Chapter 26
Shortly after Kirk returned to J'orn, First left the Ring and approached him.
*Have you finished deliberations already?*
*No, not really. We wish to be allowed to consult with you, how do you say, 'off the record.' But we do not want to jeopardize your position, so we will understand if you think it unwise.*
*Would such consultation be useful if there were two witnesses, who understood the nature of the conversation?*
*That might depend on who the witnesses were.*
*I was thinking of J'orn and Spock.*
*How much does J'orn know?*
*Quite a lot, and I'll explain anything he doesn't understand.*
*Very well then.*
Kirk went to each race and obtained permission for this conference. Then he, J'orn and Spock stepped into the Ring and First connected. Kirk was aware of all seven of the Ruling Ring, but not J'orn or Spock.
*Spock, J'orn, can you hear me?*
"Yes, J'im." "Yes, Captain."
*First, what did you want to ask me?*
*All of the demands are more than reasonable. We are willing to negotiate any reasonable amounts for specifics. We have four problems. We want you and your people to accompany delegations to each race's planet. We want you to head up the restructuring of the workforce here. We are very impressed with your work in J'orn's unit. Third, we want you to retrain the 140 Watchers, who must unlearn what they have been taught.*
*I would be happy to help in any way I can, but surely you don't think I have the expertise to train your people.*
*2731 thinks you do. He said thirty minutes with you would cure anybody.*
Kirk laughed. *I can just imagine what he thinks I ought to do. All right. I'll commit eight hours a day for five days to the project, and we'll see. And I'd like to spend the first few hours with all 140 of them. Is there a place big enough that's wired for sound? I don't mind wearing a microphone. I just want to be able to talk to all of them at once.*
*You can use this arena. What about delegations to the seven planets?*
*What kind of time frame are we talking about? Do you have ships available?*
*We have the one ship. It's all we've ever needed. Travel time to each planet is a matter of minutes. A couple of them take almost an hour.*
*I would recommend you begin construction immediately of a second ship. You ought to have at least two anyway. This second ship would be primarily used for transporting workers. Make the accommodations luxurious, not spartan.*
*Meanwhile, outfit the holodeck with quarters for each delegation, perhaps two or three from each race. The seven of us can go too, to help set up relations, but the delegations should plan to stay awhile. It would be good if one or two of your people could stay too, as a gesture of good faith.*
*What else did you ask about? Oh, restructuring the workforce. I expect that to be a natural result of the negotiations. The work contract you draw up needs to include provisions for authority, work incentives, and disciplinary actions. What I did in J'orn's unit worked primarily because they gave me the authority to act. The same principles did not work in other units because we did not have the authority needed. And I have no idea what the situation is in other races.*
*Your race is possibly the most inefficiently run. But others are not a whole lot better. None of your colleagues attempted the massive reforms that you did.*
*That reminds me: I'm going to want a daily briefing with the seven of us. It would be good to broadcast it to the whole planet, so everybody knows what we talked about. But our translators won't work, because we'll all be speaking Standard. Can you provide a simultaneous translation for each race?*
*Yes, provided you each continue to wear the microphones. You can hold your briefing here in the arena.*
*Great. Are we done then?*
*Almost. The fourth problem is that test of Spock's. I realize it is not a whipping, but apart from the physical brutality, it is essentially the same situation. I do not want you to suffer any more because of what my people have done. Let them kill me instead.*
*No. Killing you would not solve their problem. And it would deprive your people of the leadership they need at this crucial time of change. You brought me here to fix your problem. You're going to have to trust me to fix it my way. But if you want to punish yourself, consider this. You will suffer far more pain watching what they do to me than I will. Physical pain is as much a non-issue for me as it is for you. I am not angry with them, with Spock, or with you. And I won't be when the test is over either.*
xxxx
They gathered the others for the official meeting. It was short. First said they would acquiesce to all the demands. Kirk said they would return to work at the beginning of first shift. Each day's work would be contingent upon successful completion of the previous day's negotiations. Each session would begin at the start of first shift, and continue as long as necessary. Kirk hoped they wouldn't need more than four hours a day.
As soon as the meeting broke up, Kirk called a briefing for the seven of them.
"I'll keep this short. First is translating this for all seven races, so there shouldn't be any panic over the fact that we're talking like this. I want a similar meeting daily after each negotiating session. The purpose is to pool our resources to solve the problems that come up. For instance, one of the first things that needs doing is to find and disable all the surveillance equipment. Anyone have any thoughts about that?"
"First's people should be able to take care of that," Chekov volunteered.
"But better if they don't," Sulu objected. "Someone would wonder if they conveniently forgot one or two cameras."
