The Original Series
Morning Star - Part 2
by Dave K. Jones
(sonirj1@yahoo.com)

Morning Star

Chapter 3

STAR FLEET R&R FACILITY
ARGELIUS II STATION
EARLY NOVEMBER, 2268

Lieutenant Uhura took the receiver piece from her ear and turned from her communications console. "Captain, the docking commander sends his compliments. The ship is free to maneuver."

Captain James T. Kirk took a sip of hot coffee from the mug he held gingerly in his right hand. The liquid burned his tongue and tasted like something he often scraped from the soles of his shoes back on the farm in Iowa. At that particular moment, Kirk didn't care. Six days of leave at Argelius Station left him with a hangover that not even Dr McCoy's stimulants could eradicate. His eyes were scratchy, his head thumped, his joints ached. He hoped the coffee, despite its taste, would help remove some of the cobwebs that hunt around in his brain.

He glanced blearily at Uhura. "Acknowledge, Lieutenant." Then at the helmsman, "Maneuvering thrusters, Mr. Sulu. Keep her on station."

Lieutenant Sulu, who didn't appear to feel any adverse effects from the week of R&R the Enterprise crew had just completed, replied in his usual crisp voice. "Aye, sir. Thrusters at station keeping!"

Kirk took a second sip of coffee, wincing at the torment it caused his lips and taste buds. He would have to get Scotty to work on the replicators. That is, if he could ever get the engineer sobered up. A night spent with Montgomery Scott among the haunts of Argelius II had just about done the both of them in!

The funny part of it was that it had only been after Kirk specifically ordered Scott to take some time off that they spent their wild night. Montgomery Scott felt no love for Argelius II after the ordeal of last year!* Being accused of any crime, most especially that of murder, was enough to drain anyone's enthusiasm for a particular place. The engineer soon lost his restraint, however. The result was a spree that Kirk's mind could only recall as a montage of strobe lights, ear-splitting music, and draught after draught of the most caustic substances conceivable. He was still wondering how the two of them got back to the Enterprise. Somewhere during the night his recollections faded into a shambles. The next moment of reality came in his bunk, aboard ship, with the communicator blatting at him from inches above his head. Only McCoy's hypospray had made movement possible.

Punching a button on the arm of his command chair, Kirk said, "Captain to engineering. Scotty?"

Somewhat to his surprise the reply came back promptly. "Aye, sir!"

"Mr. Scott, I hope you're in the best of spirits this fine morning!" The pun was intended. Kirk's face widened into a grin. "Thanks for getting us back to the ship!"

But, Captain", the puzzlement was evident in Scott's reply, "I dinna know how we got back! I was goin t'ask you!"

Kirk was aware of grins on the faces of his bridge crew as they listened. He supposed that on many ships the captain would never dream of discussing such things openly for fear it would be bad for discipline, but Kirk knew his crew. Instead of being detrimental, this exchange between himself and the ship's engineer would help get his people ready for another cruise during which anything could, and probably would, happen.

"Don't worry about it, Mr. Scott", continued Kirk. "I'll assume it's further proof that you're the miracle worker everyone says you are." In a more businesslike tone he asked, "Is engineering ready?"

"Aye, sir! Your wish is our command!"

"Mr. Spock!" Kirk swivelled his command chair toward the science station. "We haven't heard from you so far. How would you evaluate the ship's status?"

The taciturn Vulcan swung away from his console, one eyebrow flickering upward. "Ship's status is optimal, Captain."

Another grin tugged at the corners of Jim Kirk's mouth. "Not perfect, Mr. Spock?"

"Hardly, Captain." Spock's voice took on a mildly tolerant tone. "Even considering the expertise of our resident miracle worker!"

Both of Kirk's eyebrows went up. "Spock! I thought humor was illogical!"

The Vulcan's expression remained as stoic as ever. "I have never considered my comments to be in any way humorous, Captain. I was merely pointoutout the obvious fact that any mechanism constructed and maintained by mortal beings is, by its very nature, prone to imperfections no matter what its apparent manifested condition!"

Kirk nodded and chuckled quietly at the sidelong look Lieutenant Uhura was giving Spock. The by-play of bridge conversation was one of those facts of life aboard the Enterprise that helped get him settled into the correct mindset for command. Finally he said, "Thank you Mr. Spock for that illuminating explanation!" Spock nodded and returned his attention to the science console.

Captain Kirk finished his rapidly cooling coffee. The bridge crew worked and murmured around him. This was one of the moments he loved most about this job, the time just before leaving space dock. It was the quiet professionalism of his crew, the glittering console lights around and above them, the forward view screen showing the complex array of docking apparatus at Argelius II Station, and beyond, the stars. Excitement and expectation was in the air like a tonic. The Enterprise sat ready, humming with restrained power, poised on the brink of.....what? That was what made it all so special, the WHAT! He loved it.

"Bridge, this is sick bay. Anyone alive up there?" The intercom shattered Kirk's reverie. He hit the reply button. "What is it, Bones?"

"Just thought I'd check to make sure you're fit to command, Jim. Need any more anexylene?"

"Thanks, Bones," Kirk replied, "I think my blood stream is adequately supplemented with chemicals. Why don't you try your ministrations on our engineer?"

"Hah! There isn't a living thing from Scotland that isn't ninety proof or better in its natural state! Let me know if you need anything." The com link clicked off.

Kirk turned to Uhura. Time to get rolling. Star Fleet Command expected them to begin a survey of a newly discovered star system in the Sagittarius region within three weeks. If they didn't get the move on they would have to run at warp seven or faster to get there in time, and that would give poor Scotty the leaping fidgits! "Return compliments to the docking commander and inform him we are ready to leave."

"Aye, sir." Uhura began transmitting. A moment later she said, "Acknowledged, Captain!"

"Mr. Sulu!"

"Yes, Captain?"

'Thrusters ahead. Take us out?"

Slowly slipping the bonds that held her, Enterprise eased out of space dock. Sulu, demonstrating his maestro-like touch at the helm, maneuvered the star ship clear of the port facilities. As soon as the warp drive nacelles cleared the last of the docking mechanisms the impulse drives glared deep red.

The Enterprise rushed ahead, the reverse angle viewer showing Argelius II Station dwindling rapidly astern.

* * * * *

Twenty minutes after leaving the space dock, Enterpise reached the point in space referred to as the "Point of Minimum Safe Distance". The location of this point always depended on the type and size of star the ship was near, as well as the gravitational field of that star. If the warp engines were engaged too close to the star the effects of the warp field fighting against the gravitational forces of the star and nearby planets could have potentially disastrous results. At a minimum there would be engine imbalance that could put the ship out of action and probably necessitate the replacement of the engine core. A worst case scenario would be the disruption of the star's gravitational cohesion, causing all sorts of system anomalies, as well as hellacious storms on the surface of the star itself. Such storms were known to produce streams of super charged ions that could knock out all communications within a solar system. There was even the remote possibility of the star going novae, though there was not, as yet, any recorded incidents to confirm that.

The Enterprise paused for a moment, slowly turning on her thrusters as the navigational computers locked the ship on its intended course. Relays closed, positive and negative matter met in the depths of the warp engines. The star ship vanished, leaving a rainbow streak of light in its wake. In an eye-blink it was beyond the limits of the Argelius System accelerating toward warp six. Even at that inconceivable speed it would still require twenty two days to travel the six thousand light years to the Sagittarius region.

On the bridge the crew fell into their regular routine. Each station was manned by someone experienced and totally reliable, proven in many crisis situations. Kirk watched each station with a critical eye, but all was in order. Most of these people had been with him since the beginning of his first five year mission, and he hated to think of leaving space dock without them.

On this particular mission there was a second officer at the science station with Mr. Spock, and it was not a temporary appointment. Kirk felt a surge of anxiety run through him. After all the years with Spock, and being used to relying on the Vulcan, it was scary to think Star Fleet might be considering replacing him. Kirk knew only too well how the administrative structure of Star Fleet worked, and there were those in places of influence who believed Spock should be relocated where his abilities could be put to better use. The sudden assignment of Lieutenant Grimes to the Enterprise as Assistant Science Officer might simply be a routine assignment so far as Star Fleet was concerned, but Kirk was still worried. It could very well be the first move in a plan to put Spock in some fleet computer center or research facility. The transfer would certainly be a boon to Spock's career, with a well deserved promotion, but Kirk just couldn't imagine life aboard the Enterprise without the stern Vulcan.

Kirk shifted his weight in the command chair in an unsuccessful attempt to find a more comfortable position. As captain of the Enterprise it would fall to him to supply the necessary recommendation before any transfer could take place. It was one of those duties a commanding officer was required to perform and could be, depending on the person and circumstances, either a pleasure or a time of misfortune for someone. He knew, full well, that he could never stand in the way if opportunity knocked for his fellow officer and close friend. He knew it would be one of the more painful situations he would ever face.

He gazed at the science station where Grimes and Spock were in the process of updating some of the modular subsystems that controlled the sensor arrays. Grimes was supposed to be a mathematical and electronic expert, as well as an authority on the 20th Century. That would qualify him for the post as science officer on any ship in the fleet, but it would also qualify him for duty in a research station or computer center as much as Spock. If the time came for a transfer he could put a lot of pressure on certain individuals back on the Star Fleet selection board! But, he realized, the departure of Spock to a command of his own was just a matter of time, and when it came he, Kirk, would wish the Vulcan well!

"Captain?" Kirk looked up to see Spock standing next to the command chair. The Vulcan had a quizzical look on his face. "Yes Spock?" Kirk replied, half suspecting that Spock knew his thoughts!

The quizzical look vanished. "With your permission I will assist Mr. Scott with the calibration of the new transporter modulator."

Somewhat surprised, Kirk replied, "You're leaving the science station in the hands of someone so new?"

"Mr. Grimes is emminently qualified, Captain. If any difficulties arise I can return at once."

"Very well, Spock!" He watched Spock disappear into the turbolift.

Kirk looked over at Grimes. The kid was working with his back to the command chair, unaware of his captain's scrutiny. He worked quietly, his fingers flicking over the controls like they were used to being there.

Turning away, Kirk picked up his coffee cup. Stop with the worries, he admonished himself. Firmly putting all thoughts of unwelcome transfers out of his head he lifted the cup for a drink. The cup was empty. Disgustedly he punched a button on the arm of his chair and ordered another cup. On Argelius the Enterprise had welcomed two new crew members. Besides Grimes there was the new chaplain, a man it would be well to get to know better. One reason was the coffee he brewed! The man actually put water and ground coffee beans in an ancient brewing pot and made it from scratch! Kirk remembered the taste, it was manna from Heaven!

A yeoman came with a replacement cup of replicated brew, and a stack of routine reports for Kirk to read and initial. He set the papers aside to drink the liquid-he refused to give it any other qualification-while it was still hot. He could work his way through the reports later.

* * * * *

The actual, physical, velocity of the Enterprise at war six, expressed in number, would be meaningless. The speed of light, some one hundred eighty six thousand miles per second, is hard to imagine. A velocity that was hundreds or thousands of multiples of light is totally incomprehensible.

Beyond the ship's hull there was nothing. Should one of the crew happen to glance through a panel of transparent aluminum there would be only inky blackness with occasional flits and flashes of random color. The Enterprise was in a universe of its own making, riding the energies of destroyed matter across an island of blazing suns.

Chapter 4

Seven decks below the bridge Father Nicholas Satariano was completing the process of unpacking and settling into his cabin. He had been told about the cramped conditions aboard star ships, but the reality was something else again. There was space for about half the stuff he brought, the rest was still sitting around in transport containers. He would have to requisition space in the lower decks to store what wasn't absolutely essential.

He lifted one of the artifacts he had kept for his personal collection. A Sumerian figurine found on Earth at a dig in the ruins of the ancient city of Ur. The figurine was a carving of one of the Sumerian gods, six inches in length and weighing about half a pound. The small face was wide, with little pinpoint eyes that stared up at him. What secrets do you know, little doll, he wondered.

He felt the familiar sense of awe begin to fill him. He longed to know, to share with a race of people that had fascinated him from the time of his boyhood. On his desk lay a complete report to the Star Fleet Office of Exploration on his findings at Draco Majoris, and his hypothesis that all such sites with the link to the god Enlil shared a common origin. He hadn't decided just when to submit the report since Admiral Kabraigny was well known for his lack of interest in the radically new. Having met the admiral once, at some Star Fleet funtion whose purpose was since forgotten, he could guess at the reaction his radical suggestions would cause. While it wasn't his function as a priest to pass judgement on anyone, his impression of Kabraigny was of a stodgy, stuffy old coot who had been shelved where he could do the least amount of damage until we was forced into retirement. Why he had been placed in charge of all the exploration in Star Fleet was just another of those absurd administrative decisions that all sentient life was compelled to put up with.

He placed the figurine lovingly on a small shelf above his bunk. Just where the rest of his collection would go was a mystery. He reclosed the storage congtainer and pushed it into a corner. He would worry about it some other time. Sitting at his desk he pulled a tall stack of personnel records to within easy reach, took the top sheet and settled back to read.

Two days previous he had requisitioned the records from the ship's personnel office and received a computer cassette. At his request that the information be supplied in hard copy the yeoman on duty looked at him like he just sprouted a second head. He chuckled at the recollection. Just like the real, brewed coffee, his like for paper and books set him apart as another of those eccentrics who just wouldn't quite fit into the mold that society reserved for him.

It was necessary for him to get to know, at least to some extent, the people who made up the crew of the Star Ship Enterprise. He was naturally interested in people, but as the chaplain it was his duty to get close to those who may, at any time, come to him for help. The ship's chaplain was one of the few officers who had access to such records and he hoped it would aid him in doing his job. One particular record he was looking forward to reading: Captain James T. Kirk!

* * * * *

One deck above Satariano's office, Dr. Leonard McCoy was doing much the same thing, only he was using his computer. Office work always brought out the worst in him and he tried to get it done when he would be alone for a while.

Grumbling and mumbling to himself he scrolled through the medical records, updating and inserting appropriate comments concerning medical checkups, the status of injuries both old and new, and other various and redundant reports for the stuffed shirts back at Star Fleet who spent their time doing nothing but thinking up additional administrative red tape to complicate the lives of those who did the work.

He growled with irritation as he read through a particular medical record. He shook his head in disgust and began to type into the record a medical order in the strongest language allowable. There were always a few members of the crew who routinely neglected to get their required examinations. It was a standard that would never change! This record was that of Captain James T. Kirk, who, once again, failed to report. How surprising! McCoy sent his strong message to Kirk's personal terminal to remind the man to get in for the exam before the Chief Medical Officer was forced to bring into question the captain's fitness for command!

Finishing with that, he continued to scroll through more records. Ten minutes later he finished with the reports for the regular crew and keyed in any records that had been included for new arrivals. Thank goodness there had been only two! He stared at his screen in growing perplexity. One was the new chaplain, a full commander. Was it also a recurring standard that the higher the rank the more irresponsible the officer? Being a chaplain, McCoy would normally make a mental note to delay any formal introduction with the man for as long as possible, but that extravagance was now denied him for medical reasons. According to his record, Satariano had missed his past four required medical checkups! In fact, McCoy's mind was boggled, the last physical Satariano had was the one given when he joined Star Fleet! Unbelievable!

McCoy rubbed his eyes and yawned. It was becoming routine for special individuals to be allowed into Star Fleet without the usual, formal, routine of medical work. This Satariano must be some kind of heavy weight. Well, on the Enterprise the Chief Medical Officer was the heavy weight, especially in this instance, and the chaplain would report, full commander or not, to get his physical at the convenience of said medical officer! He made an entry to that effect which would appear on Satariano's office screen the very next time it was used.

The doctor shut down his terminal. Next to the computer sat a picture of his daughter, Joanna. She was so beautiful, and growing so fast. He hardly knew her or what she was doing. The price you pay for some of the things you do! Yet, it was a little late to be mooning over decisions made over a decade ago. That line of thought would lead only to depression. He turned his mind to other matters.

* * * * *

The Enterprise cruised onward while the crew went about their duties oblivious to the void outside the bulkheads of reinforced aluminum alloy. As with most humans who do something repeatedly, the veterans hardly gave their spectacular surroundings a second thought. As for dangers, everyone knew they existed but nobody thought much about it. The sensors would give adequate warning of anything threatening, and the crew's confidence in their captain was unshakable. Whatever they encountered they would handle. They always had, and they always would.