Black Fire Page 3

  Back on board the scout ship, Spock examine the two pieces of evidence he had found. The bottle contained a chemical he would have to analyze when he returned to the base. On the paper was a series of dots in what appeared to be a random pattern. As Scott turned the ship about to return to Starbase 12, Spock was already deep into his analysis of the series of dots.

  When they returned, Spock stationed himself at the computer terminal nearest his quarters without any further indication as to what he was looking for. Scott returned to the salvaging plans, and no more was said of their investigation.

  The towing operation had begun, and still Spock remained at the computer terminal, taking no time to eat or sleep. McCoy clucked and fretted and did the physician's equivalent of a gavotte around the obsessed Vulcan, but he was ignored completey.

  During one of his infrequent breaks, Spock finally acknowledged the doctor's presence. McCoy was hovering like an anxious mother, waiting for Spock to collapse. "All right, Spock. What do you think you're going to find? You've been at it for hours."

  "That is correct, Doctor. It might be days before I find that for which I am searching. I estimate at least ten million possibilities."

  "What are you looking for, Spock? That's a question from Jim. You remember him? Captain James T. Kirk?"

  "To put it precisely, Doctor, I am looking for a planet."

  "A planet! There are billions of them!"

  "Exactly, Doctor. That is why I cannot waste my time acknowledging your tantrums. Now, kindly leave me undisturbed." He turned to the computer, flashing star system upon star system on the screen as fast as his eyes could scan.

  3

  At Spock's request, the inquiry into the explosion on board the Enterprise was set at 1500 hours, shortly after he had finally concluded his relentless study of star configurations. He donned his formal jacket with dificulty, careful of his injured back. He reviewed the facts and theories he would set forth at the hearing while he walked down the corridor to the hearing room. To the casual observer, Spock's bearing seemed his normal stalwart one. To McCoy, who was observing Spock's every move, it was an indication that all was far from well with his recalcitrant patient.

  With the exception of the captain, who was still far too weak to attend the hearing, the entire complement of the weak to attend the heating, the entire complement of the Enterprise's officers was present. Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov were having a very quiet conversation in a corner of the room. Scott sat in the chair assigned him, chafing to get back to his primary concern—recovering and repairing the Enterprise. Lt. Lowry, who had been on-duty as security officer that day, sat behind Scott, clearly uncomfortable. Spock took the seat beside McCoy.

  The medical officer whispered to Spock, "You realize, of course, that you went off without my medical clearance."

  "I am quite aware of that, Doctor," Spock returned impassively. As he spoke, the Board of Inquiry was brought to order. The three officers at the table, all above the rank of captain, asked for quiet. All took their seats, and the hearing began.

  Commodore Kingston Clark, a well-respected elder statesman of the fleet, officiated. In the old days of sailing ships, he might have been referred. to as an "old salt." Clark now addressed the assembled officers.

  "This is a formal hearing, gentlemen, but I think we will accomplish more if we relax a bit. We are all here to try to ascertain what happened on the Enterprise. All of us assembled here have the same goal. With that in mind, we will begin this inquiry." Spotting McCoy, he added, "We will deal with Commander Spock's defiance of medical orders at another time. Call the first witness, please."

  The clerk called Lt. Uhura to the stand. Commodore Clark smiled at her after she was seated. Uhura gave her identification tape to the clerk and fidgeted nervously while her service record was being recorded.

  Clark questioned, "Lt. Uhura, you are communications officer on board the Enterprise. Did you see or hear anything prior to the explosion that was in any way unusual?"

  "No, sir. I was entirely absorbed in training the cadet assigned to me. She was having trouble with the subspace channels. Nothing unusual showed up on the communications panel. She was leaning over my shoulder at the time of the explosion; she took the force of the blast and was killed." She hesitated. "I owe her my life, sir."

  Ensign Chekov followed Uhura. His description of the events on the bridge just previous to the explosion was much like Uhura's. Sulu followed Chekov, with very much the same portrayal of events on the bridge at that time. But he added one thing.

