Star Trek: Before Destruction - Chapter 8
*** EIGHT ****
Captain's log, Stardate: 5850.3.
We are 8 hours, 15 minutes from the planet Organia. Our mission is contingent upon the answers I receive from the inhabitants of the planet. To be an ambassador of good will or the weapon of their destruction will be decided in just nine hours. My crew is only aware of our destination. I am sure that when I give the command for self-destruct, there will be questions that I am unable to answer, and fears I will be powerless to quell.
Lieutenant Grensk, who is accompanying us on our voyage, is a puzzle I have yet to solve. Uhura could find no record of his existence when I gave her instructions to investigate his history. No prior service records, nor credit holdings, not even birth records were uncovered, until 5 hours ago, when I instructed her to search again. Then she found his complete file located where it clearly was not before. I have had a peculiar feeling about Grensk, that I would have passed off as asocial behavior due to the lack of trust his superior had in me. Notwithstanding, Spock noted a strangeness to him as well. 'As if he were Vulcanoid, masquerading as a human,' is how my First Officer put it. Spock made several attempts to 'apparently' accidentally make physical contact with Grensk, in order to make passive mental reception of his thoughts, but Grensk has always managed to keep distance between them.
Ship status: Against Chief Engineer Scott's advisement, we are at warp seven. Mr Scott is still reporting a possibility of an uncontrolled antimatter implosion, if we keep up our present velocity. Under my current orders, I have little choice but to have our speed maintained, though it is against my own personal judgement. If we must, we can reduce speed to warp 5 and continue to use warp speed through the Organian solar system to the planet Organia. Warp speed is inadvisable within the proximity of any gravitational influences, but we could still meet our deadline should we have to slow.
In four hours the last of the fleet should be arriving just beyond sensor range of the Klingon Side of the Neutral Zone. My greatest fear is not in the possibility of our destroying Organia under orders, for I do not believe we have the power to do so. But our very presence might either provoke them to anger or cause them to remove all restraints from both treaty sides, allowing an inter- galactic war, to which there would be no winner.
The Federation is hanging off a ledge, and my actions may be the force that pushes it over the brink.
End Log.
* * *
James T. Kirk heard the cabin chime and allowed it to ring twice, in case, he hoped, it rang by mistake. On the second ring, he merely said, "Come."
Both Spock and Dr. McCoy entered as Jim lifted himself from his desk to meet them.
"Captain," Spock began, but was immediately cut off by McCoy.
"Jim, we've got a problem." the Doctor corrected himself, "Make that a Big Problem!"
"Not another one," Jim stated tiredly, sitting back down and turning his chair to face the two. "This isn't my week."
"Jim, Spock told me of the suspicion you were having about that S.I. officer you have watching you. At first I thought you both were acting a bit paranoid, but Spock convinced me to follow him with my medi-scanner in hand and take a reading while Spock had him occupied."
"So, what's the Verdict? Is he Vulcan, Romulan or just a flake?"
"None of the above, Jim... He's an android."
"An android? Bones, are you sure?"
"Not merely an android, Captain." Spock found an opening in the conversation before McCoy could completely misinform him. "He is a modified R-D-I combat android from the planet Tolmera. During the Tolmerian wars, the automaton was considered an excellent killing machine. Supposedly, the last of them had been destroyed or dissassembled in accordance with the terms of the armistice pact. I suspect that not only is that an inaccurate fact, but it seems that certain members of Starfleet have taken it upon themselves to put at least one of them to use in a probable suicide mission."
"Suicide mission? Spock, this isn't supposed to be a suicide mission!" Jim felt a cold needle-like jab in his stomach. Fear.
"Perhaps not for us Captain," stated Spock, "albeit, I believe we have evidence that Commodore Stormcloud had an ulterior motive for sending it, rather than to observe you."
"You mentioned suicide mission, Spock. What could the android do that we weren't already ordered to do? Make sure there are no witnesses to the extermination of the Organians?" Jim asked.
"I do not know exactly what the android's mission entails. Suffice to say, he is completely capable of destroying the planet Organia by himself."
"Tell him why, you pointed ear pixie, or are you waiting for the movie to come out!" McCoy was full of old Earth expressions.
"I believe that I was in the process of explaining myself, when you..."
"Spock, just tell me!" Jim said impatiently.
