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Enterprise and her crew finally took up their routine patrol along the Neutral Zone and began standard sweeps. However, after several days with the crew at yellow alert, Kirk finally reduced the crew to stand-by yellow alert. It helped to relieve some of the tension and allowed his people to breathe a bit easier. Besides, if the Romulans were really planning something, it should have happened by now. At least, that's what he thought.
One more time, Kirk checked with the bridge crew. "Spock? Anything?"
"All indications negative at this time, Captain."
"Uhura?"
"Sorry, sir, not so much as a chirp."
"Mister Litvak?"
The Slovakian helmsman had been studying his console intently and rubbed his eyes, "Negative, sir."
Before Kirk could ask, Chekov volunteered a report, "Me, too, Captain; not even a stray asteroid."
"Maybe they're trying to give us a false sense of security." The ship's commanding officer was trying to make light of the situation but Spock surprised him.
"Quite possible, Captain. They may be waiting for us to lower our guard, so to speak."
Inexplicably, Kirk broke into a broad smile. "Okay, let's give it to them! After six days of nothing, I'm ready to try anything. On our next pass, reduce scans and drop screens. Let them think we've taken the bait and Litvak...?"
"Yes, sir?"
"I'd like to see some... sloppy helm work."
Litvak looked surprised and confused, "How's that, sir?"
"Make them think you're... bored."
Now the helmsman smiled. "I don't remember that class at the Academy, 'Sloppy Helm 101?'"
The crew became amused as Knox asked quietly, "Heading, sir?"
"Get... creative, Ensign."
Knox smiled, "Another course I don't think I took, but I can manage."
"No doubt."
A surprised Spock commented, "If nothing else, we may confuse anyone who might be monitoring our routine."
"Aye, assuming that someone is actually watching us," Scotty added.
Another day passed and even more hours. Once again, the captain was becoming restless. Maybe the whole Romulan connection was nothing more than a bad guess on the part of Federation Intelligence.
Walking around the upper level of the bridge, Kirk paused at Uhura's station. "Any luck with the Romulan codes?"
Shrugging, she apologized quietly, "Sorry, sir; none so far."
He put his hand on her shoulder gently and smiled warmly, "I know you're doing your best. No need to apologize, Nyota."
He moved on to Spock's position, "And you?"
"Regrettably, no progress to report, either, sir."
Sighing heavily, Kirk turned to study the main viewer. It, too, had nothing to offer, other than what seemed to be an unchanging and unending star field.
Spock noticed the captain's vacant stare and offered a possibility. "Perhaps the escapees had second thoughts regarding their plans for revenge. It may be that once they secured their freedom, other priorities became too much of a temptation."
"Or they had a falling out with the Orions," Kirk said.
"Or the Romulans," Chekov added.
"All very logical possibilities, given the volatility of the personalities involved." Spock looked at Kirk with his usual poker face but the Captain took the Vulcan's hint.
"I guess it's time to give up on our --"
"Captain! I have an S.O.S... very faint and distant... barely audible." Uhura was excited and worked her console deftly while adjusting her earpiece. "I'm trying to get a fix now."
The captain moved to her side quickly as Spock returned to his console.
"Romulans, Commander?"
Puzzled, Uhura looked up at Kirk, "No, sir; it's a standard signal, uncoded."
"Voice contact?"
"Automated signal, sir." She returned her gaze to the controls and continued working. "The signal is weakening, steadily, perhaps due to loss of power."
Chekov was ready with vital information. "Bearing zero two zero mark one oh five relative, inside the Neutral Zone, Captain."
"The game is afoot!" Kirk said to no one in particular. "Anything else, Spock?"
Concentrating on his console viewer, Spock offered the facts in a monotone. "I have them at extreme range, barely perceptible, reads as... an Orion freighter."
"Do we enter the Neutral Zone?" Scotty sounded more than a little apprehensive.
