STAR TREK - TOS - 32 - Chain of Attack

VIP免费

2024-12-20 1 0 365.08KB 125 页 5.9玖币

侵权投诉

CHAIN OF ATTACK A STAR TREK NOVEL [042-042-5.0]

By Gene Deweese

Synopsis

While mapping a series of gravitational anomalies, the USS Enterprise is

suddenly hurled millions of light years through space, in to a distant

galaxy of scorched and lifeless worlds... into the middle of an endless

interstellar war.With no way back home, the crippled starship finds

itself under relentless and suicidal attack by both warring fleets! And

captain Kirk must gamble the lives of his crew on his ability to stop a

war that has raged for centuries and ravaged a galaxy...

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents

are either the product of the author's imagination or are used

fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons,

living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

An Original Publication of POCKET BOOKS POCKET BOOKS, a division of

Simon & Schuster Inc. 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

STAR TREK is a Registered Trademark of Paramount Pictures.

This book is published by Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster

Inc., under exclusive license from Paramount Pictures.

portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Pocket

Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

ISBN 0-671-66658-4

First Pocket Books printing February 1987

15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7

POCKET and colophon are registered trademarks of Simon & Schuster Inc.

Printed in the U.S.A.

For Juanira Coulson, whose talent and persistence opened the door for

serendipity.

Introduction

It's been a long time... I first saw Star Trek when Gene Roddenberry

apologetically introduced the two pilot episodes to a few hundred

science fiction fans at the Cleveland World SF Convention a few days

before the first program was broadcast. Subsequently, I watched every

episode that was aired and managed to talk about fifty friends and

strangers into sending protest letters during the first "Save Star Trek"

letter-writing campaign. Over the years, it's gotten ever harder to

resist the temptation to watch the reruns, particularly when they're

showing gems like the Gary Seven episode, "Assignment Earth," and "The

Menagerie." And now-Well , I can only say it's been great fun these last

few weeks, finally having an excuse to indulge myself in an episode a

day, ostensibly for "research," and getting paid for it to boot.

The sale of this book without its cover is unauthorized. If you

purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that It was

reported to the publisher as unsold and destroyed." Neither the author

nor the publisher has received payment for the sale of this "stripped

book.

Chapter One

ACCORDING TO EVEN the most conservative estimates, the Milky Way galaxy

contains more than one hundred billion stars, and there are at least

that many other galaxies beyond our own, beyond the reach even of warp

drive. This means that for every human alive on earth at the end of the

twentieth century there are twenty or more stars in our home galaxy

alone, and countless billions more are spread throughout the clusters

and superclusters of other galaxies, stretching to the very edge of the

universe--if, indeed, an edge exists. It is therefore little wonder

that, even with Federation, Romulan, and Klingon ships spreading

throughout space at unprecedented rates, more than ninety-nine percent

of even that one galaxy is unknown and untouched by human---or Romulan

or Klingon--sensor probe. Even within the territory covered by the

Federation Exploration Treaty, the unknown far outweighs the known as

scout ships leap-frog over thousands of star systems in their rush to

explore, to reach new horizons. Under such circumstances, then, it is

easy to go where no man has gone before. It is, in fact, often

unavoidable. To survive such explorations and to return safely--that is

another matter altogether.

"I fail to see the humor in the situation, Dr. McCoy." As always,

Spock's remark held neither anger nor resentment. It was simply a

statement of fact, edged with the faint touch of bemused bafflement that

was always present when the Vulcan science officer was dealing with

less-than-logical humans. "I know, Spock, I know," McCoy said, stepping

back to give Spock ample room as the Vulcan's long, powerful fingers

continued to methodically work the science station controls. "But you

don't mind if we humans indulge in a good laugh now and then, do you?"

