Star Trek Exiles: Part VI
And now, the conclusion...
STAR TREK EXILES--PART 6
Maltz pondered his future. He was a man without a crew. All of his fellow warriors were killed by the human p'takhs who held him prisoner. What life was left for him either in the Federation or the Empire? In the Federation, he would be living on his knees, bowing in obedience to alien morals and that sky-blue flag that his commander Kruge hated with a passion. In the Empire, he would be viewed as committing a dishonorable act, being taken captive without at least resisting the humans. He was deceived by the human's commander, who spoke Klingon in Kruge's communicator; believing it was his lord, he beamed up Admiral Kirk, Spock, and the corpse of David Marcus, murdered (or in Maltz's view, ritually killed) by his comrades on the dying Genesis planet. Maltz was kept under guard by the Vulcan authorities until his fate was decided. He heard a beep on his prison cell door. It was a Vulcan female, T'Para. She ensured that Maltz remained in sedation for most of his time in confinement.
"Prisoner Maltz. You are to be released to Klingon authorities at 0700 Vulcan hours tomorrow morning. You now have access to your possessions and personal items."
"Thank you, Vulcan." Maltz casually gave the stone-faced Vulcan a wave. He found what he was looking for desperately, his d'k tahg, which was confiscated by the deceitful humans who captured him. He asked for the human's commander to kill him once he was alone with them but was refused his wish. Now, Maltz had his chance.
He glared at the dagger with a bloodlust. Knowing that he had no future, he picked up the d'k tahg and cut his forearm with the sharp end of the top of the blade. Dark purple blood slowly emerged from the wound. Maltz felt an adrenaline rush. The feeling of pain, which humans so desperately sought to avoid, was hardwired into the Klingon psyche as something to be welcomed. Pain was a part of Klingon training; warriors-in-wait were ritually slashed to prove their toughness. Even Klingon sexual intercourse involved pain more than what humans perceived to be pleasure; to the Klingon mind, pain was pleasure.
Maltz then aimed the dagger at his stomach, similar to the Japanese humans he read about who committed a form of ritual suicide called seppuku. The Klingons had an even simpler word for their ritual suicide: Soch. Klingon warriors who were captured and dishonored were expected to commit Soch; anything less would lead to a death far more painful from the feared mind-sifter. Maltz knew a couple of friends who perished via the torture device and Soch was preferable; it was at least at his own hand, and pleasure from the pain would result before his journey to Stovo'kor.
Maltz pointed his d'k tahg straight at his stomach. "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam," he said. Maltz knew today was a good day to die. However, he did not see the Vulcan male who moved just behind him. As Maltz was about to drive the dagger straight into his abdomen, he felt a violent pulse of pain jolting through his neck. The last thing the Klingon warrior saw before he lost consciousness was the same human commander who deceived him grabbing the d'k tahg out of his hand before it entered his stomach.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Back on Earth, Kamarag was still fuming. He felt like he did not receive a straight answer from Chancellor Gorkon. "Flexibility" was not a word most Klingons were comfortable with. Roughly translated into loSwI', Klingon chancellors were not supposed to be wishy-washy. Kamarag was pleased with Gorkon's willingness to prepare the next-generation Birds of Prey but did not believe that one lowly foot-soldier returned to the Empire was a fair trade for a significant reduction in Admiral Kirk's punishment. Kor and Kang were still sitting in a Federation penal colony for a lesser crime than what he believed Kirk committed by concealing Project Genesis. Kamarag marched to the Federation Council chamber, which was about to enter special session due to the mysterious signal emanating from his empire, moving towards Earth.
Immediately after President Roth gaveled the Council into session, Kamarag interrupted the proceedings. "You are honestly going to mitigate Admiral Kirk's crimes in exchange for one Klingon prisoner? That is completely unfair and you know it."
President Roth was having none of Kamarag's nonsense. "The Klingon Empire entering Federation space and destroying a peaceful science vessel is a violation of the treaty of Altair VI. Additionally, the prisoner chose to be killed by Admiral Kirk, who declined. Kirk spared the prisoner's life."
"If you know Klingon custom, the prisoner Maltz has no future. He would commit suicide either under the Federation's control or under our authorities. The pain Maltz is experiencing at the moment is a pain worse than death."
"Ritual suicide is forbidden in the Federation," Ambassador Sarek said. "It is one of the most illogical acts one could ever commit."
