For the World is Hollow and I Have Touched the Sky
DISCLAIMER: I don't and will never own the rights to Star Trek or anything else. I am not making any money from this what so ever, honest.
I woke up to a headache and the sight of a very concerned Kirk leaning over me.
"Bones, how is it?"
For a moment I wonder where we are and what he means by that question. I look at his face, etched with worry and it all comes flying back. We are on ship that has an appearance of an asteroid and the people living on it believe that they are living on a planet.
I have Xenopolycythemia.
There is no cure.
I have one year to live.
I am … dying.
"I'm all right," I said, not willing to admit that I'm in pain. I am not going to let Spock know I was anything other then fine; I don't want anyone to treat me differently. I look around the room we are in so I don't have to stare into Kirks worried gaze any longer; he is still leaning over me and I now notice that Spock too is standing by me.
"Are you all right, Mr. Spock?" I ask, hoping to distract the attention away from me. Is it just me or do I see emotion in those eyes - sadness and pity? No, he has no reason to suspect anything about my current condition; maybe I am just being paranoid.
"Very well, Doctor. The Captain and I seem to have suffered no ill effects" replied Spock.
Fantastic and I feel dizzy.
I continue to look at Spock and as I look into his eyes there is no hint of any emotion that I thought I saw just a second ago, yes I must have just imagined it. "Oh, that oracle really got to me" I said as I try to push myself up, but sensing my struggle Spock took hold of my arm and began to help me up. "I must be especially susceptible to its magic spells" I said this more to Jim, willing, or warning him not to make a big issue about it. However before I even finish my sentence I notice that Spock's hand is still resting on my shoulder. Jim notices that I noticed.
He wouldn't …
I glance at him and he nods his head in answer to my silent question.
He didn't …
"Spock knows" he says gently.
He did. I look back at Spock and wince in surprise at the concern evident in his eyes and quickly glance away. I can't even keep eye contact with him. I am angry with Jim at revealing my secret but at the same time I understand why he broke my confidence. I was incapacitated longer then either of them and Spock would only question why that was. Kirk knew that I wouldn't have told Spock myself, he probably thinks he has a right to know, it was only logical that Spock should know about my condition, logical. Oh what am I saying!? Of course Spock should know about … about my illness. We seldom show the affection I know is there between us, does he even know I wonder how much I value his friendship. Knowing that my friends both know makes the truth so much harder to face. I just wish things could go back to the way they were, that's why I came on this mission, to show myself that nothing has …
"Well, we better get to the control room" I said to break the uneasy silence that has fallen over us after Kirk's announcement. I stood up; pulling myself free of Spock's grasp as I tell myself this is no time to dwell on such matters. If I am going to be mad at Jim, I'd do it later when we were back on the Enterprise. For now we have a mission to complete: getting the people to understand that they are not on a planet, get the ship to change course, find our communicators and … damn! My head hurt. Maybe I should just leave the thinking and planning to Jim as usual.
"Are you in any condition to get up?" Jim asks worriedly. This annoys me greatly, he acts if I am about to die at his feet right here and now.
"Don't worry, I can make it Jim," I assure him, trying not to let my irritation show. However judging from the look he gives me I am unsuccessful.
"Captain, informing these people they are on a ship may be a violation of the Prime Directive of Starfleet Command" said Spock back to business, his eyes now not even hinting at the concern that they held a moment ago. I don't know if he had intended it as such, but Spock has my gratitude; not that I would ever admit to such a thing, for changing the subject as it forces Jim to turn his attention away from me. It also gives Jim something more urgent and pressing to think about while I will the pain in my head to go away. Damn that oracle!
"No," Jim answers. I stop rubbing my head as I pull my attention back to the conversation at hand. No? What is Jim on about? Of course it was, even I could see that and I am a doctor. Maybe that shock he received from that blasted oracle had fried one too many of his brain cells.
"The people of Yonada may be changed by the knowledge," he went on to explain sensing my disagreement and Spock's intrigue, "but it's better than exterminating them."
"Logical, Captain" replies Spock. Oh how I hate that word. Logical yes, but it would still be interfering with the culture's natural progress.
"And the three billion of Darren V" continued Jim, reinforcing his answer.
"Also logical, Captain" said Spock.
I swear if he says logical one more time! But before I say anything I notice that we have company. "Gentlemen I believe we have a visitor" I said bringing Kirk and Spock's attention to the visitor who is still hovering in the doorway. The visitor is an old man dressed in red and white robes that we previously saw worn by the people that live on this ship. He looks around nervously; as if he is not supposed to be here and when he saw we were indeed alone he came towards us.
"For strength," he said as he gave something to each of us from out of his poach. "Many of us have felt the power of our Oracle," the old man explained. I smell what he placed in my hand. "This has been of benefit." I taste it and it tastes like herbs, I would have preferred something stronger but I am not going to be picky.
"Tastes like an ancient herb derivative" I inform the Captain, knowing that he would want to know what he had been given and that it is not harmful.
The old man steps back to regard us; taking in our appearance, gazing at our Starfleet uniform, to him no doubt it would be a strange sight. "You are not of Yonada?" he asks although to me it sounds more like a statement then a question.
"No, we're from outside your world" said Kirk as he nods his head in answer.
"Where ... is outside?" the stranger asks hesitantly, as if afraid the answer would contradict - or confirm - what he thought he already knew.
Jim looked up at the ceiling and motions up with his head. "Up there, outside, up there, everywhere." I cringe; sometimes Jim can be so vague. I gaze at Spock, surprised that he doesn't attempt a further and more scientific explanation to the old mans question.
"So they say, also," agrees the man with a wince. "Many years ago," he confides, "I climbed the mountains, even though it is forbidden." Again that curious wince, it looks as if he needs to take more of the herb derivative himself.
"Why is it forbidden?" Jim further probes.
"I'm not sure" the old man replies in pain, it seems to be increasing as now I can hear it clearly in his voice now. "But things are not …" a hand went to his head, "… not as they teach us." He cries out as he forces out his last words. "For the world is hollow and I have touched the sky."
With theses final words, he screams and begins to fall to the ground. I reach out to catch him and lower him down on to the floor. To my surprise I find that he is not merely unconscious but dead. I kneel over him to try to find out what has caused him to suddenly die and as I take a closer look at him I then notice that something seems to be buried under his skin.
"What is it, Bones?" Jim enquires, noticing my sudden curiosity.
"There's something under the skin" I answer as I touch the point on the man's temple where he had previously been holding it. There, yes I am right in my assumptions as there is something small and circular that glowed red and then went out. What is it? Is this what had caused him so much pain that it had killed him? My musings were cut short as I look back up at the Captain who began speaking again.
"For the world is hollow," spoke Jim softly as if by repeating them he could understand the importance of the words that the man had died for and commit them to memory. "And I have touched the sky."
I sighed.
What the hell have we gotten ourselves into this time?!
AUTHOR NOTE: So what do you think? Please review, I greatly appreciate it – it makes my day.
