Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: Tue, 2 Mar 2004 00:15:11 -0500 (EST) In: alt.startrek.creative From: kdj2020@webtv.net (Kevin Johnston) Title: Worlds Move On Author: Kevin Johnston Series: Shadows And Suns, my own DS9 and TNG alternate universe that now also incorporates some elements of Rob Morris' "Ancient Destroyer" cycle and the original series. Rating: PG-13 Archive: yes for ASC Feedback: Wanted and welcomed, by post or by e-mail Letting silence fall over the away team, Jim moved towards the window, watching Kor disappear in transporter effect. The orange glow of the Klingon transporter beam cast a sickly light over the ground. Rain continued to fall, wind sweeping across the land. The air was damp, chilly. "So, now what?", asked Ro Laren. Turning to face her and the rest of his people, Kirk remained by the window, the clouds forming a backdrop against his figure. "We clean this mess up, fast. If Winn has time to consolidate her power, the show is most definitely over. As much as it pains me to admit it, neither I or Doctor McCoy are in the kind of shape the rest of you are. I'm putting Captain Ro in charge of the away team. How long to reach the nearest village, on foot?" "Three, maybe, four hours. Admiral, recommend that you follow our progress from orbit." Jim Kirk knew a suggestion when he heard one, and this particular one, though strong, was meant in no way to hurt his feelings. The more he saw of her, the more he could see why Picard trusted Ro as he did. "Agreed, Captain. The doctor and I will beam up. Once you've reached the village, get the lay of the land, carefully. Make sure people know you're there to talk to them and nothing more." "Yes, sir. Will we be staying overnight?" "Your call, Captain. If you find out what you need to, or feel that you're in excessive danger, get yourselves back to the ship. Otherwise, secure a place for the night and check in with Enterprise in the morning." "Yes, sir. Will you be returning to the ship right away?" "Jim....", McCoy interrupted. "We're staying here a bit longer." "In that case, recommend someone stay with you." In that instant, Kirk smiled, thinking to himself, suggestion number two...I gave in once, but not this time, Captain. "Might I remind you that the good doctor and I were handling situations like this one before your grandmother was born?" "Point taken, sir. At the least, perhaps Doctor McCoy should be armed with a spare phaser?" "Perish the thought, young lady. Phasers and I have a love-hate relationship. I hate them and people love me for it." 'If it'll make you happier, we'll stay in contact with the ship." The expression on the Bajoran's face, one of relief more than joy. "I'd be grateful, sir." With that, Kirk pulled his communicator out, spoke into it. "Kirk to Enterprise." "Enterprise, Spock here. Are you all right, Admiral?" "We're fine. Captain Ro and the other security personnel are going to move out towards the village. Doctor McCoy and I are staying here a few minutes more, but we'll keep an open line." "Acknowledged." As the others filed out, Peter stopped to rest a hand on his uncle's shoulder. "Be careful, sir.", he intoned, softly, before moving on. When the two older officers were finally alone, both dropped to the ground, crouching at the knees. Facing each other, they thought about a great many things. before one broke the silence. They talked in low tones, low enough to not be picked up by the communicator. "We can't let it happen, Jim." "I know...believe me, I know. But we've got to be careful. The most we can do is work around the edges. Let people know that the Federation won't abandon them, even if Bajor abandons the Federation." A concerned look crept across the physicians' face. "Don't tell me you're invoking the Prime Directive." "What if I am? It's...." "What?" A sigh, deep and dark. "I'm not sure we should stop it." "Please tell me that's a bad attempt at humor." "Hear me out. Maybe what you said isn't so far off. If it's a disease, maybe it's better to let it run its course, then come back afterwards, and help the survivors." "Hell of a risk to run. What if it doesn't die out? Sweeps across the system...hell, the quadrant for that matter? Does Winn seem like someone who'll be content ruling just one world?" Kirk shook his head firmly, as if banishing bad thoughts from his mind. "No. You were right, from the start. It has to be contained." McCoy reached out, gripped his friend's hand. Released it, slowly. "I know this eats you up, inside. Every time we have to make a tough choice, you get this way." "I killed an entire race. I committed genocide." "Jim, that was over seven years ago. And it wasn't genocide. It was the same thing this is. A disease. The Founders were never, ever, going to let up. Us or them. You chose us." "You think I'm bad, now? You should have seen me when I first got to Vulcan. I came this close to slugging T'pring in the mouth." "I know it was hard for you. I made a lot of excuses for you those six weeks you were gone." "At least the ship was in dry dock while I was gone....leaving her in anyone else's hands, while we were on active duty... even Spock's hands, would have been impossible for me." "I know. But you made it through, to the other side, with her help. T'pring told me you showed more determination to get well than any other patient she'd ever treated. Damned peculiar, isn't it?" "What? That someone who almost cost me my life, saved it, over a century later?" "Yes, that. I've known, by the way, all along, that you almost hit her. She told me that if you had, she would have kicked you out of treatment then and there. You showed restraint when she needed you to, the most. But restraint, now, is not what anyone needs from you." McCoy paused, not sure if he dared actually say what he wanted to. "Go on." "You've held back, the tiniest bit, ever since, and thank God we've never needed you to go full-tilt. But we do, now. Jim, I'm your doctor. I know what's inside your head almost as well as you do. Trust me when I say that you don't need to worry about going over the edge. And if you can't trust me as your doctor, trust me as your friend." Kirk's reply, a hand given back, pulling both men to their feet. "I trust you, and I trust myself." Smiling at his oldest friend, Kirk then called out. "Enterprise, two to beam up." "Spock here. Acknowledged." The beams took them. -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ ASCL is a stories-only list, no discussion. Comments and feedback should be directed to alt.startrek .creative or directly to the author. Yahoo! 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