George and Gracie
Chapter 06
6.1
"Chief Ironside, I would like you to meet the ship's doctor, Leonard McCoy. Your admirer there is Commander Sulu. And this is Captain Spock."
Ironside and his staff continued to stare at Spock. Kirk smiled. "I was telling you the truth, Chief. We are from the future. You are getting your first look at an extra-terrestrial. Mr. Spock is from the planet Vulcan. It is too far away for the technology of your time to see."
"Do you expect me to take your word that this man is being from another planet?" Ironside asked Kirk sarcastically.
"Admiral, if I would be allowed. I brought a tricorder along that has Chief Ironside's life recorded. I contacted the Guardian of Forever. It was quite helpful in allowing us to obtain footage that only Chief Ironside will recognize." Spock walked forward and set the instrument down on the table in front of the skeptical detective. He pressed the button.
An image appeared on screen. Ironside recognized himself as a boy playing cops and robbers with a neighbor boy. The chief was wearing a police uniform with a toy police badge pinned to his shirt.
"Where did you get this?" Ironside asked in bewilderment.
"The Guardian of Forever," Spock repeated. It has all of earth's history recorded. The lives of people who have had a major impact on history have been recorded."
"Did you ever wonder how the guardian knew who would have an impact on history? Just how did that damn thing know whose life to record?" Doctor McCoy wondered.
"I am just a simple cop," Ironside insisted. "I have made no impact on earth history."
Sulu's eyes widen. "Oh but you are wrong, Chief Ironside. You will solve more crimes that anyone one else in history. Your record still stands in our century."
The recorder continued showing Ironside graduating high school. It showed him taking part in college pranks. Ironside watched in fascination as a younger version of himself graduated from college and then entered the police academy.
His throat tighten when his wedding appeared on the small screen and he was reminded of a love long since gone. She was so beautiful and he, so young.
The tricorder continued with the cases Ironside handled as a new detective. The car crash that killed his wife appeared on the screen. Ironside felt a knot in his stomach.
And, as if he did not re-lived it in nightmares, the shooting that cut his legs out from underneath him was now on screen. Ironside shoved the tricorder away from him. "I do not know how you managed to get all of this but it doesn't prove a thing."
Kirk sighed. He could tell that they had struck a nerve. Ironside was clearly upset.
"I told you it would not convince him, Spock," McCoy said.
"It is illogical for Chief Ironside to ignore the facts that we are able to present him with," Spock said calmly.
"You and your logic!" McCoy sputtered.
"Chief Ironside is a logical man," Doctor.
"Chief, now that we have most of them together, would you like to put them under arrest?" Ed asked.
Mark was still staring at Spock. He had seen many strange people since he came to work for Ironside but he had never seen anyone quite like the man in front of him. "Why is your skin green?"
McCoy answered before Spock had a chance to. "Because he is a pointed eared, green blooded goblin!"
"Bones, you are not helping," Kirk said.
Spock walked to the kitchen and returned with a knife he had picked up. As he returned from the kitchen, walking toward Ironside, Eve and Ed drew their weapons and pointed them at him. "You take one step closer to the chief and I will shoot," Eve said.
Spock ran the knife across his forearm, cutting it just deep enough to start it bleeding. Green blood oozed from the wound.
Ironside looked at the man's green blood, raised his hand and said calmly, "Lower your weapons." Ed and Eve did as they were told while they stared at Spock forearm.
"Have you ever met anyone with green blood, Chief Ironside?" Kirk asked. "Does Spock appear to be human to you?"
"Only on St. Patrick's day," Ironside snarled. "And there are many medical mysteries out there."
Than Kirk had an idea. "Bones, heal Spock's wound."
"Admiral, these people have already seen way too much." McCoy complained.
"Do it Doctor. That is an order."
McCoy shook his head. He reached in his bag and pulled out something, placed it against Spock's arm. There was a hissing noise. The wound began to close. Within a few seconds, there was no trace what so ever that Spock had even taken a knife to his forearm.
The door burst open and Commissioner Randall came storming down the ramp. "Bob, what the blazes is going on? You were supposed ..." He stopped when he saw Spock. "Who the hell is this?"
"His name is Spock. He's a pointed eared green blooded goblin," Ironside said, his voice again slipping into sarcasm.
Randall glanced at Spock again and slowly returned his attention back to Ironside. "The defense department is driving me crazy. They demand to know just what the hell is going on." He looked at Kirk and company and said, "Who the hell are these people?"
"The space aliens we have been looking for," Ironside snarled.
Randall rolled his eyes. "Why aren't they under arrest?" Randall demanded.
Ironside had had enough of the last twenty-four hours. He had a headache that would not quit, things he could not explain and he was tired of dealing with these people who all belonged in mental institution ... if there was such a thing anymore. Furthermore, he was tired of his boss's demands and ranting.
Frustration had gotten the better of the detective. "Dennis, they are not under arrest because I am dealing with a Vulcan national. I am having a devil of a time finding anything in police procedures that deals with extradition to the planet Vulcan. There does not seem to be a treaty between San Francisco and Vulcan." Ironside's voice was so sarcastic that even Jim Kirk and his crew, with the exception of Spock were laughing along with Mark, Ed and Eve.
"Bob, this is not funny. The Defense Department is furious. Now put these people under arrest and contact Washington. That's an order, Bob."
Ironside shook his head, rubbed his temples and mumbled, "Where is a ray gun when you need one?"
"The Vulcan nerve pinch would accomplish the same thing, Chief Ironside," Spock said.
"What is the Vulcan nerve pinch? asked Ed.
"It is just something that Spock does to render a person unconscious," said Kirk. "I have tried to get him to teach it to me. Unfortunately it seems that it is something only a Vulcan do."
"Jim, we don't have time for this nonsense. We have to find Chekov, pick up those whales and get the hell out of here. I have had about all of this century I can handle."
"You know, Bones, you kind of remind me of Commissioner Randall," Kirk said.
"Bob! Are you listening to me?" Randall said in a raised voice. "The Defense department is out for blood."
"They won't be when they discover his is green," he said motioning toward Spock.
"Chief, don't you think you should take back control of this situation?" Eve asked trying to calm her boss and redirect his attention.
"Take back control," he thundered. "When have I ever had control of this situation?"
"Bob, enough of this nonsense. Are you going to arrest these people or not?" Randall demanded.
"Bones, I think it is time to do what we promised Chief Ironside," Kirk said.
"Jim we can't do that. This man is an important figure in crime detection. We could change history. We can't take that chance," McCoy insisted.
"We don't have a choice. Spock's tricorder did not work. It is the only way to convince Chief Ironside we are who we say we are."
"We can't do it Jim!" McCoy cried.
"Bob! What are you going to do?" Randall demanded again.
"Take back control. Kirk promised to tell me the truth if he can't make me walk again. So let's get on with it so I can find out just what the hell is going on."
"Oh for cripes sake, Bob. Just arrest them!"
"Dennis, if you don't keep quiet, I'll …"
"You'll what?" Randall challenged.
"I'll have Spock use he Vulcan nerve pinch," Ironside shouted in exasperation.
"Go ahead Bob. Let's just sink into the ridiculous," Randall said sarcastically.
Ironside watched as Spock moved toward Randall. "Be careful what you wish for, Dennis," he said with a smirk.
Spock stepped behind Commissioner Dennis Randall, reached up and placed his fingers where his neck met his shoulder and squeezed. Randall immediately began to drop to the floor. Spock caught him. Sulu moved to Spock's side to assist Spock is setting Randall down in a chair.
"That would come in handy when the chief refuses to go to bed at night," Mark said. "Are you sure you can't teach it?"
Ironside looked at his sleeping boss. "I may be reduced to consulting traffic cops when he wakes up."
"Doctor, may I suggest that Admiral Kirk is correct," Spock said. "The longer we are delayed the chances increase that our mission will fail."
"Isn't there another way?" McCoy complained.
"Doctor, would you like to join Commissioner Randall," Spock asked.
"Gentlemen!" Kirk reprimanded his men.
McCoy reached in to his bag and pulled out a small bottle of pills. He opened it and took one out of the bottle. The doctor placed the pill in Ironside's hand. "Take that Chief, and in about fifteen minutes, it will cause a fusion that will repair your spine and you will be able to get out of that wheelchair. This is against my better judgment."
"You are telling me this little pill will put me back on my feet?" Ironside said in disbelief.
"That is right, Chief Ironside," Kirk said.
"Chief, you can't take that pill," Eve protested.
"We don't have any idea what is in it," Mark complained.
"Chief, it could kill you for all you know," Ed warned.
"I assure you Chief Ironside, it will not kill you. There is nothing in it that will harm you. If will however, repair your spine," Kirk said.
"Okay, Kirk. Since you insist in playing this to its conclusion, I will play along. And when nothing happens, you better keep your end of the bargain."
"It will work, Chief and I will expect you to keep your end of the bargain."
"Eve, get me a glass of water," Ironside said to his policewoman.
"Chief! Ed, Mark and Eve all said at the same time.
"A glass of water, please." Ironside's voice was calm but stern. Eve went to the kitchen and pulled a glass out of the cupboard. Turning on the tap, she filled the glass with water. She returned to the table and set it down in front of the big detective.
Ironside put the pill in his mouth, picked up the water and washed it down. "You have fifteen minutes, Kirk and then I want the truth."
Jim Kirk sat down beside Ironside. He smiled and said, "Chief, you really die hard, don't you? Even after we have provided you with a film of your life, which you know very well, could not have been recorded. Then we presented Mr. Spock to you. You can't explain his green blood or appearance. Then there is the technology we have that doesn't exist in your century and yet you still don't believe a word we are saying."
"Mr. Kirk, I deal in facts. I don't know where you got that film. There was nothing there that indicated it was made anywhere but here on earth not by the Guardian of Yesterday."
"Guardian of Forever," Kirk corrected.
"Whatever. Then we have your technology. The military is experimenting with laser technology. They may not want to admit to me what technology they have developed. In fact, they more than likely would not. They could suspect you of stealing it. It could be why they have been hounding Dennis."
"Next, we have your Mr. Spock's green blood. I could quote to you dozens of medical mysteries. Spock's blood could very well be one of them. So far, Mr. Kirk, there is nothing that can't be explained logically." Ironside said.
"Logic! There is that damn word again," McCoy said. "You and Spock should get along well."
"Your nerve pinch is probably exactly that. A pinched nerve that cuts off the supply of blood to the brain, momentarily, that causes a person to faint," Ironside continued.
"Chief Ironside, would you consider subjecting yourself to a mind meld?" Spock asked.
"Sorry, but I don't think melting down my brain would improve it any," Ironside said, sarcasm returning.
"Meld, Chief, not melt." Kirk smiled. "You should try it, it will be illuminating."
"Oh why the hell not? If your Martian melts down my brain, I won't be aware of it when the commissioner fires me for knocking him out, not once, but twice."
"Vulcan," Kirk said.
"What?" Ironside asked.
"He's a Vulcan, not a Martian," Kirk corrected.
"What's the difference; he's green, isn't he?" Ironside barked.
"The difference is several light years, Chief." Sulu said with a smile.
Spock approached Ironside. He spread his fingers across the right side of his face and then did the same on the other side of his face with the other hand. He began to speak. "My mind to your mind. Our minds are one."
Ironside's head began to spin. Spock opened his mind to him. The detective was transported to another time, another century. A five year mission … to explore strange new worlds … to seek out new life and civilization …. Shore leave where one only need to imagine their wildest dreams … trouble with tribbles, pleasant little creatures that multiply faster than rabbits … a war with the Klingons, stopped by a superior race … transferred to the nineteen thirties to located the doctor. A woman had to die … a civilization based on the Chicago hoods of the thirties … a court martial of a captain, a computer tampered with to ensure his guilt … disobeying Starfleet orders to return Spock to the planet Vulcan to save his life … a sickness turning crew members into a crazed state, spread through contact … a captain, controlled by the tears of a queen promised in marriage in a truce between two civilization … a fight to the death of a captain and a Gorn … Miri, a young woman on a planet of three hundred year old children growing old in an instant as they reached puberty … Ambassador Sarak, journey to Babel with a killer aboard … a creature aboard the ship draining all the salt out of crewman's bodies, the last of her kind … one mission after another … photon torpedoes … shields … on screen … Captain to the bridge … Fire! … Kirk to Spock … He's dead, Jim … the legendary crew of the Starship Enterprise reunited … Kahn almost destroys the ship … the death of Spock … the Genesis planet … The search for Spock … Katra removed from McCoy … Spock lives ... the probe … a dying planet … humpback whales … time travel … San Francisco.
Spock broke the mind meld. Ironside came out of it. He sat there not moving, not speaking. He simply stared at Spock.