"Good question, Engineer." Kirk was deep in thought.
"This is just the type of trick the Romulans would use, isn't it?" Chekov looked confident. "If we enter the Neutral Zone, we hand the Romulans an excuse to attack us and the Federation."
"On the other hand, the ship in question could have a genuine emergency. If it is the escapees and they do require assistance, they might have second thoughts about harming the Captain once we help them." Uhura's calm voice managed to pierce the tension on the bridge.
"She has a point." Spock added.
"A very valid point. I think it's time we found out exactly what is going on and fill in some blanks. Navigator, plot a course, zero two zero, mark one oh five. Helm, warp five. Uhura, sound red alert!" Kirk made his way back to the command chair and sat hard.
Three 'Aye, sirs' were heard in chorus, even over the noise of the klaxon.
The ship seemed to leap into action. Maybe the Enterprise itself had been bored after so many hours at sublight patrols and was grateful to stretch her legs.
"Scanners are now registering more details. It reads as an old class D type freighter used by the Orions. No registration, hull number or name is discernable." Spock turned from his console to face Kirk.
"Probably our old friends," Kirk said to Spock.
"A reasonable assumption, Captain."
"I show shields, screens and weapons are off-line; also detecting minimal power output." Chekov looked worried never-the-less.
"No obvious exterior damage." Spock was still working his console intently and aroused Kirk's curiosity.
"Something else, Spock?"
"Minimal life signs, if they are alive, they will not be for very long."
"Confirmed, sir," Chekov said, and then added, "I show only eight still alive, but barely."
Wheeling around in his chair, Kirk looked to Scotty, "Can we beam them aboard?"
A moment of study by the Scotsman resulted in a shake of the head, "Too much radiation, sir. It would be a wee bit tricky. We might not be able to complete transport safely."
"Coming up on the ship now, sir," Litvak pointed at the main viewer.
"Sublight, helm; navigator, put us in a tight orbit around the Orion ship. For now we'll stay at red alert." Kirk studied the viewer closely.
"Aye, sir," Knox replied quietly.
Shifting uncomfortably in his chair, Spock reviewed the situation quickly. "Captain, as Mister Scott has stated, the Orion ship is suffering from radiation leaks. In any event, we may not be able to render assistance. We are deep in the Neutral Zone, fairly close to Romulan space itself. Lowering our shields to use the transporter will leave us vulnerable, not only to the Romulans but also to the damaged vessel itself."
Reluctantly, Chekov added, "If we don't act in the next few minutes, it won't make a difference, one way or the other."
Kirk thought for a moment then leapt from his chair and headed to the nearest turbolift. On the way, he related orders. "Uhura, have Doctor McCoy and security meet me in the transporter room on the double. Spock, Scott... you're with me. Mister Chekov, you have the conn!"
Without waiting for acknowledgements or arguments, Kirk entered the turbolift with Spock and Scott close behind.
Kirk entered the transporter room, followed in rapid succession by Spock, Scott, and McCoy with several medical teams and six security guards led by Chief Ivo. "Scotty, take the transporter controls. If it's going to be a 'tricky ride' I want you there."
The engineer looked disappointed but yielded to the logic. "Aye, sir."
Quickly, the group situated themselves around the transporter pad while Scotty warmed up the transporter and began taking readings. "I have them, sir. Three in engineering, two on the bridge and the others are scattered about the ship."
"Recover the ones in engineering first they're in the greatest danger. Can you do it, Scotty?" McCoy was concerned and it showed.
Checking his console closely, he nodded, "If I transport no more than three at a time, yes."
"Let's get started." Kirk stepped closer to the platform, but Ivo blocked his path.
"Sorry, Captain, I must insist you exit the room until we are sure this is not an elaborate ruse."
"He's right, Jim!" McCoy was adamant and stood next to Ivo in an act of dual defiance and support.
Smiling, the captain gave in, "Okay you two, have it your way. And I won't file mutiny charges either." He left the room quickly.
