Six Days to Talos IV
Day Five
By Marie Nomad
Uhura was busy late into the night, working on the communication board. She loved puzzles and the challenges that came with learning different languages. While translators made understanding others easier, linguists weren't as essential as before. However, while translators could malfunction, her knowledge of language remained unshakable.
As she rearranged the letters, thoughts of Captain Pike, trapped in a motionless, silent body, consumed her. Why had Spock brought Captain Pike to the Enterprise? Her knowledge of Talos IV was scant, shrouding the matter in mystery.
Pushing those thoughts aside, she remembered how Captain Pike once dubbed her 'The Voice of the Enterprise'. A title she had held dear for years. Now, with Captain Pike silenced, she felt compelled to restore his voice.
Scotty stared in disbelief at the intricate computer design Spock had fashioned. He prided himself on knowing the ship inside out, but Spock had seemingly surpassed him. Part of him yearned to dismantle the system to unravel its mysteries. However, memories of Captain Pike, the stalwart man he had met after the Gorn incident, gave him pause. Now suffering from the ravages of delta radiation, Pike's current state baffled Scotty. As an engineer, he was acutely aware of delta radiation's peril. How Pike had endured remained a mystery.
He shuddered at the thought of losing the use of his hands and being forced to abandon his engineering passion. Could Spock be attempting to improve Pike's life in some unprecedented way? Uncertainty clouded his judgment.
All Scotty could do was hope everything would turn out for the best.
Captain Kirkmeticulously donned his dress uniform, dreading the forthcoming confrontation with Spock. His ship had been commandeered and set on a course for an enigmatic planet. More than anger, he felt an overwhelming sense of frustration. What was Spock hiding? What significance did Talos IV hold?
Captain Pike had handpicked him to helm the Enterprise. From the moment Kirk laid eyes on the ship, he was smitten. Pike's magnanimity in handing over command and expressing faith in Kirk's capabilities had left a lasting impression. A pang of guilt struck Kirk as he wished he had been aware of Pike's deteriorating condition earlier. How he yearned to alleviate Pike's suffering!
The universe, vast and mysterious, held secrets and potential miracles. Some believed a divine presence resided at its core. Could Spock be seeking one such miracle on Talos IV? Though Spock was a firm believer in logic, Kirk wondered if he was pinning hopes on the inexplicable.
Gazing at his reflection, Kirk realized that, at this juncture, he couldn't be Spock's friend. He had to be the captain, responsible for the very Enterprise that Spock had put at risk.
Spock dressed up in the dress uniform. With the ship seemingly steering itself, he had come to terms with the possibility of his demise. He had been to Talos IV before and understood that all he needed was to bide his time until the ship's arrival.
When the guards released him, escorting him to the conference room, Spock walked with dignified composure, hands clasped behind his back. To the casual observer, he seemed anything but a prisoner.
Captain Kirk and Commodore Mendez sat in the conference room, donned in their formal dress uniforms.
"Are you certain you want to waive your defense, Commander Spock?" Captain Kirk inquired.
"Yes, I'd like to forgo the preliminary hearing and proceed directly to the court-martial," Spock responded.
Captain Kirk looked puzzled. "Do you realize that a minimum of three officers is required for a court-martial?"
"Currently, there are three officers aboard this ship: you, Commodore Mendez, and Fleet Captain Pike," Spock elucidated.
Kirk turned his gaze to Mendez. Despite Pike's accident, he was still listed as 'active'. Mendez shrugged, commenting, "I couldn't bring myself to put him out to pasture."
"Spock, if this court-martial finds you guilty, the penalty is death," Kirk emphasized.
"I am fully aware, Captain."
Uhura presented the newly enhanced board to M'Benga, McCoy, Chapel, and Pike. "I've reorganized the letters, prioritizing the most frequently used ones in the English language. Numbers follow next, and I've included punctuation marks for emphasis," she explained. "Although I'm no Scotty, I've also integrated a feature that, when connected to the computer, will vocalize the messages using prerecorded samples of Captain Pike's voice."
"I reckon even Scotty would be impressed with this," McCoy remarked appreciatively.
"Yes," Chris beeped.
"Did you pull an all-nighter working on this?" Nurse Chapel inquired.
"With only a few days left on this journey, I believed this was crucial. Everyone deserves a voice, Captain," Uhura asserted compassionately. "Now, let's give it a whirl."
The communication was noticeably quicker. Nervously, Uhura activated the playback. The message, albeit in a mechanical tone, resonated in Captain Pike's voice: "Thank you, Uhura, for restoring my voice."
"You're welcome, sir," Uhura replied warmly, visibly relieved. "Would you like to say anything else?"
