Epilogue - One year later.
They were cruising at Warp Four, on their way to pick up several ambassadors from planets in the Sagittarius Arm. Kirk disliked catering to planetary ambassadors, but understood this was part of his job.
"Captain." Spock interrupted his musings. "I am picking up a reading. A vessel is approaching at faster than warp speed."
"Red Alert. Can you get me a visual?"
"On screen." They stared in amazement at the vessel approaching. All on the Bridge remembered the shape of that vessel.
Kirk sat back in the chair. "Cancel Red Alert. Uhura, see if they've installed intership voice communication."
"Aye, sir. This is the USS Enterprise. Please acknowledge. Captain, they're responding. It's audio only."
"Put it on the speakers."
"... is Sixty-five, calling Captain Kirk of the starship Enterprise. Can you hear me?"
Uhura nodded at Kirk. "Greetings, Sixty-five. What brings you back to our galaxy?"
"I have been sent specifically to find you. But this time it was much easier, due to the installation of some of your technology. May I invite you to come aboard? This form of communication is somewhat unsatisfactory."
"Will my communicator work over there? And how many of us did you want to see?"
"Yes, your communicators should work, but probably not your transporter. And we would like as many of the seven of you as are able to come."
"Give us fifteen minutes, then you can pick us up from here on the Bridge. Kirk out." Kirk called Sickbay. "Bones, are you doing anything important that can't wait?"
"Jim, what kind of a question is that? I'm always doing something important."
"If you can get to the Bridge in less than fifteen minutes, we have a visitor I think you'd be sorry to miss."
"You're speaking in riddles, Jim, but you've got me hooked. Give me ten minutes."
"Thanks, Bones. Kirk out." Scotty was next in Engineering. Kirk was equally vague, but Scotty came anyway, muttering about time-wasters. Everyone else was already on the Bridge, so he had them call replacements for their stations. Fifteen minutes after Kirk had talked to Sixty-five, the seven of them disappeared from the Bridge.
They found themselves in what looked like First's room, but no one was in it. Instead, each doorway held one of them, and they were not linked to each other, at least as far as Kirk could tell. He looked around at each of them in puzzlement.
"Have you got this room wired for sound? Can you hear me? If so, which of you wants to explain what's going on?" There was no response. "Opinions, Spock?"
"It is possible, Captain, that they cannot hear you. Remembering their propensity for experimental observation, it would not surprise me if this is some kind of test. Perhaps, they wish to know if you remember which is which; or possibly, whether you will initiate communication. There can be no certainty of pain-free contact. Most puzzling is the fact that they are not linked to each other."
"They don't appear to be dying." Without any further word to his crew, Kirk went unerringly to Sixty-five, wrapped two of his arms around his waist, put the ends on his head, and waited for contact. The rest of the crew followed suit, each to the same one they had joined with the previous year. Kirk had time only for a brief prayer for his crew before Sixty-five made contact. Kirk had forgotten the intensity of this pain, but immediately began giving it to the Lord.
*Greetings, Captain Kirk. As usual, Spock is correct. We did wire the room for sound, but we wished to find out if you had changed. I am pleased you have not, and gratified that you can recognize me. Not only you, but your crew as well, knew us even though we purposely changed our room locations. Are you angry with us for testing you?*
*No, it is part of who you are. But why aren't you linked to each other?*
*It was in tribute to you. To show we have not lost that which you gave us last year.*
*I am honored. Have you now rejoined your circle?*
*No. We are able to maintain long periods of separation now.*
*Is there any reason not to rejoin your circle? It seems more normal for you to be linked together.*
*Do you wish us to rejoin our ring?*
*Yes, unless there's something you're not telling me.*
*There are many things I have not yet told you, but no reason why we cannot do as you ask.* Kirk heard the next words with his ears, as well as his mind. *"The Captain wishes us to rejoin our ring."* Kirk realized Sixty-five's voice had come from a small speaker near the top of his core. *We have rejoined our ring.*
*Good. Can you find out for me whether any of my crew are having difficulty with this? As I'm sure you're aware, we do not have pain-free contact, as we did before.*
*I will check.* Pause. *All are maintaining contact, giving the pain to Jesus as you are doing, even your non-believers.*
*They are no longer non-believers. What happened last year changed all of us. They are all strong believers now. But I'm sure you didn't come all this way just to chat. What is your purpose? How can we help you?*
Sixty-five laughed. *You really haven't changed, have you?*
*Did you think I would?*
*So much has happened to us in the last year, it would not surprise me if you had changed greatly.*
*I sense grief, anguish, and sorrow in you. What happened? How can I help?*
Sixty-five showed him his memories of the past year, beginning with their return home. It took patience and endurance, but eventually they were able to lead the entire Ruling Ring to the Lord, and freedom from fear. After that, First was restored to his position of leadership. In the weeks that followed, they worked tirelessly to free each of their people. Some received; others did not. When they had reached perhaps a tenth of the people, disaster struck.
