Star Trek 04 by James Blish Read Free Book Online

security personnel. They're better armed than you are, so stay in sight of one of them at all times—buddy system. Mr. Spock and I will control all operations by communicator. Understood—and agreed?"
    "Both," Vanderberg's voice said grimly. "Suicide is no part of my plans."
    "Good. Kirk out . . . Mr. Spock, you seem to have picked up something."
    "Yes, Captain. The creature is now quiescent a few thousand yards from here, in that direction."
    Kirk took a quick look at his chart. "The map says these two tunnels converge there. Take the left one, Mr. Spock. I'll go to the right."
    "Should we separate?"
    "Two tunnels," Kirk said. "Two of us. We separate."
    "Very well, Captain," Spock said, but his voice was more than a little dubious. But it couldn't be helped. Kirk moved down the right-hand tunnel, slowly and tensely.
    The tunnel turned, and Kirk found himself in a small chamber, streaked with bright strata quite unlike the rest of the rock around him. Imbedded in there were dozens of round objects like the one Vanderberg had on his desk, or the one which had so fascinated Spock. He lifted his communicator again. "Mr. Spock."
    "Yes, Captain."
    "I've found a whole layer of those silicon nodules of yours."
    "Indeed, Captain. Most illuminating. Captain—be absolutely certain you do not damage any of them."
    "Explain."
    "It is only a theory, Captain, but . . ." His voice was drowned out by the roar of hundreds of tons of collapsing rock and debris. Kirk threw himself against the wall, choking clouds of dust rising around him. When he could see again, it was evident that the roof of the tunnel had fallen across the way he had just come.
    "Captain! Are you all right? Captain!"
    "Yes, Mr. Spock. Quite all right. But we seem to have had a cave-in."
    "I can phaser you out," Spock's voice said. "No, any disturbance would bring the rest of the wall down. Anyway, it isn't necessary. The chart said our tunnels meet further on. I can just walk out."
    "Very well. But I find it disquieting that your roof chose to collapse at that moment. Please proceed with extreme caution. I shall double my pace."
    "Very well, Mr. Spock. I'll meet you at the end of the tunnel. Kirk out."
    As he tucked the communicator away, there came from behind him a sound as of pebbles being shaken in a can.
    He spun instantly, but it was too late. The way was blocked.
    It was his first clear sight of the creature, which was reared in the center of the tunnel. It was huge, shaggy, multicolored, and knobby with objects which might have been heads, sense organs, hands—Kirk could not tell. It was quivering gently, still making that strange noise.
    Kirk whipped up his phaser. At once the creature shuffled backward. Was it now afraid of just one gun? He raised the weapon again, but this time the creature retreated no further. Neither did it advance.
    Phaser at the ready, Kirk moved toward the animal, trying to get around it. At once, it moved to block him—not threateningly, as far as Kirk could tell, but just getting in his way.
    Spock chose this moment to call him again. "Captain, a new reading shows the creature . . ."
    "I know exactly where the creature is," Kirk said, his phaser steadily on it. "Standing about ten feet away from me."
    "Kill it, Captain! Quickly!"
    "It's—not making any threatening moves, Mr. Spock."
    "You don't dare take the chance! Kill it!"
    "I thought you were the one who wanted it kept alive," Kirk said, with grim amusement. "Captured, if possible."
    "Your life is in danger, Captain. You can't take the risk."
    "It seems to be waiting for something. I want to find out what. I'll shoot if I have to."
    "Very well, Captain. I will hurry through my tunnel and approach it from the rear. I remind you that it is a proven killer. Spock out."
    The creature was silent now. Kirk lowered his phaser a trifle, but there was no reaction.
    "All right," Kirk said. "What do we do now? Talk it over?"
    He really had not expected an answer, nor did he get one. He