Worlds in Collision (51 page)

“Director Wilforth,” Spock began, “I do not understand why you ordered a complete communications blackout, including matter transmissions, if you are convinced the Talin's sensors are limited to the electromagnetic spectrum. Do they or do they not have transtator capability?”

Kirk suddenly felt his stomach tighten. If the Talin were still years away from developing transtators, yet they had transtator capability, there could be only one possible explanation—one hideous explanation.

“Director Wilforth,” Kirk said, forcing himself to keep his voice calm and controlled, “has the FCO lost or abandoned advanced technology on Talin?”

Richter laughed at Wilforth's sudden look of discomfort. “Absolutely not, Captain Kirk. And I am most insulted that you would even think to ask that question.”

“It is most logical,” Spock observed.

“I don't care. As director of this outpost, I assure you that every piece of equipment is counted before, during, and after any planetary sampling run.”

“Then why are you afraid the Talin will pick up subspace radiation without transtator technology?” Kirk demanded. What other explanation could there be?

Wilforth glanced at Richter, asking a question with his eyes. Richter shrugged. “If you can't trust Starfleet…” he said. Then he glared at McCoy again. “Just don't trust that quack. I know what you're trying to do under there with that thing.”

McCoy sighed and brought both hands above the table. Kirk heard a tricorder click off.

“What information are you withholding, Director?” Spock asked.

“The Talin do not have transtator capability that we know of. However, they have what appears to be a solid foundation in the multidimensional mathematics required for the development of multiphysics—though for now they think it has no practical application. And, on the quaternary continent, which virtually all nation states had access to during the planet's age of sea exploration, there is a large, and quite anomalous deposit of…rubindium.” Wilforth looked embarrassed.

Spock's eyebrow shot up. “Natural rubindium crystals?”

“Damn right!” Richter snorted. “How about that?”

“How extraordinary,” Spock said quietly in a reserved tone which Kirk knew meant the science officer was thoroughly surprised.

But Lieutenant Palamas was not. “I don't understand the significance of rubindium crystals,” she said. “Why are they important?”

“They are wery crucial to the dewelopment of subspace technology,” Chekov explained. “They contain a four-dimensional molecular lattice structure on the same order as dilithium and so are able to conwert subspace radiation into transtator current—in much the same way ordinary quartz crystals conwert electromagnetic waves into piezoelectricity. You see,” he added helpfully, and earnest as always, “we still use rubindium in transporter transponders just like the ones in our communicators. And they can be cut so small that we can even inject tiny crystals under our skin for—”

“I think she understands now, thank you, Chekov.” Kirk turned to Wilforth. “Do the Talin know what rubindium crystals are capable of?”

“They are aware that rubindium is not normal matter. They have furthermore recognized the same temporal irregularities in approximately two to three percent of their planet's naturally occurring quartz.”

Kirk was impressed. After the discovery that a second level to the periodic table of elements existed and the confirmation that dilithium was indeed a second-level crystal, subsequent investigation revealed that between two to three percent of the quartz on Earth was actually dilithium. Visually, dilithium had a dozen different three-dimensional physical configurations which could make it resemble several varieties of ordinary crystal. It was the portion of dilithium's molecular lattice that extended into the fourth dimension which made it so unique and so valuable—and that could not be determined by ordinary physical inspection or testing. In the mad dilithium rush almost two centuries earlier, Kirk remembered reading that many Earth museums became incredibly well-funded overnight simply by tearing apart their geology exhibits to find dilithium crystals which had been misidentified as quartz for generations.

“I see,” Spock said. “If the Talin are at present conducting tests of rubindium or dilithium, then any strong subspace activity in their system could produce transtator current effects in the crystals being observed. And, with the theoretical mathematical foundation for multiphysics already in existence, they could conceivably come to the logical conclusion that they had detected an interstellar communications network in operation, even though they would not have developed the technology to intercept, generate, or receive messages of their own.” Spock paused for a moment. “I am aware of no other culture that has ever been in a similar situation.”

