Written by Alfredo Juillet Frascara.
11.v.1997
__________STARRING__________
Dario Marmolejo, Commander of the Space Station n` 35.
Lena, adjutant officer .
First Officer of the "Lenium" {Cargo}= Jaime.
Crew of the "XMinus" : Also of the "Temperance"=
Captain= James Tiberius Kirk
First Officer and Science Officer = Xtmprszntwlfd S'chin
T'gai Spock
Lieutenant =John Newark
Jennifer Smith = Exo biologist
Chief Engineer = Scotty
Engineer = Smirnoff
Lemuel = Radar
2nd. officer = Chekov
Guards= Simpertigue, Lagrange.
Crew= Sulu, Maora
ORES {Aliens}= Alamniro, Romir, Ronie.
THE CHANGELINS = Emperor Mingesh
Ship "Chamaleon". Captain Richel, First Officer = Liana,
Second Officer =Farag, Muala, Medical Officer = Martina.
Ship "Legend" .Captain =
THE PREDATORS. Ship "Rage".
----------------------------------------------
Planet Veresdino in the Alfa System of the Apus
Constellation.
----------------------------------------------
Vessels of the Mars Company =
Lenium {Cargo}= First Officer = Jaime.
XMinus
Grissom
Beta Brabazone
-------------------------------------------
Chapter one.
VERESDINO.
=========
Jaime looks on the console and pissed on it.
- Ja, ja ! He laughs, and he gave a full turn in the
air, smashing his skull unto the wall.
- Shit! - He said, rubbing his head. - "Atomic Mouse!" -
He yelled, and he catapulted through a corridor. It was the
corridor with the failing lights.
A series of hand bars passed at his left. At his right ,
the smooth metallic wall.
- Atomic mouse ! Hieeaa! Red eyes, titi! Titi!"
He arrived at the Dining Hall, and he pick up from the
floor a sealed dish, and opening it, he eats some.
-Killer tomatoes! Aa! Ahaaaa!"- He yelled, giving a
great leap, and going as an arrow to any place, banging his
head unto the wall, and blood begun to pour.
- Ah! Blood ! "- He yelled, and he shot by a corridor,
missing by scant centimeters one of the borders.
Inside of a sealed room, the three Ores washed at the
Homo sapiens sapiens shot as an arrow in front of the crystal
window.
- He went totally mad."- Acknowledged Alamniro
- 6 682. 32.2.220.6-681.'- Mumbled Romir, that were some
kind of assertion to the Alamniro's words.
- We must keep on trying.- Ronie told the other two
Ores.
- Let's concentrate in his mind. Perhaps we can induce
him with Ugrotron."- Romir said.
= No way! This man it's out of reach !'= Alamniro
expostulated in a fiery manner.
- This man has potentials.- Ronie said.
- Potential? A weak mind, they have ! It rips apart !
But then, perhaps we over estimated his capacities. Perhaps
with others of the same race we could go slower. Gentler ."-
Romir said.
The Ores were floating in a yellow liquid, moving with
quick movements of their twisted legs.
They were like that since three weeks ago, when they
were captured by the rest of the human crew of that cargo
ship {the "Lenium"}.The rest of the humans were killed when
the Ores fights them mentally. But the only survivor was
immune to their waves inducing biological break up ...
The "Lenium" ,when passing close to the planet
"Veresdino" , was intercepted by two patrol vessels.
- Identify your vessel. please"- John Newark, one
officer of the "XMinus " asked by radio.
After ten minutes asking for a response, Maora, a tall
woman with black hair, said :-" They did not want to answer !
Also they are in a collision course !"
- Perhaps they are all sick, or something."- Jennifer
Smith, the Exo Biologist said.
- Prepare the magnetic grappling! Mister Spock, tell our
twin ship "Beta Brabazone" to cover us !"- Captain Kirk
ordered.
- Yes, Sir."- Answered the first officer.
The "XMinus" closed in no time to the "Lenium", who was
fixed with the grappling. Then the scouts enters ship, using
explosives.
- Lieutenant Newark ! Inform me !- The Captain asked.
- "There is a sector that is sealed, Captain! By a glass
we can see three aliens floating there!'- Newark radioed.
- Aliens? ."= Spok utters.
- At bow a man was found ! He is sick."- Newark adds.
- Sick? Then he must be quarantined ! - Asked the Exo
biologist, exciting herself.
- I think that will be not necessary, Officer Smith! The
man is crazy!"- Newark remarks.
- Deep shock. It will be necessary to sedate him for a
long period."- Doctor McCoy told to officer Smith.
- At least two weeks.'- Affirmed her.
- Here Scotty ! The ship has their meteorite deflectors
in bad shape. Also it has little fuel in their tanks."- The
Chief Engineer told by the radio.
- O.K., came back."- Kirk asked him.
- Lagrange and Simpertigue radioed from the Soto Base
that they had landed successfully."- Officer Uhura said, from
his post.
- Perfect. ...beam them back now."- Captain Kirk asked
by the intercom.
A little while more, and both Lagrange and Simpertigue
were aboard ship.
The "XMinus" vessel closed to the 35th. Orbital Station,
and using a port bay, it opened a passageway into the
Station.
- Now hear this, crew of the XMinus" This is your
Captain speaking. From the first man to number 50, with shore
leave for 8 hours. The other group of fifty men and women
will be going when the first group came back. "- Captain Kirk
ordered by the radio.
- Are you going to be in the first group , Captain?"-
Lemuel the Radar Man asked .
- I am the Number One, forget you not. I will be going
in the first group."- Kirk smiled to the only gay of the
entire crew.
- Then Mr. Spok will be in charge here?
- Yes. Call him now."- Kirk asked to the half man.
- I will be in charge here, Captain. Don't worry. But,
have you some special order for me?"- Asked Spok.
- I must be informed about what those doctors down there
are learning from those three aliens we leave at the surface
of Veresdino. Also I wish to be informed when that crazy man
will recover."- Kirk asked.
- I see."- Answered the first officer.
They went by the pneumatic tube to Station 35. Kirk went
directly to the Officer's quarters, and asked an interview
with the Station's Commander.
A little time elapsed, he was received by the Big Man in
person, inside a beautifully over decorated office.
Dario Marmolejo was a short and fat person, 53 years
old.
- Please take a seat, Captain Kirk! Lena ! Gave some
drink to our guest !"- Said Marmolejo Dario, seating in his
harm chair with a sigh.
Lena was the assistant general, a young girl that used a
tight red dress. She asked Kirk about which drink he prefer,
and he asked an Algolian wine.
- Fine choosing !'- Marmolejo expressed.
Lena walks serving the drinks, making Kirk a dizzy man.
She smiled at him continually...
- Cheers !- Marmolejo said, drinking of his glass in one
gulp.
Kirk preferred to drink bit by bit, in order to savor
it.
- This things are the ones that help a man to keep on
going! "- The Commandant Marmolejo said.'- Two years and I
will be promoted to Director of the Investigations Center at
Algol 8 !"
- A good post !"- Kirk said.- " I had known that the
Algol System had attained the same life standard Earth
cherished now. "
' - Look here, Captain Kirk, you know that since the
invention of the Cosmic Transports the far away places of old
are to-day as neighborhoods ! So they had attained a good
standard of life. A patented invention on Earth it's known in
weeks through all the Federation! Provided there is a Cosmic
Transporter there, that is !"- The Commander of the Station
gave his opinion.
- So it is. "- smiled Kirk to Lena, who was pouring more
wine in his glass.
- Lena! Accompany us ! Take yourself a drink!"- The
Commander Marmolejo asked to the adjutant.
- Ay! But you know what happens to me ! - She laughed...
and she pours same Algolian wine in a glass, for herself.
- Prosit ! For us !"- Marmolejo said, drinking his glass
in one gulp.
' - I came to ask you some extra fuel. for my ship."-
Kirk said .
- Ah! Ask whatever you wish, Captain ! You are a good
mate! My adjutant here will provide you of whatever you need
! But tell me, it's true that you find three aliens in deep
space ?"- Asked Marmolejo , and Lena poured more wine on the
glasses.
- In the ship "Lenium" we found a man totally crazy, and
in a chamber full of liquid three aliens were floating . We
take them and disembarked at "Base Soto", on the surface of
this planet we are orbiting now."- Kirk said, drinking a
little more of the Algolian wine, that it was taking effect
in his system.
- Interesting! Then I will ask the Base Soto about it !
Because there is a faint possibility that an alien ship could
came here to the rescue!"- Marmolejo expressed his fears.
- Are you married ?"- Lena asked Kirk, when pouring more
wine in his glass.
- yes, but my wife is dead now. ' - Kirk answered,
looking at the beautiful blue eyes of the blonde Adjutant.
- Ay! That stare of yours! They make me feel like the
Little Riding Hood != She said, backing a couple of steps.
- Lena ! Don't fall down...before pouring some more wine
in my glass!' - Laughed Marmolejo, showing his empty cup, and
when she went to did it, he takes her by the arm.
- Ay, release me !' - She begs.
- Women! They tell us no, and in their inner self they
are asking for it !"- Marmolejo mumbled, drinking his cup in
one stroke.
- You should not be so daring !"- Lena asked of him,
pouring herself another portion.
Kirk was seeing the walls and furniture of the
Commander's office dancing before his eyes. He began to
regret the acceptance of so many libations.
- Another bit, yes?"- Lena asked, and she poured more
wine in their glasses.
Klunk !
The head of Marmolejo makes the desk's objects jump in
their places, when going down.
- Ja ja ! He passed already!"- Lena laughed, looking at
the Commander.
- Did he always goes down like that?- Kirk laughed,
taking Lena's waist.
- Ay, don't be fresh!! Shall we dance, better?- Lena
asked, and without an answer, she lighted a music dispenser,
and embrace Kirk in a dance.
They tried to dance for a while, and when their legs
entangled themselves, they fell down ,to the soft carpet of
the room...
...
Four days elapsed, an urgent message arrives to the
"XMinus".
- I will call the Captain .= Spock announced to the ones
surrounding him, and in the minute he uses the audio
communicator.
...
- I must go.
- Oh, no ! Y love you. I cannot be without you !
- I had brought something for you, so you didn't
despair."- Kirk smiled.
And in a box a collar of silver and brilliants shines
under the lights of that room.
- Oh, how beautiful! - The eyes of the beauty shined as
the jewel, or more !
- Those {jewels} aren't deserving your beautiful self,
but it's the best I can borrow in the Station's Main Store."-
Kirk said.
The radio/telephone chirruped, and Kirk in an automatic
movement, opened the lid and said:- Kirk here.
- Captain: we had received a distress message from the
surface...Soto Base."
- Read it to me.
- "The three alien species had taken control of the
whole "A" Sector of the Soto Base. We request your help.
Signed, the Director General."
- At which hour this message arrives?"
- Since five minutes, Sir."
- Fine. I'll go there. Beam me up! "- Kirk ordered.
Three minutes elapsed, Kirk materialized himself in
front of Scotty, who was the operator at that time.
- Welcome aboard, Captain. Did you rest well ?"- Scotty
asked, smiling broadly.
-Yes, Scotty. A delightful vacation...- Kirk smiled-
"Where is Mr. Tgai Spock ? "
= Tgai Spock ? That is his first name ?
- Yes.
- Mr. Spock is in the Control Cabin...Seems he is in
love with the Commander's chair."
Kirk runs by the corridors, as it was a costume of his
grandfather, back at the XMinus...Spock sees him appearing
half disheveled, and he stand up from the Chair.
- Good day, Spock. All swell in here ?
- yes, Sir. We performed a routine inspection and we
have full charge of fuel."- Spock said, pulling his shirt.
- Very well. What more did you know about the problems
in the Soto Base?"
- There are two new messages from there, Captain.
- You tell me about.
- The aliens seems to posses ESperes powers, Sir. They
control some human brains.
- I understand...then the poor loony we found was
manipulated by them...
- Yes, Captain. So they had taken control of the
Engine's Department, in the Soto Base. Also they had
delivered an ultimatum : if in three more hours the rest of
the humans there didn't surrender, they will disconnect the
systems to the whole complex.
- They should die of cold !
- So it is, Captain. As the Soto Base it's located at
the South Pole , the loss of energy means there would be no
heaters running. It is a death penalty..."
- We must plan something ! Some attack plan...'- Kirk
said, pacing the room.- We mustn't be mere spectators here !"
- In fact, that is our mission, Sir. ' - Stared the
first Officer.
-----------------------------------------
- We have several things at our side : the knowledge of
the complex , our communications with the loyal members of
the Base are running...we can beam personnel there in no
time."- Kirk said.
- And just an hour to do something !
- Do not despair, Sulu. We already have two combat units
ready to launch, waiting for my signal, at the Transport's
Room."- Kirk smiled.
- Sorry, Captain. I guess I am a bit nervous.'-
- We all are, but try to refrain your impulses. "- Kirk
slapped the man.
- In short, a squadron, guided by me, will appear in the
decontaminated sector, and will begin to attack immediately
the rebel forces, pushing in the direction of the site we
think the aliens inhabits."- Spok said.