Spock moved forward with a security team, "Transport when ready, Engineer."
"Activating decontamination circuits, dropping shields and transporting, now!"
As the transporter hummed to life, Ben Finney, Ron Tracey and an Orion materialized, unconscious. McCoy and his med techs moved forward with their equipment but ran into Ivo and his team, phasers drawn. "Let's be sure no one is playing possum, Doctor." Ivo checked the trio quickly then, once satisfied, he backed off and let McCoy's team tend to the unconscious forms.
"Shields back up, Mister Spock," Scotty announced proudly.
McCoy quickly scanned over the injured men and turned to a medical technician, "Ten cc's of hyronalin and then take them to sickbay immediately." He turned to Spock to explain, "Spock, these three need immediate attention!"
"Very well, Doctor, but Mister Ivo will assign a security team to accompany them."
"As long as they don't get in the way," McCoy warned.
Ivo smiled, "Not to worry, Doctor."
Med techs moved in quickly with anti-grav stretchers and gently loaded the injured men and left in the wink of an eye with a security team close behind. If nothing else, the medical staff and security were both efficient.
Worried, McCoy turned to Scotty, "Can you retrieve any others?"
The engineer was working the controls intently, "Aye, the two from the bridge. Ready when you are!"
"Commence transport, Engineer!" Spock watched the transporter pad closely.
"Decontamination circuit active, shields down and transporting now!"
Very quickly, two Orions appeared, standing but weak and very surprised. Again, security rushed forward and checked the pair. Once more they found nothing and allowed McCoy and his team to carry out their examination.
"Shields restored," Scotty announced.
McCoy quickly gave the Orions the 'once over' and nodded to Ivo. "Can you provide an escort for these two?"
Ivo motioned another team forward, phasers drawn. Two med techs joined the small parade. As they left the room, more security teams arrived and Kirk peeked inside.
"Is it safe yet, Spock?"
"Regrettably no, Captain. A few more minutes, please."
"Ready for the last group, sir," Scotty looked anxious and hurried.
"Proceed, Mister Scott!"
Once again, the Scotsman worked his magic and three more figures appeared on the pad. Janice Lester and two more Orions materialized, just barely aware of what was transpiring.
Security gave the recently arrived survivors a quick check then motioned McCoy and his teams forward.
Spock looked at Scotty for confirmation, "Systems normal?"
"Aye, sir. Shields restored at full strength."
By this time, McCoy was finished and was getting his newest patients ready for transport to sickbay, directing his personnel. "Start the exams and check for residual radiation levels, I'll be along in a few minutes."
The medical team left with a pair of security guards in tow. On the way out, security gave Kirk a nod. "Okay, Captain; all clear."
In the transporter room, no one noticed as Kirk finally entered. Spock, Scott and Ivo were in a lively discussion with McCoy acting as a referee and doing poorly.
"Did I miss something, gentlemen?" Kirk was trying to make light of the situation in an attempt to diffuse it.
McCoy was the first to speak to him, loudly. "Jim! Spock wants to go to the Orion ship!"
"It should be my job!" Ivo countered.
"I can't guarantee the transporter will operate safely with the increasing radiation levels!" Scott looked genuinely worried.
Holding up his hand to stop the argument, Kirk approached Spock. "Why go there at all?"
"Captain, there may still be survivors over there that we can't detect due to the intermittent readings."
"Caused by radiation, Jim; anybody who goes over there would be in danger!"
"Which is why I should go, sir," Ivo stood firm.
Now standing in the middle of the group, Kirk confronted them. "All right I've heard the arguments and positions, but let's go back to the main issue: why board the Orion ship?"
"Something is not quite right, Captain. Did any of the rescued parties display open hostilities towards you?"
Surprised by the question, he responded, "No, but some were unconscious, why?"
