James T. Kirk had given himself twelve hours to do what needed to be done.
Five of that limited time period had already passed in crossing the barren, windswept valley, and climbing into the pale and rocky mountains of Delta Vega, leaving seven before the Enterprise was to break orbit. Another hour before they could even come within communications range of the nearest starbase, and then another three or four before the proper equipment to bombard this planet with lethal radiation.
Seven more hours, which would be far too long to provide any margin of safety, as the pair on the planet continued to evolve and grow. The longer the ship remained in orbit, the more likely it was that it would be impossible to stop Gary Mitchell and Liz Dehner. Already their powers were reaching-- perhaps grasping at the ship that awaited word from the one who would command her.
A word that would never come.
"Pray to me, Captain." The demand echoed, even over the faint sound of wind whistling through the blue-gray of the stones around them, "Pray that you die easily."
On his knees now, Jim Kirk could only force the words that he hoped would sway Denher, the only person who could help him now. His arms were forced up to clasp in worship towards the man he had known for fifteen years.
"There'll be only one of you in the end." He tried, jerking as his old friend gestured, yanking at his throat, as though to stop the words that would come next; The words in his mind . "One jealous god, if all this makes a god. Or does it make you something else?"
Did the words even register with Elizabeth Dehner, or had she lost whatever humanity that he had seen-- hoped for-- gambled on?
Gary raised his hand again, the choking paralysis tightening around him as though every single cell in his body were turning against him. The touch of something alien brushed against his mind-- not gently, but with a touch that gave hints of pain yet to come. Kirk realized that he was going to die, and if he did not warn them, so would the Enterprise.
Dr. Dehner silently moved to just behind Gary's left shoulder, blond hair blurring as the darkness began to creep over Kirk. Silver eyes glowed at him, impassively as any Vulcan Jim had ever known.
He had failed.
Instead of fighting against the grip of the new gods probing into his thoughts, Kirk gave in to the gravity. He fought to move for the communicator at his belt. He had to tell them…
Tell them what?
"Don't be a fool, James." Gary's voice came through the tunnel. "There's no use fighting any longer."
No use fighting, but he did anyhow.
Fingers touched metal, pried the device open.
"Kirk to Enterprise." the captain gasped out, using a strength born of despair. "Break orbit immediately. Repeat, break--"
A booted heel came down on the hand, smashing the communicator away to skitter against the solid rock. A flash of blond in what was left of the peripheral vision.
Total darkness claimed him.
'Death', Kirk reflected for a final infinite moment, 'isn't all that bad.'
And then it began.