"It should be possible to build a scanner that would find all such equipment." Spock steepled his fingers.
Scotty agreed. "Aye, that it should. Spock, if'n ye're not too busy on rest day..."
"I would be glad to assist you."
Kirk nodded. "Let me know how it goes. About the ID's, no one should have to wear one anymore. If they want to keep them as souvenirs, fine; otherwise, collect and destroy them. But keep your own. First needs us to wear microphones to be able to translate this meeting. Also, I've used mine as a means to request transport."
"Longer-term, we need a way to provide transporter technology to all the races," Spock observed.
"They'll have to conquer their fear of it," Chekov retorted.
McCoy snorted. "They have to conquer their fear of First's people."
"It's already better than when we got here, though." Uhura smiled.
"Thanks to your influence and example," Kirk said. "You all have done a great job! The delegations trust you. Now, is there anything else? What am I forgetting?"
"Except for taking care of yourself, you seem to have covered all the bases. How's your back?" McCoy asked.
"It's fine, but I can tell you don't believe me, so feel free to make a personal visit whenever you have time."
"I'll make time. Expect me within the hour."
xxxx
Kirk met briefly with the delegation from his race. They were pleased and had few questions. He sent them off with instructions to use the ID's to request transport. Then, he, J'orn, and the cook went home. J'rad had the unit held in the assembly hall. They were all excited, but had few questions. Kirk let the cook report, then J'orn, after which their only question was, now what?
"First shift starts in a little over an hour. This day's work will not be substantially different than before. The changes we make will be gradual. You may be frustrated that it's not happening fast enough. Take your complaints to the cook. He's your delegate, your official voice in the negotiation process.
"But one thing we can do now. From now on, no one needs to wear an ID. You can keep it if you want, but those who want to get rid of it, drop it on the table here as you leave, and we'll dispose of them. The cook, J'orn, and I will keep ours, because we need them to get to and from the arena."
He dismissed the unit, saying they would have their usual rest day meeting. Then he spoke briefly with J'rad and J'orn.
"The schedule for the day is this. Four hours or more in the negotiation session. Another one to two hours in briefing with my people. Two to three hours implementing what is negotiated. Eight hours training Watchers. That brings us to the beginning of third shift. I'd like a daily meeting with senior staff from this unit, then with J'rip, J'oso, and J'est, then with whoever else you think I need to see. Schedule the daily coaching session too, but choose carefully, because in another week, I'll probably not have time to do any more of those.
"Rest day will be more or less as usual. The next day will be similar to this one. Then I'll be unavailable for the next day. After that the schedule should be the same for a few days. Any questions?"
"How do we get in touch with J'oso and the others?" J'rad asked.
"Wait for them to show up here looking for me. Give the message to the first one you see. He'll pass it on to the others."
McCoy suddenly appeared.
"And this is my friendly physician, wanting to be sure I'm not dying. So if you'll excuse me?"
xxxx
The first negotiating session dealt with pay scales for the workers. After the first hour, Kirk's head was swimming, trying to deal with seven different currency conversions. Finally he asked Spock to convert everything into a standard medium of exchange. Thereafter, the discussion was confined to the standard unit, called a credit, and Spock provided the conversions on request.
The basic worker's pay was set at approximately double what the average worker earned on his home planet. Pay scales for five levels of supervisors were set at appropriately higher levels. Also the pay increased for each year of service, up to five years. If after five years, you were not a supervisor, you would get sent home. Pay also varied based on the job. Generally support staff earned less than line workers, who earned less than technical skilled workers.
Everyone would receive a performance review from their immediate supervisor every quarter. The annual review would take place just prior to the worker's vacation. A panel, comprised of the immediate supervisor, the supervisor's supervisor, and one other supervisor outside the chain of command, would determine the worker's status for the coming year: retained or discharged; promoted, transferred, or kept in the same job.
There was heated discussion concerning the transition to the new system. Many felt that the present workforce should enter the system with the benefit of their years of service. Kirk said 'no'. Years of experience would count when considering applications for supervisory positions, but everybody would enter the system at ground zero. Such was Kirk's influence that his opinion carried. He did concede two things. Anyone who didn't want to sign the work contract would be permitted to go home. Also, in order to avoid having everyone on vacation at once, this first year, vacations would be staggered throughout the year, based on how long a worker had already been here.
The last thing they talked about that first day was the choosing of supervisors. Prior status was no guarantee of supervisor status in the new system. Those desiring to be supervisors must submit an application, including work history, an essay on leadership, and three recommendations. Applications would be reviewed by the panel of delegates for each race. Personal interviews would be required for levels two through five, but not necessarily for line supervisors. Once chosen, a supervisor could be removed only at the end of his year of service.