"Of course, the Vulcan puppet speaks," Kamarag growled. "I am filing a formal complaint with the Council. We will prepare for war if Kirk is not sentenced to life."
"I'm not certain your chancellor even wants a war," President Roth sternly shot back. "He is the first Klingon chancellor who is even considering peace with the Federation. I believe it is your job to negotiate that peace. Instead, you are threatening a war you know you will lose."
"The Federation will pay dearly for letting Kirk live as a free man," Kamarag growled again before storming out of the room.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chancellor Gorkon felt significant pressure from the hardliners on the Klingon High Council. They demanded he take action against the Federation for the disaster of being humiliated. The Federation successfully tested Project Genesis, which presented an unacceptable risk to the Empire's survival. Genesis could destroy all the Klingon planets, including Qo'nos, if the Federation developed enough devices. In conversations with President Roth, Gorkon was informed that Project Genesis was suspended, but Gorkon did not believe him. In response, Gorkon asked his engineers to develop a permanent cloaking device on the Birds of Prey. Current Klingon technology did not allow their vessels to fire weapons when cloaked, which was a disadvantage to their ships in combat with the Federation. If Klingon vessels could fire when cloaked, it would present an untenable situation for Starfleet and would give the Empire the upper hand in negotiations. Gorkon contacted Kerla, the brigadier general in charge of the cloaking device upgrade.
"We need to increase the speed of research and development," Gorkon said. "We only have a few months at the most before the Federation develops another Genesis device. We cannot allow the humans to unleash another doomsday weapon."
"Understood, Chancellor," Kerla replied. "It will take at least fifty percent of the scientists at the Klingon Science Institute to ramp up production."
"Get it done," Gorkon said.
"Qa'pla!" Kerla shouted.
Gorkon then contacted Kamarag back on Earth. "Ambassador, you filed the formal complaint with the Federation Council?"
"Yes, my lord." Kamarag felt a little sense of relief.
"We will complete the cloaking devices in two months. We are both suspicious of the earthlings' motives when it comes to Project Genesis. We will gain the upper hand on the Federation and force them into a peace unfavorable to them, a true peace that permanently protects the Empire from human expansion."
"Agreed, my lord. You sound like a Klingon chancellor." Kamarag intentionally tried to prod Gorkon, but the chancellor did not take the bait.
"My father taught me to prepare for all eventualities. We either make peace on our terms or we make war on our terms. Never let your enemy set the terms. Keep negotiating on Earth, Ambassador." Gorkon cracked a smile.
"I will press the Federation Council into accepting my demands. Kamarag out."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kirk and Spock returned to the Bird of Prey, satisfied with their handiwork. They, along with T'Para, planned out the prevention of Maltz's suicide. Now, with no dagger, Maltz could not kill himself in the method he desired, a method amenable to the Klingon honor code. This time, the entire crew of the late USS Enterprise met for the first time since Spock and Bones awoke from the fal-tor-pan.
"So we return to Earth in five days, and I am glad to report that our Vulcan friend, Mr. Spock, is almost back to his best." Kirk said.
"I would not categorize myself in that manner, but my physical and mental state have improved every day since the fal-tor-pan." Spock looked at Bones.
"Yeah, I remember when your soul was taken out of my brain. You only remembered me and Jim," Bones said with a chuckle. "You barely remembered the rest of these poor souls." The entire crew laughed."
"I fully recall each member of the crew," Spock replied.
Kirk took control of the conversation again. "So I hear when we return to Earth, Captain Scott and Commander Uhura are getting married. Is that so?"
"I cannot think of an odder couple, but I hope their marriage works out better than mine did," Bones said.
"We know Bones, it ended in disaster." Kirk turned to his doctor. "In fact, that is probably the reason you joined Starfleet."
"And to torture Mr. Spock," Chekov said.
"But anyway, back to Scotty and Uhura. I wonder when the love affair began?" Kirk chuckled.
"You'll never believe it, but back on the original Enterprise, before it was refitted," Uhura said. "I fell in love when Scotty showed me a faster way to fix my communications console than Spock."
"Uhura, I knew you had a thing for Spock," Kirk said. "In our early days on the Enterprise, I remember you serenading Mr. Spock on the recreation deck."
"Mr. Spock eventually got tired of my singing," Uhura said. "Scotty always loved my singing."
