STAR TREK - TOS - 85 - My Brother's Keeper,Book One

“WHAT’S YOUR NAME?’’

Lieutenant James T. Kirk asked, studying the arrogant, disrespectful Academy cadet who stood before

him.

The cadet hesitated for a moment—a primitive and not unexpected reaction. “Mitchell, sir. Gary

Mitchell.”

Kirk assessed the cadet. “I’ll see you in class, Mr. Mitchell.”

The cadet looked at him, unable to conceal his confusion. “Class, sir?”

“That’s right,” Kirk told him. “Federation History.”

The cadet tilted his head. “I think you’re mistaken, sir. I’m in Commander Chiarello’s Federation

History class.”

It was the lieutenant’s turn to smile. ... “Youwere in Commander Chiarello’s class. Now you’re in mine,”

he said. “I’m going to arrange for a transfer, Mr. Mitchell ... so you and I can get better acquainted.”

POCKETBOOKS

New YorkLondonToronto Sydney TokyoSingapore

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.”

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s

imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or

dead, is entirely coincidental.

AnOriginal 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.

For information address Pocket Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

ISBN: 0-671-01914-7

First Pocket Books printing January 1999

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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

Printed in the U.S.A.

For Mike, Paul, Mitch, Lee, Chuck, Laurence, Lou, Sandy, Alan and Len, who still don’t know what

beats what

Contents

Chapter One.6

Chapter Two.9

Chapter Three.14

Chapter Four19

Chapter Five.24

Chapter Six.29

Chapter Seven.33

Chapter Eight39

Chapter Nine.43

Chapter Ten.47

Chapter Eleven.51

Chapter Twelve.55

Chapter Thirteen.60

Chapter Fourteen.66

Chapter Fifteen.72

Chapter Sixteen.77

Chapter Seventeen.82

Chapter Eighteen.87

Chapter Nineteen.91

Chapter Twenty.96

Chapter Twenty-one.101

About the e-Book.103

Chapter One

JIM KIRK emerged from the entrance to the immense lithium-cracking station, the sight of Lee Kelso’s

corpse still mercilessly fresh in his mind, and took a look at the jumbled, gray landscape ahead of him.

Craggy peaks rose haphazardly like the uncut gems in some gargantuan crown, piercing the bloated

underbelly of the blue-gray clouds. The wind howled as if in pain, carrying the dust and tang of a dozen

different metal ores.

Gary was out there somewhere, the captain told himself. Dehner, too. And they were his responsibility.

His.

After all, it had been Kirk’s decision a couple of days ago to try to penetrate the shimmering barrier at

the edge of the galaxy—an attempt that had ended[2]bluntly in failure. Worse, it had snuffed out the lives

of nine crewmen, all but disabled theEnterprise’s engines, and turned two of his staff officers into living

fireworks.

One was Gary Mitchell—a close friend since his Academy days who had saved Kirk’s life more than

once. The other was Elizabeth Dehner, a willowy young psychiatrist studying crew reactions under

emergency conditions.

Little did Dehner know how big an emergency she would be privy to—the emergence of a being who

could shut down every system on the ship as easily as he could shut down his own vital signs ... the birth

of a power so huge, so terrifying, it could choke the life from a populated world as easily as it had

choked the breath from Kelso.

And now Dehner was out there among the rocks at Gary’s mercy, his living, breathing pawn ... or

perhaps his chosen consort. Either way, the woman was in unspeakable danger.

Tucking his phaser rifle securely into the crook of his elbow, the captain left the protection of the station

and set out across the sandy open area surrounding it. The wind whipped around him, driving dirt and

loose debris into his face.

Kirk barely noticed. His mind was too focused on the monumental task ahead of him.I could have

avoided this, he thought ruefully.Ishould have seen it coming. But it began so innocently. ...

After their violent reaction to the energy barrier, both Gary and Dehner had been examined by Chief[3]

Medical Officer Mark Piper, who determined that the victims had one thing in common—a talent for

extrasensory perception. Dehner’s esper rating had been an impressive 089, while Gary’s had been even

higher at 091.

A small difference, statistically speaking—but a difference nonetheless, judging by the results. While

Dehner’s vital signs showed no change after what she went through, the change in Gary was hard to

ignore.

His eyes, for instance, went from brown to a startling, luminous silver. His voice took on an expansive,

echoing quality from time to time. And he began reading at speeds even Spock could barely believe.

