Chapter Five
Shed No Tears For I Need Them Not
Kirk returned to the Bridge. They continued their journey and entered orbit around Desperian.
Mr. Spock said, "Captain, I ran a scan and there does not seem to be any life form on the planet."
"There were 12 scientists on that planet. Did you check for errors in the scanner?"
"Yes, Captain, all are functioning, normal."
"Lt. Sulu, you and Mr. Spock will join me and Dr. McCoy and beam down and take a look. I'd like one of the new officers and two security guards to accompany us. Sulu will you take care of notifying the rest?"
"Aye, Captain."
They gathered in the Transporter Room. The ensign assigned by Lt. Sulu was Lucas Kirk. Without making eye contact they prepared to beam down.
"Mr. Scott, you have the com. Energize."
"Aye, sir."
The wind was blowing sand across the area where they landed. The sky had a golden hue to it and the air had a stench from the rotting vegetation that was all around.
"What happened, here?" Kirk asked. "Sulu, you and Ensign Kirk scan and see what you can find out."
"Aye, sir."
"The rest of us will look for the base."
As the wind blew the others went searching for the base. The tri-corder showed it was within fifty feet. An ear piercing sound began to stream through the atmosphere. They covered their ears and Spock scanned to see where the source was coming from.
"Spock, what is that?"
"Captain, unsure, it is not anything I can identify."
"Let's go." They ran to get out of the wind.
"Jim, it's over here," McCoy called.
They entered and did not find anyone at the entrance. Spock scanned the area and said, "Still no life forms, Captain."
Lt. Sulu and Ensign Kirk came running in to get away from the wind and the sound.
Captain said, "Let's fan out and check these rooms."
They entered a room that looked like a laboratory, but no one was at their stations. Kirk and crew continued to check the rooms.
Lucas entered a room and seconds later ran out gagging. "Dr. McCoy,…" he wretched in the hall way. "Captain," he called.
McCoy and Captain Kirk ran back to him. "Inside, sir. I think they're all dead."
McCoy covered his face, entered and soon ran out. "Yes, there's 12 bodies."
"Contact the Enterprise and send down a team," Kirk said.
The other's gathered in the outer room. Lucas ran outside and wretched some more, but couldn't stand the wind and stench. He came back inside and sat at a chair.
Dr. McCoy waved a device under his nose. "Ensign, this will help take out any odor in your sinus cavities." He also gave him an injection, "And this should help settle your stomach. "
Lucas nodded, but ran outside one more time.
"Sulu, did you find out anything about the vegetation?" the Captain asked.
"No, sir, no reason that we could find, but it had to have been recent, some of the vegetation is still living."
Spock said, "Captain, we should analyze the bodies and see what killed them."
"I know, Spock, but you can't get near them, right now."
The specialized medical team, dressed in hazard gear arrived. They sealed off the room as they took samples and worked to place each body in a body bag.
"Jim, I've ran the samples through my scanners but there is nothing I can tell you. No toxicity, no apparent murder or suicide situation, and from my readings they were all healthy. We were able to extract a small amount of fluid from one of the females and there was an increase in white and red blood cells, but that would be normal in a situation like this."
"Well, Bones, something killed them and I don't like not knowing what it is."
"I've sent the readings up to the labs and it is being analyzed."
Kirk said, "In the meantime we're on burial detail."
The rest of the group gather outside with kerchiefs wrapped around their noses and made as decent a grave as they could for the 12 scientists. They wrote their names on metal strips and placed them in each grave. After a short service, they beamed aboard the Enterprise.
Dr. McCoy said, "We have to be decontaminated. Who's first?" he asked pointing to a shower closet next to the transformer desk.
Low man on the totem pole was picked to go first. Ensign Kirk came out with wet hair and a new uniform. Each took their turn.
When Captain Kirk was done, he even told Mr. Scott to take a turn before he left his post. Kirk and Spock returned to the bridge. They discussed the reasons for the deaths but came up with no firm answer.
Sulu was busy at the helm when he quickly turned to the Captain and said, "Captain, permission to leave my post, I'm not feeling well."
"By all means, yes."
By the sounds coming from the turbo lift he may not have made it to a washroom.
"Kirk to Dr. McCoy, clean up in the main lift."
"I've got my hands full, the two security guards that came with us are loosing their lunches, also."
"Anyone else, Bones?"
"No, not yet. How are you feeling?"
"Now that you mention it, my stomach has been a little sour since we returned. I'll be okay. Kirk out."
Spock continued to run the data through his computers with several hypotheses, but received no answers.
"Dr. Joanna McCoy to Captain Kirk"
"Yes, Doctor?"
"Sir, you and Mr. Spock had better come down to sick bay, we are having problems with everyone from the landing party."
"On my way. Lt. Uhura, you have the con."
"Yes, sir."
Spock and Kirk quickly ran to sick bay. When they entered they found the entire landing party in various beds vomiting or running to the facilities, including Dr. Leonard McCoy.
"Captain and Mr. Spock how do you feel?"
Kirk turned to Spock to find he had already left for the restroom. "Okay, Joanna. Stomach is a little upset, but not like this."
"That's the way they all started, I suggest you and Mr. Spock make yourselves comfortable until we can find out what this is."
He heard his friend's voice call out, "And you better listen to the doctors or I'll send you back to that God-forsaken planet."
Kirk went to Bones who was white as a ghost. "You think we picked something up from down there?"
"Yes, Jim. Let them take blood and urine samples and get in bed."
Nurse Christine came through the door trying to help Mr. Spock to a bed. He was very pale. Christine took one look at the ward and made a decision. "Dr. Joanna, shouldn't we move the senior officers to a separate room? There isn't enough bathrooms to accommodate everyone in here."
"Yes, Christine, go ahead."
McCoy said, "Joanna, leave me here darlin', I want to keep an eye on things."
"Okay, Dad, but if you start sticking your nose in our business, I'll move you to isolation."
"Your business young lady, this affects me as well," he growled. He then leaned over and vomited in the bowl.
"Yes, but as of now, Dr. McKenzie is calling the shots," she replied wiping his mouth.
"Understood," he moaned.
Captain Kirk walked up to his son, as Lucas was wiping his mouth. "So how are you doing, Ensign?" he teased.
"I will let you know tomorrow. Sir, why aren't you sick?"
"I'm not sure yet. My stomach is doing the willies, but not like all of you. Rest, we'll get to the bottom of this." He saw the question in his son's eyes. They were all wondering if they would end up the same way as the 12 scientists.
Dr. M'Benga and Dr. McKenzie examined each patient, but found no answers. By late evening the entire landing party was worse, except for Captain Kirk. Extra nurses and orderlies were called in to assist. Dr. M'Benga was trying to pull a rabbit out of a hat, to find the answer. He looked across his lab window and wondered why the Captain only had an upset stomach. They were checking his blood for anti-bodies but it would take hours for answers to show up. And why was Mr. Spock, a Vulcan being affected the same way?
During the night Joanna, Christine, and the doctors and nurses were frightened by their patients condition. If they didn't find an answer soon, they would loose them all.
Joanna left her father's side and went to the office. She hid behind a row of equipment and tried to hold back her tears. Christine saw her leave and quietly approached her.
"Dr. Joanna?" she said softly.
Joanna wiped her face. "I'm sorry, Christine, I just had to leave before I broke down. Everyone I love are in those rooms and I'm afraid we won't find a cure!"
Christine held her and said, "I know. We'll find the answer. Go take a break, I'll keep an eye on everyone."
She nodded her head yes. She got a cup of tea and went to her father's office. Most doctors had files on anatomy, physics, psychology, alien anatomies and chemistry. Her father also had a collection of antique medical books. He said he sometimes found an answer in one of them.
She had been on duty for 36 hours. She sat at her father's desk and laid her head down and tried to think. What would her father do? He would follow normal protocol and when that didn't work he'd swear and look for the uncommon answer. Dealing with entities in space were so difficult because laws of anatomy, medicine and physics did not always follow the norm.
Dr. McKenzie and Dr. M'Benga were frantic trying to find an answer. Captain Kirk's blood tests came back and there was not much to go on, other than his immune system was excreting huge amounts of antibodies that the others had not.
Dr. Joanna returned to her father. "Dad, how are you?'
He tried to talk but he was weak. Jenna helped him sip some water.
He reached for her hand, "Trinkenex," he mumbled and fell unconscious.
"Trinkenex", she said to herself.
She glanced at Lucas, the love of her life. His father sat by his side trying to cool his feverish body down. He would not let the nurses assist until Miriam told him to take a break.
She whispered, "Jim, go lay down for awhile. If anything changes I'll come get you. We need you healthy."
"No, I'll just lay my head on his bed."
Dr. Joanna came over and said, "Captain Kirk, I need you to go rest in another room. Doctor's orders."
He looked up at her with dark, tired eyes, "You're going to be just like your father."
She made sure he laid down on a bed in another room. She went back to his fathers computer and looked up, 'Trinkenex'.
"Trinkenex", a plant that grows mostly on the planet of Vulcan. Many medicinal uses were found in the fluid of the stem. Helpful in instigating antibodies to work within the cell linings….
Joanna ran from her father's office calling for Dr. M'Benga. "Doctor read this, it may help."
Through red eyes he read about the properties of Trinkenex. Disappointed he said, "But we are too far from Vulcan to get there in time."
In her other hand she held out a plant. "And what is that?"
She cried, "A Trinkenex plant. Dad got it from Mr. Spock's mother as a gift. I remember him telling me about it."
They took the plant and the Captain's antibodies into the lab for exploration. They made a serum and hoped it would work.
Miriam woke up the Captain, "Jim."
He jerked awake and said, "Is he ok?"
"The doctors think they have a serum. They are injecting it, now."