- Those aliens are called Orons.' - The doctor said.
- Orons. And by the meantime, the second battalion , or
second group, will be beamed by Scotty right into the Engine
Sector. Inside Base."- Kirk slurped.
- It will ask for a perfect calibration.- Doctor McCoy
told the chief Engineer.
- Yes, Doctor McCoy. I will send a decoy first, so I
cannot fail. It will be a twenty seconds delay."- Scotty
grunted.
- You know Scotty it's a good engineer. Very well, Sirs,
once we face the modified humans inside the enemy complex,
please bear in your minds that they are being manipulated, so
do not kill them. Just stunned them. Our real enemy are three
mangled half fishes in a pond."- Kirk remembered them.
- And what if we faced the Orons ?- Asked Lagrange, a
guard.
- I guess they are in a tank with water. Bear in mid
they cannot breath air as we. .. Let's go, Scotty !"
The Chief Engineer began his fumbling with the
Transporter. After a while, and seeing his device came back
in one piece, he said"- All ready here, Captain. "
- Mr. Spok you and your men must preceded us. "
Spok and his group walked to the beams and they were
sneezed to the planet orbiting below.
Spok saw the commander of the loyal forces some two
minutes after, as it was all scheduled like that, and told
him:- " We'll began the attack right now !"
- The enemy it's beyond a sealed door made of steel. It
is the only corridor going their place."- Voroky the Manager
told him.
- All right, Mr. Voroky, my men will plant a bomb there.
Tell your people to back off."
They planted the bomb there, who blow the door in three
minutes elapse. A dense havoc of lethal rays pass through the
threshold. The rebels were there with killer instincts...
- A real pity. If we answer the fire, lots of them will
die, and we now for certain that they are just puppets of
those Orons."- Spock told to Mr. Voroky, a fat little man of
bald head and little scurrying eyes.
- But we must to attack, Mr. the Vulcan. Your comrades
are going to disembark in any minute."- Voroky said , pulling
fiercely a little red mustache over his upper fat lip,
moisture with the water of fear.
The Pfizer began to sizzle, and the heat was on,
there...
Meanwhile, Kirk and his army appeared in corridor # z23
as if were a magic spell working on.
- In front of us it's the Engine Room, mates. Fire at
will."- Kirk gave his command.
The corridor was a large one, and it's sides were
covered by refrigeration tubes.
Running , they soon meet with a couple of guards brain-
washed. Those two guys fired and two men of the Kirk's
platoon went dead.
So the rest stunned those enemies, killing them as the
stunning rays were a lot too many...
- McCoy! You try to help our injured men. Lagrange ! You
cover the doctor !"- Kirk yelled.
The advance was slowed by the resistance of other
enemies, who began firing Pfizer unto them, at full
charge...The reconditioned people were unafraid of rays...
- Captain ! We have three more wounded ! - Simpertigue
assured.
Kirk ordered a more strong force in the Pfizer, so the
corridor were cleaned of enemies, ending with the fierce
resistance.
They arrived to the Engines Chamber' s door.
- Blow it !"- Kirk asked harshly.
The door was blown up with a dynamite charge, together
with pieces of refrigeration ducts, who began to spit water
at high temperature.
- The humans had blown the door to the Engine's room !"-
Romir the Orons said.
- Impossible ! We have a whole battalion fighting the
humans in a far corridor !"- Alamniro said.
- This came from other source."
- Perhaps they were beamed into a near by corridor."-
Ronie said.
- Then they are from some vessel in orbit. In the Soto
Base the Transporters were destroyed by our slaves, at our
command."- Romir remembered.
- Did you scan those new intelligence ? - Asked Ronie.
- I am sensing a group of human egos. They are inside
the Engine's room..."- Said Alamniro.
- Soon they will be here...they will be ours...no match
for our will ! Race of brain pigeons !"- Ronie assured.
- We must have visual contact to sing the victory
song."- Romir muttered.
-------------------------------------
- Still no signs of the aliens?"- Kirk asked.
- No, Captain. But we have found three sealed doors .
Perhaps in them we can find the Orons."- Simpertigue said.
- Blow them all !"- Asked Kirk, looking for shelter.
Soon the three doors were blasted, and the men run into
the chambers.
Two were long corridors, ending in the engines
themselves. The third was occupied by a giant pool full of
liquid, brilliantly lit, where the three Ores were swimming
violently.
The aliens were prepared to the mental attack, so they
acted very quick.
The first three guards felt the cold " mental fingers"
rummaging inside their brains, and began to receive the fast
brainwashing from the Ores. The next step were the
assimilation of a series of orders . The whole process takes
only three seconds !
The three guards turned their weapons towards the rest
of the platoon, who were steeping inside. As their Pfizer
were in the "Stun" mode, their fire wasn't mortal.
- Captain! The Ores were found! But the first inside the
chamber are fighting us !"- Simpertigue told Kirk, who was on
the rear.
- Throw a laser bomb immediately !We cannot take risks
!"- The Captain Kirk ordered.
The bomb crashed all the glasses , so the liquid and the
Orons went down in a flood.
The Ores finally rested in the metal floor of that
chamber.
- It's our end."- Alamniro said.
- Others will follow."- Ronie assured, breathing
spasmodically.
- I have enough strength to turn a man crazy !"-
Alamniro exclaimed from the floor, eyeing the empty place...
Their bodies were bleeding their green blood...
- Attention ! Nobody goes inside the alien's chamber !
They are real dangerous ! They can brain wash any mortal
being who dares pass that threshold !- Kirk snorted.
So nobody goes in there until Mr. Spok arrives, as he
and his platoon were the survivors of the previous fight
against the brainwashed members of the Soto Base...
- All clear, Sir."- Spok announced.
- We have the Ores out of their environment. "- Kirk
said.
- Do you blast their aquarium?
- So it was. You must understand it wasn't a matter of
preserve their good health, seeing the dangerous species they
are."- Kirk replied.
- Self evident, Captain."- Spok said, closing to the
danger.
With his telepathic mind he scanned inside. He felt the
strong pulse of two alien minds, and another weakling fast.
- Do you feel something inside the chamber, Spok?
- Yes, Captain, They are alive, and they are extremely
dangerous, they could control me without effort, but it seems
they must have visual contact. "- The First Officer answered.
- The Atomic Reactor it's closing to the critic point,
Captain."- Simpertigue warned, who was in radio contact with
the Soto Base Commander.
- The damage in the refrigeration ducts was enormous.'-
Spok whispered to the Captain.
-Scotty !"- Kirk called through the visophone.- "Beam up
all our forces immediately ! "
- Proceeding!"- Scotty replied, from the ship.
- There is a group working in the replacement of the
damaged tubes."- Doctor McCoy informs .
In that moment they were beamed up to the "XMinus".
Kirk, followed by Doctor McCoy and Mr. Spok, walked to
the Main Deck. There, Chekov stands up from the Commander's
chair, saying:- " All the crew is on board, Captain."
- I suggest you move the "XMinus" from over the Soto
Base, Captain. It seems that the repair team couldn't fix all
the damages. The chain reaction it's on it's way."- Uhura
said, from her Communication's Post.
- Scotty, full speed ahead."- Kirk asked to the Chief
Engineer.
- The "XMinus" abandoned the orbit around the Veresdin
planet, and hurriedly took refuge among the stars.
A yellow flower blossomed in the surface of Veresdin...
- There goes the Soto Base !"- Doctor McCoy put in
emphatically.
- Poor people !"- Kirk said, looking amazed...
- We have twelve people from the Soto Base aboard !'-
Scotty announced from his post, using the radio communicator.
- I'm going there !"- Kirk answered.
In fact, in the Transporter's Hall, twelve workers and
staff from the Soto Base were , wild with joy ...the joy to
be alive.
- Thanks you very much, Captain! You had saved us !"-
Told Leonardo Dunn, ex Director Manager of the blowed
complex.
- Gave your thanks to Scotty, our Chief Engineer ! We
had so little time to react! A pity we don't beam up more
people ! "
- 316 in all , Captain! Several died in the battles, and
some others totally crazy , all due to those bastards from
deep space ! But I am certain there are some others in the
surface ! Because we had some aerial artifacts, and I gave
full authorization to use them, when the danger began..."
What was implicit in his words was the fact he refused
to flee , choosing to stay at work, no matter the dangers !
Kirk commanded Chekov to return to the planet Veresdin,
and to the Lieutenant Uhura to scan all the surface ,
searching for humans.
Uhura saw six vessels flying due north.
- Six ships in view, Captain. "
- Radioed them we are going to help . Request them to
land ."- Kirk said, and he ordered the crew on board were
located in some cabins, to rest .Some injured ones went to
the Infirmary.
- The vessels from Soto Base are landed, Captain! They
ask for more information."- Uhura snorted.
- We will send them food. Mr. Spok! You will go there
in an auxiliary ship , carrying food and clothes. Try to
begin some course of action. Our ship could take them to
another planet, if necessary."- Kirk urged.
- Yes, Captain.' - Spok said.
- Infirmary inform : just three rescued were needing
medical assistance. The rest has just scratches.- Doctor
McCoy said through the intercom.
- Better that way. See that they receive good beds."-
Kirk asked.
Spok. in the interim, were descending in an auxiliary
ship near the airplanes of the Soto Base. Two of those
airships were big Flying Saucers models, capable of to carry
more than 100 persons each.
- Thanks to Jehovah God that you are here ! We need
food.- A big man said, shaking hands.
- I am Spok, First Officer of the XMinus. My mission
consist in hear your troubles and try to solve them. By the
moment I brought some food and clothes ."
- Very well ! I am Diego Almagro, Chief of the Fifth
Sector. I brought with me all the women and children of the
Soto Base ! "- announced the man, showing with a gesture of
his hands the group of people that were gathering in front of
the Auxiliary Ship.
- Simpertigue ! Supervise the distribution of the food
and clothes! = Asked Spok to the Guard. Other members of the
crew begin to help.
There were several crates with merchandise, and eight
big bags with clothes.
- We have the intention to arrive to the city
"Starlight" , that is located in the West of this continent.
"- Luis Pastene informed Spok. He was the former Public
Relations man of the Soto Base.
- Population seven thousands inhabitants. One Astro Port
in construction, whose major commercial activity is the
fishing in the Clinton Sea."- The tricorder of Spok said,
when asked.
- perfect. Have you enough fuel?"- Spok asked.
- Yes, but our ships are being piloted by non
experienced crews, so I beg you could accompany us to the
aforementioned city, guiding us."- Diego Almagro asked.
- And it would serves your presence there, to be better
received. Our number could awake suspicions in some of those
citizens."- Pointed out Manuel Martinez, pilot.
- I am taking your suggestions , gentlemen, so I could
ask my captain about them. - Spok replied.
The captain Kirk ,when hearing it, answered via the
audio communicator:- " We have a schedule to accomplish, Mr.
Spok. I had maintained correspondence with the Central Base,
and they are giving us another two weeks here, no more. Our
sister ship, the " Beta Brabazone", was sended to Algol B."
- Enough are two weeks to organize this people in their
new localization. "- Spok assured.
He begin to guide the airplanes to the Starlight City,
where they arrived in two days.
Spok talked with Rufino Rubio, the Major of that city,
saying:- " I am Spok, first officer of the XMinus vessel, now
orbiting Veresdin. I am sure you know already what disgrace
befell on the Soto Base."
- So it is ! But, seat ,please !"- Asked the Mayor
Rubio.
They were in a climatized office, whose windows has in
front the docks. So they were able to see the sun, the blue
sea and the traffic of the numerous fishing vessels.
-Thanks. As I were telling , in the Soto Base an
accident makes the fusion chambers to melt...and their are
melting still, sinking in the floor with the atomic heat."-
Spok remarked.
- A pity."- Exclaimed the Major, seating in his soft arm
chair, with a sigh.
- The people from the Soto Base that I had guided here
are mainly women and children. From our vessel in orbit we
beamed another 16 persons, among them the Director Manager."
- I see. But in numbers tell me how many they are."-
Asked the Major Rubio.
- 80 women, 32 children and 49 men."- Replied Spok.
- Here in this city we numbered about 7.000 people. We
have 42 fishing vessels , that provides us of meat . Also
there are one mine of iron and another of Lithium."- The
Major informed Spok.
The First Officer saw that the data was correct, using
his TRiCorder, so he adds:- '...And cattle. 7.000 heads."
- Ah! That! Yes, I were forgetting . It is because I am
here so close to the sea, that I easily forget what is going
on in the fields."- The Major smiled.
- The Soto Base personnel was employed by the Levi
Consortium. Those Companies probably will decide to re invert
money in this planet. So the permanence of those refugees
could very well be provisory."- Spok opined.
- And also that Consortium could decide not to invest a
coin more in Veresdin! I am well aware of the situation, Mr.
Spok. And I am not being insensible. I had studied the city
maps and there is a spot, at the north of Starlight, ready to
begin building houses for those people. By the meantime, I
can provide shelter for about 200 people here in this
building."- Rufino Rubio offered.