A strange disease reached epidemic proportions in a matter of days. It was discovered that the disease was transmitted through touch. Suddenly, that which had been a lifeline became a dispenser of death. The entire world was panic-stricken. With every new case, there would be dozens of people breaking contact with everyone. Most were unable to handle the isolation. Many went berserk; violent crime was rampant. In the space of two weeks, there was no one left who had not either died of the disease, or was dying due to the isolation.
Except for the ten percent who had become Christians. There were a few cases of the disease among them, but they were prayed over and were healed. The Christians were dispatched to all corners of the globe to attempt to rescue the people from their fear of isolation. It was difficult, and not always successful, but they persisted. They had learned patience and endurance from the Captain, as well as the faith that with God, nothing was impossible. They were eventually able to save approximately two-thirds of the population. Some refused to be helped, some were not reached in time, and of course, many had died from the disease itself.
As a result of the disaster, their entire society was altered. They established a means of communicating without touch. Thereafter, touch communication was reserved for close family and friends. Housing was altered, providing for the separation that was now deemed necessary. As a result of their encounter with Kirk and his crew, they had the concepts for the kind of living they must now establish. They were determined never to be caught by this kind of plague again.
*When the new structures for society were fairly well established, the Ruling Ring decided to send the delegation to find you and thank you for saving our world from complete destruction. First and Third send you their greetings, but did not think it wise to come with us at this time. They are still needed at home.*
*I grieve with you over the loss of life. I'm sure you did all you could. Nevertheless, I know what it feels like to wish you could have done more. I see now why the Lord brought us together when He did. Without what you learned in that encounter, you would not have been able to save your people. I am grateful we were able to help. Thank you for coming to tell us what happened. Would I be wrong in guessing that's not the only reason you came?*
*You are correct. We have not forgotten your request for an ambassador. Since isolation is no longer a problem, and we have a means to communicate non-telepathically, the Ruling Ring decided to honor your request. It is the least we can do for you who have saved our world. We have brought you an ambassador. One of us is prepared to transport to your vessel, and remain with your people for a period of one year. After that, we will return for him, and another of our people will take his place. Perhaps in time, one or more of your people will come to our world. Would you care to guess which of our people was chosen as the first ambassador?*
*You're playing games again, but yes, I'll guess. I think it's Twenty-nine.*
*I don't know how you do it, Captain. You are correct, it is Twenty-nine.*
*We will be glad to have him aboard. Some preparations will need to be made, however, such as a room big enough, set to appropriate gravity and air supply. Also, a way to provide for his food supply, and any other personal needs. I'll have to check with my people, but these preparations could take several hours. Last year, we spent an entire week with you. Right now, however, we don't have that much time. We are en route to pick up several other planetary ambassadors, who don't like to be kept waiting. Would it offend you and your people if we managed this transfer in less than a day? I wish we could stay and talk at length. Perhaps, we'll have more time next year.*
*It will not offend us. We, too, need to get home as soon as possible.*
*Very well, then. Have your people been sharing the story with my crew?*
*Yes, each in his own way.*
*Good; that will save time. If you'll disconnect me, we'll return when preparations are complete. I'll be in touch if we have problems.*
They managed the transfer in just four hours. Sixty-five's parting comment was an invitation for Kirk to visit their world.
Kirk laughed and said, *Maybe I will. But you know I don't like being a legend. It's bad enough in my galaxy. You've created an image of me for your people that isn't really who I am. You've created a superhero who never makes mistakes, has the courage and strength of ten men, and is full of compassion and patience besides.*
*So come and prove you're not perfect, by showing us the real you.*
*Maybe I will. Just maybe, some day, I will.*