  "Mister Spock visited me in sick bay. He said that I had provided a clue which he was going to investigate. I believe it concerned a cadet who left the bridge just before the blast occurred."

  Lt. Lowry testified next. He could offer no additional information, but accepted full responsibility since he was on duty that day. Scott was called next. He related events as they occurred in engineering. Since he had not been on the bridge at the time of the explosion, he could offer nothing in the way of direct evidence. When he mentioned Spock, all eyes turned to the Vulcan, who sat unperturbed, looking straight ahead.

  Glaring at Spock, McCoy gave his medical report. "I wish to state for the record that I have not given Commander Spock medical clearance to attend this hearing. He must rest so that we can complete his surgery— in his present condition we can do nothing. His injuries were extremely serious."

  Spock faced Clark squarely, ignoring McCoy's outburst. "As you can see, Commodore, I am quite well. Doctor McCoy is exaggerating. I find that he is frequently overzealous in fulfilling his duties. Please go on with the investigation."

  Clark looked carefully at Spock. "We generally would not hear your statement if you are considered unfit for duty. I have to admit, though, you do seem fit enough."

  McCoy chafed. "It's a Vulcan skill. He's masking symptoms. Believe me, he's in pain. He's just not letting it show."

  "Is that true, Commander Spock?" Clark asked.

  Spock emphasized. "At this moment, I am fully fit for duty."

  McCoy's medical scanner whirred; he knew better. He started to speak.

  "Well, then," Clark said, cutting McCoy off, "we will get on with this investigation."

  McCoy glowered at Spock, mumbling oaths under his breath, while the remainder of the Enterprise officers observed the exchange, understanding completely what Spock was doing.

  "Commander Spock," the Commodore continued, "it was at your request that this hearing was convened at this time. I see no evidence at this point that the explosion on board the Enterprise was anything but an unfortunate accident."

  "Commodore," Spock answered respectfully, "if you will permit me to continue, I will try to convince you with physical evidence."

  "Continue, Mister Spock. But I warn you, it will take very persuasive evidence to convince this panel to the contrary."

  In his very deliberate way, Spock began his presentation of the facts concerning Sulu's memory of the cadet, and his and Scott's resulting examination of the jettisoned hull. From time to time, Scott nodded in agreement. Otherwise, the room remained very still.

  "As you know, my race is known for its reliance on logic as the mode of conduct in any difficulty. What evidence I do present, therefore, is most carefully considered. After the explosion, I analyzed the force factor it would have taken to cause such complete devastation. I am as well-informed as any in Starfleet as to a starship's tolerance. Mister Scott concurs with my conclusions. We took it upon ourselves to return to the blasted hull to investigate the explosion. There was no physical evidence in what remained of the bridge.

  "It was then we followed Lt. Sulu's lead. The only person who was not a regular member of the crew who had entered the bridge and departed just before the explosion was one of the cadets assigned for the training session we were conducting at that time. I searched the computer records and, by a process of elimination, narrowed the search to five potential female candidates. Mister Scott and I then searched their quarters
on the jettisoned hull of the Enterprise for anything unusual. All but one had the standard gear for a short tour of duty. The exception, Yeoman Isabel Tomari, had hidden in a drawer in her quarters two unusual objects. One, a flattened bottle which contained a chemical substance, identified after analysis as lauric-mono ethanolamide stearic diethanolamine sorbatin triolate; the other item was a crumpled piece of paper with a series of dots drawn on it, which I believe to be a star chart. It has taken me a great deal of time to find the equivalent star placement in Starfleet's records. Admittedly, the map detail I am now going to show you and the chart I found on the Enterprise show differences. I interpret them as omissions rather than significant variations."

  Spock relayed the appropriate directions to the computer which then displayed the visuals on the screen. "The chart on the left is the one I found on the Enterprise, the other, a computer readout from Starfleet's library. As you can see, they match well enough to be considered the same, since one is obviously hand-rendered and the other is a projection from our telescopic probes. This section has never been thoroughly mapped. It is far to the other end of our galaxy. We have never physically ventured into it at all. I suggest our suspect is from one of the star systems projected here."

  Commodore Clark grimaced disapprovingly. "Are you suggesting we were sabotaged by someone from a planet as remote as that?"

  "Correct." Spock answered without hesitation.

  Clark shook his head negatively. "What was that chemical you found again?"

  "Lauric-mono ethanolamide …"

  "In simple terms, what is it?"

  "A depilatory, sir. A substance to remove excess hair."

  "Mister Spock, I don't know about Vulcan women, but human women use such things regularly. I see nothing strange about that particular substance being present in a woman's quarters."

  "Sir," Spock responded. "The potency indicates a quantity of chemical present that would serve the needs of a Terran woman for a period of ten years three months and an odd number of days if she chose to remain completely hairless during that period."

  As usual, Spock had not intended to be amusing, but the hearing room hummed with stifled mirth when he presented his last statement. Spock's only response was the slight raising of an eyebrow in consternation.

  "This hearing will come to order," Clark boomed. "I will not have this investigation turned into a circus." He turned to the two officers sitting beside him. They whispered for a short time, then Clark turned to Spock.

  "Mr. Spock, we know how upset you must be after the explosion on your ship and the deaths and injuries that occurred, but we can see no reason to believe it was anything but an unfortunate mechanical accident. The depilatory certainly doesn't prove anything, and even you admit the star map and the dots you found on the piece of paper do not match exactly."

  "Sir, I wish to add one more thing. Yeoman Isabel Tomari seems to have vanished completely. There is no record of her at the Academy or in any Starfleet file—only the computer on board the Enterprise acknowledges her existence. It is significant that she vanished so completely."

  Clark looked exasperated. "Then, Commander Spock, the computer on board the Enterprise must be in error."

  "I am responsible for that computer, sir. There was no malfunction indicated."

  "Commander Spock, we have reached our decision. Your evidence is insufficient to support your case. It is the decision of this board that the explosion on the Enterprise is still of undetermined origin, and probably accidental. This hearing is closed."

  "But, Commodore Clark, I am convinced there is sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation," Spock insisted. "You must hear my reasons. I believe we are in extreme jeopardy, and if we prove ourselves vulnerable, we may be leaving ourselves open for further, more serious attack."

  I see no reason to believe we are threatened, Commander Spock. You have presented your evidence; I order you to return to the hospital with Commander McCoy and remain there until he declares you physically fit to return to duty." The Commodore rose, as did the others on the board of inquiry, and left the room.

  Spock rose painfully from his seat and motioned for Scott to join him. McCoy was standing close beside Spock and failed to suppress a look of triumph.

  "Okay, Spock, you've delayed long enough. Now you're in my hands. Back to sick bay on the double!"

  "I have no intention of returning to sick bay with you, Doctor. I have some business to discuss with Mister Scott. If you will leave us now, I will …"

  "Nothing doing, Spock," McCoy interrupted. "You have a direct order from the commodore. You're in enough trouble already, what with going off without orders or clearance."

  Ignoring the angry McCoy, Spock took Scott by the arm and walked out of the room without further comment.

  There was a loud murmuring throughout the hearing room. A feeling of dissatisfaction was prevalent.

  "Why did Clark ignore the testimony?" Sulu asked McCoy as they left the room.

  Chapter II

  The Search

  1

  U.S.S. RAVEN: CLASS AA CRUISER. WARP POTENTIAL: 5 MAX. CAPTAIN ROSS FONTAINE. CREW: 17,8 HUMAN - 8 ANDORIAN - 1 VULCAN. PRESENT CREW STATUS: REST LEAVE—STARBASE 12. SHIP'S STATUS: PROVISIONING COMPLETED. LAUNCH SYSTEMS CHECK IN PROGRESS—ENGINEER FESTUS PARKER AUTHORIZED ON BOARD. LOCATION: STARBASE 12, LOCK 6. STANDARD SECURITY.

  Spock read the computer readout with satisfaction. The Raven, docked two days before, would serve his purpose well. Scott, peering over Spock's shoulder, nodded in agreement. They had found their ship. But the Scotsman was uneasy.

  "Are ye sure this is the only way, Mr. Spock? Starfleet doesna' take kindly ta unauthorized borrowing of its ships, ye know."

  "If you have reservations, Mister Scott, you are under no obligation to accompany me," Spock replied calmly. "I am determined to prove my suspicions are correct regarding the explosion. Your company, however, would be most helpful and welcome."

  "It'll be a bit tricky handlin' a ship o' that size with only two aboard, but I think we can do it," Scott answered. "When do we borrow her?"

  "Tonight. Only personal items are necessary; the ship is fully provisioned."

  The lone guard in front of the docking bay checked his chronometer every few minutes. Guard duty on a starbase was more a matter of form than necessity and a good night's sleep was being sacrificed for a nonessential task.

  Yawning, he leaned against the wall, peering down its length, wishing for his long watch to end. He didn't sense Spock's presence until the Vulcan was directly behind him. He turned, recognized Spock, and smiled. That was the last he remembered. The precise pressure on his shoulder brought instant unconsciousness. Spock gently lowered him and beckoned to Scott. Carrying their gear, they quietly entered the ship.

  Heading straight for the computer, Spock snapped a tape into its console. The communications board came to life, signaling the starbase flight-control center. Spock activated the tape's audio mechanism and addressed the control-center personnel.

  "U.S.S. Raven: Standard launch check. Limited flight. Clearance requested."

  "State authorization," droned the response.

  "Commander Festus Parker, chief engineer. Safety-systems check. Authorization: standard procedure."

  "Permission granted—limited-duration flight. Please inform base of ship's status upon return."

  "Orders received and understood. Parker out."

  Spock nodded and Scott punched in the launch sequence. Once cleared, Spock modified access to the navigational computer bank so that they couldn't be tracked. They were in deep space before anyone at the base realized there was anything irregular.

  Scott had his hands full running the ship alone during the long voyage, while on the Raven's limited computer Spock tediously searched for the most likely of the solar systems in the sector indicated on the rough star map Spock had found in Yeoman Tomari's quarters.

  As they neared the area, he focused on those with planets which could s
ustain life. Of the ten stars in the sector, only one had a planet which was at all habitable, so they set a course for the fourth planet of a small, bright sun.

  They touched down on a flat plain below a ridge of hills in a desert area of the small planet they designated as "Quest." With the marginal equipment on board the Raven, Spock was unable to determine whether any sapient life forms existed on the planet. It was just barely habitable, with the oxygen level merely adequate. The only region that could properly sustain life appeared to be at the northern pole, where they had landed, since the remainder of the small world was extremely hot. Spock assumed that since Yeoman Isabel Tomari appeared human, the life form they were searching for was of humanoid appearance, or had the ability to appear human.

  After utilizing the sensors and other scanning equipment on board to check for any menace that was detectable, they cautiously disembarked.

  They scrambled up the rock face of a small hill, Spock following Scott with difficulty, masking his pain with ever-increasing effort. Scott extended a hand to Spock to help him up to the crest of the hill, and Spock gratefully accepted. The engineer had silently agreed not to press Spock about his physical condition, but was continually aware of his companion's problem and assisted Spock whenever he could without making it seem too apparent.

  As far as they could see, the barren landscape stretched interminably without a sign of life. Its rolling hills were tinted by an orange sun, giving the landscape the look of perpetual sunset. Vegetation was scarce, with predominantly yellow bushlike growth scattered on the lower slopes of the hills. There was no safe cover should any be needed, and the two officers were uncomfortably aware of their vulnerability without a security escort or portable tricorders.

  They returned to the ship discouraged. The planet seemed completely without evidence of intelligent life. Behind them, another group of low hills obscured the remaining landscape. Both men were approaching these hills, hoping to find more promising terrain on the other side, when a phaser blast shot past Spock.