- I have some days leave to help in this works. "- Spok
assured.
They had another reunion with the Manager Director of
the disappeared Soto Base, who was beamed to the land,
together with the other 15 who were at the XMinus.
Leonardo Dumm, ex Director, communicated himself with
the Consortium Levi, via the sub radio of the XMinus. They
offered help , using two big cargo vessels ...and as to new
inversions in the planet Veresdn, they said that it will be
matter of further studies, all depending of the next share
holder's reunion ...
Spok returned to the XMinus after 15 days in the
Starlight city, together with his crew.
- Labor accomplished, Captain. I leave the refugees of
the Soto Base very will inserted in the City's society."-
Spok put in emphatically.
- Roof, jobs ? Because those Flying Saucers models are
somewhat not adecuated for long periods..."- Kirk remembered.
- Some of them asked to keep on living in those
artifacts. They are the pilots and some women, as they are
going to use them for tourism. The rest are in the Major's
building, that once was an Hospital. They have beds and a big
communitary kitchen."- Spok informed.
- I am happy to hear this ! So must you."- Kirk said.
- Can I know why I must be happy , Captain? - Kirk
asked, arching one eyebrow.
- Our next reunion will carry us all to Vulcan.- Kirk
advised, going out of the room.
Spok keeps on looking that door, with incredulous
stare...
--------------------------------------------------
- Apus, Octans, Tucana...far from our Earth."
- Far...and close, at the same time, thanks to the new
engines. What before takes generations , to-day it takes us
two or three weeks time."
- I remember my first voyage. It was to the star number
1148...a planet in which humans and birds of two meters high
were living in perpetual war."
- Bross?
- Yes ! It's famous. But scanty populated. Never they
interested much in that planet."
- Because of those birds. It was to live with the weapon
always at the side. And as they are so much Terra formed
planets, why go there to live in danger?"
The light in the console blinked, and turns to green.
- We passed through that ion cloud. The danger is over."
- They are going to relieve us in fifteen minutes.
- I invite you to a 3D chess play.
- I accept ! The loser will accept any future voluntary
mission...
- As always.
Fifteen minutes elapsed, the change of the guard
arrived, so Newark and Simpertigue departed to the gambling
room.
--------------------------------------------------------
---
Vulcano !
That dark and lugubrious planet, whose volcanoes throw
dark clouds of smoke to the red skies...Nest of volcanoes,
race that in their origins was a bellicose and conqueror
...probe of which was the Romulans.
To day they are a race of specialized beings, in the
different branches of knowledge, allied of the Federation of
Planets, with Earth as founder.
The Vulcan worked out a philosophy of restrictions that
has no more than two thousands years, with amazing changes in
their society. Where hate and lies once inhabited, now
flourished peace and concord. The wishes to conquer were
extinguished, replaced by the ardent desire to conquer their
inner selves.
Not all the Vulcan were loving that active philosophy.
There were people that whose self inner conquest was just a
limitation to the powers they received when born.
Several hundreds were united in a new Political Party,
and now they were working to achieve the splitting of Vulcan
from the Federation...in order to recover the freedom and
independence of old.
Because of the, the Federation commissioned the XMinus
to Vulcan, in order to convince the members of the reforming
party of the improvements obtained when belonging to the
Federation. Spok was the child of a high dignitary, member of
an ancient and honorable family, so they thought he were
going to be heard with dully respect by the members of the
Reform Party.
- To return home must be . for you, a wonderful
emotion."- Doctor McCoy told Spok, being both at the Main
Bridge.
- It is always gratifying to see the family."- The First
officer answered.- But in this case, I think there will be no
time to go on visiting them. My mission will take me all the
available time , and much of my attention."
- Vulcan in the main monitor."- Uhura asserted.
Chekov digitized in his desk, and the main visor showed
the red planet, with a dark sky in the backwards.
- It can be seen red flashes in the dark side."- Chekov
exclaimed.
- They are volcanoes ! - Spok muttered, his fixed stare
on the planet where he was born.
- We get it ? "- Kirk asked, walking in.
- Yes, Captain. Vulcano...In three minutes we will enter
to the atmosphere.
They saw several silhouettes appearing at port side
.Uhura contacted them, and inform: -" They are going to
escort us, Captain. A honor escort, they said."
- Right. Let us be guided."- Kirk asked.
Soon enough they descended in a modern astroport , very
well lit, s it was night in that hemisphere.
Kirk , Spok and ten members of the crew descended from
the XMinus, between them the Exo Biologist Jennifer Smith.
- Welcome to Vulcania ! I am honored saluting so an
illustrious explorer !"- Commander Mabok exclaimed , who was
dressed in a very wide jacket.
- Mine is the pleasure. It is always agreeable to be in
a friendly land."- Kirk replied.
- And you must be the First Officer Spok ! Of an old
family here, your return fills our chest with proud! "- The
Commander Mabok thus saluted the half Vulcan.
- Thanks.- Replied Spok, face immutable, and stiff as a
rock.
They were carried to an Hotel, where they have several
hours to change clothes and clean themselves. Some five hours
elapsed, a Vulcan named Cherkov presented himself to Kirk,
saying:'- I am Cherkov ! Chamberlain Second Class. I will
attend you and your crew's well fare all the time you choose
to stay in Vulcan!"
His height was 1.60 meters and he was fat.
- Glad to know you !"- Kirk smiled at him, seeing he
wore a red and black robe, with a broad belt made of tin,
that cuts his figure in two.
- By the meantime, rest in this Hotel, and Mr. Spok
should attend some lectures in the Politic Ministry.I am the
appointed person to carry him there. Of course you and
whoever wants can attend those lectures too, Captain Kirk.
But it is not obligatory , except to Mr. Spok."- Announced
the Chamberlain second class.
- I think it will be interesting for anyone to learn
about your political intricacies. "= Kirk said, calling for
Spok, with his video phone.
The Vulcan arrived in two minutes, and he declared "- It
is necessary to attain more knowledge about the present
situation. Mr. Cherkov, can we go right now to attend those
lessons?"
- No, as the first one is scheduled for to-morrow at ten
o'clock. There you will learn about the various messages the
Reform Party has issued to the government. Also it is
available the sayings of the elders that are in charge of the
nation."- Cherkov said.
So Spok waits with impatience the ten o'clock of the
following day...
The rooms were warm and well lit. Several politics begun
teaching Spok all the nuances of the present politics. Kirk
was present too, not that he was going to attend the meetings
with the opposition, but he was there in order to learn about
the future mission of his First Officer...
One week elapsed, Spok was appointed for a meeting with
the leaders of the Reform Party, and he went to their site
with several official politics. They were backing up his
presence there, just in case some aspect weren't covered with
the recently gained knowledge of Spok...
Kirk was pacing his Hotel rooms, and after some twenty
minutes he decided to go alone to the streets, in order to
refresh his burning brain...
He saw the people of Vulcania {Capital City of Vulcan}
with a mixed quota of envy and surprise. The cargo vehicles
weren't seen , nor airplanes.
He went to the subway, and there he find the
explanation: subway trains linking the different points of
the city. All there was very silent, and just the rumor of
feet were audible .The enigmatic Vulcan just didn't speak in
public !
He takes a train, and travels five station ahead,
climbing up when he felt a tinge of claustrophobia...
The streets were damp there. A woman approaches him,
saying " Hi, handsome ! My name is Dara."
- Eh...Good night."- He answered, realizing it was a
young woman with the slant eyes of the vulcans. Her hair was
combed to the rear of her head. The dark clothes were adorned
with some metal graples. A pair of boots gave her the final
appearance of a night crawler...
- I guess you are from Tierra, a tourist, and probably
recently in our city. "- Dara said.
- Yes. How could you ?"
- You are not a vulcan, because your hears are rounded.
And I bet the excitation you felt at your Hotel makes you
went out ! To admire the strange, to see for yourself..."-
Dara asserted, smiling crookedly.
- I am looking at a Sherlock Holmes in disguise. Female
version...And what about you ? Why are you in the street at
this hour?"- Kirk replied.
- I have a row with my husband ! I divorced him since
just one hour ago. "- She said, with glaring eyes.
- Too many time married?
- Two months. At the beginning ...but let's go to a Cafe
the street it's too humid. "- She invited.
They search for a Bar , and they went into it hand in
hand, as she takes his hand firmly, when first crossing the
street.
Seated at a table, and sipping the coffee, she expanded
her story by analyzing her days of married vulcan...She
obviously felt herself free, now. When she ends the story,
Kirk said"- And then you find me ."
- Yes, I find you. And you like me."- She said, staring
into his eyes.
- Hem ! You also are very sympathetic. - The Captain
Kirk said, touching his own neck with his right hand, as if
wishing for more air. He wasn't accustomed to this kind of
"logical" talks...right to the point...
- If you desire, we could go now to your Hotel. Or
mine."- Dara invited him, touching his hand.
Kirk thought it over a while, and he refused.
- No, thanks you. In my country...my society, it's not
properly to go so fast."
- A society where the Time concept it's sub- appraised,
his members are easily end disappointed."- Dara rationalized.
- Yes, could be . But we could talk a little more."-
Kirk offered the girl.
- No, thanks you. I wish a very nice stay at Vulcania."
- Dara said, and depart.
Kirk smiled, moving his head slightly to the sides, and
finished his cup of coffe. The, he stands up and went out of
the Cafe. The day was breaking, with a yellow tint, that
makes him remember one ancient perfume of the same color,
that his mother used long time ago...
The Vulcan people were increasing it's numbers, as it
was time to began to work. Not a human were around there.
And it wasn't strange! Vulcan has little tourist
attractions, being a planet full of volcanoes, the same who
were throwing to the heavens dark cloud of dust. And also
there were big earthquakes, a dozen a month...and the strange
philosophy of the people scared the humans , who were
familiar with the subterfuges , the merciful lie, the false
appraisal...so this Spartan-like people scared them stiff !
Kirk went to his Hotel , using the Subway. He takes a
long shower and went to bed at 08:07 hours...
===================================================
Spok was seated at a table, at that precise hour,
talking with the principal opposites to the Government plans.
- Delegate Spok: I am Riskiv, Associated Director from
the Reform Party. I am here to read to you a detailed
memoranda of our present position , with respect to the
Federation alliance. Our desire it is to obtain a complete
separation of Vulcan society with respect to that gathered
lot of planets called the Federation."
- It seems logical to begun with your position. You may
proceed."- admitted Spock, while Riskiv drinks some of water.
- Let's see...There are three main points . The First
Point is that we had noticed a slowing down of the
development of Vulcano; now there is the old interest of to
learn , investigate, invent new mechanisms or new theories in
the several branches of the knowledge. Now it is preferred
the novelty, the mere option of the merchandise that is
offered us via Catalogue , or with samples, from the other
Federation planets. It's understandable ! For which purpose
to be caring to invent, if with a little research it can be
found manufactured , the desired invention? Some
philosophical theory ? We search and found that it was
discovered and carried to the experimentation in another
planet ! Now we are mere readers of philosophical theories,
we are admired of the alien achievements in the mathematical
fields ! We are consumers of any other electrical gadget that
choose to be imported here ! So if we split from the
federation, we would establish Laws that will forbid the
traffic between that Conglomerate and us ! We would be alone
again, to feel ourselves alone...Then our philosophers will
return to their particular studies, our technicians and
engineers will begin inventing !
"Point Two : Emigration. Actually by each thousands
inhabitants ,a hundred has already emigrated. The percentage
has been increasing year by year, since our alliance with the
Federation. Millions had already gone, maybe the most
pugnacious of our population. At the pace we are going, in
ten years some cities will be half empty, their industries
paralyzed ,slowing down the total productivity in a 50% !
"The solution that our Party foresees for this
particular problem it's very simple: general prohibition for
any unauthorized trip to the exterior of Vulcano...and I tell
you, Mr. Spok, the authorized trips will be very few!"
- I see.'- Spok commented in a cold manner.
- The Third Point is related to the few we are obtaining
by being in the Federation. The tourism it's almost in
existent, as our world isn't agreeable for the human Earth
kind. They preferred blue oceans, pale blue skies and white
sand beaches, in which their desinhibited and liberal women
can take sun bathes and being admired...Our ore sells had
increased a magre 7% from the pre-Federation times. With
respect to Technology, our ships had been equipped with the
best engines the Federation can sell, it's a fact, but the
they are being used in the Federation's benefit."
With this final words, Riskio finished his
expostulation.
Then Spok replied:- " I had heard the Honorable Riskio
in his discourse. I had analyzed his sayings and he have, in
part, reason to complain. But to return to our oneness it's
like to return to the kerosene to lit lamps and to the
explosion engines to move aerial vehicles. They had been
abandoned , for ever, the days of the heroic struggle against
an hostile Universe .
Inside of the group of planets named the Federation, all
have passed through this same identity crises , this
melancholic groups , remembering the passed time of heroism
and effort. We had paid already for the individual effort. We
have evolved as individual persons - our main philosophy of
life proves it. It is clear that to be a little master piece
is, apparently, more valuable than to be a brick in a major
building
"But in that union we will grow together. It is the
apparent inmovility that worries to-day the Reform Party. But
it is because they are viewing this in a planetary fashion. I
ask the honorable members of the Reform Party to see that
thousands of Vulcanians are to-day big businessman, also
Managers of important organizations as Banks and Hospitals.