"Is that an insult directed at Spock?" Bones said.
"As a Vulcan, I have no ego to bruise," Spock could barely repress a smile, even as a Vulcan. The entire crew burst out laughing.
"So we're returning to Earth in five days," Sulu said.
"That is the plan. However, that mysterious signal is headed closer to Federation space. In a day, it is expected to cross the Klingon Neutral Zone." Kirk then turned to Uhura and Chekov. "We know that USS Saratoga is arriving in the signal's path and will intercept upon its arrival in Federation space."
"We still return to Earth, Chekov said."
"Does the entire crew agree," Admiral Kirk cracked a smile.
"Just give us the word, Admiral" Sulu said.
"And we'll send wedding pictures to your prison cell, I promise." Uhura's comment had the entire crew rolling around in laughter. Even the Vulcan science officer couldn't resist cracking a smile.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kirk still had one bit of unfinished business before his eventual trial and imprisonment. He contacted Carol Marcus, his old flame, and wanted one last conversation before she returned to Earth.
"Carol, you know I'll be locked up for ten years." Kirk placed his hand on Carol's shoulder.
"I won't have to deal with you for ten years. At least that's one positive that comes out of this situation," Carol joked.
"Will you contact me when I'm in confinement?" Kirk questioned.
"Probably not," Carol said. I want to stay on Vulcan.
"I understand. You want to remain close to David." Kirk said.
"I want to fix Project Genesis and develop it correctly, without the protomatter. David tried to speed up the process within the Genesis matrix and caused this disaster. The Vulcan Science Institute probably has the brain power to improve Genesis."
"Project Genesis is being shelved," Kirk said.
"What!"
"There is an intergalactic controversy," Kirk said in a matter of fact. "The Klingons and Romulans are threatening war because Project Genesis was developed in secret. They consider it a violation of the Altair VI treaty banning planet-destroying weapons."
"Project Genesis was meant for peaceful purposes," Carol said. "The Klingons want to use it as a doomsday weapon."
"The Klingons, as much as I hate them, have a point." Kirk frowned. "We both know there were elements within Starfleet that wanted to use Genesis as a weapon."
"It was my life's work. I cannot let it go," Carol said.
"You're letting me go when I go to prison," Kirk said. "You can let Project Genesis go too." Displeased, Carol Marcus stormed off.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In between his studies, Spock wanted to know about the power source soon to enter Federation space. He called Uhura, Chekov, and Saavik into a meeting in his quarters.
"Admiral Kirk is tasking me with the responsibility of determining the origin of this energy source," Spock said. "Unfortunately, he has other matters to attend." Spock turned to Uhura. "Commander Uhura, what more do we know about this power source heading towards Earth?"
"The source knocked out power to a Klingon substation near the Neutral Zone. USS Saratoga will intercept in ten hours." Uhura said.
"We do not expect Saratoga to successfully make first contact with the probe, but it doesn't hurt to try," Chekov added.
"I was considering joining you on this mission to Earth, even though I am currently carrying Spock's and my daughter," Saavik said. "I believe that placing the survival of Earth supersedes my duties as a mother in this instance."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "That is highly illogical, Lieutenant. I suggest you remain on Vulcan, where we believe that you and our child will remain safe."
"But..." Spock cut Saavik off.
"You are presuming that both of us will survive our encounter with the energy source. I believe the risk mitigation requires you to avoid undertaking this mission."
"You should also stay on Vulcan," Saavik retorted.
"That's never going to happen," Chekov muttered under his breath.
"It is illogical for me to order you to engage in a mission that will likely result in both of our deaths. It is also illogical for me to not undertake this mission because the crew needs a Vulcan science officer to provide them information that will solve the mystery of this energy source." Spock continued his train of thought. "Therefore, logic dictates that you remain on Vulcan and I travel with my crew to Earth in an effort to communicate with the probe."
"Understood," Saavik said, softly. "But I don't like it."
"Trust me, we'll all make it through this crisis," Uhura said. "Admiral Kirk and Captain Spock always find a way."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The probe continued its journey towards where it lost contact with the humpback whales. In the distance, it saw a ship shaped differently than the two ships it previously encountered. The probe correctly deduced that this ship was from Earth, the source of its child species. The probe changed course briefly to encounter this human ship, and wanted to communicate to it reasons as to why the whales were not responding to its hails...
STAR TREK EXILES--PART 6
Maltz pondered his future. He was a man without a crew. All of his fellow warriors were killed by the human p'takhs who held him prisoner. What life was left for him either in the Federation or the Empire? In the Federation, he would be living on his knees, bowing in obedience to alien morals and that sky-blue flag that his commander Kruge hated with a passion. In the Empire, he would be viewed as committing a dishonorable act, being taken captive without at least resisting the humans. He was deceived by the human's commander, who spoke Klingon in Kruge's communicator; believing it was his lord, he beamed up Admiral Kirk, Spock, and the corpse of David Marcus, murdered (or in Maltz's view, ritually killed) by his comrades on the dying Genesis planet. Maltz was kept under guard by the Vulcan authorities until his fate was decided. He heard a beep on his prison cell door. It was a Vulcan female, T'Para. She ensured that Maltz remained in sedation for most of his time in confinement.
"Prisoner Maltz. You are to be released to Klingon authorities at 0700 Vulcan hours tomorrow morning. You now have access to your possessions and personal items."
"Thank you, Vulcan." Maltz casually gave the stone-faced Vulcan a wave. He found what he was looking for desperately, his d'k tahg, which was confiscated by the deceitful humans who captured him. He asked for the human's commander to kill him once he was alone with them but was refused his wish. Now, Maltz had his chance.
He glared at the dagger with a bloodlust. Knowing that he had no future, he picked up the d'k tahg and cut his forearm with the sharp end of the top of the blade. Dark purple blood slowly emerged from the wound. Maltz felt an adrenaline rush. The feeling of pain, which humans so desperately sought to avoid, was hardwired into the Klingon psyche as something to be welcomed. Pain was a part of Klingon training; warriors-in-wait were ritually slashed to prove their toughness. Even Klingon sexual intercourse involved pain more than what humans perceived to be pleasure; to the Klingon mind, pain was pleasure.
Maltz then aimed the dagger at his stomach, similar to the Japanese humans he read about who committed a form of ritual suicide called seppuku. The Klingons had an even simpler word for their ritual suicide: Soch. Klingon warriors who were captured and dishonored were expected to commit Soch; anything less would lead to a death far more painful from the feared mind-sifter. Maltz knew a couple of friends who perished via the torture device and Soch was preferable; it was at least at his own hand, and pleasure from the pain would result before his journey to Stovo'kor.
Maltz pointed his d'k tahg straight at his stomach. "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam," he said. Maltz knew today was a good day to die. However, he did not see the Vulcan male who moved just behind him. As Maltz was about to drive the dagger straight into his abdomen, he felt a violent pulse of pain jolting through his neck. The last thing the Klingon warrior saw before he lost consciousness was the same human commander who deceived him grabbing the d'k tahg out of his hand before it entered his stomach.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Back on Earth, Kamarag was still fuming. He felt like he did not receive a straight answer from Chancellor Gorkon. "Flexibility" was not a word most Klingons were comfortable with. Roughly translated into loSwI', Klingon chancellors were not supposed to be wishy-washy. Kamarag was pleased with Gorkon's willingness to prepare the next-generation Birds of Prey but did not believe that one lowly foot-soldier returned to the Empire was a fair trade for a significant reduction in Admiral Kirk's punishment. Kor and Kang were still sitting in a Federation penal colony for a lesser crime than what he believed Kirk committed by concealing Project Genesis. Kamarag marched to the Federation Council chamber, which was about to enter special session due to the mysterious signal emanating from his empire, moving towards Earth.
Immediately after President Roth gaveled the Council into session, Kamarag interrupted the proceedings. "You are honestly going to mitigate Admiral Kirk's crimes in exchange for one Klingon prisoner? That is completely unfair and you know it."
President Roth was having none of Kamarag's nonsense. "The Klingon Empire entering Federation space and destroying a peaceful science vessel is a violation of the treaty of Altair VI. Additionally, the prisoner chose to be killed by Admiral Kirk, who declined. Kirk spared the prisoner's life."
"If you know Klingon custom, the prisoner Maltz has no future. He would commit suicide either under the Federation's control or under our authorities. The pain Maltz is experiencing at the moment is a pain worse than death."
"Ritual suicide is forbidden in the Federation," Ambassador Sarek said. "It is one of the most illogical acts one could ever commit."
