaged.
“Receiving a hail from the Eparthaa, Captain,” Uhura informed him.
It was Leaderesque Taell. The bandage he had been sporting was gone. “You have saved us, Captain Kirk. I and everyone on our ship owe you our lives, for however much longer we may continue to exist in this plenum.”
Kirk coughed into his closed fist. Normally, excessive praise made him swell up like a balloon, but this was a bit much. It was left to Spock to proportionately reply.
“Federation laws explicitly allow for the providing of assistance to refugees. Whatever the nature of the disagreement between your kind and the Dre’kalak, we are certain it could and would have been better resolved through rational discussion. As the Dre’kalak declined, rather brusquely, to participate in such a prudent dialogue, we were compelled to persuade them by other means.”
“As you certainly have done.” Taell’s voice was soft but emphatic. “Though we can never properly repay you, we would beg the privilege of thanking you in person. Will you do us the honor of visiting our ship so that we may present proper homage?”
“We would be honored. Enterprise out.”
To the captain’s surprise, Spock was immediately agreeable. When he asked why, the science officer responded without hesitation.
“Were the intentions of these people hostile, they could have fired on us now, Captain. Insofar as I have had time to study it, their initial psychological profile does not suggest a species inclined to treachery or violence. Given the present condition of their vessel, I do not think they could mount a serious threat to the Enterprise even if they were so inclined.”
Kirk considered, then smiled slightly. “Is that the sum of your reasoning in this matter, Mister Spock?”
“No, Captain. I admit that I am curious to meet them in person. Not only as representatives of a new species, but as someone who is also a refugee.”
Rising from the command chair, Kirk walked over to stand beside his science officer. “You know, Spock, while it’s not explicitly forbidden by regulation for a captain and his first officer to be off ship at the same time, it is frowned upon.”
“Yes, Captain. I will file a formal report on the inadvisability of taking such action—as soon as we return.”
“All right, Spock. I understand. I’m more than a little curious to meet these people myself.” He looked to his right. “Lieutenant Sulu. Mister Spock and I will be paying a formal visit to the Perenorean colony ship. Until conditions on board the Eparthaa can be properly evaluated, we will conduct such transfers via shuttle. You are in command.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Rising from his station, Sulu moved to assume the captain’s chair. Settling into it, he instinctively felt that if given the chance, he could get used to the position.
“And,” Spock continued, “I believe that Doctor McCoy should accompany us.”
Kirk did not try to hide his surprise. “Mister Spock, I wasn’t aware that you so earnestly desired his company.”
The science officer visibly stiffened. “If Leaderesque Taell has been telling the truth, then there are likely to be wounded on the Perenorean vessel. Doctor McCoy’s presence in a professional capacity would be appreciated by the Perenoreans, and therefore stands to accrue additional goodwill toward the Federation.”
“Yes, of course. I should have thought of it myself.”
“Captain.” It was Uhura again. “Lieutenant Ben-Haim for you.” She frowned uncertainly.
Puzzled, Kirk leaned into Uhura’s station. “Mister Ben-Haim, what is it? Mister Spock and I are about to go across to the Perenorean ship.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt diplomatic efforts, Captain, but we have a problem in engineering.”
Kirk let out a heavy sigh. “On my way.”