"Of course I do not mind," Spock said, most of his attention still

devoted to analyzing the station's readouts for some sign of the probe

that had been launched more than five minutes before. It was rapidly

becoming apparent, however, that the probe was not going to reappear,

either five parsecs away or five hundred, all -of which struck McCoy as

a fitting and somewhat amusing climax to the totally erratic behavior of

the previous forty-odd probes. "In fact, Doctor," Spock went on, still

not taking his eyes from his instruments, "as you yourself have pointed

out, such outbursts often seem to have a therapeutic effect on your

species. It would hardly be logical for me to wish to deny you something

that could improve your physical and mental well-being and hence your

efficiency in performing your duties." McCoy chuckled, still watching

the display screens over Spock's shoulder. "Maybe it's just as well you

don't ever laugh, Spock. You're already too blasted efficient. I'd hate

to see what would happen if you ever developed a sense of humor. Jim and

I and half the crew would only be excess baggage." "Another example of

human humor, I assume, Doctor. I find it difficult to believe that even

you would look favorably on inefficiency. But if I may be allowed tO" A

shudder rippled through the Enterprise, momentarily shifting the deck

beneath their feet. Spock, rock steady despite the movement, called up a

dozen new displays on the screens. "Another shift in field strength,

Captain," he said,

"an increase of twenty-seven-point-one-six percent. I would suggest

drawing back approximately ten A.U. as a precautionary measure." "Take

us back ten A.U., Mr. Sulu, warp factor three," Kirk said without

hesitation. He had long since learned not to question his first

officer's suggestions. "Hold steady at that position." "Done, sir," the

helmsman said, his fingers already entering the commands into his

console. McCoy, silent now as he gripped the padded hand-rail to steady

himself, turned toward Kirk. Seated in the command chair, the captain

was intent on the forward viewscreen, where the flowing ribbon of the

Sagittarius arm of the galaxy overlay the distant turbulence of the

Shapley Center. As they watched, the star field rippled briefly, much as

the bridge itself had seemed to ripple a moment before. "Another change

in the field strength, Mr. Spock, or just the result of our motion in

the field?" "Our motion, Captain, with respect to the irregularities

near the anomaly itself. The field remains steady at its new level."

"And the last probe, the one whose disappearance Dr. McCoy found so

amusing--still no sign of it?" "None, Captain." "A malfunction in the

probe itself, perhaps?" "Unlikely, Captain. As you know, the probes are

little more than powerful subspace beacons attached to impulse engines.

Considering the simplicity of their design and construction, the

likelihood of any vital component failing has been statistically

established to be less than one in one-point-three million." "But it is

possible," Kirk persisted. "Possible, yes, Captain, in the same sense

that anything, no matter how unlikely, is statistically possible."

"Point taken. What other explanations can you suggest?" "The most likely

is that the probe is beyond the range at which it can be detected."

Kirk swung his chair to look directly at the science officer. "Out of

range, Mr. Spock? I was given to understand that their signals could be

picked up at a range of more than five thousand parsecs." "Five thousand

four hundred eighty, to be precise, Captain, though that is, of course,

only the minimum guaranteed range." "You're saying this--this

'gravitational anomaly' could have transported the probe more than five

thousand parsecs?" "Obviously, Captain." "But none of the other probes

has reappeared at any distance greater than five hundred parsecs."

"Affirmative, Captain." "That's it, Spock? No elaboration?" "If you

wish, Captain. As you and Dr. McCoy are certainly aware, we have been

unable to establish any logical pattern based on the behavior of the

probes sent through the so-called anomalies. Some have not been affected

at all, as if for them the anomalies do not exist. Others have vanished

and emerged into normal space little more than one parsec distant, while

still others have reappeared nearly five hundred parsecs away in a

totally different direction. There is therefore no logical reason to

assume that the range is limited in any way. The distance a probe is

transported is apparently not related in any way to its entry velocity.

It is more likely a result of the geometry of space itself and the

manner in which it is distorted by these so-called anomalies, and that

distortion appears to vary randomly from moment to moment, even to cease

entirely on occasion." "From your repeated use of the phrase 'so-called

anomalies,Chr(34)+ can I assume that your observations have suggested a

more useful or more accurate term?" "Not at all, Captain. It is only

that I am beginning to doubt that these objects are indeed something as

simple as anomalies resulting from surrounding areas of gravitational

turbulence." "What, then?"

"I do not know, Captain." "But you must have some thoughts on the

subject, Spock." "Of cours e, Captain." "And those thoughts are... ?"