None of that constituted a reason to fear the man. After all, the captain had always trusted his friend

implicitly, no matter what the stakes.

But there was something in Gary’s attitude ... an arrogance, a disdain for those around him ... that put

Kirk on his guard. That, and the unsettling computer logs of theValiant, the last ship that tried to cross

the barrier at the galaxy’s edge.

Reports of queries about extrasensory perception, for instance. And, later, of a self-destruct order

apparently given by theValiant’s captain ... who had to have been confronted with a truly staggering

menace to even consider such a command.

But even then, the captain couldn’t bring himself to believe that Gary presented that kind of menace.

And Dehner had believed it even less.

Iwas a fool,Kirk mused.A damned fool.

[4]As he reached the perimeter of the sandy area and entered the cleft between two towering crags, he

shifted the weight of the phaser rifle in his arms. After the shrilling of the wind, it was quiet in the shelter of

the rocks. Deadly quiet, he thought.

After all, Gary could be anywhere up ahead. Anywhere at all. Senses alert, the captain pressed on.

At least the others will be safe,he assured himself. Spock, Piper, Alden ... none of them would perish

like poor Kelso. Of course, if he had paid a little more attention to Spock’s warnings, Kelso might still be

alive ... and Dehner might be safe on theEnterprise as well.

Kirk recalled what the Vulcan had said at the briefing—the one that seemed so long ago now.Soon,

we’ll not only be useless to him, but actually an annoyance. In a month, he’ll have as much in

common with us as we’d have with a shipful of white mice.

The captain hadn’t wanted to hear it. He had lashed out—told Spock he needed recommendations, not

vague warnings.

And his first officer had risen to the occasion.Recommendation One: There’s a planet a few

light-days away from here. Delta Vega. It is the only possible way to get Mitchell off this ship.

Kirk had balked at the idea, saying he wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t strand his friend on an unpopulated

planet, where even the ore ships only called every twenty years.

But Spock had persisted.Then you have only one other choice. Kill Mitchell while you still can.

[5]The captain had rejected the option. He’d told the Vulcan to leave him the hell alone.

Again, Spock had refused to budge.It is your only other choice —assuming you make it while you

still have time.

At least act like you’ve got a heart,Kirk had admonished him.We’re talking about Gary, Spock.

The Vulcan had scowled.The captain of the Valiantprobably felt the same way, he said ominously.

It was that reminder that had finally swayed Kirk. Taking a deep breath, he had placed duty over

friendship—and authorized Spock to set a course for Delta Vega.

As he neared the end of his passage between the crags, the captain stopped and scanned the area ahead

of him. There was no sign of Gary—or Dehner either, for that matter. Just a sandy shelf that angled

upward into a higher range of rocks.

Cautiously, Kirk emerged from concealment—though he wasn’t certain anything could hide him from

what Gary had become, or shield him if Gary decided to put an end to him. Step by step, he made his

way to the shelf. Then, still wary, he began to climb it.

Suddenly, a boulder in his path came loose and rolled down the rocky surface beside him. The captain

stopped and looked around, his heart beating hard in his chest, his phaser rifle at the ready.

He couldn’t see Gary anywhere, but he knew it was Gary who had sent the boulder tumbling. Kirk

could hear Mitchell’s laughter in the wind. He could see his[6]friend’s smile in the swirling of the dust up

ahead of him.

Gary was mocking the captain, toying with him—letting him know that his approach hadn’t gone without

notice. And, perhaps, warning him. Telling him to go back if he knew what was good for him.

Gritting his teeth, Kirk went on anyway.

He recalled something Gary had said back on theEnterprise, while he sat there in his bed in Piper’s

sickbay.It’s like a man who’s been blind all his life suddenly being given sight. Sometimes I feel

there’s nothing I couldn’t do, in time. Some people think that makes me a monster ... don’t they,

Jim?

That was when the captain had realized that Gary could read their minds. He wondered if that was

happening now—if his old friend was tracking Kirk’s thoughts, maybe even finding amusement in them.

Not that it mattered. The captain had to find Dehner—to save her if he could. And beyond that, he had

to destroy his old cohort, no matter what kind of power he held in his hands.

Again, he recalled Gary’s words in sickbay.Ican sense mainly worry in you, Jim ... the safety of your

ship.