And a lot more it will be boring to enumerate here.
"The vulcanian race had been the new sap inside a
ligneous tree. To day the Federation soars ahead , thanks to
the efforts of many of our fellow citizens.
"With respect to the Industry and the invention, the
Vulcan race has patented three times more improvements and
inventions than the rest of the Federation members put
together. This is more notorious if we compare with our
planetary records ...Never before such as this !
"It is true this inventions are being developed outside
our planet. But the inventors had received hundred of million
credits for them! And part of that money had been invested
here! And they keep on receiving the royalties !
"And this carry us to the Emigration Problem. It is true
that the actual percentage of emigration outweighs that of
the new born. I must remember you that the usual number of
children rise by each couple in Vulcan is of one son.
" I had revised this same case in the other planets of
the Federation, in the time when they too were beginning it's
membership, and the percentage of emigrations in those
periods were similar to the ones we are seeing in Vulcan. The
rate will descend in a slow way, and it will end by not
represent a problem. As I said, it's like the new sap running
by a ligneous tree. Once the tree achieve the saturation
point, the sap will need not be too much.
" And so I am arriving to the Third Point of the
Honorable Riskio pointed out. This is, how little Vulcan has
gained with this coalition. Here will be boring to repeat
what I had already said. Here we are advancing as a group,
and the results are appearing in a slowly manner. And this is
because the range it's wider. It has to be with all the
circuits of science, industry, commerce, communications and
transport.
" Now it's not as before, mere jumps in one or other
human knowledge.
" I finally pray all the Reform Party members have the
will to considerate again their secessionist ideas, that some
day it will be seen as a burden in the road to better days
for Vulcan. Also suicidal, as now it's the time of the big
alliances. What could happen to Vulcan if some other Alliance
's forces came from the deep of space ? We would be an easy
prey. Proud and lonely our planet would perish ...we would
fight against the wind mills and that will be all. We would
be defeated and we would loose our identity, that to day we
are so proud of.
" That will be all for now."
With those words Spok ends his message. Their speeches
were reproduced in all the TV Hologram sets throughout all
the planet. Thousands of people heard the uttered words.
Spok talked a little to some of the presents, and then
they attend a meal of honor, in which the old union among the
ancient tribes of Vulcan was commemorated.
- We are the taxi drivers of Spok. We are here waiting
he finish those interminable sessions , to return to the
active service. It is humiliate. Seems all the Vulcan are
staring at us in mockery."- Newark said.
- We are the workers the Federation has here. We will be
always in the service of this or the other politic . "-
Simpertigue reply.
- I can't believe this !"- Newark said.
- Yes! The heroic times are finished. The grandfather of
the captain piloted the "Priceless". His nephew are
vegetating in the "XMinus".- Simpertigue confided to the
other .
- Vegetate? ' - Newark felt himself intrigued.
- Do not advance further. Stay put.'- Simpertigue lit
his laser pipe, breathing the smoke with delight.
Both members of the crew were seated in front of their
monitors, astern of the XMinus. The information were flowing
from the radar , showing them all the planet's traffic. It
was being tapped in the Orbiter Computer.
- Mr. Spok is also a member of the crew. His special
aptitudes makes himself eligible for the mission he is trying
to accomplish now. "- Simpertigue remembered.
- Those Vulcan ! We will have some days in the surface,
but to think in all those macho-like females gives me the
creeps !"- Newark groaned.
- You must see the bright side of things ! At least,
they aren't klingons !"- Simpertigue laughed heartily, and in
that instant the Captain Kirk appeared there.
- Too much fun in a working post signifies, generally,
little attention to the job !"- He admonished, and asked a
report of the guard. 18 ships had abandoned the planet, and
12 had entered the atmosphere. All this data was with several
details more, such as the destiny points, crew members and
cargo.
- Little traffic for a so famous a planet ! "- Kirk
mumbled.
- May be it's the quality and not for the quantity that
it is a famous planet, Captain.- Simpertigue replied.
- Could be so. And at purpose of this, our Mr. Spok is
entangled in high politics ! So high, that I am asking for a
new assignation for our vessel."- Captain Kirk commented,
seating in a chair.
Newark said:- " I was commenting about that, Captain! It
seems to me a waste of time and recourses just to be here
orbiting the same planet, waiting for Mr. Spok, who knows for
how many time he will be engaged in those political
discussions."
- He also said we are the taxi drivers of Mr. Spok.'-
Simpertigue chipped in.
Kirk said "- Not so little thing as taxi drivers ! But
it is a waste of our time. I will ask my petition to
Headquarters in a plausible way, as to gave us some chance to
go somewhere else."
And he retired.
- Why did you said that I said we were as taxi drivers
of Mr. Spok? - Newark asked.
- Alas! You would be just a little thing if you can talk
in absence of someone what you cannot have the guts to say in
front of that someone ! You must always speak as if the
absent were present: in that way you need not repent
afterwards."- Simpertigue replied.
============================================
Simpertigue ends its turn and walked to the Main Deck,
and he sees Kirk busy sending the message, with the aid of
Lieutenant Uhura. He went there and said :- " Captain Kirk,
can you gave me an interview for this afternoon?
- Yes. At three o'clock in my office."- Answered Kirk
absentminded.
As it was twelve hours { ship's time} Simpertigue went
to lunch .
At three o'clock he enters Kirk's office. Uhura asked
why he was there.
- I asked an appointment to the Captain, Sir."
- Well...you aren't being too lucky., He has the
willies."
- Damn."- Simpertigue said demurely, and stepped in.
Kirk offers him a chair, and said"- Be brief,
Simpertigue. And do not touch religious themes, I have too
much to do."
- If this is the case, Captain, I ask your leave to
retire myself. I am a man of ideas and I cannot abridge them"
- Speak.
- Please tell me how it goes in reference to your
requisition."
- Bad! - Kirk yelled, and Uhura's head appeared in the
threshold .
- Are you calling me, Sir?
- No! Lieutenant, you can resume your duties."- Kirk
said, and he adds to Simpertigue :- " I expose them the
wasting time we are having here, and the answer was that an
armed vessel of the Federation over the Vulcanian skies was
enough back up for Mr. Spock's efforts down there. And if we
retire the "XMinus", we are endangering the political
schemes."-
- And there will be no new mission?
- They said there is no important mission to gave
us...by the moment."- Kirk answered.
- So we are stuck here .'- Simpertigue said, crossing
his arms.
Kirk retired a bottle of wine from his desk, and he
served two portions in two glasses, offering one to
Simpertigue, who received it gladly.
- Only a urgent call from someone in distress could move
us now."- Kirk assured.
- We can create that urgent call !
- I think I'm not that desperate."- Kirk snorted.
- Then you could license us , to visit Vulcan and search
the fun here isn't !"
- As we are relatives I will refrain to punish your
words, but gave me the power to castigate you."- Kirk
remarked, and he slaps Simpertigue.
- Enough.- Simpertigue said, drinking the rest of the
wine, and with a salute, he retired from the office.
When going by Uhura's desk, Simpertigue told her:- " He
wasn't so mad: he just bit me once."
Uhura buried her nose in her console. She wasn't
interested in fights...
-Uhura ! Came immediately, please!"- Kirk bellowed from
his office.
She enter the room at a brisk pace.
- Do you know what that bum came here to ask of me?"
- No idea, Captain.
- Close that door. Seat there. Well. He wants a shore
leave for all hands ...vacations on Vulcan."- He snorted.
- You opposed, of course.- Uhura asked mildly.
- Not yet. I must study this matter, but in this moment
I am feeling very strained."
She walk round the desk, and seats in the border, near
him. Her legs shone under the silk. Kirk's eyes were trying
to run from their orbs.
- Course of collision ! "- Kirk interjected, and he
embrace those appendages of ebony.
She smiled and caressed the blond head. She understood
that man, inheritor of some heroic ancestors. That gravitate
heavily over his anguished ego, making stagger enormously.
- Do you think I can leave all hands without endanger
our mission?- He asked, rising his head.
She puts his head over her chest, and the man rushed to
it, hungrily.
----------------------------------------
- And how was the interview? Did he said yes?"- Newark
asked Simpertigue.
- I don't know ! I asked to send all not so busy hands
to Vulcano, and he slaps me !"-
In that moment the audio communicators begin to chirrup,
and a voice said through the loudspeakers:-" Attention all
the crew members ! This is Lieutenant Uhura warning you ! In
two minutes our Captain will speak !"
Then some cracking in the loudspeakers, and the voice of
Captain Kirk boomed out :-" This is your Captain ! The next
people will remain on board : Simpertigue, Newark, Uhura,
Scotty, McCoy, Chekov and Uhura ! The rest of the crew will
have a shore leave of 15 days ! The shuttles will carry you
to Vulcano ! "
- Hurrah!"- They all yelled, minus the aforementioned
members of the crew...
In half an hour the two shuttles were heading to the
surface of Vulcano...with a cheering gang.
- I did it great ! I asked shore leave, and I obtained
for all hands except me !"- Simpertigue yelled to Newark.
- Try to made a complain to Kirk."- He replied.
Simpertigue told the Captain it was an injustice to have
him in the XMinus, when he was the one that asked the shore
leave.
- Do not complain, crew member ! We will have some other
amusements here. "- Captain Kirk answered enigmatically.
-------------------------------------------------
At dawn of the next day on board, Kirk summoned the
scant crew left, and he said :- I have news for you. "
- And are them good news ?- Simpertigue asked
- A Vulcan commission will arrive here at noon. It's a
study, about the human behavior in space...with 0 gravity.-
Kirk whispered.
-But we aren't in 0 Grav !"- Scotty replied.
- But we will be from now on ! That is required by the
study we are going to see performed !"- Kirk smiled.
- This is very suspicious for me !"- Scotty mumbled.-"
Those studies had been performed centuries ago !"
Kirk grew red in the face. He exclaimed"- Not all those
studies are pertinent for to-day crews ! Also, if we
cooperate with the students of the " Vulcan University" ,we
will be performing a very good act indeed !"
Chekov said:-" I understand, then that this is more a
students research ! "
Some minutes more, the XMinus 's crew was in 0 gravity.
The University team arrives at noon. 22 of them, all
females from Vulcan. The resistance of Scotty vaporizes...
The students begun making the crew performs several
exercises ,with scanners glued to their bodies, so they taped
the metabolic variations.
Some romances flourished - except in Scotty 's case- and
when the researches were accomplished - one week elapsed-
nobody could honestly feel at a loose for not to have landed
in Vulcan ...
After 8 days of the student's departure, Spok
communicate with the vessel, so Kirk puts him in the central
monitor, to talk seeing his friend.
- Good morning, Captain. I am sending this encrypted
message to you after a very tiresome reunion with the
political opposition . ?This is getting harder each day it
passes. The Reform Party is really decided to go on banning
Vulcan 's decision to keep on inside the Federation. So I ask
you for more patience, as I cannot foresee when this mission
of mine will end. Live long and prosper."
The screen went blank.
- Uhura : send this message to Headquarters immediately.
Attach to this my last request to my superiors."-Kirk asked.
This time he received a positive answer.
" From Headquarters to the Captain Kirk in the "XMinus":
the "Grissom" vessel will arrive to Vulcan shortly, to
release you. The captain Sanchez ,of the "Grissom", will
deliver your next assignment. End of message ZQQ7."
- Eureka !"- Kirk laughed, when seeing his departure
were approaching.- "Uhura, send an encrypted message to Spok,
telling him we are on the move. Tell him I will be sending
our position at all times, in case he finish his job and
wants to join us."
- Aye aye, Sir !"- Uhura smiled broadly, showing a
generous portion of her long legs, making the eyes bulge of
every male on the Bridge...
------------------------------------------
CHAPTER TWO
THE Changelings.
---------------------------------------------------------
Captain Kirk enters the "Grissom" via the Beamer.
Captain Sanches, a man in his forties, receives him
cordially, presenting his crew.
- My first officer Luis Uribe, Second Officer Raul
Reyes, Communication Officer Lisa Mayenz.
- Glad to meet you ."- Kirk said, looking at the young
and smiling Lisa...
- Please accompany me to my room, Captain Kirk."-
Invited Captain Sanches, taking him by the arm.
In his office, with an oak desk in between, Captain
Sanches told Kirk:= " We know there is a war between two
alien races, in quadrant 48. The "Mars Company" thinks we can
earn some credits if we went there as advisers. "
- Always the money.
- Unfortunately, ships are made with money, Captain
Kirk. As you and me are mercenaries now, we cannot expect the
Mars Company acts in a pure philantropical way. Thing they
aren't."
- Yes, I receive a monthly payment, same as all the
crew. But to earn money aiding races in conflict seems to me
without ethics."
- We are warriors, in the deep end. Also with a touch of
explorers. All the money in the world means little thing
before a ship's main deck. Or am I wrong?"- Asked Sanches.