"Captain, do you recall the Commodore stating that he had accounted for every grain of the Garth explosive that was removed from Elba II for purposes of experimentation?" Spock queried.
"Yes Spock, continue."
"The Commodore neglected to mention the fact that 'every grain accounted for' had been placed in a detonation encasement lodged in the chest of our Mr. Grensk," Spock concluded.
"This is definitely not my week," Jim said dejectedly. "The Commodore's 'insurance policy'," he said remembering the words of Stormcloud.
"Apparently," agreed Spock.
"So that's why we were to take the shuttlecraft down to the planet, instead of transporting down." Jim rubbed his chin. "The substance can't be transported."
"Now that I know this much, would ya mind filling me in on what the heck we are going to Organia for?" the Doctor said.
"I'm afraid I've said too much already, Bones."
"That's great! We're headed for a planet that may or may not be destroyed by a walking time-bomb, which may or may not take us with it, and you still think you should keep your Chief Medical Officer in the dark about why!" McCoy said angrily.
"Orders," Jim simply said, then added, "Sorry, Bones."
"Well then, if you'll excuse me, I'll go back to sickbay. At least I know what's going on down there." He turned to leave.
"Not so fast, Bones." Jim grabbed his arm, "I may not be able to tell you everything about our mission, but I might need your help in dealing with our mechanical Starfleet officer."
"I'm a doctor, not the bomb-squad!" he countered, fidgeting with his uniform.
"If I may, Captain," Spock broke in. "We are due on the bridge in four point eight minutes. Perhaps we could continue with Doctor McCoy's meaningless banter afterwards."
"Why you copper blooded..."
"Bones!" Jim interrupted, "Spock's right. We have to go. You go on to sickbay and we'll join you in about 15 minutes and see if we can come up with something that will help."
McCoy looked at Spock, opened his mouth to speak, closed it, rolled his eyes while shaking his head and walked out of Jim's cabin.
* * *
Uhura was sitting relaxed, at her station, monitoring blank channels. She had little to do since the communications blackout had been issued. She hummed softly to herself and rotated her chair to look at the forward viewscreen's depiction of the stars in front of them. She looked down at Sulu and Checkov, who were smiling as they quietly exchanged jokes.
They were not unconcerned with the current events which had forced them toward their destination. They were aware that it was a priority mission and that the details could only be given on a 'need to know' basis, which caused even greater concern among them. On the surface, the bridge crew seemed to have its normal, though with no Captain on deck, more casual, "high" morale. Underneath, however, the tension escalated with every kilometer gained towards Organia.
The turbo-lift doors opened and out of it stepped Lieutenant Grensk. He looked at the empty captain's chair and registered to himself that Sulu must have console command. "Mr. Sulu, where is Captain Kirk?"
Sulu faced the lieutenant, "He is in his cabin, and left word that he is not to be disturbed..." he said, "By you," he added a little too cheerfully.
"We are now 8 hours and 47 seconds from destination orbit, are we not?" questioned the android.
Sulu looked at the chronometer and without showing his surprise at Grensk's accuracy, he said, "Eight hours, forty-one seconds, mark."
"Lieutenant Uhura, please contact Captain Kirk and inform him that his presence is urgently required on the bridge," spoke Grensk, unemotionally.
The lift opened again, as Captain Kirk and Spock entered, before Grensk completed his sentence.
"Belay that, Uhura," Jim said as he and Spock walked over to the ship's emergency console. "Computer, this is Captain James T. Kirk, engage auto-destruct program, version A7."
"Working," spoke the familiar female voice. "Encoded Nine hours to destruct from final sequence."
The lift doors parted once again, allowing Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott to exit it. He promptly joined the others at the console.
The significance of the Captain's command caught everyone's attention and caused several worried looks to be exchanged.
"Good of you to join us, Mr. Scott," the Captain greeted Scotty.
"Good? I wouldna call riggin ma engines to blow 'good', Captain. In fact, I've been spendin the past two days tryin to keep em from doin just that."
"Awaiting initiation code from Captain James T. Kirk," the computer prompted.
"Understood, Mr. Scott, but you don't think we'd be here if I wasn't under orders or the situation didn't necessitate it?"
"Does the Captain wish to cancel auto-destruct procedures?" the computer queried.
"Negative," Jim lied to the computer as he rested his eyes on the Intelligence Officer across the room.