"Those rescued were subdued and almost disillusioned, not the hostile and focused persons we had expected to encounter. Even the Orions were noticeably placid. All were injured one way or the other and there was no indication of Romulans. I am therefore curious as to what transpired aboard the Orion ship."
"Perhaps it was done intentionally as a ruse," Scotty suggested.
"Or even as bait to lure us," Ivo countered.
"Both suppositions are distinct possibilities, but I would point out that none of the rescued persons showed any indications of resentment or reluctance to being on board Enterprise." Spock studied his captain's reaction closely.
"It could have been a result of their poor condition." McCoy sounded more hopeful than positive.
"Captain, we must act quickly, the ship's logs and computer systems may reveal what exactly happened; it could answer many of our questions. I may even be able to repair the radiation leaks."
Before anyone else could speak, Kirk nodded, "Agreed. However, I must also agree with the doctor. It's far too dangerous and I don't like Scotty's reluctance to transport someone if he's not completely sure of success. Do I hear any further discussion?"
A brief moment of quiet convinced Kirk he had succeeded, that is until Spock cleared his throat. "You have something to add, Mister Spock?"
"Captain, Vulcans are, by their very nature, more tolerant of radiation. I believe I can survive a brief exposure to search the Orion ship."
"We had a discussion similar to this just prior to your... death, due to radiation aboard the old Enterprise." McCoy was not smiling or trying to be funny.
"An entirely different situation, Doctor," Spock countered.
"Engineer?" Kirk was calling on Scott to evaluate the comparison.
Scotty stepped closer to Kirk, "It's borderline on the difference of current radiation levels, but he did open the matter-antimatter mix chamber while it was active. That proved too much, even for a Vulcan."
Kirk looked back to Spock.
"I promise not to repeat that particular operation," Spock deadpanned.
Partially hiding a grin with his hand, Kirk surprised everyone, "Anybody who goes will wear a radiation suit, will that satisfy you doctor?"
The doctor simply harrumphed loudly, "Barely."
Confronting his chief engineer, the captain explained, "I want you to keep a constant lock on Spock's position. At the first sign of trouble; radiation surge, Romulans, whatever, bring him back. No discussions, no arguments, just transport immediately."
"Aye, sir." Scott went to a storage room and retrieved a radiation suit. In short order, he was assisting Spock with putting it on.
McCoy was about to speak and Kirk was sure he knew what was coming, but the surgeon surprised him. "Let me give Spock a shot to minimize the effects of radiation."
Looking at the Vulcan, Kirk waited for an argument but Spock acquiesced with a nod and no comment.
Now Ivo started to speak, but Kirk cut him off. "I know your position and reasoning chief, but I must agree with Mister Spock."
Reluctantly and quietly, Ivo conceded, "Yes, sir." He handed Spock his communicator and phaser.
"Mister Scott, let's give Spock a fighting chance. Find a place that's not completely hostile." The captain finished on a smile of irony.
"Aye, sir, I think I can do that." Returning to his position at the console, the engineer worked the controls with a genuine zeal.
Spock grabbed a tricorder from McCoy and stepped up to the transporter platform. "Ready."
"I'll place you in a corridor behind the bridge; it's the least contaminated place I can locate."
"That will be satisfactory, Engineer." Spock said quietly.
"Very well, lowering shields and commencing transport."
Kirk watched as his friend faded in the familiar effect. For a moment, he wondered if he had made a mistake.
Once aboard the Orion freighter, Spock went to work quickly. Opening the tricorder, he got his bearings and began to execute a rapid search. Along the way he found several dead Orions. A quick scan revealed that they had died from Romulan weapons.
Moving at a slow trot, the Vulcan moved from one compartment to another. He found little of interest. The ship was deserted and contained little worthwhile. A quick trip to the bridge revealed damaged equipment, not from combat but by the hands of someone who knew what they were doing.
