Chapter 8
/ Captain's log, Stardate 3710.4.We have taken up orbit around 409-73, a Class D planetoid that lacks an outer atmosphere but that, due to certain internal biological processes, has developed a livable environment in its immense cave systems. Science Officer Spock and Chief Geologist Selk have located a large vain of Dilithium ore. They are readying to beam down to take a sample to check its purity and to scout the cave for the viability of mining it. I intend to join them. /
Kirk found Spock and Selk assembling the equipment in the transporter room.
"Captain?" said the First Officer. "There is very little horizontal space to beam down to. I suggest that Geological Engineer Selk and myself go."
"C'mon, Spock," Kirk mumbled. He was tired of being treated like a porcelain heirloom. McCoy had declared him fit over a week ago, and that after an excruciating week under observation in Sickbay. "You're going caving and you thought I'd stay away? Besides, you're going to need someone else skilled in rappelling to help you with all that equipment. Scotty, is there room for one more?"
"Aye, Capt'n," Scott said reluctantly, keeping a wary eye on the Captain. "I've found ye a spot. Just line yourselves up with the equipment on the back pads and do get yer bearings before taking a step."
Knowing that if Scott or Spock alerted the Doctor it would be all over, Kirk quickly pulled on his harness, strapped on his helmet with headlight and took the last pad on the left, next to Spock. He briefly glanced at the Vulcan, who remained looking straight ahead.
"Energize, Mister Scott," he ordered.
He was not prepared for the heat, the stink and the earsplitting din in the pitch-black dark. He reeled and his panic pushed him off balance even more, but a strong hand clasped his arm and held him in place.
"What's that noise," he gasped, barely audible even to his own ears, but Spock had heard him.
"I believe they are bat-like creatures, Captain," he yelled.
Confirmation followed when Selk turned on the floodlight. The cave was vast. Going by the echoes, what they could see of it by their light was only a fraction of its expanse. The air was thick with millions of bats, swarming in great whirling clouds, screeching and clicking.
Kirk shivered despite the hot, humid air.
"Our arrival has disturbed them," said Spock, finally releasing his arm. "The minerals in the rock must have masked their life readings. Make no sudden moves and they should settle down." He lifted his tricorder slowly, adjusted its volume to zero, and started scanning.
"The air here is foul," Kirk shouted, trying not to breathe in the strong ammonia stench.
"It is safe for now, Captain," Spock yelled, "but we cannot stay too long."
Kirk looked gingerly down, over the ledge which began at the toes of his boots. In front of him gaped a black nothingness. Heights didn't bother him, but the bats were another thing. They kept flying at him and retreating at the last possible moment, their wings almost brushing his face. Their claws looked fierce.
I'm probably in their space, he thought, but there was nowhere to go. Fortunately, the general commotion was dying down rapidly. Then a glint caught his eye. Spock's head light on its sweep had reflected off something in the rock wall.
Spock had seen it too and rejoined his light to his.
"The crystal! It is massive!" Selk called out.
Selk aimed the large floodlight and the ore flashed brilliantly. Kirk swallowed. It ran on, like a river, as far as they could see.
"There." Kirk pointed at a narrow ledge some fifty feet down and twenty feet to his left. He was pleased. Scotty had put him the closest, so he would have to go. "It's large enough for two. An easy descent. We'll top rope it."
Spock handed him the tools and he set to hammering the first anchor into the rock, creating an echoing racket within the cave, but to his relief the bats didn't rise up again. Then he threaded his rope through the anchor and hooked himself up. He swung the backpack over his shoulders before he hooked on another carabiner and passed it to Spock.
"Looks like it's you and me, Spock," he beamed.
"Indeed, Captain," Spock said dispassionately.
For a moment they looked at each other under their head lights. They were so close that Kirk could see the black flecks in the Vulcan's dark brown irises. Suddenly, what was going to be fun and a great opportunity for trust building turned fearful for Kirk. It was almost a recoil reflex that sent him swinging off the ledge on his rope.
Concentrating on the task at hand, he descended a couple of feet and swung out to reach a small finger hold – brushing past roosting bats, trying not to touch them. Adding anchors at intervals he felt would be comfortable for Spock, by far the less skilled climber, he soon reached the ledge. He set up the final anchor and Spock followed.
The air seemed more stifling after the exertion. He wished they had brought masks and oxygen.
He moved over for Spock to touch down with the tool box.
"Are you alright, Captain?" Spock asked, seeing Kirk's grimace.
"This stench is getting to me. Let's hurry," Kirk said, glad to be all business.
They had to work very close shoulder to shoulder, the ledge barely large enough to accommodate their feet. Kirk held the tool box open for Spock. It was cumbersome. He was glad he was tethered to the wall.
Spock used the sonic incisor deftly, cutting out chunks of the crystal, then grasping them with the calipers and dropping them in the pack on Kirk's back. They didn't need much, but Kirk was eager to be done with it. He had to blink repeatedly to move the sweat out of his eyes. The incisor was heating up the rock and roasting the already stifling air. The toolbox was getting slippery in his hands.
"We will soon be done, Captain," said Spock, and Kirk heard the concern in the Vulcan's voice. "One more piece-"
Abruptly, the bats went berserk, but even the torrent of their screeches couldn't drown out the booming sound deep, deep down in the cave. Kirk's heart stopped when he looked down and saw, impossibly remote, a glowing red well up. The massive floor of the cave, miles down deep, had suddenly turned to bubbling liquid. Within seconds the boom barreled past them along with a blast of searing heat and a tremor that shook the ledge, the wall, the thick air.
Kirk dropped the tool box, grasped his line with one sweaty hand and threw his arm around Spock just in time to keep the staggering Vulcan from falling backwards. At the same time Spock turned towards him and the incisor grazed his cheek.
Gasping, Kirk pulled away from the singing sharp beam. Then he caught Spock's eye and it was like a lid slammed down on his brain and pain and fear swallowed him up entire. He lashed out to get away from his enemy and over the edge he went.