Kirk kept the crew briefing short. He had two concerns. How fast could they handle the paperwork? And did they think the various delegations capable of handling the decisions about supervisors? Sulu pointed out that several provisions of the contract were not yet finalized, so it was too soon to be printing out contracts to sign. Chekov volunteered that his race could handle producing the paperwork, but Uhura would have to help with the translations. They estimated one or two days for the task.
Concerning the delegates, there was unanimous opinion that they would need help making good decisions about supervisors. Kirk acquiesced, but urged them to teach principles, rather than just do it for them.
"As fast as you can, wean them from relying on you and your wisdom. They must learn to do this for themselves. I'd like to have the contracts ready by mid-next-week, and decisions made about supervisory positions by the end of the week. Can we circulate application forms on rest day? Give them a day or two to get them turned in."
Kirk spent a couple of hours with J'orn and the delegates from his race. He talked about the qualities of a good leader. He talked about the process of choosing among the applications. He used himself, J'orn, and the cook as examples, and talked them through the process, emulating several different character problems. Lastly, he talked about the problem of not enough good applications.
"Better to do without that supervisor position, than to have a bad supervisor filling it. A good supervisor can fill two positions while he's training someone to fill the hole. Better to bring up someone from the ranks than to suffer the consequences of spreading fear, rebellion, and laziness."
xxxx
The 140 Watchers were scattered throughout the arena seating area. The arena floor was empty, but for Kirk and First. The delegates and Kirk's crew had all left. Kirk surveyed the Watchers, then turned to First.
"Are we wired for sound? Can you hear me? Can they?"
"Yes, on all counts. And we have issued individual voders for convenience." First's voice boomed from the speakers, much as it had the day Kirk met him in the Klingon arena.
Kirk turned to the crowd. "Would it take too long for you all to gather here in this center section? And which of you is the leader; the one who has never talked to a slave directly? Come down here and join us on the floor here, if you would please."
Kirk waited while they rearranged themselves. It was a moving kaleidoscope of color, as they popped in and out in front of him. Finally, they settled down, and one of them appeared on his left. Kirk noticed a small voder attached near the top of his core.
"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. My name is Jim. And you are?"
"1167. But it is not true that I have never had direct contact with a slave. The one who was our leader did not survive the plague. I replaced him two years ago."
"I'm sorry for your loss. Did the plague decimate the ranks of the Watchers too?"
"No, not as badly. Because we were already isolated, only the top level of supervisors were hit. When we realized what was happening, we cut off all contact. The Watchers are the only ones who retain most of our original lifestyle and way of communicating."
"Have you not heard the Christian message then?"
"Yes, we have. First came to us and begged us to talk to him. I am leader, because no one else would risk it."
"Are you a Christian?"
"Yes, I am - healed and freed from fears."
"And the others?"
"Most are not. 2731 is an exception."
First interrupted. "He is the reason I assigned you to J'orn's unit. Even so, you almost died."
Kirk ignored the interruption and continued quizzing 1167. "Tell me, how are Watchers trained to ignore the emotions of their victims?"
"We were taken from our parents at a very young age. Told that being a Watcher was a high honor, our education was very selective. Only after I became leader did First show me how other people live. Most of the training consisted of living tapes of encounters between Watchers and slaves. When very young, we could only stand it for a few minutes. Every year, they increased the dosage. Minutes became hours, then days, finally weeks.
"The years of the hours were the worst. We were in agony for days after each tape. It got so we couldn't recover fast enough. The next tape session began before the agony of the previous one had worn off. By the time we'd graduated to the day-long tapes, we'd learned how to stay numb. There were those who didn't survive it, but we didn't talk about that.
"The final exam was a three-week-long tape. If you survived that without falling apart, you were ready for the real thing. Surprisingly, the real thing wasn't nearly so bad. They'd picked the worst tapes for the training sessions on purpose."
"Are there any Watchers-in-training right now?"
"No. We haven't trained any new Watchers since the plague."
"Not since we became Christians," First added.
"One more question. What would you say is the main reason that Watchers haven't become Christians?"
"Most of our race became Christians out of desperation. The Watchers aren't desperate."
Kirk turned to the crowd. "First asked me to take charge of your retraining. I agreed to do what I could. 2731 thought I should spend thirty minutes with each of you. I suspect he thinks I should let you attack me while I laugh at you. While I'm not entirely opposed to the idea, I'm not sure that's the best approach. You've all been seriously wounded. You need healing, if you are to live normal productive lives. In addition, you need some practical retraining of your minds, attitudes, and behavior patterns.
"Would all of you who are Christians come down here please?"
There were ten altogether, including 1167 and 2731. Kirk addressed the ten.
