Chapter 11
Captain's Log, Supplemental: The Enterprise has successfully returned to 1996 and is currently in standard orbit of Cittagazze. The USS Volynov is there as well, right where we left her. Lieutenant Commander Scott has informed me that the engines check out and are good for another attempt to return to our correct time and universe.
Will Parry suggested that there may be a 'window' in space, similar to those made by his Subtle Knife, and that the Enterprise and the Volynov both passed through during our Light-Speed Breakaway Factor attempts. Although this sounds likely, we have thus far been unable to locate any spatial interphasic rifts using our scanners.
As for the USS Volynov; it is with deepest regret that I have decided to send her on a collision course with Cittagazze's sun just before we leave for home, thus denying Mrs. Coulter and her world access to 23rd century Starfleet technology.
"You know where the anomaly is?" said Captain Kirk.
"Yes," said Lyra. She stood on the bridge by Captain Kirk's chair, Will stood by her side, holding her hand. Pantalaimon changed from a ferret into a black rat with red eyes.
"How?" said Kirk. Then a thought came to him. "You asked your Alethiometer?"
"Yes."
"Why have our sensors been unable to detect the anomaly?" said Spock.
"Because it doesn't stay in one place," said Will.
"It's going around Cittagazze, just like we are," said Lyra. "Y-you en't never gonna find it on your own. Not in a hundred years. Not unless we tell you."
"And . . . why wouldn't you tell us, Lyra?" said Kirk.
"Because the Alethiometer told us not to tell you," said Lyra. "N-not until you promise to let us go home!" Pan became a ferret again.
"Lyra," said Spock. "Prior to our previous attempt to return to our proper location in the space-time continuum; you informed Will that both of you had to return with us to the 23rd century. What variables have since changed?"
"Dunno," said Lyra. "But now my Alethiometer says we have to go back so I can help Will find his father."
"Will," said Kirk. "The main reason we are not able to allow you to return to 1996 is the effect your knowledge of the future may have on our present. And not just because you and Lyra are children." Kirk knew that if he were thrust into 1996, he might just find it difficult to keep from making a telephone call on September 10, 2001, for example.
"But there is a way to send us back so Lyra and I don't remember, Captain Kirk," said Will firmly but respectfully. "You used it the first time this happened, right? You were able to send Captain John Christopher and a U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant back to their proper place and time. Why can't you do that for Lyra and me?"
"Didn't Lyra's Alethiometer tell you why not?"
"W-we didn't use the Alethiometer," said Will, hanging his head in shame. "I checked the Enterprise's library computer . . . from Dr. McCoy's terminal."
"That is classified information, Mr. Parry," said Kirk. "How were you able to . . . ?"
"Blame me, Jim," said Dr. McCoy, who just stepped out of the bridge turbolift. "I just checked my computer terminal. Early this morning, I was doing some research and I stepped out for a moment to get some coffee at the mess hall, but I didn't lock my terminal. I, uh, thought Will was sleeping."
"The point is; there is a way to send us back so as we forget everything that happened on the Enterprise, right?" said Lyra. "You en't gonna break your 'Prime Directive' if you send Will and me back then."
"This isn't just about the Prime Directive, Lyra," said Kirk. "I'm not proud of it, but I violated the Prime Directive when I told your biological mother that I would not release you into her custody. There is no 'child-abuse exception' to the Prime Directive, but I made a judgment call in this case. To paraphrase an old Earth proverb: I would rather be '. . . judged by twelve that see you carried by six.'"
"Captain," said Spock. "A Starfleet Court Martial does not utilize a twelve-member jury; rather, no fewer than three officers of flag rank are chosen to serve as judges. In addition, as we are unfamiliar with the funerary customs of Lyra's people; it may be unlikely that she would understand the reference to being 'carried by six . . . .'"
"Mr. Spock, I think we can postpone the xeno-anthropology lesson for later."
"Of course, captain."
"What I was going to say, Lyra," continued Kirk. "Is that we considered sending you and Will back the way we did for Captain Christopher. However, Dr. McCoy has informed me that if we use this technique to send you two back to the exact time we first beamed you up to the Enterprise; it is certain that you will be dead within hours."
"W-what do you mean?" said Lyra.
