Chapter 13
Captain's Log, Supplemental: It has been nearly an hour since Chief Engineer Scott has installed the biofilters from the Volynov on our transporter. Now, after conducting a series of tests with live pathogen samples in Petri dishes, Dr. McCoy has informed me that the new hardware is operating according to specifications. We are now ready to return Will Parry, Lyra Belacqua, and her daemon, Pantalaimon, safely back to Cittagazze.
I cannot help but state the word 'safely' in this log entry with some irony. While it is true that Lyra is no longer in danger of suffering a horrible death from food poisoning, it is undeniable that we will be sending two children down to the mercy of a hostile planet. In addition, I have no doubt that Mrs. Coulter, the 'She-wolf of the Magisterium,' as well as her accomplices, will remain a very clear and present danger to Will and Lyra's safety.
When Will and Lyra are beamed back to Cittagazze at the moment we initially beamed them aboard the Enterprise, they will be completely on their own; unable to remember anything of the time they were with us. This is, of course, the point. But because of this, there is nothing I can say to them, no advice anyone can give them, to make their task any easier.
But before we beam Will and Lyra back to Cittagazze and return home ourselves; there remains one final duty to perform . . . .
Will and Lyra stood with their arms around each other on the bridge of the Enterprise, looking at the main viewer. The United Federation of Planets starship, USS Volynov was about to break Cittagazze orbit. Her final voyage at slightly over warp factor one would end some five minutes later in the outer atmosphere of Cittagazze's sun some eight light minutes away.
Before giving Spock the order to send the Volynov on her way, Captain Kirk spoke about duty and sacrifice and the bond felt by all Starfleet personnel when others fell while exploring the great Final Frontier.
As Captain Kirk spoke, Will Parry bowed his head in silent prayer. As the son of a soldier and an explorer, Will could appreciate what the Enterprise crew was feeling. And Lyra, sensing his feelings, put her head on his shoulder to comfort him.
"Captain," said Scotty. "I feel the dunsel to just be standin' here, doin' nothing but twiddlin' me thumbs. But I broke me pipes!"
"It's alright, Scotty," said Kirk. "Lt. Uhura assures me she has the tribute covered."
"Aye, I know she recorded me pipin' the last time I played 'Amazing Grace,' captain, but the Volynov's crew deserves better than a recorded tribute!"
While reading up on the installation of the biofilter components, Scotty had absentmindedly sat on his bunk, only to remember that he had his bagpipes set out, accidentally breaking two of the drones. He cursed himself for being clumsy. Though he was second to none when it came to repairing (and often improving in the process,) the latest Starfleet technology, he would need to go to the music store in Aberdeen on Earth to have a musical instrument craftsperson properly fix his most prized possession.
Scotty felt a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Mr. Scott," said Uhura. "I'll sing the tribute." Uhura stepped alongside the main viewer. "Will, have you ever heard of a singer named Sarah McLachlan? She was from your time."
"I think so," said Will nodding.
"Well, her song, 'Angel,' has been sung for comfort and healing for almost three hundred years. You probably have not heard this song yet, Will," said Uhura. "It first came out in 1997."
Captain Kirk gave the order for Spock to send the Volynov on her way; safe from the grasp of Mrs. Coulter and the Magisterium. On the main viewer, the Specter-infested ship swiftly broke Cittagazze orbit. Then, she seemed to stretch out like a rubber band, jumping to faster-than-light-speed in a brilliant flash.
Mr. Spock looked into his view scope. "Captain, the USS Volynov is approximately four minutes, thirteen seconds away from starfall."
Captain Kirk called for silence as Uhura began to sing the ancient song, which was being broadcast shipwide. Lyra began crying softly on Will's shoulder and bird-formed Pantalaimon snuggled as close to Lyra as possible. The rest of the Enterprise's bridge crew stood at attention, except for Mr. Spock, who continued to monitor the Volynov's progress from the viewer at his station.
When Uhura finished singing, Mr. Spock was the first to speak. "Captain, at precisely twenty-one seconds before Lt. Uhura finished her tribute to the Volynov's crew; the Volynov entered the outer atmosphere of Cittagazze's sun. The Volynov's shields failed point-oh-four seconds later."
"Then there is nothing left for us here," said Kirk. "Let's go home."
"Captain, the final adjustments for our return Light-Speed Breakaway Factor maneuver are completed," said Spock. "All that remains is for Will, Lyra and Pantalaimon to prepare for their departure . . . ."
"I think we can wait a few more moments, Mr. Spock," said Captain Kirk quietly, indicating Will and Lyra, who were still hugging each other tightly.
Spock raised his eyebrows. "Indeed."
"Well, Spock," said Dr. McCoy sotto voce. "Hard to believe the fate of all reality as we know it depends on what these two children are able to accomplish. 'Most illogical,' wouldn't you say?"
"Improbable, doctor," replied Spock. "But evidently, something does not have to be logical to be true."
"Captain," said Will. "Lyra and I are ready to go. Thank you all for everything you have done for us."
"And don't worry about us," said Lyra. "We'll find Will's father. We'll find out all about Dust. And we'll do it together, Will and me. We en't gonna let anything happen to each other."
"You'll have to forgive us for not accompanying you to the transporter room," said Kirk. Mr. Spock and I are needed on the bridge and Mr. Scott is needed in engineering, but Dr. McCoy will see you safely on your way."
Now Mr. Spock stepped closer to Will and Lyra. He raised his right hand in a gesture of farewell, splaying his fingers. "Will Parry, Lyra Belacqua and Pantalaimon: Live long, and prosper."
"Thank you," said Lyra. Pantalaimon nodded his little head in a gesture of thanks.
Will did not know how to respond. His right arm was still around Lyra's shoulder, and he did not think he could return Mr. Spock's salute with his left hand, even if he had all of his fingers. Instead, he held his left arm out at right angle, closing his remaining fingers into a fist. "Uh, 'By Grabthar's Hammer . . . May the Force be with you!'"
Mr. Spock raised his eyebrows. "Indeed."
And after saying goodbye to the rest of the Enterprise crew, Will and Lyra followed Dr. McCoy into the turbolift.