"You have all given your lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Have you all received freedom from fear and healing of wounds?"
A chorus of 'yes's.
"Then I want you to prove it to this audience by tossing me in the air for the next fifteen minutes. If you are truly free, you can do this with joy, because you know I think it's fun. I want to hear you laugh."
He walked among them, but no one moved to pick him up. In fact, they shrank from him. And no one spoke.
"2731, you know I like it. Why can't you do this?"
"I could do it because you tell me to, but not with joy. I am not free enough to laugh with you. The wounds are very deep."
"I would like to pray for each of you. Would you be more comfortable in a group, or one-on-one? And what about this audience of your colleagues?"
"Personally, I don't care who's watching," 2731 replied.
"What about you, 1167?" Kirk asked.
"You can wipe away all the years of agony?"
"Not me; Jesus can. I'm just the catalyst, a tool in His hands. Jesus can banish it all, and make you clean and whole. All you have to do is want Him to."
"Yes! I do!"
Kirk laid his hands on 1167 and prayed for him.
"Lord, I release Your healing power into 1167 right now. Wash him of all the hurt, the agony, those terrible memories. Banish all the evil out of his life."
Suddenly 1167 started shaking and trembling. He did not speak, but he moaned, a drawn-out, haunting wail. Then he wrapped Kirk in his arms and squeezed him rhythmically for several minutes. Just as suddenly, he released Kirk and stopped moaning and shaking.
"Do you know that life flows from you? I felt it as I squeezed you. I kept thinking I would squeeze you dry, but there was always more."
Kirk laughed. "The supply is inexhaustible. It's Jesus in me that you felt."
Kirk prayed next for 2731, then for each of the others. After that, they did toss him in the air. And they were having so much fun, Kirk let it go on almost thirty minutes. They seemed like little children. Throughout the fun, First had kept his distance, and just watched.
Kirk walked over to him. "First, why didn't you join us? Is such fun not allowed for one in your position?"
"No, it's not that, though it has been many years since I played with my children. No Watcher touches outsiders."
"Well, it's time that changed. Are they afraid of you, or you of them?"
"Probably both. They fear the plague; I fear their agony."
"Lord Jesus," Kirk prayed aloud. "Cast out their fears; give them Your courage, and Your joy." Turning back to First, he declared, "All the fear is gone. You need to act on that truth, regardless of your preconceptions."
First took a few tentative steps in the direction of the others. 1167 came right up to him, followed closely thereafter by 2731. Soon all ten were crowding in close. First was enveloped in an enormous group hug. Kirk was caught up in it, simply because of his proximity. It was a wild collection of arms going every which way.
There was no audible sound, but Kirk could see tentacles making contact everywhere he looked. They brushed against him repeatedly, and then quickly backed off, as if embarrassed at having made a mistake. But no one touched his head, and he decided not to press it. It was obvious what was going on anyway. He didn't need the auditory confirmation.
When the group finally broke up, Kirk addressed them again.
"Here's what I want to do now. Think of the one person that's closest to you that needs to hear this wonderful good news, and experience the freedom you now have. Now go and talk to that person about Jesus. Pray with them, and watch the Lord work His power. 1167, you stay here."
One by one, the nine popped out, taking nine of the audience with them. Kirk turned to 1167.
"When they come back for further instructions, send them to talk to someone else. And keep it up for the next two days. Then I want everybody back here for second shift, first day after rest day. Meanwhile, there must be some, say two to ten people, that you would consider difficult to reach. These are the ones you think least likely to respond positively to anything I have to say. Doesn't matter why, might be different reasons. You pick them out, and get them down on the floor here."
Kirk went over to First while 1167 deliberated.
*You don't have to stay and watch the rest of this.*
*But I'm going to. Your tactics are becoming quite familiar.*
*How can you know what I'm going to do? Even I don't know.*
*I don't. But I'm staying, and that's final.*
*Okay. Suit yourself.*
Kirk turned back to 1167. There were now twelve others with him.
"I know you said ten, but-"
"It's okay; that was just an estimate. So, would you introduce me?"
1167 gave the number of each, then told him that ten of them were antagonistic. The last two, however, were withdrawn. They had barely passed the final exam, and were almost useless as Watchers. Kirk tried to put his hands on them to pray for them, but neither would let him get that close.
"You will both return to your rooms and sleep for the next three days. You will wake refreshed, and willing to talk. I command the peace of the Lord to rest on you."
They popped out. 1167 sounded doubtful.
"They don't talk to anyone, not even me. How can you say they will talk to you?"
Kirk smiled. "Wait and see. The Lord is more powerful than fear. As for these others, perhaps 2731's idea would be best."