From: eisimps@cie.uoregon.edu (Eileen Simpson)
Subject: The Great American Star Trek Novel, Ch. 4
Summary: Can we talk?
Organization: University of Oregon Campus Information Exchange
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 92 01:36:05 GMT

Our story continues...

                      THE GREAT AMERICAN STAR TREK NOVEL
                       "Where No *Man* Has Gone Before"

                                CHAPTER FOUR

The small orbs assumed positions directly in the path of 
Enterprise as the latter continued her slow advance into the system.
  "Uhura," Kirk demanded, "any response to our hail?"
  The communications specialist shook her head slowly as her hands 
played deftly over her patched panel. "I'm sorry, Captain.  I've tried 
every known frequency and signal we can bring on line. Nothing 
seems to register with them."
  "Keep at it, Uhura."
  The doors to the lift opened and Spock and McCoy reentered the 
bridge.  It had been less than an hour since Kirk's conversation with 
Spock had taken that decidedly bizarre little turn.  Kirk watched 
Spock move efficiently into action at the science station, as the doctor 
joined the Captain at the command chair.
  "Read any good metaphysics lately?," McCoy asked wryly.
  Kirk inhaled deeply with worry.  "I hope your humor means the 
man's not seriously ill, doctor.  How is he?"
  "Well, I didn't have time to finish the exam, but...he's not dead, Jim." 
  McCoy paused and noted Kirk was not showing signs of amusement.  
The doctor quickly elaborated.  
  "He doesn't appear to be in any physical danger on the basis of the 
preliminary test results.  In fact,  the preliminary tests show he's 
entirely unimpaired and functioning normally. In other words, if he 
hadn't self-reported this belief that we might be dead, none of our 
tests would have picked up any sign that he had problems."  McCoy 
made a face.  "It's gonna make this damn hard to treat."
  "Did you have time to reason with him about this thing?  I mean, if 
we're dead, doctor," Kirk spoke very softly to avoid being overheard, 
"how does he explain the fact that some of the crew are _deader_?"
  "Good question.  I don't know what his thought process is around 
this, Jim.  We didn't have much opportunity to talk--just long enough 
for him to insult me four times."  
  Kirk registered relief.  
  "Yeah, well, I suppose it is a good sign," McCoy conceded grudgingly. 
"Look, Jim, ordinarily, in the absence of significant trauma I'd expect 
only mild transitory disorientation with a good prognosis for complete 
recovery.  The problem is, there's no record of a Vulcan developing a 
detailed, nontraumatic delusional system in response to a transporter 
malfunction.  Of course, Spock does have a 'unique' medical history...." 
  The doctor shrugged and shook his head.  "I don't know, Jim. I can't 
tell you what this means."
  Kirk turned back to the business at hand.  At least there was some 
good news about Spock's condition in the fact that he was otherwise 
functional. Maybe if they kept him engaged in concrete tasks, they 
could break through to him that this was reality...
  "Spock."  Kirk swiveled the command chair towards the science 
station. "Anything in your scans that might help Cmdr. Uhura?"
  Spock looked up from his instruments with his usual intelligence and 
calm. 
  "I am afraid I am unable to be of much assistance, Captain. The 
sensors we have on line are unable to analyze the systems or 
lifeforms aboard these objects, nor can I offer an adequate 
hypothesis which would explain our data.  Quite simply, Captain, the 
data we are getting from our sensors does not make sense."
  "Explain, Spock."
  "By correlating our scientific and engineering knowledge with what 
our sensors are telling us about these vessels, these objects should 
not be capable of movement, let alone the kind of performance they 
are manifesting."
  "What's their efficiency curve?," Kirk asked. 
  Spock hesitated. "I can provide that data, Captain, but, for reasons I 
shall explain, I am reluctant to rely on it.  The data indicates an 
efficiency rating of 96.7328%."
  Kirk's eyebrows went up.  He was suitably impressed. 
  "But you don't trust it, Spock. Why?"
  Spock's brow furrowed as he collected his thoughts.
  "We may be producing a measure of something that has no meaning 
in this context, Captain."  At Kirk's look of bewilderment, Spock 
elaborated.  "Some of my readings suggest that these vessels have 
nothing aboard them that we recognize as technology: no refined 
metals, no machinery. There is no indication of a device of any kind. 
I read what is essentially a large rock, at most a ceramic hull, 
surrounding an atmosphere of indeterminate composition, generating 
massive life-form readings. In that context, our 'technical' analysis 
may well be meaningless."
  Spock paused to review some additional readings, then continued. 
  "It is most curious, Captain, but I do believe our readings are oddly 
distorted, and highly misleading."
  Kirk frowned.  "Are you able to produce an image on the viewscreen, 
yet, Scotty?"
  "Aye, sir.  After a fashion, and not with the best resolution."
  "Let's see what you've got, Engineer Scott," Kirk ordered.
  Scotty made the necessary adjustments and a fuzzy image appeared 
on the bridge main viewer.  Kirk leaned forward to inspect the 
picture, as Scotty tuned in the screen for the clearest image. 
  As the picture cleared, Kirk saw them.  Small and simple against the 
backdrop of space and their distant blue world, they were not 
identical, he noted.  Both were somewhat oblong, but not cigars.  
They were too rounded for that description, Kirk decided.  They were 
more like...elongated eggs.
  Kirk regarded the tiny ships thoughtfully for several moments. 
  "Could these...whatevers actually be vessels from third planet?," he 
asked Spock incredulously.
  Spock shook his head.  "The data presently available is too equivocal 
to support any inference with regard to such a relationship, Captain.  
The materials I can identify in these objects are present on the third 
planet, but they are also quite common, and cannot unequivocably tie 
these objects to any particular point of origin."
  Kirk turned towards Sulu for his opinion. 
  "What do you think, Sulu?"
  "They look harmless enough, Captain, but if they're capable of 
operating at that level of efficiency with a technology we can't begin 
to understand, they certainly could be a threat to the ship. I 
wouldn't underestimate them just because they're small."
  "Agreed, Sulu."
  Kirk sat back thoughtfully in his command chair, as Spock 
approached from the science station.  Kirk looked up tiredly at his 
old friend. 
  "Helluva mess," he muttered softly to himself, as he looked about the 
bridge. The ship's wounds seemed to leap out at his eyes.  Where she 
had been so new only a week before, he now saw torn-out panels 
and dead instruments.  He knew he dared not get involved in 
combat, and he had no desire to appear to challenge or provoke these 
strange craft.
  He drummed his fingers for a moment on the arms of the command 
chair, and stared at the small objects which refused to give way 
before him.
  "Still no response to our hail?," he asked Uhura again, vainly.  She 
shook her head in the negative.
  "Well, Spock, there may be different communication channels and 
rules of science on this side of the galaxy, but there's no mistaking 
that."  Kirk thrust a finger at the viewscreen where a pair of small 
ships stood in their path. 
  He turned to his  First Officer.  
  "All stop, Chekov."
  "All stop, aye, Captain," Chekov repeated.
  Pavarti stepped forward in agitation. "Sir!," he insisted testily. 
"We're not gonna let these little guys drive us away, are we, sir?"
  Kirk couldn't tell if the young man was more tired or anxious or 
annoyed.  Whatever it was, Kirk felt no desire to educate the 
youngster at this particular juncture.  He opened his mouth to shut 
Pavarti's just as Spock's gentle tones came between them.
  "I believe, Mr. Pavarti, that the Captain is referring to the clear 
indication in this behavior that we are stop our progress into this 
system.  We are being told to come no farther."
  "But sir!," Pavarti continued, moving toward the command chair, "this 
is the only Class M planet where we can possibly make landfall.  We 
can't simply turn around and go away. There's no place else to go!  
You know our power will fail before we can even get to another 
system, let alone find another habitable world!" 
  Pavarti looked desperately about at the bridge crew, seeking support, 
but met only averted eyes and lowered heads.  He raised his voice in 
one final appeal. 
  "What's the matter with all of you? You know it's true! They 
have to let us land here!  We have to make them understand!"
  "Mr. Pavarti."  Kirk's tone was calm and level.  "Do the words, 'Prime 
Directive' mean anything to you?"
  The Ensign breathed rapidly in silence.  Kirk waited to let his words 
sink in for the benefit of the entire bridge contingent.  When he 
spoke again, his voice was soft, but firm.
  "This is where we give meaning to our principles."
  Pavarti moved back to his station in the silence that followed.
  "Well, Spock," Kirk cocked his head and looked up wryly at his old 
friend.  "Any ideas?"
  "Only the obvious, Captain. They have made no hostile moves against 
us. I suggest we wait and attempt to clarify the situation. Perhaps we 
will be able to establish contact in some manner the parties have yet 
to attempt."
  "Agreed."  Kirk slapped his hands on his knees for emphasis and rose 
from the command chair.  He turned toward Uhura.  "Do you have 
any idea whether or not we're even being received?," he asked her, 
indicating the ships on the viewer.
  "It's impossible for me to say, Captain."
  Kirk stood contemplating the ships blocking their path for a long, 
silent moment. 
  "Very well, then. We'll assume that whoever they are, they can't 
receive our transmissions. But they obviously have some sensory 
system, because they know we're here. Your mission, gentlemen, is to 
come up with some way to signal these people."  He turned to each of 
his key officers as he spoke. "And, since we've tried the obvious, I'd 
suggest you consider the creative.  I'll entertain any suggestions, but 
I want you to get on it."

  Two hours later, the two small objects remained on station, directly 
in Enterprise's path, absolutely immobile. No intelligible 
communication had been received from the alien vessels. Nothing 
indicated the slightest reaction to Enterprise's desperate efforts to 
reach out to them. 
  There had been no overt signs of hostility, just the simple positioning 
of the orbs directly in their line of flight, the meaning of which 
seemed clear to everyone. Enterprise held station, hoping for some 
breakthrough that would let them at least attempt to negotiate a landing.
  Finally, Kirk called his top officers together for the mandatory 
command conference. He lowered himself slowly into the chair at the 
head of the table and surveyed his people silently as they arrived. 
  The mood was tense and glum.
  "I'll save you some time. I've read your reports and reviewed your 
efforts to contact our friends outside. You've been very thorough. Are 
there any additional ideas anyone would like to present for 
consideration?," Kirk asked. 
  The question was intended to begin the ritual of logging the 
Departmental reports, which Kirk needed to have on record prior to 
taking his next action.  Scotty was too exhausted to engage in ritual acts, and went straight to the point.
  "Beggin' your pardon, Captain, but unless you're willin' to consider 
the ideas that fall in the general category of, 'give 'em a gentle nudge 
w' the phasers'--which is pointless, because we dinna ha' power for 
the phasers, or, 'lock onto the nearest lifeform and beam it over'--
which is also pointless, 'cause we dinna ha' power for the 
transporters, we only have two options: we either move forward 
slowly and push past these people, or we pick out our next 
destination.  We've nothing left to try, that we're able to try, in our 
current condition."
  A quick glance at the others confirmed their agreement with Scotty's 
remarks.
  "Do you have a recommendation on that, Engineer Scott?," Kirk 
inquired.
  When Scotty began speaking again, it was clear it was formal and 
that he was doing it for the record.
  "With all due respect, Captain, we're in no condition to be making any 
long trips. I've spoken to Science Officer Spock and Cmdr. Chekov about 
our situation. In our opinions, this is the only habitable planet we 
will be able to reach.  Our equipment will fail long before we could 
arrive at another system."  
  Scotty paused and some of those present shifted uncomfortably.  Kirk 
remained steady.
  Scotty looked over at Sulu, who picked up the conversation. 
  "The vessels in front of us--wherever they're from--don't appear to 
want us to come any closer to the planet, Captain.  We don't feel 
comfortable with pushing past them, not from the standpoint of some 
risk to the ship, but because, in our opinions, such an action would 
violate the Prime Directive, even if communication and the vessels' 
relationship to the planet is ambiguous."  
  Sulu paused, knowing his next words were critical to their fates. His 
eyes met Kirk's firmly.
  "It is our recommendation that we terminate our efforts to approach 
the planet, and consider the ultimate disposition of the ship and 
crew," Sulu reported.
  Kirk appeared impassive.  "Explain, gentlemen."
  Scotty picked up the conversation once again. "We have enough time 
and power to clear this system, Captain.  After that, I might be able 
to get us a few days more, but we'll have nowhere especially 
interesting or worthwhile to go. The choice is whether we pick the 
time we end it, or see how long our luck lets us hold out. But unless 
we can off-load our personnel--soon--the end is inevitable, and not 
very far off."