Next, he made his way to the engineering section. Along the way he made brief side trips to other compartments. In one, he found Admiral Cartwright, dead. He noted the location and moved on, increasing his pace. He wasn't finding the answers he was looking for.
On Enterprise, McCoy made a quick return to sickbay. He wanted to check on the progress of the patients who had received their initial treatment in the transporter room. Now he would review their progress and retrieve a few items that might be needed for Spock's return.
Entering the ship's large medical facility, he was surprised to find Ben Finney struggling to sit upright in his diagnostic bed. He was weak but seemed determined to change his position. Rushing to the man's side, he noted the readouts of the former Enterprise officer. According to those, the man should have been out cold. Concerned, McCoy tried to get the man to lay down.
As the nurses and medical technicians administered treatments for radiation, cuts, burns, bruises and other conditions, Finney spoke to McCoy. "Where is Kirk?"
Afraid to give away his friend's location, he countered with a question of his own, "Why?"
"He needs to know what I did to the engines!"
For a moment, he thought the man had slipped into a mental lapse and was reliving his experience on the Enterprise, years before. "Our engines are just fine."
"No, no! Not the Enterprise, the Orion ship!"
McCoy was now very interested. "What are you trying to say?"
Becoming more agitated, Finney explained, "The flush vents are closed and I reversed the flow. It can be corrected on the auxiliary control panel but you need to do it quick!" His warning delivered, Finney slumped back in his bed peacefully.
Now the surgeon was frantic and scrambled to the nearest intercom. "Transporter room!"
A surprised Scott responded, "Aye?"
"Scotty, Finney sabotaged the engines on the Orion ship. The flush valves are closed and the flow reversed. Spock can restore the engines and stop the radiation leaks at the auxiliary control board!"
Spock was in the process of checking compartments when the communicator sounded and Scotty's excited voice came over the speaker. He opened the communicator and listened to the engineer's explanation regarding the radiation problem. The Vulcan instantly reversed course and headed for engineering.
In just a few moments he was looking at the auxiliary control panel and made the necessary changes. Immediately he noticed an increase in atmospheric pressure and a feeling that the air itself was cleaner.
Using his tricorder, he was both relieved and surprised to find the leaks were not only stopped, but the levels of radiation were stabilizing and eventually began to drop, but at an extremely slow rate. It would take a long time to clear the ship and waiting in the Neutral Zone was not an ideal situation. Therefore, he decided to 'help' the process. A few more moments of work on the ship's control panel resulted in positive indications.
Two minutes later, following a few more preparations, the Vulcan activated a series of controls and monitored his work closely on the tricorder.
On the Enterprise, McCoy had returned to the transporter room with a medical technician and a bag of supplies, just in case. Scotty was closely monitoring the alien ship per Kirk's orders, when he picked up a near catastrophic event. Checking his findings quickly he rushed to the viewer and brought up an image of the ship.
"Captain, the Orion ship is venting its atmosphere!"
Engaged in conversation, Kirk, McCoy and Ivo turned to face the viewer. Instantly they were horrified. There was a frosty cloud surrounding the old freighter. Rushing to the communications console on the transporter control panel, Kirk activated a comm channel. "Spock!"
In his own mind, it took a nearly infinite amount of time before the Vulcan's voice was finally heard. "Spock here, the ship's atmosphere has been purged along with the majority of radiation. Levels have been reduced significantly and the ship can be safely occupied."
Relieved, the captain was never-the-less annoyed. "You might have given us a warning prior to your action."
"We thought you were dead... again!" McCoy added sarcastically.
Once Spock was sure he had cleared the Orion ship of radiation danger, he returned to the Enterprise and reported what he found and did. The transporter room was converted to a temporary conference room as Spock related his findings.
While doing so, McCoy gave him a once over, grousing the entire time. "I don't see why you took such a risk. After all, you were given a second chance at life. Why throw it away? Do you know how lucky you are to be alive?"
"Actually, Doctor, at no time was I in any danger."
