DEGUELLO - Chapter 11
by Trish Bennett
Spock sat alone in the darkened Briefing Room, his eyes closed, attempting to fully comprehend what he had just witnessed.
The signal that Lieutenant Uhura intercepted had left the bridge crew, in the words of Doctor McCoy, shocked and sickened. Spock himself found the images disquieting, to say the least.
They had witnessed the torture of James T. Kirk by his Klingon captors. Fortunately for the human crew, it was a brief glimpse at his ordeal. The signal deteriorated as the Captain was released from his restraints, and Spock saw no practical need to reestablish it. In his opinion, they had seen quite enough.
The transmission had confirmed, however, his belief that Kirk was still alive. And in tracing the source of the transmission, Lieutenant Uhura had been able to confirm that it had come from the vicinity of the second planet.
The incident had also confirmed Spock's belief that they could not afford to wait for reinforcements to arrive. They had to take action soon or the Captain would not survive.
The sound of the door opening startled him. Had he been human, he might have jumped at the sound. Spock, however, remained absolutely motionless.
He raised his eyes to see the senior officers of the Enterprise enter single-file through the doors. They stood together as the doors closed behind them in a visual display of solidarity.
Spock had left them on the bridge to determine the Captain's location beyond any reasonable doubt. If they were to take official action, he would need more than conjecture and intuition on which to base his decision.
"You have found something?" he said, unsure what to make of their unexpected visit.
Ensign Chekov, though somewhat hesitant, stepped forward to speak. "I was unable to locate any life signs on the second planet, Mr. Spock," he said, glancing quickly toward the others for some sort of moral support. "But there are indications of a power source from beneath the planet surface."
"Have you eliminated the possibility of a natural source?"
"Yes, Sir."
Spock waited for an explanation but the officers remained uneasily silent. Humans could be such indecisive creatures.
"I assume there is another reason for this visit," he said at last.
Lieutenant Sulu glanced quickly at his companions, then he, too, stepped forward to speak.
"Mr. Spock...it is the concensus of the crew that we abide by your decision, of course, but..." He stopped hesitantly, apparently searching for the words. "We want you to know that we are willing to go into the Neutral Zone, despite the orders from Starfleet, in order to rescue the Captain. We just wanted you to know that, Sir, in case it has some bearing on your decision."
Spock wanted to make sure he had heard the Lieutenant correctly. "You have the consensus of the entire crew," he repeated, "to violate Starfleet order and Neutral Zone treaty?"
"Er..." Sulu glanced at the others again. "Yes, Sir."
Spock looked into each of their faces in turn, finally focusing on Doctor McCoy. The Doctor offered him a weak smile and shrug. Spock finally lowered his hands and clasped them on the table before him.
"You must certainly be aware of the consequences of such an action," he said firmly. "The Enterprise could very well be destroyed, or worse yet, captured. And even if we were successful and survived the attempt to rescue Captain Kirk, we would all very likely be court martialed on charges of mutiny." He gazed at all of them intently. "Do you understand what I am saying?"
He received a simultaneous nod of assent.
"Spock..." McCoy said. "We also know that we are not scheduled to rendezvous with the Yorktown and Excalibur for another day and a half. I think all of us are aware by now that Jim Kirk doesn't have that long. Rules and regulations aside, I think we all agree that we have to try. If we don't, we'll never be able to live with ourselves." He paused briefly, then added, "I don't see any other alternative."
Although the very thought of it made him uneasy, Spock was forced to agree with the Doctor.
"Unfortunately, Doctor, neither do I." He ignored the smiles of relief on their faces as he continued. "It is quite possible that there are other cloaked vessels out there, just waiting for us to cross the Neutral Zone."
"But if there were," Scott broke in, "wouldn't they have assisted the other ship rather than let it self-destruct?"
"That was my thought as well, Engineer," Spock agreed. "But if we are correct, we must move quickly before reinforcements have a chance to arrive."
Spock rose smoothly from his chair and stood at rigid attention before them.
"However, I must make one thing absolutely clear. Under no circumstances can we allow the Enterprise to fall into enemy hands. Mr. Scott, I want you to adapt our own self-destruct mechanism to be quickly and easily accessible at a moment's notice if it becomes necessary. And I will not hesitate to use it if I see no other alternatives."
