Chapter 16

They came for Nan Rushmore in the morning.

Jamie watched with wide, scared eyes as they dragged the news reporter away for another "training session." She sat on her bunk, the computer disk buried safely in her right boot, and tried to hold back her tears.

They're gonna kill her, Jamie thought, sick at heart. I'm sorry, Nan! I can't help you. Not one teensy bit!

Jamie dared not try to interfere. There was nothing she could do. No pleading would do any good with those scary-looking Klingon guards.

"Your turn's coming, brat," one of the guards barked on his way out. He laughed and snapped on the force field.

Jamie jumped, startled. If you knew what I'm hiding in my boot, you would take me right now.

She wondered how long it would take the Klingon scientists to figure out they were making copies of a blank disk.

"And there's a bigger problem," Jamie whispered to herself when Nan was gone. "How will I ever get this disk to Daddy? It'll be too late once that trade conference ends. If the Klingons have won Jovita, then I stole it for nothing."

The sound of running footsteps brought Jamie back to the dull reality of her prison cell. She looked up and saw Princess Meyla flutter to a stop just on the other side of the force field.

She was scrubbed and fresh and wore a new dress. Her hair shone, and she was smiling brightly. One of her Jovitian aides stood behind her, along with Commander Kor.

"Hello, Jamie," Meyla chirped happily.

Jamie stared at the princess. Why does she sound so happy? Can't she see I'm not happy at all?

Then she glanced at the commander. She thought about giving the computer disk to him. Kor obviously knew nothing about the experiments going on aboard his ship.

Don't be stupid! she told herself. Kor might be angry over things done in secret, but he was still a Klingon. He would not pass up an opportunity to best the Federation. He'd probably get into a huge fight with K'traz then hand the disk back to him.

"Jamie?" Meyla called. "What's wrong?"

Jamie slid from her cot and approached the force field, being careful not to touch it.

"What . . . what are you doing here, Meyla?"

Meyla's pretty face twisted into a confused frown. "Aren't you happy to see me? I've missed you. I wanted to know if you have been treated well, and my councilors finally gave in and allowed me to see you."

"They haven't tortured me yet, if that's what you mean. But as you can see"—Jamie spread her arms wide—"this is not the best cabin on the ship."

Kor grunted a soft chuckle.

"It's cold and lonely," Jamie went on. "I want my father. I want to go back to the Enter—"

"That's enough," Kor cut in.

"Why is she still here, Commander?" Meyla demanded. "Why can't she be returned to the Enterprise?"

"You will have to take that up with your councilors," Kor replied.

Meyla peered at Jamie through the force field. A light of understanding suddenly sparked in her eyes. "It's to make sure I do and say exactly as I'm told at the conference, isn't it?" She whirled on Kor. "Isn't it?"

"Yes, Your Highness. I'm surprised you only now figured that out."

"You lied to me. You didn't tell me my friend was behind a force field, cold and unhappy. And I suppose you lied about Ms. Rushmore too!"

Kor said nothing.

Meyla drew herself up. "I do not wish to talk with my friend through a force field. It buzzes and hurts my ears. Please lower the shield and allow me to pass into Jamie's cell."

The Jovitian advisor, Tur'pov nodded. "Commander?"

Kor turned to the guard. "Lower the shield."

The buzzing noise disappeared, and Meyla passed through the arch. Tur'pov followed.

Meyla turned on him. "Leave us. I don't like eavesdroppers. You've listened to every conversation I've had with my uncle these past two days, but not now."

Tur'pov scowled, opened his mouth to protest, and looked at Kor.

The commander shrugged. "They're a couple of kids."

Tur'pov nodded curtly and stalked away.

"Tahmer," Kor ordered the security guard, "I'm returning to the bridge. When the princess has finished her visit, escort her to her quarters." He bowed respectfully to Meyla. "Please limit your visit to ten minutes."

"As you wish, Commander."

As soon as Kor left, Meyla rushed to Jamie and threw her arms around her neck. "Oh, Jamie," she whispered in her ear, "I've been so worried about you. I should have known they were lying." She choked back a sob. "I should have sensed it. Everything is just as awful as it can be. What are we going to do?"

"Do?" Jamie shook her head. "We can't do anything. They're bigger than we are. We're on their ship." She lowered her voice. "Have you talked to anyone from the Enterprise?"

Meyla nodded. "That's why I'm here. I promised Captain Kirk I'd see how you were doing." She grasped Jamie's cold, dirty hands. "I wish I could get you out of here."

"Me too." Then Jamie drew her close and whispered, "Meyla, listen to me. Last night I took a trip through the air ducts."

Meyla sucked in a breath. "Not again!"

Jamie nodded. "I found something important. I can't tell you what it is, but it could change everything. You've got to give it to my father."

"How? He's on the Enterprise."

"Give it to him when you beam down for the trade conference. Or give it to your uncle. Whatever happens, it must get to my father, along with a message."

"What message?"

"That it's from me, that I found it on the Korbin, and that he has to look at it."

Jamie peeked around Meyla. The guard was leaning against the wall, eyes half closed. She felt along the inside of her boot, pulled out the bronze computer disk, and placed it in her friend's hands.

Meyla wrinkled her forehead. "What's this?"

"It's something I stole from the Klingons, something important. Something dangerous."

"You stole it?" Meyla's eyes grew round.

Jamie nodded.

Meyla handed the disk back. "In two days we'll reach Epsilon Hydrae IV. Why can't you give it to the captain yourself when we beam down?"

"I don't think I'll be going down," Jamie said bleakly. "Ms. Feldman has other plans for me. Bad ones, I think."

"What do you mean? Of course you'll beam down. I'll insist that—"

"Meyla!" Jamie cut off her silly speech. "Just give the disk to my dad."

Meyla blinked and glanced fearfully at the disk in her hands. "If this thing is as dangerous as you say, then I don't want any part of it. I'm frightened." Huge tears rolled down her pale cheeks. "I don't like these Klingons."

"Do you think I'm not scared?" Jamie snapped. "I want to get off this ship, but I'm stuck. Really stuck. I want my dad, and I . . . I . . ." She shook Meyla. "You must help me."

Meyla shook her head.

Jamie let go of Meyla. With shaking hands, she reached inside her shirt and drew out her Ice Flake. "Here. Take it."

Meyla gasped. "But that's yours for saving my life."

"I'd rather you repaid me another way."

Meyla looked at the Ice Flake necklace hanging from Jamie's fingers, then at the computer disk. She swallowed.

"Take the disk," Jamie pleaded. "Give it to my father. Please."

"This means more to you than an Ice Flake?"

"Lots more."

"Your ten minutes are up," the guard barked.

Suddenly, Meyla snatched the disk, thrust it under her wide, blue sash, and pushed the necklace back toward Jamie. "Keep it. I'll do as you ask."

Jamie threw her arms around Meyla. "Promise?"

"A royal promise, my friend," Meyla agreed with a shaky smile. She allowed the guard to lead her toward the exit. The force field snapped on.

"Thank you," Jamie whispered after her.