Crisis of Consciousness

Thank you for downloading this Pocket Books eBook.

Sign up for our newsletter and receive special offers, access to bonus content, and info on the latest new releases and other great eBooks from Pocket Books and Simon & Schuster.

or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com

For Simantha

“He that studieth revenge keepeth his own wounds green,
which otherwise would heal and do well.”

—John Milton

ONE

Captain’s log, Stardate 3458.2.

Enterprise
has arrived at Deep Space 5. We are ferrying home a delegation from the planet Maaba S’Ja. A xenophobic culture, the Maabas leaders have taken a political risk in signing this accord, which would open up trade with and offer protection to their world. Given the sensitive partisan atmosphere the Maabas president is dealing with, Starfleet Command felt that the “red carpet treatment” for the ambassador and his party was needed.
Enterprise
was the closest ship, and we have been tasked with the duty.

When Captain James T. Kirk entered the transporter room, he found his first officer and chief medical officer already waiting. As usual, Dr. McCoy looked uncomfortable in his dress uniform, and Commander Spock only looked a bit more formal than when in his duty tunic.

“Fifteen minutes, Bones,” Kirk told the doctor. “An hour at the most.”

Tugging at his collar, McCoy frowned. “That’s an hour too long.”

“Of course,” the captain said, “you’ll have to put it back on for dinner.”

“Why bother eating if this thing won’t let me swallow?”

“I have the coordinates, sir,” the transporter chief said as he worked the console.

Kirk nodded. “Thank you, Mister Kyle.” Turning a bit toward McCoy, the captain allowed himself a slight smirk at the doctor’s predicament. “I’d suggest a good tailor, but I think you like to complain.”

“Well,” McCoy said, “I’m not sure I have to stand here and be insulted.”

“Actually, you do.” Kirk motioned to Kyle. “Energize.”

Humming to life, the transporter chamber brightened as six columns of sparkle manifested, swirled, and then solidified into humanoid forms.

“Ambassador Pippenge, welcome aboard. I’m Captain James T. Kirk.” He stepped toward the platform, his arm outstretched for the Maabas greeting. He had spent the previous evening with the
Enterprise
’s archaeology and anthropology officer, Carolyn Palamas, taking a cram course in the Maabas’s culture.

The ambassador descended toward Kirk, taking the captain’s right elbow in his left palm. Then, unexpectedly, Pippenge held out his right hand. “Allow me to greet you in the Terran manner, Captain.”

Kirk took the tall man’s hand and shook it. It was an overly firm handshake; Kirk wondered which of the Federation politicians had taught it to him.

“My chief medical officer, Lieutenant Commander Leonard McCoy, and my first officer and science officer, Commander Spock.” Kirk motioned to each in turn as the delegation descended from the transporter platform.

With great warmth, Pippenge reached for Dr. McCoy’s hand and shook it happily. He then turned toward Spock. With some difficulty, the ambassador presented his best representation of a Vulcan salute. Having three fingers and two thumbs made it an interesting and somewhat awkward approximation. “Live long and prosper, Commander Spock.” The words were in heavily accented Vulcan, without assistance of the universal translator. Clearly Pippenge was looking to impress his hosts.

Fingers splayed, Spock raised his hand in response. “Peace and long life, Ambassador.”

Pippenge chittered, a sound which seemed like an expression of delight. “You recognized the greeting. I am overjoyed. I practiced all night.”

“You honor us.” Spock nodded in respect.

“My compatriots.” The ambassador gestured with both hands to include the delegation behind him. “My assistant, Tainler. Attendants Nedash and Skent, and their adjutants Brintle and Ortov.”

Kirk nodded pleasantly to all, but knew he was unlikely to remember most of the names. He trusted Spock could be called on to supply them, if the need arose.

Despite being easily ten centimeters taller than the Vulcan, Pippenge was anything but imposing. His thick black hair, streaked with bars of white in what seemed to be a stylistic choice, perhaps belied his age. Telling the years of an alien was often difficult for the captain, and he tended to ask, if culturally appropriate.

“We’re pleased to welcome you aboard the
Enterprise
.”

The rest of the Maabas party were not tall. Like most races, they came in all shapes and sizes, and several different color variations. Pippenge was a pale pinkish hue. His assistant, Tainler, was a more ruddy color. The others were different shades. One trait they shared were thin noses and deep-set eyes which made the bridges of their noses even more pronounced.

“We’ve arranged quarters for the journey,” the captain said, motioning them toward the doorway. “But I hope you will all join me for dinner this evening, so we can become acquainted.”

Bowing slightly, Pippenge pursed his lips. “We shall be delighted, Captain.”

WHEN THE CABIN
door chime rang, Lieutenant Carolyn Palamas was too busy to answer. She had no time for interruptions, but when the buzzer rang again she finally responded with an exasperated “Come in!”

Nyota Uhura, already in her dress uniform, entered as the door slid open for her. “Shouldn’t you be expecting me?” she said. “
You
asked me to stop by.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Lieutenant. I just can’t find my dress boots.” She looked again in the closet she’d just closed a second before, then she pulled open every drawer of the dresser.

Leaning on the wall next to the dresser, Uhura smiled. “Firstly, we’re off watch and Mister Spock isn’t in earshot, so you don’t need to call me by rank. Secondly, the difference between our dress and our duty boots would hardly be noticed by the captain, let alone the Maabas delegation.”

Reaching back into the bottom drawer, as if the boots would actually fit there, Palamas scoffed. “
I
would know.”

Uhura straightened and stepped fully into the room. “Well, they’re not going to be in there. Would you like me to help you look?” She glanced around the cabin. “Not that there’re that many places for a pair of boots to hide.”

“I’m being silly, aren’t I?” Standing, Palamas smoothed out her dress uniform, which also didn’t look too different from her standard one.

“A little.” Uhura smiled warmly. “I know you’re not really concerned about boots.”

Palamas smiled and shook her head. “I’ve been researching the Maabas for a week, but that’s not nearly long enough to give the captain everything he might need.”

“He doesn’t need everything,” Uhura assured her.

“They’re a fascinating people. Really they are. But I can’t remember it all. With more time, I’d have everything at hand.”

“When did the captain invite you?” Uhura asked.

“An hour ago,” she admitted. Turning to her computer, Palamas reviewed the screen. “Did you know they all have internal communication implants? Direct cortex interfaces.”

Coming to stand behind her, Uhura glanced over the material the A&A officer was studying: a mass of facts from technology to geography. “You’re overthinking it. Why would the captain want to know the length of the growing season on their most southern continent?”

“I don’t know. I told you, I didn’t have time to prepare good notes.”

Uhura smiled and took Palamas by the arms, turning her away from the screen. “Look, I’ve been to a lot of these. They’re a piece of cake.”

Palamas fretted, “I’d asked two days ago if I should attend . . . but he said it wasn’t necessary. Now—”

“Carolyn, deep breath,” Uhura said.

She straightened her uniform. “
Now
, he wants me there.”

“He thought better of it.” Uhura motioned toward the door. “Just fill in the cultural details he might need. You did all the research. It’ll come back to you as you need it.”

“I didn’t think he cared,” Palamas said. “I wasn’t even sure he’d read my report.”

Nodding, Uhura guided the other woman toward the doorway. “I’m sure he did. Well, at least he skimmed it. He’s the captain.”

“What if I cause an international incident? What if . . .”

“Stop, or I’m going to point out your boots to him.”

As the door to the corridor opened, Palamas turned back and begged, “Don’t you
dare
.”

WHEN KIRK ENTERED
his private dining room, most of his senior officers and many of the Maabas dignitaries were already present. He recognized Tainler, Pippenge’s assistant, though the ambassador himself had yet to arrive. She and two others of her party were engaged in some discussion with Spock. Palamas and Uhura talked with Scotty, who was in his dress uniform replete with kilt.

Just as the doors closed behind him, they opened again and the captain turned to see Dr. McCoy enter.

Kirk greeted him with an already bemused expression. “Bones, glad you could make it.”

“I’m here,” the doctor said. “If you want me cheerful, I’ll need a drink.”

The captain shook his head. “Not tonight.”

“Oh? Why not?”

Hesitating a moment, Kirk knew there was a reason. He’d seen it in the report as a bullet point but couldn’t quite place the why. Turning slightly to his left, he called for one of the two people who would know. “Lieutenant Palamas.”

“Lieutenant,” McCoy said pleasantly. “Our new archaeology and anthropology officer.”

As she joined them, Palamas returned the doctor’s smile. “I’m qualified in xenoarchaeology and xenopology as well, Doctor.”

“Of course you are, my dear.” He bowed toward her apologetically, the ever-suave gentleman when a pretty woman was present.

“The good doctor is wondering why no spirits for tonight’s festivities.” Kirk smirked slightly, letting Palamas know he was having a bit of fun at McCoy’s expense.

“Oh, yes, sir.” She turned fully toward the doctor, her face now grim. “The Maabas value one’s mental capacity so much that—without law or statute—theirs is a dry planet, Doctor.”

“They don’t imbibe at all, any of them?”

“Not only that, but they’d be shocked that someone as learned and skilled as a physician would do so.” Palamas looked at McCoy with such earnest sincerity that the captain wondered if she was always such a quick study.

“Cross
them
off the list for my next shore leave,” McCoy muttered.

With a chuckle at the doctor and a nod to Palamas, Kirk sent her back toward the table just as the doors behind him opened again. Ambassador Pippenge and one of his attendants entered, and the ambassador greeted the captain and McCoy with a handshake. They were dressed ornately, with brightly colored robes that seemed to hang in a more formal arrangement than what they’d worn when they beamed aboard.

“I trust you found your quarters acceptable?” the captain asked.

Pippenge bowed pleasantly.

Kirk motioned them toward the table as he scanned the room and took a head-count, noticing the other Maabas were also dressed more formally. He liked that their formal attire was flamboyant. In many cultures the inclination was the opposite. “I believe we’re missing one of your party?”

Scanning the gathering himself, the ambassador made his own count. “Skent seems to be delayed. I’m sure he’ll be along.”

“We’ll be happy to wait,” Kirk said.

“Oh, please, do not. His tardiness shouldn’t put us all off schedule.”

“Very well.” The captain gestured toward the table, and they all took their seats. After brief toasts by both Kirk and Pippenge about the new relationship between the Maabas and the Federation, the first course was served.

The fare was a mixture of Terran, Vulcan, and Maabasian cuisine, and Kirk asked Lieutenant Palamas to explain the origin of each of the Federation dishes. To her credit, she was able to, and the ambassador was sufficiently impressed.

“The starbase provided the
Enterprise
with the . . .
karfis
, isn’t it?” she asked Pippenge. “Fields of it grow quickly, and you can get two harvests a year from them, if I remember correctly.”

“You do. You know a great deal about our planet,” he said admiringly. “Do you know where it’s grown?”

“Mostly in . . .” she hesitated searching her memory. “It’s a northern province, near a popular seaport.”

“Yes?”

“Heffron?”

The ambassador chittered. “Correct! I am very impressed.”

With a bubble of quiet laughter, she demurred, but Kirk encouraged her with a nod. This was one of the reasons he’d decided to add Palamas to the dinner.

“The Maabas government has been generous with its hospitality,” Palamas said. “Previous diplomatic missions learned your history, enjoyed its cuisine. Food is an important part of culture, don’t you agree?”

Pippenge pursed his lips, and Palamas whispered to Kirk that this was the Maabas version of an affirming nod.

“There’ve been more than a few diplomatic missions, I understand,” the captain said. “Your government has been fairly cautious about signing the treaty. Until recently.”

“Yes,” the ambassador agreed. “My people have been generally suspicious of other species—bordering on the xenophobic.”

“Is that why you have no interstellar exploratory programs?” McCoy asked, taking a bite of his salad.

“Yes, Doctor.” Pippenge shuddered, which Palamas quietly told Kirk was akin to a sigh. “After many years of searching for a new homeworld, and being chased from dozens of inhabited systems, we were too weary to seek the stars once we found a home.”

“Understandable,” Spock said, “for war refugees.” The Vulcan never seemed to eat at these gatherings, and yet the captain knew his plate would be half empty when removed from the table.

“We try not to see ourselves that way. But there are our Days of Remembrance, and the Fast of Landing—when food stores waned before we were certain our new world’s flora was not poisonous to us—and so on. I suppose in our hearts we will always be refugees.”

“A shared experience,” Kirk said, looking for a bright side to the sad history, “binds a society together.”

His lips pursed again, Pippenge agreed. “Quite so. Quite so.” Uncomfortable with the awkward silence that followed, the ambassador waved his hand around to indicate the starship. “Your ship and her crew are a marvel, Captain.”

Kirk accepted the compliment modestly. “While your people’s efforts did not focus on space exploration, your science does exceed ours in many areas.”