"Aye, Sir," Scotty replied without hesitation.
"Very well. Return to your stations. I shall join you momentarily."
The group filed out of the Briefing Room the same way they had entered, in rigid, single-file formation. Only the Doctor remained behind.
"You have a comment, Doctor?" Spock said after a moment.
McCoy gazed at him solemnly a moment, then offered him a smile of approval.
"Nothing important," he said finally. "Just...thanks."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The hand that touched Kirk's shoulder made him jump, though it was a soothing, gentle touch. He raised his head just slightly off the cavern floor.
"...Tina?"
"Yes, Jim," she whispered. "It's all right. He's gone."
Relief flooded over him, and he could think of nothing to say but her name.
"Tina..."
Girard sobbed openly as she rolled him to her, easing his back across her lap and cradling his head in her arm.
At least his hands were free of the shackles that had bound him since their capture. That was a relief in itself. Then he realized the pain had greatly subsided. Maybe he was just getting used to it. Maybe he was becoming immune. And maybe...just maybe...it gave him a new advantage.
"Please don't leave me here alone," he heard her whisper urgently as she brushed his matted hair away from his face. "Please..."
Kirk opened his eyes to look at her. It was a simple thing, but it seemed to console her immensely. She smiled at him through her tears.
"You're amazing," she said at last.
The Captain chuckle morosely. "Amazingly stupid," he said hoarsely. Anyone else would simply have died by now and gotten it over with. Why was he being so stubborn? Why did he still feel they had a chance?
"Aren't you even scared?"
He hadn't realized until she said it that fear was the one emotion that he had lost. When did that happen?
"No, not anymore. Seems kind of senseless now, don't you think?"
Her tears were nearly gone now. "Yes, I guess it does."
Kirk gazed at her through heavy eyelids as she stroked the hair at his forehead. She seemed much more calm now, immensely relieved that he...
Wait a minute!
The Captain had an idea. Not much of an idea, granted, but it was something that had worked for him in the past.
Just a moment ago, Girard had been concerned that he would die and leave her here alone. Kor certainly wasn't ready for that to happen, either. Perhaps this was the opportunity he had been waiting for.
Kirk was feeling stronger now, but he couldn't let the Klingons know it. Unfortunately, that meant he couldn't let his young Lieutenant know it, either. He had to keep up the facade. He searched desperately for something to say.
"There are some things I've done..." he said softly, weakly. "Some things I haven't done...that I regret. I've lost a lot of people I've cared about."
It had started as a ruse, a deception to convince the Klingons that his injuries were more severe than they actually were. But as he spoke, the words seemed to come much easier, and Kirk himself began to wonder where the fantasy ended and reality began.
"Sometimes it was necessary," he said, and the faces of absent friends appeared clearly in his memory. Gary Mitchell. Edith Keeler. Then his brother, Sam. And Carol Marcus. "And sometimes it wasn't."
He looked back into Girard's face. Kirk knew it sounded like a last confession, for it certainly felt like one.
"You give up a lot for a career like ours. Too much, I think."
"Maybe," Girard replied thoughtfully. "But if it weren't for Starfleet, I'd never have met you."
Kirk closed his eyes. "Small consolation, isn't it?"
"Actually, I think it was worth it." When he opened his eyes, she graced him with the most beautifully peaceful smile he had ever seen. "...methinks I could not die anywhere so contented as in the king's company -- his cause being just and his quarrel honourable..."
Kirk was at a complete loss for words. He continued to gaze at her, for hours it seemed, before she finally spoke again.
"You know what I regret most? Never having children." She continued to stroke his hair absently as she spoke. "Seems kind of silly, doesn't it? I'd never have time for them anyway."
"I have a child," Kirk confessed solemnly. "A son I've never seen. He's probably eight, maybe nine years old now...I don't know." He heaved a painful sigh. "I don't even know what he looks like. And he doesn't even know my name."
"He will, someday," she said. "And I think he'll be proud to know that you're his father."
Kirk looked into her dark eyes and couldn't resist a feeble chuckle. "You were voted Most Optimistic in your graduating class, weren't you?" he said dryly.
She gave him a coy smile and quickly bit her lip. "Does it show?"
"Just a little."
He chuckled again, then began to cough. It was an annoying, uncontrollable spasm, but at least it worked nicely into his plan. As the spell began to subside, he opened his eyes and looked up into her now frightened face.