  "Am I to understand the rest of you agree with this assessment?," 
Kirk asked.
  The others nodded. Chekov spoke up with an elaboration. 
  "There is disagreement on how ve end it, sair. Some of us vant to 
keep going and deweloping information no matter vhat, right to the 
end. Others feel that with no likelihood that anyone vill ever receive 
any information ve generate, ve may as well suit ourselves and be 
comfortable, sair.  There is no agreement on that point, sair."
  Kirk's heart was pounding.  There had to be another set of options.  
He glanced at McCoy.  The doctor met his gaze momentarily, then 
looked down at the table.  
  _There are always possibilities._   Kirk turned to Spock.
  "What do you think, Spock?," Kirk asked the Vulcan.
  Spock hesitated. "If you are asking me to address the question of 
how we should end our lives, Captain," he said slowly, "I...do not 
believe it is appropriate for me to express an opinion on that point."
  Kirk stared at Spock numbly, as the reason why Spock was unwilling 
to comment registered on Kirk's tired brain.  He was grateful for the 
Vulcan's discretion in not mentioning the possible irrelevance of the 
issue--even if the remark did confuse everyone else but McCoy.
  Kirk remained outwardly calm as the full impact of their remarks hit 
him, but his mind raced. The verdict he had resisted since he first 
emerged from 'The Effect' was no longer avoidable: his ship was 
terminal. His key people were telling him that the question was 
whether to use the self-destruct mechanism to euthanize Enterprise 
and her crew, or play the situation out to its inevitable end of slow 
death as the ship's systems failed.
  Suddenly, Kirk found himself wondering whether he had the 
strength to meet this particular challenge, and doubting that he ever 
had.  Perhaps the secret of all his creative genius was merely the 
intensity of his fear that he would ultimately discover a problem for 
which he had no solution, and over which he was powerless.  He felt 
the cold fear of that old nightmare now as his mind searched for 
options and repeatedly confronted the deadends of their present 
realities.
  Still, he knew he could not sit silently forever, and that the others 
looked to him to lead them into whatever lay ahead.  Some of the 
crew undoubtedly still clung to the belief that the Starfleet legend 
could pull the rabbit out of the hat and save them even now, but Kirk 
knew he had no rabbit and no hat.
  He ordered his mind to quiet and began to speak. "Gentlemen, I 
appreciate your efforts and your concerns, however," Kirk paused for 
breath.  His mouth was on auto-pilot. He had no idea where his 
sentence was going.
  Suddenly, a word formed, unspoken, in his mind.
  **"Play."**
  "My God," Kirk thought, "I'm losing it!" 
  He collected himself carefully, and prepared to continue. "As I was 
saying..."
  "Bridge to Captain Kirk!"
  "Kirk here," he replied to the companel with relief. "Go ahead."
  The young officer of the deck sounded excited. "We've picked up 
another object, sir. Approaching from the planet, Captain."
  The senior officers looked at each other in surprise. "From a heading 
from the planet, you say?," Kirk repeated in wonder. At the duty 
officer's assent, Kirk felt suddenly revitalized. "Bridge, we're on our 
way. Stations people!  Bones, you come with me, I'd like your 
thoughts on this."

  As they exited the turbolift and stepped onto the bridge, they could 
see that the viewscreen image had shifted to show them the latest 
alien arrival.  
  It was different from the others, larger, and an almost a perfect 
sphere.  
  Kirk studied the screen intently as he stepped forward. The image 
was weak and shaky, but it showed the effort the crew was putting 
into the repairs.  Kirk felt his affection for his people grow as the 
image on the screen improved.
  They'd make it yet, he thought. There had to be a way. 
  The duty officer rose as Kirk approached the command chair.
  "What's the situation, Mister?"
  The young woman nodded toward the image on the screen. "We 
picked that up only a few minutes ago, Captain. There was no 
detectable signal or other communication between this ship and the 
others before the newcomer showed up, sir, nor did we detect any 
signal from the planet directed at the other vessels...or anywhere 
else for that matter, Captain."
  Kirk nodded.  "Did you pick up anything interesting on the new 'ship', 
Lieutenant?"
