Chapter 6
About an hour after breakfast, Spock's prediction came true, but Kirk wasn't at all sure they were learning anything useful. This time, they were not transported as a group to the holodeck for another episode. Instead, they were beamed out one at a time; at least, Kirk assumed that's what happened, since one by one, they each disappeared. Kirk was last, though there was no time to ponder that fact. He found himself deprived of sight. At first, he thought the transporter had malfunctioned. But since he had all other senses, he concluded that he must be in a place where there simply was no light.
It seemed he was in a box - about two feet by two feet, and at least ten feet tall. He explored all the surfaces he could reach with his hands, and could find no break in the walls or floor. However, there was air circulation; he could both feel it and hear it. So the vents must be well over his head. After several attempts to jump high enough to reach the vents, he gave up, concluding there was no way out of this black box - other than the way he got in, which was completely out of his control. Curbing his instinct to fight his way out, he decided patience was in order, and tried to get comfortable. He discovered that he could actually sit down, if he wedged himself in diagonally.
As his body relaxed, he began to think of other things. He wondered if any of the crew had a problem with claustrophobia. He couldn't remember reading it in anyone's personnel file, but McCoy would know for sure. He realized he was assuming everyone was experiencing the same thing he was. Which brought him back to the same 'why' question: What was the purpose of all this? He was tired of spinning his wheels on the same unanswered question. In fact, he was just plain tired. Maybe he could take a nap while he was waiting.
As his mind wandered, he remembered the time Sam had locked him in the closet, and he smiled. He'd been in there for hours, because his brother had forgotten about him. Mom had been so mad, she had made Sam do his chores for him for a week. He hadn't been the least bothered by the experience, but he let Mom think he'd been absolutely terrified. Sam had been furious, of course, but it had been worth it. He couldn't even remember what Sam had done to get even, but he did remember what he had done to keep from being frightened. He simply pretended he was lost in space in an escape pod. He was down to his last oxygen tank when Mom found him. It had been a great game. Oh, the joys of youth, when everything was a game! He hoped the present circumstances were more than a game.
Shortly after he drifted off to sleep, he was startled into full wakefulness by the sound of a voice. It was a male voice and it spoke in Standard, but there was something odd about the way it spoke. After a moment, he realized what it was: There was no inflection - no sense that the voice understood the words that it was speaking. Another clue to the alien's technology: They had a translator, but it needed better programming. Perhaps, Spock and Uhura could assist them - if they ever got a chance. Suddenly, his mind registered the meaning of the words he was hearing:
"You are alone. The others are gone. You are the only one left. To save themselves, the others have betrayed you. I required a single specimen of your race. They decided you were the most suitable, so they gave you to me in exchange for their freedom. You now belong to me, and you will never see your people again."
Kirk knew immediately that it was a lie. While he was prepared to pay such a price and his people knew it, he also knew they would never agree to it. The message repeated without variation every ten minutes or so, for about an hour. Kirk tried responding aloud, but that did nothing to alter the message. He was getting pretty annoyed with the whole thing, when he noticed an additional sentence tacked on the end.
"I have provided images of your people for your comfort."
Shortly after that comment, Kirk again found himself in their quarters. As he picked himself up off the floor, the others appeared one by one. Kirk observed them carefully. He figured that bit about the images was a lie too, but he was trying not to make assumptions. Spock was unruffled, as usual. Everybody else blinked rapidly in the suddenly restored light. Chekov was pale and sweating. Maybe he was claustrophobic. Better not embarrass him by asking if he's okay. All had stood and were looking to him for direction. None of the usual banter, so Kirk decided they could all use a little dose of Mr. Spock. He gestured them to the chairs around the table.
"Mr. Spock, report please."
Spock gave a blow-by-blow description of his experience, which matched Kirk's own exactly. When he got to a verbatim recitation of the alien's message, it was obvious by their facial expressions that everyone had heard exactly the same words. Spock concluded his report, then paused. Kirk waited, sure that Spock would continue with an analysis.
"Before we proceed to an analysis of this new information, you doubtless wish some means to verify that we are all real, and not merely images." Spock steepled his fingers.
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"I know of only one way to be certain, Captain."
"I'm reluctant to do that unless it's absolutely necessary. We've dealt with look-alike imposters before."
"True, Captain, but those imposters were revealed through abnormal behavior, or lack of knowledge of personal history. However, we cannot be sure the aliens are unable to duplicate our memories and ways of behaving."
"The first part of the message was an obvious lie. Wouldn't it be logical to assume the last part is also a lie?"
"Yes, it is logical, but it remains an assumption. Consider for a moment the reason behind the aliens' message. It is obviously designed to make us distrustful of one another. It is most logical to employ all means within our grasp to battle such distrust."