"Listen to me," he whispered urgently. "I'm not going to make it out of here. I think we both know that by now."
Girard's breath quickened, and she shook her head, attempting a reassuring smile. "Don't talk like that," she said softly. "Everything will be fine, you'll see..."
Kirk closed his eyes and exhaled a moan that wasn't completely an act. "It's too late for that." He took quick, shallow breaths, making it more and more difficult for him to speak. "You're the only one left...who can tell the Federation what really happened here. Do you hear me? You have to find a way!"
Girard appeared almost frantic now. "But how?"
"I don't know. Just promise me...you have to try!" His voice was a desperate whisper.
"I will...I promise."
"Good..." He breathed, allowing himself to be consoled by her vow. Kirk closed his eyes and forced himself to relax. She believed the act. Perhaps that meant the Klingons would believe it, too.
Kirk began to breathe more and more unevenly, occasionally allowing a muffled cough to break the silence. He heard her unsteady voice repeating his name, but he made no effort to respond. It was time. And it had to work.
He regretted having to deceive her this way, but he needed a sincere reaction from her if he was to convince Kor that he was near death. And what he got was sincerity tenfold.
"Oh God, don't die!" she sobbed, her trembling hand squeezing his until it hurt. "Please don't die!" Her voice rose suddenly as she cried in desperation, "Oh please, somebody help me!"
And then he heard it. The heavy footsteps echoing outside the chamber. The force field falling silent. He felt her body tense as the Klingon knelt close beside him.
Kirk opened his eyes a sliver and quickly spotted the Commander's disrupter in its holster at his side. Just then, he felt the hot Klingon hand lightly slapping his face.
"Wake up, Captain," Kor said smoothly. "It's not time for you to go yet."
And then he did it. In one smooth movement, Kirk was able to pull the weapon from its holster and push himself off the Lieutenant's lap. It took more effort than he had expected, and he suddenly felt very dizzy, but he was able to keep the disrupter aimed steadily at the Klingon's chest.
"Oh, yes it is!" Kirk growled angrily. "Back up."
Kor moved back obligingly but continued to glare steadily into the Captain's face. His expression was unreadable.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kirk noticed a Klingon sentry reaching slowly for his disrupter.
"Pull it out slowly!" Kirk barked. "Then drop it...and back away." His eyes shifted back to Kor's.
Kor hesitated only a moment and then, without looking away from Kirk, nodded his head smoothly. The sentry immediately obliged, then stepped back from the weapon on the floor.
Kirk glanced quickly at his stunned companion beside him. Her mouth was open, and she was staring at him with wide-eyed amazement. But he didn't have time to think about that right now.
"Go get it," he ordered. "Then come back here."
"Yes, Sir," she said, scrambling quickly to her feet.
Kirk watched her warily approach the guard, crouch down slowly to retrieve the weapon, then ease her way back to stand next to him. She kept the disrupter trained on the second Klingon.
Kirk rose stiffly to his feet, careful to keep his own disrupter leveled at Kor. The Commander's face was still etched in stone.
"How many more guards," Kirk demanded. "Tell me."
Kor allowed himself a sly smile. "Would you honestly believe me if I did?"
"No, I suppose not." Kirk reached for his Lieutenant's hand. "Well, it's been...delightful, as always, Kor. We really must do this again sometime."
The Klingon remained silent as Kirk and Girard backed gingerly toward the cavern entrance. Once they had passed through it, Kirk quickly activated the force field. Then he realized he was sweating.
Kirk made sure they were well out of view of the Klingons in the primitive cell before he finally stopped and leaned himself against the cavern wall. He had to get his bearings. He had to catch his breath.
"Are you all right?" Girard asked, feeling his forehead with the back of her hand. "You're as white as a ghost."
"I'll be all right," he said. "Just give me a minute." He finally looked into her face. "I'm sorry I had to deceive you like that. I was running out of ideas."
"Don't apologize," she offered quickly, then an impish smile crossed her lips. "Just don't ever do that to me again!"
The Captain returned the smile. "I'll try to remember that."
Girard sobered, studying him intently. "Captain...even if we do manage to escape, then what? What are we going to do?"