“Exactly, by
flaxt'a,”
Richter said fiercely, slapping his hand on the tabletop. “A whole new category for the Richter Scale. At least five more years of work to rejig the whole thing. It's wonderful. Wonderful.”

“Has the FCO made a ruling on how these special circumstances might affect the application of the Prime Directive?” Kirk asked Wilforth.

“No, Captain. The Prime Directive is perhaps the most rigorously enforced regulation in the Federation, and one of the most complex. Best-guess estimates won't do. Any special ruling would have to be made solely on the basis of precise, unquestionable data.”

“And you don't have that.” Kirk finally saw where the conversation was going.

“No, sir, we do not.”

“And that's why you asked for the
Enterprise:
to help you get it.”

“That is correct.”

Kirk pushed back in his chair. Normally, he would have no difficulty in performing any mission for a First Contact outpost. His general orders clearly covered total cooperation with the FCO as a sister branch within Starfleet. But the more he found out about the situation on Talin, the more he realized that it did not fall within the range of general orders.

“Director Wilforth,” Kirk said at last, “what precise and unquestionable data do you have at your disposal now?”

Wilforth pushed a stack of microtapes across the table. “These are specialist datafiles and go into considerable detail, but basically, it comes down to this. First, circumstantial evidence which we have obtained through the monitoring lab facilities leads us to believe that the Talin are aware that they are under our covert observation—though we do not know precisely how that is possible. The discovery of our Wraith shuttle came only after their sensor systems were upgraded. It's an effect, not a cause.

“Second, the majority of Talin—especially those in positions of leadership—do not accept that the covert observation they are under could be the activity of non-Talin aliens. Instead, the Browns believe the Greens have advanced surveillance and transportation technology, while the Greens believe the same of the Browns.”

Kirk looked over at Spock. They both understood the nightmarish situation the FCO was in. “Therefore,” Kirk said, “there is a chance that FCO operations have intensified the feelings of distrust between the two sides and that the increased potential for war which now exists on Talin is the result of…interference.”

“Exactly,” Wilforth murmured. He didn't appear to have the strength to say anything more.

“How do you propose to prove or disprove your hypothesis?” Spock asked.

“That's where the
Enterprise
comes in,” Mallett said. “Obviously, we need access to information that is not being released publicly.”

“Information from military sources?”

“Precisely, Mr. Spock. We need to know all the details of the Wraith sighting. We have to know what phenomena spurred the Browns and the Greens to upgrade their sensor systems. And, most importantly, we have to know how far along their study of rubindium and dilithium crystals has progressed.”

Kirk's mind filled with the logistics of what the FCO wanted his ship to accomplish. “The initial report said that four key installations had been identified for intrusive data collection. I take it those are military installations?”

“That is correct.”

Kirk looked at the rest of his landing party. “And the results of intrusive data collection could determine if the FCO is responsible for the hostilities on Talin and, if so, determine what could be done to correct the situation?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, Director Wilforth, you've got our work cut out for us.” Kirk started to stand.

The director looked expectantly at him.

“So you'll be able to get our people to Talin immediately? We've got our collectors standing—”

“No,” Kirk said plainly. “Not immediately. I'm sure you understand that in a situation like this, I have to report back to Starfleet Command for specific orders. To take the
Enterprise
into a mission that might compromise the Prime Directive is beyond my authority as a starship commander.”

“But you can't report back to Starfleet,” Wilforth said plaintively.

“I have to,” Kirk said. “And I will.”

“Captain Kirk, because of the blackout, it will take you five days to leave the Talin system. It will take you four days to hear back from Starfleet after you transmit your report—assuming they can answer immediately without the need to hold a board of inquiry—and then it will take you five more days to return.”

“I'm quite aware of the time frame, Director Wilforth.”

“No, Captain, you're not.” The director looked down at the tabletop, afraid to meet Kirk's eyes. “You see, the situation on Talin is impossible. It cannot hold for another fourteen days. There's a very good chance it won't last even three more days. No matter what your orders say, general or specific, you don't have time to contact Starfleet.”

Kirk was shocked.
Three days?
The situation was far worse than the reports had stated. Or else it had changed dramatically in the three weeks since the reports had reached the ship.

“I'm sorry to do this to you, Captain Kirk,” Wilforth continued, “but I do know that when a starship commander must act within a time period which prevents communication with a higher command, that starship commander is authorized to act independently in a manner which he or she believes is in keeping with the best interests of Starfleet and the Federation.”

Kirk sat back down. The director was right.

“There is no more time, Captain Kirk. And under the circumstances, as a starship commander, you are the highest authority in charge of what happens next.” Wilforth looked up and finally met Kirk's eyes. “The fate of an entire civilized world and the lives of more than two billion beings rest in your hands, sir.

“What will you do?”

In the deserted landing chamber, Kirk sat in the
John Burke
considering his choices. When he had been forced to operate without Command guidance in the past, the situations he had usually faced were so critical that he had had only minutes or seconds to make his decisions. But in the matter of Talin IV, Kirk had the unusual option of having hours to decide upon a reasoned course of action. The fact that he had those hours would definitely be taken into consideration by the inevitable Starfleet board of inquiry. Also definitely, in the event of error, Kirk knew the board members would not be as forgiving as they had been in the past when he had been forced to commit himself and the
Enterprise
on little more than a split-second hunch.

He heard a rapping on the shuttle's hull and turned to the open door to see McCoy.

“House call,” the doctor said. “Mind if I come in?”

Kirk gestured for him to enter.

“It isn't an easy one, is it?” McCoy said as he sat down across from Kirk. “But then, they never are when we're cut off from Command.”

Kirk smiled at McCoy. “Though usually that's when I like this job best.”

McCoy shifted sideways in his chair so he could face Kirk. “I know it's not strictly in my line of duty, Jim, but have you come up with what you're going to do about this mess?”

Kirk opened his mouth to answer just as a second rapping sounded on the hull.

“Request permission to come aboard,” Spock said formally.

“The door is open, Mr. Spock,” Kirk answered.

“Pardon me for interrupting, Captain, but I was curious to know if you had determined your course of action.” Spock sat behind McCoy, and also turned to face the captain.

“Partially, Spock. I was just about to go over it.”

“Please continue.”

McCoy's eyes flashed at Spock. “Oh, yes, Captain, please do,” he said facetiously.

Kirk stretched out his legs and hooked an arm over the back of the pilot's chair. “My main concern is to keep all our options open until the last possible second. The less I commit the
Enterprise
to do, the less likely the chance of inadvertently compromising the Prime Directive.”

“Leaving command decisions to the last second sounds pretty risky, Jim.”

“But striving to maintain the Prime Directive is most logical.”

Kirk had the sudden feeling that if he ever decided on a course of action that both Spock and McCoy supported, then he would be sure to be making a mistake.

“I admit that it's a compromise. But in the meantime, I'll be gathering as much new information as possible about current conditions before deciding additional actions.” Kirk watched as Spock nodded and McCoy's lips tightened.
Good,
he thought,
they're still not agreeing. Maybe this plan has some merit after all.

“The first thing that concerns me,” Kirk continued, “is what that Talin lunar mission is up to. Given the state of their world's economy and the war footing the nation states are on, I don't think it's reasonable at this time to expect them to commit such considerable resources to a purely exploratory lunar mission.”

“It is a troubling development,” Spock said.

“So, I've sent Scotty his orders by tightbeam. He's to lock sensors on the lunar vessel the next time it passes out of line of sight from Talin. Then the first thing he's to do is to send out a quarter-second sensor pulse to see if the vessel is carrying rubindium or dilithium.”

“If it is,” McCoy cautioned, “then subspace resonance is going to light up those crystals like the dickens.”