"Well," McCoy interrupted, "I, for one, do not need to be convinced. I have never seen a more typical conversation between you two. Spock is arguing for permission to do something we all know he doesn't want to do, and you, Jim, are trying to talk him out of it, even though you know that arguing with Spock's logic is a waste of time."
At this, everyone laughed and the tension was broken.
"You are right, of course," Kirk admitted. "I am remiss in assuming we are all equally convinced. Distrust is an insidious enemy. We must not allow it entrance. So, does anyone have any doubts about the reality of the rest of us?"
Scotty voiced his doubt reluctantly. "Beggin' the Captain's pardon, and I know it's uncomfortable fer Mr. Spock, but it would be good ta be certain."
No one else spoke, but Kirk felt they agreed with Scotty, without wanting to say so. He looked at Spock, who read assent in his eyes, and rose to comply without further words. Spock melded with two at a time, briefly for identification only. He made his way around the circle, finishing with Kirk and McCoy.
Spock, I'm sorry, and thank you.
No apology is needed, Jim, and you are welcome.
Bones, is Chekov claustrophobic?
Yes, and thanks for not mentioning it.
Spock broke the meld and returned to his seat.
"Thank you, Mr. Spock. And now, I repeat my question: Does anyone have any doubts about the reality of the rest of us?"
This time, he got negative affirmations from everyone.
"Opinions, anyone, on the purpose behind the black box or the message full of lies?"
Uhura spoke first. "It doesn't seem like the box itself was intended as torture, just to isolate us from each other."
"I can think of vorse tortures, if I tried hard."
"Sorry, Pavel," replied Sulu. "But, I agree with Uhura. They couldn't know if any of us are claustrophobic. I don't see why they put us in darkness though."
McCoy answered, "Makes the message more sinister and powerful. Don't you read any horror stories? That's always how it's done. Mankind's been afraid of the dark ever since Adam and Eve."
Scotty changed the subject. "But the message - Did they really expect us ta believe such poppycock?! I almost laughed, it was so ludicrous."
"I did laugh," Sulu admitted. "It was hysterical. Like an old movie- a bad, old movie."
"It vas pretty blatantly obvious," put in Chekov.
Uhura said, "The real question is why are they trying to get us to distrust one another?"
Kirk agreed. "If we could answer that question, we'd be a lot closer to knowing why we're here in the first place, besides trying to avert galactic war, that is. Theories, Spock?"
"Only the obvious: to see if they can."
"Explain."
"If we assume that there is a logical reason behind all of this, then it seems apparent that we are under observation. The reason for this observation is as yet unknown. The various episodes on the holodeck may have been designed to observe us in action - how we work together as a team. This room may well be monitoring how we interact when we are not working. Our behavior in the black box may also be monitored using infrared lenses. The purpose of the false message may be to determine our response to it, much as they wished to know how we dealt with the lion and the bear."
"An internal enemy rather than an external one."
"Wait a minute!" McCoy was alarmed. "We went several rounds each with the lion and the bear. Are you telling me there's more of this distrust business coming?!"
"Quite possibly, Doctor."
"And like as not, there'll nae be time fer mindmelds," Scotty observed darkly.
"We'll just have to take it as it comes. I trust all of you to use good judgment in making decisions. Just remember two things: None of us knows the rules to this game, and second, the rules are subject to change without notice. Now, let's see if they'll give us time for lunch."
Kirk not only had time to eat, but time to talk with each of his people individually. They seemed in good spirits, and handling the crisis well, even Chekov. He was not looking forward to more black box time, but neither was he panic-stricken at the thought. Kirk admired his courage, and told him so. Kirk was debating the futility of trying to take a nap, when transport began again. Since they disappeared individually, Kirk was not surprised to find himself again in the black box. This time the message began almost immediately, and was repeated at odd intervals - sometimes almost without break, sometimes with a break of about five minutes. The content of the message was different, but its intent was obviously the same - to engender distrust.
"You are alone. The ring is broken. You have been betrayed. The others cannot be trusted. One of them has betrayed you. He has deceived you and is continuing to make fools of all of you. He has broken faith with everything you stand for."
There was more, all of it talk of betrayal, deceit, and distrust. This went on for an hour or more. At some point during that hour, Kirk realized that if he did not actively fight this mentally, he would likely come out of there acting as if it were true. So he began reciting his own litany out loud.
