A/N: Hey, sorry, everyone, it's been an unexpectedly busy week. Here is the rest of it. Hope you'll enjoy.
Chapter 10
Breaking Through
McCoy watched as Kirk paced across the Bridge in agitation. He knew perfectly well, for he'd been watching that very same routine for the last two weeks, that it would be no use of trying to reason with Kirk, but the doctor in him didn't want to let go that easily.
"Jim, why don't you step down? You'll weary yourself out like this. If anything happens, we'll tell you."
Kirk stopped and threw him a look of exasperated amusement.
"Like the last time?"
McCoy blushed, remembering his not exactly successful attempt to prevent two Orion light cruisers from detecting the Intrepid, resulting in a short but fierce battle, which the Captain was lucky enough to win.
"No, not like the last time. Mr. Sulu will inform you the minute anything changes, won't you, Mr. Sulu?"
"Yes, sir."
"Please, Captain," McCoy insisted. "At least six hours –"
"Four hours."
"Five."
"Deal. You have the Bridge, Mr. Sulu."
"That turned out a bit too easy, don't you think?" McCoy asked Sulu, mildly nervous, as soon as the turbolift doors closed behind Jim.
The helmsman shrugged. "The Captain is tired, Doctor."
"That never was a factor with him before."
There was a distinctive impatient snort heard in the following silence, and both humans turned to look at Cadet T'Lenn.
"Do you have something to say on the subject, Cadet?" McCoy asked irritably.
"To which subject do you refer in particular, sir?" she asked calmly. "The Captain's irrational belief that his presence on the Bridge will somehow bring us to Calliope faster or help evade other Orion ships? Or your illogical dissatisfaction with his compliance to act in accordance with your own request?"
"There was nothing illogical in my dissatisfaction," McCoy retorted. "I know the Captain's behavioral pattern very well, and this doesn't quite fall into it."
She stood up, facing him, her shiny black hair streaming down in a vigorous and not quite meeting the regulations manner.
"If your being my commanding officer had taught me something, sir, it's that humans rarely follow anything remotely close to a pattern in their behavior. As a physician, you should have noticed that earlier. Now, if I may be excused, Mr. Sulu, I am needed in Engineering."
The helmsman nodded to her, while McCoy simply stared after her in speechless fury. Uhura chuckled softly.
"Don't take it to heart, Doctor," she said. "I think she likes you."
"She really does," Sulu nodded with a grin. "She hasn't said as much to any of us put together for the whole time we've been here."
"That's – just – outrageous," McCoy stated. "You'd think she was some senior admiral."
"She's just a girl in love," Uhura said. "Or, in her case, a Vulcan in love."
"A Vulcan in love," Sulu repeated wistfully. "Now, that's a concept."
"That is a concept you wouldn't want to explore, sir," Sevek ventured grimly, making everyone look at him.
"Why?" Uhura asked instantly. "Aren't you capable of falling in love?"
His cheeks turned a slightly greenish shade, as he looked away. "We are capable," he admitted gravely. "But there are very few species, who can survive being the object of this... function."
Uhura's jaw dropped, both Sulu and McCoy were staring at the Vulcan in equal amazement. Finally, the Doctor cleared his throat.
"I don't suppose you'd want to enlighten us further on this, uh, function, Mr. Sevek?"
The young Vulcan shook his head. "It is a forbidden subject with outworlders. I only deemed it necessary to warn you, since your colleagues' observations regarding T'Lenn are correct. It would be wise of you, sir, not to encourage her with the signs of sympathy you had shown her before."
Sulu and Uhura looked at the Doctor sharply, as McCoy blushed, feeling extremely embarrassed.
"I have no problem with that," he said firmly, adding silently to himself, 'Though she's damn pretty.'
--
"I was told you were looking for me."
Sanaya looked up at him, wishing she could smile at the sight.
"The better half of the day," she admitted tiredly, pushing her hair out of her face. "Where have you been?"
Taking the liberty of their being alone, Spock collected the soft silky locks gently in his hand and moved them back, with tenderness that made her shiver.