Kirk prompted. "I can only say, Captain, that there is a distinct but

unquantifiable possibility that they are not natural phenomena at all."

In the silence that followed, all eyes on the bridge turned to Spock.

Then a short burst of laughter came from McCoy. "An unquantifiable

possibility?" McCoy said, shaking his head in mock surprise. "That isn't

your Vulcan way of saying you have a hunch, is it, Spock?" "It is hardly

a hunch, as you chose to call it, Doctor. It is merely that the results

of our observations so far appear totally random and therefore

illogical. Past experience has led me to conclude that phenomena which

appear to be illogical are less often the result of natural laws than

they are the result of manipulation of those laws by intelligent but

less-than-logical beings." Captain James T. Kirk suppressed a smile as

he nodded and shifted to a more comfortable position in the command

chair. The thought that the anomalies were not natural phenomena had, of

course, occurred to him, but, as Spock would say, he had not assigned it

a high probability factor. For one thing, when the Enterprise had first

run into one of the anomalies--run into it quite literally--the ship had

been instantaneously transported more than three hundred parsecs and

damaged by the effects of the surrounding turbulence. Under those

conditions, everyone's priorities had centered on survival, both their

own and the Enterprise's, leaing little time for scientific analysis or

philosophizing. But now it was a different matter. Equipped with newly

designed sensors that allowed them to precisely locate--and avoid--the

strangely complex turbulence, and supplied with more than two hundred

probes, they had come to study what was apparently a cluster of

such anomalies discovered by a scout ship not long after the

Enterprise's return from the Mercanian system, where the first anomaly

had deposited them so unexpectedly. Or, more accurately, they had come

to study a cluster of gravitationally turbulent areas in order to

determine if any or all of those areas contained at their centers the

same type of anomaly that had swallowed the Enterprise and then spit it

out three hundred parsecs away. By sending the probes through such

anomalies, they had hoped to determine just where the anomalies led.

Anomalies had indeed been found in the centers of seven of the areas of

turbulence so far, and forty-eight probes had been dispatched. Six had

passed through the anomalies without effect, emerging on the far side

with no indication of damage or change of any kind. Forty-one had

reappeared at distances ranging from one to five hundred parsecs, in

directions that bore no discernible correlation to anything. Two probes

sent through the same anomaly within milliseconds of each other

reappeared more than six hundred parsecs apart, one in the direction of

the Shapley Center, the other in the general direction of Klingon

territory. In short, as Spock had said, the operation of the so-called

anomalies appeared totally illogical and had thus far defied analysis.

And now one of the probes had simply vanished, either transported beyond

the five-thousand-parsec range of its transmitter or destroyed. or...

"Could the disappearance be related to the shift in the field strength,

Mr. Spock? The two occurrences were fairly close together." "It is

possible, of course, Captain. Without further data, however, there is no

way of confirming or denying the hypothesis." "Another probe, then, Mr.

Spock?" The hiss of the doors to the turbolift forestalled Spock's

reply. A stocky man in his fifties, his tightly curling hair beginning

to gray, strode onto the bridge.

His angry glower, as much as his green civilian tunic, distinguished him

from the Enterprise personnel. "What sort of nonsense have you been up

to now, Kirk?" the man snapped, making the omission of the captain's

rank sound more like an insult than an oversight. "Welcome to the

bridge, Dr. Crandall," Kirk said dryly. "What seems to be the problem?"

"The problem, Kirk, is that I was awakened only moments ago by something

which, were I on a planetary surface, I would describe as an earthquake.

I would like to know the cause, and I would like to know why it was not

avoided, whatever it was." Kirk turned away from Crandall toward the

science officer's station. "You have the floor, Mr. Spock." A minuscule

arching of one upward-slanting eyebrow was the only change of expression

as Spock turned to face Crandall. "The cause, Dr. Crandall, was an

unpredicted and abrupt change in both the overall strength and the

pattern of the gravitational field surrounding the so-called anomaly we

are currently observing. The reason it was not avoided is that it was

unpredicted. To the best of our knowledge at this time, such changes

cannot be predicted." Crandall, still not fully accustomed to the

Vulcan's calm and rational ways, seemed to lose some of his steam. "I

see," he said. "But the ship--the ship was not damaged?" "Not a bit,"

Kirk assured him. "As you know, the new sensors allow us to--" "I know,

I know," Crandall snapped. Then he glanced around the bridge, his eyes

settling on the forward viewscreen. "There's an anomaly out there? A new

one?" "That's right," Kirk said. "The seventh." "Why wasn't I called? I

am, after all, an official observer, which would seem to me to mean that

I should be present during all observations."