  The Lieutenant spoke firmly. "There's still nothing useful on their 
propulsion system or technology, Captain, but sensor readings do 
show this one is similar to the others in its construction, materials, 
and life-form readings.  It's also considerably larger than the others.  
That's all we could develop from a preliminary analysis of the data, 
Captain."
  Kirk nodded his thanks as the Lieutenant moved to an auxiliary 
station. "How about it, Spock? Can you give me anything else from 
the readings?"
  Spock continued to study his sensor displays as he answered. "I am 
afraid the data is still coming in at this time, sir. It is correct 
that this object is larger than the others by a factor of 3, but it is 
still quite small by our standards, and it is unlikely it could operate 
away from this planet for either an extended time or distance. Of course," 
Spock added, "the last point is subject to the observation that the true 
capabilities of these vessels appear to be entirely beyond our ability 
to assess."
  "Any idea who, what, and how many beings are aboard any of these 
ships, yet, Spock?"
  "Negative, Captain. The life-form readings I am receiving are strong, 
and yet so oddly diffuse, I cannot reliably determine the answers to 
any of those questions."
  "What about weapons or signs of hostile intent?"
  "Insufficient data, Captain."
  "What sensory or communication system does the new arrival use?"
  "Insufficient data, sir."
  Kirk stifled his mounting frustration. "But the 'insufficient data' does 
allow me to safely conclude that these three rocks are space-vessels, 
and are related, is that correct, Spock?"
  "Sensor readings indicate significant correlations in materials, and in 
life-form signs."
  "Then you confirm that they're from the same point of origin," Kirk 
persisted doggedly.
  "Indications from the information we have thus far does place the 
likelihood of such a relationship in excess of 94.9899..."
  Kirk waved him off. "The odds, Spock, are overwhelming that these 
"ships" were created by a similar process, house similar life-forms, 
and are from the same place, aren't they?"
  "That is correct, Captain."
  Kirk felt a sudden sensation of dizziness, and the desire to giggle.  
  "Fun," his mind said.  He composed himself quickly and forced 
himself to focus on the conversation with Spock.  "Exhaustion and 
stress, " he said to himself. "Be careful."
  "And if I also understand things correctly," Kirk continued 
determinedly, "our scans of this planet indicated widely scattered 
social units with no significant industrial development, low 
technological development, and no capability of producing a vehicle 
capable of reaching planetary escape velocity.  Is that also correct?"
  "Those are the indications of the available data, sir."
  "So what are we dealing with here, Spock? Do these vessels represent 
a lifeform from outside the third planet, or are we dealing with a 
world whose technical capacity is not what it seems?"
  "A definitive answer to that question is probably impossible, Captain, 
however I might attempt to. . ."
  "Do whatever you need to do, Spock. The answer to this question is 
critical."
  Everyone on the bridge understood the significance of the issue.  If 
these odd craft did not originate from the third planet, or perhaps, 
even from this system, Enterprise had a much greater range of 
appropriate responses to the vessels' apparent denial of contact with 
that world.  Any significant doubt Spock could generate on this point 
might ultimately spell the difference between certain death and the 
"opportunity for life" Kirk was so famous for finding and exploiting. 
  Everyone on the bridge knew Spock had the opportunity to hand 
Kirk the opening he needed to save them.
  Minutes passed as Spock worked with his instruments and consulted 
with the officers in his Science unit.  Eventually, he was ready.
  "I have been able to complete a portion of my analysis, Captain, and I 
believe I can answer at least one of your questions." Kirk nodded for 
Spock to continue. "Our readings show that the atmospheres of the 
three vessels are identical in composition to that of the third planet. 
Given this," Spock went on formally, "and their manner of 
presentation, I cannot refute or challenge the conclusion that these 
vessels host beings from the third planet in this system, however 
unusual that may seem in light of our data on this world."
  At his words, muscles which had tensed while awaiting his report, 
moved uneasily. Spock was aware that more than one crewman on 
the bridge would privately curse his Vulcan integrity.
  "Thank you, Spock," James Kirk responded, with genuine warmth and 
respect. 
  Spock inclined his head slightly in response. He had also known that 
no such curses would come from Jim Kirk, and that the latter was 
relying on Spock's relentless honesty in this crisis. Spock rose and 
joined Kirk and McCoy at the command chair.