"I was exploring a certain possibility," he explained quietly. "I needed information."
She did smile at that, though a sadder smile her face had probably never known.
"That's what I like so much about you, Spock. You don't ever give up."
His eyebrow crawled up slightly, as he studied her weary face.
"In life, there are always possibilities," he said.
"I wish you were right. Nort was just here. He suggested we fill every building with explosives and detonate them as soon as the first Orion sets foot on our land."
Spock frowned. "He approached me with the same idea."
"I mean, how can he turn against everything our civilization stands for?" she asked in devastating amazement. "Just because we're about to die, doesn't mean we must denounce the way we lived."
"That would be most illogical – and unfortunate."
"I've inspected four shelters today," she wasn't really listening to him, for too much was obviously on her mind. "I'm concerned about the kids, Spock. We can feed them, for a while, at least, but they need so much more. It's so strange watching them, you know. They are so little, yet they act like adults. It's frightening how quickly they understand the graveness of what is happening. It's uncanny."
"I was thinking about them, too," Spock said softly. "Perhaps, you would like to organize some sort of activity to give them a distraction."
"An activity?" Her eyebrows went up. "What kind?"
Spock folded his arms across his chest. "What do you think of reopening schools?"
"Schools?" she repeated disbelievingly. "That's really not the time for studying."
"There is always time for studying," Spock objected calmly. "Concentrating on new knowledge would help them deal with the changes in their everyday experience. It will provide them with something totally different to think about. It will also help keep their minds sharp, for we have no idea how long this crisis is going to take."
"What if it never ends, Spock? What if it only ends with every one of us dying from either the disease or starvation?"
"If this unfortunate eventuality does take place, it is better to facilitate the acceptance of our fate. Panic is born by the lack of knowledge and logic. We can help the children understand the complexity of the universe. Help them see that nothing vanishes into nothingness completely."
She knew he was saying it as much for her as for the children. A warm wave washed over her as she heard the words 'our fate.' Whatever happens, he's with them till the end. Whatever that might be.
"Maybe you're right," she nodded thoughtfully, fighting the urge to kiss him. "I'll see if I can round up any teachers. I'm afraid we don't have a lot of them left."
"You and I can work as substitute teachers," he stated smoothly. "I am sure so can some other members of the Misty Council."
She looked at him in surprise then frowned.
"I appreciate the thought, Commander, but I'm afraid some of my colleagues will not be so receptive to the idea of a Federation officer teaching their kids."
"Undoubtedly," Spock agreed. "And it will give them something to worry about besides destroying one of the galaxy's most beautiful worlds to pieces."
She stared at him incredulously, then laughed.
"I have never met anyone quite like you, Spock," she confessed, shaking her head and smiling. "Perhaps, we should reconsider our communications policy regarding the Federation."
"That would be a wise decision indeed."
"Well, let's hope we'll get that chance," she laid her hands on his shoulders and put a feathery kiss on his lips. "I still have to give Sanar my report. See you tomorrow."
He bowed at her silently, as she disappeared into the night.
--
After almost abandoning all hope, they had reached Calliope at last, but the sight proved to bring another discouraging notion.
"The planet is completely surrounded, Captain," Sulu reported. "We can't come any closer."
"Status?"
"I can't get a clear reading, sir," Quaint shook her head, frowning in concentration. "They're using some kind of dampening field, I think. It's directed towards the planet, but it's pretty much blocking our sensors, too. I can't even say whether there's anyone alive down there, much less what kind of life forms. The only good news is – they have no resources to make a normally thorough scan of space, that's why they haven't detected us."
"What are they using the dampening field for?" McCoy asked, perplexed. "Communications jam?"
"No," Quaint said, studying the readings on her monitor. "It seems to be creating a disturbance in the GW- and TY-waves distribution."
They all stared blankly at her, but she was too engaged in analysis to notice. Suddenly, Sevek spoke, answering the evident question.
"The waves of this type are used as carriers in certain gadgets in certain cultures. For instance, transporters, or replicators."
"Replicators?" Uhura repeated in alarm. "But if the replicators down there aren't working..."
Kirk glanced at McCoy darkly.
"Great," the Doctor said gravely. "So, in addition to that damn epidemic, they now have to fight hunger. Those Orions don't miss a thing, do they?"
"What are we going to do, Captain?" Rand asked, staring at the screen.
Kirk frowned. "I want some options, people. No idea is too stupid to say."
They all looked at one another.
"We have one ship," Quaint stated. "One crippled ship, against five heavily armed Orion vessels. If we do manage to defeat those, there're like fifty more deployed throughout the zone. Against those odds, I'd say all our options must not include an armed conflict. What we need is a way to make them lift their blockade all together, and leave."
"Ingenious," McCoy noted sarcastically. "We simply go over to them and say, 'Knock, knock, can we possibly interest you in leaving this planet alone? There are plenty more, that we're don't care about at the moment, why don't you go bother them?'"
"More or less what I had in mind," Kirk nodded seriously.
"Jim, I'm starting to feel worried about your mental health. Do you honestly believe diplomacy will work with those blasted Orions?"
"Not diplomacy," the Captain shook his head thoughtfully. "They are pirates, aren't they? What we need, is guile."
"What do you suggest?" Sulu asked curiously.
A truly impish grin started to emerge upon the Captain's lips, leaving them all with a heart warming sensation that life is about to get a whole lot more exciting.
"We'll blockade the blockade."
"What?" from McCoy, Chapel and Rand. The Vulcans merely stared at him.
"Mr. Sevek," Kirk looked absolutely serene. "How many photon torpedoes do we have?"
"Full upload, sir," the Vulcan answered at once.
"And how are you on photon mechanics?"
"Basic first grade Starfleet course, sir."
Kirk turned to look at Quaint.
"How's your knowledge of it, Lieutenant?"
"Considerably larger, Captain. What do you have in mind?"
He sighed, as if frustrated that she couldn't guess.
"I will need you two to insert a timer and a remote control trigger into each torpedo, then, put them in sets of five."
"I read you," Quaint nodded, her eyes glinting with anticipation. "But the depletion must be extra precise – and discreet."
"I have just the man for the job," Kirk said, glancing sideways at Sulu.
"Sir, I believe, the shuttles should be freed of anything else in order to contain our cargo," Sulu said. "I'll see to it."
"Good thinking," Kirk nodded. "Rand, go with him."
"Aye, sir," the four of them left.
"Jim," McCoy said in exasperation. "I realize that I'm a poor starship captain, but might you be so kind to explain – what the hell's going on?"
Kirk laughed. "Don't worry, Bones, you're far better captain, than I'm a doctor. You'll see – in a couple of hours, I think."
However, his time estimate turned out to be pretty crude. It took Quaint and Sevek an hour and twenty minutes to fulfill their task, whereas Sulu and Rand had been gone for almost three after that, making their shipmates almost sick with worry. Finally, Uhura reported:
"Captain, the shuttle is in the hangar deck. Lieutenant Sulu reports success."
"Good," a wry grin lingered on Kirk's lips for a moment. "Ms. T'Lenn, take us in, carefully."
"Aye, sir."
"In?" McCoy asked in a shocked voice. "Jim, what in blazes –"
"We have a cure to deliver, don't we, Doctor?" Kirk looked at him steadily. "We'll have to get rid of those in the way."
--
"Ruler," Nort called out to him, watching the screen intently. "I think you should see this."
"What is it, Nort?" Sanar came over, peering over his shoulder. "Ah. I can see Mr. Spock's tricorder is still working."
"It sure is. There's a new ship up there, entering closer orbit. I don't think it's Orion."
"McCoy," Sanaya muttered, looking at the screen, too. "He must have made it."
"It's pretty silly of him to be so straightforward," Sanar said, shaking his head. "Those devils are going to blast him out of the sky in no time."
"They haven't yet," Nort remarked, mildly curious.
"Where's Spock?" Sanar asked his sister. "He ought to see this."
"He's teaching in the North Town," she said. "I'll send him a message."
"Better hurry," Sanar said. "I don't think it's going to last long."