Kirk shrugged. "I don't know," he said honestly. "We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Come on, let's get out of here."
by Trish Bennett
Spock sat alone in the darkened Briefing Room, his eyes closed, attempting to fully comprehend what he had just witnessed.
The signal that Lieutenant Uhura intercepted had left the bridge crew, in the words of Doctor McCoy, shocked and sickened. Spock himself found the images disquieting, to say the least.
They had witnessed the torture of James T. Kirk by his Klingon captors. Fortunately for the human crew, it was a brief glimpse at his ordeal. The signal deteriorated as the Captain was released from his restraints, and Spock saw no practical need to reestablish it. In his opinion, they had seen quite enough.
The transmission had confirmed, however, his belief that Kirk was still alive. And in tracing the source of the transmission, Lieutenant Uhura had been able to confirm that it had come from the vicinity of the second planet.
The incident had also confirmed Spock's belief that they could not afford to wait for reinforcements to arrive. They had to take action soon or the Captain would not survive.
The sound of the door opening startled him. Had he been human, he might have jumped at the sound. Spock, however, remained absolutely motionless.
He raised his eyes to see the senior officers of the Enterprise enter single-file through the doors. They stood together as the doors closed behind them in a visual display of solidarity.
Spock had left them on the bridge to determine the Captain's location beyond any reasonable doubt. If they were to take official action, he would need more than conjecture and intuition on which to base his decision.
"You have found something?" he said, unsure what to make of their unexpected visit.
Ensign Chekov, though somewhat hesitant, stepped forward to speak. "I was unable to locate any life signs on the second planet, Mr. Spock," he said, glancing quickly toward the others for some sort of moral support. "But there are indications of a power source from beneath the planet surface."
"Have you eliminated the possibility of a natural source?"
"Yes, Sir."
Spock waited for an explanation but the officers remained uneasily silent. Humans could be such indecisive creatures.
"I assume there is another reason for this visit," he said at last.
Lieutenant Sulu glanced quickly at his companions, then he, too, stepped forward to speak.
"Mr. Spock...it is the concensus of the crew that we abide by your decision, of course, but..." He stopped hesitantly, apparently searching for the words. "We want you to know that we are willing to go into the Neutral Zone, despite the orders from Starfleet, in order to rescue the Captain. We just wanted you to know that, Sir, in case it has some bearing on your decision."
Spock wanted to make sure he had heard the Lieutenant correctly. "You have the consensus of the entire crew," he repeated, "to violate Starfleet order and Neutral Zone treaty?"
"Er..." Sulu glanced at the others again. "Yes, Sir."
Spock looked into each of their faces in turn, finally focusing on Doctor McCoy. The Doctor offered him a weak smile and shrug. Spock finally lowered his hands and clasped them on the table before him.
"You must certainly be aware of the consequences of such an action," he said firmly. "The Enterprise could very well be destroyed, or worse yet, captured. And even if we were successful and survived the attempt to rescue Captain Kirk, we would all very likely be court martialed on charges of mutiny." He gazed at all of them intently. "Do you understand what I am saying?"
He received a simultaneous nod of assent.
"Spock..." McCoy said. "We also know that we are not scheduled to rendezvous with the Yorktown and Excalibur for another day and a half. I think all of us are aware by now that Jim Kirk doesn't have that long. Rules and regulations aside, I think we all agree that we have to try. If we don't, we'll never be able to live with ourselves." He paused briefly, then added, "I don't see any other alternative."
Although the very thought of it made him uneasy, Spock was forced to agree with the Doctor.
"Unfortunately, Doctor, neither do I." He ignored the smiles of relief on their faces as he continued. "It is quite possible that there are other cloaked vessels out there, just waiting for us to cross the Neutral Zone."
"But if there were," Scott broke in, "wouldn't they have assisted the other ship rather than let it self-destruct?"
"That was my thought as well, Engineer," Spock agreed. "But if we are correct, we must move quickly before reinforcements have a chance to arrive."
Spock rose smoothly from his chair and stood at rigid attention before them.
"However, I must make one thing absolutely clear. Under no circumstances can we allow the Enterprise to fall into enemy hands. Mr. Scott, I want you to adapt our own self-destruct mechanism to be quickly and easily accessible at a moment's notice if it becomes necessary. And I will not hesitate to use it if I see no other alternatives."
"Aye, Sir," Scotty replied without hesitation.