- You are right.' - Kirk smiled.
Sanches pours some Chilean wine unto a couple of
glasses, and they drink.
- Good wine. Vina Carmen..."- Approves the XMinus
captain.
- Yes, I bought some hundred cases myself. Well, the
data is storage in a CD. "- Sanches said, handling Kirk an
envelope.
- I guess you aren't accompanying us."
- I am here to relieve you of the surveillance of
Vulcan. I assume Mr. Spock is down there."- Sanches said,
pointing to the floor...where Vulcan orbited round its sun.
- yes, and I was told he will be there a lot more time
than supposed previously."
- A pity. He is a man of the stars, not of political
saloons."- Sanches asserted.
They talked about Earth and the new manners. Then Kirk
went to his ship, to read the orders.
The races were not human. They were in a desperate war,
and the Changelings were the ones willing to communicate with
Terrans.
- Uhura, please call all hands aboard. We will depart in
two hours elapsed."- Captain Kirk ordered her.
- Yes, Captain.- She replied.
Doctor McCoy came to his office, and asked"- Where are
we heading now, Jim?"
- To a war, Bones ! Get ready your musket !"- Kirk
smiled.
- You seems very pleased to endanger our lives !"- McCoy
stated.
- I will try not to endanger them too much."
- That I will appreciate very much !"- McCoy retorted.
Kirk went to the main deck, and he talked with Chekov
about the new destination, giving him the coordinates.
By the intercom he speak to all the crew aboard the
XMinus, saying " - To all the crew members : this is your
Captain speaking. We will be heading to a dangerous spot in
the galaxy, where two alien races maintain a bloody struggle
for power. One of those races calls us to be of help. We will
act as a technical aid, so don't trouble yourselves thinking
we will fight alien vessels. "
- A good point here.' - McCoy said, looking at Kirk.
- The Mars Company that hired you and me pretends to
gain some economical potential with us giving the Changelings
some advise...and blue prints of engines and weaponry.
'I ask you to be alert every moment from now on. We had
an idle time here ,orbiting the peaceful Vulcan. Now we will
prepare to be alert, as anything can came our way. This I ask
you : put your whole senses to the job. "
And he ends the speech with the motto of the Mars
Company: "Earth matters !"
- That was very touching of you."- McCoy said to him,
but Kirk didn't grabs the exact meaning of those words...
The XMinus begun his trek at full speed. The engines
moaned with the effort, as there were old models, refitted by
Scotty .
- Guess we can fuse some circuits. Captain, if we keep
on with this pace."- Radioed the Chief Engineer to the
Captain.
- Then put the XMinus in a safer speed, Scotty. Better
to arrive late than not at all."- Kirk sighed. His previous
vessel was the Enterprise, a sound Starfleet vessel, capable
of feast this XMinus were far away to accomplish...
Two weeks elapsed, they were close to Quadrant 48.
- Ship ahead, Sir. Visual contact."- Said Uhura.
- Put it on the main screen. Also tell them we are from
Earth. Chekov ! Shields on !"
The ship in the main screen was a spheroid, with several
rods sprouting from it.
- They salute us ! They are asking us to slow the
pace."- Uhura communicate.
- O.K., Scotty, half impulse power. Uhura, ask them to
receive me in their main deck."
- Hi Hi, Sir....They are acknowledging the order. They
reply...saying they have no transporter beam apparatus. You
must go in person...or they will send us a shuttle."
- Tell them I will go in a shuttle."- Kirk response.
So he chooses Lagrange and Simpertigue, and embarks in
the shuttle. Five minutes elapsed, and he was in the
spheroid, whose size was huge.
The door slid open, and he stare at the ones named
Changelings.
They were human beings !
- Welcome aboard the "Chameleon", Captain Kirk ! Nice to
see humans aboard.I am Richel, Captain of this vessel."-' '
Welcomed him a female of about 60 years old, wearing a pink
dress.
- Lady ! Mine is the pleasure."- He replied.
The other members of the alien crew were all females ,
of several ages and heights. They all wore civilian dresses,
and they were smiling amicably.
- I came with Simpertigue and Lagrange, my personal
guards."
- No need to bring here guards. Captain Kirk ! We are
friends of the humans of the planet Earth. We knew them two
years ago, when the " Symposium" came this way in a research
travel. We advise them not to go further, as our enemy is
lurking those places. "- Said lady Richel.
- A pity you have a war going on."
- Yes, and more pity is to be retreating. We have lost a
whole system already, and we fight in another. We Changelings
are a peaceful race, and with the centuries we have populated
three solar systems. Now we are loosing them in the hands of
the Predators."- Lady Richel sighs.
- I will help you in any way you chooses fit."- Kirk
said, touched to see a lady like his grandmother aching for
those worlds...
- I will present you my officers...This is Liana, First
Officer. And Farag, Second Officer. Muala, the Scientific
Officer, and Martina, medical officer on board..."
Liana , Farag and Muala were of old age, but Martina was
a superb specimen of a woman, with moist lips and a pair of
dark green eyes where Kirk seems to be plunging head on ...
- My pleasure. I expect you could accompany me to my
ship, in order to present you my officers, too."- Kirk said.
- No problem. But now permit me to invite you to a
little dinner ."- Lady {and also Captain} Richel whispered.
- I will be delighted."- Kirk said, eyeing Martina.
Lady Richel puts Martina at his side, as if she approves
of his interest, and they talked about the machines and men
of both vessels, not touching the war theme.
- I have some knowledge in Homo sapiens biology. I
attended some patients of the "Symposium " crew."- Martina
whispered to Kirk.
- Very interesting ! But you resemble a very healthy
specimen of my own race."- Kirk said, drinking something of
what appears to be wine.
- Thanks you. I hope you encounters me agreeably to your
sight."- She blushed.
- Agreeably ? I am beginning to be in love with you !""-
Kirk whispered in her hear.
Simpertigue asked to Richel:- " And how many crew
members are in this vessel, madam ?"
- "389 persons, Guard. We must have that number, as when
going into battle, we need a lot of gunners. Those spikes you
saw protruding our vessel are mainly cannons...plasma
cannons."
- And in how many battles your ship had fought?"-
Simpertigue asked.
- In 23 battles, 3 skirmishes and one sighting of a
lesser enemy vessel, who preferred to fly instead of to fight
us."- Smiled the Lady, understanding Simpertigue's questions
as a Guard's gaffe.
Lagrange asked Farag about how many women were in the
crew, and she laughed instead of answering.
- There are several interesting features in our vessel,
Captain. Please go with Martina to see them."- Asked Lady
Richel, after dinner.
- I will be most honored."- Kirk said, smiling. Martina
takes him by the hand, and they went down a corridor.
- And you could go seeing our weaponry, gentlemen. "-
Captain Richel invited Simpertigue and Lagrange, who were
guided by the not so interesting officers Farag and Muala.
Martina said"- This is our entertainment's room. There,
in those couches, we hear music and also we play our
instruments."
- I wish to hear you sing, Martina ! I am sure you sing
like an angel !"- Kirk told the beauty, kissing her hand of
polished nails.
- Thanks . I am not sure what do you mean by angel."-
She asked, blushing slightly.
- One angel is a spiritual creature that visits Earth to
see all it's running smoothly. They are beautiful, when they
choose to show themselves."- Kirk affirmed.
- Oh ! I am afraid I am no angel, as when choosing to
show ..."
She couldn't end her phrase, as Kirk kissed her. At the
beginning she didn't response, but when realizing the meaning
of a kiss, she asked for more.
- Here...or in my quarters?- She asked, out of breath.
- Wherever- Kirk answered.
They went to her room, and she said:- " Please, I rather
like this ...naked."
So they naked themselves. When in the bed, Kirk whimpers
, as something bites his leg.
- What is in this bead?
- Oh, I am sorry ! Must be a needle.' - Martina said,
kissing him eagerly.
So they make love in a torrid fashion...
- Glad to have you in my ship, Captain Kirk. Please came
whenever you choose fit. Let me escort you to our main
planet."- Captain Richel said.
- I'll be glad to came back. But do not forget you are
invited to our ship."- Kirk replied.
- I have not forget your invitation, Captain. "- She
smiled gently.
Martina kissed him good bye, to the annoyance of
Simpertigue and Lagrange, who had been boring seeing the
weaponry of the ship in the old timer's company.
- Did you get ...it ?"
- Yes, Captain. Both things. "- Smiled Martina.
- Good . This will promote you to a bigger vessel."-
Captain Richel promised, seeing by a monitor how the shuttle
of the XMinus were traveling away.
- That Captain Kirk has heat in his veins."- Martina
said, taking her true morphemic semblance.
- All humans have that urge inside . It's an instinct."-
Assured her Captain .
- Have you the photos?
- Yes, Captain.'- Replied Lagrange, handling Kirk the
video camcorder.
- Good. We must analyze it, with the computer's aid.
Then we must see what they really have."= Kirk said.
- You seem to have a good time with the doctor..."-
Simpertigue insinuated.
- Yes, Simpertigue. But you know I am no blabber."- Kirk
smiled.
- You lucky you !"- Simpertigue laughed.
- Wish I knew why they call the Changelings. They
resembled perfect human beings to me."- Lagrange assured.
Kirk felt a little tingle in his spinal cord, but then
he forgot.
Or choose to unnoticed
The vessels gained speed, and the Xminus were in the
Chameleon's path. There were no time to further social
reunions: in two occasions they change direction, as the
Predators were lurking near .
- Bad thing . This Changelings are too afraid of those
Predators. "- Scotty said.
- Perhaps they have a good reason.'- Chekov replied.
They arrived, after ten days , to Tronoglon, the capital
planet of the Noglon System.
Several hundred of big vessels were patrolling the three
planets of that System. Noglon was the third, counting form
the sun.
- This is our home planet. Please follow us to the
surface, where we will be in better position to talk and
after the necessary intercourse."- Captain Richel asked.
- We are following you."'- Answered Kirk.
In ten minutes they landed in a great Star Port.
- What a number of vessels ! - Scotty said, when going
out of the ship.
Kirk and his retinue goes down the ladder. They were
Scott, McCoy, Chekov, Uhura , Simpertigue and Lagrange .The
rest of the crew reminded at the XMinus.
Captain Richel and her officers goes down the
"Chameleon", that was parked at the nearest site. She said"-
I will serves you as your Host here, Captain Kirk. You and
your men will be our guest of honor."
Kirk spotted Martina, who were smiling him in a languid
fashion. He reply :- Must delighted, Captain !"
So they climb in a land vehicle, and they traveled
downtown, where the Changelings offers them luxury rooms to
stay.
- We will begin our work early in the morning, Captain
Kirk. We really are in a hurry: after the deliverance of the
weapons and knowledge, I am sure you and your crew could stay
here in this Hotel as long as you wish"- Captain Richel
asserted.
- Thanks you very much, Lady. The rooms are superbly
decorated."- Kirk replied.
And he was 'nt adorning the truth: the Hotel were
decorated with marble walls, a thousand mirrors and thick
rugs. The furniture was highly decorated and the gold and
silver shone in every corner.
That night they dine at a table, hearing an orchestra ,
who played languid tunes to some dancers performing in a
dais.
- Like old Las Vegas. I only missed the gambling
tables."- McCoy sighs.
- You gambler you !"- Kirk smiled, hand in hand with
Martina, who was at his side.
- Like this was in all the planets we lost. "- Martina
spoke.
A chill runs over the humans. The phantom of war kissed
each one in the cheek.
- Pity you are loosing. We will try to revert this
situation."- Kirk announced.
- We asked for help...to your Federation. But they are
asking more time , to study our situation. And we feel that
they will attain his decision too late."- Captain Richel
expostulate.
- The Federation ! I used to be a Captain, there."- Kirk
remembered.
- And I your medical officer.'- McCoy said.
Kirk went to dance with Martina, and McCoy with Captain
Richel.
Scotty stayed at the table, sipping a soft drink.
A while later the ladies went out, and they returned to
their rooms.
- Nice people, this Changelings ! Totally humans."-
Scotty said.
- Good night."- Kirk groaned, going to his bed.
- This humans are naive.
- And lovably. They are like child. Never a suspicion."-
Martina said.
- This is because we are using their forms. Do you look
that waiter, in the background? For an instant he abandoned
the human morphology. I almost fainted ! "= Captain Richel
exclaimed.
- I hope they change him ! "- Martina said, enraged.
- Yes, don't worry about that. I called the Hotel
Manager at once. He said he was a replacement, ant that this
situation will be not repeated."- Richel said, putting one
tentacle over the oily shoulders of Martina.
- Better he did that ! I am in love with the blonde man
!"- She said.
- Are you going to visit him...to night ?"- Richel
asked.
- Yes. "
- Please be sure you know what you are doing . A slip
and your heart will broke in a hundred pieces."- Richel
advised her officer.
- I know. But I am a female in love. "
Early the other day Kirk and his group walked to the
land vehicle, and travel to the XMinus, where they
disembarked the weaponry that was storage in the decks.