  "Well," Bones whispered softly, "at least I've lived--or think I've 
lived--to see one historic occasion. If I understood you correctly, 
Spock, everything you concluded in your initial report on this planet 
was wrong."
  Spock frowned. "I hardly find that description accurate, doctor. I 
believe I previously reported the conclusions indicated by our long-
range scans. The indicated conclusions of that data remain the same, 
it is merely that additional information now suggests that these 
conclusions are not correct in the present case."
  McCoy rolled his eyes heavenward and rocked back on his heels.  "I 
suppose it was too much to ask to see two historic occasions before I 
died: I should have known you'd never admit it."
  "There is nothing to admit, doctor," Spock continued stubbornly. "The 
question is. . ."
  Kirk had had enough. 
  "The question is, gentlemen," he looked hard at both of them as he 
cut off the debate, "the question is, how this new player changes the 
game, if at all, and how the new information that this world is 
capable of spaceflight changes our obligations under the Prime 
Directive, if at all.  Those are the matters I want addressed!"
  He stood in annoyance, and strode quickly to Uhura's station. He 
needed to collect his thoughts. He was not willing to accept that his 
only options were to destroy the ship or watch helplessly as his crew 
met a slow death. Maybe there was some option they'd missed on 
communication...
  "_Bored_." Uhura announced out of the blue.  She glanced quickly at 
the shocked Captain, and blushed deeply.
  "Are we boring you, Commander?," Kirk demanded angrily.
  "I'm sorry, Captain," Uhura replied, in sincere embarrassment. "The 
word just came out, sir. I don't know why.  It just came into my 
mind.  I'm certainly not bored, sir."
  "That's a relief, Commander."  He picked up a status board and 
reviewed her activity. It looked as complete as it had the last 5 times 
he'd checked it.  
  "There's no response to anything, Commander?," he asked her 
impatiently.  "Not from ship's systems?" 
  Uhura shook her head. 
  "Not from telepaths?"  
  Another head shake. 
  "Not from empaths?"  
  Still no. 
  "No one in the crew having visions..." Kirk offered in exasperation.
  Uhura's head stopped shaking.  She looked up hesitantly.
  "I..." she looked at Kirk nervously.  This could be the dumbest thing 
she ever said on a bridge, she thought. Then she realized that if it 
was worthless information, they were likely to be dead soon anyway, 
so she wouldn't have to live with the embarrassment very long.  She 
continued, "...I've had a couple of words just pop into my head, that 
are absolutely inappropriate, Captain."
  Kirk's ears perked up. 
  "What words?"
  "'Play'.  'Fun'.  'Bored'."
  Kirk stared at her. "Have you," he hesitated, lowered his voice, "have 
you had the urge to...giggle?"
  Uhura looked up at him with wide-eyed innocence. "No, sir," she said 
sweetly, "I can't say that I have."
  Kirk frowned and turned away. He spun back towards her.  "What's 
your quotient for telepathic and empathic abilities?"
  Uhura shook her head. "Low. I barely register, sir."
  "Is there any area where you've tested unusually highly, Commander?"
  "Intuition, Captain. I have one of the highest scores ever 
recorded...but it's the second-highest score on this ship."  She looked 
at Kirk significantly.
  Intuition! The intuitive members of the crew were picking up... Were 
picking up what? The urge to giggle? What the hell did he do with 
this information?
  "Jim!" It was McCoy. "They're moving, Jim."
  "Any sign of attack?," Kirk asked quickly, as he returned to the 
command chair.
  "I...well..." Chekov seemed confused.  He turned to Spock.  "What do you 
think, sir?"
  Spock looked nonplussed.  He looked up from his instruments with a 
quizzical look on his face, and finally responded.  "I cannot determine 
the meaning of this vesselUs behavior, Captain. However, if it plans to 
attack us, its actions are most illogical. Perhaps if I refined our visual 
image, the situation will be clearer to you."
  Spock adjusted the instruments. The viewscreen image became 
crisper, and promptly revealed the larger of the three rocks darting 
about erratically.  Kirk stared at the display in fascination, as did the 
rest of the crew.
  "Now what in blazes does that mean?," McCoy growled.
  "They look drunk," Sulu complained in disgust. 
  Kirk sat silently, a suspicion forming in his mind.  A suspicion he was 
reluctant to act upon, however.