"May I use the main viewer?" said McCoy. Kirk nodded and McCoy continued. "Computer: Display medical records for Lyra Belacqua on the main bridge viewer."
WORKING said the computer. A moment later, the curve of Cittagazze vanished from the main bridge viewer and was replaced by a highly magnified image of rapidly dividing bacteria.
"Initially, I thought that Lyra was only suffering from a severe case of transporter shock," said Dr. McCoy. "I know that it's all I can do not to toss my cookies whenever my atoms get sliced and diced by that damn thing! But, in addition to transporter shock, Lyra was suffering from a highly aggressive case of food poisoning."
"Those things were in me?" said Lyra, crinkling her nose in disgust at the image on the main viewer as Pan changed into a small mouse and snuggled close to Lyra.
"They were in you, Lyra," replied Dr. McCoy. "But don't worry, they're all gone now. Remember that injection I gave you when you and Will first came to sickbay?"
"Yeah?"
"The antibiotics I gave you as a matter of procedure eliminated the infection."
Spock studied the image on the viewer. "Interesting. This pathogen seems to have some similarities with salmonella; however, it does not appear to be native to 20th century Earth."
"It isn't, Spock," said Dr. McCoy. "I checked. And since Lyra displayed no natural resistance at all to the pathogen; I doubt it is native to her world, either. According to the medical computer, this bug's incubation period is two to three days; so I'm guessing it's something she picked up on Cittagazze."
"Hang on," said Will. "Lyra and I ate the same things when we were on Cittagazze."
"No, Will," said Lyra. "Remember? I had some bread that I found when me and Pan first got to Cittagazze. In the house we first met you." Mouse Pan nodded in agreement.
"That wouldn't be the cause of your infection, Lyra," said Dr. McCoy. "This type of pathogen could not survive the baking process. Thorough cooking would kill the bacteria." McCoy thought for a moment. "On our 20th century Earth, salmonella was a common contamination in eggs . . . ."
"The omelette I made for us!" said Will, suddenly feeling guilty. "B-but I cooked it thoroughly! I know how to cook! I've been cooking since I was eight-years-old! And Lyra and I both shared the omelette. How come I didn't get sick, too?"
Lyra put her hand gently on Will's shoulder. "Because you didn't eat any omelette before it was cooked! Oh, Will, I was so hungry! I just wanted a taste!" Pantalaimon changed from a mouse into a white ermine and looked at Will as if to say it wasn't Will's fault that Lyra got sick.
"It's alright, Lyra," said Will. "The important thing is that you're safe now."
"But Lyra won't be safe if we beam you both back to Cittagazze at the exact moment we originally beamed you aboard the Enterprise," said Dr. McCoy. "Jim, at the time we first beamed the kids up, Lyra was starting to become symptomatic. If we return her to that point, she would only have a few hours at most before she became violently ill!"
"I would take her back to my world, then," said Will. "There are clinics I could take her to for penicillin or something. That would make her better."
"No, Will, it wouldn't," said Dr. McCoy. "According to my medical computer, the Cittagazze pathogen infecting Lyra is resistant to antibiotics available on our 20th century Earth. And, Will, you would start bleeding again."
"Then beam us back the moment after you first brought us aboard," said Will. "I promise I won't tell anyone about the 23rd century! I swear!"
"That's out of the question, Will," said Captain Kirk. "I already told you, we can't risk any contamination to our timeline."
"We have to go back to our time so we can find Will's father," said Lyra. The edge was back in Lyra's voice and Pan changed from a white ermine into a ferret. "The Alethiometer said that Will and me have to do this to fix what is wrong with the universe. If we don't, the Alethiometer said the universe itself will die!"
Before anyone could comment, Lyra rounded on Spock. "My Alethiometer also said that if you want proof, you should 'compare the ecosystem of Cittagazze as it is now to how it was in the 23rd century, when we got away from my mother's space ship fleet!' Go on, then. How was Cittagazze different 273 years in the future?"
"Captain," said Spock. "Since Dr. McCoy has finished with his presentation; I would like to avail myself of the main viewer to illustrate my findings."
"By all means, Spock."
Spock divided the screen in two segments. The left half showed Cittagazze circa 1996; the right showed the planet 273 years later when they engaged the Magisterium's Celestial Navy.