- We will copy this weapons a thousand fold ! We need
new weapons, to surprise our enemy."- Captain Richel said to
Kirk.
- We are willing to help. Also to teach you how this
weapons are better used.
So they begin to teach a squadron of changeling guards.
This guards learned fast, and in a week the lessons were due.
- We appreciate what you just did. Please stay in town,
to see several films we have."- Richel asks Kirk.
- Fine."- He said, hand in hand with Martina, who was
with her head in his shoulder.
They went to the cinema ! They saw the beginning and end
of the alien invasion. Some pictures were breath taking, as
they show the mutilations the Predators did to the captured
warriors.
Also they saw the Changelings in his true form : they
were as oily seals, with arms and legs barely defined, as
instead of fingers they used three black tentacles.
They eyes were round and yellow in color. They mouths
were mere splits in a log's face.
- But you are not like them !'- Kirk told Martina, after
the first film viewed.
- No, they are another branch of Changelings.- She said,
very pale in the face.
- Fortunate for me ! I would never love that other kind
of Changelings.Too different to us !"- Kirk said, kissing the
female.
McCoy went to Kirk's bed room, that night, and told his
friend"- Better realize the kind of delusion you are handling
here, Jim ! "
- What are you talking ?
- There must be a sole kind of changelings here, man !
Or do you really think Martina is a special kind, together
with those sympathetic ladies on board the " Chameleon "?
They are just using those forms to please us ! "
- I cannot believe you !"- Kirk exclaimed, passing one
of his hand over his eyes.
- yes, as you wish...Love had been your true companion ,
ever ! I understand . But we better leave this planet, or we
will began to have serious complications, the end of which I
better don't foresee !" - The doctor of the XMinus said,
leaving Kirk alone in his bed chamber.
A little while longer, and Martina entered the room,
embracing the man and kissing him ardently.
Kirk were caressing that superb body with his hands, but
his mind was reeling inside his skull. The words of McCoy
were a slice in the fabric of his dreams. And what he
envisioned beyond makes him shudder...
He just the same make love to the "woman", but at dawn
he summoned his group, saying " - We live this planet. Our
mission is accomplished."
- Pity, captain ! There are some superb broads here !"-
Simpertigue assured.
- Just the same we must return to our duties."- Ordered
Kirk.
So they communicate with the rest of the XMinus crew,
and in half an hour they were all located inside the hull of
that vessel.
- Uhura, told the Station we are asking permission to
leave the surface.- Asked Kirk.
- Hi hi , Sir.'- Uhura replied.
Some minutes elapsed, she said"- We have permission to
take off. The "Legend " will be waiting us in orbit, to
escort us out of this system."
- Very well.'- Kirk snorted, as in his inner self he was
dreading the Changelings refused to let them go.
Once in orbit, the "Legend " approaches. It was a very
huge vessel, similar to two spheroids united by a bar.
Hundred upon hundred of spikes protruded all over those
spheroids...they were cannons...
- Captain Lemak speaking ! Greetings, Earthlings ! I am
here to escorted you out of this planetary system...and
beyond, upon on request !"- Was the message received by the
XMinus radio/video system.
- Captain Kirk here. Thanks you for being our escort,
Captain Lemak. We will follow you whenever you pleased."
- In this moment, captain ! Just stay close."- Was the
prompt answer.
No image was being received. Kirk begin to think why...
They passed through a maze of thousands vessels, much of
them un-armed, just leisure yatch, cargo ships, passengers
vessels ...all the ones that could run from the occupied
planets ...
- A pity what this people are suffering. If we could
help more ...I will gladly stay to lend a hand."- Scotty
muttered.
- Yes, but we already disembarked a thousand new weapons
here. Also this XMinus vessel has little war power. Just a
couple dozens torpedoes, and a rusty Pfizer at prow."- Kirk
remembered his Chief Engineer.
They keep on at the wake of the "Legend", a fast and
deadly starship of the Changelings.
- There must be a couple of hundred men inside that
vessel."- Scotty said.
- Or the double. "- Kirk remarked.- It's length is of
four hundred meters long ...the spheres have a diameter of
eighty meters ."
The hours turned to days, and then they were ready to
say good bye to the "Legend", that was turning to return,
when a flash in the void attracts the attention of Chekov.
- Captain ! There is something approaching..."
- Put it in the main monitor !"- Asked Kirk.
A pair of big vessels were barely visible, little specks
in the darkness of space.
- The Captain Lemak is calling ! He said he is tracking
a couple of Predator 's vessels ! He is saying ...that we
must escape from here at maximum velocity ! He said...they
will try to stop those ships !"- Uhura said, from his post.
- Tell him we Earthlings didn't escape ! We'll fight !
Chekov ! Shields on ! Scotty ! Get ready with those torpedoes
! - Kirk ordered, and he signaled to turn the vessel to face
the intruders.
- Two torpedoes are coming this way, Sir."- Chekov
advised.
- Scotty ! Full engine power ! Chekov ! 30 degrees
astern!"
The XMinus avoided the incoming torpedoes by a scant 200
meters...The Legend sends a dozen torpedoes to the incoming
Predators machines.
- They are huge ! Look the numbers, Captain !"- Asked
Chekov, shoring the computers.
- Forty kilometers wide ! - Kirk uttered, and he seats
with trembling legs.
The "Legend " were trying to return to his Base, but the
pair of alien crafts were closing the possible course, and in
the meantime a shower of red rays were crisscrossing ,
searching for the hull of the Changeling vessel.
- They are not paying us any attention ! "- Chekov said.
- Time to escape. Captain !"- Uhura exclaimed.
Kirk asked more power to Scotty, and rushed against one
of the Predators ships.
- Tell me when our torpedoes reach maximum range, Scotty
!"- Kirk asked.
Two minutes ela[psed, and the voice of the Chief
Engineer was heard by the loudspeakers"- Maximum range
attained, Sir ! Torpedoes on the bay !"
- Fire torpedoes at will !"- Kirk ordered.
The six torpedoes went rushing to meet the alien super
starship.
- The terrans are fighting, Captain"- Kurit, the First
officer of the "Legend " ,announced.
- Guess they are digging their own grave."- He lamented.
- Alien torpedoes are coming, Sir.
- Shields on ! What, is that tiny ridiculous ship ! Send
them a tractor beam !"- Ordered Sjowei, Captain of the "
Rage".
The six torpedoes exploded against the shields of the
"Rage", and two of them ripped the hulk ! Just beneath that
part was the torpedoes shaft, so the explosions lit the
storaged missiles, making an enormous explosion, that stopped
the big vessel in space !
- "Rage" to " Terrible " ! This is Captain Sjowei
speaking ! Direct hit from the unidentified vessel cause
stoppage of the engines ! "
- " You should have been more careful ! Now you wait
until we dispatch both alien vessels to oblivion !"- Yelled
Raskar, Captain of the "Terrible"
The Captain Lemak , seeing the impossible make true,
turns his ship to confront the remaining Predator vessel,
firing all his cannons . Several shots were ripping the enemy
spacecraft, when a pair of huge torpedoes exploded near his
hull, so the "Legend " broke in two pieces, killing all the
crew in a flashing ball of fire.
-Look, Captain ! The "Legend" explodes !"- Chekov said,
no matter Kirk was seeing it just like him...
- Guess we are in trouble ...Scotty ! Have you the
torpedoes ready !"- Asked Kirk by the Intercom.
- Almost there ..."- Replied Scotty.
- Damn ! Chekov ! Fire the pfeissers when ready !"
- We are out of range, Captain !
- Damn ! Scotty ! Fire the damned torpedoes you can !"
- Four are ready , Sir !
- Fire !
The four torpedoes rushed out of the shaft, flying
swiftly to the incoming alien vessel.
- Four torpedoes coming , Sir !
- Blast them with the plasma rays !' - Captain Raskar
ordered.
A hundred death rays tracked the incoming torpedoes,
heating the metallic structures and making them explode in
space, uselessly.
- The two other torpedoes ready, Captain!- Scotty said.
- Fire !- Yelled Kirk.
The two remaining torpedoes went out, to be blasted some
seconds elapsed, by the deadly rays of the "Rage"
- No torpedoes ready, Captain. Better we run."- Scotty
said by the Intercom.
- Chekov ! Enter hiperspace now !
- But Captain ! We have no idea of the place where we
will re appeared ! Let me do some calculations !"- Chekov
begged.
- No time now ! "- Kirk said, smashing the appropriated
controls, making the XMinus jumps into Hiperspace barely in
time, as the Captain of the "Rage" were ordering in that same
instant the firing of four huge tracking torpedoes against
the little vessel...
The "XMinus " reappeared in space, but parsecs away from
it's original place...
- Can you recognize the stars ?"- Kirk asked Ensign
Chekov.
- No, Captain. But let the Computer makes the necessary
calculations..."- And he digitized over the keyboard.
- At least we didn't get killed.- Uhura said from her
post.
- Jehovah God protected us !"- Kirk said, kissing a
little gold medal with the Star of David.
- We are 2.000 lights years from Home, Captain. We will
need to make another Jump, in order to arrive there in our
life -span. - Chekov announced.
- Then make a very nice calculation, so you put us at
the door of Earth."- Kirk smiled, released then of the
terrible tension of the passed moments.
- I'll be in my room."- He adds, and he went to his bed.
- I need to rest.- He told himself, before he get
asleep...
Kirk awoke. Something was missing...He walk out of his
room, and walk by the corridor. Yes. The sound of the main
engines had stopped.
- What is the matter, Chekov ?"- He asked the Ensign,
when entering the main deck.
- We are receiving a delegation from the "Beta Brabazone
", Sir."- He indicates.
Kirk looks on his watch. Four hours sleep... In the main
monitor the Beta Brabazone was in full sight.
- How did they spot us ?- Asked of Uhura.
- The Changelings communicate us the Predators were
attacking their home planet. I inform them about the "
Legend"...And then they said the Beta Brabazone were in the
vicinity. So we contacted."
- Good. "- Kirk mumbled, seeing the Captain of the
Brabazone and a pair of officers were walking in.
- Captain Rodeck at your disposal, Sir !-
- Welcome aboard, Captain Rodeck."- Kirk saluted.
- This are my first officer, Fardulio Mores, and the
Second Officer, Marmonides Lisio."- Presented the Captain of
the Beta Brabazone.
- Glad to meet you, Sirs. We had an encounter with the
"Predators, who had smashed a big vessel of the Changelings,
the "Legend". Their weaponry consists mainly in rays of a
great potency. Also some big torpedoes."
- How great are those ships, Captain?"- Asked Rodeck.
- Four hundred meters long, Captain. And very fast."
- We are no match for them?"
- I am afraid we cannot defeat them, except for a stroke
of luck. We managed to disable one of those big vessels, with
a pair of torpedoes that went where it hurts."- Kirk smiled.
- Oh, congratulations ! "- Opened his eyes in amazement
the captain of the Beta Brabazone.
- Yes, but I guess they will be not idling next time.
The fact was they were more interested in the "Legend" then
in us.- Kirk confessed.
- The Changelings said to me, by radio, they are
suffering a heavy attack, and that I better wait until the
situation could be handled by them."- Rodeck said.
- Yes, it is the reasonable course of action."- Kirk
replied.- We are returning to Earth. You could do the same."
- I will ask for orders. "- Rodeck asserted.
They return to their ship, and half an hour elapsed,
they communicate Headquarters asked them to return to the
main base.
So both ships dive into Hyper, and appeared in the
vicinity of Jupiter.
From then they traveled with the normal engines,
arriving to Mars in three days.
They descended in Memnonia. There were several cupolas,
linked by tubes.
They walked to the entrance, as the weather was fine,
except for the oxygen, but they were using portable gas
chambers connected with their nostrils.
- Welcome, Captains ! The Executive Manager is waiting
for you !"- A guard told them.
They were guided to an ample room, with ample windows
facing the transparent ceiling of the cupola.
- Captains ! Good to see you back !"- Saluted Fernando
Marconi, the Executive Manger of the Mars Company.
They shake hands, seats in the conformable arm chairs,
and Marconi asked Kirk about the situation.
- The Changelings are terrified. They are loosing
planets in a hurry. I think in a little time they will be
arriving here, asking for shelter."
- Dark clouds over Tierra..."- marconi said.
- We should notice the Federation about this. With our
little vessels there is little thing we can do."- Kirk put in
emphatically.
- And you saw those ships?
- I also fight them. I disable one that measured 400
meters long."- Kirk informed.
- Terrible ! And congratulations. We have 345 vessels in
all, quite an Armada, but the 70 % are cargo vessels. And the
rest aren't heavily armored. So you think in the
Federation...and What do you suggest. Captain Rodeck?"
- I hadn't seen them. But I confide they are as terrible
as Captain Kirk is saying. So the best would be to gave this
hot potato to the Army Forces. We are a commercial fleet, no
match for those Huns."- Rodeck replied.
- Then I will suggest the same thing to my superiors. By
the moment, gentleman, I ask of you to stay here, and you,
Captain Kirk, please make a report of what you saw."-
Fernando Marconi asked.