  "Ideas, Spock?"
  "Nothing useful, Captain. I would note, however, that these are not 
the actions of logical beings, sir.  Logic, therefore, cannot help us 
interpret their behavior."
  "Well," McCoy whispered, "that leaves us with the wild and the 
bizarre. Them's your categories, Jim." The doctor looked over at his 
friend, and was surprised to find Kirk was rubbing his chin 
thoughtfully, with a bemused expression on his face.
  "They can't be serious!," Chekov exclaimed.  "Captain! They're coming 
right at us!"
  "As you were, people," Kirk insisted quickly.  "I don't think they 
intend to ram," he explained.
  Spock's eyebrow went up.  "You believe you comprehend this 
behavior, Captain?," he asked respectfully.
  "I have a suspicion, Spock. Call it...," he glanced at Uhura. "lntuition."
  The little object disappeared from the viewscreen.  "Where'd they 
go?," Kirk asked.
  Chekov consulted his instruments, and rechecked them in disbelief. 
  "There," he said, pointing upwards. "They're up there.  Above the 
navigation dome."
  Kirk could not restrain an involuntary glance above his command 
chair.  An eerie feeling passed over him as he realized someone, 
directly above him, had probably noticed the translucent area and 
was trying to somehow peer in. For a moment he sat transfixed, amazed at 
the audacity of whoever was outside. Whoever it was would be 
disappointed--nothing could be seen of the interior of the ship 
through the dome. Still, for them to come so close to a much larger 
vessel... 
  "They must want to make contact very much," Kirk thought.  Was it 
possible that those outside were as frustrated by their inability to 
communicate as his crew was inside?
  He had reached the decision point.  He knew what he had to do--and, 
he was the only person on the bridge who was not surprised a 
moment latter when a "boink! boink! boink!" was heard coming 
from the outer hull. The others exchanged looks of disbelief.  Kirk 
laughed: Their little visitor was gently tapping against Enterprise's 
hull. Klrk's mind was made up.
  "Now what the hell..." McCoy began.  Kirk cut him off.
  "Sulu, if you will take the con.  Uhura, prepare a shuttle for my 
immediate use."  He rose and began to stride off the bridge.  McCoy 
stepped forward to block his path.
  "Jim!  You're not actually going out there with those maniacs!," he 
exclaimed.
  "That's exactly what I'm going to do, doctor.  Someone has gone to a 
great deal of trouble to get us to come out and play, and I'm going to 
see what happens if I accept the invitation! I'll be in touch."

  Kirk had too much at stake to enjoy the opportunity to misuse 
Federation equipment for over an hour. He followed the three 
strange ships on a mad dash across the solar system, zooming this 
way and that, rolling and diving through interplanetary space.  The 
largest object seemed to be the center of their activity, and Kirk 
singled it out for his attention.
  At least he knew they weren't hostile, he thought, but the time had 
come to move the process of making contact along. They were still 
unable to communicate by any recognizable signals.  He was going to 
have to get them, or one of them, aboard the ship.  Try things face to 
face.
  He broke off their pattern and halted.  Soon the little ships had 
joined him nearby. Kirk took a deep breath and slowly moved up to 
the largest. Carefully, gently, he then moved away, working the 
vessels towards Enterprise.  The larger alien followed Kirk easily.
  "That's it, my little friend," Kirk thought, as the alien ship duplicated 
his maneuvers. Gradually, Kirk led it to Enterprise, toward the 
main airlock on the saucer section's hull. Kirk stopped, and the alien 
halted nearby. He ordered the crew to extend the Universal 
Umbilical, carefully moved the shuttle up to it, docked, and allowed the
umbilical to attach to the shuttle door.  The whole maneuver was an
unnecessary and inconvenient way for him to dock with Enterprise, but he
hoped the demonstration was not lost on his little round friend.
  As the umbilical pressurized, Kirk signalled the bridge and informed them
of the remainder of his plan.  He exited the shuttle, exhanging places with
a young Ensign who undocked and 'parked' the shuttle nearby.  The umbilical
remained extended.  Kirk waited with Scotty, Chekov, and Security team just
inside the airlock door, wondering if his 'friends' would come to his house
to play.

                                 (To be continued...)

Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative