Star Trek_ Generations - J M. Dillard [9]
Kirk cast him a fond glance. No. You were younger.
Prepare to leave spacedock, Harriman ordered, with something less than ease. Kirk felt a stirring of sympathy for the young captain. It had been difficult enough to take command of the first Enterprise all those years agoand young Jim Kirk hadnt had to face three living legends and a horde of journalists at the time.
Aft thrusters ahead one quarter, port and starboard at station keeping, Harriman continued, then swiveled in his chair to face his guests of honor. Captain Kirk, Id be honored if you would give the order to get under way.
No, Kirk replied instantly. He did not intend to be rude; Harriman was simply trying to be polite, to show respect, but to Kirk the offer seemed patronizing. He had no desire to serve as figurehead, to give a symbolic order which, to his mind, only served to underscore the fact that the Enterprise was no longer his. He did not care to pretend that it was, even for a moment. No. Thank you.
Harriman seemed to take his refusal as modesty.
Please. I insist.
The bridge fell silent; Kirk became uncomfortably aware that the gaze of every personincluding the bank of journalists on the other side of the bridgewas fixed upon him. He glanced helplessly at Scotty, Chekov, the smiling, expectant Harriman, and rose to his feet. The anticipation seemed deafening, his pronouncement anti-climactic.
Take us out, he said flatly.
The crew again broke into wild applause. Kirk sat, trying not to squint at the glaring lights, hoping the camera could not record his embarrassment and annoyance.
Very good, sir, Chekov whispered wryly.
Brought a tear to my eye, Scott deadpanned.
On impulse power, the ship sailed smoothly out of spacedock and into the solar system. Kirk might have actually relaxed and enjoyed the ride, but he, Scotty, and Chekov were trapped in their seats by the camera and journalists like doomed prisoners in front of a firing squad. He smiled into the dazzling light until his jaw ached, until his head hurt, giving ridiculous answers to ridiculous questions such as: Here you are, back on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise … How does it feel?
The three of them had paused reluctantly at that; he had cast a look at Chekov, then Scott, realizing that none wanted to answer and each was hoping the others would.
Jim had silently sighed, then summoned the PR smile and said, Just fine … at the exact moment Chekov and Scott had each surrendered and chorused, Fine.
And so it went, until Harriman rescued them by saying, Well, ladies and gentlemen, weve just cleared the asteroid belt. Our course will take us out beyond Pluto and then back to spacedock … Just a quick run around the block.
The journalists turned all in a row, as if suddenly realizing that here was a fresh victim. One of them immediately asked, Captain, will there be time to conduct a test of the warp.
He broke off at the shrill beep emanating from the communications console. The comm officer called, in a voice that reflected the surprise felt by all, Were picking up a distress call, Captain.
Harrimans eyes went wide for an instant, but he recovered himself enough to order, On speakers.
Kirk winced at the loud burst of static that followed. A male voice, desperate, distorted, barely comprehensible, filtered through the speakers:
This is the transport ship Lakul. Were caught in some kind of energy distortion. We cant break free … Here the words became garbled, but Kirk was able to make out: … need immediate help … its tearing us
Another painful burst of static filled the air; the comm officer played a rapid fugue on his panel, then shook his head at Hardman. Simultaneously, the science officer checked her console and reported, The Lakul is one of two ships transporting El Aurian refugees to Earth.
Harriman blinked once, twice, at this information, then cleared his throat. Seconds were passingcritical seconds, which could save or doom lives, Kirk knew, and he held his breath as he prayed the young captain