"If you will recall, Dr. Crandall Kirk said quietly, "midway through our

observations of the previous anomaly, you told us you didn't want to be

bothered unless something unusual happened. "Something downright

spectacular,Chr(34)+ I believe were your exact words." "Something that

can rattle the walls of a Constitution-class starship qualifies as

spectacular in my book, Kirk. In any event, now that I am here, would

anyone care to bring me up to date?" "Of course, Doctor," Kirk said,

turning away again. "Mr. Spock?" "Very well, Captain," Spock said and

then began a probe-by-probe account, complete with all particulars, of

all observations since Crandall's hasty departure on the previous day's

watch. Kirk settled back to listen and to wonder once again what

Starfleet Command had had in mind when they had allowed Dr. Jason

Crandall to be attached to the Enterprise as an "official observer."

True, Crandall had been in charge of the Starfleet-supported civilian

labs that had developed the sensors that had been installed on the

Enterprise, but Crandall himself, despite a doctorate in physics, was

far more of a politician than a scientist. Otherwise he would never have

been in charge of that or any other lab, Kirk was sure. And it had

become abundantly clear after only a few days on the Enterprise that

Crandall saw the labs--and this mission involving the sensors developed

there--primarily as stepping stones to greater things, perhaps even to a

seat on the Federation Science Council. Kirk shuddered mentally at the

thought. He did not naively believe that Council seats were attained

purely on merit, but neither could he believe that merit and ability had

no bearing at all on the matter. All current members were, at the very

least, competent, some even brilliant, and the thought of Crandall

bluffing or conning his way into their company was growing more

disturbing each time Kirk had contact with the man.

"All right, Spock, all right!" Crandall's harsh voice' cut into Kirk's

thoughts. "I don't need the trajectory and serial number of every probe!

All I wanted was a brief summary. Have you or have you not discovered

any pattern?" "Negative, Doctor." "And do you foresee any such

discovery?" The Vulcan's eyebrows arched again, not quite as minutely as

before, and his eyes flickered toward Kirk for an instant. It was, Kirk

realized, as close to exasperation as he had seen Spock express in some

time. "It is impossible to foresee a discovery in the sense you seem to

mean,.Doctor," Spock said. "If, on the other hand, you wish to know if I

expect such a discovery to be made, then I can only say that I have

every confidence that, in time, it will be made." "But not here and now?

Not in the next few hours or even in the next few days or weeks?"

"Again, Doctor, that is impossible to say." "Good Lord, man! I'm not

asking for an oath signed in blood! All I'm asking is if you think

you'll be able to get to the bottom of this before you run out of

probes!" "With no more data than I have at present, it would be

illogical to form an opinion one way or the other, Doctor." McCoy, who

had moved away from the science station during the exchange, stifled a

laugh and, when Kirk glanced at him, could only shake his head. He was

obviously enjoying Crandall's frustration, all the more because he

himself had so often collided with Spock's implacable wall of logic.

Then, abruptly, another shudder rippled through the Enterprise, not as

powerful as the first but enough to send both of Crandall's hands

clutching at the padded railing. "What--" he began, but before he could

get a second word out, Spock was checking his instruments and reporting.

"The field strength has decreased to zero, Captain." "It's gone, Spock?

The area of turbulence has disappeared?" "Precisely, Captain." "And the

so-called anomaly at its center?" "Unknown, Captain. I would suggest

dispatching another probe." Kirk considered a moment before turning to

face the viewscreen again. "Take us back to within probe range, Mr.