Kirk had eyed his friend.What would you do in my place? he had inquired almost casually.

Gary had smiled.Probably just what Mr. Spock is thinking now —kill me ... while you can.

There was no longer any need for pretense. With his last remark, Gary had torn away the veil.

[7]Kirk had tried to get at Gary before he could bring his power to bear, but his friend had raised his

hand and pierced the captain with a hideously painful energy charge. As Kirk faltered, Spock had

launched himself at Gary as well—only to be hurled back by the same kind of charge.

Then Gary had revealed a bit more of himself.Ialso know we’re orbiting Delta Vega, Jim. I can’t let

you force me down there. I may not want to leave the ship ...not yet. I may want another place.

He had smiled to himself with the utmost confidence.I’m not sure yet what kind of a world I can use.

Dehner had looked at him.Use? she asked in a wavering voice.

Gary began to get up from his bed.Idon’t understand it all yet. But if I keep growing, getting

stronger ... why, the things I could do ...like maybe a god could do ...

Before he could finish, while he was still intent on his vision of the future, the captain had slammed his

elbow into his friend’s side. Then Spock hit him also, and Kirk sent him sprawling across the bed with a

right hook.

Taking advantage of Gary’s stunned condition, they had sedated him with a hypospray. Then, as quickly

as they could, they had brought him to the transporter room and beamed down to the dilithium-cracking

station.

Kelso and his team were already down there. The lieutenant had grimaced at the sight of Gary, his friend

as well as Kirk’s, being dragged through the[8]entrance to the facility and imprisoned behind a forcefield.

But if Kelso had had any objections, he had kept them to himself.

After all, he knew that Gary had become dangerous. Unfortunately, he didn’t know how dangerous.

None of them did—or Kelso might have survived to return to the ship.

Dragging his thoughts back to the present moment, the captain came to the end of his sandy incline and

peered over its crest at a path that wound its way among the crags. Still no sign of his friend. But Gary

was out there, an almost tangible presence in the landscape.

Kirk got to his feet and shifted the weight of his phaser rifle in his arms. It was a heavy piece of ordnance

and it was getting heavier by the moment. But then, its inventors had never meant for it to be carried by

hand over long distances.

It was Spock who had ordered the rifle beamed down, after he had seen Gary attempt to escape his

energy-walled prison in the cracking station—and only grow stronger for the experience. But, of course,

the weapon hadn’t helped any of them.

As the captain, Spock, and Dehner had prepared to leave, Gary had called Kirk’s name.You should

have killed me while you could, he said.Command and compassion are a fool’s mixture.

Then Gary had hit his friend with another energy charge, as if the powerful barrier between them hadn’t

even existed. This time, the charge hadn’t just sent the captain reeling—it had short-circuited his brain,

plunging him into a deep, swirling darkness.

[9]When Kirk woke, he was looking up into Piper’s face. Apparently, the chief medical officer had been

knocked out as well, for a while. And so had Spock, who was lying on the floor, unconscious.

Gary was gone, of course. And so was Dehner.

Kelso’s dead,Piper had said.Strangled.

That’s when the captain had made the decision to go after Gary—alone. After all, it was his fault that his

friend had gotten this far. If he’d acted sooner, taken less compassionate measures ...

Kirk had gotten to his feet and wrested Spock’s rifle from his senseless fingers.When Mr. Spock

recovers, he had said,you’ll both transport up immediately to the Enterprise ...where, if you’ve not

received a signal from me in twelve hours, you’ll proceed at maximum warp to the nearest Earth

base —with my recommendation that this entire planet be subjected to a lethal concentration of

neutron radiation.

Then he had set out to hunt his friend down.

And now, perhaps an hour later, the captain was still doing that. His back against a cliff, the moan of the

wind loud in his ears, he followed the path—knowing he had little chance of catching Gary by surprise,

but intent on trying nonetheless.

When he ran out of cliff face, Kirk turned the corner and followed the path between two rocks that

seemed to form a portal—an entranceway. It was then that he heard the voice.

Gary’svoice, speaking in the confines of the captain’s mind. But it wasn’t antagonistic anymore. It was

soothing, almost reassuring.

[10]“Can you hear me, James? You cannot see me, I’m not there. You follow the right path, James ...

you’ll come to me soon.”

Kirk turned—and suddenly, Dehner was standing there in front of him, just a few paces away. And her

eyes ...

