Myriad Universes 02_ Echoes and Refractions - Keith R. A. DeCandido [41]
“Open a channel,” Kirk coldly growled.
“Channel open,” Thelin replied.
“Klingon commander!” Kirk shouted. “This is Admiral James Kirk of the Federation Starship Enterprise. We are here to retrieve two Federation citizens who you have illegally kidnapped, and are holding in violation of the terms of the Organian Peace Treaty.”
“Do not speak to me of treaty violations, Kirk!” Kruge shouted back. “The Federation showed its willingness to compromise the terms of the treaty when you created the Genesis weapon. We act only to protect our race.”
“You are mistaken,” Kirk replied. “The Genesis technology is entirely peaceful. Its sole purpose is for climate modification and to prepare uninhabitable planets for colonization.”
“Excellent,” Kruge said. “In that case, you should have no problem sharing this technology as a token of intragalactic goodwill. You know my terms. You will turn over all data on Genesis, and you will supply a working prototype of the Genesis torpedo. When we are convinced that you have acted in good faith to preserve galactic peace, we will release the prisoners to you.”
“I want to speak to them,” Kirk said firmly. “I want assurances that they’re all right.”
“Stand by,” Kruge said with annoyance. “Brig! Patch your communicators into subspace channel one. Let the prisoners speak.”
They waited a few anxious moments while treated to the sounds of forcefields being released and bodies being shuffled about. Finally a Klingon voice, presumably one of the guards, was heard. “Speak!”
A pause. Then a voice was heard-shaking, hollow, sounding as if any pretense of hope had long since been abandoned. “Uh…this is Doctor David Marcus of the Federation.”
Kirk slowly stood. He stared ahead at nothing, as if trying to envision the face of his son. “David? It’s Jim Kirk.”
“Oh, hey,” David replied. “So they sent out the top brass, huh?”
“David…I would never leave you behind. I came as soon as I knew. Have they…have they treated you well?”
“I’m okay…We’ve spent most of the last two months on Praxis, the Klingon moon. Not really my first choice for a vacation…The food kinda sucks.”
Kirk grinned weakly. Further sounds of movement were heard over the speakers, and then the guard spoke again. “Speak!”
“Admiral, this is Saavik of Vulcan.”
“Saavik,” Kirk said. “How are you holding up?”
“I am fine, sir. And David’s injuries are healing, though some posttraumatic stress remains in evidence.”
“Injuries?!” Kirk exclaimed. “What injuries? What did they do?”
“Enough talking,” Kruge interrupted. “If you want the hostages released, you will agree to my terms.”
“What the hell did you do to my son, you bastard?!” Kirk shouted.
“You will transmit your files on Genesis within the next thirty seconds. If you do not comply, I will kill one of the hostages.”
“All right, dammit, just hold on.” Kirk made a cutting motion across his neck with his hand, and Thelin, understanding the signal, interrupted the communication. “Thelin, you know what to do. Begin transmitting.”
“Aye, sir,” the Andorian responded. He flipped a switch, and the file transfer began. At the same time, interleaved on the same frequency, he initiated a bio-scan for life signs on the Klingon vessel. The surreptitious nature of the scan meant that it would not be detected unless their adversaries were specifically monitoring for such a ploy.
Within seconds he had his results. “I have them, Admiral. Two life signs in the brig on the lower deck-one human, one Vulcan. I’m feeding the precise coordinates to Mister Scott’s screen. As soon as the Klingons drop their shields for us to transport the torpedo, he can transport the hostages out of there.”
“Good work, Thelin,” Kirk said excitedly.
But no sooner did the words leave his lips than the voice of Kruge once again rang out across the bridge. “That won’t work, Kirk! We’ve detected your scan. Did you think I wouldn