6.
Chekhov sat to attention at his console.
"Mr. Spock! Sensors are registering a big explosion on the planet!"
Spock sprang from the Captain's chair to look through the Science Station's viewfinder. He returned to the chair and pressed a button on the armrest.
"Captain. This is the Bridge."
"Yes, Mr. Spock?" came the Captain's voice over the intercom. He did not sound pleased at the interruption.
"There has just been an explosion, Captain, on Andaras. A major explosion in the main city."
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Far-Ahn leapt to his feet, followed instantly by the Probend. The two men faced off across the table.
"You!"
"Don't you dare accuse us!"
"Gentlemen!" Kirk interrupted, relying wholly on the authority of his voice, because he found he had not the strength to get up in turn. In the corner of his eye he saw Spock enter the room. "We don't know the nature of this explosion. It could be of natural causes-"
"Terrorism!" barked Far-ahn.
"-Or your own rebels!" Sirus, the Kosian youth, fired off.
The Probend held up a hand to shut him up, but he did not break his fierce eye contact with the Andaran General. The room swelled with the silence that followed. Kirk knew he would lose control over the situation any second now, if he delayed, but he felt so very, very tired. He glanced at Isha and then across the table at his Andaran rival, Kiran. They were the only ones on either side of him who were projecting not anger, but a stricken sadness. And he felt for them.
"Mister Spock," he asked, and all eyes turned to the Vulcan. "Do you have more information?"
"The explosion was not caused naturally, Captain. The Andaran media are reporting many thousands of casualties."
"Captain," said Far-Ahn, "I have to go to right away."
"I too must go back to my city, Captain," said Obk. "No doubt we too are in a state of emergency."
"Of course," said Kirk, glad at least that the two had disengaged their personal confrontation, for now. "We will beam both of you to where you wish to go. But may I respectfully make two suggestions."
The General and the Probend looked at him. They were both in shock, of course, but Kirk also guessed that the fact that they were not literally at each other's throats at this very moment was a testimony to how far they had come in the negotiations. Kirk cursed inwardly, to see it all crumble in the matter of seconds. But he might still rescue the mission, that part of it at least that was up to him.
"I ask that you leave your diplomatic party here, and that, General Far-Ahn, you take Mr. Spock along. He can help you with the investigation and serve as a liaison with the Federation if you wish our assistance. And in the interest of a diplomatic solution, he can observe your inquiries and the results. I assure both parties here that he is entirely impartial."
Kirk knew it was a gamble. Far-Ahn, who had expressed his admiration for the strength of the Vulcan, would no doubt appreciate Spock's help, but was he confident enough to accept the First Officer as an observer? Had the Andaran reached the point where he could even contemplate further diplomacy?
Far-Ahn and Obk both gazed at Spock, who stood, hands clasped behind his back, awaiting their decision.
"I agree," Far-Ahn finally said, "on both accounts." That was all. He shot his men a forbidding look that seemed to be clear to them, and blustered out of the room. Kirk gave Spock a brief nod, and without further acknowledgement the Vulcan turned and followed the General.
Be careful, Spock.
Kirk addressed Obk. "I will escort you to the transporter room, Probend. But I suggest," he hurried, before those remaining at the table erupted in argument, "that both parties refrain from communicating with one another while the cause of this explosion is being determined. Please retire to your quarters."
They filed out, Kirk and the Probend in the rear.
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McCoy attached himself as soon as the Kosian General and the Captain left the room. He had a basic understanding of what had just happened, but he was not so foolish as to credit the calamity for the Captain's pallor.
"Do you have any idea who may be behind this, Probend?" Kirk was asking.
"I fear, Captain, that there are many in both our worlds who resist an entente."
McCoy was surprised to see Jim actually hang his head. The Probend had not missed the gesture either.
"I am deeply honored, Captain Kirk," said Obk, "and saddened that our plight affects you so!"
"Your plight, Probend, and the words you used just now, 'our worlds.' Just an hour ago you and General Far-Ahn spoke of 'our world,' one world shared by both Kosians and Andarans."
The Probend nodded thoughtfully. "I wish it were still so, Captain, but I am afraid that the burden is not upon me."
Kirk seemed to bristle at that statement.
"It may still be, Probend Obk," he responded rather too sternly to McCoy's ear, "if this explosion was of Kosian doing," he added with a quiet authority.
The Probend was so obviously taken back by the suggestion that McCoy feared for the man's goodwill toward the Captain and his mission.
"Yes," Obk said after a second, "you are right. There is that possibility."
"I am glad we understand each other, Probend," said Kirk.
They entered the transporter room.
"Have Mr. Spock and General Far-Ahn left, Ensign Dow?"
"They did, Sir, just a minute ago."
"I hope we may settle this yet, Probend," said Kirk to Obk.
"And so do I," the Probend said sincerely. He made his graceful little bow and stepped onto the platform.
"Energize," Kirk ordered.