"Yes."
With enthusiasm, Uhura assisted Chris in crafting another message. "I'm sorry, Joseph," Chris conveyed to Dr. M'Benga.
"Chris, you owe me no apologies. I understand your reluctance to let me see you like this. It's heartening just to see you again," Dr. M'Benga responded, placing a comforting hand on Chris's shoulder.
Following a brief pause, Chris queried, "Christine, have you found Roger?"
Nurse Chapel hesitated, her voice shaky. "I... I found him, but he's gone."
"I'm truly sorry," came Chris's reply.
"It's alright, sir. I'm healing, gradually. For now, I'm content with my nursing duties."
"Chris," McCoy chimed in, "with your newfound voice, what do you desire the most?"
Chris pondered over the question for a moment before answering, "I want my freedom."
Uhura observed him, reminiscing about the robust and vivacious Captain Pike who had now become a mere shadow of his former self. Was he alluding to his longing to break free from his physical limitations? While his voice had been restored, he remained bound to a life-supporting wheelchair.
Nurse Chapel and Dr. M'Benga were all too familiar with the myriad physical ailments afflicting Chris. The damage from the radiation meant he couldn't benefit from cybernetic enhancements. And though medical science was advancing at an astonishing pace, it might be a long time before he could regain his former capabilities.
A troubled expression marked McCoy's face. He hesitated, wrestling with a thought: did Chris have foreknowledge of impending events? If his vision of the future was so unsettling that he distrusted the Vulcans, what could be on the horizon?
Suddenly, Captain Kirk entered, his expression grave. "Has the hearing concluded?" Nurse Chapel asked.
"I need a private word with Fleet Captain Pike and Dr. McCoy," Captain Kirk stated firmly.
"Very well, sir." The three left Kirk, McCoy, and Pike alone.
"What's going on?" McCoy asked.
Kirk took a deep breath. "Spock wants to start Court Martial proceedings right away."
"But, we need three Command officers for that. There's only two, you and Commodore Mendez." McCoy's eyes widened as he looked at Chris. "No… wait, is he still active?"
"Apparently so."
"That's great!" McCoy grinned. "You and Chris will vote 'not guilty' and Spock will be saved."
Chris beeped, 'No.'
Kirk smiled warily. "He can't show favoritism during a Court Martial."
"Yes."
"Blast it." McCoy frowned. "Can your body handle the stress this entails? You will have to decide whether Spock lives or dies."
Chris signaled that he wanted to use the board. McCoy went to the board and the message became clear. "All I have left is my duty." As if to show he mean it, he started to move towards the door.
"All right, fine. But I'm keeping a close eye on your vital signs. The second things start getting bad, I'm pulling you out on Doctor's authority."
"That's why I wanted you to be there as well." Captain Kirk didn't want to have to put Chris this either, but Spock was putting them in a very precarious situation.
Dr. McCoy, clad in his formal uniform, held his tricorder. The scenario felt surreal—watching Spock stand trial, with Chris as part of the jury. Through their shared journey, McCoy had grown closer to Chris, who continually prioritized others over himself. His new communication method only amplified his care for his old crew.
McCoy was frustrated that Commodore Mendez wouldn't authorize Chris's use of the new board, dismissing it as unofficial medical equipment. Though it was a haphazard creation, like some of Scotty's workarounds, Chris appeared undeterred.
Suddenly, visuals flashed across the screen.
"These are recorded memories from Captain Pike's experience on Talos IV," Spock clarified.
The images showcased the Enterprise bridge with a youthful Captain Pike, donning an older Starfleet uniform, conversing with Dr. Boyce, McCoy's predecessor. The contrast between the Captain Pike of old and the present was staggering. He looked weary, likely from the weight of lost crewmembers under his command—a weight McCoy recognized in Captain Kirk. It became evident to him that Chris's overarching concern was still his crew, even more so than his own well-being.
McCoy was perplexed when he noted heightened activity in Pike's brainwaves. How was this possible? No Starfleet technology could penetrate the depths of the mind. Strangely, Pike's heart rate remained stable. Could mind reading be the secret of Talos IV? Yet, many species could access Pike's thoughts.
McCoy noticed that Commodore Mendez was deceived by Spock into admitting this as evidence. McCoy had to hand it to Spock—despite being a dutiful Vulcan, he certainly knew how to navigate legal nuances. He resolved to let Captain Kirk spearhead the court-martial while focusing on monitoring Pike's vital signs.
As he observed Pike and the crew on the screen, his attention was caught by a blond woman in tattered clothing. Chris's heartbeat quickened at her sight. McCoy smiled internally. In spite of his physical state, Chris was still human, with emotions and desires. If her image still affected him, she undoubtedly held significance in his life. Her description of Pike as "The perfect specimen" struck McCoy as unusual.
Uhura grappled with her communications console, trying to establish a connection to Starfleet Command. Her puzzlement deepened; Spock had forbidden any external communication from the ship. As she tried to reach out, there was no response.
"Lieutenant Sulu, Starfleet Command isn't responding, though I'm confident our hails are transmitting," she reported, her voice laden with concern.
Sulu's gaze turned thoughtful. "Could it be interference from Talos IV?"
"I can't identify any interference," Uhura replied, her fingers flying over the console as she tried once more. With determination, she tried to send a message to Captain Una Chin-Riley. As Captain Pike's unwavering first officer, she epitomized confidence and capability. She had a right to know what was transpiring with Captain Pike and Spock. In Uhura's hopes, Una might successfully advocate for leniency from Starfleet Command for both Spock and Chris.
Uncertain if her message had been received, Uhura could only continue her attempts to contact Starfleet Command. However, she soon noticed a different communication pattern – one originating not from Starfleet, but from Talos IV.
McCoy's eyes remained fixed on the screen as it continued its playback. The images portrayed a thriving settlement. Curiously, McCoy didn't recall any settlements surviving on Talos IV; in fact, his knowledge about the planet was scant.
A scene unfurled in which the blonde woman guided Pike towards a cave. As it played out, McCoy felt the intrusive urge to look away, sensing the privacy of the unfolding moment. He decided to hone in on the vital signs, resolving to disregard any emotional responses that might emanate.
However, when Chris's heart rate surged alarmingly, McCoy's gaze snapped back to the screen. Instead of the anticipated intimate scene, grotesque creatures emerged from the cave – their heads disproportionately large, their eyes black voids. The environment and the woman dissolved into nothingness, replaced by these aliens. Anguish welled up in McCoy as he witnessed these beings overpower Pike, dragging him back into the cave. "Spock! Are you seriously taking him back there?!" he erupted.
"Maintain order, Doctor!" Commodore Mendez commanded.
Spock's voice resonated with calm assurance. "Doctor, your reactions stem from incomplete data. I implore you to withhold judgment until you possess the entire narrative."
"Yes," Chris agreed.
McCoy's frown deepened, but he refrained from speaking further. Just then, an alert blared.
Uhura's voice permeated the room via the intercom, embodying utmost professionalism. "Commodore Mendez, urgent update. Subspace monitors indicate the Enterprise is receiving transmissions from Talos IV, which contravenes Starfleet General Orders."
Kirk's brow furrowed. "Receiving transmissions from Talos IV? Then the visuals we've witnessed are..."
Spock interjected, "Transmitted directly from Talos IV, Captain."
With no discernible change in her composure, Uhura continued, "Captain Kirk, you are hereby relieved of command. Commodore Mendez, you are ordered to assume control of the Enterprise. Employ whatever means necessary to prevent further contact with Talos IV. Message endorsed by ComSol, Starfleet Command."
Commodore Mendez directed a withering look at Spock. "Mister Spock, you are cognizant of the edicts concerning Talos IV. You've knowingly invoked the death penalty, imperiling not only yourself but Captain Kirk as well."
"Commodore, Captain Kirk was oblivious to these actions," Spock countered.
Mendez shot back, "You know full well that a Captain is accountable for all occurrences on his ship. Return this vessel to manual control immediately."
"With due respect, sir, I cannot comply."
"Very well," Mendez pronounced gravely. "Prepare to face the consequences. This court is adjourned."
Dumbfounded, McCoy reconciled with the realization that the same deceptive entities from Talos IV were transmitting directly to the Enterprise. Curiously, Pike's vital signs, though elevated, remained stable. Without delay, McCoy escorted his patient out of the room.
Seated, McCoy anxiously awaited Jim's return. Addressing Chris, he inquired, "How can you remain so composed?"
Employing the board, Chris responded succinctly, "Experience."
McCoy let out a resigned sigh. "I reckon you've weathered this storm before."
Jim entered, his face a tapestry of weariness and confusion. "I've confined Spock to the brig," he disclosed. "He pleaded with me to continue watching the transmissions."
"Will you?" McCoy probed.
Jim approached Chris, eyes heavy with the weight of decision. "I want to trust Spock. I need to understand what's unfolding on Talos IV. However, it means subjecting you to reliving those memories. Can you endure another day of the court-martial?"
Chris met his gaze resolutely, responding simply, "Yes."
To Be Continued…