“But only for a quarter second, Bones. And if the sensor return indicates that crystals are on board, then the scan will not be repeated. That's well within the bounds of the Directive.”

“However,” Spock interjected, “if the sensor scan reveals no such crystals are present, then the Talin aboard will not be able to detect further investigation by sensor.”

“Exactly,” Kirk agreed. “In that case, Mr. Scott is instructed to conduct a full sensor survey of the Talin vessel. At the same time, any stray subspace signals will be blocked from ground-based stations on Talin by the moon's mass. And from those radiation signatures Chekov picked up, I'm betting that we find fusion warheads on that ship.”

“Why the hell would the Talin send warheads here?” McCoy asked. “They have no bases on the moon.”

“But the FCO says some Talin suspect extraplanetary surveillance. This moon is a logical place to conduct such surveillance. The early Vulcan observer missions to Earth used our moon as a base from time to time, correct, Spock?”

“That is true,” Spock admitted.

“So you think the lunar mission's part of the war effort,” McCoy asked, “come to wipe out the alien invaders?”

“Remember what Wilforth's data files told us, Bones: The Talin leaders don't believe in aliens. That ship's more likely to have been launched by one Talin nation state to seek out and destroy a base believed to belong to another. Which is why we have to have a complete scan of it. If the vessel
is
on a war mission,
and
it has warheads,
and
it's carrying instruments which might locate this outpost, then everyone stationed here is at risk.”

McCoy looked grim. “There're more than a hundred personnel here, Jim, and their evacuation plan depends on a ship with the
Enterprise'
s capabilities. There's no way the outpost could be evacuated quickly without revealing our presence.”

“Believe me, Bones, if we have to evacuate the outpost because the Talin have launched warheads at it, they'll already know we're here.”

“The
Enterprise'
s sensors do have the ability to selectively disable the old style electronic components used for detonating such warheads, Captain.”

“I know, Spock. I'm already having Scotty run simulations to prepare for that possibility. Though if it ever did come to us taking that action, once again they'd know we were here—and that we're technologically superior to them. And if that happens, the whole mission has failed. Ours and the FCO's.”

“So much for Talin's moon,” McCoy said. “What are you going to do about the Talin planet?”

Kirk frowned, showing he had still not completely made up his mind. “So far, I've told Director Wilforth that I'll take his people into orbit over the key military installations he's interested in. I'll decide then whether or not to beam down his intrusive-collection teams.”

“What will determine your decision at that time?” Spock asked.

“A lot will depend on how well Scott can keep the
Enterprise
hidden from the Talin's sensors. She's not a Wraith, gentlemen. And she won't be passive. While we're in such low orbit, we'll have to use our deflectors plus full electronic and subspace countermeasures to remain invisible to the Talin sensor stations.”

McCoy didn't look pleased. “How low is ‘low'?”

Kirk shrugged. “Scotty's working on it. He says it's likely going to be somewhere between sixty and eighty kilometers above the planet.”

“A very good estimate,” Spock commented.

But McCoy scowled. “Damn it, Jim, the
Enterprise
is a starship, not a glider! What the blazes are we going to be doing literally in the planet's atmosphere?”

“Endeavoring to keep stray transporter radiation to a minimum,” Spock said, “by cutting the transporter beam to the lowest gain which will still allow for the safe transmission of intelligent life-forms.”

“Exactly, Spock. We'll do a preliminary test run at a higher altitude for the orbital insertions of the passive sensor satellites the FCO wants launched. If everything checks out and we've not been detected, then I'll authorize a low-orbit pass over the key installations. Then, and only if we're still undetected, I'll authorize the collection teams to beam down.”

“I tell you, Jim,” McCoy said, “if something starts coming at us while we're at that altitude, even I know we're not going to be able to warp out of orbit. Not that close to a gravity well.”

“I understand, Bones. And so does Scotty. But the only way to eliminate all risk is to do nothing. And if I do nothing, then I have just about the same chance of breaking the Prime Directive as I would if I did the wrong thing. Right, Spock?”

McCoy turned to look at Spock, eyes wide at the Vulcan's silence. “I don't believe it. You're not going to quote the odds?”

“Doctor, I regret that in this situation I am incapable of quantifying all possible scenarios.”

“Really?” Kirk asked in true surprise. “I was hoping for some input from you.”

“I am still at your disposal.”

McCoy shifted in his chair. “Well, what would logic dictate that the captain do, Spock?”

“Exactly what he has outlined. Uphold the Prime Directive while minimizing risk and maximizing knowledge. At this stage, there is no more that can be done.”

Kirk bowed his head. “Thank you, Mr. Spock. I'm satisfied with that input.”

“That's it?” McCoy asked. “That's as far as logic takes you?”

“Because of the unusual situation that exists on Talin, there are too many variables to prepare additional strategies without additional information.”

McCoy leaned back against the shuttle's bulkhead and smirked.

“Bones, from the look on your face, I'd say you had some input of your own for me.”

“Damn right I do,” McCoy said smugly. “I bet I know why the Talin are convinced they're under extraplanetary observation even though the FCO has done nothing to alert them.”

“Is that so?” Kirk asked.

“Indeed,” Spock said dryly.

“Because someone else is observing them!” McCoy stated proudly.

Kirk looked at Spock.

“There is no one else in the system, Doctor. Except for ourselves, there are no alien life-forms and no alien probes. Because this is a system under FCO jurisdiction, everything that enters or leaves Talin space is monitored by the automated sensor stations in place at the edge of the system, and they have detected nothing in eight years.”

“Klingons with Romulan cloaking devices,” McCoy said, though less smugly. Then his smile disappeared in stages as Spock offered another explanation.

“We are so far removed from the Klingon Empire that even they, Doctor, would realize that the Organian Peace Treaty would give them no right of claim over this system. Likewise, the Romulans are too far away. Furthermore, the Talin system offers nothing of unusual value which would entice distant invaders to risk penetrating this far into Federation space. There are hundreds of uninhabited systems with natural resources of far greater value than Talin's in many disputed territories much closer to our frontiers. Not only is there no one else in this system, no others would travel to this system for what it has to offer.”

“Well, Spock, at least you've got to admit it was a good suggestion. Logical even.”

Spock turned back to Kirk. “If your definition of logic includes ignoring established facts, then it was indeed quite logical, Doctor.”

“Thanks, anyway, Bones,” Kirk said, trying to soften the blow. “It was one of the first things I thought of, too. But not even a cloaking device could fool the sensor stations surrounding the system long enough to get a ship to Talin IV.”

“So that's it?” McCoy asked. “The whole plan?”

Kirk nodded.

“But it's not enough, Jim.”

“Best I can do under the circumstances, and I know it's not much. To be honest, I'm not holding out too much hope that I actually will allow Wilforth's people to beam down because the last thing a war-ready nation state needs is to catch aliens materializing inside a military installation. And that means, if the Talin do have their war, that we might never recover the data we'd need to determine—even in hindsight—exactly what the best course of action should have been for me to follow.”

“And we'll never know how things went so terribly wrong down there,” McCoy said. He sounded stricken.

“You don't have to tell me, Bones. I can't see a way out of this one no matter what happens. I'm going to be happy just to get the
Enterprise
out of orbit in one piece and let Command and the Council work it out. The last thing I need is a run-in with a board of inquiry over the Prime Directive.”

Spock nodded. “You are in a classic no-win situation, Captain.”

Kirk tried to keep the look of pain from his face but without success.

McCoy turned to the science officer. “Mr. Spock, you could have talked all day and not said that.”

“But he's right, Bones,” Kirk said. “If things on Talin really are as bad as the FCO's updates indicate, then there are not going to be any winners in the next few days. Either here or on Talin.”