Chapter 6: One with the Fire

After a rough day the captain settled down to rest for an equally horrid night. The same dream that kept haunting him that cursed voice, the hellish green fire and the sinister yellow eyes gazing at him gave Kirk a turn of the worst. He could almost feel himself cracking in the skull and his brain overflowing with negative thoughts and visions. Kirk couldn't bear the moment and awoken immediately.

Silence of the camp all asleep beared the feeling of uncertainty. His back sore from the stone hard cot and thin pillow he layed on he peered at the basket which layed near the wall wondering what it's purpose was in the shelter.

Quietly he snuck towards the basket, when he was close enough to remove the lid he heard a rattling sound coming from it. Kirk backed away and layed back on the bed wondering what was going to happen next. Suddenly something pushed the lid off the basket and out of the basket came Vaga.

"Morning.." Vaga yawned in the other language. "Captain, are you not asleep at this hour?"

"No Vaga, I'm not." Kirk replied, "Just a bad dream."

"Visions of the future..is it not?" Vaga wondered.

"No, just a harmless dream." Kirk said quietly.

"If the mind is truly unhurt from this dream..how come you woke up?" Vaga pondered.

"You sound too familiar. Have you known Spika long?" Kirk asked in a chuckle.

"Yes, She is like a mother to me..and her fallen comrade a father." Vaga replied.

"Captain Morrison?" Kirk said wonderingly, Vaga nodded.

"Brooklyn Morrison saved me from the consumption of cruelty that the Balizsar Republic effected on me." Vaga responded.

"What about that man..Timmins. Is he like a father to you?" Kirk asked.

"He is sweet, I learn a lot of stories of his family. He is suffering out on this planet..he misses his family too much." Vaga said sorrowfully, Kirk put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.

"It's sad." Kirk said "Being stuck out here.."

"I know, that's why I helped Spika and her crew gather parts of her ship. Even though fixing it would be impossible." Vaga replied.

"There has got to be a way out of here..." Kirk contemplated as he paced the room.

"Please James, don't let your thoughts of escape overcome you, his negative judgments on this planet gave way to his doom." Vaga said. "I will not let you be in that same results."

"You called me James." Kirk wondered.

"I can call one by your rightful name sir." Vaga replied eloquently.

"Indeed you can Ms Vaga." Kirk said cheerfully.

"James.."

"Yes?"

"There is something I wish to show you before you judge the planet for it's miseries again.." Vaga whispered as she took his hand and led him away into one of the hollows of the cave. "Come, we must not wake the others."

The small child lead Kirk down several tunnels underground until they were at a chasm. Vaga slowly climbed down the chasm while Kirk tried not to slip and fall several feet down. As they reached safety on the grounds Vaga took him to a cave which held a magnificent waterfall..which spewed lava.

"It's beautiful." Kirk said marvelling at the falls, Vaga smiled as she gripped onto Kirk's arm.

"Most Balizsar folk tell stories about the lava falls, that every Balizsar is connected by a core of fire..a fire that can be restored by lava and heat of the flame." Vaga recounted. "That's why our only resource is lava and magma of volcanoes..we are the fire, and if the blaze is extinguished we all perish."

"Very interesting Vaga...but why are you telling me this?" Kirk asked in an irritated manner. Vaga slowly went up to the lava falls and kneeled down beside them.

"I come here every day..it's my secret place to meditate and restore my energy." Vaga said knowingly as she dove her face into the flowing stream that covered the base of the falls.

Kirk watched amazed at what he saw as Vaga's whole body fell gracefully into the burning solute. Vaga's womanly face emerged from the surface as she swam around in the pool of lava unharmed by the heat. Kirk couldn't believe his eyes as Vaga's skin shone brightly with every stroke and every wave, like her skin was rejuvenating. Her story was true...Vaga did seem to merge with the fire becoming one with the blazing liquid she was in.

"Come my friend...the lava is nice!" Vaga shouted casually.

"I would..but my body isn't fireproof." Kirk remarked.

"Nonsense, Only a Balizsar knows the ways of flame..I've seen you doing daring things that only you can execute, talking to me for instance. I know only a few words in English, but I am able to have a conversation with you." Vaga replied, "When I saved you from the Extermination Ritual you stopped the guillotine and lastly your daring attempt to save me. Only a Balizsar knows that we are linked in fire and fire alone can heal all our wounds."

"I cannot do such a thing." Kirk retorted, "I can't swim in fire."

"Do not attempt to drive it out of your mind." Vaga explained, "Come into the magma James and let it go."

Kirk hesitated at the thought. Was he becoming a Balizsar? Was this all true? The visions..the voices and the new knowledge he gained..did this all happen because of him becoming this being. Kirk shook the feeling away and took a deep breath.

He put his foot inside the lava and instead of feeling the burning of the molten substance it felt like warm water from a bath. Suddenly with great energy he dove into the lava and felt the heat renew his heart, thoughts and physical sores on his body. Vaga gladly swam with him as they both bathed in the falls's showering light.

After their little swim Vaga and Kirk didn't speak to each other, but knew what each other was thinking. Kirk and Vaga now had been soulfully connected by the fire that Balizsar legends foretold..and somehow nothing could tamper with it as they went back. When they returned to the Vagrant lair Spika and the others were awake and ready.

"Captain Kirk..I have an assignment for you to do."

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