"The Cittagazze of the 23rd century appears to be more desert-like in appearance," said Kirk, pointing to the right hand side of the screen. "Mrs. Coulter and her cronies must have destroyed the planet's ecosystem in their mad rush for advanced technology so the Magisterium could present a credible threat to the Enterprise."
"That was my initial hypothesis as well, captain," replied Spock. "However, a more detailed analysis of the data that I was able to download from the Stelmaria's computer indicates that the runaway deforestation on Cittagazze is effecting all worlds known to what Mrs. Coulter refers to as 'The Prime World.'"
Spock went through several more screens showing the mass-extinction of plant life on Cittagazze, along with a reduction in more advanced life forms. "If this trend continues unabated at the present rate," said Spock. "I estimate that all life as we know it will be extinct from the universe by the early 25th century."
"Why is this happening, Spock," said Dr. McCoy. "If it isn't poor planetary stewardship, then what is causing the universe to just . . . die?"
"Insufficient data," replied Spock.
"It's Dust!" said Lyra. "If Will and I en't able to do whatever it is we are supposed to do, here in 1996, the universe will die because . . . the Dust is going away!"
"Lyra," said Captain Kirk. What we experienced was an alternate time line during our previous attempt to return to our correct time and place. Let me assure you that Earth and the other worlds making up the Federation are alive and well in the 23rd century."
"Because Lyra and I were able to do what we are supposed to do back in 1996!" said Will firmly. "It must have something to do with finding my father! He must know what needs to be done to protect the Dust and Lyra and I have to help him do it!"
"My Alethiometer is not wrong, Captain Kirk," added Lyra. "It got us safely this far! Please let me ask it if there is a way for you to let us go back without me getting sick, Will bleeding to death, and neither of us remembering anything that could effect your timeline!"
With no objections raised, Lyra took out her Alethiometer. When she emerged from her Alethiometric trance, she said, "Beam us back to Cittagazze, but take the poison from my body when you beam us down." Then Lyra smiled at Will. And don't worry about Will's hand. He'll be alright. Will has me and Pan to look after him. We'll make sure Will is bandaged up good and tight 'till he heals up proper!"
"Take the . . . poison . . . from your body . . . ?" said Kirk. "Just how does your Alethiometer propose we do this, Lyra?"
"Captain," said Spock. "It is theoretically possible to remove harmful pathogens from people being transported. According to the refit specifications for the Enterprise, one of the planned upgrades to the transporter is a modification to the pattern buffer called a 'biofilter.' With this upgrade, it will be possible to remove the bacteria from Lyra as she is being transported. Indeed, the Volynov's transporter served as a field test for this upgrade."
Dr. McCoy shook his head in disbelief. "Using that blasted contraption as a medical instrument? Of all the harebrained . . . ."
Captain Kirk activated the intercom. "Bridge to engineering."
"Scott here, Captain. If yer callin' about the engines, dinna worry. My bairns are at 98 efficiency and are ready for another try for home, sir."
"Actually, Scotty, I need some work done on the transporter . . . ."
"Biofilters? Aye, I read all about them a few years ago in my technical journals, but I will nae be able ter fabricate the modification fer Enterprise with just the basic data at hand."
"Will somebody please tell me why the hell Enterprise doesn't have biofilters already?" said Kirk.
"Well, sir," said Scotty. "Starfleet only began installing biofilters on starships just this past year, and with Enterprise scheduled for a full refit, there did nae seem ter be much point in pullin' us away from our mission an' routin' us ter the nearest spacedock just fer that one single upgrade."
Captain Kirk nodded. Biofilters would solve the problem of safely returning Lyra and Will back to Cittagazze. But Kirk could just imagine himself railing against any bureaucratic desk-riding dunsel at Starfleet Headquarters who even went so far as to suggest that the Enterprise be pulled away from patrol and exploration duties for a simple upgrade; especially with a full refit scheduled at the end of their current assignment.
"But fortunately," continued Scotty. "We have a working example of the new biofilter on the Volynov . . . ."
"Scotty, the Specters would be on you the second you beamed aboard," said Kirk.
"Aye, captain, but if I were ter beam over wi' a personal force-field generator and wearin' a full EVA suit; that should protect me from those beasties! I'll carry a phaser rifle wi me as well!"
"You mean a spacesuit?" said Will. "I don't think that will protect you, sir."