So Kirk went to write the requested information, and
Rodeck return to his ship, who was posted a kilometer away.
In that very afternoon Fernando Marconi summoned both
Captains, and told them Headquarters were confiding in their
own forces.
- Ridiculous !' - Kirk yelled.
- Not so. They had told me they've a terrible new
weapon. Guess you know about it...your son worked in it."
Kirk paled, and said "- The Genesis bomb !"
- The Terra forming Bomb...yes. With this in our hands,
we can smashed all the Predators worlds in a flash."- Marconi
said.
They were astonished to hear that....
- But surely...those Predators have civilian forces
living in those planets ! They will die !"- Kirk exclaimed.
- C'est la guerre, mon capitain ! It's war ! Nobody
asked them to invade the Changelings and for that matter, who
believe they will stop in the Changelings worlds? Could they
not came here ...and blow us to bits?- Asked Fernando.
So they put their ships in orbit, waiting for the cargo
vessels to arrive with the Genesis Bombs.
- A big mistake here.- McCoy told Kirk.
- Perhaps we must brake the crust to fry the egg.'- Kirk
muttered.
The cargo vessels arrive eight days elapsed. Also in
those days several scout ships arrived, eighteen in all, so
they all received the lethal weapons.
- You are supposed to deliver the cargo to the
Changelings. We had communicate with them, and they will be
the heroes of this phase of the war. They will carry the
bombs to the Predator's systems."= Informed Marconi.
- I hope they will be as good as their world."- Rodeck
said, as he was afraid the Changelings could smash the
Predators...and then Earth.
The convoy starts the 30 of May, with 34 vessels in all.
They were the fastest of the Mars Company's fleet.
- The Changelings are offering this world and the other,
in exchange for this bombs."- Uhura said to Kirk, as she was
all day hearing the communications.
- I hope there will be enough Changelings alive to pay
them..."- Kirk replied.
They used the Hyper Drive, and arrives to the 34
Quadrant in two days. There were 54 big black war ships
waiting for the Genesis bombs.
Commander Linius Sonadufo , Changeling, received the
bombs from the Captains, and offered to any one of the crew a
place in his big star ship, to "see the show ", as he puts
it.
The earthlings refused to go, so the Changeling fleet
began speeding their vessels against the Predators.
- The problem is not in our hands, now. What did we do,
Captain Kirk ?- Asked Rodeck by the radio.
- My orders are to return to the Mars Base. "- Kirk
replied.
So the 34 vessels return to Mars, where they waited for
news.
- We have a relay station posted in Pluto. From there we
can easily communicate with the Changelings."- Fernando
Marconi said to Kirk.
- And it is being about time they send us some news."-
Kirk replied.
- Just 3 days aren't much for so a difficult task. They
will try to pass unnoticed...and stabs by the back."- Marconi
smiled.
- Sounds to me as Bruto killing the Caesar."- McCoy
scoffed.
- We need the Changelings back in their home planets. We
need peace to return to our trade. We gain nothing leaving
the Predators in the loose."- Marconi retorted.- The
Predators were assembling another big wave of flagships to
crush the remnant of the Changeling forces."
Two weeks were waiting, and then the radio brings them
good news: 80 % of the Predators planets were terra formed.
Also, the half part of the invaded planets were also bombed.
- A pity . So many people killed.- Kirk uttered.
- The Predator fleet it's without a Base. They will run
out of fuel , as they are being attacked with all available
ships the Changelings have. "- Marconi said.
- We should go there to help."- Rodeck jumped from his
seat.
- I am glad to hear that. Our Board of Trustees asked me
to send some vessels to the Changelings home planets, to help
in civilian tasks. I ask you to volunteer."- Marconi said.
Kirk and the rest of the captains volunteered, but
Marconi chooses eight fast vessels to go, so Kirk and his
crew remained at Mars.
Kirk was visiting each day Marconi's office, in order to
know about the war.
The Predators still fought. They were warriors, and they
didn't surrender.
- You can go now, Captain . They need more advanced
weaponry. Our Company had bought some interesting new
weapons, from an Arab country. Please fly there and deliver
it to the Changelings."- Asked Marconi .
- I will be pleased."- Kirk said.
The XMinus were loaded, and in eighteen hours they
arrive to the 34 quadrant.
Two starships were waiting : the "Chameleon " and the "
Locust".
- I am Kirk, Captain of the XMinus. I bring you some new
weaponry."- Announced .
- Welcome , Captain Kirk ! I am Captain Richel."= A
voice was heard by the ;loudspeakers.
Kirk paled somewhat, and he decided to visit the
"Chameleon".
He saw a bearded captain, and some other men aboard.
- Welcome to the Chameleon, Captain Kirk !"- The bearded
man said, shaking hands.
- Are you...the Captain now ? I heard ...Captain Richel
speaking...or I am in the "Locust"?- Kirk asked.
- You are in the Chameleon , of course ! I am Richel !
Sorry I am using a male's appearance. We are in difficult
times, Captain, and the female appearance tends to damage
with the use ."- Explained Captain Richel.
McCoy chuckled, and Kirk looked unto the faces of the
other officials...
- Permit to present my officials to you...again, Captain
Kirk...This is Liana, Fareg, Muala...and Martina."
He looks each one. Liana was a fat old man, and Fareg
and Muala stolid men of great height. Martina was a young man
of stolid green eyes....
- Nice to ...see you again."- Kirk said bluntly.
- Our men will disembark the weaponry, Captain Kirk. "
- Do it. "- He response.
A fiery pain in the chest were aflame ...
In two more hours all the cargo was aboard the
Changelings ships. Kirk was invited, together with the rest
of the Mars Company's fleet, to land at any of the recovered
planets.
They accepted, and they were of help, as some sectors
were seriously damaged by the death rays of the Predators,
and people were needing transportation to better situated
cities.
Two months elapsed, they heard the resistance were over.
Every Predator aboard a ship has surrendered, mainly because
they were floating in space with no propulsion whatsoever.
The Changelings placed all the Predators remnants in
their home planet, Rwjishtar...who was previously terra
formed. The trembles volcanoes and deluges were the common
thing. So the Predators were too busy to think in
hypothetical revenges...
Kirk and the rest of the terran chiefs were summoned in
front of the Emperor Mingesh, who condecorated them with
heavy chains of platinum and gold, plus lands in the
recovered planets.
The five systems gained to the Predators were in bad
shape, due to the bombings. They were planets in
decomposition, so they will be of service only one or two
centuries in the future.
= The Predators used to be communists. They were
incompetent, so they invade other races in order to survive.
Now they are alone, defeated...they will be never again a
menace."- Emperor Mingesh told them.
- The communism was an evil theory that never worked out
in Tierra, Sir."- Kirk replied.
- yes, I study your Union of Socialist Republics...but
tell me about yourself, Captain Kirk."- The Emperor asked
from his throne.
- I was born in Earth. When young I live in Tarsus IV,
and at Starfleet Academy I had a relationship with Dr.
Marcus, who then gave birth my son David. My first assignment
as Captain was the Star ship Enterprise, who was a well armed
vessel, where I replaced Captain Pike. there I found several
young officers, of whom Spock the Vulcan was Science Officer,
who I promoted to First Officer , when needed. I had fighted
the Klingons, except once that the race of the Organians
intercepted our efforts, heating our weapons.
"I was the first to contacted visually between the
Federation and the Romulans.
"I spotted the governor of Tarsus 4 , who had massacred
thousands of humans before my very eyes, alive and well,
posing as an actor. I destroyed a Predator vehicle with two
torpedoes."
- An impresionant account ! I congratulate you, Captain
Kirk ! From now on you will have the title of Duke of the
Toromaldon, lands and lives, in the planet Orovengo."=
Decided the Emperor, visibly impressed.
Kirk began to denegate the favor, but the Captain Richel
signaled him not to speak .
After the homage, Kirk went to the Captain Richel, and
she said"- If you denegate the favor in front of the Court,
you surely would be degraded and perhaps ends in jail. You
cannot refuse a gift of the Emperor Mingesh."
Kirk assented, pensively.
McCoy approached him smiling. He said: '- Seems the
Emperor makes you a courtesan."
- I am very honored...I understand it is his form to
express gratitude. But I will not accept the lands and the
people, as it was for money that I help the Empire."- Kirk
replied.
- Now there is a dinner , in palace. We are all invited.
Your presence there is obligatory."- Captain Richel said.
- Then ,if it an obligation, we will be there."- Kirk
smiled.
- I beg you to accompany me to some Hotel . There you
will be attended, and provided clothes ."- Richel said, and
so they all went.
Uhura was delighted to see the richly decorated dresses
where to choose. - It is superb! I feel like a princess !"-
She said.
The Captain Richel and the other officers of his vessel
changes to females again, so Martina were again a delicious
woman, but Kirk remembered the Herculean man he were just a
couple hours ago, so he decidedly tried to avoid her/his
company...
- I am eager to return to Earth. This lady Martina makes
me very nervous"- he said to McCoy.
- You were very interested in her before !"- McCoy
replied.
- Yes, but did you remember how she was in battle ?
- Mm, I think he wore a mustache..."- McCoy smiled.
After the dinner and the dances, the members of the
XMinus return to his ship, as Kirk refused to sleep in the
Hotel...
- I better sleep in the ship. It is safer."- He
explained McCoy.
At dawn, Uhura received a message from headquarters, so
she telephoned Captain Kirk. He wakes up, and said '-Captain
Kirk here. Tell me, Uhura."
- Sir, I receive a call from Headquarters. They told me
the Changelings had decided to pay with gold and silver. "
- A good way to pay the debts.
- yes, Captain, but we must to collect the payment at
Shaunurr...in the former Ferio System..."
- You mean...in Predator's land.
- Yes, Captain. "
- Well, I think you must not worry, Uhura. Now this
Changelings defeated the Predators, there is nothing to worry
about."- Kirk decided, and he ends the conversation.
Uhura looks at the receiver, not so sure of her
Captain's words...
SHAUNURR.
Of the five systems the Predators originally have, Deuom
was the most rich of all. The other four systems were ....,
...., ...., and ....
Deuom has four planets, three of them too huge to be
inhabited, so Shaunurr was the sole possibly inhabited one.
But this was an advantage. From Shaunurr it was possible to
go mining the rest of the planets, who were rich in minerals.
As the machines could mine without difficulty, all that
riches were carried to Shaunurr, go very rapidly became the
best equipped of all the communist governed planets.
All that were now sadly a tale of old times. War was
reduced Shaunurr to a volcanic stone hurtling around Deuom.
Their riches were deeply submerged under tons of rubbish. The
Genesis bomb were actually making the planet a desert.
The Changelings discovered several mines in a chain of
mountains, in the north hemisphere. There were tons of gold
and silver, ready to be shipped. And as they were honest ,
they decided to pay Earth with that gold and silver...before
the planet begin to shake those mountains in it's terra
forming madness.
The XMinus stayed at a synchronic orbit, and in a
shuttle Kirk and three other crew members went to those
mines, guided by the radio signals the Changeling leave there
for them.
- Pity this Changelings are not here to welcome us. "-
McCoy said, descending from the apparatus.
- Afraid, Doctor McCoy ?- Kirk smiled.
- Not a bit !"- The doctor replied, enraged somewhat.
The place was very deserted. The mouth of the mine
opened its jaws a couple dozen meters away.
Simpertigue and Lagrange went there running, armed. They
enter the mine, and after some minutes, they went outside,
saying := All clear, Captain ! The gold is there, waiting for
us ! "
- O.K., Simpertigue. You and Lagrange will stay here,
guarding the entrance and the shuttle craft. We will carry
the gold aboard."
Kirk walked with McCoy and five other crew members, and
they did find several carts loaded to the brim.
- Good stuff ! But heavy. And this carts cannot be moved
out of the rails. We better carry the stones in little
bags."- Desmares, a guard, said.
- Let's get moving ! There is plenty of job to do.' -
Kirk urged.
The work was a heavy one. The shuttle has no special
place to put the mineral, so they used the corridor to put
the stones.
When it began to grew dark Kirk decided to return to the
XMinus, and they climbed to the Shuttle. Kirk gave the power
to the engines, and they climbed to the XMinus slowly, as the
engines began to heat .
- This system will takes us three days, at the least. I
would carry the XMinus down there, and the job will be
accomplished in no time."- Kirk decided.
- But Sir ! There is no space there ! The terrain has
too many boulders, and the XMinus cannot descend
vertically!'- Protested Scotty.
- A real dilemma. But I am sure you and Ensign Chekov
will find a better place to descend."- Kirk smiled.
Chekov looked at him in despair ...
Two hours elapsed. The XMInus was standing on a
desolated area, 250 kilometers from the site.
- This is the best location near the mine"- Chekov
explained to Kirk.
- Very far indeed ! But then, we will use the Rover."-
The captain explained.
The Rover was a truck of regular size, with six wheels.
Kirk send 35 crew members there, to fasten the process.
Meanwhile, he and Scotty walked to a near by ravine.
- The Predators signed a treaty surrendering their
forces and giving back the two planetary systems they
invaded."- Scotty said.