"I trust Spock. I trust him implicitly. I trust Spock with my life. I trust Bones. I trust him implicitly." He repeated it for each of the six others, then started over again with Spock. Somewhere in the middle of the sixth or seventh repetition, he was transported out of the box. After a moment of disorientation, he recognized the jungle terrain of the dinosaur episode. As each of his crew appeared, he observed their demeanor, looking for chinks in their armor. As far as he could tell, everyone was holding up well. He counted heads and realized Spock was missing.
"No time for debriefing right now. We've got to find Spock. Teams of two, just like before. Sulu with Scotty; Uhura with Chekov; Bones with me. Talk as you walk. It may be the only chance we have. Our best defense against distrust is to keep communicating with each other. Let's go."
Kirk and McCoy started hacking through the jungle, as the others were doing in other directions. Kirk was pleased they all had responded readily to his instructions.
"Jim, how are you doing?"
"I'm fine. How are you holding up?"
"I'll survive. But that's not what concerns me."
"I'm not bleeding again. Really, I'm not."
"I didn't think you were. I want to know how you feel about this trust and betrayal business."
"My reading of the crew is they're handling it okay."
"Jim, I'm asking about you, not them."
Kirk stopped walking and faced McCoy.
"You mean, you think maybe I'm starting to believe it and wondering which one of you has betrayed us?"
"Well, no. I guess I just want to hear you say you don't have any doubts."
"Bones, it'll take a great deal more than audio tapes in a black box, before I'll believe any of us guilty of betrayal. And I'm not about to be brainwashed!"
"How do you propose to avoid it? Ear plugs aren't in plentiful supply."
"By countering it with my own litany of truth. Try it, it works!" Kirk resumed walking; McCoy followed.
"At least, they quit trying to convince us that everybody else was a hologram."
"What's your reading on the crew? Is everyone okay?" Kirk asked.
"This part of the crew's barely holding my head above water."
"Bones! You really believe that stuff?"
"No, but I wonder what they'll resort to next. This tactic is obviously not working."
"You worry too much."
"That's my job. What are you going to do when they get serious about making us distrust each other?"
"Take it as it comes. I can't know what to do, until I know what they do next. Besides, the real question is, why are they doing it?"
Kirk's communicator went off. It was Sulu. He and Scotty had found Spock. Everybody was okay. Kirk sent all teams back to the glade, and was not surprised when transport occurred almost immediately. He was not prepared, however, to be back in the black box for more of the same audio tapes. The aliens were tenaciously pursuing the same theme. Why couldn't they just take 'no' for an answer? Kirk was getting tired of it. Then he realized that was exactly what they were trying to do: Get him so tired, mentally and emotionally, that he would give in to the brainwashing. Well, maybe they would get him in the end, but they were in for a long fight first.
Sometime later, he was again transported. This time, he was the dinosaur victim. Tied hand and foot to a heavy log on the ground, he was completely helpless.
When it became obvious that the Captain was the one missing, they all turned to Mr. Spock for direction.
"I see no reason to vary the Captain's tactics. Teams of two, then. Mr. Scott, would you accompany me?"
"Certainly, sir."
Sulu went with Uhura; McCoy with Chekov. Chekov and McCoy found Kirk.
Kirk heard Chekov talking to Bones about the phasers. Immediately, the dinosaur began to take an interest in Kirk.
"It's easy, Dr. McCoy. You've already done this twice. Just remember to shoot at the same time I do. It takes the power of both phasers to knock out the dinosaur. Unless you vant me to reset for kill..."
"No, no. I can handle it."
"There he is! Ve're just in time, as usual. Now, doctor!"
Their phasers took out the dinosaur, who landed with its head practically in Kirk's lap. Chekov untied Kirk while McCoy called Spock. Kirk had just started talking to Chekov, trying to draw him out to share how he was doing, when they were again transported back to the black boxes. Kirk was annoyed, then remembered how much worse it must be for Chekov. He must not lose any opportunity to encourage him, and each of the crew. This had to be hard on all of them, except maybe Spock. They were spending three or four times as long in the boxes as in any episode. Could this possibly mean that the reason behind all this had something to do with distrust and betrayal? But it didn't make any sense to him.
The next transport put him in the forest of the bear episode. At first, he couldn't place it, but as the others appeared around him, he recognized the boulders. This was the site of the fortress where they sat on top of each other. He could hardly believe they were going to let him talk to his people, but he wasn't about to waste it.
"We have no idea how much time they'll give us, but they probably want to know if we'll still consent to such close quarters. Anybody want to opt out?" No one said a word. "By that I deduce you mean you'd like to, because you're tired of cramped spaces, but no one wants to miss this chance to talk. So, let's get this fort built. I'm going to talk while we work. I hope we'll have time for everybody to share thoughts and feelings, but there's a couple of things I want to say first."
He picked up a large branch and placed it between two boulders. "Some of this is obvious. Don't believe anything you hear in the black box. Make them prove its truth. I've found two effective ways to battle the lies in the black box. First, make up your own litany of truth and recite it out loud any time the tape's playing. Second, get angry. Refuse to let them win this battle of the mind." He paused. "I want to communicate some truth to you. I don't believe any one of us is guilty of betrayal. I trust each and every one of you with my life." He made eye contact with each one as he continued. "Chekov, I trust you. Uhura, I trust you. Scotty, I trust you. Sulu, I trust you. Bones, I trust you. Spock, I trust you."
They settled themselves in the fortress. Kirk went on. "I know this is hard for each of you. If they'll let us, I'd like for each of you to take a couple of minutes to share - anything you want to say. Uhura, would you like to start?"
"Yes, Captain, thank you. I really appreciate what you just shared. I was starting to get discouraged. I don't really believe all that stuff, but it's hard to keep it out of my mind. Now that I see it as a battle with some defense strategy, I think I can fight it better. And I want to start by speaking the same truth: I trust you all with my life. Captain, I trust you. Sulu, I trust you." She continued around the circle, just as Kirk had done.
Each sharing that followed included similar affirmations of trust. Kirk was surprised the aliens let them continue. He realized this was exactly what his people needed to give them renewed determination to fight and win this battle. Spock was last.
"I am intrigued that this conversation has been allowed to continue uninterrupted. It is not logical to permit us to reinforce our defenses. Perhaps, I have misunderstood their intent. Nevertheless, I too wish to reaffirm my trust in each of you. I do not doubt the integrity and loyalty of any of you. I would not hesitate to place my life in your hands. There is nothing they can say that will change my assessment of your character and abilities."
There followed a flurry of changes, back and forth from the box to the holodeck for parts of various episodes. They spent no more than five minutes in the box before the next episode. Most episode portions were repeated at different times. Kirk lost track of how many times they repeated the last bear scene or the last lion scene. The mental stress was terrific: Figure out which scene they were in, respond quickly and appropriately, including instruction and encouragement, battle the lies in the box, and on to the next scene. However, it was the physical stress that finally got to Kirk. Because McCoy wasn't able to dress his wounds, he continued to lose blood. Every time they redid that scene, the pain got worse. McCoy was fit to be tied, and even Spock looked concerned, but there was nothing Kirk could do about it.
Finally in the last bear scene, he was unable to pick up Spock and throw him free. He fell to his knees beside Spock, wondering how long it would take the bear to maul him sufficiently to lose consciousness. Instead, he was back in the black box. That lasted less than three minutes. Then, he was on the grassy plain, charging the lion. Only he was staggering, not running, and the lion knocked him down, rather than vice versa. He had no strength to fight the lion, but it managed to inflict the exact same wounds one more time. Spock subdued it, and then they were back in their quarters. Kirk was too exhausted to stand, so he lay on the floor and let McCoy fuss over him. Uhura brought him a welcome glass of water. He was pretty dehydrated.
McCoy glanced up. "Thank you, Uhura. We need to get as much water in him as possible. These wounds need disinfecting again, but he's not strong enough to stand it, so if you'll bring me another bedsheet, I'll patch him up right here."
"Bones, do it now," croaked Kirk.
"Jim, you can't even stand up!"
"I'll manage. Just get me to the shower. I'd much rather get it over with now than later. Maybe I'll even pass out, so you can work in peace."
McCoy sighed. "Okay. It would be better if we can clean them now."
Spock lifted Kirk to his feet and held him up when he almost blacked out. Spock would have let him try to walk, but Kirk knew it would be easier for Spock to just carry him.
"Never mind my dignity."
So Spock picked him up and carried him. The head was crowded with three people in it, but Kirk couldn't have managed without Spock, and all three of them knew it. As it was, Spock got in the shower with him and held him from behind, while McCoy cleaned the wounds. Kirk could feel Spock giving him strength and taking a large measure of his pain, as well. The result was that when McCoy was finished, Kirk was stronger than when they began. He could stand and walk unassisted, and his eyes were clear rather than clouded with pain. When McCoy noticed this, he turned to Spock.
"I didn't think you could do that without putting a hand on his face."
"Both my hands were occupied, Doctor. Also, it might not have been successful with a stranger."
"In other words, you had no idea whether it would work, but it was worth a try."
"I believe that was implied in what I said, Doctor."
"Thank you, Spock," said Kirk.
"Perhaps, you would have preferred unconsciousness?"
"That would have delayed recovery, and time is something we're running short of."
"Jim, you're still badly dehydrated. I want you drinking as much water as you can consume, and it still won't be enough, but without an IV, it'll have to do."