"Very well. Return to your stations. I shall join you momentarily."
The group filed out of the Briefing Room the same way they had entered, in rigid, single-file formation. Only the Doctor remained behind.
"You have a comment, Doctor?" Spock said after a moment.
McCoy gazed at him solemnly a moment, then offered him a smile of approval.
"Nothing important," he said finally. "Just...thanks."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The hand that touched Kirk's shoulder made him jump, though it was a soothing, gentle touch. He raised his head just slightly off the cavern floor.
"...Tina?"
"Yes, Jim," she whispered. "It's all right. He's gone."
Relief flooded over him, and he could think of nothing to say but her name.
"Tina..."
Girard sobbed openly as she rolled him to her, easing his back across her lap and cradling his head in her arm.
At least his hands were free of the shackles that had bound him since their capture. That was a relief in itself. Then he realized the pain had greatly subsided. Maybe he was just getting used to it. Maybe he was becoming immune. And maybe...just maybe...it gave him a new advantage.
"Please don't leave me here alone," he heard her whisper urgently as she brushed his matted hair away from his face. "Please..."
Kirk opened his eyes to look at her. It was a simple thing, but it seemed to console her immensely. She smiled at him through her tears.
"You're amazing," she said at last.
The Captain chuckle morosely. "Amazingly stupid," he said hoarsely. Anyone else would simply have died by now and gotten it over with. Why was he being so stubborn? Why did he still feel they had a chance?
"Aren't you even scared?"
He hadn't realized until she said it that fear was the one emotion that he had lost. When did that happen?
"No, not anymore. Seems kind of senseless now, don't you think?"
Her tears were nearly gone now. "Yes, I guess it does."
Kirk gazed at her through heavy eyelids as she stroked the hair at his forehead. She seemed much more calm now, immensely relieved that he...
Wait a minute!
The Captain had an idea. Not much of an idea, granted, but it was something that had worked for him in the past.
Just a moment ago, Girard had been concerned that he would die and leave her here alone. Kor certainly wasn't ready for that to happen, either. Perhaps this was the opportunity he had been waiting for.
Kirk was feeling stronger now, but he couldn't let the Klingons know it. Unfortunately, that meant he couldn't let his young Lieutenant know it, either. He had to keep up the facade. He searched desperately for something to say.
"There are some things I've done..." he said softly, weakly. "Some things I haven't done...that I regret. I've lost a lot of people I've cared about."
It had started as a ruse, a deception to convince the Klingons that his injuries were more severe than they actually were. But as he spoke, the words seemed to come much easier, and Kirk himself began to wonder where the fantasy ended and reality began.
"Sometimes it was necessary," he said, and the faces of absent friends appeared clearly in his memory. Gary Mitchell. Edith Keeler. Then his brother, Sam. And Carol Marcus. "And sometimes it wasn't."
He looked back into Girard's face. Kirk knew it sounded like a last confession, for it certainly felt like one.
"You give up a lot for a career like ours. Too much, I think."
"Maybe," Girard replied thoughtfully. "But if it weren't for Starfleet, I'd never have met you."
Kirk closed his eyes. "Small consolation, isn't it?"
"Actually, I think it was worth it." When he opened his eyes, she graced him with the most beautifully peaceful smile he had ever seen. "...methinks I could not die anywhere so contented as in the king's company -- his cause being just and his quarrel honourable..."
Kirk was at a complete loss for words. He continued to gaze at her, for hours it seemed, before she finally spoke again.
"You know what I regret most? Never having children." She continued to stroke his hair absently as she spoke. "Seems kind of silly, doesn't it? I'd never have time for them anyway."
"I have a child," Kirk confessed solemnly. "A son I've never seen. He's probably eight, maybe nine years old now...I don't know." He heaved a painful sigh. "I don't even know what he looks like. And he doesn't even know my name."
"He will, someday," she said. "And I think he'll be proud to know that you're his father."
Kirk looked into her dark eyes and couldn't resist a feeble chuckle. "You were voted Most Optimistic in your graduating class, weren't you?" he said dryly.
She gave him a coy smile and quickly bit her lip. "Does it show?"
"Just a little."
He chuckled again, then began to cough. It was an annoying, uncontrollable spasm, but at least it worked nicely into his plan. As the spell began to subside, he opened his eyes and looked up into her now frightened face.
"Listen to me," he whispered urgently. "I'm not going to make it out of here. I think we both know that by now."
Girard's breath quickened, and she shook her head, attempting a reassuring smile. "Don't talk like that," she said softly. "Everything will be fine, you'll see..."
Kirk closed his eyes and exhaled a moan that wasn't completely an act. "It's too late for that." He took quick, shallow breaths, making it more and more difficult for him to speak. "You're the only one left...who can tell the Federation what really happened here. Do you hear me? You have to find a way!"
Girard appeared almost frantic now. "But how?"
"I don't know. Just promise me...you have to try!" His voice was a desperate whisper.
"I will...I promise."
"Good..." He breathed, allowing himself to be consoled by her vow. Kirk closed his eyes and forced himself to relax. She believed the act. Perhaps that meant the Klingons would believe it, too.
Kirk began to breathe more and more unevenly, occasionally allowing a muffled cough to break the silence. He heard her unsteady voice repeating his name, but he made no effort to respond. It was time. And it had to work.
He regretted having to deceive her this way, but he needed a sincere reaction from her if he was to convince Kor that he was near death. And what he got was sincerity tenfold.
"Oh God, don't die!" she sobbed, her trembling hand squeezing his until it hurt. "Please don't die!" Her voice rose suddenly as she cried in desperation, "Oh please, somebody help me!"
And then he heard it. The heavy footsteps echoing outside the chamber. The force field falling silent. He felt her body tense as the Klingon knelt close beside him.
Kirk opened his eyes a sliver and quickly spotted the Commander's disrupter in its holster at his side. Just then, he felt the hot Klingon hand lightly slapping his face.
"Wake up, Captain," Kor said smoothly. "It's not time for you to go yet."
And then he did it. In one smooth movement, Kirk was able to pull the weapon from its holster and push himself off the Lieutenant's lap. It took more effort than he had expected, and he suddenly felt very dizzy, but he was able to keep the disrupter aimed steadily at the Klingon's chest.
"Oh, yes it is!" Kirk growled angrily. "Back up."
Kor moved back obligingly but continued to glare steadily into the Captain's face. His expression was unreadable.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kirk noticed a Klingon sentry reaching slowly for his disrupter.
"Pull it out slowly!" Kirk barked. "Then drop it...and back away." His eyes shifted back to Kor's.
Kor hesitated only a moment and then, without looking away from Kirk, nodded his head smoothly. The sentry immediately obliged, then stepped back from the weapon on the floor.
Kirk glanced quickly at his stunned companion beside him. Her mouth was open, and she was staring at him with wide-eyed amazement. But he didn't have time to think about that right now.
"Go get it," he ordered. "Then come back here."
"Yes, Sir," she said, scrambling quickly to her feet.
Kirk watched her warily approach the guard, crouch down slowly to retrieve the weapon, then ease her way back to stand next to him. She kept the disrupter trained on the second Klingon.
Kirk rose stiffly to his feet, careful to keep his own disrupter leveled at Kor. The Commander's face was still etched in stone.
"How many more guards," Kirk demanded. "Tell me."
Kor allowed himself a sly smile. "Would you honestly believe me if I did?"
"No, I suppose not." Kirk reached for his Lieutenant's hand. "Well, it's been...delightful, as always, Kor. We really must do this again sometime."
The Klingon remained silent as Kirk and Girard backed gingerly toward the cavern entrance. Once they had passed through it, Kirk quickly activated the force field. Then he realized he was sweating.
Kirk made sure they were well out of view of the Klingons in the primitive cell before he finally stopped and leaned himself against the cavern wall. He had to get his bearings. He had to catch his breath.
"Are you all right?" Girard asked, feeling his forehead with the back of her hand. "You're as white as a ghost."
"I'll be all right," he said. "Just give me a minute." He finally looked into her face. "I'm sorry I had to deceive you like that. I was running out of ideas."
"Don't apologize," she offered quickly, then an impish smile crossed her lips. "Just don't ever do that to me again!"
The Captain returned the smile. "I'll try to remember that."
Girard sobered, studying him intently. "Captain...even if we do manage to escape, then what? What are we going to do?"
Kirk shrugged. "I don't know," he said honestly. "We'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Come on, let's get out of here."