"Of course, the Vulcan puppet speaks," Kamarag growled. "I am filing a formal complaint with the Council. We will prepare for war if Kirk is not sentenced to life."
"I'm not certain your chancellor even wants a war," President Roth sternly shot back. "He is the first Klingon chancellor who is even considering peace with the Federation. I believe it is your job to negotiate that peace. Instead, you are threatening a war you know you will lose."
"The Federation will pay dearly for letting Kirk live as a free man," Kamarag growled again before storming out of the room.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chancellor Gorkon felt significant pressure from the hardliners on the Klingon High Council. They demanded he take action against the Federation for the disaster of being humiliated. The Federation successfully tested Project Genesis, which presented an unacceptable risk to the Empire's survival. Genesis could destroy all the Klingon planets, including Qo'nos, if the Federation developed enough devices. In conversations with President Roth, Gorkon was informed that Project Genesis was suspended, but Gorkon did not believe him. In response, Gorkon asked his engineers to develop a permanent cloaking device on the Birds of Prey. Current Klingon technology did not allow their vessels to fire weapons when cloaked, which was a disadvantage to their ships in combat with the Federation. If Klingon vessels could fire when cloaked, it would present an untenable situation for Starfleet and would give the Empire the upper hand in negotiations. Gorkon contacted Kerla, the brigadier general in charge of the cloaking device upgrade.
"We need to increase the speed of research and development," Gorkon said. "We only have a few months at the most before the Federation develops another Genesis device. We cannot allow the humans to unleash another doomsday weapon."
"Understood, Chancellor," Kerla replied. "It will take at least fifty percent of the scientists at the Klingon Science Institute to ramp up production."
"Get it done," Gorkon said.
"Qa'pla!" Kerla shouted.
Gorkon then contacted Kamarag back on Earth. "Ambassador, you filed the formal complaint with the Federation Council?"
"Yes, my lord." Kamarag felt a little sense of relief.
"We will complete the cloaking devices in two months. We are both suspicious of the earthlings' motives when it comes to Project Genesis. We will gain the upper hand on the Federation and force them into a peace unfavorable to them, a true peace that permanently protects the Empire from human expansion."
"Agreed, my lord. You sound like a Klingon chancellor." Kamarag intentionally tried to prod Gorkon, but the chancellor did not take the bait.
"My father taught me to prepare for all eventualities. We either make peace on our terms or we make war on our terms. Never let your enemy set the terms. Keep negotiating on Earth, Ambassador." Gorkon cracked a smile.
"I will press the Federation Council into accepting my demands. Kamarag out."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kirk and Spock returned to the Bird of Prey, satisfied with their handiwork. They, along with T'Para, planned out the prevention of Maltz's suicide. Now, with no dagger, Maltz could not kill himself in the method he desired, a method amenable to the Klingon honor code. This time, the entire crew of the late USS Enterprise met for the first time since Spock and Bones awoke from the fal-tor-pan.
"So we return to Earth in five days, and I am glad to report that our Vulcan friend, Mr. Spock, is almost back to his best." Kirk said.
"I would not categorize myself in that manner, but my physical and mental state have improved every day since the fal-tor-pan." Spock looked at Bones.
"Yeah, I remember when your soul was taken out of my brain. You only remembered me and Jim," Bones said with a chuckle. "You barely remembered the rest of these poor souls." The entire crew laughed."
"I fully recall each member of the crew," Spock replied.
Kirk took control of the conversation again. "So I hear when we return to Earth, Captain Scott and Commander Uhura are getting married. Is that so?"
"I cannot think of an odder couple, but I hope their marriage works out better than mine did," Bones said.
"We know Bones, it ended in disaster." Kirk turned to his doctor. "In fact, that is probably the reason you joined Starfleet."
"And to torture Mr. Spock," Chekov said.
"But anyway, back to Scotty and Uhura. I wonder when the love affair began?" Kirk chuckled.
"You'll never believe it, but back on the original Enterprise, before it was refitted," Uhura said. "I fell in love when Scotty showed me a faster way to fix my communications console than Spock."
"Uhura, I knew you had a thing for Spock," Kirk said. "In our early days on the Enterprise, I remember you serenading Mr. Spock on the recreation deck."
"Mr. Spock eventually got tired of my singing," Uhura said. "Scotty always loved my singing."