Finished with his exam, the doctor was still agitated. "Poppycock! I know what the readings were on that ship. And the idea of exposing yourself to space just to evacuate the ship's atmosphere... that's just plain crazy!" McCoy put his tricorder down and shook his head in disbelief, then dismissed the med techs.
Indignant, Spock challenged the doctor. Indicating the tricorder he spoke in a mild tone, "I believe you found there were no issues or complications, correct?"
In total disbelief, the ship's surgeon harrumphed again, "I'm not sure why... but you are right."
While McCoy packed his bag, Spock explained. "To evacuate the ship, I entered a storage room and sealed it. While less than an ideal situation, it never the less served well as an improvised refuge."
Kirk was amused, "Nice work, Spock. What else did you find?"
Regrettably, I located the remains of Doctor Daystrom and Admiral Cartwright plus several more Orions. In addition, I discovered that most of the ship's systems are functional."
Confused, Kirk asked the obvious, "Then why was it abandoned?"
"I believe it was due primarily to the radiation leak brought on by the appearance of the Romulans. Finney sabotaged the ship to induce them to leave."
The captain was genuinely intrigued by Spock's revelation. "Why didn't the Romulans just fix the problem like you did?"
"The sabotage was quite impressive. The only way to locate it and remedy the problem would have required an extended period of time in the engine room. With that scenario, the radiation would have killed anyone attempting to do so. Only the wildest stroke of luck would have provided positive results."
"He's right, Captain," Scott said. "It's pure genius. I couldn't have done it better myself."
"High praise, Engineer, but can you get that ship back to full running order?"
Scotty lit up, "Just give me the chance, sir. I'll have it ready in a jiffy!"
"Get to it and let me know the minute you're confident enough to put a crew aboard. We've been here long enough and I'd like to get back into Federation space. Take whoever you need for repairs and have Ivo assign a security team, too. And post a twenty-four hour watch on the transporter console. The minute there's any sign of trouble, everyone gets brought back, immediately."
"Aye, sir!" Scotty bolted out of the room to gather tools and personnel leaving Spock, Kirk and McCoy behind.
McCoy eyed Spock and asked, "Why would the Romulans want an old Orion ship? So what if it's radiated?"
"Unknown at this time, Doctor, I would like to return to the ship to conduct a detailed search of ship records and logs. Perhaps I'll discover the answer to that question and many others as well."
"Agreed," Kirk said quietly. "Will you require any extra help?"
"I would greatly appreciate the assistance of Mister Chekov and Miss Uhura."
"Very well, you may begin as soon as you're ready and keep me informed. Take a security team with you as well. And doctor... "
"Yes, Jim?"
"Have a medical team go along. I want someone to monitor the radiation over there but also to work with the security people. Conduct full sweeps of the entire ship, top to bottom, just in case someone or something is hiding. I wouldn't put it past the Romulans to put an explosive device aboard. But more importantly we need to retrieve all the bodies and conduct autopsies. Better get started."
"Okay, Jim, I'll get right on it."
The doctor sounded less than enthusiastic, so the captain provided motivation. "The sooner we get started, the sooner we go home!"
Spock left quickly while McCoy and Kirk took a somewhat slower walk to sickbay. "You know, Jim, a Romulan ship could be cloaked nearby, just waiting to attack."
The two left the transporter room and started down the corridor.
"Not entirely out of the question. But why would they be waiting? If they needed a reason to provoke combat, they could have done so long ago."
"Okay, so I'm not a tactician, but I'm still as worried as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."
An amused Kirk responded with a laugh, "It's okay, Bones. Tell you what, you have your teams do a rush job and I'll have the other teams do the same. We'll leave as soon as Scotty gives the word, regardless."
Shrugging, the surgeon stopped at the doors to sickbay, "All right, Jim. I'll try not to worry."
Laughing, Kirk continued down the corridor as McCoy went to work.
To Be Continued...
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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