Spectre of the Mask
By Rob Morris
Chekov was apparently dead and the news was only getting worse in the Melkotian Re-Creation of Tombstone, Arizona. The gunfight at the OK Corral was more unwinnable than ever. Spock shook his head.
"Captain, the Melkotian illusion is far too intrusive. I cannot make this unreal place unreal enough. I fear we are lost."
McCoy made a fist and Scotty prayed. If Spock couldn't help himself, then every last bullet would find its mark. But their Captain never gave up.
"We can't get out of town. We know that. But can we get a message out?"
"All respect, Captain, but I hardly think the Melkotians'll allow us to be callin' the Enterprise for help."
"Not the Enterprise, Scotty. The Old West had brutality, and hatred. But there were those who served the cause of justice and the law. Two people in particular."
Spock nodded.
"Indeed, and our foes would have no choice but to respect these men, since all in this era did."
"Aye, but can those two be gotten here in time?"
McCoy grinned.
"Mister Scott, those two ALWAYS arrived on time."
The message was sent, and Sundown finally arrived. The gunfighters stood across from the Enterprise crew.
"You Clantons ready to die?"
Kirk shook his head.
"Nope."
Just then, two figures on horseback arrived and shot the guns out of the would-be executioner's hands. Doc Holliday was angered.
"This ain't your fight. Now get out of Tombstone!"
But the man with a white hat on a silvery horse, wearing a blue cowboy outfit that looked like it had never seen a stain, stood firm.
"Doc Holliday, you and I have had occasion to stand side-by-side. Now, these Clantons have agreed to turn themselves in, and answer for their crimes. Let the law decide these men's fates."
"This is the way the law works, here in Arizona."
The man's companion, a Native American of regal bearing, shook his head at that.
"Such a law is no law at all, as many of my people can attest. You cannot claim to bring law to this land and also do what you planned to do. Do not let your Constitution become as empty as the promises made to those who once held these lands in trust."
"Well said, my Old Friend. Doc, which path do you choose?"
The Melkotian illusion vanished when Holliday's group walked away. The two heroes waved at The Enterprise's crew, including a revived Chekov, before vanishing as well. Chekov stared at something he held in his hand. The Melkotian spoke once more.
"Through shrewdness and logic, you have bested our illusion, and shown yourselves to be much less barbaric than we thought. We shall talk again when we are ready."
Back on the ship, Chekov showed Kirk what he had in his hand--a single silver bullet.
"Kyptin, just who VAS that masked man?"
Kirk smiled. Spock spoke up.
"That Was No Masked Man, Ensign. That Was The Lone Ranger."
With that, Kirk and company, using their silvery ship with many times the speed of light, went----AWAY!!!
A Little William Tell Overture, anyone?