"Understood, Doctor. Now, let's continue this conference in larger quarters."
They left the head and convened a briefing around the table. Kirk asked Spock to summarize the situation, then opened the meeting for discussion. They were all concerned about him, so he assured them he was fine, and made a joke about all the water McCoy was making him drink. They relaxed, as he intended. Only Spock and McCoy knew how 'fine' he wasn't. He would not survive another day like the one they had just had. Hopefully, he wouldn't have to try. Discussion of options alternated between continued cooperation and various kinds of boycotts. They even discussed making a self-destruct bomb, hoping to take out the aliens with them.
"Scotty, could you come up with the materials to do that?"
"I might ha' trouble convincin' the food replicator that uranium was edible, but I'd be willin' ta give it a try, sir."
"I'm not that desperate yet, but keep it in mind."
"Captain, it is very unlikely the aliens would permit us to work on such a project long enough to finish it."
"I'm aware that they are monitoring this and every conversation. At least, I'm hoping they are."
"I see. You are telling them to 'put up or shut up'."
"Obliquely, yes. We are running out of time. I need some answers."
"Any plans for getting those answers would also have to be discussed obliquely."
"Yes, Spock, they would." Kirk was beginning to think Spock had a plan.
"Even the admission of having such plans would probably negate the possibility of successful results."
"Understood." Now, he was sure Spock had a plan.
"I ask only that you remember who dictated the theme whose variation I write."
"You lead; I'll follow."
Spock rose and began pacing, seeming agitated - most un-Spock-like behavior. The crew watched him cover the distance between bulkheads for several minutes. Finally, he turned, pointed a long finger at Kirk, and announced in a stentorian voice:
"I don't trust you! I've tried for years to work with you and your human crew. I find you illogical, emotional, and sensationalist. You, Doctor," moving his pointer, "are full of bigoted sarcasm. Mr. Scott, you care for nothing but your precious engines. Mr. Chekov, you think everything was invented by Russians. Mr. Sulu, you are a hot-shot pilot, who thinks he can do anything. Ms. Uhura, you waste your time trying to entice me with your feminine charms."
Kirk was on his feet with clenched fists. "How dare you attack my crew!"
"And you, James Kirk, are a self-absorbed glory-seeker. You do nothing that does not benefit self. All this talk of loyalty and sacrifice makes me sick. You disgust me. I hope these beings we're trying to talk to have more intelligence than you do. I can no longer tolerate your presence."
He turned his back, walked across the room and stood facing the wall with his arms folded across his chest. Kirk remained staring at his back and observed a twitch when the room erupted in indignation and outrage. As usual, Bones was the most vocal complaint.
"Jim! Are you gonna let him get away with that? I have half a mind to go punch him in the teeth."
"Leave him alone, Bones."
"Why are you staring at him?"
"I'm looking daggers into his back." Spock's back twitched again. In reality, Kirk was watching carefully to see if Spock's plan worked. He had never seen a more masterful performance. He would not have believed Spock capable. He had known exactly what Spock was doing, and yet had still been shocked that so much venom could come from Spock's gentle soul. Abruptly, the man disappeared. When no one else followed suit, Kirk relaxed. They had taken the bait. Now, it was up to Spock to get him some answers. Meanwhile, the crew needed reassurance. He wasn't sure how much he could say, however, without giving Spock away. As he surveyed the crew, Uhura looked the most upset. He spoke quietly.
"Uhura, are you all right?"
"Captain, sir, I have never..." She sputtered to a stop.
"In my experience, you have always conducted yourself in an appropriately professional manner."
"Then, why did Mr. Spock say..."
"Uhura, have you ever known Mr. Spock to say something he didn't mean?"
"Well.. there was.. and then.. I see what you mean, Captain. Thanks, I'm fine now, sir."
Kirk moved among the crew, talking quietly, dropping hints where he could, letting them know that he was not angry at Spock, without actually saying so. McCoy was last.
"Jim, what is going on?"
"When I find out, you'll be the first to know."
"Come on, Jim, this is me. You've said absolutely nothing about the fact that Spock has disappeared. I have never heard a more insulting collection of comments. I would expect you to be fuming, and you're not. All of which means that you know something you're not telling."
"I know only that we are not aboard the Enterprise." He gestured at the walls, hoping McCoy would understand why he couldn't talk freely.
"And that bit about theme and variation. How is it that you and Spock can communicate without saying anything that makes sense?"
"I'd rather not talk about it. Let's get something to eat. If they won't let us sleep, at least we can eat to stave off exhaustion. And aren't you supposed to be forcing me to drink water?"