Jim spoke his code into the console, without taking his eyes off the lieutenant. Spock identified himself and spoke his part to the computer, followed by Mr. Scott in turn.
"Awaiting the final sequence for auto-destruct," it announced.
"Computer, this is Captain James T. Kirk, initiate final sequence, code zero, zero, zero, destruct, A7, zero," he said.
The computer beeped 3 times and stated, "Nine hours from destruct," and became silent, awaiting eight 60 minute intervals to announce the hourly countdown. It would give a count by minutes at the last hour and by seconds at T minus one minute to destruct.
Jim straightened himself and turned from the lieutenant to Uhura. "Has communications silence been broken by anyone?"
"No, Sir, all channels are clear," she responded professionally, not betraying her fear.
Jim stepped down to his chair of command and snapped the intra-ship comm button to open. "This is the Captain. Though I am under orders not to disclose the details of our mission, it is my is my prerogative to inform you that the Enterprise is currently in countdown for destruct. We have almost 9 hours to countermand the order, but in the event that I deem it necessary to allow it to complete, Uhura will give the evacuation code and all hands will report to their assigned shuttle craft for emergency disembarkation. You will have no less than twenty minutes to report and launch, so there will not be any need to worry, or stampede. I'll keep you posted if the situation changes. Captain out." He depressed the button again with the bottom of his fist and closed the comm. channel. Just as quickly as the flip of the switch, an idea came to him.
"Mr. Scott, have your men finished cleaning and inspecting the propulsion units on all our shuttles yet?" Jim asked.
"No sir, but we should ha them done by 0900."
"That will give me two hours clear before I need one." He paused to glance at Grensk again. "Mr. Scott," he continued, "how long will it take to refuel, restock fresh supplies, emergency units, recalibrate all sensors and life support systems and check structural integrity of all shuttles? By the book!" he emphasized.
"Well, Sir, with all ma men workin without breaks, I'd guess about three more hours added to the first estimate. 1200 hours. Just about the time Enterprise is set to blow, Sir," the Scotsman said.
"According to regulations, we are required to have them in that state of readiness in the event of evacuation. Isn't that correct, Mr. Grensk?"
Lieutenant Grensk was unaware that the Captain was speaking to him, until his name was mentioned. He snapped his head up to face the Captain and replayed the question to himself. "That is correct, Captain. However,"
"It appears we will have to, in the interest of adhering to Starfleet regs. concerning the safety of my crew, forego the Commodore's personal order to use the shuttle craft as transportation to the planet," Jim said, smiling inwardly but intoning his voice to express sadness at having to disobey the Commodore's order.
"But Sir," the lieutenant stressed unemotionally, "the Commodore specifically,"
"Lieutenant," Spock interrupted. "You of all people would not insinuate that the Commodore would order a Starfleet Captain to violate standing Starfleet orders," he stated as if it were a foregone conclusion, not a question.
"No, Sir," he responded to the First Officer. "Captain, I would like to offer my services to Mr. Scott to expedite the preparation of one craft, in time for planetfall."
"Request denied. That would keep you from the duties assigned you by the Commodore. Whatever they are." Kirk rested back into his chair, as if he intended to remain there. "Besides, I don't want you getting under foot of Mr. Scott's repair detail."
"But Sir, I am fully rated on,"
"That will be all Lieutenant," Jim silenced him abruptly.
"Aye, Sir," responded Grensk. "Permission to leave the bridge?"
"Granted," said Kirk and all eyes, many quite curious, followed Grensk's exit.
"Mr. Scott, get your men started and keep an eye out for anything suspicious."
"Aye, Sir," Scotty said and exited the bridge.
"Uhura, have Security post four guards around the shuttlebay, with instructions not to allow Lieutenant Grensk admittance," Jim said, then added, "Tell Security that phasers are not to be issued to the guards."
"Right away, Sir," she said as she pondered the meaning of his command.
"Mr. Spock," Kirk said as he lifted himself from the chair, "I believe we have a date to keep in sickbay. Mr. Checkov, the con is yours."
"Aye, Keptin," Checkov said eagerly, unable to restrain the joy from his voice. To him it was a rare and precious thing to sit in the command chair of the Enterprise. Few would disagree.
The lift doors closed behind the Captain and Spock.
"What do you suppose that is all about?" queried Uhura.
"I don't know," spoke Sulu, "but the plot's thickening."