When Lyra looked at him with a puzzled expression, Will told her that a spacesuit was like a suit of armor that astronauts wore to protect them from the harsh environment of space, including vacuum, extreme temperatures, and hard radiation.
"That is inadvisable, Mr. Scott," said Spock. "According to information I was able to obtain from the Volynov, the internal defensive force field network was unable to deny the Specters mobility throughout the ship. In addition, phasers proved ineffective against the Specters on the surface of Cittagazze and aboard the Volynov."
"The only thing the Specters are afraid of," said Will. "Is my knife. But only if I wield it myself. I'm the True Bearer; it won't work if I just give it to you."
"Out of the question, Will," said Kirk. "The Volynov is no place for children!"
"The Volynov en't no place for adults," corrected Lyra. "We dunno why, but Specters don't harm children. Will and me will be safer there than anyone else on the Enterprise!"
"The only problem is," said Will. I won't be able to see the Specters to drive them away. We don't know why, but adults can see Specters; children can't. Mr. Scott will have to let me know where they are and I'll keep him safe while he gets what we need."
"How will you be able to remove the parts we need from the transporter room and show Will where the Specters are?" said Kirk.
"I may not have ter do any tinkerin' if the Volynov carries a spare biofilter assembly," said Scotty. "Computer . . . ."
WORKING said the computer.
"Access the Volynov's manifest," said Scotty. "Does the Volynov carry a spare biofilter assembly?"
WORKING . . . AFFIRMATIVE. SPARE BIOFILTER ASSEMBLY IS LOCATED ABOARD USS VOLYNOV IN SHIP'S STORES.
"And is this hardware compatible with all current equipment aboard the Enterprise?"
WORKING . . . AFFIRMATIVE.
"Computer; transfer all files and technical data concerning said biofilters to Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott's station aboard Enterprise."
WORKING . . . ALL DATA ON BIOFILTER INSTALLATION DOWNLOADED TO ENTERPRISE.
"Well, captain," said Scotty. "I guess Will and I best be getting' ready ter go get th' hardware so we can all go home!"
Because the Specters could be familiar with transporters, Captain Kirk was reluctant to use them and suggested using a shuttlecraft instead. But Scotty suggested using both. He and Will could safely beam directly to where the spare biofilter assembly was kept, and then use one of the Volynov's own shuttlecraft for the return trip. That way, they would only have to run the gauntlet of Specters once, on their way to the hanger bay.
In addition, this would also allow Lt. Kyle and his crew to begin work on the transporter as soon as Scotty and Will beamed to the Volynov so the biofilter hardware could be installed as soon as they came back. The computer stated that all four Shuttlecraft aboard the Volynov were ready, and on standby.
Scotty stood on the transporter platform, waiting for Will Parry to join him. The boy from 20th century Second Elizabethan England was hugging the girl from the parallel version of Earth, where people's souls walked along side of them in animal-spirit form.
"I wish I could come with you, Will," said Lyra as Pantalaimon took the form of a white ermine sitting on her left shoulder. Lyra kissed Will gently on his cheek. "But I need to help Mr. Spock find the window in space so we can all get back safely. And you see to it that you get back from the Volynov safely yourself, Will Parry!"
"I shall come back," said Will. "No Specter is going to keep me away from you, Lyra Silvertongue!"
Will leaned in to kiss Lyra goodbye as Lyra started to turn her head to present her left cheek. But Will, knowing exactly what he was doing, and what it would mean, gently placed the two remaining fingers of his left hand on her cheek to stop her head from turning. Will then placed his kiss directly on Lyra's lips. Lyra gasped softly and both children felt their hearts pounding as they looked into each other's eyes, oblivious to the others in the transporter room.
Dr. McCoy cleared his throat and his voice was soft, but firm. "Uh, Will, Lyra. This is a transporter room; not the Junior High School Homecoming Dance!"
"Oh, right," said Will. He squeezed Lyra's hands and stepped onto the transporter platform. "I'm ready, then."
When Scotty nodded, Lt. Kyle turned to Captain Kirk and said, "I've locked on to ship's stores aboard the Volynov. I'm ready to energize the pad at your signal, sir."
"Energize," said Kirk. And on the pad, Scotty and Will started to shimmer and moments later, they were gone.