Worlds in Collision by Judith Reeves-Stevens Read Free Book Online Page B

save up her off-duty hours until they docked at Memory Prime. She had told Chekov that he might have to send a security team to get her back on board once she gained access to the language and music labs there.
    â€œStarbase Four acknowledges, Mr. Spock. Commodore Wolfe coming on screen.”
    The main viewscreen flickered as the sensor system replaced the enhanced image of the forward starfield with a subspace visual signal.
    â€œIt seems everybody’s having a party but us,” Chekov said as the image resolved, showing a convivial get-together in the officers’ club instead of the expected formal transmission from the commodore’s office.
    â€œWelcome back to civilization, Kirk.” Commodore Wolfe raised her glass to the camera sensor, raising her voice over the background noise of the party behind her. She was a handsome woman in her midsixties, with dark, intelligent eyes that narrowed in suspicion when she saw who appeared on her own screen. “You must be Kirk’s science officer.” Her voice had suddenly become cold and precise. She was not an officer who tolerated surprises.
    â€œI suppose I must be,” Spock answered. Chekov bit his lip. He didn’t approve of officers making fools of themselves any more than Spock did, but at least the ensign kept a sense of humor about it.
    â€œWhere’s the captain?” the commodore continued, as if she might be starting a formal interrogation.
    â€œI suspect he is doing much what you are doing at this moment. Attending a reception in honor of the prize nominees already on board.”
    â€œWhat a waste of—watch it!” The commodore swayed to the side as a Tellarite waddled into her. He stopped to steady her, peered into the camera sensor, wrinkled his snout and waved with a grunt, then continued on. In all the comings and goings in the background, Chekov could see one knot of celebrants who didn’t seem to move. He stared at them closely. Vulcans, of course.
    The commodore stepped back into the scene, obviously annoyed at the Tellarite’s intoxication. “I haven’t been subjected to parties like this since the Academy. Not that old straight-arrow Kirk would know anything about that. Well, Mr. Science Officer, I formally grant you and your crew liberty of the base. Maybe your party will be able to meet my party. And tell Kirk I’m still looking to collect for that top percentile rating I gave him in his final administration course.”
    â€œI shall inform the captain at the first opportunity.”
    â€œYou do that. Starbase—”
    â€œExcuse me, Commodore Wolfe,” Spock interrupted the signoff. “May I ask if Academician Sradek is in attendance at your party?”
    â€œThe historian? What is he? A friend? Relative?”
    â€œA former instructor.”
    â€œIt’s like a second-level school reunion all around,” the commodore grumbled. “I suppose you want to talk with him. He was just here, someplace.”
    â€œIf he is there, please tell him that Spock would be honored to exchange greetings.”
    â€œWait a minute.” The commodore stepped out of camera range, then reappeared in the background walking toward the unmoving group of Vulcans that Chekov had noticed. She gestured as she approached them, waving back in the direction of the camera. The Vulcans followed the commodore offscreen again, but when she reappeared this time, she was alone.
    â€œAcademician Sradek says he’ll also be honored to exchange greetings with his former student.” The commodore’s tone barely contained her sarcasm. She did not enjoy being a message service. “But he regrets that he must retire to prepare for transport to your ship. He trusts that you will be there to welcome him as he comes on board.”
    â€œPlease inform the academician that I shall be,” Spock said.
    â€œAny other messages you’d like to pass on? But then I’m sure