Sulu. Warp factor two." "Warp factor two, sir." "Any indication of

renewed turbulence, Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked, his own eyes fastened to the

forward viewscreen. "None, Captain." Finally they were once more within

one hundred thousand kilometers of the anomaly, and Spock's fingers were

moving unerringly across the controls of the auxiliary panel that was

linked to the probes. As before, the probe would be beamed to within

five thousand kilometers of the anomaly using the cargo transporter.

From that point, it would proceed under its own impulse power into the

anomaly. Even so, several minutes went by before Spock looked up from

the controls. "The so-called anomaly has vanished, too, Captain." "And

what does that mean, Spock?" Crandall cut in. During the seemingly

interminable wait, he had alternately stood and paced, fidgeting and

frowning impatiently all the while. "It means precisely what I said,

Doctor," Spock said. "The anomaly associated with this particular area

of gravitational turbulence appears to have vanished at the same time as

the turbulence itself." "What about the others? There are a dozen others

nearby, aren't there?" "There were fifteen in all, Doctor. There is no

way of knowing their status without traveling to the vicinity of each

and checking."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Crandall demanded. "Captain?" "Your

opinion, Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked. "It would seem logical to check at

least one of those we have already visited, Captain, to see if the

disappearance is limited to this one anomaly." Crandall heaved a sigh of

annoyed relief. "And if it's gone, too, then I assume we will be heading

back to the Federation. It seems to me, considering the total lack of

useful results obtained so far, we have wasted quite enough time on this

project. Kirk?" "As you have said, Dr. Crandall, you are an observer,"

Kirk said, his tone nearly as neutral and precise as Spock's. Then,

turning back to the forward viewscreen "Lay in a course that will take

us to all six previously visited anomalies, Mr. Sulu. And Mr. Spock,

keep an eye on those new instruments. We don't want another unscheduled

trip." "Of course, Captain," Spock said, and a moment later Sulu

acknowledged that the requested course had been laid in. "Cautiously,

then, Mr. Sulu. Warp factor two." "Warp factor two, Captain." On the

forward viewscreen, the distant Shapley Center slid to one side and

vanished as the Enterprise turned and aligned itself for its new

destination. In a few seconds, only the scattered stars of the outer

edge of the Sagittarius arm of the galaxy could be seen, and beyond them

the faint band of light that was the Orion arm, one tiny patch of which

held all the stars within the Federation. "How long will this--this

exercise in futility take, Kirk?" Crandall snapped, a new level of

hostility evident in his voice. "The original observations were

scheduled to take three standard weeks." "But if there's nothing left to

observe--" "Then perhaps it will take somewhat less time." "Perhaps?

Good Lord, man, do you mean to say--"

"I mean only to say," Kirk cut in, "that this disappearance merely

deepens the mystery surrounding the nature of these anomalies, and that

I can see no reason to cut short our mission until we have learned all

that we possibly can." "Commendable scientific curiosity, I am sure,

Kirk, but rather pointless, it seems to me. In any event, I postponed

important business to become a part of this mission, and I strenuously

object to having it prolonged unreasonably. That is to say, beyond a

point at which useful knowledge can be obtained. A point which, I might

add, appears to have been reached some time ago." "You are, of course,

free to contact Starfleet Command at any time, Doctor. Lieutenant Uhura

will be glad to open a channel whenever you wish." Crandall's square

features hardened as his jaw muscles tensed, and Kirk imagined he could

hear the grinding of teeth. Then Crandall slumped slightly, confirming

Kirk's suspicions that friendship with the people at Starfleet Command

was not the reason Crandall was aboard. He or his political friends had

pulled strings somewhere, and Starfleet Command had obliged, as they

often did in small matters that did not interfere with Starfleet

activities. The string pulling had gotten him aboard the Enterprise, in

a position to take advantage of any significant discoveries that

resulted from the use of his lab's sensors, but that was all it had

gotten him. And even that might be lost if he pushed his luck. "I may do

that, Kirk," Crandall said. "If this nonsense continues much longer, I

may do just that." But both men knew it was an empty threat. Kirk

remained silent, and finally Crandall turned to leave the bridge. But as

he took a step forward toward the turbolift, another shudder gripped the

Enterprise. Compared to the two previous incidents, it was almost

unnoticeable, not even enough to cause Crandall to miss a step. A moment

later, however, Chekov's voice, high

pitched with excitement, sliced through the air. "The screen, sir!