She turned to leave the room, when the floor suddenly made a jump, like an untamed horse.
"What in the name of –" But Nort never finished his phrase, for there came another jump, and another, and a series of more.
"An earthquake!" Sanaya shouted, and there was no denying her assessment of the situation in the havoc of falling furniture and rupturing walls.
"But the seismic controllers?" Sanar yelled, trying to hold on to a desk leg.
"They must have gone off!" Nort told him, trying to stay on his knees. "The dampening field has been affecting them for weeks now."
"We have to get out," Sanaya said at the top of her voice. "If we stay here, we're doomed."
Slowly, helping each other, they crawled in the direction of the exit, when, as abruptly as they had begun, the jolts subsided. Hesitantly the Calliopeans came to their feet.
"Is everyone all right, Ruler?" a technician asked, coming through the shattered door on the run.
"Yes," Sanaya answered. "How badly are we hurt, do you know?"
"The seismic controls went off here, in the West Coast, and in the North Town, Madame. Severe casualties and massive destruction."
Sanaya went pale. "Is there any possibility of restoring communication?"
"We're working on it, Madame," he disappeared into the hall.
"I'm sorry, Chancellor," Nort said, while Sanar put a hand on her shoulder. She shook it off impatiently.
"Is the monitor still working? I want to know what's happening up there!"
Nort stepped closer, nodding. "Seems to be working all right. This new ship... good gracious. It has destroyed somehow one of the Orions."
"What?" Sanar asked incensed. "Killing everyone on board? Savages."
"We don't know what happened," Sanaya snapped, fighting back tears. She couldn't afford to show weakness now. "They might have been defending themselves."
"Since when is that a good enough reason to commit murder, sister?" Sanar looked at her incredulously, but she refused to accept the challenge.
"We don't know what's happening," was all she said in a quiet colorless voice. "We might never know."
--
"Tell me, how many more of your ships must I destroy to prove that there's no way for you out of this?" Kirk asked the Orion leader sternly.
McCoy secretly rejoiced hearing his tone of voice, he'd come to miss. That was the Captain in his most commanding, most sharp, most invigorating mode – the very nature of the individual called James T. Kirk. It was about time he remembered who he was.
The Orion frowned, listening to reports his officers were giving him. He stared at the human with pure hatred.
"Our fleet can be here in no time at all, Kirk," he hissed menacingly. "And then, your little game will be up."
A cold predatory smile creased Kirk's lips, as he tilted his chin up stubbornly.
"Do you honestly think I'm such an idiot not to take every precaution, Meven?" he asked, shaking his head as if in disbelief. "The whole sector is mined. So unless all your captains are kamikaze, I don't believe they'd be willing to come to your rescue."
"You are one ship!"
"What makes you think so?" the Captain's face was giving nothing away. "You didn't see us coming, did you? We have mobilized the whole sector's defenses for all you know."
"You're lying, Kirk!"
"Oh, nay, he isn't."
On the Bridge of the Intrepid, they all jumped at the sound of this abundantly familiar voice.
"Scotty!" Uhura exclaimed, and, without waiting for the Captain's order, switched channels, so that both the Chief Engineer of the Enterprise and the Orion were represented.
"Who are you?" The Orion demanded angrily.
"Captain Scott of the Enterprise, at yer service, sir," Scotty said with inimitable aplomb. "Do ye have any problems with this imbecile, Captain Kirk?"
"Uh, yes. Yes, Captain Scott, I dare say, I have. They refuse to accept our gracious terms and lift their ridiculous blockade."
"Really, Captain? Aye, that's damn stupid of them. Perhaps, they need a little persuasion?"
He nodded to someone off screen, and in the next moment the Orion main bridge shuddered visibly. It's taken the Orion captain some time to emerge onto the screen again.
"Why do you suddenly need this planet, Kirk?" he asked in an angry defeated tone, and McCoy knew they had won. "What could you possibly want with it? It's just a bunch of carved rocks."
"Yes, and I happen to like those rocks where they are," Kirk said. "Meven, unless you fancy the idea of starting a war with the Federation, I suggest you get out. Captain Scott will see you and your fleet to your borders. And no tricks, Meven. The explosives are still there."
"We will go," the Orion replied, barely controlling his rage. "But you and I will meet again, Kirk. That I promise you."
"I'm looking forward to it. Kirk out. Lieutenant, secure channel to the Enterprise."
"Yes, sir. You're on."
"Scotty!" Kirk grinned broadly at the sight of his Chief Engineer. "You are a miracle worker, aren't you? How in God's name did you happen to get here so conveniently?"
"It's a long story, sir."
Kirk glanced at McCoy. "I'm getting used to hear that."
"Captain, it's damn nice to see ye, sir, but before we go after those blasted bastards – have ye found our missing lasses?"
"Indeed I have, Mr. Scott. They're all safe and sound."
Uhura stood up quickly to come to Kirk's side and waved at Scotty. He beamed at her.
"To business, Mr. Scott," Kirk pushed Uhura gently, but firmly out of sight. "As soon, as you leave the system, send a communications buoy to Starfleet Command. Explain what had happened and ask them to deploy at least three Intrepid-class ships to the Misty Worlds zone, just to make sure the Orions have got the message."
"Aye, sir. I'll be back to pick ye up in no time at all, sir."
"I'll keep you at your word, Mr. Scott. Godspeed."
"Aye, sir. Scott out."
"Well, Jim, it seems you've made it again," McCoy came over, resting a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"It's not over yet, Bones," Kirk sighed, all his cheerfulness suddenly gone. "Let's see just how many of those carved rocks are still there."
--
Walking along the silent, gloomy streets, the Doctor couldn't help shivering.
"It was never supposed to be this dark here, Jim," he muttered, the overpowering sense of unease weighing heavily on his shoulders. "Something went terribly wrong."
Kirk frowned even deeper. "With the Orions circling around like jackals? I'll say."
They beamed down a large party, having not only Uhura, Quaint, Rand and Chapel accompany them, but also Sevek and T'Lenn, leaving Sulu in charge of the ship. They had been walking for half an hour, without meeting a single person on their way.
"They couldn't all have died, could they?" Chapel asked in a shaky voice. "This feels like a graveyard."
Nobody answered her, as they continued their walk in heavy silence. Suddenly, McCoy pointed his hand forward.
"Jim, I think I saw someone over there!"
"He's right," Quaint confirmed. "There're people coming out from – looks like from underground, Captain."
Without a word, Kirk ran for them, followed closely by his officers. A stream of exhausted, pale, thin to the bone, but undoubtedly alive people were coming out in the open, wincing in the soft Calliopean light.
"That's all right," a girl of no more than seventeen or eighteen was saying, encouraging the others to move on. "There's no need to stay there anymore. Come out."
She looked familiar, and McCoy risked to speak out. "Excuse me."
She turned to look at him, and smiled instantly, sings of definite recognition in her eyes.
"Doctor McCoy! Everyone, come see, the Doctor's back with us!"
Perhaps, she shouldn't be indulging her own joy to make her shout, for she suddenly bent over, clutching her belly, as a severe stroke of coughs hit her.
"Easy," Chapel muttered, supporting her. "The cure is on its way. You'll be better soon."
"Thank you," the girl straightened up with obvious difficulty, but refused to accept any further help. "I need to go to the other Spockshelters. The earthquake ruined communications grid. They might not have heard the Chancellor."
"Spockshelters?" McCoy asked perplexed.
She smiled vaguely, starting to walk away. "That's what the children call them. They think he's a magician."
"Wait!" the Doctor called after her. "The Chancellor, where is she?"
"Still in the Misty Hall, I think. She's just made her address, some minutes ago."
"Where is it, Bones?" Kirk asked him.
"About half a mile in that direction," McCoy answered, with a hint of uncertainty. "At least, it used to be."
His recollection, however, was good enough to make them find the building even in the devastated condition of the city. Looking around, the Doctor couldn't help sighing deeply.
They walked in, and were immediately confronted by a young Calliopean, who bowed at them.
"The Ruler has been expecting you," he said. "Please, follow me."
Kirk threw a wary glance at McCoy, but the Doctor merely shrugged. The Misty Council appeared much as he remembered it, with the exclusion of sparkling robes, for none could be seen there anymore, and several seats that remained flagrantly empty. The Ruler, however, was in his usual place, with Sanaya, much to McCoy's joy, at his side. It was she who spoke to him the first.
"Doctor McCoy, you have returned."
"Yes, Madame Chancellor. I'm delighted to see you in good health."
"Thank you," she bowed slightly. "I'm pleased to know the Orions haven't hurt you, too."
"Not that they haven't tried. But we managed to obtain the plants, Madame Chancellor. With your permission, I would like to start distribute it to your people."
"Not so fast, Doctor," Sanar said coldly, coming to his feet, and looking directly at Kirk. "Who is this man beside you? And is he – or are you – responsible for the barbarous elimination of life in our orbit?"
"I'm Captain James Kirk of the starship Enterprise," Kirk replied for his friend, knowing that the question was addressed to him. "And yes, I have destroyed that Orion cruiser, if that's what you're asking. I needed to make them lift off the blockade."
"I see. And you are proud of this act, aren't you?"
"That I made it possible for your people to see the light of sun again? That I ensured their continuing existence by bringing them the cure they so desperately need? Of course I'm proud of that."
"You are, aren't you? You are violating the very ground you're standing on, Captain Kirk," Sanar declared with obvious anger. "We never wanted to survive at such a cost. How many did you kill? A hundred? A thousand?"
"They were your enemies and they were fighting us!" McCoy retorted, quite outraged himself. "We didn't start this war, they did!"
"And that gives you the right to slaughter?"
"Look, we don't argue that according to your beliefs, our actions could be seen as a breach of principles," Kirk admitted gravely. "But now is not the time to judge each other for the actions of the past. Your people are still dying and we have the cure. Will you let us help?"
"Will you stand trial for your crimes, Captain? We need the cure badly, but we can't accept it from a murderer."
"If that's what it takes to make you listen, I will."
"Sanar, you have already put the Federation on trial once. Was that not enough?"
They all turned around to see Spock coming in, a group of children following him. Sanaya gasped and made a subconscious step toward him, catching herself at the last moment.
"Spock..." Kirk whispered at the same time and with the same sentiment that McCoy said, "Oh good God."
The Vulcan looked astonishingly bad. Kirk could hardly believe that in a few weeks he hadn't seen him, anyone could lose that much weight. Spock was incredibly pale, his black eyes shining by contrast with a glimmer of red, like carbuncles. But he walked as confidently as ever to the centre of the hall, looking directly at the Ruler.
"If you put Captain Kirk on trial," he said, "I shall stand it with him."
"You have nothing to prove to us, Mr. Spock," Sanar said calmly. "On what grounds will you defend this man?"
Spock glanced at Kirk briefly, holding his gaze for a moment, then walked over to him and came to a stop at his side, some two inches in front of him, turning to face Sanar again.
"It is my duty," Spock declared in a clear even tone, "as his First Officer."
McCoy felt his head spinning slightly, as he saw Jim smile for the first time in days, touched deeply by that open admission of devotion. Damn this Vulcan, the Doctor shook his head in exasperation. Somebody has to work on his timing.
"Spock, how can someone as peaceful as you stand by someone as openly hostile?" Sanar looked bewildered. "Your feelings towards these people must be clouding your judgment."
Spock lifted a brow with profound Vulcan arrogance, which made his answer even more unexpected.
"I have never been blinded by friendship, Sanar," he said, giving the name to the vague reference of the Ruler.
"He's never been blinded by friendship, that's true," Kirk confirmed. McCoy noticed Spock flinch at these words and realized what he must have thought. But, at that moment, Kirk added, stepping closer and putting a hand on his shoulder, "That's why I value his so much."
Sanar looked at them frowning, evidently coming to an unpleasant decision.
"Very well, Mr. Spock, if you insist, you'll have to-"
"Wait!" Sanaya exclaimed, her patience running out fast. "What are you doing, Sanar?" she demanded. "You said it yourself, you can't trust the Federation, but you can trust one man – this man," she pointed at Spock. "He literary saved this planet. Without him, neither of us would be standing here now. Is that not enough to give a little more trust when asked? Has he not earned some credit of tolerance for his people?"
Kirk peered over at McCoy with an obvious question in his eyes, but the Doctor merely shrugged, looking distinctly curious himself.
"The simple fact is, our people are dying, Sanar! And they can help. Would you turn them down because their way of life insults you? They don't want to make us share it."
"And after your people are cured, we'll leave if asked," Kirk stepped in quickly. "Madame Chancellor is right, we only want your continual survival."
"How many more tests do you want, my brother? Even if they are violent, even if they are murderers, right now they are acting out of their purest better intentions. Will it not be right to encourage them in this commendable attitude? Would you rather make them think twice next time before offering somebody their help? What will you be waging with this action? Peace or hostility?"
Kirk glanced at Sanaya with a great deal of open admiration and, much to McCoy's surprise, so did Spock, though naturally, he caught himself quickly.
Sanar was silent for a long moment, contemplating his sister's words. He turned to his councilors for advice, but it didn't take them long to formulate an opinion. Finally, he faced the Captain and his company again, looking grim but determined.
"Very well, Captain Kirk. We will accept your help."
"Gratefully," Sanaya added, earning herself a furious glance, but then Sanar nodded.
"Gratefully. We are indeed profoundly grateful for everything the Federation has done for us," his gaze drifted to Spock for a moment, before returning back to Kirk. "But I'm afraid afterwards we will ask you to leave. Please, do not be offended, Captain. Our way of life is too dear to us to risk losing it."
"I understand," Kirk nodded. "I'm glad you'll let us help. We'll respect your wishes, Ruler."
"Then let me say what I should have said much earlier, Captain," Sanar almost smiled. "Welcome to Calliope."
"Thank you."
Spock turned to look at his shipmates, and nobody, certainly not the perceptive Doctor, missed that he was carefully avoiding Kirk's gaze.
"Right, I don't have time for the two of you right now," McCoy snapped. "Spock, is there still some place left where we could work?"
"Follow me," the Vulcan replied curtly, starting away, when he suddenly remembered he didn't ask for his superior officer's permission. He stopped abruptly, turning back, but Kirk, who had read the situation instantly, was already waving dismissively at him.
"Oh, by all means, go, Mr. Spock."
McCoy and Chapel started after him, and Kirk nodded to Quaint. "Lieutenant, they might need some help."
"Yes, sir," she joined the departing group almost on the run.
Watching them go, the Captain sighed with some unidentifiable, but mildly annoying emotion. He looked at the Calliopeans and noticed that Sanaya was staring after them, too. The Ruler stepped down to her, putting a comforting hand on her forearm.
"You should go, too," he told her softly. "Your time's running out."
She turned to face him, and Kirk noticed tears glimmering in the corners of her eyes. She was, he noticed suddenly, exceptionally beautiful. McCoy's description of her was more of a strict, almost formidable person in sparkling clothes, which made her look even more inapproachable. What he saw in reality, was an exquisite, though bearing certain signs of fatigue in her features, woman, who, despite her plain clothing, and simple hairstyle, was perfectly well imaginable looking down from elegant epic paintings of Nicolas Poussin, calling to freedom in Eugene Delacriox's barricades in Paris, while moving with grace and youthful harmony of Dega's blue dancers. She was a state of art, equipped with a steel core that could neither bend, nor break under whatever strain was put upon it. He wasn't sure if he had ever seen anyone, who evoked the reaction of wariness, respect and deep sympathy at the same time.
She nodded to Sanar, her head going down in a defeated gesture, but snapping up instantly, as if she remembered they were not alone. She came over to where the Captain stood, and looked him in the eye, clear cold fire splashing in her gaze.
"Do you even know, Captain Kirk, how lucky you are?"
She turned on her heels and left before he could reply, or even ask what it was she meant to tell him.
--