Kirk ran into the room. They all had a deathly pallor and he wondered if it was too late. The next hour dragged by. Kirk had a headache that wouldn't end. He went from his officers room to his crew men's room.
By 0700 hours, Kirk new they would all pull through. Miriam brought him coffee and a small breakfast. Christine's eyes shed tear after tear when Mr. Spock finally spoke to her.
"Christine, shed no tears for I need them not, all I need is your smile."
She laughed through her tears and said, "Tagore, correct?"
He smiled and said, "Yes, you learn well."
"I love you, Spock."
"And, I have strong feelings for you."
Kirk was exhausted, but he relieved Mr. Scott for a few hours. Ensign Spock had replaced his father as Science Officer. He and Chekhov worked through the information they had and found an anomaly in the readings of the atmosphere and the vegetation.
Chekov said, "Captain, we believe we found something."
The Captain looked over their shoulders. "There is an unusual shaped rock formation south of the complex. Our previous scans of years ago did not show this, so we assume it is new. They act like an exhaust system for the planet. It released a toxic gas which the scientists breathed in, and without an antidote, they succumbed to the poison. I am sorry, Captain, that we did not see this earlier." Ensign Spock said.
"Sometimes the obvious is hard to see, Ensign. Good job, men, well done."
"Thank you, Captain. I think young Spock is as brilliant as his father, sir."
Kirk smiled and Ensign Spock said, "It is my duty, sir."
Kirk said, "Yes, just like his father."
Mr. Scott returned to the Bridge, "I had a good rest, Captain, you can leave if you'd like?"
"I wouldn't mind. Call me if needed."
"Aye, sir."
Kirk went to his quarters and spoke into his log, "Captain's log. Star date 2347.6. Burial of the 12 scientist has taken place on the planet Desperian. The area is uninhabitable until further study. Returning from the planet all my landing party became ill, except for me. Drs. McKenzie, Joanna McCoy and M'Benga were able to develop a serum from the Trinkenex plant from the planet Vulcan. All have recovered. Kirk out."
"Captain's private log. It never seems to amaze me the depth of pain I suffer when my son and I are at odds. His illness as part of the landing party, deeply affected me. We are well. Kirk out."
His door buzzed. "Enter." he said.
When Miriam walked through the door he said, "A breath of fresh air."
She smiled, "How are you, Jim? You look exhausted."
He waved her to his lap. "I just got off duty. I'm tired. How's the crew?"
Everyone is resting in their quarters except for one patient."
"Don't tell me, Lucas?"
She laughed and nodded, "You know him well. Joanna is enjoying having him there."
He chuckled, "I don't doubt it. How about some coffee or breakfast?"
"Sure."
They entered his private quarters and he pressed the Do Not Disturb sign.
"Jim, let me get it. Go sit by the window."
They shared a quick breakfast. "I love the view here, it's great."
"Yes, I don't get to enjoy it much. Let's go sit on the couch."
They sat next to each other watching as the galaxy went by. "That's the Benshaw Quadrant. We have to go on the far side of that for the next mission."
"And what is that?"
"Big secret, my lady."
She laughed and he pulled her to him. He kissed her forehead and they snuggled, but soon, Miriam heard his breathing change. She knew he was almost asleep. She enjoyed a few more minutes in his arms and gently slipped off the couch. She covered him with a blanket and slipped out of his room.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dr. Joanna was on duty in sick bay. Nurse Christine was taking care of Mr. Spock in their quarters. There was only one patient to tend to.
As Lucas finished his lunch, Joanna came in and asked, "How about a walk to the observation room?"
"Yes, I'm going crazy."
"We'll get your strength up and soon you'll be on your way. Aren't you enjoying my company?" She threw him a robe and smiled.
"It's the best thing about being here."
He leaned in to kiss her and she said, "Can't, I'm on duty?"
"No one's looking."
"Walk."
Arm in arm they walked the hallway to the observation room. It was a large room with reclining chairs and a beautiful view of the galaxy. She got him some water and they sat after she pushed him to walk a little further.
"What was it like down there, Lucas?"
He had a far away look in his eyes and he did not answer right away.
"It was hot and windy with sand blowing in all directions. The stench of the rotting vegetation was as bad as the dead….We buried them, the Captain said a short service and we left." He looked out into space and it was difficult to bring him into the conversation.
"Are you tired, Lucas?"
He looked at her and touched her face. He met her eyes and said softly, " 'If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever'."
"Oh, Lucas, I don't even want to think about that. Did you make that up?"
"No. A very wise person said it to his friend. His name was Winnie the Pooh."
"Never heard of him."
"Ancient philosopher."
"Alright, you need to get back it's time for the "super injection" you love so much."
Lucas said, "We can skip it."
"No, you need it. I can give it or my father can, which would you prefer?"
"Definitely, you."
They stood and he pulled her close and said, "Joanna, I mean it. Keep me in your heart."
"Lucas, you're scaring me."
"I don't mean to."
"It's because you've had a near death experience, that's all."
To himself he said, "Yes, if my light fades away, I will see the glory of God."