"Is that an insult directed at Spock?" Bones said.
"As a Vulcan, I have no ego to bruise," Spock could barely repress a smile, even as a Vulcan. The entire crew burst out laughing.
"So we're returning to Earth in five days," Sulu said.
"That is the plan. However, that mysterious signal is headed closer to Federation space. In a day, it is expected to cross the Klingon Neutral Zone." Kirk then turned to Uhura and Chekov. "We know that USS Saratoga is arriving in the signal's path and will intercept upon its arrival in Federation space."
"We still return to Earth, Chekov said."
"Does the entire crew agree," Admiral Kirk cracked a smile.
"Just give us the word, Admiral" Sulu said.
"And we'll send wedding pictures to your prison cell, I promise." Uhura's comment had the entire crew rolling around in laughter. Even the Vulcan science officer couldn't resist cracking a smile.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Kirk still had one bit of unfinished business before his eventual trial and imprisonment. He contacted Carol Marcus, his old flame, and wanted one last conversation before she returned to Earth.
"Carol, you know I'll be locked up for ten years." Kirk placed his hand on Carol's shoulder.
"I won't have to deal with you for ten years. At least that's one positive that comes out of this situation," Carol joked.
"Will you contact me when I'm in confinement?" Kirk questioned.
"Probably not," Carol said. I want to stay on Vulcan.
"I understand. You want to remain close to David." Kirk said.
"I want to fix Project Genesis and develop it correctly, without the protomatter. David tried to speed up the process within the Genesis matrix and caused this disaster. The Vulcan Science Institute probably has the brain power to improve Genesis."
"Project Genesis is being shelved," Kirk said.
"What!"
"There is an intergalactic controversy," Kirk said in a matter of fact. "The Klingons and Romulans are threatening war because Project Genesis was developed in secret. They consider it a violation of the Altair VI treaty banning planet-destroying weapons."
"Project Genesis was meant for peaceful purposes," Carol said. "The Klingons want to use it as a doomsday weapon."
"The Klingons, as much as I hate them, have a point." Kirk frowned. "We both know there were elements within Starfleet that wanted to use Genesis as a weapon."
"It was my life's work. I cannot let it go," Carol said.
"You're letting me go when I go to prison," Kirk said. "You can let Project Genesis go too." Displeased, Carol Marcus stormed off.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
In between his studies, Spock wanted to know about the power source soon to enter Federation space. He called Uhura, Chekov, and Saavik into a meeting in his quarters.
"Admiral Kirk is tasking me with the responsibility of determining the origin of this energy source," Spock said. "Unfortunately, he has other matters to attend." Spock turned to Uhura. "Commander Uhura, what more do we know about this power source heading towards Earth?"
"The source knocked out power to a Klingon substation near the Neutral Zone. USS Saratoga will intercept in ten hours." Uhura said.
"We do not expect Saratoga to successfully make first contact with the probe, but it doesn't hurt to try," Chekov added.
"I was considering joining you on this mission to Earth, even though I am currently carrying Spock's and my daughter," Saavik said. "I believe that placing the survival of Earth supersedes my duties as a mother in this instance."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "That is highly illogical, Lieutenant. I suggest you remain on Vulcan, where we believe that you and our child will remain safe."
"But..." Spock cut Saavik off.
"You are presuming that both of us will survive our encounter with the energy source. I believe the risk mitigation requires you to avoid undertaking this mission."
"You should also stay on Vulcan," Saavik retorted.
"That's never going to happen," Chekov muttered under his breath.
"It is illogical for me to order you to engage in a mission that will likely result in both of our deaths. It is also illogical for me to not undertake this mission because the crew needs a Vulcan science officer to provide them information that will solve the mystery of this energy source." Spock continued his train of thought. "Therefore, logic dictates that you remain on Vulcan and I travel with my crew to Earth in an effort to communicate with the probe."
"Understood," Saavik said, softly. "But I don't like it."
"Trust me, we'll all make it through this crisis," Uhura said. "Admiral Kirk and Captain Spock always find a way."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The probe continued its journey towards where it lost contact with the humpback whales. In the distance, it saw a ship shaped differently than the two ships it previously encountered. The probe correctly deduced that this ship was from Earth, the source of its child species. The probe changed course briefly to encounter this human ship, and wanted to communicate to it reasons as to why the whales were not responding to its hails...