"Chief!" Ed yelled. "Are you alright? What did you do to him?" Eve and Mark were at his side.
"I assure you, your chief is unharmed," Spock told the detective's staff.
"What was that?" Ironside said. "Brain washing?" He continued to stare at Spock.
"I simply allowed you to see the future, ours in particular. What we will lose, what the future of this planet holds if you refuse to help us," Spock told him.
Ironside had a cramp in his leg. He reached down to ease it. Rubbing his calf to release it, he realized he could feel the rubdown he was giving it. But, that was not possible. He had no feeling in his legs. Why then could he feel his calf? If only he could just stretch his leg, rubbing it was not relieving the cramp. Without realizing what he was doing, Ironside stretched his leg out in front of him.
Eve gasped, shocked. Mark stood up, his eyes staring at Ironside's outstretched leg. Ed ran to Ironside's side. "Chief, you just moved your leg. I saw it!"
Kirk smiled. "The pill is repairing your spine. It won't be long and you will be able to get up out of that chair."
"It's not possible. The damage was permanent," Ironside said quietly, looking at his out stretched leg. He concentrated and lifted the toes on his other foot. Within a few minutes, Ironside had feeling from the top of his legs clear down to his toes. He stretched the other leg and bent his knee several times. Ironside had complete control of both legs.
"Unlike in this century, Chief, you will not have to learn to walk again. The repair is complete and it will signal the brain of the change. You will be able to stand up and walk away from that chair," Doctor McCoy told him. "Go ahead, give it a try.
"It is not possible," Ironside said again.
"Oh but it is, Chief," Kirk said. You are in the hands of twenty-third century medicine. Go ahead, Chief. Get out of the chair."
Ironside used his foot to move the foot pedals out of his way. He locked the break on the chair. He glanced over at Ed, Eve and Mark. Eve had tears in her eyes. Setting his feet down on the floor, he placed his hands on the arms of the chair and pushed himself to his feet. Ironside stood on his own two feet for the first time in years.
Eve began to cry. Both Ed and Mark watched their boss in awe as Ironside pushed the wheelchair back. He walked over to the ramp and back. It was as if he had never been shot. Years melted away and Ironside had his legs back. Eve ran to him and hugged him. He put his arms around her and kissed her cheek. Mark and Ed were both at his side. Each man gave him a hug.
"I don't believe it," Ed said. "If I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes, I would not believe it."
Mark had not said a word. He just stared at his friend. "Well, Mr. Sanger? Don't you have anything to say?" Ironside barked.
Mark grinned, "Yeah, I'm out of a job!" Eve and Ed laughed.
"Not a chance, Mr. Sanger. You are not getting off that easy."
"Chief," Kirk called out.
Ironside turned from his friends and looked at Kirk. "Everything you have told me has been the truth."
"Yes, Chief, it is. Now it is time for you to hold up your end of the deal."
"What is it you want from me?" Ironside asked.
"Sit down, Chief," Kirk said with a smile.
"I have been sitting down for years. I would rather stand."
McCoy and Sulu smiled. Spock stepped forward. "Unfortunately, we have drawn attention we had never intended. Everyone in your legal forces will obey you. We need your help getting past them."
"It is not going to be that easy, Captain Spock. The Defense Department is aware of your presence here. It will have to be done in such a way that no one knows we are helping you."
"Then you will help us," Doctor McCoy said.
"I gave Admiral Kirk my word," Ironside said. "Besides, if I don't help you this planet has no future."
"Chief Ironside, can you turn our communicators and phasers back over to us?"
Ironside nodded to Ed who picked them up and handed them to Kirk. "Now, I will need you to come back to the ship with us for the rest of the plan and we have to find Chekov."
"I know where Chekov is," Ironside said. "Mark, pull the van around."
"The van is not necessary. There is a quicker way," Kirk said. "Sgt. Brown, I would appreciate it if you and Officer Whitfield will stand by. You will be needed. But right now, we are going to take your boss with us."
"Chief, if you would step over here with us," Spock said.
Ironside walked over to the spot and stood beside Admiral Kirk. Kirk pressed a button on the communicator and said, "Kirk to Scott."
"Scott here, Admiral."
"Five to beam up."
"Stand by Admiral."
Mark, Ed and Eve watched as Kirk, his crew and Robert Ironside disappeared before their eyes.