Look!" Kirk spun the command chair instantly to face the viewscreen. He

blinked, and fingers of ice suddenly gripped his spine. Instead of the

sparse stars of the edge of the Sagittarius arm, there were stars by the

thousands, by the tens of thousands, a star field immeasurably brighter

and more dense than anyone on the bridge had ever seen.

Chapter Two

"FULL STOP, MR. SULU," Kirk snapped. "Maintain present position. Mr.

Chekov, determine precisely our present position with respect to the

point at which we first appeared in this sector." The helmsman and the

navigator responded instantly, their fingers working the controls even

as they acknowledged the commands. "Spock, full sensor scan." "No

vessels in sensor range, Captain. Radiation, though markedly higher,

presents no danger." "Kirk!" Crandall's strident voice overrode everyone

else's. "Would someone please tell me what the blazes is going on!"

"We'!! tell you as soon as we find out ourselves. Spock, any idea where

we are?" "Not yet, Captain. There is--" "Kirk! I demand to know--" "Dr.

Crandall, please leave the bridge. Return to your quarters." "Now see

here, Kirk! Who do you think you are? I am, in effect, a representative

of the Council itself, and I demand civil answers to my questions "We do

not have time for your demands at the moment, Dr. Crandall," Kirk said

sharply, punching a button on the command chair arm as he spoke.

"Security detail to the bridge immediately. Escort Dr. Crandall to his

quarters." Crandall's face reddened, and he turned abruptly to

the communications station. "Lieutenant, open a channel to Starfleet

Command! At once " Uhura looked questioningly at Captain Kirk. "Continue

monitoring all frequencies, Lieutenant," he said. "Attempt no

communications with Starfleet Command or anyone else at this time."

"Kirk, I'll have your head for this! If you don't--" The turbolift doors

hissed open, disgorging a two-person security detail. "Escort Dr.

Crandall to his quarters," Kirk said, confirming his order. "Make sure

he stays there. I'll inform you when he is to be allowed to leave."

Crandall resisted for a moment, but then, blustering a final threat, he

allowed himself to be propelled into the turbolift. "As you were saying,

Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked, turning back to the science officer. "Yes,

Captain. There is an area that appears to be the Shapley Center directly

ahead, though the computer has not yet positively identified it. If it

is indeed the Shapley Center, we have been transported at least five

thousand parsecs." "Five thousand?" "Affirmative, Captain. We are

approximately five thousand parsecs closer to this object than we were

to the Shapley Center. Of course, if it is not the Shapley Center, then

we could well have traveled much farther." Kirk was silent a moment

before turning back to the screen. "Mr. Chekov, have you located

our---our point of entry into the sector of space?" "I believe so, sir."

"Very well. Mr. Sulu, take us to within a half-A.U. and hold there. Warp

factor two." Again the view on the forward screen shifted, but now it

was as if the Enterprise were turning within a heavy curtain of stars.

In every direction, the brightness and density were the same. "Mr.

Spock, prepare to launch a probe directly at our point of entry."

"Prepared, Captain." "Launch the probe, Mr. Spock." "It is being

transported... now, Captain." "And while we're waiting for the results,

Mr. Spock, see if you can find out where we are." Spock turned again to

the data displays. "The computer has been performing a more detailed

analysis of the radiation profile of the object that appeared similar to

the Shapley Center," he said, pausing to study a set of readouts more

closely. "There appear to be a number of basic differences in the

spectrum," he added. "Could the differences be accounted for by the time

difference? We are, after all, more than fifteen thousand light-years

closer." "Negative, Captain. Certain of the readings indicate precisely

the opposite. The spectrum indicates that the central black hole, for

example, is less massive than that of the Shapley Center by a factor of

nearly ten, not marginally more massive, as would be the case had we

come five thousand parsecs closer. And there are other, independent

indications that argue against this object's being the Shapley Center."

