FOUR
"I know this must be quite a shock to you," said Kurok.
After the introductions, Kurok had insisted that they visit the temple. They returned to the obelisk and he pressed several of the engravings on the structure. A dark opening yawned before them like a crypt holding too many yesterdays. They passed within.
"To say the least," said Bones. "Miramani was dead. I saw her die."
"I told you, Doctor," said Kurok, "there is a medical library here that is beyond comprehension. The robots who maintain this place were able to save her, even after you had given up hope. And they were even able to save my son. Your son," he corrected looking at Jim.
Jim's head was swimming. He had hoped that by coming here, he might be able to let the dead bury the dead. Instead, the dead beckoned him back to a past and a self that he had thought coldly entombed.
"When I emerged from the obelisk a second time," explained Kurok, "the villagers were even more convinced that I was a god. Even Kalish no longer doubted me. They had seen me die. And I had come back from the dead.
"They had placed Miramani's body on the altar. It has been their custom for memory out of time. They don't bury their dead. They stretch them on the altar to be accepted by the gods, and the skies.
"That night, the robots took her body to the medical facilities here and she was restored. Of course, all the villagers were convinced that I had done it. At first, I tired to explain it to them, but they were far too primitive to understand most of the things that I could teach them.
"Eventually, I was able to convince the villagers that I wasn't a god. Just a traveller from the stars. I'm not sure they completely believe me yet. But each day I teach them a little more. Eventually I think that at least some of them will understand. And soon I hope to include this planet in the Federation of Planets.
"So I began to improve the quality of their lives. We constructed the buildings that now make up the village. And there have been other improvements. I've tried not to change them too swiftly or too drastically. Little by little I'll continue to make additions."
"Isn't that a wiolation of the Prime Directive?" asked Chekov.
"No," said Kurok. "I'm no longer a member of Star Fleet. And I'm a member of this tribe. The non-interference directive no longer applies to me."
"He is correct," said Spock. "The Prime Directive applies only to Star Fleet ships and personnel."
"Sam," said Jim finally. "My son."
"Yes," said Kurok. "I named him after our brother. I've told everyone that you and I are brothers, Jim. To explain why we look so much alike. And so that they will accept you more readily.
"I have all your memories, Jim," he continued. "The death of Sam and his wife on Denoba. All your missions and training. It was very hard when I first realized that I could never leave this planet again.
"So I immersed myself in studying the obelisk. When I discovered what it was, I knew that the Federation had to be made aware of it. I also knew that the planet would be considered forbidden territory because of the Prime Directive.
"But once I discovered the sub-space radio, I knew I could contact the Federation. There was much too much to explain. I had to get someone to come here. So that I could explain things fully."
"So you used the Captain's command code," said Spock. "Ingenious. You knew that Star Fleet would give it top priority because a command code was used. But, how did you know the Enterprise would be the one to answer the call?"
"I asked for the Enterprise," said Kurok. "The message I sent stated simply that there was something here that was vitally important to the Federation. But that it could only be shown to Captain James T. Kirk. If they sent anyone else, they wouldn't find anything."
"Why?" demanded Jim, suddenly exploding with rage. "If you have my memories, then you knew what Miramani's death did to me? Why subject me to this?"
"Because I knew how you'd react," said Kurok. "I knew that Spock and Bones would be with you. And that they would help you.
"Yes, I knew how Miramani's death affected you. I also knew that the one thing you had to know was that she was alright. And I felt you had the right to know that you had a son."
Jim glared at Kurok. His own eyes stared back at him, like holding a mirror in front of a mirror, one image reflecting itself reflecting itself into infinity. Which one was real?
And why not? said a portion of Jim's mind. He's a clone of you. In all likelihood, he's exactly like you. Or are you like him?
Jim didn't know what to do. His relief at seeing Miramani alive and well and knowing that he had a son was countered by the vividly painful memories of his first visit here. And of the realization that, no matter what happened, he'd have to leave again. Say goodbye to Miramani again."