Uhura's Song by Janet Kagan Read Free Book Online Page A

turned his attention back to Kirk. "I'd appreciate it if you'd brief Evan Wilson while I see to Quickfoot and tell her I'll get back to her with Chapel's results later today. A full briefing, Jim- haystack and all."
     
     
"Haystack and all, Bones."
     
     
"Thanks- and good luck, for all our sakes. McCoy out."
     
     
Lieutenant Uhura turned from her station. "Message from Starfleet Command, sir." Her voice was level, but Kirk could see the effort it cost her.
     
     
"Put it on the screen, Lieutenant," he said. She flashed him a look of immense gratitude and did.
     
     
"Kirk here," he said and found himself speaking to Starfleet's commander-in-chief and the president of the Federation Council. His back straightened and he had to force himself not to salute twice. He wasn't the only one- he could hear backbones snapping erect all over the bridge. Well, he thought, it's not often you see that much brass all in one place!
     
     
Aloud, he said, "Sir!" and to the tall, slender woman, "Ms. President. This is an honor."
     
     
She shook her head grimly and corrected, "This is an emergency." She gestured to the commander, who said, "The Enterprise is hereby ordered to begin a search for Sivao, the Eeiauoan homeworld. Follow your own calculations and proceed with all possible speed.... The president has further instructions for you."
     
     
"Thank you, Commander." The president gave him a long, steady look, then she said, "Extraordinary circumstances require an extraordinary response, Captain Kirk. When you find the Eeiauoan homeworld, you are to make immediate and open contact with the inhabitants. The Federal Council has agreed to waive the Non-Interference Directive. We will have to rely on your judgment, Captain- make it good."
     
     
Kirk nodded.
     
     
"That's all, Captain Kirk," said the commander-in-chief. "You will prepare for immediate departure. Starfleet Command out." The image vanished.
     
     
There was a moment of dead silence on the bridge, then abruptly everyone seemed to be talking at once. Kirk allowed the babble to continue for a space- it not only provided a safety valve, but it gave him time to consider the implications himself- then he said, "People, please! You heard the orders. I suggest we stop gossiping and get to work."
     
     
He got back an enthusiastic chorus of "Aye, Captain!" from all sides.
     
     
Kirk rose and positioned himself to look over his science officer's shoulder. It did him no good; he couldn't decipher the data on Spock's screen. "How soon can we have those coordinates?"
     
     
"Within the hour, I should estimate. I wish to make one final check." Spock held him with a glance.
     
     
"What is it, Spock?" he asked in a low tone.
     
     
"In my report to Starfleet, I did, to the best of my ability, emphasize the unreliable nature of our data. Our orders, however- from both Starfleet and the Council-seem remarkably optimistic."
     
     
Jim Kirk shook his head. "Quite the contrary, Mr. Spock. I'd say our orders mean the situation is much worse than we know."
     
     
"Ah," said Spock, lifting an eyebrow. "You think they, too, are grasping at straws."
     
     
"That's exactly what I think."
     
     
Spock returned to his calculations without further comment. Kirk raised his voice. "Lieutenant Uhura, will you ask Dr. Wilson to meet me in the briefing room on the double? Mr. Chekov, Mr. Spock is not to be disturbed for less than an impending nova -"
     
     
Spock, visibly startled, said, "That is hardly possible in this system, Captain."
     
     
"A manner of emphasis, Mr. Spock."
     
     
"Of course, Captain," said Spock.
     
     
Jim Kirk was sure for once that Spock had told a social lie. He said with a grin, "You understand me, Mr. Chekov."
     
     
"Aye, sair," said Chekov, grinning back.
     
     
"Let me know as soon as you've finished, Spock."
     
     
"Lieutenant Uhura will inform you, sir."
     
     
Evan Wilson heard him through without interruption. When he had finished, she gave him