"And those are, Mr. Spock?" Kirk prompted when Spock paused to scan a

new set of readings. "The computer has also been scanning for

recognizable extragalactic objects since we arrived, Captain. Few

external galaxies are visible from within this cluster of stars, but

among those few, it has found none that it can positively identify."

"What you're saying, then, Mr. Spock," Kirk said after three or four

seconds of silence, "is that, first, we are no longer in the Milky Way

galaxy. And second, the computer has not been able to determine what

galaxy we are in." "Precisely, Captain." Though no one did more than

glance at Spock and the captain for a fraction of a second, the bridge

was suddenly totally silent except for the ever-present hums and beeps

of the equipment and the ship itself. There was no panic, no wild

questions or howls of

disbelief. Instead, after allowing only a moment to' inwardly

acknowledge Spock's confirmation of what they had already begun to

suspect, everyone concentrated all the harder on his or her instruments,

knowing that such concentration and the ability to react instantly and

effectively could very well be, as it had been so often before, the key

to their survival. "I don't suppose," Kirk said after a good thirty

seconds of silence, "that the missing probe is somewhere in this

neighborhood, too." "It has not been detected, Captain." "Any theories,

Mr. Spock?" "Only the obvious one, Captain. Despite the sensors' failure

to detect the characteristic gravitational turbulence, the Enterprise'

has passed through one of the so-called anomalies." Kirk nodded. "I'd

assumed as much. How does this affect your hunch, your unquantifiable

possibility?" "I would say it raises it to the level of a probability,

Captain, although it remains unquantifiable." Spock paused, his eyes on

the data displays. "The new probe is approaching our point of entry."

Another pause, and then "It has passed through our point of entry and

has vanished from our sensors." "And still no indication of

gravitational turbulence?" "None, Captain." "What are the odds that if

we follow the probe we'll end up back where we started?" "Unknown,

Captain. I would say, however, that whatever the odds may be, they are

better than for any other method of return." "I realize that,. Spock.

Even if we were no farther away than the Andromeda galaxy, and even if

the Enterprise could maintain warp eight indefinitely, we would still be

several lifetimes away from the Federation." "Precisely, Captain. As I

see it, logic gives us no choice but to make the attempt."

"Agreed. Objections, anyone? Bones? Sulu? Uhura? Chekov?" No one spoke.

"Very well. Mr. Sulu, do your best to duplicate our flight path in

reverse. Warp factor two, I believe it was." "Correct, sir. Ready to

execute on your command." "Execute." The starbow resulting from

achieving relativistic velocity was always spectacular, but never more

so than here in this massive concentration of stars. Even so, it went

virtually unnoticed as all eyes waited for the sudden alteration in the

star field that would indicate they were back in Treaty territory. But

the change didn't come. "Time, Mr. Spock?" "We passed through the entry

文档加载中……请稍候！
如果长时间未打开，您也可以点击刷新试试。

下载文档到电脑，查找使用更方便

5.9 玖币 0人已下载

立即下载 VIP免费下载

摘要：

CHAINOFATTACKASTARTREKNOVEL[042-042-5.0]ByGeneDeweeseSynopsisWhilemappingaseriesofgravitationalanomalies,theUSSEnterpriseissuddenlyhurledmillionsoflightyearsthroughspace,intoadistantgalaxyofscorchedandlifelessworlds...intothemiddleofanendlessinterstellarwar.Withnowaybackhome,thecrippledstarshipfinds...

展开>> 收起<<

STAR TREK - TOS - 32 - Chain of Attack.pdf

共125页,预览25页

还剩页未读，继续阅读

声明：本站为文档C2C交易模式，即用户上传的文档直接被用户下载，本站只是中间服务平台，本站所有文档下载所得的收益归上传人(含作者)所有。玖贝云文库仅提供信息存储空间，仅对用户上传内容的表现方式做保护处理，对上载内容本身不做任何修改或编辑。若文档所含内容侵犯了您的版权或隐私，请立即通知玖贝云文库，我们立即给予删除！

STAR TREK - TOS - 32 - Chain of Attack

相关推荐

开通VIP享超值会员特权

作者详情

相关内容

热门标签

举报选择: