STAR TREK: TIME KEEPER

Emotion Filters

STARBASE-16

A nondescript private residence…

Spock silently read from a data pad. It explained the parameters of the mission that he, Charvon and Linav had been brought together to accomplish. He was sitting on one of the chairs as Charvon and Linav waited quietly as he read. And then the time came, Spock had completed reading the mission's brief. Finished with the pad, he handed it back to Charvon.

"Can you do it?" Charvon asked.

Spock thought for a moment.

"It is possible," Spock said. "However, that is not the question that I have. Obviously I have serious reservations with the logic of such a mission."

The expression on Linav's face was obvious; he did not care about Spock's reservations.

"I knew it was a mistake enlisting this Vulcan's assistance," Linav said to Charvon.

"Spock," Charvon said, "you heard Commodore Mendez's words; he wasn't asking you to help us in this endeavor, he ordered to help us."

Spock stood up and walked over to a window and then turned back to them.

"I did not say I would not follow orders," Spock said in his usual stoic manner, "all I maintain is that I have doubts. However, be that as it may, I can remove the device."

Charvon smiled at Spock.

"I never doubted you Spock," she said to the Vulcan. "Perhaps that is one thing that we Romulans," she motioned toward Linav, "have over our Vulcan brothers; we are able trust with our emotions, while you must filter your trust through logic."

"Linav does not trust me," Spock said pointedly.

"Enough of this," Linav said, as he stood up. "We have to move on to the second phase of this operation."

Charvon nodded in agreement, as she too stood up.

"Yes," she said to Linav, and then she looked at Spock, "we must move to the second phase of our plan. We must return you to the Enterprise."

Spock nodded his head.

"And once I am there," Spock told them both, "I can set about getting the device; the Enterprise's warp engine/shield flow regulator. And once we get it to the Romulans," Spock continued, "they will be able to fire their plasma weapon while still cloaked."

The Enterprise in orbit of Starbase-16

Captain Kirk stood at the science post and watched as Chekov bent down and looked into the science station's viewer. Finally, Chekov straightened up; the look on his face one of defeat.

"As before kep'tn," Chekov reported, "no signs of Mr. Spock."

McCoy stood next to Kirk.

"Jim," McCoy said, "we may have to accept the fact that whoever took Spock may have killed him, or, got him off this planet."

Kirk shook his head. And then he looked to Sulu.

"Lt. Sulu," Kirk said, "Are you positive that no vessels have left orbit since the time of Spock's abduction?"

Sulu nodded his head.

"Yes Captain," Sulu reported.

"The maybe he's…" McCoy began to say, when Kirk cut him off.

"Maybe he's dead doctor?" Kirk said. "If the roles were reversed, Spock would search for me, you, anyone on this ship, until all avenues were exhausted. He's down there," Kirk said, "and we're going to find him."

Kirk gave McCoy a dismissive look and walked over to Uhura's post.

"Have there been any transmissions from the planet below?" Kirk asked.

"There have been no signals out of the ordinary, Captain," Uhura reported. "I even tried…" suddenly she paused, and then continued, "Sir; we are being hailed by the chief administer of Starbase-16."

Kirk knew this time would come simply because Starbase-16's governing body was made up of civilians. In the short time they had been at Starbase-16 Kirk hadn't had time to meet with any of the administrators; now was that time.

"On screen," Kirk said as he turned to face the main screen.

When the face of the Chief Administrator appeared on the screen, Jim Kirk recognized him immediately because he was Carol's husband; Sean Landis. But of course, no one else on the bridge knew that fact.

"Captain Kirk," Sean Landis said, "it is a pleasure to meet you at last."

But instead of the usual warm greeting Jim Kirk responded with, Kirk's response was cold. McCoy picked up on it real fast.

"How can I help you," Kirk simply asked.

"While we are glad to be visited by the USS Enterprise, her crew, and," Sean Landis added after a purposeful pause, "the legendary Captain James T Kirk, I am still forced to ask for answers. Why have you ordered an emergency code Alpha-772?" His arrogant tone was not hard to miss.

"One of my officers has gone missing," Kirk replied. "Once we have found him, we will lift the code."

Sean Landis smiled.

"Kirk; as you know, the code's duration must only last forty-eight hours," Landis said, "I am sorry for your missing crewman, but I will hold you to the forty-eight hour time limit, two of which have already passed."

Before Kirk could respond, the signal was cut off.

"Why was he so arrogant," Uhura asked; as they had all detected the cold tone.

"When all we want to do is find Spock?" Sulu added.

Kirk didn't answer, or actually, didn't want to respond.

"I'll be in my quarters," Kirk said to Uhura, "Chekov," he said to his Russian officer, "continue scanning. See if Mr. Scott can do something to enhance the sensors; we have to find Spock and we have to find him now."

Kirk headed to the Turbo-lift, and wasn't surprised when McCoy entered it with him.

The doors closed, and the Turbo-lift moved for just two seconds when McCoy twisted the control arm and stopped it.

"Alright Jim," McCoy said, "What the hell is going on? Why did I get the impression that you already knew that arrogant jerk?"

Kirk sighed.

"I never met him until now," Jim said to his friend.

McCoy shook his head in disbelief.

"Jim; there was more going on there than a simple showdown between a proud starship captain and a man in a stuffed suit."

Kirk gave McCoy a quick of irritation, and then he relaxed.

"Sorry Bones," Kirk said, in a tone of regret. "That man, Administrator Sean Landis, is Carol Marcus's husband."

McCoy didn't need Kirk to connect the dots anymore.

"Let me guess; she's down there, and she's down there with your son," McCoy said, in knowing tone.

"No Bones," Kirk said, with a heavy heart, "she's down on that planet with my son alright, but with a son who has no idea who I am; and that man is his father now."

Continued…