My god,the captain thought, his heart sinking in his chest. Her eyes were glowing just like Gary’s.

Chapter Two

KIRK REALIZED his mouth was hanging open. He closed it.

“Yes,” the woman said—if she could still truly be called a woman. “It just took a little longer for it to

happen to me.”

Dehner approached him, one step at a time. Instinctively, Kirk backed off—then realized that was the

wrong thing to do, the wrong tack to take with her. She was still as much like him as she was like Gary,

caught for the moment between humanity and godhood.

The captain looked around for her partner, his rifle at the ready. But Gary wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

At least, not yet.

“You must help me,” he told Dehner. He turned to her again. “Before it goes too far.”

[12]She smiled an almost blissful smile, speaking to him the way he might speak to a child. “What he’s

doing is right. For him ... and me.”

Kirk walked past her, alert for his true adversary. “And for humanity? You’re still human—”

“No,” Dehner protested. “I—”

“At least partly, you are!” he insisted. “Or you wouldn’t be here talking to me.” The captain walked

away again, purposely turning his back on her—showing her he didn’t fear her, didn’t feel any barrier

between them.

“Earth is really unimportant,” she told him, obviously comfortable with what she was saying. “Before

long, we’ll be where it would’ve taken mankind millions of years of learning to rea—”

Kirk whirled on her, his blood pumping in his temples. “And what will Mitchell learn on getting there?

Will he know what to do with his power? Will he acquire the wisdom—?”

Dehner turned her face away, declining to hear any of it. “Please,” she said, “go back while you still

can.”

But the captain wasn’t about to go back. “Did you hear him joke about compassion?” he asked. He

looked to the heavens, half-expecting Gary to come sailing down from the blue-gray clouds overhead.

“Above all,” he insisted, “a god needs compassion!”

He could feel a tingling in the air. It thrilled through him the way a vibration might make its way through a

tuning fork.

“Mitchell!” he bellowed, his voice tearing through the howl of the wind.

[13]It was a challenge. But for now, it went unanswered.

Kirk turned to Dehner again. When he spoke to her, it was in a softer voice, a voice that pled for

reason. “Elizabeth ...”

“What do you know about gods?” she demanded haughtily.

“Then let’s talk about humans,” he said, making use of the opening she had given him. “Let’s talk about

our frailties. As powerful as he gets, he’ll still have all that inside him.”

Dehner looked away. “Go back!” she told him.

But the captain refused to be ignored. He grabbed her arm, eliciting a flash of anger from her.

“You were a psychiatrist once,” he reminded her. “You know the ugly, savage things we all keep buried,

that none of us dares expose. But he’ll dare!”

Dehner didn’t say anything. But she was wavering, if only a little bit. Kirk was getting somewhere.

“Who’s to stop him?” he pressed. “He doesn’t need to care! Be a psychiatrist for one minute longer.

What do you see happening to him? What’s your prognosis, Doctor?”

Suddenly, Dehner’s look turned introspective. “He’s coming,” she said softly, less a warning than an

observation.

The captain raised his rifle and looked around, his nerves stretched taut. “Then watch him,” he instructed

Dehner. “Hang on to being a human for one minute longer.”

He had barely gotten the words out before he heard Gary’s voice—not in his head, this time, but

echoing mightily among the rocks: “I’m disappointed in you.”

[14]Did he mean he was disappointed in Kirk? Or in Dehner, the agent of his will? There wasn’t any

time to ponder the question.

Because a moment later, Gary appeared on a rocky ledge just a few meters away. His temples were

gray, but not with advanced age. If anything, he exuded even more vitality than when the captain had

seen him last.

Kirk rolled, came up in a kneeling position and fired his phaser rifle. The ruby red beam speared Gary in

the chest.

But far from destroying him, it splashed off him harmlessly. Expressionless, seemingly unperturbed, Gary

gestured ... and the captain’s rifle flew out of his hands.

Gary looked at Kirk with those ice-cold orbs that had replaced his eyes. “I’m contemplating the death

of an old friend,” he said. He glanced at a huge, misshapen boulder protruding from the cliff face in back

of him. “He deserves a decent burial, at least.”

The captain didn’t have to think very hard to know which old friend his adversary was talking about.

STAR TREK - TOS - 85 - My Brother's Keeper, Book One - Republic

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: