The Flight to Safety
by Rob Morris
SEPTEMBER, 2268
*Captain's Log, Stardate 6822.75. All of our comfortable assumptions about Planet 892-IV have been destroyed. Claudius Marcus had a widening appetite for power, and he had the S.S. Beagle's old comm system. He is now under arrest, but his planet is awash in the weaponry the other powers placed here at his request. Starfleet has therefore ordered us to evacuate two of the rebel leaders from the pacifistic Children Of The Son, for their own safety, as Orion and Kzinti mercenaries conduct a ruthless hunt for them under orders of a provincial governor ruthless even by Rome's standards. Yet their stunning identities again challenge our assumptions. And that is hardly the only thing they challenge. Doctor McCoy has asked to not be here in the transporter room when they arrive, and I can well understand why.*
As the anticipation built, Uhura was the first to speak.
"Captain, this is partially my fault. I completely misinterpreted those audio transmissions when we last departed this world. I thought certain that they were speaking of an event that had long since occurred."
Kirk shook his head.
"Context, Lieutenant. No one could have expected this. No one did."
She stared at the still-empty pad.
"Its times like this I feel it worst. Like I'm a fool who talks about frequencies when she isn't talking about her fear."
The captain looked at her.
"You may choose to view it as though you were the only one who was afraid in that barbaric universe, Uhura. But the way I see it, you were the only one with courage enough to admit it."
Nurse Chapel asked Mister Spock a question.
"Suppose this isn't just parallel development? Suppose its all true, but the entire universe only gets two visits, then-end of story?"
Spock tried his best not to be dismissive.
"This will, Miss Chapel, still be the first such visit made to the starship Enterprise. Whether treated as a historological, sociological, or even a theological circumstance, I can only call it fascinating."
Scotty spoke to Chekov. The Scott family crest was in prominent view, as though to be shown off or touched by the appropriate person.
"Lad, are ye sure ye wish to be here? The implications are staggering, to say the very least."
Chekov shrugged.
"I considered vwhat my grandmother and my Rabbi vwould say, Meester Scott. If two Jews in distress from a pogrom are to be taken aboard, they vwould vwant me here to greet them. Besides, not to be snide, but it vwas our prophecy before it vwas yours."
The light smiles the two men exchanged were overshadowed by some unexpected words.
"Captain-I cannot perform my duty."
Winston Kyle seemed tearful, but though Spock took his place, there were no harsh words or looks. His shaking hands were well understood by all present. Spock received the ground signal.
"Captain-I am energizing."
As per arrangement, the two waiting were beamed aboard, a middle-aged man and his very young, very pregnant wife. Kirk nodded.
"I am Captain James T. Kirk. We welcome the two of you to safety here aboard the USS Enterprise."
The man nodded.
"I am Yossef, and this is my wife, Miryam. She is great with child."
Miryam grasped lightly at her stomach, but seemingly not in pain.
"A child I am soon to deliver, I think."
A man braver than any came through the doors from the hallway.
"I'll deliver your child. I am a Doctor. Its my duty. Please come this way with me."
And when Leonard McCoy helped to aid the simple miracle of new life, Captain Kirk and Mister Spock were, as always, by his side. Miryam delivered a healthy boy, named Immanuel-Bar-Yossef.
What might have followed this is left up to the reader.
