Continued...
Ten seconds later Chekov burst into the transporter room. It was unmanned. Chekov whispered thanks as he used his phaser to meld the door shut. Crossing quickly to the controls, Chekov looked down at the console. It was still set from its last use. Hoping his luck would hold out, he set the delay on the controls and stepped onto the transporter platform. The last thing he heard before the room disappeared was the pounding of feet, and hands banging on the sealed door.
Chekov materialized in a dank, malodorous alley. Judging from the coarse laughter and shouts around the corner, he judged that he must have beamed down outside the Black Hole. The young ensign walked briskly out of the alley and across the street, phaser tucked discreetly into his belt but easily accessible.
When the bar was well behind him Chekov leaned against a tree to think. He had to rescue Scotty but he needed help. Realizing that it would only be a few minutes before the transporter room door was opened, he made his decision. Try to contact the Enterprise.
Chekov jogged down the road as he anxiously searched for the communications booth he remembered seeing in the park. He spotted it within five minutes but it was in use.
The ensign snapped open the door and tugged on one of the occupant's three arms. Ignoring the startled Bidoan's exclamations he tugged the man out and stepped inside. He slid the door shut and pressed his hand against it, frustrating the man's attempts to regain entrance.
Chekov called up an operator and was put through to the Enterprise. The bridge appeared on the screen but before he could speak Captain James T. Kirk began to ply him with questions.
"Chekov! Where have you been? Where's Scotty?"
"Ve were kidnapped, Keptin! They have Scotty!
Kirk held up his hands. "Calm down, Ensign. Who has Scotty?"
"The terrorists! You must stop them, Keptin, they are going to start a war!"
"A war! What are you talking about?"
Chekov peeked over his shoulder through the window but all he saw was the angry Bidoan's face pressed up against the transparent aluminum. "Please, Keptin! It's true! And they will be here soon."
The captain's face settled into lines of grim determination. "Kyle, beam up Chekov. Uhura, get me the Bidoah government. Let's get to the bottom of this."
Chekov stepped clear of the communications booth and waited. Soon, he felt the familiar sensation of a transporter beam and the Enterprise appeared around him. "You'd better head up to the bridge," Kyle said, grinning at him from behind the console. "The captain wants some answers."
Chekov felt all eyes center on him as he entered the bridge. Captain Kirk looked up from his conversation with Spock, and motioned the ensign to follow him. They entered the briefing room and Kirk perched on the edge of the table, facing Chekov. "All right, Ensign. Explain."