- They loosed the war. The Changelings hate them, so I
guess they will never be able again to rise to the stars."-
Kirk said, descending to the bottom.
- Water..."- Said Kirk, touching a stream of pure water.
- It is rare, as all around here it's dry."
- The terra forming process was a failure. So in the
same area can rise a volcano and a fountain. But, in the end,
all ends being destroyed. Only after the Genesis effect stops
it's effect its when the land rest a thousand years, to
begin rising as the Phoenix, and life return."- Kirk replied.
- So it is more a damnation than a blessing."- Scotty
said, touching a cactus.
- Yes. It is an unfinished product. The Universities are
working in it. Perhaps in the future a new Genesis Bomb could
be dropped and it really terra forms a planet in a swift
way."- Kirk said.
A quake lasted some three minutes, and they return to
the ship.
That night the Rover came back, with several tons of
gold.
- There was a collapse in the mine ! An earthquake
produces it !"- Simpertigue informed.
- And the gold?
- Safe, Captain ! The collapse was produced past the
carts full of silver. But we better get hurry, or all will be
going down there, and we will lost the treasure."- La Grange
said.
- Very well, then First hour in the morning I want the
Rover in the move ! And carrying as much people as it can !"-
Kirk ordered.
- Yes. Sir !"- Simpertigue replied, going to download
the cargo.
At dawn Kirk and 45 men went to the mine, and carried
out of the shaft every ounce of gold and silver. Meanwhile,
the Rover was loaded and send to the XMinus.
This work went for three days, and all the treasure was
well storage aboard the XMinus. The Kirk ordered Chekov to
rise the ship .
The XMinus fly in a normal way to the heavens, and they
set course to the Solar System.
In its path they encountered several Changelings war
ships, to whom they identified themselves and so they keep on
flying without problems.
- There is a lot more Changelings crafts now."- Scotty
said.
- Perhaps they are using the Predators ships, too."-
Chekov opined.
- No way ! Those Predators wrecked all their ships at
the end of the war ! "- Kirk said, as he was better
information.
- Solar System ahead, Sir !"- Uhura informed.
- Send a message to the Mars Station: XMinus carrying
the payment in its way."- Kirk said.
- Encoded, Sir?"- Uhura said.
- Yes...we don't want any pirate running against us,
don't we?"- Kirk smiled.
A week after the landing and deliverance of the treasure
of the Changelings, the whole crew of the XMinus was called
from Earth, so they traveled there in the XMinus.
- For what purpose they want us there, Captain?-
Simpertigue asked.
- No idea, Guard . "
- But you are the Captain !
- And they equally didn't informed me.
- Perhaps they want our resignations.
- Could be, but I just don't imagine how you jump to
this silly conclusion.- Kirk said, sipping an Ale.
- It is because the bad news are always in hidden. It
was for a promotion or a vacance, we would know by now."-
Simpertigue said, looking to the stars by the porthole.
- Cousin, cousin ! there is a pessimist tone in you that
aren't present in our family."- Kirk looked at the Guard.
- Perhaps I am some kind of a mutant."- Simpertigue
smiled faintly.
- No, I guess you aren't a mutant, but surely you are a
mule .- Kirk laughed.
Scotty arrive to the dining table they were sharing. He
said" - Captain, the engines are malfunctioning."
- Don't tell me ! I knew they needed a haul. Can we
arrive to Earth?"
- Of course, Sir ! But we better not try to land...Or we
will bust the engines . We should do some reparations in
orbit. With new spare parts I have not aboard."- Scotty
informed.
- Well, there is ! "- Kirk said, and walked to the main
deck. He told Uhura"- Tell Earth main Station we have our
vessel in bad shape. Tell them to gave us prompt location in
some of the orbiting station. Also call the Mars Company and
informs them we are arriving to the Earth orbit with the
XMinus unable to land ."
- yes, Sir."- Uhura begun to work in that.
One hour elapsed they received orders to directly attach
the XMinus in the Orbit Station Number Six.
- It is a military station."- Mumbled Uhura, seeing,
minutes elapsed, the signs in the hull of the huge Station n`
6.
A delegation arrives to the ship, one officer and three
soldiers. They asked what was the problem , and being
informed, they told Scotty to stop the engines totally, that
they will send energy to the ship.
Captain Kirk received a direct call from the Mars
Company, asking they were all prepared to aboard a shuttle ,
who were charted to carry them to the surface of Earth.
They all bagged their pertenences, and when in the
shuttle, they all look at the XMinus not knowing if they will
ever see it again.
============================================================
CHAPTER FOUR
EARTH
--------------
At Earth, the Company carried them to one of their
buildings, where they were lodged.
- captain Kirk : I am Viola Maresh, and I am in charge
of your welfare. "
Kirk looked at the beautiful young woman, and smiled,
shaking hands.
- The Company has fixed an interview for to-morrow
morning. I will came to search you at eight o'clock."- She
said.
- Very well, Miss Viola. My men are becoming very
nervous, as they believe our days up there are in stake."-
Kirk exposed.
- I am not informed about your future destinations,
Captain. Just to see you and your crew are well treated."=
Viola said, rising her shoulders.
- We could be dining to day? There is so much tome I am
not in Chicago, that a guide will suit me fine."- Kirk
invited her.
- I will be glad to accompany you, Sir."- She accepted.
Kirk went to his room, bathed properly and puts fresh
clothes on. Then a chime told him there was someone at the
door. He looked the watch : 21.00 hours sharp.
- Nice girl- He smiled, and opened the door.
A young Marine was there...and also Viola Maresh.
- Good evening, Captain! Are you ready ? Permit me to
present you Lieutenant Fardon Gordon, my fiancee."- Said she.
- Oh. Good afternoon, Lieutenant.'- Kirk salute,
astonished.
- Nice to meet you, Captain Kirk ! You are a legend in
the Corpse."- The young man said, shaking hands .
- Good. Please go inside, I'll be ready in a minute."-
Kirk invited.
They stepped inside the department, and Kirk puts on his
coat, and with a very quick glance at a mirror, they went out
into the night.
- We thought you could be interested in some serious and
elegant Restaurant, Captain. So I decided to carry you to the
"StarGazer REstaurant."- Viola said.
- It will suits me fine."- Kirk replied. He was very
disappointed. He was expecting a nice get-together with the
lady...and no boy friend at all ! But he was very polite and
he will never show his disappointment. So he feigned a joyful
state he hardly feel.
They arrive to the Restaurant. It was one of those big
and impersonal places where business men have their
dinners...The orchestra were playing old melodic sounds, and
the people there were aged.
- Nice place. Tranquil."- Kirk said.
Viola laughs, eyeing Fardon Gordon.
- Oh, hat a release to hear that ! I were afraid you
will not like this place."- She said.
Then another person arrives, and Kirk looked at her with
unbelievable eyes.
- Viola ! What a nice surprise !"- The recently arrived
person said.
Viola stands up and kissed the woman in the cheek.
Because it was a gorgeous woman, about 27 years old, tall and
very nicely built.
- Permits me to present you Captain Kirk, recently
arrived from deep space. Captain, this is Badia Delarmin, my
friend."- Viola said to Kirk.
- Most enchanted to meet you, lady !"- He said, smiling.
- Thanks you, Captain Kirk."- Said she, looking him with
a pair of luminescent big blue eyes. Her skin was milky
white, and her hair was a cascade of soft yellow blondes ...
They seat , and the waiter came, to receive the
indications. They asked meat, and vegetables. Red wine for
the males and ales for the ladies.
Viola began to chatter amiably with Badia, making all
the presents intermingle in the conversation. They eat and
when finished the coffees, Kirk invited Badia to dance.
- I will be delighted Captain."- She accepted.
Viola and FArdon Gordon went to dance, too.
When dancing the slow songs the orchestra keeps on
playing, Kirk embraced Badia, who was a superb dancer. he
felt the strong body of the lady, and aspired the soft
fragrance she wore.
- Glad to be in Earth, captain ?"- She asked, with sulky
voice, in the hear of Kirk, making him wince of delight.
- Oh, yes ! But I am not so sure I am in Earth... having
you in my arms."- He responded.
She tighten the grip on his hand, and Kirk felt the
biggest erection in years. His heart began to pounce, and
from then on he began to told the lady how much he was
enchanted with her...
The dance ends, and all returns to their tables.
- We could go somewhere else's !"- Viola invited.
- Yes. Too many grandfathers here."- Gordon said,
smiling.
- I heard a new Dancing Ball were opening its doors to-
night."- Viola informed.
- The " Goola Hum " ! I heard that , too !"- Badia said,
smiling to Kirk.
- Then to the Goola Hum we go !"- He said, laughing.
Viola said unto the hear of the Captain of the XMinus:-"
Sorry, Captain, but the Company didn't pay me today ! It was
supposed , but they postponed the payment ! And FArdon has
just $21 , so if you lend us another $20, we would be able to
pay this consumption !"
- Don't you worry. I'll pay !"- He said, and he did.
They all went outside, takes a cab and went to the
"Goola Hum ". It was located some 45 blocks away, surrounded
by a nice garden . A lot of cars were parked there, and
inside the music was very loud, the chairs all occupied, and
three orchestras were paying at the same time, for the six
different dancing floors, located in different levels.
Gordon talks to a waiter, and handling him the $21 he
owns, he obtains a table for four persons near a dais.
- Came this way, ladies, and gentlemen ! There is always
room for our brave soldiers !"- The waiter said, guiding them
to the table.
Also one of the orchestras were close by, so they barely
hear themselves, so they must to shoot.
- Nice place !"- badia told Kirk in his hear.
- I guess I am in love with your eyes !"- He retorted.
Gordon asked the less expensive of the drinks, and they
went to dance.
Kirk discovered that Badia was a real good dancer, and
also the he was out of form, being so many moths in space.
- You dance very well."- Badia said to him.
- And you dance better than me !"- He laughed.
Viola and Gordon carried them to the other dance floors,
so they performs all kind of steps.
Some three hours elapsed, they return to their table,
and asked for more drinks. Kirk , seeing Gordon was asking
for cheap drinks again, intervene and asked for the Algolian
beer, so they drink the blue liquor and felt themselves
cheering up.
They dance until dawn, and they went to leave the ladies
to their homes. Gordon accompany Kirk to his Department, and
he told he will repaid his part when receiving his wages.
- Don't ever mention it ! I have enough of money, and I
enjoy the party. "- Kirk replied, giving some hand strokes at
the shoulders of the young officer.
Then he went to bed, and two hours elapsed the chimney
woke him up. He went to open the door.
- Good morning, Captain ! I am here to carry you to your
appointing...or did you forget it already "- Viola said,
smiling at the entrance.
- Oh ! Please, came in ! I will be ready in a minute."-
Kirk replied.
- Do you mind for a cup of coffee, Captain ?= She asked.
- I will be more than glad you could prepare it !"- Kirk
said, going inside the bathroom.
Five minutes elapsed, they were drinking hot coffee, and
then they went out.
- The reunion will began in twenty minutes. We have
enough time, if we take a taxi."- She said.
They stopped one, and fly to the Mars Company's building
, a dark 890 stories high colossus.
- There is the office. I cannot go inside, but I will
wait here."- Viola said, after she talks with the secretary.
- O.K., darling."- Kirk responded.
The secretary called him a little time elapsed. He was
guided to a dark and spacious office, where five other men
were waiting.
- Come in, Captain Kirk ! You are welcome !"- One of the
men said. It was Mr. Raskio Rasmmusen, the principal share
holder of the Company.. the virtual owner of the "Mars
Company".
The other men were Executives, who were there to back up
the sayings of the Big Boss.
Raskio Rassmusen begs Kirk to seat down, doing the same
thing himself and the executives. He offered non tobacco
cigars, and plunged in a long discourse, mainly a detailed
enumeration of Kirk's achievements in favor of the Company.
In this enumeration the other men were of help, as he
forgets easily the trend of his monologue.
Kirk was astonished. So this man was the owner of the
Company ! A person who easily forgets facts and dates !
At the end of the speech, Raskio RAsmussen said"- So as
you see, Captain Kirk, I am well aware of your personal
value. And seeing you had donned a lot for the Company, I
will gave you 45 shares as payment for your loyalty to this
Company ! "
Kirk wasn't sure about the economic value of those 45
shares, but he assumed it was a big quantity of Credits.
- And with the shares, a perpetual wages of $459.000
monthly ! Are you satisfied, Captain Kirk?"- Asked the big
man, with a big smile unto his face.
- I am honored by your generosity, Mr. Raskio ! I am
sure this shares and the wages you are giving me makes of me
a wealthy man ! But I had heard nothing about a future
mission for me ! "
- There will be no more missions for you, dear Kirk ! I
am making you a share holder ! So you will be attending our
monthly meetings, where you could gave you opinions and vote
, in behalf of the Company's increasing power !"- Riskio
explained.
Kirk were there a while longer, hearing the other
gentlemen 's explanations about his future obligations. At
the end, he repeat his thanks and went out.
- How did it goes ?"- Viola ask
